The Thing Inside Me

Chapter 32

"Batman!" I yelled as I spotted him. "Nightslash is the monster!" Wally said a little panicked, I nodded as I caught my breath. Bruce for once looked dumbfounded, "Pardoned?" He questioned as he turned to face us. Wally point up to the sky at the beast flying overhead, "Nightslash is really a combination of two goddesses, and that is the form of Cortanna. The goddess of evil, darkness and stuff." Bruce's expression changed to doubt. "We need to find a way to draw Sapphire out, she is the only one who can stop Cortanna." I added to Wally's statement.
Bruce let out a sigh, "Fine, how do we do that?" I was taken back by his words, "You believe us?" I quizzed. "I'm running out of options." He said gruffly. "You need to get its attention." Bruce said looking at me. "What?" I said astonished. "I have noticed some changes in her personality while she has been here, she seems to have take a liking to you." Bruce said with amusement hidden in his monotone voice. "So how do I get her attention?" I said instantly regretting my decision.

Sapphire's POV
I awoke with a splinting headache, I gripped my head and looked around. I wasn't really awake, I was stuck in the world in my head that Cortanna lived in. The dark colourless room hadn't changed. I looked around, searching for Cortanna. But she wasn't anywhere, instead I found the crystal ball. It was shattered into pieces at the end of the bed, it's perfect smooth surface was now a collection of sharp jagged edges. My hand clasped over my mouth, I had no way of looking at the outer world. No way of seeing what Cortanna is doing.

Dick's POV
With help from Megan I reached the top of the highest building nearby. I looked up at the sky and lit the flare, raising it above my head. The monster turned to be almost immediately, it dove down quickly. It opened its wings as it neared me, using them like a parachute to slow it's fall. It flapped it's large wings slowly, I noticed their detail. It's black scales reflected the sun making their sharp tips look like a deadly rainbow. I then stared into its eyes, what seemed to take in my every movement. They were a deep black, no way to tell where the pupil and iris separated. The black bled into its sclera (white part of eye) like spilt ink. "Sapphire..." I started to say but the beast opened it jaws and let out a blast of fire. I dropped to my stomach, barely avoiding it's hot breath. I slid down the slick roof, my boots and gloves barley gripping it. I pulled myself onto my feet, and shuffled up the roof slowly. The beast stared at me, anger and curiosity hidden in its dark eyes. "You really know how to ruin a sentimental moment don't you Cortanna?" I asked shaking my head. The beast growled. "Like I was saying, Sapphire I know you can hear me..." the monster once again cut me off, this time with a swipe of it's huge talons. "Stop! She can't hear you!" A angry female voice entered my head as I picked myself up again.

I looked up at the beast, "Sapphire, you need to fight her. You can't let her win!" I grunted as I fought back a groan of agony. I held the fresh wound on my shoulder, trying to keep calm. "Sapphire is gone, there is only darkness."  The voice hissed. I looked into the beasts eyes, "You're scared. I can see it-" the monster cut me off again with a roar and  another blast of fiery breath. I ducked and once again slid down the roof, this time unable to get my footing. I soon dangled off the edge of the building, my grip on the concrete slipping. The monster circled the tall building waiting for my next move. "Like I was saying you're scared-" I grunted as I struggled to pull myself up. "that you can't keep fighting her. You don't think you can win." I pointed out. The beast stopped circling the tall building to hover in front of me. "Young boy, as much as I'd like to watch you fall to your death... I'd much rather rip you apart myself."  The cunning voice said as the beast gave me a sickly smile, it's jagged teeth reflecting my fear.

It's large jaws opened and quickly shut, the beast let out a deafening screech. I made the mistake off letting go of the building to cover my ears. I had no thoughts as I watched the top of the building get further away. The sound of my cape caught in the wind was loud, making me close my eyes tightly. Suddenly there was a shadow over me and a loud thud. My body shook a bit as I felt a sudden pressure on my back. My mind struggled to process what had happened, am I dead? Did I hit the ground? Is this.. what it was like for them? Images of my parents danced in my head, their smiles faint. Their was a low growl in the background of my thoughts. "Grayson." A soft voice said as a white light washed out my parents. "Grayson." It said again as a figure formed in the light. Sapphire? I asked as she formed in front of me. She gave me a soft smile and reached out for my hand, I took it willingly. "Wake up." She squeezed my hand lightly before letting go, she retreated backwards into the light. I tried to follow her but my legs wouldn't move, I stood there helpless as she faded away with the light.

My eyes opened to a dark figure standing over me, I jumped slightly and instantly regretted it. My whole body ached and my head was fuzzy, which blurred my vision slightly. The figure knelt down beside me, and supported my back. I get out a groan as I was helped to a sitting position. I looked over my shoulder at the figure, "B-" "Don't waist your energy." The man said cutting me off. I rubbed me sore eyes and looked at the figure. "Br... Batman I.. I'm sorry I failed you." I placed my hands on the ground to support my self before trying to stand, my hand touched something. I looked over to my other side to see what it was. A girl laid there her hair covering her face, my mouth went dry as I tried to speak. I looked at Bruce but his blank stare was no help to me. "She hit the ground really hard saving you." Bruce said lowly, almost like he was saying she sorry. I brushed the girl's hair out of her face, it was covered in ash and blood. Blood.. As my mind struggled to come out of shock I hadn't noticed the pool of blood around her. The ends of her soft bleach blonde hair was now a deep burgundy.