zervus.
that was a pretty fast return for my standards. i will probably raise even more questions with this chapter and i think a coupel of people will stop reading this story after being through this chapter.
this chapter continues right from the next morning after the last chapter. it holds some hidden importants though most will probably not see it right now.
anyway, enjoy.
The next morning found Raziel walking through the Tower, still tiered but nevertheless the first to be awake once more. 'Guess I need to get myself either a big load of caffeine or a shot of adrenaline. The first is healthier but the second at least works.' Cerberus was walking along his partner looking not more awake than Raziel and he yawned, a small jet of flame bursting from his throat. "Not the early riser as well huh?" "Not really but I will manage." "Just don't cause any chaos while we're at Raven's room; death would be a blessing." "I'll keep that in mind."
The two had reached Raven's door and Raziel knocked softly, hoping that he was not too early. His keen hearing noticed some shuffling in the room and a few curses that placed a small smirk on his face. 'And another one who's no morning person.' The door slid partly open revealing Raven with ruffled hair and glad in a fluffy blue bathrobe that made Raziel's eyebrows give a very good Spock imitation. "What," asked a grumpy Raven, four eyes gazing coldly at Raziel. "Sorry but you said to come along; didn't know you were as a bad morning person as I." "Come in."
Raven stepped aside and Raziel and Cerberus entered, the hellwolf careful not to cause any havoc. Raziel had pulled out the chair from under the desk and sat down, turning just I time to see Raven enter her bathroom while dropping the bathrobe. A very slight and barely noticeable blush spread over Raziel's cheeks as he had caught a glimpse of Raven's well shaped ass. 'Note to self: NEVER say anything about it and try to forget it and make sure Raven never finds out! If she does make sure you lived your life to the fullest.' "Not a bad idea to keep silent about that." Raziel shot off the chair as a female voice echoed in his mind and he looked around frantically. 'That was NOT Raven!' "Of course it wasn't Raven; she's to tiered to even think." Raziel slowly turned towards the table and the seemingly sleeping Spes only to see the raven look at him with laughing violet eyes.
'Let me guess, you like to read other people's mind to keep an eye on Raven, right?' "Something like that. And if you don't say anything I won't too." 'Praise Lucifer! A woman who beliefs in coincidences and accidents!' "Hehehe. Men." Spes seemed to laugh at Raziel and his thoughts before doing something the demidemon had never expected: she sent him a mental picture of Raven in a skimpy, black bikini, striking a sexy pose. 'Don't tempt me bird.' "Kehehehehe. You men are so easy to tease." Raziel growled at the bird and looked away only to cause another set of snickers from the raven. "Stupid, perverted bird," grumbled Raziel while trying to push that picture in a overstuffed room in his mind labeled 'Don't open unless in dire need of death by perversion'.
Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Raziel quickly spun around and looked into the other direction, sweating and praying to all lords of Hell to have mercy with him. "What are you staring at," asked Raven confused as she saw the demon spin as soon as she opened the bathroom door after having her waking hot shower, by now totally dressed. He glanced briefly over his shoulder before turning around, mumbling something about 'cursed male mind' and 'flashy demons'. Then Raziel noticed the steam coming from the bathroom and things started to make sense to him. "A hot shower I guess. Sounds like a good plan later on." Raven looked shortly surprised before something clicked, "So it is a demon thing, those long hot showers." "You can say that again; hot showers, baths, a visit to the sauna. It all brings back our spirits and energy and makes us feel... relaxed. Guess that's one of the causes that you like to visit Terra; that is a really nice temperature in that volcano."
At the mention of Terra, Raven stiffened shortly before calming herself again. "Actually... that's why I wanted to speak with you." "Huh?" "Yesterday after practice BB showed up and asked if there was a spell to bring back Terra from her imprisonment." "So you realized it too." "Realized what?" "That Terra is not truly dead but simply imprisoned in her own body." Raziel fetched something from his pockets and a piece of rock began to spin over his left palm. "Is that what I think it is," whispered Raven as realization dawned on her. "Exactly: a piece of Terra, so to speak. I've been working on it since the first night I came to the Tower." "Any success?" Raziel sighed deeply and shook his head no, "Not really; I know a spell that would work but I doubt people would like it if I used necromancy to bring her back." Raven nodded, seeing that Raziel had a point there. "Do you have any idea," asked Raziel while staring at the piece of rock in his hand. "Nothing. And I tried to find something for nearly eight months by now."
The two demons looked at each other and both sighed deeply, their spirits already deflated. They sat in silence for several minutes before Raven shook her head. "No use getting worked up over it now. Let's just keep our ears and eyes open and time will tell." "Guess you're right. See you later." Raziel and Cerberus quickly left the room and after that a dangerous glint appeared in Spes' eyes. "You know that he caught an eyeful earlier." "Eyeful of what?" "You of course. That little bathrobe stunt." Raven paled slightly at this before a hint of Anger rose in her. Spes quickly interfered before anyone would die, "You should know that it was not intentionally and he tried to bane the image from his mind."
Raven took several deep breaths before she was calm enough not to rip the poor demon's balls off and feed them to him. "I... guess I can let it slide... this time." "Give the boy some credit. He did manage to keep a straight face after it and he did suppress any perverted thought born from that split second." "So I'm not worth to think about," whispered Raven while looking out her window into the dawn of a new day. Spes was slightly panicked at the sad and hurt hint in Raven's voice and quickly flew of the desk and landed on her shoulder. "No! It's not that he thinks you're ugly or something, he just fears for his life and manhood if you ever found out he tried to ogle you. I would say he respects you too much to let his mind wander that far and reduce you to an object of desire." A small smile came to Raven's face and she stroke Spes' back. "You might be right." "I know I am right and now stop that self misery; it doesn't suit you."Raven glared at the bird before she sighed. "I guess you're right... somehow."
-Ω-
Robin was in charge of the breakfast today and was quickly making stack after stack of pancakes. He was in a good mood this morning and nothing could possibly change that, not even that panther circling him... ... ... ... Check... ... Check again... ... Panther still there... ... "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Robin jumped away from the predator and readied several birdarangs but stopped when he saw the feline hunter sniff a stack of pancakes before trotting off again. "What... was that...," murmured Robin while he still eyed the panther carefully. "Mornin' Birdy," shouted Jinx as she flipped on one if the barstools and pulled a stack of pancakes in front of herself, eying them hungrily. "Jinx... you're aware of that panther... rubbing against your knees?" "Ups! Forgot about that. Robin, this is Sentra. Sentra, Robin." Sentra looked the Boy Wonder over before giving a soft growl and lying down at Jinx' feet.
Robin had seen a lot in his young life but this was a first. "So... it's with you?" "Besides 'it' being a 'her' yes, she's with me so you don't have to worry about her looking for a midnight snack in your bed. And before they freak you out worse, Raven and Raziel have a feral companion as well." "I don't even want to ask," mumbled Robin, trying to imaging what that slightly insane demon had as his partner. The doors to OPS opened and Beastboy walked in, still dead tired on his feet and only barely awake. He fetched his daily ration of tofu from the fridge before sitting down next to Jinx and munching into the tasteless stuff. Sentra decided to scare the poor shapeshifter and rubbed against his knees while purring like a normal house cat. "Good kitty," mumbled BB while he petted Sentra's head.
He suddenly froze in his action as his mind processed that this head was too big for a cat. Slowly he looked down and stared into a set of green eyes and a toothy grin. He looked up at Jinx and Robin, only to see both look back at him. He looked down at Sentra again only to find her nose to nose with him and growling slightly. Without a sound the teen fell backwards off the stool and hit he ground hard. Several flashes filled the room and suddenly there was Raziel with a digi-cam, grinning like a fool. "This was priceless... again." The demon walked up to the fridge, rummaging through for a few moments before turning around, a giant 4-pounds steak in his hands. "You do know that that's Cyborg's emergency reserve," stated Robin has he watched Raziel. "I don't think Cy will have a problem with him giving up on some of his meat if in return his little baby in the garage is save from any attacks." Raziel lazily threw the junk of meat in the air before a sudden flame erupted from somewhere and a second later Cerberus jumped into the air and snatched the well cooked meat out of the air.
Robin stared at the hellwolf with wide eyes before he looked at Raziel, "What's Raven's partner?" "Nothing that would be as weired as ours," said Jinx while she petted Sentra's head. "I'm sure you can figure it out yourself." Robin didn't seem satisfied with he answer so Raziel gave a bit more details, "It's a bird breed but I'm not telling which breed. But not bigger than your average house bird." Robin sighed, knowing that he wouldn't be able to get any more out of them. The five simply sat in silence for the next couple of minutes wile they ate and waited for BB to come around or any other Titan to wake up.
"Awww maaan. What the hell happened?" "You blacked out after meeting Sentra," said Jinx while swallowing her next pancake in one piece before she grabbed her plate and simply devoured them all without a single chew. The rest simply stared at her, having seen something like this only once with anyone besides Cy and Star and those were normally unrivaled when it came to 'eat much in very little time'. Jinx licked her fingers clean while she grinned very satisfied, "Got to hand it to you Birdy, you know how to make breakfast." "Uhm... thanks... I guess," muttered Robin still trying to work through the display of extreme eating habits.
That very moment opened the doors and in flew Starfire, bubbly as ever, "Good morning friends! I hope your sleeps were free of any mare of the night?" "We pulled through," mumbled Raziel while he hid behind the morning newspaper he had snatched from Robin as the Boy Wonder started to mentally drool over Starfire. His eyes opened as they landed on a small advertisement and time seemed to freeze around him. He must have stayed like this for quite some time as he suddenly heard Raven's voice echo in his thoughts. "Huh? You said something?" "What's wrong with you," asked Jinx while eying another stack of pancakes hungrily. "Nothing! Just found something in need to check today." "And what could have you so excited," asked Raven in her patented deadpan expression. Raziel showed the newspaper to Raven and tapped on the advertisement that had him enthralled.
The World of Darkness
- You need it, We have it -
As long as it is a book
Below the text was the image of a griffon with a single word engraved into it and that word made Raven stare: Pyronius. Raven looked up at Raziel and saw his eyes glanced with a far away look. "Mind if I come along," asked Raven shyly and her words broke Raziel out of his daze. "Sure, why not? I juts need to get Cy give me his ride." "What do you need my baby for," asked the metal man from the door. "A trip down town. That store holds a promise I want to check and if it proofs true I need a lot of space to pack stuff." "Okay," said Cyborg uncaring while he munched into his stack of pancakes.
The rest of the table was confused at why Cy was suddenly so uncaring about his baby when he added something, "But wolfy better be housebroken." Raziel and Cerberus shared a look before the demidemon grinned, "BB, I got to ask a favor of you." "Sure, I'll do it," said the shapeshifter excitedly, expecting something big. "Look after Cerberus and get him housebroke; and good luck, you'll need it." BB's face was suddenly devoid of all color as he looked at the grinning hellwolf only to have Jinx suddenly butt in, "Look after Sentra too will you, BB? I want to follow them and I doubt a panther would be easy to explain." BB paled even further as he looked at a grinning Sentra a Jinx' feet.
Cyborg threw the key at Raziel who caught them and swiftly disposed his dishes into the sink, "You two coming?" "Just let me get Spes," said Raven while she walked off towards her room. "Meet us in the garage," shouted Raziel after her and Raven raised her hand as a sign she understood." Cyborg was the first to voice thoughts most of the team shared, "Damn. She's getting more open with every day since you showed up Raziel. How do you do it?" "I think it's because we have something in common and can somehow relate to each other; something she seems not very used to." "You're right," said Robin and he picked up his forgotten newspaper. "None of us can truly understand as we don't have such destructive powers to keep that close taps on. I have to admit that at first I didn't think highly of you but now I think you're the best thing that happened to her in a long time." "Enough flattering, you won't get anything out of it," said Raziel while he and Jinx made their way down towards the garage after saying bye to their partners.
-Ω-
A couple of minutes later found the four sitting in the T-car with Raziel driving down the street, looking for the next turn. Jinx, Raven and Spes had called the back row their own and were enjoying the unusual silence in the car. Raziel then switched on the radio just in time tho hear the first notes to Linkin Park's 'Breaking the Habit'. "Got to remember stocking up my music," muttered Raziel while he made a mental note. "So you're down for hard and heavy huh," asked Jinx while she suddenly jumped on the passenger's seat and grinned at Raziel. "What if? I just like it with a good load of bass and drums." "What about you," came Raven's voice from the backseats. "Oh I'm more into Bullet for my Valentine, Billy Talent and a bit of Rammstein." "Rammstein? Now that's the odd one out," smirked Raziel while he prepared to deliver the knockout. "So what? I just like how they do their thing and don't care about critics. I just wish I could see them live on stage," said Jinx with a deep sigh in the end. "Well, I could tell you that I've seen them live in Moscow...," started Raziel before he quickly pulled the car to the side and to a stop just in time to come to a halt before Jinx suddenly appeared in front of him with an angry expression. "YOU HAVE WHAT?!" "Seen them live in Moscow," said Raziel with a satisfied smirk while he held up his hands to keep Jinx at bay. "You bastard," muttered Jinx while she slipped back into her seat and kept on mumbling how unfair life was.
"Lighten up Pinky, it's not the end of the world," said Raziel while he pulled the car back into the traffic. "Easy for you to say Brain," huffed Jinx while still pouting. Raziel sighed as he suddenly summoned a small red portal between him and Jinx and reached through it. He pulled out an item and held it towards Jinx while his eyes stayed on the road, "Peace?" Jinx looked at Raziel and then at the peace offering and her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "Is that what I think it is," whispered Jinx as she reached for the item with shacking hands. "The Völkerball Live DVD, extended version with the signatures of the whole band," said Raziel while handing the item over. "You can have it if you stop pouting." "How did you get your hands on that," asked Jinx while looking at the item like it was the Holy Grail. "For someone like me it's easy to sneak around security and get backstage. I threw in some flattering and it got me that."
Raven followed the conversation with a blank face but on the inside he was smirking slightly. 'Oh Raziel, you can't stand upset women, huh?' "No man can stand an upset woman; he's just a giant sucker for them," grinned Spes as she fluttered back on Raven's shoulder, "You should use it to your benefit." 'I'm not going to use him as anything, he has done to much for us already.' Spes smiled a genuine smile while she nodded approvingly,"That's the answer I hope for." Raven stared at the bird with a hint of confusion before she was pulled out of her thoughts as Raziel stopped the car again. Raziel turned around to Raven and pointed at his own forehead, "You might want to hide them while we're out; I doubt everyone will be understanding." Raven groaned inwardly but still closed her second pair, already missing her improved sight. Raziel smiled understandingly at her, "I know you don't like it but it's better than fighting off all those stares, don't you think?" Raven had to admit that he was right, the white raven on her shoulder already drew enough attention.
The four entered the shop and were greeted with the smell of old leather and paper. Raziel stopped dead in his tracks after the first step and looked around with wide eyes, taking in all those magical auras. "This is heaven," breathed the demidemon while brushing his fingers over several books. "You have to take 'a look' at them Raven." The sorceress was confused why suddenly she should use her true sight after all but took a peak only to have her eyes snap open. "Holy..." "Amen to that," muttered Raziel while he came to the conclusion that at least two thirds of all books here held magical power of some kind.
"What are you two taking about," said Jinx while looking several of the tomes over. "You got to get some strange vibes from those books," said Raziel while he headed down the seemingly endless shelves of knowledge. "Yeah so what?" "Every book that gives you a strange feeling is magical," said Raven while she flipped through one of the newer looking books, finding that it described most creature's of the dark. "You serious," asked Jinx while she too began to look at the books with wide eyes. "Dead serious," said both demons in one voice.
"Is there something I can help you with," came an old voice from behind the three and they turned around to face an elderly man in his 70s. "For starters you could be so kind and tell me what you know about Pyronius," said Raziel in a careful and diplomatic voice. "Why are you interested in it young one," asked the bald man while looking up at Raziel. The demidemon answered with pulling down his shirt to reveal the left half of his chest and a red and black tattoo of twisting flames while he whispered, "It was my home."
The old man stared at the tattoo with wide eyes and open mouth before he regained his thoughts. "A Pyronimit; I never thought I'd see your kind again..." "Neither did I think I would see the name in the advertisement for a book store," said Raziel while he fixed his shirt. "True," smiled the man while gesturing for them to follow him deeper into the seemingly endless rows of books. "So I take it you companions are well versed in the arts as well?" "You are right," said Jinx while she looked at each book that somehow caught her eye. "What are you professions?" "Bad luck," said Jinx without hesitation. "... Demonic magic," muttered Raven after some time. "Some demonic magic for me too but mostly element bending and the old arts," said Raziel while he swiftly snatched a book from its shelf and scanned the title.
"An interesting combination," said the man while he rounded a corner and the came into a small booth with a couple of armchairs. "Take a seat young one's and tell this old bat what he can do for you." "So you're a bat demon huh? Makes sense though," mused Raziel while he sat down in one of the armchairs as did the rest. "So what are you youngsters looking for? I bet you want to expand your spells." "Sharp as every bat I've met," grinned Raziel while he flipped through the pages of the book he had taken. "For one I'd like to know if you've ever been to Pyronius before it fell and if yes if you have any of their Tomes of Hell." "You're lucky boy; I do have a full collection of the Tomes of Hell." "WHAT?!"
Raziel had shot out of his seat and stared at the old man with wide eyes, "Old bat if you're fucking with me..." "My, such language. No I'm not 'fucking with you'; I do have a full collection." "Not anymore," said Raziel while quickly producing his money clip and counting bills, "How much?" "3000$ for the whole collection." "Bought," said Raziel while handing the man the money without batting an eye. Raven and Jinx followed the exchange with shocked faces as they saw how Raziel easily handed over the money. "A pleasure making business with you," said the old man while counting the money before snapping his fingers. Rustling of pages echoed through the shop before several thick tomes floated into sight and piled onto a closed by desk. A total of 27 books bound in red and black leather landed neatly on the desk and Raziel walked up to them while shacking like a leaf in a autumn wind.
"What can I do for you my dears," said the man while smiling warmly at them and for the first time the girls noticed his sickly yellow eyes and pointed ears giving away his heritage. "Sorry gramps but I'm out of money," said Jinx with a disappointed smile. "Just get it, my treat," said Raziel suddenly while he ran his shacking fingers over the books. "You can't do that," snapped Jinx, unwilling to be the cause Raziel ended up in the poorhouse. "Stop being a bitch; I got enough money to last me several life times. You'd be surprised how much you get for demon currency."
The old bat demon suddenly snapped his fingers again and three thick books rushed towards Jinx and fell into her lap, "If you're truly bad luck than those will be most helpful to you." Jinx couldn't help but grin as she saw that all three books were bound in pink leather, "Guess I can't say no anymore." The old demon turned towards Raven and looked at the book she still had in her hands. "What can I get for you besides this little almanac?" "Any book about high level spells and curses," said Raven while she summoned a small portal and produced a big pouch from its depths, "as long as you accept demon currency." "I'm not too picky," said the other demon while clapping his hands.
Within short notice fifteen books rushed at them and piled next to Raziel collection. Raven reached out with her senses and she felt that she barely knew even the names in most of the books. "How old are they," asked Raven while she walked up to the desk, studying the tomes that looked ready to moulder away. "The youngest is dated back around twelve hundred years." "Sold," said Raven while she opened the pouch and raised and eyebrow at the man. "Currency," asked the man while he held out one hand and Raven flicked him a single, white-golden coin. "Damacles," said Raven dryly and the man gasped while staring at the coin in his hands. "It has been a long time since people paid me with Damacles; 300." Raven counted down three hundred pieces before handing the money over. "A pleasure making business," said the old man. "You might see us again sooner than you think," said Raziel while pointing at Jinx' books with a raised eyebrow. "286," said the man without a pause and Raziel quickly paid before he reached for a small pouch dangling from his belt unnoticed.
The old demon raised an eyebrow at this before he saw how Raziel quickly disposed his new collection of books in the small pouch, defying all laws of physics. "An Endless Bag? Where did you pick up that little trinket?" "A long time ago," was all Raziel said while he gestured for Jinx to hand her books over and disposed of them in he same fashion. "Fair enough," smiled the man while watching how Raven simply let the books hover in her telekinesis. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
The three quickly left the shop and got back into the T-car and it was than that Raziel couldn't control himself any longer. "YES! That was fucking worth it! Every fucking single dollar was worth it!" All three females stared at the demon with wide eyes as he raced the car back to the Tower, breaking several speed limits while driving like a maniac. "He must be really happy," muttered Jinx on her backseat next to Raven and the dark sorceress nodded at this, "He has finally lost it. I always knew he'd go insane on us." "You have no idea what those books are," said Spes while sitting on the pile of books between Jinx and Raven. 'No I don't,' answered Raven only to hear Spes sigh inside her mind. "I can't tell you everything but those books hold nearly every spell developed by the people of Pyronius. For the sole survivor this collection is basically priceless." Now Raven understood while Raziel was so ecstatic about this whole ordeal and she couldn't help a small smile gracing her lips.
"How long have you been searching for one of those books," asked Raven, her voice unnaturally soft. "Since the day the city fell," said Raziel while an edge of sadness and sorrow appeared in his voice. Raven couldn't stop herself and she leaned forward, placing a soft hand on Raziel's right shoulder and gave it a short squeeze. Raziel reacted with placing his left hand on top of hers, a silent sign of thanks.
Jinx watched the two demons exchange silent gestures and she knew that there was something lurking at the horizon. 'It can't be mere coincidence anymore. They are of the same blood, both feel very comfortable around the other, they can communicate with a few simple gestures and Raven is opening up to him more than anyone else. Fate has something planed for the two.' Jinx' thoughts led her to a conclusion that made her grin at them but at the same time feel a bang of jealousy.
Raziel's thoughts were drifting down a similar street only that he knew that he was attracted to Raven. To him Raven was nearly the perfect woman, if she would just be more open with her emotions. But his problem was not being attracted to Raven, it was more like that he felt similar about Jinx now the he started to get to know her better. 'Bless it! Why is this happening to me of all people? I'm not the person to choose between two people!'
His train of thoughts was abruptly cut off as something of a dark blue glow caught his eye and he yanked the steering wheel to the side, causing the care to get out of control. The car began to crash into other cars on the street, before it overturned and crashed upside down into a house wall. Within short notice the street was cleared by the civilians and only silence reigned over the scene. Suddenly three bursts of magic shot out of different parts of the T-car, a black beam of magic, a red beam and a short wave of pink energy.
Raven, Jinx and Raziel crawled out of the wreck that had once been Cy's beloved baby, all three shaken and coughing. "What the bloody fuck was that," cursed Raziel while he tried to get the dizziness out of his head. "Don't know but please make the world stop spinning," grumbled Jinx while she closed her eyes as she tried to get back on her feet. "My, my; what have we here."
The three looked up and saw a nearly carbon copy of Starfire floating before them, only that this woman's hair was black, her choice of clothing considerable darker and her eyes did not glow green but dark blue. "If that isn't a friend of my sister dear." "Blackfire," mumbled Raven as she staggered back on her feet and glared at the alien. "Blackfire," questioned Jinx and Raziel in one voice as they watched the Tamaranian land in front of them. "Star's big sister; her evil, big sister," answered Raven while she got back on her feet, Spes landing on her shoulder and the contact helped clearing away some of the foggy feeling in her head. "Careful Raven, she's up to something." 'As she is always,' thought Raven darkly while she prepared to fight should her plan not work. "If you are hear for Starfire to get you regular beating down than I'll be gladly escorting you to her."
"MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Blackfire's obvious insane laughter filled the street as she threw her head back, "My sister dear is of little concern for me of the moment. I am here to make her hurt and what better way to hurt her than hurting her friends?" Blackfire launched an eye beam at Raven that the demoness knew she wouldn't be able to dodge so she prepared herself for the impact. But it never came.
In a flash Raziel stood before Raven, his blade held high, deflecting the beam into a building. "Easy there girly," said Raziel while he took a careful, defensive stance. "No need to get all bitchy on us." Blackfire arched an eyebrow at his speed, "You are not from earth, are you?" "Never claimed to." "So you might be able to give a challenge," grinned Blackfire as she started to float closer. "This might get in the way," mumbled Raziel while he let his sword vanish in a red orb.
The two combatants rose higher into the air, floating opposite of each other while each had different thoughts. 'To hell with it; I could take Star and can take her sister no problem,' though Raziel while he tried to read his opponents body language but it was in vain; he just couldn't read her in any way.
Blackfire in turn was wary of this teen. 'He's too confident in his skills to be some pushover but still he is no match to me.' Blackfire began to grin as she charged her fists with starbolts and prepared to pound that fool into the ground. "What's wrong pretty boy? Afraid I might crush your looks?" "In your dreams girly," growled Raziel while he charged his hands with red flames. "So you got some tricks up your sleeves," asked Blackfire while the two started to circle each other, neither go for the first strike. "You could say that," smirked Raziel as suddenly his eyes gained a soft blue hue.
Blackfire looked at the demidemon with a questioning look as suddenly something crashed into her back, cutting painfully into her skin and flesh. She grunted as she spun around and launched a volley of starbolts that impacted and destroyed a giant blade of wind. "What was that," growled Blackfire while she tried to ignore they pain in her bleeding back. "Never underestimate me," grinned Raziel as the fire around his hands died away, revealing pale blue light. "Nothing is ever as it seems."
Blackfire hissed at him as the light around her fist intensified before she charged at Raziel, a war cry ripping from her throat. Her right fist shot forward, sending several volleys at Raziel that he barely managed to to evade. Several of the starbolts grazed his left shoulder and he cringed at the short but searing pain. 'She's better than I thought.' Suddenly Blackfire was on him with punches and kicks, each movement blurring into the next while he desperately tried to find a patter as with most fighters. 'Damn her!'
The two were locked in a close battle, Blackfire having the advantage due to being used to fight in the air. Raziel sent a straight punch for er right shoulder that she easily deflected and answered with a starbolt to his face. He managed to dodge a direct hit but it still burned his left cheek, leafing third degree burns on his left side of the face. "Damn Bitch," bellowed Raziel as he shot back, bringing some distance between the two while he charged his hands with a storm. "Eat This!" his hands shot forth and two twisters shot from his opened hands, hitting Blackfire dead center.
The tamaranian was flung backwards from the impact and crashed into the side of a building, the structure breaking upon he impact. The alien quickly dug herself out of the building while groaning slightly. 'He hits hard, I give him that but this is just the beginning.' She looked up and saw Raziel flying at her, his right fist pulled back and ready to strike. Without wasting a further thought blackfire raised her hands and sent several volleys at Raziel, who ignored them without thought. He took several hits to his chest, his face warped with pain but he charged on. In the very last second Blackfire shot upwards and Raziel crashed ito the building, not expecting the alien to be so agile.
Blackfire was floating several feet above the impact, peering into the cloud of dust. "Was that all you got? How pathetic." A sudden red shine in the cloud let all alarms in her shrill and she shot down towards earth, barely able to avoid the massive beam of searing hot flames that would have turned her to dust. The dust cloud dispersed and revealed a panting Raziel, his clothes scorched and breathing heavily. "Damn bitch is going to pay for this," hissed Raziel as he felt his right shoulder hurt from the broken bones. Not wanting to give his opponent and chance to recover he charged at her, one hand filled with flames and the other with a barely contained storm.
Blackfire barely managed to recover from her very sudden maneuver when she caught sight of Raziel charging her. She grinned manically as she prepared to end this little entertainment. She simply waited for Raziel, not moving to evade his attack. Closer and closer the demon came and Raziel began to grin deviously in his mind, 'The slut is toast.' he was about to reach Blackfire and punched his hands towards Blackfire, preparing to let loose a barely contained infernal twister. Suddenly he saw the grin on Blackfire's face and he knew he had walked into a trap.
With utter terror Jinx and Raven had to watch how Blackfire was suddenly surrounded with a sphere of blue-purple energy while she let out a blood freezing cry. The sphere expanded and engulfed Raziel form and soon his shouts of pain filled the empty streets. With a sudden explosion of the sphere Raziel was launched into a building that immediately crumbled down on him, burying him under tons of debris.
Raven stared in pure shock at the debris, praying for a miracle that Raziel was still alive. But she knew better. Even as a demidemon Raziel would not be able to survive those tons crushing down on him. Blackfire laughed manically as she looked down on her handiwork, "MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He was fun but he never stood a chance!" "TITANS GO!" Robin's voice cut through the air as the other Titans reached the scene only to stop dead in their tracks. The whole street was littered with grates and melted metal, wreckage lying everywhere while Blackfire was still laughing insanely. "What have you done sister," shouted Starfire while she glared at Blackfire. "Oh my sister dear. I did nothing but crush a fly!"
Robin by now had reached Raven and Jinx, "What has happened? Are you two hurt? And where the fuck's Raziel?!" Raven was unable to answer as she slowly dropped to her knees, unable to tear her eyes from the debris that was Raziel's grave. "We're... alright...," stammered Jinx with a broken voice while she pointed a shacking hand at the crumbled building, "but... Raziel is..." Robin followed her hand and he realized what she meant. "No," whispered the Boy Wonder while he slowly turned towards a still laughing Blackfire, trading insults with her sister.
Raven's mind was in utter chaos, unable to wrap around the fact that Raziel was dead. 'No... this can't be... This is all... just a dream... a nightmare...' But she knew that this was not a dream; it was cruel reality. The only person who might have been able to help her free herself was dead, her dream had been taken from her. Silent tears started to stream down her checks, all four eyes screwed shut while she tried to pull herself together.
"Sister you evil fiend," shouted Starfire while her eyes blazed with fury. "Oh sister dear, you can't defeat me. You will end up just like this fool. Trying to protect your friend Raven. If he had not interfered he would have lived. But his death was in vain!" With that shout Blackfire pointed her right hand at Raven and shot one single, powerful starbolt at the distressed sorceress. "Friend Raven!"
Raven looked up and saw the ball of purple-blue energy draw closer with incredible speed. 'So this is the end... I expected to die by HIS hands... Fate is a cruel thing...' She had resigned her being to death when the earth began to quake, causing all people on the ground to fall over and the starbolt to miss. An infernal scream of hatred, agony and pain pierced the air a suddenly the debris that buried Raziel exploded with red light, forcing back everyone from the explosion and blinding them.
Everyone stared at the smoking crater after the light had vanished and they could make out a single, sky-reaching hand. The dust and smoke cleared and everyone gasped in shock and disgust. The hand and arm were dehydrated to the bone; a mummified appendage reaching towards the skies. The hand grabbed a boulder and a body pulled from the ground, blood seeping from countless wounds and they could see a single, burning red eye. The smoke cleared totally and now they could see every detail. Jinx covered her mouth while most others reeled backwards, Raven and Blackfire being the only two that were too shocked to react to the sight.
Before them, hunched over and panting with anger stood Raziel. His long, silver hair was reduced to a length around his shoulders, revealing his face fully. The left half of his face and throat was literally melted away; the skin was gone and barely any muscles stuck to the bone. His eye was totally melted and the liquids ran down the wretchedly scorched bones. His left cheek had been completely burned away, revealing his teeth and scorched gums. His torso was covered with burn wounds that were off the charts. His left chest had lost all of his skin, revealing bones and a pulsating, sickly pink lung. His right shoulder was literally only bones, all skin and flesh had been melted. His abdomen was ornate with a big piece of metal piercing through his left sight. For all medical accounts he should be dead and not glaring hell into Blackfire's eyes.
"You will pay..." His voice was far from his usual. It held and hellish echo and was darker than before. Slowly he raised his mummified hand, the joints squeaking and groaning while his hand slowly started to close his hand into a fist. "You will face... the deepest hell..." With a sudden movement he closed his hand and black flames, darker than space itself erupted from his hand, engulfing him in a twirling torrent of flames.
"Oh my god...," whispered Raven as she stumbled backwards, being caught in Jinx' arms. "What is going on here," shouted Robin, trying to overpower the raging flames. Raven looked up at her leader, eyes filled with something most people would call utter fright and terror. "The people of Pyronius were feared for their skills but most of all for one thing: their control over the dark flames of hell itself. No other demon breed is capable of it but for them it's second nature. Also most demidemons have an alternate form, a demon form if you want. And he is going to show us this form." Raven turned to Starfire, her eyes filled with... sorrow? "I'm sorry Star but I doubt Blackfire will survive."
Said tamaranian was staring with wide eyes at the twisting flames, fear clawing at her heart. 'This is not possible... No one should be able to survive this... What is he...?' Blackfire prepared to bolt but she couldn't tear her eyes form the twisting blackness below her.
A growl started to vibrate in the air, causing Beastboy's instincts to take over and transform into a turtle, hiding in his shell. Robin was feeling effects of staring into the depths of hell as the feeling of approaching doom settled into his mind. Starfire was simply staring into the flames, not fully able to process what was happening. Cyborg was on the border of shutting down; the energy that flooded his systems was nearly too much for him to handle. Jinx was shacking where she stood, clutching to the next things she could get her hands on what turned out to be Raven. Raven in turn felt an onslaught of emotions rushing into her mind, breaking down each barrier with easy. 'Such pain and rage... how can someone feel such emotions to this extend...'
As the growl reached its peak the flames started to wither away, slowly retracting into the center of the fire. Piece by piece Raziel was revealed and the sight made the humans and aliens gasp though Raven took it in a stride, not even flinching. The first thing revealed were red, leathery wings spread to their full size. The next thing were a pair of clawed hands, covered in red, fingerless gloves. Then the flames vanished in an instant, revealing all of Raziel at once. All his wounds had been healed and he stood a good feet taller than normal, around 7 ½ feet. He was clad in a formfitting armor suit made of red and black leather. His hair hadn't returned to its normal length but was spiked up into the air. A long, thin tail swished behind him, its tip strangely shaped like a sword hilt and a good 4 feet long. His sword was strapped sheath-less on his back between his wings, the hilt resting in easy reach above his right shoulder.
He had his eyes closed as his chest rose with a deep breath before they snapped open and focused on Blackfire. The Tamaranian was staring into a pair of sickly sulfur-yellow eyes that pierced into her mind. Then he began to speak in a dark and vibrating voice, sending shivers down every females' spine. "Slashed, strangled and slaughtered. Beaten, stabbed and crushed. Garroted and impaled. Shot and executed. I will break you, mind, body and soul."
Blackfire stared at the demon before her with wide eyes and fear ruling her mind. 'This is too much. I'm getting out of here.' Blackfire turned around and shot off only to crash into a red/black wall of leather. She looked up and stared into the blazing yellow eyes of Raziel. "Where are you going girl?" Blackfire turned around and stared at the spot where Raziel stood just seconds ago. He still stood there looking up at her with hateful eyes. She turned back and forth between the two when suddenly the one on the ground became see through before he vanished. She turned back to the one floating in front of her only to get back handed, sending her hard into the next building. Blackfire groaned as she picked herself out of the facade of the building only to look up and face an approaching torrent of pitch black flames.
Blackfire couldn't move as she stared into the searing flames, the fire reflecting in her eyes. Suddenly the flames parted into four torrents and wrapped around Blackfire's body. The girl screamed as the flames set her nerves on fire though it never burned her skin. "How does it feel, knowing that the pain can't be stopped," asked Raziel as he flew closer to her, his wings flapping very slowly. He had his right hand pointed at her, keeping up a constant stream of infernal fire. "How does it feel to have all your nerves scream in pain?" "WHAT DO YOU WANT," screamed Blackfire between wails of pain, tears now flowing freely. "What I want," whispered Raziel, barely audible for Blackfire over her cries and the roaring flames. "What I want I told you already: I will break you in every way possible but one. Even as a demon I'm not that low."
Raziel drew closer to his prey and his eyes sparkled with something that made Blackfire fear for her soul. "Face the true terror of opposing a demon." Raziel reached out with his still inflamed hands, grabbing Blackfire's upper arms and the alien let out a blood freezing scream of utter pain. "Face the deepest darkness of hell," growled Raziel as his body erupted with black flames, enveloping the two in a cocoon of darkness. Suddenly silence reigned in the streets, except for the flickering of flames. Slowly the cocoon on raging darkness lowered towards the ground, melting everything in its path in a matter of seconds. The flames landed on the street, or what was left of it, and slowly dispersed. Raziel and Blackfire came back into view. Raziel was back in his 'normal' body while Blackfire hang limply in his hands, her head rolled back.
The Titans stared at the two with wide eyes and blank minds. Raziel swayed shortly on his feet while he surprisingly careful placed Blackfire on the ground before he himself dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. The first to react to the whole scene was surprisingly Raven. The demoness rushed at Raziel and tackled the demon to the ground, her arms tightening around him in a vice grip. She didn't say a word, she simply clung to him like a life-line. Raziel needed several moments to understand who it was that squeezed the life out of him. Slowly he moved his arms around her, placing his right hand on the small of her back while his left hand softly stroke her hair. "Shhh. It's okay. I'm fine."
The rest of the team along with Jinx stared at the uncommonly tender scene between the two demidemons, no one daring to say a word. Raziel brought himself and Raven slowly back to their feet. She quickly tried to dry her tears. "Are you okay Raziel," asked Robin as the all came closer, eying Blackfire's body warily. "Never been better; though I could have lived without the experience of being buried under tons of debris." "Sister...," whispered Starfire as she edged closer towards Blackfire. All of them saw the pain in the girl's eyes and Robin was about to console her, no one beliefing Blackfire was still alive.
"She is not dead Star." Every head snapped around to Raziel, staring at him with eyes full of shock. "W... wh... at...," stammered Starfire as she reached with a shacking hand towards the sister. "She is not dead. I said I would break her, not kill her. I may be a demon but there are two things that I am not willing to do; one never and one not without a very good cause." "What have you done to her," whispered Cyborg while he scanned Blackfire. "I overloaded her brain with pain and then... well... I kind of... overwrote her mind... a bit... She will probably remember most things she did and what she experienced but... she will be more... submissive to... suggestions." "What do you mean with that," asked Robin as he stood next to Starfire who knelt next to her sister, her head cradled in her lap.
Raziel sighed while he still tried to calm down Raven; how should he say what happened. "Looks like I can't explain it without being weird..." He looked over at Robin and Cyborg, knowing that those would be the most likable people to be able to explain it to Starfire. "Are you familiar with Submissive-Dominating relationships? She'd be the submissive and Star the dominating." Robin and Cyborg were wide eyed and yaw dropped. "What is he talking about friend Robin?" The Boy Wonder blushed and tried to loosen the collar of his outfit a bit, "Let's... talk about that later Star... preferable alone..." "Sure friend Robin but what do we do about my sister?"
Cyborg and Robin exchanged looks that said that they were not so sure about it and looked at Raziel to determine what to do. The demidemon shrugged his shoulders while Raven slowly managed to calm down and let go of him. "She won't fight you if that's what you want to ask; at least until Star tells her different. Her wounds are mostly mental so no need for any special treatment." Suddenly Cyborg looked around frantically, "Where is my baby?!" Raziel sweat dropped before he pointed his right thumb over his shoulder towards a giant pile of rubble and metal. Cyborg's face fell as he recognized the blue door sticking out of it. "No...," whispered the metal Titan as his face adopted a grim expression.
"OH FUCK!" Raziel dashed from Raven's side and his whole body was surrounded by a red glow. Within seconds his magic lashed out at pile of rubble and tore it apart before he dove into the wreck that was once Cyborg's pride. "YES!" Raziel's voice held a load of relief and joy and soon he emerged from the wreck, a couple of books floating behind him. His face held all the relief that was in his voice as he muttered, "If those were lost I would really have a cause to be pissed." "Let's get back home," suggested Robin while he looked up his team, Jinx and the still out cold Blackfire. He turned to Raven to see if she was collected enough to teleport them, "Raven?" She looked up at her team leader and saw the questioning gaze directed at her. She collected her thoughts and nodded before she wrapped the group into her magic and teleported them back to the Tower.
-Ω-
the group appeared in OPS and Raven directly fell to the ground, her face covered with sweat while her breathing came in short intakes. Spes rushed through her mistress' mind before she fluttered up to Raziel."You need to hurry! She's getting too much power without using it!"Raziel face fell and the books floating behind him dropped. He rushed at Raven and placed a hand on her forehead. Her flesh was burning and her eyes were closed in pain. 'DAMN IT! The power is consuming her!' Raziel placed both hands on Raven's cheeks before speaking slowly but firmly, "Raven; look at me." She slowly opened her eyes, all four filled with great distress. "you need to hold on a bit longer. When I tell you you must let go of everything you can; and don't question me about that! Don't fear loosing control, do you understand?"
Raven hesitated shortly before she nodded. "We'll be back as soon as we're finished," said Raziel to the others while his demonic and elemental magic started to twist around him and Raven. The tendrils mixed and intertwined before forming a cocoon of red, blue and white around them and with a flash both teens were gone. Robin looked around seeing only confused and worried faces. "What was that about," asked the Boy Wonder only to get a couple of shrugs in return. He turned away, his mind running 500 miles a second. 'What is going on here? First Raziel goes freak on Blackfire, then he makes Blackfire Star's bitch, then Raven nearly breaks down emotionally and now she's totally out of it and from Raziel's look this is serious. Just what is happening?'
cliff of death. right now probably everyone hates me. well, i can live with it. i had to cut here because i don't like too long chapters and i think enough happened for this chap. next chapter will pick up right were i left.
despite the insured anger you must be feeling please review. it makes me want to work faster when i know people are still interested. that's it for now.
- T