For better understanding of the events that take place in this chapter, first read The Fall of the Justice League.

Salvation

6 Months Later

"The whole court has split in two over this unjust accusation against the queen! Have you no honor, Durkin?" Kara Fine cried. She and the council were in her and her husband's chambers in the Crystal Palace.

"I have it on very good authority that the king and queen have not shared a bed since the birth of Prince Van-El. At night, he slept in these chambers. There is no way this could be the king's child. She is carrying a bastard!" Durkin said.

Kara scoffed. "Every union has its troubles but I just cannot believe that Lois would betray the king, my most beloved cousin." She said.

"And yet you knew nothing of their troubles." Durkin said.

"Careful, Durkin. The king may have given you leave to speak plainly but I have not." Kara said coldly and Durkin lowered his gaze. "What say the rest of you? Do you believe she is carrying a bastard? Her maid, the king's manservant, and the Order of the Red Shard have come to her defense. I think that should ease all doubts."

"It is easier said than done, my lady." Wren-Za said and then he sighed. "I believe the queen. But to please the kingdom, have the child examined when it is born. All of the House of El are born with certain features. Does this please all?" All agreed.

Kara sighed. "I shall speak to the queen." She said.

Later in the Royal Chambers

Lois scoffed. She was pacing. "Have my child examined… I had to write to my father telling him not to come. He wrote that he was amassing his knights to come to my aid. He would have butchered the Council for this." Lois said.

"Even I am losing my patience with them." Kara sighed. "It is Kal-El's child, is it not?" Kara asked.

Lois stopped pacing and glared at Kara. "How can you ask that of me, Kara…? Yes. It is his child. Our last weeks together were very intimate." Lois said and Kara looked uncomfortable.

"Forgive me." Kara said.

"I do not blame you for asking. If this were happening to another, I too would ask." Lois placed a hand on her stomach. "We spoke of having more children. He was so happy. We were happy again. And now he is gone." Lois wiped away the tears forming in her eyes.

"I miss him as well." Kara said.

"I keep hoping that this is a terrible dream and that I shall soon awaken." Lois said. There was a knock on the door. "Come." She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.

A Red Shard knight entered and bowed. "Forgive me, my queen. My lady, there is brawl in the Great Hall." He said.

"Another? I shall not be long." Kara said. She rubbed Lois's arm and then left the chamber with the knight.

Lois sat down on the edge of the bed and once again opened the locket containing Kal-El's portrait. There was another knock on the door. "Come." Bar-El entered the chamber and bowed. He wore a black doublet, trousers, and a sword belt. Lois grinned. "I hear there is another brawl. Who is it this time?" Lois asked.

"Just another two young nobles arguing over your great matter," said Bar-El and Lois sighed. "Only a little while longer and people shall know the truth."

"Thank you. You have been a true friend." Lois said.

"I am more than a friend. We are kin." Bar-El said and Lois smiled. Then they both heard a noise outside the door. He put a finger to his lips and put his back to the wall. The door then burst open and a stranger in black appeared wielding a dagger. Bar-El grabbed his wrist and they struggled with the dagger.

"GUARDS!" Lois yelled. The assassin tried to punch Bar-El but screamed in great pain when his fist collided with Bar-El's chin. Bar-El then bumped the assassin and the man went flying out the door. Bar-El now had his dagger.

Bar-El went into the adjoining chamber. The assassin drew another dagger and threw it Bar-El. He easily caught it by the blade but grimaced as it cut his hand. He then swiftly threw the other dagger at the assassin, piercing his heart. The assassin groaned and fell back dead.

Then several Red Shard knights burst into the chamber, swords in hand. Lois stood at the doorway of her bedchamber. "Are you alright, my lady?" Lady Asha Del-Nar asked.

"Yes. I am unharmed. Bar-El, you are hurt." Lois said. Bar-El then noticed he was still holding the blade, which was cutting deeper into his skin. He released his grip and the dagger fell down onto the floor. Blood dripped off his fingertips. Lois grabbed a cloth and wrapped it around his hand.

"Kryptium," hissed Bar-El.

Kara Fine then ran into the chamber, sword in hand with several more knights. She put away her sword when she saw the dead assassin. "Lois?" Kara asked.

"I am unharmed." Lois said as she continued to tend to Bar-El.

"There is no need, my lady." Bar-El said.

"Ball your hand into a fist to stop the bleeding." Lois said and he did.

"Get this out of here." Kara said. Two knights put away their swords and began dragging the body out of the chamber.

"Wait." Lois said. The two knights stopped. Lois walked up to the body of her would-be assassin. "Check his left arm." Asha Del-Nar took his left arm and pulled up the sleeve. Lois was expressionless when she saw the crest for the House of Zod branded on his arm. She motioned for them to take the body away.

"Thank the gods you were here, Bar-El." Kara said.

"Only fulfilling my duty, my lady. Are you certain you are not harmed?" Bar-El asked Lois.

"I am fine. We are fine." Lois stroked her round stomach.

"Double the guard around the queen and in the palace at once!" Kara commanded and some knights left. "He must have slipped past the guards amidst the brawl."

"How did he get into the palace?" Lois asked.

"I do not know but I will find out. And I shall call an urgent session of council. Kandor is no longer safe for you." Kara said.

"Even with you isolating the queen, it was only a matter of time before Zod found out she was with child!" Ak-Var yelled at Durkin.

"Well, is it not the duty of the Red Shard to defend not only the queen but this palace as well!" Durkin snapped.

Ak-Var shot up. "We were quelling that brawl in the Great Hall, which you are responsible for!" He snapped back, pointing a warning finger at Durkin.

"Me?" Durkin asked.

"It was your accusation that split this court in two! With all this turmoil, it was easy for an assassin to creep into the palace amidst another fray." Durkin scoffed. "Do not slight me, you…" Ak-Var had his hand around his sword grip. Kara slammed her fist down onto the arm of her cousin's throne and there was silence. Ak-Var sat back down but he and Durkin were still staring daggers at each other.

"Though you do not like it, Councilor Durkin, Commander Ak-Var is right. Whilst we fought amongst ourselves, an assassin crept not only into the city but into this palace and nearly murdered OUR QUEEN! If the king were here…" Kara rubbed her eyes and sighed.

"Kandor is no longer safe. The queen shall leave for Metropolis for King Peter's court when she is able. His court is not in turmoil so the queen may just be safer there than here. Commander Ak-Var, I charge you with getting her there safely and to protect her." Kara said and Ak-Var nodded once.

"Now, General Kroll-Mer is in need for reinforcements. General Nox-Van, you and General Bal-Gand shall journey to Urrika with half of your armies by the new moon next month. And a new warship was just finished and has been named the King Kal-El in honor of our fallen king."

"I want the guard doubled in the palace to prevent further brawls but if there any more, then those involved shall be arrested and imprisoned for as long as I deem fit. I now declare this session of council over. Commander Ak-Var, come." Kara said. Kara stood and all kneeled. Ak-Var stood when she walked passed him and he followed her out of the council chamber.

The Royal Chambers

"So where are you truly sending me?" Lois asked. Bar-El stood at Lois's side; he had hardly left her alone since the assassination attempt.

"I am hoping to send you to Themyscira. I wrote to Hippolyta some time ago to grant you sanctuary until the child is born. At the time I was concerned about the factions and turmoil here but after the attempt on your life… I wrote her again last night and await her reply." Kara said.

"And what of my children? Themyscira shall not take the boys. I do not want them to be separated so Kal-El and I took steps some months ago… We decided that if need be we would send the children to Gotham." Lois said.

"Gotham? It is not the friendliest of cities or of the realms." Ak-Var said.

"I know. But they shall be safe with King Bruce. Can we send them there without anyone knowing?" Lois asked.

"We shall put them on the ship to Genesis with you and then change ships near Smallville. The Atlantean ambassador says there will be an Atlantean ship there that shall take you to Themyscira and another if you should need it. Commander Ak-Var and his knights shall stay on the first ship to Genesis and Lady Asha Del-Nar shall accompany you to Themyscira. You shall leave when we hear from Hippolyta." Kara said and Lois nodded.

Some Weeks Later

Lois and Bar-El stood on the dock in Kandor in the dead of night. "I wish I could come with you." Bar-El said.

"As do I. You saved our lives." Lois rubbed her stomach. "For that I am granting you two boons and I already chosen what your first shall be… I know you spoke to General Nox-Van on giving you a commission in the Kandor army. I have spoken with him and you shall be leaving with him for Urrika with command of your own garrison, Captain Bar-El."

"I thank you. And I have already chosen my second boon." Lois nodded. "Do not name the child after me." They both laughed and she nodded. Bar-El took her hand. "You have been good to me." Bar-El said.

"And you have been good to me. Be safe, my friend." Lois said.

"And you. And I shall be overjoyed to hear of your return with your child." Bar-El said. They embraced. The children had already boarded the ship. Lois and Lady Asha Del-Nar boarded the ship.

Later the night, Bar-El entered his chamber. "Thank you." A voice said. A shadowy figure was sitting down in a chair by an open window.

"I do not like deceiving Lois like this." Bar-El said.

Kal-El stood and stepped into the light. He had a thin beard and shaggy unkempt hair. He put a hand on Bar-El's shoulder. "It shall not be for much longer. I believe this is yours." Kal-El set Bar-El's sword down onto the table.

Bar-El picked it up and drew it out of his sheath. "Did you know that I was the first knight of Krypton to be presented with a Kryptium sword by a king? Other knights had Kryptium because they had the coin to have them made but Seyg-El began the tradition. I miss him dearly." He flipped the sword and examined the hilt. "You replaced the leather on the grip."

"It was worn down." Kal-El said plainly and Bar-El quietly chuckled.

"This sword and I have seen many battles. But you need it more than I." Bar-El handed it back to him, hilt first. Kal-El was surprised. "You need a sword finer than any you could hope to pick up off a dead Zoner. And you very well cannot take yours out of the Hall of Kings. And I have a new sword." Bar-El tapped his fingers on the hilt of his new sword. It was the black and silver hilted Kryptium longsword presented to all knights of Krypton. "Tradition is tradition."

Kal-El grinned. He and Bar-El gripped forearms. "Be safe on the field of battle, cousin." Kal-El said.

"You as well, cousin." Bar-El said. Kal-El then flew out of the window.

Several Months Later

"Your Majesty must push!" Lois screamed as another labor pain afflicted her.

"I AM!" Lois yelled and clenched her mouth shut to muffle another scream. She pushed again and a baby's cry filled the chamber. Lois's head fell back on the pillows breathing heavily.

"A boy!" The midwife announced happily.

Diana chuckled. "A son! You have your son, Lois." She said. Lois screamed when she felt another sharp pain. "What is it?" The midwife put a hand on Lois's swollen belly. "What is the matter?"

The midwife then shushed Diana. "I believe there to be another child."

"WHAT?!" Diana and Lois exclaimed in unison.

"You may be royals but I know affairs such as this. She is carrying twins." Lois screamed in pain again. "And this one shall be here soon." The midwife said. "I need more blankets and another water basin!"

Some minutes later, another baby's cry filled the chamber. "A girl!" The midwife announced.

"Another daughter, Lois. The gods blessed you with yours and Krypton's wish." Diana said.

"If Clark were here, I would kill him for this." Lois said out of breath.

Kal-El chuckled for a moment. He hovered high in the air with his hands behind his back and his eyes closed. He then heard a heartbeat that was not his own. "Yes?" He asked and Raya flew up beside him.

"You could go to her." Raya said.

"If my knights cannot go to their loved ones, then I shall not go to mine as well. It is for their protection and for the greater good. Lois may never forgive me for it but she will know that I made the right decision." Kal-El said. He used his X-ray vision to see the two wailing babes. He grinned and then sighed. "Stay here and watch over them. Protect my family and save Queen Hippolyta. And then return." Raya nodded once and he flew off in a blur.

Some Days Later, Gotham

"Forgive me, Sire, but there is an intruder in the castle. He killed a guard and took his mail. He could be anywhere." Sir Jason Blood said softly.

"You get Sir Richard and Sir Jonah at once. You ask all if they have seen a guard they do not know but do so quietly. We do not want people to panic." Bruce said. Sir Jason nodded once and ran off. Bruce closed the door and turned around. Selina had thrown on some black trousers and a black laced shirt. "What are you doing?"

"That intruder is either a spy or is here for one of the children. I will not stand idly by and watch one of them get hurt." Selina said. She opened a locked wardrobe that held an array of weapons. She grabbed a whip and a dagger. She put the dagger into her boot.

"Fine, but I sending three knights with you and take another blade with you. It will give me some peace of mind." Selina rolled her eyes and grabbed a dirk. She sheathed it and put it in back of her waistband of her trousers. "Gather the children and take them to the Great Hall. And makes sure Christopher takes his sword." Bruce said and walked up to her. He rubbed her shoulders. "I just do not want to lose you as well."

Selina's eyes then became sympathetic. She caressed his face with her hands. "You are not going to lose me." She pecked his lips. "I shall see you later." She tried to walk away but he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Their lips parted and he caressed her face.

"I love you." Bruce said softly.

"And I love you… Something is wrong." Selina said.

"No. You just do not know how much you mean to me." Bruce said.

"Everything is going to be alright. I shall see you later." Selina said. She pecked his lips again and left their chambers.

Selina sat atop a table in the Great Hall with her whip wrapped around her arm. "Mother, may we go back to bed?" Princess Helena Wayne asked.

"When your lord father comes for us, my sweet," Selina said. Helena frowned. She and the other children were sitting on the dias bored and tired. Christopher sat next to Selina on the table with his sheathed sword in his lap. "Something is wrong. It should not be taking this long." She whispered to him.

"It is a big castle." Christopher said.

"Then you do not know my husband… I do not like this. Be on your guard." Selina said. She then looked over her shoulder to the hall doors.

"What is it?" Christopher asked.

"I heard something." Selina hopped down off the table and began walking to the hall doors.

Then one door burst open and entered a man dressed in the gray surcoat of a Gotham knight but Selina did not know him. He was average height, had dark hair and a scruffy thick beard. He held in his hand a bloodied sword. She could see the dead three knights outside the hall doors. His gray surcoat was stained with blood and he was panting.

The children screamed. "GO!" Selina screamed and let the whip fall right off her arm. Christopher rushed the screaming children out of a side door. The intruder growled and tried to run around her. Selina cracked the whip and it wrapped around his right ankle. She pulled and he tripped but he quickly held out his hands to break his fall.

He groaned, grabbed the whip and pulled. He was stronger than her and she fell forward. She groaned and he was getting back up. She whistled and he turned around. She threw the handle of the whip at him and the knot hit him right in the right eye. He yelled and put his hand over his eye. Selina ran up to him kneed him in the stomach and punched him with all her might.

He stumbled and she kicked him in the lower back. He fell down to his knees and she quickly kicked the sword out of his hand. She drew her dirk as he went for his sword. He swung wildly so she dodged him easily. He then smacked her across the face with his sword pommel and she collided with a nearby table. He ran for the door the children left through.

Christopher appeared and swung his sword but the assassin blocked his blow. The assassin's eyes widened with fear and he dropped down to one knee. "My prince." He said roughly. Christopher was obviously confused. Selina stood rubbing her cheek and she saw the assassin kneeling before Chris. She drew the dagger in her boot and threw it at the assassin.

The assassin screamed as the dagger penetrated his upper back. He looked at her over his shoulder and picked up his sword. Christopher reacted. He quickly swung his sword and slit the assassin's throat. The assassin fell over dead, blood pouring out of his throat.

Selina use a table to hoist herself up. Chris dropped his sword and retched in a nearby corner. Selina rushed to him and rubbed his back as he continued to vomit. The Great Hall doors then burst open and Bruce rushed in with some knights. She motioned to the dead assassin. Bruce ran to her and tightly embraced her. "I am fine, Bruce. Now, we must find the children." She said.

"They are fine. We found them as we rushed here. I am just glad to see that you are alright." Bruce said. Chris coughed as he finished vomiting. Bruce examined him. "Your father was the same way after his first kill. As was I. We were near your age as well." Bruce whispered and Chris nodded. "Take away the body and get the boy some honey wine."

Bruce picked up Chris's sword, wiped off the blood on the sleeve of his shirt, and held out the sword to Chris, who just looked at it. "Swords are for killing and for protection. They are not a piece of jewelry or anything else worn for show. You would have learned this at some point. All that matters is that you defended helpless children and my wife. You did this with honor and hopefully without shame." Bruce said. Chris simply nodded, still pale, and took his sword.

Knights dragged away the body but a puddle of blood and bloody drag marks remained. Sir Jonah Hex returned with the honey wine. "Drink, boy." He said roughly. Chris sipped the wine several times. He felt much better. "I remember my first kill. I was just a year older than you; before my knighthood and this." He pointed to his disfigured right cheek. "I killed a lot of men that day and I felt invincible."

"Sir Jonah, I believe this to be a conversation for another day." Selina said.

"What? He is practically a man now." Jonah said and roughly patted Chris's back making him spill some of the honey wine onto the floor.

"Who has yet to be hardened by countless battles as you have," said Selina sternly.

"Humph. Find me later, boy." Sir Jonah said and roughly patted Chris's back again, making him grunt.

"Why we leave him around the children is beyond me." Selina said.

"We keep him around the children because he is their protector and one of my best knights. I remember you had nothing but admiration for him in the final days of the war against Copplepot." Bruce said.

"That was before I birthed two children." Selina said. Chris downed the last of the contents of the honey wine and stood.

"Try to go get some rest. We shall speak in the morrow." Bruce said. Chris bowed his head and left the Great Hall.

"If only his father were here. Clark always knew what to say." Selina said.

"Yes." Bruce said and rubbed her back.

Themyscira, The Same Night

Raya hovered over the island, eyes closed and listened carefully. "She is dead and her armor has been taken. Sound the alarm!" The large horn at the peak of the island soon sounded twice.

"What is it?" Lois asked.

"Intruder…! No! You are not strong enough to fight. My personal guard shall be here shortly." The bedchamber door opened. "Who are you? I do not know you." Raya's eyes shot open. "ASSASSIN!"

The Amazon imposter charged Hippolyta. Their swords locked. Hippolyta pushed back the assassin and kicked her abdomen. The assassin fell back and quickly dodged Hippolya's thrust. Then a stranger in all black and with a scarf wrapped around her face, a woman judging by her form, appeared. She grabbed the assassin from behind and thrust a dagger deep in the assassin's back, penetrating an organ. The assassin groaned and the stranger twisted the dagger before pulling it out.

"Stop!" Hippolyta commanded and raised her sword but the mysterious savior was gone in the blink of an eye. "Hera!" She swore under breath.

"That cannot be!" Lois exclaimed.

Some Weeks Later

An Amazonian ship docked in Kandor in the dead of night. Figures in hooded cloaks exited the ship and entered some carriages led by Commander Ak-Var. The Kryptium gates of the Crystal Palace were opened and the two carriages rode past with their escorts. And then the large portcullis of gatehouse was raised and they rode into the courtyard and halted before the palace steps. The door was opened and Jon-Tel held out his hand to help Lois out of the carriage.

Lois exited the carriage holding her son, Jor-El. And then Diana exited the carriage holding Lois's daughter, Lara Kal-El. A group of Red Shard knights were waiting in the entrance hall as an escort. They kneeled when Lois lowered her hood. "I thought you would not be allowed to treat me thus." Lois said.

"We were not. Command it and we shall come to your aid at once. The Red Shard is with you, my queen." Captain Cam-Zel said. Lois grinned at them.

"There will be no need once I am done with the Council. But know I shall never forget this. I thank you and I know my husband would have proud to see that the Red Shard's loyalty has never wavered." Lois said and she motioned for them to rise. They rose and they cut their eyes to the sleeping baby in her arms. Jor-El had grown more hair but not much. "This is Kal-El's son, Jor-El." They grinned at the boy. "And his daughter, Lara. Your prince and princess."

"It will be our honor to protect and serve them when needed." Ak-Var said. "My queen." He motioned for her go first.

"Give him the child." Lois said to Diana, who handed Lara to Ak-Var. He carefully took the baby girl in his arms. "We shall be fine." Diana nodded once but still felt uneasy watching them walk away.

Lois entered the Council chamber with her escort. Ak-Var walked beside Lois holding the baby princess. The Council, War Council, Emil Hamilton, and Kara Fine had hurried getting dressed. They all wore trousers and laced shirts.

"Give us the child." Durkin said bluntly when she approached.

"Which child, my lord?" Lois asked expressionless.

"What do you mean…?" Durkin then saw the two babes. "Twins. Boys? Girls?"

"A boy and a girl, my lord." Ak-Var answered. Durkin motioned for Emil to come forward. Emil was obviously uncomfortable about this but Lois nodded. He came forward and she carefully handed him the boy. Kara came forward as well and took the baby girl.

A large book was brought to him and Jon-Tel held it opened for Emil to read. It listed the lines of the noble houses. They set the children down on a blanket atop a table. "Black of hair or golden head," whispered Emil reading. He examined the babes' hair follicles with a lens. "Black hair for the boy and golden hair for the girl." He looked at the book again. "Eyes blue as ice." He opened the boy's eyes and Jor-El squirmed. "Shh." He put the lens up to Jor-El's eye. He then did this with Lara.

"Well?" Durkin demanded impatient.

Emil sighed and rolled his eyes at Kara. Kara nodded once. He picked up the boy and took him back to his mother. Lois took him and gently rocked him to calm him. He grinned at Lois and she grinned back. "The children are of the king's blood. The boy is the king's son, his heir, our prince and our future king."

Emil kneeled. Everyone in the chamber kneeled. Durkin approached Lois and kneeled. She held up her right hand and he kissed her knuckles. "Forgive me, my queen. I did not know." Durkin said.

"I know. But now we must look to the safeguard of this kingdom and its heirs. Zod shall not rest until all in our House are dead. And we shall not rest until his army is defeated and our fallen king is avenged." Lois said.