Crusade
Raya entered a manor and was led to the Great Hall. Kal-El turned and looked at her with his arms crossed. "Queen Hippolyta lives. Queen Lois has safely returned to Kandor with the children." Raya said.
"Well done. Join us." Kal-El said and turned back to the map of Krypton. "Our work is far from over. Without aid from Gotham or the Amazons, we shall have to aid the Royal Army in pushing Zod out of Urrika ourselves. Nox-Van..."
"All in Urrika has fallen to Zod but Erkol. A Commander Gor lays siege to the city as we speak. They have three barrel cannons and siege towers. Our cannons and catapults keep destroying their siege towers but the city is running low on supplies. They cannot hold for much longer." Nox-Van said.
"Then that is our task. We must destroy these cannons. We leave before dawn." Kal-El said.
The Zoner camp was quiet. All had eaten and drunken ale and had fallen asleep. The siege weapons had stopped firing. A large number of Zoners protected the cannons. In a matter of seconds, all of the guards and the sentries were on the ground dead. The cannons were then moved to various areas around the camp with numerous barrels of black powder.
In the dead of night, explosions rocked the Zoner camp waking up Kryptonian soldiers and Zoners alike. Kryptonian soldiers and knights rushed to the wall to prepare for another siege only to see the Zoner army in disarray and retreating, and their camp burning. The battalion could not help but cheer. Commander Rugad looked through a lens and tube and saw a group of some twenty people in black riding off.
Thanagar
Alexander Luthor returned to his dark chambers covered in sweat from working in his forge. He poured himself a goblet of wine. "Hello Lex." Luthor drew his dagger and then the chamber was filled with light from the torches and fireplace. Kal-El was sitting with his legs crossed, in all black, and twirling a sheathed dagger.
"Hello Clark." Lex put away his dagger. "I wondered when you would escape the Zone." Lex said and took a sip of wine. He held up an empty goblet to him.
"No. I shall not be staying long." Kal-El said.
"And then why are you here?" Lex asked.
"Let us just say that I have had a vision of the future and have seen a bleak world that can be prevented." Kal-El said.
"Has the Zone made you mad?" Lex asked.
"No. Banishment to the Zone was only the beginning of my plan." Kal-El stood and approached Lex. "Your alliance with Zod ends now." Kal-El said.
"And just how am I supposed to end my alliance Zod? He is not a man I wished to have as an enemy." Lex took another sip of wine.
"Oh, fear not. You have just cause." Kal-El said.
"And it is?" Lex asked and downed the remaining contents of his goblet.
"Your forges have been destroyed and the Egyptian army has taken the city. I am here only to convince you to surrender and perhaps save your life." Kal-El said plainly. Then the warning bell within the city sounded. Lex ran to a nearby window and saw fires erupt at all his forges. The city gates were opened and Egyptian vanguard rode into the city followed in by the Egyptian army.
"You…!" Lex drew his sword and pointed it at Kal-El. "Give me a reason why I should not run you through!" Lex cried.
"I told you. I had a small glimpse of the future. I cannot let it come to pass. I am doing this to save you, Lex." Kal-El said.
"Save me?! You are destroying my destiny!" Lex yelled.
"How would you like to see your son again?" Kal-El asked. Lex faltered for a moment. "Her wedding ring is not all you have left of Helen."
"Silence! You are trying to deceive me!" Lex snapped.
"Fight and die or surrender and live. Live with the knowledge and hope of one day seeing your son again. Helen wanted him to be yours and her redemption. Do not fail her again." Kal-El said.
"You are the reason she is dead, not I!" Lex yelled.
Kal-El sighed. "Then you are not ready." He super sped and knocked Luthor unconscious in one punch. He gently lowered Lex to the floor and kicked away his sword. He stood over his friend from his youth. "I can only hope that one day you will be." Kal-El then flew out the window.
Three Months Later
"We have more reports of riders ambushing another one of Zod's patrols in Urrika. They then escorted the people to safety before disappearing again." Ak-Var said.
"Who are these riders? We still know nothing about them and it has been months!" Lois said. She sat on her throne as queen and Kara Fine stood at her right.
"All we know is that they ride under the king's standard and they have a commander. The people call him the Man of Steel. Steel for short. They attack on foot and steal the enemies' horses. And we do not know his or his riders true names, my queen. One man is called Sword. Another is called Shield. Another is called Dirk. And another…"
Lois held up her hand. "I have read the reports. Is there no way we can meet with these riders?" Lois asked.
"Not even J'onn J'onzz can get to them fast enough to speak with them. And these riders have driven Zod out of Urrika in a matter of weeks." Kara said.
"I have heard whispers they live on the estates of a knight. But we have hundreds of knights, my queen. We cannot search all their homes." Ak-Var said.
"I know." Lois said and sighed. "We must wait on J'onn J'onzz to find them, then."
"My lady, there are more urgent matters we can use J'onn J'onzz for. And we have another matter that needs care of." Durkin said.
"A new general of the Kandor forces… I was hoping Nox-Van would return by now." Lois said and glanced at his empty's seat. Commander Van-Zee of the Kandor forces stood beside the empty silver chair.
"How could he with his son's treason coming to light?" Durkin said scornfully.
"Nox-Van is not to be blamed for his son's treason! Show him some respect! In his mind, he has lost his first-born." Lois snapped. Durkin bowed his head. "Kara, write to him and ask him if he intends to return." Kara nodded once. "Any word on Zod's movements?"
"Only that he had sent for all his troops on the islands with his forces decimated outside of Erkol. They arrived in Bolenth some days ago. They have not moved. Zod still holds both the Morstil and Branzt keeps." Commander Van-Zee said.
"He is either planning something or he is awaiting reinforcements." Kara said.
"Perhaps now is the right time to strike. We need a new general of Kandor forces, my queen." Durkin said.
"Go and get Nox-Van yourself. You leave at once." Lois said quietly to Kara. Kara nodded once.
Later that Day
Kara rode with twenty-five Red Shard knights and two ensigns bearing the banners of the House of El. Nox-Van's manor came into sight. As they drew closer, men appeared on both sides in black hauberks and black scarves wrapped around their faces. They wielded spears, crossbows, longbows, and longswords. "HOLD!" A man commanded them and the men lowered the weapons. "State your business!"
"Kara Fine, Duchess of Daxam, here to call on Sir Nox-Van! Let me pass! We are on the queen's most urgent business!" Kara said.
"Shall we go and fetch Steel, Captain?"
"Steel? You are the riders!" Kara exclaimed.
Then all the men tilted their heads to the side as if they heard something. "Let them pass!" Captain commanded. "We shall escort you to the manor, my lady." Kara thought his voice to be familiar but did not dwell on it.
Nox-Van stepped out of the manor. An iron fist was strapped to the stump that was once his right hand. His son had done that to him when Nox-Van had confronted him on his treason. A war hammer was on his belt along with his longsword. He wore a black laced shirt, trousers, and boots. His hair was uncut and almost reached his shoulders. His beard was thicker and rugged now. He had more gray streaks in his hair. Nox-Van bowed. "My lady," he greeted her.
"Sir Nox-Van." Kara said. "I see that you have made new friends." Kara spotted the four riders standing watch on the roof. They wielded longbows and swords.
"Please, come." Kara and the knights dismounted. "We were not expecting you but we have plenty of food for everyone." The knights cautiously entered the manor and followed Nox-Van to the Great Hall. Riders were in every hallway they saw and their faces were always covered with dark scarves. "You have nothing to fear here, my lady. These men are loyal to the House of El." Nox-Van said.
"I do not fear them. And if they are loyal, then why not join the army like so many others?" Kara asked.
"They did but fate led them down a different path." Nox-Van said.
"And their commander?" Kara asked.
"Shall not be joining us. He hopes you will understand." The man called Captain said. He then slightly tilted his head to the side and stood. "You will have to pardon me for a moment." He then walked out the Great Hall.
"Nox-Van, why are you sheltering these men?" Kara asked softly.
Nox-Van sighed. "I was a broken man when their commander sought me out. He gave me a new purpose and I shall forever be in his debt. It is the least I can do, offering them shelter. They will be gone in the morrow now that you know they are here… The queen wishes for me to return, does she not?" He knew there could be only one reason why they were here.
"Yes. We need you, Nox-Van. You are the best general we have and we cannot recall my husband from the front. Speak to your wife but I shall need an answer in the morrow." Kara said and Nox-Van nodded.
Later that Night
Nox-Van and Commander Steel spoke in Steel's chamber in hushed tones. "I do not need to return. I can ride out with you." Nox-Van said.
"We could use a voice in the council chamber until we are ready to reveal ourselves." Steel said.
"I will do whatever you command, my lord." Nox-Van said.
"No, you shall not this time. The decision is yours alone." Nox-Van sighed. "I know you do not wish to fight your son or having people think you are a traitor as well but you are needed and you swore an oath when you were knighted." Steel said.
Nox-Van sighed again. "Then it decided, I shall return to my duties as general of the Kandor forces in the morrow with Her Grace." Nox-Van said.
"My knights and I leave within the hour for Urrika." Steel said.
"May I speak plainly?" Steel nodded. "You have done all you can to stop the future you saw. Queen Hippolyta and Queen Selina live. There is no Legion of Doom since Luthor has been captured. Zod has been pushed back to Bolenth. And you now have a son and another daughter. There is no need to keep up this masquerade. You should at least reveal yourself to the queen. She, most of all, shall be overjoyed to know you still live." Nox-Van said.
"I cannot. Not yet but soon." Steel said.
"I have known you since you were a small boy. Your father and Jonathan would be so fiercely proud of you. I just want you to know that." Nox-Van said. The two men then gripped forearms and embraced. "Just come home. I would hate to have to attend your funeral rites a second time."
Later, Steel and his knights gathered up their supplies and left the manor on foot. When they were certain they were not being watched or followed, they launched themselves in the air making way for Urrika.
Kandor
"You have been busy, General Nox-Van. Consorting with these riders," said Lois. Nox-Van kneeled before Lois in the throne room. Only the war council and the Red Shard knights standing guard were in the hall.
"They gave me a purpose and reminded me of the sworn oath I had forgotten, my queen. I was in their debt. Opening up my home to them was the least I could do." Nox-Van said.
"And now?" Lois asked.
"And now I wish to return to my duties and end this war to stop the bloodshed, my queen." Nox-Van said.
"It is good to see my husband's influence has not been lost on you." Lois stood and descended the dias. She held out her right hand and he kissed the El insignia ring on her right middle finger. "Come. I wish to speak to you privately."
The Royal Chambers
"What can you tell me about the man they called Steel?" Lois asked. She gave him a goblet of wine and took a seat across from him at the table.
"Kryptonian. Judging by the way he fights, perhaps a knight or his father was. He has a unique knowledge of how Zod thinks, which has served him very well. Brilliant tactician. Cares for his men and the people. And..." Nox-Van said and pushed the goblet away. "thanks to him I have stopped letting the drink console me of the tragedy that has befallen me of late: my hand…my son."
"No one blames you… Your son is his own man. Only he is responsible for his actions." Lois said.
"Yes but I still wonder where I went wrong in his upbringing. I taught him to be a better man, a better knight than this. A knight does not betray his realm, his anointed sovereign. And a man does not betray his family." Nox-Van said.
"We cannot make excuses for the dark stains on our hearts." Lois said and he nodded. "Just one more question about Steel… Did you ever see his face?"
"When he did take off the scarf, the room was dark. I could only see his form. He was careful. And his riders do not drink and they do not bed women. They are devoted to their crusade, as they called it." Nox-Van said.
"And just what is their crusade?" Lois asked.
"To banish Zod and all who follow him back to the Zone. And to bring back the peace our king gave his life to defend." Nox-Van said.
"Not a day goes by that I do not long for him." Lois said.
"I knew him well. And I know with the way he looked at you that he loved you deeply." Nox-Van said.
"Thank you." Lois took a sip of wine. "When the time comes, you and I shall lead the army north to crush Zod once and for all. If he dies on the field, so be it. But if not…I have not decided if I should banish him again or slay him." Lois said.
"We can only wait and see, my queen." Nox-Van said.
Later, Nox-Van entered his chamber. His manservant helped him removed his black doublet. "That will be all." The manservant bowed and went into his adjoining bedchamber. Nox-Van walked to the back of the chamber to see his wife sleeping. He looked at her concerned.
"She still needs remedies to sleep?"
"Yes. But my man is careful not to give her too much. And she still refuses to leave this chamber." Nox-Van said. He turned around to see Steel. Nox-Van had noticed the ajar window the moment he had entered the chamber. He drew closed the curtain around their bed. They walked back into the inner chamber and spoke in hushed tones by the hearth of the fireplace. "The queen has taken me back into her service and she plans to lead the army herself."
"I heard." Steel said.
Nox-Van sighed. "Go to her, my lord. Tell her you are alive and you can lead the army." Nox-Van said.
"I cannot." Steel said.
"You cannot or you will not?" Nox-Van asked.
"Careful." Steel warned.
"I know you have seen unspeakable horrors but Lois is alive and she is waiting for you, albeit she does not know it. Go to her whilst you still can." Nox-Van said.
"I shall be back to see you soon." Steel said and disappeared in a blur.
Steel flew through the starry sky. Then he heard panting. He was being followed. He landed, put his back to a lone oak tree, and drew his sword. Whatever or whoever was following him moved swiftly, too swiftly. He saw the blur running through some fields. He squint his eyes to use his super vision to see who it was. His eyes widened when he recognized Christopher Kent. He put away his sword and drew his dagger.
Christopher passed him and Steel grabbed the back of his cloak. Chris came to a screeching halt and fell down onto his back, groaning in pain. Steel put his foot on his chest and made sure Chris saw the dagger in his hand. "Why are you following me, boy?" Steel asked coldly.
"I wish to join you." Chris said out of breath.
"I need men, soldiers, not boys. Go home." Steel said. He removed his foot from his chest and began to walk away.
"Is that all you are going to say…father." Steel stopped. "I thought I was going mad when I heard your voice within the palace walls. Then I saw you fly away so I followed you. Did you really think I would not know your voice or your eyes?" Steel sighed. He pulled down his scarf and turned around. Chris swallowed.
"Chris…" Kal-El said.
"How could you do this to us? To mother! The whole world believes you to be dead. We mourned you. Mother still mourns you!" Chris snapped.
"Chris, I had no choice. I did what I had to do to protect you. To protect all of you! You know I would never abandon you all, especially your mother." Kal-El protested.
"So you know about Jor-El and Lara?" Kal-El nodded. "I am coming with you." Chris said.
"No! I forbid it!" Kal-El said sternly.
"I come with you or I go home and tell mother that you are still alive." Chris said scornfully.
"Chris, be reasonable. This is not a game! War is death and discord. Please just go home. I am your father. It is my duty to protect you." Kal-El said.
"You are not my father!" Kal-El was obviously hurt but Chris did not care. "Mother told me whose true son I am… Why did you not tell me?"
"I am your father and not that monster. I brought you up. I taught you how to be a man. I protected you from those who wanted you dead. Just remember that… Now come with me. Keep up if you can." Kal-El said. They disappeared in a blur.
Steel whistled a tune. "It is Steel!" He and Chris entered the camp. "What is he doing here?" Captain asked.
"He knows who we are. I had no choice. What do we know?" Steel asked.
"Zod sent a man back to the Zone for his son, Davis, and his army." Dagger (Raya) asked.
"Then we must warn the queen!" Chris exclaimed.
"Davis is dead and his army decimated. I saw to that some months ago." Steel said.
"Just how long have you been back?" Chris asked.
"Near one year." Steel answered Chris then punched him in the jaw and yelled out in pain. Chris opened and closed his hand groaning. Steel rubbed his jaw. The punch had actually hurt some but not much.
Dagger examined Chris's hand. "How is it your hand is not broken?" She asked.
"He has powers. He was born with them." Steel said and everyone looked at him.
"You knew?" Chris asked.
"Your mother and father wanted to give birth to a god among men. I do not know how they did it but only that they were successful. You will have all my powers when you are a grown man. I had hoped to be there for you when they first began to manifest; to teach you how and when to use them." Steel said.
"Now what?" Chris asked.
"Now you begin your training. Captain, see to it that he is properly trained." Steel said.
"Come along, boy!" Captain said.
"I have a name!" Chris snapped.
"Names mean nothing here. Dirk! Help me with Boy here!" Captain said.
Lois read Chris's brief letter again.
Kandor
Forgive me, Mother, but I cannot stay here. There are days I wish you had not told me who my true father is. But now that I know and he is here, I cannot stay here and do nothing while he destroys and plunders my home. I hope you can understand. I love you all. And that is why I have to do this. Farewell. Christopher
J'onn entered her chamber and bowed. "Well?" Lois asked.
"No sign of him, my lady. I shall ride north in the morrow to search for him." J'onn said.
"No." Lois said somberly and looked at the family portrait over the fireplace. "He must walk his own path. He shall return when he is ready." Lois wiped the tears from her eyes. "What more have you learned of the commander called Steel?"
"Nothing, my lady. He knows my methods." J'onn said.
"Is it possible that he was once a student of yours?" Lois asked.
"I do not see how. All my students are dead except for Chris, Conner, and my niece M'gann. I have no answers for you, Lois." J'onn said.
"Find out what you can. We may need him in the final battle yet to come." Lois said.
Some Weeks Later
Kal-El and Christopher walked along the coastline of Vathlo Island. With the island liberated, its people offered the riders shelter. The sun was just beginning to set. They walked with their scarves down and their left hands atop their sword pommels. "Are you certain you do not know how I came to get these powers? Chris asked.
"I have only an assumption. Zod learned in the Zone another way to get the powers of the Crystal of Knowledge without actually wielding it. By wielding the blood of one who has been blessed by the crystal. All he need do was cut himself and poured the blood into his wound. I assumed you were conceived after he and your mother had done such an act." Kal-El said.
"How long does it last?" Chris asked.
"You were born with these powers so we can never truly know. The blood can linger in Zod's veins for years but he shall never have all the true power of the crystal and that is why he wants it so badly." Kal-El said.
"And you? How long will you live with the powers of the crystal?" Chris asked.
"I do not know. But I am not immortal. The crystal can only prolong my life. And I want no life without your mother." Kal-El said.
"Then why not come home?" Chris asked.
Kal-El sighed. "There was important work to be done. And if I returned home, I never would have left. Your mother may never forgive me but this is for the greater good." They stopped walking. "I saw what is to come if Zod is not defeated. I saw death. Men, women, children, those I cared for, and those I loved." Kal-El said.
"Mother," said Chris. Kal-El nodded.
"I will not let that come to pass. Even if I must truly die this time. I did plan to tell you about your true parentage. But only when you came of age." Kal-El said.
"Does it matter now?" Chris asked.
"It matters to me, Chris." Kal-El put a hand on Chris's shoulder. "I love you like you are my own son. You are my son. I just wanted you to have a good and full life of peace and joy as any father should want for his children. If there anyone you wish to blame…blame me, not your mother." Kal-El said.
"I do not blame…" Chris started to say.
"Steel!" Dagger called. She approached Steel and Boy.
Steel lowered his hand from Chris's shoulder. "What is it?" Steel asked.
"Zod's vanguard rides for Xan!" Dagger said.
"And who is in command?" Steel asked.
"Non," said Dagger.
"We leave at once." Steel said.
The Next Day
The riders stood on a hill in the rain watching the movements of Zod's vanguard. Boy stood next to Steel. "Are you ready?" Steel asked him. Boy nodded once. And they super sped towards the vanguard.
There was no real battle. They swept through the vanguard and Zoners just dropped dead from their horses. Non was then brought before Steel in shackles. The riders forced him down to his knees. Non struggled and Brute (Thor-Us) punched him. Steel held his sword before him with its tip on the ground and his hands around the grip. "Non of the House of Van, you stand guilty of high treason. What say you?" Steel asked.
"You have no right to condemn me! I am a knight of Krypton! A servant of the king! You are but a common man!" Non snapped.
"And yet we are all men here. But which king do you truly serve? I believe your actions on this night answers that question." Steel said. Non then spat on Steel's sword and boots.
Brute grabbed Non by the jaw and drew his dagger. "Do you want his traitorous tongue, my lord?" He asked.
"No. But Zod may take it soon enough." Steel said and Brute took a step back.
"Who are you to think you can defeat the God King?!" Non yelled. Steel then pulled down the scarf. Non was flabbergasted. All the riders then proceeded to pull down their scarves. "This is not possible! There is no way you could have escaped!"
"Non-Van, son of Nox-Van… I, Kal-El, son of Jor-El II, condemn you to the Phantom Zone for all eternity for your crimes of high treason and murder. Do you have any last words?" Kal-El asked.
"The House of El shall kneel before Zod and a new reign shall begin to purge this land of its corruption from the usurpers. I am just one of thousands who believe this. Zod shall prevail." Non said.
"I have heard that before." Kal-El said.
Kal-El sheathed his sword and removed his Phantom Zone crystal from his belt. Non began to struggle again so Brute punched him again. Brute stepped back and Kal-El placed the crystal on Non's chest. Non screamed and was gone in a flash of life.
"The sentence is carried out." Kal-El said.