FrenzyAren
patreon
SM/DC Chapter 40 : A Promise of Death.
🕑 Added 2025-02-24 21:53:07 +0000 UTCArthur exhaled through his nose, his irritation spiking the moment he felt the familiar shift in the air dark energy, the faint scent of incense and something almost otherworldly. His eye twitched.
“Do you ever knock?” he said flatly, turning to face the new arrival.
Raven stood in his living room, arms crossed, her hood slightly lowered. Her expression was neutral, but he could see it, the faintest glint of amusement in her violet eyes.
“Well, this time, there’s a situation,” she replied, ignoring his tone. “And I know you’re going to involve yourself again.”
Arthur scoffed. “Of course I will. You guys are incompetent at your jobs.”
Raven sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “That’s a bit harsh to say.” She opened her mouth to continue, but—”
“I’m not going to work with you guys,” Arthur cut her off, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
She sighed again, this time in resignation. “I know. I wasn’t here to convince you. I’m only warning you that Batman is in town. He’s looking into this mess with Robin and Green Lantern.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “And you’re telling me this because…?”
Raven tilted her head slightly. “Maybe because Batman is the type of person that would probably try to—”
Arthur cut her off again, his glowing eyes narrowing, his voice dropping an octave. “Do you really think Batman can actually harm me?”
A low chuckle escaped him, dark and full of amusement. “He can’t.” His lips curled into a smirk. “I’ll find whoever did this, and he’ll pay for it. Simply because I was in the middle of something, and they interrupted me.”
Raven didn’t say anything for a moment, just observing him. Then she asked something that was on her mind for a long time now, “Do you have a way to avoid being tracked?”
Arthur narrowed his eys but didn’t answer. He simply turned around.
That’s when Raven stiffened because she felt it before she saw it. The presence in the room.
“…Uh.”
Arthur’s mother had been standing there the entire time. Watching. Listening.
The silence was painfully awkward.
Raven blinked. “Shit.”
Mrs. Blackwynd folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. “Another girl, huh?”
Raven’s eyes widened slightly. “I—I… wait… another girl?”
Arthur ran a hand down his face. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
His mother glanced between them, clearly making assumptions. Then she narrowed her eyes at Raven, realization clicking. “I know who you are. You’re one of those Titans.”
Raven, slightly flustered but trying to maintain composure, quickly gave a small, respectful bow. “Uh… sorry for… being here without permission, Miss Blackwynd.”
Mrs. Blackwynd just gave her a long, unreadable look before sighing and rubbing her temples. “I don’t even know what to say anymore.”
Arthur smirked at Raven. “Maybe try calling instead of teleporting here every chance you get Raven.”
Raven said half embarassed. “I will... also... what’s this about another girl ?”
Arthur walked towards the door, his hand resting on the handle. He didn’t turn around as he spoke, his voice low and unwavering.
“I know you probably know more than you just shared,” he said, his glowing eyes reflecting faintly in the dim light. “So either you be helpful… or I’ll do it my way. It’s not a problem for me.”
Raven stayed silent at first, watching him, her gaze unreadable. She didn’t flinch under the weight of his words, but he could tell she was thinking, calculating.
Arthur pulled open the door.
“…Alright,” she finally said.
He stopped mid-step.
“I’ll help,” she added. “Just this once.”
Arthur turned his head slightly, smirking. “Oh? And what changed your mind?”
Raven crossed her arms. “Batman insisted that he’ll only work with Robin on this. Since we’re dealing with the Joker.”
Arthur let the words sink in for a moment before he scoffed. “Joker alone did this?” His voice dripped with disbelief. “Able to spread a toxin to multiple cities? Bullshit.” His smirk disappeared, replaced by a sharp, calculating expression. “I had a few suspects in mind he was among them. But someone else is involved im sure.” He shook his head. “Batman isn’t stupid. If he insisted on working alone with Robin, it’s because he doesn’t want you to know about certain things.”
Raven frowned slightly. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that your dear employer is keeping you in the dark,” Arthur replied coolly. “That should tell you something.”
Raven’s gaze flickered, her mind working through the implications. Then she exhaled sharply and lifted her hands.
“Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!”
A swirling portal of dark energy tore open before them, crackling with violet light. Beyond it, Arthur could see the towering silhouette of a building against the night sky, Jump City’s broadcasting tower.
Raven lowered her hands. “That’s where Batman and Robin went. Green Lantern followed them.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes at the sight. “I’m not walking into a trap, am I, Raven?”
She met his gaze, her voice steady. “No.”
Arthur stared at her for a long moment, searching for any sign of hesitation. Then, without another word, he simply said.
“Alright.”
And he jumped through.
As soon as Arthur disappeared into the portal, Raven let out a small sigh, rubbing her temple. She turned around, only to find Arthur’s mother staring at her with an expression caught between confusion and mild amusement, Blade Arthur’s trusty shadow soldier next to her standing at the ready, staring at Raven.
Raven cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and gave a small, awkward bow. “Uh… Sorry for intruding. Again.”
Mrs. Blackwynd arched an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Mhm.”
Raven held the bow for a second too long before awkwardly straightening. Then, without another word, she summoned another portal and quickly stepped through, vanishing in a swirl of dark energy.
****
Jump City’s Broadcasting Tower
The air was thick with an unnatural mist, a sickly green haze that clung to the ground like a living thing. It coiled through the empty streets, creeping along abandoned cars and curling around shattered streetlights. Arthur stood at the base of Jump City’s broadcasting tower, his eyes glowing faintly as he observed the eerie silence.
“No people. No bodies.” He muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes. “Just this damn mist.”
A faint ding echoed in his mind.
[Warning: A harmful substance has been detected in your bloodstream.]
Arthur tilted his head slightly half expecting something. ‘And?’
Before he could dwell on it, another notification followed immediately after.
[Longevity: Immune to all diseases, poisons, and any abilities that can be harmful to your status.]
[Foreign substance—neutralized.]
Arthur’s lips curled into a small smirk. “As I expected.”
With a flick of his wrist, the shadows beneath him rippled, and his shadow demons emerged, twisted, hulking forms with eyes that burned like dying embers. They knelt before him, awaiting his command.
Arthur’s voice was firm, authoritative. “Enter the tower. Keep to the shadows. Look for anything remotely suspicious. If you happen to see anyone, do not engage.”
The demons let out a silent acknowledgment before melting back into the darkness, their forms slipping away into the mist like phantoms.
Arthur took a deep breath, cracking his neck his grip tightened around the hilt of his Promethium sword, its steel humming with an ominous energy. His eyes burned with an eerie glow. His voice was low, dark, filled with an unshakable promise of violence.
"I really want to find that clown here, I'll do this world one big favor once and for all."
Arthur walked into the Building The weight behind those words was enough to make the very shadows tremble.
