Chapter 26 [Somewhere Else]

Lana grimaced. Her skin tingled and burned as if a thousand needles pricked her at once. She flexed her fingers with effort. She pushed her eyes open before twisting them shut again. She ground her teeth. For a dozen heartbeats, she lay there in place.

All around her, brilliant luminescence blinded her to the surroundings. Only a series of strange symbols could be seen revolving around her. They slid across the bright backdrop from left to right and in perfect sequence.

She forced her eyes open again. Her eyes considered the dancing images. She recalled lessons about cuneiforms in prehistoric caves and Egyptian hieroglyphics. What are they? I've seen things like this before. Where though? As she looked at them, her mind somehow grasped onto each one and then sequences in each grouping.

The symbols seemed to speak of events and history.

Her eyes went wide. This is some place's history. We didn't have wars like this. Hovercrafts? Interstellar travel? Seriously?

That is our history, Human.

The Voice again? She climbed to her feet. "Hello! Hello! Is there anyone there? I…." Then she saw Clark lying not far from her. "CLARK!" She pushed herself toward his side. She checked him over.

Fortunately he was breathing and had a pulse.

Relief flooded through her. She brushed the hair away from his still closed eyes. "I wish you were awake. I want you to tell me what your Ship did to us with those lightning blasts. How can I understand these pictures? Why do I feel so strange? And what is that Voice in my head?"

He didn't answer. He grimaced and squirmed.

S

She sighed. "I guess it wouldn't be too much to ask for an explanation. Would it?" She saw Louise appear in front of her. "Aunt Louise?"

"Hello again, Lana. I apologize for this situation. We're somewhere where we won't be disturbed," Louise apologized. "There is much to be said."

"Much to be said? You can say that again." Lana looked around. "What's this language on the walls? How can I read it? Why do I feel this burning and tingling feeling? And who is that voice in my head?"

Louise nodded. "Those are fair questions. The symbols are from Krypton's language and historical annals. The Ship, to use your future terminology, downloaded Krypton's alphabet and ability to comprehend it into you. I don't know how you aren't in a coma from that information. Most people are overwhelmed by the process."

"My head hurts." Lana rubbed her temples. Her head admittedly ached along with the rest of her. "So Clark is from Krypton."

"I told you that before. Joe was…is his father. Perhaps you're benefitting from my connection with him. I don't know. At least you understand Kal…Clark's heritage," Louise reminded her. "You were chosen, Lana, to be with him. Somehow the Ship sensed your common feelings for each other. You're changing."

"Changing? Changing into what?" Lana looked at her hands.

"You're becoming Kryptonian. Clark can't be human. You need to adapt in some regards," Louise continued. "There are benefits to that."

"Benefits?" Lana raised an eyebrow.

"You're like him. You have Clark's abilities now. You also have his weaknesses," Louise clarified. "What the limits and capabilities are…that's up to both of you to explore." She considered him. "Speaking of Clark, you might look in on him."

Lana turned to see him rubbing his forehead. "Clark! You're okay?"

"I'll live." He pulled himself into a sitting position. He ground his teeth. "I feel like I'm burning up. I…" His eyes scanned the revolving symbols. "What are they?"

"They're your planet's language, Clark. Hello," Louise replied.

He stiffened at the close resemblance between Lana and Louise. "You're her Aunt?"

"I am her Great Aunt Louise MacCallum. After watching over you both, it's good to finally meet you. Give yourself time. Your body adjusts to the changes going on within yourself. As I told Lana, the Ship downloaded Krypton's knowledge and history to you. Your full abilities will follow provided you accept yourself."

"Accept myself?" He raised his hand to his forehead with effort. Slowly he rubbed that part of himself.

"Accept your dual role as Kal-El of Krypton and Clark Kent of Earth. You are of two worlds. Balance holds the key to your success," Louise advised. "And now so is Lana."

"I am…what?" Lana stared at her aunt.

"You're now chosen for each other. For centuries, our family and his have attempted such relationships. Joe and I wanted to be together. Now it is the time for you both," Louise told them.

"Who is this Joe?" he wondered.

That would be me, Kal-El, the Voice insisted telepathically.

"Clark, I heard that voice again in my head!" Lana declared. Anxiety pulled her eyes in several directions. "Where is he?"

"Look behind you." Louise pointed over their shoulders.

"Who?" Clark turned to consider a couple emerging from the glare and into view. He noted the dark haired couple dressed in flowing white robes. Across the man's chest, a triangular symbol with an S in its center stood out clearly. The woman wore a glittering tiara around her head and a bracelet on her left wrist. He glanced at Lana.

"I don't know who they are either, Clark," Lana insisted. She moved closer to his side.

"They're your birth parents, Clark," Louise told him. Jealousy and Lament weighed on her. She bowed her head. Once again she chafed at Duty's burden much as she had in life.

Lana silently rubbed her aunt's arm.

Louise nodded but motioned for the younger woman to look at the newcomers.

Greetings, Kal-El. I am Jor-El. This is Lara. As Louise just said, we are your parents, the man told Clark.

"Did I just hear your voice in my head?" Clark wondered.

Kryptonians use telepathy, Kal-El. You both will become accustomed to it, Lara told him. She looked to her companion. Getting a nod, she embraced Clark. It is so good to hold you. I wasn't sure if you'd survive. I had faith you'd find a worthy soulmate. She smiled at Lana. You are everything I envisioned, Lana.

"You knew we'd….?" Lana stared at Louise, Clark and then Lara again.

Our families do have connections. Jor-El's eyes flitted in Louise's direction. For a split heartbeat, they hovered there. Then he composed himself and cleared his throat. The way is cleared.

"The way is what?" Lana wondered.

The way is clear. You both care for each other. The bond between you has existed even if you both have buried and denied it at times. Accept that and become one, Lara indicated.

"Become one?" Clark gaped at that particular insight.

"That means we're engaged or something?" Lana supposed. Now her head ached as well.

"In Kryptonian terms, yes. At least if I couldn't be with Joe, you can be with Clark, Lana," Louise explained. "Even if you didn't express yourselves verbally, your minds and hearts have done so. Be happy." She embraced her niece and then Clark. "Sorry. It's my time to go." She glanced again at Jor-El. Then she vanished into the light.

"Where did she go?" Clark looked about not understanding the situation.

Her purpose was served for the present, Jor-El told them. It is for you both to accept your role. Kal-El, you are Kryptonian. You were fostered on Earth. It is time for you to take what's yours.

"What's his? Your planet's space dust! Everything is here! We live on Earth!" Lana argued.

As you will come to understand, Lana Lang, what you are now is more than mere mortals would have you believe. Kal-El wasn't meant to work in the dirt like some common slave. He is a member of our ruling class, Jor-El retorted.

And now you are as well, Lara added. I would have Kal-El not be torn as Jor-El was. I know he was loyal. She motioned toward Lana. And I know your heart is true. You care. And now you both are one.

"We're one?" Lana looked at Clark and then again at the couple. Astonishment and Disbelief jarred her. "We've barely started into our relationship and…." She blinked. "What did you do?"

You are…to use the Earth term…betrothed. You are now one of us, Lana Lang, Jor-El explained. As with Kal-El, you will have to learn to bridge two worlds. Do so together.

"But Krypton's gone!" Clark protested.

It lives on in you both. Let that be the beginning, my Dear Boy. Lara's eyes glittered with Joy's tears. We love you.

With that the light dazzled Clark and Lana. They felt themselves being swept away again. To what would be a mystery…..