Disclaimer:
This is a fan-created work inspired by elements from DC Comics, including Krypton and Kryptonian lore. All characters, alternate interpretations, and narrative developments in this story are fictional and created for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Chapter 29 — The Path Ahead (part 1)
High above the gleaming skyline of Kandor, the tallest tower of the House of El pierced the crimson sky of Krypton.
From its upper terrace, the entire capital could be seen.
Crystal towers stretched across the horizon like forests of glass. Energy bridges glowed between structures, and silent aerial transports moved through the air in disciplined lanes. Beneath the red sun, Kandor looked eternal—an empire carved from light and stone.
Yet Von-Ra knew better.
He stood alone at the edge of the terrace, his cloak shifting slightly in the wind as he stared into the distant horizon.
"So… I'm in the DC universe," he murmured quietly.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But with a twist."
His fingers tapped slowly against the crystal railing.
"How did Father find Viltrumite bloodline in the DC universe?"
For a long moment, the only sound was the distant hum of the city.
Then the narration shifts to the wider possibilities that Von-Ra himself had begun to consider.
The multiverse was vast.
Even Kryptonian science acknowledged that reality was not a single, fixed timeline. Across the infinite structure of existence, countless universes existed side by side—sometimes mirroring one another, sometimes diverging completely.
There were several explanations for the anomaly within Von-Ra's blood.
One possibility was universal convergence—a rare phenomenon where elements from different realities could bleed into one another. In such cases, fragments of genetic material, energy signatures, or even entire civilizations could appear in universes where they should not exist.
Another possibility was parallel variation.
In some realities, history unfolded differently. Entire races that existed in one universe might appear in another, but altered—mutated by time, evolution, or cosmic interference.
And then there was the most unsettling possibility of all.
Multiversal overlap.
If the Viltrumite bloodline existed somewhere in the infinite multiverse, then it was not impossible that a fragment of that race had somehow crossed realities—either through scientific experimentation, cosmic anomalies, or forgotten ancient technology.
Whatever the reason…
The result stood here now.
Von-Ra.
A Kryptonian.
With the blood of conquerors.
He exhaled slowly.
"It doesn't matter how it happened," he said to himself quietly.
"What matters is what comes next."
His gaze drifted toward Krypton's distant horizon.
Even if the council refused to acknowledge it, Krypton's fate was already written.
The planet would eventually fall.
The core instability would grow worse.
The arrogance of the council would delay solutions until it was too late.
Von-Ra already knew the outcome.
Which meant he needed to prepare for it.
"I need to prepare for the future… in case something unexpected happens."
His mind began running through the countless possibilities.
Krypton's destruction.
The rise of Kal-El.
The countless cosmic threats that existed across the DC universe.
And the unpredictable nature of the multiverse itself.
Then his thoughts turned to one of the most important artifacts Krypton possessed.
The Life Codex.
He shook his head slowly.
"I'll pass the opportunity to secure the Life Codex."
His voice remained calm, but firm.
"That thing is reserved for Kal."
The Codex carried the genetic future of Krypton itself. Every Kryptonian life yet to be born was encoded within it.
Changing that destiny could have consequences far beyond Krypton.
"Or else something might happen in this universe… or maybe it won't."
Von-Ra sighed quietly.
"I don't know."
But he did know one thing.
"I will not gamble on the small chance of being stared down by Golden Superman from the Fifth Dimension just because I stole his Codex in this reality."
The thought alone was enough to make even Von-Ra hesitate.
There were powers in the multiverse that even he had no intention of provoking.
Instead, he chose another path.
"I'll just create my own Codex."
His golden eyes sharpened with determination.
"I'm almost done collecting DNA samples from every Kryptonian currently living on this planet."
Over the past months, the House of El's research divisions had quietly gathered genetic data through medical programs, scientific studies, and planetary surveys.
No one suspected the true purpose behind the project.
But Von-Ra knew.
The Codex was not simply a database.
It was a blueprint.
The blueprint of an entire civilization.
"And Kryptonian DNA will only be the beginning."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"Once Krypton begins exploring beyond this solar system…"
He smiled faintly.
"I'll add the genetic strengths of other powerful races."
His voice lowered.
"I will create an empire so strong… that no one in this universe will ever knock on our door thinking they can challenge our race."
At that moment, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Brother?"
Von-Ra turned.
Standing near the entrance to the terrace was Kara.
Her silver cape moved gently in the wind as she walked toward him.
Her eyes studied his face carefully.
"You've been spending a lot of time alone lately," she said. "The council meeting ended hours ago."
Von-Ra smiled slightly.
"I needed time to think."
Kara walked beside him and looked out across the skyline of Kandor.
"They're still arguing about the Core Stabilization Device," she said with mild frustration.
"I know."
"They're acting like children fighting over a toy."
Von-Ra chuckled quietly.
"That's politics."
Kara crossed her arms.
"You don't seem worried."
Von-Ra glanced at her.
"I am."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Then why do you look so calm?"
He looked back toward the horizon.
"Because worrying about things we can't control is pointless."
Kara studied him for a moment.
"You've changed."
Von-Ra smirked slightly.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No…"
She hesitated.
"It's just… different."
Her voice softened.
"You feel… heavier."
Von-Ra laughed quietly.
"Heavier?"
Kara nodded.
"It's hard to explain."
She looked at him again.
"When you walk into a room now, everyone notices."
Von-Ra leaned against the railing again.
"That's probably just your imagination."
Kara shook her head.
"No."
She smiled faintly.
"It's not."
For a moment, the two of them simply stood together watching the city.
Then Kara nudged him lightly.
"So what were you thinking about up here all alone?"
Von-Ra smiled slightly.
"The future."
Kara groaned.
"That sounds exhausting."
Von-Ra chuckled.
"It is."
Kara stretched her arms above her head.
"Well, whatever the future holds, we'll deal with it when it comes."
Von-Ra looked at her.
For a brief moment, his usually calculating expression softened.
"Yes."
He nodded slowly.
"We will."