Kalon

Chapter Ninety-Six: Ved Nik Pas

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Above the planet's surface

The time moved faster than I had hoped, leaving words I wish I would have said to Luna, I don't know if we will have the chance to speak again. There is much that is uncertain. One thing I do know though, is that my pride does not want to admit that she was right, that I have been unfair, not only with my thoughts, but with my words and actions. Perhaps it is better like this though. I cannot give her what she seeks, there is no happy future for me. Fate has made this much clear. My hand tightens, unless I carve it…

"You really won't come with me?" Luna asks softly.

My eyes turn to her, the purple hue is distracting, so I look away without answering, for fear that my tongue might betray me. It is strange though, the color of her eyes, it is so similar to one of the Nine Demons. I wonder if there is a connection. It would not surprise me at this point. So many strings pull at this woman and her destiny. How did I even get here? Wondering after such things. A few months ago, Arrum and I were trying to earn our place in the Clan still. How is he I wonder? Has he wed Isola yet? There is a sinking feeling in me. One I try to not feel, one that is only distracted by the hope of finding the brothers and freeing them. The Grand Hunt, what is it? If that is the fate that befell Riza's city, then will it befall Naro? Will Arrum be caught up in it? My hand grips tighter.

"Kalon…" Luna says, barely above a whisper.

"Why do you seek the words of the dead?" I ask.

"You're not going to die," Luna says, I feel her hand gripping mine now, "She isn't going to kill you."

"You torture yourself, dreaming of that which cannot be," I say, trying to pull my hand, she holds it firm.

"Tell me that you don't feel for me," she says, her eyes trying to find mine, "If you tell me that, I will not dream of that which could be."

Tell her, be rid of this… whatever this is. My teeth grit as I turn from her.

"I…" I begin, but words do not follow.

"Then do not judge me for dreaming," she says, I look back, a small smile forming on the edge of her lip.

Vek.

She is not used to life taking from her. Not used to reality's embrace. This will all crumble for both of us soon. I should tell her what she asked. I should tell her that I do not care. Spare her from the harsh realization that comes. Spare myself even.

"We are here," Kotina says loudly.

Luna finally releases my hand, giving me a nod.

"There is a future here, if you want it badly enough," she says, moving toward the back section of the craft.

I pause for a few moments, thinking on her words. She makes it hard to let go of her. There is so much about her that I admire. Even her naiveness, the innocence of it. Shaking it off, I move toward where she went, but I hear Kotina step behind me, moving to block my way.

"Look," Kotina begins, grabbing my shoulder firmly before we depart, "I don't know what your intentions are, whether you're using her or planning to…"

"I do not use her," I say, my tone more defensive than I wished, a shallow breath restores the calm, "Nor would I ever plan to."

"I'm just saying, I don't know you well, yet."

Yet? As in there will be more time to? Was Luna right? She isn't going to kill me? My eyes search her.

"I thought you said you were going to kill me?" I ask, watching her closely.

"Never said I was, just implied that I should, and that I would, if I actually need to," she says, her expression becomes more serious, "There's probably nothing that can be done for you. However, we can try a few things. I'm not sure about the lore on that Edict, but unless you fully release its power, you might be able to cancel the contract that's only partially formed. That's how the other Cursed Edicts are at least."

"What do you mean fully release its power? I did when we fought with Dallus and his warriors, and when it pulled us from the depths of the waters after we crashed."

Kotina scoffs, "If you had fully released it, Tarvashal would have become a city of ash, even as weak as you are."

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That is what Krotha wanted me to do, she wanted me to kill the innocents of the city, or was it the Edict that wanted that? Confusing. There is so much I don't know, what is this contract she spoke of. Does it have anything to do with me calling Krotha? She spoke of a pact. Is there actually hope?

"I'll be honest with you though, you're probably slagged. Yet, Luna seems pretty invested in you. She's not experienced with the way that men can be," Kotina's eyes measure me, hoping to glean my reactions, "If you plan on coming with her, I will do what I can to keep you from becoming a stain on someone's boot, but if you're having any doubts, you may as well leave after we finish rescuing those brothers. If her father senses doubts in you for his heir, he will crush every bone in your body."

"My intentions are not to hurt her," I say, straightening myself and turning my head up to meet her eyes, "She is… important to me." My words surprise me as they fall. She is important to me, even more than I want her to be.

Kotina measures me for a few more moments then nods, "Right, well, I'm looking forward to seeing if you're worth a slag in a fight. Get moving."

"In a fight?" I ask.

"Well," Kotina says, raising an eyebrow, "Did you really want to just buy your friends back?"

My eyes blink at her, does she mean to let me slay the people who hold them?

"I don't like slavers, not going to cry about a few dead ones," she says, pushing me forward, "Come on, let's go."

Moving past her, I follow after where Luna went, rounding the corner, I see she is standing at the edge of it. From the expression on her face, I can tell that she was listening to the conversation. There is a small smile on her lips as she gives me a nod, pulling her hair behind her ear, then turning and moving towards the weapons compartment. She looked happy, something I have rarely seen from her, there is a bubbling in my chest again which I reluctantly do not push away this time.

"Alright runts, let's get kitted up. We've got a dirtbag and some brothers to rescue."

This woman, Kotina, her words do not try to hide their meanings, she has a way of speaking directly that I can appreciate. I wonder if she speaks the truth about helping me and not killing me after. Something tells me that I can trust her, that she is what she shows herself to be. Somewhat deceptive but mostly honorable. Is there hope of being free from Krotha?

Kotina takes us to the backside of her ship.

"Nerium Corp alloy outer weave, paired with Hakel Corp thermal displacement inner weave. Good enough to absorb most shockwaves and prevent overheating. Should be able to take a couple of plasma shots when your Berkara Corp shield inevitably fails. Slaggers always cheap out on the Etherium ratio." Kotina says, pointing to the wall that opens on the side of the shuttle. A black suit of fabric with thin plates lining it hangs from a rack.

"Kotina, I think this might be a bit excessive," Luna says, looking over the equipment.

Kotina ignores her, moving towards a larger recess, waving her wrist over it. Metal doors open, and I see a plethora of mechanical parts, bionic eyes, limbs and other things that look to be shaped like organs are neatly fastened to the walls.

"Fennec said he will be needing a replacement for his arm and that awful excuse for a leg." She says, "I don't know why he always insists on Therak Corp gear, it's for low lifes." She pauses for a moment, "I take that back, I get it now."

Luna lets out a little laugh, giving me smile as she does.

My hand touches the edges of the black metal arm I see, much like this ship we are on now, it was built for function over form. To my eyes which seek purpose over style, it is beautiful, yet I know Fennec will complain. A smile finds my lips, surprising me.

My eyes search now among the racks of tools made for slaying, searching diligently for the weapon that Luna and Dallus used, the one that sheers things making dust clouds in its wake.

"The blade of light that she uses," I say pointing to Luna, "I do not see one like it here."

"You mean this?" Kotina says pulling from her hip a similar fashioned hilt.

Nodding to her, she gives a smirk, putting it back on her hip.

"It's called an Ionic Blade. The closest you'll ever get to having one of them is if I have to use mine to sever your head." She says, pointing towards another tray of weapons "Best I can do for you is some plasma edge weapons."

"Why?" I ask.

"To wield one, you must be at least a Knight Commander, or of Noble blood," Kotina explains, letting out a grumble, "One of the many laws of the Imperium that is strictly enforced. Each one keeps a record of authorized users."

"What about Edicts, Fennec said you're an Edict holder, will you be using it?"

"Did he, that slag for brains. Using a fully powered Edict in a city, well that's courting death," she says, inspecting the light armor I put on, "I am strong, but there is always someone stronger, that's all I'm going to say on it for now."

Disappointing, but as I look upon the plasma edged blades she pointed to earlier, their edges begin to sing to me. Another smile forms on my mouth as I pick one up. The style is better suited than the ones that Fennec let me use, though in truth I never did anything with them. My eyes trace down to my boots, the hilts of my blades resting firmly against my calves. It would be more fitting for the brothers to be rescued by the weapons of their people. Though as I think more on it, perhaps the old Kuwathi did use these, before the fall.

***

It took a few hours, but we finally reached the area they are keeping Fennec. A tall grey building that stretches into the sky, the Talum Merchant Federation's crest is emblazoned upon banners that hang from it, and imprinted into the thick metal doors of the entrance.

"This is going to take forever," Kotina sighs, eyeing the large amount of soldiers near the front, "Category three zone, slagging hells, I hate waiting around. Do not remove your masks outside, and do not, for the love of the gods begin without me."

"You're letting us go alone?" Luna asks her.

"Just go scout the markets out, maybe get something decent to eat, and again, do not remove your masks, he's got a bounty still for killing that… well I don't remember the guys name, whoever bought him."

"Betran," I say.

"Yeah that one, his family posted the bounty," Kotina says, looking back toward the building, "Should be done before nightfall, hopefully."

"Try not to have too much fun without us," Luna says, I can't see her face, but I can hear the smile.

"Slag off," Kotina grumbles to her, then turning to me, "Ved Nik Pas."

With that she turns and moves toward the building.

"What did she say?" Luna asks.

"Gibberish, but I think she meant, follow her lead."

"Well," Luna says, turning to me, I can hear the coy smile on her lips, "Shall we?"

It is again strange how much can change between people in a short time. Less than a few hours ago, I wanted to leave her side, now, I do not. She has a strange pull over me, like I am locked in her gravity. Time will tell if that is a good thing or not. For once in my life though, on this day, I feel truly hopeful, and grateful. After having watched how they navigated the city, I was foolish to ever think I could do it alone, there are so many things that require credentials and holopads. My thoughts linger on the hope that Kotina gave as well, perhaps death will not claim me. Perhaps there is a solution since I did not draw the blade's full power. I cannot help but wonder though, what would its full power look like?

"Kalon?" Luna asks, I hadn't realized I was lost in thought.

"Yes, let's go."

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