The Ardoni clans mourned the tragedies that happened that day. They carried the bodies of their fellow kinsmen and buried them. One by one, they erected their tombstones. The Masters of Sendaris, Nestoris, Mendoris, and Kaltaris clans came before each to pay their respects. Tapping the stones with their clan's staff, the Masters lit each one. The stones shone forever with the Ardoni's markings who laid beneath it.
Around the stone that shone blue with the markings of Thalleous Sendaris, the Ardoni gathered. He was the Champion, the best of them all. Even he was killed in these attacks.
After the burial ceremonies were over, the Masters assembled in the meeting room.
"Unbelievable!" Zulius Kaltaris shouted, slamming the table in front of him. Even though he was no Master, as a representative of the Kaltaris clan, he could speak first. "This is unprecedented! All four Ardoni clans were attacked! one village each, all dead. Slaughtered." He declared.
"Not just any villages either." Master Siderian Mendoris observed. "They were after the Prime Songs."
There was silence as the message was processed. Everyone tried to think of who could conceivably commit such a slaughter.
Finally, Galadar Mendoris spoke. He was a young Ardoni, scarcely past his prime. "Many times has Thalleous Sendaris warned of this, and because of his efforts the Prime Songs are safe from the Voltaris... for now." His voice was grave. Doom will be upon them.
"Do not be so hasty Galadar." His younger brother, Hadion Mendoris interjected. "We are not certain this tragedy was the work of the Voltaris. It may have been bandits," He tried to come up with alternative explanations for the attacks, coordinated though they may seem. "Or the Unyielding Legion." Yes, that group has always eyed the Songs greedily. "I have also heard about a Necromancer group rising in the west."
"Then what will we do?" Galadar took the question upon the Council's table.
"As much as it pains me," Master Siderian struck the ground with the Mendor, the staff of the Mendoris clan, "I must concede with our previous judgement. We are too weak to attack." He bent over in grievance. "and we risk too much."
Master Aurelius Nestoris walked out from the side and addressed the Ardoni around the table. His deep voice resonated within everyone's heart.
"Long has it been an honor for us masters to light the graves of our dead, so that their markings may shine forever. But the stones we lit today," He pointed with the Nestor to the graves, "did not signify the passage of elders concluding long life. Today we buried innocents, massacred by an enemy we no longer have the strength or courage to repel."
As his voice fell away, all around the table heads were bowed. Some in mourning for their lost friends and family, some in shame. Before the Great War, the Voltaris were not a threat at all. Now, they can only stand by and watch as they slaughtered their people.
"Master Aurelius speaks wisely." Zulius spoke at last. "I will go forth against the Voltaris."
Heads turned toward him. Zuilus's green markings glowed brighter as he brought out his decision.
"Thalleous warned us of a Voltaris attack on the Prime Songs, and the attack came." Zulius put his finger on the table to emphasize his point. "Before moving them, he told me that the Voltaris were on Mount Velgrin where they killed a companion of his: Hawken." Voices around them started murmuring. If this was indeed true, then the Voltaris were as ruthless as the legends tell and danger was imminent. "I am no master, and I have no partner in life." Zulius declared. "I will do what I must to eliminate the Voltaris once and for all."
Master Siderian rejected his idea. "What you propose would bring our clans to war." As much as he thinks the Voltaris is a threat, the four clans are in no position to attack.
"Master Siderian," Galadar refuted, "we face an even greater danger if we allow the Voltaris to grow in strength." He turned to face the cavern. "I will go with you, Zulius Kaltaris."
"As will I, brother." said Hadion, placing a hand on his brother's arm. "The only way to end this threat is to face it."
Master Aurelius's deep voice settled the plan. "The Ardoni will go to war once again." He struck the Nestor against the ground. "We will send word to the other clans and gather all Ardoni warriors who are willing to fight. In a fortnight, we ride to Mount Velgrin to eliminate this threat once and for all."
The meeting concluded. Galadar and Zulius walked together out onto the balcony. The evening has not yet fallen completely. The sky was not the usual orange of dusk, but a deep red, the color of the Voltaris clan. Could it be, thought Zulius, that this is the end of the Ardoni?
Galadar felt his weapon on his back. "Many years has it been since we last wielded the Songs of war." He observed, looking up at the sky.
"Let us hope" said Zulius, taking out his staff, "we remember how to use them." He pointed it at the sky and fired his Aggressium song. The red tornado flew into the air towards the setting sun, towards a by-gone age that has now returned.