Azarath (1)

Stepping out of the portal, the first thing that greeted me were two guardians.

"Oh, Isaac, it's been a while."

"Thomas, Dina, it's been a while."

"Yes, it has been."

"What brings you here?"

"Just reporting to Master Azar and my little sister."

"Ah, I see, Well, Master Azar is in her studio, and for your sister, she's in class."

"I got it; I will first see Master."

"Go, ahead"

 ****************

Azarath has changed a lot, from the eternal night that he suffered before to a sky filled with cosmic lights; this was his original sky.

The sky before was thanks to Trigon and his growing influence in this dimension using Raven.

Making my way into Master Azar's former temple, I reach the studio of Arella.

*Knock* *knock* 

"Coming, Isaac"

 *Click* Pushing the door open, I see the new Azar and mother of Raven, Arella, as beautiful as always. She was in the middle of her studio, reading some arcane tomes.

"It's been a while, Master Arella."

"Indeed, it has, but I remember telling you to call me Arella, didn't I?" She stopped reading and looked at me in the eyes.

"Sorry, habits" 

(Giggle) "How have you been, Isaac?"

"Very busy. Thanks to a few changes in my sight, I needed to find a master to ease me into the supernatural world back on earth."

"I see; indeed, your eyes are different, and tell me, a Master? , who did you find?"

"He is called Giovanni Zatara."

"Ah, Zatara"

"Did you know him, Arella?"

"Briefly, Master Azar had communication with many sorcerers and occultists."

"I see." I walked into the studio, and, approaching the main table, I took one of the chairs to sit on.

"Ah, sorry, do you want something to drink?"

"Water is fine, thank you." With a wave of her hand, a glass of water materialized on the table.

"Amazing" 

(Giggle) "I have been practicing to be worthy of the master title and also for my daughter."

I took the glass of water and took a sip, then I put it back on the table.

"Speaking of my sister, how's she?"

"She misses you."

"Ha, ha...ha, that makes me happy."

(Giggle) "Also, she's mad at you for not visiting her for a whole e year

*Gulp* 

"But we write each other..."

"But no visit."

 "I...Haaa..."

(Giggle) "Be prepared when she returns."

 "Got it" 

I changed my posture and facial expression to a more serious one, and she noticed, so she did the same.

"Arella, did Master Azar tell you the origins of Trigon?"

"... Yes" 

"Then it's easier to explain this: is the cleansing ritual still performed?"

"Yes, it is a necessary tradition."

"Then has the Seal of the Great Door been weakened?"

*Gasp* 

"You know about it!"

"Yes, and this concerns the well-being of Raven and Azarath."

"No, we haven't checked that."

"Can I take a look?"

"That's..." 

"Let me tell you this: Trigon will not rest until Azarath is destroyed and Raven is under his influence."

She started to pace back and forth. I understood her position; although I'm a guardian, I have no authority to inspect something so important and integral to this place.

"Let me explain your concerns to the elders and teachers."

"Very well, I will stay for a couple of days."

"Oh, good, she will be happy, as will I."

 "Thank you"

 ***************** 

*Stare* 

"Ahm...Raven..." 

*Stare intensify*

"...I'm sorry." Right now, I'm in Raven's room; she is sitting in her bed. Meanwhile, I'm apologizing for my late visit with a 90° bow..

(sigh) "What happened?"

"A lot to finish explaining in a day, but in short, I gained the ability to see the supernatural, and I needed training to avoid doing anything wrong back on earth."

"I see. How long would you stay here?"

"A couple of days, I also need to visit my parents and brother back on earth."

"I see..."

"I chose my sister first, you know?"

She quickly hid her face in her robes.

"Well, Raven, there's someone I want you to meet."

 "Who?" She uncovered her face; she was still a little red on the cheeks.

"A friend and companion, hopefully yours too."

 "?" 

"Nayru, please introduce yourself."

~Hi~ Nayru appeared out of thin air in front of me.

 "!?" Her pupils contracted so much that they assumed a battle position.

"Raven, stop, stop; she is friendly." I put myself in front of Nayru.

"Isaac, who, how, and what is she?" She was pointing at Nayru.

(sigh) "She is Nayru, a pixie, my companion, and from now on, yours as well."

 "Why?"

 "The truth?" 

"Yes, please." I took a seat in one of her desk chairs, beside her bed.

"Your father, I know that he will try anything in his power to influence you down an evil path."

"Didn't you seal that?"

"Yes, I did, but if you wish to break the seal, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Why would I do that?"

"There's more than one way to make people do what you want."

She didn't say anything; she just stayed silent, thinking.

~Ahm, Master, what'm I supposed to do?~

{Protect her, be her friend, and notify me if anything dangerous happens to her or her mother}

~Understood, Master~ 

*********************

The next day, I woke up in my old room here in Azarath, which only had a desk with chairs, a bed, and a bathroom.

Exiting my room, I went to the common kitchen, where every member of Azarath eats.

There I saw my fellow guardians and old teachers. I wait in line to receive my food, and when I took it, I heard someone calling me from the side.

"Isaac" 

"Huh?...a Madam Alice, it's been a while."

"Indeed, it has. How are you? Come sit with me." There, at an empty table, was Alice, the person in charge of the library.

"Sure." I approached her table, and I sat in front of her, putting my food on the table.

"I have been fine, Madam Alice; thanks for asking."

(Giggle) "You're welcome; are you going to visit the library?"

"Sure, if I had time later."

"Good." After a couple of minutes of her asking about my experiences on earth, she excused herself and left for the library.

Now alone, I finish my food.

{Do you hear me, Nayru?}

~Yes, Master, what happened?~

"Nothing, just checking."

~alright~

(Sigh) 

"Your soul is going to leak if you keep doing that, Isaac."

"Huh!?" I heard Allera behind me, and she startled me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

{Your still smiling}

"I have an answer, about what we talked about yesterday."

"Then?" 

"They agree, but they need to be present."

"I don't mind; that's even better."

"What are you planning, Isaac?"

"Me?  Nothing; I'm just trying to protect my little sister and her mother."

(Giggle) "Thank you, Isaac"

I stood up from the table, and she followed me.

"Anytime"