Chapter 125 - The Ties That Bind Us: Revelations, Reunions, and Family Vacation - Part 6

While Adirosas dealt with Highfather's manifestation, the dust had already settled from the main battle. The Apokoliptian forces lay decimated, mostly due to the devastating breath attack from the Fire Dragon Queen.

Earth's combined defense forces - the Army, Justice League, and Teen Titans - regrouped in formation, their faces a mix of awe and wariness as they witnessed powers that transcended their understanding. The might displayed by Fire Dragon Queen Aurelia and Emperor Adirosas had effortlessly overshadowed even the New Gods, reminding many of their first encounter with Orach.

Before the Mobile Command Centers, soon an impressive gathering took shape. General Swanwick and Batman led the formation, flanked by Generals Lane and Hammond. Behind them stood Earth's finest heroes, Bumblebee, Arsenal, Starfire, Blue Beetle, Miss Martian, Batgirl, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Black Canary, Flash, and Aquaman. Though Mera and General Vulko's forces remained on standby, they monitored everything through secure Justice League channels.

Adirosas descended gracefully, his eyes studying Earth's assembled defenders with keen interest. Behind him, the Fire Dragon Queen's form shimmered with sacred flames as she transformed from her draconic form to her humanoid form. As Aurelia opened her eyes—which blazed briefly with inner divine fire—she took her place beside her husband, her gaze joining his in surveying the gathered crowd.

General Swanwick and Batman stepped forward, flanked by an impressive array of heroes and elite soldiers. Batman studied the otherworldly visitors intently, his eyes narrowing beneath his cowl.

Drawing from his experience with Orach's first arrival, General Swanwick bowed respectfully. "Welcome to Earth, Emperor Adirosas and Fire Dragon Queen Aurelia. I am General Swanwick, commander of this operation. On behalf of Earth's people, we extend our gratitude for your assistance."

Adirosas studied the General silently, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he gave a slight nod. "Your gratitude is unnecessary. We merely acted out of consideration for our new little sister." He gestured toward Wonder Girl with his staff, causing murmurs of surprise among those outside the Justice League. "As for that upstart..." with a dismissive wave of his hand he continued,"He earned his fate by disrespecting my wife. He's fortunate I do not wish to harm your lower realm, otherwise..." His eyes shifted from azure to purple, radiating a subtle but potent killing intent that made even the bravest souls shiver.

"Husband," Aurelia's melodious voice cut through the tension, immediately drawing Adirosas's attention. The killing intent dissipated as his eyes shifted back to their natural azure hue, his aura settling into something more composed.

Turning to face his wife, he met her reproachful gaze, though he could sense her underlying pride at his defense of her honor. With a slight shake of his head, he returned his attention to the gathered crowd - and what he saw gave him pause.

"Intriguing," he mused aloud. "Most beings from the lower realms crumble before my killing intent. Yet here..." His eyes swept across the assembled heroes and soldiers—many stood their ground, though visibly shaken.

Aurelia stepped forward, her expression shifting from stern to curious. "These mortals possess either remarkable fortitude, or they have faced—and survived—a killing intent even more potent than yours," she observed, exchanging a meaningful glance with her husband. "Perhaps Orach's interest in this realm isn't entirely misplaced."

While others needed a moment to recover, Batman pushed through and stepped forward, his cape billowing behind him as he met Adirosas's piercing gaze. Both his unwavering demeanor and the symbol on his chest drew intrigued looks from both Adirosas and Aurelia.

"We appreciate your intervention," Batman said, with a firm yet measured voice, "but you used magical compulsion on Wonder Girl. Someone you call 'sister', to extract information about Orach. What justified using such an approach?"

Adirosas raised an eyebrow at Batman's audacity, while Aurelia's eyes narrowed dangerously. However, her draconic sight revealed something interesting - this man's armor bore traces of Saiyan technology. She communicated this telepathically to her husband, 'This mortal, like the little girl, has received aid from brother Orach.'

'Yes. His armor is inspired by Saiyan technology. Things just keep getting interesting with the people of this world. ' remarked Adirosas.

"A word of caution," Adirosas addressed Batman. "While you may have received my brother's favor, I remain a being of the higher realms. Show proper respect, or brother's protection or not, you might find yourself facing... unfortunate consequences."

The assembled heroes tensed, hands moving to weapons, but Batman remained unmoved. "You claim to be Orach's brother," he stated calmly. "If you truly are Orach's brother, you should share his respect for life. Threatening to end lives over mere slights seems beneath that title."

A flash of azure light danced in Adirosas's eyes, followed by an amused smile. "Quite bold, gambling with your life so casually."

"It's not a gamble when you're certain of the outcome," Batman replied steadily.

Adirosas chuckled, "Well played, brave one. However, remember this - while those under my brother's protection have certain... liberties, I am still a being of the higher realms. My position commands respect." He glanced at the Mobile Command Center. "Now, shall we continue this discussion in a more appropriate setting?"

Batman exchanged looks with Generals Swanwick and Lane, who nodded their agreement. While General Lane coordinated the cleanup operations and damage assessment with General Hammond, the Justice League and Teen Titans accompanied their otherworldly visitors inside.

In the command center, Adirosas took his place at the head of a makeshift rectangular table, with Aurelia standing protectively behind him. Across from them sat Batman, Swanwick, Cyborg, Aquaman, Flash, and notably, Wonder Girl - who represented both Themyscira and her absent sister, Wonder Woman. The tension in the room was palpable as the meeting began.

Adirosas's piercing gaze swept across the assembled heroes before settling on Batman. "Let me address your earlier concern," he began. "When little sister here," he gestured toward Wonder Girl with a slight nod, "mentioned Orach having family, it sparked hope. Hope that perhaps other Saiyans from the royal god bloodline had survived alongside my brother."

"You must understand," he continued, leaning forward slightly, "The Saiyan race, particularly those of the god branch, are fundamental to the balance of the higher realms. Since the age of creation, they've stood as guardians not just of their realm of Alacrity, but of countless others. If there were survivors, our duty would extend beyond just finding brother Orach - we would need to ensure their safety and return them to their rightful place."

Aurelia stepped forward, her presence commanding attention. "Since you've witnessed brother Orach's power firsthand, let me put this in perspective," she said. "Brother Orach and the crew he served with, once saved three entire lower realms during a great war. Each realm contained countless universes, and each universe held innumerable worlds teeming with life. This is the scale of power and responsibility we're discussing—the same scale that we of the higher realms operate on. The Saiyans weren't merely another race. They were one of the ruling powers, equal peers to all other ruling powers of the known higher realms, commanding both respect and fear."

The room fell silent as these revelations settled in. While most struggled to grasp the sheer magnitude of power being discussed, a handful of Earth's defenders maintained their composure namely, Batman, Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Aquaman, Flash, Nightwing, Cyborg and the generals. Their grave expressions suggested they understood the deeper implications at play.

Wonder Girl clutched her crystal tighter as Orach's warm smile flashed through her mind, the once-comforting image now carrying a profound meaning. A chilling question surfaced in her thoughts: 'Did he know?'

Adirosas noted their reactions and after a moment continued with a measured voice. "What I did may seem like a violation of free will—and you're not entirely wrong. However, when entire realms hang in the balance, we must take decisive actions. The information we sought was vital, potentially determining the survival of an ancient, noble race that has protected countless realms since the dawn of creation."

"I understand your reasons, but, the ends don't justify the means," Nightwing countered. "There are always alternatives to violating someone's mind."

Aurelia fixed Nightwing with an unwavering gaze, her presence making him instinctively step back. "What you call violation, we consider a gentle inquiry. Had we desired, we could have torn the information from minds, leaving permanent scars. Instead, we chose mercy. Do not presume to judge the ways of higher realms through your mortal lens."

CLAP

Before tensions could escalate further, Wonder Girl - who had been observing the exchange with growing concern - quietly slipped her crystal back into her pocket. The sharp sound of her purposeful clap cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention.

"Enough," she declared as she rose from her chair, addressing the room. "Nightwing, I appreciate your concern, but this matter is settled." Turning to face Batman, she continued, "Let's focus on on what's important."

Batman gave a slight nod before fixing his piercing gaze on Adirosas. "There's something I need to confirm. You mentioned the survival of the Saiyan race and spoke of 'other survivors.' What happened to Orach's homeworld, Sadala?"

Pain flashed across Adirosas's features as he gripped his staff. The images of the devastated sector - once home to the mighty Saiyan Empire - flashed through his mind. After a long, heavy moment, he opened his eyes.

"Sadala is no more," he said quietly, his voice carrying centuries of grief. "The war against the corrupted forces led by Evil god Sevich ended in tragedy. Where the mighty God-branch Saiyans once ruled now lies a dead zone where even the primordial laws have broken down. None dare enter that sector now."

"The Alacrity Alliance lost its strongest force that day," he continued, his grip on the staff loosening slightly. "It forced the hidden True Gods of Alacrity to reveal themselves, to prevent other realms, especially those not allied with Alacrity, from sensing weakness. But for me and my siblings..." His voice caught for a moment. "We lost more than allies. We lost our brother. The six of us who share a special bond with Orach - we felt a piece of ourselves die."

"That's why, when word reached us that he lived," Adirosas's voice grew stronger, more determined, "nothing could stop us from descending. But our true forms would strain the fabric of your realm, so we must descend either in limited vessels or with heavy restrictions on our power. That's why my wife and I came first to assess the situation, since among the seven of us, I possess the finest control over my power. The others will follow, one by one."

His eyes took on a distant look. "During the war, circumstances prevented us from aiding him. But," his expression hardened with resolve, "we won't fail him again. We'll bring him home to take his rightful place as a pillar of Alacrity, where he can carry on Sadala's legacy and establish his own domain." A thoughtful smile crossed his face. "Though after what we've learned today, our plans may need adjustment. Brother Orach has clearly built a life here—a fiancée, a daughter, those sealing crystals he granted to the two little girls—and even your technology bears Saiyan influence. It's clear he has plans for this lower realm."

As Adirosas's revelation sank in, a heavy silence fell over the room. The full implications of his words settled heavily on those present, especially the select few who had already suspected this to be case.

Wonder Girl bowed her head, letting her dark bangs fall forward to shield her troubled expression. Her fingers absently traced the edge of her crystal as thoughts tumbled through her mind.

'I always knew this day would come,' she reflected, a mix of emotions washing over her. 'I knew Brother-in-law would need to return to the higher realms, and of course Diana and Rachel would go with him. But I thought...' She swallowed hard. 'I thought we'd have more time. And now with these two here...'

The weight of imminent change pressed heavily on her shoulders. She had grown accustomed to having a family in Orach, Diana, and Rachel. The thought of losing them to the higher realms so soon made her heart ache.

Batman's eyes narrowed beneath his cowl as he processed the information about the sealing crystals. 'So that's what they're called... Orach must have left them as a contingency,' he thought, his tactical mind already analyzing the implications.

After a moment of contemplation, Batman turned to face Adirosas, his expression unreadable beneath his cowl. "You've traveled across realms to bring Orach home," he stated, each word carefully chosen. "However, there's something you should know."

Batman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Orach and his family are currently off-world, engaged in a conflict. Given this situation, what are your intentions? Will you await their return here, or do you plan to pursue them across the cosmos?"

"Conflict?" Adirosas's voice dropped an octave, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Beside him, Aurelia's serene expression turned equally grave.

The temperature in the room plummeted as Adirosas released a fraction of his aura. Everyone present felt an overwhelming pressure, like being submerged in the depths of an ancient ocean. Even Batman, with all his mental fortitude, had to suppress a shiver.

"Tell me everything," Adirosas commanded, each word carrying the weight of an Emperor's authority. "From the very moment my brother arrived on your world... leave nothing out."

Void Sentinel-Ship in Warp - Ship's Archive Chamber

Rachel's POV

I sat cross-legged in the archive chamber, surrounded by holographic displays of ancient texts about the different realms. Ethereal blue light cast shadows across the walls of the chamber as I studied the intricate scripts.

"The cycle of the lower realms..." I murmured, tracing the flowing text with my finger. "From creation to destruction, and then rebirth. Fascinating." Though Dad had given me access to learn about our heritage, the sheer depth of knowledge sometimes overwhelmed me, making me understand why he had warned against taking on more than I could handle.

It had been a day since our departure from the Oa system. Before leaving, we had placed a beacon broadcasting a stern message:

"NOTICE: By order of the Saiyan Empire, Oa is now a restricted zone. The Guardians and Lantern Corps have been defeated. Unauthorized access is prohibited and will be met with severe consequences."

Now aboard the Void Sentinel, our journey back to Earth continued. Even with our advanced warp technology, we had to proceed cautiously - the ship's full capabilities could tear apart the fabric of these lower realms. According to Mother Empress, the time dilation meant months had likely passed on Earth during our brief absence.

I found myself looking forward to seeing Barbara again, and my newly-integrated aunt, Donna. Dad had helped merge my memories with this timeline's version of events - ones where Donna had always been part of my life. It felt strange, having an aunt who was simultaneously familiar and foreign. The Flash's temporal meddling had created quite the paradox, though Dad's contingencies had protected me from the worst of it.

My thoughts drifted to our newest passenger - the young Kryptonian woman we'd rescued. Crescent had informed me earlier that she was emerging from cryogenic sleep. As the one tasked with helping her adjust, I made my way to the medical bay.

The sight that greeted me was both clinical and serene - a young woman floating in a med pod, her vitals steadily climbing on nearby displays.

"Welcome, Princess," Crescent's holographic form materialized with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Crescent. How is she progressing?"

"Her vitals are stabilizing nicely, Princess."

"And her genetic scan results?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Any trace of... Tuffle influence?"

"None whatsoever, Princess," Crescent replied solemnly. "Such contamination would have warranted immediate termination. In fact, her Kryptonian physiology is decent - her neural stem cell concentration and cellular density surpass even her cousin Kal-El's. Under a yellow sun, her potential power could theoretically exceed Superman's."

I raised an eyebrow at this revelation. Even discounting my father's godlike power and my mother's transcendent strength, Superman was considered among the mightiest beings in this realm. "She could make an excellent candidate for cultivation," I mused.

Crescent nodded. "Indeed. In the higher realms, we would consider her a promising seed - the type of talent that often catches the attention of greater beings."

"Though given Father's... complicated feeling on Kryptonians, I doubt she'll receive any special attention from him," I said thoughtfully. "Perhaps that's for the best. Living a normal life in the lower realms might be kinder than pursuing the path of cultivation."

Suddenly, a wave of intense emotions slammed into my empathic senses - fear, confusion, anguish. The Kryptonian was awakening. The force of her feelings nearly brought me to my knees.

"Princess!" Crescent called out in alarm.

"I'm fine," I managed, steadying myself. "Just caught off guard."

The girl in the pod was now fully conscious, panic evident in her eyes as she thrashed against her restraints. I quickly ordered Crescent to end the revival process. As the pod drained and opened, she stumbled out, speaking rapidly in what I assumed was Kryptonian.

"Crescent, why isn't the universal translator working?"

"Her mental state is too chaotic - the translator needs coherent thought patterns to function properly and register the language. She needs to calm down first."

Understanding what needed to be done, I approached her slowly, projecting waves of calm and reassurance through my empathic abilities. Though she initially backed away, she didn't resist when I gently placed my hand on her shoulder. I channeled my Ki - not as refined as Father's crimson God Ki, but soothing nonetheless - helping to settle her racing thoughts.

"Better?" I asked softly, withdrawing my hand.

Her eyes widened as the translator finally engaged. "Yes...I... I can understand you now," she said hesitantly. "But how? You speak Kryptonian?"

"Actually, what you're hearing is being processed through our ship's universal translator," I explained, watching her expression shift from confusion to fascination. "It automatically converts any language into one the listener can understand."

"That's... incredible," she breathed, taking in this new piece of advanced technology. "I always thought Krypton's technology was unmatched, but this..."

I couldn't help but smile at her reaction, remembering my own first encounter with the ship's capabilities.

"Why are you smiling?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of defensiveness.

"I apologize if I seemed condescending," I said softly. "It's just that I had a similar reaction when I first came aboard. Perhaps we should start with proper introductions?" I extended my hand in the traditional Earth gesture. "I'm Rachel Roth, though I also go by Raven, of the House of Gula. Welcome aboard the Void Sentinel, our house's flagship."

She studied my outstretched hand for a moment before taking it, her posture becoming more formal. "I am Kara Zor-El of the House of El. Thank you for your hospitality."

"The pleasure is ours," I replied, releasing her hand. "Now, about our technology—the universal translator is just the beginning. Let me introduce you to Crescent," I gestured to the highly realistic holographic form that had been quietly observing our interaction. "He is our ship's AI, and that med pod you emerged from uses advanced bio-regenerative technology capable of healing injuries that would be fatal in most medical facilities." I paused, noticing her slightly overwhelmed look. "But perhaps this isn't the time to discuss the ship. Kara, there's a lot we need to talk about—your rescue, your cousin Kal-El, and what comes next." I chose my next words carefully. "Would you like to hear everything now?"

She squared her shoulders and nodded firmly, though my empathic abilities could sense the turmoil brewing beneath her composed exterior. "Please, tell me everything."

As I walked her through the details, I watched her face carefully. While she maintained an admirable poker face, my empathic senses picked up waves of grief, anger, and fear rolling off her in increasingly intense surges. Yet she remained silent, processing each piece of information with remarkable strength.

"I understand this is a lot to process," I said gently, noting how her hands had begun to tremble slightly. "We can take a break if you'd like."

"No," Kara replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please continue. I need to know everything."

I nodded, respecting her resilience. "Very well. As I mentioned, your cousin Kal-El - or Clark, as he's known on Earth - has established himself as one of Earth's greatest protectors. He goes by Superman, and—"

"Superman?" A faint smile crossed her face. "That's... quite a name."

"Isn't it? The 'S' is actually your house's symbol and stands for hope, but when an enthusiastic Earth reporter saw it, she dubbed him 'Superman'—and the name stuck," I said with a light smile, trying to mask my mixed feelings about Superman while keeping her at ease. "As Superman, he's done remarkable things, Kara—things that would make your family proud. He has saved countless lives, and people on Earth look up to him not just for his powers, but because he embodies hope itself. Though I must admit, he can be quite annoying at times." Catching myself before revealing too much, I shifted topics and told her about Clark's life—both as Superman and his civilian identity, his loving adoptive parents, and his relationship with Lois Lane.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she struggled to keep her voice steady. "I see... Kal has a whole life there," she whispered, her voice wavering. "A family, a purpose... he probably doesn't even remember Krypton. What place could I possibly have in his world? He doesn't need me—I'll only be a burden to him."

"I understand exactly how you feel," I said softly, meeting her gaze. "I too lost everything I knew in a single night. A monster attacked my previous home, Azarath, and I became the sole survivor of an ancient civilization. My mother, my teachers, everyone I knew - gone."

My voice grew quiet as I continued, "For a long time, I was consumed by pain, anger, and a burning desire for vengeance. But more than that, I was afraid. The universe seemed like such a dark, lonely place."

"What changed?" Kara asked, her eyes fixed on mine.

"My father found me," I smiled gently. "He didn't just save my life - he gave me a new one. He brought me out of that darkness, raised me as his own daughter. Through him, I gained not just a father but also a new mother, a real home, a true family. They love me as their own, and I love them with all my being. I wouldn't change anything about that."

"But if I ever discovered another survivor from Azarath tomorrow," I added thoughtfully, "it could never diminish my love for my parents. It would just mean my family had grown larger. The same will be true for Superman, Kara. Having a family doesn't mean there isn't room for more love."

She drew in a deep breath, and met my eyes once more. "Thank you, Rachel... for everything." She paused, her voice growing softer. "I think I need some time to process all of this. It's really just... a lot to take in."

"I understand," I replied gently. "Take all the time you need. Would you like me to show you to your quarters? Or perhaps you'd like to see more of the ship first?"

Kara seemed to consider this for a moment before answering, "Actually, if you don't mind... I'll take you up on the offer for quarters."

I nodded and led her from the med bay escorting her to her quarters. After showing her to her quarters, I lingered outside her door. Through my soul-sight, I witnessed her finally breaking down in private, sobbing and apologizing to her parents for failing their final wish, for being there for her cousin, Kal-El. The scene hit too close to home—memories of Azarath's destruction and my own losses threatened to surface. I quietly withdrew and asked Crescent to transport me to my room.

Upon arriving in my quarters, I simply fell on my bed. Curled up on my bed clutching a pillow, memories of my own loss surfaced. The day when my biological father, killed my mother and teachers, leaving me alone in a devastated world. If not for dad adopting me and showing me unconditional love, I might have been consumed by that darkness. 'Perhaps that's why Dad assigned me to help Kara…' - we shared similar wounds. Though Dad too had lost his home world, his current power level and presence might overwhelm her fragile state.

Missing my dad's comforting presence, I confirmed with Mother Empress that he was in the workshop. Without hesitation, I opened a spatial ripple and appeared behind him, wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

"Tired?" Dad paused his work, turned with a gentle smile, and embraced me back. His soothing God Ki washed over me like a warm blanket.

"Something like that," I mumbled into his chest, feeling the day's emotional strain finally catch up with me.

The next thing I knew, I was waking up sandwiched between Mom and Dad in their bed. Heat rushed to my face - here I was, practically an adult, sleeping between my parents like a child! I tried to slip away using a spatial ripple, only to find the space laws completely locked down.

A soft hand stroked my hair as Mom's voice greeted, "Good morning, sweetheart." Dad's grinning face confirmed my suspicion - they'd both been awake, probably sensing my emotional turmoil from last night. "I can't believe you two," I groaned, burying my face in a pillow. "I'm not a child anymore, you know."

Despite my embarrassment, I couldn't help but smile, their unconditional love wrapping around me like an impenetrable shield. These moments, as mortifying as they could be, reminded me of how fortunate I was to have found such an incredible family.

After enduring their good-natured teasing, I returned to my quarters to prepare for the day. When I checked on Kara, the heavy bags under her eyes and tear-stained face spoke volumes about her sleepless night. Enough was enough - this wasn't helping anyone. "Come on," I said firmly, ignoring her protests as I guided her to the washroom. "A hot shower and fresh clothes will do wonders."

Once she was cleaned up and dressed in a white t-shirt with blue stripes, white shorts, and sneakers courtesy of Mother Empress - I brought her to the mess hall. Upon entering I saw Adellca, Laira, Hal Jordan and John Stewart already present having breakfast. I gave them a nod before leading Kara to a separate table. Crescent had prepared an array of Earth dishes, their enticing aromas filling the air.

"Listen," I said softly as she picked at her food. "The pain of losing loved ones never truly goes away - I know that firsthand. But your parents wanted more for you than just being Kal-El's guardian. They wanted you to live, to grow, to find your own path. And yes, part of that can be protecting your cousin, but first you need to build your own strength."

Kara nodded slowly, absorbing my words. "But how do I even begin? Everything feels so... overwhelming."

"One step at a time," I smiled, pushing a plate of pancakes closer to her. "First, you eat. Then, we can start with basic training. You'll be learning to control your powers under Earth's yellow sun. I've asked Crescent to prepare the med pod to help charge your cells with the absorbed light energy we've been collecting from the yellow stars we passed by since deciding to revive you. Later, I'll take you to the training chamber where we can simulate Earth's environment to train."

"Powers?" Her eyes widened slightly. "Like Kal-El's?"

"Similar, yes. Flight, super strength, heat vision - though you'll need to learn to master them safely. We have specialized training facilities that can help with that."

She picked up her fork, finally taking a real bite of food. "Will you... will you help me?"

"I'll be here to guide you, every step of the way, until we reach Earth," I promised.

Her expression became complicated as she continued to stare into my eyes and asked,"But, why? Why help me so much?"

"Consider it an early investment in you. I've seen your test results, and it's clear you have even greater potential than your cousin. I want to make sure you're ready to protect both the people of Earth and your cousin if needed." That was what I said aloud, but my true motivation was simpler—given how Superman and Dad couldn't seem to get along, I hoped Kara might help keep her cousin in check.

A ghost of a smile crossed her face - small, but genuine. It was a start.

By the end of breakfast, I saw a spark ignite in Kara's eyes, determination to grow stronger, replacing despair. Her posture had changed too - more confident, more focused. It was finally time for her to meet my parents properly.

"Crescent," I called out, "please transport us to the main deck."

"Right away, Princess," the AI responded, and in a moment, we materialized on the bridge.

I watched as Kara's eyes widened, taking in the advanced technology surrounding us. But when her gaze fell on my mother, I felt a wave of emotions radiating from her - nervousness, insecurity, fear, and awe all mixed together.

Mother studied Kara carefully, noticing her unease. With a gentle smile, she rose from her command chair and approached us. "Welcome, Kara," she said warmly, opening her arms. "You've shown remarkable strength surviving what you have."

The simple gesture made Kara tremble as she stepped forward into my mother's embrace. As she held on, I watched the tension slowly melt from her frame.

The scene gave me a strong sense of déjà vu, reminding me of my first meeting with Dad. I must have been smiling at the memory because suddenly, I felt a familiar gentle pat on my head. Looking up, I found Dad standing beside me, having used his mastery over space laws to appear silently.

"Sneaky as always, Dad," I whispered with a mock pout. "Using space laws is cheating."

He just smiled in response, and I couldn't help but smile back. The warm moment was interrupted when Mother and Kara separated, and Kara's gaze fell upon my father. In that instant, I watched her expression morph from curiosity and confusion to shock, then to pure terror.

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at Dad and was stunned. His eyes had changed - the right one blazing with crimson while the left swirled with an impossible mixture of light and darkness. These were his true eyes, windows to his primordial form, but why was he revealing them now?

Then it struck me as I studied Dad's expression. I recognized that look—he was reading her, judging her worth, but this was not the moment.

"Dad, please," I whispered urgently, gripping his hand. The pressure in the room was becoming unbearable. "She's not ready for this."

Dad's eyes softened immediately, returning to their normal appearance. But the damage was done - Kara had stumbled backward, her face pale with fear, a trembling hand covering her mouth to stifle a gasp. I could feel waves of primal terror radiating from her through my empathic abilities.

"ORACH!" Mother's angry voice rang out sharply across the bridge. She shot Dad a disapproving glare before rushing to Kara's side. "It's alright, dear. You're safe here," she soothed, wrapping a protective arm around the trembling Kara.

"My apologies," Dad said, his voice gentle now. "I sometimes forget how... overwhelming my presence can be to those unfamiliar with beings of the higher realms."

While Mom continued comforting Kara, whose complexion was gradually returning to normal, I studied Dad's expression carefully. His face had taken on that familiar blank expression - one I'd seen many times before when he was serious, deadly serious. This hadn't been a slip-up; it was deliberate.

"A test?" I whispered under my breath, though I knew he could hear me. Dad's slight nod confirmed my suspicion.

Still, watching Kara tremble in Mom's arms, I couldn't help but wonder about Dad's methods. There had to be a reason he chose such an intimidating approach with someone already dealing with so much trauma. Perhaps he saw something in her that I couldn't yet perceive? After all, Dad's tests, while sometimes seemingly harsh, always had purpose behind them.

End of POV

"Are you alright?" Diana asked gently as she pulled back from the embrace, her hands resting reassuringly on Kara's shoulders.

"Yes, thank you," Kara replied, her voice still trembling slightly. "I... I don't know how to address you..."

"Diana is fine," she smiled warmly. "I'm Rachel's mother and," she shot a pointed look towards Orach, her eyes carrying both love and exasperation, "that intimidating fool's fiancée." As she studied Kara more closely, a shadow of concern crossed her face. 'There's something about this girl... This goes beyond his usual wariness of Kryptonians. We'll definitely be having words tonight.'

"Thank you, Diana," Kara straightened her posture, attempting to regain her composure. "I am Kara Zor-El of the House of El. Rachel told me how you rescued me from that terrible dimension. I cannot thank you enough."

Gathering her courage, Kara turned to face Orach again. Though fear flickered in her eyes as she met his inscrutable gaze, she drew herself up with quiet dignity befitting a daughter of the House of El. "Greetings, Lord Orach of the higher realms," she said. "I apologize for my earlier reaction. I thank you for your part in my rescue and your family's kindness in helping me find my cousin."

Orach regarded her silently for a long moment, until Rachel's subtle tug on his arm prompted him to respond. "Your recovery is what matters. Though I must correct you - it was Diana who found and saved you. I merely assisted with transport."

"Orach," Diana began to interject, but fell silent at his meaningful look. She exchanged glances with Rachel, both sensing there was more to his behavior than he was revealing.

Seeing Kara's growing uncertainty, Rachel offered her a reassuring smile and a slight shake of her head - a silent message to stay calm.

"Now that you're recovered," Orach continued, his tone becoming stricter, more like an officer, "we should discuss your training. Rachel," he turned to his daughter, "take her to the med bay to begin the awakening process. Once that's complete, have Crescent transport you both to the training chamber. Start with basic ki cultivation under varying gravity conditions - she needs to build a proper foundation." His gaze swept to Diana. "After six months of that, you'll take over combat training for three months. Then Crescent will run her through progressive combat scenarios."

Finally, he addressed Kara directly, his dark eyes meeting hers with unexpected intensity. "We have two days before reaching Earth. Use the training chamber's time dilation to your advantage. While Rachel teaches you about your new home, remember this: you must learn to think independently and judge right from wrong for yourself. Do you understand?"

Rachel and Diana exchanged shocked glances, stunned that Orach wanted Kara to learn cultivation instead of merely training her physical abilities and combat skills. His unusual request only deepened their suspicions about Kara's significance, making them more determined to confront him for answers later.

Kara on the other hand straightened her shoulders, meeting his gaze with growing resolve. "Yes, Lord Orach. I understand."

"Good," he nodded, his expression softening slightly. "And drop the 'Lord' - just Orach will do."

"Yes... Orach," Kara tested the name carefully, some of her earlier tension visibly easing.

Diana stepped forward with a warm smile, masking her doubts. "Now that we've finished introductions and outlined your training plan, would you like something to eat before we begin?"

"I appreciate the offer, Diana," Kara replied, with a determined voice. "But I've already had breakfast with Rachel earlier. I'm ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead." She paused, her blue eyes reflecting both nervousness and excitement. "I want to learn everything I can before we reach Earth."

Diana's eyes softened with approval at Kara's response. "I admire your spirit," she said, then turned to Rachel. "Sweetheart, would you escort Kara to the med bay?"

"On it, Mom," Rachel replied with a nod. Moving to stand beside Kara, and addressed her. "The process might seem a bit intimidating at first, but I'll be there to monitor your progress. Come on, I'll explain everything as we walk."

As they turned to leave, Diana called out, "Rachel, remember to have Crescent monitor her vital signs during the awakening."

"Got it covered, Mom," Rachel responded, leading Kara toward the corridor before vanishing via internal transport.

Once the young women had left, Diana turned to Orach with narrowed eyes. "Care to explain what that display was about?"

"What display?" Orach replied softly, settling into his captain's seat.

In an instant, Diana materialized before him, her expression stern. "Don't play coy with me. Why terrorize her like that? She's been through enough trauma already."

Orach's lips curved into a playful smile. "You know that fierce look only makes you more enticing. Besides," he added with a suggestive tone, "we haven't christened this spot yet, have we?"

"This isn't the time for flirting," Diana's voice carried a warning edge. Her unwavering stare made it clear she wouldn't be deterred.

Seeing her determination, Orach's expression softened. "You win—you always do," he said with a resigned sigh. "I needed to test her response to my primordial presence. Her reaction was... interesting."

"Interesting how?" Diana's anger gave way to curiosity as she moved closer.

"Most beings faced with cosmic presence either collapse completely or lash out aggressively. Their minds simply can't process it. But Kara... she showed confusion first. She perceived something, something that both intrigued and frightened her."

"I noticed that too," Diana admitted thoughtfully. "Is that why you're offering her cultivator training? We rarely extend such an opportunity. Add to that she is Kryptonian and given your caution toward them it's even more strange."

"I offered her that opportunity for two reasons," Orach held up his fingers. "First, she has genuine talent. Second, she showed remarkable courage in facing me again after her initial reaction. Adding to that her clean genetic profile, possessing no trace of Tuffle DNA, I'm willing to look past her Kryptonian heritage. I want to see what potential she might unlock."

"There's more you're not telling me," Diana pressed, studying his face intently. "Spill."

With a wry smile, Orach commanded, "Mother Empress, transport Diana and myself to the treasury."

Diana raised an eyebrow as they materialized inside the treasury.

Once there, he added, "Mother Empress, isolate the treasury," before turning to Diana. "Follow me. There is something you need to see."

Diana followed Orach through the treasury, observing his unusually grave expression. At the armor section, he pressed his hand to his armor's display case and said, "Mother Empress, reveal Diana's armor display." As her armor case emerged, Diana's eyes widened at the sight of two more empty cases materializing beside it.

"Why show me this?" Diana asked, though realization was already dawning in her eyes.

"Because you're as brilliant as you are beautiful," Orach replied with a knowing look. "I suspect you've already figured it out."

Diana met his gaze steadily. "She's destined to be one of your wives, isn't she?"

Orach nodded solemnly. "Mother Empress, display the images."

Three holographic figures materialized before the cases. The first was Diana herself, but evolved — taller, more refined, radiating an intense pink aura through her regal armor. Diana recognized this as the future version Orach had seen in his Void Realm visions. The second figure stunned her — a mature Kara, emanating golden light that spoke of immense power. The third was equally striking — a mysterious woman wrapped in crimson aura that sent a slight involuntary shiver down Diana's spine.

"Orach, if she's destined to be family," Diana said gently after a thoughtful pause, "shouldn't we take a gentler approach?"

Orach's expression softened. "Think back to facing my echo, feeling my true power," he said. "Does anything in this realm frighten you now?"

Understanding dawned on Diana's face. "You exposed her to your presence to build her resilience?"

"Partly," Orach admitted, his gaze troubled as he studied the prophecy images. "But there's another reason. While I accept this future, it doesn't sit right with me yet. Kara may be technically an adult, but in many ways, she's still a teenager. I can't envision a romantic connection now - nor should I. Better to maintain distance, let her grow through her own experiences. If the prophecy holds true, it will happen naturally, with your blessing and Rachel's. But for now..." He paused, his expression softening. "For now, it's better that she fears me and maintains her distance. She needs guidance and mentorship, not romantic entanglements."

"And the third figure?" Diana asked, eyeing the woman in red.

"That's a matter for another time," Orach replied, his expression growing serious. "Right now, our priority is preparing Kara for what lies ahead. She'll need you and Rachel - to help her find her path."

Diana gazed at her future self's projection thoughtfully before turning to Orach with a warm smile. "These projections... you created them after our time in the bath yesterday, didn't you?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she added, "What about the other visions you mentioned? Of our..." she paused, her voice softening, "our children?"

Orach's expression softened as he saw the excitement in Diana's eyes. He gently took her hand in his and said, "I did create those projections. But Diana..." He paused, his thumb tenderly caressing her palm. "Would you really want to see their faces like this? I believe some moments are too precious to experience in advance. Imagine the joy of seeing our children's faces for the first time when they're born, holding them in your arms, feeling that pure, unfiltered emotions. You can come here to see the images after their birth."

Diana's eyes widened as she considered his words. After a moment, she squeezed his hand and nodded. "You're right. Some things are worth waiting for."

Orach squeezed her hands gently and spoke in a tender voice, "Diana, whenever you feel ready to start a family, I'm here. As cultivators, we both know it will take time, but the decision is entirely yours. We can begin now, or wait until after our wedding."

A soft blush colored Diana's cheeks as she laughed softly. "Given how... intimate we've been throughout this journey with our dual cultivation, I imagine I would have been expecting already if we weren't focusing on increasing my power."

"That's true," Orach chuckled warmly. His expression grew more serious as he continued, "But our path of cultivation has yielded remarkable results. Both you and Rachel have grown tremendously during this journey. Your base power now surpasses the gods of this universe—beings like your father Zeus or Odin—and likely every version of them in this lower realm. And when you transform into your Super Saiyan Cardinal Pink form, even if briefly, your power level rivals that of cosmic entities in this lower realm. The training was worth it."

Diana lowered her head thoughtfully before meeting his gaze with determined eyes. "You're right. I've grown stronger, and together we'll continue to ascend. But I also understand, the more powerful we become, the harder it is to conceive. So..." She squeezed his hands, her voice filled with conviction. "Let's wait until our first wedding night. Though I long to meet our children, I want to first prove myself—not just as your partner, but as an Empress worthy of standing before your godmother, your Master, and your friends when they descend to find you. So, until I either reach Emperor rank in my cultivation or our first marriage, whichever comes first, I'll devote myself entirely to growing stronger."

Orach's simply smiled and nodded as he squeezed her hand. "As you wish, my love. But first, we need to focus on something important."

"What's that?" Diana asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Your newfound strength," he explained. "While the ship's environment helps you to control your power, once we return to Earth, you'll need precise control. Without proper training, even a casual handshake could accidentally do more than crush someone's bones."

"I hadn't thought of that," Diana admitted, her eyes widening slightly.

"We have two days," Orach continued. "I want to personally help you master your new base power level. You'll need to exit periodically to guide Kara in her training as well. Shall we head to the training chamber?"

Diana nodded with determination. "Lead the way."

As they departed through an internal transport, the three holographic projections faded away one by one. The display cases settled back into place while the treasury's lights gradually dimmed.