chapter 15

Chapter 15: Under SiegeKent Innovations – Power PlayThe sleek glass building of Kent Innovations gleamed under the harsh midday sun. Within its walls, the pulse of a growing empire reverberated. Lazarus's vision was becoming a reality—his empire was expanding, and with it, his influence. But even as his business thrived, a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.

In the executive suite, Martha Kent stood, looking out over the city of Smallville. The building, which had once been just a dream, now stood as a testament to her son's resolve. But even the most successful enterprises had enemies. And in this case, LuthorCorp was the most dangerous one.

Martha turned as her assistant entered the room, holding a large envelope. "The board meeting minutes for today, Ms. Kent."

She took the papers with a nod. "Anything urgent?"

"Actually, yes." The assistant's face grew serious. "We just received word that LuthorCorp is moving against us. They've been quietly buying up shares of Kent Innovations for weeks now. It's more than just a hostile takeover attempt—it looks like they're aiming for a full-scale merger."

Martha's jaw tightened. She'd known it was only a matter of time before Lex made his move. It wasn't the first time his methods had been underhanded, but now, with Lazarus at the helm, it felt more personal.

"I'll deal with it," Martha said, her voice calm but firm. She wasn't about to let Lex Luthor destroy what her son had worked so hard to build.

She walked to the boardroom, her mind racing with strategies and contingencies. The next few hours would determine whether Kent Innovations would remain independent or fall into the hands of one of the most ruthless businessmen in the world.

Smallville – Dark AlliancesMeanwhile, Lazarus was deep in thought as he walked through the vast halls of the mansion under construction on the Kent farm. His plans for the farm weren't just about expansion; they were about creating something more—a legacy that would outlast even his own existence. And for that, he needed to make sure his family was secure.

Lazarus had already arranged for a new tractor and work crew to help his father on the farm, ensuring that the Kent family legacy would continue to thrive even as the business side of things grew. But there was more to this. His vision included incorporating the farm into Kent Innovations—creating new technologies and innovations that could revolutionize the agricultural industry.

A luxury car, worth millions, was parked outside the farmhouse. Lazarus had given it to Clark as a gift, a symbol of his respect for his brother's hard work and dedication. As much as Lazarus liked to keep his ambitions to himself, he knew that Clark deserved something special. And a gift like this was a rare opportunity to show him just how much Lazarus cared—even if Clark didn't always understand it.

As he turned to leave, Lazarus felt the familiar weight of power settle on his shoulders. He was no longer just a child from Smallville. He was a force to be reckoned with, and anyone who underestimated him would soon realize just how dangerous that could be.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. A message from his contact at LuthorCorp flashed on the screen: "Luthor is moving against you. He has an inside man at Kent Innovations. Don't trust anyone."

Lazarus's eyes narrowed. He had known that Luthor was going to make a move soon, but this was different. Luthor had more than just business ambitions; he had a personal vendetta. And Lazarus would need to be prepared.

The game had changed, and Lazarus had no intention of losing.

Fairview Asylum – The Calm Before the StormElsewhere in Smallville, Clark's mind was still reeling from the events that had unfolded in the asylum. He had always known that his brother was different, but he hadn't fully understood the weight of Lazarus's power—until now. Lazarus had held his own against Hollow, a being from another world, and yet, Clark couldn't help but feel like there was more to his brother than just his strength. Lazarus had been hiding something.

Clark was lying in his bed, the stillness of the night settling around him when his phone buzzed. It was a message from Lazarus.

"Stay out of this. You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Clark frowned at the words. He wasn't about to sit idly by while Lazarus fought a battle he didn't fully understand. There was more going on than just a simple fight against a supernatural entity. The message felt urgent, and Clark couldn't ignore it.

Before he could respond, the door to his room creaked open. Lazarus stepped inside, his face unreadable.

"Clark," Lazarus said softly, "I know you want to help. But this isn't your fight. I'm not like you. I can handle this."

Clark sat up, his eyes narrowing. "I know you can handle yourself, Lazarus. But you're my brother. I'm not just going to sit here and watch you fight alone."

Lazarus let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't have time for this. There's a lot more going on here than just some demon. We're not just fighting for Smallville. We're fighting for everything we've built."

Clark's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Lazarus looked at him, his expression grim. "Luthor's playing a dangerous game. And if we don't stop him soon, everything—everything—is at risk."

Before Clark could respond, Lazarus's phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen. "It's time. Stay here, Clark. I don't want you getting caught in the crossfire."

Lazarus left the room without waiting for a response, his mind already calculating his next move. He couldn't afford to let Luthor's scheming get in the way of his empire—or his family.

LuthorCorp – The Battle for PowerBack at LuthorCorp, Lex stood in his office, staring out at the city of Metropolis. He had always believed in the survival of the fittest. But Lazarus Kent was a wild card—a force that was threatening to topple everything Lex had worked for.

"Luthor," a voice said behind him. Lex turned to see his father, Lionel Luthor, standing in the doorway. His expression was hard, his eyes filled with an unsettling calm.

"Father," Lex replied, his voice tinged with disdain. "What do you want?"

Lionel stepped into the room, his gaze never leaving Lex's. "I've heard about Lazarus Kent. You're making a mistake. You don't understand what you're up against."

Lex smirked, his confidence unwavering. "I know exactly what I'm up against. Kent Innovations is a threat. And Lazarus Kent is just the beginning."

Lionel's eyes flickered with concern. "You don't understand. Kent isn't the real threat. There are forces out there—beyond your comprehension—that will destroy us both if you're not careful."

Lex's expression darkened, his voice cold. "You can't scare me, father. I've got everything under control."

But deep down, Lex knew his father was right. Lazarus Kent was a different kind of power. And Lex's desperation to control it might just lead to his downfall.

The Road AheadAs Lazarus prepared for the storm that was about to break, he couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. LuthorCorp, Hollow, and other unknown enemies were closing in. But Lazarus wasn't about to back down. He had built Kent Innovations from the ground up, and he would protect it with everything he had.

His family, his legacy—it was all on the line.

And he wasn't going to let anyone take it from him.