Teen Titans: Arcanum
Interlude: Entry 39
"Robin's log: Entry 39."
"John and Raven have figured out that magic can be used to lengthen the blade of the dagger we found on Isaac's person. Don't know about the others, but if I hear something like 'Power Blade: Extend!' I'm going to bust a gut."
"John's also been going through that book of spells and marking off any forbidden rituals and other spells that he deems too dangerous for him. We've also learned that the mask can shield him from telepathy, and also makes him…difficult to see. It doesn't make him outright invisible, but it does make him seem…foggy, or dim to the naked eye. Strangely enough, the mask's abilities don't work for Raven or Constantine, almost as if the mask was tailor-made for hi-
[Audio distortion]
I wonder, can you hear me, dear reader?
[Audio pings] O_O
Good. That is good.
[Audio static] o_O
Who—oh, you mean Richard Grayson? Do not concern yourself with the young man, he will not remember this brief possession. Concern yourself with me, for I have a tale to tell you. But first, my dear reader, there must be an introduction.
Understand that I have no name to tell you, dear reader. I am merely a Chronicler who records events in the name of the Council of the One, who is known as the Presence. I have seen to this task for a time that cannot be properly comprehended by a mortal mind, just as the true scale of the Omni-verse cannot be comprehended by a mortal mind. During this time, I have witnessed the downfall of countless worlds, numerous deities, and the corruption of far too many good men to count.
To steal another man's words, I have seen men of steel die and dark knights fall. But I have also seen heroism and goodness beyond the imagination. I have laid witness to the creation of bastions of hope, the redemption of corrupted men, and the salvation of life. But that is not what I am here to discuss today, my dear reader.
Listen close, dear reader, for I am about to reveal unto you one of the secrets of this universe. A secret that has been well-hidden, and should have remain as such, until Trigon struck against one of the many Earth PRIMES that reside in Multiverse Quadrant 23555-27885-98573-O.
Long before the start of human civilizations, when Adam and Eve still wandered the Earth, forever exiled from the Garden of Eden, a war was fought between the forces of the Presence and the agents of the fallen angel known as Lucifer. What many do not know about this conflict was that a third party became involved. This third party preformed ancient rituals from when the Omni-verse was newly made and created not a world of light or a world of burning lakes, but a black pit that held no end. From this pit the third party created an army of the Final Night and struck against both the machinations of Lucifer and the Manipulations of the Presence. This army—while not so powerful as to strike down angels—was so numerous that both previous sides of the conflict found themselves overwhelmed by the army from the Abyss.
In the end, the Presence descended from his Heaven, and struck down the second usurper, and lock both him and his army in the Abyss from whence it came. The second usurper was so diminished by the blow delt to him that he was split into five parts of his being…
Obsession.
Megalomania.
Arrogance.
Apathy.
And finally, Rebellion.
With that, the second usurper faded in presence and power, until he was just a phantom, a whisper…
A voice, who hid in the minds of his soulborn children, subtly influencing them until the time would come to rise again and lead his dark armies to conquer all of creation. If you think that you have not heard it, you are wrong. I know that you have. I know that you have heard it crawling in the mind of the boy that you have been watching, dear reader. You need not lie to me, dear reader. I can see you even now, peering through that screen of yours.
Listen well, dear reader. Even if you do not want to, even if you feel you cannot accept it. Listen, for now I shall tell you the true identity of the Voice.
The Greeks called him Apollyon, the Destroyer. While there is truth in the title, there is none in the name that was given to him to hide the truth. His true name—if you know it already—is Abaddon, and his power lies imprisoned in the Abyss, waiting for one of his children to release him.
He has already manipulated Obsession, Arrogance, and Megalomania to this end. In time, he will succeed. There is no stopping this. It has been written, and what has been written cannot be changed, no matter how much you wish it.
I must leave now. The one known as Robin will not remember this, but you must remember. You must remember, and know that even if Trigon is beaten, even if all other evils fall, Abaddon cannot—will not—be beaten.
At least, not by any mortal force.
[Audio Distortion]
"Robin's log: Entry 39."
"Constantine is leaving today. I could not be gladder. I mean, I like the guy, but he is a serious danger magnet.