Clark had a cunning idea. He turned his attention back to the woman, touching her head once more.
"This should work," he thought as he began altering her memories. The woman would still fear Diana due to the brutality of the situation, but she would remember her as someone who saved her. Clark, on the other hand, would be seen as a figure of trust and comfort. Once he finished modifying her memories, Clark stepped into the hallway and deactivated the Speed Force.
As time returned to normal, Clark entered the room, his face showing genuine concern.
"Diana, what are you doing? You were supposed to wait for me in the room! Who is this dead man?" he asked, his voice filled with urgency.
Diana looked at Clark, ignoring the corpse on the floor and focusing on the tied-up woman. Concern filled her gaze, but not for the man, whose fate she deemed irrelevant.
"I heard screams and thought she was in danger. I couldn't just stand by."
The woman, still gasping and clearly traumatized, looked at Diana and then at Clark. Fear filled her eyes, but there was also a spark of recognition.
"Thank you for saving me… but…" Her voice faltered for a moment before continuing, "...I'd prefer to speak with him alone." She indicated Clark with a slight nod, clearly uncomfortable in Diana's presence.
Clark nodded, understanding the delicacy of the situation. He turned to Diana, keeping a serious tone. "Diana, go to the bathroom and clean your sword. I'll take care of this. Don't come out until I call you. We need to maintain discretion—any rash actions could alert Ares and compromise him."
Diana hesitated, her eyes fixed on the woman for a moment, before finally nodding. Without another word, she headed to the bathroom, taking her sword with her. The door closed with a metallic clang.
Clang!
With Diana out of the room, Clark approached the woman, trying to reassure her.
"It's all right now. I'll make sure you're safe and that nothing else happens. I deeply regret what you went through."
The woman still trembled, but Clark's words, coupled with his hypnotic influence, began to take effect. She slowly nodded, her tears finally ceasing. Clark knew he had to resolve this meticulously, leaving no trace that could be traced back to them.
Clark reactivated the Speed Force. Everything around froze, as if time itself had been suspended at that critical moment. Clark knew he needed to act swiftly to resolve all aspects of this situation.
First, he cleaned the signs of violence from the room, removing all traces of blood and any evidence of the confrontation. With his super speed, he ensured no evidence remained. Then, he turned his attention to the man's corpse. Without hesitation, he grabbed the body and, using his intangibility, passed through the walls of the room and exited the hotel. Moving quickly through the city streets, he reached a nearby river and disposed of the body, ensuring no one would find it.
After dealing with the corpse, Clark returned to the hotel. As he passed through the hallways, he noticed some guests had come out of their rooms, drawn by the noise and commotion. Without wasting time, he touched the heads of each one, altering their memories so they would forget any suspicious sounds or events that had led them out of their rooms. This ensured there would be no witnesses.
Clark returned to the room he shared with Diana. He retrieved the overcoat he had left there, knowing it would be necessary to ensure Diana's discreet departure from the hotel. Then, he returned to the room where the woman was still tied up.
With a quick movement, Clark untied the woman, allowing her to sit on the bed more comfortably. After ensuring everything was in order, he deactivated the Speed Force, returning time to its normal flow.
"You can get dressed and leave," Clark said. His voice was calm but firm, indicating that everything was under control.
The woman looked at him, still visibly shaken but now with growing trust. She slowly nodded, beginning to put on her clothes, which were on a nearby shelf, as she prepared to leave.
Clark then walked to the bathroom door and knocked lightly.
Toc! Toc!
"Diana, you can come out now. Everything is under control."
Diana stepped out of the bathroom, her sword now cleaned and sheathed. She looked at Clark, trying to understand if the situation had truly been resolved.
Clark watched as the woman prepared to leave and picked up the overcoat, handing it to Diana.
"Put on the overcoat, Diana. We're leaving this hotel now." Clark's voice was low but carried an urgency that allowed no objections.
Diana observed the woman walking away, her gaze still carrying traces of fear but also relief. Diana took the overcoat and put it on, the heavy fabric covering her armor and concealing her distinctive presence.
Clark watched her for a moment, assessing her expression. There was understanding and determination in Diana's eyes.
Together, they left the hotel room, prepared for the next step in their mission.
...
The dense fog of London lingered over the streets as Clark and Diana walked in silence. The city was shrouded in a damp darkness, punctuated only by the faint glow of streetlights and the occasional movement of people crossing the night.
Finally, Diana broke the silence.
"Clark, did I jeopardize the plan by intervening like that?" She looked directly at him, her expression firm. "I don't regret helping that woman. If I had to do it again, I would, without hesitation."
Clark turned his head toward her, considering her words before responding.
"You acted according to your principles, Diana, and that's something I admire. But we need to be more strategic moving forward. Every action, no matter how justified, can have unforeseen repercussions, especially when dealing with Ares." Clark paused, observing Diana's expression, which reflected a mix of understanding and resistance. "We are in a territory where morality isn't as clear as open-field combat. We need to balance strength with subtlety."
Diana took a deep breath, absorbing Clark's words. "I understand, Clark. But I can't ignore someone in danger. If it means complicating our plan, so be it. I can't be a bystander to suffering."
Clark nodded, a faint smile forming on his lips. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Diana. It's precisely your moral strength that makes you an unparalleled warrior. But remember: our mission here is bigger than each of these isolated battles. We need to defeat Ares to prevent suffering on a much larger scale."
Diana looked at the fog-blanketed city, her eyes reflecting a renewed determination. "Then let's find him. Together, we'll end his destructive influence."
Clark took a step forward, his expression serious. "Diana, Ares is a powerful god, and his death will trigger immense repercussions. Once we kill him, we'll have to leave this world for some time. There won't be a place for us here for several decades. That's why I plan to take you to my world." He looked at her deeply, seeking her understanding.
Diana didn't hesitate. Her eyes shone with determination. "I'm willing to pay that price, Clark. It doesn't matter where we are, as long as we fight together."
Clark extended his hand, and Diana gripped it firmly. They walked down the street toward the unknown, aware of the challenges that still awaited them but with unwavering confidence in each other.
As they continued toward Sir Patrick's castle, Clark began to hear the familiar voice in his mind.
[Kal-El, the battle against Ares will not be like any other you've faced. He is ruthless, and you'll need to be equally brutal to avoid being killed. Do not hesitate to use all the power you possess.]
Clark kept his expression neutral but paid close attention to Jor-El's words.
[Furthermore, I suggest you share more information about your true nature with Diana. Your ability to create a mental bond could be valuable for quickly transmitting information during battle. She needs to know who you truly are—the last Kryptonian—and understand the need to perpetuate your species. Kal-El, it will be essential to have more than one partner if we are to ensure the survival of the Kryptonian lineage.]
Clark nearly laughed at the last part. Internally, he thanked Jor-El for validating, albeit pragmatically, his plan to establish a harem. This way, his strategy of forming multiple bonds could proceed more naturally—or at least as naturally as possible.
"Thanks, Jor-El," Clark thought, a hint of sarcasm in his thoughts, though there was some relief in the idea that his intentions could be justified by a biological necessity.
Clark tightened his grip on Diana's hand. "Prepare yourself, Diana. We're almost at his castle, and the fight could cost us our lives."
Diana merely nodded, her eyes fixed on Clark. There was no fear in her gaze, only serene resolve. She knew what was at stake and was willing to face any challenge alongside Clark. Her body moved with the grace of an experienced warrior, her muscles tense beneath her armor, reflecting her readiness.
They finally saw Sir Patrick's castle, its dark towers emerging from the mist like an imposing silhouette. Clark felt the tension rise as they approached, but also a sense of purpose. Ares was there, and together, they would confront him.
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