"So, your plan is to take the abyss below the high tower?" Strange looked at Charles and said, "Are you aware of what you're saying?"
Charles calmly explained, "It's not impossible. Now the abyss is empty, it's actually very quiet. Even if we go down, we won't be hunted, Yemengade can testify to that."
"Also, Shiller has experience in opening channels to the Kingdom of Dreams. In fact, the channel deep in his subconscious mind was created by him, Jack can testify to that as well. Although the channel is now sealed, we can surely open a new one, right?"
The Batmen exchanged glances, and the Primary Universe Batman spoke up, "But Shiller is injured after all, and he is still recovering. Is this really feasible for him?"
"He's recovering in the tower, not in the abyss. The activity down there won't affect him."
"What I mean is, if we're going to work down there, there'll be lots of people coming and going; it won't be very quiet. That might not be conducive to the patient's recovery."
"It's just not conducive for regular patients, but Shiller is obviously not a regular person," Charles shrugged, "Without some commotion, he actually gets quite restless. That's why I'm proposing this plan."
Primary Universe Batman opened his mouth. Suddenly, he recalled that Shiller had a peculiar trait—when he's not doing well, he actually performs better; the more serious his injuries, the more excited he gets.
Now, the tower has been cracked, his injuries should not be light, and it's precisely his time to be excited. Even Charles might not be able to keep him quietly in his room to recover. Without something to occupy him, he'll surely create some trouble for the Multiverse.
People like Arrogant and Agent might be fine, but Greed is probably already drafting a grand plan. As for Morbid... in this scenario, if he can keep them all inside the tower, anyone who manages that would be called undefeatable.
The Batmen exchanged a few glances, seemingly discussing but really just out of options. Primary Universe Batman said, "Alright, let Jack have a try. Let's hope for some good news."
Strange's first reaction to this plan was to oppose it, but he quickly felt Erik's death stare. After observing Shiller for just a bit, Charles visibly seemed a bit tired. Without something to divert attention, even a Super Mind Power User wouldn't hold out.
The task of opening the channel isn't Strange's concern, so he decided to visit Shiller to confirm that he truly won't be influenced. Upon entering the tower, on the second-floor atrium, Shiller was surrounded by a neat ring, all staring straight down. The scene was intimidating; even Batman wouldn't dare stay long.
"Uh, are you guys okay?" Strange asked.
"I think we're fine," Greed replied, "Charles is overly worried. In fact, we've completely recovered."
Strange couldn't help but look up; the crack in the tower was still there, showing no signs of disappearing. He pointed there and said, "What about that? Aren't you going to fix it?"
"Charles patched it for us, we'll make do for now," Greed continued, "Clearly resolving the Multiverse Crisis is more important. You talk to Charles; let us go down. That Black Lamp Power won't cause much trouble."
"Indeed, compared to the tsunami you caused, Black Lamp Power really isn't much," Strange said, "Looking at me won't help. As you said, I'm a surgeon, I don't have prescriptive powers."
After saying this, he went downstairs. Greed sighed deeply, "Honestly, at crucial moments, can't count on a single one."
Thus, they could only watch excitedly from upstairs. Thankfully, it was indeed lively. First Jack came over, went down to inspect the possibilities of opening another channel; then Batman discussing plans; Justice League went down for construction. Going back and forth many times, at least made Shiller less bored.
Upon work time, the addition of the off-duty Alliance made it even more entertaining. As they were still lambasting Bruce, who was playing on the East Coast, fiercely debating against many, holding his own without faltering, even pulling Batman into the verbal fray. Shillers watched countless concerts of this scene from the second floor.
After this chaotic bustle, the channel was finally opened. But that was only the beginning, as sending separate teams into different dream realms to resolve the Black Lamp Power was a large-scale raid rebirth in profane public punishment.
It's not that they didn't want to return to the real world to argue, it's just they couldn't hold out till then. Basically, as soon as they surfaced and returned to the tower, they start berating their teammates.
Honestly, if they assembled in the Justice League way or the same-unit way, it wouldn't be like this. But it's simply unfeasible. Because they need to find a way to awaken the Sleep Demon, the process requires Charles, Charles is bound with Erik, Erik's temper isn't very good; waking them needs a mage, Strange obviously isn't very accommodating.
These two are evidently also quite stubborn, and both were former team leaders, clearly not used to being team members. Plus, Batman's numbers aren't enough to place them in every squad to mediate relations, leading to initial team disaster cooperation.
"How many times have I said it, mages don't act independently from the team!" Main Universe Superman raised his voice, "I know you're strong, I know you're eager to check out the dream core. But surrounded by zombies, can you wait until I clear the monsters before you move forward?!"
"Then why don't you reflect on why you're clearing them so slowly?" Strange snapped back, "The power leaking from the dream core is transient. If we miss the chance, our trip to that dream realm is wasted. Do you think I have time to waste with you?"
Elsewhere, Wonder Woman was persuading persistently, "Mr. Lanshill, and you, Miss Lensherr... okay, you're not Lensherr, then Miss Polaris. When you two act, can't you check your teammates? Your magnetic storm swept teammates to the Central Atlantic!"
Meanwhile, Batman also emphasized, "Immediately retreat after completing the task, do not linger. Fighting zombies under control yields no benefits. We need to conserve strength..."
Shiller, though not witnessing their operation directly, could more or less deduce their plan. It was to infiltrate the dream realm to search and rescue. They dive into each dream as a squad, searching for the dream core, then let the mage interact with it to gather information and locate the Sleep Demon.
But like any search and rescue game, not finding, not defeating, and not retreating remain constant issues. Actually, the first two points are fine, with Charles and the mage around, there are usually no problems with searching or defeating. However, most of the time, there's the issue of untimely retreat, consuming too much strength.
After this round of searching, everyone was thoroughly exhausted and unsure if they could start another. The Batmen didn't even have time to return to the real world for a break, and stayed at the High Tower to discuss strategies.
"Hey, listen," came Shiller's voice from upstairs, "I think your method is not very reliable."
Batman looked up. The number of Shillers upstairs seemed to have decreased, likely off to repair the tower, but there were still many spectators. Just because many were on higher floors, the speech wasn't very clear, so it was still relatively quiet.
"Your way of finding people is completely wrong." Greed shouted almost at the top of his lungs, "I have a suggestion, would you like to hear it?"
Primary Universe Batman looked at him, silently assessing whether he was genuinely offering a suggestion or just trying to cause a big scene.
"Lucifer and Morpheus don't get along," Greed said, leaning against the railing, "specifically, they've fought before. Lucifer should know where Morpheus is."
Batman then remembered that Shiller might not know that the Origin Wall had a hole, and Lucifer and Anatoli stayed there to patch it up.
"Lucifer is unavailable," Primary Universe Batman said, "even if he were available, he might not help us."
"Constantine has been intimate with Morpheus. He might also have a way to contact Morpheus," Greed said.
"Constantine is undergoing treatment," Primary Universe Batman stated, "involving a mentally ill person in work during their treatment period is unethical."
Greed understood the implication but still said, "I've also interacted with Morpheus..."
"No," Batman outright rejected, not even intending to listen any further. Greed could only say, "Alright, Frenes Snake."
Some among the group, including two Wonder Women, instantly looked up.
Apparently, both had been afflicted by the Curse of the Pharaoh, with its resolution still uncertain. Judging by their expressions, the curse was still in effect.
"Go find Dr. Hall," Greed said, "he'll tell you the story in the sand."
Primary Universe Batman slightly furrowed his brow; though Greed was prone to stirring up trouble, he wasn't one to shoot aimlessly. How does the Sleep Demon tie into these things? The basis might also derive from Shiller's seemingly prophetic abilities.
Primary Universe Batman decided to trust Shiller, since the Kingdom of Dreams is simply too vast, and their current method of searching seemed endless.
It's not that they don't want a more efficient method; the Sleep Demon is just too mysterious. Moreover, from the timeline perspective, it might have retired over a decade ago, with no contact with anyone, including Lucifer and Constantine. Whether these two can reach him remains unknown.
"How will Dr. Hall be connected to this?" Main Universe Wonder Woman furrowed her brow, "Aren't the Halls academics who study Ancient Egyptian history and culture?"
"Are you referring to the manager of the Midway City Museum?" Primary Universe Batman inquired.
Main Universe Wonder Woman nodded. But Primary Universe Batman appeared to have a knowing look, saying, "Hawkman and Eagle Woman are People of Ancient Egypt. They are indeed outstanding researchers."
Main Universe Wonder Woman seemed greatly surprised, but quickly searched her memory for evidence. "No wonder when Dr. Hall talks about Ancient Egyptian artifacts, it sounds like he's discussing his home furniture..."
"But what's the connection with Ancient Egypt?
"That's something to ask them."
Primary Universe Batman quickly found the Halls, as they were at the base of the Cosmic Justice League. Upon hearing Batman's purpose, Dr. Hall was somewhat baffled.
To be honest, he created Frenes Snake. Wouldn't he know if there were any hints regarding the Sleep Demon on it?
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