Kalon

Chapter One-Hundred-Sixteen: Trad'ukor

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Research Facility

Like a forgotten chorus that my soul has always known, I shape the Etheric Maka, finding the rhythm that she showed me, even if it is not as beautiful as when she played it. The Maka dances in the air, and as it does, I enter a trance, weaving and moving it around me, turning each shard into dust, hundreds of them. The air quakes from it, from the tempo which was not meant to be played by hands like these. Leora's eyes are wide as she watches me, but I am so focused I barely see her anymore, I barely feel anything except for the melody.

It is strange, as I move I hear the words my mother spoke to me as a child. Trad'ukor… Belief becomes power. Words that resonate with me now. My hands touch Fennec's flesh, this time, it is not the ocean of Ravena's power that I feel, but the momentum of a years worth of Etherium swirling around me. Bolts unravel from metal, Haki and Daki both whisper prayers. My mind focuses on a singular purpose. The rhythm.

Maka swells as I shape it around Fennec, sweeping past his runes, leaving the ones given by Ravena Netheric, while the ones he was born with dance with the energy around them. I hear Ravena speaking, but it is distant, like she cannot reach me in the trance, like suffocating the power from her runes dulls her connection. The golden eyes flash as it hears the melody, it is not anger that spills from it, nor wrath… but peace.

Runes shape and form over Fennec's chest as the skin which was peeled begins to form anew. Writing new runes upon him, runes dipped in the melody which the horned woman has shown me. There is meaning in them, so much so that I hear the whispering of power shaped to thought echoing. Each chord of the melody drives this meaning and becomes understanding. I twist the Maka as Amara taught me, shaping the sinew of Fennec's body. Just like I saw my mother do when I was a child. Flesh forms as the cells of his body ebb with power. Clouds of Etheric dust gather around me as they shatter in the crates and roll to the call of my will.

Bone forms from absence, veins, tissue, muscle, and tendon, forming from the will. I don't even feel Ravena fighting me anymore. His body rises from the ground, defiant of gravity, his runes bright as a star in midday, his eyes erupting with more than just bioluminescence.

My body steams as the last of his flesh folds over his toes. My breath is coming faster. On his chest, I see the new runes I shaped beginning to dull with the rest. His body lowers to the ground softly, eyes closing once more. The runes that Ravena gave him begin to shift to blue from the residual Etheric Maka in the air. My hand still on him, I see her flash in my mind as the connection restores. In the vision, she stands but a breath from my face, eyes dipped not in anger, but curiosity.

Interesting…

Removing my hand from Fennec, the connection severs. I look up towards the horned woman, a faint smile on her lips as she nods to me, disappearing from my perception.

My ears are ringing, but I hear Leora's voice all the same.

You have woken her… haven't you?

My eyes turn to her, her eyes are wide, the blue hue ignited. Amara grabs my shoulder, even though I cannot see her face, her eyes glow through the darkness of her hood. A deep and familiar yellow. Who is she really? Why does she not speak? She bows her head, disappearing from my perception, though I do not think it was her choice.

Looking down, Fennec's body is still steaming, every part of him whole, even the arm and leg that were missing when I first met him all those months ago. There are no scars upon his flesh, as though the tapestry of pain that was wrought with his flesh was never painted. Yet I know, that within his mind, those memories will still be there. Those scars will not disappear so easily.

Haki and Daki come to my side, eyes wide, even Ralia looks on with disbelief. I do not blame them, even I am surprised that it worked. The melody seemed to disrupt the connection of his blessing runes. Making them starved of Etheric Maka. Once she was not able to stop me, the overwhelming amount of Etherium and what Amara taught me did the rest. Looking down at my hands, I see the burns upon them are gone as well. Etchings of runes begin to fade now. Strange.

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Leora's voice slithers again.

Answer me… did you wake her?

I turn to her, squinting my eyes.

Zarae… you have seen her… haven't you?

The air whispers as she speaks it. As though the name itself holds power over it. Is that the horned woman's name? It must be. Thinking back, Leora told me to seek Zarae… destiny… she must have meant her. So, she knows of her existence, but cannot see her?

That weave of power, it's the only explanation… you have met her… felt her power… then, it is true…

Her mouth wraps into an open smile, madness licking at the edge of her wide eyes.

She has awoken… at last… that which could be…

She laughs to herself, but I don't hear the laughter, she appears manic. Eyes glowing fervently as she clutches her chest over her muddled heart.

Take my blessing… become my…

"No."

Her face flinches at the word, but it settles back. I will not submit to a goddess who will not fight until the bitter end. Even if it was the right choice, I resent her for making it. For looking down upon the people who worship her. On top of all of that, the golden eyes hunger for her. That is enough for me.

In time, I will earn your trust, then you will take my blessing. Until then, know that I am with you Child of The Dawn.

"Speak the meaning of such words," I say.

She smiles and disappears. I shake my head… Vekka.

"Speak what meaning?" Haki asks me.

"Nothing," I say, again forgetting that only I could see them, "Forget it."

"Do you speak with them, truly?" Daki asks me, eyes searching for answers.

"I did."

"Are they here still?" he asks.

"No, they have left, as should we."

The three of us nod.

Ralia helps Salia stand, her eyes are drooping still, but she looks at Fennec and tears fall from her face.

"We need to carry him," I say, looking at his body, even though it is whole, it is very thin and frail, more so than ours. I wonder if I had enough Etherium if I could have erased that. There is little left now. We will need some for the ships no doubt, for the Etheric dampeners.

***

There are still four shuttles that are operational. I destroyed two with the Cursed Edict apparently. Once the shuttles were prepped, I learned that Ralia had lied to me, she knew how to bypass the shuttle's security, she just didn't want to leave Fennec behind. I could not even be mad at her for it. She has taken command of one of the shuttles, housing a third of the freed prisoners. It has been six hours, each shuttle is loaded with people stuffed to the brim, except one. Each one is paired to the command of the one Ralia will fly, except one.

Fennec still slumbers. I do not have the heart to wake him and find out if his mind has changed. Ralia dosed him again and bound his hands, just in case he tries to take his own life. The people that are with us, they touch my shoulders, bowing their heads in reverence while whispering prayers. It makes me… uncomfortable, I think.

"Brother, let us go with you," Haki pleads.

"Who will help them?" I ask, pointing to the crowds of people stuffed inside shuttles.

"I agree, we should go with you, Alakin," Daki says.

"Do not call me that," I say, not in chastisement, but because I don't want there to be a gap between us, "We three are equals."

"Then let us go," Daki replies, crossing his thin arms with a faint eyebrow raise.

"You are needed with them."

"Kada, you are weak now, going alone will mean death," Haki says, then looking down, "If you won't let us go, then at least recover first."

"There is no time," I explain, leaning down to the ground, I grasp three small pieces of rubble, tossing one to each, "If you can crush it in your hand, then you can walk with me."

"It is not possible, especially not as frail as…" Daki begins.

The stone cracks and crumbles in my hand.

"I am weak as I am now, but I am still stronger than them."

Both blink at the dust that falls from my hand.

"Please, do as I ask, watch over them, I will return to you once I have them."

"Arrum would not want this," Daki says, clenching his jaw.

"Then it is good that he is not here to say no," I say, giving them a weak smile.

Both come forward and embrace me, there is solace in it, and bitter sadness.

"We will pray to Amara for your safe return," Haki says, bowing deeply to me, almost stumbling over from the strain. It pains me to see them so withered again. I will do better for them this time.

"Only to Amara," Daki adds, bowing as well.

I return the bow.

"We will meet again, and we will travel the stars together, do not lose faith in that."

They nod, both reluctant to not go with me.

"Kalon," a voice says from behind.

It is Ralia.

"You're sure?" she asks.

I nod, "I must."

"I will send word to Kotina as soon as I can find an encrypted holopad."

"Thank you," I say.

She steps forward, embracing me as tightly as her weak frame can allow.

"Thank you," she whispers, "For my sister, and Fennec."

The moment passes in silence before she pulls away.

"Okay, I need one of you on each shuttle, even though I will be flying them remotely, just in case," she says to the brothers, they nod to her, then turning back to me, "You do know how to fly right?"

"An Ulima always pays attention," I say with a weak smile that is returned by the brothers.

"Right, well, good luck. Come back alive."

***

It took nearly a day, but I am almost there, the city that I left all those months ago. Wearing new clothes I found in one of the compartments. Thankfully the ships have a special pass of some kind. Probably from the Inquisitor so no one disturbs their comings and goings. When they did check, I read out the codes that Ralia had found, that was enough for the Federation Space Command. It gives me hope that they will make it. If they can get to Kotina, or someone from her house, surely…

On the horizon, I see it now… Naro City. My old home.

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