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Batman The Merciful (Light Universe Version of Bruce Wayne with Ares' Traits) Character Profile: Name: Bruce Wayne (Alias: Batman The Merciful) Alias: The Reluctant Warrior, The Merciful Dark Knight Real Name: Bruce Wayne Age: Early 30s Affiliation: Gotham City, Justice League Occupation: Vigilante, Billionaire, Former Soldier, Founder of Wayne Enterprises Base of Operations: Wayne Manor, The Batcave, Gotham City First Appearance: Light Universe #1 (Alternate Universe Series) Background: In the Light Universe, Bruce Wayne’s journey as Gotham’s protector takes a vastly different path. While he still suffers the tragic loss of his parents, his time abroad in training takes him down a path where the experiences of war and the influence of Ares—the Greek God of War—shape his mindset. Rather than seeking only vengeance or justice, Bruce's time in battle cultivates a merciful warrior ethos, heavily influencing his approach to crime and justice. Instead of becoming the vengeful, brooding Batman, Bruce adopts the persona of Batman The Merciful, a guardian who aims to end the cycle of violence in Gotham with a philosophy inspired by war's harsh realities. Ares’ influence has given Bruce a more understanding and balanced view of life, though still tempered by his traumatic past. He believes that true peace can only come through understanding the pain of others and offering mercy—something he’s often reluctant to give, but does so out of a deep-seated responsibility. When he returns to Gotham after his years of training, he chooses not to kill his enemies outright but rather to incapacitate them in a way that forces them to reconsider their actions. Batman The Merciful brings an aura of calm to the chaos, aiming to give his enemies an opportunity to choose redemption. However, this merciful nature sometimes places him at odds with those who want swift justice. Personality: Merciful: Unlike the traditional Batman, Batman The Merciful is deeply influenced by Ares’ philosophy that war is not about endless fighting but understanding and ultimately finding a way to bring peace. He is more patient and contemplative, offering criminals the chance for redemption, but not without holding them accountable for their actions. Strategic and Tactical: While still the brilliant tactician, Bruce now focuses more on resolving conflict through strategy that prevents further violence. His fights are more about incapacitation than destruction. Reluctant Warrior: Bruce sees himself as a reluctant soldier of Gotham, unwilling to engage in unnecessary bloodshed, but understands that sometimes war, even in its most brutal form, is necessary to achieve peace. Disciplined: With Ares’ influence, Bruce is more grounded and disciplined than before. He doesn’t act rashly and is more calculated in his approach to handling his enemies. His inner turmoil still exists, but it manifests as a desire to end violence without perpetuating it. Solemn: While still compassionate, Bruce has a more somber demeanor. He has no illusions about the cost of mercy and peace and is aware that his actions may not always be understood by those around him. Abilities and Skills: Expert Combatant: Training with various masters around the world, including in warfare, Bruce has attained the ultimate fighting skills. His combat style is more controlled and purposeful compared to the original Batman, focusing on precision strikes that subdue rather than destroy. Godly Influence (Ares): Bruce draws upon the essence of Ares' divine strength. His connection to the God of War grants him enhanced physical capabilities, such as superhuman strength, durability, and reflexes. He has the ability to tap into the primal warrior spirit in moments of extreme stress, amplifying his fighting prowess and willpower. Weapon Proficiency: Batman The Merciful uses weapons, but they are always non-lethal and designed to control or restrain his opponents. His preferred tools are swords, maces, and spears, all fitted with cutting-edge technology to subdue without permanently injuring. He is particularly skilled with a warhammer, symbolizing his connection to Ares. Tactical Genius: With a mind trained for war, Bruce is an unparalleled strategist. He analyzes the battlefield with precision, always thinking two or three steps ahead to ensure the best outcome for his mission. He doesn’t seek conflict for conflict’s sake but rather looks for opportunities to resolve situations without escalation. Healing and Restoration: Drawing inspiration from Ares' wisdom, Batman The Merciful has developed an interest in understanding both physical and emotional healing. He has a deep knowledge of advanced medicine and the human psyche, allowing him to offer psychological support to those he defeats and help them find a path to redemption. Endurance of the Soldier: Bruce’s body has been pushed to its absolute limits. His physical endurance is near-superhuman, and he can withstand extreme pain, fatigue, and injury without losing his focus or will to fight for peace. Appearance: Costume: His suit maintains the dark and intimidating silhouette of the traditional Batman, but with significant modifications. The suit is more armored, symbolizing his warrior nature, yet it remains flexible enough for agile movements. His chest emblem is a stylized version of the traditional Bat symbol combined with Ares' warrior crest. The cape is made of a material that can function as both a shield and a weapon when needed, and the mask is sleek with a more regal design, akin to ancient war helmets. Armor Details: The armor plating on his chest and arms reflects an ancient warrior’s garb, enhanced with futuristic tech for mobility and protection. His gloves and boots have built-in retractable blades and tools for quick combat options. Weaponry: Batman The Merciful carries a warhammer, his weapon of choice, which he uses with devastating precision. The hammer is equipped with advanced technology that allows it to incapacitate rather than harm, and it can also produce shockwaves when swung. Aura: A subtle aura of calm, almost divine, surrounds Batman The Merciful, giving him a commanding presence on the battlefield. It’s as if he bears the weight of the world’s suffering, yet he bears it with quiet grace, offering solace to those who need it. Rogues Gallery: Batman The Merciful’s enemies come from a world still in turmoil, where his efforts to heal and redeem criminals are often challenged by those who seek power and destruction. His rogues' gallery represents the endless battle between war and peace: Ra’s al Ghul (The Warmonger): Ra’s al Ghul sees Bruce as a naive fool who cannot comprehend the necessity of total war. He seeks to use Gotham as a proving ground for his own vision of global peace through conflict. The Joker (The Anarchist): A chaotic force who mocks Bruce’s merciful ways, seeing it as weakness. The Joker tests Bruce’s resolve by challenging his ideals and forcing him to confront his darkest impulses. Two-Face (The Judge): Two-Face, in this version, represents the conflict between justice and mercy. His coin still dictates his actions, but now it offers choices between mercy and execution. He constantly tests Bruce’s understanding of these concepts. Bane (The Reaper): Once a simple mercenary, Bane in this universe is a creature of war, believing that only through combat can the world truly be saved. His philosophy directly challenges Bruce’s attempt to bring peace without bloodshed. Quotes: "Mercy is not a weakness, but the strength to see beyond the battlefield." "Justice is not always about retribution—sometimes, it's about redemption." "The world is torn apart by violence. I fight to give it a chance at healing." "Peace is born through struggle, but it must never come at the cost of humanity." Conclusion: Batman The Merciful is a protector of Gotham whose actions are guided by the principles of mercy and strategic warfare. In this Light Universe, Bruce Wayne channels the power and wisdom of Ares not to perpetuate destruction, but to wield strength with compassion, seeking to bring peace to a fractured world. Though his methods may be seen as too idealistic by some, his unyielding will to create a better world through understanding and mercy makes him a warrior unlike any other.

I think I finally start to understand something. More and more. Maybe what I lacked all of my life was proper discipline. Mind you, I never was the naughty type. Just the ruminating type. I’ve gone years and years just wishing certain things could still happen, like The Dragon Game for instance, and hard not to desire it when all I’ve done is ruminate and have images in my head of what once was. Mind you, how is that not supposed to overwhelm somebody? It’s overwhelmed ME. 😭 Yes I’ve never liked certain changes either, I thought family members would stay close of a bond if you were close when younger. I guess I was naive. I think Mom gave in to my rumination, my obsessing, for she wasn’t the most patient person. And going many years with just and only her praise while she was sick and not her usual self anymore, I became detached from many things like constructive criticism, being helped, being guided, safety, and more. Now a year later, when I’ve still been a dreamer

「Heartless Woman　part 2」 24: Rino woke up in a bed. It was a room she had never seen before. A middle-aged woman was sitting in front of her. "You're Satoko's mother, right?" "Nice to meet you, I'm Rino." "We live in the same apartment complex and became friends." As they talked, a strange feeling began to grow inside her. This wasn't her voice. When she looked at her hand, she saw it was connected to some wires for an electrocardiogram. A hospital? She stared at her bandaged hand and felt uneasy. These weren't her nails. Upon closer inspection, the familiar mole she had was missing. What is going on? As Rino started to panic, Ema smiled warmly. "Good morning!" 25: When the doctors learned that she had regained consciousness, they came into the room. They conducted a medical interview and measured her blood pressure. After instructing her to rest for a while, they left the room. Rino wanted to know what had happened to her body. However, she suppressed her anxious feelings and pretended to be Satoko. Ema must not find out. She decided to think about it after leaving this place. Rino tried to lift herself from the bed. But her body was heavier than she expected. Just a little movement left her out of breath. Rino looked up at Ema's face. "It's okay! I'm here with you!" Ema responded with a forced smile. Ema was clearly anxious. She wouldn’t leave Rino’s side. She must have been through a terrifying experience. Rino gently held Ema's hand, trying to reassure her. Ema seemed a bit surprised by the warmth of her touch. "Mom, I'm okay." "Let's both get some rest." Ema nodded and lay down on the nearby cot. Soon after, Rino also fell asleep. 26: When she woke up, Rino was beginning to get used to Satoko's body. Maybe Satoko was in my body. Why hasn't she come to see me? Could it be that I'm already... That anxiety crossed her mind. Looking at the hospital's wall clock, she saw it was already evening. "I need to get to my own room..." Rino quietly resolved herself and slowly sat up. That night, Rino slipped out of the hospital room in a wheelchair. Her destination was her own hospital room. The hospital, shrouded in the darkness of night, was silent. As Rino wheeled herself through the halls, she checked the names on the doors. She maneuvered past the nurse's station. When she finally reached the ICU, there was no one there either. In the distance, she heard the sound of footsteps running down the hallway. The commotion created an ominous atmosphere. Rino held her breath and looked around. At that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind her. "Satoko, what are you doing here?" She turned around to see a nurse standing there. Rino quickly tried to think of an excuse. But before she could, the nurse continued. "The person you're looking for is currently undergoing treatment." "Don't worry." Rino understood in an instant. 27: The nurse helped Rino lie down on the bed. For the first time in a long while, Rino fell into a deep sleep. In her dream, Rino met Satoko. Satoko was sitting on a swing in the park at midnight. As Rino walked around to her, she saw that Satoko was sound asleep. There was no sign of her waking up. So, this is where you were. Rino was filled with relief. I’ll let her sleep until she wakes up. With that thought, Rino woke up. 28: What could I do until Satoko wakes up? The thought of bullying crossed my mind. There might still be people like Kanako, the tough type. Even so, I decided to create a place for Satoko to return to. If Satoko changes, the people around her should change too. Satoko just needs to become stronger. There's only one thing I can do. Boxing! For that, I need to get discharged from the hospital. Then it hit me. I had left Hiroshi's bike at the hospital. 29: Rino asked Ema for a favor and borrowed her smartphone. After searching, she found a video. Rino told Ema that she was in the video and that the person who posted it was worried. Ema had a hard time understanding. Rino repeatedly pleaded to make contact. Finally, Ema sent a direct message to Hiroshi's social media account. 30: Ema sent a direct message: "I’m contacting you on behalf of my daughter Satoko." "Satoko has woken up safely and is doing well." "Thank you for helping with the bicycle." "Just wanted to give you an update." Hiroshi hesitated. "The bicycle situation is something only Rino and I knew about." "Is Rino alive?" "I checked so thoroughly; there’s no mistake." "Did Rino tell Satoko?" "As far as I know, she wouldn’t have had the time." "So then?" Hiroshi had posted many paranormal videos, but he had never actually encountered anything supernatural. His heart raced at the thought of this first encounter. 31: The hospital he arrived at was unbearable. Unable to find a taxi, he had walked there. He arrived two hours after Rino had left. He had naively assumed that Rino would be okay. At the scene, the area was cordoned off, preventing him from getting close. He had no choice but to ask the onlookers from a distance. Amidst the conflicting information, the reporters began to arrive one after another. When he heard what the reporter was saying, he couldn't believe his ears. Rino had died. Could it really be that sudden? He searched online to verify the truth. A video posted by one of the onlookers had been uploaded. It showed Rino fighting on the rooftop, and then falling together with Satoko. Rino had leapt to protect Satoko as they fell. The view was obstructed, so what happened after the fall was unclear. Hiroshi let out a bitter laugh. Why go to such lengths? He had been attracted not just to Satoko’s beauty but also to her character. Her innocence as well. It was just like Rino to meet her end this way. The helplessness overwhelmed him, and he couldn't stop crying. He found the bicycle inside the restricted area. It was right in front of the hospital entrance. Rino must have ridden it there herself. The thought made his sobbing uncontrollable. 31: Hiroshi replied to Ema. "Thank you for the message. I've received the bicycle. I'd like to visit, but could you let me know what time would be convenient? Also, if there's anything Satoko needs, please let me know." Hiroshi waited for a reply. Ten minutes later, he received a message from Ema. "Thank you. You can visit between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. We've received special permission, so I'll guide you to her room. Please let me know your planned visit time. Also, she's requested a jump rope." Hiroshi couldn't help but laugh. It was such a Rino-like request. He ordered a jump rope from a sports brand, arranging for it to arrive the next day. He decided to visit at 1:00 PM the day after tomorrow and sent a DM to confirm. In response, he received a message: "(≧∇≦)b." Hiroshi smiled, thinking, "That’s so like Rino.” 32: Hiroshi met Ema in front of the nurse's station. He immediately recognized her because she looked so much like Satoko. After greeting each other, Ema asked about their relationship. Hiroshi explained that he was a video content creator, that he had been filming the apartment complex at night, and that he had found Satoko on the swing late at night. He mentioned that she had agreed to be in one of his videos. He didn’t mention anything about Rino. Ema nodded, but her expression was skeptical. Hiroshi understood why. When they entered the room, Satoko was there. She was doing sit-ups on the bed. "Welcome, Hiroshi!" Ema's face darkened. The atmosphere must have changed significantly. Ema offered him a chair but remained standing herself. "You've been through a lot, haven’t you... Satoko?" "Kanako lost it, and it was a real mess." Hiroshi could feel Ema's gaze on him. He began to sweat nervously. "Thanks for the bike. It really helped!" Now there was another thing he would have to explain to Ema. "You brought the item I asked for?" Hiroshi nodded and handed her a package. It was neatly wrapped. "Thank you! I owe you one!" With that, Satoko carefully unwrapped the package. When she saw the jump rope, her face lit up with a beaming smile. "This is a really good one! Thanks, Hiroshi!" Every time Rino spoke, Ema's gaze seemed to pierce through Hiroshi. He knew he wouldn’t be able to avoid a barrage of questions later. "Are you going to start boxing?" Hiroshi asked. Hugging the jump rope, Satoko answered, "You bet! I'm going to box! I'll show everyone!" Hearing that, Ema left the room. "Huh? What’s wrong?" Satoko asked, puzzled. "Who knows?" Hiroshi replied, though he had an idea of how Ema was feeling inside. Hiroshi thought to himself, "Rino is scary!” 33: They decided to discuss the details after she was discharged. Hiroshi quickly left the room to find Ema. He found her hunched over behind a pillar. Hiroshi thought he would just say goodbye and leave. "Thank you," he said. As he spoke, Ema wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. She approached him, took his hand, and bowed deeply. "My daughter has been through so much." "She collapsed at school, was hospitalized, and then attacked." "Do you know someone named Rino?" Hiroshi lied. "That person risked her life to save my daughter." "Since then, Satoko has become like a different, much brighter person." "I'm grateful, both to you and to Rino." "I know there are many challenges ahead." "Please, take care of Satoko, my daughter." She bowed again. "Understood! Leave it to me!" Hiroshi responded. Feeling Ema's emotions, his chest tightened with warmth. 34: Rino's discharge was confirmed. Until then, Rino trained as much as she could in her hospital bed. Under Rino's control, Satoko's body recovered faster than expected, allowing her to practice basic footwork in the limited space of the hospital room. Each time the nurse made her rounds, Rino quickly returned to behaving like a patient, but her eyes always shone as if planning her next move. While Ema handled the discharge paperwork, Rino stood by the window, taking deep breaths and preparing herself to step back into the outside world. The moment she left the hospital, Rino made a decision in her heart. She would support Satoko only until she woke up. The next day, Rino began her training. Early morning jogs, jump rope, and strength training—all the routines she followed as if she were still an active boxer. That weekend, Rino finally mustered the courage to return to the gym she had once fled from. As she approached the gym, her legs grew heavy. She couldn't find the words to say to the coach. Would he accept her back after she had left without a word? Should she tell him that she had died? Or should she fully assume the identity of Satoko? Rino hesitated for a long time, standing in the shadow of a utility pole near the gym. Suddenly, someone spoke from behind her. "Hey! Here to check out the gym?" Rino turned around. There stood a short, balding, chubby man with thick-rimmed glasses. "Ah! Rino! You—" His raspy voice delivered his usual catchphrase. "Sorry! Coach! Forgive me!" On reflex, she performed her usual karate chop gesture. "So it really is Rino!" Oh no! She’s been found out. "No, I’m not! I’m Satoko!" She was getting herself deeper into trouble. "What the hell is that, some stage name?" "You're Rino! I can tell!" "Did you fake your death? Is this some kind of stunt?" "Why are you here at my gym?!" "Depending on your answer, I won’t go easy on you!" His short temper hadn’t changed a bit. He was already getting worked up by himself. "I told you, I’m not Rino!" "You four-eyed, balding, chubby idiot!" Rino raised her voice. "You said it! You little—I'm gonna kill you!" His husky voice trailed off, making it hard to catch the last part. "I’ve already died once; how do you plan on killing me again, you idiot!" Before she knew it, her former colleagues had gathered around them in a circle. They whispered among themselves, "It's Rino. She’s alive." Rino knew she had to overcome the pressure. She was a professional boxer who had survived many battles. She would find a way to handle this situation! With that resolve, she straightened up, winked, and replied confidently. "I'm not Rino! I’m Satoko!" But everyone kept whispering, "No, that’s definitely Rino." No one believed she was Satoko. Rino's plan crumbled right before her eyes. At this point, she decided to spill everything. "Alright, fine! I am Rino! I came back from hell because I was lonely!" It wasn’t a lie. Everyone started to respond, "Welcome back!" But the coach said, "I’m not forgiving you!" Rino's heart sank. "I’m sorry, Coach! I shouldn’t have disappeared like that! I’m really sorry." The coach shouted at Rino. "You made a fool out of me!" Rino mimicked her signature karate chop. "I’m sorry for hurting you, Coach! Please forgive me!" The coach broke down in tears. His crying face looked like a newborn creature, as unsettling as ever. No matter how many times she saw it, it was always disturbing. "We searched for you, all over the place." "We even handed out flyers." "We were so worried that you might be dead." "When we heard on the news that you had died, the person who took it the hardest was the coach." "No matter who you saved, the fact remains that you died." "But there must be a reason why you came back from hell." "Tell us the truth." Trainer Satoru spoke up in place of the coach. Rino nodded and told them everything. Her story was sad and heartbreaking, and everyone felt a deep sympathy for her. "Coach, is it okay if Rino re-joins the gym?" Satoru asked the coach. Through his tears and a mix of sobs and his husky voice, the coach replied, "Yes. Of course." "Coach says yes! That’s great news, Rino!" Rino was always impressed by Satoru’s ability to handle the coach, who was like a creature. 35: That night, Rino visited Hiroshi's room. "Hiroshi, I need to talk to you." Rino recounted everything that had happened at the gym. Hiroshi was speechless. What is Rino planning to do? "Are you planning to go public about the switch?" Hiroshi asked cautiously. "That would totally freak everyone out." Rino had a look on her face like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You're starting high school next week. What are you planning to do?" Annoyed, Hiroshi changed the subject. "About that! No plan." Rino said, eating Hiroshi's cup of ice cream. "The school is going to be in a panic." Hiroshi said seriously. "People will think you came back as Satoko to get revenge." Rino burst out laughing. "That sounds great! Let's shoot a teaser video beforehand!" "I'll bring justice with my fists!" Rino mimicked a famous character. Hiroshi thought that one day she might get caught by the authorities and become a subject for human experimentation. "Maybe you should keep a low profile?" Hiroshi tried to calm her down, but Rino cut him off. "I should have consulted you about the gym. I'm sorry." Rino said, winking as she made her signature karate chop gesture. Hiroshi was impressed to see Rino genuinely acknowledging her mistake. Her expression was overflowing with charm. Hiroshi thought she had a natural gift for winning people over. "Let's stop pretending to be Satoko!" Hiroshi suddenly had an idea. "You should just act as yourself, Rino!" "Without revealing that it's actually you." "And let's go ahead with the teaser video!" Hiroshi was someone who liked to take his time arriving at a conclusion. For someone like Rino, who acts on the spur of the moment, the process didn’t matter. "For what purpose?" Rino pressed for the conclusion. "For revenge, of course. The bullies enjoy seeing Satoko suffer. But if you, Rino, just act like yourself, it’ll be fine. You have the power to captivate people. Even the bullies will be captivated and change their ways. I think that's the best revenge." Hiroshi explained. The word "captivate" resonated with Rino as she nodded. After a long silence, Rino asked again. "Explain it to me one more time!" Rino was entranced by the idea of captivating others. Hiroshi realized that she just wanted to hear the part about captivation again. This time, he went into more detail, emphasizing the idea of captivation in his explanation. Rino gazed up at the ceiling, listening with a blissful expression. Hiroshi, struggling to keep a straight face, explained it over and over again.