*Kaldur, Foothills of Albany, House Of Mysteries
"So this is where the famous John Constantine lives?" Wally said divisively.
Zatanna sighed, "Yes Wally... how can you still doubt magic when you have personally seen me cast it, have fought a literal entity of chaos, and even visited the Tower of Fate, one of the most magical places on earth!"
"Pfft," Wally snorted, "I know you guys can manipulate energy and stuff, but magic is still a bit of a far cry."
Kaldur seeing Zatanna ready to argue put his hand on her shoulder and shook his head when she gave him a questioning gaze.
"Wally prefers quantifiable things," Kaldurs amused voice said.
Looking back at the speedster he continued, "Magic has no equations that can truly describe it. Thus his inability to understand it or even accept it... in other words, he is a little dumb."
The spluttering from Wally trying to argue against what Kaldur said brought a smile to Zatanna's and Artemis's face. Even the ever grumpy Connor had a face trying not to smile at the jab from their leader. While M'gann didn't even try to hide her laughter at the insulted speedster.
Robin and Batgirl however, it did not seem to improve their moods.
Batgirl seemed distracted and unknown to most of the team except for Kaldur and Robin did not want to join this mission. The exact reasons were unknown to him, save that it resulted in an argument with Batman insisting she join to report back to him.
But if that was the case, then why was Robin with them?
While Barbara was still acting professional if a little distant, Dick was in an absolute foul mood. His attitude and derision to Kaldur's leadership was troublesome. Part of it he knew came from the fact that Batman had chosen him to lead the re-activated Team. He remembered well the ugly face Dick had when it was announced. The other part came when he discussed the hostility to his leadership from Dick to Batman. And while he did not elaborate, he did mention that recently Dick had become more difficult with following orders, and that they had several arguments before that day.
So while he had a Batgirl who didn't want to be there, and a Robin who was fighting with his mentor, he at least had the other teammates to pick up the slack if need be. It was not ideal having the teammates like such, but the pressures on the League and the significance of the mission only revealed by Batman to him made it necessary.
'Gods coming and warning the League... what is going on,' were the thoughts leading up to their search for John Constantine. The man who was said to have access to information of what was coming.
They had spent a considerable amount of time traveling up and down the eastern seaboard spending a long time in Kentucky where the House usually was. But finally thanks to Zatanna knowing Constantine and a few spells she was able to tract down the House in the middle of a field in Albany, New York.
It was the biggest problem trying to find John Constantine. The House of Mystery was a magical construct that teleported itself frequently. Along with its inherent nature the House boasted impressive magical protection and anti-detection. Such qualities were further enhanced by Constantine who added more wards when he took possession of the structure.
The House of Mystery was a multi-story gothic wood and stone mansion, and though it boasted an aged and worn look, it still maintained a high quality of maintenance. A thick stone wall surrounded the House with a locked iron gate blocking their entrance to the front door. Lights shown through the windows of the House all the way to the top tower that looked down upon the team.
Wally perhaps out of boredom of being stuck in the bio-ship for so long was quick to zoom to the gate and reach out to try to open it.
Zatanna attempted half heartedly to stop him by shouting but was too late.
Putting his hand on the lock Wally was blasted 20 feet away with the distinct spell of ozone emanating. The gate pulsed with currents of electricity before settling down to its mundane appearance.
Steam rose from the groaning speedster as Kaldur walked over and looked him over. From Kaldur's inspection, Wally was fine if a little shocked and in minor discomfort.
"Next time," Kaldur said annoyed and then emphasize, "Please wait for Zatanna, the magic user to give the all clear to the mystical and for all we know cursed house!"
Looking around at the rest of the Team he said, "That goes for all of us. We don't know what we are getting into so please be cautious."
Giving the nod to Zatanna, she took a deep breath and walked towards the gate which to the surprise of the others unlocked and swung open with barely a creak.
Glancing back at the surprise Wally, Zatanna smiled.
"Constantine and I know each other and I have visited the House before. Seems like it still remembers me."
Kaldur and the Team followed her closely to the front door. There she gave a simple knock and waited.
A moment later Kaldur could hear some crashing noises and what sounded like cursing in the House. Following that was the sound of scuffling feet and some more cursing before the door swung open to reveal the owner of the House.
A man stood there with a black slacks, leather loafers, ruffled white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and loose dark red tie. His hair was blond and stylishly messy with a strong six o'clock shadow outlining his handsome face. Pale blue eyes that were bloodshot and exhausted stared at them with a mixture of annoyance and exasperation. Perhaps though the most noticeable thing was the incredibly pungent smell of alcohol wafting from the man.
Zatanna said conversationally, "John."
John Constantine pinched in-between his eyes as he groaned with a English accent, "Zatanna and some of her kiddo friends. Now is not the best time luv."
"Out for another night of drinking?" Zatanna asked.
Constantine leaned his elbow against the doorframe with his hand propping his head and closed eyes.
"I was actually working the Rick' Bar Night Club trying to get some information. Monsters and even Demons are always slipping up, if you get them drunk enough."
Standing straight and stretching his back he seemed to focus more on the rest of the group.
"And what is this? A bloody field trip? I told you Zatanna, you are always welcome, random strays are not."
At this Kaldur took a step to stand beside Zatanna.
"Mr. Constantine," he said respectfully, "The Justice League sent us to enlist your services in investigating a growing concern. I promise you that we know your services do not come free and are prepared to pay for it."
"Are you now?" The once hungover man now appeared to be attentive.
Appraising the group he finally sighed, "All right mate, come on in and we can talk about whatever job you have."
Constantine step aside and opened the door wider with a motion to come in.
Kaldur nodded to his Team and entered the House with them following right behind him.
The inside of the house also had a esthetic that while aged and old looked to be nearly pristine in condition. It reminded Kaldur of the old Victorian drama's M'gann would occasionally watch at Mount Justice. The walls had candles that did most of the illumination though it cast deep shadows in places giving an additional air of mystery to the place. That and the occasional whispers from various voices that were so soft it could of just been the wind, knowing where he was Kaldur doubted that.
Walking down the corridor of the House they entered a large grand entrance.
"Keep to the right and head towards the library, it has a fire blazing so you can't miss it," Constantine shouted from the door.
He and Zatanna had engaged in a quiet conversation that Kaldur could not hear. Seeing Robin making up the rear he guided the Team towards the library while he whispered to Robin.
"Do you know what they are talking about?"
Robin scowled, "Why don't you ask Zatanna, you are the Team leader."
He merely raised an eyebrow at Robin who after a moment huffed and said, "Something about a road trip and when her next vacation is."
And with that Robin pushed past Kaldur and made his way to the library where the rest of the was.
Shaking his head at the retreating Robin he thought, 'I need to talk with Batman, this is getting out of hand.'
The library of the House of Mystery was an impressive sight. It boasted the estetic of a wealthy manor with hand carved wooden shelving, plush couches and chairs surrounding a roaring fireplace. Various pedestals stood holding a myriad of old antiques like some sort of bizarre circus. Off to the side was even a desk piled high with assorted books, papers and trinkets. The walls had books shelved everywhere rising high into the dark ceiling that Kaldur could not see past despite his effort.
"Don't bother yourself mate," Constantine and Zatanna walked into the library.
Zatanna had a hint of a fading blush which Constantine seemed to ignore.
"Even I don't know how many books there are or how high it goes. I tried once climbing the library's ladder there and was climbing for nearly an hour before I gave up."
Chuckling at the memory, Constantine hopped into one of the grand chairs near the fire with a contented sigh. Pausing for a second, he waved his hands in a pattern that caused a puff of smoke and the appearance of a bottle of whiskey and a glass with ice to appear.
Pouring himself a small amount, before grinning and filling up his cup he leaned back into his chair in a relaxed manner.
Taking a sip of his drink he said, "So tell us Atlantean, what brings you to my neck of the woods as the locals like to say."
"The League was recently warned of a threat," Kaldur began while wondering how Constantine knew he was Atlantean.
"You were named as someone who could help us uncover more information about the threat."
The magician looked at Kaldur with a bored expression, but for the briefest of seconds he would swear he saw interest past by his eyes.
'Either he is interested or also had heard something,' Kaldur thought while watching the man.
Throwing a leg over the arm of his chair Constantine said, "Well I am always happy to help the League, especially when Bats is paying... I wouldn't touch that though."
Everyone focused on Wally who was leaning forward close to one of the pedestals with a decrepit monkey paw laid with fingers in a clawing motion.
In a amused voice Constantine said, "I picked that up from an estate sale in good ole London. Poor bloke inherited it from a great uncle who was quite the explorer. Spent some time in the jungles and found some sort of witch that gave him that nifty thing."
"What does it do?" Artemis asked while Wally continued to look tempted to poke it.
"Grants you 5 wishes," Constantine said honestly.
Wally's eyes grew big, "Really?!?"
That made the Brit laugh, "Of course! Mind you, every wish is completely cursed and designed to either torture you or eventually kill you. I am fairly certain it is a touch of soul magic mixed with blood magic. I haven't had time to mess with it but based on what happened to the great uncle and his nephew I would avoid it."
Artemis smiled at Wally backing away from the cursed item, "What happened to them?"
"Uncle committed suicide three wishes in, while the nephew was turned inside out." Constantine said matter of fact.
Seeing the horrified looks from everyone except Zatanna he laughed again, "Magic is magic. Anything and everything is just about possible. Trust me when I say it is something amateurs should not mess with. Which is why I assume Batman sent you here. So how about you fill me in what you want?"
Kaldur gave a nod of approval, straight to business it is.
"The League would like to research the prophecies of Abram the Mage, Myriddin the Britan, Cassandra of Greece, Lord Krishna and Amunet of the Pharaohs..." Kaldur began before Constantine interrupted him.
"Bloody hell, you know those blokes and lasses made hundreds of the damn things right?! It will take forever to go over it."
Zatanna who was near Constantine rolled her eyes, "John, please, my father and you taught me enough to know that. We are looking for something very specific, something that concerns something called... Precursors."
Kaldur felt a shiver run down his spine, the roaring fire seemed to falter for a second, the House grew dark and a sound of groaning wood added to the tension that came from Zatanna uttering that word.
If the reaction of their environment was chilling, Constantine's jumping up and putting his hand to Zatanna's lips was another. The cool, detached and frankly bored looking warlock suddenly had a excited, maybe even frighten expression.
"Don't say that name here!" He shouted.
---------------------------------------
*Krios "James", League Of Shadows Temple, Himalayas
Opening the door to his quarters, Krios collapsed into his small bed. He had yet again exhausted himself trying to move the mountain peak. Today he had achieved another foot though this time he did not leak blood thank goodness.
It had been a few weeks since he lost control but his power had excelled.
While the progress was slow the fact he was making any thrilled him to no end. Even al Ghul seeing the progress appeared please, or at least that is what Krios thought, you could never tell with that man.
With progress being made he decided to pull back on dedicating the entire day and only the evening to moving the mountain peak and began re-attending the classes the League of Shadows offered.
Before his challenge from al Ghul he had been busy in these classes learning a myriad of combat skills, languages, assassin techniques of stealth and even some course on strategy and tactics. The Shadows after all encouraged a standard curriculum for everyone, but after completing the basics they had the students choose which disciplines they wanted to learn.
While he was forever grateful for Slade teaching him physical and combat skills, the Shadows taught him many of the day to day skills of a assassin and mercenary. Fake id's, underworld contacts, business espionage and much more.
Hell, they even had a class on medicine up to the range of becoming an actual surgeon. And while he was far from becoming a doctor, he felt confident he could pass for a battle field medic. Mind you, his powers gave him an unfair advantage once he figured out how to manipulate a persons insides. Such telekinetic power gave him the potential to be a fantastic medical practitioner, something he knows Jane would prefer.
'That life is far behind me though,' his inner voice said sadly.
Laying down in his bed he ran through what his schedule would be for the next few weeks, perhaps months and felt a great deal of contentment. It was busy, but he was learning such practical and useful skills he couldn't help but smile. If only his younger self who hated studying could see him now. If only Jane or Oswald could... if only his parents could.
Closing his eyes he felt himself drift away immediately into the delicious rest that came with sleep.
Except this time something felt different.
In a black space he found himself looking around, nothing could be seen, felt or heard.
'Am I dreaming?'
Krios almost never remembered his dreams, either he had very few or they just never could be recalled. The fact that he was so livid inside this one puzzled him.
FLASH
A flash blinded his eyes as he appeared in what looked like a city. Buildings were crumbling, people who were not running and screaming laid dead in the streets.
Trying to move proved futile, he could not move his body and even his perspective seemed locked. Sound was muted but the expression and peoples actions provided a clue to what could be heard.
Down the road he saw what looked like heroes and villains fighting and falling in battle.
They all seemed focused on one particular individual who fought throwing cars and buildings with a small gesture of their hand. Electricity shot out of the other hand frying several of the heroes and villains. Bolts, blasts, fire and every imaginable projectile either missed, hit the individual's shield or was flung back towards the attackers.
Hooded with close knit robes, the figure's appearance was frighteningly familiar to him. As if sensing Krios the figure looked towards him, his hood shadowing his face, but his eyes burned with power that he could feel as far as he was.
FLASH
The scene changed to somewhere at the docks in Gotham.
Shouts drew his forced attention to a fight with a familiar Clown with a variety of villains. Even Freeze and Ivy were there fighting with the Clown against the Bat Family.
Krios recognized Batman of course as well as one of the Robin's, but there were several who were unknown to him. One was a man in a black and blue skinsuit with a domino mask and a blue bird symbol on his chest. Another was dressed similar to Batman except it was a woman with bright red hair and red highlights going down the sides of her uniform.
Curiously, he did not see Barbara, Batgirl, amongst the fighters which seemed weird considering her connection to the Bat Family.
Then the fighting stopped as a rippling black vortex erupted in the middle of the docks. The same hooded robed figure walked out of it in a stride directly towards the Joker.
Smiling, the Joker began laughing and saying something, based on how the Joker's mouth moved, it seemed mockingly.
The hooded figure stopped in front of the Joker, pure rage radiated from the figure as the Joker continued to smile. The Joker seemed to try to say something but was lifted into the air a few feet with his arms forcefully stretched into a T pose. The figure stared up at the lifted madman and seemed to say something which Joker replied to.
Batman appeared to try to stop the hooded figure but was sent crashing into a building.
Joker at that sight started laughing again which soon became strained. His skin began to stretch before ripping revealing blood, bone and muscle. Soon the Clown was completely skinned alive yet despite that he still appeared to be trying to laugh.
Seemingly more enraged at the Clown's indifference, the hooded figure raised a hand and snapped his fingers causing the Joker to explode into a mist of blood and guts.
FLASH
Jane in a corn field bleeding from a wound to her chest, the look of fear evident on her face as she fell over dead.
In the distant running up to from what appeared to be a farmhouse was the Team, M'gann flew while Artemis, Robin, Connor and Kaldur ran up to the dying woman.
FLASH
A battered and unmasked Krios standing in an ancient ruin. Lava flowed from the sides of the mountain raising its glowing flood as he seemed to look around desperately for an escape.
Off in the distance you could see him shouting to Batgirl only for her to turn her back and board a alien ship.
FLASH
Krios, dressed and acting more like James at the Gotham City College steps, talking with Barbara. Both of them laughing and smiling and also looking older.
FLASH
A scarred older man approaching a bloody and dying Krios, at first the man seemed threatening until he fell to his knees and pulled Krios close to him in an familiar hug.
FLASH
A man baring a striking resemblance to Krios standing in a warehouse, a black portal closing behind him as he threw down a glowing lighting orb to the ground causing a massive explosion.
FLASH
A beautiful woman mortally shot several times laid dying on the floor of the Penguin lounge. A much younger Cobblepot taking a baby from her arms.
FLASH
Once again Krios found himself in the black void where he started his dream. Floating in the pitch darkness he felt his body land on something cold and hard.
Standing, he looked around in the thick darkness trying to use his powers to no avail.
He could feel something... something old... no not old, ancient. It was impossible to explain how but he knew that something had its attention drawn here.
A fiery black glow began to illuminate his backside growing in intensity with each passing second.
Krios felt a deep instinctual fear build in him as he slowly turned to face what ever it was.
Flames of black and white streaked around a colossal slit of an eye like a cat.
The eye roared with power and the air flew like a hurricane. It was like staring at a black hole of all consuming rage and fury as it focused on Krios.
For the first time since he started dreaming he could hear around him. The wrenching of the air, the groan of space and the roar of the abyss he was looking at.
It did not speak any words, rather its thought were made real in reality.
"I SEE YOU"
FLASH
Krios woke with a gasp!
He breathed deeply as he became aware of how wet his hair was from sweat.
The feeling of absolute terror still gripped his heart and he tried to slow it down.
Despite being in the safety of his room and knowing he was awake. His mind kept focused on what he had seen, especially that of the eye.