Metropolis II: Ouroboros

Metropolis II: Ouroboros

A moment later.

The two saw Gray off.

Dio finally revealed his true colors, diving headfirst onto the massive bed that could fit five people.

"I'm getting hyped, Dad!"

The boy's muffled voice came from inside the pillow:

"Especially when I think about that big idiot Clark probably milking cows on the farm right now. Hahaha!"

What did Clark ever do to you?!

Giving Dio an exasperated glance, Locke dialed the newly bought push-button phone:

"Beep... beep... beep..."

"Lionel, didn't you say it was just an ordinary hotel downtown? This place is fancy enough to host the president."

"Locke?"

The crisp clink of glasses and the bustle of a crowd came from the other end of the line.

His good brother seemed to be attending a banquet.

In any case, Lionel's voice carried a smile.

"I remember someone saying—"

"The economy hasn't been good this year, and I really didn't know what to get Dio for his birthday."

"This gift is too expensive."

"I know what you mean." Interrupting Locke, Lionel laughed heartily. "Anyway, this is nothing more than a small favor to me. You don't need to worry about it."

"Besides, I still haven't thanked you for warning me about the El Niño effect at the beginning of the year."

"How can those be the same thing?" Locke shook his head helplessly. His gaze fell on Dio, who had somehow wandered over to the minibar and was studying the imported chocolates. Noticing the look, the boy immediately pretended to examine the ingredients list, though he could not hide the chocolate at the corner of his mouth. "I think you're just spoiling Dio too much."

"So what?" Lionel snorted. "I like him. Lex likes him too."

"Just take it as a birthday present for Dio from Lex and me."

"After all, you're stingy Locke Kent."

"Lionel, you..." Locke's face darkened before he irritably handed the phone to Dio. "Here, thank your Uncle Lionel."

Taking the phone, Dio cleared his throat and solemnly said, "...Thank you for making the arrangements, Mr. Luthor."

"Just call me Uncle Lionel." The voice on the phone softened. "If you really want to thank me, then enjoy this vacation properly."

"Together with your father."

"Beep."

The call ended.

Dio found his father looking at him with a complicated expression.

The boy immediately became wary. "What? Is there something on my face?"

"You brat, remember this—you're only getting this because of your dad." Locke spoke irritably.

Dragon Palace.

Supposedly the best Chinese restaurant in Metropolis.

Vermilion lanterns hung beneath the eaves, while two stone lions stood on either side of the carved wooden doors.

It was worlds apart from the Chinese fast-food place they had eaten at in the suburbs last time.

Looking up at the building brimming with Eastern charm, curiosity gleamed in Dio's red eyes.

"Dad, are you sure this isn't a museum?"

Locke smiled and pushed the door open. "Don't worry. It's definitely a place to eat."

As soon as they entered, a waitress in a qipao came forward and handed them an English menu with a smile.

"Welcome to Dragon Palace, may I take your order?"

"..."

"I reserved a private room. I'm Locke Kent."

"Mr. Locke Kent? I see—"

"?"

The waitress froze for a moment, then gave him a warm smile.

"Very well, Mr. Kent. Your Chinese is excellent."

Dio's eyes widened as if he were meeting his old father for the first time.

"Dad, when did you learn that?"

Locke shrugged. "Back when I was making waves in Metropolis, I picked up a little."

Was it really just a little?

Dio grumbled inwardly, but he still quickly followed Locke into the private room.

Then he heard—

After sitting down and picking up the Chinese menu, Locke began rattling off dishes without pause.

"Kung Pao chicken, mapo tofu, sweet-and-sour ribs, soup dumplings, steamed lamb, steamed deer tail, roast duck, roast spring chicken, roast goose, braised pork, braised duck, soy sauce chicken, cured pork, pork sausage, air-dried meat, sausage, assorted cold platter, smoked chicken and pork belly, steamed eight-treasure pork, sticky rice-stuffed duck, potted pheasant, potted quail, braised assorted meats, braised goose..."

?!

Locke Kent, what the hell are you babbling about?

This is what you call picking up a little?!

Dio was dumbfounded, but before he could ask, fragrant dishes were brought out one after another, leaving his mouth too busy to speak.

Bright red-oil mapo tofu, golden and crispy sweet-and-sour ribs, crystal-clear soup dumplings.

Dio's nostrils twitched, and his stomach let out an uncooperative growl.

"Eat."

Locke picked up his chopsticks, then paused.

Dio immediately sensed something was off and narrowed his eyes. "Dad, are you—"

Before he could finish, a piece of sweet-and-sour rib suddenly rose into the air and landed steadily in Locke's bowl.

"..."

Dio's mouth twitched. "You actually used Cafeteria Spicy Sauce to steal food?!"

Locke remained expressionless. "Cafeteria Spicy Sauce wanted some too."

Dio let out an irritated sneer and summoned The World without backing down.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two Stands clashed silently above the dining table, chopsticks and spoons weaving through the air.

Plate after plate rapidly emptied, and the food on them vanished at a visible speed.

Half an hour later.

Dio slumped in his chair, contentedly rubbing his round belly. "Dad..."

"Hmm?"

"Cafeteria Spicy Sauce still has the better accuracy."

"Good that you know."

"So..."

"Can we come again tomorrow?"

With a smile, Locke rubbed his golden hair and leisurely took a sip of tea.

"That depends on how you behave."

Dio pursed his lips and let out an annoyed huff.

After their fill, father and son walked out of the restaurant. Sunlight spilled over the bustling Chinatown.

"You brat." Locke stretched. "Where do you want to go next? The tech expo doesn't start until tomorrow, and this afternoon—"

"Dad, how about that shop?"

"Hmm?"

Following his pointing finger, Locke saw the sign—

Uncle's Antique Shop.

?!

Locke froze.

Was it the antique shop he was thinking of? But this was Metropolis now, and that antique shop was in San Francisco.

"Sure."

Amused by his own thought, Locke nodded readily. "Then I can pick out another birthday present for you."

Bang.

He pushed open the antique shop's old wooden door, and the bell rang crisply.

The lighting inside was dim, and the air carried the mixed scent of sandalwood and old leather.

The owner—

An elderly man in round glasses and a Zhongshan suit slowly approached.

"It's your first time in an antique shop, sir?"

"We're just looking around."

"Oh?"

"You speak Chinese?"

"I misjudged you." A look of surprise passed over the old man's face, and he laughed. "Please, look around as you like."

Locke nodded and looked at Dio beside him.

This really was the little guy's first time in a shop like this. He was currently fascinated by several exquisite mechanical devices displayed in the center: a brass astrolabe, a self-writing feather pen, and a pocket watch inlaid with gears.

Interest gleamed in his eyes, and his fingers even reached out to lightly brush the surfaces of those intricate mechanisms.

"Don't touch things randomly."

Locke pulled his hand away. "Some antiques are very fragile."

"You worry too much."

"Fragile antiques wouldn't be displayed out in the open." The old man laughed heartily.

"..."

Old man, you did that on purpose, didn't you?

With a twitching mouth, Locke glanced at the old man before looking at Dio.

Mm.

He felt greatly relieved.

Dio was being very obedient—

Mm?!

Dio's eyes abruptly narrowed. He suddenly turned his head, his red pupils sweeping the street outside like an eagle's.

"What is it?"

Noticing something was wrong with Dio, Locke vigilantly followed his gaze across the street, but—

He saw only the endless flow of pedestrians.

"It's nothing, Dad. Maybe it was just my imagination."

Reassuringly patting the boy's shoulder, Locke said nothing more. He merely quietly spread Star Platinum's senses, carefully taking in every movement on the street.

Nothing strange.

But—

He still could not ignore it.

After all, it was Dio's perception.

The sense of unease felt by someone born with extraordinary luck.

"Stay here and don't wander around." Taking a deep breath, Locke rubbed Dio's head. "Dad is going outside to make a call."

"Okay."

Dio obediently nodded and watched Locke walk out onto the street.

This time, he did not have any bad premonitions.

Stretching lazily, Dio chose to wander around the antique shop out of boredom.

Soon—

A silver coin with an unusual gleam caught his attention.

The coin was half black and half white. Its reverse bore a circle, while the front depicted a serpent biting its own tail. Two tiny rubies were even set into the snake's eyes.

It seemed quite valuable.

"Do you like this?"

An aged voice sounded from behind him. The old man had somehow appeared at his back.

"Interesting taste, child."

Picking up the silver coin, the old man slowly turned it beneath the light.

"It is the Ouroboros, one of the oldest mythological symbols in the world."

"It signifies the cycle of life and death, without end."

"You see, no matter what, this snake's tail always returns to its own mouth." The old man held the coin upright. "It is a greedy snake eating itself."

"..."

"Sir, are you saying—"

"This snake is destroying itself?" Dio asked in confusion.

"Not exactly." The old man smiled. "Because according to ancient alchemical knowledge, from the moment all things are born, fate grants them an end—grants them death."

"But this Ouroboros, even as it destroyed itself, gave itself life. It continuously nurtured itself, allowing itself to live on without end."

"This is an endless cycle of life, or rather..."

"Immortality?" Dio exclaimed.

"Do you know the Phoenix?" After asking Dio, the old man continued on his own. "Like the Ouroboros, it is reborn through its own destruction by fire. This, too, is a cycle."

"Brown once said—"

"All things have a beginning and an end. Only heaven and mathematical formulas can be reborn."

"You understand what I mean, child?"

"I don't." Dio shook his head.

"..."

"In any case, this coin can bring good luck."

The old man lowered his voice, acting mysterious.

Good luck?!

Dio sucked in a sharp breath at the sensitive word.

Now that I understood.

"How much, sir?"

"The price isn't important, child." Rather than answering immediately, the old man asked, "Is today a special day for you?"

"?"

Dio's expression turned wary.

What was with this old fart?

"Don't be nervous, child."

The old man smiled. "Generally speaking, when parents take their children out to have fun, there's always some special reason."

"..."

"My birthday." Dio hesitated for a moment.

"Then that's it."

"You've grown another year older. Happy birthday, child."

"Time flies like an arrow; the sun and moon race like a shuttle."

Muttering Chinese that Dio couldn't understand, the old man gently placed the silver coin in Dio's palm. "Remember to cherish your time."