018

— when darkness saved the world —

THE PAIN THAT HAD OVERTAKEN HER BODY WAS GONE; BUT SO WAS EVERYTHING ELSE. Hazel slowly opened her eyes, greeted by the warmth of the sun's rays that were pouring over the vast lavender field. As she pushed herself up onto her elbows, her hands sank into the soft dirt and lush green grass beneath her. She lifted one hand and gently traced the delicate pastel-coloured petals of the lavender, marvelling at their beauty. Looking beyond the field, she noticed that the towering dark oak trees that had previously lined the perimeter now gave way to a sparkling river, its crystal-clear waters the perfect spot for birds to take a refreshing bath.

"Can you feel the sun?" A woman called. Hazel turned, looking toward a girl that rested against a rock. Her long dark hair caught in the wind, her long gothic-styled jacket flapping as well. She plucked a lavender flower from the grass and stood, walking over to Hazel. Hazel stood and turned to the girl who smiled. "I can't."

She handed the lavender off, and Hazel carefully took it. "You were the one calling to me," Hazel realised. "How?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure on how this works," The girl said with a shrug. "But I think I'm your sister." Hazel furrowed her eyebrows and the girl nodded at the pendant hanging from Hazel's neck. "I have one that matches that. My mom says-"

"Dad left it," Hazel finished. The wind picked up, spinning around them and twisting the lavender in all different directions. The clouds above grew dark and covered the sun, and the birds squawked and flew from the river.

A terrible darkness started to climb over the far hill, everything around wilting and dying. It raced through the grass hills, the flowers turning to ash, birds dropping from the sky.

Hazel looked down at the lavender in her hand and blood dripped from her nose, falling onto the purple petals. Hazel whipped the blood the away, whipping her hand clean on her jeans. "My friends killed me," Hazel said softly.

The girl looked up at Hazel who stared out at the dark clouds rolling closer. "They're possessed," The girl reminded. "You might need to go and save them."

"I'm meant to fight a demon?" Hazel scoffed. The girl shrugged, sliding her hands into her pockets. "What's your name?"

"Terran," The girl said. "You keep that lavender and I'll come find you."

"Why?" Hazel asked.

"You're dead," Terran reminded, chucking softly. "And I'm not. Yet somehow I'm talkin' to you." Hazel nodded softly. "Now wake up."

Hazel gasped; her breath gargled as her blood slid back down her throat. She rolled onto her side, coughing to expel the last of the blood in her throat. She shuddered, jaggered breaths filling her lungs.

Hazel pushed the broken remains of the shelf from her body, splinters scratching her as she slid them from her legs. The pain that had left her for the short time in the lavender field had raced back making her stumble and stutter.

Hazel forced herself against the wall, desperate for any leverage to haul her bruised and broken body to its feet. A relentless torrent of blood gushed from her grievous wounds, each drop splattering on the floor below as she struggled to rise on trembling, unsteady legs. Hazel's head dropped against the wall; her breaths heavy as she tried to stop the world form spinning.

Hazel pushed herself off the wall, stepping over the broken furniture. Rachel stood in the centre of the living room, staring out the open front door. Hazel stepped up the Rachel and slid her bloody hand into Rachel's cold palm.

Rachel gasped softly, her eyes widening but still stained a dark black. "Rache," Hazel called, her voice course. "Rachel, I know you can hear me. And I need you to come back." Hazel stepped closer, her eyes scanning Rachel's pale skin. "Please Rachel. All you've wanted to do; all you have done is good. You have to fight it Rachel, please don't give in."

Rachel's eyes closed tight, then she gasped her head whipping around to stare at Hazel. Rachel smiled and Hazel grinned, the pain in her cracked jaw making her wince.

Haze looked out the door, claw and horn markings etched into the dry wall. "We've gotta stop Trigon," Hazel spoke up, her voice weak.

"I need to get Dick back first," Rachel said, turning to look at Dick. "You reached me. There has to be a way to reach him."

"Do you think you can do it?"

"This started with a dream I had about him. Before all of this," Rachel reminded.

"The circus," Hazel mumbled.

Rachel nodded and looked back at Hazel. "I was supposed to find him. That's what the dream was telling me. My dream was the key. It's all in the dreams."

Rachel stepped away from Hazel, their hands separating. "Rache," Hazel called. "Just... be careful."

Rachel walked to Dick and grasped his hand. He spun quickly, making the girls jump. Rachel looked up at Dick, and grasped his hand tighter, "Remember."

Rachel stared up at Dick, her focus unmoving under his dark glare. It took a few minutes but slowly the veins on his cheeks retracted, then the black faded from his eyes. He blinked, his gaze re focussing on Rachel's face. "I missed you," Rachel finally spoke, her smile growing.

"Rachel," Dick said softly, a soft chuckle escaping from his lips.

"Welcome back," Hazel groaned, holding her side. She stepped closer and Dick's smile disappeared in an instance. She groaned, pulling back her shirt to look at the gash in her side. "What happened?" Hazel asked, turning her attention back to Dick.

"Dick can fill you in," Rachel nodded. "I think I need a minute alone with my father." Dick nodded and Rachel walked around him, stepping outside.

Dick turned his attention to Hazel. "Do we-?"

"Yes, we follow her," Hazel interrupted. Hazel walked past Dick and he was quick to chase her, sliding his arm around Hazel to help her walk easier. They stepped off the porch, down the side staircase, avoiding the line of their possessed friends. The stepped onto grass, looking over the dying field at Trigon; and Rachel walking closer to him. "Father!" Rachel shouted, stopping a few meters from the demon.

Trigon turned, his arms still outstretched, "My child. Join me."

"I would, but, you know... stuff to do," Rachel shrugged. "I do want to thank you though."

"For what?" The demon questioned.

"For showing me who my family really is."

Trigon stepped forwards, his hooved feet digging into the dirt. "This isn't the time to get sentimental."

Rachel scoffed softly. "I wouldn't worry. I know how to look after myself. Always have. You know what they say... genetics is destiny." Rachel lifted her arms, her dark black and purple magic swirling around her body. Her red gem ignited, and the dark clouds expanded, lifting higher and spreading further. Trigon growled and he reached forward, pushing his hand through the spinning magic. The power continued to grow, and the dark power started to tear at the demonic hand, pulling it apart and disintegrating his skin, turning it into nothing more than an ash-like state.

Rachel's power spread across the fields. It stopped for a moment before exploding. In a flash of blue light, the dark magic shot across the field, racing through the house. It knocked the Titans down, sending them crashing to the ground.

Silence settled over the field, a cloud of thick smoke settling where Rachel and Trigon once stood.

Hazel winced, her bones that had been slowly pieced back together, popping and re cracking. Hazel pushed herself onto her elbows and Dick raced to held her to her feet, making sure she was steady. Rachel stepped from the blue mist and Dick sprinted towards her. Hazel held her side tightly, as she started to walk forwards.

Gar pushed himself to his feet and raced down to porch, stopping Infront of Hazel's.

Gar's heart dropped into his stomach, and he froze. His eye traced over every scratch, cut, bruise, and bleeding gash that covered her body. Hazel looked up at Gar, a smile tugging at her lips. "Hey," Hazel mumbled, her voice still hoarse.

"Hi," Gar said through a sigh of relief. Gar smiled and wrapped his arms around her, helping her walk. The group walked across the grass, stepping closer to Dick and Rachel. Once they were close enough, Rachel reached for Hazel's hand. She intertwined their hands and pushed her magic through Hazel's body, the bones in her arms cracking back into place.

Jason winced, the subtle grimace etching lines of discomfort on his face. "That looks great," he mumbled, his eyes lingering on Hazel's bones that clicked back into place.

Hazel took her arm back, slightly shaking out her hand as if trying to dispel the lingering pain. "Thanks to you," she said, her voice hushed. Hazel chuckled softly and Jason smiled at her.

"But you're breathing?" Kory's concern cut through the tense silence.

Hazel offered a soft shrug, and her silence made Kory's stomach churn. "Now, yeah," she replied.

❁

POLICE CARS AND NEWS VANS HAD RACED TO THE COTTAGE HOUSE, FILLING THE DRIVEWAY. Hazel sat on the porch steps, rolling the lavender flower between her palms, her fingers weaving to fix the petals that had twisted. Dick walked to her, stopping by the bottom of the stairs. "We're all ready to go," he said, and Hazel nodded. He sighed and walked up the stairs, taking a seat next to her. "Is that important?"

Hazel took a breath through her nose and slid the flower into her pocket. "When I... died," Hazel muttered, her words feeling bitter on her tongue. "I saw this place and there was a girl there."

"Did you know her?"

Hazel shook her head softly. "No, but, I think she's my sister," Hazel admitted and Dick's eyebrows shot up. "She's got the same necklace, and the place I went, I usually see it in my dreams," Hazel explained. "She got in my head. She has to be either pretty powerful or there's some supernatural connection there."

Dick nodded. "You can worry about it later," Dick insisted. "You need to rest up for a few days."

Hazel nodded and they stood, walking around the back of the house avoiding all the news vans. They walked down the street, where two cars and the rest of their friends were waiting. Hank jumped out of the car and turned towards the oncoming pair. "Hazel, right?" Hank questioned and she nodded. "Rachel tells me you were a star sports player."

Hazel laughed and looked at Rachel who shrugged softly. "I was captain of my Basketball team for a little bit," Hazel answered and Hank silently cheered.

"Rachel was right, I do like you," Hank laughed and Hazel chuckled, shaking her head. Hazel pulled herself into the boot of the jeep, the door flipped down so she and Gar could sit.

"Here," Jason called. He flicked out his denim jacket and draped it around Hazel's shoulders. Hazel mumbled a thanks as she pulled her arms through it properly.

Hazel sucked a breath through her teeth and leaned her weight on Gar's side, his arm moving to wrap around her. Dick grabbed the last of their bags and tossed them in the car, Donna doing the same with the car parked across from them.

"I gotta give it to you Rache," Dawn spoke up and they turned their attention towards her, "you really know how to throw a party."

"Yeah. Do it again," Jason said with a smile. "Love beating Dick's ass."

"Keep dreaming bird boy," Dick scoffed, knocking Jason's chest as he walked past him.

"Nice one. Really inventive," Jason shot back.

"I'll be here all week," Dick chuckled.

"Maybe give us a heads-up next time so I can do my own eye makeup," Donna ordered making Rachel laugh softly. "Your demon dad wasn't much for subtlety."

"Really? I kinda liked it," Kory spoke up, shrugging softly. "It was really gothic, you know?"

Hazel scoffed softly and pushed herself off of Gar. "You know, wasn't a big fan myself," Hazel called, raising her hand.

"Hey, kid..." Hank called and Hazel turned towards him. "Again, we're really sorry," Hank said, pushing himself off the car.

Hazel shook her head and waved it off, "Your good man, you guys weren't yourselves." Hazel smiled and nodded at Jason. "It couldn't have been. Jason actually shut up for once."

"Hey! I thought you liked me?" Jason whined, spinning quickly to face her. Hazel shrugged gently and Jason scoffed at her but still smiled.

Rachel walked to Dawn and hugged her tight, squeezing her as she spoke. Rachel turned back and called to Dick, "Um, where are we going?"

Dick walked back into sight, cleaning off the antenna. "Uh, I don't know. It's a mystery."

Hazel groaned, her head rolling back. "If we end up at someone's demon house or shitty motel, I might actually stab someone," Hazel mumbled, rubbing the side of her head. Hazel groaned softly as she slid from the back of the car, Jason reaching to help her.

Hank walked to her and knocked her shoulder, "You ever wanna play ball, hit me up."

"I'll put you on your ass," Hazel joked and Hank laughed.

Rachel walked past her, rushing to Dick and Kory. "Another mystery?" Rachel asked, jumping in on Dick and Kory's conversation.

"Get used to it. Life's a lot better with them," Dick advised.

Rachel cocked her head to one side and grinned. "That sounds like something Batman would say," Rachel pointed out.

Gar jumped from the car and moved to stand by Rachel. "Uh, do we get to meet him this time?" Gar questioned.

"Uh, no. Superman," Dick said, closing the back door.

Gar's jaw dropped as he questioned him, "Seriously?"

Dick smiled, "No. Get in the car." Kory laughed out loud, and Hazel chuckled softly.

"Shotgun!" Gar yelled running for the front seat. Rachel screamed as she followed him.

"Hey, seriously?" Jason scoffed.

"Can I pull the I died card?" Hazel called.

"No!" Gar and Rachel yelled in unison.

"Then why did I get out of the car?" Hazel huffed as she walked to the side doors. She pulled herself into the seat, slamming the door closed. Gar followed quickly and sat behind Dick and Jason pulled himself into the back seat. "Can I at least drive at some point?"

"Hey! Bye, guys," Kory called, waving at them. "I'll miss you."

Gar popped his head out the window, "Bye, Kory."

"Miss you more," Rachel yelled.

"Send me a postcard from your planet," Hazel yelled, sticking her arm out the window to wave at her.

"Will do," Kory smiled. Jason waved before finally pulling the back window down and closing the car door. Dick took the keys from Donna before hopping in the front seat and driving off, calling his final goodbyes.

Hazel sighed, gripping the seats and pulled herself forward, "I'm serious can I drive? I have a licence," Hazel argued.

Dick laughed at her. "We'll see." Hazel huffed and fell back into the seat, looking out the window.

❁

HAZEL STARED UP AT THE MANSION, ITS ROOF COVERED IN SNOW. It was the biggest house she had ever seen, however, considering it was Bruce Wayne's house she expected nothing less.

Jason and Dick walked out through the front door, Jason carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder. Rachel and Gar jumped back in the car, but Hazel waited by the driver's door. "Hazel-"

"Can I drive now? Please," Hazel begged, staring up at Dick.

"You don't even know where you're going," Dick argued.

"I can take directions," Hazel scoffed. "Come on."

Dick sighed and nodded. "Fuck yes," Hazel cheered and pulled herself into the driver's seat, Rachel moving to the backseat when Dick kicked her out of the front. "And don't get started," Hazel said, buckling her seat belt. "I know how to drive a stick."

Hazel drove down the massively long driveway, merging onto the highway as Dick cursed. "You're reckless," Dick muttered.

"I'm effective," Hazel corrected. "Also, I wanna point out the elephant in the car. I thought you were staying there Jay?" Hazel questioned, glancing back at Jason.

"I have to stay with Titans for a while," Jason muttered.

"You got demoted," Hazel said making Gar laugh.

"It's not a demotion, per se. More like a temporary relocation," Jason clarified.

"Eh. Sound like you got demoted," Hazel repeated.

"I didn't get-"

"Ugh. Whatever," Rachel groaned interrupting Jason and Hazel's bickering. "Dick, where are we going?"

"I thought it was obvious," Dick shrugged before gesturing out the window. Hazel followed the GPS and merged into traffic crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. "I mean, this bridge has been in a ton of movies."

"Yeah, but where exactly?" Gar asked.

"San Francisco is a big place," Hazel agreed.

"You'll see," Dick shrugged again.

"God, I hate surprises," Jason moaned.

Hazel drove through streets and tunnels until reaching a large parking garage. Dick nodded and Hazel parked the car, just avoiding the wall as she parallel park. Dick glared at her, and she scoffed. "It could be worse," Hazel said, rolling her eyes.

They jumped from the car, grabbed their bags and followed after Dick. Hazel, the only one with hands-free, typed in the password to the locked elevator and it opened with a ding. They stepped in and they stood in the blue-lit silver elevator that seemed to climb up ever-lasting stories. The elevator finally dinged, and the group stepped out, looking over the apartment. The apartment was ultra-modern luxury, seamlessly blending the rustic brick walls and black and white styled furniture. Sleek fireplaces adorned the living space, casting a warm glow that danced off the polished surfaces. The walls, made entirely of glass, offered a panoramic view of the city's skyline, while awfully expensive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, showering the entire space in a cascade of golden hues.

Gar and Jason looked around before over their shoulders at Dick. He gave them a swift nod and they ran in opposite directions. Hazel glanced at Rachel before running down the hall Gar went, continuing her speed until she hit the end of the hall.

She stoo in the doorway to a large blue control room with silver walls and a black marble floor. Hazel ran her hand along the buttons and the computer sprung to life with multiple screens appearing in front of her like an IMAX cinema. Hazel pressed her hands on the tabletop and looked over her shoulder before moving the mouse to the search section. Hazel typed in T-E-R-R-A-N. Dozens of names popped up with dozens of different profiles.

Hazel added her last name to the search L-I-L-L-I-S, but the search came up empty. Hazel sighed and cleared the search, shutting off the computer once again.

Hazel walked into the main space and walked to the window to stand by Rachel and Dick. Jason and Gar joined them, and they looked over the city. "What is this place?" Rachel asked softly.

"Home," Dick answered simply.

They looked over the city skyline and Hazel smiled. "Dibs on the big room," Hazel piped up after a second of silence.

"No way, I get the big room," Jason spoke up.

"Keep dreamin'," Rachel countered.

"I can grow my plants in your guys' rooms if you'd like," Hazel sassed, looking back at the two.

"You can have the big room," Jason mumbled with a nod.

Hazel smiled and stepped back. "Can we get packages sent here?" Hazel asked turning to Dick.

"Why?"

"I literally don't own anything," Hazel scoffed. "This isn't even my jacket."

"You can order it to the garage."

Hazel smiled, "I'll take it."

— gods —