This is my first fanfic. any feedback or constructive criticism that can be given would be much appreciated.
Chptr 1: The Contract
The night was calm as two men clad in strange garments stood in the courtyard. The sole light between, illuminating them was a light perched up high. A gentle fog crawled on its eternal trek through the night encasing both in a deep shroud. The glint of armor and weaponry the only tell tale sign of the two men's darker natures. Despite the look of inevitable destruction between the two warriors, there seemed to be a civil, yet uneasy peace between them.
"You contacted me for a contract. I must say, you are the least likely person I'd expect to contact me for something like this."
"I have my own agenda. I trust you understand the guidelines for this contract."
"I am quite experienced in such matters. This isn't the first… unusual request I've ever had. I trust you received my price for such a… unique undertaking. Especially since it will require my other jobs I have lined up to be dropped."
"I am well aware. I reiterate the previous message I had sent you, if anything happens to the boy I will becoming for you. There will be nowhere for you to hide. I am very dangerous man with the most powerful friends in the world. We will find you."
"Calm yourself. I have never failed a contract. Besides, you hero types have my respect. Most mercenaries see you as a force to be avoided or destroyed; I on the other hand, see the value of such powerful people keeping order. Not only that, but my job would be far more dull if I didn't have the occasional superhuman to challenge me. Not that anyone has stopped me before." As he stated the last sentence his mask shifted with a silent smirk of pride. A pride developed by centuries of successful work around the globe.
The man was standing tall at 6'5", lean muscular build that most men would consider to be a small frame of a weak man. The astute would see a man built for stamina and long years spent honing battle techniques. He carried himself with what seemed to be an air of arrogance, but was instead was a grace of a master combatant and experienced warrior. His only skin showing where white eyes, and muscular shoulders down to his elbows where his gauntlets rested.
His garb was an ancient forgotten armor. The design most would believe could only be created by a specialized set of highly sophisticated equipment. Only the man opposite him had the experience to recognize Hell's markings lining the ancient armor. The black and red garb started at his boots. Stretching up to his knees, the boots were of a light platemail that appeared to have been blood red at one point but scorched in some great inferno. The two colors laced and intermingled as they ran along the length of the boots. The boots attached to a set of leggings that stretched up to his waist all a shade of black that seemed to put the darkness of night to shame. The only sign that they were not part of his flesh was the knee length loincloth looking cod piece that covered his nether regions. He had twin sets of throwing blades on either thigh; high enough on the leg to be easily reached with a flick of the wrist, but not so far as to limit mobility.
His hands are covered in armored gauntlets that were open only revealing nimble fingers that were gently moving at all times. As a snake ready to strike, they were relaxed but in a position to strike in an instant at the slightest provocation. The gauntlets were of a light weight design, more akin the ancient assassins of Japan; durable, yet light and flexible as not to hinder the users movements and capabilities. They ran up his hands to the elbows, growing steadily redder as they did.
His torso was covered in an armor similar to the more modern armors of the well known special operations soldiers who expected some close range combat. It was covered in plates of unknown design and make. They moved gently with every breath he took, but a passerby would see an armor of superb design and defense without diminishing mobility. It was a dark red color bordering on black that seemed to suck the very light from his surroundings.
His mask was of a design none had seen before or since. It began at his chestpiece and ran all the way around his skull and left only his eyes, eyebrows and bridge of his nose revealed. One wouldn't be able to tell where the mask ended and his skin began if it weren't for the light flesh revealed. An skin tone that was not quite pale but several shades lighter than a normal person should have. A dark contrast to the black helmet with blood colored streaks running the length of the helmet.
Any onlooker would see his eyes before all else. His eyes seemed to pierce in the victim of his sight's very soul. The pure white eyes pierced the very light and showed the sight of a predator. Of a being whose sole existence seemed to be to pick out its prey and determine where to strike hard and without mercy. One misstep or mistake with this creature would mean sure destruction on whatever being was next in his seemingly unstoppable lust for blood.
He eminated an aura that seemed to suck the very warmth from your blood, and yet would melt the flesh on a single touch. A silent intensity that would cause a man to cower as a mouse would a lion. He seemed to release intense heat from every pore of his body. The very air around him almost seemed to ignite from his heat as the air twisted from the heat.
"To ensure that you know I understand the terms of our contract, I will reiterate the conditions set by you. I am to challenge him, his team, and his perceptions of what a real threat are. Show him that his meager experiences are nothing compared to what he will face. Now, I understand he and his team defeated Trigun, quite an impressive feat. But overall it was due to luck, not skill. Trigun was arrogant and weakened after he had invaded the realm. They got lucky. That is all. You and I know what real challenges exist in the universe. I've slain a few of them myself. Even my former apprentice, slade fell to such arrogance."
At the last comment the man opposite seem to shift slighty in surprise.
"Do not be surpised that you didn't know Slade, or more popularly known Deathstroke, once trained under me. A promising pupil, yet very misguided. I do take blame for his shortcomings, I did not do the…best job teaching him how to properly use the skills I gave him. His ability to bring the Teen Titans to their knees on a select few occaisions was rather surprising, but I suppose even a broken clock is right even twice a day."
"now to continue my previous explanation, I will challenge his personal combat, technique, tactical, and leadership skills. No permanent harm must come to him, or his team. I will also challenge them all. In combat as well as personal development, after all, they are barely in their twenties and need quite a bit of guidance that they seem so opposed to otherwise. Do I have the general idea? Or have I left something important out?"
"No innocents must be killed in the crossfire. I am not so naïve to believe that innocents will not be hurt at all, but there must be no fatalities. This is also non negotiable." When he finished his last statement his body tensed up at the idea of leaving children orphaned in such a manner as having godlike beings battle before them. He had seen this many times before and would never willingly allow it to happen.
"That is something we agree on. I may be a mercenary, but I am not without a heart. Innocents are those that we super beings should be protecting, and leaving out of our problems. Any who would use them as leverage, are nothing but cowards, if one cannot win with honor, they shouldn't even bother trying in the first place. Has the money been sent to my account as per my requirements?"
"No. I will wire the money once I believe that you will accept and follow my conditions. Any deviation will result in cancellation of payments and I will send the league to bring you in. As it stands I will keep the league at bay, but at my word they will take you down. You are skilled, but even you or I could never hope to stand against the leagues full power."
"Save your pretty threats Wayne. I will fulfill my end of the deal. I am the best, that's why you contacted me." With that remark the man disappeared in a burst of flames to Jump city to begin his contract.
Batman stood in shock, how had this mercenary discovered his identity? What could that mean to his life and Gotham.
"I hope this helps you Richard. I can't risk you going solo without seeing the true dangers that the universe will give you."
He turned to leave, knowing full well he may have unleashed the wolf upon the sheep.