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SM/DC Chapter 23 : The Price of Power
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 20:21:44 +0000 UTCArthur sat on the edge of the rooftop, looking down on the city as it stretched out in a sea of flickering lights. He continued to stare straight ahead at the Blackwynd Science Group tower, its sleek glass monolith piercing into the night sky. He let his breath out slowly, rolling his shoulders as he muttered to himself, "This better go smooth without any trouble… I'd like to avoid unnecessary problems."
The shadows below him stirred. Without his head turning, Arthur had the distinct feeling his demons were pulling free from the darkness, their twisted forms knelt before him. Their glowing eyes locked onto him, awaiting orders.
He didn't hesitate. "Patrol the area," he said, his voice steady. "Stay hidden. If any of the Titans show up-or if you see anything unusual signal me immediately and do not engage.”
The demons said nothing; they never did. They melted away into the night, dissolving down to the streets below in the blink of an eye. Arthur leaned forward a bit more, his hands tightening on the edge of the rooftop as he continued to watch the tower.
*****
Adam sat at his desk, fingers tapping anxiously against the polished wood as the holographic screen in front of him flickered with Lex Luthor’s sharp, unamused expression. The tension in the air was suffocating.
"A failed shipment, Adam?", Lex's tone was low-measured-but did not mask that anger. “That Kryptonite was crucial for this experiment, and I don't have time to deal with set backs.”
Adam rubbed his temples. "I never expected Deathstroke to fumble on an errand so simple, a simple delivery. He fell out of contact. It means the Titans somehow interfered."
Lex's face closed down. "Ugh Excuses. Make it right."
Adam sat up again and kept all of his emotions tucked away. "Another shipment is headed your way, at the proper coordinates shortly. A deal's a deal, Lex."
A moment of silence. Then Lex leaned forward, his expression darkening. "You'd better." His voice dropped to something colder, something final. "Otherwise, I will destroy everything you hold dear."
The screen cut off. Adam exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
Then, suddenly movement. A ripple in the air, a distortion in the very fabric of the shadows beneath him. Before he could react, something emerged from the darkness a twisted inky figure rising from his own shadow, its eyes glowing like embers in the dim light.
Adam's breath caught in his throat. “What the hell— “
And then, just as quickly, it was gone. Replaced.
Where it had been, there was Arthur now, and the air was suffocating. His silhouette was wreathed in shifting, living darkness, the room growing colder with his arrival. His eyes gleamed like a predator's, and in his grip was a sword, its blackened edge reflecting the faint light.
Adam's stomach twisted.
"You better start talking." Arthur said
Adam's mouth opened slightly, his mind racing to process what he was seeing.
"…Arthur?" His voice trembled as he stared at the nightmare before him, his own brother swallowed by something unholy, something that felt wrong.
Arthur took a slow step forward, his sword's dark edge pointed directly at Adam's chest. His voice was calm, but there was unmistakable weight behind it. "Yes, it's me, brother. I'll ask you one more time." His grip tightened around the hilt. "Tell me everything you know about your deal with Lex."
Adam blew air through his nose, eyeing his brother up and down. A smirk pulled at the corner of his lip, but with no humor. "So that's why you looked different," he muttered. "Now you look just like them."
Arthur's expression didn't change. "Don't try to change the subject."
Adam chuckled and shook his head. "Lex is a dangerous man, Arthur. You should know that better than anyone."
"And you’re a fool for making a deal with him," Arthur shot back, his voice colder now.
A shadow demon had appeared beside Arthur in that very second, going down on one knee as it offered a broken shard of glowing green crystal in its hands. Arthur snatched up the Kryptonite without even a second look and casually flung it toward Adam-the rock skidding across the desk between them.
Arthur's eyes clouded. "This. What is he going to do with it?" He leaned in closer. "That shipment was too big for just Superman. You don't need that much unless you're planning something bigger."
Adam sighed and rubbed his temples. "I see… so it was you who intercepted it." He leaned back, seeming resigned. "Very well."
Arthur said nothing, waiting.
After a moment, Adam finally spoke. "Our science division has been working with Lex on a massive project. The money was… persuasive." His voice carried a hint of regret, but it was buried beneath his usual composure. "He’s creating something—someone. A living being designed to be completely immune to Kryptonite."
Arthur felt his blood run cold. His breath hitched for just a fraction of a second, but then his whole body tensed, his fingers digging into the hilt of his sword. He didn’t need to hear anything else.
'Doomsday.'
His mind screamed it.
His jaw clenched, and a sharp, dangerous laugh escaped him. Not one of amusement, but disbelief—pure, boiling rage barely contained beneath the surface.
"You fucking idiot!" Arthur muttered under his breath. He ran a hand through his hair, his nails scratching against his scalp as he tried to steady himself. "How far along is it? Is it alive yet?"
Adam hesitated, sensing the sheer fury radiating off his brother. "I don’t know. The thing is in his lab in Metropolis, but from what I do know, it’s not ready. Not even close."
Arthur finally breathed out and lowered his sword, though the grip remained firm. He half-turned away from his brother, rubbing his forehead. "I should kill you for this." His voice came tired, raw. "But I won't. Thank our mother for that."
Adam didn't say anything.
Arthur lifted his gaze again and looked directly into his brother's eyes. "But on one condition only."
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"Give me access to that lab in Metropolis." Arthur's tone was resolute, without pause. "Or you go yourself and let me handle the rest."
Adam's eyes flashed an uncertain feeling: "You want me to screw Lex over. Screw over what we have going and let you destroy it all.”
Arthur gave a mirthless chuckle. "Your 'work' won't mean shit when that thing is alive." The gaze hardened further. "You already destroyed our family the moment you decided to work with him."
Silence.
Adam's shoulders sagged slightly, his fingers drumming against the desk in thought. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he finally sighed and reached into his pocket. "Fine." He pulled out a small black keycard and tossed it onto the desk. "This will get you inside. I'll even arrange a meeting there. After that, you're on your own."
Arthur stared at the card, his mind already racing through the possibilities. But then—A cold shiver ran down his spine.
His fingers twitched.
His senses flared, Something was amiss.
His connection to his shadows outside had been smooth until now, His mana was depleting, little by little. Arthur let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "Intruders."
Adam tensed. "What?"
Arthur cocked his head slightly, eyes narrowing in focus on the fading presence of his shadow soldiers outside.
'apparently, one of my demons is getting constantly destroyed...' He clicked his tongue in annoyance. 'My mana is being depleted.'
A second of silence. Then it clicked.
Arthur breathed sharply out and shook his head. "Tch. The Titans."
