-A week after departing Infinus-
Ether, along with his family, touched down on Kyrosborne. This was Niro's city, a paradise designed for peace talkers and learners.
The moment they landed, Ether instantly realized just how different everything was. Unlike Krugi, Variants really did look at ease here. Troopers marched towards shops, ready for their afternoon meal.
Hylo awed, her eyes hanging wide open as she admired their beautiful leather jackets and wool pants. Despite the lingering sense of sadness she felt for leaving behind her pet Eteni, their pants brought her hope.
Albeit a strange type of hope. Deep down, Hylo prayed she could adopt a new Eteni as a pet. One that looked exactly like the one she had back in Krugi.
Pearl climbed off the Sky Beast, saddened to feel a new kind of floor beneath her boots. She lingered on the pressure her legs felt as they supported her body from collapsing onto the marble roads.
Niro approached them, with her husband and a loyalist by her side. "Welcome to Kyrosborne, my home and city I rebuilt. Hopefully Infinus is okay with your absence."
Ether sighed, then turned to greet his new leader properly. In his eyes, uncertain determination rested. Despite his being confident Infinus was at peace, he still felt bothered.
The prints of a ruthless trio who ruled over him and his siblings was still fresh in his mind. He knew Niro was different, so was Valiant. But the memories of those experiences are engraved in his mind.
"Mistress Niro," Ether finally spoke. "This is my full family, waiting to pledge your loyalty to your banner."
"And peace to Koroth," Niro added. "I am sure you will exceed as a peace talker, Ether. You and your family. I can see peaceful eyes and stressless muscles."
Pearl noticed Hylo dropped to one knee, bowing her head in Niro's direction. The sight felt off, yet appropriate. Which caught her off guard. She didn't know Hylo had the knowledge of what to do with showing submission into an enemy.
"I am glad Hitirus' reign has been demolished by your fine forces, and my most loyal Volatile Legion. Now, I don't mean to keep all of you waiting," Niro gestured at the loyalist. "Follow her to your new home."
Arexx walked up to the Sky Beast, lifting his hand to reach its forehead. "Don't worry, I'll take you to the Sky Beast arena."
Azir stepped in front of Arexx, keeping his arms out to stop his advance. "No! You will not kiiill my Sky Beeeeast! Bring it to the peeeens!"
"Hmm?" Arexx looked down at Azir. "Oh, you think the Sky Beast arena is an actual arena? Don't worry, little one. It is just a fancy name for the Sky Beast race track. Your beast won't be harmed."
Etherna jumped when she heard what the arena was. "Race track? Like, they fly and see who is the fastest? Oooh! Neddy, can we go see a race?!"
Niro warmly laughed at her innocence. "You've got an adorable daughter... why did she call you 'Neddy?'"
"We had an adopted Feral cub who called us Neddy," Pearl answered. "Since it was in his nature, we let him call us that. And now our offspring stuck with it."
Niro nodded, keeping a friendly smile on her face. "Ah, they learn quick. Please, meet your new home. My dearest," Niro turned to her loyalist. "Bring them to the Hotfit Street once they're ready."
"Of course, lady Niro," the loyalist heeded.
She turned to leave, prompting the Coros family to follow her through the busy mid-day streets. As the group traveled by, they watched Variants purchase meals and working their daily jobs.
"Wow, this place seems a lot busier than usual..." Pearl whispered to Ether. "You think we'll have time to ourselves out here?"
The loyalist laughed, turning around to greet Pearl. "It seems busy, but that's just life here. Everyone has a job, and they get paid. That's how Yarno does it... at least the allied parts."
Pearl's eyes jumped up to hers, causing Azir to pan his vision between the two with her. "I didn't know you could hear me, but yeah. Wh - what do they get paid with?"
"Our currency, boons. There are wooden boons, which have a sword in the middle to represent our dislike for warfare. And then there are metal boons with a thorn on it to represent our struggle against the Light Legion," the loyalist explained.
Ether looked down to his right, noticing Hylo was paying close attention to the shops as they passed. Her eyes scanned bakeries, butcheries, home goods, even metal workshops.
As Hylo stared into stores, Etherna gazed out across the street. Where crowds of similarly dressed Zegi and Thawed played together.
"Neddy, what is happening over there?" she asked.
Before Ether could answer, the loyalist interrupted. "That's a school, you three should be in there. They teach you important things about Yarno, its history, and other life lessons."
"Oh," Etherna fell quiet again.
"You two have three adorable children," the loyalist tried to make conversation. She turned the corner, this time going down another road. "What are they?"
"Azir is a Thrawed, half Thresher, half Thawed. The girls are twins and are Zawed, half Zegus, half Thawed," Pearl answered. "You know, I never expected a Zesher to take my heart."
The loyalist grinned. "Hybrids? That's so adorable. I can tell they'll be treasured members of our community in the future. After all, they are so rare. Especially half Threshers."
Despite wanting to learn more about the newcomers, the loyalist went silent. Deciding to focus on getting them home instead of making them feel like celebrities.
***
A finely crafted wooden door swung open, letting them all in. Azir paused by the door, choosing to look at the carvings before entering right away.
"Like the house already?" Hylo asked.
"I like this funny creature," Azir pointed at a six winged bird with what appeared to be flames coming out of its feathers. "What is this?"
The loyalist glanced down at it. "That's... yeah, that's Oppa-khim. A mythical beast that was rumored to suck away all heat from Yarno and bringing it to the neighboring region of Bivok. That's why its hot and a desert despite it being north west of Yarno."
Azir awed while staring at it, then with an innocent whisper he said. "Pretty creature... I want to see it... I love Yarno..!"