When Iris finally got home, Barry was already home. As a member of the Justice League and a hero, he used to have very few chances to relax. However, ever since Viktor set up shop in Central City, he had more free time.
Especially at night and at the League meetings, he had told Batman that Central City had its own nighttime protector. Bruce of course had just grumbled as he so often did. If he had one problem with Knight was merely his heavy hand on those he stopped.
As he thinking that, Iris practically threw the door open before slamming it behind her. She wanted nothing more than to get to writing, but before she did, Barry decided to try to calm her down.
"Iris, you look like you drank Batman's coffee and he drinks a lot of coffee. What has you in such a rush?"
Iris turned to Barry before she pushed him back down. He complied as Iris wasn't usually so excited so he smiled as she had a big smile on her face.
"Come on, tell me already."
Iris fell onto the couch next to him before handing Barry her notepad.
"Barry, you are not going to believe this. I just got an interview with Knight. He even told me the name he prefers and he answered so many questions."
Barry blinked a few times as he didn't expect that.
"Wait, Knight talked to you? He even gave you an interview? Why? How? He has been a shadow for the last 5 months. No pictures other than word of mouth and descriptions and he shows up to you in person for an interview? Why you?"
Iris smiled as she explained trying to leave the matter of his identity for last.
"Well, ever since he showed up in Central City I have done a few articles on him, his activities, and the effect he has had on Central City. In each on,e I left a message asking for an interview so that the people of Central City could know their new hero's thoughts.
Then, as I was walking to work, this huge black dog tackled me and gave me a letter he pulled from his shadow. When I opened it, it was an offer for an interview with Knight. He set up a meeting in Central City Park, and then a woman in green flew down from the sky.
She asked me if I was Iris, and then she teleported me to his location. Apparently, she is his apprentice or something, I didn't ask her any questions, just him. I got to ask him plenty of questions and I can say the sketches don't do him justice.
He is terrifying. He looks like a more medieval Batman, but instead of a Bat theme, he has a dog theme going."
Iris suddenly froze as she forgot to get a picture.
"DAMN IT! I FORGOT TO ASK FOR A PICTURE TO PROVE IT!"
Iris fell onto the couch as it would be hard to prove she did. It was her word against everyone else Barry began to read her questions and the answers Knight, no Balerion gave her.
As he read through them, he began to build a profile through his speed-force-enhanced brain. From what Balerion said, he at the minimum believed that his actions were for the good of the people. That was when Iris took a deep breath before turning to Barry.
"Barry, I need to tell you the truth. Balerion, he knows who you are. He came to me because he knew I was the wife of the Flash."
Barry squinted his eyes as that was not good.
"How did he know?"
Iris remembered what Balerion told her.
"Magic Scrying, that is what he said. I also got to ask if he was a Meta, Alien, or demigod, but he said he was a magic user."
Barry groaned as magic users were a problem, at the worst of times. Annoying at the best of times, Constantine was a good example.
"A homo magi, I will ask Zatana when I see her about them. Anything else?"
She nodded.
"He wants to meet you, in front of a press conference in front of the people of Central City. He also wants to join the Justice League."
Barry didn't think of that one.
"A conference in front of the people he has protected? They will cheer for him, and the public opinion of him on the internet is positive. Seeing him out out the shadows will drive his approval even higher. I'll have to meet him then. Did he tell you how to contact him?"
Iris shook her head.
"No, at the end he just teleported me back to the park."
Barry was happy for her as this article was going to make her more popular, but he had to tell her something.
"Iris, you put yourself in danger. You should have told me so I could have kept an eye on you."
Iris knew he would worry, but it wasn't that big a deal.
"It's fine Barry, and I was perfectly safe."
Since she was here, she was safe, but what if Balerion wasn't as good as he let on?
"What if you weren't?"
Iris was going to retort, but she had nothing.
"Sorry."
Barry shook his head.
"You don't need to apologize, I am just worried for you. I am just glad you are back safe and sound. For now, let's just wait until he contacts us again."
---
As for Viktor, after he teleported Iris back home he waved his hand and the set of armor he was wearing began to shift as it retreated back into his shadow. This was a set of Shadow Armor he had heavily enchanted to become permanent.
He was much better at shaping Shadows than he was Light. Light was much more obvious and less secretive. He still had to practice with Light Constructs as some enemies would have a weakness to Light and Holy Energies rather than Darkness and Curses.
When he removed his armor, Lorna's mask turned to metallic dust that merged with the rest of her armor.
"Sir, what are your plans now?"
He motioned for her to follow him as he made his way out of his study. As I said, I will hold a press conference where I will answer the questions of the press even the annoying ones where I will meet The Flash in person.
Later, we can talk about gaining League status or at the minimum meeting the other members of the League. Gaining League status will give me access to the many battles the League faced against the threats against the world.
Of course, my true goal is to one day gain access to other dimensions and Earth so I can continue my journey of self-improvement. In this dangerous reality, the only way to thrive is to continue to improve. Take this to heart, Lorna."
"I understand, sir."
He nodded as he and Yami made their way upstairs toward his room. As he made his way to his room, Lorna waved before she went downstairs to her own room. At times, she thought Viktor who was the same age as her was dedicated to his craft.
She hadn't seen him not studying or practicing his magic as it was both his lifeline and his hobby. When she got into her room, she closed the door before she decided to go to bed after taking a shower.
Knowing Viktor he would stay up all night researching his magic most likely.
---
She was right, as when Viktor got into his room, he instantly sat himself down on his bed. Yami jumped onto his lap, no longer as easy as the dog had reached his full size. He was gigantic, bigger than most wolves.
However, right now, Viktor closed his eyes as he activated a useful spell he had created for his own use. The Mechanized Mind spell turned off his emotions which left his mind fully dedicated to his task. It also sped up the speed of his thoughts by feeding more magic into his brain.
Once his mind and emotions were dealt with, he began to focus on entering his own mind, not his soul. Once he was here, he began to relieve his memories which were far less extensive than before. He had given these memories up completely and who these people were was wiped from his mind.
When he thought back, he could see himself at school, home, and someone who should have been there had just vanished. It was depressing at times, but it was for the best. He sat himself down inside his mind before he clasped his hands together.
He then began to gather his most important memories, that of his magics, his transmigrated status, Eldir, his Sacred Gears, and his knowledge of the events of the DC universe. These memories were the truly important ones and could not leave the confines of his mind.
Thanks to the pressure placed on his soul by having two Longinus and his increasing quantities of mana, his mind was very powerful. With his most important memories close to his heart, his less important ones were still secured.
He then began to construct wards in his mind, making use of Occlumency which was inspired by Harry Potter to protect his mind from mind readers. His first step was warding his mind from intrusion.
He began to reinforce the walls of his mind and the way he did this was by making use of his two Sacred Gears. With a flex of his will, the walls of his mind began to surge with flame. Two types of fire to be exact, the cursed flames of Canis Lykaon and the Holy Fire of Incinerate Anthem,
These two flames surged across the walls of his mind until every inch was covered in their burning touch. Yet, they caused no harm to Viktor's mind since they didn't burn his soul which was normally more delicate than the mind.
He then snapped his fingers and the burning flames began to merge as in his mind he didn't have to follow logic. Through this method, the Black and Purple flames merged together into an ominous dark purple flame which then began to turn solid.
This material began to cover the walls of his mind which added a layer of security. He waved his hand and warding runes, glyphs, and curses began to be carved onto the inside of his mind meaning a mind reader would need to face the enchanted walls of Holy Cursed Material to get into his mind.
That and the many curses he placed on the walls which would retaliate if someone tried. With the walls of his mind complete, he then focused on the next section of his mind. With the walls complete, he focused on the internal sections of his mind. In case anyone got inside his mind, he wanted guards to protect him.
He snapped his fingers, causing his mental energy to begin to drop as he created the second layer of defense. This took the form of an army of Shadow Armored Angels and Golden Armored Angels.
The Dark Angels were led by a dark ominous Angel that looked more like a Dementor or a Fallen Angel while the second looked Divine in nature. Its white and gold radiated a constant light.
Viktor waved his hand in the sky forming two suns, one pitch black in nature as he based it on the Cursed Flames of Lyakon, and a bright purple sun based on the Holy Fire of Incinerate Anthem. These two suns caused his guards to draw in the power of their respective stars.
The two leaders took their positions in front of their sun to observe for intruders in the mind of Viktor. With his mind protected from entrance and guarded by a force of Angels he created the main Mind Palace to store his memories.
Using his remaining metal energy, he brought up a gigantic fortress. It was made of blackened steel, surrounded by towering walls and the army of Shadow and Light Angels flew toward the fortress to protect it.
As they began to take their places, he snapped his fingers and large black and white-winged wolves began to prowl the fortress itself. He would expand on it when his mental energy recovered, but for the last part, he entered the center of the fortress where he set up the Throne Room at the very center of the fortress.
Here, he placed a large throne which when he sat in, began to draw in all his memories. His mental protection took shape as his consciousness returned to his body.
When he was back, he reached up with an extreme headache as his actions had drained his mental energy to set up his mental shields. He fell onto his bed with Yami curling up next to him.
He was quite proud of his defenses, but they would need more work to complete them properly. For now, his mind was safe from mind reading or brainwashing from most. His mental wards could be enhanced as he grew more knowledgeable and stronger.
With his goal complete, he closed his eyes and got to sleep. His mental energy would recover in his sleep faster after all.