Niko walked through the carnage around him without really registering the blood and body parts, they were not important. The only thing that mattered was the broken body lying in the center of the blast. Cal had went to face Grim alone, sheer determination and courage against a living nightmare. Cal had managed to take Grim out but at deadly cost to himself, then taunted the Bae to a frenzy to draw them close taking out most of them with the grenades he had brought for that purpose. Robin and Niko had arrived just in time to watch Cal stumble to his feet in the center of the room shouting insults at the Bae and their worthless sire. Then they watched in horror as Cal calmly let go of the hammers on the two grenades he held. Robin and Promise were still dispatching the wounded but Niko had no time for that he had to get to Cal before it was too late. Niko dropped to his knees and gathered Cal carefully into his arms he knew he was hurting him but he had to hold him for as long as he could. Cal managed to open his eyes and gave his brother a small smile despite the blood.
"Sorry Nik" the whisper was almost too soft to hear.
"Better this way" Cal coughed weakly as blood clogged his throat. Niko held him close and tried to quiet his little brother, it would be alright they would get him home it couldn't end like this. As if reading his mind Cal smiled a little.
"We always knew it had to end this way. At least you didn't have to do it. Let me go Nik you did good by me. Take the life Promise is offering." Cal was choking on the blood in his lungs and throat. His body fighting to draw air. Cal managed to force open eyes already glassy with death. He tried to speak but there was no breath left for that, Niko could read the words he formed
"Love you big brother, forever" and the impossibly the little brother who had fought against the odds all his short life and won was gone and Niko was holding an empty shell.
Niko could hear voices behind him. Promise and Robin calling his name, but they didn't matter, his world was focused on the body in his arms and the gun in Cal's holster. He knew there would be one in the chamber. He took the gun in his hand and bent to kiss Cal's forehead. Such a good little brother.
Robin closed the book with a sigh, it had been sixty years since he and Promise had the brothers cremated and mingled there ashes in a common grave like the old tradition said so there souls could be together forever. It had only been sixty years but Robin still looked constantly for signs of his comrades return. He loved Ishiah but only those two could fill the hole they left. Robin looked at his watch, time to go. He had made up is mind this was the day. He had been watching them for weeks. Twins this time. Street children, the blond warrior and the dark, smart mouth hero. His family. Good friends, they go. Robin stepped out to meet his old friends for the first time, again.
And they come.