Post by Batman (Bruce Wayne) on Nov 7, 2015 14:51:32 GMT -5
Azrael: Broken Chains
Story By: Batman and Green Lantern
Heroes: Batman, Azrael, Oracle, John Constantine
Villains:
Azrael "But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death," Luke 21:15 David Soren was an up and coming politician with dreams of serving on Congress. He did not have the aspirations of Presidency, but to take the seat in one of the highest branches of government.. that had appealed to him. He had cheated people and stomped on them. Other times, he'd helped others up. All had been done with that one goal in mind... even that deal he had made. It seemed easy enough and the amount of money he was given to pursue his campaign was absolutely disgusting. Even then, that priest did not seem to think the amount that much of an issue. So when Soren reneged on the deal about the views he was supposed to represent and then later squandered some of the money into other ventures, he had not thought anything of it. That is until one evening where the priest had been waiting for him at home. He had not said anything,-c-
Azrael and when told to leave he did, but not before passing a note to him. The words written were what had him holed up in the highest penthouse suit of a Gotham City hotel. With security, well over dozens of floors between him and anything on the ground, a hired security service personally for him, David Soren felt... devastatingly afraid. A glass container of scotch and a single glass held in a shaking hand, he was a cold sweating mess. "It's going to be okay... It's going to be okay..." he mumbled to himself, lower lip quivering as he spoke in his shaky voice. --- One did not hide so easily from the Order. It held strict punishments for those that wronged it, but one thing that stood above many crimes was that of betrayal. It would not be tolerated and there could be only one way to pay penance for such an injustice: death and the avatar of the Angel itself had come to see that price filled. The rain outside fell in heaps, coming down so thick it was like a curtain which would -c-
Azrael do well for him. Standing on the window cleaner platform as it rose up along the side of the building and shrouded in a poncho, the time was over for the betrayer David Soren before Hell would welcome the sinner with open arms.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:3 A roll of thunder would cause David’s heart to skip a beat, a swelling of anticipation was the only thing reaffirming that blood was still flowing through his veins and that he was still alive. The rhythm of four digits tapping to the surface of a desk he had hoped to shuffle off the clicking of demonic teeth outside the window - a double take of hazel eyes to see no demons only tears from the angels hauntingly as they mourned for their wayward kin. A high profile man with a body amount of security was not something easily dismissed particularly when high profile assassins were M.I.A - Deadshot, Deathstroke, David Cain, and Cheshire…All nowhere on the global radar which concerned the Dark Knight of Gotham. [c]
In no position to judge a man for his faults, David Soren must’ve made a powerful enemy or a deal with the devil. Judgment might be nigh, but he was a spectre of vengeance. A boogey man within the city and whether David knew it or not - the sins of his past would catch up with him as no one ever escapes vengeance. Among clay foundation and stone architecture an enigmatic figure settles under an alcove of stone and marble as droplets of grief pour down onto the forsaken city. There were many men and women with blood on their hands regardless of where the fell on the road to heaven or hell. A crusade with simple purpose - to save as many possible and bring salvation to a city that bathed in sin.
Azrael The men within the the apartment stood, sat, and otherwise lounged around. A few of them had been talking about what might have their employer spooked. "He's a nobody. What's he got to be so afraid of?" "Eh. Who cares. It's just a job and nothing we're not used to. Will be easy enough." "Yeah. 'Sides. This is that 'Bat's' city. Nobody's going to do anything stupid around here." -- The platform came to a halt at the top most room. The present nighttime blanket kept the men inside from seeing the figure that now hovered outside the window. He would have to go in the long way. The bedroom farther in and with the platform set up like this, there was no other choice. Lightning flashed and he was illuminated for naught but a moment, but it was enough for the trained men inside to spot him. "The hell is that guy doing out there," one of them muttered, reaching in to his coat and closing his hand around a glock 19 pistol, drawing it from the inside shoulder holster. A soft-c-
Azrael whistle was given and the men inside immediately dropped what they were doing and started to take position. It was time. Hopping up into the air, Azrael planted his feet into the rail behind them and then leaped forward, crashing through the glass thanks to the strength of his body. Diving into a roll, the shroud was left behind was he rose up to strike one with a palm strike to the underside of his chin. Teeth cracked and shattered from the forced clench as the men drew sights onto the white garbed one and began to fire. "Those who protect the sinner shall join him in Hell!" he shouted, hand closing around the shirt of the man he had struck and flinging him like a paper weight towards those at his left while, in the same movement, his body started right, rushing the next. Right hand reaching back, it closed around the longsword he wore and with drew it from its sheath. The metal sang as it scrapped against the scabbard, blade erupting with fire as the tip was brought across-
Azrael and opened the throat of the gunman. Blood poured from the wound as all the sins that the man was guilty of and had not sought forgiveness for overwhelmed his soul and mind, sending him into a painful and remorse filled death.The next few seconds passed and the bloody arrival was over. Azrael's eyes burned with a fire and rage as his blade dripped with the blood of the slain before he turned attention to where his target was to be, left hand reaching back and drawing Salvation.
“Cisco, we have disturbance in the lounge. Checking it out--” The guard spoke into his comlink opening the door to see the room wrecked with bodies and glass as Azrael sliced open a guard’s throat. “Contact! Assassin!” The Dark Knight dipped his head and tapped the side of his helmet to replay the sound file - “Contact! Assassin!” He leapt out of the alcove and circled around the building as his detective vision highlighted the entire floor mapping its design for him to strategize his point of entry. He saw the form of a bladed assassin and took to following behind the man’s tracks. His cape carried the wind underneath him as those falling tears began to wash over him while the gray clouds in the night masked his approach. [c]
He found the entrance that Azrael used and flew in collapsing his cape around his body for a prompt and hastened drop onto his feet. As he fell towards the balcony railing, two vivid movements of his hands extended like spider webs outwards to throw a pair of metal sonic batarangs along the walls that would land on the doorway entrance to the hallway. Small digital screens in the very center of each powered up and synchronized their frequency with each other. Swiftly they would release a loud scream intent on damaging the hearing of Batman’s opponent - indirectly the agitating sound might’ve glitched or antagonized the programming within Azrael’s head. Batman took up an aggressive stance preparing to tackle or chase the assassin in order to protect the V.I.P.
Azrael Beyond the door would bring him one step closer to the sinner. Salvation glowed with its unearthly pale smoke. Sin burned with its raging fire. Together, they would bring this reckoning upon David Soren. The sounds of something coming through the air caught his attention and Azrael turned to face behind him, wondering what it was. Peering through the darkness, he saw Batman as he started through the shattered window but the next moment he only felt pain. Enhanced senses were a boon... until noises specifically meant to affect the sense of hearing came into effect. The screeched assailed his ears, causing him to grimace as groan as he stumbled forward a bit. Anger and defiance kept him on his feet, however, as he bit through the pain. "The..Bat-..." it was like a sudden burst of static in his mind but then it was gone as he continued, "demon!" He pounced, crossing the distance between them faster than he ever had before, longswords leading the way. The left was leading and -c
Azrael aimed low, looking to thrust towards Batman's knee and cut along the outside of his armor. The other was held up to bear but kept back, waiting. The first strike might've been a bit telegraphed, but the second was measured, and just when Batman would be in the first few inches reach of the blade was when he slashed down from the Knight's leading shoulder towards his back hip, twisting his wrist and angling the edge of the blade towards both of them in case he might try and take advantage and step in.
He drew in the attention of the assassin and although it was Azrael - Jean Paul Valley, the hesitation indicated the man was struggling with something - perhaps the brainwashing that had been influencing his actions before. Batman had suspected the man to be on a journey of self discovery, to reform from his previous struggles but, here he seemed to have been failing that fight. As the blade lead and clearly indicated its target for his knee - or his lower region as Batman could’ve created a dozen different scenarios for the left blade to strike at him with its posture and angle. As anyone would suspect Batman would step into the attack hoping to disarm Valley of his hallucinations. Upon stepping forward to meet Azrael the plated knee lifted and allowed his steel to meet Batman’s shin at the same time Batman raised both of his forearms for balance of the maneuver and [c]
along with the second strike that aimed to strike down Batman’s left shoulder and across to his right hip, Batman’s left armguard would catch the blade. With his shin plate catching the first blade and his right hand would drop quickly to grab Azrael’s left wrist in an attempt to lock their hands together for a struggle. “Jean Paul! Snap out of it!” He growled gritting his teeth. It was a daring move and preyed upon Valley’s dexterity of dual wielding both swords efficiently and his ability to multi-task. “This is not you! Fight the Order!” Batman’s bladed armguard would be able to keep up with Azrael’s right-hand’s sword preventing it from escaping albeit a full withdraw of the weapon to slide it out of the curved blades locking it in place. Batman prepared for a beating anticipating that Valley would probably need a few punches to the face to wary his defenses, but a direct and conventional method seemed like the only way to save the V.I.P at this point. For now, Valley was focused on Batman and not David Soren.
Azrael "Lies!" Azrael shouted as his blades were locked momentarily in place. The Bat-demon was in his way. The Order demanded that vengeance be sought for the wrongs David Soren had done and he would not be denied. The pain... the pain had reminded him of what he truly was. His purpose in this world! "Your lies fall of deaf ears! Demon!" For the moment, Batman had managed to stop the blades from physically cutting, but this foul creature of darkness would learn that there was more to Sin and Salvation. The smoke and fire, respectively, billowed from the blades and, together, they would pass through the physical barriers that the Dark Knight had put in their path. Guilt... all that Bruce had ever felt would crash over his being and any sin that he had ever dared to commit and not atone for yet would wash over his very soul. But in this moment, Azrael would be privy to something more. Salvation showed the truth of a matter to the wielder and, together with Sin, the reasons -c-
Azrael were made evident to Azrael. But this... this could not be! The Batman was a demon! It was stopping him from his target! No... the sinner! It... Salvation could not lie to him. This is the truth Jean-Paul... There is no lie that we cannot cut. No truth that we cannot see He is not your enemy! Jerking backwards, Az-Valley stared down at the Dark Knight. His body was frozen while, beneath the mask, the muscles of his face twitched and then... he whispered one word, "Bruce..." Whirling about, Jean-Paul turned and fled, leaping back out of the window as he sheathed Sin. Right hand clutched around the wire of the platform, left hand using Salvation to slice through another section, he was quickly dropped down through the air into the stormy knight. He had hurt him! Bruce had come to stop and save him. He, even after everything he had done, still possessed faith in him. Close to the nearby rooftop of another building, he kicked off against the-c-
Azrael glass, using his strength to carry him through the air as Salvation was sheathed. Catching the ground and dropping into a crouch, Jean-Paul began to run. There was no forgiveness now... there could not be after this.
The two men were clashed with their strengths and neither clearly wanted to overpower the other. It was then a flashing memory of Batman cradling Jason Todd in his arms, the dead body of a young man whom Batman set out to help, like Jean, there were others before him that Batman tried to save from a life of crime and the dark path of chaos, Jason was one of them. He let down his partner and because of that mistake Jason had been walking a dark path ever since. While he was a working progress since his rebirth, Batman knew that Jason would always have a dark void that would forever taint his soul. In that same moment another image and flash back of Barbara Gordon in the hospital, Jim Gordon brutally beaten and humiliated, the Joker equally battered and beaten - bless Jim Gordon for stopping Batman from doing what should’ve been done. [c]
The thought snapped Batman out of the brief flashback and into reality where Azrael became liquid in Batman’s grip - slippery enough to slide out of the caped crusaders grip and run away - Batman didn’t chase him, however; he simply stepped aside and watched the man flee into the dark storm. The security entered the room and aimed their guns at Batman. “Stop!” Batman would look at them for a moment with a calm expression upon his face before turning to leap off the railing and into the rain spreading his cape to flew to a distance perch and tapped into his helmet. “Oracle, I need a timeline created for Jean Paul Valley. I want to know anywhere he’s been over the past 6 months, including his time as Batman…Something might’ve happened in that time to indicate what’s going on with him now.” “Got it, Batman.” Were Oracle’s sweet words confirming the request.
Azrael Run. Don't stop. Just run. Get away from him and here. Find a place and- The sinner has not been punished! "Gng!" Valley clutched at his head, feeling the urge to turn around and return. The sudden brain activity cause Azrael to stumble, falling forward and over the edge of a building. He plummeted down, a fire escape close but just out of reach and, once he did try to take hold of it, the ground came up to meet him. The oxygen was forced violently from his lungs, leaving him gasping for air but otherwise uninjured. Fingers dug into the ground as he lay in the ancient Suit of Sorrows, the voices in his head momentarily drowned out as he rolled onto his stomach. Oracle would find that Jean-Paul had traveled a bit, but then he suddenly just disappeared from a room he had been renting. Since that day, no movement of funds in his bank accounts, no charges made to his car, calls made from his phone... nothing. It was as though he had simply disappeared off of the electronic and-
Azrael physical map. -- Jean-Paul closed his eyes as he forced himself up to his feet, standing up straight as he inhaled. "Well hey.. what've we got here boys. One 'o dem costumed punks huh. Thing this one for his little grapple line huh." "Get away..." Valley responded. His voice shook with fear. The boy knew what he was fighting. Knew that his little grasp on his mind was thread thin. "Get away huh?" the punk responded, drawing a long blade out as he placed his hand on the other's shoulder... The first blow from Azrael was nearly enough to crush his larynx, the strike from the side of his hand far from his full strength. Shame. The man was guilty of crimes of perversion that would turn the stomach. The turn and the kick the stomach leveled him and free the air from the man's lungs. The step in and strike with the knee to his nose ended the threat. But Valley did not stay. Shocked and eyes wide at the sight, he turned and bolted from the alleyway, charging into the street
Azrael as cars skidded to a halt, traffic cameras catching sight of the white garbed figure as he bolted across the street.
It took time and due to Oracle’s miracle skills it only took five minutes to compile a large enough file to shift through, finally she spoke. “Batman?” Were Oracle’s words prompting Batman to dip his head and tap the side of his cowl. “Go ahead, Oracle.” “Everything seems normal for him up until a month ago…We have footage of him traveling a few places on the Eastern seaboard and in Europe, but then he falls off at a hotel in France…There’s a few discrepancies.” Oracle seemed worried and puzzled at the same time. Batman would bite and say. “What do you mean discrepancies?” “He has no activity on his cellphone, bank accounts, cars…Batman, not even a traffic camera has spotted his car. The last known record we have regarding Azrael is working on a gun smuggling ring orchestrated by Nicholas Scratch…Who’s also M-I-A, B-T-Dubs…” [c]
“--wait a minute…I got something, one sighting of Azrael approaching the Congressmen’s safehouse tonight. And we got a hit. He’s heading East into market row.” Batman leapt from the perch and sprawled his cape to permit flight on an intercept route. “Triangulate the position from early tonight and cross reference it with the direction last seen.” Were Batman’s words as his gaze fixated on the water towers and antennae ahead of his flight path. Leaning to the left he evaded the objects and continued flying East towards Market Row. Oracle responded with glee. “Got it, narrowed down the area to the Bowery…At least a dozen different places he could be if that’s where he’s staking out.” [c]
Batman passed by the battered thugs and continued his trajectory to intercept Azrael. “Oracle, I’m activating my detective vision and setting its radius to full surveillance.” The city before him would highlight and reveal every person within every house and apartment within 150 feet of Batman.
Azrael He continued to keep his pace. Valley had distance, speed, and a headstart. Moving over two hundred feet was an easy enough feat even accounting for some of his present physical pains. Pushing himself onward, he ran faster, pushing himself down the alleyways and sidestreets until he finally came to to the river and bridge separating the two. From there, he vaulted over the railing and dropped, landing with a soft tap. The bums beneath the bridge looked up from the burning barrel that was keeping them warm, staring across the way at him. "THe.. he-ell is this thing! Get outta here!" Frightened, they immediately backed off. Jean-Paul only realized that they thought him a ghost of sorts after he stepped into the light of the fire, turning and making his way over o the concrete rise and sitting back on it. The light of the fire licked at the air in front of his face, casting strange and ghastly shadows about his form. With the Suit of Sorrows donned, Jean-Paul looked like a ragged
Azrael masked teutonic knight. Even his pants seemed old, gathered at the legs with a old strips of cloth. The only thing apparently of the present age was his shoes: they were the split toed parkour shoes to aid in his movement. He was a sight... but his appearance was the last thing on his mind for, as Valley stared into the flames, he began to relive his captivity.
Batman would land and begin looking around for any sign of Azrael when he heard a light ignite behind him. Batman turned to see a man dressed in a trench coat and worn business suit. “Bats…We need a chat.” Batman narrowed his eyes at John Constantine. “I don’t have time for this.” John would pull that cigarette from his lips and point two fingers at Batman. “That’s more true than you think…” Batman would continue his gaze towards the city with no sign of Azrael, he tapped his cowl. “Oracle, I lost him. Keep looking.” Turning around he looked at Constantine and spoke directly. “You have two minutes. If this is about Zatanna, she’s a grown woman who can--” John smirked with mild amusement and then sobered up to roll his eyes. “This is not about Zee. I need to know what The Phantom Stranger told you.” [c]
Batman would stare judgingly. “Why does that concern you?” “The ole’ boy has been ducking me lately. I think he’s too shy.” John forced a sarcastic smirk that only he found amusing, but with Batman’s cold stare he would break the silence. “There’s talk of something big coming and as they say knowledge is power.” John’s tone got deep and dark as though trying to either threaten or warn Batman. “I’d like to know what we’re up against, preparations and all that…” John dismissively waved his hand about while holding the sizzling stick of tar and paper. Batman would tap his cowl. “Oracle, do you have a location on him yet?” John would nervously puff his smoke and then drop it onto the ground and crush it. “This city could be ground zero for something terrible, Bats. Believe it or not this place has a demonic presence and you can bet whatever Stranger told you is a very real threat. All the signs are there--…” [c]
Batman would arm his grappling hook and shoot it towards the rooftops. “Goodbye, John.” The Dark Knight would reel towards the rooftops and began a beat across the roofs towards the river. John would roll his tongue along the inner side of his jaw and then turn to walk down the dark alley.- “Sod.”
Azrael Jean-Paul continued to stare into the fire, remembering. No. Reliving. His body shook despite how he had been trained against the cold, the suit was warm, and the heat of the fire washed over his front. The mind within tried to calm the nerves but it was a futile attempt. Drawing his legs up towards his chest, Valley rested his forearms on his knees as time began to tick by. Eventually, the bums that had run away in fear returned, poking their heads out and just watching for now. Thirty minutes later, one of them finally grew up the gumption to step forward adn took a seat beside the strangely dressed man. He was cold, the patched up trench coat not providing the warmth, alone, that he would need tonight to survive. Dropping down on the opposite side of Jean-Paul, he held up his hands and waited for the fire to do its work. A few more minutes passed and he started to ask questions, but received no answer. A few more questions were ask but still no answer. Finally, the -c-
Azrael others that had fled the scene returned and they all gathered around Valley and the fire barrel. A few tried to get him to speak, even open up, but they were all rebuffed by the same silence like the first.
It would be only moments later that Batman came to the mouth of the alley to see Azrael and what looked like a homeless man settling amongst the darkness. Batman approached and allowed his enigmatic presence to appear ghastly. His shadow and cape cast him to have no legs, feet, or arms. Only a head on a cloaked body. “Jean.” Batman didn’t want to break code-names, but the name ‘Azrael’ could have set the man off and revert back to an earlier period. He needed to be reminded that before he put on a mask and a suit he was an ordinary man with a prospect of a future. “It’s Batman. Do you remember me?” He stood his ground and prepare himself for whatever reaction Azrael might have to Batman’s presence.
Azrael The appearance of Batman, sudden and imposing as it was, sent the men that had come to join Jean-Paul fleeing in fear. They were not frightened for their lives, but few were the civilians that found themselves able to stand next to the Dark Knight of Gotham when he made his presence known. However, Valley sat still, his eyes gazing into the fire without blinking, hood high over his head and showing his face from sight. His hands lifted up without a word, the tips hooking onto the edges of the mask as he gave a tug and pulled it free, lowering it down and letting it hang loosely from his right hands digits before he finally began to speak, "They found me..." There was emotion in his voice as he spoke, although whether or not it was sadness or anger was impossible to tell. "They came for me one night... drugged me and took me away. They beat me. Rewarded and punished me. It... the pain never stopped..." The muscles above his cheek bones twitched and the bottoms of his eyes began-
Azrael to glisten, welling up with water that forced its way over and began to leak out and down his skin. The flames showed him the blows... each fist that connected with his body. Each booted food that broke a rib. Every heavy strike from the wooden club that cracked against his body, dislocated joints, and battered at his insides. "The beatings never stopped. I don't... I don't even know how long it went.." Valley's voice cracked as his heart began to pump in his chest, each beat feeling like another fist blow against his chest as a fire burned need within his belly. He, Jean-Paul, wanted to lash out. At the Order. At Batman. At the world. At the damned bastard of a father that had brought him into this world! But even then, the stronger part of him knew that it would not matter. It would not change what he was and what he had been made to be. "They preached to me.. of my purpose and destiny. I can still feel the father's words clawing at my mind, pulling at my psyche to
Azrael make me see the truth that he wanted me to see... the webway of lies that they wrapped me in.. " His cheeks burned with the pain of his tears, the salt reaching the edges of his lips and flowing onto his tongue. The salt, they had said, which they would bleed from him so that weakness of pity and sorrow would be likened as a mystery unto him. "I hear their voices... they chants and prayers they sang during the worst of the beatings but... I don't even remember where they had me... only the blurs of the two lights they kept around me. The only light that I was allowed to see until," he paused, swallowing back the thick knot that had grown in his throat, "until they set Azrael free."
Batman took note, watching Azrael remove his mask and stare blindly - though the man’s eyes could function at optimal ability - the mind behind them was lost in an abyss. Batman would see some homeless men watching and with a gentle nod he recognized some of the men as the homeless were an efficient network to operate with easily bought and easy to secure their loyalty over outsiders. “Azrael will be whatever you turn it into, Jean. No matter what programming they have done to you, you are always in control of your destiny and your actions. You might not remember where they took you - but you do, somewhere inside your head you remember the steps that brought you here. The men that did this to you deserve to be brought to justice.” [c]
“Their assassin organization needs to be brought down and I can’t do that without your help. Think about the innocent people who have been killed? Tonight alone you ripped muscles and arteries, broken bones of several different men who have families, who believed they were doing a job to save a man’s life. That blood is NOT on your hands…It’s on the Order of St. Dumas. I know of an ancient Chinese recipe that helps clear the mind and resolve of the soul…We can try it for you and hopefully remove the Order’s grip on you once and for all. Let me help you.”
Azrael Valley did not look towards Bruce the entire time he spoke until the last sentence was made. That drew his attention. "You... still want to help me? Even after this? After.. I let them drag me back into it?" He struck him as inconceivable that he would, but something told him otherwise. Jean took in a deep breath of air to hold for a moment and then slowly let out as he rose up to his feet, turning to face the other. "Alright," he stated in a soft voice, unfitting for the man of such physical strength that he was, "I'll go with you."
Story By: Batman and Green Lantern
Heroes: Batman, Azrael, Oracle, John Constantine
Villains:
Azrael "But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death," Luke 21:15 David Soren was an up and coming politician with dreams of serving on Congress. He did not have the aspirations of Presidency, but to take the seat in one of the highest branches of government.. that had appealed to him. He had cheated people and stomped on them. Other times, he'd helped others up. All had been done with that one goal in mind... even that deal he had made. It seemed easy enough and the amount of money he was given to pursue his campaign was absolutely disgusting. Even then, that priest did not seem to think the amount that much of an issue. So when Soren reneged on the deal about the views he was supposed to represent and then later squandered some of the money into other ventures, he had not thought anything of it. That is until one evening where the priest had been waiting for him at home. He had not said anything,-c-
Azrael and when told to leave he did, but not before passing a note to him. The words written were what had him holed up in the highest penthouse suit of a Gotham City hotel. With security, well over dozens of floors between him and anything on the ground, a hired security service personally for him, David Soren felt... devastatingly afraid. A glass container of scotch and a single glass held in a shaking hand, he was a cold sweating mess. "It's going to be okay... It's going to be okay..." he mumbled to himself, lower lip quivering as he spoke in his shaky voice. --- One did not hide so easily from the Order. It held strict punishments for those that wronged it, but one thing that stood above many crimes was that of betrayal. It would not be tolerated and there could be only one way to pay penance for such an injustice: death and the avatar of the Angel itself had come to see that price filled. The rain outside fell in heaps, coming down so thick it was like a curtain which would -c-
Azrael do well for him. Standing on the window cleaner platform as it rose up along the side of the building and shrouded in a poncho, the time was over for the betrayer David Soren before Hell would welcome the sinner with open arms.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:3 A roll of thunder would cause David’s heart to skip a beat, a swelling of anticipation was the only thing reaffirming that blood was still flowing through his veins and that he was still alive. The rhythm of four digits tapping to the surface of a desk he had hoped to shuffle off the clicking of demonic teeth outside the window - a double take of hazel eyes to see no demons only tears from the angels hauntingly as they mourned for their wayward kin. A high profile man with a body amount of security was not something easily dismissed particularly when high profile assassins were M.I.A - Deadshot, Deathstroke, David Cain, and Cheshire…All nowhere on the global radar which concerned the Dark Knight of Gotham. [c]
In no position to judge a man for his faults, David Soren must’ve made a powerful enemy or a deal with the devil. Judgment might be nigh, but he was a spectre of vengeance. A boogey man within the city and whether David knew it or not - the sins of his past would catch up with him as no one ever escapes vengeance. Among clay foundation and stone architecture an enigmatic figure settles under an alcove of stone and marble as droplets of grief pour down onto the forsaken city. There were many men and women with blood on their hands regardless of where the fell on the road to heaven or hell. A crusade with simple purpose - to save as many possible and bring salvation to a city that bathed in sin.
Azrael The men within the the apartment stood, sat, and otherwise lounged around. A few of them had been talking about what might have their employer spooked. "He's a nobody. What's he got to be so afraid of?" "Eh. Who cares. It's just a job and nothing we're not used to. Will be easy enough." "Yeah. 'Sides. This is that 'Bat's' city. Nobody's going to do anything stupid around here." -- The platform came to a halt at the top most room. The present nighttime blanket kept the men inside from seeing the figure that now hovered outside the window. He would have to go in the long way. The bedroom farther in and with the platform set up like this, there was no other choice. Lightning flashed and he was illuminated for naught but a moment, but it was enough for the trained men inside to spot him. "The hell is that guy doing out there," one of them muttered, reaching in to his coat and closing his hand around a glock 19 pistol, drawing it from the inside shoulder holster. A soft-c-
Azrael whistle was given and the men inside immediately dropped what they were doing and started to take position. It was time. Hopping up into the air, Azrael planted his feet into the rail behind them and then leaped forward, crashing through the glass thanks to the strength of his body. Diving into a roll, the shroud was left behind was he rose up to strike one with a palm strike to the underside of his chin. Teeth cracked and shattered from the forced clench as the men drew sights onto the white garbed one and began to fire. "Those who protect the sinner shall join him in Hell!" he shouted, hand closing around the shirt of the man he had struck and flinging him like a paper weight towards those at his left while, in the same movement, his body started right, rushing the next. Right hand reaching back, it closed around the longsword he wore and with drew it from its sheath. The metal sang as it scrapped against the scabbard, blade erupting with fire as the tip was brought across-
Azrael and opened the throat of the gunman. Blood poured from the wound as all the sins that the man was guilty of and had not sought forgiveness for overwhelmed his soul and mind, sending him into a painful and remorse filled death.The next few seconds passed and the bloody arrival was over. Azrael's eyes burned with a fire and rage as his blade dripped with the blood of the slain before he turned attention to where his target was to be, left hand reaching back and drawing Salvation.
“Cisco, we have disturbance in the lounge. Checking it out--” The guard spoke into his comlink opening the door to see the room wrecked with bodies and glass as Azrael sliced open a guard’s throat. “Contact! Assassin!” The Dark Knight dipped his head and tapped the side of his helmet to replay the sound file - “Contact! Assassin!” He leapt out of the alcove and circled around the building as his detective vision highlighted the entire floor mapping its design for him to strategize his point of entry. He saw the form of a bladed assassin and took to following behind the man’s tracks. His cape carried the wind underneath him as those falling tears began to wash over him while the gray clouds in the night masked his approach. [c]
He found the entrance that Azrael used and flew in collapsing his cape around his body for a prompt and hastened drop onto his feet. As he fell towards the balcony railing, two vivid movements of his hands extended like spider webs outwards to throw a pair of metal sonic batarangs along the walls that would land on the doorway entrance to the hallway. Small digital screens in the very center of each powered up and synchronized their frequency with each other. Swiftly they would release a loud scream intent on damaging the hearing of Batman’s opponent - indirectly the agitating sound might’ve glitched or antagonized the programming within Azrael’s head. Batman took up an aggressive stance preparing to tackle or chase the assassin in order to protect the V.I.P.
Azrael Beyond the door would bring him one step closer to the sinner. Salvation glowed with its unearthly pale smoke. Sin burned with its raging fire. Together, they would bring this reckoning upon David Soren. The sounds of something coming through the air caught his attention and Azrael turned to face behind him, wondering what it was. Peering through the darkness, he saw Batman as he started through the shattered window but the next moment he only felt pain. Enhanced senses were a boon... until noises specifically meant to affect the sense of hearing came into effect. The screeched assailed his ears, causing him to grimace as groan as he stumbled forward a bit. Anger and defiance kept him on his feet, however, as he bit through the pain. "The..Bat-..." it was like a sudden burst of static in his mind but then it was gone as he continued, "demon!" He pounced, crossing the distance between them faster than he ever had before, longswords leading the way. The left was leading and -c
Azrael aimed low, looking to thrust towards Batman's knee and cut along the outside of his armor. The other was held up to bear but kept back, waiting. The first strike might've been a bit telegraphed, but the second was measured, and just when Batman would be in the first few inches reach of the blade was when he slashed down from the Knight's leading shoulder towards his back hip, twisting his wrist and angling the edge of the blade towards both of them in case he might try and take advantage and step in.
He drew in the attention of the assassin and although it was Azrael - Jean Paul Valley, the hesitation indicated the man was struggling with something - perhaps the brainwashing that had been influencing his actions before. Batman had suspected the man to be on a journey of self discovery, to reform from his previous struggles but, here he seemed to have been failing that fight. As the blade lead and clearly indicated its target for his knee - or his lower region as Batman could’ve created a dozen different scenarios for the left blade to strike at him with its posture and angle. As anyone would suspect Batman would step into the attack hoping to disarm Valley of his hallucinations. Upon stepping forward to meet Azrael the plated knee lifted and allowed his steel to meet Batman’s shin at the same time Batman raised both of his forearms for balance of the maneuver and [c]
along with the second strike that aimed to strike down Batman’s left shoulder and across to his right hip, Batman’s left armguard would catch the blade. With his shin plate catching the first blade and his right hand would drop quickly to grab Azrael’s left wrist in an attempt to lock their hands together for a struggle. “Jean Paul! Snap out of it!” He growled gritting his teeth. It was a daring move and preyed upon Valley’s dexterity of dual wielding both swords efficiently and his ability to multi-task. “This is not you! Fight the Order!” Batman’s bladed armguard would be able to keep up with Azrael’s right-hand’s sword preventing it from escaping albeit a full withdraw of the weapon to slide it out of the curved blades locking it in place. Batman prepared for a beating anticipating that Valley would probably need a few punches to the face to wary his defenses, but a direct and conventional method seemed like the only way to save the V.I.P at this point. For now, Valley was focused on Batman and not David Soren.
Azrael "Lies!" Azrael shouted as his blades were locked momentarily in place. The Bat-demon was in his way. The Order demanded that vengeance be sought for the wrongs David Soren had done and he would not be denied. The pain... the pain had reminded him of what he truly was. His purpose in this world! "Your lies fall of deaf ears! Demon!" For the moment, Batman had managed to stop the blades from physically cutting, but this foul creature of darkness would learn that there was more to Sin and Salvation. The smoke and fire, respectively, billowed from the blades and, together, they would pass through the physical barriers that the Dark Knight had put in their path. Guilt... all that Bruce had ever felt would crash over his being and any sin that he had ever dared to commit and not atone for yet would wash over his very soul. But in this moment, Azrael would be privy to something more. Salvation showed the truth of a matter to the wielder and, together with Sin, the reasons -c-
Azrael were made evident to Azrael. But this... this could not be! The Batman was a demon! It was stopping him from his target! No... the sinner! It... Salvation could not lie to him. This is the truth Jean-Paul... There is no lie that we cannot cut. No truth that we cannot see He is not your enemy! Jerking backwards, Az-Valley stared down at the Dark Knight. His body was frozen while, beneath the mask, the muscles of his face twitched and then... he whispered one word, "Bruce..." Whirling about, Jean-Paul turned and fled, leaping back out of the window as he sheathed Sin. Right hand clutched around the wire of the platform, left hand using Salvation to slice through another section, he was quickly dropped down through the air into the stormy knight. He had hurt him! Bruce had come to stop and save him. He, even after everything he had done, still possessed faith in him. Close to the nearby rooftop of another building, he kicked off against the-c-
Azrael glass, using his strength to carry him through the air as Salvation was sheathed. Catching the ground and dropping into a crouch, Jean-Paul began to run. There was no forgiveness now... there could not be after this.
The two men were clashed with their strengths and neither clearly wanted to overpower the other. It was then a flashing memory of Batman cradling Jason Todd in his arms, the dead body of a young man whom Batman set out to help, like Jean, there were others before him that Batman tried to save from a life of crime and the dark path of chaos, Jason was one of them. He let down his partner and because of that mistake Jason had been walking a dark path ever since. While he was a working progress since his rebirth, Batman knew that Jason would always have a dark void that would forever taint his soul. In that same moment another image and flash back of Barbara Gordon in the hospital, Jim Gordon brutally beaten and humiliated, the Joker equally battered and beaten - bless Jim Gordon for stopping Batman from doing what should’ve been done. [c]
The thought snapped Batman out of the brief flashback and into reality where Azrael became liquid in Batman’s grip - slippery enough to slide out of the caped crusaders grip and run away - Batman didn’t chase him, however; he simply stepped aside and watched the man flee into the dark storm. The security entered the room and aimed their guns at Batman. “Stop!” Batman would look at them for a moment with a calm expression upon his face before turning to leap off the railing and into the rain spreading his cape to flew to a distance perch and tapped into his helmet. “Oracle, I need a timeline created for Jean Paul Valley. I want to know anywhere he’s been over the past 6 months, including his time as Batman…Something might’ve happened in that time to indicate what’s going on with him now.” “Got it, Batman.” Were Oracle’s sweet words confirming the request.
Azrael Run. Don't stop. Just run. Get away from him and here. Find a place and- The sinner has not been punished! "Gng!" Valley clutched at his head, feeling the urge to turn around and return. The sudden brain activity cause Azrael to stumble, falling forward and over the edge of a building. He plummeted down, a fire escape close but just out of reach and, once he did try to take hold of it, the ground came up to meet him. The oxygen was forced violently from his lungs, leaving him gasping for air but otherwise uninjured. Fingers dug into the ground as he lay in the ancient Suit of Sorrows, the voices in his head momentarily drowned out as he rolled onto his stomach. Oracle would find that Jean-Paul had traveled a bit, but then he suddenly just disappeared from a room he had been renting. Since that day, no movement of funds in his bank accounts, no charges made to his car, calls made from his phone... nothing. It was as though he had simply disappeared off of the electronic and-
Azrael physical map. -- Jean-Paul closed his eyes as he forced himself up to his feet, standing up straight as he inhaled. "Well hey.. what've we got here boys. One 'o dem costumed punks huh. Thing this one for his little grapple line huh." "Get away..." Valley responded. His voice shook with fear. The boy knew what he was fighting. Knew that his little grasp on his mind was thread thin. "Get away huh?" the punk responded, drawing a long blade out as he placed his hand on the other's shoulder... The first blow from Azrael was nearly enough to crush his larynx, the strike from the side of his hand far from his full strength. Shame. The man was guilty of crimes of perversion that would turn the stomach. The turn and the kick the stomach leveled him and free the air from the man's lungs. The step in and strike with the knee to his nose ended the threat. But Valley did not stay. Shocked and eyes wide at the sight, he turned and bolted from the alleyway, charging into the street
Azrael as cars skidded to a halt, traffic cameras catching sight of the white garbed figure as he bolted across the street.
It took time and due to Oracle’s miracle skills it only took five minutes to compile a large enough file to shift through, finally she spoke. “Batman?” Were Oracle’s words prompting Batman to dip his head and tap the side of his cowl. “Go ahead, Oracle.” “Everything seems normal for him up until a month ago…We have footage of him traveling a few places on the Eastern seaboard and in Europe, but then he falls off at a hotel in France…There’s a few discrepancies.” Oracle seemed worried and puzzled at the same time. Batman would bite and say. “What do you mean discrepancies?” “He has no activity on his cellphone, bank accounts, cars…Batman, not even a traffic camera has spotted his car. The last known record we have regarding Azrael is working on a gun smuggling ring orchestrated by Nicholas Scratch…Who’s also M-I-A, B-T-Dubs…” [c]
“--wait a minute…I got something, one sighting of Azrael approaching the Congressmen’s safehouse tonight. And we got a hit. He’s heading East into market row.” Batman leapt from the perch and sprawled his cape to permit flight on an intercept route. “Triangulate the position from early tonight and cross reference it with the direction last seen.” Were Batman’s words as his gaze fixated on the water towers and antennae ahead of his flight path. Leaning to the left he evaded the objects and continued flying East towards Market Row. Oracle responded with glee. “Got it, narrowed down the area to the Bowery…At least a dozen different places he could be if that’s where he’s staking out.” [c]
Batman passed by the battered thugs and continued his trajectory to intercept Azrael. “Oracle, I’m activating my detective vision and setting its radius to full surveillance.” The city before him would highlight and reveal every person within every house and apartment within 150 feet of Batman.
Azrael He continued to keep his pace. Valley had distance, speed, and a headstart. Moving over two hundred feet was an easy enough feat even accounting for some of his present physical pains. Pushing himself onward, he ran faster, pushing himself down the alleyways and sidestreets until he finally came to to the river and bridge separating the two. From there, he vaulted over the railing and dropped, landing with a soft tap. The bums beneath the bridge looked up from the burning barrel that was keeping them warm, staring across the way at him. "THe.. he-ell is this thing! Get outta here!" Frightened, they immediately backed off. Jean-Paul only realized that they thought him a ghost of sorts after he stepped into the light of the fire, turning and making his way over o the concrete rise and sitting back on it. The light of the fire licked at the air in front of his face, casting strange and ghastly shadows about his form. With the Suit of Sorrows donned, Jean-Paul looked like a ragged
Azrael masked teutonic knight. Even his pants seemed old, gathered at the legs with a old strips of cloth. The only thing apparently of the present age was his shoes: they were the split toed parkour shoes to aid in his movement. He was a sight... but his appearance was the last thing on his mind for, as Valley stared into the flames, he began to relive his captivity.
Batman would land and begin looking around for any sign of Azrael when he heard a light ignite behind him. Batman turned to see a man dressed in a trench coat and worn business suit. “Bats…We need a chat.” Batman narrowed his eyes at John Constantine. “I don’t have time for this.” John would pull that cigarette from his lips and point two fingers at Batman. “That’s more true than you think…” Batman would continue his gaze towards the city with no sign of Azrael, he tapped his cowl. “Oracle, I lost him. Keep looking.” Turning around he looked at Constantine and spoke directly. “You have two minutes. If this is about Zatanna, she’s a grown woman who can--” John smirked with mild amusement and then sobered up to roll his eyes. “This is not about Zee. I need to know what The Phantom Stranger told you.” [c]
Batman would stare judgingly. “Why does that concern you?” “The ole’ boy has been ducking me lately. I think he’s too shy.” John forced a sarcastic smirk that only he found amusing, but with Batman’s cold stare he would break the silence. “There’s talk of something big coming and as they say knowledge is power.” John’s tone got deep and dark as though trying to either threaten or warn Batman. “I’d like to know what we’re up against, preparations and all that…” John dismissively waved his hand about while holding the sizzling stick of tar and paper. Batman would tap his cowl. “Oracle, do you have a location on him yet?” John would nervously puff his smoke and then drop it onto the ground and crush it. “This city could be ground zero for something terrible, Bats. Believe it or not this place has a demonic presence and you can bet whatever Stranger told you is a very real threat. All the signs are there--…” [c]
Batman would arm his grappling hook and shoot it towards the rooftops. “Goodbye, John.” The Dark Knight would reel towards the rooftops and began a beat across the roofs towards the river. John would roll his tongue along the inner side of his jaw and then turn to walk down the dark alley.- “Sod.”
Azrael Jean-Paul continued to stare into the fire, remembering. No. Reliving. His body shook despite how he had been trained against the cold, the suit was warm, and the heat of the fire washed over his front. The mind within tried to calm the nerves but it was a futile attempt. Drawing his legs up towards his chest, Valley rested his forearms on his knees as time began to tick by. Eventually, the bums that had run away in fear returned, poking their heads out and just watching for now. Thirty minutes later, one of them finally grew up the gumption to step forward adn took a seat beside the strangely dressed man. He was cold, the patched up trench coat not providing the warmth, alone, that he would need tonight to survive. Dropping down on the opposite side of Jean-Paul, he held up his hands and waited for the fire to do its work. A few more minutes passed and he started to ask questions, but received no answer. A few more questions were ask but still no answer. Finally, the -c-
Azrael others that had fled the scene returned and they all gathered around Valley and the fire barrel. A few tried to get him to speak, even open up, but they were all rebuffed by the same silence like the first.
It would be only moments later that Batman came to the mouth of the alley to see Azrael and what looked like a homeless man settling amongst the darkness. Batman approached and allowed his enigmatic presence to appear ghastly. His shadow and cape cast him to have no legs, feet, or arms. Only a head on a cloaked body. “Jean.” Batman didn’t want to break code-names, but the name ‘Azrael’ could have set the man off and revert back to an earlier period. He needed to be reminded that before he put on a mask and a suit he was an ordinary man with a prospect of a future. “It’s Batman. Do you remember me?” He stood his ground and prepare himself for whatever reaction Azrael might have to Batman’s presence.
Azrael The appearance of Batman, sudden and imposing as it was, sent the men that had come to join Jean-Paul fleeing in fear. They were not frightened for their lives, but few were the civilians that found themselves able to stand next to the Dark Knight of Gotham when he made his presence known. However, Valley sat still, his eyes gazing into the fire without blinking, hood high over his head and showing his face from sight. His hands lifted up without a word, the tips hooking onto the edges of the mask as he gave a tug and pulled it free, lowering it down and letting it hang loosely from his right hands digits before he finally began to speak, "They found me..." There was emotion in his voice as he spoke, although whether or not it was sadness or anger was impossible to tell. "They came for me one night... drugged me and took me away. They beat me. Rewarded and punished me. It... the pain never stopped..." The muscles above his cheek bones twitched and the bottoms of his eyes began-
Azrael to glisten, welling up with water that forced its way over and began to leak out and down his skin. The flames showed him the blows... each fist that connected with his body. Each booted food that broke a rib. Every heavy strike from the wooden club that cracked against his body, dislocated joints, and battered at his insides. "The beatings never stopped. I don't... I don't even know how long it went.." Valley's voice cracked as his heart began to pump in his chest, each beat feeling like another fist blow against his chest as a fire burned need within his belly. He, Jean-Paul, wanted to lash out. At the Order. At Batman. At the world. At the damned bastard of a father that had brought him into this world! But even then, the stronger part of him knew that it would not matter. It would not change what he was and what he had been made to be. "They preached to me.. of my purpose and destiny. I can still feel the father's words clawing at my mind, pulling at my psyche to
Azrael make me see the truth that he wanted me to see... the webway of lies that they wrapped me in.. " His cheeks burned with the pain of his tears, the salt reaching the edges of his lips and flowing onto his tongue. The salt, they had said, which they would bleed from him so that weakness of pity and sorrow would be likened as a mystery unto him. "I hear their voices... they chants and prayers they sang during the worst of the beatings but... I don't even remember where they had me... only the blurs of the two lights they kept around me. The only light that I was allowed to see until," he paused, swallowing back the thick knot that had grown in his throat, "until they set Azrael free."
Batman took note, watching Azrael remove his mask and stare blindly - though the man’s eyes could function at optimal ability - the mind behind them was lost in an abyss. Batman would see some homeless men watching and with a gentle nod he recognized some of the men as the homeless were an efficient network to operate with easily bought and easy to secure their loyalty over outsiders. “Azrael will be whatever you turn it into, Jean. No matter what programming they have done to you, you are always in control of your destiny and your actions. You might not remember where they took you - but you do, somewhere inside your head you remember the steps that brought you here. The men that did this to you deserve to be brought to justice.” [c]
“Their assassin organization needs to be brought down and I can’t do that without your help. Think about the innocent people who have been killed? Tonight alone you ripped muscles and arteries, broken bones of several different men who have families, who believed they were doing a job to save a man’s life. That blood is NOT on your hands…It’s on the Order of St. Dumas. I know of an ancient Chinese recipe that helps clear the mind and resolve of the soul…We can try it for you and hopefully remove the Order’s grip on you once and for all. Let me help you.”
Azrael Valley did not look towards Bruce the entire time he spoke until the last sentence was made. That drew his attention. "You... still want to help me? Even after this? After.. I let them drag me back into it?" He struck him as inconceivable that he would, but something told him otherwise. Jean took in a deep breath of air to hold for a moment and then slowly let out as he rose up to his feet, turning to face the other. "Alright," he stated in a soft voice, unfitting for the man of such physical strength that he was, "I'll go with you."