Damian's Sister

The City

~ The City ~

Daire Al Ghul walked through the dim courtyard. The setting sun making the shadows longer.

Her eyes blindfolded, she was heavily dependent on her hearing. The wind was not on her side, loud enough to make a dull roar around her. Still, she walked with confidence. While it had been a while since she took this challenge, it was not her first.

He hadn't meant to, but her first opponents grazed his foot against the ground, alerting her of his presence. Without hesitation, she swiped her sword at him. She heard a clang, their swords met. Ducking down, she took another swipe for his unprotected abdomen. She heard his shocked gasp and heavy stumbling.

Daire had heard him fall and marched up to him. She heard the desperate wind from the sword, barely blocking it in time. She caught her boot on the blade, holding it to the ground.

The man opened his mouth, begged for mercy.

"End him," she knew her mother would say. Daire didn't wait for the command and took the initiative, making his death quick.

By the end of the challenge, Daire was panting. Blood ran down her face and she cradled her right arm to her chest. She leaned on her left leg, leaning forward slightly. She had many cuts, most deep, but she did her best to ignore them.

At her mother's command, she removed the blindfold. She blinked at first, adjusting to the sudden light. Her eyes scanned the bloodied ground. She pushed the guilt aside, knowing she was doing this for her brother. She started into her mother's eyes, waiting.

With a firm nod, Talia declared, "You're ready."

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Daire forced herself not to cough. She wondered how people tolerated all the smog. She couldn't even see the sun. She could feel it's warmth, see it's light, but not it.

She was walking around the city, glaring at anyone who came within two feet of her. She walked with such confidence and fast strides, people naturally made way for her. But few challenged her, probably because of her young age.

A tourist map in hand, she soaked in every bit of information she could. Which alleys had fire escapes, were dead ends, good for hiding, great routes of escape, everything.

She stayed out all afternoon, exploring. She walk all around Gotham, memorizing everything she deemed important or useful. If she was to take on Batman in his city, she'd need to know his city like the back of her hand.

As dusk fell, she ducked into an alley, changing into the outfit her mother told her to wear. It wasn't a normal League uniform. None of the men she had with her wore it. Her mother wanted to keep the League's participation in this mission quiet. For now.

Daire didn't understand why but went along with it. There was something her mother wasn't telling her, but it couldn't have been that important if it was being kept a secret. Her mother would have told her anything and everything she needed to know about the mission.

Her hood on and mask raised, she climbed the fire escape. She hopped along the roofs, keeping a low profile. She didn't want to run into the Batman before she was ready. The mission would be over soon, but not so soon. Batman was skilled in battle and difficult to defeat. Hell, her grandfather couldn't beat him. Luckily, she'd have the element of surprise on her side.

Daire heard a sudden scream, followed by a gunshot. She darted towards the commotion, seeing two teens and a mugger. No one seemed hurt. The shot must have been a warning one.

The girl teen was obviously a couple years older. The boy was undecided, partly behind his sister and partly by her side. He wanted to protect her but he also wanted to be protected.