Chamomile and lavender scented candle with a tinge of ivy in them lite around you, the calming aroma was good. Considering what you were going to do. Sitting criss-crossed in the middle of the pentagram. One you designed yourself open the book to the right page, looking at it mentally read the passage, that you again tinkered with yourself. Reading it a third time felt satisfied to attempt this. Calming yourself, inhaling deeply close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus internally, the flames around you flickered to suddenly spring with energy.
You still kept yourself focused as your marking started to glow and your dark aura surrounds like a flame. Still, under your control hold out a hand in the air as a small fissure begins to crack in it. Slowly it begins to expand, pushing more a circle of fire forms giving you a window to the world outside. You could hear them, see and feel the emotions of others. And push pass them to something deeper, that it grabbed you and next thing you found yourself somewhere...somewhere else. Unfamiliar and oddly terrorizing. Nightmarish.
Opening your eyes find yourself in absolute darkness, except for this faint red glow not too far ahead. Curiosity getting the better of you float over, drawing strangely to it. Cup your hands around the crimson glow, it was warm and delicious. Yet also macabre and ominous. There was a pulse...you felt it. It was alive?
How?
What was this thing? Lightly you touch it and felt an odd disturbance from it. That wasn't all either, you begin to hear and feel past agonizing and nightmarish screams, from all around. It felt like thousands of daggers piercing you from every angle. Your senses became overwhelmed. Flashes of horrific terrors and nightmares of others flushed into your mind. So much that all you got where flashes, you try to keep your control but it was too much that you had to pull back from this powerful darkness. To find you couldn't. This glow kept you. Trying not to be frighten refused to allow such a minor power to subdue. Release a huge amount of commanding energy back, that it threw it back twice as hard. You saw a vision that scared you, before coming back to your actual senses.
Panting from the experience that you weren't what it was. Look around finding yourself back in your room, that was now scorched, no doubt from you. Looking at the candles melted into puddles, remember the glow and spring up in haste and rush your room. To stop when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Shocked to find yourself in your corrupted form.
Just how? Looking at yourself knowing you couldn't go out like this, cause if you did...John he'd. You had to calm down...find your center. Their influence would not overtake you. This nightmare wouldn't. Taking in a few deep breaths, your extra eyes began to slowly disappear, your ears less pointy and your canines reverted back to their normal length. Your wings where the last to stay. For some reason, you had trouble disbursing them and your glowing markings. That spread further along your body. Along with your hunger. Dying to be feed. The voice inside wanting to be let out clawed inside.
In fear.
Fear? Why fear?
Struggling a bit push it all down, Black Orchid appeared behind you. "Violet, we hav-are you alright?"
She startled you that you lashed out, which she evades and places her hands on the side of your temple. Emits a healing glow that calmed you and reverted you back. "W...what?"You said disillusioned. Turn around to the mirror seeing her still healing you. That you remember what happened.
None of your parental extras on you. Cleansed in a certain way. Still, your blood felt on fire. "Are you alright?"Orchid breaks your thoughts. You turn to her, unsure give a nod. So she stops healing. Her eyes look you over.
"I'm fine."You move her hands away. When you did, a scene flashes in your mind of Orchid dead. On the floor. That spiked your heart. But you pushed it down. Deep. "Where's John?" She was about to give you an answer, but you were too impatient to answer, engulf yourself in your flames and disappear.
In the center of the house, Batman stood there annoyed listening to both John and Zatanna arguing about monkeys. With Deadman. Who filled him in. Patience waring thing, the Dark Knight gets ready to say something when he and Deadman notice a swirl of black flames appears and you emerge. Surprising Deadman.
"Whoa! What's with the girl?"
You heard him through John's rising voice and turn around thrilled and a bit confused to see Batman. Go over to him."Batman,"you greet him giving him a hug. Which he returns with a half one."What's going on?"Turning back around to John who was still going at it with a woman. Who you've never seen before. Though it was clear there was some relation there between the two.
"They use to be a thing,"Deadman informs you coming to your side, you look at the red-clad ghostly man. Who just couldn't stop staring. Even if he smiled. "Names Boston Brand. And you?"
"We're wasting time,"Batman takes command. Ending the argument."He's dead and I accept the risk. So can we get to it or do you two need a time out?"
You couldn't help but laugh to yourself at John. Who finally noticed you along with the woman. Who like Boston was surprised by your presence."Who is that?"Pointing to you. Wanting an explanation from John. Who sighs and groans, something the woman read a look of shock spread across her face when she turned back to you.
"Violet."You said crossing your arms, walking over to her. Extending your hand, she seem hesitant for a second but shakes it, right when she made contact you saw an image of her dead too. Making you retract your hand away. "Sorry."
She didn't seem bothered."It's fine. My name's Zatanna. It's nice to finally meet you. I mean meet you. So, you live with him?"Thumbing to John.
Which you nod."For the time being. I'd ask how you know him, then again many who hate John there isn't much to fill in."She knew what you meant and was impressed chuckling at your words.
Much to John's cringe."No one asked for your honest answer."He snips coming over shoving your head down."Now, what do you want? I've got things to do."
Reading in-between his words knew it was a mission and you quickly became excited."You're going after what's being the strange disturbance aren't you? Let me go? Please!"
"No."
"What? Why?"
"Because this is too much for you. And I don't feel like being your babysitter."He turns his back and walks to the door, stopping when you teleport in front of him. Staring him down. He sighs."You're not coming, Violet."
You protest."But I have to come. You know as good as me that you'll need my sensory abilities to pinpoint the negativity that is spreading like wildfire."
"No."
He walks around you to door opening it. If he wasn't going to listen, then it left you no choice. "Batman,"Turning around to him."I never did get a chance to tell you about how my training has been coming along here."
John reacts quickly and using his magic binds your mouth shut. Grumbling to himself brings you over to his side, the others watch him give you what seem like a stern talk. You stood there with a victory in your eyes. After a few more minutes John releases your bind."Okay?"His whispers.
You nod agreeing."Let me change."Commanding the flames around you, conjured up the proper clothing. Something that made Batman scowl even deeper at John who was shocked. You rid yourself of that witch-like dress and took to wearing something a bit more mature for your age. A backless halter-top tunic dress. Laced up on the side and front. With an attachable hood and fingerless gloves. Instead of shoes or boots you had leather laced heels all the way up to your ankles. It was clear you were growing, considering your outfit choice. And refreshed smile.
All disapproving eyes lay on John."What? She's a teenager what'd you expect?"He defends himself."Coming team?"
This was thrilling or so you would have felt if not for your mind weighing on something else. Even so, it was nice to have the chance to be on the magical field this time. Even if you had to blackmail someone. You had your reason, walking with the others the house dropped everyone off where John needed to go. You kept pace with them through the streets. To an old friend of John's, Ritchie Simpson
"So, who are you to John?"Boston appears beside you. "I mean, John isn't the one to have a child around really. Umm..." he looks at your appearance."You're human right?"
"As close as one can be. He's my tutor in the mystic arts."
"Really?"He was surprised by this. Then laughs."Sorry, it's just the idea of John being someone's tutor is well, ya know."You got it and understood, though still took it just a bit offensively."So, what's your magic?"
"Demonic and fallen. Darkness. Sinful."You list to his surprise."What about you?"
He seem glad you turned the attention on him."Was once a great and famous trapeze performer. Till well...an unfortunate accident happens. Stuck in-between until otherwise. I can possess others. If need to."
"Interesting. So you performed at the circus? My family was from one. An-"Not paying attention bump right into Zatanna and John. Rubbing your nose look to see why they stop, gasping seeing and finding shrouds of Death outside circling in front of the place. You remember the information about these creatures and you remember in another way. They came to collect the souls of those dying. Inching back didn't help, you had no choice but to follow the others. Doing so closely to John, who subtle put out an arm in front of you.
The creatures noticed everyone presence, though particularly John's. "John Constantine," One spoke, its voice made your stomach drop and everything became cold. Slowly you inch back trembling just a bit. "Conver over the Dark Arts and lifeline of last resorts. No matter your friend's soul will be collected and there's nothing you can do to alter that."
"Why don't you go do something useful and go hunt a house."John refutes back.
Batman unsure what was going on needed clarification."Who's he talking to?"
"Shrouds," Boston and you said. Which Boston fills him in," they deliver souls to Hell."
The shrouds come closer, moving back bump into Batman, just as you get ready to move the creatures come and surround you both. "They're drawn to you."Zatanna points out rather surprised. The creatures made your skin crawl and flare. Your stomach started to sway.
Making sure they wouldn't touch you, one accidentally does burning your skin upon touch. Grabbing your arm quickly move away. "What is this?" One notices you moving closer, Batman puts a protective hand on your shoulder and moves you closer. It felt like it was smelling you, death leaked from it. Your heartbeat was racing, your powers flickered on edge and your feet were ready to flee. The voices of the others roared in your mind and the shrouds heard them. "A child of old sin," one reaches out cupping your face tightly. It burned, it looks closer. Noticing something, turning back to John then to you. "You are marked for Hell, child. Born soulless, shall die soulless, the stench of Constantine surrounds you, it has doomed and tainted you. You sinner!" It shrieks.
Something horrifying flashes in your mind it jolted through your body physically. You lash out, "No!" John grabs you firmly by the wrist and yanks you to him, glares at the creatures. With a smug smirk."This has been lovely, but it's time for you lot to bugger off."
They turn to him."When the time comes, I will be the one to collect your soul. Constantine." It quickly looks at you.
"Yeah, yeah," John brushes it off, pushing you to Zatanna and quickly banishes them with a spell.
You could finally breath."Are you okay?"Zatanna asked looking you over. You give a little nod and sigh when someone lifts up your chin to them. John's eyes look you over carefully. He tilts your head to the left and right. Checking for something. When he didn't see it a slow smile begins to appear. When the door opens.
"I thought I felt a disturbance in the force," a thin and fragile man with a cane comes out, his eyes kind and tired. Smiles at John." how you doing Jonny boy. Zatanna...and..Batman! What the hell?"
"Tell you everything inside mate,"John tells him, walking up leading you. His hand rested lightly on your back.
Walking pass the man give a polite nod, the man nods back, stopping suddenly with wide eyes. The same as Zatanna. Once inside, the man joins leading everyone to a room. He kept his smile, staggering a bit to rest his hand on his cane. He was sick, really sick. You could feel it, the growing silence that was soon to come and something else, you couldn't quite pinpoint.
Noticing your stare, he raises at hand gently places it on your shoulder, startling you."Sorry sweetie," he chuckles lightly. "didn't mean to startle you. My names Ritchie, my what beautiful eyes you have. Heh, reminds me a field of violet flowers in the Spring."
"You're...you're gravely..."you couldn't get the words out. Bitting your lips, look away.
He understood."Now, don't feel that way. Always look on the bright side in dark times. What's your name? Hmm? Flower?"
Not wanting to be rude tell him. Mustering up a smile."V-Violet."
He gashes with a wide smile."Why what a beautiful name."His words so warm and jovial. Made your smile actually become a real one. "For a beautiful young lady."
"Thank you, Mr. Simpson."
He chuckles, resting a hand lightly on your shoulder patting it."Call me Uncle Ritchie. Alright?"You give a nod, settled with that he turns back to the others, looking the longest at John.
"You poor thing,"Zatanna comes over putting a gentle hand on his cheek.
Ritchieappreciated her concern."Yeah, I might have lied the last time we talked, about how fast I'm sliding downhill. Sorry about that." He turns to John, placing a hand on his shoulder. But, it means a lot you're here John. And hey, you don't have to say it, you're forgiven. Still, wondering what Batman is doing in my living room. And when is he going to shut-up, right?" He laughs. Looking to John who averts his eyes. "What? What's with the face?" John's silence, Ritchie realized it was something else. "You're not really sorry are you?"
"Of course I am,"John defends himself. "But I was looking to borrow the Keshanti Key."
"Unbelievable."
Zatanna steps in trying to settle the tension and rising anger."I tried to tell him on the way."
"Yeah, it's not your fault, Z. Just like everything, this is rockstar Jonny's fault." He lashes at John.
"I was with you when it happened Ritchie, we were side by side."
"Yeah, side by side. I got the weird magical cancer. While you added to your rep, ain't that right?"
"Look, me not making proper amends, isn't related to the key. With truth be told, you're not going to need mate."
You couldn't believe he said that, covering your mouth."John!" You and Zatanna gasp. Taking a step Batman holds you back.
What happened next shocked you, even more, Ritchie punches John square in the face. Batman rushes and catches the man before he fell over. Ritchie wriggles out of his hold.
"Been getting that a lot lately,"John said rubbing his chin. His comment was not needed.
"I can't imagine why,"you throw back, crossing your arms. John grunts at your words. Warning you.
"You can go and screw yourself!"Ritchie points, "I am not giving you crap."
Batman steps in."Your anger is understandable, but, you need to reconsider the risk. Innocent lives are at stake." Ritchie's anger remained flared for a bit, before considering Batman words.
Nodding he complies and gets the key. Handing it to Batman."Well, doctor's saying upbeat can help, so I focus on today, is that I met Batman. A force for good. It was also nice seeing you, Zatanna."He looks to Zatanna. Then turns to you, resting a hand on your head. Patting it. "And you, Violet. You're a good soul. Don't take after, him. You're practically the only good, from him." Taking his hand back he walks away,"Now if you excuse me, you all can show yourselves out."
Taking a step to follow Ritchie, when a hand rests on your shoulder. Looking finding Zatanna, shaking her head. Reluctant to follow she ushers you to follow. Looking up at John could feel mountain weight twisting and knotting. To quickly be buried and hidden. Slowly your head and eyes drop.
