Desmond's red eyes opened up under his bangs. He looked to see Raven, holding his hand. Where was he? What was he doing here? How did he get here? Suddenly, the answers came at him, coming back to him and he gasped in shock.

"Dear Lord…" he spoke up and Raven was jerked from her meditation.

"You're awake!" Raven nearly shouted out in relief, not at all looking like the moody and stoic person she was known for.

"Did I really…did I really hurt them?" he asked. The answer would hurt him but he needed to know. Raven's silence was good enough to answer his question. He had been obsessing over getting his hands on the cards but he never thought of resorting to murder before. He didn't really want to kill the other Knights. He only wanted to live.

He had read the data and notes recovered from the dig. There was a myth saying that the cards held great power and together ANY wish could be granted. Despite his faith in God he had no other choice. He had so much to live for and his life was too precious for him to just give it up. He NEEDED…DESIRED that wish and it didn't matter who got in his way. He had committed so many sins. He had betrayed the people who had called him a friend and betrayed himself by giving in to his desires. He deserved to die and burn in Hell for his crimes. That was the only way he could truly redeem himself.

"Is that why?" Raven began to ask him. He wondered what she meant. Was it about the cards? She then asked fully, "Is that why you want the cards, because you're dying?" His eyes widened. She knew! That meant that the others probably knew as well. Great…he didn't want a pity party. He didn't deserve it anyway.

"Yes, it is," he answered.

"Why didn't you tell m-us?" she asked. She had wanted to say 'me' but it would've sounded too personal. Desmond, however, had picked it up and apologized.

"I'm sorry," he told her. "It's just that I didn't want to worry you."

"Too bad, we're worried already." She looked like she was about to cry. "How long have you known about your cancer?"

"Only recently," he answered. "One day I had these dizzy spells and when I started coughing blood I knew something was wrong. I checked with a doctor and I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was the same time I found out about the Advent System, the Beast Spirits and the myth about the cards."

"Myth?" Raven asked.

Desmond then said, "Let me start from the beginning. It all started over 10,000 years ago…"

Episode 24: Origins

The room was strangely empty, except for a single card resting upon a pedestal and covered by a glass case. This card belonged to one Knight of Suzaku named Katherine Hasuma a.k.a. Advent Knight Mimic. This was her Category Ace of Hearts: Change Suzaku and without it she would not be able to transform even with her repaired buckle.

A lone figure entered the room. He wore the same black robes and hood as the other Royals but something was different about him. He made his way towards his target, step by step, getting closer and closer. He was almost there.

The Royals didn't have any guards here for most of them didn't see the point. Their realm was a secret to the outside world and only the Royals knew exactly where their fortress was and which realm it was in. Who this mysterious person was would remain a mystery as he lifted up the glass case and quickly took the card that was just sitting there.

The Royals' overconfidence had proved to be their undoing as the figure vanished with his prize. What he or she would use it for would remain a mystery. The intentions of this mysterious figure would be known soon and what had been done will cause this figure to be hunted down by the Royals. Let us pray that it does not happen anytime soon.

As Desmond was telling Raven the story, Takada was about to do the same. He sat on the couch surrounded by the Titans. Leo had finished cooking and the ramen was still being kept warm in the pot. How he got the ingredients for the ramen was a mystery but it smelled divine. Also, a vegetarian version of the ramen had been prepared in a smaller pot just for Beast Boy.

Takada began, "All of you have become involved in this whole business with the Beast Spirits. It's time that you, all of you, know the truth." He added, looking directly at the twins, "This is also meant for the two of you as well."

"Should Raven not be here?" Starfire asked. Raven had not returned from the infirmary where Desmond was resting.

"We'll give her the 411 later, Star," Cyborg told her.

"411?"

Takada then started as Desmond and spoke, "It all began 10,000 years ago. At the time the Beast Spirits had participated in a tournament known as the Battle Fight. The purpose of this fight was to determine what race would dominate the Earth. 52 Beast Spirits fought each other in a free-for-all Battle Royale to determine the winner and the dominant race of the world. The losers ended up sealed up in stone slabs."

The Titans listened with shock. This just sounded too weird. Then Jinx, who was sitting next to Leo, asked, "So, who won?"

Takada looked to her, "Who do you think? It was the Human Beast Spirit who won and with that the beginning of humanity itself."

The Titans were struck with shock at this. Beast Boy decided to make a joke and said with a laugh, "Hey, if the Ape Beast Spirit had won then apes would rule the Earth!" Nobody found this funny as they glared at him. "Sorry."

"Is that's true then all we've known about humanity was a lie," Robin said.

Takada sighed and continued, "This is only a myth, Robin, found at the site where the Beast Spirits were sealed and later released. Anyway, now the Beast Spirits are loose and I think they want to restart the Battle Fight to determine the dominant race on Earth. If that was to happen then humanity is doomed for extinction." The gravity of the situation began to set in. "That was why the Advent System was created. Using the powers of Category Ace Beast Spirits, humans would be given the power to stop this from ever happening. The ones chosen, as you know, are me, Hasuma, Narukawa and Amakusa."

Robin, on behalf of the Titans, spoke up, "We'll help in anyway we can."

Cyborg added, "No ugly monsters are gonna dominate this planet while I'm still up and running."

"I like humanity," Starfire admitted though it sounded a bit childish. Leo and Kat nodded.

"Speaking of the Advent System, I got a question for you, Kat," Takada said as all eyes went to the Knight of Suzaku. "How exactly did you fix and modify our Advent Buckles and create those new Advent Absorbers for me and Leo?"

Kat was stuck in a really bad position. If she told the truth than her brother would know her true identity. She couldn't lie about it so she decided on the next best thing. Narrowing her eyes, she looked Takada directly in the eye and said, with a smirk, "That, my friend Takada, is…" Takada leaned closer, "…a secret." Takada facefaulted while the others did the same, the tension lightening.

"Why won't you tell us how you did it?" Takada asked after picking himself up.

"Why? They're fixed, aren't they? Why do you need all the details? Don't you trust me?"

"I do, Kat, but I really want to know how you completely modified the buckles and in such a short time too. It should've been impossible!"

"Impossible, but I did it anyway."

"I'm not going to get an answer from you, am I?"

"Not today, Takada." She then yawned and sat on the couch into a more comfortable position. "Kami, I'm tired." Leo yawned too.

"Hai, onee-chan, so am I. The battles we've had have completely drained me. I am even ready to sleep after we eat dinner."

"Speaking of dinner, let's eat!" Kat said.

The other Titans nodded in agreement and made their way towards the kitchen. Takada leaned in to whisper to Kat, "I'm gonna find out how you did it, Kat. Mark my words."

"Just try," she challenged cockily. Takada just walked past her and towards the kitchen to have some of that delicious ramen Leo had cooked.

Raven had listened to the same story Takada had told coming from Desmond. She was shocked. This was a lot bigger than what the Titans had handled before, aside from her father. The end of humanity; boy, talk about serious. At least the Titans knew why the Beast Spirits were attacking humans. It was revenge against the Human Beast Spirit that had won in the end and had them sealed away for over 10,000 years.

Desmond was propped up on the bed, hands folded together.

"So if the Beast Spirits are allowed loose, it could cause the end of the world?" Raven asked, trying to clarify all the information she had gathered.

"Yes, Raven," he said before coughing. Raven gave him a glass of water that he sipped. "Thank you."

"So, why did you want the cards? What powers do they hold?" Raven asked.

Desmond told her, "Legend has it that individually the cards only have their own specific powers, but together they have untold potential. The cards may even have the power to conquer death maybe even grant immortality. That is why I wish to gain all the cards; to save myself." He hung his head and confessed, "I don't want to die…I just don't…" He was starting to cry. This was quite torturous for him. Raven placed her forehead to his and whispered something soothingly to him. They were in very close proximity with each other but all Raven cared about now was to take away the pain.

"My mother," Desmond began and Raven pulled back a bit to look at him as he spoke, "My mother, when I was a child, died of cancer too. I didn't understand what had happened since I was only a small child, only 5 years old at the time. One day she was just gone and when I asked my father where she went he told me to that my mother was far away and won't ever be coming back. My relationship with my father grew strained as he buried himself in his work, running our family's business. I barely ever saw him and the servants were the only people who I had for company. I grew up and studied in some of the best private schools but I had no friends. I didn't see the point of making connections since they would eventually be broken." This part reminded Raven so much of her own life. She grew up alone, trying to suppress her father's influence. She didn't have many friends for she was shunned because of her father being Trigon. She was said to be destined for evil but she rebelled and was now happy with friends who she considered family.

Desmond continued, "When I discovered that I had cancer, I did not want to die. I didn't want to leave this world. I wanted to live my life."

Raven sighed sympathetically. He was more tortured than she realized.

"That was when I decided to take control of my destiny. I would not die young. I stole both the Genbu Advent Buckle and the Category Ace of Clubs and began my hunt for the Beast Spirits. I would not let anyone stop me," he finished. "Until now, that is." He chuckled. "I allowed my obsession to take control of me and that was how the Royals took control. They amplified my obsession and made it so that I was willing to kill for my obsession. I was like a puppet, a fool who had his strings pulled the whole time."

Raven didn't know what to say to comfort him. He was in so much pain and guilt and was suffering from fear of his impending death. He seemed resigned to his fate and didn't look like he was in any sort of shape to fight. She then said the only thing she could, the truth.

"You know," she began, "Being alone is something we have in common." She added, "Back when I was growing up I didn't have many friends either. I wasn't evil but there were a lot of stories and rumors flying about that made me feel isolated. It wasn't until I met the Titans that I found a place that I belonged." She wanted to tell him more, about Trigon and that she was a half demon but she didn't think it would be a good idea. She didn't know how he would react to that kind of knowledge. She then said, "I was born and grew up in place called Azarath."

"I was born and grew up in England," he said to her, opening up a little more and feeling quite soothed by this conversation.

She reached over, surprising himself and her, and brushed a lock of his hair away. His bangs moved slightly and Raven was able to catch a glimpse of his red eyes.

"Have your eyes always been like that?" Raven asked. She was trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes, they have," he admitted. "Yours?"

"Yeah, mine too."

"They're lovely," he complimented. Raven blushed. "So is that gem on your Ajna chakra."

"You know about chakras?" Raven asked. The only other person who had told her that was Blackfire.

"I study legends and mythology as well as spiritualism. The stories kept me captivated since I was a little boy." He then asked, "Tell me, has your skin always been that lovely shade of silver?"

Raven blushed again and pulled up her hood. "My skin's not silver, it's grey."

"Not under this light," he smiled charmingly.

"What about your skin?" Raven pointed out, trying to divert the attention to him before she turned red.

"I was born an albino, Raven," he said to her. Raven blinked. "And I dyed my hair. Unfortunately, I couldn't dye my skin."

"You shouldn't," Raven said. "Your skin's already nice." She thought, much to her surprise, 'Did I just say that?'

Desmond blushed too and the red was quite prominent on his nearly white skin, "Thank you." He then said, "You know, when we had dinner that one time I felt that I had made a real friend. Now, I think that your concern for me proves it." He added, "I didn't have any friends growing up, you remember, since no one wanted to be seen with a white haired and white skinned child with red eyes. I was a freak."

"No, you're not," she said.

"I know that now," he said.

Raven then remembered his Bible. She took it off the table and gave it to him. "Here, it's yours."

"Thank you," he said, holding it. "I was born a Christian but never thought of it until now. I blamed God for taking my mother away from me and became a loner. When I found out about my cancer, I turned to God again. I prayed to God to save my soul when the time came and to have all my sins forgiven. I forsake God because of my anger." He closed his eyes and clutched the Bible tightly. He felt Raven's hands on his.

"You're not alone, anymore, Desmond," she said to him sincerely.

"I know that now, Raven." He turned to look at her only to realize how close she was.

She then said as she pulled away, trying to hide her blush, "Um, Desmond…What do you think about demons?"

Desmond answered, "According to the Bible, demons are evil creatures that prey on humans."

"Oh."

"But I personally do not think that's entirely true." Raven looked up at this sentence. "If that were true than angels would be pure good, right? However, Lucifer was once an angel but fell into evil. If angels can fall then it's possible for a demon to see the light, correct?" Raven smiled. "Why do you ask?" Desmond asked.

"No reason," she said. So he wouldn't think she was a freak or evil for being a half demon. However, it was still too soon for her to tell him that. When she turned to look at him she froze.

They were alone, they realized that, and their faces were so close to one another. Something was happening as their hearts began to beat, faster and faster. His moved his hand up to push her hood down so that he would be able to see her face unhidden by the darkness of her hood. Raven moved her hand to push his bangs away to reveal soulful blood red eyes. They were frightening but innocent at the same time. Raven found herself lost in them. They closed their eyes and leaned closer to one another…

King was not pleased and Isaka knew that too. The room where they had kept the Category Ace of Spades was now empty for their prize was no longer in it. All that was present was an empty pedestal and glass case.

"Isaka," King began, speaking smoothly.

"Yes, King?" Isaka responded, sensing his leader's foul mood.

"Where is the card?"

"I…I don't know, King." Isaka was roughly thrown across the room and slid down the wall. He groaned because of the pain from the impact.

"Then find it!" King shouted to the Peacock Beast Spirit's human form. "Or else you might end up sealed away again like we had been for the last 10,000 years!"

Isaka shuddered. Those 10,000 years, being locked away within the darkness was not something he would want to endure again. He was driven mad by isolation and now that he was free, did not want to endure that again. He kneeled and bowed to King's feet, begging for mercy and forgiveness.

Robin, sitting next to Starfire, was eating a bowl of ramen that Leo had prepared for them. It was delicious and reminded him as well as the other Titans, especially Cyborg, of their trip to Tokyo. The noodles were fine and the soup was tasty. The various ingredients were also well prepared and the spices added in brought up the flavor of the noodles themselves. Robin now understood why the twins' Café La Salle was so popular; the food was great!

Anyway, Takada's story of the origin of the Beast Spirits and the Advent System told him that this whole deal with the Beast Spirits was much bigger than they realized. Okay, so they saved the world a few times but something like this was so surreal. Mankind was descended from a Beast Spirit? That just proved that there was some truth in Darwin's theory of evolution after all. Well, it was just a myth but the Beast Spirits existed for a reason so there just might be some truth in there somewhere.

Speaking of Human Beast Spirits, Robin's masked eyes wandered over to Kat. She was sitting next to Leo's right while Jinx flanked his left. Kat was laughing as Jinx flirted with Leo and Leo flushed from the attention. Kat wasn't human but so were most of his friends if he remembered right. He couldn't blame Kat for wanting to keep that a secret and he knew exactly how she fixed the buckles. It must've been her power for being a half Beast Spirit. She used her powers to re-forge the Buckles and create her new one. She had used her powers to also upgrade their armors to include the Advent Absorbers for Leo and Takada.

Speaking of Takada; this corporation that he belonged to might bear some looking into. For now, he was just going to enjoy his dinner. Man, was it good!

Beast Boy was carrying two bowls of ramen made for Raven and their guest. Beast Boy genuinely sympathetic for Desmond as it had reminded him a bit of what happened to another friend of theirs. He smiled as he remembered the kiss he had gotten from the blonde haired angel. He sighed, feeling like he was walking on air.

He stepped in front of the infirmary door when he heard something that sounded strangely…Nah, it couldn't be…could it? Raven was in there with Desmond so they couldn't possibly be doing anything other than talking. Besides, Raven has never shown much affection aside from…

Okay, dangerous territory. The last time they saw him was back at Brotherhood of Evil HQ in Paris before he was sent to another dimension by Herald.

Beast Boy pressed the button to open the door and when the door slid open his eyes bugged out of his head. He dropped the tray together with the two bowls of ramen.

The dark robed figure appeared in the twins' room. The robed figure went over to Kat's bed and placed an envelope on her pillow. When she found it she would have the biggest surprise of her life. He then vanished like he was never there.

A/N: So, how was that chap? What happened? What did BB see? Who is the robed figure who stole and returned Kat's card. For these answers and more stay tune to Advent Knights of Legend.

Preview to the next chap: People exploring the caves in the forest are mysteriously attacked and poisoned. Is this the work of another Beast Spirit or something else? Has Tara fallen prey? Beast Boy to the rescue! Also, Takada sees a purple falling star after he is done with another one of his part time jobs.