If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
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Arthur brushed his thumb once over the surface of the heart before lifting it free.
It pulsed like flesh, but there was something else to it.
The branch recoiled as though relieved to be rid of it.
A system prompt unfurled before his eyes, not appearing so much as engraving itself into the air:
[To claim the Black Heart,
you must lay down your living heart upon the altar before the God of Death.
Let the World Tree stand witness in silence,
and slay the serpent that coils around its throne.
Only then shall the soul of death and the heart of shadow beat as one.]
The words lingered like a curse whispered.
Arthur didn't breathe for a moment.
"…Right," he murmured.
No reaction. No fear.
He closed his hand around the heart and shadow swallowed it into his system inventory.
The world snapped.
Branches dissolved into light.
The golden sky folded inward.
The wind disappeared.
When his vision returned, he was standing in Raven's room at Titans Tower.
Soft candles flickered.
Books sat stacked in uneven piles.
The air was still, heavy with incense and quiet magic.
Arthur exhaled slowly.
"So Level Ten is where I'm supposed to surrender my own heart," he said to himself, voice low, almost amused. "In exchange for that one... and also there seems to be a challenge right after it.."
He looked around not surprised to be there, but not comforted either.
"Well… at least I have it now."
He lifted his hand, calling the interface open.
A new line waited for him like a door he wasn't sure he wanted to touch:
[Legacy Shadow Legion Dungeon - Level 10 Available]
Arthur stared at it for a long, motionless breath.
Level One to Nine had given him soldiers.
But this, wasn't a test of strength.
This was a choice.
He let the window fade and leaned back against Raven's desk, eyes half-lidded.
"Clearly the system...and Ashborn want me to think about this," he muttered.
His voice wasn't fearful. Just thoughtful.
Outside the tower, waves crashed faintly against the island life continuing without knowing anything of this had happened somewhere.
Arthur closed his eyes.
He could end it now.
Finish it, but surrendering his heart was an option he didn't consider.
Not even for power.
Not even for destiny.
Arthur opened his eyes again, glowing faint violet in the dim room.
"…I'll decide soon," he murmured.
Just the calm of someone standing at the edge of a door only he could open
and knowing that once he stepped through, nothing about him would ever be human again.
Arthur's phone buzzed, the vibration cutting through his thoughts.
He frowned his phone almost never rang unless something was on fire in his estate, exploding, or named Kara.
He answered without checking the screen.
The second the call connected
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
Arthur physically flinched, holding the phone a few inches away from his ear.
"Kara... what the hell.."
"Oh now you pick up?" she snapped, breathless, furious, and very much alive. "You've been gone for a week, Arthur! A whole week! I've been calling, texting, yelling.. Diana kept nagging me... what is with her and her weird ancient god invitation anyways?!"
Arthur blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…why are you mad at me for that?"
"Oh, don't... don't you dare act confused," Kara fired back. "You disappear into some creepy dimension, don't tell anyone when you'll return, and I'm over here thinking you're dead or turned into shadow dust or... I don't know, married to an Amazon!"
Arthur sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"I don't really care about her invitation," he said calmly. "I'm not obliged to obey her gods."
There was a beat of silence.
"…I thought you wanted to go with her," Kara muttered, quieter this time, accusing, but softer.
Arthur's lips curved into a slow, wicked smirk she couldn't see but definitely felt through the phone.
"Are you worried about me," he drawled, "or about Diana?"
There was a sharp inhale.
Then click.
The call ended.
Arthur stared at his phone for half a second before laughing under his breath low and amused.
"That was fast."
A presence shifted behind him soft footsteps that made no sound.
"You're still going with Diana to meet the Olympians," Raven said, voice cool, but her tone betrayed something else annoyance, maybe curiosity, maybe both.
Arthur didn't turn.
"Perhaps."
Raven exhaled in that way she only did when trying not to stab someone she liked.
"You really can't take a break," she murmured.
Arthur finally looked over his shoulder, expression unreadable.
"I'm afraid I can't," he said quietly. "Not with these powers. They only attract trouble… but they also keep trouble away from us."
His eyes lowered, thoughtful.
"I'm just trying to find the balance."
Raven moved closer not floating, walking something she only did when she felt grounded around someone.
She slipped her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek between his shoulder blades.
"You sound like me now," she said, a small smile in her voice.
Arthur didn't answer, not verbally.
He simply placed a hand over hers, fingers curling gently, eyes fading from glowing violet to something calmer.
For a moment, just one.
Arthur's hand stayed over hers, their fingers linked steady, warm, human.
But his eyes… the glow dimmed into something almost fragile.
For the first time in a long while, he looked more mortal than anyone.
he realized something terrifying
If he surrendered his heart…
if he traded it for the Black Heart of the Shadow Monarch…
He wouldn't just lose the organ.
He would lose this
the quiet warmth of another person's touch,
the softness that still lived in him with those he loved.
The little human pieces he had left
the ones that made him laugh, tease, care
would be smothered under something absolute.
Not emotionless, not exactly
but emptied.
A Monarch of shadows with little left to feel.
Raven felt his body go still.
She stepped back from the embrace, studying him carefully, eyes narrowing beneath her hood.
"…Arthur?" she asked softly. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer at first.
He sat down on her bed, elbows on his knees, head lowerednot defeated, but uncertain in a way she had never seen.
"I really don't know, Rae," he said quietly voice stripped of its usual confidence.
Raven sat beside him without hesitation.
She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Her hand slid over his, her thumb brushing across his knuckles.
"That doesn't sound like you," she murmured. "Something is clearly wrong."
Arthur met her eyes.
Then, with a slow exhale, he reached into his system inventory.
A heart black and faintly glowing materialized in his palm.
Raven's breath caught.
The air in the room shifted.
Her eyes widened, pupils dilating as her senses recoiled.
"The magic coming off this is…"
she whispered, voice unsteady.
"…overwhelming.. What is that?!"
Arthur looked down at it, face unreadable.
"This is called the Black Heart," he said. "The result of everything I fought through in that place. The ultimate reward."
He paused.
"But to claim it fully… I have to give up being mortal. Completely. Trade my own heart for it."
Raven stared silent, stunned.
"…wow," she breathed. "That's…"
Arthur finished for her.
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do next."
Raven was quiet for a long moment.
Then she shifted closer, her voice low but steady.
"Do you really need it?" she asked. "You're already incredibly powerful, and this sounds way too dangerous."
Arthur's jaw tightened.
"The problem is… it is important. My powers will never be whole without it."
Silence settled again heavy, real.
Then Raven's expression softened.
She let out a small breath and said:
"Well, lucky you…"
her lips curved into a knowing, almost teasing smile
"…you're asking the perfect person about this kind of burden."
Arthur blinked just once.
Raven lifted her hand, tapping his chest lightly right over his heart.
"Now, Listen carefully." she said gently.
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want