[Shazam] Ch: 120 [Epilogue: A Happy Ending]

[Later That Day]

John and the women stood upon the observation deck of the tallest building in Kahndaq, more than two hundred floors above the capital.

A transparent magical barrier surrounded the open platform, keeping out the powerful wind without blocking the view. From there, nearly the entire city stretched beneath them beneath the warm afternoon sun.

John remained near the edge and stared silently.

The Kahndaq he remembered had already been changing before he entered Hell. New roads, magical factories, creature preserves, hospitals, schools, and protected districts for metas had transformed the struggling country into a developing power.

What stood before him now belonged to another age.

Silver towers rose between ancient sandstone buildings, their surfaces covered with glowing blue runes that regulated temperature, reinforced the structures, and drew clean energy from magical currents beneath the earth. Floating platforms moved between districts while enchanted vehicles traveled through the air along invisible pathways.

Massive gateways stood throughout the city, allowing citizens to travel between distant regions without spending hours on the road. Smaller portals connected residential areas with schools, hospitals, markets, and industrial centers.

John could see flying creatures moving beside patrol vehicles while golems repaired buildings under the supervision of human engineers. Solar panels covered rooftops, though each one had been improved with enchantments that allowed them to gather energy during the night.

Even the streets looked different.

Trees grew along every major road, protected by spells that kept the surrounding air clean. Water flowed through narrow canals built beside crowded walkways, cooling the city while feeding enchanted gardens filled with plants from Earth, Themyscira, and several magical dimensions.

'I can sense Ivy's power all over... She really overworked herself,' John slowly released a breath. “I leave for one year, and you lot build Wakanda with wizards.”

Harley leaned against the barrier beside him, wearing a proud grin. “Pretty freakin’ impressive, right? We’ve got magic trains, flying ambulances, talking statues, and bathrooms that clean themselves. Now anyone can eat as many chilli dogs they want with black coffee.”

Maureen smiled while pointing toward a group of tall buildings near the center of the city. “Those are the new academies. One teaches regular science and technology, while the other focuses on magic, magical engineering, and controlled meta abilities. Students can study in both schools if they pass the entrance tests.”

John noticed a group of kids using the Patronus charm.

Hippolyta stood beside John and watched the nation below with quiet satisfaction. “Enchantress guided our mages and helped us understand the foundations you left behind. I handled the government, international agreements, and expansion of the sanctuary programs. Harley spent most of her time interfering with security meetings.”

Harley placed one hand over her heart. “I improved security meetings by makin’ sure everyone stayed awake.”

“You detonated a smoke bomb beneath the defense minister’s chair,” Hippolyta replied as patience entered her expression.

“I was juggling five grenades and one kinda slipped out,” Harley said with a little grin. 

Maze looked across the city with open interest. “I expected your kingdom to have more torture chambers.”

John glanced toward her. “We have prisons, though you’re not being placed in charge of them.”

Maze gave him a wounded look. “You never let me have anything entertaining.”

John returned his attention to the city, and the humor slowly faded from his expression. Beneath them, thousands of people continued with their lives without knowing their king was watching from above. Children played near glowing fountains. Families walked through crowded markets. Humans, metas, magical creatures, and former villains lived beside one another without fear.

For six thousand years, John had carried the memory of this nation through Hell.

Now it stood before him, stronger than ever.

Hippolyta slipped her hand into his as she moved closer. “Kahndaq waited for its king.”

John looked at their joined hands, then toward Harley, Maureen, and Maze standing beside them.

A peaceful smile appeared on his face.

“The kingdom did fine without me,” John said. “I think it’s time I stopped trying to carry everything alone.”

Harley wrapped both arms around his waist and pressed herself against his side. “That sounds suspiciously healthy, Johnny. Hell must’ve seriously messed with your head.”

Maze watched them for several seconds before stepping behind John and wrapping her arms around everyone she could reach.

John looked across the shining city once again.

...

At noon, John entered Kahndaq’s central academy with Hippolyta, Harley, Maureen, and Maze following close behind him. Students crossed the entrance hall carrying spellbooks, tablets, enchanted tools, and pieces of machinery John couldn’t identify.

Several people noticed him within seconds. Whispers spread through the hallway as students slowed down and turned toward the king who had returned after a full year. John ignored the attention until two familiar figures approached from the far end of the corridor.

Rachel Roth reached him first. She looked calmer and far more comfortable inside her own skin. The dark pressure that once gathered around her had disappeared, and her power moved smoothly beneath the surface without Trigon’s influence clawing through it.

Rachel stopped in front of him and lowered her head. “I’m sorry for everything you had to endure because of me. I know you made the choice yourself, but you still spent thousands of years in Hell because I asked for help.”

John placed one hand on her shoulder before she could apologize again. “You didn’t cause that trouble, Rachel. Trigon did, and I made the deal because Earth was in danger. So, don't sweat it.”

Rachel lifted her eyes, though guilt still lingered in them. “Thank you, John. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay what you did for me.”

“You already have,” John replied while sensing the steady rhythm of her magic. “You survived, learned control, and built a life that belongs to you. That’s enough repayment for me.”

Koriand’r stepped beside Rachel with a warm smile. She wore the academy’s teaching robes over a Tamaranean uniform, and a stack of lesson plans rested beneath one arm.

John’s expression softened as he looked at her. “I heard about Tamaran and New Tamaran. I’m sorry you lost both homes.”

Kori’s smile weakened, though she kept her posture straight. "The Sun Eater’s war destroyed everything we tried to rebuild. The survivors scattered, and Earth became the only home I had left. Kahndaq welcomed me, so I chose to remain here and teach students about alien civilizations, energy control, and interplanetary history.”

John nodded slowly. “That's great.”

Before they could continue speaking, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. Kara and Miracle Molly rushed around a corner carrying documents, cables, metal components, and several glowing devices. Both women stopped when they saw John standing in the hallway.

Kara stared at him before adjusting the folders in her arms. “Welcome back to the land of the living. As much as I’d love to hear what happened down there, you’re getting the cold shoulder and cold looks from me for at least a week or two. After that, we’ll talk properly.”

John raised both hands in surrender. “That sounds completely fair.”

Miracle Molly shifted a humming device against her hip. “We’ve got a portal stabilizer trying to explode in Laboratory Seven, so this reunion needs to wait until nobody’s in danger.”

Kara started moving again and called over her shoulder, “Try staying on Earth until then.”

Both women hurried toward the exit before John could answer.

Harley watched them disappear and grinned. “Looks like the welcome-home tour comes with complaints.”

John looked around the academy at Rachel, Kori, his family, and the students gathering nearby. For the first time since returning, the future felt like something he could experience instead of something he needed to defend.

A quiet smile crossed his face. “I think I can live with that.”

By evening, John met with Ivy, Enchantress and the others. Everyone was doing great, and he was really happy.

...

..

[Six Months Later]

John stood before the full-length mirror in one of Kahndaq’s royal preparation rooms while afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows behind him.

His black suit had been tailored by Amazon craftsmen and enchanted by Kahndaq’s finest mages. Silver patterns ran along the edges of his jacket, shifting whenever the light touched them, while a small golden lightning symbol rested above his heart. He adjusted his collar for the fourth time before releasing a nervous breath.

After fighting gods, alien armies, demon lords, and Satan himself, John found it ridiculous that a wedding could make his hands feel unsteady.

“You’re going to tear that collar off if you keep touching it,” Static said from the nearby couch while examining John with an amused smile.

John lowered his hands and looked at himself again. “I’ve never married four women at the same time, so I think I’m allowed to feel nervous.”

Static stood and straightened John’s jacket with far more seriousness than John expected. “Dude, you survived six thousand years in Hell. You can survive Harley Quinn walking toward you in a wedding dress. Besides, you're one lucky guy. Marrying four women at the same time. But then again, you're a god." 

"Yep, I'm lucky," John said with a nod.

Elsewhere inside the palace, Harley stood before another mirror in a white dress with red and black stitching around the waist. Her hair fell across her shoulders in loose curls, while a small crown rested slightly crooked on her head because she had refused to let anyone position it properly.

Harley turned toward Maureen and grinned. “How much money do ya think everyone would pay if I pulled a grenade from my dress during the vows?”

Maureen adjusted the sleeves of her pale blue and white gown before giving Harley a worried look. Frost crystals decorated the fabric and sparkled around her waist like tiny stars. “Please don’t bring explosives into our wedding ceremony.”

Harley placed one hand over her heart with exaggerated offense. “I’m hurt that ya think I’d ruin our special day with an ordinary grenade.”

Hippolyta stepped between them wearing a flowing ivory gown inspired by ancient Amazon designs. Golden armor covered her shoulders, while a delicate crown rested on her head. “Harley, hand over every weapon you’re currently carrying.”

Harley stared at her for several seconds before reluctantly removing two pistols, four knives, three glitter grenades, a smoke bomb, and one object Maureen decided she didn’t want explained.

Maze watched from beside the window while wearing a deep red wedding dress that fitted her perfectly. Black embroidery curled across the fabric like living shadows, while a thin silver chain rested around her neck. She had refused a veil, though she had allowed Maureen to place several dark flowers through her hair.

“You missed the blade near her ankle,” Maze said while pointing toward Harley’s dress.

Harley glared at her. “Traitor.”

Maze gave her a pleased smile. “Amateur."

A soft knock came from the door before Rachel entered. Her expression warmed as she looked at the four women gathered together.

“The guests are seated, and John’s waiting at the altar,” Rachel said. “Kori says the musicians are ready whenever you are.”

The teasing faded as the meaning of the moment settled over them. Maureen reached for Hippolyta’s hand, while Maze slipped her fingers through Harley’s before either woman could pretend the gesture meant nothing.

Outside, the palace gardens stretched beneath a clear blue sky. Citizens, heroes, Amazons, metas, and friends from across Earth filled the seats surrounding the long aisle. John waited beneath an archway covered in white flowers and glowing golden runes.

The music began softly.

Every guest turned toward the palace doors as they opened, and John forgot how to breathe when Harley, Maureen, Hippolyta, and Maze began walking down the aisle together.

Harley smiled at him through shining eyes. Maureen looked overwhelmed by the crowd, yet she kept moving with quiet courage. Hippolyta carried herself with the dignity of a queen, while Maze stared directly at John as if everyone else had vanished.

The officiant began the ceremony as the garden became silent. He spoke about loyalty, family, sacrifice, and the kingdom that had gathered to witness its rulers join their lives together.

When the vows began, Harley stepped forward first.

“I ain’t good at the fancy speech stuff,” she admitted while glancing toward the crowd. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes, blown up plenty of buildings, and probably caused enough property damage to fund three small countries. Then ya gave me a home and loved me when I didn’t know how to love myself.”

Her teasing smile weakened as tears gathered in her eyes.

“I promise I’ll stand beside ya through every fight, every stupid decision, and every peaceful day we somehow manage to survive. I also promise I’ll only use explosives during family arguments when absolutely necessary.”

Laughter moved through the guests while John kissed her knuckles.

Maureen stepped closer next, holding his hand between both of hers.

“You found me when I thought nobody would ever want me,” she said. “You gave me food, work, shelter, and a family before I believed I deserved any of those things. I promise to share your burdens, remind you to rest, and help you remember that you don’t have to save everyone alone.”

John touched his forehead gently against hers before Hippolyta took his hand.

“You entered my life through politics,” Hippolyta said, “yet you became my husband through trust, respect, and love. I promise to stay beside you forever, challenge you when fear begins guiding your choices, and protect the family and kingdom we have built together.”

John bowed his head and pressed a kiss against her fingers.

Maze approached last.

For once, she carried no smirk and offered no threat to hide behind.

“I spent most of my existence believing demons couldn’t love,” Maze said as her gaze remained locked with his. “Then you looked at me and saw a woman instead of a weapon. You gave me patience, peace, a soul, and six thousand years of memories I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Her voice grew quieter as she held his hands.

“I promise I’ll stay beside you for however long we choose to live. I’ll fight with you, argue with you, protect you, and remind you that being loved doesn’t make you weak.”

John drew a slow breath before looking at all four women.

“I spent most of my life believing strength meant carrying everything by myself,” he said. “You taught me that strength can also mean trusting someone enough to share the weight. I promise I’ll never shut you out to protect you from my choices again. I’ll listen, stay, and build a life with all of you instead of constantly preparing to lose it.”

The officiant smiled as golden light gathered around the archway.

“Then before Kahndaq, your families, and everyone gathered here, I recognize this union.”

Harley grabbed John’s collar before the officiant could say anything else and kissed him.

Maureen laughed through her tears as Hippolyta leaned in next. Then Maureen and finally Maze caught John by the jaw and claimed her own kiss afterward, drawing cheers from the Amazons, heroes, students, former villains, and citizens filling the garden.

Golden lightning burst harmlessly across the sky.

Fireworks followed from the palace walls, though John suspected Harley had arranged several without permission. Music filled the gardens as tables appeared beneath glowing trees, covered with food from Kahndaq, Themyscira, Tamaran, and regular Earth food.

John stood among the women he loved while laughter, music, and celebration surrounded them.

For the first time in longer than he could measure, he wasn’t thinking about Hell, another enemy, or the power he might need tomorrow.

He pulled Harley, Maureen, Hippolyta, and Maze closer as Kahndaq celebrated beneath the golden sky.

John had returned home.

This time, he intended to stay.

...

[Among the guests...]

Lucifer stood there in disguise, smiling as he saw Maze happy. He looked at the sky as if saying something to God before disappearing.

...

[A few weeks later...]

John stood before a small apartment. His eyes were on the nameplate: Luna Williams. 

With him being a new God and having enough power to keep Earth safe, John decided it was time to face his past and help Luna remember the past. Then, bring her home and give her a free Kahndaq that she had always dreamt of.

He took a deep breath before walking up to the door. "Okay. Hope she doesn't punch me for taking so long." He pressed the doorbell.