The man pressed his forehead reverently against the earth, breathing in the scent of soil as he whispered, voice trembling with devotion:
"May you always be happy. You are the only one we poor souls can pray to… the only one who will ever help us…"
He spoke for a long time before finally rising. As he reached for the door, his hand froze midair, and tears streamed freely down his face.
Finally—finally—his wife no longer had to suffer.
He pushed the door open.
Inside, the woman who had once been frail and skeletal now stood full and vibrant, her skin no longer pale and wrinkled. Just hours ago, she had looked like a corpse.
The woman stared at her reflection in disbelief before turning toward her husband. "Am I… dreaming?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The man rushed forward and embraced her, breathing her in like a starving man tasting air for the first time.
"God…" he choked, his words lost to sobs.
The woman gently patted his back. "I'll always love you," she whispered.
He broke down crying, his tears loud and raw. Only after some time did he calm down, and the woman too began to realize—this wasn't a dream.
"How did this happen to me?" she asked softly.
"The god…" The man explained everything about Colin, his savior.
Finally, he added, voice filled with conviction, "He told me to help others—to do as much good as I can within my means. That is the mission he gave us."
The woman smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Then let's do that," she said. "Our god must be a gentle one—he wants us to take care of ourselves before we take care of others."
She rose from the bed and turned back to him. "How should I thank him?"
The man took her hand and knelt again, bowing deeply. Together, they prayed to Colin in gratitude.
"Will he hear us?" she asked uncertainly.
"He will… if our hearts are sincere," the man said.
Meanwhile
"You did a good thing."
Clark appeared beside Colin, already aware of what had transpired. He knew of the blessing Colin had granted the couple, and the mission bestowed upon them.
Colin shot him a sidelong glance. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in bed with your girlfriend or something? And don't get me wrong, I don't swing that way."
Clark smiled faintly. Colin's words could be infuriating—but he didn't mind. After all, Colin's actions tonight revealed something unexpected: kindness buried beneath arrogance.
"They'll help others now," Clark said. "That means this world will be a little better."
He extended his hand. "Let's make it even better together, shall we?"
Colin eyed his hand and smirked. "Well, it is my world. Honestly, I do appreciate your efforts, Clark. You're like a farmhand clearing pests from my land—while I'm the one who owns the farm."
He clasped Clark's hand, speaking like a boss giving orders to his subordinate. "Superman, comrade—keep up the good work. Can't promise there's a paycheck, though."
Ever since Colin had beaten him once, Clark's temper had grown saintly. He didn't even flinch, just laughed.
"Tch. That smile of yours—it's way too gay. Keep your distance before people start getting the wrong idea," Colin muttered.
Clark turned his gaze toward the distance. "Looks like I'm needed again."
Through his enhanced vision, he saw Batman strung up by Poison Ivy, being lashed by vines. Nearby, Harley Quinn and the Joker lay sprawled unconscious, both clearly beaten.
A flash—and Clark was gone.
In the blink of an eye, he freed Batman and restrained Poison Ivy with a chain of steel.
Batman exhaled in relief, nodding in thanks before turning his cold eyes on the Joker and Harley, cuffing them both.
Then he faced Poison Ivy. "I thought you turned over a new leaf."
"Oh please," Ivy sneered. "As long as humans exist, I'll never reform. Now get your filthy boot off that poor little grass, you stupid bat."
Batman looked down—sure enough, he'd crushed a blade of grass.
Ivy wasn't done. Her mouth ran faster than her vines, throwing insults like thorns.
Batman sighed. "Maybe it's time you spent a few weeks in prison."
"Sorry," came a new voice from above, "she won't be going to prison."
Colin descended slowly from the sky. The moment Ivy saw him, she fell silent.
Batman tensed but didn't move. He knew he wouldn't stand a chance against Colin in a direct fight.
Clark interjected quickly, "Colin needs Poison Ivy's help. She's going to grow some rare plants for him. Better that than wasting away in a cell."
As always, Clark played the peacemaker—soothing both sides.
Batman thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough."
"I'm taking Harley with me," Ivy said suddenly.
Colin's gaze turned on her. "Do you think you have a choice?"
Ivy froze under his gaze—those amber eyes were unreadable, and that made them terrifying.
She bowed her head. "I'll plant more trees. Harley will be a good assistant."
Colin didn't answer right away. Then Batman spoke up. "You can take Harley—but you'll fulfill your end of the deal."
He figured a tree-planting Harley Quinn was far better than one running around blowing things up.
Colin glanced at Batman—impressed. "Smart man."
Ivy looked up at him with pleading eyes, like a nervous pet awaiting approval.
"Fine."
And with that, Colin lifted both women by the collars and took off into the night.
Harley said nothing. Her heart still ached from what the Joker had done—using her as a human shield, even trying to blow her up. If Ivy hadn't arrived when she did, Harley would've been ashes.
He'd never loved her. That bastard.
Next time, she swore, she'd cave his skull in with her bat.
This time… the Joker had gone too far.