Chapter 8: The Quest for Answers
Hey, Dear Readers.
Author here.
Before we begin with the chapter, I need to make a few things clear. It's an Au, that much you can already tell, I hope. MC's powers are also different than DC's SHAZAM, or more like, the lore to his powers is a bit different. You will understand as story progress, but till then, enjoy!
Peace.
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Chapter: The Quest for Answers
Rebecca adjusted the strap of her bag, scanning the serene, quiet temple around her. Nestled deep within the city—hidden from the chaos of New York streets—this place felt untouched by time. Golden statues of serene deities lined the walls, and the soft murmur of prayers filled the air. Monks moved silently in their saffron robes, their faces calm and indifferent. She had come all this way chasing whispers about the disappearances, hoping for clarity.
But no one here seemed interested in giving her any answers.
Rebecca approached one of the older monks, his gaze fixed on a small flame flickering at the altar. "Please… I need help," she whispered, trying to be respectful, though frustration was creeping into her voice.
The monk didn't acknowledge her, not even a glance. She shifted awkwardly on her feet. "Look, I know you might not want to get involved, but people are disappearing. I think—"
The monk simply raised his hand in a gesture of silence, as if her words were a disturbance in the sacred atmosphere. Annoyed, Rebecca backed away. She tried another monk, and then another, but none of them gave her more than a passing glance. It was like they were deliberately shutting her out.
Rebecca exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. This was a mistake. Maybe she had been wrong to come here. If these people knew anything about the strange occurrences in the city, they clearly weren't going to share it.
She sank onto a stone bench near the edge of the courtyard, staring at the tranquil garden beyond the temple walls. The warm afternoon breeze carried the scent of incense, but it did nothing to soothe her growing frustration.
Great. What now?
"Giving up already?"
The voice was soft, teasing. Rebecca looked up and saw a young girl in a simple robe sitting beside her. She couldn't have been older than 19, her dark hair tied back in a loose braid, her expression both mischievous and curious.
"You've been trying way too hard," the girl said, tilting her head. "They won't talk to you. Not unless they think you're ready."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow, taken aback. "Ready? For what?"
The girl smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "To know the truth."
Rebecca straightened, sensing that this girl might know something after all. "You know about the disappearances?"
The girl's playful demeanor shifted slightly, her gaze sharpening. "I know some things. Enough to tell you that it's not just people disappearing."
Rebecca's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
The girl leaned forward, her voice lowering as if she were revealing a dangerous secret. "The disappearances are part of a pattern—people being chosen, pulled into something beyond what most of us can understand."
Rebecca blinked, trying to make sense of the girl's words. "Chosen? For what?"
"Tests," the girl replied simply. "They're being tested for worthiness."
Rebecca shook her head, confused. "Worthiness? Of what?"
The girl stared at the distant horizon for a moment, as if trying to find the right words. "It's complicated. Worthiness isn't about being good or bad. It's not about strength or kindness. It's about... potential. The kind of person you could become if you were pushed far enough. Those who pass the test are granted unimaginable power."
She paused. "Those who fail?"
The girl's expression darkened, her playful demeanor slipping away entirely. "They don't come back. Once they're taken, they either rise to meet the challenge... or they disappear into the void."
A chill ran down Rebecca's spine, but she forced herself to ask, "And who's behind this? Some... cult? Or is it something else?"
The girl hesitated before answering. "It's older than any cult. There's a force at work—something ancient and dangerous. Magic, if you want to call it that."
Rebecca almost laughed at that, though uneasily. "Magic? You're kidding, right?"
The girl smiled faintly, as if she expected Rebecca's skepticism. "You don't have to believe in it for it to be real. It's out there, whether you see it or not. And it doesn't care if you think it's nonsense."
Rebecca stared at the girl, her mind racing. She'd always been open to strange theories, but magic? That was a leap, even for her. But something about the way the girl spoke—calm, certain—made her uneasy.
"If what you're saying is true," Rebecca began slowly, "how do I know if someone's been... chosen? Is there a way to tell?"
The girl's eyes held a flicker of sadness. "Once someone is marked, there's no going back. The signs are subtle at first—strange coincidences, things happening that can't be explained. And eventually, something will come for them."
Rebecca's throat tightened. "Something? What do you mean, something?"
The girl stood up, brushing the dust from her robes. "There are always watchers, waiting for those being tested to falter. If they sense weakness, they strike."
A cold knot twisted in Rebecca's stomach, though she still didn't fully believe the girl's words. "You're saying... they'll be hunted?"
The girl gave a small, sad smile. "If they're not careful, yes."
Rebecca tried to push down the rising sense of dread. "Why are you telling me this?"
The girl looked down for a moment, then met Rebecca's gaze with an unsettling seriousness. "Because someone around you has already been marked. And once that happens, it's only a matter of time before things get worse."
The warning hit Rebecca like a punch to the gut. Her mind spun, trying to connect the dots. Someone close to me? Who? But no clear answer came to her.
Before Rebecca could ask more, the girl turned and began walking away, her footsteps silent on the stone floor.
"Wait!" Rebecca called after her, standing up. "Who? Who's been marked?"
The girl glanced over her shoulder, her expression distant. "That's something you'll have to figure out yourself. But be ready... because once the darkness comes, it doesn't leave empty-handed."
And with that, the girl disappeared into the shadowed corridors of the temple, leaving Rebecca alone with her racing thoughts.
Rebecca stood there, frozen in place, the weight of the warning sinking in. She didn't know what to believe, but one thing was certain—if the girl was telling the truth, she needed to act fast.
Whoever had been marked, they were running out of time.
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Chapter 5: The Quest for Answers
The neon signs of New York flickered against the deepening twilight, painting the streets with streaks of pink and blue. James Carter slumped over the counter of the tech store, his fingers wrapped around a cooling cup of coffee. His mind buzzed with fragments of the night before—flashes of shadowy creatures, the adrenaline rush of shouting "SHAZAM!", and the crackle of power surging through his veins.
It all felt unreal, like he had fallen into a comic book, but every sore spot on his body reminded him it was very much real. And not just real—personal. They knew his name. They were coming specifically for him. But why?
James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Why me? Was it because of his powers? What was so special about him, anyway? He wasn't exactly hero material—he was just a guy who spent too much time fiddling with gadgets and watching movies. Sure, he might have tested his new strength by bending street signs or lifting a parked car here and there, but that was Marcus's idea, not his. Mostly.
"Dude, you got wrecked last night," Marcus's voice broke into his thoughts, startling him. His friend stood behind the counter, leaning in close, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Seriously, you look like you just saw the Ghostbusters chasing you."
James rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, it was worse than ghosts. Trust me."
Marcus slid onto a stool across from him, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "So… those shadow freaks—they were really after you? Not just a random thing?"
James nodded, rubbing his temples. "It felt personal. They knew my name, Marcus. And they knew about my powers." His voice dropped as he added, "I think they were after me because of them."
Marcus whistled softly, tapping the edge of the counter. "That's… intense. I mean, I figured having powers would come with cool perks, like, I don't know, free coffee or something. Not monsters hunting you down."
James gave him a flat look. "Yeah, I definitely missed that part in the superhero handbook."
"Maybe they've got the wrong guy?" Marcus offered with a shrug, though James could tell by the furrow in his brow that he didn't believe it.
James shook his head. "I don't think so. Ever since I touched that orb, it's like... things have been shifting around me. And now these things—whatever they were—they come after me?"
Marcus leaned back, trying to look casual, but his curiosity was obvious. "Weird shadow monsters, super strength, magical lightning… dude, this sounds way above my pay grade. You think Rebecca might have a clue? She is the one investigating those crazy disappearances."
James exhaled slowly, tapping his coffee cup. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe she's onto something without even knowing it." He paused, the idea settling in his mind. "I need to talk to her. She might have some clues."
Marcus grinned, crossing his arms. "Oh, that's what this is about. You just want another excuse to hang out with Rebecca, huh?"
James groaned, flipping him the bird. "You're such a pain, you know that?"
"Come on, I'm just saying." Marcus chuckled, unbothered. "I mean, sure, shadow monsters are terrifying and all, but let's not pretend Rebecca's not part of the motivation."
James rolled his eyes, but a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, well, it's not about that. I just... I need answers. And if she knows anything about those disappearances, it might help me figure out why those things came after me."
"Or," Marcus said with a sly grin, "you're about to walk into a coffee shop, order a latte, and pretend this is all part of some elaborate investigation."
"Shut up," James said, though he couldn't help but laugh. Then, more seriously, he added, "I have to do this, Marcus. I can't just sit around and wait for something worse to happen."
Marcus leaned in again, his expression softening. "I get it, man. Just… be careful. This stuff? It can get real messy, real fast."
"I know." James stared at his coffee, his thoughts spinning. "But I can't ignore it. Something's happening—something big. I can feel it."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the hum of the city outside filling the gaps in their conversation.
"You sure you're ready for all this?" Marcus asked after a beat, his tone more serious now.
James took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything settle squarely on his shoulders. "I don't think I have a choice. If these powers mean anything, I need to figure out what's going on. And if that means talking to Rebecca... or fighting more monsters... so be it."
Marcus gave him a crooked smile. "Now that's the spirit. Just make sure you call me when you fight the next batch of shadow freaks, okay? I want front-row seats."
James chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure thing, man."
With one last shared grin, Marcus gave him a slap on the back and wandered off to the back of the store, leaving James alone with his thoughts. The unease from last night still clung to him, but it was mixed with something new—purpose. He couldn't ignore what was happening anymore. Something big was coming, and whether he liked it or not, he was a part of it.
He drained the rest of his cold coffee, tossed the cup into the trash, and grabbed his phone. His thumb hovered over Rebecca's contact for a moment before he hit call.
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When Rebecca answered, her teasing voice immediately brought a small smile to his face.
"Calling me after hours?" she said playfully. "Didn't know we were on those terms, Carter."
James couldn't help but blush, glad she couldn't see him. "Hey, uh, Rebecca. I was wondering if we could meet? I need to talk to you. It's about the disappearances... and some other stuff."
There was a pause on the other end. "James," she said slowly, "since when do you care about ghost stories?"
He hesitated. What am I supposed to tell her? But he couldn't back out now. "I'll explain when we meet. Just... trust me?"
A sigh came through the line. "Alright. I'll be there in ten."
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