[indent][b][u]January 12th, 2026 Rock of Eternity; 10:48 A.M.[/u][/b][/indent] [color=orchid]”Historama, let’s cycle through all of the prisoners again,”[/color] said Lady Arcana, laying her cheek against the knuckles of her hand. The screen began to cycle through all the monsters--human or otherwise--that she had confined in the Rock of Eternity. [color=orchid]”Sabina’s okay...Oggar’s reading...Kull’s trashed his room again, of course...Wilhelm’s sleeping…”[/color] Easing back in her throne, Arcana let out a heavy sigh. For the past two days she had been afraid to leave the Rock for very long, in case there was another unexpected break-in like last time. Even when there had been breaches in the veil, she had made certain to resolve them as quickly as possible. She was starting to understand now why Shazam had never left to do hero work. She knew that Zoey really wanted her to start attending the University of Poseidonis later this month, but this latest incident with Wilhelm and the Yellow Lantern Corps had really opened her eyes to just how easily things could go wrong if she wasn’t being constantly vigilant. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been looking forward to University, but she had far more important responsibilities here--she saw that now. [color=orchid]”I guess I should tell Orin I won’t be going,”[/color] she muttered to herself. [hr] [indent][b][u]January 12th, 2026 Grim Grotto, Castle Kasimir; 10:50 A.M.[/u][/b][/indent] [color=orangered][i]’Mal… what the [b]hell[/b] are you doing?’[/i][/color] Mal heard an annoying little voice that sounded suspiciously like [i]doubt[/i] sound off within his own head as he stared down at what he was [i]told[/i] was a magical hotline directly to the physical embodiment of all magic in the universe in his hand. [color=orangered][i]’You have [b]no[/b] idea how this thing works, do you?’[/i][/color] Glancing down again at what appeared to be just a freaking [i]rock[/i] (albeit, fuzzy and opaque to his eyes), he couldn’t help but agree. [color=orangered][i]’Nyooope. No idea.’[/i][/color] The teen conceded to… well, [i]himself[/i]. Hefting the thing up to eye-level and giving it a downright constipated glare, as if trying to [i]will[/i] the damned thing into working [color=orangered][i]’Buuuuut, let’s try anyway and [b]see what happens’[/b][/i][/color] Clearing his throat and trying to ignore the fact that, on the slim chance he was actually successful, he was going to be having a long conversation with a [i]goddamn rock,[/i] Mal finally spoke. [color=orangered]”Err… hello?”[/color] ...Nothing. He felt his brow twitch. Clearly, his mum’s boy. [color=orangered]”Dog Boy to Kare-Bear. Come in, Kare-Bear.”[/color] He tried again, with a bit more feeling (and snark) this time around [color=orangered]”Ya there, blondie?”[/color] This time, he noted, the fuzziness his eyes registered within the crystal began to intensify- Perhaps this was actually going to [i]work...[/i] Or perhaps he’d activated a security failsafe and was about to get blown the hell up- He wasn’t really sure. Raw magic like this was a tad beyond his understanding. But, as the saying goes- [i]’There’s always hope.’[/i] Even when talking to a [i]goddamn rock.[/i] [hr] [indent][b][u]January 12th, 2026 Rock of Eternity; 10:51 A.M.[/u][/b][/indent] Lady Arcana’s head jolted up when the Historama sprang to life in front of her. Her initial suspicion was that there was another intruder, but this was quickly dispelled by the flashing letters on the screen that spelled “KASIMIR CASTLE”. Releasing a heavy sigh, Arcana waved her hand to answer it. [color=orchid]”What is it, Zoey?”[/color] It had better not be more dog pictures; she wasn’t in the mood. [color=orangered][i]’Hoooly [b]shit,[/b] it actually [b]worked’[/b][/i][/color] Malcolm couldn’t help but grin a little at that (and the fact that he wasn’t currently [i]blowing up[/i]) [color=orangered][i]’Now, just try and answer in a way that most sane people wouldn’t [b]immediately hang up on.’[/b][/i][/color] [color=orangered]”Surprise! You just won a free cruise.”[/color] The boy immediately responded to the tired-sounding Wizard in his typical joking fashion, almost out of reflex [color=orangered]”All you have to do is give us your credit card number and your mother’s maiden name!”[/color] [color=orangered][i]’Oh, for [b]fuck’s sake Malcolm...’[/b][/i][/color] Arcana hadn’t expected to hear any voice other than Zoey’s ever coming from the scrying stone. She had given it to her as a means of private communication. Every member of the Justice League (except Emerald Knight, as he had been away when she distributed them) had one, just in case they needed to get in contact with her for an emergency. Of course, Zoey more often used hers for far more trivial matters. Thankfully, she was able to recognize Malcolm’s voice easily enough, so she wasn’t worried that something had happened there--especially since he was apparently trying to prank call her or something. [color=orchid]”Malcolm, give the scrying stone back to your mother,”[/color] she said tersely. At that, Mal just audibly ‘Hmm’d’ and nodded along animatedly, as if actually considering it while idly tossing this artifact of a [i]Lord of Order[/i] between his hands as if it were a mere [i]tennis ball.[/i] Clearly unintimidated by Karen’s tone. [color=orangered]”Oh, I will... [i]eventually,[/i]”[/color] He stated with a slight snort as he sat down at his workbench in the Grotto... and then very suddenly dropped the humourous tone [color=orangered]”...But before that, I was hoping we could [i]talk.[/i]”[/color] Turning the scrying stone about in his fingers and giving the unusual object an appraising glare, admittedly curious as to what the [i]hell[/i] he was actually observing within it. [color=orangered]”If you’re not too busy doing [i]Wizard things,[/i] that is.”[/color] He added plainly, perhaps a slight bit annoyed at Karen’s initial response, perhaps not. But knowing that joke would’ve gotten at [i]least[/i] a snort out of the Karen [i]he[/i] remembered all the same. [color=orangered]”In which case, I’ll let’cha get back to your work.”[/color] Lady Arcana tilted her head to the side, still confused as to why Malcolm was contacting her with his mother’s scrying stone. What on Earth had compelled him to do such a thing all of the sudden? Was this perhaps about the University of Poseidonis? She did recall Zoey telling her that he was planning on attending it as well. [color=orchid]”I’m [i]always[/i] busy doing ‘Wizard things’,”[/color] she said calmly. [color=orchid]”But if you’re calling to discuss school, then I’m afraid that I’ll no longer be going--I just don’t have time. With the recent breakout here, I realize that I’m needed on the throne.”[/color] She knew Zoey wouldn’t be happy with her for saying that, but there was simply nothing for it. She couldn’t risk another unexpected attack on the Rock of Eternity. Just imagine if somebody like Kull escaped? [color=orchid]”Tell Zoey I’m sorry; I know I promised her.”[/color] [color=orangered][i]’Oh, right. School.’[/i][/color] While Malcolm was literally [i]incapable[/i] of forgetting anything, that particular subject had been shunted to the back of his mind as of late. And was now shunted even further back with what he just heard. A low sigh escaped him at that as he ground his teeth together, his free hand moving to his scarred brow to try and subdue a fast-approaching headache. Truth be told, it took him a good few seconds to gather his thoughts on… well, all of [i]that,[/i] metahuman brain be [i]damned.[/i] But finally, and after a series of unreadable expressions shifting across his face he found his voice- [color=orangered]”...Wasn’t calling about school, either. Ya might not believe it, but I don’t actually take mucking about with what is technically the artifact of [i]several Gods[/i] lightly.”[/color] The Gotham crimefighter admitted, fingers clamping down on the stone that he’d been deftly turning with his fingers as The Wizard spoke [color=orangered]”-But that’s beside the point now.”[/color] Standing up again and starting to pace a little, the boy took another few seconds to think on his words. [color=orangered]”Does this mean you intend to stay on that Rock of yours... [i]forever?[/i] Just watching monsters in cages for the rest of your days?”[/color] He finally spoke again, his voice oddly contemplative now [color=orangered]”-Because that doesn’t sound like much of an existence, Karen. At least not one worthy of [i]you.[/i]”[/color] Lady Arcana hesitated for a moment. He had more or less put her on the spot with that question. However she answered, there was little doubt that it would find its way back to Zoey and then potentially the rest of the League as well. She didn’t like the prospect of having to explain herself to all of them, but… [color=orchid]”I am the Wizard,”[/color] she stated. [color=orchid]”My duty is to defend our reality from the creatures that lurk beyond the veil, or otherwise threaten it. I’ve also decided to defend my home, Earth. I can best do both of these things from the Rock of Eternity.”[/color] She paused, staring through the Historama’s semi-translucent screen to the large pair of double doors behind it. They bore her crest--the thunderbolt. [color=orchid]”I…[i]Karen[/i] doesn’t matter. Not next to the responsibilities of Lady Arcana.”[/color] [color=orangered][b]”THAT-”[/b][/color] Malcolm [i]almost[/i] started to yell, but managed to reign himself in, taking a deep breath and counting down in his head before continuing [color=orangered]”...That is a [i]lie[/i] and you damn well [i]know it.[/i]”[/color] Now ceasing his pacing and leaning up against the workbench, Mal’s eyes locked onto the stone in his hand once again, scarred knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. The Wizard had clearly struck a nerve. [color=orangered][i]”Karen Hernandez matters.[/i] And I don’t really [i]care[/i] if you believe that right now or not. [i][b]I do.[/b][/i] So you’re gonna hear it and it can rattle your magical little blonde head for the rest of eternity.”[/color] The Kasimir ward spoke through barred teeth [color=orangered]”Because if [i]Karen[/i] was totally irrelevant to the equation, [i]she wouldn’t have been chosen to be the Wizard”[/i][/color] Mal’s eyes flicked down towards his free hand, covered in scars and resting upon a data tablet frozen on a news site touting the exploits of some new ‘Masked Hoodlum’ in the city. A slight grimace forming on his face as he clenched and unclenched his fist. He, more than most, knew a thing or two about losing sight of who you are. [color=orangered]”So you’ll forgive me if I choose to believe there’s more to you than just a cape, a catchphrase and a giant magic rock in space.”[/color] Arcana clenched her fist with enough force to crush coal into diamond, her eyes flaring. When she spoke, her words were saturated with indignation. [color=orchid]”Selfish, selfish, [i][b]SELFISH!”[/b][/i][/color] [color=orchid]”Don’t you get it? Who is going to mend breaches and fight monsters if I’m away from the Rock frollicking around like a ditzy teen girl?”[/color] she asked, shaking her head. [color=orchid]”Who will watch over my prisoners? People could [i]die[/i], and you don’t even [i]care[/i] so long as you get your friend back!”[/color] He was acting like she hadn’t even thought this through. Of course she had. It wasn’t like she [i]wanted[/i] to sit here for the next several thousand years, slowly forgetting who she once was. But there were things only she could do, and if she neglected her duties, the consequences could be [i]catastrophic[/i]. [color=orchid]”If I slack off, there might not even be life for me to enjoy...”[/color] she said quietly. Malcolm’s response was… oddly calm. Measured even. Though the audible exhale was as firm proof as any of some internal turmoil going on inside of his head. [color=orangered]”And what life do think you’ll [i]have to enjoy[/i] if you never leave the Rock?”[/color] Tongue clicking quietly as he absently used his thumb to pop the knuckles of his free hand one by one, he took another measured breath and spoke again. [color=orangered]”And yes, [i]Karen.[/i] I [i]do[/i] care. It’s why I [i]choose[/i] to go out every night and do what I do.”[/color] Malcolm explained flatly [color=orangered]”But I guess [i]choice[/i] is a luxury I’ve always had.”[/color] Another breath. If there were ever a time for her to hang up on him, this was likely going to be it, and he knew it. [color=orangered]”And [i]I choose to believe in Karen Hernandez.[/i] And nothing you or anyone else can say is going to change that.”[/color] Lady Arcana remained silent for what must have been over a minute. She wasn’t quite certain how she should even begin to respond to everything he had said. It was all very touching, in truth, to know that he cared that much. But even so… [color=orchid]”Thank you, Malcolm. It means a lot that you feel that way, but…”[/color] She released a long sigh, her entire body lurching forward with the weight of recent events. [color=orchid]”It’s not about me. It’s about the people who count on me to keep them safe.”[/color] She smiled sadly. [color=orchid]”How can I just kick back and relax, when I know people could be dying? People I could have saved? I know I can’t save [i]everyone[/i], but didn’t I promise that I would at least do my very best?”[/color] At that, Mal, formerly starving child hellbent on saving the world armed with nothing more than his wits and a lead pipe could only don a sad smile all his own. [color=orangered]”To be honest- I have no idea, Karen.”[/color] He admitted without an ounce of embellishment, staring down at what the years and his [i]choices[/i] had done to his own body [color=orangered]”...But I can tell you from experience, what we become when we forget who we are is not worth the sacrifice.”[/color] The boy let out a weary sigh, the oppressive weight of this conversation hanging heavy on his mind, though he’d refuse to show it. [color=orangered]”Just… think about it. [i]Please.”[/i][/color] After all that, it was all he could really say- It was her path to walk, after all. Her choice to make. [color=orangered]”...It was good talking to you again.”[/color] [color=orchid]”Yeah, it was. And...I will. I promise. I’ll see you soon, I’m sure,”[/color] she said. [color=orchid]”Take care of yourself.”[/color] The stone in Malcolm’s hand then went dark once again. [color=orangered]”...You, too.”[/color] Came Malcolm’s reply, echoing across the Grotto to be heard by no one.