Book excerpt: Centuries ago, Minoru Kurita abandoned his noble name and heritage when he was adopted by Clan Nova Cat, who utilized Minoru’s psychic abilities to create a powerful new breed of warrior—the Mystic Caste, a secretive, spiritual branch of the Clan led by their exalted Oathmaster. From the moment Kisho left the Iron Womb, he has been trained in the Mystic Caste with one goal in mind: to forge his entire being into a tool. Not simply as a weapon to fight the Clan’s enemies, but as an instrument of strength to bring glory to Clan Nova Cat through his visions. Now, he has been chosen by the Oathmaster himself to be his protégé—and possible successor. But Kisho’s great pride masks a greater deception: he does not believe any of it. He has walked the path all his life, yet he has no faith in the gifts the Mystic Caste supposedly possesses—and he is running out of time. For Kisho is about to be sent into battle with his warrior brethren to fight alongside the forces of the controversial Warlord Katana Tormak—and the faith he has so long denied may be the only thing that can save them.