𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒂𝒓: 𝑬𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒕 (𝑹𝑬𝑾𝑹𝑰𝑻𝑬)

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟏𝟒- 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈

By noon, the group had set off in any which way. Tygren wasn't sure where to go next, and Apexis wanted to explore Ardonia with Azulis. "I do not condone this," Tygren said as they stood at the mouth of a cave leading into the ground. "It's fine...what's the worst thing that could happen?"

"We get devoured and mutilated by some cave-dwelling creatures that lurk in the depths below. Yeahh, sure, why shouldn't we go down there?" Tygren crossed his arms, scoffing. "Oh, so you're scared?" Apexis teased, smiling. Tygren's eye twitched. "Come again?" He requested through his teeth. "You're too scared to explore the cave?" She asked again, smiling even more. Tygren sighed, frustrated. "FINE. Give me the torch."

Apexis did not give him the torch, jumping into the cave. Azulis walked next to Tygren, shoulder to shoulder while Apexis wandered ahead. They heard commotion a bit away, and Tygren ran to grab Apexis before she could get hurt. "Shh!" He pulled both she and Azulis behind a rock and covered their mouths. Apexis attempted to pry his hand off her mouth, and Azulis motioned for her to stop.

Tygren's ears flicked up and back. He could hear something- or someone- coming their way. Tygren shot Apexis an irritated and bitter look, to which she finally tore his hand off of her mouth. She huffed and crossed her arms, glancing at Azulis, who was extremely red in the face due to not being able to breathe very well.

Tygren took his hand off of the other Voltaris' mouth. Azulis heaved a quiet breath, still quiet. The sounds continued to grow closer and closer before they all heard voices. "Elm, are you sure the exit is this way? One hundred percent?" A female voice asked. "Yes, I'm sure. I remember that stalactite," The male, Elm, replied exasperatedly.

Tygren drew his sword quietly. Apexis grabbed the sword away from him and held it. "Fine, fine, fine. Oooo look, a spider! I'm gonna pick it up!" The female exclaimed cheerfully. A shrill scream came from Elm, and some clattering was heard. "Tygren, I sincerely doubt these two are a threat," Apexis whispered, holding the sword away from the other Ardoni, who sighed in annoyance.

The two came into view- A Mendoris and a Kaltaris. "SENTARA, PUT THE SPIDER AWAY!" Elm screeched, scampering away from her. Sentara laughed deviously, then noticed the trio out of the corner of her eye. "AHH! THINK FAST CHUCKLENUTS!" She screamed and aggressively threw the spider at Tygren. Azulis quickly stood up and distanced himself from the spider, while Apexis was in a horrified trance. Tygren caught the spider and crushed it in his hands. He wiped the guts of the spider on Apexis' pants, to which she nearly smacked him across the face. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He caught her wrist and shoved her away.

Elm pointed a shaky finger at the three of them. "Who are you?!" He shouted. "Two idiots and a murderer?" Apexis tried. "Sounds about right," Azulis agreed, shrugging. Tygren didn't answer, standing up. "Well, uh, we ourselves are cave explorers! Some would say spelunkers or speleologists, even." Sentara bowed. Her thistle-colored markings complemented her skin tone very nicely, as well as her deep lavender hair.

Elm thought for a moment. "I assume you're the murderer since you have a sword in your hands?" He looked at Apexis, who then suddenly dropped the blade. "Hell no! He's the murderer!" She shouted, pointing at Tygren as he picked the sword up. "Would you try to be a little more gentle with my sword?" He frowned, shooting her a glare. "Why would I? Has no value to me," She scoffed. Brief anger flashed across Tygren's face. "I'll need to speak with you once we're outside, thank you."

After getting to the 'outside', Tygren pulled Apexis aside while Sentara, Azulis, and Elm stayed out of the way and waited. "I wonder what has him so worked up." Elm looked at Azulis. "The sword is very important to him. Apexis is being insensitive. It's a problem of hers." Azulis shrugged, growing. Sentara raised her eyebrows. "Is he, like, sensitive? Because I wouldn't be surprised if so," She commented. Azulis' eyes went wide as he shushed her hurriedly. "He will take that as an insult! Tygren isn't sensitive, he's just easily offended," Azulis whispered, glancing at the said Voltaris.

When their conversation was over, Apexis was on the verge of tears. Tygren also seemed a little bit more...solemn than normal. Sentara went to say something. Elm shook his head and waved his hands, signaling her to shut her mouth. "Is it okay if we travel with you all? We have plenty of supplies to share with you," Elm offered kindly. Tygren nodded, though he seemed to not trust them. They stopped to rest again, this time actually having something to eat. Apexis was huddled up into a little ball, staying as far away from her brother as possible.

Azulis was silently comforting her. Sentara glanced at Tygren, who returned the look. His expression was hard to read- containing mostly boredom, yet some elements of sorrow as well. Apexis was a mess, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed into Azulis' chest. "What the hell did you say to her?" Sentara asked slowly, eyeing Tygren carefully. "The only thing I said was that the sword has more sentimental value than she thinks. It is her fault for being so rough with it in the first place, this was her punishment," He explained dully.

"You're kind of an-"

"Sentara, let's not insult each other." Elm cut his friend off before she could say something that could get her killed. "I agree," Azulis muttered. Tygren and Sentara glared at each other for the rest of the night, a seemingly eternal staring contest ensuing. Sentara lost since she fell asleep. Tygren was left as the only one awake. He decided to take a walk, to relax for a bit.

A while into this walk, he heard something. Again. Sadly, he'd forgotten to bring his sword with him. Tygren's eyes darted around, looking for any kind of movement. He could finally make the sounds out to be galloping. Horses. Horses usually meant travelers were nearby. "Ria, I still think this is a bad idea. Osivian is going to kill us!"

"Oh Senn, stop being such a buzzkill. We'll be long gone before he can find out where we are."

Ah. Senn and Ria. In other words, Clanless Orphan and Blue Bitch II. Tygren sighed under his breath, preparing himself for the bullshit he was about to hear. "We've both always wanted to be like Thalleous, now is our chance!" Ria announced. Tygren cringed. "Ah yes, I too have always wanted to be a racist piece of shit murderer," He mumbled saltily. "Hm. I guess so, but why now?"

"Because we should protect the Prime Songs from the Voltaris. Just like he did."

"Protect? Thalleous hid them- I actually know where one is. It's in Crown Peak, with this douche named Sulliman. We can run there and get it from him."

"Perfect! I brought a map so we can use that to navigate."

Tygren contemplated approaching them but had decided against it.