Warcraft: Light's End

[Reivan Dawnstar]

((This is a private RP between Dragonfyre and myself. Please refrain from posting. Thank you.))


The sky was covered in ominous clouds as the thunder of unseen footsteps could be heard on the wind. The Clerics of Karabor aided any straggling Draenei into the hidden tunnel that led towards The City of Shattrath. The flames of torches danced in the wind as the fog began to slowly creep over the landscape. An unnatural green aura could be seen rising from the horizon. The final battle was at hand.
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Ahnkoron stood vigilant at the foot of the Ata'mal Terrace. His warhammer held tightly in his right hand. The thunder was more of a dull thrum to him now. Suddenly, he saw a light flicker through the trees. He raised his warhammer, ready to strike anything that approached him. The light flickered again. His eyes grew in horror. He turned and passed the gate, slamming them shut. "To arms! The Orcs have arrived!" He ran towards the temple, when a female brushed his arm. "Darling. What is the matter?" The woman asked, concern in her tone. "Niklaya! The Orcs have arrived!" He continued to run past her. "I must warn the others!" She turned to follow him. She halted a few steps later to turn to one of the priestesses. "Let every able body know that they must take up arms. The time has come sister." The priestess nodded. "It will be done, mistress." Niklaya smiled and touched the other female's shoulder. "May the Light guide you." Her hand flared with a golden light, seeping into the priestess. She stood tall and turned to warn the others. Niklaya turned back around to follow Ahnkoron's path. She saw him at the entrance to the temple. She approached him just when he was about to speak to Guardian Akama. "Vindicator Ahnkoron. How may I help you?" He said with a warm smile. "The Orcs have arrived! We must speed up the refugees." His smile diminished into a look of shock. "I will tend to it personally. Thank you for bringing this to my attention." A ground shaking slam was heard behind Ahnkoron. He ran to the top of the stairs and stared as the gate began to give way. He raised his warhammer to the ready. Niklaya sofly gripped his bicep, letting him know that she was right beside him. The other Draenei began to get in formation around them. Their struggle for existence was about to begin.  

[Reivan Dawnstar]

They stood motionless for what seemed like an eternity. Every slam against the gate made Ahnkoron's heart leap. The gate started to splinter and give way. He got glimpses of glowing red eyes that seemed to be filled with hatred, through the holes. Finally with one more great thrust, the orc's breached the gate. They swarmed onto the terrace like an insect swarm. Filled with Bloodlust they hacked away at anything that stood in their path. Ahnkoron parried an axe and retaliated by hitting the orc in the face with the hilt of his hammer. The orc fell back down the stairs and was trampled to death by the oncoming Horde. Ahnkoron turned and swung his hammer into the chest of an attacker. He could feel the bones give way underneath the hit, as he heard the sickening crunch. The orc fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

His face contorted in hate. He looked up to see Niklaya battling three attackers of her own. He leapt over a corpse and slammed an axe head to the ground before it hit him. He reached Niklaya as she felled the last attacker. He stood at her back as they defeated foe after foe. Ahnkoron kicked an orc in the stomach and brought his hammer down hard on its back, as Niklaya blinded another making him swing franticly in all directions. Killing his own in the process. They just needed to buy time. Hopefully, help was on the way.  

[Dragonfyre]

Xaturi tossed the book down unceremoniously, glaring at it irritably as it lay on top of the growing heap of documents on the desk. The normally bustling temple was far beneath her tower study, but it was perfectly quiet now, the civilians had already fled the conflict that was to come. Cowards.

She started to pace. The dull thudding of her hooves on the flagstones was the only sound to break the heavy silence. A storm was brewing, that was for certain. But it was more than mere thunder that hung in the air. The distant thrumming of fel energy had been a constant, troubling undertone all week, subtly growing stronger and stronger as the days progressed, audible only to those who developed a sensitivity to it. By now it had reached a deafening roar in the mage's keenly-tuned mind, and it was thwarting every attempt at concentration she could muster. Their doom was approaching. And unless some brilliant plan sprang into her mind out of nowhere...

Xaturi snapped her fingers with an impatient growl, and a mote of volatile, crackling energy flared suddenly to life above her hand. Its harsh yellow light flooded the study, throwing off sparks that threatened to set a merry blaze in the considerable hoard of dry paper. She leaned closer to the shelf next to her and peered at the names of the dusty tomes, muttering indistinctly under her breath as she read. All attempts at diplomacy had failed miserably. But not all of the orc messengers had been returned to their masters untouched, despite the council's warnings. Without the knowledge they possessed, the draenei would be fighting blind. There had not been much information to be had, but beneath the rumblings of war there was muttering of meddling demons, the merest whisper of Kil'Jaeden...

The soundless roar grew stronger still, pulsing so strongly with the pure, chaotic energy of the Twisting Nether that it seemed to shake the very ground beneath her feet. Xaturi rubbed a fist into her forehead in a vain attempt to dispel the splitting headache it was producing. If only it would shut up for a moment, maybe she could think... A book suddenly tumbled from the shelf beside her, snapping the mage quickly out of her reverie. She looked up - the ground really was shaking.

Xaturi ran to the balcony, and her jaw dropped as she glimpsed the chaos below - the enemy was already here, and beginning to swarm into the temple by the hundreds. The tremor must have been the gate giving way. "Light save us..." After snatching a glowing ruby hurriedly from the desk, she hurtled down the tower steps. About halfway down, she collided with a snarling orc and was flung back into the wall, knocking the breath from her lungs. She stared in shock at him for a split second before her reflexes kicked in and fired off a massive explosion of fire energy at the orc as he charged back toward her, a rusty axeblade swinging just inches from her face until he was flung backward by the force of the explosion. She shot another blast of fire toward him, then turned and hurried down the steps before he could recover himself. How had they gotten so far in? Her blood turned to ice - Was it possible they had already overrun the temple? She murmured a well-practiced sequence of warding spells, glittering runes spinning a shield around her as she began to descend into the fray.

 

[Reivan Dawnstar]

They were horribly outnumbered. For every enemy they killed, two more took its place. They had to think of something quick if they were to survive. Ahnkoron closed his eyes and prayed to the Light. His warhammer began to glow and he thrust it toward the nearest group. Light shot out of the head and expanded, forming an impenetrable shield around them. They were safe, for now.

Suddenly, the air began to dry up and crackle as sparks of flame began to erupt out of the air. He immediately looked for the source and saw a group of warlocks chanting behind the warriors. "Niklaya! Try to reverse the spell!" She looked at him and smiled. A golden aura emanated from her as the fierce attack was flung back to the unsuspecting casters. Incinerating any enemy in the line of fire. Ahnkoron continued to bash away axes and spears.

Niklaya's presence became faint. Ahnkoron turned to see an Orc pull the corrupted spear from Niklaya's bosom. Ahnkoron stared wide eyes as she began to teeter. He grabbed the orcs spear and thrust it up into his chin, making it protrude out of the top of his skull. He caught Niklaya just as she was about to hit the ground. He clutched her close to his chest. He tried to heal the wound, but the vile enchantment had already done its deed. Niklaya was dying. He gripped her closer as the remaining orcs moved in to finish him. "My darling, Niklaya. I'm so sorry." He sobbed. She slowly looked up to him and smiled. She reached up and caressed his cheek, wiping away the tears falling from his eyes. "Don't worry, my love. We'll be together again. I love......" Niklaya exhaled her last mortal breath. Ahnkoron stared at her lifeless body. He pulled her closer to him. He screamed in agony. "Niklaya! No!" He was oblivious to the orc slowly walking up behind him. It rose its waraxe, ready to deliver a mortal strike.  

[Dragonfyre]

Xaturi's eyes widened as she reached the base of the tower. The temple sanctum was crawling with orcs, only a few scattered patches of Draenei still holding their ground, and even those small patches of resistance began to flicker out as she watched. There was a small cluster of Draenei a few yards away that seemed to be fading fast, their last fighters already seemed to be wounded, they would fall if they didn't receive help.

Xaturi bounded into the chaos with a wordless yell, flinging raw fire and torrents of spells toward any orcs that stood in her path, creating a blazing inferno around her that consumed all who approached. An irrational feeling of glee bubbled up into a triumphant laugh as she watched her enemies' charred remains fall to the ground, only to be trampled by a new wave that met the same fate. A savage grin spread over her face. This was what should happen to enemies of the Draenei.

She slowly carved her path through the sea of orcs, her face stern with concentration as she fought to keep her shields viable and offense blazing, at the same time deflecting the foul magic of the warlocks as they wove curses of corruption and weakness. She had nearly reached the gathering, there were now only two fighters left, and they were huddled on the ground, unawares as one of the barbarians lifted his axe for a deadly swing. Wait, wasn't that...? Why wasn't he fighting?!

"AHNKORON!!" She struck out at the orc threatening him with a savage yell, hitting it point-blank with a blast of fire, then shoving it aside with a sharp blow from her staff as it reeled, clutching its destroyed face and roaring in agony. She rushed into the clearing and tugged roughly at the knight's shoulder. "Ahnkor-" She stopped short as she saw the lifeless figure he was huddled over. She stood there stunned for a moment, but hurriedly shoved the wave of emotions away and shook the knight's shoulder urgently, her back still turned to the battle. "Ahnkoron, you must fi-" But even those few seconds of hesitation was enough, and she was suddenly tossed aside as a wild blow from the wounded orc struck the back of her head. The impact was dampened by the protective spells, but it was enough to send stars bursting into her vision, her shielding spells flickering out of existence as she stumbled unsteadily to her feet.
 

[Reivan Dawnstar]

The warm hand of Xaturi shook him out of his daze. He stood tall, eyes glowing with retribution. He looked at the orc that was about to finish Xaturi. He jumped at it and brought his hammer down onto the orcs head. It's skull not able to withstand an attack of that magnitude, caved in. The headless figure lowered its axe. It teetered for a moment before falling to the ground. He rose his head and let out a vengeful cry. He ran to Xaturi and shielded her. He parried countless attacks and retaliated with deadly accuracy. The orcs began to dwindle in numbers around them. Ahnorkon knew that there were many more inside the temple itself. He had to rush to their aid. But, first he had to neutralize these invaders. He stamped the ground and it began to glow a brilliant gold. The orcs hesitated for only a second. A second that Ahnkoron took advantage of. He swung his hammer in an arc as light erupted from it. The light hit the first one square in the chest, leaving a deep gash. It continued onto the rest of the orcs, leaving a trail of death in its wake. It hit the last standing orc in the face before it dissipated. The orc merely stood stunned for a moment. Then its face began to dissolve into dust.

An orc behind Ahnkoron began to run away. He looked in the direction of the orc and concentrated on the figure. A beam of pure light shot down from the sky and incinerated it. All that was left was a pile of ash and the faint echo of a scream. The last enemy was destroyed. He exhaled and began to waver. The amount of power he used sapped him of his energy. He shook his head and ran to Xaturi. "Thank you, my friend. I owe you my life." he whispered to her. He extended his gauntleted hand and touched the back of her head. With what little power he had left, he healed the gash. The wound sealed almost instantly. "Karabor is lost. We must make our way to the Temple and aid the others in our flight to Shattrath." He stood up and extended his hand to help her up. He glanced over to the lifeless body of Niklaya. A single tear running down his cheek.  

[Reivan Dawnstar]

Ahnkoron's eyes widen as he feels a deep, malicious presence. He looked up to the sky as the clouds swirled ominously overhead. "Xaturi. Do you feel that? It feels...familiar." His jaw slackens as a dark figure descends from the sky. It lands several steps behind Niklaya's lifeless body. "No! Get away from her!" Ahnkoron throws a beam of light at the being. It seemed to dissolve into the darkness. The shadow glanceed at him with its pitch black orbs. It looked down at the body in front of it, then back up at Ahnkoron. A lighter area around where its face would be turns to form a smile. The shadow then descends upon Niklaya and consumes her."NO!" he screams as he lunges at the shadow, swinging his mace at the form. The mace flows though it as though it didn't exist. The shadow looks up at Ahnkoron, its "face" nearly touching his, and smirks."She...is mine." The shadow laughs. Ahnkoron fell to his knees, sobbing. "Niklaya..." Ahnkoron whispers as he buries his face in his hands. He then looks up at the mist, screaming. "Give her back!" The shadow shrugs, grinning. "If that is your wish." It extends its arms, revealing a dark vortex. Darkness surrounds him.
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Ahnkoron opens his eyes. The dull light of the morning creeping through the window. He looks around to see that he is in a small room. His gear is piled onto a nearby desk. Xaturi asleep in the chair across from it. Xaturi... He slowly gets up and walks to the window. The city below, just beginning to wake for the approaching day. He walks over to Xaturi's still form and picks her up, carrying her to the bed. He slowly puts her down and covers her. "Thank you, my friend." he whispers. He grabs his gear and walks out the door. I can never get away from that nightmare. Though that shadow...it always seems to be out of place. It wasn't there that day. He sighs as he walks into the empty streets. Or was it? And why does it always seem so familiar? Like I know the presence, just not the face. Ugh. I'm not thinking straight. It's just a dream. Stepping into the square, he walks to the fountain and sits down. Trying to clear his mind of the burning images.  

[Dragonfyre]

Xaturi muttered something drowsily as she slowly settled back to sleep, lost in her own dreams, in a world of ice and snow. She had nodded off only a few hours previous, poring over old letters until the small hours of the morning. She slept fitfully for about a half hour or so, and woke with a start as a door slammed downstairs in the inn's tavern. A fatigue-bleared bad temper settled over her at once, and she quickly found herself completely unable to fall back asleep, staring instead up at the dim ceiling. Damn it all, it's hardly even dawn... She growled under her breath as rose, rubbing a kink out of her back with a wince. "Damn chairs... well that was a stupid idea." She blinked fuzzily, and picked the sheets away with a bemused frown. "I could have sworn I fell asleep at the desk... hrrmph." She shrugged and got up with a stretch, splashing cold water from the basin into her face to wake herself up.

Xaturi took a deep breath and sighed, blinking away the last remnants of drowsiness as the refreshingly icy water quickly evaporated. "Ah, that's better... I wonder where Ahnkoron's gone..." She looked around the room for any sign of him, but it was empty. A chilly morning breeze swept in through the open window, the sill crusted lightly with melting frost from the brisk autumn night. She shivered, clicking her tongue in annoyance, and moved to close it. "Tsk. Well it's no wonder those damnable insects got in, it was cold enough too..." A glint of metal in the square below caught her eye. Ahnkoron was sitting on the fountain, clearly lost in thought, frowning as he puzzled over something. So that's where he went... Her curiosity sharpened, but she decided to leave him to his thoughts for a little while. She slammed the window shut unceremoniously and turned to pull on her warmer outer robes from where they lay across her chair, tidying her desk as she went - brushing away a few insect-sized puffs of ash that were strewn across the desktop, scrubbing lightly with her fingertip to remove (or at least smear around) the charred marks beneath them, and then shoving all her papers into one corner.

Xaturi finally made her way downstairs, sniffing the air with a grin, her mood rapidly improving as the tantalizing scent of baking bread and sizzling bacon drifted up from the kitchens, making her stomach growl rather noisily. After leaving a few coins for the inkeeper, she quickly found a plate and scooped up a rather large helping of the delicious-smelling breakfast dishes that were being prepared, ignoring the chef's glare as she swiped another for her other hand. If there's one thing these human creatures are good at, it's cooking, She thought to herself with a contented smirk as she started on her third stack of the strangely delicious sweet flat cakes they served here, drowning them with a generous puddle of sweet syrup as the humans did. I really must get this recipe from the cook...

Eventually, contentedly full and in a considerably brighter mood, she sauntered out to the main square and sat down next to Ahnkoron on the fountain, and just quietly watched as the people of Stormwind begin to wake up and go about their business, setting up the marketplace and hawking their wares loudly to whoever would listen, some even making up little tunes to advertise themselves. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but said nothing. He seemed troubled... Well, If he wished to talk, he could. If not, she shrugged mentally, then she would amuse herself by controlling the vermin population. But she would be quiet, of course, to avoid offending his sensibilities. He wouldn't notice as a fat sewer rat scuttled under a market stall and suddenly keeled over, only a thin wisp of smoke betraying the true cause of its sudden demise. She chuckled inwardly, managing to keep the light-hearted smirk of her face.
 

[Reivan Dawnstar]

Ahnkoron glanced over to Xaturi. "What's so funny?" He slowly followed her gaze toward a nearby kiosk, looking around to find the joke. He slowly looked down to see what looked like the charred remains of a rat. He looked back at her. "You know...There might be some help you can get for being addicted to blowing things up," he frowned. "Besides, we're not here to take control of the Stormwind rat problem." He slowly got to his feet. "I think we should leave before you decide to blow up a district."

Ahnorkon slowly walked back to the inn, still thinking about his dream. His eyebrows creased together. It just doesn't make sense... He looked behind him to see Xaturi still on the fountain a few feet away. He sucked in a breath and walked back. "Xaturi. I have a question." He sighed. "What do you remember about the Battle for Karabor? The reason I ask is that I keep having this dream. It's just that...something is off. Do you remember a dark shadow enveloping Niklaya? Or me, for that matter?" He chuckled to himself at how bizarre it sounded. "I'm pretty sure it's just some creative thing my subconscious whipped up. But I still can't shake the feeling that this shadow is very real. It felt like...." he glanced around to make sure nobody was listening, then whispered one name. "Kil'Jaeden."