Shadow Monarch in DC-Chapter 415: A Family Dinner Interrupted

Night had settled peacefully over Arthur’s Estate.

The storm of events that had shaken the city earlier, the rift, Hell, the collapse of the infernal city of Dis felt like a memory now. Warm light spilled from the windows of the manor’s grand dining hall.

Inside, the atmosphere was far different from the devastation of Hell.

A long polished table stretched across the room, set with elegant dishes and candles that flickered gently. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced wine filled the room.

For once, the world’s problems had been set aside.

At the head of the table sat Arthur.

Arthur Blackwynd leaned back slightly in his chair, a glass in hand, his usually calm expression softened by the warmth of the moment.

Around the table sat those closest to him. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Raven sat beside him, relaxed but still quietly observant as always.

Across from her sat Kara Zor-El, already halfway through telling a story.

At the far end sat Arthur’s older brother Adam, looking far too amused for someone who had almost been murdered by demons sometime ago. Next to him sat their mother, Eleanor Blackwynd, poised and dignified as always, and the ever-composed George sat next to her.

And joining the family tonight were two guests.

John Constantine lounged comfortably in his chair with a drink already in hand.

Beside him sat Zatanna, who seemed quite pleased with the normalcy of the evening.

Adam leaned back in his chair, pointing a fork casually toward Arthur.

"You know..."

He smirked.

"This wasn’t exactly what I expected to happen when you showed up to me earlier... This is rather nice. Are you sure you are okay Arthur?"

Arthur took a slow sip from his glass.

"Well."

He set it down calmly.

"It’s been a while."

He looked around the table briefly.

"I wanted some family time."

Then he added with faint amusement,

"Alongside the companions who fought beside me."

George cleared his throat politely.

"As refined as always, Master Arthur."

"Though I must say... the tremors we felt were quite the spectacle."

Everyone looked toward him.

"The entire city is discussing it," George continued calmly. "News channels are speculating about earthquakes, experimental weapon tests, and even alien invasions."

He tilted his head slightly.

"And unfortunately... the northern forest no longer exists, that place is swarming with people to investigate."

Arthur shrugged faintly.

"Too bad."

Then he took another sip.

"It could have been worse though."

Constantine raised his glass slightly.

"I can’t argue with that."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Glad you stopped her."

Adam suddenly pointed his fork again.

"Yeah, about that."

He looked at Arthur with mock accusation.

"Those demons showing up in my office nearly gave me a heart attack."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"From what Raven told me, you did quite well defending yourself."

He paused.

"Even if it meant destroying your office."

Adam lifted both hands defensively.

"Hey!"

He pointed toward the ring on his finger.

"That power ring isn’t exactly easy to control!"

The table erupted in laughter.

Kara nearly choked on her drink.

Raven covered her mouth, clearly amused.

Even Eleanor allowed herself a small smile.

Adam groaned.

"Laugh it up."

Kara wiped a tear from her eye.

Raven then added. "You should have seen his face when I found him in his destroyed office, it was priceless."

The laughter gradually faded as Kara turned toward Eleanor with bright enthusiasm.

"So Lady Blackwynd.."

She leaned forward excitedly.

"How did you like Nyx?"

Her eyes sparkled.

"Cool place, right?"

Eleanor set down her glass gracefully.

Her posture remained regal as always.

"Quite the charming place."

She folded her hands neatly.

"It was... majestic."

Then her gaze shifted slowly toward Arthur.

Her son sat quietly sipping his drink.

"I still cannot quite believe it."

Arthur looked up.

"The city... the shadows... and that magnificent battery."

Her eyes carried genuine awe.

"The glow alone was mesmerizing.. I can’t believe that everything there is.. yours.."

Arthur nodded calmly.

"I’m glad you liked it."

Then he added casually,

"Though the aliens wielding my shadow rings are not mine."

"They possess their own free will."

He leaned back slightly.

"They may live as they choose."

"But their duty remains simple."

"Protect this universe and follow orders when necessary."

He tapped the table lightly.

"My Marshal Zeus oversees Nyx alongside the Lantern Generals."

"Very disciplined individuals."

Constantine blinked.

"Hold on."

He leaned forward slightly.

"You’ve got more Marshals?"

He gestured toward Arthur.

"I thought what we saw in Hell was your entire shadow army."

Across the table, Kara and Raven exchanged amused smiles.

Raven answered calmly.

"There’s an entire realm where Arthur stores the rest of his army."

Constantine stared.

"You’re telling me..."

He pointed at Arthur.

"You went easy on Hell?"

Arthur shrugged slightly.

"I still deployed my Marshals."

"And I personally fought the Demon Lords."

He tilted his head.

"So I wouldn’t say I went easy on them."

Kara grinned proudly.

"I definitely didn’t go easy on them."

She leaned back proudly.

"Too bad Zee and I didn’t stick around for the finale."

Zatanna nodded with a playful smile.

"We ended up inside a red gate with Batman."

She twirled her fork thoughtfully.

"So it wasn’t that different."

Arthur looked between them.

"I’ll need to hear the details of that later from your perspective, I’ve seen a bit through my shadow lantern that aided you inside."

Both women nodded.

"Sure thing."

Adam suddenly clapped his hands together.

"Alright!"

He pointed around the table.

"Enough about Hell, demons, rifts, armies of shadows, magical gates, and whatever else insane thing you people deal with."

He leaned forward firmly.

"This is supposed to be a normal dinner."

"No superhero stuff."

George cleared his throat politely.

"I’m afraid that may no longer be possible, Master Adam."

The table chuckled again.

Eleanor nodded gently.

"I have come to terms with that."

Her gaze moved across the table.

"As long as you are all safe..."

Her voice softened.

"That is all I ask."

Arthur looked at her quietly for a moment.

Something thoughtful flickered across his expression.

Then he looked away.

Around him, the dinner continued.

Kara had launched into an exaggerated retelling of their fights in Hell.

"I swear this demon came at me with three heads!"

Constantine immediately corrected her.

"It had two."

"Still terrifying!"

Zatanna laughed.

Conversations filled the room.

Laughter echoed around the table.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

But Arthur sat quietly.

Lucifer’s words lingered in the back of his mind.

’You are a concept of death.’

’There cannot be two.’

His gaze drifted slightly.

’Is that what she thinks too...?’

He remembered the last time he had spoken with her.

She had hinted at something similar.

’Would she really believe I might try to entirely take over her concept...?’

Arthur was pulled from his thoughts when Raven’s hand gently rested over his.

He blinked slightly.

She was watching him.

"Arthur?"

He looked at her.

"Yeah?"

Her voice was soft.

"You’re thinking about something."

Arthur nodded faintly.

"I am."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Important?"

Arthur glanced around the table.

His family laughed as Kara attempted to imitate Constantine fighting demons.

Then he looked back at Raven.

"I’ll tell you later."

Raven studied him for a moment.

Then she simply squeezed his hand gently.

And the dinner continued while the loudest voice belonged to Kara Zor-El.

Zatanna was nearly doubled over laughing, while Adam shook his head with a grin.

Raven was smiling faintly at the ridiculous storytelling.

Arthur himself leaned back in his chair, one arm resting on the armrest as he listened to the chaos around him.

For once, the Shadow Monarch allowed himself to enjoy this.

Then

Ding.

The sharp sound of the estate’s doorbell echoed faintly through the distant halls of the manor.

The effect was immediate.

Every conversation stopped.

Kara froze mid-gesture.

Constantine paused with his glass halfway to his lips.

Adam slowly lowered his fork.

Silence filled the dining hall.

Adam looked toward Arthur first.

"...You expecting someone else?"

Arthur didn’t answer immediately.

Instead.

His violet eyes began to glow.

The light was faint, but unmistakable.

The room seemed to dim slightly as his gaze shifted toward the direction of the estate’s entrance.

His enhanced vision pierced through the walls of the manor like they weren’t there.

Stone.

Wood.

Steel reinforcements.

Layers of the estate faded away under his sight until his gaze reached the front gates.

And then the front door.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"...No."

His voice was calm.

"I’m not."

George remained perfectly composed, though he too had noticed the sudden tension, he inclined his head slightly.

"Shall I go see who it is, Master Arthur?"

Arthur remained silent for a moment longer, still staring through the mansion walls.

Then he muttered quietly to himself.

’...What is he doing here...’

Raven glanced at him.

Kara’s eyes narrowed as she followed the direction of Arthur’s gaze.

A second later her own sight focused beyond the estate walls.

She blinked.

"...Oh."

She looked back toward Arthur.

"What is he doing here?"

Arthur exhaled slowly.

"That’s what I just said.."

George folded his hands neatly behind his back again.

"Shall I escort the visitor away?"

Arthur leaned back in his chair again, though the faint glow in his eyes remained.

"...No."

After a short pause, he nodded once.

"It’s fine."

George turned toward the hall.

"You may let him in."

The butler gave a short respectful bow before calmly leaving the dining hall.

The moment the doors closed behind him.

Every eye at the table turned toward Arthur.

Constantine leaned forward slightly.

"Alright."

He pointed casually.

"Who exactly just rang the doorbell of the bloke who wiped out the Lords of Hell?"

Kara crossed her arms. "Someone we all know..."

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