Broken(DC,Breaking Bad)

Hospital, a few days ago

John Constantine was sitting on the couch. He nervously twirled a lighter in his hands, flicking the wheel over and over again, even though he had long decided not to light it. The habit of smoking had him firmly in its grip, and giving it up seemed almost impossible. Restraining himself from smoking was becoming increasingly difficult. Several times he took out a pack of cigarettes, only to put it back again.

"To hell with it," he muttered, pulling out a cigarette from the pack. John brought it to his lips, almost ready to light it...

"Mr. Constantine, smoking is not allowed here," a stern voice rang out. "This is a hospital, and in your condition, it's not the best idea."

The doctor stood in the doorway of the office, looking at John with reproach. Sighing, John reluctantly put the cigarette back into the pack and stuffed it into his coat pocket.

"So, doc, still as grim as ever?" he asked with a smirk.

The doctor shook his head and sighed heavily, hanging an X-ray on the illuminated screen.

"You've been here before, but now things have gotten much worse, John," he said, pointing to the X-ray of the lungs. The dark spots looked threatening.

"Is it really that bad?" John tried to remain composed, but a slight tremor was audible in his voice.

"I wish I could tell you otherwise, but... You have cancer, John," the doctor replied bluntly.

John was silent for a moment, then slowly took out a cigarette and lit it, despite the ban. He knew this lifestyle would lead him to trouble, but what he feared most was not death itself. He was afraid of meeting those he had betrayed in his final thoughts and suffering for his sins.

"John," the doctor said, shaking his head as he opened the window.

"How long do I have?" John asked, exhaling a stream of smoke.

"Judging by the rate of progression, without treatment no more than three months. But if we start therapy right now, we can extend your life, possibly significantly."

John just smirked.

"Thanks, doc. But I gotta go."

He stood up and headed for the door.

"Try to spend as much time as you can with loved ones," the doctor advised as a farewell.

John turned around, smiled sadly, but said nothing. He had no loved ones. Everyone who had ever mattered to him had long since turned away. Interfere in someone else's life now? No, he was too tired. John decided to leave as he had lived alone.

Outside, aimlessly wandering the city, he stumbled upon a small store. Inside, without much thought, he grabbed a couple of bottles of cheap alcohol and headed to the checkout.

"Rough day?" the cashier asked, nodding at the purchase.

"Are there better ones?" John replied, taking his bottles.

Sitting at a bus stop, he opened one of the bottles and took a greedy swig. Then another, until he had drunk almost half. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. Suddenly, a cough interrupted his enjoyment. He covered his mouth with his hand and felt himself shaking. Raising his palm, he noticed dark blood on it. John smiled wearily to himself.

"Damn it," John muttered, taking another drag and looking up at the dark sky. "You knew this was coming, Constantine. It was always heading this way. Did you really think you'd live to old age?"

He threw the cigarette on the ground, crushed it with his boot, and drained the rest of the bottle. Exhaling loudly, he tossed the empty bottle toward a trash can. Despite his condition, John suddenly felt something strange happening. The surroundings had become too quiet, as if someone had turned off all the city noise. And the passersby, who had been plentiful just minutes ago, were suddenly gone.

John frowned, but before he could do anything, someone sat down on the bench next to him. Looking around, he noticed an unfamiliar woman. She looked strange: her features were unclear, slightly blurred.

"You don't think of stopping. This only brings your death closer," the stranger said.

"I'd rather drink more. There won't be such happiness on the other side," John replied.

"Perhaps," she answered with a slight smirk. "They're already waiting for you."

"No doubt. I... I haven't atoned for my sins, have I?" John asked without much hope.

"Of course not," she snorted. "You're the embodiment of vice, Constantine. Even if it weren't for the illness, you wouldn't have enough life left to atone for everything you've done."

John chuckled briefly, exhaling smoke through his nose.

"So why are you here?" he asked, turning to her. "To rub salt in the wound?"

"I can give you a chance," she said calmly. "Extend your miserable existence."

John froze. His gaze became sharp, though he still tried to maintain an air of indifference.

"What do you need?" he asked, exhaling smoke.

"What you do best," her voice softened but grew colder. "Destroying other people's lives."

She leaned closer, her face now right next to his ear. The stranger began to whisper.

"I have a better plan. There's a place with an enormous amount of dark magic, enough to destroy any prison and release the prisoner. There's also a corresponding book," John said.

"If you summon him, no matter how, I will heal you," the stranger said.

"I agree to it."

******************

POV Brian Forman

Finally, I managed to break free from all those affairs. The Court of Owls had pushed me out of Gotham on every possible front, and they were relentless. They even tried to reach my core business. Unfortunately for them, they ran into the influence of Lex Luthor, whose military connections proved to be an impenetrable shield. Although lately, he had been treating us more coldly, our collaboration was still ongoing.

Now I could focus on more important matters. A sense of unease didn't leave me as I stood in front of the House of Mystery. It felt like everything was about to go very wrong.

Approaching the massive door, I knocked. After a few moments, the door creaked open slightly, but no one was behind it. Only a dimly lit corridor awaited. I knew there was more hidden beyond this corridor than met the eye, but I decided to follow the layers of illusion rather than wander aimlessly. Soon, it led me to a familiar living room from my previous visit.

John was sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by stacks of books. His appearance alarmed me: he looked exhausted, sickly, as if years of life had been drained from him in just a few days. It was strange we hadn't seen each other that long ago, and back then, he had seemed perfectly healthy.

I noticed one of the books on the table. "Dark Arts. Dead Souls," its title read. Glancing at the others, I realized they all contained information about witchcraft, demons, and other dark matters. Many of the books were written in different languages, including ancient and long-dead ones. Surprisingly, I understood them all. It seemed to be another one of my abilities.

Walking closer, I gently touched his shoulder.

"John?" I called.

He flinched, as if waking from a dream. Raising his tired eyes to me, he gave a crooked smile.

"Oh, it's you. What day is it?" he asked, then weakened, as if his legs were giving out. I managed to catch him before he collapsed. "Damn. Doesn't matter, though."

"Are you okay?" I helped him sit down.

"Fine. Just haven't been sleeping well," he replied. John pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a drag, and finally gathered his thoughts. "Alright. Time to get down to business."

"So, who are we dealing with?" I asked.

"Felix Faust," he said, exhaling smoke. "A dark sorcerer who's been alive for several millennia. He has an abyss of knowledge and power, and his fortress is practically an impregnable citadel."

"Did you arrange for anyone else to join us?" I asked, trying not to let doubt seep into my voice.

"No. They wouldn't be of any use, so it's just you and me," John replied calmly, lighting another cigarette.

"Are you sure we can handle this?" I wanted to hear confidence in his words, but instead, I sensed the opposite.

"Of course. Are you doubting me?" Constantine smirked, looking at me with his usual bravado.

Not wanting to argue further, I nodded, but deep down, I was plagued by doubts. John was clearly hiding something. We'll see if he's worth my trust.

***************

"What are we doing here?" I glanced around. We were standing in the middle of a dense forest near a swampy lowland. The darkness thickened, as if nature itself was whispering, "Get out of here."

"A little help," John snorted. Walking up to the large flowers sticking out of the swamp water, he snapped his fingers. They burst into flames. "Come out, swamp creature, or your little flowers are done for."

Suddenly, the air around us vibrated, and a low roar echoed from behind the trees. The ground shook, and a massive figure emerged before us, as if woven from mud, branches, and algae. Its eyes glowed like two amber flames.

[image]

"You dare threaten me?" the creature spoke, lowering its head so close to John that he nearly stumbled backward.

"Just getting your attention," John replied calmly, not taking the cigarette from his mouth. "I need to find Felix Faust."

"I am under no obligation to help you, mage," the creature sneered. Its massive hand wrapped around Constantine's throat, lifting him off the ground. "In fact, I'd be more than happy to crush you right now."

"Damn it, Brian, help!" John rasped, struggling to break free.

"Listen to me," I interjected, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're not here to harm you. We just need your help. What can we do for you in return?"

The creature turned its gaze to me, then slowly lowered John back to the ground.

"You are no better than this deceitful charlatan," it rumbled. "But I do have one request. In the forests of Gotham, they dump tons of waste, poisoning my domain. You will take care of this."

"Consider it done," I nodded. Dealing with pollution didn't seem like too difficult a task, and our goal was far more important.

"I cannot find a single man among millions like him. The only one I know is John Constantine, and that's only because he annoys me," the creature grumbled.

"There must be dark magic tainting the land," John croaked, rubbing his neck.

"That, I can uncover," the creature responded.

Its roots began to move, pulling us into the earth. I felt the space around us shift. A moment later, we found ourselves atop a cliff, towering over the sea. In front of us stood a massive castle, radiating menace and power.

"There's our target," John pointed at the fortress as we made our way toward the observatory. "He's arrogant as hell distract him, and I'll cover you."

"Got it," I nodded.

Gathering speed, I leaped into the air, flames engulfing my body. Crashing into the fortress walls, I shattered a section of the protective barrier. The castle trembled as magical sigils ignited around us, black energy surging forth, tearing at my flesh. But I pressed on, breaking through barrier after barrier.

"Who dares disturb my peace?" a thunderous voice boomed from within the castle. Before me stood a mage clad in violet robes, his long, thin mustache accentuating his aristocratic features.

[image]

As soon as Felix Faust appeared, an explosion of flames engulfed his silhouette. The ground heated up, and the air filled with the sharp scent of ozone.

"Not bad," he said, instantly teleporting to another spot, completely unscathed. "But this is mere child's play. Allow me to show you what real magic looks like."

Dark masses of energy began to gather in his hands. They trembled as if alive before lightning burst from his palms, striking me before I could react. The pain was sharp but brief. I lowered my gaze to my chest and saw a gaping hole one that was rapidly closing.

"Oh, interesting," Faust smirked, watching intently. "So that's how it is? Fine. Then let's play for real."

His eyes flared with violet light. Around him, magical circles materialized, each radiating a force strong enough to shatter the earth.

****************

POV: John Constantine

Things could've gone differently. Sorry, mate, but you'll buy me enough time.

While Brian kept Faust distracted, I slipped through the broken barrier and into the fortress. Books, artifacts, amulets this place was more of an ancient magic museum than even the House of Mystery.

I didn't like deceiving him. But I'm a selfish bastard, and my own hide will always come first.

Death… I had been waiting for it, hoping it would all finally end. But standing on the edge of it now, fear crept in. No. I don't want to die.

The Necronomicon. This book is the key. It can bind demons so powerful they'd wipe out all life on this planet. But it also holds spells of resurrection and death. Whoever possesses it will hold dominion over mortality itself.

Archangel Gabriel. No better than the demons. Loves to manipulate, control, force deals with no way out. But some demon in exchange for my life? Worth it.

Where is the damn book?

A sudden tremor shook the building, forcing me to move faster. One of them Faust or Brian was going to die sooner or later. And neither of them would be pleased with me.

Finally, I found it. A place covered in seals, amulets, and protective symbols. Tearing them down one by one, I reached what this whole mess had been about.

There it was the book, bound in human skin. Its very presence made my hands tremble. One look at it filled me with a terror so deep, I nearly turned and ran.

[image]

I opened it. The pages clung to my energy, greedily draining my strength with every movement. There it was the page I needed.

"Hear my call, Mammon, son of Lucifer," I spoke, the words slipping from my lips as if I were merely a vessel. "I summon you. Come to the mortal world. Bring fear and suffering. Drown the streets in blood. Let all witness your dominion!"

The book radiated a surge of energy, siphoning the magical reserves Felix Faust had accumulated. Waves of power filled the room, tearing at the fabric between worlds. The air vibrated, distortions rippling across the walls, while voices like dying screams echoed through the chamber.

"Excellent work, John," came Gabriel's pleased voice. "I've cured your cancer."

********************

During the battle, as the mage's attacks became increasingly ineffective against me, I took the initiative. But then I felt it. A deep, gnawing unease. Pausing, I turned toward John. A chilling sense of dread pierced me he was doing something so profoundly sinful that the very air seemed saturated with his guilt.

Something inside me cracked. The overwhelming urge to destroy him and whatever he was trying to summon became unbearable.

The mage I had been fighting halted as well, staring in stunned disbelief before muttering:

"What kind of idiot?" Then, in a flash of light, he vanished.

"John, what have you done?"

Breaking through the ruins, I saw it a rift, splitting the fabric of reality wide open, revealing something dark and ancient on the other side. The mage frantically carved protective sigils into the air, fear etched across his face. He had called John a dark sorcerer before, but it seemed even he had no desire to see this entity enter our world.

I barely had time to move before my hand intercepted a spear that had nearly impaled Felix.

"Step aside, wretched spawn of darkness!" a voice thundered.

I looked up to see the wielder of the spear a woman with blinding white wings, bathed in radiant light. One word echoed in my mind: Archangel.

Rage flared within me, burning hotter than ever. My flames surged, colliding against her divine radiance. It was a battle of raw forces destruction against order. But her light could not contain me.

I grabbed her by the throat, my fire searing her flesh.

"No… no!" she screamed, struggling to break free.

I flung her charred body aside. By that moment, the entity summoned through the rift had begun to take form. A manifestation of pure darkness it wasted no time, instantly killing the mage, leaving him no chance to react.

"I stalled it for a bit," John shouted, barely making his way toward the swirling vortex. Well, John, this is the last time I trust you. It won't happen again.

Gripping the emerging creature, I felt its presence trying to break me. It wasn't material, nor was it magical. It was something far worse something indescribable. Its touch didn't reach my body it reached my soul. I felt it tearing me apart from within, like countless blades slicing off pieces of my essence.

My flames fierce, all-consuming did nothing to it. Only my sheer strength, both physical and spiritual, kept the entity at bay, preventing it from fully entering our world.

"Step, world, reversed; time follows; the prison that opened shall be sealed again; the spirit summoned must depart this realm," John began chanting. His voice was unsteady, his face contorted in concentration. But despite his struggle, the spell began to take shape.

Gradually, the entity's grip weakened, its form starting to dissolve into nothingness. But then it reached for me, trying to drag me down with it. A forceful impact tore us apart, flinging us in opposite directions.

And then, finally, it was over.

"John, explain," I demanded. "Or you know how this ends."

"Kid, there's a lot you don't know. We just prevented a catastrophe…" John started, but my fist cut him off, slamming into his face with enough force to send a gust of wind rippling outward.

"Or maybe it's my fault," he muttered, rubbing his jaw. **"I had cancer. I searched for a cure, but nothing worked. Then Gabriel came to me. Yeah, an archangel. And honestly? Most demons are kinder than her. She wanted to summon Mammon, Lucifer's son. Her plan was simple: bring Hell to Earth so people would turn back to God so they'd be worthy of His mercy. I knew it was madness. But I had no choice. And, to be fair… I figured you wouldn't let me down.

But now Lucifer knows someone tried to escape his grasp. And Gabriel? She's already lost her blessing."**

I turned to where she had fallen. Her flesh was burned, her once-radiant wings gone. The divine light that once surrounded her had faded completely.

"And you really think risking the entire world just to save your own skin was justified?" I asked, my voice cold as ice.

John exhaled a plume of smoke, smirking. "The risk was worth it. Don't you think?"

I clenched my fists. "Risk," I echoed. "Risking those who trusted you. Gambling with the lives of countless people. That's what you call 'worth it'?"

For a moment, I considered sending John straight to Hell where he belonged. He had more sins to his name than he could ever atone for. And yet… the reason he did it who he did it for partially justified him.

Am I really any better?

I let out a slow breath. "I won't kill you now. But if I find out you've pulled something like this again if you set a plan in motion that no one else sees coming I will erase you myself."

John chuckled, though there was a weary edge to it. "You wouldn't be the first to say that."

It seemed fate refused to let him go. And each time, things only got worse.

"Now, John," I said, shifting gears. "Tell me how to fix my problem."

He gestured to the Necronomicon. "Take it. There's a spell in there one that can kill the dead for good."

I picked up the book, casting one last glance at him. But I said nothing. Without another word, I stepped through the portal. The whole ordeal left a strange feeling in my chest. It seemed I didn't know the exorcist as well as I thought. But one thing was clear: John Constantine could still surprise me. Unfortunately, in the worst way possible.