Chapter 6: Gotham's Shadow
Batman's words hung in the air, a challenge and an invitation. Sarive hesitated, unsure how to proceed. He glanced at Diana, who nodded slightly, her expression encouraging.
"He wants to see what you can do, Sarive," she said. "Show him."
Taking a deep breath, Sarive stepped forward. He focused on the energy within him, the power that Diana had described as "primal." He remembered the surge he had felt during his training on Themyscira, the exhilarating rush that had quickly turned into a terrifying loss of control. This time, he would be more careful.
He started with a simple demonstration of strength. He lifted a large piece of rubble that lay nearby, a chunk of concrete that would have taken several men to move. He held it aloft for a moment, the weight feeling surprisingly light, then gently lowered it back to the ground.
Batman watched him, his expression unreadable. "Strength," he said, his voice a low growl. "Impressive. But strength alone is not enough."
Sarive nodded, acknowledging the truth in Batman's words. He knew that raw power was useless without control, without discipline. He shifted his focus, channeling the energy into his legs. He took a step, and then another, and then he was moving, faster than he had ever moved before. He blurred across the rooftop, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Batman's eyes narrowed, following Sarive's movements with an intense focus. "Speed," he said. "Better. But still… uncontrolled."
Sarive stopped, panting slightly. He could feel the energy coursing through him, eager to be unleashed. But he held it back, remembering Diana's lessons, the importance of restraint.
"I'm trying to control it," Sarive said, his voice slightly strained. "It's… it's not easy."
"Control is everything," Batman said. "Without it, power is a liability. It will consume you."
He stepped forward, his movements fluid and silent. "Now," he said. "Show me how you fight."
Sarive tensed, preparing himself for a confrontation with the Dark Knight. He knew that Batman was a master of martial arts, a legend in the world of combat. He was about to face a true test of his abilities.
Batman moved with incredible speed and precision. He didn't rely on brute strength, but on technique, on leverage, on exploiting his opponent's weaknesses. He was like a shadow, a whirlwind of motion that was both graceful and deadly.
Sarive struggled to keep up. He used his enhanced strength and speed, but Batman easily dodged his attacks, countering with strikes that were both precise and powerful. He felt like he was fighting a ghost, a phantom that was always one step ahead.
The fight went on for what seemed like an eternity. Sarive was pushed to his limits, his body aching, his mind racing. He learned more in those few minutes than he had in all his previous training. He learned about the importance of footwork, of balance, of anticipating his opponent's moves. He learned that even with his enhanced abilities, he was still a novice.
Finally, Batman disarmed him, his hand moving in a blur of motion. Sarive stood there, defeated, panting heavily.
Batman stood before him, his expression unreadable. "You have potential," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But you are undisciplined. You rely too much on your raw power, and not enough on skill."
Sarive nodded, acknowledging the truth in Batman's words. He was exhausted, but he wasn't discouraged. He knew that he had a long way to go, but he was determined to learn.
"I know," Sarive said, his voice hoarse. "I need training."
"Then you will receive it," Batman said. "You will stay in Gotham. You will train with me."
Sarive's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected to be dismissed, perhaps even sent away. He hadn't expected this offer.
"You'll train me?" Sarive asked, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief.
"Yes," Batman said. "You possess a power that could be valuable in the coming conflict. But only if you learn to control it. And I am the one who can teach you."
He turned and walked to the edge of the rooftop, his cape billowing in the wind. "Gotham is a city of shadows," he said, his voice low. "It is a place of darkness and danger. But it is also a place where strength is forged, where heroes are made. You will learn to survive here, Sarive. And you will learn to master your power."
Sarive stood there, watching Batman disappear into the night. He knew that his journey had just taken another unexpected turn. He was in Gotham, a city of shadows, and he was about to begin a new chapter in his training, under the tutelage of the Dark Knight himself.
He had a feeling that his life was about to get a lot more complicated.