Guided by Nabu, Diana arrived at a place she had only heard of in legend.
The Rock of Eternity.
Before them stood a worn stone throne, surrounded by deep canyon walls and ancient caverns. The air carried a weight that made even seasoned warriors pause.
Hawkman studied the surroundings and spoke quietly.
"This was the earliest court in human history, a court of magic. The Council of Eternity once judged countless gods here. Over time, as the magical world changed, it was abandoned."
He turned slightly toward Hawkgirl.
"Sandra, if I remember correctly, the last one judged here was Pandora, right?"
"Exactly, Pandora."
A voice answered from the shadows.
A figure stepped out from behind the broken throne, draped in a heavy cloak. His frail frame and slow movements made him look like a man at the edge of death.
He shook his head.
"That was one of the few mistakes in my life. The last wrong decision I ever made."
As his voice faded, the wizard approached them.
Shazam.
The group immediately lowered their heads in respect. Even without considering power, his age alone placed him far above them.
Shazam glanced at them and sighed.
"I already know why you have come. I am not interested."
Hawkman frowned.
"We haven't even said anything yet."
"You haven't," Shazam replied, "but I have already seen it. I also witnessed the death of Nabu's child."
His gaze dimmed slightly.
"Pandora taught me something. Even when you believe you understand everything, there is still the path of waiting that you have yet to learn."
He waved his hand, signaling them to leave, then slowly turned and sat upon the crumbling throne.
Hawkman stepped forward, unwilling to accept it.
"Senior Shazam, Axel is a threat to the human world. His existence will only lead to disaster. Kent died because of him. Doesn't someone like that deserve judgment?"
Shazam's voice turned cold.
"I did not judge Hitler. They may be disasters, but they are also humanity itself."
Hawkman's expression hardened.
"Some people lose the right to be called human."
"Not yet, Carter."
Shazam cut him off.
"We have all walked through history. You, Sandra, and Diana. But humanity's conflicts must be resolved by humanity. Every ruler rises through bloodshed and schemes."
His eyes moved across them.
"You call Axel a disaster. I do not. I see death, and I see rebirth. That is not yet a catastrophe."
His tone grew heavier.
"A true disaster is something that will wipe out humanity, like the Seventy-Two Demon Gods. Or something that corrupts all of humanity, like the Seven Deadly Sins. Even gods who believe they can control humanity fall into that category."
He paused.
"But Axel is still human. And his evil does not exceed that of many mortals who hold power without restraint."
The old wizard slowly raised his head, as if looking beyond the stone ceiling into the stars.
"Pandora was the last case we judged. She opened the box and brought calamity into the world, so we cursed her, never to know love again."
His voice softened.
"But when I looked back, I realized something. She was only a curious child. Desire is not a sin. Power is not evil."
He looked at them again.
"Your enemy possesses power that even the divine would fear. Even I find him troublesome. But I will not act yet."
His tone sharpened.
"If he begins slaughtering like a demon god, if he toys with humanity without restraint, then I will come to him without needing your request."
He paused briefly.
"But right now, he still lives as a human. He seeks human emotions. Not sorrow, not anger, but pleasure."
Shazam closed his eyes for a moment.
"That makes this a human conflict."
He continued calmly.
"Kent once came to me, asking for help against the German Empire. I refused. There is no absolute justice between winners and losers, only different beliefs."
He leaned back against the throne.
"I am old. I wait for my successor. Do not disturb me again."
Then his voice turned final.
"If Axel ever tries to destroy this world or enslave humanity, I will arrive before you do."
With a flick of his hand, everything changed.
In an instant, the group was expelled from the Rock of Eternity and returned to the shores of Themyscira.
Hawkman staggered slightly before planting his foot into the sand in frustration.
"I can't believe it. That stubborn old man actually said Axel isn't humanity's problem. Are we supposed to wait until he becomes unstoppable?"
His voice rose.
"Kent is dead. More will follow if we do nothing."
"Enough, Carter."
Diana's voice cut through his anger.
She shook her head.
"I understand what he meant."
She looked toward the horizon.
"If we had not provoked Axel, if Kent and Zatanna and I had not confronted him directly, he might not even be acting the way he is now."
Her tone remained steady.
"Right now, he is only causing chaos in Gotham. Yes, he has killed many, but most of them are powerful figures within that city."
She glanced back at them.
"From that perspective, Shazam is not wrong. This is still a matter of conflicting ideologies."
Diana's expression hardened slightly.
"That does not mean I've given up. I am still searching for his weakness. That is the only way we can honor Kent."
She stepped closer.
"We are not strong enough to face him yet. I will not watch all of you die for nothing. Stay here and help me search for answers."
Her gaze shifted briefly to Inza.
"If we find something, we act. If we don't, then provoking him will only make things worse."
Her voice softened, but carried weight.
"But if you choose to face him for revenge, I will stand with you. Even if we lose."
She exhaled slowly.
"We may not have absolute right or wrong on our side, but we still have our own reasons to fight. That is what Shazam reminded us."