Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot line and any original characters. Everything else belongs to DC Comics.
Chapter Five
Raven walks across the marble floors of her family's home. What were once polished and perfected are now cracked and in ruins. Raven swallows down a lump in her throat as she sees what has become of her beloved sanctuary.
She sinks to her knees. "Oh, Azar, Raza, what am I going to do?" She whispers in prayer. A roar causes her to leap back onto her feet. She races out of the ruins to see a world bathed in fire.
"I told you I would be free," Trigon growls victoriously. Raven takes a few steps backward, not toward the house, but away from her father. What she sees next makes her scream.
Her mother sits complacently at the foot of Trigon's throne. Raven searches her eyes for any signs of remorse and sees none. No… Arella could not have betrayed them. It's Arella that's supposed to save them!
"No," she whispers. "Mother, please!"
"Oh my daughter, did you really think your mother would stand against me?" Trigon demands, moving toward his daughter. His steps shake the ground, causing Raven's balance to unsettle.
"Did you really think I would spare your beloved Azarath? Or your betrothed?"
"What did you do to Rorek?!" She yells in question. Her eyes slowly darken, her magic starts to manifest.
"What did I do to Rorek?" Trigon repeats the question. He laughs maniacally. "I destroyed him! I tore him limb from limb, but before I killed him, I told him that you betrayed him."
Another scream leaves Raven's mouth. "No," she falls to her knees. "No, no, no, no, no! I would never betray him! I will never hurt him!"
He lies on the ground before her. His body convulses, golden blood flows from his wounds. The scarf normally tied over his mouth is tousled, revealing his lips and nose. His hair is damp with blood and sweat.
"I'm so sorry," she whispers, kneeling next to his failing body. His eyes are open, blue meeting purple. "It's not your fault," he responds gently. He tries to lift his hand and she understands. She takes it and presses his palm to her cheek. They both take comfort in the gesture.
"You wouldn't be dying if it weren't for my path."
"Did you not listen, my dearest? You yourself cannot change your destiny. You can only hope that someone else will alter it."
Her eyes fill with tears, falling down her face. They land on his wounds. Her healing powers start to help him. He smiles reassuringly. "See? Things are already better."
She whimpers. "What if they just fail again?"
"Believe in yourself and they won't."
They stand in Nevermore, again in Wisdom's realm. "I watched your dreams last night, Raven. You cannot do this to yourself."
Anger flashes in Rorek's eyes. Raven's lack of concern for her own well-being scares him. What will he do without her should she choose the easy way out? He knows it is a possibility. Raven may choose to end it herself rather than letting Trigon do it for her.
"Don't think so little of me, my Love," Raven whispers. "I would never take that path. It isn't in my destiny. You said it yourself in my dreams last night. I cannot change my own destiny, just hope that someone else does it for me."
Rorek caresses her cheek. "I don't wish to see you scaring yourself."
She leans into his palm. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I've any choice in the matter."
He shakes his head. "You always have a choice."
Raven stands in the common room, sipping at a cup of tea. The tensions of previous days are gone, replaced by an almost easy camaraderie between Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven. They all still irritate her, but she's willing to put up with more.
"Training, Titans, five minutes," Robin announces, entering the room. "Raven, I want to talk to you before."
"So, you want to talk to me now," Raven responds with an eye roll. Robin glares at her and well, the only word to describe it is stalking, moves to stand next to her.
"I need to know that your head is in the game. Obviously whatever that message the other night meant had an effect on you. I need to know that it isn't going to affect your powers or your commitment to the team."
Raven looks at him, carefully considering her next words.
"My current situation should not affect the team, but I make no promises about future developments."
She turns and walks away from him then, obviously done with their conversation. Robin just stares after her. "Sometimes I feel like I don't know her at all."
AN: I feel the need to apologize for an incredibly short chapter, but I've just started my sophomore year with a music program, an AP Class, an Independent Study course and three other Honors classes. This is probably the only time I'll apologize for short chapters, so for future reference, when they are short like this assume school is the cause.