Chapter 104

To avoid drawing attention and protect their adoptive father, Jonathan, Kara and Clark would only come to this secluded, mysterious island at night. Although they'd been here a few times before, it was usually just for brief visits before quickly leaving.

Tonight, however, was different. The siblings had engaged in a milder training session, which, while still intense, might have stirred something unusual on the island.

As they were preparing to leave, Kara suddenly sensed movement. Her enhanced vision allowed her to see clearly, even in pitch darkness. A group of shadowy figures was advancing toward them, emerging from the depths of the night.

Turning her gaze to the source, Kara's eyes locked onto the approaching figures—twisted, monstrous creatures with vaguely human forms but fish-like, grotesque features. Their bodies were armored with sharp fins and claws, and they had menacingly serrated spines running down their backs. Upon seeing Kara's reaction, these creatures opened their mouths, releasing a high-pitched, inhuman shriek, then charged forward.

Kara frowned, her alert senses already assessing the threat. Clark, noticing her reaction, turned and spotted the creatures as well. "What are those things?" he asked, bewildered.

Without a word, Kara's eyes glowed with a brilliant blue hue as she unleashed her heat vision. Clark didn't hesitate to join her, his own eyes blazing red as he directed his heat vision toward the creatures from another angle. The siblings moved side by side, their combined beams devastating the charging monsters.

Clark's heat vision was intense enough to melt steel, while Kara's surpassed it, reaching a temperature capable of instantly incinerating the monsters. With precision, they adjusted their focus, vaporizing the creatures effortlessly.

"They definitely picked the wrong targets," Kara muttered, a trace of disdain in her voice. She might have recognized the monsters' origins, but it didn't concern her.

Unbeknownst to her, these monstrous beings were formerly from Atlantis, originating from the Trench—a forgotten nation where, through unfortunate circumstances, its people had transformed into feral, mindless creatures.

For Kara, it explained the island's ominous reputation, but it didn't change her approach. If ordinary humans had encountered these creatures, they'd have likely met a swift end. But in the face of Kara and Clark, the monsters quickly fell.

After several minutes, no more creatures emerged from the sea, prompting the siblings to cease their attacks. Kara and Clark's ability to "destroy with a glance" was truly something to behold, requiring no weapons beyond their heat vision.

Reflecting on a question he once heard someone ask—why Aquaman hadn't sought Superman's help in facing the deep-sea threats—Clark couldn't help but find the answer amusing. If Superman intervened, the conflict would be over almost as soon as it began. Orm would likely find himself yanked from the sea within seconds. It was exaggerated, of course, but Kara's abilities made the idea feasible, even under the ocean's crushing depths.

Observing the fallen creatures, Clark's face twisted in surprise. His microscopic vision revealed human genetic sequences within their biology. "Kara… are these things… human?"

Kara glanced at Clark, irritation flickering in her expression. "They were going to attack us, Clark. They're monsters now, regardless of what they used to be."

Clark hesitated. "But, technically, we killed them, didn't we?"

Sighing, Kara turned to face her brother seriously. "Listen, according to evolution, everything on this planet stems from a single-celled organism billions of years ago. By that logic, eating a vegetable is no different than eating meat. They're all living things. Plants feel pain too, even if we don't understand their signals. Yet we eat them. We humans are no exception in taking other life."

"It's not about being better than other species. We just have a more complex moral compass. But 100,000 years ago, we were on the food chain too. Remember that."

Clark nodded reluctantly, still uneasy. Kara softened, giving him a firm but caring look. "Look, I don't want to turn this into a philosophy lecture, but don't lose sleep over creatures that would have torn us apart. Let's go home, alright?"

Kara's tone brooked no argument, and Clark, recognizing his sister's stubborn resolve, finally relented. In truth, she didn't enjoy lecturing him this way—she knew her worldview could be extreme. But she also understood that while she wasn't interested in being the world's savior, Clark was different. He was destined for it, and she wanted him to stay true to that path.

For herself, however, she knew she'd always be ready to face the darker side if it meant protecting her family and their world.