So… he really does have feelings for Talia after all.
Being a "good man" was truly a difficult thing.
Thea could only reply in Mandarin, "I understand. I'll look after her."
Neither of them clarified exactly who that her referred to.
For this second assault on Arkham, Thea carried fewer standard arrows and stocked up on her high-tech ones. After all, her last fight—against both Death Angel and Talia—had made one thing painfully clear: her archery skills were impressive against normal people, but against true powerhouses, her strength just wasn't enough.
Even the best aim in the world meant nothing if the arrows didn't have the force to land properly.
If she wanted to keep relying on archery in high-level battles, she needed more raw power.
She'd realized it already—she wasn't that different from future Oliver Queen, except maybe her arms were thinner.
Power… power is the foundation of all physical combat.
She sighed. Being an archer is tough business.
This time, she hadn't brought her hoverboard or that bulky anti-impact armor.
Dressed more like someone going on a casual hike—scarlet cloak, sword slung diagonally across her back, and infrared goggles perched on her face—she set out confidently.
But the moment she arrived outside Arkham's main gate, she regretted it.
She should've brought the hoverboard!
Because standing before her was a sight to make anyone's scalp tingle—
The front gate, which had been blown apart in the last battle, had been fully repaired. And now, row after row of figures stood silently before it, packed densely together.
At the forefront were several of Gotham's most infamous criminals.
And sitting casually on the top of the five-meter-high gate—legs crossed, hooded cloak fluttering—was Talia al Ghul. She wore her usual dark green trench coat, quiver on her back, longbow in hand.
How are they all bold enough to show themselves again? Thea thought. Aren't they afraid we'll just bomb the whole place?
Then it hit her.
Talia must've already learned that Batman was back. She knew her old lover wouldn't dare use missiles with him nearby. So she'd assembled her army out in the open—ready for a head-on confrontation.
Thea sighed inwardly. Should've brought that hoverboard just for the entrance.
Well, too late for that now. She lowered her voice and turned to Lyla.
"Get the helicopter ready. If things go south, we'll need a fast exit."
Honestly, the whole scene felt like two rival school gangs meeting on the playground after class.
Both sides neatly lined up—soldiers facing soldiers, leaders facing leaders. The sheer tension of it all was almost… surreal.
If the enemy dared to come out this boldly, they must have something up their sleeve.
She had to stay sharp.
When both sides had fully assembled, Talia stood up on the gate, planted one hand against the stone, and pushed off.
With an elegant motion, she flipped forward and landed lightly on the ground, walking slowly toward the front. Her piercing gaze locked onto Thea's side.
So she really was the one pulling the strings behind all this? Thea thought. Makes sense.
Talia had the brains and the manpower.
Even the Penguin, the Pigman, and the rest of Gotham's freaks stood silently behind her—proof enough that she was calling the shots.
For a brief moment, Thea considered nudging Commissioner Gordon forward again to play the "commanding leader" role—but before she could, Catwoman stepped out on her own.
Selina Kyle was fully armed today:
Tight black leather suit concealing three knives, a coiled whip in hand, and collapsible batons hanging at her waist.
Ever since Talia's reappearance, all of Selina's pent-up frustration had been simmering to the surface.
"So it was you behind everything!" she hissed. "You should know who I am. Let's settle this—woman to woman!"
Thea was more than happy to let them duel it out.
Their skill levels were roughly even. Talia's fighting style was disciplined, methodical, and precise—while Catwoman's fluctuated wildly between brilliant and reckless.
But an enraged Selina could be dangerous. Who knew? Maybe she'd even pull off a miracle.
Inwardly, Thea had to admit that Batman's foresight was terrifying.
His earlier words echoed in her mind as she watched the two women square off.
All I have to do is keep them alive, she thought, sighing as she notched an arrow, ready to support whoever started losing.
But then something completely unexpected happened.
Talia raised a finger toward Selina, who had just stepped forward.
"You and I," she said calmly, "have personal matters to settle."
Then she pointed at Thea.
"But she and I—have business."
Selina froze.
For a long moment, her emotions tangled in knots. She'd seen Bruce pull Thea aside earlier, whispering in that strange foreign language.
She hadn't understood the words—but after so many years together, she didn't need to.
She knew his heart.
He still had feelings for Talia.
So where did that leave her?
Talia had a shared past with him. A child, even. Maybe they were simply… more compatible.
When Selina had challenged Talia, it was meant as a final gamble—win or lose, at least it would be over.
But now, hearing that Talia wouldn't even fight her, using "business" as an excuse…
Something inside her cracked. The fire in her chest died down.
Fine, she thought bitterly. If you've got business, go handle it.
Thea, meanwhile, was completely bewildered.
What the hell just happened?
Wasn't this supposed to be a showdown between the two women? She'd even gotten her arrow ready!
And now Catwoman just… walked back?
Thea rubbed at her temples. What is even going on?
Before she could collect her thoughts, Talia spoke again—words that hit Thea like a thunderbolt.
"Sister," Talia said, eyes locked onto her, "come out. This battle is between us."
She tossed back her hood, revealing a cascade of dark brown hair.
…Wait, what?
Who was she talking to?
Thea glanced left and right. Nissa al Ghul? Was she here?
But no—within seconds, she realized everyone on both sides was staring at her.
You mean… me?!
You're calling me your sister?
The hell I am!
Her mind raced. Don't tell me I'm secretly Ra's al Ghul's daughter or something?!
Her mother couldn't possibly have had connections with the League of Assassins… right?
Well—statistically speaking, according to social network theory, it only takes six degrees of separation to connect any two people on Earth…
But even that was too far-fetched!
Thea shook her head violently, chasing off the absurd thought.
Talia had clearly mistaken her for someone else.
She glanced down at her own outfit—similar age, similar dark hair, red-accented combat suit… and, yeah, the fighting style of the League.
Okay, she admitted to herself. I kinda get the confusion.
After all, both Ra's and his beloved son-in-law Batman shared one unfortunate flaw—neither paid much attention to women.
In the League, there was basically only one woman they ever cared about: Talia.
Even Sara Lance had only managed to join thanks to Nissa's influence.
Thinking of Nissa, Thea blurted out instinctively, "I'm not Nissa."
And the moment she said it, she regretted it.
How the hell would anyone here even know that name?!
Sure enough, Talia's lips curved in a faint smile.
"So Father didn't come with you, then? This must be your trial mission. Sent to capture me, the traitor? Hmph. He's as heartless as ever."
Thea felt like screaming.
Goddammit, Talia, you're too smart for your own good!
She had no idea how to even argue with that.
The timing did match—Nissa really was supposed to be on her "trial journey" around now.
But in this timeline, she was supposed to be on Lian Yu—not in Gotham!
Thea's face twitched. Big sister, you've got the wrong girl!