As dawn approached, a haunting stillness enveloped Tulsa. The city lay shrouded in the shadows of the night, unaware of the darkness that had descended upon it. Lucian, now Eclipse, perched atop a skyscraper, surveying the sleeping metropolis below. The first rays of light began to creep over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, but he felt no warmth from the sun—only the cold thrill of power at his fingertips.
He had waited all night, reveling in the anticipation of what was to come. The world needed to know his name, and he would ensure they understood the depths of his wrath, power and determination. They would obey or they would disappear. Today, he would make a statement, and the mayor of Tulsa would be the unwitting messenger. His first step to global domination had to start somewhere.
As the city began to stir, he took to the sky, gliding effortlessly above the streets. The early morning bustle of commuters and vendors was just beginning, but he had no intention of waiting any longer. Some people noticed him in the air, shrieks and cries of bewilderment echoed out as they pointed, but Lucian decided not to bother with any of them. He honed in on the mayor's office, a grand building situated at the heart of the city, its imposing façade a symbol of authority and governance.
Lucian landed silently on the rooftop, his black spandex suit blending seamlessly into the shadows. He could see the mayor's office through the large glass windows, the bustling staff oblivious to the storm brewing above them. He closed his eyes, tapping into the power within, feeling it surge through him like a live current.
With a swift motion, he propelled himself downward, crashing through the ceiling with a thunderous roar. Dust and debris filled the air as he landed in the center of the office, the startled mayor and his aides frozen in shock.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Eclipse greeted, his voice a chilling blend of authority and menace. "I trust you're all well-rested."
With out any hesitation, a man clad in a black suit rushed forward, gun in hand and attempted to subdue Lucian. "Get down! Get on your knees and put your hands above you head NOW!"
With an annoyed look, Lucian glanced at the man any without and fanfare, proceeded to cut him in half at the waist with his laser vision. The man toppled like blocks and started to scream as his organs spilled from his torso.
Lucian walked up to the man and stepped on his head, squashing it like an egg under his boots, which he had also taken from the boutique, cutting the man's pitiful howls short.
The mayor, a stout man with a balding head, stumbled back, his eyes wide with abject terror. "W-What is the meaning of this? Who are you?"
Lucian stepped forward, the light from the windows casting an ominous shadow over him. "I am Eclipse. And I have come to ensure that my presence is known across this city—and the world."
Lucian looked deep into the mayors eyes and smiled darkly as his eyes glowed deep red. "You will tell the world about me, or I will show you the true meaning of despair."
The aides began to murmur in panic, their faces pale as they glanced at the gruesome remains of the corpse on the floor. The mayor raised his hands in a gesture of submission. "Wait! Please, we can talk about this. What do you want?"
Eclipse leaned closer, slightly annoyed and his eyes glowing with a deep crimson light. "I want you to hold a press conference. Right here, right now. You will announce my arrival and declare me the new order of this city. Any resistance will be met with destruction."
"The people won't just listen to you." The mayor objected lightly sweat running down his bald head.
"Don't worry about that. I will make them." Lucian coldly smiled.
The mayor's face was a mask of fear, but he nodded slowly, grasping for any semblance of control. "Fine, fine! I'll do it. Just… just let us leave!"
"Leave?" Eclipse chuckled darkly. "No one is leaving until my message is delivered. I want the world to see that defiance against me comes with consequences." He waved ominously toward the corpse on the floor.
With a wave of his hand, he sent a jolt of energy through the room, causing the lights to flicker and the walls to tremble. The mayor's aides gasped, and Lucian could almost taste their fear. "Now, get a camera ready. I want the entire city to witness this."
Moments later, as the mayor hastily organized the press conference, Lucian's mind raced with possibilities. He would use this moment to sow the seeds of terror, to ensure that everyone understood the weight of his power. He could already envision the headlines: "Eclipse: The Dark God soon to conquer the world?"
In no time at all, the cameras were set up and the press gathered outside the building, Eclipse floated gently beside the mayor, who looked utterly defeated. The moment was electric, the tension palpable. Light whispers and exclamations of awe in Lucians small feat echoed throughout the crowd, but nobody dared utter a word before an explanation was given.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the mayor began, his voice trembling. "I have an important announcement regarding the safety of our city."
Eclipse leaned in, his presence looming like a storm cloud. "No, no, Mayor. Allow me." He smirked, gliding into the frame, the camera lens capturing his formidable figure. "I," he paused allowing the moment to settle in, "am Eclipse, and I am here to usher in a new era. You will all bow before me, or you will suffer."
Turning around, he unleashed a furious wave of energy from his eyes and tore through the town hall. With a thunderous explosion, the entire building collapsed sending shockwaves through the air.
"Let this be a warning," he declared, his voice echoing through the chaos. "I hold the power of life and death. Anyone who dares to defy me will experience the same fate as Ashford. I will cleanse this world of its filth, and I will not stop until my vision is realized."
As the crowd stood frozen in fear, Eclipse smiled, a cold and calculating expression. "Now, go forth and spread the word. Let them know that Eclipse has arrived, and darkness will reign unless they submit to my will."
With that, he turned, soaring back into the sky, leaving behind a city gripped by fear and confusion. The dawn had broken, but for the people of Tulsa, it was just the beginning of an eternal night.