CHAPTER 25
Time, at the moment, was the Weretiger's worst enemy. Right now he would rather go one on one against Slade, Trigon, or hell, summon the Crimson King himself and it probably wouldn't seem so bad. He would take any of them right now, a stand up fight seemed a much better option than knocking on Raven's door. Three days had passed since the battle of the Keep, they'd saved the beam, and by extension the Dark Tower. He had saved her, and she had saved them all. In the days following they had freed the tens of thousands of slaves held throughout the city, and defeated the handful of soldiers that hadn't fled or surrendered. They also had had the unpleasant task of burying the dead, including the Oracle's trusted commander, Mark, and those that had gone to the clearing at the end of the path during the battle. There was grief yes, but their sacrifice couldn't have been more appreciated by the now free peoples of Pacific City.
But here was the problem. CJ had had time to over analyze everything he had said and done on the roof of the Keep, and well, he didn't like it. It was so... cheesy. He had meant every word of course, and he had never felt this way before, baring his soul had made him feel better than he had since... well ever. But now the memory made him want to bang his head against the wall. It was like lines out of a bad movie, the worst kind of cheesy. And if he thought so, then Raven, with her keen analytical mind, had no doubt reached the same conclusion as well. He paced the corridors of the Undercity, brooding on just what in the hell to do next. Of course, whatever he had said seemed to work at the time. He smiled despite himself. Rae was special, no two ways about it. But what could he say now? "Hey hot stuff let's pick up where we left off?" The thought nearly made him chuckle despite himself. A series of possible reactions for such a line on Raven's part, none of them very pleasant, wiped the smile from his face. He wanted to finish where they had started of course, finishing the near kiss that almost was on the steps of the Keep, interrupted by their companions.
"You must have said something right then!" He said to himself. He had admired her since the day he had met her, unshakable, determined, with incredible strength and a will as strong as steel. Thats part of why it all seemed so surreal. She was every inch a heroine.
"She hugged you, remember?" One voice piped in.
"What if it was just a friendly hug?" Another voice replied.
"...and she leaned in just as you did.."
"She was probably going to slap you. Well, slap you if you're lucky..."
He closed his eyes, the unpleasant argument continuing in his head. "We're just too different, you geek out for football and video games, she's into reading and meditating. Could two people so different really be at all compatible? Or were their differences just skin deep... Either way, he couldn't bring himself to knock on the door.
He sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes. "You're a real coward, you know that?" He whispered to himself.
"You are many things... but that is not one of them." The voice behind him warmed his heart even as it was seized by no small degree of panic.
He turned to face Raven, captivated by her eyes for a moment as he did so. A million possible things to say ran through his head, but all he could manage was "Hi." He tipped his cap to her in an unconscious imitation of a cowboy, trying hard to smile.
Her face was the usual passive Raven, her hood up shrouding some of her face. "Is something up? I sensed you outside while I was meditating. Your mood is very anxious, it doesn't really fit you."
He did relax a little then. He considered using a line like "Do you have a map? I just keep on getting lost in your eyes." or "Your eyes are dark blue, like the ocean. And I'm lost at sea." but ended up just grinning at her like a love struck moron, and again a series of terrible, but now seemingly more comic reactions to the lines coming to his mind's eye.
She crossed her arms and sighed, her eyes narrowing under the hood. "You really are gonna be lost at sea if you ever try a line like that out on me."
CJ started, the blood running from his face. "You uhh... heard that?" He gulped audibly.
"This close its not hard to get the occasional stray thought or two out of your goofy head." She replied, matter of factly. "And maybe I did a bit of digging too, sorry, I've just been wondering why you've been avoiding me the last couple days."
"Well, we've just been so busy... and... umm... Wow, and the corny lines, seriously not sure what I was thinking there..." He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to think of something else to say.
She uncrossed her arms, then gave him a smile that had a quiet warmth to it, an expression he had seen only a very few times from her. "I didn't say it wouldn't have worked, did I?" She stepped forward, sweeping back her hood. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, he marveled at the softness of her lips, at the gentle breathing, determined to drink in every detail of this moment, his arms wrapping around her. He could scarcely believe this was happening. Sometimes when you want something bad enough for long enough, you have trouble believing it when you finally get it. The kiss ended too soon, but both knew it had to, there was much to do.
He laughed a little, unable to help himself as he looked at her.
"What's so funny??" She demanded, fixing him with a chilly look.
"Was just wondering what the other titans would have said had they seen us just now." His thumb stroked her cheek, one arm still around her waist. "I can hear Cyborg and BB's jaws hitting the deck. Star would probably have a heart attack."
She turned red, her hand coming up to grasp his. "I'm not ashamed. Not of this, not of you... If that's what your thinking about..."
He shook his head. "No... just amazed how things can change... and how I've wanted this since the first time I saw you, but not even in my wildest dreams did I think someone as cool, strong, and smart as you, and a loser like me..."
She sighed, her eyes narrowing again. "Keep talking like that and I'll have to knock some sense into you." She gave him one last smile, then pulled her hood back up. "And one more thing, if you EVER ignore me again..." Raven glowered. "Well, the Crimson King might not seem so frightening by comparison."
CJ gulped audibly. "Yes ma'am!"
The two walked down the hall, their hands still entwined.
The oracle peaked around the corner, her sightless eyes, perceiving the situation just fine, behind her, her older cousin Cheryl jockeyed for position, trying to look over her head.
"Quit it, Cher!" She whispered harshly. "They're gonna hear us..."
"No they won't." Cheryl whispered back, the taller girl now able to look around the corner as well. CJ stood there pacing, oblivious to the two little spies who had come to eavesdrop. "Why do you think he's just standing there? I thought you said he was going to talk to her..."
"How should I know?"
"Well YOU'RE the oracle Karin, and you said something was happening and we should go take a look. Not sure why you need to be in front anyway, it's not like you can see anything..."
"Something's gonna happen, I know it, just give it a sec. And try to keep your voice down, otherwise someone might..."
"What are we looking at?" Blackfire cut her off, making the two jump. Being taller than either she stretched her neck around the corner, adjusting her sling so as not to hit her still very sore arm on the wall, her eyes following their gaze. "Uh oh. That looks like trouble."
The two turned again, seeing Raven had come out of her room, her back to the three, she said something to CJ and his face went as white as a sheet, still not noticing the now three heads poking around the corner a mere twenty yards from Raven's room.
Cheryl gave an aggravated sigh. "If he doesn't do it, I'm just gonna go out there and tell him to kiss her already for Gan's sake." Then she turned as white as CJ had, her hand going up to cover her mouth, her head turning back to Blackfire. "OH! Umm, I'm sorry miss Blackfire I should really think before I open my mouth..."
"No, no. It's ok, really." Blackfire looked gloomy for a moment. The whole embarrassing situation had been more or less cleared up the day before, she had gone to Raven and explained the incident from three days before, anxious to clear the air. She and CJ had had words as well, and Blackfire still felt slighted, but it was hard to be angry at either of her two friends. Because that's what they were. Blackfire had had many followers, many retainers, and even a handful of henchmen during her misadventures. But no friends. Looking back on it now, it had been a lonely way to live. It was partly Star's fault, she had made friends so easily growing up... but CJ would have called that a cop out.
Raven hadn't said much, she had been silent awhile, then had told Blackfire the story of the blood mage, Joshua. The lesson was clear: jealousy was natural, letting it fester, and letting it turn to hate could sow incredible destruction. After absorbing her tale, Blackfire had told Raven a story too, an old Tamaranian parable about a warrior princess that was too proud to admit her feelings, and how that princess and her beloved had died in battle, never knowing the truth about each other's love. Raven had picked up on the moral of Blackfire's story as well.
"Things are only gonna get more dangerous from here on in." Blackfire had said, looking Raven in the eye. "How many more chances do you think you'll have? Grab the opportunity while you can, to hell with everything else. I know its not your style, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do... and lord knows he's too dense to figure it out on his own."
Across the hall, Raven leaned in, her arm wrapping around CJ's neck, pulling him down into a kiss. The act brought a collective "Aww..." From the two girls, and even Blackfire herself smiled a little.
"About time." Proclaimed Cheryl. "Of course SHE had to make the first move..."
"Oh cut him a break Cher, its a lot more complicated than you could imagine." Replied the oracle, straightening from her crouch. "You'll understand when you're older." She grinned at her cousin.
"Oh please, I AM older you snot nosed..."
"Inquiry: Mistress Blackfire, have you or the two diminutive meatbags seen the master..." HK came around the corner, just in time to see Raven and CJ finish their kiss. The battledroid shuddered, then turned and left without finishing his sentence, although Blackfire could swear she heard him mutter something about sticking his head into the nearest blast furnace.
"The beam says its not too late. And it says thankya to those that fought to preserve it." The oracle smiled, her white teeth splitting into a happy grin. They were back in the Undercity's main conference room, the room was empty except for Raven, CJ, HK, Blackfire, the Oracle, her cousin, and a few of the resistance commanders.
"It...speaks to you?" Raven inquired, looking in awe at the young girl.
The Oracle nodded. "Not in words really, but today its intent is clear. The beam of the wolf is saved, and with time it will recover fully." With that the Oracle closed her eyes and recited a short poem.
See the WOLF of incredible guile,
Under his paw has been set many a mile,
He is fearsome as he is wise,
As swift as the hawk that stretches the skies,
Look for him, but not a word shall you say,
Merely follow his path, to where the Dark Tower doth lay.
As she spoke, a strange serenity settled over the room, a feeling of peace that lasted even after she had finished.
At last, Blackfire broke the silence. "That was... I want to say beautiful... but the words aren't really that pretty, its more like the feeling it gives me..." She still had a faraway look in her eyes.
"Its an ancient poem." The Oracle faced Blackfire, her sightless eyes remaining blank. "There is one for each beam of the tower, of which there was once six but of which now only two remain. The beam of the bear and turtle, and the beam of the wolf and fish. On this side of the Dark Tower, the beam is wolf, as it intersects the tower, on the other side, it is the beam of the fish. The Dark Tower could not continue to stand on just one beam, so yes, saving the beam of the wolf saved the Dark Tower."
"What about the beam of the turtle and bear?" CJ asked arching an eyebrow. "Is it in danger as well?"
The Oracle shook her head. "The beam of the turtle and bear was saved long ago, and has since become so strong no evil can touch it. So you needn't worry... all you need worry about now is getting to the Dark Tower itself."
"What can you tell us about the Dark Tower?" Raven asked, crossing her arms.
The Oracle's head tilted, as if the empty eyes were seeing something very very far away. "I can tell you it's everything you think it is, and so much more." She said at last. "But of course, its beyond even me. I can't see it as you do, I am not chosen as you are after all. I can tell you it lays at the very edge of End-World, and getting there will be a long journey indeed."
"End-World?" CJ asked, not much liking the sound of the place.
The Oracle smiled grimly. "It is exactly what it sounds like. Quite literally the end, not just of this world, but every world. It is a brutal land, cold and desolate. Wish I could tell you more, but my sight cannot pierce the veil of Thunderclap."
"That doesn't sound too hopeful either." Blackfire put in.
"Thunderclap is a large region that marks the border between Mid-World, where we are now, and End-World. It is also where the Crimson KIng made his castle..."
"The castle of the Crimson KIng..." Whispered Raven, a slight chill running up her spine.
"It's deserted now, of course." The Oracle continued. "The Crimson King had all his servants and retainers commit suicide before he set off for the Dark Tower. This was all centuries ago."
Raven caught a glimpse of a figure clothed all in red, no visible face, but with arms reaching out from the robe, as pale as any ghost, seated upon a throne of skulls. People massed around this throne, drinking poison, throwing themselves on their weapons, all at his silent command.
She felt CJ grasp her hand. She looked at him and knew he had seen it to.
"Is he... well.." Raven started, thinking how best to phrase her question. "On our world there are people who believe in an all powerful demon that corrupts people's souls..."
The oracle's face remained neutral. "You want to know if the Crimson King is the devil?" She asked, showing no change in expression.
Raven shrugged. "I suppose I do. I never put much stock in any of those kinds of stories, but..." She trailed off.
"I don't know the stories you speak of, but I will say this, tales of the Crimson King have spread to every world in one form or the other, and maybe the devil so feared by some in your world is another of those manifestations."
The oracle took a moment before she went on. "All I can tell you for sure is the Crimson King wandered into End-World, where it is believed he vanished, or was killed. It's hard to say what happened, but he hasn't been seen since. The point being this, when you enter Thunderclap, you have entered the domain of the Crimson King, and his influence there has bred creatures as unspeakable in their evil as he. But only through it will you reach the Dark Tower. But first you must traverse Mid-World, following the path of the beam."
"Thank you, Karin." CJ smiled at her, and she smiled back. "We need to get going. Where do you suggest we go next?"
The smile faded rapidly. "To the east is the Desert of Doors." She swallowed hard. "It is a place of confusion, and where all reality shifts like the sand. All I can tell you is you cannot trust ANYTHING but the beam. The beam will always guide you, and even if it feels off... ESPECIALLY if it feels off... continue to follow it. And if for whatever reason you leave its path while in the desert of doors, Gan help you, for the desert is infinitely massive, and if it can swallow you, it will."
"Infinite..?" Raven spoke, her keen mind wrapping around the concept. "Do you mean that literally, as in it goes on forever?"
The oracle nodded. "I'm sure someone as smart as you has figured this out by now Raven, but in this world, you have to throw all your pre-conceived notions away, and the sooner you do, the better. If you apply things like logic without taking into account the world has moved on, that the magic of the Dark Tower makes anything possible in this world, you may find yourself struggling out there very quickly. Leave your mind open, is the advice I would give."
CJ nodded. "So the usual insurmountable odds then? Well good, was afraid this quest was gonna get too easy. Guys?" He nodded at his companions, who were reassured by his confidence. "Onward we go."
It was dawn the next day, the rising sun filtering through the buildings in the now quiet city on the shore. On its far eastern edge, the Heroes of the Dark Tower made their goodbyes, well supplied by the grateful people of Pacific City.
The Oracle was crying a little, unable to hold it back as she bid them goodbye. "I'm sorry kitty, I wish I could give you more information. I wish I could be more help..."
"It's ok, kid." CJ replied, giving her a hug. "I'll never forget you."
"Just... be careful." She sniffed. "Don't trust anything out there, nothing you see, nothing you dream, just nothing, except the beam, not until you reach the mountains on the other side."
"We'll be careful, I promise. And we'll see each other again, in the clearing at the end of the path if nothing else." He wiped her tears away and stood, ready at last to depart.
"And I have a favor to ask, kitty."
"Anything kid. Just name it."
"When you get there, when you stand in front of, of..." She swallowed. " Of you know, IT... this is silly... can you... call my name to the Dark Tower?" She turned red, lowering her head.
CJ looked off in the direction of the beam, taking Raven's hand as he did so. "We will." He replied. "And not just your name, kid-o. The names of all the good people we left behind, the names of all our friends who could not make this journey with us. The Dark Tower will hear them all."
Raven nodded as he spoke, kissing him on the cheek as he finished. "Goodbye." He said simply.
The echoes of "Farewell!" and "Thank you!" Echoed through the dawn as the four departed. At last, as the four figures vanished into the shimmering wastes, the crowd of former resistance fighters dissipated, the task of returning their city to a livable state still an arduous one. I won't say they lived happily ever after, for who does in this world? But there was happiness, and freedom. And never would the residents of the city forget the four Gunslingers who had brought it to them. Say thankya.