The True Fear of Bruce Wayne

Chapter 7: Intensive Training

Bruce stood there, looking at his challenge in front of him. He would have to concentrate, for Azrael would not go easy on him. He had began his training this morning and it had lasted until the late evening. He had darkness to surround him, and he was yet at another disadvantage. The first step was to land a hit on Azrael.

"Focus Wayne. Every hit requires every bit of concentration." Azrael said. His voice was all but serious, because he knew what had happened inside of Bruce's mind that night. He knew what he needed to do.

Bruce tried to concentrate, but it was harder than it seemed. He always had something else on his mind, wether it being Alfred, Tim, or Gotham. He hit repeatedly, and missed every shot. Azrael dodged every move with extreme speed. He was getting frustrated, and he lost control, and his movement followed. His shots were uncontrollable, and he was getting angrier with every hit. Azrael grabbed him by the arm, and flipped him around like a rag doll.

"You must not lose control if you are to beat Crane when you return" Azrael informed him. The thing was, he didn't know if he was going to return. He had failed it once. What's to say he would not fail it again?

Bruce knelt one one knee, looking at the ground. He wondered what he would do. Without hesitation, without distraction, he struck. Azrael knew it was coming, but Bruce was relentless. And concentrated. His blows were being blocked, but he was focusing and learning from every hit. His speed persisted and he finally found the opening he needed. He shot a kick to the side of his head, and it connected.

Azrael fell to the ground with a thud. He got up calm and said, "Good. Come tomarrow. And learn to conquer your fears for good." And with that, he plunged his sword in to the old barren rock, and vanished.

Bruce knew he could not overcome all his fears. He feared more things than he let on. He feared that Alfred would get hurt or worse, and it did happen. He was scared of failing his city, and it was now left abandoned. Bruce had never let down his walls to show his fears and weaknesses. Not even to Talia, the only woman he ever loved. Anyone that was close to him got hurt or killed because of his foolish thinking. He was no longer fit to be a human, let alone the protector of a city. He had failed. And he would never fail again.