Kalon

Chapter One-Hundred-Seventeen: Yul - Part One

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Naro City

It is strange to walk the ground I thought I would never return to. Dirty streets of sheeted ice. Stained with dust from the mines, and blood from the desperation that this place inspires. I have missed some of the people who live within the walls, but I have not missed the place. My clothes are thick to hide my withered frame. People whisper insults in the old tongue as I walk by, but give bows as they are taught. They all believe I am an Arasha merchant. I even purchased the services of an inner clan to act as my escort.

Paid for with the Deca that we found upon the dead scientists. My people are not ones to waste. When they carved their hearts to ensure they would not become Shulka, they took everything of value from them.

A real Arasha merchant approaches me now with his escort.

"My friend, did you not hear? All of us are supposed to leave this place before the twin suns set."

"I know," I say, walking past him.

He curses at my rudeness but marches on. He knows what I know, this city will soon be flooded with Talum Merchant Federation soldiers. It was all over the comms, this city would soon be processed as they called it. But I know the truth behind it, most of it thanks to Mallock. They come to collect them to fight in some kind of Grand Hunt. The thing that even Fennec did not wish to tell me about when I asked months ago. Thinking of him and the others, I hope they have not met resistance. Now is not the time to worry though.

"Lord, are you sure you wish to venture to the lower city?" one of my ten guards asks, the leader amongst them, a tall man with a scar on his cheek. I did not ask his name, such things are beneath an Arasha merchant unless you have a long relationship with them.

"Do not question me again," I say in a harsh tone.

"Understood, lord, apologies, lord."

As we walk the narrow corridors, I feel bitter nostalgia, remembering the time I spent with Arrum. I hope he is well. Old scars that I have buried begin to reopen the closer I get to my old clan's hall. Memories of betrayal. Being sold by those who I helped. Anger stirs, but I press it down. I did not come here for revenge.

My heart tightens as I pass by my old tribe hall door. Remembering when Keno and his men cut the door and found the embrace of death. It has still not been repaired. This entire section of the city appears to be abandoned. Worry grips me now.

My heart falters as we come to the bridge that crosses the chasm, the door to my old Clan hall, the Yul clan… it is cut open. My feet drag on the ice, my eyes feeling hollow as my stomach turns.

One of the guards whispers, but their leader shakes his head at them.

"What happened here?" I ask.

"I am not familiar with this Clan, but months ago, the City Chief purged many of the lower city, lord," the leader says.

Purged… no. My hand grips the thin railing, cracking the ice beneath it. Arrum…

My feet stir as I move forward past the small bridge over the chasm, and through the small hole in the ice. It looks like someone has chipped it recently. Hope stirs. Perhaps…

As I enter, I am met with only sorrow. Bunks strewn in battle formation, blood stains the floor in wide arcs. Memories play in my mind as I walk through the debris. The hope that I once held, just for Arrum and I getting our own bunks. The times that Nekam assured us all that he had a plan. There is pain in my chest as I see what his plan has wrought.

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"Lord."

"Quiet," I snarl.

"Sorry, Lord."

The name of my old Clan is carved above the chief's private quarters among other places. The meaning, Yul… family. Yet, I see none, no familiar faces. Not even the ones I once despised.

"Wait here," I instruct them.

"Understood, Lord."

Prying open the metal door, I enter the Clan chief's quarters and close it behind me. The room has been ransacked, and stripped of all valuables. No trace of where they have gone. Sekat. My hand finds the wall as I strike it in frustration. A voice cuts the air, startling me.

"You have come, at last, just as she foretold."

My head turns toward it. I know the voice…

Green eyes dance in the low light of the flickering bulbs, strands of green hair hang out from her hood. She kneels before she reaches me. A large smile on her face that looks like it has known hunger.

"Alakin," she says, bowing her head now, "It is good to see you again."

I stare at her, my mouth struggling to speak.

"Korra…"

The smile deepens as I say her name. Her green eyes rise up to meet me, bioluminescence swirling in them.

"Yes, Alakin," she says, standing and striding toward me slowly, "It is me."

Her arms wrap around me as she buries her head in my chest, her grip is surprisingly strong. What's more, how did I not feel her presence? How was she able to hide from me? Normally I can feel those around me… did she suppress it? Something more pressing comes to mind though.

"Where are they?" I ask, almost not wanting to hear the answer.

"Most are dead," she says, looking up at me as she tightens herself around me, "But the ones you seek, they draw breath."

Relief. Sweet all all-encompassing relief that nearly sends me to the floor, but she steadies me.

Korra pulls down my face cover, eyes tracing my lips like she seeks to try them. She gives me a playful yet disappointed look when I do not return the sentiment. I don't recoil from her as I may have in the past, I am too glad to hear they live to care. Even seeing her is a blessing. One I suspect her Goddess… no, our Goddess had a hand in. Amara blesses me yet again, even with how weakened I made her become. I will need to pray to her soon, to give thanks.

"Come, I will show you where they are."

***

Korra has told me what happened to the city while I was gone. Famine and war. More than thirty percent of the lower city was thrown into the mines and worked until they died. Those that proved themselves in the Madrika, the tournament held by the City Chief were allowed to join inner clans. Nekam and those close to him did well.

"What of your cousin, Yuri?"

"He lives, Lord," she says.

The guard has been giving me strange looks, I don't blame them. It is highly irregular for an Arasha to even come to the lower city, let alone know the names of people from outer clans. It does not worry me though, they are softer than the outer clans. Korra even weakened I'm sure could take more than half by herself. I have seen her fight before. Besides, I know that I could break them, even withered, I am enough. They are here for appearances only, as I wish to avoid as many questions and pointless fights as possible. Had I gone alone, the hungry eyes that line the walkways would have tried to slay me, even thinking I am Arasha.

The hum of Netheric Maka is thick in the air down here. The natural resistance that Kuwathi have to Netherium is more apparent to me now. Even still, it is surprising that my people can withstand living in it constantly. I did not realize the difference until I spent time in Tarvashal.

"It is here, Lord," Korra says, bowing her head.

"Tell this Clan's Chief that I wish to barter," I tell the leader of my guards.

"Understood, Lord," he pauses, "May I tell him what you wish to purchase?"

"Servants."

He bows his head, moving toward the large circular door, more than three times the size of my old Clan's. The inner clans are rich compared to the outer, even the streets are cleaner. I already knew as much though, having traveled the abandoned city with her… with Luna. My heart stirs thinking about her. I have tried to keep her from my thoughts, I know it will be some time until I can see her again, thinking about her is torturous. Knowing she is so far away. Still, imagining her near me brings some solace. I wonder how she has been, I hope well. Soon I will see her… soon.

Ten minutes pass before he returns.

"The Chief has agreed, Lord, he has the ones he is willing to sell ready and lined up."

I nod, following him inside, the gate guards bow to me, not even frisking me for weapons. Not that I need them. The hall is large, this must be a very rich clan. I make sure my face is still covered as I pass through. Korra walks in stride behind me as a servant would. She is dressed well for the part, her clothes surprisingly clean despite her sunken face. I wonder how she has survived all these months. Ulima or not, it must have been difficult. There is a benefit to her looking underfed. The Clan Chief will assume I am stingy with feeding my servants, which means that he will think I have tight purse strings. Which in truth, I must have. I do not have that much money with me. Most was taken by the others. It doesn't matter though, regardless if I have enough, I will carve a thousand men to take my friends from this place if I must. I am weakened and withered, but I am still at least three times as strong as a normal man. Especially after eating more ration bars. Each one fills the void, my body sucking the nutrients dry.

As I pass the first line of bowing lower caste Kuwathi, I see him… a face that I have known many times. It gives me pause as I stand in front of him. He is missing a hand and an ear since I last saw him. His cheeks are sunken almost as bad as mine and the brothers. He has clearly suffered much in my absence.

Grey eyes and dark hair, with a scar just above his eye. It is him… the one who sold me… Nekam.

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