Clark's House - Bedroom
The moon shone through Clark's bedroom window, casting soft shadows across the walls. Fresh from the shower, Diana was clad only in a towel wrapped around her body. Her still-wet hair trailed over her shoulders, droplets gliding down her warm skin. She leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed, observing Clark with an evaluative gaze.
"So you want me to take Kyla with me to the caves?"
Clark, reclined against the headboard, looked up from the book he was holding. His tone remained calm, yet there was a hidden firmness in his words.
"Yes. She knows the area better than anyone. It could be useful."
Diana arched an eyebrow, crossing the room in slow, silent steps. The scent of soap mixed with her natural perfume, creating an even more imposing presence in the space.
"I don't trust her. You know she caused that accident."
Clark closed the book, setting it aside. His eyes met Diana's, filled with patience.
"She didn't mean to. We just need to make sure she understands the importance of what we're doing. If you two can work together, it could be an advantage."
Diana tilted her head slightly, weighing his words. Her gaze slid across Clark's face before a small smile appeared on her lips.
"You always find a way to make everything more interesting, don't you?"
Clark shrugged, a subtle smile on his face. If it keeps Diana busy and away from unnecessary troubles, all the better.
She stopped by the bed, eyes gleaming with more than just interest in the proposal.
"But Kyla doesn't know that her secret is known to us. So, don't bring it up."
Diana leaned slightly forward, placing her hands on Clark's shoulders.
"Understood."
With a swift move, she pushed him back, causing him to fall onto the bed.
"What are you doing?"
She smiled, climbing over him with the agility of a predator.
"Doing something more interesting than discussing strategies."
Clark grabbed her waist, amusement dancing in his eyes.
VRRRRR! VRRRRR!
The annoying sound of the cellphone cut through the moment, vibrating insistently on the nightstand.
Diana sighed, rolling her eyes.
"You really do attract bad luck."
Clark closed his eyes for a moment before reaching out and grabbing the device.
"What a killjoy."
The name on the screen flashed insistently.
Lana.
Clark and Diana exchanged a look before he answered.
"This had better be important, Lana."
With a swift gesture, Clark picked up.
"Lana, what's wrong?"
The voice on the other side trembled with desperation.
"Clark! Something's wrong! I... I saw something... Something that shouldn't exist! A... a zombie! It came out of the ground! This isn't normal!"
Diana's body tensed. Clark furrowed his brow, uncrossing his legs while gripping the phone more tightly.
"Lana, calm down. Where are you now?"
"At the Talon! I ran here, but... I'm scared! Clark, please, come quickly!"
Clark narrowed his eyes for a moment before responding.
"Stay calm, Lana. I'm coming to the Talon."
Lana's silence on the other line was broken by her panting breath. Then, a dry click marked the end of the call.
Clark tossed the cellphone onto the bedside table and ran his hand over his face.
Diana watched him with half-closed eyes.
"Zombies?"
Clark stood up, grabbing his jacket.
"Lana must have gotten scared and exaggerated. Smallville has seen strange things, but zombies? That's new even for me."
Diana stood up, crossing her arms.
"This isn't a coincidence, Clark. I felt something strange in the air. If there are zombies, it can only mean one thing."
Clark paused by the door, waiting for her to continue.
"Hades."
Clark blinked, his expression filled with disbelief.
"Diana, seriously? You're telling me that the god of the underworld decided to attack Smallville?"
She maintained a firm stance, her eyes sparkling.
"You've faced supernatural creatures before. Do you really think this is impossible?"
Clark stepped closer, his face serene but his voice laden with skepticism.
"I just think that, before believing that a Greek mythology god is walking around Smallville, it would be more sensible to check out what really happened."
Diana clenched her fists.
"You don't understand. If it really is Hades, we're not dealing with something you can just punch until it's resolved."
Clark opened the door, beginning to leave.
"I'll be back as soon as I know what's happening. If you want, you can go with Tina to investigate the caves."
Diana watched him cross the threshold, her jaw clenched.
He doesn't believe. But when he sees with his own eyes… there will be no more doubts.
The cold night wind blew against Clark as he stepped out of the house. The sky was dark, and Smallville seemed enveloped in an unsettling silence.
He quickened his pace toward the truck, feeling an odd sensation in his chest.
Something was wrong.
And he was about to find out what.
.....
Kawatche Caves – Night
The full moon hung over the Kawatche caves, casting a pale glow on the ancient stones. The wind blew gently through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth. Joseph and Kyla stood before the cave entrance, observing the now-protected site, the ancestral markings carved into the walls glistening under the night's light.
"Kyla, our people fought hard for this. Now these lands are safe, as they always should have been."
She smiled, crossing her arms, feeling the warmth of the moment. "Finally, Grandpa. This means so much to us… To everyone."
The rustling of leaves cut through the silence.
CRACK.
Both turned at the same time. The brush moved, as if something large was crawling in the darkness.
Joseph took a step forward, senses sharp.
"Who's there?"
From the bushes emerged a staggering figure. His clothes were worn, covered in dirt and dust. The stench of decay filled the air, making Kyla instinctively cover her nose.
The moonlight revealed the man's face: pale, sunken eyes hollow and empty, skin cracked like dried leather. His lips trembled before forming sluggish words.
"Help me… I need to find… Lana Lang."
Kyla stepped back, heart pounding. "Grandpa, who is this man?"
Joseph remained firm, his sharp eyes analyzing the creature before him. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Sir, do you need help? We can call the police."
The man's body stiffened. The air around them seemed to grow heavier.
"Police?" His voice rasped with growing anger. "No… I don't need… the police."
He lunged forward.
THUMP!
Joseph tried to move away, but the creature moved with unexpected speed, grabbing him by the shoulder.
Kyla screamed. "Grandpa!"
Joseph struggled to break free, but the ice-cold fingers dug into his skin like claws.
"Tell me where Lana is!"
Joseph pushed his arms against the man's chest, trying to shove him away. "Son, you're lost. You don't have to do this!"
The creature's empty eyes darkened. "I need her."
Kyla felt her blood boil. Her body was already beginning to change, muscles trembling with the energy of transformation. Her eyes glowed a golden hue, sharp canines emerging. But before she could fully shift, Joseph raised a hand.
"No, Kyla. Not now."
Her eyes widened. "But he—"
"Call the man of the stars." Joseph's voice was grave, filled with unshakable certainty.
Kyla's heart pounded. Clark!
But the phone was in the car. She had no way to reach him.
The creature chuckled softly, the sound distorted and eerie. "The man of the stars? He can't save you."
CRACK!
Joseph's arm twisted at an impossible angle.
"AAAAH!"
Kyla screamed in horror. The old man fell to his knees, clutching his fractured limb. Sweat trickled down his face, but his eyes remained locked on Kyla.
"Run, Kyla! It's too late for me."
She hesitated, feet frozen to the ground.
"Go! Get Clark!"
Adam growled, baring his teeth before sinking his sharp fangs into Joseph's shoulder.
Pain exploded like fire through his body, but the old man didn't scream. His face contorted, eyes shutting in resignation.
Kyla turned and ran, heart hammering in her chest.
The trees blurred past her, the wind howling in her ears.
"Clark… hear me… please…"
---
Smallville Road – Night
VRUUUUMM.
The truck's engine hummed smoothly as Clark drove down the empty road. The sky, heavy with dense clouds, obscured the moon, plunging the surroundings into an eerie penumbra. The town seemed asleep, but something in the air wasn't right.
SHHAAA...
The wind whistled through the trees, carrying an unfamiliar chill. And then it happened.
"Clark! Hear me! Please!"
His eyes widened. Kyla's voice struck his mind like a distant echo, cutting through every other sound around him.
Kyla?
His grip on the steering wheel tightened, senses sharpening, searching for the source of the call. He heard her ragged breathing, her hurried footsteps crushing dry leaves.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
Her heart was racing. Something was chasing her.
Clark jerked the wheel sharply, swerving onto the shoulder. The truck skidded slightly on the gravel before coming to a rough stop.
VRRROOOM!
In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the driver's seat.
The world froze around him. Dust hung in the air, leaves remained motionless, silence absolute. Only he moved.
The scenery blurred past. Houses, lampposts, trees. None of it mattered except the voice calling him.
THUMP.
A dull, heavy sound echoed in the silence. The scent of blood mixed with damp earth.
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