Several Ferals walked out from the middle platform, their postures were screaming for action. There was a blend of females with their claws ready for splicing and males with their jaws slowly unlocking.
One of them noticed a familiar face on the beast, causing him to ease his body. There was a certain type of emotion that washed through the crowd as the male loosened up.
"You! That beast is allowed to land on this platform," he yelled.
Ether glanced at Oria, who nodded in response. There was a slight moment of hesitance in Ether's movements, as if he messed up. Except he didn't, this was what he believed he wanted.
Ferals moved away from the beast, spreading out evenly to ensure there was no escape for the visitors. Several of them blushed in different colors, telling their neighbors about their health.
Oria was the first off the beast. She landed on the platform, instantly bowing her head the second she touched the floor. Ferals accepted the sign of submission, showing she was no threat.
Unlike Oria, Ether simply slid down the beast's wing. It softly screeched, feathers rumbled. Ferals saw this as a sign of confidence, a sign of a threat.
The same Feral from earlier stepped forward, his broad muscles out for all to see. With each step he took, Oria flinched. She could feel his shadow weighing down on her almost naked back.
She chirped, trying to play a melody for all to enjoy. Hoping the male would show mercy to her. When he stopped, all he did was lower himself to her.
"Are you an Eterra?" he asked
"Yes, Oria Tennan. Daughter of Bruz and Icta Tennan and one of the Tennan triplets. I'm very sorry for disappearing so suddenly," Oria said with a strong hint of regret.
"But what was the reason?" the male pressed again.
Oria looked over her shoulder. "This right here is why. He is my friend, a very close one, too. Him and his brother needed help escaping from the Light Legion. And it all began with Valentine's word."
The male nodded. "You're a bratty one, Oria. But I know my Ferals are raised with hearts of unexplainable treasures and loyalty. It was for a noble cause. You are forgiven."
He turned his attention to Ether, growling as his body shifted. "And you're the escapee. Roaming Koroth in search of shelter and food."
"I was luckily never in that kind of position. Oria is an amazing hunter, best I've seen. I'm Ether Coros, by the way. Pleased to meet you..?"
"Kellenas."
"Kellenas," Ether finished. "I brought Oria here for her family and the pack."
"How wonderful?" Kellenas chuckled. "Although -"
Before Ether could respond, a large shadow washed over him. The wood beneath his feet was silent, surprisingly well reinforced. Kellenas was now staring down at the young Zesher.
There was no way of escaping his grasp just in case things went sour. Ether was in a dangerous position, one Ferals have learned to lure others into. And it was for a good reason.
Not for killing or threatening, but to judge. A Feral judged and behaves accordingly, making sure to respect rivals and enforce their power if needed.
"I suppose you are here for another reason," Kellenas growled.
Ether nodded. "You're right, sir."
Kellenas' orange eyes effortlessly cut through Ether. Picking him apart and reshaping him in his mind, making sure to run through everything there was on the outside.
"How did you know?" Ether asked.
"Light never taught you about Ferals? How odd. Just know we aren't as sturdy as Zegi, not as mighty as Thawed, and certainly not as adorable as Thresher, but we are calculated."
Oria chirped, trying to catch Kellenas' attention. "He's my best friend, Kellenas. Please, be easy on him. I know what you're going to do, so please..."
"Your kindness is impressive, Oria. Especially with all the mischief under your name. Maybe with this new friend you will mature. Grow stronger than you were before," Kellenas turned to her. "Usher in a new era for Eterra."
"He has taught me well," Oria said while stepping closer. "Tears rolled down those two puffy cheeks, I recall it. The nights after... an event, we would rest and I would hear him weep."
Kellenas shifted his attention back to Ether. "You're no Zegus, you're no Feral, you're no Thawed. You're a Thresher, I can tell."
Ether flinched upon hearing it, almost sending him crashing back against the beast. "Th - that's only half true! I'm half Zegus and half Thresher."
"My senses did not deceive me. But don't believe the half-truths spoken by commanders to their troopers. Ferals only kill your kind when all else fails. Thresher live peacefully here," Kellenas continued.
He brought down a hand before Ether. "Back to the original topic. Why else did you come here for?"
"You see," Ether accepted the offer. "I have my own Legion, Infinus, it is for all to join. And I've been wondering if your pack would want to pledge loyalty."
Kellenas shook his head. "Eterra does not pledge loyalty to words. We want actions, Thresher. I see you as an unworthy equal. Prove me wrong. Squeeze if you accept, leave if you deny."
Oria frowned, trying to sway Ether away from accepting a daunting task. But he was determined, he had brought her here for several reasons, and he wanted to leave with his own fulfilled.
Ether squeezed, Kellenas nodded. His toothy grin got even wider, revealing to all nearby Ferals the challenge was accepted.
"You are brave, Thresher. Lead a solo Wild Hunt for Abaki with tools gifted by my partner. My scouts will see you through to failure or to victory. We can then talk about loyalty, but for now, you are a lowly Softbelly."
"All on his own? Can I not help?" Oria jumped in. "He's a fragile Thresher. Sweet and loving just like all others. Can I at least guide him?"
Kellenas remained fixed on Ether's face. "Will you accept the offer?"
Ether shook his head. "A mighty predator offers a method of proving my strength. There is no easy way to power. I must tremble through with gritted teeth."
"Very good. Let's begin right away," Kellenas concluded.