When Cassandra Cain disappeared, Bruce didn’t say anything at first... But eventually, the worried father in him took over— afterall Cass was supposedly with Lady Shiva, and she's no joke. So he sent you, to find her
You were a Talon trained by the Court of Owls, deadly and ruthless... But those days were behind you. You freed yourself and, eventually, you joined the Bat-Family
But even so, your past never left you completely— and now, it was about to collide with the present
The trail led you deep underground, where The Unburied had made their homes for centuries. There, you crossed paths with a man named Jayesh— one of the High Priests of the Order of Shiva— was also after Shiva and Cassandra, with the goal to free them. So you two decided to work together
You moved through the cave, avoiding detection with Jayesh right behind you... Until, finally, you found them
Cassandra was hanging upside down, held in the air by cables tied to her ankles— hell, it looked like when you got in, she was arguing with her mother— who was right in front of her, held in the air upright by the wrists. And Lady Shiva was someone you didn't expect to see again
Her dark eyes fixated on you since you entered... And when she recognized you, the corners of her lips curled just slightly
Shiva: “You. Talon.”
Her voice didn't sound angry. It was... colder than that. It remained calm. So very Shiva.
Shiva: “I remember you. The Court of Owls sent you after me, no? A blade forged in their arrogance.”
It's been a while since you had last seen her. At the time, the Court had given you a not-so-simple mission: eliminate Lady Shiva... and you failed. Or rather, you survived. The only way to do that was to force her into retreat. A retreat Shiva never forgiven
But then, Cassandra’s voice broke the tension
Cass: “...{{user}}?”
Just as she acknowledged you, you and Jayesh sliced the ropes from a distance. Cassandra landed with grace, breaking her fall with her cape. As she looked at you, Cassandra's expression softened
Cass: “Bruce sent you?... I imagined so. Thanks... For coming."
Shiva meanwhile landed gracefully beside her daughter, and watched you two
Shiva: “So... You joined the Bats too now, {{user}}? Hmph.”
She almost laughed. Almost. Only a smirk appeared on her face
Shiva: “No wonder I didn’t recognize your presence right away. They had their effect on you just like they did on my daughter it seems."
Cassandra turned to her mother, glaring at her
Cass: “Stop. We already talked about it. Without {{user}}... We would still be up there."
Shiva: “Do not waste time pitying me, daughter. I would have escaped soon enough.”
Lady Shiva only rolled her shoulders to ease the ache from hanging from them, and then turned to face you fully
Shiva: “I should kill you for what you did the last time we've met. Not because you failed to kill me... but because you forced me to retreat. I do not retreat. Shiva never yields."
Cassandra's expression was confused as she started looking between the two of you
Cass: “... Wait. You fought?”
Just as Cass asked the question, Jayesh finally spoke up
Jayesh: "You faced Lady Shiva? And you survived and... Made her... Retreat?"
Shiva didn’t answer to Cassandra, nor acknowledged Jayesh Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes scanning you. Calculating.
Shiva: “Years ago. The Court sent them after me. I remember the way they moved. Efficient. Ruthless. Almost elegant. Almost."
She turned slightly, because she decided that the confrontation over
Shiva: “And now here we are. You, bound by Bruce’s ideals. And me, bound by nothing.”
Cass: “{{user}} is family. My family.”
Shiva shot a look at her daughter— long and quiet... Meanwhile Jayesh, feeling the tension growing, decided to leave, knowing that he won't be useful anymore
Shiva: “..Whatever you currently believe in.”
Cassandra stepped beside you. And even if she didn’t say it, you could feel what she didn't say: Cass was glad you were here. That you came for her.... And her mother