23 A Foreboding Future Forms

(Nathan POV)

Catching the furled fist flying towards my face, I see who threw it. Sportsmaster, who came over to my room, had thrown the punch, and as I caught it, I heard him chuckle. "You know you really are a monster kid. When you first got here, you could barely react to my punch, and after 17 days, you have grown this much. It makes me want there to be a contract on your head."

"So why is my head not worth taking if you're not paid for it?" he simply takes back his fist and stands in the hallway with his arms crossed.

"Professionals have standards, kid, and while we may break them, sometimes we try not to. It's bad for the brand and for the rep. you'll learn this eventually once you really start getting out there into the world because let me tell you, kid, there are so many things that go bump in the night that would scare you shitless." He then looks to the corner of the hallway as some other initiates pass by.

"Ghul wants to see you now, so he brought me over to get you moving. Now follow me so I can get this done, as I need to be out of here yesterday." The last part interests me a bit as my ears subtly perk up.

"What did you get another contract? And if you did, who is the unlucky guy or gal?" he simply ignored the question, and as we walked through the base, I remained silent as I saw no reason to push further and at my current assimilation progress getting into his head without him noticing is a no-go.

Soon enough, we came to the doors of the sanctum, and as I entered, I noticed the lack of guards other than Talia and Sensei. When the door behind me was closed, I then kneeled before him as he took out his sword and put it to the back of my neck. All that can be heard is the fire in the braziers and the wind howling from outside.

"You seem unafraid of my blade. Is it because of trust, or do you truly believe in the cause? Raise your head and answer." I then do so, and looking him dead in his eyes, I respond.

"I believe in the preservation of my own existence, and if that helps in keeping Humanity evolving, then so be it." Talia scoffs at this answer while Ra's and Sensei simply raise their brows at me.

 Elaborating further, I explain, "To begin to save someone else is to understand the importance of keeping ourselves safe as well because what is the point of sacrificing yourself for others if you are not alive to enjoy the fruits of your labors? What would be the point of change if you are not alive to keep that change permanent? Every human here will barely remember the words spoken by someone within a week, and any lessons learned will only stay if they directly affect them. No matter how selfless a person may be, they will always remember the smiles on some people's faces when they help them or the looks of anguish to those who have wronged them. I believe in the mission of preserving Humanity but not at the cost of everything I am and will build." My answer made Ra's back off as Sensei stepped up to me, and because I was standing at eye level with him, his gaze seemed almost off.

"You speak the words of a philosopher, but do you truly understand the meaning of them? League of Shadows has existed for hundreds of years, all for the sake of guiding Humanity down the correct path. All of this exists because those initiates out there believe in something greater than themselves. What of you?" His hand rests on his katana while he says this.

"You act as if a man seeking to better himself before bettering those around him is a sin worthy of death, and those men and women out there, I do not demean their role, but I simply understand that death is much closer than we realize. At any moment and at any time, a variable may place itself in our path that could change the entire game." The room became colder as I sensed Sensei trying to use his Chi to enforce his will onto me.

Yet I remain standing unfazed by the aura as the weight of Archer's experiences and the Force keep me grounded at this moment, and after a few minutes, he stops and sheathes his weapon. But not before throwing a punch that I dodge and place a knife to his neck, to which he actually smirks and releases his fist, and I take the knife from his neck.

The knife was actually a kunai from my gacha, so thank you, gacha lords.

Sensei then backs off as I place the knife in my "pocket."

Ra's then returns to his chair as Talia stands behind him along with Sensei. He bids me to kneel, and I do so.

"You can never truly know man unless he is on the brink of death, and in this moment, you have shown resolve and skills beyond your years. A talent like yours rarely appears so that you will be taught by Sensei in the art of Chi and, once done, will return to me as I need you for a true final test. A mission that will have you hunting down a group that has been a thorn in our side for a while now." he then shows me the symbol of the group, and my eyes remain still, but my mind is thrown into a small bit of surprise.

He then puts the emblem away as he dismisses me from the room, and I bow and leave, but not before I find Sportsmaster waiting for me. As he looks at me, I ask him, "Is this going somewhere, or are you just chomping at the bit to see me again?"

The man simply shrugs, but not before saying one last thing as he begins to walk away. "You seem to have a bright future ahead for you, kid. I'd keep it up, or else would I told you last time would come true. See ya around, Initiate." He then goes to his plane in the hangar and leaves as I head to the dojo to wait for Sensei to begin my training.

If I can succeed here, I will finally be able to move away from the shadows, so this is a make-or-break moment. I simply hope I don't have to do anything drastic.

(Ra's POV)

This boy, no, this being in front of him that mimicked humanity, was the antithesis of what he desired from a disciple. Instead of apathy, he shows emotion; instead of blind obedience, he shows individuality. This may be a cause for alarm, but for now, he shall be tested once more.

"Sensei, when training him, do not hold back anything. Train him as if it were life or death 24/7. If he survives, he shall hunt those birds that threaten our nests." Sensei nods and disappears into the shadows as Talia seems disturbed.

"What troubles you, daughter? I can sense your unease." My question is answered with some hesitation, but my daughter eventually replies.

"I do not trust him. But by no means do I trust anyone here but you, Father. It's just that this initiate and the way he seems to exist outside of the norm feels threatening even if he does not desire to be. Is this what you saw in him before?" The question is valid, and as I nod, I explain.

"That boy could be the future of the League Talia in a world of rapid advancement and superhumans. He may be our dagger in the dark. And while his beliefs may not coincide with ours, they do not make him outrightly malevolent towards our intentions. Let the boy believe he is in control, but soon he shall see the Light one way or another." As I then stood back up and walked over to the windows overlooking the mountain, my daughter asked another question.

"What of his heritage do you believe it may cause a problem?" Possibly yes, as I am unsure if even the boy knows who his ancestor is, but it matters not, and as I shake my head, Talia bows, and leaves as I wonder if the boy will survive the training.

Looking at the mission reports, I see that a new speedster has appeared in Central City, and based on his age and stature, he seems to be a teenager. I sigh and leave my lips as I wonder how and why such beings are coming to exist so quickly. Men of great speed, strength, and intellect are arriving out of the woodwork as if the world is preparing for something.

Vandal refuses to speak of his promise to some alien warlord, and the Light is still in its infancy, with each member being a possible weakness for someone to exploit, but these new beings lack the subtlety of old and, with time, will be able to be managed by Luthor and our more politically inclined allies.

Let them play their games while my League eliminates the true threats. Yet that boy still unnerves me even as I hold his life in my hands. It is a feeling I had not felt in a long time fear. Like a small animal awaiting death from all sides, but it may just be my paranoia.

"Focus now is not the time for pointless fears." I think to myself as I return to leading the shadow's efforts and that of the Light's.

(??? POV)

He believes he got rid of me all those years ago.

A stab through the chest and blood flowing around my suit.

I died, yet I lived! Again!

And he forgot about me! His timeline has been rewritten again! That damn hero! His memories will not return for a while so that I may act, and with this new Earth in motion, all will fall into place soon enough.

The benefit of being me is hindsight and perspective, and I know just where to start. Everything is so similar yet so different. But what was this? The result of a new possibility? A new card on the table? Is the League capturing some random kid with no future?

It matters not, for the world will soon know my name once more.

It's only a matter of time.

I will see you again, and there will be a reckoning. I just need to form a team of my own.

(Nathan POV)

As I walked into the dojo, I found Shiva there simply waiting in a seated stance, and as I indeed, she frowned at me, to which I simply took a seat next to her and focused my mind and spirit to prepare for the future as with my existence it is ever-changing. New and old threats may appear with this new timeline, and I will need further strength to survive in this place.

Looking into my 30-point gacha. I have 28 points, and in only two more days, I will be able to use my $100 to 100 points and the thirty points I have built up. I am genuinely hoping that I may be able to gain some methods to increase my strength faster or vary my skill set further. As with these essences, I can be both a master in one art and a master in all of them with time, patience, and a bit of luck.

And as I meditated on the Force, I felt Shiva approach me with a sai in her hand as she then pointed it at my neck. I could feel the envy radiating over me, and I somewhat understood that she had trained years to the level she had reached so far while I became this in a matter of a month or at least nearly a month. 

I would feel bad, and I actually slightly do, but not enough to actually truly care about her. But I knew if I was in her position, I would feel the same, although if I was in their position, I would try to get missions around the world to gather technology in various super serums to enhance myself. 

If it was Marvel, I would go for the sentry serum or extremis, but for now, I focused on the moment, and as she took a swipe at me, I blocked it with my katana, and as I started up at her, one question came to mind.

"Do you really want to do this?" her stare answered my question as I threw her off with my own katana, and as we faced one another, the world seemed to slow down, and we charged at one another with the intent to kill.