"The Star Scepter?"
Selina stared at the Cosmic Scepter Adrian had placed in her hands, surprise evident in her eyes.
She understood better than most how valuable the weapon was. Adrian had relied on it countless times during battles, using it to defeat powerful enemies and protect the people closest to him. Although his growing abilities had gradually reduced his dependence on the Star Scepter, its importance had never diminished.
It was more than a weapon. It represented years of battles, victories, and survival.
Because of that, Selina hesitated.
"No, Adrian. This is too important to you."
After a brief silence, she attempted to return it.
"Sometimes things are only things, no matter how valuable they are. People matter more."
Adrian pushed the staff back into her hands.
"Don't treat this as some grand sacrifice. It's only for your protection. It doesn't permanently belong to you."
Selina looked at him with renewed curiosity.
"Are those words really coming from the cold-hearted Homelander?"
Her eyes carefully studied his expression.
"I thought you didn't care about humanity."
"Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. It depends on the person."
After handing over the Star Scepter, Adrian turned toward the dark window and gazed into the night outside.
After several moments of hesitation, Selina moved closer and gently rested her head against his shoulder.
Warmth spread through her chest.
"You're incredibly inconsistent."
She leaned against him and spoke softly.
"You're right though. Some people matter, some don't. Back when I stole from Gotham's corrupt elite, I learned that people aren't the same. Some deserve punishment, while others deserve to be protected."
The quiet atmosphere was interrupted by footsteps approaching from outside.
The door opened.
Martha entered the room and immediately froze.
She looked awkwardly at the two standing together.
"Ahem. Did I return at a bad time?"
She directed a questioning glance toward Adrian, a trace of disapproval visible in her eyes.
If he intended to spend time alone with a girl, his bedroom existed for a reason.
Selina quickly stepped away with practiced agility.
"I noticed Adrian was troubled because of Rachel, so I was trying to comfort him."
As she finished speaking, she shot Adrian a fierce glare.
The scoundrel had clearly sensed Martha approaching and intentionally remained silent.
She immediately withdrew her earlier opinion of him. He was still every bit the rogue she had first met.
Martha observed Selina's flushed cheeks and damp hair. Choosing not to embarrass her further, she nodded understandingly.
"I understand, Selina."
She no longer commented on Adrian's remarkable ability to attract women.
Instead, concern filled her expression.
"Adrian, have you learned anything about Rachel?"
With Aunt Nell's assistance, Martha had already visited the police station, yet no answers had been found. At this point, all her hopes rested with her son.
"I have a lead, Mom."
Adrian gently placed an arm around her shoulders.
"I found some useful clues, and I expect to find Rachel soon. I promise she'll be alright."
His calm voice eased some of Martha's fears.
Selina remained silent for several seconds before stepping beside Adrian. She reached out and took his free hand, quietly offering her support.
Far away, inside the Tower of Fate, another meeting was taking place.
Batman and Constantine stood together in the chamber.
Also present were Zatanna, Black Canary, Billy Batson, and the recovered Detective Chimp, Bobo.
"Let's discuss the information we've gathered."
Constantine crossed his arms.
"We spoke extensively with Madame Xanadu."
Zatanna rested her chin against her hand.
"And what did she tell you?"
Constantine exhaled slowly.
"Before her mind was taken, she witnessed something she was never supposed to see."
"What exactly did she see?"
Her expression became serious.
"It's unclear, but this is what we know."
Constantine glanced toward Batman.
Batman spoke.
"The Green will rise, and Hellfire will burn."
Black Canary frowned.
"What Green?"
"Swamp Thing."
Constantine answered.
"As for Hellfire, that probably involves a certain group of monsters I wish I'd never met."
Batman continued.
"'One dead shall fall, one dead shall rise. Souls shall be lost.'"
Constantine nodded.
"That one practically explains itself. Some of it has already happened."
He paused.
"And then there's the final warning. 'The traitor shall reveal himself.'"
Bobo folded his hands beneath his chin.
"So who exactly is the traitor?"
"Hey!"
A cheerful voice suddenly sounded behind him.
Harley Quinn had somehow appeared without anyone noticing.
She immediately wrapped her arms around Bobo.
"Our patient is awake!"
Ignoring his irritation, Harley rubbed the chimp detective's head.
"He's so adorable. I could pet him all day."
Since their first meeting, Harley had relentlessly treated Bobo like a household pet.
Although he found her behavior deeply irritating, he could not bring himself to insult her or retaliate with magic, especially after she had contributed to his recovery.
Unlike ordinary chimpanzees, Bobo lacked their energetic and restless nature. He preferred books, quiet rooms, and careful observation.
Though Billy had healed most of his injuries, his left eye could not be saved.
A black eyepatch now covered the damaged eye.
Constantine glanced at him and smirked.
"It's good to see you back, Bobo. Although now you look like Detective Pirate Chimp."
Bobo's remaining eye narrowed.
Constantine suddenly felt uncomfortable beneath that stare.
"What?"
Bobo folded his arms.
"We can discuss pirate jokes later. We're having a serious meeting, and I'd appreciate it if you stopped changing the subject."
Had others not been present, he would have gladly introduced Constantine to what he privately called the Angry Iron Hook Pirate Punch.
Constantine raised both hands defensively.
"I was trying to lighten the mood. Somebody has to do it before Adrian drives us all insane."
Batman finally interrupted.
"John, nobody here wants to relax. We're preparing for war."
"Fine."
Constantine sighed.
"I'll sit quietly and pretend not to exist."
With Constantine finally silent, Batman resumed.
At that exact moment, golden light filled the room.
Doctor Fate appeared behind Constantine.
The sudden voice made Constantine jump.
"My God!"
He spun around.
"Have you ever considered using doors? There is one right there. You could knock. You could cough. You could do literally anything before materializing behind someone."
He had always disliked people like Batman and Doctor Fate who appeared silently at his back.
"No time."
Doctor Fate's voice remained cold.
"A meeting between a stranger and a ghost is about to occur."
Constantine blinked.
"A stranger and a ghost. That's all we get?"
He folded his arms.
"We're expected to solve riddles while you're speaking in prophecies."
Bobo thought for a moment.
"Do you mean the Phantom Stranger and the Spectre?"
"Yes."
Doctor Fate nodded.
The Phantom Stranger remained one of the greatest mysteries in existence. His origins varied across countless stories and legends. Some claimed he was Judas, condemned to wander forever after betraying Jesus. Others believed he was a man punished during biblical times and denied both heaven and death.
Another account described him as Isaac, a grieving father whose family had been murdered during King Herod's massacre.
Regardless of which story was true, one fact remained unchanged.
The Phantom Stranger possessed power beyond ordinary understanding, enough that even the Spectre could not easily destroy him.
As Bobo reflected on everything he knew, Zatanna suddenly spoke.
"This is an opportunity. The Spectre's attention is elsewhere. We can strike Adrian while he's vulnerable."
She looked around the room.
"We launch a surprise attack."
Bobo turned toward Constantine.
"Didn't you once put Wonder Woman to sleep? Could you use the same method against her again? If we remove Adrian's strongest ally, our chances improve."
Constantine became silent.
After several moments, he finally answered.
"What I used on Wonder Woman went beyond conventional magic. I can only use it one final time."
His expression turned grave.
"We get one opportunity, and we need to be close enough to her."
"Then let me do it."
Zatanna volunteered immediately.
Constantine shook his head.
"No."
"You promised to protect Rose. Besides, if Adrian kills you before you finish a single backward spell, none of this matters."
Batman considered the situation carefully before turning to Doctor Fate.
"We have prisoners and allies inside this tower. It cannot remain unprotected."
"I will remain."
Doctor Fate nodded.
Constantine continued.
"We need someone Adrian won't expect. Someone capable of resisting him directly."
He lowered his voice.
"I can think of one person, but they'll require assistance. I can't safely transfer the power alone. Someone else will need to help."
Batman nodded slowly.
The meeting ended.
After everyone dispersed, Batman and Constantine entered the old elevator.
The rusted cables groaned as the elevator slowly descended through the tower.
Silence filled the cramped space.
Eventually, Constantine spoke.
"Batman, what are you willing to sacrifice to end this? What would you give?"
It was the question he had wanted to ask all night.
For several seconds, Batman remained silent.
His eyes settled on the elevator doors as they slowly opened below.
Complex emotions flickered behind the white lenses of his mask.
The opening doors almost resembled the entrance to a truth he had spent years chasing.
"Only myself."
The hoarse answer emerged from beneath the cowl.
Constantine felt his heart tighten.
For a man like Batman to speak those words carried enormous weight.
He stepped out of the elevator, lit a cigarette, and snapped his fingers toward the Dark Knight.
A faint smile appeared.
"That'll do."