The Regenerates

by Maansi Pandya

  “The Quadrants were starting to talk. Far too much time had passed, and we couldn’t delay any longer.”

  “You mean because you assumed Kayn would die, isn’t that right?” said Rogin, shaking his head.

  Kayn’s chest was heaving and his face had turned white. Ven’s mouth fell open.

  “I don’t think this is about Kayn,” said Seer. “I think you old geezers were more worried about what the Quadrants would think of you.”

  The elders began to laugh amongst themselves. Gant gave Seer a cold look. “We had Klaus coronated because, regardless of what you are all claiming, we cannot allow someone who has associated himself with the likes of you to lead this nation,” he said. “Kayn, we have already agreed to something that has never been done in Cor’s history. Klaus will remain Grand Magistrate so that we are able to retain at least some of the normalcy and sanity that we have lost thanks to you. Our word is final. You are more than welcome to remain in the palace, however. Klaus will arrange for a special position on the council to be created for you.”

  Kayn was expressionless. After a few moments, he rose to his feet. The guards now surrounding Gant tightened their grip on their weapons.

  “I hope you enjoy playing leader, Gant,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper. “Because when you least expect it, it’s not going to be so much fun anymore. I will make sure of that.” He grimaced and left the room, banging the doors behind him.

  Seer slammed his hands on the marble table. The sound made everyone jump. “Here are our conditions,” he said loudly. “The Elders are not to interfere with us in any way. We know what we’re doing. Secondly, no harm is to come to Ven’s mother, and she is not to be used as a bargaining chip of any kind. Sorry, but we’ve seen enough sadism here to want to keep our guard up. Thirdly, you will no longer spread lies amongst the Quadrants. You decide how much you want to tell them, but you have to be honest. We’ll know. If you don’t tell them at least some of the truth of what you’ve been hiding for so long, we will tell them, I promise.”

  Gant’s eyes narrowed, but after a moment, he nodded. “I think we’re done here.”

  As they all turned to leave, Rogin placed a hand on Ven’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Well, Ven, it looks like you’re officially one of the Regenerates.”

  Ven let the realization dawn on him. He clenched his jaws.

  When the Elders’ Council was finally left to themselves, Gant brought his long, wrinkling fingers to his temple.

  “So,” said the elder beside him. “What now, Gant? Do you believe them?”

  “Whether I do or not is irrelevant,” said Gant. “What’s important here is that they are no longer our problem. Let them do what they want. I couldn’t care less, as long as they don’t interfere. This is perfect. I thought we would have to get our hands dirty after all and finish Kayn off ourselves, but he left of his own accord. Klaus was our solution all along. He is a bumbling, incompetent idiot. He will be desperate for someone to hold his hand as he carries out his duties as Grand Magistrate. We will control him slowly, make him trust us.”

  Gant’s narrow, sunken eyes were bloodshot.

  “The monarchy has run its course. It’s time to make Russell Stafford’s soul rot in hell.”

  ***

  Ven could feel his heart beating rapidly as he knocked on the door of his mother’s room. The news of her betrayal was tearing him apart inside. This reunion was supposed to be a joyous moment. The entire time he was away, the only thing he could think about was returning home and seeing her again, but now this?

  Moments later, the door opened and his mother appeared. She looked at him for a few seconds before tears began streaming down her face. She flung her arms around him, shaking from silent sobs as she held him close. Ven returned her embrace, a mixture of relief and anger spreading through him. After what felt like hours, she wiped her tears, brought him over to a chair and sat him down.

  “Ven, you’ve gotten…bigger, and you look so different!”

  “Do I?” He laughed dryly.

  “Did Kayn treat you alright? Did he give you a lot of trouble?” She slowly reached out to touch his bandaged arm.

  “Don’t worry, Mom. Nothing worse than what I deserved.”

  His mother sniffed and held his hand. “Hans and Florentine will want to see you, you know. They’ve rarely left my side–”

  “Mom,” Ven interrupted. “I need to ask you something. Is it true you’re in charge of choosing who is sentenced on Abolition Day?”

  She sucked in a breath. “Who told you that?”

  “The elders. They’re lying, aren’t they? You didn’t actually arrange for Coralie to be sentenced, did you?” He had only just now noticed how tired his mother looked. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked thin.

  “Ven, it was that or we remained in the Prentice Quadrant fighting for work. You have to understand, this was the only job they offered me after your father’s death.”

  “I would have rather stayed in the Prentice Quadrant, then,” he said, not caring how rough his tone was. “Better that, than this. Anything is better than this. How can you be okay with this, Mom? Do you realize what this has done to Coralie? Her father is dead, too. And her mother is missing.”

  His mother clamped her hands to her mouth and buried her face in her hands. He watched her for a few minutes, furious at everything.

  “You would never understand how difficult it was,” said his mother. “You are not the one who has to do the job. I’m not the only one who makes the decisions. There are more of us. I wasn’t the one who chose Coralie and her parents, but I did have to sign the agreement.”

  Ven let out a roar of frustration. His mother gave him a pained, grief-stricken look. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry–”

  The door suddenly burst open.

  “Ven!”

  Someone had leaped into his arms. He could smell Florentine’s flowery perfume as she hugged him.

  “Ow!”

  “Watch it, would you?” Hans entered the room behind her. “Can’t you see he’s in bandages?”

  Florentine gasped and released him. Ven gave her a one-armed hug and laughed. “Hi, Flor.”

  “How’ve you been?” said Hans, slapping Ven on the back. “We need to hear everything. It’s been torture without you. This one didn’t stop crying for days after you’d left.”

  Florentine glared at her brother and gripped Ven tightly. “You’re alive!” she cried. “I was so scared you’d get eaten or killed but you’re okay! I’m so happy!”

  “I did get bitten,” said Ven, amused by the look of horror on her face.

  “Sorry I’m late,” said another voice. Coralie entered the room. Ven’s heart raced when he saw her. Instead of being in its usual knot, her ginger hair hung loosely over her shoulders. Why had Ven never noticed how pretty she was?

  Florentine let go of Ven and went to hug her, too.

  “I’m glad you’re alright. It must have been so scary…” she sniffled.

  “It could have been worse.” Coralie looked at Ven’s mother. Fresh tears had begun to flow down her face. “Hi, Mrs. Kealy. How are you?” Though there was no anger in Coralie’s eyes, there was no sympathy, either. Her face was blank.

  Ven’s mother composed herself, walked towards Coralie and held her close. “From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry. You should never have had to endure any of that.”

  Coralie didn’t return her embrace. When Ven’s mother let go, Coralie turned around, sniffling. Ven’s mother buried her face in her hands again. It was Florentine who went to comfort her this time. Ven stayed where he was, clenching his fists.

  Ven could feel dread fill him. He knew what had to be said next, and he wished more than anything that he didn’t have to say it. “Mom, there’s something we need to tell you.”

  It was excruciating, narrating every event from Roth’s Tomb to his mother, Hans and Florentine. He saved the worst for last.

  “No,
” his mother said. “You are not leaving this place again. I won’t allow it.”

  “I have to. You said it yourself, you took the job to keep us safe. You sentenced thousands of people even though it was against everything you believed in because it was for our safety. I’m doing the same. It’s not for good. I’ll be back once all of this is cleared up.”

  “I don’t care. All of this is nonsense.”

  “It’s not nonsense. I’ve seen it for myself. I experienced it. Markis was telling the truth, after all.”

  “You’d really have to leave?” said Hans.

  “Yes. I’d leave first thing tomorrow.”

  It took almost an hour of explanation and convincing from Ven and Coralie for his mother to finally concede. She wiped her eyes. They stayed up the entire night and Ven and Coralie relayed their entire voyage to the others, receiving gasps in return. Ven told them about the beauty of Pulma, the mountains, the forests and the ocean. He told them about Crion, and about Seer and the others.

  In familiar fashion, Florentine went to steal an enormous fruitcake from the kitchen and placed it on the floor of Ven’s mother’s room. They dove in happily.

  It was well past dawn when Ven and Coralie said their final goodbyes. Hans, Florentine and his mother followed them to Cor’s gates to see them off. Kayn and the elders were there, too.

  “So you’re joining us, Kayn?” said Rogin. “Glad to hear it. You’re better off out of here, anyway.”

  “It shouldn’t take too long to get to Crion. We’ll have you fixed up and as good as new in no time.” Seer patted him on the shoulder.

  Kayn nodded slowly. Before heading to the cruiser, he looked at Ven’s mother for a moment, then turned and walked away.

  Once they were ready to depart, they loaded their cargo. Ven and Coralie said their final, painful farewells to Hans, Florentine and his mother.

  Before he could leave, Ven’s mother pulled him back. “Will you ever forgive me?” Her eyes were glassy.

  Ven stared at the pained expression on her face and felt his heart tearing in two again.

  “I don’t know what to feel, Mom,” he said. “I love you so much that I can’t possibly stay mad at you. But I also love Coralie, and she’s endured an unimaginable amount of pain thanks to you and the others.”

  Ven stopped. He knew his mother. If he said that he didn’t forgive her, she would find some way to quit her job or say something against it. If she did, Ven knew it could get her in trouble, and that she wouldn’t care.

  “But…” he continued. “I also know you would have never chosen this job if you had the option. I forgive you. I love you, no matter what.”

  His mother’s face lit up. She smiled and hugged him again. He held her close, this time for real. He hated leaving her, no matter what she was involved in. She was still his mother, and that would never change.

  Ven’s mother looked around for Coralie, but couldn’t find her. She looked as though she wanted to cry again, but wiped her eyes and turned back to Ven, placing a hand on his face.

  “Be safe,” she said.

  “I promise.”

  Onboard, Ven found Kayn sitting in a corner, twiddling the Magistrate’s Dagger around in his free hand. Ven walked over to him. “How are you doing?”

  Kayn was still extremely pale and sickly and the dark circles under his eyes made him almost ghostly. “I’ve been better.” There was so much self-pity in his voice that Ven was overcome with a desire to cheer him up somehow. He wasn’t sure what good he could do, but he wanted to try. “I suppose I deserve it, though.”

  “No one deserves this,” said a voice. Ven and Kayn turned.

  Coralie stood there, shuffling her feet. There was a drawn-out silence as she slowly walked towards Kayn.

  “I’m so fed up,” she said to him. Her eyes began to water. “Who do I blame for it all, if not you? I have to blame someone. My father can’t have died for nothing.”

  Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Kayn looked stiff and pained.

  “It’s not fair.” Coralie looked away. “You don’t understand. I have to hate you, or it was all in vain. He’s gone and I’m never going to see him again. I have to avenge him. I have to–”

  She took long, deep breaths and sat at the edge of the empty bunk. “You have no idea what it’s like, hearing your parents lie to you and tell you there’s nothing wrong when your neighbors and friends begin to disappear. You don’t get what it’s like to have to struggle to find meals, to watch your dad put on a brave face while his work is rejected and he has to explain we’ll be going hungry another night. My mother is out there, alone and in the cold. I have to constantly pray for a miracle, pray that she’s alive and I’ll see her again. Do you even care?”

  Ven walked over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “I can’t fix it.” Kayn’s voice was weaker and quieter than Ven had ever heard. “I can’t bring your father back, or magically locate your mother. I can’t simply ignore what my entire life has been about. I can’t do anything now except…apologize. What you do with that is your business. I’m done listening to people hate me.”

  Coralie looked at him and began to shake. She appeared as if she was struggling to say something more, but then quickly turned away from him and took Ven’s hand. “Let’s go.”

  Ven looked at the defeated expression on Kayn’s face. Ven was fed up, too. Hating Kayn was exhausting and draining. Coralie would need time, and Ven would respect however she felt. But what if he and Kayn did become friends? Maybe it wouldn’t be so terrible…

  “You go on,” he said to Coralie. “I’m coming.”

  Coralie sniffed and did as he said, closing the dividing curtain behind her.

  Ven turned to Kayn. There was a resolve forming in his gut. Kayn had no one. No friends, and no family that Ven knew of. He was not the enemy anymore. “I don’t hate you. And…I’m sorry about your coronation. I know you might not like me very much, but if there’s anything I can do to help you, let me know and I’ll do what I can.”

  Kayn stared at him for a moment, then for the first time, smiled. It was a genuine smile, and there was no contempt. “Don’t get cocky. I’m still better than you at everything.”

  Ven might have been imagining it, but he could see peacefulness in Kayn’s expression. He grinned back. “We’ll see about that.”

  Ven left the room and found Coralie at the farthest end of the cruiser. He buckled himself in.

  “Are you alright?” Ven frowned in concern.

  Coralie sniffed, then looked at him and smiled, wiping her tears with her sleeve. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Good. That’s a relief.”

  She reached out as if to take his hand, but hesitated. “I’m…I’m sorry for just ending it with us like that on our way to Roth’s tomb. I was the one who started all of this in the first place, and to call it off was such an awful and stupid thing to do. I really do love you, you know.”

  Ven laughed. “I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty terrible of you. But…since we’re not separating after all, do you think we could still make it work?”

  “Technically, yes, but since we called it quits after barely any time at all, it feels a bit embarrassing…”

  “You’re the one who feels embarrassed,” said Ven. “Not me. But it’s up to you.”

  “How about we give it a bit of time, first?” she said. Her voice quivered, as though she was afraid of his reaction.

  Ven expected to feel upset by this news. Somehow, he didn’t. They weren’t going their separate ways. What was the hurry? And she had just said she loved him. That was more than enough for now.

  “Alright,” he said. “I can work with that.”

  Coralie grinned. “Well,” she said, adjusting her safety belt. “I clearly haven’t been thinking before I speak. Now I’ve gone and made us both delinquents.”

  “You were always a delinquent,” said Ven. “Don’t deny it.”

  “Fair enough, but
you? I consider this an achievement, making you cause trouble,” she teased. “You’re about as wimpy as they come.”

  “You might want to think again, Coralie,” Ven laughed, as Cor’s bronze gates disappeared from view.

  EPILOGUE

  The twigs littering the earth snapped as the man trailed through his forest. There were no animals here. No birds or insects or dangerous beasts. These were his woods, and his alone.

  He had killed someone a short while ago. It was a boy who had destroyed his most prized servant using a weapon he had created. That boy deserved it. It was a good death, he felt.

  He could sense, though, that something was wrong. Kayn Stafford had escaped him. It was those fools, the ones who thought they could match him in strength simply by containing meager amounts of Haze. Nonetheless, the man felt it would be unwise to underestimate them. They might be weak individually, but in numbers, they could become a threat. Something needed to be done about them.

  There was something else bothering the man as he passed through the fog to his destination. It was the dagger. It had turned against him. He was the one who had forged it and who had given it to that idiot, Roth, in the first place and now it was useless. He would have to find another means of containing his hatred. Perhaps in a human this time, he thought. Yes, that might work. Kayn Stafford had eluded him once, but he would not fare so well the second time. Perhaps I will use him in place of the dagger, he imagined gleefully.

  The man smiled. It didn’t matter that Markis’ men were trying to interfere. Cor was a ticking time bomb. Very soon, there would be pandemonium and bloodshed such as they had never experienced before.

  The man had finally arrived at his destination. Before him was a large, domed structure. He was proud of its construction. He opened the white doors and stepped inside. This was his favorite place. He breathed deeply. Lining the wall were thousands of small lights. They were his prized possessions, the souls of all those killed on Abolition Day. He almost pitied them. But they were his to use now. His attention was on something in the center of the room. He didn’t need to constantly check on it. It was safe, here. But it was reassuring to him, so he made frequent visits to this place.