Batman: Knight of the Hunt

Issue 5

Nothing But Ruins and Death

Rifle ready, David Cain advances slowly. He's on high alert, listening for further movement within the ruined house ahead. Another footstep. His finger is just barely touching the trigger. There's a clop, clop on the pavers. A shape steps out from around the wall.

A furry, goat-like creature stops directly in front of him, apparently just as surprised to see the assassin as Cain is to see him. There's a moment of hesitation, then Cain lowers his weapon as the goat bounds off amongst the remains of the stone city.

"Relax; it's nothing."

He turns and walks past the others until he gets to Batman, kneeling over the prone form of the giant he calls Bane. He watches for a moment, sees the pale yellow of his skin, and the beads of sweat standing out on his bare arms. Batman has peeled Bane's mask off, and the giant stares unblinkingly up at the sky, completely unable to get up. Cain shakes his head, then holds the muzzle of his rifle over the giant's forehead.

Batman's black-gloved hand shoots up, wrenching the weapon aside by the barrel. The Dark Knight is on his feet instantly, glaring at the master assassin.

"He won't make it."

"No one dies."

Cain laughs, but there's a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Everyone dies, boy. Sooner or later." He looks down at Bane. "Besides, he destroyed you. Brutally. Painfully. Why should you care what happens to him?"

Batman still holds the gun barrel, keeping it pointed at the cobblestone well away from the fallen giant. Bane's head has turned toward them, and he watches the dispute almost without concern, as if they were deciding someone else's fate rather than his own. Or as if he has already accepted the outcome, either way.

The Dark Knight refuses to budge.

Finally, Cain sighs and slings the rifle over his should again. "Well, what's wrong with him?"

"The Santa Prisca government tested an experimental drug on him while he was in prison," Batman explains. "Now he needs a dose every twelve hours."

Cain's brow furrows suddenly. "Green vials?"

"Yes," Batman answers. "Why?"

Unslinging his pack and kneeling quickly, Cain rummages through the bag's contents. The rest of the team has already gathered around, and now watches his search eagerly. After a moment, he produces a medical case, which opens to reveal three syringes of a bright green liquid. The sealed, well-padded case had been enough to protect the contents even during the wild chase.

Batman snatches one out of the case eagerly. Groaning with effort, Bane extends his arm. When Batman holds the syringe up in front of him, he nods. It's Venom, and even the dosage is correct. Batman presses the needle under the skin and empties the syringe with a sigh of relief.

Bane nods again, this time in gratitude. His breathing deepens, and his eyes flutter closed. The Venom will do its work, but it will take time for him to recover.

Batman stands up and the circle parts to let him through. Without a word, he walks toward the wall, climbs a cracked, well-worn flight of stairs, and stands on a crumbling battlement above the gatehouse. Its only mid-afternoon, but what a day it has been.

Robin joins him after a moment, hanging back a couple steps to give the Dark Knight his space. Looking out from atop the battlements, they can see the entire valley. After the frenzied chase and the snarling hellhounds, its amazing how peaceful the scene in front of them is. The goats graze peacefully in the meadow, a few bright-colored birds sing from the random trees. The waterfall's torrent becomes a gently murmuring stream as it flows through the center of the valley. And behind them are the peaceful ruins of a forgotten city.