Azarath, fifteen years ago…

A woman paced nervously in the dark and misty courtyard. Her hair and eyes were purple and shone even in the blackness. She wore a long black robe to blend into the night, though nobody was out at this hour. In her arms was a baby of about eight months.

"Arella." a voice came from the darkness. The shadows twisted themselves into a tall woman with flowing red robes and pale yellow eyes. Though her hair was white her face was ageless.

"Greetings Azar." Arella said, bowing. Azar nodded in return.

"Have you considered my suggestion seriously, keeping in mind what this will mean for her future?" Azar asked. Arella hesitated briefly before nodding. She cradled the baby close to her breast.

"I… I do believe it will be safest for Raven to go to earth until the prophecy is fulfilled."

Azar looked curiously at the child. "This is Raven?"

"Yes."

She looked over Raven carefully. "She will be facing far more than we can ever anticipate." Azar whispered after a moment. She took the baby from Arella and murmured softly to her. Raven fell asleep instantly.

"We must go soon. Her enemies will be looking for her."

Arella looked as if she would have liked to object. "What is her future Azar?" she asked instead. Azar sighed and glanced at the sleeping baby.

"Mortals rarely are allowed to glimpse the future. I will tell you though, for you will never see your daughter in person ever again."

Azar waved her free hand in the air. Mist from the ground curled toward her like white snakes and slowly rose into the air. After a couple of moments the fog was so thick that Arella could no longer see Azar on the other side.

"She will live in the Underground Temple for a short while."

An image appeared in the mist, showing a young girl with lilac hair roaming the stone halls of a distant building. She stared straight at Arella, who was struck to see that her eyes were violet as well.

"I will teach her dark magic. She will be facing the darkness and must understand how to master it before she can fight it."

The image flickered and changed into a slightly older Raven sitting with Azar, objects surrounded in black aura around them. Raven appeared to be concentrating fiercely as some of the objects cracked. Then the aura disappeared and Raven sat back, panting.

"After she can mostly control her powers she will become curious and bold enough to venture into the world. Though her darkness she now acquires will make them wary of her, she will gain many friends who will help her through the prophecy."

The last image was of a fully grown Raven standing next to four other people. Her skin was pale white and it was clear that the years without sunlight had taken its toll. She was still beautiful. She wasn't smiling exactly but her face was peaceful and relaxed. Even as Arella watched she playfully nudged the boy standing next to her, a taller youth with ebony black hair. He grinned and ruffled her hair. She rolled her eyes and said something that made him laugh.

Azar's hand sliced through the fog and scattered the picture. Arella blinked several times as if waking up from a dream.

"Dark magic… are you sure? I know how those who practice the dark arts are unable to feel emotions. Will she be like that?" she asked.

"She will never be able to allow herself to feel certain emotions like anger. Some will be able to, with time."

"Can you not teach her another magic? Her gem already marks her as an outsider. She'll have enough darkness because of the accursed thing. Can you not spare her from more?" Arella begged, pointing at the red diamond in the center of the baby's forehead. Azar shook her head sadly.

"To master the darkness she must first understand it." she repeated. Arella looked away, tears in her eyes.

"Will she… will Raven be able to feel love?" she managed to whisper.

"If her destiny unravels like we think she will, yes."

"And she won't remember me, or anything else about her home?"

Azar chuckled. "Dear child, do you truly believe I would do that? Of course she will remember. I will make sure of it."

Arella wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Go quickly now Azar. Before I change my mind."

Raven stirred in her sleep as if she knew her life was changing. Azar turned away from Arella and murmured mysterious words in an ancient language. A portal quickly opened up in the courtyard and showed a room made of granite on the other side. Arella turned away as Azar stepped through the portal. It closed up behind her and left Arella standing alone in the empty courtyard.