DC X LOTM: A Beyonder in DC

The chamber was filled with silence.

The air was thick with tension, the kind that came before a storm. Assassins lined the perimeter, their faces masked by shadow, their eyes locked on the two figures at the center of the room. The torches flickered, casting wavering shapes on the cold stone walls.

At the heart of it all stood Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head, his emerald eyes gleaming like a predator sizing up its prey. His stance was relaxed but deceptive, each muscle coiled with centuries of honed instinct. In his hand, he held a curved sword—ancient but pristine, sharpened to a lethal edge.

Across from him, Alex—still known as Kane within the League—stood motionless, his own sword resting lightly in his grip. His body was at ease, but his mind was already calculating.

This fight was unavoidable.

Ra's had been testing him from the beginning, measuring not just his skill but his intent, his discipline, his control. A mere recruit, no matter how talented, would never be considered truly part of the League until they proved themselves against its master.

And now, the moment had come.

Ra's lifted his sword. "The blade reveals the truth of a warrior's soul," he said. His voice was calm, but beneath it lay the weight of unshakable authority. "Today, we see yours."

He shifted into a combat stance.

A heartbeat later, he attacked.

The First Exchange

Ra's moved like lightning, his sword a silver blur in the dim chamber.

Alex reacted instantly, bringing up his own blade to block. The impact rang through the hall, the sound of steel meeting steel echoing like a bell tolling for the doomed.

Ra's wasted no time. He twisted his wrist, sliding his blade along Alex's guard in an attempt to disarm him. Alex countered with a sharp pivot, shifting his weight to deflect the force rather than resist it directly. The movement was subtle, but it saved him from losing his weapon.

Ra's smiled. "Good."

He pressed forward, launching a rapid series of attacks. His footwork was flawless, his strikes precise, each one aimed not just to wound, but to control the battlefield.

Alex gave ground strategically. He let himself appear slightly overwhelmed—not weak, but challenged. He needed Ra's to believe he was talented, but still within human limits.

He couldn't afford to slip up.

Ra's wasn't just a warrior. He was a master of deception, a man who had lived for centuries. The smallest inconsistency, the slightest mistake in his act, and Ra's would know.

Alex dodged a thrust aimed at his ribs, countering with a calculated slash. Ra's deflected it easily, but the movement forced him back a step.

A test.

Ra's was still testing him.

Alex exhaled, adjusting his stance. Fine.

He would play along.

The Flow of Battle

The fight continued, each exchange more intense than the last.

Ra's struck high—Alex ducked and swept a kick at his legs. The Demon's Head leapt back effortlessly, spinning mid-air before landing with perfect balance.

Alex barely had time to raise his sword before Ra's was on him again, their blades colliding in a deadly rhythm.

The watching assassins held their breath.

Talia stood at the edge of the chamber, arms folded, her expression unreadable.

Alex noticed her watching him closely—not with the casual interest she had shown before, but with something sharper. A suspicion? Or something else?

He didn't have time to dwell on it.

Ra's adjusted his grip, shifting into a new stance. Alex recognized it instantly—the Water Dragon Form, an ancient style designed for relentless, flowing attacks. It prioritized continuous movement, leaving no openings for counterattacks.

If Alex let Ra's dictate the fight now, he would be forced entirely on the defensive.

That couldn't happen.

Alex changed his approach. He adapted.

Instead of meeting Ra's strength head-on, he started to redirect.

Ra's struck—Alex twisted his blade at the last moment, letting the attack slide past him harmlessly. Another strike came—Alex sidestepped, turning the force of the blow against Ra's instead.

It was subtle, but effective.

Ra's narrowed his eyes. He knew what Alex was doing.

The fight slowed. The tension thickened.

And then, without warning, Ra's changed everything.

The Lazarus Effect

Ra's suddenly abandoned his sword.

Instead, he lunged forward, faster than before, his movements unnatural, as if driven by something beyond mere skill. His palm shot toward Alex's chest with inhuman speed.

Alex barely dodged.

He twisted away, but Ra's was already following, his strikes relentless, each one hitting with the force of a hammer.

Alex blocked, barely managing to stay on his feet.

His mind raced. This isn't normal.

He had expected Ra's to be strong—but not this strong.

The Lazarus Pit wasn't just preserving his life.

It was enhancing him.

His reflexes, his power, his endurance—they were beyond human.

Alex gritted his teeth. He had wanted to make this look like a real fight. But if Ra's was truly using whatever unnatural boost the Lazarus Pit provided, then he might not have a choice but to use more of his Beyonder abilities to compensate.

He had to be careful.

The Breaking Point

Ra's pressed the attack.

Alex feigned fatigue, letting himself stumble slightly. The watching assassins murmured. Some exchanged glances.

Ra's caught the shift in atmosphere. He paused. "Are you faltering, Kane?"

Alex wiped sweat from his brow, giving a tired smirk. "Just catching my breath, my lord."

Ra's smiled, but it was the smile of a man who saw everything.

Alex couldn't drag this out much longer.

He had to end this.

The Final Strike

Ra's attacked again.

Alex stepped in instead of retreating.

The move surprised Ra's.

Alex used the moment of hesitation—he ducked low, shifting under Ra's guard. In a flash, he drove his sword past Ra's defenses, stopping just a hair's breadth from his throat.

Silence.

The watching assassins froze.

Talia's eyes widened slightly.

For the first time, Ra's hesitated.

And then, he laughed.

A deep, satisfied laugh.

He stepped back, raising his hands in surrender. "Well done."

Alex lowered his sword, keeping his breathing even.

Ra's wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead, nodding in approval. "Few have ever forced me into such a position, Kane. You are indeed worthy of the League."

The tension in the chamber dissolved.

The assassins exhaled.

Alex allowed himself a small, careful nod. "It was an honor, my lord."

Ra's sheathed his blade. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, you will receive your next assignment."

Alex inclined his head. "Of course."

Talia approached as Ra's turned away. She stared at him for a long moment, then smirked. "You're full of surprises."

Alex smiled slightly, keeping his thoughts to himself.

Yes. Yes, he was.

And soon, the League of Assassins would see just how many.

Only one mission remained.

And then, it would be time to leave.

End of Chapter 23

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