Afterlight

Chapter Seventeen

"Awoke from nightmare could be a relief."

― Toba Beta, Master of Stupidity

When I woke, I was in my bedroom at the Wayne Manor. Blinking stupidly at the light streaming through the windows, I jumped as my bedroom door opened. Alfred strode in, a feather duster in his hand, followed by Dick, "Good morning!"

They didn't hear my shouts. Dick started to block Alfred's attempts to clean, "Talk to him! You can't just let him give up on her!"

"Master Dick, as much as he listens to me, I'm afraid I can't change his mind on this one," Alfred said firmly, "She's gone."

Everything went blurry for a second, and then I saw Dick cleaning out his room. He grabbed a picture of us together and threw it in the trash, "I hate her! Why did she have to betray us?"

"Dick!" I gasped when I saw that I was in my Oblivion uniform, "I didn't mean to. You know that!"

He wouldn't look. I ripped myself away and sprinted down the stairs and into the Batcave, "Bruce! What's wrong with Dick and Alfred? They won't look at me?"

When he didn't turn around, I slapped him. He didn't respond, "Answer me!"

"They will not," I whirled around and saw Kaldur standing before me.

As I looked at him, he began to bleed. He gasped and collapsed, "Don't you see? You've killed us all."

I screamed myself awake and bolted upright, tears streaming down my face. The person next to me jerked awake, scrambling to figure out what was wrong, "Kyara! What happened? Kyara?"

"No, I didn't mean to – I didn't want to betray you guys," I shook as he grabbed my shoulders. There was a band around my throat that tightened with each beat of my heart. I inhaled desperately and tried to push Kaldur away. I had to get him away from me before I hurt him.

My stomach was a mass of anxiety, and I tried to keep hold of my powers. The room was bright with the light that was surging out of my body. Kaldur shielded his eyes as the light blinded him. He ducked his head and reached for me again, murmuring soothing words that I didn't understand.

"Kyara – " He groaned as my control slipped. I gasped as I felt the energy leave him and scrambled away into a corner.

I held a hand out, "Get away. I just…need to calm down. You'll get hurt if you come any closer."

"Okay," He crouched on the bed, "I will wait."

I shook my head as my chest grew tighter, "No, you need to leave before I lose control. I don't want to hurt you."

"I will wait. You have gained control before, you can do it again," He was ridiculously calm as he pressed a hand to his chest, "I trust you."

I focused on my breathing and not on the way my stomach burned with nerves. My hands crumpled the fabric of my shirt as told myself that I had to calm down, that I had to breathe. I couldn't lose control on a submarine, and I couldn't lose control while Kaldur was here, not when he could get hurt.

Slowly, almost painfully, my breathing steadied. I pulled myself into a ball as my breath hitched. No, no, I couldn't let myself cry now. I didn't have time for this. Still, I tucked my head against my knees as I tried to stop crying. This was awful.

I stiffened when Kaldur settled next to me. He didn't touch me, just waited. A few minutes later, I sniffled and looked up. My eyes still stung, but I blinked and threw up an orb of light into the air, "I'm sorry."

"There are some things that no one should apologize for. This is one of them. What they did to you was not your fault," He was silent for a while, "Make them regret it."

"What?" I gaped at him, "You don't – "

"The Light and the Reach should fear us," He said darkly, "They have tried to take everything from us, and have never shown any regret for it. They deserve everything that they will get."

"Make them regret it," He repeated. I stared at him for a moment longer, so unfamiliar with how dark he sounded. I had been destroyed over these past few years, but so had Kaldur, I now realized.

Despite my misgivings, I leaned against him, dropping my head onto his shoulder, "What have they done to us, Kaldur?"

Tentatively, his hand came up to run through my hair, "Something awful. I fear that we will not be the same when we are finished with the mission."

I closed my eyes, "We won't be. This is the cost of war."

June 4, 2016

"The next shipment of kids is on its way," Tigress said tiredly. The video transmission did nothing to conceal the strain on her face.

"There were no major problems? The Justice League did not show up?" Manta pressed.

"No, but a squad of the kids did. We kept them busy," She explained. Tigress had been sent to a nearby port to pick up the next shipment of runaways.

"Any dead?" Both Tigress and I knew that he wasn't asking about the troopers.

I hid my relief with a frown when she answered, "No, a few injured. That's it."

"And your time frame?" I asked sharply.

"Two hours until we rendezvous with the Reach and another hour to link up. We'll see you then," She signed off, the video feed winking out of existence.

"Damn it," I cursed, "We gave the information. The shipment shouldn't have happened."

"I know, but if our cover is to remain intact the Team cannot always win," He pointed out, "I hate it as much as you do."

We slipped into his room, Kaldur tugging out a flash drive from his belt, "The Light wishes to call a summit with the Reach to discuss actions both sides have made. We will make our move then. If we fail, I will have a backup."

"A video?" I asked as he tucked it into his belts. I refused to acknowledge the implications of what it meant if we failed.

"Yes, I have yet to record it. I plan to speak of what the Light has done, but I am unsure as to whether I should mention you. Kyara, you are coming with us?" I avoided his eyes

I wanted to go back to my old life, but I doubted that I could. Ra's al Ghul still planned to kill everyone I loved if I betrayed the League, and there was no way that I would let him do that. I couldn't go back then, not unless I sacrificed everyone I loved. Kaldur wouldn't go back if I refused to though.

"Yes," I lied, "Don't put me in the video in case Ra's does something."

"I understand," He said somberly. I smiled as I slipped my mask on. I hated myself for what I was doing to him.

June 8, 2016

"The files are being sent to you now. Look them over," Black Manta ordered, "This is a test. You two have the best skills for this anyways. Be careful, Kaldur. Black Manta signing off."

"We will reach the drop point in one hour, sir," A trooper reported.

"Continue on course. Alert me when we begin to prepare to dock," Manta brushed against me, the only sign that I was supposed to follow.

"Okay," I pulled my tablet out, "Let's see what Luthor needs us for."

"He's attending a party tonight and we will be attending as well as guests," I read, "Three former employees are suspected to be there to carry out an assassination attempt."

"How unfortunate," Kaldur deadpanned, "The first is Aidan Brown, codename Agni. He generates intense heat and flames."

"He's mine then. He'll do too much damage for you to take," I decided, "There's also Nathaniel Luis, known as Double. He multiplies himself, and each one can operate as a separate unit. The last is Warren Clouse, an expert swordsman and walking tranquilizer. He's called Knockout."

"And then there is Parasite," Kaldur said grimly, "He has been plaguing cities in that are for weeks now. If he hears reports of meta-humans, he will show up. Kyara, whatever you do, do not touch him."

"Have you fought him before?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, he drains his victims of their abilities. We would not be able to stop him if he managed to drain yours," He admitted, "Even if he tries to kill me, do not fight him."

"All right," I agreed, knowing that nothing would stop me if someone tried to kill Kaldur.

The ring practically burned my finger as the woman explained, "You will be posing as newly-weds. The rings have glamour charms on them."

"Great. What's the backstory?" I caught the garment bag she threw at me and slipped behind the changing screen.

"Victoria Wilde, an unknown heiress to old money. You inherited your money at the age of nineteen. Since then, you've been playing the stock market with a talent for choosing businesses that make good gains. You married your husband, James, two years ago. He came from a middle-class family and met you at college," She finished as I stepped into view.

The evening dress made movement difficult. That would have to be fixed later on, "What about weapons?"

"You'll be searched upon entry. Luthor has already arranged for field kits to be hidden in a separate room," She explained, "The hotel overlooks the ocean. You need to leave now to stay on time."

"We are leaving now," Kaldur confirmed as he opened the door. He looked dapper in a flattering suit, "Victoria, we need to go."

"Of course, James," I jabbed at him. The woman stuffed a set of keys into my hand, "I'm driving."

The hotel that we pulled up to was a massive piece of modern architecture. Darkness was falling as I tossed the keys to the valet and smirked, "Don't scratch it."

I adjusted Kaldur's bow tie and kissed his cheek, "Don't look so stiff. You'll learn to fit in eventually."

"I do not think I ever will," He slipped an arm around my waist and guided us into the hotel. The coat check took my clutch as I entered the ball room. I kissed Kaldur on the cheek once more and slipped away. Lex Luthor glanced at me once as he thanked everyone for coming.

"Your dress is beautiful," A woman sashayed over to me, a glass of champagne in one hand.

"Thank you, but it has nothing on yours," I examined the purple silk, "Victoria Wilde."

"Kaitlyn Setter," She offered me a hand to shake, "I haven't seen you at his parties before tonight."

"This is my first time," I admitted, "You've been to these before?"

Kaitlyn smirked, "He likes me. For now."

I fidgeted as she examined me, "This might be a little rude, but you look like a girl that went missing a few years ago. She was the daughter of Bruce Wayne, um, Kyara Wayne was her name."

"I've heard of her, but I'm afraid that isn't me. I do get that a lot though," I lied, "Besides, I'm too old to be her."

"Right, sorry," She apologized, "Well, excuse me."

As she walked away, I grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray. I paused as I caught sight of the server, recognizing him from the files sent to me and Kaldur earlier today. Aidan Brown, also known as Agni, smiled dryly at me, "Enjoying the champagne?"

I sipped it, "It's very good. Does it seem a little hot to you?"

"No, but the room will heat up later on," With that, he disappeared into the crowd.

I frowned and searched for Kaldur in the crowd. He was speaking to a crowd of diplomats, who laughed heartily at what he was saying. Setting my glass down, I sauntered over to him, "Excuse me for borrowing my husband, but we haven't danced yet."

The string quartet slid into the next song as Kaldur led me onto the dance floor. The dance was a slow waltz, and I let the dancers surround us before speaking, "Agni is posing as a server. He has a champagne tray."

Kaldur dipped his head, seemingly having an intimate conversation with me, "Double and Knockout are posing as businessmen. Look for them when I spin you."

I spotted the two men laughing as they spoke about something. They were subtly shifting closer to Lex Luthor, and Knockout's hand kept twitching towards his coat, "They're cutting him off from everyone."

"We need to move now," Kaldur decided as he dipped me, "But how?"

I glanced around as we danced, trying to decide on a way out. Guards stood by the door, questioning those who left. They were reluctant to let anyone leave given the threat Luthor was under. There were a few options, but I didn't like any of them. I chose the least embarrassing one and began to prepare.

"I've got it. Sorry about this in advance," I apologized hastily as my cheeks reddened from embarrassment. Kaldur slowed, confusion scrawled across his face.

"What are you – " I cut him off by kissing him hard. Kaldur grinned as I avoided his eyes when I broke away.

"Let's go somewhere a little more private," I giggled as I grabbed his hand. I staggered drunkenly as I tugged him off the dance floor, "Mmm, that champagne was to die for."

I stopped and drew him down for another kiss, "But nothing like you."

"Victoria, you have had a little too much to drink. I think you need to sleep it off," He said in concern. I laughed and shoved him playfully as we reached the hotel entrance. Kaldur placed a steadying hand on my back, "I apologize. My wife has had too much to drink. She will need to sleep it off."

The guard looked at me, and I laughed, "Come on, I want to dance. Since when did you become such a stuck up? Oh! I know what's going to be stuck – "

"Go ahead. I recommend Advil and a greasy breakfast tomorrow," A more sympathetic guard opened the door before I could finish my sentence.

"Thank you," Kaldur said gratefully. Kaldur supported my staggering form until we turned the corner. I pushed away then, turning my face away as it flamed red.

"Um, sorry, I didn't mean to make a scene," I said awkwardly as we neared the room," So, yeah, sorry about the kisses and stuff."

"I rather liked the kisses," Kaldur said amusedly, "Just not the other stuff. Your acting is rather good."

We slipped through the doors and were met with the sight of two briefcases lying on the table in the center of the room. I grabbed the one marked with a skull and flipped the latches open. Glancing once at Kaldur, who was pulling armor out of his briefcase, I yanked my own black armor out. We had agreed earlier on that it was better not to wear our regular uniforms. If anyone knew that Black Manta's son and an assassin had been hired by Luthor, then the scandal that would follow would easily destroy his reputation.

With that in mind, I turned my back to Kaldur and stripped. Kaldur choked, and when I turned to look, he was turning away, shoulders tense. I winced as I pulled on the black armor. Sometimes, I forgot that other people hadn't lived with twenty other apprentices in a League of Assassins dormitory. Nudity was almost nothing to me now.

I hurriedly finished putting my weapons into their holsters and placed the dress and shoes into the case. A cleanup crew would get rid of any evidence that we left behind. I turned to Kaldur and leaned against the table as I fiddled with the black domino mask. He finished fastening his vest and grabbed his water bearers. I ran my finger along the edge of the mask.

"Something is troubling you," He observed as he grabbed a mask of his own. I nodded, trying to think of how to explain myself. I couldn't find a way, so I kept my gaze on the mask. In response, Kaldur stood in front of me and pulled the mask from my limp fingers, "Kyara?"

"I think," I considered my words carefully, "That I'm a little bit scared of what's going to happen next."

When his hands touched mine, I couldn't take it anymore. I yanked the mask from his hands and strode over the window. I worked it open as Kaldur called after me, "I did not mean to –"

"I'll take the skylight," I plastered the fabric over my face, "I can't let myself feel this. I'm sorry."

Thirty minutes after we exited the ballroom, the three criminals made their move. Agni's method of clearing the room was somewhat horrifying. He literally ignited, burning everyone who stood near him until people realized that they needed to leave. Double multiplied throughout the room and took down the guards with glee.

"They've shown their hand. The ballroom is mostly cleared," I reported into my comm.

Manta's words were short, "Make your move."

"Understood," I backed up from the skylight as I slammed it with a burst of light. Then, I jumped.

My boots slammed onto the glass with enough force to shatter it. I fell with the glass, light covering me to protect me from the shards. The grappling hook I fired pierced the ceiling and slowed my descent so that I landed safely. My swords were out before I rose from my crouch.

I moved when Knockout did. He had backed Luthor against a wall and made to stab him, except I slammed his sword away with my own. I pushed him back with a burst of light, "Back off."

Knockout grunted and came back swinging. I blocked him harshly and backed away. If only I could use my powers more. I didn't trust myself to use my powers without killing everyone in this room. And where the heck was Kaldur? He should've been here by now.

I cried out when Knockout managed to slice my arm. He took advantage of the opening by surging forward and trying to brush my face. I ducked and pushed outward instinctively, light pushing him backwards. As Knockout recovered, Kaldur appeared from behind him and slammed him to the ground.

"Thanks," I panted. A fireball slammed into the wall beside me, "Shit. I've got Agni."

I slit the throats of two Double copies as I fought my way over to Agni. He was gleefully lighting everything on fire that he possibly could. When he saw me, he grinned and pointed at me. The fire that rolled off his finger sent me rolling, and I gasped at the heat on my cheek. Agni reached for me, sending me scrambling backwards. When he was right on top of me, I threw up a hand.

The light sent him spinning into the wall. It didn't kill him, but it did make him too dazed to retaliate. I jumped as Manta yelled at me, "Oblivion, get Luthor and get out."

"On it," I slid my sword through the ribcage of another Double copy as I made my way to Luthor. Once there, I hauled him to his feet, "We're leaving."

"There's a helicopter waiting for me on the roof," I shoved him towards the stairwell as I avoided another attack.

"I'm aware!" I shouted as we ran up the stairs.

Luthor grumbled at me as we did, "Why couldn't you take care of them earlier?"

"Be grateful that you're alive!" I snapped at him as we made it to the roof.

The helicopter's blades were already spinning as Luthor raced towards it. As soon as he was seated, I slammed the door shut and shouted for the pilot to take off. It had just left when Manta shoved the door shut behind him. He fell into a defensive position in front of it.

"We need to go!" I warned even as the door flew off its hinges.

Manta spun to avoid it, water bearers forming into swords. The trio walked through, anger scrawled across their faces. Agni grinned and flared even brighter, "You took our revenge away!"

"That's okay," Double looked me up and down, a smile spreading across his face, "We'll settle for you."

Agni threw his hands out to Manta, flames spreading from his fingertips. Manta shouted in pain as his armor melted. I screamed, "Kaldur."

I reached out to him, only to be punched in the face by a Double copy. At least twenty of them were surrounding me. I fought back, but there were too many of them, and Agni had joined the attack now that Manta was unconscious. They slammed me to the rooftop and pinned me down.

"You idiotic girl," Knockout laughed at me as he kneeled next to me. I ignored him in favor of looking to see if Manta was still alive. He was lying still on his back, a burn twisting across his neck. I relaxed only when I saw his chest rise and fall.

"Sleep," His hand brushed against my face, and I was gone.

Author's note: Look, a chapter! This update does not mean I am back to a regular posting schedule. I'm still rewriting a lot of the unposted chapters, but I felt like you guys should get an update. Bye!