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/-\
The void lingered after Trigon's end.
Arthur remained where he was, unmoving, watching the last remnants of the demon unravel. What little remained simply faded.
For a long moment, Arthur said nothing.
Then he exhaled, the tension easing from his shoulders.
"One less problem to worry about," he murmured. Yet Arthur's gaze lingered on the emptiness where Trigon had been.
"That demon…" he said quietly, almost thoughtfully, "…had a tremendous soul."
His fingers flexed once, "It wouldn't have been that simple," Arthur admitted to no one, "if he hadn't already been bound. Raven did more than imprison him, she endured him. Wore him down."
A pause.
"…Right," Arthur added, straightening. "Time to check on her."
Reality bent.
And Arthur was gone.
Consciousness returned.
Arthur's eyes opened as he drew back into his body, he rose from where he had been seated, the world solid and familiar again.
He rolled his shoulders once, grounding himself.
Then he moved.
****
The bedroom was dim, curtains drawn just enough to let soft afternoon light spill across the floor. The air was warm, peaceful, undisturbed by nightmares.
Raven lay asleep on Arthur's bed.
Peaceful.
Her breathing was slow and even, her expression unburdened in a way Arthur had never seen before. No tension behind her eyes. No subconscious walls raised in defense. Just rest.
George stood nearby, hands folded behind his back, posture immaculate as ever. The moment Arthur entered, the man turned, bowing his head slightly.
"She is quite all right, Master Arthur," George said in his refined, measured tone. "No fever. No irregularities in her breathing or pulse. Frankly, I would wager she shall awaken shortly, refreshed."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"I know," he said. "I'm just… uncertain how she'll feel once she does."
George regarded him with polite curiosity. "May I inquire as to why?"
Arthur's eyes returned to Raven.
"I removed something," he said quietly. "Something that's been with her for as long as she can remember."
He took a step closer to the bed.
"A parasite," Arthur continued, his voice low but certain. "One that masqueraded as destiny. As family. It's gone now. Completely."
George inclined his head, thoughtful. "Ah. Yes. That is… a profound change. Such absences leave echoes."
Arthur sat beside her, the mattress barely shifting under his weight. Slowly, carefully, he brushed his fingers through her hair, then along her cheek, gentle, grounding, protective.
"She still wanted to love him," Arthur said softly, eyes never leaving her face. "Even knowing what he was. Even after everything."
His thumb stilled near her temple.
"She looked for affection the way a human child does," he continued, voice almost reverent. "Not power. Not dominion. Just… acknowledgment. A fragment of warmth. She tried to believe there was something good buried beneath all that cruelty."
A pause.
"And she suffered for that hope."
George's expression softened, just slightly.
"Only one with an exceptionally great heart," he said, "could endure such torment and still seek goodness in another."
Arthur nodded once.
"Yeah."
Silence settled between them, comfortable and respectful.
After a moment, George cleared his throat gently. "We should allow her to rest."
Arthur withdrew his hand slowly, standing.
"You're right," he said. "She's earned that much."
They exited the room quietly, closing the door with care.
As they walked down the corridor, Arthur glanced at George. "Where's Kara?"
George adjusted his cuffs. "She received a call from her cousin. She described the matter as… 'important.'"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"…Supes wants something?"
****
JUSTICE LEAGUE WATCHTOWER -
The Watchtower floated in its quiet orbit above Earth, beyond the wide viewport, the planet turned slowly, blue, fragile.
Kara stood with her arms folded, cape draped loosely behind her, gazing out at home in a way that was both protective and distant. Superman approached from behind, boots barely making a sound against the floor.
"Kara," he said gently.
She turned, smile forming easily. "Hey, Kal."
He studied her for a moment before speaking again, his expression careful and measured. "Bruce briefed us on a few… recent incidents." A pause. "Did you and Arthur get attacked by Lobo recently?"
Kara blinked once, then shrugged, casual. "Yeah. Though I wouldn't really say we got attacked. Arthur was more like the sole target."
Superman's brow furrowed. "And?"
"And he handled it," Kara replied simply. "Pretty decisively."
That gave him pause. Clark folded his arms, exhaling slowly. "You know Lobo's attacked me in the past. He's not exactly… easy to put down."
"I know," Kara said, nodding. "Which is why I wasn't worried."
Superman tilted his head, studying her more closely now. "So what's going on, Kara?"
He stepped closer, concern breaking through his calm as he placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. "Bruce just told me something. Something big." His voice lowered. "The one pulling the strings behind all of this.. it's Darkseid."
Kara stiffened for half a second… then relaxed.
"I know," she said.
Clark froze. "You..what?"
She met his eyes steadily. "Arthur figured it out a while ago. He briefed us on everything. Apokolips, the way Darkseid usually handle things, stuff like that."
Superman stared at her, disbelief clear on his face. "Then what confuses me," he said slowly, "is how calm you are. Kara, this is Darkseid. He's dangerous. He fears Kryptonians, and from what I can tell, he fears Arthur too." His grip tightened slightly, protective instinct. "You should stay close. Here. With us. So we can.."
She stepped back, gently but firmly removing herself from his hands.
"Kal," Kara said, her tone soft but unwavering, "there's nothing you need to worry about. I'm safe."
He searched her face. "Safe?"
"With Arthur," she said simply.
Something in her voice, absolute certainty made him falter. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at his lips.
"It's that good with him?" Clark asked.
Kara's answer was immediate. Bright. Unrestrained.
"Yes."
Superman chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "I really need to talk to Bruce again. I have a feeling he left out a few… critical details." His eyes sharpened slightly. "Especially the ones involving Arthur and Darkseid."
"Don't worry," Kara said lightly. "We'll deal with Darkseid in time."
Clark's smile faded, replaced by a look of experience. "Not without a plan. His world is hostile. We can't afford an all-out war, not with him."
A presence shifted behind him.
A voice spoke from the space just over Clark's shoulder calm and amused.
"That," the voice said, "is a very wise thing to acknowledge."
Superman spun around, eyes flaring faintly red in reflex, only to widen in genuine surprise.
"…Arthur."
Arthur Blackwynd stood a few steps behind him, hands in his coat pockets, posture relaxed as if he hadn't just bypassed the most advanced detection systems in existence. Violet light flickered faintly in his eyes before settling.
"Clark," Arthur replied with an easy smile.
Kara groaned theatrically. "Are you stalking me now? I leave for one moment and suddenly..boom, you're here."
Arthur glanced at her, unimpressed. "You'd love that."
She laughed.
Arthur's gaze returned to Superman, his tone shifting, still calm.
"I'm here on important business as well," he said. "Regarding matters of this planet's safety."
Superman studied Arthur in silence, the earlier surprise giving way to respect, mixed with unease. He had faced gods, tyrants, living concepts… yet there was something about Arthur, he couldn't name.
"You have things to share?" Clark asked at last.
"Not exactly," Arthur replied. "More like orders and commands to pass."
Kara's head snapped toward him. "Wow," she muttered, amused. "Straight to the point."
Superman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Orders," he repeated. "That's… a strong word."
Arthur inclined his head just a fraction. "An accurate one."
He turned his gaze outward, toward the viewport, toward Earth slowly turning in the dark. "What's coming doesn't care about titles, charters, or who leads what team. When it arrives, hesitation will cost lives." His eyes flickered back to Clark. "So yes. We should hold a meeting. With everyone present."
For a moment, Superman said nothing. He weighed the tone, and everything behind it. This wasn't arrogance. It wasn't a power play.
"We can arrange that," Clark said finally. "Full League. No exceptions."
Kara looked between them, her expression softer now. "You sure about this, Arthur?" she asked. "You don't usually like… big rooms full of capes and egos."
Arthur's gaze met hers, steady and reassuring. "I am," he said. "This is for everyone's safety. And because there are things they need to hear, whether they like it or not."
Superman exhaled slowly, then gave a single nod. "Very well."
He activated a console with a sweep of his hand. "I'll call them in."
/-\
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