-Same evening, Thawed district outskirts-
Yanas glared at Jakery, trying her best to not strike at him. She wanted to gut him and leave him to die for his involvement in her father's death.
"... It was not his choice," Jakery protested. "We don't need this war, not anymore. Conqueror is nothing more than a few hundred loyalists, maybe. But not enough to wage war on Yarno over."
Sernatacus shook his head, a deed nobody realized since it was so dark. "How about your brother? Don't you want him back in your life? I thought you were loyal to him, promising to be by his side."
Jakery turned away from Valentine, glaring at Sernatacus for bringing that up. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his gaze, ready to shock him into the afterlife if he dared to use this as a weapon against him.
"Ether is his own man, so am I. If he wants to go, he WILL go. Hazen is all I need in my life and none of you will change my outlook on that," Jakery stood his ground.
"Yes, but don't you see? Ether doesn't want to go. This is his Legion, the home that brought him out of dark times. Krugi is worth his life, don't you think? It is only right if we fight to bring him back."
Yanas shuffled closer to Jakery, coming in from his blind spot. She continued to size him up, realizing she is almost the same height as him. A surge of adrenaline filled her body.
Almost like a sign to 'do it.' Her entire body, even mind, was screaming at her to take revenge. Until Enoptes' large forearm blocked her approach, she realized he noticed her.
Like a father scolding his daughter, Enoptes pulled her back by the wrist. Then held her hand tight in his, making sure she didn't get the opportunity to attack again.
"... But - but that doesn't mean we have to wage a war," Jakery's voice caught her attention again. "Its complicated, we can't break this truce. We'll only shed blood."
Valentine groaned, catching Jakery's attention. "That is fuel for my Primed. I alone can claim their entire coastline and push them inward. All the rest of the Legion has to do is claim Furmire and Votoski."
Sernatacus lowly chuckled. "You heard that one, Krim? He thinks brute force will help. I thought Ferals were the only ones to think like that."
Krim cackled along. He stepped away from his partner's body, choosing to approach Valentine with respect. Slight thumping prompted Valentine to tilt his head to the right, so he could listen to Krim better.
"Oh, who knows? Valentine here named two very specific locations. Tell us about them," Krim invited.
Valentine shook his head, then turned in the direction he believed Jakery was. "That is besides the point. Jakery, you must take initiative and order an all out offensive against Yarno."
Jakery stepped up to Valentine out of anger, showing strong protest. The moment he stepped forward, Yanas broke out into a sprint towards him.
"Stay back, you damn animal!" Yanas howled at him. "I know you're one of those Coros bastards, oh I wish I can kill you dead right here. Your kind has one thing in common: loyalty is a loose concept."
"Firstly, who the hell are you?" Jakery said while electricity consumed his frame. "I'll light you up like a bonfire, you brat."
Yanas stepped up, challenging Jakery to go through with his threat. "Come then, do it! That still wont change what type of lineage you derive from. First you swore loyalty to Kas only to break that loyalty, same with your father and the one before."
Jakery stepped back, realizing he didn't really want to kill Yanas. In a way, the tiny retreat impacted him greatly. The grass wrestled to a stop as he stood firm over them, keeping a hard look on his face.
"Now your only brother is leaving and an opportunity to take him back presents itself, what do you do? Hide away like a damn coward. Look at you! You're supposed to be a fighter," Yanas continued.
Enoptes yanked Yanas away from Jakery, leaving him to stare at the place where she stood. As the duo retreated, a feeling of motivation or something greater took over.
"Yanas, your voice is worth sixty, but your attitude matches a Cemtras. Calm down and learn how to -"
"No," Jakery interrupted. "She is right about that. Instead of hacking Ether free from his subjugator, I am letting them run away with him. If I am as loyal as I believe myself to be, then I must free him."
Krim's partner stepped closer, showing interest. "Does that mean you're launching an offensive?"
Jakery turned to look at him. "Y - yes..."
Enoptes approached Jakery, keeping Yanas nearby. "I know it'll be difficult going against his wishes of peace, but he is a crucial part of our Legion. We need him back."
Yanas forced herself closer. "Its so damn weird how a trooper knocked sense into your stupid fucking brain, you Stram!"
"Yeah," Jakery looked down at her. "And for that, I thank you."
Upon hearing the unexpected response, Yanas felt a shiver run down her spine. She questioned if her taunts were working, or if she truly changed his perspective.
Sernatacus cocked his head away from the group. "You're showing the type of strength your brother wished he had. I'll return to my packs and let them know about the changes."
Krim and his partner followed Sernatacus out of the Thawed district. Making their way through the shadows all homes cast and out of sight.
Valentine continued to look forward, even if nobody was right in front of him. "I suggest you notify Suth, she'll set up rituals to help us win this war."
"He's right," Enoptes agreed. "I'll go help Valentine return to his home, but remember. We are in the building phase of our assault."
Jakery nodded. "Yeah, I'll remember. Also, don't try to make any announcements or anything like that about it for now."
Enoptes paused, looking over his shoulder to Jakery. "I won't."