Chapter Two : Birth Of Love
It was not until later that evening that Raven finally had the leisure to attempt to decipher the images. There had been two minor robberies, and a gang that needed some encouragement that this city was the last place to set up.
When she had got back, she had gotten something to eat, hyperaware that that someone had been watching her the whole time and was continuing to watch her. Then it was back to her room for a shower and a nap.
Strangely the feeling of being watched stopped at her room door. Maybe it was the more powerful protection spells than the one around the Tower that she had placed, out of necessity on her room door. Or maybe it was as if the one watching her knew that her room was her sanctuary , her safe haven. Now that thought of someone following her until they knew that much was creepy.
They were only a few people, nay, only two people in the world whom she would trust with that much information about her and one of them was deep under the sea. The other was…. inside this tower. She had not talked to Aqualad in awhile, maybe she would contact him soon, and ask his advice. Atlanteans were very wise and had a very useful talent of being able to look at a situation from all angles and remaining completely impartial.
Again she lit several candles and settled herself comfortably on her bed with her books on scrying. Leaning back against her pillows, she ruminated once again on the aura and presence she had felt before, the one that she had gotten so fond of.
Recalling it's shape, colour, and what it comprised of she tried to compare it to almost anyone she could think of. Again nothing. All she had to go on was the images from her scrying stone.
Later, Raven felt like throwing something around. There had been nothing in her books. Nothing except the falcon. It was the image of change personified. It was the symbol of a single person who was destined to change the course of his family or clan and would bring change to the people around him or her.
As she closed her book, she found her mirror; her portal to Nevermore was glowing. Feeling at her wits end, she levitated her mirror toward her and entered her Nevermore.
Inside, finding the realm strangely empty, she crossed the floating rocks toward the clearing that was usually used by her emotions as a meeting place.
Once there, she saw all of her emotions gathered around a small outcropping of rock. Even the dark angry red of her inner demon was there, though it stood apart, as this capacity for emotion was a human trait. It's four eyes burning, though with what emotion it was hard to tell.
Curiously, she approached the gathering. Knowledge turned toward her and greeted her formally, asking her to asking her to only stand and watch as this was an event that had to be witnessed but not for her to participate.
With a sigh, Raven settled herself on a nearby flat rock to observe the proceedings. Forming themselves into a circle around a small stone altar, her personified emotions started a steady chant.
Raising their hands, light the colour of each respective emotion emerged from their hands, converging in the apex of their formed circle into a ball of light that seemed to contain all their colours, swirling like the most precious marble. Slowly, the colours began to blend into an almost indescribable colour but the most beautiful Raven had seen nonetheless.
The light then began to pulsate, then began to take a human form. Slowly it descended to stand upon the altar, it's swirling colour gradually slowing until it had achieved a rich blue-green colour.
Raven realised she had been witness to the birth of an new emotion, an incredibly profound and rare event. The other emotions broke ranks and moved aside.
Knowledge then beckoned Raven over and motioned her to approach the new emotion.
'It is very important that you get to know this new emotion quickly. That is why we called you here. It is a vital that you get used to it so you can adjust yourself to keep the increased number of us in check.' said Knowledge softly.
'So I can continue to keep my father away' Raven finished.
'Yes.'
'Very well then'
As Raven gazed upon the new emotion for the first time, she noticed that it seemed hazy, indistinct and almost half formed. As if it had such a tenuous hold on existence itself. Reaching out a hand Raven drew it back swiftly as she saw right through the new her, as if it was a ghost.
Hopping off the altar, it approached Raven with a smile seemingly oblivious of its ghost like qualities.
'Who are you?' asked Raven, the smile on the emotion's face making her instantly suspicious. She did not want another Happy running around.
But as she looked closer, the smile on the newcomer's face was not vapid and mindlessly cheerful; it was gentle, peaceful and gave off a sense of wholeness.
'I am an emotion that you have suppressed for a long time, Raven, and now I have
found freedom, albeit a tenuous one. For I am a purely human emotion, one that has
been long considered weak and useless by many. I am only here in spirit as you have
only begun to feel the effect on what I can be. If you find what you are looking for
today, only then will I be truly here. Wars have been fought and through the years
much blood has been spilt in my name. I am what unites many people across race,
language and creed. I am Love.'
'It can't be, I cannot love…my powers, But if you are truly here and whom you say
you are, then who do I love? I put it all behind me after Malchior's …b- betrayal.'
Raven said confusedly and a little sadly.
'What you felt for the dragon, however much you want it to be love, was not love.' Love replied.
'It wasn't?'
'No, it was simply loneliness and just the desire to be loved; not love at all.'
'Then who do I love?'
'For that answer, you will have to look deep inside yourself, deep inside all of us. This
is a personal journey, one that you must take alone, and something you must find out
for yourself. But I can tell you this, what you seek today in your stone of night is what
will bring peace to your heart and finally lay the disturbance the made to your heart to
rest and mend your soul.'