I'm back with the next chapter. The conflict is about to reach its climax; but what does that mean for Bruce and Aria? Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I only own Aria, plot, and other OCs.
Chapter 10
They arrived in St-Maximin a few hours later. They followed the trail that led to the Grotto of Ste-Baume. "What do you think we will find?" asked Bruce.
"Probably another annoying riddle. I wish that this guy can be more precise," said Aria. "Here we are." The cave wasn't really impressive; and as they went inside, they noticed the pilgrims praying. "Look for something that seems out of place," said Aria. They went in opposite directions as they conducted their own searches. Aria looked at the walls, trying to find evidence of manmade pieces. I think I am being watched, she thought as she looked around. The uneasiness didn't leave her so she decided to head back towards Bruce. Suddenly, she bumped into a man. "I'm sorry," she said, looking at him. Then she noticed his lapel pin. "Oh no," she said and started to run. The man grabbed her and Aria struggled with him. She grabbed the pin and threw it on the floor. The man spun her around and held a cloth over her nose and mouth. She tried to scream but nothing came out. The last thing she saw was two more men coming towards her as her world fell into darkness.
Bruce was becoming just as frustrated as Aria was earlier. What should I be looking for, he thought, wishing for some of his companion's knowledge. As he inspected the wall, he noticed an oddly placed rock. Gently moving it, the rock came out and Bruce saw a box. Picking it up, he opened it and froze. It was a cryptex. Oh, Aria is going to love this, he thought as he headed in her direction. When he reached the entrance, he noticed three men heading out, one of them carrying someone. It was Aria. Bruce started to run towards them but was too late. They made it to their car and drove off. "Damn it," he said. Please be safe, Aria.
Checking into a low-key hotel, Bruce inspected the cryptex a little more. The dialing sequence was five letters, but what was the clue? Bruce looked at the box more carefully and noticed a dove with golden wings. The dove is a symbol of peace, Bruce thought. Then he smiled. What better way to hide a thing of terror than under peace? And with that thought, he grabbed a pencil and gently pried the medallion loose. Out it came and Bruce noticed an inscription on the other side. This is what he read:
The spear lies under the rose,
And helps us keep the peace whole.
Terror breeds terror, and life breeds life,
The symbol of justice brings it to light.
Bruce shook his head. This verse doesn't make any sense. What symbol of justice? Bruce flung himself onto the bed and began to think. Soon he fell asleep. And in his sleep the verse came to life:
He saw the Spear in all its glory. Coming towards it from opposite directions came the light and darkness. Yet over the Spear was a figure flying. He recognized it – it was a bat. Looking around, he saw that he was in an old yet familiar church – the prominent feature being the carving of a rose.
He woke with a start. Aria was wrong. The mysterious man did bring the Spear to America – specifically to Gotham City. Then he remembered something. There was another clue inside the cryptex. He needed to return to Gotham and find the next clue to open the cylinder. And save Aria.
Aria woke in a strange room. Slowly, she got up and looked around. "Ah, glad to see you awake, Professor," came a familiar voice. Aria turned and saw the same man that she encountered at Wayne Manor. "What do you want?" she asked.
The man laughed. "Actually we wanted the cryptex. But it appears that you don't have it. A shame. Now we are concentrating on finding the person who does have it."
"Bruce," Aria whispered. What have I done!
"Yes, it appears Mr. Wayne found it and subsequently disappeared. But don't worry, we'll find him," said the man. "In the meantime, you are our guest. My name is the Keeper."
"You'll never find him," Aria spatted out. Before the Keeper could answer, a younger man ran into the room. "Mr. Wayne appears to be returning to Gotham."
"You see, I told you we would find him," the Keeper said as he left the room. That's what Bruce wanted you to do, she thought. He wanted you to come out of hiding.
Now we will be returning to Gotham. Bruce will be putting on the Batsuit in the next chapter. What do you all think?