"I've been putting it off long enough, but now it's time."
Constantine abruptly changed the subject and looked at Batman and Zatanna.
"We need to do something."
"Do what?" Batman asked.
"Do you remember Madame Xanadu's prophecy about the Green flourishing?" Constantine replied. "We need to talk to Swamp Thing."
The mention of the Green immediately made his meaning clear. Swamp Thing was its foremost champion, and everyone present understood the significance of that.
"Right now?" Zatanna asked hesitantly.
Constantine looked like he could barely remain standing. Considering his injuries and his current condition, it was remarkable that he hadn't collapsed already.
"Yes, right now. We don't have much time."
He gestured for Zatanna to open a long-range teleportation portal.
"Fine," Zatanna said with a shrug. "I just hope this isn't another waste of time."
She raised her hand and cast the spell.
The air twisted and folded inward. A shimmering portal formed before them, and moments later, the three disappeared from the Tower of Fate.
When they emerged on the other side, they found themselves in a world of endless green.
Outside, winter still ruled the land, but here lush vegetation thrived as though the season did not exist. Massive trees stretched toward the sky, while vines and flowering plants covered every visible surface.
"Look, I appreciate the backup and everything," Constantine said as they walked forward, "but Swamp Thing and I have... a complicated history."
He chose his words carefully.
"It might be better if I speak to him alone."
Batman rejected the suggestion immediately.
"No. From now on, we stay together."
His voice left no room for debate.
Ever since Constantine had begun acting independently, Batman had lost what little trust he still had in him. If Constantine was planning something, Batman intended to be there to see it.
"Alright, mate."
Constantine extended his hand dramatically.
"So, do you want to hold hands while we walk?"
Batman ignored him completely.
The three continued deeper into the jungle.
After passing through dense vegetation, a colossal figure emerged from the sea of greenery ahead.
Towering more than a dozen meters tall, the giant creature appeared carved from living plant matter. Thick vines wrapped around its massive frame, while crimson eyes glowed from within its moss-covered face.
The scent of damp earth and fresh vegetation accompanied every step.
Swamp Thing.
The giant walked toward them slowly.
Thump.
Thump.
Each footstep left deep impressions in the ground.
When he reached them, he lowered his head and stared at the trespassers.
"You are wasting my time."
His deep voice echoed throughout the forest.
"Whatever you seek, you will not find it here."
His red eyes narrowed.
"Leave. You are not welcome."
Constantine wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Within the Green, Swamp Thing's awareness extended everywhere. There was no way they could have entered his territory unnoticed.
Constantine took a drag from his cigarette.
"Good to see you too, mate."
Ignoring the hostile greeting, he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"We need your help defeating Homelander."
Swamp Thing's answer came immediately.
"No."
Constantine frowned.
Swamp Thing continued.
"Homelander's achievements are unlike anything this world has seen. Together with Lex Luthor, he has dramatically reduced pollution through solar and wind energy. Nature has benefited greatly from their efforts."
He gestured toward the thriving forest around them.
"They have also prevented humanity from tearing apart the Earth for fuel. Mining, drilling, burning, all of it has been reduced."
His gaze settled on Constantine.
"Their contribution to the natural world far exceeds that of any human sorcerer."
To Swamp Thing, there was no reason to aid people he viewed as the aggressors.
"But humanity will be enslaved," Constantine argued.
He spread his hands.
"Compared to nature, people are going to suffer a lot more. Homelander isn't trying to save the world. He's trying to own it."
Constantine's voice grew sharper.
"I've known him since he was a teenager. There's no one more dangerous when he decides he wants something. If nobody stops him, he'll turn the entire planet into his personal empire."
"That is not my concern."
Swamp Thing lowered his head.
"What becomes of humanity means little to me."
"You were human once."
Constantine met his gaze directly.
For a brief moment, Swamp Thing stopped moving.
A few leaves drifted from his shoulders.
"You once cared."
Swamp Thing's expression hardened.
Without another word, he turned to leave.
Constantine immediately followed.
"You need to understand something," he said. "We're trying to save this world."
"No."
Swamp Thing spun around.
His enormous fists clenched.
Bits of mud and seeds crumbled from his body.
"You are trying to save one species."
The giant's voice thundered through the forest.
"Nothing more."
He pointed directly at Constantine.
"And perhaps you're not even trying to save that."
Constantine's expression darkened.
"I've known you for too long. So long that I can't even remember our first meeting."
Swamp Thing's voice carried unmistakable disappointment.
"You don't care about the world. You don't care about humanity."
His eyes narrowed.
"You care about yourself."
The accusation landed like a hammer.
"Whatever this is, there's a selfish motive hidden behind it. I don't know what it is, and I don't care."
For once, Constantine found himself without an immediate response.
Before he could recover, Batman stepped forward.
"If you won't help us, are you helping him instead?"
Swamp Thing answered instantly.
"No."
"Really?" Batman asked.
He shook his head.
"Because from where I'm standing, you've already made your choice."
Constantine finally found his voice.
With a cigarette still hanging from his lips, he glared at Swamp Thing.
"Listen, mate. I don't want you as an enemy."
His tone became dangerous.
"So don't force me into it."
"Likewise."
Swamp Thing remained completely unfazed.
Constantine took another step forward.
"Do you think I haven't spent years figuring out ways to kill you?"
It was an outright threat.
Swamp Thing wasn't impressed.
"Of course you have."
His voice remained steady.
"You're a scoundrel, Constantine."
The giant crossed his massive arms.
"But unlike the fools you've manipulated before, I know exactly who you are."
Despite the insult, his next words carried a measure of restraint.
"As long as you do not harm the Green, I will not harm you."
Green tendrils began extending from his body.
The vines slowly moved toward Constantine, Batman, and Zatanna.
The warning could not have been clearer.
"Alright, alright."
Constantine immediately raised both hands.
"Put away the tentacles."
He forced a grin.
"I'll make sure every potted plant in my apartment stays safe."
Turning around, he motioned for Batman and Zatanna to follow him.
"We're leaving."
He cast one final glare at Swamp Thing.
"Take care of yourself."
The trio retreated through the forest.
Once they were gone, Swamp Thing withdrew the vines and disappeared back into the Green.
"Damn it."
On the return journey, Constantine walked with his head lowered, muttering curses under his breath.
Batman glanced at him.
"What now?"
Truthfully, he had never expected the plan to succeed.
Failure did not surprise him.
Constantine's frustration, however, clearly ran deeper.
"Are you upset?" Batman asked.
"Upset?"
Constantine shook his head.
"No."
He released a long sigh.
"I just think it's a shame."
"A shame?" Zatanna asked.
Constantine looked ahead.
"It's a shame that we'll have to kill Swamp Thing."
The statement left both Batman and Zatanna speechless.
Far away, atop Nanda Parbat in the Himalayas, Deadman staggered through the gates of the Temple of Rama Kushna.
The wound inflicted by the Spectre continued to spread through his soul.
No matter what he tried, it would not heal.
His spiritual form flickered as he stumbled forward.
The moment he entered the sacred temple, he cried out desperately.
"Rama Kushna!"
Within the DC Universe, Rama Kushna stood among the greatest spiritual entities in existence.
She governed the source of spiritual energy and maintained the balance of souls throughout creation.
Seated in meditation upon a floating platform, the goddess slowly opened her eyes.
Her beautiful face remained partially concealed beneath a veil.
Hearing Deadman's plea, she rose gracefully and approached him.
"Help me..."
Deadman collapsed to his knees.
His voice trembled.
"I'm disappearing."
Rama Kushna looked down at him sadly.
"I'm sorry."
She gently shook her head.
"There is nothing I can do."
With a wave of her hand, Deadman's fading soul rose before her.
"I'm sorry, Jason Blood."
Her voice was filled with compassion.
"I cannot heal a wound inflicted by the Spectre."
She embraced his head gently.
At once, some of the unbearable pain faded.
Throughout this crisis, Rama Kushna had witnessed everything.
She had seen Adrian's battle against the Triple Goddess.
She had watched his rise to power and observed how he dealt with those who opposed him.
She understood the turmoil unfolding across Earth.
Yet despite her immense power, she could not interfere.
Her responsibility was maintaining universal balance.
That duty prevented her from taking sides in mortal conflicts.
All she could do was observe.
"There is little time remaining."
She looked down at him.
"A successor will soon inherit your role. Balance must be maintained."
At first, Deadman panicked.
The realization that he was truly dying filled him with fear.
Yet beneath the goddess's touch, that fear gradually eased.
"Can... can I choose my successor?"
His voice weakened further.
Part of him hoped that choosing a replacement would allow a piece of himself to remain behind.
"Boston Brand."
Rama Kushna gently shook her head.
"Your successor has already been chosen."
She turned her gaze toward the entrance.
"And he is here."
Deadman blinked.
For a moment, he suspected the goddess had been waiting for him to die so the replacement could take over.
He quickly dismissed the thought.
"W... where?"
A figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
The moment Deadman saw the newcomer, his eyes widened in shock.
"You?"
It was someone he knew.
A superhero.
Of all the possibilities, he had never expected this person.
Yet after the initial surprise faded, acceptance followed.
Perhaps the goddess had her reasons.
The footsteps of death were growing closer.
Deadman could feel himself fading.
With tremendous effort, he extended a trembling hand.
The newcomer immediately took it.
A subtle transfer passed between them.
"Thank you..."
Deadman's voice was barely audible.
"I know you'll be perfect for this."
His lips formed a faint smile.
"The best possible choice."
The successor squeezed his hand firmly.
The gesture carried warmth in spirit, even if neither soul could truly feel it.
"Are you suffering?" he asked quietly.
Deadman smiled.
"Suffering?"
He chuckled softly.
"No."
He extended his other hand.
"Take this one too."
The successor did so without hesitation.
Deadman's smile deepened.
"Pain is temporary."
His fading eyes met the other's.
"Everything reaches an end."
He took one final breath.
"What matters is whether that ending was worth fighting for."
The successor's eyes grew moist.
He nodded solemnly.
"Thank you for choosing me."
His grip tightened.
"I'm honored."
Then he made a promise.
"And I swear, I will never betray this responsibility."
===
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