CHAPTER 55: "The Head of the Demon"

*Jane Coulson, Highway 13, Outskirts of Gotham

She had pulled over at a rest stop that gave a overlook of the city. Perhaps as a way to finally close the book on her life in Gotham. She had no intention of ever returning.

Sirens, helicopters and the works could be seen even from the distance she was at. James had yet again caused a state of emergency to the city. She couldn't decide if she was angry, proud or sick at what her son had been up to.

The light afternoon breeze felt nice as she continued to look upon the city she had spent the majority of her life suffering in.

'Though, the last two decades have been pretty nice,' she thought while remembering her lost friends and her youngest adopted child.

This morning she had awoken expecting to see James later in the day. She had heard from Crystal he was in town, of the decision about her further treatment, and that he had a date. Him coming early and not seeing her was going to be one of the fun things she planned to grill him on. Poking and prodding him about his date would of been the icing on the cake.

What she had not expected was a voicemail on her secret and secure cell phone of James telling her to get out of Gotham now. A few details of his escapades the previous night and the early morning was said but it was obvious he was in a hurry. He also said he was safe and not hurt, which she did not believe, but that the police would not be bothering her any further.

After hearing his call she immediately destroyed the phone and grabbed the handful of clothes and keepsakes she had. Luckily she had been planning on leaving Gotham in the next few weeks and had already packed the necessary things. This was a bit sooner then she planned but a quick word to her landlord and already being paid ahead saw the last of her connections to Gotham severed.

Her route would have her stop by Metropolis to see her son and his family. Then it would be off to Oklahoma where her daughter had married a cowboy and had a half dozen kids. It sounded stressful but she was feeling rather excited to visit and see her grandkids. After that she had plans to find a house near her daughter and then maybe go on a world tour.

Life was truly looking good for her, yet she could not help but worry for her youngest child, James. She truly hoped he would leave the business behind, but now she was not sure if that would ever happen. Perhaps the violence and conflict was in his blood.

"Oh James... please find peace," she whispered to the wind, it gave only silence.

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*Felix, Amusement Mile, Gotham City

Watching the handful of available emergency crews work on the collapsed ferris wheel was strangely mesmerizing for the blond scarred man.

With the destruction of Major Crimes and the city block explosion still focusing most of the city's resources, the EMT's and fire crews here were from the surrounding suburbs. A few even came from the more stable Metropolis with volunteers coming to help the recent devastations.

Some crews were moving broken wood, iron and steel to large dump trucks. Others like the EMT were focusing on covering up the various bodies of crushed victims. The few police were working hard keep the press back, and some detectives were trying to piece together what exactly happened here.

'It seems I came far too late,' Felix grimaced.

The Commandant would not be pleased by this failure.

One of the uniform officers walked up to him, and after looking him over leaned in and asked quietly.

"Nakano... Chris, he sent you?"

Felix gave a small polite smile, "Why yes, I assume you are my contact?"

The officer nodded before motioning to meet near one of the ambulances, away from prying eyes. Felix of coursed complied and walked with him, both stayed quiet until they got to the vehicle and were out of sight.

"So how much do you know so far?" The officer asked.

Felix's smile dipped a little, "Not too much, only that Krios was here and now is not."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out an envelope and passed it to the officer. 

The officer didn't even check, he had probably taken enough bribes to feel confident enough based on just the feel of it. This was going to be a profitable and easy job.

"GCPD is keeping a tight lid, but some of those Justice League kids were here and tried to stop him. I don't know what exactly happened only that a few of those kids were beaten pretty good. That and he collapsed the ferris wheel letting him escape."

Felix concerned asked, "Were any of those kids a Martian? Maybe one of Batman's sidekicks? Possibly a short speedster?"

"Ya," the officer said surprised, "There was a short speedster, and I think two of the Bat's crew. Don't know about any Martian though."

Even before the officer finished responding Felix was already contemplating the possible implications. The Order had information about most of the big players including the Justice League. One detail he knew was the formation awhile back of a junior team, meant to act as Batman's and the Leagues covert operators. The best part was that their youth provided a decent cover for plausible deniability. Any compromised mission or captured member would be stated as a sidekick acting out, and not an official League member. Not that he imagined the Batman would ever mention that to these junior members.

The implications of this covert Team trying to capture Krios was problematic and presented more questions for Felix. Were they acting independently? Ordered to capture by Batman and the League's leaders? Was this just an attempt to eliminate a dangerous villain or did they know about Krios' bloodline? The idea of impure beings having access to the legacy Krios would inherit infuriated him.

"This is bound to be a pretty bad PR nightmare for the League when news gets out about these bodies."

Felix breaking from his thoughts focused on the officer, "Ah yes, those bodies. What exactly is their story?"

The officer shrugged, "So far we have a few dozen dead. Squashed from the collapsing wheel and resulting structures collapsing. They are still dragging out bodies and whispers are starting of the League trying to cover up this screw up. Mind you, they all have tattoos and markings suggesting they are Joker's crew so nothing lost there. Still though, when and if the press hear, some heads will roll."

"Hmmmm," Felix felt a smile grow again on his face and reached into his pocket for another white envelope.

'What a perfect way to distract the League and maybe ground this Team from their investigation,' he thought amusedly.

Passing it to the confused officer he said, "How about one more job for you. Maybe you could let slip that the Justice League had a fight here and now bodies are being moved?"

The officer felt up the envelope before nodding to himself, "No problem, its gonna get out eventually. No harm in hurrying it up."

At that Felix walked away from the officer and with a final passing glance continued to his waiting black SUV. Sitting in the back he instructed his driver to take him to the airport. It was unfortunate and he would pay a bloody price, but Krios was gone. Whether he was still in the city or abroad by now he did not know. Certainly he would put out his feelers but if the last few months had taught him anything about his prey, it was that he knew how to keep hidden.

Straightening up with a sigh, he brushed his hand against the smooth leather of his seat enjoying the cool feel it provided. Then, gathering his courage he took out his phone and dialed.

At the second ring the call was answered and a deafening silence sounded. Despite that, Felix knew, or perhaps could feel the questioning silence of the Commandant waiting for him to report.

"Sir, I am sorry. I have failed." 

Silence

"Krios is proving even more elusive and perhaps even more destructive then his parents. His stay at Gotham saw the destruction of GCPD Major Crimes, dozens if not maybe a hundred KIA's, and critically injuring several junior and regular Justice League members."

Silence

Felix cleared his throat which had started to go dry, "At this point he has escaped my net here in Gotham. I have put out feelers but I will need more time to acquire..."

His throat gasped with pain, his head erupted in agony, his whole being felt like it was both burning and freezing. The scars of his previous wounds felt trauma like the night he first received them, but somehow growing worse with every second!

Squirming in his seat, he convulsed like he was suffering a stroke. Which in a way he was well on his way to having, even for someone of his physical constitution. Blood began to leak from his ears and eyes as his body was literally falling apart from the onslaught of his master's wrath.

Felix tried to scream to bring any form of relief but the torture was so great no sound came forth.

And then just as quickly as it came it vanished. The echoes still horrible enough to leave him a broken man barely able to move. His breathing was ragged as he tried to sort his thoughts and mind into some semblance of sanity.

In desperation Felix croaked out, "Master... please... mercy!"

The cold accented voice of his master spoke before his tortured started again,

"There is no mercy..."

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*1 Week Later, Himalayan Mountain Range

A lone individual trudged through the deep snow as a flurry of snow pounded against their frame. The cold was somewhere below 20 degrees with wind chills dipping below 0.

There seemed to be no determined path as the figure struggled to make his way to the lone fire about a mile up the mountain face.

Watching from the fire was a old man who kept his gaze firmly on the trudging individual. He had been waiting a long time for this moment and had deign to come out of hiding and his fortifications to see this.

For centuries he had heard the legends within myths of what this boy represented. But the actual reality of such was beyond what even someone like he could imagine. It was not until the emergence of the 20th century and the foolish insanity of Ahnenerbe that such legends and myths were coming true.

Whether it was the actions of Ahnenerbe or merely destiny unfolding he did not know. Black Adam saw them as monsters, his former Sensei saw them as inevitable, as for his thoughts.

Watching the boy reaching his fire and nearly collapsing in front of him, he felt that he must reserve his judgement. After all, this boy may be the only chance they had of slaying the other monster. 

Covered head to toe in robes like the ones he used in Kahndaq and most recently Gotham, the boy took a couple deep breaths and huddled closer to the fire.

Feeling amused the old man spoke in Tibetan,

"Is it normal for a stranger to seek comfort from another strangers fire?"

The boy at this point was holding his hands to the fire and rubbing them together to rid the chill.

"It is when that stranger is expecting this stranger," the boy said in irritated English.

The old man threw his head back and laughed before speaking in English, "Slade did say you were amusing."

With a smile to his face, the old man grabbed a beaten up canteen and passed it to the boy who eyed it for a moment before drinking the water.

"Welcome to the Himalayas Krios, the League of Shadows welcomes you," Ra's al Ghul said.