The True Meaning of Sacrifice

by: IHOP

Chapter 4 – A Little Luck and a Little Research

Raven took a step back from Beast Boy and looked him squarely in the eyes. Her expression had changed from one of sorrowful compassion to one of grave seriousness.

"My healing spells can decrease the intensity and frequency of the attacks," Raven stated, "but until we find a permanent solution, the rest has to come from you. The darkness is powerful, but not invincible. You are going to have to learn how to suppress the darkness inside of you just like I had to."

Beast Boy felt slightly uneasy. "Raven, how can I? I mean, I've already been trying to keep it from getting to me, but it's like the harder I fight, the more it fights back, and the more it hurts." His voice revealed panicked emotion. Feeling defeated, he buried his head in his hands.

"Believe me, I understand that it's difficult," Raven said reassuringly, "but you've got to keep fighting; it's your only hope. I know you can do it, Beast Boy, because when it counts, you have more willpower than anyone."

Not certain she had convinced him, Raven reached into her cloak for something. "Here," she said, grasping Beast Boy's scarred hand and placing the object in it.

Beast Boy slowly opened his hand and was amazed to see a shiny heads-up penny.

"For luck," Raven said sweetly with a smile.

"Raven, is this the—?"

"After Trigon used me as a portal to come to Earth, I woke up below the library, and the penny was right next to me, heads up. I haven't let go of it since, but I think now you need it more than I do."

There was a gratifying silence, and, for one brief moment, a feeling of happiness and confidence between the two of them.

"Wait here," Raven said, and, using her powers, she disappeared through the floor of the room. Some thirty seconds later, she returned, holding a dusty, antiquated book in her hands. "This spell book might be able to help me find a way to expel the darkness." She spent a few minutes flipping through the archaic pages until finally she came upon a section about exorcisms. She read one passage aloud:

"For grave occurrences of possession or other internal manifestations of darkness, reciting the Cleansing Incantation coerces any demons out of the afflicted. This ritual must be performed on sacred or enchanted ground."

Beast Boy seemed heartened. "That's great. That means all we have to do is perform a ritual and I'll be cured... right?"

"That should be how it works, but I don't know if it will be easy; it's a difficult spell." Raven closed the book slowly and sighed tiredly. She stepped into the center of the room. She levitated as if beginning to meditate.

"What are you doing?" Beast Boy asked.

"Getting some advice," she answered. She closed her eyes and began her cerebration as Beast Boy observed restlessly. "Azarath... Metrion... Zinthos..." Raven dragged out the last word softly. Her soul self, a bird-shaped mass of dark energy, flew out of her body and disappeared into another realm.

"Uh... Raven?" Beast Boy called out, but received no response. What is she up to? he wondered.

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Raven's soul self wandered through numerous dimensions before finally stopping. Everything was dark, except for Raven's silhouette, illuminated against the blackness.

"Mother?" she called. "Are you here?"

"I am here, my child," Arella's soft voice filled the air as her silhouette joined Raven's. "What is it you desire?"

"Mother," Raven began uneasily. "The gem you gave me—the one that was supposed to contain Trigon's darkness—it's dying, and the darkness has escaped, and now it's possessing my friend."

Arella drew back in melancholy surprise.

Raven continued. "I did find a spell that is supposed to exorcise the darkness—"

"The Cleansing Incantation," Arella finished for her. She lowered her head. "But it's a very difficult spell, Raven; it requires much preparation."

"But I'm willing to do it," Raven insisted, trying to be positively assertive for once.

"I know you are," Arella sighed admirably. "However, the difficulty of the Incantation is the least of your troubles."

"What do you mean?" Raven asked, beginning to worry a little.

"You see, the Cleansing Incantation does just that—it cleanses the afflicted body. However, the darkness still exists. Once it leaves the host, it is still a grave threat."

"But what else can I do?" Raven blurted in sorrowful exasperation. "There must be something..."

"There is," Arella said grimly, "but it comes with a heavy price. There is another spell that can destroy the darkness; it is known only as Sacrifice."

Raven gasped. "Is that what I think it is?"she asked, trying to stay true to her cynical nature even though she was trembling.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. It is a spell only performable by those from Azarath, and it requires you to give up yourself. Its power is so great, no darkness in the universe can withstand it. But of course, it is not something to be taken lightly. You must think carefully before even considering it."

There was a long pause. Finally, Raven said, "I understand. Thank you, Mother." She phased out of the dark realm.

"Good luck, Daughter," Arella said solemnly.

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"Raven? Raven, are you there?"

Raven slowly opened her eyes; she was back in the medical room, with Beast Boy hovering over her. She had an obvious expression of dismay, but she quickly tried to compose herself.

"Beast Boy," she murmured, "you should stay in bed."

"No, really, I'm feeling much better," the changeling assured her. "Did you find out anything useful while you were meditating?"

"I—" Raven started, not really sure how to answer. "Well, first things first; we should try to perform the Cleansing Incantation and get that darkness out of you." She sighed to herself. Right now my primary concern is saving Beast Boy, she told herself. Who knows? Maybe once the ritual is over, the darkness will just go away... or not. She winced at her naïve attempt at optimism.

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Chapter 4...

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