Hedix nonchalantly stepped through the scorched field, eyes glaring up at the sky. Malice twisted in his heart, the Distorted within knew what its owner wanted.
The creation began pulsing black blood through his veins, granting Hedix the power to fight back. With a sudden stomp, his numbness manifested itself into a weapon.
Ferals and Zegi jumped back after witnessing tainted spikes erupt from the ground. They took flight like fired artillery and leveled the skies.
Variants from all sides of the conflict ceased their fighting, turning their eyes to the skies. Weavers rumbled in fury as the raw paranormal energy tore them into nothingness.
Scattered clouds disappeared from the impact, leaving behind small traces of themselves in its wake. When all was done, particles of Syndicate Dust hung to small water particles in the air.
Decka's eyes widened. It was true, Hedix was completely different from how he met him. Back during their Sun Set, Hedix was calculated and calm.
Now he was calculated and numb. Completely careless of how he carried out instructions. Because after all, the method does not matter if the result is what they wanted.
"Hedix, my friend. Use your rage to hold them back, do not focus that anger on them! We can hold off until Sky Beasts arrive," Decka tried to change plans.
As expected, Hedix ignored the suggestion. He glanced at Decka with a careless eye, trying to make him understand Koroth was hostile.
Ferals roared with utter rage, shattering eardrums and disrupting focus. Connisko felt compelled to push harder. It was their opportunity to win this siege by complete domination.
Decka turned his attention to a distant Feral, Enclier. She was surrounded by four Thawed, all of which were aiming to get a perfect kill.
She tried to back off, panning her vision between them all just in case they tried anything. But before she could make it far, a female Thawed wearing purple and red plates of armor charged her.
The might of her power allowed her to lift Enclier off the ground, sending her over them all. During her flight, she prepared to make one final stand.
Out of desperation to keep an ally alive, Decka's shield began glowing in a mystic white color. He woke up his Third Rule, frantically rushing to aid her.
But before he could do anything, a Thawed drove their spear straight into her injured shoulder. Throwing her off and causing her to land on her back.
The same female Thawed from earlier brought down her mace right on Enclier's head. Putting a gory end to her well-lived life.
Decka was filled with overwhelming shock and rage. He was furious at everybody. At Infinus for fighting, at Volatile for trying to hold them back, and Conqueror for keeping Connisko apart.
His breathing got faster, eyes narrowed and shield felt like a deadly weight on his forearm. Both of his legs wanted to break into a wild rampage towards the Thawed, but he controlled himself.
It was why he continued living, to teach the younger generation of Variants how far discipline and commitment can take them. Letting his emotions take over would result in him seeming like a fool.
"They killed Enclier! Where's Sernatacus? We need all Ferals to pull back!" Decka howled.
Nobody listened, they were too busy fighting back. He felt his anger grow by the minute, he wanted to know where the beasts were.
Somewhere beyond the horizon, Infinus riders and Sky Beasts were barreling closer to them. He was sure of it, but he wasn't sure of their timing.
However, there was a major detail nobody realized. Demon didn't go anywhere. In fact, he had been by their side since the siege began. Just up in the trees with his butler and maid.
"My precious maid," Demon smiled in her direction. She bowed her head, waiting to hear instructions. "Pull all Connisko and Infinus members in this area to Olavin-Faa."
As requested, the Iron Maiden was consumed by the dust that made her. She quickly found herself in the dark, cold forest. Tethers tugged her arms outwards, all she had to do was pull them towards her.
When she did, the vision of every Connisko and Infinus member got blurry until it all went black. They lowered themselves, getting in protective positions to hold off attackers.
That's when Cyclone smelled the greenery of the overhead trees. He heard the distant sounds of Glykers taking flight and snatching Tyrantulas off the branches and chomping them dead.
Demon turned his attention to the Iron Butler. "Bring the split forces back to Volknair. When they arrive, lie to them about why you did that."
He nodded, getting consumed by the dust. The already cold metallic skin on the butler's body clashed against the gales, tethers tugged his arms.
Just like the maiden did minutes before, he pulled back. Bringing each living member of Infinus back to Volknair.
Upon being transported, they all looked around for threats. Only to realize those surrounding them were of their own banner.
Infinus elites glanced at one another, questioning what had happened. Especially Pearl, who was formally waiting inside the outpost.
"What happened? Why did you pull me out of there?" she asked the butler. "Was this all some kind of sick trick?"
When they all brought their attention to the butler, he got on one knee and bowed. "More Distorted were coming. They would have torn you all apart. Per request of my owner, I kept you safe."
Pearl felt the fleeting power escape from her bones. She felt weaker than before, causing her to clutch her stomach out of pain.
Enoptes grabbed Pearl by her shoulder, keeping her from collapsing. "Do not see this as a kick to your ego. If what that thing says is true, we were saved."
Instead of fighting back, Pearl nodded. Keeping to herself as she studied how the pain pulsed through her body.
They focused on helping others out of their armors, getting comfortable on the grassy hillside. Cool, salty wind from the ocean washed over them.
The butler opened his palm and whispered. "All believed me."