The Fate Worse Than Death

"Beast Boy?" Raven walked cautiously into his room. Cyborg sensed the tension and left the room.

"Beast Boy." Raven walked closer to him. He was lying on his side with his back to her. He was awake, but refused to acknowledge her. She laid a hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear.

"Garfield."

Beast Boy tensed at the mention of his real name. He wasn't angry at Raven. He knew that she had lost control. That's what scared him. That's what had always scared him about her. Next time, she could kill someone.

"I forgive you." He said simply. "You couldn't help it. You never can." Beast Boy's last words were cold and full of accusation. "Just leave me alone, Raven."

Raven was downcast, but she quickly recovered. "So be it. When this is over, maybe we will learn to deal with one another." Raven ran her fingers through his hair and pushed the strands from his forehead. She leaned over him and kissed him on his temple. Beast Boy gasped.

"Goodbye," she said as she left the room.

Raven saw Cyborg standing near the door.

"Something's wrong, isn't it?" He asked.

"We're going home Cyborg. That's all. Take care." Cyborg stared after her confused. Raven then entered her room and saw Robin and Starfire.

"Raven?" Robin asked as he sat up. "What's wrong?"

"I just came to tell you I know how we can get back to our own time."

Starfire sat up. "Oh! That's wonderful! When can we leave? I do miss Silky."

"Just wait here," said Raven. "I...have to go now."

"Raven, what…"Raven cut Robin off.

"Trust me," she said. "I know that I don't deserve it, but trust me."

Robin was hesitant but he resigned himself.

"Farewell," she said.

Hans had allowed Raven to use his room. When she reached it, she plopped down on the bed and hugged the pillow to her chest. Her mind was still reeling from that she had discussed with him about time travel. She learned that Hans was just an ordinary old man caught up in an extraordinary set of circumstances.

"Poor Hans," she said. "And I thought MY life was wretched." Raven really didn't give herself time to recover from Malchior's assault. She was focused on getting back home. She was becoming depressed. She knew what she had to do, but did she have the strength to go through with it?

Raven felt the bed weigh down. Someone was sitting next to her. Then another person, and another, and another. Raven kept her eyes shut. She couldn't face them. A hand reached out and stroked her forehead. She knew the rough texture to be from Beast Boy's glove. As she had done, Beast Boy brushed her bangs back and kissed her temple. Raven sat up but still had her head hung and her eyes closed.

"You wanted us to trust you? Now we want you to trust us." Robin said.

Raven let out a long breath and lifted her head. As she opened her eyes, she fought the tears.

"Guys…I."

"Trust us, Raven. We are friends." Pleaded Starfire.

Raven took a deep breath and began to relay what Hans had told her.

"We are caught in a time loop," said Raven. "Think of it as a rollercoaster. You get on, you get off, and you get on with your life. That's what happened to us. We got on this time loop ride. The ride is almost over and it's time for us to go home."

Raven looked at Beast Boy to make sure he was following.

Robin rubbed his chin. "So you're saying that this time loop is like a rollercoaster ride?"

"Yes," she said. "Now, think about a rollercoaster that never stops. It just keeps going and you never get off."

"Who does that represent?" Asked Cyborg.

"Hans." Said Raven. "The ride is almost over for us, but Hans won't be able to get off. Once we're back in our own time, he will relive everything over and over forever. It's like being on a rollercoaster that never stops."

The others were trying to absorb this.

"Is this the Hans that is also the keeper of this inn?" Asked Starfire. Raven nodded. "Then how did he end up in such a predicament?"

"I don't know. He doesn't remember."

"Raven, how did you make the connection between time travel and Hans?"

"When my soul self had attacked Malchior, I saw the garbled images of Malchior's memory. Hans was there and so was the mysterious man trapped in the crystal. The three of them have a link that goes back almost 50 years ago, yet Hans looks like he hasn't aged a bit."

Raven paused. "He knows how we can get back."

"Why hadn't he said anything earlier?" Asked Beast Boy.

"You have to ask him that question. He just keeps smiling every time I ask." She shrugged.

"So, how do we get back?" Asked Robin.

"The same way we got here. That white portal brought us here and it can send us back."

"Great!" Exclaimed Beast Boy. "Uh…how are we going to find it?"

"Not 'we', Beast Boy. Only I can."

"I don't understand, Rae." Cyborg shook his head.

"I know. That's why I didn't want to tell you all any of this. That's why I need you to trust me no matter how ridiculous this all sounds."

Raven got off the bed and walked to the door. "It's time to get off this ride and go home." Raven left as the Titans pondered her words. She went outside to meet up with Rorek.

Hans whistled as he approached Raven and Rorek. He never grew tired of this part. He relived these moments over and over. These children were about to get off the ride, but he would keep going; keep existing. A part of him envied them as he wished that he could be set free from his endless existence.

Oh well. He thought. What is about to take place makes up for it.

"Are you ready, lass?"

Raven nodded.

"And you, lad?"

Rorek nodded. Hans turned to the man trapped in crystal. "What about you?"

"Hans! This is no time for jesting!" Said Rorek.

Hans chuckled. "Sorry. I'm just trying to lighten the mood a little."

"You know who that is in that crystal, don't you?" Asked Raven.

"Aye. But I'm not telling you anything just like you didn't tell your friends everything. Some things you just don't need to know."

"Fine." Raven gave up. "I do want to know something. What will happen to you once the others and I leave?"

"You said it already, lass. I won't get off the rollercoaster. I'll just keep reliving these moments."

Rorek was puzzled. "What is a rollercoaster?"

"It's fun!" Said Hans as if he had actually been on one. "You don't need to know anymore than that. Focus on your task."

"That must be terrible," said Raven not willing to let the subject drop.

"I've had this conversation many times over. No matter how many times I see the two of you, I always learn something different. I don't know how I came into this endless existence, but I cannot escape."

"I'm sorry," said Rorek. "You mean you have experienced this before?"

"Yes. I have met Rorek, Raven, and the Titans countless times. Each time, I watch Rorek grow from the self-centered man to one who cares more for others than himself. Something different happens each time, but the end is still the same. That's what keeps me from becoming bitter. Each loop, I learn something new. I grow.

"That's why I couldn't tell any of you about this from the beginning. I had to let history run its course. I couldn't stop the rollercoaster ride in the middle. Rorek had to grow up. Raven had to come to a realization just how much her friends really mean to her. Only then could they undergo what they are about to do."

A tear ran down Han's cheek. He put his hand on their shoulders. "I'm so proud of the both of you. I never get tired of seeing you two come together and fall in love with each other."

Raven and Rorek looked at each other and blushed. Hans took their hands and brought them to one another. When their hands met, Raven and Rorek entwined their fingers. Hans stepped back and smiled at them like a father watching his daughter as he gives her away at her wedding.

"I'll be at the edge of the clearing," said Hans as he walked away. They had almost reached the edge of the woods.

Raven and Rorek continued to stare at each other until Rorek leaned down and kissed her passionately. She returned his embrace and closed her eyes. She loved the feel of his lips. She marveled at how soft they were. She moaned. When they broke apart, Raven traced the "M" on his breastplate.

"I know why I've been able to experience so much emotion," said Raven.

"Hmm?" Rorek tried to pretend to be innocent.

"Your mind powers strengthened my defenses. I was able to hold back the darkness while I experienced this." Raven smiled. "You gave me strength."

"My Lady," he smiled. "I am guilty." He leaned down for another kiss.

"Rorek. I have something to give you. You don't have the knowledge to seal up Malchior, but I do. Let me teach you." Raven opened her mind and let the spells she had learned flow to Rorek. She transferred her knowledge to him then stepped back. Rorek was overwhelmed initially, but he recovered after a few seconds.

"I understand now," said Rorek. He unsheathed his sword and studied it.

"Looks like I was never meant to use this in battle," he said. "Force of arms will not win this battle." He set the sword down. He kneeled over it then slowly stood up. He walked up to Raven and embraced her for yet another kiss.

The winds began to pick up. The rustling of foliage could be heard and the branches swayed violently. There was a loud rumble. The two broke the kiss and Rorek suddenly clutched Raven to himself. She held him tightly.

"He's here," they both whispered simultaneously. They began to tremble in each others arms because they knew that this would be the final confrontation. They wanted to hold each other a little while longer and looked into each other's eyes.

"It's time," Hans walked up to them. "I will stay here with the crystal. Malchior must not see either him nor me…not yet." He saw them trembling. This really tore at Hans. Every time he saw this, it cut him to the heart. Yet, he knew it would turn out alright.

"You must go now," urged Hans gently. Raven and Rorek nodded. Hans walked up to Raven. "Be strong, lass. It should have been me, but I know how this will work."

Raven hugged Hans tightly. "Thank you, Hans." Hans returned her embrace. It was like the embrace of a father. She settled into it and remembered all those times she saw a little girl being hugged by her father. She pulled away and faced the two.

"Rorek." She whispered. "I love you." Rorek clenched his fists. He had imagined what it would have been like to hear that from someone. Now, he couldn't do anything about it. He shut his eyes and did not want to look at her now because he knew that he would hold on to Raven and not let her go. Raven understood and looked at Hans.

"Goodbye, Hans. I hope to see you again."

"You won't." He said honestly. "But I'll see you again and again. I'm very fond of the both of you," he smiled.

Raven took a deep breath and walked toward Malchior. Rorek and Hans stayed hidden with the crystal. Rorek turned to Hans.

"Hans, I have come to love you as my own father but if you're wrong about this, I swear I'll kill you!" Rorek said with his teeth clenched.

"Indeed you could, my Boy!" Hans put his hand on Rorek's shoulder. "It's a good thing that I'm right then isn't it?"

Rorek looked at the old man. Then Rorek sadly lifted his gaze to Raven who was still walking up to Malchior.

"What a woman! So, brave!" Rorek sighed. His next words were barely a whisper. "I'll find you again, Raven, I promise."

Raven stood about 200ft away from Malchior. He was sitting on his haunches.

"I've been looking forward to this. I knew you would come, Raven." He said.

"You dare speak my name? I would prefer 'Dark Wench' from you!"

Malchior smirked. "You have my respect. I honor you by addressing you by your proper name. I will also honor you with a quick death."

"You have a twisted sense of morality, Malchior! So be it then!" She was in an attack position, but she quickly lowered her arms and closed her eyes.

"You really ARE prepared to die! Your broadcast was indeed accurate." Malchior was in utter amazement. Raven had broadcasted her intentions to Malchior earlier. She would face him at the clearing. Malchior had accepted the challenge. Raven now stood before him with no inclination of fear. Her facial expression was soft as if she was asleep. Before, humans would run or plead for their lives.

"I don't understand," he admitted.

"No, you don't." Raven looked up. "That's what bothers you doesn't it? That's why you hate us humans. Despite our short lives, we learn and we can grow in knowledge. We pass that knowledge on to the next generation."

Malchior's rage was building up inside him.

"You will die!" He roared.

"Yes, I will. We humans die one way or another, but something much worse will come to you. I understand your fate now, Malchior. You are also caught in an endless existence, an endless ride that you will never escape."

Raven continued to taunt Malchior.

"You will never die, Malchior, but you will never know what it means to live! You will exist in a perpetual state of ignorance; never knowing where you're from, never knowing where to go. Always striving, never obtaining! Always seeking, never finding! Always wanting, never having! You didn't understand 1000 years ago, and you won't understand 1000 years from now! That is your fate. It's fitting for you. It is the fate worse than death!"

Malchior shook with intense rage as he let out a blazing inferno at Raven. She closed her eyes and accepted her destiny. It wasn't as bad as she thought. She felt no pain. She was at peace. In the distance she heard the anguished cry of Rorek. Raven's memories began to fade away until the last one. Before she slipped into eternity, she remembered the words of the last few lines of one of her favorite poems:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

To be concluded…

The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost