Disclaimer: I own the characters Ellris, Saligia, the guards, the little girl, her red bouncing ball, the Azarian royal siblings, the plot and ... um ... that's it ... the only other things I don't own are the Teen Titans and Raven's home ... well ... the idea of her room and stuff are mine, Azarath isn't, and neither is the Teen Titans I'll stare once more, oh yeah Francesca and the name Kenneth are mines as well ... yeah ... I think ... that's about it.

A/N: Sooo ... you guys think you got it figured out do you?

Looks like I'm gonna have to fix that, this chapter, the next and I think the one after that will put you all into a spin. (hopefully) It's seriously gonna' get complicated, but why am I telling you guys this? You already know governments involved EVERYTHING is gonna get complicated.

Even your feelings on Saligia, is she a good girl, bad girl, good-girl-about-to-cross-over-to-the-darkside, or just another Jinx - not excusing the pun either ;) (shrugs) ya never know ... here's chapter 34 for your reading pleasure.

enjoy!

--

Portal Shut Downs

"Well now … that's rather interesting …" Ellris chuckled in his dragon tongue, perched a top the highest tip of the Palace Azar, staring out to the orange/violet/dimming sky of the lovely sunset of Azarath. They say – the people that knew of Azarath as well as the many other worlds it was connected to – that Azarath had the most breath taking sunsets and sunrises. Since daylight was short and cut from Earth it always seemed as if the land was trapped in a forever sunset and rise. Not that anyone was complaining … well anyone with the love of the darkness that is.

Black void eyes looked down at his daughter as she glided from her business and landed a tower below him, folding her leathery wings around her shoulders she looked up at her father and nodded emotionlessly, "I've held the main Portal the demoness has used opened as you've commanded, if you wish to shut this one down the Power Jewels are not going to be strong enough."

"Oh?" curious, Ellris blinked and crouched down, still balancing perfectly asked calculatedly, "Why is that and what may you suggest we use my dear?"

"You're smart," Saligia snarled, the rim of her Sapphire eyes glowing scarlet with every passing second that she was forced to do her father's bidding, "figure it out for yourself."

"I can … and I already have … but I want to hear it come from your mouth child," the Grandmaster, her father, and the mastermind behind all the chaos teasingly admitted.

Saligia wanted nothing more then to just knock him off his perch, roast him, scale him, clone him, eat all his clones' hearts out, spit them back out, and then banish him to the bowels of hell! That was how frustrated she was. Kenneth didn't know what he was saying when he said she brought this upon herself. She never did… it was an unbreakable law in Dragon Belief. The females may have been granted a bit more power then the males, but there was just no harming them as long as the submission was working strong.

Knowing that fighting him in this little dispute was useless, since he already knew he'd just be making her life a living hell … not that it already wasn't a shit-hole. Glaring out to the quickly approaching nighttime she took a breath and began to tell him what he wanted to here with gritting fangs, "Because, Grandmaster, it's the Grand Dimensional Pathway (GDP) it's where all the power of the three Tri-Branching Portals (TBP) get there energy and since we have closed off the TBP the GDP was loosing strength therefore taxing the travelers even more so then ever. It is the main portal that will require … oh … I don't know … the Seven …" Saligia paused for a second, still in disbelief that her father was having her do this. Yet he stood a perch above her listening and looking out to the Skyline that was brightening as the light from the sun vanished. Still wanting so much to run she too another breathe and continued reluctantly, "… in order to shut the GDP down you need the Seven Amulets and the sacrifice of the Living Gem."

Ellris grinned and nodded, "Very good … now … can you tell me why such drastic measures have to be taken?"

Saligia was dieing, she really was … but answered anyway, "… be … because in order for the Servers to awaken they need the life energy of the only living portal of the worlds to fuel them with enough power to do as you say. It's also a plus that she's a portal herself so you'd really be shutting down every working portal in the universe …"

"Amazing," the Grandmaster chuckled and flipped back, spreading open his wings and swooping passed Saligia with such force that she nearly fell off her own perch. Having been distracted by emotions she fell back, but immediately snapped her wings open to fly after her father listening as he spoke over the whipping wind, "life works out just the way you want it to if you know how to move the pieces. Like rain, the scene of every moment of every lifetime plays out in rhythmic drops of down pouring sequences. Wouldn't you agree my child?"

With the beating of wings and feeling the world beneath her flying by faster then she even bothered to notice, Saligia, flew even faster to catch up to her father. Many, many things on the mind she closed her eyes and couldn't help to feel it. The misery that was about to come forth from a grave mistake … why was he doing this … why was he so determined to make everyone's life a living hell? She used to think it was just because he was a Black Diamond that greatly influenced his actions.

Black Diamonds …

They were the dragons that had a little bit of everything … but in the beginning long before Middle Earth had separated into many different dimensions when the dragons were just starting to form an organized culture. One of the first Grandmasters to divide the dragon culture up into clans was a Black Diamond, yet, it seemed that everywhere a Black Diamond went trouble followed it and not just any kind of trouble. Chaos, havoc, destruction, and climbing death tolls … though you may ask a Black Diamond their feelings on the terribly happens, they would look at it with an indifferent face.

Giving the response of: Whatever happens, happens … nonchalant, the bad-blood reputations behind Black Diamonds were hard to live down. Her father and brother … Black Diamonds … it wasn't the clans fault for finally finding the chance to get the supposed "jinxed" bloodline out of office.

"Saligia … I asked you a question." Thrown out of her train of thought, Saligia looked a head to her father and suddenly remembered his question, even though he repeated himself with an amused smile, "Would you not agree that our lives mirror the fallen rain?"

Fallen rain … she thought blankly to herself then replied dryly, never knowing that her reply would be more then just truth … it would be a very funny metaphor, "I guess … when it rains … it pours."

"I would have never thought of it as such …" Ellris smirked, "Let us continue my little game and see how far I can take it … if your brother has a mind than we shall see if he be smart enough to challenge me. Where are the Seven Amulets located, would you know?"

"… The Thirteen Azarian Monks in the Palace Azar protect it along with the High Priestess and her closest friend Arella Roth … Arella Roth would be the only one to know exactly where they are located besides the High Priestess."

"Then we'll cover that later … for now, let us go visit some long lost friends."

--

The sun went down …

Within the Palace, Kenneth yawned and leaned against the hallway wall closing his eyes and sighing tiredly he reopened them and looked to the silent and serious guard standing at post beside the door that Raven was escorted into after she had passed out. Malchior was with her, though it was only because he quite literally snapped at the guards when they tried to take her away from him. Fangs came in handy for the dragon when he wanted things his way. Rorek was on the opposite wall staring at the ground in what Kenneth could only think – key word: "think" – to be in deep thought … no surprise there.

Francesca had wandered off somewhere.

She was a cat-like creature so curiosity came natural.

However, it didn't stop Kenneth from closing his eyes again and nearly falling asleep standing and leaning against the wall out of pure boredom. He was nearly lost in fantasy when he heard something odd. Bouncing … a ball … bouncing down the hall from him … confused he opened his eyes and turned in the same direction the guard had been standing next to him.

Yet … too curious about the bouncing ball failed to realize … he was suddenly alone.

Who the … trailing his train of thought when he saw a red ball coming down the hall … apparently a kid must have been playing with it because it appeared to have been thrown.

Off the wall, Kenneth walked two steps till he was at the center of the hall glaring suspiciously at the ball still failing to notice he was still alone. Rorek wasn't even around anymore. Then from the corridor a little ways away a little girl popped her head around the corner, at first looking away from him probably for her toy that had been rolled to his feet. Bending over to pick it up he looked up and suddenly the little girl wasn't only smiling and looking up at him with admirable eyes, but she was standing before him. "Whoa!"

Freaked he dropped the ball, but even before it hit the floor it vanished along with the little girl, her childish voice whispering into his ear, "… Rezath fah'denor X-juuzo!"

"Kenneth!" snapped back to reality, Kenneth pushed off the wall and gasped when he felt hands upon his shoulders shaking him awake. Awake? Had he fell asleep? Apparently so, because as he frantically gazed around the room to get a sense of realism he gulped and locked his eyes on worried ice-blue hues, "Kenneth, you alright? I've been calling you for a good minute and you never answered."

A … a minute? No way, he thought in disbelief shrugging Rorek away from him he stood up straight finding that he had still been leaning against the wall, surprised that he hadn't have slipped off and fell to the ground. Kenneth shook his head and rubbed his eyes, "Whoa … dude … what time is it? I think I fell asleep or something …"

"No kidding," Rorek scoffed amusingly and shook his head, "you're a heavy sleeper for a thief."

Kenneth glared, "Well obviously you don't know me very well cause I'm an insomniac genius, I don't sleep very easily."

Rorek's amuse smile dropped a fraction of an inch as he contemplated this new finding, turning his head down to stare quizzically at the ground for a moment. He looked down the hall and suddenly his smile turned into a frown when he sighed and shook his head, "I suspected as much …"

Confused, Kenneth tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

Still in thought, Rorek looked up to the thief and shrugged, opening his mouth to reply the door to Raven's room suddenly opened and Malchior stepped out with an exhausted sigh. Leaning on the door the guard gave him an odd look that was ignored as the dragon growled and opened his metallic eyes to glare at the wall next to Rorek who blinked and shrugged, "So … is she well?"

Peeved for some off reason, Malchior shot his glare at the wizard and snorted, "She's fine … just woke up and went to take a bath …"

"That's it?" Kenneth asked with an agitated expression on his face, "She never told you why the hell she suddenly fainted?"

Malchior bared his fangs at the thief, not at all in the mood for his usual antics pushed off the door and ignored the human as he turned to the disciple guard. "Go and find Arella Roth, Raenell wishes to see her."

Not entirely sure if he should obey the dragon's command, glancing down at his fangs, claws, and strangely pink eyes. A second thought was taken in and bowed his head in obedience then took off down the hall to retrieve the requested woman. Malchior watched him till he turned down the corridor and looked over his shoulder to Rorek and Kenneth. Now that the three were alone he leaned against Raven's door once more, however crossed his arms over his chest as he asked them tiredly, "How long have you been standing here?"

"Long enough," Rorek answered cryptically.

Malchior scoffed, not at all liking the response, but not complaining about it either, he didn't feel like fighting much of anything. Never before had he worried about someone else's life so openly … he could still remember the fear in Raven's eyes, the void loneliness of pain and misery. Watering over and tearing down her face he sighed and tried to remind himself that she was fine … despite what it was that had spooked her earlier … she may have appeared fine, but he wanted to know what was killing her. He was her mate – well, would be if she let him – but even still, he had a duty to keep her safe and let nothing harm her as long as he lived. Taking a deep breath Malchior noticed Rorek and Kenneth waiting patiently for him to say something.

The dragon, for once in his life, found nothing and stayed silent while staring at the ground.

Kenneth frowned, waiting was never his best friend, "So what now man? She gonna' tell us what happened or what?"

The thief was ignored.

Irritated that he was being treatd like he wasn't visible Kenneth was about to open his mouth and protest when a flash of a white piece of cloth at the corner of his eye was seen. Down the hall where the guard had disappeared around the corridor, the same guard came back, but he was leading a woman … a woman older then either of the males in the room. Malchior saw the woman dressed in white with the hood of her robe down and an expressionless face plastered on her long features. Her indigo eyes did a quick scan of the men standing around Raven's room and categorized them as the four that was to be traveling with her daughter.

Malchior chilled when her cold indigo eyes landed on him specifically, quickly getting off Raven's door he bowed low in respect, Rorek followed and Kenneth still not knowing what the hell was going on did no such thing. Arella was not offended by the thief's lack of response. In fact she never even gave him a second thought as she kept her eyes locked on the dragon – yes, she knew Malchior was a dragon, it was hard to miss when he did nothing to conceal himself. Though, why she was staring at him in particular wasn't only because he was a dragon.

Itwas mainly – PURELY – for the reason that she could sense traces of her daughter upon him.

The two gentlemen stood back to their full heights and Arella exchanged manners by putting a hand to her heart. Bowing her head and gently extending her hand with her palm up curtsying slightly she spoke and it was then that Malchior knew just where Raven got her cold disciplined persona. Though Malchior knew for a fact that they held no power in government directly, Arella had the air and authority voice thing down perfectly, "I am Arella Roth, Raenell's mother … and you all must be …"

"Names Kenneth," Kenneth introduced himself surprised that she even spoke English.

Rorek bowed, "Rorek, Lady Roth. Rorek Di – Rorek Aiedail."

"Malchior." Malchior answered plainly with a nod of his head, keeping his eyes connected with Arella's intense indigo hues. Giving Malchior a clue just where Raven got her cold stares, because right now it looked like Arella was intent on making him shutter under her emotionless eyes. Nothing that he couldn't challenge, but it was hard to be polite and be himself at the same time where it concerned Raven's mother … After all, the dragon didn't know if Arella had already sensed he was courting her daughter without her permission in doing so.

Straight to the point and never one to beat around the bush she bowed her head in acknowledgement, "Very good then, formalities aside, Sirus, lead them to their rooms. They are to be retiring for the night and as a precaution post a guard at their door side."

Taken back Kenneth shook his head completely ignoring that face she spoke to the guard in English, "Whoa, uh-uh, what the hell? Retiring? Precaution? Huh?"

"I'm sure my daughter has read you the letter I've sent correct?" Arella stated carefully and all three young men nodded, she continued, "Well, I have failed to mention a great many things happening on Azarath for the sake of compromising the Central Skyline's safety. Though I shall explain even further, possibly later tonight if Raenell wishes it so, I must ask that you do nothing foolish."

"But –" Kenneth opened his mouth, but Rorek shut him up and shoved him down the hall to follow the guard.

"Let's go Kenneth, she just said it'll have to wait."

"But I want to know what the hell did she mean by precaution?"

"Forget it for now. Malchior, let's go!" Rorek shouted over his shoulder, being the good boy he was and trying hard to obey Arella's commands, the dragon was torn between following Arella's order and staying to make sure Raven was alright. Which was it? What should he do? Arella was her mother after all, shouldn't he be calmed in the thought that his Raven was in the safety of family?

After all, he himself was the one that summoned the woman to begin with!

He wished he could trust her, but it was his internal instincts that did not want to relinquish Raven into the hands of another. Even if it was her own mother, Arella sensed his doubt, frustration, and stubborn personality, though she acted as if it did nothing to faze her. Which it didn't!

The dragon could pout and growl all he wanted, but it was not going to keep her from seeing her daughter as she opened Raven's room and entered. Closing the door carefully while keeping her eyes on the young dragon - even though he may have been ages older then her - till the last crack of the door was closed and she left Malchior standing in the wake of Arella's frozen wasteland. What a way to meet the parent … he thought with a gulp and took off down the hall towards the guard, the wizard, and the thief.

Raven was as good as safe with mother alright.

--

The bathroom …

No!

Literally!

It was a bath room!

Raven, in the middle of said bathroom sitting on the third step of the pentagonal shaped, large ceremonial meditation bath-chamber. (Imagine a small indoorpool or jacoozy large enough to jam-pack 12 people +plus 1.) Deep enough to come up to her high waist if she were to walk down the fourth step and towards the center. (The steps lined the pentagonal bath at all sides) candles lit here and there, with five Gothic Arches at the far end of the room across from the large double sliding doors that lead to her room. Never had it crossed her mind that someone could enter through the open arches with no such shutter to close them, but there was a force shield, where if she wields it to all she had to do was press a button and nano-shields would shoot up the five archways.

Though … tonight … she decided to be lenient and left the nano-shields down for the sake of looking out towards the Skyline and watching the lights play out, listening to the sounds of the city with her sensitive hearing … it was soothing to say the least. Something she needed after … after her odd episode … knocking out for a good five hours or so? That was cause for some worry, especially where Malchior was concerned, because he had laid with her in her bed watching over her and stroking her soft hair.

Trying with all his might to bring her into a sense of calm and serenity.

It worked …

But it still troubled her … the pain, the little boy … it foreshadowed something she wasn't sure was even possible where she was concerned. It was just too much to comprehend and though she would have given up to Malchior when he had started to kiss away her worries and troubles. The vision of sorts still bothered her and she told him she needed to be a lone for a moment. Surprisingly he respected her wishes without protest and left obediently … Raven closed her eyes and leaned back into the water, sinking even deeper into it as she rested her head against the second step.

Her violet hair lisping and swirling around as if to ink the pure water with it's dark color, hot, warm, soothing, and comfortable. Raven could have very well lost herself in a dream as the lines of reality and fantasy slightly blurred and to her … nothing existed … it was just her.

No worries …

No troubles …

No visions …

No nothing to disturb her relaxing meditation.

Until there was a knock on her bath door …

Startled, Raven shot up, and covered over her bare-naked body the best she could no towel in near sight to grasp and cover herself she stared at the door in shock as the water turned and stirred in disturbance of her sudden fear, "Who is it?"

It better not be you Mal - Arella … all thoughts of Malchior vanished when she felt her mother's soft caressing aura gently ask for her permission to enter. Even her voice asked with such a gentle warmth of kindness, Raven almost felt a shame for her appearance (note: "almost"), "It's Arella, Raenell, would you mind if I joined you for a bit?"

Arella … Raven smiled softly and blushed when Malchior came into thought, once more. He was the only way to explain her mother's sudden visit, because she most certainly didn't call for her mother, Thank you … Malchior … grateful … truly grateful … Malchior was beginning to surprise her at every turn they took. Calling out to her mother Raven cleared her throat so she was heard with ease in the echoing chamber even if there was five Gothic Arches that reached up to the high cieling, "You may."

The door hissed open a crack, enough for her mother's thin figure to slip through and smile sweetly at her daughter as she closed the door, coming to the bath she chuckled as Raven sunk to the bottom of the water on her knees, afraid for what she might say about her demonic appearance. Dressed in pure white with her gold rope tired in a knot at her right side, Arella crossed the way and knelt at the edge of the pool like bath, "Why do you hide dear?"

"Is it not obvious," Raven asked with a sense of disappointment in her voice.

Arella reached over the water down to her daughter and cupped her chin to have her violet eyes look into indigo orbs. Smiling gently Arella dared to lean even further into the water and kiss her daughter upon her forehead, "You need not be so fearful of your true self … embrace it, it's the only thing you have left to show proof of your control to those that have doubted you to begin with … even myself. Welcome home."

"Mother," practically shooting out of the water, Raven wrapped her arms around her mother's waist despite her state of dress – or lack there of – dampening her mother's robes, Arella happily held fast to her little girl. Holding back a tear as regret shimmered in her indigo eyes … oh, how could she fear her daughter in the past so?

How was it a mother could condemn her only daughter to such a fate as Trigon and claim that there is nothing to be done? Raven may have felt ashamed for her demonic blood, but it was really Arella that was ashamed to even show face at all. At least her daughter was strong enough to fight her father and face her destiny without batting an eye, but Arella? She wasn't even there to support her own flesh and blood! Despite her being a half-demon it couldn't be helped that Raven was what she was … and Arella couldn't be anymore proud of her daughter then she was ashamed of herself.

Again, Arella kissed the top of her daughter's head and once Raven pulled away smiled and the two shared small chuckles at their 'mother-daughter' moment (classic lifetime television scene). Smoothing back her wet hair from her face Arella shot her daughter a sneaky grin, "So … I come to believe the young man that has evoked this side of you is that astranged young dragon out in the hall?"

Suddenly, Raven's tranquill smile dropped and a blush rose onto her cheeks, her gaze upon her mother she was unable to hold as she turned her head down to stare thoughtfully at the clear water.

It was inevitable.

Arella would have found out anyway, she was her mother!

Mother's see and know everything.

Everything.

Though it didn't stop Raven from sinking back into the water and nervously rubbing her right arm embarrassed that she had been found out. Yet composing herself the best she could she shrugged and nodded, "Yes … um … Malchior is his name … d-d-do you approve of him?"

That … must have been the hardest question for Raven to ask in her entire life!

She was practically admitting to her mother that she loved a guy.

A dragon! Nonetheless.

It felt awkward … but oddly enough … Raven was hoping that her mother would say yes … that she did approve of him. Of Malchior … the dragon that showed her it was possible to forgive and let be to blossom into something as young as him and her. Forget what Robin had reminded her of … it was in the past and she already had enough trust in Malchior to actually work up the courage to finally say … she loved him. Openly and fully … it felt funny … but a good kind of funny, the kind of funny that she wanted to test and see if it was possible it could last.

Arella could clearly see the hope in her daughter's eyes and sighed, leaning back and sitting on her side to tuck her legs under her with an uncharacteristic shrug, "Depends … do you love him?"

Ooo … the big question … though Raven was ready for it and nodded discreetly, her blush growing, but never hiding it.She wasn't much of a girlthat was into theshy act ... but sometimes it couldn't be helped,"Yes … I believe I do…"

"Then there's really nothing that needs to be said on my part," Arella smiled.

Relief.

Raven the dark goth of Titan Tower had gotten the awkwardness over with and took a deep relaxing breath. Still in the bath, Raven leaned against the steps in front of her mother and found her self growling in content (which she would later learn was a purr ... a demoic purr) when she felt Arella gather up her long hair and rinse it out lovingly. However, her voice suddenly dropped it's playful humor when she began to speak once more, "My dear … in my letter … I have not been fully honest with the welfare of Azarath … it's not at all in as good a condition as you expect."

"Why? What's wrong?" the conversation suddenly took a turn for the serious as Raven looked up to her mother

Arella sighed and let her daughter's hair go, she reached to one of the large tiles on the floor, tapped it, and it rose to reveal hidden white towels. Reaching for one, she handedit to Raven who got the message and stepped out of the meditation bath, taking the towel into her clawed hands she began to dry herself off as Arella continued to speak, "The Lord and Lady of Azarath, they've went on a routine meeting trip to see the economic balance on Manona … though … they have yet to return home because of the sudden shut down of the TBP."

Pausing in her drying, Raven gave her mother an odd look, "The TBP shut down? How? It takes a great amount of energy to shut down a dimensional pathway … are they not able to come through the GDP? Because I've came through there."

"It's possible …" Arella sighed, "Jahzaya volunteered herself for the safe return of the Lord and Lady … but sadly she has yet to be found after disappearing from the Trinity Temples."

"Lady Jahzaya's missing?" Raven jerked her head back and wrapped herself in the towel and lead her mother back to her room in order to get something to wear for the night, "That's … wow … that's, that's bad."

"You can speak for yourself child," Arella shook her head and sat upon her daughter's bed staring at the door as Raven got herself dressed, "without the leadership of the High Priestess the monks haven't a single clue how to respond to the publics' rising insecurity without their true leaders. There is only so much trust to place upon mid-trained Princes, that you should know still don't get alone very well."

Raven looked back at her mother as she pulled on a formfitting short black tang-top, draped over it a white net poncho and snuggly slipped herself into white jean caprices. Glad that Azarath wasn't as strict with the women's attire as it was when she was child, still barefoot she crossed the carpeted floor and sat with her mother after grabbing a comb. Thus proceeding to comb her long violet hair as she spoke to Arella, "So what's going to happen now?"

Arella sighed, "The only thing to do is to wait, Azarath is fairing well so far … but … I think it's important you should know because of your dragon friend … dragons are loosing their toleration of being slaves and pets to humans and Azarians a like, yet there is a show of steady increase of kidnapped drakes and illegal trafficking of slavery dealing with their kind. They are putting blame on the Azarian governement for not doing anything to stop it, when really we are fighting it as best we can ... There was supposed to be a meeting between the Royals of Azarath and the Grandmasters of the four main dragon clans, yet under the circumstances it's been delayed, and their patience wanes."

Raven finished her combing and frowned, "You're not suggesting …"

Raven didn't want to say the "W" word and Arella understood with a sad reluctant node.

"It's looking bleak …" Arella answered her incomplete question, the demoness gulped and looked to the ground in thought.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Without the High Priestess and the Lord and Lady of Azarath … there's not much anyone can do. For the Lord and Lady to travel through the GDP is dangerous considering the power they possess and heaving taxing the Dimension Tax is draining from everyone who comes through the GDP. It's just too dangerous."

Understanding, Raven nodded and stood up from the bed heading to the exit (after slipping on some shoes before she went of course), "Well then … I think I should tell the other three … because like you, I've reframed a bit of information myself. Azarath may be in even more danger then we both suspect. I'll explain once I speak with the others."

"You go my dear," Arella urged standing next to her daughter, "I have some other urgent business to pertain to, I'll hear it all some other time."

"If you say so Arella," Raven bowed her head and curtsied with a hand to her heart, out of her room Arella kissed her forehead once more and cupped her cheek so smile supportively at her little girl.

"You've grown so much … be safe," she wished and to Sirus that was the Royal Guard posted beside Raven's door she ordered, "lead Raenell to her companions, gather them at the parlor and be sure to keep watch."

The guard bowed and just as Arella walked away leaving Raven to be guided by the guard, the sorceress reached out a clawed hand and grabbed the guard's upper arm pulling him back to her. Startling the soldier who looked down at violet eyes in wonder, "My lady?"

"I can do this on my own, please, you're dismissed," Raven responded and the soldier blinked and blinked again, not entirely sure if he heard the demoness correctly he raised a suspicious brow and found that it wasn't his place to overrule her order. With a bow he dismissed himself and walked away from the demoness without a glance back, leaving Raven to find Kenneth, Rorek, and Malchior alone she straightened herself out and knew exactly where to gather them.

--

Closing off portals?

Hmm ... weird approach at things Ellris ... but whatever floats your boat I guess!

Then the little girl ... what did she say? But most importantly what did it mean I wonder ... what was Rorek about to say to Kenneth before Malchior came out ... what kind of business does Arella have to attend to and for that matter why the hell are the Seven Amulets in the Palace to begin with? Will Azalon ever be safe? (shrugs) who knows ... I don't ... or do I?

X: You're a real ass you know that!

Raven: O.o I hugged my mother with nothing on? WTF!

Me: What! She's your mother! Nothing she hasn't seen before.

Malchior: And nothing I can't WAIT to see for myself.

Rorek: ...Disturbing Malchior, just disturbing.

X: Okay, everyone just shut the fuck up now before this gets out of hand, cimple, end the damn chapter already!

Me: Relaaaaxxxx, jeez ya spazzin' out just like my dad ... blah ... anyway, l8er daez and congradulations to all of you that have good things happening in their lives, like passing exams, permits, so and so you know who you are ;) hit me up with reviews and I'll give you more chapters ... but like I warned: where government is concerned things are gonna get a little ... twisted. (pulls out a Twister Board with a manical grin on her face) Twister anyone?

Rorek: O.O Seriously, is anyone other then me just starting to get creeped out by her?

X: You're just starting? Unbelievable

Me: I said l8er daez! So shut-up and start studying your next lines!

X: What fucking lines! We're not even in the next - mmmmmppphhhhmmmm

Me/Rorek: (grapples X, ties him, gags him and throws him in a near by closet then turns to audience with "innocent smiles") You. Heard. Nothing.