Why?
Of course, for selfish desires.
For the glory of the House of El.
Just like the emblem on the chest, representing hope.
Only the House of El is Krypton's true hope.
He once went bankrupt, nearly exhausting the El family's fortune, wandering through the high council and the noble families, doing everything he could to persuade them to face the crisis with him, and provide him with the resources to conduct his research, to resolve the issue of Krypton's core.
But what was the result?
He predicted Krypton's destruction, yet his theory was rejected.
The Science Council dismissed his warnings, accusing him of inciting panic. A few noble houses secretly believed him and quietly prepared spacecraft. Some so-called friends mocked him, calling him arrogant, a doomsayer. He was almost sanctioned.
During that time, Jor-El, as a member of the Kryptonian Science Council's preparatory committee, endured hardship, skepticism, and still failed to gain their trust.
This division was deeply rooted among the upper echelons of the various councils. They viewed him as a clown, sneering and scoffing, filled with layers of suspicion. His theories were considered invalid, completely unaccepted.
He was subjected to harsh criticism.
But he didn't have the ruthless iron will of General Zod or Bardi—to wipe out the entire council, seize control of Krypton, and save it by force.
Because he too was a beneficiary and a member of the upper class. It was difficult for the Kryptonian people to see that their leaders had no hope or expectations for life.
So when Bardi raised his banner in rebellion, Jor-El furiously condemned him for his selfish ambition, his wars, his consumption of Krypton's remaining time—calling him a sinner of Krypton.
He never once considered that secretly stealing the Codex of Life and embedding it in his infant son was, in itself, an act of betrayal against Krypton.
In fact, his action was worse.
If it was truly for Krypton's survival, the Codex of Life should have been implanted in Bardi, or Zod. Even placing it in his own body would have made more sense than embedding it in a child.
He firmly believed that his son was kind, that in the future, he would uphold the honor of the House of El and continue Krypton's legacy.
But had he ever considered what thoughts a baby could possibly have? What sense of family honor?
After being adopted by Earthlings, growing up on Earth, influenced by human culture and spirit, how could he still uphold the glory of the House of El and continue Krypton's legacy?
What kind of delusional confidence was that?
Could you really entrust a baby with the glory of the El family, expect him to become a god on Earth, transform the Earth, and carry on Krypton?
In truth, his son—Superman—didn't carry on Krypton's glory. Instead, he became the guardian of humanity, using the "S" on his chest to create his own legacy, turning it into a symbol of hope on Earth.
Even in other parallel universes, some Supermen become the greatest villains, rulers of Earth.
Yet none of them ever tried to restore Krypton's brilliance.
It's deeply ironic.
The son he had placed all his hope in never once followed his vision.
Jor-El is the true sinner of Krypton, the one who led to Krypton's annihilation.
Had the Codex of Life been given to Bardi, or Zod, they would have restored Krypton.
No matter how they used it, they would have brought Krypton back.
At the very least, Krypton would still exist.
There would still be Kryptonian bloodlines.
But in Jor-El's hands, embedding the Codex into Superman meant that he could only become Superman—a Superman with no deep-rooted connection to Krypton's legacy.
He would only remember Krypton, never revisit... Superman.
It was Jor-El who truly destroyed Kryptonian civilization and cast it into the dust of history.
The night felt ferocious.
And... still.
There was no wind, yet the air was scorching, as if steaming those present.
Jor-El could no longer argue. His body lay on the ground, blood seeping into the brown earth, dyeing it a deep, scarlet red with a heavy stench of blood.
His abdomen was torn open, exposing a glimpse of white spine. His organs squirmed as they attempted to regenerate. He panted heavily, mouth full of broken teeth, coughing and vomiting blood. The shredded organs made breathing a painful struggle.
His sharp claws were dug deep into the dirt. Fists clenched, his one eye twisted with hatred as he glared at Bardi, roaring from the depths of his throat:
"The hope of Krypton lies only with my son!"
"You never wanted to save Krypton!!"
Jor-El coughed up more blood. His canine face was red with fury, twisted with resentment—utterly terrifying.
"Ahhh!!"
Such a terrifying expression caused Jonathan to gasp and stumble back a step.
This wasn't the Krypto he knew.
He had never seen the once gentle, snow-white, soft-furred, clever and lovable Krypto with such deep hatred in its eyes.
Memories flashed in his mind, the times they'd shared meals, the clean, beautiful creature now a stark contrast to the monster before him.
Now, he had turned into a demonic werewolf—twisted, vicious, terrifying.
Jonathan was visibly shaken. His face froze for a moment, hands and feet cold.
Bardi's dark, icy eyes looked down at Jor-El.
His son, the hope of Krypton, didn't know how hard he worked to save Earth's people; but he never once used that same desperation to save Krypton.
"When did I ever say I would save Krypton?"
Bardi sneered, his towering figure leaning forward. Muscles rippled across his massive form, shrouded in dark, mist-like magical energy, exuding overwhelming power as he looked down coldly.
He had always wanted to rule Krypton.
To give hope and light to those who believed in and loved him.
When had he ever promised to save Krypton?
Jor-El's dog mouth clenched tightly, gums grinding until—with a crack—blood mixed with shattered white teeth spilled from his maw.
His mouth let out hoarse growls, like an enraged wolfdog fighting against death. But now he had no teeth, only bleeding gums and clenched jaws.
"You don't deserve the Codex of Life!!"
Jor-El's bloodied maw opened in a vicious snarl. His hateful eyes suddenly lit with determination and desperate hope as he shouted toward Martha:
"Leave here! Go somewhere new and take care of Kal-El for me!"
Heart full of grief, he roared to Martha, his eye bloodshot, tears and blood mingling.
Wailing on the ground, he cried out to send off his son.
He no longer had the strength to protect him.
This was his last act.
Live!
Kal-El!
I don't need you to rebuild Krypton.
I only need you... to live!
He was finished.
Suddenly, the baby in the swaddle began to glow faintly. In the dark night, the light was blinding, like light had descended onto the child.
Martha looked down at Clark in astonishment.
He was still asleep, but the light burst forth brilliantly.
It illuminated the surrounding darkness completely.
Like... a Child of Light.
However.
Bardi, like a merciless devil, was unmoved by Jor-El's plea. His towering figure stood like a demonic mountain. The devil looked down from above, shattering all illusions.
"You killed the one who truly loved your son with your own hands."
(To be continued.)
***
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