-Back in Krugi, three days after Frosticus Fall-
Demon remained on the rooftop, covering himself from the elements with the Syndicate Dust he learned to weave into clothing.
He fixed his gaze down at the Variants below, it was almost the full spectrum of Variants. Thawed wondered the streets, looking for tools they could use to build their homes and expand Krugi's walls.
Meanwhile, Ferals played and tackled one another to pass the time. Then there were the Zegi, who unlike Danitour believed, were getting comfortable around the Ferals.
They reintroduced themselves with their more wild cousins. Ether's push to keep the peace inside the Legion was successful, for the most part. The only one not okay with this was Danitour.
Over the past few days, Demon thought the same thoughts Danitour had in his mind. Most of them were blank moments, but sometimes he would hear Danitour comment about the Ferals.
But Krugi was fine with the Ferals. In fact, they adored them. Sometimes he would see Ferals help Zegi and Thawed with their daily activities, such as preparing the Eteni wool for the incoming winter scourge.
That rooftop was a perfect spot for Demon to be on, because he could see everything from up there. He mostly enjoyed seeing the sudden play-fights and the random acts of kindness.
Everything inside Krugi was looking up, at least on the surface. Ether was back awake, and Valentine performed a Thawed ritual to reconnect the veins and skin around the wound.
Pearl was starting to earn trust inside the Legion. The Armory put together armor to replace her Light Legion gear. Pearl instantly became an important member of the Legion because of her knowledge.
And today, she was going to suggest their next move against the Light Legion. Pearl gathered all the elites and leaders around in the war room.
Including Demon.
Valentine helped Ether walk to a seat, where he would remain during the rest of the meeting.
"Hello, as many of you know, I am a rogue Light Legion warrior. And I want to share some of the information with you all," Pearl explained the topic.
Hazen reached into her mind, something Demon sensed. Both of them searched through to make sure she wasn't lying, except one of them was going to keep the thought a secret from the rest.
"How will we know if your information is true?" Valentine asked her.
As Pearl opened her mouth to speak, Hazen jumped in. "She has nothing to hide. She completely left that Legion because of some events I will not say out loud. It's her knowledge to share."
"How did you know?" Pearl asked Hazen.
She smiled, revealing her straight white Thawed teeth. "It's my Third Rule, don't worry. Your secrets are safe with me."
Pearl sighed and rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the group. "We need to take out an outpost near the shore, I believe we'd have to fight through Onum first. But the reward will be -"
"Onum is ours already, we claimed it and killed Martedeo not too long ago," Ether corrected. "Oh, sorry for interrupting. You can continue."
"It's okay. There will be several powerful members of the Light Legion there defending. This outpost would serve as a powerful tool against claiming the towns and cities that are beyond it," she suggested.
Demon slowly walked up to Pearl, Syndicate Dust flew off his body with each step. "How?"
Pearl gave Demon a confused stare. "Well... it is the highest point overlooking those towns. If we rain all sorts of arrows while some others attack we'll be able to claim the territory."
He looked pleased as he nodded his head in agreement. Something told Ether Demon wasn't asking this question for his sake, but for someone else's.
Despite Quill and Suth not being official members of the Infinus ranks, Valentine still invited them. The twins were paying close attention to Pearl's body language while picturing the attack in their minds.
"We could send out Thawed in with special armor and shields to protect the advancing Ferals and Zegi," Suth suggested. "We know where to look for the resources to make all these sets."
"Where?" Ether quickly asked.
Suth gestured towards the direction she thought Digon was. "Digon houses many caves with resources that appear to always grow back. A true blessing from the guardian."
And it was true. Guardians from all over Koroth took care of their mountains. These beastly creatures somehow manage to edit and manipulate their mountains at Will.
"Digon..." Pearl muttered. "Knowing the Light Legion, they are sending in their own Thawed and focusing a group there to make sure no one claims the mountain for themselves."
"Are you sure that's the only reason?" Demon smirked.
Pearl felt a shiver go down her spine. "It's also because the Light Legion wants to claim all of Imbushko for their own. Kas and Dire won't stop fighting until there aren't any other Legions here."
"And that includes the Coros brothers," Demon and Pearl said at the same time.
Demon felt Danitour's body cringe in disgust as he watched him. It was like Demon was disgusted at himself, but it wasn't himself, it was Danitour.
The sour Zegus remembered Demon's control over his mind and body, so he quickly forced himself to pay attention to the crackling fire.
Demon continued going through Pearl's mind, looking for anything else that the Nine would want to know or see for themselves.
An era was coming to a close as another was opening up. This new era was the era where two Legions clashed against one another. Two Legions that believed the other was in the wrong.
Everyone in Infinus knew what was happening next, while the Light Legion paraded with ignorance. Meanwhile Demon silently stood in the same room as them, he understood where both sides came from.
And what they wanted. But he didn't say a word, he wanted it to play out and go along with whatever the outcome was. Even if it meant the death of his brothers and those he fought with.