Chapter 57: Gothams Evening Bells (Two)

Chapter 57: Gothams Evening Bells (Two)

In the midst of a pitch-black alley, the faint glint of armor intertwined with a deeper, denser mist.

In a moment, the gray mist condensed into a silhouette, halting at the end of the alley. The friction of armor ceased, and heavy footfalls, treading upon still-damp puddles, produced an ominous rhythm.

"The Mourning Bell?"

"That, indeed, is your Mourning Bell."

As soon as the words fell, a flash of a blade, and Schiller momentarily vanished, reappearing behind the silhouette.

"Who's your employer?"

"That's none of your concern."

"It seems you have great confidence in your craft."

Schiller once again dodged two dart-like projectiles and faced the Mourning Bell. He spoke, "You shouldn't kill me."

"I can kill anyone, as long as the price is right."

Schiller extended his hand, flames igniting within it.

"No matter who your employer is, the price they offered you is inadequate."

The Mourning Bell remained silent for less than a second before turning and leaving.

"Indeed, farewell."

"How will you deal with an employer who deceived you?"

"It depends."

"Kill him, and I'll pay you."

"You don't have that much money."

"Bill it to the world's richest person."

"Goodbye."

Schiller watched the armored figure as it disappeared into the depths of Gotham's streets. He thought to himself that his adversary had some skill to have hired the Mourning Bell to kill him.

Several consecutive blinks had drained Schiller's energy. In such a narrow alley, no vehicles could navigate, so he decided to make his way back slowly. When he returned to the Church, he'd call for a ride.

He turned into another alley, reaching the main street. Then, he glanced back and noticed some commotion at the far end of the street.

He tumbled from his chair, shaking uncontrollably, screaming loudly, and throwing everything within his reach at Batman. Tears, snot, and saliva streamed down his face.

Batman saw endless fear in his eyes.

Batman thought that Falcone hadn't lied; when he had killed Leif all those years ago, it had indeed terrified many, including Louis.

Schiller walked to the middle of the alley, glanced up, and noticed that only a room on the third floor had its lights on. Inside the room was a shadow with pointed ears.

He waited at the bottom of the building for a moment, and when Batman emerged, Schiller was somewhat surprised, but Batman's mind was currently sluggish.

Schiller assessed Batman and saw that he was unharmed, with no signs of recent combat.

Then his gaze fell upon the salt shaker in Batman's hand.

Schiller didn't know what it was, but it was evident that Batman, in his current complex state of mind, needed to talk. Without waiting for Schiller to ask, Batman recounted the entire story.

As they walked and talked, they passed by the Church's front gate, and the sky was already getting light. Batman held the salt shaker and said, "He doesn't remember any of this."

As Batman spoke, his tone was no longer filled with anger but with a profound sense of reflection.

"You mentioned he still remembers one person."

"Yeah, he remembers Falcone. Why does he remember Falcone but forget Wayne?"

Schiller sighed, looked into the distance, and said, "Because fear, fear is etched deepest in the human soul and is the most difficult scar to erase."

"He forgot everything, except fear," Batman said.

At this moment, it was the darkest time before dawn, and the intense darkness almost engulfed everything. All buildings were shrouded in shadows, and their outlines were indistinguishable.

Soon, what woke Batman from his thoughts was the heavy tolling of the Gotham Cathedral's bells. The deep, resonating chimes traveled far, and sound waves, like darkness, penetrated everywhere. Even in the darkest and gloomiest alleys, that vibration could be felt.

Batman thought, fear, fear.

If he couldn't achieve true vengeance against the era and the people who had taken his parents away from him, if the person he had striven to capture, the one he sought revenge against, had completely forgotten everything, then all his anger and hatred would be in vain.

But at least, he reminded Batman of one thing: sometimes, something more terrifying than death is an unshakeable fear.

If that's the case, Batman thought, he would become the Dark Knight who brought endless fear to all the criminals in Gotham.

Years ago, accompanying his parents' death, were the bats that cast shadows across the skyline. Many years later, he would ultimately bring the fear of the bat to all the criminals in this city.

Just like the Gotham evening bells that permeated every street and dark corner.