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"You'll never truly know what others have been through, nor can you ever fully empathize. You won't understand how someone changes from white to gray, then to black. There are countless ways for someone to wither, yet all we see is the final stage of their decay."
Peter patted Clark's shoulder. "So, we can never fully empathize with others, nor can we expect others to empathize with us."
Clark and Azu listened attentively.
Clark lowered his head, deep in thought, and asked, "So, what should we do?"
He felt a little lost.
"Some wounds we have to lick ourselves. Even if we can't fully empathize, just being there for someone is a form of support."
Peter wanted to pass on something positive to them. After all, in this world of comics, if these two were left unchecked, who knew what chaos they might create someday? Despite being powerful figures at the top of the food chain, one never knew when an alien force might show up and humble them both.
Even if most of the positive lessons Peter taught didn't fully resonate with him, he still shared them.
"I'll always be there for you, Dad," Clark finally said after a long pause.
Azu, sensing the moment, chimed in, "Me too, Dad. I'll always be by your side."
"And I'll be here for you both."
Peter ruffled their hair. "Alright, it's getting late. Time for bed."
Azu stayed back for a moment, waiting until Clark went upstairs, then shyly said, "Dad, you still owe me a bedtime story from last time!"
He hadn't forgotten the promised story.
"Which one do you want to hear?"
In Azu's room, Peter picked up a storybook. "No zombies or scary stories, though," he warned.
Azu's shoulders drooped a little. "Alright, Dad."
He wasn't really interested in the story; he just wanted Peter to stay with him. He thought Peter would scold him for pushing the little chubby Darl off the slide. When Darl's mother came angrily, Azu fully expected a spanking. But instead, his father defended him and even praised him, leaving Azu feeling validated and valued.
Since his dad had said that the best way to understand others is to be there for them, Azu decided he'd be there for him, too.
Holding his milk bottle, Azu looked at Peter, waiting to hear what story he'd tell.
Peter flipped through the book. "Alright, here's one—the tale of the Mermaid."
"Legend has it that there's a type of fish, and if you eat its flesh, you'll gain the power of immortality."
Peter slowly began reading the story from the book:
"There was once a village where the elders never aged. The villagers worshipped a 15-year-old girl. One day, a young traveler passed through, and the elders, thinking he had come to uncover their secret to eternal youth, killed him."
Peter continued narrating the story of "The Mermaid Legend," inspired by Rumiko Takahashi's adaptation. It tells of a man who stumbles upon a hidden village of women, where he encounters a mysterious young girl named Mana, whose ankles are shackled.
After listening, Azu asked curiously, "Dad, would immortality really drive people mad?"
"Yes. We all face aging, illness, and death, which is why some people desire eternal youth."
Peter touched his own face, pondering his own nearly unchanging appearance due to his watch.
Maybe it was time to disguise his youthful look, perhaps by growing a beard or dyeing his hair white, lest someone suspect his secret to eternal youth.
Even though his strength far exceeded that of an average person and he had Clark and Azu by his side, it would still be a hassle if his secret were exposed. For instance, lately, Martha had been probing him about his skincare regimen.
Closing the book, he gazed out the window.
In the dark night, the moonlight cast a silver glow over the crops, and the entire farm lay in peaceful silence.
Suddenly—Splash!
Something heavy splashed into the Smallville River.
Moments later, police cars rushed to the scene, red lights flashing.
Officer Lane, gripping his gun, leaped out of his car before it even fully stopped, racing toward the riverbank with his weapon drawn.
The other officers, armed as well, followed him to the river's edge.
"Damn it!"
Staring at the now-calm river, Officer Lane muttered through gritted teeth.
They had finally tracked down a serial robber near the jewelry store. The suspect's abilities were abnormal; not only could he withstand bullets, but he could also lift a motorcycle with ease, injuring several officers who couldn't dodge in time.
Fortunately, they had brought heavy firepower, overwhelming the robber in a storm of bullets. Unable to withstand it, the robber had thrown a few motorcycles at their cars, setting them ablaze before escaping into the river.
Officer Lane had pursued him here, only to watch him vanish underwater.
"Damn it! Does anyone here know how to swim?" he shouted to the other officers.
No one answered; they exchanged glances and shook their heads. After all, they were just cops, and they weren't about to risk their lives. The river was treacherous, and the robber could be waiting below, ready to ambush anyone foolish enough to dive in.
"What's downstream?" Lane asked, frowning.
"Smallville Elementary," an officer replied.
At that moment, near the elementary school, a slight ripple disturbed the calm, faintly green-glowing waters of the river, and a figure emerged.
A muscular young man removed his mask as he climbed out, his face aging rapidly as he took each step toward the riverbank. His once-youthful, well-built body soon transformed into that of a man in his fifties or sixties.