Chapter 14: Strength or Skill
The next 6 chapters will have time-skips and progress decently quick. It's time to move on from the childhood stage before I fall asleep from boredom.
(POV Oionós)
Glancing at the spiderwebbed floor, and foot-deep hole in it, I couldn't help but compare Uriah to the beast I'd encountered earlier. What the fuck was happening? How did he do that?
"How did yo-" I started to ask him, only for him to cut me off. "We can talk later. You were pretty fucked up kid and we need to know why. What happened?"
Nodding my head solemnly, I took a towel from one of the servants, covered myself, and took a seat before recounting last night's events. From my initial encounter with the crime-fighting duo to Bane and Scarecrows' apparent dealings to arriving at the factory and being utterly destroyed by Bane.
Finally, I disclosed our conversation and why he'd let me go. Uriah listened without interrupting, an unreadable expression on his face the entire time. Though by the time I'd finished, I swore I saw a bit of pride.
"Bane, huh? I'll be reporting this to the Grandmaster, however, since you've made an agreement, be sure not to disappoint us. If you fail to kill him in your next encounter, we won't be coming to save you." Rising to his feet, Uriah whispered something to Veronica before preparing to leave.
"Wait, wait, what about my questions? What the hell was up with that guy, there's no way he was human. Hell, what the fuck is up with YOU for that matter." I said pointing at the hole in the floor.
Pausing without turning around, Uriah sighed.
"The world's a big place kid, and human is a loose term that has long since lost its meaning. All that matters is those with strength and those without. Don't mistake strength for skill, and don't mistake your skills for strength. That's all I've got to say, Veronica can answer the rest at her own discretion."
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"Well?" I asked a trembling Veronica as she kneeled before me.
"I'm sorry, I just forgot to mention it to you earlier. It's really not that I was keeping it a secret or anything. Not to mention it wasn't something that you should have to be concerned with yet." She stammered, whilst waving her hands around, pleading her innocence.
Placing my hands on either side of her face, I rested my forehead against hers.
"V, I don't need excuses, and I don't need any more lies. Just the truth. Why is that so hard? I'm really trying here, and you're making things difficult for me. Now, tell me the truth."
"T-the Court is hundreds of years old. Back when we originated before the first brick was laid in Gotham, we discovered something...something valuable. A metal that, when synthesized, can provide miraculous effects." With shaky breaths, she began a history lesson.
"What sort of miraculous effects? What metal? Come on, don't chicken out now." Sensing her hesitation, I egged her on.
Relenting rather easily, Veronica continued to spill the beans.
"They call it Electrum. It's a liquid metal that when under the right conditions, can be used to re-animate the dead and provide superhuman strength, durability, speed, and even immortality. I know how it sounds, but I'm not lying."
"So that's why Bane was so strong? And why Uriah was able to do what he did?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes, and no. Bane has his own serum that grants him unparalleled levels of strength, though at the loss of his sanity and the obvious oversized body. Electrum is used strictly by the Court, and Uriah is our golden standard. Each of the Talons are given capsules within their mouth that when broken will cause them to heal all wounds, gain increased strength, or revive themselves." Pausing, she seemed to choose her next words carefully.
"Since you're a child, you weren't supposed to have one implanted, but I did it anyway. Ours isn't without its flaws, after each use, you'll grow increasingly dependent on it. Addicted. Not to mention you'll become extremely susceptible to the cold, which is a blaring weakness. Though, very few are aware of it." Finishing her exposition, Veronica held her breath in fear of my reaction.
Honestly, I wasn't that upset. Whether I liked it or not, her reckless and selfish decision had saved my life.
"Alright, and tell me, what exactly makes Uriah your golden standard?"
"Oh, he doesn't use a capsule. His blood, his very cells have been infected and bonded with electrum. He's a living, walking, zombie. To kill him is nearly impossible. Unless undergoing dismemberment or removal of his heart and brain. He's lived for centuries and will be here long after I'm gone. That's why he always serves directly under the Grandmaster." Hearing my rather relaxed tone, Veronica released a sigh of relief before praising Uriah.
Massaging my head, I sat there in silence. So essentially, I didn't know shit about shit. Honestly, if all of this was JUST in Gotham, what the fuck else was out there. How naive I was, at this rate I wouldn't be able to keep myself alive, let alone bestow judgment.
No, there was a way. She'd just given me one.
"Hey Veronica, I want you to get me more of that 'electrum' stuff. A lot more, as much as you can without drawing suspicion."
"May I ask why? And suggest another course of action?" She inquired, clearly against whatever plan I was hatching.
"Fighting Bane, seeing Uriah stop holding back...clearly skills are meaningless. You just told me everyone's drugging themselves up, so it's about time to even the playing field. How'd Uriah become bonded with the electrum? I assume it benefits him differently than the other Talons." Clenching my fist, I recalled how easily Bane had shattered my definition of strength.
"Uriah, and Bane for that matter had been subjected to their chemicals for years on end and gradually evolved. What you're asking will take not only time but luck. Even if you don't die, there's still no guarantee that you'll receive the same benefits. For instance, despite Uriah's immense talent, his skill is in his immense speed, even while bonded Felix absolutely outclasses him in strength. Meanwhile, someone like Calvin is just average all around." In a surprising shift of attitude, Veronica began to resemble her original self, speaking to me with much less fear in her voice.
Carefully extending a hand, she wrapped it around mine.
"I know I've no right to say this, but are you sure you want to do this? Weakness to cold aside, addiction will be the greatest issue. Each time you're healed, each time you're revived it'll grow increasingly worse."
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According to V, the existence of Electrum was known only to select members of the Court. Underneath the Grandmaster's throne, was a hidden facility in which it was mass/produced and continuously being experimented with.
They'd yet to stop trying to find new and different ways to use or benefit from the compound but hadn't had much luck.
"I can get you as much as you need, we certainly don't have a limited supply. Not to mention, you physically won't be able to handle a surplus anyway. Might I once again state my aversion to this idea? Injecting yourself with Electrum to speed up the process, while in theory makes sense, is also an extremely bad idea."
"What are you so worried about? I need to build a tolerance to it right? Besides, it's not like I'm gonna start getting injured and dying every day." I said with a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. That's exactly what I'd be doing.
Well, before that, there was one more order of business to take care of.
(POV Bane)
It had been a week or two since my home was broken into so unceremoniously, and things had finally returned to normal. Production had resumed and so had my dealings with Scarecrow. I could feel it, I was almost there. Something was still missing; I just wasn't sure what.
From behind me I heard the sound of surprised shouts and hurried footsteps growing closer and closer. Turning around, I walked to the window and looked out only to see my men surrounding a familiar figure.
Dressed in all black, numerous after-images spread about him, Oionós raised his hands and made a 'bring it' motion. I felt my brow twitch, veins bulging from my forehead, as I stared absolutely bewildered.
Was he serious? After I'd given him a chance? Was this a joke? Was this, true insanity? BAHAHAHAHA, I had no words. I could only laugh uproariously before leaping through the window and landing on the ground with a loud crash. The floor splintered beneath my weight, as I rose to my full height.
Smiling brightly, I spoke.
"I think you know what comes next.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone