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Raiden sat beside his son, the soft glow of Zephyr's nightlight casting a dark silhouette around the room. The baby slept peacefully while Raiden's mind turned back to the battlefield to the moment he had to make an impossible decision.
Above him had loomed Nyarlathotep, an Outer God of chaos and madness that threatened to ravage not just Earth but the multiverse itself. Two courses of action lay before Raiden: using his most powerful Noble Phantasms would annihilate Nyarlathotep but take with him his friends, his allies, everyone around him….or summon another Outer God, one very powerful and capable of destroying Nyarlathotep without causing collateral damage.
The risk was enormous. To him, the summoning of the Outer God seemed the safest option in stopping Nyarlathotep without harming his comrades; the real danger in this battle wasn't in the battle itself it was whether the summoned entity would cooperate. The Outer Gods were fickle, and their motives incomprehensible to mortals. If it refused to cooperate or worse, turned against him….that would have been the end of the universe, destroying all he had ever fought for.
Raiden clenched his fists, remembering the weight of that moment. He had gambled, hoping the summoned entity would heed his call and aid in the battle. While the Outer God ultimately destroyed Nyarlathotep, the gamble had come with a terrifying risk one that could have cost him not only his allies but his son, his family, and all of existence, and guilt filled Raiden
The idea, that his own son, his two lovers, and this world could have ended just like that…..Put a strain on Raiden's mind
In the silence, Raiden sat lost to the weight of his thoughts until he felt a soft but firm touch on his shoulder, He looked up to see in Scáthach with the usual calmness in her eyes as her presence was quiet, but a powerful reassurance.
"I do not know," she said, her voice low "nor will I claim to know if what you did was the right choice." Her gaze briefly went to the crib where Zephyr slept peacefully. "But what I do know is that you saved Earth that day. At least at the minimum price. You saved me, your lovers, your son. even with the risk that weighed on your shoulders."
The side of the crib creaked under Raiden's tightening grasp as he stood there, the memory of his impossible decision still echoing in his mind. He had picked his allies, his comrades, and had risked everything else for their names. But Scáthach's words sliced through his self-doubt like a hot knife through butter; she had spoken with the same confidence she carries with her into a battle.
"A King," she replied, her hand not leaving his shoulder, "is often compelled to make decisions of this kind. Sacrifices, risks, uncertainties. These are the costs of power." Her gaze caught his, an appeal in them, a command. "And now, as my King, and the future King of this Earth, you must learn to bear these costs, to accept them and live with them."
Raiden's chest constricted. It was the weight of her words, plain and real, upon him now. He had taken not only the mantle of leadership of his people, but now-possibly of all Earth. This choice, this risk he had taken it was just the beginning.
Raiden looked up at Scáthach, the weight of her words settling deep within him. The weight of his choice still lingered, but her presence was so often a grounding influence here, now, he remembered what he had fought for, and what he had to become. He gave a slow, deliberate nod.
"You are right," he said in a low, level voice "I will likely never be able to wholly forget the weight of that decision… as a King. Whatever happens, I must look ahead, into the future and to the kingdom to which I have sworn to create"
He reached up and laid his hand gently over hers, feeling gratitude for the support she'd offered him both on the battlefield and in moments like these. "Thank you, Scáthach. For teaching me and for reminding me what's important. Without you, I couldn't have done any of this"
Scáthach's grip on his shoulder remained steady as she gave a small nod in return; her expression unreadable, yet knowing. "You need no thanks. But as your Shishou and your warrior, I will always make sure you remember who you are and what you are to become"
He took a deep breath and finally looked back at his son, his vision of the future before him now crystallizing. One could not run from the burdens that came with leadership, but he knew now he had to bear them-not just for his own sake but for his people, his allies, and his family.
Time to look ahead now. Time to lead
...…
Raiden sat at an elaborately set dinner table in one of Gotham's most refined restaurants, its class and reputation a reflection of its owner, Bruce Wayne. Across from him, in the soft glow of ambient light, he now sat without his mask, every bit the billionaire philanthropist Gotham knew, yet Raiden still saw only the hero, the dark knight behind those eyes.
Raiden inhaled deeply, he had no idea why Bruce asked him to come here, but he had to start conversation somehow, so he spoke "Why did you decide to retire?"
Bruce leaned back, almost reflecting on his decision and why he had taken it "My time is over," he spoke, the weight of every fight he had ever been in sounding in his voice. "Dick better fits the mantle now. He's ready to lead and protect Gotham. As for me, I've realized that the era of heroes hiding in shadows, operating behind masks, is coming to an end"
Raiden's eyebrows shot upwards in surprise. Batman was one who was usually alone and more often than not grim in his crusade for justice, and he was retiring more than that, acknowledging a shift that the world needs. Raiden was taken aback, especially when Bruce continued.
"What do you mean?" Raiden asked, his mind racing
Bruce's face turned grave. "Threats such as Nyarlathotep, the world needs more than vigilantes to handle them….. it needs unity…. And you, Raiden, have a plan which could do that. Yes I am surprised myself….but, I am with you….Your plan to unify earth as it's King"
Raiden looked on in shock, unable to believe his eyes. Batman, of all people an icon of resistance against the very idea of some sort of centralized power was giving endorsement to the dream of global unification. Never had Raiden expected this.
Bruce immediately leaned forward, razor sharp-eyed. "If you're going to unify earth, you have to move and move now," he said as he added, "Your initial target should be Bialya. Queen Bee's forces are in disarray, The country's army was mostly destroyed in the conflict against Nyarlathotep and she's already in custody due to her alliance with Nyarlathotep and Neil Queen and the counterparts"
"The biggest powers, such as the US and Russia, among others, will try to take control over the country by exploiting the power vacuum, If you take your claim over Bialya as it's savior, then they will have to think twice before challenging you. You are viewed as an ultimate hero now, with the nickname 'King' by the people, No nation will want to oppose you directly"
Raiden was shocked by the scale of things involved. He was dealing not only with a strategic opportunity but also with a major turn in global dynamics. The endorsement from Batman was more than he could have envisioned.
"You don't mean to tell me that me just claiming it will cement my status as its king, do you?" Raiden asked, leaning ahead in anticipation.
Bruce spoke further in a careful and thoughtful manner "To solidify your position, you shall have the main allies join in with your plans for world domination. Especially Amazon and Atlantis. Diana has already pledged her allegiance to you, and securing her realm will be a powerful statement. Similarly, Arthur shares your vision; he may need more convincing whether you should be the king or not, but he will be a strong ally in the long run, Atlantis, with its magical and military resources, will enhance your authority and support."
Raiden knew well the strategic importance of such alliances. "So, let me get this straight, I will be using two of the most powerful and mysterious countries to my advantage, huh? Yeah….I'd expected much from a plan by Batman"
"Exactly," said Bruce, "as their support will be the crowning of your position and at the same time strong factor which will restrain the opposition, And only with such support that the transition of power will be easier to go through and your kingdom will be respected and claimed on the international stage."
Raiden listened intently to the advice, his mind weighing heavily with impending decisions. A way to unification was getting more concrete, and with the help of powerful allies like Diana and Bruce, add to it advice from Merlin, and the foundation of his kingdom was becoming much more solid
Bruce's last question drew Raiden's attention back to the present. "What will you name your kingdom?" Bruce asked in a curious-anticipatory tone.
Raiden looked up to Bruce with determination in his eyes, his voice firm after a moment of contemplation. There was pride beaming through his words as he responded
"I will call it.…."
//********************************************************\\
If you Like this story! Check out my other story! One Piece: Elden Lord!
and
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patréon at
"https://www.patréon.com/Riadooo"
Don't forget to change "é" to "e"