I Am The Truth II

Chapter XLI: What Now?

Author's Note: Hello everyone. I am so sorry for not posting in a long time. College exams have been smacking me right, left, and center. I have been incredibly slow to write this chapter, in part because my exams have taken away time for me to think on how to structure the chapter, what story arcs to include/not include, etc. Anyways, if there is anyone out there, thanx for being patient!

They arrived. One month since shit went down, and the three finally found where Thalleous and the the remaining survivors of the 'Great Purge,' as it was now called, were. There were others too, most surprisingly Aurelius of all people. The trucker had been forced to enter the fray, his initial involvement that day during the flight to Ataraxia now eliminating any chance for a normal life anymore. The elder Nestoris had grown his hair till it was long enough to form a thick ponytail, making him almost unrecognizable at first till he spoke.

"Hubris," Aurelius said, taking in the younger immediately. "You look most unwell kiddo."

"Ky' Aurelius," Hubris only replied.

Hubris was led away by Aurelius to another room in the large cave dwelling. Aurelius' brother was a miner, and had promptly expanded the cave into a full-fledged secret base in case of emergency, an action that was most rewarding two months later when all hell broke loose.

"Where is Thalleous?" Val asked Aurelius, following him.

"He along with most of the others are hiding north of here," The Nestoris replied. "But they come to visit here daily through an underground tunnel. All we have done is bide our time in hopes more will join us. You three are the latest... though-"

He gestured to Herobrine.

"I doubt everyone can provide some use."

"And... when will the others be coming back?" Val asked.

"Tomorrow," Aurelius responded as he entered a room with Hubris before returning alone. "From what I have gathered, the Masters, spare Ingressus, are going to be meeting us in secret."

Though Ingressus was the real Master of the Voltaris, his heavy involvement with the Underworld in Conchord and his extended exile in the Netherworld had forced him to have someone else hold the title in his place. And so Rubes, also known as Rubius by most Southern Voltaric dialects, represented Voltaria officially.

"What of Master Ingressus then?"

"He will join us by tomorrow night," Aurelius added. "After the Masters have departed."

The day passed quickly. Hubris was so tired that he was out cold for more than twelve hours. They had arrived the previous evening, and he had been in the makeshift bed, lying completely still all the way till the following morning. Herobrine had also largely stayed within the same room, though the blind man took to sitting by the large window, through which he could feel the wind blowing in all the way from the seas not too far away.

And on the other end, Val hadn't slept at all. She hadn't felt a remote sense of exhaustion the entire time, her rage inducing dreams of bloodthirsty revenge that no person could sleep through. 'Biding their time,' as Aurelius had said. Yeah, she was biding her time alright.

She found herself waiting at the entrance to the tunnel around evening before Thalleous even appeared. The elder Sendaris immediately recognized her, his tired gaze showing signs of relief to see yet another familiar face.

"It is good that you are here," He said. "How are you? Are you hurt?"

"No Ky' Thalleous," Val only replied. "Though I am afraid Hubris is in a more severe condition than I."