- - -

Victor smiled softly. Maybe Billy really could take whatever this place had to throw at him.

- - -

Billy drew in a shaky breath before letting it out as another image appeared before him. The group watched closely as the Champion appeared on the screen, looking slightly different than the first time they had seen him. 

He still looked Greek, with the dark red leather pteryges and flowing white cape, but his eyes were a sharp and piercing green, rather than a blue or brown. His skin was also tanner, his facial features more defined.

He was floating a few inches above the ground, looking around with a slightly furrowed brow. Foliage surrounded him, lining the cobblestone just beneath his feet.

 In his hand, he held a familiar golden circle of rope, looking very much like the warrior of legend he was supposed to be.

Except for the fact that he looked lost.

"Seize him!" a voice rang out, making the Champion's eyes widen as he looked around. Diana took a step forward at the sound. 

The demigod put his hands up in surrender as warrior women dressed in armor and wielding glinting spears and shields.

"Antiope?" Diana said softly, watching as her aunt came out of the brush with her spear pointed in the raven's face.

The Champion swallowed thickly. "Antiope. Wonderful to see you again," he said, with a small smile. The blonde-haired woman's lip curled up in disgust.

"Champion."

"Where's your lovely sister? Her majesty's expecting me," he said, glancing around the group. "And look, I'm not even touching the ground. I do follow some laws, Antiope," he continued with a smirk. 

It was strange to see someone bearing Captain Marvel's costume act so confident and...well, like Hal.

The Amazonian general straightened her spear with a sigh. "This way..." she muttered. The blonde made a motion with her hand and the spears surrounding the Champion straightened. He smiled, floating after her.

"You know you don't have to call me Champion. I do have a name," he said, glancing back at the warriors that retreated back into the brush before turning his gaze back on the general as she led him through the foliage.

"I care not to know it."

"Oh come now, don't be difficult."

"The only difficult thing here is you, Champion."

The man chuckled, a smile appearing on his face. "Is that right? Well, they don't call me the World's Mightiest Mortal for nothing." The group was quiet, Diana smiling softly as the interaction. It was rare that someone could get her aunt to converse so freely.

The pair brushed past a particularly large fawn before walking out into the open. The man smiled at the sight of imposing, marble columns around him, foliage that had been carefully tended to, towering structures that would make temple-builders wet themselves.

They made their way up the stairs of what only could be called a palace, past various stares ranging from curious, to mistrusting, to flirtatious. 

The demigod kept his eyes ahead, smiling when they reached the top of the stone stairs.

"Demetrius?" A voice said, causing both the man and Diana's head's to flick towards it. A larger smile appeared on the Champion's face as the sight of the Amazonian Queen standing in the middle of the room, bouncing something in her arms.

He smiled, floating over to her. "Your majesty," he said, bowing his head to her. She put her hand on his shoulder and pulled him down from the air, his golden boots touching the stone floor and causing the general to gasp.

"Oh please, Antiope. Anyone that walks amongst the pantheon is welcome in Themyscera," she said, glancing at her sister before cupping the young man's face. 

"What I don't understand is the reason for your visit, Champion. Is there a threat?"

The demigod shook his head. "No, no, nothing I can't handle, your highness. I came here because Hephestus and Aphrodite wished me to send you their regards," he said, pulling the golden rope from his side.

He held it out to her and the blonde looked at him with a soft smile before taking it. "I take it this is for her," she said, her smile turning wry. 

He nodded once in response before the bundle of deep lavender cloth in her arms began to fuss.

Hippolyta bounced the bundle before uncovering it and allowing both the Champion and the rest of the group a look. The man smiled, his eyes lighting up at the sight of a dark-haired baby girl. 

"She...she's beautiful," he said softly, tilting his head to get a better look at the baby in the Queen's arms.

"My princess Diana. My pride and joy," Hippolyta said, gazing at the little girl with affection before glancing up at the raven. "Would you like to hold her?"

The man's eyes widened. "It would be an honor, your highness," he said, glancing down at the baby as she was handed to him. His smile turned soft, the demigod's piercing green eyes staring into Diana's blue ones. 

"Hello, Diana..." he said, bouncing her gently. "I'm- I'm the Champion. You can call me Demetrius, though. I prefer it." he said, taking a shaky breath in before glancing at the baby's mother.

The queen was watching them with soft eyes, hugging her arms gently. "She likes you," she said with a knowing grin.

"Here's hoping it stays that way, hm?" Demetrius said, grinning back at the blonde. "You radiate light, princess. You're going to do something amazing one day, I can already tell," he told the baby.

Diana stayed quiet, watching the exchange with wide eyes. Billy stared open-mouthed from the floor, swallowing thickly and running a hand through his hair.

"You're good with her," the queen said, tilting her head slightly.

The Champion's shoulders dropped slightly. "She reminds me of my daughter... a little girl with a fire in her heart and a light she is destined to follow..." his smile faded. 

"She... she died, when she was two years. A disease that not even I could heal."

The raven's eyes looked watery before he shook his head. "My apologies, your highness."

"Do not apologize for your feelings, Demetrius," Hippolyta replied as he handed the baby back. "Diana could use someone to show her how a champion should act. The destiny that she should follow..."

Demetrius sighed. "I would love to, your majesty...but..." he trailed off, glancing away. "My work is never done." The queen nodded. 

"But mark me this-- I will protect her. Until my last breath, I swear, Diana of Themyscira will be protected."

Wonder Woman glanced at the boy staring at the image. He was staring in awe, a hint of a smile on his face. He pushed himself to his feet, clenching his fists. "I can still hold true to that promise. The League's my second family, Shazam. You can bet I'm gonna protect them in any way I can-- even if you don't like them."

Light flared from the image as it shifted and Billy brought his arm up to shield his eyes. "Wait, this looks..." he trailed off, eyes narrowed at the sight of Demetrius floating in the air amongst a sea of stormy clouds. 

Billy's eyes widened. "No..."

"Shazam- I don't- I don't wanna see this," he said nervously, glancing around the empty space as lightning flashed around the ancient Champion. 

"Please don't make me watch this!" Billy said angrily as the scene continued to unfold.

"Please..." he said softly, staring back at the Champion.

The raven-haired man was breathing heavily, holding his side as thunder rolled around him. Lightning flashed behind him, causing the man's head to whip around and glare at the open air. 

"Come out and face me Adam!" he yelled, searching for the Egyptian.

The man's form was tense, his fist clenched and jaw set. His white cape was torn, and blood was seeping through his costume on his calf. He was suddenly knocked out of the air by Adam launching himself from above, sending the Champion spiraling through the air towards the land below.

Towards the island of Themyscira.

He sailed through the air in a tumble, wind whipping past his ears as he fell. He crashed in the middle of a marketplace, creating a crater in the middle of the path and shaking the ground around him. Demetrius breathed heavily, looking up at the clouds above before standing.

He was still clutching his side as he glanced around, pain surging in his bright green eyes at the sight of stone-carved Amazonians around him. 

He swallowed thickly, picking himself up fully and launching back towards the palace. He weaved through the stone statues, staying close to the ground.

When he made it to the steps of the palace he turned around, watching the lightning flash in the air above the island. "I'm sorry, your highness," he said, coming into the throne room and lowering his head in pain at the sight of a stone queen with a dark grey bundle in her arms. 

"But I'm going to need this for a moment," he said, grabbing the golden lasso from a table and glancing back towards the entrance of the palace.

"I'm going to break this curse, Your majesty. I swear to it-- I'll make Black Adam pay for what he's done to Themyscera...for what he's done to you and Diana." he trailed off, looking away from what should have been the breathing Queen.

His resolved hardened, the Champion turning back towards the entrance and vanishing in a blur and red and white.

He appeared in the sky with lightning in his eyes, his grip on the golden lasso tight. "It's time for your reckoning, Black Adam," he growled, watching the demigod in black closely. 

"I get rid of you, and the curse is broken, right?" he asked, eyes narrowed. Adam smirked.

Demetrius growled, launching himself towards Adam. He threw the lasso out and the man swiftly dodged, causing the Greek to pull back and turn, narrowly dodging an electrified punch from the villain. 

"Not this time, Adam," he said, throwing the lasso again and managing to catch the man's wrist. He pulled it tight, yanking Adam closer to him and right into his fist. He landed a punch right to his gut, making Adam double over.

"Insolent boy," Adam growled, still doubled over. "You aren't worthy," he said, grabbing hold of the lasso and surging his lightning through it. Demetrius cried out in pain, letting go of the lasso. It fell limp, allowing Adam's wrist to slip out. 

"You have no idea what you're doing..." he said with a smirk.

"Doesn't mean I won't try, Adam!" the champion yelled, sending the pair into a flurry of punches, kicks, and electrical energy.

"You champions are all alike," Adam sneered, narrowly dodging the Greek's magic-infused punch. "Running in head-first, thinking you can defeat me because you are on the side of light," he continued, landing a punch on Demetrius's jaw and sending him flying backward.

"The wizard fills your heads with ideas of grandeur, of the thought that you're pure of heart. Purity of the heart is nothing compared to experience. Nothing compared to real power," Adam said, his eyes filling with light. 

"In fact, it makes you weak."

The demigod came flying at Adam, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as lightning leapt from his form. "LIAR!" he yelled as Adam side-stepped the punch in the air. 

"Caring for people doesn't make me, or any of the other Champions weak. Having kindness in your heart is the mark of a Champion-- which shows why you were deemed unworthy of that title," Demetrius said with a smirk.

Adam growled, thrusting his arms out and sending an electrical current towards him. Demetrius swooped down, flying out of the way of the blast. 

His forearm lit up with lightning and he rocketed upward, uppercutting the Egyptian and grabbing him by the neck in the process.

"The curse. How is it broken, you malaka?" he said through gritted teeth, lightning flashing behind his emerald eyes.

Adam laughed against the Champion's grip. "Fool. A ritual such as this- to undo it takes magic you don't have." he chuckled, even as Demetrius strengthened his grip. 

"Well, you do, but..." he grinned down at the champion maliciously.

Demetrius's gaze steeled. "You know there's a glaring difference between you and me, Adam," he growled. Adam smirked.

"Oh yeah? Allow me to guess- you're...pure of heart. you're...the 'good guy'." he sneered, rolling his eyes as Demetrius's grip on his neck loosened slightly. "Or...you're just weak." Demetrius smiled.

"Not quite. The difference between you and me, Adam, is that when this is said and done, I'll have people to mourn me. You?" he said, looking right into Black Adam's dark eyes. "Well, no one mourns the villain's fall."

The Egyptian's eyes lost their edge, becoming confused and narrowed. "You wouldn't..." he growled.

The raven-haired champion smiled. "You're wrong," he glanced down towards the palace. 

"For them...for Earth, I'd do anything." he tightened his grip on Adam and launched himself upward into the clouds. Lightning flared around them, reflecting in Demetrius's jade eyes.

Adam scrambled to try and get the man's hands off his neck, struggling in his grip. The Greek shut his eyes, taking in a deep breath as lightning crackled around the pair. When he opened his eyes, his eyes were filled with light. Electricity jumped around him, becoming a deep, golden color as it arced around his body.

The man in his grip bared his teeth, digging his nails into Demetrius's skin as swirling, black magic emitted from his hands. He managed to pry the demigod's hand from his neck and floated backward, staring at the Champion as the golden lightning dancing around him flared out. 

"Not this time, old man..." he said softly before vanishing in a black blur.

A golden light surrounded the demigod, who was trembling in the sky. Lightning from the clouds arced around him, surging as it connected to his body. 

The man grit his teeth as magic flared around him, casting his gaze back down towards the palace one more time. "I apologize, y-your highness..." he struggled to get out.

The demigod glanced up, his fists clenched tightly as electricity continued to flare around him.

"SHAZAM!"

He word held weight, echoing throughout the clouds. His voice was like a sonic boom, rupturing the air around him and sending out a shockwave of golden light. 

A large, singular lightning bolt came out of nowhere, splitting the sky and striking the man on the chest. The light enveloped him completely, causing those who were watching to shield their eyes.

"No..." Billy said softly, his voice small and broken.

The light faded, sending out a wave of energy that cleared the skies of the foreboding clouds. Sunlight streamed down on the island of Themyscira, where various Amazonians were now in a daze, but made of flesh and bone once more.

- - -