A glimmer of light gradually appeared before him, slowly expanding into a hazy halo. His eyelids opened and closed several times, and a familiar face came into Batman's view.
Hearing the familiar hum of equipment and the faint sound of dripping water, Batman finally came to his senses.
"...Dick?" His voice was far too hoarse.
The youth in front of him removed his mask and leaned in close. Batman turned his head away, and Nightwing shook his head. "Thank you for remembering my name, Batman. How do you feel?"
"What happened to me?"
"A massive chemical plant explosion." Nightwing tidied the medical tools on the tray as he spoke. "It's a miracle you're still alive."
"Why are you here?"
"I suppose you don't want to hear that I came back to help, but the truth is, if I didn't stop the riots in Gotham City, Bludhaven wouldn't have many peaceful days left either."
"How did you find me?"
"Enough questions, Mr. Batman. You're not in any condition to talk too much. Have some water first."
Nightwing poured Batman some water and helped him sit up. Looking down, Batman saw that his clothes around his abdomen were soaked in blood. It seemed fragments from the shattered building had sliced open his abdominal cavity.
"There's something very strange." Nightwing touched his lips as he spoke. "Did you inject yourself with some kind of unusual drug?"
"What is it?"
"When I said it was a miracle, I wasn't exaggerating. You should have been much more seriously injured. And haven't you noticed? Your wounds are healing at a visible rate. I didn't even have time to clean them."
Batman looked down at his wounds again, and only then did he suddenly realize that they did not hurt at all.
"I... Where's Alfred?"
"He'll be