When they got closer to the city's outskirts, they realized a weird Feral kept his eyes on them. It was almost like a predator's first instinct when they see a possible threat.
More figures emerged from homes and buildings, carrying hidden weapons beneath their shirts or tucked inside their pants. They prepared for a possible brawl.
Valiant stepped forward, fists closed. He was the only leader of the Trilogy there at the moment, meaning his word was order.
"Warmongers!" Valiant cried. "Why did you come back?"
Pearl plopped Etherna onto Ether's back, then stepped up to the leader. "Do not speak of us as warmongers when your friends killed one of our allies."
Tension flared between the two, causing Ether to order Orako to stand back and handed him both Hylo and Etherna. Before he could even intervene, Netero and other Ferals arrived.
"Stop, don't fight!" he cried out. "Ether is friendly, he doesn't want war. Listen to him speak before you make up your minds!"
Understanding he was the reason why some Variants escaped Conqueror, Valiant listened. He knew better than to make this ordeal even worse. Especially during an offensive strike against Imbushko.
Ether nodded at Netero, thanking him without speaking. Then he wrapped his arms around Pearl, causing her to feel less dominant and more neutral.
"I came here to deliver the survivors of an attack. I'm aiming to save and reunite as many as I can before others kill them, but that isn't a promise. And hopefully teach my family about Yarno some more."
Valiant kept his eyes locked on the smaller hybrid. He watched just how small he truly was compared to Pearl's white jacket.
He brought a finger up to his melting cheeks, picking up some glowing green acid. "So you are a peace speaker? Held back by your Legion's blood thirst?"
Pearl tilted her head, placing an arm on Ether's shoulder. "Yes, he just wants to put an end to this conflict. It is useless and there's no point to continue fighting if most are innocent."
The response shocked Ether, he believed she was focused on fighting back. But perhaps there was a chance he got through to her, making her realize there was no point in something so futile.
"Mmm," Valiant nodded. "Let us make an agreement. Volatile and your Legion will cease our conflicts with one another... until we unite or divide."
Ether let go for Pearl, causing her to enter a slight trance. Her eyes grew bigger for a split second, before crossing her arms. She kept her vision pointed to the ground, where she wouldn't see what was happening.
An acidic hiss followed by pained grunts filled her ears, forcing Pearl to close her eyes shut. She didn't want to hear or see her partner being injured.
Once the agreement was done, both Variants backed off from each other. Letting them acknowledge what they had just done and accepting the new terms.
"So, any other leaders here?" Ether turned to face the overhead steam. "Hopefully we can tour Full-Forward for a bit."
Valiant nodded. "Some of my elites are here. Danitour, Yazzo, and Xerialim. Niro is in her city, attending to personal problems. And Hitirus... hmm... I don't know where he is."
Realization struck Ether like a bolt from Jakery's hand. There was an chance that Hitirus wasn't in Yarno, but in Imbushko. Striking at his Legion.
It would make sense, considering Conqueror Variants are laying waste to their shores. But he hoped for the best.
What he didn't know, was he was partly right. Hitirus was in Imbushko, just not on the shores.
-Yarnin/Imbushkin border, same time-
A Zegus darted across fields of Sarorin and Abaki fleeing together was Weavers, Unuwku, and Sky Beasts pierced the skies. Dozens of Cemtrin stepped in perfect harmony, backed by Sarorin of their own.
She gasped like an exhausted animal, but did not stop. Her make-shift helmet was torn off her face when she tried to protect her mother. But as expected, she failed.
Tears flowed out of her eyes like snow during a windy blizzard. The desperation in her heart and motivation to survive and continue her family's legacy burned bright in her veins.
Right in the center of her mind, she understood she was the desperate measures. A family-less child with something to prove.
Grass crunched beneath her make-shift boots, trying her hardest to escape the incoming storm. As she ran, she imagined her father planting his foot down behind her.
Using a blunt-one handed axe, he would strike at the invaders. Steadily claiming their lives and howling entire wars worth of anger.
Buildings came into view, the same ones that used to belong to her father. She imagined herself turning around with the Light Legion behind her, then together confronting them all.
Yet this was just a fantasy. Her desire to be what her father was before he forced his family to fly off somewhere safe.
When the whistle of falling Ferals rung out against the still air, she knew what was happening behind her. The attackers ordered Scalers to give chase, allowing them all to receive entertainment.
The young Zegus gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowed and she grunted with anger. If the end of her family's legacy happened, it would not be via mockery. She was sure of it.
Adrenaline settled in, causing her to run faster than she had ever ran before. Her lungs expanded and cold sweat built up over her forehead.
Desperation drove her into making a sharp turn towards the nearest enemy fort. When she was younger, her mother told her that one day she will have to swallow her pride to survive.
Today was that day. Infinus, killers of a glorious Legion, vicious war fighters, and unmistakably dedicated Variants, would be her ticket to freedom... if they accepted her back.
Horns glared out in the distance, alerting all nearby forts to prepare for a heavy fight. The gates opened up, unleashing armored combatants.
Far behind the fleeing Zegus, Hitirus would grin at the sight. Perfect were the bricks that lined the forts, but imperfect were the Variants that defended those forts.