In case anyone is wondering, Raven doesn't know she has powers yet. In fact, she doesn't know what she is or who her father is. This is Raven will be slowly discovering her powers.
Raven and Kiran walk over the white marble bridge to feed the ducks in the river. Raven uses her fingertips to sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the river and watches the ducks swarm to eat them. Kiran giggles and does the same.
Raven and Kiran had been close friends since they first met in meditation at three years of age. They would start talking during class which annoyed Harumi a bit. Kiran was even the one who gave her the nickname "Raven" since that's what her birth name means in Japanese. They would hang around almost every day. From what Raven knows, Kiran was born in India but fled her country with her parents to live in Azarath after villagers accused her of being a Dayan witch and tried to execute her because of her ability to create light. Raven always told her they were just jealous Kiran was blessed with the power of light. She even wished she could wield such abilities.
"Are you feeling better?" Kiran asks.
"I believe so. I only have a bit of a headache," Raven says. She had been isolated for three days after giving a seizure, followed by an immense fever. "It's odd though. I don't remember having another epilepsy. Usually, I would. But this time, I don't remember."
Raven had lunged at Harumi, screaming "Liar!" and tried to strangle her. Harumi choked and tried to pry her hands away.
"R-Rachel…"
Father Torao and Brother Shiro suddenly burst into the room, shocked expressions crossing their faces. Raven turned to snarl at them. Father Torao and Brother Shiro charged and struggled to grab Raven until they finally pulled her away from Harumi. Raven thrashed and screamed.
"How is Mother Harumi?" Raven asks.
Kiran shrugs. "I don't know. According to Father Torao, she came down with a cold and needed to rest."
Raven sighs. "I haven't seen her in three days. It's probably my fault she fell ill. I probably got her sick."
"Epilepsy is not contagious, Raven. I'm sure you had nothing to do with it."
"I know it's not. Yet, I have a bad feeling I have something to do with it."
"You're being too harsh on yourself."
Father Torao and Brother Shiro pinned Raven to the ground while she continued to thrash and scream. The window shutters slammed open and close repeatedly. And the lights in Azarath flickered uncontrollably. She snapped and gnashed her teeth at Father Torao but Brother Shiro threw a handful of salt in her face, causing her to shriek in pain.
"Don't hurt her!" Mother Harumi cried.
Kiran smiles at Raven slightly and holds both of her hands. "Let's not worry about that now. You should be worrying about what you'll be planning for your birthday. You'll be 16 in a few days."
"I have been so lost in thought lately, I nearly forgot. Though, to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to celebrate."
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I'm not sure. Just a feeling." Raven's worst-case scenario would be for the planet to explode on her 16th birthday but they're mostly silly thoughts.
"But still. A 16th birthday is very special for many. It means you're halfway to adulthood. It should be celebrated."
Raven raises an eyebrow. "Really? How?"
A broad smile crosses Kiran's face and her eyes glimmer. "We make a cake!"
Raven giggles. "You know how to bake a cake?"
"No, but Mama does. She can make a cake for you on your birthday."
"Oh no, Kiran. I could never ask your mother to do something like that."
"Why not? She makes cakes all the time. I'm sure she won't mind baking for you. Consider it a present."
"But, um, Mother Harumi already gave me a present," Raven says awkwardly.
"She did?" Kiran smiles. "Where is it?"
"I'm wearing it." Raven reaches into her robe and pulls out the red pendant that's now around her neck. The red gem shimmers against the bright sun.
Kiran's smile grows bigger. "Oh my Azar, Raven. It's beautiful."
Raven's smile is smaller though. "Indeed. Mother Harumi and Father Torao got it for me. I wanted to wear it on my birthday but Father Torao believes I should wear it now, despite it supposed to be a surprise."
"Hmm. I never thought of Father Torao to be the impatient type."
"Me either." She shrugs. "Mother Harumi says that the jewel will protect me from evil."
Harumi suddenly remembered where Raven hid the necklace and took it out from under the mat. Tears fell down her face as she held the necklace to her forehead. She prayed to the mother of Azarath, hoping that this would work.
"Mother Azar, I beseech you," she said. "Please bless this jewel so I may save the child and protect her from all the evils that are to come. Please, accept my plead. And I shall forever be grateful to you. Mother Azar, save her. Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos."
The pendant's centred jewel suddenly began to glow brightly. Mother Harumi's eyes widened. Her prayers actually worked! Thinking fast, Harumi rushed to Raven's side. Brother Shiro was about to throw more salt in Raven's face but Harumi pushed him out of the way, nearly slamming him to the stone wall, and quickly put the necklace around the girl's neck.
Raven stopped thrashing and gasped sharply. Her face became pale again. Her wide eyes returned to their dark brown colour. Her teeth were no longer sharp. And her white coarse hair returned black and smooth. She was now back to her normal state. And then she fell into unconsciousness.
"Well, it's beautiful," Kiran says with a smile.
Raven smiles back and thumbs the red jewel. It still feels warm despite not having touched it in a while.
"And since Mother Harumi gave you a gift, it's only fair if I give you a gift," Kiran says. "Accept the gift or I'm throwing you in the water."
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
Raven laughs a little and shakes her head in disbelief. "All right then. I guess it won't hurt to have one slice."
"Good," Kiran giggles.
Raven still can't stop thinking about what happened three nights ago yet has no memory of it. Only that she woke to be told she suffered a seizure and Harumi fell ill.
After returning from the bridge, Raven goes to find Harumi. It's a Saturday so Harumi has no meditation classes to teach today. She would just be there to clean the classroom. The floors are not always clean. There are times when students track dirt or mud on the floor, despite strict rules telling them to leave their shoes outside.
She sees Harumi mopping the wooden floor, looking tired. To Raven's surprise, she's wearing a purple scarf around her neck, almost matching the robe she's wearing. Raven takes off her shoes, leaves them outside, and steps into the classroom.
"Mother…"
Harumi quickly whips her head to look at Raven, her eyes wide in surprise.
"Rachel," she says and places the mop against the wall. "You're here. Is everything all right?"
"Um, I think so. I was going to ask the same thing about you. Father Torao told me you got sick. I just wanted to see if you were all right."
Harumi presses her lips together in a thin line. "Um, yes. I am. I'm actually feeling a lot better. It was just a cold. Probably because I left the windows open that night."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you."
Harumi looks shocked. "Angry? Why would I be angry with you?"
"You got sick because of me."
"What?" Harumi stares at her in shock. "No. What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with you."
"If I hadn't left the window open ―"
"No, Rachel," Harumi says harshly and Raven remains silent. "None of this is your fault."
"Then, what is it?"
"Well, I was already feeling ill before. During meditation. So, it has nothing to do with you."
"Are you sure?"
Harumi laughs and kisses her head. "I am sure."
However, something in Harumi's laugh seems off. Unnatural. It sounds forced. It makes Raven wonder why she would lie.
"Now, let's not talk about this. We have a birthday to think about."
Raven can't help but roll her eyes. "You're just like Kiran," she says and giggles.
Harumi giggles and kisses her head.
Harumi held Raven's unconscious body close, resting her head to her chest, and sobbed profusely.
"My baby," she cried, "My sweet baby."
"Mother Harumi," Father Torao told her gently. "We need to take her to the medical wing. And quickly. There's no telling if that thing is still there. We need to perform an exorcism."
But Harumi still held her, not wanting to let her go.
"Mother Harumi," Brother Shiro said more sternly. "You need to listen. She could still be dangerous. Mother Harumi!"
"Mother Harumi!" Brother Kenji approaches the classroom. An old bitter man with a round belly, bald head and white beard. Raven has never liked him. And she knows Brother Kenji isn't fond of her either. Harumi's eyes widen when she sees him get closer to the classroom. "Come, we must talk about ―"
The door slams shut in his face. A yelp is heard from the other side. Harumi pants while her back is pressed against the door. Raven remains frozen on the spot, mouth agape.
"Did you…Did you just slam the door on Brother Kenji's face?" Raven asks.
"And I probably broke his nose." Harumi quickly grabs her hand. "Run away."
Raven nods in agreement and follows Harumi through the classroom's second exit.
