Did you miss me? The Raven fic resumes officially today! You've been holding off on reviews and that hurts. We are in the 90's people! Chapter 90! Drop those reviews, especially you barrister!
Batman's jaw tightened in determination. "Constantine, prepare your strongest barrier. Etrigan, support him. I'll deal with Billy."
Constantine nodded grimly, hands glowing with prepared spells, tension etched clearly across his face. "There's not enough time for that, Batman. We need to get out of here—we're royally buggered."
Batman narrowed his eyes as he felt lightning crackle violently overhead, illuminating the Batcave starkly, shadows twisting grotesquely against its ancient walls.
"Not without Alfred," Batman said, holding firm in his resolve.
Within seconds, the fragile barrier Constantine had hastily erected with the help of Etrigan emitted a loud cracking sound. Before Batman could respond, a massive bolt shattered the ethereal shield like glass.
In the intense flash, two imposing figures emerged: Captain Marvel, who was also known as Shazam, and the formidable figure of Black Adam himself, his expression as stoic as ever.
Batman's eyes hardened instantly. "So, you've not only allowed yourself to be corrupted by Raven, but you even stooped low enough to partner up with him?"
"Hmph." Black Adam merely hovered in the air, his disdainful gaze causing even Constantine to flinch involuntarily. Both Batman and Etrigan couldn't help but involuntarily move as well when someone as notorious and powerful as Black Adam moved, or risk becoming the victims of receiving first attacks without preparation.
"It's not like that, Batman," Shazam retorted quickly, his voice filled with a yearning for acceptance, yet there were traces of denial, shame and guilt with some resolve. "You don't know what I saw—what I felt that day. We were actually prepared for her attack at the time. Knowing that she had already taken you out of the equation before paying us a visit shook some resolve in the team. It was as if she knew who to take out first. I know I'm just a teenager, but I have never felt so small the way she belittled us. She was... just too strong. Everything was just amusement for her, mere entertainment. I could only watch helplessly as she and her women massacred the Justice League. It was so one-sided it nearly ended as soon as it started" Shazam clenched his fists, looking away bitterly.
Enraged, Batman launched himself forward, surprising both newcomers with his newfound flight. His hand shot out, gripping Shazam by the collar roughly. "And you just WATCHED?"
Shazam, unable to hold back his anger, sparked dangerously with electricity. "AND WHAT DID YOU EXPECT ME TO DO, BATMAN? OFFER MYSELF TO BE SENSELESSLY KILLED? IF YOU THINK DYING FOR THE CAUSE IS NOBLE, YOU'RE A FOOL!"
Batman held firm against the sparking lightning, his newfound durability also coming as another surprise to both Batman and everyone present.
"YOU THINK DEATH IS THE END WITH RAVEN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT SHE DID TO GREEN ARROW? The poor guy… HIS SOUL IS STILL TRAPPED BY HER! SHE MADE IT A POINT TO SHOW US! ONE OF MY BLESSINGS ENABLE ME TO DISTINGUISH REALITY FROM ILLUSION AND THAT WAS NO ILLUSION!" Shazam visibly wilted under Batman's harsh accusations, his lightning fading.
'Breaking morale? If she intends to do so, that means she is not just killing mindlessly. Hmm. Then why the long wait? Why doesn't she just take over the world now if that's her goal? But one thing is certain, we can't let her keep growing or any countermeasure we… best not to overthink this.' Batman's face looked puzzled as he thought through Raven's actions so far.
Etrigan watched intently, his demonic eyes thoughtful. 'She manipulates souls now? Has she awakened fully?'
Batman, recognizing Shazam's guilt, relaxed his grip. "I... apologize."
"But how did you know where to find us?" Constantine said, as he tried to understand the situation while things were still calm.
Shazam sighed deeply, nodding his head in acceptance. "Tracking you wasn't difficult. Anyone who encountered Raven leaves behind a distinct signature, though yours had been weakening until recently. I came immediately, thinking whoever it was needed help. It was just a small way of… forgiving myself back… then."
"And you brought him," Constantine sneered, pointing directly at Black Adam.
"His country dwells in this world. He wishes to protect it as well," Shazam replied defensively turning his hand to Black Adam in a welcoming gesture.
"I can speak for myself, boy," Black Adam interrupted coldly, eyeing Constantine. "Do you have a problem with me, witch?"
"Hahaha," Etrigan laughed darkly. "I speak for John here. His only vice comes at a price, and that price is—" Without finishing, Etrigan lunged at Black Adam.
"Ohh shi--" Constantine tried to move to stop Etrigan, but Etrigan outclassed him in that department, he had already crossed the invisible border line drawn between the two groups.
"Wait—" Batman shouted urgently, but it was already too late.
"VIOLENCE!" Etrigan roared joyfully, his whip cracking viciously, ensnaring Black Adam instantly and pulling him into a devastating punch that sent him sprawling backwards.
"Impressive," Black Adam smirked, wiping blood from his lips, before hurling himself back at the demon.
Their clash was brutal. Each strike sent shockwaves across the Batcave. Whatever Alfred was doing now was suspended as he had to take cover or risk injury and possible expiration of his life. Black Adam hurled lightning bolts effortlessly; Etrigan absorbed and redirected fiery blasts with sinister laughter. Adam dodged, spun, and drove his fist into Etrigan's chest.
Etrigan countered, swinging the whip to snag Adam's leg, slamming him mercilessly into the ground. The duel grew fiercer until Adam, sensing an opening, charged his hand with raw lightning and gripped Etrigan's throat, paralyzing him in blinding agony.
Yet, even under immense pain, Etrigan grinned wickedly. With a final defiant gesture, he released the whip, morphing it instantly into a lightning rod. The electrical assault diverted, allowing Etrigan a swift punch, knocking Adam away.
Both warriors, battered but exhilarated, rose again, smiles of battle-crazed satisfaction plastered on their faces. They readied themselves for another round when Batman and Shazam nodded at each other and swiftly interjected.
"Enough!" Batman snapped, holding Etrigan at bay with an intense stare.
"Adam, cease this," Shazam ordered sternly. "We need allies, not more enemies!"
"You lot can tear each other apart later," Constantine muttered irritably. "Right now, bigger threats loom, or did Shazam's tearful story not go through your heads? We would need all the help we can get."
Etrigan snorted but eventually relaxed. "Next time, then," he growled, eyeing Adam hungrily.
Black Adam chuckled. "Agreed."
'Provided there will be one.' Constantine thought, sighing to himself
After the tension dissipated, Batman addressed Shazam directly. "Why him specifically? Didn't he try to kill you multiple times?"
Shazam hesitated. "Hold on—Batman, did you kill Aquaman for his powers? Because the Batman I know doesn't fly."
Batman scowled. "I could fly before."
Constantine blew out a puff of smoke as he let his cig rest between his fingers and corrected nonchalantly, "Yeah, with the Batwing."
Batman turned sharply, glaring. "How did you—"
Constantine rolled his eyes, cigarette dangling lazily from his lips. "You call this place the BATCAVE. You're the BATMAN. I suppose one plus one equals two."
Batman simply looked away, huffing to himself. It was not his fault if others did not have naming taste.
Black Adam, examining the forge room, interjected curiously, "Did you just finish welding your magical weapons?"
Shazam's eyes widened, alarmed. "So you did kill Aquaman and steal his weapon!" Rising higher, thunder rumbling above, Shazam's anger returned.
Batman rose calmly to meet, his eyes glowing briefly grey as if reflecting the clouds above. Instantly, the storm dissipated, leaving a clear, starry sky visible. "What?" Shazam stammered, confused.
Black Adam pointed knowingly. "That's—"
"A gift from Poseidon," Batman finished solemnly, his voice echoing through the cavern. "Even the gods have joined this war."
Silence followed Batman's declaration, every figure in the Batcave absorbing the weight of his words. This was no mere conflict—it was a war involving beings of unimaginable power. Shazam slowly descended, absorbing the revelation.
"Poseidon himself?" Shazam whispered incredulously.
Batman nodded gravely. "We're not fighting any mere powerful villain. We're fighting a deity. The rules have changed."
Etrigan crossed his arms, his face hardening. "Then we must change with them."
Constantine smirked bitterly, lighting another cigarette. "And here I thought I'd dealt with the worst of the supernatural. They just keep on coming."
Batman tightened his grip on the trident, eyes cold as steel. "Prepare yourselves. This is just the beginning. Having the two of you with your knowledge in the magical arts would help hasten things now. Let us begin!"
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