[Chapter 8: Ekhyad]
The world waited anxiously, hoping a statement would be made by the United Nations, the US Embassy, the Foundation, someone, but they too were waiting for word from the UN Security Council.
News stations had gathered outside all the typical places, but everyone was focused on the Headquarters of the UN, where it was known Superman was meeting with officials. Security was high, and it was noted additional personnel had been sent out to the front. No explanations were being given.
And then the air was rocked by a cascade of sonic booms.
The next second, five blurs shot down from the sky and stopped at the entrance of the UN. Five people who could fly like Superman.
No one moved as the oldest looking individual of the clearly Kryptonian group straightened.
"We, the Emissaries of New Krypton, come seeking Lord Kal-El. Please take us to him," the man said commandingly.
A brave soul from UN security stepped forward.
"Please follow me. I will take you to him," he said.
The Kryptonians followed, ignoring everyone watching.
Whispers erupted as they were escorted into the building.
How were there still Kryptonians? Weren't they all dead? What did they want with Superman? What was happening?!
Nearly half an hour later, a brief bout of excitement came when a red and blue blur left the UN through a window before returning with something large ten or so minutes after, but still it was anyone's guess as to what was happening.
Time passed agonizingly slowly, which was only made worse by tight-lipped officials. As boredom began to rise and questions remained unanswered, restlessness grew around the Headquarters of the UN and around the world.
What was being discussed? What did they want?
And then all musing instantly vanished upon a single word that was bellowed from the heart of the UN.
“ENOUGH!”The windows rattled violently and the shout reverberated down the streets like the sound of a gong. Car alarms began to blare.
The voice was so intense, many would swear it echoed into their bones. Though, oddly, it did not leave their ears ringing like any other loud noise would.
No one moved for a long moment as they processed what had happened.
"That . . . was Superman," someone said, breaking the stunned silence.
O o O o O
Lois was, for one of the few times in her career, as clueless as the rest of the press about what was going on. So she was watching the television like everyone else.
The group of Kryptonians had just left the UN, and now it was clear the officials were preparing to make a statement.
A podium was being set up in the front, and the press core was chomping at the bit. Even from the bullpen of the Daily Planet, she could feel the anticipation there mingling with the unease bleeding from her and her coworkers.
"What do you think made Superman shout?" Jimmy asked quietly.
"I don't know, but Kal doesn't get angry easily," Lois whispered.
Someone began to ask a follow-up question upon hearing her answer Jimmy, but then all their attention snapped to the screen as Superman and a dozen UN officials exited the building.
"Thank you for your patience as an unprecedented meeting took place," the man said. Lois was fairly certain he was the Head of the Security Council, Jones–if she remembered right. "As you are no doubt aware, Emissaries from New Krypton came and spoke with Superman within the Security Council Chamber. Much was discussed during this meeting, and we will be releasing the coverage of it all within the coming days, but rest assured all is now well."
He looked over at Superman who nodded.
"Superman will now make a statement and then I will answer some questions," he said before stepping aside.
Superman moved forward, everyone giving him a large berth. It struck Lois, for while people always looked at him in awe, there was now another layer that had never been there before. She wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Thank you," he said, gripping the edge of the podium with his right hand. His gaze panned the assembled mass of people for a long moment before he started, his eyes never dwelling on one place for too long.
"There's so much I could say," he said with a frown. "But I'll keep this short, admittedly for my sake." He briefly looked down before looking up again. "Today, I learned that I'm not the last Kryptonian. I’m one of over a thousand.” He took a shaky, deep breath and swallowed before continuing. “I also learned they wish for me to take my place among them."
The reaction was as one would expect, and Lois gasped loudly as many others around her exclaimed their shock as well. Clenching her hands tightly against her chest, she waited fearfully for his next words.
"I declined. I'm not leaving Earth," he promised vehemently.
The world breathed again, and Lois managed to not pass out from relief.
"Instead, I offered an alternative." He paused, as if struggling on whether or not to clarify something, and then he went on. "For the next few weeks, my people will remain here, on or near Earth, as I help them restructure their government before they return to their home, New Krypton. Also, to assure anyone with concerns, they will not do anything without my expressed permission while they are here."
He let go of the podium. "I'll leave it there. The UN is free to answer whatever they wish, but for me, I'm done for today."
He turned back to Jones and they shook hands. "Please call the Foundation when the copies of tapes are ready or if the UN wishes to discuss updating the Treaty of El. I do think we should give Lady Zara a week though. There is a lot to do before I wish to address anything more with them."
"Of course, Superman," Jones answered.
Superman gave Jones a departing nod before smiling softly as his eyes sought and found a camera.
He looked straight into it.
"Mom, I know you're watching. I'll be home later this evening, I just need to talk to someone. And Dad, please fight the temptation and save me some pie," he said, before looking back at the crowd. "Good night."
A second later, he disappeared in a blur and a powerful sonic boom thundered overhead.
O o O o O
Kal hovered high above the Daily Planet, over the clouds, watching as Lois finished her article and pressed ‘send’.
With a smile, he concentrated.
/Lois?/
She startled at her desk.
/Sorry! Maybe I should have waited until you were out of the Planet./
She shook her head and looked up with a smile, knowing she couldn’t respond while at work.
/I'll wait out front for you./
She nodded happily and swiftly gathered her things.
"I'm going home, Jimmy!" she declared.
"Okay, Lois," he said, somewhat surprised.
"If the Chief asks, I sent the article to copy. It's more of an opinion piece, but I think it'll make him happy. I'll get on the Kryptonian story tomorrow."
He nodded as she hurried to the elevators.
Clark met her outside and before too long they had ducked into an alley and were headed to Smallville.
He held her tightly as he flew them and tried to prevent himself from shaking.
He had refused to think about the last few hours up to that point, but now, with her pressed up against him and her hair by his face, all he could think about was how different his life could have been if one of so many things hadn't lined up the way they had. He wouldn't have Lois.
He had always been grateful for his life, but he had never been so grateful as he was at that moment.
So grateful, and yet so troubled.
As happy as he was to learn he wasn't the last Kryptonian, the realization of learning of their state and everything that went with it. . . .
His people were a mess. There was no gentler way to say it.
And he tried not to feel the way he did, but there was no denying it. He felt disappointed.
How could a people so advanced, so logical, so intelligent, be so . . . so blind? So lost?
But disappointment was not the only emotion desperate to spill out.
So many had died, and for what?
He knew from the crystal his mother had left him that Krypton had been home to nearly
twenty-three billion people, but it is one thing to know the number and another to actually comprehend it.
Like reading about famine in history, where millions would die in a single year. On the page, the number is tragic, unquestionably so, but it isn't . . . personal.
But once one learns about the people involved, sees pictures of their lives before tragedy had befallen them or personally meets the survivors . . . it becomes different. It is suddenly real instead of a detached reality somewhere far away.
He had never really thought about it, not like he was now. It had been more than enough to accept the likelihood of being the last Kryptonian. Thinking about the fact that there had once been tens of billions of Kryptonians too . . . it had been impossible to completely wrap his mind around. It still was. But now he didn't have the luxury of it being some far off place in the distant, untouchable past.
But what made it so much more raw was that so many hadn't needed to die. More than a remnant could have survived.
A remnant that was now his responsibility.
"Clark?" Lois asked as they broke above the clouds.
He wasn't in uniform. His cargo pants and long sleeve shirt rustled in the wind. He couldn't wear the uniform right then. He needed . . . to just be.
He slowed down, as high as he safely could with Lois, and then stopped, hovering. He looked at her when she touched his cheek.
It was wet.
When had he started to cry?
"Clark? What is it?" she asked, concerned but calm.
He suddenly couldn't speak. His throat was so tight it was a wonder he could breathe.
Lois saw his struggle, so didn't ask another question; instead, she hugged him as tightly as she could and kissed one of his tears away.
"It's just the two of us up here," she whispered. "Do whatever you need."
He closed his eyes and let out a ragged breath that bordered a smothered sob as he did as she said and just . . . let go.
His breathing was slow and deep as he completely relaxed his aura, letting it expand out as far as it wished. His aura passed through the wind and clouds like they weren't there, but he was keenly aware of Lois' change in heart rate as she was suddenly immersed in all of his emotions.
She didn't fight them, and silently wept with him.
Finally, after several minutes, he reined in his aura, and raised his head from her shoulder.
“I'm sorry. I had promised myself I would never make you cry," he said, wiping some of her tears away with his thumb while ignoring his own.
"Not sharing your pain with me is what would really hurt me," she stated, before adding, somewhat playful but just as serious, "Besides, I'm a woman. Crying doesn't hurt us. And despite popular belief, crying isn't bad for men either. And I bet that goes for Kryptonian men too."
Clark laughed, rattling away the roughness in his throat as she tenderly brushed his cheeks clear. "Okay, I can't argue with that."
"That's right. You might be royalty, but I'm Lois Lane."
He grinned. "Yes. Yes you are."
"Now, do you think your dad has left you any pie?" she asked.
"I guess we'll see," he said, flying forward again.
O o O o O
The following week passed both faster and slower than he had expected.
The coverage of the meeting had been released, but he wasn't privy to the world's reaction due to the amount of work he was doing with Lady Zara, Ching, and Trey up in the palace orbiting Earth.
Zara gave him the imaging crystals he had requested and he transposed the video coverage onto the crystals so those on New Krypton would be able to see what had transpired. Trey especially was impressed with the act, as it would remove any opposition that might have occurred within the Council of the Elders.
The Edict had been fully read and the process of changing the structure of the Kryptonian government had started.
As all Krypton survivors were members of specific houses, the houses themselves were now to be treated like small (very small) nation states. Each of them would select their leadership, which would then decide on an overarching council and Head of New Krypton.
Kal-El spent days with Lady Zara and the others on creating clear, concise rules and going over human examples of government, both the good and the bad, to root out as much possibility of future corruption and the like as possible. Checks and balances were set, along with protected rights and all the rest that comes with moral and responsible governance.
When it was all done, Kal-El returned to Smallville. Six days, working at superspeed non-stop with others working at the same speed, communicating telepathically because speaking at superspeed is just weird, he was exhausted.
"Mom, I'm going to bed. If anyone calls, let them know I need six hours. Also, remind me to call Burton later," he said as he entered, putting his cell phone on the kitchen table.
"Okay, honey. Is there anything you'd like me to make for dinner?" Martha asked, relieved by his arrival.
She hadn't been sure if he would rest at the Foundation, his place, or there, but she was glad he was finally at a point to rest.
He had told her he would be gone for several days, and had forewarned Lois and the Foundation as well. He had also briefly returned on the third day with an update, before disappearing again.
"Chicken and dumplings. Thanks, Mom," he said, before disappearing into his room.
He was out cold before he hit the pillow.
O o O o O
Martha quietly began making her famous chicken and dumplings as she thought over the past week. Considering everything, the world was handling it all well she thought, in some ways better than Jonathan and herself.
Granted, seeing Clark have to cope with all that it meant to be Lord Kal-El was more than what the world knew.
The evening after the press conference, he and Lois came to Smallville and ate dinner with them (followed by pie). During that time, he told them everything and then sat with Lois on the couch.
It was so surreal to know the baby she had cared for had been chosen to be a leader of an entire people. The same boy who cared for their farm and had had a pet praying mantis was royalty.
Martha was snapped out of her thoughts when Clark's cell phone rang.
Steeling herself, she answered at the third ring.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Uh, is Kal there?" the voice asked, sounding very confused as he recognized that the voice on the other end was not Superman's. "It's Mav."
"Oh! Uh, he's asleep right now. He said he wanted six hours. Is this an emergency?" she asked.
"No. Uh, just please let him know the UN called asking to meet on updating the Treaty."
"Okay, I will."
"Is there, I mean, do you know if there's anything he needs right now? Anything I or the Foundation can do?" Mav asked.
"Honestly, he just needs rest. He's been running himself ragged. He just got home. I've never seen him this tired except in the rare instances he's actually been hurt. He's been up for six days straight, and most of that time he was going at super speed," Martha said, taking the opportunity to get some worry off her chest.
She could practically hear Mav frowning through the phone.
"I see. I'll do what I can to reduce the amount of load on him then," he promised.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
"It's no problem, Mrs. . . . El," he returned.
Martha laughed but didn't correct him. It wasn't out of lack of trust, but from an abundance of caution.
"Well, good night. And, Mav, thank you for always helping my son,” she said.
“It’s an honor. Good night.”
O o O o O
Lois sighed as she closed her apartment door behind her. The week so far had been crazy and it didn’t seem that it would let up any time soon. The UN was now meeting with Kal and the other Kryptonians on updating the Treaty.
She had barely seen Clark, but with how busy they both were, it wasn't a surprise.
The world was slowly getting back into their normal routines, while still glancing hopefully for updates concerning Superman and the New Kryptonians. Most of what was going on was behind closed doors in relation to the reformation of New Krypton’s government, but the Foundation was always providing updates on where Superman was and if anything was going on at the UN.
She decided to keep the television off as she removed her high heels.
She was just about to head to her room and change into something a bit more comfortable when the phone rang.
Hoping it was Kal, she quickly picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Lois?”
It was her mother.
“Mother!”
"Hi, Lois, I'm so glad I caught you," she said. "I was wondering . . . I was wondering if you've had dinner yet."
"Uh, no. I just got home," she said, a little baffled.
When did her mom ever call her?
"Is something wrong?" Lois asked quickly, suddenly concerned.
"No! Everything is fine. Well, I mean I hope it will be. I mean, I was hoping we could . . . talk? Over dinner?"
Lois paused. She had a strong suspicion what this was about but was finding it hard to imagine what had brought about the sudden desire to actually potentially address it.
Did her mother want to discuss what had happened at Christmas now?
It had been months, and while they had briefly touched base, they hadn't really dealt with the elephant in the room, though she had apologized. Sorta.
Lois hadn't gotten the chance to have the more serious conversation she had talked about with Clark. With everything going on, she just never got the time or the energy to carry it out. Well, now it seemed an opportunity had presented itself. She probably shouldn't waste it.
“Um. Sure. Just let me get changed. Where do you want to eat?” Lois asked, deciding to just go with it.
"Maybe that little Mexican place a block or so over from your place?" she proposed.
It seemed her mother recalled that she did like Mexican, or at least chips and salsa.
"Sure. I can be there in twenty minutes," Lois said.
"Okay. And thanks, Lois. I imagine with what's going on lately, you're pretty busy," her mother said, once again surprising her.
"Uh, no problem. See you in a bit. Bye," she said.
"Bye."
They hung up soon after, and Lois cringed at the awkwardness before pushing on.
Fifteen minutes later, she entered the restaurant and was escorted to the table with her mom.
After ordering drinks, Lois slowly took a tortilla chip and waited for her mother to start a conversation as she dipped it into the salsa.
"I imagine you didn't expect this. I'm not . . . I'm not very good at these sorts of things. I'm not very good at many things, but then, you know that already," Ellen began.
Lois lowered her chip, but didn't say anything. What could she say?
"About Christmas.” She swallowed. “I'm so sorry, Lois. Your father and I were . . . idiots doesn't even begin to describe us. I know apologizing isn't enough, which is why . . . why I asked to talk today," she said, before pausing as the waiter brought their drinks and left.
They both ate a chip.
“I never want to do anything like that again. And, well, I'm . . . getting help," Ellen continued after a moment to collect herself.
Lois was completely and utterly stunned.
"Help? Y-you mean like–a therapist?"
"Yeah. She works in the same practice as Lucy's psychotherapist actually," her mother admitted.
Lois, in her stupor, slowly put the pieces together.
"Lucy spoke with you," Lois realized.
"If by spoke you mean ranted and raved. . . . She's definitely my daughter, no doubt about that," Ellen said, returning to the chips and salsa. "She didn't need to do much convincing. She really just provided me the answer."
"I . . . don't know what to say," Lois said. She really didn't.
She just knew she was now grateful that Lucy had caught her kissing Kal and they were able to talk in depth about everything.
Had Lucy talked with their dad too?
"There's nothing you need to say. It's me who needs to talk. I wasn't really a mother to you and Lucy, and I'm eternally sorry for that. And while I could blame your father for everything, that would be giving him too much power. He wasn't responsible for my actions. I was.” Ellen hurriedly took another chip and a few swallows from her glass.
Lois knew her mother hated getting sappy. She just wished her mother felt the same about getting angry.
Maybe she would.
The waiter returned and took their order. Lois was happy for the reprieve, and then it was just them again.
"I'm glad you're talking to someone," Lois said finally. "So, what now?"
"Well, hopefully now I can help you with your wedding?" she asked hopefully, before promptly adding, "In as much as you're okay with, of course."
Lois smiled. "Sure. We know we want a small wedding, just family and close friends. Nothing huge or too fancy. We haven’t decided on any colors or anything like that, and, actually, I think we’d be fine with someone else handling all that."
"Okay," Ellen said, relaxing more. “Well then, I’ll come up with some ideas and run them by you two?”
“That sounds good,” Lois agreed, somewhat surprised she actually meant it.
This might be a second chance for mother and daughter.
O o O o O
"So what is this about, Clark?" Burton asked as he handed him a can of soda and sat down on the sofa. "I'll admit I was concerned when I heard your message."
Clark opened the can and settled on the armchair adjacent to Burton.
They were at Burton's house and they were alone.
"I'm not quite sure who to tell. This sort of thing wasn't specifically included in the Treaty," Clark said before taking a sip and continuing. "Zara and Ching warned me that Nor might have sent an assassin to kill me."
Burton immediately straightened. "An assassin? Are they Kryptonian?"
"No. But according to Zara and Ching, he's never failed."
"Does he have abilities like yours?" Burton asked.
"I don't know. Ching feels he has some abilities, but doesn't think they're like ours. Kryptonian, I mean," he said.
"Do you think he could already be here?"
"It's possible, which is why I'm being especially careful about who to tell. I don't want a panic and I don't want him to learn how much we know, as little as it is," Clark explained.
Burton frowned. "I'll inform those who need to know, and considering this Nor person, I'll take a few extra precautions. If he's serious enough to send an assassin, he's serious enough for something more." Burton looked at Clark, pained. "I'm going to have a science team do some special work."
Clark nodded in grim understanding.
"No one will know what it can be used for unless it becomes necessary," Burton promised.
"Thank you."
"Hopefully it won't be needed and the program will dissipate into obscurity like many before it," Burton said, though he didn't sound all that assured.
Clark left soon after, hoping the next time he met with Burton it would be under better circumstances.
O o O o O
The Council of the Elders bowed low as he left the meeting chamber.
"You won't need to deal with all the bowing much longer, Kal-El," Zara said, noticing his unease.
They were in the palace, hovering invisibly high above Europe, and were now in its inner chambers. The inner chambers were where they took Kal after the often intense meetings to clarify anything before he returned to Earth. It had been the routine for the past several weeks.
The new government had been formed and all was ready for their return to New Krypton. All that was needed for their departure from Earth was the official installment of Kal-El's position detailed in the now updated Treaty of El.
"It wasn't so bad initially, but after they saw the recording of the UN meeting. . . ." Kal sighed. "They're scared of me."
"They're more intimidated than anything else," Zara gently pointed out.
"I don't really want that either," Kal stated.
"You're an Ekhyad. This reaction to you shouldn't surprise you," Ching stated.
Kal blinked. "I'm a what?"
"You don't know? I thought you would have known, after everything else you know," Ching said, surprised.
"No, I'm afraid I don't. What's an Ekhyad?" Kal asked.
"It's been a while since one has existed, but they have the ability to mold their life force. Usually, a tool is required to harness one's life force, like a drei, but that is limited to offensive use only. For an Ekhyad, they can extend their life force from their body at will, and even bolster the life force of others," Ching explained.
"My aura?" Kal asked, astonished.
Zara and Ching nodded.
"The last known Ekhyad died roughly fifty years before we were born. He had been Chief of the Elders at the end of his life, and Elder Trey is said to have met him as a child," Zara added.
"That certainly explains a few things," Kal said, suddenly realizing how much easier him being an Ekhyad had likely made things.
Zara sighed softly. "Our apologies for not inquiring earlier. We didn't realize you didn't know that . . . our treatment of you wasn't merely because you're Lord Kal-El. Being an Ekhyad is, well, not a simple thing. It is steeped with meaning, which is why we're surprised you didn't already know. You have been acting as one would expect from an Ekhyad. Mostly, anyway."
"Mostly?" Kal questioned.
"You are not as harsh as you could be, and you have not invoked your aura much since the first day," Ching clarified.
"I know it makes you all uncomfortable, especially the Elders. The people of Earth don't fear me like the Elders do. Why are they so afraid?"
"They know the old stories of what Ekhyad were said to do to their enemies. One's life force can be just as terrible as it is wonderful," Ching warned. "It's actually why I'm not too concerned about the assassin."
"What stories?" Kal asked, deciding to not think too much on what Ching meant by his last comment.
"One ancient tale tells of an Ekhyad who was able to kill by using their . . . aura. It wasn't without sacrifice, just as bolstering the life of others isn't without cost, but they apparently could do it. Another is one who could terrify their enemies so badly that they became shells of their former selves," Ching said.
Kal suddenly wanted to throw up as he wished he hadn't asked. For someone to kill another living being was bad enough, but to do so with their aura?! They would sense every aspect of the act at an unparalleled level. They would feel the victim's final emotions, their last moments of consciousness, and sense the instant their life ended.
What a horrifyingly heinous thing to carry out on purpose!
"Not everyone believes those stories. Most believe them to be myths, but the fact you demonstrated the primary aspect of an Ekhyad, projecting your essence to display your displeasure, proves at least some of those tales are true. And that means you'll have the awe of the people on top of what you already have with the Right of Vindication and being Lord Kal-El," Zara added upon seeing his face.
"Your being an Ekhyad provides a link to Krypton's past. And for many, that specifically means the time before the strength of Krypton began to notably wane," Ching pointed out. "It's an act of providence. A sign our people's best years don't have to be behind us. They can be before us."
Kal straightened.
"I'll be sure to iterate that in the coming ceremony, then. The future is what we make of it. And for New Krypton, that future is up to her people. I've done all I can," Kal stated. "She's in good hands."
Ching and Zara smiled proudly, physically expressing the most amount of emotion since he had known them.
"Thank you, Kal-El. We will be ready for the ceremony tomorrow. You wish for all to be in attendance?" Zara asked, once again verifying.
"Yes, unless their presence is required on the ship, I see no reason to limit it. The memory crystals will capture the event, but nothing compares to personally witnessing a moment like this," Kal assured.
"Very well, M'Lord," Zara said, who grew amused at Kal's exasperated look.
"I'll see you tomorrow, and yes, I have the item you sent to Mav," Kal said, knowing what she would ask next.
"And you'll wear it?" she prodded.
"Yes. It actually isn't much of an addition to my normal formal attire for high ranking business," he replied. "Surely you two saw what I wore during the first signing of the Treaty of El?"
That seemed to assure them before he went through the palace's exit for what he knew would be the last time.
O o O o O
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