Ether groaned and shifted within his chamber. Trying to get away from the horrific inferno that swirled around him.
Within his mind, he stumbled back. Through burning homes and decomposed remains. Bloody mud plastered his boots.
Several familiar Variants jumped down from the cloudy sky. Landing perfectly on their feet, careless of the calamity.
"See how your carelessness got my Quinn killed?" one asked.
"If you don't, surely you'll recognize what your haste did to me. After all, you claimed that I was your right hand," another pressed harder.
Ether recognized who they were through their armor. Decka loomed over him, shield ready to endure. Beside him was Demon, still wearing his trainee armor.
Pearl quickly followed. Her unmistakable posture and executioner sword struck deep into Ether. It was like facing down one's regrets.
"As your wife, it is difficult to believe my supposed husband isn't searching for me. But of course, I am here now. But you won't be, soon," Pearl's tone was grim.
Right beside her, a fellow half-Thawed dropped. She turned her gaze to her father, disappointed.
"Neddy, why did you give up on me? You said that you'd be there for my first kill, but you weren't. At least you'll be here for my second," Hylo's voice was embedded with a certain evil.
It didn't sound normal, but it was enough to play with his emotions. Ether watched as they slowly approached, knowing it pained Ether to see them turn on him.
Two more Variants dropped from above. Jakery landed in an electric flurry, while Orako rose from his squatting position.
Ether realized they weren't stopping until he was dead. It made him feel betrayed, disheartened to resist.
While dragging his feet across the mud, he tripped and fell. As he met the ground, his eyes caught a silver weapon covered in blood and mud.
A single thought crept into his mind: "against the odds, tides you'll turn."
He extracted the weapon out of its resting place, getting a better look. Tellendor. The precious weapon that Lya engraved into his Will Power as a defense against a greater threat.
Ether rose to meet the incoming attackers. And with a sudden hesitant cry, he charged.
Orako stepped aside, but not before rising his fist to clash against Ether's face. He then spun around his father, following it up with a kick to the back.
Decka bashed his shield against Ether's face as he approached. Tossing the Zesher to the ground.
"See what happens when you relent? You don't want this, but we do. It is because of you that we're here," Decka taunted.
Ether rolled onto his knees, then swiped at Decka's legs. Catching the Zegus off guard and knocking him down.
Freshly made armor became brown with the stains of conflict. Something that enraged Decka. He caught Ether on his shield before he could collapse on him.
While they struggled against each other, Orako pounced on Ether. His jaws opened to clamp down on the back of his neck.
Only to feel himself get dragged to the ground. Ether frowned as he drove Tellendor straight through Orako's stomach. He then spun over to his head, and severed it from the rest of the body.
"Is this how you treat your own kid? You're a worthless father. Abusive and manipulative," Pearl's voice was radiant with hatred.
"No! That's not true I -"
Hylo attacked from behind, tackling Ether. She used her weight and size advantage to toss him aside.
"M - my Hylo..." Ether breathed heavily. "Sweet Hylo I -"
"It's okay, Neddy. To us Variants, losing a father or mother or a whole family is normal. So I won't care much about your death,'" Hylo interrupted.
Ether shook his head. He watched as she came in to take top position against him. And he allowed her. Tears rolled down Ether's cheek as as he knew the mistake she was about to commit.
Hylo collapsed onto her father, ready to pummel him to death. Only for Ether to catch her neck open with both legs.
"I'm so sorry... rest, Hylo. Please..." Ether continued to cry.
Pearl, Demon, Jakery, and Decka watched him rise. Mud stained his ritualistic combat uniform.
"Look at how you murder your own blood! This is outrageous!" Demon howled.
He charged to meet Ether, only to receive a swift kick to the ribs. Ether followed it up with a straight to the cheek, knocking Demon down.
Ether ran towards Tellendor, picking it up from the mud as he ran. Decka charged at him, shield raised. Regardless if it wasn't, Tellendor still pierced through.
Decka looked down at the weapon, surprised and shocked. Allowing Ether to jump onto the shield, then rip it right off Decka's arm.
Both Variants locked eyes as it happened. They could see each other's emotions. Ether's of sorrow and pain. Decka's of confusion.
"I'm sorry, good friend..." Ether mumbled.
He brought the shield down onto Decka's face, Tellendor sinking in first. The weapon came out the other side, covered in the blood of his tested elite.
Demon rushed over to combat Ether, only to receive the rest of Decka's shield aimed at his chest. Ribs crunched and sunk inwards.
Ether brought Tellendor between Demon's legs, then swept. Knocking Demon off his balance. Ether stomped onto Demon's head as he collapsed.
Pearl and Jakery steadily approached, understanding this wasn't Ether anymore. This was somebody else.
"You left your Legion to -"
"I didn't leave anything," Ether interrupted Jakery. "I heeded an agreement. It was you who brought this upon us. Why? Because your emotions controlled you!"
Pearl glared at Jakery. "Oh, really? I suppose I was being too hardy." She gripped onto Jakery's neck, then raised him off his feet. Her eyes had malice swirling within them as she flicked Jakery and snapped his neck. "Now you're gone."
Ether felt his tears dry up, unsure of what this meant. Was Pearl coming to her senses? Even if she was, the damage had already been dealt.
"As for you," Pearl turned to Ether. "Don't be afraid of killing a loved one."