Chapter 48
Valia and Kal-El soared higher and higher. He made flying seem so easy and effortless. It was a skill she had not fully mastered, not that she'd had much time to learn or practice. Since her arrival, she and Kal-El had been consumed with defeating Brainiac and saving Earth and Kandor. Goals they had accomplished. With a smile, she thought, It was the House of El that had saved Kandor.
Valia saw Kal-El slow his ascent and followed suit. Slowing down was harder than speeding up, but she managed a wobbly decrease in speed.
The sky was a radiant blue, the sun was high and bright casting its life sustaining rays over the globe. How many days did she have to see and enjoy this world? Just seeing a tiny part had roused her curiosity and filled her with awe and wonder. The fact that Kal-El had offered to show her more had thrilled her beyond belief. She treasured every moment she shared with him and knew that, unfortunately, their time together was coming to an end.
She glanced over at him. His handsome face was lit by the golden sun. Part of her longed to stay here with him, on his world. She bit her bottom lip and turned away. In her heart, she knew she could never do that. The ties that bound her to her mother, her friends, and Kandor were far too strong. Her home, and people, deserved her steadfast loyalty, service, dedication, and love.
Just as Kal-El put protecting his adopted world above other aspects of his life, she did the same. She was honor bound to protect Kandor and to ensure that Krypton and its legacy endured. That was her destiny, the path she'd chosen when her father died, and she would not veer from it.
Kal-El halted his upward momentum and Valia came to a shaky stop. The couple hovered silently in the bright blue sky, so very different from Kandor's pink-hued sky, but beautiful nonetheless.
Valia lifted her face to the sun and felt the energy flow through her body. It was akin to a battery being charged. Every cell tightened and strengthened. She felt powerful. Invincible. The day she lost this power will be sad, but in many ways, she welcomed that day. This kind of power brought great responsibility to the individual who possessed it. In the wrong hands, this kind of power could bring unthinkable devastation to an entire planet. No, she did not wish to carry that burden.
She turned and smiled at Kal-El. He carried the burden of responsibility well, with integrity and distinction. The Earth was fortunate to have him.
He smiled back. "Let's go home."
# # # # # #
While Kal-El busied himself with Fortress repairs and checking systems, Valia retired to the guest chamber and contacted Thar-An and Chad-In. Communications between the Fortress and Brainiac's ship had been restored due to Chad-In's diligent efforts. The men reported that thanks to Vril's help, things aboard the ship were progressing smoothly, although slowly. There were still several systems in need of repair. Chad-In was working on those. Thar-An was searching Brainiac's extensive data bases looking for a planet suitable for habitation.
Thar-An told Valia, "You and Kal-El saved Kandor and Earth. You deserve a rest. Take this chance to relax. Chad-In and I are happy to manage things for now. It will take me several days to thoroughly search Brainiac's data bases and find a planet to settle. I can hardly believe we are free and may actually find a place for Kandorians to build a new Krypton."
Vaila could feel Thar-An's smile and newfound sense of freedom. Her eyes grew teary at the very thought of a New Krypton. Once an acceptable planet was found, she and all Kandorians, would embark on an unforgettable journey to a new world. What would it be like? What kind of creatures and plants would it have? What would the stars in the night sky look like? The future was so uncertain, so fraught with adventure and, perhaps, a little danger.
Valia bid Thar-An and Chad-In farewell and took a short nap. Honestly, she didn't think much about Kandor's future as she slept. Her mind whirled with thoughts about the coming evening. Kal-El had promised her a tour of Earth tonight. He'd said he was an intergalactic ambassador of Earth and she was a visiting dignitary from a distant galaxy. Therefore, it was not only his duty, but his honor, to give her a tour. Yes, he was being a bit silly. Maybe. But she'd enjoyed it all the same.
She woke refreshed and took a shower. She did her hair and make-up. Kal-El had shown her how to use the replicator to obtain earth clothing. This was yet another new adventure. Dressing like an earthling. After much deliberation, she settled on a pair of slacks and a nice tunic style top. On her feet she wore a pair of slip on shoes. These clothing items reflected what she'd seen Earth women wearing when she was monitoring the news.
She smoothed down the front of the soft tunic and took one last look in the silver plated mirror above the vanity table. Anticipation and excitement heightened the rosy glow of her cheeks.
Right on time, Kal-El appeared at the chamber's entrance and sent her heart racing. She saw the appreciative gleam in his eyes and knew she had chosen wisely in her clothing.
He wore similar attire. Nice pants and a comfortable, short-sleeved, button up shirt.
"Are you ready?" she asked as she approached him.
"Yes," he answered. "I'm honored to show you some of Earth's greatest wonders, but honestly, none can match your beauty."
She knew in her heart he spoke the truth. "You look very handsome, too." She bowed. "I am honored to be shown your world."
He bowed and said, "The honor is all mine." He held out his arms. "Step on my feet."
Valia did as instructed and one strong arm circled her waist. She wrapped her arms around Kal-El's back and they slowly lifted off the crystalline floor. They spiraled up through the hole atop the Fortress and into the cold starry night. The arctic wind whipped at their hair and clothes as they continued up, up, up. A full moon hung like a giant medallion and cast its slivery light upon the Fortress.
"Krypton had two moons," Valia said admiring the grayish-white disk.
"I know. My father sent recordings of Krypton's night sky." Kal-El's eyes clouded and he confessed, "I've lost them, the recordings, and so much more. They were on the father crystal."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Valia caught a glimpse of the great pain hidden behind the vivid blue eyes. She wished there was something she could do, some way she could replace what he had lost.
"I have no regrets," he said with conviction. "I'd sacrifice it again if I had to. The sacrifice was great, but the reward was worth it. Kandor and Earth are safe and Brainiac was defeated."
"Still . . ."
He put a finger to her lips silencing her. "Let's not dwell on what's lost. I want tonight to be special. Our first stop is Egypt, a land that's stood the test of time, a land of unique and ancient wonders both natural and man-made."
Kal-El took Valia on a whirlwind tour of the Earth. Although they could fly at great speed, Kal-El did not want to rush this evening and had picked only a few places to show his special guest.
The couple traveled from the great land of Egypt to the magnificent Victoria Falls in Africa. Next they flew to the South Pole where the wide variety of penguins delighted Valia with their clumsy waddles and graceful dives. The couple passed through Europe and gazed upon castles, mountains, man-made structures, and winding rivers. Kal-El pointed out historical and natural features at every stop. As they traveled from place to place they sampled the local cuisine. A street vendor here, a small café there.
The couple flew through a twilight sky as they approached their final destination, the Big Island of Hawaii. The sun touched the horizon as they landed on a picturesque beach filled with black sand.
Valia was in awe at the glistening black sand and the tall palm trees leaning under the weight of large brown coconuts. She breathed deeply of the ocean and the balmy breeze.
Kal-El slid his hand into hers and pointed to the sun setting in the distance beyond the cresting waves. Their fingers laced together and the warmth of his hand gave her a rush of pleasure.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," she said. This was her first real sunset and she savored the moment. How long would it be before she saw another on a distant planet?
The fiery orange-yellow sun dipped beneath the horizon and the deep blue sky slowly darkened into a rich purple. Streaks of hot pink and orange added their glow to the stunning view. The couple stood silently mesmerized by the setting sun and ever-changing sky.
"Let's walk," Kal-El suggested. He still held Valia's hand.
Waves crashed onto the shore as they strode along and their shoes sank into the sand.
Valia was eager as a child to explore this strange new world. "These shoes must come off," she declared with authority. She slipped off her shoes and rolled up her pant legs. Kal-El did the same. Valia's feet sank into the sand and she wiggled her toes, enjoying the feel of the rounded grains.
"It's wonderful!" She giggled with delight and ran through the sand. "It feels like a massage."
Kal-El laughed. He was happy to see his careful planning had paid off. He'd saved this deserted beach as the last stop on their tour. The beautiful sunset had been a pleasant bonus. His reward had been Valia's delighted smile and obvious joy.
Valia ran through the gentle waves rolling along the shore. The salty water splashed around her ankles and feet before being pulled back to the ocean. Kal-El joined her and took as much pleasure in her new discoveries as she did.
A full moon graced the night providing the couple all the light they needed. Dots of light slowly formed age-old patterns across the cloudless black sky. Valia spun around taking in the view.
"Stars," she whispered. "On Kandor there are no stars. Here there are so many and they're beautiful. Oh, Kal-El. You've shown me so many things I've never seen before. From my heart to yours, thank you."
On an impulsive, she rose on tip-toes, kissed his cheek, and pushed back his split curl. The split curl. It reminded her of that night on Kandor when she'd kissed his forehead. Had he been awake?
She had to ask him. "Kal-El, do you remember your stay on Kandor?"
He laughed, amused by the odd question. "Of course. I will never forget my time on Kandor."
"What I mean is, do you remember . . " She was losing her nerve.
"What?" he asked and she sensed his curiosity.
He was so close, his lips inches away. "I .. I was wondering if you were awake. Um, when I kissed you, kissed your forehead."
A slow smile spread across his face. "That kiss is seared into my memory."
His hands found her waist and she realized his lips were nearing hers. Ever-so-lightly their lips met and the ground fell away as their bodies rose in the air.
"I'm ready to go home now," he said in a low voice.
She nodded, every part of her body tingling.
# # # # # #
Locked in an embrace, foreheads pressed together, they slowly descended toward the opening in the Fortress. The couple's bare feet touched the smooth white floor. Their shoes had been forgotten on the beach. Kal-El lightly kissed Valia. So lightly, she barely felt the kiss. Kal-El was holding back, treating Valia like an Earth woman who could be crushed under the pressure of his touch. Now, he need not fear hurting a woman. A woman he had grown to respect and cherish. A woman who shared his heritage and abilities.
A smile curled the corners of his mouth. His head dipped as Valia rose on tip-toes and this time their lips met in a deeper, more ardent kiss. He heard the beating of her heart and felt the heat of her body increase.
A moment later, he broke the kiss. His head was spinning. His emotions were super-charged. He brushed her cheek with his thumb and whispered, "You don't know how much I've wanted to kiss you like that."
Her eyes said she had a very good idea of just how much he had longed for that kiss. She hoped he could see by her expression that the feeling was mutual.