Author's Note: Hello, ladies and gentlemen!

I have to be honest, I had the most difficult time with this chapter. Raven's origin is, by far, the trickiest to write. But, I hope I managed to do somewhat good with her. If you guys have any advice on how to improve it, please feel free to explain :)

I hope you all enjoy it!

Your friend, Cody.


Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...

These were the words spoken to remain in control.

Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...

To find your center.

Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...

To insure inner peace.

Candles were lit inside the monastery, nothing but the sound of chanting echoing throughout. They were all were lit in a circle. The words chanted came from the two people sitting in the circle. One of them was a young girl, cloaked in white, her hood covering most of her face aside from her purple eyes and mouth. She was floating in mid-air, legs crossed together, and had been chanting the mantra for what seemed like ages. She was beginning to grow tiresome. Then again, she was 10 years-old, and had been doing this since she was born.

And she hated it.

But of course, she couldn't show it. Or feel it, for that matter. Ever since she was born, she was always taught to never show, nor have, emotions. The monks were very strict about that. Especially with her. She would always ask why, and they would tell her, "It is our way."

Yeah, right.

She suspected there was something they weren't telling her, and she needed to find out what. She would go to the library everyday, hoping to find something that would tell her what she was missing. She looked in every book, every scroll, every piece of parchment she could find, but there was nothing. Nothing but useless texts.

Great.

The monks couldn't tell her anything. The books didn't tell her anything. And there was no way she could go to her mother for answers.

So for now, all she could do, was meditate.

"Something troubles you, my child?" a voice interrupted her. She had been lost in her own thoughts for so long, she didn't even realize they had finished the mantra.

The white cloaked woman across from her sat in mid-air, cross-legged. Her face was lowered, so nothing could be seen behind the hood. All monks wore their hoods over their eyes. No monk was supposed to show emotion.

"Nothing." said the girl.

"Now, why don't I believe you?" the woman asked.

She inwardly sighed. Stupid telepathic powers, she thought.

"I heard that."

Damn it.

"Heard that, too."

She sighed.

"Raven, tell me what troubles you."

The girl known as Raven let down her hood, revealing her pale complexion and red gemstone on her forehead. Both her eyes, which showed no emotion, and shoulder-length hair, were the same shade of dark purple.

"I've been meditating every day ever since I was born. All I've learned from the monks is how to meditate, and for what? No-one will tell me."

The woman could feel the irritation in the young girl. Truth by told, she never liked how the monks kept everything secret, either. And she was their leader! But for some reason, the monks thought it would be best to keep Raven in the dark, so to speak. She was tasked in teaching Raven how to control herself, how to use her powers, and most importantly...

She figured it was time to learn the truth.

"Raven..." she let down her hood. She was an elderly woman, with eyes the same color as Raven. Her hair, traveling past her shoulders, was white as her cloak, with a black and purple gemstone, centered right on her forehead.

"You are a special child. You were born of a human mother, something very rare in Azarath. I know the monks ways trouble you, but you must understand..."

She was ready to explain to Raven what she needed to hear, but before she could continue, the doors to the monastery opened, giving light to the darkness as the wind blew the candles out. Standing in the doorway, were just the people neither Raven, nor the woman, wanted to see.

The monks. White cloaked and all. Great.

They entered the monastery in unison, there were about five of them. They all wore their hoods up, of course.

"Mistress Azar," the first monk said as they bowed on one knee, "There is news for you."

"Can it wait?" asked the woman known as Azar.

"It is very urgent."

Azar had no intention of speaking with the monks, but whatever urgency they presented, she figured it was best to do so.

"Excuse me, Raven." she said, picking herself up to her feet. "Please continue to meditate while I'm gone."

Raven sighed. Great.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos... Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos..." as Raven continued with her mantra, she heard the doors close behind her.

"What is it you wish to speak with me about?" Azar asked once the minute the doors closed.

"Not them." another voice spoke behind the monks. The monks separated, introducing a woman, wearing the same white cloak, carrying a single dove in her hand, gently petting it. She had the same purple eyes and hair as Raven, though her hair fell past her shoulders, and a purple gemstone on her forehead. Azar recognized the woman.

"Arella."

"Hello, Mistress Azar. I come with dire news." Arella spoke with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"What dire news?" Azar wondered.

Arella bowed her head, hesitant to say anything. She was afraid of what would happen, and she prayed Azar couldn't read her emotions. After all, she was human. The only human in Azarath.

"Arella, tell me." Azar insisted.

After a moment, Arella finally spoke.

"It's Trigon. We think he has returned."

Azar's heart sunk. "Trigon? How can this be? We banished him to another dimension!"

"Trigon is powerful, Mistress." said one of the monks. "He is capable of many things. Can you not feel his presence?"

Azar still couldn't wrap her head around this. How can this be, she thought. He was supposed to stay locked away forever. What about...

"What about Raven?" she asked.

"I will take care of her." said Arella.

Azar gave her a questioning look, "You?" she asked incredulously. "Why should you take care of her?"

That was a question Arella asked herself. Why should she take care of Raven? She was never there when Raven was born, would she even accept her? That was something Arella always feared. Because she was not only Raven's protector...

"Because I am her mother."

That didn't seem to convince the spiritual leader.

"And where were you the first ten years of her life?"

"I left her in your care because I knew you would keep her safe!" Arella tried not to shout as loud as she did.

"And we did." Azar replied, more coolly than Arella. "But the fact remains, you were not there for her."

Arella went to speak, but found herself unable to. As much as she hated to admit it, Azar was right. She was never there for her daughter. When she was born, they feared Trigon's wrath upon the world. So, the monks decided to take Raven in their care, teaching her in their ways. Not a moment went by where Arella didn't wish things were different. How she longed to hold her daughter in her arms. Teach her the ways of Azarath. But the fact remains, she never did.

"Arella," a comforting hand rested on her shoulder from Azar, "When we found you on Earth, you were determined to destroy yourself, because of what Trigon did to you. He tricked you, changing himself into the man you always dreamed of, and took away your innocence. And after you learned he gave you Raven, you planned to end it all. But we found you, gave you a new life here on Azarath, and you birthed the young lady you gave to us in our care."

"But it wasn't enough." Arella said, solemnly.

"Do not worry, Arella." said Azar. "The monks and I will do everything we can to stop Trigon. In the meantime..." she knew it was going to be difficult, for both of them, but was necessary, "You will take care of Raven."

A smile graced Arella's lips, and she bowed, "Thank you, Mistress Azar."

Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...

Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...

Raven had been sitting there for chanting for so long, she forgot about everything else, until she heard the doors open. The gust of wind blew out the candles again, and now the only light visible, was the one from the monastery entrance, and even that was scarce because of the seven cloaked monks standing there. Each of them walked in, one-by-one. First Azar, followed by Monk 1, Monk 2, Monk 3, Monk 4, and Monk 5. She never really had time to learn their names. That, and they suggested she call them "Ser." But she figured it was easier to go by numbers.

Finally, the last one entered the monastery. She was someone Raven didn't recognized, yet there was something strangely familiar about her. She couldn't quite place it, though.

The strange woman walked over to her with a smile. A strange smile, though. Something Raven had never quite seen. It was rather... what was it? Happy? Elated? Warm? She had no clue. But this woman was definitely strange.

"Hello, Raven." she said. At first, Raven hesitated. She had no idea who this person was. What was she supposed to say?

"Hi?"

"My name is Arella. I'm here to take care of you now."

Wait, what? Take care? What does that mean?

"What?" Raven asked, incredulously.

"Arella is taking you home, child." said Azar, walking to Raven's side.

Raven looked at Azar with confusion and worry, "But why? What about my meditation?"

"I thought you hated meditation?"

Raven looked down, ashamed, "I... did. But it's the only thing I know. What am I supposed to do now?"

Azar knelt down to Raven's height. She has gotten so big, she thought. "Raven..." it's now,or never. "I trained you to meditate everyday, because Trigon... has escaped."

"Who is Trigon?" Raven asked.

Arella sadly answered, "He is... your father."

"What?" Raven was in disbelief.

"A demon bent on destroying the world. When you were born, his evil was felt all through Azarath. It was then, Azar took you in, and taught you to control your emotions. The monks never spoke to you about your origins because you were not ready. But now that Trigon's influence is felt, we felt it was time to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Raven wondered.

Azar answered, "You are the one who will bring Trigon upon the world. You are the portal, Raven. Only through you, can Trigon enter our universe."

A million thoughts were running through Raven's mind. How can a demon be her father? How can she be the portal to unleash him?

"I realize this is a lot to take in, Raven." Azar noted. "But fear not. For Arella shall make sure no harm comes to you."

Raven looked to Arella again. She had no clue of what to do. She barely knew this woman. She was a complete stranger, as far as she was concerned. But again, something about was... familiar. Like, she knew her somehow. She carefully took a step towards Arella, then another, until she was finally standing before her.

There it was again. That smile.

"Come, Raven. Let's go home." Arella held out her hand, which Raven was hesitant to take at first. She did, and made her way out of the monastery for the first time. Azar watched the two of them leave, and couldn't help but feel a hint of sadness in her. She had grown to actually care for the young girl, knowing what she would become. But now, her time was over. And Arella's time with her daughter, was now.

"Be safe, my child."