The bright light dissipated.
The entire Arctic ice plain returned to silence, with only the howling cold wind remaining.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the center of the ice plain.
Thor descended from mid-air, the electric light on Mjolnir having vanished.
"This much power, it's exhilarating."
He muttered to himself.
Barry Allen was the first to rush over, circling the vibranium coffin once before braking sharply in front of everyone.
"It's empty!"
"The coffin is empty! Where is she?"
Tony Stark's faceplate snapped shut with a "click," and he began scanning rapidly.
"No life signs, no heat signature, even the pool of water is still there... she's gone."
This conjecture made everyone's heart sink.
Clark Kent's fists were clenched tightly, his eyes fixed on the empty coffin.
Bruce Wayne's expression was hidden behind his mask, unreadable.
In this oppressive silence, Tel-Rol, who had been floating in the air with his arms crossed, slowly lowered his arms.
He didn't look at the coffin, but instead raised his head and looked at the cloudless sky.
A flicker of excitement actually appeared on his usually expressionless face.
"She's up there."
His voice echoed across the vast ice plain, clear for everyone to hear.
Following his gaze, everyone looked up at the sky in unison.
High above, the sun's rays were somewhat dazzling.
Within that halo of light, a figure floated serenely, bathed in golden sunlight.
She stretched out her arms, as if embracing the entire sun.
The terrifying wound that had pierced her chest a few days ago had long disappeared, her skin was smooth as new, and her golden hair danced in the sunlight.
It was Kara Zor-El.
"Oh my goodness…"
Barry's mouth hung open.
After absorbing enough solar energy, Kara slowly descended.
She didn't look at the others, but landed directly in front of Tel-Rol.
A smile as warm as sunlight graced her face, and Tel-Rol's reflection was in her azure eyes.
"I could feel you were there all along."
Kara reached out, gently wanting to touch Tel-Rol's face.
His cheeks still showed signs of fatigue.
"Slap."
Tel-Rol slapped her hand away, then turned his head to the side.
"I wasn't."
His voice was stiff.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Kara, whose hand had been slapped away, wasn't angry at all; instead, she smiled even more brightly.
Although she had fallen into a near-fatal coma, she could clearly feel that someone had been by her side the entire time, stubbornly supplying energy, not letting the last spark of her life extinguish.
The next second, Kara opened her arms and hugged Tel-Rol directly.
Tight.
This sudden embrace completely stunned Tel-Rol.
He froze, his hands suspended in mid-air, unsure where to put them.
After several seconds, his stiff arms slowly lowered, and he tentatively embraced Kara.
Then his arms gradually tightened.
On the ground.
"Woohoo! That's great!"
Barry and Hal jumped and bounced, hugging each other.
"Kara's alive!"
Arthur Curry, carrying his trident, let out a loud whistle.
"Well done!"
Bruce Wayne watched the two embracing in the air, his tightly strung nerves finally relaxing.
He turned to Tony Stark.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, just remember to pay the bill. vibranium is expensive." Tony opened his faceplate and winked at Bruce, "How about a celebration? A party? I brought the best wine."
"No."
Bruce refused without hesitation.
"We still have a lot to deal with."
"You're truly no fun at all." Tony shrugged.
Steve Rogers walked over and patted Bruce's shoulder.
"Since she's alright, we should head back too."
"Mm."
Soon, the two groups boarded their respective aircraft.
The Avengers' quinjet slowly ascended, Tony still waving from the porthole.
Diana stood at the boarding gate of the Justice League's batwing. She looked back at the two figures still embracing on the ice plain, then silently turned and entered the cabin.
The planes took off, their massive roars fading into the distance.
On the vast Arctic ice plain, only Tel-Rol and Kara remained.
A long time passed.
"Hey."
Tel-Rol's muffled voice came from Kara's shoulder.
"Have you hugged enough?"
Kara released him, stepped back, and looked at him with a smiling face.
"No."
Tel-Rol's face was a little unnatural; he cleared his throat.
"You look terrible."
Kara scrutinized him.
He was still in his black combat suit, but he was covered in dust, his eye sockets were sunken, green stubble had appeared on his chin, and his entire being exuded exhaustion.
"Isn't it because of you?" Tel-Rol retorted grumpily, "You're much heavier than you look; flying with you for three days and three nights, I'm exhausted."
Kara laughed aloud.
"Thank you, Tel."
Her tone was very serious.
"For everything."
"Tch."
Tel-Rol pouted, his hands back in his pockets.
"Next time, just don't let someone stab you straight through with one move; it's a hassle to clean up."
"Okay."
Kara nodded, smiling. Her heart felt warm as she looked at this hard-mouthed, soft-hearted guy.
"Oh, right," Kara's expression suddenly became a little more serious, "When that energy entered my body…"
"I saw something."
"What did you see?" Tel-Rol asked.
"A… face."
Kara tried to recall.
"A face that looked like it was carved from stone, very huge, with red, burning eyes."
Tel-Rol asked, puzzled.
"Oh, a face, and then what?"
"And then… I felt… something very terrifying, cold, tyrannical, wanting to conquer and destroy everything." Kara's brow furrowed, "He seemed to be looking at me, from a very, very distant space."
After listening, Tel-Rol's brow furrowed slightly.
"That's it?"
"What do you mean, 'that's it'?" Kara was a little anxious, "That feeling was very real!"
"Whatever."
Tel-Rol looked indifferent.
"Who cares if it's a stone face or a wooden face, if he dares to come, I'll smash his face too."
He stretched his neck, making a "crack" sound.
"Let's go, I'm hungry."
He turned and prepared to fly away.
"Wait!" Kara called out to him.
"Now what?" Tel-Rol turned back impatiently.
"Where are we going?"
"Where else could we go?" Tel-Rol grinned at her, revealing a set of white teeth, "Find a place to celebrate."
"Celebrate?" Kara's eyes lit up, "Are we going for burgers? Or hot dogs?"
"Celebrate that you didn't die." Tel-Rol's smile became wilder, "And, let me see how well you've recovered."
His aura began to rise, and battle intent rekindled in his blue pupils.
"Come on, let's fight!"
But Kara's gaze changed, staring intently at Tel.
She slowly approached Tel, making the battle-ready Tel a little confused.
"Then let's go home first, and I'll show you what I can do."