A Raven in the Hand

CHAPTER 18

Mark wondered in lazily into the arena, the WWE were performing in Florida tonight and Mark wanted to just relax a little before they started. He actually just wanted to be here early, just in case Kayla was around and wanted to talk to him. He never thought he would like to have the little nosy witch around at first, there was definitely a charm about her, and it wasn't the magic she controlled. He stared to even dress like a normal human and start coming through the front doors instead of just appearing in his dressing room moments before a match, just to get her attention.

Kayla had sparked a curiosity within him, she wasn't afraid of him, well, at first she was. But the more they talked, the more he found enjoying their talks. He was always the silent type here, staying alone, except for the company of his brother. Kane however, was always on the unpredictable side, even to Mark. One never knows what goes on in that mind.

He remember Kane's visit from last night, "Just take her if you want her so bad!" Kane had told him.

But Mark didn't want to just take her as Kane had done with Lita in the past, it didn't really work out as he had planed. Mark new that force was something you used when the time was right, but there would be no right time with Kayla. He knew deep down inside he couldn't force her to be with him, not just because of the unknown consequences, but he didn't want her to come to him that way. And besides, he knew she would always be coming to him in her own time, the look of her eyes told him all he needed to know. She was just as fascinated with him as he was with her.

The Deadman just grinned, the thought of Batista's sister getting involved with him was just pleasure, and the added bonus of keeping the animal off game. He wasn't intending to use her in this way, but if Dave was upset, then it was just an added bonus.

"TAKER!" The Deadman turned around and smiled, speak of the devil…

Dave was walking up to him in a hurry, and with the looks of his body language, he was pissed at the sight of the Deadman.

"We need to talk." Dave growled, even though he was a few inches shorter than the Deadman, but he wasn't scared of him.

"About what?" Mark dropped his gym bag on the ground and crossed his arms in front of his chest, "There's nothing for us to talk about."

Dave stopped only a few inches away from the Deadman, "Oh yes we do! I want you to stop whatever tricks you're pulling on Kayla! I want you to stay the fuck away from her!"

A smile crept on the Deadman's lips, "For the record, I'm sure she hasn't told you, but I'm not the one after her. She's been after me."

"Like fuck she would be around you on her on free will! You have something on her, I know! I'm just warning you…" Dave turned around and walked away in a huff, the Undertaker just smiled as he grabbed his bag and walked down to his current dressing room.

Just as he was about to open the door, he stopped for a moment and let his thoughts wonder to Kayla. He shouldn't have told Dave that she's the one that's been making the first moves, that would just get her into trouble with her brother. He would have to tell her before she met up with Dave first, just to prepare her.

He opened the door and walked in, a flash of red light beamed within the room. Mark fell hard on the floor, the door closing on its own as a shadow crept from the darkness into the lit from the bathroom. The rogue Vodu rolled Mark onto his back and a pleased look crept on his face, the Reaper was out like a light. The Boogieman giggled like a child, his plan had worked, now it was time for the hard part. He had to get the reaper to the chosen location, in order for the transformation to take place and the magic to perform correctly. He had studied every form of Death magic for this special moment, he could not fail!

The Vodu had hoped that he could have done this with more time, but with the snooping of that little witch caused him to speed up his plans. As soon as he had seen the little snot nosed girl at the manor so many years ago, he knew what his destiny was. If all his peers had said was true, then a Reaper would have come here all ready, waiting for her to mature. And sure enough, he had two to choose from.

He first thoughts were to go after the younger Reaper, being the younger, the Vodu believed that he would be less experienced and an easy target. That wasn't the fact with Kane, the Big Red Machine was totally unpredictable and unbalanced. The Vodu could not go after him, so he had to settle for the wiser and intelligent of the two, the Undertaker.

It took the Vodu a few moments to cast a spell that would take him and his prey to the location, candles lit up in crevices of the dark cave, there where runes painted in blood all around the cave, and a crude stone sat in the middle of the cave room, covered in the same runes as the walls. This is where the Undertaker's body was resting, all in preparation of the transformation.

With heightened excitement, the Boogie man grabbed his wand and began to chant in a language almost lost in Africa. He had studied the power of the dead and became powerful in its use. He had discovered that with the right combination of spells, he could drain the soul of a Reaper into himself and become one himself. And with the power of this particular Reaper, he could easily drain the power of that little witch and become a God himself!

He had reasoning behind his plan, the little snot nosed witch didn't deserve the Goddess' blessing, she didn't use the power anyway? Why give it to her? He would use the power for what it was indented to do. He would free his people of the pain and troubles his country was under. He would heal their sick, give them food, and save them from the cruelties of the world. He would eliminate the threats and then the people would take their rightful place as the head of the world, worshiping him as their god. Yes…they would sing his praises and honour him with sacrifices. He would be revered as the greatest Vodu in history, with all the rights and privileges that came with it.

He would be the Goddess' equal, and he knew she would see him worthy and take him as her consort! A new Pantheon! Created out of his image! Yes! The good he will do will outshine the evil he had to do, in order for his people to be free! Yes! The goddess would see this! She had not disapproved of his plans, there was no word from the astral world. No signs on anger or of displeasure. Perhaps she was waiting for him, waiting for one worthy of her grace? Yes…he would be worthy of her…not this Reaper!

He concentrated the chanting, then threw a powder lightly over to where Mark's heart would be. His form began to grow, causing the Vodu to quicken his pace. The spell the Reaper was under would not last long and the ritual had to be completed before the Reaper woke up, or else he would be more than just dead.

The Vodu continued in his ritual, making sure that he spoke the spells correctly. Soon, he would have the power of the dead, and he had planed to test his new powers on the little witch. He would take her powers, drain her soul until there was nothing left. His power would be completed. The powers of Death and Life, he would not need to follow any of the mortal rules, he would be immortal! A god! He loved that thought. The realisation was to come true!

As he kept his chanting, he slipped a stone onto the Undertaker's chest. The stone was black, except for the tiny blood red drop like spots on the stone. The stone was rare, only a few magic people had it. He had taken this one from a powerful Shaman in Canada, the fight was well worth the treasure. He didn't believe that the old Indian knew what it was and what it could be used for, but the Boogieman knew. He had seen this stone written in his people's ancient scrolls, it could transfer power from one being to another. The old man didn't know, and was not worthy to have such an artefact in his possession. But the Vodu had used the old Indian's death to his advantage. After all, he needed the blood of a magic user for the runes in the cave.

Soon…soon he would be a living God on this world, and the world will tremble at his might. There would be no more ignoring his people, he would create an army of followers that would do anything he told them to do.

The glow from the stone told him that it was ready to start taking the power from the Reaper, and there would be no one to stop him. No one would find him in time, no one knew of his plans. The stupid little witch thought she was the one he was after, she was just a rouse. To keep them from his initial plans, at least he didn't need to find her after his transformation was complete.

The stone grew brighter as the power slowly began to move, the Vodu grinned with delight. Soon, he would have the Undertaker's powers, and then, he would get rid of the stupid little witch who was to become the next Hand of Gods.

To be continued…..