Hey guys, I'm back. Vacation was fun I guess, but now I have to catch up with this late chapter. Sorry about the delay. I didn't have computer access. Here we go: I do not own them, for the ninth time. Or the song One Year Of Love, by Queen.
Oh and thank you to my lovely reviewers. I must give you…cake. I love cake. :D
Chapter 9 has arrived.
Raven was spiraling down, down a dark tunnel, through musty, damp air. At last, she emerged onto a scene she knew too well. Rivers of lava flowed around her, pooling at her feet. This was the very depth of hell, and she was trapped.
"Nice of you to join us…Rae-Rae." The lips of Slade intensified the horror of Happy's nickname for her by an infinite number. She cringed.
"It wasn't my idea." He laughed coldly.
"Oh that's right. I forgot." The sorceress turned around, stopping at the sight of four red eyes seemingly embedded in the rock face. "Yes, my dear," Slade confirmed. "Your father is here too."
"We have things to discuss," Trigon bellowed. She raised an eyebrow, silently willing him to continue. "Complications have arisen with the unfolding of the prophecy. It can no longer go as planned. The empath waited expectantly. "This leaves us one option: to eliminate the obstacle." Obstacle?
"What obstacle?" she asked dryly. Slade's reply came slow and cruel.
"The one named Robin." It couldn't be. He couldn't take Robin from her. He wouldn't dare. But deep in her heart, she knew he would. Black aura swirled around her.
"No. You can't." The demon smiled.
"We can, my daughter. And we will."
"I won't let you!" She was furious.
"It doesn't matter whether you'll let us." The dark girl stared up at them both, hating them like nothing else. Something inside her broke, and she lowered her head. "You know there is nothing you can do. He must die."
"No," she whispered. "NO!" The echoes of her last outburst bounced off the stone cliffs in a mocking imitation of her voice.
"I think it is time for you to go." Behind her, the tunnel reopened, the conscious world waiting on the other side. Though she struggled, Trigon flicked his wrist and she was swallowed, drawn back into the Tower, back into the waking realm.
Raven sat up, barely restraining the scream that fought its way up her throat and almost out into the open. She covered her eyes with shaking hands, wishing her heart would stop its painful throbbing. It was just a dream. It wouldn't happen. She couldn't let it happen. Ever. He was more than her leader now, he meant so much. And yet he is only human.
"Shut up!" The sound of her own voice startled her. She rubbed her temples, wanting badly to break down and cry. Pulling herself together, she took a deep breath and concentrated, intent on sending him a message that would let him know, once and for all, that she loved him.
Just
one year of love
Is better than a lifetime alone
One
sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right
through my heart
Robin lay in his room, having been shocked awake by some intangible signal. He wondered if Raven was okay. No one could ever tell with her. But she knew how he felt, and she felt the same way. For him, that was what counted.
A quiet swooshing made his eyes wander vaguely around the corners of his space. It was probably just the wind. When he sat up though, there was something there. Engraved on the wall in delicate black script was a message: No one could ever tell with her. But she knew how he felt, and she felt the same way. For him, that was what counted.
A quiet swooshing made his eyes wander vaguely around the corners of his space. It was probably just the wind. When he sat up though, there was something there. Engraved on the wall in delicate black script was a simple sentence: You have no idea. Somehow he knew it came from the empath. "No idea about what?" he asked, half to himself. Then the letters disappeared and different words came. –how much I love you, Robin. He stared at the message silently. It had a desperate tone that was palpable in the air. She needed him to know, she wanted him to, more than anything. Why? "Something's wrong," he muttered as the writing disappeared. Resolving to find out what, he slipped on a pair of shorts and started for the main room.
It's
always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
-
I'm falling apart all around you - yeah
The introverted witch leaned back on the couch cushions. He had gotten her message, but she didn't feel at ease. She needed to see him and know that he was all right, and that he was still there for her. As if summoned by her mind, he walked in behind her. She sensed his presence, unmoving.
"Raven?" He came from behind, resting his hands on her shoulders. She squeezed his hand.
"I had a dream about you." The leader jumped easily over the couch and settled next to her.
"What happened?" The dark angel took a breath and related it to him, right down to his presumed death. When it finished, he reached over and pulled her against him, stroking her hair. "It won't be that way. It won't." She began to cry, afraid of losing him to her destiny. "Shh, Raven. It's going to be okay."
My
heart cries out to your heart
I'm lonely but you can save me
My
hand reaches for to your hand
I'm cold but you light the fire in
me
Listening to her sobbing, Robin closed his eyes. It wasn't right that someone like her should be bound to a fate like the one she had. She didn't deserve any of it. His fingers brushed through silky violet hair as he tried to calm her. He'd do anything to save her from this misery.
Tears streamed down her face, burning trails on her skin. She wondered if he knew that he wouldn't make it out of this alive. There was no way to stop it. No way. Even though she hated it with all her soul, he was going to end up like the rest of her friends, broken, empty, and dead. The thoughts made her shudder, breaking her heart clean down the middle. She wished there were some way to save him, if only him. Feeling him next to her seemed to comfort and torture her simultaneously, knowing that he wouldn't be there much longer.
My
lips search for your lips
I'm hungry for your touch
There's
so much left unspoken
She sighed, snuggling closer to his body. He tightened his hold, not wanting her to get up and leave him. "I love you, Rave."
"I love you too." Though the words were smudged with tears, he knew she meant it. "I'll always love you."
And
all I can do is surrender
To the moment just surrender
"No
matter what happens to me, please. Don't blame yourself."
"If
you die," she whispered, "if you die, I'm coming with you."
This proclamation was so blunt and pleading, it hurt him to hear her
say it.
"You won't have to. I'm not going anywhere." How she wished she could believe him. But her mind had been right. He was only human. Her fingers tightened quickly around his.
"Don't. I don't want you to."
And
no one ever told me that love would hurt so much
Oooh yes it
hurts
And pain is so close to pleasure
And all I can do is
surrender to your love
Just surrender to your love
"I want to make you happy Raven." She looked up at him.
"Then promise me that you will love me even after we are gone." We? She was serious.
"I promise," he said slowly. "Forever."
Just
one year of love
Is better than a lifetime alone
One
sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right
through my heart
Hours later, the sun fell onto the eyeholes of a certain mask, opening the orbs beneath. He gazed at the sun, lifting slowly above the water. It was time for a new day…
It's
always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside
you
I'm falling apart all around you
…and a new fight. For Raven, and for love.
And all I can do is surrender
There it is, folks. I'm not actually sure what is going to happen, so please review with suggestions. I love you all.
Ravenstar
