Revenant Slaves Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Zain

Read chapter 32 of Revenant Slaves by Zee on NovelPedia.

Chapter 31: Zain “Among the wondrous places you mentioned… is there a place that could save my mother?” Zain didn’t know what he should say. He didn’t know how to broach the subject with Ash. They had kept this one fact hidden from the slaves gathered here. The elders hadn’t shared their reasons for the omission, and it wasn’t his place to question them, at least not during an active mission. “Of course there is…” Zain said, “We need to get you guys off of this planet in one piece, and I promise we’ll find a place where she’ll be treated.” “Treated? Is something wrong with her?” Ash asked, suddenly more alert. “Yeah,” Zain looked away from Ash and looked at Rain, his expression solemn. “Once we get her off-world, we can find a facility to take her in and treat her.” “How do you know?” Zain didn’t want to meet Ash’s eyes. Eventually, he spoke, “All tankbreds have this weakness. The sovereigns designed them with this flaw. I'm... sorry.” Ash leaned back into the wall; it was like the breath was knocked out of him. “So, how long do people live…” “Enough, Ash.” Rain interjected. “What do you mean by enough, Ma? Doesn’t this anger you?” “I’ve made my peace with it.” Rain replied. Ash’s mouth hung open in disbelief, but it was Zain who spoke, “You already knew?” “Yes, a kind stranger… the man who saved me and Ash told me this. I made my peace with it a long time ago. All I wanted was for my son and my people to have a better life. It didn’t matter whether I lived long enough to see it. I think I should count this as a brilliant stroke of luck that the rebellion came before I died.” Rain said, and she put up a finger in the air to silence Ash. Zain knew Ash was about to implode at that moment. “You are the future, Ash, you and kids like Spark and Miru. And of course, young men like Zain and his sister. Promise me, both of you, you won’t risk those precious lives and futures for an old woman like me.” “I don't…” Zain began. “No…” Ash almost shouted. “Promise Me!” Rain said, her voice going stern. Zain took this as his cue to be silent, but Ash wasn’t having it; Zain could see that Ash wanted to say more, but his mother looked at him and proceeded to gently wave her fingers through his hair. Zain felt like an intruder in that moment, so he decided to let them be as he got up. Rain stopped him with a weak tug at his sleeve. “Zain, you at least promise me, you’ll take care of the children and my son, over me if it ever came to it. The revolution needs young people, surely you must understand that.” “Can’t do that, Rain, you are plenty young. We’ll get you treated for sure, and you’ll feel like us youngsters. The flame can have the sovereigns and their rules.” Zain said with a smile. “You two don’t like to listen to your elders, do you?” Zain smiled, but there was bitterness in his heart. He had been given the same order; everyone from the revolutionary army had. They didn’t have the kind of facilities or infrastructure to treat people en masse. Their priority was the young and the able-bodied. “Well, please remember what I requested, regardless. Now, Zain, when was the last time you ate?” Rain asked, catching Zain by surprise. “Um, I don’t know,” Zain said hesitantly, unsure what brought this on. “Well, then, come over here, finish this bowl right now. Ash has had enough.” Rain said, smiling. “It’s alright, Rain, I’ll go eat later,” Zain replied, conflicting emotions raging on his face. “Young man, I’ve seen you at work the past two days. It would kill your mother to see you like this. So don’t test me, or I’ll force feed you like I did Ash,” Rain added, and her tone didn’t seem like she was joking at all. Zain looked towards Ash for help, but Ash shrugged in response. Zain was almost sure that Ash was amused at the notion, but he couldn’t be certain, as half his face was covered in bandages. “Ok,” he said, taking the bowl from Rain. He devoured it under her watchful eyes. He saw a weird familiarity in Rain’s eyes then. For some reason,