"I…"
Encouraged by Oliver's words, Billy stepped onto the battlefield.
Above him, the sky churned with crimson and gray, thick with dust, smoke, and unstable light that swallowed everything in sight. Space itself seemed to collapse inward, transforming the entire region into a desolate hell.
At the center of it all, Adrian fought against Trickster and Trigon.
He stood alone against two beings capable of ending worlds, yet even for him, holding them back was far from simple.
"I… I can't do it."
Billy looked up at the chaotic battlefield. The overwhelming pressure weighed down on him, making it difficult to even remain standing. His small frame trembled as the unstable space distorted around him.
When he transformed into Shazam, he wielded the strength of gods. In that form, he could face powerful enemies without hesitation.
But now, standing here as himself, he felt insignificant.
Even if he transformed, he doubted he could stand against the three forces clashing above.
Fear crept into his thoughts, yet he forced himself forward, one step at a time.
The violent winds pressed against him, each step heavier than the last, as though the world itself was trying to crush him.
"I… I can't do it!"
He covered his eyes and stumbled forward, his voice shaking.
"I'll ruin everything! I always do. I got possessed and hurt Wonder Woman and the others. I always mess things up!"
Frustration and fear tangled within him.
Billy understood his weakness. Despite his immense power, his mindset remained that of a middle school student. Wisdom had not brought clarity, only doubt.
He questioned whether he belonged here at all.
Yet even as fear whispered at him, he kept moving.
"Keep going, Billy Batson!"
Oliver's voice called from behind.
Billy turned and saw the others watching him. He drew a deep breath, a flicker of courage rising within him.
Adrian had stepped forward for everyone.
He could not afford to retreat.
Even if this path led to his death, he would walk it for the Justice Society, and for Adrian.
Clenching his fists, Billy pushed forward.
Back in the House of Secrets, Constantine clung to a pillar, bracing himself against the violent winds.
"Hurry up, kid! Move! We don't have time before everything falls apart!"
Nearby, Batman supported Nightwing and cast a glance outside. "Don't pressure him, John. He's scared."
Constantine shot him a look. "You think I'm not?"
Billy cried out as he forced his way through the storm. Each step felt like his body was tearing apart, pain surging through him with every movement.
"He's still moving," Batman murmured, unable to look away.
Despite everything, Billy pressed on.
At last, he reached the edge of the battlefield.
Doctor Fate stood waiting.
"It… it hurts," Billy gasped, his voice strained.
"I know," Doctor Fate replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But the moment has come."
"I can't do it," Billy said, tears streaming down his face. "I'll fail everyone."
"No," Doctor Fate said firmly. "You will succeed. The power within you is greater than you realize."
A thunderous explosion interrupted them.
Above, Adrian blocked a devastating blast of hellfire from Trigon with the Star Scepter. The impact ignited the sky, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno.
Trickster watched with interest, choosing not to interfere with Adrian.
Trigon, however, focused entirely on him.
"Homelander, you dare face me? You seek your own destruction!" Trigon roared.
Adrian staggered back, his strength fading. The strain was evident as dizziness threatened to overwhelm him.
At the same time, the Joker virus within him surged to life.
Madness crept into his mind, feeding on his exhaustion.
"Shut up!"
Adrian's eyes burned red as he launched himself forward.
Hallucinations flickered around him. The Joker appeared at his side, shifting forms, sometimes wearing a twisted grin, other times resembling Batman.
"A tragic sight, Adrian," the Joker taunted. "You are almost gone. Perhaps I should enlighten you."
Adrian ignored the voice, though instinct drove him to strike at it.
The illusion danced away effortlessly.
"You push everyone away, never trusting anyone," the Joker continued. "You refuse compromise, and that means you will never win. This is your end."
Adrian clenched his jaw.
Madness, destruction, and chaos flooded his thoughts. His sanity frayed, his vision darkening at the edges.
Yet within that chaos, something else stirred.
His mind adapted.
The power within him responded, growing stronger under the pressure.
With a roar, Adrian surged forward like a falling meteor, his fists crashing into Trigon with relentless force.
Explosions rang out as Trigon was briefly forced back.
Below, Billy and Doctor Fate stared in shock.
Despite being on the brink, Adrian was still fighting.
"Now!" Doctor Fate commanded.
Billy nodded, his fear replaced by determination.
"Shazam!"
Lightning crashed down from the heavens, illuminating everything in blinding light.
Doctor Fate extended his magic, amplifying the lightning while stabilizing the dimensional rift.
Billy endured the searing energy, his body trembling under its force.
"I won't fail!" he shouted.
At that moment, a new presence entered the battlefield.
Rachel.
"Raven… my daughter," Trigon said, his voice shifting as he sensed her.
Rachel stood beneath the storm of lightning, her head lowered, her expression hidden.
"You are meant to stand beside me," Trigon continued. "Return, and claim your destiny."
Rachel trembled slightly.
Then she spoke.
"You hurt my brother…"
Her voice carried a quiet, lethal edge.
She had seen Adrian's condition, his red eyes, his broken state.
Every memory they shared surged through her.
Anger ignited within her, burning away hesitation.
No one was allowed to harm him.
"Come back to me," Trigon insisted.
Rachel lifted her head.
Four crimson eyes gleamed, and her voice echoed with a dual, demonic resonance.
"Be silent."
Dark magic erupted from her, swallowing the surrounding space.
A crimson crystal rose from her forehead, the seal of her power breaking.
Shadows gathered, forming a massive raven that descended upon Trigon.
Dark tendrils bound him, dragging his towering form toward the dimensional rift.
Trigon struggled, his fury shaking the battlefield.
"You betray me for someone unrelated by blood?" he roared.
Rachel's expression remained cold.
"In hell's laws, defiance is a virtue," she replied. "You harmed the one closest to me. Sealing you is mercy."
The raven dragged him further into the rift.
"This world is not yours. Leave."
With one final surge, Trigon was pulled into the interdimensional void.
Silence followed.
Rachel's power faded. Her extra eyes vanished, and her body trembled as exhaustion overtook her.
She collapsed to her knees, her strength spent.