Chapter 1

A Vow of Blood

There was to be no warmth, only the bitter cold that breaks all good men, turning them cold and cruel. A blood moon conquered the sky, its malevolent red the only source of light for the sole mortal, yet something was very wrong, as the moon only shone where he stood, never penetrating the darkness that enshrouded him. The shadows around him felt alive, a sinister agenda about as they watched with bated breath. What they waited for was a mystery known to none, but would soon be revealed…

He saw nothing but the bloodstained moon and the eternal darkness, both seemingly watching him with purpose. The man felt the abnormal cold soak into his very core, reducing his heart to a painful beat. The blood in his veins felt like shards of ice, cutting everything and anything as they flowed. The air he breathed felt sharp, grazing his lungs with each breath taken. In that moment, his existence was one of utter agony. In that single instant, he had never felt so alone, so…isolated.

But despite all this, the mortal remained calm and still, his outward appearance showing no internal struggle. His gaze was dark and chilling, observing his surroundings carefully. This was no ordinary mortal. The darkness was no stranger to him, but rather an old friend. Slowly, the man receded into the darkness, away from the moon's light, his blue eyes growing dull as he closed them.

In his natural element he waited, but for what he did not know.

XxX

Diana rested her soft gaze at the empty seat before her. A dull ache began to spread through her chest the longer she stared at it. Never in all her years had she yearned for a man, and had she known, she never would have thought it to be towards the enigmatic Batman, but that was before she began to know the man for who he was and what he stood for.

Superman gave a small sigh when he saw where Diana was looking. ''You know how Bruce is Diana. He's not one for these meetings of ours, not unless something significant comes up.''

Wonder Woman let out a sigh of exhausted annoyance. ''I know that Kal, I'm just worried for the man. It's been far too long since we saw him last. He doesn't respond to our calls, and neither does he want us in Gotham. He could be laying on his death bed for Hera's sake, and he we wouldn't even know,'' said Diana as she gripped the arm rests of her chair stiffly.

Superman shrugged his shoulders. ''Bruce is a busy man Diana, and besides, Alfred would call on us should anything threatening happen to Bruce.''

Diana stood up from her chair and looked at the Man of Steel. ''I'm not content with an excuse like that Kal. We both know just how important Bruce is to the JL, and if we were to lose him…if anything were to happen to him, then Hera help us all.'' said Diana as she went out the door.

Clark gave a wry smile at Diana's ferocity over Bruce's well-being. 'I don't know how you did it Bruce, but it seems that you've captured the heart of one very worried Amazonian princess. I just hope it works out in the end, you deserve happiness, and if I had to place my faith in anyone to get past the walls you've placed upon yourself, it would be her, Diana of Themyscira.'

In all honesty, Clark Kent wasn't the brightest when it came down to matters of love. The Man of Steel never would've even suspected Diana of having an intimate affection for the Caped Crusader shrouded in mystery. Now, he did have some slight suspicions when he would sometimes catch her gazing wistfully towards Bruce's empty seat during the founder's meetings like she did today, or when she would be reading the Gotham Gazette when it covered Batman or the eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne, but Clark usually chalked it up to just being worry for a valuable comrade and a good friend. Hell, if it weren't for Lois pointing out that it was more than just concern when he told her of Diana's strange actions, he never would've guessed it to be more than what met the eye.

Superman had learned long ago to trust a woman's intuition when it came down to things like this. When Lois told him, everything just made sense. All the pieces of the puzzle that were right in front of him were put together.

Kal's thoughts swiftly turned back towards the man he thought of as his own brother. Despite their vast differences, the two men always had each other's backs in times of despair. He couldn't count the number of times he had been saved by the man, nor the amount of times Bruce had aided him outside the life of a superhero. Diana wasn't the only one worried. Most, if not all of the Founders were concerned with the Batman.

Bruce wasn't just any human; the man had shown time and time again that he could stand toe-to-toe with the mightiest of them and win. Kal himself thought the man to be the most dangerous human on Earth, and for good reason too. To the Man of Steel, Bruce was more than a comrade, more than a friend…he was family. He saw the man as the brother he never had, someone he could count on in harsh times, someone he could rely on to pull him from the edge and back into the light should he ever turn.

'I hope everything's all right on your end Bruce…'

XxX

Laying on her small bed within the Watchtower, Diana thought back to the last time she had talked to Bruce. She thought back to their conversation, one that hadn't really ended on a good note, but did ultimately give her some insight as to how the man felt concerning a possible relationship with her. Their conversations with one another always gave her so much to contemplate, but this one was entirely different. This one was personal.

It was nearly a month ago that the princess of Themyscira had spotted the enigmatic Batman walking briskly down the hall towards the Monitor Womb. Catching up to him and walking by his side, the Amazon had tried to make small talk in hopes of keeping their conversation light. Her intent was to have him relax around her, but it just wasn't in her nature to beat around the bush, and so, she veered off the intended track, and couldn't help but get right to the point of why she was looking for him. A decision she came to regret early on, but given time, she realized how much it benefitted her in the long run.

Putting her hands on her hips, Diana glared fiercely at Bruce. ''You can't just keep ignoring me like you have, Batman. We're going to have this talk sooner or later, weather you like it or not.''

''I can and will, princess,'' said Bruce as he continued to walk away from her.

'Oh no he doesn't.' Diana quickly grabbed Bruce's arm, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Looking around and seeing that no one was in the hall, Diana leaned into the tall and broad-shouldered man. ''Please Bruce, talk to me,'' she imploringly whispered low enough as to where only he would hear.

Bruce fought to control the desires that arose within him. Did she even know how hard this was for him? The profound effect she had on him? A simple whisper from her was all it took to nearly undo his self-control. He just didn't understand her. Couldn't comprehend what she even saw in a broken man like him. What could he possibly offer to a goddess like her?

Bruce shook his head wearily as he looked the goddess in the eye. ''Answer me this princess, have you ever even been in a relationship before? Do you know what you're asking of me?''

Diana bit her lip. She wasn't sure if she was ready to share this with him, but at this point she was growing desperate. Things needed to change between them and soon. She only hoped that this didn't backfire on her.

Putting a hand on Bruce's chest and laying her head on his shoulder, Diana decided to answer truthfully. ''No, never have I been in a relationship Bruce. You know, before coming to man's world, I made a vow to Aphrodite herself that should I ever fall in love, I would give my heart and soul to the man who managed to win me over, and that person would have my heart for all of eternity.''

This was the second time she nearly undid the man. She was too good for him. Too pure. Honestly, this woman deserved better…

Bruce didn't want to say anything that could hurt her, especially not after what she had just said. If anything, with the way she was leaning her body on him so casually as if they were eternal lovers, he wanted nothing more than to pin her against the wall and show her how much she meant to him. 'It's for her own good...and mine.' Bruce shook his head and gently pushed her away from him.''All the more reason why a relationship wouldn't work between us Diana.''

''And what is that supposed to mean?'' asked Diana as she tried and failed to keep the hurt out of her voice. She may have been a warrior since childhood, but she was a woman at heart, and the man before her had a profound affect on her.

Bruce internally winced when he heard the slight tremble in her tone. He needed to set things right, to clarify what he meant. If he didn't, then things would only get worse, and by no means did he want to lose Diana.

''You're pure Diana, in every sense of the word, the very opposite of me. All I'd do is taint you, and I-I couldn't bear to do that…to hurt you. I don't deserve you at all. Trust when I say it'd be a mistake to give your heart to a man like me.''

Greatly shocked by his words, Diana unknowingly let go of her grip on his wrist, a mistake since she saw the Batman quickly recede from her sight before she could pull herself together.

'I have to say something. At the very least I need to tell him what he means to me if nothing else before he hides away.' As he receded into the shadows of the hall, Diana called out to him.

''Did you know that you were my first kiss Bruce?'' Diana smiled as her gaze looked longingly towards the Bruce. He had stopped walking away. ''I was the happiest woman on Earth when it happened. I'd never felt anything like it. Even after all that time, there's been no other besides you. I wouldn't have it any other way. Did you know that you were the one and only man to take me dancing? To so easily make me laugh and forget about being a superhero? You didn't care that I was some warrior princess from some far-off island that hated men, or that I was stronger than most and different than the rest. Time and time again you proved me wrong when it came to man. Everything that I had been told by my sisters was proved wrong by you.'' 'It's about time I proved you wrong…'

Had he looked back, Bruce would have seen that there was a mighty determination in Diana's eyes. ''You scarcely underestimate me Bruce, but you have on this matter. I don't accept the petty excuses you made that night on the rooftop, and I don't accept the excuses made now. I won't give up on you Bruce…I can't.'' 'My heart wouldn't allow me to do so…'

Bruce stood there like a fool for what felt like an eternity, not quite knowing what he should do or even say. His legs felt like lead, and his breathing came out shallow. He desperately wanted to look back towards where she stood, but he knew that he'd cross a line if he did. Making up his mind, Bruce tentatively walked further into the shadows and away from the light that was Diana. 'My heart will always belong to you, Diana… '

Diana was still a bit hurt that he had left after she had poured her heart out to him, but it didn't discourage her in the slightest. If anything, she was more determined than ever. She saw his struggle, his reluctance to leave her. His actions betray his hollow words. He wants the same thing she does. 'Stubborn man…I'll prove you wrong…'

XxX

Enveloped in darkness, the man waited and listened. He could feel the shadows move about him, their wretched fingers caressing his scarred skin. The man was vulnerable now more than ever. He was without his armor, without his weapons, and most of all, he was without the knowledge of where he was or who we was up against. In this valley of darkness, he felt powerless.

Something was building up, his instincts were telling him to run, to cower from the tension that was amassing from beyond his gaze, beyond his knowledge and comprehension. Fear, it was something he always felt, and for good reason too, but never on a scale like this, not since back then. It reminded him of the past, of that night never to be forgotten.

It came all too soon, the tension that was amassing was released. The one thing he dreaded most, the sounds that emerged. It forced him to open his eyes wide in shock. A gunshot, the sound of pearls bouncing off the cold floor. Every muscle in his body tensed. He nearly broke his teeth with how hard he was tensing his jaw.

The mortal fell to his knees. Desperately, he covered his ears, not wanting to hear what was coming next, but it was a pointless action on his part. Yelling, another gunshot rang out, the sound of two bodies falling to the floor. Police sirens wailing in the distance. The terrible cry of a young boy, terrified and shocked to the core at his grave loss. Never to be the same again…

The man slowly looked forward, his gaze towards the light, and there, in the moonlight, was Martha and Thomas Wayne, his parents. In the shadows opposite to him were a pair of young eyes, also looking down at the bloodied bodies. He could see the innocence in the eyes slowly fade, replaced with a frighteningly emotionless look. Happiness was replaced with hatred. The man watched as the bright blue within the iris's turned a lifeless dull.

He remembered those eyes well. They were the eyes of an innocent boy named Bruce Wayne; whose future was optimistic and promising. A bright future was to be had for the boy. 'Father, Mother, if only you could see me now. Would you recognize your son as he is now? Would you be disgusted with what I have become?'

With a push, Bruce got up from where he kneeled. Staggering, he slowly approached the dead bodies, his stoic yet features becoming visible as he left the his hand, he reached for his parents, but before he could touch them however, they disappeared right before him. Bereft, Bruce stood there like a fool grasping for what he couldn't have.

Oddly Bruce was back to where he started, in the illumination of the blood moon, the only difference however, was the pair of cold eyes staring harshly at him from within the shadows. He could see the wicked emotion in them plainly, the look of unadulterated hatred and vast sorrow reflected upon them. Any happiness that once was had died. Perhaps it was this same expression that made Joe Chill scurry away in a hurry, gazing at the monster he had created…or maybe it was simply due to the police sirens from a distance coming closer. Back then, he couldn't hide those eyes of his, couldn't hide the malevolent and pitiful emotions they portrayed like he could now, couldn't put up a mask for the public masses. Everyone would stare back then, looks of both pity and ambition upon their faces.

There were times that when he was alone, he took off the mask. Bruce's eyes had never changed, not once since that night. The hatred and sorrow never went away, only swelling and festering with due time. Only Alfred knew. It took years to perfect, but he learned to make his eyes look lighter in color and livelier in appearance, less terrifying and unforgiving. Looking at his true eyes and their expression never boded well for Bruce. It brought back that small voice in the back of his mind that told him to throw away his code, to just kill and be done with it all. To have his vengeance in true form. Those were the eyes of a monster who had nothing.

The eyes he looked at in the darkness across of him slowly approached, and from whence the darkness came stood a small figure, but a small handsome boy. Little Bruce Wayne, his attire freshly stained with the blood of his family. There in the moonlight stood two of the same person, both broken, both intent with vengeance on crime.

''Does the pain ever go away?'' Asked the boy in a frail whisper.

Bruce shook his head. ''No, it only gets worse with time…''

The boy nodded in acquiescence as tears fell down his blood-splattered cheeks. A hard look formed upon the boy as he quickly rubbed the tears off his face. ''Good then, I don't want it to go away, this feeling of mine.'' The boy looked at the bodies of his parents, a cold glint in his eye. ''I'll kill them all. Have them suffer as I am.''

The boy looked darkly upon the blade that had been dropped by Joe Chill in his desperation to flee. Picking it up harshly by the handle, Bruce pointed the tip of the blade towards his chest. The boy watched on darkly as the blade pierced through fabric and skin. Pierced deep enough to the point that there would be a scar forever. With strength that a boy shouldn't have, he stabbed and cut away deep across his chest, right above where his heart was. The warmth of his blood was a stark contrast to the dead cold he felt in his heart. The pain made him feel.

The young Bruce Wayne looked up towards the sky and past the stars, past the light the shined. ''I swear upon my family name that I'll avenge my parents with all my power! My path will be one of darkness and blood! Let this hate of mine grow! I'll be the monster this world needs! The monster all monsters fear and cower before, for I will be a monster that devours all who are corrupt. Let this wound inflicted scar. A constant reminder upon my heart of the vow taken on this night... ''

'Don't remind me of this, please.' Bruce turned his head away and quickly closed his eyes in hopes of clamping down on the rising emotions that fought to break out. He shuddered with every breath he took. His hands wouldn't stop shaking. The silence, the darkness, the moon tainted in blood, his traumatic past, the vow he made, it was all too much for the already broken man.

With much reluctance, Bruce opened his eyes. His past self was gone, and in his place stood a monster whose terrifying presence nearly brought Bruce to his knees. It's form was nothing but darkness etched with light. There were no real features to distinguish, nothing to truly describe what he saw.

The monster looked up towards the moon. ''Such a malevolent color,'' said the being in a dark voice. ''How interesting that is…,'' whispered the being with thoughtfulness.

''Who the hell are you?'' growled out Bruce as he took up a fighting stance.

The monster made a placating gesture. ''I'd advise you not to do anything rash, Mr. Wayne. I didn't come here to fight you.''

How does it know my name? What the hell is he? ''Everything that I've been seeing, was it your doing?''

The stranger gave Bruce a smile full of pity. ''No, not at all Mr. Wayne. I have absolutely nothing to do with what you have been experiencing. But perhaps I can explain for you,'' the being gestured to their surroundings, ''you see, the place we are currently conversing within is the heart of your soul. There is no happiness here. No joy to be found. Only darkness and a moon stained with blood. The memories that you've recalled are simply those that are most deeply ingrained upon your being, and the memories deeply ingrained have heavily influenced how the heart of your soul appears.''

''You haven't answered my first question. Just who the hell are you?''

''I know much about you Mr. Wayne, more than you would like I'm sure, and for that reason, it is only right that you know a bit about me and what I stand for. You see, the gods are to you what I am to the gods, or should I say, what I represent is. Before creation itself, before life and death, time and power, destiny and fate…came the Abyss. In the beginning there was only it, and from the Abyss came everything else. Let us say, for one moment, that the Universe was a candle, and life was the flame. The Abyss is what surrounds it, the shadow that dance wickedly around the light. What I come here before you to represent is a terrifying entity, an existence of unfathomable power. Understand that the Abyss could erase all of existence with but a thought if it so wished…and no one would be any the wiser. You should be honored Mr. Wayne, for the Abyss has taken quite the interest in you ever since you made your vow, something the gods of old themselves have never achieved.''

Bruce knew he was telling the truth. There was no bluff. The tone of voice wasn't one of boasting, but one of boredom in simply stating a fact. The way he so nonchalantly claimed that what it served could wipe out everything was a sign in itself. Bruce tried to remain on guard, to not lose his train of thought, but the tension in the air was once again rising. He could feel it deep in his chest, where the scar above his heart throbbed angrily. The noises would be coming back to haunt him as they have so many times before, it was only a matter of time until he lost his sanity. Bruce winced as he clutched his head. He was starting to slip…

The entity looked indifferently upon Bruce's pained form. ''The Abyss is offering to help you Mr. Wayne. Everything you have fought for is at stake as we speak. Your planet and many others like it are near the brink of total annihilation, and your warriors aren't even aware of it. Certain individuals like the proclaimed Darkseid are on the prowl, and not even the champions of Earth will be able to save the day like they have before in past times. Can't you see, I brought you here with the sole purpose of making a proposition.''

To Bruce, this only raised more questions than answers.

''Even if you're speaking the truth, why make a proposition to me out of everyone else? There are many out there who are far worthier than me to speak to.''

The being internally smirked. Why? You ask why?! Because they simply cannot compare. None but you have managed to capture the interest of the Abyss. None but you have been found worthy. No, none can wield such power except you! You who would fear having such power bestowed upon you! You who would refuse rather than accept…

''Concerning the proposition, no. There is no one more worthy than you Mr. Wayne. You, who traverse through the darkness to serve the light. The accomplishments you have made are unparallel, your sacrifices…unrivaled. The scars upon your body are testament to that. And Mr. Wayne, even if there were certain individuals worthy, the Abyss holds no interest in them, only you.''

''What is the proposition then?''

''Power in exchange for sacrifice. Wine for blood. You have everything to gain from this offer Mr. Wayne, all the Abyss asks of you is to adhere to your vow. Finish what you started. Accept, and you would be more than capable of saving Earth and any other civilization should you wish to do so.''

Now comes the most critical moment…to put pressure…

Bruce understood the importance of this offer, truly. He himself was on constant guard, knowing that Darkseid would soon appear once again, stronger than ever before. They had barely won the fight last time, and he wasn't confident about them winning again, at least not without massive casualties. Here before him stood a being that had offered a sure way to win, and from what Bruce could discern, everything the powerful being had said was spoken with total honesty.

Bruce was beginning to shake horribly. With his head still grasped excruciatingly in between his hands, he hunched over. 'I don't know if I can do this. Everything I've worked for, my moral code…'

''I-''

The entity quickly interrupted. ''You should know, Mr. Wayne, of the future you are to cause should you refuse me. Your gadgets, your intellect, your armor, they can only get you so far. When Darkseid comes with his army, you will die brutally against him, but with your sacrifice, the god is defeated once more. Doesn't sound half bad, does it? Batman dies saving the world from an alien tyrant. Yet… your death acts as the catalyst for a far bigger problem to arise. You see, with your death comes calamity. You may not think it, but your passing greatly changes those in the Justice League, specifically those who were closest to you, the Founders, and with time they become the thing you feared they would. Almost like the Justice Lords…yet much worse. Much more so.''

You'd be quite surprised Mr. Wayne, if you knew that the one most affected by your death was none other than Diana of Themyscira. In the aftermath, she took over Gotham in your stead, and purged the evil that had long plagued it. After your death, she not only dawned your cape, but also your last name. She would become Diana Wayne. The love-sickened Amazonian even merged her symbol of hope and light with yours. She forced the people of Gotham to build two monuments in your glory and honor. One of Bruce Wayne, and one of Batman. The monuments built towered over even the tallest of buildings known to man. As she purged Gotham, she hunted and killed your enemies…every single one of them. And as for your past lovers, well, had them beheaded. The Wonder Woman who inspired hope and courage now inspired fear and terror into the hearts of all. She grew to be cold and detached, and in the end, it was her love for you that corrupted her. You were her undoing in every sense of the word Mr. Wayne.

The entity known that represented the Abyss was brought out of it's reverie when it heard the groans of pain and agony emitted by the human before it. The memories brought forth by Bruce's soul were mentally tearing the man apart. There wasn't much time left until he was forever lost.

I have told him of the most possible future he is to cause should he refute. I have told him of a problem already aware yet made more intricate and dire. I chose to converse within his blackened soul because I knew it would bring forth his wickedest. The flames of hatred and vengeance which have been reduced to mere ashes have been fanned once more, burning brighter and more potent than ever before. Not in his right state of mind, I have given him a solution to a most vexing problem. Mr. Wayne won't be able to properly think, I won't let him. With his darkest emotions rising, even he will choose power…he must…

''You have my upmost respect Mr. Wayne, yet the clock is ticking. What will it be? Will you accept my proposition? Be quick about your decision now, I fear we haven't much time before thing go terribly awry for you here.''

The pain was too great for the man. Bruce just wanted it to end, and fast. How many times now had he relived his worst memory? How many times had he heard the gunshots that haunted him in his sleep? How much more could he afford to resist the demons on the rise? And the offer, no matter how much he tried, Bruce couldn't properly think! His felt as if his mind was being pulled in every direction. He didn't know what was right anymore, and he couldn't afford to be wrong. Not now, not when it mattered most. Not when everything is at stake. But…could he really do it? Uphold his vow? 'I'll lose everything if I do…'

Sensing his struggle and distress, the figure with no features walked closer until it towered over Bruce menacingly.

''Your hatred, it tears at the soul. When you were but a boy, you embraced it. Hungered for it even. As a man, you fear it. You run from it. Cower and hide, shun it and abhor it but it matters not. Because you need it and it knows this. It'll always be a part of you, and with open arms your hatred welcomes you, whenever you are ready once more to embrace it. Tell me, have you forsaken your vow Mr. Wayne?! Strayed from the path you vowed to walk?!'' It shook it's head. ''No need for words, those eyes of yours tell me the truth, they tell me no.''

''Either you become the monster you vowed to be Mr. Wayne…or those you hold dearly will.''

The entity lowered its hand towards Bruce. The shadows around the two felt alive, a sinister agenda about as they watched with bated breath.

There would be no warmth in the hand offered before him, only the bitter cold that breaks all, turning them cruel. The entity smiled as it looked down upon the mortal man before it.

''Take my hand Mr. Wayne. Let me help you…''

A/N: As of 1/9/2019, both chapters of Blood & Wine are currently under revision, with the next chapter underway. I have not abandoned this story, and I thank those of you who have contacted me with concern!