What Have I Done?

𝐈: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 a red Ardoni, screaming down a one-way cliff ticket to broken bones. The Ardoni glared at the destination of the ticket. What a lovely freezing place to deal with an Ardoni girl and an Ardoni boy as well as a Human girl with a dragon and some other people so he could get what he wanted.

At least that wasn't how he was going to get down. Other options were preferable... much more preferable.

"Ingressus," a gruff voice boomed over the wind.

"Yes?" The towering silhouette of a Netheran, dark, rocky and bulky, cast a giant orange glow on Ingressus from the magma shining through the cracks in his skin. Yep, that was a Netheran.

"The Nether has advanced against the enemy force, the Knights of Ardonia. I would join the battle now for the best chance of winning."

Ingressus carefully eyed the snow melting under the Netheran's feet.

"Where is Achillean?"

"We don't know."

"I would think that someone like him would have joined the battle by now. Do you know where anyone else is? The white one, Hubris, Abbigail, whatever the Sendaris girl's name is?"

"Queen Abbigail's enderknights are being cornered by King Pythus' forces."

A rush of surprise went through Ingressus. "Cornered? Already?"

The enderknights he had feared would hinder his plan, cornered, just like that. It was a strange feeling.

"Karthos reported that their backs are to the western coast of Northwind."

"But what about the enderdragons?"

"We are confident the Withers will overtake them. You know, those Withers are wicked strong beasts. I dare say those Knights of Ardonia, even if the Tidesinger appears, will be no match for—"

Ingressus glared at him.

"—the... Nether. Karthos' strategy has got the best of them. And yours," he added after he received another look from the Voltaris Master.

"I believe we are winning," Ingressus said dryly, "because we have the larger army."

"Right, sir."

He sighed. The Netheran was probably afraid of him and that was how he liked it.

"Can you tell Karthos I'm going in?"

"—Yes."

Ingressus took a step forward. "Draulrch."

The Netheran stiffened.

"You know that I am not who people make me out to be."

"Yes..."

Ingressus tensed. Not being feared made him feel weak and unwanted. But he did not want Draulrch to see him like the rest of Ardonia did, some monster that wanted to kill everyone and everything in his way.

"People are terribly quick to make judgments." He slowed down, thinking, picking words until his head hurt. "How have Ardonian militias treated you?"

"Not well."

Ingressus' head reeled at his answer. What was he supposed to say to something so terse?

"...What do you mean by not well?"

He felt Draulrch's stare pressing into him.

"Ingressus, it's not as well as what I would like... I didn't run into the best situation with the Sendaria Militia a couple months ago."

"The Sendaria militia." He looked into his eyes. "From what I have heard they despise Netherans. What happened?"

Ingressus' ears twitched. No response.

His heart crumbled on itself.

He must have messed up, didn't he?

"Draulrch, nevermind. There's no need."

His cheeks grew hot.

He was so foolish.

And he had also wasted a couple minutes probing a near-stranger...

Ingressus whipped his head away from the Netheran. He was not letting Draulrch see his face, not even close—

"Ingressus?"

Irritation seeped up his shoulders.

"Nothing." His cheeks grew hotter. "Just do what you said you would do."

Snow bit at his cheeks. The light from the Netheran moved, and faded, until what did he know? Gone. Just like that.

He kicked the snow.

Why in the Nether was he competent at everything other than talking to people? It had always been his worst weakness. Always.

He was so good at talking, and sounded like the way the Walls of Time painted him, until something he didn't expect happened.

Then the façade fell! His protesting toes burned as he kicked more snow.

Stupid Ingressus! Stupid!

He gasped at the burning in his toes.

Well, at least he didn't feel so overwhelmed with anger. Only the cold.

Imagine if Achillean could see me now. Hah.

It was uncomfortable how Achillean's name still felt so natural to him, so natural for him to think. He shivered. He had been in the Nether so long this week, he wasn't used to the northern areas of Ardonia.

Oh, Deathsinger. He rolled his eyes. Look at you. You've forgotten to even join the fight.

Ingressus breathed. A bothersome feeling tugged at his heart. Mobilium Prime. He hadn't used it for days and it was itching to get out.

Now he could stop having to deal with it...

He let his legs course with its energy. The power sent his heart rushing through his chest. Flashes of yellow sparked around his legs, their skin tingling like they had been asleep.

A growing awareness came to him, something felt off, and then it hit him.

His surroundings were too silent.

A blood-curdling roar shot from the depths below the cliff. The yellow energy of Mobiliprime made his legs shake.

And then something rose above Ingressus.

Power rippling from its scales, eyes scorching with rage.

Ingressus tore his sword from his back.

It was an enderdragon.