Chapter 29
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He heard her before he saw her.

His eyes just catching sight of her stood upon a car. Her blonde hair loose and wild as it billowed around her before the earth engulfed her. Frozen, he could do nothing but watch as she disappeared into a ball of smoke and flames. Her scream ringing in his ears.

Beside him Barsad yelled orders as the troop opened fire, but he could not make sense of them, his words muffled as he watched Arman's men fall into the abyss after her. An icy chill seeping through his veins, filling him with dread.

He needed to get down there and fast.

Snapping into action he grasped Barsad by the shoulder. Pulling him close so that he could hear him above the gunfire.

"Take care of things up here" He shouted "I'm going in."

He needed no explanation "Yes sir."

Unbuckling his jacket, he wrenched his arms free. If experience had taught him anything, it was that he would need full motion of his arms if he were to get down there in one piece. One slip could cost him his life. He didn't want anything that could hinder him. Throwing it aside he assessed the situation. As predicted, the Crawlers were scrambling. Reeling from the explosion but they were close. He'd need to be quick if he was to reach the opening without being shot.

"Cover me" he ordered before meeting his lieutenant gaze with a knowing look "Remember your oath."

"Always."

With a nod he turned away. Sprinting towards the crater as fast as he could. His men darting out of his way as he thundered towards them, returning fire as bullets turned in his direction. Getting as close as he could, he leapt into the hole. His hands reaching for the metal sewage pipe that ran across the diameter of the crevice before slamming into it. The clang of the metal reverberating through his chest as he dangled precariously from it.

Pulling himself up he sat listening to the gunfire above as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. He could see the bottom of the chasm. The earth's soil just visible in the dim light. It was around a twelve-metre drop. Achievable but dangerous if not executed correctly. Devising a route, he descent deeper into the dank depths with a sense of Deja-vu when his boots finally touched ground.

"Lauren!"

There was no reply. Only a deafening silence.

Swallowing hard he made his way through the rubble. Checking each of the bloody bent bodies that littered his path. He kept calling. Straining to listen for any sign of life but found only death. Fear mounted with every step, unable to stop himself from considering the worst. What if he was too late?

The thought sent a sharp pain searing through him, almost bringing him to his knees. No. He couldn't go through that. Not again. She would be okay.

She had to be.

"Lauren!"

That was when he heard it. A small murmur from the darkness.

"Lauren?!"

"Mmmm…"

He spun on his heel, following the noise to a pile of rubble and began digging, tossing the heavy debris aside. His back burned, struggling under the strain even with his brace but he carried on. Sweat dripping from his brow when he finally came across her. Hidden beneath a thick layer of dust, her skin was the colour of ash, making her almost impossible to see if it were not for the green eyes that stared back at him confused and afraid.

"B-Bane?"

"I'm here. It's okay. You're safe now" he said gently "can you move?"

"My - my leg"

His eyes trailed down to her leg which was already beginning to swell. Her ankle twisted at an odd angle, clearly broken.

"It's okay. I'm going to get you out of here, but I need you to stay still."

"Hmm…"

She was in a bad way. He couldn't see any burns, but the force of the blow had clearly broken a couple bones. He was worried she was concussed – or worse. The blood dripping from her head causing him the most alarm. He needed to get her out but there was no way she could manage the climb and he could not carry her out. He would have to wait for backup.

Ripping the sleeves from his shirt, he dampened them beneath a trickle of water. Sitting down beside her he took her head in his hands. Wiping the grey powder from her face and pressed the cloth against her head, causing her to wince in pain.

"Sorry" he murmured.

She lay quietly as he tended to her. Staring up through her lashes at him with a slightly dazed gaze.

"How you doing?"

"I'm okay" she breathed "Could be better"

A flicker of annoyance stirred within him, suddenly angry. This would not have happened if she had just done what she was told. Why couldn't she have left like he had intended? He'd let her go so that she would be safe. So that he could concentrate on the task at hand without having to worry about her and yet here she was. Stuck in a ditch in the middle of a war zone, her body broken and crumpled. Why couldn't she have just stayed away?

"What are you doing here Lauren?" he asked, irritated "Why did you come back?"

She opened her mouth to speak when he suddenly heard footsteps. Alerting him that they were no longer alone.

They emerged like ghosts from the shadows. A heavy clad black knight materialising before them. His face covered by a black cowl leaving only his eyes exposed. The spiked gauntlet and leather chest plate instantly recognisable. Such attire would strike fear into lesser men but Bane did not falter, though their presence was unwelcome and set his pulse racing.

"Tashi Delek" He greeted them, taking a careful step forward "I was not expecting you so soon."

"Oh, but we were expecting you."

We?

Behind him four others emerged. But something was wrong. They were not Knights of the Brotherhood. They were Crawlers.

"What is this?" he demanded "Where is Raghoul?"

The knight ignored him. Instead he took a step forward setting Bane's teeth on edge as he circled around him, sizing him up. It was a deliberate move. He was trying to assert himself as the alpha but Bane held his gaze. He submit to no-one.

"Still as arrogant as ever I see"

His jaw tightened. He didn't like this guy. There was something off about him and yet something strangely familiar.

"Who are you?"

The knight stopped. Coming to stand in front of him so they were eye to eye.

"You don't recognise me?" he jeered, feigning shock "I guess It's no surprise. It's been a long time -and I had more of a face back then."

Bane stiffened. Recognising the dark eyes that stared back at him.

"Arman."

His eyes crinkled behind the cowl.

"Hello old friend."

Anger flared his chest. The sight of him in the garb causing his blood to boil. Ra's had denied him the garb once. Loyal and dedicated, he was devoted to the cause but that was not enough. He was cast aside. Deemed as too dangerous despite him saving his only daughter and exiled into the wilderness. All because he reminded him of one of them – a monster - and yet here Arman stood, apparently welcomed by the brotherhood that had been so eager to turn him away.

"How" he growled. His voice laced with venom.

Arman smiled, basking in his fury.

"Opportunity my friend."

Cold, cruel and self-serving Arman was everything the League swore to destroy. He had lied, raped, and butchered his way through the ranks of the prison. No doubt continuing his ravenous pillages beyond the pit's walls. How could they stand for this? The League were supposed to be of honour. Sworn to protect and serve the unjust. What would Ra's think now if he could see the very thing he opposed, masquerading as what he had stood for.

"The League want you dead" Arman continued "I want revenge for that stunt you pulled in the pit. It made sense."

Bane didn't reply. The fact the League wanted him dead did not come as a shock. There could only be one Alpha and with two battling contenders it was bound to happen sooner or later. What surprised him was that they had conspired with those they claimed to detest to try bring him down.

"Raghoul sees you as a threat. Unfit to rule. You would be dead now if he could have it his way. But Talia…" Arman trailed off, smirking as Bane tensed at her name "Ah little Talia – her word was final, meaning we could not just kill you outright. There would be chaos and we could not risk rebellion."

"So he sent me here under false pretence."

"Exactly. You come here. You die a warriors death or so we'll say and Raghoul remains on the throne. We all get what we want."

He could feel his pulse rising. Bloodlust coursing through him, calling for him to make the move. One snap and it would all be over. It would be so easy…

A small whimper stopped him in his tracks. In his anger he had all but forgotten that Lauren was there but as Arman's head turned in her direction he was filled with a wave of dread.

"I see we are not alone…"

Brushing past him with a knowing look, his restraint faltered. An arm snapping out and grabbing him by the shoulder.

He was swarmed by the others as soon as his hand made contact with his armour. Encircling him on all sides like lions to a kill. A sharp tip of a knife pressed deep against his skin, but he didn't waver, his gaze locked on Arman.

"Leave her" he snarled "she has nothing to do with this"

"Oh relax I just want to talk" Arman scoffed, his face twisting into an sneer as he shrugged out of his hold "besides me and her are old friends."

Bane's nostrils flared. His hands balling into fists as he squared his shoulders. If he wanted to fight, then he would get one…

"Bane"

Her voice cut through his anger, rendering him still. Tearing his eyes from Arman he briefly met her gaze.

"It's okay" she whispered softly.

He knew she was trying to reassure him but he did not release his grip. Still undecided whether to rip Arman limb from limb. He didn't want him anywhere near her. Didn't want to put her through the ordeal of seeing him again but he would be taken down before he had the chance to do anything if he reacted now. He needed to play this carefully.

Swallowing hard he reluctantly released his hand, much to Arman's amusal, who sent his men away with the wave of a hand before sauntering to where Lauren lay helplessly.

"We meet again Miss Conlon."

Her eyes were wide with fear. Her emotions betraying her as she shied away from him. This was the last thing he wanted. To put her through this again. To torture him as a boy was one thing but involving her was another. He would not let him hurt her again.

"Tell me my dear, what do you think of all this?"

"What?"

"Well do you think he should be allowed to live? I'm sure during your time together that you have experienced his destructive nature first-hand."

Lauren lowered her eyes but said nothing.

"Oh, you've got her trained well" Arman mocked "I like it."

Bane said nothing just watched as his heart pounded hard in his chest.

"Did he tell you what he was like back then, during his time in the League? No? I didn't think so. When I arrived, they told me stories. Stories of a man filled with rage. He was a great warrior. The best of the best but he was unstable. Unable or, according to some, unwilling to control his anger. He would return valiant from each mission. His eyes bright but soaked in blood…and not only from the target. No-one was safe from him. No man, woman nor child. He was violent. Too violent- even for them and so he was tossed aside. Can you imagine what he would do If he were in charge? You saw what he did to Gotham and that was without him at the helm. What destruction would he cause if he were able to lead?"

He could see her faith in him fading. Refusing to meet his eyes as she listened to Arman's toxic words, poisoning her against him.

"I was a different man back then."

"Ohh but you liked it. You see I know the real you. You may have fooled others, but I see right through you. I remember what you were like in that hell hole. You remember Abel? How you caved his skull in for stealing from you? Or how about Tommund, who you killed for reputation?"

"I've changed."

"And what about me? Are you going to deny this!"

With a swoop of his hand Arman yanked off his cowl revealing his scarred face. His flesh puckered and discoloured, forever charred from where the flames had licked him.

Bane smiled. Unable to take any displeasure in his mangled face.

"You had it coming."

Arman's eyes hardened; "You see. A monster never changes."

He turned back to Lauren who winced in pain at the movement.

"And what about you? Have you not suffered at the hands of this man? Surely you can understand why this has come to pass. Why he cannot be allowed to live. The League are sworn to protect the innocent from people like him."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Bane snarled.

Arman grinned. His eyes bright with excitement as he got to his feet. Accepting the challenge wordlessly with the click of his fingers.

They were upon him in seconds. Rushing him on all sides with their weapons drawn.

Squaring his shoulders, Bane prepared for battle, slamming into the first attacker with all of his weight hen sent him sprawling backwards. Footsteps neared behind him; the heat of a body close upon his back letting him know the target was close. With a swift jab of the elbow his assailant buckled over, clutching his rib as Bane brought his fist down hard upon the back of his head. Confidence swelling in his chest. This way all too easy.

Bringing his knee up he felt the crunch of the man's nose shattering, causing a spray of blood to erupt from his face when a cry came from behind them.

"Bane look out!"

Spinning out of the way, Bane watched as the blade intended for him plunged into the other man's chest. A mask of horror plastered upon his comrades face as he fell dead at his feet.

'Fool'

Taking advantage of his turmoil he grasped the man's wrist, quickly disarming him before whirling round and slicing him across the throat. Leaving him to gurgle on his own blood when something slammed into him from behind. The force causing him to lose his grasp on the sword ,sending it clattering to the ground. Thrashing around he tried to throw his attacker off but they held firm. A hand appearing from the left of his face, causing a surge of rage to rise in him as they tried to pry the mask from his face.

With a roar of anger, he backed up, slamming his attacker into the wall until he felt their hold loosen. Turning round he grabbed the man by the throat and pulled him against him. His hand snaking around his windpipe in an iron tight grip when he spotted Arman slip into the shadows from the corner of his eye.

With a quick twist the man went limp in his hands. His broken body crumpling to the ground as he hunted after him.

"Bane!"

He stopped at the sound of her voice.

"Please" she begged "Don't go. Don't do this."

The sight of her lying there, alone, and fragile caused something to crack inside of him. He wanted to go to her. Wanted to take her in his arms and tell her it was okay, but it wasn't enough to stop him. Hate was all he had left. All of the pain and suffering in his life had transpired from Arman and so it would end with him. He was the reason he lived perpetual agony. The reason he had lost Talia. If not for him, she would have never made the climb. Would not have devoted herself to a lost cause. Never would have become hell-bent on revenge, poisoning her from the inside out. She would still be alive.

And what about Lauren?

He had taken her from him once, torturing her as a way of getting to him. He had left her beaten and bloody before throwing her to the wolves. He had nearly broken her. Turning on his heel he listened to Lauren's cries fade away as he strode after Arman. Fury mounting with every step. She didn't understand. He had to do this. He had not come this far only for him to slip through his fingers now. He was too dangerous and too cunning to be left alive. He had taken someone from him before. He would not let it happen again.

Seeing his men fall Arman was running like the coward he was. Scrambling up the walls in a desperate attempt to escape. Enraged he chased after him. His boots sliding in the sludge as he began climbing up the side of the crevice. He may have been stronger, but Arman was lighter. His small frame giving him a slight advantage. Digging in his heels he picked up the pace, blood pounding in his ears as he closed the gap. He could feel the fear rolling off him, aware of the beast at his feet which only lured him in closer. Loose debris tumbling behind them in their race towards the surface. But he would not get away. Not this time.

Bellowing in anger, Bane reached up. A hand closing round Arman's ankle causing him to cry out in pain.

"You were always weak" he rumbled "Now you'll pay for what you did."

A burst of pain shot through his face as Arman kicked out. His boot colliding with the mask when the earth suddenly torn from beneath his hands.

And then he was falling.

Ooooh the suspense!
I do hate to leave you on another cliffhanger but I promise it'll be worth it.
If you're enjoying the story then be sure to you follow me for maybe a sequel or something...?
Thanks for reading, let me know if you enjoyed.
Also who's POV would you guys prefer the last chapter to be in? Bane or Laurens? I cant decide and as we are so close to the end I thought id ask for you lovely for your input so please let me know!
Stay safe!
Until next time!
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