News of Martedeo's death spread through Onum, reaching everyone in earshot. From the struggling defenders to the dying forces. Even Infinus settled down, lowering their weapons and raising their hands.
Enemies glanced up at the hands of their attackers, gritting their teeth at the sight of it. There was no longer a point in fighting. Onum was trenched in their own blood, mud, and soaked with rain.
All they knew about their former name came to a finale, these forces were leaderless. So instead of biting at their hands, they accepted.
Taking the warriors' offer for bright sunrays that would shine on their offspring on the day of their birth. But they couldn't accept these forces yet, Infinus needed to bring them back to their leaders.
Gloria screeched, gracefully landing on the grass with her wings spread out. She used her beak to scratch her feathers, relieving her of her itch. Jakery dropped down from her back.
Upon seeing the sight around him, he noticed just how grim things got after the battle began. Green fields of grass were polluted by dead bodies from both Legions.
Beasts rested along the ground, some of which were burning away from the lightning strikes. Flames quickly dwindled, letting their territory get taken by the product of the skies.
"Onum bows to us. What is your verdict?" an Infinus warrior asked.
Jakery looked at the rows of kneeling Onum, who kept their heads down, trying to avoid his gaze. There was a touch of realization in Jakery's gut after seeing them.
He remembered the warriors that died because of him. The one that he knocked off the beast, the ones that got struck because of his involvement in the battle.
Each of those probably had connections to those that stood before him. Feeling just how serious this all was weighed down on Jakery.
Sending the young Zesher to his knees in a flash. He wept, trying to apologize for what he did to their riders and beasts. Tears rolled down his cheeks, these were his own rain droplets.
While the surrounding forces watched and heard him weep, Ether tore through the crowd. Everyone moved, making way for their leader to reach his sibling.
"Hey, Jakery? H - hey, Jakery, what's wrong?" Ether's tone was sorrowful.
In response, Jakery reached up for him. "I k - killed... I killed today. Lives fr - from their wa - walls... gone. I'm sor- I'm sor..."
"Listen," Ether wrapped his arms around his younger brother. "You had to survive someway. Seeing that you have potential to kill is enough to justify your survival."
Valentine stepped forward, arms behind his back to show peace. Ether instantly locked eyes with him, kicking the next step of their invasion into motion.
"Okay, Valentine, rally up the Legion and bring them back. Onum," he turned to the warriors. "Welcome to Infinus, I'll search for a suitable elite for this city soon. But for now, stay safe."
-Very early morning, next day-
Snow kicked up as Gloria's talons touched down on Digon. The beast lowly screeched, showing her enjoyment of the flight.
A Frosticus guard walked up to them, holding a mace in his hands just in case. "What are you doing in here this late?"
"Just swung by to see the twins. Are they awake?" Valentine replied.
"I doubt it. Although, Suth does sometimes stare up at Digon this late," the guard replied.
Valentine slid down Gloria's wing. "Well, that's great. Have a good night."
The guard stomped his foot right in front of Valentine. "You are not allowed to go into the citadel alone, if you are going I must come with you."
"Okay, let's go."
Both Thawed stumbled through moonlit corridors made from grey bricks. They were cold enough to make it near impossible for any other Variant to step inside without freezing to death.
Up along the walls of a staircase, banners that belonged to different Legions hung from them. They represented the generations Digon remained under their control.
Starting all the way to the previous Primed War and still going forward. It was a testament to their faith in Digon's guardian to keep them safe from the outside world. Especially from the Nine.
At the top of the staircase, another corridor rested. Except this one had Suth standing in the middle of it. She gazed out the open window, looking up at Digon's glacial might.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" Valentine began.
"Hmm. Why are you here?" Suth slowly turned her focus on him. "You're not part of Frosticus anymore.
Valentine grinned. "Of course, but I am your ally. Anyway, earlier yesterday Infinus took down Onum. You probably know about them?"
Suth nodded. "Of course, but why does that matter?"
"The Light Legion is our neighbor. We can make a strike at any given moment," Valentine answered.
Hearing the mention of the Light's name caught Suth's attention. She cocked her head back, sending her silver hair away from her eyes. There was an uneasy look inside them.
"Well, if you want our news. They might hit us pretty soon. While your men were busy, Quill's held down one of Dire's resource transports. Brittle beast came out of his cave just for us."
"Oh?" Valentine crossed his arms and rose an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
"'Count the Variants in Frosticus, I want to make sure none of my beasts are left unfed," Suth replied. "I could hear the thirst in his voice, we will come under siege."
Valentine closed his fists. "I will defend by your side. Light will crumble when they step on Digon."
Suth sighed. "Hopefully they do. If they swing hard enough, none of us will endure with no where else to go. This would be a fight taking place in our home."
Before Valentine could mutter another word, Suth walked deeper into the citadel. Her footsteps were light enough to not disturb snow even if she tried.
"One more thing," she looked over her shoulder. "Be ready to fly over if the need rises."