-Four days after all teams returned, Yarno-
Snow gently fell, casting the heart of the region under a white blanket. Furnaces burned brighter than ever, repelling the cold weather as the workers continued manufacturing goods.
This was Full-Forward, the same city that all three major Legions considered home. It was where they pledged their allegiance to each other, making it important on different levels.
Niro cheerfully smiled, watching the incoming visitors slice through the open room. Her hands held each other, she bowed to show her submission. And the visitors did the same.
Ether got on one knee, face relaxed. It was not a moment of high-tension, not yet at least. The nearby flames highlighted his smaller frame, making him seem much younger than normal.
Hylo hesitated, unsure if she should be mimicking her father. But ultimately, she cave in to the tradition. Falling on one knee and bowing her little head towards Niro.
"Such a beautiful little one, what is it?" Niro's elegant voice danced in the stale air.
A sense of pride filled Pearl's ears, making her feel accomplished for being able to pull off a successful birth. Her heart filled with warmth, something she was still not accustomed to.
"My little one is a hybrid. She's a Zawed," Ether cocked his head towards Pearl. "Our product."
Niro softly laughed, admiring their closeness. But also acknowledging the fourth member, Valentine. He stood a fair distance away, arms crossed.
Valiant brushed his chin with his forearm. Cleaning away all the toxic chemicals that oozed out of his gaping maw. He did all this with great joy, it was like cleaning an instrument.
To his left, a judgemental gaze picked apart the visitors. Hitirus sat with his arms crossed, he had underwent a genetic transformation. One eye was now orange, the other black. Hair was odd as well, it being pink.
If it wasn't for the poor lighting in that area, he would have been the center of attention. But Niro made sure he wasn't, just so the newcomers did not feel threatened.
"Whoever these Variants are, I can tell they are not on par with our prowess," Hitirus mumbled.
"So what?" Valiant licked his arms clean of all toxic. "That's what they thought of me when I first joined. Don't you remember that?"
Hitirus groaned. "Of course. You were so small back then, nothing too major has changed. But these... they are smaller. Small men mean no utility."
Niro guided Ether to a ceremonious pedestal towards the center. Where all eyes could gaze upon the might of a potential ally.
"Great Ether Coros, first of the siblings, last to the power-crazed. I have summoned you for an offering of peace and unity. No Yarnin and Imbushkin blood will flow between us," Niro recited.
Valiant quietly chuckled away, his glowing green ribs danced along. "A Coros? Hitirus, weren't you bloating about these?"
He did not respond, only kept his eyes on the small one. But now, they were narrowed. He did not see Ether as a small man anymore; he was a true force of unrelenting evolution.
"With the plant of a sword-tip in this same room, we unite. Our strengths will feed off each other, and stronger our regions will become!" Niro continued.
Ether quietly processed what those words meant, he was unsure. Something felt off, not her actions. Deep down, he could sense her heart was pure.
No malice to hold towards them, only the type of warm attitude a grandmother would give out. But something else felt out of place.
When she was done with her monologue, she handed him a blunt-edge sword. It was lightweight and sleek, not the type meant for cutting.
"All that is left is you planting your order," Niro concluded.
Valiant leaned forward, eagerly waiting to see his new friend join. However, Hitirus wasn't too pleased. As his eye and hair colors changed, he envisioned what it was like to be prestigious.
Ether held the weapon in his hands, unsure of what to do with it. He did not want to proceed, not yet. This was a grander decision for his entire Legion to make.
So he lowered the weapon, catching everyone off guard. His eyes slowly shifted to meet Niro's, her's were pale. She was unsure of what to think. Maybe it was a symbol of rebellion or uncertainty.
"No, not yet," Ether spoke with pride. "My Variants need a say in this, we will not unite unless those that live under my order agree to this."
Valentine stepped forward, keeping his arms crossed. "He has a point. Doing this away from other elites would be foolish, it is not how we work."
Valiant got up from his seat, pacing his steps closer to the burning fire that sat below the pedestal. "He is the leader, is he not? That decision is his to make, not elites."
Pearl came in between them both, keeping one hand out so nothing broke out. "Its traditional for us to maintain transparency."
Ether handed Niro the sword, making sure to linger on the weight of the weapon as he returned it. "Do not take this as a spit to your kindness. I can see that eagerness to expand burn bright in your eyes."
He stepped down from the podium, taking a moment to look down at the fire. "But moments like this require preparation. I would be glad to join, but I'm unsure if my elites would want the same."
Niro nodded, almost disagreeing with what he was saying. "I understand. Whenever you return to this city with your final verdict, I will be here to hear it."
For Niro and Valiant, it felt disheartening. Even after so many tries in convincing leaders to join in, none of them felt as bad as failing to convince a regional leader.
It was simply different. A Legion could be massive or tiny, but a regional leader is almost always in charge of a large supply of forces.
Two green eyes glared at the three Coros members in the room. Hitirus leaned back in his chair, relaxed they did not join, yet.
"Will you be a high-rider?" he muttered.