Distant, yet harsh whispers called out to her in her sleep, cutting through the unwelcome darkness with unfamiliar words. Sudden pain erupted throughout the back of her skull and her stiff body, the prone woman groaned in agony as she attempted to move her limbs. A chill swept over as if taunting her, causing her to shiver and grunt as it made the pain amplify. Yet, she tried her hardest to focus on the voices in the distance, hoping they were there to help her.

"…El-s…-skan…"

Dark finely shaped brows furrowed in agony, and with another groan with tightly closed eyes, she began to stir closer to waking. Everything ached, and everything was so loud and bright, oddly. Perhaps, she had an accident? No, that isn't right. Something had happened. Something bad, but she could only get glimpses right now as she attempted to recall.

But those voices...

"…darling…"

That voice was different, maybe? With a low groan, the woman in black leather jacket layered over a heather grey hoodie with large print red roses and a white indies-band shirt, now dirtied with whatever and her own blood, rolled over on what felt like grass before settling on her side for an shaky breath in pain. She swore she felt the softest whisper of a touch on her cheek as she laid there for a moment, eye still shut until she opened them, revealing her bright violet eyes.

"…Elskan…"

"…love…"

Blinking a few times, she sat up, feeling her enchanted backpack weigh on her shoulders a bit, and saw no one. Yet, for just a split second of clear perception, she swore she saw the transparent tall figure with gentle brown eyes. Maybe another behind them in her haze. But it was dark, wherever she was it was apparently nighttime. And she was currently surrounded by nature: trees, grass, and all.

"Who..? Where the hell am I?" She muttered, groggy now as the pain slowly subsided, for now. She was incredibly lost and confused, distraught that she lost the kid — her companion for such a long time. And now she's going crazy. Hearing shit.

"Ok, calm yourself, Ven. Give it a second, breath." Long black hair curtained around her head as she leaned forward for a moment, and leaned back after a quick tap on each cheek, trying to ground herself before she went full panic. Nausea subsided after a wave the moment she had sat up. And with her black studded combat boots, she forced herself to get up, albeit shakily. Patting off any grass and dirt from her faded and more so torn blue grey jeans, Ravenna stretched out any aches and cramps, hearing some popping sounds from her stiff body. She needed to find where she was at since now she could easily gather that she and Mer were now separated. Much to her aching heart, she really didn't want to believe , what was the last she could recall?

Running.

That's what Ravenna and her young friend, America Chavez, have done for years. And for the past four or five months, there had been a sudden influx of demonic threats chasing them, seemingly eager to capture her friend, and kill her. Not so surprised with the latter, it's either power or annoyance wanting to end her. Sometimes, Ravenna could be challenging, she liked to keep others on their toes - repaying the favor to her enemies seemed appropriate.

Even as she stood in unknown territory, all she could worry about was the kids safety. Arms raised as fingers locked together behind her head, occasionally gripping the dark locks in distress, she forced herself to breathe in and out in a practiced manner as that familiar rise of anxiety attempted to surface it's ugly head. Her body grew jittery and her heart rate began to rise due to that anxiety, only when she closed her eyes and thought of her favorite things - like beignets and baby animals, random thoughts to redirect - did she manage to ease her mind to body to regulate and calm.

Honestly, she was so done with this shit. But for now, she will have to focus on her current predicament, and then find Mer. Hopefully, Strange could buy time, or succeed where she failed...

Ravenna sets off to find the nearest place of civilization, and just go from there. Passively aware, she knew, somehow, that she wasn't alone, which was oddly comforting by the presence lingering wherever she went. It didn't give her malicious intent, or a malevolent aura. A curious new addition, and not something she was familiar with; another concern for another time, she settles.

Reflecting on the months of constant running, it was peculiar how every demons attempt at abducting the kid, they tried to avoid Ravenna, or separate them. Which often resulted in an all out intense mystic fight; yet, Ravenna was always sure to be there by a bout of strange luck, and much to her enjoyment at every step, a thorn in their sides. She had kept Mer safe and undoubtedly pissed off the person controlling them on the other side – she's seen this corrupted magic before, and faced it herself. It was a dark magic that many would avoid, and while she'd steer clear of it entirely, she's not above using it to fight back - a hidden part of herself is made up of dark magic. Perhaps, this is how she was able to take on some of the more concerning demons and creatures sent; she fought on equal ground.

Over the years together, the teenager became like a little sister, and it pained her knowing that this was all that Mer knew non-stop for too long. Initially, stuck with her uncontrolled power, but now the constant threats endlessly chasing her. Hence, her firm decision to stick with the kid for as long and far as she could with their luck. Eventually, her chances to leap into the star-shaped portal would come to an end, but she'll do her best to protect the kid.

At this point, they've traveled the multiverse where there was no telling where they started, nor which universe was home to either. Poor kid struggled so much at controlling her power that there was no hope narrowing it down until they could settle without threats, for once. If given the chance, she'd sit her down and start from the beginning and teach her sorcery - a place to focus. For the time being, she only managed some neat tricks her and there, studied enough to understand basics. Kid was smart as hell - a smartass, too.

Ravenna hardly knew where she came from, not like it mattered; she was a nexus being, like America. Something she was told later, Ravenna had discovered that she was displaced within the multiverse, reasons still unknown to her. And while it was a risk to travel, she and America were the safest choices – no variants of them existed within any other universe. Why? Dunno. Right now, she's just glad she's alive at this point.

Unfortunately, this had placed huge targets on their backs for a few reasons: America's power to travel the multiverse and Ravenna's unlimited ability to harness any magic she comes across: learnt or inherited, didn't matter. Neither knew much, except that they stood out and, sometimes, people want what you have; especially, power. Envy it. Hunger it. Desire it. Would kill for it. And if they had the means, take it; which often resulted in death, if you extract said power or magic forcefully and completely.

One interesting, and useful, quirk that was Ravenna's: she had a knack for obtaining mystical items. She'd snatch and toss them into her enchanted endless backpack - tomes, grimoires, mystical times, cursed items, and so on. She was constantly learning and teaching herself new spells, and especially eldritch magic. Granted, she was naturally skilled at witchcraft, but she often steered more towards using sorcery. End of the day, she needed to get stronger, to defend herself and America. Maybe one day help the kid get home.

Over the years, Ravenna picked up the necessary skill to steal, and eventually, selling things she's stolen or pickpocketed. It adds up overtime; just enough to get the food and shelter and whatever supplies needed. It wasn't lavish, but she provided for them - holding onto other priceless jewels and such for emergencies. She mastered this skill for means of survival; including, gaining knowledge and artifacts of the arcane nature to help her growth in magic. And so, she was quite good at hiding in the shadows, traveling without obstacle to slip into places that would otherwise be difficult. Practically inherently, shadow magic was ingrained, her first gift. It certainly saved them a lot in tight situations.

At twenty-five, she had hoped to have gone further into her college career, but life throws demons at you, spitefully - unknowingly thrown across the multiverse with a pre-teen on the run. Although, she's developed the habit of collecting this and that for souvenirs, maybe she'll use it later, or just for the fun of it. There's some hilarious items mixed in there, random nick-knacks she could get her sticky fingers on. Mer and her would laugh at some memories of a trophy of a dare, something that wouldn't have such a huge impact to the timeline.

They worked well together, even. Acted as a team with Plan A, Plan B, and all the way to Plan Z. Things were practiced, prepared as well as they could on the run. The moment that a portal opens, she's tethered to America, and suddenly yanked in after like she's America's own shadow. Worked well enough with her inability to control when the star-shaped portal would appear. There were a few close calls as the sudden chases kept cutting too close.

Recently, Ravenna was able to sense that the enemy was gaining on them, and she didn't like being so vulnerable and unprepared. Much less feeling cornered like a wild animal being hunted.

For a time, their plans worked well for them, keeping them out of reach just enough.

That was until the Scarlett Witch finally caught up with them - everything went south. Fast.

Sighing, Ravenna swatted at a bug getting too close to her face, watching cautiously at her current surroundings. She was in the middle of some woodsy area; though, clearly no idea where on the globe. It was pitch dark, no person in sight. It was quiet, just the natures sounds filling the silence. It was eerie, and a bit unnerving. She was lost, and confused at the strange displacement in location. The world, however, felt different, oddly.

The young woman stepped over sticks cautiously and cringed at every crunch of leaves, attempting to spot a trail or campsite. Glowing violet eyes peered through the night in search of any of her companions, but she had a gut feeling she wouldn't find any.

Then she heard it - a long howl, not too far from her location. Too close for comfort, at least. That somewhat gave her an indication how deep in the woods she traversed, yet it was a curious sound she's not used to hearing in person.

Abruptly, Ravenna froze, listening with apt attention. That didn't sound good; it was running, unnaturally fast in the shadows. Inhumanely impossible. That raised several red flags. Before she questioned anything, she was on the move as fast and as far as possible she could get.

It didn't take long for her to figure out that she was being hunted.

"Shit, shit, shit." She breathed out shakily, eyes flashing a brilliant silvery lavender glowing hue, and then tapped into her shadow magic. Ravenna began leaping through the darkness in wide swift strides, though suddenly feeling as if depleted. Which rarely occurs, except for when she uses a vast amount of energy and magic that could render her unconscious. Not a good sign.

At the moment, she couldn't produce enough energy or magic to teleport a great distance, but she was able to move fluidly enough in and out of shadow, gasping for breath and quickly becoming more and more exhausted. She needs to rest, like a year long endless slumber.

"That's no good," the young woman pushed as far as she could, but it was beginning to show that she may have to face whatever is hunting her.

For what felt like forever she paused by a dark road, taking a moment to catch her breath and survey the surrounding area. She tried hard to steady her breaths - in and out slowly - even when her rapid beating heart was so loud in her ears. Ravenna waited, and waited. Staring behind her with a glance, and then around her using the shadows to act as her eyes to find whatever was chasing her had suddenly disappeared. It was silent, almost too quiet.

Then there was a low rumbling growl behind her, startling her as she sucked in a sharp breath. Ever so slowly, she turned to look with wide terrified glowing violet eyes, stopping upon the sight of a black shadow of a wolf with menacing glowing yellow orbs - such a contrast between the two. Ravenna froze, knowing now it wasn't a natural wolf - no ordinary would could run or move as it, much less the supernatural glow in it's eyes.

For what felt like an age, the shaken woman and predatory wolf stared at each other, neither moving. Too petrified, she hardly allowed herself to even breath.

And then something bizarre happened - it whimpered.

Cautiously, it watched her with blowing puppy-like eyes, wide and curious as it shuffled closer to her. It moved as if it were…upset for scaring her, or ashamed at itself. Curious, she thought. Even so, she didn't trust it.

Ravenna could only hesitate wearily, unsure how to proceed. She didn't wish it harm, yet couldn't risk startling this creature into a possible opportunity of attacking. And so, she waited to see what it would do.

Didn't take long as the wolf with glowing yellow eyes whimpered again and attempted to show it was harmless by lowering itself to the ground, belly touching in possible sign of submission, or just to make it appear smaller - damn thing was actually abnormally huge, standing nearly up to her chest. She wondered, as it's eyes watched her closely, if it were a person in wolf form? It almost looked as if there was a look of hope in it's eyes when she relaxed a bit, sending it a shaky smile.

"Sweet Vishanti, take a look at you, you're huge," Ravenna muttered to herself, though it most likely heard by the twitch of it's ears. "Ahhh…" How does one speak to a wild wolf? "Hello, sir wolf..?" The violet eyed women eyed the oddly submissive wild wolf cautiously, its ears perking at the sound of her voice, and watched as it wagged its tail briefly in acknowledgment and…perhaps, excitement? Clearly, it enjoyed her voice. Certainly, peculiar. Yet, she's seen even stranger things. Who was she to judge?

She's never had to deal with this sort of situation before with many wild animals, much less wolves, except thinking back on the idea of scenting to introduce yourself to a new animal. And so, she slowly raised her hand in its direction, gaining its attention as the wolf slowly inched towards her, seemingly to avoid scaring her. Clearly, this wolf is not what it appears to be, and she wondered if they were a Shapeshifter of some kind, maybe like Loki?

Moment by moment, the wolf inched close enough to sniff, and to her shock, licked her hand in a show for friendliness. It was fascinating to the otherworlder; it nudged her hand and whined, as it finally reached her. The creature was practically begging for attention, or scratches - it was kind of adorable, honestly.

Watching this, she studied it using her enhanced shadow vision, speculating and observing it's actions. "Just who, or what, are you, sir wolf?" Ears perked at the title, or acknowledgment. She could've sworn it was attempting to smile at her.

Taking the chance, she gently, and ever so slowly, ran her hand over the fur of its head. Petting an assumingly wild wolf, or shifter; Ravenna, perhaps recklessly, knelt down and used both of her hands to pet and scratch behind it's ears, looking into it's eyes more directly with a keen eye - oh, this is most definitely not your ordinary wolf. As she did this, the wild thing was eating up the attention like they were starving for attention, until it then perked up, looking out towards the distance to their side. She followed its gaze, realizing the night was ending soon. Feeling it move in her grasp, she looked back, it was gone.

Curious creature, wonder if it lives here?

It was then when lights or a vehicle approached, and she was blinded suddenly as it slowed as it stopped a few feet away. Immediately, Ravenna recognized that it was a police car, followed by a figure cautiously approaching her. It didn't pass her that the person had their hand not far from their presumed gun placement at hip.

Shifting in place, the world jumper did her best to calmly stay in place, wary of the appearance of an officer of this realm. Who appeared was a woman with short blonde hair, ranging between late 30s to her 40s, average height. The officer took in Ravenna's ragged appearance; she certainly looked how she felt, bruised and bloodied. Her face felt some in places, and a migraine coming. No doubt she'll need a wash.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Looking into the woman's eyes, she tried to get a read in her silence. Her blue eyes looked kind, if a bit cautious at her strange appearance in the middle of the night. At this, Ravenna felt she could put a little trust in this woman. For now.

"Ah, mmmh, I'm lost, and I had a serious tumble. Walked for some time," she needed to play this right, and she's had enough practice lying to authorities across the multiverse. And hoped that this universe was more pleasant than the handful that very much weren't. "Please, I need help. I can't remember some details, but…"

The woman reacted almost immediately to that last bit. A very strange realization, for some unknown reason. That detail will be filed away. The look in this officers eyes read loudly that "memory loss" seemed to be something here. Maybe she wasn't the only one? Useful, Ravenna mused.

Kindness and pity washed over the woman's face, eyes softer and understanding. "It's ok, here. Let's get you inside, I'll get you put of here, and we can get you cleaned up. You're covered in dirt and…" there was hesitation as her eyes looked over her where she can visibility see skin, looking for something. Perhaps the cuts, but no, it seemed more focused on something else. "Here."

Ravenna was handed a water bottle, and she admittedly downed so much, realizing she was far thirstier than she initially thought. Gasping a breath, she looked thankfully at the woman who waited patiently, and read her badge. "Thank you, Officer…Forbes?"

"Yes, that's correct. You're safe now, ok?" Ravenna nodded mutely, absorbing the interaction and everything that had occurred. She was led to the back of the police car, tucked safely as she held her enchanted backpack. Finally, she let out a long sigh, exhaling all stress and stiffness as she allowed herself to be comfortable in her seat as best she could. She felt good about putting more trust in this woman, but she'll need to be careful of her origins for now. It's been a while since she felt relatively safe for the time.

Tired hooded lavender eyes glanced to her side, seeing a tall figure watching from the distance. It was odd, seeing this figure amongst the woods.

A man in a suit.