Su Ming was considering whether to send Diana to Heaven or Hell to lay low for a while. Arabella could probably manage it—she knew Lucifer well and even had a few connections with the higher angels.
At least Gabriel and Raphael were familiar with her. She had been around on many occasions when they ca to cause trouble for Lucifer.
Diana's character was not an issue—she would definitely et Heaven's standards. Besides, she wasn't truly dead and didn't need to sneak into Heaven through a backdoor; she just needed to stay there temporarily until Su Ming and the others dealt with the problem.
Currently, Hecate had split her power into five portions, and each ti she found one, her power would increase.
The identities of the other marked individuals were still unknown, but Diana's was confird. Therefore, her portion of the power needed to be kept safe.
Hecate probably wanted to retrieve her power to deal with Stranglehold, which ant they could negotiate. Just because magic couldn't do sothing didn't an the Justice League couldn't.
However, if Hecate retrieved all her power, all the magic in the world would be under her sole control—and Batman would never allow a dictator like that to exist.
"Diana, how about I find a safe place for you to vacation for a few days?"
Su Ming suggested. But if she refused—and she probably would—Su Ming would have to knock her out first and send her to Hell through the Dreaming.
Lucifer may not be there, but he left the power of Heaven in the hands of Mazikeen, and Hell was part of God's grand plan.
As long as Hecate didn't want to provoke God, she couldn't do anything to Hell.
"No, Amazons do not retreat."
Unsurprisingly, Diana refused Su Ming's proposal, so he started contemplating whether to have the Godkiller transform into a hamr or a frying pan.
"Currently, Hecate hasn't gathered any power yet, and Stranglehold is temporarily sealed. If I activate the power within , wouldn't that draw Hecate here? And since my strength surpasses hers, I'd actually have the upper hand."
Circe stroked her chin. "Interesting idea... I think it's doable. Actually, I do have a way to activate the power Hecate left within you."
"Are you sure you want to do this, Diana? It's extrely dangerous, and the Justice League still needs you," Detective Chimp tried to dissuade her, while Arabella simply looked on with interest.
"The affairs of the magical world must be dealt with first if we're to address Earth's current crisis. Without magic, it would be hard to cover up large-scale events," Diana sighed, her resolve firm. "There are things that the general public shouldn't know. If mass panic breaks out, our society will collapse even before the world-ending threats arrive."
Su Ming knew she was referring to mory-altering spells—Zatanna was particularly adept at those. She even modified Batman's and the entire Justice League's mories, though Batman, being ticulous, eventually figured it out.
The current Combined One's descent was also hidden with invisibility magic. Without it, the area would have been sward by journalists and onlookers.
Just as Diana made up her mind to take the risk, and as Detective Chimp tried to convince her to reconsider, Circe received a magical ssage. Monts later, Arabella received one as well.
Nanda Parbat was under attack—a woman radiating purple light was assaulting the temple there.
Arabella had no reaction, as if she'd seen sothing boring on her phone. She simply erased the magical symbols from the air. Circe, however, appeared more serious.
"It's another Witchmarked bearer—she's already been controlled by Hecate. She's attempting to destroy Nanda Parbat, one of the three pillars of the magical world."
"Why does Hecate want to destroy the three pillars?" Diana imdiately stood up, adjusting her gear and motioning for Circe to hurry up and activate her power.
"Because these three pillars are actually sothing set up by the gods to prevent Hecate from seeking revenge. They're essentially magical nodes ant to keep her in check," Circe quickly explained.
Detective Chimp and Diana turned to look at Su Ming and Arabella—these two had blown up the Tower of Fate. If Nanda Parbat fell, there would only be one pillar left.
If Hecate really launched a full-scale retaliation against the gods, the resulting conflict would be catastrophic, and the collateral damage could destroy the world.
Nanda Parbat might sound similar to the League of Assassins' Nanda Parbat, but they were two different places, one in the north and one in the south. The League's headquarters was within the Arctic Circle, while Nanda Parbat was in ****. It was just the term used by the sorcerers, whereas ordinary people recognized it by its mythical na.
Shangri-La.
In that place were many "Deadn" like Brand, spirit beings temporarily inhabiting the bodies of monks.
Shangri-La was a place where ti stood still. The Deadn served their god, Rama Kushna, there.
She was an Indian deity, and even with Su Ming's information, it was hard to gauge her level, since she often appeared only as a giant face of light. It was impossible to determine what she really was.
Most of the ti, she was just a voice, telling Deadman Brand what to do or assigning him a mission.
And, because ti was frozen there, it had also beco an important magical node. Countless precious magical docunts and artifacts were stored there.
Su Ming was completely immune to the accusatory looks from Diana and Chimp. After all, it was Nabu who let Stranglehold in—he was the one with the sche.
Even if the Tower still existed, it would be no different than an empty shell.
"Where's the last pillar?" he asked Circe.
But before Circe could answer, Diana, unfamiliar with magic, spoke first: "Olympus—it's the final one."
A triangle was supposed to be the most stable shape, but when it ca to three pillars supporting the magical world, it suddenly seed insufficient.
If they had set up seventy or eighty pillars, it would take Hecate forever to dismantle all those defensive nodes.
Circe nodded, smiling. "The leader of those who wanted to steal Hecate's power later beca Zeus. He couldn't sleep if he didn't keep the most important thing right under his nose."
As a daughter of a Titan, Circe had no fondness for Olympus.
"Enough about ancient history, Circe—activate the power within ." Diana urged Circe to proceed, confident that if they moved quickly, Shangri-La could still be saved.
"But soone is already under Hecate's control, which ans she's retrieved at least one portion of her power. You're not her match anymore. Are you sure you want to go?" Circe tried to dissuade her, reluctant to release the spell.
"Of course. Maintaining this world is the Justice League's duty. Hurry up!" Diana insisted, pressing Circe.
Circe clicked her tongue, raising her arm.
"Wait, Diana." Su Ming stood up, walking around the table. "There are too many uncertainties here. I support your decision and will go with you, but I'm worried—you might not remain yourself."
Diana smiled. "That's the last thing you should be concerned about. An Amazon is always an Amazon, even after death."
Su Ming sighed, showing a smile. "Alright then. Can we have a hug? I'm worried there won't be ti for goodbyes later."
The atmosphere beca heavy, yet strangely intimate.
"Uh... well... of course, we can," Diana said, a little flustered. Circe's eyes sparkled with interest.
But Diana shot Circe a quick glare before confidently embracing Su Ming.
Su Ming smiled as he held Diana, her body tense. He gently stroked her long hair—and then the Godkiller suddenly appeared in his hand. He transford it into a shiny golden frying pan and smacked her hard on the back of her head.
Duang!!!
With a loud clang, Diana collapsed into his arms.
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