"Welcome, Adrian."
Seeing Adrian enter, Lionel Luthor rose from behind his desk and shook his hand with practiced warmth.
"I know your parents harbor a certain prejudice against me, so I admit I am surprised you were willing to put that aside and meet with me," Lionel said smoothly. "Still, it is not surprise born of shock, but surprise born of recognition."
Lionel leaned into his strength, reading people. "Lex tells me you are a genius, without question. But more than that, I believe we are the same kind of people. I can feel it. That is why I say recognition."
Adrian showed no reaction to the praise.
Truthfully, he was irritated. Lionel's repeated invitations had finally worn down his patience, which was the only reason Adrian now stood inside LuthorCorp Plaza in Metropolis. He wanted to see what this old predator was plotting, nothing more.
"If you brought me all the way here just to flatter me, Mr. Luthor," Adrian said coldly, "then this meeting was not worth the trip."
He had never liked men like Lionel. Men who smiled while calculating how best to peel you apart. His tolerance for that kind of game was thin, and he knew exactly how ugly things could get if it snapped.
Lionel did not seem offended. Instead, he smiled.
"Of course not. There is a vast ocean of conversation available to us, but a little wading is sometimes necessary. Since you dislike the shallow end, let us be direct." Lionel straightened. "I want you to help me find my son."
"Lex?" Adrian replied flatly. "Everyone says he is dead."
"Because I believe in the power of the human spirit."
Lionel walked to the window, gesturing toward the towering skyline outside. "Buildings can block our sight, but not belief. No matter the distance, the spirit finds a way through."
He turned back. "Before Lex's accident, he admired you deeply. He said a man with an empty inner world could never create something so vast, so alive. At times, he believed his own thoughts connected to your work. I dismissed it as fantasy."
Lionel stepped closer, locking eyes with Adrian. "Then Slumber Day happened. People claimed they saw beings from your stories walking among them. That was when I began to wonder if Lex had been right. Perhaps you truly are an unblinking sun."
Adrian remained silent.
Satisfied, Lionel returned to his chair, confidence settling over him like armor.
"Lex's plane went down, but I have every reason to believe he survived. Helen Bryce's account does not convince me, yet I know one thing. She would not dare kill him outright."
Lionel folded his hands. "Bring my son back, and I will shield you. The media, the FBI, all the interested parties sniffing around you. You have drawn attention from forces that do not forgive mistakes."
He paused. "In return, I protect Kent Farm. A fair exchange."
"Fair," Adrian said after a moment.
He stepped closer to Lionel's desk. "Reasonable, even. But I doubt your sincerity."
Lionel frowned. "What do you mean?"
Adrian placed his hand firmly over Lionel's right hand. "Consider this a reminder. Curiosity has limits."
The Star Scepter answered his will. Energy surged into Adrian's palm and flowed into Lionel's arm.
Warmth spread instantly through Lionel's body, followed by pain. Sharp, invasive, wrong.
"What is this?" Lionel gasped, panic breaking through his composure.
The energy traveled upward with his blood, settling behind his eyes.
Darkness fell.
Lionel staggered back, blind. "What have you done to me?"
"You called me an unblinking sun," Adrian replied calmly. "This is what happens when you stare at it."
Lionel waved his hands frantically, crashing into furniture.
"Our agreement stands," Adrian continued. "When Lex Luthor returns, your sight will follow."
He turned for the door.
"Pray your luck holds, Mr. Luthor."
"Come back," Lionel roared. "You cannot do this to me."
He stumbled forward and collided with a trash bin, falling hard to the floor. Fabric tore as his expensive suit ripped open. Pain forced a groan from his throat.
Adrian was already gone.
Back at Kent Farm, Jonathan and Martha spoke in hushed voices after breakfast.
"Are you sure, Martha?" Jonathan asked.
"It happened in the bathroom," she replied, resting a hand on her belly. "I know how it sounds."
"I spoke to Chloe," Jonathan said. "Lois really is her cousin."
Martha blinked. "From what kind of family?"
Jonathan hesitated. "Her father is General Sam Lane. Department of Defense. Three-star."
Martha stared at him, stunned.
"Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent."
They turned to see Lois Lane standing behind them, dressed in jeans and a white shirt, confident as ever.
"Thank you for the hospitality, but I need to head out," Lois said. "My car survived the crash well enough, insurance covered the rest. They even offered a courtesy Porsche. Worst payout of my life."
"You are welcome to stay for lunch," Martha offered, a little flustered.
"Next time," Lois replied with a grin. "I will be around."
Clark stepped outside with her.
"No need to drive me, Smallville," Lois said. "Your miracle ointment worked."
Clark frowned slightly. "That nickname does not exactly sound friendly."
Lois smiled. "Chloe talks about you all the time. The mysterious guy who disappears when things matter most."
Clark relaxed a little. "She talks about you too."
"Let me guess," Lois said. "Drinks too much and hates awkward silences."
"Pretty much."
Before leaving, Lois handed Clark a card. "If you ever want clarity about journalism, call me."
Chloe arrived moments later, accusing Lois of planning the whole visit. Lois only laughed and hugged her.
High above, unseen, Adrian descended from the sky.
He landed on a barren island along Lex Luthor's flight path. Human traces led him forward.
At the shore, a bearded man dragged a crude raft toward the sea.
"You can do this, Oliver," the man muttered. "High tide is your chance."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
Oliver Queen.
Without hesitation, Adrian fired his heat vision. Flames engulfed the raft.
Oliver stared in disbelief as fire consumed his escape.
"F*ck," he shouted, punching the surf in rage.
Adrian watched from afar, indifferent. Some paths were meant to burn.