Gotham - Arthur's Estate
The warm glow of the fireplace cast long shadows across the sitting room, its light dancing across the dark wood paneling and the shelves of ancient books that belonged to Raven. The flames crackled softly, their warmth a gentle embrace against the chill that had settled over the city outside. The rain pattered against the windows and Arthur Blackwynd sat on the sofa, his form relaxed, he wore simple dark clothing he preferred when he was at home. His arms were wrapped around Kara, her head resting against his chest, her hand resting on her belly. His eyes were closed, his presence a comfort for her.
Kara's voice was soft. "Why didn't you come see me after you returned from that world? I waited, Arthur. I sat here, day after day, waiting for you to walk through that door or appear out of thin air. And when you finally did, you barely looked at me before you disappeared again.."
Arthur was silent for a long moment, his hand moving gently through her hair. "I felt empty." He paused, his jaw tightening. "Unworthy to face you. I had just come from a world where I watched a version of everyone suffer and die. I watched.. one of your kin, in another life, sacrifice himself to save everything we hold dear here. And I couldn't save him. I couldn't save any of the ones he wished to save."
Kara's brow furrowed, her eyes searching his face. "What happened? Tell me. I need to understand."
Arthur's jaw tightened, his eyes still closed. "I had some trouble." He paused. "But all I want to say is that I will protect our world and our family here with every fragment of my being. Whatever it takes. Whatever it costs. I will not let what happened to that world happen to this one."
Didi's voice whispered in his mind, soft and amused. "Does that include me as well? In every fragment of your being?'"
Arthur smiled.
Kara's eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a note of sharp suspicion. "She said something, didn't she? I can tell when you're talking to her.. You get that look.. I can't believe she is part of you now.."
Arthur's smile widened. "It is not so bad, really. Other than her speaking so suddenly sometimes, I will get used to it. She's like a very ancient, very chatty roommate who never leaves."
Kara was concerned. "I do not like this." She paused, her eyes searching his face. "Death of the Endless being eternally part of you does not sit right with me. I know she's your friend, Arthur. I know she's been good to you, to all of us. But this is different. This is forever."
Suddenly, Didi appeared in front of her.
Her form materialized from the shadows. Her short hair moved gently, and her silver ankh caught the light, gleaming softly. Her eyes, ancient, kind, filled with the wisdom of eternity found Kara's face, and she smiled.
"Is this okay to you then?" Didi asked. "To see me like this? To know that I am always with him, always watching, always present?"
Arthur's voice carried a note of surprise. "I did not know you could still do this..."
Didi was amused. "Partially. I can take on physical forms for a while." She paused, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It would be extremely sad for me if I did not enjoy the simple pleasures of life while watching you enjoy them, don't you think? I may be a ghost now, but I still have a taste for good tea and good company."
She turned to George and she requested politly. "I feel like having tea, and perhaps some of those little sandwiches you make so well.."
George nodded though there was a slight tremor beneath his composure. "Right away, Lady Death."
Didi corrected. "I am no longer Lady Death. Your master is Death now." She paused, her eyes softening. "I am just Didi. His companion. His guide." She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I prefer friend, so Kara would not laser me."
Kara was amused. "I am not going to laser you, Didi..." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Maybe. If you keep popping up unannounced."
Didi's laugh was warm, genuine. "That is fair. I would probably laser me too, if I were in your position."
Kara raised an eyebrow. "Does Raven know about all of this? About what you've become, about Didi being part of you now?"
"Raven does know about it. She knows that I offered Arthur this choice, that I gave him the option to accept my concept." Didi paused, her eyes glinting with amusement. "But she does not know Arthur has already gone through with it. She suspects, I'm sure. She's far too perceptive not to. But she doesn't know for certain." A pause. "But she is smart. She will put it together and figure it out."
Kara was frustrated. "So I was the only one left in the dark! The only one who didn't know what was happening to the man I love.."
Didi approached her, Kara almost stepped back, but Didi's hand reached out, her fingers resting gently on Kara's belly.
Her voice was soft, "This is the reason why you are kept in the dark by Arthur." She paused, her eyes meeting Kara's. "About many things, really. I am afraid that you are his weakness with the way you are right now. Not because you are weak... No.. you are one of the strongest people on this planet. But because you are carrying his child, and that makes you precious in ways that transcend power."
"Didi... do not be too blunt. She doesn't need to hear all of that right now." Arthur said calmly.
"No, it is fine. I am already aware of this fact." Kara paused, her eyes meeting Arthur's. "But do share these things with me next time, please. This is no small matter. I deserve to know what's happening to you, Arthur. I deserve to be part of your life, not just someone you protect from a distance."
Didi's eyes were still fixed on Kara's belly, her expression shifting to one of quiet wonder. "Almost two months.. Not even.."
Kara's brow furrowed. "What?"
Didi said with absolute certainty. "Your child. A girl. She's growing strong, Kara. I can feel her presence, even see her, her will to live. She's going to be just like you, stubborn, fierce, and utterly impossible to stop... there is also a huge shadow she'll carry.."
Kara looked at Arthur, her voice carrying a note of sharp accusation. "You knew? You knew and you didn't tell me?"
Arthur sighed. "I knew. But I did not want to tell you." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "I wanted you to discover it on your own. To have that moment of wonder, of discovery. I didn't want to take that away from you... but.."
Kara's expression softened, her eyes brightened with excitement. "So we will be having a daughter!"
Then her expression shifted immediately. "Why did you ruin the surprise, then! I did not wish to know either! I wanted to find out on my own!"
Didi's voice carried a note of innocent mischief. "Opsie." She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I thought it would cheer you up. You seemed so sad, so worried, and I just wanted to give you something to smile about.."
"It did, but... never mind." Kara said.
George returned with the tea. "Here you are, Lady Didi. first flush, steeped for exactly three minutes and forty-two seconds.. I'd say it is perfect just like lady death, I mean.. Didi of course."
Didi said in genuine gratitude. "Thank you, George. You are a treasure."
George's eyes found Kara. "What is the issue, Lady Kara? You seem troubled."
Kara said with excitement. "I am having a daughter!"
She gave him a hug, her arms wrapping around him with genuine warmth. George's expression softened.
"That is wonderful news, Lady Kara. We should celebrate with a proper dinner for the occasion. I will prepare a feast worthy of such an announcement."
Arthur smiled but he still interrupted. "No. There is no need."
Kara's eyes narrowed. "You are leaving again, aren't you? I can always tell when you're about to go."
"I will not lie to you." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "I am going to kill Mobius. He's been hiding in the anti-matter universe, licking his wounds, plotting his moves against us and Apokolips. I can't let him do that anymore. He attacked my Nyx. He killed my Lanterns. He needs to pay before he grows bold and attacks our planet next."
Didi sipped her tea then she said. "Just a warning, even though I know you know this, Arthur: if you go now to the anti-matter universe and end up fighting Mobius, which naturally is no match for you right now.. time flows differently in his domain. He will probably try to escape." She paused, her voice hardening. "You must do this cleanly. You cannot send a clone of yourself. You need to do this personally and send him to the Abyss. No half-measures, no games. End it."
Arthur acknowledged this. "I am aware."
Kara was concerned. "Does this mean you will be away for a long time?" She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What about the child? What about us?"
Arthur pulled her into an embrace. "I know." He paused, his arms tightening around her. "I will be here as fast as I can. I cannot let them roam this universe free while threatening us and our existence." His voice hardened. "These are dangerous beings, Kara, and you know this. The likes of Mobius and Darkseid would never let go of Earth. Darkseid wants the Anti-Life Equation, and it is here, right on this planet."
He paused, his eyes meeting hers.
"That is why he never attacked fully, always sending troops to test our defenses, our response... It is time that we test Apokolips. I have full confidence in killing the Avatar, just as I have full confidence in killing Mobius."
His voice dropped to a whisper. "But I will probably attract the attention of other beings. Though it matters not. I must do this."
Kara looked away. "I understand. I hate it, but I understand."
George's voice was filled with concern as well. "Miss Elenor Blackwynd will be joining us soon. It is a shame you are leaving."
"Then just say hi to my mother instead of me. Tell her I'm off saving the universe again. She'll understand, she'll also take care of Kara, you have Raven too." Arthur said with a smile.
"This is the right course of action, Arthur. And yes, this will attract certain beings' attention." Didi confirmed, her eyes meeting his. "Though we will not be sure if they will be hostile or not. There are forces in the multiverse that simply.. watch."
Arthur's eyes glowed violet. "I care not about the others for now. If that happens, then I have an idea to gain even more powerful allies."
Didi got curious . "Oh? Care to explain?"
"You will see when we return to the World Tree." He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "For now, let us go and get rid of the Anti-Monitor."
He turned to Kara. "Do not bother George too much. He has enough to deal with without you adding to his list."
"Damn you.." Kara said.
Arthur smiled, and he disappeared.
Kara looked away with a sad look on her face. "Idiot..."
George reassured her. "Do not feel down, Lady Kara. Master Arthur always returns." He paused. "Stronger than he leaves.. I have no doubt that he will make it in time for you and your child. He has never failed you or anyone else before, and he will not start now."
Kara's hand rested on her belly. "I know..."
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