The Heir
8 Kryptonian revolutions after Kara’s birth…
Kara Zor-El grew into a spirited young girl, her curiosity mirroring her father’s love for knowledge and her mother’s relentless determination. She would often be found wandering the crystalline halls of Argo City, her young eyes catching the light refracting through its intricate architecture. Despite her youth, Kara’s inquisitive nature was already proving to be both a blessing and a challenge for her family.
One morning, as the twin moons of Krypton faded into the horizon and Rao began to rise, Kara stood on the balcony of her family’s quarters. Her azure eyes, ringed with gold, gleamed with wonder as she watched the city bustle with life below. She was captivated by the sight of hovercrafts weaving gracefully through the air, carrying scientists, lawmakers, and soldiers to their daily duties.
“Kara,” Zor-El’s voice called from behind her. She turned to see her father, clad in the traditional robes of the Science Guild, holding a small holographic tablet. “You can’t stay out here all day. It’s time for your lessons.”
Kara pouted, crossing her arms. “Why do I have to study so much, Father? I want to explore like Uncle Jor, or learn to fight like Aunt Astra!”
Zor-El chuckled, kneeling to her level. “A scientist must explore the universe in their own way, my little star. Knowledge is its own form of adventure. Come, today we’re studying the history of Krypton’s constellations.”
Reluctantly, Kara followed her father to the study, where Alura was already waiting. The room was filled with holographic projections of star charts and ancient texts, their soft glow illuminating the space. Alura smiled at her daughter, gesturing for her to sit beside her.
“Today,” Alura began, “we’ll learn about the stars that guided our ancestors during the Age of Exploration. Do you know why they’re important, Kara?”
Kara tilted her head thoughtfully before answering, “Because they tell stories about our past?”
“Exactly,” Zor-El said, ruffling her blonde hair. “And one day, these stars might guide you, too.”
The lesson continued, but Kara’s mind wandered. As her parents spoke of ancient explorers and cosmic phenomena, she couldn’t help but imagine herself soaring among the stars, uncovering secrets of the universe.
---
Later that evening, after her lessons were done, Kara snuck out to the central plaza of Argo City. She had heard rumors of an upcoming celebration honoring the Houses of Krypton and was eager to see the preparations.
The plaza was alive with activity. Workers were erecting towering crystalline sculptures, each representing a prominent House. Kara’s eyes were drawn to the statue of her own family, the House of El. It stood tall and proud, the symbol of hope shining brightly at its peak.
“Curious as always, aren’t you, little one?” a familiar voice said.
Kara turned to see her Aunt Astra, clad in the sleek uniform of the Military Guild. Astra’s piercing gaze softened as she crouched down to meet Kara’s eyes.
“Aunt Astra!” Kara exclaimed, running to hug her. “What are you doing here?”
“Keeping an eye on you, it seems,” Astra teased. “Your parents would be furious if they knew you were out here alone.”
Kara grinned sheepishly. “I just wanted to see the statues. They’re so beautiful.”
Astra nodded, her expression turning serious. “They are. But remember, Kara, the symbols of our Houses come with great responsibility. One day, you’ll carry the legacy of the House of El. It’s not just about knowledge or power—it’s about hope. Never forget that.”
Kara looked up at the statue again, her young mind grappling with the weight of her aunt’s words. “Do you think I’ll be ready?” she asked quietly. She knew from a very young age she'd the weight of Krypton on her shoulders; she just hopes it wouldn’t be sooner rather than later.
Astra placed a hand on Kara’s shoulder. “You’re a Zor-El. You’ll be ready when the time comes.”
---
As the celebration approached, Kara continued to learn and grow under the guidance of her family. But even as she embraced her role as the heir to the House of El, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her destiny would take her far beyond the crystal towers of Krypton.
Unbeknownst to her, the ground beneath Krypton was shifting, both literally and metaphorically. The planet’s core was growing unstable, and political tensions among the Houses were beginning to surface.
Kara’s journey was only just beginning.
—
2 sennights Later.
Kara Zor-El ran through the crystalline halls of Argo City, her blonde hair bouncing behind her as she skidded around a corner. Behind her, Revena Ak-Var was hot on her heels, her expression a mix of annoyance and determination.
“Kara!” Revena shouted, her dark hair whipping as she sprinted. “Give it back! I’m serious this time!”
“You have to catch me first!” Kara called over her shoulder, laughing as she clutched the glowing data crystal close to her chest.
Revena was Kara’s best friend and, as decreed by the Codex, her future zhao. Though they were still young, barely 9 revolutions around Rao, the bond between them had already formed. Revena, ever the strategist, was the perfect counterbalance to Kara’s adventurous spirit. Together, they often found themselves in trouble—Kara the instigator, Revena the reluctant accomplice. Revena would grumble everytime but would always crumble with Kara's pout—unfair, really—which she wished the blonde didn’t posses.
Revena finally caught up, tackling Kara onto one of the soft lounging platforms scattered throughout the corridor. The two tumbled in a heap, laughing breathlessly.
“You’re impossible, Kara,” Revena said, grabbing the data crystal from her. “If my father finds out you stole his Council reports, he’ll send me to the mines as punishment.”
Kara rolled onto her back, grinning. “He won’t. Your father adores you. And me.. Besides, I wanted to see what was so important that he had you studying during our free time.”
Revena sighed but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “You’re incorrigible.” she pushed Kara as she stood up.
“And you love it,” Kara teased, poking Revena’s side.
Revena shook her head, offering a hand to Kara. “Come on. If we’re late for the gathering tonight, your mother will lecture both of us.”
---
The gathering in the central plaza was in full swing by the time Kara and Revena arrived. Crystalline statues shimmered under the light of Rao, and music filled the air as dignitaries from various Houses mingled.
“Finally,” Alura said, spotting the two girls. She was dressed in elegant silver robes, her House emblem etched onto her chest piece. “Kara, Revena, you’re late.”
“Blame Kara,” Revena said, earning a glare from her friend. Revena shrugged and a ‘am I wrong?’ glare.
Zor-El approached, placing a reassuring hand on Alura’s shoulder. “Let them enjoy themselves, Alura. It’s a celebration, after all.”
The girls exchanged relieved smiles and quickly slipped away into the crowd.
As they wandered through the festivities, Kara noticed Revena’s gaze lingering on the statue of the House of Var. It depicted a warrior wielding a glowing staff, symbolizing their role as protectors and enforcers of Kryptonian law.
“You’re thinking about your parents again, aren’t you?” Kara asked softly.
Revena nodded, her usually confident demeanor faltering. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be as strong as they are. My father’s achievements are otherwordly, and my mother… well, you know how intimidating she can be.” she shivered at the thought of her mother.
Kara placed a hand on Revena’s arm. “You don’t have to be them, Revena. You’re strong in your own way. And if you ever feel like you’re not, I’ll remind you.”
Revena smiled, her earlier uncertainty melting away. “Thanks, Kara.”
Kara groaned as Astra approached, her military uniform gleaming under the plaza lights. Beside her was Jor-El, his sharp features softened by the ever-present smirk that seemed to suggest he was perpetually up to something. His tousled hair and slightly rumpled robes gave him a roguish air that clashed with the polished image of the House of El.
“There they are! The heirs of El and Var, causing trouble as usual,” Jor announced with exaggerated flair, spreading his arms wide as if addressing a grand audience.
Kara rolled her eyes. “We weren’t causing trouble, Uncle Jor. Not everything we do is rebellious, you know.”
Jor raised an eyebrow, the smirk deepening. “Is that so? I find that hard to believe, coming from someone who once reprogrammed an entire classroom drone just because it assigned too much homework.”
Revena stifled a laugh, earning a playful glare from Kara.
“And you!” Jor turned to Revena, wagging a finger. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten the time you bypassed security protocols to sneak into the High Council chambers. Very noble of you, by the way, but reckless.”
“That was your idea!” Revena shot back, crossing her arms.
“And a brilliant one at that,” Jor said, unrepentant. “Someone had to keep things interesting around here.”
Astra sighed, crossing her arms. “Honestly, Jor, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the one who should’ve been born into the House of Var. You act more like a rogue soldier than a scientist.”
Jor’s playful demeanor faltered for just a moment, a flicker of something more complex crossing his face. “Maybe that’s because I’ve never been much good at following the rules, Astra. Unlike Zor, I don’t see the point of toeing the line just because the High Council says so.”
Kara tilted her head, sensing the shift in her uncle’s mood. “Uncle Jor, don’t you like being in the Science Guild?”
Jor laughed, but it was a little too sharp. “Like it? Sure, Kara, I like it just fine. It’s great fun being told how to think, what to study, and who to be by people who haven’t had an original idea in centuries.”
Astra frowned, her tone becoming more measured. “You know it’s not just about you, Jor. The House of El carries the weight of Krypton’s future. You can’t just—”
“Run off and do whatever I want?” Jor finished, his smirk returning, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Maybe I can’t, but that doesn’t mean I have to blindly follow tradition either. Someone has to question things, Astra. Someone has to push back.”
Revena watched the exchange quietly, her analytical mind piecing together the unspoken tension between the siblings. “Is that why you joined the Science Guild? To push back?”
Jor glanced at her, his smirk fading into something more genuine. “It’s why I stay, Revena. Someone has to challenge the status quo. Zor is the perfect heir, the one who’ll do everything by the book. That’s not me, and it never will be.”
Kara stepped closer, her curiosity outweighing her hesitation. “But isn’t it exhausting, always pushing back?”
Jor looked down at his niece, his expression softening. “It is, Kara. But sometimes, the only way to make things better is to be the thorn in everyone’s side. Remember that when it’s your turn to lead.”
For a moment, the four of them stood in silence, the weight of Jor’s words settling over them. Then, as if sensing the need to lighten the mood, Jor clapped his hands together.
“Enough of this serious talk,” he said, his smirk returning in full force. “This is a celebration! Astra, don’t you have some overly elaborate military stories to bore us with?”
Astra rolled her eyes but allowed the shift in tone. “Better than listening to you wax poetic about rebellion.”
As the in-law's bickered, Kara and Revena exchanged glances, their earlier worries momentarily forgotten.
“Your uncle’s… interesting,” Revena whispered.
Kara grinned. “That’s one way to put it.” she took Revena’s hand after she spotted their other friends. “Come on!”
---
Later that night
The dim glow of the lab’s crystalline consoles cast long, flickering shadows on the walls. Alura In-Ze moved with practiced precision, her fingers gliding over the interfaces. Streams of holographic data spiraled upward, illuminating her focused expression. Zor-El stood nearby, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the projection of Krypton’s core.
It pulsed before them like a living entity—a churning sphere of molten energy, veins of bright red and gold twisting and writhing within its depths. On the surface, it seemed stable, a beacon of strength and power. But beneath the layers of molten rock, something stirred, faint but undeniable.
Alura’s brow furrowed as she zoomed in on the seismic data. The readings were inconsistent, faint tremors rippling through the planet’s foundation. She traced the patterns, her mind racing to make sense of the anomalies. The numbers didn’t align with any known geological shifts, and yet they were there, persistent, growing ever so slightly with each rotation of Krypton.
Zor-El leaned closer, his shadow stretching across the lab’s polished floor. He studied the data, his expression unreadable. Unlike his brother, he rarely voiced his thoughts until they were fully formed. Tonight was no exception.
The lab was quiet save for the hum of the machines and the faint whirring of the holograms. Alura broke the silence with a soft exhale, her gaze locked on the core’s image. A faint flicker—a distortion—flashed across the projection.
“Did you see that?” she whispered, more to herself than to Zor-El.
He nodded, his jaw tightening. The flicker had been brief, almost imperceptible, but it was enough to confirm her unease. Something was happening deep within Krypton’s heart, something they didn’t yet understand.
Alura shifted her focus to the energy output, running a diagnostic. The results were troubling. Tiny fluctuations, barely measurable, rippled through the core’s energy field. They were subtle, like whispers carried on a distant wind, but they spoke of instability—a vulnerability in Krypton’s unyielding strength.
Her hand hovered over the console, hesitating. Should she alert the High Council? Should she even tell Zor-El the depth of her concern? The data was incomplete, the anomalies too faint to predict anything catastrophic. And yet, the weight of doubt pressed heavy on her chest.
Behind her, Zor-El’s voice broke the stillness, low and contemplative. “It’s… early. Could be nothing.”
Alura didn’t reply. Her gaze lingered on the core’s projection, where the faint flicker had appeared. It hadn’t returned, but she knew better than to dismiss what she’d seen. Krypton had always been a world of perfection, built on the foundation of their science and order. But perfection, she realized, was as fragile as the layers of molten rock beneath their feet.
The hum of the machines continued, a steady rhythm that belied the unease settling in the room. Alura saved the data and powered down the console. The core’s image faded, leaving the lab in shadow.
As the couple exited the lab, their footsteps echoed softly in the empty corridor. Behind them, the machines remained, quietly processing, analyzing, searching. Deep within Krypton’s core, unseen by all, the faintest of cracks continued to spread.