John Constantine
I am cursed. Cursed to the bone, he thought after reading the name.
Every scattered piece in his mind began to fall into place, forming a perfect puzzle: Cortana's blonde hair, his gift for sorcery, his almost instinctive mental barriers. Now he understood why certain things had come so naturally.
"This is where your lineage begins. He is your first ancestor: John Constantine, a warlock and exorcist.
Apparently, he had capable offspring, though that gradually diluted as they began having children with ordinary humans, creating what some call squibs."
She smiled faintly as she recognized the connection and finally understood why the young man's clothing had reminded her of someone.
He is a descendant of William. Now I understand why he is so gifted in 'that' department.
Peter tried to ignore the part where his ancestry traced back to one of the most troublesome individuals in mystical history of DC verse.
"Squib?"
"A person with only minimal magical power. Constantine was essentially one hundred percent mage, as were his direct descendants, but that percentage diminished with each non-magical partner introduced into the bloodline.
Over time, as more ordinary humans entered your lineage, your magical heritage dispersed until the last traces should have been almost completely extinguished."
"I understand. But then the question becomes: how did I awaken this nearly extinct lineage?"
They both pondered the question until he finally formulated several theories, eventually arriving at the most plausible explanation. It made him sigh because, in a way, it was at least partially his own doing.
"Damn," he cursed, rubbing his face. "I think I know how this happened."
"How?"
"One of the characteristics of the Super Soldier Serum is that it brings the host to the absolute peak of human genetic potential. That is why Rogers went from a frail physique to peak physical condition.
But a secondary characteristic is that it cleanses impurities from the human genetic structure. Rogers is essentially as close to a pristine human genetic expression as anyone can be.
Something similar happens with Logan and his healing factor, though the adamantium poisoning complicated his case until the pills I gave him began treating it."
The Ancient One's expression showed she was following his reasoning.
"The spider that bit me had been modified with radiation and a variant of the Super Soldier Serum.
Once I injected myself with the perfected serum, it must have provided the final push needed to significantly increase that tiny magical percentage. With my continued use of sorcery afterward, that percentage likely increased even further.
The serum cleansed every impurity from my genetic structure except for the spider DNA, which was strong enough to remain. In doing so, it also restored my ancient bloodline. In simple terms...."
"It is the most absurd and, at the same time, the most plausible explanation I have ever heard."
She said it, and he accepted it, because it was absurdly strange and seemingly impossible, yet impossible things had a habit of becoming reality in this world.
"I have a great deal to think about."
Sighing, he was about to leave when he felt an inexplicable pull. Without thinking, he changed direction and walked toward whatever was calling him.
Opening an old trunk, he sifted through its contents: trinkets, oddities, a sword with an eye embedded in it, a chalice, an ornate rug, a wand that reminded him of Shrek 2, a golden ring, a golden teapot, a necklace with a clock, and a dagger with a red gem and sand inside the hilt, until he finally found the object.
"Strange. I never knew that was there," the Ancient One said.
How did I get here? he wondered.
Picking up a Zippo lighter decorated with the Ace of Spades, he noticed that one side was already engraved with Fiat Iustitia Et Pereat Mundus.
On the other side was St. Benedict's Cross, and beneath it was engraved the name Constantine, with the letter C shaped like a crescent moon.
"You may keep it. After all, as far as I can tell, it belongs to you."
"Thank you...Argh!"
A brief burning sensation shot through his left arm before disappearing just as suddenly.
Rolling up his sleeve, he found the word HELLBLAZER written across his wrist.
Grumbling in annoyance, he said goodbye to the Ancient One and left the Sanctum. On his way home, he sent Sony a message telling him to prepare something he had wanted to do ever since performing the exorcism.....something that now had a name to blame.
....
Schlick. Schlick. Schlick.
Crackle~. Sniff~. Fuuu~.
"Peter!"
Turning his head, he saw Missy walking toward him with a look of disgust, most likely because he was smoking.
"Hi, love," he said, shaking his head before she could pull the cigarette from his mouth.
"Give me that! You know how harmful and addictive those things are!"
"Mhm, mhm."
Chuckling, he exhaled before suddenly pulling Missy into a passionate kiss, drawing a soft moan from her.
"Mmm, coffee~," she murmured before looking up at him.
"I made it myself, removing all the harmful components. It calms my nerves and slightly reduces my dependence on caffeine."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and took another slow drag, making her sigh in relief.
"Okay," she said before noticing him absentmindedly flipping the Zippo lighter in his hand. "What is that?"
"A family heirloom. Just like this," he said, gesturing with the cigarette.
"Interesting. Anything else?"
"Nothing important. Just a few things I need to think about after what I discovered today. Do not worry. I will be back to normal by tomorrow."
"Okay. But you know I will always be here for you."
She gave him a quick kiss.
"By the way, Project New Life will be ready soon," she said, making him smile at the mention of the large-scale project that had taken him months to perfect, along with a considerable amount of sorcery and countless runic symbols.
"Excellent."
He flashed her a shark-like smile.
He slipped an arm around Missy's waist and hoisted her over his shoulder.
"Peter!"
She yelped before letting out another cry when he gave her a playful smack on her ass.
"Get ready, It's time to celebrate. You will not be able to move for many hours."
....