The Pub was quieter than usual, the weight of what had happened in Hell settling over them like a thick fog.
John and Zatanna sat across from Liam, watching as he stared into his drink, lost in thought.
"You did a great job against the Fallen, mate," John said, trying to lighten the mood.
Zatanna nodded. "Yeah, you fought one of the strongest demons in existence and lived. That's not nothing."
But Liam just scoffed.
"If it wasn't for luck—and John being a smart-ass—we wouldn't have survived."
He leaned back, rubbing his face.
"That demon took an interest in us. And I don't think selling our souls is a viable option now, is it, John?"
John smirked. "Nah, I think we burned that bridge, mate."
Liam exhaled sharply.
"I was given great power… but I froze when it mattered most."
Before he could sink any further, Zatanna cut him off.
"Liam, shut up."
He blinked at her.
"You took a risk to save me. Three times." Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed how much it meant to her.
"And we've only known each other for a few days."
"If anything… I was the one who fell to my knees when I was needed the most."
Liam opened his mouth to argue, but Sparda's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Now we're giving you motivational speeches? Look at yourself. They're doing their best to make you feel like you're not a bitch—which you are. At least help them a bit."
Liam exhaled, shaking his head, then cracked a small smile.
"Thanks, guys."
John smirked, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Damn right, mate. I was about to call King Shark to come cheer you up."
Liam visibly tensed. "No, no, no."
Zatanna laughed. "Leave him. That's my job."
Liam raised a brow. "So, you're the one who's gonna cheer me up?"
Zatanna smirked. "No."
"I'm the one who's gonna fuck with you."
Liam grinned. "Do it."
Zatanna flushed red as John and Liam burst into laughter.
Liam sighed, stretching his arms. "I think I need to rest."
He got up and started walking to his room, but Zatanna followed.
"Liam, wait."
He turned around—and before he could say anything, she grabbed him and kissed him.
Liam froze for half a second before pulling her closer, deepening it.
When she finally pulled away, she smirked. "Just giving you something to think about, other than your depressing thoughts."
Liam was still catching his breath when John shouted from the bar.
"Lucky bastard. Now get out!"
The Weight of Power
Liam lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, fingers idly gripping the chain around his neck.
His voice cut through the quiet.
"Sparda… do you hate me?"
Silence.
"I mean, you bust my ass every chance you get, yet… you have a soft side. Do you have a crush on me or something?"
Sparda's voice echoed in his head, dripping with disdain.
"That's the gayest thing I've ever heard. How did you say that with a straight face?"
Liam chuckled. "I've got talent."
Sparda sighed. "Let's just say… Sparda had two kids. Same age as you."
Liam's brow furrowed. "Wait, you—"
"I'm not going into details, but let's just say he owes twelve years of child support."
Liam smirked. "Damn. I should turn you in to CPS."
Sparda ignored him.
Liam shifted, his tone turning serious. "Now, let's talk about what you actually care about. Power."
His grip on the chain tightened.
"I've killed a considerable amount of demons… and yeah, I see changes. But at this point, I can barely handle thugs and idiots in costumes with a shitload of money and gadgets. Probably not."
Somewhere in Gotham, Batman sneezed.
Liam continued.
"Any big shot would take care of me in no time."
The thought of Darkseid flashed through his mind, sending a cold shiver down his spine.
Sparda's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Power isn't a dick, Liam. You can't just add Vaseline and expect it to go easier."
Liam snorted.
"It takes training and dedication. And you? You don't deserve any of this."
Liam's expression darkened.
"All you do is chase more power, but you don't even bother to master what you already have."
"You swing swords like sticks. You need a master to teach you the art."
"And keep killing demons. It looks like it's having a good effect on you."
Sparda's voice turned colder.
"And stop bitching about not killing humans. Some of them deserve it, and you know it."
Liam went silent, memories flashing in his mind—horrible, rotten people thriving in Gotham.
He exhaled. "You're probably right."
He rolled onto his side.
"Let me sleep. I'll talk to John tomorrow."
Sparda didn't reply.
Liam closed his eyes, letting exhaustion take over.
A Necessary Goodbye
The nightmares returned.
Like the nights before, Liam found himself trapped in visions of a past that wasn't his.
But this time, it was different.
Sparda stood alone, facing a god.
Mundus—the Prince of Darkness, the ruler of the Demon Realm—loomed over him like an unholy titan. His three eyes burned with malice, his obsidian armor cracking with raw power.
Sparda was outmatched.
Blades clashed, magic raged, the ground beneath them shattered.
Liam felt everything. The weight of the sword, the pain of every wound, the sheer hopelessness of fighting something beyond mortal comprehension.
Sparda fought, but it was clear—he was losing.
A final attack. A blinding flash. Then—blackness.
Liam shot up from bed, drenched in sweat, gasping for air.
"STOP IT! I CAN'T KEEP SEEING THIS!"
Sparda's voice, calm yet amused, echoed in his mind.
"Trust me, kid, as much as I enjoy watching you get molested by your own nightmares, this ain't me."
Liam clenched his fists, running a hand through his messy hair.
He needed air.
Downstairs – Constantine's Pub
Liam walked down the creaky stairs, his mind still hazy from the nightmare.
John was already at the bar, drink in hand.
The magician glanced up.
"Before you ask, the princess left. Looks like she really doesn't like broke boys."
Liam snorted. "Damn. Guess that means we'll have to share King Shark."
John choked on his drink.
Liam burst into laughter. "Bad gag reflex, mate?"
John wiped his mouth, glaring. "I hate you."
They both laughed for a moment, but the humor faded from Liam's face.
"John… can we talk?"
John sighed. "Grab yourself a drink. I'm not serving you. And pick a good seat—some of 'em have stains."
He paused, pointing a finger. "And no fuckin' cum jokes."
Liam smirked but let it slide.
They sat.
Liam hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "John… I'm sorry about Chantinelle. I wish there was a way to save her."
John's face fell, shadows crossing his tired eyes.
"Trust me, kid, there's nothing I didn't try. Thank you for putting her out of her misery."
Liam wanted to say more but decided against it. Instead, he changed the subject.
"I need to get stronger, John. I need to train… and I need to keep killing demons."
John exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Kid, I barely knew what I was throwing you into. I tossed you into the fire without even knowing how big the flames were."
"It helped."
"It almost got you killed. Twice." John shook his head. "I can't help you much with this. But… there's someone who can."
He hesitated before finally saying it.
"Lucifer."
Liam's brow raised.
"As much as I hate the bastard, he's in town. There's no better chance. He's got a club downtown. Go there and tell him 'John sent me.'"
Liam stared at him. "So… this is a goodbye, huh?"
John took a slow sip of his drink. "He'll probably take you with him. So yeah, mate, this might be the last time we see each other for a while."
Liam frowned. "You can open portals anywhere. It's not like you can't visit."
John chuckled. "True. And you better do the same."
Liam grinned. "I'll bring souvenirs."
John smirked. "Damn right, kid."
A brief silence.
Then—"I've only known you for a few days, but…" John sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. "You kinda grew on me, ya bastard."
Liam's face twisted in mock disgust. "Gaaaaay."
John laughed. "And I wanted it to be an emotional farewell."
Liam shrugged. "It's not."
John grinned. "What about Z?"
Liam froze. His face lost color.
John narrowed his eyes. "Kid?"
Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Tell her I'll be back… when I'm strong enough to protect her."
John nodded. "You got it, mate."
Liam stepped forward and pulled John into a quick hug.
Five days.
A lot had happened.