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JUMP CITY - BLACKWYND ESTATE
The Blackwynd estate stood at the far end of the city, dignified stone, old money architecture softened by ivy and memory.
Arthur stood before the front door, just a dark coat, casual clothes beneath it, hands resting in his pockets as if he were bracing himself for something far more dangerous than gods or monsters.
To his left, Kara stretched her arms behind her head, smiling at the familiar sight.
"Been a while since I visited," she said lightly. "Feels… smaller than I remember."
Raven hovered just slightly off the ground, arms folded inside her jacket, eyes lingering on the windows.
"Same," she said quietly. Then, without looking at Arthur, she added, "For him too. Even though it's his home."
Arthur let out a breath through his nose, something between a chuckle and a sigh.
"I know," he said. "Funny thing is… I'm not even here for a simple visit. It's more like I had to carve this out of time itself." His gaze softened. "That's just how it is now."
He raised his hand.
Before he could knock, the door opened.
"Arthur?"
His mother stood there, frozen for half a second, then her hand flew to her mouth.
The next moment, she crossed the distance between them with surprising speed and pulled him into a fierce embrace.
"You didn't call," she said, voice thick with emotion. "You didn't say anything.."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," Arthur replied gently, returning the hug without hesitation.
She pulled back just enough to look at his face, hands on his shoulders as if making sure he was real. Then her eyes widened as she noticed the two women beside him.
"Kara?"
"Raven?"
Before either could respond, she hugged them both as well, pulling Kara in with enthusiasm and Raven with warmth.
"You came with him," his mother said, smiling brightly. "I'm so glad you did."
Kara laughed, hugging her back. "We wouldn't miss it. Besides, someone has to make sure that he won't get lost."
Raven, after a moment's hesitation, returned the hug. "It's… good to see you again."
From deeper inside the house, footsteps approached.
"Well, I'll be damned."
Adam leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a grin spreading across his face.
"Look who finally remembered where he lives."
Arthur smirked. "Nice to see you too, Adam."
His brother stepped forward and pulled him into a brief, firm hug, one that said everything neither of them bothered to voice.
Arthur reached into his coat and pulled out a bottle, offering it to his mother.
"Vintage from Gotham," he said. "Thought you might like it."
Her eyes lit up. "You remembered my taste."
"I remember more than you think."
She cradled the bottle like a treasure. "Come in. All of you. Don't just stand there."
As they stepped inside, warmth replaced the night air, the familiar scent of wood and old books grounding Arthur in a way nothing else ever did.
She glanced around once everyone was inside.
"Where's George?" she asked.
Arthur answered easily, already anticipating it.
"Someone has to keep an eye on the estate back in Gotham. Besides, he can come here whenever he wants." A faint smile touched his lips. "Unlike me."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"I know what we should do! we should prepare a nice dinner."
"Here?" Adam raised an eyebrow. "Come on, let's go somewhere fancy. Make a night of it."
Arthur shook his head immediately.
"No. There is no need for that, we stay here." His tone was calm but final. "Home is fine. If I wanted to go somewhere else, I'd have invited you myself."
Adam stared at him for a second, then smiled.
"Right. Then we dine here together. Like old times."
Arthur exhaled a quiet laugh.
"You make it sound like I've been gone for decades."
Adam's grin faded just a little.
"This place feels empty without you. Honestly… it feels like lifetimes."
Their mother nodded in agreement.
"He's right. But don't worry," she said, looking at Arthur with gentle resolve. "I won't complain anymore."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "That sounds suspicious."
She smiled.
"As long as you promise these visits won't be so rare."
He laughed, genuine and unguarded.
"I'll try."
Kara clapped her hands together.
"Great! Family dinner!" she then tilted her head, taking in the house with a soft smile.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "on Krypton, family dinners were treated like ceremonies. Everyone present. No excuses."
Raven glanced at her. "That sounds… intense."
Kara shrugged, smiling wider.
"I kind of like that people on earth treat it like something simple. No rituals. Just… showing up."
Arthur's mother laughed and pulled Kara into another hug.
"I love her energy."
Arthur smiled, watching the scene unfold.
"We all do."
****
The dining room was lively, nothing ostentatious, no chandeliers the size of cars, no gold trimmed excess. Just a long table, food prepared with care, and people who didn't often get to sit together like this anymore.
Kara was already eating.
Not politely nibbling, eating. Fork moving fast, eyes lighting up at every bite like she'd just discovered a new law of physics.
"Oh! this is really good," she said between bites. "Is this rosemary? Humans really figured things out with herbs."
Raven gave her a sideways look. "Please chew before the cultural analysis."
Arthur watched them with faint amusement, shoulders relaxed, coat discarded, just a man sitting at his family's table.
Adam leaned back slightly in his chair, glass of wine in hand, a grin on his face.
"So," he said casually, "anything interesting you want to share, Arthur? Any supervillains get their asses kicked lately?"
Arthur smiled.
"Oh yeah," he said lightly. "Had to fight a maniac in another dimension. Real piece of work. Serious family issues. Not a big deal."
His mother paused mid-movement, fork hovering. Adam's eyebrow arched.
"Family issues?" Adam repeated. "What kind of family issues?"
Arthur shrugged, taking a sip of water like this was the most normal thing in the world.
"Didn't bother to ask him."
There was a beat.
Then Adam laughed, shaking his head. "Of course you didn't."
Raven caught Arthur's eye from across the table. Just a brief look. She saw it immediately, the deliberate vagueness, the way he deflected without lying outright. Her lips curved into a smile.
Kara, meanwhile, was entirely absorbed in the food.
"Mmm... Arthur, your mom is dangerous," she said earnestly. "If villains knew about this cooking, they'd surrender voluntarily."
Raven facepalmed.
Arthur let the moment breathe, then set his fork down. His tone shifted.
"I want to ask you something, Mother."
She looked at him, attentive now. "Ask away."
Arthur folded his hands briefly, then looked between her and Adam.
"Does the presence of my shadow soldiers around the estate bother you?"
Adam blinked. "That's… an odd question."
He thought about it for a second, then waved it off.
"Of course not. We got used to them. Besides," he smirked slightly, "they don't exactly draw attention. They stay in the shadows. Literally."
Their mother didn't speak, but she nodded once, quietly. Agreement without hesitation.
Arthur exhaled, almost relieved.
"Well," he said, "I have another option."
He extended a hand over the table.
The air around his palm darkened,. Two rings formed out of shadow and violet light, hovering just above the table's surface.
Adam leaned forward slowly. "Are those…?"
Arthur glanced at him. "You know what these are, right?"
"A power ring," Adam said carefully.
"A shadow ring, same concept." Arthur corrected. "These two are different from my regular shadow rings. They're not bound to the Shadow Central Battery."
His mother's eyes narrowed slightly. She was listening very closely now.
"They're connected directly to my... soul." Arthur continued. "Meaning they'll never run out of charge unless.."
He paused.
"..I expire."
The chair scraped loudly as his mother stood up.
"Expire?" she repeated sharply. "Arthur, I have no idea what you just said, and I don't like it. What do you mean expire?"
Raven immediately leaned forward.
"Arthur," she said gently but firmly, "that's… not the best way to explain that."
Arthur looked at her, contrite.
Raven turned to his mother and Adam.
"What he means is that these rings function like lantern rings. Defensive weapons. Tools. They'll let you protect yourselves without relying on his shadow soldiers."
Adam stared at the rings, awe slowly overtaking caution.
"So… I'd be able to actually use one of these?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes."
Adam let out a low breath, half laugh, half disbelief.
"I never thought I'd own a power ring."
Their mother, however, wasn't smiling.
She sat back down slowly, eyes fixed on Arthur.
"Why are you so protective of us," she asked quietly, "that you'd give us something like this?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
Then he looked at her.
"I don't need to explain that," he said softly. "You know the dangers that come with the life I'm living."
His eyes glowed faintly violet "No matter how strong I become," he continued, "my weakness stays the same."
His gaze didn't waver.
"The people I love."
Silence settled over the table.
His mother finally smiled, sad and warm all at once.
"So that's the real reason for your visit."
Kara stopped eating. Slowly lowered her fork.
"Hey," she said, earnest as ever, "don't be too hard on him. He could've just mailed those."
his mother laughed softly, shaking her head.
"I know," she said. "I know."
Adam didn't hesitate to take the offer.
"I'll take it," he said, reaching out toward one of the rings without touching it yet, respectful even in his confidence. Then he glanced at their mother. "Mom will too."
Arthur let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His shoulders eased, just slightly.
"Thank you," he said.
Their mother looked at the ring hovering in front of her, deeply tied to the son she still saw as the boy who used to track mud through the estate.
"I never thought," she said quietly, "that loving your child would come with accepting weapons."
She met Arthur's eyes. "But if this makes your heart at ease… then I won't reject it."
The ring drifted gently toward her hand, when she slipped it on, there was no violent surge of power, just a soft violet glow.
Adam whistled under his breath as his own ring settled onto his finger. His eyes flickered violet for a heartbeat, then faded.
"Well," he said, flexing his hand, "that's officially the coolest and most terrifying family heirloom we own."
/-\
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