Chapter 25: Kyn

Chloe was still in the cave over an hour after Clark disappeared. He'd told her to take the key home with her, and she had stood there since he left, working up the nerve to touch it. He'd told her about what happened when Dr. Walden had used it and while she trusted Clark, she wasn't all that sure she believed the key would know her. She reminded herself that Jonathan, Lex, Lionel, and several others had held it without any consequence but she wasn't quite convinced.

Chloe reached out for the Nth time to touch it, but stopped, still unsure it would accept her, and pulled her hand back. She knelt down to be eye level with the table and studied the key, her arms on the table and her chin on her wrists and realized she was getting really cold. "Good one, Chloe, you're not the one invulnerable to cold, why didn't you wear a jacket? Just grab the key and get out of here. It isn't going to bite you," she said aloud trying to work up the courage to touch it.

As she studied it, she subconsciously put one hand on the bracelet because it was always warm. When her hand wrapped around the bracelet, she not only felt the warmth in her hand, but it spread throughout her body, warming her.

"Is that better?"

Chloe stood and spun, looking around but saw no one. "Where are you? How long have you been here, and what do you mean, 'Is that better?'"

"I have frightened you. I am sorry. You said you were cold. I warmed you. I live within the Token you wear and have waited for you since I was made thousands of years ago."

She was freaked out but the voice was gentle and kind. "Yes, I feel better. Thank you."

"It is safe, child. You may touch the key. It knows you and will accept you."

"Wh—how did you know I don't want to touch the key?

"You called to me when you touched the bracelet and said you were cold."

"How can you be sure the key will know me? It has hurt people before."

"It serves only Kal-El. When someone else tries to use it there are…consequences. The secrets the key unlocks are for Kal-El only and the key does what it must to protect him."

"But I am not of the House of El. Jonathan used and his heart was damaged."

"You are accepted because you are the True One of Numan. Jonathan was imprinted to the key before it left Krypton because he would raise Kal-El. You have many questions and I will answer them. First, take the key."

Chloe tentatively reached out and touched the key, which immediately glowed and popped out of the slot into her fingers. She put it in her pocket.She walked around the table and out into the main chamber, studying the drawings. She was full of questions and didn't know where to start. "If Jonathan was imprinted to the key, why was he hurt when he used it?"

"Jonathan was temporarily given some of Kal-El's abilities to bring him home. His heart was weakened not because he used the key, but because a human heart cannot withstand the effects of invulnerability, strength and speed. Jor-El tried to sway him but also knew that Jonathan was probably the only one who could bring Kal-El back. Jonathan offered to trade his own life if necessary, and accepted the risk."

Chloe knew that Jor-El had died after sending the infant Clark on his journey, and most likely identified with Jonathan's desperation to save his (their) son. She wondered if Clark knew Jonathan's heart problems were the result of having gone to Metropolis to retrieve him, and decided it was best not to tell him; he carried enough guilt for Jonathan's death. "Why are you still able to talk to me when I don't have my hand on the bracelet? I've touched the bracelet when I wasn't here and did not hear anything, do I have to be here to talk to you?"

"You called me when you touched the Token but you don't have to keep your hand on it to maintain the connection. Nor do you do have to be in the caves to call me. If you called me elsewhere I would be a voice in your head, for if others heard me it could cause fear and put you in danger. You can communicate with me by voice or thought as well."

Chloe was starting to get a little freaked out. "Do you know everything I do and say and think? Having an imaginary friend might be cool but I'm not sure I like the idea of losing my privacy," she was thinking about yesterday in the loft.

"I am called when you touch it and ask for me. Just as you can hear me as thoughts, I am aware of yours to a certain extent. I can also tell when my presence is neither wanted nor needed, so your privacy has not been invaded."

Chloe felt better. She realized that the voice was familiar and finally placed it. "That was you who the ritual's words in my head and sang during the ritual the other night, wasn't it?"

"Yes! I sang to Kal-El when he received the Token from the Kawatche people and again when he gave it to you. I was overjoyed when he started the ritual and sang for you both but Kal-El said the ritual would be completed later. Why did you not complete it? There is no harm in waiting; I simply long for it."

"I don't know exactly what the whole ritual is, but Clark said it was time for me to have the Token. So you don't know that Jor-El told Clark he must wait to marry after training is complete? Aren't you connected? You knew about Jonathan."

"I am not part of Jor-El's consciousness. I am an entity unto myself, a part of the Token. I was made for you because you were destined for Kal-El. He did not create me and so has nothing to do with my purpose. I think he does not know the Token has an entity connected to it, for had he touched it, I would have remained silent, for he was not Numan. As for knowing about Jonathan, I was in the niche heard the exchange."

So what exactly is the ritual?

"The Kryptonian mating ritual. It creates a very special bond between a man and his mate. Your mating ritual is very special because it is the one of Numan and the True One. You completed the first part – You each acknowledged and accepted that you are the True One and that his destiny is to be Earth's protector. Just as Kal-El knew it was time to present the Token to you, he will know when it is time to complete the ritual."

"You mentioned you were created for me and have a purpose?"

"I was made to serve the True One of Numan. The Ancient knew that the True One would need guidance and answers as she prepares to be Numan's mate."

"So…I am in training too but I don't have to live in by myself in an oversized igloo. I can do that, what is your name?"

The voice said thoughtfully, "I don't really have a name. You may give me one if you wish."

Chloe thought for a moment.

"What is the Kryptonian word for gift?"

"Kyn. You would spell it K-Y-N."

To Chloe it sounded like 'kin.' "How about journey?"

"Ehrosh, E-H-R-O-S-H." (eh as in met and o as in boat)

"I like Kyn. The Token is a gift from Numan to the True One."

"Kyn," the voice sounded as though it were trying it out. "I like it. I am honored that you choose to give me a name. Thank you."

They were both silent for several minutes. Chloe went back into the chamber and studied the symbols on the table and looked over to where the portal was. The room was silent, almost tomblike. She tried not to cry, but she missed him so much and a single tear fell on her cheek.

"I sense your sadness at Kal-El's departure. I too am happiest when you are together. I wish I could do something to ease your pain."

The room suddenly echoed with Clark's voice"You are my True One, to whom I am destined."

Chloe smiled as more tears coursed down her cheeks, and said, "You are my True One, whose destiny I have accepted." She touched the bracelet and thought "Thank you, Kyn." The voice didn't answer, but she felt the warmth surge through her and the song soared through the chamber.

She looked around the room, and walked out to the main chamber, studying the drawings. Everything here placed here thousands of years ago in anticipation of Numan and his True One, Thousands of years ago. That was humbling.

She walked out of the caves, back to her car and drove back to the farm. She was supposed to be at work in a few hours and knew that wasn't going to happen. She left some messages and fell into bed.