Opening Old Wounds

Chapter 5

It's been a long night for Raven after Keam left. As soon as he said, 'I bid you adieu' he just vanished from Titans Tower. The team was very concerned, but Raven said he needed to leave. The team believed her, but his critical condition still worried everyone.

Inside Raven's room, the young Goth girl is meditating. Floating just inches from her bed, you can hear her chanting, "Azerath Metrion Zinthos", in a dull tone repeating these words countless times.

Yet even though Raven was concentrating on her powers, her thoughts were else where.

'Why does he need my help, he can handle an army, but not a single entity?'

'Why did you deny him is the real question.' A voice rising in Raven's mind.

'No one called for you' Raven said.

'We don't need calling, we're hear whether you want us or not' and inside Raven's head, she could visualize all of her emotions.

'We know you like him, so why deny him, he is very cute' Happy said

'He'll die if you don't help' Sad added

'C'mon, let's help him kick butt!' Enthusiasm spoke up

All of the other emotions then had a say in Raven's thoughts until…

"SHUT UP!" Raven yelled out loud. 'I know he needs help, I know he could die, I know he's cu…' All of the emotions waited eagerly to hear the end of that statement, but Raven stopped herself. Then, a good long silence.

'Go and help him, before it's too late.' Wisdom finally said, and that was it, Raven enveloped herself in darkness and disappeared from Titans Tower.

Raven teleported to an abandoned home. It seemed to be located just a couple miles away from Jump City, but nonetheless out of reach from technology. This place was the last given position Raven felt Keam's presence.

While walking through the decaying decor, she finds a shiny object on the floor. Raven picks it up and examines it thoroughly. It's a ring. A ring made with special Hymra metal. Hymra was found only on Azaraths moons, it shined of silver and gold swirling into each other into a nice blend. On the center was an Amethyst jewel. Inside the ring was some writing. It was difficult to make out, but inside was, 'Zxeno Ifqna Kakeama'.

Before Raven could translate the words she hears some moaning upstairs. Fear, for what might be up there she goes anyway.

The stairs make an unsettling creaking sound every step of the way. Once upstairs, Raven finds a wooden door. Opening it cautiously she hears the voice again.

"Uh…go…away. Save…yourself…" The voice gasped out. The voice was so familiar, what could it be?

Opening the door quietly she sees someone sprawled out on the floor. The door still made a creaking sound until it was opened half way. On the floor was an average male, a lot of brown hair…and strange earmuffs? KEAM!

Raven made her way to Keam's side, kneeling down next to him.

"Keam, what happened?" Raven whispered to herself.

"…" No answer. Raven was really worried.

"This is my fault, you shouldn't be here." Raven said to herself. Then a hand reached up to touch her face. It was Keam, his eyes only half open.

"Raven, don't blame yourself. Please, I need help, get me back to the tower. I need to tell you…" And Keam passed out on the cold wooden floor.

"Wha…where am I?" Keam asked. The surroundings were dark and gloomy. It looked like it was Halloween here 24/7.

"Raven?" Keam asked into the room. Out of the shadows a looming figure appeared. The figure was right in front of Keam's face, the person seemed it was crying, or still is, and then…WHAM! Keam's faced turned to the side from some strange force. When he turned his head again he saw a pale skinned arm showing

"What were you thinking?" The voice asked in a harsh manner.

"To tell you the truth I wasn't." Keam knew instantly that the person was Raven

"Your injuries need time to heal." Raven said.

"…No…" Keam answered. Raven stopped and turned to face Raven. "My injuries aren't worth the trouble. I know now where the Phoenix is and I need your help."

"If you won't let me help your wounds first, then I'll drag you to the emergency room myself."

"I know about your…condition…Raven." Keam blurted out.

"…"Raven just stood there.

"I know about your encounter with the Phoenix. No one knows about it, and Doctors can't explain it. Unfortunately neither can I, but I know why they're there. Your powers were reaching max potential; you didn't need to meditate every day because a certain boy was there to relieve you of your problems. That certain boy was also troubled by a certain prophecy. He was to be named Zxeno Ifqna, High Protector. Unfortunately he was marked as a potential danger by a mysterious clan called The Phoenix. When the boy was summoned to a meeting by these clan members, you snuck your way to the meeting grounds, it was a trap. Powerful warriors held him tight, another warrior came out. He was of Demon heritage as you are, but his powers were unique it was Dark Flame.

"As he charged up, he fired a huge amount of Dark Fire toward the boy, but you got in the way and took the blow. After that day everyone thought you died, including that boy."

"Why are you telling me this?" Raven asked.

"Because there is a New Phoenix and she doesn't desire her destiny."

"And you think I'd help?"

"Frankly no, but I had to try."

"…" Raven remained quiet.

"I see, I will accept your hospitality. Once healed though I will leave." Keam said, and he fell asleep on Raven's bed.

"…No, I have accepted your request, but I cannot let you go out there." Raven said to herself. As Raven chanted her words of meditation, she transported Keam to the emergency room. Once Keam arrived, she left to find Robin.

"Are you sure you want to do this Raven?" Robin asked.

"Yes." Raven answered.

"Please Raven, let us help you." Starfire begged.

"No, it's too dangerous. Besides, this is personal." And Raven left the Titans to ponder.