mayhem - damirae

three - the search

March 1st, 2018

As I blinked back into existence, the stalactites of the batcave loomed before me. Jason turned back to look at me as the others continued their work.

"You were supposed to return an hour ago." Tim's voice echoed through the cavern. I gave sigh and sat down in the chair next to him, leaning back and passing books to him.

"I had to sift through some old things." Tim took a glance at the book, sniffing as his fingers continued to type along the keyboard.

"The longer it takes, it'd be worse." Jason murmured, fingering a small blade.

"Its going to take as long as it takes. This isn't an easy process acquiring these items you know." I snapped back at him, to which he simply sighed, stalking off in another direction.

"What are those?" Tim nodded to the books, eyes not leaving the screen.

"Every book I have on necromancy and death. They were mostly forbidden on Azarath, but due to my... me... I was able to read them. I commuted them to memory and copied them word for word." He gave a small noise in exchange, as if my explanation was acceptable.

"I've narrowed down some locations."

"How many?"

"A few dozen." I stifled a small laugh, shaking my head and getting up from my seat, taking a book with me and flipping it open.

"That will not do. We need a dozen at most." His fingers clenched and I knew he was going to snap at me eventually, but I didn't care much.

"The world is a big place, Rachel."

"Raven. And if you think so." He spun around in his chair, a steely anger rising within him.

"If you think its so easy, why don't you look?" I gave him a tight lipped smile and disappeared into a shadow with a pop.

I stumbled and fell as soon as I reached my destination.

Rio.

This wasn't the place, I was sure, but tensions were high in the manor. Too high. Rio was just at the top of the list.

It was the top of my list too.

It took a while, possibly an hour, to find exactly where I was going. I didn't speak Portuguese and trying to find somebody who did speak english was hard enough. It took forever to actually get to the apartment I was going to. For a second I was jealous of Kori's abilities.

I didn't bother with a knock. Knowing that the man behind the door didn't care much for surprise visits.

"Lil' bird. Fancy seein' you here in this shoddy apartment of mine." The pungent smell of cigarrettes flooded my senses, but I didn't flinch. The look on his face fell, knowing that his behaviour wasn't helping. "My condolences." I nodded my head in a thank you.

"What brings you?" I didn't miss a single beat.

"Necromancy." He went silent, his face as unreadable as his emotions. The only noise was that of the streets outside.

"That's a dangerous business, especially for you."

"You as well." He stared at me long and hard, his dull blue eyes casting doubt in me. I never thought he'd be one to doubt my abilities, he'd always been the only one there for me. That just stirred my fears even more.

"I don't doubt ya, Raven. I worry. You know the risks."

"So did you." He stood up, sighing through gritted teeth.

"And you know what that did to me." He wiggled the stump of his thumb, and I averted my eyes, relaxing my body. He wasn't too fond of that time.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah you fuckin' better be, bringin' that up." He turned his back to me, pouring scotch into a glass.

"The chaos crystal-"

"Lost for centuries. Listen sweetheart, I think it's too dangerous for anyone to call upon that much power. Especially those like us." He offered me a glass, to which I declined.

"You did it and survived." John paused, leaning his hands on his desk.

"Nah, dear, not quite sure about that." He tapped his head. "I've been cured, but never quite the same." I stood there quitely, pondering my options, thinking over his words.

"I need to save him." I spoke up quietly after a few moments of silence. Sympathy- an emotion he didn't show much might as well had burst through his chest. Couldn't say the same for his words.

"You can't save anyone after they're dead." I set my jaw, staring at him long and hard. He met my stare, flicking his lighter and lighting himself another cigarette.

"What do you think would happen if I tried?" He suddenly seemed very interested in his lighter. He didn't say anything for a while, possibly trying to sugarcoat it.

"'Think you'd go mad. Either that or awaken your father. Or, to be completely honest, who knows? I only have demon blood, you're the daughter of the devil. You could fair far worse than I did."

I nodded in thanks to his advice, turning to walk out of the "shoddy apartment".

"Raven?" I looked back to see John sitting there, eyebrows furrowed in almost an apology.

"Don't do anything stupid."

IT'S BACK IT'S BACK IT'S BACK GUYS. I'M SO SORRY FOR KEEPING YOU GUYS WAITING SOMEHOW I JUST FOUND INSPIRATION FOR THIS CHAPTER OUT OF COMPLETELY NOWHERE I WAS ON THE WORST WRITING BLOCK OF MY LIFE BUT IT'S ALMOST SUMMER BREAK AND I'LL BE WRITING A LOT MORE. Also, for those of you who might not understand some things in this chapter, i think there's gonna be more backstory on john in the prequel to help you guys understand. this version of him is a mix between vertigo and dc and im living for it. i took some of his canon backstory and changed it up a bit to make him be able to relate to rachel more. BUT i'm sorry for the wait and i promise to be better about getting chapters out to you guys