Under the mid-day sun, the Infinus explorers stumbled into a decent-sized city not too far away from Digon's Trail. The roads were decorated by lights unlike the ones back at Krugi, let alone Vomnichto.
These were not lamp lights, they were powered by the sun. Pannals absorbed the energy, then stored it in until the Variants of the city turned them on at night.
Well-dressed icicles and troopers ran around, tackling each other for entertainment. While their hails and overseers watched from their homes.
Jakery looked all around, unable to resist the atmosphere. Everything was so unlike home. Instead of manual labor, the metal workers geared up machines that repeatedly beat different ranges of metals into perfection.
Bringing the ambient clanking sound into the city, unlike Krugi's distant cheering and laughter. Everything about this city felt so organized.
Homes seemed cozy to be in, like a warm winter house designed for four or less Variants. While they traveled through the city, they noticed several named buildings.
Such as the Heart, where Variants were free to gather at and discuss different topics that concerned them. And the library, where they stored a wide variety of books.
Outside of the building was a small statue dedicated to the city's founder. His name was Detrass, the Mountain Maker. He stood proudly over a battlefield, odd-looking sword in hand.
There was a bronze plate at the foot of the statue, detailing the events of the battle and who his involvement. Which caught Valentine's attention, prompting him to kneel down to read it.
[Detrass, the Mountain Maker
Fought to keep Digon's Trail free of invasive attempts by the Light Legion. During the Battle of Cold Scar, he put it all on the line and launched an offensive that would cease the conflict or destroy them.
Against all odds, he and his four warriors triumphed through. Putting an end to their attempts at taking Digon's Trail, and our precious city, Hail-Heart.]
"Interesting. This Detrass guy must be a big deal around here if there are statues promoting his deeds," Valentine said while getting back up. "I wonder when will we meet him."
He looked over his shoulder, expecting to see his company right behind him. But they weren't there. At least not focused on what he was saying and doing.
Some of the city kids grew curious and approached the group, asking them questions and asking for little offerings as a memory of their arrival.
One handed Jakery an empty jar, glass clear as day. He picked it up and held it gently in his hands. After a brief period of time, lightning danced inside. It was his offering for the little one.
The kids awed and gathered around the jar, attracting the attention of several adults. They joined in the questioning. Some asked where they came from, others how they got here.
But there were a few who asked a single odd question: 'did he send you here?'
No one knew who that 'he' was, but they assumed it was Detrass. After all, his name was everywhere. Until Hazen said he did not send them there, that's when they were corrected.
"We are not talking about Detrass, he is away aiding Valiant. We are talking about the mad one - you know which one."
Jakery blankly stared at the Zegus. "We are new to this region, so we don't know. But who is he anyway?"
That same Zegus pulled Jakery closer, making sure to whisper so no one outside of the main group heard what was happening. "Hitirus, Self-made Siege. He is our biggest concern at the moment."
"Hitirus?" Jakery echoed in the same low tone. "He sounds like a hassle to deal with. Why is this city afraid of him, though?"
"Reasons. But mostly because of how he operates. He is a monster, literally. No one knows what he is, if it even is a he. All we know is he was bred into this kind of life."
Jakery fell silent. He kept staring up at the worried expression on the Zegus' face, making him feel just as worried. But he had dealt with worse, Kas was rumored to be a war-bringer himself.
Yet he was effortlessly killed, how bad could this new Hitirus be?
"I can't tell if you are skeptical or not. But just know this, you might never know how he looks like until he is staring you down. His body works differently. Every now and then he changes dramatically. Sometimes he can have blue eyes, others green, maybe red."
The Zegus gestured down at the snow-paved roads. "Other times it could be void of any life."
"Yeah, I can understand why you all feel so threatened. We will avoid confrontation with any odd-ones while we're here. Thank you," Jakery concluded.
Hazen suddenly hugged him, bringing Jakery closer to her core. "...And this is my partner! He is an adorable Yonie who loves adventure. Sometimes he can be real huggable, but other times he shocks you until your head goes pop!"
He stood still in her grasp, letting her go on and on about how much of a joke his appearance is compared to how he can be. On the inside, he was engrossed on who Hitirus was.
Something about a creation that defied how the Nine designed them to be rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe it was proof that they just watched, not enforced. However, he was not certain yet.
While this branch of Infinus continued to get swarmed by curious folk and invited into homes for meals, the shores were lively as ever. Krim, Reveria, and Tinzor visited the shoreline.
Upon stepping foot into the new terrain, they were enchanted by the odd sights they saw. Large ships danced over the waves, bouncing off each hit.
Shops were open, hoping to empty out their fish storages by sundown. Which attracted many Variants. From Ferals to Threshers, they flocked to snatch themselves a good meal.
Just by standing there, the trio acknowledged just how different Imbushko and Yarno really was.