Kaius couldn't help but admire Lex's efficiency, even if it was in the context of villainy. Investigating the meteorite so quickly and producing a plan was impressive—albeit deeply concerning.
The combination of Kryptonite and Lex Luthor was never a friendly one, whether for Superman or Kaius.
Lex, still riding high on his excitement, seemed oblivious to Clark's pale expression and Kaius's strained look.
"Although we haven't fully determined the properties of these meteorites," Lex began with enthusiasm, "I've developed a bold hypothesis. If I use this meteorite to craft a key that fits the hole in the wall, could it unlock the secrets hidden within?"
Use a key made of Kryptonite on the wall tied to Superman's ancestral heritage?
Really? Is this how all villains operate?
Kaius wanted to laugh, but instead, he sighed inwardly. He was tempted to tell Lex to save himself the trouble. The real key was sitting snugly in Clark's pocket, less than five meters away. But no, Lex insisted on creating an imitation key out of the one substance guaranteed to harm Superman.
Sure enough, Lex retrieved a small metal box from his assistant's bag. Kaius couldn't see what was inside, as the box was lined with lead. But given what Lex had just said, there was little doubt about its contents.
When Lex opened the box, a green glow spilled out, confirming Kaius's fears. Kryptonite.
The moment the box was opened, Clark's face turned ashen. His strength drained rapidly, leaving him weak and vulnerable.
Kaius, with only a fraction of Clark's Kryptonian power, felt the effects too—but far less intensely. He experienced a mild dizziness and a frustrating inability to summon his full strength.
"This is the meteorite key," Lex declared triumphantly, holding the Kryptonite shard aloft. "I scanned the cave and used the data to design this. Once I insert it into the wall, all the secrets will be revealed!"
As Lex gloated, he noticed Clark swaying slightly and looking unwell. "Clark, you don't look so good. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Clark replied weakly, stepping back instinctively. "I'm just… feeling a bit dizzy. Maybe the air in here isn't great."
Kaius, realizing the situation was worsening, closed his eyes and focused inward. He unequipped his Superman Card, instantly nullifying the Kryptonite's effects on him.
Without the card, his strength returned to normal. Surprisingly, though, Kaius could feel his overall physical attributes had improved compared to when he first arrived in this world. It was clear that equipping the Superman Card had accelerated his growth, pushing him toward the limits of human capability.
If he were to equip a less powerful card, such as one tied to someone like Whitney, his progress would stall. But with a card like Superman's, his growth was rapid and significant.
Now free from Kryptonite's influence, Kaius moved to shield Clark from the harmful green stone. He faced Lex directly and said, "Lex, you can't just craft a key and insert it without knowing what it will do. You don't fully understand this meteorite's properties."
Kaius's tone grew more insistent. "If nothing happens, fine. But what if it triggers something dangerous? You're dealing with forces beyond your comprehension. It's better to proceed cautiously."
Lex frowned at Kaius, clearly annoyed. "Do you know something about this meteorite that I don't?"
Kaius stayed silent, his gaze steady.
Lex smirked, brushing off Kaius's concerns. "I've assessed the risks. Everything is under control. Nothing will go wrong."
I know this meteorite better than you do! Kaius thought to himself, but the current situation had spiraled far beyond his expectations.
Even though this scene didn't appear in the mainstream storyline, anyone with basic reasoning could tell that inserting Kryptonite into a creation of the stars was bound to lead to trouble.
"Lex, you can't do this!"
Clark sided with Kaius without hesitation. After all, everything in the Kavachi cave was directly connected to his origins, and he wasn't about to let Lex Luthor interfere.
However, Clark's protest only deepened Lex's displeasure. His face darkened, and his tone grew cold.
"I thought you wanted to uncover the secrets of the Kavachi caves. I thought we could still be friends..." Lex paused, glaring at Kaius and Clark. "It was wrong of me to investigate you both privately—I admit that—but I destroyed all the data. And now, when I'm on the brink of discovery, you're standing in my way again. Do you think that because my name is Luthor, I'm always wrong? That I'm incapable of doing anything right?"
Conscience check, Kaius thought dryly. I've never trusted you, Lex, so don't make this personal.
Before either of them could stop him, Lex suddenly raised the Kryptonite key and shoved it into the hole in the wall.
Clark, weakened by the Kryptonite's proximity, couldn't use his superspeed to intervene. Meanwhile, Kaius, now unequipped with the Superman card, was no stronger than a slightly enhanced human. He wasn't fast enough to react in time.
The moment the green Kryptonite key entered the slot, the wall lit up as if electrified. The alien text engraved on the surface began to glow ominously with a green hue.
Green—of course it's green. Nothing good ever comes from green when it's about Superman, Kaius thought grimly.
"Ugh..." Clark groaned as sweat poured down his face, his condition worsening by the second. The entire wall seemed to be saturated with Kryptonite energy, triggering an uncontrollable reaction.
Suddenly, the sound of cracking rock echoed through the cave. Fissures began to spread across the wall, and the eerie green light poured out from the cracks. A terrifying and unstable energy was building behind the surface.
"This wall's going to blow! Get out of here!" Kaius shouted.
Without hesitation, he slung Clark's arm over his shoulder and began dragging him out of the cave. The effort wasn't easy, but Kaius's enhanced strength made it manageable. Clark, struggling to stay conscious, leaned heavily on him.
The two researchers, realizing the danger, quickly pulled Lex out of the cave as well.
Moments after they exited, an earsplitting explosion erupted from the cave.
A massive green light shot straight into the sky, disappearing into the depths of space. Simultaneously, the Kavachi cave collapsed with a thunderous roar, reducing itself to rubble.
The explosion triggered a shockwave that rippled across the area, scattering debris like a deadly storm. Shards of rock rained down from the sky, one of them tragically striking a nearby researcher, reducing him to a lifeless heap.
Outside, Clark, who had been on the brink of collapse, finally began to recover as the fresh air helped him regain his strength.
Meanwhile, Kaius, now back in the open, re-equipped the Superman card in his main slot, regaining his full superhuman abilities. When a massive boulder hurtled toward Clark, Kaius stepped in and effortlessly deflected it.
As the chaos subsided, the landscape west of the town had been utterly transformed. What had once been a grassy plain was now a scarred and desolate wasteland.
Lex, standing amidst the destruction, dusted himself off. Despite suffering only minor injuries, his expression was grim. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left, his cold demeanor giving no indication of his thoughts or plans.
Kaius and Clark exchanged a glance. The Kavachi cave's destruction had raised more questions than answers—and they both knew this was far from over.