The sounds of distant explosions filled the air as I did push-ups on a spot just in front of Yna’s cabin.

Katsíki had decided to chill in the throne room and plan things out while I trained both my body and my control over darkness.

I knew that I was barely was strong as a silver knight but it wasn’t enough.

I wanted to help…

I know.

These feelings surprised me as well.

For the longest time I had been alone and for the longest time my mind was a cesspool of all manner of dark thoughts.

But ever since I met Katsíki… ever since he and I became one, I felt a small, white hot flame burning in my chest.

Many winds and storms were threatening to stuff it out, but we wouldn’t let that happen.

We would fight until the end.

I stood up and inspected my sweaty muscular arms which glistened in the afternoon sunlight.

This wasn’t enough.

I’d need to receive augmentation in order to even stand against a knight, but that came with its own downsides.

For one, any broken bones would turn to dust and getting healed would return the broken body part to its pre-augmentation state.

I looked north as the sun soared across the sky.

A cold breeze signalled the that winter wad on its way.

I sighed before making my way to the heart where I bathed.

I then allowed myself to dry while thinking about various things.

One of which was the war.

A week had passed since it began and many things had changed.

Most non combatant individuals were evacuated and taken far south to the Ash Wastes.

A few people had stayed but apart from those who were too stubborn too leave, the rest were essential to the war effort.

Magicians, cooks and various other essential people.

As for the war itself, a large chunk of it was happening in the Kauretia Valley where both armies fought desperately for two different things.

The armies of the Expanse were simply defending their home and killing everyone who got too close, while the armies of Lanceberg were trying to push into the Expanse via the valley.

They had tried various methods of infiltration, like teleporting some of their men into various parts of the Expanse but thanks to our network of scouts and Kommáti, those efforts were quickly stopped.

Katsíki’s fear and by extension, mine, was that a group of knights would attack a single spot before moving to another before we could respond.

This fear was compounded by the fact that Stormhawks and Helma were active nearby.

I didn’t even want to imagine the havoc they would wreak if they attacked at once.

Yna, along with several others were fighting tooth and nail on the front lines while I hid in Coh…

Part of me wanted to kill all of Lanceberg’s soldiers with the Anti Caligo Ordinate since I could always make another one, but Katsíki said that would only lead to mutual destruction.

Under no circumstances could Caligo and I be allowed to fight because he could simply incinerate the Expanse but we obviously wouldn’t die without destroying Lanceberg as well.

So we swore to stay out of it.

Speaking of Caligo, he was located in a tent just behind his massive army.

I eventually returned to the cabin where I got dressed in a simple vest and a dark chest piece.

I then made my way to lower Coh which had turned fully into an industrial district with the expanded outskirts become the residential area.

I entered the research facility before making my way to a bay where the MSDA-MK5 sat.

A handful of Rendaro inspected the sleek, yet menacingly dark piece of armour.

“Good morning, gentlemen.” I greeted.

“Hello, Kenos.”

One of the Rendaro greeted.

“I assume everything is ready?” I asked while popping my knuckles.

“Yes. Do you remember the layout-?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it all here.” I said while tapping my temple.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I then followed the group of Rendaro into a separate, empty building where I raised my hand.

A torrent of smoke then shot out of it and to amplify my output, I allowed my right arm to change into its dark form, which led to even more dark smoke filling the building.

I made sure to keep the Rendaro safe while the smoke rushed to the ground where it gathered in clumps.

One hundred clumps, to be specific.

I sent out even more smoke and the clumps bubbled and morphed before rapidly expanding into frames that resembled the MSDA-MK5.

This went on for some time until the building was filled with one hundred suits of armour.

However, these were still incomplete.

They still needed to be fitted with padding that would ensure the soldiers who wore them weren’t uncomfortable and various other little touches.

I nodded to myself before tapping the shoulder of one the Rendaro.

“I’ll leave the rest to you.” I said before leaving the building.

Ower then suddenly appeared next to me.

“Err… sir.”

“Yeah?” I asked while standing on the now relatively empty streets of Coh.

“Anda’s child has been born and… he wants you to see it.”

“Heh?” I gasped.

“Don’t tell me he brought it here.”

“He did not.” Ower said making me sigh deeply.

“Let’s rush over, then.”

Ower nodded before placing his hand on my shoulder.

We then found ourselves in the Expanse before finding ourselves in lower Eimval.

We were in front of the high office and so it wasn’t long before we were noticed.

“Oh- lord Kenos. Are you here for-“

“Yes, yes. Take me to them.” I said to the guard who looked like he was deathly afraid of Ower.

The guard shook aside his fear before taking me to Iana where we made our way to a large building on the city’s southern edge.

I was allowed into the building where I was then led into a room on the second floor.

I then gazed upon a sight that filled my chest with a strange warmth.

Anda sat next to a large bed atop which slept Tasha who held in her hands a small thing wrapped in blankets.

Anda noticed me and I looked into his teary eyes.

He sat frozen as I approached.

“H-hello, lord Kenos.” He greeted softly, but I waved my hand dismissively.

“No need to be formal. I know you wanted to meet Katsíki, but he’s kinda busy right now. That being said, he and I are one in mind and body so allow me to congratulate you on his behalf.” I said with a gentle smile.

Anda nodded before looking at the sleeping Tasha.

He then looked at his new-born daughter.

I saw that he was having rather depressing thoughts and so I lightly tapped his shoulder.

“Hey, stop whatever it is you’re thinking and enjoy this moment. Don’t think, just feel. Ok-?“

“Thank you.” Anda suddenly said while looking at me with eyes that shook.

“Umm… Okay?” I said even though I had done literally nothing.

“Anyway, if that’s all, I’ll take my leave.” I said before turning around but-

“If- if I die… in this war, could I trust you to watch over them?” Anda asked but I wasn’t going to let him ruin this.

I walked up to him before grabbing his collar and lifting him up slightly.

“Listen here, you little piece of shit. You’re going to live through this and you’re going to raise your daughter, understand?” I hissed.

Anda nervously nodded but I slapped him in the face lightly.

“Say it! Say that you’ll live and raise your daughter!” I whispered.

“I-I’ll live and raise my daughter.”

“Good.” I said before dropping the guy.

I then turned to leave while tightly squeezing my fists.

“Never let her out of your sight and never, ever let either of them go, got it?” I asked through gnashed teeth.

“Alright.”

I stormed out of the room before raising my right hand.

“Take me somewhere far away… please.”

Ower placed his hand on my shoulder and teleported us to a spot out in the Expanse.

I then paced around as tears welled up in my eyes

“Sir…” Ower called as I messily wiped my eyes.

“Children are… nimble and shifty things.” I said as my throat tightened.

I then placed my hands on my waist before taking several deep breaths.

“You… you let them go for one second, one tiny second and so much can go wrong.” I said with trembling lips.

“I know a parent can’t always be around to check on every little thing, but dammit, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try!” I yelled before facing Ower who looked at me with concerned eyes.

I wiped my tears before dismissively waving my hand.

“Don’t worry too much about it. You and I, we’re going to do our best to ensure that Anda can raise his daughter in peace.” I said even though I was fully crying now.

Ower nodded prompting me to nod as well.

“Woo! Give me a moment. Let me just… let me get this out of my system.”

I then cried for what felt like eternity as the sun slowly sunk.

My tears eventually stopped falling and after wiping my face some more, I walked up to Ower, who took us back to Coh.

I made my way the heart where I washed my face before looking at my reflection in the on the water’s surface.

My facial features were pretty much the same as before Katsíki and I fused although I had his eyes now.

Brown eyes which had flat pupils.

I also had two black horns that were about fifteen centimetres long.

I touched my face and although I knew I was me, I was also… something else.

I sighed before falling backwards onto the dry grass.

“Under what circumstances does the other one take control?”

I heard Thneia ask.

I sat up and looked behind me to find her standing behind the short fence that protected Katsíki’s heart.

She was clad in her Draconic armour which was covered in dry blood and dirt.

Her face wasn’t any cleaner either.

“We just need to a quick nap, is all.” I said while looking into Thneia’s bright orange eyes.

“I see.” She said with a sigh.

She then walked away leaving me kinda confused.

What did she want with Katsíki?

I would’ve thought more on this but Yna approached before any of my thoughts could take root.

She glanced behind herself before looking at me with a raised brow.

“What did she want?” Yna asked. She too was clad in armour, only hers was one that Katsíki made specially for her.

The MSDA-Y-MK3 was heavy, yet sleek in its design.

It was also fashioned to allow Yna’s excess energy to fly out freely when she fought.

Unfortunately for Yna, she had to cut her hair in order to properly wear her helmet.

I returned my thoughts to Yna’s question as she entered the heart. Her amour covered in mud and blood as well.

“I’m not sure. She asked about how Katsíki and I switch places before leaving.” I said while scratching my cheek in confusion.

“I see. Well… about that… could you switch tomorrow?” Yna asked.

“Hehe, I’ll think about it-“

I stopped as Yna’s eyes narrowed.

“Ugh, you really are no fun. I’ll ask him, but as you know, he’s hella busy.”

Yna nodded before suddenly disappearing.

She then returned with a change of clothes.

“Look away.” She instructed and I complied.

She eventually finished bathing and after changing, she left the heart.

I followed her and we made our way to Shiru’s place.

Yna entered the building before slamming the door in my face.

I sighed before sitting by the side of the door and I cried internally as the air was filled with the smell of Shiru’s cooking.

I knew Yna didn’t like me, but come on!

This was just too cruel.

I’d be fine with it if she let me motorboat her tits, but she punched me in the face every time I asked!

I sighed before crossing my arms over my legs as night fell.

Why did it have to be him?

I looked back into his memories and saw that he had a pretty great childhood.

He didn’t have too many friends, but the few he did cared for him along with his family.

Now he had a new group of people who cared for him.

I wanted that.

Even if I didn’t deserve it.