Adrenaline ceased to support Valentine and Jakery, sending them both crashing against the ground. Their hearts beat thousands of times per second, hard enough to let them hear it.
Hazen descended onto Jakery, followed by all other riders who escaped. Regret of entering Yarno filled their lungs, not being able to escape on their next exhales.
Even the spectating Ferals felt pity, they dropped down from the trees. Keeping their heads bowed as they moved closer to the downed duo.
No one dared to get right up next to them, utter fear held them back. But not fear of them, but more if they were alive. Hazen knew Jakery was a glass-cannon.
All of Jakery's longest battles involved someone there to assist him. Alone, he could only last minutes before caving in to the pressure and backing out.
"Someone check if they are alive!" some Variants ordered each other.
"Did they survive?" some asked to their neighbors.
"We should have not come here, this is a suicide mission," others said.
Valentine's hand twitched, trying to bring itself back from the brink of death. Others watched in shock, praying the elite would succeed.
Hazen stumbled through the crowd, getting on one knee in front of her partner. She frowned, seeing herself in the visor's silver reflection. Her hands reached down for the chin, then gently twisted.
Click. The helmet was unlocked. Hazen unmasked her partner, looking into his bowed face. The defeated look of a combatant who nearly lost their life.
Long black hair stuck to his face, sweat acting as glue. Several portions of his face were turning red, others were purple. Everything about Jakery seemed beaten.
"Jakery... can you... hear me?" Hazen asked in a gentle voice.
No response, only a downed figure. Hazen's arms wrapped around Jakery's shoulders, feeling the heat from his previous attacks. It felt like an inferno, one that could boil anyone alive.
Kellenas growled at the sight of possible death. There was a mean stare in his eyes, threatening death with the face of a shamed alpha. He cocked back his head, then roared.
Green energy highlighted his shoulders and eyes, causing many to turn away if not cover their faces. Hazen forced her eyes shut, trying to deafen out the noise and light.
Courage filled Hazen's lungs, she was determined to keep her partner and her guide alive. She began at the armor. Her hand reached a chest plate, holding the metal in her hand for a moment.
With a sudden tug, she managed to tear open the piece. Exposing the frame behind the metal and Jakery's shirt right behind that. She stared at the black metal slots meant to keep plates in place.
Her hand reached for another plate right below the previous. It came off with ease, steam flowed out. Hazen quickly learned one thing about Jakery she never knew.
Every time he used his Third Rule, he was essentially gambling with his life. The only reason Jakery pulled out of fights was because he needed to release some built up heat or he could risk passing out.
"Come on, please. Wake up, Jakery. Show me your little heart is pounding," Hazen pleaded.
Another plate flew off its frame, this time something changed. It was not physically there, but mentally. Hazen glanced up at Jakery's mind, she could read it.
"YES!" Hazen celebrated, quickly going to the next plate while smiling. "Come on, you can fight through this. I know you can!"
Prexsis stepped beside Kellenas. "Great Nas, we should aid the pink one. There is still plenty of life left in him, that hand shows it."
Both Ferals stepped out of the crowd, getting to work in tending to Valentine's state. Prexsis his claws to cut up pieces of cloth from nearby corpses, using them to patch wounds.
Kellenas barked orders, keeping his eyes narrowed to show he meant what he said. Ferals dashed into the forest, gliding from tree to tree until they reached their den.
"I want two riders to return to Krugi, tell them to send forward two elites to replace them," Kellenas ordered.
"Any specifics?" a rider asked.
"Ether, if he catches these news some other way, he will leave Yarno scorched. It's best to tell him the truth about Valentine and Jakery's condition. Tell him to bring an elite capable of-"
Syndicate Dust formed a distorted sphere above Infinus, catching their attention in an instant. They gritted their teeth, waiting to see what kind of creation was going to step through.
Until it exploded, dust paused before they parted ways. Then they were promptly pulled to the middle, where they formed a figure. Demon fell from the skies.
Landing right in the middle of the group, head held high. Something about his presence unsettled everyone, deterring them from getting defensive.
"For those of you who don't know me, I am the middle sibling of the previous Coros generation. If my younger brother got injured, this fight is mine to handle," his distorted voice spoke loudly.
No one questioned it because they were too afraid of doing so. All they could feel was even more dread and regret for stepping into Yarno.
[Exceptional entrance. From here onwards, we remain muted but continue to spectate. Here's one for your paved road, and another for your struggles. Don't forget, Servants will stop by.]
Demon turned to face the dazed Hazen, chains wrapped around her figure to hold up the flail. His eyes twisted in curiosity, grin wider than ever. To play it off, Demon placed his hand over Jakery's head.
Making everyone believe his eyes were set on his sibling instead of his sibling's partner. There was an odd sense of care in his hand as he ran his fingers through Jakery's long hair.
"It's okay, there is no need for you to be sad. I am here for you, Jakery. Just like old times, you and me. In some time, Ether will join us. We will be together again," he whispered.