Chapter 6 – The Law Fights Back
The Talons were relentless.
Even as Ibrahim's safehouse sealed itself, he knew they wouldn't stop. The Court of Owls had never been put on trial before—because no one had ever lived long enough to do so.
But Ibrahim wasn't just anyone.
His system, Lex Legis, was already working—scanning financial records, judicial decisions, and decades-old case files, building an airtight case that could take down Gotham's hidden rulers.
And yet, he wasn't foolish enough to think this was just a legal battle.
This was war.
The safehouse was lined with old case files, encrypted disks, and a direct uplink to the Gotham Supreme Court database. But Ibrahim needed more than evidence.
He needed witnesses.
He tapped on his system. "Lex, pull up known defectors of the Court. Survivors, former Talons, anyone who has ever turned against them."
[Searching…]
[Match found: William Cobb – Status: Ex-Talon, Currently Incarcerated in Blackgate Prison.]
Ibrahim's brows furrowed. William Cobb. A legend among the Talons. The Court's greatest assassin, until he betrayed them.
If anyone knew their secrets, it was him.
Getting into Blackgate wasn't hard. Getting out would be the problem.
Ibrahim had called in a favor with Commissioner Jim Gordon, securing a temporary visit under the pretense of legal counsel. He knew Gordon didn't fully trust him yet, but right now, their interests aligned—the Court had to be stopped.
Cobb was waiting in a dimly lit cell, chained to the floor. His piercing eyes studied Ibrahim as he stepped inside.
"A lawyer?" Cobb scoffed. "The Court must really be losing their grip if they're sending you instead of an executioner."
Ibrahim pulled out a file. "They don't know I'm here. But they will soon."
Cobb leaned forward, intrigued.
"And what does Gotham's newest idealist want from me?"
"Testimony." Ibrahim slid the file across the table. "Everything you know about the Court. Their financial dealings, the judges they control, the politicians in their pocket."
Cobb chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't get it, do you? The Court doesn't just control Gotham—they are Gotham. You think you can take them to court? Make them stand trial like common criminals?"
Ibrahim met his gaze. "I don't think. I know."
Cobb's smirk faded slightly. He studied Ibrahim, then exhaled. "You're serious."
Ibrahim folded his arms. "You want revenge, don't you? They betrayed you. Left you here to rot. Work with me, and I'll make sure they never control Gotham again."
A long silence.
Then, for the first time, Cobb nodded.
"Fine. But if you want to take them down, you're going to need more than the law."
Ibrahim's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Cobb's voice was quiet, but firm. "The Court doesn't just use money and politics. They have something far worse—a failsafe hidden deep beneath Gotham."
A chill ran down Ibrahim's spine.
"Then we'd better find it before they use it."
The moment Ibrahim left Blackgate, the attack came.
His car had barely pulled out of the parking lot when the road ahead exploded. A Talon leaped from the wreckage, blades gleaming, eyes burning with unnatural rage.
Ibrahim barely had time to react as his security driver was yanked from the car and silenced in an instant.
The Talon ripped open the car door—but before he could strike, Ibrahim's system activated.
[Defensive Measures Initiated.]
An electric shock surged through the vehicle, sending the assassin reeling back. Ibrahim wasted no time—he grabbed his emergency case, kicked the door open, and ran.
Bullets rained down from the rooftops. The Court wasn't sending just one Talon—they were sending all of them.
But Ibrahim had planned for this.
As he sprinted through Gotham's industrial district, his system calculated an optimal escape route. He veered left, slipping into an abandoned WayneTech warehouse just as the Talons closed in.
Inside, he activated a hidden emergency broadcast beacon.
"Gordon, it's Ibrahim. The Court is trying to erase me. I have evidence. Get to my location—now."
Static.
Then Gordon's voice came through. "Hold your ground, counselor. Help is coming."
But Ibrahim knew the truth.
No one was coming fast enough.
The first Talon stepped inside the warehouse.
Ibrahim clenched his fists. He wasn't a fighter. He wasn't a superhero.
But he was something stronger.
He was the law—and he wasn't going down without a fight.
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