Kota stood in the middle of the road his shadow stretching long and jagged like a stain on the earth. He did not look back at the villagers or the ash he had left behind. I am leaving girl. Follow me. He said his voice cutting through the air like a cold blade.

  Leiya looked up her hands still stained with the blood of the people she had just helped. She flinched at the word. Kota why do you keep saying "girl"? She asked her voice trembling with a mixture of confusion and fear. And where are you going?

  South. He replied simply.

  He did not wait for her answer. He began to walk his pace steady and predatory. Leiya scrambled to finish tying the bandages for the two villagers her eyes darting between her work and the retreating figure of the boy she thought she knew. Wait up! She called out as she stood and grabbed her pack trying to catch up to his long strides.

  The female villager who was leaning against her brother reached out a hand toward Leiya. Wait. She pleaded. Can we go with you? We have nothing left now. Our home is gone and the raiders will return. Please let us stay with you.

  Kota stopped. He did not turn around fully but his head tilted just enough for them to see the hollow void in his eyes. No.

  The word was final. The female villager shrank back but her brother tried to stand taller despite his injuries. We can help he said but Kota cut him off with a sharp laugh that had no humor in it.

  He looked at the girl and said the guy cannot even protect you. I do not need feeble creatures around me. Kota spat. This girl is barely an exception.

  The female villager suddenly began to cough violently her hand flying to her chest. She felt a crushing weight in the air as if the very oxygen were being pushed out of her lungs by something heavy and dark.

  Keep your distance! Leiya shouted at them her eyes wide with realization. His Yen is too powerful for you to be around!

  Leiya turned to Kota her face pale. Kota why are you acting this way? Mask your Yen! You are hurting them!

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  The brother pulled his sister back his face grim as he looked at Kota. Just thank them for saving us and lets get out of their hair. He whispered to her. We do not need to be around him right now. I do not know what that is but it is not human.

  Kota did not respond. He was already walking again moving far ahead into the gloom of the southern road.

  Leiya looked at the two villagers her heart breaking for the fear in their eyes. I am sorry. She said softly her voice thick with emotion. I am so sorry for everything. He has never acted like this. It has to be his sickness that has him talking and acting this way. We are actually trying to get him to a doctor but we stopped to save you guys. I am sorry once again.

  She did not wait for them to respond. She turned and ran trying to bridge the distance between herself and the dark figure that was leaving her behind.

  Kova moved through the Haven and started masking his Yen with a precision that only a master of the void could maintain. He was not there to fight. He was there to observe. Juno stood in a small clearing her eyes sharp and alert. She had found who she was looking for. Kana was standing near the central arch her expression a mixture of deep self hatred and exhaustion.

  Kova stepped out from the shadows of the stone walls. He did not startle them. His movement was as natural as a shifting shadow. He looked at Kana and for a brief moment the cold mask he wore for the world seemed to soften.

  Kana asked why Kova sent his subordinates to follow her around and why is he watching her. Kova didn't answer

  Kova had never truly ignored Kota or Kana even when they were a family. While the others saw them as burdens or tools Kova had been the one to check up on them. He would appear randomly whenever Kota was isolated away from the family standing in the corner of a room or the edge of a field just to ensure the boy was still holding together. He was the silent watcher of the failures.

  You have been busy. Kova said his voice low and resonant.

  Kana looked at him her jaw tightening as she struggled to mask the disgust she felt for her own existence. I didn't ask for you watch me or to follow me.

  I do not follow because I am asked. Kova replied. I follow because I see what the others choose to ignore. If you want to be strong I will help you. I have sent Koa to train. You can join her. Or if you feel as if you do not need to be trained you can join Juno instead. Kaola has failed the mission bestowed upon her by Koma and Koma has given me sole leader of the mission.

  Juno watched the exchange. She knew the history here. She knew that Kova was the only bridge left between the divine and the discarded.

  What makes you think I want anything from you? Kana asked her eyes searching his.

  I am here to see if you are worth saving. Kova answered. He looked at Kana not as an object or a tool but as a sister he had spent years watching from the fringes. The world is getting smaller and your brother is being consumed by something that will eventually come for the entire world if left unchecked.