As a bonus, she offers to train him in one weapon, and he chooses the Eventually, they discover that the Ghost Dragons are creating a virulent Shiva later travels to an army base in Transbelvia to fight a young political rebel and martial artist named Over the years, Shiva amasses groups of followers who worship her as an incarnation of At age 8, Shiva's daughter Cassandra flees from David Cain, horrified after killing a man with her bare hands on her first assassination. To Shiva's disappointment, she defeated Batgirl soundly. Shiva explains that though the Question and his friends wished to leave, it is now a fit place for her to go toward. I'm afraid that if it's the wrong thing, you'll destroy me".Shiva continues to work as a mercenary for money, challenge, and perfection of her skills. When Batman doses her with Later, Shiva begins to track down those who referred to themselves as In further pursuit of her art, Shiva tracks the defeats of martial arts masters, in order to discover new techniques. In the heat of a losing battle, Sandra realized how Carolyn had held her back, and how much undeveloped potential she had. She vanishes some time later, only to reappear stepping out of a helicopter meant to rescue the Question and his companions, who have decided to flee the city. Eventually, she crosses paths with the While training prospective assassins, mercenaries, and terrorists in war-torn country, she is approached by Eager to finally face Batman uninterrupted, Shiva knocks Robin unconscious and challenges the Dark Knight. Wanting to fight Batgirl at her peak, Shiva refrained from killing her, and promised to retrain her on the condition that they have a rematch in one year. Without telling her of their relationship, Shiva challenged Batgirl to a battle to the death. When Batman discovers that the remains of the O-Sensei's wife had been moved to a small island, Shiva, the O-Sensei, Green Arrow, and the Question set out for the island, only to be caught in a storm.
Initially underestimating Shiva, Batman soon learns that her skills are such that she could kill him, and begins to fight in earnest. Eventually, Batgirl's skills caught Shiva's attention. Since their knowledge of the city was limited, At age 8, Shiva's daughter Cassandra fled David Cain, horrified and regretful after killing a man with her bare hands on her first assassination. Batgirl's body language fluency is newly impaired by a telepath's forcible inculcation of the ability to speak. Later, she nurses the Question's elderly friend Tot back to health. The O-Sensei is lost overboard, but the group discovers that his wife's remains had likewise been mislaid, years earlier, while in transport, leaving O-Sensei's promise fulfilled. Under Shiva's care, Batgirl soon regains her abilities. Having overcome her death wish, Batgirl fights Shiva again, shattering her sword. She then wandered the world as a mute, and, seeking redemption, found herself in Gotham City during the events of No Man's Land. Because of the girls' young age, talent, and unique bond as sisters, their practice evolved into a secret, perfected language that only they could share. Cassandra begins to suspect that Shiva is her mother, but cannot provoke Cain into an admission. In the midst of battle, Batgirl accuses Shiva of having a death wish herself, really only traveling and fighting in search of her own death. I never know what to say to you, Shiva. Batgirl admits to harboring a death wish ever since Cain first forced her to kill; her ability to perfectly read the agony of her victim had deeply traumatized her. Already a very accomplished martial artist, Shiva hires herself out as a mercenary both to recapture the thrill and to finance further training. She went on adventures with Richard Dragon and became addicted to the adrenaline rush that is gained from life or death situations. When Hub City falls victim to rapid, systemic urban decay, Shiva returns to offer her services to one of the ruling gangs, but instead kills the members for sending "unskilled" men to kill her.