Chapter Fifteen
The god and his wife
A hooded figure jumped on through the window and pointed a double barrel shot gun in Robin's face. The boy wonder knocked the weapon up and smashed his head against the wall. He then picked up the zealot's lost rifle and ran back to the bathroom. He reached it and upon doing so pointed his rifle directly at Meric. Who pulled up an unconscious Starfire by the hair and held a mid-sized dagger to her throat.
"Oh Ritchie Ritchie I'm disappointed in you. Here it is your first time in Madrid and instead of enjoying the fiestas all you and your girlfriend have been doing is all this useless running around."
"Let her go Meric."
"How do you say 'no' in Spanish?" Robin cocked his gun and Meric let out a loud chortle. "Ritchie you're a smarter boy than that, a buck shot? You'll do us both" Robin began lowering his weapon. "You're coming back with me Ritchie, and this time you're going to stay put."
"Fine, but she stays."
"Oh you know I'd do anything for you but orders are orders, so I'll be taking both of you." Robin was about to protest once more but another zealot approached behind him and knocked him hard in the back of the head. He then threw Starfire into the arms of another and stow his dagger away. "Whether you like it or not." They then carted them away and as Meric walked by he left a medallion on the bed bearing the symbol of Isis. He then walked out closing the door behind him.
ALONG THE DOCKS……………….
Raven and Beast Boy darted about the boats and tall sails looking everywhere for any sign of Cyborg and their favorite teenage samurai. Raven sat down off the side of the pier they were currently on and closed her eyes. Beast Boy did a double take after he noticed she had stopped moving.
"Raven what are you doing? This isn't the best time for a nap." She did answer him. "Raven?"
"Shhhh," she hushed him then quickly opened her eyes. "They're this way, come on!" Raven stood up and took off for a yacht about five or six piers away. They hopped onto the upper deck and took a look around. The wind created multiple ripples along the waters surface and a reflective glow danced around on the ship's hull. They heard a few scattered shouts issuing along the shoreline and kept low so as not to be noticed by their new friends. Beast Boy watched Fredrico's men run about in search of them only to come up empty handed. He was about to let loose a sigh of relief when someone grabbed him from behind and pulled him down below along with Raven. Unable to say a word they gaped wide eyed at their unseen captors in the shadows. Lee and Cyborg then stepped into the moonlight.
"Oh guys that was not cool," whined Beast Boy. He took several breaths. They heard footsteps above them and Cyborg gave Lee a nod to check it out. Lee nodded back in acknowledgment and cautiously crept up the stairs leading to the deck. Cyborg led them farther into the screening darkness while Lee made sure no one came close.
"Are you guys okay?"
"We're fine, we got out of there a long time before Freddy came looking for us," answered Raven. "Have either of you heard from Robin and Starfire?"
"No we were gonna ask yall the same question." He stopped as they saw a lowly henchman tumble down the stairs then stop at the bottom. Lee hopped down next to him and sheathed his sword.
"We are clear." Cyborg turned back to Raven and Beast Boy.
"You're sure you don't know where Robin and Starfire are."
"Cy they ran off right after they did their little tango, Freddy left and then we got on out of there. We haven't seen them since."
"It is then logical to assume they have been taken by the order," stated Lee. "Cyborg-San and I tracked their locator signals to the nearest lodging but found only their communicators and an Order medallion." Rave dropped her hood.
"Then that means they're back at RM 111?"
"Naa I don't think so," disagreed Cyborg. "I mean it's a long way off but we know where it is. They've probably carted them off somewhere where we'll never find them."
"So what are we supposed to do," asked Beast Boy rubbing his arm. Cyborg opened his shoulder light and projected the map on the wall of the boat for a moment. After taking a good look at the final riddle and committing it to memory he motioned toward the stairs.
"We keep going. Our first priority is to keep the Order from getting the eye. I think Robin would say the same thing."
"I agree," said Lee. "Though I have my reservations about leaving my General behind, I do believe Robin-San would order us to press on."
"To where exactly," asked Raven. Cyborg rubbed his head.
"I don't know, yet. But I'm sure wherever it is we need to go next they'll be there waiting for us."
"I hope your right," said Beast Boy.
IN A LARGE STONE ROOM LIT BY TORCHES………………..
Robin opened his drenched eyes to see yet another full bucket of water being tossed into his face. The boy sat chained to a chair which itself was bolted to the floor. He coughed trying to keep the overwhelming amount of water from blowing up his lungs. He coughed out a chuckle and looked up at them.
"Water torture? You guys sure came down in your style." The zealot then whacked him across the face with the oak bucket he carried. Robin shook his head almost losing consciousness again. "Then again…"
"Ritchie my son, you always did have the best sense of humor." Meric walked up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder. "But what got on my nerves the most is how you could laugh at just about anything."
"Where's Starfire!"
"She's busy at the moment. But don't you be getting your kittens in a fiddle my son. She'll be out in a little while."
"I want to see her."
"In a minuet Ritchie, Don't you just want to talk for a while? Assassin to assassin?"
"I told you that's not who I am!" Shouted Robin. Meric cocked his head up and smirked.
"Oh yes of course forgive me." He walked around and pulled up a chair to sit before Robin. He surveyed him for a moment, taking in Robin's stalwart resolve to stay himself among a temple of great evil. "Why Ritchie, why..why, why do you do it? Why do you keep building these walls between us? Why keep struggling against something you know is going to happen." Robin looked up at him. "You can't stop the Arbiter, y-you can't put an end to something that's been going on for decades before you were born." Robin now returned his smirk.
"Because I just don't like you." Meric nodded and stood up.
"It is only a matter of leisure from the Arbiter that you will be converted."
"Just like you did Élan?" Meric's smile faded. "You never were able to convert him were you? That's why he was the only Order operative to receive pay for what he did; because that was the only method of persuasion you had over Élan. That and his life."
"Élan Sacha believed as much in our cause as much as I do with all my heart."
"Sure you go ahead and believe that," mocked Robin. "He cared as much about your cause as much as Raven enjoys reading comic books." Meric shook his head.
"I've had enough. I wish to now just get down to business Ritchie. I'm sure your friends have the first two markers, its just a matter of time before they're recovered. And you undoubtedly know where the third marker is if not what the riddle says." Robin remained silent. "Well go on then, tell me!"
"I don't know," said Robin stiffly.
"Why do you lie to me, I hate it when people lie to me. Answer me! Where do we go from here?"
"I can't tell you what I don't know," said Robin his voice rising. Meric rubbed his forehead.
"Look Ritchie, we can go about this the easy way or the really easy way. Its entirely up to you."
"I've been through this kind of thing before…do your worst." Meric then looked as if he had been given all the presents at Christmas. He smiled and shook his head.
"No Ritchie, you don't want us to do our worst." Robin looked up at him apprehensively. Then, as if on cue, two zealots walked in leading Starfire by each of her arms. It was not a security precaution; it was to help her walk. She was dressed in a jet black robe and held a blank expression. They sat her down directly across from Robin. Robin gazed fearfully at her.
"What have you done to her?"
"We just did a little reminiscing of her old school days with me and colleagues. You'd be surprised how quickly she gave in, almost makes you feel sorry for though doesn't it?" Robin tried desperately to keep from crying at the sight of her.
"Please let her go Meric, you can do what you want to me."
"I might consider it if you'll just sing for me Ritchie."
"But I told you, I don't know where the third marker is." Meric walked over and leaned forward before Robin.
"And I told you, you wouldn't want us to do our worst." He walked over to Starfire cupped her chin in his hand. Robin struggled to get free and tear his hands away from her. He then bent forward and spoke in her ear. "Starfire…" Starfire's pupils widened at his voice. "Its time for you to graduate my student. Time to make our Arbiter proud. How many lights do you see?" Starfire slowly blinked.
"Five…."
"Exactly correct, good girl." He patted her on the head like a little dog. "You see Ritchie, she doesn't want to leave." Robin gritted his teeth trying to break apart his chains. Meric twisted his head back to Starfire. "Do you Starfire; reject all others in the name of our most holy order of Isis. To do all that is necessary to ensure the survival of our noble brotherhood. Do you swear to obey our infallible Arbiter as he interprets the will of the goddess Isis?" She trained her eyes to Robin as he routed all his strength in a futile attempt to get free.
"I do…"
"NO! STARFIRE!" Robin cried out losing his breath. Meric rose up and walked up behind her. He then dangled a gold Isis medallion before her eyes.
"Gaze then upon my dear, your destiny." He fixed the piece of jewelry around her neck and let it hang.
"Meric…" Meric looked up at Robin. "If, I ever get one hand free…I swear to God and all the angels in heaven I'll squeeze out your last breath with it." Meric laughed out loud and walked up to him.
"Now see that's the spirit I know you have Ritchie, well far be it me to keep such an awe inspiring attitude down." He released one of his hands. Upon getting it free Robin wasted zero seconds and grasped Meric's neck. He stopped short of strangling him however. With Robin's hand still clasped around his neck Meric bulged his eyes and smiled wide.
"You can't do it can you?" He voice was high and hoarse.
"I'm just warming up."
"Is that so my son, you can't because I was wrong about you. You simply don't have it in you to take the life of another." Meric pulled Robin's hand away and fixed back to the chair. "But that's the difference between you and Starfire now. She's got what it takes."
"Leave her alone," hissed Robin.
"How long do you think I'm going to stand here and let you bark insults at me Ritchie? Hmm? Because I can tell you right now I'm starting to get tired of it. As far as I'm concerned you'll soon be long dead and the two of us will have great adventures together," said Meric stroking Starfire's hair. "Who knows, maybe I'll have an obedient wife someday." Robin nearly pulled himself loose this time making the chair wobble slightly.
"Meric you bastard!"
"That's it Ritchie I've really had enough. Here's what's going to happen…" He knelt down before Starfire and took her hand. "First what I'm going to do is start biting off everyone one of these dainty little fingers one at a time until you start singing my song." Robin felt his eyes leaking.
"No there's no need for this."
"I'm serious Ritchie I'm getting mighty hungry!"
"Have you honor?"
"This little piggy went to market…"
"STALINGRAD!" Meric slowly turned his head over to Robin's panic stricken face. "It's in Stalingrad." Meric gripped her hand all the tighter.
"Its one thing to lie to me then you're trying to tell me tall tales, Stalingrad has been completely destroyed since 1945 Ritchie, don't be giving me crap."
"The ruins Meric, there's still plenty of ruins. Its buried somewhere under the rubble." Meric dropped Starfire's hand and walked on up to him.
"And how long do you think it will take to search the ruins of one of Russia's largest cities. It gives the phrase 'a needle in a hay stack' a whole new meaning doesn't it? And how do you even know they went and buried it in Stalingrad?" Robin took a deep breath.
"The last riddle says 'The end of a protracted journey ends where the city of red stood still but ten feet.' Communist Russia of the 1940's called themselves the 'red army', and all the Germans needed to do in order to take Stalingrad was reach the river in the center of the city. When the Russians finally stopped them they were just ten feet from the river." Meric stood up straight and nodded.
"Well in that case I think I have a pretty good idea where our door prize is, thanks a bunch Ritchie."
"W-Wait what about Starfire?"
"Don't you worry my son; we'll take good care of her." Robin's face fell if possible even lower. Meric then stood next to Starfire and removed his dagger. "Starfire before you begin your service I have a small job for you." Starfire's blank face looked up at him. "You see I gave our friend Robin plenty of opportunities to broaden his horizons, unfortunately however he simply would not allow himself to see reason. He's been a very naughty boy and I want you to punish him for me." He held the dagger's hilt out to her and she stared at it for a moment. "Please," he added softly. She reached up and gripped the dagger. Giddy as a naïve schoolboy on his first day Meric sauntered over to the door. "Very good, I'll return in a moment to see how your doing. If you have any problems you know who to ask. Chow!" He left and Starfire turned her emotionless gaze to Robin. Robin sent her a weak smile and she began advancing on him.
"Okay Star that's close enough." She paid him no heed but drew closer still. She drew the long knife out of his sheath and threw the empty case away. "Please Starfire now is a great time to snap out of it." He knew of course that his efforts were having no effect; once they were converted they were completely different. She was now but an inch away from. "Starfire can't you remember anything?" She raised the dagger high into the air and could only close his eyes tight. He then felt the cold blade fall down very close though never actually cutting him. The next thing he knew Starfire's alien strength gave the dagger the force needed to cut his hand bindings away. He strained an eye open and saw her smiling down at him. "Starfire…you…your really-"
"Myself," prompted Starfire.
"But I was sure they had turned you." Starfire lowered her head.
"I must be truthful, they were very closer indeed. I could myself beginning to accept what they were telling me. It then occurred to me; it is better to simply convert then be converted." Robin stared up at her flabbergasted. They remained staring at one another for the longest time before Starfire decided to help Robin out of his shock. She leaned down and laid her lips on his. She pulled away slightly thought still but an inch from his face. "My performance was convincing yes?" Robin stood up and once again could only mouth wordlessly.
"Convincing? You scared the be-Jesus out of me." She giggled apologetically. He looked around making sure they were no longer being watched. While he searched about the room Starfire pulled the medallion off from around her neck.
"I am glad I may now end my charade and remove this-this horrid thing," she said removing her robe."
"No wait Star," she paused. "I wouldn't take that off just yet." Outside a number of Isis zealots patrolled the halls and corridors. Two lone zealots moved with their hoods up and heads bowed down. Like a stealthy blanket the black cloaks allowed them to move freely about the halls fairly unnoticed. They quickly passed a set of large doors and as he passed by Robin peeked through the small crack made by opened slightly. Starfire stopped and noticed he wasn't following anymore and turned back while lowering her hood.
"Robin, why have you stopped?" He put his index finger to his mouth.
"Shhh, come on." She moved closer to him. He then removed a side arm and readied to push open the door.
"Where did you acquire that," asked Starfire eyeing the weapon.
"Off the guy I 'borrowed' this robe from." Robin took a few good deep breaths then pushed open the door and allowed Starfire and himself to slip through before closing it again. He then pointed his weapon at the figure who was currently kneeling before an alter. He bowed his head to the gold representation of Isis then rose and turned to the two Titans. "Don't move," said Robin to the Arbiter himself. Starfire put her hands to her mouth at the sight of the ever hooded figure.
"Robin, is this…?"
"What do you intend to do know Mr. Grayson," asked the Arbiter in a soft chilling voice. "You cannot hope to escape, and your thought to hold me hostage is all but folly."
"We'll see about that," retorted Robin. The Arbiter laced his hands together. "You are going to help us get out of here, if not me then just Starfire." Starfire bit her lip at another of Robin's mentioning of sacrificing himself. "But I have been meaning to ask you ever since I heard, what makes you think you can control something as powerful as the Eye of Osiris? Its well beyond anything we could imagine."
"You are quite right about that," replied the hooded cult chief. He stepped backwards and sat down in a stone chair off to the side. "However, you know not the knowledge I possess in order to manipulate what was once mine; and to reunite myself with my love Isis." Starfire and Robin glanced at each other bemused.
"What are you talking about," asked Robin with a furrowed brow. "Isis was wife to Osiris, how could have possibly been Isis mate or even known her. You-" Then it hit Robin like a wrecking ball as everything came tumbling down like a house of cards. He stared at the Arbiter trying to find some other explanation but could only return to his original conclusion. "You are Osiris." The Arbiter reached up and pulled back his hood. Starfire let out a loud gasp and hid her eyes in Robin's shoulder. There sat the Arbiter with not the normal head of a man but that of a misty and transparent skull.
"Those who are dead, do not succumb to the living."
"H-How? Why?"
"The sun god Ra, he feared the power me and my queen Isis held. His fear only burned brighter when I completed creation of the Eye. He knew with it I could assume dominance over the world; so he stole it. He stole it from me and hide it away where it would never be found. He then banished Isis to the underworld and cursed me to live my immortal life on this earth. Ra has kept us apart for nearly five thousand years. And smartly so, for if and when I am ever reunited with Isis the power of the Eye only grows the greater."
"Why haven't you raised her up a long time ago," asked Robin shortly. "You seem to have the power, or have you gods just been losing your touch?"
"Your arrogance and insolence deters me not, soon you will both either be my slaves or residents of the underworld."
"I have resisted you once," exclaimed Starfire proudly. "I will do so again?" Osiris turned his hollowed out gaze toward her and she felt weak at the knees.
"We will see." Robin fired a single shot at their enemy and it passed straight through his forehead and stuck in the wall behind him. Robin ground his teeth knowing he had been expecting that. "None of your mortal weapons can harm me. I am a god. You dare challenge me?" Robin inconspicuously removed a ball from his belt.
"I was thinking about it." He threw it forward and it opened up into a large net. Osiris put his hands up but was engulfed in it before having time to move. "Come on." Robin pulled Starfire by the wrist and the two made a mad dash for the nearest way out. Just as soon as they left Osiris ripped his bindings to shreds and upon standing up let out a loud and unearthly screech.
In the halls Robin and Starfire rounded a corner and Robin found himself hit hard in the face and fell flat on his back. He was then drug through the darkness to the outside.
"ROBIN!"
"I know you want to see this little puppy alive, SO COME OUT AND GET HIM!" She recognized Meric's voice and her eyes lit up with all the pure and righteous fury she possessed. She let out a battle ready growl and let her glowing hands light the way to her sadistic adversary.
If you will forgive me for letting off there I would be much obliged, I would be even more appreciative if you tell me what you thought about it. Is so weird I pictured this chapter when I first started this story way back in December, it just seems like such a long time ago. Well hope you enjoyed it. Laters!