Shadow Monarch in DC

The great shadow bell’s echo still hung in the air, its resonance vibrating through the very foundations of the shadow realm. The violet sky above the arena seemed to darken from what was about to unfold. The crowd of shadows that filled the massive structure was silent, their burning violet eyes fixed on the three figures who stood in the center of the battlefield.

The shadow bell’s roar had not yet faded when H’El moved.

One moment he stood motionless in the center of the arena, the next he was a streak of violet-black light, already inside Kamish’s guard before the great dragon’s wings had finished their first downbeat. His fist met the dragon’s jaw with a sound like a mountain splitting, and Kamish’s head snapped skyward, a roar of pain and fury tearing loose from his throat as he was hurled backward through the air, gouging a furrow through the floor before he even began to fall.

"Fast," Veythur growled, circling low, "but strength without wisdom just makes you a brute." His maw opened, and a torrent of black flame roared out to meet H’El where he stood in the air.

H’El didn’t dodge. He inhaled.

The crowd of watching shadows felt it before they understood it a pressure building, a silence at the center of the arena as the air itself seemed to bend toward H’El’s open mouth. Then he exhaled, and the flame died, devoured, torn apart mid-flight by a gale that came from his lungs alone, a wind so absolute it stripped the black fire from existence and kept going, slamming into Veythur’s face and driving him tumbling end over end across the sky.

Kamish rose from the crater H’El had put him in, jaw cracked, eyes burning with rage. "You are strong, H’El. I will give you that.." he spat, wings snapping wide.

Veythur’s voice followed, sharp and mocking. "He thinks he can take on both of us. The arrogance of this one is truly something to behold."

H’El’s lips curved into a cold smile. "I have died and been reborn to serve the Shadow Monarch. Two dragons, no matter how ancient or strong, will not be my undoing."

Kamish’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "You speak of death as if it were a badge of honor. You forget, little Kryptonian, that we have died as well. And we have been reborn in service to a greater purpose too."

Veythur’s laugh was sharp, mocking. "Let us show him what it means to face the dragons of destruction."

They attacked.

Kamish lunged first, his massive form moving with a speed that belied his size. His claws carved through the air, their edges gleaming with violet light. H’El moved, his body a blur of motion, dodging the strike with a hair’s breadth to spare. The impact of Kamish’s claws against the shadow-stone floor sent shockwaves through the arena, carving deep furrows in the ground.

H’El’s counterattack was immediate. His fist connected with Kamish’s jaw, the impact sending shockwaves through the dragon’s massive body. Kamish stumbled backward, his head snapping sideways, a guttural roar of surprise escaping his throat.

But Veythur was already there.

His tail swept toward H’El’s legs, its massive length carving through the air like a blade. H’El leaped, his body soaring over the strike, his heat vision already blazing from his eyes. The twin beams of violet-tinged energy struck Veythur’s shoulder, carving a smoking trench through his shadow scales.

Veythur’s roar was one of pain and fury. "You will pay for that, little Kryptonian!"

He unleashed his dragon breath, a torrent of fire that consumed the space where H’El had been standing. The shadow-stone floor melted, its surface bubbling and hissing under the intensity of the flame.

But H’El was already gone.

He appeared above them, his body silhouetted against the violet sky, his fists clenched and he descended like a meteor, his fist connecting with Veythur’s skull with enough force to send the dragon crashing into the arena floor.

The impact carved a massive crater in the shadow-stone, its edges smoking, its surface cracked and broken. Kamish roared, lunging toward H’El, his jaws open wide. But H’El dodged under the dragon’s jaws, his fist connecting with Kamish’s throat, the impact sending the ancient dragon stumbling backward.

The crowd of shadows roared, their voices a chorus of approval and excitement.

Arthur watched the battle with a calm expression, his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding below. Didi floated beside him her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Didi’s voice carried a note of genuine admiration. "H’El is impressive. He holds his own against both of them, I believe I made the correct bet."

Arthur nodded slowly. "He is a Kryptonian super-clone. He was created to be a weapon, a force of nature. And he has been honed by quite a lot of battle experience already."

Didi’s eyes narrowed. "But the dragons are not giving up. They are adapting."

Arthur’s smile was thin. "That is what makes this interesting... because he too can adapt to anything."

The dragons had regrouped. Kamish and Veythur circled H’El, their movements synchronized, their purpose clear. They had been pushed back, but they were not defeated.

Kamish’s voice was a low growl. "He is strong. But he is not invincible."

"We must work together. For once, I will admit that we need each other." Veythur said.

H’El’s smile was cold almost mocking. "That is the first intelligent thing I have heard you say, Veythur."

Veythur’s eyes blazed with fury. "You will regret those words, little Kryptonian."

They attacked again.

This time, their assault was coordinated. Kamish attacked from the front, his claws carving through the air, while Veythur swept from the side, his tail lashing toward H’El’s legs. H’El dodged Kamish’s claws, but Veythur’s tail caught him across the chest, sending him hurtling through the air.

He crashed into the arena wall, its surface cracking under the impact.

The crowd gasped.

But H’El was already rising, his eyes blazing with heat vision. He shook off the debris, he was amused. "Impressive. You actually managed to land a hit."

"We are not done yet." Kamish said.

H’El’s smile widened. "Neither am I."

He launched himself into the air, his form soaring toward the dragons. His heat vision blazed, carving through the air, forcing the dragons to dodge. His super breath followed, a torrent of frozen air that encased Veythur’s wing in ice, sending him crashing to the ground.

Kamish lunged, his jaws open wide, but H’El was already there, his fist connecting with the dragon’s skull.

The battle continued, a storm of violence that seemed to shake the very foundations of the arena. The shadow-stone floor was cracked and broken, its surface scarred by the force of their conflict. The walls were carved with the marks of claws and heat vision, their surfaces smoking and hissing.

The other Marshals watched from the sidelines.

Bellion stood with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the battle below.

"H’El is winning this one. Even though he is being pushed back."

Galatea nodded. "The dragons can’t adapt to his abilities."

Igris’s voice was flat. "Indeed, they are no match for him."

H’El hovered in the air, his body silhouetted against the violet sky. "You have fought well. But this ends now."

The dragons attacked.

But H’El was ready.

His heat vision carved through Kamish’s wing, sending the ancient dragon spiraling toward the ground, while his hands found Veythur’s tail, and he sent him towards the floor at frightening speed.

The crowd roared.

H’El descended slowly towards them, his body landing on the shadow-stone floor, his eyes fixed on the fallen dragons.

"Yield."

Kamish’s voice was a low growl. "Never."

Veythur’s voice carried a note of everything he felt. "We will not yield."

Suddenly Arthur’s voice cut through the arena. "Enough."

He descended from his platform, landing on the shadow-stone floor with a soft thud. His eyes swept across the battlefield, taking in the devastation, the damage and then he repaired it immediately with a gesture of his hand.

"H’El is the winner."

Kamish’s voice was a low growl. "My Monarch, we could have continued.."

Arthur’s voice cut him off. "No. You couldn’t have."

He turned to face both dragons, his eyes meeting theirs with a look that brooked no argument. "Being a Marshal also means that you need to understand when you have to admit defeat. H’El proved to be the stronger one. If it wasn’t for the shadow regeneration, you would have been dead already."

He paused,

"Every time he was attacking your wings, your tails, he was trying to handicap you instead of outright killing you. He gave you every chance to yield. And you refused."

"He fought well." Veythur said.

Kamish’s voice was equally reluctant. "We are not strong enough for the Grand Marshal title."

H’El nodded towards his monarch, "Only you can notice these details, my Monarch. I tried my best to showcase what I could do."

"You will go through." Arthur said as he turned, his eyes sweeping across the remaining Marshals."Now, as for the next fight..."

Two voices spoke at the same time.

Galatea said, "Beru."

Beru said, "Galatea."

Arthur almost smiled.

Didi floated beside him,"Wow. They really do not like each other."

"Their beef is... hard to explain. " Arthur said, then he turned to face both of them. "Very well. You two will fight next."

/-\

If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Shadow Monarch: In One Piece / The Witcher: Heir of Fire!

&

If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my p@t-reon / FrenzyAren"

You can Get Access to 7 More Chapters on all of my stories!