-Back in Krugi-
Ether carried Oria on his back through the weary streets beneath the orange sun. Warm breezes swept through, lulling many to a state of complete peace.
Troopers still roamed around, playing a massive game of Domination. Which was a game typically played by Zegi where they'd have to wrestle each other to the ground and stomp on the other's back to get a point.
Oria nibbled on Ether's hair, chirping like an excited little bird. She rubbed her cheek against the back of his head, trying to see if this sudden surge of strength was normal.
Valentine lowered a wine cup from his lips, swallowing the purple drink. He savored the fresh grapes from the farm and the fine cold ring he personally gave to it.
When the duo came into view, he and Danitour exchanged looks of confusion. Although Valentine's had a little more knowledge behind it. Because he knew this wasn't the result of growth.
Something else caused Ether to get just that bit more stronger, but he didn't know why it happened. At least, not yet.
"Your Will got stronger, I see," Valentine greeted them. "I'm assuming it had something to do with the pack?"
Danitour rested his cup on the table, then crossed his arms. "Odds are finite. Ferals are only savages with a desire for blood and carnage, anyway." He mumbled.
Oria frowned, keeping her mouth shut and gaze low. She heard this multiple times in the past, especially while growing up. Variants sometimes say Ferals were animals.
Which wasn't all that wrong, either. But the truth was, they have the most experience in survival and have pushed Legions further above than any lone Zegus or Thawed. That's why many Legions have several Ferals as elites or leaders.
Like Oria, Ether heard him. But unlike her, he decided to call him out on it. He tapped his finger in beside Danitour's cup, causing him to look into Ether's green eyes.
Raw judgement stared back. "Don't talk about Ferals like that. This girl right here is the best Feral I've ever met and the prettiest one, too."
Valentine quickly shot up from his seat, bringing an arm between the two. "Now, let's not fight. Ether has a point though. Danitour, teach this city Ferals are not all bad. But also, control yourself, Ether."
In response, he nodded as he backed away. Getting close enough to Oria that she rested her chin over his crown, bringing him in for a soft embrace.
"Now, like we were saying before you two arrived. Hizentre told us he and his daughter have Third Rules, but -"
"What are they??" Ether interrupted.
"Easy, my student, easy. They didn't say what their Third Rules were. Only lightly brushed over it. Danitour and I have been drafting up ideas of what they could be," Valentine continued.
Two large figures chuckled together away from the front yard. They laughed at all the theories that Danitour thought of. 'Improved absolute zero, icy barrier, numb nerves.' All of these were far off.
Valentine picked up his cup, then looked through the glass at the fine crimson inside. "While his theories are a bit hit-or-miss, mines are more likely. You see, Thawed are Oracles for their Prophets and offer materials to the mountain's guardian."
Before he could say what he believed their Third Rules to be, the duo began to nod at one another. Showing he was hitting the mark closer this time.
'Future sight, direct contact with the Nine, heightened minds.' Each of these sounded more logical than physical Third Rules. After all, Thawed are powerful enough without Third Rules.
"So I'm assuming they can see into the future. Or maybe even be able to talk to one of the Nine Rules of Reality. Maybe - just maybe, they can even trigger a clearer focus," Valentine listed.
Oria played with Ether's hair, making little tails all over the black tips. "I think they are just a little more blue or white than usual, natural camo. Like a Feral." Her muffled voice joked.
Despite talking into someone else's head, Valentine heard it. He shrugged, trying to think if it was possible. But he soon realized it was the direct opposite.
In fact, all of Terron were less fit to survive in the mountain. They fell too easily and were too powerful for their own good. Especially in a place where balance could be lost in a single wrong step.
Having a different skin color wasn't wrong, either. Because there were shades of charred black running along their hairlines and the base of their necks. Meaning they evolved to have the pale skin.
While the group sat in silence, a female voice broke their train of thought. She and her father laughed together, making fun at their outlandish assumptions.
"You guys are a show. Fourth Rule bless all of your souls, but you're all wrong!" she continued to chuckle. "I'm Hazen, Hizentre's daughter. Nice to meet all of you!"
Valentine, Danitour, Ether, and Oria blankly stared at them. Wondering how they remained out of sight for so long despite Hizentre being the biggest thing that wasn't an object in the area.
Hazen pointed at the opened wine bottle, the same one he and Danitour got when they went to check in on the farm earlier that day, she seemed interested in it. Causing Valentine to manifest a cup made from harmless blood in his hand.
Then he poured a fair amount inside, and handed it to her. She bowed, then took a small sip. Hizentre took the cup from her hand and did the same. Together, they drifted their thumb across their hearts to form a nine point star.
"Sorry about that, we just wanted to thank Them. So you guys are curious, especially you, Danitour? Well, I'll tell you a little more about our Third Rules," Hazen teased.
Ether kept his attention right on her as she began to speak.
"My mind works like a hive mind, you know. My blizzard is very patient - patient enough to cause his flail to also become patient. Just know he is very dangerous, even when unarmed," Hazen informed.
Valentine's eyebrows knitted in confusion. Whatever she had just described about herself and her blizzard made no sense to him. The entire situation didn't make any.
Why were they hiding their Third Rules so much? Usually, Variants would pride themselves with these achievements. Others use them for personal usage, others for power, and a many more for combat.
But to hide it and play games with other Variants? It was completely unheard of.