Doctor Fate sent Green Arrow and Black Canary off to catch up, then circled Shane twice with considerable interest.
Finally, to Shane's surprise, he took off the Helmet of Fate and met his eyes.
His gaze lacked the lofty superiority of someone possessed by Nabu. Instead, a rich range of emotions flickered through it, including fleeting hostility and murderous intent.
But Shane was no longer the sort to hiss at everyone he encountered. Such a minor clash of wills would not instantly set him on edge.
In fact, during those twenty years in the Illusion Realm, Shane had swallowed plenty of undeserved grievances with meek obedience, all for a chance at early release so he could be with his family.
He knew it was all an illusion anyway, so he had treated it as a chance to relax his nerves after keeping them taut for so long.
Still, it had genuinely changed his outlook somewhat.
"I thought once you put that helmet on, you couldn't take it off."
Shane glanced at the golden helmet in the other man's hand and privately wondered about it.
He had no idea whether a Doctor Fate who could detach himself from God Nabu at any time was actually reliable.
"You're not Kent Nelson?"
Shane had asked for the name of the Doctor Fate from his own world. The man looked about Kent's age, with the same graying hair, but his words, mannerisms, and even subtle changes in expression made him seem like a young man through and through.
"Mr. Kent is... he was my predecessor in this world, so he was my teacher. I became Doctor Fate by inheriting all of his power."
The man raised an eyebrow playfully at Shane, without a trace of the solemnity Shane was familiar with.
"My name's Khalid.