Songs of War: The Truth

Chapter Five: Power of a Century

    It only took Achillean weeks to marry the middle child, Lithsuriéa. At least they're the same age. Ingressus told himself. Achillean took it upon himself to flaunt his copper ring like a peacock whenever he saw his brother. "What's the matter? Jealous, brother?" Achillean smirked, seeing Ingressus stare at something out the window with furrowed eyebrows. "Who are they?" Achillean looked and his mouth immediately went agape. "Holy shit," he breathed. "It's Thalleous Sendaris," Ingressus eyebrows deepened further. "Who?"

    "The Prince of Sendaria. He's the champion of their army, ruthless on the battlefield, and is...built, from what I hear." Ingressus turned to his brother, confused. "Built?" he asked, his eyebrows slightly raised as he spoke. "Y'know...like...fertile," Ingressus turned back around in disgust. "That's just what I hear!" Ingressus rolled his eyes with a smile. "How old is he?"

    "Not too far off from us, I believe." Ingressus and Achillean watched as Aegus met Thalleous, shook his hand, and led him inside. But by the time they went downstairs to meet the young man themselves, he and Aegus were already gone. "Damn," Achillean swore.

    They sat outside of Aegus' office for hours, waiting for them to finish conversing. When they heard the hinges click, the boys' heads snapped toward the door but sank back down when they only saw Aegus. "What are you two up to?" Aegus asked, slightly chuckling at their disposition. "What were you and Ky'Thalleous speaking of?" Achillean asked. "War is spiraling in Europe. Sendarians are afraid the Netherans might bring it over here." Achillean pulled an 'I told you so' look toward Ingressus who rolled his eyes in return. "We're surrounded by ocean, how would they make it, they're barely advanced." Aegus squeezed the skin in between his brows. "You'd be surprised." after a wave of silence, Aegus gestured toward Achillean. "C'mon," he said quietly. Ingressus reluctantly followed.

    Ingressus breathed in sharply when he was brought into the same room he was in when Aegus had saved his life. He thought he had moved on. But being in that damned room brought every memory and emotion back in one fell swoop, hitting him like an anvil to the brain. "Ingressus," Aegus snapped him back into reality. "You alright?" he asked, laying a hand on his shoulder. Ingressus nodded before Aegus patted him on the shoulder. "Do you remember these?" Aegus asked, opening the chest of gems. Ingressus nodded, thinking of the red that was under his golden mirage. "I wish I explained them to you," Aegus took a breath before grabbing the one that had changed Ingressus' markings. "These are Prime Songs, there are ones below them that get passed around like balls. But, I digress. They were given to me for safekeeping a long long time ago. But since word spread of the Nether King Chronos planning to start a war with the world, Sendaria's king, Amphion wants to start tournaments to see how is worthy enough to wield these. Four songs, four champions. It is no surprise that he wants his own son to be chosen, even if it is an open event. Thalleous, fearful for Ardoni countries' safety, requested for you and Achillean to attend." Aegus explained. "When is it?"

    "Three years from now. But you know they'll give me a quarter of that time to decide who I'll send." Aegus put the Song away and slammed the chest stopped. "If it came to it, I still want you and your brother to be as close as you have been for years. Understand?" Ingressus nodded. "Good."

~~~

When Achillean was busy being a husband, Ingressus usually conversed with Lily, but one strange day, she was nowhere to be found. Starting to get concerned, Ingressus pulled Keoni aside. "Where's Lily gone?" he asked. "Haven't you heard? She's fallen ill. Poor girl's almost dead. They'll keep her in Sanaini's old room until she passes." Ingressus was in disbelief. The one friend he had who wasn't related to him was suffering. And no one told him. "I have to go see her," before he took a step, Keoni stopped him. "She's severely contagious, Ingressus. You might die right after her."

"I'm willing to take that risk." no matter how many times he tried to be free from Keoni's grasp, he wouldn't let go. "Ingressus, please."

"No one deserves to be alone in their final moments." he turned to Keoni, slightly annoyed that he was being held back. "Things are done differently here,"

"Why do people keep telling me that?" Ingressus retorted. "Because it's true."

"You act like we're barbarians." Ingressus argued. All Kenoi did was shrug. All he could find himself to do was shrug and walk off, leaving him confused and upset.

Ingressus fled to his room slumping down to the floor with an exhausted groan. Soon, Achillean shared the same groan and sat down next to him. "What's wrong with you?" Ingressus asked. "Lithie and I have been fucking like rabbits and she still isn't pregnant." even though he was a bit disgusted by his brother's crudeness, he still kept the conversation going. "Well, that's what happens when your wife is infertile," Achillean quickly turned to Ingressus. "What? Who told you that?" he asked in a shocked and offended tone. "She did."

"Do you understand what this will do to me!?" Achillean exclaimed, his anger like a sudden lightning strike. "No, I don't. You're not first in line, why would her infertility matter?" Achillean scoffed. "What? It'll harm your popularity?"

"You have some nerve brother,"

"What nerve?"

"We get it, you're real parents had the best fucking relationship in the world, they loved each other, and had two beautiful children, we know. Your secure fucking household doesn't make you better than me!" Achillean had the nerve to talk about his. Ingressus might of had a nice home, but that means nothing when everyone inside of it is dead. "Secure? Is the massacre making it secure? Is a nine-year-old having to watch his family die fucking secure!? My nerve!? You're so butthurt about not being the face of Nestoria you've turned into a pretentious dick!"

    "What gave you that idea, that stupid prophet!?" Ingressus paused. His mind hadn't gone to his prophecy for so long, that he didn't realize it was coming true. Achillean was so focused on glory, that he had become a different boy. And it was killing both of them. "Maybe he's right." Ingressus retorted. His voice was quiet but his words stabbed Achillean straight into his chest. The brothers said nothing else to each other for the rest of the day and night, letting their harsh words to each other sink in. The prophecy was coming true. And it scared both of them.