The transition into the Void was a violent erasure of reality. Jaeren stumbled as his boots met the shifting floor of Kova's internal world. The air was thick with the scent of stagnant iron. Above him, the sky was a swirling abyss of ink. Jaeren's knees buckled. The Stained Shackles flared with agonizing light.
"Get a grip," Kova said.
Jaeren forced himself to stand.
In the distance, several small figures stood huddled together like flickering candles. They are not alone. Demons of the Void are closing in. They are manifestations of Kova's own fractured psyche.
Why are they out? They are just wandering without my command, Kova thought.
"Wait right here," Kova commanded.
He vanished. A sudden absence was followed by a violent eruption of energy where he reappeared. Kova stood between the children and the encroaching horrors. Several thick tentacles erupted from his back.
"Juno, help us," Jin whimpered. "Just stay behind me," Juno whispered.
The demons lunged. The tentacles caught them in mid air and crushed them. The monsters didn't bleed. They simply ceased to be. Kova stood amidst the swirling remnants of his own internal monsters.
"Jaeren, come forward," Kova said.
Why are the children looking at me like I am the devil, Kova thought.
Jaeren collapsed to his knees. The children moved with a desperate gait. They threw their arms around his neck.
"Father!" Jester sobbed. "Is it really you?" "I am here," Jaeren whispered.
"Your skin's so cold," Jala cried. Jaeren flinched. He looked at Jester's hand. He saw the jagged gap where a finger should've been.
"What happened to your finger?" Jaeren asked.
Kova stared into the distance. He asks questions he already knows the answer to. Sentiment's a waste of time, Kova thought.
"Hurry up with your reunion," Kova said. "We have business to attend to."
"Will they be protected?" Jaeren asked.
"They'll be protected," Kova replied.
In my void, they are safer than they ever were in their father's house, Kova responded.
Jaeren turned back to his children. "Listen to me. You'll stay with Kova. My time's coming to an end."
"No!" Jin shouted. "You can't leave us again!"
"I have no choice," Jaeren said. He turned his head toward Kova and began to cough, his body trembling with the effort.
"We found three eyes," Jaeren rasped, his voice growing faint as he doubled over. "Kalamity has a small one. He named it Eye of the Storms. It's hidden in his secret vault."
"The Eye of the Storm," Kova thought. "I'll make Hykee use the eye. He'll be the conduit for that power," Kova thought.
"The second's a red eyeball," Jaeren continued, stopping to catch a shallow, ragged breath.
"I hid it in the royal capital. It's nearly the size of my hand. We thought it was meant for that giant we found."
"A red eyeball for a giant?" Kova thought. "Jaeren was sitting on a catastrophe. The scale of this power must be absurd," Kova thought.
"It's locked within the base of my statue in the capital," Jaeren whispered, his strength visibly draining. "It needs the heat of a Whiteflame to open. Only Juno or Jaeger have the power for it."
"A fire key limited to his best stock," Kova thought. "He locks the eye and only weaklings can open it, Kova thought."
"The third eye the one we never saw," Jaeren said while wheezing. "It is rumored to be the same size as the red one It's circulating in the Black Market within the Onyx District. The King has scrolls pertaining to its location. There's a seller there who'll only trade that eyeball for the right amount of black shards."
Jaeren looked at Kova. His eyes were hollow and his face was pale.
"That's all the information I can give you. I don't want to live anymore. Kill me."
"Father, stop!" Jester shrieked. "Don't leave us with him!"
Jaeren reached out and touched Juno's face. "Great things will come to those who listen to a Speedhardt. Be brave, Juno."
the children screamed.
"Juno don't turn away watch me kill your father," Kova said.
Kova didn't hesitate. A tentacle whipped forward and pierced Jaeren through the chest.
A tool that's finished its task is merely clutter, Kova thought.
Jaeren started dissolving into ash. A faint smile of relief touched his lips.
"You monster!" Juno yelled, her eyes flashing with a pale fire. "You killed him again!"
"I gave him what he asked for," Kova replied.
Use this pain. Let it fuel your anger. Grow hate towards me, Kova thought.
Jester reached out for the drifting flakes of ash.