HTG - Chapter 172

Kalon

Chapter One-Seventy-Two: Kada - Part Three

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Republic of Hekate

Solar System: D-2,946

Planet: Ravena Minor

Location: Ara Continent, Ravena’s Temple

The temple complex is not simple, but there seems to be a method to the twists and turns as we wind the path in the glass pod. The map shows many paths that lead nowhere, many more that return people to the start. Luna told me of the temple before, when we were in Tarvashal, she said that the chamber that houses Ravena’s sacred statue is beautiful. From what I have seen so far, I begin to realize that our definitions of beauty are different on a fundamental level. Even the simple workings of stone and tunnel for the pods is chiseled with expert hands. There is much that I will have to learn about her people.  

Fennec was a good instructor for the month that I was with him in Tarvashal before… Mallock. My mood sours thinking on the past. How is Fennec I wonder, though we did not get along well before, his resolve impressed me.  

“Fennec, is he here on Ravena Minor?” 

Dargo tilts his head at me, “Who told you we were on Ravena Minor?” 

“The gravity, the temple, they all match Luna’s descriptions.” 

“Mmm, well, this world’s gravity is pretty standard for the Imperium, the temple is unique though, points for observation. However, do not assume that…” 

“Are we on Ravena Minor or not?” 

He frowns, “Yes, you are correct, and Fennec is indeed here, but every moment is a teaching opportunity.” 

“Do not lecture me, old man, I don’t have the patience for it right now.”  

“Right now…” he turns and raises an eyebrow, “Perhaps in the future though?” 

He is persistent, and highly skilled. Solara did well under his tutelage. He is a good teacher, this much I have seen with my own eyes. A good person though? This remains to be seen. Besides, I seek the strongest to train me. Dargo is not the strongest I have met. Tavjac of the Mordow, he is. I am certain of it.  

“Tavjac of the Mordow, where is he?” I ask.  

Dargo’s brow furrows, “What makes you believe he is here?” 

“He does not stray far from the Cursed Edict.” 

“Don’t be so certain of that, it is foolish to assume anything about him.” 

“You sound like you know him well?” 

He pauses for a few moments, “Better than some.” 

The pod door opens and natural light spills into the tunnel as the outer doors open. The sights wash everything from my mind instantly. Bright and somber colors mix across the horizon, the sunset is beautiful on this world, more so than the words I can shape to describe it. My hand catches a small object that flies toward me. The feeling is strange, and dry, yet smooth and flexible… orange and yellow hues that match the horizon dance on it like a flame caught in ice.  

“Are you going to catch all the leaves in the wind, or shall we be off?” 

I blink, releasing it to the wind. Everywhere I look there are beautiful trees of glorious shades dancing in the wind. It is warm compared to Ora, yet I know it is cold. I recognize the season from holos the Sage showed me and Arrum.  

“Is this Auttumn?” I ask, looking at Dargo.  

“Obv…” he pauses, and straightens, “Yes, just before winter.” 

“Are all worlds this beautiful?” 

He chuckles, “If you think this is beautiful, you will not have words left for better looking worlds.” He looks out at the horizon, “It is a pleasant world, but there are some that… they take your breath away at sunrise and don’t give it back until sunset.” 

We walk forward, he is letting me lead the way, I can’t sense Arrum anymore, but I still remember the direction I felt him. My pace quickens but I do not run, there are many hundreds of people that pray in the gardens and light strange lanterns. I can hear whispers of prayers on their breaths. Some of them are Kuwathi. Some of them I recognize from the Colosseum, they lower their heads when they see me, offering praise to their gods. When their eyes return to mine, I see them searching me for answers, for a path. 

Where can I lead them? I do not even know where my own feet wander.  

“There are some worlds that are dull in the day, but when night falls, they truly shine.” 

“Night is the Shulka’s time.” 

“They call them Krothaspawn in the Imperium, you’ll do well to remember that, unless you want people to know your origins.” I do not reply, so he continues, “Those worlds dance with vibrant colors and swirl with life.” 

My pace increases once we pass the crowds. The further we go towards Arrum the more Kuwathi I see, most you could not tell because they do not wear our furs or our garb anymore. They wear the colors of Ravena’s house. Black and purple with silver stripes that line some of the edges. The craftsmanship is greater than any I have seen in Naro and similar to the highest quality merchant shops from Tarvashal.  

It is strange to walk this place, surreal even, if I was not looking for Arrum, I think it would strike me deeper. Arrum and I dreamed as children to travel the stars and find the places that the Sage showed us… but I don’t think either of us ever thought we would land amongst them someday. So much has changed since we were simple Ulima under the Yul Clan.  

As my feet grow closer to where I think he is, memory begins to find me again. Painful memories… Isola, his lover, she is dead. Does he already know? He must by now, it has been nearly half a year. Worry threads through my soul, so much that I feel the Maka around me humming with it. Dargo gives me a strangely curious look. 

“Who taught you how to do that?” he asks.  

“Do what, old man?” 

He sighs, “Never mind, boy.”  

He stops a few paces later and blinks, turning to me, “How did you know that Arrum would be here?” 

“I told you, I felt him.” 

“But… never mind. Be wary, I sense great tension in the souls along our path.” 

My pace increases at his words, the worry building higher in me. My heart raises as I hear Arrum’s voice, but it sharply falls when I hear the words he yells.  

“Do not stand in my way! She is mine to kill!” 

The air rushes as I explode my pace and leap over two knights guarding a courtyard. The stone tiles crack as I land roughly, I’m still not used to my body’s strength, I leapt two times as far as I thought I would. The fifth bound is not simple, even without my body at full mass.  

“I will fucking kill her!” Arrum yells, I feel his anger pulse, like a whisper in the Maka that I feel around him.  

Who does he want to kill, and why? 

My feet drag to a stop as I see a gaunt woman, emaciated and withered, she reminds me of those who survived Mallock’s tortures. Why does Arrum want to kill… the woman’s head raises as she stands.  

“Let him end it, let him take my pain,” she says softly.  

Adona… The Warden.  

My eyes spin around, my weary heart softens when I see Luna. At her side is Solara and Korra, a strange pairing. Kotina looms over Arrum, holding his arms at his side, veins are bulging from Arrum’s forehead.  

“Calm down, damnit,” Kotina groans.  

She is being gentle with him, I have seen her shape metal with her will alone. For this kindness, I am thankful.  

“Let me…” 

“Arrum,” I say, loud enough for him to hear.  

He stops struggling and turns, his eyes are glowing brightly.  

“Kada…” he whispers. 

“Yalla, Kada,” I say in the old tongue. Find the calm within, brother by bond.  

His jaw flexes, and his eyes turn back towards her, “She killed my Isola, I demand her life, Kada.” 

“She did not have a choice,” I say, and it is here in this moment, when he turns and he looks at me, that I feel my heart breaking. “She was a friend to Isola and many others like her.” 

He does not speak he only looks at me. I can feel the betrayal in his eyes, the pain, the loss.  

“It was Adonius that ordered her death.” I do not say what Adonius did before that, he does not need those nightmares to bore into his mind. This I will take to my grave. Isola would not want Arrum to suffer with that knowledge, she would not… 

Adona’s voice breaks the silence, “He tortured her for months, little things at first, just to watch her squirm…” 

“Be silent!” I yell, the air quivers as rage slams into me, the calm flows cooly back as I say, “Do not spill venom where it need not be.”  

Adona’s eyes widen as she looks at me, but her tongue holds in her mouth.  

Arrum looks at me confused, betrayed. But I know that he understands why I did not tell him. Arrum is wiser than his years. 

“She suffered, as many suffered,” I admit, remembering the scars on her body, I point to Adona, “But she cared for this woman. This woman helped her, offered her freedom…” 

“She would not leave without you…” Adona whispers.  

My eyes close as Arrum falls to his knees holding his stomach, tears welling in his eyes. It is seldom that I have seen him cry. We have lived a harsh life, he and I. Kneeling next to him now, I pull him into me.  

I whisper quietly so only he can hear, “I saw Isola, her spirit held my hand from cutting Adona’s throat, just as I beg your hand to hear her last wishes. Let her live…” 

“Blood demands blood…” he says. 

“You had your blood with Adonius, he suffered when we flayed his skin and carved his flesh. When my boot was the last thing he saw. Let it be enough.” 

Arrum looks at me with anger in his saddened eyes, “When the hand that directed the blade falls, so too does the blade it wielded, that is our way, do not take this from me.” 

It is the way of our people. Blood demands blood… can we not be more? I turn to look at Luna, her face looks as sad as Arrum’s, distraught and filled with worry. If the roles were reversed, would I have listened?  

My head lowers, I would burn the galaxy to avenge her… who am I to take this? I turn to Adona, she looks like she wants to die. My brow furrows as I look at her, if this is her wish, is it my right to stop it? She has paid her penance, she saved many. As I look around at the walls and see the curses on them, I know they must be written for her. She suffered in silence, and gave much, all she asks for is a death that is fitting.  

I keep asking myself can we be more... my eyes lower, if I cannot, then how can I ask others? 

I nod to Arrum and stand. He grabs the blade from the ground. Kotina moves to stop him but I shake my head. She gives me a strained look but steps back. Arrum steps toward Adona and asks her a simple question.   

“Do you have any last words?” 

She looks up and smiles through tears, “I’m sorry.” 

He blinks at her, there is hesitation in him, I know he does not want to kill her, but he feels he must. He grits his teeth firmly and moves. Luna rushes forward but Kotina grabs her by the arm and holds her back.  

I slowly step in front of Adona blocking Arrum’s path.  

“I do not want to fight you,” he says with a clenched jaw.  

“Nor I you.” 

“Then step from my path.” 

“There is no easy answer here, no right path to take. I know that you will resent me for this, but you would resent me more if I let you kill the one that helped Isola. I can only hope that someday you will see that.” 

“Blood demands blood…” he says weakly, shaking his head, “Do not take this from me.” 

I grasp the blade’s edge and shatter it in my hand, blood drips steadily from the shards, “Then let my blood be enough.” 

He looks at me wildly, yet part of him seems relieved that I stopped him. 

Arrum shakes his head and looks down slowly as he drops the hilt and turns. His eye traces over to me for but a moment, but he doesn’t say anything, his head turns again, hanging low as he brushes past the knights and leaves. Dargo nods to me and follows after him. Adona lowers and weeps into her knees, pulling at my heart.  

This will not be enough for Arrum, nor will it be enough for all who suffered and lost. I think back to when we were in Naro city as Ulima still. Nekam rallied people behind an idea, a cause... the Sage spoke of causes binding the hearts of people to a common goal. I saw it in the eyes of those I passed that knew me, they sought a path.  

“Why… why would you stop him?” Adona asks softly, tearing at her matted hair, “I am from Helenius... let me burn.” 

Luna steps forward, grabbing my arm softly and entwining her fingers into mine.  

“Kalon, she is Riza.”  

My head turns to look at Luna… Riza? My eyes travel back. My heartbeat is in my throat as I swallow. Why would Luna say that? Adona can’t be… Riza is dead.