Ether and Valentine stumbled through an opening on the stone walls that divided Onum from the outside world. Raw destruction decorated a once populated city.
Rain kept blood fresh and flowing, tainting the dirt and sand in a crimson taint. It was a sight the Crimson Lover admired, keeping his shoulders low to show his ease.
Instantly upon entering, whoever was left standing challenged them. Except it was not a challenge with weapons drawn, it was them trying to beg them away from their city.
Mothers, daughters, and sisters dawned red eyes from all the weeping. Unable to withstand the mental and physical trauma of raining crystals.
All while, most males were too hardy to give up, two leaders were right before them. But they couldn't push through with an attack, they were too weak to go on.
Both Variants stood still, watching the city Zegi approach. Their badly beaten frames struggled to stand on their feet.
Deep in the crowd, there was a trooper gripping the open wound of her older brother. Seeing it caused Ether to instantly crumble, making way through the crowd until he reached her.
The trooper gritted her teeth, preparing for what was going to happen next. In her eyes, there was a bond only few could replicate. It was the bond between two siblings, the unwillingness to abandon the other.
"You aren't going to leave his side..." Ether muttered, taking his helmet off. "You are going to stay by his side even while he is dying."
In his mind, he saw himself and Demon in their stead. Ether felt like he was speaking to himself, back at the bunker when he dismembered his brother.
"Sweet little soul," Ether placed his hand over her's. "He is not going to die, I am going to make sure of it. Valentine! Valentine come here!!"
The crowd stepped aside, allowing the bloody figure to march closer to his leader. They watched him get on one knee, staining his crimson pants with the mud.
Despite raining death on them earlier, Valentine instantly zoned specifically on the dying warrior. His hands drifted along his body, recreating veins and pumping more blood through.
"Keep on him until he is secure. I am going to find the leader and hopefully put an end to this siege," Ether ordered.
As he rose back on his feet, others kept their gazes on him. When he began walking deeper into the city, many of the watchers followed him.
Everyone kept their distance, trying not to provoke a foreign leader. Until Ether turned around, lifting up a hand to offer them. As one, they all took it. Stepping alongside him until they reached the leader.
On the very outskirts of the city, where the waves broke apart and retreated to the ocean, the leader rested. He kept his back towards the city, ignoring the sound of dozens of steps creeping closer.
Green armor plates protected the back and front of his knees, complimenting the yellow pants underneath. The color remained the same throughout the rest of his set.
All yellow beneath, green plates of armor protecting his back, chest, and joints. Leaving the head exposed to the world. Salty air flowed the grey hair along like water.
"You must be Onum's leader?" Ether yelled out.
The Zegus turned around, revealing a bored facial expression. Despite all that happened to his city, he did not look concerned or worried. In fact, it was the opposite.
He was careless, hoping something more exciting happened instead of this. As he stepped forward, Ether felt the urge to hold his ground.
"I am Martedeo, final ruler of Onum," Martedeo opened his arms. "And my faces rally against their leader, stomping out all that I've worked for."
"You don't have to die, Martedeo. You can join us," Ether insisted.
Martedeo suddenly appeared furious at the offer. "No! Why did you seek Onum's destruction?"
"Because my Legion needs more influence in this region. Me and my brothers nearly died to the Light Legion, hell one of them did because of them. All I want is their downfall," Ether quickly answered.
"Is that it?" Martedeo spat on Ether's armor. "You brainless Yonie, bury yourself a hole and die in it. A wise leader would approach it differently, all you seek is to cause suffering for your benefit."
"N - no... no! That's not true. It's how we operate, we need to kill in order to become notorious. That's how many rise to power, just like you!" Ether shot back.
Martedeo grinned. "I was born into my rule. No one trained me to be here, remember that. Learn what it means to be a proper le-"
"Not even a Stram's ass spits this much shit!" a warrior cried out. "You're the reason why we were ill-equipped for a defense. Maybe if you weren't living a fantasy, we would have been safer!"
Feeling insulted, Martedeo instantly charged at the crowd just beyond Ether. But before he could reach them, the Zesher drove a foot into their gut. Followed by a strike to the chest.
The leader fell on his knees, ashamed and defeated. There was no reason to continue fighting, let alone living. He was done for, Onum and the memory of its sisters died with him.
Ether took out Tellendor, ready to cut Martedeo into pieces. But before he could do that, the leader glanced up at him.
"Onum, Vusqur, and Erno. Sisters all broken apart by disagreements. I wish I was there when Drekon's collapse gave birth to us all. But that legacy ends with me," Martedeo concludes.
Unsure of what to make of it, Ether continued with the execution. Putting a final chapter to Drekon's legacy, followed by Onum, leaving Vusqur and Erno alive somewhere else in Koroth.
Martedeo dropped to the ground, headless. It was over, the siege and all the torment of those inside of it. While being where a tyrant stood, Ether got a better look at the city.
Realizing just how skeletal everyone looked. They were all weak, unable to continue forward without hurting themselves. Despite not being able to see it clearly, Ether knew they were hungry.
"D - don't worry, Martedeo. You might be dead... but I'll make sure your city remains safe. Welcome to Infinus, home for us all," Ether murmured.