Later, at Dr. Rogere's office....

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The office is crowded with NYPD personnel, frantic patients, a hysterical receptionist, and building security.

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[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

That being under control, Fate turns his attention again to the altar. His first step is to seal it off in a mystic field, lest it be damaged or harm someone. Then, he opens his senses to the mystic device, to ascertain its purpose.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Many beautiful works of art have been destroyed before this altar. Blood sacrifice has also been made: insects, small animals, the occasional child.

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"The evil is corrosive. I can feel it in my blood."

He looks past his repulsion, deeper into the altar.

"Tell me, thing of evil. What purpose did you serve?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Images fill Dr. Fate's mind:

Mar'i Grayson, shoved into the cabinet, unconscious.

China vases shattered, the doctor's blood mingling with the shards.

Other sacrifices, the moments swirling wildly in Dr. Fate's mind, all the pain and terror, all the destruction and damage centering on an amorphous, shifting force, malevolent, rejoicing in the death and chaos caused in his name.

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"Crouteux."

He says the name simply, almost casually, but there's an aura of menace around Fate now, as though he were about to lash out in anger.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

A faint stirring in the air, as if some great slumbering beast had moved in its drowsiness.

[doctorfatejsa.livejournal.com]

"I can feel you out there, beast," thinks Fate, although he makes no sound. He is aware now he is staring into the abyss, and that the abyss is staring into him.

This thing, this is what endangers his child, what threatens to tear through universes to accomplish its goals.

He knows he can't fight it here, not yet. But soon.

He closes the link.