[Third Person's PoV]
"I've already been informed by Zastin of the recent developments," Gid's voice boomed from the device with an almost tangible weight, every word laced with authority and menace. "Therefore, I hereby acknowledge you as Lala's fiancé."
The air seemed to grow heavier around them. Gid's next words carried an edge of intrigue.
"Although… I must admit, I'm rather surprised that the one she's chosen is none other than a survivor of Krypton."
Clark's eyes narrowed, suspicion sharp in his gaze. "How do you know I'm from Krypton?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end—brief but palpable—before Gid responded with measured calm.
"…You wear the crest of the House of El boldly upon your chest. That symbol is not something easily overlooked. Anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of Kryptonian history would recognize it at a glance."
Clark's lips twitched slightly. 'Yeah, that'd do it. God, that was a stupid question…'
Gid continued, unbothered by Clark's internal commentary. "However, there's one thing that puzzles me. No known Kryptonian in recorded history has ever demonstrated the abilities you've shown. Your feats far surpass their natural capabilities. The only figure I've heard of bearing a fraction of similar traits was their sun deity, Rao himself. But regardless of the origin or nature of your powers—that is not why I've contacted you."
His tone sharpened further.
"You are the first man my daughter has shown genuine interest in. I'm not here to evaluate your strength. No, what I seek is a far greater measure… I wish to determine your worth as a man."
Clark's gaze darkened, his eyes focused on the device as if he could see Gid on the other side. The silence in the room thickened, and Zastin, sensing a dangerous tension rising, subtly shifted his stance. His eyes flicked toward Clark, wary, his hand drifting near the hilt of his sword.
"Listen well," Gid continued, "The day of the marriage ceremony will be decided by me—and me alone. Until then, you are to stand firm at Lala's side and protect her with everything you have. Word of your existence has already spread beyond Earth, across this galaxy and into the next. Your position will not go unchallenged. Other suitors, each more dangerous than the last, will arrive in due time, each determined to tear Lala away from you—by any means necessary."
He let that warning hang for a moment, the gravity of it pressing down like a vice.
"If you can stand your ground—if you can weather every storm and safeguard her until the day the ceremony is complete—then you shall be recognized as my successor."
A beat of silence followed, just long enough for the weight of the declaration to settle. But before Clark could respond, Gid's voice once again cut through like a blade.
"However… should you fail—should you allow her to be taken from you, or should you fall short of my expectations—then not only shall your life be forfeit, but I will personally see to it that your insignificant star and everything orbiting it is reduced to dust. You would do well to remember this."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Clark's jaw clenched tight, the muscles visibly twitching as he stared at the device. Zastin's instincts had kicked in—he could feel the fury radiating off Clark like heat from a furnace.
Clark reached forward and gripped the device tightly, his fingers curling around it as if he were trying to choke the voice coming from it.
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" he growled, his voice low but full of restrained rage.
"You think that just because you hold the title 'King of the Universe' that I'm supposed to be afraid of you?" he said, voice rising with intensity. "I hold you in the same regard as the dirt beneath my feet—and considering I can fly, that should give you a pretty good perspective"
Gid's voice attempted to rise again, "I would watch your tongue—"
"No," Clark cut him off, floating forward as the air around him seemed to vibrate with power. "You had your turn to speak. Now it's mine."
His voice was thunder, unrelenting.
"You expect me to chase the approval of a father who doesn't even respect his own daughter's happiness? Do you think I give i single fuck about the opinion of a Father who pushed his daughter so far she felt running away from her entire world was her best option?" Clark's eyes blazed. "You think your approval means anything to me?"
Zastin made a move to speak, stepping forward in defense of his king.
"You will not speak of Lord Gid that way—!"
Before he could say another word, Clark's hand shot out and clamped tightly over Zastin's jaw, silencing him instantly. His grip was firm—not enough to hurt, but enough to say: Stay out of this.
Zastin's body froze, startled and tense.
On the other end of the transmission, Gid laughed—but it was not a laugh of amusement. It was dark, menacing, laced with fury.
"Good… Good," he said, the sound rumbling with dangerous approval. "You have guts, Kryptonian brat. You've got fire. But it seems you truly have no fear of the storm that may fall upon your world because of that reckless mouth of yours."
Clark's eyes narrowed further, unwavering.
"You'd be surprised what I'm willing to risk to protect the people I care about. Threaten my world again… and you'll find out exactly how far a Kryptonian can go when he's angry."
"And of course I have no fear," Clark said, his voice low but firm, laced with the steel of unwavering conviction. "Because there is nothing to fear. Do you honestly believe I would cower before you?"
His expression hardened as his aura seemed to grow heavier. "You could have added the title of 'God' to your name, and it still wouldn't have made a damn bit of difference. You dared to threaten me, you threatened my world, and worst of all—you threatened the lives of my family, the people I love who live peacefully on this Earth."
A crimson glow began to pulse in Clark's eyes, twin flames of searing heat and fury building with each word.
"You want to try and destroy this planet? Then you better be prepared for what comes next. I don't take threats lightly. And if you're deemed a danger to this world and the people on it—then I will not hesitate to test the strength of the so-called King who claims to have conquered the universe."
He brought the device closer to his mouth, his voice dropping into a cold, sharp whisper that somehow struck with even more force.
"You can be sure of one thing, Gid. Your daughter will be safe. She will be protected and cared for—that is a promise. But that promise is to her, and her alone. My desire to keep her safe has nothing to do with you."
Clark's eyes narrowed further, and his lips curled in defiance.
"Take your approval. Take your recognition. And shove them where the sun doesn't shine. They mean absolutely nothing to me."
There was a brief, tense silence before Clark added with brutal finality: "Good day, Gid. I'll let your daughter know you said hello."
With a sudden clench of his hand, the communicator cracked and shattered into broken fragments, which clattered onto the wind. As he released his grip on Zastin, the knight instinctively stepped back, glowering at him as he rubbed his jaw where Clark had silenced him moments earlier.
Clark barely spared him a glance.
"Apologies for breaking your precious comm device," he said calmly, letting the shards scatter to the ground like dust. Then, after a pause, he turned his body and looked slightly over his shoulder. "And you should consider serving a better man."
He positioned himself in preparation for a takeoff.
"Or don't. Frankly, I couldn't care less what you do with your life."
Without another word, Clark exploded into the sky with a boom, soaring upward like a meteor, parting the clouds as he made his way back toward the school.
Zastin stood silently, his cloak rustling in the wind, his eyes following the trail Clark had carved into the heavens. His fingers rested on the hilt of his sword, knuckles pale as the urge to pursue burned in his veins. But after a long, tense moment, he closed his eyes and exhaled slowly through his nose.
He knew his king well enough to understand one thing: Gid wouldn't want him to engage.
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