phantom-z0ne - Tumblr blog

phantom-z0ne · 21 hours

Text

clothed in radiance, their immortal vest - Part 5

Part 4

WC: 2038

“You can fly?!” Lynn shouted, clinging tightly to Kal-El. Wind whipped around her, reddening her exposed skin. When he said they would travel to some mysterious place, this was not the way she thought they would!

“I can! In time, so shall you!” Kal-El responded, a grin on his face. There was no way she could fly, it just wasn’t possible. Just looking down made her dizzy, not to mention the insane speeds they were going!

Lynn tucked her head against his shoulders, shoving her hood down to shelter her face against the harsh winds. She didn’t doubt that she would have nearly froze to death had it not been for the coat, no wonder he insisted she wear it.

A cold sensation tickled her nose, peeking out from behind her hood let her identify it as snow. The sky was overcast, small snowflakes fluttered in the wind, beating softly against the two speeding kryptonians.

A gasp flew from Lynn’s lips as she saw a figure rise from the horizon. Long, ice-like crystals weaved between each other, miles high and wide, forming a pyramid-esque structure. A blinding reflection hit her eyes, the whole structure sparkling brightly. She shielded her eyes, spying the El house crest sitting snugly in the middle of a pair of doors.

A kryptonian outpost, she belatedly realized. She hadn’t realized they were still around, most destroyed or abandoned centuries ago. The only reason she recognized it as one was because she came across a picture of one in her history textbooks. From what she knew, they were only deployed during the Great Age of Expansion and the planets they were stationed on were recorded, so why was one here when she never even heard of this planet?

They landed before the door, Kal-El gently lowered her. Lynn clutched his arm, using him as a support, before letting go just as quickly. She made a face at the key being underneath the mat but dismissed it as the door opened and Kal-El ushered her inside.

It almost felt as if she was back in the Military Guild. Only, if the building was made out of crystals. She followed Kal-El deeper into the base, glancing curiously to her surroundings. Kryptonian trinkets lined the walls or laid enshrined on a raised platform along with objects Lynn had never seen before. At one point, she glimpsed two large statues, one man and one woman dressed in kryptonian garb, holding up a globe. They were surrounded by a strange assortment of what she assumed to be battle prizes.

The room Kal-El brought her to was large, large and empty. The only thing in the bright room was a slim lectern with a crystal ball on the end. She glanced dubiously at Kal-El who beckoned her forward with a quick smile. What exactly would he show her?

She stood off to his side, a few steps back. Lynn crossed her arms, mindful of her injuries. “What exactly did you want to show me? There's nothing here but that.”

“This is exactly what I wished to present to you.” He answered, tapping the podium.

“And that is…?” She brushed an unruly strand of hair behind her ear. Kal-El brushed his fingers against the crystal ball and the room exploded into light. Swirling galaxies covered the room and stars glittered brightly. Before them, a small, see-through hologram of a planet formed, growing larger every second. Her eyes widened, snapping to the crystal ball.

“A projector?!” Ones of that size were almost unheard of! Where did he get it?

Kal-El nodded at her exclamation, sharp incisors peeking from behind his soft grin. His expression pinched for a moment before he grew serious, however. “There is a reason I was so adamant that I did not bring you here and why you cannot contact Krypton.”

Lynn hummed in confusion, urging him to continue. He manipulated the hologram planet, turning it into an exact replica of Krypton before zooming in, stopping at the room containing a coupled pair and a child. They were clearly in love, soft glances and touches were shared along with affectionate gestures. The scene shifted, the couple rushing forward with the child held to the mother’s chest. It shifted again, the child was placed in a small pod, gurgling cutely while the parents looked on in despair.

“Why are you showing me this?” Lynn demanded, tugging uncomfortably on her hair.

“Those were my parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van.” He continued the projection, the miniature image of him was enclosed into the pod and launched away at the tears of his parents. The hologram followed the pod, showing its path into space, Krypton exploding violently behind him. The hologram ended after he crash landed into a planet, when two beings opened the pod and lifted him out.

“Krypton was destroyed 42 years ago, around a year after my birth.” Kal-El’s expression was vaguely sorrowful, she absentmindedly noted in her speechless state. “I've been here on Earth ever since.”

But… that was impossible! How was her entire planet gone when she was there not even two weeks ago! Her friends, her family, everyone and every place she knew… reduced to dust? She tugged at her mental bonds, desperate to somehow prove him wrong, that her family was still alive, and found nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just a wide, gaping void where her family was meant to inhabit.

“That's— No, I…” Lynn stumbled over her words, trying and failing to come up with the right sentence. Her planet couldn’t be gone, it just couldn’t! “I was there. Not too long ago, just two weeks, I was home. It can’t be gone.”

Kal-El lifted a hand to his chin, frowning. “Can you tell me what you remember from before you arrived on Earth?”

“I—Yes. I was selected to board the biannual trading ship, but it was attacked. By Dheronians.” She explained, picking at her fingers. “I managed to fight my way through them—” Lynn ignored the bloody images that appeared in her eyelids, “—before I found my uncle, Zil-Em.”

She took a deep breath before pushing forward, “He led me to an escape pod aiming for Krypton and—” She choked up, eyes watering and lips trembling as she remembered the moment. She let out another breath, her fists tightening as she set her lips straight and blinked away the tears. “I was launched into space and drifted for a while. A flash of light appeared and next thing I knew, I was hurtling towards this planet.”

“And the date?” He prodded softly, a sympathy plastered all over his face.

“39 Ogtal 9820.” Lynn answered, “Why? You don't think…” The only way the planet could be destroyed 42 years ago while she was only 18 was… No. That wasn’t possible. But then again, so many impossible things have been happening to her lately.

“Krypton was destroyed on 39 Ogtal 10000.”

“I time traveled, didn’t I? 200 years.” Lynn wished it hadn’t come out so shaky.

Kal-El’s lips thinned, “You missed more than that, closer to 300 years.”

“How—No, why?”

“That's not something I can answer. I was hoping you knew how or why you crash landed on Earth.” Kal-El said apologetically.

“Oh.” Lynn said simply. She… what does she even do now? She’s on a foreign planet she knows nothing about. Her whole planet is dead. She doesn't have anywhere to go or anyone to see, what with all the kryptonians being blown up. Except… She glanced up at Kal-El, a kryptonian.

“You survived.”

“Yes?” Kal-El tilted his head in obvious confusion.

“Then there are more kryptonians out there, alive.”

Kal-El began hesitantly, “There are, however—”

“You know where they are, don't you?”

Kal-El paused, giving her a look. “You’re going to search for them.”

She nodded.

“You don't have to.” He sighed. “I already know all of them. Well, except for you. What is your name?”

Ah. She hadn’t realized she didn’t introduce herself the whole time. How embarrassing, her mother would have her hide if she found out how rude she was being. She bowed, performing the traditional kryptonian greeting with difficulty, her pain flaring up. “Lynn Argo-Ren. Pleasure to meet you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you too, Lynn Argo-Ren.” He gave her a small smile, “I’ll introduce you to the other kryptonians in due time. For now, however, you need to rest. You barely made it out of the operating room and I didn't do you any favors bringing you out here.”

“But—”

“No buts, you need to heal from your injuries.” Kal-El herded her towards the exit doors despite her protests.

“What will happen after I heal?” Lynn asked. He was the only person she knew on this planet and she doubted he would house her, especially when they only met not even an hour ago.

“That…” He paused after floating only inches off the ground. “I was thinking you could come live with me. It would be easier to have another kryptonian around than live with ones you aren't comfortable with, right?” Lynn hummed. “Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to! I was just letting you know you have options.”

Well, it looks like she was wrong. Did she want to actually live with him, though? On one hand, he was one of the last kyptonians, of course she wanted to stick by him. But one the other, he was just a stranger to her. A kind stranger, yes, but a stranger nonetheless. She… didn't know what to do.

“I—” Lynn cleared her throat. “I’ll think about it. Thank you for the offer.”

“That is good enough for me.” Kal-El smiled, before speeding up without warning. Lynn heard a smothered laugh when she yelped in surprise and shoved the hood over her head again. She promised to give him a good talking to about flying fast without warning.

They arrived at the abandoned building again and beelined to the teleporter. Kal-El put in the coordinates and they arrived back at the hospital safe but a bit disoriented. Actually, she doubted this place was a hospital. A quick question confirmed it was the headquarters for the team of heroes he spoke about earlier. She was a bit curious about them, wondering whether the term hero was the same on Earth and Krypton, but ultimately was more interested in meeting the living kryptonians.

Lynn followed Kal-El through the winding hallways, peeking through open doorways occasionally. She let out a quiet, surprised exhale when she walked into Kal-El’s back after he stopped suddenly. He quickly apologized before darting into a random door. She watched him rummage through the room curiously, but didn't step inside.

After some time, he popped out from behind a pile of discarded items and glided over, holding out an object for her. She grabbed it, turning it this way and that.

“This… why did you give it to me?” Lynn held the headphones carefully in her grasp.

“In case your powers cause trouble again, you can use these to block out all noises.” Kal-El beamed.

“Will it work? It looks… flimsy.” She said awkwardly, keeping her eyes on the headphones.

“It was made specifically for powered individuals.” He answered, “It even works on my hearing.”

“If you say so. Speaking of, what is with the powers? Why do we have them?”

“That—” Kal-El’s head cocked to the side, his expression determined. “—will have to wait for another time. There is an emergency I must deal with. Follow the hallway and your room will be on the left. I’ll see you later!”

He zipped away, a concentrated burst of wind following. Lynn smoothed down her disheveled hair and stared down the hallway then at the headphones. It was oddly kind of him, giving a stranger such a thoughtful, and presumably expensive, gift. She… this whole day has been a lot for her. She had too much to think about, and people to grieve. Lynn placed the headphones over her ears, the world going blissfully silent, ignoring the tears building up in her eyes. She had to go, somewhere, anywhere. All she needed to do was place one foot before the other. One step at a time.

──── ∘°❉°∘ ────

Masterpost | Part 6

0 notes