Teen TitansThe Chaos Round-Part Two Between Worlds, Against all Odds

by Inkblot24

Our heroes' plight continues as the Chosen's promised vow to a daemon of manifestation is tested -he's forced to fight his own sister to the death, an old enemy resurfaces, and a bond that could unexpectedly save his planet, is brought into question -find out the rest in part two! The chaos round continues, here!

10. Chapter 10

Teen Titans; New Generations – The Chaos Round Part Two; Against All Odds – Chapter 10: Reste; A Long Time Coming – A Vile Rot coming from the Fields of both Glory and Passion.

/

Raku decided; he'd break his vow, to return to that body. To regain his powers. However, the luck he'd lose surely after this war, the witch could know her fate. Raku could save…

~Aiden wants me gone, too…~ He scrunched his fists into his tattered rags and furrowed his brow; intently worrying over the enemies he'd made -or would have once this was over…Passed over, like he'd be.

Isa could not take his side. Astarte would surely come for his hide. As would the gods and their hounds of torment…

He had to try –

Charl wasn't here! He could! He could fight…Somehow, and those miscreant allies of his had departed. Showed how much he mattered, without his magic.

Quiet, even docile he'd become for him…Aiden

He paused.

Oh…what had…

~I don't like that look. ~ Raku gasped and turned around with that appalling, aging aura. His eyes flickered as his fire was soon again lit. He wanted to live. Immortal he was; as he'd reminded himself that he partly was in limbo.

~I am fated, by those who promised change –

~Killing you is their way they show it? Left for dead? You are no princess! ~

~Why then? ~Raku was going mad in his cell. This voice, it sounded as old as he'd once been! Like Aiden, the chosen…

In a small voice he bickered through the mind - speak.

~You cannot exist! If you do, I'll NEVER be free! –

~You'll not be free if you cower in the dark. The shadows were never our home. It is why we were tempted to seek the underground; like that wizard had. Yet, he was far wiser. He gained them as allies. We, sought to destroy their factories that birthed countless immortals –

Stop it! ~ Raku shouted telepathically to the damned aspect. His body, his mind! Heart! Here it was, a faceless voice. He'd gone rogue before…

~You are no longer to command this realm and all it gathers from those mortal – bound. You are not a god-ling. You are –

~I…I have no more to lose than they –

~Humans, they hath tainted us! ~ The spirit spat and sniffed at Raku's groveling.

~We were not supposed to form this close a pact…. Lil is, dead –

~She'll always thrive, thanks to her children. ~ Metaphorically, the being would have denounced Raku's words with a shake of its false skull.

~Her children, not by blood. But, oath! And I refuted it! Long ago, I was tricked, aroused to lay with her body…Granted no time as she changed me into…-

~You were cursed to remain a youth by your queen. By, Inanna's luck. ~ Snorted the other aspect without a face. He must have been rolling his eyes.

His, was it?

~Are you a false face to Roko? Has she finally decided to take my life? ~ The tween demi– God rose from the floor and let his gaze be as sharp and straight as an arrow sent, by the great Diana of olden days.

~I have your face, not her own…~ The being expressed that it did not wish to reveal itself. Then, it was there to steal him too.

~What may I call you, when my time is through here? ~ Raku asked this; with the hope of a dead – eyed soul that Aiden would steer away from. The chosen's eyes needed to remain without a cloud to those skies of orange and green.

~I can be called by our true name. You know not of it. The goddess whom entrusted your change to another gave it to the council for safe keeping. ~

Raku's eyes flickered spitefully towards the aura; its body unseen, it could still be connected with by the speak's power.

~The ancient call mayest beckon I to your side, Lord of the red sun –

~As if this title is my own, I am trapped –

~You live now. ~ the voice said this without any strings to ensnare the child. As if saying he was always free to decide…

~I…Never did! My youth was my prison –

~Just as that team of heroes on earth, they too know this pain you carry with us. ~

~I…~

Raku had, realized it...With the Titans. Alliyah had let him live just so, so he could be with other…Meta -teens? This was not true!

~A' was…She could not have…~

~The one in form was not she, an extension maybe. ~ The creation in Raku's mind sighed.

~A, was here, yet we saw her! I remember! I tried…Twice…~ Raku gripped his skull as the voice only boomed over his waking memories -

~Do not recall! Those memories will be replaced! You must accept this fate and save the chosen! You must on longer break from that vow! Even if your body should return, your mind must be stronger! ~ It added.

~R…. You…. Who are –

I am the reality that was; what we had and then lost in those days; as simple pawns and pets to greater saints. We were as he! Energy like the very orb above! Both moon and sun rely on that strength to remain! The spirits knew of you then and today, they shall venerate all of us into a story WE took every ounce of our will to survive, yet forgot…. ~

~She, was no master. She'll have her way no more, and if you! –

The shadow - presence laughed aloud. ~Nay! She is a fool to return, should she ever believe her will stronger! ~

It was grinning. It had to be amused!

~Nay, young brother. Our fate is thus; the chosen is our catalyst as he always will be until the sun burns one time less –

~It was never meant to burn so quickly…For any being alive. ~ Raku shook his head harder now and and tried to keep calm. His knees shaking just as quickly as he could count his every labored bredthe. The being was his nightmares come to life. His warrior self, his fighting guise he did not wish to reunite with. It was a callous thing, a private legend that never was. Could never become him, if he willed it to…To –

~I exist AS ye. ~ The voice corrected. ~I am to rise, and so should you! Young sun lord –

~NO! ~ Raku was nothing but shadow. He'd proven that by biting his tongue, by betraying …. But harming…

~I shall not have it. You will live, if not to suffer. For I do not wish to end my existence with a farewell too soon. It is not as the Fates prophesized. ~ The being was there, sitting in a wormhole in space, waiting to be set free.

~Nay…~ Raku panted and gritted his teeth. ~I am the one who says you may exist! Without a purpose, you float and loft about! I am only here to know, never …. ~ Raku stopped himself.

~You…Bring out my perfect memories, yet all I recall is the fire I tainted with these hands…~

~It was our father's. We had every right. ~ The godless face was troubled. It must have been tired of fighting too.

~Azag's flame was his kept secret. ~ Raku felt his eyes prickle up as he swiped them clear again with the back of his wrist.

~He, left it to be…To remain a sacred beacon. I knew nothing. Lil…She twisted my fate, allowed you to remain…. –

~And yet…~ The voice now whispered by the child's ear. ~Now, you do need me, you need that control BACK for a time. I will grant it. In return –

~I require no such promised pact!... ~ Spat the young ex - royal.

~You? This is for the Chosen. ~ The being shoved himself back, as if to be driven off into the shadowy unknown.

~Aiden…I…I want to use my magic –

~It remains dormant…~ The being chuckled as his presence seemed to wane finally, slowly.

Without me, you are only a mortal with pretty words to protect him. I have everything you desire…Call out, when the time here you have…. Is to its end…~

Azag…Azag had kept this secret long ago; Raku was a red lord for a reason so ancient, that shadows had once been his only companions while in Lilith's arms.

Azag had been a god of the Void, a messenger for a wise and nameless being who'd erected that bottomless shaft of a plane.

As a record keeper late in life, Azag had kept the emotional torment of those who had made ill of the moon and sun's blessings. Sort of a watchdog and exorcist as he took in their pain to devour and house it. His face was in shadow when Raku had first met the god. His eyes hollow and grey. His skin was as tar and ashen dusk. It had no real form, as if a spectral entity born to another time.

Raku was to the past, as Azag was to the future when Djinn had been birthed by man's tellings. Some such as Abi and Dreamwake, had become these faces to remain from becoming hollow. Azag had been the earliest to convert, yet it was already too late.

His son; the boy who wanted to shed his mortal soul to find peace, to find a parent and a home. He was no father to the child; he was bound to die soon. If one believed that spirits lived forever, they'd be incorrect to assume that this era and backstory connected such a fate to its occupants.

Raku was once a witch's child, a boy with a father who'd once been a god. Then. Could gods relinquish their power and rite? Could gods become human?

Raku had asked for the way; a way to become a god like his father. He'd lost his way, and was now trapped forever in limbo by his kin and their laws.

He was not human, and this was why Aiden hated Raku, right? That he'd been a monster who'd come at the family to shred it apart so easily?

~I have nothing to stand for, if my chosen believes –

Raku stopped himself. He had an idea. Eris wanted him to remain as malleable as a wad of clay. He'd not do this, but he'd do as he had with Lilith. He'd stretch his truth far enough to see them again. He'd will his power again to appear…

~Book of Manifesto…~ He rasped in a low voice. ~Change my body, let remain my mind and send word! ~

A spell book appeared in ruins from the last fight. Its pages went on, glowing as a tomb of gold to the old world's tales. It was symbolic and rose to be at his eyes. Raku's red receded and became maroon, by his will alone to control the magic he had recovered.

~Story to tell, story to write –

He was a spell caster. A story - teller of olden. His mother's kin had been in the past. He too had this power. To manifest. Not by his father, as the gods had claimed. Yet, by his human mind and forever - young spirit.

~I call to the air, the sky at night as it shines! I call to the moon whence it hides in dark shadows! ~ He called out to his contracted. ~I hear all and seek salvation from the flames of my youth…. Bring me the form of the one, absolute!~

This would risk everything. Aiden would be aware that the one he wished to meet. Then, who could it ever be, that the fates had decided?...

/

Aiden's skull pounded as he rose from his frightful dreams. He had awoken. Who'd called out –

"Mama! Aiden is up! Come here, hurry!" Ami dashed for the door as Aiden followed the fourteen-year-old with his eyes.

When she'd then left him all alone, the voices had returned.

~Aiden! Chosen! Seek the under…underground! Find it! Find –

~Agh!~ Aiden grabbed the side of his head and moaned.

~Find it! I'm here! Stronger…. Be –

~AAAGH!~ Aiden fell from his bed and to the floor. Tears past his nose and his eyes still bloodshot as he recalled…

~Inside this place, he is still your damned God! ~

Aiden was punched before the shadows - while inside of his own mind. The one who'd taken over had come back to claim what remained.

~I'm not your tool!~ Aiden shoved back the violent things with his powerful shock waves of light. The phoenix was still there, still waiting for the heroes to win…

There was only a battle with himself to occur, as Aiden pummeled his inner dopple and left it sour as a ripened fruit.

Ach! You can't win! ~ The dopple shouted, as Aiden materialized a cloth gag and ropes to hold his prisoner still.

WHY did you make us do that? ~ He kicked the other down with his boots intact. It was already happening. His anger was winning…

~Us? That was you! You were afraid, not -

~I was trying to save him! He… -

~That's not right, you know. ~ The dopple of Aiden's inbred fears yawned as the other came to the conclusion all to quickly... His eyes looked to the bonds he had used, and he felt…

It was wrong…all wrong…

~But…Then, why did you let that happen? Why are we in the Tower? Tell me everything! Talk! ~

His power came out in the form of his blade of a golden aura. A sickle of destruction. The doubled - over dopple looked up and gawked. Eris had awoken the wrong evil! What it took to fix this, was a mystery even to the mirror image of the Chosen's own making.

~Ah, fuck you…. Or me, well!...Eris wanted to get Raku's attention, not yours. ~

It said back to Aiden – less than… carefully, and with a roll of its amber eyes.

~What? ~ Aiden dropped his arms to the side and rose from the floor where he'd knelt upon his arrival.

Heck, interrogations weren't easy…

~Yep. She said Raku was a power – source just like you, so she wanted that power for herself. She thinks that if someone 'broke' your ties slowly, it might bring the second 'chosen' out into the open –

~Wait, chosen?~ Aiden wondered if Raku had the same backstory as the boy's flashback had shown…

~Duh! He's a celebrity! Shit! Were you just going to let them push you around too? You guys are more than valuable warriors to the gods. To Isa, she had Verra. To Astarte, she had Anna, our sibling. To Ava, she has –

~Stop! Why are you telling me this? What about…~

The double turned around with a grin on its face. A haunting reminder that soldiers were sometimes born to die…

~You? Well, that's easy. The fire bird and Horus are like that. If he was dead because of being a power - source like Isis mentioned, then you and Raku aren't so -

~We…Are not supposed to –

~Hey! Inanna made it so that Raku would work harder, but he was messed with by those who wanted to get even with his daddy. ~ The double frowned and turned around to face the inky blackness of this particular space.

Aiden rubbed his arm nervously and bit his lip. ~ I know, she made it so no one could ever want to help …. Or save –

~And here I am, because some fruit – loop of a goddess gave me life, again. God! I was eaten by fricken Apep! You know how long that venom eats at you after you've been swallowed whole? It's beyond disgusting! I had to swim to keep warm and my spleen almost… ~ The double groaned over its luck with countless immortal souls.

~Apep tried to destroy the Earth. ~ Aiden saw this explanation as justifiable. He'd also…

~But, without big bad snake – Zillah, you would not have been able to save him from HIS extra face –

~Manifesto…. ~ Aiden gasped and shook his head, breathing heavily as his stress rose higher. ~ You can't help. You'll only end up –

~Then make your anger take a back seat. It's what I am. Your ego, your charm, all of it! I lived in you; just as a dark side – which by the way? Is no more a primal event of the mind that's been locked up tight, than it is a response to keep you from getting the hammer knocked through your skull by big, bad Thor! ~

~Whose side are you on, then? ~ Aiden pointed his finger the double's way.

~I'm just a part of you that got loose, and you fixed me. Real good. ~ It smirked.

~I'm back to return the favor, so…let us raise some hell! ~

Aiden gulped, afriad to lift an arm up in protest.

The demon dopple looked the blonde meta - human hybrid in the eye.

~ So, what do you say to a trade then, Partner? ~

/

Ava looked to Raven as they used their magic together on Aiden's shivering form. He was fighting, in a dream – scape. Somewhere even Raven could not gather through her boundless –

~Use my magic! ~

She jumped in her meditative to her side before her magic steadied the witch in her delicate position.

Raven had to constantly hide Malchior's presence from Ava and Zatanna. She groaned by the timing, it being the very worst!

Both were skilled in the magical arts, and both could unmask her secrets if they got a whiff of Raven's old ties too soon.

Ami wasn't at all as she'd come to realize, but the girl also had a psychic power granted to her by Amaterasu's art.

She was surrounded. No longer safe to comprehend where thee times had gone. Firstly, she had to save Aiden, then Malchior would come –

~I'm lying to my team, my family. ~ She inwardly groaned.

"Aunt Rachel?" Ava pulled Raven back into the present. "Huh? Oh, sorry…" Raven noticed the child's frown and was suspect to her own niece. Well, Ava had to have more power she kept locked away. After that loss, her magic was on a 'last minute or nothing but' basis.

"Aide! Wake up! Mama…Where is she! Dad is gone too!"

Ami was right, and Raven could not sense their …

Wait…

"Amelia."

Ami jumped at the sound of her true name. "Y- yes?"

"Make sure the team is warned, but we have an intruder. In the tower –

"What! –

"Stop." Raven demanded with a stern face on. "Don't you know how to use telepathy? It was with Cyborg; you both made that clear. I could sense it." She explained to the young miko in training.

"Aww, nuts! Kaede -Chan!" In a flash of smoke, Kaede appeared beside her charge. Ready to fight and defend.

~You summoned me –

"Yeah, the jig is up." The child puffed out her cheeks with a huff.

~We were discovered? –

"Not us! My powers! No one is supposed to know that I can –

"Ami, you are able to use your abilities?" Ava stood up and looked upset too. "Behind our backs this entire time?"

"So are you! You called home three times; I saw it! You even –

"What are you talking about, both of you! "Raven stopped the chatter with her magic.

Ugh, this fight was giving her a headache anyway.

"Aiden isn't the only one who is out of his body HALF the time! Humnph!" Ami snipped and threw her head to the side, rather rudely.

~Ami – Chan, this is no time for games. You and your family must remain alert. The influence over those with our abilities is not a rare –

"Right. Which is why I should have said something sooner." Ava gripped her grey cloak and shook. "I was reaching out to my comrades back in the Barrens. To see if my people had awoken yet!"

"I don't think that's gonna happen." Ami shrugged and for the first time in a while, saw her sibling as being more depressed than ever before…

"I'm sorry, no more flying solo. Deal? –

"Then both of you, talk." Raven demanded. Her eyes on the three. While Zatanna stayed to help Aiden as Raven ended this quarrel. Where were the children's parents?

"Ah…Oookay….SO! Amaterasu entrusted me with finding the goddess called…Concordia! She said if we did that, she could save Japan and get stronger. Only problem is, we know who that is who's Concordia now…But?...

"But?"

"But….She's not ready to face off against her counter part, Eris. So, we had a plan B. We had no idea, but I found out that Lisa, has Alicia under –

"Ami, you don't mean to tell me…"

"Yup!" Ami stood proudly with her chest puffed out. "I'm a protégé guardian to the sun goddess! Like a warrior under cover, but so is Lisa! And so is –

"I am, as well." Ava huffed. "I have connections with Thor, Aneiu, and Wodin."

"You never lost touch, which means –

"We were spies, Aunt Rae - Rae!" Ami giggled. Kaede slapped a palm to her face and groaned out a sigh. ~We cannot say anything else! Ami - San…~

The door swung open. "I, cannot believe this!" Dick was furious. "We have to talk. Everyone, to the briefing room. Stat."

The door shut again, leaving the four as dumb as their lost wills; to continue this discussion in the company of others, at the very command of an ex -Titan leader.

/

Kori was pacing around in mid air. Beetle was working on his tech, his mask to the side for now to stop the sweat from ruining his complexion. Zan and Dami were quietly to the side, looking over the city for any reason to run into a mindless dead – walker hoard.

Anna was to the farther side of the room, with her gaze spanning out towards the skyline. Their last home was in turmoil. She had to find a way…A way to tell Astarte her side soon.

Vee, Kay, and Hakuro were in their little corner by the sofa. In time - out, no less. It had been a long day so far of apocalypse 101 training. Still, it seemed as if they were stuck on this bay line without a way to the mainland.

Cyborg and Koko had gotten to chat about Dearheart. It was an interesting change for him, to not think enemies could remain enemies. And, he'd hoped to hear about how Lil Nina was doing. That war – hound.

Vespa had not followed, and Gar was out with Conner keeping an eye on the city from the air. For now, the city itself was a ghost town. Though, that would not last long.

"Ami, Ava, Anna?" Dick finally came to his feet and had Kori to join him. The execution here was clear.

Raven had volunteered to watch over Aiden. She needed the alone time, to recoup.

"I heard, some very convincing arguments. And, Verra? I trusted you. You too, Kaede –

~I go by the goddess's laws! ~ Kaede snarled. Ami tutted the pup to remain temper – free. That would only make it likely for her studies in Japan to soon cease to be.

"I don't care. Ami is still a minor, and she's been learning to fight monsters. That much we know. What I would like you to express," He stared Ami's way as the fourteen-year-old fidgeted nervously, "Is that you were still taking the time to understand your work, I'd hope. But... You let that go, and now you are in over your head. We all paid the price for that lie."

His anger was real and Ami knew it was too late to duck for cover.

"I did it for the world, and because I…" She looked across the room at Cyborg. He understood, she was afraid to let all of her allies down. She was a hero too! In the making. You could not just call it quits with that printed onto your resume.

"You made a promise to her, to the goddess. We know that. It wasn't a secret, but you were working with the faction of another world and kept that from us. We could have helped Ava's people. We could have helped THIS Earth! Your home! Why?" He begged to know.

"Why did you just, do that? And Shoji? You lied about what he was up to."

Kori glared the dog's way.

"You traded our trust and our kids for a seat on the throne; that is low, and Kay? You let this happen. You let! –

"No!" Ava shook her head and ran up to Ami's side. "That, wasn't her fault or Verra's. It, just happened… the moment our powers awakened, we had to –

"You turned into tools for these, these. *Sigh…This is why Nigthwing is only around in case a catastrophe happens!" He shouted. "If I became a vigilante and stayed home with you all this time, I would have ruined our family. THAT is why I became a cop. To protect YOU! For…But...Argh, Not, from this! You wanted to get hurt?" He was furious. Ami saw his smoking nostrils fare in the back of her mind.

"That's enough of the good cop, bad – cop!" Beetle stood up and exclaimed. He'd not wanted to see another Nina cry. Too many tears. It was wrong!

"If you think this can just blow over, we know these kids." Cy shook his head and Beetle's resolve weakened by that look the male gave him. "They are as bad as their daddy. They will go off and prove that they can make you proud –

"I'm not saying that stopping old turkey is the answer, Vic. But, Verra allowed Ami to become an…Exorcist! Constantine would fall over off his high horse if they ever crossed paths!" Dick was a mess as images of demons and God knows what else swam through his skull. He did not want Ami to continue if it meant dying for the sake of serving….

"Break it off, now." He looked at Ami and Ava, equally upset. Kori flew over to her husband, but his anxiety had eaten him alive until this had all but passed.

"No." Ami shook her head, while Ava bowed her skull as a way to say 'bugger off' rather politely.

"Kori, we have –

"You…. Are not the Richard I know!" She sent a bolt plowing right through the air as it hit –

Cy rushed out, yet…She'd been right to leave a mark.

"Where is he! What have you done with my –

~Agh! ~ The power in his wrist was not his own as he cried out. The puppet on strings. Yet, who was the one pulling them?

"Dick! You've gott…. -

"What?"

The body warped to form anew. In his skin now stood, the god of all wars, all chaos.

Ares. A spy. A true demonstrator of fierce control.

"Wh…What just –

"Get back!" Beetle saw as Vee and Kay went on the offense. "Looks like a god – look – alike - contest wasn't all that it was cracked up to be! Huh, War monger, deity?"

Vee spat the insult, but Kay took the blunt as Ares pulled down or rather, up fire from the floors.

"Shit!" Kay leaped away in time, but Ami was left, caught in the crossfires.

"Ami!" Kori saw as Ava rushed in with her ice and frost to make a path, it kept on burning…. Whatever that fake had told her, it had disrupted Ami's concentration!

~The only sun that should shine brightest will be a creator of order. Not you, little vassal. ~ Ares walked in his heavy soles towards the struggling miko in training. Kaede leapt out as her Kyubi form caused more fires to burn. Her own created a bridge that would take them to safety.

~Do not come any close, demon! ~ She growled as Ami recovered at her side.

~Kaede…No…You…-

~Hush, Haru would call me a weakling if I left you to carry this burden alone. We are kin. You were kind, an he…His kin harmed my –

~Kaede! ~ The fox froze up.

~But…No! No! ~ She fell into her kitsune guise and shook, with her eyes wide open in shock.

~Kaede!–

~Agh!~ Ares was assaulted by Zan and Dami, with Kori as their goal keeper. Her catch, was the god of war.

~You are not welcome in our home! Give my husband BACK!~ She shot at the false face and held back her fears for the pain she might have inflicted upon ….

"Goes same here! ~ Kay used his rain magic to have Ava's slippery ice do the trick. It was too easy….

"Where is he!" Kori slammed the fake into the glass with her strength at half range. "WHERE!?"

"You…. You missed… -

"Mom! Stop!" Anna swung her arm out and miraculously caught the blow before it came to shatter anyone's jaws.

"He is an imposter! Get away from –

"He's ANGER! You are only going to make him worse to face head - on! Dad is still here, please…"

"Wha…What? What are you talking…Oh…"?

Saying this broke the spell. Dick's face returned, and Kori's eyes watered over.

"Ares…Is not…I do not –

"A trick." Ava noticed it too. "He used your hate and frustrations to try and show off by killing – or have you hurt each other."

"I…When did this-

Cy scanned the room with a crystal from Verra's company.

"Supernatural mojo." Beetle shook his head and gawked over the tin can's shoulder. "No wonder, like a leak that spread. And we…"

"We fell for it." The younger red head mumbled.

Anna saw this quickly, when Kaede had stopped attacking. She'd not heard a false echo. It had been Dick's consciousness connecting with her own.

"That was why we went easy on him. But you two, you were in a fight. Something got to you first." Vee noticed that the two seemed to have had missing parts of their memories taken.

"Ares, that has to be why." Dami put away his sword and looked to see if anything was left to chop down.

Zan landed beside Damian and frowned. "Why was it so hard to sense him? Was his spell that strong? –

"It was boosted, by a power that can make things…"

Ami gasped and looked for Anna. She'd run off.

"I know where she is." Ava and Kori went first. Ami looked to her allies and family. She went over to her father who had his head in his hands.

"So, you meant all that. Didn't you…" She sat beside him and tried to lean against his arm. "I'm sorry I made you and mom worry. I wasn't fighting anything. I swear!...Ah, Kaede did that, I just gave her a place to crash. They said..." She continued with a sigh. "They told me that unless I master the art of the Sun Goddess early, I can't run around saving Japan. It'll be years before I'm ready to do any saving. Kay, daddy?"

Dick took a look over at his youngest and swiped back a tear from his face. "You had better be more responsible wit your powers if you want to be as good as Aunt Rachel someday." He smiled back weakly.

"So, then dad? One last question."

He was not so bad, as a droopy mess right now.

"Did you really fight with John Constantine? From the comics? That is so cool!"

Dick turned blankly away and tried to think of a way…

No, she could bask in the memory. He wanted her to know the truth.

"I did. He wasn't shy at all. In fact, he could send you flying through the air like Deadman, or even out - wit Raven in a staring contest."

"Was he super weird? Like an old hobo?"

"Naw." Dick suppressed a chuckle. "He was, a lone wolf kind of hero. Always had a story to tell."

Ami was pleased to know that her dad was still ok, even if his anger was justifiable. Her route was to become a mage. A magic user with a degree in the arts from way back.

Because, because…It was now her destiny to do so and to save the world.

/

Malchior aside, on other had been in the pocket of the good deity; yet she was not ready to spread her wings far and wide.

Agatha cowered while Isa looked to returning the young change and she to a spirit realm sanction – a place to keep from the demons on this plane, for the enemy had not attacked much of her own home worlds.

"Agatha, ready yourself to leave. Immediately –

"Nay! We cannot leave our comrades without –

"You are not fit to wield Concordia's ways! You are unstable in mind as I see her…" Isa looked at the child and saw just that. A young preteen who needed to train harder in the light arts before she could save anyone.

"I will have left Eris to take hold of the Chosen! I cannot leave yet!"

"Nay, for you and I speak as they – the tongue of the mortals has left you and I weak! We cannot fight unless we first do recover among the gods. Then, we will free them, together…" She knelt to meet Aggie's eyes. "I promise this to you. The Chosen and Titans of Earth are far to precious to let suffer –

"You…You would use them?" Aggie gasped and let her eyes water at those words. Such deception!

"We are gods, yet we cannot make that choice! They have wills to defend from our –

"We make clear our intend, and maybe not so." Isa frowned and rose to her feet again. "Change your time for this, dear Agatha. Nay; the future that shall be Thy Concordia –

"I will only leave whence we hath located the last piece! She will be harmed if –

"I hath sent my word. The child Ethereal will come to no such harm." Isa stated this as she went to take her trench coat from the hall closet. They'd stayed in this suite until Hypnos on call, had frozen the time they had here, to prevent Eris's vows from being realized. He was on their side; she'd found out much later.

"I will go no further, yet if it is to save my family of earthen means…" Aggie recalled Raven and her worn heart. She did not want a student. Isa was willing to replace her earlier mentor. However, Raven still resonated within the girl incarnate's memories.

"Then, say nothing more of this tragic ordeal." Isa concluded, as Agatha nodded and stood up beside the hallway's wall. "I will protect this world, once I am strong enough to face my dual opposite!"

/

Lady Roko awoke and found herself bound back in chains. Eris had a scent. Of apples and of doomsdays no far off. She could taste it in the air as the giddy goddess swung round the bend. She then reverted to her dark-haired form and sauntered right over to her prisoner.

~You were quiet this entire time. Would you not think to overtake his mind, now? It is mine. I wanted what he would rather despise…Don't you think that was wise of me? –

~Brash. ~ Roko snorted and tried to play along.

~Unleash his beastly self, and you'll end up as I did –

~Do tell! I love a bloodcurdling tale of woe as much as the next! ~ The goddess grinned over her captive audience.

~He…Was once in control, due to a self we had given him by our collected consciousness –

~We? So, the boy - self, the woman? You were within? –

~AS I was saying; Roku was a collective whim of not only Lilu, but his fears, combined. As it came to be fated, there was more to this self. How it had resisted control or being controlled. ~

Eris leaned in and was intrigued, A new piece to the myth this dragon son clung to…New fuel to add to her ever growing pyre.

~Go on. I wish to hear, more…~

~Then I will explain; do not tempt the man's nature. Lilith was almost drowned by it, a beast and a man. This was not Roku, yet a collective entity BORN by both he and his under -aged self –

~A dual self, of the dragon red? ~

~And nay, not just a single self. A demi - God of Manifestation has power whence he calls to it. AS a high sorcerer, he hides underground to have such a power sealed away. I know of this name to be related to Igneous. Of fire and coal so pitch black –

~To, fire? ~ Eris cocked her head to the side, curiously trying to picture someone as lame as Abi or even Solario's Apollon.

~You left me to rot too soon. The fields you seek to sickle clear apart, are not here. ~ Smirked the witch in her ember red disdain.

~No, I am not. ~ Eris shook her head and pouted. ~But…You seem to know what he is, what he can do for me…~ She leaned in close to the daemon puppet's face. ~You know this face; whether it hides from your view of the moon. I want you to recall it …How do I capture, his being…. his power –

~As a power source's alter side, I cannot disclose this –

~YOU WILL! ~

Eris dragged out her tendrils of a tainted sort and wrung the naked enemy upwards, strung by her ankles as she lashed out. Roko clutched her eyes closed and was swaying towards Eris's angered eyes.

~You'll not only tell me the clear – cut way to his heart and spirit's core. You'll sacrifice yourself if you must! Tell me the secret! Of that sacred name! ~ She prodded the spirit wretch until her arms hung limp.

Dislocated, she screamed out in pain.

~You are a monster, already! I? I was and will always be a goddess! You are just the sow who sewed the seed of regret in your master's heart! You do not EVEN exist! –

Roko felt it as a feeling rippled through her entire body. She was becoming unstable. She had nothing left to cling to.

~I do! I am alive! Know this, witch! The young lord is too dead! You will not find that palace of secrets…Cough! *…It is an evil place that will taint your being should you enter its walls…. So, die here…On…Solid…cough! Ground!~

She was becoming stardust; Raku did not need her. Eris was right. In that myth, she had been the drugged self of Raku as he slew his drunken caretaker's life from his dirtied body.

A boy in drag, covered in blood and…

Lilith's message.

That she would return…

/

Raku was not the one to sense a pang at his chest's very center.

Ignito, was.

~Dear gods, be it true? She is, in passing? Eris hath gone too far, I must warn the …~

He looked to his swollen hands gnarled as tree trunks, seeing the future as a vision to come. His eyes lowered and his breath pinched. He had to get started, under the dome and past the mind.

The mind's eye could forsake them all. Never, of one. For all must stand tall until the story was written.

~He can only end it. ~ Ignito sighed. ~Manifesto, you've gone too far…Our lordship is not ready to break from –

~By what form, brother? ~

Ignito jumped as his two-faced companion had returned from the above.

~I was jus, having a stroll. A time to chat with the master was preordained. Was it not –

~You are no evil, I can assure. ~ Ignito bit his lip and added. ~ The lord of the setting rise, he is not in harm's way? ~

~Hardly. His body is caged, yet his mind wanders freely forth. We must have him exact his will over the witch soon, or I fear –

~Fear is what's driven us to act! Fear is what came to bring his consciousness to awaken! ~ Ignito threw a palm over his face, with a groan as he said this loudly to his brother – self.

~ Our ruling is as thusly. We are not to stand out –

Are we to allow our master to rot from within!? Clueless are ye? The Chosen hath now only just caught wind -he will not save the master. ~

~ It is fated that he MUST. ~ Ignito rebuked, rather swiftly. He was afraid the sentience of his brother would reawaken a new dragon lord.

~Sun and moon are we. You, the lunar wolf among us, I the bird of paradise left home to roost. To remain. ~

~ To then remain, must we always? I am well! I can kill the witch if he allows it! –

NAY. Brother, for the last act was why the dragon arose to kill them all. WE are Lord Azag's last surviving. ~ He noted. ~ WE are what was left to protect that boy, to protect the balance as it was –

~Story – tellers bleed ink and fear unto their hollow pages! Their hearts overflow with remorse! We hath the ability to overcome! –

~Story telling is book – work. We are record- keepers. He too, spoke of his son being a surviving Ancient. ~

~ You pity the mortal…! ~

~Does this come as a shock? I'm surprised by your effortless griping. ~ Tutted the big brother Ignito. His younger sibling would have been Manifesto's very soul self.

~ I give. For if he dies by the fallen goddess's toying relentless – we too can say farewell to our –

~ As the fates decree! ~ He was called Ignito for a reason as Manifesto flinched. A fire in the belly of the Earth's very core. He was, just a figment. He wanted to have the life of before – times again. Just to show the gods that Raku WAS to always be their rival.

~Do not have me to raise thy voice to thy own brother! I see no point. ~

~ Because you were always so perfect. ~ Snipped the Manifestation aspect. Raku's human wants collectively held together with a weak cord and tie.

~I was chosen to keep us BOTH in line. The young master fell because of our constant bickering –

~WE were once as Light and Darkness who now reside. ~ Reminded Manifesto as he leaned into his pose of one who, did not wish to speak again, for a very long few decades to come. Uninterested by the tug and pull of their lives. He waned and waxed for…

Real freedom again. As Lil had granted…So long, long ago.

~You bargained the Lordship off to a Demoness. ~ Scowled the annoyed Ignito roughly.

~I did a sure thing, they kept him alive. ~ The delusional self smirked and felt himself proud to have killed in order to save just one life.

~She cursed us. I was only able to call out later, you left me for dead –

The Manifesto - self reappeared before Ignito as tangible. It had the robes which rivaled the king Solomon o his time. The Djinn loosely held his thrown over excellence shut. He wanted his displeasure to speak in waves, for he'd stayed silent too long.

~IF you were to take those words back. ~

~I won't… for it was the truth to be written –

The Manifestation god was birthed of a subtle rage. He could show it without looking in the direction of his brother.

~You came here. To say, goodbye. ~ Softly the daemon self Ignito went and shut his eyes. ~Then, this 'preordained' order is no more. ~

~I'll gladly take that as a challenge. ~

~So, be it, but first? ~

Ignito swiftly lit a match at the tip of his finger, then blew it out. The room erupted with rumbling walls and a collapse of the sanctum in its entirety. Manifesto moved, his eyes not as brightly lit. Yet, he could sense that –

The walls seized their shuddering. The cool floors no longer buckled from below. His eyes unclouded, Ignito had vanished. The room's only door was a vortex no more, it had dispersed into thin air. Now, where had that mongrel sage run off to this time?

He searched the wall, passed the corridor where the sorcerer's books had once stood.

~He is a library, of that which moves to and from danger. Yet I am well and know of the consequence we hath paved in regret of ourselves…Ah! That beast! Strangle him, I might! Raku…Our… -

His voice box flowed and was quick to rupture, with his eyes as buggy and wide as a chameleon's. He'd spoken their lordships' name…He would not go back! Not EVER to that loathsome space!

~SAVE ME! GODDESS OF THE DESERTED! I BEG THEE! SPARE YOUR CHILD THIS –

~AAAWWWAAGHH!~ Manifesto's body broke down. It flailed about as his eyes readily swam crimson.

He saw it, the one he'd called back from the dead.

~Nay. You are not he. He is not you at all, but better…What do you disturb my slumber for, lowly sprite? ~

Her body hovered in a vision; as a sleeping bird of prey, now awoken to the sound of a small scream in the darkness.

~You once allowed me life, he was grateful for it, My –

~Dammed be you and your insults! ~ She snapped back and watched the Manifesto - figure squirm.

~Goddess! I beg, I beseech! Save him, he is not aware of what his life is to them. Those mortals will grant him, humanity –

~So? ~ The angry bird -woman scoffed as she pruned her feathers. A night owl. In the dark, she looked as a ghost without shape. Only a face, a very set of piercing amethyst eyes.

~Owl am I to he; yet to you, I am a way out of your so – called predicament. ~

~Because you proved to them all! My queen Strix –

~CALLMEBYMYTRUENAME! ~

She bellowed out. As Manifesto thought through his wish from before, he decided to fix his lists up. His mind was not as structured as that bookworm Ignito's. He could do better. Be better than the master he'd spoken by name of before his arrival.

~YES! YES! LADY LILU! GODDESS OF THE ANCIENT! OF THE UNFORTOLD! OF NIGHT AND DAYS TURNED TO BLACK BY HER POWER! OF THEE ABSOLUTE! –

~That was quite a speech you gave…! ~ The owl revealed itself to be a woman of intangible beauty beyond that of any Immortal's. She was alive and well, for lust was eternal. Order, was fleeting.

~Oh, do not sulk…Now is not the time! ~ She raised her arms and the owl's power became her own strength. She gained a divine feeling about her shoulders, as if she still had the role –

~Without Concordia, I may be as I please. So, from now on, call of me as my similar counter – part. ~

~Ishtar! MY QUEEN HATH RETURNED!? ~ Manifesto bowed low to the floor as she laughed from above and took in this freedom with all her senses intact.

~I've come to claim my partner! It SHALL be HE! And you shall do unto us – bring me the loins of that child of my undoing! Make him my king and you shall have Eris weeping at your feet, the Chosen shall share her fate, yet…~

/

As Raku saw into the place of his vision, he saw that the walls were bare. No books, no piled-up scrolls atop an assortment of forbidden tomes. The rest, was a ghost's paradise.

~Where are you! ~ He called out to the one of his order - of his hidden magics.

~I have come, just as you –

~Why!? ~ Ignito swung out a fist as Raku ducked. ~What are you doing here!? You...We are not to meet! ~

~I was able to come here! ~ Raku exclaimed and had his hands over his eyes.

~You, are a boy still…Sad. ~ Ignito sat back down and brought his arms to pull the room back to how it had been, before…

~I'm not able to escape yet. ~ Raku told the self. ~I was tricked. Now, I must fight this evil goddess before she has her way –

~As for the sake of your, sentence, my sire. ~ Ignito interjected thoughtfully. ~You were not supposed to remain on the Earthen void for longer than need be of your case –

~Our case. ~ Raku pointed out. ~ You exist within me. As does –

~Say nothing please. Not of that stupid jackal. ~ Shot the sage to his charge of sorts. ~He intends to undo your good work. ~

~No…I was close! I can do it! ~ Raku was to his knees by the leg of the elder self's. ~I cannot change back! Why? He's ruined it! I have to fix –

~You even speak as a mortal. What have you been through –

~AH! ~ Raku backed away, Ignito would hurt him, just as he'd hurt Aiden…He could not.

~You are a child. I could have your body and fix a great piece of our story thus far written. ~ He proclaimed this quietly, as his savior of the world over, only looked up with doe eyes and kitten ears perked to the sounds of salvation.

~If you do this, I must have my self returned, in one piece once Eris has been reduced. I do not want my powers to cause a second war –

~I would love to see you as one and the same. ~ Grumbled Ignito, as he rose to stroll by a very old set of scrolls in his path.

~You are coy, yet young - one of our being… Your behavior, could be avoidable –

~Let me speak with him. ~ Raku declared as he stood up to intimidate his alter, personally.

~Where is the half that shunned the whole? ~

/

Aiden swung out at the devil in his mind's eye. It fed on his angry, misguided misconceptions. It lived for causing a riot. To discover a truth, you sometimes had to tirelessly unearth the rest.

Right now, Aiden had refused to listen to his shadow dopple's words.

~Having a good end of the world collective, there? ~ The double's grin was wider than his cheeks could hold. Aiden grimaced by how that face was his…Well, technically –

~Hey! Hello? Earth to chosen number one! I'm right fucking here! You can't fricken kill me! You'd just be committing suicide! ~ He laughed, and Aiden had no idea what was worse.

His ideal future consisted of knowing where the hell he'd be working; in photography, maybe. Had it always been this freaky? Did Anna have a double that whacked out?

~Exorcisms won't work on me, moron! Mom and dad didn't tell us shit! They just left it up to some interdimensional pansies with their tails tucked between their legs! ~

~Peachy, but I'm not here to hear about what isn't right about my life –

~I said…~

Aiden flung out his arm to block the double as his own fist squarely ran right before Aiden's drenched chin.

~I'm you, but I'm hoping to change things. I don't want you, you don't need my ass –

~Then why are you doing this?~ Aiden would not have gone past a lunatic. He'd keep his distance until the coast was clear. Then, he'd force himself to erect a portal. Magic or whatever, it might bring him back down to earth!

~Go ahead. ~ The dopple moved and landed on its feet. ~Take your best shot. I'm not letting you outta here until I take on that form as my own. ~

Cockily, Aiden tried a swaying motion out, only to find it did not work. He was thrown back, flat onto his spine with a –

~A…AAAAAAAHHHH!!~ Cracking, a bolted back to the floor. An electric wire wall hit him. What? Was this a dream scape too? He could feel the electrical surge still at the crown of his scalp.

The double toppled over with laughter, nearly. He'd wanted to do that?

~What the heck!? –

~End of the world! Battle me or die trying! ~ The double used Aiden's phoenix fire against him and made a javelin as it was tossed the other blonde's way.

He was still on the floor, the wire now encased round him as moving vines.

~Better get out of my line of fire, loser! ~The double shouted and let the next attack come swift. This time, it stopped, right and by Aiden's shoulder. It had just missed his neck.

~Aww, am I not sharing my toys with the big man? ~ The mockery was enough to give Aiden reason to use his fire. He'd retired it since…Since Anna had believed that a wise decision.

~Annie – bera isn't here to throw her kid brother I a corner. I'll gladly do that for you! Kay? ~

~Ann…. Is not…Your…Sister! ~ Aiden's fire erupted from the crown of his head and to the tips of his boots.

~Now that's a game face! Right on! Now, see if…You can dodge this! HAH! ~

The double sent out something akin to tides of magma that Chosen's way.

~This is a waste of time; I cannot stick around too –

~Surf's up!~ The double was atop a few igneous rocks as the waves provided the perfect kahuna territory.

~I'm not playing! You should be serious! AAGGH! ~

/

Aiden was curled in a ball on his med bay cot. Zan was conked out by the latest intruder.

Ares poked around and saw that the boy was, having fun on his behalf. ~Eris did not raise you from the serpent's belly to make a mess! Where is the boy! ~

He hissed into Aiden's ear as the teen soon flung his head back and screamed. His eyes popped open, as the double's new skin suit.

~Here and under water, sir Arees! –

~Quiet, brat. ~ Ares rubbed his temples and made sure no one had heard…

Sadly, one had.

Koko stood in the doorway, shaking. Her fur was bristled into spike - filled mounds as her anger was no more a byproduct of the goddess's fear by who the Chosen had made contact with, this time.

~War…I sense the dead in this room beckon…. Stay back! ~

Her projectile beings; summoned wolf astral beings, struck out at Ares as he shoved them all back at their summoner mistress.

She howled out; hoping Kaede or Changeling had a good set of ears on them. The Chosen was about to be carried off!

~Hurry!~ She howled before Ares had her finally pinned between walls. His helmeted eyes could not show how intimidating the tall brute really was. A god and father to countless murdering of the factions.

~I will not stand for this brutality! Begone! Shoo! –

~Heh, little kitten. You do not terrorize as a goddess I know would gladly do – you are a sham. Thus, you should be eliminated –

~Wait. ~ Aiden's controlled body rose with his eyes fixated on their prize. ~The more the merrier, brother. We can use this one. She heals, and she is royal by blood –

~You know nothing of my clan! Monster! ~ She growled with her wolves now returning to form right beside her.

~Let the Chosen be freed of your influence! I am here to prevent the end! Don't –

~Waahh! Let go! No! ~

Koko's shouts could be heard. Kaede dashed forth with Verra and Starfire right behind. Zan was inside too, Ami had Beetle to help track her, while Raven came to be sure that her magical equal had not been –

~Zatanna! ~ The team's current Robin busted down the doorway, to find the room bare. Not a soul.

They were too late.

/

Alice's vessel, Cecilia Daia and Slade took to the road. As Lisa came back to pop her head into the scene a few times, Slade had since zoned it out. Thankfully, Cici drove. Though, she was more mercenary than some of the best jeep wranglers Slade had seen since the Koran war (Super soldier backstory bit.)

She overstepped no bounds, and left the dirt to rise high in her wake. Lisa had to keep an eye out and it was, awkward for the two siblings to meet. As sun and moon were within the children they had once been, Lisa still got into Cici's way to rekindle any bonds the two might have shared in lives lived previously.

Even on the zombie town shuffle bus they'd carted and been boarded onto, the two had little to say as Cici drove while Slade and Lisa, tried not to abruptly rock the boat – for their dear lives to remain intact.

~You did something, I can smell deceit off of you, criminal. ~ Alice sniffed telepathically to Slade as she'd hoped to keep her overtly - disconcerting momentum from her sister.

Cici, thankfully was too busy to check her extra mirrors as Slade wore his patch, but not his full mask.

He'd left it a the OTHER haunt, before Eris had dragged his lame ass in to the sewers of Berlin.

Now, they were back and headed further west.

God knows where that was any longer…

/

Alice contacted Slade and jogged his memory with a vision – an easier said than done air mail to deposit -just to have things more, to brood over on their long car trip.

"To Paris? Are you sure you're not just taking this, lightly?" Slade quirked up a bit, hoping Cecelia knew where she was headed.

"Paris was where we last kept in contact with Isa and her charge, Agatha." Lisa muttered while staring out the window at a few stray storm clouds. They were raining snowflakes, which meant that Eris had control over the seasons as well. They had to be careful. Who knows WHAT that cherub -faced doll wanted from the siblings?

"I see." Slade steadied his eyes to shut softly, slowly taking in the smell of rust and gunpowder. This was supposed to be real. It felt like an incomplete world some lazy animator had drawn up –

None taken, though. He could recall Isa staring him down as before. She had her eyes everywhere, just like this chaotic –

"Go left!" Lisa shouted as Cici dodged a falling …Cow?

"When pigs fly…Not funny, Eris!"

Barn animals floated and fumed with snorts, howls, and oinking above the team's truck.

"We made it to the border of France, now –

"Steady! She's on to us…" Slade sniffed and lowered his head (as if Death held a grudge against his skull twice!)

Banging against the roof, the barn yard buddies fell and were to the slaughter, all for the sake of stalling the three from their task.

"Cut across the field, it looks deserted enough." Slade pointed to the golden wheat as it turned into purple haze. He threw his hand over his mouth. Not lavender – the country's main export, but ….

"Toxic…Gas?..."

~Not to stop us, it won't!~ Cici erected a force field to come up around their vehicle. Nothing was standing in her way. She pushed it, and the car flew through the miasma grasses.

"Stay on! –

"Agh! I'm driving next! You are going to kill us first!"

Slade made this as a warning. One old coot against the other. Cici growled and ripped past the barrier that left the animals to their void. The rest, was long since…

"We made it….aaahh!" Lisa groaned and brought a hand to her forehead, dramatically. "Who taught you to drive? A bull?"

Slade was well on his word, he made Cici stop a few miles ahead and swiftly put the teen in the back seat, as promised.

"Do anything to jeopardize me again, I'll have –

"Threatening my sister won't do you any good." Slade's body was numbed by Alicia's involvement. She made him drive, not speaking until they'd entered by the main road.

"France or bust…." Slade grunted as the power finally wore off. Lisa held her skull and moaned back into her seat. "Did…We make it? –

"You, made something." Slade snorted snidely, and went to find a place to set up their beacon. Alice would be their guide. He absolutely hated working with kids. These two were going to get him sent off into the next decade with scars - a – plenty.

Gunpowder and grit. He'd done his time. Those two, were still unflushed as newborns. Dead in the womb.

/

As the car pulled into the lot; where across the rue was a hotel as violet as 'could ever to come across' be, Slade took to guiding himself forwards. Cici helped Alicia out of her side. A tiny set of fingers gripped around her own as the witch looked positively smitten. They were family, even if her relationship was to remain a taboo one. As a moon sorcereress to Hecate's cultic rites, Cecilia had a way of becoming her best and worst selves.

Alice, or Alicia, stood brightly above. As the zombie moon glowed greatly in their path above, Lisa could not interfere while her fate, had been tightly bound by another's influence.

Alice was supposed to go after Aaron. Aiden held on to the spirit, once. Now, Hakuro remained a conduit for the sage's wise words. Had she given up on that petty sort of love?

Slade shook his head and put his hands deep into his trench coat pockets. The girls were in their Victorian - Lolita style garb, maybe a tribute to the divine in question. Alice wore more white and blue than her sibling.

Cici wore all black. Nothing left, to coat her shame.

Slade's attention seeking allies were quiet for a little while.

Until –

~I hate that we cannot flee in time, Isa! –

~Stop your words, here. We are being seen off –

Isa stepped outside of the hotel with her protégé to her side. Alice looked to Aggie and saw a familiar aura.

~Concordia –

~ No! I'm not ready! –

"She is needed now." Cici spoke sternly to the goddess mother's face. "Why are you trying to prevent her from realizing her true power?"

Isa bit her lip and dropped her luggage onto the steps with a huff. ~She is not ready, I made certain to prevent Agatha from knowing this shame. She was supposed to be –

~Yet, she is not Concordia's whole self. That is why she cannot fight Lady Eris's magic.~ Alicia revealed her form as an Ethereal to the light haired child. Aggie gasped and could not trust her eyes. The left an impression, that this girl…Knew her far better than she knew of herself.

~I care not, she is vulnerable. ~ Isa's palms shook as she clenched them into fists. Slade saw this and paused a moment. Here in Paris, an unlabeled Immortal was hiding secrets, again.

"You are not just saying that." Slade cocked his head to the side in wonder of her intent. Isa's brow furrowed un intensely.

~ Agatha needs more training. I cannot do much. I have…~ She fell to her knees, mystically drained by having kept them hidden for so long. Aggie clung to her teacher to help her to stand. "I can't fight…Not alone." Aggie sniffled as Isa shook her head, utterly devastated by that sentence.

~No…You, you are still a child, we can remain in the…spirit….world…grow, together –

"I cannot do that, not now…My family is not here. You, are my family…You are also my teacher and…" Aggie let the words fall out as her tears did the same.

"I far, I have failed! I must fix this….so, please!" She turned to Alicia. "Let us work together, to stop Eris from rising again."

Alicia ushered over Cecelia as the warmth of her light embraced the cold darkness of her twin's magical aura.

~We must act quickly. To reveal thy magic; you must create a single bond with her…My form, Alice –

"Will that be all it takes?" Slade questioned.

~Nay, and…~ Alicia looked over to Isa's weary form. ~The blessings, of a mother goddess are required.~

Isa froze. Ethereals like A' were rare to share their powers with anyone! Could this be why Agatha could not embrace her own inner strength?

~I…Will allow, it…As long as nothing is to befall my pupil! ~ The goddess proclaimed as her full body was brought back with a full force.

Light surrounded the four as Slade did everything to keep away from the women's' love -fest.

~Pandora…. Box of ills and sickness, unbound…. Of plight and woe, of wrongs all in a form man cannot hope to fathom…Of powers that be, of magic in all that thrives…Of love to the skies, of hope to the air, of a great blessing unto the planes – and of light, which is life granted to those who thrive…. We! ARE The four! The Sky, the Sun, the Moon, the rivers that run forever throughout…The earth and wood that heals the wounded - of all souls… Bring to us, the awakened being of THIS PLANE! SO, IT DOTH IT BE! ARISE!~

Slade brought an arm to cover his eyes. How…!?

As Cici stayed herself, Alicia and Agatha's conscious bodies melded as one. A truly, bold move.

The older woman was of the same looks as a silver haired Catalina Daia. Yet, she was not. She was something far more…Her body was beautiful and unflawed by time. She had the Greek goddess in her to tame. A true Titan. A possible legend…

~That…~ Isa breathed through the speak to Slade, alone. Her words swirled as dust to a desert storm.. Swiftly encapsulated by her appearance and inner strength, it shown as no other.

~ Is the true, Concordia. ~

/

Did I NOT say this would lead up to some big plot twists? No, actually I did leave that out. Tends to happen when my first assumption is that slower, less than frantic plots are least favored over thriller style lines and relatable scenarios. But hey! What say you, the reader?

As deeply dug as their graves may seem to be, the Titans and the current 'Titans' of Earth, are going to soon one day meet. Will Raku ever come to his senses? Will Aiden gain back his freedom from the Chosen's disloyal dopple – ganger? Are Anna, Ami, and Ava done hiding secrets? Will Malchior break his promises with Raven? Are the Guardians aware of what the Gods do expect of their current positions; to see over the outcome a nothing more than spies to the heroes? Who was speaking through Hakuro in the hallway – so many unanswered questions and more! Find out in the next chapter of Against all odds, read on and stay curious for more!