A few days after Thanksgiving. Outside of London in a Cemetary

Mezian and Jessalyn rode in the back of the car as it slowly drove through the Cemetary. The trees passed the leaves changing colors and the air blowing them. The random beams of light streaming through bouncing off the reflection of the car. Jessalyn sat and watched it all pass her by.

How are you holding up?

Eh, I am okay. I don't really like funerals. Never really have, I've been to way too many in my life.

Mezian smiled as he looked at Jessalyn

Is there something funny about that?

No Little one, It isn't funny. This isn't a funeral, it's more of a memorial service. we don't bury our dead anymore.

Why? There has always been a funeral for the Ravens and for the rest of the people we have lost? Why is it different now?

Cortessa, she makes it different. She has a pillar of creation. The one specifically meant for resurrection. It can bring back any living being, good or evil, human or Angel. it could bring back the creator is she wanted. The last time that she used it she brought back Raziel. She had him try and kill you in Perth, two years ago. Since you have been gone we have had to cremate and concentrate all of the people we have lost since then to stop them from being made into her lackey.

Raziel was evil before he was resurrected. I don't think that changed anything.

Raz was a killer, yes, but evil no. Those concepts don't really apply to the celestials. we just have different ways of getting our point across. When I fought him in Nigeria I knew he was coming I knew what he was going to do. It was the same thing he has done since the beginning of time.

Raziel was the wrath of the creator. He had one purpose, to punish those deemed unfit by our father. So when he came to Nigeria he wiped that village out because that is what the council deemed fit. With the creator being dead they are the closest thing he has to a "father". But when he came back to Perth, he was different. The Angel of Wrath wasn't doing what he always does. It was random, sporadic, and unconventional. We originally thought it was because he wanted to get your attention. After the incident, we looked into it. He used a gun...

Yeah, Mez, he is a killer its what they do. They kill people, with guns. Not all of us have swords and Magic.

That is just it Jess, HE DID. Raziel is just like me. He had a sword and Magic, He had a sword just like mine. His magic, on the other hand, is more along the lines of destruction. He could have waved his hand and made the building you were in turn to dust. But he didn't he used a gun. He didn't use any of his powers or his sword, he was different.

Mezian stopped what he was saying. he looked out the window.

We're here, we should get out and meet with Gaea and Azont they have been wanting to see you.

The car slowed to a stop and the two exited the car. Jessalyn stretched a little and took a deep breath. The crisp air was a reminder that she had been gone for a while. She knew that it was still something she had to talk to them about. It was five months for everyone else but for her, it was much, much longer. As she closed the door of the car she heard a familiar voice from behind.

It has been a long time little one.

It was Gaea, the same purple eyes and loving smile, next to her was Azoth. the same mountain of a man. He towered over all of them.

Hello Jessalyn it has been a long time. We have missed you.

The three shared a hug near the car. Mezian smiled slightly as he walked to a nearby tree.

As heartwarming as this all is we have a lot to get done and friends to remember. So if we can get this over with the easier the next steps will be.

The tree she stood next to seemed like all of the others. Tall and wide bright orange leaves sprouting from its branches. Red and orange leaves scattered around the base. There he stood staring at something that made this one different. It was a stone in the trunk of the tree at the bottom.

On it were the names of all lost in the five months since Jessalyn had gone missing. There were dozens. Various names from all the compounds. She had not really taken to the idea of being a Raven but she knew the names of many of her brothers and sisters. It was the last three that stood out to her. Those were the names they were there to remember.

ABIGAIL ALBRIGHT SERENITY CROFT HOPE CROFT

Mezian stood next to the stone holding his hand on the tree. He was not one for emotions but he had been here too many times for it not have an effect on him

How many have we lost? How many times have you come here?

36

At least 15 times in the five months we have been looking for you.

Jesus, How have you done this all by yourselves? How many are left to fight?

Mezian looked up from the stone to look at Jessalyn.

Honestly? Maybe a few thousand. Most of the Mentors and Ravens either went into hiding or joined sides with her. So our numbers are small, that is why I had to make this out meeting point. She won't find us here.

Jessalyn seemed confused by what Mezian was saying. Until she felt it, the random burst of heat from behind and the smell of brimstone.

Lucifer....

She turned to where she felt the heat and smelled the brimstone. And he stood with Baziel and Baal. His to lieutenants, smirking like the devil he was.

Oh Jessalyn...My dear, you shouldn't be so upset. This should be one hell of a good time

Lucifer smiles...

---

Opportunities are often given with good faith. And they are also often met with some sort of expectations. I don't think this is what this is. I think that is a random chance. A chance that most of the locker room probably doesn't think I deserve. Honesty I kinda agree. I mean I disappeared for five months and out of nowhere I show up and give a 50/50 performance against Atara.
That is why I say it is just a chance. I think that if this were a real chance at the Universal championship it would be me and Lux or The engineer or whatever they are calling themselves today. It may be different tomorrow, who knows. The fact is that this isn't a chance like I said. This is just dumb luck.

I don't believe either, to be honest. Everything happens for a reason. Now, this isn't saying that it was some sort of fate or some bullshit like that. No, this is what it is. I had my name pulled just like the other four people. But unlike the other people, I know what it's like to fight for Championships. I have held a couple of my own. Before you get your undies in a twist Im not comparing careers or championships. I am just stating facts. The Engineer and I have held Championships before we know what it is like to fight for something important, to fight for something bigger than ourselves. To fight for a team or to fight to hold your place in the pecking order.

Both of which I have lost in my absence. I am aware of this, it painfully obvious at times. I don't let that stop me from walking down that ramp and into that ring. There is something that will never be taken from me...Ever. I Have never been to a Chamber match before. It won't change anything. I will still enter that ring and fight whoever I have to, however, I have to.

Once those doors close and the bell rings the world will see the kind of people we really are. The kind of Champion we could and will be. None of us will know what happens until Christmas and the outcome is still undetermined but I for one know an undeniable truth. That no matter what happens, If I win or lose I will make sure all of you understand one thing.

" No One Is Safe" isn't just a catchphrase. Or something I put on shirts to sell merch. It is a cold hard fact of life. No one is safe, no one can outrun the inevitable. It doesn't matter what happens at Christmas. You four and the rest of the world will see what I mean when I say those words. I don't care who I have to break to prove my point.