Chapter 13
Our Father…
Constantine reappeared exactly where Brother Mark said he'd be, in the basement of Rome's headquarters. The noise from Constantine's arrival did not go unnoticed by Mark, but he dealt with it typically.
"Be with you in a moment."
However, at the sound of Constantine's grunt of pain, Mark dropped all his current issues to help the boy, who had just collapsed.
"Oh God! Constantine! What happened?!"
Brother Mark helped Constantine to his feet, and Constantine could only say one thing.
"Ow."
"C'mon you, brash buffoon. Let's get to the medical lab in a jiffy."
Constantine slowly removed his mask, and dropped it on the floor. Blood was dripping down the side of gray cheek, staining his navy blue hair. It went all the way down his arm, and made small droplets on the floor. Constantine found it very difficult to keep his eyes open.
Brother Mark lifted him up to an operating table.
"Okay, then. Let's have a look see."
After hearing those words, Constantine passed out.
---
The blind Father Thomas quivered in the empty church. He heard the door open, and knew who it was.
"Raven, please help me."
She went to him, and helped him sit down. Father Thomas' hand trembled.
"I have had such horrible nightmares," he said.
"So have I… at least, more than usual."
"I fear for your son, Raven. Many demons will attempt to take him, but he must remain strong."
…who art in Heaven…
"He will, Father," Raven replied, "I have faith in him."
"As do I, but I fear…"
A sound interrupted Father Thomas train of thought, it was as if a stone had been thrown against the wall from the outside. The echo clanged all around the Chapel.
"That's odd," Father Thomas pondered out loud, "It's much too late for any ruffians to be out causing trouble."
"What is it?" Raven asked herself.
The stones began to hit the wall at a continuous rate now, like rain. Raven, still dressed in her costume, nudged Father Thomas to remain seated. She got up to investigate. The sounds became louder.
As Raven approached the wall, she was shoved back by the force of a boulder's impact that penetrated the wall. It left a gaping hole, and dust that was kicked up. A figure walked through.
"Ever have one of those days… where you just feel happy to be alive?!"
…Hallowed be Thy Name…
---
Constantine's eyes slowly opened, and he was looking at the white ceiling. He felt a slight pain in his head, along with the rest of his body. At least he was in a soft bed.
"Oh good!" Brother Mark said cheerfully, "You're coming to!"
"Unh. Where… Where am I?"
"Vatican City, my friend."
Thy Kingdom come…
Constantine groaned, "What happened?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Brother Mark said, "It appears you were shot: once in the upper forehead, another three times in your chest, twice in the arm, and six times in the leg. I've removed the bullets, though."
"Oh," Constantine was still woozy, "Thanks."
"You also had a sprained ankle, but it seems that your powers have healed it. Come to think of it, I really didn't have to do much, because your powers were already healing your body."
Constantine sat up.
"I'll give you one thing," Brother Mark said as if just slightly surprised, "You are your father's son."
Constantine's eyes opened a little bit more, "Why do you say that?"
"Father Thomas told me your father used to come back half-dead all the time. Though because of his humanity, I don't think he could have endured more than you."
"Where is he?"
"Your father?"
"No. Father Thomas."
"At the Chapel. It appears your mother wanted to meet him for some reason. Confession, perhaps? She regularly asks Father Thomas to converse with her there."
"He didn't say why, did he?"
"Nope. Why? Is something worrying you?" Brother Mark asked in a concerned voice.
"I feel uneasy. Like, my mom's in danger."
Thy Will be done…
Constantine got up, off the bed, and stood upright. He was topless, and held himself as if cold. He searched for his clothes.
Mark held a fresh-smelling laundry basket, full of Constantine's attire.
"You were out for a while, so I washed your clothes. They smell spiffy."
"Thanks."
Constantine put on his shirt, Kevlar, and red-leather trenchcoat. The hood of it went over his head. Constantine took his mask, but didn't put it on. He walked to the exit.
"Do we have any—?" He asked
"Yes. There's jet prepped." Brother Mark assured him.
---
Out of the earth powder appeared a fully grown, blond haired woman. She wore a gray-outfit, that covered nearly all of her body, save her head. Her hair was completely tied back in a pony tail, with no hair threads to come down over her cheeks. Her costume was torn in certain places – her right knee, lower abdomen, and left shoulder. Where there were tears, the wrappings just hung down.
Raven was both happy and upset to see her, but above all… she was shocked.
On Earth, as it is in Heaven…
"Terra."
"Miss me, Rae?"
"How did you—?"
"Does it matter? I'm free now, and I came back to finish what I started!"
Raven noticed that Terra's body was no longer a skinny, flat, stick-like form, but had bloomed into a very attractive, curving, well-rounded appearance. Unlike before, Terra and Raven's bodies were finally similar.
"Terra, I am overjoyed to see you, but—"
"Why are you overjoyed? You should be afraid!"
"Terra, I'm your friend. Why would I be afraid?"
"You're still blind in thinking I ever liked you!"
"Terra, I don't understand. Why are you acting this way? Why do you hate me so much?"
Terra was picked up by a boulder by which she stood on, hovering in the air. She clinched her fists with infuriation.
"I'll tell you why," Terra screamed in anger, "because for seventeen years you left me in that petrified state! You abandoned me! I hate you! I hate you! Seventeen years! What kind of friend leaves another behind?! I hate you!"
Then Terra outstretched both arms, summoning many rocks to hover around her.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
"Father Thomas, run!"
The blind man felt his way to a safe hiding spot.
Give us this day, our Daily Bread…
Terra thrust her hands forward, and ten rocks shot at Raven. The Azarathian quickly raised her arms, forming a dome of negative energy to protect her. When all the rocks hit the shield, Raven moved a hand down, pointing it at Terra. The boulder on which Terra stood became enveloped, and Raven pushed it out from under her. Terra lost her footing, and hit the ground hard.
The blond made a fist and punched the ground. A fist-shaped piece of earth shot up inside Raven's dome, and hit her in the jaw. After making her release the dome, Terra made the fist of dirt sock Raven twice in the stomach. Then, that fist turned into an open hand, and snatched Raven's right breast, squeezing hard.
Raven screamed in pain as she tried to make it let go.
Terra laughed victoriously, "I'll squeeze all the milk out of you, bi—"
Father Thomas whacked Terra across the face with his cane.
"How indecorous!"
Terra fell to the floor. Father Thomas stood up and brushed himself off. Then he outstretched a hand in Raven's direction.
"Are you alright, my dear?"
Raven was still recovering from the pain. Her eyes were shut hard. She felt Father Thomas' hand on her shoulder, and looked up at him. He was staring blankly above her.
"I'm not one to fight openly," Father Thomas said in a disgusted tone, "but that dirty blond is fouling up this Chapel!"
"How did you know she was a blond?"
"Your powers projected your memories of her into my mind, and I understood the feud between the two of you."
"Sorry, Father," said Raven, "my powers play off my emotions."
Father Thomas heard the sound of cracking earth, and pebbles that soared against the wind. He raised his cane and blocked every single stone that flew at him. Terra was standing up, waving her arms in a frenzy. Raven phased into the ground. She reappeared behind Terra, and thrust her hand at the blond.
Terra was shrouded in negative energy. Raven whipped her hand upward, tossing Terra into the ceiling. Then, brought her palm downward, spiking Terra to the floor.
Raven thought she had a moment, but then Terra leapt up out of the cloud of dust. Raven was surprised to see Terra recover so quickly and escape her grasp. Terra tackled Raven and pinned her to the floor.
Terra's left hand was pressing hard against Raven's face, trying to shove her farther into the ground. The right hand was pulling her hair.
"I beat you once," Terra said nastily, "and I can do it again."
And forgive us our trespasses…
---
Constantine pushed the Chapel doors open. He saw a blond-haired woman on top of his mother, hurting her. He drew his sword and leapt at the two. Constantine lunged his blade forward, making a very distinguishable cut across her cheek. This caused Terra to release Raven, who laid a kick to the earthmover's face. Terra was forced across the room, ending up in a wall.
Constantine turned to Raven, "Are you alright?"
"Yes."
Terra got up, and approached the two. Constantine was shocked at what he saw.
"I just dug my sword into your face! You don't even have a scratch!"
"That's Terra," Raven enlightened him, "She's tougher than anyone thinks… apparently."
"So who's this, Rae?" Terra asked perversely. Constantine's face was visible, he wasn't wearing his mask, but his red-leather hood was up.
Terra continued, "A little young for you, don't you think?"
Constantine slipped on his mask. A grin passed over his face. A confident grin, an arrogant grin.
"I can handle her easily, Mom."
Terra's eyes shot wide open, "Mom?!" Then Terra burst out laughing.
"Oh God! Oh God! Ha ha!" She cackled, hardly containing herself, "This is too much! Raven, a mom?! Oh God! Ha ha! I can't believe it! Ha ha! I can't believe you got any as a teenager! Oh God! A mother?! Who the hell would want to sleep with you, Raven? You have like no people skills! Oh my gosh! Ha ha ha! Honestly, Raven, I thought you'd be the last person to have a kid. You're more a slut than I thought."
"I've heard enough!" Constantine yelled as he jumped at her. "Don't insult my family!"
Terra grinned, "Well, trash is still trash."
As we forgive those who trespass against us…
She formed a fist and sent three head-size rocks at Constantine. Two he eliminated by slashing up and down. The third, he enveloped in negative energy, and sent back at her. It socked her in the gut, followed by a hard punch from Constantine to her jaw. She was sent flying, and Constantine took hold of her foot and threw her into a pew.
"Not bad, kid," Terra panted. Raven raised her left hand.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
Terra's entire body was covered with the black flame of Raven's telekinesis. Terra couldn't move as Raven slowly levitated her off the ground. Constantine held his sword tight, and made several slashes at her body. Upon the final cut, Constantine landed a hard kick to Terra's chest, Raven released her, and Terra flew to the end of the aisle.
"Too bad you need your mom to beat me," Terra chuckled.
"I don't need her," Constantine assured Terra, "I'm powerful enough to defeat you."
"Really?"
"Yes!" Constantine dropped his sword. His hands burned with the black flame of negative energy.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
Constantine gave Terra a harsh uppercut, sending her to the ceiling. He followed her up there, and grabbed her face. He thrust it down to his knee, and her head was jerked back from the impact.
Constantine formed his hands with the index, pinky, and thumb fingers extended. He pointed to two pews, and used them to smash Terra on both sides. Then he soared at the stunned Terra, and laid her out with a roundhouse kick across her face. Terra was sent sprawling to the ground.
Constantine slowly lowered himself to the ground.
"See, Mom? I can take care of myself. After all, I'm your son."
A few seconds later, Terra arose from the debris.
"Unbelievable!" Constantine shouted, "You still don't have a scratch… after all that!"
Terra's expression turned very sour. She let out a yell, summoning more power. A thin, semi-circle of rock burst out of the ground and pinned Raven to the wall. Then, Terra formed and lifted a long spike, preparing it to impale her.
"I'm tired of this vendetta between you and me, Rae," Terra said, "It's a waste of time. You're the only person who's ever come close to getting on my nerves. Hate admitting it, but you're almost my better.
"So, in an effort to afford myself half a shot…
"…I'm gonna have to subvert my principles a bit."
Terra's hand wound up, like pitcher ready to throw. Constantine rose his index and middle finger together, and his sword spun around. It was a spinning blade, like a buzz saw.
He directed it at Raven, and sliced up Terra's spike. Then, redirecting his pointing fingers at Terra herself, the twirling sword sailed at her! It cut her deep in the stomach, and Terra dropped to the floor.
Constantine's other hand telekinetically crushed the rock pinning Raven. After, the mother brushed herself off. Constantine returned his attention to Terra.
Still hovering over her, Constantine boasted, "See? You can't beat me."
And lead us not into temptation…
"Maybe if I focus on you for a second," Terra spat.
She pointed at Constantine, and six piece of rock debris leapt at him. Constantine enveloped himself in negative energy, and phased into the ground.
"I hate that trick!" Terra muttered begrudgingly.
Constantine reappeared through the ceiling, much to the surprise of everyone. He outstretched his hand, and shot a black orb of energy at Terra. It caused an explosion at her feet, launching her back. Terra crashed through the wall, and into the open air. She returned, flying on two foot rocks.
Constantine scoffed and drew his pistols. He fired at the area of the Chapel directly above the blonde's head. Terra looked up in shock as a pile of debris brought her to the ground. Constantine holstered his guns, and folded his arms.
"You're nothing," he said confidently.
"Careful, my son," Raven said benignly.
Terra pushed the rocks off of her.
"Amazing," Constantine snickered, "You still don't have a scratch."
Terra jumped on top a flat piece of rock. She motioned her hands, and the debris that once covered her forming into a very large boulder.
"Now, if you really want to test your strength," Terra smirked, "Stay right where you are!"
Constantine's arms were still folded, and he grinned under his mask.
Raven had a worried look on her face, seeing that her son didn't budge an inch.
The boulder floated over Terra, who had two arms raised, trying to balance it.
Constantine hovered, ready as ever.
Terra had a big grin on her face.
Raven sensed something was wrong.
Terra's point of direction suddenly changed before anyone could react. Raven was right. That boulder wasn't intended for Constantine. The huge rocked sailed at another target, and hit it so hard that the bones were crushed… and blood sprayed all over the Chapel.
"NO!" Raven screamed in terror, "FATHER THOMAS!"
Terra laughed frantically, pointing at the boulder that looked like an eclipse, with the blood of a priest that bordered it. Father Thomas' entire body was smashed by the stone, but only his hands were visible.
The hand that held his cane released it.
It fell to the floor.
Clang.
Constantine could not believe what had happened.
For the first time, Constantine had experienced the pain of loss.
But deliver us from Evil…
He just hovered there.
Terra used this as a means of exit, Constantine still did not move.
Terra continued to laugh, "He should have seen it coming…"
As Raven rushed to help the fallen priest, Constantine' anger built up so much that he dashed at Terra in a rage.
"YOU MONSTER!"
The laughing Terra was already outside. To impede her attacker, she created a barrier of rock that blocked the hole in the wall -- her exit.
"NO!" he cried out desparately.
Constantine thrust his shoulder into the rock, and burst out through the barrier. The rain was still pouring down…
…and Terra was nowhere to be seen.
Constantine flew off into the dark of night, determined to avenge Father Thomas.
Raven's hands were stained with blood, and Terra's laughter echoed in her ears:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Amen.