Chapter 141 (edited)

Kara returned home after staying as a guest at Wayne Manor until midnight. Despite Jennifer's reluctance, Kara flew into the sky, using the cover of night to travel swiftly back. She couldn't help but acknowledge the convenience of openly using her superpowers—it saved her considerable time compared to mundane methods of travel. 

Still, Kara maintained the secrecy of her alien origins. Only Hal and Dani knew the truth, exposed inadvertently when the Green Lantern's Ion Shark warmly greeted her. Speaking of Dani, Kara had called her earlier, learning that Dani was preoccupied with a mission. 

Dani now worked under Amanda Waller, a woman Kara knew was anything but simple. Through conversations with Dani, Kara had learned about the early stages of a project that would later become Task Force X. While still in its conceptual phase, its foundation was already taking shape. 

The idea of Task Force X—or the "Advanced Metahuman Joint Research Group"—was intriguing. Initially, it was supposed to support the Justice League, acting as a backup to provide resources and handle the aftermath of their battles. Yet, in practice, it often positioned itself as a counterbalance to the League, sometimes creating unnecessary conflicts to ensure heroes never became complacent. 

Kara considered it a classic case of humans fearing the unchecked power of superheroes. Such initiatives reminded her of the Sokovia Accords from another universe she had glimpsed. It was proof that, in times of peace, someone would always find a way to create conflict. 

Kara hadn't bothered Dani further and simply promised to meet when Dani returned to Metropolis. Hal, on the other hand, had officially begun patrolling his sector as a Green Lantern. While Earth's region of space—Sector 2814—remained relatively peaceful, neighboring sectors like 2813, home to Tomar-Re, faced more activity. 

Kara's thoughts drifted to Krypton, her homeworld, which once thrived in Sector 2813. Her gaze turned skyward, and with her heightened vision, she could clearly see the red giant star that had been Krypton's sun. 

The sight stirred old memories. Krypton's demise had been a pivotal moment in her life, an event that had shaped who she was now. The original Kara's memories blended seamlessly with her own, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. It often felt as though both souls had merged entirely, creating someone who was neither wholly the original Kara nor her own past self. 

A deep sense of regret filled her as she thought of Krypton's fate. Though she now possessed the power to rewrite history, warnings from cosmic entities like the Guardians of the Universe had stayed her hand. The repercussions of altering such a monumental event were unpredictable and potentially catastrophic. 

Even resurrecting Krypton wasn't without its dangers. The sheer scale of life energy required could disrupt the natural balance of the universe, potentially awakening forces tied to the Life Equation. Krypton's destruction, as painful as it was, seemed to be a fixed point in the timeline. 

Still, the injustice of it angered Kara. She clenched her fists, her eyes glowing a fierce red—not with heat vision but with the flames of vengeance. Somewhere, she thought, someone had orchestrated Krypton's end. If she ever found them, they would answer for it. 

Returning her focus to the present, Kara descended quietly over the Kent farmhouse. She intended to slip back into her room unnoticed, but to her surprise, the window she'd left ajar was now shut. 

She pushed it open cautiously, only to find Martha Kent waiting. 

"Where have you been?" Martha's tone was firm, though laced with concern. "Do you know how worried I was?" 

Caught, Kara flew into the room and wrapped her arms around Martha, attempting to defuse the situation by acting playfully. 

"Thirty-five years old and still acting like a child," Martha remarked, patting Kara's back with a mix of exasperation and affection. 

Kara froze, the words hitting her harder than kryptonite. She was, in fact, thirty-five, edging ever closer to forty. The realization was a sobering reminder of how time had slipped by amidst her responsibilities. 

After exchanging goodnights with Martha, Kara settled into bed. The comfort of her old room, untouched by the chaos of the outside world, allowed her to relax completely. Sleep claimed her swiftly, a rare luxury she hadn't indulged in for years. 

But her peace was short-lived. 

"Kara? Why are you here? Uh… are you asleep?" The familiar voice of Bruce Wayne broke through her dreams. 

Still groggy, Kara barely registered his words. She instinctively hugged the soft "pillow" beside her and mumbled incoherently, drifting back into slumber.