005
— marks of death —

THIS WASN'T LIKE THE TIMES BEFORE. When Hazel was in a collar there was pain that grew the longer it trapped her power. It was like a terrible heartburn, crushing and heavy. This was numbing, like the state before euphoria, a long restless wait before the high hit. Her skin burned red, but shivered like she was stuck in a snowstorm; teeth chatting, bone chilling shiver.

Hazel's back pressed against the glass wall, her head hung back, and her eyes closed. A dark black straight jacket held her hands in place at her sides and the collar constantly buzzed against her skin, her feet had been chained together then to the floor. Every hour a soldier would come in and inject her with some kind of sedation, her body too weak to fight it. Men with guns stood around her at all times but she couldn't count how many, the constant sound like an electric buzz taking over her senses.

Only one thing seemed to cut through the awful sound, a whisper.

"Sunarr? Hazel, can you hear me?"

❁

COLE JUMPED, HIS BODY SHOOTING UP FROM BED, HIS HEAD ALMOST HITTING THE BUNK ABOVE HIM. Tim didn't stop shaking Cole until he started to curse Tim for waking him. "Cole! You have to see this," Tim whispered in a hush, barely giving Cole time to register his words before he pulled him from his bed.

Cole dragged his feet along the ground as both boys moved towards the TV and listened to the news broadcast. "The sudden death of Alexander Luthor continues to shock the world as Superboy and Venom are detained in connection with Luthor's death," The report relayed and Cole's head snapped up, his body suddenly very awake. "An official statement from LexCorp does indeed confirm that Superboy is and I quote, a genetic aberration, a weaponized combination of Superman and the late Lex Luthor's genetic material. Developed as a weapon, and with great regret, it seems he has become just that. And as CADMUS Laboratories made public just three years ago, the young woman Venom is in fact a Demi-God. Venom has yet to make a statement on this—"

Cole turned the TV off and turned to Tim. "Shit," Tim cursed.

"Terran! Kory!" Cole yelled, turning and running to the girls just outside.

❁

A pair of armed guards led Cole through the long hall, both extremely wearing at the Demi-God following them. They stopped at the large metal doors and Cole tapped his hands against his legs, the added waiting on top of the sign in had wasted an extra hour and a half. One man typed in a password and the large metal doors rolled open, inside pristine white with a glass cage in the centre. Cole cursed and rushed ahead, only stopping a few metres from the cell when a guard stepped out in front of him.

"Behind the marker at all times," He ordered. He shuffled back, the soldiers walking him back. "Be wise, you're on a quick clock." He nodded at Cole before moving to stand by the door on the left, his rifle held tightly in his hands.

Cole nodded but he could feel his stomach twisting in discomfort. Hazel's face had completely drained of any colour, her eyes heavy and dark. She had nearly sunken through the floor, the straight jacket heavy and awkward to keep upright. "Haze," Cole called softly.

Hazel's head lifted from the wall, looking out the glass casing of the box she sat in. "Hey," Hazel muttered, her voice echoing slightly.

"Are you okay?" He asked, trying to step closer.

"Please stay back sir," A man ordered softly.

Cole clenched his jaw and stepped back. "Are you hurt?" Cole asked in a softer voice, his hand tapping against his leg.

"I'm alright," Hazel nodded, but she winced at the bright lights.

"You don't look it," Cole said and crossed his arms. He crouched to Hazel's height, "We'll get you outta here okay Haze? Just. . . stay strong."

"Where's. . ." Haze's sentence trailed off as she hissed, the sound in her ears growing louder. Hazel took a breath and looked at Cole. "Everyone else? And Conner?"

"Gar's with Tim. Terran and Rachel too, said they were too young," Cole mumbled, his hand running through his hair. "Kory and Dick went to check in on Conner." Hazel nodded and her head dropped back. "Hazel?"

"Sorry," Hazel said quickly, her head back up. "The lights hurt. Ironic right?"

"Mr Martin, time is up," A woman over the pa announced.

"Five minutes!" Cole shouted, guilt rushing through him as he cursed as Hazel winced. "Hazel, do you know what happened? To Luthor?"

Hazel nodded ever so slightly, "Someone used. . . dark magic. I don't know who."

"Mr Martin. Your time is up," The woman repeated.

Cole slammed his hands into the floor, "Hazel I— I'm gonna get you out of here. I promise."

"Mr Mart—"

"I get it!" Cole quickly grew a small purple Iris and laid it in front of the glass. A man grabbed Cole's shoulder but he quickly slapped him off, spinning and rushing towards the exit. Cole raced up to the roof, throwing the door open and walking to the railing, his hand gripping the metal. He cursed and thunder cracked across the blue sky, scaring the birds.

Cole turned to lean against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for Dick and Kory, a few security guards pausing to watch him every few minutes before leaving a second later. Kory called Cole's name as she and Dick stepped closer. Kory noticed his shaking hands and Kory quickly squeezed his arm. "How's Conner?" he asked.

"Trapped under some kryptonite light, but he can walk around at least," Kory said with a heavy breath.

"And Hazel?"

Cole looked up at Dick and his eyes alone made Dick regret asking. "Collar, chains, straight jacket, glass cage, three dozen fucking guards, and a shit load of drugs," Cole rambled, his throat tight. "She can barely talk."

"Is she still making jokes?" Kory asked.

Cole nodded softly, "When does she stop?"

Kory sighed softly, "She's okay."

"For how long?" Dick scoffed. Kory cursed to herself and Dick grumbled under his breath, his jaw clenching. "I hate all of this," Dick snapped.

"We have to find whoever killed Lex Luthor," Cole said after taking a deep breath. "Hazel said it was dark magic."

"I'm gonna stay on Conner and Hazel, make sure they know they're not alone," Kory said, looking over her shoulder.

Dick sighed and pulled out his phone. "I gotta show you something," Dick spoke up. He flipped the phone around, displaying a picture of Kory and Hazel from Gotham, Conner and Blackfire in the background.

"What? You sneaking pics of me, Grayson?" Kory chuckled with a cheeky smile.

"I wish. Lex Luthor," Dick explained and the two looked back up at Dick. "When Conner and Hazel got arrested, I did a brute-force hack on his personal computer. I found some of these and an address."

"Why was he watching Kory?" Cole asked, crossing his arms.

"I don't know. You wanna find out?" Dick said while pocketing his phone. "I'm bringing Rachel and Terran to Lex's penthouse. See what they can find."

"Good magic versus bad magic?" Kory questioned.

"Bruce never thought there was any difference," Dick recalled. "Based on what Conner saw and Hazel said, I'm starting to understand why. Address sent." Kory felt her phone buzz and she clicked the screen on.

"I'll stay with Kory," Cole spoke up. "I might be able to get information, digital or telepathic."

"Okay," Kory nodded. "C'mon." Cole and Kory turned but Dick called to them.

"Kory, be careful. It could—"

"Be a trap. What's new?" Kory huffed.

❁

THEY WEREN'T MORE THAN AN HOUR OUT OF THE CITY, BUT THE ENTIRE WORLD SEEMED TO SHIFT AND DRAIN OF COLOUR. Kory drove to the address Dick sent, an old section of an old side street. Cole walked beside her to the plain brick building, the paint faded from the sun. "If there's anything bad in here, you stay behind me, okay?" Kory ordered, pointing at Cole. "We aren't getting Hazel out of jail just to tell her you got yourself fucking shot or something stupid."

Cole nodded and put his hand in his pockets. "Don't do anything stupid, I'm sure I can manage," Cole muttered.

Kory walked up the small staircase, her rings running against the faded blue rails. Kory looked through the small window, wiping away the dust. She held her hand against the lock, her blue power melting through the metal in seconds.

A soft voice floated around his head and Cole reached out, grabbing Kory's arm. "There's someone in there," Cole whispered as Kory pushed the door in.

Kory looked back at him, "What's he thinking?"

Cole tilted his head as he tried to focus, his eyes igniting a bright red as he did. "He's panicked, keeps cursing at himself," Cole relayed. "Whatever he's doing isn't working." Kory nodded and carried on, Cole keeping a few paces behind her. Kory led the way through the tight halls to a small backroom, the room lined with both expensive and handmade tech. Kory held her hand up and Cole stopped.

Kory walked further around to a man hunched over the computer system. "For an evil lair," Kory started, the man jumped up, knocking things off of his desk, "that's a pretty weak lock." The man stayed silent and Kory took a step forward. "I bet you're wondering why I'm here. And what I know. I know this is one of Lex's little tree houses."

"I know—" Kory aggressively grabbed his collar and whipped the man around, slamming him against the wall. Cole watched from a distance, but he let his eyes flicker to the computer. His eyes catched the word projet. "—that my friends Conner and Hazel have been accused of murdering him. And that's bullshit. And I know Luthor has been researching me. Since you're here, I'm going to assume you know why."

"My name is Nelson Blake," The man choked out.

Kory threw the man down and Cole stepped out of the way. "I didn't ask you that," Kory said in a low voice. "And I'm done asking any questions. Speak. Or he goes through your brain." Kory motioned to Cole and flashed his eyes red again.

"It wasn't just Luthor," The man said quickly, his hands raised in defence. "The whole LexCorp inner circle died last night, choking on their own blood. I'm the only one who's still alive."

Kory glanced at Cole and he nodded, "He's telling the truth."

Nelson pulled himself onto his knees, looking up at the two. "I came here looking for answers," The man continued. "I never heard anything about him researching you. Maybe— maybe he thought you could help him."

"Help him with what?" Kory questioned, tilting her head slightly. "Nelson. . ." Kory stepped closer and grabbed his throat, lifting him above her. "There is absolutely nothing LexCorp can do to you later that I won't do to you right now." Kory slammed him against the desk and he whined and Kory took hold of his throat again. "Help him with what?"

"Okay. Luthor's illness changed him," Nelson said in a wobbly voice. "He withdrew. None of us had any personal contact with him for over a year. It was rumoured he got caught up in the occult. Surrounded himself with a bunch of advisers. He stopped fighting the disease and started fighting death itself."

Kory let him go and took a step back. "What kind of advisers?" Cole asked, taking a step forward.

"Doctors. Healers. Some archaeologist woman," Nelson listed.

His gaze suddenly lifted, seemingly focused on nothing. "Nelson?" Kory called.

"Do you hear that?"

Kory scoffed, "Hear what?"

"It- it sounds like. . ." Nelson trailed off, his eyes moving around.

"Chanting," Cole finished, his eyes burning bright. Kory glanced at Cole, watching him closely as Cole's eyes narrowed at the man in front of them. An uncountable amount of voices spilled out from Nelson's brain and crawled their way to Cole, filling his head. Nelson started to choke, blood spilling from his lips.

Cole stepped closer, "Kory— Ah!" Cole's hands shot to his head as a piercing ringing shot through his brain.

"Cole?" Kory snapped, spinning away from Nelson and resting her hands on Cole's upper arms. "Cole, what's wrong?"

"I don't know!" Cole shouted, falling to his knees.

"Help me. Please!" Nelson yelled, his hand flailing at his throat as fell. Kory grabbed Cole and pushed him away as Nelson convulsed on the floor. Blood spilled from Nelson's mouth and pooled around his head. Choked sputters mixed with coughs tore from his throat as something seemed to pull at his lungs.

"It's so loud! I can't understand them! Kory I— Help!" Cole pleaded, pressing his back against the wall, his hands still holding his head, his palms pressing to his temples. Nelson gurgled and a snake forced its way through Nelson's mouth and coiled over his body.

The bloody creature twisted and hissed at Kory; its fangs bared. Kory threw her hand out, blue light rushing from her hand to disintegrate the snake. Nelson's head smacked against the ground and the pain finally left Cole's skull. Kory spun and knelt next to Cole. "Are you okay? Cole?" Kory rested her hand on Cole's knee, the other cradling his face.

"I'm okay," he confirmed, looking up at Kory but his eyes were filled with tears.

"What happened?"

"I don't know," Cole stammered, his hand moving to massage the nape of his neck. "One second I can hear his thoughts, the next I can hear this chanting, it was a woman at first then. . ." Cole looked over Nelson's body, his hands shaking. "Thousands of voices."

❁

Terran and Rachel followed Dick past all the security of the LexCorp tower to the penthouse at the highest level. They hid behind one of the dividing walls waiting for the last of the guards to leave. Once the sounds of the elevator doors shut and the side entrance was locked Dick nodded at the girls. "All right, let's go," Dick ordered in a quiet voice, motioning Rachel and Terran out. "We've gotta be quick."

The three walked to the open layout, looking out the large windows that overlooked the city. "There's no blood, anywhere. They cleaned it," Terran recognized, her dark brown boots echoing over the dark wood floors. Her eyes scanned the leather couches, expensive decorative pieces and the plush rugs. Everything had been cleaned and pressed to look new, so new it looked no one had lived there. Terran looked up at Dick, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why would they clean it?"

"They wanna hide whatever happened here," Dick answered, looking down at her.

"They can't hide it from me," Rachel said, taking a step forward. She walked past Terran, her eyes scanning the floors and walls. Rachel's eyes scanned along the walls, freezing on the table in front of her head tilted slightly. "Yeah, Hazel was right. Someone used magic."

"How do you know?" Dick asked.

"Magic leaves a trace," Terran explained, glancing back at Dick. "Things pass from this world, but everything stays in the veil." Rachel nodded in agreement, her eyes starring off at nothing in particular. A swirling gurgling sound, an echo of her dark magic, reverberated around the room as both Rachel's eyes and stone flashed red.

Her eyes singled on the far desk once again, like a beacon calling to her magic. "They don't stay like death," Rachel continued walking towards the far right desk. "More like echoes. So, I should be able to get a sense of whoever did this."

Terran and Rachel paused, their shoulders touching as they stared down at the floor close to a large oak desk filled with papers and journals. "Here," Terran voiced and Rachel nodded. "You go first, I don't wanna mess with your magic ju-ju."

Terran stepped aside and Rachel took a breath. Rachel crouched, her hand pressing to the floor, her magic rippling across the wooden floor like an echolocation, chasing the remnants of magic. Rachel let her eyes go black and red before letting them close and standing slowly, her magic swirling around her in whisps.

"Don't move," Terran whispered, holding her hand up and looking back at Dick. He nodded and waited for a sign, keeping a close watch on Rachel. "Give her a minute. . ." Terran took a small step forward, the purple ripples of her magic flowing over her shoes. She slowly counted, keeping her voice low as she watched Rachel's eyes flicker behind her eyelids. "Thirty-three, thirty-four." Terran slowly moved to Rachel, watching her dark eyes shift around. Terran slowly took Rachel's hand. "Fifty-seven." Terran's eyes glazed over for a moment and her small whisper echoed through the room like a harsh wind.

Rachel's eyes shot open, gasping softly. Terran kept a hold of Rachel's arm, keeping her steady. She looked back at Dick and nodded. "I don't know who did it, but I've seen where they've been," Rachel informed and let her hand fall from Terran's. "You're up."

Terran nodded and Rachel took a step back. "We know where they are. Shouldn't we go?" Dick questioned, stepping closer to Rachel.

"If I'm not late, and Lex hasn't been torn to death in the afterlife. . ." Terran took a breath and ripples of white, and blue power rippled around her hands. She looked up at Dick and nodded softly. "I might be able to find him and ask." Dick nodded but nervously glanced at Rachel making Terran laugh to herself, "Have a little faith, Richard."

Terran knelt on the wood floor, the flowing mess of blue and white magic mimicking the way Rachel's magic danced across the floor. Terran closed her eyes and took a deep breath, searching for the far away echos of death. Terran tilted her head and sifted deeper through the layers of ghosts, searching for any sign of Lex Luthor. "What do you hear?" Rachel asked, her eyes scanning Terran's face as she focussed.

"Uh. . . I'm not sure, I don't recognize the voice," Terran said, her eyes closing even tighter. "Any of the voices. There's a lot of death."

"Here?" Dick asked.

"No, no." Terran shook her head and opened her eyes, looking up at Dick. "A lot of people died the same way Lex did. Like exactly— Ah!" Terran's power shot out, cracking the windows as a piercing pain shot through Terran's skull. Terran winced, forcing herself not to shout as her hands slammed against her head.

Rachel dived forward, catching her before she tipped forward, her head landing on her shoulder. Rachel held onto Terran's shoulder's tight, rubbing small circles with her thumbs. "Te? What happened? Talk to me," Rachel said quickly, her voice filled with worry. Terran stammered, trying to stand and Dick quickly grabbed Terran's arm, helping her to her feet.

"I don't know," Terran muttered. "There were a lot of voices but there was something behind. Something entirely evil."

"Did you make out what they were saying?" Rachel asked, her hand tracing down Terran's spine.

"No, well, at first they were just screaming for help, then there was this chanting. Terran looked down at the floor, imagining the blood that would have stained the wood. "That's when I felt it. Something evil."

April 7, 2021

HAZEL TRIED TO MOVE HER ARMS, THE PULL AT HER JOINTS MADE HER CRY OUT IN PAIN. Hazel winced as she stretched her legs out in front of her, the chains tugging at the skin the blue jumpsuit left exposed. Cole had just visited, telling Hazel about everything before he was forced to leave again, but not without laying another Iris near the glass. She has used all her strength to hold herself together in front Cole, all the pain she had been holding off raced back into her bones.

The whispers had yet to stop, whoever was calling for her was persistent about getting her attention and offer her advice she had yet to take. Now the whispers started to point out ways Hazel could break free. "The screw on the top left wall of the glass case is loose." Hazel lifted her heavy eyes to look at the metal hinges that held the glass together. The top screw barely sat on the metal and its washer was on the other side of the wall.

"There's a hairline break in the front piece of glass, on oversight, they think it's a reflection." Hazel looked at the bottom of the glass in front of her. Just a few inches from her foot were, was a slight crack in the glass, barely longer than her pinkie finger. "Weave a vine through it and the glass will shatter."

"Too noticeable," Hazel whispered. If she didn't feel the shallow breath over her lips, there was no sign she spoke.

"If you applied enough pressure to the button on the collar it would collapse," The voice offered. "By the time they realised the collar was gone, you could turn the vest to dust and destroy the glass. Get Conner out and you could leave with minimal casualties."

"Have to. . . do this properly," Hazel said slowly, her brain almost in too much pain to think. Her head rolled against her shoulder. 

— rapture —