-Four days later-
What remained of Infinus stumbled upon the broken cabin. Krim remained inside, cackling in glee as he heated Fifity plants in water to form an icy tea.
Sernatacus overheard his cheering and chanting, raising his curiosity. Orders were to leave no one alive, yet he was talking a lot. Almost as if there was someone else in there.
"Hey!" he said as he poked his head through the broken door. "Demon ordered you to kill -"
Ten different versions of Krim, nine of which were Distorted, looked back at him. Each one had a look of confusion in their own tainted way. Except for the original, who seemed annoyed.
"Oh, shut up! I killed everyone who entered in search of the missing bodies. Well, not me, me. Well, hold on. The me that isn't me, you get me?" Krim joked.
Instead of debating with the alpha, Sernatacus turned to his allies behind him. They were huddled together, trying to find warmth where there was none.
He gave them a thumbs up, informing everything was in place. The sight of a forest gave hope to the remaining Connisko members, they knew they were very close to their home.
None of them bothered to run inside, they were exhausted. For days they've been walking, with little to no time for rest. But they kept their dream alive, Connisko would be whole again.
Decka planted his shield into the snow, standing tall over the rest of the group like a sentinel. "Do you think Mountain Ascent Sky Beasts could help us here?" he asked Sernatacus. "The Trilogy isn't hunting us down."
A familiar voice replied, one that was quick and smooth. "It would be wise, yes." Demon agreed. "Infinus and Connisko could rest here while I go request for Sky Beasts."
Sernatacus growled at Demon. "Why didn't you do that in the first place? You could have brought us back to Olavin-Faa then back home. Hell, even brought us backup, but you didn't. Why?"
"Because this is more about fighting back than doing your method. Infinus and the Trilogy are caught in a web of tension, one I am sure of we broke. Now it is war," Demon replied.
"War was uncalled for. They hold a lot of merit, more than you think. The Trilogy does not bow, but also it offers peace for all. We could have traded with them," Decka joined in.
Demon nodded, slowly shifting to his ally. "Perhaps you are right. Have you heard what some elites are saying?"
He stepped closer to Decka. "Some are demanding complete conflict against the Trilogy for the death of the battalion and Kellenas. We are risking a civil war if we seek peace."
Tensions flared between the leaders, each one searched for different answers. The rarest one was Sernatacus, despite his bitter taste upon seeing the Scalers that first arrived with Kellenas, he wanted to negotiate with the Trilogy.
Yet they were only a few voices. Others wanted different things than him. Including Cyclone. If no one stopped or assisted him, that path could prove fatal to everyone involved.
"Everyone holds reason in this conflict," Decka admitted. "I can see why elites want war, but also why others want peace. We could have snuck them out, not broke them out."
"Enough!!!" Demon's voice rose. "The damage has been dealt from both sides, we cannot go back on it now. I can imagine the Trilogy is considering a war against Imbushko, let them come. But we cannot undo what has already been done."
Decka lowered himself to Demon's height. "You listen to me while I am talking. What you are doing is foolish."
"I am aware," Demon replied in the same smug whisper. "Enjoy the frigid winter, I am going back to Imbushko and bringing Sky Beasts over. Do not move."
Black dust consumed his entire frame. In moments, he found himself away from the battalion. Krugi was bright with activity, but not the good kind. Tension all over.
Elites from different branches of Infinus arrived, debating whether a fight or a peace treaty would be the smartest move. But this was up to Infinus as a whole to decide.
Cyclone kept his eyes on where Demon stood not too long ago. "What he is saying is true. My pack dislikes the Trilogy, and we are willing to die in order to get revenge."
Decka shook his head. "That is not smart. Instead, focus on recovering. Members from this side of the pack require numbers again, reproduce and shelter the young. Hide from the Trilogy."
"Hara and I have never raised submissive creatures," Cyclone snapped back. "From the youngest of cubs to the eldest of Ferals, we are never going to bow."
"That's called brawn," Decka replied. Urgence was obvious in his voice, he wanted to make a difference. "You cannot force your pack to fight!"
A random Feral yelped, catching their attention. "We want to fight. Our pack has been torn in half for years, I even forgot how my parents looked like... if they are even still alive. We want their flesh!"
It was a futile objective to chase. Connisko was firm in fighting back against the Trilogy, this was their method of cooping with their loss.
Krim cackled at the group, his shoulders were relaxed and smile was easy. "Decka, my friend. You have to understand a Feral is not 'brawn,' but a Feral is devoted."
"Do you think they don't understand the risks involved? Of course they do! Yet they will continue strong, as a Feral should do. We remain loyal and focused on what we want, its in our nature," Krim continued.
Decka sighed, fixing his posture over his shield. "I guess you're right. But know I will have no involvement in the upcoming war. Whoever wants to take my role as active elite can do so."
Ferals backed away from his gaze as he turned to the treeline. "I will remain inside Krugi and help nurture troopers to their full potential." Decka concluded.