Sky Beasts touched down on the open fields of Krugi's outskirts. Warriors and elites struggled against their drowsiness, hoping to make it home before they collapse out of exhaustion.
Ether was there with them, he helped warriors get down and shaped entities made of pure, harmless flames to aid them back home. The creatures carried the warriors' weapons in their hands.
He watched Pearl jump off her beast and quickly make her way over to him. The first thing Pearl did was encase Ether in a tight hug and give him a peck on the lips.
"Life was rather dull out there without hearing your Yonie voice whisper me awake," Pearl sighed her exhaustion out. "How is the family?"
"Orako and I went to the Eterra pack earlier today, we wanted to attend a Wild Hunt made in Kellenas' honor. Right now, nobody is sure of who should be the new alpha couple," Ether replied.
Pearl dropped to the wet grass, her armor smelled like a freshly watered garden by the seashore. Something she oddly began to enjoy.
The sight of brave warriors coming back from a possibly successful assault was inspiring. Each one helped their neighbors back, others stayed on the beasts to guide them back to the pens.
"Ether," Pearl called out. "Where is my little Azir?"
"I left him and the twins with Jakery and Hazen," Ether shook the hand of a departing warrior. He smiled deeply as he cocked his head back in the direction of another warrior. "They went to see Valentine, I believe."
He turned to look at Pearl, this time with a frown. "So, did you kill some Yarnin?"
"Yep!" Pearl threw herself onto the grassy bed. "It was boring, yeah. Especially since I did not do much aside from sitting and staring at them to death. I wish I at least got to see the returning pack before Demon pulled us out."
Ether sighed. "They are innocent, Pearl."
She took off her helmet, revealing two confused, icy-blue eyes. "What..? No - no, they aren't. They killed part of Kellenas' pack, and him too if he didn't get lucky."
"Look Pearl, you don't understand. The truth is only one of the Legions in the Trilogy wants war with us!" Ether snapped back. He sighed then shook his head. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."
Pearl nodded. "You're scared of the Trilogy, aren't you? You've taken down Kas along with a Legion mighty enough to have taken Yarno on and would've possibly won if we didn't strike."
Ether pointed in the direction of the pens, guiding the rider and the beast to their destination. "I'm not afraid, I'm just worried about them. I've met Niro, the one who talks for the Trilogy, she tells me only one of their Legions want this."
"You have to understand, Volatile and Ubitwa are innocent. They are fighting because we are fighting," Ether continued.
"But then, why not stop our attackers? Why can't Niro do anything about it? She's the voice of reason, right? The Trilogy's tongue and icon. Why couldn' she do it?" Pearl asked rapid questions.
There was no response from Ether because it was a good question. Niro did not mention the possibility of stopping Hitirus and the Conqueror Legion.
He turned to Pearl, frown still intact. Both eyes were now a large, watery grey mess. Perfectly mimicking a Yonie's sadness. He wanted to not engage, he wanted to make one last stand for peace.
Yet the odds were slim. He knew those that wanted war would break orders and attack, and those that didn't would break orders and attack the attackers. And this outcome wouldn't benefit anybody.
So Ether sighed, closed his eyes and brought his hands together. "I don't know... but if war is what the Legion I built to combat the tyranny wants, then I'll let them have it. We've lasted long enough to forget why we started, anyway."
Pearl's eyes widened, she understood his sentiment. After the final fight, she remembered helping him recover from the mental wounds he received while being tortured.
The flashbacks of pain on his skin and brutal voices verbally beating him down until he drew his last breath inside the arena. Even hearing the agony in the voices of melting warriors as the sand turned into molten glass.
"I am not powerful enough to control everybody, Pearl. And I am not going to shame anyone for fighting," Ether sat down. "But can I ask for a simple request: learn Yarnin traditions and despose of their bodies in their tradition."
"Figuring out what they like and dislike will be difficult," Pearl spoke with a softer tone. "I haven't figured out a thing while I was over there."
"Can I bring you to Full-Forward someday?" Ether's eyes lit up. "You could meet Niro yourself and see what I saw."
"M - me?" Pearl glanced over her shoulder. "I... don't know."
Ether pointed at her. "You're scared of meeting your enemy, aren't you?" he smiled. "Share a meal with your enemy, drink with them."
Pearl softly laughed, she knew Ether was emulating her from earlier. "Yeah, I'm afraid. But if you went there and enjoyed it, I'll enjoy it too, right? Before I go, I want to talk to my Oracles first."
"Why?" Ether's voice got softer.
"Because if I don't come back, they can offer themselves to Suth. I'm sure they'd love returning to Digon after all this time," Pearl answered. She stood up, towering over Ether. "Need a hand?"
Ether lifted both arms and smiled, knowing this was one of Pearl's favorite things. She pulled him up and effortlessly carried him in her grasp.
"Why do I feel like you're getting lighter as time goes on?" Pearl whispered. "Or maybe its Shora trying to show he likes Shora more than Ether!"
Ether shook his head. "Shora IS Ether!"
She brought Ether back onto his feet, then wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Together, they made their way back to Krugi, where celebrations were being held.