The Seventh Member of the Storm Hawks

Cyclonis' Twisted Game

The Storm Hawks ran off the Condor and engulfed Nika in a hug, Piper reaching the brunette first with yells of that she was happy to see her again. Nika hugged back but she wasn't ready to go back with them, mainly because of Aerrow. "We were so worried!" Piper exclaimed engulfing Nika in another hug, Jor twisted his face in pain for a brief second – he was going to destroy this, Nika finally had friends her own age and he was going to be the one who tore her away from that. 'Second thoughts will result in dire consequences.' Cyclonis warned, through her crystal ball she could see what Jor could see and through the mind controlling crystal – she could read his thoughts and was angered at the idea of him ruining her plans.

"Please tell me you're coming back with us." Junko pleaded almost child-like, Nika sighed and looked at Jor for a moment, he promised that they would go to Yaris together and liberate it but seeing the looks on her friend's face – she didn't want to go. "I... I want to, I really do but Yaris..." Nika answered, her voice breaking with emotion, Aerrow glanced at Jor for a moment, he looked as pained as his sister. "We can help you, all of us." Aerrow gently assured, Nika bit her lip and wavered her gaze between Jor and Aerrow as she grabbed Junko's arm for reassurance. "It's Jor's call." She answered a tear falling form her eye, this was too much for her to take in at once and she didn't want to make another decision – look where it had landed her already.

Jor's eyes bore into Nika's, she frowned softly when she saw a dark glint that she wasn't familiar with – unconsciously she took a step backwards. "Nika?" Junko called uncertainly, his eyes averted to her hands which had suddenly grabbed her sword hilts, "Shh." Nika hissed quickly, her eyes barely leaving Jor as she scolded Junko – something was off and she didn't know what it was. "No." Jor spoke suddenly, catching the Storm Hawks off guard with his sudden answer. Nika felt her frown deepen as she unsheathed her sword and pointed it at his face, ignoring her friends calling her name out in confusion. "Whoever is in my brother's head, get out of it." Nika ordered, her voice stronger than her body as her arm shook while tears glistened in her eyes. "Do you even hear yourself? Who in Atmos would be in my head?" Jor joked as he gestured with his hands, Nika swiped her sword downwards in a threatening manner. "The last time we spoke you said you were going to find people to help us. What changed?" Nika countered, mentally gearing herself up for a fight – the last thing she wanted to do was fight her older brother, previous fights between them never ended without someone needing a doctor. Jor's joking façade quickly changed into one of rage, she swallowed thickly and didn't allow her eyes to leave him, "Move back, guys." She commanded shakily a she swallowed again.

As Aerrow frowned and turned his head to Nika, "What?" He asked before he was knocked off balance by a sudden movement, "Woah!" He followed the swoosh to see Jor and Nika clashing weapons, immediately he drew out his twin swords and rushed to help but was foiled by Nika throwing one of hers at his feet, "Stay out of this." She called as she pushed against Jor's hammer, not overly confident that she was going to win this fight. "Nika!" Piper shouted when the siblings clashed again, Nika had little choice to sheath her weapon and flip backwards as her brother took several swipes for her – thankful that his heavy choice of weapon made his attacks slower.

"What do we do?!" Junko cried, feeling utterly helpless as he watched his best friend trying to avoid fighting with her brother, Finn also watched on – knowing that he would be getting in the way if he tried to help. "I don't know man! But she can't dodge him forever." Finn replied as he reluctantly reached for his crossbow with Piper catching his wrist to stop him, "No, you might hit Nika." She spoke sadly, wishing she could help. Aerrow clenched his fists around his sword hilts, he didn't care if Nika was a princess or a Sky Knight – she could not order him to stand and watch her in a fight. He felt himself breathe in deeper than he normally would, "Aerrow?" Piper called as she reached for his shoulder but he had already began running towards the siblings, "No!"