Infinity: Rising of the Soul Weavers

*Hoang - Run Back To You (feat. Alisa) *

"Are you feeling better now?" Raven asked in a concerned tone while leaning against the railings on the hospital's rooftop.

She had decided to check up on Maria after dealing with Red Joe's issues. The 'organisations' behind the incident were simply some other criminals that thought they could get rid of him while he's at his weakest.

Obviously, it was no trouble for Raven to make sure they all remembered not to mess with him or Wraith. 

Surprisingly enough, the media has also spread the message rather quickly, seeing the fate of Penguin and some others.

*Sigh*

"Uhm, I'm… better," Maria answered Raven's question as she sighed tiredly while clenching her fists. "Please tell me now, why do you want to go to the Demon Plane, and what is that to start with, the demon world or something?"

"It is exactly that, the Demon Plane is where demons live," Raven chuckled, trying to ease the tension in the air. "I… well, from the information I've gathered in the past couple of weeks, I learned that some ancient demon lords are planning on invading the Human Plane, this being the one we live in.

"Think of it as something similar to the Portal Incident, yet here we'll be up against demon lords and organised armies, unlike before where we were up against chaotic bloodthirsty monsters or lone aliens."

Hearing that, Maria gritted her teeth. "And why the f*CK is it your job to take care of that? Where's the f*cking EDA at?" To say she was enraged would be an understatement.

'She has been swearing a lot recently, she so stressed and disoriented…' Raven thought to herself. "Well, you see…" she looked down, feeling guilty that she had made Maria upset after everything she's been through. 

"The EDA rankers are not powerful enough… and apparently, they're preparing for a bigger danger.

"While they didn't explain much, I know that they're preparing an Elite Class that is supposed to deal with an incoming danger, and at the same time, they didn't know of the demon invasion that has been slowly taking place." Raven avoided telling her that she has accepted being part of that class.

"F*ck's sake, why does anyone want to invade this stupid planet now all of a sudden? Aliens, monsters, and f*cking demons!" Maria was torn between way too many emotions.

Her sadness and grief for losing a daughter, her fear for losing another, and her anger towards everything that's been going on.

The EDA rankers were supposed to be their shields, protecting humanity from any danger, and especially when it came to supernatural threats.

Yet now, they were just hiding behind their reinforced buildings and leaving the job for others to get done. 'And those others had to be my family,' Maria's palms suddenly started bleeding as she had dug her nails into them.

Seeing that, Raven instantly healed her and trapped her in a warm hug. "Listen mom, it's… *sigh* it's ok, I understand if you don't want me to go, I'll stay here with you, I promise."

Hearing that, Maria suddenly snapped out of it. "I'm sorry honey, I- I don't want to control you like this or order you around but- my heart won't take losing you too…" she said, her eyes watery. 

"I don't show it, and I try to stay strong for everyone's and especially your sake! But I can't anymore," she cried on Raven's shoulder as she sat on the floor. "Why am I so weak? Why do my daughters suffer while I just stare at them… why can't I help them?

"D- do you know Rave-?" She stuttered. "I watched your sister die…" she was barely audible because of her crying. "I watched as that cursed sword went through Maya's heart, tearing it apart… I watched her blood spill on the ground, her pained expression, everything… I can't take it! I'm sorry I just am too weak, I CAN'T!

"Whenever you mention anything about fighting, I can't help but imagine you in the same position, bleeding and dying under my sight while I am literally staring at you, unable to help or move a muscle. It… breaks me.

"I'm trying to be your mother, but what is a mother that can't protect her children? Am I better off dead?" She cried more.

"Please, never say that again," Raven's voice was quiet as silent tears ran down her face. "I… I have a lot to say, but can we just not think like that? 

"Nothing comes from being negative about what happened. Trust me, I feel you, but this is just not the way.

"Maria will be back, and I am not dying any time soon, I promise you that. Ok?" 

Hearing that, Maria didn't seem to buy it, yet she cupped her face in her hands and tried to calm herself down. After a few minutes, she nodded that she was ok now.

*Sigh*

"In any case, It's alright if you don't want me to go to the Demon Plane, I understand your reasoning and what you must be feeling. But that would mean that I'll have to send an avatar. We can't leave the matter untouched after all."

"What avatar?" Maria asked as Raven wiped away her tears.

Smiling, a calm purple aura materialised and condensed itself in front of her as a second Raven was formed.

"Hello," the new Raven said with a smile. "I'm actually Kayla, but I can make multiple avatars and control them all at once." With a snap of her fingers, three other Ravens appeared in the same manner.

Seeing that, Maria felt astonished that something like this was possible, yet at the same time- "you know? It's like I don't even know you."

Realising how that sounded, Maria covered her daughter's mouth before she got to speak. "What I meant was that we never talk about stuff like this, I still remember when you introduced little Kayla and Tu, but aside from that, we've never discussed your new powers and friends.

"I feel like we need to have a long chat, what do you say?" Maria smiled while trying to recover her posture. "Are you willing to teach me how to become a proper soul weaver?"