Clark couldn't quite describe his current mood. After all, he wasn't actually in danger, nor had he suffered the pain of losing a loved one. But he understood that this was the fundamental divide between him and Batman.
Batman had also lost family in a very tragic way, but at least from the results, it seemed he did nothing. Clark didn't know whether he was unable to act or simply chose not to. He only knew that if something like that happened to him, the world would undoubtedly change.
Even now, without experiencing such tragic events, he is gradually changing this world. A.R.G.U.S. might disappear because of him, Luther has the chance to create more inventions, and various factions might reassess their relationship with aliens.
Would Batman accept this change?
More importantly, could Clark accept Bruce becoming a victim of this change?
Once upon a time, Clark would not have hesitated for a moment. He would just do what he wanted to do. But now, he is uncertain. If Batman truly intends to stop him, he isn't sure whether, after careful consideration, he would choose to give up.
Clark couldn't precisely summarize and encapsulate how Batman shook him. From the very beginning when he realized Batman was a mortal capable of being hurt and bleeding, to gradually witnessing his immense power amidst his own struggles. For some reason, Clark is more willing to see himself as the climber challenging the gods. Perhaps that's indeed the reality.
Defeating gods, replacing gods, is a necessary step on the path of control and change. But Clark is unwilling to imagine the scene of Bruce falling, there is a deep inner resistance and fear.
Through the layers of rain, Clark looked into Batman's eyes. There should have been a cold sea there, but at this moment it concealed emotions he couldn't understand.
"Are you going to stop me?" Clark asked.
"It's you who needs to prove to me that you truly have the ability to change." Batman said, "This will be the last time, my friend."
Clark took a deep breath and charged at him. He intended to grab Batman and take him flying. But Batman seemed to have anticipated this, first doing an aerial flip to evade and then swiftly tying a grapple around Clark's arm. As Clark changed direction and flew up again, he jumped into the air, spreading his cape to glide downward.
Clark followed behind him. The two weaved in and out between the high-rises and rain in Metropolis. It seemed like a battle, but was more like a stroll in the rain. This wasn't a good time for conversation, but Clark still asked, "How did Damian die?"
"Fell from a building." Batman replied, "He was kidnapped, and when I went to save him, I was blinded by anger, focused only on attacking the kidnappers. In his struggle, he fell."
This answer didn't surprise Clark. He had long speculated that Batman's earlier advice might stem from his real experiences. Yet even so, he still felt deeply saddened.
"The kidnapper..."
"He's dead."
"Did you kill him?"
"Not exactly." Batman paused before saying, "He chose his own death, and I simply didn't save him."
"If I..."
"Clark, change is a road you cannot turn back from. This means that once you start, regardless of any obstacles you encounter, you must find a way to remove them. Some things, when completed, you're a hero; when incomplete, you're a sinner."
Clark's breath caught. He realized Bruce was speaking about himself. Batman had essentially vanished for a long time. And people regarded him not as a strong and righteous superhero, but merely as a fleeting monster in tight clothes.
The gliding Batman finally stopped on a lower rooftop. He looked at Clark and said, "Advice from a failure may sound ridiculous. You're younger and stronger. But you will inevitably face obstacles that you can't overcome no matter how hard you try. Clark, I too want to know, at that time, what you will do."
A sense of foreboding flashed through Clark's mind. He instinctively retreated, putting distance between himself and Batman, but it was already too late. He saw Batman press a button on his belt. At the edge of the roof behind him, a bright purple light suddenly shone.
Zzz—!!!!!!
A fierce and dazzling beam of light flashed by. A laser shot directly at Superman. When the light faded, there was a big hole in Clark's chest. His shocked expression froze on his face, and then he fell downwards. Amidst the intense pain and increasingly blurry consciousness, the last scene he saw was the bat with its wings spread, cutting through the dark clouds.
"Superman!!!"
Someone screamed first, followed by countless people gathering around. Then the police and military arrived. Everyone who witnessed the scene poked their heads out from the buildings. Someone shouted:
"Superman is dead... he's dead!!!"
"No! How could he die so easily?!"
"He's not dead! He can't be dead!"
Amidst countless cries of disbelief, Superman's figure slammed heavily onto the ground. That incomparably majestic Man of Steel, bleeding like an ordinary mortal. The blood spread and diffused in the rain, dyeing the entire world red.
The bright blue eyes gradually lost their luster, and the pupils began to spread. The body's self-repair function constantly attempted to heal the wounds, but that mysterious energy kept obstructing it. The two sides were in a tug of war, neither yielding to the other.
Amanda also rushed over. When she saw Superman's "corpse," she let out a scream and immediately began to command the police present, "He's dead! I need his corpse! Quick, take his body to Bellevue Prison!!!"
No one moved. Everyone just stared incredulously at the scene. They couldn't believe such a powerful God had fallen. This fact relentlessly struck at their sanity.
"You bunch of bastards! Open your eyes, he is already dead!!! This is yet another victory, and his corpse will be the most precious treasure, my trophy..."
Before she finished speaking, she felt many icy gazes lingering on her. She suddenly realized that many of the soldiers and police she once commanded were coldly staring at her.
"Are you insane?! I am your superior! I order you to transport the body to Bellevue Prison immediately. I need to examine him right away!" Amanda, anxious and hyperventilating, paid no attention to her subordinates' emotions and incessantly repeated her demands to collect the body.
Because she knew well, Superman's corpse would be extremely valuable. His strength was evident to all. If she could uncover the secret of his power or simply use the body to create weapons, she could possibly control the world.
In the end, the subordinates did as she said. They cautiously approached Superman's body. The first officer to reach out found Superman's body still warm, as if alive. Being close enough, he could clearly see the wound on Superman's chest seemed to be healing. Despite the extremely slow speed, it was repairing.
He turned back to glance at Amanda, seeing her sinister and greedy expression. In the blurred rainy landscape's contrast, she appeared like a monster eager to devour. His Adam's apple moved; he took a deep breath and waved his hand saying, "Bring the body bag."
Subordinates glanced at each other, but eventually fetched a body bag. All the officers who had touched the body silently put the tall figure into the bag and then loaded it onto the police car.
The police car disappeared into the darkening sky. Everyone who witnessed it was deeply shocked. They first saw Superman, like a God, display invincible strength to them. But subsequently, such a mighty God fell, not by the hand of his enemies but by Batman.
People began bringing up the name of Batman again. Why did this long silent monster reappear and why was he an adversary to Superman? Nobody knew, but everyone was curious.
Returning through the rainy night, Batman took off his bat suit. Without even leaving the changing room, he sat down on the chair, lips pursed, his expression very cold, but also somewhat numb.
After a moment, he caught a whiff of coffee aroma. As he walked out, he saw Shiller sitting on the sofa, with two cups of steaming coffee in front of him. Bruce walked over to sit, forcefully wiped his face, and exhaled a long sigh.
"I know you feel bad too, but there was no choice. According to our current investigation, this intrusion by the Dark Power is certainly related to Magic, at least it isn't conventional power. If Clark Kent can't overcome this hurdle, he won't be able to lead Earth further."
"I think we should at least inform him," Bruce said, "He was completely unguarded, which shows he never expected I would attack him with Magic. I shouldn't have..."
"Enough, it's too late to repent now." Shiller shook his head, put down the cup, and said, "We still have a problem we haven't dealt with."
"Amanda Waller?"
"She's not the problem. I mean Zod. This guy, although already repelled by Superman, isn't dead. He will definitely come back."
Bruce took a deep breath and said, "Alright. Since he's a monster created by Luther, he must know his details. I'll go ask him."
After Bruce left, Shiller heard a startled voice on the communication line, "You killed Superman???"
"I didn't kill him," Shiller said, "Batman did."
"That's even scarier, isn't it?!" The voice of Big Adventure Batman sounded incredulous through the communication, "How did you persuade him?! How could Batman kill Superman???"
"Don't worry about it, we have our own pace."
"I don't see the necessity of this." Big Adventure Batman's tone became slightly serious, then said, "You better not be settling personal vendettas. Even if Superman needs to guard against Magic, there's no need for such drastic measures, right?"
"It is indeed a reminder, but that is not the main point." Shiller said.
"What on Earth do you want?"
"To create a true Man of Steel."