Hail Thy Gods (Books 1 & 2 Complete)

Kalon

Chapter One-Hundred-Thirty-Seven: Vitar Ul Ilem - Part Two

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation

Solar System: D-447

Planet: Ora

Location: Orarak City, above the planet's surface.

My gaze moves around, taking in the room, searching for meaning amongst the unfamiliar sights. A carved statue atop a shrine is on one side of the room, and it seems to be the focal point. The statue is of a woman who holds her hand outwards as though to help someone up. I cannot see the face beneath the hood of the statue, but I think it must be an Arasha Goddess, which I assume Dargo is, as I do not think he is Kuwathi. If he works for the Inquisitor like I think he does, then perhaps it could be an Alverian Goddess, Balencia perhaps. I remember Kotina mentioning something about the Inquisitor worshiping that goddess. Tracing the statue, the ears are obstructed by the hood, though the body of it, I can't help but feel is eerily familiar. Almost like I have seen it somewhere before. Shaking off the feeling, I look around more.

In the center of the room is the pedestal we stand upon. Dargo motions with his arm for me to follow him. We move near the shrine, where there are two pillows sitting across from each other, and a table in the middle. On the table are two small black metal cups and a kettle made of glass, filled with water. He bids me to sit on one of the cushions opposite the one he sits on.

We sit in silence as he pulls from a drawer in the table a small ornate box, painted black with intricate lines of silver inlaid into it. He opens it and pulls out a dried black plant of some kind, which looks to be a flower as I examine it closer. He mixes it into the glass kettle. The water begins to boil shortly after, the plant tinting the water a deep purple hue. The glass kettle seems to be heated by some source inside the table that I cannot see, curious to my eyes, but not as curious as the weapons I see upon the walls.

Never having seen such craftsmanship of blades I cannot help but stare at them, there are flowing lines everywhere I look. My attention draws back to him as he pours into the black cups, sliding one towards me. As I look within, I see small speckles of silver glinting in it. So small that I might not have been able to see them without the contrast of the black cup.

I know this tea. It is the same as Tavjac of the Mordow gave me. Is he somehow connected to him? Kotina said it is very rare and expensive. Why does the man who gave me to Mallock waste resources on me? If he is connected to Tavjac as well, why did Tavjac not take me when he had the chance? Are their goals different?

"You know Tavjac of the Mordow I presume?

His eyes narrow but he does not answer my question.

"Drink, this tea will help your weary bones," he says, taking a sip slowly from his.

Raising the cup, it is just like the other tea. Etherius Prism Flower. There is a warmth that burns gently in me as I drink from it. The warmth flows into my bones, and calm begins to follow. Ever since I drank this, Krotha has not been able to control me. Tavjac has made me drink it twice. Why do they keep giving me the tools to fight her?

"Do you know why I called you up here?" he asks after I have finished my cup, his hand now pours another for me.

My pulse quickens. Does he know what I gave to Ira to hide? I had forgotten to ask her about it when I returned, distracted by other things. After some more thought, I don't think it is that. Something tells me that he doesn't care about the rules of this place, that he is here simply to observe me, besides, she would have been punished already, surely. He also has never shown interest in speaking of anything outside of this place. Taking pause to think on it more, remembering that Keepers are also liaisons with sponsors, my next thought is, "Did my sponsor lodge a complaint?"

He chuckles at this taking a sip from his tea. His chuckle reminds me of the Sage Artemius. I wonder if the two of them would have gotten along. Both cryptic, both weathered by memories that haunt behind the eyes.

"They did, but what you wish to do in regard to them, is no concern of mine," he replies after taking another sip.

"Then why?"

He sips more slowly this time. Then refills my cup again. The warmth now spreading past my tendons into my muscles, the soreness begins to dull and fade. I examine the cup more closely, what is in this tea that causes me to feel this way? I should have asked Kotina more about it. Perhaps I can convince him to tell me.

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"I saw you with the others, your words surprised me," he pauses, letting out a shallow sigh, "You speak of forgiveness to others, yet your view narrows only to encompass those you see as your people."

My jaw flexes, a wave of anger ripples at the notion of forgiving the masters, of forgiving him, the man who ensured Mallock could take those I care for and torture them. There are a few that I do not hold disdain for among those above my people. His words remind me that he is one of those who oppress, even if his demeanor is different, even if he is a lower caste than an Alverian. With his strength, I imagine he is treated well, regardless of race.

"Can you not open your heart to all who would seek its refuge?" he asks me pensively. I can't help but feel this is him speaking again between the words.

"If you would speak plainly, perhaps I could answer better."

He finishes his tea again before he speaks, but he does not refill it this time.

"You do not ask aid from those who willingly seek to give it to you, when they can help those whom you seek to save."

"You speak of my sponsor, yet you said it was not about them."

"It is not just your sponsor who seeks to aid you, but starting there perhaps will help you to open yourself for more."

He pours the last cup of tea for me, which I find myself drinking quickly. There is a warmth in my skin now, pushing outwards. Each one ensures that Krotha will not seep back. Even if it is my enemy giving it, I take it readily.

"That is all for today," he says, standing and motioning to the pedestal.

Feeling confused I ask, "Was that all you wanted to say?"

"For now, when you are ready to hear it, I will say more."

I shake my head, "I have questions, ones that you will answer."

A grin slides across his face, "Will I? How will you make me?"

I weigh my next words, I know that I can't beat him. He decimated my pride when I was at my peak. Even with a mountain of Netherium, I do not think I could have beaten him. With the Cursed Edict though… maybe I could have leveled the field.

"I don't think I will be answering any of your questions."

My eyes level in his, "Someday there will be a reckoning for what happened after you gave them to Mallock, for what you do here, helping them keep my people in chains."

He smirks. I pull the rage before it controls me.

"You remind me of someone I once knew."

He has made it clear that he will not answer my questions. Stepping on the pedestal, I feel it shake as it begins to lower downwards into the assembly hall once more. As it lowers, I see Keeper Dargo kneel before the statue in prayer. What kind of Goddess does he worship, that makes someone as formidable as him kneel before a simple likeness of them?

"Vek," I curse looking upward as the ceiling closes. Frustration rises in me as I realize I forgot to ask him about helping Nekam, I was so distracted. It doesn't matter, I don't think he would have anyway.

My pride groans as I move my wrist upwards to my holopad, flicking open the Sponsor tab. Thinking on the words of others, sponsors are there to help. Mine said they had sent me gifts, but I still haven't figured out how to receive them. I will have to ask Neeba or Ira how it works.

Dargo's words begin to weigh on me. My fingers try to resist the pull as I send a simple message to them, similar to the first one they sent to me.

Hello

Stepping off the pedestal I see many eyes upon me, questioning why I was taken upstairs. Nevari and Ira are now approaching me, and Neeba is not far behind.

"What did he say?" Ira asks me now, walking in stride with me.

"Did you ask him about my father?" Nevari asks me, grabbing my arm bidding me to stop. Guilt rises in me for forgetting, and anger flares for her touching my flesh.

"I was distracted," I admit.

"Too distracted to plead for the man who protected you. Too distracted to…" Nevari begins, but Neeba interrupts her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Let him explain sister, he cares for our father, I am sure he will help if he can." He says, now turning to me with hope in his eyes "Right, Brother?"

The muscles in my face tense, the rage threatening to drown me. Their words are like poison to my calm. Do not rip out their tongues… relax.

"That can wait, what did he say?" Ira says, stepping closer she whispers, "Was it about what you gave to me? Should I get rid of it?"

"What did you give her?" Neeba asks me, there is a change in tone, like he is offended I did not trust him with it.

As if I should trust him… the anger seethes. Control it. Do not give in to it.

"Forget that, what are you going to do about my father?" Nevari asks, pulling at my clothes, eyes full of desperation, "He will die in the next wave if nothing is done."

"Enough!" I yell, brushing her arm off. A bitterness rising in me for letting my emotions spill over.

They fall silent for a moment until I speak again, regret in me for letting it get to me. How can I expect others to rise if I cannot? Yes, I am angry that Nekam sold me, but he had reason to. They would have taken me without pay to study me, whether he sold me or the City Chief did, I would have ended in the same place. The strings of fate pulled me, and he did the best he could for the Clan. Nevari did what she ought, Clan over love. I understood then, I understand now. The rage simmers and falls back as reason pushes it.

"I did not mean to yell. Nevari, I have messaged my sponsor," my pride struggles to say, "I will plead with them for assistance."

"Thank you," she says gripping my shoulder firmly.

Her touch disgusts me, but I do not push her away. I need all of them, even if I don't want them.

"Ira, he does not seem to know. Is it still safe?"

"Yes," she says looking around speaking in a hushed tone, "I have hidden it well."

"Good."

I feel a buzz on my holopad, my pulse quickens as I see it is a notification from my sponsor tab. The others huddle around me as I open it.

You finally respond, can I take it to mean that you believe me? That I have your best interests in mind.

There is a sickening feeling in me as I begin to reply, the shattering of pride as I must plead with one of the masters. I do not even beg the gods for their assistance, my pride will not allow it. Those who forsake the cries of my people do not deserve my worship. Only Amara has proven worthy of me kneeling. Swallowing the remnants of my pride I reply.

Prove your words. A hunter in my grouping, Nekam, is in dire need of assistance, but he is unsponsored. If you help him, we can speak further. If you decide he is not worthy of your help… do not bother with a reply, for I will not answer it.