SHAZAM! The Word of Power #3
"NO! Foolish MORTALS!!"
He hobbles and the staff thunders between strides. The head of it is a jagged bolt of lightning. The haft all the way down is etched dozens of symbols from many cultures over eons, many of which died long ago. This staff is of a metal unfamiliar to humanity. It hums for eternity.
He's wrapped in ancient, ripped rags. His scraggly beard may have been trimmed with a dull, rusty knife.
He knocks his staff methodically and on his side he leaves statues in his wake. Each likeness more odd than the previous. Not all or even most are human. Drastically different creatures, but all frozen in a malicious position. They vary in clothing, limb number, size, texture, and oddness. They total seven in number. The Wizard doesn't pay them any attention.
His shambling approaches seven thrones atop a pyramid of steps. He passes a hall of pedestals. Each holds a different wonder. Gems glimmer and dusty engraved skulls sing the silent songs of magic. On one pedestal, locked under excessively thick glass is a tiny worm. It wiggles and as the Wizard passes it perks up.
"What's tickling your wrath today, Mamaragan?"
"Shut it, you insignificant speck!"
He storms to a crystal sphere floating by the stairs. As he climbs them it follows, "I've been a fool. I've begged the universe for a worthy champion. I've tested the strongest, the bravest, the wisest. By the Gods, what is expected of me?! I cannot conjure the perfect vessel! I cannot find any woman nor man without darkness! I've scoured it all! Those who pass the first test never finish the trials," The ball displays Billy Batson sneaking through a social worker's paperwork as she greets a kind man and his expansive family.
One page has a picture from long ago, with the name Marylin Batson and an address in Fawcett City slides through his view as his name sounds from the waiting area. A nonchalant elbow slides that drawer closed and a bright, warm, puffy, forced smile smacks into his face. He's trying to hide incoming tears behind red cheeks.
"Time to meet your new family," she gestures for him to leave the room.
The Wizard throws his orb into an explosion against the wall, "In my darkest moments the Gods offer me a dishonest CHILD!" the Rock of Eternity rumbles around him.
The worm at the end of the throne room pipes up, "You're lacking in luxuries, I’d say!"
His container flies to the Wizard and he bounces around it, "Worm. You speak more than you should. You cannot exceed the wisdom of Solomon. Your attempts are insulting the Old Gods as well as New. Have you no shame within you?"
"You've searched for centuries for the perfect vessel, but if you aim for a spark of good, maybe someone with a little rougher experience has more of a chance to complete the trials."
"An interesting perspective. How does this aid you?"
As much as a tiny worm can shrug, this one does, "Giving an honest opinion on my surroundings."
The container returns to its place, "It irritates me to say, the worm has a point. My power does not rival the dark king of Kahndaq. Worth a shot. Maybe perfection isn't what we need."
