Clark kept his eyes closed. His body absorbed every ray burning around him, the Sun pulsing like an endless ocean of energy. Each cell vibrated, filling every muscle with renewed strength, as if the star itself were a heart beating inside him.
'When he came from the past and placed that thing in my mind, was it for this moment? It doesn't matter. The future Jor-El is gone, but I can use the one from this era, even if he doesn't have the same functions.'
The memory of his encounter with his future self flashed in quick sparks through his mind. The touch, the words, the presence of Jor-El forced within him. Now it all made sense, even if too late.
Clark opened his eyes. The Sun stood before him, colossal — a living wall of light and heat. His irises burned red for an instant, reflecting cosmic fire.
'With the star this close, I'm stronger than ever.'
His body moved, propelled by an energy that seemed endless. The decision was clear, without doubt. Find Diana in the Himalayas, then head to Smallville. The next step was set.
In the ruined hideout of the League of Shadows, the stones still smoked. Bruce Wayne was dead, and with him the last attempt of Barbatos to cross dimensions. The cost, however, had been high.
The artificial intelligence of Jor-El brought from the future had sacrificed itself in the process. Its code no longer existed anywhere. The function that allowed Clark to extract power from those affected by kryptonite had vanished with it.
Only the victory remained. Now he possessed the three Power Crystals — the key that would one day open the Fortress of Solitude.
BOOOOM
Clark broke through the shattered roof, descending amid dust and falling debris. The impact of his return made the structure quake.
Diana stood firm, shield still stained, sword in hand. Her face bore traces of dried blood, but her eyes were steady.
"Is it over?"
Clark walked toward her, broad shoulders reflecting the light filtering through the open ceiling. His gaze didn't waver.
"Yes."
Diana approached and held out the Water Crystal. The object glowed soft blue in her palm before being handed over.
Clark closed his fingers around it, feeling the cold vibration travel across his skin.
'This time I was lucky. Barbatos is far stronger than me. Without Jor-El, I almost lost my body. That feeling of vulnerability… it scares me.'
His eyes stayed fixed on the crystal until he felt another, gentler pressure. Diana's hand held his, firm, her eyes attentive to the silence weighing between them.
"It's all right."
"You don't have to lie. I can feel you're worried."
Clark took a deep breath, raised his head, and without haste, pulled her close. The kiss came in the next instant — firm and intense, yet natural, a gesture that needed no explanation.
He rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm afraid I'm not strong enough."
Diana kept her gaze locked on his, her voice low but full of certainty.
"If you're not strong enough, no one is. But together, we can be."
A brief silence formed between them. Clark closed his eyes, allowing himself just that moment.
"Thank you."
The flight back was silent. The wind cut through the darkness like invisible blades, carrying the night's chill in gusts that brushed against their skin. Heavy clouds broke apart around them, swallowing and returning the moon in brief intervals.
Silver light fell over Clark and Diana, tracing firm contours along their bodies as they crossed the sky. There were no words between them. Not even thoughts slipped out to break the quiet.
Only the steady sound of thin air filled the space — deep and distant, like a sleeping heart sustaining the way back to Smallville.
In Smallville, Clark landed softly with Diana in his arms. His body passed through the intangible roof and reached the bedroom in silence.
"We're home."
His voice echoed firmly through the house.
From the other side, the answer came quickly.
"Are you two having dinner?"
It was Kyla.
Diana began removing her armor, metallic pieces sliding with soft sounds, before stepping into the bathroom.
"We'll come down after a bath. Don't wait for us."
"All right."
The sound of the bathroom door closing restored the calm of the night.
Time passed, and the weight of the Himalayas felt far away. Clark was more at ease now, posture relaxed, no trace of battle's tension. Diana carried her usual serenity, her features softened by the warm light of the house.
They went downstairs together. The wood creaked under their steps until they reached Kyla and Tina already in the dining room.
"You didn't have to wait for us."
"We wanted to share the moment."
Tina spoke first, a discreet smile on her face. Kyla nodded slightly, as if their presence was a quiet part of the evening's balance.
Clark glanced around for a moment. The set table, the peaceful air, the two waiting for them.
'This family atmosphere… maybe I should visit my parents tomorrow.'
They sat. The sound of cutlery and dishes touching filled the room with comforting simplicity.
"Alicia called asking for you."
Clark looked up at Tina before answering in a calm tone.
"I'll call her later."
'What could Alicia want with me now? I can't make sense of it.'
Dinner went on in quiet pauses, broken only by the faint clinking of silverware and the aroma of warm food.
Kyla finished first, pushing back her chair slowly.
"Excuse me."
She gathered her plate and headed to the kitchen, her light footsteps fading away.
The meal ended in peace. Clark and Diana rose together, went upstairs, and let themselves fall onto the bed side by side. The dim light wrapped around them, and silence brought a strange calm after everything they'd faced.
Clark turned his face toward her, his eyes reflecting the soft light spilling through the window.
"It's good to breathe again."
Diana rested her head on his shoulder, voice low and steady.
"You need to allow yourself that more often. Not every battle is fought with a sword in hand."
He wrapped an arm around her waist, comfort in the touch grounding him.
"Sometimes I think if I relax too much, the world will fall apart."
"Then relax just enough to remember you're not alone."
Clark fell silent for a moment, thoughts spinning.
"Thank you for being here, Diana. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it this far."
She looked up at him, a soft smile forming.
"And I wouldn't have a reason to fight if I weren't by your side."
Clark kissed her gently. The weight of the day began to fade, replaced by a quiet certainty that, tonight, they could simply exist together.
Sleep came slowly, pulling them away, while the house rested in absolute silence.
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