Consequences

Chapter 1

There was no sound heard in the dungeon of Kaltaria other than Achillean's echoing footsteps. Ingressus was as still as stone. If it weren't for his glowing red markings, which Achillean still needed time adjusting to, having grown used to the yellow glow of Nestoris colours after so many years, he would've thought Ingressus was a corpse. Achillean on the other hand, paced around the cell, trying to think of something, anything, that would help their current situation. Using their Songs was not an option, Ardoni prisons always had Protesipate energy, cutting off their connection to their Songs, and there was nothing in the cell other than themselves.

' Will you just... stop?' Ingressus hissed, startling Achillean. Other than the fact that Ingressus had not said a word since they left, or rather, were forcefully taken away from the arena, his spiteful tone unnerved the Nestoris. Even if Ingressus lost his temper quite easily, the anger was rarely ever directed at him.

Silence hung in the air, until Achillean spoke up, ' I'm sorry...' he looked down at the stone brick floor, ashamed to even meet Ingressus' eyes, ' It's my fault we're in this mess... if I hadn't asked you to-'

' It's not your fault, Achillean...' Ingressus cut him off, ' It's the other clans...' Achillean could hear his knuckles crack as the Voltaris clenched his fists. He couldn't help but shiver at the rage his brother was emitting. He had never seen Ingressus so angry before.

' Ingressus...' Achillean is interrupted by the echo of someone talking at the entrance. After a moment, they heard the clang of a staff, a sound both of them were familiar with. Upon seeing the tip of Nestor, Ingressus immediately realised who it was, and turned away to face the wall. Aegus emerged from the corner, walking up to their cells. Since Ingressus showed no sign of listening to what he had to say, that left Aegus with Achillean to speak to.

The two Nestoris stared at each other for a brief moment. No words were exchanged. Even if Achillean thought of breaking the silence, after what Aegus had done in the tournament, he didn't know how much he could trust the other anymore. Seeing that Achillean didn't have anything to say, Aegus pulled a double edged staff, Achillean's staff, from his inventory, laying it down on the floor. He then took out Voltar and Ingressus' broadsword, placing them in front of the Voltaris' cell.

Achillean didn't know how to respond. Aegus looked at him warningly, ' They will kill you both by dawn. Leave, and never return.' With that, Aegus left the dungeon. Achillean was left speechless, unable to figure out if he should be grateful or hurt.

Nonetheless, Achillean reached out for his staff from behind the bars, getting a hold of it after much struggle. He then repeatedly hit the lock with the blade, eventually breaking it, and the cell door creaked open with just a light push.

He rushed up to Ingressus' cell, doing the same, and opened the door, ' Ingressus, let's go...' he whispered, shoving the staff and sword closer. The Voltaris just sat there, completely ignoring him. Achillean would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly nervous. ' Ingressus?'

The Voltaris finally reacted, gazing over to Achillean, ' So what if we run away?' he asked, ' They'll only find and kill us.'

' Not if we lay low enough...' Achillean told him, earning a scowl from the other, ' They will find us, just as they tore through the Barrier Mountains so Thalleous Sendaris could murder my father.' Achillean wasn't sure what to say back. Ingressus was right, the other clans went all over Ardonia hunting for Voltaris before, they could do it again, it didn't matter if it was one Voltaris. The other clans were that persistent in getting rid of them.

' Then what can we do?'

' If we can get the Prime Songs...' Ingressus started, but Achillean immediately sensed that something was wrong, ' I thought you hated the Prime Songs?' When Ingressus didn't answer, Achillean questioned him further, ' What happened?'