Recap / Songs Of War S 1 E 10 Episode 10

We will soon see which of us is doomed.

Release date: March 28th 2020

Synopsis: Senn and Igneous arrive in Ataraxia to a familiar surprise, the Felden army invades the Necrobase, Abbigail sets off to determine the fate of the Enderknights, and the Ardoni arrive at Mt. Velgrin for a final battle against the Voltaris in this thrilling conclusion to Songs of War Season 1!

Senn and Igneous talk briefly about the Guardians as they arrive on the outskirts of Ataraxia, an Ardoni city made up of floating landmasses. When they get a look at it, they are momentarily stunned by Ataraxia's beauty. They decide to leave Timber behind at a nearby stable and go see the city for themselves.

At Ataraxia, Zulius and Hadion are talking with Hubris Nestoris, an Ardoni warrior. Zulius asks Hubris if he is willing to join the army who will fight against the Voltaris, however Hubris insists there's a bigger threat than the Voltaris and that all of Ardonia must be protected. A disappointed Zulius and Hadion walk away, looking for other Ardoni warriors who might be interested.

Senn, who overheard this conversation, approaches Hubris stating that he agrees with his viewpoint on the Voltaris, and Hubris says that he is recruiting for a resistance force that he has formed called The Knights of Ardonia. He offers a place for Senn and Igneous, but Senn states that they have more pressing issues to be getting on with. Igneous then walks off to a nearby forge and Senn follows.

Senn and Igneous meet Galleous, a blacksmith and Thalleous' estranged brother. Senn breaks the news that Thalleous was killed by the Voltaris, and while Galleous tries not to seem distraught, he strikes his tools in grief before leaving to his balcony, saddened over his brother's death. After Galleous takes a moment to compose himself, Senn and Igneous formally introduce themselves. The three discuss the current state of the world, with Galleous stating that a war is coming and that the armies of Ardonia will be of little help, due to the conflict between K'arthen and Cydonia. Igneous suggests he travel to the two kingdoms to stop the conflict. Galleous is supportive of the idea, stating that Cydonia and K'arthen have Ardonia's two largest armies, and that a Magnorite like Igneous would be perfect for the role of uniting them. Before Igneous leaves though, Galleous gives him some instructions:

Galleous: The borders of K'arthen are closed and the people suspicious. However, I have a contact in Cydonia who can aid you. Take this gold (hands Igneous some gold), sail to Meridian, and find Aren the Fletcher. Be cautious though, Magnorites are not welcome in Cydonia.

Igneous: Thank you Galleous. I hope we'll see each other again Senn.

Senn: I think we will. Goodbye Igneous, and good luck. (Igneous sets off)

Abbigail finishes burying Sam and then notices a strange, wispy energy forming around the Dragon Egg. As purple energy begins forming around it, the egg explodes, sending Abbigail flying and confused. As she gets up, the egg is no longer there, having been reduced to shards, revealing that a tiny black dragonet has hatched. After climbing a nearby ledge, the dragonet attempts to fly, only to fall and for Abbigail to catch her. The dragonet decides to stay on Abbigail's shoulder, and Abbigail looks happy to have a new pet.

As Niika walks around a city in the jungle, the Felden army rushes into Mount Tempus, only to find the Necrobase empty. Lucan remarks that they are too late and Niika witnesses the Necrolord initiating the invasion of the city she's at, by summoning hundreds of undead from the tunnels.

As Senn finally has a chance to eat in Ataraxia, he asks Galleous as to why such drastic measures will be necessary in stopping the Voltaris. Galleous responds that times are changing in Ardonia, something that Thalleous knew before everyone else. He also says that he's specialised in acquiring information, which he relays to Senn.

Galleous: At this very moment. The armies of Felden have begun their war against the Necromancers. A dark shroud will soon spread across the kingdom of Felden. The Ardoni clans have called many warriors south to exact revenge on the Voltaris and destroy them once and for all. Your friend Igneous travels to K'arthen to settle a civil war between two kingdoms. And, most exciting of all. There have even been reports that the first Enderdragon has been hatched in over a hundred years. If we are to prevent a Second Great War, we are going to need everyone.

Senn then immediately says that he wants to fight, and Galleous promises to train him, as Thalleous would have. He then takes Senn with him to his bunker, where he reveals that he's been preparing for the Voltaris, by stocking up on as many weapons as he could make.

The scene changes to the Voltaris on the peak of Mount Velgrin, Tygren saying that they will no longer need to hide in the shadows as they stand by the large portal frame. Only then does he realise that Zulius has walked up behind them all. They both display the force of their respective armies, and a battle of Songs ensues after the portal frame activates. When the battle displays a tie between the two sides, they engage in melee combat. The fight is brutal, with casualties on both sides. Tygren and Zulius rack up a large body count before engaging with each other, and Zulius gains the upper hand as the Voltaris are shown to be losing. But it's at this moment that the portal opens, and shows what's on the other side.

It's the final battle between the Deathsinger, Ingressus Voltaris, and the Tidesinger, Achillean Nestoris. They switch between talking and fighting each other, showing their prowess with their weapons and Songs, before Deathsinger shows Tidesinger what he's really doing up on Mount Velgrin.

Deathsinger: I cannot win this war. Not now... But I will return... long after this battle is over, and I have been forgotten! When Ardonia has grown weak, and my enemies are gone... and when you.. are no longer there... TO STOP ME!!

The Deathsinger charges at Tidesinger, attacking him with all he's got, and knocks him off the cliffside, assuming the latter died from the fall. He then walks towards the portal, his Songs leaving his body as he does so, and then steps into the present, with Tygren now at his side and Zulius against him. The opposing Ardoni are bewildered by his presence. The Deathsinger sees that he's now surrounded, and pulls his sword and staff, ready for battle once again.

After the credits roll, we see that the Tidesinger survived the fall, and is making his way towards the portal, to continue his fight with Deathsinger.

Tropes:

• Badass Normal: Galadar and Hadion Mendoris as well as Lucidius Voltaris, despite not possessing any Songs, are among the survivors of the initial fight, at least before the portal opens up.
• Bait-and-Switch: When Senn and Igneous first arrive at the blacksmith, we initially think that they have somehow met Thalleous, only to show that it is Galleous, his younger brother, who's quite different to Thalleous despite looking very similar.
• Bearer of Bad News: Senn has the unfortunate task of telling Galleous about Thalleous' death, which makes both parties very uncomfortable.
• Big Badass Battle Sequence: The climax of the episode involves the Ardoni war party and the remaining Voltaris clan fighting against the other. It's the very best of the already fantastic fight animation that has been displayed in the series, and shows how much work went into the making of both the episode, and the series.
• Big Eater: Senn, after having gone so long without eating, eats an awful lot of food provided by Galleous, who's surpirised by the amount he's eating, but assures him that he may continue.
• Book Ends: This season opened with the Deathsinger's Leitmotif, and this episodes ends with the same Leitmotif, as he returns to Ardonia.
• Bullet Catch: A Nestoris Ardoni uses his Suppori-kinesis ability to catch and hold Tygren's Aggro-sphere before it can hit Zulius.
• But Now I Must Go: Igneous leaves not too long after arriving in Ataraxia, having concluded with Galleous that he is vital in settling the conflict between Cydonia and K'arthen, so as to unite them in order to avoid a Second Great War.
  Igneous: It really was nice meeting you Senn, I'm going to miss the only friend I've ever had.
  Senn: Wait, Igneous? You're going to leave just like that?
  Igneous: Hey, I have a short lifespan remember? There's not a moment to waste.
  Galleous: A bit of patience may save you even more time, my young friend.
• Cassandra Truth: Hubris Nestoris is initially brushed off by Zulius and Hadion for his suggestion to create an army to protect all of Ardonia from all threats, but it seems like an incredibly good idea after the Necromancers initiate a war against Felden and the return of the Deathsinger.
  Hubris Nestoris: We need to be ready to defend all of Ardonia.
  Hadion Mendoris: Hmph. You exaggerate.
• Continuity Nod:
  • Senn mentions the Voltaris attack on Sendaria as to the reason he supports Hubris Nestoris' plan for the Knights of Ardonia.
  • The Cydonia-K'arthen conflict is mentioned as a major obstacle in uniting the world against the threat of a Second Great War.
  • Tygren is shown to have taken Thalleous' sword and Mobilium Song, after he killed him in the ambush several episodes ago.
  • The true purpose of the portal frame on the peak of Mount Velgrin, first shown back in the first episode, is revealed in the climax of the episode, as a time portal.
• Crazy-Prepared: Galleous proves himself to be a Badass Pacifist when he shows that he's been stocking up on weapons in the event of a war erupting across the world.
  Galleous: I do not just make tools Senn. I have been preparing for the Voltaris in my own way.
• Description Cut: With every mention of a different character or location that Galleous tells Senn about in his relaying of certain news, the screen cuts to that character or location to show the viewer what's happening.
• Does This Remind You of Anything??: The actions and preparations of the remaining Voltaris, especially when it comes to the return of their master, mirrors that of several real-world demonic cults. The fact that the portal is of dark magic origin fuels this even further.
• Egg Macguffin: The Etherean Dragon Egg hatches in this episode with a tiny dragonet coming out of it. Said hatching makes quite a loud explosion, as well as a purple mushroom cloud.
• Faking the Dead: It's implied that the Tidesinger did this in order to trick Deathsinger into walking away and not killing him.
• Fling a Light into the Future: Ingressus Voltaris, the Deathsinger, orchestrated a plan that involved him setting out instructions for the remaining Voltaris to follow, and allowed himself to travel through a time portal that sent him over 150 years into the future.
• Floating Continent: Ataraxia is a hidden city made up of floating landmasses and connected by various wooden bridges.
• Foreshadowing: Igneous mentions the Glacians as an ancient species when talking about the guardians to Senn, before they reach Ataraxia.
• From Bad to Worse: All of the storylines (barring Senn's) invoke this.
  • The Necromancer storyline goes from having the Necromancers going from a minor threat, to leading a large scale invasion of Felden.
  • The Ardoni war party, hoping to crush the Voltaris at Mount Velgrin, now have to deal with the Deathsinger to walked through a portal to the present.
  • Defied with Abbigail, as while she lost her best friend and killed a man, she witnesses the hatching of the first Enderdragon in over a century, one which quickly chooses Abbigail as her owner.
• Genius Bruiser: Tygren kills the Ardoni who are on a vantage point (and are thus out of range of the Voltaris) in order to stop the slaughter of many of his fellow Voltaris on the battlefield.
• Heroic BSoD: After the Necromancers attack and burn down Riverstead, Lucan, Niika and Alec are seen in shock and grief as they see the city in flames.
• Hidden Elf Village: Ataraxia is revealed to be an Ardoni city hidden away in the mountains near the Heart of Ardonia, and is guarded by the Guardians seen in the previous episodes. It was founded in the Great War as a refuge for those displaced by the fighting, founded by Galleous Sendaris and many others.
• Humble Hero: Achillean Nestoris is shown to be this, not wanting to wield the power of the Prime Songs, in case he is corrupted by their influence.
  Ingressus Voltaris: You certainly have improved your ability to wield the Songs. I wonder... what you would have done had you been given the Primes.
  Achillean Nestoris: The Prime Songs have always been your desire, not mine. I would have refused them, for no one should wield their combined power.
• Internal Homage: The shot of Zulius turning up behind Tygren on Mount Velgrin is one to the first episode, where Tygren pulled the same move on Thalleous.
• Is That the Best You Can Do?: Tygren, initially assuming that Zulius came alone, taunts him for not coming better prepared, showing off the remaining Voltaris as a show of force. Zulius then shows the Ardoni war party to show Tygren exactly how prepared he is.
• Javelin Thrower: Zulius kills a Voltaris warrior by throwing his staff into its chest.
• Jumped at the Call: Senn, after hearing from Galleous about everything going on in Ardonia, wants to help fight against the threats that are now on the supercontinent.
  Galleous: If we are to prevent a Second Great War, we are going to need everyone.
  Senn: (gets off his seat) I will gladly fight. What must I do?
• Last Episode, New Character: This episode introduces us to Hubris Nestoris, a recruiter for the Knights of Ardonia, and Galleous Sendaris, the estranged brother of Thalleous. Both of them will become important later in the series.
• The Lonely Door: The obsidian portal frame on the peak of Mount Velgrin opens into the Past (from the present day). From the past, only darkness can be seen.
• My Significance Sense Is Tingling: When Niika is in Riverstead, she senses that something is not quite right, and after the Felden military see that the Necrobase is empty, we see the Necrolord atop a cave entrance, and Niika sees him as he summons the undead from the tunnels.
• No Man Should Have This Power: Achillean Nestoris, the Tidesinger, claims that he would have refused the Prime Songs, siting this trope as his reason (see Humble Hero above).
  Ingressus: (Evil Laugh) That is what they all say... until you have felt them for yourself.
• Not So Stoic: Galleous tries to be calm upon hearing of the death of his brother Thalleous, however, his voice break while talking about it, and he ends up storming off in grief. After a while clears his voice and begins talking strategy with Senn and Igneous.
  Galleous: I always told him to stay away from the Voltaris. But no... why listen to Galleous... Galleous, who never leaves his workshop? (strikes his tool) And now, I am the last of my family! (strikes his anvil in frustration and storms off)
• Oh, Crap!: When the Necrolord initiates the Necromancer invasion, Niika is seen with this expression as he summons the undead. Lucan shows this in his tone of voice after he sees the empty Necrobase at Mount Tempus
  Lucan: Oh no... we're too late.
• Only Friend: Senn is this to Igneous, who says that Senn is the only real friend that he's ever had. Their prolonged farewell is among the most heartwarming moments in the series.
• Put on a Bus: Timber is left in the stables on the outskirts of Ataraxia, since horses can't go onto the floating landmasses of the main city.
• Replacement Goldfish: Luna (despite not yet being named) is this to Abbigail, who tragically lost Sam in the previous episode.
• The Reveal:
  • Thalleous has a surviving brother by the name of Galleous, who he never made up with prior to his death.
  • Everything that the Voltaris have done in this season, has been orchestrated by the Deathsinger, so that he may return to the present, stronger than ever.
• Ridiculously Cute Critter: The newly-hatched dragonet (later named Luna), is tiny and absolutely adorable.
• Scenery Gorn: Riverstead, upon being torched by the invading Necromancers, has its destruction fantastically detailed when Kiyoshi, Lucan, Niika and Alec are seeing it for the first time.
• Scenery Porn: Ataraxia, the hidden city of the Ardoni, is finally seen in all its majestic glory in this episode, being high in the sky and accessible by only one bridge, and having the sun shine down beautifully.
• Sibling Yin-Yang: Thalleous and Galleous were this. Thalleous was a pro-Song wandering champion of the Sendaris clan, whilst Galleous is a pacifistic blacksmith dedicated to the city that he founded (with others).
  Galleous: While he [Thalleous] is out there adventuring and exploring- I just live the "mundane" life.
• The Stinger: An after credits scene involves the Tidesinger climbing back up Mount Velgrin, heading directly for the portal.
• Survivor Guilt: Abbigail clearly feels guilt over Sam's death, since he died trying to protect her and she failed to repay the favour.
  Abbigail: (grieving) I'm sorry Sam.
• Tranquil Fury: Kiyoshi is calm yet clearly fuming over having just lost the city of Riverstead to the Necromancer invasion. This is something that will weigh heavily on him in future episodes.
• War Hawk: As the quote in the plot description (above) shows, Ingressus Voltaris, the Deathsinger has descended into this, and he was planning to get out of one war in order to start and win another one in the future.
• Wham Episode: Where do we even begin? Thalleous is revealed to have a surviving brother by the name of Galleous, the Etherean Dragon Egg hatches, being the first in over a century, the Necromancers have begun their invasion of Felden, and the Deathsinger is revealed to have travelled through time in order to fight another Great War when he lost first one, surprising all of the Ardoni present.
• What the Hell, Hero?: Invoked by Ingressus and targeted at Achillean. This gives the audience a much more contrasting view of the Tidesinger and his actions.
  Ingressus: Do you remember who it was- who suggested I enter the tournament in the first place?
• Worthy Opponent: Ingressus recognises Achillean as this during their fight over 150 years in the past, before he knocks him off the cliffside.
  Ingressus: You are my greatest adversary Achillean. You united the clans, allied with the Enderknights, and brought together an army which I could never have hoped to destroy. And you- you Achillean, stood between me and the Prime Songs.