With the sun shining down, John stood in the mirrored world, staring at a white carpet. As if sensing something, he lifted his head and looked toward the sky.
Meanwhile, Clark took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and pushed open a door, stepping inside.
He was skeptical about what John had told him.
A secret room that could peer into his deepest secrets? It sounded like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland.
"Alright… think carefully. What is your most guarded secret, Clark?"
Muttering to himself, Clark slowly pushed the door open.
Was it about what kind of person he would become in the future?
Could he really become the kind of man the Godfather described—a being of immense power, yet always aware of who that power is for; kind, great, and never lost?
As he pondered, his gaze drifted to his chest, where a large "S" seemed to glow brilliantly.
"Even if I am lost for now… as long as the hope in my heart remains, I will never truly lose my way. The Godfather said I would become that kind of person… if only I could see my future."
He whispered under his breath and stepped into the room.
Inside, the scene was hazy—flickering images danced before his eyes, making him slightly dizzy.
Squinting, Clark focused on the shifting visions until his gaze locked onto one particular scene.
A young man in a striking uniform, an "S" emblazoned on his chest, stood proudly at the center of a crowd. In his hand, he held the severed head of a grotesque, ape-like creature.
"Darkseid is dead! We've won!"
As the man with the "S" shouted, the crowd erupted into cheers.
"Darkseid?"
Clark stared at the grotesque head in shock. Was this really Darkseid? Was he that powerful?
Then, his gaze shifted back to the young man—something about him seemed eerily familiar.
"Superman, we need to return to Earth from Apokolips."
The crowd addressed the young man as Superman, but he simply shook his head.
"Not yet."
He strode out of the conference room, stepping onto what looked like the bridge of a high-tech spaceship straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Below the bridge stood countless armored soldiers, along with beings in green uniforms wearing glowing rings on their fingers.
As Superman passed, the warriors below erupted into cheers and shouts of admiration.
Clark, watching from outside the mirror, noticed how the Superman in the vision seemed to bask in the adoration.
Suppressing a sarcastic comment, Clark continued watching intently.
This Superman had led the charge against Darkseid, earning universal praise.
Crossing the bridge, he entered another room and turned to a woman clad in red-and-blue battle armor.
"Diana, where is John?"
The woman, Diana, responded, "He's leading the legion on Oa, hunting down the remnants of Darkseid's forces."
"Good. Our next move is to launch a surprise assault on John's legion on Oa, annihilate them completely, then advance toward Earth at maximum speed. We must take control of the Godfather before the other legions can react!"
Diana was stunned. "You… you plan to betray him?"
A strange light flickered in Superman's eyes.
"Yes. I've been preparing for this moment for a long time. The Godfather is immensely powerful, but we have the finest warriors in the galaxy, along with the Green Lantern Corps. If we strike quickly and decisively before the other legions react, victory will be ours."
"I don't understand."
Diana frowned. "Why would you betray him? This will ignite a war across the entire universe!"
"Do you not support me?" Superman's gaze turned sharp. "The Godfather declared that during wartime, I am the supreme commander. You must obey my orders."
"You won't succeed."
Diana's expression hardened. "Your brothers will stop you."
"That's why we must strike first."
"I still don't understand—why do this?"
"No, this isn't rebellion. This is liberation," Superman declared firmly. "This was never what I wanted. I never sought conquest. But the Godfather betrayed us. He lied to us. He stole the power of the gods and deceived his own children."
His face grew solemn.
"If we cannot save the galaxy from the Godfather's failure… then let the entire cosmos burn!"
At his signal, his subordinates dragged in a young man with long hair, bound at the hands and feet, his mouth gagged.
"Loki?!"
Diana's eyes widened in shock. "Superman, you imprisoned him? He's your brother!"
She hadn't expected that Superman had been the one keeping Loki captive all this time.
"He is no longer my brother."
Superman stared at Loki, then shook his head.
The next second, before Diana could react, Loki suddenly sprang forward—spitting out his gag, drawing a dagger, and lunging at Superman's throat with lightning speed.
"Thud!"
Superman was faster. He caught Loki's wrist in an iron grip.
"You should really try something new, Loki. This little trick won't work on me."
With his free hand, he grabbed Loki by the throat and lifted him into the air.
Loki gasped, his eyes turning bloodshot as he struggled in vain.
Through clenched teeth, he forced out his final words.
"You will never… be a god!"
"No!"
"Crack!"
Diana's anguished cry echoed as Loki's neck was snapped in an instant.
With a dull thud, Loki's lifeless body collapsed onto the ground.
His eyes remained wide open, staring straight at Superman.
Clark exhaled sharply and stumbled backward, staring in disbelief at Loki's lifeless body.
He didn't know who this Loki was, but from what he had just witnessed, Loki was likely the Godfather's son.
Just like Star-Lord years ago—another child of the Godfather, born to some unknown mother.
As for Diana, Clark didn't recognize her, but one thing was crystal clear—Superman was him!
"No way!"
Clark looked down at his hands in shock.
If this vision truly showed the future, then that meant he would not only kill the Godfather's son, but also betray John…
And even plot against the Godfather himself?!
No, impossible!
Even if he couldn't live up to the Godfather's ideal—a being of immense power who wields it with wisdom, kindness, and clarity—he could never become this kind of villain.
"Me? Betray the Godfather? Never!"
Swallowing hard, Clark took another step back, his breath quick and unsteady.
Then, as he scanned the room again, his gaze met the Superman in the vision.
It was as if the future Superman was staring straight at him, across time and space!
"Bang!"
Clark could bear it no longer. He bolted out of the room as fast as he could.
Slamming the door shut, he leaned against it, gasping for air.
"Hey, you okay, Clark?"
John's voice snapped him back to reality.
"I—I'm fine."
Startled, Clark clutched his chest, trying to keep his emotions in check.
John eyed him suspiciously.
"Really?"
He studied Clark's expression, sensing that he had definitely seen something in that room.
"Really, I'm fine, John."
"Can I take a look inside?"
John reached for the door.
"No!"
Clark instinctively blocked him.
John narrowed his eyes. "You won't let me in?"
Clark took a deep breath. "Like we said, John—secrets aren't meant to be shared."
John nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Everyone's entitled to their secrets."
Then, he patted Clark's shoulder. "I just hope you're feeling better… after learning the truth about your real father."
Clark forced a smile. "Thanks, John."
...
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