Chapter 12
Oliver and Felicity had a quiet breakfast in their room. The room service cart had a variety of foods on it from scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, bagels, an omelet, Danish, fruit, and even cereal, as well as a large pot of coffee. Oliver had ordered it the night before and he wasn't sure what they would want to eat in the morning. Felicity happily prepared a plate of food of scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, Danish, and a bagel along with coffee. Bundled up in a white terry cloth robe, she sat with her legs underneath her and enjoyed the food. Oliver wore sweat pants and nothing else, as he enjoyed coffee and a bagel and cream cheese with some fruit.
"I can't believe you're not famished after last night," Felicity said with a grin.
Oliver swallowed a smile. He discovered that Felicity liked to have marathon sex as a cure for jet lag. Though, he didn't mind her cure, he had to admit that he needed a good four hours of sleep one of these nights.
"Ever since the island I've had trouble eating when I'm sensing danger," he admitted. "I'd have to force myself to eat back then because meals were hard to find so you couldn't waste food, but once I got back to civilization it became easier to eat only enough to keep my body fueled. Some doctor said my lack of appetite was a sign of PTSD, though I tend to think of it as just another scar from my five years in hell."
"You don't trust Constantine?" Felicity asked.
"I trust him well enough. It's the mystical and the supernatural I have a problem with," Oliver answered.
"Not as easy to put an arrow in them, right?" Felicity said.
"Kind of like that," he agreed.
"Let's review your plan. You intend on ruining Darhk's Lazarus Pit water so he can't revive or heal himself after you get to him," observed Felicity.
"Not just Darhk's Lazarus Pit water," he told her. "I want to destroy Malcolm's source, also. They'll be no more long lived Ra's Al Ghul if I have my way."
"Are you going to tell Nyssa about your plan?" Felicity asked with a mouthful of scrambled eggs.
"I haven't decided yet," he answered.
"So, are you taking Nyssa with you tonight?" Felicity asked.
"No," was the simple answer.
Felicity put down her fork and looked at him with concern.
"Oliver, you should have back up on this just in case," she said.
"No. I'll be fine," he said.
"Fine? Are we going by the dictionary definition of fine or are we going by the Oliver Queen definition of fine, which translate I'm not dead yet, though I'm close to death, but that's fine," Felicity rattled on.
"Constantine won't double cross me, Felicity," he said.
"Why?"
"Because Nyssa will hunt him down and kill him if he does," Oliver smiled.
Felicity picked up her fork and smiled then said," Now, I feel better."
Arrow
Oliver took a taxi to the address that Constantine had written down. It was in the China Town section of the city. After being left off at a street corner, Oliver paid his fare through the passenger window then scanned the area without looking like he was scanning the area. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a caped and cowl wearing in black melding with the shadows on a rooftop. Across the street he glimpsed Nyssa on another rooftop. He shook his head and headed for Madame Xanadu's Occult Shop.
The shop was wedged between a Chinese restaurant that had cooked chickens and ducks hanging in the window and an oddly placed bodega. Oliver entered Madame Xanadu's shop, which was filled with the bric a brac of the occult. From icons to amulets and potions, soaps, herbs, and incense, it had the smell of sandalwood, patchouli, and rosemary. Oliver walked over to the herbs section, as two young woman looked around. One of the herbs appeared familiar to him. It was the herb from Lian Yu. It was called He Shou Wu and it was very expensive.
"Are you interested in healing herbs?" a female voice asked.
Oliver turned to see a black haired beautiful woman wearing a long loose fitting black dress standing behind him. She had dark, grey eyes. He tried to judge her age but there was something timeless and ageless about her.
"This one in particular. Do you ship products to other cities?" he asked.
"Yes, I do," she smiled.
"I'd like two pounds of this shipped to my workplace in Starling city," he said.
"It's expensive," she remarked.
"I can afford it," Oliver said.
"Of course, you can, Mr. Queen," she smiled. "It's saved your life many times, hasn't it?"
He nodded his head yes then said, "Madame Xanadu?"
"Please, call me Nimue. Constantine is in the backroom drinking my single malt scotch. Shall we join him?" she asked him.
"Please," Oliver smiled.
The backroom was more a living room with two sofas, a table setup for Tarot card readings, and a painting of an English forest. Constantine was seated at the table playing with the Tarot cards and sipping his scotch. He looked up at Oliver and grinned.
"The Emerald Archer arrives," he sniggered.
Madame Xanadu gently touched Oliver's cheek then said, "I prefer Ra's Al Ghul. You really are his true heir. If Nyssa wasn't stubborn in her sexuality, you and her would produce beautiful deadly children together that would keep the throne of Ra's Al Ghul filled. The League of Assassins would be stable for centuries. As is you allow someone else to rule, and the league is on the brink of unrest."
"I am not Ra's Al Ghul," he stated.
"Yes, you are," she smiled. "You may deny it as much as you wish, but the truth is simple: you defeated Ra's Al Ghul after surviving his sword in an earlier bout. You fulfill the prophesy while Malcolm Merlyn merely mocks it."
"Don't argue with her, we need what she has and the bitch is a seer on top of being a powerful witch," said Constantine, as he flipped the death card. He chuckled then said, "The bastard isn't going to get me yet."
Nimue sat down. She gave Constantine a look of disdain then she turned her attention to Oliver.
"Oliver Queen, Ra's Al Ghul, Green Arrow, you are an interesting and handsome man," Nimue said. "You want to destroy the mystical powers of the water from the Lazarus Pit, am I correct?"
"Yes."
"It takes a powerful potion that has to be poured into the water with an incantation, a few words in Latin actually. Ab aeterno, ad mortem. From Eternity, to death. That will turn the Lazarus Pit water into nothing more than water," she said.
"I convinced her to give you the potion," said Constantine, "and I'll pay the price not you."
"Why?" asked Oliver.
"So, that you owe me a favor instead of owing her a roll in the hay, which is her price. I don't think your beloved would like you to pay that price," smiled Constantine.
Oliver looked at Nimue and she smiled then said, "I'm very, very old and can become very bored. Sex is one of the few excitements left."
"Abaeterno, ad mortem," said Constantine then he looked at Nimue. "Get him the potion and make it enough so that he can ruin Damien Darhk supply and Nanda Parbat's."
Nimue raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I like that. The less humans who feel immortal the better."
She turned and looked at Oliver then said, "I need your credit card, too, so I can take care of your order of healing herbs. That is going to pay my rent for the next two months."
Oliver reached into his pocket, took out his wallet, and handed her his black credit card. Nimue smiled.
"I like you Oliver Queen," she purred. "If you want I'll tell your future for you."
"Don't do him the disfavor, Nimue. Go ring up his bill and get his potion, you vixen," laughed Constantine.
Nimue left the room and all the humor went out of Constantine. He looked tired and bored. Constantine looked up at Oliver.
"Balance. That's what the league and the HIVE they are all about. Destroy the HIVE, kill Damien Darhk, and gain control of the league and spade it, and this world will finally have some balance. You do that and when I finally ask for my favor from you, you'll probably be glad to give it to me," Constantine said.
"Darhk has to die?" asked Oliver.
"Oh, yes, he needs to die. Merlyn is another story. Do what you will to him," said Constantine.
"Fine," sighed Oliver.
"I know that killing eats at the soul, but there is some killing that can't be avoided. There are those creatures who need to be put down and Darhk for all his erudition and good manners needs to be put down for his sins and better you than someone close to you, who Darhk will have influence on," said Constantine.
"What are you talking about?" asked Oliver.
"I'll give you this one warning, Queen; someone close to you doesn't know it yet but Damien Darhk is important to them. Don't let him get his claws into this precious person," said Constantine.
"Who is it?" asked Oliver.
"You'll discover in time," smiled Constantine. "Isn't that one of the joys of life to be surprised by things. If we knew what the future had waiting for us, we would either be bored or scared shitless."
"I don't like surprises," growled Oliver, who clenched his hands into fists.
"Too bad," yawned Constantine then he took a long sip of his scotch. "Now if you don't mind me I have to get drunk if I'm going to fuck Nimue."
Arrow
After return trip to Starling to pack for Japan and to pick up intel from Michael and Cisco, Felicity, Oliver, Nyssa, and Trevor were off to Japan. It was a long flight. The last time Oliver had taken a flight from the Asia, it was his return home from his last year on Lian Yu. He was such a different man then, self contained, tightly wound, and not wanting to let anyone in. That Oliver Queen was on a mission to fix the sins of his father. That Oliver Queen was a stone cold killer, who never intended on letting anyone in his heart again.
Sitting in the front of the cabin, as Trevor watched a movie with earphones on, and Nyssa stared out the window lost in the thought, Oliver and Felicity sat side by side holding hands.
"I've always wanted to go to Japan," said Felicity. "I mean the country is a like one big tech nerd. They love the latest and most cutting edge technology. From vending machines to clothes with tech and robots - I love Japanese robots- this is like a geek feast for me."
"Felicity," Oliver said her name with a combination of love and amusement, "if you want to spend some time playing super nerd."
Oliver said this and adjust comm bracelet that Michael grave him. All he had to do was press the green button to speak to Michael of Cisco and the red button to call for Barry's help.
"Nope, we are here on business, all business, nothing but business," she said.
Oliver tried not to smile but he couldn't help it. Leaning over and invading her space, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"We are supposed to appear like to CEO's here on business, Felicity. Checking out vending machines and robots and anything else you want to check out is part of our fooling them," he told her.
"Well, I believe there is a giant Ferris wheel and roller coaster in Nagasaki," she said excitedly. "When I was young I hated amusement rides. They made me hack, but I thought I'd give it another try."
"Giant Ferris wheel? Roller Coaster?" Oliver said. "Felicity, you're nervous, aren't you?"
"Yup," she said. "I really don't like this, Oliver. I just have a bad feeling something is going to happen that might come between us. Now that I have you I don't want to lose you."
He reached over and took her chin in his thumb and forefinger and lifted her eyes to meet his eyes. She saw that they were filled with a burning intensity.
"Nothing, Felicity, nothing can happen to keep us apart. I love you and I need you. You are the light in my life. Without you all I have is darkness," he stated.
Her eyes started to fill with tears.
"I love you, Felicity Megan Smoak," he said.
"I love you, Oliver Jonas Queen," she replied.
"Good," he smiled, "we understand each other. Nothing and no one can keep us apart."
Felicity wrapped her arm around his bicep and laid her head on his shoulder. Oliver gently placed his head on head on hers. There were a great many tasks ahead of them, but the most important one Oliver had was keeping Felicity safe.
Arrow
Oliver had a suite booked for Felicity and himself at the four star Hotel Europe on the waterfront. He also booked a luxury room for Nyssa and something cheap for Trevor. The Hotel Europe was well named as it was a luxury looking European hotel. It catered to Europeans and its room service menu had items such as bacon and eggs, filet mignon, and even a cheeseburger. Of course the filet and cheeseburger were Kobe beef.
The one thing the Hotel Europe did have that made it a true Japanese hotel was a rock garden. After checking into their suite, Oliver found himself staring at the sand and rocks of the rock garden with Felicity seated beside him. After all the travel they had done, it was relaxing just to stare and meditate allowing the placements of the rocks and the rippling designs in the sand to push aside all other thoughts and troubles. Felicity squeezed his hand.
"I have to contact Palmer Technologies Nagasaki office," she said. "They are expecting me to take a tour and have lunch with the VPs."
"Nyssa will go with you," he said.
Felicity smiled then teased, "Not Trevor?"
"No, not Trevor."
"Okay, I'll go to talk to her," said Felicity.
"I need to meet with Tatsu. She has been doing some recon for me here in Nagasaki," he said.
Felicity got up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek.
"Don't get into any trouble," she stated.
He grinned.
Arrow
Oliver found Tatsu at the fish market at Dejima Wharf in the Edo era section. This was chosen because of its heavy foot traffic and crowds. The best place to remain anonymous was in a crowd. Oliver noticed Tatsu standing alone. He would be able to find her anywhere in crowd, as she always carried her loneliness with her. Dressed in a beige light suit, since it was 86 degrees out, Oliver walked up beside her.
"Tatsu," he said soft.
"It is always good to see you, Oliver," she said.
"Shall we walk?" he asked.
"May I take your arm?" she asked.
He smiled and nodded yes then offered her his right arm. She took it and they started walking.
"The island you are looking for is an inactive volcano," he said. "I have a map for you."
"Have you been to this island?" he asked.
"Once. It is heavily guarded with technology as well as hired ninja," she said. "I was almost discovered."
Oliver nodded. If Tatsu was almost discovered that meant it was going to take his best effort to get on that island without being noticed.
"I will join you when you attempt to go to the island," said Tatsu.
"No, Tatsu, all I wanted you to do was recon for me. That's it. You've risked your life enough for me," he said.
"Oliver, you are family, all the family I have left in many ways, so I will help you," she said.
He looked at her and sighed. Oliver knew her well enough to know that whatever he said would be useless because she had made up her mind. Both Tatsu and Oliver stopped at the same time, as they both sensed someone was following them. Oliver turned towards her with a phony smile on his face, so that he could look over her shoulder and scan the area.
"There are four men checking us out. By their body language I'd say they are professional assassins," he said.
"I noticed them. You would be able to handle all four of them, Oliver," she said. "I do not fear them."
"Then they can follow us for now," he said.
They started walking again.
"Do you have anything on Damien Darhk?" he asked.
"He stays on the island often. He tends to send surrogates out into the world for him. One of them is named Maurice Blaze. He is Darhk's right hand man and his favors him," she explained.
"Does he come to Nagasaki at all?" he asked.
"Yes, Oliver, he does. As a matter of fact his company is having a gala for Shunbun-no-hi, the Autumn Equinox," said Tatsu. "It will be at his estate outside of the city and most important Europeans and Americans who are in Nagasaki for a visit are invited. Are you important, Oliver?"
"Not as important as I used to be, but Felicity is CEO of Palmer Technologies," he said.
"Then she will be invited," said Tatsu. "If you go you will meet Damien Darhk and Maurice Blaze."
"You have any photos of them?" he asked.
"Yes," said Tatsu. "I have them on my I-phone. I shall send you the photos. They were very difficult to get, very difficult to get."
"Send them to my phone, Tatsu," he said. "Where are you staying?"
"I will find you when you need me," she smiled then she walked away from him.
Oliver watched her go then scanned the area again. The four men were gone.
Arrow
When Oliver arrived at the hotel suite later that day, he found an exhausted looking Felicity. Her high heels were off and her feet were up on an ottoman. A smile creased his face.
"How did it go with Tatsu?" she asked.
"The island is guarded by high tech and ninja," he told her.
"Ooh, high tech. I'll have to test out their abilities later," she smiled.
"Also, Damien Darhk is throwing gala for the Autumn Equinox on his estate outside of Nagasaki. You'll probably be invited," said Oliver.
"I have been invited and you are my plus one," she said and her grin increased.
"She also got pictures of Damien Darhk and Maurice Blaze on her I-phone. Would you care to see them?" he asked, as he pulled out his smart phone.
He found the pictures of the two men and handed his smart phone to Felicity. She took the smart phone from him and stared at the photo for a moment of Darhk and Blaze then she dropped the phone. Oliver was shocked by her reaction. From the expression on her face she was in shock and on the verge of tears.
"Felicity, what's wrong?" he asked softly, as he bent down beside her and took her hands in his.
She looked at him and answered, "Maurice Blaze is my uncle Maurice Smoak and Damien Darhk is my father."
