Born of Darkness
Chapter I: New Arrival
It was pitch black out, the only light provided by the manmade fixtures illuminating the streets. Underground, in the subways, all that could be heard were the rumbling of the few cars that were still running. Aboard a car in one of the trains, a single figure sat. He was cast in darkness, sitting in the only dark corner of the car. The lone figure was wrapped in a stygian black trenchcoat, that was all that could be distinguished about him. The train slowly rumbled to a stop, hydraulics squealing. The figure gathered up a single backpack with all of his belongings in it and stood up as the door opened. He slowly walked out of the car.
The train station was a tomb, the only sound was that of light traffic, drifting from up above. The figure slowly began to stalk across the open area of the underground station until he reached the stairs. Again, slow footfalls could be heard as he walked patiently up the stairs. The night air seeped in and mixed with that of the underground aroma of the subway. The figure stood atop the stairwell and surveyed his surroundings. It was a quiet night, save for a few police sirens in the distance and some cars going by. The figure began walking into the city.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Robin asked, pacing the kitchen. Cyborg yawned and shrugged his shoulders. Robin growled in reply, "I put out an ad in the paper, but I seriously doubt anyone around here is up to the job." he said. Cyborg didn't replied. It had been three days since Beast Boy had left the Teen Titans. He had said it was of personal matters and nothing more, everyone had been confused but didn't question him. Now, they were looking for a replacement, someone to fill Beast Boy's shoes. Robin had been searching ever since he had left and come up with nothing.
"Come on! There must be something or someone you can think of?" Robin questioned, stopping and placing his hands on the tabletop. Again, Cyborg shrugged, he was getting kind of pissed that Robin kept badgering him but he was too tired to do anything about it. Robin needed someone to talk to so he hadn't let Cyborg go when the girls had gone to bed. Robin sensed someone in the room and spun around, Starfire stood in the doorway, looking very tired.
"Could you be kind enough to keep your voice down? Others are trying to sleep, you know." she said, rubbing her bloodshot eyes.
"Yeah, I know. But with Beast Boy gone, we got a serious problem." Robing replied. Cyborg groaned inwardly, he would never get to sleep.
The figure stopped in front of the massive tower set upon the coast of the ocean. He looked up at it, shaped like a massive T, it was the Head Quarters of those he sought out. The figure began slowly walking up to the tower as he had been for the whole way there. As he approached the main entrance, he depressed a button that would grab the attention of those occupying the tower. The figure stood patiently and waited for a reply.
Robin was in the middle of a sentence when he heard the intercom buzz, it lasted for just a few seconds, then ceased. "Who in the Hell is callin' this late?" Cyborg asked.
"Maybe it's someone about the job." Robin replied, he hurried over to the intercom in the messhall and pressed the reply button. "Yeah?" he asked. There was a moment of silence that was eventually broken by a reply.
"I'm here about the job." Was the only reply of a monotone voice.
"Um, okay...we'll meet you in a minute." Robin said, everyone was fully awake now. The three titans, Cyborg, Robin and Starfire began heading downstairs.
The lone figure waited outside the massive tower as rain began to fall, it was pouring down. The small droplets of water ran off of his trenchcoat. It was getting darker and colder out, setting a perfect mood for the figure. The doors suddenly opened to reveal three people standing inside. The figure recognized each of them for he had seen them before on the news many, many times.
"Won't you come in?" Robin, the leader, asked. The figure didn't make a move for several seconds, then strolled into the tower. The doors shut firmly behind him and the figure found himself in a long hallway with a single door at the end and two sliding doors on the middle, right section of the hallway that was surely an elevator. Robin spoke first,
"You said you were here about the job?" he asked as they began walking down the hall. The figure simply nodded as they reached the doorway. From there they entered a large rec room with a massive TV, video games, a stereo system and a huge, curving couch.
"Won't you have a seat?" Starfire asked. The figure shook his head and went to stand in the center of the room, making a small trail of water. An uneasy silence filled the room as the three titans sat on the couch and faced the dark figure. In the light he could be seen more clearly now, he had a rough, worn face, a head of closely cropped black hair and icy, focused blue eyes. He removed his backpack, set it on a table next to him. Then he took off the trenchcoat, and set it on top of the table, he remained silent.
Underneath, he wore a dark black long sleeve shirt, black baggy jeans and steel tipped combat boots.
"Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?" Robin asked finally, breaking the silence.
"Yes, I have enhanced physical abilities and believe that I am capable of fulfilling the duties of a titan." the person replied.
"What's your name?" Starfire asked.
"Seth Obsidian." Seth replied.
Again, an uneasy silence.
"That's an...interesting name. Now, when you say 'enhanced physical abilities', what do you mean?" Robin asked.
"You'll know, in due time." Seth replied in a level, monotonous voice.
"Alright, Seth, you got the job. But for now, let's get some rest. We'll sort the rest out in the morning." Robin said, he got up and headed back out into the hall, towards the elevator, everyone else followed. As they reached the top of the tower where the dorms were located, everyone piled out of the elevator, somewhat avoiding Seth. "Starfire, will you show him to a room?" Robin asked.
"Alright." Starfire replied, as Robin and Cyborg began heading to their rooms, Starfire motioned for Seth to follow her. He did so, holding his trenchcoat and backpack under one arm. She stopped in front of a large doorway.
"Well, here you go." Starfire said, she turned and began heading towards her room, which was down the hall. Seth watched her go, amused at hers and their uncomfortable nature around him. He pressed a button next to the door, which caused it to slide silently open. Seth reached over and flipped a light switch. Not to bad. He thought. There was a large bed in one corner accompanied by a night stand with a lamp and clock on it.
In another corner was a desk with paper, pens and a comfortable chair. In a third corner was a great looking dresser and a full length mirror. The final corner contained a small closet and a bathroom with a shower stall, toilet, sink, counter and medicine cabinet. Seth tossed his things down onto the ground and strode across the room. He crawled under the blankets of the bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep.