4: The League Of Assassins [2]

The Desert's cold pressed me against the cot as the moon shines over midnight, my restless eyes roaming through the non-existent patterns on the ceiling, coming up with ways to correct the non symmetric joints I find.

It would take me exactly 8 years 7 months and 26 days to create this room if I began carving it out of a rock with just my hands, why did I even think about that, I have no idea.

Thoughts like these are a passing reminder that my brain is still very much active, after the fight with the trainee ninjas, I settled back in my room, the rations for the day were delivered to me by another guy clad in black, after that my interaction has been limited to zero.

Bruce's mind kept me awake, wrestling with his own insomnia and distinct sleep patterns. Although my body was still healing from the journey here, thanks to the breathing technique Bruce learned from Himalayan monks, it was recovering faster than usual.

Bruce typically followed a three-hour sleep schedule, achieving the necessary rest for his body in that time. But, with his memories now in my possession, mastering this technique will require some time.

I let out a sigh as my mind began to wander through the secrets this universe possesses. 

I didn't give this much of a thought before, because I was busy trying to believe I was reborn? Transmigrated? But now that I'm in Dc doesn't that mean I'm entitled to literal doom.

'We are missing a varied range of information to come to that conclusion, this soon at least but based upon everything you know, I would definitely say we have a tough journey ahead.'

"Yeah, no shit."

I muse over his words as I stare at the ceiling while pondering what I have to do.

I have no idea which Earth I'm in and it's confusing me more and more as according to Bruce's memories, Superman is still not exposed and Gotham already has a few villains roaming the streets, not the meta ones like Scarecrow or Riddler but in the likes of Kiteman and this is definitely something I'm not familiar with.

'Thinking about the 'if' is not gonna help us in the current, we need time to construct plans against the hostile forces we will be facing in the future but right now your main concern should be escaping from the clutches of Ra.'

I sighed slowly rising from the bed and moved towards the wing-chun dummy on the corner of the room. If I can't sleep, maybe use the time to train.

I noticed during my spar with Ninja mobs, my mind was assessing their attack way faster than my body can act, it gave me a edge of a moment to predict and react, not that I needed it for their amateurish blows but still if I ever go against somebody like Ra in the near future, not that I plan to but 'if'.

I need to train to get used to this new body and I was more than rested enough for the week anyway according to Bruce.

"Hupp!!" I punched the wooden surface without pulling my strength and bent a bark on the dummy as a result. I shook my hand and cracked my neck as I came back to position.

What exactly do I want to do? 

I asked myself as I punched once again.

I don't want to die, that's a given but what other than that?

Do I want to be the Batman?

I kick the side of the dummy and bring it down with a strong knee, leaving a deep crack on the log.

I didn't train day and night since I was a kid for vengeance against the killer of my parents. I don't want to spend the rest of my life dressed up as bat and fighting crime, that's Bruce not me.

Being Batman made him lose almost everything. He sacrificed his wealth, distanced himself from those who cared for him, and pushed away the people he cared for. 

Being Batman came with a curse, and I have no intention of carrying that burden like the other versions of Bruce across the multiverse.

But, I can't simply walk away, because as much as Batman may be a curse, he is also needed. The Justice League needs him, especially in the worst cases, as he always has a plan.

If giving up the mantle of Batman means Earth will fall to Darkseid in the distant future, I won't let that happen. However, I also don't want to lose my right to have fun just because of being Batman.

I'm Not Batman.

I won't become him.

So, who am I?

"..."

The night is still young, and I have plenty of time to figure it out.

—---

As I stood on the training grounds, big enough to fit a football stadium, I realized that I had severely misjudged the sheer size of Ra's hidden city.

Though I had an idea of its vastness from the layout, I never dreamt it would be half the size of Gotham.

I glanced over the sight before me, unable to help but admire Ra's power. He commanded an army of assassin ninjas, and they all moved in perfect harmony as they trained under the early light of the desert.

"Rough night, huh?" A female voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see an Asian woman walking towards me. Ra followed beside her, hands behind his back.

She appeared tall and a few years older than me, her strong muscles evident through the brown jacket she wore. Her smooth black hair danced as she walked, and she wore a seductive red one-piece outfit with slits on her thighs. Short daggers were strapped to her ankles and knees, ready for action at any moment.

"I've had worse." I replied.

"Sure you have." She retorted, rolling her eyes dramatically at my answer.

"Bruce." Ra halted, gesturing for her to step forward with a wave of his hand. "This is Sandra Wu-San, one of the four masters of the League."

I glanced at her briefly before turning back to Ra, noting her in my mind.

If she's the same Sandra from the comics, she should be working against the League. Well, she did collaborate with them on a few occasions, but becoming a master seems unlikely.

"She will be the one overseeing your progress." Ra said, making me blink.

"I hope you don't disappoint me, kid." She muttered.

"I won't." I replied without looking at her, before tilting my head and locking eyes with her. "And I'm not a kid."

"You are arrogant." She grinned. "I'm gonna enjoy watching you break."

"If you can't tell the difference between arrogance and confidence, how do you intend to teach me anything?" I shot back with a snarky smile of my own.

"Wayne." Ra intervened, his tone carrying a hint of authority. I understood the message he wanted to convey with that single word and nodded, taking a step back.

Ra glanced at both of us before speaking again. "I will leave him in your care, Sandra."

"Of course, master." She immediately changed her tone to one of respect and bowed slightly as Ra walked away.

She waited until Ra was out of sight, then stood upright, a cunning smirk playing on her face as she faced me.

"Follow me." She gestured, and we walked out of the training grounds, crossing the empty streets and abandoned houses of the city.

"Why are they in such a state?" I asked her about the city, taking our previous conversation into account, not expecting her to reply, but she surprised me.

"Before Master conquered this place, it was used as a hideout by a group of Somali rebels." She explained, pointing at a burnt flag atop a house. "When Master decided to take over, they refused to comply and used the city's people as hostages. Master cared little for lives that didn't matter to him."

"Hmmm." I mused over the story, torn between my moral values and trying to put myself in Ra's position as a commander.

We reached a cave at the far end of the city, and Sandra stopped, gazing into its dark depths. She stepped inside, but her progress halted as a bright light illuminated the cave, and a guard emerged holding a flare torch.

He bowed and handed the torch to Sandra, who nodded in response and led the way.

"What do you think about Master's decision, Wayne?" Sandra asked as we walked deeper into the cave. "What would you have done if you were in his place?"

I pondered her question for a moment before settling on an answer.

"I would have negotiated for time and used it to let my men infiltrate the camp and assassinate the rebel leaders."

"Why is that?" She asked, smirking, clearly intrigued by my response.

"Gratitude." I answered, and she raised an eyebrow in doubt.

"Fear and gratitude go hand in hand. By assassinating the rebel leaders, I would have shown the hostages the League's power. But I wouldn't use that power to oppress the town; instead, I would help them by reestablishing the dried-up wells, and they'd pay a very low fee for the water. To earn that fee, they'd have to work for me, ensuring their gratitude and loyalty."

I smirked as I saw her eyes widen, realizing the reality of what I meant.

"Blinded slaves." She muttered.

"Ra had a perfect opportunity to turn this entire town into his slaves, people blinded by gratitude and fear. He could have exploited it, but he missed the chance. I wouldn't have."

Sandra shook her head, her smile widening as she stepped closer.

"Such an American thing to do." She chuckled. "Grant freedom by taking it."

Her hands landed on my chest, and she pulled herself close, her brown eyes locking onto my gray ones. She leaned down, bringing her mouth close to my ear and whispered.

"You really are amusing, Bruce."

Without a moment's notice, she forcefully pushed me back. My step slipped, and I found myself falling into a huge hole. Quickly regaining my senses, I turned mid-air, using my hands to position myself for the fall.

I landed on my feet in utter darkness, gazing up at the torch's light as Sandra dropped it, and I caught it with ease.

"Welcome to the Pit." She yelled as the cave plunged into darkness. 

"Let's see if you survive the night."

- - - - -

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