Pearl jumped off the Sky Beast, then turned around to catch Ether when he dropped. As expected, she caught him then brought him in for a close hug.
"Why are you suddenly acting like this?" Ether's muffled voice spoke through her hair.
In response, Pearl whispered into his ear. "Because I feel like we're finally on the same page again. You know, recently you and I have been a bit disconnected from one another. Not anymore, I feel the bond we felt so long ago."
Hylo mimicked what her mother did and tried to convince Etherna to drop into her arms. But in turn, Etherna was too afraid of doing so. She didn't want to take chances.
But after enough yelling and screaming, she jumped. Falling right on Hylo, causing them both to collapse onto the grass.
Pearl let go of Ether allowing him to pick up Hylo and she picked up Etherna. Hylo crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks, trying to think of why she couldn't mimic her mother properly.
"Young Hylo," Ether checked over her bruises. "You need to learn and grow a lot before you could even attempt something like this. You're lucky we're standing in the pens' grass, not cement."
"But when will I get to learn some more?" Hylo murmured.
Ether turned to face Pearl. "How about we teach them some things?"
***
Azir, Etherna, and Hylo watched Ether duck beneath Orako's attempt at a pounce. Then thrust his elbow into his stomach, then tackle him down.
When they landed, Ether instantly planted a knee onto his elbow and kept an hand on his forehead to pin him down. That's when Ether stopped and got off.
"The trick there was to ensure the Feral has almost nothing to fight with," Pearl explained. "Every time you see a Feral trying to attack, look at what they've got. Claws and jaws, mostly. Focus on keeping their hands pinned and jaws shut."
Pearl lifted Ether off the ground. "You did great, now try to mix in some Code of the Faceless."
Hylo kept her full attention on the lesson. She memorized them then played them over in her mind. Which resulted in her daydreams of someday becoming a feared warrior suddenly being more desciplined.
Instead of Variants leaping and punching, all Ferals attacked with precision and together. In response, she would pick them apart like Ether did with Orako.
"Pay attention!" Pearl rose her voice. "Now, go!"
On command, Ether slowly approached Orako. Both Variants had a lowered stance, making it easier to get away with adjustments on the fly.
Mistakes were a crucial exploit in Code of the Faceless, one Ether learned to solo out. And when he realized Orako's legs were stiff and he kept circling counter clock-wise, he knew what to do.
He charged at him, causing Orako to stop and embrace for impact. Only for Ether to change course and strike from a side he was not prepared for.
Orako crashed onto the ground, struggling to get back up. That's when Azir began rooting and cheering for him to get up and win.
Pearl smirked when she saw Ether set Orako up for a clean ground and pound.
Starting with the legs, Ether positioned himself on Orako's back then dug his legs between the inside of Orako's. Then he forced him down by thrusting his hips, pinning Orako down.
Choices were limited in this situation, for Orako at least. Something Ether knew, so he took advantage of it by using his right hand to strike away at the back of his head.
"You see that? Putting your targets in uncomfortable situations is part of what makes Code of the Faceless so lethal. But these are more advances tactics. Focus only on how Ether strikes," Pearl continued.
While being struck with light blows, Orako suddenly remembered a trick Ether taught him not too long ago. He moved his head to the left, then grabbed Ether's arm and lifted his body forward.
Sending the Zesher onto the ground, giving him the dominant position. But what Ether never taught Orako was positions that result in him being on the bottom were where he was most deadly.
"Ah! Keep an eye on what Ether does!" Pearl sounded excited.
Knowing Ferals often get cocky when getting on top of prey, Ether opened his legs and allowed Orako to slide right through them. Then he clamped like a trap and began squeezing the air out of his lungs with his knees.
Using his ankles, Ether pressed down on the back of Orako's head. Destroying the high chance of getting his feet bit. But not the chances of struggling with legs and arms.
Ether then wrapped his arms around Orako's waist, then he twisted. But before he could deal any serious damage, he let go.
"That was great! You see, if Ether continued with that move, Orako's body would've snapped in half," Pearl explained. "You two did great," she turned her attention to the duo. "Do you guys want to continue?"
"Maybe after some lunch," Ether answered. "Last time we ate was in Yarno, we can't continue teaching and learning with empty stomachs."
Before Pearl could respond, Decka replied. "The bakeries finished cooking some treats, you could enjoy some of that."
Decka picked Ether off the ground then whispered something into his ear. Upon hearing it, Ether's light smile shifted to an uneasy look.
"A - are you serious? Well how's the -"
"The entire thing, burned and battered. They want to make a push against Yarno for that, even if you like it or not. Do not get in their way, let them do their own thing," Decka whispered.
He placed Ether down, then pointed at him. "It is difficult to accept this, but those Variants have been crossing the line. They have already began claiming the shores and are pushing inwards."
Orako overhead the conversation, he instantly knew what this was about. "Neddy, I want to defend."
Ether sighed, then nodded. "Decka, can you rally some elites together to stop them from advancing to Volknair? And bring Orako, it is time he learns reality."