With the Serpent Coil dismantled, a fragile sense of victory settled over the unlikely alliance. Batman, overseeing the GCPD's handling of the captured cultists and recovered artifacts, offered a rare moment of something akin to… respect. "The Serpent Coil was a deeper threat than I realized. Your… unique perspective was invaluable."
Michael, observing the grim efficiency with which Batman operated, replied, "The darkness takes many forms. Lian Yu taught me that."
"Gotham has its own share of darkness," Batman countered, his gaze distant. "And it never truly sleeps." He shared fragmented intelligence about other shadowy organizations operating in Gotham, whispers of metahuman activity and arcane dealings that hinted at a larger, more interconnected underworld.
As Michael, Oliver, and Slade prepared to return to Starling, Batman offered a final, almost cautionary piece of advice. "The energies you wield… be careful. They attract attention. Not all of it will be friendly."
Michael met his gaze, a shared understanding passing between them. "The same could be said of a bat in the night." A silent acknowledgment of their shared vigil, their commitment to protecting their respective cities from the encroaching darkness.