Prologue: Sibling Rivalry
Damian, the blood son and heir to the Bat, and the grandson of the Demon as well as the heir of Ra's al Ghul. My twin brother, mother and grandfather's prized child. Me? I'm just a backup plan. I lived within my brother's shadow since the day we were created. Each time we trained I was a step behind Damian. I ravelled him in speed, intelligence, and agility. I was superior to him in stealth but inferior in strength. The only thing I lack of is the will to kill. I could have never had the nerve to take a life, even a lowly one. The worst I could do is to leave the for dead, never I had taken one immediately. This infuriated mother and grandfather.
Damian and I had a close bond with each other. We were only 5 when we made a blood oath. We cut our hands and let out blood intermingled and said our oath. "No matter what, when, and for whom; we shall never betray each other as long as we are brother and sister by blood and by oath."
We were toe-to-toe in combat, superior to all of grandfather's underlings but never had once we had defeated each other. We were equals until mother started favouring Damian more than I. He was personally trained by mother and grandfather where I was thought by mentors who don't even know my name. Our bond weakened but the oath still bound me to keep the jealousy in me supressed. Damian was more cruel and arrogant within the matter of month.
One day, grandfather instigated a battle between Damian and I by the edge of the cliff that was by the sea. I knew that it was a battle to our deaths. I gave it my all. It was my daggers against Damian's sword. Clashing our weapons, exchanging blows, dodging, scarring and bruising each other. I was losing my breath and I was pushed to the edge. "Sister," Damian said coldly, hiding his fatigue and sadness.
"Brother," I replied in the same tone. We clashed once more until Damian tosses me off the edge. I was falling to my death. I landed in the cold waters of the ocean. I passed out to the fall and pressure.
I soon awoke to see I was in an infirmary and was cared by a man wearing some mind of armour that reminds me of the ones worn in the fictional movie posters I saw once. "You are going to be fine young one," he said. "I will care for you from now on."
I was adopted by the King of Vanaheim, King Grashor, I learnt the ways of court and the combat training necessary, but it wasn't enough. I was trained proficiently by the League of Assassins in combat, but I feel it is not enough. It was on my first birthday here that I found my mentors in the form of the god of trickery, Loki Odinson, and the lady of hope and will, Genevieve Jordan Odindottir. They were the adopted children of the King of Asgard, Odin Borson, the All-Father. Vanaheim was one of the close allies of Asgard for a millennium. Father thought it was a good idea to organise a ball since my birthday was on the same day since the treaty between the two civilisations begun.
At the ball, I wore my ceremonial armour and my tiara. I had my daggers by my side and my ceremonial sword. Damian was more of swords fan than I am. I did not wear a dress since I was yet to be decided what role I play in the grand schemes of things until the All-Father says so. According to the court advisor (whom has magic) I do not possess any magical potential, but she told me that the shadows seem to favour me. The advisor told me that the shadows turn darker as I step into it if I intend to hide. Anyway, on to the ball. I was greeted by many lords and ladies from across the two civilisations. Who doesn't wasn't to see a new princess. I admit, I am cute, but I hate to be called cute. I can gut a man alive I want to. When the two royals of Asgard walked in I was a man wearing golden armour and a green cape with a horned helmet, next to her was teenage girl wearing silver armour and a silver tiara embraced her head.
She greeted me and from there, she became my mentor in everything. She even took me to learn under his brother, Loki after discovering my affinity with the shadows. Sadly, I was not able to rival Loki as I have no magical potential of my own but learning the ways of the shadows and mastering it was my objective. From now on I disown my mother and grandfather, but never Damian. No matter what, when, and for whom; we shall never betray each other as long as we are brother and sister by blood and by oath. From now on, I am no longer the Granddaughter of the Demon. I am Rania, the Swift and Lady of the Shadows.