Chapter 42. Tibet
It was cold up high and clouds as thick as cotton as the ominous Mt. Everest was seen from far away. With its peaks so white with snow and so high in the sky and its waist hidden in the clouds in shapeless, harrowing behemoths of imaginary rocks.
As they descended, not only the temperature started to be more bearable but it also gave way to the beautiful sights below. From among the clouds, sunrays tried to make their way thru, giving the valleys dancing streaks of light and darkness as if one was looking under water.
It was breathtaking. Our young heroes observed with awe from the windows of their cockpits and tried to take in all the beauty that Mother Nature had to offer. The rich colors, the vastness of the valleys and mountains and the sea of greenery meshed with traces of blue, gave them a sense of looking into a freshly finished painting.
The snaking river below served as a guide, It also showed them the dying vegetation as if tendrils of snow clawed their way into the green in a territorial battle of nature. It was brighter, not because of the sun but because of the snow that now covered their surroundings and as they approach the river's end, they could see the famous Rongbuk Glacier zone, which is the largest among all the hundreds of glaciers formed around Mt. Everest. The river traversing the foot of the monastery is called "Rongbuk River". They could only assume that the water was extremely cold. And there, at forty eight hundred meters above sea level stood Rongbuk Monastery, located in the least inhabited spot of the mountain across Mt. Everest.
The young heroes landed on a large patch of even ground just a few meters below the monastery's front entrance. As they emerged from the T-ship, a cold piercing breeze greeted them. Beast Boy turned into a polar bear while Meliah turned into a yak to protect themselves from the cold. Robin had a scarf around his neck and a thicker version of his costume made specially for this kind of inclement weather.
Raven's cloak was also thicker with reinforced material on the inside and leggings to protect her from the cold. Starfire however only wore a scarf around her neck and her usual attire, leaving bare thighs, stomach and arms exposed. Being an alien from outer space allowed her body temperature to adapt to extreme weather conditions. Coming in handy in this kind of missions.
The ground was covered in almost three feet of snow and the leader and the two changelings sunk in while the alien and sorceress floated above the white ground. They made their way towards the antique building, looking around them every which way in search for anyone inhabiting the ancient place.
On the way there, Raven talked about the relevant facts of their destination. The monastery was built by a local lama in the late eighteen hundreds. Built in an area of meditation huts that had been in use by monks and hermits for over four hundred years. Hermitage meditation caves dotted the cliff walls all around the monastery complex and up and down the valley.
As they approached, they discovered that many of the walls and stones were carved with sacred syllables and prayers that lined their path. Raven had also mentioned that the lama who founded the monastery was very much respected by the Tibetans and that in olden times, the monastery was an active place of teachings.
Now the place seemed to be in great need of repairs. The five-tier building had seen much better times. The top three stories being the ones in the worse condition.
"Raven, are you sure that people still live here? There is no sight of civilization in miles" said Beast Boy once he turned back to his human form. He wrapped his arms around himself trying to retain some of the warmth of his animal form.
Raven closed her eyes and used her powers to sense anyone inside. After a few seconds, she said "They are here"
"How many?" asked Robin, still looking around.
"Not many, but scattered around" she said and when she opened her eyes, saw Garfield trying to hide a shiver. She came closer, unwrapped his arms and guided them around her waist where it was warmer and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in a hug. He held her close and buried his face on her hair and neck, warming up his nose and making it easier to inhale her scent in the crisp air.
"Thanks Rae, I needed that" he whispered.
"Why didn't you bring a coat? your uniform is not equipped for this weather" she whispered back while he lifted his head and rested his forehead on hers.
"I don't mind the cold, it doesn't affect me as much" he said while he lightly rubbed his nose on hers.
"Liar. I saw you shivering"
"I didn't do it because I was cold…" he said with a sheepish smile. " But because I needed to hold you this close again"
She smiled despite herself and said "Its only been a few hours"
"Over ten hours flying, not being able to hold you like this, its not "a few hours", its torture"
"Why didn't you do it when we landed"
"Because… I don't want you to think I'm needy. Although my actions would say exactly that, I'm not… its just…" he said while he hugged her once more a bit tighter than before "It just feels so right being with you like this"
She smiled and said "You're right, it does"
In the meantime, the others had wandered off, not only to find a way to get in but also to give the couple some privacy. Meliah was in her human form again and smiled to herself when he saw them embracing each other. She sighed and her smile faded gradually. Longing to have just that some day.
As Meliah walked along the wall, she thought about the thief. He had found her on the beach, sitting on a rock looking at the soft waves. When she asked why was he leaving he answered nonchalantly "Places to go, things to steal" .
"You seem to be attracted to things and people that don't belong to you… are you… or I should say, would you be as equally attracted when there is no one to claim them as their own?"
He had hesitated to answer and Meliah couldn't take it any more. She let out an exasperated grunt and made a move that took him by surprise. Suddenly, he was laying on his back on the sand with Meliah on top of him with her hands on his chest pushing him down.
"Why are you after them… after her. She's with Gar now, why cant you understand…" she stopped and felt his chest rise then fall at his heavy breathing. She slipped her hands to his shoulders, leaning her body further down on him and slipped a hand under the edge of his mask. His body tensed up and instinctively placed a hand on hers to stop her "Mel… don't" he whispered.
"Just once" she whispered and pushed the mask higher up to his nose and kissed him. At first she was shy and him, being still in shock didn't react immediately but after her body settled lower, there was no restrain. At some point, she tugged a bit further on his mask while he run his hand down her back and slid his hand in between his body and hers right between her legs. The warmth there distracted him for a moment, but as she tugged the mask completely off, he pushed the button on his belt and teleported them both to a dark place.
Once there, he pushed her softly to the side while he rolled on top of her never letting go of her lips. Meliah run her hands on his hair and wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him close "Stay with me" she whispered.
"I cant"
"Then let me come with you" she said. He kissed her once more before running his hand up her leg and pulled it down. He sighed and sat down next to her. She noticed a faint light coming thru the window and when she sat down, also realized they were no longer on the beach but a bed.
"Where are we?" she asked. Looking at his dark silhouette.
"Not sure. Somewhere in tower" he sounded distracted. Without the mask and his technology, his voice was softer but familiar.
"Why wont you let me see you?" she said while she handed him the mask. He put it back on and in the synthetic voice he said "I'm sorry Mel, but… I cant stay. I cant take you with me"
"Why not?" she sounded irritated.
"Because I don't want you to see me again, to remember what I look like"
"But I don't know what you look like Michael. Everyone else does… she does. Why cant I?" she was offended. She even felt betrayed.
"You have seen me Mel. You were there with the others in Slade's cave"
"All I remember is seeing Robin without his mask right before I ran off after Slade… Michael, why…"
"Meliah, please don't ask, just… trust me, ok? I want to be with you but I cant… not like this… not now… please try to understand" he pulled her in a hug and whispered "Goodbye Mel…" and he disappeared.
…
…
Meliah sighed once more. The crisp air chilling her lungs brought her back to the present moment. She looked around and realized she had wandered off far from the couple around the dilapidated walls.
She looked at her surroundings, giving more attention to the task at hand. Some of the symbols were familiar but out of the corner of her eye, saw something move. Up on the tallest tower of the fifth story of the building. Someone was there and had been watching her. She turned into a falcon and flew in its direction. A wooden window moved by the wind was all she saw. She didn't go into the tower but thru the caved in roof saw debris and snow, but no sign of anyone being there. She flew back down catching up with Garfield and Raven.
"What was that M? did you see something?" asked Garfield, still holding Raven's hand.
"I thought I did, but there is nothing"
"Hey, where are Robin and Star?" asked Garfield after looking around for their friends.
"I don't know Gar, but I found some of the symbols from before. They are on the back side all over the wall."
"Were they randomly scattered or in a pattern?" asked Raven with a frown. Meliah thought for a minute.
"Both. At the bottom of the wall they were in a strange pattern but from there up, they were scattered. Why? What does it mean?"
Raven drew a symbol on the snow with her finger and asked Meliah if that was one of the most predominant. When Meliah confirmed that it was so, Raven said "Then it means I'm not allowed in there"
"What? Why? How do you know that?" asked Garfield.
"Because those are magic symbols to keep Trigon's influence away. The same were drawn on the walls of the monastery in Azarath where I grew up. To keep them and myself safe from him, but as I grew older and my powers developed, the magic repelled me from its grounds. It didn't matter how much I had trained to control them, I was simply not allowed in there anymore" she said calmly.
"But how do they know about that here?"
"I told you this is an Azarathean temple…" Raven answered but then a heavy wooden door opened on rusted hinges behind them. And there they stood. Robin and Starfire along with one of the monks. He was dressed in ancient robes that reminded Raven of the kind monks that had raised her.
They walked silently to the door to meet an smiling Starfire.
"Friends, we have succeeded in finding the habitants of this monastery. isn't that glorious?"
"How'd you get in?" asked Garfield.
"Star flew us in. they already knew we were outside" said Robin.
"Indeed we did" said the monk coming from behind the alien. "Young miss Raven, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. You too brother Garfield. We are glad you are finally here"
This caught them by surprise. Raven gasped softly while Garfield's mouth dropped.
"Dude, how do you know my name and why you called me brother, I'm not a monk"
The monk walked closer out of the safety of the temple and smiled. Garfield instinctively stepped in between the monk and Raven who was still in shock.
"Please young friends, I only wish to introduce myself. My name is Father Dawa and I come on behalf of my brothers of this monastery to welcome you and invite you in" his smile was genuine and gentle. But Meliah was still suspicious.
"How did you know we were coming?"
"Ah, young Wangdue, we have known of your arrival for many years" said the monk
"What did you call me?" asked Meliah with a frown.
"If you are who you say you are then you'll know I cannot go thru those doors… I was vanished"
"Raven, what are you talking about? You know this guy?" asked Robin coming closer.
"Not personally" she said to Robin then turned to the monk "Well?"
"You fulfilled the prophesy young Rinchen, as are the others as we speak." said father Dawa and turned around towards the door.
By then, other monks had gathered at the entrance.
One by one, the Titans went thru the threshold until only Raven was left just outside. Garfield stopped and turned back. Raven was hesitant, she even looked scared for a moment. She lifted a hand as if expecting to find an invisible barrier, she could sense the magic surrounding the threshold and even anticipated the pain she had felt when she had been vanished the first time, but then, Garfield grabbed her hand. She looked up into his face. "Its ok Rae, nothing its going to happen" He said with a reassuring smile that melted her fears away and with a last deep breath, walked thru the door and followed him in.
Once in, she let out a breath she didn't know was holding in. she and Garfield had fallen behind, and while the others were distracted ahead, he lifted her hand and kissed it softly.
"I told you nothing would happen"
"Of course nothing was going to happen, so long as young Lobsang is with you" said father Dawa then walked pass them.
"Dude, what's with the weird names?"
"They are ancient names and they are never given lightly" said Raven as they resume their walk.
"What do they mean?" asked Garfield.
"Lobsang means Noble minded, Wangdue means Subduer and Rinchen means… Gem" Raven answered quietly.
"Gem? that's what Salde called you isn't it? When he came for you before you were the portal?" asked Robin who was suddenly at their side.
"Yes. I've been called that for as long as I can remember"
"The names have great significance. They describe you to perfection" said Starfire, hovering close by.
They reached another set of heavy wooden doors and when they opened, they were greeted with quiet murmurs that soon fell silent the moment Raven entered. The room seemed bigger inside that it did from outside. There were candles scattered around and torches around the walls. All the monks were wearing the same kind of tunics and shaved heads that bowed slightly in acknowledgement of the new visitors.
The young heroes descended the staircase built out of rock and the room seemed to extend further back. The few windows were closed with wooden planks and there were a few small tables and chairs in the far corners.
As they walked thru the crowd, the monks moved to make a path for them to follow then, father Dawa stopped in the middle and spoke out loud, lifting his arms to get their attention.
"Brothers, for a long time, we have waited. Read and learned about the prophecies that ruled our existence, holding in the secrets and protecting them with our lives and this very day, we have proof that those sacrifices were, not only worth it but our beliefs have a true meaning again. For the ones we have awaited for, have finally arrived" he turned and motioned for the young heroes to approach the circle.
The other monks yelled and celebrated their arrival. That was until another monk arrived from the back door. Raven gasped in surprise and even tears formed in her eyes. The older monk walked cautiously as his health was in precarious condition due to his advanced age, but he still smiled at the sight of the sorceress who run and stopped in front of him and bowed respectfully. Her friends could only observe in silence.
The older man gave her a smile so big that wrinkled further his already wrinkled features and motioned for her to straighten up. Carefully, she embraced the older man with tears running down her cheeks.
"Father Chodak, I thought I'd never see you again"
"My young Rinchen, sweet little Raven, I knew this day would come… and you Lobsang, come, come for we have much to celebrate" the older man said in a laborious voice. Breathless for the exertion. His movements slow as he motioned for Garfield to come closer.
But as Garfield came into the monk's embrace, the older man's legs buckled and threaten to fall on the ground. But the changeling was fast and quickly held him and carried him to a nearby chair. The other monks and Titans had gathered around. The old man told everyone to stop fussing over him and Raven asked father Dawa what was wrong with her old mentor.
"He's sick I'm afraid. Very sick. But we were foretold that he would not leave us until the Rinchen arrived and , well… that day has come" said the monk sadly.
"No…" whispered Raven to herself and kneeled in front of the old monk and said "Father Chodak, I can heal you, I have mastered my healing powers, allow me to help you, plea…." she said but the monk stopped her plea.
"Dear Rinchen, there is nothing for you to heal… You cannot heal old age… That would be unnatural. Besides, the prophecies… are… everything…"
"What prophecies father, I only knew about one… about the one of me being the portal to bring destruction to this world" she said sadly.
The old man cupped her cheek and gave her a tired smile. "Raven, that was not the prophecy…" the old man was having problems breathing, but refused the pleas of the other monks to rest but he refused and continued.
"The prophecy said …that you would defeat… the one bringing destruction… to this world"
"But why was I vanished from the temple, from Azarath itself? She asked, eyes stinging from the unshed tears she was fighting back.
"You were not vanished… my dear… but it was time… for you to… fulfill your destiny. To grow… and find… your own path… to find… the one… that would give you… the strength to… defeat your father…"
Raven thought for a moment, confused but also worried that the man would collapse anytime now. But when he saw her confusion, the old man asked "Tell me Raven… in the last minute… before your ordeal… didn't someone come … to you and … give you …one last speck… of hope?"
Raven gasped when she realized what her old mentor asked and with wide eyes, looked up at Garfield who was kneeling next to the old man to keep him sitting straight. Garfield was also confused but then she whispered "The penny"
Garfield was wide eyed and asked "Dude, are you saying that that was already written… you knew what was going to happen?"
Father Chodak nodded once and made the attempt to get up but was too weak. Garfield tried to help but he was pushed away by the old man. he managed to get up on his own but then almost lost balance when he was caught in a dark tendril of magic. The other monks backed away, never had they seen such power up close.
"Respect brothers, for she is the Rinchen. Her magic may be dark but her heart is pure" said father Dawa and all murmurs fell silent.
Father Chodak sighed in defeat and said "Just because I am …a bit too old … it doesn't … mean I… cant …"
"Father Chodak, with all due respect, if you don't let me heal you, at least let me make you comfortable and help you around. There is no shame in asking or receiving help"
The dark tendrill enveloped the old man and accommodated him the best way possible. Once he approved, he asked to be taken to the main chamber below. The others followed in silence as they tried to comprehend what was going on.
They descended two stories below the ground in a spiral staircase leading to an illuminated path with scattered torches and candles. Once there, they were greeted with a variety of symbols and ancient writings, but what caught their attention was the paintings. One in particular held their undivided attention. A messy, shapeless resemblance of the Yin Yang symbol.
But instead of black and white, it was dark purple and dark green. The purple half had in its middle the silhouette of a hood and four, bright, red eyes and the green half, graced with the silhouette of large, serrated teeth and bright white eyes and both half connected by claws that blended into each other. Both with murderous intentions and yet, both complementing each other.
"This was painted the year before you were conceived mighty Rinchen" said father Dawa.
"Who painted this?" asked Raven
"I did…" said father Chodak, breathing with difficulty. "I had a… dream… a beast tamed by …a demon and a demon… being tamed by a beast… a green beast…" he said with a faint smile before closing his eyes.
"Dude…how is this possible?… I wasn't even born then… how did you know I would…" Garfield stopped, still not able to take his eyes off the painting.
"We didn't. we had to search for you… and for years we were unsuccessful. That was until a dear friend of mine wrote to give me the news of his son's accident and how… thanks to technology and science, was able to save him but… when he mentioned the side effects the chemicals did… I took that as a sign." said father Dawa. Garfield turned sharply and in two strides was holding the monk by the neck, pushing him against the nearby wall.
"It was you?" Garfield said with such anger. With such disgust that he trembled while containing his anger and trying not to let the Beast out.
"Gar, no! Stop!" yelled Raven.
"Gar, it wasn't him…" said Meliah coming behind him trying to grab his arm.
"I swear young Lobsang, it wasn't me…" pleaded the monk in fear. He had always feared that painting and now having the real thing in front of him, scared him beyond sanity. The other monks had backed away, not knowing what to do if the monster of the painting was to come to life.
Raven came and placed a hand on the arm that tried to choke the monk. Slowly, his anger faltered and once his breathing calmed, she pushed her way in between the monk and him and pushed him back a few steps.
"Gar, listen to me… calm your mind… calm your heart… I promise you it was none of the monks present." said Raven, cupping his face gently. He opened his eyes and she saw the green orbs reappear. He closed them again and furrowed his brow.
"I'm sorry Rae… I'm sorry father Dawa… I just need to know who did it… who was after me… who cast the spell on Meliah and why"
"the prophecies have always been very present in our beliefs and religion. Always taken for a future that is already written but the dark ones always know about them as well and this prophecy in particular was the most important. Because if the mighty Rinchen had not met you, she would have given in and the world would have ended as predicted"
"But I thought father Chodak said that was not the real prophecy" said Raven.
"it was half of it. If the dark one's forces would have succeeded, then you would have been killed at a very young age, Lobsang. And not only the world would have ended but Your beloved Rinchen would have followed in his footsteps and conquered many worlds"
"So the plan was to take me out before I even had a chance to meet her? But what about Meliah, what about the spell and the demon that lived inside her for most of her life" asked Garfield.
"Once we found you, we scouted nearby your village to protect you, but there is greed inside of all of us and one succumbed. He was promised riches in exchange for you life but when he lost you to that storm, he was severely punished."
"Well, not severely enough apparently… he still came back a few years later for me" said Meliah, crossing her arms over her chest.
"He was vanished, not only from this holy grounds but from the sect he had decided to follow. His mind was no longer his own and his spirit died along with his chances of redemption. And he followed you Wangdue, in the vain attempt to regain what he lost. Thinking that perhaps the mighty Lobsang could be anyone, he found a replacement. But after the spell was cast, it was too late. He realized the wrong he had done but could not do nothing more than run away from his own demons until he was no longer alive."
There was silence. An eerie silence that was interrupted by the gasp of one of the monks next to father Chodak. The old man had finally exhaled his last breath.