The air was unusually cold as the small group made their way onto the sacred ritual grounds. The deep darkness of the night cloaked them from view.
"We're coming up to the battleground now." Galfore leg them through a large stone arch. Within the walls of the arch a set of stairs awaited them. Raven and Beast Boy were instructed to head up the stairs and take a seat to view the battle from above. The arch extended into a long hallway that led to the grounds. "Cyborg, please follow the other sentry guards through the tunnel and take position. Karras and my Lady will be here shortly." The men nodded and followed the path out. "Come with me, Nightwing." He nodded and followed with no question. He led him through the hall and stopped in front of a door hidden in the darkness of the shadows. Slightly hesitant Nightwing followed him through the dark and into the hidden room. Inside, Galfore lit an oil lamp, bringing soft light into the cramped space. A moment later, Koriand'r came through the door. Her outfit matched his except hers was a deep purple in color. She had on the face framing head gear with her hair pulled tightly in a high ponytail.
"Galfore, Nightwing, you're here." A breath of relief left her. "I did not see you outside so I got worried." She hugged the large man before turning to her friend. "I hope you were able to prepare thoroughly." She Looked him up and down, finally seeing his clothes. "You look wonderful! My people's clothes look good on you." She traced the bottom lines of his mask before pulling away. "But Galfore, what about-"
"I have it here." His large hands fumbled around for something in his bag. After finally finding it, he handed it to Starfire. She floated over to Nightwing with the item in her hands and placed it on his head. He touched his face and realized it was the head gear.
"You must complete the outfit." She beamed at him, admiring how well he looked in the traditional gear. "We must go, midnight is near." She took his hand, running her thumb over the gem that sat atop it. She led the two men out to the field. There, she noticed Cyborg standing firm near the far end and Raven and Beast Boy seated at the top. Her siblings waited for her at the center of the field dressed in their traditional clothes. Komand'r dressed in all black with no skin shown other than her face and Ryand'r dressed in purple with no sleeves and shorts. "Thank you for waiting, sister, brother." Karras and Taryia entered the field trailed by a herd of older men.
"We have heard of the transgressions from our disgraceful prince, my Lady." One of the older men stepped forward and gave his respects to the royal family. "We agree to the terms set."
"Very well. Please take a seat in the audience, we shall proceed shortly." The elders of the Southern States took their leave and made their way into the stands. "You must take your seats as well." Starfire said to her siblings. They each grabbed one of her hands, not wanting to leave her side. She smiled softly at them and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "I will be fine. I have no worries about this battle. Nightwing and I have been in many battles and beaten many foes. Our training as partners is nothing to be taken lightly." Galfore guided them to their seats and took to announcing the ceremony.
"Thank you everyone for your participation." His booming voice echoed into the night. "Tonight, we observe the tragic ritual of Tolos. Prince Karras of the Southern States has made the most ultimate betrayal. Prince Karras, how do you plead?" The small gathering turned their eyes to the man standing in the pit below.
"I plead guilty." Looks of disgust and disapproval crossed the faces of the attending council.
"As stated by the Grand Ruler of Tameran's Northern States, Tolos shall be initiated. Should the Northern States be victorious, the Prince shall relinquish his title and country to Lady Koriand'r and flee with the woman Taryia. Do you agree to these terms, council of the Southern States?" The look on Karras's face was unreadable.
"We do." Anyone could tell the old men on the council did not fully agree, but due to the charge there was nothing that could be done.
"Also stated by the Grand Ruler, should Lady Koriand'r be defeated in battle, Prince Karras and Taryia shall be free to live as they please and the Southern States shall remain independent. Lady Koriand'r, Southern Council, do you agree to these terms."
"I do."
"We do."
"As stated in the ancient tradition, the family of the two participants must be present and ready. Release Komand'r from her chains." A guard stepped forward and hesitantly removed the chains. The dark haired woman rubbed her wrists and allowed her eyes to glow to life. "Once the battle is decided, if the family wishes to step in and defend their fighter, tradition dictates they may do so. Komand'r, Ryand'r, do you agree to defend your sister and Grand Ruler Koriand'r should she fall in battle?" Purple and green glowed with malice as they eyed the two lone fighters below.
"We do." They answered simultaneously. Taryia took an unconscious step backwards in the view of Blackfire. She had heard many tales of the undefeatable woman who charged the recent war. Word had spread that she was defeated by her younger sister and the youngest child was catching up to them quickly. Facing the three of them would be foolish.
"Prince Tarras, it is our understanding that you are the lone member of your family. Do you agree to the terms set by our traditions?" Said man clenched his fist.
"I do."
"Both participants are granted one partner. Koriand'r has chosen Nightwing of Earth who has been granted the name Miras to reflect his true self on Tameran." Whispers could be heard from across the way.
"Tradition states that our true selves be reflected in battle. This outsider dare not share his true name?" A council member stood, protesting the alteration.
"Nightwing is of Earth. We are not here to question Earth tradition and practices. If the hero Nightwing wishes to keep his true identity secret, as is customary on Earth, he shall be granted a Tamaranean name." Galfore spoke in a commanding tone.
"I shall vouch for Nightwing. I have seen his true face and know his true name and I am the only one it matters to." Koriand'r stepped forward to face the Southern Council head on. "Nightwing shall be given the name Miras as granted by my K'norfka. Anyone who wishes to challenge him shall challenge me as well. I will be waiting to hear your grievances after the ritual." Her eyes glowed in the deep dark of the night, aiming threats towards the elders. The man who spoke in protest sat down immediately.
"Very well." Galfore coughed back a chuckle before proceeding. "Grand Ruler Koriand'r will fight alongside Miras of Earth. As you proposed the ritual, you shall choose weapons first." One of the sentry guards pulled the arsenal from the barrier walls and stepped back for the two to choose. Miras stepped forward and chose the staff as expected.
"I shall proceed without a weapon." Koriand'r announced as she stepped back from the display.
"Star, are you sure?" Concern was in his voice, but faded as soon as he met her eyes. She stood tall and firm, hands completely relaxed at her sides. I've never seen her this calm before a battle before. We've never fought these people, never even seen them fight, but she's not worried. He smirked at her, completely understanding without the need for words.
"Very well. Prince Karras, you have brought your lieutenant, Taryia, to fight by your side. You both may select your weapons. Karras stepped forward and chose a mace while Taryia chose the short sword. The teams took their places at opposite ends of the field and raised their weapons. Nightwing clutched the staff in his hand tightly, the sleek metal cooled the heat of his palm.
This will be different than in practice. The weapons are real and they are defending not just themselves but their country. He turned his attention to his partner and noticed her fingers flexing at her sides.
"Nightwing," Her voice was low so no one else would hear her. "I know you are supposed to be my partner in this, but please allow me to head in first, alone." He was taken aback by her request.
"But Starfire-"
"Although we technically did not break any rules or traditions, we are as much at fault. My loyalty was to Karras, but it was also to you and the Titans. I can not ask for someone to give me something that I myself was not willing to provide. Do not worry, I am fully aware that their weapons are real and they are willing to fight with full force to protect, but I feel that I also must pay for our transgressions. Should I need your assistance, I will call for you. One of them may come for you at first, please do your best to block and evade until I can take them out." He thought about her words for a moment before answering.
"Stafrefire," He leaned the staff against the wall closest to him and took her hand. "We're in this together." He drew circles on her hand with the pad of his thumb. "We do things together. We fight together. You didn't commit any kind of crime, and even if you did I was with you. Just because you're the leader here doesn't mean you have to handle everything on your own." Small tears gathered in the corners of her eyes begging to spill over.
"Thank you, Richard."
"Midnight is upon us. Remember, powers are strictly prohibited. Stand at the ready." The teams took their stances, firm and solid. "Let the ritual commence!" Galfore's voice boomed around them, resonating within the pit below him. Koriand'r took no time and bolted towards Taryia, fist cocked back. Her powerful legs glided her across the field in two steps. She planted her left foot firmly and shifted her entire weight into her right hand, striking the woman in her left side. The woman flew into the wall beside her, cracking the structure all the way up to the stands. Taryia fell to the ground on her knees breathing heavily, blood spilling from her mouth. Koriand'r turned her attention to Karras standing six feet from her. She pointed one slender finger towards him.
"You will go down next." Her threat had no time to sink in before she moved towards him with Miras coming in from the behind. Both heroes closed in on him in an instant leaving no room for escape. The staff closed down on his thigh while a powerful kick was aimed towards his head. He brought up his arms to guard his face and took the blow to his leg. Koriand'r shifted quickly and placed a perfect uppercut to his chin, causing him to be launched in the air.
She is so fast, I didn't even have time to react. Taryia thought as her ragged breath slowly returned to normal. If she is this powerful without her powers this will be much harder than we thought. She grabbed hold of her weapon and stood to join the fight. She crept in from behind, intending to strike the other woman down. Miras came to defend, putting himself in between the two women, using his staff to block the blow.
"A wretch such as you should not be allowed within our sacred grounds." Taryia yelled, struggling against him, willing her weapon to come down on the both of them.
"Someone like you," He gathered his strength and forced her back, "has no right to tell me anything." He struck her in the chest earning a gasp as all the breath left her and she fell to the ground. Catching her breath, she stood preparing for the next barrage, but it never came. Koriand'r came from behind her partner and landed a kick to her opponent's neck, effectively knocking her out.
"Get her out of there." Galfore commanded. Two of the sentry units carried her out of the battlefield and into the small dark room hidden in the shadows.
"Taryia!" Karras struggled to his feet after his short flight. Koriand'r and Miras stood before him, side by side, at the ready.
"Miras, stand back." She took a fighting stance. "I will finish this." Her partner did as he was told and took several steps back to make room. Karras took his position, abandoning his weapon.
"I appreciate that you took mercy on Taryia, it is within your rights to kill her." They began moving, circling each other, calculating the next attack.
"I do not wish to have pointless blood on my hands. Consider it leniency for my own shortcomings." She narrowed her eyes and bolted towards him. Their battle began as blows were exchanged at full force. Ryand'r winced as a heavy punch landed on his sister's stomach. Blood shot from her mouth as she pushed on, determinations never wavering.
"Forgive me for not holding back, then." He blocked her fist and redirected it away from him. She immediately shifted her weight into a handstand and aimed a kick to his face. He grabbed her ankle as she twisted her body to bring the other foot to follow. As he caught the other, she planted both hands on the ground and used all the strength in her body to push her legs forward and force him to the ground. He cried out as his knees gave out from the force alone. He pushed her off and rushed back to his feet. He pushed his body forward from a crouch and pinned her down. "Yield." He warned as he stretched her hands to the point of pain. Miras watched, ready to jump in as the knot in his stomach twisted tighter.
"Never." She forced her knees into the joints between his hip and thighs and rolled them. She situated her knees on pressure points in his chest, making him lose the feeling in his arms. "I am truly sorry Karras. I wish we could have fulfilled our parents' dream." She built up her energy into her left fist and struck him in the temple. His vision blurred and he tried to fight the darkness that overcame him. Koriand'r made it to her feet and Miras rushed to her side, catching her as she stumbled. There was a small cut on her check, no doubt from the force coming off an attack. Small bruises peppered her skin, already yellowing. The powerful attack to her stomach was turning a deep purple, indicating the all out force both fighters used. There was a moment of silence as Galfore allowed a minute to pass and provided an opportunity for Karras to recover.
"Prince Karras and Taryia are unable to continue. Lady Koriand'r and Miras are victorious."
The rest of the night went as a blur. Nightwing carried Starfire to her room and left as the handmaidens undressed her and helped her into the bath. He also bathed and, although he wasn't as bruised or hurt as she was, he was exhausted. He somehow made it back to her room where she was dozing in bed. Her sleepy eyes looked at him and a small smile graced her lips.
"You came." She cuddled deeper into her sheets and sighed. He chuckled and removed his mask, placing it on the bedside table.
"Of course I did." He took his place in bed and watched her breathing as he followed her into a dream.