Chapter 235: At Batman's Invitation, I Come This Night
Khonshu reacted as though hearing an enormous joke:
"Extraterrestrial beast? Hungry, weak, malleable... but it cannot bear moonlight."
His voice carried slight amusement, as though Batman had told something genuinely entertaining.
He chuckled several times, the enormous falcon skull swaying slightly. But when he observed Batman's expressionless scrutiny, Khonshu stopped laughing:
"This is thy true intention?"
Batman nodded slightly. He'd prepare protocols for Khonshu. But that didn't mean Batman would transform Khonshu into a adversary.
After all, judging from everything Khonshu had said since manifesting, the deity at least superficially stood on justice's side.
Batman didn't object to this world gaining another superhero.
Batman didn't want excessive dependency on Venom's provided superhuman strength and protean capabilities. He also couldn't permit Venom remaining within his body indefinitely.
Otherwise Batman foresaw that becoming accustomed to Venom's tremendous power would inevitably create dependency, triggering cascading catastrophic consequences.
If this opportunity could facilitate Venom's complete separation from Batman's body, combining with moonlight to become an independent entity, that would resolve the persistently troubling question of Venom's disposition.
Whether locating corpses or cloning unconscious vessels for Venom's hosting would trap Batman in moral-ethical dilemmas.
Allowing Venom possessing other living humans required Batman considering excessive human nature complications—after all, Venom amplified emotional states.
Even Daredevil—Batman hadn't considered him becoming Venom's host based on precisely this factor.
Moreover, Venom had long been recruited as Batman's sole Robin in this world, constantly calling Batman "Dad." This added significant difficulty to host selection.
If Venom could combine with moonlight and achieve independence—though becoming Khonshu's proxy—no better alternative solution existed.
"Intriguing idea. Like thee." Khonshu gripped his crescent staff, slowly approaching Batman. "But impossible."
"Nothing's impossible. Simply requires attempting." Batman similarly advanced gradually toward Moon God Khonshu. "I've encountered countless self-proclaimed gods. Also shattered innumerable 'impossibilities.'"
One deity, one mortal continuously approached each other until their distance measured under two meters.
Both ceased speaking, simultaneously observing each other.
For Batman, silence meant contemplating more detailed protocols. For Khonshu, he pondered Batman's proposal's feasibility.
"Demonstrate possibility."
After nearly one minute's silence, Moon God Khonshu regarded Batman, slightly extending one hand—gesturing for Batman to verify his concept.
"I cannot verify here." Batman studied Khonshu's hollow eye sockets. "Follow me."
---
The Batmobile possessed a passenger seat. But relative to the driver's position, somewhat small.
Batman had designed this space when constructing the Arkham Batmobile—a position reserved for Venom Robin.
But after Batman conducted numerous verifications confirming Venom absolutely couldn't operate independently separate from himself, the small passenger seat had become dispensable existence.
However, today the Batmobile's passenger seat contained a deity.
Moon God Khonshu reduced his physique to merely 1.5 meters height, sitting upright in the Batmobile's passenger position. His similarly shortened crescent staff rested against his chest, both hands embracing it for stability.
The Batmobile's interior atmosphere was silent and awkward.
They currently raced rapidly through New York's sewers. The pitch-black walls outside the windows provided Khonshu zero scenic appreciation.
"Whither dost thou journey?"
When exterior scenery transformed from sewers to underwater East River views, Khonshu finally couldn't restrain asking.
Batman glanced at Khonshu:
"Island."
Khonshu immediately understood. Having observed Batman extensively, he naturally knew two New York islands belonged to Batman:
"Hoffman Island?"
Hoffman Island's construction remained incomplete. North Brother Island possessed four scientists and extensive experimental equipment.
Their current destination was obviously North Brother Island. But Khonshu still didn't comprehend how Batman would demonstrate Venom combining with moonlight's possibility.
Batman ceased speaking, controlling the Batmobile's rapid underwater advance. Approaching North Brother Island, they erupted from water with audible splash, landing heavily on ground.
THUD!
The Batmobile landed steadily, rapidly transforming from underwater mode to standard configuration.
Landing-generated turbulence didn't disassemble Khonshu's skeleton. He remained seated steadily in the passenger position. After the vehicle stabilized, he immediately opened the door and climbed out.
Pale white moonlight converged on Khonshu, restoring his physique from under 1.5 meters to over two meters of gaunt height.
He regarded Batman, completely lacking awareness of entering another's territory. Extending one hand as though he owned this island, Khonshu issued invitation to Batman:
"Please."
Batman glanced at Khonshu again, still declining engagement, walking ahead independently.
BANG!
The laboratory door opened. Batman entered the spacious, brightly lit laboratory wordlessly.
All four scientists including Morbius simultaneously focused attention. Dr. Octavius greeted first:
"Bat—"
Octavius's voice caught in his throat. He observed the figure following Batman into the laboratory—gaunt, falcon-skulled, gripping a crescent staff.
"...New member?" Dr. Banner inquired tentatively.
He'd already removed his glasses, preparing casual conversation with Batman. After witnessing Moon God Khonshu exceeding two meters height, he replaced his glasses.
Professor Connors touched his empty right arm, studying Khonshu thoughtfully.
Morbius focused attention primarily on Khonshu's white suit.
None of the four scientists had specialized in Egyptian mythology. Despite Moon God Khonshu standing brazenly in the laboratory, they hadn't recognized him instantly like Batman.
They'd even categorized Khonshu as another unfortunate mutation victim.
"I am called Khonshu."
Moon God Khonshu spoke slowly, scanning the four scientists observing him curiously.
Honest, unassuming Dr. Banner nodded, preparing to advance and shake hands. Then he heard this bird-headed, gaunt figure continue:
"Khonshu is the moon, the moon is Khonshu. I am moonrise and moonset, tidal law itself, the inextinguishable measure within darkness."
"I measure time, guard journeys, witness judgment."
"At Batman's invitation, I come this night."
The four North Brother Island scientists exchanged bewildered glances.
***
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