Tidal Waves

27. Truth

Damian glared at Ra's, his jaw clenched. The fight was over before it began. He was fueled with rage.

While Damian dueled with his grandfather, Raven rushed to Jason's side. "You're going to be okay," she assured him, placing her hand on his shoulder for support. Her hands trembled as they desperately attempted to heal him. She sloppily muttered spells under her breath, desperately attempting to make one work.

"Thanks, lassie."

"How bad is he?" Damian questioned as he hurriedly sat down in front of the two, inspecting the wound with dread. Deep bloody gashes from Ra's' sword lined his arms and torso.

Raven and Jason glanced behind Damian to see Ra's lying dead on the concrete, a blood-coated sword sticking out from his chest.

"Well, looks like you took care of that— pretty quickly," Jason said between coughs.

Damian ignored his comment. "Why did you do that? You knew he would try to slaughter you."

Jason weakly laughed. "Kept him occupied— didn't want you to get hurt. Guess you know why now. I— promised her I'd protect you."

Damian groaned as he watched Jason get worse. He turned his head to look at Raven. "He's losing a lot of blood. Can you heal him?"

Raven shamefully shook her head in defeat. "I tried. I think his wound is too severe for my powers."

A light went off in Damian's head. "The pit."

"No—"

"You tried to save my life, now let me do the same," Damian demanded and wrapped his arm around the vulnerable man. Raven followed suit and supported the other side.

Jason groaned as they lifted him. "Already used it once, not good— for my health, you know."

"Well, stop getting nearly killed and you wouldn't have this problem," Damian spoke as they trailed down the corridor.

Raven glanced at him. "Not really helping his situation. Slow down; you're pushing him too hard."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I had the impression you were only a witch-doctor," Damian joked, earning a glare from Raven.

"Are you two— really arguing— while I'm half-dead?"

"Shut up," Raven and Damian said in unison as they approached the stairs.

Jason winced with every step, his weight growing more slumped in the two's arms.

"Almost there," Damian assured, and glanced at Jason worriedly. His eyes were now half-lidded. "Stay with us."

"Trying," Jason admitted, his weak and broken voice heavy on Damian's ears. He masked his panic with determination.

"Let me," Damian ordered as they approached the Lazarus pit. It bubbled eerily as they took in the sight.

Once Raven let go, she watched as Damian lifted Jason by himself and staggered into the ancient green waters. Once he got them to the center and settled, the pit began to work its magic.

Raven's eyes widened at the sight of them; the pit practically absorbing them with its power and turning the two crazy for a brief moment.

"Damian!"

Once Jason felt his deadly wound knit back together, he scrambled toward the edge of the pit, dragging himself out of the water and taking a deep breath.

Before Raven could jump in to pull Damian out, Jason grabbed her by the ankle. "Don't— there's no telling what it would do to you. He'll be okay. His mind is just going to be messed up for a little while."