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The Justice league exchanged looks.
Batman was the one to ask first, his voice a low growl.
"What sort of cost would that be?"
Arthur's violet eyes flicked toward him, unblinking. His hand rested lazily on his hip, but his voice was cold iron.
"Finding and destroying the Black Central Power Battery," he said. "That's a source of energy for the rings. Destroy that, and the tide also stops. But for now, I don't know where it is located. And Nekron won't let it fall easily. That's the hard part."
He stepped closer to the table, shadows curling faintly at his boots as if drawn to his presence.
"But if I manage to at least find the Herald, then it won't matter. Even if he runs, I'll be able to easily find him again and kill him once and for all. That's why if any of you run into him, that would be a huge help."
Batman opened his mouth to interject, his familiar edge already sharpening a remark. Arthur cut him off without looking.
"And don't start with your no-kill rule. These aren't lost kids in alleyways, Bruce. They're corpses wearing old faces. Every second you hesitate, they multiply. Any dead hero, any dead villain you remember fondly or despised, they're fair game to Nekron now. I already had to put one down you wouldn't have enjoyed seeing again."
For once, Batman said nothing. His jaw tightened, but no rebuttal came.
Hal Jordan folded his arms, his face hard but conceding.
"He's right, Bats. This isn't a Gotham mugger in a ski mask. This is a war, and it's not going to play by your code."
Batman muttered "They are already dead."
Arthur smirked at that response, and then turned his gaze across the table, scanning the Justice League members, the Titans, the young and the old alike. His tone lowered, calm but commanding.
"Keep an eye on your cities. They won't strike in whispers they'll go for a massacre. The more bodies drop, the more rings they gain. You want to stop them? Stop the dying first. I've already released a legion of my shadows across the globe. They'll give you a warning… or a chance."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before adding, almost sarcastically,
"That is all. No need to thank me really."
Superman, still standing with his arms folded but a small, almost reluctant smile on his lips, nodded.
"Thank you, Arthur. I'll keep an eye out."
One by one, the heroes dispersed, their capes and boots whispering against the metal floor. Only Raven lingered, unreadable as ever; Kara stood nearby, her cheeks warm despite herself, murmuring under her breath, "Even Batman is listening…" though her eyes betrayed something closer to admiration. Robin remained silent, studying Arthur with a hawk's focus.
Hal stayed. Batman stayed.
Arthur had gestured toward the Lantern with a subtle motion of his chin earlier, and Hal got the message, remaining and stepping closer.
"What is it?" Hal asked, his voice quieter now.
Arthur crossed his arms, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
"Tell me, Hal… you know anything about the White Lanterns?"
Hal scoffed softly, one corner of his mouth lifting.
"That's just a myth. Stories they tell rookies."
Arthur tilted his head, a faint smirk curling his lip.
"So were the Black Lanterns a few days ago."
The smirk faded as quickly as it came. He sighed through his nose, the faint glow of his eyes dimming just a touch.
"As long as I'm here, you might not need them. But they're real...just not yet. If the White Entity ever stirs, one will rise. Might even be you. So… try not to die until then."
Hal blinked, a rare crack of unease slipping through his confident mask.
"Great. That's… comforting. But how the hell do you know all this?"
Batman, who had been silent until now, echoed the same question with a hard edge.
"Yes. How?"
Arthur turned his head slightly, his coat swaying as he started to walk away. He didn't look at them.
His voice came low, steady, and cold as the void.
"It doesn't matter how I know about all of this, and whatever the Blackest Night is..." he glanced over his shoulder just enough for the violet glow to catch Batman's gaze, "...It's a shadow of what I am. yet I'm on your side."
The shadows rippled around his feet, swallowing him whole, and by the time the lights flickered, he was gone.
Hal exhaled slowly.
"…That's not terrifying at all."
****
GOTHAM – ARTHUR'S ESTATE - 2 DAYS LATER
The fireplace crackled softly, throwing a warm orange glow across the wood panels of the Arthur Estate's study. Outside, Gotham's rain whispered against the tall windows, a muted rhythm to an otherwise still night. Arthur sat in a high-backed leather chair, a crystal glass in hand, the deep red liquid catching the firelight as he swirled it without care.
George stood a measured distance away, as he always did hands behind his back, posture precise, his gaze sharp yet tempered with that familiar, quiet concern.
"You seem to be carrying the weight of the whole Earth on your shoulders, Master Arthur," George finally said, his voice breaking the silence.
Arthur exhaled, long and low, setting the glass down on the table beside him. "I don't know, George…" His eyes lingered on the fire, unfocused, as if searching for something within the embers.
George stepped closer, patient but insistent. "I've known you long enough to tell when something is gnawing at you. Speak plainly."
Arthur rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger before leaning back in his chair. "Do you remember when I told you there are beings out there… things that could, at any moment, decide to make Earth their hunting ground?"
George gave a slow, deliberate nod. "I recall. You said they were dangerous beyond measure."
"Well," Arthur's lips curved in a humorless smirk, "one of them is here now. It could strike any minute, and when it does… the death toll could be more than anyone can stomach. though I only care about those who are close to me...I also don't want innocents to get involved in situations like this."
George's brows drew together slightly. "And yet you do not look afraid, sir."
"That's the crazy part isn't it." Arthur finally turned his head, meeting George's eyes. "I'm not worried at all."
George tilted his head, faintly perplexed. "Confidence in your abilities, then. Understandable, given your… repertoire."
Arthur shook his head, the smirk fading. "No, that's not it. I mean… any normal man, if he knew what I know, if he understood what was about to unfold...he'd be terrified. Scared out of his mind. But I..." He reached for the glass, took another slow sip, and stared into the swirl of red. "I'm not at all. And I don't know what that makes me, 'fear' that emotion is long gone."
George studied him for a moment, the faintest crease forming near his eyes. "Do you wish to be frightened, Master Arthur?"
Arthur let out a quiet, almost bitter chuckle. "I don't know how to feel about this, George. Or what I'm supposed to feel. I've done my part, I warned the others, laid the groundwork. Beyond that…" His voice trailed off, his fingers tightening slightly around the glass.
George's gaze narrowed. "You see, this is precisely why I advised against the wine. It seems I've been tricked into believing you could handle it, but clearly..."
Arthur cut him off with a sharp look and a dry, humorless laugh. "This is not the wine, I really can't get drunk, George. I'm just being real with you."
He rose from his chair, setting the half-finished glass down with a soft clink. "Maybe you're right, maybe I am talking nonsense."
And then, without warning, the air in the room split apart with a ripple of violet light. A portal tore open just a few feet away, the crackling energy casting wild shadows against the walls. George instinctively stepped back, he has already seen this before countless times.
Arthur narrowed his eyes but he didn't move.
From the portal emerged two figures Kara, her cape dusted with ash, and Raven, her dark cloak billowing as the portal sealed behind them. Raven's voice carried urgency, sharp enough to cut the calm.
"Arthur...we need to go. Now. Metropolis."
Arthur's gaze hardened. "Metropolis?"
Kara stepped forward, her expression tense, almost frustrated. "It's the Black Lanterns. A whole wave of them just appeared out of nowhere. I thought you were already on it, but when I didn't see you there…"
Raven added, "We assumed you'd sent shadows ahead."
Arthur's jaw clenched, his tone low. "I didn't send a shadow there. It's Clark's city...I thought he'd have it covered or at least notify us when things could go..." His eyes flicked toward the rain-streaked window, and then something clicked. His gaze sharpened, a glint of realization flashing in the firelight.
"The bastard is really avoiding me..." he muttered, almost to himself. "He's avoiding my shadows as well, because he knows I can destroy his constructs.."
George, ever the observer, said nothing, but his grip on the back of Arthur's chair tightened slightly.
Arthur straightened, his coat shifting with the motion, the calm in his voice now replaced by a darker resolve. "Alright... lead the way."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
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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