The dynamic duo finally revealed their true feelings [read: PART I]. Both Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince opened a new chapter together. Nevertheless, the closer they became, the bigger the risk that would put each of them in danger. Enemies from the p...
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Batcave.
The gloomy sanctum of the Batman, complete with hundreds of bats hanging above. The Batmobile made its way inside the sunless underground cave through the entrance tunnel. The loud sound of its engine was echoing, unintentionally scaring the bats away. After the vehicle got parked, Batman got out and took off his cowl.
"Oh? It's unlike you to return this early, Master Bruce," Alfred said while rewiring one of the broken Tech-Cowls in the corner.
"Busy night, Alfred?" Bruce asked while checking on his Bat-computer.
"Well, I should thank you for wrecking it... Rough battle, I see," the English butler sarcastically replied. Alfred always knew what to say, making him the moral core of the Bat.
Incoming call, Lucius Fox.
His Batcomputer received a call from Lucius Fox, his research head at Wayne Enterprises. Bruce walked approach his supercomputer and answered the call. He was then connected with Lucius through videotelephony.
"Lucius," Bruce greeted him.
"Ah, Mr. Wayne. I thought you were busy roaming around Gotham," Lucius said as he was also trusted to be the key supplier of Batman's tech. That made him well aware of Bruce's actions as the Dark Knight.
"I knew you would say that too. Any news?"
"The production inflation of Wayne Healthcare has reached its stability after the massive vaccine distribution. Countries with high demand, namely Egypt, Jamaica, and Indonesia are reportedly stabilizing. We've increased our profit by 12%," Lucius said as he was share-screening the graphics.
"Excellent. Send me the reports in detail as soon as possible. How about Brother Eye initiation?"
"I thought you'd never ask, Mr. Wayne. The supplies are all in. It's only a matter of further programming. The satellites might need a few upgrades, inside and out. However, we can't be sure yet, since we haven't got any confirmation from WayneTech."
"Alright. So far, so good, Lucius. One thing, this project can't be rushed. It will need advanced precision. So, as always, daily reports throughout the process are strongly required."
"Very well, Mr. Wayne," Lucius replied.
SNIKT! KTANG! KTANG! PRAKK!
Unexpectedly, Bruce heard some noise from the training room during the call. Even Lucius heard that. It was as if someone was swinging a sword. Bruce turned around and looked at Alfred, questioning him without a word. Alfred just looked at him in return and raised his eyebrow to respond to him. Then, Bruce reluctantly decided to end his call for he knew who was making the noise.
"He didn't listen, did he, Alfred?"
"Good old days, Sir... Just like you when you were his age."
Without saying anything, he went to check out the training room. What he thought was right. A boy in a hoodie was there, sword training Although he had a severely broken leg because of a recent accident, it didn't seem to be a problem for him. He even did some acrobatic moves perfectly with only his other leg. Bruce was astonished.
"Damian," Bruce called his name.
The boy stopped himself, dropped his sword, and grabbed his walking stick. He turned around and saw a cowl-less man in a bat suit standing behind him. The boy gave him a glare with his emerald eyes.
"Didn't I tell you to stay in your room?" Bruce asked.
"Just because I have a broken leg, doesn't mean that I'm helpless. I've been hurt worse than this, sparring with my mother and grandfather," Damian answered. "I may be 8 years old, Father, but I'm the grandson of Ra's al Ghul, the leader of the League of Assassins himself! I was born to wield a sword!"
Damian's stubbornness made him sighed. However, he knew his son was suffering from his current condition, not to mention Damian bled a lot whenever he moved too much. "Your bleeding is getting worse. I'm taking you to the recovering chamber."
Bruce gently carried his son and brought him to the chamber. His son felt odd about Bruce's fatherly act, but it helped him to ease his pain.
"Lay down, Damian," he said while taking off a shiny purple stone necklace around his neck, under his suit.
"What are you doing?" Damian was confused. "Hold still, Son," Bruce said. Then, he held the necklace above Damian's broken leg, and gradually, it started to release violet rays. Damian whimpered in pain as the rays were recovering his injury. After a few minutes, the boy finally felt the pain no more, as if nothing ever happened to his leg. Then, Bruce helped him to open up the leg cast and let him stand on his feet.
"Themysciran purple healing stone. My mother used to teach me about their tribes," Damian said. He looked at his father and asked, "did you get it from... her?"
Bruce nodded slowly. However, Damian could clearly see the burden inside him. He knew his father lost Wonder Woman, his light, his... Diana. The way his father looked at the necklace, he knew it was hard for him.
"What happened, Father?" Damian asked, trying to have a heart-to-heart with his father.
Bruce stood in silence, not knowing where to start, yet he knew he could not keep this for himself any longer.
