SHATTERED WORLDS | DC (2022)

Year 1: It Was An Accident

Damian

Damian and Cassandra arrived at the Batcave, the car ride there filled with an oppressive silence. Damian hadn't said a single word, and even after they arrived, he remained stoic and closed off.

Though it wasn't out of character for Damian to be quiet, his lack of response to the recent confrontation with his father concerned Cassandra. Despite being a woman of few words herself, she felt obligated to ask how he was. However, Damian replied with a terse, "I'm fine." It was evident he wasn't.

"Don't you want to talk about it?" she asked once more.

"I said I'm fine."

"Bruce can be tough, you know that. Don't let his actions affect your emotions; it won't help." Damian remained quiet, apparently preoccupied with something else. "Hey, are you listening? What are you doing?"

"I'm packing."

"For what? Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business."

"Hey, listen, I'm trying to help you."

"I don't need your help," he replied, his irritation evident.

"You don't have to be a jerk about it."

Damian let out a sigh of annoyance. "Listen, you and I have never seen eye to eye. In fact, we've never even hung out. I actually think this is the longest conversation we've ever had. So let's keep it that way. You mind your own business and leave me alone."

Cassandra frowned, stung by his dismissal.

She had have enough of him.

"You know, I don't know what your problem is, but since the first day I got here, you've been an insufferable jerk, and you still are. Maybe you should look in the mirror for once and consider why no one likes you."

"Just shut up, will you? You're just another one of my father's obedient servants. You follow him without question. That's the only reason he tolerates you."

"Sounds like someone is jealous they're not the favorite child," she said, mocking him.

"Is that what you think you are? Part of this family? You're an orphan with no father, and a mother who doesn't love you. You're not part of this family; you're just a servant, eager to appease Batman so he can treat you like family. That way, you can know what it feels like to have a father figure in your life. There's nothing special about you." Damian's words cut deep into Cassandra's soul.

"If I'm not special, then why can I kick your ass in a fight?" The sentence irked Damian, and he finally put his stuff down and turned around.

"Fine. Let's stop talking and prove it then."

Damian cracked his knuckles and locked eyes with her for a second. The cave was still and brooding, holding only specters of anguish and regret. Ruin and sorrow were the dark domains in which they now strode, as Damian and Cassandra faced each other, opponents joined in a battle of vigilante and orphan.

Two flames against the gloom, if either could subdue the other. Otherwise only anguish remained, coalesced into darkness itself.

Damian rushed in headfirst, unleashing a series of quick blows - hooks and crosses with the raging force of one possessed. But Cassandra easily dodged them and deflected away, countering with strikes of her own, lean and precise as a cobra's strike.

Although Cassandra had superior speed, technique and skill, 's sheer strength and brute rage kept the fight close. Each blow rattled bones, as they battled to either dominance or ruin.