"So, dis's where everythin' wen' down?" Constantine asked Dell as they surveyed the area. "Dere are traces o' somethin' not o' dis world 'ere." He looked over at the coven scouts cleaning up the remnants of the destroyed Belos statue, then turned to Dell. "Make yaself useful an' grab me a chunk o' dat, wouldya?"
Dell nodded and went over to retrieve a piece. None of the scouts seemed to notice as he pocketed it. Or if they did, they assumed he was part of the clean-up crew. Whatever spell Constantine used to disguise themselves was really beyond a simple illusion charm. Or even the Concealment Stone around his neck. It was a level of magic that Dell had never encountered before.
Dell walked back to Constantine and fished the piece out of his pocket. "What do you plan to do with this?" He asked, handing it over.
Constantine smirked. "Watch an' learn, Squire." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine cast a spell on the piece as he chanted incantations, "Ostende mihi viam quam cepisti. Ostende mihi ubi sis nunc." The piece began to glow, and a ghastly trail appeared, leading the way to their next destination. "Follow dat trail, an' we'll fin' our Poltahgeis'. Let's go." Constantine took the lead as they followed the glowing trail.
"I've never seen magic like this before," Dell marveled, keeping close behind Constantine. "You're not like other witches and demons here."
"Dat's righ'," Constantine chuckled. "I'm one o' a kin'. An' wot's yer secre'?"
"What are you talking about?" Dell asked.
"Yer aura's differen'. There's somethin' 'bou' ya I can't quite pu' me fingah on," Constantine replied. "Ya're no Witch undah dat Cocealmen' Stone."
Dell's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know about the Concealment Stone?"
"I'm. One. O'. A. Kin'." Constantine repeated with emphasis on each word. "I can also tell dat ya're no' 'uman, eithah." He chuckled slightly. "Ya've a differen' enahgy 'bou' ya, somethin' powahful."
Dell felt a chill run down his spine, realizing Constantine could see through his disguise. If it was that easy for Constantine to see through his concealment, then who else could see his true identity? Dell decided that he should hold off being Superboy while around Constantine. And he felt that he had to be more careful in the future. He couldn't afford any slip-ups that his enemies could potentially exploit.
"Dell, wait!" The sound of Loisse's voice caught his and Constantine's attention. They turned around to see her running towards them.
"Loisse?" Dell called out, confused by her sudden appearance.
Constantine raised an eyebrow. "Someone ya know?"
Loisse finally reached them, out of breath. "What… are you… doing?" she asked, her eyes darting between Dell and Constantine.
"I… don't know what you mean?" Dell replied, confused.
"I saw you and this man investigating the scene at the cafe," Loisse pointed at Constantine, who looked surprised. "And none of the Coven Scouts tried to stop you."
"She saw pas' da illusion?" Constantine said, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Looks like we've got a sharp one, 'ere."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Loisse asked.
"Da illusions I cas' conceal da usah from weak-minded, half-witted berks, like da Coven Scouts," Constantine explained. "Bu' ya're differen', lass. Ya seem t' 'ave a knack fo' seein' through bullshi'."
"Dell, who is he?" Loisse asked, turning to Dell for an explanation.
"This is John Constantine; he's an exorcist," Dell explained. "And I need his help to help the Blights."
"Why do you need an exorcist to help the Blights?" Loisse asked.
"Because a Poltergeist is tormenting Amity, Emira, and Edric Blight. One that means them serious harm if possessing the statue of Emperor Belos was anything to go by."
"A Poltergeist was responsible for the statue coming to life?"
"Yes, and I don't think it will stop there. The Blights need Constantine's help to get rid of it before it causes more harm."
"Then let me help," Loisse said, her determination shining through. "Exorcism may be above what I know, but I know something about ghosts and spirits."
"Sure, wotevah," Constantine replied, rolling his eyes. "Jus' don' ge'in da way. Da longah we wai' aroun', da more dangah da Blights'll b'in'. So, let's ge' movin'."
"Well, he's a charmer, isn't he?" Loisse quipped.
Dell replied, "He may not be the friendliest, but he seems to know his stuff when dealing with the supernatural. More than I do anyway."
"C'mon! Da trail's gettin' col'!" Constantine rushed them, his urgency evident in his tone. Loisse and Dell exchanged a glance before following the man.
Amity, Emira, and Edric returned to their family manor without hindrance. They had not encountered trouble since the cafe, which was a relief after the chaos earlier in the day. Amity was still bothered by how the crowd treated Superboy for saving them. She wondered how so many people could be so ungrateful and stupid.
All Amity wanted to go up to her room and escape from the world for a while before doing homework. Walking through the door and greeting their abomination butler, Abdel, Amity felt a calm wash over her.
"Ahem," the Blight kids' mother cleared her throat, breaking the peaceful atmosphere.
Amity, Emira, and Edric all turned to look at Odalia Blight, sitting in her chair disapprovingly. Amity's heart sank as she knew their peaceful moment would be shattered.
"Hello, Mother," Amity said tentatively.
"Hey, Mom," both Edric and Emira chimed in unenthusiastically.
"Where have you three been?" Odalia Blight's eyes narrowed as she awaited their response.
"I know we were late getting home from school," Amity explained. "It won't happen again."
"And what were you doing that was worth delaying you? Oh, Titan, were you wasting time with those brats at the library again?"
Amity's fist tightened as she struggled to keep her composure. "No, Mother," she replied firmly. "We were just studying for our upcoming exams."
"That is a pitiful excuse if I ever heard one," Odalia scoffed. She knew when someone was lying; she was a master manipulator herself. "You should spend your time more wisely, preparing for your future as a powerful witch. I expect better from you, Amity." Amity bit her lip, knowing her mother's expectations were always high and challenging. "After all, you are the future heir of the Blight family."
Edric and Emira turned their gaze to the floor at their mother's words. Initially, they were the future heirs of the Blight family. Emira possessed her mother's ambition; Edric had the intelligence of his father to match. But unlike their parents, they had no desire to follow in their footsteps. So, when Amity was born, their parents shifted their focus and expectations onto her, leaving Edric and Emira feeling relieved yet slightly envious. Could that be why they pranked her so often?
"It won't happen again," Amity repeated to her mother.
"These days have gotten so dangerous," Odalia said with a sigh, looking at her children with whatever she could pass off as concern. "I mean, ever since Superboy came to town, things have been crazier. More crime on the streets, more danger lurking around every corner. And now the threat of Meta-Witches has us all on edge."
Odalia said all that as if the Blight family wasn't secretly involved with these dangers. Amity did not know the extent, but last night, when her father showed up to tell Superboy about Reactron's weakness and how to defeat him, she couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. Her family's connection to these dangerous events ran more profound than she had ever imagined.
"The way I see it, everything you've said has existed long before Superboy came to town," Edric said.
"You're just using him as an easy scapegoat for the real issues we're facing," Emira added.
"Was I speaking to you?" Odalia snapped, her frustration evident in her tone.
Emira and Edric exchanged glances before Emira replied, "We're just trying to offer a different perspective, Mother."
"If I want your perspective, I'll ask for it," Odalia retorted sharply. "Now, onto more pressing matters—Amity's future."
"You have nothing to worry over, Mother," Amity assured. "I continue to be the top student of Hexside, and I have already received offers from prestigious covens for apprenticeships after graduation."
"That's not what I meant." Odalia paused. "I do not need to remind you of our business arrangements with Luthor Corp. Though we were forced into this arrangement, I have found that it has benefited our family. Lionel even agrees it has been a mutually beneficial partnership and wishes to ensure it continues for the foreseeable future."
Amity looked at her mother, confused. "I don't understand what that has to do with me, Mother."
"Lionel and I have agreed that, for the benefit of both our companies, you and his son Lex are now engaged to be married."
Amity's eyes widened in shock as she processed the unexpected news. "You did what?!" A mix of emotions ranging from disbelief to anger rushed through her as she tried to comprehend the sudden arrangement that had been made. "You had no right!"
Odalia remained unfazed by the sudden outburst, explaining, "It's for the greater good of our businesses, dear. You will someday thank me for securing your future in such a prosperous partnership."
Amity clenched her fists, her jaw tightening in frustration. "I will never thank you for this," she seethed, her voice laced with venom.
Suddenly, a vase crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces and making a loud noise that caused everyone to jump. "Abdel! Get in here and clean this up!" Odalia shouted.
But the shards levitated and launched toward Odalia and her children. Odalia took cover behind the nearest piece of furniture. Amity conjured an abomination shield to protect her and her siblings. The Poltergeist was here!
Constantine, Dell, and Loisse tracked the Poltergeist down to Blight Manor, and they could hear the commotion from outside. "Bollocks!" Constantine cursed and kicked the door open, revealing the chaos inside as objects flew around the room—glass broke, objects slammed against the walls, and the Blight children screamed.
Above Emira's head, a chandelier began to swing dangerously.
SNAP!
"Look out!" Dell yelled as he scooped Emira up and dove out of the way.
KRRRASH!
The chandelier crashed, and shards of glass scattered across the floor. "Are you alright?" Dell asked Emira, still in his arms and clinging to him tightly. Emira nodded. Dell's superhearing could pick up her heart racing from the close call.
"Enough o' dis!" Constantine shouted and moved his hands in a circular motion, sparks flying from his fingertips as he prepared to cast a spell. His magic appeared similar to what the Boiling Isles witches used. Still, it was different… almost as if it had a darker, more sinister edge. "Spiritum alloquor! Tu cruentum bene nosti qui sum!" Constantine's eyes glowed as he chanted in a language. "Te revelabis, si scis quod tibi bonum est!" He clapped his hands together, and a wave of magical energy surged.
The Poltergeist, once invisible, materialized before them. Like other spirits revealed by Oracle Magic, it had a translucent purple aura surrounding it, giving off an eerie and unsettling presence. It looked like a slim man dressed as a jester.
"That's our Poltergeist?" Amity asked.
"The Blight family will pay for what you did!" The Poltergeist's voice echoed through the room, filled with anger and malice.
"Nunc revelata es, capieris!" Constantine cast another spell as a magical sphere enveloped the Poltergeist, trapping it in place.
"No! I must have my revenge!" The Poltergeist struggled against the magical barrier.
"Revenge? What is he talking about?" Loisse asked the Blights, but they remained silent and gave no answers.
"Don't mattah," Constantine said, raising his hands. "I'm sendin' da buggah t' Hell!"
"What? No!" Dell shouted and grabbed Constantine by the arm, trying to stop him.
"Da 'ell ya doin'?" Constantine tried to shake Dell off, but his grip was too strong. For Constantine, it was like he was trying to pry his arm free from a vice. "Dat barriah ain't gonna hol' fo' lon'!"
"We can't just do that without knowing the truth," Dell pleaded. "Why does he want revenge?"
"What are you waiting for?" Odalia screeched as she watched Constantine struggle against Dell's hold. "Just do it!" But Dell held on tight.
Loisse approached the Poltergeist and asked, "Why do you want revenge against the Blights? What did they do to you?"
"They took everything from me!" The Poltergeist wailed, its voice echoing through the room. "They destroyed me!"
Loisse could see the pain and anger in its eyes. "Who were you before they destroyed you?"
"I am Winslow Schott," the Poltergeist confessed. "I was a simple man, content with my life until they ruined it all."
"Schott?" Edric whispered, recognizing the name. "I remember him! He was a brilliant toymaker who disappeared years ago. Em and I used to play with his toys when we were little."
"What happened to you, Winslow?" Loisse asked.
"She happened!" Winslow pointed at Odalia, who got a not-so-surprised look from the group. "That factory where her husband, Alador, builds his machines was once my workshop. She tricked me out of my business, home, and everything I held dear."
Odalia remarked, "Well, that's what you get for not being more careful with your investments."
"You're not helping, Mother!" Amity interjected, glaring at Odalia. She then looked at Winslow. "So, why are you attacking me, my brother, and my sister?"
"Odalia Blight took away everything I loved—my business, livelihood, and passion for bringing joy to many. So it's only fair that I try to take away everything she loves in return," Winslow replied coldly to the Blight kids. "Not you, of course, but the dynasty she plans to build through you."
"Well, dat's enough t' convince me t' sen' 'im t' Hell," Constantine declared, ready to cast the spell to do just that.
"Wait!" Dell shouted, stopping Constantine again. "There has to be another way to resolve this. He's angry for what was done to him, but maybe there's a way to find peace for his spirit instead of condemning him."
"I've done dis lon' enough t' know dat da longah we wai', da hardah it's gonna be t' deal wit' 'im," Constantine grumbled. "It'll be easiah fo' all o' us t' jus' ge' rid o' da bloke."
"The easy path is not always the right one. Let's at least try to find a way to help him before resorting to damnation," Dell urged, hoping to appeal to Constantine's compassion, if he had any.
Constantine sighed, considering Dell's words. "Fine, we'll try ya way firs'," he finally agreed, begrudgingly willing to give Dell's way a chance.
Dell nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Constantine." He then turned to the Poltergeist. "We won't let you hurt Amity, Edric, or Emira. Is there any other way we can help you rest, Winslow?"
Winslow pondered for a moment, his spectral form flickering slightly. "There may be one way," he whispered, a smile appearing on his translucent face. "Yes. Taking Blight's children doesn't have to be the only solution. I can take away what they took from me and turned into their own."
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Constantine coughed violently, falling to his knees. "Constantine!" Dell exclaimed.
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Constantine's lack of concentration caused the barrier spell to weaken, flashing long enough for Winslow to slip free.
"He's out!" Loisse exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise, summoning her Oracle Spirit to combat Winslow before he could cause any harm. The two spirits clashed, but the Poltergeist proved too strong for the Oracle Spirit to handle.
"I can't let any of you follow me," Winslow said, extending his hand. He levitated the couch and tossed it in Loisse's direction.
"Loisse!" Dell ran forward and pushed her out of the way, taking the brunt of the impact himself.
"Dell!" Loisse screamed as she saw him lying on the ground, and Winslow fled the manor.
Amity conjured a pair of abomination arms to lift the couch off of Dell, asking him, "Are you alright?"
"I… I think I'm good," Dell lied, feigning pain so they would not realize his invulnerability.
"Where's he going?" Emira asked as she watched the spirit disappear into the distance.
"He said something about taking away what we took from him," Edric replied, his voice filled with concern.
Then the Blight kids all reached the same conclusion, "The Factory!"
"Alador is still working there," Odalia said, always having her husband put more hours into his work than his family.
"We 'ave t' go, now!" Constantine exclaimed, urgency in his voice as they all rushed to the factory to save Alador.
All except for Loisse, who changed her mind and decided to stay behind to look after Dell, only to see he was gone from where he once was lying. "Dell?" Loisse called out as she frantically searched the manor. Then she saw him outside, standing as if he did not just have a severe injury. He then removed something from around his neck, and in a flash, there stood Superboy. And he flew off into the sky, leaving Loisse in shock and disbelief at the sight before her. She realized that Dell Whispers was Superboy!
Long after his working crew had left for the day, Alador remained behind to finish up projects he had been working on as part of the Luthor and Blight partnership. Lionel Luthor had assigned Alador to overlook a particular project to even the playing field against Superboy. Though he worked diligently, his mind couldn't help but wonder—was this really for the betterment of the Boiling Isles?
He and the workforce he handpicked had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making weapons designed to kill Superboy. And for what? Because Emperor Belos decided that someone who has done nothing but help the people of the Isles was a threat? It didn't sit right with Alador, but he knew he had to follow orders.
Cling!
The sudden sound of metal hitting the ground startled Alador out of his thoughts. Looking down, he saw a small wrench that had fallen. A sense of unease settled in his stomach as he picked it up.
Cling! Cling! Cling!
That sounded further away. He was not alone. Alador slung his canister of abomination substance over his shoulder and cautiously made his way toward the source of the noise. "Who's there?" He called out, his voice echoing through the factory.
Thud!
Alador turned around, only to find a small, lean object near one of his inventions—a prototype for a Boiling Isles security drone, the Abomaton. Alador's heart raced as he realized someone—or something—must have been tampering with his creations.
Alador's heart raced as he approached the object. He picked it up and saw it was a plastic doll of a boy dressed in respectable clothing. Its eyes stared blankly ahead, and a creepy smile crossed its face. Alador inspected the doll, wondering who could have left it there and what it could mean. A tag on the back of the doll's shirt read, "Schott's Toys."
Crank!
Alador looked up to see the Abomaton had come to life and raised a massive hand towards him. He jumped out of the way before the Abomaton could grab him. The Abomaton was supposed to be deactivated, not online. The hulking mix of machine and abomination substance lurched forward, its mechanical joints creaking as it pursued Alador. Its movements were jerky and unnatural.
Alador traced a spell circle and forced the machine under his command, mentally ordering it to stay put. Though it struggled against his magic, the Abomaton continued to advance as if possessed. Alador was forced to use his magic to crush the Abomaton into a heap of twisted metal and abomination substance. He could repair it later.
"Typical of a Blight," a voice echoed throughout the factory, forcing Alador to look around. "If you can't control something, you destroy it instead. Whether they be malfunctioning machines or people who stand in your way." Suddenly, everything in the factory started moving on its own—his inventions and tools were coming to life, floating in the air and swirling around him menacingly. "It's time to make you pay!" It was all about to crash into him.
Alador was about to form a defensive spell when he suddenly felt a gust of wind. The next thing he knew, he was outside his factory, and standing next to him was Superboy!
"I'm glad I made it time," Superboy said. "Are you alright, Mr. Blight?"
Alador was stunned by Superboy's sudden appearance but quickly regained his composure. "Thank you for saving me," he said gratefully.
"DAD!" Alador turned to see Amity, Edric, and Emira all running towards him.
"Children?" Alador asked. Behind them, he saw Odalia, a man in a trenchcoat, and that Loisse Laine girl. Edric and Emira hugged Alador without saying a word, while Amity—relieved to see him okay—hesitated to approach him.
Amity, Edric, and Emira then noticed Superboy was standing beside Alador. "Superboy, you're here?" Amity asked.
"Yeah, I heard Mr. Blight in trouble and came to help," Superboy replied.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Alador asked, looking at the group gathered around him.
"T' make a lon' story shor'," the trenchcoated man began, "da ghos' o' someone ya screwed ovah's lookin' fo' revenge, an' we're 'ere t' help ya deal wit' dat."
Alador looked at the man. "And you are?"
"This is John Constantine; he's an exorcist," Loisse explained, introducing the trenchcoated man to Alador. "And the Poltergeist we're dealing with is Winslow Schott."
"Winslow?" Alador repeated, a look of recognition crossing his face.
"An' 'e won' stop til he's go' 'is revenge," Constantine added. "I'm goin' in dere t' stop 'im." He turned to Superboy. "Oi, d'ya thin' ya can ge' me in dere befo'e' e knows we're comin'?" Superboy nodded. "Den, let's do dis." Superboy grabbed hold of Constantine and zoomed into the factory at superspeed.
Flying machinery greeted Dell and Constantine, and sparks were inside the factory. In the center of it all was Winslow, who treated everything like his playground.
"Winslow, this needs to stop!" Dell pleaded with the Poltergeist.
"Superboy?" Winslow's eyes gleamed with mischief turned to malice. "Why are you trying to stop me? I'm the victim here!"
"Hurting those who hurt you won't make the pain disappear," Dell said. "You have to let go and move on from this anger."
"And let the Blights win? Never!" Winslow continued to wreak havoc in the factory, sending a shower of machines directly at Superboy, who took the hits head-on without flinching.
Constantine, meanwhile, dodged for cover. "Ya fun ends 'ere ya lil git!" He shouted, conjuring another containment spell and hurling it at Winslow.
But the Poltergeist dodged it, cackling with glee. "I'm not falling for that again!" He then merged different machinery parts, creating a pair of mechanical soldiers. "Why don't you play with them for a bit, Exorcist?" The mechanical soldiers advanced towards Constantine, their metal limbs clanking with each step.
"Oh, bollocks!" Constantine muttered under his breath. "I jus' should've sen' 'im t' Hell, an' I'd be done wit' dis mess an' havin' a pin' by now." He reached into his trenchcoat and pulled out a sack. "Bu' I 'ad t' do thin's da righ' way, didn't I?" He stuck his whole arm into the sack and pulled out a scimitar with a gleaming blade. "Dis's why I don' try t' be a bloody 'ero!" Constantine readied himself as the first soldier lunged at him, its mechanical arms swinging wildly. With a swift movement, Constantine dodged the attack. He countered with a precise strike, severing the soldier's head from its body. Before the second one could attack, Dell swiftly crushed it with a powerful blow.
"No fair!" Winslow exclaimed, looking disappointed. "But I have plenty more where that came from!" Winslow used his materials around him to quickly create more soldiers to join the fight.
"How is he this powerful?" Dell asked.
"Dis whole bloody place was 'is in life," Constantine explained. "Meanin' everythin' wit'in dese walls' undah 'is control."
Dell was out of his depth when it came to metaphysical beings. "How do we stop him?"
"We 'ave t' trap da bastar' wit'in a physical vessel," Constantine suggested, and he caught sight of a creepy-looking doll lying on the ground nearby. "Dat'll do. Buy me time t' prepare da spell."
Dell nodded and faced off against Winslow's newly created soldiers. Physically, they were no match for him, but Winslow would fix them and send them back into battle for every soldier he took down with a push. Dell just had to keep their attention on him and away from Constantine.
"You're ruining my fun, Superboy! It's time to make you sit still and behave." Winslow taunted as he summoned more soldiers, these with launchers attached to their arms. They fired a splash of green abomination substance all over Dell's costume, and he felt weighed down, his strength sapped.
"Kryptonite," Dell realized. The abomination substance was laced with Kryptonite. It wasn't enough to ultimately hinder him, but he felt weak. The soldiers took advantage of this; their punches and kicks could land forcefully.
Dell flew back and used his heat vision to try and create some distance between himself and the soldiers. He melted several enemies despite the Kryptonite, which made it challenging to focus. He just needed to hold on until Constantine was ready.
"Oi, Toyman!" Constantine shouted at Winslow, grabbing the Poltergeist's attention. "Yer fun ends 'ere!" Constantine cast a containment spell at the spirit, who just laughed as he dodged. "Dat's righ' jus' a lil closah ya wankah!" Winslow kept laughing as he dodged Constantine's spells until he was within range. "Gotcha!" Constantine threw the doll at Winslow, who overconfidently assumed that the doll was just a harmless toy.
But as soon as it passed through his metaphysical body, he felt himself being sucked into the doll. "What's happening!" The Poltergeist screamed in horror as he realized he was trapped inside the doll and fell to the ground. Then, all the soldiers he had constructed proceeded to fall apart. In his plastic prison, Winslow stood up and tried to fly away, but nothing happened. He tried to manipulate his surroundings, but nothing happened. "What did you do to me?"
"Poltergeists lose dere powahs when trapped in a physical vessel," Constantine explained, walking over to the doll and picking him up. "Ya're no' goin' anywhere dis time, mate." Constantine opened the sack he drew his scimitar from earlier, dropped Winslow inside, and tied it closed.
Dell used his heat vision to burn the kryptonite-laced abomination substance off him. He felt his strength returning as the toxic material disintegrated. Then, he looked to Constantine and asked, "What did you do to him?"
"I jus' dropped 'im int' a bag of holdin'," Constantine replied. "He'll be stayin' dere fo' a while, no' causin' any trouble. Bettah dan sendin' 'im t' Hell, righ' Dell?"
Dell blinked in surprise at Constantine's casual mention of his name. "What are you talking about? I'm Superboy."
"Ya can' bullshi' a bullshi'ah." Constantine chuckled, adding, "Yer secret's safe wit' me, lad."
"If we're being honest with each other, can you answer one question? Who are you?" Dell asked. "You gave me a business card, but I've never heard of you, and my parents never told me about you. They know all the powerful magic wielders on the Boiling Isles."
"Undo omnimodo haec inlusio." Constantine snapped his fingers, and his ears changed from the pointed ears all inhabitants of the Boiling Isles have to rounder ears. "Dat's 'cause I'm no' from da Isles. An' bettah no one else knows dat."
"You're a human? But how can you cast magic without drawing glyphs? Or without a circle? And what kind of chants are you using?"
"Ya're righ'. Humans can't cas' magic, as dictated by some unspoken rules o' da universe." Constantine answered before a proud smile grew on his face. "Bu' den, dere're blokes like me. I'm a cheatah. I turn da rules on deir' ead. Now, we can talk abou' dis all day, or we can tell everyone waitin' fo' us outside da good news."
Much to Loisse's and the others' relief, Constantine and Superboy… Dell—he was Dell. Loisse was still in disbelief that Dell Whispers and Superboy were the same person. She couldn't deny what she saw but was disappointed in herself for not recognizing it sooner.
Still, they both returned with good news that Winslow would no longer terrorize the Blight family. "That's a relief," Alador said with a sigh, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. I was worried I would have to close down the factory."
"As if," Odalia scoffed. "Potergeist or no, I would have found a way to keep it running."
"Thank you for your help, Constantine," Amity told the Exorcist as she nodded towards him in gratitude. "On behalf of my family, we owe you a debt of gratitude."
"Ya owe me mo'e dan dat," Constantine replied with a smirk and handed Amity a slip of paper. "Like, da bill fo' me services."
"What?" Amity exclaimed, taking the paper and looking at the amount on it. "We still have to pay you?"
"That is a big bill," Edric commented.
"I know we're rich, but still…" Emira interjected.
"Wot? Ya though' I was doin' dis fo' free?" Constantine chuckled. "Ya didn' really expec' me t' work pro bono, didya?"
"Come on, can you cut them some slack?" Dell pleaded. "They've been through a lot already."
Constantine raised an eyebrow, considering his words, before finally relenting. "Fine," he grumbled. "I'll jus' add ya t' me lis' o' clien's who owe me favors. Bu' don' be thinkin' dat I won' collec' someday."
"Deal," Amity replied. "And trust me. When a Blight makes a promise, we always hold up our end of the bargain."
"Gla' t'—"
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
Constantine was interrupted by a coughing fit that seemed to come out of nowhere and covered his mouth with a handkerchief. "Bloody 'ell," he muttered. And quite literally, as he coughed up blood into his rag.
"That does not look good," Edric commented.
"I know some healing magic," Emira offered. "Let me help you with that." She began to cast a spell, her hands glowing with a soft light.
But Constantine waved his hands to stop her. "Magic ain't gonna fix dis, lass. I've tried. Dis's jus' da consequences o' me pas' choices catchin' up wit' me."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Dell asked.
Constantine shook his head, a grim expression on his face. "Nah, dis's somethin' I gotta deal wit' on me own. All o' ya shoul' go home an' res' aftah everythin' t'day." He flashed them a smile—a fake mask—as he walked toward Bonesborough. "An' go check on ya frien' Dell."
"Crap, Dell's still back at the manor!" Edric realized. "We should go back and make sure he's okay."
"He was resting on the couch the last I saw," Loisse lied, hoping to alleviate any worry. "But it wouldn't hurt to double-check, just in case."
"He has probably ruined that couch with his commoner stench," Odalia grumbled, earning some glares from the others.
"I'm needed elsewhere," Dell said. "But I hope your friend is okay." He flew off into the sky, likely heading back to Blight Manor. Loisse and the others headed back to the manor themselves. She was tired now, but she would eventually confront Dell about the truth that he is Superboy. And about… her vision.
Constantine walked through his magical door, taking him into what he considered the cozier part of the House of Mystery. He exhaled as he walked over to the couch across from the fireplace and sank into the plush cushions, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he prepared to unwind after the long day. He was about to put his feet on the coffee table when he noticed a mug of hot chocolate and a note waiting for him.
"Dear Mr. Constantine,
I hope you enjoy the hot chocolate.
Zatanna."
Zatara's daughter was a sweet kid. However, he would never be caught admitting it out loud. He was helping Zatara train her as a favor he owed to the magician, but he couldn't deny that he had developed a soft spot for her along the way. She was only fourteen, but her magical abilities were already impressive; they grew each day.
Constantine took a sip of the hot chocolate. It was sweet but missing a kick he craved. He looked around to ensure no one was watching before slipping some of the whiskey he always carried in his coat pocket into the mug.
Constantine was about to drink when an overtly feminine shape manifested next to him. "Oh, bloody…" He jumped back in surprise, nearly spilling the spiked hot chocolate. "Orchid! Blimey! I've told ya, not t' do dat!"
"My apologies," Black Orchid said in a calm voice. "I sensed your return and wished to greet you." As a manifestation and protector of the House and its contents, Black Orchid was omnipresent, tending to startle Constantine whenever he least expected it. "Also, I came to inform you that you have a guest."
"Oh, swell, anothah resident t' deal wit' 'roun' 'ere," Constantine muttered, sipping his drink. "Who's dis one?"
At the end of the room, a pale young woman with long, flowing black hair descended the stairs from the spiral staircase leading to a second level. She wore a black tank top, ripped jeans, and boots. Her eyes, also black, reflected countless lifetimes of wisdom and experience. Around her neck was a silver pendant in the shape of an ankh. John knew who she was, and she, in turn, knew him better than he knew himself.
"Death," Constantine whispered. "T' wot d' I owe da pleasure o' one o' da Endless comin' t' visit me? Ya' ere t' collec' me, ain't ya?"
Death smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "Not yet, John," she replied gently. "But soon." She walked over to him. She resisted the urge and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, knowing that it was not her time to do so. "There's still much for you to do before your time comes."
"Like wot?" Constantine scoffed. "I already know da pearly gates ain't openin' fo' me. Ain't nothin' waitin' fo' me on da othah side, excep' fo'—" The fireplace crackled menacingly in the background as if he—the Tempter, the Prince of Darkness, Ol' Nick—was listening in on their conversation. "Well, need I say more?"
Death shook her head, her expression unwavering. "You may not see it now, John, but there is still hope for you to change your fate if you choose."
"Do ya believe dat?" Constantine asked skeptically.
Death nodded solemnly. "I do. Cherish each moment and make the most of them. Destiny has told me your story, but only you can determine how it ends."
John Constantine looked down at his hands, contemplating her words before finally meeting her gaze. "Soun's like bollocks t' me."
"Time will tell, John." Death smiled knowingly, her presence fading as she whispered, "Time will tell."
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