A few kilometers from Kahndaq City
The portal shimmered open, and Raven, Hawkman, Flash, and Cyborg stepped through. Above the shrine, Superman hovered, arms crossed, his gaze stern as he spoke in a deep, resonant voice.
"Your father awaits, Raven," he said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me," Raven snapped, pushing his hand away. She ascended the shrine's steps, stopping at the very top. A deep, chilling voice echoed around her.
"There'd better be no tricks this time," it warned, "if you don't want your friends to die."
"No tricks this time. Just leave this world alone after this," Raven replied, her voice steady.
"Thwart destiny? You and I were meant to be together—and we shall be." The voice was final, unwavering.
Raven's eyes flared as she screamed, releasing a torrent of magic at the ring of the shrine. The runes ignited and pulsed as the spell activated.
----
Hours later, Los Angeles
Outside Lux Piano Bar, Max and Zetsu leaned against the curb. Zetsu glanced at the sleek black building.
"So… this is the place?" he asked.
"Yes. This is it," Max replied.
"And… what are you here for anyway?" Zetsu pressed, curiosity lacing his tone.
"I'm here for someone," Max said, his eyes scanning the entrance.
"Could it be a lady, perhaps?" Zetsu teased.
"No," Max said flatly.
"A man, then?" Zetsu raised an eyebrow.
"Don't make it weird. I'm here for something important," Max snapped.
"I was just joking. Can't you take a joke?" Zetsu said.
"Your sense of humor is terrible. We don't joke about that," Max replied, irritation creeping into his voice.
"Well, what are we waiting for, then?" Zetsu asked, nudging him.
"What did you mean 'we'? You and your stupid tendencies are staying here. I can't risk you pissing someone off that even I can't handle"
"Suspicious," Zetsu muttered.
"My patience and leniency have limits, Zetsu," Max warned. "Now, stay here." He pushed open the door and walked inside, leaving Zetsu outside, scowling.
Inside Lux, the atmosphere was exactly as advertised,low lighting, velvet booths, and just enough patrons to keep the place alive without making it loud. A slow jazz melody drifted through the air, blending with the clink of glass and muted conversations.
Max stepped inside, scanning the room as he moved toward the counter.
Behind the bar stood a well-dressed man polishing a glass with practiced ease. He looked up, offering a polite smile.
"What can I get you?"
"I'm looking for someone," Max said evenly. "The owner of this place, to be exact."
The bartender's smile widened slightly. "You're looking at him."
Max studied him carefully. No flicker of deception or hidden amusement.
"Lucifer," Max said. "Do you know where he is?"
The bartender paused mid-polish.
"…Lucifer?".
"Yes."
A confused frown creased the man's forehead. "I don't know anyone by that name. Lux has always been mine."
Max didn't respond immediately. He simply stared, suspicion sharpening his gaze.
"Has this bar always been called Lux?" he asked.
"Since I opened it," the bartender replied. "About twelve years ago."
Max exhaled slowly,this wasn't surprising.
His future self had warned him,Lucifer would probably refuse to help again. For all he knew, Lucifer wasn't even in this universe. Or maybe he was… just choosing not to be found.The man standing in front of him could very well be Lucifer,thats how OP he is.
That was the problem with dealing with someone like him.
Better to drop it for now until he had the Time Ring and could search other universes himself.
"Can I help you with anything else?" the bartender asked.
Max considered for a moment, then nodded. "Whiskey. On the rocks."
"Coming right up."
Max took a seat as the bartender began preparing the drink when a voice spoke beside him.
"He was never here in the first place, you know."
The voice was feminine and almost cheerful.
Max turned to his right.
A young woman sat beside him, as if she had always been there.
Early twenties in appearance. Pale skin. Messy jet-black hair. Black tank top, black jeans, black boots. An ankh necklace rested against her chest, and beneath her right eye was the unmistakable mark of the Eye of Horus.
Max recognized her instantly.
Didi or rather,Death of the Endless.
She smiled at him like they were old friends meeting for coffee.
Meanwhile, Titan Tower
"I hope you've all recovered," Starfire said, her eyes scanning the room, "because we need to get Raven back and prevent Trigon from being unsealed."
"How?" Blue Beetle asked, frowning. "We don't even know where she is."
Robin pulled out a tablet. A blinking dot pulsed on the map.
"She's in the Middle East. Sixty miles north of Kahndaq City," he said.
"How did you-" Beast Boy began, but Robin cut him off.
"I put a tracker on her."
"When?" Blue Beetle asked.
"The same thing i did to all of yoh thirty seconds after we met," Robin replied calmly. The Titans all stared at him.
"Yeah, I get that," Blue Beetle said, "but how do we handle Superman and Flash?"
Martian Manhunter began, "We'll handle them-"
"Superman shouldn't be a problem," Robin interrupted.
"Yeah, like you're going to fight him after getting handled by Cyborg," Terra quipped.
"I have a better alternative. I just need to get close." Robin said
"How do we get there in time?" Beast Boy asked. "Flying will take too long."
"I tagged Hawkman just in case," Nina said. "We should be able to teleport directly there. Now hold hands and be ready to attack the moment we arrive."
The Titans exchanged glances but obeyed, linking hands. Robin, ignoring Beast Boy's outstretched hand, leaned his head on Beast Boy's shoulder.
"Dude, we are literally waiting on you," Beast Boy said, half-exasperated.
Before Beast Boy could protest further, they vanished.
---
At the Altar
They appeared in the center of the ritual site. Nina was already in motion, her eyes blazing. She launched a punch directly at Hawkman, connecting with his jaw. He flew back, crashing into the stone floor, immediately drawing the attention of the others.
Cyborg retaliated, firing a volley of missiles.
"Scatter!" Blue Beetle shouted as the Titans dodged. Robin pulled out a kryptonite shard, targeting Superman, while Nina activated her Susanoo. A massive spectral white arm shot forward, blocking the incoming missiles. Explosions rocked the area, sending smoke curling into the air.
"Leave them to us! Just go get Raven!" Nina shouted, her voice echoing over the chaos. A blue aura radiated from her body, cracking the ground beneath her as she surged toward Superman.
Martian Manhunter flew after Flash while Wonder Woman intercepted Cyborg, wrapping him with her lasso and spinning twice with him nefore tossing him away then chasing after him.
Nina dodged Superman's punch with superhuman reflexes and countered with a powerful strike to his abdomen. The blow landed with a deafening impact, sending him hurtling backward, slamming into a nearby pillar before regaining his flight. She pressed her advantage, continuing the assault.
Down below,Raven screamed in pain as she fell to the ground. Starfire rushed to catch her just in time. The rest of the Titans closed in, forming a protective circle around her.
A massive boom echoed from above where Nina and Superman clashed, shaking the entire altar.
"Damn… I really thought she was kidding when she said at full power she could fight the whole Justice League," Beast Boy muttered, awe evident in his voice.
"Are you all right?" Starfire asked Raven, ignoring Beast Boy's comment.
"Nothing is… alright," Raven replied solemnly with tired eyes.
The altar shook violently, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone, and red energy began seeping from the fissures.The ritual had been complete and Trigon was about to come fourth.
End of Chapter
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