Four days after the invitations went out. Elites from both Legions arrived. Fashionable armor honored Silsa's desire for good looking sets, while battle-decorated plates lined the figures of every Ophus.
Flames howled as they raged on wicks. Hanging along the walls and on the center of the table. A fire that kindled each Variant's hearts.
While each elite made their way inside, Ether and Hedix watched. Leader and his leading war advisor watched. Impressed by their display of silent power and commitment to their culture.
"Welcome," Ether inched closer, arms open. "My name is Ether. Do not call me 'sir' or any of the sort. My name is enough. Anyway, what is everyone's names?"
Once every elite got situated, Encur tilted their heads towards Ophus. They watched who were once threats stand across from them, pledging to the same icon as them.
"Names aren't important right now," Tinzor stepped forward. "Once Digon is ours, we will celebrate. There, we will parade our efforts and distribute our culture."
The pitch black visor turned to face Ophus. "We might even learn from our enemies."
Hedix tapped metal foot on the floor, causing a rough clanking sound. Catching everyone's attention over the alien feeling of meeting a foe.
"Such high hopes. Don't be a stranger, describe to us your culture, history, opinions. I can tell your outfit and theirs need it," he commented.
A female elite stepped forward. Her unusually big frame secretly told everyone she was a Thawed, of the cold and mighty.
Her helmet was odd. Two horns twisted to the back of her head, making way for two glowing blue horns to poke from where they started. These ones moved like flames, except they weren't.
The longer she remained in the center of attention, the more they could figure out about her. Such as her cracked helmet. The face was shattered, but it was intentional.
Because from each fracture, the same glow returned it to its former. This same pattern spread all over her body.
"I am Ukaley. A mountain made Thawed that watched over the north side of Digon, when my glacier was at ease with Frosticus, of course," Ukaley turned her gaze to Tinzor. "Encur."
Tinzor nodded, taking a step back as he flinched away from her icy gaze. It was threatening to see such a battered Thawed in front of him, especially when she dominated an area famous for being a Sky Beast's flying space.
"While you pride yourselves in looks, Ophus does it in tradition. Under my ruler's command, this is a moment to honor," Ukaley got on her knees, head pointed down. "Bow with me, Ophus."
Ether and Hedix looked at each other, curious about what was going to happen next. One was curious because he was meeting new faces, while the other was curious because he was studying them.
"Storming tides of conflict. Waves hack away at our brittle bodies. Tear off our helmets and see us anew," each elite honored.
Realizing it was an instruction, Tinzor placed his hands below her chin. Getting a good grip on her helmet. As he pulled it up, her head followed. Until their eyes locked.
The rest of the Encur elites followed Tinzor's steps. Each one selected an elite and wrapped their hands around their helmets. One by one, their helmets came off with ease.
As each Ophus elite displayed their hardy faces, they got up. Encur took off the helmets who's eyes saw them as enemies to reveal the eyes that saw them as allies.
"Very pleased to see we can look at each other as equals. Not rivals," Tinzor handed Ukaley her helmet. "I did not know your people were so ceremonious. "
She nodded. "We were educated to fit this form. Hopefully the line that blurs Encur and Ophus vanishes as time progresses. But for now, we have a task at hand."
Encur and Ophus elites turned their heads to the two spectating Zegi. Which caught them by surprise, neither of the two knew just how serious yet majestic an interaction like this would be.
Hedix slowly clapped. "Wonderful performance, yet it isn't time for plays. Digon grows desperate, as do we. With Light being weaker than it was formally, we should bite down on their necks and squeeze."
"Right," Ether added. "Right on the table here is the map, as you can see there have been some modifications to it. But the core principle of the attack is the same."
Tinzor and Ukaley got closer to the table. Vision keen on catching where their names and roles are mentioned.
Right beside Digon's foot there were three words with three definitions tied to them:
'Blade,' Ophus.
'Shield,' Encur.
'Arrow,' Infinus.
The blade was responsible for guiding their forces up Digon's sides. Beside the arrows sprouting from Ophus' word, there was a clear warning stating to only bring regular beasts.
Paranormal entities such as Siege Weavers weren't allowed to fight during this war. A specific warning that they refused to challenge.
Every elite, beast, and warrior under the blade were responsible for pushing forward. That push was to lure out their plan again. Something Infinus wanted, this time.
While they were busy with urging Light to send out their beasts, some of their forces focused specifically on the corners of the stronghold.
It was represented by a small wooden coin with the shape of a pill-shaped explosive meant to be thrown by a Cemtras, and an arrow directed towards each corner they had an angle on.
This was there to allow the arrow, or Infinus, to punish without hesitation. With each explosion that detonated, every warrior struck during the bombardments, and dazed beast contributed towards the goal of blowing the front off.
Encur was positioned behind Ophus, but this time in between their forces. Instead of being divided, the entire Encur battalion was fighting together.
As the shield of the siege, they were there to protect from far away. While also doing their duty as the tool Infinus uses to take down their beasts.
Pearl gave strict orders to strike down every beast that didn't bow to them. This was represented by an icon with a Cemtras' hand being on its side with instructions underneath it.
But that wasn't their sole purpose during this siege. They also had to distract. With their own overhead explosives and raining arrows, Encur had to be the center of attention.
Giving the arrow, Infinus, time to attack from where they were weakest: above. Ether decided to throw in a trick he used when he was claiming Terron.
Doing a Sky Beast's Descent and landing right on their victims. The Light Legion would be too busy preparing counterattacks to notice the Infinus elites and warriors ready themselves for the descent.
"Once we get inside, this entire stronghold will be ours. Not only would they be attacked from the outside, but also from within. You will know when it's time to storm in," Ether commented.
Tinzor shook his head. "How could we be so sure?"
Hedix cackled. "There's this Feral. Weird one, he is. Some call him Delkor Filaas, others call him Risk. You'll know which one I'm talking about when you see him soaring through the skies."
"Such an introduction from someone who uses big words," Tinzor retorted.
In response, Hedix scoffed. He had bigger things to worry about than the tongue of a foreign elite.
"Anyone got any questions?" Ether urged.
Ukaley shook her head. "A return to the mountain I was born on. Despite my relations with Frosticus being hit or miss, I am more than honored to fight alongside them to reclaim what's theirs."
"That Suth girl. She introduced herself to a never ending slumber, only to be thawed out by her now right-hand woman. I can tell she broke free with a pure heart. She would be overjoyed to hear you were from Digon as well. She might even like you," Hedix commented.
Ether paced his steps between the elites, making his way towards the door. "The attack begins in just a few cycles. Get rest, forces, beasts. Go fill your bellies up with some freshly made meals."
His hand reached up to one of the doorknob. "Might as well enjoy yourselves in Krugi while we march towards Digon."