Shadowraven: Ascension

Hunting

Shadowraven stalked through the forest, the trail of magic strong and wild. It was messing with his brain, making things that were and weren't there appear and disappear. He clenched his fist as the trail suddenly disappeared. "Dammit!" He shouted, his exclamation echoing through the forest. Several birds flew off their trees, startled at the sudden noise. Shadowraven summoned Drakensang, the sword appearing as a staff. The staff vibrated softly and Shadowraven sighed. "So it's changing course again..." He murmured, mentally cursing himself. He looked to the sky as the clouds released their load, rain falling violently. "Hey Elizabeth, what do you think happened to the team?" He asked his staff.

The staff gleamed and Elizabeth's face appeared. She had matured. She was gentler now, reminding Shadowraven of a mother. Her hair had grown to her waist and she looked, well, more feminine. She's grown into a beautiful young lady., he thought to himself. "Shadowraven, they're fine. You would've felt if something bad happened to them." She replied. Shadowraven sighed. "It's just that I... I kinda miss them. Kinda like I miss Charm." He said. Elizabeth nodded in understanding. The seven years had changed Shadowraven. He was taller, his hair was a total mess, and he had stubble along his chin. The gifts from his new enemy, Light, kept coming as he aged. He was twenty-one now, but he seemed older due to the fact that he always serious. That smile that was usually lurking seemed to have died when Charmcaster died.

"Liz, what do you think Charmcaster meant by 'she's still alive'?" He asked his friend. Elizabeth sighed. "Shadowraven, you know what she meant. Deep down inside you know." She replied. Shadowraven sighed and started to walk back, occasionally looking back. The magic trail had completely lost him in the forest and it was beginning to anger him. Drakensang began to vibrate violently and Shadowraven got ready to fight.

He slid on the plague doctor mask, then put on the top hat. He clenched Drakensang, the staff changing back into a sword. He walked towards the source, the trail beginning to affect his brain again. He slowly approached a log cabin. It had smoke coming out of the chimney, which meant that someone was in it or someone had left the fire unattended while they did who knows what. Shadowraven knew it was inhabited though. The magic trail was strong here, strong enough to make Shadowraven sick. He quickly spun his sword and it changed into a dagger and he melted into the shadows. The seven years had done more than affect him physically and mentally, it had let him prepare himself and learn more magic. He did regret having to push away his team, but he had to in order to go into "shadow stasis", which is basically a coma where he learned what he knows now.

The stasis was taught to him by a creature that went by the name "Grim". Grim had taught him a lot, from how to control a black fire to how to summon the elementals. Shadowraven remembered his surprise as he summoned the elemental of darkness, the little black kitten he had found in the Dark Blood's building. He shook his head at the memories. "Focus Shadowraven." He murmured, closing in on the building. He looked for an entrance and saw as a woman walked to the door, carrying what appeared to be grocery bags. She knocked and a young woman of Shadowraven's age opened the door. Shadowraven's breath caught in his throat as he realized who the woman in the cabin was. "Sammy..." He whispered, his eyes wide as Sammy hugged the woman.

He angled his head, letting Ragnarok's hearing abilities kick in. "-you so much mom. I'm sorry about having you do this for me." She said. Her mom shook her head. "It's fine dear, I know you're just worried about Azriel." She replied. Sammy blushed and put a strand of hair behind her ear. "You should've told him how you feel, Samantha." Her mother scolded. Sammy blushed even harder. "Bye mom." She said, taking the groceries and closing the door. Her mother walked to the car and drove off. Shadowraven stared in awe at the little cabin. He couldn't believe it. Sammy hadn't killed herself. Sammy was still alive. Shadowraven felt his chin, then his upper lip, then his hair. "Elizabeth, Sammy's in there! What do I do?!" He whisper shouted. Elizabeth appeared next to him, handing him a razor. "Shave while I cut your hair." She instructed, summoning a pair of scissors and a comb, then took off his mask and hat.

She began to cut at places where his hair was wildest. Shadowraven shaved the stubble, slightly annoyed at himself for not shaving as soon as he woke up. Then again, I was hungry and thirsty, he thought. "Finished!" Chirped Elizabeth. Shadowraven ran a hand over his somewhat smooth chin looked at Elizabeth, who was holding a mirror. "You look like a handsome young man, Shadowraven!" She cooed. Shadowraven blushed slightly but his face stayed like stone. "Thanks Liz. I didn't know you could cut hair though." He said. She shrugged. "I have a couple more hidden talents." She replied. Shadowraven put on the hat and mask, causing Elizabeth to frown. "Are you seriously going in like that?" She asked. Shadowraven nodded. "Could be an imposter." He said. Elizabeth sighed and went back to her dagger form. Shadowraven walked to the cabin door and was about to knock when he felt a sharp pain in his head. He stepped back, looking around.

"Flowers you doofus!" Hissed Elizabeth, her voice in his head. "You seriously... Ugh, fine, whatever." He groaned, walking up to a small bush of flowers. "Magnolias? Really?" Asked Elizabeth. Shadowraven sighed. "I'm not a romantic, Liz!" He snarled, looking around for something. Elizabeth appeared next to him, holding a rose that was a vibrant red. He sighed and took the rose, then walked to the house. He knocked and the door opened, revealing Samantha in black hoodie, ripped jeans, and a phone in her hand. "Yeah what is it m...om?" She asked. Shadowraven held out the rose awkwardly. Samantha shrieked and her first began to glow. She punched him in the chest, sending him into a tree. "You should've taken off the mask, you idiot!" Shouted Elizabeth.

Shadowraven stood up as Samantha ran towards him, her fist surrounded by a green aura. "Wait!" He exclaimed, holding his hands in front of him. Samantha stopped, staring at the him in confusion. "Sammy, wait, please. Lemme ex-" He was punched across the face and the world began to swim. He fell and Samantha stood above him. "Who the hell are you?" She demanded, her palm outstretched and burning with a green fire. "Jeez Sammy, it's me!" He snarled, taking of the mask. "Stop calling me that! I don't know who you are, but you better explain!" She snarled, poising her fist to strike. Shadowraven stared at her, surprised. "It's me. Azriel." He whispered. Samantha dropped her hand, her face going white. "Why are you here?" She asked, her voice low.

Shadowraven sighed. "I was following a trail of strong magic. Turns out you're the one leaving the trail." He said. Samantha sighed and walked towards the cabin. "Follow me, and take that rose. I'll put it in a vase or something." She said, walking to the cabin. Shadowraven stood up and walked with her, picking up the rose.