Chapter 45. Paintings.
Garfield's ears tingled at the faint noise of something crashing on the wall. He turned around, ready to leave, but Raven stopped him. Reminding him of Cyborg's warning. He backed away from the door for a moment but after dead silence, he heard faint, muffled voices nearby. Garfield tried to make up the words but there was really no way thru the thick walls.
"That's it!" he said out of frustration and ignoring Raven's words, he got out of their room and headed to the one where Meliah and Cyborg were. He slammed the door open and stopped on his tracks. Cyborg was still sitting on the chair next to the bed, frowning at him and Meliah was fast sleep.
"Ok tin man, what's going on?" Garfield said looking from the girl to his friend.
"B, I told you to wait outside" said Cyborg sternly. Got up and walked to the changeling and motioned for him to go outside where Raven was waiting.
Once they got out of the room and Cyborg closed the door softly, Garfield turned around and looked at his friend straight in the eyes and asked "Ok Cy, what s going on with her?"
Cyborg looked from Raven to Garfield and tried to choose his words carefully. Meliah's voice resonating in his head, pleading not to tell Garfield about her condition.
"Look B, I don't have all the details yet. All I can tell you is that she's exhausted. I brought her a new batch of her medicine and the sedatives are in effect for the time being"
"You're going around the bush tin man. Tell me straight out what do you think it is?… this is more than just being exhausted isn't it?" Raven placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. He was almost shouting.
"Beast Boy, I know you're concerned … I get it. But I don't have all the necessary equipment here to have detailed results. What little I can gather right now is that she's suffering side effects from repeated overdoses of drugs that poacher inflicted on her, which reminds me that I need a sample of your blood as well"
Raven frowned at that "What for?"
"He was drugged when Alec kidnapped him . I don't know what was in it but, it was strong enough to subdue Meliah" then he turned to Garfield and continued "it had to have some kind of effect on you, so I just want to make sure its completely out of your system"
"Do you think it would start affecting my powers as well?"
"I'm not sure. You were not exposed to them as long as she had been but I don't want to take any chances"
Garfield nodded absentmindedly. Now, regardless of being eighty percent cybernetics, in spirit, Cyborg is hundred percent human and the waves of emotions and feelings of uncertainty under that stern façade didn't fool Raven in the least. Even if she wasn't an empath, she could tell by the look in her friend's eye that there was more than what he let on.
Cyborg averted his attention from the brooding changeling and locked eyes with Raven for a second. She had no expression to speak of but he knew she wasn't falling for his weak explanation, so, he decided to change the subject.
"C'mon guys, its late and its been a long day. Why don't you guys go catch up on your beauty sleep, or better yet… start practicing for your honeymoon" he said with a sly grin while wiggling his eyebrow.
"Dude!" said an embarrassed Garfield and Cyborg watched how Raven's stoic countenance subtly changed to one of surprise and the moment she locked eyes with Beast Boy , both blushed profusely.
"Ha! So you guys thought I wasn't going to find out? Well, about time if you ask me" he said and shook hands with the changeling and hugged him hard "Congratulations grass stain. She's a real keeper"
Raven knew he was drastically changing the subject but before she could say anything, Cyborg pulled her into a tight hug. "And you little lady, are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with him?"
"Only because I love him…" she said but then she whispered into his ear " I know you're changing the subject on purpose, we'll talk about it later" Cyborg put her back down and smiled at her before kissing the top of her head and said "I wouldn't expect anything less".
Raven turned to her future husband who had been staring at the closed door in front of him. When he felt their eyes on him, he turned and smiled when he saw Raven's hand stretched out to him. He closed the gap between them and grabbed it.
Cyborg tried to leave but Garfield stopped him once more. "Dude, you sure we cant do anything else?"
"Nah, she's good tonight. I'll take that blood sample from you tomorrow, you might need all your energy tonight…" he said nodding at their intertwined fingers but then noticed the deadly glare Raven was giving him and with a nervous laugh he retreated backwards towards the room "Ok, ok just kidding" he said and quickly went back inside and closed the door.
Garfield squeezed her hand gently then placed a kiss on her left temple and another on her cheek, then brushed his lips on hers and whispered "Let it go" Raven tried to object but he silenced her with a hungry kiss that made her last attempt to complain disappear before it was even a thought.
…
…
"…How much longer for your team to get back to Jump City?" asked Mento
"I'm not sure. Beast Boy still has unfinished business and Meliah is in bed rest for the time being. Cyborg is tending to her now but we 're yet to get the test's results" said Robin into his communicator.
"I see. Since everything is under control, there is no need for us to go. We have pressing matters to look into. Keep me informed"
"Pressing matters, huh? I thought you were concerned about Beast Boy's living past" taunted Robin, causing Mento to frown.
"Don't patronize me boy… you don't know who you're dealing with…" threatened an angry Mento.
"I'm not. I'm just curious. You showed so much interest before and now there is something more… important. I wonder what it can be"
"That is on a need to know basis boy and since you're not in my team, you don't need to know" said Mento with barely contained anger.
"Well, since we're… clarifying who's on who's team, then I'll tell you this. don't expect me to give you a run by run of what goes on in my team. If Beast Boy thinks there is anything that could concern you, I wont stop him if he decides to call you but don't hold your breath if you think I will keep you informed"
"You circus brat! How dare you…"
"Enough!" yelled Rita in the communicator.
"Rita, don't even…"
"I said enough Steve. I will handle the call from this point on" said Rita, leaving no room for argument. The screen fizzled for a moment and Robin could only hear Mento mumbling in the background.
"Now I see who's the boss in that household" said Robin with a chuckle but gained a glare from Rita the moment her face appeared in the screen.
"Young man, perhaps we called at a bad time, but I will not tolerate any disrespect, are we clear? And even though I'm not in liberty of giving you any details as of yet, I can only say that the same reason that brought you there is part of what is keeping us here. Should you need our assistance meanwhile, do not hesitate to request it. Rita out."
"Yes ma'am" said Robin with a mocking salute at the black screen. Then closed the communicator and rotated on the chair to face his companion with a grin that soon disappeared at the sight in front of him, Starfire had her arms crossed over her chest and was glaring at him.
"Aw, c'mon Star, what did I do now?"
"You should not behave like that. They will not be pleased when they find out what you're doing, specially friend Beast Boy. Those are his adoptive parents"
"The guy crossed the line. He demanded reports of what's going on here as if he was our superior and as far as I know, that's not the case" said Robin getting up from the chair and walking towards the broken window.
The view was soothing and eerie at the same. There was a full moon outside and its light made the snow covered mountains, glow. The river was still and a chilled breeze passed thru the dilapidated apartments of the fifth story of the monastery. He was fighting off a shiver when Starfire came to his side.
"I do not agree with the way you handled it but I understand the reasons, just… don't make it harder than what it should be" Starfire said and visibly slumped her shoulders and turned around towards the caved in ceiling, ready to fly out of there but Robin grabbed her arm gently and stopped her mid air. She looked back down at him with sad eyes and lowered herself back to the ground.
"I'm sorry Star, I didn't mean to upset you. Its just that, I don't like to receive orders. I don't like to be bound to someone else's rules other than my own and well, I'm still getting used to all this"
" I'm not sure it was a good idea to come here after all" said Starfire, trying to get away from his hold. He wasn't hurting her, but sometimes his touch could be so intimate and yet so distant. Once again he reached out to her, this time, grabbing her chin and lifting her face to him.
"Does it bother you that its me here with you and not him?"
For a moment she closed her eyes and refused ,with all her might, to look at him, until she finally opened them again. The moonlight that filtered thru the tattered roof played tricks by casting shadows on her face. One moment she seemed angry but the next she just cast her eyes down once more and put a hand on his and pushed it away gently before turning around and walked towards the open fissure on the roof and before taking off, she looked over her shoulder and said
"Lets just take care of what we must and get this done and over with" she said without any emotion in her voice and flew away into the chilly night.
…
…
It was early morning, Raven glanced at the window and had to squint her eyes at the bright light that sipped thru the small window above her bed. She had been meditating for quite some time now and now daylight greeted her with fervor.
Garfield was still asleep. From her position above the ground she focused on the young men that laid on her bed. He seemed so peaceful, so innocent. He snored softly and every now and then she could see his fang sticking out.
She watched him and mused for a moment how was it possible she had not felt a single scratch on her lips because of it. Specially the times that he seemed to kiss her as if his life depended on it. Not that she was complaining. No, far from it. She enjoyed it and that thought alone made her smile in the most mischievous way she had ever allowed, but then, a nock on the door broke her train of thought.
Raven unfolded her legs from her lotus position and touched the ground softly before walking to the door. She opened it slightly and found father Dawa with a tray of fruits and oatmeal. He smiled as he bowed slightly and offered her the tray.
"Thank you father Dawa, you shouldn't have"
"Its not a burden to offer you some of our riches dear Rin… Raven. Is brother Garfield ready this morning?" said the monk, clasping his hands together in front of him under the sleeves of his flowing tunic.
Raven looked over her shoulder towards the bed where her fiancé' was still fast sleep. The monk followed her gaze and smiled once more.
"I see, maybe he is yet to get familiar with the time change. I believe we are a few hours ahead from the place you come from?"
"Its not that, he's just used to sleeping too much. Give me a few minutes and I'll wake him up"
"Please, do not trouble yourself Raven, perhaps another hour would suffice"
"Don't worry father Dawa, I'll make sure he's ready" said Raven. The monk smiled and bowed once more and without another word, left her to dwell with her sleeping companion.
…
…
A muffled thud woke Meliah up. Eyes still heavy from the induced sleep were trying to adjust to the brightness that sipped thru the small window. She noticed the silence, the heart monitor was no longer beeping and the iv had vanished from her hand.
She looked around, still laying on the bed and saw Cyborg sitting on a chair at the end of the bed, fast sleep. Meliah got up, careful not to wake him and exited the room. Once outside in the hallway, she was greeted by father Dawa.
"Young Wangdue, how are you feeling this morning. I was told by one of my brothers that you were hurt" the monk asked with honest concern.
"I'm fine, thank you it was just an accident… father Dawa, isn't it?" the monk nodded with a smile. "Why did he come after me?" the monk looked down for a moment, then motioned for her to walk with him.
"Although it may seem for selfish purposes, I'm afraid is was all part of the prophecy. You are, after all, you are the Mighty Wangdue"
"But what does that mean?"
"It means you are the subduer, the one assigned by destiny to protect the mighty Rinchen and her mate, the Mighty Lobsang"
"A protector?" she scuffed to herself with mocking disbelief "That's hard to believe, so far, they have been the ones saving me over and over"
"Oh but you have. They are together thanks of you and between the three of you, there will be no match for what's coming"
"What's coming? When?" Meliah asked with a frown.
"I'm afraid I don't know when and as far as what's coming, its hard to tell. Evil takes many forms, but you will be their savior"
Meliah stopped and with surprised expression looked at the monk's gentle face. Then, she cast her eyes down and wrapped her arms around herself. She wasn't cold, but as memories of last night's conversation with Cyborg run thru her mind once more, made her realize she might beat destiny after all and cease to exist before anything like what the monk describe, happen.
"I'm afraid I might not be as much of a protector in the future" Meliah said quietly. Father Dawa smiled and placed a hand on her slumped shoulder.
"You will be the protector and more… come, let me show you something" the monk led Meliah down to the same chamber with the paintings. The one with the Beast and Raven was still the most predominant one but this time, Meliah noticed the rest. They were dozens of smaller paintings further inside the room.
Many caught her eye. One of a red demon with horns casting its shadow over the remnants of civilization. The next, of a bright light consuming the entity, she could tell by the horns which were the only recognizable thing in the painting. Another one with what seemed to be a rabbit with two sets of red eyes. could it be? she thought to herself.
Meliah stopped at the sight of one not too far. It was of her, she could tell by the blue behind three lines that reminded her of her scars but what was behind that image, was unbelievable.
"You see young Wangdue, it is all here. In no specific order I'm afraid. Father Chodak saw glimpses at random, very seldom were they in order"
"But …that's impossible"
"Farther Chodak had a saying "What has been written and what is already alive, cannot be contradicted…" I never knew the meaning of those words until now"
"But I wont live long enough, let alone have…"
"You will, mighty Wangdue, you will live longer than what you imagine and these ones right here…" he said pointing at a portion of the painting. "will bear witness with pride"
Meliah felt dizzy. Too many things didn't make sense and the ones that did were not the best ones. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose and then in between her eyebrows to ease the tension of her head spinning and tried to speak but was having trouble breathing.
"You say… it was thanks to me… that they're together… but it was also because of me… that more than once… that was not the case" Meliah opened her eyes but couldn't focus. The monk came to her side and grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her. "I have to go… before any of this happens…" but her steps faltered.
"Meliah!" said Garfield from the door and came running to her aid before she hit the floor. Cyborg was right behind him.
"Gar?…" she asked, trying to focus on the voice, slowly. She could see his worried face.
"Meliah, what were you thinking. You need to be in bed" Garfield admonished while trying to help her get off the floor. He placed a hand on her waist to keep her steady but she flinched and moved his hand away.
"M, what's wrong? Does it hurt?" Garfield asked, confused at her reaction.
"No… yes, I feel sore from the fall, I just need to get out…"
"I don't think so little lady, you're coming with me. You're not going anywhere in that condition." said Cyborg and easily picked her up and started to walk away. "Don't worry grass stain, I got her. Do what you need to do" he said from the door and left the chamber.
Garfield made the attempt to follow them but father Dawa said "Do not worry brother Garfield, she will be just fine"
"But I need to find out what's wrong with her, she wont tell me, I'm seriously worried about her"
"Do not be, but come, I believe you have questions for me?"
"I do but…" Garfield stopped and looked around him. Noticed the same paintings as Meliah had before, but on the others, something else caught his eye. The scenes didn't make sense but in his mind it didn't matter for the one constant object that only meant one thing… death.
"Dude, what are these?" Garfield asked, pointing at other paintings.
"Things to come" said the monk solemnly.
"And this?…" Garfield asked, pointing at a white symbol on the one painting he was closest to. "Dude, this is a skull, and its here and there, and over there… what does it mean? is anyone going to die? Is any of my friends in danger?" Garfield approached the monk almost menacingly.
"I do not know brother Garfield. I asked father Chodak the same questions, he only said that what he saw was a constant companion but said no more… but come, perhaps you're not meant to see this just yet. Let us take a walk, do not dwell on what has not happened yet"
Reluctantly, Garfield followed the monk outside of the monastery. It was bright and chilly. There was a path already clear as it had snowed again the night before. The remnants of the pedestal were the deceased monk had been the night before, was covered in snow as well.
Garfield looked around and saw some of the other monks going about their day. Everything seemed so peaceful.
"Do not worry about your friend brother Garfield, she will get better soon." said father Dawa when he noticed his companion in absentminded silence.
"Why do you keep calling me brother when I'm not a monk?"
"That is simple. Because you were born among us" the monk simply answered.
"What?… that's impossible" said Garfield wide eyed.
"Many years ago, a young couple was forced to land and seek refugee from a snowstorm that almost made their aircraft crash. Thankfully, they landed nearby and found this place. It was one of the longest snowstorm we have ever had in this area, snow falling non stop"
"After a few days, the storm finally ceased and they were able to get out and inspect the plane, but it was buried in the snow with no hope of digging it out anytime soon"
"For how long where they here? couldn't they communicate?" asked Garfield finding out about his parents visit to the monastery for the first time.
"Almost seven months. For what your father explained is that the storm had damaged many of the equipment. He was able to send a message but was not able to receive response. He complained more than once on not knowing more about mechanics. His entire knowledge was limited to biochemistry and such"
"What about my mom, how was she taking it?"
"Very well actually. She was glad there was not going to be any more flying. She once told me it made her dizzy and nauseous, but soon we found out why. She was pregnant with you." said the monk with a smile as he reminisced at the memory. "She had known about her pregnancy since before they arrived but had no idea how to tell your father. Apparently, he had been under stress over a project they were both working on."
"How did he take it when he found out?"
"He was the happiest man I have ever seen. He had already asked her to marry him before but had put off the wedding until the project was finished. Of course, being stranded in a strange place with a baby on the way had not been in his plans but he made the most of it."
"You were very close to them, weren't you?" Garfield asked, grateful that his parents had met such a kind soul in a moment of despair.
"I was, yes. I was one of the youngest in the monastery. Very curious for my own good, but Mark and Marie were so full of joy and knowledge. Always smiling regardless of their situation. I volunteered to help them in any way I could and father Chodak approved, thinking that the experience might help me settle. And he had been right."
"Was my mom in a lot of pain when I was born?" Garfield asked when he realized there were no doctors around to help her deliver her baby.
Father Dawa chuckled softly. "Nothing that she was not willing to do to bring you into this world. You father delivered you, being the only doctor around. He had been nervous all the while and when he said he was not that kind of doctor, your mother encouraged him by telling him he could do anything he put his mind into and his son or daughter would be proud of him for that."
Garfield felt overwhelmed. But very curious as well. His parents had never mentioned where he had been born. Somehow, suspicion crept into his mind.
"What happened after that?"
"About three weeks later, someone had finally found the monastery. Apparently they had been looking for your parents since the storm."
"How come this is the first time I her of this. My parents never mentioned where I was born or the circumstances. I traveled around the world with them and we never set foot here. Did they see the paintings? Did anyone tell them their son was going to become a monster in the future?" Garfield asked. He agitated. Nothing made sense.
"A couple of weeks after they arrived, they found the chamber where the paintings are. There weren't as many back then but they saw the one where the mighty Beast and the Rinchen are. When they asked what it meant, father Chodak told them about the prophecy."
"To your father, a man of science, it only sounded as a fictional tale. But, as the days passed and they saw how father Chodak would paint what was to come, they became aware that there was actually some truth to what the prophecy was about."
"When they left, we kept in touch. A letter every few months telling us of how was the outside world, and you were growing stronger and for years everything was well but for almost a year I received no letters from your father, until I received this…" father Dawa handed Garfield an old piece of paper. When he unfolded it, he gasped. He would recognize his father's handwriting anywhere.
"Dear friend.
I'm sorry for not writing to you in such a long time but something terrible has happened to our boy. A terrible accident with an animal in the forest left him barely alive and was infected with a dangerous disease.
Marie and I did everything we could to find a cure , but when we did, our boy suffered side effects and now his skin is emerald green with fangs and even claws and I could only think of those paintings father Chodak showed us.
Dawa, I'm afraid for my son. If such supernatural entities do exist, then my son is in danger. Marie suggested for us to leave Africa and keep him away from the people. I agree. Even though we know how it happened, we don't know why. But that's not all. Somehow, he's able to transform … I know I sound crazy and I think I already am, but the fact is, he can transform into animals.
But unfortunately, that caused another accident with a little girl. Her face is scarred because of his claws and that alone reminded me of the prophecy father Chodak was so intent to peace together with his paintings because I saw the last one he was working on before we left the monastery.
For now, I can only do what's in my hands and is to take him and my wife away. We sail tomorrow, I will let you know where to as soon as we settle.
If all that father Chodak predicted becomes true. If that evil entity is to destroy the world, then I can only assume my boy is that green beast I saw with that figure with glowing red eyes and I can only say I'm afraid. This is something science cannot explain.
Goodbye for now my friend. I don't know if it's the nerves or the fear, perhaps both but I think we're being watched… I think we're being followed."
Garfield read the letter silently over and over. Trying to hold back tears that were burning his eyes. Suddenly, he remembered the note inside the pouch that used to carry his mother's ring still in his belt. Garfield opened the piece of paper and now her words made sense.
"My dear boy, this is a little token for you to offer to the one that's destined to become one with you. You're wonderful and special and I'm sure she will be that and more. Love her for who she is regardless of what she may become.
My love to you both and my blessing.