Chapter 29 [Somewhere Else]
Clark buffeted about on Pain's Tide. Dark Fire burned at his back. Nerves and Muscles spasmed still. Darkness covered area around himself. Lungs heaved. Arms and Legs lost movement again. What was that? Fire's not supposed to hurt me! He ground his teeth. Where am I?
YOU ARE ON THE BOUNDARY OF LIFE ITSELF, MY SON.
Clark struggled to move his head and neck. "Am…I…dead?" He rolled his eyes. "I can't be dead! Mom! Dad! Lana! They need…me." He sucked in a breath.
NO, KAL-EL, YOU ARE NOT DEAD. IT IS GOOD THAT YOU VALUE LIFE AND COMMITMENTS.
Light flooded through the area. Darkness melted in its path. Burning increased ever so slightly.
"Not…Kal-El…Clark…Clark Kent." Grimace contorted Clark's face. Dazzled Eyes blurred.
THAT IS YOUR HUMAN NAME! Humanoid Figure formed at Light Center. Red Eyes glowed at Clark. IT IS A FALSE VISAGE CREATED BY THE HUMANS, JONATHAN AND MARTHA KENT! YOUR HEART PINES FOR THE FEMALE HUMAN, LANA LANG! YOU ARE KAL-EL OF THE PLANET KRYPTON! I AM JOR-EL, YOUR TRUE FATHER! HOW CARELESS YOU ARE, KAL-EL! YOU EXPOSE YOURSELF TO THE HUMANS!
"I…am human. I grew up on Earth. Mom and Dad raised me like that. Krypton…Krypton." Clark allowed Planet's Name to slip over his tongue. Name felt natural to him. "That is where…Ship brought…me from?"
YES, KAL-EL! IT IS OUR TRUE CULTURE! YOU ARE AMONG THE LAST OF OUR WORLD! IT IS FOR YOU TO START OUR CULTURE ANEW! YOU WILL REMAKE EARTH! YOU WILL LEAD THE HUMANS! Jor-El laid Burning Hand on Clark's shoulder. YOUR HUMAN FEELINGS DISTRACT YOU! YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THEM! REMEMBER YOUR PURPOSE!
Snort spat across Expanse. And I was not worthy, Joe? Do you not remember? Another Humanoid Figure formed from Surrounding Light. Unlike Jor-El's featureless form, a Woman dressed in white floated not far from them. Dark Brown Hair wove its way upward akin to Beehive. Kal…Clark…is at war with himself. It is because he denies himself.
Clark's eyes went wide. Amor dampened Pain's Fire. Grit pushed him to move Arm and Hand. "Lana? Did Arighatto get…you too? No!"
No, Clark. He did not harm her or your other friends. It seems Lachlan Luthor's grandson already redeems himself. Already, strands reassert themselves from the past. Your Destined One worries for you, Clark. She smiled at him. I sense your question. No, I am not Lana. I am her Great Aunt Louise. Your father and I loved each other decades ago. Kryptonian Tradition and his marriage to your mother stood in our way.
THAT IS TRADITION, LOUISE! I TOLD YOU WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO…! Jor-El turned on her. LANA LANG IS NOT….
She raised an eyebrow. Incredulity and Outrage darkened her face. Is not what, Joe? Proper? We're both Kryptonian and Human? Oh, I am so sorry! THERE IS NO MORE KRYPTON, JOE! WAKE UP! With Lana, Clark can restart the race of our ancestors! Lana and I both have Kryptonian blood in our veins, Joe! Half a pie is better than none!
Confusion dampened Clark's thoughts. Mind pretzeled itself in Knots. Lana's descended from Kryptonians? How can that…? Could someone have come from…Krypton and had a baby with a woman here? If it happened, why is this Joe…Jor-El…giving me so much grief? Lana and I can be together. We can share our worlds and customs.
THIS LANA LANG IS NOT PURE KRYPTONIAN, KAL-EL! SHE TAKES FROM YOUR PURPOSE! Jor-El asserted.
This is not Krypton any more, Joe. There is no more duty other than to have children and preserve Krypton here on Earth. That is all. Perhaps, they can preserve the culture and share it with others? Have Clark give Lana the Token. That would make her that 'pure Kryptonian' you're ranting about. That would be all. She shrugged and rolled her eyes.
Clark's heart skipped a beat. Apology's Wince sought Pardon. "Sorry. You look so much like Lana when you do that."
Her smile returned. So, I have seen. I believe you are needed. Go now, Clark. Thank you. We shall speak again.
WAIT! I AM NOT DONE! I…. Jor-El's protest cut off with those words. Light dimmed back into Dark once more.
Now what do I do? I'm from Krypton? What about Earth? Lana's part Kryptonian? Really? What…I…. Tug yanked Clark backward from previous position.
"Clark! Clark! Open your eyes! COME ON!" Lex yelled.
"LEX?" Bright Light swept Clark away once again.
Understanding, it seemed, had come in some form. Questions remained…
