Kara woke up in a different place, her senses slowly coming back to her. The room was dark and musty, with an air of foreboding. She tried to move but found her arms and legs bound tightly with Kryptonite-laced chains, her muscles weak and trembling from the toxic effects.
"Where am I?" she thought, her head throbbing. "How long have I been here?"
She struggled to sit up, the Kryptonite making every movement painful. The chains clinked ominously, a constant reminder of her vulnerability. The room's oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional drip of water and the distant murmur of voices.
Coville entered the room, his expression a disturbing mix of reverence and fanaticism.
Kara glared at him, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're delusional, Coville. Whatever twisted belief you have, it's not going to work."
Coville's eyes narrowed at her defiance. He gestured to his followers and they began chanting in a low, rhythmic cadence, their faces obscured by dark hoods. Kara struggled against her restraints, trying to ignore the Kryptonite's insidious drain on her powers.
-
Meanwhile at the DEO, Alex sat in the command center, a bandage wrapped around her head from a deep gash sustained during the explosion. Her eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and the constant strain of worry. J'onn stood beside her, his expression one of determined concern.
Alex: "We need to find her, J'onn. I don't care what it takes."
J'onn nodded, his voice calm but firm. "We will, Alex. Coville is cunning, but we have resources he doesn't."
Despite their best efforts, every lead they chased turned into a dead end. Coville had covered his tracks well and the frustration was mounting, especially on Alex.
"Hang in there, Kara. I will find you. I promise."
-
Hours turned into what felt like days. The room was stifling, the air heavy with the scent of incense and sweat. Kara's throat was parched, her muscles aching from the unyielding restraints. Yet, she continued to challenge Coville, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her submission.
Coville approached her once more, his patience wearing thin. "Why do you resist, Supergirl? You could be so much more if you embrace your true self."
Kara spat out a response, her voice hoarse but unwavering. "I am embracing my true self—by fighting against maniacs like you."
Coville's expression darkened. He signaled to two of his followers, who stepped forward with grim determination. One of them held a strip of cloth in his hands, the fabric rough and faintly glowing with the toxic green hue of Kryptonite.
Coville: "Your defiance is admirable, but it's also misguided. If you won't listen willingly, then you'll be silenced."
Kara's eyes widened as the realization of what was coming hit her. She struggled against the chains, but the Kryptonite had sapped too much of her strength. The followers moved quickly, their practiced motions efficient and unyielding. They forced the strip of Kryptonite-laced cloth into her mouth, pulling it tightly across her lips and securing it at the back of her head.
The cleave gag bit into the corners of her mouth, the Kryptonite's presence adding an excruciating burn to the already painful restraint. Kara's heart raced as she fought the urge to panic, forcing herself to focus on breathing steadily through her nose.
Coville stepped closer, inspecting the gag to ensure it was securely in place. He cupped her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. "Now, perhaps you'll reflect more on what I'm trying to show you."
Kara's eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and helplessness. She tried to shout, but the gag reduced her voice to little more than a series of muffled sounds. Coville nodded in satisfaction, turning back to his chanting followers.
-
Back at the DEO, Alex was growing more desperate with each passing hour. She and J'onn scoured surveillance footage, interrogated informants and analyzed every piece of data they had. Her injuries were slowing her down, but she refused to stop.
J'onn: "Alex, you need to rest. We will find her, but you need to be at your best."
Alex: "I can't rest, J'onn. Not until we bring her home."
Despite their efforts, Coville managed to keep them at bay. Each new location they raided was empty, each clue a misdirection.
-
As the days dragged on, the continuous torture and confinement began to take a toll on Kara's spirit. The Kryptonite gnawed at her strength, leaving her vulnerable and in constant pain. She tried to focus on her friends, drawing strength from memories of Alex, Mon-El, J'onn, Lena, Winn and James. But her mind, weakened by exhaustion, began to betray her.
"The, the room… it's so dark, I feel so small," the thought suddenly slipped into her mind, the nothingness of it all was getting unbearable.
"Maybe this is what I deserve," she thought, tears welling up in her eyes.
A wave of guilt crashed over her, nearly suffocating in its intensity. She remembered Mon-El's face, the sorrow in his eyes when they parted.
"I drove him away. I thought it was for the best, but now... now I'm not so sure. Did I make the right choice? Maybe he would have been safer if he had never met me."
Her thoughts shifted to the fallen DEO agents, their faces a blur but their sacrifice a heavy weight on her conscience. "They trusted me, and I failed them. Maybe this is how it's supposed to end. Maybe I deserve this."
Kara's mind drifted to Alex, her steadfast sister who had always been there for her. She wondered if Alex had made it out alive after the explosion. The uncertainty gnawed at her, a cold fear settling in her chest.
"Please let her be safe."
"Please let her be alive."
"Please."
-
Finally, a breakthrough came. An intercepted communication gave them a new location to check. Alex and J'onn geared up, their expressions grim but determined.
J'onn: "This is it, Alex. We'll find her."
Alex: "I know. Let's go."
-
After what felt like an eternity, the sound of gunfire shattered the oppressive silence. The DEO agents stormed the secluded area, their tactical movements precise and unstoppable. Alex led the charge, her eyes scanning the room until they locked onto Kara.
Alex: "Kara!"
Kara's heart leaped with relief as Alex rushed to her side, her fingers deftly working to untie the gag and remove the Kryptonite chains. As soon as the gag was removed, Kara gasped for breath, her voice a ragged whisper.
Kara: "Alex... thank you."
Alex's eyes were filled with concern and determination. "We've got you. You're safe now."
With the strength of her sister beside her, Kara stood once more, her legs shaky but her resolve unyielding. The DEO agents swiftly subdued the remaining cultists, bringing Coville to his knees. Despite his capture, Coville's eyes remained locked on Kara, a twisted smile on his lips.
Coville: "This isn't over, Supergirl. Your true self will emerge, and you will lead us to salvation."
Kara shuddered at his words, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her. She tried to stay upright, but her body had endured too much. The edges of her vision blurred and she felt herself slipping away.
Kara: "Alex... I…"
Her legs gave out and she collapsed into Alex's arms. Panic flashed in Alex's eyes as she cradled her sister, her voice rising with urgency.
Alex: "Kara? Kara! No, no, no… stay with me." Her voice cracked, "We need medics, now!"
Coville's words echoed ominously in the background as the DEO agents secured the area. Alex's concern quickly turned to fury as she looked down at Kara's unconscious form.
Alex: "You're going to pay for this, Coville."
J'onn: "Alex."
Knowing Alex very well, J'onn approached her calmly before gently taking Kara from her. "I'll fly Kara to the DEO first. Winn has everything ready for Kara. I will be back for you soon."
As J'onn flew Kara to safety, Alex's eyes never left her sister.
"Kara…"