AM I SUPERMAN?

The arrival of Diana and Kaius helped alleviate the tense and awkward atmosphere. General Swanwick cleared his throat before speaking. "Ahem, Mr. Avenger, this must be the person you mentioned… Wonder Woman. Since everyone is here, let's proceed to the command center."

After finishing his statement, Swanwick climbed into a military vehicle without waiting for a response. Lois Lane pouted, intending to follow Clark, but her father, Colonel Lane, shot her a stern glare. "You're not going anywhere, Lois. Stay here."

Lois let out an exaggerated sigh of frustration, muttering an exasperated "Fine!" under her breath. Clark glanced at her helplessly, his expression an odd mix of amusement and apology.

The group convened in the command room to discuss strategies. General Swanwick's tone revealed a faint hope for a peaceful resolution. However, facing an extraterrestrial civilization with technology vastly superior to Earth's, optimism was difficult to muster.

"If negotiations fail," Kaius suggested, "make sure the Metropolis civilians are evacuated immediately. I heard LexCorp's new CEO has been working on reconstruction efforts there. If a battle breaks out, she'll likely have to start over."

Kaius's knowledge of Zod was drawn from stories and various interpretations from alternate realities. Whether in comics, animated series, or movies, the confrontation between Superman and Zod almost always left Metropolis in ruins.

That's why Kaius emphasized evacuation. A battle between Kryptonians wouldn't just shake the city; it would annihilate it, leaving innocent people to bear the consequences.

General Swanwick rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The conflict may not reach Metropolis, Mr. Avenger. In any case, when it comes to extraterrestrial matters, the public doesn't need to know everything."

Kaius refrained from judging Swanwick's decision. They had done their part by advising him; the rest was out of their hands.

By the end of the meeting, Swanwick reluctantly agreed to deploy two nuclear warheads as a contingency. Though their real effectiveness against Zod's forces was questionable, the presence of the weapons provided a psychological edge.

Diana, still mastering her flight abilities, stayed on standby. Kaius and Clark walked out of the command room together, the weight of the impending confrontation visible on their faces.

"If Zod refuses to stand down," Diana said firmly, her voice like steel, "then you must do whatever it takes to end the conflict. Allowing him to live could mean perpetual war." She held the Sword of Athena and the Shield of Aegis, ready for battle.

Clark sighed deeply. In the Fortress of Solitude, he had already learned about Zod's unyielding nature. Like Jor-El, Zod was a product of Kryptonian genetic engineering, programmed with unwavering loyalty to Krypton's cause.

"I'll do my best to reason with him," Clark said, his tone resolute yet sorrowful. Killing, especially his kin, was a line he was desperate not to cross.

Kaius entrusted the Kryptonite-infused blade to Diana for safekeeping, explaining that if he needed to use it, he'd have to switch his character card. He couldn't yet confirm whether his main card abilities allowed him to survive in space. It was a question for another day.

"Come on, Superman," Kaius said, cracking his knuckles. "Time to meet your fellow Kryptonian."

With a determined nod, the two launched into the sky. The ground beneath them cracked from the force of their takeoff, sending shockwaves across the area.

In seconds, they were thousands of feet above Earth, their speed only increasing as they pierced through the atmosphere and into the vast expanse of space. The mission to confront General Zod had officially begun.

With the scorching sensation of air friction, Kaius and Clark pierced through the dense atmosphere. The air thinned rapidly, vanishing altogether as they broke into the vacuum of space. The sudden loss of pressure was jarring, as if their bodies might tear apart under the strain.

"So this is what space feels like," Kaius muttered to himself, the sensation fading as his body adapted. "If a regular person tried this, they'd probably explode into a mist of plasma."

Facing the sun, Kaius felt his discomfort subside. He glanced at Clark, who seemed to be adjusting to the weightless environment as well, his Kryptonian physiology providing natural resilience.

With no air to carry sound, Kaius gestured upward toward the massive alien craft hovering in geosynchronous orbit. Clark gave a curt nod, and together, they streaked toward it.

The Kryptonian ship loomed closer, its oblate structure bristling with ominous energy. Kaius noted the three massive spires beneath the ship's "head," each pulsating with destructive power. Clearly, this vessel wasn't here for a friendly visit.

As they approached, the ship responded. Its main body shifted slightly, and an entryway opened, inviting them in. Suspicious but resolute, they entered the craft.

Inside, the environment bore a stark resemblance to the Fortress of Solitude. The walls were dark, jagged, and irregular, a design that mirrored Kryptonian architecture. The air, artificially supplied, had an unnerving stillness.

Standing near the entrance was a figure in black Kryptonian armor. She stepped forward, her movements fluid yet intimidating. Her sharp gaze darted between the two visitors, lingering on Clark's chest emblem.

"I am Fiora, deputy commander to General Zod," she said with cold precision. Her eyes fixed on the 'S' crest adorning Clark's suit. "The sigil of the House of El. You must be Kal-El. On behalf of General Zod, I welcome you."

Clark gave a respectful nod. "Fiora."

Her gaze shifted to Kaius, narrowing slightly. "And you… That combat suit. It bears the mark of Zod's army, yet you're no Kryptonian. Certainly not a member of the Sword Corps. Where did you acquire it?"

Her tone was sharp, her suspicion palpable. Kaius met her gaze with a casual smirk. "Found it aboard Faora-Ui's ship. It's a decent fit, don't you think?"

Fiora's expression darkened at the mention of Faora. "And where is Faora-Ui?"

"Dead," Kaius said bluntly. "Her and her partner."

A flicker of anger crossed Fiora's face. Her fists clenched instinctively. While the lives of Zod's soldiers weren't her concern, the casual dismissal of their deaths was a direct affront to Zod's authority.

"I killed them both," Kaius continued, his voice unwavering. "What's wrong? Planning to avenge them?"

The tension in the room thickened as Fiora stepped closer, her every movement coiled with the threat of violence. Clark, sensing the rising hostility, raised a hand in a gesture of peace.

"They attacked first," Clark interjected firmly. "We acted in self-defense."

Fiora's lips curled into a grim smile. She knew the temperament of Zod's soldiers well enough to believe Clark's words. Still, the insult couldn't be ignored.

"I don't know who you are," Fiora said, her voice icy as her gaze settled on Kaius. "But killing soldiers of Krypton comes with a price. Both of you will come with me. General Zod will decide your fate."

The air in the room seemed to hum with tension as Fiora turned, gesturing for them to follow deeper into the ship. Kaius and Clark exchanged a wary glance before moving forward, the weight of what awaited them growing heavier with every step.

Visit patreon.com/shirokendama to read up to 50+ chapters