While Bergo watched idly from above, Solqulo kept his gaze on Ether from a distance. The former Oracle didn't bother chasing after the Zesher.
All he could think about was his duty. Rituals appeared within his mind, conjuring themselves through his hands and into fruition.
Powdered grass blades regrew as the lively versions of themselves. Turning the smell of charred disaster that clung to the morning air into a refreshing scent.
He periodically glanced at his progression, admiring the glistening dew. Causing the aged Thawed to smile, his mind connected another ritual to his current one.
From the ancient Thawed caretaker, Emetri, her fourth lullaby, came light water showers to make the valley look lively. The sound of droplets sinking into repurposed dirt caught Ether's attention.
A fresh breeze passed through the area, hinting at the possibility for a moment of peace. Which felt unnerving when the two pre-Nobles encountered each other.
"Well? Are you going to stand around or restore Coshire?" Solqulo asked.
Ether flinched for a second. "Y - yes, elder Solqulo."
Both Variants worked together on the field. Solqulo watered and regrew, Ether opened his palms and spread nutritious heat onto the field. Further increasing the speed that flowers and grass grew.
"You seem efficient. Did your parents teach you?" Solqulo's voice was firm.
"Yes, elder Solqulo. My father lectured me to keep myself in-line by focusing on the little aspects of life before building up to the bigger picture," Ether replied.
"Very good. My mother used to lecture me about the importance of the world around us. This thought - this lesson was what motivated me to tie rituals together," Solqulo continued.
Ether stopped to look at him. He was aged and bore scars from his ventures that lead him to Yarno, where he met Nestres.
Nothing like the type of Thawed to learn more advanced techniques just to nurture gardens better. Yet the possibility was there.
"Elder Solqulo, sir, I heard you were a former Oracle. What happened and can you still see the Nine?" Ether's gentle voice asked.
The question caused Solqulo to chuckle. It was a long answer, one full of jealousy and greed. And admittedly at the time, it felt like the end of a career.
"When I first learned simple tricks, like gardening, with duo-rituals, many marveled. Since it was rare for Thawed to achieve this level of mastery, many more grew jealous. So some Oracles turned on me," Solqulo detailed.
He kneeled to examine a dandelion. "Since that day of my trial, I became an exile. But till this day, I still see visions."
While he counted his story, Ether awed and listened closely. Making him feel like a small trooper again. Even if both pre-Nobles were against each other, just the feeling of being around an elder comforted Ether.
Questions came and went as the duo progressed through the field. Eventually, the duo reached a forest.
Charred trees laid collapsed, some even completely crumbled. The air around the area smelled putrid, making it obvious that wildlife died.
Solqulo stumbled upon the remains of a Hiechmov, or Pretender. Its massive limbs laid lifeless and battered from all the trees that collapsed on it.
"Poor creature died while being itself. Ketra's abilities are just like the rest of her kind, calamitous." Solqulo commented.
He began watering and regrowing the creature. Black appendages transformed into the color of tree bark. Moss and leaves grew on the exterior. Tendril hung from its legs and it emerged from beneath the fallen trees.
Solqulo watched the beast cast its shadow over them. Once it loomed overhead, the creature looked around.
Its native home greeted it in shambles. There was nothing left behind, even the seedling Heichmovs completely vanished beneath the ash.
Ether stopped spreading the heat, choosing to standby in case the Hiechmov gew aggressive. Despite it pretending to be a tree for most of its life, Hiechmovs were highly intelligent. This one was no exception.
Instead of lashing out, it made its way over to the valley. Shaking all four of its trunk-thick arms to drop seeds.
"Heichmovs are undoubtably the Sky Beast's natural ground brother. Creatures so smart and understanding, it's precious." Solqulo commented.
"My judgment nearly tricked me," Ether admitted. "I believed you were in trouble for a moment."
Solqulo laughed, getting back to work. He appreciated the caring nature Ether had. Even if they rarely spoke, it was a trait Solqulo admired since it reminded him of his friends inside his former glacier.
The two Variants brought the forest back to its state before the destruction. While they moved through, Ether discovered sunken Thresher homes.
And to his surprise, some Threshers would poke their heads out and talk to him. Yonies would often follow around for a little while, effectively dragging their Yomie along.
"Little ones seem to like having you around," Solqulo chuckled.
Ether nodded, getting up from feeding a tree. "I think they may just be confused. Since by their standards, I'm female, but by our standards I'm male. You know?"
"Yeah, that's the confusing part," the Yomie chimed in. "You've got the looks of a Yomie but there's so much of you that tells us you're a Yonie."
Solqulo planted his hand against a tree, feeling the rough exterior and approving his work. This one was the last one.
"We're finished here. Ether, do you want to continue working with me?" Solqulo asked.
Without a second though, Ether replied. "Yes, elder Solqulo."
He turned around to the Threshers, waving them away. Which they waved back, then turned around to enter their homes again.
Ether watched them leave, while also glimpsing up at the trees and fruits that prepared to drop and litter the ground.
"You did a good job here," Solqulo commented.
"What? Oh, no elder Solqulo. Your rituals were what brought this forest to life again," Ether replied.
Solqulo nodded. "Thank you. This is what I've been trying to convince other Thawed of doing. To try duo-rituals and master them. If Nestres becomes King, I'll be allowed to spread this message."
Ether planted his hands on his hips. "But why do you care about dou-rituals so much?"
"Because it is the only way for Thawed to wield rituals that don't exist. With this, we are limitless."