Work Text:
prompt: glimpse of the future
"Little Makar." The unexpected voice made Constantine whirl around. He immediately saw who'd called out to him: from one of the lava pools rose a smoking figure. Granite shaped the thing's face, two dark holes taking the place of eyes. Despite his best efforts to suppress it, a chill went up Constantine's spine.
"You're a Devoured." Suddenly feeling stupid for stating the obvious, Constantine summoned the fainest bit of chaos with raised hands. He stepped forward in challenge. "What do you want?"
"What I want and why I am here are two different things. Perhaps you should try being more specific." More chaos spilled from Constantine's hands in response. The Devoured watched with narrowed eyes. "Violence isn't the answer to everything, you know."
"It hasn't failed me yet."
"Perhaps not. But it will in the future."
This gave Constantine pause. He lowered his hands, the prospect of knowing his future too enticing to ignore. "What do you mean? What have you seen?"
"If you stay on this path, you will become the enemy of many," the Devoured said.
Constantine blinked, then bristled angrily. "You don't know anything about me. I'm not just a Makar—I'm the strongest mage to ever exist! Anyone foolish enough to become my enemy has what's coming to them."
"Even if that enemy is Death itself?" The elemental shook its head. "No matter. You will see in time. Regret and obsession will consume you until there is nothing left."
Those were the Devoured's last words before it melted back into the lava. Constantine watched it disappear with a furrowed brow. He opened his mouth as if to call it back, but no words came.
What did it mean? 'Regret and obsession will consume you until there is nothing left.' It sounded like a load of bull to Constantine, who decided that the Devoured must've been messing with him. Maybe Master Rufus had sent it as some sort of twisted lesson.
Either way, Constantine turned and left the cave, determined to ignore the ominous message.
-
Constantine, lying motionless in Jericho's bed, finally understood. Beside him was Jericho's lifeless body.
'Anyone foolish enough to become my enemy has what's coming to them.'
'Even if that enemy is Death itself?'
Yes, Constantine thought, cupping Jericho's cheek. Even Death itself.
Nothing would stand between him and bringing his brother back.