Chapter 36 (The Lucidity
distillery)
Jekor
pushed himself up onto the rocky bank and gasped for air. With the last of his
strength, he pulled Kkaj out of the water. Panting, Jekor rolled Kkaj onto his
back and performed CPR on
him as the books had instructed.
Water
spewed from Kkaj’s mouth in a coughing fit. His body convulsed before his chest
rose and fell in a steady rhythm. His eyes fluttered open.
“Are
you okay?” Jekor helped Kkaj sit up and patted him on the back. “I was worried
you had drowned back there.”
“I’m
just glad I didn’t end up crocobear food.” Kkaj brushed his fingers through his
wet hair, and his
sparkling purple eyes darted left and right.
Six
paths led from this side of the riverbank with one on the other side. A small
bridge led across the river and small vats
—
bigger than normally barrels — lined
the walls. A sticky sweet smell hung in the air and made each breath cling to
Jekor’s mouth. Upon further inspection, small tracks lead from teach path save
for the center one and the one across the river.
What’s he looking for? Jekor opened his
mouth.
Kkaj
placed a finger to Jekor’s lips and shushed him. He whispered, “Do you hear
that?”
Jekor
fished the water from his ears.
Coming
down the leftmost corridor, an angry woman’s voice bounced off the walls. Was
that Ikiffar?
He
nodded then leaned in close to Kkaj. “This has to be the Lucidity distillery.”
“The
vats tell you that, fool.”
Jekor
squinted, but he couldn’t make out the squiggly lines and shapes scrawled
across each of the vats. “Sorry, years of burying my face in books as dulled my
vision.”
Kkaj
grunted. He climbed to his feet and rolled his shoulders. “Anyway, we need to
go save Roffor.”
“And
Ikiffar.”
Kkaj
swallowed. “I need you to promise that you won’t tell her that our bastard of a
king is involved.”
“But —”
“I’ve
wanted him dead for so so long, but do you know why I haven’t killed him?”
“You
said civil war earlier.”
“Basically.
Though, now that his son has reached his first year, the country might not fall
apart.” Kkaj moved towards the leftmost corridor.
Jekor
followed. “Then … ?”
“Without
the king leasing them, the Drunkzards would go on a rampage. This would encourage the other monarchs to invade
in order to maintain peace and ensure
the safety of JemKej’s citizens.”
“Th-th-that
just can’t be true. If the other countries invaded, JemKej would be ripped to shreds and divided between the
other nations.”
“And
the nobility would fight, and a desolation like this would has never seen would
take place.”
Jekor
arched an eyebrow. “So, we can’t let Ikiffar know about the king’s involvement.”
“That’s
right. I’ll give my life to her, and with that, her revenge will be sated.”
“But
you still have to die!”
Kkaj
shushed Jekor. “If my life will save the JemKej from war, then I’ll let her take it faster than a
shot.”
“That’s
just … but you’re innocent.”
“I’m
far from innocent. I’ve done enough to warrant execution several times over.”
Kkaj stared at his feet and bit into his lower-lip. “Especially for what I made
Roffor go through because I wasn’t strong enough alone. And not avenging her …
loss … .” He shook his head. “No. I deserve to die. I just hope this nation
doesn’t burn with my corpse.”
Tears
blurred Jekor’s vision, and he rested a hand on Kkaj’s shoulder. “You really
are a good man. I’m sorry I misjudged you.”
“Don’t
get sentimental. Just keep Ikiffar away from the king and Roffor safe.”
Jekor
nodded, and together, they crept through the cave.
Ikiffar’s
voice grew louder. She was shouting at someone.
Jekor
wiped his eyes then stepped around Kkaj as the corridor opened into a
library-sized cavern.
A
massive conveyor belt stretched
across the room with bottles resting atop it. A collection of vats sat at the
back of the machine while crates were positioned on the right. The sour stink
of vinegar mixed with the sweet scent of honey and tickled Jekor’s nose while
the cool air pricked at his skin.
Beside
the crates, Ikiffar towered over a hunched old man, poking him in the chest. “What
kind of payment is that?”
The
old man swallowed. “It’s the only kind of payment we accept. You need to —”
Ikiffar
screamed then pulled a pistol from her Drunkzard vest. “Accept this.” She blew
a hole through the old man’s head.
Blood
splattered the wall behind him, and his body crumpled to the floor.
She
kicked his corpse then spat on it. “I already told you that the monarchs will
no longer be coming her.” She glanced to Roffor, who picked through the crates. Ikiffar replaced the
pistol then lifted one of the bottles, draining its contents. “How many bottles
do we have?”
Roffor
scratched her head. “About —”
“Roffor?”
Kkaj stumbled into the expansive cavern.
She
spun, and her eyes grew wide. She sprinted across the room and wrapped Kkaj in
a tight hug. She showered him with kisses. “I’m.” She kissed him again. “So.”
Kiss. “Happy.” Kiss. “To.” Kiss. “See you.” Kiss. “Made it here.” Kiss. “Safely.”
She lifted his chin and pressed her lips against his, holding him in a deep embrace.
Ikiffar
coughed. “Kkaj?” She gulped. “Did Jekor … ?”
Jekor
strolled out of the corridor and grinned. “Actually, I’m the one who kept him
safe.”
Ikiffar
scrambled forward, tears dripping from her chin. “I’m sorry I left you like
that. It’s just —”
Taking
a page from Roffor’s book, Jekor leaned forward and kissed Ikiffar, slipping
his tongue into her mouth.
She
moaned then wrapped her arms around Jekor’s neck.
He
held the kiss for a long moment. “I’m glad that your safe.”
Kkaj
held a hand out to Roffor and made his way to Ikiffar’s side. He dropped to one
knee and bowed his head. “Let’s be done with it. Kill me then go live in peace,
your revenge fulfilled.”
Ikiffar
started.
Roffor
squealed. “No. Kkaj. You —”
A
whistling breath exited Ikiffar’s mouth, and she scratched Kkaj’s head like he
was some type of pet. “You know I can’t do that.”
Kkaj
looked up. “What?”
Ikiffar
strolled towards the bottles of Lucidity. “I know how much you fought to save
the people.”
He
glanced at Roffor who shrugged.
“I
know who the responsible party is. I know what that bastard put you through.”
She drained another bottle of Lucidity. “I also know that the other monarchs
are just as guilty and should still be in JimKar as we speak.”
Kkaj
shook his head. “No. That … that would create absolute chaos. Much worse —”
He clenched his eyes shut. “No,
no, no.” He began to mumble to himself.
She
strapped four more bottles into her vest then tossed one to Jekor. “Here you
are, love. This should be enough for your research.” White energy wrapped
around her hand, and a massive beam ripped through the other crates of
Lucidity, destroying the distilling machine along with the other supplies.
Rumble!
The cave began to shake. Rocks fell from the ceiling, crashing into the floor.
Ikiffar
turned and pointed towards the far wall, releasing another white-hot beam of energy.
A
violent tremor rippled through the cave.
After
turning towards the door on the far side of the room, she clenched her fists. “Sorry
to leave you again, love. But I have to take care of this world’s problems
before they have a chance to escape.” She opened the door. “Please escape
before this entire place comes down.”
“Ikiffar!”
Jekor scrambled forward as the ground shook beneath him. “Please, wait for me!”
“Sorry.”
Ikiffar disappeared around a curve in the corridor.
Roffor
grabbed Jekor by the wrist and along with Kkaj, hauled the two men from the
cavern. As they made it into the daylight, Jekor’s horse whinnied once it saw
him. Ikiffar’s horse was still there. How was she —
A few
feet away, white energy wrapped around Ikiffar, and her body lifted into the
air. She rose higher and higher. A moment later, she bolted through the sky,
flying towards JimKar at a mind-numbing speed.
Jekor’s
jaw dropped, and his grip around the bottle of Lucidity — the last bottle in
existence — tightened. Would his scholarship even matter if Kkaj were right? If the world fell into a chaotic war? Jekor
stumbled towards his horse.
Next: Chapter 37
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