Crimson Knight: The Demon's Head

Upon setting my eyes upon Grandfather I quickly drop down onto my left knee and kneel as he slowly approaches.

 

Damian: Master….

 

He says nothing, simply looking me in the eye with visible frustration on his face. It’s then that I realise my error and bow my head so that I look at the ground rather than at him. One may only gaze upon the Demon’s Head once permitted.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Pick yourself up, the Demon's Heir should bow to no-one.

 

Without hesitation, I comply lifting myself slowly up off the ground but not taking my sight off the ground. He has not granted me that permission yet.

 

Kirigi: The cave is secure, Great One.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: And the motion sensors?

 

Kirigi: Activated precisely as you commanded.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Good. See to it that our allies hold up to their part of our agreement.

 

Kirigi: Yes, master.

 

There’s then a long period of silence where all I can hear is the ventilation system refreshing the air in my cell. With my sight fixed down at the ground, I can’t see what signals Grandfather is doing but it’s clear that someone has drawn his attention to the other holding cells. The ones filled with the Santa Prisca mercenaries who helped me siege City Hall.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Now what have we here?

 

Mercenary: El demonio!

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Peña Duro escapees. How unexpected.

 

Again, silence. But it quickly becomes clear that he is communicating with someone and there’s only one person in the League who never speaks. Nyssa.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Yes, they might be.

 

She’s clearly pointed out the mercenaries to him and is now asking whether he is contemplating using them against Bruce and his allies.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: No. Disciples of Bane are of no use to me especially after what they did to my prison. You know what to do.

 

Purge the weak. Nyssa doesn’t even have to say a thing for me to know exactly what is meant. It takes merely a few seconds for the calm silence to descend into chaotic screams as she cuts them down one by one. The speed with which she silences them all is terrifying, but I expect no less from the Disgraced.

 

Having been removed from the Demon’s lineage, she’s little more than the sword she wields.

 

After the last mercenary falls silent, I hear two sets of footsteps approach my cell at a slow pace.

 

Once again, there’s a small period of complete silence which feels like eternity, but it becomes clear what’s being said when Grandfather responds.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: It would appear so. Curious that we happen to find both him and followers of Bane in the same cell.

 

…..

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: No, they’ve not been dead long. At best I’d say they’ve been dead fifteen minutes if not less.

 

…..

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: No. He’s ambitious but he’s loyal. A pity the same cannot be said of his parents.

 

……

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Move to phase 2. If we’ve not heard from Ubu then it can only mean that they’ve overcome the first hurdle. Go to the police department and show them what becomes of those who side with enemies of the League.

 

I hear the sound of footsteps as Nyssa presumably walks away to set the next part of Grandfather’s plan in motion. Just what does he have planned for all of Bruce’s followers? Hopefully it’s something painful.

 

Grandfather says nothing until the footsteps fade away and we're seemingly alone. But when he does speak, the disappointment in his voice in unmistakable.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: I must admit, I expected better of you, Damian.

 

For a brief moment I raise my head to look at him only to be reprimanded.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Did I say you could raise your head?

 

As soon as he makes that comment, I immediately bow my head to look at the ground again. He’s very displeased with my failure.

 

Damian: Forgive me, Great One.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: You would do well to remember your place, boy. Your father had little respect for decorum either and look where he’s ended up.

 

I say nothing choosing simply to keep my eyes fixed on the ground.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Did you underestimate him?

 

Damian: No, Master.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Then why are you in here? Too much pride? Too much arrogance? You may be my heir, Damian, but that does not make you infallible. You of all people should know that.

 

Damian: I do, Grandfather.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: What did I say about calling me that?

 

Another consequence of Bruce's relationship with Mother. Grandfather now insists that the bond between master and apprentice is just that. One to wield the power and the other to learn it. Never should they be equals. For if they treat each as equals, the student may well corrupt the master and cause them to make a foolish mistake.

 

Nobody wants another Bruce Wayne.

 

Damian: Forgive me, Master.

 

He turns away from me and looks out into the open cave seemingly pondering his next move.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: So which was it? Pride? Or arrogance?

 

Damian: Both.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Yes, I expected as much.

 

Once again, he says nothing. Choosing instead to look out upon the vast cave as if pondering his next actions.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: So, how was it?

 

Damian: How was what, Great One?

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Meeting your father.

 

Damian: Everything I dreamt of, and more.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: And what did you make of him?

 

Damian: He’s everything that you described and worse.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Worse?

 

Damian: He believes that what he’s doing is for the greater good of this city. That….disgusts me…….He holds this city back from it's inevitable future and empowers the weak by preying on the strong. Not only is he weak, he’s stupid as well.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Belief in one’s cause is not foolish, Damian. You would do well to remember that. It was that belief in his own actions which drew my attention to your father in the first place. Were it not for that, you wouldn’t be here today.

 

Fascinating. Never before have I heard Grandfather speak of Bruce in any semblance of a positive light. Whenever he’s spoken of him to me previously it’s always been about what a disappoint he was, and how he’s everything Grandfather wishes to eradicate. Maybe that was all intentional. A deliberate attempt by him to make me strive to be everything that Bruce is not.

 

Strong enough to take a life. Brave enough to do what is necessary. Kind enough to help liberate humanity from its self-imposed shackles.

 

Damian: I understand.

 

Without saying a word, Grandfather unsheathes his blade and slashes the control panel on my cell triggering the emergency release. As the door opens, I slowly walk up to him as he holsters his sword once more.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Does your mother know?

 

Damian: Yes.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: *Sigh* She’ll never forgive me.

 

Damian: It had to be done.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Maybe.

 

As we overlook what was once Bruce’s cave a small group of bats flies above us. Neither of us flinch, simply choosing to take in a pair of deep breaths. Much to my surprise though, after taking in that deep breath Grandfather suddenly starts to cough.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him cough before. Understandably, he’s quick to correct and recompose himself. The League may demand loyalty to the Demon’s Head, but there has never been a time when it was clear that his death was inevitable. It’s a looming crisis without an heir to the title. That’s why Grandfather was determined to convince Bruce to take the mantle, and why he committed so much time and effort into preparing me for when the moment comes.

 

But unless I complete the final trial, and thus become a true member of the League, my claim to the title of Demon’s Head is no more credible than that of Bruce or Mother

.

Not wishing to offend Grandfather, I choose to say nothing and wait to be spoken to instead.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Time is against us. We must move swiftly if your place is to be guaranteed.

 

Damian: Then we must find Wayne and destroy him.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Do not worry, my child. Soon he will come to us.

 

Damian: How can you be so sure?

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: I trained him well. He wouldn’t have abandoned you without taking precautions to alert him when you were liberated. Kirigi made sure to trip a few of this cave's motion sensors as we entered.

 

Damian: So that means….

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: Your time is almost at hand. Are you prepared?

 

Damian: Yes, Master. I’ve been anticipating this day for a long time.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: As have I, Damian. As have I.

 

As we both stand looking out over the cave two of Grandfather’s followers approach carrying a large box. For a brief moment, I’m unaware of what it could possibly be. Then they open it to reveal the its contents.

 

The armour of the Crimson Knight.

 

Ra’s Al-Ghul: It is tradition for the Demon’s heir to wear the armour of the Crimson Knight into battle against his enemies. Let us hope that you deserve that title. Take your time. Ensure that you are prepared. I will not accept failure again, Grandson.

 

I’m taken by surprise to hear Grandfather refer to me with that name. For as long as I can remember he’s never used that name for me before and I quickly understand why.

 

With my heritage revealed, it’s likely that the eyes of the entire League now rest upon me. Failure has now become unacceptable. No heir of Ra’s Al-Ghul could possibly fail. So if I am to truly claim what is rightfully mine, I must complete my final trial.

 

I must kill my father, Bruce Wayne.

 

End of Act I

Done