Heroes of the Storm
Chapter 20: House of Mystery
August 2nd, 2012
House of Mystery, Spatial Space
"This is the House of Mystery?" Seraph said as he looks around. "it's very nice."
"Yeah, now can we go to London so I can enjoy a pint?" asks John.
"Afraid not," said Batman. "we need help. As an expert in the dark arts and demonology, we think you may know something."
"Yeah, things are going crazy, and if we don't stop it soon, things will get ugly," Boston said, floating above them.
Everyone turns to look at him except for Batman.
"What's he saying?" asks Batman.
"Not huh," John said as he steps forward. "I don't play telephone or messenger boy."
John puts his hands together and casts a spell so Batman can see and hear Boston.
"We online?" Boston said as he floats towards Batman.
"What did you want to see me?" John asks the group.
"There has been a heavy increase in homicides around the world," said Batman. "The Avengers believe these homicides may have some magical influence."
"Why don't you ask Seraph or Morgan le Fay for help?" John said as he walks off towards the fire. "they're your magical experts."
"Morgan is looking into a counter-curse," said Seraph. "She's also setting up defensives for the Avengers should the influence spread towards us. We believe an artifact is the reason behind these homicides that are influencing the people. Since you're an expert in dark magic, we thought you might know an object or someone who would be doing this?"
"Have you've thought of looking into Klarion the Witch-Boy?" John asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Not his M.O.," said Batman. "Its true Klarion would enjoy something like this, but he wouldn't resort to these methods."
"Alright, I'll look into it," John mutters bitterly.
"Jesus!" John cries out as a purple woman appears next to him silently. "Orchid, I've told you many times not to do that. Use the bloody door."
"Hello John, I see you've lost the House of Mystery," said Orchid. "though I am glad to see you are well."
"How new is this one?" Boston asks, floating over to look at the strange woman.
"Not what you think," John said as he lights another cigarette. "It's the magic of the House. The House wanted a way to experience with humanity and gave itself a body."
"It sure did," Zatanna said along with Boston, who couldn't keep his eyes off the girl.
Orchid walks forward towards Boston.
"A spirit whose existence is not like its own, like myself," Orchid said, looking at Boston. "Interesting."
"Um," Boston said as he looks at her. "Yeah, we are that."
"Dead smooth, you are mate," John said as he sits down by the fire.
"Hey, it's been a while, you know," Boston said as he looks uneasy about flirting with the House, even if it had taken the form of a woman.
"Powerful in true magic," Orchid said, looking at Zatanna. "Yet angry at John. This, I understand. Yet you seem to have developed strong feelings for the one known as Seraph."
Zatanna turns away, unable to meet Orchid in the eye or Seraph, who was listening by the bookcase.
Seraph looks at the books and could see they were centuries years old, though they look as if they were still brand new.
"You exude pain," Orchid said, walking towards Batman. "your life is a patchwork of blackness with no time for joy. How do you cope with it?"
Batman turns around, looking at Orchid.
"I have a butler," Batman said simply.
Orchid said nothing as she turns to her new master.
"You are like a raging storm," Orchid said. "Powerful, destructive, yet at peace. Darkness surrounds you constantly, yet you remain strong and incorruptible. How do you manage to defy your inner demons?"
"I don't know," said Seraph. "All I want is to be normal."
"But you can't stand when others are being hurt," said Batman.
"That was enlightening," John said as he conjures some brandy and a cup. "What is it you want me to look into?"
Seraph turns around and casts an illusion showing the images and recordings of recent events.
"Blimey," John said, watching the images. "this is going on around the world?"
"These incidents have been increasing," said Batman. "An unexplained phenomenal could result in magic being used."
"To influence so many people, without detection," John said as he watches a woman about to toss her newborn baby off a ledge. "giving birth to the devil's child?"
"Most likely, the magic gives them some form of hallucinations," said Batman.
"I'm sure it's magic," Seraph states. "but to affect people all over the world without detection – has to be an artifact or a relic."
"I agree with you," John said as he watches the illusion. "I'll see if I can pick up anything. In the meantime, drop me off in London so I can enjoy a pint."
Lightning hits John's ass causing him to yelp.
He turns to see Zatanna holding her wand at him, looking very unhappy at his lack of interest.
"John serious, we got to do this," Boston said as floats in front of John. "Rama Kushna said this will affect the afterlife as well. Something about the very fabrics of reality will get torn apart."
"Look, it's dodgy all right," John said as he turns to walk away. "I said I'll look into it."
"John," Boston said, moving in front of John, preventing him from leaving. "Rama Kushna said we all got to work together. We're going to need every able sorcerer to help us in this matter. Come on, it's like a dream team. You, me, Z, Seraph, and the Batman! Even the Avengers1"
"The cape and tights crew, useless against dark magic. First off, do I look like a team player to you, Boston?" John said, staring at the poltergeist. "second, I work entirely solo, and am not much of a leader. Third – I don't give a rat's ass what Rama Kushna thinks or what anyone said. Deities may be all-powerful, but that doesn't mean they're right."
John walks away, leaving the group behind.
"Yeah, but you know you can't handle this situation without backup," Boston calls back to John, causing him to stop in his tracks to think these words.
"Alright fine," John finally said. "the rest of you would only be in the way. I could use Z's help, though."
"I'm okay with that," said Zatanna. "only if we do this together."
John groans as he looks like he was about to rip out his hair out. It was clear he was attempting to get some alone time with Zatanna and not focus on the mission at hand.
"Not happening," John protests at once. "he's mortal with no magical experience. The other is a kid who plays sorcerer, they are not coming."
"You're such an ass," Zatanna said, standing up and walking straight into John's face.
"Yeah, those two got history," said Boston.
"Sounds worse than your history with Zatanna," Seraph said simply as he watches Zatanna get angry at John.
Zatanna mentions how he had over a hundred screws of killing innocent people. On how he was trying to buy his ticket into heaven.
"Enough," Batman said, causing the two to fall silent. "He's dead, he's immortal, and I accept the rest. Can we stop wasting time, or do you need a time out?"
Zatanna looks at John, who throws his hands up in defeat.
"Fine and dandy," said. "Let's take a walk on the dark side then."
"Stop being a child, and slow down," Zatanna said as John kept a fast pace ahead of the group. After they arrived in New York City, John didn't say a word as he took off in a single direction. "where are we going?"
"Ritchie's," John said simply.
Zatanna looks slightly alarmed at John's answer.
"Have you talked to him lately?" Zatanna said at John.
"I know he's pissed. You don't have to remind me, love," John said, walking at a faster pace. "It's on my CV, remember."
"No, has he told you," Zatanna said but stops as John stops the moment, he turns the corner.
John looks like he's seen a ghost.
"Oh no," John said. "he's dying."
"Are those dementors?" Seraph asks as he stares at the hooded figures. "I don't feel their presence."
"Dementors?" Batman repeats in confusion.
"Those are Shrouds," said Boston. "they take souls to hell."
John walks up towards the shrouds with Batman following. Even if he couldn't see them, he knew with the group on alert, it was serious.
"John Constantine," one of the shrouds said, floating towards John. "purveyor of the dark arts, and a lifeline of last resort. No matter, your friend's soul will be collected, and there's nothing you can do to alter that."
"Why don't you lot do something useful, like haunt an abandoned house?" snaps John.
Seraph steps forward as the shrouds began to circle him.
"We cannot touch this one," said the shroud. "as the Master of Death, he is the only mortal who can command us."
"That's something interesting," said Zatanna.
"I'll say," John said. "Master of Death?"
"It's a long story," Seraph said as he walks past the shrouds.
"I didn't know you were the Master of Death, does that mean you command the power over life and death?" Batman asks, walking up to Seraph as he opens the door.
"No," Seraph said simply. Wishing to end this conversation as quickly as possible.
"I thought I sense a disturbance in the force," an elderly man said as he walks forward with a cane. "How are you doing, Johnny boy, Zatanna. Is that Seraph and Batman?! What the hell?"
"We'll tell you everything inside, mate," John said as they walk inside.
They walk inside as Seraph looks around, seeing countless artifacts hanging around on the wall and on dressers. Parchments, rings, jewelry, skulls, staffs, wands were everywhere.
"You poor thing," Zatanna said as she touches Richie's face.
"Yeah, I may have lied the last time we talk, about how fast I'm sliding down the hill, I'm sorry about that," Richie said as he holds Zatanna's hand. "but it means a lot that you're here, John. And hey, you don't have to say it. You're forgiven. I'm wondering why Batman and Seraph, two Avengers are doing in my living room, and when is he going to shut up, right?"
John puts his hand behind his head and starts scratching, clearly uncomfortable. He wanted to speak but clearly didn't want to say anything that would piss off his friend.
"What?" Richie asks, looking at John. "What's with the face? You're not here to say you're sorry, are you?"
"Of course, I am," John said, trying to sound serious about the situation. "but I was looking to borrow the Keshanti Key as well."
"Unbelievable," Richie said, glaring at John with malice.
"I tried to tell him on the way," Zatanna said quickly, trying to defuse the situation.
"Yeah, it's not your fault, Z," Richie said as he looks at her. "as usual, its rock star Johnny's fault. First-class expert in demons and the dark arts, third class fuck up friend."
"I was with you when it happened, Ritchie. We were side by side," protests John.
"Yeah, yeah, side by side, you say," said Ritchie. "You got away scot-free, while I'm the one who has to live with this curse that makes living harder every day while you got a bigger rep, isn't that right?"
"Look, me not making proper amends isn't related to the Key," John said as his cool began to disappear. "which, truth be told, you're not going to need, mate."
"John!" Zatanna said in surprise.
Richie didn't hesitate and throws a punch at John hitting him straight in the face. Richie lost his balance as Zatanna grabs him to prevent him from falling.
"I've been getting that a lot lately," John said as he rubs his jaw.
"You can go screw yourself, I'm not giving you crap," shouts Richie.
"World's greatest arse indeed," Seraph said, looking at John. "Richard, we wouldn't be asking you this if it wasn't important. There has been a strange string of homicides going around that we're sure it's magically linked."
"You're saying some idiot is going around the world, causing people to commit murders?" Richie said, looking at Seraph.
"That's why we need to Key," said Zatanna. "It could point us in the right direction to see what is going on."
Richie sighs as he pats Zatanna on the hand.
"For you Z, I'll give it to you, hell I'm giving you everything I have anyway once I pass," Richie said as he turns and conjures a chest on the table. He opens it and pulls out a medallion. "Use it well."
Zatanna takes it as she turns to leave.
Seraph conjures a goblet and hands it to Richie.
"This should help ease your pain," said Seraph.
Richie takes the goblet in gratitude.
"Thank you," said Richie. "doctors say an upbeat attitude can help. So, what I'll focus on today, is that I met Batman and Seraph. You guys can show yourselves out, I need to rest."
Metropolis General Hospital
"Why couldn't you cast a portal inside the hospital?" John asks as they all step out.
"Because it's rude, and consider the same as breaking and entering," Seraph said as his Gate disappears. "Do we got clearance from Metropolis P.D. to see the patient?"
"Superman asked Metropolis Police Commissioner, and he agreed," said Batman. "He's done a lot for this city, so it was no trouble. Though he wants to be present."
"Won't make any difference if he's present or not," John said, walking towards the hospital.
"What does he mean?" asks Batman as they approach the hospitals' entrance.
Superman drops down, preventing Batman's question from being answering.
"You got here quick," said Superman.
"I used the gate to get us here quick," said Seraph. "The situation does require haste, after all."
Superman said nothing as Metropolis Police Commissioner steps forward.
"Batman," said the Commissioner. "Commissioner David Corporon."
"Commissioner," Batman said, shaking his hand. "this is Seraph."
"The Leader of the Avengers," Commissioner Corporon said in almost awe. "It's an honor to meet you."
"Thank you, Commissioner Corporon," Seraph said, shaking his hand.
"Superman said you want to question the suspect," said Commissioner Corporon.
"That's correct," said Batman.
"Can I ask why?" asks Commissioner Corporon.
"We believe the suspect may have been influenced by magic," Seraph said as Batman glares at him.
"Magic? How can you be sure?" asks Commissioner Corporon.
"That's what we're here to find to find out, mate," said Constantine. "If magic was indeed involved, we'd find it, and hopeful what caused the poor bloke to go mad."
"It's worth a look," Superman said to Commissioner Corporon. "if someone forced him to commit those actions, then we need to find out who."
"Normally, I wouldn't allow this," Commissioner Corporon said with a sigh. "but this case is strange enough as it is, how long will this take?"
"Depends on the state of the patient," Seraph said as he walks forward.
The group walks forward, and they could see countless reporters all gathering around.
"Are they seriously thinking about making this live?" Constantine said as he looks at the reporters and new crew all around the hospital.
"Is that a problem?" said Commissioner Corporon.
"Keep them outside Commissioner," said Seraph. "even if this isn't an operation, it has to be treated as much. We cannot have them causing distractions without us hurting the patient."
"I wonder why that is?" asks Commissioner Corporon, as his officers move to block the news crew.
They walk inside, following the Commissioner, where two of his officers were seen standing by the door.
"Has the suspect woken up?" asks Commissioner Corporon.
"He hasn't said a word since he came in," said the officer. "he remains in a vegetable state since he was brought in this morning."
Seraph walks past the officers and steps inside to see the man strap to the bed with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey, you can't come in here," the officer shouted behind Seraph.
"It's alright, Brian, the Avengers are investigating the killings," said Commissioner Corporon. "They think some supernatural event is causing the killings."
"So, think your mumbo jumbo magic can solve the mystery of what caused this poor bastards' madness," John said behind Seraph.
"I'm not Morgan, I'm not a healer. That's her specialty," said Seraph. He walks beside the man's side and looks at him carefully. "Interesting, he's in a state of shock, but he's not present. It's like something has been taken from him."
"So, you got some talent," John said, walking forward.
"There's no trace of magic on this guy," Zatanna said as she walks forward. "There would have been some trace of magic if he was possessed."
"Unless he wasn't possessed," said Seraph. "I want to see what happened. The killings and accidents that have been occurring all aren't normal. Everyone has made the same statements regarding their reasons for their attacks. Something else is influencing these events."
John said nothing as he looks at Seraph.
"You still got the merc?" John asks, looking to Batman as he holds up the coin.
Batman pauses as he looks at the coin.
"How does this work exactly?" Batman asks as he looks at the coin.
"It's basically a magical shortcut," John said as he takes the coin and flips it into the air. "It will allow me to poke inside this poor bloke mind without those 20-odd hours of incantations. By seeing his memories, I'll be able to see how his madness began – and, more importantly, what caused it."
John places the coin on the person's forehead.
"You can do that?" the Commissioner asks, looking at them in surprise.
"Magic is indeed wonderful and powerful," Seraph said, stepping forward. "but even it has its limitations. Magic is a lot like a person's blood. If we become depleted of our magic, then we'll die. This is a shortcut to ensure we don't burn our magic out while looking into his memories and trying to find what caused his madness."
"Alright, Z – give me a psychic shout if this body comes under attack," said John. "Wouldn't do well to get trap inside now."
"Wouldn't do good to go in alone, and since I'm right there," Zatanna retorts at John.
"Too dangerous," John said with his head held high. "you're out of practice, love."
"Zatanna and I will go in," Seraph said, ending their argument.
"Yeah, like I would allow a second-rate sorcerer to mess around in this poor bloke mind," John said back.
"You can't exactly be talking Constantine," Seraph said coldly. "You're not exactly trustworthy. Not to mention, you have over a hundred screwups on your resume when it comes to fixing magical problems. I trust Zatanna to help me pull this off, more than I trust you."
"It's settled," Zatanna said as he grabs Seraph's hand, and the two disappear.
John stood there bewildered as Zatanna disappears with Seraph into the subject's mind.
"Bollocks," John said as stood there beaten.
"Hmm," Batman said, who stands there observing carefully.
"You have a history with Zatanna?" Superman asks John.
"Yeah," said John. "We did a couple of missions together. She punched me in the face after I kept annoying her before she separated to go on her own."
"Can't imagine why," Superman said, looking away.
"You're trying to rekindle the flame you had for her," said Batman. "it's not working. She's drawn to Seraph, who's a lot more powerful and honorable."
John said nothing as he turns away, knowing Batman's statement was true.
"Zatanna," Seraph said as he shakes her out of her little daze.
"Huh," Zatanna said as she looks around. "Oh, sorry, I hate this type of magic."
Zatanna holds a small orb and looks inside, seeing a young boy being laughed and bullied by his peers.
"Neither have I," Seraph said. "I've had my mind poke around all the time by a former teacher who hated my existence."
"Why did he hate your existence?" Zatanna asks Seraph as he looks at one of the memories.
"Because I am my father's son," Seraph said simply as he looks at the memory. Seraph could see the victim beating his son about talking back to him with a belt. Seraph was brought back to his own childhood when Uncle Vernon would whip him with a belt as well. He even remembered the time Aunt Marge whacked his shins when he was six so he wouldn't beat Dudley at musical chairs.
"You're your father's son?" Zatanna repeats in confusion. "how is that bad?"
"My teacher loved my mother," said Seraph. "but had an intense rivalry with my father who would bully him with his friends. He never got over the fact that my mother chose my father over him. He knows it's his own fault, but his hatred for my father was strong enough to resent my existence. He both hated me and protected me."
"That's horrible," Zatanna said as she looks at another memory.
"I both respect and hate him," said Seraph. "he was a gifted wizard, but he was unable to let go of the past and realize I'm not my father. He made my life at school miserable."
Zatanna looks at him carefully.
"There is a school of magic?!" Zatanna asks in surprise.
"Didn't you go to school to learn magic?" Seraph asks Zatanna.
Zatanna shook her head.
"My father taught me," said Zatanna.
"That's not uncommon in my world," said Seraph. "Now, to focus on the task at hand."
Seraph's eyes glow as he begins to investigate the memories of the suspect.
"What are you doing?" Zatanna asks as she appears next to him.
"I found the memory, now let's how his madness began," Seraph said.
They see the memory of the man sitting at the kitchen table drinking a beer and reading the newspaper.
Outside John leans against the wall in frustration, knowing that the quiet and quality time he wanted to spend with Zatanna had been taken by Seraph. He didn't know how skilled Seraph was, but he was the one who wanted to spend quality time with Zatanna.
"Who dropped the bed pen?" one of the officer's mutters as a nasty smell begins to fill the hospital.
Batman turns, knowing this wasn't normal. The smell was far too strong for a hospital.
"Really could use Morgan right now," Batman mutters as he turns to look down the hall as a loud roar could be heard.
"What is that?" Superman asks as a murky dark brown monster appears charging at the group.
"Get everyone out," Batman orders as he and Superman charge forward to deal with the monster.
"Z, do you hear me, you got to get out of there now," John shouts as he looks back at the patient. "Z!"
"That's not a shroud," Seraph said, looking at the smoke that slowly began being inhaled by the victim.
"Is it coming from the Earth?" Zatanna said.
"No," Seraph said. "someone conjures the smoke to him. Meaning they were afar when he had him hallucinate. They used an artifact to conjure the hallucination to make him believe he saw something that wasn't real. In this case, he believed he was seeing demons that killed his family."
"Talk about mess up," Zatanna said.
They stood there, watching as he lost control upon seeing 'demons' who were his family. He grabs his shotgun and attacks them, demanding to know what happened to them.
Darkness began to engulf them, making them unable to see anything. Seraph and Zatanna look up to see the memories were under attack.
"We have to go," Zatanna said as she grabs Seraph pulling him out of the man's mind.
Seraph and Zatanna reappear in the room where the glob began to surround them.
"Watch out!" Superman calls out as Seraph stood there.
The glob stops in its tracks as Seraph raises his hand, reforming the glob into a brown orb as it tries desperately to attack Seraph and Zatanna. Seraph turns his hand as the glob disappears.
"So, you guys had your hand full," Seraph said, standing there as Superman and Batman approach him.
Batman glares at Seraph knowing full well this could have been prevented if he had stayed behind.
"Hmm," Batman said, looking at Seraph and Zatanna.
"Want to explain what is going on?" Commissioner Corporon demands.
"I don't think someone wanted us asking questions," John said slowly.
"No," said Seraph. "no, they didn't. These attacks are only the beginning of a much larger one that is coming."
"Larger?" Batman repeats as he looks at them.
"Superman, I want you to return to Avengers Island and give Morgan this," Seraph said as he conjures a vial. "she will know what to do. Once there stay there, I want you to on standby."
"Want to tell me what is going on?" asks Superman.
"Morgan will explain things," Seraph said as he turns and walks away from the room.