Chapter 20
Like a juggernaut, Starfire burst into the room, the look of panic bleeding her face of color and painting it instead with frantic emotion. "Where are they?" she cried at Bruce and the startled personnel surrounding him. The room flashed and pulsed with electronic fury and humming computers. Tracking equipment, electronic poly-graphs, monitors, all flickered and beeped in the background of the suddenly silent room.
One poor man raised his hand timidly, as if he were in school being berated by an infuriated teacher. "We, um, have no idea. The signal can't be tracked in the time given. And..." He shut up as the Tamaranian just sort of stared at him.
Bruce, clearing his throat, caught her attention swiftly. "Starfire, we are trying our very best to..."
"No! You know where they are, and you know it."
The statement seemed to slap the millionaire in the face, before he began to lose patience. "What? Of course we don't. Our equipment produced nothing."
Nearly stomping across the room, she leaned in close to Wayne, catching his eyes. "I do not trust your equipment, I trust your instinct." Searching his face, she sighed. "What is it your instinct tells you?"
As if finally relenting, he slumped slightly, before sighing, staring at the ceiling, computer monitor screens playing and flashing colors on his face. Finally, "The Monolith, just outside the city, but..." He glanced at her.
Only to find her gone. Clenching his jaw, he growled at his staring staff. "Assemble a team, get Will and Duela, and let's get going. We're not letting one little girl battle for us."
The building sprang to his words.
---
As if he were a general examining his troops, Slade marched along the row of Metas, nodding and chuckling, before glancing at the tree. The tree had begun to glow with a vibrant energy, swirling below its brown skin. "Hmm, half the Metas are drained," he chuckled, lifting his mask for the first time in a long while. Ruffling his sweaty white hair, he glanced at the Metas still waiting for their turn. "Yes, it's a glorious thing ya'll are going to do for us, you know. I'll create a utopia out of the worlds. A place of rest and quiet. No more countries battling over who gets the next planet. No idiots to try and rise above the other. Equality, peace, and justice." Still smiling, he winked his one eye with an almost friendly manner at a brunette girl, who trembled slightly before him. "And to think, it'll only take your sacrifices. The scum no one wants. How great is that, hm?"
He was interrupted as another scream tore the air, a new victim being slowly sapped. Every time the tentacles contracted, his head flew back as he cried himself hoarse. "Heh, pity it has to hurt so much, hm?"
"Maniac..."
Glancing in the direction of the weak voice, he smirked and bent down at eye-level with Beast Boy. "So, how'd you like it, hm? Do you know what that splendid little abomination does?"
The emerald eyes skirted over to Raven across the room, who hung limply from her chains, but he didn't answer, simply watching.
"Did you know Metahumans are born with an added dimension to their quantum makeup? Yes, that's right. Your powers derive from another plane of existence. Probably the sixth, if I understand it right." Nodding softly, Slade stood slowly, hands folded behind his back as he stared at the writhing soul caught in the embrace of the grotesque tree. "This tree is able to tear it from you, storing your essence. I don't suppose you know what I can do with it, do you?"
Beast Boy growled softly, but gave up as he felt his energy drain.
"Why, give it to Death! Make it powerful. Make him my trump card!" Pulling out a large, ornate silver needle from his pocket, he stared at it. "Funny how something so small could control something so great, hm? Just tell him I've got his life, and he has no choice." Like a child in a candy story, he grinned. "Do you like my plan? Eh, a bit late for criticism anyway." Walking away, he chuckled. "You're all going to die anyway."
Hanging his head, Beast Boy sighed softly, trying hard to see through suddenly misty eyes. "Didn't...y'know, think I was gonna die so soon, ya know?" he mutters to no one in particular. Blinking, he cleared his eyes, drooping tiredly against his chains. "So much I wanted t'do. Places wanted to see. People wanted to love."
"Didn't we all?"
He looked to the golden-haired girl by his side, who had likewise been drained. "Yeah," he said, smiling lightly. "Guess so. But I guess we all sort of live in cages, right? Can't do everything you want. Can't see everything you see." Sniffing slightly, he chuckled. "Used to have a name, though. Now, not even that's mine."
Terra chuckled as well. "Yeah? Mine used to be Tara Markov." Holding out her shackled hand, she smiled lopsidedly. "Yours?"
Gripping her hand awkwardly, Beast Boy managed another small smile. "Garfield Logan. Pleasure to die with you, Tara."
"Likewise."
---
"He's here..." The cold voice rattled through the room as the shadow peeled from the wall again, staring about him as if expecting someone to jump from the shadows. "My life..."
Slade jerked suddenly, glancing over his shoulder. "What?"
Koshchei stared out over the Metas, then turned towards the door. "Yes, my life returns."
"Fool, I have your life, remember?" Slade furrowed his brow as he stared towards the door as well. "You must be finally going senile."
For a moment, it was as if the room darkened, the lights losing their will to shine as Koshchei moved towards Slade, his shoulders bouncing up and down as he...laughed. It sounded as if a thousand vultures had all began to chatter at each other at once. "You...have outlived your purpose, mortal. You have accomplished my desires and my commands..." The Deathless leaned down slightly. "And thought the ideas your own."
The door behind Koshchei slid open swiftly, a lone figure framed by the bright lights beyond the door. "Yeah, had enough of this. Kill him and let's get this sucker rolling."
"Hmm, but of course. My sentiments exactly," mused the shadowy being, drawing a long sword by its bone handle.
"Stay away!" For a brief moment, there was fear in Slade's voice as he backed up, drawing a pistol. "This was not our deal. What do you want?"
Koshchei did not answer, but slid forward, blade humming dimly.
The pistol sparked once, causing the gathered to jump. It sparked once more, before the blade plunged, bullets clattering harmlessly to the floor.
Lifting the crimson-dripping man by the sword poking through his gut, Deathless sneered into Slade's face, watching the endless drip-drip of blood. "Death has claimed you, mortal. Die with some dignity, hm?"
Managing one final smirk, the business man sneered right back. "Wasn't…nkk…wasn't expecting this, but…" Spitting violently at the cloaked figure he laughed weakly. "Screw…d-death…."
"Death and Taxes, mortal. You cannot 'screw either'. Just avoid them for a little while." From within the cloak, a pair of jaws opened, razor teeth gleaming. The Deathless paused only to laugh...before biting down.
A shower of blood rained down on all gathered. And all feared.
Deathwing stood spotless behind him, watching with obvious satisfaction. "Great, who's next for the 'Suction Machine of Doom'?"
---
The place was forlorn. Quiet, desolate, and stark. The mountains were high, the winds cold. They were always cold. The City was distant, but visible, the pale sun obscured by clouds trying desperately to shine light on and warm the world. But she didn't feel warm.
The Monolith was nestled in the narrow canyon between the largest of the mountains, covered in snow and biting frost. A great, silver obelisk of grey, flat metal, it pointed itself at the sky, as if defying the deep azure and its limitations. Snow blew in flurries around her ankles, snowflakes biting her lips and cheeks as she stepped through the bitter cold to stand before the massive structure. For a moment, she pressed her hand against the faceless metal, rubbing away at something obscured by snow.
It was a plaque, small and trimmed with gold. A simple inscription was etched into the surface. 'Behold the Monolith, a testament to lives lost for a greater cause. Year of 300 A.F.'
"Demented, sick..." She trailed off, before stepping back. "Not all causes are great." A flash of green sparked in her eyes.
Burning a hole through the metal did not take long. Without hesitation, Starfire stepped through the opening, staring about in the dark. It was still cold, almost more so than outside. Nothing decorated the massive first floor. It was all just...desolate. Eerily quiet. Nothing moved. Nothing at all.
Her shoes made a soft 'clank' on the floor as she walked towards the dim outline of stairs, a bulb of green energy lighting her way. Not even cobwebs had been left or dust. Just nothing at all. The sense of loneliness and of being forgotten seemed to magnify here. A timeless tomb for no one at all. She began to climb the stairs.
---
"Hm?" Deathwing glanced between his shoes for a moment in puzzlement, as if trying to stare through the floor. "Odd. Thought I...felt something."
"Of course you felt something. You actually have sensations. Something I will soon experience." Koshchei mused softly to himself, watching another Meta as she was drained. "Ahhh, to feel something again. To taste something. Maybe I'll put these pretty young girls to use, hm?" He chuckled softly, his shoulders bouncing. "Haha. Ah, today, we will finally win. We will harvest our souls. And we will finally be able to rest! Indeed, this will bring warmth to my bones and youth to my flesh. I will once and forever be as I should be. Alive, so very alive."
"Wait, what?" Deathwing circled around and stood before massive figure. "I thought I was your Life. What are you talking about? Just absorb my body, and you will live. Isn't that what you meant?"
"No. I will reintroduce you to myself, but I will still not be alive. You have my Life, but I've never had a true life. Since the day I was born, I was dead. I was dead in the eternal. I've never felt anything. Tasted anything. I see only shades and shadows. And I hear only vibrations." Moving towards the branch, he stared at it without touching it. "You, a 'once' mortal, have done so many things. You've even loved, however brief a time. A true being. Something that I've longed to be. If I have souls of the worlds, I will be alive, for I will have the only life left. They will surely prize that." Moving towards his Life, he set his wrinkled hands on Deathwing's shoulder, as if urging him to see what was right in front of his face. His fingers slowly began to sink into the man's flesh, melting seamlessly into his skin. "I will feel this. And so will...Wait, I sense something." Pulling out his hands from Deathwing's shoulders, he pressed them instead to his forehead. "Hm, no, never mind. I sensed a hesitation, but there is none in your mind."
Without warning, Koshchei dragged Deathwing, pressing him to his side. Then, slowly, the mortal body slowly began to disintegrate, softly and quietly disappearing into the tall figure's form. Immediately, Koshchcei's hands began to gain color, turning into a fleshy pink, the wrinkles turning into tight skin. Chuckling slightly, his voice changed as well. His shadowy cloak began to be absorbed into his body, the tendril like wisps of fog vanishing.
"Ha!" Koshchei laughed, touching his young, thin face, running a hand through his long, black hair, and almost dancing with joy. "Finally! After so many years without my body, I have a new one. A fine one." Turning to inspect his dark clothes, he smirked. "Hm. Dick Grayson. A fine enough name. We'll use it for the time being." Laughing, he walked over to the Meta dangling on the tree. "Do I not look young? Fresh? Powerful? Haha!" The young girl did not respond as she writhed in the constricting tentacles.
"You look like you've lost your mind."
The sword barely missed Garfield's head as Koshchei plunged it into the metal wall behind him.
"You again, green one?" Koshchei leaned down towards Beast Boy's tired face, grinning toothily at him. "You simply cannot keep your mouth shut. So," he said matter-of-factly, yanking the blade from the wall. "Since I've drained you, and since you're going to die anyway, might as well be now. It will keep your prattling tongue still, at the very least."
Drooping wearily, the animorph just sort of stares at his killer, breathing heavily. "Ya know what? You may be immortal. You may be death's li'l incarnate. But in the end, you still have nothing and have no one but yourself." Chuckling tiredly, he rubs his green hair idly, utterly at ease with his own doom. "I heard somewhere that loneliness is the worst feeling on earth. Worse than torture. Worse than death. Worse than cages." Shrugging, he spreads his arms out. "Ah well, at least you'll solve a theological debate for me with that pointy metal toothpick of yours. Let's go. I'm tired of waiting around for nothing. C'mon, I ain't got all daAAGH!" The blade skewered through his chest, somehow passing and maneuvering around each vital organ, the tip touching the wall behind him through his ribs. He screamed, blood dripping slowly down the wall behind him. "Nngh. Augh...Y-you didn't...kill me? Ngh. Wha-what? Idle th-threats?"
"Oh, shut up. Obviously, your silence is no longer what I want, since your insolence demands something else." Turning, Koshchei left the blade in the prone Meta's chest, turning towards another figure. "Perhaps her death will be a wonderful introduction to your own." Releasing Raven from her bonds, he grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her towards Beast Boy. She didn't resist, her eyes half-lidded and breathing heavy. She stared at Garfield almost apologetically.
"Ngh...leave h-her alone!" He jerked towards the prone girl, only to have the blade cut at him further. "Augh!"
"Ah, so that's what love does, huh? Kills the heart?" The Deathless figure threw Raven into Beast Boy's chest. His arms shackled behind him, he couldn't hold on to her, but she lay against him anyway, breathing hard.
"S-sorry," she whispered, not daring to lift her eyes.
"N-no, no. Nothing...to be...ngh, sorry for." Setting his chin on her head, he sighed, almost breathing her in. Falling silent, he simply stared at Koshchei. "Please," he said finally. "Please...leave her al-alone. Augh!"
Withdrawing the blade, the figure stood over Raven, pressing his hand down on her scalp, positioning the blade tip between his fingers to drive it straight through her head. "I loathe making 'idle threats'. Know that her blood is on your hands for the rest of your abbreviated life." He grinned...then stopped, turning slowly, the smile melting off his face. "Hm. Now this is a surprise." Turning slowly, he moved out of Beast Boy's line of sight to watch as the door to the room slid shut. "Can't say I saw this coming," he spit out sarcastically.
"...Star?" Coughing up blood, Beast Boy smiled lopsidedly. "Hey. Join the party."
---
She walked in slowly, her arms dangling limply at her side, her face taunt and lips pulled into a thin line. Her red hair was dripping water as the ice on her head melted. A single drop chased down her forehead and off her nose, falling to the ground.
"Hm, you came after him, did you?" The Deathless half-lidded his eyes, staring at her with a straight defiance. "Incredible. Even after that little 'lover's spat'." Whipping the blade away from Raven, he set it on the ground like a cane, even leaning against it. "Persistence is so obnoxious. You've come to your death, you realize?" As if suddenly restless, he set the blade on his shoulder and began towards her, sneering slightly.
Starfire didn't speak, her face devoid of emotion as she watched him walk closer, wearing Nightwing's body like something out of an old B movie. Her body gave an involuntary twitch, the scent of grave soil almost overpowering.
"Oh, come now. Open those pretty little lips and say something. You're no fun, otherwise." The sneer twisted into a macabre smile, full of painfully obvious feigned sweetness, a pair of elongated fangs glistening in the odd lighting. "You're giving me the cold shoulder?"
"Dick..."
The immortal stopped at that one, his face going slack. "What?"
"Are...are you in there, Dick?" Without hesitation, she placed her hands on his cheeks, forcing his eyes to her own. "Please, where are you?"
His eyes jerk wide open in surprise, yanking his head away from her. Setting the blade at her throat, he forced her back, snarling in an inhuman voice. "What do you think you're doing? Do not touch me. I am Koshchei the Deathless. The Immortal. The Powerful. You will not disgrace me. You will show respect! ON YOUR KNEES!" A bit of spittle splattered across his lips, his voice calming down slowly. "Dick Grayson is no longer alive. He no longer exists. You're search is over."
"You're...afraid?" Starfire stared up the blade to his face. Slowly, she smiled softly, her eyes alight. "He's in there..." she whispered.
"He is not here." Jerking away from her, he walked towards the tree, towards the pulsating light. "Enough. You will be the first to die at my new hands." For a brief moment, his face lit up with light as he grinned over his shoulder at her, eyes thrown in dark shadows. They lit with red for a moment. Thrusting his hands down, he laughed as the tree constricted slowly, all the pent up energy unleashing itself into his body. The room lit with twisting, melting, breathing light as Koshchei was enveloped by power. His laughter rebounded off the walls, maniacal mirth echoing like a madhouse patient's tortured screams.
Starfire didn't bother to watch, grabbing his discarded blade and moving towards Beast Boy. "Don't move," she said, exerting her strength as she cut through his chains, freeing his arms.
"Ngh," he grunted, instantly wrapping his arms around Raven protectively as he slumped to the floor. "Thank God, you're here, Star. Thought he was gonna kill her for a second," he murmured, burying his face in Raven's hair. She simply clutched at his shirt weakly.
"Yes, thanking God would probably be a good idea," muttered the Tamaranian. A final laugh resonated behind her, accompanied by death of the brilliant light. "And prayer too," she grunted, turning around, blade in hand.
What greeted her was not Dick Grayson, but an abomination. Koshchei was barely there, his body flickering in and out of existence, his body terribly deformed. Muscles bulged from places where there should be no muscles, on a form that was barely humanoid. His skull had elongated, the flesh gone, big, jelly-like eyes turning in skinless sockets. Too big and too round. Massive red claws scratched lightly at the floor and twisting, rotting wings sprang from his back, the membrane torn and black. In one hand he held a massive red scythe, plain and dark, the edge tapering off into nothing, excluded from reality. A long, flowing rode made of black night twisted and curled around him. "Well? Aren't I just gorgeous?" laughed the enhanced demon, his jaws snapping up and down with a bony 'clack' with each word. "Do you seen Grayson now? I thought not."
Raising the blade, he chuckled mirthlessly. "I will show you my power. And you will succumb to it. You have no choice." Like some sort of Halloween skeleton, he rattled and clanked as he walked towards her, blade raised. "Just know you're not alone." His chuckle turned into a laugh as he drove the blade down at her skull.
She gasped, leaping out of the way, eye turning a faint green as the metal floor below her was swallowed in a black rent. Like a blackhole, the winds whipped around and into the black nothing beyond the metal floor, before slowly closing up. "What...was-"
He laughed again, utterly amused. "My power. The blade opens a gateway into the Hall of Souls. The black beyond where nothing is rested and nothing is left alone." The skull grinned as well as it could. "Where an eternity is waiting for the souls of the worlds. Where my soul was forced for so long. I will barter it back. I will have warmth again."
"You would condemn the worlds' lives to buy back your soul?" Starfire frowned slowly, her forehead creasing. "A long life has driven you mad."
"I have never thought more clearly," he retorted, appearing behind her, blade raised. "You would do well to accept your fate, alien fool." Grunting, he brought the blade down, laughing.
Starfire jerked to the side, the blade tearing into the floor again, only to jump again, as the blade tore into the air where her midriff was a moment before.
---
Beast Boy hissed lightly through his teeth as he watched the battle in his dejected position. The Metas all watched with a dull fascination, unable to speak as the battle raged inches from their faces. They could shout no encouragement, no displeasure. Nothing.
Raven murmured something into Beast Boy's chest as her dull purple eyes watched listlessly.
"Gonna have to...heh, speak louder, Rae." He hissed in another breath, holding the wound with his spare hand, the other wrapped around her shoulders.
"Pause...Koshchei...paused."
"Huh?" Squinting his eyes, he watched the battle. And indeed, before each strike of the scythe, there was a brief, split second pause, allowing Starfire to dodge. "Well...what'dya know." He chuckled softly.
---
Grunting, Starfire bent, ducking the blade as it passed over her once more. She was getting tired, and she knew it. The Deathless also knew it. He was counting on it. "What? So soon? You're energy is draining, is it? Oh, pity, pity. You know, you can make this much faster by just standing still for a moment." He brought the blade down again. "Life's short enough anyway." Laughing, he grinned. "Ooh, irony. I like that." The blade came again.
This time, Starfire did not dodge, but stepped in close, letting the handle strike her. Gripping it tightly, she bit her tongue hard enough to taste blood as the cursed metal sizzled in her palms. "Yes, I know. Obviously, I'm trying to extend it." She reached for him again. "And I know you sensed it. The life in you. He hasn't let go, has he. He's hesitating. You're blade is slow."
Shying his face away from her touch, he snarled, trying to yank the blade from her. "I cast Dick Grayson's soul into the Abyss. He is not here. And I said don't touch me!" But the fingers made contact anyway. At the moment of touch, a black aura enveloped Star's fingers, and the world went dark.
---
A faint, echoing word could be heard far away. A single 'no' ringing out across the ethereal green mountain. The sky was blue, blue, blue, the plains were gold. The world was fresh and emerald. One tree, single and spreading, grew with gusto upon the apex of the round mountain, green grass spreading out from around its big, raised roots. Green and white shadows twisted and played upon the ground like little imps flickering among the grass shoots. Balmy, soft wind blew, bringing the faint scent of the grapes and poppies.
She stood before the tree, staring at its great crown, utterly relaxed and content. Breathing in the air, she stood there for an eternity, watching the bark and the world behind it with simple pleasure.
'You made it.' The voice had a smile in it. 'I'm so glad.'
Unsurprised, she turned towards him, pushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled warmly. 'As am I. I was afraid I would not.'
He smiled, sitting in the grass, his white clothes shimmering and waving in the light wind. Patting a space beside him, he chuckled. 'I knew you would. I hope you like my home.'
She loved his smile. He never really smiled before. Sitting down, she watched the world with him. Another eternity ticked by. 'I am sorry. So sorry I could not have been there sooner. I could not...I was not strong enough to help you.'
Taking her hand into his own, he laughed a deep, throaty laugh. 'There is nothing to be apologetic for. It was going to happened. My dark side won.' Smiling sadly, he touched her cheek. She leaned into his palm. 'Sometimes, some things cannot be helped. And my twisted soul was one of those things.'
'You had a beautiful soul.' She stared at him angrily, brushing her hair from her face once more. 'None of this was your fault.'
He looked down, plucking a piece of grass and chuckling sadly. Softly. 'My conscience tells me otherwise. But...it is all over now. And you must end it, my heart's desire.'
The world changed. Trees grew from the ground, turning the mountain into a forest. Their big leaves whispered into the wind softly, a million different voices harmonizing. 'No.' She touched his cheek now, turning his face towards her. 'I can still help you. I can pull you from this monster. We will bring him down together.'
'Your power is great, but not great enough to untangle me from my own chains.' Leaning in, he kissed her softly, touching his forehead to her own, smiling lightly. 'And you know this. So, for me...please. If not for me, for the worlds. I am not worth so many souls. I never will be.'
'Yes, yes you are.' A single tear rolled down her face as her face twisted with sorrow. Throwing herself on his chest, she gripped his shirt, trying hard not to sob. 'Please, let me try.'
Soft arms encircled her. 'Remember when you held me like this? When I would not cry for myself? Now, I do it for you. I do it, but once again I do not cry. I do not pity myself. I never let others pity me. And that rule still holds. I will not allow you to pity my soul.'
'It is not pity, fool!' She lifted her eyes towards him, hair clinging to her face. 'It is love. And you would be so cruel to throw away such love?'
Brushing the hair from her face tenderly, he smiled sadly again. 'I never threw away love. It was one of the few times in my life when I felt it. It is something I've always cherished. And, I'm sure wherever I go from here, I will continue to treasure it.'
The world changed again, the air filling with salt as large cliffs rose silently behind them, the grass crumbling to sand and their seats turning to smooth boulders. Waves lapped lazily at the shore, the soft, clitter-clatter of pebbles rolling over each other in the warm surf. A distant, giant red sun was setting beyond the glittering horizon, casting dark amber light on the white cliffs.
Wiping her eyes of unshed tears, she smiled, chuckling brokenly. Softly. 'You're so stupid.' Slowly climbing into his lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck, watching the sun. 'Being sacrificial. Honestly...'
He didn't reply for a long moment, simply holding her. 'Call it what you will.'
She chuckled, sniffing slightly. 'Yeah. But...can we just sit for now?'
And they did. For another eternity.
However, slowly, eternity ended.
---
Starfire stumbled straight through Koshchei, falling to a heap behind him, curling in on herself. She was burned, smoke wafting around from her singed clothes and spots of charred fleshed peeped from beneath the holes. She groaned softly.
"What was that supposed to be," growled the Immortal, the blade smoking slightly as well. "The funny thing about existing on several planes is that your physics and body take on another shape. A transient, translucent shape. And obviously, a painful shape. I told you not to touch me."
Starfire shivered softly, before standing. She didn't speak, holding her hands to her stomach, bent double as she turned towards him.
The Deathless blinked. "Wait...what...do you have in your hand."
Without hesitation, the burned Tamaranian slowly held up...a simple needle.
Koshchei backed up a step. "Wha...how...where did," he trailed off, the scythe dropping from his hands. "No. Wait. We can talk about this. This isn't necessary."
Uninterested, the girl sneered at him. "He says 'Hi'." She lunged at him as he screamed violently. The needle snapped against his shifting forehead, shattering with the sound of a cracked bell.
Light exploded.
-----
The world falling all around,
The world is dying without sound.
-Raz