the skyline’s a sermon, every flame tells a tale— Funny how kings become cowards when their kingdoms exhale. And I wonder, as the ashes turn the heavens blood-red, Was I fighting for the living, or avenging the dead? I wanted the world to feel everything it had done—

managing.” She wasn’t about to turn away a capable ally, but that didn’t mean she was eager to rely on one. Barbara had grown accustomed to keeping people at arm’s length, and old habits were difficult to break. “If you’re offering help, I won’t insult you by pretending Gotham