The sun had barely begun its rise, casting golden streaks over the towering skyline as Ashborn strolled into the monolithic structure of Shadow Corp. The lobby was quiet, the hum of early activity still distant. Coffee in hand, he moved through the quiet corridors with the same calm stride as always, his footsteps echoing lightly until he reached his office.
The familiar hiss of the biometric lock, the soft swing of the door — and then, peace.
He sipped his coffee, savoring the silence, when a knock came.
He raised a brow.
"Come in," he said casually, lowering his cup.
The door opened and Kara stepped inside. She was once again dressed in her now-clean construction uniform, her golden hair pulled back, face calm but curious.
Ashborn smiled faintly, leaning against his desk. "You're early today. How can I help you?"
Kara walked forward, voice steady but uncertain. "The project is over now. Mr. Hally said there's no other assignment for the team. So… I came to check what I'm supposed to do."
Ashborn nodded, setting his cup down. "I was going to call you in about that, actually. Your community service is officially over."
She blinked. "Already?"
"Originally, the court planned for you to complete the housing project over the span of a year," he said as he pulled open a drawer. "But you and your team finished it in just four months."
He retrieved an envelope and held it out toward her. "This is your last paycheck. Starting today, you're free to go."
Kara stared at the envelope, not moving. "Is that… okay? I mean, the court stated a year of service. Won't this cause trouble?"
Ashborn chuckled, his usual calm amusement in full display. "I'm the judge of that, and as far as I'm concerned, it's done. If the court has a problem, they know where to find me."
Then his expression grew serious. "You're being targeted now. Keeping you in one place, one known location, day after day, that's a risk. And I don't compromise my employees' safety. Ever."
Kara looked at him, surprised. Her voice dropped slightly. "You don't have to do this for me. I can handle myself. I'll be careful. No one's going to take me off guard again."
Ashborn's smile didn't falter, but his tone left no room for argument. "This isn't up for discussion. The decision is finalized."
For a moment, Kara stood there, conflicted. Her shoulders sagged slightly as she looked at the envelope in her hands. "Then… can you help me split this between the team? They all worked hard, and I couldn't have done it without them."
Ashborn nodded. "Of course."
She lingered just a moment longer, eyes studying his unreadable expression. "Thanks… for everything."
Then she turned and left, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
Outside the office, Kara walked down the hallway, her thoughts heavy. She couldn't shake the guilt, Ashborn had just put himself in potential legal trouble for her sake. And even more than that… she worried that someone might hurt her old crew to get to her.
Meanwhile, in the quiet of his office, Ashborn returned to his coffee, eyes calm. To him, there was no weight in the decision. She had done the work expected of her and there was simply no reason to keep her around.
___________
Ashborn's quiet office was interrupted by the quiet creak of the office door opening once again, just minutes after Kara had left. Ashborn, sitting behind his desk sipping the last of his now-lukewarm coffee, turned his head. His calm expression subtly shifted at the sight of the visitor.
It was Rex, his old assistant and more than that, the closest thing he had to a family left. The older man's usual calm, friendly demeanor was replaced with something heavy, something grim.
Ashborn's brow lifted just slightly. "What's wrong, Uncle Rex?"
The man stepped forward with slow, purposeful steps, stopping just across from Ashborn's desk. His voice carried the weight of years held in restraint.
"Ashborn... I need to speak with you about your behavior." His tone was firm — parental. "It can't go on like this."
Ashborn remained still, listening.
"You've partnered with a snake like Lex Luthor, of all people. You let a group of villains who once tried to kidnap you into your home — gave them jobs and let them sleep there." Rex's face was drawn tight, his jaw clenched.
He continued, voice growing louder. "The Joker, the most deranged man in Gotham, holds a grudge against you. I'm pretty sure Batman has one too. You were kidnapped by some thug in Jump City just months ago, and yesterday you fought Metallo, a walking tank powered by a space rock."
His voice cracked just slightly as he finished, "You're putting yourself through too much danger. You are just a regular human, you must stop this. I don't want to see you harmed."
Ashborn opened his mouth, but Rex raised a hand, cutting him off.
"Your father... was my closest friend. I think of you as the son I never had. So please — stop this. Take care of yourself properly"
For a brief moment, Ashborn's body betrayed him.
He felt a sudden tightening in his chest, unfamiliar and hollow. Then, somewhere deep inside, he heard it — a faint, childish voice whispering something innocent and broken [Say sorry... please say sorry…]
His expression didn't falter, didn't shift, but his mind reeled. That voice — it wasn't his. Or rather, it shouldn't be. He had long believed that the original Ashborn — the true soul of this body — was gone. So why were there echoes? Was it the memories? Were they just so strong that they lingered… even without the soul?
He set those questions aside.
With a tired sigh, he met Rex's eyes and spoke, gently.
"I'm sorry… for making you worry. But everything is under control. I know what I'm doing."
Ashborn leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Lex's games won't touch me. If he oversteps, I know how to bring him down. And those five? You've seen the reports, they're thriving. They were never suited for the life of crime to begin with. They just needed a chance at something else."
Rex frowned, unconvinced, but said nothing.
"The Joker is busy playing tag with his beloved Batman, and Batman's too busy juggling the whole world. As for yesterday…" Ashborn gave a small smirk, "I had Gizmo's little toys. I could have lasted long enough for help to arrive. I was never in any real danger."
Rex scowled, shaking his head. "You shouldn't have been there in the first place. Metallo came for the girl. That had nothing to do with you."
Ashborn's smile faded, and he spoke with a quiet finality. "She was my employee. I brought her here. That means she gets the same treatment as everyone else. She would've had my help and my protection, no matter who came for her."
His eyes sharpened. "And let's not forget, she was an easy target because I made it that way. That's on me."
There was silence between them for a few moments, the tension thick.
Then Rex sighed and stepped back. "You've grown into a good man… despite everything you went through, Elijah and Seraphina would have been proud of you. But please, be careful. You don't know when your luck will run out"
He looked away, voice softer now, tired. "Some things… are out of our control. And it only takes a moment, just one, for a life to end. You should understand that better than anyone. Don't make me grieve the loss of another person I care about."
Ashborn's smile returned, softer this time, almost reassuring. "You won't need to grieve for me, Uncle Rex. I plan to live much longer than you. So, stop worrying about that."
The old man gave a small grunt, something between disapproval and affection, before turning and leaving the office.
Unbeknownst to either of them, far above the building, just barely visible through the haze of morning sunlight, a figure lingered in the sky.
Kara hovered quietly, having heard only fragments through the window when she turned back mid-flight, curiosity pulling her back. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but since yesterday, she couldn't get Ashborn out of her mind after hearing his past.
And now she understood him a little more. He was a good person, and that unshakable smile wasn't confidence, it was truly his way of coping all along.
She recalled how her colleagues jumped to praise and defend him and smiled, she is now truly one of them. Just like them, she felt both gratitude and respect for him.