Raven (Nico Di Angelo love story)

Chapter 29- Abyss of Shadows

Sorry about not updating and sorry for the last A/N. 

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The last thing I remember is pushing through the crowds. The people we like a current, pushing against me and I couldn't move. But then I remember a familiar face. His face. I wasn't sure if I could love him again. I knew my heart said no. It said to go and run, again, as far away as possible. I know it said to ignore the feelings, to forget. But it was 'nothing' against 'something' and I stepped forward.

I fell into his arms and I was drowning. Not metaphorically but for real. I couldn't tell if it was a dream or not as I collapsed into the water. It felt the way I imagined swimming in clouds would feel. 

Then my vision was burred, my conscious thoughts disconnected and I toppled into an abyss of darkness.

For a moment the whole world seemed flooded in shadows and silence. Then it was like watching the universe being created. Flashes of light and sparks flew through space. I was falling though the black chasm again.

The next time I was fully conscious when I prised open my eyes. I was surrounded by colours and smells that I could practically taste. A woman was standing above me, studying my appearance with a smile.

"Hello." She had said. She offered me a hand up and pulled me to my feet. The woman had a long white gown on that fitted her body elegantly. (1st Picture). Her blonde hair was pulled back in an old-fashioned up-do. She was beautiful but scary. 

"Where am I?" I asked, peering around the courtyard garden.

"I am Vera." She introduced herself, either ignoring or not hearing my question.

"I'm Raven Grey" I offer in response.

"Thats funny because we were expecting an Avis Orion." Vera smiled, knowingly.

"Okay that's me- Wait did you say "We Were Expecting"?" I said, as i started to panic.

"Yes thats right." Vera smiled again.

"Where am I?" I asked, frantically looking around for any signs of my whereabout. There was nothing, just garden that seemed to go on for miles. I peered into the distance, beyond the stone paths and flowers of the courtyard, there was just endless greenery.

"You're in a garden, Dear." Vera grins.

"I can see that-" I began but I was cut off because I looked down at myself. I was wearing (Picture 2) and I was speechless. I stare at myself for a few more seconds before I looked up and glared, angrily, at Vera. 

"Where am I?" I demanded.

"No, no dear. Don't ask that question. Why are you here?  Is what we are all wondering." She leaned closer to my face and squinted, studying me again. 

"Who's 'we'?" I hissed. "And where Am I?" 

"ME!" Vera suddenly shouted at me. "I am 'we'! And guess what, Avis? You have finally reached your shadow." She then shuddered and the evil grin that was recently on her face disappeared, replaced with kindness but fear.

"Get out of here, Avis." She cried. She began to twitch and she form began to shift. "Run now. Don't ever try to reach your shadow, do you hear me. That is the most dangerous-Urrg-" she wailed in pain. "The most dangerous sentence in all of history and you  are more imported than you think." She shook and then standing in her place was a woman with black hair, red lips and a flawless face. I couldn't describe what she looked like because she was so breathtaking.

But i knew who she was. "Aphrodite." 

"Venus." She corrected. "Or grandmother to you, Avis. Oh well i suppose it doesn't matter now because you're going to die." She shrugged and began to walk towards me, a manic smile plastered on her face.

But thats all i can remember because i felt as though i was electrocuted. I stood paralysed as the garden faded and i was in an abyss of darkness, again. 

I gasped and sat up. "Raven! Raven!" Nico sat beside me, his hands on my shoulders and a concerned emotion in his eyes.

I was lying on a foot path down a cold alleyway. It was probably late afternoon. And i remembered everything. 

"How do you feel? Thank the gods you're awake." Nico says quickly.

"I'm fine." I mumble. I suddenly feel full of energy and i jump up. Nico looks surprised by stands up too. I stare at him, a little delirious. I didn't know what to tell him. So i asked him.

"What happened?" 

"Well." He begins. "We were in the casino and it was right after Leo left-"

"Yes i remember Leo leaving." I snap.

"And you found Aphrodite's Gem. But you went to grab it and then just blacked out. I only managed to get you out of there because you were as light as a feather, and i don't mean that metaphorically i mean literally. You were like air and looked like a ghost. As if you had just shadow traveled halfway across the world. I don't know but thats all I can recall."  Nico finishes.

I nod then decide i need to tell him. "Nico something happened when i was unconscious." He look dow at me. His eyes...I can't even describe them. I just stare at him for a few more moments before i continue. "I saw an old friend, Luke Castellan." I gulp.

Nico's face turns fearful. "You can't have. It can't have meant something."

"Why not?"

"Because he is dead. He as been dead for ages..." He trails off.

"What is it, Nico?" I step closer to him.

"I don't know i just have this weird feeling like it wasn't years ago that i saw Luke. Like it wasn't long ago at all...It doesn't matter, continue."

I sigh and tell him the rest of my dream.

"I get it now." Nico whispers after i finish.

"Get what?" I ask.

"It wasn't a dream. You were transported. Thats why you were so ghost like. Someone took your solid form after you passed out and transported you to that garden." Nico says.

"She said i should stop listening to that line. 'Run Until You Reach Your Shadow.'" I add shoving my hands in my hoodie pockets and shuffling awkwardly. Everything was moving to fast for me to keep up. 

"Rae I don't know. I have no idea what to say. Nor do i have an explanation to why you were taken there." Nico frowns. He runs his hand though his hair, something he does often but i always make my stomach do flips.

"Look lets forget about it for now. Im sure is no big deal." I say. "So i'm guessing we still have one more Gem to find?" I begin to walk away. 

Nico nods, in deep thought. "Raven?"

I turn back around to face him. "Yeah?"

He takes a deep breath. "How much do you really know about your family?"