Kano was livid at the sight of Havik. "YOU'RE A FUCKING COWARD, HAVIK! YOU LET OTHERS DO YOUR DIRTY WORK! FIGHT ME LIKE A FUCKING MAN!" Driven by rage, Kano rushed towards Havik, erratically swiping at him with his butterfly knives. Kano's furious attacks were instantly halted, forcing him to stop dead in his tracks. He struggled to move but his body failed to respond, even speaking was impossible. Dread came over Kano at the realization that his mobility was now at the mercy of Havik's will. A chilling smile formed on Havik's mutilated face.
"My power has grown considerably since I became lord of Chaosrealm," Havik stated. "My mastery of blood magik allows me to possess your mind from the mere blood that runs through your veins." He smirked at Kano. "Though I will admit, you are slightly more difficult to control, due to the cybernetic enhancements fused to your brain. I can, however, make a puppet out of you if I so wished," he said. Rather than demonstrating the full strength of his power, he simply released his hold over Kano.
Havik glanced over at Sonya and admired her still form, as she lay on the floor unconscious. "Such a beauty isn't she? Her ferocious spirit makes her the perfect vessel to further my ambitions." Rousing her from her slumber, Havik gently raised her into a standing position. Sonya put up no struggle; she simply stood in Havik's arms. The color in her eyes had returned to their normal shade of brown, but lacked their usual fire. Standing before Kano was not the Sonya Blade known for her fierceness, but rather, a shell of a person.
From the sight of her soulless expression; Kano became infuriated. He narrowed his eye at Havik. "I WILL FUCKING DESTROY YOU." Kano growled. "Your threats are empty, Kano. We both know you have no way of defeating me, as proven from our last encounter." Kano maliciously grinned. "You're wrong about that, fucker. I have a way of ending you, and you're about to find out how."
Kano aimed his laser beam straight for Havik's heart, burning a hole right through it. Havik maniacally laughed as the hole slowly regenerated making his chest intact once more. "You disappoint me Kano; I am quite familiar with the infamous stories of your brutality. I expected much more from you," Havik provoked him. "No worries, mate. I'm just getting started with ya," Kano said drawing his butterfly knives.
As Kano started to approach him, Havik pressed a blade to Sonya's throat. Kano's bravado faded at the sight of blood trickling down her neck. "I am doubtful that you would recklessly risk your lover's life just to attack me", Havik confidently said. Kano's eye widened in surprise; he and Sonya had kept their new relationship private for the time being. Judging from his startled expression; Havik knew he had Kano right where he wanted him.
"Was that supposed to be a secret?" Havik mocked him. "If so, it is one that you fail to keep, for your affection for her gives you away. I have observed you for quite some time, Black Dragon. You guard this woman as if she was your most prized possession. Your desire for her is a weakness, one that my master will soon exploit to destroy you both."
Havik looked at Kano with a serious demeanor. "You should know that I have no intention of fighting you or your beloved. My show of force was merely to gain your attention; I wish to request an audience." "Are ya outta yer fucking mind?" Kano angrily asked. "Sonya just tried to murder me, but to you that was a show, just for shits and giggles, eh?" Havik mischievously grinned at him. Kano let out an annoyed sigh. "Right, I forgot. You're the master of fucking chaos. You get off on all of this bullshit."
Kano looked at Havik suspiciously. "What is it that you want, Havik?" "I wish to be rid of my master," Havik answered. Kano was genuinely perplexed by Havik's unexpected remark. "Why? Don't you both want the same thing; to conquer the realms, spread chaos and all that shit?" "My dream is to exist in a world where one can embrace their chaos without restraint. I was able to achieve this vision when I took over Seido and liberated our people from its oppressed regime. Our citizens thrive as they can live as they wish without fear of consequences."
"At first I believed that my Titan counterpart shared the same vision as mine and wanted to spread anarchist ideals among all the realms. I was elated to support him that is; until I realized that my master cares nothing for my vision as his is tainted with blood. I have seen how he oppresses the people of the realms he has conquered. They have no freedom in their choices; in essence, it is another Seido regime, only this time riddled with death and destruction. This is not something that I can stand by or tolerate."
Kano was slightly swayed by Havik's words. "You're not all that twisted, mate," Kano said as he put his knives back into their sheaths. "Indeed, I am not the enemy that you believe me to be. I merely care for the freedom of my people. What happens outside of Chaosrealm concerns me not, however, if my master is not stopped, all will be oppressed under his rule. That is why I am willing to aid your forces to prevent his bloodthirsty reign," Havik said.
Once Havik removed the blade from Sonya's throat; his influence over her ceased. She looked on in confusion as she gradually came to her senses. "Welcome back, love," Kano said as he slowly approached her. Glancing at Kano's bloodied chest and arms, Sonya recalled glimpses of their confrontation just moments before."My God, what did I do to you?" she asked Kano, acknowledging the injuries that she inflicted on him.
Then, Sonya turned her attention toward Havik. "You did this," she growled. She immediately tried to stab his shoulder with her dagger, but Kano caught her wrist before she could do so. Sonya stared at him in shock as he refused to lessen his grip. "KANO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" she asked in disbelief. "Ease up, Sonya; Havik is going to work with us," he answered her.
Sonya was alarmed by Kano's words as she couldn't fathom the concept of Havik as an ally. "This is insane! After all that he has done, now he wants to… just switch sides…AND YOU BELIEVE HIM?" Sonya cautiously looked at Havik. "How can he be trusted?"
After Kano gave her a brief rundown of his conversation with Havik, Sonya was simply astounded. "There is no way the others are going to buy this. Hell, I hardly believe it." Havik grinned. "I can persuade them if you like." Sonya narrowed her eyes. "Thanks, but your mind games will not be necessary…Come on. Let's get back to the others; they are in for quite the surprise…"
A half hour later, Sonya and Kano had regrouped with their commanders Jarek, Jax, Kabal, Kenshi, Kira, Scorpion, Smoke, Stryker and Tremor. They had gathered in the Black Dragon tent to discuss next steps in defeating the Titan. Everyone in the room suspiciously stared at Havik, wary of his true motives. Kira and Scorpion angrily glared at him as they were the most adversely affected by his influence. Havik relished in the tension that his presence provoked.
"Boss, having Havik work among us is a mistake! His timing alone is suspicious. He just conveniently showed up after we beat the shit out of his army. How do you know that he won't betray us the first opportunity that he gets?" Kira outright asked. "Trust me, I am well aware of that possibility," Kano nonchalantly answered her. "Then why would you even consider this?!" she blatantly asked him. "Allow me to answer your question," Havik offered.
As he stepped forward to address Kira, she pulled out her butterfly knife and pressed the tip of it to his throat. "I wouldn't step any closer if I was you," she threatened. Scorpion quickly stepped beside Kira and pulled out his kusarigama, preparing to strike at Havik. A crooked smile formed on Havik's face; he was amused by their mutual contempt for him.
"You need not be threatened by me," Havik said while casually removing Kira's blade from his neck. "As I told Kano, it is no longer my interest to quarrel with any of you. My only concern is for the well being of the citizens of Chaosrealm. Once my master has been destroyed, I merely wish to return to my realm and govern with no outside interference."
"Do you honestly expect us to believe this?" Scorpion asked. Havik nodded. "I speak the truth. My only interest in all of this is to protect the freedoms of my people. That can only be accomplished with my counterpart's demise." Kira shook her head. "I almost want to believe you, but it feels a little too good to be true." "Kira, I share your doubts. But Havik joining us will help us defeat this bloody bastard for good," Kano said. "I don't like it, but I trust you boss," Kira said while sneering at Havik. He flashed a mischievous grin back in the direction of the feisty redhead. "Ugh," she groaned.
"Let's focus everyone. Now is the time to discuss how we are going to finally end this war. This morning's attack sent a message to the Titan that he was wrong to underestimate us. We slaughtered a good portion of his army; the remaining forces that retreated were greatly weakened, which gave us the upper hand. We need to finish strong," Sonya said.
"This is far from over…My counterpart is gathering more forces as we speak," Havik stated. "You know this for certain?" Sonya asked. "Yes, my counterpart had made preparations for additional reinforcements a few days ago. The army will be gathering in the desert. The Titan seeks finality to this war and declares that he will annihilate you. The warriors that he is gathering will serve his purpose to defeat your forces once and for all…the soldiers you faced today do not compare to what has just been assembled," Havik stated.
"Then we should meet the Titan in the desert to finish this," Kenshi said. "Are you ready to go head to head with your old master?" Sonya asked Havik. A sinister smile spread on his lips. "I will do so with great pleasure."