Chapter 21: Justice’s Secret

Kena sat on the wet grass, breathing hard. The laughing storm had stopped, leaving her cloak heavy with water.

Mud stuck to her boots, thick and messy, but she didn't care—she felt alive.

The golden city shimmered in the distance, its light teasing her, almost daring her to come closer.

Justice Veldric was somewhere inside those walls—mean, icy, and the only person who could get her home.

She glanced at Hope beside her. His iron mask was smeared with dirt, but he stayed close, like always.

She didn't understand why he stuck around, but she was happy he did.

"We need a new plan," Kena said, pushing wet hair off her face with a tired hand. "Justice isn't going to help us. He's too stubborn."

Hope nodded and sat down next to her, his armor creaking a little. "He's tough," he said, his voice low. "But I think there's more to him than we know."

"More?" Kena asked, her eyebrows scrunching up. "What do you mean by more? He's just rude."

"I'm not sure yet," Hope said, looking at her with those steady eyes behind his mask. "But we'll figure it out. There's something hidden."

Kena let out a long sigh, digging into her pocket for the photo. It was damp from the rain, but she could still see Justice's sharp eyes staring out at her.

"All I see is a jerk," she said, holding it up. "A big, cold jerk who doesn't care about anyone."

"Maybe you're right," Hope said, tilting his head a little. "But let's go back anyway. We can watch him, see what he does."

Kena frowned at him, not liking the idea much. "I don't know," she said. "Going back there sounds like a pain. But fine, we'll try it. Just don't expect me to be nice. If he laughs at me again, I'm hitting him right in his smug face."

Hope's eyes crinkled up, like he was smiling under that mask. "That's fair," he said. "I won't stop you."

They got up together, their feet sinking into the soggy ground. The purple sky above was quiet now, dotted with tiny stars that winked at them.

Kena's legs felt heavy, aching from all the walking, but she pushed on. Time was slipping away—less than two weeks left to fix everything.

She had to keep trying, even if it felt hopeless sometimes.

The golden gates of the city came into view, and this time, they swung open without a fight.

The guards barely looked at Kena and Hope as they passed through. The streets were calm now, the mess from the big feast all gone.

Kena's stomach growled loud, reminding her how long it'd been since she ate that weird snake food.

"Hey," she said, nudging Hope. "We need food before we do anything else. I'm starving."

Hope nodded and pointed down the street. "Over there," he said. "I know a place."

He led her to a little stall where steam rose from piles of hot bread and sizzling meat skewers.

He pulled out a coin, handed it to the seller, and soon they were sitting on a bench, eating as fast as they could.

The bread was warm and soft, and the meat had a spicy kick that made Kena's tongue tingle.

She chewed happily, feeling her strength come back bit by bit.

"This is good," she said, wiping her hands on her cloak. "Really good. Okay, so how are we going to watch Justice? What's the plan?"

"We go to the palace," Hope said, finishing his skewer. "We sneak in and look around."

Kena grinned at him, her eyes lighting up. "Sneaking? Now you're talking my language. I like that. Let's do it."

They tossed their scraps aside and started walking toward the palace.

Its huge golden walls loomed over them, guards standing at every corner like statues.

Kena scanned the place and spotted a small side gate, tucked away behind some tangled vines.

"Look over there," she whispered, pointing at it. "That's our way in."

Hope gave her a quick nod. "Good eye," he said.

They crept over, keeping low so no one would notice.

The gate squeaked when Kena pushed it, and she froze, waiting for shouts. But no one came.

They slipped through into a garden where flowers glowed soft colors and the trees seemed to whisper in the breeze.

Kena held her breath, her heart thumping, and followed Hope to a tall wall with a window way up high.

"Boost me up," she said, tapping his arm.

Hope knelt down, and Kena climbed onto his shoulders, gripping tight.

He stood up slow and steady, lifting her high enough to peek through the glass.

Inside was a huge room—marble floors, golden walls, torches flickering.

Justice was there, standing tall, talking to an old man with a crown on his head. Kena figured he must be the king.

She pressed her ear closer, her fingers digging into the ledge. Justice's voice cut through the air, sharp and hard.

"I don't need him around," he said. "You picked me, Father. The twin's gone, and that's how it should be."

The king's face wrinkled into a frown. He looked old, with gray hair and tired eyes.

"He's still your brother," he said, his voice heavy. "Banished, yes, but not dead. You can't forget that."

Kena's eyes went wide, and her breath caught. Twin? Brother? She leaned in more, her heart beating fast.

Justice let out a cold laugh that made her skin prickle. "Good," he said. "Let him rot behind that mask. I don't care."

The king shook his head slow, like he was disappointed. "You're too hard, Justice," he said. "Too cruel sometimes. He was my son too, you know."

"Was," Justice snapped back, his voice like a whip. "He was your son. Now it's just me, and that's all that matters."

He turned away, and Kena ducked down quick, her mind spinning with what she'd heard.

She tapped Hope's shoulder, and he lowered her to the ground, gentle as always.

"What did you hear?" he whispered, his voice soft but urgent.

Kena kept her voice low, her eyes locked on his.

"Justice has a twin," she said. "A brother who got banished. He wears a mask, and the king's upset about it. Justice doesn't care at all."

Hope went still, his eyes darkening behind that iron mask. "A twin," he said, so quiet she almost missed it.

Kena stared at him hard. "You know something, don't you?" she said. "I can tell. Tell me what's going on."

"Not right now," Hope said, shaking his head a little. "We can't talk here. We need to get out first."

Kena grabbed his arm, her fingers tight. "No way," she said. "Tell me now. Is it you? Are you the twin he's talking about?"

Hope pulled his arm free, gentle but firm. "I'll tell you later," he said. "Please, Kena, not now. Guards are coming."

She heard it then—boots clanking on stone, getting closer. Hope tugged her behind a big bush, and they crouched low as two guards walked by, their spears shining in the torchlight.

Kena's heart hammered in her chest, but her mind stayed stuck on Hope. Twin? Mask? It made too much sense.

She glared at him through the leaves, but he just shook his head again, quiet.

They waited until the footsteps faded, then crept back to the gate and slipped out.

Once they were safe in the street, Kena's hands started shaking—not from fear, but from all the questions piling up.

"You're hiding something big," she said, turning to him. "I know you are, Hope. Spill it."

"Maybe I am," he said, his voice steady. "But trust me for now, okay? I'll tell you when it's safe."

Kena crossed her arms tight, frowning deep. "I don't like secrets," she said. "You know that. I hate them."

"I know you do," Hope said, meeting her eyes. "I promise, Kena, it'll be soon. Just wait a little."

She huffed loud, kicking at the ground. "Fine," she said. "But I'm not happy about it."

She let it drop, though, and they found a quiet spot near the market, sitting under a tree that glowed soft blue.

Kena reached into her pocket and pulled out the old photo once more. She looked at it closely, then took out the smooth green stone. She held it tightly, rolling it slowly in her fingers.

"A twin," she whispered, speaking her thoughts aloud. "What if Justice isn't the right one I'm searching for? What if it's another person entirely?"

Hope stayed quiet, not saying a single word, but his silence felt heavy and thick, like it was hiding important answers.

Kena's stomach twisted up tight, knotting with worry. She felt so close to something big—maybe the real truth—and that thought scared her a little deep inside.

She leaned back against the rough tree, looking up at the bright stars twinkling in the dark sky, Justice's sharp and harsh words still echoing loudly in her ears.