I'm in an American comic book, and all my teammates are main characters and bosses.

Chapter 78: Is your Ares from Northern Europe?

Ron wasn't surprised to learn that the Speed ​​Force couldn't escape this world or even contact other speedsters from other universes. He simply followed the Flash to the Metropolitan Center Laboratory.

Located in the laboratory, Cyborg sits in the center chair, massive cables connecting from behind his head, his entire body riddled with densely packed data wires. His flesh has dissipated, revealing a skeleton entirely made of alloy—a cyberpunk-esque electronic skeleton.

"How's the virus removal process going? What are the results?"

"Very bad."

Thomas, who was helping with the task, said in a deep voice, "The virus code has already invaded most of the Steel Bone's electronic circuits. Although the impact can be mitigated by physical removal, no matter how much we remove it, or even if we dig out all the infected areas, it won't be long before other areas also become contaminated with electronic contamination."

Thomas took a deep breath and said, "The only way right now might be to transfer Cyborg's consciousness to another area. Otherwise, along with the remaining mechanical beings being infected, Cyborg's own consciousness will also disappear."

"No, that only prolongs death." A cold, synthesized electronic voice came from the speakers nearby:

"I've tried many methods, and based on my deductions and confirmation, these cursed codes have anchored themselves in the core of my consciousness. As long as I take over a new body, the cursed codes will follow. Unless…"

"Unless what?" Ron asked.

"Unless I cut off all unnecessary emotions," Cyborg said.

"According to intelligence obtained from military laboratories, the curse spreads and distorts individual consciousness and common sense by contaminating them. Therefore, the curse has a slower effect on people with strong will and those who have suffered mental breakdowns. By eliminating all unnecessary emotions and transferring them as a pure electronic soul, I have a 40% chance of getting rid of the curse."

"Forty percent? That's not low." Ron nodded and said, "Have you considered the consequences?"

"Yeah, even becoming an AI is better than becoming a living dead," Cyborg said. "If there are other Cyborgs in other worlds, then I still have a real chance of being resurrected."

"Then let's get started preparing; we don't have much time left."

Seeing that Cyborg had made up his mind, Ron didn't try to dissuade him further.

In fact, even Ron thought Cyborg's action was very risky—Cyborg screamed in pain when his arm was torn off. This was because although Cyborg had become a robot, he had not lost his humanity and had retained realistic electronic nerves in his steel body.

To outsiders, preserving this electronic neural network might seem foolish. But Ron understood it perfectly.

"Why... do I feel like he's somewhat similar to you?"

Ciri stared at Cyborg for a while, then said with some confusion, "Not referring to his abilities, but... his form?"

Upon hearing this, Ron nodded and said:

"Although Cyborg's electrification looks completely different from me and Geralt, it is essentially a mutation of life form, only the direction and route of the mutation are different."

To be precise, Cyborg is also a poor man who survives through mutation in the literal sense. It's just that his mechanical art style makes his mutation seem more unique compared to Spider-Man's genetic mutation.

Thinking it over, Ron explained:

"And advancements that resemble mutations often require maintaining one's humanity, leaving a sufficient anchor point to prevent losing oneself during the advancement process and becoming a puppet of the mutation instinct. Geralt's human anchor point is Vesemir, Yennefer, and you. Cyborg's human anchor point is his many emotions and perceptions as a human being."

"Removing these human anchors can indeed greatly enhance one's own power and maximize the potential of the mutated body. However, at the same time, one will also be dominated by the mutated monster instincts, becoming a pure monster from soul to body, unable to advance to the next stage, and losing many possibilities for the future."

After hearing Ron's explanation, Ciri nodded thoughtfully, then asked with some curiosity, "So what about your human anchor? I feel like you don't seem to care about anything in particular?"

"So you're saying I'm not human? How rude," Ron said. "My anchor of humanity is rather unique. If I had to pinpoint it, I've always remembered how I was at the very beginning."

"..." Upon hearing this, she fell silent, then shook her head with a sigh.

Were you this inhuman from the very beginning?

"I feel like you've thought of something very rude."

"I think this must be your imagination." Ciri shrugged sheepishly, determined to deny it to the death.

Ron glanced at Ciri with suspicion, but didn't ask any further questions.

While Ron and Ciri were talking, Cyborg's consciousness also completed its transfer. Entering Thomas's armor, Cyborg completely stripped away his emotions, forming an artificial intelligence program similar to AI.

"It's almost done."

Beside him, Thomas, clad in heavy bat armor, spoke in a deep, somber voice that conveyed a sense of bitterness and resentment, making one's brow furrow with worry:

"Cyborg's consciousness has been successfully uploaded and is now inside this armor."

"It seems that even electronic robots need a cyber coffin."

Ignoring Ron's complaints, Thomas simply asked, "What's the next plan? Organizing the materials about the military's secret base won't be easy, and it'll likely take at least a week to get things sorted out."

"Then let's focus on the most important things," Ron said. "The red sun lamp in the room where Superman is imprisoned, the special radiation in the intelligence data that weakens Superman, and Superman's various abilities, strengths and weaknesses, based on the military's human experiments. Let's compile these first and then develop targeted weapons as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

Thomas said he handed it over to him, but it should actually have been handed over to Cyborg inside the armor. However, Cyborg now has all his consciousness removed and will not speak unless necessary or if he is asked to.

"As for Barry and me... let's go contact Themyscira first." Ron glanced at the Flash beside him:

"Please make the trip first and let the people on Paradise Island know. That will prevent unnecessary conflict when Ciri and I land."

"OK, leave it to me, I'll contact you later."

As he spoke, Barry transformed into a bolt of lightning and dashed off into the distance. He traversed mountains and valleys along the way, and upon approaching the sea, he even waded across the water.

Gotham and Metropolis aren't far apart, but they're quite a distance from Paradise Island. Because this world affected Barry's connection to the Speed ​​Force, Barry was moving slower this time. While controlling his speed to avoid impacting this already damaged world, a round trip took a full seven or eight minutes.

Patting his chest, Barry said, "I've already informed Diana... But speaking of which, Diana seems a bit off. Even though it's the safest of all the remaining human settlements, everyone seems tense and on guard."

You'll find out when the time comes.

As he spoke, Ron turned his gaze to Ciri. Seeing this, he glanced at the coordinates on the map, confirmed the latitude and longitude, and soon Ciri also felt a faint resistance.

This must be the magic circle of Paradise Island, right?

Ciri remembered Ron telling her that Paradise Island was a divinely created island inhabited only by women. Enveloped by a special magic circle, ordinary mages and technology could not pinpoint Paradise Island's true location.

With focused mental energy, Ciri quickly completed the operation of the Ancient Blood and swiftly opened the Gate to the World.

"Ciri and I went ahead first."

Ron glanced at Bruce, and remembering that communications in this world had been disrupted by the global virus, he took out a resonance bell and tossed it to Thomas, saying:

"If needed, just shake the bell. The sound of this bell can pass through dimensions and will not be affected by the curse. However, as a price, it will affect your mind to some extent when you use it, but the impact is not significant. If you mind, you can have some criminals shake the bell. I can still sense it and will come back to provide support immediately."

"OK."

Thomas carefully placed the bell away and said, "I'll let you know as soon as there are any results here."

As they spoke, Ron, Ciri, and the Flash passed through the Gate of the World and arrived directly at Paradise Island.

In fact, the moment the Gate of the World opened, many Amazonian warriors surrounded it. Their eyes were wary, and the woman in the lead, wearing a golden helmet and silver armor, gripped her longsword tightly. Only after seeing Barry arrive did she gradually relax.

Looking back at everyone, Ron said with an unsurprising expression, "That's right, just as I thought. It's a good thing I sent you over to explain the situation first, otherwise we guys might be riddled with holes by now."

Upon hearing this, Barry, who was standing nearby, expressed his complete understanding: "It seems that I still have a lot to do with my existence."

"I know Barry, but who are these two?"

Sheathing her sword, Diana strode over with an air of arrogance. A hint of coldness and warrior's fortitude lingered between her brows. While Diana in other timelines was also a spirited and formidable female warrior, this Diana was undeniably more powerful from every angle.

A gaping wound ran across Diana's entire cheek, but this did not detract from her beauty; instead, it added a touch of fierce and aggressive power.

After glancing at Diana, Ron stroked his chin and said, "I must say, you look quite good in Mera's helmet."

Diana wears two helmets, one being the divine armor of Themyscira, which, unlike the golden armor in her second solo film, is silver. She also wears the golden headdress of Mera, the Queen of the Sea.

The headdress and helmet were inlaid together. Although they were two completely different colors, they were similar in style and at first glance there was nothing wrong with them. However, they were not perfectly matched in terms of energy.

Upon hearing Ron's words, Diana sneered and said, "That coward Mera is incredibly weak in both strength and spirit. Her weapons are decent, but that's all; they were only obtained because of her status. Now that they're in my hands, they've finally found their true value!"

As she spoke, Diana glanced at Ciri beside her, then raised her chin and said, "As for you, although Lightning Imp has informed us, for the Amazons, trespassing on Paradise Island is an unforgivable crime."

"The situation was urgent, and there was nothing we could do about it."

Ron said, "Or are you simply dissatisfied that the divine stance of Paradise Island could be so easily breached, and therefore feeling an unprecedented sense of crisis?"

"Pretty much. The Amazonian tradition is to spare no effort in eliminating this kind of threat."

The battle-worn Diana, covered in scars, gave a cold laugh, but then said:

"But there's no need for that now. Just like that little lightning brat couldn't establish a complete connection with the Speed ​​Force, the power of the divine realm is drifting away from this world. Before long, without the connection to the divine realm, the entire divine stance of Paradise Island will collapse. Haha, the world is about to perish. Let's see who can survive to the end!"

Looking at Diana, whose eyes were filled with madness, Barry pursed his lips.

It's truly hard to imagine that Wonder Woman, so valiant and intelligent in her own world, would become a war maniac in this one...

Ron didn't seem to care much about Diana's condition, simply saying, "Speaking of which, it seems you've run into some kind of problem here?"

"..."

Upon hearing Ron's question, Diana glanced at Barry and then said nonchalantly, "Pretty much, I did run into a small problem."

"What's the problem?"

"When the world curse spread, we wanted to try to establish a connection with the realm of the gods. In order to change all of this, we decided to use Paradise Island as an anchor point to summon the descent of the true gods."

"So, who did you summon?"

"Who could it be? It's Ares, the God of War, of course!"

Ares, Diana's nemesis in the DC universe, is a bloodthirsty killer and conqueror of fortified castles. He is a symbol of power and authority, a bloodthirsty, and the embodiment of human calamity.

In other universes, this would be unimaginable, but in the Flashpoint universe... Diana's faith in Ares is perfectly normal.

"So, where does the problem lie?"

"I don't know why, but the Ares that descended was a coward I've never seen before."

Diana scoffed, "To have anger and war flowing through your veins yet despise war is utterly boring."

"What are its characteristics?"

"Distinguishing features? Does being covered in white ashes, having red tattoos, and carrying a Nordic axe count?"

"……Um?"

(End of this chapter)