Kalon

Chapter One-Hundred-Four: Sabuk

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Tarvashal, middle residential district, housing quarter

It has been nearly a month since Luna left with Kotina to return to her House's domain. Fennec has nearly recovered from his injuries. We are still waiting for his contacts to get him a shuttle and clearance to fly so we can return to Naro city and retrieve Arrum and Isola. Planet Ora is still a category three zone. Everything has become more difficult, the security in Tarvashal has increased, thankfully, Kotina had my bounty removed before she left.

With the increased measures, Fennec tells me even the funds to purchase a shuttle are on hold. Something about needing more clearance. Strangely, the Inquisitor's ship has not left yet, a daily reminder of the powers above us. The ones that pull at fate's strings.

The first few days, I had received messages from Luna, they stopped soon after she said she wouldn't be able to contact me for a while. She assured me that Fennec would follow through with his mission. Still, there is little I can do to pass the time. Little to fill the void forming in me from missing her.

It is good to see the brothers recovering though, there is more meat upon their bones, faces now full. Eyes and ears open and listening, learning, preparing for the next steps of our journey.

"What is the purpose of such a thing?" Haki asks Ralia, pointing to a device that moves back and forth rhythmically.

The device makes strange sloping movements across its axis, always ending in the same place it began before repeating itself.

"It is decorative," she replies.

Haki gives me a look with an eyebrow raised, he and Daki have had many questions, they are naturally curious, as an Ulima should be.

"Sabuk," Haki says.

Ralia sighs, "I don't speak Kuwathi."

"Pointless," he says, giving her a lingering glance.

"As are all pretty things," she replies.

She is not as firm with him as she was when they first met.

"How can that be?" he asks, running his finger along the device.

"They just are," she says.

"Yet, you are not pointless," Haki says, giving her another glance, "Not to me."

This is not the first time he has brazenly showed his attraction to her. Yet, this is the first time I see a smile on her lips. It is fleeting, but I saw it. Standing, I leave them to their game, moving to find Daki instead.

"Where are you going?" Ralia asks inquisitively. She has had a close eye on me, there is no trust between us, yet neither is there a blade of vengeance in her hand. It's almost like she is waiting for me to give her an excuse.

I will not fall into such a trap. Not while I have so much to look forward to. Soon, I will see Arrum, and all of us will travel the stars to a place that does not beat us down for the glow of our eyes. It has grown inside me, this hope that Luna planted. Tenderly I stoke the ember of it. Someday it shall be a wild fire. Consuming the rage that sleeps deep beneath the surface.

"I asked where you are going."

"To find Daki."

She doesn't reply, but her gaze follows me until I leave the room. This is progress though, the first two weeks, she did not let me out of her sight. Even when I bathed.

"What is the purpose of this?" Haki asks her, I don't get to hear her answer though.

Heading toward the main area, this place we are staying, it is not as lavish nor large as Fennec's previous lodgings, but I find it more agreeable, less distracting. The walls are muted tones of grey, in contrast to his old estate's vibrant colors, and statues of himself.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Passing by Fennec's room as I go, I see he is in a heated conversation with someone on his holopad. He gives me a disdainful look, but I do not return it. Even if he hates me, there is no anger in me for him. He will help me get those I care for, and he has ensured the brothers and I are well fed and even clothed. Though I do not like the style which he forces us to wear. Still, what he has done, it is not a small thing to me.

"Kalon," Daki says, giving me a small bow. I nod to him, pacing the room now.

I have told him not to bow, as I am his equal. But he and Haki do not listen. Even after I told them the truth of their freedom. That it was not me that broke their chains. It was… that woman, the Inquisitor. My hand tightens, I did not like her. Despite her giving me the brothers for playing into her game. Her eyes reminded me of Dallus's. Eyes that do not belong in the land of the living. Eyes that I would gladly close before they seek to harm Luna. Still, reluctantly I owe her a debt, even if it was to manipulate me, she did free the brothers for me.

Thinking on it, when I went before Inquisitor Victoria in the room of white marble and gold. She traced around me and said only one word before dismissing me. Interesting. A simple word, yet her gaze told me that I would see her again someday. I wonder if she knows my secrets.

"Where is Salia?" I ask Daki.

"She is," he pauses, choosing his words carefully, "Changing her clothes."

"Why?"

"She wants to take me to something called a play," he says.

My eyes blink at him. Like brother, like brother then.

"Be careful," I say, recalling Salia's playfulness changing suddenly before, "She is…"

"She is what?" Salia asks, entering the room, glittering red fabric adorning her body, accentuating her curves, Daki is stunned by her, I am not. My eyes trace to her arm, a thin scar barely noticeable where I cut her.

"Dangerous."

She grins, moving to Daki's side, grabbing his arm and wrapping it in hers, "Surely not as dangerous as you though."

There is silence for a few moments, before Daki looks at me to speak.

"Do you mind if I go?"

I shake my head, "You are free to choose."

He nods, turning to Salia, "Can we invite Haki?"

She gives him a look that says she wants to say no, but she sighs and nods instead.

***

A few more hours pass, Haki and Daki have left, with the twins. I try to do the mana tracing that Luna taught me. But there is almost no Netheric Maka inside the Arasha city. The dampener they spoke of, I wonder if that is the reason. Perhaps I should try to channel Etheric instead. It is easier to feel it now, like it caresses my skin, each breath I feel it in my lungs. It was not like this before I broke the fourth boundary. It was harder to find it, like searching in the dark. Even my body feels stronger each day, I wonder how much stronger I will become. When Luna was speaking with the Inquisitor, Kotina told me that the boundaries take time to settle. The effects are not always instantaneous. This gives me hope. Hope that I will catch Luna in strength, surpass her even, when I do, I will set my sights higher, passing Kotina, and then anyone else who is stronger.

This is what drives me now, the purpose that is building inside me. The more I ruminate on the Theocratic Imperium, on the words that Luna and Kotina imparted on me, the feeling I got when I saw the grandness of their ship, and the weight of the Maka that steeped from Victoria… all of it compounds, giving rise to reason. Giving rise to understanding.

Strength is their currency. Strength is what I must cultivate. I must grow stronger. Strong enough that no hand may take from me again.

***

Three days later and it is one day shy of a month since I last saw her. Every few minutes I find myself checking my holopad for any word from Luna. Still, there is only silence. There is good news though, Fennec tells me he finally found a shuttle. Though why it took him so long, he has been less than transparent about. I do not get the feeling he enjoys helping us. Even so, the disdain has become less, seeing the twins he works with enjoying time with the brothers, I think he is happier for it.

"We've only been cleared for the next three days," Fennec explains as we move through the city's main hangers.

"I understand."

"I will leave you if you're not back in time, which means…"

"I said I understand," I say, giving him a nod.

"Good, what about them?" he asks, motioning to the brothers.

"They will follow."

"Good enough," he sighs, pulling up his holopad, "It should be in bay 4,532."

We move through the massive hanger with ceilings that stretch into the sky, thousands of small ships tucked away by large robotic arms. Hundreds of people walking in different directions. Each one with their own path. This is ours, and I am excited to walk it. Anticipation rises in me. After months I will see my bonded brother, Arrum. There is so much to tell him of my travels. So many things to teach him of their ways. Looking back, Haki and Daki walk on either side of me, one pace behind. In the same way that those closest to the Chief walk. They tell me I am such to them, but I don't know what that means, we are not a tribe, nor a clan. Not yet. Maybe someday.

Three hours of walking, three hours of my thoughts racing back and forth between that which will be. The future comes to greet me, and for the first time, I smile at it. Every part of me longing for it, embracing it freely. This is our time, our chance to forge a path towards destiny.

"This is it," Fennec says, moving his holopad over the terminal.

The large bulkheads grind open slowly, revealing a large vessel. Fennec tilts his head at it.

"Strange, wrong design spec."

"Maybe it's the wrong bay," I say.

"No, it wouldn't have opened otherwise, besides, it says it's been parked here for a week, oh well, upgrade for free I guess."

We move inside the hanger, my eyes tracing the ship, something feels off, I can't figure out what, but there is something in the air. My hand slides across the outside of the ship. Giving me pause. The metal, it's warm to the touch. If it has been sitting for a week, why is it warm?

"Something is off," I say, feeling for my blades.

"Why?" he asks, stopping.

I put his hand on the metal of the ship, his eyes glance over to me.

"Change of plans," he says.

"Ralia, Salia, we're…" he begins, but after he turns to look at them, his expression changes.

Spinning, I see a large group of soldiers, wearing heavy armor. Weapons at the ready. In between them a figure walks forward. A man, dressed in the same flourishing style as Fennec likes. Cold eyes that bear no emotion. A smile crests his lips.

My eyes squint at him, I know his face from somewhere, but I can't place where.

"Hello doggie," the man says, his smile deepening.

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