-On the hill-
Ether looked over his shoulder, peeking through some roots. He noticed green and yellow markings on armor that marched closer to the hill they sat on. Rows upon rows of Onum came to aid their heart.
His heart began beating quicker, setting the pace for the rest of his body. Before he turned to attack, he pointed down at Tellendor while keeping an eye on the incoming defenders.
Infinus forces readied their weapons, securing their helmets on their heads, and mentally preparing for what was about to unfold. Calamity fogged their minds during the seconds leading to their battle.
When they were close enough, Ether erupted out of the branches. Tellendor in his hand, pointed down, ready to dig itself into an attacker. Dozens of warriors followed behind the Zesher.
Onum panicked, struggling to react before any attackers could claim lives. Ether's weapon drove into the shoulder blades of a defender, straight through the armor cracks.
Using his lightweight, Ether leapt over the dead corpse and prepared to drive Tellendor blade first into another. A helmet-less Onum watched in terror as the weapon divided their head in two.
"Like ambushing Ferals!" Ether screamed. "Your Onum bows to Infinus, now!"
While he taunted, a defender bashed their shield against his back. Sending Ether to his knees, in the perfect position for an execution. But before a blade tore his neck, arrows pierced the defenders.
Skies roared to life as Sky Beasts descended. Dancing and dodging in the air, allowing everyone below to admire the deadly beauty of a natural born aerial predator.
Tellendor whizzed through the air, driving itself into the gut of an incoming defender. Ether tore it out, then spun around to slash at another's throat. As another came to fight, Ether pushed them back.
When the defender struggled up, another defender crushed them beneath the weight of their dead body. Ether looked up to where it came from, only to see the Sky Beasts dropping warriors.
"Ether, right?" an Infinus attacker approached him. "We have some news. Onum brings more forces and this time we'll be pelted from above."
"Yeah?" Ether grinned while turning his attention to the grey sky. "Let them come, we'll greet them."
Before the guard left, he pointed down at Ether's weapon. "Do not be hardy, it is better if we dominate smarter."
"Don't worry, I've got this. Just hold it down here and when the flyers come out, we'll strike accordingly. I'll bring us back to our families safe, don't worry," Ether assured.
-Above the battlefield-
Gloria dashed through the skies, parting the darkening clouds as she sped through them. Doing sudden rolls to ensure her riders were stuck on her back.
"Sir, Onum brought forward their own Sky Beasts. Do we have a plan to counter?" Jakery's partner asked.
In response, Jakery glanced over his shoulder. "I've got no idea! Also, I'm Jakery, nice to meet you. Hey, see the incoming forces? Let's pick a few from there."
As instructed, Gloria came down like a lightning strike. She came to a sudden stop as all four wings unleashed powerful gusts of wind that knocked forces down around her.
Before she took off, her four talons snatched two warriors from their group. Lifting off high above the sky where they would let them fall to their deaths.
"Hey, partner. Hold on tight and prepare to shoot!" Jakery's voice howled over the winds.
On cue, Gloria rolled, letting go of a defender. They screamed in terror as they stared down at the ones attacking them. Jakery's partner drew back her bowstring, then let go of the bolt.
It flew across the sky, digging straight into the defender's chest. Going deeper than it would normally have gone, showing a flaw in Onum's armor if a single bolt could dig deep enough.
"Wooo!" Jakery cheered.
"Exciting, huh? I'm Mrita, by the way. I've never seen you down there attacking, are you afraid of the bl-"
Gloria rolled again, flicking off the last defender off her talons. Jakery continued to laugh, thoroughly enjoying himself as he redirected the Sky Beast to come down for another dive.
Right as her wings parted to unleash the powerful gust of wind, Ether leapt and prepared to drive his knee into an incoming attacker. But the wind made it powerful enough to destroy the neck and skull.
The recoil lingered in Ether's bones, making it difficult for him to stand back up. Raw adrenaline helped him back on his feet after noticing several incoming Onum forces.
"Okay," Ether spoke through deep breaths. "Phew, let's - let's entertain them a little longer. Show them we are powerful."
A defender brought down their sword, preparing to tear the opposing leader open. Only to feel the impact of blade on armor. The feeling sent shivers up their spine, distracting them for a brief moment.
Ether jumped, then kicked them on their chest. Sending them backwards into another ally. Using this, Ether charged through with Tellendor. Securing two kills after driving it through a chest and head.
Silver darted towards him, barely missing the small Zesher. Ether flung Tellendor at the thigh of an incoming combatant, then yanked the pike to use.
He bashed the same one Tellendor dug into, then turned it on another. Driving the blunt head through their armor's eye. Using the chaos as a blanket, Ether retrieved Tellendor.
Noticing Infinus was pushing forward towards Onum itself, Ether felt motivated to end his next encounter swiftly. He used the smooth side of the blade to sweep a shielded defender to the ground.
When they were struggling to get up, Ether directed Tellendor into the back of their neck. Paralyzing them for the rest of their life. Ether glanced down, noticing the wine-like colors on his weapon.
"It's just juice, I'm sure," he muttered.
As Ether slowly approached the front lines, Jakery and the other Infinus Sky Beasts flew to war with the opposing forces. The clouds began to pour onto the terrain below.
Making it difficult for riders to keep place on the back of their beasts, slowing down the pace considerably. But the change did not impact the hardy souls of Infinus.
They were still keen on being quick and deadly. Including Jakery.