Red War

Part Nine

-Athena's POV-

Ra's sat in his chair, his legs crossed and his hands gripping the seat. He had several body guards. Ra's body was beat up slightly, a few cuts and bruises here and there. I scanned over his injuries inquiringly. It had to be Dick. Good for him.

When I walked in, Ra's perked up. He uncrossed his legs, his eyes meeting me wildly. Flames burned in his eyes. "Well, well, well," Ra's purred, his lips forming an evil sort of grin, "looks like you couldn't hide forever, could you?"

I was petrified. I really was. Ra's was gluing me to the spot. I wouldn't dare move a muscle. As he stared at me, his unwavering, hungry gaze ripping through me, shivers ravaged down my spine. My eyes darted around the room, seeking for the familiar and friendly eyes of Thalia. However, she hadn't returned after escorting me to the door. That being said, I was happy that she hadn't returned yet. Hopefully that meant she was in the process of getting Dick out of the building safely.

A thought came to my mind. I imagined what life would be like after I finally made peace with Ra's. I would be able to live in peace, not having to worry if Ra's was out there plotting to kill someone I cared about or planning his revenge on the city. I imagined a world where I could call Thalia up and tell her about my most recent fight with Dick, ask for her advice, ask her about her son, and just generally be friends again. I could picture a life where I would be invited to instruct new assassins at the Temple and enjoy some green tea with Ra's as we play chess in his library. It was one that -- I suddenly understood -- I craved and had been craving ever since I deferred from the League of Assassins.

I snapped my eyes up from the ground, where they had instinctively fell. Fierceness coursed through me as I faced Ra's. He looked shocked, yet proud. "I didn't come here to fight, Ra's," I reached up over my head and slid both of my swords out of their slots. I tossed them to the side, landing with a clang.

Then, I slid my hands down my sides and also took out Frosty and Ruby. I unclicked my utility belt, letting it crash to the wooden floor. Lastly, I took Thalia's dagger out from its hiding spot. Ra's watched it the entire way it slid across the floor. It stopped at his feet. He inched forward in his chair, plucking it up off the floor. Rolling it around in his hands, Ra's studied the dagger before placing it beside him.

"I don't know what you expect to accomplish, Athena," Ra's said, "I'm not sure what Batman has taught you while you have you been in his company, but unarming yourself is a very foolish idea."

I bowed my head in acknowledgement. "Yes, it leaves me open to your attacks, so if you want to capture me and take me back to the Temple, do it." I paused and waited. Ra's raised his hand as if to conjure his assassins. They all stood on edge with their eyes trained on me. They twitched in anticipation, their mouths practically hanging open with drool like starving wolves.

But Ra's didn't give the command. We made eye contact. He seemed unsure of his decision, but he had already made it. I bowed, low. When I rose to my feet again, Ra's seemed to have softened. Just a little.

"Say what you must," he croaked, twirling Thalia's dagger.

I stuck my hands to my sides and stood at an attention stance. "Ever since we met, you have been grooming to be the greatest fighter and master assassin to ever walk the earth. Maybe this was so I could one day take over for you when you are ready to move on. I'm not sure.

"But consider this Ra's, even if I had returned to you after killing Joker and Batman like you wanted, what would you have done? Would you have finally let me take over for you? Would you finally be satisfied with me? Or would you have sent me off on another extended mission or maybe to another training facility? Would you even want me around?