Elites, warriors, and Variants alike crowded the front of the war room. Something that was previously used during the confrontation between Ether and Danitour.
Except this time, it was a different kind of conflict. Everyone could tell from the expressions of those standing up there.
Jakery stood behind his brother, faint blue sparks of electricity lit up in random spots on his body. His eyes were low on the ground, instead of being their crystal green color they were now a glowing green.
Pearl stood across from Jakery, Orako in her arms. The two still traumatized by the event. Orako struggled to grasp the concept of killing one another for survival.
His little mind found comfort in a Yonie's playfulness and innocence, but that was torn from him. He was afraid, unable to tell where his comfort was.
While his mother, Pearl, studied the Feral's hair. She noticed the messy style and random objects stuck inside. Grass and small pebbles being the key objects.
And in front of the three Variants, Ether stood. Dried up tears on his face as he tried his best to seem strong and confident for the crowd. But he called the meeting too early.
He wasn't ready to talk about what just happened. But he was too deep now, he couldn't call off the meeting. So he took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak.
"V - Variants of Krugi... I - have... have some alarming news. Some of you may h - have noticed this, but me and my... f - family were gone this morning," Ether tried his best to calm down.
"While training my handsome little c - cub, we were attacked. B - by those miserable Light Legion elites and warriors!" His voice hung onto that last part with anger.
No with the mention of the Light Legion and an attack, everyone paid closer attention to what Ether was going to say next. Small chattering went completely quiet while fidgeting bodies stood still.
"T - they want a fight with my champion... I don't have one, and the even worse news is. They want to combat their army as well," Ether's voice cracked. "P - please, my people."
He slowly walked closer to the crowds. "Be strong and confident. They are ruthless. I've seen what they could do. W - which hurts me even more because... this conflict was supposed to b - be different."
Kellenas and Risk looked at one another. The two Ferals from dramatically different backgrounds stared at one another, knowing what Ether was talking about.
Risk was once a rebellious yet mystical elite, serving Dire's commands. While Kellenas made trade deals and tried his best to keep his pack free from the Light Legion's grasp.
"They made it personal," Ether continued. His throat started to form a knot, making it difficult for him to speak. "I love my family. I love Pearl and O - Orako. And I love my siblings Jakery and... Demon. As the head of the Coros lineage, I have the urge to see my real kids play with m - my adopted one."
Suth and Quill stepped forward. They knew better than anybody what it meant to love their sibling. Throughout their birth, maturation, and visions, they've had each other's backs.
Valentine also took a step forward. His earlier years still haunt him. The memory of waving goodbye to his mate and never seeing her again are forever burned into his memory.
That was the reason why he had mutated heart-shaped eyes and a dawned the personality of a lover. He wanted to lead younger couples through a path he never got to enjoy.
"This is my home, and you are my people... Which makes you all part of my family. I may not know many of you, but I still admire all of your efforts to keep us running. From leader to Variant... t - thank you so much."
Hizentre and Hazen felt the faithfulness inside his voice. Despite losing many of their men to that very same Zesher, they grew to care for him.
Hazen respected Ether as a warrior with a heart. And her dad saw Ether as the possible first member of the Sainted Three.
Both of them understood Ether wasn't about warfare and struggling for survival. He was more fit for the underground Yonie lifestyle. Yet he still lives this life.
A life of pain and struggles - struggles of all sizes. Going from killing his own family member, to nearly losing his loyal companion, to now seeing his family get hurt.
"And to all families that have lost someone to conflict... I am so sorry. I was too foolish to understand when enough was enough and allowed them to end my l - life," Ether concluded.
He felt his face getting hot, causing his hands to rocket towards his face in hopes of hiding the tears before they reach the outside world. But they were already there.
Pouring out of his eyes, in front of thousands of Variants. The shame and guilt crushed him. Making him feel lesser than everyone else. Even making him feel stupid for not allowing Danitour to continue operating Krugi.
All of these thoughts made his weeping evolve to straight crying. His tiny Yonie heart couldn't handle all of this pain. It was too much, he wanted to disappear.
He dropped to his knees, allowing his emotions to run like crazy. Until he felt two small arms wrapping around him.
Orako climbed down from Pearl's arms, and began hugging Ether. He was providing Ether the same comfort he provided for him.
Everyone watched as the strange looking Feral cub hugged a base hybrid Variant. Despite their difference in purpose and nature, they embraced each other.
Valentine stepped forward, his crimson attire caught the attention of many as he climbed up the stairs. Before reaching the top, he stopped. Wanting to let everyone see the two Variants.
"This right here is someone who I raised since he was learning how to walk. When his father reached out to me and offered to make me his Sherpa, I was honored. He, along with his brothers, gave it their all."
Valentine crushed an invisible rock in his palm. "I know Ether well enough to tell you his whole life story. To put it simply, he is a great guy. A leader who struggles like his people. A leader who has a tender heart."
He turned to look at the crowd. "Some of you, Decka, Quinn, Risk, and Hedix respectively, already have heard about this little guy. But were they good things or bad things?"
Hedix's stepped forward, metal leg made a hard stomping sound every time it pressed its foot on the floor. "Parades dedicated to his death, half truths and threats all for him."
One by one, each warrior felt encouraged to fight for their leader. Like he mentioned earlier, they didn't know him directly. But they always saw him outside, spending time getting better or with his family.
He wasn't trained like many other leaders. Ether became beloved not because of how much others feared him, not because of how good his strategies were, but because of how likable he was.
"Allow me to fight as your champion!" Quill's voice suddenly called out.
Ether struggled to open his eyes as warm tears blurred his vision. But after he got them working, he felt strange. He didn't want another ally to get hurt or die.
"Please, Quill, don't. Your sister will miss you and I will too! Getting hurt because of me isn't how you should live your life," Ether tried to convince his loyal Thawed.
But he was firm on his decision. "I want to fight whoever caused you this amount of trouble. Regardless of how big or mighty they might be inside the Light Legion, I will handle them all."
Ether carefully thought about his decision. Being a Thawed naturally gave him an advantage over Verick simply because of their height and reach difference.
And being a Prophet who recently had his vision, it would prove his worth to Digon. A ray of hope for the distant mountain - hope for their caretakers to come back.
"F - fight if you want to... but I advise against it..." Ether's pained voice replied in a barely audible whisper.
Quill frowned. "Stand up, Ether, you are our leader. Get up from your knees and command your elite."
Ether nodded. He wrapped one arm around Orako as he rose from the ground. Lifting the small cub. Before he uttered a word, he took a deep breath. Trying his hardest to swallow his emotions.
Orako fastened his arms around his father as he embraced. Trying his hardest to show his caretaker some gratitude.
"Quill, lead an army of Thawed, Ferals, and Zegi out to the coast and fight off the challengers. We... I waged war against them, we will continue," Ether's tougher voice ordered.
His Thawed bowed his head. Allowing the silver hairs to hang as he accepted the order.
Now with a champion in place, all there's left is preparation and strategy.