Chapter 72: Where Is She?
Raven slowly stood up, looking at Chris and his two henchmen leaning against the wall, fast asleep.
"I made them forget what happened today," Raven said. "When they wake up, they'll think they had a long dream, but they won't remember what it was."
"That's amazing," Kara said, watching in admiration from behind. "Raven, are you a Wizard?"
"It's a long story."
"It's alright, the night is still young."
The two turned toward the voice. It was Orin Vale, who, having dealt with the demon, had flown back. His armor landed lightly on the floor.
"Alright, then," Raven sighed softly. "I might as well start from the beginning."
It was indeed a long story, but Orin Vale already knew the gist of it. However, Raven's origin could have slight variations in different worlds and versions, so Orin Vale still wanted to hear her tell it in detail.
To speak of Raven's origin, one naturally had to start with the pile-driver of the Myriad Realms, Trigon. Back then, Trigon conjured a face so handsome it seemed divinely ordained, using it to seduce a young woman named Angela into a wild night with him.
After the deed was done and the young woman became pregnant, she realized she'd been deceived. She once tried to end her life, hoping to "delete her account" and take Trigon's offspring with her, but she failed. Instead, she was taken to a sacred dimension called Azarath. Raven was born and raised there, learning to control her innate magic.
From a young age, the Temple Priests told her of her origin. She knew it was her destiny to one day confront her Father, and that she would be the last line of defense to stop her demon Father before he could threaten an entire world.
So, although Raven's origin is a bit old, it still aligns with certain trendy, modern tropes of "fatherly love and filial piety" used ironically. Anyway, no matter the version, the story always ends with Raven, in a style best described as "It's go time.jpg," completely wrecking her old dad.
Geed would fall silent and Belial would weep to hear this. From the Kamen Rider franchise next door, Shijima Gou even sent a congratulatory telegram overnight on behalf of the Father's Avengers Alliance.
When Raven was a teenager, the goddess protecting Azarath passed away. The remaining Matrons were all masters of trash talk, but their combat record was 0-5. All of them bundled together barely had a combat power of five. So, the priests huddled up, concluded they'd be totally screwed if Trigon came looking for them, and simply kicked Raven to Earth.
And that's why she was here now.
"I could smell my Father's scent on that demon from earlier," Raven said uneasily. "It means they've already taken notice of this world. Sooner or later, they'll be back."
"But wasn't he already taken care of?" Kara asked.
Raven shook her head. "No. Their true forms can't easily come to this world. That was just a clone. If Trigon finds out I'm on Earth..."
Kara patted her on the back, trying to comfort her new friend. "But didn't you just say that demons can't come here easily?"
"Yes, but he will use me," Raven said grimly. "Back in Azarath, I almost lost control once. I had a nightmare and felt incredible fear and helplessness. My magic was activated unconsciously in my sleep, and when I woke up, the priests told me I had nearly summoned Trigon and destroyed Azarath."
Kara froze, an awkward expression on her face.
Then, she immediately shot a questioning look at Orin Vale.
It was as if to say, "So, why not ask the amazing Ultraman?"
At least, so far, Kara felt like there was nothing he couldn't do.
"Perhaps... there is a way," Orin Vale said. "I know a very powerful Wizard. He might have a solution for your troubles."
Raven sighed and shook her head. "I grew up in Azarath. For all those years, they tried to help me restrain my emotions and control my magic to keep from going berserk, but in the end... I still ended up here."
Orin Vale smiled. "No offense. But the Wizard I want you to meet... is not on the same level as those priests."
Raven blinked, a hint of confusion on her face.
In the Otherworld, within a dimension of chaos.
Belial's eyes slowly opened, a vicious light flashing within them.
"That detestable Person of Light," the demon growled through clenched teeth.
Another shadow emerged from the darkness behind him.
"How did you die again?" the being asked coldly.
"What do you mean, 'again'?" Belial retorted indignantly. "Watch your tone, Saraka."
Saraka was also one of Trigon's offspring. But as is well known, the relationships among Trigon's offspring were hardly harmonious.
"Was I wrong? Aren't you 0-and-2 now?" Saraka shot back mockingly.
"I... I was... careless. Who would have thought that my idiotic Believer would happen to run into that strange Person of Light again? Otherwise, I wouldn't have been captured the moment I appeared..."
"So you were defeated by the same person as last time?" Saraka frowned. "Did you manage to figure out his origin this time?"
"The moment I appeared, he started throwing abilities at me. So I flew, and he gave chase, and then... I was back here." Belial spread his claws. "What was I supposed to do?"
Saraka: "..."
Belial: "..."
Before the other's disdain could intensify, Belial hurriedly added, "But! I made an unexpected discovery this time!"
He said this, narrowing his eyes and letting out a cold smirk.
"Oh?"
"I discovered one of Father's offspring—a completely feral one at that!"
Saraka's eyes narrowed. "Are you certain?"
Of course, they both knew what one of Trigon's offspring signified. It was the key for their Father to descend upon a brand-new dimension, meaning another world would soon be subjugated by Trigon.
"Of course," Belial sneered. "It couldn't have been easier. I've already marked her magic signature. Now, all we have to do is use her, and a new dimension will fall into our great Father's hands!"
"Not bad. This is indeed a great accomplishment."
Saraka's attitude immediately did a one-eighty. It was as if his tolerance for his 0-and-2 teammate had suddenly shot up.
The two demons glanced at each other, the corners of their mouths simultaneously curling into smirks as they let out low, sinister laughs.
"Hmm... yes, definitely Trigon's daughter. So powerful, and so wicked. A magic signature like this is hard to miss."
The Old Wizard stroked his great beard and said with a frown.
"Huh? Is there no way to help her?" Kara asked with concern.
"Who said there isn't? Who do you take me for?" The Old Wizard leaned back tactically and began his pre-cast chant, "The Guardian of the Rock of Eternity, master of the Current Reality's magic..."
"So what do we need to do?" Orin Vale skillfully interrupted the channel.
Raven also looked on nervously, afraid this Old Wizard would simply throw up his hands and say, "I'm out of ideas."
"Ultimately, she must learn to control herself and make that magic power her own," the Old Wizard said, pausing for a moment. "However, as for an emergency measure... I am familiar with Trigon's magic. Using his offspring as a means for dimensional invasion is his classic move.
"The moment you fall asleep or your focus wavers, when your spirit is weak, the demon will exploit that opening to control your spirit and possess your body. Then it will use you as a medium to enter this dimension."
The Old Wizard paused and then gave a confident smile.
"But across the dimensional barrier separating countless worlds, the demon's invasive power is actually not that strong. Otherwise, they wouldn't need to wait for a moment when your consciousness is weak to strike.
"For a truly wise wizard, a simple little spell is all that's needed to shield you from the demon's influence. Then you can rest easy."
Raven's eyes lit up, a rare trace of joy gracing her usually emotionless face.
In another dimension.
"Where is this sister you spoke of?" Saraka asked, squinting at Belial.
"Don't rush me, I'm looking, I'm looking!"
Belial answered impatiently, then closed his eyes to continue casting the spell.
Saraka was silent for another moment.
"You didn't just get wiped twice, feel embarrassed, and then make this whole thing up just to save face, did you?"
"N-Nonsense! How dare you slander me out of thin air!" Belial snapped. "Just you wait! Any second now, her consciousness will respond to our summoning!"
As he spoke, however, sweat was already starting to form on his brow.
*That's not right,* he thought. *I'm sure I placed a ward on her, right?*
Where'd she go?
(end of chapter)