SoW S4

Chapter Four

PART I

SIBLINGS STICK TOGETHER

Monisha carefully got to her legs, trying hard not to wake Rowan. She walked out on the muddy streets of Oakendale. Monisha was sorting through a few chests in the shade of a large house, picking what to steal for herself and what to throw away.

Suddenly a hand grabbed her from behind and shoved her against the wall of the house. "Out stealing again, you little rat", it was one of the men from the tavern! "Like you're any better", Monisha hissed back. She tried to twist herself out of the man's harsh grip, but he just fastened it.

"Don't even try to call for help", he growled. "Or what?", she tried to hide her fear. The man drew a dagger from his inventory. "You wouldn't want to find out", he smirked.

"Let her go", somebody then shouted. The man turned his head to see a person. "Who are you?", the man asked the person dressed in a dark-green cloak. "Just let her go", they repeated and took down their hood, but Monisha couldn't see their face. "You want to play tough eh', the come over and make me, glow-head", the man taunted. Glow-head? It couldn't be an ardoni, they usually stayed far away from the sketchy parts of the city. The person drew out a double-bladed battlestaff. The man threw Monisha on the ground, preparing to fight. She rested her forehead on the ground and closed her eyes in pain.

The man lunged forward trying to punch the person. The person swiftly avoided and twirled their blade, cutting the man's stomach open. The man gasped in pain; however, the person didn't stop. They kicked him against the wall harshly. He just landed on the ground with a loud thud. They walked toward Monisha not even glancing at the man they just killed. Monisha opened her eyes staring in fear at the tall ardoni. So, I was wrong, she thought.

His bright yellow eyes and horns glowed like the sun. Monisha had seen a few ardoni before but most of them were blue. He reached down to help her get up. "Do not worry, I have no reason to hurt you". He didn't see her stealing, Monisha was surprised.

"My name is Alpheus Nestoris", he presented himself when Monisha stood up. "Eh, I'm Monisha, Monisha Greenwood", she stammered. "Why d'you help me", she asked. "I believe you need my help", Alpheus said. "Stealing will not help you care for your brother", he continued. How could he know that? "I'm here to help you", Alpheus repeated. "How?", Monisha asked. "I'm recruiting people willing to fight", his yellow eyes glowed. "You wouldn't want me in your ranks, I can't fight", Monisha commented. "But you are tough, you have managed to survive all these years and even taken care of your sick brother", he commented. "But I still can't fight". Alpheus looked at her, "I can teach you". "Just consider it", he urged.

Rowan was sleeping when Monisha reached him. She carefully nudged him awake. "Rowan! I have good news", her voice high-pitched with excitement. "What?", Rowan said with a sleepy voice. "I've been offered to train and fight for an ARDONI!", Monisha squealed. "Fight?", Rowan echoed. Monisha nodded. "No, I don't want anything bad to happen to you", Rowan murmured. "But I could help with your treatment-", "No, I won't let you", Rowan cut her off "We stick together". Monisha looked away, "right?", Rowan asked.

PART II

FIRE RISING FROM THE ASHES

Senn had rested in Kaltaria for a while, his injured legs had gotten much better. He had left with Kratos a few days ago. They were almost home now.

Senn was taking the lead and chatted a bit with Kratos. A young female Voltaris ran up to the two, their face twisted in terror. "Ky'Senn, please help", she cried. Senn hastily jumped down from Timber. "The whole village is burning". "Stay here, we must get to the village", Kratos shouted to her.

The two Voltaris sprinted into the valley. Most trees and the homes charred and only a few still burned. The same female Nestoris, from Kaltaria was sitting in a tree a little above the village. She stuck her sword into the trunk and slid down. Her hood was down, revealing her long curling horns and her striking yellowish eyes. She walked closer to Senn and Kratos. Senn's blood froze, why was she here, what did she want.

"Master Senn Voltaris, welcome home", she taunted, her voice cold. Senn stared at her, "Who are you, and why would you do this". "Oh, right, where are my manners. My name is Acheria Nestoris", she said "and I am here for the Primes. If you give me them right now nobody will get hurt". "If not, I will destroy everything you care for, just like I did here", she threatened.

"They are not mine to give", Senn said.

He activated his Mobiliflash and dashed toward her. Right as Senn activated his, Acheria activated a Mobiliflash. As the two dashed into each other Acheria punched Senn to the ground. She quickly placed her feet on Senn's right wrist and chest, keeping him down.

"Then you better find out who has them", she mumbled. "And give them to you. Never!", Senn hissed. Acheria leaned down and whispered in his ear: "If I were you, I would do it.". Senn glared her right in her eyes, "for that little Sendaris of yours. Maybe I should visit Sendaria next", she grinned.

Acheria looked up at Kratos, who had made his way over to them. "One step closer and he is dead", she said pointing her sword at Senn's face. Kratos froze and Acheria looked back at Senn. Suddenly she disappeared in the same white cloud of energy. A trail of white particles flew towards the top of the valley. Acheria then materialized at the end of the trail.

"Remember what I said". "I always keep my promises", she shouted down at them. She laughed and then disappeared again, leaving her grin echoing in the valley.