Harvey's private island was located 41 nautical miles southeast of Fallen Star Harbor. From Sonya, Harvey had learned that the harbor got its name from a meteor that crashed into the planet, causing widespread devastation.
Over time, this incident drew curious visitors from across Xandar, and what was once a disaster zone transformed into a tourist destination, bringing prosperity to the area. The original inhabitants of the harbor had largely relocated to Xandar City or other nearby cities after cashing in on the tourism boom.
Most of these people, unfamiliar with managing their newfound wealth, had opted for safer investments—buying homes in bigger cities and seeking stability there. While Fallen Star Harbor was only 80 kilometers away from the city's outer limits, the true distance to the city's center was over 200 kilometers.
As the years passed and the harbor's allure faded, the demand for the islands in the area dwindled, and many were put up for auction—offering the final economic harvest of the once-thriving region.
Harvey found the story intriguing. In 150 years, not only had the area's value eroded, but the world had changed drastically. For the planet itself, it was but a blink of an eye. But for its people, it was enough time for everything to be reshaped.
After a 30-minute yacht ride, they finally arrived at the island, docking at a small but well-constructed harbor. It wasn't as large as Fallen Star Harbor, but it was more than capable of handling large cargo ships—a testament to Sonya's foresight in preparing for future needs.
"Miss Sonya, just give me a call when you need to be picked up," Mike, the yacht's captain, called out as Sonya disembarked.
"Will do, Mike. Thanks," she replied with a wave before turning to Harvey.
"Mr. Kassadin, this way, please. Would you like to see the temple first, the villa, or perhaps the training grounds?" she asked.
"The temple," Harvey responded immediately. His primary interest wasn't in luxury accommodations. The villas were more of an afterthought, places to stay when he visited. His real focus was on establishing a solid foundation for the Void Cult here on Xandar.
"The temple is located at the island's center, accessible by this road. It's a bit of a walk, though—shall I drive you?" Sonya suggested.
"This island is going to be the Void Cult's stronghold. I'll need to inspect it thoroughly," Harvey replied, glancing at the well-maintained path. "Walking will give me a better sense of the place."
Sonya nodded, sensing the importance of Harvey's mission. While confident in her preparations, she couldn't help but feel a hint of anxiety as they began their tour.
The island had been untouched before, its towering trees and lush greenery giving it an almost primal feel. The road they followed was freshly laid, cutting through the dense forest, where the air was crisp and clean, with the scent of wet earth still lingering after a morning rain.
It had been a long time since Harvey had visited a place unspoiled by industry, and he found himself appreciating the peacefulness of it. Despite its isolation, the roads were meticulously paved, and every so often, a signpost would appear, ensuring no one would lose their way in this dense wilderness.
"This island covers an area of 327 square kilometers," Sonya explained as they walked. "The distance from the harbor to the temple is over 30 kilometers. Only about a third of the island is developed so far, with the rest remaining untouched. But with proper planning, we can make this place self-sustaining, turning a profit instead of draining resources every year."
Sonya had adapted well since joining the Void, benefiting from her enhancements, but without them, walking this distance would have been exhausting.
"You'll be managing this island from now on," Harvey said, taking in the vastness of the place. "Whatever you think needs to be built or improved, let me know, and you can submit funding requests for the necessary work."
"Understood," Sonya replied after a brief pause. "But once we have more Void Cult members, the development costs will go down significantly. With the Void's blessings, everyone will have enhanced physical capabilities. They'll make excellent laborers, and with their extended lifespans, we'll only need to buy materials and hire specialists for guidance."
Though the responsibility of managing the island fell on her, Sonya couldn't help but sense that Harvey's plans involved him being away for extended periods. Despite her curiosity about where he planned to go, she knew better than to ask.
"Saving money is good, but we shouldn't force anyone to contribute labor. The Void Cult's mission is to offer people a chance for transformation, not to enslave them," Harvey said. "Imposing expectations on members could lead to discord, and discord invites chaos. We can't afford that."
"I understand," Sonya said quietly.
Harvey continued, "In time, the Cult will be strong enough that people will willingly give back. Gratitude will drive them to help, not obligation. There's no need to drain resources now—there are plenty of ways to make money in this galaxy."
Sonya admired Harvey's foresight. Though still new to the Void, she realized the wisdom in his words. The Void Cult wasn't about control—it was about giving people the opportunity to change. Once they experienced the benefits, they would naturally want to support the cause.
And in time, the cult would flourish.