Chapter 25 (Ben10987654321)
The Kingdom of Doma
The Lady Hortense, Princess of Doma, sat on the throne of Doma and studied the Queen of the Elves with great interest. To say she had been surprised when a messenger came saying the Elven Queen was at the castle gate and requesting an audience would be an understatement. Despite the arrangement to have her oaf of a brother marry the Elven princess she had never actually met one in person and her knowledge of them was limited to myths and legends.
Hippolyta studied the woman whom she knew to be the ruler of Doma since Tresstom was dead. On hearing that the Doma troops had stood down and that her ploy of using Shayera to make the people think a messenger from their God had come had worked Hippolyta gambled on a meeting with whoever was in charge. Time was short and they needed to reach Bludhaven as quickly as possible. Without her Amazons the forces of the Emperor would surely be victorious and that could only mean one fate for her daughter. An unacceptable one. Hippolyta hoped to re-establish the alliance with Doma as its ships would be vital in the upcoming battle, nay war. Until the Emperor himself was vanquished this war would not end. Beside her now as she stands in the throne room are Phillipus and Artemis.
The Lady Hortense stood and addressed her guests. “Your Majesty it is an honour to meet you in person but pray tell me what brings you so far from your kingdom.”
“There are many reasons but first may I ask if you have heard of any news regarding Lord Tresstom.”
“I have not heard news of my brother's current well-being but I know that he betrayed our alliance and sided with...” she said the name with disgust, “Luthor.” Her brother had once tried to marry her off to the then Baron Luthor. She had found the man was repulsive. On the surface he was all suave and polite but merely scratch the surface and you could see the horridness that lay beneath.
Hippolyta had not thought news of Tresstom's death would have reached here yet. It was only due to O'Brien that she herself knew of it. “In that case your highness I must inform you that I have received word that your brother is dead.”
“Really?”
Hippolyta was surprised by the tone of voice. It sounded...hopeful. “Yes. The one who gave me the news...he is someone I trust.” Although exactly when Hippolyta had started to trust a shape-shifting thief she didn't know. What comes next completely surprised Hippolyta.
“Good riddance,” Hortense said in response to the news.
“You Highness?” Hippolyta queried slightly concerned that the princess wasn't fully appreciating that her brother was dead and Hippolyta hadn't even mentioned that it was her daughter that killed him.
“How did he die?” Princess Hortense asked Hippolyta.
Hippolyta hesitated for a moment. If she revealed the truth then the alliance is probably finished yet she cannot lie to a potential ally either. “My daughter...” Hippolyta was cut off by the princess raising her hand signalling Hippolyta to stop.
“Say no more. He was no doubt trying to force himself on her yes?”
“So I am told,” Hippolyta responded and if Diana hadn't killed him she would have for attempting that barbarity.
Lady Hortense sat back down on the throne. Her brother...how many times had he done that to other women, breaking the sacred law set down by the One God, and gotten away with it because he was ruler. Not King. By law he had to be married before he could be crowned. As for his actions towards the Elven princess...she knew of a few times he had done that before to other women but she could not act against him. He had too many powerful allies amongst the council. Her brother had always been a foolish, impulsive buffoon and she knows that siblings should love each other regardless but she could never find it in herself to love her brother. A man who would have her married off to any kind of brute if it served his selfish interests. A man who put his selfish interests above that of his kingdom even in these dark times.
Phillipus gently nudged her queen in an attempt to remind her that time is short. “Your Highness,” Hippolyta began. “I am here in the hope to reform our alliance so that we may all stand together against the one who calls himself Emperor. The ancient being better known as Darkseid.”
“Yes I have heard about him but unfortunately your Majesty I do not have the authority to renew our alliance,” Lady Hortense informed Hippolyta.
Hippolyta's hopes dropped.
“At least not until I am crowned Queen.”
Hippolyta looked at the Princess sitting on the thrown looking immensely regal and with an enormous smile adorning her face with some confusion. What did she mean by that Hippolyta wondered.
“Queen!?!” one of the council members yell in shock. Princess Hortense needed their sanction to become Queen and on the plus side the law was different regarding female heirs. She didn't need to be married but enough thought on that. She needed to concentrate on the here and now. The one that yelled. She knew him. One of her brother's lackeys. Robert something or other.
“My brother is dead,” she repeated what she had already told them after summoning an emergency session of the council. “There are no others who have a claim,” she stated calmly. She leaned forward in her chair and looked directly at the one who yelled. “Unless you know different,” she said in a dare.
Robert DeCourtenay shrank back. He knew that his Lord had some illegitimate sons but that would mean revealing his promiscuity. Something that was frowned upon by the One God's own laws. Also he thinks this is a ploy by his Lord's sister to usurp the throne. Luckily he still had ammunition to stop her. “We still require proof your highness as in the producing of the body.”
Princess Hortense, to the man's surprise, remained calm and collected. “I thought you would.” She stood and spoke loudly. “Bring it in!”
All in the council chamber stood as four guards brought in a stretchered body to the centre of the chamber and lying there was their Lord; Tresstom Peenflank.
“Proof enough?” Lady Hortense asked.
Robert moved and placed his fingers on to the man's neck. If he had been looking at the princess he would have seen a moment of worry flit across her features as the seconds ticked by. Robert stepped back. “He is dead,” he announced to the whole chamber.
The council chamber instantly became awash with conversation. A delegate shouted out above the din. “Then we must vote. All those in favour of declaring Princess Hortense Queen say 'Aye'.”
A chorus of 'Ayes' rang out.
“Then it is decided,” the same delegate announced. He dropped to one knee “Long Live the Queen!”
The others do the same even Robert. “Long Live the Queen!” they shouted in unison.
Down the corridor in a room out of the way Hippolyta, Artemis and Phillipus hear the chorus of chants. “It is a good thing you mentioned to her that they would want proof,” Phillipus said in praise of her Queen.
Hippolyta smiled. “It is a good thing we have a shape-shifting thief who has practise in faking being dead in order to avoid capture or escape prison.”
A few minutes later the now Queen Hortense entered with the body of her 'brother' in tow. It is placed on the ground and one of the guards moved to close the door. The 4 guards present are ones Hortense trusted implicitly.
Suddenly the body sat up. “Can ah get up now?” O'Brien's distinctive voice asked from Lord Tresstom's lips.
“Yes you may,” Hippolyta informed him and as O'Brien stood he reverted to his true form. Honestly why does he agree to do stuff like this. Slowing his heart down so someone think ya dead is an old trick but he had never done it for so long in front of so many. It had been quite a strain and he had worried he may not have been able to pull it off especially after he had had that ludicrous dream that denied him much sleep 'cause in it his dagger spoke to him. Patrick just ignored it till it stopped knowing that he must have been dreaming. After all a talking dagger? It was a ridiculous and disconcerting notion. It could have only been a dream. It had to have been that supper he had before he went to sleep that caused it. Patrick had thought it tasted strange.
Queen Hortense looked on. “This is what he looks like?” she queried at the form in front of her. She had had no time to meet the shape-shifter Queen Hippolyta told her of before the council meeting started
“Oh that is charmin that is,” O'Brien complained. “Ah help makes ya queen and ya complain that my appearance doesna meet yer high standards. Well forgive meh if I wasna blessed with fine beauty like yerself.”
“O'Brien. Silence!” Hippolyta commanded not in the mood to indulge his whining.
“So what now?” Artemis queried.
Hippolyta answered the question. “Now we travel with all haste to aid my daughter and her allies.”
“My ships will take you,” Hortense offered. “There are none faster than Doman ships.”
“Thank you. That is most generous,” Hippolyta said in gratitude.
Queen Hortense waved her hand dismissively. “Think nothing of it. We are allies. I am not my brother and I have kept myself informed about the state of affairs. I know what is required to win this war which is why I and my army will accompany you. If Bludhaven is where we make our stand then we shall make it together.”
Hortense spoke with genuine reverence. Hippolyta could see the potential of a great leader within the new Queen if she, and by extension any of them, survive what is to come.
Artemis vocalised a fear. “Still even travelling by ship we may not get there in time to assist.” They had wasted too much time sorting this situation out all due to that idiot Tresstom. It is a good thing he is dead. Otherwise Artemis would have taken great pleasure in teaching the sorry excuse of a man a few lessons about the price of betrayal before she would slowly kill him.
“We must let Diana and the others know,” Phillipus pointed out.
Hippolyta nodded. “Indeed. Someone must fly ahead and tell them of what has happened here.”
Every eye in the room turned to O'Brien who recognised the look instantly. “Ya 'ave ta be kiddin!”
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Emerald Mountains
Morning showed the group of travellers that included knights, an elven princess, a sorceress, the heir to the lost kingdom of Krypton and a white dog stood close together as they listened to the Lady Lois, technically still Queen of Metria, as she recalled her tale of the flight to hide the Sacred Dagger. She had wanted to speak of it to Kal-El alone but he said that if it was vital to their quest then all must hear of it so Lois spoke of it all the time trying not to show her internal struggle against the darkness that threatened to consume her. She wanted to show it, let the others know, yet the voice in her head wouldn't let her. The voice of her husband.
All listen on with interest especially Diana and Kal-El who were more aware of the Cup of Ages than most.
“And what does this dagger look like?” Knight Walter asked.
Lois went on to describe it. “I hid it well. I am sure it has not be found,” she said most assuredly hoping it would curry favour with Kal-El most of all.
“I wouldn't be so sure of that,” Diana said, not to be cruel but to state a truth.
Lois looked at the Elven beauty who now had Kal-El's heart with scorn. “I am sure I do not know what you mean. I never told my husband or anyone else of it or remotely of where it was.”
Kal-El on the other hand could see much thought in the eyes of his beloved. “What is it Diana?”
“Though I may be mistaken isn't that the dagger O'Brien had on him when last we saw him.”
Kal-El tries to remember in detail the dagger. It did vaguely match the one O'Brien possessed but it was impossible. “He had that long before the time Lois said she hid it,” Kal pointed out.
Lois inflated slightly at the premise that she was in the right and the Elven Princess was in the wrong.
“A fake?” Knight John suggested. “Or a copy?”
“A possibility,” Diana conceded. “Though which one is the fake and which one is the real dagger?”
Kal-El sighed. They needed to reach Bludhaven with all due haste but if this dagger was important to finding the Cup of Ages then a detour would be necessary and from a selfish point of view an object of his lost homeland was something he desired strongly to retrieve. As if knowing his thoughts Diana gently took his hand and squeezes it reassuringly.
At this sight Lois' jealousy rose and she found it all the harder to keep the darkness within her at bay.
“Lois,” Kal-El spoke addressing the Queen of Metria. “Do you remember how to get there?” he asked her in all seriousness.
Lois nodded. “Yes. It isn't that far actually.” She looked around. Some of the terrain looked familiar. She had a pretty good idea which direction to head.
Zatanna looked on with the feeling of foreboding. Something was wrong. She had sensed dark magic last night and it had caused her to pass out in front of everyone which was just beyond embarrassing. The storm had passed but she could still almost sense dark magic nearby yet it seemed just beyond the reach of her senses. She shook her head. She couldn't locate it so there was little she could do for now but remain alert. She also saw how Kal-El and Diana held hands in that way only two people in true love do. She envied them and wished she could find someone to share that with. Her musings were cut off as the group made a hasty departure to find this dagger. Of course Zatanna could have mentioned that she would know instantly if it was real or not but why spoil all her mystery.
Soon the group after riding hard come to a series of small caves. There must be several dozen of them. An excellent place to hide something.
“So which one is it?” Knight Walter asked.
Lois frowned hard. It had been dark when she came here before and it all looked so different in the daylight. “Find the dagger and kill Kal-El.” the voice in her head said darkly. Lois tried to ignore it. She wandered around the myriad of caves desperately trying to see something familiar when she glimpses a piece of fabric flapping in the breeze from a pointed rock. She wandered over to it and picked it up. A memory struck her.
She had been in a rush and caught her dress. She can remember the sound of it ripping but she couldn't stop. She had to get far away from here by the time she was found and she feared she would be eventually. Her pursuers could not know where the dagger lay.
Lois looked around and instantly knew which cave it was. Without a word she rushed off with the group of travellers in pursuit with Kal-El in front as he could move swiftly even over rough ground and this ground was very rough. By the same token Diana was close behind him with Krypto by her side.
Lois reached the cave. This was it. She looked and found a small pile of rocks where she had hidden the dagger. She moved them out of the way and there lying wrapped up in a piece of cloth was what she sought.
“Yes now we can kill him. Kill! Kill! Kill!”
“No,” Lois whispered. “I won't. I can't.” She refused to obey the voice.
“Yes you can. Think of what he has done to you. Abandoning you so he can bed some pointed ear freak. Abandoned you to been abused and used by your husband at his will. Someone who truly loved you wouldn't do that.”
A tear rolled down Lois' cheek as she remembered the horrors she had suffered at the hands of her husband. The voice was right. Kal-El wasn't there to save her. Her thought only lasted an instant but that wavering in her will was all the dark magic within her needed to seize control. Lois looked down at the dagger and gripped it firmly.
Kal-El caught up with Lois swiftly to find her talking to herself. He was slightly concerned by Lois' behaviour and had been for some hours. He had put it down to the trauma she had suffered at the hands of Luthor who Kal-El swore would pay one day soon. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Lois,” he spoke with gentle concern.
Her only response was to swing around and drive the dagger into his gut and she did so with a positively evil smile on her face. “You must die!” she spoke with pure malice and hatred.
“Kal!” Diana shouted in horror as he staggered back and fell to the ground. She could quite clearly see the dagger protruding form his midsection. She quickly reached his side.
“Oh yes the whore,” Lois said with deliberate intent to insult.
“Why? Why did you do this?!” Diana demanded to know.
Lois shrugged. “Because I could. Because it was my right. He was mine first and I never said you could have him so I killed him for his betrayal,” she explained like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Diana stood up straight, rage in her eyes. Krypto growled but stayed heeled by Diana's side. She reached for her sword intent on avenging her beloved.
“Diana!” Zatanna yelled as she rushed to the female elf's side. “Stop!” She grabbed Diana's arm. “Stop,” she repeated. “She is not herself.”
Diana looked at the sorceress puzzled.
“Look at her,” Zatanna implored.
Diana did so and now she did it was noticeable how much darker Lois' pupils were than they should be.
“She is under a spell,” Zatanna explained. She had sensed it the instant it seized control over the Lady Lois but was too far away to intervene.
Lois looked at Zatanna and spoke to her with hate and malice spitting from ever word. “You must be a pitiful witch to spread such lies. I merely did what I had waned to do all along but did not have the means until this very moment.”
Zatanna marched up to Lois and grabbed her head and looked into her eyes. She knew this spell. That it allowed the one it is cast upon to be controlled and luckily she knew how to be rid of it as well. She spoke with commanding authority “ENOGEB UOY DNAMMOC I NIHTIW SSENKRAD.”
Lois shuddered, her eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground with the last word she heard was the dark haired sorceress speaking with scornful derision. “Amateur.”
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Kingdom of Metria
Meanwhile in Metria, its King, Alexander Luthor was suddenly knocked clean off his feet by the force of his spell on Lady Lois being broken and the word 'Amateur' ringing with some distinctive scorn in his head. It was not the best moment as he was meeting the Warlords in preparation for the attack on Gothamworth. Alexander shook his head to clear it. Ow. That had hurt and whoever did that was most powerful. When he the time he will have to find the one responsible because there were obviously a threat to him. He found himself helped to his feet by one of the Warlords surprisingly. One called Ron. A devious and cunning man that Lex had high hopes for would be very useful in his future plans to rise to Emperor. Ron asked if he was alright and Lex waved him off. These are the type of people you never show weakness in front of because if you do you'll soon find a dagger stuck in your back.
Lex quickly returned to the subject at hand. Figuring out what had happened would have to wait until this was over. The subject at hand being the conquest of Gothamworth where no doubt he will find his wayward Queen, Kal-El and that Elven princess who stole the bottle with the Guildhall and the Knights of Kandor within. After, and if Lex was going to be honest, the humiliation of how they deceived him in allowing themselves to be captured he was more determined than ever to put an end to Kal-El. Before he had been satisfied with allowing Kal-El to live in disgrace due to the banishment Luthor himself had instigated. It had amused him to think of the great and noble Knight of Kandor living as a lowly labourer but now Kal-El threatened his plans and would have to be removed permanently and from the evidence of his pounding head his plan to get his Queen to do it seemed to have met with failure.
After a short time more the plan for Gothamworth's conquest was agreed. “To victory!” Ron called out.
“To victory!” the others shouted in agreement.
“Funny. Shouldn't we have been invited to this party?”
Lex's head whipped round to see the Thanagarian King, Katar Hol, standing there in battle dress accompanied by his guard at the doorway to the hall within Metria's castle where Lex currently stood as he conducted this meeting. Now he was king and in complete control he no longer had to be as careful as before about hiding his links to the Warlords or to Darkseid. Thanagar too had allied itself with Apokolypse he knew. Lex bowed slightly knowing he must be courteous. “Your Majesty. I am afraid there was not time for a messenger to reach you since the march to Gothamworth will start immediately,” he explained. Of course he is lying. He simply had no wish to share leadership of this campaign which is what he will have to do now that Katar is here.
Katar eyed the Metrian King sceptically. He had heard that Alexander Luthor was a cunning and deceptive man only interested in gaining power for himself. Katar's alliance with Darkseid was out of the sheer necessity of survival. Better to be by the right hand of the Devil than to stand in his way. It is a shame his wife could not see the truth of that. She had fled one evening after saying that she would rather die than compromise her honour. She was a fool. The dead have no honour which is what she is if she allied herself with those that opposed Darkseid. Katar took a moment to observe the Warlords. Bunch of thugs. Not true warriors like him and his kin.
“Why don't I quite believe you your Majesty,” Katar said with obvious mistrust.
Lex shrugged. “I am sure I cannot think of a reason.”
“Yes I am sure. Luckily we both serve someone with far greater foresight than either of us.” Before Lex could ask what that meant Katar and his guard stepped to the side and in marched Lashina and her Furies. “On your knees!” she commanded. “And show reverence to the great Darkseid.”
Lashina, the Furies, Katar and his men dropped to one knee instantly as the imposing figure of Darkseid entered the hall with Desaad as always following on behind.
Lex stepped forward quickly through the ranks of the Warlords and dropped to one knee knowing that anything else could result in his death. The Warlords followed his lead. “You honour us Emperor.” Saying that stuck something rotten in Lex's throat.
Darkseid's eyes glowed. “Do not appease me with false pleasantries Luthor. For your failure I should kill you here and now.”
“What failure?” Lex asked honestly having no idea what Darkseid meant.
Darkseid answered it in one word. “Kal-El.”
Lex still had no idea what Darkseid meant. “What about him?”
“You have no idea who he is do you?” Darkseid observed.
Lex wasn't sure how to answer it so said nothing.
“Kal-El is the Last Son of Krypton.”
Lex mouth literally dropped. He truly had no idea and now he realised just how much trouble he was in. The prophecy. The one that said that the Last Son would destroy Darkseid. Lex had the very subject of the prophecy in his grasp and he lost him.
Darkseid looked down on Luthor unable to decide whether to be rid of him now or not. He may still prove useful yet Darkseid knew of Luthor's schemes to try and find a way to be rid of him. He actually found it amusing. The entire Kryptonian race couldn't destroy him yet this one pathetic mortal seemed to believe he could do it. Maybe he will let Luthor live simply because he has more pressing concerns. Finding Kal-El because if he is anything like his father Jor-El then he will be a thorn in his side that Darkseid could well do without.
When Steppenwolf had spoken the name of the one Luthor has let escape Darkseid has raged to the point he almost killed Steppenwolf where he stood cowering before him. The name...Darkseid knew that name instantly. It was just before his banishment to the Realm of Phantoms that he had heard that Jor-El's wife had given birth to a baby son. A baby son named Kal-El. It seemed Jor-El was having one last laugh at Darkseid's expense from beyond the grave. Darkseid vaguely noticed Desaad talking to someone behind him.
“My lord,” Desaad said to get his master's attention. Darkseid turned his gaze to his servant. “Speak,” he commanded.
Lex looked up and saw an ancient scroll in Desaad's hand. The one Lex kept locked away. That double crossing little worm. He must have gotten someone to steal it. When Lex got a chance he swore he would make Desaad pay for this.
Desaad held up the scroll. “This was found in King Luthor's possession,” he informed his master hopeful that it would convey him favour.
Darkseid took the ancient scroll, unrolled it and read the ancient language as easily as if it was his own. To everyone's amazement he chortled. He turned back to Luthor most amused. “You are a fool. The Cup of Ages does not appear before the likes of you or I. Only before those with a hero's heart.”
Darkseid rolled up the scroll, his eyes glowed and beams of energy streamed from his eyes and turned the scroll to dust. “Now that I have removed any delusions that you can challenge me maybe now you will focus on the task at hand. I want Gothamworth conquered and I want Kal-El captured and brought before me.”
“Don't you mean you want Kal-El killed?” Lex queried.
“Kal-El is Kryptonian and cannot be killed by any weapons you possess,” Darkseid spoke reprimanding Luthor. “Now before I change my mind and kill you where you cower get out of here and march on Gothamworth immediately,” Darkseid ordered before he addressed the leader of his Furies. “Lashina go with him and make sure he does what I command.”
“As you wish my Lord,” Lashina replied obediently.
Lex rose to his feet and departed quickly knowing that if he objected in the slightest Darkseid would kill him but as he left he swore that one day it would be Darkseid that would be the one on his knees before Lex. The Warlords followed Lex joined swiftly by Katar and his men. Lashina gave one last bow to her Master and she and her Furies departed as well.
Darkseid watched them all depart quickly leaving only him and Desaad. “Was that wise my Lord?” Desaad tentatively asked. “To let Luthor live.”
“He is a pawn Desaad. Nothing more. I want Kal-El found and from what you told me Kal-El has great hatred and loathing of Luthor. Sooner or later Kal-El will come out to challenge Luthor in person and when he does I shall be there to personally meet Krypton's prophesied Last Son.”
Desaad couldn't say he agreed but knew never to question his master. “And the Cup of Ages?” he queried about next. If the legends of its power were true it could destroy even his master.
A half smile formed on Darkseid's face. “No-one but I knows where it will appear. The only other person was that foolish Kryptonian mage Im-Fanci and she has been dead for centuries.”
Desaad coughs uncomfortably. Darkseid recognised that gesture from his spineless servant. Desaad had been scheming again. “What have you done?”
Desaad bowed his head and explained about the dagger that supposedly held Im-Fanci's spirit within and how he tried to use Luthor to find it and seize it from Luthor's own Queen but failed since she would not reveal where she hid it. “But I only did it so I could bring it to you my Lord,” Desaad desperately tried to explain. “I would never have given it to Luthor.”
Darkseid's eyes glowed fiercely and Desaad recoiled at the sight. “Please my Lord,” he pleaded. “I speak the truth. I swear.”
Darkseid stepped forward to tower over Desaad. “Heed my words Desaad. If I find that Kal-El has that dagger due to your failure then you shall pay the ultimate price.”
Desaad trembled in fear. He had seen and felt his Master's wrath many times and his Master did not show mercy. If Kal-El found that dagger then Desaad knew that he was dead.
Darkseid left Desaad to contemplate his fate as he left Metria's hall. He disliked the surroundings immensely. He would have to correct that as soon as Kal-El was dealt with and he was the unquestioned ruler of all of First-Earth. Darkseid's vision could not find Kal-El. It was not a surprise. It was surely some left over Kryptonian magic Jor-El had placed to hide Kal-El from him for all these years.
Darkseid would watch the battle at Gothamworth and like he told Desaad wait for Kal-El to show himself. Then he will give Kal-El the choice. Join him or perish. It would be a waste to kill Kal-El without trying to persuade him to join Darkseid's side. After all Darkseid can think of many uses for a being as powerful as Kal-El no doubt was.
The ending approached. Darkseid could see it. All the threads of the Fates' tapestry were converging. There will be chaos. Glorious chaos and death. The funny thing about chaos is that though ordinary mortals wish for order it is only in chaos that people's true selves are exposed. It is only in chaos that things that were lost can be found again. It is only in chaos that he reigns supreme over all other life. And it is in the chaos to come that his dominion over this world will be assured for now and forever.
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Emerald Mountains
Out of the corner of her eye Diana saw Lois keel over and Zatanna mutter something she didn't quite catch it even with her ears because she was too occupied with the fact that the love of her life is lying on the ground bleeding with a dagger stuck in him. She stroked his hair back off his face. “It'll be alright,” she said trying to reassure herself as much as Kal.
Kal-El grimaced in pain. Just because it wasn't easy to hurt him didn't mean he couldn't be hurt or feel pain. He wasn't invulnerable. He gritted his teeth. “Pull it out,” he demanded.
Diana shook her head. “No. I can't just pull it out Kal. You should know that could make it worse.”
Kal-El took one of Diana's hands into his own and looked into her eyes. “Do you trust me?” he asked her.
What kind of question was that Diana thought indignantly. “Of course I do,” she replied.
“Then pull it out,” he repeated.
Diana looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity of his words. Against her better judgement she reached for the dagger. “This is going to hurt,” she warned him.
Kal-El nodded in understanding. He braced himself. “Do it!”
Diana took a large breath and yanked the dagger out and Kal yelled out in pain causing her heart to ache with the knowledge that she had caused that. She tossed the dagger, stained in his blood, aside and turned her attention to Kal who to her surprise was looking better already. In fact he suddenly sat up. “What are you doing?!” she shouted at him.
Kal-El smiled at her charmingly and undid a buckle on his tunic. He pulled his tunic aside and Diana looked at where the dagger had struck. She watched in awe and amazement as the wound healed up before her eyes until there was nothing but unblemished flesh. She can't help but touch him and note the strength of the toned muscles beneath her fingers. “How?” she asked in total bemusement.
Kal-El tried to ignore the sensation of her touch on his skin and answered. “I've always healed like that. I guess it is a Kryptonian trait. It was how I survived the Crusades.” At this point Krypto rushed over and started to lick his master's face with enthusiasm. “Easy there boy. I'm fine,” he tried to assure his canine companion.
Knights Walter and John looked on trying to absorb everything that had happened. “Well that's new,” Walter quipped and for his troubles got slapped across the back of the head by John.
Kal-El took in his surroundings to find Lois slumped on the ground with Zatanna, kneeled down beside her, tending to her. He got to his feet quickly and made his way over before Diana could protest more at him refastening his tunic as he went. “What happened?” he asked Zatanna.
Zatanna looked up at him briefly. “It was a spell that infuses darkness inside a person allowing their actions to be manipulated and controlled. I believe her husband cast it,” she informed him from what she gathered from the brief moment her mind connected with the one who cast the spell when she lifted it.
Luthor. Of course it had to be him Kal-El thought to himself.
Zatanna rose to her feet. “She will be fine but I doubt she will awaken any time soon. Casting out the darkness took a lot out of her. We'll have to carry her,” Zatanna explained the side effects. She checked Kal-El over. “Handy that healing trick of yours,” she commented. She sure wished she could heal like that.
Kal-El smiled self-deprecatingly. “It has its uses.”
Zatanna smiled and noticed Diana had picked the dagger up once more. “The dagger's fake by the way.”
“How do you know?” Diana asked.
“If it was truly Kryptonian in origin Kal-El here would be dead,” she explained simply.
Kal-El looked at her with concern at the possible threat to his health and puzzlement. There was still much he did not know of his lost home.
Zatanna could see she needed to elaborate. “If you had been stabbed by a blade of Kryptonian metal its magical properties would have inhibited your ability to heal.”
“How do you know all of this?” Kal-El asked her earnestly.
Zatanna lets out a breath. “My people's magic has been passed down through every generation. Magic that originally came from the Kingdom of Krypton. My people...we are, you could say, an offshoot of yours. We're like distant cousins or something.”
Kal-El looked at Zatanna with an odd longing. Not the same one he feels for Diana, Rao no, but here is the closest thing he may ever get to meet another Kryptonian or family of any kind. The next thing anyone knows is that Kal-El had crushed Zatanna in a bear hug.
“Ok....having a little trouble breathing big guy,” Zatanna choked out.
Kal-El released her a little embarrassed. “I apologise. I am an orphan and well you said we are distant family.”
“Very distant,” Zatanna emphasised before her face softened. “And I know all about what it means to be alone,” she admitted with great sadness.
“Perhaps you could tell me all you know of my lost home?” Kal-El queried.
“Maybe...but aren't we in a rush?” she reminded him.
Kal-El stood up stock straight. “Yes you are correct.” Yes they must reach Bludhaven ahead of Luthor, the Emperor and his armies and then of course they have to find O'Brien and ask him about that dagger of his. If it could truly locate the Cup of Ages then they would have the means to destroy Darkseid and put an end to this once and for all. But they had to stop his armies first before they laid waste to everything. Wasting no more time he picked Lois up figuring it would be best if he carried her. The group soon remounted their horses and at fast gallop resumed their journey to Gothamworth to meet up with their allies. Especially James who Kal-El hoped had learned the means to free his imprisoned brethren of the Knights of Kandor from their bottle.
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Gothamworth
Prince Richard of York lay in bed with his soon-to-be wife Kory naked, tired but gloriously happy. They had been unable to restrain themselves and with the real possibility of either or both of them dying in the next few days it seemed a waste to deny themselves this union any longer. True it was not very courteous to King Gordon's feelings over the death of his daughter Princess Barbara to whom Richard had been engaged but at dark times like these you grab hold of whatever joy you can find and never let go.
Koriand'r had to admit that after her sister's betrayal and the loss of her kingdom to the forces of Apokolypse she had not thought she would feel happiness such as this again. She had been in love with Richard for a long time but so much always seemed to stand in their way that she had not thought it possible for them to reach this point. She rolled over on top of her husband-to-be and kissed his face and felt the slender but strong firm muscles of his body.
“Kory!” Richard protested.
She pouted. “What?”
Richard stroked her arms gently “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,” he tried to explain gently in a manner he hoped she would understand as to why as much as he may want to he just simply can't.
Kory smiled at him with almost child-like glee. “Well you don't know until you try.”
However before she can try they are interrupted by someone coughing loudly. Kory looked behind her while Richard tried to peer over her. Stood there at the doorway looking almost amused was Lord Bruce of Wayne.
“Not a good time,” Richard said pointing out what he thought was the blatantly obvious.
“I can see that.” The amusement for once was all too plain in Lord Wayne's voice. Though he knew that Barbara's death had upset Richard greatly he did not begrudge someone he thought of as a brother happiness. These days it was in short supply. However this matter was urgent. “They're here.”
Richard understood immediately. “Kory we need to get dressed,” he told his beloved.
Koriand'r let out a sigh. “If we must.” Her unhappiness was all too evident. She got out of bed showing no shame at the fact that Lord Wayne was still there and could see everything.
“I'll wait outside,” Lord Wayne added in haste before turning round quickly trying hard not to think about what he just saw. He liked Koriand'r just fine but she really needed to learn a sense of modesty.
Once the two lovers are dressed, the three make their way to the War room where King Gordon was along with a tired looking group of people and a white dog of some breed Richard was unfamiliar with. Richard could tell the Elven Princess immediately from the pointed ears. There was another woman with long black tresses and a sense of power radiating out from her whom he swore looked familiar like he had seen her before somewhere. Before he could figure out where or move on to the others Bruce had moved forward.
“Walter? John?” Lord Wayne queried. He had not seen them since the Crusades.
Walter and John shared a confused expression. “Do we know you?” John asked the man whose voice did seem vaguely familiar.
“He's the Dark Knight,” Kal-El answered filling in the puzzle for them.
Walter and John were as stunned as each other. They had fought beside the Dark Knight many times but had never once knew who he truly was and from the way he was dressed it was clear he was a noble of some kind. Kal-El introduced them. “John, Walter meet Lord Bruce of Wayne.”
John was surprised. A Lord, no less, had fought with them all that time.
Lord Wayne did some of his own introductions. “Kal-El, Princess Diana this is Prince Richard of York and his betrothed Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran.”
Diana looked at the woman, well almost a girl really. “I thought Tamaran had been conquered,” she said airing her thought.
Before Koriand'r can answer that Lord Wayne interrupted. Time was short and stories could wait until later. “That is a long story which can wait. O'Brien said you had the bottle?”
Kal-El opened up a bag at his feet and pulled out the bottle. He had made sure that it was safe on the way here and he was also glad that they had reached Gothamworth still ahead of Luthor, the Warlords, Darkseid and whoever else was trying to kill them. “Did James find the appropriate spell to free them?” he queried.
“He believes so,” Lord Wayne answered.
The dark hair woman snorted. “He believes so,” she mocked. “What is he? A lowly apprentice?”
The silence in the room answered that question.
Zatanna shook her head. “Let me get this straight. You were going to get an apprentice to undo what is obviously a powerful bit of magic. That was your plan?” she asked disbelieving that all these apparently intelligent people were gambling on that.
Kal-El spoke in James' defence. “He is getting better. He has all the knowledge of the Knights of Kandor. He was given all their tomes to keep them safe.”
“I see,” Zatanna remarked a little bit jealous. What she would give to have access to the knowledge she knew was contained in those books.
“Sorry but who are you?” King Gordon asked the woman to whom he had not been introduced to yet.
“Oh sorry where are my manners,” Zatanna said a little bit flustered. She bowed her head in respect. “I am Zatanna Zatara. Mistress of Magic.”
“You're a witch?!” King Gordon exclaimed due to his uncomfortable feelings as it related to magic.
“No. I am a sorceress,” Zatanna corrected.
“She is on our side your Majesty,” Kal-El spoke in Zatanna's defence. “I will vouch for her.”
“As will I,” Diana said in support.
King Gordon looked to Lord Wayne. “If Kal-El and the Princess vouch for her than she can be trusted,” he told his King.
At this point the door flew open as Lady Lois stormed in having finally woken up to find herself in Gothamworth. She had intimidated the spineless little whelp guarding her to take her to where Kal-El was immediately. She had questions about what had happened to her that only he could answer because the last thing she remembers...well it was all rather fuzzy. The last distinct memory was of them stopping to rest up in the mountains some place.
Kal-El stepped forward. “Lois. What are you doing here?” he asked her thinking she should be resting after her ordeal.
“What do you mean what I am doing here?” she asked him back insulted that he knew her so little not to be able to know why she would come here.
Kal-El shook his head. She was giving him a headache. He better say something to explain this. “You Majesty may I introduce Lois, Queen of Metria. Lois this is Gordon, King of Gothamworth.”
Lois instantly calmed herself down as she learned of whom she was in the presence of. She bowed courteously. “Your Majesty. It is an honour.”
“I wish I could say the same,” King Gordon said back less than graciously. “But your presence here will infuriate your husband even more than he probably already is. Word has reached us that his army has begun its march towards us.” A message had arrived by carrier pigeon from one of his spies just before the group of travellers themselves arrived.
That was news to Kal-El, Diana and the rest. “How long until it reaches Bludhaven?” Diana asked.
“Slower than you simply due to its sheer size. A week at most. Probably less,” King Gordon answered.
“Then we must waste no more time,” Lord Wayne stated. “We must free those trapped within the bottle. We will need every able bodied person to fight.”
“We need a suitable place to free them. The entire Guildhall is contained inside the bottle,” Kal-El pointed out and that was no small building.
Lord Wayne went into deep thought. “The Arkham Valley,” he suggested.
King Gordon wasn't so sure about that suggestion. The Arkham Valley was a wild, untamed land on the border of Gothamworth and those that resided there had no respect for the law or any tenants of civilised society. It is where he himself banished the criminally insane so they would no longer darken his kingdom. “That may not be the best place,” he commented.
“It is the only place,” Lord Wayne argued. “Anywhere else would deposit it on farm land and I am certain angering those that own the land would not be a wise course of action right now.” They had removed the really corrupt and traitorous but that left those that would certainly rebel should their land suddenly vanish under the Guildhall.
Richard spoke up. “Perhaps we should ask the only actual Kandorian Knight about it,” he proposed.
At that all eyes turned to Kal-El. He knew of Arkham Valley though he did not possess extensive knowledge. Perhaps once this war is over his fellow Knights could bring order to it and he agreed with Wayne about not wanting to displace farmers from their land. He made his decision. “Time is something we lack. If it is the best nearest location then it will suffice.”
“Then it is agreed,” King Gordon states.
Now they just needed to find James.
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The Border of Gothamworth and Arkham Valley
A short time later at the edge of the Arkham Valley, King Gordon, Lord Wayne, Lady Lois because she insisted on coming along, Kal-El along with Krypto, Diana, John, Walter, Prince Richard, Princess Koriand'r, Zatanna and James stood. The bottle with the Guildhall sat on the ground in front of them. James had been found quickly and after a brief reunion he had grabbed the bottomless bag with the tomes and off they had went.
All those present would like this to be done as swiftly as possible. Unfortunately James and Zatanna were having a full blown argument about the intricacies of the spell.
“I tell you I have been studying this spell for days and it is done this way,” James argued. “It will cause them to 'inflate in size',” he quoted from the spell.
“Oh please,” Zatanna said scornfully. “Even a beginner apprentice with a thimble full of talent could see that you are a complete and total idiot. If we cast the spell that way you'll blow them up certainly. Blow them up into teeny, tiny pieces.”
“Who are you again?” James asked disrespectfully.
“I am a fully fledged sorceress which is more than I can say for you. Wrong gender to start with.” An evil smile forms on Zatanna's face. “Although I can change that with a few words if you like.”
James baulked at the thought of what she was proposing.
Lady Lois looked on knowing which one she would side with. That one that freed her from her husband's control. On the way here she had been informed of what happened and of what she had done stabbing Kal-El with the dagger, the fake dagger as it turned out. What she couldn't work out is how it was a fake. The Elders of the Knights of Kandor had given her that dagger. Surely they must have thought it genuine unless they were tricking her and considering how many secrets she now knew they kept she doesn't rule that out. Once they are restored she will be having a few stern words with them.
Lord Wayne rubbed his temples tired of the bickering. “Can we do this today sometime?” he requested.
“Oh can it Bruce,” Zatanna told him with less than total respect.
The familiarity with which Zatanna used his name caught Diana's attention. “Do you two know each other?”
“Unfortunately so,” Zatanna answered.
“When we were younger we courted,” Lord Wayne supplied filling in the gap.
“Is that what you called it,” Zatanna mocked.
“As you can tell we had a small disagreement.”
“That's one way of putting it,” Zatanna muttered.
“Why did you not speak of this before?” Koriand'r queried as neither had said anything back in Gothamworth.
“Because it is no-one's damn business,” Zatanna told her in no uncertain terms. When she had seen Bruce back in the castle and he acted like he had never seen her before she had decided that two could play that game.
Lord Wayne sighed. “Zee please,” he pleaded.
Zatanna's head whipped round and she glared at him. “Don't call me that ever. You lost the right to use that name a long time ago.”
Now Prince Richard worked out why she looked familiar. There was a portrait of her back in Wayne Manor that Bruce must have kept to remember her by. However there was no time for this. He spoke up. “As amusing as this little melodrama is can we get on with freeing those entrapped.”
Zatanna turned her attention back to the book in silent acknowledgement that the prince was correct. This was more important than her issues with Bruce. Correcting James' mistakes she started the incantation. As she spoke the bottle rose under its own power into the air and zipped away some distance. Kal-El and Diana with their keen eyes could see it was spinning faster and faster. The bottle shattered with a blinding flash of light. When the spots cleared from the sight of all those observing there, standing as if nothing had happened at all, was the Guildhall exactly as it looked before this whole episode had begun.
The group mounted their steeds and headed down into the valley. As they approached the great gateway Kal-El could see the elders who banished him standing awaiting. The ones who, now he reflected on it, must have known who and what he was and never told him. Before they join together in battle he determined to get the reasons why.
Jonathan stood with two of his fellow Elders Ganthet and Izaya. They were unsure how much time had passed since their imprisonment but to be free again must have taken powerful magic and despite his happiness at his freedom that concerned him. He recognised many in the group approaching. The King of Gothamworth. Prince Richard of York. The Lady Lois. Kal-El immediately. Jonathan was glad to see that he had survived and James as well who still had the bag that held all their knowledge. It was a great relief to know that James had protected it and kept it safe.
There were others he did not know but what caught his eye was the striking woman riding next to Kal-El with dark, curly hair and striking blue eyes and...pointed ears. “Great Rao. An elf,” he whispered in shock and disbelief at what his eyes were seeing.
The group stopped. They all dismounted including Diana whose ears had picked up what one of the men had said. “Yes I am an elf. What of it?” she asked with clear hostility.
Jonathan was caught off guard. How did she hear him? “I apologise. I thought...we thought you were myths.”
“We are not and if you have any prejudice against my kind I strongly suggest you abandon it quickly if we are to be allies,” Diana advised the 3 Elders.
“Allies?” Ganthet queried.
Kal-El stepped forward to prevent an argument. He hoped that the Elders did not have a prejudice against his beloveds race. It was a problem they could do without. “Much has happened since you were imprisoned. Perhaps we should go some place where we can sit and catch you up on what has transpired.”
“Of course,” Jonathan said. “Come. This way.”
The entire group followed the Elders into the great chamber where they met. Izaya spoke. “So tell us what has happened?”
Kal-El took a deep breath. This was going to take awhile.
The Elders listened on in horror. It was worse than they had imagined and since being trapped in this bottle they had imagined pretty terrible things. Darkseid had returned and was close to conquering all of First-Earth.
“His armies commanded by Luthor march here as we speak,” Kal-El told the elders. “We will meet them at Bludhaven and make our stand.”
“We are outnumbered and we need every soldier capable of fighting,” King Gordon informed the Elders. “And your knights are some of the finest warriors on First-Earth. Will you join us?”
“Of course,” Jonathan replied instantly. It required no thought. Darkseid had to be stopped at all cost. However he had to air one point of caution. “Even if we are victorious Darkseid himself cannot be killed by any of our weapons. He is ancient and eternal. Only the Cup of Ages possess the power to unmake him.”
“This we know,” Kal-El mentioned.
“How?” Jonathan queried. He and the others had never told Kal-El anything of it.
“By Diana's mother, Queen Hippolyta,” Kal-El answered.
The Elders looked at Diana afresh. Not merely an elf but the Princess of the Elves.
Jonathan turned to Lady Lois. “Lady Lois. The dagger we gave you can tell us where to find the cup. Where is it?”
“I don't have it,” Lady Lois answered.
The Elders gasped in horror. “What?!” Izaya almost shrieked. Fearing what Luthor was up to and what was to come they had given her the dagger to ensure its safety and now she tells them she does not have it.
Lois amended her words. “I never had it. The one you gave me I hid but when we went to retrieve it it turned out to be a fake.”
“Impossible,” Ganthet said with certainty. “That dagger has been in our possession for centuries. It had never left the Guildhall.”
Izaya shook his head. “We are doomed,” he said despondently. “That dagger housed the spirit of the Kryptonian mage Im-Fanci. Her ancient knowledge would reveal the Cup's location to the Last Son of Krypton.”
“You mean to me,” Kal-El interrupted. “She would speak to me.” The Elders' look of shock confirmed what Kal-El suspected. “You knew. You knew who I was and you kept it secret from me all these years.” Real anger had slipped into his voice.
Jonathan sighed. He knew this day would come eventually. “Yes we knew. Do you still have that pendant?”
Kal-El took it out from under his tunic. Jonathan leaned forward and took it in his hand. “When we found you as a baby all you had were the blankets you were wrapped in and this pendant. We, the Elders, recognised it and knew instantly who you were and in honour of Krypton whose legacy of Truth and Justice that we tried to uphold we took you in and raised you.”
Ganthet took up the story. “We knew of the legends, the prophecies around you Kal-El, son of Jor-El, Krypton's last King, but at the time there were no signs that the time the prophecies spoke of was drawing near.”
Izaya continued the story. “You grew up into a great Knight and to our knowledge there was nothing that marked you out different from anyone else. You managed to hide your Kryptonian gifts well.”
Jonathan spoke again. “Because of this we thought there was no reason to tell you. You were happy and we believed, perhaps wrongly, that telling you the truth would destroy that. It is not an easy burden to bear knowing you are the last of your kin. We did not wish to burden you with knowledge that seemed irrelevant to your life and how you were leading it.”
“Except in doing so you failed to live up to upholding the truth part of my people's legacy,” Kal-El said pointing out their failure.
Jonathan conceded the point. “You are correct. Perhaps it was a mistake and if so I am truly sorry Kal-El but none of it will matter soon. Without the true Sacred Dagger we cannot hope to prevail against Darkseid.”
Diana, who had been listening carefully to the story the Elders told, interrupted them. “All may not be lost on that front.”
“What do you mean?” Jonathan asked of her.
Before Diana could answer shouts were heard from outside. All those in the chamber hall rushed out to be greeted by the sight of a woman with wings landing beside a giant bird. The bird then changed shape to reveal Patrick O'Brien panting out of breath. He was hunched over. “Ah...me breath...ah canna...” He waved his hand signalling he needed a moment.
Shayera stepped forward. “You mother sent us ahead,” she said addressing Diana. Hippolyta had not wanted the Domans to see Shayera and realise they had been duped which would endanger the renewed alliance.
Diana's eyes lit up. “My mother! She is on her way?”
“Aye,” O'Brien answered still puffing hard.
“She has renewed the alliance with Doma's new Queen,” Shayera revealed to the group. “She and the other Amazons travel here by Doman ship as we speak. We would have got here sooner but there was a storm that forced us to take shelter for many hours.”
“New Queen?” Lord Wayne queried.
“Aye, Peenflank's sister,” O'Brien informed them having just about caught his breath.
King Gordon stepped forward. “I know your kind Thanagarian. Your kingdom has sided with Darkseid.”
“Is this true?” Prince Richard asked.
Shayera nodded. “To my eternal shame it is true,” she sadly admitted. “I could not go with along with it so I fled so I could join those opposed to Darkseid. I would rather be dead than sacrifice my honour by allying with the Lord of Apokolypse.”
“She speaks the truth,” O'Brien spoke in support. “And your mother believed her Princess,” he told Diana.
Diana placed her hand on Shayera' shoulder. “If my mother believes it is true then that is enough for me and you are most welcome to join us in battle.”
Shayera smiled a little at the gesture. “Thank you. My name is Shayera by the way.”
“Shayera,” Diana repeated in acknowledgement. She then turned her attention to O'Brien. “Now as for you do you still have that dagger?”
O'Brien was slightly perplexed by the question but answered it anyway. “Aye.” He pulled it out from its sheath.
“That is it!” Ganthet exclaimed. “That is the Sacred Dagger!”
Lady Lois growled and rushed forward. Before anyone could stop her she had her hands round O'Brien's throat and was shaking him vigorously. “Where did you get that you little toad?!” she demanded to know. Her embarrassment over the whole thing had to be his fault.
“Shouldn't someone stop her,” Walter pointed out.
“No,” John answered acerbically. “We should just stand by and let her kill him,” he added with sarcasm. “Of course we should stop her.”
Kal-El moved forward swiftly and pulled Lois back which was not as easy as one might assume. Lois was pretty strong when she was determined enough to resist.
“Wha was tha for?!” O'Brien exclaimed while he rubbed his sore throat.
“You stole that from us!” Ganthet shouted the accusation, genuinely outraged.
O'Brien shook his head vigorously. True he was a thief but not on this occasion. “Nay. Ah found this hidden within a tree,” he explained.
“You lie!” Lady Lois proclaimed loudly.
“On many occasions,” O'Brien admitted. “But on this occasion nay. Ah speak the truth.”
Diana searched O'Brien's gaze. She could tell if he was lying or not and did not even have to resort to her lasso. Although that always an option. “I believe he tells the truth,” she told the others.
“Ah do,” O'Brien asserted confidently.
James who had been silent up to now looked at the dagger. Though it looked like the picture in the book he read something wasn't right. “I'm not sure that one is real either,” he stated to the assembled group.
“What do you mean James?” Jonathan asked.
“I read about it in one of the tomes you gave me. In the presence of a Kryptonian the blade is suppose to glow with colour and it is not doing so.”
“Did you ever suppose James, former squire and apprentice mage, I did not glow because I was merely awaiting the proper time,” an ethereal, otherworldly, feminine voice echoed while it reprimanded James. The dagger shot free of O'Brien's hand and hovered in mid-air, its blade now changing through all the colours of the rainbow. The voice addressed the group. “So many questions occupy your minds. Let me answer them.”
The dagger spun in the air till it pointed at the 3 Elders. “To answer your question Elders the dagger you possessed was a copy my King made long ago to keep me safe. It was a brilliant plan you must admit. Mislead everyone to think that a fake dagger was the real one and let those of evil, greedy intentions fight it out over a worthless lump of metal while the genuine dagger is safely hidden away awaiting the prophesied time. He could not have foreseen the intervention of the Order of the Knights of Kandor who would lock it away for hundreds of years thinking it was real.”
The dagger spun around over and over. “Centuries passed and the dagger remained hidden away safe from men,” the dagger stopped spinning pointed at O'Brien, “until one day a shape-shifting thief came upon it and decided to keep it for himself.” O'Brien blinked at the floating dagger wondering if he was having a relapse or if he had fallen asleep through sheer exhaustion after the flight here. “No O'Brien, you dolt, it was not a dream then and it is not a dream now. I did speak to you and you completely ignored me and delayed my being delivered into the hands of the one I was meant for.”
The voice sounded most angry at O'Brien but how was he suppose to know that what had happened was real. The bloody thing glowed pink of all colours. If it wanted him to think it was real it should have gone for more of a greenish colour.
The dagger said no more to O'Brien like it wished not to waste anymore time on him and spun to point at Kal-El all the time its blade rotating through different colours as if testing that it still could. “At last the moment has come. I have waited for so long for this day.” The dagger then shot straight towards Kal-El who instinctively reached up and caught it. He stared at the dagger almost mesmerised and totally bewildered by all he had just witnessed and heard.
The voice emanating from the Dagger continued to speak aloud. “I have waited for so long for you Kal-El, son of Jor-El and Lara, heir to the lost throne of Krypton to learn of your origin. Your father instructed me not to act before. He felt you had to learn of it for yourself but now at last I can speak the words of prophecy. I can answer any questions you have. All of Krypton's knowledge and wisdom resides within this blade that holds my spirit. The time has finally come.”
“Time for what?” Kal-El asked.
A white light suddenly encompassed Kal-El and seemed to penetrate every fibre of his being as well. Suddenly he realised that there was a new presence standing near him. He looked hard but all he could make out was a silhouetted figure that he could tell was feminine but the light surrounding him was too blinding for him to make out any details of her features. “Who are you?” he asked.
“I am the mage Im-Fanci, loyal servant of your father and now of you, and to answer your question about what it is time for the answer is simple Kal-El.”
“What is it time for?” he asked repeating the question.
“It is time for you to fulfil your destiny.”
