Olavin-Faa, its restless leaves deterred Kellenas on sight. The nearly endless canopy brought back haunting memories of his group attempting to experience the forest.
As Sky Beasts dove beneath the dark-green ocean, his did not budge. He was in control, but only of the beast. Fear and regret gnawed away at his mind, reminding him he was not so powerful.
"Great Nas," Prexsis' voice cut through the idle winds. "We need to follow them, our alpha needs to know of our presence and we are the only ones that know where she is."
Kellenas' eyes turned into black holes, sucking in all the life he had left in them. Despite the need to follow behind, he couldn't bring himself to drop back down.
Everything about him changed the second the towering trees came into view, including all the talk of change. Beneath the visage of a hardened warrior, he was afraid of losing more allies.
Zenam cooed cheerfully, nonchalantly adjusting her extended claws. They reared to life, ready for the cutting. However, their purpose was something different.
Five sharp stings startled the Sky Beast enough into diving behind the others. It whizzed past the trees at full speed while losing all visibility. Off in the distance, a fire caught its gaze.
It landed almost directly on top of it, throwing off the four riders onto the forest floor. The beast screeched while flapping its wings, almost like it got ready to strike them down it hits beak.
"Easy, this is uncharted territory for most of us," Valentine held his hand out to the Sky Beast. "Where do we go now?"
Silence lingered in the group, sending many into defensive positions just in case anything got any ideas to attack. Until Feymor wrapped her hand around the dim fire.
"We do not want eyes on us. Keep a close lead on me, I will bring us to our pack," her sharp-witted voice ordered.
During their entire trip around trees and through grottos designed by the natives, the six Scalers reverted to their original looks. Translucent skin took over their formerly tanned skin, and pupils increased in size dramatically.
For hours, they marched through the tight-gripping darkness. Until the Scalers began to chirp in an odd tone, causing the entire battalion to stop their advancements.
Seconds past without any response, then six more Ferals chirped back. Each one chirped in their own tone, almost like they were finishing a song. Then they passed it over to the ones outside.
All six of the Scalers completed their sections perfectly, making it clear they were friendly and with good company. Kellenas marched to the front, standing with an uncertainty in his eyes.
Hara, followed by three of her Ferals rushed out of a hole to greet them. Despite not being able to see, the battalion felt taking aback by the fact Ferals lived underground.
It was not like them, they did not normally do that. Only when they are bred with Threshers or when mutations arise, but rarely when they need to. Except for now, there was one pack right before them.
"You made it!" Hara turned to the Ferals behind her. "Meno and Carate, guide the group to a place of safety. Sennodin, bring the six back to their respective families in the chambers."
Pearl struggled to understand what was happening around her. She wished her partner was there to set his finger tips on fire, casting light to the darkness around them.
"Leaders," Hara spoke once again. "Please follow me. I will discuss with you why you are here."
***
Flames danced around the large, open chamber. The candles gifted them the gift of sight, bringing comfort knowing they were capable of seeing what was happening in their new environment.
Hara elegantly walked towards Valentine, holding a blue flower in her hands as she stepped with care. The tender nature in her appearance eased the leaders, ensuring everything was okay.
"I can imagine it came as a shock when the 'peaceful' region was not so peaceful," her voice was low and almost apologetic. "However, there is so much more than all good and all bad in this place."
Valentine accepted her gift, holding the flower in both hands as if it was a crown. "That is a common theme among conflicts."
"While that is true, have you ever been forced into exile just because you denied a gift?" Hara slowly drifted her eyes up to Valentine's. "You fought back, most likely. What if you did not have the strength to?"
Pearl nodded, understanding of the situation. She understood that feeling - the one of desperation for change unless death was the desired outcome.
Embers filled her lungs with smoke, almost teasing her. She wanted to return back to her family, where those she deeply adored were. But she was stuck underground with an alpha.
That's when she noticed Hara was looking directly at her. A motherly gaze she never thought she'd see was plastered across her face.
"A war fought to halt an invasion led to a struggle for a few of us, along with the title of 'rebel.' We aren't rebels, just Variants who believe peace is difficult to achieve."
Hara held her hands together, almost praying to a higher entity. "Now we long for the day of an invasion to liberate us, bring glory to Yarno. And now, that invasion is right here."
Valentine nodded. "We heard of the attack and your role in recovery, we are in your debt. Kellenas told us what you told him, this is not how thing's should go. A belief is something you get naturally, not forcibly."
Enoptes closed his fists, feeling his armor tighten around his fingers as he did so. "You are backed by a Legion, now."
Despite the comment, Hara did not seem moved by it. She shook her head, sighing deeply as if something was wrong.
Her hand came up to her chin. "Do not try to push the Trilogy, they will bite back. Especially the Conqueror's leader, Hitirus."
It felt like a jab at them, almost saying their force would not be enough to counter the might of Hitirus. Enoptes crossed his arms, tilting his head forward as if he was challenging her.
"Whoever that Hitirus is, I can ensure you he will fall to his knees. After all, a leader only steps out of his comfort zone when he is needed," Enoptes replied.
"Except this is Hitirus, whatever he... she... it..?" she paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Just know that thing is unrelenting and is careless of all life. When you fight, just know it will come for you."
As they continued to talk, an entity watched.