yael

Isopia isn’t the only one who’s surprised. The past few minutes seem surreal – the actual shock to Yael’s system when she saw the letters of her childhood etched in stone is indescribable. Even now, she hasn’t fully digested it, her mind simply revels in the abjad script, the adorning niqqud and, and the way her mouth reflexively arches and curls. The wisps of tradition come wafting back, a chorus of familial voices reciting in unison, Modeh ani l’fanekha, melekh khai v’kayam… still sleep-filled and heavy-hoofed, Yael could easily mumble the morning prayer without being fully awake. But is it amazing? Perhaps. Yes, and no – to see a her past writ out here is no small miracle, but the translation itself is not as much.

With a pinched expression, Yael’s head bounces in agreement. It is odd. Her eyes dance over the words again, sure of peace and power and Kaos. They linger on the mark before the letters, the yod. But no… when it comes before a word, it means he/she/it will… she wracks her brain, thinking of the possible synonyms, until one that make sense, but is far more ominous, pops into her head. Her eyes go wide, and in an almost hushed voice, she offers another insight. “Ah… eet could also mean ‘spare.’ As een… xe vill not keel.” That translation would be far more in line with what they think of Kaos, but without any other clues as to what he is supposed to spare or save (Helovians? The world? The Rifters?), speculation will only drive them crazy. “… and from vhat?” she adds, knowing that there are a multitude of dangerous things haunting the world – including themselves.

To her delight, Isopia is kind enough to assist, and indeed, the cleaning does seem to brighten up the letters enough. Squinting in order to discern the vowel dots, Yael sounds them out for her two companions. “Yes, Isopeea, toda!… Lanetzakh… ah! Zat’s forever.” So now they have the whole of this piece of the puzzle: Kaos will save or spare, peace, power, and forever. The questions begin to roll in, and though not all of them are troubled, some of them are. “Vhat do you t’ink… can ve take zis as xis trute?”

The thing is that everyone lies. Everyone. It’s just a matter of how big or small, intentional or unintentional it is. Yael has a feeling both sides of the Gods are playing for keeps, so which one(s) are more trustworthy? What do Helovians have to lose from choosing the wrong side, besides their lives?