Lunara
Chapter One-Hundred-Five: Musings of the Heart - Part Four
Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant
Ruling Government: Republic of Hekate
Solar System: D-2,946
Planet: Ravena Minor
Location: Ara Continent, Ravena's Temple
***
Two Weeks Ago
***
For two weeks I have prostrated myself for a Goddess that does not wish to hear my prayers. Ravena wants me to beg, she wants me to melt in her hand and bask in the false love that she offers. She wants all of this from me, and offers nothing in return. There is a deep and profound resentment in me. That has only built since I prayed to Leora, the Goddess who actually listens to my prayers. The one that helped me save Kalon.
When I prayed to her during my travel here, she came to me, soft as a whisper on the wind. Offering comfort and guidance. Her words play in my mind still.
Others shall seek to use you, I will not.
Others may abandon you, I will not.
Go forth with pride my child, meet Ravena, let her know your worth.
Even if you call to the winds with a hundred other names, I will always answer your prayer.
For I have chosen you above others, and I will not spurn you.
The words give me comfort, yet sadness. She is the only one that deserves my prayers. She comforts me, knowing that I must offer them to undeserving ears. She is what I always wished that Ravena would be to me. It feels like a betrayal to offer myself before other Gods, when I already have her. I worry about Yekka still, wondering if she still lives. I have heard nothing from her or about her in months. Does she live? Will Victoria release her now that I completed her mission? Or will Victoria hold her as a hostage forever?
These thoughts are all that keeps my mind from worrying about Kalon as I kneel in the shallow waters of Ravena's Temple. The braziers still have not ignited. The priestesses tell me that she will answer, when I humble myself before her. My teeth grind. I spent months in these waters before. Never even a whisper. With a heart seeking guidance. My brow furrows thinking of the months I begged her to hear me. Begged her to give me a sign. Again she spurns me. Perhaps she wants me to pray to embarrass me again. The heir apparent of the great House of Ravena, still unworthy of her blessing.
***
Another week passes, I wear the cloistered garb of her priestesses. Every single fragging day I bend knee before her statue in the ethereal waters of her temple.
Everyday she ignores me. Answering the prayers of others who kneel. Those who seek pilgrimage from across the stars of our domain. They feel her light and receive her minor blessings.
Still, I do my duty. I kneel. I pray. But I do not beg. She will not get that from me. I will not shame Leora by begging before another Goddess.
***
There is only one day left before I am supposed to report to Inquisitor Victoria. The temple is empty, the moons high in the sky, their rays peeling through the upper windows, casting shadows across the placid water. She has still not answered my prayers. Another wasted venture.
It is not my pride that hurts. It is my heart. Not for the absence of her voice. But because I feel I have betrayed Leora by offering these prayers. My time would have been better spent praying to her, or trying to help Kalon. There is a resignation in me that grows. One that tells me that she will never choose me to be Primus of our House, she will never offer me her blessing. The resignation swirls with something else though. A freedom from it. Spite.
Kneeling, I look up at her statue, marble eyes hewn from the deep rock of Ravena Prime and transported here. So that those who cannot stand in the gravity of the capital planet may still pay tribute. We are not supposed to look upon her for long, but I don't care. She will know my mind before I leave here.
"Your scriptures preach humility. Your scriptures preach pride. You preach contradiction," I say.
The water is still placid. Even my insults she ignores. Fine.
"I do not want your blessing. I do not want your words upon my ears. In truth, I don't know that I ever did. Looking out upon the House you have built. The Trillions of lives you have culled in your name. How can I worship such a thing? You are not…"
The waters stir. I don't care. She will hear what I have to say. Standing, I turn my back on her, facing the door.
"You seek obedience from the stars, but you are not the strongest. You too kneel before Thane. You do not offer me blessings, fine. I don't need you. I have another Goddess. One who…"
Time slows, my words catching in my throat as my eyes widen. Radiant purple light blooms from behind me. I feel the gravity increase as my knees slam into the waters. Her voice echoes with authority from behind me.
Humility and Pride are not contradictions. They are two sides to the same coin. One cannot exist without the other, not truly.
The words make the water quiver. I hear her steps upon it like dew drops in the spring. She moves into my vision now. Fiercely glowing purple eyes and purple hair that streaks with silver and black. A sheer dress cut from starlight holds her loosely. Bangles of silver line her arms, a slender necklace traces her neck. Silver with a purple stone in the center. She looks down upon me, not with spite, her face is cold and placid like my fathers.
You speak of things you know nothing about, girl. You are but a budding flower in a field that stretches beyond millennia. What makes you so special that I should shine upon you? You think because a minor goddess shows you favor that I will too? She is forgotten, irrelevant, unworthy to have her name spoken upon my lips.
My hands clench as I begin to rise from the ground. I will not kneel before someone who disparages my Goddess Leora. I don't want Ravena's blessing, nor her chastisement. The stone beneath the water cracks as my legs lift me from the gravity she wields.
"Go frag yourself," I seethe.
She tilts her head ever so slightly. Measuring me with her gaze. I do not falter in her eyes. My head is held strong. Her head tilts more, her eyes glowing brighter. Then suddenly, the braziers ignite. Large purple flames dancing from them, reaching the top of the temple's high ceilings. She steps forward, placing her hand upon my chest. I try to move from her, but I cannot.
Know my blessing, Heir.
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Scorching hot energy ripples across my skin. Purple runic lines tracing a thousand patterns across my skin, condensing into a single crest… her crest. I look up into her eyes. There is no hatred in them, no emotion to explain what she is feeling. Yet on the corner of her lip, there is the faintest inkling of a grin.
The air shifts and time pulls back into normal flow. My eyes blinking fast, she is gone. The braziers are still lit. The large stone doors swing open. My father walking briskly through the water towards me. His eyes looking around at the dancing flames. He stops before reaching me, only a pace away. Nodding to me.
"Well done, my daughter," he says, taking one more step forward and embracing me tightly. Kissing my forehead like when I was a girl. There is a sigh of relief that falls from him as he wraps his arms around me. Pushing me away now, his face goes placid again, back to the coldness I have grown accustomed to.
There is confusion in me. A mixing of bitterness, and… something else I can't help. Despite myself, despite my convictions and wanting nothing from her. She has wrapped me around her finger. Her choosing me… made me happy. Frag.
"Come, we are making preparations to depart for the Adrius system."
My father turns, striding through the waters, leaving a rippling wake behind him. Guilt spreads in my chest. Getting blessed by another Goddess made me happy. I have betrayed Leora then. Yet, I cannot help it. Where there was pain of rejection by Ravena, blossoms the hope that I had as a girl to hear her words. Why did she choose me now? Because I stood up to her? Was that what she was seeking all along? Strength? My mind is in a twist, my father turns his head.
"Come, daughter."
Hearing him call me something other than girl feels strange. It is rare that he calls me what I am, his daughter. It feels like… he is finally acknowledging me.
***
The trip to Adrius Prime was uneventful. The day I need to report has arrived. Our ship moves into the colossal docking rings that wrap the planet. So many lights. So many lives. They are the Imperium's elite citizens. The majority Alverian, members of the golden standard of Thane's domain. None here truly know the suffering of those on Ora. Nor the planets like it. Before I went there, I did not know it either. True suffering was a concept to me, not a reality. There are countless worlds like it. Worlds that are mined of their Etherium, leaving the rot behind, until there is nothing left. All to bolster the Imperium. In the name of their God… Thane.
My mind wanders to Kotina, worried for her. She did not depart with us from Ravena Minor. My father has sent her on a mission to the far ends of our domain to investigate Etheric fluctuations. Beyond that, he has said little to me during our trip. Though he did let me sit in the command area of the Hyperion again. I wonder if someday I will be as good of a commander as him. Able to parse through emotions to deal with the lives and safety of trillions. If the people are the foundation, then he is the pillar which holds the sky from falling on us all. Seeing how he operates, it is humbling to know that I am not yet ready to fill his boots.
***
We have departed the shuttle that brought us to the glittering surface of Adrius Prime. Things occupy my thoughts during the walk to our destination. I want to pray to Leora, but how do I begin? My heart is still musing the betrayal it feels for accepting Ravena's blessing. My hand swipes through my holopad, why hasn't Kalon replied back yet? Perhaps he is busy. His last message says Fennec finally got them a shuttle. It saddens me that it was not resolved before I had to report back. Though I am happy that he will see Arrum again soon. Still, I would have liked to see Kalon before I return to the Trials. I don't know when I will be granted leave to see him. It may be months, or more. Be strong. Like my duty demands.
Brushing it off, I enter the building that the Preliminary trials were held. Memories of blood and screams echoing as I walk the halls with my father. His pace is steady, full of confidence. Like the Primus of a great House should be.
When we reach the familiar glass elevators that will take me to Inquisitor Victoria, he pauses as he did before.
"Pain is just a reminder that we are alive, remember your duty, daughter."
The words give me pause, what pain does he speak of? He knows something that I do not again. The glass doors slide closed before I can ask. My mind is racing now, checking my holopad again, sending another message to Kalon. Still no reply. My heart begins to beat irregularly. Worry filling me. What pain did my father speak of? He hasn't even spoken to me about Kalon. He never brought it up, nor did I seek to broach the subject. Is it about him? Has Victoria taken him?
The door opens, my eyes close, taking in a deep breath. Show her nothing. Give her nothing. Be empty. The breath releases and I step forward. She stands looking out the thick floor to ceiling glass windows. Down upon the ground, like she fancies herself as a goddess.
"Inquisitor," I say, giving her a bow.
"Squire, how was your trip to Ravena Minor?" she turns, looking me up and down, "Fruitful I hope."
"Yes, Inquisitor, I have received Ravena's blessing."
"Good, then your time on Ora was not wasted."
My eyes squint at her for a moment before relaxing. Is she implying she sent me there for more than to deliver the Cursed Edict? Shaking the thought, I press her words from me. Emptying myself of emotion. Show her nothing. Still, I need to know if she will give me back Yekka.
"What of the member of my House that you took…" I pause, weighing my words against her raised eyebrow, "That you took, into your care, Inquisitor?" I ask. Trying to hide the emotions still.
"Well, you completed your mission and have reported back to me, as instructed," Victoria says, waving a holo to me, "I have already ordered her release."
The holo enlarges, I see… Yekka, my dear sweet Yekka. She's alive, and well.
"Now, sit, we have much to discuss."
I do not show how much my heart rises at the sight of Yekka being alive. Nor at the sight of her bowing to my father, she's safe now. By the Gods she safe. Focus.
Moving to the seat across from her table, I sit slowly, calmly. My face placid like my father's.
She gives me a wry smile.
"One of my subordinates just finished up an interesting mission for me," she says, leaning back in her chair, eyes looking down upon me, "On Ora no less."
My eyebrow almost twitches, but I hold it in. Don't let her toy with you. Be strong.
"Would you like to see a holo of the exchange?" she asks, but it feels rhetorical as she swipes it in front of me.
My heart starts to beat faster. It's an ariel view above a hanger in Tarvashal, I recognize the style of the landing pads. I see Fennec, the twins Ralia and Salia, the brothers Haki and Daki, they look different now though, like they've filled out more. Fennec fed them well then, good. My eyes trace down to Kalon, he looks good, also more filled out, his hair slightly longer. Focus. Give her nothing.
They walk toward a shuttle, but something is off, Kalon is feeling the side of it, putting Fennec's hand on it. A look of worry on his face causes my heart to start thudding faster in my chest. Armored soldiers from the Talum Merchant Federation begin filing in. Twelve of them, then a man walks between them.
"This part's boring, let me speed it up," Victoria says, waving her hand.
The holo moves forward, Kalon standing with his hands held outward, his shoulders are slumped. Like he has given up. He says something, I can't hear what, but it gives the soldiers pause. Then suddenly, he lunges with blades in hand, my eyes blink fast as I see the blood spray, his face so calm despite what his hands are doing. He is fast, so much faster than when I first met him. Blood drips from his blades, the soldiers are afraid, backing away, but there is no mercy in him. It is a bloodbath. It reminds me of the holo Victoria showed me of my father killing everyone during his trial. I have never seen this side of Kalon before… it is terrifying.
Victoria moves her hand again. The holo speeds up.
My heart jumps. There's a man I don't recognize facing off with Kalon. He stands above the others, pinning them down with currents of air. He's past the sixth boundary at least, shaping certain elements to your will. That much I gleaned from when Kotina started bending metal alloy with her will alone. Kalon should run, he stands no chance against him. My hand grips the chair, bending the metal frame beneath my grasp. He won't run. He never runs when those he cares for are in danger.
The recording pauses and she swipes it out of view.
"Well, onto other business then," she says dismissively.
My eyes are bulging. What happened? Is he alive? Did she… my eyes raise up into hers. A satisfied smirk on her face. Anger sprouts from the core of my being, making everything fall away as I leap over the desk, drawing my Ionic blade.
Gravity slams into me, sending the blade from my hand onto the floor.
"Now, now, dear squire," she says, leaning forward, to my ear, "Did you really think I wouldn't notice his… unnatural abilities?"
My teeth grind as the desk cracks, I try to move toward her, to strangle this fragging hag. Blood pools in my face as I groan.
"Yes, you'll need that resolve to shatter the fifth boundary like I asked."
She stands, releasing gravity, I lunge, she strikes me across the face, sending me spinning through the air like I'm weightless. Slamming against the pillar of metal, it bends around my body, my ribs feel fractured. Coughing up blood, I stand slowly.
"What have you done?" I growl ferociously.
"What needed to be done."
My mind is fraying, thinking about Kalon and the others. They don't deserve this. Why is he being punished? The air cracks and Victoria strikes me again, blood flying from my lip.
"You will learn obedience," she says, coming to me and picking up my face from the ground, I try to strike her but gravity presses my arms to my side.
Obedience… frag her.
"You will submit to me, squire."
She looms over me, my face giving her defiance.
"Behave, and perhaps you will see him again, just like that Kuwathi you adored so much."
My breathing slows, I cannot beat her. Not as I am now. She is well into the upper bounds, all Inquisitors are. Frag. Swallowing the anger, I submit by lowering my head to her.
"Good, that's better," she says, I feel the smile on her lips.
Thoughts of what will happen to Kalon torture me now, what will she do to him to discover the depths of his secrets? I need to get stronger… I don't want his story to end like Riza's. I couldn't live with it. My hand clenches, I will follow her for now. I will break more than the fifth. I will rise higher than her and crush her throat in my hands. This I swear.
"Swear your fealty to me," she says, leaning down to my ear, "Dearest Squire."
My face twists as the words come out, "I am your blade, Inquisitor."
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