Shadows of the Past

Unexpected Allies

A/N: This is the second to last chapter that was drafted by @Nalla_Kaltaris (and then edited by me), the last one comes up later. Until then though, after this chapter, it will be written by me.

Two Nestoris with matching markings were on the beaches of Nestoria. Sweat beaded down Hubris' forehead as he gripped tightly onto his sparring sword, swinging it up at his father. Lucius dodged it by taking a step back, but Hubris spun around and slashed, managing to knock the sword out of Lucius' grasp.

And... I win again!" Hubris declared proudly, brushing his hand against his forehead to wipe the sweat off.

"Great job!" his father praised. Hubris beamed, earning a hearty laugh from Lucius, who patted his head, "Maybe one day, you can leave Nestoria and go beat up a bunch of bad guys like your old man."

His son nodded eagerly, "I won't let you down, Dad," he promised with determination.

Lucius smiled, pulling Hubris into a crushing hug, "I know you will not, son... I know." Lucius glanced towards the village, only to spot familiar blue markings among the treeline. He paused, "Hubris, go help your mother collect those shellfish."

Hubris frowned, sensing something was wrong. He followed his father's gaze, "Oh." What was Thalleous doing here? "Alright, see you later, he said before leaving.

Seeing that Lucius was now alone, Thalleous finally walked up to him. The first thing Lucius noticed was the dressed wound across the Sendaris' chest, "You look awful, old friend."

"Oh, you will not believe me when I tell you who did that..." Thalleous sighed, "But I am afraid I am not here for chit-chat."

"Since when did you ever just stop by to visit?" Lucius folded his arms, "I just wish you would trust that I can keep it safe. In fact, I feel that you coming by all the time is making me more suspicious."

"You have been found out, Lucius."

Lucius froze, "What?" he looked on Thalleous, only to see that the champion was dead serious, "By who?"

"The Voltaris. There were at least seven of them on Mount Velgrin... and they know you have it," Thalleous informed him, "I've come here to move it to a safer place."

"Yeah, you see, Thalleous," Lucius started, "I'm going to need to take more than your word for that... As much as I understand why you do what you do, you've spoken about the Voltaris and their return for the past century and a half, yet nothing has happened. I'm afraid I can't just give you the Aggressium Prime Song because you supposedly saw seven Voltaris."

"They are planning to retrieve the Prime Songs," Thalleous insisted, "I cannot just stand by and do absolutely nothing!"

"And how do I know that the place you're moving it to will be safer than it is in my hands?" Lucius questioned.

Thalleous sighed, "I have a place in mind. But I cannot tell you."

Lucius rolled his eyes, "Listen, old friend, I know you are worried, but do you not trust me enough to guard it against less than a dozen Voltaris?"

"You imply that as if a single Voltaris did not burn down all four villages to retrieve three Prime Songs," the Sendaris countered. The Nestoris paused, biting his lip before shakingly saying, "It won't happen again, I will not let it happen again."

"What if it does?" Thalleous pushed, "What if the Voltaris come here for you? Can you guarantee that you can protect it like Master Aegus? Or will it end in slaughter and the Voltaris getting their hands on the most powerful weapon in Ardonia?"

For a while, neither uttered a word. Thalleous gazing pleadingly at Lucius, whose mind was crunching on what to do.

Eventually, Lucius walked away, "Come with me."