SoW S4

Chapter Eight

PART I

Monisha followed Alpheus into the camp. Multiple ardoni, humans and a few felinas. He brought her to a far corner of the camp, near a large tent. A few stumps of wood stuck from the ground. Alpheus sat down on one of the stumps and gestured for Monisha to sit on the one next to him. A green ardoni suddenly walked out of the tent. When he saw Alpheus sitting right outside the tent he quickly bowed. "Ky'Alpheus", he greeted a slight tease in his voice. Alpheus made a little amused scoff. "Do you mind", he then said and pointed at the seat next to Monisha. "Not at all", Monisha said when she realized that he was talking to her.

"Calamari Kaltaris", he said and reached his hand toward Monisha. "Monisha... Greenwood", she said. "So, where did Alpheus pick you up?", Calamari teased. "Oakendale", she answered. "I see, then you must have some guts if Alpheus brought you here", he said. "It's no big deal", Monisha muttered. "No big deal! Well, I guess that the next-in-command of one of the biggest alliances and one of the best warriors in all of Ardonia coming to get you is no big deal", Calamari half shouted.

The sun made its way below the treetops, Monisha had gotten sorted into her own tent. She was trying to sleep, but all the talking and rustling from outside kept her awake. She peeked outside, where a large group had formed in the middle of camp.

"Come on, it is just a little spar", Calamari begged. "It is a waste of time", she recognized Alpheus' voice. "He's just afraid", a female felina called. "Yeah, just give us some entertainment", a man called.

"Alright", Alpheus said confidently. "You really think that you still will not lose", Alpheus taunted Calamari.

He drew out his staff. Calamari drew out two weird weapons. They looked like two daggers with way to long handles, the iron blades curled in towards the handle. With one in each hand, he twirled them around in the air. He suddenly pointed them directly at the ground. The blades flicked down and were now vertically aligned with the handles.

Calamari activated a song, he burst toward Alpheus. The clearing filled with bright yellow light. "You have gotten better with that Mobiliburst of yours", Alpheus gasped as he countered the Kaltaris' first move. "I am going easy on you", Alpheus said loudly. "Do not go easy on me, old friend". When Calamari said that Alpheus kicked him hard on the chest, causing Calamari to fall off balance. Alpheus was over him in a second. He made countless hits and Calamari countered almost all of them. The Nestoris prepared a kick to the face, this however left his stomach unprotected. Calamari saw this chance and aimed a powerful blow right at it.

Alpheus stumbled backwards, all the air knocked out of his lungs, the impact of the punch clearly affected him. Calamari walked slowly towards him, the satisfaction of his well-placed punch covering his face. Yet Alpheus waited, unfazed. As soon as the Kaltaris got close enough, Alpheus spun around. Grasping the handle of his staff with both hands, he used the staff to punch at Calamari's shoulders. Caught off guard he fell to the ground, Alpheus quickly spun around his staff and pointed one blade straight at Calamari's face.

The Nestoris put his staff onto his back and helped his friend up from the ground. "Great fight", Calamari said. "You almost got me there, you have gotten notably stronger", Alpheus commented.

Monisha looked to the ground, amazed at their astounding fight.

PART II

SENDARIA

Senn breathed a sigh of relief when Sendaria looked just like it used to. Peace roamed these lands and Senn felt his stress slowly disappear.

Senn felt excitement fill his head when he noticed a familiar face. He jumped down from Timber and rushed toward her. "Ria!", Senn called to her. "Senn?".

Ria led Senn and Kratos into a large meeting room. Val and a three other ardoni sat around a large table. "Val?", Senn was confused. "We got your message, but soon after a Voltaris messenger came and told us that the help was not needed any more". "What?!", Senn exclaimed. One of the ardoni around the table, a Kaltaris, stood up. "What do you mean what?", she asked. "I never send out a message!", Senn whined. "Wait, you did not send him?", a male Sendaris asked. "No!".

Now Kratos spoke to Ria: "We must return to New Voltaria as soon as possible". "A can seek out a few Sendaris fighters", Ria suggested. "The extra help would be appreciated", Senn said. "Then give me until tomorrow", Ria said.

"We are coming too", Val said. "We?", Kratos said and looked slightly mistrustfully at the group, especially the Kaltaris. "Yes, me, Fae Mendoris", she gestures for the female Mendoris, "Theseus Sendaris", she pointed at the tall Sendaris, "and Kylor Kaltaris", Kratos recognized that name.

The female Kaltaris squinted her eyes, "Kratos?", Kylor asked. Kratos looked to the ground, seemingly ashamed. "Yes...", he mumbled. "Kratos Kaltaris?", she repeated. He nodded. "I remember you", she said. Kratos lifted his head and looked at her. "Wait, Kylor, Zayrus' daughter?", Kratos questioned. Kylor nodded.

The group split up to gather supplies for aiding the Voltaris.