The remaining army brought back what they could from the conflict. Volknair stood still that day. Sorrow, trauma, and defeat plagued the people.
Especially for Suth. After she heard the news, her heart sank. She cared about her twin brother; he kept her support. But now with that torn away from her, she felt alone.
Something an entity noticed. Demon's helmet kept a keen eye on her, while also keeping an eye on Eldigo.
Millions of large invisible tentacles swayed the winds in separate directions, making it difficult to fly on beasts or for Weavers to gain the skies.
He kept a third eye on it. The invisible creature maintained its position between the close seams of reality. Floating around carelessly as the Nine allowed it to.
"What is the purpose of goliaths in our world?" Demon's emotionless voice asked himself.
In an instant, a response flooded his mind. "Their sole purpose is to remind you all of your place. You are no deity, just as we are no foolish creations. We know how to operate this world. How you perceive it, how you live it, and what is allowed to it."
Demon flinched at the thought of it. Being at the mercy of such high creatures felt offputting. Especially when his only purpose was to stand by like a camera.
Syndicate Dust fogged his mind, allowing him access to the Distorted Mind. In there, his mind was free to do as it pleased. Safe from the Nine's wrath.
[They claim so much, yet prove so little. If that was the case, why am I allowed in here without restrictions? I am bound by chains with the keys in arm's reach.]
He turned his attention to the looming goliath overhead. It carelessly flowed like gentle breezes during harsh rains. Moving clouds with its tentacles.
Demon looked down at his open palm. The dark sphere in his hand roared to life, revealing the inside of the Distorted Mind.
[Eldigo.]
On command, several memories and experiences relating to Eldigo and the Eldigo pack appeared. Each one varied on what they held.
Some contained the small snippets of Ferals wandering Imbushko while others projected the mighty goliath in an enraged state. The second one caught his attention. So he gave it a watch.
The entire memory, from start to finish, carried out in his mind. By the end, Demon was shocked.
It took place in another region called Galaad. Which appeared to be across the world from where Imbushko was.
A forest full of violet and cyan crystals. Twice the beauty of any dream. Something only the most complex minds could adapt to.
In that same forest, Eldigo underwent a strange transformation. It broke the chains between realities and invaded Koroth.
Every Variant, animal, and paranormal creation laid down their differences and took up arms against the beast. It was a battle to start the downfall of the world, but one that ended with Koroth's survival.
Eldigo descended at the commands of a higher power to bring destruction in its wake. But also to keep Sinochis, the goliath of the elements, in check.
Variants stood alongside their allies, watching the goliath burst into a pulse powerful enough to level the entire forest. Ending its rampage, for a little while at least.
Demon's eyes stared at nothingness as the memory faded from his mind. It was so impressive - so incredible, that the entire conflict remained inside the Distorted Mind.
He quickly rewinded his memory to several minutes before. Making sure to copy his mind and transfer it to the Distorted Mind. Then he cleared the Syndicate Dust from his mind.
"So we are games to you?" Demon asked the Nine.
In response, the Nine caused a sudden flash of light to blind Demon. But that wasn't light, it was a distant reality. Something odd, almost divine place.
That reaction triggered Demon to quickly begin the next phase of his plan.
***
Ether, Silsa, and Ophus' own Enoptes gathered in the war room. Each leader had one of their elites there to represent them.
Silsa had Tinzor, Ether had Hedix, and Enoptes had a Feral named Sernatacus.
"I have information about the Light Legion's fronts inside Yarno," Enoptes brought up. "They are crumbling in defeat. If we ally with some of the Yarno Variants we could win this."
Hedix's eyes stared at Enoptes in confusion. "Waste of time. If Yarno's Variants came here, it would be a different story. The struggle comes from their... our lack of traits."
Sernatacus chuckled grimly. "The creepy Zegus has a point. Although, we already have the tools to conquest at our hand. Let's lead an allied push against their lines against Yarno."
"Hmm... well, we could trap sections of Light Legion warriors outside. Judging by their resources and numbers, all those out there would be forced to bow if not die," Hedix added. "Costing the Light Legion thousands of forces."
Silsa grabbed an imaginary bowl, then lifted it up to his lips. He closed his eyes before taking several large sips of an imaginary drink.
"We should give them food! They will leave peeeeacefuuully... I hope!" Silsa's voice suddenly suggested.
Ether chuckled. "Innocent little one. How did he get into power?"
Tinzor and Ether made eye contact. "He imagined it, he got it. And we allowed it because of the benefits."
"Now tell us how you got into power. You're a Yonie too!" Silsa happily replied.
Ether blinked several times in succession before looking back to the main group. "Er... yeah, let's gate them. Now that we are all under the same banner, we have more room to breathe."
Enoptes nodded in agreement. "Perhaps your champion's victory sends a message to the rest of the Legion. You and Encur may not want blood, but Ophus wants to avenge those that fell to our 'allies.'
"But why did they strike?" Hedix asked.
"Your guess is as good as ours," Sernatacus truthfully answered.
Everyone sat in silence, trying to figure out the reason behind the attack. But just like Ophus themselves, everyone was clueless.
They were unaware that a third party encouraged the attack. It was a false order given by an entity to push his plans deeper.
"Well, what do we think about using the stronghold we claimed as a foothold against the Light Legion's forces. I believe it could be useful to secure a lodgement as we push their heart," Ether suggested.
Hedix and Tinzor nodded. It was a smart move to put this stronghold to good use. Especially when efforts to reclaim it ended with draws or defeats.
"But before we do that, we need to ensure that area has been relieved from attackers. Silsa, Enoptes, how many Feral packs do you each own?"
Silsa brought a finger up to his chin. "Ferals? What is that?"
"Silssy, he means Chompy Boys," Tinzor clarified for his leader.
"Aaaah! The ones with big teeth and ugly hair. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have those. I think. Tinnie do I have those?" Silsa quickly replied.
Sernatacus dryly stared at Silsa's hair. "Have you looked into a puddle recently, little Yonie?"
Tinzor gently grabbed Silsa's chin, anchoring in place to prevent the two from having a back and forth. "Yes, we do. We have seven packs willing to combat in our efforts."
Enoptes softly chuckled. "Sernatacus, leave the adorable little thing alone. It doesn't know any better. And we have ten, excluding my royal Ferals."
Hedix's eyes shifted to Ether's grin. "Judging by that look, I can safely assume you have a plan?"
Ether nodded. "Correct. I will ask Risk to gather his Ferals, when night strikes they will storm out of the stronghold. Then I want one of your Feral packs to give chase and pretend to be attacking."
Sernatacus cocked his head back. "Why?"
"I've heard them complain about scouts, so we'll give them the news they've been wanting to hear. But that's where they end up dead. The second they move in, other Feral packs will ambush them," Ether concluded.
The ensuing felt strange. It was like several minds were working at once to imagine how this would play out. While almost everyone was on the same page, Tinzor thought of another detail.
"We can force them to talk instead of killing them off. Those that refuse to speak will be slaughtered in front of their allies as a threat," Tinzor suggested.
But Ether shook his head. That went against what he hoped for. This entire ordeal was between leaders, not those that stand below them. Torturing and killing innocent Variants wasn't something he wanted to stick his name to.
"I have a better idea. Just leave it to me. For now, you are all more than welcomed to stay in the city until the storm passes. Until then, begin looking over the packs that could help us," Ether replied.
Hedix stepped aside, allowing Ether to slide the chair from under himself and get up. The duo walked out of the war room, leaving everyone else in the dimly lit room.