This is a really different story - and I mean that in a good way. Something not at all done before and superbly written. The pacing is perfect and allows readers to feel the full gamut of emotions as this unfolds - making the story really hit home.
I expect there will be a happy ending insofar as Clark finally getting back to Lois and his family.
But seeds are being laid for some tragedy too.
Clark/Superman has visibly aged in the year he's been captive - despite Superman's slow aging proces. That means the embedded kryptonite and all the exposure to experimental drugs has done cellualr level damage to him. Something even the sun can't "fix" I suspect - one of Superman's powers is not de-aging.
The embedded K in his brain. Has it caused permanent brain damage - memory loss or maybe jusy the destruction of those cells that gave Superman a super-brain - reading papers in seconds and such.
Same too the general physicl effets. A few hours of exposure to K can remove his powers for days. A years exposure even at low doses - guess I'm getting at in the "real" world I can see Clark coming back but Superman is "dead" - those physical attributes that gave him his powers at the cellular level would likley be permanently destroyed.
Makes the story poignant or potentially so. Clark may never even remember who he was but, even if he does, it seems plausible the part of his cell structure that made him a superman can't be physically brought back to life. Maybe that was a hint when Arienne said Superman must remain dead to the world.
Guess we'll see. This is really a special, special story. Thank you.
