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‘And Kione?’ Riv rasped, speaking of the lean, tall, elegant Katánian locked into akapobattle with Kainan. Shouts came from the crew cheering on the newcomer as he matched thekhosistrike for strike.

Élisa leaned past her lover to study the Katánian. ‘He’s the more charismatic and chivalrous of the pair, with a kind heart. According to Kaxim, Kione commands great respect from his juniors and values his status and honor above all else. He is a member of the aristocracy as the son of one of theKiama’sKrypós Elders, which adds legitimacy to his position. However, when he joined the rebellion of the Hawks, his family disowned him, bringing him shame. Kione is very wealthy, but he left his life of luxury behind to explore the military and seek something different. Despite this, he remains restless and unsure if he has found what he wants. Although he desires a settled life, his transient career with the Kainôs - the new rebel army - makes it difficult for him to find a meaningful relationship. Which leads him to pursue multiple women without any lasting connections.’

Riv grinned and leaned back, his eyes flicking with pride over his woman. ‘Fascinating. This entire encounter with your people is mind-blowing.’

‘Speaking of, Kisan’s story is still haunting me. How is he and his recovery going so far, love?’ Élisa asked.

Riv sobered up. ‘He’s recovering. The Shard was able to separate his other entities from him, but from what Ki’Remi says, his mind and soul will take years to repair. Still, there is a glimmer of hope. Each Rider has been taking a day to spend time with him. On that note, I’d better pop up to the medbay. It’s my turn today.’

Élisa leaned over and kissed her fiancé. ‘See you soon, handsome.’

He left with a smile on his lips, which he touched, still in awe of his luck at finding her.

In minutes, he was striding through the medical wing towards an opaque energy barrier that obscured the room within at the end of the expansive, white, and gleaming clinic.

He paused at the energized entryway and called out. ‘Kisan, it’s Riv.’

Silence fell for a moment, and then the energy divider rippled away without a sound.

Riv stepped into the room.

The bed was empty.

However, a silhouette sat hunched on the lounge before a screen.

Images flitted across the holo view, covering the breadth of the Sable Group’s enterprises and concerns over the years.

Mirage had compiled the showcase to aid Kisan in catching up on everything the Riders had achieved since they’d been torn apart.

He stared at the screen, eyes flicking, narrowing, and widening as he took in the data.

‘Must be overwhelming for you,’ Riv attempted.

The patient closed his eyes and kept them that way for a few seconds.

Opening them, he sliced his tired, worn-out gaze to Riv. ‘’Tis. I feel pulled in many different directions. It doesn’t help that the ghosts of my past keep haunting me. This all,’ he rasped, waving at the screen, ‘only confuses me more.’

Riv sucked his teeth. ‘A case of too much too soon?’

Kisan nodded, then turned his head again, looking even more defeated and strung out.

Riv crossed his arms over his expansive chest and studied him. ‘How about taking a break and walking with me? Have you seen anything more of the Phantasm?’

Kisan shook his head. ‘I’ve not left this infirmary the entire time. It serves me right, I suppose. Helps with getting prepared to live the rest of my life under lock and key.’

There was a surprising lack of bitterness in Kisan’s voice, like he’d come to terms with the horrific crimes he’d committed as Ankis.

‘But you’re not imprisoned here,’ Riv pointed out.

Kisan huffed. ‘That’s because if I made any wrong move, your AI would slice me apart. I know they’ve got eyes on me. I’d also lose the faith of all you brothers, which I’d like to avoid. Not when I spent an entire lifetime as a bitter and broken angel of vengeance. I should have remembered our initial brotherhood and oaths to always look out for each other. I lost trust, and I threw away years. Now that I’m back to being me, I can’t risk losing anything else.’

Riv uncrossed his hands, using them to gesture his commiseration. ‘I missed years, too, brother, with my woman. I understand the regret and sadness that comes with that. But more so with you, I’m freakin’ pissed off that we missed out on years together. But let’s make the most of what we have now. Care to take that walk now?’

Kisan eyed Riv for a long moment, then nodded.

Kisan was shivering from the ship’s air conditioning, his body still malnourished and weak.

Riv summoned an airchair and helped his friend into it.