#Attack Titan Varian

[bee-snail]

Honestly, just because of that disgusting creep Ch**rio I headcanon Varian growing taller than the Baron or the Stabbingtons.

is this tall enough for you

[justis4kira]

Hello!! Heres my intro post xx

Disclaimer; This post may end up very messy, i will try my very hardest to keep it organized !! xx

HEYO !! To start, my name is Varian/Valentine! For short, you can call me Vee or Val !! I use She/He pronouns . Ill use a small chart below to show how i feel abt each pronoun!

He/His/Him -> 8/10, most preferred !!

She/Her/Her's -> 6/10, not my most preferred, but im perfectly fine with these !!

They/Them/Theirs -> 3/10, i dont necessarily like these, only use them when you genuinely dk what my preferred pronouns are.

Xenos/Neos -> 0/10, please do NOT use these to refer to me !!

I am 14 yrs old, so please keep any nsfw/innaproppite comments to yourself. Im fine with small complements, just dont get too graphic with it.

I am an ao3 writer, and i just posted my first fic about a week ago !! my username is "justis4kira" just as my blog name is. Link for the fic will be posted at the bottom of this post !!

My other blog is @romanicitydictonary if youd like to check that one out !!

My current intrests:

Many childrens cartoons (adventure time, bluey, tts, etc...)

Sally Face

Deathnote

Attack on Titan

Metal Family

Creepypasta

Avatar: The Last Airbender

My current kinnies:

Toby Rogers (Creepypasta)

Sal Fisher (Sally Face)

Mio (SBTS)

Shun (SBTS)

Marceline (Adventure Time)

Zuko (ATLA)

DNI:

People above the age of 23

People below the age of 12

Basic DNIs (homophobes, rascists, etc...)

DSMP enjoyers (some acceptable)

Swifties

Basics (doubt they even use tumblr LMAOO)

INTERACT:

Ao3 readers

Sally Face enjoyers

Anime weebs

Artists

13-18 y/o's

[chrysochroma]

hi, elliot here to give you little to no help navigating this minefield of a blog 👍

some things about me:

i also go by chrome/chroma

he/she/they (no preference)

bi/aroace/nb

ALSO i can’t legally buy fireworks in the US (i’m a minor)

things i post:

a lot of reblogs

occasionally i post my writing. i’m in the middle of several different projects right now so what i do post will be very scattered and definitely not be regularly updated

currently i’m getting through completing my first bad things happen bingo card

i have competed febuwhump! here’s my masterpost!

i love doing mcyt related exchanges/challenges/zines/other events, so there are a bunch of those on here

(hermit horror week 2023, mcyt recursive exchange, mcyt horror exchange, mcyt drabble exchange, mcytblr au fest reverse big bang + more to come!)

+ a few other original projects that you might see

even more occasionally i draw things, but it’ll happen once in a while

other info

update! i have a tag system now!

#chroma reblogs for everything i reblog, #chroma writing for my writing, #chroma art for my drawing stuff, #chroma talks for me just rambling

then i also use #art and #writing for my stuff and reblogged stuff

i also use #hermitcraft and #mcyt a lot, along with a few other fandom tags

#space for space related things and #angels to me for assorted things that seem like what i think angels look like

beware though not all of my posts are tagged like this, but like half? of my old posts are and all new posts will be. the further you scroll back the more minefield-esque this blog will become

the only other place i am active at all is Ao3 (i’m chrysochroma over there too) and all of my writing will be posted there

im very friendly and id love to chat! (especially about my interests!)

main interests!

hermitcraft (tango, PET trio) and the life series (rancher duo!!)

tangled the series/vat7k (varian!!)

percy jackson and the olympians/heroes of olympus

attack on titan

jujutsu kaisen

chainsaw man

+ currently watching interview with the vampire/rewatching the umbrella academy

other interests:

six of crows, ATLA, arcane, good omens, the sandman, collegehumor, polygon, the owl house, generation loss

+ a lot of musicals (hamilton, be more chill, spies are forever, hadestown, heathers, frankenstein and any starkid production, especially the hatchetfield trilogy)

aaaand that’s all! hope you enjoy the minefield and find what you’re looking for relatively quickly!

elliot out 👍

[sekhisadventures]

The Sapphire of House Wintersky

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains a discussion about child abuse and the death of a character. Reader discretion is advised.

Stormwind City, Outside the Castle Gates

Turalyon looked down from the battlements, his brow furrowed in concern, at the crowd below him. The guards stood ready with shields at hand but, and the reagent had made this very clear, no weapons. Keep the people back, but do not even consider harming them.

“TURALYON! TELL US THE TRUTH!” came an angry cry from below.

“My cousin is on that island, and he says he saw a monster like Deathwing reborn! What have you been hiding from us?!” came another, louder voice, which only encouraged the rest.

“Is this why the Dracthyr are here?! Are they working with this thing?! Has the Twilight’s Hammer returned?!” shouted a third.

Turalyon sighed, turning away, and walking back into the keep past another older man dressed in a brown leather greatcoat and trousers with grey hair and a thick bushy mustache. “I told you that you wouldn’t be able to keep the Incarnates secret forever. My people had to learn that the hard way too…” he snorted.

“Not now Genn…” sighed the paladin as he walked through the halls. He was at least able to warn the Dracthyr still in Stormwind to travel to the Isles before the news broke entirely, but any who were still in the city would likely become targets now by a fearful mob. This is exactly what Wrathion and Azurathel had been worried about...

King Greymane stood and followed him, “Yes now. They're not going to just give up and go home! They need something Turalyon! Give them some assurance that you and the other leaders of the Alliance are addressing the matter, anything!” he said.

Turalyon frowned, stopping and turning to face him, “It wouldn’t matter Genn, we both know its not me they want to hear it from.” he nodded firmly.

Genn narrowed his eyes, then sighed and nodded, “Mmm… I won’t deny that, but unless they get some answers there will be rioting before the week’s end. Meet with the rest of your council and figure out something Turalyon. Take it from me, a ruler who ignores his people for too long will wind up a king without a kingdom.” he warned.

Turalyon gave him a curt nod, then turned away and walked off into the halls of Stormwind Castle as Genn shook his head, glancing up at a portrait hanging on the wall. It showed a young man in royal garb, looking unsure of himself, next to a tall knight in armor with red hair and a beard, painted the summer after King Varian disappeared, the knight’s hand resting on the boy’s shoulder in an almost parental way.

“Anduin, by the Light where are you? Your people need you…” the old worgen whispered.

Loamm, Zalarek Cavern, One Week After Fyrakk’s Attack

Samantha Monetbank sat at the inn, sharpening her dagger, as around her the sounds of work continued. The people of Loamm mourned their loss, but their homes still needed to be rebuilt, and whats more they had to worry about defenses too.

Fyrakk was aboveground now, raising fel and then some on the island. The shadowflame-corrupted incarnate and his fanatical Primalist followers attacking the isles with wild abandon. Sam had almost sympathized with some of them after what she’d heard about their beliefs, but the ones that followed Fyrakk had gone every bit as mad as their leader… though she’d heard rumblings through her own channels that some of Vyranoth's followers weren’t happy about that. Restore the elemental chaos that predated the Titans sure, but the return of the Black Empire was quite another matter altogether!

Fyrakk may not be preaching the gospel of the Old Gods yet, but with the shadowflame burning his sanity away it was really only a matter of time. Hence why she and some of the others were still down here. Across from her were her allies Nelen Fullmoon, Zhan-min Irontummy, Mola’raum, and Edwood Vargas.

Nelen was their most educated when it came to metaphysical matters, so he was definitely one to have on hand to determine countermeasures for the new starcursed powers that the Primalists were using, while Zhan-min had enough shamanistic sensitivity to be aware when there was the danger of such drawing near without being overwhelmed into seizures like Sekhi had been.

Sam was worried about the vulpera, but Nitika had told her that she was recovered now but staying in Valdrakken until they could find a way to help dampen the effects of shadowflame on her to where she could at least tolerate it, otherwise Fyrakk’s very presence could threaten the shamaness’ life!

Edwood and Mola’raum were there for one very specific reason, they were undead. The Scourge had discovered early on in their use of Saronite that, for whatever reason, the dead were oddly resistant to the whispers of the Void. The shadowflame could still burn them, but the psychological effects on them were practically nil.

Of course, that’s also why she was there. It turned out that while Annulus could not reveal secrets… her intangible travelling companion was rather territorial. Sam had felt no ill effects of the whispers either. She could hear them, but that’s it. It was more annoying, like a song she couldn’t get out of her head. Other than that they were no different from any other sound to her. Annulus liked living in Sam’s mind and had set out a very clear ‘no vacancies’ notice it seemed.

“So, the shadowflame fountain is still there…” said Nelen, pointing on a map spread out on the table to where they had fought the Djaradin forces before Fyrakk’s attack, “… but for now it’ll have to remain there as we really have no way of dealing with it for the time being. Kalecgos said that he has informed Khadgar and the Kirin Tor are working on a solution with Velen and Alleria, but it could take them time. This has been there for eons after all, it may not be possible TO close it without some risk to the Isles as a whole.”

Zhan-min frowned, the pandaren stroking his beard. His transformation into an alemental had helped him restore his confidence, but even with his cheerful bravado restored he had to admit he knew when he was outgunned. “Mmm… ain’t happy ‘bout it… but complainin’ about th’ mountain ain’t gonna move it.” he sighed, “We’ll just have ta hope they can figure out somethin’.” he nodded.

Edwood frowned, “Aye, I’ve got a few contacts back home I could send word to fer advice… Martin Goodchilde ‘n th’ like… but I dunno, this is probably outta their depth by several fathoms.” he nodded. The forsaken had their own priesthood. While they couldn’t bear the touch of the Light, they learned to embrace the opposite, the Shadow. The Cult of the Forgotten Shadows had a troubled past to say the least, but they were one of the most learned groups on Azeroth in matters of the darkness of the Void save for Umbric and his ren’dorei.

Mola’raum shrugged, “Eh, ya be overtinkin’ it mon. De five of us ain’t gonna be doin’ nothin’ about dat spooky shit. Leave it ta de Kirin Tor ‘n dem. We focus on wut we can do. Find some Primalists dat be threatenin’ de niffen ‘n…” he grinned and drew a finger along his throat with a ‘k-k-kkktch’ sound.

Samantha smirked, “Damn right Mola. Focus on the problems we can sort out… so, Nelen, any idea of what we can actually do now?” she asked.

Nelen shrugged, rolling up the map and sliding it back into his magically enlarged pouch. “Well, for now we just keep an eye out for Primalists and help protect Loamm while the niffen rebuild.” he replied, “I suppose we could do a patrol…” he began, though he was feeling hungry…

A niffen stuck their head in the doorway and called to them. “Hey ya’ll! If ya wanna snack we just got a big wagon full of fresh slugs ‘n moths! Who’s up for stew?” he called.

Nelen’s mouth became a thin line as Samantha got a very interesting expression herself, Zhan-min coughing a bit as Ed sat up and grinned widely. “Ooooh! Can I get extra antennae in mine?!” he cackled, “Mola ye gotta try this stuff, I could taste it last time ‘n ye know we can’t taste bloody anything!” he nodded.

Mola’raum smirked, standing up, “Oho? Well damn, gotta be givin’ dis a look… Whatcha say?” he looked to Nelen and Samantha with a knowing smirk.

Nelen coughed, “Oh dear we really must be going out on patrol now, and I think Zhan-min wanted to report back in with Valdrakken didn’t you?” he asked the pandaren man rather pointedly.

Zhan-min looked around, blinking a bit, “I did? … uh… OH! OH YEAH! RIGHT! I did! I’m workin’ on… uh… somethin’… with th’ innkeeper there! Yeah! Supplyin’ ‘em! Gotta go meet with him! ‘bout supplies! For th’ inn!” he nodded, scrambling to his feet with surprising agility for a heavyset bear man.

Sam nodded vigorously in agreement, and the three members of Avalon beat as dignified a retreat as they could. Nelen and Samantha set out into the cavern as Zhan-min set out towards Valdrakken.

Later, in the caves…

Samantha frowned as her stomach growled. Sure she didn’t want to eat bugs, but she wished she’d thought to grab something before they’d left Loamm… the rogue riding along through the cavern atop her voidstrider next to Nelen on his manasaber.

As she did the mage smirked, then conjured with one hand and held it out to her, holding a fresh hot bun that looked as if it’d just come out of the oven. “I don’t need to transform to hear that Sam, go on.” he chuckled.

Samantha grinned, taking it eagerly and biting into it. It may be made of arcane energy, but it was as real as any other baked good. “I like the niffen just fine, but I swear if it wasn’t for you and Jaie we’d starve down here…” she sighed.

“Well, most of us. Jaie said Sekhi was quite the fan of their cooking.” he chuckled, looking around as they rode past a great undersea lake, the surface as still as glass and as dark as night, the area around them illuminated in a soft green glow from crystalline pillars all around.

Sam shrugged, “Yeah, makes sense really. She said that Sekhi told her ‘picky eaters starve in Vol’dun.’ I guess when you grew up in a desert anything that stops kicking long enough is ‘food.’”

Nelen smirked, “Hah… I suppose so. Personally I’m just grateful I don’t remember any meals that ended like that for m-OW!” he hissed, his hand slapping the back of his neck. “Bloody fel it feels like something just stung me! Did the niffen mention if they get gnats down here?” he asked.

Samantha shook her head, “No… but I don’t need to worry about it. Any bugs that try to bite me tend to grow fifteen extra eyes, scream, and explode.” she smirked. Being a ren’dorei had it’s perks…

Nelen rubbed at his neck, “Mnnn… remind me to ask them when we get back. Maybe Shalandrae can brew us up some sort of… repell… ant…” he started to say, then trailed off as his eyes rolled back in their sockets.

Sam pulled the reins of her mount as she looked at him with worry. “Nelen?” she asked.

Nelen wobbled, then slowly slid to the left and fell off his manasaber completely, landing on the ground in a heap! He was breathing, but totally unable to move!

Sam frowned, then jumped off her mount and darted behind him, examining his neck. It was small, to small for most to notice, but an experienced rogue like her recognized the mark it’d left. A dart, just big enough to deliver a dose of poison… “Shit…” she whispered, drawing her daggers as her head snapped around. “Annulus?”

“Someone is nearby Samantha, but they are extremely good at concealment. Even I could not sense them… and we both know I am not easy to hide from.” replied the void entity.

She stood ready, then her ear twitched as she heard a faint puff from the nearby rocks. In a swirl of shadow she vanished, the dart flying just through where her own throat would have been moments before, as a surprised figure jumped up from their hiding place, hands already going to their weapons!

As soon as their fingers touched the hilts however, they felt the edge of Samantha’s crystalline dagger against their throat. “If you even breathe wrong, you’re dead.” she warned.

“… well well, it seems Alalestria wasn’t exaggerating. Well done young… well, young master doesn’t really fit now does it?” replied their assailant.

Samantha’s eyes widened in recognition, the elf growling. “Sinranir… she sent you after it I see.” she spat, anger clear in her voice. The last thing she wanted to deal with after that mess with Fyrakk was her estranged sibling.

The sin’dorei man didn’t nod, merely replying, “Yes. She did. Be reasonable now, all she really wants is her necklace back. If you give it to me odds are you’ll never see her again.” he offered.

Samantha glared, “I don’t want her to have it back. I’ve half a mind to chuck it into the ocean for the sharks at this point! Now what did you do to Nelen?!” she snapped.

“Oh nothing fatal. Do you think me a common thug? It’s a simple paralytic. He’ll be fine in a few hours, assuming some beast down here doesn’t find him first. But yes, just the necklace and I’ll be on my way. You know, she doesn’t want anything to do with you either. I honestly think you frighten her.” he said as casually as if he was talking about the weather.

Samantha narrowed her eyes, “If the poison isn’t fatal then that means I have no reason to let you live Sinranir…” she hissed, preparing to draw her dagger across his artery!

Sinranir sighed, “And here I thought we could be civilized… oh well…” he sighed, then the fingers on his right hand squeezed together as he took a deep breath and held it tight. Suddenly, the ring on his finger exploded in a cloud of thick black smoke!

As soon as her vision was cut off Samantha felt his hand grab and twist her wrist as an elbow shot back and slammed hard into her chest, making her cry out in pain! Then his heel stomped down onto her foot and he dove away, erupting out of the cloud and flipping in midair to land on his feet, drawing a pair of long daggers in one fluid motion as he turned back to her.

Samantha snarled, then burst out of the cloud herself towards him, her daggers becoming gaping holes in reality as she channeled Annulus’ power into them! She knew she couldn’t hold back here. Sinranir was no random outlaw, he was a trained assassin! Had he wanted to he could have used his blowgun to kill Nelen, but he couldn’t be sure that Samantha wouldn’t have hidden the Sapphire of House Wintersky after Alalestria’s failed attempt to claim it. He needed leverage.

Sadly, the time for that had passed. Sinranir would have to beat the location out of her it would seem.

Sam’s daggers went for his heart, but Sinranir parried and spun around her, the void elf vanishing in a burst of shadow to reappear further away, preparing to charge him again. Sinranir smirked at her, and she hesitated. She knew some tricks sure, Hulfdan’s boys had taught her every bit of dirty fighting she knew… but at the end of the day she was a thief, not a murder. Not if she could avoid it. Stealing was a grand game, murdering those she stole from was too far.

Sinranir was a murder, despite his civil demeanor there was the blood of several Quel’thalas nobles on his hands and it was only pure chance that had spared her father from his handiwork. She had no doubt his daggers were coated with something far more lethal than what he’d hit Nelen with…

… and unfortunately for her that hesitation was all he needed… he shot forward in a burst of speed and slammed his knee into her middle, then smashed the hilt of his dagger into her earlobe, sending the world spinning around her!

Samantha fell to the ground with a cough, feeling as if she was about to throw up the mana bun Nelen had given her earlier as vertigo overwhelmed her!

“Now, we had a chance to do this politely. The Sapphire of House Wintersky, where is it?” he asked, his tone suggesting that there were infinitely less 'polite' ways he could do so.

Samantha gagged, but Hulfdan’s gang had been a school of hard knocks in it’s own right, and she was already shaking off the blow to her head. As she tried to regain her balance she noticed something moving behind him. Sinranir hadn’t though, the assassin's focus entirely on her.

“Its… its in my pouch… right here… I c-can’t move my arm after that, too… disoriented… you want it? Fine… take the damn thing…” she coughed.

The elven man nodded, sheathing ONE dagger, and walking towards her. He knelt down, holding his other dagger ready, and she smirked. “Hey… Sinranir… want to know something interesting I found out… after I became a ren’dorei?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“Mmm? Whats that?” he asked, feeling around in her pouch, his dagger held just an inch from her middle.

“If a mark is from Gilneas… it usually takes three times as much poison to keep them down…” she grinned.

“Mm, is that so?” he asked, then he paused as the words sank in, his eyes going wide.

He felt a breath on his neck, and a very deep, very angry voice whispered in his ear, “Yes. It is…”

“Oh shit he’s a worgen.” he whispered. He’d been following them for days, but he hadn’t seen Nelen transform! The magus never transformed if he could help it because his claws would destroy any of his books he tried to handle!

Sinranir spun, but a massive clawed hand grabbed his arm and jerked it hard, the elf crying out in pain as another set of claws closed around his throat!

“I don’t know WHO you bloody are, or WHAT you bloody want… but that is my FRIEND you are pointing a dagger at!” roared Nelen, baring his fangs. Now he was transformed, and he was NOT happy about that!

The elf snarled and pulled his spare dagger free, slashing towards Nelen’s eyes, and in a burst of arcane light the magus vanished and the elf fell to the ground to see three more worgen staring him down. Three identical ones! Even in his transformed state he was no fool, he’d had a mirror image attack the assassin!

Sinranir readied his weapons again, then he cried out as he felt a pair of blades pierce him from behind! Samantha was on her feet again, and she wasn’t about to waste this opportunity! “Listen to me Sinranir! Alalestria can go rot for all I care! If I ever see her again I’ll see to it she’s reunited with daddy dearest in pieces!” she growled, ‘If you make it out of here alive, pass that along for me…” she smirked wickedly, then twisted her dagger and slashed hard outwards!

The elven man screamed as her blade tore free, ripping a huge gash in his side as he fell to the ground, blood oozing between his fingers as he tried to hold it shut! Nelen gasped at her, his eyes huge as the shock of her sudden viciousness caused him to lose concentration and his mirror images to dissipate.

“GO!” she shouted, kicking him hard. “Go back to Silvermoon City and tell Alalestria to forget I ever existed, assuming you don’t bleed out before you get there!”

Sinranir scowled, then squeezed his ring again as another eruption of smoke filled the area! Nelen snarled and waved his claw, a burst of arcane energy causing a shockwave to blow it away… but when the smoke cleared the assassin was gone, only a bloody stain on the ground showing he'd ever been there at all.

“Sam… what was that about? I’ve never seen you go after someone like THAT before…” he asked, the worgen’s fur shrinking away as his muzzle shriveled inwards, becoming a human face again as he resumed his other form. Sure she'd had to kill in self defense before, or in the defense of others... but that went beyond her taking down a primalist. There was emotion there, anger, outright hatred.

Samantha breathed in heavily through her teeth, she knew it was foolish to let him leave. The wound would normally be fatal, but with Sinranir she couldn’t be sure… “Nothing. It was nothing. Just someone trying to kill us. You know, average Tuesday.” she frowned, sheathing her daggers.

“… Sam, you know I’m not going to let that go.” he frowned, “You mentioned an ‘Alalestria…’ Is this someone we should be concerned about?”

Samantha laughed, “Nope! No idea who she is, doubt she knows or cares who you are either. Just some elf woman who’s ticked at me for some reason…” she waved her hand dismissively, but then she heard a ‘tch’ sound in her mind, frowning again. “Shut up Annulus…” she whispered.

“So… some 'random person you don’t know' sent a trained and well equipped assassin after you? Sam, I could have died from his dart! I need some bloody answers here!” he growled, folding his arms over his chest. If Sinranir returned there’d be good odds he wouldn’t hold back, and it might not just be him in danger next time.

Sam scowled, clutching at her hair as her tentacles writhed from Annulus' annoyance with her, then finally she shouted, “FINE! YOU WANT TO KNOW?! YOU WANT TO KNOW SO BADLY?! SHE’S MY SISTER! WANT ME TO SCREAM IT?! WANT ME TO WRITE IT ON THE WALLS OF THE CAVE?! SHE’S. MY. DAMNED. SISTER!” she yelled, her voice echoing across the cavern.

The Roasted Ram, Valdrakken, Six Hours later…

The Ram had a private meeting room for groups who needed it, and right now all of Avalon was inside. Nelen would pass it along to Savage United later if needed, but they were busy elsewhere on the isles right now.

Samantha was sitting at the end of the table, the others seated nearby. Jaie was closest, holding the void elf’s hand in her larger paw, her face full of concern for her friend. Shalandrae was leaning against a wall nearby with a raised eyebrow, she had heard from Jaie about the sin’dorei woman who’d attacked Sam and was interested in whether or not they had a new foe.

Dareley sat there with his elbows on the table, his chin resting against one hand, as was Zhan-min across from him. Nelen was at the far end of the table, and finally he nodded to Samantha. “Now… Sam, why is your sister trying to kill you?” he asked.

Samantha didn’t reply for a long moment, almost long enough that Nelen asked again, but finally, “… because she hates what I am.” she sighed, “I did steal something from her, but its more than that.” she frowned, then felt an urging in her mind. “I’m getting to it Annulus…” she grumbled miserably, then shook her head, “Mn, fine, ripping off the bandage… Montebank isn’t my real last name. Its Wintersky.”

The others looked confused, except for Nelen who sat up, his eyebrows going up. “Wintersky? As in the magister Danaforth Wintersky?” he asked in surprise. “I sat in at some of his guest lectures in old Dalaran! The man was a genius in using arcane energies for the manipulation of cold and ice! Why there’s entire textbooks on the school of Frost penned by the Wintersky family and…” he trailed off as he caught Samantha’s expression, “… I’m missing something aren’t I?” he coughed awkwardly.

Samantha nodded, “Oh yes… yes you are…” she growled, “Nelen, do you know what ‘The Curse of Azshara’s Folly’ is?” she asked.

Nelen paused, scratching at his beard. “… hm… its been some time since I heard the term, but if I remember correctly it’s a rare condition among the elves of Quel’thalas where they’re…” he paused again, his eyes going wide as he looked at Samantha as if it was the first time he’d seen her.

She nodded, “… where an elf is born without any ability to use magic at all, believed by some to be a curse placed on the Highborne and their descendants for helping Azshara almost bring the Legion to Azeroth during the War of the Ancients.” she finished, having heard the term a LOT growing up.

Shalandrae looked away, trying to hide her expression at finding out about such a thing. A lack of magical talent wasn’t something the kal’dorei worried about overmuch but knowing that their former Queen had such a thing named after her did amuse her in a dark way.

Jaie gave Sam’s hand a squeeze, “So… you were like that?” she asked.

Samantha nodded, “Mmhm… yep. What a joke, right? The child of a great and powerful Magister, born with as much magical talent as your average rock.” she replied, giving a hollow laugh. “Didn’t stop daddy dearest from trying to fix me…” she grumbled.

Nelen frowned, “Fix? Wait… what do you mean? There’s no way to just give someone magical abilities, none that won't end horribly anyways. You’re either born with them or you’re not…” he said.

Samantha looked up at him, “… for a mage you sure can be naïve sometimes Nelen. C’mon, you have to know about theories like ‘Arcanite Infusion’ and the like.”

Nelen snorted dismissively, “Oh THAT? Yeah, that sort of crackpot idea that’ll get anyone laughed out of Dalaran... or run out by an angry mob if they actually tried to demonstrate it. Injecting a person with powderized arcane crystals? Utterly absurd and horribly dangerous! That’s just as likely to wind up with one of those monsters that escaped Abberus. No self-respecting mage would ever be insane enough to try it!” he said.

Sam smirked, then held out one arm and pressed her skin flat to show several needle marks. Several very old ones. “They will if a Magister pays them enough… though I dunno if they actually used arcane crystals or not. Either way it burned like all fel.”

Dareley swore under his breath as Zhan-min winced in sympathy, Shalandrae’s head turning back to look at her again with a raised eyebrow.

Nelen however, looked horrifed. “Wait… Danaforth Wintersky paid someone to do that to his own child? But… but the man was a hero! He protected Quel’thalas fo-…” he started.

Sam slammed her hands on the table and stood up, glaring at him. “OH OF COURSE YOU’D THINK THAT!” she snapped at him, “He was a great and powerful Magister! A Dalaran boy like you would just see that and nothing else! You didn’t see how he treated me in private, how when those injections failed he got more and more desperate in his attempts over the years to…” she made finger quotes, “… ‘FIX’ me… until finally, thank whatever gods you lot care to name he just gave up, named Alalestria his heir, and did his best to forget I even existed unless he needed someone for a formal function and she was busy being important somewhere else!”

Nelen stared at her, his expression one of shock, “… he did worse than Arcanite Infusion?” he whispered in horror.

Samantha nodded, “A lot worse.” she growled.

Nelen thought, then held up a finger, “… leyblood draughts?” he tried.

Samantha nodded, “Tasted like copper and bile, I could never keep them down, or anything else once I'd had one forced down my throat. Couldn't eat for two days after each dose, felt like molten lead in my stomach.”

The magus cringed at that thought, thinking harder on some of the more insane methods he’d heard from mages who seemed more than a little unhinged even by the standards of those who dealt with the metaphysical. “Insertion of mana crystals in the subdermal…” he began.

Sam held up the side of her top and pointed to an old but very clear scar, “Had to dig them back out myself after he got fed up and sent them away. Good thing I knew how to do some first aid from watching the Farstriders train.”

Nelen’s face blanched, the mage turning slightly green. “… by th’ bloody light that’s sick…” whispered Dareley.

Nelen thought harder. Danaforth Wintersky had been an idol of his back in Dalaran, but this… this was something he'd heard horror stories about growing up there! He looked at her, then hesitated, “… Manastorm’s Marvelous Mechanical Mage-Maker…” he asked, hoping like hells he’d finally hit the line Danaforth wouldn’t cross.

Samantha just turned, lifted her shirt, and he saw several burn marks along her back. Annulus had changed her body from male to female during their time in the Shadowlands, but that was all she’d changed. The marks still remained. Samantha didn’t complain, she wanted to remember what she was free from so she'd always know how much better her life was now. “Milhouse had a ‘fun’ sense of humor…” she snorted.

Nelen looked away, covering his mouth with his hand. He looked like he was about to be ill. Milhouse Manastorm was an infamous name among the magic using community, and even his 'better intended' inventions tended to do more harm than Grimo on his worst day. “Sam… I… I’m sorry, I never imagined…” he managed.

Sam shrugged it off, then sat back down. “So yeah, you see why I never brought it up before?” she asked. “I didn’t even know Alalestria was alive until she turned up on the Dragon Isles and attacked me!”

Nelen swallowed, sitting back down, then he shook himself, “… yes, I can certainly see that now… but… we need to know if she’s likely to try again. We already have to watch out for Dissonantia, do we need to be prepared for two adversaries?” he asked.

Samantha shrugged, “As long as I have the Sapphire probably. That’s what she wants and I’ll be damned if she gets it. She was every bit as horrible as my father was to me, and I’m ready to do what Nitika did with Titanstrike and chuck the thing into the Void for whatever tentacled monstrosity finds it.”

Nelen paused, looking up, “Right, you said you robbed her… What is the Sapphire? What did you take?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, just some old bauble that our father gave her… I don’t know why she wants it so badly…” she frowned, digging into her pouch. “Here, I’ll show you if you want to know so damn much.” she grumbled… then paused, then dug further, then further, feeling around with her fingers. Spare throwing daggers, poison ingredients, her skinning kit, her leatherworking tools, a skin of Thunderbrew ale… but no pendant…

“What the… wait…” she looked up, remembering when Sinranir made his escape in the smoke. She thought she’d felt him run past her… but… “That cunning little shit…” she whispered.

Elsewhere on the Dragon Isles…

It had taken Sinranir longer than he’d hoped to get back to the surface, but a gut wound like that would do it. He limped to the cavern’s entrance, his side crudely bandaged, then sat down with a gasp. His face was pale, his long black hair plastered to his skin with sweat, and his eyes had bags under them. “… didn’t know the little cutpurse had it in her…” he chuckled, making a gesture with one hand. A simple spell to summon his hawk.

He fished the pendant out of his bag, securing it in a small leather pouch, and as the bird landed he tied a tag to it and wrote ‘Deliver to Lady Alalestria Wintersky, Silvermoon City. Payment on delivery.’ upon it.

He tied the small pouch to the hawk’s leg, then gestured again. “Heed me. Fly to Valdrakken, take this to the courier office, and see that it reaches it’s destination.” he nodded.

The hawk’s eyes flashed with arcane light, then it spread its wings and flew into the sky as the elf slumped against the wall. “Heh… heheh… I am your blade Lady Alalestria… but it appears that you were right to be worried about your sibling.” he sighed, leaning against the wall as he gazed at the setting sun. “Far from Quel’thalas, likely won’t be found for years and years… but… that’s how it goes for people in my line of work. At least… I get a nice view…” he coughed, feeling over his bandages, his hand coming back crimson. They were soaked through. Samantha’s desperate slash had done some serious damage.

“Ah well… such is the fate of an assassin… we kill and we kill, until someone kills us back…” he whispered hoarsely. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, and waited for the inevitable…

Some hours later, after he’d grown cold, he departed Azeroth in the company of a tall blue-skinned man with massive wings and glowing eyes.

Next Story

Previous Story

[justis4toby]

Hello !!

Ig its time for an introduction post?? abt time am i right ?!

Anywayy, hello !! my name is Val/Varian. I am genderfluid and i use any pronouns !! ill make a small chart below to tell you how j feel abt pronouns (concerning me)

She/She's/Her/Her's -> 6/10, not necessarily prefered, but im okay with it !!

He/He's/His/Him -> 8/10, prefered !!

They/Them/Their's -> 5/10, im okag with it, but please only use when youre confused as tk which gender im presenting as at that time

Zeno/Xeno pronouns (i think thats what theyre called? correct me kf im wrong pls !!) -> 0/10, please do not use these pronouns to address me !!

My current intrests:

Creepypasta

Attack On Titan

Bungo Stray Dogs

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Maxley

School Bus Graveyard

Deathnote

Sally Face

Many, many, many children's cartoons

(Yes, i am aware it's alot 😭😭)

I am a maladaptive daydreamer and j have dyslexia !!

Im currently taken <3 (ilysm ej 💜💜)

I write fanfiction on ao3 !! ( romanticitydictonary ) ( most current story will be linked at the bottom kf this post !!)

Other socials:

Tiktok main: romanticitydictonary

tiktok cos: makoscos

instagram: tw_persons

Kinnies:

Mio (SBTS)

Shun (SBTS)

Varian (TTS)

Sal Fisher (Sally Face)

Toby Rogers (Creepypasta)

DMs are open !!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57013276

[ognimdo2002]

Two Lights Characters

Jericho Reginald Morrison

The main deuteragonist in this series, as depicted in the 30th and 31st centuries, is now on planet Earth. He was the oldest son of Jochebed and Arnold and the first husband of Arianna Solcorvauld Morrison, a princess in the Eosia Kingdom.

Jericho was the king consort of Arianna and the real wielder of Moonstone Opal, a kind of Piece of Eden made by Svarog and Parvati a long time ago in the Pliocene on the Balkan Peninsula and scattered abroad before their experiences of mass extinctions.

Jericho wields the claymore from his mother before being broken by Linnalyn Atsiara, Jericho's ex-fiancee, during the final confrontation in Santorini. This weapon in a later story in Hawaii was called "Karakuri-pou", in Japanese: からくり / (karakuri), which means "trick" or "mechanism" and Hawaiian or Maori: ポー (p), which means "night". A fictitious item combining elements from Attack on Titan and Wild Hearts, this weapon was a Hook Dagger. The blade was aiming for stabbing or slicing while the right or left hand struggled with a long hook consisting of claws or talons.

Both translate into English as "Night Trick", because this weapon functions and is more powerful than usual because it only turns on at the beginning of the night (from 7:30 p.m. to 4:50 a.m.). This weapon was created long ago by Hephaestus as Chang'e's secondary weapon and as "Lunarian Gungnir," the ultimate manifestation of Karakuri-pou, as Odin's third weapon. It was of Aesir origin.

Chang'e passed the weapon to Tsukiyomi, a Japanese moon god, and the mortal named Catherine of Alexandria, a saint and princess, who is the first user, and some Eurasian users possess the Karakuri-pou or Harpoon Dagger. Jericho Morrison is the descendant of Elizabeth II and the Marcos family, the first Asians to use this weapon, and the only hope to destroy the threats in Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands from Hawaiian invasive species and villains. This weapon was converted to Moon Gungnir, a long-range melee weapon and variant replica of Gungnir, as Odin's first weapon and Chang'e's only weapon, due to its Terran origin.

Jericho Morrison, who only possesses the moonstone opal, lunar water, and solar eclipse, was turned into a Lunarian Idol as a result of killing his former old friends by Anningan Bautista, a demon from Aotearoa during the Muromachi period.

Unfortunately, the Japanese government's desire to convert Native Hawaiians and Ilocano people to Shintoism led to the demise of the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches in the Fifth Hawaiian Republic. And used by kaguras, a dancer, to perform a ritual ceremonial dance for any gods in the Japanese Empire and Hawaiian Islands. Back in the past, this weapon was Chang'e's secondary weapon used for her threats from Nergal, Satan, and Surtur; there are antagonistic deities in Muspelheim.

According to Poliahu, a goddess knows that Jericho and Arianna have disorders of the same brokenheartedness that Tangled the Series and Worldcraft started until she arrives with her daughter Rapunzel and her adopted son Varian into Reinachos after three years of experience with Berbanian/Hirawhassan, Reinachan/Ityoselese and Terran characters in Reinachos.

Jericho, a despicable human creature, has no magical abilities; he learnt the trade despite being incredibly educated; yet, he is under the influence of fairies due to his night vision and superhuman strength for everyone. His magic was constructed using elements from nature, known as Karakuri magic, to aid in fighting. Because of his life, Jericho aids his best friends Sarah and Emily Blair and offers her skills for fending against larger animals and aliens.

The Karakuri strings of Jericho are only visible to its owner and other demigods of Conservationist Hunter ancestry; they are invisible to daylight, ordinary people, and other races, even animals, though they can still interact with ordinary objects. This enables the user to use their moonstone karakuri without the vast majority of people seeing. Normal people have compared the prosaic use of a moonstone karakuri by Jericho and his families and associates to a poltergeist event.

Jericho restored his moonlight powers when Arianna and he reunited after separation, and Rapunzel's comeback against Roxana Maldado and her allies He was enhanced by Khonsu, Mahina, Chang'e, Loki, and Sigyn after he was considered the Moon Warrior of Eurasia.

Jericho had been brought up in the Church of England and was a member of the Church of Scotland before to his conversion to Roman Catholicism in 3020 or his association with Catherine of Alexandria for support his Church of Scotland's membership.

Jericho was born with magical powers, the natural born Moonstone Opal during Ber Months, possesses all elements, and turned his hair into light cyan as a result of triggering with dharma, bioenergy, mana, qi, and the force of Star Wars.

Arianna Solcorvauld Morrison, Princess of Eosia

Arianna was the main protagonist in this series and later the main deuteragonist in the Worldcraft Damnation series for her daughters, Isabella, Nicolette, and Rapunzel.

After the French government annexed her kingdom in the 1780s, Arianna didn't pass away during the French Revolution, and her daughter Rapunzel left with Eugene Fitzherbert and her friends to disperse across the world with some members of the Templar Order and Assassin Order to aid in Rapunzel's security. Arianna didn't pass away, but Napoleon Bonaparte did, so he staged his own fake demise on Saint Helena Island.

Regarding his and Arianna's divine ancestry, Napoleon is immensely interested. One of the French assassins, Arno Dorian, lost his fight with Queen Arianna after discovering her in the middle of nowhere at midnight. Arianna lives the longest until her descendants, including the Punzalan family, who are unaware of her existence, learn that her descendants were half-aswangs.

Willow Solcorvunauld's older sister, Maria Arianna Lorena Solcorvunald Morrison of the Eosia Kingdom, was given this name by her parents, Theodore and Aurelia Solcorvunauld. She was born and raised in France, which was considered the New Corona Kingdom and had alliances with Spain and Monaco.

The oldest known invasive characters up until the events and before the Worldcraft and Two Lights stories were Princess Belle and Varian, not Queen Arianna.

King Frederic of Corona rejected her as an invasive princess and discovered the actual one in the 1780s, as her ancestor was herself, even if she and her sister Willow are from the next century. She is the biological wife of Jericho Morrison, her real husband, and their three biological daughters, Isabella, Rapunzel, and Nicolette Andreponte Morrison. When Isabella learned that Nicolette was her sister, Archie was astonished and decided to go with Nicolette.

The second Arianna arrived on November 17, 2986, which was also the reference of the day Disney Plus was made available in the Philippines.

Ari was the true wielder of Piece of Eden's Reflective Gunblade, the pistol sword of the Pleistocene made by Hephaestus and Aphrodite against Hera; his mom was cheated by Aita, Etruscan god of liars. The Reflective Gunblade, also known as Kahukitanga-hinawaju (Japanese Scripts: カフキタンガ火縄銃; New Zealand Scripts: カフキタンガ カラエヘプー, lit. "reflex musket"), made by Hephaestus long ago in the Pleistocene epoch during preemptive international war, was the only signature weapon of Princess Arianna Solcorvauld. It was never again allowed to be used until Ari was selected by one of their predecessors. Despite the term being a combination of Japanese and Maori phrases that have been translated into English, Koreans only refer to this fabled weapon by its Korean, Japanese, and Maori names, which is preferable to local names.

This weapon is of ancient astronauts origin and is a legendary weapon made by Hephaestus for Balder a long time ago and hidden in the Galapagos Islands Republic at their own ancient vault stronghold before the Spanish arrived.

It was first held by Ninlilalla, the only lady and first Asian to possess this weapon before it was hidden in secret; secondly, it was named Bak Hoon Kim (밬훈김); thirdly, Echo Macaraeg; and lastly, the only non-Asian and Pacific Islander to hold the mysterious pistol sword was Queen Arianna, the first European to hold the mysterious pistol sword, but it was unbreakable due to being made of scales from Kushala Daora with adamantium, iron, copper, bronze, ameth, vibranium, and Zealandium, a rare metal originated from New Zealand, as made by deities.

Princess Arianna gains the ability to call lightning strikes from the surrounding horizon when she transforms into a sundrop. Ari was able to summon several bolts from the sky and briefly subdue enemies with an improved sundrop bullet.

The bullet that can penetrate through the toughest materials, even Delphium metals, or the toughest enemies that cannot be defeated by Arianna Reflective gunblades can also draw environmental electricity and lightness from the surrounding atmosphere and redirect it towards a specific goal. Due to their deity or Aesir ancestry, Jericho and Arianna bring their hands together to form a magical shield to block missiles and magical attacks.

Arianna was now the queen of Eosia Kingdom, and the natural-born Sundrop, as a result of being consumed by her mother Theodora, was born with all elements and turned her hair blonde as a result of being triggered with dharma, bioenergy, mana, qi, and the force of Star Wars.

Yosef Buenaventura

Jericho's childhood friend, and Clarissa's husband, he was father of Archibald, Arnold, and Allison. His weapon was the legendary weapon made by Hephaestus, called Spear of Aristotle, but it was originated from Peru. He was Duke of Cornwall.

Rooted in the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "Jehovah shall add," Joseph represents several beloved and just figures, due to repopulate plants and fungi.

Yosef lacks magical powers; his memory is inspired by Matilda Wormwood. Yosef was a real magic-born user and used his telekinesis to re-grow plants or fungi due to his mom's origin.

His minds were pasts because he was clairvoyant enough to get the future events and predict them for future generations, unless we can learn from his great-grandmother, Guinevere.

Clarissa Jasmin, Duchess of Cornwall – The real princess of her kingdom were her parents die by unknown reasons. She was wife of Yosef Buenaventura for herself. She holds a handing fan made by Amaterasu, known as Storm Repeller Blades, a kind of Piece of Eden.

Doron Nachman – Yosef's old bestfriend, and a Jewish fighter. He was born with genetic variation and he was very poisonous, his skin and organs other than reproductive organs, and hand if triggers are venomous. His mom die by overeating the mutated pufferfish from Japan and New Zealand. He was brother-in-law of Yosef and Jericho for there respective wives.

Wilhelmina Solcorvauld – Wilhelmina is the princess of Eosia Kingdom and youngest sister of Arianna and sister-in-law of Jericho Morrison, and aunt of three daughters and aunt-in-law of Archibald Buenaventura. She was based on from herself from Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure.

Murugayan Morrison – The youngest brother of Jericho Morrison, and uncle of Arianna and Jericho's daughters. He also holds his father's quarterstaff-turned-cane, the epic weapon made from scraps of adamantine and Damascus steel.

[variangirlbosscore]

Varian in AOT requested by @methealice (the @ doesnt seem to be working :/) Did I read most of this request wrong? Yes. Yes I did. But its too late to redo it

I hope you like it nonetheless!!!! 

[nightwonder7]

10 Favorite Characters

Got tagged by the wonderful @ausp-ice​ UwU I’m a little late, but I’ve been really wanting to do this for a while now :’D

Rules: Name your top 10 favorite characters from 10 different fandoms, and tag 10 people.

No particular order, but here we go!

1. Wilson Percival Higgsbury - Don’t Starve

I absolutely love this dork. His crazy hair and love for science and puns is what won my heart over. I love it whenever he appears in any of Klei’s animations. He’s also been a huge inspiration in my art cause he’s such an entertaining character to use.

2. Alice Liddell - American McGee’s Alice / Alice: Madness Returns

She’s elegant, strong, quick-witted and overall one of my all time favourite female protagonists. I just love her style and character, and after everything she’s been through I just want her to finally find some peace in her life.

3. 5 - Shane Acker’s 9

9 was one of the very first fandoms I joined on the internet. 5 still has a very special place in my heart after all this time; I just get really happy whenever I see or think of him. He’s simply precious, and he seems like a great friend to have.

4. Quirrel - Hollow Knight

Quirrel is such an amiable character, and I feel so warm during each encounter with him throughout the game. He’s so good, and I would love to have him as a travel companion.

5. Eclipsa Butterfly - Star vs the Forces of Evil

Eclipsa is a really interesting character, and really mysterious when she first appeared in the show. I love her classy style and quirky personality among her slightly darker theme.

6. Pearl - Steven Universe

Pearl is just so cool and lovely and elegant! I really like her character and character development in the show. A good and protective mum character with some charming attributions.

7. Varian - Tangled: The Series

I’m weak for the nerds hhhhh. Varian is another character that makes me extremely happy to see on screen. He’s a smart and absolutely precious dork, and he had a really intriguing character development throughout the show.

8. Victor Van Dort - Corpse Bride

This movie has been a major inspiration for me as an artist, and Victor plays a big part of that. Soft, dapper, polite and a complete dork with such a pleasing character design. It’s really fun seeing him reacting to everything in the movie.

9. Jack Frost - Rise of The Guardians

The character designs in this movie were great. Jack is very iconic, and though a little mischievous, he seems like a great friend to hang around with. I love despite his carefree nature, he cares a lot about the things that matter to him.

10. Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Cold, calm and serious, yet one of the coolest characters in the anime. Or maybe that’s what makes him cool? Anyway, he’s just awesome, and I absolutely love him! And he’s a force to reckon with, that’s for sure.

------------------------

As for tags, I’m actually not sure who to tag this time. Feel free to do this though! It’s a lot of fun.

[urlneverheardofit]

The Black Prince and the White Lion

I’m realizing I’ve never actually posted any of my work to this website and figured I should, so here’s a little excerpt from my latest piece. Note the most intense this portion gets is sex jokes,’the talk”(tm) Dragon edition, and a make-out session sooo yeah.

Chapter 1: The Black Prince

The Black Prince. Such an honorable title for such a hated position.

Dragon,

Son of a mad king,

Last of his kind.

The Black Prince had a lot stacked against him when it came to his reputation, even more so because of the madness and corruption that ran in his blood.

Still, Wrathion did his best to alleviate the concerns of his other draconic kin. After all, Neltharion was not the only dragon aspect to go mad. Malygos too followed in that path, the madness manifested differently but the Nexus War was plenty of evidence to be a testament to Malygos' fall. As well as the Aspect of Time, who had gone mad in an alternate timeline. The Earth Warder, The Spell Weaver, and The Infinite all fallen to the insanity of one kind or another.

Yet all the other dragon aspects. Hell, the entirety of Azeroth, looked at him with disdain, anger, and even fear in some cases. When Wrathion had been younger, many citizens in the major cities of Stormwind and Orgrimmar had approached him, demanding compensation for the loss of their loved ones or personal effects lost in the attack on both major cities. The attacks carried out by Deathwing. Not Wrathion.

It was a relief for him that after the death of his father, the world moved on. The mystical lands of Pandaria had been rediscovered and Wrathion had swiftly moved from his makeshift lair in Onyxia’s former lair. He hadn’t hated that place as much as he had hated Nefarian’s lair.

Nefarian’s Lair had been a place where dragons had been experimented on to create abominations to further Nefarian’s plans.

The worst part was Nefarian was Wrathion’s half-brother. United by the blood of their father, who was worse than the horrible experimenter that was Nefarian. Onyxia, the brood mother, had been bad too, helping hatch the armies that later became Deathwing’s servants. His half-siblings had chosen their lairs well. The Black Dragonflight had once been noble protectors of Azeroth and their choices in lair reflected such. Neltharion had a cave deep underground somewhere on a lost island that had served as his lair for many thousands of years. Nefarian had chosen a castle fortress carved into the side of a mountain. Onyxia had chosen a cave that spiraled down for miles and miles and whose mouth was shaped like a dragon’s toothy maw.

Wrathion, on the other hand, had not yet chosen a lair, partially because he was unsure if he would grow to be the size of his father, whose wingspan had reached more than 1,000 feet long, or if he would stop about the size Onyxia and Netharion had. That would end up helping determine Wrathion’s lair, along with the fact Wrathion had not found a good lair yet. He was still traveling and learning what he could from his sibling's lairs. Many of Nefarian’s notes and discoveries could help turn the tides against any coming threats to Azeroth, but the execution was questionable at best. Some of his studies were more interested in the differences between the dragon flights. What gave them power and such, which were much more readily useful.

Onyxia’s lair served as a place for him to learn to transform back and forth from humanoid to dragon form. It was a long and painful process at first but eventually, he learned to make his humanoid form look a little more grown than his whelp form.

Though perhaps he could see why people could be a bit intimidated, he wasn't them! It wasn't fair to judge him for the crimes of his crazed kin.

His dragon form was just a whelp still, he couldn’t lie in his true form the way he could in his humanoid. His humanoid form looked like a young male human with glowing red eyes, long curly black hair, and olive skin.

“Wrathion?” A voice said from the entrance of the tavern in Pandaria that Wrathion had taken up residence in. Wrathion jolted up from where he had been reclining before, lost in thought. An orcish woman stood in the entryway, blocking out the sunlight and whoever was behind her. He could sense their movement hear their hushed voices.

“What is it Left?” He asked calmly, Left was one of his devoted bodyguards. Left was her spy name, only Wrathion knew her identity due to security concerns. Right was his other, a human woman who was gifted in the finer manipulation of tactics and war. A true spy compared to Left’s more being an obvious bodyguard.

The tavern he had taken up residence in was a small two-story building tucked away in a nearly untravelable mountain pass, keeping it hidden and mostly safe. Part of the reason why Wrathion had chosen this place to begin with.

“Someone of high importance wishes to speak with you,” Left answered.

“Me?” Wrathion cocked his head innocently. “Send them in.”

Wrathion’s confidence fell away instantly when Left stood aside revealing the King of Stormwind standing at his door.

Chapter 2: The White Lion

This was all that was left of the horrific Deathwing? Anduin peered past the shadow of his father to look at the alleged "Black Prince" and found himself quite surprised at what he found; a boy just barely younger than him staring back at him.

"The infamous Black Prince." Anduin's father began, crossing his arms over his chest.

The boy looked up at the King, his red eyes betraying none of the his thoughts. "Black Emperor now. Thanks only to the Champions of the Alliance who were responsible for the death of my father." The boy spoke plainly, eloquently and as though he was raised among royalty, not by dragons or wolves or whatever else Anduin had imagined him growing up with.

"Are you saying you'd rather that monster was still alive today?" Varian snarled.

"Of course not." The boy looked at his long black claw-like nails, brushing them off idly. "But think of it this way, I am the Emperor of my kind and I'm not any older than the little lion cowering behind you."

Anduin flinched from being called out like that. He spoke much the way that Onyxia had many years before. Nearly the same tone of voice and mannerisms but not quite intimidating enough to pull it off entirely.

"He's what I've come to speak to you about." Varian sighed glancing at Genn Greymane, king of the Worgen, who had once been humans but now were more akin to the werewolves of legend. Graymane shrugged.

"Then speak." The boy ordered.

"Anduin here has been badly injured and is being hunted by members of the Horde. I wish to leave him in the safety of a dragon's lair." The Horde and the Allliance had been at war for generations. The Horde consisted of Orcs and Trolls and other races considered to be more ‘savage’. The Alliance was majorly humans, elves and the worgen.

The boy scoffed. "This is not my lair. My lair is far from here." Anduin thought that this was a lie but didn’t quite know why.

"Well, I need him to be somewhere safe, where he won't be found unless I come back for him."

"Yet a simple human King has found me without trouble." The boy replied evenly.

"I have..." another glance was swapped between Genn and Varian. "Very good help."

"Clearly." The dragon huffed, sending smoke curling from under his lips. "And what would I get for doing you this favor?"

Varian straightened at that. Anduin knew Varian thought he was gaining some ground. "You would earn the favor of the Alliance. Or perhaps if you'd rather. We have up to a million gold we'd be willing to part with in exchange for his guaranteed health and safety."

The dragon's red eyes glinted greedily as he considered. "I want the Favor of the Alliance and a half of that gold." He replied after a moment's thought.

"Very well." Varian nodded.

"Are you crazy?" Genn barked beside Varian. "You're basically selling your son to a dragon!"

"I cannot risk him being killed by Garrosh. You'd do the same if it was Tess."

Genn snarled but backed away, allowing his king to do as he wished. Anduin couldn't help but look up at his father concerned. He had talked with Varian about this before and had agreed to it but now that it was actually happening, anxiety twitched in the pit of his stomach. "I agree to your terms dragon. The gold will be delivered to you in payments of 5,000 a week in exchange for a letter from Anduin, and I will check, with details about how he is holding up."

"and if this stay extends longer than that allotted time?"

"We can compensate for your time."

The dragon regarded Varian carefully. "Deal." The dragon said and his eyes gleamed almost as bright as the sun and Varian hissed and stumbled away from the threshold to the quaint tavern. Despite seeming like he was in pain Varian grinned.

"Dad?" Anduin asked from behind him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Varian smiled down at his son. "That's exactly what I hoped would happen."

"What are you on about?" Genn asked.

"A black dragon cannot go back on a promise made that way." Varian turned to Anduin, "you will be safe here."

"Promise?"

Varian set a hand on Anduin's shoulder, "I promise."

Chapter 3: Introductions

What the hells did I just agree to?? Wrathion scolded himself. Dragons were well known for their desire for large hoards and he had not realized how quickly it would come over him at the mention of a million gold. Thankfully, he had been at least coherent enough to take the favor of one of the world's major factions... but stupid enough to make it a pact. By the titans he wanted that gold. Not because he needed it but bec ause a dragon, especially a little one, would age faster in the presence of vast amounts of wealth, so it would fix a lot of his issues.

But what is done is done, and Wrathion now had to figure out what he was going to do with the lion's cub. He watched silently as the High King and his werewolf companion said goodbye to the lion cub, wishing him safety and so on. Eventually the High King urged his son to meet his host but wanted to stay behind just long enough to watch, make sure he had made the right choice.

The lion cub stood in the threshold of the inn where his father had been previously, yet he was much smaller than his father. Both in character and in body, he lacked the confidence and skill to be able to back himself up. He took one last nervous glance at Varian before he took a deep breath and faced Wrathion. "Son of Neltharion, I am honored you have agreed to help us in these trying times." The cub went to kneel before the dragon but he winced in pain and couldn't quite get one of his legs to work with him.

"Son of Neltharion..." Wrathion gave the boy a strange look, "did you know that or did you rehearse it?"

"I knew Deathwing's original name." The boy said proudly. "Many have forgotten it, but the Light has not forgotten what he once was."

"You're a priest."

"Yes." The boy winced again.

"Stop hurting yourself. Stand and tell me your name." Wrathion ordered, lounging his elbows back on the table which he had been sitting by and had turned around from to listen to Left.

The boy swallowed and stood shakily, another wince but once he got there, he was okay it seemed. "My name is Anduin Llane Wrynn." The boy said "May I ask yours?"

Wrathion tilted his head, no one had really asked him to introduce himself, many had just learned his name because of him addressing himself or whatnot. "Why do you wish to know, Anduin?"

Anduin swallowed and looked back to see what his father was thinking but the King and his werewolf, were gone. With a steadying breath, he answered, "I suspect you do not wish to live in your father's shadow. It is only polite to respect this wish as I do not wish to have my father's influence overshadow my own choices."

No wonder the kid had been hesitant to say that. Clearly the King loved his cub but then he was royalty. Anduin's path was paved largely by his father.

"My name is Wrathion, thank you, for taking into account what I wish to forget about my history." Wrathion was stunned almost out of feeling, this was a first, someone else asking him to be who he was without judgment of his father's actions. But he was grateful for this.

"Of course, Wrathion." The boy replied, he had a shaggy mane of blonde hair, bright blue eyes and wore gold and blue clothing that looked almost like armor without being armor. "What brings a mighty dragon to Pandaria?"

"I could ask you the same question," Wrathion replied.

"My father, he wishes to protect Pandaria from the savage influence of the Horde, from my understanding." Anduin explained, "your turn."

Wrathion smirked at that, "My turn? I am here to learn the secrets it has to offer. I am still young and I wish to expand my knowledge." It was not a lie per say, just part of the truth, much like Anduin’s had been.

"A noble pursuit." Anduin nodded. "If I may I would like to accompany you to some of these exploits it is my duty as the future king to know as much as I can before assuming the throne."

"Very well." Wrathion agreed. It would give him something to do with the kid. "Come and sit, let us play a game of Jihui. We have much to learn of each other."

Chapter 4: Cow Tipping and Stargazing

Anduin was nearly sixteen when the bell hit him. Everyone had thought he would never live to see through his first whole year of adulthood. Anduin, thank the Light, pulled through, and now all that there was to remind him of the incident was a birthday and bad leg that worked, to some extent, but sometimes if he tried to do more than walk with it, it wouldn't work or would be painful to work with. So taking a knee in front of the dragon as his father had instructed, had been difficult and the dragon had caught on.

"Are you alright?" Wrathion had asked when Anduin hesitantly took a seat across from him, relieved when no pain came.

"Yes, I am alright now," Anduin replied "it was an accident-" Anduin really meant attack but no need to stress the dragon out this quickly into their arrangement. "I am fully healed now, this leg just doesn't work with me sometimes."

"Your father knows about it?"

"Yes."

Wrathion nodded, his ears perked back up from where they were subtly flattened to his head, "Very well, if you need assistance with anything, let me or my guards know."

"What are their names?" Anduin asked looking at the women flanking the dragon, they were beautiful, no doubt, but they didn't really strike Anduin the way some people did.

"This is Left." Warthion signaled to the woman on his left, she was an Orcish woman with long tusks and a huge crossbow and what looked like a scimitar attached to her belt. "And this is Right." Wrathion jerked a thumb at the woman on his right, a human woman with similar gear.

"Simple enough."

"Indeed." Wrathion gave him a toothy, almost unnerving grin and thus the game of Jihui began.

Several hours of this game passed, it was quite the learning curve, and more so to try and match Wrathion move for move, but eventually, Anduin figured out some tricks to get Wrathion to feel a little too overconfident and overstep himself.

After a game, Wrathion pushed away from the table (or rather, pushed the table away from him), stretched and said: "let's go do something."

"Like...what?" Anduin replied shuffling out from under the table as well and working some cramps out of his back. He had been having fun but it was time for a break, for his... well everything's sake.

Wrathion gave him an evil smile. "We're going to go do something you've never done before." He announced proudly.

"The... future? Aren't you a Black dragon, not a Bronze?" Anduin replied sarcastically, that wasn't that specific.

Wrathion rolled his eyes, "No, somewhere in present-day I think." Wrathion looked him over a long second, "Your outfit is terrible and horribly recognizable, let's get you something... proper."

Anduin thought about being offended but then, he never much liked this outfit either and he was talking to a dragon, who were known for their fashion sense. Well, Black Dragons maybe not so much but he'd seen portraits of Ysera and Alexstraza.

Wrathion nearly seemed to fly up the stairs located in the northern corner with how fast he moved. Anduin followed at a much slower hobble, stairs had always been hard on the injury. By the time he got up to the top, he found several rooms separated by what looked like paper walls, but Anduin knew to be much stronger and more soundproof than any parchment or paper he knew of.

At the end of a hallway of about six rooms per side of the hall, a large wooden double door was open and the light was pouring out of it. Anduin approached cautiously and heard the sounds of digging, clattering and "no-no, well maybe... no actually that's horrid," from inside. Anduin poked his head through the threshold of the door and found some of the most elegant quarters he had ever seen inside. The room was bathed in light from what looked like refined lamps, but no smell of oil so Anduin didn't know what fueled the lamp. In the back middle of the room was a massive king-sized bed with a trunk in front of it, kneeling in front of it was Wrathion and a puddle of discarded clothing.

"Everything okay?" Anduin called from the door.

"Yes yes, just... come here." Anduin approached him cautiously, once he got within sight of the dragon he held up a tunic and looked between Anduin and the clothing. "Try this one." He ordered tossing the black fabric in Anduin's general direction.

"Right here?" Anduin asked, stumbling to catch the misguided tunic.

"Unless you want to pick out your chamber." Wrathion said, "but I'll likely be coming in and out anyways, I want to see how they look before I set out with you." Wrathion met his eyes for a long second unblinking. "I won't look while you change if you don't want me to."

Anduin scooted so he was solidly behind Wrathion, so the dragon would have to turn all the way around to see him before he carefully set the shirt down on a conspicuously empty table and began to pull his decorations off, golden bordered stole came first and blue shawl followed shortly thereafter. Finally, after another few moments, his shirt came off, with a final glance to make sure Wrathion wasn't looking before he did so. Tattered across Anduin’s skin was horrid scars from where the bell had smashed him, a few from where his ribs had jutted out of his chest after the initial blow and scratches from his skirmishes with the Horde as of late.

As he pulled the black fabric of the tunic over his head, he noticed that the tunic was incredibly well made and very soft, allowing Anduin to breathe and flex but not be too loose or revealing. He even suspected there was a bit of padding to serve as a small amount of amour in it. I need to find out who this guy's tailor is! He thought absently "Oh and try these!" Wrathion called tossing a heap of clothing over at him. Anduin jumped away from them as they clattered to the floor. Lifting them up he found it also had a black bead necklace, which he put on. The other cloth object was a set of linen pants but also finely made from first brush of his fingers against it.

Another look was cast at Wrathion before Anduin dared begin the process to change into these. Seeing that the dragon was still rummaging through his trunk Anduin breathed a sigh of relief, "let me know when you're ready!" Wrathion said distantly.

Anduin's suspicions about the quality of these linen pants were correct. Just like the tunic, they fit well without crushing him and still allowed him movement.

"Are we the same size?" Anduin asked, he definitely had a similar build to Wrathion but surely not a perfect match, right?

"I don’t know, these are all enchanted to fit whoever wears them." Wrathion replied, "Can I look now?"

Anduin took a second to adjust the leather belt tossed with the rest of the clothing, "yeah you're good now."

Wrathion made a show of turning around and coming up to examine Anduin. He made several hums and noncommittal sounds that worried Anduin. "Turn around," Wrathion ordered. Anduin followed instructions and waited only a minute or so more before he had his answer. "You look good in this, well no, the belt needs to change to be black and the beads...the beads can go."

Wrathion turned and went back to the trunk and began to load all the clothing back into it, but not before pulling out the belt he was thinking of and extending a hand to indicate he wanted Anduin to hand over the items he requested. Anduin obliged and took the new belt choice. Wrathion slammed the trunk closed, flicked his wrist at it and then turned to the other prince. His red eyes glinting curiously at Anduin as he examined. "Yes, that will work." He nearly purred.

Anduin noticed he had selected another outfit as well, along with some elaborate jewelry. "You don't want me wearing that, do you?"

"You aren't nearly pretty enough to pull that off." Wrathion replied flatly, "no, I'm going to be wearing that."

"Hey!" Anduin hissed.

"I said pretty, you're plenty handsome, but it requires a certain...grace," Wrathion explained, the backhanded compliment still made Anduin's cheeks flush.

"Thanks, I think," Anduin replied and then realized a much bigger issue, "you're not going to change in here... are you?"

"This is... my chambers. So yes... I am going to change in here."

"But I'm standing right here!"

"So? You can watch if you'd like," There was a strange glint in his eyes when he said it. "Or you can walk out the door to my room."

"Oh." Anduin felt sort of stupid because of the simple solution. Hobbling out as quick as he could, jumping when he saw Left and Right standing on their respective sides of the door. Anduin had not noticed them come up the stairs, hadn't even heard them when they flanked the door. "Do you guys sleep?" He asked.

"We take shifts during the night." Right answered Left looked straight ahead.

"Which one doesn't get to sleep before Wrathion wakes up?"

"The one who isn't chatty." Left replied.

"The one whose breakfast consists entirely of coffee." Right said.

"We ready to go?" Wrathion's voice said from behind Anduin, making him jump.

"Yes." Both girls said at once.

"Where are we going?" Anduin asked again.

"You'll see," Wrathion said with a small smirk.

"Better question," Anduin continued his thought as though Wrathion hadn't said anything. "We're on a mountainside surrounded in mist, how are we getting down?"

"How did you get up?" Wrathion asked a question to reply. Nudging Anduin aside so he could squeeze past.

"Horses."

"Then you will be using horses to get down."

"Don't you mean 'we'?"

"I eat horses, not ride them." The dragon said pointedly. Descending the staircase with ease and Anduin noticed his new outfit nearly sparkled, he had golden bands looped around his ears in at least three places and his outfit was indeed sleek and elegant. His hair, curly and black, was released from the white turban it had been in all day and he smelled faintly of an expensive cologne that Anduin could not quite name. "Meet me at the docks."

***

The sun had set by the time Left, Right and Anduin made it down to the docks Wrathion had mentioned (Left and Right knew it better than he) and found Wrathion sitting on a stack of crates, "you finally made it!" He flipped his hair back behind his shoulder and slipped off the crates, landing neatly beside the group. "Leave the horses here." Left and Right slid off the horses instantly. Anduin took a second longer, wondering what they were doing here of all places he had seen a pier before.

"That's our boat," Wrathion said as a ship sailed into the harbor.

It proudly bore the Alliance flag and when it docked the caller yelled "All aboard for Stormwind City!"

Anduin shot a look at Wrathion. "I've been to my capital and my home city before!"

"I understand that," Wrathion replied. "Just... trust me." The group boarded and Anduin went to tip the deckhands a couple of silver but they all diligently refused to say that their boss paid them more than enough to help them along.

"Who's your boss?" Anduin asked a man.

"Behind you." The human replied. He seemed well educated, well-fed, ring on his finger suggested married.

Anduin turned around to see Wrathion looming behind him, not overly close, just watching Anduin interact with the crewman. "How long have you been there?" Anduin hissed.

"We are both standing on the center deck. It's not exactly a good place for private conversations." Wrathion replied.

"You own these boats?"

"Yes."

"How much do you pay them?"

"A gold piece a day," Wrathion replied. "For the deckhands. The better ones get two and promotion, my captain and first mates get five."

"Wow." Anduin was a little awed. "No wonder you need that half million."

"Oh no, I have plenty of 'inheritance' from my father to afford this and my stay at the tavern for more than a hundred thousand years. I am in no hurry for that. Most of your father's gold will go to my personal hoard."

Anduin took a seat in a nearby chair. "There's a difference?"

"Savings versus Spending money," Wrathion said taking a seat across from Anduin.

"Ah." Anduin looked up and saw his home city sprawled out before him. "Woah... that was fast!"

"We don't exactly have all night now do we?" Wrathion said standing again and gesturing Anduin and the guards to follow. As Anduin passed, he saw on the bow a person in light clothing, arcane power sparkling around their finger and then fading out. A portal?

"I'm beginning to realize I've never seen a proper harbor." Wrathion mused as he gazed around the harbor, "well, not one that's not fully owned by me anyways."

Anduin was surprised by that for a moment, before realizing Wrathion probably had not.

"Well, there's quite a large one here in Stormwind, I don't know if you noticed already."

Wrathion snorted to himself, the individual snort became something more of a laugh, "I'm sorry, maybe I just don't understand human speech very well but that just sounds like a really bad innuendo. Like 'hey baby, want to see my Harbor?"

Anduin choked on a laugh, giving Wrathion an amused glare. "Please never say that again."

Wrathion waggled his eyebrows playfully in response. "What, don't you want to park your boat in my harbor?" Wrathion teased.

Anduin whacked him on the shoulder, making the dragon laugh. "Shut up before I throw you into the actual harbor." Anduin threatened, getting an amused eye-roll in response.

"Yes, fine, your majesty." Anduin huffed in annoyance, and several moments of silence passed as they walked through the bustling streets of the city, the cathedral bell tolling in the distance.

"I do have to ask," Anduin began, "What's it like to be a dragon? Is changing into a human form like a druid shapeshift?" He could not help his curiosity. It was not very often one got to speak to a dragon, let alone one that didn't seem to mind a bit of prodding.

Wrathion shrugged. "In dragon form, you feel... powerful. Even when you're extraordinarily little."

"And changing into a human?"

Wrathion let out a long, tired groan. "Fuck that."

Anduin burst into a fit of surprised laughter. "Is it really that bad?"

Wrathion had a very tired, annoyed look on his face. "It's awful. I constantly feel like I need to stretch. I keep trying to use limbs I no longer have. Do you know how awful it is to suddenly be grounded when you've been able to fly on your own your whole life?"

Anduin laughed again at the exhausted sincerity in his voice. "I don't, but that sounds pretty annoying."

"It is!"

Anduin was giggling uncontrollably under his breath. He couldn't help it, the sheer exasperation the dragon was radiating was incredibly amusing for some reason.

"Do you want to go somewhere to stretch your wings?"

Wrathion grimaced. "I'd love to, but turning into a dragon, no matter how small, is a little, awkward in populated places."

Anduin raised an eyebrow. "That's why we do it somewhere that's not the city."

Wrathion mimicked his expression, but he had a slight smirk on his face. "You trying to take me somewhere more private, Prince?"

Anduin huffed and shoved him lightly, choosing to ignore the heat that rose to his face. "Shut up! You know that's not what I mean!"

Wrathion just laughed. After that, they engaged in idle banter until Anduin had followed Wrathion through the city to the main section of the city and down the main street, which was fairly quiet now, out into Elwyn Forest past the walls of the city onto a well-used dirt road that could lead to Northshire Abbey or Goldshire depending on which turn one took during a fork in the road.

There was a soft flutter beside Anduin and when the young priest turned to look Wrathion was gone and in his place was an itty bitty little baby black and red dragon. "Aww! You're so little!" Anduin exclaimed without thinking.

The dragon rolled his bright red eyes. "That's not what your dad said last night." Wrathion huffed. Flapping his little wings with surprising power, he plopped down atop Anduin's head, "onwards noble steed! To Goldshire!' Anduin rolled his eyes but even the dragon's voice had shrunk down with him so he had an adorable scaly kitten, who without a good comeback had no issue resorting to a 'your mom' joke. Well 'your dad' in this case but still. Anduin put on a show of sighing before he obliged the tiny dragon and began to wander towards the town, said dragon delighted that his plan had been a success.

He walked in silence for a while and as the signs pointing to Goldshire became more urgent Wrathion spoke again, "alright when we get there, don't say hi or introduce yourself to anyone. You're rather recognizable as it is!" Wrathion instructed as he flapped off, transforming back into a human. "Titans, this form is restraining." He grunted, his voice a normal pitch again as he stretched his shoulders. "If anyone asks, your name is Tress and you're passing through on your way to Redridge."

"Will anybody still be out?" Anduin ran a hand through his hair to put it back in place from where the dragon had ruffled it.

"Probably not but just in case."

"Okay then, what about you?"

"I'm Derrek and I'm an old friend of yours taking you out to my farmstead in Redridge," Wrathion replied without missing a beat.

"You think about this a lot?" Anduin quieted as the village came into sight.

"I had some time while I waited for the rest of you."

"Hey, were are Left and Right anyways?" Anduin inquired, suddenly realizing that he hadn't seen either of the girls since they docked in Stormwind Harbor.

"Staying out of sight. Orcs aren't particularly welcome in Stormwind."

"Touché." Anduin nodded, scanning the tree line but saw no movement.

Thankfully, when they reached the square of the tiny town that was Goldshire it was empty, all the residents or travelers having gone to sleep for the evening. "This way!" Wrathion whispered, taking off on a side road that led to a loggers camp some miles down.

"How much farther?" Anduin asked, his leg was starting to hurt.

"Not much," Wrathion promised, straying off the path and hopping over a wooden fence.

"I... can't do that." Anduin reminded Wrathion gently.

"Sure you can. I'll help." Wrathion scoffed, "give me the bad one." Anduin did so with some hesitation, but thankfully Wrathion was gentle in his hold and helped Anduin situate so he simply slid over the fence like on would slide off a horse. "There we go! See? Nothing to worry about!" He purred. Anduin nodded, he was grateful for Wrathion at least to have planned for or worked around Anduin's injury. Together they crept into a field with easily a hundred cows scattered about, deep in sleep.

Wrathion beckoned Anduin closer as he stood beside one of the massive animals. With a suppressed grin the dragon gently pushed the cow so it rolled onto its side. The animal blinked lazily at him and accepted this new change in position, curling up and resuming its rest. "Are you serious?" Anduin hissed under his breath. "You dragged me out here to bother farm animals? What's next? Pulling cat's tails?"

"We're not hurting them!" Wrathion retorted, "just try it it'll be fun!"

"I am not going cow tipping with you!" Anduin snapped and stalked off, going around the fence and finding a grassy hill and finding a place to sit. "By the Light, this is my babysitter?" He groaned into his hands, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Okay, okay." Wrathion's voice said as something sat next to him on the grass. "This is good too." Anduin peeked out between his fingers and saw Wrathion gazing up into the star-speckled sky. "To think, my father's wings once darkened this beautiful sky, this lush world, and tried to crush all the beauty out of it... it’s a shame. He should have been the one to most appreciate all the things there are to see in this life."

Anduin lay back into the grass, following his gaze up with Wrathion's. "I hate to ask this, but are you glad he's gone?"

"Yes," Wrathion said after a moment. "But for all the horrid things he did, he was still my father."

"I understand." Anduin nodded even though Wrathion wasn't looking at him, "I mean, I hate living in my dad's shadow, but I still love him to death and well I know he loves me. I'd be devastated if he died, even if we don't always agree on a lot of things."

Wrathion's eyes slowly drifted to Anduin, "was this bargain your father struck his idea?"

"No." Anduin replied, "It was mine."

"Why sell yourself to a total stranger?"

"I..." Anduin thought for a long time, "I hated having to look over my shoulder, having my life be on the line because of Garrosh. After my injury, I knew I could not fight off Garrosh, even if there had been any chance at all it was taken from me, I can't even run from him now. My family has had a few run-ins with the Black Dragonflight, and none of them good, but I knew you weren't like them and I wanted to try again."

"Did he fight your choice?"

"Yes, for a while." Anduin toyed with the soft fabric of his new clothing, "but he came to see that it was the best option we had."

"I see," Wrathion said and the conversation fell to silence. After a while, Wrathion stood up, "Come on. Let's go home."

Chapter 5: Fire!

Wrathion helped Anduin up with no trouble before they set off for Stormwind Harbor again.

The walk was quiet for the most part until Anduin's head perked up. "Hey, do you smell smoke?"

"It's probably-" Wrathion took a big sniff of air, it did smell like smoke and he wasn't breathing smoke or fire at all. "Me..." Wrathion trailed off and with some relief shifted into his dragon form and flapped above the treeline. Stormwind slept soundly but behind him, Goldshire had a bright light of orange around it. Wrathion landed again, transforming back into a human. "Goldshire has a fire going... a big one."

Anduin's eyes went wide, "shit, Goldshire might be on fire!" He realized and took off in the way the boys had just come from, limping because of his leg.

"What if it's not on fire? Then you've strained yourself for no reason!" Wrathion growled catching up in a single bound.

"That is a sacrifice I am willing to make to ensure the safety of my people." Anduin spat back. "If you're not with me I'll meet you at the boat if you are with me shut up and do something!"

Wrathion stared blankly at Anduin for what felt like an hour but was only a few seconds. "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

"You're a dragon, you should know how best to combat fire!"

"But I don't!" Wrathion complained.

"Than go get people out! You're faster than me!" Anduin's blue eyes shimmered harshly. Wrathion nodded numbly and took off in the direction of Goldshire. Left, Right I need someone to watch Anduin! He thought, touching an emerald on one of his rings.

Understood. Left replied.

Wrathion arrived in a horrible scene. The entire village of Goldshire was engulfed in flame, people were running everywhere, screaming, crying and among the chaos was...orcs

Left stay hidden, they won't differentiate between you and the enemy.

"Come out come out little prince..." One snarled in the guttural language that was Orcish. With a growl, Wrathion lept into the inn, hoping he had avoided detection. He touched the emerald again, They're after Anduin! Watch out for an ambush! Wrathion pushed off the crumbling wall and raced out of the inn, now that he had sent his message. It wasn't these people's fault the orcs were after Anduin and the attack pissed Wrathion off. They were hardly better than Wrathion’s father!

With a roar, Wrathion leaped on one of the Orcs and tore at him with sharp claws and teeth. Despite blood springing to the wounds it wasn't as effective as any of his draconic abilities might be, but his dragon form was just a bit too small to be useful in combat yet. He inhaled deeply as he saw a second orc approaching. With a snarl, he pushed off the first and as the orc stumbled to its feet in front of its friend, Wrathion unleashed his fire breath on both opponents.

While still recovering his breath Wrathion looked around. There were more orcs, no surprise but then he realized he had backed himself against the forge and two more were much too close for any of the athletic trickery he had been using. Wrathion snarled bravely at the swords that were pointed at him, he would breathe again but that wasn't something he could do twice in a row and remain standing. Plus it didn't help the burning village situation. A flash of light blinded the dragon for a second but then it faded and in its wake, Wrathion saw Anduin, light flaring in his palm and snarl bared.

"You alright?" Anduin asked keeping an eye out for more threats.

"Yes, thanks to you." Wrathion replied.

"Go get people out of these buildings! I'll deal with the orcs!" A crossbow bolt shot dangerously close to both of the boys but flew past and slammed into the skull of another orc. Both turning to see the source of this shot. Left appeared out of the shadows just long enough to take the shot before vanishing among them again. With a slight nod in her direction, Wrathion darted over to the inn once more. Wrathion didn't mind the smoke and fire that had begun to devour the building if anything he was rather comfortable in it, but he knew humans were rather... flammable. He finally caught his breath searched the basement first, the chef and innkeeper huddled behind a barrel of mead.

"Let's get you out of here friends!" Wrathion said as soon as he got far enough down the stairs to see the pair.

"The guests!" The Innkeep choked out, he had inhaled a lot of the smoke it seemed. "Some are still up there!"

Wrathion narrowed his eyes. "You," He turned to the chef, "get you both out." He gazed back at the Innkeep, "I'll get them if I can alright?" The Innkeep nodded slowly as the chef helped him to his feet. "Find the man with blonde hair outside, he'll help you."

With that, the dragon zipped back up the basement stairs and rounded the corner and leaped over the banister to get to the upstairs. A part of the roof collapsed in front of the dragon, who flung himself backward to get out of the way and nearly stumbled back down a step or two. A fire couldn't hurt the dragon but a falling log sure could.

With a huge inhale the dragon breathed in the flame, held it for a second and then let it out as a small breath before he surged over the log and finished his ascent to the upper level. One of the two rooms was blocked off by smoldering wood pieces. The other was still mostly intact. A glance over the easily accessible room revealed nothing but he felt a tugging at his pant leg. A little girl gripped him desperately. "It's okay. I'll help you out." Wrathion promised the tiny human. She nodded and carefully came out of hiding. "Where are your parents?"

"I..I don't know." The little girl whimpered.

"Alright, I'll keep looking, but let's get you out." Wrathion slowed his pace painfully to guide the little girl to the door and directing her to Anduin before he flew up the stairs again. Inhaling the flames again he began to claw at the rubble blocking the other door. He loosened the rocks as best as he could, soon he felt another set of hands working the wood. A glance over revealed Anduin kneeling beside him helping Wrathion clear some of the smaller rubble pieces so the stronger dragon could dislodge the bigger pieces. Around Anduin was a light glow of a protective bubble that Wrathion assumed was to protect the boy from the smoke. Soon the pair broke through and in the room was a small family. Father, mother, and a little boy. "Are you alright?" Both boys asked.

The little boy coughed and the parents looked frightened, having been carefully navigating the crumbling floor. "Where's Heather?" The father asked

"Outside." Anduin replied, "we'll help you out."

The family carefully gathered themselves and lead the way out with Anduin and Wrathion in tow. "How'd it go with the orcs?" Wrathion asked quietly.

"We were able to drive them off."

"We?"

"Well besides Left and Right and anything you may think about humans, many humans do not like seeing their homes invaded and will fight to defend it."

"Understood."

"Any casualties on this side?" Anduin asked, glancing into the other room hesitantly. Looking relieved when he saw nothing.

"Lots of inhaled smoke but nothing a priest can't reverse I don't think."

"Thank the Light." Anduin's shoulders drooped. He suddenly looked exhausted. "Let's go home."

Wrathion couldn't agree more.

Chapter 6: Brave Face

Anduin and Wrathion had come to the agreement on the way home that Wrathion's room was only about half full and could hold another person if they were comfortable with one another, and they had decided they were, so Anduin had moved all the stuff the pack mule he had been left with to the large room at the end of the upstairs hall. The furnishings would not change, as Anduin hadn't brought any save a chest of personal belongings, so Anduin got the wardrobe against the eastern wall of the suddenly giant room.

The north wall was where the beds rested. Wrathions was about a nightstand's length away from the western wall and Anduin tucked his bed, which he had borrowed from an unoccupied room, all the way in the Northeastern corner. Against the foot of Wrathion's bed was his trunk of clothing and on the southern wall was the conspicuously empty table which had two chairs sitting at it. At the foot on Anduin's bed was a similar chest but it contained all manner of study materials and things to do, books to read and wooden weapons to spar with. After moving in Anduin had decided to take a bath in the hot pool just under the back balcony of the inn. The same back balcony that was connected to Wrathion and Anduin's room, it had a rocking chair on it and it was a well-loved rocking chair at that. Aside from that, he was ecstatic to be able to bathe after a long day of smoke and fire.

Anduin hadn't seen much of Wrathion since he had started moving in his stuff, save Wrathion taking long enough to clean out the wardrobe so Anduin could use it. Anduin hadn't really been worried about it until he got out to the hot pool, set his towel on a rock, stripped out of the odd clothes and slithered into the water and leaned back on the staircase leading down into the water. The warmth felt nice on his leg, well it felt nice, everywhere to be quite frank. Relaxed, Anduin began to sing a little tune,

"It's not fair to be alo--ah!" He nearly jumped out of the water when he realized the bright red light he had passed over without noticing were eyes, not lights. "How long have you been watching me?" He demanded from the dragon, who looked a little bit too smug that he had caught Anduin singing. Anduin's cheeks flushed a little, and then a lot when he realized that he was equally as exposed as Wrathion was, nothing but water obscuring visions of things Anduin did not want to see and did not want to be seen. Don't be stupid he probably doesn't even have anything because this human form is just a disguise. Wrathion purred softly, "Not long." he said, "though you haven't been here very long either so I suppose my point is invalid." His black curls even longer as he brushed them out with a wooden comb. "Don't worry I was just getting out when you walked out here so I decided to wait."

"To watch me?" Anduin narrowed his eyes.

"No so I wouldn't be streaking in front of you." Wrathion rolled his bright red eyes. well maybe he does have- Anduin shook his head to clear that thought before he finished it.

"Just go, I'll close my eyes."

"No need," Wrathion said shifting into a dragon and fluttering away behind a rock opposite Anduin's, which was a little more than hip height so Wrathion changed back, dried himself off, grabbed his discarded clothing and fluttered away to the balcony.

Anduin sighed and finished bathing quickly, he heard howls up in the mountains and it reminded him too much of the orcs who had attacked Goldshire. Where they part of the Horde?

Anduin didn't know but didn't think his father would be pleased either way. He heaved himself out of the warm water, tying his towel around his waist and grabbed his clothes before heading upstairs. Right stood from the table Wrathion had been sitting at when Varian had approached and followed the boy up but stopped at the door threshold while Anduin continued past the threshold. Anduin did not see Wrathion and took the opportunity to dress in his nightclothes and then took a step out onto the cool balcony. Wrathion gently rocked in his chair and seemed to be reading. Wrathion was in fuzzy night clothes and seemed to be at peace with his surroundings, his book open in his lap and him focusing intently on it instead of glancing around like he was being watched like he normally did. "Wrathion?" Anduin whispered gently. The dragon looked up at him sleepily. "Let's come in for the night. It's cold out here."

"Alright." Wrathion agreed without the reluctance Anduin had expected. He stood and followed Anduin back into the tavern. Anduin plopped down on his bed, happy to feel something soft underneath him for the first time all day. While Wrathion slipped under his covers more methodically.

Anduin had expected them to go to sleep not long after that, but they ended up talking for many many hours despite the madness of the day.

"Did you see that Night Elf girl?" Anduin asked excitedly.

"No." Wrathion replied calmly.

"Oh come on you can't tell me she wasn't the prettiest thing you've ever seen!"

"She wasn't."

"So you admit you saw her?!"

"Yes, but I didn't notice her. It takes a lot to get a dragon to notice someone in that way."

"Well I noticed her!" Anduin retorted.

"I think you noticed the curves of a tree you lonely priest." Wrathion teased, his voice held no malice and honestly Anduin had seen him eyeing up some people too, though he'd deny it Anduin was sure.

"Would you two shut up and go to sleep?" Right snapped poking her head in the room.

"Sorry!" Anduin squeaked. Shifting so he lay down and closed his eyes to sleep.

Something was making one side of his pillow heavier than the other. Anduin tried to shove it off but to no avail. Blinking open his eyes he saw... a dragon whelp. He nearly jumped out of his skin. "Light! What are you doing over here?" He hissed.

"I..." the dragon looked embarrassed. "I don't know. You just seemed... cold. You were shivering." Wrathion explained in the softest voice he could.

The dragon was admittedly warm. Anduin was about to send the dragon away anyways when he realized something. He has no friends or family... he must be so lonely. Poor guy, being so brave around everyone and just taking everyone's doubts and expectations to become his father but... he has nothing for himself. I think we have more common ground than either of us assumed. "No, it's okay," Anduin said catching the dragon and settling him on the sheets. Looks like we both need each other. Thank you Light, for bringing me to a place I can finally help someone else.

Chapter 7: Accord

Wrathion woke up later than Anduin, he knew it the second he regained consciousness. The bed next to him was cold, save the heat emanating from his breath. He shifted into his human form and stretching before sliding off the bed.

Something about him felt... off, not wrong per se just, strange. A quick reworking of his disguise revealed nothing, save maybe his facial hair becoming a slight bit more prominent than before. Then there must be something wrong with me instead he noted. With a small sigh of anxiety, he shifted back into his true form.

Suddenly the space between him, the bed, the trunk, and the dresser was much too small and getting smaller. With a startled snarl Wrathion shifted back and scooted away from anything nearby. Proportions were normal again. What is happening to me? He hissed to himself and tried again. This time the world got smaller but he didn't hit anything right off. He examined himself after taking a second to realize he wasn't hovering in the air like he normally did. Instead his front paws and back were both strong enough and long enough to touch the ground at the same time and balance him. He wondered briefly if dragons had a puberty stage of their adolescence but pushed the thought aside as curiosity overtook anything else. He reached up a forepaw and went to touch his head and promptly prodded himself with sharp horns. Setting the paw down, not minding the sting of being jabbed, he stretched his wings. As he did so he got a satisfactory little woosh of air beneath their power and size. Though he did quickly realize as he spread his wings to their capacity that he was knocking books off their shelves and pushing aside furniture.

One last thing he could test here in the tavern. He took a deep breath in and roared with all his strength. The noise echoed through the nearby mountains and shook the building with its power. He felt rather smug and then quickly realized that the fact the tavern floor was holding up a dragon, albeit the size of a Polar Bear, up without complaint. He did admire how large he had gotten, from the size of a kitten to the size of a bear was a massive change to happen overnight. Much less all the other stuff.

Wrathion was finally a drake!

A head popped around the corner, blue eyes peered into the bedroom, "Wrathion?" Anduin asked, "the staff are worried about you."

"Yeah, it's me." He purred taking a seat, his head nearly touching the roof. Even his voice held exponentially more power than it had before. "Everything's fine."

"Wow!" Anduin smiled at him, "You're way bigger now than when I got up this morning!"

Wrathion cocked his head at him, "How big was I?"

"Maybe the size of a komodo dragon, " Anduin replied, measuring with his hands as he made his way over to his friend. He reached out to touch the obsidian colored scales but quickly restrained himself. "Sorry-uh may I? I've never actually felt a dragon's scale before."

Wrathion did the dragon equivalent of a shrug. "Sure." Anduin made a pleased noise and very gently reached out and set a hand of the dragon's flank. The contact surprised Wrathion, it was warm and soft and incredibly... exciting for lack of a better word. Anduin stroked Wrathion's side like one would pet a cat and to some degree, Wrathion was annoyed at the gentleness Anduin showed him but a much larger part of him wanted him to keep doing so forever, each touch sending more and more shocks to the excitement pooling in his chest. Wrathion felt something twitch in his belly and shook Anduin off, "That's enough." He tried to say gently despite the rising panic. Anduin, clearly without thinking glanced down to the dragon's underbelly and, seeming to regret his decision quickly looked back up at Wrathion's face instead. Before he could process what Anduin had seen a cold thought washed over him. "Shit. I'm late for the Accord." He snarled.

"The what?" Anduin asked seeming relieved at the change in subjects.

"The Accord, listen we have to go but basically it's an annual meeting between all the Dragon Aspects." Wrathion considered for a moment, "and I don't have time to horse you all the way down to the pier."

Anduin flushed a deep red color suddenly. "Well, maybe you're big enough now that I can... ride on your back?"

Wrathion caught the possible innuendo but had no time to respond to it. "Yes yes fine." He growled and crouched down so Anduin could carefully wriggle himself up onto the curve of Wrathion's back. He seemed almost giddy with getting to ride a dragon. This slightly annoyed Wrathion, he was not some mount to be collected in some adventure's journal. He didn't think that's what Anduin planned to do and again had no time to consider it.

"Are you two okay?" Right asked poking her head into the doorframe.

"Yeah, we're going to the Accord," Wrathion replied.

"We'll meet you there."

"Thanks!" Wrathion nodded approval and began to plod out onto the balcony. Anduin ducked to avoid hitting the doorframe as Wrathion squeezed through it with only some amount of trouble. With a sharp breath, Wrathion leaped off the banister, spread his wings and flew he soared into the sky with a few powerful beats of his wings. Anduin squeaked as Wrathion leaped and tried to do a little trick, but was still trying to figure out his body first. After his liftoff, Wrathion did his best to simply glide down the mountainside but would keep some distance between his underbelly and the treeline below.

"Woo!" Anduin cheered from atop him, Wrathion roared in agreement and together they went soaring down the mountain shouting and roaring all the way.

The landing was the hardest part. Wrathion tried his best to be gentle as he touched down, so as not to jostle Anduin off over his head if he could manage.

Unfortunately Anduin did get knocked off and was sent flying. Fortunately grabbing onto something as he went. Unfortunately, it was Wrathion's neck. Wrathion stumbled but was able to right himself before falling over completely. "Sorry!" He called back at the boy clinging onto him for dear life.

"Scared the Light out of me dude!" Anduin growled as he regained his balance. Wrathion shifted back into a human, which suddenly felt oddly comfortable. There was an awkward pause before Anduin let go of Wrathion and went over to take a seat on the grass. "Next time. We're going to need a saddle."

"Next time?" Wrathion replied. "Is there going to be a next time?"

Anduin smiled broadly at him then, which caught Wrathion by surprise, "that was the most fun I've had since like forever ago!" Anduin looked... very small then, like an 8-year-old child rather than a grown man to become king one day. It tugged at something inside Wrathion that he couldn't quite name.

It was probably nothing. Wrathion decided, he was just hormonal.

"Wrathion?" Anduin's voice brought Wrathion back to the now.

"Sorry what were you saying?" Wrathion asked meeting gentle blue eyes.

"I was asking if it would be okay if we did some more practice with the flight." Anduin said patiently.

"Yes that'd be fine." Wrathion said, voice cracking as he fought off a surge of emotion that swelled up inside him. He offered a hand to Anduin to help him up. Anduin took it and heaved himself up, their fingers staying within brushing distance for a few seconds too long and even when they separated they walked much closer together than they had previously. Anduin following Wrathion closely as the latter stepped onto the boat to Northrend.

The temperature dropped significantly after that. Wrathion looked up and knew he was in Dragonblight. The graveyard of dragons including the father of dragons, Galakrond.

Chapter 8: Wrymrest

Anduin had visited Northrend on a number of occasions. He had never liked it much. Not for any reason other than he hated the cold, especially since he was more used to more temperate conditions. Wrathion seemed to have no such reservations as he stepped off the boat and on to the dock, easing his way to actual land before he transformed into a dragon again, crouching so again Anduin could clamor up onto the dragon.

Anduin squawked as Wrathion took off. He wasn't so concerned with the idea of flying, he had ridden griffins before, it was the fact that Wrathion had a greater than human intelligence and as a result was not as conscientious of his flight posture and might not fully understand that dropping Anduin from this heigh, while maybe an entertaining prank among dragons would be a death sentence to Anduin.

Despite his concerns, the pair arrived without incident. Though Anduin did come out of his thoughts as the ground got closer. "Try landing on all four feet when you land," Anduin suggested, might as well try it, see if it worked.

Wrathion didn't reply and Anduin began to worry the dragon hadn't heard or was offended at the comment but Wrathion did as he was asked and they landed with a gentle thump. Anduin still got knocked into the air a few inches because of gravity's effect on him.

Sliding down off the back of Wrathion, Anduin looked up and found that he was the closest to Wyrmrest Temple than he had ever been.

The tower loomed over him into the icy sky. The building, from Anduin's understanding, had four levels. The topmost level served as the roof and was where the battle with Deathwing and Ultraxion, Deathwing's experiment that had gone right, had taken place. Above the bones of Galakrond, Deathwing had taken a mighty blow thanks to the orc shaman Thrall, who had wielded the artifact/weapon the Dragon Soul. The Dragon Soul had been a powerful artifact created by the Dragon Aspects and had, ironically, been the idea of Neltharion. The weapon later disassembled Deathwing into nothing but atoms.

That battle had stretched as far as the Malestrom in the middle of the sea separating Kalimdor and The Eastern Kingdoms but it had begun here at Wrymrest Temple.

The next floor down was where the commander of the Wyrmrest defenders, Lord Afrasastrasz, resided, it also served as a war room if the need arose.

The level under that was the common sector, generally, this was as much of Wyrmrest Temple that mortals got to lay eyes on. Though that was no to downplay its beauty in and of itself.

The bottom floor, half-buried beneath the ice, was the room that severed as the portal room for the dragons. All five Dragonflights had a Portal to their respective realms. And the realms, as far as Anduin knew never having been through any of the portals, were as follows: The Black Dragonflight's realm was in the heart of an active volcano, though it lay abandoned now that the Black Dragonflight had all but been wiped out, with its last remaining member staying in Pandaria for the time being.

The Red Dragonflight got a cherry tree grove that had once been ransacked by Deathwing's forces but had since recovered splendidly.

The Green Dragonflight got the Emerald Dream. The realm where all dreams, wishes, and hopes, were real, but also so were all the nightmares and fear, the Green Dragons spent their time trying to control the balance between the two. It is said that once one falls asleep the mind wanders the Emerald Dream until one wakes.

The Blue Dragonflight resided in the Realm known as the Eye of Eternity, which was the home of magic in its purest form. After the Nexus War most if the Blue Dragonflight went extinct, but those that remained studied there.

Last but not least was the Bronze Dragonflight's home in the Caverns of Time, which were located on the continent of Kalimdor. The Caverns of Time were where the Bronze Dragonflight guarded the time ways dutifully and protected all that had happened, no matter how bad, for it all served a greater purpose.

This chamber also apparently served as the council room for the Aspects since Wrathion plodded off down the icy chasm floor into the room. The room was circular in shape and on the edges of the room were the portals. More to the center of the room were five large circular platforms surrounding a collum if starlight, not harsh enough to be blinding but enough to illuminate the dragons placed on all the platforms but one. The second the boys entered, all eyes fell onto Wrathion. Anduin just happened to be in the perfect spot to notice the nervous tail-flick Wrathion gave before stepping up onto the vacant platform that was part of the circle of other Dragonflights.

Across from Wrathion, was Kalecgos, the Spell Weaver, Anduin had met him before but only in his human form. As a half-elf, Kalec had blue hair and eyes and spoke elegantly but now as a dragon at least ten times larger than Wrathion, he looked much more imposing. His horns alone were the size of three Anduin's, the latter feeling rather small in comparison suddenly, at only five and a half feet tall.

Next to Kalecgos was the Green Dragon Ysera, the Dreamer, she was about a head taller than Kalcegos and floating between her horns was upside down golden crescent with divets gave it a glaive like appearance.

Next to her was a crimson dragon about a Ysera and a half tall, her horns and claws heavily adorned in jewels and other decorations. Alexstraza the Life-Binder in the flesh.

Closest to Wrathion was a Ysera sized Bronze Dragon, Nozdormu the Infinite, sometimes called Nozdormu the Timeless stood proud beside his decorated companions.

Besides each Aspect were two smaller dragons, one on either side of the same color of their respective Aspect. Except Wrathion. Wrathion's only companion was a human.

"What doesss a mortal want with the affairssss of dragonss?" Nozdormu asked, golden eyes glinting as he recognized the human taking a spot besides Wrathion's flank.

"Wrathion!" Alexstraza thundered, "You show up late and you bring a mortal with you?" She hissed.

"Mighty Dragon Aspects," Anduin bowed as deep as he could without aggravating his leg, and to hide his body trembling, "I meant no disrespect by my presence." He explained smoothly.

"This one's father and I arranged an agreement that requires him to remain by my side at all times." Wrathion explained, "I am to protect the Prince of Humans."

Alexstraza blinked at him a few times. "But you still brought a mortal-"

"Let the mortal thing go." Kalecgos snarled, "he already explained why the mortal is here."

Alexstraza glared at Kalecgos. "Very well." She hissed reluctantly. "Nozdormu, who is to speak first today?"

Nozdormu tilted his head. "Wrathion speaksss firssst. Kalecgossss next year."

Wrathion with a small intake of breath looked up at the other dragons in attendance. "Now that the rest of the Corrupted Black Dragonflight has been eradicated, I wish to take my place as the Black Aspect." He said his voice strained but not out of anxiety like his tail swishes were.

Alexstraza laughed, "You will not hold that title if I have any say in it." She snarled. Wrathion Wrathion away violently. Even his cool expression could not hide the hurt from the verbal blow.

"Sister," Ysera snapped from besides Alexstraza. "This is not Deathwing."

"So what? His child is nearly as bad!"

"Alexstraza," Kalecgos began, "You have to let this go, Wrathion is not to be blamed for his father's sins."

"You want me to let go of the rape, torture and murder of my children?" Alexstraza howled in rage and fury, eyes lighting on fire and turned of the Spell Weaver.

Kalecgos was unfazed. "Of course not." As he said that, something occurred to Anduin, the first being they were speaking Common instead of Draconic, why include the human in on the conversation? The second thing Anduin noticed was that while Alexstraza may be the Queen of Dragons her Aspect companions had no problem voicing their opinions around her.

"If I may," Anduin couldn't help but pipe up, standing as tall as he could, hiding his shaking hands behind his back. He had just interrupted borderline gods. All eyes turned to him. As much as Kalecgos was sticking up for Wrathion, Anduin hated to see the dragons fight. "Yesterday, a fire broke out in a town we were visiting. While Wrathion could not be hurt by the fire he went to great lengths to ensure the safety of everyone affected. I believe that given the proper guidance and mentorships from great beings such as yourself and being taught that he is better than his father, he will shape up the way you wish him to, rather than the way you fear he will."

Alexstraza leaned so she met Anduin at eye level. All the malice and fear in her gaze was gone. "Will you vouch for the drake in question?" She asked gently.

Anduin reached up and set a hand on her snout. "Absolutely, we all can help guide him. Azeroth needs a Earth Warder and Wrathion is a solid choice."

"Prove that Rheastrasza's sacrifices were not in vain." Kalecgos spoke.

Alexstraza looked between her friends. She turned to Nozdormu, "what about you?"

"I had to forgive myssself for a future of my fall to the madness that will never come to be. Thisss one deserves the sssame forgivenesssss."

Alexstraza nodded. "Very well, Wrathion, step forward."

Wrathion, clearly hiding his excitement behind cool red eyes, stepped onto a central ring filled with sparkling stars. "Although we may not be the Titans, we have the power to proclaim a new Aspect in the event that one falls. I, Alexstraza will see to it that this Drake becomes everything that his father chose not to be. Kalecgos, present your gifts."

Anduin had the cold realization that he was about to witness the ascension of a God yet something kept him from moving at all so as to give the gods some privacy. Yet it felt like he glued to the floor

Kalecgos stepped into the circle with Wrathion. "We have no ability to grant you the power we were disrupted by the titans, not alone but together we all may impart our wisdom and wishes onto you, granting you the power you will need to lead what is left of your kin," Kalecgos said. "My gift, as the youngest Aspect prior to you, is perseverance, strength, and wisdom. May it guide you during the seasons ahead." The dragons, with Kalecgos having to crouch almost to reach butted heads affectionately. Both muttering small words inaudible and in Draconic before Kalecgos stepped away.

Ysera came next; "before we became the Aspects, Alexstraza, Nozdormu, Neltharion, Malygos and myself all had to face trials. But never did we face them alone. My gifts to you are friendship, love, and hope. May you surround yourself in friends and family who care about you as deeply as you care about them." Again soft words and a headbutt was exchanged before Ysera stepped back.

Anduin suddenly noticed Ysera didn't need to crouch as much to reach Wrathion's level. He had about doubled in size since his exchange with Kalecgos.

Anduin watched as he grew in size again before Nozdormu stepped forward. "In my own time, I have sssseen timelines where the world was destroyed and rebuilt many times. With my gift I give you patience, judgment and justice. Sssome times it takes patience to see the correct course of action. Yet sssome ssssituations require immediate action. It is up to you to decide what to do and when to do it."

Nozdormu had to crouch down the least so far. They were also close enough now that Anduin could make out what they were saying. He understood some basic Draconic as part of the princely work he had studied many languages, Draconic being one. "May the future bring you fortune." Nozdormu purred.

"And you, brother." Wrathion replied. Anduin suspected the other exchanges had been similar.

Alexstraza stepped forward. "I'll admit I have my concerns, and yet, so did the titans when appointing us as Aspects. With my gift, I bestow to you Clarity, Loyalty, and the love of a mother. May you always think of the struggles of another before yourself and feel the wrath of a mother directed at those who threaten the ones you hold close." Alexstraza had to lean down more than the others only because of her size compared to Wrathion, not because he stopped growing.

Alexstraza, to Anduin's shock and awe, turned to Anduin, "The one who vouches for new Aspect may provide a gift if you wish."

"If not, he isss a fully functional Assspect now. You will not harm him by refusing." Nozdormu added.

"I think I can do something." Anduin said taking Alexstraza's place. "With my gifts, I wish to bestow you with Curiosity, Mercy and Trust. May you forever know that your friends are true to you and share your excitement for life's new adventures." Wrathion smiled and bowed his head to meet Anduins outstretched hand.

"Thank you." Wrathion whispered in Common.

"I am just happy I can give something valuable."

"You have given more than enough."

"Wrathion!" Alexstraza announced from her pedestal, "henceforth you shall be known as Wrathion the Earth Warder. May you always respect Azeroth for all the beauties it has to offer." She smiled at him, "welcome to the Aspects."

Chapter 9: Ascension

"Welcome to the Aspects." Alexstraza purred. Before Wrathion could respond, Wrathion's vision went black.

"Anduin." The white-and-gray wolfman that had accompanied King Wrynn to the Tavern in the Mists addressed a slightly older Anduin, just a handful of years from his present form. "We need to talk."

"Sure Genn. What is it you need?" Anduin looked up from where he had been studying a map of an unknown region intently. The white brick walls decorated with blue implied the exchange was taking place in Stormwind Keep. "What happened at Broken Shore?" The prince continued.

"We were decimated." Genn snarled, "our losses were monstrous."

"That... is not what we anticipated. Heavy resistance I take it?" Anduin tilted his head in concern. "Where is my father?"

"I... that's what I needed to discuss with you." Genn swallowed and glanced around as if looking for someone else to take this responsibility from him. "King Varian Wrynn... is dead."

Anduin stared blankly at Greymane, his jaw tightening. "Excuse me?" His eyes narrowed and his voice was dangerously quiet.

"He died to protect what was left of the attack force. I only survived because of his sacrifice." Graymane continued.

Anduin looked at the floor. "There was only supposed to be limited casualties, that's what Wrathion promised us."

"Well, maybe Wrathion was wrong!" Genn snapped, deep blue eyes flaring in anger. He took a moment to collect himself, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted, I know you deeply respect the Black dragon but he was wrong about this and our army was destroyed because of him."

Anduin hissed his face contorted as he tried to control his emotions. "This is the legion's fault, not Wrathion's!" He shouted back.

"He abandoned you Anduin, whatever thing you had with him is over now!" Genn was clearly not fond of Wrathion and Wrathion supposed that was fair, but he had no intention of leading Varian into a trap. He had no quarrel with the human king and even less so with Anduin.

Anduin sighed heavily and hid his face behind his hands. "Leave me now Graymane, we'll worry about coronation some other time."

Genn went quiet then. Setting a hand on Anduin's shoulder. "I am sorry." He murmured. "I lost someone close to me too today."

"This is hard for everyone but I need to process." Genn hesitated for a second too long, causing Anduin's patience to thin. "Leave!" He demanded. Genn's ears flattened and he backed away and closed to door.

Now alone Anduin let out a sob.

Wrathion was jerked back into reality nearly violently. He felt that he was in human form, and laying on the floor of Wyrmrest temple he supposed. He felt a gentle soft pulsing beside him and cracked open an eye to look around.

Anduin crouched beside him, light dancing around his palm, causing the warm pulsing through his body. He looked gravely concerned. Wrathion, remembering his vision flinched away. "I'm sorry." He mumbled even though nothing had happened since his vision had begun. The other Aspects watched him calmly. "He wakes mortal," Nozdormu said somewhere to Wrathion's side. Anduin, reluctantly, stood and backed away.

"The ascension to an Aspect triggers powerful visions for the new Aspect, it helps guide them where nothing else could," Alexstraza explained. "His vision was deeply emotional it seems."

"What makes you say that?" Wrathion hissed from the floor as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.

"Wrathion! You're okay!" Anduin cheered and threw his arms around Wrathion's neck. "I was so worried I had hurt you by accident." He breathed so only Wrathion could hear his confession. Wrathion flushed a little, butterflies erupting in his belly from the simple act of being this close to Anduin. To feel his cold arms against the skin of Wrathion's neck. He nuzzled warmly into Anduin, grateful that his vision could still be prevented.

"I'm sorry," Wrathion said again. His gut-wrenching with the pain of knowing he had caused Anduin so much distress. Even if it was far in the future. "I'm so sorry."

Anduin chuckled, much to Wrathion's surprise, "So long as you're okay, no hard feelings!" He said with such a childlike excitement Wrathion couldn't help but smile back at the young human. He felt better the butterflies still gnawing at his stomach but the dread seemed to evaporate. Wrathion wanted to lean in and... he wasn't really sure what, he had no words for it. Dragons rarely expressed affections through words or small actions. Between dragons, such emotions were usually communicated through pheromones or large deeds and favors.

Anduin seemed to understand though, "Later." He promised, "when we don't have gods staring at us." Wrathion grinned at him, something about Anduin's acknowledgment of Wrathion's feelings and requited them was a pleasant comfort. One that warmed his whole chest and fuzzed away his thoughts, and the sting of the vision.

Once Wrathion took his place again, the meeting continued and while Wrathion stopped paying attention to the others at some point, he got a chance to plan what he would do now that he was and Aspect.

Well, for one thing, he was going to pick out a lair for himself and connect the Wyrmrest portal to it. That would be way better than living inside a volcano, he hated that place. After that, he wasn't really sure. He hadn't thought Alexstraza would say yes to his proposal in the first place so he hadn't gotten his hopes up. Maybe he would check in with Magni.

Magni was the literal champion of Azeroth, he had been a dwarf named Magni Bronzebeard before he had become made of diamond to protect all of the world for the rest of eternity. As Earth Warder Wrathion and Magni needed to get along at least well enough to get their jobs done.

The meeting ended before he could plot anything else. He went to walk out and let Anduin climb on outside but Kalecgos beat him and padded beside him. "Wrathion? May I have a moment?" The Spell Weaver asked.

"After everything you've done for me today, you may have as many as you need," Wrathion replied, stopping to speak with the Blue dragon. Anduin paused beside Wrathion and waited patiently.

"Forgive me for the intrusion," Kalecgos began. "I have been studying the growth cycles of dragons, more specifically, black dragons and I noticed you seemed... uncomfortable in your own scales. This leads me to believe that you have developed significantly since we last met in a very short amount of time."

"Okay..." Wrathion tilted his head at Kalecgos.

"I believe that because of how large Deathwing got, both physically and how far spread his name was, dragons grow based on what feelings they stir inside the hearts of others."

"What do you mean?" Wrathion blinked slowly at the older dragon.

"I mean, that because everyone ever feared Deathwing, he became massive as he fed off of that. However, the rest of us Aspects are not as widely known by the mortal population and a majority of our body size is because of our respect for each other. Recently, you came in contact with a group of humans that feel very strongly about you, and then you received the respect of the other Aspects making you multiply in size today."

Wrathion nodded, "Makes more sense than the gold theory anyways." Wrathion replied, "why are you telling me this?"

"Well, as with mortals going through adolescence, it helps to know why your body is reacting the way it is."

"Are you telling me I hit puberty?" Wrathion half-joked. Kalecgos seriously could not be implying that, right?

"Well you are grown it's more of a physical change than a psychological one," Kalecgos replied with a shrug of sorts. "But that's all I wanted to speak with you about. Congratulations on your accession!"

Wrathion stared after the Blue with a mix of shock and irritation. Weird thing to tell a new aspect. Especially since he was larger the Spell Weaver now, if only just. "Well... that's awkward." Anduin spoke from besides Wrathion.

"Seriously." Wrathion agreed. "Weird dude."

"I think he's trying to be nice but isn't sure what to do with you," Anduin replied, climbing on as Wrathion crouched. "Onwards, noble steed! To the Tavern!" Anduin echoed Wrathion's statement from before. Wrathion rolled his eyes but with a powerful beat of his wings he was airborne and taking off towards home.

Chapter 10: Confession

The rest of the evening for Anduin had gone by peacefully. He had spent most of it reading his tome of holy studies on Wrathion's fluffy reading chair on the balcony. A thick leather-bound book full of spells for Anduin to learn and to start practicing lay in his lap. Little did the instructor who assigned him the work know, Anduin had already mastered most of the techniques enclosed within. The art of using the Light had always come easily to the young human. Nonetheless, Anduin had dutifully spent a few hours studying.

Wrathion, on the other hand, looked borderline distressed all evening. Pacing between the same three rooms for at least an hour. Leaning on the banister and staring out into the sunset for less than thirty seconds before he was pacing again. At first, Anduin had taken it for residual excitement from the ceremony earlier that morning but the sun had long since set and Anduin had taken his studying into the room for the night, Wrathion was still wearing footprints into the wooden floor. Spending as much time as he could in human form Anduin had noticed.

Anduin tried to stay diligent in his study but now that he rested propped up on an elbow under the warm covers of his bed Wrathion was much more in view and Anduin couldn't help but watch how the dragon moved. His hair was all over the place thanks to how many times Wrathion had run his hand through the black curls. His red eyes were nearly dull with how much raw emotion he had endured during the day. Anduin understood. More than Wrathion could ever know. Anduin had always had a knack for understanding the struggles of others. Depending on how strong the emotions were Anduin could focus on that person's words or actions and feel as though he was walking beside them through their emotional journey. A bonus for his priestly duties but not required, and sometimes it bit him in the ass.

When Anduin's mother had died, Anduin had felt the pain twice over, once for his own grief and then again because of his father's pain.

Wrathion's struggle was so intense the emotional waves washed over Anduin without the priest having to focus at all, however, without Anduin's attention all he got was a jumbled mess so distorted that he couldn't even tell what was useful information and what wasn't. Though he suspected Wrathion was equally as incoherent. "Wrathion." Anduin said finally, setting his tome on the trunk at the foot of the bed, "come here."

"Can't. Sit. Still." Wrathion bit out like words were hard for him.

"I know, but I can help," Anduin assured him. Wrathion looked strangely at the priest but willed himself over to the side of Anduin's bed. "Sit down." Anduin gestured to a spot beside him, "and face me." Wrathion followed instructions and gazed at Anduin with an expression Anduin couldn't quite place. Something akin to hunger was the closest he could get to describing it.

"What makes you think you can help me?" Wrathion asked. "I don't mean to be like mean or anything I'm just curious."

"Priests are known to bring peace to those who have been through unimaginable strife. I am trained to help alleviate what ails you." Anduin replied, his voice soft. "Just relax, and tell me anything that comes to mind."

Wrathion grunted as though he was better than ranting but quickly fell to it. "I don't expect you to believe me but I have always wanted to take my father's place as Earth Warder but now that I have it... quite frankly, I'm scared out of my wits."

"What are you scared of?"

"Becoming my father. I literally have the weight of the whole world on my shoulders and I'm afraid I'm going to be what everyone thinks I will become."

Anduin smiled at his friend, "Not everyone believes that of you. I would not have vouched for you had I thought that to be your path." Wrathion gave Anduin a rather vulnerable expression in reply. One Anduin had not thought Wrathion capable of. He always seemed so calm and apathetic about everything.

Wrathion swallowed thickly, "no one ever has before." He whispered. "Thank you for giving me a chance."

"The fact you are worrying about not becoming Deathwing proves already that you are better than him."

"I suppose." Wrathion yawned and shook himself back into his standard poker face. "But I have more immediate problems I guess. The world is not in any immediate danger I'll know when it is. My other concern is more of a question than a problem."

"Shoot."

"Well you mortal types seem to be obsessed about choosing gay or straight but why do I have to pick? Why can't I like both?"

Anduin understood that one, more than just his empathy he understood. "I'm with you. My father and the Worgen king are trying to set me up with girls. They're perfectly nice mind you, they just don't strike my fancy. Genn and my dad keep telling me we just haven't found 'the one' but I'm beginning to doubt I will."

"See that's the problem with being royalty, you're parents not only control everything but their shadow hangs over you forever no matter what you do!"

"Unless your name is Arthas." Anduin chided.

Arthas Menethil used to be a human paladin, and heir to the Lordaeron throne. Until the young paladin began to take a dark path. Once beloved by his kingdom Arthas, upon discovering of a plague outbreak in a city known as Stratholme, decided that the best course of action would be to slay all the inhabitants of the city to prevent the spread of the plague. He had later gone on to become the Lich King. Leader of the undead armies collectively called the Scourge. His father had all but been forgotten in the horrific wake of death in his son's actions. Though Arthas had been put down when Anduin was still relatively young.

"He doesn't count!" Wrathion purred. "He only outmatched his father because of a mass genocide! Neither of us is going down that route I hope."

Anduin smiled and pawed at his friend's black jacket. "I think you'd better keep an eye on me!" Anduin announced.

"You aren't going to-"

"I'm a known heartbreaker!" Anduin interrupted Wrathion's thought. Trying to lighten the mood some.

"Don't lie! You cant even walk up to anybody without getting nervous!" Wrathion retorted catching Anduin's hand in his own paws, having transformed just enough to not be holding Anduin's hand, to which the latter was slightly disappointed, but not enough to be stabbing the human with talons or scales.

Anduin smirked, pouncing lightly on the lithe male. "Yeah well, you talk a big game for someone who can't get another in bed with him!"

"Not true!" Wrathion slipped out of Anduin's grip and wrestled the taller boy into the mattress with surprising strength. Especially given how deliberate he had been so as not to hurt his play mate's bad leg.

Anduin wondered if Wrathion had ever had someone to do something as childish as play fight or to spend all night talking about whatever came to mind.

The soft gaze from the dragon implied no. Though Anduin hadn't really either, he had his dad but it was different to have a friend or sibling to share passions with on a level adults had a hard time understanding. "Oh? Now I'm curious, who have you ever taken to bed?" Anduin said finally.

"You." Wrathion puffed his chest proudly.

Anduin flushed a bright red at that. "Not the same!" Anduin hissed avoiding the dragon's eyes.

"For now." Wrathion purred, Anduin rolled his eyes but internally scolded himself for being so transparent about how he felt about Wrathion. Despite Wrathion being another man, a black dragon, kin of Onyxia who had delighted in emotionally tormenting Anduin and Varian, and Wrathion being on par with a god, Anduin was beginning to foster something of a crush on the Black Prince.

Despite Wrathion's flirting Anduin couldn't gauge how the dragon actually felt about him in return. The pair stared at one another for a nearly awkwardly long time. "May I do something totally insane?"

Wrathion tilted his head in confusion. "Sure." He agreed. "I do believe you told me you had something for me when away from prying eyes. I think we're away from anyone else."

Anduin grinned from ear to ear than. "Yes, I do." He leaned forward, much the same way that Wrathion had earlier and pressed their lips together.

Wrathion took a second to process what was happening but quickly began to follow Anduin's lead. As Wrathion returned the kiss, Anduin, despite his concerns about how quickly he had developed such strong feelings in such a short amount of time, forgot all of the things that were going on outside of the room or all the things he had to worry about. In that long moment, everything felt right with the world. Wrathion quickly grew impatient with the gentle nature of the exchange and began to experiment with his limits. Pressing down on Anduin just enough to get the human to lay back and allow Wrathion to loom over him like a predator about to deal the killing blow to prey.

But no pain came, instead, only more kisses and hushed laughs as the pair tried to figure out what they were trying to do. Wrathion's breathing and adjusting causing their bodies to press together, not in any weird way yet but just enough to excite Anduin from how new and different everything was. Every nerve he had was on fire and they were still fully clothed and not even doing anything that Anduin could get in trouble for. Sure he wasn't encouraged to go around kissing boys but he had no strict rule forbidding it. Anything farther than that though, if he was found out, while not likely still very possible Anduin let something slip he wasn't supposed, to his dad would be furious.

Either way, the boys had no real idea of what they were doing and thus wouldn't get very far short of one having something in mind to try.

It mattered not though because the door creaked open, causing Wrathion to roll away from Anduin, attempting to catch his breath before the intruder could see anything. "Will you two go to sleep?!" Left hissed from the doorway, "settle your differences tomorrow!" The door closed surprisingly softly after that leaving Wrathion and Anduin in the dark again.

"Well, I suppose that means we should split up for the night." Wrathion mused darkly.

"Aw, we don't have to! You can stay over here if you want." Anduin complained, trying to be quiet so as not to incur Left's wrath.

"I'll bother you all night," Wrathion replied going to stand up.

"No, you won't. Trust me." Anduin pawed sleepily at the dragon who sighed and took a seat on Anduin's unoccupied side of the bed.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." With that Wrathion settled down into the sheets, "and thanks, for vouching for me today. That means a lot more than you realize." and before Anduin could even react was snoring away. Anduin laughed to himself at how quickly Wrathion had dozed off, it had been a really long day for him it seemed. Anduin rolled over and closed his eyes allowing sleep to claim him.

Chapter 11: Nozdormu

Wrathion had no idea what to do now. Not only had Anduin confirmed that he shared Wrathion's affections for the other, but he had also taken the first move. As odd as he found the experience Wrathion had liked the intimacy and closeness with the human.

Which posed a number of problems because Wrathion was a dragon, not a mortal.

Not wanting to leave his questions unanswered and his wants swept under the rug he hefted himself up from Anduin's side before the sun rose the next morning and took off from the balcony, shifting into his true form during the jump and flapped powerful wings in an attempt to gain some height. He was still getting used to how large he had gotten. Before he got far from the tavern he noticed a small group of black shadows moving across the dry plains at the base of the mountains. Deciding to see if breakfast had come to him Wrathion swooped down to get a closer look.

To his surprise, he found an Alliance war party. Royal guards escorting the King himself to the base of the mountain. All of the human's eyes were on Wrathion as he descended to the ground in front of the party. "King Wrynn." Wrathion greeted, not feeling any need to bow before a mortal king.

Varian apparently felt the same about a dragon. "Greetings." Varian nodded politely at the dragon. "Forgive me for the intrusion, but I wished to do my first weekly report with Anduin in person."

It has not been a week.

Instead of commenting on this, Wrathion nodded, "Very well, though I request you forgive me for not being a very good host, I was just going to collect a meal before fetching Anduin and taking him with me to a meeting I must attend." Wrathion lied easily, he had been planning on going alone to this 'meeting' but this worked well as an excuse not to bring Anduin. "Though because of your visit I will entrust his safety with you and grant you some privacy." Wrathion continued. "Once you arrive at the tavern speak to the human woman with red hair, she will help you rouse the prince and ensure additional safety should you need it."

"Thank you." Varian nodded, listening intently. "When will you return?"

"No later than sundown." Wrathion estimated. Even if he wasn't finished with his mission by then he could make a pit stop for the night and continue his task in the morning.

"Very well. I will expect to see you then." Varian said Wrathion nodded and pushed off the earth again and floated above the human patrol who gazed up at him in awe, save Varian, as they passed under him. Many of the guards were young Wrathion noted, hardly older than Anduin so he supposed none had seen a true dragon before. Though he did notice wolfman and a man with short red hair beside Varian who only spared Wrathion the cautious glance. Once they had passed Wrathion beat his wings and went soaring across the land. He did manage to snatch a wild oxen herd for breakfast before he began his flight to Southern Kalimdor.

***

Wrathion, now that he was big enough to fly long distances in a timely and safe manner, found it silly to take the boats if he was going alone, despite the near-instant translocation the ships provided, it was infinitely more rewarding, and only a slight bit longer, to fly. Plus he got to fill up on fish as he went.

It was maybe an hour before he felt the heat of Kalimdor wash over his scales. It took only a moment more before he saw the small huddle of mountains the marked the home of the Bronze Dragonflight. He landed in the center of a ruined clearing. Clock towers lay scattered half-buried in the sand in the small mesa that was hidden in the center of the mountains. Which in no way gave away their depth.

"Halt!" A voice called from beside Wrathion. Begrudgingly, he followed instructions, he knew his flight had a reputation for destruction so to stop a black dragon was not totally uncalled for. That and most dragons of separate flights were questioned before being granted entry, for safety's sake. A smaller Bronze Drake glided over to the intruder calmly. She looked younger than Wrathion in body but her eyes revealed her age was well beyond that. "What brings you to the Caverns of Time?" The Drake asked.

"I am to speak with Nozdormu." Wrathion replied evenly.

"Is he expecting you?"

"I don't believe Aspects have to book appointments with one another." Wrathion retorted. He did like being able to fall back on that to help him appear more confident than he felt.

The Drake blinked at him a few times. "Very well. You'll find him in the heart of the mountain." With a single beat of her wings she was out of his way, returning to circle her route above the mesa.

"Thank you." Wrathion grunted and glided through the narrow archway into the Caverns. The descent went down for miles and was heavily decorated with stars and otherworldly things. Finally rounding the corner from one of the main twisting tunnels Wrathion flew into a clearing. This one had hallways branching off it at random intervals. In it's center was a huge circular platform with a massive working golden hourglass centered on it. Sitting in front of the hourglass was the huge bronze Aspect. He sat, making him nearly as tall as the hourglass which reached the roof of the cavern many miles up from the floor. Had he been standing on two paws the Aspect would be large enough to burst through the roof of this chamber and into the mountain itself. With Dragons generally about halfing their height when they moved from sitting to four paws and doubling their height moving from sitting to standing on two paws.

Golden eyes flicked up to the newcomer as soon as Wrathion entered. "Wrathion." Nozdormu tilted his head at the young Aspect. "What brings you to the Cavernsss of Time ssso sssoon?"

"I seek an auidence with you if you have some time."

"Time isss a mortal concept." Nozdormu replied. "Ssso long as I draw breath, I will have time."

Wrathion took a second to process his words. "I see." Wrathion eyed the other bronze dragons around the room. "Is there anywhere we can go that will be more private? It is not a conversation I wish to have in front of strangers."

The Bronze Aspect nodded, and the world went golden for a second before they were in a completely empty version of the Cavern. Nozdormu stretched his wings idely. "I do not sssense a dire disturbance with the mortals for another ssseveral ssseasons. What bothers you so?"

"I wanted to ask you to glimpse into the future for me."

"While I understand what you are asking of me, what isss it you ssseek?"

"I want to pursue a relationship with a mortal and I need you're advice on how to get the best probable outcome."

Nozdormu stared at Wrathion for a while. "Well, you know as well as I do what you will have to do to thisss 'mortal'. You will be responsible, at least in hisss mind, for the death of hisss father."

"Is there any way I can avoid that?"

"Not that I can sssee." Nozdormu replied gently, his voice dropping in volume. "I know thisss is going to be hard for you to accept but I advise you to leave the idea of a mortal consort behind."

"Why?"

"Mortalsss do not have the lifespan we do. They will die a thousand timesss over before we even begin to feel age. They cannot escape time."

"Time is a social construct made by mortals!" Wrathion echoed.

"But it isss one that will claim you're friend in what, to you, is a blink of an eye." Nozdormu growled, with no malice in his voice, he was just trying to get through to Wrathion. "He will die before you can truly begin to love him."

Chapter 12: Kalecgos

Wrathion left the Caverns of Time more uneasy than he had arrived. Nozdormu spoke sense of course but surely there had to be a way for it to work for everyone?

Who can I ask for such a specific question? He growled to himself flying in a random direction to try and get the wind to soothe him and cool his head.

It wasn't until Wrathion felt the stinging cold of Winterspring that the dragon realized exactly who he needed to speak to. Kalecgos was very much in a romantic relationship with a human named Jaina Proudmoore. Who in turn was also a powerful spell caster.

With newfound determination Wrathion flew to the continent of Northrend reaching the Nexus, entrance to The Eye of Eternity, within the hour. Again he was stopped at the entrance but this time by a huge male. One Wrathion recognized from the Accord the day before. This one had been one of Kalecgos' companions the day before. Senegos was his name Wrathion believed. "State your business." The dragon ordered sleepily.

"I wish to speak to the Spell-Weaver."

"He is expecting you in the Eye of Eternity." The dragon replied, wandering away.

Once Wrathion arrived at a tiny blue orb in the center of a floating circular platform he placed his paw on it and blinked. Opening his eyes into space void of anything but stars and a blue and white platform under him. Kalecgos stood before him as well. "Wrathion." The greeting was friendly. "I figured you'd have some questions."

"Not about what you'd expect." Wrathion replied.

"You would be surprised about what I expected you to come to me about." Kalecgos smiled toothily at him. The dragon beckoned him forward, pushing off the ledge and gliding off into space.

Wrathion followed, despite his uncertainty about Kalecgos, which was mostly due to their last conversation. It felt good to soar through space. It looked endless but the air was crisp and cool and he began to see that stars in the sky were networks of platforms and studios. Some proved to be lairs as the pair flew past and others still were full of tomes and ink and parchment. "I'll race you to the farthest platform over there." Wrathion challenged the older dragon. Among creatures so magnificent as Wyrms and even as primitive as Proto-Drakes, racing was a fun competition that the extremes of either species could take part in just as easily as anyone else.

"You challenge me in my own realm?" Kalecgos laughed. "Good luck!" Wrathion beat his wings with intent now that Kalecgos had accepted his challenge and set off towards the platform. He could hear Kalecgos catching up behind him and pushed harder.

Just as Wrathion made it to the platform the other blue dragon swept forward and touched down first. "That's cheating!" Wrathion growled, amused that Kalecgos would have lost had it not been for his familiarity with the area.

"No it's not!" The Blue replied, "it would have been cheating had I froze you!"

Wrathion smiled. "True enough I suppose."

The pair set off again and flew in silence for a long while. "You have questions regarding your mortal companion. What is it you wish to know?" Kalecgos broke the silence finally.

Wrathion was surprised at Kalecgos' foresight. He explained to the Blue the situation he had with Anduin and while he was sure Kalecgos knew most of it already judging by his knowledge of Wrathion's mission, Kalecgos listened to him. "Nozdormu told me that because mortals age much faster than dragons, that it wasn't worth investing time and effort into."

"Well, on some level, he's right. But because of how short-lived they are, mortals love much more fiercely than say another dragon." Kalecgos said, "and besides many mortals can live past their average amount of years thanks to advancements in magic and technology. Khadgar is thought to be, somewhere in Outland, over a thousand years old. So it is not to say they are doomed to die young. High prophet Velen was fully grown when the Burning Legion attacked Argus and still lives thousands of years later to tell about it.

"But Velen is a Draenei, they can live for a quarter of a millennium." Wrathion pointed out.

"But more importantly, he's a priest and he takes care of himself and those around him." Kalecgos said, "some Draenei waste away before they reach 100 because of the negligence of themselves much the way humans do."

"What does Anduin being a priest have to do with it?"

"Priests can bring even the old and sickly back into their stronger days, extremely powerful ones can undo the damage done by time if the need arises."

"You think Anduin is that powerful?"

"I think he has the potential to be." Kalecgos thought for a moment before he spoke again, "and if you are getting into it and are worried about it I do know of something that can help perhaps."

"What is it?"

"If a time comes when you are ready to be Anduin's mate then I shall tell you."

Wrathion shot a glance at Kalecgos. "Mate?"

"Humans, in particular, tend to be fond of monogamy. They do not like to share their prizes." Kalecgos explained, "Anduin if he is invested in this as well, is in it for a mate and partner, not someone he loves to sleep around as he pleases."

"We can't even reproduce together what do you mean mate?" Wrathion tried to keep the barb out of his voice but he wasn't sure what Kalec was getting at.

"Humans generally share their lives with their partner, unlike us who have a small harem of consorts, they tend to stay with their partners whether they can reproduce together or not." Wrathion turned this information over in his head a few times. "Besides humans and dragons both are incredibly sexual creatures, whether or not you can bear offspring is irrelevant that the act of mating is something that is likely to happen."

"Wait how...?" Wrathion was struggling to picture that. "We don't have... I'm a dragon and-"

"You would need to stay in human form but yes, it could work." Wrathion still must have looked as confused as he felt because Kalecgos continued, "do you know how humans reproduce?"

"They-" Wrathion scoured his brain. He had never really thought to care about information such as mortal mating rituals before. "The same thing we do, just on a smaller scale?"

Kalecgos shrugged. "Sort of. But they don't do eggs. Now think about how that happens and try and figure out how that would work between two males."

Wrathion had an image rush into his mind. One that shocked him nearly out of the air. Anduin was- "Sounds really painful." Wrathion grunted trying to hide the weird mesh of emotions the image stirred up in him.

"Humans are more clever than you give them credit for." Kalecgos replied lightly.

"But you just told me I'm barely getting to be an adult in size, what if, how does that work? I can't go telling people the prince is sleeping with a dragon whelp."

"No of course not." Kalecgos agreed. "But age in years is a mortal tracking device. Dragons age in maturity and size instead. You were an adult long before yesterday and now your size reflects that."

"I see." Wrathion hummed to himself. "So... you're with a human, right?"

"I've been with humans for a very long time, yes." Kalecgos replied.

"Do you think it's a waste of time?" Wrathion asked the question hounding at him since Nozdormu.

"Not at all." Kalecgos said firmly. "Being with a human forces you to live. Humans spend every day doing things that matter most to them because they don't have the time that we have to sleep for millennia. Every moment matters to them and that's important to remember when dealing with them, even non-romantically. But the important question to ask yourself is, do you think it's a waste of time?"

Chapter 13: Return of the King

A sharp jab to the side brought Anduin into consciousness. 

"Your father wishes to speak with you." Right said once Anduin lifted his head sleepily to acknowledge Right's prodding.

"Uh, okay." Anduin slurred, "I'll be down in a minute." what in the world is dad doing here?

Anduin realize, not only because of the emptiness in his bed but the fact that Right was waking him implied Wrathion had found better things to do.Which hurt Anduin's feelings he had to admit. He had thought that maybe, just maybe, Wrathion and Anduin could have been a thing, found hope and comfort and friendship and happiness with each other. He was wrong it seemed. He forced the thought aside and collected himself, changing into a more presentable clothing choice. Anduin staggered down the steps and, while he shouldn't have been, was surprised at Varian's presence at the table in the center of the ground floor. "Hey, Dad." Anduin greeted cheerfully, hiding his other concerns behind a smile.

"Anduin," Varian replied, his tone was friendly, he was not prone to showing his affections the way Anduin was, but he tried his best. "Come have a seat, tell me how the last days have been."

Anduin sat at the table across from his father. "I've had a lot of fun!" Anduin began without thinking. "We got to go to the Wyrmrest Accord and Wrathion became a full Aspect! It was amazing!"

Varian blinked a few times. "Wrathion is now the Earth Warder?" He sounded like he didn't believe it.

"Yes." Anduin nodded, choosing to leave out his own part of the meeting. He went on for a long time about all his recent adventures, save the ones he knew better than to tell until the sun set behind the mountains.

"I'm glad you've been having fun but listen, we have to go home now, I can't trust the kin of Onyxia with my only son. You know how much you mean to me."

Anduin grimaced at that, he shouldn't have been reluctant to leave the Tavern given Wrathion's seeming abandonment, but he was. "Dad you already agreed to this with him. I know you're worried but I'll be fine. I've cheered up a lot since I got out here. Velen was right."

"Yes but-"

"Dad I'm only going to get worse if I come home now. I love you I promise I do but I need some time to come into myself."

Varian sighed and looked at the ground. "I know things have been tough since your mom passed but-"

"It's gotten worse lately dad, you know how paranoid I was getting before we set this up and honestly I had good reason to be, if Garrosh finds me, I'm dead, there are no more chances, no more taking prisoners with him. He's going to kill me if he gets the chance. Let me stay up here until this calms down and Garrosh is dealt with, then I can come home with you."

"What are we talking about?" A thundering voice rattled the building and Wrathion, in human form, landed neatly on the doorstep. Without a word, or even really a glance at Anduin the dragon came and sat beside the prince at the table. Ignoring how Anduin’s eyes were immediately glued to the dragon, he seemed, different somehow, happier and more confident. Anduin wasn’t even sure if he could call it a facade because of how easily Wrathion carried it.

"So kind of you to join us." Varian deadpanned. "How did your meeting go?"

Meeting? What meeting?

"About the same as all meetings go," Wrathion replied, "has Anduin shown you Jihui? Great game, tells you a lot about your opponent."

"Really? Do you play poker?" Varian asked, a playful glint in his eye

"You don't want to challenge a dragon to poker, you can never read them." Anduin smiled.

"Well true, but yes. I play." Wrathion agreed. "Right would you get me my cards please?" Right handed him the deck of leather-bound cards with gems woven in that served as the number or pattern for the card. "Do either of your friends play?" Wrathion signaled to Genn Graymane outside the tavern.

"Genn does, yes." Varian answered good-natured, "Shaw cheats."

"Can I play?" Anduin asked sheepishly, he had of course seen the adults play the game but had never previously old enough, or driven enough, to play with them, but if Wrathion was going to, maybe the dragon would spare Anduin a glance then.

"Sure." Both men said. "Genn! Come play cards with us!" Varian called out to the Worgen who happily joined the others at the table. Anduin set his hands on either side of him on the bench while Wrathion shuffed and dealt.

Much to Anduin's surprise, just before the game started, Wrathion's unoccupied hand curled around Anduin's on the bench. They exchanged a look and a small smile before the game begun. Out of the corner of his eye Anduin noticed Varian’s eyes had softened and his smile was much more relaxed and genuine.

***

Some hours passed and the royal guard was planning to head out. Anduin with them Anduin assumed due to not having heard anything different from his father. "See you later?" Anduin asked Wrathion quietly at the top of the stairs, wanting to have Wrathion acknowledge him before he began to pack his stuff.

"Absolutely," Wrathion replied, a swift kiss was shared, much to Anduin's surprise before Wrathion vacated the space to allow his guests to move about.

Varian came up the stairs behind Anduin, startling him, he didn't think his father had seen anything but wasn't sure. "Anduin. I thought about what you said." Varian began, "and I will permit you to stay longer."

Anduin felt his eyes light up. "Really?!"

Varian smiled and nodded, "yes, you are the happiest I've seen you since your mother died and... I think we finally found someone you'd be interested in taking as a suitor. Albeit that will be a ways in the future and some negotiations to be had but you remind me of myself when I was young and first starting to fall in love with your mother." Varian lost himself to thought for a moment. "You will have to return home at some point, but I will allow you to stay until Garrosh is dealt with. If you need to come home sooner you need only say so."

Anduin was delighted, "thank you so much, dad!" He didn't even mind that Varian had implied Wrathion and Anduin might be married someday. For now all that mattered was that his father had agreed to let him stay. "You won't regret it!"

"I know I won't," Varian replied, smiling, before turning to Wrathion, who had faded into a dark corner save his glowing red eyes which gave him away. "Thank you, for your hospitality young Wrathion, we will be speaking again soon I should think."

With that, Varian and his troops were gone, leaving Wrathion and Anduin alone at the top of the stairs.

[roses-at-moonrise]

Tag 8 people you want to get to know better!

Tagged by the lovely @sol-tinyrayofsun

Favorite color: mostly purple, but I also love pink!

Last song I listened to: an orchestral arrangement, actually! Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan Williams (an absolutely gorgeous piece)

Favorite musicians: my absolute favorite is Imagine Dragons, but I also love Panic! At the Disco, Pentatonix, and Peter Hollens.

Last film I watched: I don’t remember... I think Frozen 2? I haven’t been watching a lot of movies lately.

Last show I watched: Grey’s Anatomy 😅

Favorite characters: Jean and Mikasa (Attack on Titan), George O’Malley (Grey’s Anatomy), Adrien Agreste (Miraculous Ladybug), Soren and Rayla (The Dragon Prince), Varian (Tangled the Series), and everyone in the gaang in Avatar: the Last Airbender

Sweet, spicy, or savory: hm... savory. I can’t handle too much sweet or too much spice.

Sparkling water, tea, or coffee: coffee, thanks to my -slight- caffeine addiction

Pets: none:(

Tagging: @thequeenofshebasays @beautymercurydragon @unconditionalpotterhead @pinkypetalss @clicheusername

[acourtofbooksandmemes]

Tag 8 people you’d like to get to know better

Tagged by @arushipun thank you love <3

Favourite colours: #1 lavender purple, jade and and all sorts of nature green, basically those which are not too bright

Last song I listened to: Ready as I’ll ever be - Varian & tangled cast (listen.. I’m obssessed with this song, and all animatics people do)

Favourite musician: I have to choose one, don’t I? I guess it has to be BTS then

Last movie I watched: Attack on Titan (2015) - yes they have actually made a live action movie I had no idea either. It was.. weird, to say at least. Eren screams and rage like usual, but Mikasa? She DISAPPEARD for those two training years, comes back in the middle of a fight, and DOESN’T seem to care about Eren? Like tf. Also Levi aint there, though I don’t think anyone would be able to do him justice, instead we got some cool, sassy, apple-eating playboy. Overall quite okay movie ALSO THE COLOSSAL TITAN REALLY GAVE ME CHILLS

Last TV show I watched: I guess anime doesn’t count? Lol.. It might have Lucifer, a few months ago. Love that dude, his sass is everything

Favourite character: Still gotta be Kaz Brekker

Sweet, spicy or savory: um.. I like all of them but in different kinds of edibles. Gotta choose sweet though, I think

Sparkling water, tea or coffee: TEA

Pets: Never had any, but would really like to have a fluffy dog

tagging @eemiex @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 @bilingualandconfused @twilightlegacy13 @maewinter @theshadowhunterofbakerstreet @miraculous-mermaid03 @iammrstark 💜 feel no pressure~

[tigerstarskincare]

Intro

Hey! My name is Danika and im the owner of Kinnie Beach! A little bit about me i love warriors, invader zim, learning about healthcare, acting and my pets. I am 14 and bisexual. I go by she/her pronouns. My only ID is Tigerstar, but my main kins are Tigerstar, Nightcloud, Moomin and Ball python.

I will do any sources expect Attack on Titan, South Park, Steven Universe (personal discomfort), Vivziepop content and Hetaila (any other problematic sources please let me know) Some sources im familiar with are:

Warrior Cats

Survivors

Disenchantment

Beastars

Disney

The Moomins

Invader Zim

Animal Crossing

Otherkin

Therian

For requests I do

Moodboards

Stimboards

Selfcare kits

Snack kits

Fashion kits

Playlists

Icons

Wallpapers

Positivty

Kin Matchups

Promo? @sweetkincafe @callieskinhelp @varians-kin-help​ @kinniehelpwig​

-Mod Tigerstar

[korkrunchcereal]

WoW Q and A

(Red shirt guy asked the first question) Heritage armor for allied races is neat, not as interesting as heritage armor for regular races. Will there be a change to it with the leveling changes? Can still get your heritage armor as allied race. Just have to reach max level.

Did the Jailer in the Maw see the legion as a threat? Explains why Sylvanas worked with Varian? As we go into the Shadowlands we’ll find out Sylvanas’ motives, her relationship with the Jailer and when it started. Hint: It started during Edge of Night (her short story from after Wrath). Sylvanas helped Varian to bide her time so not everyone would attack her.

New progression of covenant abilities + Legendaries affecting PvP. How does it affect world and instanced PvP? knobs can be turned to affect and work with PvP. Covenants shouldnt be “whats better a mage or a warlock?” Active abilities + Soulbinds and trait trees. Starting point is should work in PvP, but can turn off if need be. War mode enabled in Shadowlands.

How will flying work in Shadowlands? Same as it’s been in every expansion. If its a little annoying for everyone its probably better than alternatives.   

How will pathfinding work in past expansions with the level changing and scaling? No answer yet. 

In WoW classic, will we receive a toggle for the HD models? Current plan is no.

Will legendaries ever be transmoggable? Short answer: Yes. Can’t say when, but very soon. Tmog your sulfuras, thunderfuries and others.

What is the creative process to choose an expansion theme, specifically Shadowlands? Begin process of brainstorming 2 expansions ahead. Sets some of the plot points that are now unfolding. Weekly meetings to brainstorm. The world/environment is something to consider. Where do we want to go next? Often story will twist and turn to get us there. Example of WoD from MoP: “Wouldn’t it be awesome to go there? Let’s find a way to get there.” Sometimes it’s not quite the time. Legion was an idea after MoP, but decided to do it after WoD. Digging up old ideas they discarded / had for past expansions for Shadowlands. 

Have you ever named an expansion before developing it? All future expansions have code names. Legion was a placeholder name, decided to just keep it.

Free Hong Kong shouted on the stream and asked in question. 

The Jailer’s identity? Not someone we know, but he’s a mysterious new figure of a cosmic importance. His conspiracies, things he wants to do etc. driving the core of the story. He’s the centerpiece villain.

With Heart of Azeroth scrapped, what happens to the tier 4 HoA cosmetics? Not going to deplete it like artifacts. As you move into the Shadowlands, they’ll weaken and won’t have the effects is current plan.

 Other customization options?  More than 40 additional customization options for blood elves. Examples shown at Blizzcon, such as human, are just a small selection.

Any more realm merges/connections? Yes it’s planned. 

New expac comes out, we get the Soundtrack. New patches add new zones and new music that’s not on the Soundtrack. Considered releasing additional digital tracks for the added music? Short answer: Working on it. Before Shadowlands, capturing the BfA music that came out post launch.

Lorewise, who won Stromgarde and Darkshore? Alliance won both of them. 

With Faction war dying down, will faction borders loosen. Raid with friends cross faction? Alliance and Horde separation mechanically is a pillar that makes Warcraft Warcraft. That division is part of why we have the “For the Horde/For the Alliance” shouts. Uniting is not in the cards right now.

Eye of N’zoth: Do you get anything for having it post 8.3? Be yourself, see what follows. 

Classics based on BC, WotLK etc. Is that something being considered? Got to be careful how it proceeds. 

What happened to AU Draenor, and the Lightbound like Yrel? Will we see them again post Mag’har recruitment? That AU Draenor is still out there and the light still has a place on it. It’s something they’re keeping in the back pocket. Shadowlands is first step exploring the large concepts of cosmology. 

Is Chronicles canon? Whose point of view was this written from? Titans PoV is the narrative. Things hinted in chronicles expanded in Shadowlands. 

If Shadowlands is where the dead go, what happens when we die in the Shadowlands? The experience is very different for the Corpse Run. Different screen effect, experience etc. Spirit healers are the Kyrian covenant. Watchers in the mortal realm to watch for souls and decide if they’re ready to die. Player Character is tethered by the need of Azeroth so don’t perma die (yet).

How much of the tower do you envision being part of max level gameplay? Most of your end game? Varies from player to player. Some will casually do it, others will super grind it. still deciding if you can “win”, aka maximum value/maximum height.

With mechagnomes wearing armor “leglessly”, will there be playable races with more/less than 2 legs? If it’s appropriate to the story / expansion, “maybe”. 

Tier sets not coming back next expansion? It depends. 16 armor sets for the covenants (Cloth, leather, mail, Plate x4). Class themed armor coming back at some point post Shadowlands launch. People started going so fast with getting tier that it made getting it almost like a prison. Set bonuses is something they want to embrace, but not in the form of a box you tick. Satisfaction in getting gear in Shadowlands will come from things like Legendaries, smaller tier sets etc. 

[shadowphoenixrider]

Why N’Zoth should have been behind BFA’s War

Okay so I’ve been thinking this for a day or so now, and I’m gonna just dump my thoughts here.

In this essay, I’m gonna make the argument that I think N’Zoth should have been behind the war in BFA. It’s gonna be long as shit, FYI. Here we go.

It’s no secret that opinions on BFA’s story have been...mixed. Some think it’s a garbage fire, others think it’s okay but not stellar. Some bits of BFA’s story, such as Jaina’s arc I find very well done, whilst others are very...below average, must try harder.

I think the main problem is the overarching storyline running through the entire expansion. It feels very disjointed, like many self-contained narratives sort of strapped onto one another into what looks like a storyline, if you squint.

Contrast this with Legion’s story. What was the primary conceit of the expansion? The Legion’s back and we have to stop them. Great! A nice solid story maypole we can pivot events around. Everything the patches introduced tied back to this core story ideal:

Return to Karazhan: some freaky shit is going down in Medivh’s digs and we think the Legion is behind it. Stop them!

Tomb of Sargeras: Time to get to Tomb and stop the Legion from pouring in!

Argus: You know what, we need to stop the Legion Once And For All (maybe)! Time for a cataclysmic showdown on the Legion’s homeworld!

Even the Insurrection storyline held closely to the Legion storyline, since the demons had control of the city and a Titan MacGuffin we needed, so we had to help the Nightfallen boot them out.

Now, BFA has at first glance, a good premise. All-out war between the Alliance and Horde, whilst Azeroth bleeds underneath us. That seems pretty good, right? Yes, it is, but there is a problem; the status quo.

The trouble with wars, especially really big ones (like world wars), is that by their nature, they upset the status quo. The WoW status quo is both the Alliance and Horde is, in the lore’s eyes, on equal footing. Problem with this all out war is that someone’s gotta lose - but no faction can lose because that upsets the status quo.

Thus, the story has already lost its running shoes because it can’t change anything drastically at the end. There’s still got to be a Horde and an Alliance - now, Mists of Pandaria managed to end an Alliance/Horde war in a fairly convincing stalemate because of Garrosh. Since he was deposed and he was the instigator of a large portion of Bad Stuff, people could sort of understand Varian letting the Horde survive under the threat that they’d get their asses thoroughly beaten if they did anything bad again.

This did not work a second time. Why did it not work a second time?

That’ll be because Sylvanas burned down Teldrassil, which pretty much accounts to genocide. Now, Garrosh pretty much dropped Azeroth’s equivalent of a nuclear bomb on Theramore, and that was made a very big deal of, but Sylvanas decided to take a leaf from the Bombing of Dresden and add some fire to her war crime. And thus, a very large petard is hoisted around BFA’s neck.

The image of a burning Teldrassil is almost certainly a very shocking, very dramatic one, and I’m pretty sure that’s why Blizzard chose to do it. It’s certainly a very big, risky move in the terms of story that could have elevated it. The quest to try and save the citizens of Teldrassil as it burns is truly harrowing and excellent in how it underscores the hopelessness of the task.

The thing with the burning of Teldrassil is it has colossal consequences, and the story did not handle it with the gravitas it deserved. After that moment, you cannot bring the Alliance and Horde to a happy peace - the Horde has done an undeniably awful, inexcusable thing, and yet the Alliance will apparently look the other way and sign a peace treaty with them now Saurfang is dead and Sylvanas has run off to make Shadowlands happen.

So already we’re in trouble from War of the Thorns, which was not helped at all by Blizzard devs playing a ‘who burned the tree’ game only to reveal that it was always Sylvanas, she did it because she meant to do it. This did nothing but upset and annoy people (me included), which started everything off with a sour taste in our mouths.

Next stop is the attack on Undercity, which is good if not for the inexplicable stupidity of the Alliance not perhaps thinking that Sylvanas would use the Blight against them, after they just witnessed her burn Tedrassil down. And knowing she dumped Blight on Gilneas.

Despite these slip-ups, we’re keeping up this feeling of all-out war. The Horde gets word that Talanji and Zul are stuck in jail, let’s rescue them and get the Zandalari on our side to beat the shit out of the Alliance! The Alliance, not to be out done, decide to go get the Kul Tirans.

And that’s when the story fractures. The stories on Zandalar and Kul Tiras are kinda understandably divorced from the main war, but they’re so divorced as to be almost completely outside of it. The only signs of it outside the War Campaign are the Alliance sailors scrapping in Talanji’s Rebuke that you find in a non-essential side-quest, and the shoehorning of the Horde into the Stormsong questline, which then proceeds to break the latter questlines when the bloody quilboar seem to appear out of nowhere and become the main baddy (what?!).

It took the advent of 8.1 for Faction Assaults to start occurring and making us feel like all-out war, but it seemed a little too late. There was the attack on Dazar’alor that pushed the war narrative, but it was starting to get tangled up with the ‘Sylvanas is Bad Warchief, we must remove her. Or not...?’ storyline with Saurfang, which fell back onto ‘the Horde isn’t bad, it’s the Warchief who is!’ which 1, we’d already had in MoP, and it wasn’t a fun feeling that time either, and 2, it’s not really a good excuse after a genocide.

So Horde politics start, which are sort of interesting to Horde players, but not Alliance players, who only have Tyrande being understandably pissed at losing her home and people and going to wreak havoc to be content with. Well, if by ‘wreak havoc’ you mean ‘kill a val’kyr and somehow get beaten by Nathanos and then get shelved for orc drama later’. Salt was rubbed into this wound when a dev said that Tyrande had ‘got revenge for Teldrassil’ with this, which went down badly.

Now, there has been Old God stuff rumbling throughout the expansion up to this point, granted, but you can count on one hand the amount of times it was given a shit about. Only when Crucible of Storms comes out does N’Zoth do a proper ‘hey guys I’m a bad guy!’ thing, and he actually starts to slither into centre stage.

8.2 begins, when Azshara comes to kick our ass and free N’Zoth, and that’s when the tried and true ‘factions unite vs. the Big Bad’ trope comes out (as everyone and their mother predicted it would), and both factions decide that maybe they should focus against Azshara and her Old God master. But before N’Zoth beating, we need to boot out Sylvanas because she’s mean and burned a lot of innocent people.

8.2.5 arrives, everyone goes and makes angry faces at Sylvanas, Saurfang dies dramatically, Anduin and Jaina look pretty, and Sylvanas flies away angrily. Congrats guys, we did it! Now for some peace. Ignoring the fact Teldrassil is still ash, and Rastakhan is still dead (and the Zandalari are pissed about that), so it should be less ‘peace’ and more ‘polite ceasefire’.

And now it’s 8.3 and suddenly N’Zoth’s everywhere! And we’re going to kill him at the end of this patch and...that’s it. Next stop, Shadowlands. That big bad we’ve been hinting for a long, long time got a single patch to wave his tentacles and then he was very dead. Even worse, his big arrival was completely overshadowed by Shadowlands’ announcement. Ooof.

With all these things, BFA’s story feels like it set off without knowing where it was going to end up, except that maybe N’Zoth was involved and Sylvanas would ditch the Horde. So it bumbled around, making weird choices, and then wrapped up plotlines far too quickly. The war felt after Dazar’alor that it was about to escalate, what with Rastakhan’s death and Talanji’s ascent to Queen. Instead, it suddenly paused before deciding it was going to end so quickly I think it gave us whiplash, just so we could fight N’Zoth as an united front. So of.

As a result, we have plotholes still yawning open, very unsatisfying endings, as well a perpetual conflict between Alliance and Horde on every public forum imaginable - Alliance aggrieved that Blizzard has ignored them yet again in the story department, except when they wanted a shocking stunt, whilst the Horde is upset that they’ve been hit the ‘villain’ stick again, except this time it was a fucking bludgeon, and we’re getting very tired of this now please stop. This isn’t helped by all the foreshadowing of the faction lines either dissolving or loosening up during the coup against Sylvanas, and then Blizzard just going ‘yeah nah can’t do that, gotta preserve the status quo’.

So, how can we improve this by adding N’Zoth? Well, remember the core premise of Legion and stopping them? Repeat that with N’Zoth. It is simple, but we can give it its sweet twist - we’ve got to stop N’Zoth, because he’s not only trying to corrupt Azeroth. He’s also playing the Alliance and Horde against each other so they can’t stop him.

Immediately that makes N’Zoth the Big Bad, and also underscores the point of We Do Not Want Him To Get Out of His Cage, which makes the fact he does get out a big OH F*CK moment. Not that it isn’t already in current BFA, but can you imagine the gutclenching despair you’d feel as you’d done everything in your power to stop this from happening, and yet it’s happening anyway? Now you’d know what Khadgar felt like when the Tomb of Sargeras opened - and you’d know that you’ve got to do everything you can to put this right.

Let’s go back to the beginning, only this time we dial the Void stuff up. We begin the War of Thorns with the factions already tensed up re: Azerite, with preliminary scraps over it and what looked like the Alliance attempting a coup over some of the Forsaken (HEY BLIZZARD STOP PUTTING LORE LIKE THAT IN BOOKS AND NOT REFERRING TO IT INGAME KTHANKS). A tenuous peace, to be certain, which could only be made worse by Old God agitators, stirring up unrest in the factions.

As much as I would prefer the Horde not being the instigator in all the bad stuff, N’Zoth is the only variable I changed in this equation, so with unrest and some intel that makes it look like the night elves are making a move either to cut off Azerite production, or funnel it through Teldrassil, the Horde strikes at Ashenvale and Darkshore, instigating the War of Thorns.

Things look to be going normally, but you as the Champion notice Old God stuff lurking about and ‘hey this looks like what was happening before the Cataclysm- Oh. Oh no!’. You try to bring evidence that this is a set-up to the people in charge, but it’s escalating out of control. Night elves are dug in so deeply that the Horde has to set fires in the forests to get them to move, which causes retaliation, which gets Saurfang involved who critically injures Malfurion, but before the final blow Tyrande punts him into next week and maybe at this point someone goes: ‘wait hold up what do you mean there’s not Azerite over here’.

We stumble over to Sylvanas to try and tell her ‘no wait we’re being played’, but she takes this as misinformation and or a bluff, and fires a couple of catapaults to show she ain’t fucking kidding at Teldrassil. A couple. Enough to cause a ‘I mean business fire’, but since Teldrassil is in the fucking sea and I would assume almost always damp around its lower regions (you’re allowed a snigger at that), it’s not going to set the entire thing ablaze.

Except it does, because of N’Zoth’s minions in the Horde (and Alliance, probably), who fan the sparks with wind and feed them with power. Alternatively, we could have naga rise from the depths to set some Azerite-infused fires too, just to foreshadow Azshara coming onto the scene later.

With Teldrassil engulfed, everyone is shocked, including Sylvanas, who really didn’t intend this to happen at all (and is pissed because there goes her bargaining chip). The Alliance of course declare all-out war on the Horde because how dare they, whilst the Horde is briefly paralyzed with shock.

Saurfang and the others yell ‘how could you?!’ at Sylvanas, who yells back ‘that wasn’t part of the plan!’ and also something along the lines of ‘why the fuck didn’t you tell me the intel was shifty before this happened?!’ before going: ‘well it’s happened now, so we best gear up and stomp the Alliance into the dirt or we’re all going to die’.

Meanwhile people are going: ‘yeah but what about the influences of darker things going on? maybe we should do something about this’ with the answers being: ‘shut the fuck up, they set fire to Teldrassil’/’shut the fuck up, do you really think the Alliance is going to stop after what just happened’?

So it’s a race against time to try and get the factions to turn against N’Zoth instead of ripping each other apart before horrible shit starts happening and we’re all royally in the shit.

Everything happens pretty much as is from there, except we get some explanation for the lack of gas masks being ‘oh no our totally legit sources told us the Blight hasn’t been stockpiled in large quantities, we’ll send infiltration teams to neutralise it’. Only to find out that this is not the case of course and N’Zoth cackles some more. Sylvanas and Saurfang have an argument leading to Sylvanas booting him out and Saurfang getting captured by the Alliance despite the orc wanting death.

Everything goes as is from there, with Zul kinda trying to get Talanji killed because N’Zoth, in a mirror of Ashvane/Jaina. Just this time, we’re pushing the Void angle hard. They’ve both got their hands (or tentacles, rather) deep into Kul Tiras (Azshara) and Zandalar (G’huun), so it only makes sense to amplify their nonsense.

Over time people higher up the chain pick up the fact that N’Zoth’s doing this on purpose, but bad shit keeps happening so the Alliance and Horde can’t put aside their differences because both sides are doing genuinely bad things to each other! Yes, including the Alliance! Sylvanas is doubling down because she wants to survive this, and the only way she knows how is to utterly destroy her opposition. When she sees parts of the Horde begin to lose faith, she gets pissed because this is not the fucking time and this is the only way to stop the Alliance damnit.

Similar stuff happens in the Alliance, with Tyrande understandably going on a rampage against the Horde with Genn in tow, whilst Anduin and the others try to pump the brakes as they see N’Zoth’s tentacles looming everywhere.

Everything reaches a hecking climax when Azshara shows up and one thing leads to another, and N’Zoth comes bursting out, prompting an ‘OH SHIT’ moment. I’m thinking during Nazjatar, the small Alliance/Horde forces there ally, and when they’re just about to do something useful, the bigger kids show up going: ‘what the fuck are you traitors doing?!’ and during the argument, Azshara steals the Heart of Azeroth and unlocks N’Zoth’s prison, which leads everyone to realize ‘bollocks, we were played’.

Anduin can bring most of his Alliance forces to a standstill, and begs Tyrande and Genn to help him vs. N’Zoth. Tyrande tells him where he can stick it, but Genn is persuaded, though he says he’s going after the Horde as soon as N’Zoth is downed.

The Horde does the same to Sylvanas, but she knows as soon as N’Zoth is down, the Alliance will have her head, and especially when she realizes Tyrande’s still out there, she stands her ground. When a good portion of her powerbase decide on the temporary ceasefire to go after N’Zoth, however, Sylvanas tells them to piss off, and ditches the Horde. Talanji does a Genn, knowing how bad the Old Gods are, but she’s still getting blood payment from Kul Tiras after this is done.

Thus, everyone finally turns their attention to the big bad, fully entrenched, and ready for this grand climax. after he’s been causing all this pain and suffering. The Alliance and Horde are splintered, each nursing legit grievances against the other, but standing together for a moment, as always.

Yes, it’s Cata and MoP dressed up in a different coat, but sometimes a simpler plot is easier. That and Cata was more the factions poking each other in the eyes a couple of times rather than all out war.

With N’Zoth as the instigator of the conflict in BFA, we get a big bad we must fight, and we understand more than he’s a legit threat - and that he knows how to weaken us, so he throws us in a battle against one another so he can win. Yet everything isn’t forgiven at the end - the status quo is sort of there, but the factions are more fractured than before. Crimes still need to be answered for, but doing so may cause more conflict and death.

Sylvanas is out there and pissed, and feels the only way she can survive is to subjugate everyone that could ever harm her and perhaps transcend death itself. This entirely speculation on my part, but a part of me thinks Sylvanas’ main driving force is ‘I’ve been through enough, not even death is a respite, I’m going to become so powerful no-one will control me - I will control fate myself if I must’, which is actually fairly tragic and does grant me sympathy for her (watch this not be her main motivator in canon tho).

Does this solve all of BFA’s problems? No, of course not. But I do think it would have improved the story, at least by managing to keep the story flowing in a more linear direction. You’ll notice that Saurfang has all but disappeared from the N’Zoth narrative, that’ll be because I wasn’t too sure what to do with him. I do like him as a character, but he was pushing the ‘only the Horde has story’ narrative, and I’m not too keen on that. He’d still be a main character pushing for fighting N’Zoth and dying in the end, but less of all the focus.

To those of you who got down here - congratulations and thank you! I went on a very, very long time. Hopefully I have written if not a persuasive argument, then at least an understandable one. This isn’t meant as a ‘Blizzard’s writing is terrible!’, because sometimes it isn’t, but as a ‘I think it would have been better if done this way’.

Thank you for reading, and I hope 2020 smiles upon us.

[codynaomiswireart]

Varian and Ruddiger One-Shot

Inspired yet again by some discussion we had on the TTS/RTA discord the other day!  I didn’t really have a particular plot line or AU in mind while writing this, so feel free to picture pretty much whichever one floats your boat.  Hope you enjoy it!

Rating: T

OC info for those curious: (x)

[Warning: Contains angst, mentions of blood, pain, and a near death of a major character.  I’m sorry!]

Varian cringed, hissing hard through his teeth as he tried to rise onto one elbow from where he lay on the dusty ground, and his brain buzzed with a frightened urgency as the wild kirlok began to close in on him again.  Varian blinked several times, and shook his head as he attempted to clear it after taking such a hard hit from the bear-like beast.  Fortunately, the light armor Varian had on prevented him from getting any deep scratches from the animal’s strong paws as it struck at his side.  But the force of the creature’s swipe had still sent Varian flying, tumbling, and skidding across the turf, and it must’ve been only by some miracle that he hadn’t ended up with anything worse than some cracked ribs and some painful bruising.

As Varian felt the creature’s heavy footfalls vibrate through the ground beneath him, drawing steadily closer, his hand scrambled desperately at his side, reaching for his shoulder pouch where he had a few more goo balls and alchemy vials left at his disposal.  If he could just manage to aim his throw right, he could probably stop the angry beast in its tracks, and then be able to make his escape from there.

But, to Varian’s horror, he found his hand only pawing helplessly at empty space, with his alchemy pouch nowhere in sight!  With a new wave of terror, Varian’s eyes scanned rapidly around him; looking for something, anything that he could use to get out of this situation.  But the only thing his eyes caught hold of was his staff glowing a few feet away from him.  Varian knew it wouldn’t do much to deter an enraged kirlok, but his fight-or-flight instincts had taken charge now, and Varian quickly lunged himself at it as the kirlok now came at him in a full charge.

In desperation, Varian grabbed his wooden staff with both hands, and held it above him defensively as he saw the kirlok make its own final lunge for him, its fangs glistening in the light of the moon.  His courage now spent completely, Varian found himself taking one last look into the beast’s steely eyes before scrunching his own tightly shut, Varian now only waiting helplessly for when he would hear and feel his staff snap underneath the kirlok’s strong paws, and feel its teeth and claws begin to tear into him like the prey that he had become.

From behind the darkness of his eyelids, Varian suddenly heard both a great roar and yelp pierce through the air around him, and heard loud thuddings and snarlings follow immediately afterward, with their source getting further and further away from him.  Varian’s eyes snapped open at this, and as he scrambled to sit up from where he lay on the ground, Varian caught sight of what had interrupted the kirlok’s attack on him.  Some other giant animal had now joined the fray, and had engaged the kirlok in a vicious fight as their two, shaggy forms flailed about in a ball of claws, horns, fur, and teeth, and it was only after they pulled apart again for a moment that Varian recognized the other creature for what it was.

Or rather, for whom it was.

“RUDDIGER!” Varian cried, his brain both frightened and confused at seeing his loyal little friend somehow redonning his giant feral form.  Then, Varian remembered his missing alchemy bag, and immediately concluded that in his own act of desperation, Ruddiger must’ve taken some of Varian’s animal mutation serum and ingested it to make himself large enough to fight the monster that had threatened Varian’s life.

It was a terrible thing to watch and to listen to as the two giant creatures clashed with one another.  Varian remembered hearing and seeing once a fight between two barn cats in Old Corona some years ago, and it was a sight and a sound he had never wanted to encounter again.  But now, here, it was like seeing that all over again, except on a much larger and louder scale, and with far more at stake than some petty feline row.  Varian could only watch helplessly as the two beasts went at each other, Ruddiger constantly getting himself between Varian and the kirlok, and Varian feeling his own phantom pains on Ruddiger’s behalf as the raccoon took several hard knocks from the kirlok’s horns, and lost chunks of fur as its claws tore at his chest and sides.  But Ruddiger was the more nimble of the two titans, and more than once did the kilok miss its target, and Ruddiger managed to get in a bite and swipe at the creature’s back and shoulders as he tackled it to the ground.

But the kirlok was a beefy animal, and it was all Ruddiger could do to remain on his feet as he was thrown, kicked, and knocked around over and over again by it.  Varian tried repeatedly to rise to his own feet, and to help Ruddiger somehow in the fight, but the shock and fear of everything had all but paralyzed him, and Varian could only wait with pounding heart, shaking knees, and rapid breathes as the animals’ fighting sillhouttes stood in stark contrast against the light of the moon; being permanently burned into that part of his brain specifically reserved for the things to fuel his nightmares.

While the fight may have lasted for only a few minutes, to Varian it felt like forever as he watched his friend get torn to pieces by the kirlok.  Then, with one last exertion of will, Ruddiger threw his entire weight into the kirlok, sending the both of them off the edge of the cliff and down into the gorge below, with each of their frightened roarings echoing off the rock walls and deep darkness below.

“NOOOO!” Varian screamed as he saw his friend disappear over the side, and heard the sounds of crashing rocks and sliding soil coming from below.  Then, silence. 

Varian all but dragged himself towards the cliff’s side, with hope, denial, and despair all raging a battle of their own inside of him.  “RUDDIGER, NO, PLEASE!”  Varian shouted.  “PLEASE NO!” 

But then, as Varian came to within a few feet of the gorge’s side, he heard a series of low growling’s and whimperings, and to a relief so complete that Varian felt like fainting, he saw Ruddiger’s paws come one after the other up and over the side, and with one last great push, Ruddiger’s great form flopped down onto the side, his strength now utterly spent as he lay panting hard.

“RUDDIGER!” Varian shouted yet again, and attempted to make a dash towards his friend to see if he was all right.  But as Varian got close, he shielded his eyes as a bright blue light enveloped Ruddiger’s body, and Varian couldn’t help but cringe as he heart the sounds of bones, muscles, and tendons shrinking back to their original size.  After the light had passed, Varian knelt down quickly beside Ruddiger, his little friend curled in on himself, breathing hard, and with dark mud caking his fur.

“Oh Ruddiger-” Varian began as he made to pick up his friend, but his voice stopped in his throat as Ruddiger cried out with sharp pain, and Varian realized that it was not mud that was splattered across Ruddiger’s fur. 

It was blood.

“Oh no-!” Varian gasped, his small moment of relief now replaced with a whole new wave of sick fear.  “Oh no oh no oh no!  Hang on Ruddiger, hang on!” Varian pleaded as his brain raced to figure out what to do, and he tried again – more carefully this time – to pick Ruddiger up and cradle him in his arms.

“Wh-where did you find my pouch, boy?” Varian inquired to Ruddiger as he rose shakily to his knees.  Following Ruddiger’s eyes, Varian made a dash to where a few bimberry bushes grew close together – very near to where the kirlok had sent him skidding before – and found his pouch tangled up in their branches.  After extracting the pouch from the bushes, Varian gently laid Ruddiger down on the work apron he had stowed inside it, and immediately set about to applying whatever first aid he knew how to do.  It was hard going though, as Varian’s hands were so shaky, and the sight and smell of so much blood nearly made him faint or throw up. 

But Varian had to do this.  It was clear now that Ruddiger’s wounds were of the severity that his life was now at risk, and Varian knew he would never forgive himself if he lost Ruddiger due to his own weak constitutions. 

“It’s-it’s gonna be ok Ruddiger,” Varian tried to tell his whimpering friend as he did his best to clean Ruddiger’s wounds and apply pressure to where they bled.  “It’s gonna be ok.  I promise.  You’re gonna be all right.  I’ll-I’ll figure this out…”

Varian continued to mutter on like that to Ruddiger as he worked, but as the moments ticked on by, Varian began to realize that Ruddiger’s condition was beyond Varian’s skill to handle.  While Varian may have been able to slow the bleeding, he did not have the right materials for applying stitches, nor did he know how to set any broken bones either. 

Ruddiger was running out of time.  Varian had to find help.

As quickly yet gently as he could, Varian wrapped Ruddiger up in the apron he had laid him on, and slinging his pack over his shoulder, Varian took off as fast as he could into the night, cradling Ruddiger in his arms.  Varian remembered passing by a town not too far from them.  Perhaps there was someone there who could help save Ruddiger!

“Hang on Ruddiger!”  Varian began saying to his companion again as he jogged his way back down the path, Ruddiger’s face both frightened…and tired…

“Stay with me Ruddiger!  Stay with me!” Varian cried between breathes as he stroked a hand over Ruddiger’s head, trying to both comfort and rouse him.  “We-we'll get you help!  Just hang in there!  Just- NO!  Don't fall asleep Ruddiger!  Don't do that!” Varian exclaimed, feeling his heart leap into his throat as Ruddiger’s eyes threatened to drift shut, and Varian dreading the idea of them never opening again.  “I-I know you're tired!  You fought so hard!  You were so brave!  But y-you gotta stay awake, ok?  Just s-stay with me boy!  You got this!”  Varian paused in his words to swipe a quick hand over his nose, and tried hard to keep his feet going forward and his breath giving him enough air as the sobs now broke his voice.  “I-I know you do Ruddiger!  Just…just keep fighting!  Keep going!  I'll get you there!  I promise!” 

On and on Varian ran, talking to Ruddiger the whole time and trying to keep him awake, until finally Varian caught site of a dim glow through the trees, just off to the side of the path.  Varian didn’t recall seeing any settlement on their way up the path earlier that day, but now there was no mistaking the presence of a thatched-roofed cottage that sat there, with its front gateway marked by a small lantern.

“Please!” Varian prayed as he picked up his pace, and shoved himself in passed the front gate and up the front walk.  “Please!  Let this be someone who can help save Ruddiger!”

As he sprinted up to the front door, Varian began pounding on it with all his might.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! “PLEASE!  ANYONE!?” Varian yelled as he knocked.  “MY FRIEND HE-HE NEEDS HELP!”

Varian waited a few seconds for some sort of reply, but there was no answer.  “No…” Varian thought to himself, shaking his head in denial as he knocked again, even louder.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

“PLEASE!  SOMEONE!  ANYONE!” Varian all but screamed at the top of his lungs, and now dashing from window to window and peering in to make sure that no one was there.  But from what he could tell, the inside of the house was as dark and vacant as the silence testified to.

“HELLO!?” Varian now shouted aimlessly in the air around him, staggering a little as hopelessness began to sink in.  “HELP!  SOMEONE!  PLEASE, HELP!”

But only the silence of the forest around him met him in reply, and Varian looked down at Ruddiger who lay limply in his arms, with his eyes half-lidded and looking glazed.  There’s no way they would be able to make it all the way to the village in time now. 

“Please…” Varian now only whispered through quivering lips and heartbroken sniffles as he again tried to keep Ruddiger conscious.  “Please!  Someone…h-help!” 

In response to his master’s crying, Ruddiger used some of the small amount of remaining strength he had to bring a weak forepaw out of the folds of the apron and up to Varian’s face.  Ruddiger didn’t have the strength to wipe Varian’s tears away, but he was able to guide Varian’s face downward towards his own.  “It’s ok…” Ruddiger seemed to be trying to say as he nuzzled feebly into Varian’s cheeks.  “You tried your best.  I know you did.  Thank you Varian.  It’ll be ok.  Don’t cry.”

Varian’s heart broke as he sank down onto the lawn of the cottage, doing his best to offer Ruddiger what little comforts he could as despair began to take hold of the alchemist’s heart, and he did his best to keep Ruddiger dry as he could feel raindrops begin to fall on his head, shoulders, and back.  It seemed as if all of heaven were now also weeping with Varian for the pure, brave life that was soon to leave the earth. 

“I’m sorry Ruddiger!” Varian cried between sobs.  “I’m so sorry!  D-don’t leave me, please!”

But Ruddiger only let out a weak trill in response, doing his best to reassure Varian as he grew more and more tired.  They both knew Ruddiger wouldn’t be able to stay conscious much longer, and Varian found himself half humming and half singing to his friend for reasons he didn’t quite know what.  But it seemed right somehow, and Ruddiger was grateful for the gesture, and felt at peace with the idea of his last moments on Earth involving being held by Varian, and the boy’s voice being the last thing his ears would hear before darkness took him.

But then, as Ruddiger’s eyes threatened to slip shut one last time, there was something else the raccoon heard in addition to Varian’s voice.

It was the sound of footsteps running up the path, and making splashing noises as they dashed through puddles and up the wet cobblestone front pathway to the house.

Ruddiger then heard what sounded like a lady’s voice coming from somewhere in the air above them, and then felt Varian pull his face from his own quickly, startled by the sudden appearance of another person.  Ruddiger tried hard to hear Varian’s words in reply, but the world was all a confused blur now, and Ruddiger could barely make sense of anything as he felt himself sink further into Varian’s arms.

Then, Ruddiger felt a hand (not one of Varian’s he knew) touch his forehead, and thought he heard the lady say something more, and for a moment Ruddiger almost thought he understood her words as the world suddenly took on a sharp, energizing clarity for a moment, and he felt as if his whole form had been immersed in some kind of hot soda water.  Or at least, that was the best way Ruddiger could’ve ever thought to describe it, as his nerves and skin all tingled with an almost bubbly, electric kind of feeling all over – one that left him with a pins and needles sort of feeling, but also not excruciating pain.

Ruddiger had no idea what was going on, and for a moment he wanted to wriggle away and flee from whatever was happening to him, and whatever/whomever was doing it.  But before he could even attempt to do so, Ruddiger felt himself fading into unconsciousness, almost certain that this was the end for him now.

“Goodbye Varian,” Ruddiger purred as he felt around him blindly, and finally laid a paw on his master’s chest, right above where he could feel Varian’s rapidly beating heart there within.  “I love you…”

Varian sat staring intently as Sabine dressed the last of Ruddiger’s wounds, and moved to place him carefully on a cushion by Varian’s bedside.  “Well, I’ve done all that I can for now I’m afraid,” Sabine said as she began to clean up her medical tools and concoctions, and looked at Varian kindly with her one good eye as she turned to him.  “But he is a fighter, for sure.  If he makes it through the night, he should be in the clear.  I can’t promise he will, but from what I’ve seen, I do believe he stands a good chance.”

“…Th-thank you…” Varian managed to reply in a raw voice, feeling again both hope and anxiety rise within him in a splendid mess as he settled himself down beside his companion, feeling Sabine lay a gentle hand on his own shoulder as he did so.  Involuntarily, Varian flinched away at the contact, remembering what had happened to Ruddiger when she had touched him as he had been hanging on to the last threads of his life but an hour or so before.

“Um, wh-what did you do to him?” Varian couldn’t help but ask now, not daring to look up at Sabine’s face as he did so.  “Out there on the lawn I mean?”

Sabine’s voice was kindly and full of understanding as she replied, “I’m sorry if that starled you.  ‘Tis a jolt when one sees a spell for the first time.” 

“A…spell?” Varian asked hesitantly, the skepticism very clear in his voice.

“Only a minor one,” Sabine replied as she adjusted the purple strip of cloth that covered her left eye.  “It…Oh, how should I explain it?  I suppose you could say it put your friend into a few moments’ suspended animation, during which time the spell could also work some restoration magic while his bodily functions and organs were temporarily frozen in time.  It really can be a lifesaver that one, but it doesn’t always work.  And had I gotten to you but a few moments later, it would’ve definitely been too-”

Here Sabine cut herself off as she noticed Varian’s growing distress at her words. 

“Well, I do believe it worked and in time for this little one,” she continued on, stroking a wrinkled hand across Ruddiger’s head fondly.  “Though, he certainly had some strange injuries I must say,” Sabine commented, noting Varian’s fallen countenance as she hinted at an inquiry, and Varian making no effort to respond to it.  Not tonight.  Though by the way the boy himself looked so worn out, Sabine could hardly blame him. 

“Perhaps we can discuss that in the morning,” she opted to rounding things off instead as she gathered up her medicine kit, and made her way to the bedroom door.  “I’ll be back in a few minutes to bring you a light supper, and then I’ll leave you both for the evening.  Though please feel free to fetch me at any time if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” Varian replied again as he watched Sabine leave.  After she had closed the door softly behind her, Varian turned his attention again back to Ruddiger, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully as his side rose and fell with slow, deep breaths.

Varian cringed as his eyes scanned over the bandages all over Ruddiger’s body, and he felt his eyes grow misty again as he thought of how close he had come to losing Ruddiger that day, and how they still were not out of the woods just yet.  Very softly, Varian scooted himself up closer to Ruddiger, laying his head down next to Ruddiger’s so that their foreheads touched, and Varian stroked his finger’s tenderly atop Ruddiger’s head.

"You can do this Ruddiger,” Varian murmured to him as he shut his eyes.  “You've gotten this far.  I believe in you.  You're strong.  SO strong Ruddiger.  I know you can make it.  You will make it.  You...you were always there for me.  Now I'll be here for you, too…You got this…"

Soon enough, Sabine came back into the room carrying a plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers, only to find Varian finally passed out beside his friend.  With a sympathetic smile at the two of them, Sabine carefully made to quietly take her leave for the night.  …Though not before casting a small spell for a dreamless sleep over the both of them as she did so.

“No nightmares tonight,” Sabine said to herself as she closed the door softly behind her…and Ruddiger nuzzled himself a little further into Varian as the warm embrace of the night made to bring them both safely into the new day tomorrow.

A few hours later, as the first traces of dawn streamed in through the clear glass windows of the safe house, Varian felt himself awakened by the feeling of something tickling his cheek, and the sound of snuffly breaths near his ear.  Blinking his bleary eyes open, Varian was soon sitting bolt upright as he saw Ruddiger peering back at him with bright, and very much alive eyes.

“OH RUDDIGER!” Varian exclaimed as he gingerly but enthusiastically cupped Ruddiger’s head in his hands, and planted a kiss on his friends furry forehead before nuzzling him again with his cheek.  “You did it Ruddiger!  You did it!  I knew you could make it!”

And Ruddiger trilled happily in return.

And Ruddiger lives y’all!  (My gosh though, it’s definitely gonna be a while before I try writing something quite like that again.  My poor pure raccoon baby!  D’x)

Also, the kirlok that Varian and Ruddiger encounter here is not one of the ones owned by the Keeper of the Spire or Calliope, but is a wild one.

And a special shoutout to @dj-chan who had the idea for the scene at the end of Varian waking up to Ruddiger snuffling his cheek (so cute!), and for giving some good general feedback on the discord as the scenario was being developed.  Thank you!