Chapter Text
A long time ago, when giants still ruled the world, Trigon the Great triumphed over the four kingdoms. When fairies, mermaids, nymphs, and succubi still roamed the great plains, that was when he was proclaimed king of all things. But it didn’t take long for light to prevail over the universe, and soon the Great One was defeated. Cast into other dimensions, he swore vengeance upon the seven keys of fate and vowed to return, and all would witness his fury.
Millennia later, the rise of a fifth kingdom, under the leadership of a military man and immortal, brought the Al Ghul dynasty to power, achieving what the ancient four never had. So swiftly and so completely did he rise that the four kings and queens—underestimating the then-lord Ra’s al Ghul—did not foresee their total loss to the fifth faction. The cunning and military strength of the lord was so overwhelming that the others had no choice but to surrender, legitimizing Lord Ra’s al Ghul of distant lands as the newest king of the oligarchy that ruled the vast continent.
Thus began the fifth reign, and centuries passed until the head of state finally married. Her name was Sora, a beautiful young woman with almond-shaped eyes and soft skin, who didn’t even last two decades at his side. She died giving birth to her fourth child, who also passed away just hours later—just like the three before. Ra’s mourned his wife for a century before remarrying, but as if fate opposed his queens, once again, his wife died tragically after delivering their fourth son, followed by the child.
It seemed the great King Al Ghul was incapable of producing heirs, threatening his lineage. The four kingdoms organized uprisings to incite the population's outrage. Ra’s responded fiercely, unleashing brutal suppression upon lords and commoners alike. During one of these bloody times, amidst screams and bloodshed, Ra’s met his third and final wife, Melisande—a sensual young woman with feline brown eyes and tawny skin. The mighty king fell madly in love with her charms, and a year later, they married, with life already growing in Melisande’s womb.
Once again, fate turned its wheel, and nine months later, Melisande died seconds after giving birth to her first and only child. To everyone’s surprise, it was a girl—something strange, as all Ra’s’ previous children had been boys. Talia al Ghul, as she would be known, was a strong and healthy baby and survived the crucial hours. The commoners, upon hearing the news that their lord's child had survived, calmed and waited to see what would come next.
And so it happened. While Melisande’s body was prepared for burial, Talia was lifted onto the palace balcony, wrapped in rich green and gold robes. The king declared her his heir, and the greatest celebration the nations had ever seen began. The girl grew to become a most distinguished woman, trained from a young age by her father's own hand in military strategy and combat. Her aptitude and dexterity equaled the great warrior’s, and in time she earned renown as a strategist. But it wasn’t just her skills that drew crowds—she was also beautiful. A striking woman, inheriting her mother’s sensuality and her father’s enigmatic emerald eyes, Talia had as many suitors as she had gowns.
One glorious evening, during a magnificent ball celebrating her father’s victory over the third kingdom, dressed in her house colors and eyes sparkling from sweet wine, she met Bruce of the Wayne lineage. He captivated her immediately. As he danced with Diana of Themyscira—Talia’s rival in beauty and grace—Talia, driven by jealousy, “accidentally” spilled juice on Diana’s lovely gown and asked Bruce for a dance. It was love at first sight. That simple dance between two heirs from powerful houses blossomed into nights of tender passion amid battles and secret rides.
But during one sultry night of love between the princess and the prince, their destinies were sealed. Shortly after they parted, during an intense training session, Talia vomited on her sparring partner and knew something was wrong. It didn’t take long for her to realize that the nausea and vomiting meant there was a life growing in her womb. Talia al Ghul had never been more afraid. First, because she knew who the father was; second, because her father would never tolerate a future queen getting pregnant out of wedlock.
She reached out to Bruce, but he was so terrified by the news and its consequences that he abandoned her, leaving her alone one moonlit night at their secret meeting place—one of the worst nights of her life. Talia was lost. She could have ended the pregnancy, but her love for Bruce Wayne—despite his cowardice—was so strong that she couldn't bring herself to drink the poison she held in her hand each time.
Talia made her decision and took on the burden of secrecy. But she grew slower in combat, which her father noticed, and she began layering her clothing to hide her growing belly and swelling breasts. Then one summer, on one of the hottest days Nanda Parbat had ever seen, while two women massaged her feet, one fanned her, and another fed her grapes, Ra’s al Ghul suddenly entered her room.
Because of the heat, Talia wore only a white split skirt and a tiny top that exposed her belly completely. The moment Ra’s saw the unmistakable bulge, he immediately understood. By the sixth second, his sword was drawn. Talia’s sleepy, tired eyes became instantly alert.
“Talia! What have you done, you ungrateful whore?” Ra’s roared with pure hatred, lunging so fast that only her military reflexes saved her belly from being slashed.
Her heart pounded, but she fought her father hand-to-hand. Yet in the end, he was stronger and quicker. Ra’s seized his daughter. Amid tears and blows, she begged for mercy, but he dragged her through the halls by the hair. In the throne room, he threw her before the royal seat.
“Are you insane?! Why didn’t you end this?! Do you have any idea what I sacrificed to keep this throne?!- His face was crimson with fury, his voice thundered. -I knew about your rendezvous with that fool from the Waynes. But I thought you were smarter—I thought I taught you better! This thing growing inside you could have been avoided! Do you understand me, you whore?! Huh?!”
Looking at their portrait hanging on the wall, Ra’s sighed, then turned sharply.
“You will kill that thing right now!”
The horror on Talia’s face was so profound it gave him pause. Despite her bruises, black eye, and bleeding nose, she stood, placing a protective hand over her belly. Then she knelt, lowering her head to the ground in supplication. This gesture shook Ra’s to his core—an Al Ghul never knelt. He briefly lost all color in his face before exploding with rage again. He grabbed her hair and struck her violently.
“Have you lost your mind, girl? What did I teach you? You are an Al Ghul, Talia! And you dared consort with the enemy!”He hit her repeatedly. The violence was enough to kill any woman, pregnant or not, but Talia endured. She was reckless, maybe, but she had inherited her father’s vital strength. When he drew a dagger from his boot and climbed on top of her, she screamed:
“Father!” Coughing blood, she cried out, placing her long fingers protectively over her belly. A memory of running through the palace in green clothes, wearing her father’s stolen crown, burst into her mind. She used to scream the same way as a child when he chased and caught her, laughing all the while.
That memory was so vivid it reflected on Ra’s’ face. Seizing the moment, Talia pleaded:
“For my life, Father. Let this child live!” Bloodied, she looked deeply into his eyes, waiting for his answer. She knew she stood at the edge of a precipice.
Once again, the wheel of fortune turned. Miraculously, Ra’s raised the dagger and sheathed it. He stepped off her with control, face as cold as stone, then left the room in heavy steps.
It took minutes before Talia realized what had happened. Propped on her elbows, she watched the door, afraid he might return. But nothing happened—until Sandra, also known as Shiva, her servant and closest confidante, entered. They said nothing, but the gentle touch on her elbow and the faintest concern in Shiva’s eyes told Talia all she needed.
The remaining months passed quietly. Her father did not speak to her and ordered her confined to her room during festivals and battles. She was excluded from war planning and from her role as second-in-command of the League of Shadows. Still, she lacked nothing. Ra’s might have still wanted her dead, but she was his heir—and he ensured her every request, through Lady Shiva, was met.
Then one stormy night, when the skies above Nanda Parbat raged with thunder and wind, Talia felt her first contraction. Water broke down her legs. The roaring thunder drowned her screams. Alone, she called for help, and soon two midwives and several attendants surrounded her bed. The pain of childbirth was immense but not worse than what she had already endured. At midnight, with a terrible clap of thunder and a violent gust that flung open every window and drenched the room, the candles went out—and the child was born, crying its first breath.
Wrapped in a white cloth, the baby was handed to her. With tears streaming down her face, Talia wiped the blood from her son’s face and studied his little features. She kissed his soft, wet head gently.
Then the doors burst open. Ra’s al Ghul entered with three guards of the League of Shadows. Another flash of lightning lit the room—and the dagger in Ra’s’ hand. Neither Talia nor Shiva could react. Soaked from the storm, dripping water, Ra’s had a look of pure resolve. The baby was ripped from Talia’s arms. The windows banged, the wind howled.
Ra’s opened the cloth. Talia screamed as two guards pinned her to the pillows. Shiva drew her sword, ready to strike. But the wheel of fate turned once more. A flash of lightning illuminated the child—and Ra’s saw that it was a boy. Silent now, the child stared into his grandfather’s eyes. A boy—after so many failed sons. His bloodline survived.
Ra’s fell to his knees and wept, holding the child solemnly. The thunder stopped, the wind stilled, and the servants hurried to shut the windows.
Silence fell. Shiva, Talia, and a dozen attendants stood frozen in shock—even the guards were stunned.
“What is his name?” asked Ra’s through tears, holding the bundle in one hand, letting the dagger fall to the floor.
“Damian. Damian of House Al Ghul, Father.”