Clark stood cautious and unwavering. Despite knowing the energy gate before him was the source of the disturbance, he had no intention of stepping through. Clark understood there were countless unknowns in the world, some of which even his immense power couldn't fully address. While his time spent resting within the sun had elevated him to a cosmic level of strength, it didn't make him omnipotent.
As Clark had explained, his abilities, though vast, had limitations—particularly when it came to spatial manipulation. He lacked the capacity to navigate or control space. While his speed could rival spatial teleportation in many cases, certain spatial capabilities, such as dimension-shifting or cross-realm movement, left him powerless. If an opponent escaped into another dimension or realm, there was little Clark could do to follow.
This concern made him wary of the energy gate. He didn't want to risk stepping into a realm he couldn't escape from. Calling on Robert—or other experts on spatial phenomena—would ensure a safer investigation and prevent a situation where Clark might vanish again for years.
"Calling Robert is the right move, or perhaps we could get the Guardians to scan for spatial anomalies?" the Sentry suggested, nodding in agreement. Though not officially recognized as an Avenger by public accounts, the Sentry was effectively part of their circle, albeit without any grand announcements.
Clark was about to contact JARVIS when the energy gate suddenly pulsed. Before either of them could react, a head emerged—a bald man's head. It wasn't long before the figure revealed himself entirely, stepping through the gate into the ocean's depths. Despite being submerged, his demeanor was casual, as though unaffected by the pressure or lack of air.
"Where the hell am I now? This place… huh?" The bald man muttered to himself, scanning his surroundings until his eyes landed on Clark and the Sentry. "And who are you two?"
His voice was clear, even underwater, as though the water bent to his will.
"You don't recognize us? Or him?" the Sentry asked, tilting his head in surprise. "You must've been down here for a long time."
The bald man's expression shifted. "A long time? Yeah, that's one way to put it. It's been so long I've lost track. But you—who are you? There's no trace of gods or wizards on you… yet you both radiate power."
He examined Clark and the Sentry closely, suspicion etched into his features. "This is Atlantis, isn't it? Or at least their territory. You don't look Atlantean. Were you waiting for me?"
"In a way," the Sentry admitted, sensing Clark's silence. "There was a significant energy disturbance here that caused a massive storm. We came to investigate and found a stone slab. I removed it, and, well… here you are."
"You removed the slab? You managed to lift that thing?" The man's eyes narrowed, his wariness growing. He studied the Sentry, clearly trying to assess his strength.
"You carry the power of the gods—several, in fact," Clark finally said, breaking his silence.
From the moment the man appeared, Clark had felt a distinct energy about him. It was familiar yet alien, a collection of divine energies, but none that Clark recognized. He had encountered similar powers before—particularly in individuals like Frank and Steve, who had drawn strength from ancient contracts with gods.
The man before them seemed to possess a similar source of power. Yet, unlike the Avengers imbued with Shazam's abilities, none of the energies in this man matched those Clark had encountered before. This mix of the familiar and unfamiliar prompted Clark to probe further.
"You can sense the divine power in me?" The man turned his gaze to Clark, his suspicion intensifying. If one of these two could discern the nature of his strength, they were far more dangerous than he'd initially thought.
"Perhaps this isn't the best place to talk," the Sentry interjected, sensing the man's growing tension. "How about we move to the surface? Fighting here would only cause more chaos."
The Sentry's suggestion wasn't merely about diplomacy. A battle in the ocean's depths would undoubtedly cause devastating tsunamis and storms far worse than those already seen. The people Clark and the Sentry had just saved wouldn't be able to escape in time, rendering their efforts meaningless.
"Fine," the bald man said after a moment of hesitation. He gave Clark and the Sentry a long, scrutinizing look before agreeing. "I don't care for this place anyway. My prison wasn't originally underwater."
With a powerful surge, the man shot upward toward the ocean's surface, his speed a clear display of his strength. He wasn't hiding his capabilities, seemingly testing Clark and the Sentry to gauge their own power.
To his surprise, both men emerged alongside him—matching his speed, if not surpassing it slightly.
"Impressive," the man muttered, his wariness deepening. He had expected to outpace them, not for them to keep up so effortlessly. It raised a question that gnawed at him: how had these two become so strong without divine backing?
"Who are you? And how did you end up sealed away?" the Sentry asked as they hovered in the sky.
The man's expression darkened slightly. "I am Teth-Adam, though you can call me Black Adam. As for how I was sealed… that's none of your business. Do you two fancy yourselves heroes, meddling in others' affairs without cause? Or perhaps you're just bored?"
He was careful not to escalate matters, despite his evident frustration. Though anger simmered beneath the surface, Black Adam wasn't foolish. He needed to know more about these two before making any moves.
"Black Adam," the Sentry repeated, glancing at Clark. "Well, I'm the Sentry, and this is Superman. We're what you'd call heroes, or more specifically, superheroes. In this age, that's what warriors like us are called."
He gave a small, almost teasing smile. "Unlike some who use the title of hero to line their pockets, we actually mean it. So yes, your appearance does concern us."
"Superheroes?" Black Adam's scowl deepened. "How self-righteous. I haven't done a thing, and already you're looking to interrogate me."
"We're simply being cautious," the Sentry replied with a shrug. "You've already caused a disaster, whether intentionally or not. That storm back there? Even if it wasn't directly your doing, it stemmed from the power that sealed you."
Black Adam's eyes narrowed. He didn't deny it. The storm was his fault, albeit indirectly. Over the centuries, he had tested the boundaries of his prison, sending surges of power to weaken the seal. The resulting energy buildup had inadvertently caused the catastrophic weather.
Yet he had no intention of admitting this. "I was wronged and sealed away by traitors. Now that I'm free, I intend to find them and settle the score. While at it, I'd like to explore this new world. Is that a problem?"
"Not directly," the Sentry said, smiling faintly. "But we'll be keeping an eye on you. Just know, not everyone will be as accommodating as we are."
"That so?" Black Adam sneered.
"Vought International, for example," the Sentry continued. "They'll see you as a threat, and they're experts at taking down superpowered individuals. If they can't kill you, they'll dissect you and use your powers for profit."
Black Adam's expression darkened further, but he didn't respond. Instead, with a burst of speed, he vanished into the distance, leaving Clark and the Sentry behind.
"You let him go," Clark remarked telepathically as they hovered in silence.
The Sentry smirked. "Why not? He's strong and doesn't understand this world yet. Vought's reaction will be… interesting to watch."
Clark nodded thoughtfully. "I suspect his powers might be connected to Frank and the others. Let's observe for now."
As Black Adam disappeared over the horizon, Clark offered him a small, knowing smile.
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