HOLY CRAP my arms are hurting from typing so much.
Yay carpo-tunnel I guess.
So Here is chapter 4 and as promised the story is going to get much more intence very quickly. A lot is going to be happening in the next little bit.
I apologize once again for any grammatical errors I may have missed, self editing leans itself to mistakes.
Will get chapter 5 up as soon as I can
Cheers!
Please review ^_^
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The Thin Grey Line
Chapter 4: The Mask of Evil
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Sir Marcus walked through the halls of the White Palace towards the High Judges chambers his manservant in tow. Ever since Thaylor's assassination by a guard who had supposedly gone missing Marcus had been silently investigating the going ons of that night. He had discovered that the guards were indeed missing a person who had not been accounted for – but investigation into the man's identity revealed him to be a family man who lived and worked in the castle with his spouse. The man was also somewhat known to the persons of the palace as a good honest person, which left Marcus to wonder why someone like that would turn around and commit that kind of a crime. People didn't just jump into murder like that it was something that was escalated into – and he intended to find out what exactly was going on.
On reaching judge Thadius's chambers Marcus pounded on the door wit his fist three times and waited. A moment or two later there was the sound of the lock on the other side being drawn and the door swung open. Thadius looked Marcus over a moment and bade him come in, closing the door as the knight came into his chambers.
The judge looked as though he had not slept well in the last few days and did his best to ignore the sleep in his eyes as he slicked his silvery hair back making himself more presentable.
"What is it I can help you with Sir Marcus." Thadius said as he sat back down at his desk.
"High Judge." Marcus bowed, "I have been investigating Thaylor's death and, determined that there is something amiss."
"What do you mean?" Thadius said, raising an eyebrow.
"I have my own doubts as to weather the person who is accused of the crime actually committed it." Marcus said.
"Are you challenging my judgment?" Thadius pushed Marcus's will.
"No your highness, I am merely expressing my concerns that the crime may have been the work of a de-"
"Don't say it." Thadius interrupted, "If the murder was the work of a demon by now the creature is long gone from this land."
"But should we not pursue it then? Shall we just leave it to kill again?!" Marcus stood up.
The Judge stared Marcus down and stood up slowly as well, Marcus was an average size man which meant the judge was taller and broader than him. The robes he wore as a high judge only added to the intimidating effect.
"I applaud your zeal Sir Marcus but you forget your place." Thadius began, "There is only one demon I have ever encountered in my time as a knight that had the power to come into the White Palace unnoticed. A demon which I thought I had slain many years ago – I know the power this creature possesses and going after him would not be a wise idea at all Marcus."
"So you would allow a Demon to wander the lands of Calimstar?" Marcus challenged.
"Do not Test me knight!" Thadius shouted, "I have seen far more battles in my day than ye. Now leave my sight and do not speak of this again!"
Marcus glared at the high judge and stormed out of his chambers to the hall where his manservant was waiting.
"Come, We have work to accomplish." Marcus said and headed back to his chambers.
Marcus had only been a knight a year longer than Thaylor had before he was killed. His blonde hair was kept long, pulled back into a pony tail and his blue eyes reflected the anger from his short argument with the high judge. Rigorous training had kept his body muscular and thin like any warrior might have.
"What would you ask of me sir?" His manservant said as Marcus came to a stop in front of the Palace library.
"I need thee to research and find books that have information on Demons who can hide their true identity from the Knights." Marcus said, "Be swift in your research, I would rather no one know what we are looking for."
The servant bowed and hurried into the library as the knight headed for his own chambers, regardless of what the High Judge had ordered Marcus was going to investigate and go after the Demon responsible for this. Doing nothing was against the oath he had taken as a knight. He thought for a moment as he walked that maybe he was getting in too deep – after all if the demon was powerful enough to scare the High Judge what chance did a Knight of three years stand against him? Then again the High Judge had not been in actual combat in many decades by now making his skills rusty and lethargic. Marcus would not condemn him for feeling the fear but he would for using the fear as an excuse for cowardice.
On reaching his quarters however Marcus immediately noticed something was different, the window on the far side of the stone room was swing wide open. Closing the door and locking it Marcus walked over to the open window and shut the pane – latching the bar to lock the window closed. Perhaps he had left the window bolt unlocked when the wind picked up.
"Helloz!" a Voice said from behind and Marcus whipped around brandishing a short sword which he pointed at the intruder.
"Eek! Please do not hurt Gerlkkin, mostly harmless I am!" The goblin screeched.
"Why did you break into my room?" Marcus demanded while keeping his sword trained on the little goblin's head.
"Open the window was." Grelkkin said, "The guards at the gate denied me entry but need A Knights help I do yes yes!"
"And this help you need warrants breaking into a White Knights quarters goblin?" Marcus asked.
"Yes yes!" Grelkkin waved his hands in the air, "Please do not kill me."
"Speak and then I shall decide." Marcus said as he lowered his sword but did not sheathe it.
"Bring news I do yes yes!" Grelkkin said, "Dire news indeed, a demon is in the land yes yes! Veeeery strong demon. Demon made Grelkkin do his bidding or tribe would be destroyed!" The goblin lamented, "Bring travelers to this world the demon wanted and I did, Travellers now seek the one that is your brother in arms yes yes, seek the Knight Darius they do."
"Slow thy speech." Marcus commanded, "You brought people here from another plane?"
"Yes yes! Stole half of the soul of one the Knight Darius did! They seek the knight before he reaches the Temple of Judges." Grelkkin said then added, "Not know more than that I do."
"This demon, what did he look like?" Marcus said as he finally sheathed his sword.
"Like human he did. Could only tell he was demon by his aura yes yes." Grelkkin nodded.
That sounds like the Demon that the high judge had been talking about…Marcus thought for a moment If there was a demon here that could hide his own presence among humans how are we going to find him?
"They help is much appreciated Goblin." Marcus said.
"Grelkkin! I Goblin king!" the little goblin corrected.
"Very well Grelkkin." Marcus chuckled, "This demon business is very serious, you are committed to help?"
"yes yes! Revenge I want on the one who threatened the tribe." The goblin king said through his pointy teeth.
"Meet me at the forest trailhead in a week then, there is much preparation that needs to be done before we can attempt to catch up." Marcus looked down at the goblin, who shook his little head.
"No no! too late it may be by then! Must go in less than three days if hopes of catching up we want." Grelkkin insisted.
"Very well, three days then." Marcus agreed, he would be rushed but could still meet him in that timeframe with other knights.
"Three days then." Grelkkin said and hit his stick on the floor.
The next instant found Marcus coughing as he opened the window to let the brown flowery smoke out of the room. He did not know if he could fully trust this goblin but it was the only and best lead fate would most likely hand him – and Sir Marcus intended to take full advantage of that.
After changing out of the chain mail he was wearing into clothes that were more comfortable Marcus headed to the Library to help his manservant research anything useful regarding hunting demons. He had a gut feeling that he was going to need to be prepared for things that would reveal themselves later on.
--
Beast Boy sat at a table downstairs waiting for Raven to come down, his pack sat on the floor next to him as he rooted through it. It seemed all but the food makers and his holo-ring had been turned into some sort of item that matched what normal people on this world might have. It was actually kind of cool – he had two more vests of different colors in the bag, as well as another tunic and two pairs of trousers. The boots he wore however seemed to be the only pair he had so he made a mental note to take care of them for the duration of the trip.
He sat at a table that was nestled in a corner right next to the stairs and watched over those few people who came and left the Tavern that was beneath the inn. Even though he was in a world that was foreign to him the instinct to protect those who could not protect themselves, he supposed that this instinct was one that would always be with him even if he someday lost his powers like Raven. Beast Boy sighed – he was so worried about weather or not they would be able to find the Knight and get the missing half of Raven's soul back in time. She had been forced into a race where her life depended on being able to beat some crazed knight to a temple they had never been to all so they could use a sword they had never heard of to restore her powers and soul. He hoped that they would be able to catch that Knight in time…
No he couldn't do it – he would not allow himself to merely hope he had it in him to provide more than that. He had to be able to provide the strength and stability that Raven lacked right now – he had to be able to be her shoulder to cry on when she needed it. Forcing his own fears down Beast Boy mentally prepped himself for the journey ahead knowing it would probably be a long and hard one. But knowing that he was willing to do whatever it took in order to make Raven whole even if it took his own life to do so – whatever was required he would do.
It was that exact moment that Raven came walking down the stairs in the leather pants tunic and boots combo that was quickly becoming his favorite outfit. Raven could sense the new found emotional strength and stability that she always could sense around him, only this time it seemed stronger as he smiled at her.
"Hey." Beast Boy grinned.
Raven had to admit that even though Beast Boy had the holo-ring on he looked quite good as a blonde haired greened eyed boy. But if she had to chose between the normal looking Beast Boy and well…Beast Boy she would go with the green man any day of the week though she couldn't explain why.
"Hey." She responded as she walked over to the table, "Are we going to eat breakfast before we go or just snack on the road?"
"Snack on the road." Beast Boy said as he just wanted to get moving.
"Sounds good." Raven smiled, she was anxious to get moving as well.
The Titans hit the road after that, leaving the town behind them and walking a safe distance before breaking out the food makers Cyborg had provided. They figured it was safe as the road had think forest on either side and no one else appeared to be traveling yet this early. Raven ate a simple breakfast sandwich with sausage and egg on an English muffin. Beast Boy meanwhile snacked on a cube of sausage flavored tofu the size of a softball. It was then that Raven realized that earlier, before they had left the tower Beast Boy mentioned he would resort to eating meat if there was nothing else avalible - but why didn't he eat meat in the first place then? It wasn't like she was trying to decide weather his choice to not eat it was wrong or anything but Raven still wondered…
"Beast Boy why don't you eat meat?" Raven asked.
"What?!" he choked out and coughed until his throat was clear – wow that had caught him off guard.
"Why don't you eat meat?" She pressed.
Beast Boy thought for a moment as they walked down the dirt road, why was Raven questioning him on this? She was his friend sure but none of his other friends had ever questioned his vegetarianism so openly. This was Raven though and Beast Boy thought that if nothing else she deserved the truth.
"Well…it's complicated." He said after a few moments.
"Explain." Raven said, they were in for a long trip so Raven may as well take the opportunity to get to know him better.
"Well…You know how some animals eat meat and some eat plants right?" Beast Boy started, "Well if I change into an animal that eats plants and I feel hungry then I can just eat a plant. But when I change into an animal that eats meat…"
"You mean a carnivore." Raven corrected.
"Yeah." Beast Boy said, "Think of it this way – A Lion's natural instinct is going to be to eat meat, to hunt animals to kill and eat them. The instinct is going to be to eat meat –with me it's a little more complicated. When I change into a lion or something like that I don't just get the instinct to eat meat I get the hunting instincts to stalk, kill and maim anything that could be considered food."
"Anything."He repeated.
"So to keep everyone around me safe I just stopped eating meat completely and convinced myself that I didn't like its taste or texture." Beast Boy shrugged, "It was the only thing I could think of to help control instincts that are built into me now. I would hate to see what would happen if I were to actually eat it after this long…I'd probably lose control of myself…kind of scary to think about."
"So you're saying that you don't eat meat as a way to maintain self control?" Raven perked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's exactly it." He nodded, "We're more alike than you think."
He was right too.
"What happens when you lose control?" Raven realized that question might be prying a bit too deep but was actually curious now.
"I wonder what the team is doing right now." Beast Boy thought aloud kindly letting Raven know that he wasn't comfortable answering that question right now.
"Probably worrying about us." Raven smirked and Beast Boy laughed as he agreed.
Raven wondered though about why Beast Boy avoided the question of what happened if he were to lose control of himself. It was a concept that Raven had thought Beast Boy, like the rest of the Titans was immune to. Maintaining constant self control was a battle that Raven had fought her whole life so she understood how hard it could be sometimes to keep that precious balance. Though she had never realized that through the constant bickering between the changeling and Cyborg about the use of meats Beast Boy was doing all of that merely to put on a show. To keep a mask up so all his friends were sure that something was one way when it was actually another. She wondered then as they walked in silence why Beast Boy had to keep up a mask at all and what else he might be hiding behind it.
Remembering that she was in fact an Empath Raven silently reached out to her friend with her ability to see what he was feeling. At first she could feel his confidence in finding the knight, which made her feel better. After that there was the same nervousness that she had about what would happen were then not able to catch up with the formerly mentioned knight. Beyond those emotions however Raven could sense that there was something buried deep down inside his heart that was very, very dark. Not dark in the way that made her think it was evil though, it felt like it was a black hole around which everything that Beast Boy was orbited leaving the changeling's feelings free but still influenced by it in some way.
It was then however that Raven realized if she were to pry deeper she would be crossing a line that could end their friendship. Skimming what should could from surface emotions was one thing but Raven would not search deeply into his heart without his permission, doing so without was an abuse of her abilities. But even so she was so curious about it…maybe she could ask him about it later if the opportunity presented itself.
Without a word Raven grabbed the map out of the back pocket of Beast Boy's pack while without breaking stride. Unrolling the parchment she studied it a moment before declaring that they could probably make it to the next town before nightfall.
"You really think so?" Beast Boy asked.
"Maybe, according to the map it's not that far from where we just left." Raven said as she folded the map back up and handed it to Beast Boy.
"We could go faster if I turned into a horse you know." Beast Boy said with a grin.
"No." Raven said – she refused to 'ride' her friend.
"Oh common we can cover ground much quicker." Beast Boy protested.
"I am not going to ride you Beast Boy…it's not right." Raven said still and Beast Boy relented, if she wanted to be stubborn and walk that was her choice.
The thought of riding a horse for the duration of their trip didn't bother Raven so much though – neither did the fact that it would be a green horse. She was still trying to figure out a way to get Beast Boy to talk about his past. Of all the Titans it seemed that the life Beast Boy lived before becoming a Titan was the one with the most question marks. Sure she knew about his Doom Patrol days before joining the team but he never seemed to speak of parents or a family.
In fact the only thing that Raven knew about Beast Boy's past was that he had once been a normal kid and was made this way to save him from the virus, and his cure had turned him into the man he is now. But everything else about him was a mystery – wait a second. Maybe that massive dark emotion she had sensed earlier had something to do with why he wasn't freely talking about his past to any of his friends…maybe something painful had happened in his past and he didn't want to talk or think about it. Keeping whatever he was feeling suppressed down inside him out of sight and out of mind until the day that it all became too much and….
And what?
Raven sighed as they walked all of this thinking was getting her nowhere.
"What's wrong?" Beast Boy asked.
"What?" Raven blinked.
"You sighed, what's wrong?" Beast Boy looked genuinely concerned now.
"Oh…its nothing don't worry about it." Raven forced a smile but the changeling could see right through her.
"I know that sigh Raven that sigh means that something is bothering you." He stated, "So you can either tell me what's wrong or I can tell you some jokes to cheer you up."
"Is that a threat?" Raven grinned a little.
"I don't know…Now that you can feel you might like my jokes." He suggested.
"I don't think so." Raven said, "I could have laughed before to you know…there's a reason I didn't."
"Aww." The changeling grumbled, "My jokes aren't that bad are they?"
"Beast Boy you're my friend and I want to be honest with you…most of your jokes are lame." Raven said looking at her friend with pity.
"Drats." He said and they continued to walk as they talked about their friends and this strange new world.
--
The Demon had assured that the knight was still on a path to corruption before he left the human and went after his new prodigy and the woman that traveled with him. In the form of a black hawk he was able to cover the distance fare more quickly than he would have if he had simply run back. Gliding over the forest canopy now the demon could sense that the boy was close and knowing that the boy and his woman were traveling along the road gave the demon the advantage he needed. Veering left the hawk demon headed for the forest road and came to the earth about three miles ahead of the boy and the woman…here he would wait for them.
He would use his true form when the boy and the woman came upon him but doing this came with its own dangers. Not from knights but from something much older and much more powerful than the magic the knights possessed…he dare not even think its name less he call their terrible power down upon him.
And so the Demon shifted to the form of a mouse along the side of the road and hid himself next to a large rock and waited for the boy to draw near.
--
Marcus leaned over a large tome inspecting its contents thoroughly.
He and his servant had been researching anything they could find about past battles that Judge Thadius has fought. He discovered that the aging Judge was probably a better swordsman than Darius when he was in his prime. He had defeated about one hundred and seventy five demons in his day and almost all of those battles had been documented and stored in the library. At the moment Marcus was thumbing through one of the last battles that Thadius had ever fought before being called as a judge when he came across something interesting.
It appeared that this particular battle ended but the demons remains were never found – a fact that while not uncommon did arouse some suspicion in the young knight. Putting on his reading glasses Marcus studied the book.
Date: Winter in the 405th year under the Reign of the Judges.
Moons: One half waxes, one quarter wanes.
Day thirteen of the hunt.
Entry by Sir Thadius Colesword, Knight of the White Palace,
The battle was fierce, never before hath I encountered a foe as versatile and cunning as the Demon I hunt now. The creature possesses much more power than originally thought or ever encountered before – truly this demon is aged and wise in the ways of survival.
Its powers seem to be limited however to changing the form it takes – the demon appears to posses the ability to take the shape of anything it wishes making fighting it a task that is neigh impossible.
The battle started at the edge of the Dark Forest but when I began to gain the upper hand they demon fled into the woods. I followed the creature for many a mile but find it I did not. And this is the thirteenth day of my search.
The price of my inability to kill the demon in the first battle has led to the deaths of fourty five innocent souls – I know this as I happened upon a small settlement a length from the forest road. All who lived there were killed by the demon and as such, I reported back to the White Palace for aid…
Day twenty five of the hunt:
No progress has been made in catching this demon even with the aid of twenty Knights of the Palace. More innocent souls have been lost and the High Judge himself is calling for the eradication of this demon before more lives are lost…
I am under much pressure from without and within to kill this demon with my own hands…
Day thirty one of the hunt:
Another five souls added to the loss of life caused by this demon – however one survived…a young boy by the name of Thaylor survived the demons onslaught though was found in very dire condition – after discussion with the other Knights I shall return to the White palace with the boy…a month of searching with no result has left me disheartened and weary perhaps some rest will strengthen me once again.
The entry stopped there and was continued by the knight that took over the hunt, skimming to the end Marcus discovered that the slaughter where Thaylor was found was the last killing to take place, after that the demon either disappeared or left this plane. But then a thought occurred to him…not long after the hunt for that demon was abandon there was a killing in the Palace itself. A servant had been slaughtered by what appeared to be a demon though that demon was never found either. From what he remembered though that slaughter of the servant led to the high judge stepping down…
Something wasn't making sense.
"Finnius." Marcus said quietly to his servant across the table, "Fetch me the tome that contains the registrar and information regarding the judge's ascents to power."
"I cannot milord." His servant responded, "That book is sealed to the pedestal in the front of the Library."
"Of course it is." Marcus had forgotten, "Very well, take these books to my chambers, I shall follow shortly." He said as he slid a pile of books ranging from Demons names and powers to the tome he had been reading.
"Yes Milord." Finnius bowed and began to gather the books.
Marcus stood and walked to the front of the large library and stood in front of the pedestal that contained the Judges personal information. It was a mighty tome indeed, much larger than any of the other books in the library. The pedestal it sat on was made of fine marble with a single column from the stand to the sturdy square base. The book was accessible to him however only the current page with High Judge Thadius's information was available as the rest of the book was sealed magically, he would need a librarian to turn the page back.
With a wave of his hand however the Library's keeper hurried over.
"I need access to the Judges history." Marcus said. The keeper however looked skeptical about his need for the book.
"Do you indeed? Perhaps you could better find what you are looking for in the individual histories section." The Keeper suggested.
"I already searched those books, I need access to this book as it is the only one that details the judges ascents to the seat." Marcus said, "You will give me access keeper I am a Knight."
"O-of course sir knight." The keeper said and swiftly produced a set of keys from his robe. Flipping through them he finally held up a small gold key which he inserted in the leather strip that bound the latter half of the book. The book glowed gold then for a moment before returning to its original color and opened for the knight.
"Thank you, you may leave." Marcus said as he turned the page back.
"Very well…" The Keeper said and eyed the knight a moment before hurrying off.
Marcus only had to turn a few pages back though before he came across the entry he was looking for.
High Judge Valor DeMarlo
Ascent to power too place in the year 383 of the Reign of the Judges
Valor DeMarlo took power in the year 383 from Judge Seth Demarlo and is the third son in the DeMarlo house to rule as High Judge in the last two hundred years. Judge Valor DeMarlo is also the only judge to step down from the seat rather than remain in power until death.
Circumstances surrounding his step down from power were rumored to be caused by the death of his favorite Servant – William Dae – who was found slaughtered by a Demon's hand in the halls outside of the High Judges chambers in the White Palace. Rumors said the killed was planned by the High Judge himself and carried out by evil men who were never captured – however this theory was proven wrong as no visitors came or left the Palace that day. The death was ruled to be caused by a demon by the High Judge…making the murder the first to happen ever in the white palace.
The demon responsible for the murder however was never found.
After that the High Judge stepped down due to pressure from Knights demanding answers and was replaced by Knight Thadius Colesword – who was awarded the judgement seat in…
Marcus stopped reading at that point and closed the book before heading to his chambers. So…like the Demon in the forest this one was also never found…Marcus thought as he hurried to his room and locked the door upon entering. His manservant had left the books on his desk all marked to the places he had been before leaving the library. Quickly opening the book he had been reading Marcus skimmed over the words.
It seems that Thaylor had been squired to Sir Darius after making a full recovery from his injuries. And Thadius had taken the judgment seat shortly before that event – but there was no mention of guards being posted, parties sent out, or even a ranger being contacted to try and find the demon he had been hunting with such zeal. A Knight does not normally give up a hunt until the demon has been vanquished so why did Thadius give it up? What did have to gain or lose?
Then it hit him, Thadius had taken power after a murder had killed judge valor's servant right outside his chambers – a demon who had never been caught. That murder was not a random act of violence by a demon it was a planned killing…it was sent as a warning. A warning to the high judge that if he did not resign his post he might be next…and once Judge Valor was out of the way judge Thadius had taken power and the killings had stopped until Thaylor was killed in the prison.
Thadius was not merely afraid of this demon as he said earlier he was in leaguer with it – the demon had orchestrated the resignation of Judge Valor and Thadius, being the eldest Knight was then called as a Judge that the demon could influence. Now this Demon was once again on this plane and trying to influence the White Palace again but to what purpose Marcus could only guess. The point was the high judge has been corrupted by a demon.
Almighty save us!
Marcus slammed the book closed and yanked the string that would ring a bell elsewhere in the castle, hoping his manservant would come quickly. But suddenly there was a pounding on the door, from the other side he heard someone shout open the door in the name of the High Judge! Marcus rose from his seat – his short sword was across the room lying on his bed. As he stepped to grab it however the door burst open with a thud knocking the knight to his back. Instantly three guards rushed into the room and Grabbed Marcus's arms and legs pinning him to the ground as a forth bound his feet and wrists in iron shackles.
"Well, what do we have here?" he heard the Keeper's slithery voice say, "It is as I feared Highness…the Knight stole the Index Demonica and was trying to open it."
Marcus was yanked to his feet and turned around – In his chambers now was the Library Keeper, the High Judge Thadius, and the guards who held him prisoner.
"I did not take the book!" Marcus protested, "That slime of a librarian must have planted it on my desk just now."
Thadius said nothing however save a motion to the guards who gagged Marcus and carried him away.
"Come." He said to the Keeper after a moment and both the High Judge and Librarian followed the knight down to the dungeon.
-
Marcus was thrown into a cell roughly as the heavy barred metal door was slammed shut and heavy metal bolts hit home. The guard sneered at Marcus before walking away, revealing the High Judge and the Keeper standing against the wall opposite to the cell.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Marcus demanded.
"Do not speak to your superior in that manner!" The librarian spat.
"Silence both of you." Thadius finally said with a sigh, "Marcus, Marcus….thy could not simply follow my instructions to leave the matter be could ye?"
"I will not stand idly by while a knight is murdered and thou does nothing about it!" Marcus shouted.
"You know nothing of what is actually happening Marcus." The high judge said.
"I know enough to know that you are not only afraid of the demon that killed Thaylor but are in league with it." Marcus countered.
"SILENCE!" Thadius commanded, "You know nothing! Nothing at all! This Demon is powerful enough to kill a guard and escape the white palace twice without being detected do ye not think that it is better to let this one run free than risk the whole palace?"
"It is better to die a good man than live as one who convinces himself he is right." Marcus shot, he was not going to give into this corruption.
"Hmph!" Thadius stuck his nose up arrogantly, "Than you shall rot in the prisons till thy death." He then motioned to the Keeper as he turned to leave.
The keeper grinned eagerly as he opened the Index Demonica turning the pages swiftly to a marked spot.
"Elthlios Spectrimius Septum!" He shouted and violet light shot from his extended finger hitting Marcus squarely in the chest. The knight had always prided himself on his constitution but was knocked on his back by this spell. His arms ceased to function, his legs felt like iron weights were holding them down, even breathing became difficult – and the last thing that Marcus heard was the maniacal laughter of the keeper as he faded into unconsciousness.
--
"No I'm telling you the whole thing was an accident." Beast Boy protested, "The noodles were supposed to stay on his head like a wig not fall down your shirt."
"Beast Boy food only acts like that in cartoons…what did you think was going to happen?" Raven replied, they were arguing the particulars of a certain noodle incident that had gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Beast Boy was trying to prank Cyborg by making a wig out of spaghetti noodles that would then be adhered to his head through the use of Elmer's glue. However when Beast Boy had tried to mount said noodly wig the metal man had sensed it coming and blocked the noodles which then went strait down Raven's shirt. Raven had been sick at the time and dressed in civilian clothes that were more comfortable…had she been in her uniform then she would not have gotten noodles all over her chest and clothes – at least that's what Beast Boy was trying to argue.
"If you had not tried to put a wig made of noodles on Cyborg in the first place I would not have ended up with food all over my breasts." Raven said, "And for as much as I know you like that mental picture you know I'm right so stop arguing with me."
But Raven's attempt to distract him enough to win the argument failed as Beast Boy seemed to be distracted by something ahead on the road she could even feel his emotions abruptly change.
"What's wrong?" She asked not seeing anything ahead on the road.
"Do you feel that?" Beast Boy asked back and Raven gave him a strange look. Feel what? What was he talking about? Probing about with her empathic abilities however answered the questions she then wished she hadn't asked.
Though she couldn't pinpoint where she could sense the same feeling of oppressive blackness that she had felt when Beast Boy and herself had first arrived. Only this time the feelings was not momentary it was constant, as if whatever it was knew that she could feel it and was trying to intimidate her.
"What is that?" she asked.
"I don't know…but let's get to that town fast I don't like this forest at all." Beast Boy said and without another word the two hurried forward.
Raven stayed closer to Beast Boy than normal as they all but ran down the trail, the oppressive feeling around her though was only getting worse the farther they went and she could have sworn she was hearing things like danger, darkness and other warnings whispered in her mind. The hairs on the back of Beast Boy's neck were standing up as they walked, he didn't have to be an Empath to know something was wrong his animal instincts told him that just fine. The forest around him was as still – no birds chirping, no sounds of animals foraging, nothing.
Not even the wind dared to blow as they hurried down the trail, but the farther they went the more oppressive the feeling became. Raven was watching the trees waiting for something horrible to pop out of the tree line and eat them when Beast Boy skidded to a sudden stop. Raven nearly ran into him as she stopped as well but didn't need to ask him about the sudden change of speed.
Standing there in the middle of the dirt road was a solitary figure. He was dressed in a black sleeveless tunic and black leather trousers that were cut to rags just below the knee. His bare skin was a reddish brown color and his arms below the elbow tapered down into a set of fingers that looked more like claws. His face wore a small arrogant grin as his red eyes stared the two teens down through locks of messy black hair. Now Raven had seen and felt many things in her life and nothing even compared to the feeling of utter blackness that radiated from the man on the road. She also didn't need the other half of her soul to know that this was no man…
Her father was a demon who was dedicated to a cause, an evil cause but a cause none the less. But her father had nothing on the kind of demon that was standing in front of her now.
This was a true demon.
"Hello." He said in a deep seductive voice, "I have been waiting for you."
"Who are you?!" Beast Boy demanded as he took a defensive posture in front of Raven.
The demon however just chuckled at Beast Boy with his deep, dark voice. Raven moved a little so she was looking over Beast Boy's shoulder.
"I am Kaska Ro…but the question you should be asking is who are you?" The demon said, "I already know who I am…I am a demon."
"What are you talking about, I'm Beast Boy I know that." Beast Boy said as Raven put a hand on his shoulder, she could feel how tense he was and that combined with the feelings from the demon was making her very, very afraid.
"No…I do not think you know who you are quite yet." The demon said, "Allow me to explain, how did you acquire your powers?"
"What business is that of your's?" Beast Boy shot back.
"Very well…I shall explain it all then." The demon shifted so he was standing more comfortably, "You acquired your unique powers when you contracted the Sakutia Virus in Africa. Your father experimented with many different cures for the green fever until you finally stabilized with the powers you have now."
"H-How do you know about all of that?" Beast Boy shifted backwards a bit.
"I know of all of that because I was there boy – I created Sakutia." The demon smiled, "My hope was to turn an animal into a demon as an apprentice or even a pet…but fate handed me so much more than what I intended for Sakutia – fate handed me you."
Beast Boy was speechless, Raven tightened her grip on his shoulder to let him know everything was okay when she didn't know if it was going to be or not.
"Now through my own plans you are here…with me." The demon smiled again, "And weather you know it or not – you are here to become my apprentice."
No! Raven thought.
"Whatever, I'm a Teen Titan! I'll never follow you." Beast Boy growled.
"Oh really?" The demon tilted his head.
In an instant a spell came from nowhere and smashed the holo-ring around Beast Boy's finger. The projector failed as the ring flew into a million pieces returning Beast Boy to his normal appearance.
"If I can do that by tilting my head then just imagine what I can do to your woman should I choose to…" The demon smiled showing rows of sharp teeth, "You will be my apprentice or she will die."
That was enough for Beast Boy – shifting into a tiger he swiftly charged the demon fangs and claws bared. But the demon was impossibly fast and with one swipe of its claws Beast Boy was sent flying across the road, stopping just in front of Raven.
"Beast Boy!" Raven said and ran to his side, what could she do? She was just an Empath and was totally useless in a fight. Beast Boy shifted back to his normal self and struggled to his hands and knees, wow that hit was hard.
"Foolish boy do as I say or the next attack will be for her!" The demon demanded, still not moving from his spot.
Beast Boy looked up at Raven – she had a look in her eyes that told him she was afraid he was going to leave her even though he never would. But what was he going to do? This demon was obviously stronger than he was and it felt like a few ribs may be broken from one hit. The demon was going to kill Raven if he didn't join forces with him…but even if he did Beast Boy had a feeling Raven was going to be killed anyway. Anything he did at this point and he was going to lose her.
NO! A voice inside him shouted.
"Leave us alone what did we ever do to you!" Raven shouted at the demon.
Let me Free, together we can protect her! The voice in Beast Boy insisted.
"I do not care for you half demon…I know you are the daughter of Trigon." The demon said, "That fool could not defeat you but I can do not worry about that." He said as he made eyes at her figure, "If you'd like I can even…have some fun with your pretty little body before I kill you." He grinned and Raven's eyes went wide with fright.
That was all it took Beast Boy unleashed the Beast and in one leap shoulder tackled the demon and rolled off of him. The demon however merely laughed as he rolled to his feet to meet the next charge. But that charge never came as the Beast whined in pain and shifted back to his normal self. The Demon's eyes also went wide with a mix of surprise and anger as he looked back at Raven.
"It does not end here!" Kaska growled and disappeared into the forest with inhuman speed.
Raven was left kneeling on the ground, she wanted to run to Beast Boy but found she couldn't. She was so afraid her body wasn't responding to her mind's commands. Slowly though…the farther away the demon ran the more her fear seemed to ebb until finally she could think again.
Running to Beast Boy's side Raven turned him onto his back.
"Beast Boy!" She shouted and thought, please wake up…I need you.
"I'm okay." He grunted as he tried to sit up but couldn't, "Ahh!...I think some ribs are broken."
"Stay still then." Raven said and placed her hands on the side he was hit, a familiar sensation came back to Raven then as a cool blue light spread across her hands for a moment and was then gone.
"Y-your powers!"Beast Boy explained but he didn't need to, Raven was already thinking it.
"I…I can heal?" She looked at her own hands but as Beast Boy tried to sit up he was again greeted with pain and forced to lie back down.
"Almost." He chuckled through the pain.
"Your ability to heal is only lessened now from the missing half of your soul child of Azar." A soft male voice said behind them
Raven jumped and looked back to see a figure clothed in blue and silver robes, his face was hooded but what skin she could see was a pale grey hue.
"Who are you?!" Raven asked as she shifted her posture to a more defensive stance over Beast Boy.
"We are not here to harm you child of Azar." The man said and Raven was suddenly aware that she and Beast Boy were surrounded by a circle of similarly dressed men, "But you must come with us if you seek protection from the demon."
Raven blink and was still unsure…so much was happening so fast!
Looking to Beast Boy for support he gave her a nod figuring if these people wanted to hurt them they would have already.
"Where are you taking us?" Raven asked.
"To safety." The man replied and swung a large blue cloak over Beast Boy and Raven plunging all into half light and when a small wind blew across the road this time…it was empty.
--
Sir Marcus woke hour's later laying face down on the stone floor of the prison. Whatever that spell was that the traitorous keeper had cast sucked him of all his strength for a short time, even now he felt weak. Slowly he pushed himself to a sitting position against the prison wall and looked around his cell. The stone floor was uneven and wet in parts where water had leaked through the foundation. On one wall was a stone slap that had a blanket on it and the other walls were bare. Keeping him inside his cell was a double row of thick iron bars that were crossed around the lock making it impossible to open from the inside.
Truly this was probably the worst predicament he had ever gotten himself in.
With a grunt he was able to heft himself onto the stone bed and made a pillow out of part of the extra large blanket, wrapping the excess around himself. He knew that for now there was nothing he could do to get out of the prison but in a few days, his servant should be allowed to start visiting him again to provide the prison services that the guards did not want to do.
He would have to wait and speak with his servant then for help.
So for the moment Sir Marcus did the only thing that a Knight of the White Palace could do in a situation like this…he prayed for a miracle.