Chapter 67

"Slade tried what you're doing and in the end, he didn't win, Mumbo." Raven told him. "And he got his power from the direct source. Believe me, you won't go as far as he did."

"Ah, but Slade didn't have the extra backing of magic now, did he?" Mumbo waved his finger. "You'll find a more challenging adversary in me."

Raven highly doubted it. No person alive had been able to push her or the titans to the limits of their physical, emotional and mental thresholds as Slade did. Even after his second and final demise, his shadow still hung over them, especially Robin.

But none of that mattered. She could feel Rage scratching at her mind, insisting to be freed to tear this man limb from limb. She could also feel the others fighting to restrain her. All the conflict going on in her head gave her a splitting headache that only grew worse as she was forced to listen to the magician's cackling.

Wordlessly, she launched another set of tendrils at the magician. The man laughed infuriatingly as he effortlessly destroyed each one before sending his own barrage of attacks at her. Raven grit her teeth as she felt each flame sap her power even further. This couldn't go on.

But it did, minute after minute dragged out and Raven was left panting and lightheaded, resisting the urge to pass out as she felt the drain taking its toll on her. Mumbo, not free of his own injuries, laughed at her.

"Ah, can't go on, I see, " The man grinned. "Don't worry, Raven. I'm sure the Church's going to treat you well, at least until it's time to fulfill your destiny."

Walking towards her, he willed the circle to close in on them both. "Now, let's get you home. Daddy's waiting."

The mark on his glove glowed with power as he reached out to drain the final traces of her magic and render her unconscious. This battle had been a lot more draining and time consuming than he'd thought it'd be. What a frightening girl. He wouldn't want to face her if she somehow got the chance to reach her peak.

He'd nearly touched her when he felt her power spike suddenly and was forced to jump back swiftly to avoid being impaled by his own shadow. His eyes widened as the spikes followed him, shooting out of each place his form cast a shadow on the ground

"I won't be seeing dear old dad, thank you very much." A much deeper voice spoke. Mumbo's eyes widened in realisation and he tensed. He'd been warned about this and prepared accordingly. He wouldn't want to go half assed into a fight against the being that sent Dr. Light to Arkham Asylum.

"I was hoping you wouldn't come out." He mumbled. The girl clearly heard him and turned to face him, giving him a clear view of four red eyes and a sharp toothed grin. He gulped in mild fright, feeling sweat gather on the side of his head. He unconsciously drew on more power from the mark to intensify the flames.

"Oh come on, when you're fighting Raven, you're a badass but you see me and become a bitch?" Rage grinned at him. "That's flattering but it'll get you nowhere tonight."

"Unfortunately for you," Mumbo started, speaking slowly so as not to stutter. "I've prepared accordingly for this confrontation."

"Ah, but your fear says otherwise." Rage grinned, surprising the man. "Because you know whatever measures you took won't be enough. Nothing you ever do is ever enough. Because you're still just an underprivileged magician who just so happened to find a conjurer's hat by chance."

Mumbo's features contorted in anger and he let loose another ball of fire at the grinning demon. His eyes widened when she extinguished it with a casual wave of her hand.

"I hope your 'measures' don't all involve that mark." Rage's grin widened. "You won't get far if it is. You'll go even less far when I burn it off your hand."

With that said, another group of tendrils, larger than the previous sets, shot at him. Mumbo barely dodged the first one only to recoil as a spike shot out from his shadow and grazed his side. He'd never felt so grateful for the bond. That would have probably pierced through his skin if not for Cinderblock's resilience.

"You've been so eager to dodge since the beginning of this little battle. You should be happy I'm giving you the chance to put on a show," Rage mocked. "Now dodge some more, dance for me!"

Mumbo yelped as he jumped out of the way of multiple tendrils and spikes, each one faster than the last. He could feel himself rapidly tire out. Even with the enhanced resilience, he could feel each one that managed to strike him break skin and draw blood.