Shadow Monarch in DC

The World of Eternal Slumber -

The realm where Arthur’s shadows reside had transformed, what had once been a vast, almost empty expanse of twilight and shadow had grown into something magnificent, a kingdom forged from darkness and will, its architecture a testament to the souls who had built it. Spires of obsidian rose toward the violet sky, their peaks lost in the perpetual twilight that hung over the realm, bridges of solidified shadow connected towering structures, their arches spanning chasms that descended into infinite darkness, their surfaces smooth and gleaming like polished glass. The streets were wide and clean, lined with banners that bore the sigil of the Shadow Monarch.

Arthur Blackwynd walked through the heart of his kingdom, and the shadows bowed as he passed.

They knelt in the streets, their eyes burning with the same violet fire that blazed in Arthur’s own. They were soldiers, builders, artisans, beings who had been given a second chance at existence, who had found purpose in service to their monarch. They did not need to say it, but their reverence was palpable, a wave of silent devotion that followed him wherever he went. They were the remnants of fallen enemies, the echoes of warriors who had died in battle and been reborn in service to a greater purpose.

Nearly three million of them filled the kingdom, a sea of shadows that stretched as far as the eye could see. The streets were filled with the sound of their activity, the soft whisper of their movements, and above them, circling the spires like guardians of the sky, his new addition to the shadow legions, the Paradragons soared, thirty thousand of them, their mechanical wings beating, their eyes burning with the same violet fire as their monarch. Their roars echoed through the realm.

Didi floated beside him, her form translucent in the twilight light, her silver ankh catching the glow of the realm. Her eyes swept across the kingdom, taking in the scale of what Arthur had built, and what he commanded. Her voice carried a note of genuine admiration.

"Impressive realm," she said. "This is all the dead you stole from me. You have built something beautiful from the ashes of countless beings."

Arthur smiled. "Very funny.." He paused, his eyes meeting hers with a look that was both warm and challenging. "I remember a long time ago, you said you allowed it because you liked me.."

Didi’s voice carried a note of playful innocence. "Did I? I do not remember that part. I recall something about you being ’interesting’ and ’not entirely insufferable type of being,’ but ’liking’ you? That seems like a strong word, Monarch of Shadows."

Arthur smiled, his expression warm. "Of course.."

Didi smiled then she asked. "You are here because? Admiring your army?" She paused, her eyes scanning the crowds of shadows that filled the streets. "I thought you would have more. Clearly, you are very nitpicky about who you want as your shadow soldiers.."

"You are right, I could have more." Arthur said, his eyes sweeping across his kingdom. "I have no regular rank soldiers.. They would be a waste of mana. The bulk of my army are the soldiers of the other Monarchs I killed, and only the strong ones. I have no use for weak soldiers. They would only dilute the strength of my forces."

"Sure." She teased, her eyes falling on a massive statue of Arthur that dominated a nearby square. "And they built all of this? Most of them are statues of yourself.. I count at least a dozen from here alone."

"No.. these are clearly made by Beru.." He sighed. "He has a... creative streak. He believes that ’visual reminders of the monarch’s greatness’ are essential for morale."

"I see. And you allow this?" Didi said.

"It keeps him happy. And when Beru is happy, he does not try to ’improve’ other things."

They continued walking, the shadows parting before them like water before a ship. The kingdom stretched before them, vast and beautiful, a testament to the power of its monarch. "I am here because I am about to decide something big." Arthur said, his eyes meeting hers. "I am their monarch, but my army lacks a General. Or rather, a Grand Marshal."

Didi raised an eyebrow. "And you didn’t bother to do this earlier? Why now?"

Arthur’s jaw tightened slightly. "I need every sort of preparation possible before I confront my enemies. I had no reason to do it before, and my Marshals seemed to not care about this until very recently. But now, with the threats we face, I can’t afford to have a leadership vacuum within my Shadow army."

Didi studied him for a moment. "You seem to like your shadow soldiers. To some extent.. More than I would have expected from someone who commands the dead."

Arthur smiled. "Most of them were great warriors. Some were my enemies who pushed me to the limit." He paused, "I may be their monarch right now, but I have respect for them as well. They earned their place in my army through strength, skill and merit."

Didi smiled, a hint of warmth in her ancient eyes. "What a benevolent ruler... I almost regret teasing you about your army."

They reached a massive arena, its walls rising toward the violet sky. The structure was colossal, its perimeter stretching for miles, its walls carved from obsidian and shadow like stone. Shadow flags flew above it like banners in the wind, each one bearing the sigil of the Shadow Monarch, the arena was crowded with shadow soldiers.

Arthur entered the arena. "This will be the place where I will decide who will be the Grand Marshal."

Didi’s eyes glowed. "So the Marshals will fight themselves... this seems like fun." She smiled. "In that case, I would like to make a bet."

Arthur looked at her with surprise. "You’re betting?"

"Yes. Is that strange?" She paused, her eyes meeting his. "I’ll bet that H’El will be the Grand Marshal."

Arthur studied her for a moment with a look of suspicion."You’re already familiar with their abilities, aren’t you?" He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well. I’ll say that Doom will be the Grand Marshal. He’s not much of a talker but that won’t be a problem, the shadows all understand each other. He doesn’t need to speak to command them."

Didi’s smile widened. "Deal." She paused, her eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "If I win, we’ll go on a date."

Arthur blinked. "You want me to go on a date with a ghost? Also, you realize that I might be Death now, but Kara and Raven would still kill me?"

Didi waved her hand dismissively. "You’ll tell them. They’ll agree to it, they like me. And I’m not a ghost... merely a part of you. And as you can see, I can turn into my physical form whenever I desire, I’m actually enjoying the way I’m right now."

Arthur sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice."Fine. I don’t think I’ll lose this bet anyway... But If I win, you’ll babysit my child for two years."

Didi’s smile didn’t waver. "I’ll take that."

Arthur floated onto a platform overlooking the arena, his body silhouetted against the violet sky. The arena was massively big, truly massive, its walls rising like cliffs, its floor a vast expanse of shadow-stone that seemed to stretch into infinity.

Inside the arena, on the battlefield, his Marshals stood.

Bellion, Igris, Beru, Ultra, Galatea, H’El, Doom, and the two dragons, Veythur and Kamish. They were a formidable gathering. Each one was a legend in their own right, a warrior who had faced gods and monsters and had always emerged victorious. They stood in silence, their eyes fixed on their monarch.

The arena was full of shadows watching, their eyes burning with the same violet fire as their monarch. They had come from across the kingdom to witness this moment, to see who would rise to become their Grand Marshal.

Arthur’s voice carried across the arena. "The one who wishes to give up on the Grand Marshal title may leave the battlefield if he wishes."

He waited for a while, but none of them left. Their silence was answer enough.

Didi leaned closer, her voice low. "My... they all wish to have that title."

Arthur nodded slowly. "Of course they do."

He raised his voice, carrying it across the arena. "Very well. We could make this a free-for-all, but that will not be fair. There will be combat, one versus another. You may freely choose your opponent. Naturally, the one who loses is eliminated."

H’El was the first to speak. "My Monarch, I wish to fight the dragons."

Arthur’s eyebrow rose. "Both?"

H’El’s voice was flat and certain. "Yes, if you allow it."

Arthur looked at Didi, who simply smiled.

He turned back to the arena. "Veythur and Kamish, do you accept his challenge? He is basically telling you that you have freedom to team up against him. You will have to fight each other if you win."

Veythur’s voice was a low growl, irritation lacing his words. "I rather not fight alongside this dimwit Dragon, but H’El’s arrogance irritates me more. I will take this challenge.."

Kamish’s voice followed, smooth and confident. "Likewise, my Monarch. We shall defeat him. The Grand Marshal will be myself."

Arthur nodded slowly. "Very well. The rest can wait and watch this battle." He paused, his eyes sweeping across the arena. "You may fight once I sound the great shadow bell that appeared above you."

The rest of the Marshals left, leaving only the dragons against H’El.

Arthur waited for a while until they got ready. H’El was already pulling his fists, clenching them, his body radiating power and the dragons were ready too, fire already building up in their maws.

Then Arthur sounded the bell, and its roar was so loud the whole realm could hear it, let alone the shadows watching in the arena.

His voice carried across the arena, cold and absolute.

"Let the battle begin."

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