Kova watched Kana as she struggled with the weight of her own exhaustion and the deep self hatred that clouded her eyes. Juno remained a few paces behind her master her posture rigid and her eyes sharp. She did not hide the simmering resentment in her gaze as she looked at Kana. To Juno the Speedhardts were a plague on the world a lineage of arrogance and destruction that had cost her everything. Yet as she looked at the back of Kova she felt a flicker of something different. It was a strange begrudging affection for the man who had molded her into a weapon. He was the only one who had ever given her a purpose even if that purpose was forged in blood.

  "I need you to stop thinking about your own insignificance." "I am giving you a chance to show yourself and Koma that you aren't useless" Kova said his voice cutting through the silence of the clearing. "I am taking Kaola from the field. She has failed the mission Koma bestowed upon her and I am going to send word for her retreat. She is no longer fit to lead this pursuit. I will tell her to come home."

  Kana looked up her eyes widening slightly at the mention of her sister. "Kaola is coming home?"

  "She is." Kova replied coldly. "And that leaves a void in the leadership of this mission. If you want to be noticed for your hard work and the training you put yourself through you will not find that recognition by wandering aimlessly. If you want to prove your worth join Juno."

  Juno flinched at the suggestion her hand twitching near the small hunting knife she kept strapped to her belt for quick defense. She was a fire bearer and she had no need for the heavy blades. Her power was her edge. "Master?" She started but Kova held up a hand to silence her without even looking back.

  "I will send Juno and you to backup Hykee and Lokee." "Lokee will lead the mission" Kova continued ignoring the tension radiating from his servant. "They are already in position but they lack the focus required to finish this. You will join them and you will ensure the mission is completed. This is your chance to step out of the shadows of your siblings and become something more than a discarded memory."

  Kana looked at Juno who was still staring at her with a look of pure vitriol. The hatred was mutual but the desperation in Kana outweighed her pride. She knew that Kova was right. Without a path she was just another failure waiting for the world to swallow her whole.

  "And what if I refuse?" Kana asked her voice barely a whisper.

  "Then you stay here and rot in your own regret." Kova said. "But the world is getting smaller Kana. You can either be at the table or you can be on it."

  Juno stepped forward her eyes narrowing as she looked at the girl who was supposed to be her new partner. "I do not like this Master." She said her voice tight with restraint. "You are all the same."

  "You will do what I ask no matter what it is do you understand Juno?" Kova replied his tone final and unyielding. "She will serve under you and you will report her progress to me. If she fails you handle it."

  Juno felt the weight of the responsibility and the small spark of affection for Kova flared again. He trusted her to manage his own blood. It was a sign of respect she had fought years to earn. She turned her gaze back to Kana her expression shifting from pure hatred to a cold professional disdain.

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  "I understand Master." Juno said. "If she can keep up then she can come. But if she slows me down I will leave her for the crows."

  Kova nodded his eyes lingering on Kana for a moment longer. "The decision is yours sister. Do not make me regret offering it."

  Kana stood slowly her legs shaking but her jaw set. "I will go. I will show you all I am not weak."

  Kova turned his back on her as if the conversation were already forgotten. "Before you move let me have a quick chat with Kaola. You two get ready to leave."

  "Kaola" Kova says his voice vibrating like a low thunder within the confines of her mind.

  "Kova? What what are you doing in my head" she responds.

  "Kaola" he says again the sound stretching out with a chilling predatory edge that made the hair on her arms stand up.

  "Yes brother did I do something?"

  He responds "retreat from the mission Koma gave you. You have failed I will take over as leader."

  "Retreat? Why do I need to retreat if im literally miles from catching Kota I have done nothing but fight towards completing the mission why must I retreat now."

  "Kaola" he says his tone dropping to a whisper that felt like a blade against her thoughts "don't make me repeat myself return home immediately tell Hykee and Lokee to follow the trail of Kota you are to come home goodbye."

  "Um Hykee and Lokee come here." Her expression looking scared and confused. "I have to retreat I have been told by Kova to return home I failed my mission he says for you to follow Kotas lead and don't stop."

  Hykee laughs "bout time I get to let loose and do things my way haha bye Kaola guess you weren't good enough to be a leader haha."

  Lokee turns to Hykee and tells him to "shut up" and tells Kaola "be safe."

  "Actually stay right there give me a moment." Kova said. He suddenly appeared beside Kaola out of a dark ripple in the air. He reached out and touched her and in a flash of shadow she warped away to the Haven.

  Kova then reached his hand out into the empty air his fingers sinking into the void as if he were submerged in water. He reached through the darkness for Juno and Kana. In the clearing of the Haven both women felt the sudden pull of the void as they were teleported through the blackness appearing instantly on the jagged ridge overlooking the borderlands. Kova stood before them one last time.

  "If Hykee becomes too much of a problem don't get in his way." Kova warned his eyes cold and devoid of any brotherly warmth. "You both will die. If he makes a gesture by throwing his sword in the air just leave immediately. You two are to get far away IMMEDIATELY."

  Without another word his body falling back into the void and he returned to the Haven.

  Juno was the first to steady herself her feet finding purchase on the rock. Kana stumbled out of the shadow coughing as the transition forced the air from her lungs.

  "You move like a newborn." Juno muttered her eyes already scanning the valley below.

  "I have never traveled like that before." Kana gasped holding her chest.

  "Then get used to it." Juno replied. "My master does not have time for those who cannot handle the weight of his power. Look down there."

  They looked down toward the small flickering fire where Hykee and Lokee sat. Hykee was hunched over his body nearly entirely covered in thick bloodied bandages. He was fiddling with a piece of charred meat his breathing heavy and labored. Beside him Lokee sat with her legs crossed staring into the darkness with a vacant expression.

  "Get down there." Juno commanded pushing Kana forward. "And remember what I said. One mistake and you are on your own."

  Kana took a deep breath and began the approach toward the fire. She did not know what the next few hours would bring but as she neared the twins she felt the weight of Kova eyes still watching her from the shadows. She had to be more. She had to survive.