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Redemption and Destiny	By : alucardsangel1973 Category: +S to Z > Voltron Views: 2221 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters are property of World Event Productions. I do not own the fandom. No profit is made from this. This is purely a fanfiction that includes original characters from my imagination. Characters from the series and comic are not mine.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Readers should be warned that this chapter contains strong to graphic violence.

Chapter 8: Kindred
Spirit

On the outer fringes of the
Denubian galaxy existed a planet named Namoria. It was a peaceful
planet inhabited by Druels who had seperated from the empire
seeking a life devoid of war and despair. A young woman stood on
the balcony of the palace where the royal family once lived. She,
along with three men were the last of the royal family. The young
woman, named Leena watched as the sun shined illumniating the
landscape of green grass and violet blooms. But the view brought
no joy or solace to Leena. She had grown up without her parents.
She never had the chance to know her aunts and uncles. Only three
cousins of the family line remained. Shortly after Leena's birth,
a great massacre took place within the walls of the palace.
Assasins working for King Zarkon had all the royal family
slaughtered, all but four. The young boys and baby girl had been
hidden safely away deep within the palace so they would not be
found. The three men, Avian, Genar and Kezrin were charged with
looking after Leena and keeping her safe.

Finding no comfort in the
bright horizon of her world, she left the balcony and ventured to
a room where portraits of the royal family hanged upon the stone
walls. She looked up at one portrait of a drule male in battle
armor carrying a sword and shield. Her eyes filled with tears as
she gazed at the portrait.

"Grandfather Keltor, will
I ever see my father? Will I ever know him?" She said as the
tears fell.

"All I have of him is a
picture. All I know of him is that he fought bravely against his
brother Zarkon. He has never returned from planet Doom. All our
family save four of us are dead. Will I never know if my father
is still alive? Why, why did it have to come to this?"

*****************************************************************

Back on Taebos Lotor wandered
the dirty streets trying to find somewhere to get food. It wasn't
long until his stomach began to remind him of just how long it
had been since he'd last eaten, and what he had last eaten wasn't
all that much. He continued to look around until he heard what
sounded like the screams of both men and women coming from a
corner alley. They were not screams of terror, but more like
those of an audiance watching a battle take place. He knew those
types of screams. He'd heard them often watching robeasts battle
for the chance to be the next sent to attempt the destruction of
Doom's worst enemy, Voltron. But he was pretty sure robeasts were
not the combatants here. He knew in his mind he shouldn't be
concerned with whatever blood sport was going on, but something
deep inside told him to investigate the raucus noise.

He walked down the dimly lit
alley way where yet more prostitutes strolled and advertised
their intimate wears to any who had the money to afford them. And
again the many pairs of female eyes followed the handsome, young
drule as he walked. He did his best to ignore them as he walked.
He continued until he heard someone call out to him.

"Hey, you there!" A
man called.

"Now what?"

"You look like a
strapping young man in need of a woman's company." The man
said. "I've many lovely ladies and all of them willing to do
whatever you want for the right price."

"I'm not interested in
your whores. And I've nothing to pay for it with anyhow. Now
leave me be. I've already killed one man tonight, and I would
rather not waste my energy on a flesh peddler like you."
Lotor growled.

"You threatening
me?" The pimp demanded. Before he could start trouble Lotor
unsheathed his two blades and turned around showing the
formidable weapons.

"I told you to back off.
Now if you don't want to lose your head or anything else, I
suggest you take your harlots and go elsewhere."

Not wanting bloodshed, the
pimp backed off. The threat again averted, Lotor continued
walking until he came to a what looked to be a rundown stadium.
The bottom of it was covered with mishapen pieces of metal that
appeared to come from space vessles pieced together to prevent
anyone from seeing within. He looked up to see a small dusty hill
leading up to the top of the structure. He started up the hill
following its winding path until he came to the visible part of
the stadium. Upon the way he found what looked like an old and
dusty cloak discarded by whoever had previously owned it. Not
knowing what hostility he might walk in on, he draped it over
himself pulling up the hood so his features were obscured. Seeing
people coming and going as they pleased, Lotor walked toward the
entrance where he saw people packed together in a wild frenzy.

"What the hell kind
of place is this?" He asked himself mentally.

Not knowing if anyone would
recognize him or not, he tucked his long white hair under his
coat so he would not be so inconspicuous. There appeared to be
beings of all origins both humanoid and otherwise so he didn't
feel too threatened about his identity being discovered, but
better safe than sorry. He made his way through the roaring
crowds trying to get a good look at what was going on. He looked
down to see two men dragging a corpse away from the small arena.
As he watched a third man dressed in brown leather pants and a
matching jacket stepped out holding a microphone in his hand.

"Are you animals ready
for the main event!" He shouted to the crowds.

"YAH!" The crowd
roared over and over.

"You want blood! You want
unadulterated violence?!"

Again the crowd's responce was
a thunderous yes.

"Then I give you the most
violent, the most sadistic, and the deadliest fighter ever in the
history of the pit of death! I give you the Blood Lord,
Kaladan!" He announced with great ferver.

"The Blood Lord? Is
this the same blood lord those thugs spoke of?"

At the announcing of his name,
the crowd broke into a frenzy of screaming and cries of blood
lust and anticipation of the grizzly spectacle yet to begin.

"HAIL KALADAN! HAIL THE
BLOOD LORD!" They chanted wildly over and over.

As their cries became
deafening, a man walked to the center of the pit. His face was
partially covered by an ornate mask made of silver. It covered
his head from the crown to the bottom of his nose. Molded to
resemble a man's face, there were small holes in the eyes so he
could see his opponent clearly. Even though his face was hidden,
the scowl on his mouth gave a clear signal that he was not a
pleasent soul. He wore tight, deep red leather pants and knee
length boots of the same color but a darker hue. He wore only a
device made of leather straps criss crossing each other down his
chest and his back. Upon his arms he wore black leather wrist
bands. Upon the circular wall were various weapons used to do one
thing and one thing only... kill.

Lotor looked down to see the
man named Kaladan. His skin was blue like that of a drule. And
under the helmet flowed long locks of firey red hair with tinges
of orange. Torches surrounded the arena giving it an errie glow
that made his hair seem like a river of liquid fire flowing from
his head. He stood deathly still awaiting whatever victim would
be thrown at him. It was impossible for any one to hear the
terrified screams of the condemned soul being dragged to the pit
floor. Even amidst the roars of the crowd, Lotor could make out
the faint sound of fear as the unfortunate victim. He inched ever
closer to the front of the crowd to get the best view of the
slaughter that was to come. He got close enough who the unwilling
combatant would be. His eyes widened in shock.

"That's one of my
father's guards. Wait...those thugs said this guy despises
drules. If what they say about this blood lord is true, I don't
want any run ins with him. I have to get to Arus alive and in one
piece. And a throw down against this fellow would most likely
ensure I'd be neither one." He thought.

The helpless guard was dragged
kicking and screaming into the pit and hurled to the ground. He
looked up to see the scowling visage of his opponent as he looked
down upon his victim. The ill fated encounter was about to begin.
The guard scrambled to his feet and ran for the exit, but the
door quickly shut leaving him sealed in like prey thrown to a
hungry lion. He beat frantically upon the heavy door only to be
yanked violently from the sealed exit. Kaladan threw him to the
dirt covered ground.

"Get up worm!" He
barked.

The guard scrambled to his
feet and ran as fast as he could from his attacker. In his panic
he stumbled to the ground getting dirt and dust in his face. He
looked up to see an array of weapons hanging on the wall. As he
began to reach for an ax he felt something violently make contact
with his spine. The force was so great his face smashed against
the stone wall. Blood poured from his mouth and nose as he fell
to the ground. But even in his impaired condition, Kaladan showed
no mercy.

"Get up! Fight me you
piece of trash!" He roared.

The guard was barely able to
reach upward toward the wall. Kaladan reached for the ax and
flung it to the ground near the guard. The victim looked over
through blood covered eyes trying to reach at the weapon.

"Take it!" Kaladan
barked. "TAKE IT!" He thundered again kicking the
weapon toward his victim.

The guard grabbed the ax and
managed to get to his knees. He stumbled to his feet swinging
wildly. But the swings were haphazard and were no where near
Kaladan. He scowled at his opponent's futile attempt to mount an
offense. Growing frustrated he stomped foward and grabbed a
ragged edged sword from the wall. He swung his blade blocking
every attempt the guard made with his ax. The fight was very much
one sided much to the delight of the crowds. He made no move the
kill his victim quickly, but didn't let up on the onslaught
either. He continued bringing his sword down upon the guard's ax
until he knocked the weapon from his unfortunate victim's hands.
Now robbed of his weapon, the guard ran toward the exit once
again but again found it tightly locked.

He banged and clawed at it
trying in vein to get it to open. Before he could make another
move he felt a strong hand yank him from the door and punched
violently in the back. He fell to his knees. Kaladan circled him
like a cat circling his prey. Then without warning he brutally
backhanded the guard causing more blood to spill from his nose
and mouth. Then he forced his victim to his feet and gave him a
swift kick in the gut. The blow sent the victim reeling and down
to the ground. He forced the guard to his feet once again and
punched him with such force that the guard went flying several
feet before hitting the ground on his back. Kaladan marched
toward the fallen combantant and viciously kicked him in the side
causing him to double over on his side.

Lotor watched both fascinated
and shocked by the display. If there was one thing that was
certain, he knew the guard was going to die. And death would not
come gently either. He watched as Kaladan gave the guard another
brutal kick, this time to the back. By this point the guard was
no longer able to scream in pain. The pain was so great it
rendered him speecheless. Also the fact that the wind was being
repeatedly knocked out of him also kept him silent. He watched as
Kaladan brought his heavily booted foot down on the guard's
abdomen effectively causing severe internal injuries. He kicked
the guard's hands away from his stomach. Once they were away from
the guard's sides, he stomped them mercilessly breaking every
bone he could. All the guard could do was open his mouth letting
wimpers choked by his own blood escape.

Kaladan then took one of the
guard's legs and lifted it in the air. And without an ounce of
pity or compassion, drove it back down to the ground with such
force the bone broke and poked through guard's skin and tore
through his uniform. Lotor cringed watching the guard being
systematically broken to pieces from the inside out. He was no
stranger to violence or blood, but he'd never seen anything quite
this grizzly. But as sickened as he felt, he felt compelled to
see the match to it's deadly conclusion. It was like watching a
wild animal, a predator playing with its prey, torturing it,
giving it a small hint that it might get away, and then going in
for the kill. He watched kaladan stomp the guard again, this time
in the chest. Even over the roar of the crowds, Lotor could have
sworn he heard the cracking of ribs. He grimmaced at the
sickening sound.

The crowds of roaring people
reached a fever pitch as they knew the end was coming. Kaladan
picked up his sword that he'd thrown to the ground before
grabbing the guard. Then he grabbed his victim by his short brown
hair and forced him to his knees. Then with a sadistic smile he
slashed his victim in the chest with his blade. Then he slashed
the guard again. One cut after another until the guard's chest
was covered in his own blood. The crowds went balistic with glee.
Kaladan looked to the hordes of screaming onlookers. They saw
suffering, and blood and cruelty. Now they wanted to see death.
The guard barely clinging to life wobbled unsteadily on his
knees. Kaladan raised his sword and with one slash beheaded the
guard. Blood spurted from the now headless stump as the corpse
fell and Kaladan raised the severed head for the crowds to see.
They're screams of delight were deafening. Then Kaladan removed
his helmet and threw it to the ground.

Lotor's eyes widened when he
saw Kaladan's face. Fierce golden eyes hazed over with bloodlust
burned into his. His blue skin was tinted with the blood of his
victim. Fiery red locks cascaded down his shoulders and back down
to his waist. Stray locks fell over the left side of his face
obscuring one of his eyes from view. He thrust his fist upward
still clutching his bloody trophy for all to see.

"He's a drule!"
The former prince of Doom thought in shock.

"KALADAN! KALADAN!"
The people screamed over and over.

"I better get the
hell out of here before he sees what I am." Lotor
thought.

He turned and pushed his way
through the hordes of people trying to make his way out of the
stadium. He kept the hood pulled over his face to make sure
nobody saw him. The last thing he wanted was a confrontation with
the Blood Lord after seeing what he was capable of. He pushed and
pushed trying to make his way through the people while keeping
his cloak from being pulled off. He continued making his way
through until at last he was away from the crowds. He started
down the winding dirt path that led him to the vile structure to
begin with. He walked briskly down the path leading him back to
the alley. He walked cautiously among the prostitues, pimps and
other unsavory characters. As he approached the end of the alley
a woman stopped him.

"Come from the pit have
you? Has the Blood Lord claimed another trophy for his
collection?" She asked cryptically.

"Yes." Lotor
answered silently and started to walk away from her. Then he
stopped and turned back toward her. "Who is he? Who is this
Blood Lord, and why does he hate his own kind so much?" He
asked.

"You have never heard of
Kaladan until now?" The woman enquired.

"No. Through my own
misfortunes I've found myself on this hellhole, and I'm looking
to get off of it. There is someone very dear to me who is in
great danger. I've probably told you too much already. If you
don't intend to answer my question, then let me be on my
way." Lotor answered sternly.

"I know him, but it is
not a discussion that can take place here. I have a small tavern
not far from here. I'm sure you must be very hungry. I have food,
shelter and all you wish to know about Kaladan. Come. It is not
safe to stay here anymore." She said.

While he didn't know if he
could trust this strange woman, he doubted he was going to get a
better offer from anyone else. "I don't know what this
woman wants, but if I don't get something to eat soon I'm going
to drop dead from hunger."

Lotor followed the woman to a
small tavern several feet from the stadium. She opened the door
ushering the young drule in. He looked around and saw there was
no one there. "Is there anyone else here?" He asked.

"Only my bouncer, Bruno.
Unless you have less than noble intentions aimed toward me you've
no reason to worry about him." The woman answered.

"I only want food and to
know who Kaladan is."

"Then I will get you
something to eat, and then I will tell you what you want to
know."

Lotor sat down at one of the
simple wooden tables and waited for the woman to return. Within a
few minutes she returned with a tray of meat and bread and a
decanter of something he assumed to be wine. She set the food and
drink in front of him and waited for him to start eating. He felt
like just grabbing the meat off the plate and sink his teeth in
it. But for all his hunger he still clung to his manners and
slowly cut the meat up and began eating it. As he ate, the woman
began to speak.

"He came to Taebos many
years ago. When he was found he was near death. He'd been beaten
and flogged so severely his body was covered in his own blood. I
was one of the women who tended his wounds and helped save his
life. When he was able to speak, he told me his name was Kaladan,
and that he'd been a high commander of King Zarkon's armies. He
was charged with the task of helping to take over civilizations
in the name of expanding the druel empire. At first he believed
he was doing what was necessary to ensure the future of the drule
race." She explained.

"He served Zarkon?"
Lotor asked.

"Yes. But as he continued
the campaign, he saw evidence of cruelty toward the inhabitants
of defeated planets. Men and young boys were forced into slavery,
while the woman and young girls were violated by drunken guards.
Kaladan grew angry with the treatment of the prisoners and on
many occassions sternly reprimanded his own soliders for abusing
the prisoners. But his warnings were not enough to curb the lusts
of his men. One night he saw four guards holding down a young
woman preparing to rape her. He ordered them to get off of her,
but they didn't listen. While he was the high commander, the king
gave the soldiers free reign over the slaves and gave them
permission to do with the women as they pleased. He became so
angry that he pulled one of the guards off the young woman and
ran him through with his sword. The other three guards rushed to
take Kaladan down for his interference and he killed those three
as well." The woman continued.

After taking a drink of wine
she continued her story. "Kaladan knew he would be in grave
trouble with the king for killing four of his royal guards. But
his tolerance for the treatment of prisoners had grown so thin
that he renounced his loyalty to Zarkon and the drule empire.
Instead of conquoring planets, Kaladan turned his efforts to
freeing the people he had once helped enslave. For a year he led
several successful raids and freeing slaves from different
planets. He had also fallen in love with the young woman he'd
saved from Zarkon's guards. She in turn also loved him and stayed
at his side. But Zarkon would not let his act of treason go
unpunished."

The woman paused again for a
drink, then continued. "One night Zarkon had a trap set for
Kaladan and the people he led in rebellion against the king. One
of the enslaved men had been promised freedom for himself and his
family if he helped capture Kaladan and the ring leaders of the
rebellion. While I cannot recall the particulars of the plan, it
ended with Kaladan and the woman he loved being captured along
with many of the slaves he'd helped escape. The ring leaders were
promptly executed for their part in the rebellion. But Kaladan's
fate was far, far worse. Zarkon intended to make an example of
him so no one else under his command would ever betray him.
"

"What happened?"
Lotor asked.

"The worse thing that
could have happened to a man in his position. Kaladan was taken
back to planet Doom along with the woman he loved. Her name was
Selena. After Kaladan was beaten into submission, he was bound
and chained to the ground on his knees. Guards held his head
still and forced his eyes to remain open. Selena was dragged
kicking and screaming before him and her clothes torn away.
Zarkon allowed his guards to violate her over and over...until
she was dead. Every tear, every look of agony and scream of
suffering...Zarkon made sure Kaladan saw and heard them."
The woman said looking down at the floor.

Little by little, as he heard
the story, Lotor began to understand Kaladan's hatred. The man he
used to be would have condoned such punishment for a traitor. But
being on the other side of the fence made him realize that his
fate had been kind compared to that of Kaladan. What if Zarkon
had decided to do that to him, his own son? What if it had been
Allura in Selena's place? The feeling was sickening almost making
Lotor lose his appetite.

"And after he was forced
to watch the woman he loved be raped to death by Zarkon's guards,
he let them loose on him. They beat him and tortured him nearly
to death. But he would not be allowed to die, at least not yet.
Zarkon had him taken from Doom and left here on Taebos. He didn't
figure Kaladan would survive his wounds, and he almost didn't. I
don't know how but he managed to stumble from the place he'd been
dropped to my door here at the tavern. I took him in and nursed
his wounds. Several nights were touch and go, but somehow he
managed to find the will to live. As he recovered from his
ordeal, the memories flooded his mind. A rage began to build
within him. A rage that would never be quelled, or so he
believed. He left the tavern and came upon the stadium. The pit
masters took interest in him. While he had been tortured and
abused, he was still quite a physical specimen, and the pit
masters were looking for a new champion."

"And he accepted?"

"On one condition. Any
member of Zarkon's armies, or anyone even remotely associated
with Zarkon who ended up on Taebos would face him in the pit. The
targets he was looking for in particular were the beasts who
raped Selena to death. If the pit masters had them found and
brought to Taebos, he would give the crowds of blood hungry
spectators a sadistic spectacle to the likes they had never seen
before. And he kept his word. The promoters managed to find a way
to have a small army of Zarkon's soldiers brought to Taebos. They
were captured and taken to the pit. Many an onlooker could still
recall the look of absolute horror on their faces when they were
thrown into the pit and found themselves face to face with their
former commander. Their deaths were brutal, violent and very,
very bloody. He tore them to pieces with both swords and his bare
hands. He would beat and torture them to the point where they
could no longer defend themselves. Then, he would force them to
their knees and with a ragged edged sword he would take their
heads and hold them up for the crowds to see. His reputation grew
so fierce and violent that he earned the nickname, The Blood
Lord. "

"I...I saw that tonight.
A drule guard was his victim. It was so one sided I couldn't
hardly believe what I was looking at. The bastard never stood a
chance."

"I know. None of them
ever do. While drules are not his only opponents, they are the
ones he hates most. It is said that every member of the king's
army who has had the misfortune to face Kaladan has never
returned alive. The pit is littered with the skulls of his
victims, many of them were Zarkon's soldiers and envoys."

"Now I know why none
of them ever came back."

"That is why it would be
best if you kept your identity secret while you are here. You are
a drule yourself. You don't look like a lowly soldier though. You
must have been of a higher rank in the king's army. You have
never told me your name."

"I...I do not think it
wise to be telling anyone here my name. I can tell you only that
I too once stood by the side of King Zarkon, and I, like Kaladan
have renounced his laws and his empire. I must find a way off
this planet. One whom I cherish with all my heart is in grave
danger from Zarkon. She and her people are all in danger and if I
don't get to her," Lotor stopped.

For a moment it appeared as if
the color drained from his face when he recalled the woman's tale
of how Kaladan was punished by Zarkon. The king had forced him
into slavery, but what Kaladan endured was ten times worse. He
was forced to watch the woman he loved die a slow, and very
painful death. He could not even begin to think of that happening
to Allura. And knowing what his father was capable of, he would
not put it past the king to have such an unthinkable thing done
to the princess. And if she did survive the impending attack
against Arus, such a fate could very well be hers if he didn't
find a way off Taebos.

"You weren't a guard. You
held a much higher rank, perhaps even higher than that of Kaladan
himself. Tell me, what is it that turned you against King
Zarkon?" The woman asked.

He knew it wasn't smart to
tell her everything, but if he said nothing it would only arouse
more of her curiosity. He put down the glass he'd just drank
from.

"I will tell you only
that I too have fallen in love with a young woman seen as an
enemy to the king. My love for her has grown so strong that it
became an obstacle to Zarkon's plans for complete domination. He
forced me into slavery on planet Carnos. It was there I learned
of the king's plans to launch an attack against the home of the
woman I love. She and her people are in great danger. I must not
say anymore than that. I fear I have said too much already."

"Then you may find an
ally in the man you saw tonight."

"Madame, I have to get
off this rock alive. And trying to reason with Kaladan is just
what I can't do if I am to get to my destination in one
piece."

"Winning Kaladan's
loyalty may be the only way you can get away from Taebos alive.
You see, because the pit masters fulfilled their promise to give
Kaladan revenge against the monsters who killed Selena, he in
turn promised to be bound to the pit as its champion. The only
way he can be free of his obligation is if someone bests him in
combat."

"And if I do, I will most
likely end up getting myself killed. And if I get killed, then
there's no hope of warning the one I love about Zarkon's plans to
attack. I cannot take the chance. I'm sorry but I've nothing to
pay for this with."

"I ask for nothing from
you...except your name." The woman said.

"I've already told you, I
dare not tell my name to anyone. If Zarkon were to find out I'm
here..."

"This woman you speak of,
does she come from planet Arus?"

Lotor's eyes widened. His very
reaction betrayed his veil of secrecy. And his silence did
nothing to aid him either.

"Yes, she is from Arus
isn't she? She is Allura, the daughter of Alfor and princes of
planet Arus. And you are in love with her. I've heard stories of
a drule so taken by her beauty and spirit he willingly jepardized
Zarkon's plans over and over again to protect her. Yes...I know
who you are."

"I am no one woman. You
did not see me nor did I say anything to you. I am leaving. Do
not trouble me further." Lotor warned sternly.

"I know who you are, son
of Zarkon." The woman said calmly.

Lotor stopped. How could she
know who he was? "Woman, hold your tongue, or I will be
forced to remove it. Now let me go." He growled.

"Lotor, you are Lotor son
of Zarkon. You are the one who can defeat Kaladan."

"The son of Zarkon is
dead and will remain so. I am no one."

"You are the one who
loves princess Allura. You are the one who will bring about King
Zarkon's ulitmate defeat. You cannot deny this. It is you who's
coming was foretold to me in a dream. You are Kaladan's equal.
You are like him. You are his kindred spirit."

"And you are a mad
woman."

"No, you are the one.
Kaladan will stand at your side in the battle against King
Zarkon."

"Kaladan is a rabid
animal. How well do you think I'd fair against a mad man like
him?" Lotor asked.

"Perhaps we should find
out." Said a deep and menancing voice.

Lotor turned suddenly and
found he was face to face with the blood lord himself.

to be continued...
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Redemption and Destiny