Shadowraven: Ascension

Notes from the Underground

After Shadowraven explained what happened to his team, he yawned. His team stared at him as if he'd grown another head. "You killed a god. Not just any god, but Zeus. Zeus the thunderer." Keller said, eyes wide. Shadowraven nodded. "Ragnarok also got a god slayer form and I have a new sword." He replied. Keller simply stared at Shadowraven, surprise clear on his face. Charmcaster stepped forward and cleared her throat. "Guys, we should focus on the fact that Serena has gods on her side. Who knows who else she's teamed up with?" Charmcaster said. Shadowraven nodded, then stood up from the couch. He stretched and then stumbled back as a flash of light appeared then disappeared, leaving behind two notes. Shadowraven picked them up and saw that one was, surprisingly enough, from his father and the other was from Serena.

"One's from Serena and the other is from my dad..." Shadowraven muttered, his team looking at the notes. "I'll read the one from my dad later. In private." Shadowraven said. Charmcaster smiled, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Can't you read us a little bit of it?" She asked. Shadowraven shook his head and opened the note from Serena. Shadowraven cleared his throat and began to read. "Hey Shadowraven and team. Just wanted to let you know that I need to talk to Shadowraven. He can feel free to bring one person with him, but that's it. Thanks! Love, Serena!" He read, confused. Charmcaster scowled at the last two words. "Really? 'Love Serena!'? I get it, she's trying to either be friendly, sarcastic, or she has something for Shadowraven, but that part just pissed me off." She said angrily. Tigerblaze snickered and Charmcaster turned around, glaring at akuma tiger soul bearer.

Tigerblaze raised her hand defensively. "You just sound jealous, that's all." She said. Charmcaster's glare got angrier and a purple lightning began to crackle in her hands. "Keep thinking like that and I'll make sure you regret opening your mouth." Charmcaster warned. Shadowraven put a hand on the mage's shoulder and she turned around. "What?" She snarled. "Calm down Charm. You're lashing out at a joke." He replied. Charmcaster blinked and the electricity faded. She turned to the other four members and saw that they had stepped back, slightly scared of her. "Sorry guys..." She murmured, rubbing her arm. "It's fine, just tone it down a little." Angel replied. Charmcaster nodded and then walked to a couch, plopping down on it. "I'm gonna take Tigerblaze." Shadowraven said suddenly. Everyone looked at him. "Uh, Shadowraven, you should probably take Charm. She's gotta closer affinity to magic so she could sense it before me." Tigerblaze said. Shadowraven shook his head. "You've got more honed senses because of the tiger demon. That could greatly benefit us if Serena is planning a sneak attack on us." He replied.

Charmcaster nodded. "He's got a point, Kitty." Angel said. "I agree too." Keller said. "Same here." Blaze chimed in. Tigerblaze sighed, her cheeks a slight pink. "Listen guys, thanks for trusting me, but what if the enemy has magic? I haven't tapped into the demon soul lately and I'm scared of what's gonna happen..." She murmured. Shadowraven smiled and pulled the her into a hug, ruffling her hair. "I haven't used my magic or Ragnarok for a while and look at what happened. Maybe you'll be able to control it." He said. Tigerblaze sighed but looked up at him hopefully. "Ya think so?" She asked. Shadowraven nodded and Tigerblaze smiled. Tigerblaze pulled away from the hug and stretched, her suit's claws glinting. "Alright, I'll do it." She said.

Shadowraven smiled and flipped over Serena's letter. On it were coordinates to where to meet her. He sighed and pocketed the letter. "Angel, can I use one of your rooms?" He asked. Angel nodded. "There's a guest bedroom upstairs. First one on the left." She replied. Shadowraven nodded his thanks and walked upstairs, fully aware that his team was watching him. He walked into the guest room, phasing through the door. He blinked, realizing what he had done. "Did you guys see that?" He asked. "Yeah!" Everyone replied. He sighed and sat on the bed. He opened his dad's letter and began to read.

Hello my son. I know I haven't been around for a lot of things. Please forgive me for not being around a lot. I do have a kingdom to run and I have been watching out for you. Your mother has been watching too. I hope you still remember your mother. Shadowraven scoffed at that line. How could he forget his mother? He kept reading. I hope you aren't too angry about the Garuga. We did try our best not to harm it but it was so violent so we had to chain it! But yes, that was supposed to be your birthday gift. I would have sent it to you if it wasn't for the fact that you had shadow traveled on to my boat. You've grown so much! Your mother would be proud. I know I'm proud of what a warrior you've become! Well, I hope we can talk again! Love, your father.

Shadowraven folded the letter and then burned it, the Dark flames ending the existence of the note. He sighed as the flames disappeared. He knew his father was busy and trying hard to make things up with him, but he wasn't there for his mother's funeral. He wasn't there to pull him out of the adoption center to prevent the horrible bullying he had been through. He hadn't seen what Shadowraven had seen. Shadowraven shuddered at the memory of the boy's lifeless body hanging from a rope in the center of a room. He was immediately handed to a counselor when he had told them what he had seen. Shadowraven stood up, clutching his head as the memories, all the horrible memories, flooded through his mind. He clenched his fist and punched himself, falling to the floor. He clutched his cheek and spit out blood, surprised at how much damage he had managed to inflict on himself. "Are you okay Sir?" Asked a voice. Shadowraven looked up and saw a man with messy brown hair and bright blue eyes staring at him. "Who are you?" He asked, summoning Drakensang. The man raised his hands in surrender, eyes wide.

"H-hello, I am A-Alistair! I work for your father but he asked me to come and work for you!" Squeaked the man. Shadowraven sighed and dismissed his blade. It disappeared from his hands and he looked up at the Alistair. "Fine. You try anything funny and I'm cutting you into little pieces and feeding you the Garuga." Shadowraven threatened. Alistair nodded, fixing his blue and black robe. "So how may I be of assistance?" Asked the shadow king's right advisor. "Just stay out of the way. If you can, protect the team when I leave for a short while tomorrow, got it?" He asked. Alistair nodded. "You have my word, young Sir." He said. Shadowraven sighed and walked to the bed, collapsing on it.