Chapter 139: Finale

The doors opened, and Clark walked into the room. It was hot, and the cloak was damnably hot. But he had worn it nonetheless. He nodded to those who were in the aisles. And then stopped when he came to the altar. He knelt.

A voice spoke. "Kal El, do you promise to protect the people of Earth, to serve them without failure, and with compassion from now until the end of your days."

"I do." Clark answered.

"Do you promise to work for the betterment of Earth and her people? Do you promise to withstand the currents of change and to preserve Earth?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to stand atop the pillars of humanity as our best and our defender?"

"I do."

He felt someone put the oil on his forehead and above his left and right eyes. He then felt someone take the cloak off of him and replace it with another cloak.

"Rise." The voice said.

Clark rose. He kept his eyes on the man before him and said. "I, Kal El, of the House of El, son of Jor El, do hereby swear from this day forth that my goals shall always be the betterment of humanity and the Earth. It is my sworn duty to bring about the betterment of the world." He knelt once more and the figure spoke.

"I do hereby proclaim you, Kal El, Clark Kent, our most benevolent and imperial ruler, Emperor of Earth." A crown was placed atop his head.

"God save the Emperor!" came the cry, as Clark stood up, others took up the cry.