FIRST WORLD.
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Back on Themyscira
Fred was treated to a lavish breakfast, consisting of heaps of assorted meat dishes and drinks, served by beautiful Amazons. The morning sun bathed the island in a warm glow, with the sounds of nature and the gentle breeze adding to the tranquil atmosphere. After finishing his meal, Fred was left alone, the Amazons retreating to their duties.
"Time to check on things," Fred muttered as the world around him dissolved into darkness, leaving him standing before a well-made floating mansion that he phased into with ease.
"So you planned on taking over my body?" Fred asked once inside the mansion, his voice echoing through the spacious, dimly lit hallways.
"I guess there's no point lying to someone who can detect truth from material or immaterial things," a voice resounded within the building, carrying a tone of resigned acceptance.
"If you wanted a body, all you had to do was ask," Fred said as a holographic image of a generic male appeared before him, flickering slightly in the dim light.
"If you wanted to punish me after finding out, why did you bind me to yourself?" the system inquired.
‘So General really did it? I can feel a connection now unlike before,’ Fred thought.
"Oh, just you wait. Right now, we have problems," Fred said, a chair materializing under him as he sat down.
"What will that be?" the system asked.
"Wait. You don't know?" Fred asked, his brow furrowing.
"Unfortunately not," the system replied, and Fred detected no lie in its words.
"The only information pre-downloaded into me was how far you've gone in growing your divine core and the cap limit for it to make you a proper divine being, along with some other information I have passed on to you. But now, I don't have anything extra," the system explained.
"What can you do now?" Fred asked, leaning back in his chair.
"I can help you assimilate myriad abilities to help grow your core. As long as you interact with something for a reasonable amount of time, I should be able to decipher whatever it is to about ten percent above your divine core limits. I can also help create this inner world of yours and more. I can read into the past and present of almost anything as long as your senses cover it and ten percent beyond what your senses can perceive. I can—" the system continued but was stopped by Fred.
"In ten words or less," Fred demanded.
"I can assist you," the system replied but saw from Fred's expression that the answer still wasn't enough.
"I can do things you can do to assist you in your quest to become a complete divine being and more. Currently, I have been studying how to interact with various worlds since you wished to be in another place rather than here; we might soon be able to access them," the system added.
"What is this? Are you trying to make up for your previous attempt at a body coup d'état?" Fred asked, arms folded.
"I fear that with you attaining complete divinity, you would destroy me, which is the practical thing to do. But I will do all I can to suggest otherwise before then," the system answered, creating a pause in the building.
"Like I said, just wait," Fred answered coldly. "Arrange the world already. I like the darkness, but it just looks like an unfinished project," Fred demanded.
"How do you want it to look and what setting?" the system asked.
A smile crept on Fred's face as he imagined mechs running about in a world of his making.
‘Finally. All those years spent imagining giant robots and spaceships weren’t done in vain,’ Fred thought as he wiped away a teardrop from his eye.
"Do this, and that, and add that there," Fred instructed as his system went to work.
"Say, can you connect me to anyone on this planet?" Fred asked.
"With the vast abilities you absorbed from the Mage King, I would be surprised if you couldn't. Who do you want to speak to?" the system asked.
"I would like to speak to a conman, a sorcerer named John Constantine," Fred stated.
"Permit me to profile everything from now on, just in case," the system asked but was met with silence.
"Fine."
"I advise you to tread cautiously when dealing with this man. His soul is banned from both Heaven and Hell, an extraordinary fellow indeed. He has swindled beings more powerful than himself. Might I suggest..." The system ran a check on John after Fred gave the go-ahead.
"Don't worry about it, just connect me."
---
In a Plane Heading for Los Angeles
Chas appealed to John Constantine once more about doing all he could to save his daughter when suddenly, everything stopped except for John. The plane's interior was frozen in time, with passengers and crew suspended in mid-action.
John immediately got up and pulled out an old monocle, using it to scan the area. Light shone around the monocle as John went to work, trying to find the source of what he considered magic he couldn’t yet decipher.
"Don't waste your time, John. Understanding the Mage King's art requires divinity," a deep male voice echoed behind John, causing him to turn around quickly to face the unknown person.
"Did you stop time? Messing with time using magic doesn't end well for anyone," John advised after beholding the person in front of him. The man had a brown complexion, a black office shirt unbuttoned to reveal his shaved chest, folded sleeves, black trousers, and shoes to match.
"I would like to see who would come for me. But I think such forces have their hands busy with other things. I am known as The Slayer, John," the Slayer replied.
"What does the Slayer want with a bloke like me?" John asked, watching the Slayer cautiously.
"Your problem with Nergal... I can help you with that," the Slayer answered.
"And... I am assuming you want my services? Sorry, I may as well tell you to—" John was stopped mid-sentence, unable to speak for some reason.
"Allow me to advise you to tread carefully and cordially in my presence. I am not only doing this but stopping you from messing bigger things up in the future. And this skill I am using just slows time to an extreme degree that it seems time has stopped," the Slayer explained.
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