Chapter 608: The Boy Named Billy
A Proposal for the Rock
Barbara Minerva—archaeologist, one of Diana's few friends, and the future Cheetah. Luke wasn't sure if his arrival would change the comic book timeline.
After sending off the slightly dazed young woman, Luke brought Diana into the inner room.
"What do you think of this place?"
"What do you mean?"
Luke gestured around. "I mean, the entire Rock of Eternity."
Diana hesitated.
"You aren't thinking of..."
Luke took her hand and said softly, "I want to turn it into a secret garden, known only to you and me."
Diana's face flushed instantly. She couldn't help but murmur,
"I don't think that's appropriate."
"What's wrong with it?"
Diana was a little embarrassed, but thinking of the possibilities, she felt a slight thrill. Still...
"This place is too big, and those structures are clearly prepared for war. I think we should call Clark, Barry, J'onn, and the others, and turn this into the Justice League's secret base."
Luke looked utterly resigned.
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
Diana nodded, her eyes firm. Seeing her resolve, Luke could only shrug.
"Then I'll follow your lead. But before that, there's one thing we need to handle."
"What is it?"
Luke pointed upward. "The Rock of Eternity has four layers in total. You were just on the third, we're on the second, and there's one more above. The owner of the Rock of Eternity is up there."
"The owner?"
Diana was surprised. "Didn't you say this place has been sealed for thousands of years?"
"His lifespan is immense, at least over five thousand years old..." He paused, then said teasingly, "Perhaps even a little older than you."
"Are you implying that I'm old?"
"Of course not! You are in your most perfect state now. I was just using an analogy."
Luke quickly changed the subject. "The man is called Shazam, the guide of the Council of Eternity, and he has the ability to communicate with the Gods. Come here, let me show you something."
Luke walked to the table and picked up an ancient book detailing the history of the Council of Eternity.
"It records the story of the Amazons, including your mother, Queen Hippolyta."
Diana immediately took the book. Using a translation device, she scanned the contents. After reading it, she couldn't help but frown.
"An Amazon kingdom? Mother never mentioned it."
"If not for this book, no one would believe that the Amazons once had such a vast territory. Furthermore, your people once served as members of the Council of Eternity, appointed by Zeus."
"What happened afterward? What caused it?"
"The history is fragmented. No one knows why. Perhaps your mother knows something."
Diana looked thoughtful. She glanced at Luke, seeming to understand.
"You want me to convince this Shazam."
Luke smiled. "As expected of the beautiful and elegant Amazon Princess. You guessed it immediately."
"The seven chairs of the Council of Eternity each represent one of seven divine systems. The Eastern Celestial Court is one of them. You know the magic I possess is actually Daoist sorcery, a heritage from the Celestial Court. When I spoke to him in that capacity, the old man showed deep wariness."
"Wary?"
"Yes."
Luke shrugged, looking exasperated. "Perhaps it's related to the traditions of the Eastern Celestial Court, or maybe something else. In any case, the old man doesn't like me. No matter how I ask, he refuses to tell me how to control the Rock of Eternity. I have to rely on you."
Diana was uncertain.
"Will it work?"
"I don't know. We have to try. If he still won't budge..."
A flicker of murderous intent passed through him, and the room temperature seemed to drop instantly.
The Arrival of Billy Batson
As a child, Billy Batson was clearly far from perfect. He was a troubled youth; he often shoplifted and was involved in petty scams. As an orphan, he bounced between multiple foster homes, never finding a true sense of belonging.
He roamed the streets like a vagrant, with a rebellious personality and a reluctance to interact with others, often doing things out of line. If one were forced to find a redeeming quality in him, it would be his kindness toward animals.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Billy would bring food to two stray, lame cats near the sewage pipes. He had done this for three years straight. It was hard to imagine such dedication coming from a troubled youth, but he did it.
Today was his third day in a new foster home. This family was different from his previous ones; everyone adopted was an orphan, and two had physical disabilities. The foster parents, a middle-aged couple, were very kind and genuinely cared for the children. However, none of this concerned Billy; he only wanted to find his estranged mother.
After school that afternoon, Billy, with a bruised left eye, wandered aimlessly through the streets. A nearby taxi driver, unable to stand it, forcibly drove him home.
The taxi moved down the dark street. In a flash, a black shadow swept by. Billy instinctively closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he was in a dimly lit hall.
Billy was startled and instinctively backed away.
"Do not be afraid, child."
"What is your name?"
A hoarse voice came from behind him. Billy quickly turned around. Down the steps, where the seven stone chairs were arranged, a white-haired old man was staring intently at him.
"Wh-Who are you?"
"You may call me Shazam."
The old man pointed to the crystal sphere. "Look at it, child. Look at it."
Billy didn't understand. He instinctively looked toward the crystal sphere. The seven demon sculptures nearby opened their eyes, and red light glowed in them. Whispers laced with various negative emotions flooded Billy's mind. The demons' temptation echoed in his ears. Billy's eyes gradually lost focus. Like one possessed, he reached out his right hand, reaching for the crystal sphere.
Deep disappointment flashed in the old man's eyes. He struck his staff on the ground. The seven demon sculptures simultaneously closed their eyes, and Billy awoke from his daze.
"They... those sculptures... they..."
"Go now, child. Forget about today."
"Wait a moment!"
Billy said urgently, "Who are you? What is this place? Am I dreaming?"
"The dream is over. It is time for you to return."
"Wait, answer me first. Are you a legendary god?"
The old man was about to send him back with magic, but thinking of the situation outside, he suddenly changed his mind. He decided to give the boy another chance.
"I am a Wizard, not a God."
A Wizard?
Billy looked overjoyed. "Then you know magic! Can you help me with something?"
"What is it?"
"Help me find my mother. I got separated from her at an amusement park when I was little. I've been looking for her all these years. Can you help me?"
The old man's expression grew strange.
"You are an orphan?"
Billy nodded silently.
The old man smiled. Although the boy had failed the test, the sincere light in his eyes delighted Shazam.
"Tell me about your experiences over the years. If you tell the truth, I will teach you the way to find your mother."
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