No comments in the last chapter? I thought I was cooking in the last chapter, especially with Etrigan's rhymes and the build-up to the war. Anyway, here's another one.
Constantine and Etrigan emerged abruptly into the Batcave, instantly overwhelmed by the sheer technological splendor and cold grandeur of Batman's lair. Monitors towered like colossal monoliths, cascading streams of data flooding the dark cavern with stark, vibrant hues of green and blue. Sleek, polished vehicles stood silently poised for action, each crafted meticulously to embody Batman's unmistakable motif. Above was what looked like the rocky formation of a deep underground cave.
Alfred Pennyworth stood ready, posture impeccable, hands calmly clasped. "Welcome back, Mr. Constantine, and of course, Etrigan," he greeted, voice smooth and unshaken.
"How'd you know we were coming?" Constantine asked, suspicious but genuinely curious, glancing around cautiously.
Alfred smiled faintly, nodding toward an array of softly blinking devices. "The bat-array was unusually active. A subtle, urgent signal. In other words, Zatanna had left a homing spell on you that was connected to our surveillance systems."
"Technomagic. The lass--Zatanna is fucking talented alright. But when did she put a homing spell on me?" Constantine quipped, then joined his fingers together as his body rose, his eyes glowed as golden inscriptions ran down his body.
"Damn it Etrigan, you didn't mention that I was tagged when I came to get you?" Constantine frowned as his body landed on the floor upright, looking at Etrigan with a disapproving look.
"I just wanted to see who would show up at the end of the trail. But it turned out to be a bummer, it's fucking bats." Etrigan turned his face away, acting coy in front of Constantine as if it were nothing but a harmless prank.
"It could have been the Night Nurse or some demon that I owe, trying to get back at me now. You think now is the time for jokes, aye?" Constantine moved closer, clearly trying to make the situation clear. Dealing with demons was a dangerous side hustle that could cost one's life or soul but in his case, his soul isn't worth a damn penny to demons, but his suffering is something any of them he had dealt with would want front row seats to.
Mercy Graves, standing off to the side, nodded curtly at their arrival.
'An actual fucking demon. I guess it is the end of the world.' Mercy thought to herself as she greeted the arguing duo with a wave and didn't stop her course to get out of there.
She pivoted sharply, heels clicking rhythmically against the polished floor as she headed toward the portal behind them. Mercy's lacy leggings glistened in the batcave lightining, cathing Constantine's attention as he eyed the female bodyguard with strawberry hair falling to her shoulders donning a dark suit jacket that was almost bursting at the buttons to keep her generous pair of tit flesh from spilling out, she also wore a black mini skirt with a combat belt and two gun holsters that rested on her wide hips, the skirt was just stopped just a few inches away from her privates with a dark lace leggings going past her mini skirt asConstantine whistled appreciatively at her perfectly toned legs, a mischievous smirk dancing on his lips.
Mercy shot him a cold glare. "Zip it, Constantine." She continued but was stopped by Alfred who handed over her beret which she thanked him for and wore.
Despite her clipped tone, Constantine caught a faintly amused gleam in her eyes—a secret enjoyment she'd never openly admit. He smiled knowingly, his ego well-satisfied.
Etrigan observed Mercy briefly, appreciating her figure with a subtle nod, but quickly became captivated elsewhere. His crimson eyes widened, transfixed by Zatanna's shimmering magical projection hovering gently nearby.
"Constantine, come look," Etrigan growled urgently, pointing a clawed finger toward the ethereal edges of Zatanna's figure. "There, at the edges. Tell me you see it."
Constantine moved swiftly, eyes narrowing sharply. He gasped softly in recognition. "Zatanna. It can't be. Those energies… they're from another dimension. One I haven't felt in years."
As Constantine reached toward Zatanna, tracing glowing symbols gently in the air, she spoke urgently yet gently. "John, please. I know you're trying to find me—but focus first on helping Bruce."
She paused, choosing her words carefully as she remembered Bruce's compromised identity. Yet she relaxed slightly, recalling Constantine already knew the truth. "Just hurry. Time's short."
"Zee," Constantine asked softly, concern breaking through his typical bravado, "Are you alright?"
But before she could answer, Zatanna's projection flickered erratically, her form dissolving rapidly into wisps of fading magic. Constantine cursed softly, frustrated, hands dropping uselessly at his side. Batman, standing behind them, watched silently, suited in full gear, expression grave.
"It's been like that for some time. Only 20 minutes at a time, and once a day to twice a day. It shows that she is held with another person to warn her… of what you might ask? Guards. She is somewhere in the Dark Realms, she says. I don't know how long she can continue there, but she is depending on us now." A deep voice from the shadows caught Constantine and Etrigan offguard, making them clench their ass cheeks in shock.
"Come," Batman instructed, voice clipped, resolute. "This way."
Batman led Constantine and Etrigan down narrow stairs, deeper beneath the Batcave. The air grew colder, darker. Floor lights flickered softly at their feet, casting pale, eerie illumination. They emerged at a subterranean body of water, faint bioluminescent shapes shimmering beneath the surface. A massive black circular gate loomed before them, ominously sealing the cave's exit to the outside world.
Batman tapped a control on his utility belt. Instantly, bubbles rose vigorously from the dark waters. A sleek, black vessel smoothly breached the surface, shaped unmistakably like a bat.
Constantine chuckled dryly, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Even your submarine's shaped like a bloody bat, huh, Bats? Getting everything right on theme, are we?"
"And yet you give me shit for being poetic John. This man's cave is a whole theme park!"
Batman ignored him pointedly. "Get in."
Etrigan snickered, crafting a quick rhyme:
"Beneath the waves, I follow thee,
Though waters deep unsettle me.
For battles great we now prepare,
Let's hope Atlantis greets us fair."
Inside, the submarine's controls glowed dimly, a comforting contrast against the oppressive darkness surrounding them. The circular gate slowly parted, water roaring past, swirling violently around them. Fish and aquatic creatures scattered frantically, disturbed by the sudden rush.
The submarine dove swiftly, descending steadily deeper. Darkness thickened, pressing heavily against the craft's reinforced glass. Constantine glanced toward Etrigan, who sat unusually tense.
"What's wrong, big guy?" Constantine teased lightly, hiding his own discomfort beneath humor. "Not afraid of a little water, are we?"
Etrigan glared sharply. "I prefer the flames and fiery hell—this watery tomb doesn't sit well."
"Don't worry," Constantine said with exaggerated calm. "If it leaks, you'll be the last to drown anyway."
Etrigan grunted irritably, ignoring Constantine's dark humor as the vessel plunged further into the abyss.
Suddenly, a faint glow appeared ahead, gradually growing brighter. Atlantis spread before them, brilliant, ethereal, luminous beneath the ocean's depths. Towers glittered like sapphire spires, reefs radiating soft pastel colors, pathways illuminated gently by bioluminescent organisms.
Batman swiftly activated a tracker, carefully steering the vessel away from Atlantis's bright lights. They navigated cautiously toward a secluded underwater cave embedded within an imposing cliffside. The craft glided smoothly through a hidden entrance, surfacing gently in a vast cavern. The batmarine surfaced, breaking the surface of the water in the cave where oxygen flowed freely.
Waiting patiently atop a raised platform stood Aquaman, regal, composed, trident held firmly at his side. Water dripped rhythmically around him, echoing softly in the cavern's vast emptiness.
Batman opened the hatch silently, stepping forward onto the platform, Constantine and Etrigan following closely. Aquaman inclined his head respectfully, eyes serious yet welcoming.
"Batman," Aquaman greeted firmly, voice echoing powerfully. "It's... been too long."
Batman nodded briefly, acknowledgment without unnecessary words. Aquaman glanced toward Constantine and Etrigan, raising a curious eyebrow.
"Strange company you've chosen," he remarked dryly, eyes glinting with cautious curiosity.
"We need everyone we can get. Everyone." Batman responded firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Our enemy grows stronger."
Aquaman sighed deeply, nodding gravely. "Then we'd best hurry."
He turned sharply, guiding them deeper into the cavern. Batman walked silently beside him, Constantine and Etrigan close behind, each sensing the weight of the moment—the critical importance of their fragile alliance. Fragile or not, they needed to work together in unison.
Ahead lay secrets buried deep beneath the ocean floor, perhaps powerful enough to tip the scales against Raven's growing threat?
It's like Raven just told the world to "STAND READY FOR MY ARRIVAL". Well she did kind of warn them through Kyla-el.
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