I was still floating in the air as Faora and the other two rose from their kneeling positions. The weightlessness felt natural now, as if gravity was simply another force I could choose to acknowledge or ignore at will.
At that moment, Dal-Ek spoke. He was totally in his zone.
"I always had faith in Rao," he began, his voice trembling with emotion. "It is thanks to him granting me life that I got the opportunity to explore science and understand our universe."
He paused, looking directly at me with eyes that held both wonder and reverence.
"Yet I never believed in the prophecies of his incarnation coming to guide us into a new era. Those old texts seemed like mythology, stories told to comfort people in dark times when our civilization faced challenges."
His voice grew stronger, more certain as he continued.
"The Sacred Texts spoke of the Crimson Crown, of the half sun that would mark the chosen one's return. I studied those passages as historical curiosities, not divine prophecies."
Mul-Ni, his assistant, stepped forward hesitantly. "Master Dal-Ek, the biological readings are impossible to explain through conventional science. His cellular structure is being enhanced at the molecular level."
"Enhanced?" Dal-Ek asked, his scientific curiosity overtaking his awe for a moment.
"His bone density has increased by twenty-seven thousand percent, muscle efficiency by over forty thousand percent, and his neural activity..." Mul-Ni paused, checking his instruments again. "His neural activity is operating at levels we've never recorded in any Kryptonian."
Dal-Ek looked back at me, his voice filled with wonder. "Yet here you are, bearing the very marks described in the ancient scrolls. My Lord—Your Majesty! You are a miracle."
I smiled on the surface, but in my mind, I thought differently.
A miracle? I wouldn't deny that description, though, if it were not for Alex's memories, I would have been cosmic dust by now, along with the rest of Krypton.
The question that had been nagging at me returned. Why did I get those memories? Was it a failed transmigration attempt? Or was there a deeper purpose at work, some force that wanted Krypton to survive and thrive?
Shaking off those thoughts, I focused on the present situation and the people before me.
"Dal-Ek," I said, my voice carrying easily despite still floating in the air, "what you're witnessing is not a miracle in the traditional sense. It's the reclaiming of our true heritage."
"Our true heritage, Your Majesty?" Mul-Ni asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"For generations, our people have been told that we are limited, that only under red sun radiation can we survive. But those limitations were lies, imposed upon us by those who feared what we might become."
I gestured toward the yellow sun visible through the viewing port.
"Under the light of other suns, particularly yellow ones like this, Kryptonians become something far beyond our normal biological parameters. We become what our ancestors once were during the height of our galactic empire."
Dal-Ek's eyes widened. "The texts mentioned warriors who could destroy planets and cross space without ships. We always assumed those were metaphorical descriptions."
"They were not metaphors," I replied. "They were historical accounts of what Kryptonians could achieve under the right stellar conditions."
Faora, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Your Majesty, if this is true, then our entire understanding of Kryptonian biology needs to be reconsidered."
"Indeed, it does," I agreed. "But that reconsideration will happen gradually and carefully. We cannot have thousands of Kryptonians suddenly gaining these abilities without proper preparation and training."
I could feel the yellow sun's energy still flowing into me, and I sensed that I could absorb much more sunlight. The power felt limitless, as if I could just keep going and keep absorbing energy indefinitely. Every moment under this radiation made me stronger, faster, and more capable.
But it was enough for now. I had proven the theory and gained the abilities I needed to begin the next phase of our civilization's development.
"Mul-Ni," I said, "I want you to document everything you've observed. Every biological change, every energy reading, every deviation from normal Kryptonian physiology."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Should we prepare similar exposure protocols for other volunteers?"
I considered this question carefully. "Not yet. First, we need to understand the full scope of these changes and develop proper training protocols."
At that moment, small mechanical arms emerged from the walls. They began to dress me in my armor with practiced efficiency, covering my body in armor.
The armor felt different now - lighter, less restrictive. What had once been solid protection now felt like little more than ceremonial clothing.
As the armor settled into place, I looked at Faora more carefully.
I had not assigned her any official position yet in our new hierarchy. I could put her under Jon's command since Jon was my military commander.
Her eyes held not just respect and loyalty, but a deeper understanding of what this transformation meant for our people's future. She grasped the implications in a way that went beyond simple military thinking.
Faora, sensing my gaze on her, spoke carefully. "Your Majesty, shall we broadcast you to everyone on the ship? The sight of the Crimson Crown would inspire hope and absolute faith in your leadership."
I thought for a long moment about her suggestion. Should I reveal this change immediately to all fifteen thousand Kryptonians aboard our vessel?
There were definitely substantial benefits to doing so.
With the mark of Rao visible on my body, along with the crimson hair that matched the ancient prophecies, they would believe every word that came from my mouth. The religious significance would override any rational skepticism they might have about my leadership decisions.
The transformation was undeniable proof that the old prophecies were true, that divine power had returned to guide the Kryptonian people through their darkest hour and into a new golden age.
I could even claim to be the direct reincarnation of Rao himself, and none would doubt me after seeing the physical evidence.
Yet doing so felt wrong somehow.
It would be too obvious, too theatrical.
What the Earthlings in Alex's memories would call "cringe." Better to let them assume things.
"Faora," I said finally, "there is wisdom in subtlety. They will eventually see me when I appear before them in normal circumstances. Let everyone make their own assumptions about what they witness, and do not correct anyone who draws their own conclusions."
She looked at me for a second, clearly not understanding my reasoning. "But Your Majesty, immediate revelation would cement your authority beyond any possible challenge."
"Authority that must be proclaimed loudly is often authority that can be questioned," I replied. "True power speaks for itself without need for announcement."
Dal-Ek nodded slowly, "Let faith and recognition arise naturally from witness rather than from proclamation."
Faora still looked puzzled but did not question my judgment further, trusting that I had deeper reasons for this decision that she might not fully understand yet.
I then landed on the ground, having gained enough control over my flight ability to return to solid footing when I chose to.
The transition from floating to standing felt effortless, as if I was simply choosing which relationship with gravity I preferred at any given moment.
Now that I had gained these powers, I was already planning how other Kryptonians would follow the same path. They would need to go under the yellow sun and awaken their own heritage, but the process would need to be carefully managed.
"Dal-Ek," I said, "I want you to begin developing protocols for controlled exposure to yellow sun radiation. We will need to awaken others, but safely and systematically."
"Others, Your Majesty?"
"The warriors should be first," I explained. "They have been trained from birth in discipline and control. They would be able to gain mastery over their new abilities faster than the scientists, civilians, and others who lack that kind of physical and mental conditioning."
Dal-Ek nodded.
"Once I have a specific number of empowered soldiers, I will use them to supervise the transformation of the scientists and civilians. The process will need multiple stages and constant monitoring."
Faora spoke up again. "How many warriors do you envision awakening initially, Your Majesty?"
"Perhaps fifty to start," I replied. "A manageable number that can serve as supervisors for later groups. But that would happen once I control and explore all my abilities. Till then, nobody is allowed to come in contact with Yellow sun radiation."
Everyone nodded at this.
I should create a training ground on one of the planets in this system, cause multiple super Kryptonians would wreck our ship.
I am going to rebuild Krypton, but not as it was. We're going to create something far greater. An empire that will span star systems and eventually entire galaxies.
Soon, we will terraform Mars and turn it into New Krypton, our new home planet and base of operations. But it won't be the only world where Kryptonians will establish themselves.
I can't let us repeat the same mistake of placing our entire population on a single planet.
For now, this solar system is relatively safe.
We don't have to worry about major galactic powers like Darkseid and his forces from Apokolips, or the New Gods under Highfather. They're focused on their eternal war in different regions of space.
I can focus on Earth right now, without worrying about outer forces.
The planet hanging in space before us was indeed a treasure trove waiting to be carefully harvested. Though there are going to be powers on earth that will come in my way.
But first, I needed comprehensive intelligence about what exactly I was dealing with.
Just then, the conversation was interrupted by a soft chime from the chamber's communication system. Jon-Sno's voice came through clearly.
"Your Majesty, I have completed the analysis of Earth. When would be convenient for you to review the findings?"
"I'll be there shortly, Jon," I replied.
"Let's go see what Jon has found about Earth."
.....
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