'Thought'
"Speech"
(Jack Frost POV)
The last drop pod slammed into the ground with a deafening crash, its impact sending plumes of dirt and debris into the air. The battlefield was an inferno of violence, gunfire rattling, explosions roaring, and the relentless chittering of the Swarm echoing in the darkness. Ivory's army had reinforced the trenches, but the fight was far from over. The Swarm surged forward, throwing itself at the defenses with mindless aggression. I stood at the Dam's edge, gripping my staff tightly as I surveyed the carnage below. Miles beneath us, the land was a writhing sea of alien horrors Zerglings scrambling over one another, Hydralisks rearing up to fire their deadly spines, and massive Ultralisks cleaving through wreckage like titans of war. It was chaos. And it wasn't slowing down.
Then I heard her voice.
"Jack."
I turned to look at Ivory. She stood near the spectral piano, her golden eyes glowing faintly under the pale moonlight. Her expression was sharp, calculating, but beneath it was something else, conviction.
"You need to jump."
I blinked at her. "I need to what now?"
"Jump," she repeated, stepping closer. "Get down there. Freeze them. Slow them down. Work your magic."
I let out a short laugh, gripping my staff tighter. "Are you insane? That's a mile drop!"
"You'll survive" she said smoothly. "You're Jack Frost."
I stared at her, then back at the battlefield below, then back at her. She had that look in her eyes the I'm-already-right-so-hurry-up-I-know-you-want-to.
"You better have a backup plan," I muttered.
Her lips curled into a smirk. "Trust me."
I shook my head, exhaling sharply. "Alright, Commander. One last snow day, coming up." I turned back to the battlefield, took one step forward, and leaped off the dam.
The wind roared in my ears as I plummeted. The dam stretched impossibly high above me now, a monolithic wall that seemed to scrape the heavens. My jacket fluttered around me, flapping wildly as I spun through the air.
And then, as if on cue, her voice rose behind me.
"Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?"
I twisted mid-air, glancing up. Ivory stood tall at the top of the dam, her glowing instruments forming a shimmering ring around her. The dryads flanked her, their ethereal fingers brushing against the spectral strings and drums as they followed her lead.
Her voice soared, clear and commanding, rising above the battlefield like a beacon.
"Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?"
Something in the air shifted. I felt it.
A warmth spread through my chest, then down my limbs. It wasn't the scorching heat of battle, nor the pulsing burn of exhaustion. It was something else, something pure. My energy surged, a sky-blue pulse running along my veins. My movements sharpened, my body felt lighter, my power thrummed stronger.
"Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?"
I turned my gaze forward. The Swarm was getting closer. The ground was still miles below, but Hydralisks had begun to track my descent, their ridges flaring as they locked onto me.
I grinned. "Alright, bugs. Let's dance."
The first volley came fast. Hydralisk spines cut through the air like spears, shrieking as they hurtled toward me. I released a burst of snow to the side causing me to twist to the side, flipping mid-air as they sliced past, missing except for one that sliced against my arm.
"Late at night, I toss and I turn, and I dream of what I need!"
Her song surged, and I felt it as the bruises from battle along with the cut I just gained started healing at a visible rate.
I landed on the back of a Mutalisk mid-flight, my feet skidding across its slick carapace as it shrieked in protest. Before it could do anything to try and buck me off, I flipped off its back, driving my staff into the creature's skull as I pushed off. Ice spread from the wound in an instant, crystallizing over the Mutalisk's body before it shattered into a thousand shards.
"I need a hero! I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night!"
I fell past the wreckage, twisting mid-air to avoid a flurry of Zerglings leaping toward me from the wall of the dam as a seemingly endless amount of them kept climbing. The song kept building, and so did my power, as they did I landed hard on the side of an Ultralisk, its massive form lumbering forward as it crushed metal and bodies beneath its monstrous feet. My fingers curled tighter around my staff as I looked for any gaps in its plating.
"He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"
I plunged the end of my staff into a gap between two rotating plates by its legs, frost exploding outward. Ice spiraled across its body, freezing the muscle beneath its armored hide. It roared, thrashing violently as I vaulted off before it collapsed into a frozen ruin.
"I need a hero!"
I hit the ground in a roll, flipping onto my feet. The Zerg around me hissed, their glowing eyes locking onto me.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," I muttered, spinning my staff. "You're all mad."
The Swarm surged forward and so did I. Faster than before. Ivory's song was still filling the air, and the power from it kept growing inside me. My ice lashed out, freezing waves of Zerglings in their tracks. Hydralisks fired, but I weaved through them, my staff spinning in a blur of movement. I slammed my foot into the ground, sending a wave of frost racing outward. The battlefield began to change. Snow coated the land, ice started crawling up the Zerg's legs, slowing them, weakening them.
For the first time since the battle had begun… the Swarm hesitated.
"He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon, and he's gotta be larger than life!"
I grinned, exhaling cold mist as I stood amidst the frozen carnage. My body felt light, powerful, alive. Then I turned my gaze toward the twin tears in the sky, That was where I needed to be.
I crouched low, the frost beneath my feet spreading outward in jagged veins. The power from Ivory's song surged through me, my body humming with energy that wasn't mine alone, it was hers too, flowing through her voice, through the very air. My breath misted as I exhaled sharply, gripping my staff tighter. With a single burst of strength, I launched myself skyward, ice trailing behind me in a spiraling arc. The battlefield blurred beneath me, a chaotic storm of gunfire, flames, and chitinous bodies crashing against metal and earth. I pushed higher, the wind howling past my ears, the energy pulsing in my veins.
And then, I realized I wasn't going to make it.
The tears loomed impossibly high above, twisting and writhing in the fabric of reality, spewing forth an unending torrent of Zerg. I wasn't even close. Gravity began to claw me back down, the weight of my mistake pulling at me.
"Damn it," I muttered, twisting mid-air, searching
Then I saw them. A swarm poured from the tears, tumbling down like a living waterfall of claws, teeth, and grotesque limbs.
An idea sparked a reckless and dangerous idea.
I angled my body and kicked off the frozen air, redirecting myself toward the nearest creature. A Hydralisk, its serpentine form twisting as it emerged from the tear and began to fall. I landed hard on its ridged back, my feet sliding along its thick carapace. The creature screeched, flailing wildly as it plummeted toward the battlefield.
"I need a hero!"
Ivory's voice rang out, stronger than before, her power spiking in the air like a living current. My body thrummed with the pulse of her song, and I used the moment to push forward.
My foot left the Hydralisk's back just as it tumbled downward, and I landed on the next creature a Mutalisk, its leathery wings flapping erratically as it tried to correct itself. The wind tore at my clothes, but I didn't stop moving. I sprinted along its back, my staff scraping against its hide, frost spreading wherever I touched.
Then I leapt Higher again.
A hulking Roach this time, flailing as it tumbled through the air, hissing at me as I entered its vision. I landed on its head, ice forming beneath my feet as I pushed off, using it as a platform for another jump. The sky became a battleground of its own, the Zerg pouring from the twin tears in endless waves. But now, I was climbing them like a salmon.
Ivory's voice carried me, her song filling every inch of the air, wrapping around me like an unbreakable force.
"He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"
I leaped again higher, faster, my body practically weightless as I ascended.
Another Mutalisk. Another Hydralisk. A leaping Zergling, its claws swiping wildly as I vaulted off its shoulders. The tears were closer.
I could feel their energy now, the raw, chaotic force that spat out these creatures, an open wound in reality. I felt a certainty enter my bones, If I didn't close them, the Swarm would never stop.
I propelled myself upward, spinning in the air, my body cutting through the wind like a frozen bullet. The twin tears crackled before me, twisting violently, their colors shifting between unnatural hues of violet and pale blue. I landed on nothing. Or maybe something. The very edge of the tear was a swirling mass of energy that felt like standing on the surface of a storm. I had seconds, seconds before I was torn apart.
"I need a hero!"
The moment I heard that line I slammed my staff into the swirling chaos. Ice exploded outward, racing up the sides of the tears, consuming them in a spreading web of frost. The swirling energy fought back, twisting violently and shattering the ice trying to reject me, but I didn't let go. Cold surged through me, raw and unfiltered, an avalanche of power surging from my core, my regeneration barely keeping up with the output, Ivory's song feeding into me, pushing my limits beyond anything I'd ever felt before. The ice climbed higher, deeper, sinking into the fabric of the tears themselves.
"I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night!"
The violet tear shuddered. Cracks splintered across its surface, frozen veins crawling through its very essence.
Then, with a sound like shattering glass, it collapsed.
The energy imploded inward, twisting into itself before vanishing into nothing but a thin line. The creatures still inside were cut off, their bodies severed mid-formation, dissolving into mist.
I turned to the pale blue tear and leaped. It seemingly screamed as it felt what I had done to its twin, pulsing erratically.
The moment I landed the end of my staff drove into its heart.
The frost spread faster this time. It latched onto the tear like a living thing, consuming the energy before it could fight back. My arms trembled under the strain, my vision blurred with exhaustion, but I continued to hold on.
"He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be fresh from the fight!"
The second tear collapsed. And the sky went silent.
For the first time since the battle had begun no new Zerg emerged. The wound in reality was sealed.
I hovered there for a second, breathing hard, my entire body humming with the aftershock of power. The battlefield stretched below, a war still raging, but no longer an endless tide.
Then, gravity reminded me that I was still miles above the ground.
"Oh. Right," I muttered.
I fell.
The wind rushed past me as I plummeted, the dam once again a towering monolith below. The Swarm was still on the ground, but now… they were alone. No more reinforcements. No more endless waves.
Ivory had stopped singing, but the last echoes of her voice still rang in my head, her energy still lingering in my body. I wasn't just falling I was descending like a force of nature.
As I neared the battlefield, I spun mid-air, gripping my staff tightly. One last move.
'Please don't die, please don't die, please don't die, Please don't die'
I swung my staff downward, sending a shockwave of frost roaring ahead of me. The ice erupted from the impact zone, racing forward in a tidal wave, freezing everything in its path. Zerg screeched as they were caught mid-motion, their bodies encased in thick layers of frost. I landed with a thunderous crack, the ice webbing out from beneath my bare feet.
The battlefield stretched out before me, a frozen wasteland littered with the frozen bodies of the Zerg. The last of their monstrous forms were encased in ice, their movements stilled forever by the final wave of frost I had unleashed. Siege Tanks still hummed, their barrels aimed warily at the remains of the horde, while marines stood at the ready already walking down from the dam, their rifles raised in expectation of anything going wrong.
I exhaled, my breath curling into the cold air, the weight of exhaustion finally settling into my limbs. My energy regeneration, heightened by Ivory's song, had begun to fade back to normal, but I could still feel the residual power starting to fade as time passed.
And then, as if reality itself acknowledged our victory, a holographic display materialized in the sky above the battlefield.
[ROUND OVER.]
The words gleamed in massive, violet letters, pulsing softly before fading away. The soldiers continued if nothing happened, not acknowledging the message in any way. I looked up at the dam, where Ivory still stood. She was watching the battlefield in silence, the moment when I was about to say something to her the world around me flickered. The ice beneath my feet cracked, but not in the usual way it shimmered as if reality itself was starting to come undone.
And then everything shifted.
______________________________
(Ivory's POV)
I opened my eyes to a sky that did not exist.
Colors shifted above me, an endless void of swirling galaxies, burning nebulae, and ethereal lights. The stars themselves seemed to breathe, their hues pulsing in a rhythm that was neither fast nor slow, neither chaotic nor predictable. Rows upon rows of divine figures filled the amphitheater surrounding me. Some shimmered with golden light, their forms impossible to truly perceive. Others loomed in shadows, their eyes gleaming like distant stars. Some sat on thrones of fire, others on seats woven from vines, stone, or raw cosmic energy. Every culture, every pantheon, every cosmic force that had ever been worshiped or feared seemed to have a representative here.
Jack stood beside me, but… not fully.
I could see through him, his body flickering slightly, like a projection out of sync with reality. His gaze darted around, wide with surprise. His fingers twitched against his staff waiting.
"Okay," he muttered under his breath. "This is new."
I exhaled sharply, scanning the divine faces watching us. Some whispered, some chuckled, others simply observed in silence. Then, my gaze landed on a familiar figure lounging among them.
Tony. I should have known.
He sat on his throne, looking as casual as ever. Unlike the radiant or monstrous gods around him, he wore no grand celestial garb, no shifting cosmic form. He looked… human. Just a man in a comfortable seat, watching the show with an amused glint in his eyes. The same expression he had worn when granting my wishes.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. "I know why we're here."
Jack glanced at me. "Yeah? Because I'd love an explanation."
I smirked. "We're here because the gods are bored and this was a second part of my wish."Jack's brows furrowed, and before he could press me for more details, I took a step forward.
"You've seen it all before."
My voice carried through the amphitheater, cutting through the murmurs, drawing attention.
"Kingdoms rise and fall. Mortals worship and rebel. Champions fight, die, and are replaced by the next. Some of you intervene directly, others move pieces from the shadows, but in the end, it's the same stories, the same victories, the same losses. Over and over. Cycle after cycle."
A few gods leaned forward most scoffed.
"You could keep things as they are," I continued, letting my gaze drift across the crowd. "You could sit in your thrones and watch eternity roll by, content in knowing that nothing ever truly threatens you."
I paused. Then I smiled.
"But where's the fun in that?"
A ripple of amusement passed through some of the gods. Others remained silent, their expressions unreadable.
"You like to interfere," I said. "You like to play your games. But what if there was a way to do it better? Not just manipulating a single world, a single pantheon, a single cycle of mortals but an entire universe. A world where your champions clash with the best from other realms. A place where your grudges, your rivalries, your ancient disputes can finally be settled."
I let the words sink in before pushing forward.
"How long has it been since you were truly challenged? Since you had something to lose?" My smirk widened. "Some of you have debts unpaid. Rivalries left unfinished. Wouldn't it be satisfying to see your contender best the chosen of a god who once humiliated you? To prove without whispers, without tricks who is truly superior?"
The murmurs grew louder. Some gods exchanged looks, their expressions unreadable.
"I'm not asking you to choose now," I said, raising a hand. "You don't have to stake your power on a world that doesn't exist yet. But I am asking you to watch. Observe. See what I build. And while you do, imagine what it would be like if you could interfere. If you could send your own champion if you could finally rewrite the stories that didn't go your way."
I crossed my arms. "And when that itch grows too strong to ignore when you finally decide that watching isn't enough anymore…" I gestured broadly. "Then you'll know where to find me."
Silence. Then, laughter soft from some, deep and rumbling from others. A god of war with jagged bronze armor smirked, nodding approvingly. A goddess wreathed in golden flames tilted her head thoughtfully. Others remained motionless, their faces unreadable.
One of the elder gods his form woven from pure starlight leaned forward. "You propose an intriguing game," he said. "But do not presume we are so easily moved."
I met his gaze without flinching. "Of course not. That's why I'm not asking yet."
Another god, her voice a whisper of shifting shadows, spoke next. "And if we decline? If we refuse to ever take part?"
I shrugged. "Then don't. But you'll be watching anyway. And eventually, someone will break. Someone will want to interfere. And then the rest of you will have to decide to sit on the sidelines, or join the game, except the second hit will not be free."
The murmurs grew louder. Some gods nodded in understanding. Others sneered in dismissal. But they were considering it That had to be enough.
Jack exhaled beside me. "So, did you just convince a bunch of gods to throw their champions into a divine battle royale?"
I smirked. "I wish, but give it a few years."
Tony stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Well, that was entertaining," he mused. "Now, let's see how you handle the next step."
I narrowed my eyes. "Next step?"
Then I noticed it. The floor beneath us was shifting, A circular mechanism rose from the obsidian ground, seamless and silent, until Jack and I were standing atop a platform that hadn't been there moments before. Strange runes flickered along its edges, pulsing with divine energy.
Jack frowned. "I really don't like where this is going."
Tony grinned. "Try to land on your feet."
Before I could demand an explanation, the platform launched. A force unlike anything I had ever felt slammed into me, sending us rocketing toward a swirling breach in the sky. The gods blurred around us as we ascended, their expressions ranging from amused to indifferent. Some watched with curiosity, others had already lost interest.
The breach loomed closer. A tear in reality, its edges flickering with raw, shifting energy. I barely had time to take a breath before we hit it And everything went white.
I became aware of a profound stillness. We were suspended in a void, an expanse devoid of light, sound, or substance. Yet, as if the very fabric of existence awaited reformation. Gradually, the void began to yield Colors bled into the darkness, coalescing into nebulous forms. The air thickened, imbued with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora. A distant melody, haunting and ethereal, reached my ears, resonating with a deep, primal familiarity.
The world crystallized around us, and we found ourselves descending through a sky suffused with twilight hues. Below lay a landscape that defied conventional understanding a realm where it seemed magic was not a mere undercurrent but the very essence of existence. The terrain was a tapestry of verdant forests, crystalline lakes, and rolling hills bathed in an otherworldly glow. Trees of impossible height stretched toward the heavens, their leaves shimmering with iridescent hues. Flowers of every conceivable color carpeted the meadows, their petals pulsating with an inner luminescence. As we drifted downward, I noticed the sky was adorned with multiple celestial bodies suns and moons of varying sizes and colors, casting a kaleidoscope of shadows upon the land.
The air around us shimmered with latent magic, thick like morning mist, pressing against my skin with an almost sentient awareness. As we drifted downward through the enchanted sky of the Fair Lands, I felt the realm itself pulse watching, waiting.
Jack moved beside me, his form flickering like an afterimage, edges distorted as though he were caught between existence and nothingness. "Okay," he muttered, waving his hand in front of my face. It passed right through me like mist. "Yeah. Definitely not solid."
I barely had time to process his predicament before the world shifted around me. The moment my feet touched the ground, a pulse of energy rippled outward, racing across the land like lightning across a storm-dark sky. The trees trembled in recognition, their glowing leaves rustling in eerie unison. The crystalline pond behind us stilled, its surface suddenly mirror-smooth. Even the air itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then, a system notification blinked into existence before my eyes, its Bright green text burning against the deep violet sky:
[System Message: Welcome to The Fair Lands, Queen of the Chaos Courts. The realm has been waiting.]
[Please select the location of your court for more options to unlock]
I blinked. Once. Twice.
Jack peered over my shoulder, his spectral form casting no shadow, no weight. "Well, that sounds… ominous."
_________________________________________________
(Various Faction POV Shift)
In the Fair Lands, where magic intertwines with every breath and shadow, a profound announcement reverberated across its diverse territories. From the luminous groves of Álfheimr to the mist-laden isles of Avalon, an ethereal message resonated:
[Realm Message: "Hearken, denizens of the Fair Lands! The Queen of the Chaos Courts has returned. The realm has been waiting."]
In the Luminous Groves of Álfheimr
Álfheimr, the homeland of the Light Elves, is a realm bathed in perpetual twilight, where trees with silver bark and golden leaves stretch towards a sky awash with hues of pink and lavender. The air is alive with the soft hum of ancient melodies, and the very ground pulses with a gentle, rhythmic light.
Eirian, a young Light Elf with hair like spun sunlight, paused in her daily ritual of tending to the luminescent flora. A sudden tremor in the ambient magic caused the petals of the flowers to shimmer more intensely. He looked up, his sapphire eyes widening as a cascade of images flooded her mind visions of a regal figure cloaked in shadows and light, stepping into their world.
"Eirian!" called out Lyra, his mentor, her usually serene face etched with concern. "Did you feel that?"
He nodded, eyes wide. "The Queen of the Chaos Courts... I thought she was but a legend."
Lyra gazed towards the horizon, where the sky shimmered with unfamiliar hues. "Legends often have roots in truth. We must prepare for the unknown."
In the Mystical Otherworld
Deep within the Otherworld, where the veil between life and death is thin, the Tuatha Dé Danann convened. Nuada, their leader, clenched his silver hand into a fist.
"After eons, she returns," he mused.
Brigid, the goddess of wisdom, stepped forward. "Her presence will disrupt the balance. The Chaos Courts are not known for their... predictability."
Nuada's eyes gleamed. "We shall see if her return heralds creation or destruction."
On the Fortunate Isles
The inhabitants of the Fortunate Isles, blessed with eternal youth, gathered under the golden boughs. Among them was Cian, a mortal granted passage to this paradise.
"Does this mean change?" he asked, looking to the ever-youthful Fintan.
Fintan smiled wistfully. "Change is the only constant, even here. The Queen's return might bring challenges, but also opportunities."
In the Eternal Realm of Tír na nÓg
Liora, a maiden of unparalleled beauty, danced by the crystal-clear streams. Today, however, her steps faltered.
"Why do I feel... unrest?" she wondered aloud.
Aisling, an ancient seer, approached her. "The Queen of the Chaos Courts has returned. Her energy pulses through the land."
Liora's brow furrowed. "Is it a blessing or a curse?"
Aisling's eyes clouded. "Only time will tell."
In the Sacred Groves of Avalon
The priestesses of Avalon, guardians of ancient mysteries, felt a shift in the air. Morgaine, their leader, stood at the edge of the sacred lake.
"She is here," Morgaine whispered, her reflection shimmering in the water.
Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, emerged, her form ethereal. "The realm has awaited her return. The balance of power will shift."
Morgaine nodded. "We must be vigilant."
In the Shadowed Depths of the Unseelie Court
Contrasting the Seelie, the Unseelie Court thrives in the mysterious and often darker aspects of the Fair Lands. Their domain is a labyrinth of ancient forests, where the moonlight barely pierces the dense canopy, and the air is thick with the scent of rich earth and untamed magic.
Morrigan, a formidable figure with raven-black hair and eyes like storm clouds, felt a surge of power resonate through her territory. A predatory smile curved her lips. "So, the prodigal queen graces us with her presence at last."
Her followers, a motley assembly of dark fae and other enigmatic beings, murmured among themselves, a mixture of excitement and apprehension evident. The power dynamics within the Unseelie Court had always been tumultuous, and the arrival of a potential leader could either unite them or sow further discord.
In the Radiant Halls of the Seelie Court
The Seelie Court, known for its benevolent and light-hearted fae, resides in a palace of crystalline spires and cascading waterfalls that sing harmonies of joy. The courtiers, adorned in garments woven from morning dew and sunlight, dance gracefully through the grand halls.
Queen Titania, her presence commanding yet graceful, felt a subtle disturbance in the harmonious energies of her court. A delicate frown marred her otherwise serene visage. "What stirs the fabric of our realm so?"
Puck, her ever-loyal attendant, materialized beside her, his eyes twinkling with mischief and curiosity. "My queen, whispers from the winds speak of the Chaos Queen's arrival. The Fair Lands themselves acknowledge her presence."
Oberon's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of concern and contemplation. "The Unseelie have long been without a unifying force. This could herald a new era... or unforeseen challenges."
Among the Mortal Inhabitants of the Fair Lands
Scattered throughout the Fair Lands are pockets of mortals who have found their way into this enchanted realm, either by fate or folly. Villages nestled in verdant valleys, untouched by time, where the inhabitants have adapted to the magical energies that surround them.
In one such village, Aisling, a healer with a touch of fae ancestry, felt a sudden warmth in the crystal pendant she wore a family heirloom said to be linked to the very heart of the Fair Lands. The village elders spoke in hushed tones about ancient prophecies and the significance of the Chaos Queen's return.
"Does this mean change is upon us?" a young farmer asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Aisling offered a reassuring smile. "Change is the only constant in our strange world. We must trust in the balance of the Fair Lands and adapt as we always have."
In the Sacred Glades of the Druids
Deep within the Fair Lands lie sacred groves, where druids guardians of ancient wisdom and natural magic commune with the spirits of the land. These glades are places of profound serenity, where the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thin.
Eochaid, a venerable druid with a beard like cascading snow and eyes that held the depth of ages, stood at the center of a stone circle. The ancient runes carved into the stones glowed faintly as he chanted incantations older than time itself. A sudden gust of wind rustled the leaves, carrying with it a whisper that only those attuned to the land could hear. Eochaid's chanting ceased, and a knowing look settled upon his features.
"The Chaos Queen walks among us once more," he murmured to his gathered disciples. "The equilibrium of our realm is poised on the edge of transformation. We must guide and protect the natural order during this pivotal time."
___________________________________________________________
(John Constantine POV)
'Bloody hell' I thought, surveying the surreal landscape before me. The Fair Lands. Not exactly on my list of holiday destinations. Yet, here I was, courtesy of a botched spell and a dash of bad luck—a typical Tuesday. The air was thick with magic, almost tangible, like walking through a dense fog of enchantment. Colors seemed more vibrant, sounds more melodic, and the very ground beneath my feet pulsed with an otherworldly rhythm. It was as if the realm itself was alive, watching, waiting.
I lit a cigarette, the familiar taste of tobacco grounding me amidst the overwhelming sensory overload. As I exhaled, the smoke curled into shapes runes and symbols I vaguely recognized from ancient texts. The Fair Lands had a way of twisting even the most mundane actions into something mystical.
"Right then," I muttered to myself, "let's see what fresh hell awaits."
I trudged along a path that seemed to materialize beneath my feet, leading me deeper into the heart of this enchanted realm. The flora here was unlike anything in the mortal world trees with silver leaves that whispered secrets, flowers that glowed with an inner light, and vines that moved of their own accord, reaching out as if to touch me. As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Eyes unseen but palpable tracked my every move. It wasn't paranoia; in the Fair Lands, the very environment was sentient, and it had taken a keen interest in the intruder wandering its domain.
"Oi! Show yourselves!" I called out, my voice echoing strangely in the stillness.
A soft, amused chuckle resonated from the shadows, and a tall, ethereal figure stepped forward. Their skin was as pale as alabaster, and their eyes shimmered like a sky full of stars.
"John Constantine," the being said, their voice melodic but with a clear edge of annoyance. "The Fair Lands have been expecting you."
"Have they now?" I replied, not even pretending to hide my disinterest. "Can't say the feeling's mutual."
The figure's lips curled into a tight smile, their expression an unsettling mix of respect and irritation. "You tread on sacred ground, mortal. Few of your kind are foolish enough to step here."
"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly known for playing it safe," I shot back, flicking ash from my cigarette. "Mind telling me who you are?"
"I am Alexandriel," the figure said, a subtle sneer in their voice. "A guardian of these lands. And you, Constantine, are... an inconvenience, a disruption in the natural order of things."
"Sounds about right," I muttered. "Look, I'm just passing through. A bit of a magical mishap ended up here. I'll be on my way once I figure out how."
Alexandriel's eyes narrowed, and I felt an almost tangible pressure settling around me, like the entire realm was holding its breath, waiting to see what I'd do next.
"Be that as it may," Alexandriel said slowly, voice tinged with both exasperation and something that could only be described as reluctant respect, "your presence here hasn't gone unnoticed. The Fair Lands are in a state of flux. The arrival of the Fae Chaos Queen has shaken the very foundation of our world."
"Fae Chaos Queen?" I raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sounds like a real handful."
"She is a force of nature," Alexandriel replied, their tone more clipped now. "Her return brings upheaval both creation and destruction. The balance of our realm is in jeopardy."
"And where do I fit into this mess?" I asked, a little more suspicion creeping into my voice.
Alexandriel's gaze was cold but calculating. "That remains to be seen. But know this, Constantine: The Fair Lands reveals truths you may not want to face. Tread carefully... or you'll find yourself lost in ways even you can't talk your way out of."
With that, Alexandriel vanished into mist, leaving me alone with the weight of their words. 'One thing was clear: the Fair Lands had no love for me, but they were going to make sure I had a hand in whatever chaos was brewing here.'
"Brilliant," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Just what I needed cryptic warnings and impending doom."
I continued along the path, my mind racing. The Fae Chaos Queen's arrival was clearly a big deal, and if the Fair Lands were as interconnected as they seemed, her presence would be felt everywhere. As I pondered this and continued to walk the trail, the landscape began to change. The vibrant colors dulled, and the melodic sounds turned discordant, The air grew heavy, and a sense of foreboding settled over me.
"Looks like I've wandered into the wrong neighborhood," I muttered, glancing around warily.
Ahead, I saw a group of figures gathered around a flickering flame. As I approached, I realized they were not human tall, slender beings with elongated limbs and eyes that glowed like embers.
"Evening, gents," I said, raising a hand in greeting.
The figures turned to me in unison, their expressions unreadable. "John Constantine," one of them hissed, the sound like steam escaping a kettle. "You should not be here, but we have been waiting."
"Yeah, I've been getting that a lot," I replied. "But here I am. So, what's the news? Heard anything about a Fae Chaos Queen making a grand entrance?"
The figures exchanged glances, and I sensed a shift in the atmosphere.
"The Fae Chaos Queen has returned," another figure said, its voice softer, almost mournful. "The balance is disrupted."
The moment the words Fae Chaos Queen left that ember-eyed bastard's lips, everything changed. A ripple of magic surged through the area, a tangible shift in the air that made my skin crawl. The trees shuddered, the ground pulsed, and suddenly, every single one of those lanky, whispering fae around the fire turned to stone-faced silence.
Then they ran. Not a dignified retreat, either, a proper scrambling. Clawed hands and spindly legs, robes fluttering as they bolted into the enchanted forest like their lives depended on it. Maybe they did. Maybe mine did, too, if I stood here too long.
I didn't even need to ask why, only one bastard makes fairies run like their wings are on fire Neron.
A ruler of Hell had his fingers in the Fair Lands? Bloody fantastic. Another problem for another day. It was just my luck on running around into the demon's lackeys waiting to sniff me out. But luck, for once, was on my side.
One straggler left.
Waifish little thing, small even for fairie standards, left blinking in confusion as the rest of his mates disappeared into the night.
I sighed, shoving my hands into my coat pockets. "Right, Flutterbee"
He flinched. Big, dewy eyes, all shimmering and bright, like he was caught between fight and flight but couldn't quite decide which way to go.
"You-you know my name?" he stammered.
I squinted at him. "'Course I do, mate. Magic realm, names have power, yadda yadda. Anyway, how do you fancy a trip?"
Flutterbee cocked his head. "A… trip?"
"Yeah. You're gonna take me to New York," I said, voice flat, decisive.
His wings twitched. "New York? As in... the mortal realm?"
"That's the one." I pulled my cigarette from my lips, flicking ash onto the glowing moss beneath my feet. "Should be easy for you, yeah? A quick hop, skip, and a jump through whatever bloody fae nonsense gets you lot to my world."
Flutterbee swallowed hard, clearly weighing his options. His gaze darted toward the tree line, but he knew better than to run. Poor bastard was too nervous to disobey and too naïve to see what was coming.
"I—I could do that," he finally admitted. "But why should I?"
I smiled. "Because if you do, you get to keep breathing."
His tiny wings fluttered so fast they blurred. "Ah! Yes! Of course! Right away, Mister Constantine, sir!"
I grinned, slapping him on the back. "That's the spirit. Now, let's get going before your mates sell you out to Neron for a pat on the head."
Turns out, getting out of the Fair Lands wasn't as hard as getting in. Flutterbee's magic made it look insultingly easy some shimmering, prismatic portal nonsense, a few whispered incantations, and bam. The swirling void of fairie trickery opened up, and through it, I saw the neon-lit sprawl of good ol' Manhattan. No grand farewells. No lingering looks. No more gods, elves, or talking trees. Just a doorway between worlds and the poor sod who made it happen.
"Right then," I said, rolling my shoulders as I stepped toward the portal. "Off we go."
Flutterbee beamed. "Oh! This is wonderful! Maybe..maybe I could see the mortal world for a bit? Just to—"
Snap.
His body crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut, delicate wings fluttering uselessly before he hit the ground. I let him fall without ceremony, stepping over his limp form.
"Sorry, mate," I muttered, flicking my cigarette into the swirling portal. "Can't have you blabbing about this later."
I stepped through. And just like that, John Constantine was back in the mortal world.