Rescued: A Nyssara Story

Chapter 18

NYSSA: I've dressed for the rituals and I now stand with my father as he prepares the chalice.

"Are they on the way?" I ask him

"I sent for them several minutes ago. They should be here soon."

I nod and stand there by his side until the new member Sarab is led into the room with Sara led in right behind.

Sara and I lock gazes and I see that her eyes emulate that of pure terror. Now, I worry. Did she not have a chance to take the potion? I suppose that may be what happened. The women who gave her the clothing also did her hair up. Did they also watch her dress?

She glances downward at her cleavage for a moment and then back at me and then I know that she didn't take the vial.

My father speaks in English, "Good morning Sarab and Ta-er al-Sahfer. Today, with these rituals, I initiate you as official members of the League. Both of you, kneel before your maker."

The two step forward and kneel before him. He hands me the chalice to hold as he speaks to them.

"You shall leave," he says to the other members. They bow and exit the room.

Fear strikes my mind with a thousand cuts, for my Sara is in danger of being lost. I clench my jaw in frustration, because I know there is nothing I can do to save her now.

I haven't a clue how I'm going to get Sara out of this. I can't pour my spare vial into the chalice, because then Sarab would also be affected. I would surely be found out. I don't see a way to overcome this.

The only thing that I can think to do is to let her endure the ritual. She is the strongest woman I've ever met. She kept herself alive on the island when her body longed for death. But her soul is strong, and I pray that she is strong enough to brave the ritual and withstand its tremendous effect on the mind. She can. She must.

SARA: I look at Nyssa and her face shows that of defeat. I can see that she doesn't have a back-up plan...

Ra's speaks to the man next to me.

"What is your name?"

"It is Sarab, sir."

Ra's laughs. "It is pleasing to me that you say what I wish to hear. You are to tell me what I wish to know, not what I wish to hear. So, what is your previous name, then?"

"It..it was Maseo Yamashiro, sir."

"Well, today, I hope that this Maseo fellow becomes separated from you, Sarab."

"As do I, sir."

He smiles slightly. "Hm, yes." He steps in front of me. "And what is your name, little bird?"

I can feel Nyssa's eyes glued on me from where she stands. "Sara Lance," I say.

"And are you prepared to let go of Sara Lance?"

I clench my jaw. I know how I have to answer. "Yes, sir. I am," I say sternly.

He stares at me with piercing eyes then turns to Nyssa. "I will let you do the honors, daughter. This one is your prize."

She nods. Nyssa steps to me and gazes into my eyes with such sorrow. I look at the chalice and back at her as she looks down, away from my face.

"Sara Lance shall be only a distant memory known only to those who knew her. Ta-er al-Sahfer shall be born today as a loyal servant to Ra's al Ghul, Head of the Demon," she says before offering me the chalice to drink.

I look at her as she places it on my lips. She gives me a subtle nod and the look in her eyes makes me feel that everything will be alright.

She tips the chalice into my mouth. By the time the chalice is gone from my lips, I'm gone. There is nothing. I am nothing.

NYSSA: I can see Sara's eyes glaze over before I could even give the chalice back to my father.

My heart hurts. It's like I cannot breathe. It's like I cannot think or see. My Sara is gone. She isn't here anymore and she could be lost after this.

Sarab has been given the potion, and he too, is susceptible to suggestion now. As my father continuously plants their new names into their minds and enforces their loyalty to him, all I can see is Sara lost in another world.

Where is she? Will she return to me? Will it be my precious Sara? Or will it be Ta-er al-Sahfer who awakens from this trance?

If any part of her is weak in any way she will be lost, but I have hope that she is strong enough to overcome this... I'll pray to any deity just please, make her come back to me.