The gigantic Estinian camp was bustling as Legion and Inle entered. Soldiers sparred and blacksmiths repaired armor. On the outskirts of the encampment, they found Vada leading fifty new Black Rabbits in a kata. They were fresh faced and of Estinian blood. However, despite being green, they looked well trained and strong. After all, Estinian soldiers were known as merciless and tenacious in the first place. Now that they trained as Black Rabbits they would be a force to be reckoned with. Vada finished her kata and bowed to dismiss them before turning to her High Blade and First Blade.

“Fifty Rabbits trained and ready, my High Blade,” Vada said, proud of her quick work.

Inle inspected the new Rabbits as they walked off, “They look a bit rough.”

Vada winced at the criticism, but made the best of it, “They are indeed rough around the edges, but the bones are there. They will do fine in combat.”

“Inle, report to the king—the Div’Rah—that we have returned and share what we know of Koda’s army,” said Legion, catching himself. He waited for Inle to bow and hustle off before pulling Vada off to the side, “Vada, there is something we discovered while we were in Stonewall.”

“Go on,” said Vada, slightly confused.

“Avalon is alive and is with Koda’s forces.”

Vada stumbled backwards, her jaw slouched open in bewilderment, “H-how can this be? I-I was sure she was enslaved in the gladiator pits of Scorch!”

Legion grabbed hold of Vada, shaking her to her senses, “Whatever the case may be, can I count on you to finish your mission?”

Vada furrowed her brow, still taken aback, “M-My mission?”

“To finish off Avalon!” Legion snarled.

Vada ran her hands over her head. She needed to sit down and reflect on this news, but Legion did not allow her such time, “Avalon will fall under my sword, my High Blade,” said Vada finally.

“Good. I have no doubt you two will meet on the battlefield,” nodded Legion, pleased with himself.

Vada walked slowly away. She was now focused. She was confident she would see Avalon on the battlefield, but now hoped to meet her before then as well.

***

Koda’s army had made camp under a large overpass of rock. The Silent Ones slumbered as Adema conversed quietly with her Silver Wing across the glow of a dimly lit fire.

“You know who the first Silent One was?” Adema asked Avalon. Not a true question, but a test to begin a conversation. Her long white and orange jacket rested beneath her, serving as a pillow against a boulder. Her pale white skin gleamed in the fire, as did the black veins that seemingly clutched her cheeks. Her Amber eyes hauntingly cast in the night.

“Autumn, sister of Jedeo,” Avalon responded.

“Do you know why she was the first Silent One?”

“What do you mean?” Avalon asked, slightly confused by the question.

Adema sat up, “I’ve heard stories about you, Avalon. I’ve learned about who you were before you dedicated yourself to Jedeo’s blade.”

Avalon shifted nervously.

Adema shined a toothy smile, “No need to worry, dear Avalon. As you can see a lot of us came from troubled and dark pasts. I’m a tainted elf, for example; an elf born with the blood of the Night.”

“What have you learned about me then?” Avalon questioned Adema, now more curious.

“You were once an assassin. One of the best in your clan. You had a sister of sorts and were very close.”

Avalon lowered her head. She had never forgotten about Vada. She thought about her constantly, and it hurt her heart each time her memory surfaced.

“You left her behind in your old world so that you could ascend to the high honor of being a Silent One. You, Avalon, are Jedeo. Your Blade Sister is Autumn. Separated by an entire world, your sister stayed behind to carry on the work she believed in. One day you two will be reunited. But unlike Jedeo and Autumn, you will have to make a choice,” Adema continued.

Avalon widened her eyes with the realization of that choice.

“The choice of whether you will save Vada or kill her. I pray you find the strength to make the right decision,” finished Adema.

“I-I need to take a walk,” Avalon said as she took her leave from the fire.

Avalon wandered far from the sleeping army, deep in a whirlwind of thoughts. What would she do if she had to confront Vada? “Blade Sister, we must speak,” she whispered to herself, unable to clear her head.

“I am here, my sister,” a voice called from the shadows as a figure dropped from a low hanging cliff.

Startled, Avalon instinctively drew her blade. Peering into the shadows, she whispered to the stranger, “Vada, is that really you?”

Vada approached from the reaching shadows. She placed her hands out so that Avalon could see she was no threat, “I see you still wield a blade like a Rabbit.”

Avalon arched a brow, unable to tell if Vada was here for a fight, “A fragment from my past. I doubt I’ll ever relearn to fight like anything other than a Rabbit,” responded Avalon.

“Avalon, there is a battle on the horizon. You and I will be on opposite sides of that field. We will be enemies, and truthfully, I do not want that,” Vada said, stepping closer to her Blade Sister.

Avalon sheathed her blade and offered her hand, “Then come with me, Vada. Become a Silent One. We can stand together as we once did!”

Vada sneered at Avalon’s offer, “You wish me to forsake my ways? The only path I walk is that of Alanna. You of all people should know this.”

Avalon looked at her own empty hand and curled it into a fist. She bit her lip in frustration, “Ever still the stubborn one, Vada. Once again you stand on the precipice of a new destiny and you still do not see that the ways of the Rabbit are wrong!”

Vada looked away silently. Avalon continued.

“I have been in your shoes. I have seen the errors of my ways. Jedeo will save your soul. She will shape you into a warrior of the Light. Where Alanna turns her back on you, Jedeo will embrace you in her crimson wings.”

Vada opened her mouth to speak. She could see it herself, dropping the ways of the Black Rabbit to run and join Avalon. However, she was afraid. Afraid of the clan and afraid of herself, “I-I can’t Avalon. I-I have to go,” stuttered Vada as she leaped back on top of the wall and vanished into the shadows.

Avalon watched as her friend disappeared once again. Tears began to swell in her eyes, “You are not too far gone, Blade Sister. I will wait for you,” she whispered, knowing Vada was not around to hear her.