Ether helped guide Variants to empty Sky Beasts. He brought them between beasts, even studied the slight mutations in their feathers as they passed by them.
"Here's one. Do you four know how to ride a Sky Beast?" Ether asked the family.
All four of them admitted they've never ridden one of these creatures before. There was no point in learning how to, at least. Aside from entertainment, they've never seen a Sky Beast used before.
Which left Ether dumbfounded, it felt hard to grasp that concept. Yet he still pressed on, encouraging them to climb on top.
"Just one of you takes the front seat, don't go over its shoulders. Press down on the right wing to go right, left to go left. Both to go down, and pull back on both to up," Ether quickly explained.
"It'll take a little to get used to, but trust in this creature. I've ridden roughly a dozen in the past, and they've always had my back. They're loyal and reliable. So put your faith on your mount," Ether continued.
The commander of the family stopped Ether from leaving by holding out an arm in front of him. In response, Ether stopped. He looked up at him, waiting to see what he wanted.
"Ex - excuse me, uh. Is it okay if you ride us out of here?" the commander asked.
A bitter taste formed in Ether's mouth. He wanted to snap back at him for making such a stupid request, yet he knew better. Yelling at a civilian would only cause more panic.
"N - no, I can't. There are thousands more depending on my help. Just - just trust yourself, okay? And most importantly, trust your beast. It's your wings," Ether concluded.
"Helpers! Cease and return!" a Sky Beast caretaker called out.
It was Ether's cue to leave the area, the first wave of Sky Beasts were about to leave. He ran through rows until he made it out of the take-off pad.
When he returned to the others, Pearl greeted him there. She gave him Etherna, making the young one feel comfortable again.
"Shh, hey Etherna. It's me, Ether, your Neddy. Don't need to cry," Ether comforted his daughter.
Etherna's cries turned into sobbing, she kept her head dug into his shoulder. Holding on tight so they would never drift apart.
Pearl stepped back, bringing her gaze down to Hylo and Azir. She held out two hands, bringing her offspring closer. When the family reunited, Pearl discovered of Ether's plan.
The thought of him facing off against the Legion he made alone seemed outlandish, and he agreed. However, Ether had to teach his former warriors proper discipline.
Just like warfare, peace should not be disturbed after it has been finalized. Otherwise it would be a breaking of a treaty.
Hylo's cheeks were watery and dirty, she fell while running. Leaving behind a large bruise on her knee and palms. That paired with the reality of things nearly destroyed her.
But she kept repeating the same thing to herself: "I'm a Coros, born strong and a leader." Motivating her to push through.
"Second wave ready! Helpers, guide the next wave of residents out of here!" the tamer cried out.
Ether fell silent, eyes turned serious. There was a dead glare in his eyes, almost disgusted at something. He waved at his family, gesturing them to follow him.
They followed him through rows of new Sky Beasts. Azir glanced up at the clueless creatures, heads turned to one another while lowly screeching. Almost like speaking their own language.
He frowned even more, wishing he was a Sky Beast in this moment as well. Being a half-Yonie automatically gave him all the issues his father had.
Such as the inability to tell what gender he is to the eyes of an actual Thresher, four times weaker on average than over Variants. And even weaker skin.
Ether stopped, they did too. He looked into Etherna's eyes once more, looking at the beautiful greens. Within his chest, his heart beat faster with pure happiness.
He brought Etherna closer, then gave her a kiss on the cheek. "L - Look... Ether.... Etherna..." Ether's wasn't the same. He sounded broken and sad. "I - I love you, girl. And I uh... wish this didn't happen."
Tears flowed out of his eyes, staining his cheeks and falling onto his exposed chest. "You're - you're the most adorable hybrid I've ever... ever seen. But - but, we'll - we'll see each other again someday. I promise."
Etherna cried louder than ever before, understanding the true meaning of what her father said. She protested the best she could against her father's strength as he lifted her onto the Sky Beast.
Pearl passed Azir over to his father, which Ether took. He hugged him tight, and rubbed a thumb against his cheek. Showing some Yonie affection towards his half-Yonie son.
"Here is... my strong little..." Ether paused, trying his hardest to recollect his thoughts. "I - I'll miss yo - you, Azir. But keep a pro - promise, please." He brought his son in for a gentle peck on his forehead. "Don't fight back against your... Yonie heritage, p - please."
Azir nodded, hugging back his dad. There was the purest form of honesty and love in his hug, showing he truly was going to miss him.
When Ether planted him beside Etherna, Azir also began to cry uncontrollably. Hugging his sister tight, hoping she'd comfort him the same way Ether did.
Hylo was next. She stepped up to Ether without Pearl's help, and she waited for him. There was a fierce willingness to stay there, beside her father. Proving that she can fight.
But Ether would push her towards the rest of her family, where she belonged.
Ether turned to look at her, then lifted her up. He hugged Hylo the tightest, showing he did truly believe that she was strong enough to handle a little more strength.
"H - Hylo... my sweet little war - warrior... please, don't be like Infin - Infinus," Ether sobbed. "Fight because you - you need to, not because you have to. And p - please, Hylo... protect Etherna and Azir."
Just like the rest, Ether gave her a kiss on the cheek. Then planted her beside her siblings. Hylo watched, still resisting the urge to cry. She had to be silent and strong for them.
Pearl approached Ether, hands balled up into a fist. Then she promptly encased him in a lover's hug, showing she still had that burning, passionate love for him.
"Don't go, please..." Pearl begged him. "Stay with us, we can ride out of here together. And live peacefully with the rest of the city."
Hylo frowned, spacing out of their interaction. She glanced at her siblings, realizing they weren't looking. Then she panned back to her parents, they also weren't looking.
She remembered another one of Decka's lessons: never let fear dictate your next move. She wasn't afraid of death, but afraid of losing Ether.
Deep down, Hylo was willing to fight alongside him. Even if she didn't have any experience, nor was old enough to wield a two-handed sword.
Either way, she jumped off the Sky Beast. Crouching down beside its leg as Pearl mounted. She encased her young in her arms, then prepared to depart.
"Helpers! Cease and return!" the tamer cried out.
But Ether didn't budge, he wanted to see his family leave. When the Sky Beasts erupted out of the ground, he was tossed aside and encased by a blinding screen of dust.
He coughed, so did Hylo. Which instantly struck Ether as odd, there was someone else there with him.
"W - wait?! Hylo?!? What are - why are you here?? Come let's get you to -"
"No!" she protested. "I'm standing with you from now on. I am a Coros member, therefore I have the same right to warfare as you do!"
Ether sighed, almost defeated. "What have you done..."