Hereafter
The Lois Lane docked into the Kandor harbor. The people gathered to welcome home their victorious king.
The queen exited her carriage and the children after her. She had a smile on her face. She could not wait to see Kal-El wave at her from the stern of the ship but he was not there. The anchored was lowered, the ship was tied off, and the ramp lowered onto the dock.
Kara and Jon-Tel exited the ship first with somber faces. Milton and Nox-Van followed her. They all wore doublets, black fur-trimmed cloaks, and all but Jon-Tel had a sword scabbard on their belts. They approached Lois and kneeled. She motioned for them to rise and they did. "Did the king stay behind in Erkol?" Lois asked.
Everyone hesitated unable to find words. Ak-Var then appeared holding something in his hands. Whatever he was holding was covered with a red shroud. He slowly limped down the ramp and it became deadly silent. Lois's smile disappeared. "Lois, I am so sorry." Kara said somberly, holding back tears.
Ak-Var grunted as he kneeled down onto one knee and held up the object. Lois slowly pulled back the shroud and closed her eyes when she saw what it was. It was Kal-El's sword. The people gasped and their eyes filled with tears.
Lois blindly covered the sword back up. She opened her eyes. "And how did the king fall?" Lois asked in almost a whisper.
"We are not certain, my queen, only that he fell at Zod's own hand on the battlefield by treacherous means, with his knights." Ak-Var said. "Forgive me, my queen. I failed you. I failed him."
"You are not to blame, Ak-Var. No knight of the Red Shard is to blame. Blame the man who slew them." Lois said. "Wren-Za, please have the High Priest ring the bell for mourning." Wren-Za nodded once.
"Lady Mother… Father is not coming home, is he?" Little Kara asked somberly. Lois picked up her daughter and embraced her tightly. She then headed back to her carriage with her children.
Later that night, Lois peeled off the seal to letter given to her by Jon-Tel and began to read:
My beloved Lois, if you are reading this, then I did not return after all. Forgive me. I know we have had our troubles and have only just found our way back to one another but just know that I do not regret one moment of our life together. You awoke something inside of me I did not know I possessed. I had loved but had not known true love until you charged into my life atop a war stallion, sword in hand, and a cry in your throat. And such a lovely throat it is.
There is so much I wish to say but cannot find the words. But we never needed words, did we? My happiest and worst days were with you and our children, which made my life whole and balanced. There was no greater comfort than being in your arms. I only wish that we had more time together.
I wish that I had come to you the night after we burned Van-El to make everything well again. To make matters between us well again sooner. And I am sorry that we shall never have another child. Nothing would have made me happier than to see you holding our babe and seeing you smile.
I have been writing this letter to you for hours and the sun is now rising. I can imagine you waking beside me so beautiful in the first light of a new day. I believe I would sacrifice my kingdom just to be in your arms one last time, even for just a moment but you would then strike me when you find out that I sacrificed our whole kingdom.
All I ask is for you to mourn me only for a little while. Then live. Live for me, our children, our kingdom. Live so that I may live in your memory. But remember me not as a king but as a man. A man with his flaws and perfections, the father of our beautiful children, and your husband. Just know whatever happens that I shall always love you.
Forever yours, Clark
Lois was grinning as she read the letter but now she could not stop the tears. She clutched the letter close as she wept.
The Next Day
"We should attack Zod in full force!" Durkin argued.
"We may have driven Zod back but that would only pile up the bodies of soldiers on both sides! We need a plan of attack that does not end in a slaughter or the decimation of both armies. Such a feat may bring glory in the songs but in truth, it only leaves this realm vulnerable!" Nox-Van argued.
"They murdered our king and they celebrate his fall with wine and whores; gifts from Alexander Luthor! We need to show them that Krypton is not weak." Durkin argued.
"And my husband would never allow for the slaughter of thousands of soldiers out of a simple act of vengeance." Lois said. They all turned to see that Lois had entered the council chamber. She would a white silk dress with the crest of the House of El over her heart in black and her gold circlet.
"Your Majesty." They all acknowledged her and kneeled. She walked past them, ascended the dias, and sat down on her throne. She looked to her left at Kal-El's empty throne. She stroked the arm of his throne and then rested her hands in her lap.
"I know many believe this realm is crippled since the only heir my husband and I have is our young daughter, the Princess Kara Kal-El. Let me assure you, my lords, that this realm is not weak… If we had no sons, Kal-El wished for our daughter to take the throne when she came of age and perhaps after forming a suitable life bond. Does that please the members of the Council?" Lois asked.
They murmured among themselves for a few moments and then Durkin stood. "It does. And we trust that Your Majesty shall serve as regent until this comes to pass." He said.
Lois looked at his empty throne once more. "Yes, I shall. And I have asked Commander Ak-Var to serve as Protector to the princess when his duties as Commander of Red Shard do not take precedence and he has accepted." She said
Durkin cut his eyes to Ak-Var, who sat across from him. They briefly exchanged glares. "His Majesty may be gone but the threat of Zod's army is still out there. The more we bicker here, the more his army is free to roam and pillage Urrika." Everyone agreed. "What troops can we spare?" Lois asked.
"We can spare the Daxam forces for now. They can remain in Urrika but the Kandor forces must return to protect Kandor for it is the only way to protect all the vulnerable farms, villages, and towns between here and Kansas. The Lurvan forces are not strong enough to repel an invasion force." Nox-Van said.
"I agree. When will the next batch of cannons be ready?" Lois asked.
"The end of the week, my lady. Kryptonopolis has required more laborers so we can expect more by the end of the month." Nox-Van said.
"Good. Since…" Lois took a deep breath. "Since there is no body to burn, the Duke of Kansas has offered to carve an effigy for us to burn at the funeral rites. Sir Henry Olsen of Genesis shall assist him. And the Dowager Duchess of Kansas and the Princess Dowager Allura-El shall arrive by ship in a few days time. And I have already written to all the sovereigns of the League of Nations of our beloved king's death." She said and they all nodded.
"And we must find out what sort of sorcery, alchemy, or what new weapon Zod used to murder our king before he can use it on any more of our soldiers." They all nodded. "Are there anymore affairs of state to discuss?" Lois asked and there was silence.
"His Grace, the Duke of Daxam shall be the commander of our forces in Urrika in my stead. And bring me whatever needs to be signed declaring me regent and all other new appointments." Lois stood and everyone in the chamber kneeled. She held her head high and exited the Council chamber.
All wore white in the palace: white dresses, tunics, doublets, trousers, boots, and slippers; all somberly bowed their heads to Lois as she passed them in the halls. She held her head high and her face was expressionless.
As soon as she made it back into their chamber, she opened the silver locket around her neck that held a portrait of Kal-El. She slid down to the floor covering her mouth hoping to muffle the sounds of her crying. Vala rushed to her side and held Lois. Vala stroked her hair trying to comfort her.
All over the world, falcons arrived at the castles and palaces of the sovereigns of the League. Oliver and Dinah were laughing at supper when they received the news. Carter and Shiera were teaching their son the sword. Orin and Mera were playing with their newborn daughter, Mareena. Peter and a pregnant Lana were walking in the gardens. Diana was practicing archery with her daughter, Hippolyta.
But the greatest shock of the dire news was in Gotham. Chancellor Lucius Fox walked through the halls of the castle. The king and queen were in the training courtyard. "Keep the shield up, Al." Bruce said to his youngest son. Prince Al and Damian were dueling with wooden swords.
Bruce crossed his arms as he watched them. "Damian, not so rough. The victor is the one who is swifter and stronger." He said. He wore a black fur-trimmed cloak, a black knee-length tunic with gold hems, black trousers, belt and scabbard. Selina wore a dark purple dress and a black fur trimmed cloak.
"Find his weak spot, Al." Bruce said. Lucius approached and quickly bowed his head. "No affairs of state today, my friend. I am teaching my sons the sword."
"An urgent letter from the Queen of Krypton, Sire." Lucius said.
"Yes?" Bruce said.
"King Kal-El is dead." Bruce uncrossed his arms and turned to Lucius. "He has fallen in battle."
"Oh, my love… I am so sorry." Selina said and put a hand on his shoulder. Bruce was lost for words and he looked conflicted. He never noticed the boys had stopped dueling to see what was wrong with their lord father.
"His poor lady." Bruce finally managed to whisper. "Tell the council and my knights, we shall attend the funeral. Make all the preparations." Bruce said and walked away.
Lucius and Selina exchanged worried glances and then she turned to the boys. "Uncle Kal is dead?" Prince Al said and Selina nodded somberly. Even Damian looked in shock.
"Come along. We must go and find your sister." Selina said. She put a hand Damian and Al's shoulders and they walked away with Damian following.
Bruce entered his chambers and slammed the door behind him. He clumsily threw off his cloak and then ran his hands through his hair. He walked over to their unfinished chess game. He put his hands down on the ends of the table and then tossed it over yelling. The chess pieces scattered all over the floor.
He drew his falchion and threw it across the room. It knocked over some trinkets and the steel chipped on the stone wall. He began flipping over the tables and kicking down chairs yelling. His knights burst in and saw their king in a frenzy. They quickly left. Bruce then punched a looking glass cutting his hand but he did not seem to notice.
He then backed away until his back touched the wall. He slid down tears rolling down his cheeks. He held his hand over his eyes as he cried. Selina came running into the chamber with his knights following. She motioned for them to leave and they closed the door behind them. Selina grabbed a clean cloth and cautiously approached her husband. She sat down next to him and wrapped up his cut hand.
"I have known him since we were 8 years of age. He was my one true friend… I do not know what I would be without him and his guidance." Bruce said softly and Selina nodded sympathetically. She kissed his forehead and held him as he cried.
The palace gates were raised and an equipage carriage entered the courtyard. It stopped in front of the palace entrance, where Lois, Christopher, Connor, Henry and Sarah Kent, Kara Fine and little Kara Kal-El were waiting. A servant opened the carriage door and helped Martha Kent descend the carriage. Allura-El exited after her. The family exchanged somber embraces.
Although Lois had a small grin on her face, Martha could see the sadness in her eyes. "Oh, my poor child." Martha said softly. She embraced Lois, who shed a few tears. Martha stroked her hair as any mother would when her child was in pain. They parted and Lois dried her eyes. Martha took Lois's arm and they all enter the palace.
"Run along, children." Connor took little Kara's hand and they walked off somberly. "Go and watch after them." Lois said softly to Christopher and caressed his cheek before he went after his brother and sister. "I do not know where I would be if not for Chris. I fear he is the only one here keeping me from going mad." Lois said as she and Martha wandered the halls.
"He is a good son." Martha said and she rubbed Lois's arm. "But how are you doing?"
Lois sighed and raised her head back slightly to prevent more tears. "I do not know what I am supposed to do without him." She said somberly.
Martha rubbed her arm once more. "I felt the same when I lost Jonathan. The truth is life goes on. We can either let it bring us down or we can live with the memories of the wonderful life we shared with our loved ones." They stopped walking and Martha caressed Lois's face. "Clark would want you to carry on with your life at least for the sake of the children and this kingdom."
Lois nodded. "I know."
"Good." They continued walking again. "Who is coming for the funeral rites?" Martha asked.
"All the sovereigns of the League of Nations. They arrive some days before the Kandor forces shall return. And then…" Lois stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. She steadied herself against a nearby wall and took a deep breath.
"Lois, are you alright?" Martha asked.
"This has all just been…overwhelming. I get my husband back, only to…a-and now my daughter is to be…" Lois covered her mouth with her left hand. She could feel the cool metal of her wedding ring on her skin. Martha put her hand on Lois's shoulder.
"You need to be strong now, Lois, for you, for your children and for this kingdom." Martha said. Lois nodded. She took a deep breath and they stood erect. They linked arms and continued walking down the halls.
Some Time Later
Plain white silk banners had been lined up alongside the main street of Kandor at sunset. Every Kryptonian man, woman, and child wore white under their fur-trimmed cloaks. Red Shard knights wore white fur-trimmed cloaks over their armor as they were lined up alongside the road holding poles with white candles on top.
The funeral procession was led by the High Priest of Rao. Queen Lois, Princess Kara, the king's wards Christopher and Connor Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Daxam with their young son, the Duke and Duchess of Kansas, the Dowager Duchess of Kansas, and the Princess Dowager Allura-El, and the sovereigns of the League of Nations all clad in white followed him.
Behind them, the king's effigy lay on a bier, covered with a large white sheet bearing the crest of the House of El in black, being pulled by a magnificent white stallion. Knights of the Red Shard and the Justice League walked some steps behind the wagon. Kryptonian nobles and the servants of the Crystal Palace followed them.
The effigy was fashioned to appear if he were sleeping. A sword had been carved into the front with his hands resting on the hilt. Around his head was a circlet. It was also fashioned to look like he was wearing a knee-length tunic, trousers, boots, and cape. It was a great likeness to Kal-El.
They walked out of the city to the cliff, where a funeral pyre had been built. The people that did not follow them out of the city but were allowed to the top of the city wall to watch the funeral rites. The procession halted and the kings of the League each grabbed a handle of the bier and lifted it from off its wheels. They lowered the bier in front of the pyre.
The High Priest took a piece of metal with holes in it. A priest held out a lit torch to him and he held the metal up to it. He then kneeled down over the head of the effigy and pressed the metal down onto its forehead. When he removed the metal, the crest of House of El was burned into the effigy's forehead. The High Priest nodded once to the kings. They lifted the bier once more and set it atop the pyre. The High Priest then began to pray in Kryptonese:
"Rao, king of the gods and god of the sun, let into your arms, Kal-El, son of Jor-El II, King of Krypton and Kansas, Supreme Commander of the Royal Army, Defender of our Faith, life bond to Lois, father of Kara Kal-El, and guardian to Christopher and Connor."
"For all his days, your child, Kal-El, was a faithful and dutiful servant to this realm and to your teachings. He devoted his life to rule our people justly and to bring justice and peace to all the realms. He was loved and respected by all those who knew him. And though he was taken from this world so early, he lived a full life for his family and for his people. Grant him the peace he so rightfully deserves."
Lois and little Kara stepped forward and the priests stepped out of the way. She lifted little Kara over the pyre so that she may lay a single blue Kryptonian rose on the effigy's chest. Lois then set her back on the ground. Christopher stepped forward, took his sister's hand, and led her back to the others.
Lois ran the back of her hand down the effigy's cheek even though the thin sheet covered it. Henry Kent and Sir Henry knew his features so well. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She pressed two fingers to her lips and then placed them on the effigy's lips. She nodded once to a priest and took a step back. The priest poured scented oil on the effigy from head to toe.
Ak-Var limped forward with a lit torch on a padded crutch and Lois took it. He bowed and stepped back. Lois looked up to see the red sun and she knew it was time. She lit the pyre and threw the torch down on the pyre. She then took a step back as the fire went ablaze and a burning sweet scent filled the air as the pyre burned.
Time seemed to go by so fast for Lois because soon there was nothing but ashes left, which were then scattered into the sea. Christopher put a hand on her shoulder. They linked arms and the procession walked back into the city before nightfall.
Lois walked through the hallways making her way to the royal chambers, where the sovereigns were waiting for her. The chamber door to the chambers of the Duke and Duchess of Daxam was ajar. Lois cautiously opened it. Torches lit in the room. Bruce was leaning over a chess board in the middle of a game. He made a single chuckle.
"Clark, you son of a…" Bruce said softly. Clark had sacrificed his queen leaving his rook free to check the king. On top of the chessboard was a piece of parchment that read, Checkmate. C. Bruce knocked over the black king. But then he somberly bowed his head.
"You know he thought of you as a brother and he loved you as such." Lois said. Bruce looked over his shoulder at her. "Bruce…" She took a step towards him.
"Whatever you need, you shall have it: catapults, crossbows. I know you do not need gold or…" Bruce was looking at the floor the whole time. Lois put a hand on his shoulder and lifted his chin. Tears were filling her eyes.
"Right now, all I need is a friend." Lois said and Bruce nodded. They embraced. "We need all our friends. Come." Lois looked around the chambers that housed her estranged husband for some time and then closed the door.
Later
"Clark thought he finally had me beaten when he hit the moving target. I picked up my bow and took my aim. He thought I had missed until Carter stopped the target. My arrow was in the slit of the visor right between the dummy's eyes. Clark just fell back lying on the ground in defeat. But that did not stop him from paying me my ten gold coins." Oliver said. They all laughed.
Even Bruce made a small grin. And to their surprise, Bruce spoke up. "I met Clark when we were but of the age of 8. I had just lost my parents and I did not want to make any friends but every day Clark would come over to me and toss me a wooden sword. We would train for hours helping perfect the other's form. And with each passing day, we found ourselves talking of more than just swords and training. We never spoke it out loud but we never had to for we just knew… We were friends."
Bruce stood. "The light Clark brought to inspire us all can never truly be replaced. Clark…Kal-El was what a king should be: noble, just, wise, strong in body and in mind, and he cared for his family and his people. He was the ruler we all strive to be. He was the heart and soul of our League; a devoted husband and father; and most of all, he was a true and loyal friend." They all nodded.
"He never abandoned his friends or those in need. He always knew when to use words and when to use a sword. All his hard work to make a world of peace and justice now lives on through us. In a way, we are all his heirs. We may or may not live up to him but wherever he may be, he is proud of us." Bruce raised his goblet. "To our friend, Clark…and to King Kal-El of Krypton."
They all stood raising their goblets. "To Clark. And to King Kal-El of Krypton!" They said in union clanking their goblets together.
Kal-El opened his eyes with a loud gasp and he shot right up. "He is awake!" Someone exclaimed. He was breathing heavily as he looked around. He saw his knights huddled around a small fire. They had removed all their armor except for their hauberks. Tam-Or and Raya rushed to his side.
"Sire, we feared you dead." Tam-Or said kneeling by his side.
Kal-El rubbed the back of his sore head. "How long have I been like this?" He asked.
"Three, four days at the most. Are we where we believe we are?" Raya asked.
Kal-El looked around once more. It was white night. The area appeared to be a desert but was more of a wasteland. "Yes… The Phantom Zone." He answered.
"So how do we escape? We need to get home." Tam-Or said.
"My forefathers had a portal built here if a son or daughter of the House of El were ever imprisoned here. We must make for it at once." Kal-El said and tried to rise.
"Sire, you fell hard when you landed here. We can wait a day until you are stronger." Raya said.
"No we cannot. Every moment wasted here gives time for Zod to destroy our home. We must not let that happen. We make for the portal at once." Kal-El said. Tam-Or and Raya nodded once and let him rise. "Where is my sword?"
"We searched but we never found it. Take mine, Sire." Tam-Or said.
"No. That sword was forged for you and you alone… At least I still have my daggers." Kal-El could feel his boot dagger in his right boot and he saw his other dagger on his belt, which was on the ground next to him. "Get the men ready." He commanded Tam-Or. He grabbed and put back on his belt. He saw they had removed most of his armor as well.
"The men are ready, Sire." Tam-Or said and then they headed north.
They walked for four days and three nights without running into a patrol of Zoners. They assumed Zod had taken them all to Krypton. Kal-El picked up what he assumed was sand and let it fall from his fingers. "We are perhaps two days away from the portal." He said. He stood and then looked over both his shoulders.
"What is it?" Raya asked. All the knights drew their swords and readied their shields. Then Zoners came running over the hill.
"Protect the king!" Tam-Or yelled. The knights shouted a single war cry and formed a perimeter around Kal-El. "Stay close to me, Sire."
The Zoners tried jumping on them but they bumped them hard with their shields. So far it was only a small group of Zoners armed only with crude swords and clubs. The knights easily blocked every strike and delivered killing blows.
"That was only a small patrol. We must move." Kal-El picked up one of the crude swords and a shield, and they ran in the direction of the portal.
They had not been running long, when they met another patrol, which was larger than the last. The knights formed up in a type of phalanx as the Zoners rushed them. The two forces collided; the Zoners were knocked back by the shields. "Push forward!" Kal-El yelled. His knights remained in formation and cut down all in their path. But then they saw more coming from over the hill.
"There are too many, Sire!" Tam-Or yelled and cut down another Zoner. It was only a matter time before they would be outnumbered and overrun.
"Fall back!" Kal-El commanded. The knights slowly began to back up in formation until they were over a dune. Then they broke off in a run. A Zoner shot an arrow and it hit Sir Jeq-Vey above the ankle. He fell with a yell of pain.
Kal-El stopped and looked back. Without hesitation, he dropped the shield went back for the fallen knight. He put Jeq-Vey's arm around his neck. "No, Sire. Leave me." He said.
"Never. Come on!" They moved as fast as they could but soon they were surrounded by all sides. The Zoners surrounded them but did nothing to harm them. A Zoner, who they assumed was their captain, motioned for them to drop their swords. They did. Then he motioned for them to remove their sword belts and they did. Then they were struck from behind.
Tam-Or stopped running. "Wait!" He shouted and they halted. "Where is the king?"
Tam-Or and Raya laid prone atop a dune watching the Zoners bind Kal-El's and Jeq-Vey's hands. "Come on." Raya said softly but Tam-Or grabbed her arm and kept her on the ground.
"There are far too many, Raya." He said.
"But it is our duty to protect the king." She said.
"And we cannot protect him if we are all dead." He said. "We will go get the other knights and followed them back to their camp. Then we shall come up with a plan to free the king and Jeq-Vey…and this is a command from your captain."
Raya closed her eyes. "Yes, captain." She said in almost a whisper.
"Kal-El is like a brother to me as well and I promise you, we will get him back." He said and she nodded. They then crawled backwards down the dune.
Kal-El and Jeq-Vey were pushed into a large tent and forced down onto their knees. The arrow had been removed from Jeq-Vey's leg and it had been bandaged up. Spears were pointed at them as they looked up to see Davis Zod sitting on a throne made of what appeared to be iron and bones.
Davis now had a thin, straggly beard now and unkempt hair. He wore a gray brigandine over his bare chest. He was very muscular now. His hourglass gauntlets had spikes on the knuckles and wrists. His gray helm hung off a bone of the throne. It had two horns on its sides and its visor was modeled to look like some sort of hideous beast. He wore a belt with his longsword and a morningstar. On the brigandine and above the eye slits of his helm was the Kryptonian symbol for doom.
Davis arose from the throne to tower over them. Kal-El and Jeq-Vey looked him in the eye without hesitation and without fear. Davis rested his left hand on his sword pommel and smirked. "Kal-El, King of Krypton and Kansas."
"Davis, the Bringer of Doom… How is banishment?" Kal-El asked, knowing full well that he was the one who banished him.
"It is not so bad. I was reunited with my father after all." Davis said.
"And yet, he is in Krypton with his wife while the bastard stays behind to rule the Zone and not the kingdom. Does that sound just about right?" Kal-El asked. A Zoner tried to strike him with the shaft of his spear but Kal-El caught it and flipped the spear to stab the Zoner in the foot despite his bound hands.
The other Zoners put their spears closer to his throat. "Wait!" Davis held up his hand. "Let us put his fighting skills to better use." He said with a smirk and the Zoners chuckled.
They were pushed out of the tent following Davis. "When my father defeated our forefather, he had this arena built to celebrate his victory and took Zod VII's sword as a trophy as you no doubt know. He saw it finished before he took his army to take back what is rightfully his." Kal-El thought that the arena was quite an accomplishment in a wasteland such as this.
Kal-El and Jeq-Vey were separated. They took him to a cell, where they then stripped him off his mail and left him only his gambeson to protect himself. They then pushed him through a hallway and into the arena. But he was not the only one pushed into the arena. Jeq-Vey was as well. Both their eyes widened when they realized Davis planned to have them fight each other.
Above them, bloodthirsty Zoners cheered. The grotesque throne was brought in and Davis took his seat. "Begin!" He said and a roar erupted from the Zoners. Two short swords were thrown down into the arena. Kal-El did not move but Jeq-Vey did. He went and picked up one of the swords.
"What are you doing?" Kal-El asked.
"My duty." Jeq-Vey answered. He then turned the sword on himself stabbing himself in the chest. Kal-El rushed to his side as he fell coughing up blood. Above them, Zoners groaned and shouted angry insults calling Jeq-Vey a coward.
"Jeq-Vey…" Kal-El said kneeling beside him.
"P-Protect t-the king…until death." Jeq-Vey said choking in his own blood. Kal-El somberly nodded. He closed Jeq-Vey's eyes with his fingers after he took his final breath. Then he heard the gate open behind him. Two brutish men entered the arena wielding cudgels. Kal-El picked up the other sword and the Zoners cheered once more.