Seconds silently made way for minutes. Their hearts continued to beat at the same time, a reminder they stood back to back together.
While Ether focused on Jakery's hair, he felt someone was glaring at him. Wishing him gone in every sense of the word.
He glanced up to see what it was, and not too far from him. Stood Talis Gelvesh, a Zegus who swore to be his end.
Tensions quickly rose as both rivals locked eyes. Demon instantly noticed the silent battle, so he tried to get in the way before anything happened.
Only to be pushed aside by Ether. He and Talis walked up to each other. The taller, more physically fit Zegus looked down upon Ether. Smirking as he did so.
"Here you stand, grand Coros. Harsh realities and tragic fantasies await us. However, I'm afraid that would become your end," Talis chuckled. "Sad to see you go."
Ether pushed Talis back. "Your gaping maw shuts with a sharp blade through the bottom jaw."
"Wait, Ether don't fight, please!" Jakery cried out.
A moment of consideration crept into his mind, before Talis spoke again. "Listen to your little sister."
"Hey! I am not a girl! Ether, beat him badly!" Jakery ordered.
Without a second thought, Ether began getting ready. Before Demon pushed him back. Promptly bringing his older brother back to his senses.
"Don't make the mistake. If your team and my team get sent out on a group together, yours is not coming back. I'll make sure," Talis concluded.
"Yami, yami, Shora. Tanani etatan, flifolly, (Calm, calm, Ether. He will die, soon,)" Demon whispered.
***
What felt like hours later, a heavily armored and decorated warrior opened the door. All teams fell silent as he scanned them all.
His broad frame stepped aside. "Divinity and Wave Knocker." His raspy voice said.
Jakery glanced over his shoulder to see the rest of Wave Knocker staring at them. His eyes quickly glossed over Pearl and Cerus, two upcoming Thawed.
Ether sighed. "On my step, Shojoro and Shodo. (Jakery and Demon)."
As one, all brothers walked forward. They confidently stepped past the warrior, and through the dark corridor.
Torches swirled like hellfire around them. Raging flames bounced their light off the golden plates on their armor.
Footsteps echoed through the tight stone hall. Shivers crept into their bones, making them feel awake and active.
Regardless of how close they were to each other, they still felt isolated. Distant from each other, hoping to return to their former before they reach the outside.
But to no use. The crowd erupted into cheering and chanting as Divinity marched through the open gates. Banners danced above them, displaying each symbol.
Demon looked around. Taking a moment to catch every little detail of the world around them. He noticed just how happy everyone was.
To see students earning their place in the Legion's ranks. Not through overall performance, but through brute force against one another.
It was a game, to them. A game dedicated to bringing out the worst in Variants that began their final few maturation periods.
Kas softly chuckled, his rough black hair falling into place as his head nodded in approval. "Divinity! Your legacy burns bright today. Show the world how powerful the Coros lineage truly is."
He carefully made his way closer to them. "Break free from the shackles of Solice's shadow, and edge a seething mark into the minds of those that oppose your home."
Ether crossed his arms, head tilted slightly up to look into the eyes of the Zegus leader that spoke sieges and breathed wars.
"With more tools in your hands than ever, what is the destiny you pave for the next generation? Show us here today," Kas concluded.
Alise warmly smiled. "A well earned battle against Wave Knocker is what it takes. Rocket yourselves into Kas' mighty ones and my own chosen few."
More footsteps lingered in Divinity's ears. Wave Knocker walked in formation. Standing shoulder to shoulder. They stopped at the same time beside Divinity.
Both leaders acknowledged them with their own small speeches. Making Jakery wonder if this was planned for everyone? If so, what made each one special?
Once Alise concluded her part. Kas stepped back. His hands holding each other behind his back, a gesture to show no aggression.
"May the battle between legacy and forgotten bets commence," Kas announced.
In unison, Divinity turned to face Wave Knocker. Tensions flared up again as Talis and Ether stared each other down. Bringing out two starving animals craving the other's corpse.
"Takuka baku. Inaki mici Icitru. Deti, deti! (Keep calm. They don't know Icitru. Focus, focus!)" Ether ordered.
Pearl, a grey haired Thawed parted from the group. She kept her eyes on Jakery, striking fear into his innocent Thresher eyes.
"Eboo, eboo! Shora, Shodo, (Okay, okay! Ether, Demon)," Jakery notified.
He promptly parted from the rest of the group in order to single Pearl out. The tactic they settled on prior to the battle.
Demon hopped away from Ether, catching Cerus' attention. Those wide hops turned into dashes as he began to dance around the opposing Thawed.
Leaving the rivals alone. Causing both Talis and Ether to charge towards each other. Using his superior reach advantage, Talis managed to knee Ether off balance.
Bringing him down to the floor. Seeing the opportunity, Talis stomped right on his head. Ether's quick reflexes allowed him to roll out the way in time.
"Down right there!" Ether called out.
Demon stomped his foot down and hardened his upper body. Causing Cerus to daze himself by running right into the bracing Zesher.
Instantly after hearing the command, Demon focused his attention on his brother. He quickly made his way around Talis without him noticing. Getting into position.
Talis quickly swung his entire arm upward in hopes of throwing Ether back. Only to completely miss, allowing Ether to counter. He delivered a wall placed elbow right on Talis' chin.
His hands shot up and grabbed around the shoulder pads on his rival's armor, then he drove his crown into Talis' nose. Causing his entire upper body to shoot up out of reach.
Allowing Ether to reach down for his legs and push him over Demon. With a loud crash and a horrible stun, the whole conflict was shifting to his favor.
"HELP!" Jakery cried.
Ether pointed at the incoming Cerus. "Handle him, Pearl is mine."
A little ways away from the central conflict, Jakery tried his best to run away from well timed strikes and kicks from a much bigger Thawed.
Keeping her attention away from the advancing Ether. Which allowed him to jump onto her back. She tried her best to fight him off, only to hand him control.
Ether pushed his body forward, forcing Pearl onto her knees. Giving Jakery a clean shot at a good knee to her face.
To continue their duo, Ether got off her back. But left his hands wrapped around her neck. Choking the last amounts of her left inside her lungs.
Until Kas sung. "Enoqu, Pearl, ock! (Down, Pearl, out!)"
Alone, Demon put his fists up. Back turned to the wall as an enraged Cerus and Talis gained on him.
Cerus struck him on the side of the face. Bringing his attention away from them, allowing Talis to pick Demon up and slam him on the ground with all his strength.
As a follow up, Cerus stomped on his head to ensure Demon would stay down. But when they thought Kas would announce his defeat. They heard nothing.
Except the sound of a furious older brother rampaging towards them. Ether scaled Cerus like a mountain, quickly giving him an advantage. His hands threw the Thawed off balance.
Bringing him down onto Jakery's feet that were pointed straight up at him. On impact, Cerus felt light headed. He was unsure of what to do next.
Talis grabbed Jakery's leg and then slammed him to the side of the arena. A nasty crack lingered in the air as Jakery dropped to the ground.
Now with a burning inferno inside, Ether drove his fist to the side of Talis' head. Before grabbing onto his arm and delivering a firm knee to the elbow.
With a quick motion and a hint of adrenaline, his arm snapped. Leaving the seriously injured Zegus in agony.
"AH! Curse you! Not just you, but your siblings too. I am going to kill all three of you!" Talis screamed.
Only to hear Kas announce a serious injury and Talis' defeat. Quickly shutting down his mouth and shifting his attention on repairing his arm before the contest ended.
Demon struggled back on his feet, quickly brushing off all bruises and turned his attention on the defeated Thawed. He looked deep into his eyes, looking for a reason to continue.
Ether quickly turned his attention on checking on Jakery. Who seemed alright, aside from the fact he was slammed hard enough against a wooden wall to cause the wood to break.
"End this quick," Ether ordered Demon.
Just as he was about to end the contest via a choke. Cerus struggled to get on one knee, and bow. His eyes closed, not with shame, but with hope of moving forward.
"DIVINITY IS VICTORIOUS!" Kas announced.
As the duo were getting up to celebrate. Ether and Jakery noticed something strange was forming behind Demon.
Something sinister and cursed. As if it wasn't supposed to be there.