"Taolf!"
Zatanna's commanding voice echoed through the theater with both authority and grace. The moment the magical word was spoken backwards, the three elephants began to float gently above the audience, as if made of cloud foam. The crowd fell into stunned silence, jaws dropping as the massive creatures hovered just meters below the theater's ornate ceiling.
Gasps of surprise spread like wildfire. Some people shrank into their seats, while others pointed in awe, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
Then, with a gentle wrist twist and an elegant flick of her silver wand, Zatanna gave her second command:
"Evolb etarts!"
Instantly, the three elephants began to inflate like party balloons—until POOF! — POOF! — POOF! — they burst into a shower of golden confetti, raining down on the audience like summer snow. A true storm of shimmer and color.
It took only seconds for the silence to erupt into a deafening roar of applause and enthusiastic whistles.
Arthur, seated in the front row with a half-full can of Coca-Cola in hand, raised an eyebrow, impressed. A flurry of confetti settled in his hair as he muttered, more to himself than anyone else:
"Now that is what I call a show."
Zatanna spun on her heels and, with a mischievous smile, faced the audience as the background music softened.
"For my next trick…" — her voice was melodic, seductive, like a siren about to drag sailors to the depths — "…I'm going to need a brave volunteer."
Almost instantly, hands shot up from every direction. People wriggled in their seats, shouting "ME!" like kids on a school trip. Zatanna's eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on Arthur.
She smiled.
"The gentleman in the first seat to the left… would you mind joining me on stage?"
Arthur nearly choked on his soda. He looked around, unsure if the invitation was truly meant for him. But the spotlights betrayed him — all eyes were now on him. With a sigh, he stood casually, patted some confetti off his jacket, and calmly climbed the steps to the stage.
Zatanna watched him with clear interest.
"I hope you're not scared of what's to come," she said, her tone playfully teasing.
Arthur gave a small, crooked smile and replied in a calm yet confident voice:
"Let's just say… a magic top hat isn't exactly the kind of thing that frightens me."
Zatanna raised an eyebrow.
"Bold. I like that." She stepped closer and, with theatrical flair, placed her black top hat on his head.
"Esaercni!" she intoned.
The hat glowed brightly and, in the blink of an eye, expanded in size, swallowing Arthur whole as if it were a black hole made of felt and silk.
The audience held its breath.
"Now…" Zatanna turned to the crowd. "Prepare to witness the truly impossible."
She pointed her wand once again, twirled gracefully, and spoke:
"Knirhs!"
The hat shrank with a pop, returning to its original size, light enough to be held between two fingers. She lifted it up and flipped it upside down.
Nothing. Arthur had vanished completely.
A moment of total silence followed — then the theater erupted in applause. Cheers, whistles, and shouts of "UNBELIEVABLE!" filled the air. Even the most skeptical viewers were convinced they had seen real magic.
Inside the hat, Arthur found himself in a strange space — pitch black, cold, and utterly silent. But he remained calm, eyes sharp as he observed the void.
"Convenient..."
Then, as if the thought had triggered some hidden sensor, a white mist swirled around him. When he blinked, he was back on stage, unharmed and standing — as if he had never left.
The crowd exploded again. Zatanna bowed and winked at him.
"Congratulations, you were the calmest and bravest assistant I've ever had. Not even a scream?"
Arthur smiled and replied with quiet charm:
"I've been through way more stressful things than being swallowed by a hat. That was… relaxing."
Zatanna laughed — a real laugh, not a performance. She studied his face more closely. His eyes — burning rubies — seemed to hold too many secrets for an ordinary man. She caught herself staring for too long.
(God… this man is way too charming.)
She shook her head to snap out of it.
"The show's not over yet, Miss Illusionist," he said, noticing her distraction.
"R-right!" She cleared her throat and turned to the audience, giving one final bow. "Ladies and gentlemen! That concludes tonight's performance! Thank you for being with us… and remember: the world still holds incredible wonders."
As the enchanted audience began to leave, Arthur made a move to step off the stage — but Zatanna's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
He turned, curious.
"Do you believe in magic?"
A simple question.
Arthur paused for a second, then answered with a lazy smile:
"Didn't you just turn me into a walking hat trick?"
Zatanna chuckled, but her eyes kept studying him.
"My name is Zatanna. Zatanna Zatara," she said, offering her gloved hand.
"Arthur Morgan." He took her hand firmly, maintaining eye contact.
"Arthur, can I ask you a favor?"
"Depends. Are you going to shove me into another hat?"
"Not this time." She stepped closer, hands behind her back. "I've just returned to Gotham and… let's say I need someone to accompany me."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. He knew she was lying — Zatanna knew Gotham like the back of her hand. But there was a spark in her eyes… as if she were looking for something more than just a guide.
"Sure," he replied. "The pleasure's mine."
"Great," she said with a victorious little smirk. "Let's start somewhere that serves coffee. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night..."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."