Intoxicating Desires | T. Al Ghul ✔

[43]

Talia was glad to have her son back and saw that he had grown taller than she had last seen him. She had heard of his progress at the fort and was satisfied with the outcomes.

However, she did not miss seeing the hostility in Damian's gaze toward Jason, another young boy she had taken under her wing and wanted to train to be the best warrior in their League.  She could feel that her son was upset so she decided to talk to him about it.

She didn't have to wait long as after dinner, Damian joined her as she was going out in the woods for a late-night stroll. She had a habit of going away from the base alone to clear her thoughts but as Damian asked if he could join her, she didn't refuse.

Together they left the base and the cold winter breeze engulfed them as they walked off to the forest.

"My son, how has your stay been at the fort?" Talia asked, her hand gently resting on the boy's shoulder.

"It has been as I expected," he replied but then added after a short pause, "I have something to ask you, Ummi."

"Of course, dear, what is it?"

"Who is Jason?" He asked, turning to look at her, "and how do you know him?"

She paused, thinking about what answer she should give him but then replied, "I met him once on my visit to Gotham. He is Baman's son."

"But what is he doing here? And he told me he had died once, is that true?"

She nodded, "yes. He died due to Father's mistake so he decided to rectify it by bringing him back through the Lazarus Pit. But Jason doesn't want to go to his family so I thought it would be better if he trains and serves in the League."

Damian was silent for a while, contemplating everything she had told him just then.

"But why are you so intrigued about him?"

He shrugged, "I fought against him on the day we left the fort to come here. I couldn't defeat him."

Talia sensed that her boy was bitter because of that defeat and probably viewed him as a rival. So she ruffled his head gently as she spoke, "that's because he is older than you and is trained differently. I am sure you will be able to defeat him once you complete your training and are on the same level he is."

"It has never been a problem before, I have thwarted opponents twice my age and size," he huffed, "then why not him?"

"Damian, dear, I know you are trying very hard to be the best but some things are not in our control," she spoke in a gentle tone, pausing the stroll and facing her son, "if you get too accustomed to never failing, you will get arrogant and if struck by defeat then, it will damage you worse. It is imperative for all of us to face defeat and accept it. I have done the same, and so should you."

Damian was surprised to hear that his mother, Heir to the Demon Head, had also faced defeat in her life. "Who did you face defeat from, Ummi?"

"Your Uncle Dusan," she replied, a nostalgic smile playing upon her lips, "whenever we train together, he always has the upper hand. He is an excellent fighter."

"Oh... And you're okay with that?"

"Yes, of course. He knows I have improved and have more chances of defeating him than I did in the past. But neither of us feels the need to prove our worth to each other."

He was silent for a while but then folded his arms defiantly, "but he's your brother. It's easy for you to say that and accept defeat from him."

She paused, thinking about the irony of the situation. In a sense, Jason and Damian were brothers too although not by blood yet both were unaware of the fact.