In the evening, the finally reunited family of four sat around the dining table, enjoying a sumptuous dinner. After all, Kara had finally come back after a few years, and the occasion called for celebration.
However, the atmosphere at the table was somewhat heavy. Clark's recent struggles, especially his growing questions about his unusual abilities, weighed on everyone's minds.
"Maybe I'm cursed?" Clark muttered, voicing his concern.
Kara didn't agree. "Why would you think that?" she asked.
As she spoke, she casually used her telekinesis to levitate a scoop of mashed potatoes from the bowl, floating it directly into her mouth with an air of ease and satisfaction. Her time traveling the world had left her far more relaxed about displaying her powers openly.
Jonathan gave her a disapproving look. He had been drilling the importance of secrecy into Clark for years, and now his daughter was blatantly disregarding that lesson at the dinner table.
Martha sighed and plucked a spoon from Kara's plate, pressing it into her hand. "Use your utensils properly, Kara. You're home now."
Kara shrugged nonchalantly, then turned to Clark. "Why do you think you're cursed?" she asked again. "If that's true, then what about me? But I don't see it that way.
"Maybe right now, these powers feel like a burden because Dad's been asking you to hide them to protect you. But one day, when you want to help someone in need or protect someone you care about, you'll understand just how incredible it is to have the strength to make a difference."
Her tone softened as she continued. "Clark, I've been to the farthest corners of the world. I've braved freezing conditions in the Arctic and the Himalayas, fought off wild animals, and even stood up to the worst kinds of villains. Without my powers, I might not have survived half of those experiences.
"Carrying great power comes with responsibility. Think of this as a test of your character, Clark."
As an older sister who had faced so much, Kara felt it was her duty to help her brother navigate his own struggles.
But Clark wasn't so easily pacified. He locked eyes with her, determination flickering in his gaze. "I just want to know why we're different. Why is it that you and I have these abilities, but Mom and Dad don't? Why us?"
Kara looked away, avoiding his gaze, clearly uncomfortable. "Does it really matter?" she asked, trying to shift the subject. "Just eat. I've been craving Mom's cooking for years."
This time, she reached out and tore off a piece of roast chicken with her hands, drawing another sharp look from Martha.
Martha crossed her arms. "We have tableware for a reason, Kara."
Jonathan sighed but remained silent, watching his daughter with a mix of understanding and exasperation.
Finally, after a long pause, Jonathan spoke. "Kara, you said Clark has grown up. Maybe it's time to tell him where you and he come from."
Clark blinked in surprise. "What do you mean, where we come from?" He looked at his mother, then his father, and finally at Kara, who remained silent.
Kara bit her lip and tore into the chicken with a crunch, chewing on the bone absently as she processed her thoughts. Finally, she sighed and turned to face Clark.
"Since Dad thinks you're ready, I'll tell you," she began. "Clark, you and I… we're not from Earth."
Clark froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Kara continued, her voice steady. "We're not Mom and Dad's biological children. They adopted us and raised us as their own, and they've been amazing parents to us."
Jonathan and Martha exchanged a glance, touched by Kara's acknowledgment.
Clark, however, felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. "So… what are we?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kara took a deep breath. "Your real name is Kal-El, and my real name is Kara Zor-El. Your father, Jor-El, was my father's older brother. That makes us cousins, not siblings.
"Our home planet was called Krypton. It was destroyed long ago. Before its destruction, your father and my father sent us to Earth in separate ships to save our lives. We're the last of our kind, Clark."
She paused to let the words sink in before continuing. "Kryptonians gain incredible abilities under Earth's yellow sun. Combined with Earth's lower gravity and its unique environment, our powers grow stronger over time."
Kara glanced at Clark, gauging his reaction before adding, "When I traveled to the Arctic, I found an old Kryptonian ship. It's part of an exploration mission Krypton sent out over 20,000 years ago. You'll be able to access it using the crystal your father left you. The AI onboard can tell you more about Krypton, about our people, and about who you really are."
Clark sat in stunned silence, struggling to process everything.