-Two days after Ubitwa Fall-
Ether scanned the horizon, looking for the glistening Shora. Wind passed by his warm cheeks, completely numbing them.
Memories of the past year resonated in his mind as he searched. He couldn't believe how much changed, it felt surreal. Even if he experienced every moment of it.
A thought crept into his mind: maybe there was something off about him being a leader. He couldn't comprehend how his attempts at peace led to such a collapse within a foreign region.
Both parties even attempted to unite. He remembered the time he met Niro for the first time, finding out she wanted him to join her Trilogy. And how denying her gift probably started that era in his life.
While passing through a cloud, the gray reminded him of what he felt when killing her. It was just nothing. No emotions, no thoughts. Just a broken machine doing as its higher-ups said.
"Maybe that's what we truly are... machines just blindly following orders until we break or receive a level of freedom we don't understand," Ether mumbled.
Lya manifested herself below Ether, flying at the same speed as him. She listened to his thoughts, trying to piece together his mistakes.
"Sometimes, it takes a paranormal entity to alter the natural course of life," Lya commented.
Ether sighed, feeling defeated. "I guess you're right... now all I have is Hylo and Shora. I don't even know if the rest of my family survived with that Primed going around."
"Have faith, otherwise they're as good as dead. And you just acknowledged Shora as a somebody, not an obstacle!" Lya celebrated. She sped up, coming to a stop in front of him. "Does this mean you two made peace?"
"Me and Shora?" Ether studied Lya's near-divine glow. "I - I don't know. They're somebody, I know that much. I just don't know if I like her enough to accept her as a part of me."
Lya nodded, opening her arms. "You just have to talk to him like this," she beckoned for Ether to come closer. "She'll always accept an embrace, especially from you."
In response, Ether accepted the hug. He held onto her tight, showing appreciation for her guidance and care. Throughout all of his years, he had always doubted if where he was going would be the right choice.
But for once, he was confident in his ability. He didn't want to become a leader anymore, nor did he want to fight against his fellow Variants for a time.
Now, Ether had his eyes on something else: aiding Koroth as a whole. After learning the usefulness of defenders, he wanted to do just that. Go to Coshire, or Galaad. Encounter the King, and pledge his undying loyalty to them.
So one day, when Goliaths rip Centinents apart once again, he and his allies could protect Koroth right. No more bloodshed in his hands for now, especially after nearly killing Jakery.
"Do you have a plan now?" Lya asked, hoping to discover what his next journey would be.
Ether nodded, letting go of her. He looked beyond the horizon, where the sun stood still. The evening breeze swept over Yarno, messing his hair up a little.
"I'll join the King's ranks and make a vow of no violence for a year," Ether called out to Lya. He stopped zooming through the sky, feeling his core get warmer. "Maybe I can prove something to myself."
Lya stopped beside him, curious about what he was aiming to prove. There was nothing left for him achieve, he had already proven his capabilities as a Coros warrior. Even a caring father.
Ether scaled down from the sky, keeping his eyes wide open for the glittering Shora. His core got warmer, meaning he and Hylo were around here somewhere.
Memories of the time he first learned to wield his Third Rule came into focus, he remembered tumbling out of the sky and nearly getting himself killed. And accidentally burning himself while performing basic tasks.
His boots compressed grass against the ground, which made an odd swishing sound as he dragged himself over the terrain. Lya spectated from above, watching where Ether was going.
After a couple of minutes, Ether realized his core was as hot as it could go. Meaning Shora was either right on top of him or below him.
That's when he realized where he was. The sea was not too far from there, meaning they were by the seaside. Where Neva mentioned her mega-family was.
"Shora?!?" Ether called out. "Shora, where are you?!"
Not long after being called, Shora poked their head out from underground. They were hiding with Neva's family until he arrived.
"Oh, hey. Where's uh... Hylo?" Ether asked.
In response, Shora gestured into the hole he came out of. Neva was aware that Hylo wasn't a half-Thresher, meaning she couldn't survive deep underground like the rest of them.
So to make them useful, she stationed Shora and Hylo at surface duty. Periodically poking their heads out for oxygen and sunlight.
Ether reached down to pick up Shora, who was surprisingly lightweight. He plopped them down beside him, then he used his hands to mold a pair of eyes onto the void face.
"There... yeah, here you go. Can you see well?" Ether asked.
Shora nodded, closing their eyes with glee as they admired the beautiful grassy hills for the first time. Lya smiled, seeing her son and his counterpart finally finding unity.
"Hey, Hylo. Are you down here?" Ether poked his head into the hole. "Oh, hey little Yonie," he locked eyes with a curious Thresher. "That girl you have in your arms is my daughter."
The Yonie looked down at Hylo, who nodded to confirm this was true. Prompting the Yonie to let go and hold his arms behind his back. Watching the father and daughter reunion.
"Neddy!" Hylo jumped out of the hole to welcome Ether with a tight squeeze. "I'm so happy to see that you're still alive!"
Ether smiled, holding an arm out to invite Shora. "I'm even happier to see that both of you are okay. Did you trust Shora?"
Hylo nodded. "He is you, Neddy! Just very... he has eyes now??"
Shora cheerfully nodded as they hugged Ether. They patted Hylo's head, gesturing that she was an obedient little girl while away from her father.
"I gave Shora eyes," Ether answered. "Anyway, Shora, can you go fetch Neva? I want to talk to her."