The triplets drifted across the sky, reflecting varying amounts of light from the distant sun. All three moons watched from above, seeing how Yarno quickly burned to the ground.
Peace wasn't possible anymore, all of that was in the past. Everyone was about to lose something, including Infinus.
Jakery ordered his battalion to advance closer to Kyrosborne, while Valentine Primed patrolled the sky around Yarno. Making sure every beast up there belonged to Infinus.
In Kyrosborne, Ether stepped through the grassy lawn of Niro's home. He was quiet and unsure of himself, thinking maybe she did leave.
He knocked on the wooden door, which rung throughout the entire home. Nobody came to answer the call at first, but right as Ether began to leave, Arexx opened the door.
"We thought everyone left," Arexx greeted the Zesher. "Why are you still around?"
"Because this is my new home, and I am going to stick to its side until there's nothing left to protect. That was my thought process back in the previous war, too," Ether replied.
"Ah, I understand. What brings you here?" Arexx asked.
Ether stepped closer to his home. "Because I'm curious. Me, Yazzo, and Valiant are all that remains of this city's defenses. And we're unsure if Lady Niro is here."
Arexx paused, letting himself settle down before ordering Ether. He glanced over his shoulder, where a fireplace burned bright. The echo of Niro's special request rung in his ears.
He couldn't do it, he didn't want to do it. There was a spine-chilling order that Niro gave him, one that sunk into his heart like a knife.
"M - my partner... Niro... she..." Arexx cleared his throat. "She believes she um... failed - failed her region and now she's ashamed of herself. So much so that she uh... asked me to mercy kill her."
"Pardon?" Ether's soft turned low. "She wants you to kill her?"
"Yeah..." Arexx's voice fell quiet. "Can you help me calm her down?"
"I'll try," Ether agreed.
The two entered the household, slipping past the fireplace and going up the stairs. Arexx stopped beside a bedroom with a half-opened door, letting Ether inside.
When he entered, Niro's defeated gaze touched on his innocent green eyes. Niro slowly sat up straight, giving time for the visitor to enter.
"Ether, can you please lock the door?" Niro requested.
In response, he did. Knowing its best to make her feel comfortable before attempting to calm her down. Ether clicked on the small button that locked the doorknob, then he turned back around.
Now, Niro was standing up in front of him. She had her eyes looking down at Ether's arms, studying the bruises and scars of previous conflicts. In her mind, this was the perfect choice.
She carefully approached him, feet almost gliding over the frigid floor. Niro then held onto Ether's shoulders, then she looked into his eyes.
"Can we lie down together for a while?" she asked.
Despite how wrong it felt, Ether accepted. He was shirtless, incorrectly implying he was interested. Although he wasn't, all he wanted was to bring her out of that dark mental state.
The two walked to the bed, where she laid Ether down first. Niro studied his body, wondering how far down should she position her head.
When she was sure enough to continue, Niro laid down on Ether's stomach. Resting her head against his soft skin.
"I'm at peace with the reality, now. But I am not forgiven," Niro began to speak in a low tune. "So, can you please help me find forgiveness?"
Ether instantly recognized why she was doing this. She effectively locked herself and him inside her bedroom, where Arexx couldn't just walk in. Now that she pinned Ether down, he had two options: side with her, or side with Arexx.
He didn't want to upset her, because Niro taught him enemies can be peaceful. It was just a matter of if they wanted to.
"Okay..." Ether wrapped one arm around her neck, then gripped onto his wrist with the other. Niro smiled, closing her eyes. And Ether looked away. "Shh... remain calm."
Despite being alone with her, he wasn't talking to Niro. He was too busy calming himself. Even though he had taken lives before her, none of them were ever this personal.
It felt like assisting a friend in suicide, which it was. Except it was out of mercy. Niro wanted to live, no doubt, but there was nothing to strive for afterwards.
Nobody would listen to her teachers now that a Legion just waltzed into their territory and riddled the entire region in less than two days.
"You were a great leader, and an amazing friend, Niro. Rest well..." Ether whispered.
When her muscles loosened up, he let go. Keeping one hand on her hair as he patted her head, making sure the body knew it wasn't out of malice.
Ether crawled from under her weight, slipping back onto the floor. Arexx noticed just how quiet it was in there, giving him a cause for concern.
He tried to open the door, but it was locked. Which led him to panic, motivating the once-warrior to charge right through the barrier.
The hinges cracked and the wood shattered. Letting him fly right through. Only to get a sharp welcome as Tellendor dug itself into his throat.
"Both of you were great Zegi," Ether kept his eyes on the ceiling, avoiding looking at what he did. "Now both of you can be great together."
A manifestation of Shora appeared from Ether's core, one that instantly moved Arexx's body and head onto the bed beside Niro. Then, the Yonie wrapped Niro's arm around Arexx, and one of Arexx's around Niro.
It waited for Ether's word.
"You know Yarnin tradition, Shora. When they pass, they burn the bodies so the Nine receive them well. So light this whole place up, starting with the bed."