Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Trial of the Mountain
The sun barely crested over the jagged peaks of the Himalayas as Alex stood at the base of the mountain, his breath visible in the freezing air. The League's stronghold was carved into the cliffs behind him, its shadow looming over the valley below. Before him, the path wound upwards—steep, treacherous, and littered with dangers both natural and man-made.
Ra's al Ghul stood at the edge of the stone platform, his emerald gaze sharp and unreadable. Beside him, Talia watched with arms crossed, her smirk barely concealed. Several other assassins stood in the background, silent observers to yet another trial.
"You must reach the peak within three days," Ra's declared. "You will have no food, no supplies. The cold will eat at your bones, the wind will strip your strength, and the mountain itself will test your will to survive."
Alex said nothing, merely adjusting the fabric of his cloak.
"There will be others on the mountain," Ra's continued, his tone growing sharper. "They will hunt you. They will test whether you are truly worthy to stand among us."
So that's how it is. Not just a survival test, but a hunt.
Talia leaned forward slightly. "Try not to disappoint, Kane."
Alex smirked. "Disappointment isn't in my nature."
Ra's gestured to the path. "Then go. Time is against you."
Without hesitation, Alex turned and began his ascent.
The First Ascent
The first few hours were simple enough. Alex kept a steady pace, navigating the icy terrain with ease. His breath remained controlled, his steps sure, his movements efficient. He had spent years in Smallville's winters, and while the Himalayas were far worse, his Beyonder physique kept his body functioning without issue.
But this was more than a physical challenge—it was a mind game.
Ra's wanted to see how he handled exhaustion, hunger, and pursuit. The League would be watching, waiting for signs of weakness.
So he gave them none.
The wind howled through the cliffs, carrying whispers of movement from behind. Alex didn't react outwardly, but he sharpened his senses. Someone was already following him.
He kept moving, never looking back.
Hours passed, and the sun dipped lower, casting the mountain in an eerie glow. Shadows stretched long across the snow, and the temperature dropped further.
That's when the first assassin struck.
The First Hunter
A blur of motion in the corner of his eye.
Alex ducked just as a dagger sliced through the air where his neck had been. His assailant—a masked figure clad in dark robes—moved with trained precision, already following up with a second strike.
Alex twisted, his movements fluid, letting the attack miss by mere inches. He countered with a sharp elbow to the assassin's ribs, but his opponent absorbed the impact, retreating a step.
No wasted movement. No hesitation. This wasn't some ordinary League recruit—this was a true assassin.
Alex exhaled slowly. "Ra's didn't waste time, did he?"
The assassin didn't respond. He lunged again, aiming for Alex's heart.
Alex sidestepped, sweeping his leg low. The assassin jumped over the attack, twisting mid-air to bring a dagger down toward Alex's shoulder.
A small part of Alex considered ending this quickly. A flicker of Beyonder power, a moment of supernatural speed, and it would be over.
But no. He had to play the part.
He twisted, letting the dagger graze his shoulder instead of piercing it. Pain flared, but he ignored it. Using the momentum, he grabbed the assassin's wrist and yanked him forward.
One precise strike to the throat.
The assassin's body stiffened. He gasped, dropping the dagger as his hands flew to his crushed windpipe. His legs buckled, and he collapsed into the snow, choking on breath that would never come.
Alex wiped the blood from his fingers.
One down. More to come.
The Long Night
As the sun set, the real challenge began.
The mountain grew colder, the winds sharper. The darkness brought unseen dangers—unstable ground, hidden crevices, and more assassins lurking in the shadows.
Alex moved carefully, relying on his instincts.
Hours passed, and hunger gnawed at him. He could go days without eating thanks to his Beyonder physiology, but he made sure to show subtle signs of fatigue—shaking fingers, slower movements. The League had eyes everywhere.
As he crested a ridge, he spotted a small cave nestled in the mountainside. A temporary refuge.
He stepped inside, scanning the space. It was shallow, barely deep enough to shield him from the wind. But it would do.
Lowering himself against the wall, he exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.
He didn't sleep. Not really.
He just waited.
And sure enough, they came.
The Second Attack
The moment they entered the cave, Alex moved.
He rolled forward as the first blade sliced downward, missing his skull by inches. The second assassin was already lunging, twin daggers aimed at his ribs.
Alex spun, catching the assassin's wrist mid-strike. With a sharp twist, he disarmed him, flipping the dagger in his own hand before slamming it into the assassin's throat.
The second attacker fell, blood staining the cave floor.
The third was smarter. He stayed at the entrance, sword drawn, eyes cautious.
"You're good," the assassin admitted. "Better than most."
Alex smirked. "That supposed to be a compliment?"
The assassin didn't respond. Instead, he lunged.
Alex met the attack head-on.
Blades clashed, steel singing against steel. The assassin was skilled, precise. But he wasn't used to fighting someone like Alex.
A feint. A step to the left. A flick of his wrist.
The assassin's sword went flying.
Before he could react, Alex grabbed him by the throat, slamming him against the cave wall. The assassin gasped, struggling, but Alex leaned in, voice low.
"Tell me," he murmured. "Did Ra's send you, or was this your own idea?"
The assassin's eyes widened.
Then, with his last breath, he smirked.
"Guess you'll never know."
He bit down—cyanide.
Alex stepped back as the body went limp.
Well. That answered that.
The Final Climb
By dawn, Alex was moving again.
The air was thinner. The wind sharper. His body ached—not from true exhaustion, but from maintaining the illusion of struggle.
The peak was close. He could see it now, the final stretch of jagged rock leading to the summit.
But he wasn't alone.
Ra's wouldn't let him finish so easily.
Sure enough, as he reached the final ascent, a figure stood waiting.
Talia.
Dressed in dark robes, her hair tied back, she watched him with an unreadable expression.
"Congratulations," she said. "You made it this far."
Alex wiped blood from his brow. "You sound surprised."
Talia stepped forward, drawing a slender blade.
"One last test," she said. "You against me."
Alex sighed. "Of course."
Without warning, she attacked.
Fast. Precise. Deadly.
But Alex wasn't just any opponent.
He dodged, weaving through her strikes, testing her movements. She was skilled—very skilled. But he wasn't fighting to win.
He was fighting to impress.
So he let her land a cut across his arm. A near-hit to his ribs. Just enough to make it seem like a real struggle.
Then, with one smooth motion, he caught her wrist, twisting her sword away.
Talia smirked.
"Not bad," she murmured.
Alex let go, stepping back.
"So, do I pass?"
Talia studied him for a long moment.
Then she smiled. "You do."
She turned, motioning toward the peak.
"Come on, Kane," she said. "Welcome to the League."
Alex exhaled, following her toward the summit.
The test was over.
But the real game was only beginning.
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Ok. I have completed the chapters upto chapter 20. So if you guys want more chapters give me those power stones. If we reach 70 power stones then you get another chapter