Chapter 124: Polaris and the Sun
New York, Queens, inside a large car wash.
In a dark and sealed room, only a pale beam of moonlight—cast by the same moon once scarred by Superman and Xi Nian in their battle—filtered in, providing the faintest visibility.
Xi Nian, in his demigod state, looked at the green-haired girl lying weakly on the bed. Even in the dim glow, he could see the pallor on her delicate face. An inexplicable fury surged up in his chest. Behind him, his silver hair whipped wildly, divine light spilling out laced with destructive power.
Xiao Huang leapt down from his palm onto the bedside table and began licking her tiny paws casually.
Taking a deep breath, Xi Nian strode forward and asked in a low, steady voice, "Tell me. Who hurt you this badly?"
"Stupid little brother…" The green-haired girl glared at him faintly, then said with a weak voice, "You're overthinking… No one in this city could hurt me like that."
"Uh." Xi Nian froze, realizing she wasn't exaggerating. Lorna's powers were far too strong, especially against heroes in this city who carried metal gear—like Iron Man or Captain America.
The only one who might threaten her was the Hulk, but even Hulk had "gone straight," openly joining the Avengers after the Battle of New York.
Just then, Jarro's psychic voice echoed in Xi Nian's mind:
"Judging by human physical conditions, she's just… running a high fever."
Xi Nian quickly brushed aside Lorna's green hair. The moment his hand touched her forehead, a wave of scorching heat seared his palm. Her skin was bone-dry, no sweat at all—like touching metal heated in a forge.
This fever was far beyond normal. A regular person would already be dead.
"You've got a fever. I'll take you to the hospital." Xi Nian reached out to lift her, but she struggled faintly, her soft hands pushing his away without strength.
His brows knitted. "You don't want to go to a hospital?"
Lorna gave the tiniest nod. With Xi Nian here, her tense nerves loosened a little, her frail, curled-up body relaxing slightly under his every touch.
"But your fever is too severe." Xi Nian hesitated, then asked, "Are you worried a hospital might collect your blood, and discover your unique genes?"
Many extraordinary people feared just that.
Like his aunt Diana or Gwen, neither of whom had ever been to a hospital check-up. Their enhanced constitutions meant injuries were rare, and even if they did get hurt, they healed before doctors could do anything.
As for Kara, the Kryptonian—no needle on Earth could pierce her skin to draw blood.
But Lorna was different. Her gift lay in magnetic control, not in superhuman durability.
At his question, Lorna gave a faint nod, then shook her head. Her pale lips parted as though to speak, but no words came.
"That's one reason. Is there another?" Xi Nian pressed.
Just then, Jarro's voice rippled again: "Someone's coming. A woman."
Xi Nian didn't need the warning. His sharpened demigod senses had already picked up the crisp click of high heels in the hallway.
The footsteps stopped outside the door. A cautious knock sounded, followed by a respectful voice: "Boss Lorna, you haven't come out all day, and you skipped dinner. Is something wrong? Do you need help?"
"…Are you feeling unwell?" she pressed when no reply came.
Xi Nian narrowed his eyes. That voice wasn't real concern—it was probing for information about Lorna's condition.
Then, the frail-looking Lorna sat up slowly, leaning against Xi Nian for support. Mustering her strength, she forced out a cold, commanding tone: "I'm fine. Just not hungry today. Don't disturb my rest."
"Yes, Boss Lorna." The woman outside flinched, then quickly left, heels clicking away down the stairs.
As soon as the sound faded, Lorna collapsed again, sinking into Xi Nian's arms as though he were the bed itself.
Even so, she still spoke proudly: "You don't mind me using your body, right, little brother?"
"Of course not. Use it however you want, boss."
Xi Nian smiled faintly, holding her close. Only then did he realize just how light, soft, and fragile this usually fierce and unshakable girl really was—lighter than even Wanda when she'd collapsed in his arms.
Looking down at her pale but defiant face, Xi Nian murmured, "You don't want anyone—even your own people—to see you weak, do you?"
Lorna gave a silent nod. That was the real reason she refused to go to the hospital.
Xi Nian fell quiet.
He'd thought it from the moment they first met: for someone so young to rise as a leader of an underground faction, she must have sacrificed far more than most could imagine.
Now, he understood. Even as a gang leader, she was under constant watch. As long as she was strong, people obeyed. But the moment she appeared powerless, some would seize the chance to strike.
So on this night, at her weakest, she had no one to lean on—except to send that desperate, humiliating plea for help.
"Don't worry. You're safe now."
In the darkness, Xi Nian held her gently, like the sun cradling the north star. "Because I'm here."
Her hot, uneven breathing steadied as she lay against him, finally drifting into peaceful sleep, her small hands still clutching his clothes tightly.
"Dad…" she murmured softly in her sleep.
Xi Nian's heart ached with tenderness.
He whispered, "Jarro, do you have any way to ease her condition?"
"Simple." Jarro replied. "I can draw the excess heat out of her body."
Xi Nian's face twitched. "And you didn't say this earlier?!"
"I was giving you a chance to shine," Jarro said lazily.
"Just do it." Xi Nian pulled out the glass jar with one hand while holding Lorna close with the other.
The jar's lid opened, and the colorful one-eyed starfish stretched out a limb, lightly pressing it against Lorna's forehead.
Five seconds later, Jarro withdrew. His body had swollen noticeably, as though he'd absorbed a great deal of energy, nearly bursting the jar.
Xi Nian quickly touched Lorna's forehead. It was cool and normal again—like magic.
"She's fine now," Jarro said. "But losing so much energy, she'll stay weak for a day or two. She needs rest."
"Jarro…" Xi Nian gazed at him in the jar, and sighed from the heart. "Now I understand why Batman hated parting with you. You're unbelievably useful."
Jarro: "…"
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