The afternoon sun rested perfectly overhead. Its beams striking Imbushko. From its lively cities to the struggling outskirts where conflict raged on.
Variants that surrendered to Ether walked out of their burning shelter, stretching and looking around for ideal locations to continue their routines. Especially the Thawed.
Each one wanted to find a nice place to sit and pray together. Letting the Nine know what was happening and what they wished would happen.
Although Ferals were different. Since waking up, they chirped and roared to one another. Letting other Variants know they were alive and awake.
Until their satisfied sounds became frantic and uncertain. Overhead Sky Beasts stormed towards the ground, their screeching notified everybody of their arrival.
At least two dozen of them landed around the camp, most of which had no rider on them. Except for two, one of which had a faint reddish color mutation along the beak and eyes.
"Hello!" Ether called out. "Ready to go back home?"
When they heard his voice, they flooded the Sky Beast that held Ether on it. Each Variant came by to thank him for choosing to give them a better outcome than they had anticipated.
But to each one that came up to thank him, Ether would always say it was themselves that saved them. He only stood by and acted on their actions.
Pearl watched on another Sky Beast, which held Azir and Orako on it. Orako kept Azir in a taught grip, making sure he would not fall from his arms regardless of how fast they were going.
"Get on. Four per beast please," Ether ordered. "The quicker we start this trip, the quicker you all will find yourselves at home."
A finite ocean of Variants rushed to mount different beasts, heeding Ether's promise of a quicker arrival back home. They wanted to make a new life for themselves, this time as workers.
Because back in the Conqueror Legion, workers were often injured or sick Variants. The ones that wouldn't be capable of defending themselves in the middle of a conflict.
In ten short minutes, each beast held a parade of purple with red splats of paint on their backs. When their riders gently pressed down on their shoulders, the beasts would begin taking flight.
Hovering not too far off the ground, allowing others to make adjustments to how they were going to fly for the next day or two. While they fixed themselves, Pearl watched with curiosity.
She was unsure of what to make of something like this. Despite having fought, these Trilogy members had lots of respect for Ether - the same leader that ordered against them at first.
Orako marveled at some of the other mutated Sky Beasts. "It is truly impressive what nature can gift others when it feels kind. More often than not, nature takes from us."
Pearl nodded. "Our nature took my parents away from me after Light Fall. I wasn't expecting to see them while we were patrolling the streets."
"I remember seeing you bawling your eyes out," Orako reminded her. "Do you remember how quick me and Ether collapsed to give you the support you needed?"
"Y - yes, I'm thankful for having such an amazing family. All of you made my life a whole lot easier," Pearl smiled. "Especially the ones that I birthed. Little faces... I love them all."
Ether gave a thumbs up, telling other riders it was time to take flight. He then brought his gaze to his core, where Etherna hugged Hylo for dear life.
She surely believed this massive flight would be the end of her. Completely disregarding all the great things she was about to see, even if Hylo was whispering them into her ear.
When Etherna felt their beast take off, she yelped and squeezed Hylo tighter. Her grip was powerful enough to cause Hylo to beg for her to loosen up, which she quickly did but slightly.
Oceanic winds kicked up, automatically sending the beasts into a lively state of mind. They were ready to chase another storm, fly through another tornado, and dance beside more Weavers.
The smell of conflict was fresh in the air as well. Not too far from where they were, near Volknair, another fight was taking place. One that was fought to keep the invaders out of an important city.
Pearl could practically feel the recoil of cannons blasting and the projectiles leveling the ground they landed on. Breaking roads and ending lives in quick succession.
She remembered having to harden her and other Variants' armors tougher than ever before in order to remain standing after getting struck by a cannon ball. The pain of the blasts still lingered.
As one, they all began darting across the Imbushkin region. Soaring over empty towns and fortified cities, anticipating the arrival of more Yarnin forces.
The sight of it all made most of the visitors feel ashamed of themselves. They knew those fighting weren't there because they passionately believed they should be there.
But because they were forced to board a vessel and ride until making it to their desired location. Where they would either be killed or spill needless blood.
Despite their armors showing otherwise, these Variants wanted peace. Just like Niro and Volatile, but they weren't capable of affording something so perfect. Not with Hitirus in charge.
A massive whale erupted out of the water towards the horizon, catching all of their attentions. Its gigantic frame towered over a forgotten Conqueror ship, making it seem like a tiny ant beside it.
Then the entire dark blue creature slammed right onto it, forcing mist to form around the impact zone. Said mist began travelling through the open waters towards the land, where they would fog up the territory.
Netero cackled, he knew that creature somehow figured out this was a moment to celebrate. It was one giant break out gone right - the type of break out that led to a brighter and more peaceful outcome.