Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow or anything else you may recognize. All characters belong to their creators.

Alright, well here is another take on Olyssa from me. I know I'm currently working on three stories, which I will update again soon, but, I have writers block at the moment and need to get some ideas out of my head. I was reading a story involving Oliver remaining as Ra's instead of handing it to Malcolm. Unfortunately, I can't find the story and see if it was updated, so, I'll do a story based on what I think would happen after the Fallen.

-The Fallen-

[Thea's Apartment]

Oliver walks into the apartment looking for his sister, he sees her laying on the ground bleeding and barely alive, "Thea? Thea?! Oh, my God, Thea! Hey!"

She groans and gasps, "I... c- coul- couldn't... stah… stop him."

Oliver goes to the phone that Thea, had tried to reach and dials, "I need an ambulance to 455 Merced, Unit 10. Please hurry." He goes back to Thea and applies pressure to the wound, "All right, you're going to be ok. You're going to be ok. No, Thea, stay awake! Come on! Up!" He carries her bridal style and rushes out of the apartment.

[Hospital]

Thea's is being rushed in Oliver at her side, "Hang on, we're almost there." He tries to remain calm.

"How long was she like this?" The ER doctor asks as they rush her into surgery.

"Uh, 20 minutes, 40, I don't know, I just found her." He says with a panicked voice.

"You need to stay here." She tells him as the nurses and techs rush Thea into the room.

"I'm not going to leave her!" He replies trying to get in, "You need to let us work." She says leaving him on the other side of the doors as she enters and begins ordering the staff.

"Get me a set of vitals. Lift." Thea shows no sign of life, "Charge up to 200 joules."

"Charging. Clear." Oliver watches, his sister's flatline showing no pulse.

"No response. Draw up one milligram EPI, charge to 200."

"Charging. Ready. Clear."

The monitor beeps but flatlines, "Start CPR. Come on. Come on, stay with us." The doctor says as she works on getting a pulse, just then the monitor beeps and shows a pulse. Standing outside Oliver stumbles back onto the wall, he had almost lost his sister.

[Hospital Room]

Oliver is waiting outside of Thea's room when the doctor walks out, "We did the best we could under the circumstances, but her injuries were extensive. Even if she were to regain consciousness, we can prolong her life for as long as you wish. But... it might be best to consider other options." She hands him a file but he doesn't take it, he's calm but his face show how devastating the news is to him, "I am truly sorry, Mr. Queen."

"May I see her?" he asks finally finding his voice and the doctor steps aside and opens the door for him.

Oliver walks in and upon seeing his sister, he breaks down, his face a mixture of rage and sadness. "I'm sorry." He whispers as he looks down at his sister.

"Oliver..." comes the voice of Malcolm who sneaks into the room, his eyes begin to water as he sees Oliver's expression, "Thea." He whispers as he falls to his knees at her side.

[Outside the room]

Oliver sits there broken as Felicity and Diggle come into the hall and rush to him, "Oh, my God. Oliver!"

"Oliver, we came as soon as we could. What happened? Oliver." Diggle tries to get his attention but he just stares off into space, "They just left her there. To die."

"Oliver, is is she?" Felicity tries to ask but Oliver cuts her off, "It's bad."

Oliver looks away from them and sees smoke outside on a neighboring building, "What is it?" Diggle asks as Oliver moves to the window and puts on his jacket.

"Smoke." Is all he says in reply.

"The League? Screw 'em. At least until we get our bearings, Oliver. Come up with a plan." Diggle tries to be his voice of reason but Oliver is blinded, "He's won. There is no plan. Stay here with Thea." He says as he leaves his two partners in the hall.

[Roof]

"Did you do this?" Oliver asks as he rushes Maseo and punches him into the ground blinded by his rage, "Did you do this?!"

"You could still save her, Oliver." He tells him and Oliver looks at his once friend in confusion, "I don't understand."

"Take your rightful place as heir to the Demon... And Ra's al Ghul will bring your sister back."

[Apartment]

Oliver is packing up some of Thea's clothes and getting his things ready when Diggle, Felicity and Malcolm come into the apartment, "Oliver, what's going on?" Felicity asks him concerned.

"Oliver, where are you going?" Diggle asks but Oliver simply closes the bags, "Away."

"You can't just leave like this. You have to tell us what's happening." Felicity tells him.

"There's a way for me to save her."

"Thea? Come on, Oliver, that's not possible." Felicity begins but Malcolm speaks, "Yes, it is. There are waters in Nanda Parbat. They've permitted Ra's to live for over a hundred years. And in rare instances, told in legend, those waters have been used to restore the dead to life." He looks at Oliver, "He offered to use the Lazarus pit on Thea, didn't he?"

"Lazarus, as in from the bible, Lazarus?" Diggle asks him trying to wrap his mind at the possibility of such a thing.

"The pit's real. I've seen it. It can save Thea." Oliver tells him.

"Right. But only if you become the new Ra's." Diggle reminds him and Oliver nods.

"Ok. Well, even if a magic hot tub were not crazy talk, we're not going to let you go and join the League of psychotic murderers, even if it is to save Thea." Felicity tries to reach him.

"Which this wouldn't. The waters change a person. In the soul. Even if they work, the Thea you get back will not be the one you lost." Malcolm tells him but it makes Oliver reply with rage in his voice, "The one we lost because of you!"

"Oliver..." Felicity tries again.

"I'd prefer that we didn't do our usual 'please don't go' dance." Oliver tells her and she looks at him conviction in her eyes, "We're not going to. Because I'm coming with you. Assuming that this works, someone's going to need to bring Thea back home."

"We need a way to get to Nanda Parbat." Oliver sighs.

[Palmer Tech]

"Sorry to interrupt." Felicity says as she enters Ray's office.

"Everything all, right? Cause you got that crease between your eyebrows that tells me things most definitely are not."

"Something awful has happened. And I I need a favor. A really big favor."

"Last time you asked me for a big favor, I had to loan you my helicopter." Ray reminds her.

"Don't need your helicopter. I need your jet. Well, Oliver does, but both of us. It's not what you think." She rambles.

"Well, if you're going to fly away with him, then... it's exactly what I think." Ray responds sadness evident in his voice.

"Ray..."

"Last night was a bit of an eye opener. Insofar as realizing something I should have realized a long time ago... Can be considered eye-opening. Last night, when you were saying good bye to Roy, you and Oliver..." Both sigh, "You still have feelings for him. When I... told you that I loved you at the hospital, you responded with Jell-O and seeing you two together last night, I realized... You don't love me because you're in love with him."

"I'm sorry." She begins to shed tears, "You're the last person I ever meant to hurt."

"Take the jet. I hope the something awful stops being awful." He says and Felicity walks away from the office.

[Hanger]

"What did Felicity say to Dr. Vaca?" Malcolm asks Oliver as Thea is being moved by EMT's and Diggle next to her followed by Felicity.

"She thinks Thea's being moved to Central City." Oliver replies.

"You know, they do amazing things at S.T.A.R. Labs. We might think about paying them a visit before putting Thea on a long flight to Nanda Parbat." Malcolm responds.

"S.T.A.R. Labs can't save her. Only the Lazarus pit can."

"Oliver! Look, I know what I have done doesn't seem like the actions of a loving father, but I do love her. She's the only child I have left. Having said that, I would rather lose her forever than than subject her to the pit."

"Get on the plane, Malcolm." Oliver orders and Malcom does so leaving Oliver alone with Felicity, he looks at her, smiles gently, "I'm sorry." Felicity feels a dart hit her in the neck, realizing what was happening she tried to speak but fell into his arms. He carries her to a car and puts her inside, Ray opens the driver door and looks at him, "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm no longer fighting to be someone I can never become. She deserves a better life; one I could never provide and can never have. Take her to her place. Tell her I'm sorry when she wakes up but I need to do this."

Ray looks at him but nods. He watches the plane take off and then gets in the car and drives away.

[On the Jet]

"You look chilly. Man" Diggle says sitting in front of Oliver who had been looking out the window.

"Yeah." Is all he says just staring out the window, he sighs, "I know that I've only told you a little about the five years that I was away."

"Well, if by 'little,' you mean hardly anything." Diggle replies.

"I came back to Starling City before they found me on the island."

"When you found the message from your father?"

"It was complicated, but yeah. I saw Thea. She didn't see me. She had a drug problem. So, I... confronted her dealer. And I broke his neck. And I did it because I was angry, sure. But I also did it because I felt like I was protecting her. All I've ever wanted to do was protect her."

He sighed before continuing, "Malcolm told me. He warned me what Ra's might do. But I never thought... I failed." He told his friend and they just sat in silence the rest of the way.

[Nanda Parbat]

The group, led by Oliver with Thea in his arms, makes its way to Nanda Parbat, there standing at full force is Ra's and his followers, "What is that?" Diggle asks looking at the scene in front of him.

Oliver sighs, "It's the League."

"Welcome home, Al Sah-him." Ra's says as the league members all stood to the side to create a walkway, kneeling as Al Sah-him approached.

Inside the room with the Lazarus pit, two league members walk up to Oliver to take Thea, he hesitates and its then that Sarab walks up to him, "I must prepare for the ritual. I will treat her as my own family." Oliver looks at him and hands Thea over to him. He watches him leave with his sister.

[Diggle's Chamber]

"I hope you find the accommodations acceptable. Such luxury is a small glimpse of the life that awaits Oliver." Sarab tells Diggle showing him his room.

"You trying to reassure me or yourself?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You're Oliver's friend. Maseo, right?"

"I am Sarab."

"Call yourself whatever you want. If you gave a damn about Oliver, you wouldn't be working for the man who practically killed his sister."

"Oliver will be spared grief in a manner that was denied to me, and he'll receive an honor greater than you can imagine."

Diggle scoffs, "League of Assassins. You're feared for your bravery and power. Well, all I see are a bunch of weak men running from their lives, trying to escape. That's not power, Maseo. Or brave. That's cowardly."

"Do not presume to know me until you've held your dying child in your arms. Until you've told him everything would be ok so that the last words he ever hears are a lie. You know nothing."

"I'm sorry. What was your child's name?"

"Akio."

"You think Akio would be proud of his father right now?"

[Ritual]

The priestess is chanting followed by the members present, Thea is on a makeshift stretcher, being lowered into the pit by Diggle, Oliver, Malcolm and Sarab. The chanting continues until Thea is submerged in the pit, everything went quiet and then suddenly the ropes went into the pit, seconds pass and Thea comes out like a raging beast.

Oliver tries to reach her, "Thea! Thea!" but she is fighting against them until two members hold her and the priestess sedates her.

"I've fulfilled my end of our arrangement. I suggest you begin to make peace with yours." Ra's says and walks off.

[Thea's Room]

She wakes up gasping for air, "Hey. Hey. It's ok. You're ok." Oliver tries to calm her.

"I don't know you." Thea replies.

"Thea, it's it's me. It's Ollie."

"Ollie's dead." Oliver steps back as Malcolm kneels next to her, "Dad?"

"I'm here, Thea. It it's me."

"What's going on? Where am I?"

"Some place safe. You are safe."

"Where's mom?"

"Your mother's not here. Look just lie back, close your eyes and get some rest, ok?"

Thea listens and lies back down, "I love you, Dad."

Malcolm walks over to Oliver, "Ra's told me that the confusion would pass." He tells Malcolm.

"You have no idea what you've done."

"What I've done? She's alive, Malcolm. What I did saved her life."

"She thinks Moira's still alive."

"She'll be fine."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do. Because you, and Diggle are going to take her home and she will recover."

[Outside Nanda Parbat]

Oliver is saying his goodbyes, "Malcolm is going to take you home."

"I don't understand, aren't you coming with?" Thea says still dazed and confused.

"Not now. You go on, I'll catch up." He hugs her tightly, "I love you, Thea. Don't ever forget that, ok?" Malcolm takes her away.

Diggle looks at his friend, "Oliver... Oliver, I don't know what to say."

"I do. John, you're the best man I've ever known. And whatever happens, you're my brother." The two men hug briefly before Diggle moves off after Malcolm and Thea.

Oliver looks at them leave before turning around and walking back inside, in his mind he is coming to terms with his new mask, 'I am Al Sah-him. Wareeth Al Ghul. Heir to the Demon.'

[Thea's Apartment]

Thea wakes up startled, and on her couch, "What's what's going on?"

"Everything's fine, Thea, you're you're ok." Malcolm reassures her.

"If you're here, then I'm not." She shot back at him; her confusion seems to have gone.

"At least you're feeling a little more like yourself again." Malcolm says a bit relieved.

Thea groans and notices that Oliver isn't there, "What do you want? Where's Ollie?"

"Thea, do you remember anything about the past few days?"

"I... I was here. And and Ra's, he he attacked me." She says remembering flashes of that night but not everything.

"No, Thea. He nearly killed you." Malcolm corrects her.

Thea begins to worry, "Where is my brother?"

"That is that is what I'm trying to explain. To save you, Oliver had to join the League. He he traded his life for yours."

"No. No." She puts her head in her hands as tears fall from her eyes.

Malcom sighs, "I am sorry. I know you hate me, and you have every right, but I am going to make up for that, for everything."

"That is not possible!"

"Yes, it is! The League isn't after us anymore; I am free! I could go anywhere in the world, but... this is where I want to be. Here. With my daughter. You took care of me when I was injured. Now, please, Thea, please. Let me take care of you."

[Laurel's Office]

Felicity knocks on her door, "Sorry to interrupt."

"Is everything all, right?" Laurel asks her as she turns around to face her.

"No. It's not." Felicity replies, and at seeing her expression Laurel gets up and walks towards her, "Felicity..."

Felicity let's tears fall from her eyes, "Oliver's... He's gone."

Laurel looks at her worried herself that something happened to Oliver, "What are you talking about?"

"He joined the League. He's not coming back." She tells her finally breaking down, he had made the choice to leave her behind, and she had been angry with him, with ray but now that Diggle, Malcom and Thea returned without him, she was torn.

"Shh." Laurel tries to console her, as Felicity lets it all out.

[Nanda Parbat]

Oliver and Sarab stand in front of Ra's, "Your service will be vital in the coming weeks. Oliver will need you for his transformation." Ra's informs Sarab who nods in understanding.

In the room where Malcolm was being tortured weeks ago, Oliver takes hold of two ropes and twists them around his hands before gripping them tightly, Ra's walks up to him, "And like Sarab... vestiges of your old identity still remain. Oliver Queen must be extinguished from memory. The word "assassin" has fallen victim to many abuses of language. Its real meaning hidden beneath the sediment of lies and falsehoods."

Ra's walks around Oliver until he stands behind Oliver, "In truth, "assassin" comes from hashishiyya, which means, 'those who stand apart from society.' Now, every man and woman in here have renounced their past life and forfeited their identity in the name of something new. And it is a cleansing only achieved by fire."

The priestess hands Ra's a branding iron with the Leagues symbol on burning hot red, "Embrace the pain, for it is your soul finally being unburdened." Ra's says as he put the iron on Oliver's upper right shoulder.

League members hand Oliver his new outfit and he puts them on followed by his new gear, he stands in front of Ra's head bowed, "Oliver Queen is dead. Eventually to be reborn as Ra's al Ghul. But for now, only the Arrow, Al Sah-him, shall remain. Al Sah-him. Heir to the Demon." Al Sah-him raises his head, his eyes no longer showing the Oliver he had become with Diggle and Felicity but the Oliver the island made and forged.

-Al Sah-Him-

My name was Oliver Queen. For three years, I worked to save my city. But to save my sister, I had to become someone else. I had to become something else.

"Oliver Queen is dead, and for now, only the Arrow, Al Sah-him, shall remain. Heir to the Demon."

Ra's and Al Sah-him are sparring at night in an open area, their blades sparking every time they hit. 'Oliver Queen is alive only in the past. He is forgotten'. Al Sah-him continues to spar as he remembers his transformation and the words spoken by Ra's. 'Oliver Queen is alive only in the past. He is forgotten'. The sparring continues with Al Sah-him on the defensive for a while, 'You are Al Sah-him'. Finally, Ra's takes him down, he helps him up and Al Sah-him takes off his hood and mask.

"You have made great progress in three weeks. Al Sah-him. You no longer flinch upon hearing your new name."

"Oliver Queen is alive only in the past. He's forgotten." Al Sah-him replies.

"Indeed. You are Al Sah-him. You are Wareeth al Ghul. Heir to the demon." Ra's replies.

"My lord. I apologize for this interruption. We captured this intruder." Sarab speaks as he and two other league members push a prisoner onto his knees.

"Why, then, is he still yet alive?" Ra's asks Sarab.

"He is known to Al Sah-him." Sarab replies as he removes the bag covering the prisoners head.

"Oliver, what is going on?" Diggle asks confused.

"Clearly he made another attempt to free Al Sah-him." Sarab says as Al Sah-him looks at the man in front of him.

"Well, then it falls on Al Sah-him to deal with him." Ra's says.

"Oliver, they're lying to you. I never made it home. They've had me here prisoner for weeks." Diggle tries to tell him.

"My oath of mercy on your friends was premised by your fealty. Prove it." Ra's says handing Al Sah-him his blade.

"No, Oliver. Listen to me they're lying to you. We could still get out of here; you and me working together. There's still a chance." Diggle pleads with him.

"Remove his chains. Give him your sword, Sarab. I will not kill an unarmed man." Al Sah-him replies.

"That's the way this is? You've been here for a few weeks and you forget who you are. Do you remember when you brought me into your crusade, I told you that I would be here to help remind you who Oliver was, if you ever became something else. I haven't given up on that promise." Diggle reminds him but Al Sah-him just looks at him.

"Fight." He says as he begins to strike, Diggle is able to fend him for three strikes before Al Sah-him puts him on the ground disarmed. Diggle looks at him from the floor his eyes pleading with him but Al Sah-him doesn't flinch as he puts the sword through his heart.

"The past three weeks, you've been exposed to a rare herb centuries old. It causes one's conscience to come to the forefront of their mind so it is the only thing that they see. The herb's effect is different for everyone. Some people see family and loved ones. Others encounter trusted friends or teachers. Who did you see?" Ra's asks him as Diggle's face changes into a stranger.

"Someone from my past, my conscious." Al Sah-him admits.

"Very well." Ra's nods as he turns, "There is something else I wish you to see. Come."

"Where?" Al Sah-him asks as he follows.

"The past. A place now home only for the dead."

[Ruins]

"I have not been back to this place since I pledged myself to the League." Ra's tells him.

"What happened here?"

"When I joined the League, I was conscripted with another man. Damien Darhk. We would become the prized agents of Ra's al Ghul. We were his horsemen. And he molded us into warriors the likes the world had never seen. We were as brothers."

"What happened to him?"

"He believed himself worthy of becoming heir to the Demon, but I was the one chosen."

"So, you had to kill him."

"Yes. But you see, I hesitated. And with that hesitation, he found an opportunity to escape, taking with him his loyalists and water from the Lazarus pit. And he has vexed me ever since. And you."

"I don't follow." Al Sah-him looks at him.

"Damien continues the League's ways, but through his own organization filled with a hive of agents devoted to his own agenda. Last year, he tried to purchase Malcolm Merlyn's earthquake generator. He gave Gholem Qadir safe haven to Markovia. And he hired Mark Shaw to steal a secret file from A.R.G.U.S."

"This was all the work of one man?"

"The list goes on. Many lives have been lost, others endangered. And all because I was slow to swing a vengeful sword. And I will not have my heir haunted by the same mistake."

"What is it you wish me to do?"

"There is a rival who claims to be heir to the Demon. And you must eliminate this threat from your reign. And you must do so without mercy." Ra's instructs him and Al Sah-him nods his head in understanding.

[Diner in Starling]

"I never understood your country's need to fry everything." Nyssa tells Laurel as they sit down.

"That's because everything tastes better that way." Laurel smiles at her.

"This is more oil than potato."

"Dip it in your milkshake."

"I sense you're mocking me. I'm serious. Here. Dip it in your milkshake." Laurel shows her and Nyssa follows eating it.

"I have to admit... It's fun seeing you like this." Laurel says seeing Nyssa's eyes filled with wonder.

"Like what?"

"Like a normal person."

"I am a normal person." They laugh.

"I can't believe you just said that."

"You have a point. For me, normal is a world where only the strong survive. One without simple pleasures. Thank you, Laurel. I was alone and adrift, and you have shown me kindness."

"I'm only returning the favor. Isn't that what you did for Sara?"

"There's little comparison between my current situation and Sara's after her time with Oliver on Lian Yu." Nyssa says but she notices something is bothering Laurel, "What's wrong?"

"It's about Oliver. There's something that I haven't told you. He's in Nanda Parbat."

"I don't understand." Nyssa looks at her.

"He's accepted your father's offer to become the next Ra's."

"You should have not kept that from me." Nyssa replies fear evident in her voice.

"I'm sorry, it's just it's just that you seemed so happy, and after what happened with your father, I..." Nyssa walks away in a hurry.

[Nyssa's Safe House]

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Oliver earlier. That was your right to know. I just things were going so well for you. You seemed happy, and I didn't want to upset you, but I still shouldn't have kept it from you." Laurels says as Nyssa is sharpening her sword.

"Were, I so inclined, I'd question why your first instinct is to always keep matters secret. Even after doing so cost you a relationship with your father. But I have much greater concerns." Nyssa says again fear in her voice.

"What's going on?"

"You should go." Nyssa says giving her a small smile.

"No. I'm not leaving. Friends don't do that to one another."

"Now that Oliver has ascended to his position as heir to the Demon, he will come for me, with as many men as it takes to see me dead." Nyssa explains to Laurel.

[Rooftop]

Two zip lines are shot out and League members begin to descend, "Tonight, Nyssa al Ghul faces justice for her betrayal." Al Sah-him says as Sarab moves up next to him.

[Palmer Tech]

Nyssa and Laurel have explained the circumstances to Diggle and Felicity. "Wait a second! Oliver wouldn't. I don't see how."

"I think what she's trying to say is that Oliver would never do anything to hurt you, Felicity. And the only reason why he joined the League is to protect the people he loves." Diggle says.

"Now what you need to understand is that Oliver Queen is dead. He's a memory." Nyssa tells them.

"Apparently, the League has some of their recruits undergo a process of reprogramming." Laurel says.

"Like brainwashing? Oliver never said that he was signing on for brainwashing." Felicity asks concerned that the man she still loved might actually be gone.

"The League's ways are shrouded in ritual and ceremony. Oliver would not even know what's happening to him." Nyssa explains but Felicity won't accept it.

"I don't care! Oliver, he is stronger than that!"

"I did not come here to debate. Laurel insisted that I bring this news to you myself, but I can see all I'm doing is damaging your memory of him. Perhaps it is better for you to not think of what Oliver has become. You can have that luxury." Nyssa says as she makes to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?" Laurel asks her.

"To face him, and if necessary, my destiny. I will not cower in the shadows waiting for death." Nyssa says determined but frightened all the same.

[Van]

"Anything?" Diggle asks.

"Nyssa hasn't stopped moving. But I'm still getting a strong signal off the tracker." Felicity replies.

"Copy that. Radio check every five minutes." He says before looking up and seeing the look on Laurel, "What?"

"If anything happens with Nyssa, let me handle it on my own."

"Laurel, we're talking about the League of Assassins!"

"I know that, I just Oliver. You were closer to him than any two people I've ever known. You should not have to "

"What, fight him? Kill him? Laurel, it's not going to come to that. Look, I'm with Felicity. There's nothing that Ra's al Ghul can do that can turn Oliver against the people he loves."

[Palmer Tech]

"Nice secret headquarter upgrade. Does Mr. Palmer know you guys are in here?" Thea asks walking in on Felicity.

"Yes. He's out of town. And how did you get in here?"

"My dad's a super villain and you left your doors unlocked."

"Right. I have been distracted."

"Because you and Mr. Diggle are trying to save the city by yourselves? Look, I've been thinking. Um, maybe, rather than me sitting at home, alone, miserable, maybe I could... be out there helping you guys. You seem like you're shorthanded one, and vigilante skills run in my blood."

"Thea, this might actually be the worst week ever for this conversation."

"What's going on?"

"I I can't."

"Felicity, I cannot be handled right now." Thea asks trying to get answers.

"It's possible and I stress possible that Oliver is back in town with the League."

"I don't understand. Why would Ollie come back here?"

"They're after Nyssa."

"Ollie would never "

"Nyssa thinks he's under some sort of League mind voodoo. But it's going to be fine. We're handling it."

"You are a terrible liar."

"That is true."

"Do you know where he is? I mean, maybe I could just talk to him."

"Thea, I don't know what doctor's orders are for when someone gets brought back from the dead, but I am pretty sure getting into a fight with the League of Assassins goes against them."

"I can get through to him."

"Please, Thea. Oliver wouldn't want you involved. He did what he did so that you would stay out of harm's way."

"Yeah, well. It sounds like Ollie's not here anymore."

[Rooftop]

Nyssa is standing looking out at the city, "This is where my beloved spirit departed this world. Do you even remember Sara? Or has my father already obliterated her from your memory?"

Al Sah-him stands there hood up but no mask, "I'm here to bring you back to Nanda Parbat."

"To face justice? If so, for what crime? To face vengeance? If so, for what offense?" She asks him turning around.

"You told me... Vengeance is justice."

"And you bested me in battle. That won't happen again." She nocks and fires her bow in rapid succession but Al Sah-him is faster than her aim, they arrive at a clearing and he is the one to nock next and fire Nyssa is able to block two arrows easily but the third one almost hit her heart.

Al Sah-him runs at her and they begin exchanging blows, Al Sah-him throws a smoke bomb down and blinds her, using the time to attack with such force that she is knocked backwards. He follows her down his sword at her throat.

"Do it! If I would die, I would have it on the same ground as Sara." She looks at him defiantly but he remains calm. Just then the canary cry makes him cover his ears, once it's gone he whispers something so that only Nyssa hears, stunning her.

"Oh, my God." Felicity says as she watches Oliver stand up to face the new threat, he simply looks at them with no change in emotion.

"We can't let you hurt her, man." Diggle says pointing his gun at his brother. He just looks at them and after a few seconds he turns around walks to the ledge, giving Nyssa a final glance, before stepping off.

[Nyssa's Safe House]

"You should not have interfered."

"Look, I am sorry, but I have lost a sister, a father, Oliver there is no way that I was about to lose you, too."

"You don't understand. You already have. I was marked for death the moment Oliver accepted my father's offer." She says, but his words still roam in her mind. He wasn't serious, was he? It was a suicidal task. She sighs, "Laurel, these past few weeks, they've enlightened me. To live a life outside of my father's rule; to be someone else, even for just a little while, well, brought me great happiness. But I am daughter of the Demon. Happiness is not something that was ever meant for me."

"I've known Oliver my entire life. We've been friends since childhood. But tonight, I did not recognize him." Laurel tells Nyssa, fear in her voice as well.

"I told you... He has been changed." If he was serious, there was no one that truly knew him at all.

"Well, if he can change, then, why can't you?" Laurel asks her.

[League Safe House]

"There was doubt you would return. But not from me. What happened?" Sarab asks as he turns away from the rest of the members.

"Nyssa had friends."

"I warned you not to face her alone. These friends of Nyssa's were they friends of yours?"

"They'll be protecting her now. We need to draw her out." He tells him and Sarab nods.

[Nyssa's Safe House]

"Laurel!" Diggle screams as he and Felicity walk in.

"What happened?" Laurel asks.

"Oliver and his new friends took Lyla." Felicity says out loud.

"What?! Where's Sara, is she ok?" Laurel asks as Diggle makes his way to Nyssa.

"Yeah, she's with John's neighbor." Felicity answers her.

"What's wrong with you?!" Diggle screams as he corners Nyssa onto a wall.

"Hey, it is not Nyssa's fault!"

"No, just her people. You call yourself warriors. You claim to have honor. Well, if you knew the meaning of the word, you would know there are some lines you do not cross!"

"Ok, John, back off."

"You back off!"

"I am truly sorry. I never meant for any harm to come to you or your family." Nyssa tells him.

"Yeah, Nyssa? Then prove it. Hand yourself over to the League."

"What?! We're just going to negotiate with him now? Are we just going to give in? Turn over an innocent person?"

"She's not innocent! She's the daughter of the Demon. She's killed hundreds of people."

"Enough! The only thing that matters is getting Lyla back." Felicity jumps in between Diggle and Laurel.

"I don't care how we do it." Diggle says.

"Yes, you do. Trading one person's life for another we're supposed to be better than that." Laurel reminds him as Diggle starts to calm down.

"It's all right. Of course, you should exchange me for your beloved. I won't see an innocent life taken for mine." Nyssa tells them.

"What? No. I'm not going to let you commit suicide. Don't you remember what you said? These past few weeks have been some of the best of your life."

"I remember. And I remember telling you that happiness is something denied to me. Where's the exchange take place?"

"No. There has to be another way. Another way to save Lyla without turning Nyssa over to the League. And if there isn't, even if you get Lyla back safe and sound, Oliver won't be the only one who lost his soul."

[Exchange]

"They're here." Sarab informs him and Al Sah-him turns around, "Search them."

"Where's my wife? Where's my wife?!" Al Sah-him motions for the members who bring her out, "You son of a bitch. Whatever Ra's did to you..."

"Don't you dare touch me." Felicity says as Sarab moved to search her, he looks over to Al Sah-him who nods, "Oliver, this isn't you. Look at me. I know you're still in there somewhere." He looks at her but his expression doesn't change.

"Bind her." He tells two of the members who move to Nyssa, she's bound and brought forth to him.

He looks at Lyla, "You're free to go."

"Johnny!"

"It's ok, I'm here."

"I thought they were going for Sara."

"Everything's fine, Sara's fine. I told Felicity this is just like Jakarta." Lyla understands and moves over to hug Felicity.

"Kneel before the true heir to the Demon." Sarab tells Nyssa but she stands defiantly, "I kneel before no one." At that moment, Lyla turns around and fires at the League, a brawl between the league and them breaks out until the Al Sah-him, Sarab and two other members gain the upper hand, they take Nyssa prisoner as Al Sah-him moves to strike Diggle down.

An arrow flies by and penetrates his forearm, he looks at it and turns around to face the archer, "Get away from him. Get away from him, or the next one goes in your eye." He looks at Thea no sign of emotion, he simply breaks the arrow off one end and pulls it through and calmly walks away.

[Nanda Parbat]

"There are no more threats to my reign." Al Sah-him announces as he walks in with Nyssa, Sarab and two other members.

"Your fealty continues to impress me, Al Sah-him. You truly are Wareeth al Ghul. And yet my daughter still does not approve of my choice. Fortunately, what I require from you is not your approval. Did you search her?"

"Does not appear to be on her person." Sarab replies.

"Bring me her weapons." One of the members hands them over, "You know, as a young child, Nyssa displayed the panache of a thief. Always stealing extra atayef at her meals and then stowing them away in her quarters. She would grow to learn that there is nothing she can hide from me. Her exploits of late..." He opens the secret compartment on the hilt of her sword, "seem to have clouded that memory. I will remember you as the warrior you once were and not as this shell that stands before me."

"All my life, I've lived in fear of you. But now, as I stand before you ready to leave this earth, I want you to know I am not afraid." She says, for the first time not fearing him.

"Do what needs to be done, my heir. And take with it the satisfaction that your reign will be unchallenged." Ra's commands.

Al Sah-him moves to confront her as she is brought to her knees by Sarab. She looks at him, unable to tell what he is thinking, but their eyes meet and she trembles at his gaze. He takes his sword out and he brings it up ready to strike, fear fills her eyes, he brings the sword down but Ra's stops his hand inches from her heart.

"I can see now, you do not require a culling to solidify your reign. You have broken your rival, Al Sah-him." Ra's looks at Nyssa, she had been defiant to him but when Al Sah-him stood in front of her, he noticed the fear in her eyes, "Something I was unable to do as an heir. Spilling her blood now would only serve as gluttony. Now, perhaps... her blood could be of another purpose." He continues as Nyssa raises, "As a means to unite our families."

Al Sah-him looks at him, "You as husband..." for the first time since he's become the heir his face shows emotion, shock and disbelief, "and you as wife." Nyssa's eyes widen in shock and rage, "I would rather die than become his betrothed."

"Well, your wishes were no longer my concern from the moment you betrayed me. So, you will marry Al Sah-him. And you will become bride of the Demon." Ra's commands and leaves them both to absorb the news.

[Lazarus Pit Room]

"When my daughter left Nanda Parbat, she absconded something critical to both our futures. Do you recall the village I showed you? The one where only the dead remain?"

"It was your home." Al Sah-him responds.

"Was. And I was obligated to unleash death upon it. It has been this way ever since there has been a Ra's. You see, it is the final act of ascension, the transformation to Demon's Head. The erasure of one's former life, former home. Now, my predecessor, he wiped away Alexandria, Egypt, with cholera in 1609. Today you will do the same. Do you recognize this?"

"The Alpha and Omega bioweapon." Al Sah-him answers remembering the events that caused Sarab to join the league and him to disappear once again.

"Beginning and the end. Nyssa stole this to prevent my heir from doing that which you will do today. You will unleash this on Starling City." Ra's tells him and without any sign of emotions Al Sah-him nods.

[Nyssa's Quarters]

She paces the room not believing her current circumstances or the man that wear's Oliver's face. The darkness she saw in him at that moment made her fear him. Unlike the other members or her father, the man she saw, had no sign of his past life, as if it had never existed.

What she saw in his eyes was a monster, no remorse, no guilt, no emotion whatsoever. His words to her were still playing in her mind, 'It's only when the monster becomes someone else — something else — that you're free to be yourself.'

She had only heard those words from one person, and it was those words that frightened her the most. If her suspicions were true, then no one not even those closest to him knew who he really was, not even her father. It's the reason she saw no sign of his past life as if it had never existed.

"She spoke fondly of you. I never put it together until I saw the Lazarus pit. Will you trust me or will you tell your father?"

She spun around to find him sitting on her window, one leg out into the abyss and the other in her room. "She betrayed my father."

"No, she wanted her freedom from his terror, from his bloodline. She was sorry to leave you behind but your love for your father was greater and so she left you alone." He looked at her, his face showing emotion once more, his eyes telling her that he spoke the truth.

She looked at him, she wanted to believe, she wanted to know more, "For now." She said finally answering his question, he nodded and climbed out of the window.

Authors note:

So, what do you guys think? Should I continue on after the next chapter?