Chapter 14
Raven spread the sand into a perfect circle using her dark energy. The candles were lit, the ingredients in place, the magic coursing through her. Aside from the powers she had as the daughter of a demon, she had trained in the art of magic for years while studying under Azar.
Her room was immaculately clean and the curtains were drawn to block out the bright afternoon sunlight. She needed her usual environment to help achieve the kind of focus she needed.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos...Karazon Racashos Endarath...Vasirix Zendrien Azarath...Azarath, Azarath!"
She felt the pull of her soul through the portal she had created. When she opened her eyes, she was flying through the tunnel of light to Azarath, the city between dimensions. Azarath, her first home.
Unlike the last time she had visited, the journey was simple and clear. She arrived at the seal of Azarath, intended to keep out evil, and let part of her soul flow into it, allowing her inside. She landed on her knees on hard earth, squinting against the sunlight that backlit the city.
It was beautiful. It always had been to Raven. The city sat on its floating mass of earth, gleaming in the light. It was sleek and immaculate, with architecture that included all shapes, designs, and decor, somehow merging into one aesthetic. She walked towards the city, finally reaching its far limits. Even from a distance, she could see people walking in the streets. They were all shroud in their blue cloaks, the same design as the one Raven wore.
Raven felt anxiety grow inside her. The last time she had come, the city was simply an illusion; the real Azarath had long been destroyed by Trigon. But when Raven defeated him and restored what he had demolished, it extended past earth. Azarath was also restored.
Which meant that the entire city would see or hear of her return.
Azarath was a society committed to peace, and thus against a demon such as Trigon. After her mother had become pregnant with her, they welcomed Arella and her unborn child to live a cleansed life in Azarath. They didn't know what was going to happen. They didn't see that Trigon's evil was in that child, Raven herself, until they looked into her future at the time of her birth.
At first, the people of Azarath were fearful of her and many wanted to remove her from the city. But the Azar, their leader, had seen the good inside her soul, for which Raven was thankful. She took Raven in as her own pupil, helping her to control her emotions and her magic. As Raven grew older, the people of Azarath grew to love and accept her.
She hoped that was still true. She kept her hood down as she walked along the streets. At first, people didn't notice her; she had the same cloak and the same distinct violet hair as the rest of Azarath did. But she made the mistake of locking eyes with a passerby for too long, and watched as recognition lit their eyes.
It only took one person. They immediately pointed her out to the others, and soon the whole street was watching her, faces betraying the shock they felt.
As she continued her march down the center of the road, everyone vacated the street. People emerged from buildings and side streets to gape at her silently as she strode towards the main passageway. As she turned onto the road that would lead her directly to Azar's temple, it only got worse. Someone had clearly alerted them for miles ahead that she was on her way, as the street was lined with people like there was going to be a parade. She could sense the surprise at her return, the confusion as to how she had escaped her fate, and the joy that she was back.
Raven sighed in relief. The still liked her. This would be a hell of a lot easier.
She finally arrived at the entrance to the temple, where both the Azar and her mother would be. Though it was called a temple and was the center of spiritual activity, it also served as a palace for the Azar and the seat of executive command. The doors opened at her approach, signaling that she was allowed to enter. She marched into the huge grand foyer, where Azar was waiting.
Raven stopped a little less than fifteen feet in front of her. They both studied each other silently for a moment before Azar's lips turned up into a smile.
"My dear child, you have grown so much since we last saw one another. The city of Azarath welcomes your return." The foyer was now filled with the high priests and priestesses, who poured in to witness her arrival. Upon hearing Azar's words, the broke into murmurs of accession. That was the way of the people of Azarath. Everything was calm, calculated, and formal.
Raven returned the smile. "I've missed you all," she said softly to Azar. The woman, whose strong face showed no signs of change over the five years Raven had been gone, smiled at Raven like a mother at a child. Raven saw her own mother, Arella, standing behind her to the right.
"Mother." She nodded in her direction to acknowledge her presence. Raven didn't see Arella in any sort of maternal capacity. She was more of a friend, and Raven had always been content with that. She returned the smile and nod.
"Tell, us Raven," Azar began, "to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Raven tried to remain calm. There was no way she was telling this room of hundreds of people that she was concerned about another attempt by Trigon to take over. Not after they had just recovered from the last attempt.
"I came to visit my people," she supplied calmly. "It has been a long five years since I left."
"That is has been," Azar answered, seeing right through her lie, even if it fooled the rest of the crowd. She looked past Raven to address them. "Thank you all for your warm welcome of my pupil Raven. I will see you at our gathering tonight." Those assembled had probably hoped for more information, but that was all they would get. They were dismissed. Such as suggestion became an order when it came from the mouth of Azar.
Azar turned and Raven followed as she led her out of the foyer and down wide hallways towards her study. Raven breathed in the essence of the room as they entered, memories of her childhood flooding back.
"Please, Raven, sit." She motioned to one of the chairs in front of her desk. Instead of sitting in her usual place behind the regal desk, she sat in the other chair next to Raven, taking Raven's hands in the process.
"Azar," Raven began hesitantly, "I have to admit that I wasn't truthful when I said—"
"I know," Azar interrupted her. "That's why I brought you here. You need help, child, and I will be happy to offer you my assistance and knowledge."
That was one of the things Raven loved about her mentor: she trusted Raven as she would an adult, even before Raven really was an adult. She would offer her wisdom and help if she needed it, but allowed Raven to forge her own path and make her own decisions.
"Thank you." Raven paused, considering her wording. "As you know, the souls of all of the people of Azarath helped me to defeat Trigon and restore both of our worlds." Azar nodded, prompting her to continue. "After he was defeated, it felt as if his presence had left my mind. He was still inside of me, as he always will be, but he no longer lurked in my mind, waiting to strike as he did before. Lately... well, I've felt him within me yet again." The words felt funny in Raven's mouth, like they were too formal. It was simply Azarathian speech. She had been gone for a long time.
Azar looked at her with pursed lips. "How have you felt him?"
"He's been in my mind, giving me nightmares and visions. And I've felt him pulling at my soul when I've tried to use my powers."
Azar was silent for a little longer. "And do you fear his return?" The question was heavy and she spoke gravely.
"I am not sure. Logic tells me that he cannot rise again, that it's impossible, but between these signs and a prediction from the Church of Blood, I don't know what to think." She sighed, frustrated with the whole ordeal. Azar's calming aura washed over her, making Raven instantly relax.
"The Church of Blood has been known to lie before. They are also often misinformed. If they are in contact with Trigon, they could be giving him false confidence that he could rise again, explaining his sudden interest in you," she proposed.
Raven considered her idea. "That is a possibility. I suppose that I came here for reassurance that, no matter what, Trigon cannot harm my home anymore. Either of them," she added with a smile.
Azar nodded. "And that confirmation I can give to you. It took great power for Trigon to break free of his purgatory before, and it would take great power for him to do it again. He does not have access to that kind of power, therefore he cannot rise." She smiled. "Do not worry, child, you are safe."
"It's not me I was worried about," Raven added, but felt reassured. Azar wouldn't lie, or say something she wasn't certain of.
"Selfless as always, dear Raven. Now, I know you came only for information and counsel, but do you intend to stay for any longer?"
Raven sighed. She would stay just for a while longer, but she would have to come up with some explanation for her absence to feed to her teammates. "Of course I will stay for tonight, Azar, but I must leave before morning."
"Ah," Azar sighed. "Then I suppose I will have to enjoy the time I have with you then."
"I suppose," Raven replied, giving her mentor a small smile.
Though Raven hated being the center of attention, she still managed to enjoy the evening's festivities. There was something inherently comforting about the uniformity of the people and their soothing, unassuming air. They were her people. Perhaps it was just familiarity, but it stirred a homesickness that she wasn't aware she had. She was tempted to stay for longer.
She didn't, though, as she feared Robin would grow suspicious. She said her goodbyes to Azar, Arella, and a collection of her old acquaintances before teleporting herself back to her room in the tower. She smiled as she returned the candles to their home and cleaned the sand from her floor.
She decided to stop by Robin's room before going to bed. The lights were off in the Tower, signaling that most had already gone to their rooms for the night. Raven checked her communicator. It was 11:55. Knowing Robin, he'll still be up.
She knocked on his door three times when she arrived, and waited. A few moments passed. She expanded her mind to sense his presence if he was sleeping, but she found the room empty.
She sighed, realizing where he was. She turned and headed for the evidence room.
Sure enough, he was hunched over his laptop in the dimly-lit room, pouring over information about Slade. He had to have noticed when the door opened, but he didn't even turn.
"I thought we were over your obsession with Slade," she said, trying to pull his attention from his work.
"I'm trying to protect my team and my city," he answered coldly, still typing away. Raven stared at him with a sinking feeling.
"I know you are, Robin. But you can't do that without a clear mind." He grunted in reply. "As you can see, I'm back. Goodnight, Robin."
"Goodnight."
She left the evidence room without a word, returning to her own quarters with heavy steps. At least he won't be focused on me, she thought, though the idea didn't ease her mind any.