-Thirty minutes later-
Wings flapped, playing a never-ending chorus that slowly edged itself into the deeper corners of Ether's memory. His eyes stared down at the miniature world beneath him.
Zegi rushed through the crowded dirt roads of a small city. Young Zegi, called troopers, held tightly onto their mamas. They stared off into the east, where loud roars and Zegi rallied.
Outside, Ether noticed the source. A small amount of Ferals banged on the thick wooden walls. Each heavy strike or direct kick threatened the Zegi inside with violence.
"Okay, Gloria, I'm going to dive and jump off. You'll hover around and pick me up in case things go wrong, okay?" Ether spoke to his mount.
Unsure of what he said, Gloria screeched. Her feathers rumbled as her belly did. She felt Ether slowly leaning forward, telling her to dive towards the conflict below.
Rapid winds kicked up all around them as they approached at full speed. Until Ether pulled back, causing Gloria to halt. That's when he grabbed his weapon and leapt off the beast.
Every Feral's attention quickly swapped to the new threat. They watched as a young Zesher fell on his knees before quickly shooting up his prideful head.
They instantly began surrounding him. Each one took their time studying their prey. Vicious green eyes identified which pieces of his body they wanted to snack on first.
"Well, is this all your leader had?" a female commented. "Sending out a single child, hoping to ward off threats? How about we cut you a deal? If you send out six fully matured Zegi, we will leave your city alone."
Ether got up, eyes scanning those around him. "Unfortunately, I'm not part of this city. However, I know you Ferals love the tender meat of Threshers. More specifically, Yonies."
Understanding what it meant, two of the males stepped forward. Their bigger frames eagerly loomed over the seemingly weak prey, hoping to tear it into pieces before they even got there.
Adrenaline slowly took control of his smaller body. Making the whole world go by in slow motion, giving his mind the ability to think quicker and allow his body to flow with it.
Right as the first male reached him, Ether flicked the weapon. Launching the sheathe like a rogue bolt, striking him across the face.
Weapon exposed, determination filled his beating heart. As the second male brought down a kick directed to the side of his face, Ether caught it. Before using the blade of his weapon to effortlessly cut through the standing leg.
The Feral tumbled down, howling in pain. As the sharp tip came down right into his gut, further enforcing the pain.
Confidence plagued his mind, distracting him from the main conflict. Which resulted in the other male getting the jump on him. One wide jaw bit down on his shoulder, gnawing away at the armor plate settled there.
A surge of power rushed through his veins, causing Ether to use both arms to push the Feral off. He embraced for what came next, letting go of the Feral. Causing it to ram its open mouth on his forehead.
Once again, the strength was blown out the Feral. Allowing Ether to deliver a well-placed knee to his stomach.
Causing it to get on one knee in order to protect itself. Just as he was about to bring down his sword onto its head, another Feral tackled him.
This time, it was a female. She cackled with glee as her destructive claws cut through the straps that held his armor together. The two struggled on the ground for dominance until she got the advantage.
Not wanting to leave her meal alive, the Feral pinned Ether down using both legs. Before opening her mouth. Blade-like teeth decorated her jaws, revealing the pride of a Feral.
She brought down her entire head, hoping to overwhelm her meal. Which turned out to be her mistake. In moments, she discovered something was off about her emotions.
As if something really painful just happened and she was taking her time to process what it was. When it dawned on her what was wrong, she roared in agony.
Ether had accidentally dug an entire finger into her eye. As the duo fought each other, the eye got further mangled. Until the pain was too much for her, causing the Feral to back out.
One sole eyeball dropped to the ground, blood dripping down Ether's index finger. Courage ran rampant in his mind, forcing him to roll closer to his weapon.
The male from earlier picked Ether up by the collar. His forest-green eyes viciously stared up at the victim. Eager to eat Ether's face off, the Feral brought him closer.
In a panic, Ether mustered up all his strength and unleashed it into a single strike aimed at the Feral's crown. Which shattered the top of his skull upon impact.
Shock and fear dictated the starved predator to back away. Seeing it was the perfect opportunity to even the numbers, Ether quickly brought down the blade. Digging itself into its shoulder.
"Going to admit, you impress me. Wonder for how long you've left your Yomie worrying sick," a more bruised up male commented.
Ether turned to look at him. Two other Ferals followed his footsteps, slowly making their way closer to the opposing equal.
Proud yet bewildered, Ether scoffed. "I have no Yomie. Now, which Legion do you belong to?"
The male chuckled. "None. We got chased away from Etek Dur by Eterra. Those Ferals knew we needed nourishment, yet fed us dirt. Now we hunt as our own pack."
While her attacker was distracted, the female sucked up all the pain and brought her attention to Ether's exposed neck. In her mind, it was where she wanted to bite, as revenge for taking her eye.
Being as quiet and quick as a Feral could be, she snuck up behind Ether as he continued facing down against the incoming threats. Her footsteps got heavier, secretly telling everyone about her burning hatred.
Using her full body weight, the Feral tried to pounce on Ether. As she brought down her body onto his, Ether turned around and managed to push off the predator.
Not wanting to keep this one alive, he brought down the blade across her back. The Feral whimpered like a wounded animal after the sharp burn filled her mind.
"You're so... interesting. Features of a Yonie yet the fight of a Zegus with a touch of brutality. Deshu, Narok, bite off his head!" the Feral ordered.
Instantly, the ones following him leapt into action. Their heavy steps stampeded closer until they were right on him.
One male, Narok, caught him by a piece of armor on his stomach. Before yanking his prey closer, but not for him to attack. But to his ally, Dashu, to claw at.
She brought down her claws onto Ether. Three swept across his cheeks. Each one left seething reds in their wake as they drifted across his face.
While some more claws dug themselves into his shoulder and neck. Ether felt the searing pain manifest through screaming heads in his mind.
The attack was enough to force him into a state of panic. With one foul thought then motion, the blade of Ether's weapon cut off Dashu's nails.
Her howls attracted the attention of the Zegi inside. Which prompted the gate to swing open, allowing those who were willing to fight an easy way into an unfair brawl against a Feral.
Narok growled, letting go of the much lesser Zesher. He and Dashu focused their efforts on trying to tackle the incoming threats.
Upon seeing the gates opening, the third remaining Feral bowed his head. Making himself seem smaller before leaping up and trying to go for a kill against a Zegus.
Unknowingly running into the tip of Ether's sword. It sunk deep enough to draw blood from his stomach. The pain caught his attention, overflowing his emotions.
Seeing it as his opportunity to cease the conflict, Ether let go of his weapon. Shifting his hands onto the blade, before tearing it out.
"ARGH, DAMN YOU!" the Feral cried.
His eyes caught the incoming sword hilt. Striking him right against the jaw. Knocking out some teeth, while putting him into a temporary sleep.
Ether had survived his first encounter with starving wild Ferals. With marks to be evidence of this claim.