-Very early, next day-
Siege Cemtrin, Weavers, Sky Beasts, and warriors flooded the forgotten Terron base. Thousands of uneasy footsteps played a treacherous melody in the minds of everyone present.
Early that next day would be their attack for Digon's dominance. Every Thawed elite. Valentine, Pearl, Hizentre, Hazen, and Suth arrived for this battle. It was a monumental moment for them.
To finally prove themselves as the true protectors of such a glorious mountain. Unlike their other sieges, this one would be unlike any they've experienced so far.
Even the odd elite and leader, Risk and Ether, knew they needed to be ready for all kinds of situation. Regardless of what the Light Legion threw at them, they were keen on adapting and overcoming the challenge.
Snow moved and parted. Several Thawed freed themselves from their icy graves, shaking off the frozen decorations they've dawned during their time in absolute zero.
They entered homes in search for their weapons. Others searched the snow-covered areas around them. While they woke up, Thawed beast masters lined their creatures up.
With Frosticus' husk being so close to them, they could feel thousands of eyes looking at them as their Cemtrin tore open the mountain and begin attacking.
Further up the mountain, one Thawed marched a single Cemtras up the side of the mountain. The creature continued scaling the frozen path, silently to not disturb anybody.
After reaching the starting point of several Rite trials, they came to a stop. Its master dropped down from its head. He signaled it to stay there and prepare for a long day the next day.
This was the same Cemtras Ether ordered to have trained specifically for this mission. It was now in place, patiently waiting for its time to break through and bring the Light Legion to their knees.
During his trip back down to the Infinus Legion, the Thawed noticed a distant blue wave. It swept over the horizon, covering ground like a gust of wind.
Temperatures around him got colder, letting him know this was the first of many frost-waves to come. A comforting and familiar feeling crept into his mind. He remembered his Rite of Adulthood.
Every memory he spent on this mountain. Including the time he fought to defend it from the grasps of a Legion full of tyrants. And the ensuing defeat and retreat.
Like counting snow flakes, he remembered every memory. Each one kept in a special place in his mind until the day arrived where he would be reunited with the mountain that raised him.
Down by the foot of the mountain, the rest of the forces continued to prepare. Arrows found their way into arrow pouches while defenders rubbed their gauntlets against the metal of their shields.
Suth stood beside Pearl outside the broken gates of a forgotten Legion. The two Thawed stared up at Digon. Memories rekindled inside their minds, forever replayed through their eyes on the mountainside.
As invisible warriors crumbled to snow and paraded champions marched to bash Frosticus' walls with explosion and fury, they calmly listened to their screams.
Echoes of their mind. Bellowing with fury as Digon let out a gentle breeze, an exhale. Arrows flew across the skies, piercing the glorious skies. Only to fade from existence back into a memory.
Moonlight cast a shadow over the big and broad Risk. He stood beside them, studying Frosticus' might and the Light Legion's exile. Who paid no attention to the Feral.
Tonight was uneasy for him as well. No one, not even his Ferals, dared to play around with each other. Instead, they hugged each other for warmth. Welcoming everyone into their arms.
Pearl glanced around her, examining the emotions of everyone nearby. By the gates, hidden under the shadows, were a group of Ferals.
Each one seemed attracted to something in the middle. She kept her gaze on them, hoping to see what it was. Seconds later, she caught a glimpse of Ether hugging each Feral back.
His arms wrapped around one at a time, comforting them and promising a successful siege the next day. Something each Feral hoped for. Followed by Ether's best attempt at a chirp.
Before long, the moon was in the center of the sky. Time flew while they were preparing themselves for another siege. Emotion and desire were the only things keeping these warriors alive.
A bright body, a symbol of hope, loomed overhead. Meaning Light Legion warriors were preparing for the next day on the mountain.
Off in the distance. Fires roared to life as frigid water bubbled until reaching a suitable temperature for bathing. Variants checked over their teeth, hair, and face before putting on clothes.
Wool and hide outfits came on first. Before being covered by the thick, heavy plating of armor and gear. Those that didn't battle continued their day without it.
Drinks poured into cups and eventually into mouths then down the throat. Before being accompanied by a meal.
Arrow pouches strapped around the shoulders and backs of their wielders. Then bows got picked up and fastened around their waists.
Those Variants started their day off normally. Unlike the frightened, fierce, and desperate warriors that stood looking up at them.
No one knew if they would make it back alive. To their families, loved ones, friends. Or would they be butchered amidst a vicious war?
But what some Thawed knew, was Digon favored them. It favored its original masters. Those that scaled to their Rites, pierced the storm clouds, and fought tirelessly to maintain it.
"Digon... so beautiful. I miss living here. In the frigid air where I belong. Not in a city where its warm. This is our home, Pearl," Suth commented in a dreaming tune.
"It's a home I never knew I had. One that I am thankful for finding. Digon will be free," Pearl closed her fists. "And once it returns to us - to you, we will nurture it."
Risk croaked, his body lowered at the hopeful voices. "I've heard of stories. Ferals that were born to coexist with Thawed. Hair so long and rough it became a coat. Safety for them."
Suth's armored body shifted as she turned to listen. Her eyes, captured by interest. Lips shut tight in order to not interrupt the storyteller. Except there was no story. That was all of it.
An eerie silence fell between the three. The moon slowly drifted across the skies, teasing the sun's rays that have been chasing it since its very creation.
"How is everyone?" Ether made his way outside, snow crunched beneath his every step. "This siege will begin very soon. I think it's best to get to where we should be."
"I am afraid," Pearl responded.
Her response caught the attention of Ether and Suth. Both Variants looked at her. She seemed stiff, not wanting to take one more step forward. Showing them a different side of her.
To Suth, she has always been a confident fighter. Willing to betray her Legion in order to connect with a guardian. Bringing her out of a frozen dream to guide her people once again.
For Ether, she has been a comfort point. Someone he turned to when he felt alone, frightened, or needed some attention from. The same one that saved him and became his official mate.
"Some Thawed like to say a little thing that goes by: ice is beautiful. It could be difficult to destroy, or could shatter so easily. Tell me, Pearl, what kind of ice are you?" Suth pressed.
Ether placed his forehead on Pearl's chest. She felt the gesture. Something he learned from reading about Threshers when he was younger. It meant trust and togetherness.
She hugged Ether in return. Her arms wrapped around her much smaller mate, keeping him in a discomforting yet loving case.
"I am afraid of losing you," she said.
"That's my biggest fear. I don't want to leave you alone in this world. So I won't," Ether looked up to see Pearl's helmet. "Behind that mask rests the face of my Thawed. And that face is the one I want to see smiling."
Risk took a couple steps forward. The cold snow numbed his feet with every step.
"Life is like a set of rules you have to break. You'd be breaking the rule of love by falling in this battle. But what's the reward in passing up this risk?" Risk commented.
Pearl let go of Ether. She walked past Suth and past Risk. Her stride was full of confidence and power, if the day she fell meant leaving Ether loveless. Then today would not be that day.
Not until her genetics have been passed down to the next in line. Or until her partner was emotionally secure.
"Digon is begging. Let's give it what it wants," Risk commented.
Variants, elites included, walked out of Terron's walls. Slowly marching to their positions, ready for a fight to claim Digon.
A chance to return where it all began. The first major battle between Infinus and Light. And the one to put an end to the Light's grip on a fabled mountain.