Years, like falling leaves, drifted swiftly by. The world changed, heroes passed, villains vanished but Ashborn remained. Watching the ever-growing branches of his legacy.
In time, he officially married both Kara and Galatea in a ceremony that defied convention and celebrated unity. It was a quiet affair by all standards, only those who truly mattered were invited. From Kara, he was blessed with a daughter. From Galatea, a son. The boy, bold and sharp-eyed like his mother, was named Rex.
Kara stepped away from the world of heroism once motherhood arrived. She found joy not in battle but in soft mornings, warm kitchens, and tiny feet running through the halls of their vast home. She gave herself wholly to her children and to Ashborn, content in a peace she had never known.
Ace and Courtney, once best friends, eventually found themselves entwined in something deeper. The bond they shared matured over the years until love was simply the natural result. They began dating openly, their deep friendship forming a strong foundation.
Meanwhile, Amazo, the symbol of human ingenuity, evolved once again. He modified both himself and Penny with astounding advancements, granting them the ability to conceive and reproduce like humans. It was something only someone like Amazo could do, and Ashborn, recognizing the enormity of what it meant, personally named the dowry for Penny's hand: the eradication of all Grimm from Remnant.
Ashborn fulfilled the promise himself on the wedding day. He hunted down the Grimm across every corner of Remnant, uprooted the influence of the two gods who birthed them, and ended their endless war once and for all.
When he found the Brother Gods, he didn't argue, negotiate, or bargain. He simply looked at them. And that alone was enough.
His voice, calm but immovable, declared Remnant under his protection. The gods, who once shaped worlds with ease, trembled in his presence. They dared not return.
Roman, ever the cunning survivor, found a place for himself too. With Ashborn's approval, he was named vice-CEO of Shadow Corp, a great cooperation that expanded to other planets and even Remnant. His history as a crime lord gave him a unique skill set to manage and negotiate.
Neo, fierce and faithful, officially became his wife in a ceremony witnessed by their closest companions. And with Ashborn's blessing, her greatest wish was granted, she spoke for the first time in her life, her voice clear, quiet, and full of wonder.
In time, the lines between hero and villain blurred when it came to Ashborn. All knew him, respected him, feared him. The greatest villains and heroes alike didn't dare to cause trouble around him, both only kept their distance.
Yet Ashborn kept no one at bay.
He maintained connections across every walk of life. Victor and his wife visited regularly, enjoying philosophical debates about life and ice cream in equal measure. Harley Quinn and her crew would crash family events with chaos and cupcakes. Gizmo and his friends were constant presences, as much a part of the household as anyone.
Family events became legendary.
Ashborn, ever the playful host, always sent invitations to both Joker and Batman. Each knew the other was invited. Each time, they declined.
But the Joker, despite not showing up, sent gifts instead. Fine, jewel-encrusted, personalized daggers.
It became a running joke in the house.
"Joker sent another tribute," Galatea would say, grinning.
"He must really not want to be visited," Ace would reply with a smirk.
Still, Ashborn never stopped, and the daggers continued to stack in a dedicated drawer labeled 'Joker's Offerings'.
And then, one day, something alien came to Earth.
The Preserver arrived.
A being who moved between galaxies, who chronicled the rise and fall of civilizations, and protected species from extinction. He came not for his job but as a visitor.
Ashborn welcomed him warmly.
"This," he said proudly, gesturing to his children, "is my legacy."
The Preserver looked upon Rex and his sister, children born of divine, cloned, and Krypotonian lines, made his eyes widen.
"A new race," the Preserver whispered. "One born from convergence… love… will…"
He turned to Ashborn with rare reverence.
"If ever you need help protecting them, I shall bring you every technology and every shield the cosmos has to offer."
Ashborn laughed, a deep, resonant sound.
"I appreciate the offer, my friend. But they will not need protection… They have me."
And in that laughter echoed a truth: not of fear, or war, but of peace and absolute power.
Ashborn, the ruler of death who walked among mortals, the Shadow Monarch who became a father, had created a home and enjoyed what life had to offer.
The End