"How was it, Adrian? What Lyra said was pretty good, right?"
Adrian held the Super Puppy as Clark Kent and Lois Lane approached together.
Clark asked Adrian with a hint of pride. He never hid how much he valued his daughter's efforts.
"Mm-hmm, not bad. A little preachy though," Adrian replied with a slight shrug.
"Even if it sounds a bit harsh, I still have to say it, Adrian, Clark, Lyra's speech just now outshined both of you," said Diana Prince as she appeared behind them without warning, smiling.
"Thank you for the compliment, Secretary-General. It really means a lot that Lyra has your support," Clark responded.
Diana nodded. In this shared mental construct, she held the role of a United Nations Secretary-General, a staunch advocate for peace legislation.
Rachel often struggled to reconcile that gentle version of Diana with the far more aggressive warrior she knew in the waking world.
"You're welcome. I mean it sincerely. Lyra's speech was excellent," Diana added.
"But Adrian just said it was preachy," Lois pointed out, glancing at him.
"No," Diana replied immediately, shaking her head. "That's not what he meant. I've been observing him. His sarcastic remarks are nothing new."
"Hey, what are you all talking about? Can I join?" Lyra approached in a Superman suit.
"We were talking about your speech. It was really good," Rachel said warmly.
"Really? I worked hard on it. Hearing that from my aunt makes it worth it," Lyra said happily, stepping forward to hug Rachel.
Night fell before Adrian and Rachel returned to Kent Farm.
As they arrived, they saw Lana Lang riding "Tyson" toward them.
"Hey, Adrian, Rachel," Lana greeted as she dismounted.
Rachel intended to speak privately with her brother but stepped aside when she noticed Lana's arrival.
"Good evening," Adrian replied.
Lana had long since matured beyond her younger years. There was now a quiet elegance to her presence, wrapped in a light blue bohemian coat that moved gently with the night wind.
"I wanted to attend Lyra's speech, but I was delayed because of Tyson. I'm sorry," Lana said.
"It's fine," Adrian answered.
His gaze shifted toward the horse. "What's wrong with Tyson?"
Lana's expression dimmed slightly as she stroked the animal's head. "Age. His condition is worsening. He barely eats now. He fell earlier today. The doctor said he's too old, and there's no certainty he'll survive the winter."
"I see," Adrian replied.
He said nothing more, simply remaining beside her in silence.
After a moment, Lana changed the subject. "Where is Layla now? I didn't see her."
"Greenland," Adrian answered. "She's working with international scientists to find a way to cool the glaciers."
"Aren't you going with her?"
They walked along the corridor outside the house.
Adrian looked up at the night sky, absentmindedly stroking the Super Puppy as it circled excitedly. "No. They don't need me. Layla can handle it."
He tossed a baseball into the air.
The Super Puppy immediately shot upward like a streak of light, chasing it at high speed.
Seconds later, it returned with the ball in its mouth and dropped it eagerly at his feet, waiting for another throw.
This time, Adrian didn't comply. He simply stared at the ball.
Lana noticed the change in him. "What's wrong, Adrian?"
"Time passes too quickly," he said, tossing the ball again.
This time it flew far beyond the Super Puppy's immediate reach, vanishing into the night sky as the creature struggled to follow.
Adrian watched the distance where it disappeared. "In the blink of an eye, everything changes."
Lana leaned slightly on the railing beside him. "What do you mean?"
"Everything," Adrian said. "Family, moments, even this place. It all feels like it slips away too fast, like it might not even be real."
Lana quietly took his hand.
"Are you hearing them again?"
"Yes," Adrian replied. "They're calling from the edge."
He had never fully accepted the stability of this world. Beneath the surface, doubt lingered, persistent and unresolved. He could hear things that did not belong here.
Lana squeezed his hand gently, as if trying to ground him in reality.
"It's okay, Adrian. Ignore them," she whispered, resting her head lightly against his shoulder. "Stay here. With me. I want more time like this. Don't leave me."
After Lana left, another visitor arrived at Kent Farm.
It was nearly dawn. Adrian had not slept. He remained inside the barn's hidden upper level, the so-called Secret Fortress, lost in thought about the nature of his reality.
Then Diana Prince appeared behind him.
He did not turn.
The first light of sunrise spilled across the horizon, painting the sky in deep red tones as night surrendered.
"I wish everyone could see the sunrise the way I do," Adrian said quietly.
"It's just a burning sphere in the sky," Diana replied. "Most people turn away from it."
"It's not just that," Adrian said. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"Almost?" Diana asked, catching the hesitation.
"Yes. Almost."
He finally turned to her. "Why are you here, Diana? You shouldn't be."
Diana frowned slightly. "What are you talking about?"
"Our so called allies call me a tyrant. They want me dead. They call me a monster," Adrian said. "Even if I don't want war, it will still come. Batman is preparing for it. He always is."
He looked back at the rising sun. "One by one, they will turn against me. Yet you're still here. Why?"
"Because I understand you," Diana answered. "Everything you do is for something greater. You are not what they say."
Her voice softened. "I will stay with you. Whatever you need me to be, I will become it."
Adrian studied her. "If I told you to stay with me forever, would you?"
"I wouldn't leave," she said without hesitation. "Not even at the end of the world."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Even if none of this is real?"
Diana hesitated, then stepped closer.
"Even if it's false."
She kissed him.
For a moment, everything stopped.
"No," Adrian said quietly after pulling away. "You need to leave."
"Let me stay," she whispered.
A distant voice cut through the moment.
"Diana."
Her eyes snapped open.
The barn, Adrian, and the sunrise vanished.
She was lying in a bed.
Hippolyta sat beside her, watching with relief.
"Mother?" Diana's voice was weak. Her head throbbed as she tried to sit up.
"You're awake," Hippolyta said gently. "You were hunting sorcerers in Gotham. You were struck by magic and fell into a coma. We brought you back to Themyscira. Themyscira was your refuge."
Diana froze.
It had been a dream.
"No," she murmured. "I was with Adrian…"
Hippolyta placed a hand on her shoulder. "You were healed by Hera."
At that name, Diana fell silent.
Hera's reputation was well known, ancient and unforgiving, tied to jealousy, divine punishment, and war among gods.
Diana lowered her gaze, unsettled.
Hippolyta's voice softened. "We did what we had to do."
Diana looked down at her hands, still shaken.
"What is the price for this healing?"