Chapter Two And with Strange Eons, Even Death May Die
What did you see, Kory? Robin asked, rushing over to her. She floated lower, alighted on the floor, and slumped against his shoulder, shuddering. It was rather odd-looking to see him supporting her, as she was a good foot taller than he, but she appeared so shaken that he just let her rest for a moment until she was ready to speak.
Yiandlur'avk s'r eshkaki'avk she whispered. it reminded me of legends I heard when I was a child, of terrible monsters defeated by my people and sealed away to keep Tamaran safeIt's okay, Starfire—you don't have to tell us until you're ready, Robin said soothingly. The golden-skinned girl shook her head frantically.
No, no—it is—ah, what is the word?—important? imperative!—that you know what I saw! She swallowed hard and brushed her hair from her face, straightening and taking a step back. Her eyes lit on Crystal. she said quickly by way of greeting. My name is Koriand'r. Please forgive my poor introduction.
she said, turning back to the Boy Wonder, it seemed as though everything was usual, but there was suddenly a great shaking of the ground—earthquake, it is called?—as a crack opened up directly to the north of this city, and out of it poured multitudes of tiny winged monsters, followed by a huge creature that roared My master is free'.Huge creature? Robin repeated. What—what did it look like? she said, looking a touch embarrassed, you will think this silly, but it looked very much like the—the devil of fire in that mo-vie you watched with me. The—the Val-ragh? What was it called? I cannot— Raven prompted. Koriand'r nodded. Crystal squeaked and ran forward, grabbing the back of the couch so hard her knuckles turned white.
Wait, wait, wait—a Balrog just burst from the ground north of San Francisco? Saying its master is free? Oh God, she said, glancing around at the other teenagers, what the hell is Melkor doing on Earth?You misunderstand, Kory said quickly, raising a hand. I do not think it truly was a Balrog I saw. I merely thought it resembled one.
Thumps suddenly filled the room, as of tiny bodies hitting the giant glass picture window overlooking the Bay. Squeals and screeching voices were audible from outside, and Raven emitted a ragged gasp, pointing with a shaking finger.
Azar's wings— she hissed, Crystal gasped, spinning to face the picture window, and gestured with both hands as if throwing something. Flecks of light, like floating sparks, abruptly appeared just outside, and the mass of winged, horned creatures shrieked in the sudden brightness. Crystal swore colourfully in Japanese.
Kaman-Dûl! Kaman-Dûl! chanted a score of horrific voices, the beasts possessing them continuing to scratch at the glass as if determined to dig their way through it. Kaman-Dûl destroy Trigon! Raven started back and paled.
D—do something, she said hoarsely. SOMEBODY GET RID OF THEM! The others in the room jumped, shocked by such uncharacteristic behaviour, and Starfire whimpered as a particularly bright flash of lightning burst outside, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. The lights in the room flickered. KILL THEM NOW! One of the lightbulbs overhead exploded.
Jesus Christ, Victor muttered, glancing at Raven as though she had just sprouted horns and a tail. I thought you were a pacifist—
Crystal was speaking to herself softly and quickly, and Robin and Gar, the only other ones who spoke Japanese, were able to make out —must be Quasits, they look almost exactly like they do in the bloody book—what the fuck is going on? They're resistant to fire—I don't know any good or lawful spells— She closed her eyes and concentrated, and the pale blue crystal hanging from her neck suddenly burst into light as if ignited (and, simultaneously, her eyes changed from golden-yellow to ice-blue). Crystal reached out with one hand toward the chattering horrors outside the window, and shards of ice exploded from each one. They shrieked in agony and fell from the sky, others behind them visible in a flash of lightning. The others, however, were flying past Titans' Tower, apparently ignorant of or apathetic to the death of their companions.
How, exactly, do your powers work? Robin queried, surprised.
Crystal raked her fingers through her hair, looking mildly stressed. They're a little complex, but I'll try to make this short The fundamental building blocks of magic—including both elements and types of spell effects—are governed by a group of spiritual forces, sometimes known as Seirei. I can psionically summon and command the powers granted by these Seirei. So, essentially, I'm a non-specialist mage who uses psionic power to cast spells instead of mana.I think that's a discipline known as Psychoarcana, Raven put in.
Yes, exactly! Mana is one of the energies flowing through our plane of existence, and it's possible to manipulate it both by learning to shape it into spells or by drawing on it psychically. Crystal regarded Raven admiringly. Are you a sorceress or a psion?A little bit of both, I think, the adolescent witch said, crossing to the window and peering out. The swarm of imps had trailed off to the east, but she continued to glance up at the sky nervously, twitching (rather uncharacteristically) at every rumble of thunder.
There was something they said Crystal said softly, slowly approaching Raven. Kaman-Dûl destroy Trigon'who or what is Trigon?
Raven whirled to face her, her gaze cold and hard. You have your sordid past, I'll have mine. Deal? Crystal nodded, taken aback. Raven sighed. I'm sorry. You will find out eventually, but after tonight, I simply don't feel like explaining She turned to the others. I am retiring. Good night. And she swept her cloak back and disappeared in a cloud of crimson smoke.
Pssht, as if anyone could get to sleep after seein' that shit, Victor said darkly, jerking his head at the window. What the fuck were those things? Some kind'a' demons? Crystal explained. Her eyes suddenly shifted to a deep crimson colour, and a red-covered book appeared in her outstretched hands. Flipping through it, she beckoned the others closer, and arrived at a page with an exceedingly well-done painting of several exceedingly disturbing creatures in one corner. That one, she said, pointing at a tiny winged creature, is a Quasit.What's this, a tome of supernatural creatures? Gar asked, bending down to try to peer at the cover.
she huffed, closing it with a snap, it's the Monster Manual for Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Indeed, the cover was emblazoned with logos that clearly displayed its affiliation with the fantasy role-playing game. Which I find quite disturbing, because fictional hell-spawned creatures out of a D&D book should not be appearing in the real world!You got a point, Vic murmured. We all know that there are actually weird critters out there that most people don't know exist, but it's pretty freakin' eerie that we find some that look just like the ones in a bookMaybe the artist knows they exist, Gar said. Or maybe someone engineered beasties to look just like them, you know, to mess with people's minds.It's obviously not a coincidence, Robin said, tossing his cape back and folding his arms. Someone sending a mercenary to attack usand then thatthat stuff that just happened His eyes flicked for only half a second toward Crystal, but she noticed and shook her head fervently.
I'm sure Deathstroke isn't in league with the Devil or anything like that, she said quickly. I didn't read his mind or anything, but it'sit's the sort of thing you justpick up on, you know? Her next words were drowned out by a particularly loud crash of thunder, and the lights in the Tower failed. Oh, for crying out loud!
No one else spoke for several moments, their hearts all pounding and mouths too dry to make a sound. Finally, a soft greenish glow lit their faces, emanating from the orb of light around one of Koriand'r's hands.
Victor swore.
Is this place tied in to the city power grid? Crystal wondered.
No, it ain't, he grumbled, fiddling with something on his right forearm. One of his robotic fingers retracted and a bright white light shone out in its place. We've got our own generator, and it's supposed to be shielded—that last bolt must've struck the Tower itself— He continued to mutter undirected imprecations. Dammit, this means I have to go outside to fix the fuckin' thingNo, hold on, Crystal said. Can you show me where there's an access panel? Her eyes, oddly lit by the starbolts, seemed to brighten, and a ball of white light as large and bright, though not as harsh, as a lightbulb appeared above her outstretched hand.
Vic said, looking around the room and pointing, yeah, there's one on that wall—
Crystal strode over, scanned the wall for the access panel, and popped it open. Delicately placing a hand on the circuitboard, she closed her eyes and concentrated, whispering something inaudibly. There was a buzzing sound, and the lights in the room came back up. Koriand'r let her starbolt fade away, and Crystal turned back to the group after shutting the panel door with a satisfying click.
Vic remarked, grinning. Your powers are pretty versatile, huh?
She smiled and shrugged. Well, depending on which Seirei I channel, I can produce just about any effect I want. I favour using the elements—you know, air, earth, lightning, acidI thought the elements were air, earth, fire, and water Robin asked.
Yes, but there are a lot more besides just those four! she elucidated, seeming quite surprised that he didn't know. Acid, Base, Fire, Force, Ice, Light, Lightning, Mana, Matter, Metal, Poison, Shadow, Stone, Water, Wind, and Wood, she rattled off, counting them off on her fingers (she had to use some fingers more than once, as there were sixteen items in her list). Those are sometimes called the physical elements. There are also the spiritual elements, which include things like Time and Spirit. Gar said. Are you able to use combinations of different elements to create objects? Say, food, for instance?Oh, yeah, she told him, and shot him a slightly conspiratorial smile, I can make pizza. Unfortunately, though, it's kinda late, and I'd rather not keep myself awake longer by using my powers. She sighed. Getting to sleep will be a problem by itself—I'd say I've got jet lag, but I don't know if that term's applicable to when you levitate and teleport cross-country as opposed to sitting in a plane Crystal draped herself over the back of the couch, peering down at it. Does this thing fold out?Aw, no, you don't need to sleep on the couch, Victor assured her. We've got empty rooms and stuff. C'mon, I'll show you one.
As the two of them left the room, Gar stretched and yawned so widely his jaw popped. Might as well go to bed too, he remarked. After I get something to eat, of courseman, I am starving He shuffled off toward the kitchen, leaving Robin and Koriand'r alone in the common room.
The Teen Wonder glanced up at his companion, who was still looking a bit peaky after seeing what she had seen. You all right, Starfire? he asked gently.
She shook her head. I am fine, Tim, she responded. It was silly of me to overreact in the way I did. Of course thosethose creaturesI saware not the S-Soul Eaters of Tamaranean legend, but when they—ap-appearedboiling from the very ground like erupting lava She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
He reached up and put a hand on her shoulder. It's okay, Kory. They've all gone now. Everything's going to be fine.
She gazed down at him, and there was a hint of reproach in her green-within-green eyes. You are only saying that. Surely you do not think they do not have some purpose? Some goal for which they are heading? The Tamaranean princess let out a ragged sigh, nervously smoothing back her voluminous crimson hair. I suppose we shall all know soon enough, she murmured. Did you see how they disturbed Raven? I am certain she will not be content to forget them simply because they have gone.
Robin patted his teammate on the back. He knew he could not argue the fact that he knew, deep down, that he had fallen hard for Kory the first time they met, but always restrained his feelings as best he could around her. After all, she was an alien princess, and her future lay with her people. Besides, if she knew he loved her and didn't feel the same, how mortifying would that be? Are you going to be all right? he asked quietly. If you want, I couldstay up with you and watch TV until you calm down, or something.
She shook her head. Thank you, Tim, she whispered. But I think I shall go straight to bed. Good night. She rose into the air and floated silently from the room.
Destroy the Teen Titans, huh? Mike commented, folding his arms and looking around him at the interior of Deathstroke's private jet. God damn, I wonder where our new boss managed to dredge up this old piece of shit. Can you believe it? Ethanol-powered, titanium chassis, only four jet enginesfuck me, but they just don't make crap like this anymore.
Selinda stared at him very coolly for about a minute. He finally looked up, twitched, and snapped, What's with that look?This is one of the newest models of private aircraft, she explained calmly. Remember, Gizmo', just because your planes are made of mithril and run on nuclear fission doesn't mean that's the industry standard.Nuclear fission? What do you know? he growled. D'you have any idea how fuckin' big a fission engine is? Cold fusion's the way to go.There's really no need to be upset, Jinx said calmly. Why do you swear so much? Did you have a bad childhood?My childhood is nobody's business, you snot-nosed bint! he retorted. Jinx stood up and spheres of purple force appeared around her hands.
Hey, hey, calm down, luv, Baran said in what he obviously hoped was a soothing tone. We're s'posed to work together, remember?Little bitch had better watch his mouth, she muttered in Bengali, sitting back down.
God, you are the stupid one! Gizmo ranted. You trying to pull off the gentle giant' load of bullshit? 'Cause I'm not buying it at all.I'm not stupid, Baran snarled, clenching his fists.
It's true. He has an Intelligence score of at least 10, probably closer to 12, Selinda put forth.
What, is that his I.Q. or something? Baran mumbled something that seemed to include the words never tested and turned away. Well, I'll just let you know right now that since I've got an I.Q. of almost 300, that makes me the brains of this outfit.
Baran slammed his fist onto the armrest, and it snapped off. You've gotta be lying. Nobody's that smart! Selinda said calmly, crossing her legs as if engaged in a comfortable discussion over tea, when were you tested for intelligence?I was four, he said proudly, drawing himself up. (At his tallest, he couldn't have been more than four-foot-seven.)
I see. An I.Q. of 300 in a four-year-old simply means that you performed the test with 300 percent of the success normally expected in four-year-olds. She sent her brother a look. I.Q. is relative to age, and not entirely accurate. Don't let him ruffle your feathers, bro. Gizmo sputtered, and began another string of swearwords, but Jinx raised her voice and drowned him out.
So, did you hear what Professor Renton said to Deathstroke? she asked. She said that the other three top students were gone. I bet I know who she meant.
Selinda nodded solemnly. Crystal, Adonis, and Matthew, she said. I seem to remember hearing around school that Matthew had got himself killed.Doesn't surprise me. He was always a psychotic lowlife, messing around with things humans shouldn't even know about, Jinx said airily, adjusting her white headscarf—part of her superhero costume'—as if idly chatting about the weather. And the Headmistress said the others are missing, presumed dead'?But Deathstroke said he—he found Crystal, didn't he? Baran asked fervently. Gizmo snorted.
I've heard that sappy tone before. Give up your crush, Mastodon, there's no way a hot chick like Momozaki would ever think of going out with you.It's Mammoth, you little fucker! the Australian boy roared, leaping over Jinx' head to attack the tiny teenager on her other side. She let out a cry and jumped out of the way, blasting the two young men apart with bolts of force.
Stop it NOW! she roared, eyes flashing. Baran glanced at her nervously and sat back down. His friend and sometime co-gamer Jinx was a powerful sorceress, and if her temper got too out of hand, strange things tended to happen. As for you, Mikron O'Jeneus— she said his real name very deliberately, and his eye twitched— you will cooperate with the rest of us, or we'll fold you into a pretzel and mail you back to the Academy in a cardboard box.
Of a sudden, the plane lurched upward and rocked as if shoved. Jesus Christ, what the fuck was THAT? came the pilot's frantic voice from the cockpit, and then over the speakers, Terribly sorry about that, folks—we seem to have just passed through a spot of unexpected turbulence.
Selinda rose and put a hand on Jinx' shoulder. You okay? Jinx glanced at her, then shook her head.
That wasn't me, she explained quickly. I don't have the strength to move an aircraft without my feet touching the— She turned away, cocking her head as if straining for a faint sound, then whispered, Do you hear that? Selinda shushed the two boys and concentrated. Indeed, there was something outside the plane, a sort of frantic chant by many high-pitched demonic voices.
Kaman-Dûl! Kaman-Dûl! came the cry, and the pilot was heard to swear What the hell? Weirdest God-damn birds I've ever—AAAH! For there had been a tiny thump and a squeal from the front of the plane. Selinda took off for the cockpit, whipping past Deathstroke as she ran, and peeked over the top of the pilot's seat to see a nightmarish creature, all horns and spines and smoky scales, plastered against the great windshield of the airplane. It croaked and wailed, twitching its wings vainly against the powerful currents of air pressing it against the craft, unable to move out of the way. Selinda's heart sank.
Oh, my God, she whispered, rooted to the spot. A Quasit? One of the types of Demon described in the D&D Monster Manual, here on Earth, where there was a solid line between fantasy and reality?
Is there a problem? Deathstroke asked calmly, appearing at her side.
The pilot shot a glance over his shoulder and shook his head. Nah, itit looks like we're out of the turbulence for right now. Still, I'd advise staying in your seats. I didn't see any of that coming, and there could be more ahead. He was obviously trying as hard as he could to ignore the flailing hellbeast still held against the glass before him.
Odd bird, that, the steel-and-copper-armoured mercenary remarked, as idly as if commenting on the weather. You don't usually find anything flying this high in the troposphere. He turned and walked away in silence. The Quasit, screeching and creeling, had crept to the side a few inches, and the air whipping past the streamlined sides of the windshield whisked it out of view. There was a noise a second later, halfway between a pluff and a thump, and the pilot winced.
Right through the God-damn engine, he hissed. Just had the damn things cleaned, too He happened to look back past his shoulder and noticed Selinda, still frozen in place. Oh—I'm really sorry, miss, but I'm going to have to ask you to return to your seat. Just to be safe. she mumbled, backing out of the cockpit without taking her eyes off the sky. A few Quasits trailed past, disappearing briefly behind wisps of cloud, and were gone. Selinda walked silently to the rear of the plane, where her companions were still seated, and numbly lowered herself onto the upholstered bench.
Baran asked, leaning forward and peering at her. You're lookin' a bit peaky. You all right?not sure, she whispered.
What did you see? Jinx asked, almost as concerned.
Selinda shook her head. I've seen some weird shit at H.A.E.Y.P., she exhaled, and run some weird modules in D&D, but this wasfuck, I don't know what this was She suddenly gave herself a shake. Who brought the books?
Her brother laughed. C'mon, 'Linda, d'you seriously think we'll be playin' D&D on this trip? She stared at him, and he dropped his gaze to his weapons duffel. I got 'em, he mumbled sheepishly. Which one d'you need?Monster Manual, she said, taking the book when it had been fished from beneath various implements of melee combat. Flipping through the pages, she glanced at the various illustrations, then held the book open with one hand and pointed. she said, tapping the Quasit, is what's up. Jinx and Baran stared at the page, shock and confusion—mainly confusion—on their faces. Gizmo sat up in his seat to look, and make a noise of disgust.
Eugh! That one's got the nastiest damn boobs I've ever— Baran clamped his hand, almost big enough to engulf the other boy's head, over Gizmo's mouth.
They're Demons, Yank, they're not s'posed to be pretty. Could you maybe shut up and be serious for a minute? If there's one thing I know about my sister, it's that it takes a hell of a lot to freak her out.saw a Quasit? Jinx asked.
Stuck on the windshield like a bug. Hell, there was a whole gorram flock of the things! —They didn't look exactly like the picture here, but it's close enough as makes no difference. What the fuck! Demons in the real world?And me without my Knight of the Middle Circle, Baran mumbled. ! It'd be real nice if we were PCs, wouldn't it?Well, I don't know, Jinx said thoughtfully. We sort of are, don't you think? Selinda's kind of like a psion. I'm a magic-user but I don't use spellbooks or anything, so I must be a sorcerer. I guess you, Baran, would be a fighter. Unless you can rage?
Gizmo pulled himself away from Baran's huge hand and gasped for breath. When he could speak again, he snapped, You guys have got to be the biggest geeks I've ever seen. Talking about your damn games at a time like this!I don't think you have any room to talk, Gizmo, Jinx said coldly. At least we have regular human contact, instead of being so repulsive that we have to resort to building robots to be our friends.Oh, come now. We shouldn't be quarrelling. The Teen Titans aside— Selinda leaned closer to her companions, dropping her voice— and I don't really know what to make of them, because I'm sure Deathstroke knows stuff he didn't tell us—there's clearly something really freaky going on.What, with the monsters you claim to have seen? Gizmo drawled. It's got nothing to do with the Titans, so it's not our problem, is it? Let someone else deal with it.We don't know it has nothing to do with them, and we'd be quite happy without that sort of attitude, thank you, Selinda informed him. It's being nice and thinking of others on occasion that wins friends, not swearing and insults.Who died and made you leader? the tiny teenager demanded.
Baran glared at him. It'll be you who die if you don't shut the hell up, he growled. Whiny little prat.How much longer is the flight going to last? Jinx wondered quietly.
We're about halfway there, Deathstroke assured them, having appeared in the doorway. It should be about three more hours.And boy, are we going to have jet lag, Selinda mumbled, slumping back in her seat and folding her arms. She let out an irritated sigh and turned back to her friends when Deathstroke had disappeared. Damn it! I wish Crystal or Adonis were here. They'd probably have some idea what's going on.This is the real world, Sisit's not like they're DMing Baran commented, taking off his headpiece and repositioning it. Gizmo scoffed.
That's a crummy bit of jewelry. What, are you supposed to be Conan the Barbarian or something?
Baran placed his ham-hand over the boy's face again. Don't make me crush your head, he said, faking an Austrian accent. Jinx giggled.
Aw, that reminds me of your first character, Ken the Red, she reminisced, smiling. He was the most amusing and cultured barbarian I'd ever seen. I wish you still played him.Lost the character sheet, luv, Baran explained, shrugging ruefully. Gizmo flailed and made displeased noises, clearly exerting all the strength he had in an attempt to pull away.
Oh, don't kill the little prat, Baran, Selinda huffed, and her brother removed the hand that was threatening to suffocate the brilliant, yet tiny and uncharismatic, teenager. Deathstroke'd probably charge us for cleaning.Shouldn't we have a name? Jinx non-sequitured. The others looked at her. You know, so Deathstroke knows who to make the check out to.He's probably gonna pay with cash, but hell, I'm up for it, Baran said, and thought a moment. Oh! Right, then, since there are two girls and one of them can hurl magic rocks, what about Two Birds with One Stone'?
Selinda smiled at the pun, but shook her head. Nah, it may give the Titans and other blokes the idea that we're easily killed. 'Sides, there're four of us. Jinx wondered. Or Fearsome Four, Gizmo mumbled.
Selinda prompted, leaning forward. She knew she shouldn't treat him like a child, but he was small enough that her inborn maternal instincts partially activated in his presence.
The Fearsome Four, he said, more loudly. There're four of us, and we can kick the shit out of anybody. I'd say that qualifies as fearsome.Hmf. Score one for the little guy, Baran remarked. I almost like that name.Well, I guess that's settled, then, Selinda said, leaning on her armrest. Should we have a leader, t— Jinx and Baran said in unison, just as Gizmo said Selinda smiled, majority rules. Gizmo swore colourfully.