SEASON 3, EPISODE 7

The episode opens in an unknown location, with an unknown Ardoni pacing around.

A familiar figure rides up on his horse, Timber. The unknown Ardoni speaks first.

UNKNOWN SENDARIS

At last, you are here! Thank you for answering my call.

THALLEOUS

*warm* I would never refuse a plea for help from a Sendaris brother.Why have you called for me?

The other Sendaris disappears behind a tree for a moment where his things are.

Thalleous dismounts Timber as the Sendaris returns with an Ardoni child and hands it to Thalleous, who looks confused.

THALLEOUS

Whose child is this?

UNKNOWN SENDARIS

The child is mine, Thalleous.

Thalleous looks up, even more confused.

THALLEOUS

And the mother?

UNKNOWN SENDARIS

Someone who must remain a secret- for knowing of her clan would endanger us all.

Thalleous pieces it together finally.

THALLEOUS

No- it cannot be! A Voltaris?!

The other Ardoni turns around and scans the horizon.

UNKNOWN SENDARIS

She will return soon with the rest of our children. We must get them to safety.

Thalleous gets worried and angry at the same time.

THALLEOUS

I must do no such thing- I swore to destroy the Voltaris. Where- where did you even find them? How many are there?!

Thalleous tries to hand the child back to the Sendaris. Before the Sendaris can answer, a roaring hum cracks the air as a ball of light lands just beside them causing an explosion which sends them flying away.

The shots cut and get a bit fuzzy as Thalleous recovers. He stumbles along towards Timber as the sound is still muffled and his ears ring. Things aren’t shown very clearly.

Thalleous looks back and witnesses the Sendaris being killed as he mounts Timber. He’s about to ride off, then stops, and turns around.

Cuts to further away. A burning area can be seen in the distance. The sound has finally settled but it is still tense. Timber rides into view with Thalleous on his back as he looks over the distance. Thalleous looks down at the child he is holding.

The camera then backs up as Thalleous rides off with the kid. Senn’s theme begins playing.

Music and scene fades to Senn standing alone looking out of a prison cell in Northwind.

A moment later the gate opens, and a few Voltaris stand waiting.

Cuts to the exterior of the building, on streets of Hailstone. Senn is lead across the castle, many Voltaris walk about, and it is clear that they have taken up refuge in this city. There are also some Nether skeleton guards and more.

He is lead to a small plaza where two Voltaris wait for him, one sitting and one standing. The Voltaris beside him turn, and leave. He waits for the two Voltaris to address him first.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

We were told that our brother was killed… but here you are, at long last.

The two Voltaris turn towards him. They both wear nearly-identical markings as Senn, only in Voltaris red. 

SENN

So I’m a Voltaris…

DELTHEUS VOLTARIS

Only half Voltaris. We share Sendaris blood in our family, unfortunately.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

When the Voltarisdiscovered the truth of our lineage, they hunted down and killed both of our parents. We assumed that you were killed along with them, however they must have managed to send you away first.

Senn approaches them, and sits down on a small bench across from them.

SENN

*sigh*

DELTHEUS VOLTARIS

You should really consider yourself lucky, Senn.The circumstances of your upbringing were far superior to our own.

SENN

I just- I can’t believe I’m Voltaris. All this time…

DELTHEUS VOLTARIS

*scoffs* Welcome back to the family.

Deltheus storms off. Senn doesn’t seem to notice.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

That was Deltheus, don’t mind him, we all have reason to envy you. Times have been hard on the Voltaris these past years.

As Almrak says this, he begins standing up shakily, and it is finally shown clearly now that he is missing a leg. He grabs his cane and shuffles across the gap between his bench and Senn’s.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

Now let me get a closer look at you.

Senn notices Almrak’s missing leg and becomes a bit more aware of his brother’s misfortunes, and breaks out of his own disappointment at being Voltaris.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

My name is Almrak by the way. So how are you feeling? You look like you’ve seen a ghast, and you’ve hardly muttered a word.

Almrak sits down beside Senn carefully as he supports himself on his cane.

SENN

I’m alright… I’m just a bit surprised is all.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

So what’ve you been up to all these years? What’s it like- ah I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be the one asking all the questions. I’m sure you have many of your own.

Senn thinks for a brief moment, then begins.

SENN

Where have you been all this time?

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

Most of the Voltaris have been hiding in the Barrier Mountains. The terrain is rugged and dangerous, which deters travelers… and makes for a rough lifestyle.

SENN

Do you… agree with what the Voltaris are doing?

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

To an extent. Many Voltaris, such as Tygren and Lucidius, are extremists in their ideals. They seek not only peace with the world, but also crave revenge.

SENN

And what do you want?

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

I just want to live a normal life again… perhaps settle in Old Voltaria where our clan once lived. I clearly won’t be fighting in the war…

Almrak lifts the stump of his leg up and looks at it.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

…so ultimately the fate of our clan will be up to the rest of the Voltaris… including you, Senn.

SENN

But we’re not Voltaris, Almrak,we’re only half. I myself am just an outcast- clanless.

Almrak thinks for a moment and shifts a bit closer.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

You know… if Ingressus allows it, he could initiate you- you’ll no longer be clanless.

Senn looks away but thinks about it heavily.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

Deltheus sees it as misfortune, but I see it as an opportunity that we share the lineage of two clans. We could be the ones to finally bring peace between the five clans.

Almrak looks up to a nearby tower in the city, and continues after Senn doesn’t respond.

ALMRAK VOLTARIS

Ingressus has summoned you to his chambers. It was a pleasure having this opportunity to converse, Senn.I hope we speak again soon.

Almrak gets up and shuffles off using his cane.

Senn feels a mixture of emotions, as he wants to embrace his true family which he has sought after his whole life, but also longs to be identified as a Sendaris.

The other Voltaris return to take Senn to the tower.

Cuts to another part of Northwind. Ria stands looking past the camera. The camera turns revealing the Walls of Time, where the story of Songs of War first began. Instead of entering the vast hallway, she continues along the path around the mountain.

As she comes around the far bend, she beholds a small alcove of greenery and life, in the center a Song Shrine.

RIA

*light gasp*

The place is beautiful, and she slowly walks towards the shrine, and places the two Prime Songs in two of the four empty slots.

She stands in the middle and closes her eyes. Slowly, energy begins coursing between her and the two Prime Songs, as well as energy begins forming between a third column and reconnecting her with her Mobilium song.

She finishes the process and walks out of the shrine.

Suddenly the music starts to become eerie, and strange noises and dizzying images appear. A pain jolts Ria and she falls over.

RIA

*pained gasp, followed by heavy breathing*

Everything begins getting very bright and loud, and a high pitch noise rises in volume as well as a throbbing bass. She falls down on her knees and clutches her head.

RIA

*pained* Aaaah!

She crawls back into the shrine and energy comes out of her placing the Prime Songs, as well as her mobility song, back on the pedestal as she releases them from her possession.

She falls down on all fours in the center, panting hard.

RIA

*panting hard*

After a moment she gets up and collects the songs from the pedestals, then heads back up the path she came in on.

Cuts to Lunaflying over the ocean with Abbigail and Vulcannus on top.They land on a small island.

Abbigail dismounts. She releases the Ender Eye and begins following it into a large cave.

ABBIGAIL

We should be careful Vulcannus, this is unexplored territory.

In the background, as Vulcannus prepares to hop off, Luna shakes herself causing Vulcannus to fly off and land to the ground.

VULCANNUS

*falls to the ground* Umph!

Abbigail turns around and looks at both Vulcannus and Luna. Luna acts innocent.

ABBIGAIL

*firm* What did I just say?

Vulcannus gets up and brushes himself off.

VULCANNUS

Apologies, I’m not sure your dragon takes kindly to me.

Luna makes a “blah blah blah” gesture with her mouth while rolling her eyes. Kiki flies down and looks around happily. Abbigail waits a moment and then brushes it off.

ABBIGAIL

Right… let’s keep moving.

Abbigail turns to continue and Luna follows, nudging Vulcannus with her wing.

They go inside a cave in the island and find a large ender portal. Music is playing and slowly rising in tension.

They look at it for a moment, then Abbigail walks in assertively, Luna follows, and Vulcannus follows up the rear with Kiki.

They come through the other side as the music fades out to silence. Only wind can be heard as they look around and see a very lifeless End realm. A few Endermen who are no longer glowing are standing lifeless around the area.

ABBIGAIL

The End is dying… I can feel it growing weaker.

VULCANNUS

The situation is more grim than anticipated. We must make haste.

They move off and the camera tilts up to a nearby end temple.

Cuts to them all walking through the hallways. In the background a Shulker box opens and Kiki flies over to look.

ABBIGAIL

Do you know where we are?

VULCANNUS

Our cartographers have tried to assemble a map of the End realm, but every attempt has been futile. This world does not obey the same physicality as others.

The Shulker closes itself up and teleports away.

Cuts ahead, they enter a storage area and find an Enderchest.

VULCANNUS

And here we need you, Abbigail.

Abbigail goes ahead and opens the chest up slowly. Vulcannus turns towards Kiki. Kiki drifts towards the Enderchest and goes in.

Cuts to a dimly lit treasure room in the Nether. An Enderchest in the middle bumps once, and then opens up as Kiki flies up and out.

She looks around a bit and goes towards the door and unlocks it.

Back in the End, Kiki flies out and chirps and smiles.

VULCANNUS

Excellent work, Kiki. We must now return to the Nether.

ABBIGAIL

We? You failed to mention this small detail.

Luna growls.

VULCANNUS

I promised you information- the information is in the Nether. Have I given you reason to doubt me, Queen Abbigail?

Abbigail mounts onto Luna.

ABBIGAIL

Then let’s get this over and done with.

Luna prepares to take off, but Abbigail stops her, as Vulcannus hasn’t gotten on yet.

ABBIGAIL

Luna!

Luna pauses with a dull expression, and waits for Vulcannus to mount up as well. Before he has time to get comfortable however, she rockets up and away, and they fly out of the castle and back towards the portal.

Cut back to Felora. Lucan and Niika are walking through Felora.

NIIKA

We need to be more careful from now on.

LUCAN

Should we split up? Might be safer.

NIIKA

*firm* If Skorch wants to separate us he can try. Come on, let’s start from the top of Nitsuke’s list.

Cuts to a bit further ahead in time. They knock on the side of the doorway, asFelora houses rarely have doors and enter.

Lucan stumbles over something.

LUCAN

Ah, what the?

Lucan and Niika look along the ground as the camera pans across the floor revealing many empty glass bottles. Camera continues panning up to a sleeping Eddy.

LUCAN

Eddy?!

Eddy wakes up abruptly and stumbles around.

EDDY

Wh- what! The drinks were mine I swear!

NIIKA

You know this guy?

EDDY

Lucas! I mean- Lucan! You’re alive! I thought you were killed!

LUCAN

Why does everyone keep saying that?! Is it really that surprising? I can take care of myself.

Lucan straightens up, Niika rolls her eyes and smiles.

LUCAN

Hey if anyone should be surprised it’s me- I was told I was the only survivor. What happened to you, Eddy?

EDDY

Well you see… I kind of passed out after I fell.

Flashback begins.

EDDY

When I woke up, I searched for survivors… as well as something to drink. I then went to report the incident to Felora, but must have taken a wrong turn and ended up in Azilton. I stayed there a while, got something to drink, and then defended the city against countless waves of undead with the help of a snowman army and-

Flashback gets really weird and obviously wrong at the end when Lucan’s voice cuts through causing it to cut back to reality suddenly.

LUCAN

Yeah Eddy that last part didn’t actuallyhappen…

EDDY

You sure? I could have sworn…

Eddy thinks about it.

NIIKA

Are you willing to fight for Felora against the Nether?

EDDY

Hm? Oh yeah- of course! Just let me know what-wooa!

Eddy trips over one of his bottles and falls.

Lucan and Niika leave and Niika looks questioning but also suppressing laughter.

LUCAN

He’ll do his part, don’t worry.

They walk off. The camera pans back as Skorch was watching.

They arrive at a small building and enter. Sitting with their back to them is a dark figure, looking out a balcony at the trees of Felora.

He turns and faces them, revealing himself as a Necromancer.

NIIKA

A Necromancer!

Niika draws her sword, and Lucan becomes a bit defensive as well.

XARIA

Astounding observation. We’ve met before I believe.

NIIKA

*sour* Come on Lucan, we don’t need help from this scum.

Niika turns and begins leaving.

XARIA

Perhaps not, but as you’ve already begun you might as well finish what you came to say.

Niika stops in the doorway and notices Lucan has remained.

LUCAN

We’re looking for people to join our rebellion. The Shadow said you were a good choice.

NIIKA

*annoyed* Lucan!

XARIA

There is only one shadow, and it looms over us all. My name is Xaria, and I will gladly fight against the Nether.

NIIKA

You served the Necrolord to destroy Felden- why would you fight with us now?

XARIA

The Nether killed my master, and destroyed everything he stood for. Xan Voltaris, or the Necrolord as he was known to most, recruited people like myself- people without wealth, land, or family. He promised us all this and more when we conquered the world. You cannot blame us for seizing such an opportunity.

During his speech he watches the Wither fly by around Felora.

Niika hurries over and gets up in Xaria’s face aggressively.

NIIKA

We can blame you for all of the innocent people you killed during your “conquest!” So what- you help us… we overthrow the Nether… what will you do then, Xaria?

Xaria takes a slight step backwards giving himself more space.

XARIA

It matters little to me. I came from nothing, and I will return to nothing.

LUCAN

So… we have an agreement?

Xaria holds out his hand.

XARIA

You have my word.

Niika, who is closer, turns and abruptly leaves. Lucan comes forward and shakes, which then cuts to outside with Lucan arguing, Niika is pacing.

LUCAN

We need everyone.

NIIKA

There has to be another way. We shouldn’t need to fight monsters using monsters of our own.

LUCAN

Will you trust me on this one?

Lucan gets a bit closer to Niika, who backs off and turns away.

NIIKA

I do trust you, but I’ll never trust a Necromancer. Let’s just get this list over with.

Niika goes off, and Lucan follows a bit delayed. Cuts back to inside the room where Xaria sits. He’s holding his staff looking at it. The door opens back up behind him.

XARIA

Was there more to say?

Xaria turns around to see Skorch and a few Wither Skeletons standing in the room.

SKORCH

Oh there is much more to say, and you’re going to start talking.

They begin encircling Xaria and pin him against the balcony.

SKORCH

I’ve been following my prey for some time, and I’ve learned quite a bit. The Shadow is female, and it’s not the little kitten with her human friend. What kind of person would have such a wealth of information? Perhaps… the Chronicler Nitsuke?

Skorch draws his sword. Xaria draws his.

SKORCH

I’m going to find her, and all of Felora will bear witness to her execution… then you will be next.

Xaria quickly tosses down a small wither head which explodes into a quick flash of smoke, and Xaria leaps over the balcony and dashes off.

Skorch runs to the edge and looks for Xaria.

SKORCH

Find the Chronicler! I want her alive!

Cuts to the wilderness. Vulcannus, Abbigail, and Luna are gathered around a random Nether portal. They kill the last of the Wither Skeletons on guard, and Vulcannus approaches the portal.

VULCANNUS

The beacons in your capitals prevent Nether portals from opening nearby.

Vulcannus then gestures to the nether portal.

VULCANNUS

That forced the Nether to infiltrate the Overworld from a distance, leaving your capital cities safe. You can understand why it was so important to take the capitals and disable the beacons. Come then.

Luna leans down towards Abbigail and shakes her head.

ABBIGAIL

I have to. Wait here for me ok?

Luna still looks unconvinced.

ABBIGAIL

I’ll be fiiiine… I hope.

She turns to Vulcannus who hops through the nether portal just then.Kiki follows through.

ABBIGAIL

I know, I know, last time I said that I ended up getting stabbed through the chest. We’re out of options, Luna.

She pets Luna a bit, then steps through the portal.

Inside the Nether, they walk to the edge of a netherrack cliff, and overlook the Nether city. Kiki drifts beside them.

VULCANNUS

Behold, Nazgard, the ancestral city of the Nether, home to the Netharans.

There is a very good view of the city from their angle.

ABBIGAIL

We have to go in there? Surely there’s another way- you could get the records yourself and bring them to me-

VULCANNUS

There is still one final task I need you for, Queen Abbigail. But you are right: we’re treading dangerous grounds. Although the majority of forces are currently in the Overworld, the remaining troops and civilians will be on high alert after having destroyed a nether star.

Vulcannus turns towards Kiki.

VULCANNUS

Fly back home where it is safe, Kiki. Come Abbigail, we are nearing completion of our quest.

Vulcannus starts trekking across the Nether towards the entrance to the city as Kiki flies off and Abbigail follows. Abbigail seems a bit worried and watches Kiki flying away.

Cuts to top of Felora. The Shadow team is gathered around the room.

Nitsuke is walking around the room, looking at some of the potted plants curiously.

NITSUKE

I’ve heard reports that the Nether forces stationed here are decreasing. If a certain rebellion was to strike, now would be the time.

LUCAN

The Necromancers havehidden tunnels under the city. Once the rebellion is underway, we can evacuate civilians out of those tunnels while the army is distracted.

Nitsuke picks up a potted flower and looks at it.

NITSUKE

From what I’ve read, Withers are able to control nearby undead… almost like a hive mind. Killing it will need to be a priority.

Lucan turns to Marcus.

LUCAN

How many archers can we outfit?

MARCUS

Maybe a dozen- dunno if it’ll be enough to kill one of those monsters.

Marcus is cut off as Xaria bursts through the door.

XARIA

We’re out of time! Skorch knows you’re organizing the resistance, and he’s tearing through the city looking for you, Chronicler!

Nitsuke looks around, worried.

Cuts back to Nether. They arrive at a back entrance walkway.

VULCANNUS

This entrance is scarcely utilized, we’ll have our best chance of entering here. Follow closely on my left, and whatever happens… trust me.

They walk across the walkway, exposing Abbigail in plain sight. Ghasts float around, but apart from that no one seems to notice her. Wither skeletons are on a nearby wall, but when looking over briefly can’t see Abbigail due to where Vulcannus stands on her right.

Upon entering the castle they arrive in a small courtyard. All at once, Wither Skeletons flood out of the hallways and surround Abbigail and Vulcannus.

Abbigail draws her sword, and Vulcannus walks towards the ring of skeletons, and turns around.

ABBIGAIL

What’s the meaning of this? Vulcannus?!

VULCANNUS

This is the final task I needed you for, as well as the answer to your questions. King Pythus assigned me to eliminate the Enderknights by any and all means necessary. There is only one source of power remaining for the End… yourself. Take her to the dungeons.

ABBIGAIL

You traitor! I trusted you!

Vulcannus says nothing as the Wither Skeletons move in around Abbigail. The camera pans back revealing her disappear into a circle of Wither Skeletons.

To be continued.