The rest of their day was spent on checking over Demon's injuries while preparing to begin their first of many attacks against the Light Legion.
Late that night, Valentine walked down the dimly lit corridors of the bunker. A small spark danced around the candle wick, barely lighting up the path.
Distant thumping caught his attention, causing him to stop next to a closed wooden door. He knocked it, reading the sign that said it was an Armory.
"Yeah?" Ether's muffled voice asked.
"It's late. Are you sure you want to continue whatever it is you're doing inside?" Valentine yelled through the door.
Ether sighed. His footsteps echoed, stopping abruptly as the door swung open. Revealing a clearly saddened Zesher staring up at Valentine's raw face.
"Judging by your eyes, I can tell this experience really harmed you emotionally. But this is how we're born and grow. By conflicts," Valentine commented.
Silence was the response he got. Instead of answering, Ether slipped past. His hand drifted along the wall as he stepped through the darkness.
Guilt washed over Valentine. Reminding him where he put Demon. Valentine locked Demon inside the old kitchen. Making sure to clear out any potential weapons before doing so.
It wasn't because of the attack. But because Demon begged him to. In order to protect his siblings from him.
-The next day-
Jakery woke up screaming. Tears rolled down his cheeks as his heartbeats increased in speed. Sweat poured down his forehead like a waterfall, while his strength was completely drained.
Oria was the first to respond. She reached over the waking Ether, holding onto Jakery's neck and chest. Then pulling him closer. Her motherly embrace soothed the young one.
Soon after, Ether joined in. His arms wrapped around his younger brother, then reaching around Oria's back. The three were in perfect harmony with each other.
No one bothered to speak. The only words they used were the warmth and protection they provided to each other.
"What a rough awakening," Valentine walked into the room, holding his knife in his left hand. "What did you see in your dream?"
Jakery shook his head. "I don't know. All I can remember is it was on me. Dust forced itself down my throat, causing me to scream in agony. The pain, it was too much."
"Hmm. How about we take your mind off it by getting you the first step of becoming a grown-up?" Valentine teased.
Ether instantly knew what he was referring to. Causing him to examine Jakery's body for any signs to suggest he shouldn't do it. But unfortunately, there were none.
Valentine flicked the weapon, causing the tip of the knife to land in his hand. "Your brother and I are going to take down a Light Legion farm. We will benefit from this, no doubt. So I'm hoping to guide you through your first kill."
Two shaken up hands covered his eyes, hoping to avoid eye contact with Valentine. Jakery silently wept, knowing the time he took a life was arriving sooner than he expected.
In reaction, Ether placed his chin on Jakery's head. "This is why we trained. You have to understand, Jakery. We may be half Threshers, but that's not enough to make a Yomie want us. We are still half Zegi. Meaning we need to fight."
"B - but... do I need to..? I m - mean. I'm not mentally re - ready for this," Jakery struggled to speak over his tears.
Ether gently pecked the top of his head. "You're strong, stronger than ever. You'll struggle through it the first time, but just like me, you'll get the hang of it. I don't like killing others, but I think of it as a must."
Valentine placed his hand beneath Jakery's chin. "It's true. We kill, not because we want to. But because it's our nature. It's survival, little one. We are not welcomed in Imbushko, our home."
"So we have to fight in order to prove we deserve to stay here," Ether added.
Hesitantly, Jakery reached up for Valentine. "I think... I think I might go with it. But please, do not push me into the deep end."
***
Gloria scratched her feathers using her beak. She cooed, playing a melody that didn't make sense to anyone but her. The door leading inside swung open, allowing Jakery to stumble outside.
Instantly, his eyes fell on the waiting Valentine and Ether. Whatever small pieces of armor they could find were latched on to their bodies.
Anxiousness controlled Jakery. His feet dragged along the roof of the bunker, hoping it would anchor into a hole that didn't exist. So he could have an excuse to stay behind.
"Here is the champion!" Valentine celebrated.
Unsure of what to respond with, Jakery unhappily stared at him. His cheeks were puffed up and eyes were larger than usual. Obviously begging for Ether to hold on to him and talk Valentine down.
But instead, Ether continued to watch from his comfortable seat beneath Gloria's fluffy feathers. They covered him like snow, while comforting him like a bed he wished he had.
"I know you don't want to go through with this, little one. But you have to remind yourself, this would arrive at any point in your life," Valentine tried to ease the situation.
When it didn't work, he got on one knee. His heart-shaped mask slipped off his face, allowing Jakery to see a more serious look in his former Sherpa's eyes.
"You see. To the Light Legion, this is a giant game. One Dire loves. He is a Feral, an overconfident one. To him, this is all one giant Wild Hunt and we're the prey. Do you want him to catch you?"
Jakery shook his head.
"Exactly. Come on, we will keep you safe no matter what," Valentine gestured to the Sky Beast. "Big beast Gloria is waiting for us to mount."
Ether got up from his seat, leaving behind his resting place. His weapon weighed him down as he leapt up onto her back.
He checked over his body to make sure everything was ready. "I'm getting tired of the white and gold. Maybe we should look into getting some new colors."
Jakery struggled to get up, until Ether reached down for him. "Thank you."
Valentine was the last to board the Sky Beast. He ordered Gloria to bring down her wings, making it easier for him to get on.
Before the trio could leave, Ether noticed Oria was standing outside. She blankly stared up at them, curiously studying if her 'cubs' were ready for the real world.
"Hey, Oria!" Ether called out. "Please, be careful around Demon. But if he needs anything, do not be afraid. He's the sweetest Zesher you'll ever see if you get to know him."
She nodded. "I will. And do me a favor, keep yourself and brother safe. I don't want you two to get harmed."
Gloria opened all four of her black wings. Valentine softly chuckled as the beast slowly screeched awake.
"Don't worry. I'm here for them. Just be careful out here," Valentine concluded.
On command, Gloria launched up into the skies. Kicking up massive gusts of wind as her wings flapped.