-Minutes after the Light Legion's retreat from Krugi-
Jakery felt defeated. All hope to be hugged and loved by his siblings crushed. He had already come to terms with the fact he was rapidly maturing. But this was too much.
Not too far from him, Pearl hugged herself. She tried to keep the gentle feeling of her lover warm on her body. But she failed.
A Thawed's usual cold body reclaimed the little heat Ether provided by his gentle touch. Making Pearl feel empty.
Variants wondered the roads. Helping others treat the injured. It was a bloodbath everywhere they looked. Red tainted armors and cloths decorated homes and paths.
Fires ripped apart homes. Leaving many families wondering where would they rest that night. Valentine and Suth gathered the Thawed together. Inspecting each one for any injuries.
Away from the main group, a daughter wept uncontrollably. It was Hazen, mourning her father's death. This was the day he was warning her about.
The reason why he wanted her to come with him on his journey to find the Sainted Three and Deviled Kin. It was because he knew he wouldn't get to see them himself.
But Hazen would. She would be the one witnessing the prophecy when it happened. And she would be the one returning to Metrivious with the news.
A fine gust of wind washed through the city. Enforcing the reality. This was not a dream, nor a nightmare, this was real life.
Like a crumbling dynasty, Infinus survived with barely any forces left. But with plenty of anger to wage thousands of wars back-to-back. Something Encur and Ophus were ready for.
In their disheartening defeat, Infinus found exactly what they were looking for: the courage for one final push. With this push, Imbushko's fate would be decided.
Either Infinus prevails, or they crumble under the experience of a Legion who withstood hundreds of attacks. A legacy's end, or a righteous second wind, was another way to think of it.
Jakery swallowed the knot in his throat. Slowly creeping his head towards the sky. There, he found the strength he needed to work quickly.
Somewhere deep in his mind he knew his brother depended on his triumph, and his mother. Lya, Jakery thought. She loved them all dearly. Even going as far as to naming them their own names if they were Yonies.
Right now, Jakery wasn't his self. He was Shojoro, Lya's third Yonie baby and the son Solice never saw. This surge of power enforced his believe that Lya wanted him to push through, so he did.
"P - Pearl, I know it hurts. B - but listen... we need to - to fight back. Liberate Eth - Ether," Jakery struggled to speak.
No verbal response came from her. But there was a physical response. She slammed her fist into the ground. Tears pouring out of her eyes.
Ether meant everything to her. Having him gone felt like a deep wound. Yet it felt like a wound that opened something she searched for.
"I'll gather everyone u - up. We are fighting this war. One - one final push, that's all it - it'll take."
***
A fire burned bright behind Jakery. Lighting up his serious body. Casting shadows to large portions of his smaller frame, while still enforcing his raging attitude.
Elites and warriors gathered around the young one. Eagerly waiting to hear what his fury leads him to say.
One of the three moons watched from above while the other two slowly trailed behind. Setting the mood for what kind of situation they were in.
"We faced an ego-breaking defeat, no doubt. But there is one thing we have all found: the power to go head first and triumph," Jakery began. "My warriors and elites, I am Jakery Coros, sibling to Ether Coros."
Valentine smirked when he heard his voice raise in volume. Deep in his heart, Valentine knew that side of Jakery he taught him was coming through, the act of power through words.
Jakery crossed his arms. "As his sibling, it is my right to bring him back. While it is everyone else's right to fight for who you've lost. And today, we've lost plenty."
Variants overheard that statement. They scanned their surrounding homes. Everything was laid to waste. Destroyed and slaughtered. Like a murderer's stomping grounds.
More faces came closer to the fire, to listen in. They didn't want to rebuild; they wanted to fight. To do exactly what Jakery said: to fight for what they lost.
"Infinus, Encur, and Ophus musters their greatest to ensure Light falls before Ether's head rolls off his shoulders. That's a promise. Prepare for a siege only the strongest can endure!" Jakery's voice thundered.
It was the key to their cage. The motivation they needed to march towards the horizon and claim the sun as their own. As a united Legion, undivided. Brought together through uncertain methods.
As they continued to cheer, several new faces joined in. They smiled their toothy grins and blushed their emotions out. Eyes highlighted in deep green or vibrant yellow. Several Ferals arrived.
From Murmosa and Eterra, the alphas of two packs destined for eternal remembrance. Kellenas' tight muscles were the first to introduce his body.
Followed by Risk's uncanny grin and battered body. The cloak still hid the fragmented memories of the explosions. Together, they told the tale of a Feral too lively for risks.
"Are we too late for the celebration?" Risk growled.
Jakery turned to look, fists balled up. "The grand has just gotten started. Light is going to bite our blades in due time. But we don't want to wait."
Kellenas crossed his arms. "Of course - of course... may I say, this city... wow. By the same token, however. Our path to Light is paved by strongholds and outposts. The journey starts at Etek Dur."
Satisfied, Jakery nodded. "Did you ever locate your family?"
"Found them with a sub-branch of the main pack. They are all okay," he replied.
While they were talking, Decka stepped forward. He seemed like an emotional disgrace. Unsure if he should cry, feel angry, or both, maybe neither. Regardless, he wanted revenge.
"That damned Feral and Verick... taking my Quinn from me. UGH! I want their heads. When I see them, I am going to chew off their skin from their disgraceful faces and spit it back out!"
Jakery heard the calamity. "We need to act on accord, not emotion."
Valentine smiled. His eyes set on the maturing Zesher right before his eyes. The one he helped nurture was becoming a fully grown adult Variant. Despite having several maturation phases to go.
"I want to go!" Hazen called out.
She stepped out of the shadows, revealing the chains on her body. The head of the flail hung lifelessly beside her ankle, like a corpse.
"You lost your brother. I lost my father. We both lost, Jakery. I demand to go with you in this siege," Hazen insisted.
But there was no resistance on Jakery's end. "Come with us, then. But be careful -"
Hazen cocked her head back. "I am not a little girl, I can handle conflict."
Jakery smirked. "I wasn't talking about conflict. It's that you look rather fine and I don't want to see you injured."
From the shadows, Valentine stood with his mouth open. This was it. The young Jakery was meeting its end. While his future was just taking off.
"Th - thank you..?" Hazen didn't know how to respond.
With an awkward silence, Jakery tried to continue with a confident stance. He turned to face the alphas once again. Eyes narrowed, ready to order.
"Get ready, first thing tomorrow we are sending warriors over."