Night turned to dawn. Morning strikes of sunlight pierce the clouds, kissing Imbushko awake. Variants of all types rise from their slumbers.
Some find themselves inside homes of newfound friends, others beside a new lover. It was a night to remember. Wounds healed and downed memories have been put to rest.
On that morning, there was only peace inside of Krugi. Elites got drunk with each other, sharing their culture and stories. Before passing out on the spot.
Ukaley hugged Reveria, together they watched the rising sun. It was their little moment together. A couple brought closer together through a siege.
Honest words mixed themselves in with gentle actions. Forming a deep interest in the other. Reveria rested her head on Ukaley's stomach. Her whitish-blue hair made a blanket for Ukaley to nurture.
Offspring wasn't on their minds. Their only focus was on each other.
More elites woke up. Tinzor stumbled into the living room. Some armor plates still latched onto his broad frame. He caught the couple in his gaze. Silently smiling as they enjoyed themselves.
A quiet moment of peace was rare, something he didn't want to disturb. Instead of speaking, he quickly made his way to the icebox that sat in the opposite corner of the room.
Frigid air cooled down his body temperature. Inside, snow slowly began to turn into water. Regardless, Tinzor reached inside for a sealed cup. Reflective silver kept the cold inside.
He closed the lid before leaning on the icebox. With every sip of ice cold water he took, he saw the end of a conflict. Through thunder, rain, snow, sunlight, storms. It was all becoming clear.
Like the morning of the Great March. He remembered how calm everyone was. Not a single soul seemed bothered by their extended death-date. Instead, everyone was happy to be there.
More allies were the result of such a journey. Jokes told, stories shared, all different things he overheard during the trip.
Early morning breezes swept through Krugi. Now more Variants woke up. The Coros household was next. Inside, baby Orako slept in a fort made from soft wool and pillows.
Pearl looked across the room to check in on him. While Ether gently rubbed her hand. It was the second day of their celebration. The dawn of it, at least.
Outside of their room, Jakery sat in front of the fireplace. His eyes were fixed inside the inferno. Deep in his mind, music played. Not upbeat, but more hopeful.
He was beginning to transition from young to great. But there were pieces of him still missing. Such as the reproductive system. If he didn't train that aspect, he would never get the chance to make his body realize he needed it.
Further pushing away the possibility of a future Coros generation. By now, the lineage heavily relied on Ether successfully having kids with Pearl. Yet things didn't seem so well with that.
While they wanted offspring, Pearl's body kept failing to fertilize her egg. Making it difficult. But it didn't deter the couple. They wanted to continue pushing forward.
Away from the Coros household, close to the war room, Quinn and Decka rested. They sat in tears, hugging each other happily as their efforts have paid off.
Quinn's body gave the first hints of a baby. Starting with a sudden drain of energy, then aching stomach. Decka finally became a father.
Everything was still for them, even time. In their eyes, there was no outside world. Only the other. A couple that came into contact through a defense.
Blazing beast of glory captured Decka right before his demise. Which later inspired him to be Quinn's unbreakable shield. Next in line was going to be Vera or Necto, either a daughter or son.
Life was taking the right turn for all three of these couples. One achieved the bond they needed to become one, another found another burst of determination, and the last found out about their baby.
Sunlight crept through every small crack there was. Inviting Variants to come outside. Many did. They rushed to get morning duties done before mid-day.
Ferals leapt from roof to roof, delivering items from one side of Krugi to the other. The Armory lit up their forges, preparing themselves for more weapon making and armor designing.
Idle chatter began filling the streets. Some complained about the mud, others complimented the sunlight. It was the negative to the positive.
Grass continued to grow more by the day, especially after rain. Causing Eteni to grow hungry. Beast masters guided the coated creatures to large batches of grass to fill their tummies.
Faint crunches filled their minds. It was the ideal day for every city Variant. Including those that were packing for their departure.
Thawed excitedly brought their stuff together. Mounting their belongings on the back of Sky Beasts. Every white beast of flight gladly supported the weight. They knew where they were going.
Oracles watched from afar. They knew Pearl wasn't leaving with them, so they decided to stay with her. Just in case any of the Nine wanted to contact her, if not she to them.
Valentine stopped beside them, mask attached to his face. "This has been one hell of a journey. But it isn't over yet, not until Light has been completely wiped out."
An Oracle nodded in agreement. "Liberation is coming quicker than we can tell. Some wager it will take another few months before Imbushko is free. Some say weeks. But to me, it's only days."
"Bold guess," Valentine stepped closer to the beasts. "I respect it. Once we reach the climax of the story, I wonder where we will head to next?"
"Where do you want to go?" The Oracle asked.
In response, Valentine crossed his arms. "To find my lost lover. She is out there, waiting for me to find her. All I need is a signal of her presence, then we can be reunited."
Silence swept clean the Oracle's hooded figure. They returned to the usual speechless visages that only spoke when the Nine did.
Off behind them, Suth watched. She held a necklace in her hands, one gifted to her by her brother. Its gold jewels reflected the future Quill hoped for: one full of loyalty and life.
Unfortunately, he wasn't here to experience that era. It had just begun. By now, Suth saw more of herself amongst the fighting class than the royal blood she was born with.
To fill her hollow footsteps, she hoped to gift the necklace to Pearl. Someone who fell more in line with who she used to be. Loyal, silent, caring.
Memories bounced off the random blue gems scattered around the silver piece of jewelry. Such as the time Valentine came back, his descent, their defense, Quill's end, and her wake up call.
Each event happened with a reason behind it. If it wasn't for Valentine's safe return, their defense would have failed miserably. Quill and her would have died, and she would have never changed.
Painful memories became bright rays of hope. Whatever happened next, Suth was ready for. Every Thawed that had once bowed to her, plus many more, joined her personalized army.
Middle end elites such as Valentine and Hizentre would serve as her captains. Each one delivering the stone cold words of Digon.
While Hazen matured. Silently entertaining herself through other Variants' minds. From sun up to sundown, all she ever did was enjoy fantasies those around her had.
Sometimes, it felt like a personal movie. Happening right in someone else's head, but being broadcasted into hers.
Isolation slowly took its course on her. Driving her deeper into these stories. Hizentre acknowledged this, and even brought her out to look for potential friends. Maybe even a partner.
To this, she rejected. Insisting she will know when her partner is there with her when she sees him. Maybe not physically, but mentally.
Her Third Rule was her source of comfort and information. She wanted something to keep her busy, so she began looking through minds.
Although some minds were invisible. Even to her own mental gaze. Such as the one belonging to Demon.
Syndicate Dust kept him hidden from the Nine and the rest of the world. He had to keep his eyes on Krugi at all times. Patience, he would think. It takes patience in order to achieve his goal.
Beneath all of that corruption, he had plenty of patience. Enough to keep him standing completely still for hours on end. Sometimes he confused it for dedication.
It was him being a spectator, not a sentinel. Defense wasn't his goal, but to ensure everything went according to plan.
Dust swirled in glee. Each particle waited alongside their master. A black beating heart continued to pump the dust out like its own sick replacement for blood.
That's when he felt it. Something happened. Up above Krugi, the clouds parted. Several figures descended at high speeds. Demon turned his attention on them.
It was time.