Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[43] Lazarus Pit

Talia was right in suspecting that even after Nyssa's death, the rebellions within the League would not come to a rest. She had just returned to the base from a routinely visit to the other base near Cape Town however, no sooner had her fleet landed, she was met by a full blown battle, causing her to retreat momentarily.

The base was under attack and though she had been forced to retreat due to the unexpected encounter, she was quick to form a resistance.

However, her blood froze realizing that Mona was still inside the base and would have been the first to be at threat from the intruders. She knew even though the girl was a skilled fighter by then still she was at risk of being hurt much worse if she had gotten cornered by the attackers.

"Udit!" She caught sight of the man battling furiously against the intruders, "go to Mona, right now!"

He nodded, his sword slashing through his opponent as he tore him in half then rushed to follow the order he had been given.

Talia stood her ground as she fiercely battled through, reaching her base that was half enveloped in flames. Her emerald irises blazed as she fought with even deadlier intent, enraged to see her base being damaged as such.

She spotted Udit shielding Mona as the two fought against the intruders that had encircled them. But while she was looking out for Mona, she was temporarily distracted and a knife was plunged into her back, making her stumble as hot pain shot through her spine.

Not letting the injury stunt her, she had spun around and her sword had slashed through the throat of the attacker. However blood dripped down her back, the pain increasing gradually.

"Ummi!" Mona had seen that happen and left Udit, coming to her side immediately as she disarmed another attacker that had lunged at them.

Talia's hand rested on her shoulder, the pain in her back getting worse but she fought resiliently, making sure not to let her little warrior come to any harm while protecting her.

After a fierce battle, they finally managed to drive out the intruders and kill the remaining of their attackers but a lot of damage had been sustained by their base as well as the League members including Talia, Mona and Udit.

With the danger temporarily lessening, Talia sank down on her knees, unable to stand due to her wounds. Mona was terrified as she held onto her, Udit coming to her aid shortly after.

Emerald eyes were fluttering shut from fatigue but Mona recalled that Talia had once shown her the Lazarus Pit which was a source of curing even the most fatal of injuries. Turning to Udit, she spoke up, "we have to take Mistress to the Lazarus Pit."

He nodded and the two of them helped Talia up as they carried her to the secluded area of the base underground where the pit was located. Bright green liquid gleamed as they approached and carefully, the two lowered Talia into it.

Her body gradually vanished under the surface of the bright green liquid and there was utter silence gripping the entire area. Udit had backed off from the Pit, knowing it was not his place to be that close to such a treasured possession of the League. Almost all League members, except for those directly descended from Ras Al Ghul, were forbidden to come close to the Pit.

However, Mona stayed there by the edge, her little hands clutching the rough rocky surface of the ground tightly as she waited for Talia to reemerge. She was getting worried by every passing second as the surface of the green liquid was extremely still.

But then there was a ripple that broke the surface and a few more ripples formed shortly after.

Mona backed off immediately when Talia emerged rejuvenated, the emerald irises turning blank white but then slowly returning to the original color. 

She saw the girl was wounded too but hesitant so Talia stood in the middle of the pit with her arms open towards her.

"Come to Ummi, Mona," she cooed in a soft voice, watching the child nod obediently as she stepped into the pit.

With careful steps, Mona approached her, the green water reaching up to her neck.

Fear swam in her vision but Talia's slender arms wrapped around her, a sense of safety sweeping over her.

"It's alright, child, you're with me."

"Ummi," she whispered, looking up at her and saw her nod encouragingly.

Taking a deep breath, the child dipped down into the water, eyes shut tightly while her hands were held in Talia's.

"Don't be scared," she heard Talia's voice close to her, "you will be healed soon."

Intense pain erupted in her body as the wounds began to seal themselves. Her grip on Talia's hands tightened but she couldn't propel herself out of the water as it seemed an invisible force was holding her down to it, refusing to let go of her until each cut and each gash would be healed.

Moments later, she finally came to the surface, gasping for breath as her blue eyes turned blank white momentarily then regained color when she took in deep gulps of air. Talia was still holding her hands in her own, looking down at her with a soft smile.

"See, there was nothing to be scared of," she whispered in a reassuring tone, her hand gently squeezing the soft dainty hands of the child.

Mona looked up with her bright blue irises flecked with a very faint green, a side effect of being rejuvenated by the Lazarus Pit.

The woman gently led her out of the pit, her arm draped around her as she stepped out and both of them were given their cloaks to wear on top of their armor.

Mona looked up at her figure towering over her but didn't question anything instead she followed her inside the partially damaged base that was at the moment being patched up by the League members.

Seeing Talia emerge, they had parted to form a way for her and bowed their heads respectfully as she passed. Though her emerald eyes swept over each face in suspicion, knowing that such an intense breakout to the base could not have been possible without inside help.

She knew there were still traitors among them and if she didn't find out their identities, she could be at risk of another even deadlier attack.

***