Acceptance
Chapter Twenty-Five: Broken
"How does it feel Richard?"
"Don't listen to him," Jason growled. He didn't like this madman. He was completely deranged. You would think that his attempts to confuse us would just help block out his taunts, he thought. That was definitely not the case for Richard and Slade knew it. He was working his way so easily under his skin it was like the hatred had always been there and was now multiplying by the second.
"How does what feel?" Richard asked anyways. They were all panting and Richard and Jason leaning over their legs struggling to catch their breath while the madman leaned nonchalantly against a tree. It was a little comforting to see the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
"To see your precious pure Raven fraternizing with a common thief," the man said easily with a bored tone as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. This was all a joke to him.
"Seeing as you almost killed her-" Jason started to growl. He felt something inside of him start to break; a thin wall that had been built up was starting to shatter. Richard gave him a strange look as he struggled to compose himself. He couldn't. He felt something rumble in the back of his throat.
"Like I killed your mother?" Slade pressed.
He felt a roar escape him.
"Did I strike a nerve pretty boy?" Slade asked laughing. His voice was cold. Unlike all the other words and taunts he knew this was true. He remembered, he remembered everything. He had tried to hunt him down before because he did kill his mother.
Something was wrong. His eyes couldn't focus, he felt himself fall to the ground to catch himself. When he blinked his claws and matted fur met his gaze. He felt rage, uncontrollable rage surge through his body, and he felt the need to protect something or someone but he couldn't remember. He felt a snarl build in his throat and a roar escape his lips. He felt pain and his shirt fell from his body as he grew, he wanted to black out but he couldn't. His teeth elongated, his back curved, he felt his tail grow in place. This was his true form, the form of a beast. He could defeat this monster that was threating him, that was daunting him and his possessions. He wouldn't let him get away with it.
He snarled and lunged at the two men that were before him. He was faster but they were still plenty quick. They were able to leap out of his range just before he could strike them. His legs felt sluggish and slow but the longer he leapt after them the better they began to feel.
They were talking, or more like shouting at each other as well as him but he ignored their petty pleas. He hated them; they would pay for their isolate behavior.
Something was struggling to make its way to the forefront of his mind but he pushed it aside. He had to kill them. He had to kill them both to make it safe for her. He couldn't rest until they were dead.
()()()()()()()()()
"Roy," Raven said coolly. His hand was wrapped tightly around her wrist. Garfield and Victor had their swords pressed against his throat, Garth had a cross bow loaded and was torn between pointing at Garfield and Victor, and Sir Wayne sat back and watched impassively.
"Raven," he said back just as coolly but he didn't release his hold. "I can't let you go."
She was half tempted to yell at her friends to strike him down but she was still somewhat rational. She grinded her teeth together in frustration.
"I gave the orders. You are to follow them."
"I'm not yours to command," he hissed. Had it been any other time she would have been at a loss for words. She rounded on him not trying to stop the fast flowing tears down her face.
"I can't let you stop me," she told him. She pulled hard releasing her arm. "Stand down," she told the other three. "You have your orders. Go," she added when it was clear that they weren't about to leave.
"But Raven…" Garfield started. Victor patted his shoulder roughly and the two made their way towards the rest of the camp.
"You'll be missed on the field," Sir Wayne said. His monotone voice bringing in the cutting reminder of how much time she was wasting.
"I'll be there soon," she reassured. "Intelligence says that the force Victor and Garfield fought was just the warm up. We'll need as many men as possible out there."
He left without another word. That just left Garth and Roy standing in her way. To credit Garth though he looked fairly torn on what he should do.
"Please Garth. I don't need any more strive…" she said quietly. He smiled at her.
"I wasn't planning on giving you any," he assured her. "Roy," he said addressing his friend. "We have to let her go. She…"
"She's what? A princess? The only one that can keep him in check? On top of it all she can barely walk right now! She's not that special Garth!"
His words slapped her hard but she nodded in agreement. It was out of a selfish need she was making her way into the woods to retrieve Jason. She heard him cry and she was running after him. She was tired of being the one that was always being rescued. She would save Jason no matter what it cost. It was the least she could do.
"She loves him," Garth said quietly. "And if you don't know how the fairy tale goes…"
"It doesn't always work out that way," Roy said darkly.
"Roy," she said as quietly as possible but enough to catch his attention. "Trust me?"
He sighed, shaking his head.
"Fine."
He didn't say anything else and stomped off in the direction of the others. Garth gave her a small reassuring smile before quickly tailing after him. All she had to do now was collect herself.
Tears were still fast falling down her face. Her legs still shook, her lungs burned, and her sternum felt like a knife was constantly twisting around on her insides. She needed to heal herself.
She looked down at her hands, the chakras that bound her magic into an unusable state. She wasn't even sure it would work but it was the only chance she had. She took a deep breath.
Kori, her mind called out with as much strength as she could muster.
Raven? Came the reply
She smirked. It could be done.
I don't know how alarmed you are…
Friend are you alright? How is everyone? Is Victor okay? Where are you? I am on my way!
Hang on Kori. Slow down. I have to ask you something… I'm not sure if it will work but
She felt a sharp pang in her head and she lost the connection to Kori. She took another deep breath steadying herself. She focused and again reached into her inner mind.
Kori you are in control of my powers. I need them.
She would have continued the self-rant but she felt something inside of herself crack and release.
Be careful Friend, was all Kori said before she felt the connection close again. This time it closed because of Kori's lack of control.
The surge of energy that shot through her was almost unbearable. It was like ten years of unused magic was flooding and invading her system. She felt the wind around her pick up as her body forced a lot of it out and into the surrounding woods. She heard a tree or two crack and fall thunderously to the ground. She was sure she heard her own scream and hoped it didn't attract too much attention. She fell to the floor clutching her head as a headache overcame her. It was more than a headache; it was like someone had thrown her head under a stampede of cattle and then poured boiling water over it.
I must not succumb, she told herself. Emotions rolled and poured into her. She felt anger, hate, fury, confusion. She had to block it out. She had to remember her teachings. She shook violently.
"I WILL WIN!" she screamed.
Everything snapped together in place and she sat panting on the ground.
()()()()()()()()
Kori, Jinx and Karen all dismounted their horses together. Jinx was grinning wickedly and raced up ahead towards the sound of clashing swords. Karen scoffed but didn't stop her. She waited patiently besides Kori.
"Are you ready?"
"No," she answered truthfully. She wasn't ready. This was going to be a long and hard battle and she wasn't sure what terrors awaited her. She was worried about Raven, she was worried about her friends, and she was worried her kingdom. She had to push past all of that and clear her mind and heart to join her friends and help them.
She didn't wait for Karen to respond, she started running after Jinx and into the battle.
A/N: Horribly short chapter I know but... I didn't want to jump back to Raven and Jason just yet. I'll try and make up for it in the next chapter. :)
Thanks to reviewers as always you guys rock. :)