What if there was another Voltaris who washed up on the beach - one that he knew? One that was supposed to be dead? What if there actually was a fifth song, more powerful than the Aggressium Song? More powerful than all four combined? What secrets l...
Skip straight to Achillean Part 2 or Riza to get to the plot.
"Ingressus, what are you looking at? Did you listen to a word I just said?" complained Tygren. He waved his hand in front of Ingressus' face. "Helloooooooo?"
Tygren was only a few years younger than Ingressus,
Ingressus broke out of the trance he was in. "Wha- oh, Tygren. Yes, I agree. Want a cookie?" He quickly tried to change the subject and fished a chocolate chip cookie from his inventory, holding it out to Tygren.
"No thanks, I already ate."
Although Ingressus was only a few years older than him, they were like brothers.
"I want to know what you were staring at just now instead of listening to me," Tygren pouted. "And in case you didn't hear, which I suspect you didn't, my mother is having us moved. Me and my siblings, that is. To our father. And so if you were staring at my sister, which I suspect you were, it won't last for much longer."
Tygren's sister, Riza, was in the same year as Ingressus. The latter sighed heavily as she tossed her hair back, looking even more beautiful in the glowing red Voltaris markings made to look like a braided crown. The fact that she had hair in the first place was unusual, for the Ardoni normally had horns in its place. Her blonde color complemented her blood red Voltaris markings.
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Tygren noticed this and sighed. "When will you and all the other boys quit obsessing over her? She is quite tired of it, but she seems to tolerate you."
"Really?!" exclaimed Ingressus. "Does that mean she's interested? No, wait, don't be a fool..." he quietly muttered to himself.
"Regardless of whether she likes you back, which I highly doubt, we are moving to Mount Velgrin to live with my father. You know how unsafe it is, with all the Voltaris hunters roaming around..." he tried to quell his impatience and annoyance at talk of his sister. Wasn't even related to him by blood! Tygren felt resentful toward her, for to him it was one more mouth to feed, one more to protect. And the less you had to protect, the stronger you were.
As they walked towards the crossroad, however, they did not notice the shadow watching them. The shadow moved closer, and closer, and...
"Tygren! There you are! Mother wanted us to be back home by midday, remember? If we don't get there soon, they may leave without us!" she ruffled her little brother on the head affectionately, him swatting at her hand. The shadow retreated. "Ingressus! Master Dominus sent for you once school ended - for training, that is. You should probably head there before he gets impatient."
"Oh, yes, I'll head over there right away," he responded. He knew why Master wanted to see him. And how Riza knew. They were both in the Masters Internship Program, in line to become the next Masters of the Voltaris clan once Dominus decided to retire or got killed. Riza was better than him and excelled in everything except for fighting. It was arranged that after they graduated, Ingressus would become the sole heir to Voltar, the weapon of the Master of the Voltaris clan. Riza, of course, would drop out of the program - or so everyone thinks. She would actually be calling all the shots and Ingressus would be receiving the credit. It worked both ways - less danger and attention for her, and of course the title and glory for him. They would be married only to discuss plans for the clan. The optimal location to move to for the season, what to bring, what to destroy or make. So... he guessed they were betrothed, in a way. "In a way," meaning that there was a contract all written out and signed, effective when Master Dominus retired... from the job or life.
"Anyway, I suppose this is goodbye." Riza continued, shaking him out of his reverie. "Did Tygren tell you we were leaving today? We'll be on Mt. Velgrin by dawn. Maybe you could visit sometime?" This was for the best. She would be calling the shots in a completely safe location, free from any scouts or hunters.
"We don't want you getting killed. You are one of our best assets, so we'll be sending you off to a safe location," explained Master Dominus when he told them. Tygren almost resented it... his family had to go out of their way for her again, but at least they didn't have to keep moving around.
Ingressus nodded, waving goodbye to his friends, little did he know for the last time. The next time they met they would all be entirely different people. He then turned back to the school, where he was to meet the Master.
But as he turned around, he saw his Master running towards him instead of vice versa. And behind him were the champion hunters and- was that smoke? Was the village on fire?
"Ingressus! Run! Now!" cried out his Master as the Ardoni hunters halted and began to shoot arrows and aggroshards (seen in s1e10, on the battle of Mt. Velgrin).
Ingressus ran as fast as he could, using his mobility song to keep pace with his Master.
"Master, where are we going? Who are they? Is everyone safe?"
"Those people are hunting us, Ingressus. They were sent by Ardonia, which longs to see our extinction. I can hold them off for you to escape, but you must accept the position as the Voltaris clan Master."
"What?! No, I can't do that! If anything, I should be the one holding them off!"
"They would kill you instantly, Ingressus. You are no match for them. Is Riza gone?"
"Yes, she just left with Tygren and their family."
They pause in front of a small stream. By the time they cross it, the champions will have caught up to them or they will be shot dead with arrows.
"Take Voltar, Ingressus. Become the new clan leader and activate the contract. That is my final order."
"Yes, Master." Ingressus took the staff and obeyed much to his dismay.
As his old Master faced the four champions with his flaming sword, Ingressus crossed the river. His Master never let a single arrow fly by him, for fear it would hit Ingressus.
Due to this, he ended up getting wounded, with arrows sticking out of him, fighting Thalleous Sendaris with his sword.
Tygren emerges from the distance, wanting to see what was happening that caused so much noise. He sees Thalleous manage to disarm Master Dominus, and the sword flies and lands on the other side of the river, where Ingressus is. Locking eyes with his Master one last time before picking up the sword and leaving, Ingressus saw his markings fade. Now with the sword and staff on his back, he sprints through his path to where Riza should be.
