Shadow Monarch in DC

Gotham - Arthur’s Blackwynd Estate

The shadows in the corner of the sitting room rippled, not with the smooth, controlled grace that usually accompanied Arthur’s arrival, but with a ragged, desperate urgency that spoke of exhaustion and pain. The darkness seemed to strain, to struggle, before finally releasing its passengers. Arthur stumbled forward, his body sagging, his face pale beneath the grime and blood. His hand was wrapped around Raven’s shoulder, his breathing shallow and ragged. The violet light in his eyes flickered threatening to gutter out entirely. His steps were unsteady, his body betraying the toll that the battle had taken on him.

Raven moved with him, her arm wrapped around his waist, her own form bearing the weight of his exhaustion. Her face was etched with concern, her eyes never leaving his face. She could feel the tremors running through his body, could feel the weakness.

George stood near the fireplace, he had been waiting, expecting a quiet return from whatever errand his master had undertaken. But the moment his eyes fell on Arthur, his eyes widened.

He said in genuine shock, a rare crack in his carefully maintained composure. "Master Arthur..." He rushed forward, his hands reaching out, his eyes scanning the wounds, the blood, the signs of fatigue that were etched into every line of Arthur’s face. "What in the world happened to you? You look as though you have been through several wars... you can barely stand. What manner of foe could have done this to you?"

Arthur’s voice was weak, barely above a whisper now, each word requiring visible effort. "Nice to see you too George.. And as usual...Good observation, I had a battle with a cosmic being." He paused, his eyes closing for a moment, as if the mere act of speaking was draining the last of his strength. "Well... a bunch of them, really. A lot happened." His voice cracked. "And I cannot speak much right now."

Raven’s voice was sharp. "George, hold him for a bit. I will use something to stabilize him."

George moved forward, his hands finding Arthur’s shoulders, steadying him with the care, his voice was quiet. "Easy, Master Arthur. I have you. Lean on me if you must. There is no shame in needing support after such an ordeal."

Raven raised her hands, her magic gathering around her. She whispered certain words and the spell settled over Arthur, its warmth seeping into his bones, easing the ache in his muscles, mending the fractures that exhaustion had carved into his very soul.

She lowered her hands, she said in relief. "You should be at least able to walk now... I can’t believe that you can’t even heal yourself, that was some battle." She paused, her eyes scanning his face, seeing the lingering signs of strain. "You exhausted yourself a lot. To the point that you cannot even use your own power now, it will take time to recover."

Arthur acknowledged it. "The power of the Abyss took a great toll on me." He paused, his eyes meeting hers, the violet light flickering in his eyes. "I have yet to fully control some of what I can truly do. There are depths to my power that I have not yet plumbed, and pushing myself too far.. too fast.. has consequences."

"Do you not think you should accept Didi’s offer?" Raven asked.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "Not the time for this talk." He paused, his eyes meeting hers with a look that was both weary and defiant. "Besides, you were against that idea, remember? You made it quite clear that you did not trust her intentions."

"Not after facing those things, no." She shook her head slowly, her eyes distant, haunted by the recent memories. "Those were some terrifying threats. Beings that could erase entire realities with ease. And as far as I know, your friend showed up, and it turned out he really is not to be messed with as well."

Arthur’s laugh was weak, but genuine. "I am not sure I am on his friendly list." He paused, "Even though he aided us... he has his own motives. He craves power. And he needs me for something."

George’s voice was filled with concern, his eyes searching Arthur’s face for answers that were not readily apparent. "Master Arthur... it seems you went through a lot." He paused, his voice dropping to a more careful tone. "Was this a bad idea... to go to that world? Did you at least get the answer you were seeking?"

Arthur was silent for a long moment, his eyes distant, his mind still processing everything he had seen and done, he could feel the inadequacy of his answer even before he spoke.

Then he spoke. "I really do not know the answer to this, George." He paused, his eyes meeting the old man’s, searching for understanding. "I still have no idea what the Flash warned me about. I met a group of fifth-dimensional beings that can destroy a universe and were on a mission to destroy the multiverse itself, that could have been the threat he was talking about.. I like to believe that’s it." His voice hardened, the memory of the battle rising to the surface. "But we managed to deal with them. At a great cost."

"You are alive. Whatever the cost was, it should not outweigh your life." George said.

"I ended up letting a person die." Arthur paused, his eyes distant, seeing something that no one else could see. "I said I respected his decision. But in reality, I was ready to drag him, to force him to come with us. I could have done it. I have the power to bend others to my will. But I knew he would not be able to live among us." His voice dropped to a whisper. "He would feel that this was nothing but a happy dream. An illusion. And I did not wish that for him."

"Who did you meet?" George asked.

Raven answered instead of Arthur. "Kara’s son." She paused, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I mean... that Earth’s Kara’s son. A version of her from another reality. He was brave, and he was broken, and he chose his own ending."

George grew quiet, his eyes dropping to the floor. Then he spoke, "I see now. That explains the grief in your eyes, Master Arthur. You are not mourning a stranger, you are mourning a possibility. A future that could have been."

Arthur walked away, his steps slow, his voice exhausted. "I need a bit of fresh air."

Raven’s hand reached out toward him. "Wait, you are still.."

But Arthur disappeared in a gust of shadows, his presence fading from the room.

George’s eyes fixed on the space where Arthur had been. "I feel like he really is quite angry." He paused, his eyes meeting Raven’s. "But quietly so. I have never seen him like this before. The grief, the exhaustion, and he does not know how to release it, I believe fresh air won’t be enough."

"I will tell you everything that happened." Raven said, her eyes distant. "And you will understand."

George looked at her then said. "Then I will listen, of course." He paused, his eyes finding hers with a look of genuine concern. "But you also need rest. So I will go make something for you. You have been through an ordeal as well, Lady Raven. Do not forget that you are not invincible either."

Raven nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the space where Arthur had disappeared.

"Thank you, George."

George inclined his head. "Always, Lady Raven."

He turned and walked toward the kitchen, his mind already preparing the tea that would soothe their frayed nerves.

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