The crowd that had gathered around Salem as well as the foot of the Tower of Fate made me regret never having cast a curtain beforehand. Rookie mistake, though I wondered how that would have worked with this… new cursed energy. In any case, I didn't waste any time warping everyone into the Bio-Ship as quickly as I could, taking with me Kent Nelson's corpse, and the Helmet of Fate.

Megan pulled us up and we flew into the sky, safe from prying eyes. The silence in the cockpit was suffocating.

Klarion was gone, but deep down, I was certain that this had been his plan all along. Something about me was… in line with him now. Fundamentally.

The thought was horrifying.

Almost as horrifying as the thought of the struggle session with Batman that was waiting for me once I was back in the Cave.

Wally was carrying the Helmet of Fate solemnly, glaring down at it. We hadn't said a word yet. I had withheld my own overwhelming desire to snatch the helmet and destroy it with Purple. Restraint was easier than I had expected. I just… didn't want to fight anymore today.

Finally, I sighed, "Today fucking sucked." I cursed. "It fucking sucked. I fucking hated it. And I hope to whatever God exists in this universe that I never see another Lord of Chaos or Order again."

Wally glared at the helmet, "Fuck magic."

"Fuck magic," Artemis nodded.

No one else said it, but that was the general idea in the air.

"So…" I said, "What do we do about Fate?"

"Stash him away," Wally growled, "Never to see the light of day again. I don't care what the League says, we're not letting him possess someone else. This thing is not even human, why should we even listen to it?"

"I highly doubt the Justice League will," Kaldur sighed, "Meaning that we have effectively lost one of the greatest spellcasters in the world."

"Klarion died, too," Superboy said, "That must count for something!"

"Banished," Wally corrected, "Klarion can't die—he's deathless, I guess. Gojo killed his anchor to the mortal plane."

I chuckled silently at that. Before I could formulate a quip, Artemis had already beaten me to the punch, "That's a lot of mystical mumbo jumbo from a guy who doesn't believe in magic."

Megan got off from her driver's seat, setting the Ship on hover mode. Everyone quieted down—even Wally who was mid-comeback— as she walked up to my seated form, crestfallen. I looked at the floor instead. I didn't want to see that pity. "I thought I had lost you."

Because I was weak.

Too damn weak. She approached me arms spread, but was stopped dead by Infinity. "Let it down," she whispered.

I obeyed with a sigh. She wrapped me in a tight hug from behind. I could feel her Martian strength coming through, and I reinforced my body to endure it. She sobbed.

I wrapped a hand around her forearm, hugging her back.

I wasn't comfortable with this. I didn't need it.

But she did. That was good enough for me.

After almost a minute, we finally split up, and she began piloting the Ship once more.

None of us spoke. Not until, halfway back to Happy Harbor, Aqualad cleared his throat, "Patch Batman and Red Tornado through. I need to report today."

He gave his report while we all listened, solemnly. Kent Nelson was dead. Doctor Fate had turned on us, tried to kill me. Klarion the Witch Boy had been banished back to the chaos realm by me. 'Abra Kadabra', the science wizard, was in the wind, injured, but alive. Probably. A villain like him was too crafty to just bleed out from the wound I had given him with Red, which hadn't been insubstantial at all. But I had been pressured—the fight wasn't exactly easy—so I couldn't be blamed for my use of violence. It was either them or me. And it had almost been me just an hour past.

I wondered if there was any training in the world that could ensure I never got pressured like this again, short of becoming a host for another Lord of Chaos or Balance…

Or maybe this was just how life was in this universe. Being at the mercy of cosmic entities, hoping you were never interesting enough to catch their interest.

Just as I expected, once we landed in Mount Justice and made our way to Mission Room, Batman was there, along with Red Tornado. And Zatara. Along with Captain Marvel. They looked at me emotionlessly while I trudged on, Kent Nelson's invisible corpse floating besides me.

I showed them the corpse. Wally showed them the helmet.

They took Aqualad's muted report.

And Batman invited me for a private chat with the League members.

000

"I'm sorry," Satoru Gojo said. He took a deep gulp of the glass of water that Batman had given him. He was staring at the bright floor of the Mission Room. His voice broke as he spoke. A complete departure from his usual personality.

He truly was sorry. But for what? Batman wanted to get to the bottom of that.

"What did Klarion do to you," Zatara demanded.

He winced, "Klarion… tampered with my cursed energy. He put in something else. Something… chaotic."

"And how do you feel?" Captain Marvel asked, "Mentally?"

Gojo grinned, "I always thought that life was a joke, but now I'm even more convinced. Honestly, I'm just… tired. Like I never want to fight anyone or anything again. Klarion was… too strong. Nothing I did mattered. Not even in the end."

"He was a Lord of Chaos," Batman said, "You can't expect to beat a creature like him."

"I did," Gojo said, "But he let me. Guess that comes with the territory of being a Lord of Chaos. Probably thought getting banished would be more chaotic. Doctor Fate was convinced I was its most successful experiment."

"Do you feel… evil?" Captain Marvel asked. "Bad thoughts? At all?"

Gojo grinned. He opened his mouth to speak, but his energy died down midway. "I wouldn't blame you guys for… trying to kill me now. I know I would if someone got special treatment from a cursed spirit. I'm just…" he gave a tragic grin, "I'm just glad the others are okay." Tears welled in the corner of his eyes and he looked down. "Thank goodness," he said in Japanese. He bowed his head and dried his tears before looking Batman in the eyes, "I understand if you're giving me the boot for this. I did a mission when you told me not to. Ran headlong into danger and dragged everyone else into it. Turned the Titans into a Lord of Chaos' plaything. I've made things worse by my very presence. And things are only going to get worse from here on out. Probably. Wally said my very presence messed with Order, according to Nabu at least. Make of that whatever you want."

Zatara turned to Batman with an intent look. He was all for making Gojo someone else's problem. But who would they be? Gojo's place was here. He was League responsibility. And he would never abide by standing idly by while other heroes did work. He would want to do something, away from League oversight, and that would only make things worse.

"Stay in the cave for now," Batman demanded, "If you need anything requisitioned from outside, speak with a teammate, Black Canary, or Red Tornado."

"Grounded," Gojo blinked.

"For your own good," Batman replied honestly. "Until we understand the implications of Klarion's banishment, and what it has done to the wider world of magic."

"Probably nothing good, if it was by his own choice," Zatara huffed.

Gojo nodded.

"You can go," Batman said.

He turned his body uncertainly, one way, and then back to Batman. His expression was uncertain. He had to wrestle the words out. Finally, he let a breath out and grinned in uncertainty, eyes glassy, "You're making a mistake. Doctor Fate may have been right. I don't think I should be here. I'm seriously screwing with causality, and I could just end everything."

"No one thinks that," Batman said. Painfully aware that Zatara probably entertained the thought.

"Doctor Fate does. And he was a Leaguer. Or… Society member I guess."

"I'm glad you're safe, Gojo," Batman said. He took a step forward, just outside the boundary of his Infinity, expanded to almost three feet in every direction. Batman could see it in how the dust in the air steered clear of him in all directions. "And I'm deeply sorry for the pain you and all the Titans have had to endure today. You did nothing wrong."

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Zatara sighed, "You could not have predicted that this Lord of Chaos would so flagrantly skirt the laws of Balance in this way. He paid a deep price to bring to bear this much power, elevating him to what we in the League would have considered a world-ending threat."

"I made him do it," Gojo said, "I… my presence gave him reason to—"

"You investigated an anomaly," Batman said, "And then you caught Klarion's attention. Nothing was your fault. I am not angry or disappointed in you, Gojo-kun."

Gojo nodded numbly, "I'm… going to go now." He turned around and blinked out of view.

Batman checked the nanoparticle trackers he had introduced into Gojo's body from the glass of water he had offered him at the start of their talk. He was in his room. Not out of the cave.

Good.

Batman would continue observing.

"Batman," Red Tornado said to him, "I can still not rule out mental suggestion."

"I know," Batman said, "They continued on their mission, trying to find Kent. Knowing Kent was in captivity. Knowing what awaited them. Not even calling for help, even when they knew with certainty that they were in over their heads against an opponent that none of them could match up against. Klarion had them acting along a script."

"So much power spent on this mischief," Zatara shook his head, "Klarion knew what he was doing. All that power he spent would have bent fate against his own favor, making his banishment inevitable. And a Lord of Chaos would never pay such a price lightly."

"Which begs the question," Red Tornado said, "Are they still compromised. And what future awaits Satoru Gojo?"

Batman had no answer to that.

000

I sat on my bed for half a second before I realized, I need help. I can't do this alone.

So I left my room and went to Megan's.

She opened the sliding metal door, her dark room lit only by purple and orange night-lights, revealing her puffy face. She had been crying.

I released Infinity. "I'm open," I whispered. "I'm…" I didn't know how to ask. She didn't look like she was in any position to offer me help.

I debated turning around—

"Come in," she said, taking a step to the side.

I walked in slowly. She closed the door behind her.

Bonelessly, I went to sit on the bed.

When I saw you die, I felt Megan's words, and an avalanche of agony following, I felt like my heart was being ripped out too.

I winced. Then I chuckled, Not as painful as you think. Was barely conscious long enough to feel it. You must have felt worse.

She sat next to me on the bed, hand placed between us.

Take it.

The tiniest whisper.

I obeyed. I put my hand over hers.

I'm glad you're safe, she thought. Here. Back in the cave. With me.

I was weak. Too weak.

There was nothing you could do, she comforted.

And that thought terrifies me, I thought to her. There was nothing I could do. There are things out there I can't do. Things that can't be helped. Misfortune that claims its share, no matter what I do.

We made it back!

I looked at her. She looked at me fiercely. Today was… lucky. We made it back after all!

The other shoe is yet to drop, I said. You have to know that. This was only the start. Of something, I—Klarion had hopes for me. He called me an agent. I'm… it's inevitable, I might end up—

NO.

I winced. It felt like she had screamed into my ear, but instead it was her thoughts blotting out my own, replacing them completely for a moment. It was disorienting.

Don't buy into that self-fulfilling prophecy, Megan held my hand tightly, Don't buy into what people fear about you. You're not a monster. You never have been. The monsters are the people in your childhood that made you go through all that savagery. Yet you endured so well. Yet you still found it in your heart to do good works. Just… promise me, Sa-chan. Promise me you'll stop thinking you're destined for evil. Because it's not true.

Evil follows me, I said. I think… maybe I need to start living a normal life?

Oh, Sa-chan, she interlocked her fingers around mine, That's fine! That's not a bad thing. I want that for you. I want you to be happy. And safe. And loved.

Megan…

When I saw you get hurt, I saw images of myself, viewed from the back. Klarion pulling out my heart and holding it aloft, showing it to the other Titans. Tossing it over to them. Megan soundlessly screaming, trapped in one of my sound barriers. I felt self-disgust that my powers had been used for that. I realized… I don't want to live without you. I love you, Satoru Gojo.

You shouldn't, I immediately thought back, wincing, I—I'm not good with girls. I'm flakey and self-centered. I might withdraw when I get bored, or treat you wrong for caring too much even though that's a great thing to do. I'll reward your best efforts with my worst.

I dared to look up and see her face. She was smiling. You can't convince me not to love you.

We've known each other for a month.

Her smile fell, and she shrugged helplessly, I know.

I tried to think of more reasons, but while I was gathering my thoughts, Megan continued. But I'd like to see you try, at least. You can hurt me after you've done at least that much.

"I don't want to hurt you!" I shouted, standing up, turning my back against her. "But I will," I whispered, "Because I'm… me."

Cursed with strength.

I looked at Megan's door. I didn't want to leave. I also didn't want to continue exposing myself to Megan. Didn't want to—

Do you like me back? Megan asked.

My heart betrayed me, refusing to let me tell a lie.

…yeah. More than I should. More than is good for you.

This was wrong.

And vulnerability wasn't even the half of it. This was just plain wrong.

If you fixate on the fact that you might hurt me, it will come to pass. But I know you can do anything you put your mind to. Because you're strong. So why not?

She was whimpering. Though my back was turned, I could still see her clearly, crying into her hands. Hurt already.

She was right.

I turned around and crouched in front of her, taking her hands. She looked at me in surprise.

Then, I thought, I won't hurt you, ever. In a million years. Not again. This is the last time I ever make you cry.

An insane promise to make. But I was already insane. Working hard like an insane person. Thinking myself capable of everything as it was.

That was what it meant to be Satoru Gojo. Klarion had given me that clarity.

And if my hard work had led me to this point in terms of power, then my working hard to protect Megan's heart would likewise not be in vain.

I stood up, and Megan followed. I bent my neck to face her while she looked straight up, our faces mere inches from each other. My Six Eyes always let me see things clearly, no matter the distance, but it was still a rush to see her up close like this. Like a cryptid you had searched all your life for. Maybe it was the warmth of our proximity? The air coming out of her nose, dancing on my lips? Or the feel of her telepathic touch, which I now clung to like a lifeline, wishing it would never disappear? Why had I ever shunned it?

She broke into a grin. I'm a cryptid, now?

My cryptid.

She squeezed out a pair of tears, immediately making a liar out of me. They're happy tears, silly, she said. You haven't lied.

Yet, I couldn't help but think. It was impossible to be dishonest in the mind, though.

I'll forgive you, she said. Because I know you can do better. You always do.

I bowed my head further, and she pushed herself up to her toes to reach my lips, and we kissed.