I'm sorry I've been gone forever!:
Azarath was a single city, floating alone in a dimension that monks had locked away from the rest of the universe a long time ago. It stood tall, with white, castle-like buildings reaching up towards its emerald skyline, the roofs of the buildings rounding to form a large dome. The center of the city had a very large, square castle. The entire city stood surrounded by a large wall, made out of the same white bricks as the rest of the city. Outside the wall, where the Titan's had landed, were on going fields of the softest grass they'd ever felt, a grass that was a light blue color. To the left, they could see farms, and to the right, a river with a large mill near it. The air was fresh and clean, and smelled like gossamer.
"It's beautiful," Beast Boy said, running his fingers across the soft blue grass.
"It's not real," Raven replied. "The whole city was destroyed by Trigon years ago. The monks only preserved the memory of it, in order to save the souls of the people who died."
"Everyone who died there couldn't pass to the afterlife," Jade added. "They had been touched by a demon so dark that their soul couldn't move on peacefully. The monks built this place so that the spirits could return to their old bodies, and continue their lives. That's why they have to be separated from the rest of the world, and why time moves so fast here. People can only do the same things for so long until they get bored of life, so time moves faster so that they never quite seem to have enough time for anything…" Jade's hands began to trace along the white stone wall, her middle finger carefully stroking between the bricks until she opened the doorway in. "It's a depressing place really. I can't believe you dragged me back here."
"It's safer here," Slade replied.
"It's safer here without us. We're the only danger. The only ones that don't belong. Come on." Raven led them through the doorway into a dark tunnel. "This way."
The magic required to get to Azarath was very advanced, and as skilled as Raven was, even with Jade's help, she could only bring a few people with her. Nightwing was in the back of the group, keeping a close eye on Slade, who Jade insisted came as well. Nightwing actually wanted Slade to go too, rather than leave Slade alone in the city with his wife and daughter. Beast Boy had volunteered to go, and Raven agreed, knowing he could get through to Jade better than she could. It was only the five of them though, Nightwing, Beast Boy, Raven, Jade, and Slade, and everyone else had to stay behind at the tower. The tunnel was dark, and the ground was uneven and dirty. Raven led the way, breaking cobwebs with her hands. Finally, her hand met with the cold stone of another wall, and Raven opened up another doorway. The dirt path of the tunnel turned into a cobblestone street. The purple sky had gotten darker, and the street was lit by gas lamps that lined the pathways. The homes here were smaller than the large buildings that they could see from over the walls.
The houses were small boxes with a square window. It looked as if there was no glass pane covering the opening, but just a thin curtain from the inside in most cases. The doors look like they were poorly put together, and could fall apart at any minute. Some homes had two windows, and as they moved further away from the tunnel they'd come out of, and deeper into the city, more and more houses began to have second floors. Soon the doors began to look more sturdy, and the curtains, which had previously been a brown color, began to look blue or red, some with designs. Roofs began to get steeper, the first houses having flat roofs and deeper in the city roofs became pointed.
It was very clear when they reached the shopping district of Azarath. Signs hung over doors, and windows became very large, showing off the goods each shop held inside. Raven walked straight past them, not slowing down to translate the signs or let the Titans see. They had finally reached what looked to be the center of the city, the large square castle that they'd seen from the distance. Raven finally stopped when she had reached the steps of the building, and she looked up at the large wooden doors that were in front of her.
"Nervous now?" Jade asked.
"No," Raven replied.
"You're asking to break Azar's most sacred law, and you want them to help you do it. I'd be nervous if I were you." Jade went up the steps ahead of Raven, knocking on the doors.
A woman opened the door, wearing a white shawl loosely around her head, and a long-sleeved white dress to match it. The dress reached to her feet and only her hands stuck out from under it as they pulled the wooden doors open. "Mistress Jade," the woman said, bowing slightly to greet her. The woman's long brown hair hung over her shoulder in loose curls, falling out from under the shawl. "Mistress Raven" she added as her brown eyes found Raven standing behind Jade. "So good to see both of you. I will fetch Arella immediately, she will be thrilled to see –" The woman's eyes fell onto Slade, and she froze. "I will not let evil into the madams house."
"He's not evil," Jade said, following her gaze.
"I can see the evil in him. Your mother was born with evil in her, and grew to be good, but this man was born with goodness and grew to be evil."
"Move aside," a voice from behind the woman called. A woman came into view, looking very much like Raven, only much older. Her hair was mostly the same purple shade as Raven's, only with streaks of white in it. She stood taller than Raven, and she held herself in a manner that said she was important, and to be respected.
"Arella," Raven said.
The brown haired girl disappeared into the shadowy hallway. Arella stepped aside, letting Jade hug her as she entered the house. Raven entered the house behind Jade, without opening her arms to greet her mother. "I need your help."
"I know what you want, Raven, and I cannot help you." Arella looked out over the group. "I've heard so many stories of you, the friends of my daughter. You must be Robin. I've heard you to be very brave, and worthy of trust. And you must be Beast Boy, I've heard of your humor, and kindness. You will both forever be welcomed in my home."
"It's an honor," Nightwing said, stepping forward.
"Yeah, this place is amazing," Beast Boy added. They both began to enter the house, Slade behind them.
"I've not heard of you, but I know of you anyway. I would hardly put down a man in front of his own daughter, but it would be a disgrace to men everywhere to call you a man at all. Nothing of what you do has my blessing, except death." Arella glared at him as he passed.
"Nissa," Arella said, turning, "Show my daughter's friends around our home, and make sure they feel welcomed." The brown haired girl gestured for everyone to follow, and began to head up the stairs. "Not you," Arella said, stopping Slade from following. "You remain here with my daughter."
Slade nodded, taking a place standing next to Raven. Jade had stayed as well, but Arella waved her away and Jade frowned, disappearing up the stairs. Arella turned, leading down the hallway to a very large living room, where she took a seat on a white couch next to the fire. Raven took a seat on the couch opposite her mother, and Slade continued to stand, his eyes skimming the book shelves that lined the walls.
"I know why you've come," Arella said. "Raven, you know I do not have the power to help you."
"The monks do. They listen to you. Mother, please, if you tell them to help me, they will."
"The monks put together a council where they make decisions. You would have to appeal to them, but they would never hear your request Raven. Killing is the worst crime that can be done, no one from Azarath would allow such a crime." Arella stood up. "Seeing you, daughter, is always a pleasure, you always look so grown, so adult."
Arella cross the room, standing in front of the lit fireplace, her back to Raven and Slade. "You know our laws Raven, and our customs."
"Of course," Raven replied. "That's why I need your help, to convince the monks to make an exception."
"They might make one, if you speak with them, but they will not grant you two," Arella turned and glared at Slade.
"I only need one," Raven said.
"I'll arrange for you to meet with them tomorrow, then." Arella began to head for the door. "Goodnight, Raven."
"What was that about?" Slade asked as the door shut.
"I don't know. Find somewhere to sleep, I'm going to bed." Raven began to follow her mother out the door.
"I hope you know the laws here as well as you seem to," Slade called after her. "Don't make silly mistakes, Raven."
