The Arctic.
Fortress of Solitude.
Analysis progress: 87%.
Soren anxiously stared at the progress bar displayed by the holographic projector, nervously licking his lips, feeling an ominous premonition in his gut.
He could only ask Batman, "How long will it take to restore Clark's army to normal once you've developed the corresponding antidote?"
"A month," Batman replied, also watching the progress bar.
Analysis progress: 89%.
Soren asked, "Then, how do you plan to return Clark to his former self… I know, I know his hands are already stained with blood, but he—"
He's the Clark I watched grow up…
Analysis progress: 90%.
"He must atone for everything he has done," Batman interrupted Soren.
Soren looked up at him with sadness in his eyes.
The tall, silent, and resolute Dark Knight seemed like an ever-standing monument, silently standing there as if he always knew what the next step should be, never wavering in his beliefs and principles.
Batman is a symbol.
A symbol that never changes, shining faintly in the darkness.
Soren suddenly said, "I can't just watch Clark walk into the abyss alone. If we can't pull him back, then I'll jump down with him."
Batman abruptly turned to look at him, his jaw clenched, forming deep lines.
Analysis progress: 92%.
Shazam, who had been smiling, suddenly changed expression.
He lifted his head, looking gravely at the crystal dome.
He heard—
From the distant Arctic sky, behind the clouds, came a familiar sonic boom.
Analysis progress: 93%.
The door of the Fortress of Solitude opened for its true master.
Black boots stepped into the Fortress of Solitude.
The white cape billowed behind the world's highest leader like a ghost.
Soren heard the sound of the Fortress doors opening.
He suddenly looked up, his face blank.
His blue eyes lost all their luster in an instant.
He turned around, his heart pounding violently in his chest.
Clark walked toward them, step by step.
He looked at the three people before him.
They were his greatest love, his dearest friend, and his ally.
They stood together.
…all betrayed him together.
"Why?"
Clark looked into Soren's eyes.
— Analysis progress: 94%.
Soren locked eyes with Clark.
He raised his left arm, positioning himself in front of Batman and Shazam, and took a step closer to Clark.
As he approached, those Kryptonian blue eyes appeared like a pair of blue gems emerging on a dark canvas, and he—
Saw the ice within Clark's eyes.
…Like the eternal frost of the Arctic, a thousand miles of ice encapsulating a Superman's heart.
"Clark—" he called out in a hoarse voice.
But Clark interrupted him, almost calmly, slightly lifting his brow, with a self-mocking smile on his lips, asking, "Was it all a lie, Soren?"
Analysis progress: 96%.
Soren shook his head forcefully, urgently trying to explain to Clark, "No, I didn't lie to you, I never said those things to deceive you…"
The tender affection, the whispered confessions, the heartfelt exchanges—he had never deceived him even a little.
How could he use the word "love" to deceive him?
Those words—each one came from his heart.
"But you betrayed me."
Clark stood coldly not far away, his face slowly freezing.
Analysis progress: 97%.
Clark's tone and expression made Soren feel as if his heart had been sliced open with a knife.
He looked up at him, sorrowfully saying, "I have never betrayed you, I just want to get you back."
"…Clark, I want you to come down and love me."
Analysis progress: 98%.
Clark ignored his words.
He shifted his gaze to Batman and Shazam, who were behind Soren.
Batman's hand was subtly reaching towards his belt.
As a close ally who had fought alongside Batman for many years, Clark knew well that Bruce would not be without a backup plan.
He might be able to pull out a piece of kryptonite from that belt at any moment that could be fatal to him.
But—
"Bruce," Clark spoke to him, "as my most trusted ally, you should know that as long as I want, my speed can even surpass human thought. You won't be able to pull anything from your belt in front of me."
No one could be more composed than he was when he said this.
He didn't even twitch a millimeter, as if he was just objectively stating a fact.
Analysis progress: 99%.
Batman finally spoke.
"Is that so?"
He was like a silent, enormous bell, finally ringing with a deep, resonant sound.
Under the cowl, a hint of chin and a slight curve of lips were visible.
He looked at Superman.
Beep beep.
The Bat-lock analyzer completed its work, and the alloy door behind them opened with a sound.
As the door creaked open, Shazam, like a red lightning bolt, darted through the gap and vanished into the room beyond!