#Epilvik

[lunri-moonguardian]

Letter from the Shadow

Lunri was wandering the halls of the Exodar after completing her promotional ceremony, looking for Rhuua and Epilvik, when she happened upon one of them. A sigh of relief escaped from between her lips as her hooves clopped over towards him. He appeared to be daydreaming, and didn’t notice her until she loomed over his sitting form. “Hmmm, oh Lunri, yes what is it? Do you need me for something?” The distress was apparent on her face, enough for Epilvik to take noticed despite her scantly shrouded face.

A stray hand would play with her tendril in a rare show of nervousness before she conjured the confidence to speak. “I think I need your help. I would prefer to have both Rhuua and yours opinion, but time is of the essence.”

Epilvik nodded his head in response, his eyes taking note of her concern. “Of course, we can always try and reach Rhuua as well if we need further counsel, but we are as always ready and willing to aid you. What has occurred?”

Lunri took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself before retrieving a well worn letter from her pocket. “The other day, I received this letter in the mail, and I don’t know what to make of it. Keeping my emotions in check about it has proved… nill.” Without another word, she would simply shove the letter against his massive form, increasing worry creasing her features.

She watched as Epilvik looked down to the letter, noting it’s crumpled and ruffled look that shown it had been poured over several times. “Who is the letter from? What does it concern? After all, sometimes emotions are necessary to provide the response required for a situation. They provide the basis for how we approach a situation,” he responded as he unfurled the letter to read its contents.

Dearest Lunri,

I really enjoyed the evening we spent together and the month we spent bonding. I hope there are no hard feelings. I figure it’s gone on long enough that you believe Oz has left you, I have already used that enough against him. Plus, now that you know that he’s in my… care, I would love to see the efforts you’ll put together to save your precious love. This is more fun than I thought it would be, the both of you are quite entertaining. You should hear his screams, they’re heartwarming. The way he calls out to you, as if you could hear his pleas, even after he’s seen that you have given up on him. Anyway, I must wrap this up, as I have a brother to torture some more. His is turning out to be so much more fun than yours, by the way.

Hugs and kisses

Yours truly,

Valicos.

Epilviks’s facial features grew more and more furious, a snarl slowly growing over his face, as he read what was written. The tendons in his neck became more pronounced as his jaw muscles tightened. “Valicos. So he is alive. They both are,” Epilvik said quietly, seemingly more for his own benefit than anything. “I can see why this conflicts you, and if you want my advice, I say we hunt down this Valicos and bring to him all he deserves; the flames of the Naaru should consume him.” He eventually told her. “What he has done is unforgivable, and he must pay for his crimes. You should be the deliverance of justice.” He carefully handed the letter back to her. “But the real question is this, do we have any idea where it came from, where Valicos is, and where he might be hiding?” He asked her.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat as the questions exited his mouth. “I do not. The only person who would know where Valicos is, is Oz. He would always shut down when I asked him about  his twin. Part of me is afraid this letter is made to make my emotions rise and lash out without thought, and thus end up in a trap. The other side… is scared for Oz. I may never forgive him for leaving me in my time of need, but I do still love him dearly. I wouldn’t want anyone at the hands of Valicos like I was.” In another rare show of emotion, a tear would slip down the contours of her still gaunt face. “I’m torn, Epilvik. What if it’s a trap?”

The male Draenei pursed his lips for a moment at the idea, not having considered that, however with the egging it could well be. “Hmmm, it is not impossible that it is a trap. Either Valicos is so supremely over confident and full of himself that he doesn’t believe another can find him, or it is a trap, that is true. However, one way or another, on of our people and someone sorely dear to your heart is trapped and imprisoned by pure evil. That cannot be allowed to stand.” Epilvik responded to her. “If it is a trap, we will face it together. We will progress through and overcome the trails and tribulations and any obstacle before us. We will succeed if we are called to it, and you will have both Rhuua and I on your team. We will win because our cause is righteous, and good,” he promised her reassuringly. “ Albeit without a hint of where to look, it will be difficult. None of my operatives have made any mention.”

Lunri nodded and paid apt attention to his well of knowlege, feeling his words guide her into the right direction. “You are right. I knew coming to you would be correct. I will find him, and when I do, I will come to you. I will have my revenge.” Feeling confident again, she squared her body and clasped her hands in front of her. “Thank you for your counsel, Epilvik.”

The large Draenei reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “And when you do, we will answer. We will be there, and you shall strike that blow that you so richly deserve to. You are welcome Lunri, I am glad to have brought you some confidence, and some direction.”

Lunri waved as she turned tail and left. “I will see you around.” For the first time in a long time, hope filled her. Deep down she felt if she could exact her revenge, to kill the man who had ruined her, she could gain back her powers. She would be able to channel her Chi again.

(Adapted from an in-game RP with @epilvik. Who I cannot tag)

[aellesaan]

Wanderings in Mac’Aree: The Final piece.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

At the base of the pedestal the following was written in Argussian, an ancient old dialect: "I get cut, but I never bleed. I have teeth, but I don’t bite. I get put on a ring, but I’m not a diamond. I get turned, but I’m not a page." Beside this inscription was a round metal ring, looking remarkably familiar as the other projectors the Construct had used, this one only containing a button, perhaps a summon in case they got stuck?

Ash was the first to the pedestal which held the key, followed by a bouncy Aellesaan, but it was clear that he had no idea what this strange writing said. He stood there, scratching his head for a moment, looking at the weird chicken scratch, but was unable to decipher it. He looks back to Aellesaan and raises a brow "You have any idea what this nonsense is?" He points at the writing, then his eyes fall to the button, and his eyes light up. "Oooh, I wonder what this does..." Ash , not knowing if it was some sort of self destruct button, not really having paid attention to much of what the emotionally sensitive can opener had said before, besides the fact that it seemed very quick to anger and sounded more like a five year old throwing a tantrum than any real threat, presses the button rapid fire, mashing down on it as if he had hoped it was a call button for food service.

As Ash mashed down the button, Aellesaan patiently waited. "I wonder if there is food after this for a reward. I want a burrito right now; preferably a roasted orc burrito. Have you ever had orc before? Tastes quite delicious." Realizing she was rambling, yet again, she looked at the other Draenei. "Any of you old folk know how to read this scribbly mess?"

Ashaar grinned at Aellesaan and nodded.” That's what I was hoping, actually. I hoped this was some sort of food call button, maybe they'd give us some food for being so patient and awesome." Food was all he really had on his mind since dropping his sandwich, and his grumbling stomach was certainly making a fuss. He mashed the button a few more times, looking at the circle with a furrowed brow "Come on, you hulking mass of mechanical ignorance, give us snacks!"

If that button had of been a destruction button or in any way dangerous well oh boyyyy lets just say Ash would not have had a great day oh no not at all. As it were, it was lucky for him it was not dangerous, and it didn't seem to do much of anything yet besides emitting a glow a pattern which emitted onto the pad that seemed insignificant so far. Epilvik blinked at Aellesaan shaking his head in surprise. "Wait.. orc burritos? like orc meat.. it tastes nice.. really? But they are filthy animals... hardly better than a rapid dog... I’m very surprised, though pleased at the same time as well. Least they serve one decent purpose, and better yet they have to be dead to do it." Epilvik commented morbidly, as unaware as the others of how to read the script, so he watched to see what the pad would do. They certainly didn't get snacks, not even close, instead... it was their favourite mechanical construct as it blinked into existence, seemingly having been disturbed from whatever it was doing. "What the- oh it’s you again... and you’re all wet," It said laughing hysterically in amusement as it looked at Ash, though it stopped haltingly as it looked to Aelle. "Well you made it through. You guessed right, but you got dumped on, and very well. Guess my help would have been useful, huh?" it questioned with immense satisfaction. "So now I bet you want me to read that puzzle for you huh? Well well well... give me one good reason why I should do so?" He said nearly ready to leave this group stuck in this place.

Aellesaan smiled kindly at him, and waved. "Hello again dear old friend. I must say, thank you immensely for your guidance. I have heard a saying before: Two heads are better than one. It was a pleasure to work with you on this. However, would you be so kind as to teach me what this script says? I do love learning, especially from a handsome fella as yourself. Your armour is so nicely cleaned and shined." Her kind words, plus being in a wet t-shirt should work on him she hoped. Isn't that what all men wanted? She wondered.

Ash frowned as the only thing that appeared in the circle was that annoying construct. "Great, this asshole again. Don't you have a scrap heap convention to get to? You better have brought some fucking snacks, you cantankerous, bug-ridden vending machine." He was having fun coming up with new, and inventive insults for the arrogant chuck of scrap metal, whether or not it was helping their cause. He looked at Aellesaan with a raised brow, and half a grin "Seriously? Gonna try charming the can opener?" He gives a bit of a shrug, and looks at the Curator "Hey, tell us what that says, and she'll show you her boobs." He hoped that would work, after all, the thing did seem to have a bit of a crush on the spunky space goat. He waited patiently for the construct to reply, hoping it wasn't some dumb riddle again.

Aellesaan glared at Ash angrily. "My breasts are mine not yours. Watch yourself before you end up with frozen limbs you dim witted goat faced Draenei! Go grow your own pair of tits," she said with a huff.

Ash's face went blank as Aelle yelled at him; a slight pout formed on his lips as he blinked a few times at her. He turned back to the construct and glared. "See what you did? You made me upset her! You should be ashamed of yourself, you defective trash compactor!" He huffs and gives Aelle a nod, like he had just fixed things.

"Oh, for crying out loud, here!" Kairyth finally snaped, looking up from where she'd been studying the writing. Her lips moved soundlessly as she squinted and puzzled over the archaic writing. She reached into one of the many pouches at her belt and shoves a desiccated strip of... something... at Ash. "Eat this, it's good for you. " The something, should Ash be bold enough to try it, would prove to be smoked and dried clefthoof of a sort many Rangari carried on their person -  flavorful despite its unappetizing appearance, and sufficient to keep one's teeth busy and the worst of hunger pangs at bay for a time. With a huff, and ignoring Aeiia's pleased exclamations over her "generosity," Kairyth turns back to the writing. "My Pop made me learn... hmmm. Been a while..." She stops, looking blank. "I'm almost certain this says "teeth." Something about teeth. Or cactus. And this one here," She taped the writing with one stained fingertip. "Blood. Or bleeding. Or possibly uh... juice?" She sat back on her hooves with a groan, swiping water from her face irritably. She took a long drink from her second-best flask. "Well this is useless."

If the construct could beam properly, it likely would at the pretty Draenic ladies words. The construct turned to address her properly, so far being the only one there that has cared anything about him, and that treated him with even a modicum of the immense respect he considered himself entitled to. "Least there is one amongst you who sees greatness before you. Why can't the rest of you be like her? She at least was clearly raised right!" He commented huffily to the others as Aellesaan flirted with him openly, enjoying the compliments that she paid him. Unfortunatly before he had an opportunity to respond to Aellesaan, good ol Ash butted in again with the insults. The construct immediately swung its fury toward him; reached out as it flicked the man on the nose... hard. "Oi deaf prick... haven't you learnt by now insulting those you need help from isn't of value?" It questioned him rhetorically with a  voice full of loathing for the man. He tilted his head though at Ash's suggestion. "Oh is she now.. well... huh.... hmm..." The curator responded going silent as if seriously contemplating that offer before he noticed Aellesaan angrily responded to Ash, looking near ready to hit the man in the face. He made a soft chuckling noise at seeing someone else put him down.

"See what I did? It was you who were dumb enough to open your mouth unable to keep it in your pants! Just because you can’t appreciate what you already have, with her before you in a wet shirt, you had to try pushing it. Don’t you try pushing that on me now bucko, oh no no no, you’re just a dim witted little man,” It responded back huffily bending to look straight on at him, acting every bit like two males fighting over the same female, and indeed that is what it was, after all beyond being in a construct he was indeed a Draenic male. He watched as one of the wild people angrily stalked over to Ash and threw some sort of food at him and bossed him around quite maternally it seemed. Was it his mother? Truthfully the construct couldn’t give a shit. Kairyth would get a few of the words right, but nowhere near enough to learn the full riddle. "Hmm you got a few words... but oh my my my... you are never going to guess the answer like that, and you only have three guesses before your sealed in here forever, so you better think through it," It told them smugly satisfied in its superior knowledge. "My Light, how do they not teach you language nowadays? Young people, humpf."

Though clearly pleased to see that Kairyth had shared something - anything - Aeiia is also wet and cold and verging on grumpy - none of which suits her temperament. Perhaps that's why, though she smiles sweetly as ever at the construct, her words are laced with salt. "There is no inherent virtue in being old, you know. It simply takes a long time." She turns her attention to the Rangari she'd purportedly feared for decades. "If your lessons under your father's tutelage were anything like mine..." She shudders, forcibly shaking off the memory and composing her features carefully. "The knowledge is there, you must simply find it." She sighed sadly, looking from Kairyth, to the inscription, to the ball of Light in her palm. "This will hurt." "What do--" but the words died on Kairyth's lips, fading to a whimper and then a near-howl of pain as, moving swiftly - more swiftly than Kairyth would have thought her able - Aeiia pushed her palm flat against the words, and clasped her own hand to the scarred tattoo on Kairyth's shoulder. Aeiia's jaw snapped shut with an audible crack of teeth against teeth and the ball of Light in her free hand shuddered violently, twisting and contorting into meaningless shapes, runes, and figures with increasing speed. This continued for several long moments - the kneeling Rangari's screams echoed from the chamber walls, Aeiia's muscles were rigid, until suddenly, abruptly, it ceased. Kairyth's fury was palpable as she wrenched her hand away from the writing, swiping angrily at the trickle of bright blue blood from her nose. "I still can't even read it, you bitch!" She snapped, then stared, open-mouthed. Aeiia gasped for breath, panting sharply. "Mind magic..." she whispered with a moue of distaste. But there, gleaming brightly an inch above her palm, was the shining but unmistakable image of a key.

Ash rubbed his temple a bit as people around him began bickering, possibly a headache from lack of food, possibly from the bickering, but he gladly accepted the jerky from Kairyth, not questioning what it was, simply devouring it. After chewing for what seemed like five minutes, holding a finger up to the construct to let it know he was about to speak again, he swallowed the jerky, and tilted his head a bit to look back at the Curator. "Fine, I will try to be nice, as long as you stop being a complete dick. Deal?" He puts his hand out to shake the construct's hand, but leans forward with a glare. "But let me make one thing abundantly clear...you ever fucking flick me again, and I will toss your rusty metal ass onto one of those sun tiles and watch you melt, you got me?"

Soaking wet, and beginning to feel slightly grumpy, Aellesaan watched the chaos begin to unfold before her. She highly disliked encountering so many loud noises, and the screaming on top of it, made her curl in on her self. Memories of her childhood began to trickle through her mind which left her a curled up, shaking mess. She desperately found a wall, and sat against it, humming to herself to block out the images. She might as well rest while everyone else tried to figure out the scribbles.

Whilst all of this madness had continued on, Danarshi refused to move from the spot in which he landed from scaling the rung course - at least not until he had caught his breath and recovered from his efforts; lazy old fool. As his companions crossed the course of engraved tiles, he simply watched them, learning the answer via the easy way, again; sly reprobate. Although they were rather distant, he could roughly hear the exchange, that of which was consumed by obvious confusion, and then overridden by the blood-curdling screams of Kairyth. At that moment, Danarshi shot up on to his hooves and raced across the tiles, his robes were now utterly drenched from head to toe from the gallons of water that poured down upon him, like the wrath of the titans themselves. The Anchorite stood before the group, awkwardly, water audibly and visibly dripping down on to the stone floor beneath him. "Forgive me for the delay. What did I miss?" he suddenly inquired. So far, he had proved himself as quite the dead weight.

The construct turned its annoyance to a second female, looking bored towards her. "Hm.. something a child would comment, how appropriate considering..." He commented making a sound of what would have amounted to a yawn though watched in interest at the idea of one of the Draenei hurting another. He jumped, startled, as would Epilvik and Rhuua, as Aeiia's action surprised and horrified them with what she was doing, so callously injuring and harming another of their party. Even if she was a rude grumpy butt, and it wasn't fleeting pain either, but the screaming continued, lasting and going on and on as Aeiia must have probed Kairyth's mind for the answers she desired. The anger and fury of Kairyth was palpable when Aeiia finally released her, the Construct assumed the other girl would try and kill this Draenei for what had clearly been a horrifically painful experience. However he noticed Aeiia's hand and the shape glowing above it. "What the fuck... how the ... damn," It commented with a sigh, saddened by the development.

It looked down at Ash when the Vindicator approached it and offered him friendship, making him wait as if considering it for several minutes. "Fine... I guess I can tolerate you, for the time I need to put up with you, but you better behave yourself in the future. Also the idea of you tossing me is laughable... this frame is extraordinarily heavy," It said amused at the thought this provoked.

The rest of the group or any who were looking would be able to witness the glass container slowly sliding into the floor, revealing now suspended, seemingly just in the air, the solid piece of ruby, intricately and ornately carved and shaped. The entire length seemed to serve a purpose from the regular teeth part of the key to the elaborate hilt of it too. The final piece they required to unlock the Vault of Archimonde; where they could then seize the scepter that they had been seeking. The trials and tribulations finally over, having gathered all three items they needed to complete the unlocking sequence. It was then however that a disembodied voice, soft, almost whispering, almost as if it was in their very heads, both there, and then not there, as it spoke to them, "Do not go any further. What you seek will take your very souls. Don’t fall like so many others before you. He wants you to take it." Before it fell silent, it would answer no more from them, as the Construct looked to them. "Well well well... Looks like you succeed, guess now all that’s left is for you to delve into the vault at the great university." He commented casually.

Danarshi's inquiry had almost immediately answered itself as the glass casing around the ruby key slid away, leaving their prize for the taking, or so it seemed. As the mysterious voice filled their minds in warning, concern was quick to seep into the veins of Danarshi. Whilst he struggled to determine the source of the message, suspecting that it may, perhaps, be Shadow, or Arcane magic, he mustered a mighty breath and then stepped forward, towards the key. "Wait. Something is amiss," the Anchorite warned his companions. He stood in front of the key to ensure they could not take it. "It is due to the efforts of you, and you only, that we have survived this labyrinth, my brothers and sisters. Please, allow the burden of seizing the key to be my own. If the worse shall come to pass, at least it will have been I who shielded you all from it." Danarshi insisted in a somber tone. Allowing his companions barely a matter of seconds to try and stop him, he turned himself towards the ruby key and lifted his right arm, courageously grasping it within his right hand. As his hand encased the key, he closed his eyes and focused upon the inner Light within him, hoping that it would be enough to shield him if something were to occur.

The majority of this time, Phaelastra had kept to the shadows as much as possible - quietly following the group's lead. However... at Danarshi's comment, she slowly took the bow off her back, her free hand ready to arm it with an arrow. Her breaths were slow and even; however, every muscle remained tense. While she may not be in the center of the gathering, she could at least hopefully prevent something from happening if her rangari senses are able to pick up on them.

Danarshi, all the ceremony and bravery that he showed, his willingness to put himself into danger and sacrifice himself should it have been necessary, willfully placing himself between his people and a danger that he did perceive. However... it was for naught, he grasped the key, lifted the key, and it came away smoothly of whatever gravity well it had been in, becoming a regular key in his hand. Albeit considering what it was made of, extremely heavy, but they had completed the task, the key was secure, and they were all alive and safe. The Construct tapped its foot loudly. "If you people are well and truly finished, you can all gather here. There is no way back but through this teleport. If you  don’t come with the group, you’ll be stuck here and I am NOT making multiple trips, so get your butts over here. You can celebrate and exalt one another after I get to leave," It complained reminding them of its presence.

Aellesaan having quieted herself down from the previous chaos and screaming, shuffled over to the construct. The whole adventure had hit her, and she felt tired, hungry, and grumpy. She would still of course, be humming to herself with an odd smile on her face.

[alustriel-the-star]

Commission: Epilvik and Rhuua by Sabalmirss

[lunri-moonguardian]

Rock-a-bye Baby: Part Three.

(Warning: Mild blood, and gore involved. This is also the final piece to this arc, so it is quite long, but definitely worthwhile. Part one: https://lunri-moonguardian.tumblr.com/post/167284128404/rock-a-bye-baby-rock-a-bye-baby-in-the-tree-top. Part two:https://lunri-moonguardian.tumblr.com/post/167354252494/rock-a-bye-baby-part-two .))

Lunri, beaten and broken, and having lost touch with reality, sat on a rocking chair in her old child hood home in Nagrand, Outland. In her bare lap, lay a dead and bleeding baby. Her baby. Sha’Tari. Runes pertaining to illusions were drawn in a precise manner all over the walls, and the nearby table was soaked in blood. Oz, having searched for his fiancee for weeks, had finally found a trail leading there. He made utmost haste to save his beloved mate. 

Oz bursted into the house, having been alerted his fiancee’s whereabouts by an anonymous tip. He had traveled anywhere and everywhere, hunting down all of Valicos’s contacts to get even a scrap of information. Upon entering the room, and seeing Lunri in the state she was in, he rushed to her side. As he got closer, he saw their unborn child, dead in her lap. Shaking, tears begun to roll from his eyes. He gripped a hold of Lunri’s shoulders, and gently shook her. “Lunri, my love, I...” His eyes traveled back to the lifeless corpse of their baby, and he twitched a bit. “L-Lunri... Light... What did he...”

Lunri heard the sounds, but was unable to distinguish them. Exhausted, parched moans escaped her cracked, and dried lips. She attempted to open her blood crusted shut eyes, but could not. “The-The baby. Save the baby.”Lunri went unconscious and became limp in the chair. She had sustained too much blood loss, and her body had begun shutting down on her. 

Oz grabbed his head as he looked down at her, and started to shake his head as if to try and tell himself this was not real. He looked back down at the fetus in her lap, and his whole body begun to shake. “N-No...no...he.” A rage begun to build in his eyes as he gripped his head. “NO! NO THIS IS NOT REAL!” He yelled to himself as he begun trying to shake his fiancee awake. Lunri grunted as she was shaken, but nothing more. Her body felt slick with clotted blood, and light from starvation. “Come on, Lunri...” He grabbed his head again, and begun stumbling backwards towards the exit, grabbing his communications device from his side pocket. “H-Help! I need help! Lunri...she’s...HELP!!”

Epilvik had been in range of Oz’s communication; his mate Rhuua, and himself were visiting Halaa as she often liked to stay in one of her childhood homes. He was able to answer the distress call expeditiously. The message had come through with perfect clarity, meaning Oz was decently close. He quickly mounted one of their companions as he kicked off, heading south so as to avoid the Mag’har settlements. It wouldn’t due to get into a turf war at the moment. “What’s going on? Oz? Where are you, what do you need, tell me and I’ll be there with all due haste!” Epilvik called responding back into his own communications crystal as it glowed a dull gold to signify it had been broadcast-ed specifically back to Oz rather than to Te’Amun. 

Oz scrambled for the door, enraged to his very core, and out for blood. A dark haze had come over his vision, and his mind was on one thing, and one thing only: Valicos was going to die. Before departing, he yelled into his comms, “Lunri, h-he got her. Telaar, she’s... I’m going to kill...” His comms cut out as he dropped it, and took off after his brother, determined to hunt him down. His mind had completely snapped at the sight he had just beheld. He was gone before help could arrive. 

Epilvik listened to the instructions, raw, primal anger and fury emanating from Oz’s voice. He kicked his mount into leaping bounds as they covered the terrain far quicker than he ever would have normally. He looked down at his crystal as it made a dull thud on the other end. “Come on Arkanos, Telaar, fast,” He whispered urgently to his wolf as they galloped across one of the rope bridges into the city. Epilvik activated a track embedded in Oz’s crystal so he was able to head to the last location Oz had been in. He found himself at what appeared to be just a regular home, and by the front door was Oz’s dropped comms crystal. Epilvik leaned down to pick up the crystal, and dropped it in his bag as he dropped down from his mount. As he entered the building, he called out, “Oz? Lunri? Is anyone here?” He drew a long, curved, but ornate knife, not liking the darkness in there, but continuing onwards, deeper in until he would find someone or something. 

He would hear very light, but audible groans. As he continued down the entryway, he would find Lunri in the living room, slouched in a chair with Sha’Tari dead in her lap. Both were blanketed in blood, but Lunri was scalped, scared, scorched, and a long, sewn up gash was along her lower abdomen. Her eye patch was off, so he could see the long gash usually hidden beneath it from years ago. 

Epilvik quickly bolted towards them, gasping at the horrendous-ness of what the room proffered. While he may have been a hard military man, who had seen millennia of wars, the sight of the newborn dead in its mothers lap, gore, blood, splattered and spilt out around them, blood gushed over several pieces of furniture, the sight of it all, even he could not ignore. Tears rushed to his eyes as he stepped forward. Kneeling beside Lunri, he reached out and placed a hand on her bare chest as he leaned his head against it, to try and see if she was still breathing. They would be avenged, however with the amount of blood and cuts, tears and rips, he couldn’t tell what condition she was in. 

The pallid colour of Lunri’s skin showed just how much blood she had lost. Not even thinking twice about it, he ripped off part of his shirt, and whipped out a canteen of clean water to clean her face and upper body. With all the cuts, and dried blood caked on her, not to mention the bruises, it was hard to see if she was still losing more blood. He was loath to move her just in case it would upset any closed wounds and cause her to die in his sight. Once that task was completed, he ran back outside, and returned with 2 stout wool blankets, and his loyal wolf companion, Arkanos. Gently, he wrapped the baby in one of the blankets and cleaned its face so it simply appeared as if it was in a peaceful slumber, and in some ways he supposed it now was. The other he wrapped around Lunri, knowing the dire emergency she was in, he resided to taking her to his mate immediately. Rhuua’s medical expertise would be able to heal her, provide her the needed sustenance, and clean her; all things that could not be accomplished here. He checked her one last time before he moved her for anything he missed, and noted the majority of the dried gore seemed centered on her lower abdomen and head. Satisfied there were no openly bleeding wounds, he hoisted her up and gently carried her to Arkanos, and set her against the wolfs fluffy soft mane with the baby in her arms. Epilvik could not bare to depart the two. He knew she would want to say her goodbyes and lay Sha’Tari to rest as their culture demanded. He swung up into the saddle with ease, and was careful not to disturb Lunri. He took his crystal comms device out, and set it for Rhuua. “My dear, prepare your medical room. Lunri has been... you will see, the worst has happened. She needs immediate help, likely a blood infusion,” he called out into the crystal as they begun to padder off. He knew speed wasn’t required this time around. Too much jostling could worsen her many wounds. 

20 minutes later

As Epilvik carried Lunri and Sha’Tari into the humble abode that belonged to Rhuua and himself, a large bed with all the needed supplies was ready to immediately be used. She ordered and bossed Epilvik around as soon as they entered. Sha’Tari was placed in one of the cradles they used to use, with a preservation ward surrounding it. There was no knowing when, or if, Lunri would awaken. 

Lunri laid on the bed with only the blanket to cover her up, being poked and prodded by Rhuua while Epilvik fetched all the supplies like a good mate. She was cleaned up with warm soapy water, stitched with dissolvable thread, and a bag of blood was attached to her by placing an IV into her median cubital vein. Another bag was attached to the same IV, except this one contained fluids packed with water, vitamins, and proteins. He laid a wet cloth over her forehead to make sure she did not become feverish while her body tried to heal itself.  Lunri would lay there for several days, and nights. Slowly waking up more each time.

A week later

Rhuua and Epil had mostly slept in shifts for the better part of the previous week, only being able to get any true rest when Epilvik had summoned his sister and her mate to watch over Lunri for several hours on a few days. It was however one day when Epilvik was taking her pulse and temperature, the blood bag now gone, but the feeding bag still present, that she blinked open her eyes, nearly instantly hysterical.  

 “Where am I?! Who are you?! Where is Sha’Tari?! I want Sha’Tari!!” Sobs wracked her body, aching for the pain of all the memories rushing in to go away. 

Epilvik gently cupped her head. “Don’t worry Lunri, it’s just me Epilvik, Rhuua is here as well. You’ve had an... accident of some sort. We rescued you, and healed you; you are safe now.” He explained to her, unsure of whether to give her the child, fearing it would only upset her more. He tried a different tacit. “She is right there Lunri. She is right beside you, not far at all now,” Epilvik said as he pointed to the crib laying but a few feet from her head. 

Lunri looked up at Epilvik, and played with the word on her tongue a bit. “Epilvik... Rhuua...Sounds familiar. I am safe, now? How can I trust you?! He-he... He made my own mother and sister hurt me. I can’t trust anything anymore!” She would close her eyes and curl in on herself, wrapping her arms around her torso. Rocking back and forth, back forth. 

A soft knock issued on the door, and he went to go answer it, leaving Rhuua with Lunri. He rose an eyebrow when no one was at the door, nearly shutting it before he noticed the rather large sized parcel at this feet. Picking it up, he grunted at the surprising weight, and was about to open it when he noticed it was addressed to Lunri. “How does anyone know she is here?” He spoke as he brought it in to her. “Ummm, this was left at the door for you. I am not sure what it is, though it is quite heavy so be careful,” He warned as he placed it beside her on the bed. Once Epilvik saw her rocking back and forth, he realized for the first time what she had experienced went well beyond simple torture. Her very mind had been scarred and wracked by Valicos. “Who did it to you? Lunri who is responsible for the... for what happened to you?” He asked her, catching himself before he might have made her fragile state worse. He sat beside her on the bed comfortingly. “You know us Lunri, you know Te’Amun. We are in the same order, we are your friends, your family,” He tried to assure her. 

Lunri would take a look at the parcel, and bring it closer to herself. “Please don’t hurt me...” She opened it slowly, unsure of it. Inside was the head of a Draenei that looked much like Oz, but also like Valicos. There was also be a gem placed between it’s lips that dropped onto the bed beside her. The gem had a faint glow to it, and resembled the gem that had been in the hilt of the dagger Valicos had stabbed Sha’Tari with. With a screech, she tossed the head to the side and scooted as far from it as she could. Fear made her eyes wide, and her breathing heavy. That face instantly bringing back all the memories and sensations she’d had to endure at the hands of Valicos. “Get it away! I do not want to see it!”

Epilvik quickly jumped up as the severed head was tossed in his direction. The head rolled on the floor, and the lifeless face of what looked like Oz or Valicos, stared up at him. “Fuck! What the shit, Oz? What the fuck has gone on!” Epilvik yelped. Shock had caught up to him he was unable but to express his surprise. He swallowed deeply, and used the lid and the box to scoop the head back in. Luckily enough, it was not gory so there was no mess as he placed it outside. “What’s gone on Lunri? What happened in that house? What happened to you?” Epilvik asked, now even more concerned than before, as he glanced over to her with a shudder of sadness.

Shaking back and forth, Lunri tried to explain. V-Valicos. Oz’s twin. Tortured me. Kill Sha’Tari. Weeks. Illusions everywhere. Mother. Sister. Mojo Stormstout. So much pain. No more please. NO MORE!”

 “Oz’s twin? He has a twin? What the fuck? Why would he...” Epilvik questioned more to himself than her, as he saw how fragile and scared she still was, her mental state dangerously affected. “Don’t worry you’re safe now, Lunri. You’re safe. Valicos is gone, he is long gone and he is never coming back. You’ll be safe now.” He assured her before he realized she knew her child was gone, too. His expression grew mournful for a few moments. “You’ll survive through this Lunri.” He promised her as he looked over to the crib where she too knew her child lay. 

Tears made rivulets down her face. “Sha’Tari...” She looked at the crystal grasped tightly in her palm, and saw it glowing. “I think she is in here. I think he trapped her in here. I want her back... But necromancy is wrong. I shouldn’t even be thinking that.”

“In there? In the crystal? How- What was Valicos- to do something like that...” Epilvik asked in surprise as he looked at the faint glow of the crystal. He considered her words before saying, “Maybe, but you’re her mother. I wouldn’t lie and say Rhuua and I wouldn’t consider exactly the same,” He responded honestly to her. 

She hugged the crystal close to her. “To do that , it wouldn’t be fair to her.” She said in a voice null of emotion. “I feel empty now.” A small, insane type of cackle issued from her lips. “Well, I guess I am empty now that Sha’Tari is out of me. How peculiar.”

Epilvik noted the way her voice turned hollow, flat, and metallic.  “Mhmm, no no it likely wouldn’t be, “ he agree softly. “Do you- do you need to hold her? We will need to consider what to do next, we can’t obviously...leave... yes,” he advised. 

Lunri nodded in acquiescence, her eyes were flat and no expression was on her face. “The ceremony should be commenced. She should be with the Light. If the Light is even there.”

Epilvik carefully lifted the girl out of the cot still wrapped in the blankets as he pulled her free of the shimmering bubble Rhuua had conjured to preserve her. He offered her to Lunri. “I will send for preparations to be made; she will have a send off that she truly deserves. Her life though short will be no less remembered than any other of our people that fall. She was one of us, and everyone will know her name. Of that, I can promise you.” He said with a smile as he passed her the girl. 

Lunri looked down at the bundle, seeing a slightly too small baby face peeking out. She would have looked just like her. Lunri touched her cold skin, and reminisced of what it would have been like. Married, a little girl... It was all for naught now. She would be putting her baby to rest before she could have taken her first breath. Lunri looked up at Epil. “It is time. She should be put to rest.”

Epilvik couldn’t possibly imagine what Lunri was experiencing now, what she was going through. A parent though he was, and while his own had been kidnapped, to loose a child forever he could only imagine how devastating it was. How truly and unbelievably heartbreaking. “Of course. Let us discuss things.” Epilvik and Lunri discussed the ceremony for some time before Lunri became too exhausted and fell back asleep. How everything would affect her in the future, if she would even heal from it, no one knew. 

[lunri-moonguardian]

Dioniss aca, little one.

Lunri sat in the Exodar inside the Crystal Hall fiddling with the soul crystal. There was still a glow to it, and a slight warmness radiated from it. Today was the day she would be freed from this crystal. She would be trapped no longer. It ached Lunri to know her daughter would not be with her any longer, but she also wanted her to fly free and join with the Light. The clacking of hooves echoed on the platform as Danarshi arrived, followed shortly by Epilvik, and someone she had yet to meet. She had seen him around, but had never been introduced to him. With a deep sigh, she stood up and looked at them. Danarshi made a formal bow to Epilvik, quickly followed by herself. If it wasn’t for Epilvik, she would have died that day. Danarshi’s deep booming voice filled the hall. “Well met, justicar. I am honoured that you have come to this ceremony.”

Epilvik returned both of their bows. “My apologies I was late. I was held up momentarily on Argus,” he explained of himself. “Of course an occasion as significant as this I wouldn’t and couldn’t miss for anything.” He assured them both.

“Of course, brother. I am merely happy to hear that many of us continue to persevere upon our shattered homeworld. Willing fighters are needed if we are to win this war,” Danarshi boomed in a pleased tone, and with a curt nod towards him.

Once they had finished, Lunri walked up to Epilvik to smother him in a hug. “I owe you my life, Epilvik. Should you ever have need of anything, please do not hesitate to call upon me.”

Epilvik embraced Lunri warmly, resting his head against hers as he held her in his arms. “You need never even think about it, Lunri. It was what was right to do. I am merely glad that you are okay, that you survive through. You are most important to Rhuua and I. And we will be glad and proud to have you by our sides, now and for always,” he said with a smile. At the kind exchange between Epilvik and Lunri, a warm smile graced Danarshi’s blue features.

Ashaar had showed up to the funeral looking a bit solemn. He didn't really know Lunri well, but the death of a child was something that no one should have to grieve about alone, especially when the order was there to support one another. He walked up to Lunri, and nodded in respect "Lunri, I'm Ash, we've met once before. I just wanted to come to show my respects. I am terribly sorry for your loss." His eyes showed genuine sympathy for her as he greeted her.

Danarshi bowed before Ashaar, and was the first to greet him, as Ash kindly bowed back to him. “Well met, brother Ashaar. Thank you for coming.”

As Danarshi greeted Ashaar, Lunri slid over to him. She was unsure of this new Draenei to their order, but she trusted her Order’s judgment. “It is nice to meet you, brother. I am sure we will see each other more often. Welcome to the order.” Lunri stuck out her delicate, frail hand and shook hands with him. His hands were large, but soft and well manicured. It was obvious to Lunri that this man took pride in his appearance.

Ashaar nodded solemnly towards her. “Thank you, sister. I am sure we will be seeing plenty of each other, and remember, as a Vindicator, I swear to protect anyone in the order, in any fight. I will have your back whenever you need me.”

Lunri nodded at Ashaar before making her way back to the front. “I believe we will begin once one more of our order shows. She ran into some trouble on her way here.”

A few moments later, Avareia shuffled in, followed by a blue petaltush. Danarshi greeted Avareia with a bow, as did everyone else. “At last. Welcome, Avareia. I am happy to see that you could make it to the ceremony, “ Danarshi greeted her warmly as Lunri walked up to her. “Welcome, sister. I am glad you could make it.” She wrapped her frail arms around the woman, and gave as tight a hug as she could, being returned with an equally tight hug from Ava.

For a minute, Ava spaced out. “Oh, right, hello! Good evening everyone.”

Lunri and Danarshi stood at the front of the group, patiently waiting for everyone to get settled in as hellos between each of them filled the hall. As all quieted down, Lunri cleared her throat and squared her shoulders in preparation. Her dress that day still held loosely onto her frame, and her face was still gaunt, but her voice carried with determination to see this ceremony through, breaking the eerie, but welcoming silence. “Thank you for coming, brothers and sister, in my time of need. As most of you know, I was kidnapped and attacked, and in the process Sha’Tari was killed before me, forcing me to watch, as he trapped her soul in this crystal.” A scared hand, covered from the palm down in brown leathers, tapped the crystal sitting on a choker at the base of her neck. “Today, Danarshi has so kindly accepted to release her so she may rest in peace with the Light. I chose this place today, because it was where my journey started. And here too, will be where Sha’Tari’s journey begins.” Near the end, her voice cracked and tears escaped their prison, freely cascading down her face. Not being able to speak lest she break down right there, she merely stepped aside and gestured at Danarshi to take the stand.

Epilvik dipped his head sadly in mutual hurt for the pain and suffering that Lunri now faced, saddened by her heart break. Lunri held out the gem for Danarshi as he moved to take the stand. She could visibly see Avareia clenching her hand reflexively. She wasn’t up to date with much of Te’Amun, so was slowly processing all of the mournful news one tear at a time. She eyed the man to the left of the Justicar, but said nothing as she turned her attention to Danarshi. As Lunri looked over at Ashaar, she saw him bowing his head in solemnity. Seeing the pain in her eyes from the tragedy she went through was too much for him to watch. He remained quiet as the funeral proceedings went on.

Danarshi turned his head and watched Lunri as she opened  the ceremony, a supportive expression present up his face. As she began to lose control of her emotions, the Anchorite issued her with a nod of understanding. As the soul gem was offered to him, he calmly approached the woman, placing each of his hands around her own and politely taking the gem from her. A moment later, he returned to his spot and clasped each of his hands in front of his waist in a respectful manner, the soul gem still held within them. His eyes also diverted down towards the ground beneath them. “The very day that the grim news of Sha’Tari’s demise had reached me was a dark day indeed. Many a tragic death have I witnessed across the span of my life, though, -this-... this was a tragedy that was -never- meant to unfold,” he expressed, falling into a few seconds of silence. “Sha’Tari, in Draenei, means “one that is born from the Light”. Though our young sister was taken from  us early as to never see the waking world, that does not necessarily mean that her journey was cut short. Though the life within her physical body was taken from her, her spiritual one was  not. In life, Sha’Tari would have grown to serve many of us faithful, and have become known as a fellow sister. Now, in death, her spirit shall be freed, and, despite the wicked actions of the monster who claimed her from the the Material Plane, she will still hold the ability to roam the world, freely, and venture to whichever destination calls for her. As her name resembles, she shall indeed be born from the light, and continue to linger among us forevermore,” he finished, finally lifting his head back up to face the group. “That is all that I wish to speak on. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak on our fallen sister.”

The petaltush beside Avareia stared blankly at Danarshi, virtually understandig only a few words that escaped the Anchorite’s mouth. He waddled up to Lunri and offered a single starflower, freshly picked from his home in Draenor. He then waddled back to Avareia, still confused on what Danarshi said.

Ashaar, and Epilvik stood quietly, listening to Danarshi’s eulogy, trying to remain stoic, but both could feel tears welling up in their eyes. Avareia frowned as her gaze flashed from Petaltush to Lunri to Danarshi. She pulled her hood down as a few sniffles escaped from her.

As Danarshi delivered his speech, her shoulders shook despite her attempts to keep herself composed. As Petaltush waddled up to her, and delivered her a flower, she patted him on the head and tucked it into her hair. When she got home, she would preserve it and frame it, she decided. After a few moments to compose herself at least somewhat, she addressed the group again. “Thank you, Danarshi, that was perfect. Danarshi will release her from the crystal next, as I have already said my goodbyes in private. Anyone is welcome to do so before she is released. After that has been done, her body-” she points with a shaky hand behind her. “Will be burned in holy fire. When you are ready, Danarshi, unless anyone would like to speak their good byes.”

Danarshi’s eyes remained trained upon his peers ahead of him, expectant that at least one of them would have a few words to share. Lunri stood off to the side, looking down at the crystal in Danarshi’s hands as Avareia stepped past the Justicar and the mysterious man towards Lunri. After a few moments, she continued her stride to Lunri, and pulled the Draenei in for a tight, ‘welcoming’ hug. Avaraei said nothing for moments whilst Lunri was still in her grasp, but she pulled back and stared down at the crystal and murmured under her breath, “Light be with you, child, and darkness shan’t corrupt you further.” Lunri hugged Avareia back tightly, welcoming the woman’s tight embrace and kind words. “Thank you, Avareia.”  Avareia reached out to Lunri’s hands and squeezed them tightly; possibly exchanging a brownie or two with the hand holding. She flashed the Draenei a small, warm smile before stepping back next to the Justicar.

Danarshi watched the two sisters embrace. As she utters her wish upon the fallen child, he himself peers down at the gem that remained tightly grasped within his hands. He released a silent breath of a sorrow nature. Ashaar remained silent, but gave Lunri a sympathetic nod as he worked hard to keep his own composure. He may be a smart-ass in most occasions, but he knew that this was no time or place for humour, and he was shit at expressing real feelings. So, he remained quiet and respectful.

Justicar Epilvik took a few paces forward. “While we may not have known one another Sha’Tari, know you held a family and those that cared for you in the Order as much as any other. Although your life was tragically short, and cut from you before you had a chance to shine, to show others what you could achieve, and what you would bring to the world. Though you might not have the chance now, the world nonetheless is forever changed by your presence, and you have affected your mother, who will carry on your memory and your future with her, wherever she goes. She who can tell your story, and in the your memory will not fade, but it will live on, and be acknowledge by our people forever more,” he spoke gently before stepping back once more.

Ava’s petaltush grumbled as the Justicar nearly stepped on him. He looked towards Lunri, and let out a loud call: HYRAAAAAAH!” He blinked a few times, “Wrong one,” he stated in his gruffy voice. “Hyy-RUH, podling bless you, child. You gone too soon, like my dinner.” He stepped back next to Avareia and nodded sagely.

Danarshi’s eyes remained trained upon the soul gem as Epilvik uttered his words about Sha’Tari. As the Justicar finished his speech, the Anchorite peered up at him long enough to issue him with a respectful nod, clearly appreciative of what the man had to say. A smiled cracked at the corners of Lunri’s mouth as a brownie or two was pressed into her palm. Avareia knew just what she needed this day. She merely issued a curt nod to the Draenei so as not to let anyone else know of the exchange. As Epilvik began to speak, his words speaking volumes as always, she hugged herself tight. It was hard to let the Order see her so weak, but deep down she knew they understood. A low nod was offered towards the Justicar as she did not trust herself to peak at that moment. Emotions were roiling inside of her like a monsoon trying to tear her heart away. But at the words of Petaltush, she couldn’t help but chuckled. Epilvik had the opposite reaction to the Petaltush, gritting his teeth at it as he attempted to refrained from kicking into the water. Danarshi also pursed his lips and ground his teeth at Petaltush. He issued the Podling a rather distasteful look before diverting his attention. It would have to do. He expected much worse from a Podling. “It is time, brother.”

Danarshi glanced towards Lunri as she informed him that the time was nigh to send the young spirit away. With yet another nod, the Anchorite shuffled to his immediate right, settling within the middle of the rug. Slowly, he lifted the soul gem up until it was in front of his chest. He opened his fingers and rested the gem upon his palms, so all could properly see the insidious crystal. “You shall not be forgotten, young Sha’Tari. You shall live on within our memories, and soon, we shall come to meet you, I am sure of it, “ he shared in finality. A mere moment later, his hands are bather in the brightness, retaining it’s original form and colour. As time passes however, the surface of the gem would indeed, begin to change, it’s violet purple gradually turning to a holy gold. “Roam free, Sha’Tari. Dioness aca,” he said in farewell. At sudden, the soul gem physically pulsates and releases a puff of unholy energy. The magic that bound Sha’Tari’s spirit to the soul gem has now been broken, and the young Draenei is able to free herself from her crystalline prison. Lunri feels a blissful moment of peace as she sees her child lift into the air. Her tears of utter sadness shift to those of happiness, and a smile breaks her gaunt features. "Fly free, little one. Fly free."

As Danarshi completed the ritual, and Sha’Tari is released from her crystal prison, suddenly there was a flash of light from above, and a gem, hovering high above them, well out of reach, glowed to life, casting a holographic image above the order. The image showed the room that Lunri was all too familiar with, where she was tortured for days, weeks, almost months. Images flashed revealing the details of her torture, complete with the sounds of Lunri screaming in agony, the dark figure standing over her looked an awful lot like Osgoth, though more sinister looking. Lunri laid fully exposed on the table, for the whole order to see, and excruciating details of her torture were played back bit by bit. The images only lasted for a few moments, but it all culminated in the image of the man cutting Lunri open, pulling out her unborn child, and stabbing it with a dagger.The gem in the hilt of the dagger could be clearly seen, glowing as he held the child in the view of whatever recorded this image. Finally, all that could be seen was the image of the man’s face as he looked down upon the members of Te’Amun. With an evil grin, he said the words, “Prepare”. The image cut out as quickly as it started. As Lunri saw the images being played over, she shouted out in defiance, “No! No more! I cannot take anymore!”  She puffed up in anger, her hands clenched at her sides as purple veins popped out of her arms and her body was filled to the brim with adrenaline. "YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME AGAIN." Without thought, lightning crackled along her arms and to her hands, and she aimed them towards the gem. A rage filled roar emitted from her as she aimed the lightning towards it, and released it, overdrawing on her chi as she does so. In response, her body collapsed to the floor, having utterly exhausted herself. She laid there curled up, a shaking slobbering mess murmuring 'no more no more'. Epilvik also released a ragged dagger, and several bursts of holy energy at the image until the gem that was projecting the image shattered, shooting small, and mostly harmless shards down on the group.

Ashaar watched the images with a look of sheer terror on his face. He had no idea the extent of the horror that the poor woman had endured, until now, and he was infuriated. The audacity of this evil sonofabitch, to have set this up to further break Lunri, Ash couldn’t even fathom it. He gritted his teeth as he watched, and when the final image of the man appeared, telling them to “Prepare”, Ash balled his fists up and shook his head, taking a shard of the gem to the cheek without so much as a flinch. As blood trickled down his cheek, he looked at Lunri, and his gaze softened. What she must be going through right now, he had no idea, but his earlier promise still held true. If he was needed, he was ready to fight any fight for any member of this Order.

Danarshi’s eyes were quick to dart upwards at the sudden sound that appeared. He too moved his head as he noticed the floating crystal. He furrowed his eyebrows in some measure of concern, though, once he realized what was unfolding before them, his heart felt as thought the Void itself had crushed in around it, countless emotions of negativity flooded throughout him. Any who looked at him would see that we was struggling to watch the recording, his teeth clenched. As the scene came to where Lunri’s abdomen was to be cut, Danarshi could not hope to continue watching. The man diverted his vision to the ground, and sealed his eyes shut; hearing it unfold was enough to send shivers down his spine. As it was clear that the worst of it had passed, the sinister word, “prepare” ringing from the crystal, he is quick to snap his head back up. Though the projection shatters only seconds afterwards, the Anchorite had been given enough time to make out the wicked Draenei’s face. “Valicos,” he muttered, his voice sounding of hatred and loathing.

Epilvik ached to break him, to destroy him entirely. His fury, aggression, and anger playing out over his features as he was filled with intense hatred at seeing in person what had been done to Lunri and seeing her reaction to it all over again. He bellowed at the image, “You will not come here and victimize our people, you will die for what you have done, nothing you can do, say, or plead will stay our wrath. You will die so slowly and painfully you will think Kil’Jaeden himself is flaying your body.” He snarled in fury as the image dissipated.

Avareia -immediately- rushed over to Lunri, possibly tripping over herself once on the small ‘journey’ over. After the man’s dramatic showcasing was done, she reached her palm out to collect one of the shards that rained down. Clenching the crystalline fragment in her hand, she grasped Lunri and pulled her into a somewhat protective shell whilst he laid on the ground.

Lunri flinched at the touch of the older Draenei, and whimpered. “Please, no-” before realizing who it was. As it dawned on her, she hugged the Draenei. Her body shivered in fear, and she ached to cry it out, but no tears would leave her clenched eyes.

Danarshi took point after Avareia, the Anchorite tossed the purified soul gem aside and fell into a kneel beside her them, placing each of his hands upon Lunri in some crude effort of calming her. “It is okay, Lunri. I was only a projection. You are safe, and as long as we remain within your reach, you shall remain that way.” Danarshi proceeded to peer off into the distance. “Valicos shall pay, dearly, for the atrocities that he has committed, “ he muttered in a rather hushed tone. It was loud enough that Lunri and Avareia could have picked it up, though it was unlikely Epilvik or Ashaar could have heard it from their distance.

Lunri nodded at Danarshi, and tugged him closer, needing the presence of those few she could trust. “I can’t do it. I just… I can’t. He’s left me so broken, and frail.” A numbness spread throughout her body, and she took her arms off of Ava to wrap them around her trembling body. “The-the body. We must burn it before he can take it. He cannot take her. Please, no.”

Ashaar didn’t know what to do right then, and felt really out of place. He wanted to help comfort Lunri, but that seemed to be covered, so he made use of himself by inspecting the perimeter to make sure there were no more threats.

Avareia slid the crystalline fragment into her small crystal pouch attached to her belt before her eyes scanned the area for the other crystal. After a few moments, she found it. Her ‘lifeless’ gaze bore into the fully-shaped crystal before she focused back to Lunri. “Let’s get started, shall we?” Avareia untangled herself from Lunri and pushed herself up, soon offering a gentle helping hand to her. Lunri nodded and took her hand, standing up on wobbly hooves. She draped an arm across Ava’s shoulders to help steady herself.   

Danarshi placed a reassuring hand upon one of the woman’s trembling arms. “He shall not have her. I am certain what we had just witnessed was merely staged. He is not here, nor would he dare tread upon such holy ground. Sha’Tari is safe, her spirit and her body. You are right however, and I shall not disregard your wishes.” A couple of moments later, he returned to his hooves and turned himself to face the corpse of Sha’Tari. “It is time that we complete your daughter’s passing into the afterlife. When you are prepared, I shall bathe her in holy fire. She shall become one with the Light, full so.”

Mr. Petaltush wandered over the ex-soul crystal and poked it, making sure it wasn’t going to burn his fingertips. He grabbed it and ran it over to Ava. Avareia pursed her lips as Petaltush handed over the crystal. She tucked her face downward whispering into Lunri’s ear. They whispered back and forth for a few moments, as Ava was offering to make it into jewelry for her. For the moment, Lunri took the crystal from Ava until the ceremony was over.

At that moment, Danarshi placed his undivided focus upon the small fetus, that of which was Sha'Tari. The sight was undeniably grisly, and was enough to turn even the stomach of Danarshi, of all people. "Are you prepared, sister?" he asked once more in reassurance, directed at Lunri. He would not dare cremate her daughter without her utmost permission.

Avareia perked up. "May I help?" Her gaze bore into Danarshi, as if her eyes were saying 'pleasepleasepleaseplease'.

Ashaar walked up to the others after he was done making sure the perimeter was secure "There's no one here but us, that gem was obviously planted before the proceedings, and whoever left it, is long gone."

Danarshi peeked over at Avareia, and did not hesitate to nod at her. "I would be honoured if you were to lend your hand in the process, though the decision ultimately rests upon the shoulders of Lunri," he reminded her, his eyes turning to Lunri in curiosity.

Lunri looked between Danarshi, Ash, and then at Ava. “Thank you, Ash, it would mean a lot if you would help Danarshi, and Avareia. Please proceed before anything else can go terribly wrong.” She nodded at the three of them, giving her permission for all three to help. Somewhere in the process Epilvik had to leave to assist his wife, Rhuua.

Ashaar nodded at Lunri. “Of course, anything you wish.” He looked to Danarshi. “What do you need my help with?”

Danarshi shuffled to the side in order for Avareia and Ashaar to have the appropriate room upon the rug. “Very well. Raise your hand and walk fourth, with me,” the Anchorite explained, in which he does, indeed, life his own hand and wandered fourth towards Sha’Tari. “Now place said hand upon her,” he continued, doing as he described and placing his hand upon the small body. He was struggling to keep a neutral expression upon his face as he did this.

Lunri wanted to cry, but could not. Her body felt broke, bruised, and drained. It had only been a few hours, but it felt like an eternity. As she stood behind the group, she nibbled on a brownie before walking up to Ava and firmly grasping her free hand.

Seeing that his compatriots are prepared, he momentarily closed his eyes and released a deep, audible breath to control his inner emotions. “Now,” the command echoed down the hall from his lips. Holy fire erupts from the palms of the Anchorite’s, Ava’s and Ash’s hands and meets with the flesh of Sha’Tari. Immediately she caught fire, lighting the motionless infant aflame. All three remove their hand from the child, and take a step back. Once more, Danarshi clasps each of his hands together and rests them in front of his waist, properly closing his eyes and facing towards the floor. “Stand with me, my friends. Let us issue Sha’Tari with a minute of silence sh she has earned.” The Crystal Hall of was wrapped back up into it’s eerie but welcoming silence. Shamans could be heard practicing in the distance, making sure to give the group their space. A few moments pass, with Lunri resting her head on Ava’s shoulder and their hands clasped together as they listened to the holy fire. The crackling of the flames was somewhat unlike that of an ordinary fire. It was oddly calming, in a manner that was beyond description. The very sound of it brought calmness to the group, a reassurance that Sha’Tari had safely passed on, and she would find happiness, even if it was not within the Material Plane itself.

As the silence lingered on, Lunri took a deep breath and once more stepped in front of the group. “Thank you, brothers and sister for coming. It means a lot to me in this time of need. I-I think I would like to go home now and rest.” Her voice sounded dull, empty of all emotions. She just wanted sleep, and watch the rain beat against her window. To hear the crackling of the fire, and forget about her woes.

Danarshi too opened his eyes and moved his head back up as Lunri broke the silence. He watched her with a sympathetic expression as she spoke. At last, he stepped fourth, and offered the woman a supportive hug. “No, sister. Thank -you- for allowing us the privilege to witness the passing of your daughter. We are each in your debt,” he eventually responded, backing out of the hug afterwards. “If you -ever- require -any- of us, do not hesitate to call. You are in the safest of hands, my sister.” He bowed before her. “The time shall come that Sha’Tari is avenged, this I vow. I will not rest until justice is delivered upon Valicos, and Osgoth is found,” He uttered. “I shall leave you to rest, sister. Dioniss aca” He at last turned to make his exit, wandering towards the Seat of the Naaru.

Ashaar nodded at Lunri, solemnly, trying to put on a smile to comfort her. “Farewell, sister. I assure you, that I will be with you and the order every step of the way as we hunt down this man who did this to you. You have my word.”

Lunri waves a thin hand at Danarshi as he leaves, murmuring “Dioniss aca, brother,” at his back. She looked over to Ash, and politely nodded at him. “Thank you for coming, Ashaar. Perhaps we can chat after I am myself again. Until then, dioniss aca.” He sighed sadly, and then straightened himself. Walking out, he puffed up his chest to act stoic, and fight off more tears as he left.

Avareia held out her palm to Lunri. “I’ll get the choker back to you as soon as possible. All of my supplies are set inside of my workshop… which is not here.”

Lunri hesitantly set the crystal and the choker into Ava’s palm. She stared at it for a moment before meeting the Draenei’s gaze. “Thank you, Avareia. You have been much help to me.” She embraces her in a tight hug, nearly squishing her. “Dioniss aca, sister.” Avareia returned the hug, equally squishing her. She clenched her gloved fist around the crystal before sliding it into the same small baggie the choker is in. She looked around, picking up all the shattered crystalline fragments from the strange man’s entrance.

Lunri gathered up Sha’Tari’s ashes in a leather pouch with her name on it before taking out her hearthstone to hearth home.

[aellesaan]

Wanderings in Mac’Aree: Part One.

Part two

(Warning: Very long, but worthwhile read.)

It was the third time Te'Amun had been summoned by the Justicar and the Lightwarden to the streets of Mac'aree. The enourmity of the Univesity district was now mostly passified by their previous adventures as well as the efforts and skills of the Army of the Light who was meticulously cleaning up and carving a swathe across the scarred and hardened land that their people once called home. It was here amongst several tall buildings, skyscrapers as they could be described created seemingly out of a rich pearly white marble towering into the skies, their bodies glittering in the light of the sun, sparkling almost as if jewels had been inlaid in the surface, that the members of Te'Amun and those sworn to its service arrived. They would be greeted with the familiar sight of the curator. Obviously someone had "encouraged" it to come along to lend what it called ‘aid’ to the group, after all even if it was an asshole, at least it did know what it was doing and could provide some advice on the matter at hand. Interestingly enough it appeared that Rhuua and Justicar Epilvik, the leaders of Te’Amun, stood just in front of a large double doorway to one of the many towers; seemingly no different than the others, except this one they had propped open with several large stones, the murky darkness inside seeming to eat away the light. Two enormous dire-wolves stood on either side of Rhuua and Epilvik, legs bent as they looked into it, almost as if protecting their masters from whatever danger it was that laid inside the building.

A quiet rangari Draenei, Phaelastra, ominously appeared out of the shadows, Her lanky, sinewy muscles clad in the traditional rangari armour of Draenor. She took in their surroundings, her breaths silent behind her mask. With careful hoof steps, she made her way to Rhuaa's side (or rather, the side of the wolf next to Rhuaa - allowing the beast to gain her scent) and gave the other wolf a nod of acknowledgement. No words were spoken, out of caution.

Akaepi, a rangari as well, dipped her head, a small and respectful bow offered to the pair before her as she arrived. Her usual beast of burden, a hydra, lurked at her heels with three heads looming over the Rangari. Surveying the immediate area before settling with little more than a quiet hiss. A hand lifts in greeting to Phaelastra, regarding her for a moment then attention flickering back towards Rhuua and Epilvik. Her blue eyed hues scanned the immediate area to take note of any others approaching.

The quiet, eerie silence was broken by a sing-song voice, and the rhythmic skipping of hooves, gradually getting louder. "1,2... it's coming for you 3,4... better lock your door 5,6... grab your brick 7,8... going to stay up late 9,10... never awake again. As Aellesaan got closer, she ceased her singing, and looked around. As her wide, round, eyes landed on the door, she tilted her head in curiosity. "So, who is going to be the ginea-goat  and go in first? Nose goes!" She promptly puts a delicate, well manicured finger on her round nose.

Filaanu arrived in quite possibly the loudest way possible, having found a way to ride her gnomish chopper throughout the streets of Mac'aree, most likely ruining the air with the exhaust of her bike. In the passenger seat, her two mastiffs, Dexter and his mate, Spot, sat quietly, their floppy maws flapping about while Filaanu rode up towards the others. Stopping the vehicle when she was near, Filaanu climbed out and approached the others, canting her head to the side once she found Aellesaan with her finger on her nose. "That's not how you pick your nose," she commented before looking to the others, her eyes stopping at the large doorway, "What's through there?”

"I've only been here a few moments," Phaelastra's tenor toned voice replies. There's a slight wave to those who've followed, her tail coiled in a tense formation behind her knees. She pauses, studying Aellesaan with an odd expression - one that's thankfuly hidden behind her face mask - due to her confusion at the saying. Nose goes? With a shrug, she shifts her long bow to her opposite shoulder, a hand reaching back to make sure her quiver is secure. "If no one else wishes to be first, I am quiet enough to go undetected. No use in sending everyone in if it can be prevented."

Aellesaan blinks at their apparent confusion, and lack of understanding. Perhaps it was a human game after all. With a shrug she takes her finger off her nose and glares playfully at Filaanu for her comment. "I am quite alright being here, in the light, and not going first. I've always disliked the dark." To emphasize her point, she sits down, and practices making ice in various forms.

Akaepi merely lofted a brow at the group, a faint huff of what one would assume was laughter falling from her lips. "I do not believe it is our call as to who enters first." She calls out, a small nod of her head given towards their esteemed leaders and the direwolves that loomed near. "We should merely wait for now." A hand lifted, scratching over the many heads of her Hydra as she waited.

Rhuua, mate to Epilvik, dropped a hand to her wolf's head, but the touch did little to soothe her mount's discomfort-- the great beast seemed to quiver with anticipation, the fur along the back of her neck bristled on end as she stared into the darkness. "This is your territory, my love," the Lightwarden's voice was soft, as though she loathed disturbing the silent dark which loomed before them. She canted her head to the side, watching her mate for direction.

Epilvik turned to his mate with a nod as several of their people arrived. "Thank you my friends for coming once more. As we all know from the previous two expeditions, where our "friend" here explained, we must retrieve the third and final key in order to complete the locking mechanism that holds the sceptor of such great power. One that we might even be able to use to harm the Dark Titan himself. We have the tablet, we have the compass, and now we need the next item." Epilvik explained to them. "However as before... it seems.. whatever is down there in the heart of this planet, whatever malevolent being or creature resides down below, is now activly working to stop us. Thus the wolves guarding to stop anything coming out. We will need to work swiftly, and accurately; we cant make mistakes here, else...." He said with a grimace. "Albeit the Curator of the Universities has already somewhat explained that like before this area will be heavily dependant on your cognitive reasoning, would you care to explain, Curator?" Epilvik asked the robot(construct). "Not particularly you over important, self worshipping, lump of shit. But yeah, by all means go run in there. I’m sure you’ll do fine; just a couple of puzzles, and you’ll be done. You’ve done fine so far; dont worry about the rest. It’ll be fine, just get in there and get it done," He responded to Epilvik. Clearly, the pair didn't appreciate one another very well as Epilvik responded by punching it in the face before loudly swearing as he cradeled his fist in pain. Perhaps another might be able to get it out of him with their feminine wiles.

Akaepi merely stared at the exchange between Epilvik and the Curator. Ah yes, diplomacy at its finest! Only the barest hint of laughter bubbled over her lips, a twinkle of mirth wrote upon concealed features. "Come now-... There is clearly a reason for you being here," Words addressed to the Curator with an off-handed wave towards Epilvik; Please forgive her, she's trying, but feminine wiles is not her forte. "Does it not speak volumes that our esteemed leaders would turn to you for your infinite wisedom and advice in this?" The bristle of that wolves fur did not go unnoticed and, certainly, made Akaepi's form that little less at ease about the entire situation. Forboding darknesses never had a good track record for her. "If nothing more then would it not be a kick to their teeth to know that you are doing what they could not by assisting us?" Pandering to ego's however-... That usually worked as far as Akaepi knew. Well, it did in those silly books she read anyways.

As Epilvik explained the situation at hand, and conversed with the "charming" Curator, Danarshi was approaching the group on hoof, wandering towards them at a leisurely pace. Upon close inspection, the Anchorite appeared refreshed. The small gathering in Dalaran the other day had certainly reinvigorated him. Having only been a small number of metres away, Danarshi had overheard the exchange and, therefore, understood the situation at hand, despite the Curator's deliberately poor choice of wording. Halting to a stop a few paces away from his kin, he issued them with a singular salute. "Hail, brothers and sisters." he greets them. His eyes turned to the tower ahead of them, more specifically its entranceway. His mouth drops open as he falls amidst his own thoughts. Ultimately, the Anchorite's eyes rested upon Epilvik. "Puzzles have never once been my specialty, though regardless, my hand is yours, Justicar. I shall progress upon your word." he swears. He cannot help but to send the Curator a shifty glance. It did not feel as though the spirit was on their side. He would be weary of her.

Phaelastra frowned behind her mask, remaining silently otherwise. She crossed her arms, gaze flickering to Akaepi, to await further orders. All the talking seems to make her uneasy. Filaanu remained just as silent, looking back to her chopper to make sure her mastiffs had climbed out and were at her side before simply crouching down to pet one of the dogs. Shortly after, she stood back up and yawned, glancing to the tower ahead.

The Curator tried to hit Epilvik in the balls which he only deftly leapt out of the way of, hiding behind the otherside of Rhuua; now deliberatly out of range as Akaepi approached the robot construct in his stead; addressing it in a very civil and adoring manner. "Theres a reason alright That boso dragged me across the town to bring me here. Didn’t even try asking, he was very rude. You know, Lord Archimonde would have done no such thing no no, a gentlemen and a scholar that man was. Ahh his return will be sorely wanted," he commented wistfully as Epilvik nodded to Danarshi in greetings. The construct seemed to consider Akaepi’s words carefully as if evaluating them as she spoke. "Hmm your words speak reason, after all, it takes a certain mind, a genius if you will, to grapple with the magics and mystery that surround this task. After all, the locking mechanism was designed by yours truely. Although after Archimonde put me in this body, he forced certain parameters that stoped me from just guiding and giving the answers. The most I can do is provide advice." He explained. "Hmm fine, the final object you need is at the end of this passage, on the sixth floor of the building in the conference room, that is where you will find the answer. Once you enter, the building will seal until you either die or succed, sending advance parties or groups will not help you here."

The Rangari merely paused. There was a flicker of surprise that it actually worked though it was short lived. She dipped her head down low in a bow, smiling. "You would honour me with any advice you could impart. Despite how rudely you were pulled away to assist, you are proving to be beyond helpful and we would be in your debt." Standing up straight again, her gaze flickered to the building once more. Going in there did not sound like a fun time at all. Oh boy, sixth floor; all or nothing.

Aellesaan looked up at her peers, and the construct, listening carefully.  With a sigh, she stood up, and idly scratched at her blonde hair. "Well, lets get this party started shall we!" She started dancing towards the door.

Danarshi bites down upon his lip in sudden concern. Sealed until success or death? This was certainly a risk. As his kin each prepared to enter through the doorway, the Anchorite steped forward. "Wait," he abruptly lets out in an attempt to slow their approach. "If we venture beyond this doorway, there is no guarantee that we will be able to return." Danarshi reverts his attention to Epilvik. "Forgive me for my suspicions, Justicar - I intend not to sway from your lead, though, what is the intended purpose of the artifact that we seek? If it is worthy of the cost of sealing ourselves within this tower, then I would expect that is exceptionally powerful." he expressed. He bats yet another eye in the direction of the Curator, distrust present upon his face. Inside the tower, they could very well be placed beneath the mercy of the defiant spirit. He had heard of Vigilant Quoram, a similar entity who had acted in much the same manner. The constructs of Mac'Aree, thus far, were not of the trustworthy category.

Epilvik looked to Danarshi before nodding in response. "True, there is not, we may fail, but with our experience, our knowledge, and our diverse skill set it is unlikely to be the case that we will. However as for what is inside, in here is only a key, but it is the final key to our end goal, that goal being the sceptor of Archimonde himself, he who founded the University district on Mac'Aree, the principle place of higher learning, experience, and knowledge of our ancient and powerful race. It was here that our experiements, and our thirst for knowledge and power first drew the attentions of the Dark Titan." Epilvik explained to him. "That staff, was with Archimonde for millenia. So very, very long in fact, that the measure of power contained in the staff will be immense. Such force possibly, as much raw energy, as the sceptor of Sargerus is capable of." he added further. "That and that alone is why we need it, with such raw power, it is likely even a titan can’t stand before such an assault." Meanwhile the Contruct had been speaking with Akaepi as she continued to flatter and flirt with him as much as she knew how to at least. "Mhmm you’re right, I was quite rudely pulled away and abused wasn’t I. Humpf, we Vigilants really need to unionize. That'll show all those people who think they can boss us around what’s what. Yeah yeah thats a good idea." he said to himself going off on a tangent. "Hmm any advice huh? Well I suppose I'll tell you the solution for your first puzzle. Let’s see,

I have an eye but cannot see.

I am fast but I have no limbs.

What am I?..

There that is your hint, now please go right ahead. If you make it through the first I'll see you on the otherside." He commented before waving the group inside. Who would dare enter first?

Phaelastra's gaze followed the blonde Aellesaan. With slow steps, the rangari’s body dissapeared into the shadows once more, where she followed the path of the other. It would seem that she perhaps has the intention to prevent any harm that would come to her comrad, though they barely know each other.

Aellesaan didn't even take a second to recognize Danarshi's concern, but kept dancing her way to the door, and glided into the murky darkness. "Ah yes, darkness my old enemy. I have never missed your presence. Yet here we are, meeting again." She looked back for the Rangari she had heard called Phaelastra, but the darkness was so murky it prevented her vision. She lifted up her delicate hands, but she could barely see them. Fear gripped her heart causing her thick, decored tail to twitch, and her facial tendrils to go stiff. Aellesaan no longer wanted to sing.

Phaelastra was right behind her. Darkness had always been a friend to the woman, something that she’d used many times in the past to help her do her job. In a swift motion she steped out - just barely able to make the outline of Aellesaan. One of her strong arms wraped around the woman’s waist in attempt to comfort, her voice breaking through the shadows. “We should stay with the others, sister. Let us return to the others, yes?” Truthfully, Phae had stopped paying attention to all the talking - and would like nothing more than to get on with their mission. However, she also knew leaving Aellesan like this would keep them from doing so. She waits for the other woman’s response before she takes any further action.

Aellesaan jumped at the light touch of Phaelastra, but quickly calmed down at the familiar touch of a fellow sister. Looking into the Rangari's eyes and seeing a calm, collected demeanor, she nodded at her words. Aellesaan took a few steps back towards the door and waited for the others. "Thank you, sister. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, I charge ahead with no thought except for the goal ahead of us. It is both a blessing and a burden. Let us wait here for the others to join us, you are right." Aellesaan began to hum a bright melody as if to bat away the darkness cocooned around them.

This brought a smile to Phaelastra’s face that carried to her eyes. “It’s quite alright. The Naaru bless us differently for a reason, yes?” She lowers her arm, until her hand rested against the small of Aellesan’s back - a gentle reminder that she’s right there, the friend in the darkness. With each step of Aellesan’s, Phaelastra followed - allowing Aellesaan to set the pace. From time to time she found herself swaying her tail to the tune of her fellow Draenei, something she’s glad neither of her brothers were there to tease her over.

[aellesaan]

Wandering’s in Mac’Aree: Part Three

Part 1

Part 2 

Aellesaan was sitting in an exhausted heap on the cold tiled floor. Her lungs burned for life giving oxygen, and her legs were wrapped in the distance burn only running could give. Out of nowhere, she began cackling. "This construct is toying with us. Dangling death in front of our faces like a toy to a new born Draenei, and he finds it humouros to the point he makes a death riddle!" By now she is clutching at her sides with laughter as she wheezes and curls up on herself. "The answer is a coffin. Ha! How witty he is." Aellesaan smirks as she attempts to stand up once she realizes the floor is wet, and to her surprise, rising. She eyes the water with curiosity as she walks over to the three objects to peer at them in hopes one is a coffin.

Phaelastra stood straight with her eyes narrowed. She didn’t like these Azerothian tricks, nor the strange voices that came along with them. For a moment, she flickered her gaze to Aellesaan, and tried not to show her amusement over her statements. “Death is natural. Nothing about this place is.”

Meanwhile, Akaepi remained sloshing through the water with sodden boots and her Hydra seemed agitated at best. Riddles were really not her thing, so there was a degree of gratefulness that someone else was answering; right or not. She gave no comment, silent and watching, though the cackling Draenei garnered little more than a roll of her eyes. The Curator gleamed a short amount of her attention, though primarily she studied their surroundings and kept watch. The last thing she wanted was someone ambushing or surprising them.

As Danarshi reached the top, he stumbled over towards the nearest wall, and laid a hand against it in order to support his weight. He took this time to try and re-balance himself. Unfortunately for Danarshi, he had, as per usual, chosen to wear a robe. As water appeared to rise from the very floor itself, the lower section of the robe was immediately drenched; this would weigh him down, without a doubt. Once the image of the Curator came into existence, he trudged through the flooded floor at a slow pace, and approached the supposed hologram. "Hm." Danarshi sounded at the closing death threat; his eyes were now skirting around, specifically at the water that they were standing in. "Do we have a magus among us?" he suddenly questioned, directed towards his kin.

Aellesaan meekly raised her small, scared hand. "Does a magus in training count?" Her face is blushing a deep hue of blue. Riddles she loved, but being put to the test with magic? Her eyes were as wide as a curious baby Draenei.

Danarshi's eyes landed upon Aellesaan as she responded to his query. He looked her down. "If you are able to teleport, yes,” he responded after a few seconds of pause. "If we are unable to locate an exit from this tower, we will need a secondary means of escape. If we are lucky, and there are no magical wards in place that bar such spells." he proceeded to explain. He would then fall back to silence to allow the mage the necessary time to respond, herself.

Aellesaan nodded at Danarshi. "I can do that much." She looked around the room at the others, and the steadily rising water level. "I myself would rather not drown today. Any objections to my educated guess at the answer? We must make haste."

Danarshi returned the nod to Aellesaan. Having an alternate means of escape could prove detrimental, indeed. He reverted his attention forward, where the three ominous containers laid, and then walked towards them, he stopped only once he stood a few feet in front of them.

Danarshi rubed at his chin in thought as he carefully examined the features of each object. Did one of them resemble a coffin? That is what he was, at the most part, trying to grasp. "Opening the correct container must involve the next riddle." he audibly hypothesized before returning his attention to Aellesaan. "Sister. I noticed your observation of the Curator's words. A coffin is certainly a plausible answer," he said as he nodded at her a second time. Danarshi ultimately turned back to face the three objects. He was hoping that he could get the opinion of others, as well, on the choice.(edited)

It certainly seemed like Aellesaan didn't skip a beat, even with the eeriness of the situation they found themselves in. Despite the somewhat gloomy surroundings, and the malevolence that seemed to radiate all around them, she kept herself on the ball already thinking of the possible solutions to the puzzle they faced. Her answer of which they would find in the room they were now in, a closed coffin, but how to use it was the question if they chose it going forward. As members of the group started to move around in the liquid that seemed to be coming from below them, they would realize and notice it was thicker, gluggier, and more sticky than they would have imagined water to be. The light produced by their torches, and Aellesaan’s magic, dim though as it was, would allow any of them, if they looked close enough, to see what it was for true: a dark red substance, thick, sloshing, and quickly staining the ends of poor Danarshi's robes with what, by all accounts, seemed to be blood.

With their choice made, even though they made no moves towards it, the coffin door swung open with a loud creaking noise which echoed around the room painfully, almost as if trying to summon something forward. The coffin inside was dark, and seemed to be deeper, much deeper, than it should. Almost as if expecting them to enter inside; the space was easily large enough to accommodate the entire group within it.

Akaepi stared that coffin down for a generously long moment. Oh, this was all damn vile and now they had to hop into some poor bastards grave. A less than joyful laugh fell over her lips, nudging Aellesaan in the ribs as she passed to peer in. "Well, I am certainly not getting younger waiting and the 'door' has opened for us." If there was ever a queen for stupid and possibly dangerous decisions, then it was this particular Rangari. "If this closes on me, please get me out." Her hand lifted and rubbed her own horns for that bit of extra luck before she stepped into the coffin and the corridor beyond it. Her hydra diligently followed, and only took just a few seconds longer to ram his poor frame through it. Well, if naught else happened, at least they died in a premade coffin. How considerate.

Aellesaan cackled deeply as she saw the coffin, and noticed the liquid seeping in appeared to be blood. The humour of it all just got deeper and deeper. Oh how much that tickled her fancy. "This construct has won my friendship; he is so much fun." Just to be sure, She dipped a finger into the liquid, and gave it a lick. "Tastes like blood to me. I wonder if this is the blood of everyone who has tried to enter before-" she was interrupted by a jab in the side from Akaepi who seemed to be leering at the coffin. She giggled at her nudge and her sly joke, no they certainly would not get younger. The blood had the foul metallic taste to it that the others would have wondered how she could be so carefree and positive about tasting it. Her finger was stained red with the colour now as Aellesaan stepped up close to the cupboard. As she hoped in, Aellesaan peered in after her, her body leaning almost inside. If someone were to push her…

The magus seemed to have shaken the quiet foreign rangari. Phaelastra was once again glad to have her traditional face mask on. With a small shiver, she turned her gaze straight ahead while trying to ignore the eerie feeling this place gave her. She awaited the others, allowing them to act ahead of her, as she wanted to at least be useful and guard their backs - just in case.

Akaepi shooted a small glance to Phaelestra and offered out a thumbs up in reassurance. She would have offered a smile but, alas, her face was fully covered by her helm. Nobody had died yet, but the mage with them seemed quite keen on licking up blood. That certainly churned Akaepi's stomach something fierce. "Eugh-..." Note to self: stay away from that one. She consumes blood and laughs at blood and well, possible death scenarios. Yea, the sharp conclusion was drawn that Aellesaan was probably crazy.

As the choice was made, and the coffin opened its door for them, Danarshi was hesitant to enter. The Anchorite could only shoot a stare of sheer disturbance at Aellesaan. Laughing at the face of potential death. Humoured over standing hoof-deep in blood. Tasting the blood. The last time he had seen such behaviour was with the criminal psychopaths of Stormwind City, and the insane necromancers of the Auchenai. Without muttering a word to the woman, despite his concern for her, he passed through the coffin at a slow pace. At least, if anything, they had company who could keep their spirits lifted... hopefully.

At seeing Danarshi also pass through unharmed, Aellesaan followed right behind him. She began humming in a low, creepy tune. "I wonder if the corpses of the others before us will be on the other side? I wonder what terrible fate they suffered. You know, that blood tasted an awful lot like pigs blood, as if it was only a scare tactic,” she kept rambling on as they waiting inside the dark, deep coffin.

It certainly seemed Akaepi paid no mind or heed as she wholeheartedly stepped into the coffin with all the care and consideration of a gnat. Even cracking wise jokes while she did so as she found herself in a comfortably large space considering. Perhaps out of all of them Phael was the most considerate of the situation they found themselves in. Her own response far more reasoned than the other two in the situation. When Danarshi too entered the coffin, leaving the others standing right on the precipice, a loud shriek was elicited. The sound of crunching ensued as the center of the floor suddenly exploded showering them with debris and rubble; littering their clothing and hair. An enormous black claw thrust through the very floor. Though not just black, but darkness itself, almost as if no light could penetrate it, as if it was a void; an anomaly in their world. “Stoppppppp,” Something down below bellowed as the coffin shut hard, and flung the others inside of it with brute force, leaving them squished and trapped in darkness. That was until a light slowly shown: tracing a shape as they sought to see it before finally taking substance as a Draenic skull which began to speak to them. “Ahh new toys? Wonderful it has been too long since I feasted on fresh blood. Bone marrow only soothes the hunger so much you know. One longs for fresh meat,” It chattered at them gleefully. “But like the others, I have to give you a chance. Answer me this true, and free you shall go,” it promised them. “Now what am I? When you need me, you never have me. When you don’t want me, I never seem to go away. I who conquer kings and tyrants, even your castles fall before me. On your deathbed you may only wish for me a little more, but never do I answer,” It told them satisfied it would win.

Aellesaan screeched as she was shoved into the coffin likes sardines with her kin. Was that a blade in front of her eyes? She poked it and quickly withdrew her hand with a painful yelp. As the skull appeared, she poked that too and compared it to the skull on the end of her staff. How intriguing. It was slimmer, yet it contained bigger eye sockets. How unproportional. When it moved, and it's jaw began emitting words, she peered at it even closer. "What magic reanimates you? What were you before you became a talking skull? How did you die?" She wiped a finger against it and licked her finger. "You taste like salt. Probably in order to preserve you for longer usage." She had obviously gotten side tracked from the riddle, which she did know the answer to.

Ash was staying quiet for the most part as he followed his fellow Draenei on the search for the sceptor. He wasn't much one for riddles, and figured he'd leave that up for the others. He was quite content eating the sandwich he had packed for the trip as he followed close behind. As debri started to rain around them, he managed to cover his sandwich with his hand, making sure not to get any dust on it, and was just walking forward into the coffin as it slamed shut. Which unfortunately pushed him forward and caused him to drop his sandwich "Son of a bitch!" The first words to come out of his mouth since he started following, alerting the others of his presence. "Aright, someone's gonna pay for that. That was my lunch!" He grumbled a bit, not liking being in such an enclosed space, even if it was with some rather fine looking Draenei women. "I swear to the light, if someone farts in here...". Ash had indeed been quite lucky when he was thrown in, Akaepi's hydra had not decided to drop a fat one, him being so close to it, he would have cropped the stench that would have erupted quite badly. He looks around, hearing the voice come from somewhere, but not seeing it past all the others. He furrows his brow a bit "We don't have time for this bullshit, just show us the way through here so I can get another sandwich. I'm starving, and there isn't exactly a food vendor around here."

Akaepi's heart startled, a faint yelp given at the sudden darkness, the hand, and then this talking skull. Though panic could only last for so long when anger and stupidity arose. The rangari briskly stepped forward to yank Aellesaan back with a hiss, "Keep yourself in check, this is hardly the time for the likes of games." She snapped, "Now can you answer the riddle or not? Because I certainly do not wish to die in a pitch black hole because my current company decided to lick the damn beast holding us here!" She wouldn't even start about the Vindicator snapping over food. By the light, she was going to stress vomit.

Aellesaan blinked, and then hissed at Akaepi. Closing her eyes to calm herself, she promptly spoke, "The answer is obviously time. As our new addition to the group stated as well. If one were more curious and willing to learn and listen, perhaps you would be better at riddles, hm?" A deep, long sigh escaped between her soft, light blue lips, and her sky blue eyes looked upon the skull once more. "I wish to study you one day, however we are on a mission. The answer to your simple riddle is time. Now please let us pass. Our new addition sounds rather hungry now that you rudely made him drop his sandwich, and I would rather not have him go on a killing rampage simply because he's too hungry and could not better prepare."

"I would be careful who you are insulting." The Rangari snapped back with a bare of teeth, clearly not taking well to the blatant slander thrown her way. "We are on a mission, yes, so perhaps you should take this more seriously than it appears you are. This is no time to be licking BLOOD and acting as if we are on some leisurely stroll. This has nothing to do with learning; we have a task at hand." With such spoken, she merely stepped aside with a hard glare fixated on her face. The rest of her expression was hidden, but likely just as sour.

Aellesaan's eyes went wide at Akaepi, but she didn't say a word back to her. Quietly under her breath though, you could make out the words 'anger problems' and 'calm'. Aellesaan would definitely be staying away from that one.

Ash calmed down as the others walked forward and he realized they were not in an enclosed coffin, but in a larger room. As Aellesaan approached the skull, he finally saw where the disembodied voice was coming from before he looked down, and saw his sandwich lying on the blood soaked floor. With a frown again, he lifted up one of his hooves and inspected them, stained red from wading through the blood. "Hey, do you guys think my hooves will stay like this? This looks bad ass." He looks back up as the two start bickering, and raises a brow. "Hey now, calm your tits, this is no place to start fighting, especially amongst each other." Now that he didn't have his sandwich to occupy his mouth, he was being far more vocal, having been quiet enough that no one had noticed him until now.  He looks at the skull that Aellesaan is speaking with, and walks forward "Listen, you mouthy little paper weight, she answered your stupid riddle, now let us through, or I'll use your teeth as a butt scratcher."

As Ash approached the skull, Aellesaan tilted her head in curiosity, watching them like a predator watches its prey.

A grunt from the normally stealthy Phaelastra is quite enough to voice how displeased she is to be in this situation. But other than this, she’d been relatively quiet - until now. “... from what I understand, teeth don’t make a good butt scratcher.” Her tone is flat, with the slightest hint of amusement.

With Phael's comment one would only be bound to question how and why she might know this as fact. Being as obscure as it was, it certainly wasn’t the kind of knowledge you simply learned at school as a kid. She may indeed have quite some explaining to do if anyone questioned her on that sort of activity. The skull was surprised and infuriated at the woman before him's actions, never having felt so disrespected and attacked in his life, the way she manhandled, poked, and even licked him made him splutter and chatter his teeth angrily. "What.. ahh.. ugh.. damn... You.. stupid... HOW DARE YOU LICK THE GREAT AND POWERFUL UZI'REKT! I should be worshiped as a god, not treated as some curiosity or interest!" He responded back furiously. "I am the great Archimonde's personal conjurer.. I who serve him in all things, for all eternity..." He told them, seemingly he didn't realize he was not alive any longer.

The skull peered forward out of the door, seeming to stretch and elongate. "Is that your answer?" It asked excitedly trying to throw them off with his comment before snapping back as it groaned. "How did you get it....fine.  You win. You get to live." It complained before disappearing, and plunging them into complete darkness. They would feel themselves fall forwards, likely ending up all over one anothers business before feeling a rush and pressure as the coffin started to slide along, and slide along fast, whizzing forwards as it seemed to be moving along  a track, circular and climbing, as if going up. The trip as they tumbled, rolled and fell around inside, took near four minutes before it popped free, coming upright as what they had thought to be a back wall slide open, sliding down into the floor, to reveal a brightly lit room. It was a few hundred metres long, with a pedastool at the end of it, and perhaps that was their prize, they were certainly away from the monster that had been below at any rate.

[aellesaan]

Wanderings of Mac’Aree: Part Two.

Part Three

As the two females entered the building, Danarshi listened intently to Epilvik as he described the sceptor of Archimonde in depth, issuing the Justicar with his undivided attention. As the explanation draws to an end, Danarshi, in turn, returns a nod to Epilvik in acceptance of the situation. "It is near difficult to fathom the concept of such a powerful artifact being within our very grasp. If this is where it is truly located, and this is the trial in which we must pass in order to retrieve it, then I am in utmost agreement with you, Justicar. We must try. If such a weapon harbors even the slimmest of chances to wound the Dark Titan himself, then we cannot afford to ignore it, or allow it to fall into the wrong hands." he articulated. He conclusively forms into a salute of service before the Justicar. "When you are prepared, lead the way, Justicar. I shall follow you to the ends of this place." he states, returning to a passive stance a few seconds later. Upon Epilvik's command, he would move into the tower, though he could not help but notice his eager sisters who had already started their journey into the darkened structure.

The rest of the group would undoubtedly follow as Aellesaan and Phaelastra would step inside the old building. Rhuua, Epil, and their two beasts brought up the rear, with the small burning torches on their mounts lighting the inky blackness. They revealed what would amount to be a rather large foyer, much the same as would be seen in many storefronts or perhaps a hotel and other similar places the group may have seen. If Epilvik noticed Aellesaan and Phaelastra's closeness, he didn't make comment. Either not noticing, or not thinking it important as he looked around the room, clearly the two girls seemed to be quite happy to take the position of leader in this exploration and he was more than content to letting them explore and move the group as they saw fit. "Hmm now to find a way that the curator's comments make sense in relation to where we need to go." Epilvik questioned, as it seemed there were three tunnels that went off this room, a set of staircases at the end of each could just be made out. One of the tunnels was brightly lit and clear the whole way down, one covered in inky unpenetrable darkness, and in the third a howling could be made out down it, seemingly up the stairs, but not the howling of an animal, no more like one of a harsh storm, a primal earthly howl. Around the room would be several desks, as well as a small sitting and waiting area. Likely nothing that could be of purpose, however the group was free to spread around and look, one never knew what might occur.

Akaepi cast a glance down the three tunnels in turn. As lovely as the nice, warm and light one was- yea, if this was a test then it wasn't that one. It was downright too inviting and that enough was cause for it to be the wrong answer. The second and third equally made her skin crawl but she settled at the howling corridor and outstretched a hand to test for any sort of draft or wind coming from the corridor. "Anything upon the desks?" She calls back, her hydra seeming to just lumber about behind her with an uneasy little snarl given. If putting money on their destination was at hand, she'd pick spooky corridor number three and claim her prize now.

Aellesaan sighed in relief as the dim light from the torches lit up the antechamber. Giggling to herself, she brought a bright blue flame onto her hand for her own torch. Silly girl forgetting such a simple task, she chided herself. Taking a look at the tunnels, she agreed with Akaepi. "The answer to the riddle is obviously a hurricane, or a tornado. They have an eye, but cannot see. They move fast, but have no legs." With a nod to herself, and a glance back at Phaelastra, she moved to stand in front of the entrance. "I hope you guys brought hats if there really is a storm in there. You wouldn't want your hair looking like a rat from the sewer made their home within your hair." Fiddling in her pouch, she procured a leather hat, almost like a lumber jacks hat, but with cutouts for her horns, and strings on the flaps to tie under her chin. "Perhaps we will find out if there is life after death today. I sure do love learning!"

As the dim light washed throughout the large foyer of the tower, revealing many of the eery features that were scattered about the interior, Danarshi did not, once, allow himself to be swept up in the moment. Any manner of creature, from panthara to evil spirits, could sneak up on them at any moment. He did, however, notice the three tunnels, each with a significantly differing atmosphere about them. It was true: one tunnel was too inviting, one was too mysterious, and the other was, well, something. The third did certainly line up with the riddle, however, as it did sound much like a hurricane or tornado. As the group wandered forward, a voice would've spoken from the darkness. Sardonic and biting, the gravely tones were - no doubt - startling at first as it spoke . "You lot are all standing around like a bunch of  sitting ducks." From the inky blackness Tzipor'rah would've emerged, looking fierce despite her small stature. Her tight leathers were topped with a fearsome looking helm, the kind that many Rangari wore during field work. She stood with a hand on her hip and her bow slung over her shoulder. Like the ever faithful shadow he was, Kha'ul too appeared from behind the group looking as sparkling as ever, his ethereal form towering over Tzipor'rah's as he stood by her side. "Walking directly into a storm seems like a terrible idea. Don't people usually try to avoid storms?" Kha'ul asked, raising a purple and sparkly brow. Tzipor'rah shot him a look. "In normal circumstances, but these are not normal circumstances."

As the voice of Tzipor'rah rang from the darkness, Danarshi alertly twisted his entire body in its general direction. As, however, the Draenei huntress usually makes her appearances, he immediately stood down, remaining silent. Eventually, he nears Aellesaan, and had overheard her questioning of the afterlife. The Anchorite peers towards the woman. "There is a life after death, sister, and, lest you pass on peacefully, you do not want to live it." he plainly describes. This man wasn't dead, yet, still, he knew all about it.

"I cannot say there is anything too terrible for ducks that are sat." Akaepi quipped back at Tzipor’rah with a visible roll of her eyes. One of her shoulders rolled, a huff falling from her lips and trying to play off the sharp start that her poor heart received at some stranger slinking out of the darkness. Her head shook slightly before turning to Aellesaan, "I am aware of the answer, given we have what appears to be a storm down this corridor but I would much rather not jump to conclusions without first surveying the situation first." Her hand continued to scratch at her Hydra's scalp, the beast hissed very loudly at Tzipor'ah for daring to scare him.

Aellesaan blinked at Akaepi, and turned away, feeling slightly berated. She continued to patiently stand there, her tail swinging to the beat of a song that was stuck in her head.

Once Phaelastra felt Aellesaan was safe with the others, she stepped back into the darker shadows. Her fingers stroked against her quiver of arrows; her grey-silver eyes watching the group.

Akepi's searching and looking on the desks would elicit no aid in their current task, but she would find hundreds upon hundreds of drawings, seemingly pictured of the lobby they stood in. Only the images had a murky black shape coming in it from all sides, clawed hands seemingly reaching for the dozens of individuals in the office, drawings after drawings repeating these images, the hands getting closer and closer until she would simply come across black pages. What would be most eerie though, would be the fact that the male to female ratio of the individuals in the lobby in the images, would match the group of Te'Amun, as if history was repeating itself, or, it was to come. Any further thought on this matter quickly came to an abrupt end though as both the front doors sealed shut, the light that was coming in blacking out, as an ink like look spread out over the glass, the only light left would be the torches they had with them and their magical ability.

When Aellesaan spoke the tunnel she believed to be the answer, a loud chime could be heard coming down it. The sound repeating every time another agreed with her, signifying something or reinforcing their choice perhaps. Albeit at the same time, a rough creaking could be heard from below, a rumble, the sound of cracking, breaking, smashing, almost as if the floor was crumbling away beneath them. The group would need to move sooner rather than later, did they trust their minds choice to lead them to safety?

Aellesaan quit pouting and immediately looked at the tunnel when it chimed. A smile spread across her lips as it chimed again, almost like a ‘I-told-you-so’ smirk. As the ground began shaking, she dived for the tunnel, "Well looks like the party is about to get started!" She shoulder rolled down the length of it, feeling the increasing rumble of the ground below.

The Rangari Akaepi could not help but roll her eyes. A faint grumble of 'So much for caution' rolling out from under her breath as she glanced to the others then the corridor. She didn't like this place-... She didn't like those pictures and she definitely did not like how the floor was falling away either. "We should move." She, oh so helpfully, called out. "Do not wander too far from the group nor split apart. We do not know what is in here."

For a small while, Danarshi remained in silence. Whilst his kin worked to unravel the mysteries of the foyer, he kept a steady eye trained upon their blackened surroundings - that was until the troubling sounds started to erupt from the very floor itself. Danarshi peered towards the ground beneath his hooves, his eyes widening. As Akaepi made the wisest of calls, he did not hesitate to follow her lead. "Precisely! Let us move, brothers and sisters!" he replied, beckoning the few others towards him as he ducks into the noisy tunnel.

As the group followed Akaepi and Aellesaan sprinting down the hall, any who might glance back would only see darkness. A penetrating deep darkness. One of which no light could possibly escape, so encompassing as to drown out even a glimmer of hope; the floor being eaten up step by step, whether or not just disappearing in the darkness or into the darkness was a question none of them would wish to answer. Not with the disturbing eerie groan that came from within it, almost as if it was trying to speak. A deep malevolence buried within the darkness below, the sound of scratching claws, grinding and screeching against the polished stone. The passage was only 20 or so meters long, but it felt like a mile as they bolted in mortal fear for their lives. Bounding up the stairs swiftly, rising two floors up, before they would feel safe enough to collapse panting in exhaustion, and catch their breath. It was here on this flight though that their good friend returned, the Curator. Blipping in on some sort of pedastol, obviously not there physically, but the image seemed off somehow. The construct was bathed in a blood red, flickering, wavy and garbled, its voice distorted and uneasy. It looked back and forth, and around as if it didn't want to be there even in this form. "Run run run... dont stop now... run run run.... hiding is futile .... run run run.... find what the person who buys me doesn't need me, the person who makes me doesn't want me, and the person who uses me can't appreciate me.... or perish in this place..." It said to them before blinking out. They would notice with that they were plunged into darkness, only the torches they carried and a single ceiling light remained on; there beneath it rested three objects, each of which could be opened. They however soon noticed that in the darkness it seemed to be getting wet... although they were in a building, but stranger yet, this rain that seemed to fall, didn't fall so much as rise, splattering against them as they moved. They'd soon realize if they stepped they seemed to be standing in hoof deep puddles of some kind. It was that moment the pedastol flashed back on. "You are all going to die in here." It told them clearly and menacingly before blinking back out just as quickly.

[lunri-moonguardian]

For Azeroth!

It was Lunri's first mission with the Draenei of Te'Amun. Their hooves echoing in tbe cavernous waste of Krokuul Hovel. Or as some nicknamed it, Krokuul Hotel. A smirk sneaked onto her face at the thought.

Their mission was to aid in the retaking of the crashed ship, the Xenedar, and safely procure X'era. If the enemy got their hands on the Naaru... A shiver slipped down her spine as a feeling of unease crept over her. No, that could not be allowed to happen.

At her left side, was her fiancee Osgoth, who had joined Te'Amun with her. On her right was the Justicar himself, Epilvik with a stoic Lightwarden Rhuua right by him. Since the day she had joined the order, became on of these people, she had felt renewed hope and a sense of belonging. Together, they would vanquish these intruding demons and reclaim their home. It had been a long time coming.

--------

The ship was just in sight now, a pile of bloody twitching demons left in their wake as they made haste. Osgoth was back to back with her, he eliminating the closer opponents and she eliminating the farther ones with chi powered lightning. Should any dare come to close, they were met with swift pummels from her hand blades or a swipe at the knees with her tail blade. She was soaked in demonic ichor, both black and red blood alike. Brain matter coated her leather armour, and entrails could be seen along the valley floor. Wild animals would have a mighty feast tonight.

For what seemed like hours, it went on like this. Until -finally they came upon the Army of the Light guarding the Xenedar in a vain attempt to keep X'era safe. Renewed vigour filled everyone to the brim as they worked together to clear the swarm. Before more could come, male draenei were dispatched inside to help the Lightforged retrieve X'era. Te'Amun held the lines for them, fatigue beginning to set in. Finally, the party emerged, and they were quickly beemed back up into the Genedar. They had really done it.

As everyone was safely beemed back inside, hugs and slaps on the back were exchanged with victorious smiles engulfing everyone's faces. Lunri felt proud to have come with her Order. To feel like she had helped to make a difference in their long fight against the Legion.

[lunri-moonguardian]

Chi

In a rare, dreamless slumber, I awoke to voices of Rhuua and Epilvik tickling the outer reaches of my senses. The silk sheets cocooned around my body slid against my bony form like water against skin as I turned over in an effort to avoid the sun scintillating through the bed side window. In the week since arriving here, nearly dead, already I could move with out curssing in Argussian. With the sun no longer dancing across my pale purple eyelids, I opened my sleep encrusted eyes and sat up with my back against the numerous round pillows. I tossed back the sheets and looked down at my scantly clad body. Bruises still flaunted themselves on my too bony form, and the cuts sported a red outlines, but it was improvement. When I had arrived here, in Epilvik’s arms, I had been on death’s door step. Scalped, cut, bruised, and blood encrusted, I had been tended to by his mate, Rhuua. She had done the best she could, but my head would remain hairless, and a nasty, crude scar would start at one hip and extend to the other hip. I reached a hand up and felt along my horns, the carved runes still there, emitting shadow magic.

Sleep as of late had been a distant memory. Voices, vivid memories, and night terrors now plagued me as my body tried to recooperate and heal. They barred me from meditation which meant my chakras remained unbalanced and I could not touch the Chi longily wished to embrace myself in. When I touched my Chi, a sense of belonging, calm, and happiness filled every inch of me. Now, when I needed it the most, it was untouchable. It made me feel ashamed, and weak. I told myself I should bring it to the attention of Rhuua, but I could not. A doubt lingered in me that she would even be able to help as healing could only go so far and this was a matter of the soul and not the physical body.  Born an innocent, cherised, and pefect daughter, now here I sat staring at myself in shame, a broken, mentally unstable, scathed daughter. A part of me was glad my family was dead and unable to see me like this.

Unwilling to give up, I folded in my legs, and relaxed my body as I closed my eyes. I pictured a small, green, cloud of soothing mists. As I steadied my breathing, and opened myself up to it, I willed the cloud to grow and envelop me. Right as it’s sweet essence was about to tickle my purple skin, voices racked my brain and broke the connection.

”You were too weak to help!”

”I should have left you to Valicos!”

”Don’t leave me, Lunri. You’re all I have left.”

Voices from Aadrika, Oz, my parents, everyone I had let down, ravaged my mind like nails on a chalk board. “SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP,” I angrily whispered as my frail hands dug into my scalp. Around and around they went, never ceasing. I would cry myself to sleep, my body too exhausted to process the thoughts my mind produced.