"Kal-El."
When Faora-Ul stepped in front of Clark, the dark visor that filtered intense light turned transparent, revealing a sharp, resolute face beneath.
"I am Faora-Ul, Deputy Commander of the Kryptonian military."
"I convey General Zod's regards."
Facing such a courteous "enemy," Clark inclined his head slightly in response.
Faora continued calmly,
"May I ask where the woman who was with you is? If I recall correctly, her name is Lois Lane."
"What do you want with her?"
The moment Faora mentioned Lois, Clark's tone turned cold.
"Your attitude has changed," Faora observed.
"It seems she is indeed someone very important to you."
She continued indifferently,
"Then bring her here as well. Otherwise, I will return and report to the General that you have refused to cooperate."
Clark's eyes flared with anger.
Lois was carrying his child—there was no way he would allow her anywhere near this battlefield.
"Move!"
Nick Fury's voice rang sharply through the earpiece.
In the next instant, Clark exploded forward like a roaring supercar, slamming straight into Faora.
Faora staggered, her body hurled backward by the impact—but she was a veteran elite of the Kryptonian army.
She drove her right hand into the ground, soil and debris flying as she forced herself to a halt just before the dropship.
"It seems you've chosen resistance," Faora said, brushing dust from her armor.
"Commander, let me handle this," her companion behind her offered.
"No," Faora replied coldly, rolling her neck.
"Stay back. I want to personally test this Kryptonian who grew up on an alien world. Let's see what kind of potential he really has."
Clark answered with action.
He stomped forward—and vanished.
This burst of speed far exceeded his earlier surprise attack, catching Faora off guard.
Even so, as a genetically engineered Kryptonian warrior, her combat instincts were unmatched.
Unable to fully evade, she narrowly avoided a punch to the face, shifting her body and taking the blow on her shoulder instead.
Boom!
Clark's fist slammed into her armor, denting it deeply. The sheer force blasted Faora backward, air detonating around the impact.
She crashed into the ship with a deafening metallic clang.
Landing hard, Faora shook her head and waved off the subordinate who rushed forward to assist.
"Interesting," she said, straightening up.
"Your strength is impressive. But now—let's get serious."
Bang!
The ground beneath her feet exploded as Faora launched forward like a missile, crossing the distance in an instant.
Her fist smashed toward Clark.
In that moment, Clark instinctively recalled his past battles with Lucas.
Without hesitation, he caught the punch.
If this had been the old him, he never could have done it.
Until now, the only person on Earth who could overpower him—or even dominate him in combat—had been Lucas.
Without those brutal lessons, Clark would never have survived this exchange.
Unlike the version where Faora overwhelmed him through pure technique, Clark now had experience—hard-earned, painful experience.
Their blows collided with thunderous force.
Yet no matter what, Clark's less-than-two years of real combat experience could not match Faora's lifetime of warfare.
Boom!
Faora's fist smashed into Clark's abdomen.
A rapid, merciless combination followed, striking so fast that Clark couldn't even raise his guard.
Clark crashed to the ground.
Faora looked down at him with cold disdain.
"You're weak, Kal-El—son of Jor-El."
"You disappoint me."
"I thought you might be worthy. Instead, you're not even equal to an ordinary Kryptonian soldier—only stronger in raw power."
A violent gust followed.
Faora sidestepped Clark's counterattack effortlessly, seized his wrist, and drove her knee hard into his chest.
Even Clark's steel-like body shuddered under the impact.
"I see doubt in your eyes," Faora said coldly, gripping his throat.
"We abandoned your so-called morality—but in doing so, we evolved."
"And history proves this: those who evolve further are the ones who win."
She slammed Clark into the ground.
The impact was like a missile strike.
The earth collapsed beneath him.
Again.
And again.
Each slam drove the crater deeper.
From a distance, Ross and the soldiers stared in shock.
The devastation caused by just these two was horrifying.
If this fight had taken place in a city, it would have been absolute catastrophe.
At that moment, tanks, jets—every weapon behind them—felt meaningless.
"Deploy—now!"
Nick Fury barked the command.
"Kara, hold the second Kryptonian! Everyone else—take Faora down as fast as possible!"
Kara shot forward instantly, streaking toward the Kryptonian still standing on the ship's ramp—Lias, who had been watching calmly.
Caught off guard, Lias could only defend as Kara smashed into her, sending them both flying.
At the same time, Tony and Banner charged out from behind the military lines.
Faora sensed the shift immediately.
She moved to discard Clark and take off—
—but a massive hand seized her arm.
"We're not done yet," Clark growled, pulling himself upright, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Maybe my technique is worse than yours—but I can learn."
"As long as you can't kill me, I won't let you leave!"
Clark dragged Faora back down.
She countered with a vicious kick.
The battle reignited.
As Clark said—so long as he lived, Faora would not escape freely.
Above them, Kara and Lias clashed violently in the sky.
Like Clark, Kara had gained an early advantage through surprise.
But against a true Kryptonian gene-warrior, her lack of combat experience quickly became apparent.
The tide began to turn.
The war had truly begun.
_____
T/N:
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