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.
NOTE: don't forget to join my Patreon.com/Argonaut007 to get access up to 10+ Advance chapters.
------
Chapter 31 — Shadows Beneath Krypton
The news spread through the Council chambers like wildfire.
Whispers at first.
Then reports.
Then confirmation.
Inside the great chamber of Krypton's ruling council, tension filled the air like a coming storm.
A councilor slammed his hand against the crystalline table.
"So what shall we do now?" he demanded.
Another council member spoke sharply.
"The House of Zod has made its move. They have openly sworn loyalty to the brat… that anomaly."
Murmurs spread around the circular hall.
Von-Ra.
The name was already becoming a problem.
"We let our guard down," another councilor growled. "We never expected something like this to happen."
"Stop pointing fingers!" another snapped. "Arguing won't solve anything."
He leaned forward, his expression dark.
"We must deal with this immediately. If we fail… this could be the end of our rule that has lasted for centuries."
Silence filled the chamber.
Then the High Councilor finally spoke.
"Call the heads of the great houses."
Several council members looked up.
"The Houses of Ul, Al, Zel, Val, Tar, Zek, and Ru" he continued coldly. "We will need their support."
One councilor frowned.
"You mean to prepare for rebellion?"
The High Councilor nodded slowly.
"If Zod has pledged loyalty to Von-Ra, then others may follow."
His voice hardened.
"We must solidify our position before that happens."
Another councilor hesitated.
"But… what about the planet's core?"
Several heads turned toward him.
"We already possess the Core Stabilization Device," he said. "Shouldn't we activate it before things get worse?"
For a moment, the High Councilor said nothing.
Then he spoke quietly.
"It will not matter."
The room fell silent.
One councilor frowned.
"What do you mean it will not matter?"
The High Councilor's gaze darkened.
"No matter what we do… the destruction of Krypton cannot be prevented."
Shock spread across the room.
"What?!"
Several council members rose from their seats.
"What are you talking about?"
The High Councilor exhaled slowly.
"Deep within Krypton's core… something ancient is sealed."
The councilors stared at him.
"The Ancient Doomsday."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then a councilor burst out.
"That's impossible!"
"We were told the abomination was sealed on the planet of the Guardians of the Universe, the center of the battery core of Oa!"
"yes, the emotional spectrum of Will is suppressing the the monster"
Another voice joined.
"Yes! The Green Lantern archives recorded it!"
The High Councilor slowly shook his head.
"There were not one…"
He raised three fingers.
"There were three."
Silence swallowed the chamber.
"One was created as a weapon against Apokolips."
"we almost defeat those brutes. but they teamed up with the green lanterns to contain the abomination"
"Another was designed to battle the forces of New Genesis."
"because the abomination is unkillable, it can only be sealed, they thrown the another abomination to the Source wall. where old gods ware trapped into eternity"
"all of those who went there will not get out for good"
He lowered his hand slowly.
"And the third…"
His voice grew colder.
"Was created to safeguard Krypton itself."
The council members stared in disbelief.
"What do you mean safeguard?" someone whispered.
The High Councilor answered grimly.
"It was a last line of defense."
"If Krypton ever faced defeat in a cosmic war… we would not fall alone."
His eyes darkened.
"The enemy would be destroyed with us."
Shock rippled across the council.
"That… that's madness."
"Yes," the High Councilor replied quietly.
"It was."
Another council member leaned forward anxiously.
"You mean the abomination… is sealed beneath Krypton's capital?"
The High Councilor nodded slowly.
"Beneath the ancient Imperial Capital."
"Beneath Kandor."
The chamber erupted into chaos.
"Impossible!"
"No one told us this!"
"This is insanity!"
"it is not recorded, why do you know all of this?" ask the other house of zek
"only the head councilors through the years knows about this, we will only know this information the day we take this seat" said the head councilor
the murmurs are getting louder after the head councilor was done in his speech.
The High Councilor raised his hand sharply.
"Silence!"
The room slowly quieted.
"Our ancestors knew about it," he continued.
"They were there when the creature rampaged through the Imperial Capital thousands of years ago."
His voice grew darker.
"At that time… Rao himself intervened."
Several councilors stiffened.
"Rao… the purest and strongest Kryptonian to ever live."
"He was the only one capable of sealing the abomination."
"Because only his blood could suppress it."
A councilor whispered.
"So… what happened?"
The High Councilor's expression twisted slightly.
"Our ancestors were standing beside the Emperor when the creature attacked."
"Rao could have subdue it easily."
"But they did not want him to rule Krypton forever."
The room grew colder.
"So they betrayed him."
A councilor gasped softly.
"You mean…"
The High Councilor nodded slowly.
"Rao just came back from the front lines against the enemies. exhausted and injured."
"They forced Rao to fight alone, severely injured even before fighting it."
"He could have escaped… even after being severely wounded."
"But he chose not to."
His voice lowered.
"Because if he left… the creature would slaughter every Kryptonian on the planet."
"so He stayed."
"He sealed the abomination."
"And he sacrificed himself to do it."
Silence filled the council chamber.
"But the seal…" one councilor whispered.
The High Councilor nodded grimly.
"It weakens with time."
"For centuries, it held."
"But now…"
He clenched his fists.
"The rate of deterioration is accelerating."
The council members stared at him in horror.
"So… what do we do?" one finally asked.
The High Councilor looked around the chamber slowly.
"I do not know."
His eyes hardened.
"But I know one thing."
"If we fail to crush this coming rebellion…"
His voice turned cold.
"I will end everything myself."
The council members froze.
"What do you mean?"
The High Councilor leaned forward.
"If we cannot remain the rulers of Krypton…"
His eyes burned with ruthless determination.
"Then no one will."
Far away from the council chamber…
The city of Kandor remained unaware of the storm brewing beneath it.
Within the vast estates of the House of El, activity had quietly intensified.
Massive shipyards hidden within the lower districts were being activated.
Supply convoys moved under strict secrecy.
Engineers and scientists worked day and night.
New vessels were being prepared.
Exploration ships.
Mining vessels.
Long-range transports.
The alliance between the House of El and the House of Zod had already begun preparing for the future.
On a massive viewing platform overlooking the construction yards, Von-Ra stood beside Dru-Zod and Koryn.
Below them, enormous ships were slowly being assembled.
Dru-Zod crossed his arms.
"Our fleets will be ready soon."
Koryn grinned slightly.
"The first expedition beyond the solar system."
Von-Ra watched the construction in silence.
For the council…
This was a rebellion.
For him…
It was preparation.
Preparation for the day Krypton would face its greatest trial.
Because while the council fought desperately to maintain power…
Von-Ra was preparing to build something far greater.
An empire that would survive long after Krypton's fate had been decided.