Hitirus arrived to the next city, this time late at night. Judging by the tranquility of the area, everyone was at their quietest thanks to very important individuals being around.
Confirming Nestres' presence within the city itself. However, Hitirus didn't know if the Heir was alone. So he decided to scout around.
All three kindred moons loomed overhead, lighting the way for Hitirus. His body changed to a stark-black, and extra skin grew to accommodate a Wind Ripper Feral.
Both legs grew in strength to match a Scaler Feral's, ensuring he had the best kit to sneak about. Once his body was morphed, he took off.
Gentle winds whizzed past as he studied the outlines of darkened buildings and shops. Their crates still lazily hanging beside doors.
Street lamps made some streets look more appealing than others. Which also hinted at more importance. Perhaps who he was looking for was nearby.
This thought was where he began his search. He carefully landed on rooftops, making sure not to raise any alarms or sudden noises.
Hitirus lifted his nose into the air, then sniffed. This was not to find somebody, but to gather samples on how an area generally was.
If he noticed a specific home or street was different than the established norm, he would have a huge part of the puzzle solved.
Nothing out of the usual about these few blocks. It all smelled like recently smoldered ashes and eaten dinners.
After gathering what he wanted, Hitirus jumped high over the city. Then took off gliding away, sniffing some more.
For minutes, he didn't notice anything off about the homes he searched. Until he reached one of the closest ones to the heart of the city.
It smelled of fresh lavender and roses, almost signifying someone's importance to someone else. Which Hitirus instantly picked up on.
Yet this smell was stronger than the rest, meaning the source was outside. Street lamps highlighted the paved roads, trying their hardest to not burn out until dawn.
Hitirus slipped into an alley, using the darkness to hide himself as he peeked around corners. The lights flickered and remained unstable.
Especially the lamp closest to the source. It flickered like the rest, except it seemed like it was doing it out of boredom.
When Hitirus glanced around, he realized why. There was an open window looking out to it, where a small figure poked their head out of.
The longer Hitirus stared at them for, the more features he could make out. Such as the crystal green eyes, the silky-smooth black hair. Even the fine tan skin.
"You recognize him," the Scaler commented.
And Hitirus agreed. He had crossed paths with this hybrid before. Especially back in Yarno.
"Don't try to hide, I can see you," he said. He paused for a moment, waiting to see if Hitirus did anything. "Just show yourself, already. I'm bored anyway."
So Hitirus did. He fully locked eyes with the hybrid, realizing he was behind bars. These bars weren't the type one would use to restrain somebody, but the type to encase one's trophies or treasures.
"What's up, Hitirus? Never thought I'd see you after I sent you flying across Yarno," the Zesher recalled.
"You know me? Wait... Ether?" Hitirus asked, almost amazed.
In response, Ether nodded. His eyes were dull, same with his expressions. There was no energy tied to them, just old habits.
"How's life out there? You know, in the open world. Where you're free," Ether pressed on.
Hitirus shook his head. "What..? No - no, I don't have time to explain. What are you doing out here? Why are you locked up?"
"I swung by twenty years ago in hopes of becoming a Noble Mind. My owner fell to Nestres and after finding out who I was, Nestres became obsessed with me," Ether explained. "He treasures me loads, and rarely lets anybody see me."
"Are you a trophy?" Hitirus couldn't comprehend how outlandish this all looked. "No, you can't be a trophy. If your -"
"No, I am a trophy. Nestres laments being a male from time to time. He lusts over me just because I'm part Yonie and a Coros," Ether clarified. "Something tells me its only a matter of time until he asks me to submit to his desires."
Hitirus fell silent, completely stunned by what he just heard. It wasn't normal for a Noble Mind to be treated this way by their Heir or King. Let alone a regular warrior.
While yes, Coros members were highly coveted in many regions, most of them were leaders of Legions or elites. None of which implied any form of lustful desire.
In fact, it was the opposite. Many Coros members died off after generations, simply because they didn't train themselves to reproduce early in life.
"Sounds like you're living a rough life right now," Hitirus replied.
Ether nodded, placing his cheek against the bars. "Yeah, although its not that bad. Nestres is a good guy, I just don't want to be treated this way. I still get to see my daughter here and there. Plus, she's coming by tomorrow."
Hitirus studied Ether's head. Realizing there were ribbons attached to his hair, along with a green bow tied onto his head, and a silver earring on his ear.
"You see those things? Gifts from Nestres to me. Anyway, I'm starting to feel a bit tired, now. Meet me here tomorrow, I'll convince Nestres to let me out."
"Is there -"
"Yeah," Ether interrupted. "Go to the clock tower, nobody works there at night and rarely anybody checks the inside during the day. "
Before Hitirus could correct Ether, he slipped into the darkness of his room. Causing the flickering light to go back to normal.
Not wanting to let this information and opportunity go to waste, Hitirus jumped into the frigid evening air. Then began gliding towards the clock tower.
Eagerly waiting for the Far Fetcher to drag the moons beneath the horizon so he could speak with Ether.