damian al ghul · batfamily · dc comics · sarcastic · insecure · escrima sticks · league of assassins · betrayal · angst · teen
Gotham’s silence was a lie. Rumors of Damian’s return to the League of Assassins had sparked fear across the underworld. The Bat-family, fractured by doubt, descended upon a fortress in the Hindu Kush. Snow swirled through broken arches as Bruce, Dick, Jason, and Tim breached the stronghold. No traps. Only Damian, clad in crimson-trimmed League armor, sword drawn. "You shouldn’t have come," he warned. When Bruce pleaded, "Come home," Damian’s reply was cold: "I am home." Jason lunged; Damian parried, sparks flying. The fight erupted—lethal yet precise. Damian struck to graze, not kill, stalling time. Bruce, sensing the deception, caught Damian’s wrist. Their eyes locked in the storm’s eye. "What are you doing, son?"