I Do not own Teen Titans or any other DC character.
Chapter 14
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Yelled a disgruntle Cyborg at the large T.V. screen. Beastboy laughed hysterically as he pumped his fist in the air to announce his victory." That's Devil magic." Said Wize, as he walked into the room." Damn, right it is!" Cyborg said as he was moving through the game menu on screen." Hey, I won fair a square! Why don't you grab the remote from the butt-hurt tin-man and prove yourself a man?" Beastboy challenged. Wize simply poured himself a cup of juice and took a few sips." Nah, I stomped your ass enough today, besides I want to get back to my training." Wize dismissed as he gulped down the rest of the sweet drink." How's your wound?" Cyborg said selecting his character in the game." Healing." Wize said turning to the door.
"Alright, just don't train to hard; I'm not stitching you up again if it opens." Cyborg said starting the game." Yeah, steady hands my ass." The two remained silent as Wize left the room with only the sound of grunting in the fighting game." He hasn't said a word about what happen yesterday." Beastboy finally said not taking his eyes from the game." Exactly, it's only been a day; he'll talk when he's ready." Cyborg said pressing down on the buttons rapidly on the game control." I guess you're right. Still…" Beastboy said as the sound of blade unsheathing and a painful yelp proceeded forth from the Television." WHAT? I thought you shut off weapons?" Beastboy said as he hysterically presses down on the buttons." I turned its back on while you were ranting." Cyborg said with smirk, as the sound of blades colliding against one another." No fair! If I knew I would have picked a different character!" Beastboy whined seeing his character bleed out." Who's butt-hurt now…?" Cyborg said much to Beastboy's dismay.
(On The Roof)
The sound of Rock music, and the swooshing of a blade cutting through the wind were heard as Wize was about to finish a Martial form. With a few swift spinning back kicks and a crouching upward slash from the wooden sword the form was finished. He stood up straight taking a breath raising his hands to a circler form then brought them back down to his hip level. He held the sword firmly upside down and behind his forearms as he brought his hands down. He soon then placed the wooden blade in a black bag he brought up with him. As he zipped up the bag he heard the door into the Tower open, he turned to see Raven stopping at the opening of the door." I'll come back some other time." She said turning to leave.
" No, need I was about to begin meditating anyway." Wize said putting his Grey t-shirt back on and wiping the sweat from his head with towel he had on hand. Raven then turned again, looking at him for a moment." Well, it is one of the only times you're not so annoying." She said walking out to the open air closing the door behind her." Aw, are we still brooding?" Wize said as he kneeled down in his meditating stance." So, it begins…" She sighs as she sits in her stance next to him." I don't brood." She replies hiding her annoyance in her voice." And I'm the queen of England." He replied with a smile as he closed his eyes to begin the meditation." Aren't queens supposed to be female?" She retorts closing her eyes.
" Don't question royalty." He said as they both began their own Meditations. The day was bright and warm with the occasional cloud; the sound of birds chirping in the trees below the breeze was light, as it blew gently on their faces. Raven chanted lightly her usual chant as Wize Remained silent, as he steadied his breathing.
" You seem tense." Raven said her eyes still shut as she began to float lightly in the air. Wize smiled, while he also did not opening his eyes, yet shifted uncomfortably." You think so?" He replied lightly as he tried to relax. They remained silent for a few moments as the sun began to set and the breeze pick up." It doesn't hurt to talk about it, you know." Raven finally said turning her sight to him." Yes it does." Wize replied as he glanced at her." Touché, but you know you could talk with us." She said as she floated back to the ground to his level." I know." He said looking away, and then closed his eyes again." Couldn't you tell us a little more about yourself?" She asked not breaking her sight on him.
"Couldn't you?" He smirked much to her annoyance." Again, a fair point, but I'm a little more complicated." She said folding her arms." And I'm not?" He said opening his eyes as he stared at the distant city.
Raven then sighed in frustration as she got up, from the ground wiping the dust from her cloak." And you say I'm brooding." Raven turned to walk away but heard a sigh behind her, she turned to see Wize head turned slightly enough to see out the corner of his eye. She then returned to her place next to him. As he brought his head low in thought." It's hard to talk about…" He said, and he nodded." And as you can tell, sense I don't have my powers back yet you can now feel my emotions, and with that I apologize." Wize said as he sat back from his stance." You knew I was an empath?" Raven asked raising a brow in surprise. He nodded as he laid back to look at the sky now beginning to darken for night." I could sense it the first time we met. You tried to see if I would take any aggressive action." He said bringing his hand up to feel the breeze." Anyway, you don't have to worry about it; I'm used to the emotions of others." She said smacking him on the side causing him to wince from the pain of the stitches." That must be tuff on you, with that and the other burden you bare." Wize said rubbing his side gingerly. Raven looked at him with wide eyes, then turned to look at her feet as to not make eye contact." How do you-"
"Seth." Wize said to answer her question." The power of Seth allows me to detect the attention you were receiving a few weeks ago." Wize said with a smile." Don't worry, I won't tell the others." Wize said sitting back up." I may not know all the details but, its tuff enough explaining, so if I tell you about myself, would you like to talk about your predicament?" He said as she sighed and nodded in agreement." Well then, it all started when I was a bit younger. Around thirteen or so…" Wize said earning her full attention as she wrapped herself in her cloak to get comfortable." My family Original name was Drake; I later changed my name to Black. After my father's death…"
(Flash back)
"IM GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!" said a boy around sixteen years of age as he chases after another kid shorter than him around the halls of house." Oh that gives me plenty of reasons to stop running then does it!" Said the young boy as he slid down the railing of a small flight of stairs, with the older boy following quickly after him." Always, being smart ass, eh Darren!" Said the older boy grabbing hold of the back collar of the Youngers shirt.
"Hey! Let go!" Said Darren while he slipped out of his shirt. The older boy then attempted grab hold of Darren, but always narrowly missed. Out of frustration the older brother brings his knee up into Darren's Stomach send the boy rolling to the floor." Ah, damn! That hurt Vincent!" Darren said getting up, only to get tackled again into the floor by Vincent.
"Should have thought about that before you broke my ship models!" Vincent said punching down on the young Darren's arm." You mean after you broke Lilith's present!" Darren said head budding Vincent under his jaw knocking the elder brother off him. Darren quickly got up and proceeded to flee to the next room." Oh you little prick!" Vincent said giving chase after him, but stopped when he saw an older gentleman holding Darren in a light headlock." Dad! Darren-"
"And you are making a ruckus while I'm trying to prepare this weekend's sermon." Their father said his tone strict." But he-"He couldn't finish as the older man brought his finger to his lips indicating a command of silence." I don't care what he did or what you did; all I want is silence until I finished my writings. If you're both experiencing some cabin fever why don't you both go out somewhere and stay out of each other's hair." The father said letting Darren loose next to his elder brother. The doorbell rang causing all three of them to stare at the front door." Lilith!" Darren exclaimed with a smile as he proceeded to the door." Darren put your shirt back on first, and make sure your back before night falls, we still need to continue our training tonight." His father said walking into the other room to continue his work. Vincent preceded back upstairs, as Darren put his shirt back on to answer the door. As he opens the door he sees a girl his age wearing a dark purple shirt with a black jacket and normal dark blue jeans, her hair to her shoulders." HI!" she said cheerfully giving Darren a hug." Well hello to you too." Darren said with a smile returning her hug tenderly." Where are we heading today?" He asked as he closed to the door behind himself." I was thinking the ice cream shop today." She said as they walked off the porch of the house and down the sidewalk." It's the middle of fall Lilith." Darren said with a light chuckle." That's never stopped you before." She said pinching his cheek." Alright, I'm game." He said lightly taking her hand from his cheek and holding it until they reach the shop in town. They sat after they paid for their Cookie dough and chocolate mint ice cream. Darren watched as she dug into the chocolate mind delightfully then pulled something out of his jean pocket." For you." He said hand her a small pendant, a heart with what was supposed to be four wings, but much to Darren's misfortune one broke due to no part to his earlier conflict with his brother." I thought it was your birthday tomorrow. Shouldn't I be the one getting you a gift?" She teased as she took the pendant in hand." The days young." He said with smile as he stared at the broken end of the pendant." I'm sorry about its condition. Vincent got a hold of it." Darren apologized finishing the last bite of his cookie dough ice cream." Why do you apologize all the time? I love it… thank you Darren." She said placing her hand over his, causing Darren to blush lightly, taking her hand into his own." So, how are things going at home?" He asked wincing in regret realizing the sensitivity of the subject." I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…" He said trying to mend the moment." Yeah, how terribly un-romantic of you to care for little oh me." She giggled lightly then rested her head in her other hand." Well to answer your question, I'm not sure, it's been uneventful, but I'm still a little worried." She said looking down to her feet. Darren went to speak but was interrupted by the sound of his phone going off indicating a text from his dad." Uh oh." He said as he open his phone to read the text, which clearly read.' You're late.' Darren suddenly paled in realization of the time." I gotta go!" He turned quickly to leave but felt tug on his arm. He turned his head only to see Lilith's face close to his and felt his lips warm against hers. Surprised at first he quickly adjusted as they both embraced each other as the kiss deepen slightly. She pulled away slightly much to Darren's sorrow." See you, in church this Sunday; now get home before your dad kills you." She laughed as he realized that he was still late and the clock was ticking. As he said his farewell, he quickly ran home to be greeted by his older brother and his now very frustrated father." Darren…"
"I Know I know I'm late and sorry for it!" Darren said as he rushed into his exercise cloths then grabbed a shield and sword." Fine just fall in line for sparring." His father said while taking a seat on a bench in a large circular room known as the Dueling room. Darren and Vincent then faced each other, and bowed to one another." Begin." Their father said as they both draw their sword and stood in their stance, shield to shield. Darren charged in clashing against his brother's shield making him stumble back as he swung his sword down with all his might. Vincent quickly used the momentum of the strike, using his shield to slide the blade of the side while striking down at Darren's head, which was blocked by Darren bringing his shield up over his head. Darren then swung his blade around in a decapitation motion, but was countered by Vincent's blade, followed by a heel kick into Darren's sternum making him fall and hit the wall behind him. The pain tighten in Darren's chest as he found it difficult to breath, after having the wind knocked out of him. Vincent quickly went in for a stab, but was then countered by Darren's stab to his shield knocking him back away from him. Darren then continued with multiple vicious strikes at Vincent, his shield taking most of the blunt force. After seeing his strikes being futile he then kicked Vincent's shield causing him to stumble back further he then a unlatched the shield from his arm and whirled around and tossed the shield like a Frisbee knocking Vincent's sword out of his hand. He then charged quickly then jumped into the air bring his blade above his head for a finishing strike, only to have Vincent then side step the strike then smashing his shield against the side of Darren's head knocking him to the ground. After clearing his sight Darren saw that his own blade was pointed at his throat by Vincent." Enough." Their father said walking up and helping Darren up." Vincent you may go have supper. I'll stay and work with your brother a little more." Vincent then placed his fist where his heart would be then bowed before turning to leave the room. Darren's father then looked at him with a stern look, and he did not dare to meet his eyes.
" That temper again…it clouds your judgment and technique." He said going to the sword rack behind himself." Spare me would yeah; I just got shield slapped in the head." Darren said rubbing the side of his head roughly, feeling the pain." A strike you could have foresaw if you kept a cool head." He said drawing a Saber from the rack then walking up to Darren. Darren sighed roughly in frustration picking up his sword from the ground." You must be swift, precise, powerful, but above all else, perceptive while in combat with a strong opponent. You must learn to block out anger, it will do you no good with the enemies we fight." He said pointing his blade at Darren." How am I supposed to fight someone and not be angry?" Darren said quickly striking at his father only to be blocked then slapped on the side of the head with the blunt end of the blade. He stumbled to the side from the shock then looked at his father in frustration." By letting go." He said giving his quick swipes at Darren, making him stumble as he blocked the powerful strikes.
" What does that even mean?" Darren strikes again only to stumble back as his father simply blocked up.
" It means to fight outside hatred, as our creed and covenant says we are the Servants of the Ancient of Days, our power come from the one above all, we use our power to fight the forces of darkness from the world in and the world out. From within the great beyond and outside it. We are guardians and bringers of righteousness." He said swiping again disarming Darren of his sword. Darren then kneeled exhausted, he looked up at his father, wearing his reading glasses and his usual attire of dress shirt and pants, his hair black and gray." The fight is within and the fight id the lords, he guides into the path of mastery, once you let go of your ego, only when you truly let everything go, you may enter under his shadow. The power of Seth." Even then Darren was confused on the meaning. Lecture his mind could not comprehend no even accepts the fact of the matter." Pops no one has almost in one hundred years used Seth sense you. You expect me to learn this? Vincent has a better chance at gaining Seth than I am." Darren said as he stood up. His father then placed the swords back to their racks, and then walked over placing his hands on his son's shoulders." You can do all things my son, if only you knew that. You never doubted the lord in your heart, you've always had a fire in your eye every time you asked me question about my sermons, I see your devotion and faith, yet here you doubt yourself." He said as they both walked out the room." Your brother has much to learn as do you, he has his weaknesses like you. Both of you have the potential of unlocking Seth if only you both just simply let go of whatever is holding you back...and stop being such trouble makers around town" Darren then sighed inwardly as they entered the dining room.
" Oh before I forget." His father said as he walked into the closet then pulled up a leather jacket with a hoodie on the inside." Like the one I had when I was younger." He said tossing the jacket over to Darren." Early birthday gift." Darren then smiled lightly as he began to put it." Seems a bit big." He commented seeing the sleeves nearly passing his hands." Don't worry you'll grow into it. Now for your second gift, you and your brother Vincent will partake in a family mission after church this Sunday."…
(Sunday night in an unknown location)
"Feeling nervous?" Asked Vincent as the two sat side by side in a rundown building, as another group in uniformed watched outside intently as if waiting for something or someone. They all wore the same uniform, a dark blue leather jacket with a shining metal chest plate protecting their front, the jackets proceeding as robed going down to the hips then spit from the area where it zips up. They wore a metal gauntlet in one hand, and a small black metal plated glove on the other. They wore blue pants made of the same material as the coat, with black metal plated boots, and finally they had short swords attached to their belts." Nervous is an understatement…" Darren said but was shush by one of the watchmen as he spotted a large group in long black robes began walking down an ally way then down into a lower side entrance in a building." Commence operation… Darren your with me, Vincent fallow beta team to through the back entrance, we'll be taking the front. May our feet be swift to execute the lord's command." Says the leader, as they all bow their heads.
"Amen." The all unanimously say as they all take off to their destined locations.
(Inside the building)
The building was silent yet the silence didn't bring calm due no short part to the strange red writing on the wall, and something in Darren's gut told him that they didn't use red spray paint to write on the walls." Beta to Alfa, status report." Says a lady over their ear pieces.
" All clear, but we're seeing a lot of occult writing, and not the usual gibberish." Says The Alfa leader as they all slowly crept down the halls with their hands firmly on the hilts of their swords." Same here but get this, the writing is written in the old tongue…" The Beta leader said causing every to stop to absorb what she said." Worse of all…it speaks about Azazyel…we need to hurry and clear them out." She says again, but the ear pieces began to ring loudly with static, causing everyone a lot of discomfort." We've been spotted!" The beta leader said loudly as a lightning bolt fly's down the hall catching one guy standing in front of the group.
" Shit! Battle formation, stand your ground!" Alfa leader says as they all drew their sword as flashes of lightly flew down the hall way blinding them all. All Darren could see where a few flashes of light and some guys in hoods before his sight went dark again and he awoke to the sight of the dim light of candle fire and grey stone alter stained with blood, and one of his comrades laying on the alter with a dagger in his chest." No…" Darren said paling in fear as he looked around and saw the room surrounded by hooded men chanting a name most dreaded." Azazyel…Azazyel…" They lightly chanted as they brought their next victim to the alter and did him in the same manner." Our master who gave of knowledge and power to crush our enemies has led us to his resurrection among these few is the one that will incarnate his awesomeness." Said a man holding the bloody dagger, which took the lives of the infiltration group.
"You fool! You don't know what your messing with do you? Your master is just using you to his own gain. After he's done with you he's just going to-"
"Silence!" Says the cult leaders as he grabs hold of Alpha leader's neck shoving the dagger down his throat." Blasphemer! you are not worthy to be sacrificed!" He said ripping the dagger out of the now dead leader." YOU BASTARDS!" says the Beta leader as she cried out bitterly for her dead comrades." SILENCE BITCH!" He slaps her to the ground." We will have our way with you to celebrate our masters coming, but till then you shall be silent, or must I cut out your tongue." He smirked wickedly as he rested the bloody blade over her mouth, but was then caught off guard when he felt something wet hit his eye. He turned his eyes to see Vincent looking at him in disgust." It takes great courage to spit in the eye of your captor child!" The man said kicking Vincent in the chest knocking him off his knees to his back." Perhaps you wish to go next to the great alter. Well young man ill shall oblige!" He said grabbing Vincent by the hair, then dragged him to the alter. Darren then struggled to break free from his restraints to no avail, as he saw his elder brother laid on the stained alter." To Azazyel we commit your spirit..." says the one with a grin as he lifted the dagger. It all happen in slow motion, Darren slowly saw the dagger come down as it slowly dug deep into Vincent's chest, the sound of his ribs snapping from the impact of the dagger. Suddenly Shadows from the walls started creeping to the alter, and began to enter into Vincent's death wound." Yes, he is the one! Come forth master!" He says with a grin wide on his face as Vincent's body began to tremble. Then he frowned as Vincent took hold of his arm." Wha-NO!" He tried to break free but was too late, he suddenly turned pale as a blue flash escaped his body and went into Vincent's. As Vincent stood up from the alter the shadows gathered around his body turning his skin pale as it formed into a dark cloak around his body. As he opened his eyes all you could see is black, his eyes were completely consumed by the shadow.
" Mortals…" he whispered under his breath, and at once all the men dressed in black robed fell dead as blue wisp's formed around Vincent before disappearing into him." Ah, sons of Seth…it's been so long…" He said with a grin full of sharp teeth as he stared down at Darren." What's wrong Darren…you look like you've seen a ghost." With that said Darren snapped. He began to breathe hysterically, as he stood from his knees looking his brother in his eyes." NO!" as he screamed the building began to shake, as his eyes began to glow yellow and his shackles suddenly snapped with shock wave of his voice Azazyel was knocked across the room. After that Darren passed out. When he awoke all he saw was a familiar building on fire and a familiar bleeding man over him." Darren…" the man struggled to say, yet he smiled warmly." Dad…" Darren said in shock as he realized who was over him and where he was. He was in his family's church, but much more to his surprise is that it was on fire." Remember who you fight for son…remembersose who you are…" He said taking his hand making Darren's arm glowed bright orange before his father laid dead next to him. As he looked around he saw other members of his family all dead as the church came tumbling down in embers and ash….
(End of Flashback)
"After the church burned me and a couple friends including Lilith decided to leave our homes. I trained myself to use my new found powers and the sword my father entrusted to me…" Darren said as a tear went down his cheek." But eventually Azazyel finally found us. I tried my best to fight him but my anger got the better of me. My powers faded from me and I watched as all my friends died in front of me." Raven face sunk down sorrowfully as the explanation reached a conclusion." The last thing I saw was Lilith lifeless in my arms, and then my own sword stabbed into my chest. The next thing I know I wake up in an abandon church…bruised and without a clue on who I am, what had happen to me…a Few months later I met you guys, and here I am kicking ass and taking names with the Titans." He smiled much to Ravens surprise as he wiped the tears from his eye she could feel him at peace." My time of Mourning is gone…it time to move on, and let go…" He smiled at her." Wipe that stupid smile off your face!" Raven said quickly standing up, much Wize's surprise." You've seen what demons do, what a demon has done to your family and friends yet you look at me with those eyes as if everything's ok!" She said gritting her teeth." What the hell are you talking about?" He asked as he stood up to meet her at her own level." You know what I am! You know what kind of blood runs through my veins yet you look at like it's alright! It's sickening…" She said backing away from with her fists tightening." Rave-Rachel you're not a demon." Wize explained while taking a few steps to her" Don't take another step!" she yells causing his black bag behind him to explode." What the hell's gotten into you?" He says in anger still taking steps closer to her.
" Why!" she yells again making him wince slightly at the harshness of her voice." You said you would keep my secret and help me…why are you so, kind to me knowing that Demon blood runs in my veins…What's your angle!" She says now holding her head down. Wize looked at her sorrowfully, before he took his final few steps to her and hug her gently." Because you're not a demon…you're like me. Someone who sufferers under their cruelty." He said softly to calm her down, before her anger arose like last time.
" How do you know…how could you possibly know?" She says fighting back her emotions, knowing that if you failed the situation would become dangerous." Demons don't worry about being good…Demons don't fight their own tendencies to destroy" Her eyes widen at his answer as he let her loose from the hug." You don't understand…you don't know what I've done or what I have to do to keep these dark thoughts from corrupting my mind I-"
"Everything your saying right now is basically proving my point. Yes I admit I don't know what you go through, yet you still choose to fight off the evil nature of your blood for the sake of being good…As I said before your no demon." She looks him in the eyes then sighs, but much to his surprise she smiles at him." Thank you…I'm sorry I lost it for a moment…" Raven said, as she smacked him on his side again causing him to wince.
" OW! Would you quit doing that?" Wize said rubbing his side gingerly.
" Sorry, I had to lighten the mood." She replied as they both walked to the entrance of the tower." Anyway…I know you were expecting an explanation for my problem, but…"
"I understand whenever you need my help in anything I'll be there. For now take your time. I won't be going anywhere." Wize said as they walked down the stairs." Same, but don't expect us to be too buddy, buddy. You're not as annoying as Beastboy, but you're not far from it." She said with smirk.
" Perish the thought! God forbid you go a day without brooding." Wize laughed to himself which was short lived, as Raven "accidently "tripped him, and watched as he tumbled down a flight of stairs...