chapter 14

Chapter 14: Tides of PowerFairview Asylum – Clash of ShadowsLazarus and Hollow faced each other, the tension between them crackling in the stale air. Clark, still disoriented, lay crumpled on the floor, his breath shallow. Lazarus moved forward, his eyes never leaving the sinister figure before him.

"You're not taking him," Lazarus growled, his voice low, dangerous. He knew that Hollow was more than just an ordinary threat. This entity was not merely after power—he was after control, the kind that could warp the very essence of those he touched. And Lazarus wasn't about to let it happen.

Hollow's lips curled into a dark smile. "You think you can stop me, Viltrumite?" He spat the word as if it was an insult, the supernatural power rippling around him. He raised his hands, and the shadows in the room twisted, contorting like living things.

Lazarus's hand went to his belt, his fingers brushing the familiar metal of his energy blade. He ignited it with a swift flick of his wrist, the blue glow casting eerie shadows on the walls.

"I don't need to stop you. I just need to remind you who I am." Lazarus charged, his speed a blur as he collided with Hollow, the two locked in a deadly dance. Lazarus's blows were fast and precise, each strike landing with enough force to send cracks through the floor beneath them.

But Hollow wasn't just any demon. His limbs extended unnaturally, each swing more unpredictable than the last. He twisted out of Lazarus's grip, the air around him distorting with malevolent energy.

"You're weaker than you think," Hollow hissed, launching a bolt of black energy from his outstretched hands.

Lazarus deflected it with his blade, but the sheer force sent him sliding back. He dug his heels into the ground, creating a trail of dust as he regained his stance. Hollow's power was unlike anything he'd faced before, but Lazarus had been forged through trials far worse than this.

"You're wrong," Lazarus said, his voice unwavering. "And you're about to learn why."

He lunged once more, his blade meeting Hollow's unnatural form with a crack. The energy exploded outward, sending shockwaves through the asylum's crumbling walls. Hollow screeched, a sound that sent chills down Lazarus's spine, but it was a sound of frustration—not defeat.

Meanwhile, Clark began to stir, his eyes unfocused. "Laz… what's happening?" His voice was hoarse, his confusion palpable.

Lazarus spared him a brief glance, his eyes filled with determination. "Stay down, Clark. I've got this."

Clark tried to get up, but his body wasn't responding the way it should. His mind felt foggy, like it wasn't his own. He turned toward Hollow, who was now fighting with Lazarus in a violent clash of power. But something deep inside him told him that his brother wouldn't let this demon win.

Kent Innovations – Shadows of the PastBack in Smallville, the Kent farm had become more than just a home. Lazarus's ambition was evident in the gleaming new mansion rising at the edge of the property. Massive cranes moved as workmen bustled around, turning the farmland into something more—a symbol of Lazarus's growing empire. Kent Innovations was now a multinational powerhouse, and with that came the weight of responsibility—and enemies.

Martha Kent stood in her office, looking out at the construction site below. She was still adjusting to her new role as CEO, but she knew it was where she belonged. As much as the sudden responsibility had shaken her at first, it was a chance to secure her family's future.

Her eyes flicked to the papers on her desk. Lazarus's latest investment—his deal with LuthorCorp—was poised to launch Kent Innovations into an entirely new stratosphere. But something felt off. She knew her son well enough to understand that his drive wasn't purely about profit. There was something deeper at play, something he was not telling her.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—Lex Luthor.

She hesitated before answering. "Lex."

"Martha," Lex's smooth voice greeted her. "I need to speak with Lazarus. Now."

She raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Business. It's Lazarus I want to talk to, not you." There was no malice in his tone, but the cold edge was unmistakable.

Martha's lips tightened. "If you want something, you'll talk to me."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "I'm afraid that's not going to work this time. Lazarus has made himself a problem I can no longer ignore."

Her heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly who Lex was referring to—Lazarus's dealings with LuthorCorp were not going unnoticed.

"I'll let him know," Martha replied, her tone flat. "But don't expect any favors."

Smallville – The Storm GathersBack at the Kent farm, Lazarus stood tall in the midst of the ruins of the old asylum, his face set in grim determination. Hollow's form was disintegrating, torn apart by the sheer force of Lazarus's blows. But even as the creature was on the brink of defeat, Lazarus could sense something more. Something dangerous was lurking beneath the surface.

"Who sent you?" Lazarus demanded, his voice harsh as he stood over the disfigured figure.

Hollow's eyes gleamed with malice. "You've got bigger problems than me, Viltrumite." He smiled darkly, his body flickering in and out of existence. "This is only the beginning."

Before Lazarus could react, the entity vanished, leaving only the lingering sense of dread behind.

As Hollow disappeared, Lazarus's instincts screamed that something far worse was coming.

Clark, still kneeling on the floor, looked up at his brother. "What was that thing?"

Lazarus shook his head. "Something we need to keep an eye on."

He turned, his expression hardening as he sensed the shift in the air. "But there's more at play than just him, Clark. We've got bigger enemies now. Enemies who won't hesitate to attack where it hurts the most."

The sound of an approaching helicopter interrupted their conversation, the blades cutting through the air like the beginning of a storm.

Lazarus looked at Clark, his voice steady. "I've got to go. But you… stay out of this one, okay? I'll handle it."

Clark nodded, but the unease on his face was impossible to ignore.

LuthorCorp – The Face of DeceptionBack in Metropolis, Lionel Luthor sat in his office, watching as his empire slowly but surely started to crumble. The competition—Kent Innovations—was rising fast, and Lazarus Kent's moves were becoming too unpredictable to ignore.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"This is Lionel Luthor," he said, his voice cold. "I need you to take care of Lazarus Kent once and for all."