Chapter 208: Kaisha's Story (3)

Some of the elders told of warriors who had ascended to heaven, blessed by the sun. Others told of the last emperor, and the chaos that followed his death. Zaifa told of ascenders who had been infected by darkness, and had fallen into madness and evil. None of the stories sounded true, but Kai'Sa listened carefully.

Another slightly older girl, Kadira, who wore a rock armband, told the most bizarre story. She said there was a place called Zoran, on the other side of Koharise, that had survived for a thousand years under the protection of magic. "It's said to be a paradise there," she sighed, "with libraries, gardens, and clear water that flows as far as you can see. Everyone is safe and there is nothing to fear."

Kasha noticed that Kadila and the children were looking at her, and then she realized that she had just snorted contemptuously. "In the face of the void, no place is safe." Kasha said, "especially next to Kaharise. It must be made up."

"It's true." Cadilla did not give in. "Where do you think we are going?"

Kasa said nothing more, stood up and left the storytellers.

She found Taliyah leaning against a tent, talking intently with Zaifa and Sami, illuminated more by moonlight than by fire. Zaifa was running his fingers over an open scroll.

"You are not really going to look for Zoran." Kasa did not ask a question in a rhetorical tone. "You are walking into a trap by crossing Kahalise just for a story or legend."

Taliyah and Zaifa exchanged a glance, and Zaifa handed Kai'Sa the scroll—a map of eastern Shurima. She pointed to a location north of Koharise. It was Zoran. Due north. The same direction as the corridor. Kai'Sa frowned.

“If we want to find a place for these people to live, this is the best place to do it,” Taliyah explained patiently. “Their homes have been destroyed, and their families are… scattered everywhere. They need hope.”

"False hope won't save you. When facing the void, all you can do is run, and hope you run fast enough."

Taliyah shook her head. "If we go around the outside of the wall, we won't have enough food. If we stay where we are, we won't have enough food. If we go back the way we came, we'll only see ruins. Where else can we escape to?"

Kai'Sa stared at Taliyah and said, "Do you know what's in the Harissa? Something that eats people?"

"Aixai. We've all heard the legends."

“No. Zoran is the legend,” Kai’Sa said. “The Ax’Sai are real. I’ve fought them, several at a time. This is their lair. To cross through is to seek death.”

"I've fought void creatures before. Have you forgotten how I saved you?"

"Those aren't Axel."

“Whatever they are, I defeated them when you could do nothing.” Kai’Sa could see Taliyah’s jaw clenched, her will determined. “If Zoran is our only hope, then I will lead everyone there.”

“Besides, we’ve got a plan,” Sammy said cheerfully. “Taliyah will build a bridge, or a wall, or something, across the sand, and we’ll get everyone across.”

He was about the same age as I was when I was taken away by the void. She asked, "Why, you can control stones too?"

"I'm a first-rate rockhopper." Sami smiled confidently. "Give me a sandboard, and those monsters will have to eat dirt behind me. What if they keep chasing me?" He imitated the explosion of the ground. "Taliyah will use rock explosion to drive them back." "You don't know anything." Kai'Sa said fiercely. Sami's smile fell. "They are all monsters born by Rek'Sai... The only thing they can do is devour. Is there anything that dares to stand in front of them? It's all gone." She approached Sami: "If they hear you, you will become their prey. They will not stop at all, and they will bite your bones sooner or later."

"Why are you scaring him?" Zaifa said in a reproachful tone, gently steadying Sami's shoulders.

"Yes, I want him to know how to be afraid."

“Then come with us.” Taliyah said confidently, “You can help protect us.”

"No. Because you can't leave." Kasha pointed at Sami and said, "You can't let these children die. They will definitely die. I advise you to take a detour to the outside of the Great Wall. Take as many as you can. Those who can't keep up can be thrown away. The food saved can be--"

"Impossible!" Sami bumped into Kai'Sa, raised his head and glared at her. "Taliyah will protect everyone. I will protect everyone." He said angrily, "I will help everyone, and they will all reach the end, because... because each of their lives has meaning." He stomped his feet towards the campfire, and Zaifa followed.

“This is your only chance of winning,” Kai’Sa said quietly, “Otherwise, you will kill everyone.”

“No.” Taliyah walked up to Kai’Sa and held her gaze. “Our world is a tapestry, and each life is a thread of a different color. Each of us makes the world a better place.”

“The void is fire,” Kai’Sa retorted. “It destroys everything it touches. If your tapestry catches fire, it will be completely burned... unless you cut the sparking threads. Then you can save most of it.”

"You're wrong. Broken threads will become gaps, and eventually the tapestry will fall apart." The sun shone from the sky, and Taliyah's eyes shone with gold. "I don't want to give up on anyone."

The camp slept through the hot day. Kasha woke up a few hours before sunset. People were packing their bags and rolling up their blankets, ready to go. Children were distributing dry bread and cheese. She overheard a child tugging at Kadira's burqa and shyly asking if she could help deliver food to the "scary sister".

Taliyah pushed the stone structure down and buried it in the earth, leaving almost no trace of their presence. Kassa watched, eating her bread in small bites, reluctant to finish it right away.

"I guess you haven't changed your mind," Taliyah said. "You'll come with us." Kai'Sa saw a layer of sweat on her brow. She was exhausted and just pretending to be relaxed.

"No. I have to go somewhere." She sighed, "And you didn't change your mind."

Taliyah shrugged. “I have to go somewhere, too.” She returned to her manipulation of the stone. “I’m disappointed. Your skills against void creatures… could help these people.”

The best help I can offer is to find out what dug that void corridor. Whatever dug the corridor had a purpose... It's scary. But she didn't say it. She just said, "I hope you can help them on your own."

The corridor was the same as before: straight ahead.

(End of this chapter)