Hearing his younger brother's response left him bewildered. "Huh? What are you saying?"
"A - Alise, Dire, and Kas... I'm very sure I heard them talk about taking out a team. And y - your name," Jakery's quivering voice paused to catch his breath. "Your name was mentioned."
Suddenly, Demon glanced up at Ether's narrowed eyes. In return, he looked back into Demon's. A sense of skepticism and anxiousness washed down their spines.
"Okay, well," Ether gently lowered Jakery onto his feet. "You two can stay here. I'm going to go visit our Sherpa to see if he knows anything. Demon, go get your short-sword, don't let anyone get close to the door... who's name is not Ether."
Demon nodded. He turned around and swiftly walked down the hallway to his room. When he came back, a trusty yet battered short-sword hung from his hand. Sheathe intact.
Jakery took a deep breath, making sure to stay calm and keep his mind clear of all negative thoughts. Just like Valentine taught him. After a while, he sat beside the fireplace.
Knees tucked up to his chest, arms hugging his legs. Bright orange flames pridefully danced before him, casting the same light onto his body.
Seeing as his younger brothers were prepared, Ether turned his attention to a small shelf that was curved onto the fireplace. On it sat a sheathed swirled dagger. The leather cone-shaped sheathe tucked the blade away.
"All right, all right. Never thought I could feel this much tension in my veins," Ether tried to brighten up the mood.
Realizing his attempt failed, he made his way to the door. One hand wrapped around the knob, which twisted and pulled. Cool breeze swept the inside, rivaling the hot flames.
"I'll be back shortly," Ether concluded.
Now outside, he realized the cool breeze became frigid staleness. With no warmth out there, the only thing keeping himself warm was the bright red blood pumping through his body.
Before taking the first step, he tucked the dagger into a small pocket made specifically for concealing small weapons. Relief swept over his lungs, knowing safety was only a pull away comforted him.
Pebbles and dirt pressed against each other as he walked over them. Every four steps taken resulted in him looking over his shoulders for any lurking attackers.
But instead of seeing anyone behind, he only saw the bright fires burning inside the lamps. Their orange taint ignited the path around them.
It was a new experience, yet felt normal. As if walking through the Legion's streets unarmed and frightened happened once before in his life.
Every lamp that threatened to shine a spotlight onto him warded Ether. Being even close to one felt like his safety was compromised. Yet he enjoyed the feeling.
He invited a bigger, more fierce predator to attack. The future Coros generation being inside the Light Legion slowly went from a possibility to non-existent.
Right now, it was up to time to decide how much longer they have left on Koroth. Less than a day, perhaps. Maybe less than an hour.
"Don't think about it like that," Ether thought to himself.
He kept his gaze to the streets he stepped on. Ghostly white air flowed out of his nose as he breathed. Accompanied by the sound of his lungs expanding and compressing.
"You only die after your brothers are safe from harm. Unless you want to feel guilty in hell," Ether's mind continued.
Behind broken thoughts and mixed emotions, he was aware his mind picked apart then reassembled a quote from his father. One that ordered him to continue pushing forward until everyone he cared for was safe.
"I'll be the first to answer when someone threatens," Ether promised himself.
Silence turned to strength. Instead of swiftly making his way under every orange spot, he moved out of the way. Going where no light touched his bare upper body.
Determination fogged his mind. Survival's spear took aim on his life, despite that he was not going to allow that spear to fly.
Off in the distance, a mostly stone and wood home came to view. A lonely table with an equally lonely chair beside it decorated the front. Light emitted from the windows, faintly mimicking their source's dance.
Memories of his time learning under Valentine's order took his vision by storm. Echoes of taught lessons and seething injuries lingered over his body.
That was not the only thing to Valentine. He was the one who encouraged Ether to find himself a partner for a brief time. Describing different signs of other Variants being interested in great detail to ensure Ether caught onto them.
But one thing Valentine never taught him was how to escape the jaws of a grander Legion. Armies upon armies of capable warriors and elites threatened him.
His hand grazed the dagger's hilt as he stepped forward into the first batch of light. It felt like the whole world had their eyes on him. As if he was the only important thing alive.
Quick walking turned to jogging as he quickly dashed through his Sherpa's front yard. Feeling safer under his roof, Ether knocked on the door.
Uneasiness began controlling him. Hoping to keep it under control for a bit longer, Ether leaned beside one of the two nearby wood pillars.
Not too long after, the door swung open. A man with a shadow cast over his front opened. Two heart-shaped eyes caught Ether in their gaze, instantly turning his confused face into a grin.
"Good evening, Ether. How are the preparations coming along?" Valentine's excited voice sprung to life.
In response, Ether shook his head. "Not too well, unfortunately."
"Little Jakery feeling sick?"
"No, not that it's -"
"Armory wasn't opened today?"
Ether sighed. "Not that either. What I'm trying to say is -"
"You're nervous that you won't impress. Keep your chin down, Alise admires humble combatants," Valentine tried to courage.
"No, no, Sherpa. Listen, I don't feel comfortable talking about this out here. Can we talk about this indoors?" Ether finally said.
Realizing how strange his student was acting, Valentine stepped aside. One arm sprung up, gesturing the inside of his home.
Stress escaped Ether's body as he made his way into the dimly lit living room. Shadows expanded up to the ceiling, making it seem like there was a raging fire inside.
But instead, it was cold. Very cold. Cold enough to fit a Thawed's preferences.
"Take a seat and relax. I'll get you something fresh to drink. There's water, honey-apple juice, even wine. Any one of those interest you?" Valentine listed out loud.
"Drinks?" Ether's serious voice questioned. "I don't want any drinks, sorry. But me and my siblings... we need your help."
Valentine leaned on the finely made marble counter. "Ah. With what?"
Ether took a deep breath. "Jakery got a hot foot when coming home after repairing our armor. He claims to have heard the leaders plotting against us. Tomorrow after our match against whichever team we'll face off."
"Aha," Valentine's soothing voice celebrated. "Some overlook theories as 'what-if's.' But not me. You see, I had a feeling this was going to happen. Digon might have warned me about it."
"How does a mountain have to do with this? Also, how did you guess?" Ether asked, hysterically.
Valentine slowly walked closer to Ether, arms crossed. "Thawed, student, I'm a Thawed. Digon is my native mountain and when it senses I'm in danger, it calls to me."
He chuckled. "About that second question. Other Sherpas and I have not been on the same foot when it came to ideas. Through those suggestions I offered, you and everyone else benefited."
A slight shiver went up Ether's spine. It was unusual to see Valentine like this. With his soothing voice yet menacing posture.
"They were concerned about someone. The only other notable names aside from Coros in this Legion are Gelvesh and Ornavi," Valentine clarified.
Ether tilted his head. "What does that have to do with my family?"
Valentine shook his head. "Well. Talis Gelvesh is next in line for his family. That lineage has been around since the birth of this Legion. Kas Ornavi is a leader here. Which leaves Coros without a role."
Understanding what that implied, Ether's body went cold. His heart began beating faster and harder. But this wasn't the time to panic, it was the time to calmly prepare.
"Look at those eyes of yours. So clear that I can stare right into you and tell you exactly how you're feeling. Good job for being strong enough to keep your emotions down," Valentine complimented.
Not knowing how to respond, Ether slowly cracked. "The fuck you mean, 'strong?' I'm slowly going crazy. Have you felt this pressure? When the Frosticus Legion threw you away, was this how you reacted?"
"Suth and Quill didn't make an attempt for my head. It stands tall and proud on my neck where it should be. And besides, you're Solice's son. Do you know what that means?" Valentine questioned.
Moments went by with no response, prompting Valentine to double down. "Solice would make entire worlds shatter if a friend or family member was threatened. That's what you need to do."
It didn't encourage Ether to speak. He kept his mouth shut, despite wanting to continue speaking. Deep down he knew if his mouth opened, his emotions would spill out.
Understanding what was going on, Valentine ran his hand through Ether's hair. "You may not be a siege-maker, war-threader, king-slayer. But you're your father's son."
Careful words defused Ether's stress, making it easier for him to talk again. "Does that mean I have to use the word?"
Valentine got closer to his ear. There, he revealed his plan and how they were going to execute it. Minutes went by with nothing more than silent chatter before Ether understood.
"Goodnight. And remember what I said," Valentine concluded.
Ether nodded, he slowly made his way to the door and out the home. Not wanting to spend more time outside in the ruthless cold, he ran as fast as he could back home.
Wind whizzed past his ears, deafening his footsteps. Although the situation pressured him, the response wasn't out of fear. It was because he knew it was a race against time.