The halls were never a wonder of beauty; however, that was never a concern of mine whenever I would appear in the very halls that screams originated from. Where the heat of god's rage would reign down upon those who had wronged him. Had I actually died, I had no doubt I would be among those lost souls.
I couldn't say I enjoyed being there, even if the screams of the people Delos the palace walls sent chills up my spine. Something about it barely scratched the itch that trickled down my skin. Like they were getting to my weak point, and the pure pleasure of watching the world burn. I'd been watching the mortals of Earth scream and cry for mercy for centuries. But, even then as I laughed at their anguish, it didn't satisfy me. It angered me actually. It angered me so much I would laugh at the pure rage that engulfed every nerve in my body.
For years I've done this, and yet, I still couldn't figure it out.. So even now standing in literal hell, I couldn't help but want to laugh in fury from it.
To quell the explosive feeling in my gut, I ran my nails through the soft and vibrant fur that wrapped around Teekl.
"Klarion, you're shaking again," A soft feminine voice called out to me. I recognized it all too well. My eyes shifted over to meet deep red ones. Teekl was resting peacefully in my arms as I was walking through the halls. She could always tell when I was in distress. The only one who could really tell what I was thinking.
"Yeah yeah I know." I retorted. I was there for a summons. Normally I dont give what mortals call a rat's ass about this crap, but the ruler of all hell was something I was much more interested in. It's not like we'd met before. So why try to call me to his dumb little throne room.
When I was finally standing before the big man I could understand why he was called Trigon the ruler of hell. Big guy. The multiple eyes were a bit overkill but I refrained from saying anything. As badly as I wanted to laugh over the groin cloth he had on instead of a pair of pants. And the long hair wasn't doing him any favors with sideburns like that.
"Klarion Bleak," The booming voice of the demon king greeted me. If it was meant to shake me, I was otherwise unbothered.
"Just Klarion." I said calmly while letting my heeled shoes click on the stone floor below me.
"That is your name is it not?" He inquired of me. I could be snarky back and watch a guy this high and mighty get off on trying to burn me alive but I also didn't feel like giving the satisfaction of killing me. Not like it would work anyways.
"It is, did you need something of me, your highness~" Whether he sensed my attitude or not, He didn't show it and only stood from the giant fancy chair he'd been perched in.
I watched as he came down from the large perch and felt something strange come over me. It wasn't familiar. For a moment I chalked it up to the big guy coming towards me, but as fast as it came, it vanished. Like a wind brushing petals off the branches of dead sprouts. It was so quick but intoxicating. I glanced down at Teekl for a moment to see if I was only going crazy. She only gazed up at me with a small tilt of her furry head. Easy way to tell me she could feel that too.
It was gone for a short while. The idea of it distracting me from the conversation I was there for. I'd heard a few things about how Trigon would like me to end the lives of a small group in Alaska that were trying to kill his demons up on the surface, or something like that. Didn't hear much more of the reasoning. I could only feel the overwhelming hole that scratched the back of my neck. Aching to chase what it was that had so quickly caught my attention. Nothing catches my eye that quickly. So what the hell was that?
Coming towards the end of our conversation, I'd agreed to Trigon's terms and thought of every ridiculous way I could kill that little town. A volcano eruption was too easy and honestly no fun. I stood there patiently as the demon prepared to send me back, until it washed over me.
That feeling, that aura that caught my eye had suddenly washed back over me. Like it was burning holes into my old dead skull. I was shaking from the pure adrenaline I was getting from it. But I didn't know where it was coming from. Until her mew had alerted me.
"We have company." My head snapped in the direction she had gestured with her little snout. And just barely I could make out two bright red eyes over a pale little girl. Her hands creased over the edge of the door to hide from sight. And her hair, swallowing her body up into its messy flare. The feeling was so intense I couldn't help my curiosity.
"Amber!?" The raging voice of the man snapped. His body was growing larger and larger. And something in me sunk.. something familiar...
My eyes reopened to the sight of a moving solar system. Stars burning above my head, and yet from the center of the sky, a golden chandelier was dripping into the space I surrounded myself in. The air was quiet, but it wasn't the fresh air of the outdoors. I was greeted by the sound of a grandfather clock to the left of my horizontal body. The hunk of wood and gold towering over the pitch black carpet. There was nothing specific on the clock but there was a deep gong that drew me out of my position. I sat up from laying on the floor. The sound of fluttering began to reoccur into the air. Books flying across the rooms like birds.
My library. Of course. What I was in here for previously no longer concerned me. I simply lifted to my feet and stared off to the large door that was cracked open to expose a large hallway that looked as if it belonged to a cathedral.
"You were mumbling in your sleep again." Teekl's gentle voice floated through my mind once again and I could see her resting peacefully on a side chair, her paws all proper as they folded over one another. Her red eyes staring me down. "Was it that girl again?" She wistfully said to me.
"Not even here will she leave me alone. It's like a disease, but not the fun kind." I grumbled with my lip pushed out into a pout before lining my eyes over to where my familiar sat. Letting my heeled dress shoes clip over the velvet carpet I lifted my arms over to her and she jumped into my embrace before draping her body over my shoulders. I let my nails scratch just under her chin and strolled over to the large hall.
That girl.. Amber Andrews.. It had been almost a full two months since my encounter with her in Jump city and she had somehow invaded every aspect of my life. It doesn't take a genius to know who she was, just a witch. Just that familiar aura. I had felt it while casting the spell but I was preoccupied at the time. I didn't even bother with it until Teekl had given me a heads up. The princess of hell. It was absolutely hilarious to me for a moment. Watching someone so high and mighty at my mercy, but dealing with her stuck up father was not on my to do list. I had enough to do without dear old dad getting in the way of my fun.
I'd figured when I left her there in that abandoned section of the mortal and yet disgusting mode of transportation station, I wouldn't see her again for a while. It was a fun little encounter, but It surely wouldn't last. That's what I had thought at least. A week later I had a quick job to handle where a dumb human had managed to get his hands on one of my artifacts and made a run for it. I made quick use of him, but that dumb team had found me. Those little shits had managed to once again get in my way. I lost that artifact to them, because of that girl. She distracted me. Staring at me like I was a fascinating rock.
When I tried to retrieve it a few days later she was waiting for me. And yet she never actually went to attack me. She just started asking me questions. Ones I was more than reluctant to indulge in.
About a week or so later she'd found me, just when I was just trying to summon an old beast out of a statue. I was halfway through the ritual when she waltzed up behind me. Even as I attacked her, she only did the bare minimum. Just begging to get close to me and ask me questions.
This happened a few more times with my personal endeavors. It didn't take long for me to realize she was following me. How? I still don't know. Can't I blow up drunk mortals' heads in peace?! The irony of that statement will never evade me.
I'm frustrated. What I wouldn't give to watch her little head pop and explode. Or watch her wither away and melt.
I could also set those red curls on fire, watch as it scorches her skin and laugh as her eyes boil out of their sockets. Too brutal for most, but I'm not most.
I started to make my way towards the far hallway. The walls extended up for what felt like miles. Stretching even as I walked down the hall. I knew full well that if I didn't sleep it wouldn't kill me, but that doesn't change that my focus was still hindered by a lack of sleep. It was a blessing and a curse. Completely redundant to the whole not needing sleep to survive; however, when I have tried to sleep in the past month or so I have been plagued with thoughts of the past. Of the dumb princess. But, unlike the random memories that have tormented me throughout my life, these have never differed from one another. Every time I tried to replenish myself and put my body at ease, I would see that same day over and over again. The day that high and mighty tyrant invited me into the very center of Hell. When I saw that strange little girl for the first time. She isn't little anymore, and yet I haven't aged a day. A child for all of eternity. It's not like I mind quite frankly. It's always entertaining to see how surprised entitled adult witches get when they see a teenager beat them at their own game.
I didn't quite know where I was going while walking through my own domain. My mind was preoccupied. It was frustrating. I could already feel my hands shaking from the anger that began to rip apart my insides. The burning of it down my throat and into my stomach. Tearing my flesh from the bone and curling into my eyes like claws ripping the holes of my pupils to Make them bigger. It was a burning sensation. One that was beginning to make me feel sick. What I wanted to know though was why this suddenly felt familiar. The sickness, the burning skin. Was I sweating. I'm angry, not sweaty.
"Klarion.." Teekl purred to me. I hadn't even noticed I'd stopped walking. The ground beneath my feet had singed and was sparked to life. When did I do that? I know I often did spells without thinking about it. It came so naturally to me, but it was rare I let my emotions control my magic. "You need to clear your mind." The feline advised. And she was right, she was often more right about things than I was. She took pleasure in the same things I did but she also had a steadier head than me. I wont ever admit that to anyone. Of course I have a steady head! Teekl is just my other half.
"I've tried that. The damn fountain doesn't help me! I can meditate there all I want and reconnect with my damn aura all I want but that stupid brat keeps invading my head!" I snapped a bit louder than I needed to.
"Why don't you try meditating somewhere else. There's lots of places we know of that have properties to help you reconnect.. You're too distracted here." She advised me. I let out a heavy sigh and folded my arms almost like a child would when they didn't get what they wanted. I didn't mind going out and causing havoc in the world but that's when I was having fun on my own. This was something I actually had to do and I hated it.
"Yeah, yeah, okay.." I said in defeat. If I was being truly honest with myself and Teekl, It would probably help to get a change of scenery if my aura is disrupted or something internal is bothering me. Magic has its own lack of logic but it's always connected to its user, and the entire domain is run off of my magic. So if something is bothering me, it's no wonder I can't clear it out while I am here.
"I know just the face!" I said confidently as an idea struck me and I opened up a portal with a red rim and a black center.
"I think you mean place." Teekl gave me a knowing look and I just pouted as I stepped through the Portal.
"You know what I meant.." I grumbled.
I knew exactly where to go. The good news was it was a very quiet area that was similar to where I would normally meditate, the bad news was that it was off the coast in Jump city. I had half a mind to conjure up some salt and place it around me to keep that little brat from finding me.
I do enjoy my fair share of insane structures and out of place living creatures but that doesn't change that I'm a witch. It's something that Teekl loves to remind me of. So the place was calm, quiet, without a single disruption or miles. But there was something special about it as well. A small pond deep enough to reach up to my knees but it was so clear and blue in the light of a new moon. The grass surrounding the edge was green and healthy, making the clearing so magical.
I knew there were other places but each of those were closer to a city or occupied. And besides, It's been years since I've actually visited those places, for all I know humanity has bulldozed over them. But, I knew this one was still around. I spotted it when trying to awaken a demon living in the ground. Didn't succeed because she showed up. I kneeled down letting my black dress pants rest in the earth, contrasting with the beautiful organic life, and carefully dipped the tips off my fingers into the water. It was very pure. The rain that has drizzled into this small hole in the earth hasn't been touched by human hands yet.
I went to stand up and felt the paws of Teekl leave my shoulders. Her small body rubbed against the grass, as her glossy eyes looked up at me. This wasn't uncommon for her since she is a cat that hates water just as much as the next. And its not like I minded, but it also kept me at peace. She could feel everything I felt, and I could feel everything she did. We understood one another.
As the ripples in the water began to clear I let my feet push over to the water. I never did dip my toe in. My feet grazed the water as I carefully stepped over the surface and towards the middle. Each ripple reflecting the lunar light that reflected onto my features, I could see how pale I was in the reflection of the water, one might even say I look dead.
Once I was in the middle of the pond I lifted my feet up into the air and began to meditate over the water. I let my hands rest on my knees with my palms up and I closed my eyes. With the gentle breeze I steadied my breathing and followed myself into the darkness of my own mind.
This was by far one of the longer processes that took my attention. Especially with how out of sorts I was. Slipping into my very core to search for what was wrong, for what broke the lock. A lock on memories that taunted me for years. I needed to keep it away. Every once in a while this happened so it's not like it was new or hard, just time consuming.
I could see the lock, singed and melted. Like someone had taken a blow torch to it, but I could also see an easy way to fix that. To make it whole once again and finally put the past few hundred years behind me. I could just feel the itch of rough steel running across my fingertips while I molded the hot metal. Push by push, with my back pressed against the door to keep anything else from escaping. To retain.... That feeling.
An irritating one that wrapped around my throat and pulled me out of my focus and back into the world. I didn't get to put a lock on that fucking door! I'm not done yet damn it. I desperately tried to focus and stay in the mode my head was in but her Aura was so overwhelming and it felt like it was practically in front of me, touching me. It pricked my skin and strung up my fingers into wooden puppets. Not now dang it. From that shattering of the old in my head also came the sound of rustling grass. A sound too close or comfort.
When I finally opened my eyes I was greeted with a red mess of hair standing at the edge of the water just staring at me.
"Sup." She said crisp and clear while I attempted to stare daggers into her head. Maybe I can follow soup mans lead and start burning holes in things with my eyes.
"What?.." I spat at her, not once moving from my levitated spot. I should've dropped salt in the grass. Maybe it would've burned her. Or made her too dizzy to try anything. "Shouldn't you be with the baby justice league?" I asked. I ignored how the light of my own magic that had conjured up while I was meditating was resting peacefully on the surface of the water in the shape of a diamond glistened onto my face. To my surprise she actually started to laugh from my comment, practically doubling over, I almost hoped she would trip and fall into the water.
"I have to start calling them that now!" She exclaimed finally coming up for air, the light of the on and the red of my magic shaped her features. Was she seriously gonna hijack my nickname? Now that was just pure evil. Fucking bitch. She eventually continued, "But, no. As fun as it is to drive Red Robin absolutely bonkers, everyone is asleep at this hour. Well everyone but you of course." It was like she was missing an off button. "Why are you out here anyways?"
She was driving me up the damn wall already. I let my calm composure drop and sent the magic diamonds away since it seems I'll have to get rid of this dumb little shit before I can finish what I was doing. "What does it look like I'm doing!? I'm meditating you pool!" I snapped. Of course the cat who suddenly shows that she's even conscious of the girl or myself and has been happily sitting there watching the action speaks up.
"Don't you mean fool?" She asked me and I immediately let out a groan and folded my arms over my chest, pushing the black tie and red broach further into my chest.
"Fool, fool, she knows I meant fool." I grumbled under my breath only to look back at the dumb kid. The red headed girl snickered under her breath at me. I'm not that dumb I can tell when someone is laughing at me.
"Look your highness.. I'm busy, take your dumb questions some face... some place else." I said bluntly and tried to recenter myself. I managed to lower myself a bit closer to the water than I was previously. It ended up wetting the tail edges of my jacket but it wasnt something I couldn't remedy later. While straightening myself out; however, she spoke up again.
"Look at that you corrected yourself." She teased while I simply rolled my eyes to the furthest place in the back of my skull. But, she didn't stop, "If you're busy why don't I just sit here with you instead? No questions."
The offer definitely caught me off guard. My eyes trained on her while she carefully plopped herself down into the soft blades of grass. Her pale pink skin shimmered in the light and for a moment I thought I noticed exhaustion on her face, sadness. I didn't know what I was looking at exactly. "What's your game here?.." I asked as I rested my hands in their former position on my knees.
"No game." She started, "It's actually quite nice out here, despite you being here. I like it." Despite the obvious jab in my direction I huffed under my breath and darted my eyes over to Teekl. I was waiting for a response. An indication that this could be a horrible idea and could get me in trouble with those stupid Justice babies. But, while I stared into her feline eyes, I found no concern. Was this girl seriously being genuine? I took a moment to think about it but didn't grace her with an actual answer. Just shook my head before trying to disappear back into my head. If she really was going to just shut up and let me try and focus then maybe I'll accept it. I attempted to shut my eyes and relax back into my head but something kept pulling at my gut, and I heard her shift again. It was driving me nuts.
"Stop that." I demanded bluntly before my dead eyes noticed the position she was in. She's in the same position I'm in. "What are you doing?" I asked not so kindly.
She simply looked up at me with an attitude of her own and folded her arms over her chest. "What does it look like? I'm trying to relax, What because you're trying to mediate I can't?" She asked. Oh that little brat made me want to tear her hair out strand by strand. At some point I did my best to ignore her. Her moving came to a minimum and I was able to at least push my way back into my own head. Into my core. Luckily I hadn't damaged anything that I was trying to put away previously.
I don't know how long I was there but I had eventually finished and was trying to pull out of my head but as I was.. I felt something else. Her magic bouncing off of mine. It was electrifying. Mine was so, sporadic and twisted into itself, but it had a consistent pattern. That's how it was supposed to be. Just seeing that red flame dance around uncontrollably made it clear to me. She was inexperienced of course but despite that her magic wasn't shielding itself from mine. She was working with it, working with the chaos I embodied. I could see it so very clearly and it almost scared me.
When I opened my eyes I let out a heavy sigh. I don't know how long I sat there but when I untucked my legs I quickly stepped off the pond. It wasn't perfect since again this takes time to readjust, but it was helping ease some of the damage those years of my never ending life left behind. When I settled myself into the soft blades of grass I turned to meet the girl's gaze. She was staring up at me in pure awe. I thought I was looking at that same little girl for a moment.
"How did you do that?" She suddenly asked.
"Do what?" I didn't understand her question nor did I understand her excitement. Up onto her feet. She wasn't much shorter than I was, with boots that is.
"Releasing the levitation, how did you do that?!" She inquired of me now stepping in my direction. Space... Bubble. I stepped back from her and lifted my hand beside my head before snapping my fingers and a dark portal with a red rim appeared a few feet away from me.
"It's a simple spell, I'd expect you to know how to do that." I said bluntly and looked around to see Teekl a small ways away from me. Without another word from her I lightly clapped my hands, "Teekl." I gently called to her and watched as her fuzzy body bounded through the green landscape and up into my arms.
"No." The spoiled brat snapped. "I meant that. How are you summoning spells without saying any of the castings?"
I almost cackled at her thinking that this was a joke she was trying to pull on me. But something in her eyes told me she genuinely didn't know. "You've seen me do this before." I stated bluntly not knowing why it's now suddenly an issue.
"Yeah and I still want to know how you do it?" She asked. This girl had no idea how to cast simple spells without having to actually say the incantation. But, the more I thought about what I saw and how she fights and her aura as a whole It made more sense. Sure she wasn't even close to being on the same level I was but she was also just out of control with her magic.
"Even if I wanted to tell you, Your highness, You don't have the necessary skill, nor do you have that kind of control." While I spoke I was very careful with Teekl. I needed to get her situated either in my arms or on my shoulders. Which one was her decision. And from what I was getting she wanted shoulders. I let out a soft hum feeling her purr radiate against the back of my neck. I couldn't help but smile while I scratched around her ear with my nails. Something she would yowl at me forever if I refrained from giving her the attention she wanted. I could hear the girl behind me practically explode like a little toddler.
"What the hell do you mean control?! I have control!" She snapped. I didn't have time for this.
"No you don't, Its obvious. And until you can control your own magic you won't be getting anywhere with your puny skill." I said bluntly, turning to face her. Her face looked as red as her hair. But while her face was flushed red from anger or embarrassment I couldn't bring myself to care which one it was; however, my concern grew when a smile pulled at her lips. It was devious and fascinating at the same time.
"If you're so good then why don't you teach me? Huh?" Her tone was snarky and I could see the determination in her eyes. But it didn't scare me, It made me laugh. The daughter of Hell, who was part of the Teen Titans, and a low level witch was asking me to teach her. I couldn't help the cackle that ripped through my lungs. I shook a bit while I attempted to contain it but failed.
"I don't sing lullabies to baby witches." I chuckled and turned on my heel before her loud voice made me flinch.
"I'm not a baby witch. Teach me!"
I was planning to ignore her, until she ran to stand in front of my portal to keep me in place. "No?!" My voice cracked in protest.
"Teach me!" She snapped again.
"No!" I said each time. I was more than exhausted at this point and looked to Teekl on my shoulder. Was she seriously trying to stop me from leaving until I agreed to teach her bratty ass?
"Look kid! I have bigger figs to fry!" I snapped and tried again to walk around her.
"Kid?!" I could hear her protest. I eventually got fed up and let my hand encapsulate itself in my magic before using it to forcefully move her out of the way. I didn't care who she was. I don't teach kids to use magic. And It didn't matter if she was technically my age. She was becoming a nuisance and was making my life difficult. Following me everywhere and getting in my way?! Even when I'm trying to do my witchy shit to try and clear my head she gets in the damn way.
I wanted to just return to my space. I tried not to think too much about it as I stepped through my portal. I could hear her final words to me for the night.
"I will get you to teach me! I swear!"
Like I'd ever allow myself to do such a ridiculous thing...