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SM/DC Chapter 62 : Kaisel, Mount of The Shadow Monarch
🕑 Added 2025-03-18 21:58:36 +0000 UTC[You leveled up.]
[You leveled up.]
[You leveled up.]
The notifications echoed in Arthur’s mind, each one hitting like a drumbeat of power surging through his veins. His breath steadied as the aftermath of battle settled around him smoke curling through the air, the stench of burned flesh and ozone lingering.
[New item obtained: Demon King’s Longsword.]
Arthur’s brow arched as he read the description.
Longsword brimming with the Demon King’s power. Every time the sword is swung, the effect ‘Storm of White Flames’ will activate.
Storm of White Flames: Summon a storm of endless lightning within a set area.
“Interesting... so it’s ‘that’ very same weapon.” Arthur muttered, extending his hand.
A flash of black light swirled in his palm as the Demon King’s Longsword materialized sleek, obsidian-black metal with blue lightning pulsating along its blade. Power throbbed through it fierce, unyielding. He swung the sword once.
CRACK!
Lightning erupted from it, splitting through the air and slamming into the ground, leaving blackened scorch marks. Another swing another flash of electric death arced wildly, splitting the ruined arena.
Arthur chuckled softly, the sound low and full of satisfaction. “Beautiful.”
He turned toward Kaisellin’s severed head, the white wyvern’s corpse still crackling with residual lightning. His steps were slow, deliberate, the weight of his new blade heavy in his grip. Crouching down, he pressed a hand against the wyvern’s massive head.
“Arise.”
The shadows stretched eagerly from beneath wyvern’s corpse, swallowing it whole. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then
ROOOOAAAARRRR!
A thunderous screech pierced the air as the newly risen Shadow Wyvern unfurled its wings. Its scales had darkened to an obsidian sheen, faint purple blue crackling along the edges of its wings. The magic rolling off of it was dense oppressive to anyone else but Arthur only sighed.
[Elite Knight.]
His glowing eyes narrowed slightly. “Tch… I was expecting more.”
Still, the wyvern stood tall and fierce, its wings stretching wide as it bowed its head in silent submission. Arthur brushed a hand against its snout, murmuring, “At least now I can fly.”
His lips curled into a faint smirk. “Your name shall stay the same...’Kaisel’.”
The wyvern’s eyes flared with shadowy light at the name, and with a flap of its mighty wings, it soared into the air before settling behind Arthur, his mount, his weapon.
But he wasn’t done yet.
Turning his attention to the scattered remains of the Demon Nobles and Knights, his gaze sharpened. The once-mighty warriors lay broken and lifeless. Arthur extended his hand again, the shadows at his feet rippling hungrily.
“Now… for these demons.”
A pulse of black energy exploded outward, shadows engulfing every corpse on the battlefield. The entire arena trembled as the magic deepened, an icy chill filling the air. His eyes gleamed an eerie, electric blue, the power radiating from him undeniable.
“Arise.”
The ground shuddered violently. One by one, the Demon Knights and the Nobles rose from death, armor clanking, weapons gleaming, and their new blackened forms now bound to Arthur’s will. The sheer number of them filled the arena, standing like an unyielding small force.
Arthur tilted his head, lips tugging into a devilish smile. “And here I thought it wouldn’t work…”
The moment of triumph was cut short. The sky above split a jagged crack of brilliant white tearing through the storm clouds. The walls of the dungeon trembled and fractured, pieces of the arena floating into the air as reality itself began to break apart.
“What the...?” Arthur muttered, feeling a violent tug on his entire being.
The world shattered around him. For a split second, he felt as though his body was being pulled through a black hole, his senses twisting, warping, until,
THUD!
Arthur hit the floor. Hard.
His head spun as he pushed himself upright, groaning. “Ugh… that’s a terrible feeling.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezed shut. “I feel like... throwing up.”
The scent of old parchment and incense filled his nose, Raven’s room. He was back.
[You have completed the first level of the Legacy Shadow Legion Dungeon.]
[You will be notified when the next level becomes available.]
Arthur stared at the glowing system text hovering in front of him, jaw tightening. "Damn it!" he muttered under his breath. He was already itching to push further stronger enemies, better rewards but the system, as always, had its own plans.
A smooth, familiar voice cut through his thoughts.
"You're back," Raven said, leaning casually against a nearby shelf. Her cloak hung loosely around her, but those amethyst eyes were sharp not missing a thing.
Arthur stood up, brushing dust off his coat with an awkward chuckle. "… you're still here?"
"You’ve been gone for like a day," she said, her tone dry but with a hint of curiosity.
Arthur blinked. ‘A day?’ Time distortion between the real world and the dungeon wasn’t surprising, but it was still disorienting. He thought to himself, ‘I already knew Time flows differently inside dungeons, but...’
Out loud, he shrugged. "Well, thanks for letting me crash here. But I gotta bounce." He turned toward the door without another word.
"Wait, don’t go through the door, and also..." Raven said, stepping forward. Something in her tone not urgent, but serious made him pause. "Before you go, I need to tell you something."
Arthur arched a brow, pivoting slightly. "What is it?"
Raven hesitated for the briefest moment before continuing, her voice quieter but heavy with meaning. "Something’s happening. Metahumans, and anyone with powers are being targeted. All over the world."
Arthur’s eyes narrowed. "Yeah… I caught something about that on the news," he said, recalling a vague headline. He hadn’t paid much attention, he had other things to focus on.
"It’s worse than the media’s letting on," Raven pressed, her face unreadable beneath the shadow of her hood. "And someone like you? With how little you care about hiding your identity… you’re an easy target."
Arthur tilted his head back and laughed a cold, quiet laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Well," he said, his voice laced with mockery, "they’re more than welcome to try. Whoever they are."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sharpening, piecing things together. His mind flicked through the possible players, secret organizations, rogue metas, and one particular group with a penchant for targeting people like him.
"I have an idea who might be behind this," he said finally. His tone dropped to something colder, more thoughtful. "But as long as it doesn’t concern me… I won’t interfere."
Raven folded her arms across her chest, studying him. "The Justice League is already looking into it," she added.
Arthur smirked. "Of course they are." His tone was both amused and dismissive. "If that’s all, then—"
A sudden, sharp tug on his mana made him freeze mid-sentence.
His eyes narrowed, scanning inward. His mana reserves vast and nearly bottomless were being drained.
‘This isn’t normal.’ His heart thumped harder as he followed the source. ‘Gotham…?’
And then it clicked.
Someone, someone strong enough was defeating his Shadow Joker.
‘Batman ?... No... is that ?!’
Arthur’s entire body stiffened, his usual cool demeanor fracturing for a split second.
Raven noticed instantly. "Arthur… what is it?" Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of concern in her expression.
He raised a hand to cut her off, a wicked smile curving his lips. "I really gotta go now." His voice shifted, smoother again unreadable. "Till we meet again… my dear."
Raven’s lips parted slightly, her face coloring just faintly beneath her hood. "W-What?" Her voice betrayed a rare crack in her usual composure.
Arthur smiled as the shadow beneath his feet swirled. "Exchange," he said softly and in an instant, he was gone.
In his place stood one of his Shadow Demons a hunched, creature trembling slightly under Raven’s intense gaze. Its black, jagged form shuddered, barely daring to meet her eyes.
Raven stepped closer, a faint smirk curling her lips. "So…" Her voice dropped into something dangerously sweet. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
The Shadow Demon terrified beyond reason, let out a nervous, pitiful squeak.
****
Arthur materialized back in his estate, the faint chill of Gotham’s night air brushing against his skin. The scent of rain lingered storm clouds hung low over the city, casting jagged flashes of lightning across the skyline. His boots barely touched the floor of his home before George was already there, standing by the entrance with his usual calm precision.
"Welcome back, Master Arthur," George said, his voice smooth and unshaken. "Do you require.."
"No time," Arthur cut in sharply, already moving toward the door. "I’ve gotta get to the city."
George, ever composed, simply inclined his head. "Very well, sir. But don’t.."
Arthur paused mid-step, turning back for a brief second. His glowing blue eyes softened just a little. "…Sorry for interrupting you like that George, but i really gotta go" he said quietly, before disappearing through the massive front doors.
George stood still for a beat, watching the distant figure of his young master fade into the storm. With a faint sigh, he muttered, "Always in a rush ever since you were a child…"
Outside, the wind howled against his face as Arthur sprinted across the driveway.
‘Couldn’t swap with Joker because of Raven’ he thought, narrowing his eyes toward the city skyline.’ At least maybe This way…’
His lips curved into a cold smile. ‘I’ll have the element of surprise.’
Plus… he thought grimly, ‘Even as a shadow I really didn’t want Raven to see that lunatic anyway.’
Without missing a beat, Arthur stopped. Shadows coiled beneath his feet, a chill racing up his spine as he called forth one of his newest in his ranks, one that could match the fury in his veins.
"Kaisel," he commanded, voice low.
The ground trembled. Darkness surged, splitting through the pavement as Kaisel emerged his new Shadow Wyvern. The beast unfurled its massive wings, crackling with arcs of white lightning, and lowered its head in absolute obedience.
Arthur didn’t waste another second. With a powerful leap, he vaulted onto Kaisel’s back. "Let’s go," he ordered, his voice sharp.
Kaisel launched into the sky, wings tearing through the wind as they shot toward Gotham like a black bolt of lightning. The city stretched out below blazing with lights, chaos stirring beneath the surface.
‘I see you there, and i know you are not that stupid... not to figure out that my shadows are immortal as long as I'm alive…you clearly want me to show up since you are constantly defeating my shadow.’
His eyes gleamed like twin stars beneath the storm.
‘i’ll fulfill your wish.’
