Kayn emerged from the facility alongside Zatanna and the others. The harsh light of the setting sun casting long shadows on the battlefield. The aftermath of the confrontation with APEX was evident in the scattered debris and the lingering smell of burnt ozone.
As he walked outside, Kayn could spot the streets were entirely clear of civilians, everyone presumably been evacuated to the safe zone with the protective barrier.
As they walked forward, Kayn finally spotted the team and Vixen, each member showing signs of fatigue yet radiating determination.
"Status report," Kayn commanded, his voice cutting through the ambient noise.
Laura, who had been coordinating the civilian evacuation, approached. "All civilians are safe. We managed to escort everyone to the designated safe zones. Casualties are minimal, thanks to the timely arrival of Vixen and Zatanna."
Violet, standing guard nearby, nodded. "We've secured the perimeter. No signs of reinforcements from APEX yet, but we should remain vigilant."
Kayn turned to Zatanna, who was floating just above the ground, the unconscious figure of the APEX agent hovering beside her, bound by glowing magical chains. "Nice work back there," he said, offering a compliment.
Zatanna was always one of Kayn's favorite DC characters in his past life, and he viewed her as underrated. She was an extremely confident woman, who is also brave and selfless, and regularly sacrifices to protect innocents. Kayn still doesn't understand how she fell so hard for John Constantine.
Not only that though, Zatanna was one of the most powerful Magic users in all of DC Comics, with multiple impressive feats across different versions of her character such as depowering Mxyzptlk, ;eading people across universes as though it were a mere chess board, and casting a spell so powerful that it weakened reality itself and tore open a door to the Void outside of Creation, threatening to simultaneously consume all universes- past, present, and future.
However, she was a glass-cannon, meaning she can be easily defeated with a strong plan and a surprise attack. Kayn would be stupid if he didn't form a good relationship with such a woman, even if she wasn't just as powerful as her Comic self, her knowledge was still invaluable.
Meanwhile, Zatanna smiled in response, a playful glint in her eyes. "You too, masked man. Now, what do we do with this charming individual?" She gestured to the captive, who was beginning to stir.
"Send him to Batman and the League, they'll interrogate him." Kayn replied. "But first, let's regroup and ensure everyone is accounted for."
The team gathered around, forming a circle. Kayn took a moment to assess each member. Despite the battle's intensity, they all seemed ready for whatever came next.
Suddenly, Kayle came in with a call in the communication channel.
"The main base has been destroyed and the flow of information between APEX bases has been cut off, they have multiple facilities world wide, but without their main one, they're currently isolated and weakened. I presume they'll all be assimilated into CADMUS over time and 'APEX' will disappear." Kayle spoke quickly as her hand flew across the keyboard.
"Send the information of the bases to the League, and all bases with Zambesi children, send that to Vixen." Kayn replied.
"On it." Kayle said, hurriedly getting to work.
"For now, let's return to our base, debrief, and relax. We need a nice vacation after all of the missions we've been on." Kayn spoke, leading to Mika to cheerily jump in the air, happy for a vacation after working and training non-stop for 2 years.
Then, Zatanna walked up towards Kayn alongside Vixen and her prisoner, smiling warmly as she handed Kayn a beautifully embossed card. The card shimmered with a touch of enchantment, displaying her name, address, and contact information in elegant, flowing script.
The air around them still crackled with residual magic from their recent battle, the remnants of their victory over the monstrous forces and the sinister organization, APEX.
"You did great back there, Kayn," Zatanna said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "Your skills are quite raw, but still very impressive. I'm glad we teamed up."
Kayn looked at the card with a smile, "Thanks, Zatanna. Couldn't have done it without you. Your magic was the game-changer."
She chuckled, a melodic sound that lightened the heavy atmosphere. "We make a pretty good team, don't we? But remember, magic can be unpredictable. If you ever find yourself in a bind or needing guidance, don't hesitate to reach out." She gestured to the card in his hand. "That's my address and contact information. Feel free to visit or call if you need any help."
Kayn nodded, tucking the card into his pocket. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."
Zatanna's expression turned more serious for a moment. "And, Kayn, if you do decide to visit, please bring Gwen with you. Vixen told me all about her and I'd love to meet her too. She seems like someone who could benefit from a bit of magical insight."
Kayn smiled, appreciating her concern. "I will. Gwen's been curious about magic ever since she started training. She'd be thrilled to meet you."
Zatanna's smile returned, brighter than before. "Good. It's always nice to meet new friends. Wonder Woman's praises of you were not unfounded. Until then, take care of yourself and stay vigilant. APEX may be down, but they still have some bases out there. We'll need to be ready for whatever comes next.
Zatanna smiled and with a wave of her hand, she vanished, taking Vixen and the captive with her to a secure location for interrogation.
---
Four Days Later!
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the endless expanse of the ocean. The gentle lapping of the waves against the sleek hull of the private yacht was the only sound breaking the serene silence.
With the money they had earned over the 2 years from raiding APEX bases and selling useless supplies on the black market, Kayn decided to splurge for the first time, renting a private yacht cruise for his team to relax after such a stressful period.
Kayn leaned against the railing, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Despite the calm, his warrior instincts were always on alert.
Beside him, Mika, the Kitsune, stretched luxuriously, her three tails fanning out behind her, catching the sunlight in a mesmerizing display. As her power grew stronger, the amount of tails she had grew, from 1 initially, to now 3 after two years.
"You know, Kayn," she said, her voice a melodic purr, "even you should try to relax a bit. We're on vacation, remember?"
Kayn smirked, glancing at her. "Old habits die hard, Mika. But you're right. We deserve this break."
A laugh echoed from the upper deck, where Kayle, the team's tech wizard, was engaged in a friendly darts contest with Hugo, her eyes totally focused as she once again hit near the target.
Hugo, the towering boy with a heart as gentle as his strength was formidable, was laughing heartily, clearly enjoying the challenge.
Violet, ever the strategist, was seated at a table under a parasol, engrossed in a game of chess with Damon. Her sharp eyes flickered over the board, contemplating her next move.
Damon, with his dark, enigmatic aura, seemed relaxed for once, a rare sight that Violet couldn't help but find intriguing.
"Checkmate," she declared, moving her queen with a triumphant smile. Damon chuckled, nodding in acknowledgment of her victory.
"Shouldn't you give me a chance," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Not far from them, Hakeem and Laura were in a lively discussion about their favorite wrestlers. As time had passed, the two of them seemed to be getting closer and closer, as their interests near perfectly aligned.
"Cmon, Stone Cold is obviously the best." Laura exclaimed as she spoke with Hakeem, who stomped his foot and hurriedly claimed otherwise.
The yacht's engines hummed softly as it cut through the water, and the scent of a delicious feast being prepared in the galley wafted up to the deck. Mika's ears twitched, and she turned her gaze towards the source.
"Smells like Soren's cooking up something special," she remarked.
Kayn nodded. "He always knows how to keep our spirits high."
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow across the sky, the team gathered around a long table on the main deck.
Platters of fresh seafood, exotic fruits, and delectable desserts adorned the table, a testament to Soren's culinary skills.
Raising his glass, Kayn stood and cleared his throat. "To us," he began, his voice strong and steady. "We've faced countless battles and overcome unimaginable challenges. But through it all, we've remained united. This vacation is not just a break; it's a celebration of our strength, our friendship, and our unwavering bond. Cheers."
"Cheers!" The team echoed, clinking their glasses together. Laughter and conversation flowed freely as they dug into the feast, each bite a reminder of the simple pleasures they'd often missed while on missions.
As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Kayle stood up gracefully. "I've got an idea," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "How about a midnight swim?"
Hugo's eyes lit up. "Sounds perfect!"
One by one, they all agreed, making their way to the edge of the yacht. Mika was the first to dive in, her tails leaving a trail of shimmering light in the water. Kayn followed, his movements smooth and precise. Kayle and Hugo were next, their splashes sending ripples across the surface.
Soren, Violet, Damon, Hakeem, and Laura joined in, the water cool and refreshing against their skin. The ocean seemed to come alive with their laughter and playful splashing.
For a moment, the world was nothing but the sea and the stars, and their bond felt stronger than ever. In the heart of the vast ocean, amidst the tranquility and the joy, they found solace and strength in each other's presence.
The vacation was not just a break from their duties; it was a reminder of why they fought, and for whom they would always stand together.