Afterlight

Chapter Eight

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind.

Their leaves are telling secrets. Their bark sings songs of olden days as it grows around the trunks. And their roots give names to all things.

Their language has been lost.

But not the gestures."

― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

March 14, 2016

Pain burned my body, eating away at the barriers around the light inside of me and releasing it, freeing it from the horror that was me. I strained against the chains around my wrists, the pain grounding me as my mind threatened to go to the Bad Place. Slumping against the wall, I stared dully at the faded concrete of the opposite wall and waited for the next wave of pain.

It didn't take long to come. My back arched as I opened my mouth to scream, my throat burning as no sound came out. My voice had left me two days ago after the tenth wave. Light poured out of my body, splashing against the floor and bouncing off the ceiling. It burned my skin, leaving it red and blistered. In other places, the light burst through my skin in jagged gashes and cuts, blood streaming down my body. The light seared my veins, leaving me on the edge of consciousness.

I knew that this was my punishment for failing the mission. I was punishing myself as my own powers turned against me. There was no one to blame but myself for this pain. After all, I had brought it on myself. That was what I got for going against the League of Assassins.

"Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty," The chains around my wrist were removed before the man hauled me to my feet.

I snarled weakly at the guard. He laughed at me and threw me over his shoulder, carrying me through the halls and into the communal bathrooms. He set me down inside a stall and turned the water on before drawing the curtain closed. I easily understood what he was implying and slowly stripped, throwing my armor outside the stall. Once done, I stood under the spray and scrubbed the blood off my body, noting the cuts and bruises that littered my skin.

When I turned off the water, a towel was tossed over the curtain. I wrapped it around me and stepped out. The guard handed me a new uniform and turned around, allowing me privacy as I dressed. Once I was fully dressed, I coughed politely to let him know that I was finished.

"The Demon is waiting for you," He informed me, "If you'll follow me."

He walked slowly due to the pain I felt when moving. I hobbled behind him, fixing my hair and placing my mask back on my face. My throat was burning and a headache was forming behind my eyes. I winced as the lights grew brighter as we walked down the hallway.

The guard stopped once we reached a set of open doors and gestured for me to go inside. I nodded to him and entered, bowing my head respectfully as I approached Ra's al Ghul. When I was six feet away, Ra's al Ghul barked out a command, "Halt. That is far enough, my disgraced assassin."

I bowed and knelt. I waited for his next words, "Have you learned?"

"Yes, I have," I answered, "I understand what I did wrong and it will not happen again. I will never fail you again."

"The words that I hoped to hear," He said approvingly, "Eat, Oblivion, and then go to the med bay to be treated. After that, report to the loading bay. A Manta-Flyer will be waiting for you in two hours."

"Thank you," I sagged slightly, pain lancing through my body, "To the League of Assassins I am faithful."

"As you have vowed to be forever," Ra's al Ghul replied, "Dismissed."

"Welcome aboard," Manta said as I dropped into the Manta-Flyer, "I am glad to see you that you are okay."

"Same to you," I replied, finally realizing how hoarse I sounded.

"We will be linking up with the Manta-Sub in twelve hours. You may have the same room as before if you wish to rest," Manta continued.

"Thank you. I believe I will do that," I decided. Manta shot me a sharp look at my wince, and I pointedly ignored it.

I made my way to the room I had been given the last time the Manta-Flyer had gone to the League of Assassins' headquarters, barely managing to hide my discomfort. Once there, I stripped off my white armor and stepped out of my bodysuit, leaving me in shorts and a sports bra. I collapsed onto the bed, curling up on top of the sheets.

Two hours before we were due to link up with the Manta-Sub, someone knocked on my door. I walked over to the door and looked through the peep hole, spotting Manta standing outside with his helmet in his arms. I pressed the button to open the door and stepped to the side to allow Manta inside.

"Oblivion, I need to discuss something with-" He looked at me and frowned, "What happened to you?"

"I made a mistake," I replied wearily. I retrieved my bodysuit and tugged it back on, wincing as it ran over the cuts.

"A very big one, it seems," I didn't reply, "It was punishment, was it not? You failed a mission."

"Yes," I didn't bother denying it, "I allowed the Team to retrieve an asset of theirs that was under Luthor's control. I made a mistake, and Ra's al Ghul ensured that I learned from it."

"By hurting you," Manta stated. I began to pull the white armor on, ignoring his look.

"The only person who hurt me was myself," I finished snapping a boot on and began to pick up the other one.

"That cannot be true," He argued, grabbing my wrist and forcing me to look at him. His eyes were fierce, clashing against mine.

"It is," I ripped my hand free, "I punished myself, as was commanded."

"They punished you," He corrected me, "For making a mistake."

"That cost them an important asset," I reminded him. My temper was already short, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to discuss bringing on someone who would function as my right hand, but now I wish to know how you feel," He explained. I didn't understand why he cared. He should hate me.

"I'm fine," I insisted as I pulled on a glove, "Why do you care about who I am loyal to?"

"Your body is covered in bruises and cuts," His voice was filled with disbelief, "How can you follow them?"

"I trust them with my life, and I would willingly give it up for the League," I felt like an old tape being re-winded over and over again, "As should you for the Light."

"They locked you up for a week and did that to you," He snapped, "Even if you had succeeded, how long would you have gone without angering them? Look at Cheshire or Sportsmaster, even Artemis."

"Watch yourself," I warned as I buckled on my belt, "Think about what you're saying."

"I do not have doubt in the Light, but I do in the League of Assassins," He decided, "I am worried about you. They will get you killed."

"Then I will die knowing that I have lived in service to the Light," I sat onto the bed, "Please, Kaldur, drop this subject."

"You used my name," Kaldur's eyes widened. I shook slightly as a wave of pain rolled through me. He noticed and began to reach out, but stopped when he saw the look on my face.

"It's your name," I reminded him, leaning against the bed frame for support.

"Yes, but that is the first time you have truly used my name," He looked pleased, "Thank you."

"It's just a name," I stated, "Now, who is this person you want to bring on?"

March 19, 2016

"Approaching Cape Canaveral now," A trooper announced, "The drop site is coming up now."

"Prepare to drop the missile launcher," Manta ordered. I leaned back in my chair as I watched Manta work. The Light had given us another mission. We were to prevent the satellite from being launched into space. For some reason, the Light didn't want the Earth to establish communication with Mars.

"Approaching drop site," The trooper announced as I stretched. My old wounds screeched in protest at the movement.

"Release the missile launcher," A dull clanking sound could be heard as the hooks connecting the missile launcher to the Manta-Flyer were released, "Troopers, prep the missile launcher."

A group of soldiers launched themselves out of the Manta-Flyer as it turned away from the missile launcher. I watched as they prepped the missile launcher, nodding to myself when they announced that it was ready. A display popped up on the dashboard that showed a view from the missile launcher and the satellite in its cross-hairs.

"And so the mission begins," I muttered. Something about this entire operation felt off.

"Sir, there's a hostile attacking the missile launcher. He's knocked three of our guards unconscious so far," A trooper announced.

"Do we know who it is?" Manta asked. The trooper pulled up a video feed, "Lagoon Boy."

"The Team is here," I stood and stepped into the light, "What are you going to do about it, Manta?"

Manta stared at me for a moment, and I cursed the fact that I couldn't see his face beneath his helmet. He finally turned back to the trooper, "Engage him. Aim to stun."

"That's very lenient for someone who could ruin this mission," I calmly stated, fingers brushing against my belt, "Why show him mercy?"

"The Partner could have some use for him," Manta growled, "Aim to stun. Arm missiles and move to stage two as a precaution."

"Sir," The trooper acknowledged him, "Missiles are armed. Troopers are being deployed to beach and to engage hostile."

A video feed from the helmet of one of the troopers was displayed on the screen. I caught a glimpse of their rocket launcher as he crouched down and aimed at the missile. The video feed exploded into a dazzling array of light and static as the Bioship shot at them.

"Sir, hostile is preventing us from firing missile launcher," The trooper announced, "All attempts at firing from above the water have been prevented by enemy fire."

"Take control of your mission, Manta, or I will," I threatened, "Show that you are worthy of the Light."

"Send the second wave of troopers to the beach and hold position. I will deal with Lagoon Boy," He stated coldly.

"I can't wait to see this," I chuckled as I walked after him. Manta didn't protest my presence.

We dived from the water well in the Manta-Flyer. I swam behind him and watched as Lagoon Boy took out another trooper. He was making his way towards the trooper controlling the missile launcher, and he was doing it fast. I dropped back as Manta approached him and watched as he stunned him with an electric shock.

"Launch," Manta ordered.

"As you command, Kaldur'ahm," The trooper quickly said. He was Atlantean, if his accent and use of Manta's real name was anything to go by. He quickly worked the controls, firing the first missile in a few seconds.

Two troopers brought Lagoon Boy over to us. A third trooper stepped forward, "Sir, you should have the honor of killing him."

I looked at him, curious to see how he would handle this, "No, he is the prefect specimen for our partner. Take him to the flyer. If the mission fails, rendezvous as planned."

"That's a lovely shot of optimism," I redirected the conversation, "How are the troopers above the surface?"

"All of our missiles have been shot down. Our helmets have become a liability," The trooper gestured to his helmet.

"Interesting," I murmured, "The time between missiles is too long. It's too much time for them to recover. As for the helmets, that is up to Manta."

"Launch all missiles at maximum firing range," Manta removed his helmet, "I will take charge of the ground assault personally."

The trooper nodded and swam away. Manta and I looked at each other and swam upwards. He held out is hand, "This will take too long. Grab my hand."

I gripped his hand as propellers in his boots thrust us upwards at a faster pace. He cut them off about ten feet from the surface. I quickly took the opportunity to talk to him, "Don't hold back, Manta. You've chosen your side, now make sure everyone knows it."

"Understood," He replied grimly, "I will not hold back."

"I will make sure you keep that promise," I reminded him. I took a deep breath, something inside my heart breaking, "Your humanity no longer matters, only the mission."

I had just told him to sacrifice everything for this worthless organization. I hated myself with a passion now. It was one thing for me to sacrifice my own humanity. After all, it was my decision, which I had made over three years ago. But to tell someone else, especially the once good and caring Kaldur to give up everything, well, that was something else entirely.

Manta took my words in stride, "Nothing besides the mission has ever mattered."

There was a second layer to his words, besides the meaning that I was supposed to hear. I was supposed to hear the words that confirmed his loyalty, but in only left me more doubtful than ever before. His sudden apprenticeship to his father felt suspicious to me, like there was a hidden motive to it.

I pushed those thoughts aside as we approached the surface. My boots finally found sand, and I rested my weight on it. I unsheathed my swords as we walked up the beach, ready to make sure that the mission succeeded. Manta walked next to me and stopped when we were in ankle deep in the water.

Nightwing, and Artemis of all people, stared at us in horror. Artemis stepped forward, pleading with us, "Kyara, is that you? Please, don't go through with this!"

"Sorry, Arty," I sneered at her name, "It seems like you didn't get the memo. It's Oblivion."

She directed her attention to Kaldur, "Kaldur, you don't want to do this!"

"I believe I do," He declared, water bearers activating.

I stared in shock at the massive beast that Kaldur created out of water. I hadn't truly realized how strong his control over his sorcery was until now. The Atlantean directed it towards Nightwing and Artemis, bowling them over.

I took that as my cue and sprinted out of the water, attacking a recovering Nightwing. We danced backwards, Nightwing attempting to speak with me, "I watched it. Kyara, I understand. Please, come back to us."

"Not now," I blocked an escrima stick, "Not until I'm sure."

"Sure of what?" Sure of Kaldur's loyalty to the Justice League, but I couldn't tell him that. Not yet.

"You'll see," I replied cryptically.

Behind us, the rocket took off in a cloud of smoke and flame. I was taken off guard by the launch, and Nightwing caught my arm and spun me around, throwing me to the sand with a final kick. I grabbed my fragile ribs, which were still hurting from my punishment a few days ago.

Horror filled me as the rocket took off. Another mission had failed. The Light would be displeased, and Ra's al Ghul would be furious. My attention was caught by Kaldur, who was staring at the rocket with a calculating expression, "The mission may yet succeed."

A missile launcher on his shoulder opened up and fired. The explosive shot towards the rocket in an explosion of sound. I watched from my place on the sand as it hurtled through the air. Artemis didn't blink, pulling an arrow and firing it at the missile. It intercepted it with a boom, ending the final chance at making the mission succeed.

"No rust on me," She smirked triumphantly. Kaldur sprinted towards her, water bearers forming into mallets.

"Artemis, behind you!" Nightwing attempted to stop Kaldur, who knocked him to the side.

Artemis whirled around and blocked his first blow, which knocked her bow out of her hands. Faster than she could react, his other water bearer changed to a sword. In one swift motion, he plunged it into her chest, using a move that I had taught him.

I stared in horror. I hadn't truly intended for him to take an old teammate's life. Artemis stumbled backwards, arms flying up to cover her chest. Before she could cover herself, I caught sight of the green fabric of her costume, which was missing the blood that should be pouring out of her body.

Nightwing rushed over to her, helping her lay down and attempting to stop the bleeding. I scrambled to my feet and joined Kaldur, who looked at me with an expression that asked me if I was satisfied. I nodded slightly, still in shock at this new development.

"Move out, the mission is a failure!" Kaldur announced. He was proven wrong as the rocket exploded in front of us. His eyes narrowed, "We are done here."

We turned and stepped into the ocean, walking until we could swim. I dived with them, but resurfaced and watched as Nightwing attempted to resuscitate her. Superboy and Miss Martian joined them, both looking shocked. Nightwing finally stopped and leaned back.

"She's dead," I sank below the waves, having heard all that I needed to hear.

March 20, 2016

The Manta-Flyer linked up with the Manta-Sub with its usual finesse. Manta walked out with me at his side, although we had not spoken since he had decided to fake a teammate's death. I was still working through that information, as I didn't know what to do with it. The game he was playing was much more complicated than I had originally thought.

Black Manta stepped forward, "Congratulations, Kaldur'ahm. You had quite a day. Capturing an Atlantean, killing a former teammate, destroying the com-sat."

I watched as Manta admitted to not knowing how the com-sat was destroyed. Black Manta quickly revealed that he had smuggled a bomb onto the rocket days ago. I was surprised when he informed him that this was his final test. No one had informed me of this.

"If Oblivion approves you, you will meet the Light," I glared at the father, "I am proud of you, my boy. You are ready for the next level."

He jerked his head towards the door, "Go. You and your men need to eat and recharge. Besides, I wish to speak to Oblivion alone."

"Thank you, father," Manta and his troopers left.

I walked over to Black Manta, "What?"

"Will you approve him?" He asked, somewhat anxious.

I was silent as I thought, "Yes, I will."

"Thank you," He clapped me on the shoulder, "This means much to me."

"Don't thank me," I yanked my shoulder free and stalked out of the room. I was disgusted with how happy his father was now that his son had killed Artemis.

"Oblivion," The quiet murmur of Manta grabbed my attention as I walked out of the room, "You are unhappy."

"I will be approving you, Kaldur'ahm," I brushed past him, "Congratulations."

"You are not happy that I killed her, are you?" I ignored him, "You told me to give up everything for the mission. I did."

I turned, "Did you truly think that I meant it? Why, Kaldur'ahm, why would I ever want you to sacrifice your humanity for them? Why would I want you stuck in this life?"

"It needed to be done," Kaldur insisted, "I needed to do it."

I looked at him with a sad expression, "I don't understand what you're doing, Kaldur. I don't know if I can help you, or if I can make sure that they don't kill you when they find out. Just, be careful."

With that, I turned and fled down the hall and into my room. I collapsed onto the bed, breathing deeply as I thought of my next move. I no longer felt loyalty to the League of Assassins, and hate simmered to the surface of my thoughts when I thought of them. However, I understood the need for acting like I was loyal to them, and managed to do that by pushing any doubt to the back of my mind.

Nightwing, Artemis, and Kaldur's move had forced me to act though. They had faked Artemis's death, and I knew that she would be brought onto this ship, most likely as Kaldur's right hand. That would bring plenty of suspicion on them, which could hurt their covers. If I remained though, I could act as a buffer and reassure the Light that everything was fine.

But to do that, I would have to be in on Kaldur's plan. That would involve getting them to trust me, which was where the necklace came in. By telling Nightwing of its whereabouts, I had told him that I was willing to help them. It wouldn't get them to fully trust me, but it would be a start.

Kaldur was picking up his new operative tonight. If my suspicions were correct, then that would be Artemis. Nightwing would probably be there as well in order to make sure everything was in place. Somehow, I would have to get on that Manta-Flyer and follow Kaldur to the meeting point.

"Be back by six a.m.," Kaldur told me as I stepped onto the dock.

"My meeting won't last that long," I reassured him, "I'll be in one of the warehouses on the west side if you need me."

"Okay," He nodded, "Be careful. I will not retrieve you if you get caught."

I smirked and walked away, "Who's going to come after me? The police? Please."

I walked until several warehouses were between us before climbing onto the rooftop of one. Using a pair of binoculars, I watched as Kaldur stood on the dock for a few minutes before walking to a warehouse two houses down from the dock. I followed him over the rooftops and observed him walking into it.

My grappling hook wrapped around a bolted down AC unit and I landed on the warehouse rooftop. I slunk over to a skylight and peeked in, spotting Nightwing inside. Kaldur was approaching him now. I opened the skylight and dropped onto a crate, silently moving closer to them.

"Wally?" Nightwing asked as Kaldur deliberately knocked into a crate.

"No," Kaldur answered as he stepped into the light. The Atlantean turned as Wally stepped into view, followed by a hooded figure. The figure slowly pushed back her hood, revealing Artemis underneath.

My suspicions had been correct. Kaldur looked at them, "I take it our ruse was successful."

"Almost too successful," Nightwing sighed, "The Team and the League are in mourning. They may never forgive us."

"And still only we four know the secret?" Make that five, Kaldur.

"And the other one, that you've been under deep cover in Black Manta's organization. How's it going on your end?" I scooted closer and flattened myself against the crate. I was way beyond shock, and I was analyzing everything they said.

"I have proven my loyalty to my biological father. He is moving me up the ladder, closer to the Light," Kaldur informed them.

"Not without costs," Nightwing reminded them, "The com-sat wasn't supposed to be destroyed and L'gann wasn't supposed to be captured."

"It was the only way to save his life and maintain my cover," He explained, "I am constantly watched for mistakes or shows of leniency."

"I know it wasn't your fault," Nightwing reassured him, "You've had to make impossible decisions."

"So what now?" Artemis asked.

Nightwing clasped a necklace around her neck. I gasped quietly as her appearance changed to resemble an Asian girl. It flickered for a second before returning to Artemis's normal appearance. Judging by the spell, I figured that I could see her real form because I had been there when she put it on. Nightwing quietly explained the role of the necklace. Wally elbowed Nightwing in the side as he talked about Zatanna.

"There's still one matter we need to discuss," Nightwing sounded tired, "Kyara…Oblivion, I mean."

"She works for the League of Assassins, right?" Wally confirmed, "We have to get rid of her then."

"I am not sure that she is a threat," Kaldur admitted, "I believe that she holds no loyalty to the League of Assassins and that she only acts like she does. She displayed horror when I killed Artemis, and has spoken to me about leaving."

"Then why would she be with the League of Assassins?" Artemis asked, "Why not leave?"

"I think I can help with that," Nightwing pulled my necklace out of his belt, "I have something to share."