I bring you the third installment of Eyes of Crimson and Amethyst, I hope you enjoy it. If not please let me know what you didn't like and I will do my best to fix it.
Chapter Three
Ochita finds himself attacking the mu ren zhuang, or wooden man, in his training room for the third time today. The news of his massacre has only just been aired on the news, so it'll probably be a few more hours until David leaves the hospital. He has a couple of homeless people around the city keeping an eye out on certain things, so he'll know the moment David leaves. With a growl Ochita delivers a powerful blow to one of the mu ren zhuang's arms, snapping it off.
"Fuck, this is complete shit. I need a distraction. Hmmm, there is a bookshop near here I could visit." He thinks as he heads to the master bath to take a quick shower. The fact that his 'name' actually means 'the one who fell' was a strange discovery. "I'll need a real name first. There is that book I read yesterday, The tale of a savior: Wallachia's Demon. It's about a man named Vlad Tepes and his bloody quest to free his people. There's also Alexander the Great, a man whose ambition knew no bounds. Vlad Alexander, it has a nice ring to it."
After finishing his shower the newly christened Vlad Alexander got dressed; his outfit consisting of a tight charcoal grey long sleeve that is tucked into slim fitting black jeans, black boots, and a black belt with a silver moon kanji belt buckle. Looking in the mirror he deactivates his eyes for the first time since the other night. Pleased with his appearance he heads out.
With Raven
Yet another day has come and yet again it has been quiet, it seems that while killing a good bit of people, CED's presence in the city has actually lessened super-crime. While a welcome change of pace to not have to fight super powered everyday, dealing with small time crooks and gangs is tedious work. With her patrol over, Raven decided to spend the day in her favorite bookshop finishing the book on dream-visions. She is fond of this place due to it also having a small kitchen that makes tea, coffee, sandwiches, and small desserts. She currently sitting in the rear of the shop at the most secluded table with a cup of oolong tea and a slice of red velvet cake. As she turns the page to start the final 'chapter', as the book is organized into collection of similar concepts separated by illustrations, she is interrupted by the sound of the chair across from her being moved. Looking up from her book she sees a man sitting across from her.
Raven is thankful that the book is covering most of her face from view and that her new tablemate is reading a book himself, as she can feel the blush cover her face. The man is incredibly handsome, with features that can only be described as royal. His skin is pale and his eyes are unique in both color and appearance. His eyes are surrounded with dark markings and his eyebrows are cut short, similar to ancient eastern royalty. His long black hair is wild and looks incredibly soft. While he is what would be considered to be beautiful for a man, he still had a strong, powerful look about him. His clothes while not overly tight showed off his lean but muscular frame; he looked to be built a little bigger than Nightwing. With her eyes traveling across his body Raven fails to notice he has set is book down and is looking at her with a toothy grin. Upon noticing, her blush manages to deepen as his alluring smile reveals pearly white teeth and elongated canine teeth.
"If you keep staring so intensely I might blush too." He says in an all too familiar voice. Raven's eyes snap to his and her jaw drops. "It's good to see you again Karasu-Hime, do you like what you see?"
Raven mindlessly nods her head, caught in a rapid storm of thoughts. She is vaguely aware of CED picking his book back up and resuming his reading.
"Why is he here, showing me his face? What is his goal? Does he intend to throw me off and try to gain information about the Titans? How can a criminal be so damn attractive? Wait, what am I thinking he's the enemy I can't be attracted to him. Why are his eyes different than before?" All these questions and many more race through her mind as she tries to process what is happening. She needs to take advantage of this opportunity. Yes she will do just that, try to get as much information out of him as she can.
"D-did you really mean what you said last night?" She is shocked that the question flew out of her mouth on its own. Se wanted to ask about his motives and plans but her mouth had other ideas.
"About what?" He replies while setting his book down for a second time.
"About me being b-beautiful?" Damn it why is she stuttering and why is her heart going crazy?
"Of course I did, you are absolutely entrancing in your beauty. No person or aspect of nature comes close to you." She is once again shocked as she senses nothing but truth coming off of him.
"Even with my odd skin color and heritage?" She asks with no small trace of fear in her heart, knowing that being reminded of her demonic blood will make him change his attitude towards her.
"That's right, I totally for got about you being part demon. Who cares, you're the only demon I've ever met so as far as I know demon are just a bunch of misunderstood people. As for your skin, I think it is delightful." He informs her, his smile somehow growing larger.
"B-but demons are e-evil, how can you even stand being near one?" She implores with sorrow saturating her tone. At this CED's eyes narrow and his smile turns into a near snarl.
"Evil does not help others, evil does not protect the helpless, evil is not self-loathing, evil doesn't doubt itself. You aren't evil; you are a normal girl with shitty circumstances." The anger in his voice and conviction behind his words cause her heart to stop beating momentarily. "Is that why you sit back here so far from the rest of the patrons? Is it choice or do they ostracize you with glares and whispers; if so I will be more than happy to inflict unholy hell upon them."
Raven notices his hands clenched so tight his already pale knuckles are even whiter, without thinking she reaches over and places her small hand on his larger one. When he relaxes a bit she whispers a confused 'why', to which he lets out a sad chuckle.
"My very first memory is waking up in an apartment three weeks ago. I have no memories before that moment, I don't even remember my name; I actually chose my new one today, it's Vlad Alexander. After waking up I found a rather long note, it was 22 pages long. It told me I have been transported to a different universe, detailed the workings of this one, it told me about heroes and villains, and gave me a lot of useful information. There was noting about me however, the only two mentions of me were at the beginning and at the end, which said I'd know what to do. I did, you see I know a lot of things but have no memory of learning or doing them."
"I knew I could fight and that I could eliminate the criminals around here. I knew how to start my mission, how to gather information, how to interrogate my enemy. I knew how to use weapons I can't remember ever seeing before. I knew how to use powers I don't remember getting. Every so often new knowledge will pop into my head, but it's not the same as remembering. There is never any context to my new knowledge; it's like reading facts from a book that I've never seen before. I can use the knowledge but I can't connect to it. When I here you talk like that and hear the pain in your voice, I know that I hate the destruction of beauty and mistreatment of the misunderstood. It makes the hunger for violence and destruction rage inside of me."
Raven just stares at him for several minutes before a tear rolls down her right cheek. This man, who has no memory of himself or his life, feels anger for her. Anger enough to harm people whose only crime is ignorance and misguided hate. If only he wasn't a killer. She could ask him to stop but she doubts it will help.
"Thank you." Is all she can muster up the will to say. He places his free hand on top of hers and looks her in the eyes.
"You're welcome Karasu-Hime, now I am going to take my leave. I suggest you head back to your tower and change, for in an hour the Titans will clash with the Crimson Eyed Demon." Her eyes go wide and she starts to speak, but is cut off by Vlad patting her hand. "Don't worry; fight like normal and everything will be fine."
With that he gets up and exits the building. Sitting in stunned silence for a few minutes, Raven builds her resolve and then teleports to her room. She will allow herself to trust that Vlad knows what he is doing, and that he can take a full assault from the Titans.
The Pizza Corner
The Pizza Corner is now Jump City's most famous landmark, thanks to it being the favorite public hangout of the Titans. It is normally filled with happy people enjoying good pizza and a friendly environment, but today is different as standing in the middle of the outdoor patio is the infamous Crimson Eyed Demon. He is shouting threats of violence and mayhem if the Titans don't come and face him. It doesn't take long for his demands to be met as the Titans arrive via Raven's teleportation mere minutes after the chaos starts. As Robin steps forward the others get ready for a fight and for her credit Raven isn't showing any of the inner turmoil she is facing.
"What is this? You've never openly attacked anywhere before and you make sure to avoid us. Why suddenly attack our favorite pizza place in broad daylight and openly challenge us" Robin demands in a lighthearted but serious tone.
"I never actually attacked anyone." Is Vlad's response, his posture shifting into a more relaxed position. He then waves at Raven, causing her blood to run cold. "Hello again Karasu-Hime."
This causes all of the other Titans to adopt confused expressions and turn to face Raven, who looks like a deer in headlights. Cyborg is the first to react.
"Why they hell are you callin' Raven that and what do you mean 'again'?" He questions, his protective nature clear in his voice.
"That is between the beautiful bird and I. Now let us dance." With that he vanishes in a burst of speed and catches Cyborg in the jaw with a powerful punch that pushes him back a few feet; immediately the rest of the Titans spring into action. Robin extends his staff, Starfire charges her hands with energy, Beast Boy turns into a tiger, and Raven summons magic around her hands.
Beast Boy pounces at Vlad while Robin circles around him to strike when he is off balance. Robin's plan is thrown out the window when Vlad knocks Beast Boy to the side with a spinning heel kick to the head, followed by a powerful leap towards Starfire. She manages to dodge the punch and counter with one of her own. The hit lands on the right side of Vlad's ribcage and he can feel a few of them crack under the force. As he soars through the air he is forced to twist his body mid-flight to avoid a blast from a recovered Cyborg's arm cannon. Landing on the ground, he barley manages to lift his arms in time to stop a powerful swing of Robin's staff. Quicker than Robin can react to, Vlad grips the staff and thrusts the end into the head of a charging Beast Boy, now a ram. Continuing his attack, Vlad uses the staff to sweep Robin's feet out from under him.
His momentum is crushes by Starfire flying into him, tackling him off the patio; the force of her colliding with him followed by slamming into the concrete 20 feet down cause his recently healed ribs to re-crack. Getting up he rolls out of the way of Robin's drop attack and come to a stand in front of Cyborg. Blocking a right hook he spits a mouthful of blood into Cyborg's face and slams a chakra enhanced front kick it his chest. Smashing through the wall into the restaurant, he can be heard yelling about the 'disgusting' attack.
Spinning around and releasing three shuriken from each seal, Vlad hurls them at a charging Robin who is forced to stop his attack to deflect the deadly projectiles. At this moment Raven decides to join the battle by throwing several pieces of the building at Vlad. In a flicker of movement he vanishes from sight and reappears ten feet behind a confused Starfire.
"Star behind you." Raven yells to her friend, but it is too late. As she turns around Vlad finishes his hand signs and takes a deep breath. He then pounds a fist into his stomach and releases a powerful ball of compressed air from his mouth. In less than a second the balls slams into Starfire sending her flying backwards faster than Raven can follow. Raven is shocked at he power of the attack, not only did it rip through the concrete six feet below it, when it exploded on contact with Starfire she felt the force despite being at least 20 feet away. An explosion of green energy shakes the ground and Starfire comes rocketing out of the hole in the building at twice the speed she went in at and slams both fists into Vlad's lower chest. Blood flies out of his mouth has he is propelled 50 feet from his previous spot. The Titans regroup as he struggles to stand. Robin has a few cuts on his arms from the shuriken he couldn't block, Cyborg managed to wipe all the blood off his face, Starfire is bleeding from the mouth and her uniform is torn in a few places, and Beast Boy was sporting a nasty headache but they all look better than Vlad at the moment. He is struggling to breathe properly and blood is seeping out of his mouth and nose. The Titans are taken aback and slightly disturbed as he begins to let out a hearty laugh,
"Oh god, this is so much more fun than all those weaklings I've been fighting. Give me more. I have more things to play with." He says while tapping a finger against the side of his head, only Raven knowing the meaning. Weaving a few hand signs he releases a massive torrent of intense flames, causing the Titan to scatter.
As Robin escapes the reach of the flames he is met with a side kick to the stomach followed by a knee to the face. As he stumbles back he sees a beam of blue energy force Vlad to leap back, which opens him up to a car smashing into his left side. As he skids across the ground the forms a set of hand seals and proceed to release a massive wave of air that both launches him into the air and knock back Starfire. As he descends Beast Boy in the form of a pterodactyl slams his head into Vlad's stomach. Now tumbling towards the ground Vlad is unable to avoid the combined attack of Cyborg and Starfire, the resulting explosion sends him crashing into the ground.
As the dust settles the Titans see that he is heavily injured, with cuts and bruises all over him. His clothes are torn up and the portion of his mask covering his left eye has broken off. Once again he laughs and once again the Titans are disturbed. What they don't see is the images flooding his head.
"Now then, let's see just what this can do." He says to himself. The air becomes saturated with power as blue energy begins to erupt from Vlad. As the energy pours out faster the ground beneath him begins to crack and two ethereal dragons sprout out of the shroud of energy.
The speed at which the dragons strike is far too great for the Titans to evade, so they brace themselves best they can. The force of the attack knocks them in various directions. As they recover one of the dragons charges Starfire while the other strikes at Raven and Cyborg. Starfire manages to catch her attacker as it goes to devour her and throw it to the side, while Raven halts hers with a barrier. Starfire, Robin, and gorilla form Beast Boy all attack Vlad in a coordinated assault, which he manages to fend off with his newly increased speed and strength.
The Titans are tiring out when Vlad disengages without warning. The moment he is out of range of the Titans, his shroud and dragons disperse while he drops to a knee; his breathing labored and ragged. Judging by his breathing and the sweat pouring out of him, Robin would guess he used too much energy with that last ability. Regardless they now have an opportunity to arrest a dangerous vigilante. As they approach him he lets out one more laugh before speaking.
"Thank for the dance, it was entertaining and informative." With that he slams several smoke bombs into the ground and vanishes before the smoke clears. With him now gone the Titans take a moment to catch their breath before all eyes fall on Raven.
"You have something you wanna tell us?" Cyborg asks for the team.
"Fuck, this won't be pleasant. I'm going to make him pay for this." Raven thinks as she teleports the team back home. She is in for a long night and quite frankly has no idea what she is going to say.
Thanks for reading the new chapter and please let me know what you think.
With laughs,
SonoftheJester