The grand capital city of Kandor was welcomed by the bright crimson sun, Rao. It had been like any other normal day in the fair settlement. All was tranquil even throughout the planet's surface that had been welcomed by its sweet, warm enrapture. There was little to no sound, save for the hovering vehicles that patrolled the city limits. The only other sounds were the indistinct voices of Kryptonians sharing several dialogues. Kandor's citizens walked in a normal fashion with no worries. Husbands and wives of high and noble families walked together, embracing the blessed weather Rao had given them. Among the city grounds, held the planet's oldest and most ancient architecture. Most of the ancient architecture that had stood for thousands of years remained in today's customs of buildings for Houses as well as political structures that would secure the Council of Five within Kandor.
Kryptonians were usually to themselves, at least within their own planet outside of other worlds. Their insufferable pride had earned them xenophobia by other planets. It was a natural custom for Kryptonians to not speak of other races as equals, especially from noble Houses. Thousands of years ago, it was religiously forbidden for a Kryptonian to leave the planet on their own free will unless it was strictly for emergency circumstances. Though, several exceptions were made in the past centuries for the sake of scientific discovery as well as one primary purpose—enforcement.
Krypton's military was heavily ambitious and their fleet, no doubt, was one of the largest empires in all of existence—at least that's what they want to believe. It might've been true. To provide more durability for their military arsenal, many of the planet's kryptonite mines were harvested. Their minerals held a powerful electromagnetic vitality that many Kryptonian leaders took a liking to. They had to be careful, though. Some of the kryptonite crystals had several large amounts of energy that were too unstable to be even touched by an ordinary Kryptonian. The heavily radioactive ones were handled with care and then placed in military ships for weaponizing. Their military branch had fought in wars before and they proved their enemies that they were quite the formidable ones due to its then finest general—Lor-Zod. Even if the general's dominions had aggressive measures, Lor had an impeccable knowledge of warfare and strategy under his command.
Other opposing races such as the blood-hungry Vrangs were no match for Lor's tactics and bellicosity. After that bloody conflict, it encouraged Lor to begin conquests on other nearby planets. Other planets resisted but found themselves outnumbered and outgunned. Soon enough, Krypton turned into a large empire—that is until the Kryptonian Lawmakers deemed this aspiration to be too hostile. It also didn't sit too well with other outer galactic law enforcers . . .
The acquisitions ended, and Krypton turned to isolationism. Space travel was becoming less common; thus, Krypton was forced to focus on their own resources rather than aggressive expansion. This kind of dispute carried through the many following generations of the House of Zod, who'd rather see their growing empire reestablished, but the Lawmakers believed it for the best of the planet, otherwise extinction was inevitable.
Prior to the days of their technological development, the planet was heavily polluted. Diseases plagued them and their life spans plummeted.
However, it had become a true blessing in disguise.
Regardless of their setbacks, there was one big bright side. The kryptonite crystals were commonly utilized for materials for vessels and buildings while their cores were extracted for energy production. The industry for kryptonite increased, and Krypton achieved tremendous greatness in science and technology. More possibilities boomed. Diseases were conquered, their military never lost its stability and space travel became less common except for cases of emergency.
Way before the beginning of Krypton's otherworldly conquest, the House of El made a prosperous benefit for the planet's research and renewable resources. Thanks to the famous astronomer, Sul-El, the planet also made substantial modifications to their space exploration and travel. A statue of him was dedicated in his honor and continued to be held in later generations of the House of El.
Of all the Houses of Krypton, the House of El was one of the most noble and ancient families. Its bloodline reached back as far as even before the industrial age of Krypton and further than its conquering era. The House of El's reputation as been held in high regard as it has served the planet's best interest and helped the Lawmakers establish a moral and just culture. The family never boasted their accomplishment and other Houses have had immense respect for its graciousness throughout the thousands of years of its existence, including the House of Zod to some degree.
The current husband and head of the household, Jor-El, had carried on that undying legacy of faithfulness, honoring his ancestor's accomplishments throughout the millennia as well as making his own. His loving wife, Lara Lor-Van, despite her limited role in their own society in only being a wife, had been given much admiration as her husband. Lara had not been shunned by Lawmakers as she had resumed the House's loyal inheritance. As Jor would aid the Lawmakers, she would offer other equitable decisions for her husband. Her dutiful fidelity to her husband was as equal to her views on the House itself let alone Krypton.
The House of El had also been the center of gossip and discussion alike. Krypton's views on other known species that have existed in the galaxy weren't pacific. They had firmly believed that only a Kryptonian can rule Krypton, let alone live within it. Jor and Lara were known to have disagreed with that. Their mentality is that they believed that a man or woman of any planet can be equals should they both have the will to compromise with one another. This had caused some controversy among the relations with other Houses as well as Lawmakers, but they wouldn't deny that their views and ideologies have benefitted them for so many years; Jor's occupation with the Science Council has also served the planet for centuries, dating back to his ancestors. It would've been such a mistake to disown them.
Regarding the House of El, there had been one general discussion that grew more recently because of their biggest announcement—Lara had been with child for several months. Another member of the House of El had been blessed by Rao. The child had been identified as a boy, and it would be named "Kal" after one of the many ancestors before him. This has been the most talked about subject matter concerning the House of El for quite some time. The questions have swarmed Jor and Lara about the arrival of their child, who would be the next heir to uphold the venerated legacy. Whenever anyone else had asked about the House of El's child, or more specifically when it will arrive, the answer had always been the same: "soon" had seemed like a lifetime for many. For the House of El, it had been a standard expectation in time just like any other pregnancy.
Only recently, did everyone receive news that the child would arrive within a week's time. This evening would be the evening that the child would be born. That, of course, just so happened to be a week ago, much to everyone's delight. In traditional conditions, the child would be born within the confines of its respective House. Of course, the necessary medical instruments would be around and provided to care for the child's afterbirth. Jor already prepared for that long before this day as well did Lara. Together, they had rearranged one of their larger rooms in preparation for their child's arrival. The medical supplies would be held on the side as Lara would life herself onto a large and soft bed within the middle of the room as Jor would hold her for support throughout the process as well as checking the child's progress via monitor screen. Naturally, the father of the child had been taught numerous times for child delivery procedures. Currently, Jor had been much more than confident. He and Lara had spent that oncoming day in the room they had prepared for and waited. The wait was torture. It was fortunate that Lara had her husband by her side, otherwise she would've gone mad as she would've dreaded.
Jor approached his wife, who was wearing a calm expression, but he saw through enough that she was waiting. She was staring up at the ceiling without focus as in deep in pensiveness.
"We've been told it would've been earlier today," she uttered, not taking her eyes off into the space above.
"We've been told many things," Jor assured. "Their predictions can only go so far. The beginning of all life is ambiguous."
Lara breathed in and out of her nose and then finally faced her husband, her face now more warm than blank. "Is this the common word of a man, or a scientist?"
Her flirtatious question made Jor smirk. Two could play at this. "Are you saying I'm not a man?"
Lara pursed her lips, shaking her head while keeping her playful smug smile. "I've refused many suitors. Boys. Only to find a . . . much bigger boy."
Jor joined his wife's laughter. His tone then turned to more sincere. "A boy loves a woman for his value. A man loves a woman for her value."
Lara gently smiled after hearing more of his graciousness. Never in her life would she ever think that she would find a man in a high noble House as well as having an unshakable sense of decency. Indeed, her father pressed her to find a suitor, but none of them matched Jor-El's kindness that seemed to have been a fable within their lifetime until now.
"And what of you as a scientist?" she asked as if expecting an answer that he would hold dearly.
Jor smirked. "A scientist values . . .," he traced his hand and placed it softly on his wife's stomach, budging from the life within. ". . . what's on the inside."
Lara smiled softly. Good enough answer.
Jor planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "I've dreamed of this for a long time."
Lara's response was a soothing gaze into the eyes of the man she loved for so long. "Our Houses would damn us if they see us now," she said almost as if mischievous.
"Our Houses were long damned," Jor came back. He knew better than to say such things to their Houses, as they did hold significance. However, it wasn't entirely inaccurate. Her House didn't take kindly to the House of El, but they'd agreed that their children would make excellent parents for the husband's El legacy. If the House of El was to continue, then a child yet to be born was enough to satisfy many others.
Night eventually fell upon the city of Kandor. All had been tranquil and quiet, that is except for where Jor and Lara resided. It was at that time when the pain would begin. Jor shifted his eyes from his wife to her bulging middle, hoping all would go well for their son. Lara's forehead stifled and began leaking perspiration as she gasped rapidly. She cried out clenching her teeth, in the desperate aspirations that it would be less unbearable.
Jor had checked the monitor and saw that the walls surrounding the baby within her were beginning to stir and writhe. The child had also begun to move erratically. Lara had laid herself in the middle of the room onto a piece of large and soft furniture twice her size. She had placed herself against the edge on one side to give enough space where her legs would meet.
Soon, the pain arose forcing Lara's mouth open in an agonizing yell. With his heart racing, Jor shot a look at the monitor and the baby made a faint jolt as its mother made an abrupt movement.
Lara cried out again. This time, it hurt even more even with the support she was given by Jor, who stood beside her with his hand firmly held by hers, hoping to ease the pain. The anguish was growing by the second. Soon, it would be over.
Another cry. The louder cry fastened Jor's breathing. All he could do was watch his wife wail in pain. Jor looked over at the monitor that displayed the faint image of an infant within his wife's now erratic womb. His wild eyes alternated aggressively from the monitor and his pained lover. He couldn't bear to see her in this amount of pain despite how normal it was.
"Almost there," he assured her closely.
Taking a break from the pressure in her abdomen, Lara let out quick hiccupping gasps followed by staccato paced cries. Then another cry. This one was louder and longer. He had hoped that this would be the end of having to worry about his wife who had spent many nights making sure that she had a sustainable body for nourishment.
After a period of time that seemed like an eternity, the pain was beginning to subside. Lara's cries turned to gasps as the cry of a baby began to take over.
As his eyes lightened at the sight of his newborn son, the man held the baby that had emerged and cradled it into his own arms. After catching her breath and fighting the exhaustion, Lara, looked up to see her son held in her husband's arms. Jor holding the baby smiled and looked back at Lara. She forced a joyful laugh as their son had been welcomed into their world. Jor approached his tired wife and joined her, allowing her to hold onto their child. He leaned his head onto Lara's perspiring forehead and laid a tender kiss. While she felt the warmth of his touch, she couldn't help but stare at their new love.
Jor leaned then turned his attention to his newborn son, who had started calming down from his first outcry into the new world. "Kal," Jor spoke unable to contain his happiness. "Welcome to the House of El."