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/-\
The meeting with the supernatural authorities had been three days ago, but Constantine was still feeling the aftereffects of their revelation about Mephisto's interest in him. He'd spent those days preparing, researching Marvel's infernal hierarchies through the extensive grimoire collection in the abandoned church, and trying to ignore the growing sense that he was being watched.
The feeling proved justified when he stepped out of a Village coffee shop at half past midnight and found himself surrounded by three figures who definitely weren't local street toughs.
They looked human enough at first glance expensive suits, confident postures, the kind of professional demeanor that marked them as either lawyers or demons. In Constantine's experience, the distinction was often academic. But his enhanced senses picked up mystical signatures that spoke of sulfur and brass, of bargains made in languages that predated human civilization.
"Mr. Constantine," the leader said, his voice carrying just enough of an accent to suggest origins far from New York. "We represent certain interested parties who would very much like to have a conversation with you."
Constantine lit a cigarette, taking his time with the ritual despite the obvious threat the three figures represented. "Right then. Let me guess you're Mephisto's boys, here to extend a friendly invitation to tea and biscuits in the depths of Hell."
The demon's smile revealed teeth that were just slightly too perfect, too white, like ivory carved by an artist who'd never actually seen human dentition. "You could say that. Though I think you'll find our employer's hospitality somewhat more... comprehensive than your description suggests."
"Comprehensive." Constantine took a drag of his cigarette, studying the three figures with the practiced eye of someone who'd spent twenty years evaluating supernatural threats. "That's corporate speak for 'we're going to torture you in creative ways,' isn't it?"
The second demon stepped forward, this one wearing the kind of suit that cost more than most people's cars. "Our employer simply wishes to discuss matters of mutual interest. Your unique situation, your abilities, the... opportunities that your presence in this reality represents."
Constantine noticed that they were standing in positions that cut off his most obvious escape routes, but they'd made a classic mistake they were thinking like predators surrounding prey, not like chess players considering an opponent who specialized in impossible victories.
"Mutual interest," Constantine mused. "Funny thing about that phrase in my experience, it usually means one party has all the interest and the other party gets to be mutual about it whether they like it or not."
The third demon, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice carried undertones that made reality ripple slightly around him, suggesting power levels that put him well above the standard demonic muscle. "Perhaps we should clarify the nature of this invitation, Mr. Constantine. Our employer has expressed specific interest in your knowledge of... other places. Other realities. The techniques and experiences you've accumulated during your previous existence."
Constantine felt a chill that had nothing to do with the October night air. If Mephisto was specifically interested in his knowledge of the DC Universe, then the Hell-Lord's plans likely extended far beyond simple territorial expansion within Marvel's reality.
"Other places," Constantine repeated thoughtfully. "You know, that's interesting phrasing. Most beings I've met in this reality don't even acknowledge that other places exist. Your boss must be remarkably well-informed."
"Lord Mephisto's knowledge extends across many dimensional frameworks," the lead demon replied with obvious pride. "He has been aware of multiversal structures for millennia, though he has rarely found opportunities to explore them directly."
"Until now," Constantine said, pieces clicking into place. "Until a convenient interdimensional refugee shows up carrying techniques and memories from a completely different cosmic order." He took another drag of his cigarette. "Tell me, do you boys know what happened to the last group of supernatural authorities who tried to recruit me?"
The three demons exchanged glances that spoke of shared uncertainty. They'd clearly been briefed on Constantine's capabilities, but not on his tendency to turn recruitment attempts into object lessons about the dangers of underestimating clever bastards with nothing to lose.
"We are aware that you have proven... resourceful in previous encounters," the well-dressed demon said carefully. "However, we represent significantly greater authority than local enforcement entities or academic researchers."
Constantine smiled, feeling the familiar thrill of a con game beginning to take shape. "Greater authority, you say? That's fascinating. Because from where I stand, you look like mid-level employees sent to handle a routine collection job. The kind of demons who get assigned the boring diplomatic work while the real players stay safely behind their desk jobs."
The insult hit its mark. The lead demon's professional composure cracked slightly, revealing hints of the predatory nature underneath the corporate veneer. "You would be wise not to underestimate us, mortal. We serve at Lord Mephisto's direct pleasure, and our authority in these matters is absolute."
"Absolute," Constantine repeated, stubbing out his cigarette with theatrical consideration. "Another interesting word choice. See, in my experience, beings who have absolute authority don't usually need to tell people about it. They just exercise it and let the results speak for themselves."
He began walking toward the nearest demon, moving with the casual confidence of someone who had either lost his mind or knew something the others didn't. "Which makes me wonder if you really have absolute authority to bring me in, why are we standing around chatting like old friends instead of you simply compelling my cooperation through mystical means?"
The demons tensed, their human facades beginning to slip as Constantine's challenge forced them to reveal more of their true nature. But instead of backing down, Constantine continued his approach, reaching into his coat with movements that could have been interpreted as either surrender or threat.
"Here's what I think is really happening," Constantine said, producing not a weapon but another cigarette. "I think Mephisto sent you boys to evaluate me, not collect me. I think he wants to know if I'm the kind of entity worth his personal attention, or just another interdimensional refugee who got lucky once or twice."
The silence that followed his words carried the weight of supernatural beings realizing they'd been outmaneuvered by someone who was supposed to be their prey. Constantine lit his fresh cigarette with movements that seemed almost ritualistic, the small flame from his zippo casting shadows that moved independently of their sources.
"The thing about evaluation missions," Constantine continued conversationally, "is that they work both ways. While you've been sizing me up, I've been learning about you. For instance, I now know that Mephisto's current operation uses demons who favor intimidation over direct confrontation, which suggests he's operating under certain limitations in this reality."
The lead demon's composure finally cracked completely. "You presume too much, mortal. Lord Mephisto's power in this realm is "
"Constrained by the same cosmic treaties and dimensional agreements that limit all Hell-Lords in Marvel's reality," Constantine interrupted. "Marcus Dane was very informative about that particular aspect of local infernal politics. Mephisto can't simply abduct entities without cause or invitation, especially entities whose presence has attracted attention from other cosmic authorities."
The well-dressed demon stepped forward, his expensive suit beginning to smoke as his true form pressed against the human disguise. "Perhaps you would prefer to receive Lord Mephisto's invitation in a more... direct manner."
Constantine smiled, feeling the chaos magic he'd absorbed over the past weeks responding to his will with newfound precision. "Actually, I'd prefer you deliver a message to your boss. Tell him John Constantine appreciates the professional courtesy of a formal invitation, and he's looking forward to negotiations that reflect the serious nature of the situation we're all facing."
Before any of the demons could respond, Constantine did something that would have been impossible for a normal human and suicidal for most supernatural entities he reached out with his chaos magic and touched each of their mystical signatures simultaneously.
The effect was immediate and devastating. Instead of the controlled intimidation they'd been projecting, the demons found their true forms partially manifesting in uncontrolled bursts. The lead demon's human face flickered, revealing glimpses of brass and flame underneath. The well-dressed entity's expensive suit burst into supernatural fire that burned without consuming. The silent one's voice emerged as a harmonized scream that shattered windows three blocks away.
"Bloody hell," Constantine said with satisfaction as the demons struggled to regain control of their manifestations. "That's much more honest. Nothing quite like a bit of chaos magic to strip away all the corporate politeness and get to the real nature of things."
The lead demon was staring at Constantine with something approaching awe and terror. "How did you that should have been impossible. Chaos magic doesn't work that way in this reality."
"It does if you know how to ask nicely," Constantine replied, though he was carefully not mentioning the cost of what he'd just accomplished. Touching three demonic mystical signatures simultaneously had torn small holes in his own spiritual defenses, wounds that would take time to heal and left him vulnerable to retaliation.
But the demons didn't need to know that.
"You will deliver my message to Mephisto," Constantine continued, his voice carrying new authority born of demonstrated power. "Tell him I'm interested in his proposal, but negotiations will be conducted according to protocols that respect both parties' positions and capabilities."
The demons were backing away now, their human disguises reasserting themselves as they regained control over their manifestations. But Constantine could see the change in their postures, the shift from predatory confidence to cautious respect that marked the difference between dealing with prey and negotiating with a potential threat.
"Lord Mephisto will be... interested to hear of this encounter," the lead demon said, his voice carrying new undertones of uncertainty.
"I'm sure he will," Constantine agreed. "And I'm sure he'll appreciate the demonstration of why sending intermediaries to handle certain kinds of negotiations can be counterproductive."
As the three demons melted back into the shadows from which they'd emerged, Constantine allowed himself a moment of grim satisfaction. He'd established his credentials in Marvel's supernatural underground through the simple expedient of proving that he couldn't be easily intimidated or controlled.
But as he walked back toward the abandoned church, Constantine couldn't shake the feeling that his little demonstration had done more than just impress Mephisto's agents. He'd revealed capabilities that were going to attract attention from quarters he wasn't prepared to handle, and the chaos magic techniques he'd used were going to have consequences he couldn't predict.
The game was escalating, and Constantine wasn't entirely sure he was ready for what came next.
Behind him, in the shadows where the demons had disappeared, something else stirred a presence that had been watching the entire encounter with interest that went far beyond casual observation. The stranger who had orchestrated Constantine's arrival in this reality stepped into the dim light cast by a flickering street lamp, his smile carrying depths of satisfaction that suggested events were proceeding exactly according to plan.
"Well played, John," he murmured to the empty street. "Though I wonder if you realize that Mephisto's invitation comes with conditions you haven't considered yet."
/-\
🌟 Enjoying the story? Support the journey! 🌟
If you love this chapter and want exclusive content, early access, bonus scenes, and behind-the-scenes insights, consider subscribing to my Patreon. Your support helps me keep creating and brings you even more adventures right here. Join the community and dive deeper into the world you love!
" https://www.patreon.com/Its_Zack/ "
Thank you for being part of this story!