The Returning War (A Songs of War fanfic)

Part 1: Chapter 19

Vulcannus groaned in pain as he lapsed into consciousness; he was lying on a rough stone floor, a thin blanket covered his somewhat ragged frame. Voices drifted in from a nearby room

"What do we do with it?" Asked a rough voice

"It is the law to turn any Netharin over to the authorities" replied a soft but cruel voice

"But it is wounded, they might kill it"

"That's not my problem, anyways there is a big reward for the capture of a Netharin"

"How big?"

"Enough to set us for life"

Vulcannus sat up groggy, and surveyed his surroundings. He was in a stone prison with a heavy wooden door barring his why out, and a small window high in the wall provided the only light to the dismal room

"And what about its companion?" Asked the first voice

"If the new leader won't pay for her, we can sell her in the market; we might even make a fortune off her" said the second voice

"Hey!" Objected a voice that sounded like Virdencens "if you send even try, I will blast you into another sub dimension from which you will never escape!"

"Big talk, but that won't get you anywhere"

"Really? Are you willing to bet on that?"

A bright flash of purple light exploded from nearby, shattering the walls of Vulcannus' cell. Virdencen stood in a half destroyed room, two balls of purple energy in her hands

"What was that about big talk?" Taunted Virdencen

Two dust covered figures emerged from behind a fallen table; one in a crimson tunic and shoulder length black hair, the other in a grey tunic and short brown hair and beard

"What are you?" Asked the one him crimson

"I am Virdencen, queen of the three dimensions, the last of the Phantom Hunters, and the sworn protector of this Netharin you are so eager to get rid of"

The man in crimson gulped "hey....we don't want any trouble...we just want to make a living...you can have your Netharin"

Virdencen snorted "oh thanks" she said sarcasticly "it is not like I was not going to do it without our permission"

Virdencen offered Vulcannus her hand to get him to his feet; as he stood up a sharp pain in his chest caused him to fall down in agony

"Vulcannus!" Cried Virdencen

Vulcannus winced was Virdencen gently laid one of her webbed hands on his chest; four deep gashes decorated if, they glowed purple

"How bad is it Centurn?" Muttered Vulcannus

Virdencen smiled weakly "you will live for now, but you have got Enderinfection, I will need some Enderweed to cure it"

"Uh, there is a herb shop near here" said the man in grey "I'll lead you there"

Virdencen picked up Vulcannus, nodded at the man, and followed him out of a shop in the upper districts of Tartus. They walked to nearby shop and knocked on the door. They heard a panic erupt from the other side of the door

The man knocked again "Keira, are you there? We need your aid"

A blue haired Felina opened the door a crack "yes?"

"Keira, these people need your help"

Keira's eyes widened a bit, but beckoned them inside "come in, not you Lintar"

The man, Lintar, nodded and returned to his shop

"Well, what happened?" Asked Keira "and what are your names?"

"How do we know you are not going to turn us into the 'new leader'?" Answered Virdencen

"Because I have hidden four individuals who claim to be freinds if yours; a clanless Ardoni, a human, an Enderman, and a hybrid of sorts"

"A clanless?"

"He claims to have been Voltaris, but since Voltar was broken he is now clanless"

"Ok, I believe you"

"Good, now sit and tell me what ails your friend?"

Virdencen sat down on the floor, Vulcannus unconscious him her lap "he has Enderinfection, and I need Enderweed to cure it, do you have any?"

"No, but I have something that might help. Go through that door and tell your friends it is safe"

Virdencen opened the door Keira has pointed to, she entered a dark windowless room; Decon, Skorch, Will, and Sparks sat on the floor looking at the door

"Virdy!" Exclaimed Decon "you're alive!"

"Uh...yeah Decon, I need have not died yet" said Virdencen

"How is Vulcannus?"

"He could be better"

"Is he dead?" Asked Sparks angrily

"Well..." Began Virdencen

"Is he still able to walk?"

"I have no idea"

"Then find out!"

Virdencen rolled her eyes and walked out of the room to see Vulcannus conscious and sitting on the floor drinking something

"Centurn" greeted Vulcannus "how long was I out?"

"Not long maybe a minute" replied Virdencen

"Where are we?"

"Tartus, and out friends are here"

"Queen Abbigal?"

"No, not her"

"Skorch?"

"Yes"

Vulcannus hesitated "Sparks?"

"Yes, and she is delighted to see you"

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Yup, now let us see her"

Vulcannus rose to his feet unsteady, wincing a bit

"Do you need any help?"

"Not yet"

Virdencen and Vulcannus walked into the back room, as they did they heard a very audible groan from Sparks

"How are you still alive?!" Shouted Sparks

"Uh...hi Sparks" said Vulcannus sheepishly

"What happened to you dying?!"

"I still do not know"

"Vulcannus" interjected Decon "can I have a word with you in the other room?"

"Did I do something wrong? The books were mine, I did not take them fr..."

"It isn't about any books"

"Then what is it about?"

"You'll find out"

Vulcannus allowed Decon to lead him back out of the room

"So am I in trouble?" Asked Vulcannus

"Not yet" answered Decon "why does Sparks hate you?"

Vulcannus groaned "I do not particularly want to talk about it"

"But I need to know"

"I killed her parents"

"What?!"

"It was accidental"

"How?"

"I would rather not say"