Pythus smirked. His father would certainly forgive him for the deserter after he conquered the eastern border of Sendaria.

If, he reminded himself. If he conquered the borders of Sendaria, then he would not have to worry about letting the boy slip. And conquering the borders started with waging war against the enemy's millitary. His soldiers marched in perfect line, staves and greatswords at the ready. The humans were falling, the enderknights growing weary. All that was left was to acquire the prime songs for Ingressus as their deal went.

Then, he would crush the Overworld in one swift stroke.

Rendore massaged his temples, the news of Eterden having just come to him. He stared out the windows of his throne, the barren yellow of the endstone just outside.

"My king, what do we do?" the aide asked him, bowing before his red throne.

"Rise, servant." The aide stood up.

"These kingdoms chased me away eighteen years ago," the king muttered. "They don't want me to do anything."

"My king-"

"The Ardoni are stubborn and prideful," Rendore said. "they will not accept my help. They rebelled for a reason. Leave me."

The aide nodded his head and abdicated the massive throne room. Just then, a knock rang through the huge purple-and-gold hall. Another servant, this one tall and black, walked in.

"There is someone to see you. He is an Ardoni," the Enderman wheezed.

"Let him in," Rendore said, raising his head. What would an Ardoni want with him?

A yellow Ardoni walked in. What were the golden-orange ones called–Nestoris?

The messenger bowed.
"Rise, Ardoni," Rendore thundered. "Your people rebelled against me eighteen years ago, and it was only by a hard-won deal that we avoided war. What do you want with the End?"

The ardoni stood up. "Eterden was no mere skirmish. The Nether was responsible."

"Chronos did this?" Rendore said, now rapt with attention.

"Yes, my king. He has been raiding Ardonia for a year, and is now ramping up his assault. My people grow weary of this losing battle, and not all of us wanted to secede from your reign during the rebellion."

Rendore blinked, his purple eyes gleaming through his helmet. "A war against Hell is a war hard to fight," he sighed.

"And yet it is a war that will decide the freedom of billions."

Rendore breathed heavily. "We would have to form a coalition among species the likes of which has never been seen before."

The Nestoris stared at the king, unblinking. "They will rally to you in war against the Nether."

"How do you know this?"

The Nestoris rubbed his gray fingers together. "In every man, woman, and child, there lies a pursuit for justice and peace."

The King of the End stared at the lonely light in the barren darkness. "I cannot deny the sufferings of your people, Ardoni."

The Nestoris waited for Rendore's verdict.

"In compassion for those who seek freedom, we go to war."

The Nestoris nearly leapt with joy.

"Thank you, my king!" he yelled.

Rendore barked orders to his advisors, generals, and warlords.

"Prepare the forces of the end, and ready my steed!" He yelled, getting up from his chair. "We fly to the portals of the Overworld for war!"

Those present gave shouts of approval and happiness. The Nestoris walked towards the door, prepared to let Rendore get on with his business, but the king shouted from across the room.

"Ardoni!"

The room fell into silence. The Nestoris turned around to look at Rendore.

"What is your name?"

The Ardoni looked down, then back up. "Acchilean Nestoris."

Aegus stared at the wall, mourning the fact that he had let the Aggroprime go. If it was lost, it would be his fault. He had been careless with the information about the Nether's raid, not bringing it to the other masters. Somehow, he had known Ingressus was involved, and he couldn't bring himself to harm the boy. The boy who was like a son to him, the bow he and Acchilean had taken in when nobody else would, the boy he had adopted into his clan. He knew that Ingressus' life with the Nestoris was not meant to be, but he was willing to sacrifice everything for it. Just as the walls of the room he was in were blown in and rubble surrounded him, a single tear dropped down his face.

This was all his fault.

Author's Note:

I'm back from break! I'm glad to be publishing again, and I'm glad to be home. I hope that my read numbers don't dip TOO much from my lapse in publishing...

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and that you all enjoyed this chapter. God bless you all!

-KOS