"I am going to kill them all!!" Yoka swore as he wailed. The entire remaining members of the Yoka squad reeked of sorrow. Tavora had shed a few tears too, and Kaka did not call him unmanly for what it’s worth. It is the greatest taboo after all to deny a man the respect of having a corpse to bury.

How ruthless of the veil blades.

"The veil blades do not leave evidence of their hand," N’varu added. He must have forgotten that fact.

After the Yoka squads collected the clothes of their comrades, the two squads gathered again. They needed to move out more quickly now, more than ever.

"What is our next plan. " You call Captain Yoka," Kiuga said. The situation was too heavy for him to handle. Yoka’s men had been slaughtered to just send a message and to show that they had been reduced to ash. They could be in danger, but since the two squads were now tied together by fate, they needed to let Captain Yoka decide.

"We need to find them, I have to kill them even if I die trying," Yoka said

"You don’t find the veil blades. they find you," N’varu said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tavora asked.

"We have what they want. They want Sagiri dead. So as long as we are with him, they will find us. They will not stop until he is dead." N’varu said.

"Then I can just kill them," Sagiri said.

"Don’t underestimate the veil blade. I have a feeling not one squad of them is in the north. They are persistent and just as deadly. The mission comes before their lives. Do you understand fighting someone who is absolutely ready to die for the mission?" N’varu said.

"We northerners are not scared of death either," Kaka said.

"You are not scared of death, but the word death doesn’t exist in their existence, only the mission. They are cold-blooded and ruthless." N’varu insisted.

"Even so, we need to come up with a plan," Kiuga said.

"Kiuga, talk with me for a moment." Captain Yoka said, pulling Kiuga aside. The two talked for a long while in low tones. Of course, Sagiri could hear what they were talking about, but he acted as if he didn’t. Whatever the captain wished, that is what they could do. He was partly the reason his men had died. Not partly but fully. Perhaps Felunka was right. Wherever he went, dead bodies piled.

After a long moment, the two came back, and Kiuga’s expression was grave.

"This is the plan. The captain thinks I am the best fit to come up with a plan since Tavora is still grieving and in no place to come up with a good plan," kiuga said. Tavora trembled and wiped a tear away. The boy was indeed emotional. Even so, he did not say anything this time.

"We will go back the way we came. Sagiri is still wanted by the kun of the west, and we have stayed in her lands long enough. We go through the central plains before we head for Alika City. We have to make sure the general of the shadows knows what has happened eventually.

"To make it possible, we split into three groups. Tavora, you will lead the first group which will lead. Your mission is to make way for us and still go unnoticed. Your mission is to get the message of everything that has happened to the shadow general. This mission, as you know, is for his ears only. No one can know Sagiri’s whereabouts since it could cause chaos between the councils.

"They know that much. The Shadow Corp is only loyal and answers to the general directly. He handpicked this squad himself," Yoka said.

"Well then, that is good. We can’t have those factions ruining this plan," Kiuga said. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The fourteen of you will run at full speed once we reach the sectoral plains.

"Sagiri will be on the second squad with N’varu and Captain Yoka. The three will be the most targeted group. Once they make contact, Captain Yoka will fire a flare, and the third group will join in. This one I will be leading personally. It involves all the members of the squad, Sagiri, and the War College warlings.

"Remember this is a secret mission, and we will avoid firing flares at all costs. This might attract more attention, and if it is Sagiri’s enemy, then even worse. The central squad will involve three of our best fighters. I assume they can hold their own and fire the flare in a matter of life and death.

"But isn’t the central squad supposed to have many fighters?" Tavora asked.

"You have seen Sagiri fight. Do you think he needs more fighters with him? Even more, you have heard what N’varu has said. Sagiri is the target. They will no doubt hit the centre the hardest, so it’s best if our best fighter, our captain, and a fighter who knows their fighting styles are in the centre. More of you being there will just cause them a hindrance," Kiuga said.

"Tavora, your job is to get as much backup as you can to make the general understand." Captain Yoka said. "I trust you can protect the squad in my absence.

"Yes, captain." Tavora tried to act strong, but it was clear he was scared.

"You will also tell the general that Tatani is under my protection now. He and the mandra are to stay out of Tatani for the next two months until they move south. Tell the shadow general we will meet again soon. He decides whether it will be as enemies or equals." Sagiri said. He knew the General could understand. He had done his part, so it was up to the general to do his part now.

"Now we move out!" Kiuga said, and the new squads fell into groups.

Tavora was reluctant to leave Captain Yoka behind, but Yoka forced him to get his head straight. This was a life-or-death situation after all. After an undignified farewell from Tavora, he finally manned up and spearheaded his squad. The survival of the other teams, after all, depended on how fast they could get aid.

Yoka, N’varu, and Sagiri were next to break off.

Sagiri turned to look at Kiuga, and in that moment, mutual understanding passed between them.

At least this way, no one could be caught in the crossfire. Kiuga bowed slightly but held his head high. He always knew and prioritized the good of the squads. Sagiri trusted him fully to put a leash on the squad.