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The sky above the Blackwynd estate was calm now, veiled in soft cloud cover. The wrought iron gates creaked open with a subtle groan, their movement was slow like the house itself was taking a breath to recognize one of its own returning after a long time.
Arthur stepped forward, boots crunching faintly against the gravel path, Raven a silent presence at his side, her cloak fluttering with each step.
The family estate had changed little.
Same stone walls, same towering windows that caught no sunlight, same looming cypress trees that lined the path. All too familiar.
The front door opened before he could knock.
Adam Blackwynd stood there broad shoulders leaning against the frame, arms crossed. His eyes glinted with that mix of exasperation and fondness only an older brother could master.
"Tch," Adam scoffed, lifting a brow. "The moment the sky went red, I just knew, I knew somehow, somewhere, you had to be involved in this."
Arthur didn't stop walking. And didn't argue. He just exhaled through his nose, a slow tired sigh, and brushed past his brother with the same expression one reserves for an annoying sibling.
Raven's lips twitched.
Inside, the house smelled of flowers, and new furniture. And standing halfway down the hallway arms folded like twin swords across her chest was none other than his mother.
The moment Arthur stepped into view, her foot tapped. Her brow arched. Her lips thinned.
Arthur cleared his throat and gave a simple, "Hi."
Her arms tightened.
"Hi?" she repeated, voice high and incredulous. "Is that all you have to say?"
Arthur blinked.
"You disappear for weeks. You don't write. You don't call. You don't even send a pigeon or whatever kind of shadow-bird you command these days!" She started marching toward him now, fingers twitching like she wanted to smack the side of his head. "You vanish without a trace and then just show up at my door with a 'hi'? Really?"
Arthur raised both hands in surrender, a crooked smile creeping onto his lips. "I'm sorry, but..."
"I understand," she interrupted, her voice softening. She reached out and pulled him into a tight hug, grounding, warm. "I just want to see my son, that's all."
Arthur hesitated.
For a second, his arms hovered in the air, unsure, foreign in their gesture. His eyes blinked with a rare flicker of vulnerability before slowly his hands folded around her, holding her back.
'I really neglected them,' he thought, feeling the weight of her affection. 'Maybe I should drop by more...'
Behind them, Raven stood with her arms loosely at her sides, watching in silence. Her expression unreadable, though something passed through her eyes, a memory, perhaps. Of a mother she could never return to. Of a home that never truly existed for her. And yet, standing here in this hallway of shadows and warmth, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic like she was seeing herself at a distant past.
Her communicator buzzed.
She turned slightly and brought it to her ear. Arthur glanced at her sidelong, already knowing.
"It's Robin, isn't it?"
Raven nodded and answered.
"Raven," came Robin's voice, brisk and direct. "There was a massive surge of power registered over Jump city. It must be a powerful enemy.. The signature was right on top of Blackwynd estate too. Is Arthur...are you..?"
Raven cut him off gently, "Don't worry. We handled it."
There was a pause. "You... did?"
"Yes. Me and Arthur."
Another silence. Then Robin's voice came back, tinged with both confusion and disbelief.
"He's in Jump City... Oh boy. Trouble's gonna fol—wait, he's next to you, right?"
"Yep."
Robin exhaled audibly. His tone shifted immediately. "Alright.. then. Glad you got that covered." And he hung up before any more questions could spiral.
Raven pocketed the communicator and looked at Arthur. He just smiled, something amused and unbothered in his expression.
****
Arthur stood in the center of the living room, shadowed by his long coat, the air around him felt faintly charged.
Adam leaned against the doorframe of the room, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well, what was it this time." Adam said dryly, "Some demon from outer space or another dimension?"
Arthur exhaled slowly, his gaze slipping to the side. "Nice to see you too, Adam."
Arthur was now in the house he hadn't set foot in for a long time. His mother sat on the worn couch, elbows on her knees, staring at the floor as though it held all the questions she was too tired to ask. Raven leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, gaze distant but subtly trained on Arthur. And Adam… Adam stood with that same old smirk on his face, trying to pretend this was just another family meeting gone awkward.
Arthur cleared his throat. His voice just low and heavy with thought.
"I kind of knew something like that would happen."
All eyes turned to him.
"That's why I sent Galatea here. Not just to keep an eye on things... but to protect you."
He took a few steps forward, his boots tapping softly on the floor.
"As I grow stronger… that power doesn't just elevate me. It draws attention. From things that don't belong on this Earth. From enemies that see my rise as a challenge or something beyond our understanding. They're watching. Waiting and planning."
His voice hardened.
"I don't come often. Not because I don't care. Not because I forget. But because every visit is a risk..for you."
His gaze lingered on his mother. Then Adam.
"You think it's coincidence I don't have a superhero name? That I don't wear a mask? There's no persona. No double life. It's just me."
He let that truth hang in the air.
Adam exhaled slowly and gave a light shrug. "Don't worry about it," he said, casual as ever. "You've got a lot on your plate. at least I get it."
Arthur gave a small nod of gratitude. But his mother said nothing. Just sat there… staring. Nodding once. The kind of nod that said I hear you… but not necessarily I accept it.
The silence crept in again.
Arthur reached for his cloak, adjusting it around his shoulders.
"I'll be leaving now."
His mother's voice snapped like a whip.
"No, you are not."
It wasn't a plea. It was a command.
Arthur froze. His fingers halted at the clasp of his cloak. He turned slowly.
Even Blade twitched in the corner, just barely a shiver running through the disciplined shadow knight that hadn't flinched in a long time. Raven straightened a little, her eyebrows raised, surprise breaking through her calm face. Even Arthur himself blinked taken off guard.
Adam burst out laughing.
"Damn," he grinned. "Haven't seen you that look in your face in a long time.. You look almost scared.."
Arthur exhaled, and a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. His shoulders relaxed a little.
He looked back at his mother. She was standing now. Not angry or crying. Just… done with being left behind.
He didn't try to argue.
"Maybe," Arthur said quietly, "I'll stay for dinner then."
****
QUEIT SKY NEAR THE ESTATE -
Two figures floated in the ether, untouched by gravity, unaffected by the wind.
One was tall, pale as paper and robed in shifting shadows that moved like smoke. His eyes were dark pools, old beyond reason. He looked down toward the house below, a quiet estate.
"So that's him, sister?" his voice echoed like wind through soft and patient, inevitable. "The one you've surprisingly taken such interest in… the one with no ending?"
Beside him, in the air, hovered a woman draped in black, a silver ankh dangling from her neck. Her eyes were deep wells of understanding, ancient and kind.
She didn't answer immediately. Her gaze lingered on the warm light spilling from the windows of the estate below.
"Oh, brother," she said at last, voice soft "Destiny didn't tell me or show me anything." She turned to him then, smiling faintly, a soft glimmer in her eyes. "But I know. I was there when they were born. I'll be there when it ends."
She tilted her head. "That person is… one of the exceptions."
The man beside her raised a brow, black eyes narrowing with subtle intrigue. "Exceptions are rare," he murmured, folding his arms. "And usually dangerous, we know a person like that."
"Dangerous?" she repeated softly with quiet amusement. "Or necessary."
He considered that.
Then, without another word, he began to descend, he did not fall fast, nor with intent to confront. "I'll try to understand a few things," he said to her over his shoulder. "Fear not, sister. I mean no harm."
She didn't stop him. Only watched.
But as his feet touched the grass near the estate's edge, she whispered to herself, just loud enough for the world to remember.
"You are the one that might need to be careful, Dream."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want