-One week later-
Sky Beasts touched down in front of the Armory, their riders carried heavy baskets full of Adaturium and Adatruta for weapons and armor.
They carried the baskets inside the shops, then helped put away the Sky Beasts inside the pens. Krugi was alive, everyone inside was either helping with the resources or transferring beasts to Volknair.
Weavers, Cemtras, and Sky Beasts alike were going to take part in the first confrontation. By now, everyone knew their roles.
Despite making a great recovery, Jakery convinced Ether to stay back just in case they needed any backup. But Ether didn't buy the story. He knew he was the only one staying.
Instead of listening to Jakery, Ether wanted to visit someone he hasn't talked to in a while back in Etek Dur. So he took a Sky Beast and flew off to meet Oria again.
However, Jakery didn't mind. All he wanted was for Ether to stay away from fighting for a little while. At least until he could prove himself to be a worthy Infinus elite.
Now with Ether gone, Jakery ordered everyone to come together outside the war room. He wanted to talk to his warriors directly, just like Ether.
A crowd of not just warriors, but also concerned husbands and wives gathered around. They wanted to hear the voice of a leader talk to them and ensure them their safety.
"Wow, so many of you..." Jakery muttered.
He watched his elites form around the crowd as well. Jakery caught Demon standing beside Danitour, he placed a hand over Danitour's shoulder as he listened.
The odd behavior of both Primes made Jakery feel uncomfortable, he wasn't used to having this much attention. But he arranged the crowd and promised a speech. So he was going to deliver.
"Warriors, fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons, what stands before us is a challenge we must tackle with all our strength if we want to succeed in freeing Imbushko," Jakery began.
He saw faces carefully look up to him, their attention and hope rested in Jakery's speech. It was their source of strength and motivation.
"I currently am 67 years old," Jakery pointed at himself with two fingers. "Who would hurt such a young Zesher? Well -"
Before Jakery could continue, he heard the slight whispering of the word Zesher. It was a new term they never heard of before. Except for a few Variants in the crowd.
"Zesher is a combination of Zegus and Thresher. Yes, I'm half Thresher. But that won't deter me from fighting against tyrants who wanted my death for no reason!" Jakery explained.
He could feel a strange urge to shout raise up within himself. It was very strange to him, he never felt something like this before. But Jakery embraced the sudden urge.
"TOMORROW AND BEYOND IS OF WAR! WE WILL CLAIM THE SHORES, AND PUSH THE LIGHT LEGION TO THEIR KNEES!" Jakery's voice thundered.
Blue sparks of electricity started forming around his wrists, which spread to the rest of his arms then his chest. Soon, sudden surges of electricity appeared all over his body. Effortlessly going through his clothes.
"I KNOW YOU WOULD FIGHT FOR A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO RAISE YOUR CHILDREN. WHETHER YOU'RE A ZEGUS, THRESHER, THAWED, OR FERAL!" Jakery continued.
The crowd erupted into cheering. Arms and voices all rose as one while Jakery triumphantly inspired his warriors. Which contradicted Danitour's expression. He cringed in disgust when he heard 'Feral.'
"WE REFUSE TO BOW TO A LEGION WHO WISHES TO KILL THE ONES THEY'VE SWORN TO PROTECT! IF THEY WANT OUR DEATH, THEN THEY CAN COME GET IT! WE'LL KILL PLENTY MORE BEFORE WE FALL!"
It was like Ether was speaking through Jakery's voice. He said things he never thought he would say. Jakery was very shy and easily intimidated, but this time he didn't back off.
He wanted to express his anger. He wanted Demon to hear it all, so the Nine Rules would learn what they could make when survival dominates maturity.
Jakery focused all of his energy on his right hand. "WHEN THEIR SKY BEASTS FLY, WHEN THEIR BEST TAKE THE FRONTS, WHEN THEIR SHIELDS GO UP, WE WILL STRIKE THEM BACK DOWN!"
He threw an orb made of electricity into the sky. It went above Krugi, its blue light caught everyone's attention as it ascended. After several seconds, it exploded.
Blue thunder split into different directions, sending a shock wave all around. The display of strength and anger encouraged the warriors further.
Jakery looked back down at the crowd. His pleased gaze admired the excitement he caused within the souls of his people.
Demon gave Jakery a comforting smile, although the rest of the face seemed off. As if he wasn't looking at him, but more like his memory.
It sent a shiver down Jakery's spine, but he didn't want to express it. He wanted to admire the strength and power his people showed.
All of this made Jakery feel confident in his ability to be the leader while Ether wasn't there. To become the beacon of hope when there's none.
To him, this was his first step towards growing up.
-After the speech-
Valentine stopped Jakery, he wanted to congratulate him on giving off such a powerful speech. "I got to say, you did very well up there. How did you think of it all?"
Jakery pointed at his heart while he smiled. "He told me to say it!"
"Ah! Good one. Ready for tomorrow? You have a big day over there," Valentine interviewed Jakery.
"Tanae, tanae... (Maybe, maybe) just kidding. I'm ready to fight where Ether would have fought. So he can see I'm not just his little brother, I'm also his closest ally," Jakery answered.
Hearing this pleased Valentine, it showed Jakery was learning and was hoping to better himself as a combatant later on. His student was finally making strives to adulthood much younger than anyone else.
It took courage and a strong Will to set a goal so high. But that he already proved himself to the Nine Rules, so he already had a strong Will.
But would his courage hold up? Koroth is a constant fight for survival, where only the very best could pass on their genes and continue their family legacies.
Everyone else would be forgotten by time, unless other entities had plans with their lives. Despite these facts, Valentine still had one last worry.
If Jakery became too powerful in a short amount of time, he would end up corrupted. With almost no hope in bringing his former self back.