[Character Bio] Wisdom, Beauty, and Strength

Represents: Wisdom

Full Name: Arian Lynea Silver
Nicknames: Ary; Lyn
Date of Birth: June 9th.
Age: 22
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Hair: Brown
Skin: Tan
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'8"
Weight: ---
Place of residence: Darnassus (travels abroad).
Wealth Status: Poor
Place of Birth: Tyr's Hand.
Known Relatives: Mother and father. (Deceased)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion/Philosophy: The Light and believer in everything that is right.
Occupation: Paladin
Detailed Class: Harbinger of the Light's wrath.
Group/Guild affiliation: The restored order of The Knights of the Silver Hand.
Rank: Elite
Enemies: The Burning Legion, The Scourge, and anyone who harms the weak and innocent.
Likes: Stargazing and exploring.
Favorite Foods: Pastries? Not the healthiest thing, but sure is good!
Favorite Drinks: Herb tea.
Favorite Colors: Blue, Silver, and White.
Weapons of Choice: Great swords.
Dislikes: Those whom think that they can get something for nothing.
Hobbies: "Stopping to smell the roses." Likes to sit and enjoy beautiful scenery for long periods of time.
Physical Features: Hair length down to her waist. Scar on the left side of the left thigh.
Special Abilities: Divine Providence. Similar to "Lay on Hands", but affects all friendly targets in a 20yd radius. Origin of this ability comes from Lyn's guilt of not being able to protect the ones whom she cared for most, despite her age. Also, her limited training as a priest took a hand in her developing this ability over the years.
Positive Personality Traits: Easy to get along with and loves to help out.
Negative Personality Traits: Can be self-centered when thoughts of vengeance cross her mind.
Other Personality Traits: While she speaks softly, and may appear timid, do not take her lightly. She says precisely what she means, and will do almost anything to uphold her word.
Favorite music: The song sung in The Temple of the Moon, in Darnassus, by the harp strings of the Kal'dorei. Also likes the hymn that can be heard upon the wind in Ashenvale Forest.


History:
- - War was upon the people of the Grand Alliance. The Horde had escaped the internment camps and an undead army, and the plague that had created it, were ravaging the land.
- - At the age of 14, her mother had contracted the plague while visiting a nearby village, and died soon thereafter. (She does not wish this topic to be discussed further.) Her father was a Paladin in the service of the Knights of the Silver Hand. As such, he had no choice but to go and fight the nation's threats, not only to serve king and country, but to ensure the safety of his daughter. With no one around to watch Ary, her father left her in the charge of the clergy of Tyr's Hand. News of her father's death reached her after the culling of Stratholme. He had been killed by the Prince whom ordered the city to be purged, because he rose against the prince and his decision. It was during this time that the course of her destiny was set.
- - Lyn met a great man one day. His name was Uther. Uther the Lightbringer noticed this child and the aura that seemed to emanate from her. Lord Uther realized that she had great potential within the Light and had her set to train as a Priest. One day, only a few weeks after the start of her training, the monks that were to train her went to Uther. They told the great Paladin that she was not fit for a role as a Priest. She did have the spirit of a healer, but she had something more within her. Something... hard. Something... strong. Was not something that would be wielded by a simple clergy. Lord Uther decided, with these notable traits in mind, that she may be fit for the role as a Paladin, though there were few female Paladins. Lord Uther also realized that she had hatred in her heart. Both of her parents had been killed and she sought retribution. He did not want her to take a similar path as to what the Prince was taking.
- - Though the Prince was becoming something vile and evil, it was not vengeance that drove him to such lengths. So, Lord Uther decided that Lyn would be trained as a Paladin. A couple years later, in Dalaran (near Lordamere lake), Lyn met a beautiful young Blood Elf in the service of the Kirin Tor. Her name was Syri Silveria. She was called "Silverlight" by her brethren because of her outstanding abilities to wield the Light in a pure magical form. The two took an interest in each other starting by being startled at the similarities of their last names and birth places. In time, the two would become great friends. They often served along each other on the field of battle in the service of the Silver Hand against the blight of the Scourge.
- - One day, the two found themselves in quite the difficult situation while on their way to Stromgaurde. They had been surrounded by a Scourge scouting party that was looking for a Forsaken messenger. The battle was brutal and in the end, both of the Paladins were injured heavily. Neither of them could walk on their own. They had managed to get identical wounds on opposite legs from the other. They stood up alongside each other, Lyn on the left, Syri on the right, and finished the short distance left to Stromguarde. During this time, the two bonded closer together, just as the blood from their wounds had mixed as they helped each other walk. They are forever to be inseparable.






Represents: Beauty

Full Name: Syrianna Dawnrunner
Nicknames: Silver Light; Silverlight
Date of Birth: June 9th.
Age: 122
Race: Sin'dorei, "Blood Elf"
Gender: Female
Hair: White/Blonde
Skin: Tan
Eyes: Blue with a bright green glow.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: ---
Place of residence: Silvermoon City.
Wealth Status: Poor
Place of Birth: Tyr's Hand
Known Relatives: Mother and father. (Deceased)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion/Philosophy: The Light, and believer in everything that is right.
Occupation: Paladin
Detailed Class: Beacon of the Light's purity.
Group/Guild affiliation: Light of the Heavens, the restored order of The Knights of the Silver Hand and the Blood Knights of Silvermoon City.
Rank: Elite
Guild Rank: Master.
Enemies: The Burning Legion, The Scourge, and anyone who harms the weak and innocent.
Likes: Stargazing and exploring.
Favorite Foods: Father's delicious mana briscuit.
Favorite Drinks: Herb tea.
Favorite Colors: Blue, Silver, and White.
Weapons of Choice: Shield and short sword.
Dislikes: Those whom think that they can get something for nothing.
Hobbies: "Stopping to smell the roses." Likes to sit and enjoy beautiful scenery for long periods of time.
Physical Features: Hair length down to her waist. Scar on the right side of the right thigh.
Special Abilities: Divine Wrath. Similar to "Avenging Wrath", but much more potent. Origins of this spell comes from the theory of exponential arcane output, which Syri spent much time researching during her time in Dalaran. She became more motivated to develop such an ability when she became partnered with Lyn, further increasing their mutual survivability.
Positive Personality Traits: Easy to get along with and is a great listener.
Negative Personality Traits: Sometimes likes to flaunt her "attributes".
Other Personality Traits: Has a tongue as sharp and wicked as a snake's, and knows how to control it, fortunately. The tongue is a common feature among Blood Elf women. However, the ability to control it is not.
Favorite music: Lament of the Highborne and the song that can be heard coming from the sky above Dawning Lane.


History:
- - It was a time of sorrow. The Sunwell had just been destroyed by Prince Kael'thas and his elite guard, to prevent its use by Prince Arthas. Many loved ones had been lost in the fall of Silvermoon. The Scourge ran rampant throughout the land. This was a time where the Elves of Quel'Thalas may have actually needed the help of the Alliance, but the Humans did not, and refused to, for the most part, help the Highborne. Only the township of Tyr's Hand bothered to lend their aid. Which was very little at that, but it was all the small nation had to offer.
- - Kael'thas Sunstrider had just proclaimed the remaining Highborne as "Sin'dorei", or Blood Elves in the Human tongue. The young girl, Syri Silveria, had lost both her parents in the Scourge's attacks upon her homeland. Her, and many other teens turned to the newly formed order, the Blood Knights, as a tool to seek out vengeance on the Scourge. Though many applied, and attempted to become Blood Knights, not many actually succeeded. Only those worthy and capable were destined to wield the power of the Light. Syri was one such person. Throughout her training as a Blood Knight, she came in contact with Lady Liadrin from time to time. Each time that the Lady saw Syri, she noticed that this youth, not only extremely beautiful, had a knack for holy spells, but lacked in the physical combat department.
- - So, after the first few levels of training, Lady Liadrin had Syri escorted to the city of Dalaran, where she would undergo training in more mystical arts. In time, Syri became an outstanding wielder of the Light in its purest form. She could heal any wound to perfection, provided it was not too deep, and she was far more potent with her offense. Syri's holy shock became well known among the Blood Knights for its thorough and discreet ability to smite even the largest, fiercest undead creatures in a single blow.
- - While in Dalaran, she met a human girl that was the same age, similar name, and was born in the very same township. She was intrigued in this Human Paladin. So, Syri spent time with her to learn more. It wasn't long before they became friends and requested to be on the battlefield together. They made such a great team. Both had high yield healing strength, and Lyn, the human girl, was quite potent in physical combat, while Syri, who became known as Silverlight, was more potent at range.
- - The two had a rather eventful trip to Stromguarde, where they received wounds and friendship that would forever make the two inseparable. (See Lyn's history for more information.)







Represents: Strength

Full Name: Anaya Feathermoon
Nicknames: Sapphire
Date of Birth: Unknown
Age: 10,273
Race: Kal'dorei, "Night Elf"
Gender: Female
Hair: White
Skin: Light Violet
Eyes: Blue and glow with a bright white light.
Height: 6'1"
Weight: ---
Place of residence: Darnassus
Wealth Status: Poor
Place of Birth: The Moonglade.
Known Relatives: Mother and Liyana (caretaker/nanny). (Deceased)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion/Philosophy: The moon goddess, Elune.
Occupation: Death Knight
Detailed Class: Frost
Group/Guild affiliation: The Sentinels, Daughters of Elune, and the Knights of the Ebon Blade.
Rank: Champion of Elune
Enemies: The Burning Legion, The Scourge, and anyone who harms the weak and innocent.
Likes: Stargazing and exploring.
Favorite Foods: Darnassian bleu.
Favorite Drinks: Herb tea.
Favorite Colors: Blue, Silver, and White.
Weapons of Choice: Dual short swords.
Dislikes: Those whom think that they can get something for nothing.
Hobbies: "Stopping to smell the roses." Likes to sit and enjoy beautiful scenery for long periods of time.
Physical Features: Hair length to the middle of the back. Scars on her back and neck.
Special Abilities: Lunar chill. The light of the moon increases the destructive ability of her frost spells and abilities.
Positive Personality Traits: A supportive character and likes to do things for others.
Negative Personality Traits: Can become depressed or enraged when the wrong sort of conversation arises.
Other Personality Traits: She speaks softly, and her words are not common. However, she is stern and unyielding when it comes to argument.
Favorite music: The song sung in The Temple of the Moon, in Darnassus, by the harp strings of the Kal'dorei. Also likes the hymn that can be heard upon the wind in Ashenvale Forest.


History:
- - The birth of a Kal'dorei child is a fairly uncommon thing to a race with such a long life span. Thus, the beginning of this story takes place in happiness as the people rejoice at the arrival of a newborn. Anaya's mother was taken to the beautiful Moonglade, so that the baby could be born in the holy waters of Lake Elune'ara. Unfortunately, Anaya's mother died giving birth to her, and her father was not aware of the child, nor was Anaya ever aware of whom her father was. He was within the Emerald Dream since immediately after Anaya was conceived.
- - Throughout her childhood, it was Liyana that cared for Anaya. Liyana took up the charge to care for and protect Anaya in her youth. Liyana loved the child with her whole heart, and treated Anaya as if she were her own child. It was Liyana who cradled Anaya when she cried as a baby. It was Liyana who fed her fresh goat's milk every day. It was Liyana's warm touch that kept Anaya safe. And it was Liyana that made sure Anaya knew that there was always someone who loved her.
- - As the ages went on, Anaya became a veteran of many wars. The War of the Ancients, the War of the Scarab, the Third Great War, just to name a few. In this time, it was Anaya that refused to let Liyana participate in any of the fighting. For Anaya cared too much to let Liyana, who may as well have been her mother, to come into harm's way. Through the passage of time, Anaya became a hard and seasoned warrior. She had many scars and she became one of the more prominent and powerful of the Sentinels.
- - In more recent times, particularly during the Lich King's attack on many of the capital cities throughout the world, many warriors of every race gave their lives to defend their homes. Anaya was such a warrior. She gave her life in the defense of Darnassus. Many other Sentinels died in the attack, and several other Kal'dorei were captured. Liyana was one of those whom were captured.
- - Several weeks later, at Acherus, the Ebon Hold... Arthas, the Lich King raised many of the fallen warriors as Death Knights. The Lich King knew that there were a select few destined to become some of his most powerful Death Knights. Anaya was thought to hold such a destiny. Upon Anaya's resurrection and corruption, she was charged with leading an assault upon the Scarlet Crusade based at Tyr's Hand. After a few days of fighting, the Lich King brought forth a few of those he had captured in the weeks passed. Anaya was once again brought back together with Liyana, the one person whom she loved the most.
- - The Lich King gave Anaya a direct order to kill Liyana. The Lich King was well aware of that bond, and he wanted to sever Anaya's only connection to her beliefs in what is good and righteous. Tears came to, both, her and Liyana's eyes as they heard the order. Anaya knew the last thing she ever wanted to do was to hurt Liyana, but she also knew that the Lich King had more control over her than what she would have wanted.
- - Anaya let a few words slip from her lips, "Forgive me Elune, forgive me.... Liyana." Anaya's blade sung as it whipped through the air, and when it came to a stop, she screamed as loud as any Kal'dorei ever had. She had beheaded the one she cared for most.
- - In the following days, something similar happened to Highlord Mograine. At that time, Anaya knew that Mograine had snapped. She would seek his help in setting herself free from the Lich King.
Weeks later, Anaya approached King Varian Wrynn, and bowed before him. "I am a former Death Knight of the Lich King. I have slain the one whom held my heart, and it now is cold as ice. It bears the color of a Sapphire. I will never forgive myself, but I do wish to do what I can in the service of the Alliance to perhaps somewhat redeem myself in the eyes of my beloved."

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http://tinyurl.com/3ns9unl

The color of the name of the chapter indicates the point of view for that particular chapter.

Chapter I

Ande'thoras-ethil.

- - It was late afternoon, the sun was just setting on the horizon just above the sea. A beautiful sight from the top of Teldrassil. The slight orange glow among the buildings of Darnassus slowly faded away and the pyreflies started to appear among the lily pads upon the water's edge.
- - Sapphire decided it was time for her to say her last prayers to Elune before heading home for the night. As she walked into the Temple of the Moon, she saw a young human girl sitting upon her own favorite spot along the edge of the fountain. The girl was singing. Sapphire was not too experienced in the Human tongue, but the words were simple enough that she could easily understand them. “Hush little baby, don't say a word... “
- - “Mommy's going to buy you a mocking bird... and if that mocking bird won't sing... “
- - "Ishnu-alah", said Sapphire greeting the young girl.
- - "What? Oh, hello to you too", the girl replied.
- - "What are you doing here in the Temple of the Moon at this time of day singing lullabies?"
- - "Oh, nothing really. Just trying to make myself feel better."
- - Sapphire sat down on the rocks next to the Human as a friendly gesture. "What's your name?", she asked.
- - "The people who know me well call me Ary or Lyn. My name is Arian Silver. What's yours?", the young girl inquired.
- - The Night Elf replied, "My name was Anaya, but I have since decided to use another. You may call me Sapphire."
- - The two talked late into the night. As the last Priestess walked out of the temple and the night shift guards came just inside the door, Sapphire suggested to her new friend, "Perhaps we should go elsewhere and talk. Would you like to go sit near the waterfall?"
- - "Sounds wonderful", Lyn replied. Sapphire just smiled and stood up as Lyn did.
- - They walked out of the temple and across the bridge, and stopped near the bank. "I'm not too familiar with this place", said Lyn, wondering about which direction they would go next.
- - "Just follow me", Sapphire directed. Sapphire turned to the left and crossed another small bridge and went around the glowing purple tree roots. They could see the waterfall from there, but Sapphire knew just the place to sit to see the best view. She jumped across the water and motioned for Lyn to follow. Sapphire then jumped down just next to the waterfall and Lyn gasped. Lyn then noticed that the night elf had only fallen a few feet down to a humongous tree branch. Sapphire just sat down and let her legs hang off the side.
- - Lyn jumped down and sat next to Sapphire facing toward the waterfall. Fresh water from the waterfall turned to mist and lightly sprinkled their faces. The two talked much to each other about themselves. Lyn was a Paladin in the service of the Silver Hand, and that she held no charge at the present time. Her superiors wished for her to head to Darnassus and act as an ambassador. Sapphire was quite aged, though you could not tell by looking at her. Sapphire revealed to Lyn that she had once been in the service of the Lich King, and that she now vowed to defeat him. Lyn's parents having died at the hands of the scourge and Arthas, she knew that both her, and her new Night Elf friend, had very similar goals, ultimately wishing to kill Arthas.
- - A few weeks later, Lyn told Sapphire that she must depart for Dalaran to meet with a close friend of hers. A friend that she hoped would get to meet Sapphire at some point, but didn't wish to rush things, as there were complications. Lyn told Sapphire just before departing for Northrend, "I will be back soon. Take care until that time, okay?"
- - Sapphire smiled at Lyn's expression. She knew that the Human girl had a kind heart, and knew that she cared. "I won't forget the song you were singing near the fountain in the temple." Sapphire knew that when she first met Lyn that the girl had been crying. "Ande'thoras-ethil. May your troubles be diminished. Until we meet again.", she hugged Lyn and made sure that the girl knew that there was someone in Darnassus waiting for her. Sapphire was happy. Thoughts crossed her mind about Liyana.
- - She thought to herself, "Perhaps this is an opportunity, one for salvation... a second chance. A second chance to save my heart from the cold, a second chance granted by Elune herself. A gift from the goddess that had been found sitting alongside the goddess' own fountain."

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http://tinyurl.com/3f6efnt

Chapter II

For the Sin'dorei!

- - "Tirion ordered the Knights to go WHERE?! For the love of the Light, why couldn't he have told me?!", Liadrin complained fiercely. "I presume he doesn't care for the support of the Blood Knights, then. We shall coordinate the majority of our offensive with the Horde as they make landfall, and secure our foothold in Northrend."
- - "But... m'lady, I don't foresee our assistance being required. We should keep the Blood Knight battalion near Silvermoon. Let the smaller companies venture with the Horde if need-be", requested her advisor, Taelin.
- - *Syri enters the room, having overheard the latter part of the conversation from the exterior chambers.*
- - "Lady, if I may offer another course of action...", Syri interjected into the conversation.
- - "Who are you and what are you doing here?", the advisor demanded.
- - "Shut it, Taelin. Or I'll teach you personally how to treat a ranking lady", commanded Liadrin. "Greetings, Syri. I've heard great news about your development, and I wish to reward your accomplishments with a promotion. However, that must wait and we must tend to the matters at hand. What is it you wished to propose?", Liadrin continued and spoke, welcoming the young elf.
- - "I have orders to proceed to Dalaran with a small escort, as I have a message for the ambassador and another for a consort of mine. The information I have been ordered to send is of the Horde's offensive. It would appear that they are moving without much care for the lack of Sin'dorei troops. Surely we can get away with sending troops along with their main attack forces. My suggestion is that we keep in contact with Dalaran and gather as much information on Arthas as we can. Perhaps we can arrange a preemptive strike of sorts", Syri explained and suggested to her commander.
- - Taelin contested, "While your idea might have merit, why should we send our Knights out on a solo crusade? To die?! You do recall what happened last time we tried that against Arthas, don't you? He wasn't as powerful, and he still murde..."
- - "For the last time. Shut it, or I'll have your tongue replaced with a fel-infused voice box that I will hold the remote to", Liadrin fiercely putting her advisor's questioning to an abrupt end. "Syri, your plan is bold, but I will not ask any of my Knights to endanger themselves at the hands of the Lich King without support."
- - "I understand your concern, Lady, but I do not mean that we should assault the Lich King by any means. I merely suggest that we gather advanced intel on him so that we might gain an edge over the Alliance", the young elf explained herself to avoid a misunderstanding.
- - "Hmm. This might work out for us, actually. I'll have to contact Sunreaver about this. You shall carry an additional letter from me to Rhonin and Archmage Sunreaver himself. Now go. Do not waste time with pointless indulgences."
- - "Yes M'lady!", Syri exclaimed and ran out of the room towards the exit of the building.
- - Syri hopped on top of her Thalassian Charger and took off toward the main gate. The steed made its way to the Flight Master swiftly and gracefully. Thinking to herself as she mounted her Dragonhawk and set course for Quel'Danas, "I wonder if Lynea will make it to Dalaran safely, and I hope I'm there in time! Can't wait to give her this crystal. I'm sure she'll greatly appreciate it."

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Chapter III

The Darkness Before Dawn.

- - "He is the Highlord now. Last time I heard that title being uttered was in Uther's presence, so many long years ago. The man must have a strong heart to take up so much responsibility in such a short amount of time. I mean, he ordered the Knights renewed, and merged them with the Argent Dawn. Then led this crusade to Northrend, took up the title of Highlord, and even now wields the Ashbringer. Surely knows how to deal with stress. Though, I wonder if he will be alright with the burden that has yet to come; The fight against the Lich King himself. Well, no matter what happens, I wish to be by his side and help him conquer the evil that plagues our land." Lyn just let her thoughts run like water from a mountain spring.
- - "It seems like you have much on your mind, dear. Just remember what he said, and you won't have to worry about doubts", Syri comforted her partner.

- - "Put your faith in the Light, and all is possible."

- - "Yeah, I know. I just worry sometimes. Not so much about myself, but him and the crusade. I hope that we don't fail. Obstacles like this don't appear on any given day, you know. This is the Lich King we're up against. Don't you have any doubts?"
- - "Sometimes, yes. But I have great faith in the man, and in the Ashbringer. As you said, things like this just don't happen on any given day. Fate... No. Destiny leads us and binds us all. This conflict with the Lich King was bound to occur sooner or later, but destiny smiles upon us. We have the Ashbringer on our side. Doubts will only weaken us. You must strengthen your faith. Not just for the sake of the crusade, but for me... and for yourself", the young elf preached to the human girl.
"Thank you for the support, but I don't feel weakness by having doubts. I just worry. Almost like a mother does for her child. I must say that I feel strengthened by it, actually. I want to protect my child, metaphorically speaking. Anyway, don't you think we should get going? Ha. I just realized you aren't even dressed yet."
- - "Hey! Don't get wise with me! I'll make it there on time. Don't you worry."
- - "Hehe. Okay. You know Archmage Aethas won't be happy if you're late. I'll see you at the citadel."

- - The lights brighten as Lyn passes by. A great insect and its rider skitter by her in the lane. As she approaches the Violet Citadel, a great staircase can be seen, with a few heavily armored guards at the top, standing side by side. Walking up the steps, Lyn can hear shouts coming from the interior of the hall. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, she is greeted by the guards immediately straightening up and offering her their salutes. The girl nods at them as she walks by into the citadel's great hall, only to be welcomed by continued shouting of the group inside.

- - "THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! You think while you prepare, the Lich King will wait patiently for you? Are you out of your mind? Are you INSANE? The Scourge will be mopping up the remainder of our troops while the Horde and your crusade still are not ready for an assault!", a rather large and long haired man preaches with a commanding tone. Lyn immediately recognizes him as King Varian Wrynn, and catches his eye with a wave of her hand. Varian turns his gaze back toward the conversation at hand, "Can the Horde and the crusade muster the strength and speed required to meet us on the battlefield? Please, tell me now to quell my doubts, for they are many."
- - "I can assure you, great king, the crusade has already made a breach into Icecrown. Soon we will welcome both the Alliance and the Horde to join us there. Have faith..."
- - Would appear that Highlord Fordring, King Wrynn, Archmage Rhonin, and the Horde Warchief were having a debate about their plans to move into Icecrown.
- - "Faith might be a factor here, Tirion, but our destiny has not changed course. While Varian doubts the Horde's efforts, I can tell you that the events at the Wrathgate did not give us any pause. We are prepared to burst into Icecrown with the Horde's primary offensive. We only need the all-clear from you", Thrall aiming to give the others the confidence they needed to begin planning for the next step.
- - "As bold as such an attack may be, I do not feel such is warranted. We need not force our way into Icecrown for now. We can reach the crusade's base of operations by other means, rather than trying to force our way through countless Scourge. We can easily reach it by going to the sea in the north", Rhonin explained.

- - "You should try to avoid such conversations in the future, Lyn. They are not meant for ears such as yours. Let us men do the dog fighting. Young ladies like yourself do not deserve to witness such hostility amongst comrades. Now forget it and give me the message you were intended to deliver", Varian said firmly.
- - Lyn graciously offered the message, "Yes, my king. I was sent to inform you and our ambassadors that Tyrande will not be making her way to Northrend, but she does endorse the involvement of the Cenarion Enclave, and has ordered the bulk of the Sentinel army to assist the Alliance in every way possible."

- - "Why didn't you show? You were supposed to be there. I'm sure Thrall could have used the intel about the Blood Knights. They were fighting like children at a point. Especially Varian. He seems rather easy to anger."
- - "Haha. You think Varian is easy to anger? You need to meet Thrall's new pet. He's always yelling something about how he's better than someone else. Inferiority complex at its finest", Syri mocked Thrall's prot?®g?® and taunted Lyn.
- - "Perhaps, but you still didn't answer the question, silly bird. Where were you?", Lyn questioned the elf.
- - "While you were eavesdropping, I was busy with Archmage Sunreaver. I visited Thrall and that kim'jael, Hellscream. The message I had for them was delivered punctually. Just because you didn't see me, hun, doesn't mean I wasn't around."
- - "Kim'jael? You know I don't speak Thalassian, silly."
- - "I called him a little rat. Not really much there to explain."
- - "That's funny. It would seem that you share the opinion of many members of the Alliance. Anyway, I have orders to be at the crusade's new grounds in Icecrown by dusk. Care to join?"
- - "Please don't tell me we're going to fly over Scourgeholme. That place reeks an awful amount. Aside from that, I would happily accompany you. I'd like to see the Highlord before my time is finished in Northrend anyway."

- - The air as light as a feather, yet colder than the breath of a great blue drake. It was nearing dusk, and the sun hadn't been visible for hours already. Lightning-filled clouds polluted the sky. Silhouettes of airborne patrols can be seen far to the west. Ahead, there is a glowing half-built structure covering a large portion of the glacier becoming more visible, almost out of nothing. Clearly the air is thicker than it seems. Even the senses of the nose tells lies in this place. Forsaken by the Light, or simply dominated by something sinister. Obvious that the extent of the Lich King's grasp reaches far, to the very edges of Icecrown. The glowing structure is, without a doubt, a construction built by the Argent Crusade. But, what for? Why here? It almost seemed as if it were a direct challenge to the Lich King's rule.

- - The news of conquest in the ancient titan city in the Stormpeaks just arriving. Victory in Ulduar appears to have everyone in good spirits, and the tale spreading about the defeat of Yogg'Saron and Algalon swept through the crusade's construction site almost as quickly as it did Dalaran. It is said that there was a beautiful display of the sky over Dalaran, but still nothing more than dark clouds filled with lightning could be seen over Icecrown. The Lich King's grip obviously still strong after the death of the Old God of Death.

- - "We shall triumph! The time of the Argent Crusade... is now! Keep up the good work my brethren. The tournament grounds are almost finished, and the Horde and the Alliance shall meet with us here soon. We will enjoy our time as we prepare to bring down the darkness", the Highlord's voice echoed about the building that was finally nearing completion.

- - *Almost two weeks later, the great Trial of the Crusader takes place. Both Syri and Lyn being members of the Knights of the Silver Hand and the Argent Crusade, are not permitted to fight alongside the Alliance and Horde champions, but are to watch instead.*
- - "Together, we will see the end of the Lich King. Here, upon these grounds, we shall test our champions and decide who is the strongest and who shall lead us to the gates of Icecrown Citadel", Tirion explained the purpose of the construction to his audience.
- - "Let us get this contest underway, then", Lord Fordring mumbles in a softer tone than his previous speech. "Hailing from the deepest, darkest caverns of the storm peaks, Gormok the Impaler! Battle on, heroes!", Tirion yells once again as loud as he can without losing composure.
- - *The gates swing open and a large, four-legged, beast-man stomps toward the center of the arena. The beast has what looks to be a polearm in hand, and he is swinging it about as he walks. The Alliance and Horde members on the arena floor around the beast obviously have their guard up, but will the be prepared for the challenges to come?*

- - *The faction champions have fought the beasts, demons, and each other valiantly. Fortunately there haven't been too many casualties. Highlord Fordring prepares to introduce the final challenge to the champions, regardless of the mishap regarding the demon summoning, and the fight amongst themselves that it resulted in.*
- - "I wonder what the next challenge will be. Each one is supposed to be increasingly more difficult. I worry for the lives of everyone on the floor down there", Lyn said softly, almost as if she didn't want anyone other than Syri to hear.
- - "Damn it! You are your worries.... You worry way too much, girly. You need to relax, sit back, and enjoy the show! I mean, we didn't get these great seats for nothing, now did we? These people are supposed to be the best of the best. I'm sure they'll do just fine", the elf partially scolding her counterpart.
- - "Yes, I know. But..."
- - "Only by working together will you overcome the final challenge. From the depths of Icecrown come two of the Scourge's most powerful lieutenants: fearsome Val'kyr, winged harbingers of the Lich King! Let the games begin!", the great paladin announced the next fight.
- - *The doors swing open and the Val'kyr can be seen. Intimidatingly large, the twins march their way into the arena. The Alliance and Horde champions, eager to fight, already seem prepared. They take up their arms and charge right into battle with the Val'kyr.*
- - The twins respond accordingly, and charge into battle with the champions, yelling at the top of their lungs the same exact thing, "In the name of our dark master. For the Lich King. You. Will. Die."

- - *The champion's movements are so efficiently coordinated, almost everything seems to be going perfectly. A dance with death, as it were. Each and every move made by the Val'kyr is met with a quick and merciless response.*
- - "Let the dark consume you!" the darker of the two twins yells as she charges an incoming spell.
- - *The Alliance champions who are all around the lighter colored twin immediately move to touch some dark, round, ambient object near the other side of the arena. Just a moment later, the dark Val'kyr's spell explodes, yet seems to harm none of the champions. In the next instant, the lightly colored Val'kyr casts some shield on herself and starts channeling a spell. Almost all of the Horde champions, who are surrounding the darker Val'kyr rush over to the one being controlled by the Alliance and attack her with the utmost ferocity. Her shield goes down almost immediately, and one of the larger orcs in the group knock her clear to the ground. The other Val'kyr just pauses, then drops to her knees and fades away.*
- - "The Scourge cannot be stopped...", the twins yell as they perish.
- - *The champions back off, seemingly exhausted from their bouts.*
- - "A mighty blow has been dealt to the Lich King! You have proven yourselves able bodied champions of the Argent Crusade. Together we will strike at Icecrown Citadel and destroy what remains of the Scourge! There is no challenge that we cannot face united!", the Highlord congratulates the champions on their victory.
- - *A deep and loud voice flares up with a terrifying tone.*
- - "You will have your challenge, Fordring."
- - *The Lich King materializes out of nowhere.*
- - "Arthas! You are hopelessly outnumbered! Lay down Frostmourne and I will grant you a just death."
- - *The Lich King laughs at Tirion's offer, obviously quite amused by the gesture.*
- - "The Nerubians built an empire beneath the frozen wastes of Northrend. An empire that you so foolishly built your structures upon. MY EMPIRE. The souls of your fallen champions will be mine, Fordring."
- - *The Lich King raises Frostmourne with both hands tightly gripping the hilt, and drives it downward with a heavy and violent force, shattering the wooden floor and the ice beneath it, almost on immediate contact. He then vanishes just as quickly as he came while the champions of the Horde and the Alliance fall down below the arena. A few moments later a voice can be heard. It falls on the bystander's ears like nails to a chalkboard. The voice is obviously that of an insect.*
- - "Ahhh... Our guests arrived, just as the master promised. This place will serve as your tomb!"
- - *Inhuman screams and shrieks can be heard along with occasional clashing of metal and explosions down below, but after a few minutes, there is a very loud and ear-splitting cry. Whatever was down below has clearly perished. The mages that accompanied Jaina had already begun to slow-fall down with the Highlord to the champions so that they may be teleported out.*
- - As Tirion lands at the bottom and meets eyes with the heroes, he greets them with great surprise and enthusiasm, "Champions, you're alive! Not only have you defeated every challenge of the Trial of the Crusader, but thwarted Arthas directly! Your skill and cunning will prove to be a powerful weapon against the Scourge. Well done! Allow one of my mages to transport you back to the surface!"

- - *Back in Dalaran that night.*
- - "The Highlord believes that we have dealt the Lich King a heavy blow, but I cannot say that I agree. It feels more like he is testing us. It feels like the Lich King has plans", Lyn spoke her mind as she leaned on the edge of the window overlooking Crystalsong Forest.
- - "Perhaps we have dealt the Lich King a heavy blow, hun. Anub'arak isn't just some random minion of the Scourge, y'know. I'm actually surprised at the turn of events, but our course remains the same. Whether he has plans for us or not, we must meet him in battle. His reign must be brought to an end", Syri explained to the pondering human.
- - "I understand that, but I still wonder if this is a battle intended to be won. Are we meant to defeat the Lich King? If not us, then who? What will become of the Scourge without someone to control it?"
- - "I've said it many time before, and I'll say it again. Dear, you worry too much. Sometimes I fear it is too much for your own good. Time reveals all things. Just wait for it, and destiny will unfold", the elf offering her counsel.
- - "Perhaps. I just look up at the stars. They are beautiful aren't they?"
- - "Yes, yes they are. Though, they are not the only thing that is beautiful", Syri smiles at Lyn.
- - Giggling, the human girl continues, "Sometimes I wonder just how many more times I will get to see them. I don't want to see the day where my vision is blocked like it was in Icecrown. I hope that such a time doesn't come soon. The Lich King, though powerful, I know shouldn't give me pause. But... Arthas was a great man once. He was the best of us all. Now look at him. If such a thing can happen to him, then imagine what could happen to us."
- - "I understand your concern, but when your faith is strong, you are safe from the shadow. Not to mention I will protect you from it as well. Though the darkness descends upon us, dawn draws closer. When the time comes, we will all bask in the glory of the Light. Until then, dear, please do not worry."

~~~~~~~

http://www.blogcdn.com/wow.joystiq.c...0609icraid.jpg

Chapter IV

The Battle for the Citadel.

- - "You would do well to remember your place", Darion said with a commanding tone.
- - "My place? Though I may have once been in the service of the Lich King, and though I may be a member of the Ebon Blade, my allegiance lies with my people. First and foremost. You to tell me what I can and cannot do in their regard puts you out of place. Perhaps you would do well to remember your place, human", Sapphire snapped back at the Death Knight.
- - "As you wish, elf. Just remember who got you out of that hell. When the time comes, either way, you will see what must be done."
- - "Oh please. Do you really think it is necessary? Can't there be another? I wish to redeem myself, not sink my soul deeper."
- - "No. I chose you for the same reason that you argue with me now. While cold, your heart is still strong. Unlike most others. That's not even taking into account that your experience has no equal. It must be you. There are none better."
- - "Yes, Darion. I would much rather not sink into darkness again, but if it betters our chances against him, I think I may try. I will need to sleep on this. I will have an answer for you soon."

- - *A massive frostwyrm hit the platform just outside the interior gate with a thunderous clash as the bone and ice smashed into the ebon saronite floor. Engines could be heard stuttering overhead as machine guns and cannons fired their payloads at the swarming undead drakes. Multiple muffled roars could be heard as the wyrms assaulted the Skybreaker. An explosion on the top deck shook the craft, and several men yelled. The fire is quickly extinguished with a bolt hurled by one of the larger dragons, which turned a large portion of the deck into a block of ice.*
- - "Sir! We're going to need some help! Signal for the Silver Covenant dragonhawks! We are overrun!", one of the men yelled at the captain.
- - "Not enough time, man! We'll be taken down before they ever reach us!", responded the commanding officer in frustration.
- - "The stern! There is something coming at us from the stern!", yelled the helmsman. "Everyone to starboard! We have incoming!"
- - *It was the Orgrim's Hammer. The Horde gunship was pulling up alongside the Skybreaker while the Alliance were doing their best to fight off the Scourge frostwyrms.*
- - "FIRE!", screamed the Horde captain.
- - *The Horde cannons fired, but surprisingly enough, their volley did not hit the Skybreaker. Instead, they hit several of the Frostwyrms that were swarming the deck.*
- - Realizing that the Horde were not taking the opportunity to obliterate him and his ship, the commander of the Skybreaker yelled to his men, "Back to your posts! We have to fight these drakes off! Get back to your posts, damn you!"

- - "He welcomes us. I can feel the chill emanating from the Frozen Throne all the way down here. Piercing through my armor faster than any spear or arrow. You all are welcome to move ahead. I, and the others, will catch up to you later", Varian motioned for everyone to go ahead without him, while he headed off toward the other side of the room with Tirion and Muradin, toward Garrosh Hellscream and Thrall.
- - Darion walked up to Sapphire and hands her an axe, "The power that lies hidden within have yet to be revealed. Here is a list of things to do on your way up toward the Frozen Throne. Do not forget them. By the time you reach the top, you may feel a change within. Be on your guard, and remain strong at all times."

- - *Some time later, deeper within the frozen halls, the champions emerged into a large room with a very large pile of bones in the center of the room, and the entire opposite wall appeared to be encased in the thickest of ice. The bones slowly started to rise upward into the air as the last of the champions file into the chamber.*
- - "This is the beginning...and the end, mortals. None may enter the Master's sanctum!", a loud and deep voice could be heard from the bones as it formed into a large, hideous creature wielding a massive bone axe.
- - "Look alive my brethren! This vile creature means to bar our way, and we shall not allow it to succeed!", Sapphire yelled encouragement to her comrades who were surprised to see such a creature. Some even shook in fear, visibly clear that it was not the cold that caused it. "Elune, grant me strength!", the Night Elf charged at the towering bone manifestation.
- -*She was greeted with a swing of the massive bone axe. She side stepped it rather easily, as the bone construct was large and cumbersome. A bright blue light started to swirl between the bone and the floor, almost realizing what it was too late, a few of the champions jumped out of the way just before the blue flame swept beneath their feet. The floor cracked where the fire touched it, and the air around seemed to freeze almost instantly.*
- - "The fire burns like the throne itself! Beware of it, as you will freeze if you touch it!", Sapphire shouted a warning.
- - "The Scourge will wash over this world as a swarm of death and destruction! BONE STORM!", the creature spun with its axe outstreched, almost losing control of itself as it charged at some of the champions as it moved around the room.
- - *As it started to slow down, a large chunk of bone was launched and hit one of the warriors, pinning him to the ground by piercing his shield and pinning his arm tightly against the cold floor.*
- - "Stick Around!"
- - *As the monstrosity came to a halt, Sapphire climbed her way up the axe as it was still off balance, and swung her axe with all her might, planting it in the center of the four skulls. The bone axe swung upright and knocked her off, and as she landed, she followed through with an upward swing of her own axe. It split the breastbone and the creature screamed and collapsed to the floor.*
- - "I see... only darkness..."

- - "I can cleave rotting flesh. I can cleave bone. But, just because you can cause such damage doesn't always mean that they will die just as easily as their living counter-parts! You have to be precise and on the mark, else you may find yourself fighting them for eternity. They will just keep coming.", Sapphire advised her comrades.
- - "Oh, really? You're so sure of yourself, you forget that there is more than one way to skin a cat.", a Human Woman snapped back at the Night Elf with confidence. "In this case, I'll say that there is more than one way to grind a walking pile of bones into the dust."
- - *The Warrior unsheathed both of her large weapons, a sword and an axe, and held each in separate hands. Clearly well toned and very strong, she wielded her weapons with ease. She jumped into the horde of undead, screaming like a barbarian. Her weapons flew around with blazing speed, and the skeletal mages, acolytes, and liches fell to the ground as previously stated. A bright light then flew from the entrance of the chamber and struck the Warrior, enveloping her with what appeared to be a shield, rendering her invulnerable from any harm and healing her of any wounds visible. Sapphire then jumped into the fray, letting loose blasts of ice and shadow at the larger, plate-wearing targets.*
- - "They just keep coming! Keep it up, we'll have the high-ground soon!", yelled a caster letting spells fly from behind, keeping an analysis of the fight from a bird's-eye view.
- - "I already healed you all once. Perhaps I should join you to down the creatures at a faster rate?", Lynea says as she walked quickly down the ramp toward the fight.
- - "Ah, Lynea. It's good to see that you are here!", the Warrior that started it all exclaimed as she continued to pummel flesh, bone, and metal. "It's me, Alice! Grant me a blessing of the Light's strength, so that I may rend these creatures asunder more quickly! It would be much appreciated!"
- - "And so it shall be."
- - *A bright blueish light flared up around the Warrior, and she was visibly invigorated by the blessing. She immediately finished off the few creatures she was sparring with, then leaped in the air, and drives both of her weapons deep down into the neck and body cavity of the nearest Scourge Death Knight. She then dropped to the ground, and by pulling on her weapons with all her might, split open the breast bone and ripped off the chest armor in the process, reclaiming her weapons.*
- - "Blessed you are, but your merciless ways still do not wane even in the slightest.", Lynea commented while sending a flash of light at a few nearby comrades. "I'm not really known for such brutality, but I'll do my best to assist.", Lynea tried to explain herself, but proved the contrary as she beheads a zombie with a single swing of her own weapon. "Oops.."
- - *The last of the undead that were flooding the room were finally cut down, and a large, over-sized lich materializes out of thin air.*
- - "You have found your way here, because you are among the few gifted with true vision in a world cursed with blindness. You can see through the fog that hangs over this world like a shroud, and grasp where true power lies. Fix your hands upon your crude hands: the sinew, the soft meat, the dark blood coursing within. It is a weakness; a crippling flaw.... A joke, played by the Creators upon their own creations. The sooner you come to accept your condition as a defect, the sooner you will find yourselves in a position to transcend it. Through our Master, all things are possible. His power is without limit, and his will unbending. Those who oppose him would be destroyed utterly, and those who serve -- who serve wholly, unquestioningly, with utter devotion of mind and soul -- elevated to heights beyond your ken."
- - "B****", yells an infuriated Alice. "SHUT. UP."
- - *Several others unable to control themselves, bursted out laughing. The enraged Warrior just glared at them and they quickly silenced themselves. Sapphire and Alice both charged at the lich at the same time.*
- - "Wait! I haven't blessed everyone properly!", yelled Lynea.
- - "The power of the Lich King has turned against him! I am imbued by it, and not even he shall give me pause!", yelled the Night Elf as she quickly maneuvered behind the lich and raised her weapon.
- - "We are all strong, but not nearly as strong as we are working together. Together, we will obliterate any obstacle!", Alice yelled with an increasingly loud tone as she coordinated with the Death Knight to strike from the front and behind at the same time.
- - *Sword from the front, axe from behind, both are repelled by a magical shield. Spells and projectiles of sorts started incoming on the creature, as a few soldiers filed in up alongside the Warrior and Death Knight, all striking at the shield in frustration.*
- - "The shield is weakening in strength, keep up your assault!", the Paladin announced to her comrades.
- - *Several cultists entered the room through semi-hidden passages along the sides of the room and ran directly for the healers and casters near the center of the chamber. Lynea stunned a large, plate wearing cultist as it reached near her, with her holy magic. Sapphire fired a howling blast of frost in the direction of the cultists, and most of them turned toward their attacker to seek revenge, and Alice quickly charged, knocking several of them to the ground, and finished them off with her large weapons. After having killed multiple cultists trying to assist, the shield finally failed and Lynea landed the first physical blow with her sword and immediately followed with a spell that instantly charred the rotting flesh of the creature. Alice jumped and plunged her sword into the lich's chest and uses it as a stepping stone. She then swung her axe in order to decapitate the creature, and her axe met Sapphire's that had entered for the other side of the neck. Alice and Sapphire both fell backward as the lich disintegrated and left nothing but her phylactery behind.*

- - "I don't really understand why we have to fight the Horde anyway. I never did understand. They hate us so much, and most of our comrades hate them. Didn't us working together in the past settle anything? I understand the battles and hatred of the past, but why can't they just be let go?", Lyn inquired.
- - "The hatred is mostly a result of what happened to the people during the Human and Orcish wars. Many were lost. Among them were friends, family, loved ones.... Some wounds don't heal very fast. Some don't heal at all. That is their reasoning for hating each other. Though, in time, such binds will be forgotten. This generation won't live to see it, though. Unfortunately.", responded the Night Elf with wise words.
- - "I'll heal my comrades. I'll protect them. But I don't find justification in striking down anyone who has done me no harm. Obviously that doesn't include the ones whom are trying to kill me, but.... I suppose we'll see how this turns out."
- - "The Skybreaker has arrived, m'lady. We must hurry, the Horde are not too far behind.", informed one of the officers.
- - "I wouldn't expect any less from you, girl."

- - *The rumbling of the propellers quickly closes in, and a large vessel descends down to the ramparts and extends a boarding ramp.*
- - "All aboard!", a yell could be heard from the deck.

- - "You can try to show them compassion, but it is unlikely you will be met with a similar return. Many of them are out for blood. Thankfully their leader's motivation are usually not based on such.", Sapphire suggested with a shake of her head.
- - "Showing them compassion will be seen as weakness in their eyes.", said a deep voice from behind.
- - "In their eyes, a human girl of such a small stature is already weak, Varian."
- - "This is true. All the more reason to protect her. Though, I imagine you'll manage that and protect yourself just fine. Right, Night Elf?", the large figure walked in front of Sapphire to join in on the conversation, though already being revealed to be Varian by Sapphire's previous statement.
- - "I can handle myself just fine. There is no need to worry about me!", Lyn exclaimed in a defensive tone.
- - "We don't mean that you are incapable, Lyn. We only wish to protect you because we care.", explained the Death Knight.
- - "She will be just fine. She is a Paladin, after all.", Varian stated as he smiled, then turned and walked off.
- - "Do I sense envy?...", Lyn asked herself out loud.
- - "No. Don't worry about him. He simply states his confidence in your abilities. That is all. You should be more worried about the task ahead of us. The challenges of this place will only become greater. I hope that we do well."
- - "We haven't got much choice, now do we."

- - "FIRE!"
- - "Now where have I heard that before? ...", the captain questioned.
- - *BOOM* *The ship shook suddenly from the explosion.*
- - "The Horde gunship is firing on us! Battle stations NOW!", yelled the captain.
- - *The crew on the deck jumped on the turrets at the port and starboard sides of the deck, and heavy rolling sounds could be heard beneath the deck. The men were bringing all the cannons to bear.*
- - "Aim for the engines if you can. Riflemen, aim for the balloons! ... FIRE!", ordered the captain.
- - "They are closing in to board us. Be ready!", Sapphire warned the crew on the deck.
- - *A couple of the Horde cannons started firing on the Skybreaker's deck to clear space for the boarding party. One of them fired directly at Lyn...*
- - "LYNEA! GET OUT OF THE WAY!", screamed the Night Elf.
- -*Lyn waved her hand in front of her body, from her waist up to her face, and a bright white glow appeared around her. The cannonball struck Lyn with such great force, the boards of the deck splintered and buckled. The debris caused by the impact quickly cleared to show Lyn unharmed and still standing straight as she had before.*
- - "The Light protects me with its Divine Shield. Don't worry about me, Sapphire. I will remain unharmed, I promise you.", Lyn comforted the worries of the Elf.
- - "Blessed by the Light, indeed, dalah'surfal.", Sapphire mumbled with relief. She turned toward the boarding orcs and yelled as loud as she could, "Bandu Thoribas, mortals! Your end is nigh!"
- - *Sapphire blew the first few Horde to set foot on the Alliance deck right off the edge with a howling blast of ice. She then swung her axe from below and hit an orc in the chin, splitting it, and the orc fell backward off the deck as well.*
- - "Ana'duna thera, you beasts! The honor of the fallen shall be restored!"
- - "Let me stay with you! I'll assist however I can.", Lyn pleaded.
- - "It is best you stay with the Skybreaker for now. They will need your assistance."
- - *More Horde jumped across the short distance between the ships, and both Sapphire and Lyn met them with quick, harsh blows that sent them plummeting, and quickly turned on the remaining attackers and took them down. Sapphire took her turn and jumped aboard the Horde Gunship, and she made short work of any attempting to get up on deck. A large explosion could be heard below the Horde deck. It appeared that the engine had been hit. The ship began to descend and turn away from the Skybreaker. Sapphire lunged back toward the Alliance craft before the Orgrim's Hammer spun out of control, and she barely landed on the edge of the deck with both feet.*
- - "See, I wasn't gone long."
- - "Let's get moving to our destination, then.", the captain orderd the crew.

- - *The Alliance crew disembarked from their damaged airship onto the balcony. They started making preparations to enter the upper spire of the citadel, and a loud crash could be heard from the other side of the balcony. A large, plate-armored orc walks out onto the balcony.*
- - "For every Horde soldier that you killed, for every Alliance dog that fell, the Lich King's armies grew. Even now the Val'kyr work to raise your fallen... As scourge.", the orc explained as he walked towards the Alliance champions.
- - "Saurfang the younger... you had better hasten yourselves...", Sapphire said softly to not draw the orc's attention as she readied herself.
- - "Things are about to get much worse. Come, taste the power that the Lich King has bestowed upon me!", Saurfang said as he came to a halt near the center of the balcony.
- - A very heavily armored dwarf walked down the boarding ramp of the Skybreaker to the balcony. "A lone orc, against the might of the Alliance? Charge!", the dwarf, none other than Muradin Bronzebeard, commanded the others as he raised his weapons and charged at Saurfang.
- - *Saurfang thrusted his hand forward and the men that had charged him stop dead in their tracks and raised up off the ground, helplessly.*
- - "Hahahaha! Dwarves.", the orc laughed as Muradin and the others gasp for breath as if being choked by an invisible hand.
- - "We cannot allow this! Let us cease his madness!", Sapphire exclaimed as she charged the other Death Knight.
- - "By the might of the Lich King!", Saurfang yelled as he engaged the charging Night Elf.

- - *Saurfang caught her with the same grip that he held the dwarves with, but instead of attempting to crush her, he threw her to the door behind him. The elf quickly jumped to her feet and dashed back to meet her opponent. Weapons were drawn and they clashed. With his back turned, Lyn saw her opportunity. She sprinted to the orc with the rest of the party in tow. The Death Knight was too quick, however. He threw Sapphire back into the saronite gate and turned to parry all of the incoming attacks. There was a bright flash, then everything went dark.*

- - "Not all who wander are lost."
- - "What?"
- - "You need not know where you are, but only what you seek."

- - *The orc swung his axe with such great force that it knocked back three heavily armored warriors.* "HRRRRRRRRRmmph! Your soul will find no redemption here!", he snorted.
- - *One of the knocked back warriors charged back in with all his might, only to be met with an upward swing of Saurfang's axe. The sharp tip of the axe hit the upper chest plate of the man's armor with such great force, the steel immediately buckled, and in an instant, the axe cleaved directly upward, throwing the helm into the air. The body hit the ground as a crumpled heap with fluids running out all over.*
- - "The ground runs red with your blood!"
- - The Death Knight raises his right fist into the air and shouts, "Feast, my minions!"
- - *Several creatures appeared out of seemingly nowhere, with large tentacle-like limbs, black oily skin, and fangs almost half a meter long. The beasts immediately started chomping on the corpse of the fallen champion, and the others quickly raised their weapons to fend off the abominations. Sapphire reached out from where she fell, with a hand, and quickly clenched it. At that moment, the air around one of the beast's heads instantly crystallized into shards of ice, and they clamped together like a Gnomish electromagnet, crushing the skull.*

- - "To be free, you must be willing to fight for it."
- - "I can't..."
- - "Or the Lich King will claim what is left of your soul."
- - "Then I have no choice. Forgive me."

- - "Uhhhnnnnnggghh...." Sapphire moaned as she placed her hand on her ribs.
- - *She can feel it. Something's not right. Something is out of place... something... is wrong. She slowly managed to pull herself to her feet. The bulky figure in front of her appeared to be too occupied with those firing and swinging at him from the front, that he had forgotten that one had been thrown behind him. The Night Elf clenched her weapon and looked down at it. The axe that had been given to her just over an hour ago was now glowing a light blue. It seemed like it was drawn toward the monster before her. She knew what she had to do. But is it right? Will such a path save her from the darkness, or plunge her only deeper into it? It would appear only time could tell. She raised the weapon just over her shoulder, feeling too weak to raise it any higher, and swung with what energy she had left.*

- - "Forgiving yourself is the first step on the path of Redemption."
- - "How could I..."
- - "She never blamed you. Not once."

- - *The axe rested firmly in the back of Saurfang's skull. Everything had come to a sudden halt. The orc dropped to his knees and everyone in front of him took a step back.*
- - "I... Am... Released."
- - *A blue ghastly light drifted from the orc's mouth and eyes and floated around for a few seconds, then quickly rushed to and joined with the axe resting in his spine. The body then crumpled over and Sapphire ripped it from where it had set. She knew what had just happened, and now she was more terrified than ever. The blade she wielded acted just the same as the sword that it was crafted to compete with. The axe had taken younger Saurfang's soul. Nobody else seemed to notice exactly what happened, and walked over to the body.*
- - "You know the Horde are not going to be happy about this.", Lyn stated as she placed her hands on her hips, tilted her head, and looked at Sapphire in the eyes.
- - "What else could we have done? We had to defend ourselves."
- - "Nothing, lassies. Ye did jus fine.", Muradin said while coughing, trying to regain his breath.

- - *Varian walked down the boarding ramp of the Skybreaker just as a very loud rumbling came out of seemingly nowhere. The Orgrim's Hammer, the Horde gunship, pulled right up along the Skybreaker and dropped its own boarding ramp, and a very heavily armored and decorated orc quickly paced down to the balcony. It was the High Overlord himself.*
- - "Behind you lies the body of my only son. Nothing will keep me from him."
- - "Don' force me hand, orc. We canna let ye pass.", Muradin warned as he drew his weapons.
- - "He... I canna do it. Get back on ye ship and we'll spare ye life."
- - "Stand down, Muradin. Let a grieving father pass.", Varian spoke up with a commanding, yet soothing tone.
- - "I will not forget this kindness. I thank you, highness."
- - Varian walked up to Saurfang and looked at the body of the younger orc in his arms, "I... I was not at the Wrathgate. But the soldiers who survived told me much of what happened. Your son fought with honor. He died a hero's death. He deserves a hero's burial."
- - *The High Overlord turned and walked up the boarding ramp of the Orgrim's Hammer.*
- - *Lady Jaina Proudmoore then started to cry.*
- - Varian quickly turned to the lady with a worried look upon his face, "Jaina, why are you crying?"
- - "It was nothing, your majesty. Just... I'm proud of my king."
- - Wasting no time, Varian turned and began shouting orders, "Muradin, secure the deck and prepare our soldiers for an assault on the Upper Citadel. I'll send out another regiment from Stormwind."
- - "Let's get tae move on then. Move out!"

~~~~~~~

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/a...ht07/spire.png

Chapter V

The Upper Spire.

- - "So, I ask m'self, 'Why are ye walkin' in tae frozen halls of tae dead?'. 'No clue.', says I. Y'know, we've been expectin' 'tis fer years, now. Fightin' of tae Lich King's minions ever since da invasion of Lordaeron. We should've been more prepared. I mean, ye all shiver and squeel like lil' girls. No offense tae ye, missy, but I dinna figure ye tae be the one tae lead us through 'tis place. Y'know what I'm sayin'?", Muradin said, expressing his concerns.
- - "Muradin, I get what you're saying, but someone has to do it, and I see only a few willing, let alone capable.", Lyn responded in agreement.
- - "Wait.", Sapphire said as the group turned the corner and the frozen spire comes into view. "There is a rune over here. Lyn, come tell me what you think of this."
*As Lyn walked over to the rune, a saronite plate rose out of the ground, as if embracing the rune, and the rune began to glow brightly.*
- - "I am not very familiar with runes, but seeing the plate, I'd assume it was meant as if something were to be placed on it. Or maybe someone is supposed to stand on it?", Lyn inquired about the nature of symbol upon the floor.
- - "It doesn't matter fer now, let's get movin' lassies!", Muradin yelled to grab Lyn and Sapphire's attention.
- - "It seems to be some sort of teleportation device. I imagine it will be useful at some point, but for now, let's search for a way up the spire.", Sapphire explained and nodded her head in Muradin's direction.
*The dwarf turned around and headed to the left, toward a couple large abominations. Clearing the passage behind the abominations was an easy task, but what awaits them ...*
- - "Dogs? Giant undead dogs? I didn't know the dead could get lonely enough to want pets.", Lyn pondered out loud.
- - "Watch out for the gas! It's toxic, and the hounds have plenty in supply!", Sapphire yelled a warning at the group after being blown backward by a blast of the poison.
- - "I'll help ye bring down tae mutts, but I need to get back tae da Skybreaker after 'tis. Dinna worry about me. Y'all keep safe.", the dwarf explained as he turned his back when the over sized pooch collapsed to the ground.
- - "NOOOO! You kill Stinky! You pay!", boomed a loud voice from up the corridor.
*Rolling her eyes at Muradin, Lyn turned and took a left down the large hallway in the direction that the loud voice came from. The rest of the group followed her until they entered a large chamber with some monstrosity in the center.*
- - "Wha...? What is this? It's like... an abomination... but... bigger... and uglier.", said one of the soldiers.
- - "Every last creature in these frozen halls are abominations. They all need to be destroyed. Their very existence is a threat to the Light.", Lyn commented as she posed herself, ready to engage the monster. "We need to kill it quickly, and efficiently. Let us waste no time! Charge!", the girl charged the creature.
- - "Fun time!", the creature yelled as the group approached and attacked it, happy as if someone had just given him new toys to play with.
*A thick, orange gas began to fill the room.*
- - A voice can be heard from the balcony up above, "Just an ordinary gas cloud. But watch out, because it's no ordinary gas cloud!"
- - Several of the men began to freak, "Poison gas! We're going to die!"
- - "FOCUS! We stand together, or die alone! You hear me? Hold your ground, damnit! HOLD YOUR GROUND!", Sapphire screamed to keep everyone together.
*Festergut farts.*
- - "Eww...."
- - Sapphire noticed a few large spores floating just above the group's heads, lightly sprinkling particles on to their armor. "Hmm... Seems to be resistant to the gas. Everyone! Come closer together!"
* The group got close together just as the spores exploded, showering their armor with particles that appear to force away the gas filling the room. One of the soldiers began to vomit, and some of it landed on his boot, and immediately melted the metal. The others around him, seeing this, instantly jumped back and got away from him.*
- - "BURN HIM!", Lyn yelled as loud as she could. "Bring him down as fast as possible!"
*Festergut farts again.*
- - "Disgusting creature...."
*BOOM! Festergut stomped the ground, and Sapphire jumped out of the way quickly. Upon seeing Sapphire almost being crushed, Lyn grinded her teeth. She then held her axe back behind herself, and crouched slightly, as if ready to start sprinting. Bright golden wings emerged from her back, and she jumped high, as if being carried by the wings, up to the shoulders of the massive creature, and buried her axe in the back of the creature's head.*
- - "You will NOT harm anyone any further!", Lyn yelled in disdain at the abomination.
*Sapphire then ran up the front of the monster as it leaned backward, grasping at the axe in pain, and hit the beast in the face with her own weapon.*
- - "Da ... Ddy... Uhhnn....", Festergut moaned as he collapsed to the floor.
*The orange gas quickly began to pour of out of the corpse and dissipated. Sapphire grabbed her axe, placed her left foot upon the creature's husk, and yanked it out. As the weapon was removed, a faint blue light followed the axe, until it completely vanished around the cold metal.*
- - The voice from up on the balcony comments, "Oh, Festergut. You were always my favorite. Next to Rotface. The good news is you left behind so much gas, I can practically taste it!"
- - Jerking her own weapon out of the creature, Lyn looked over at Sapphire and questioned, "What was that?"
- - "... What was what?", Sapphire looked at Lyn with a puzzled look on her face.
- - "I think you know what. And you're going to tell me."

- - *The party hurried back the way they came, and stopped at the intersection.*
- - "There's a glass door here. It's massive. The size of a whole wall.", said one of the men.
- - "Forget about it. We aren't going to open it on our own. Get moving.", Alice commanded.
- - "Another dog? Really? Don't these things have kennels?", Lyn complained as they engaged a second giant undead canine.
- - "Well, atleast we know why there aren't any skeletons in here. The dogs ate them all as snacks, most likely. HA.", Alice joked, attempting to lighten the mood of the group.
- - "Just hurry up and fell the miserable beast already.", Sapphire snorted, obviously in a foul mood.
*The mutt collapsed to the ground faster than the one before it.*
- - "What? Precious? Noooooooooo!!!", yelled a loud voice, as if the dog's owner could sense its presence.
- - The group looked at one another and several voices could be heard, "Another one?..."
*The party followed the hallway until exiting it into another large chamber with another creature, very similar to the one they just put down.*
- - "Yes, another one. Let's not hesitate!", Sapphire engaged the creature, and cleaved its legs as hard as she could, but the flesh just seemed to already be cut and torn as much as is possible.
- - "WEEEEEE!"
- - The voice from the balcony could be heard again, which obviously showed that whoever it is, he was observing. "Good news, everyone! I've fixed the poison slime pipes!"
*The covers on several of the pipes on one side of the room exploded and slime poured out, covering a whole third of the chamber's floor.*
- - "By the Light, get away from the slime! Who knows what it would do to your bodies!", Lyn shouted a warning at a few members of the group, as they had their back turned to the approaching slime.
*The slime touched one of men's boots, and it crawled up his armor, almost as if it were alive. The slime stopped at the center of his back, and began growing. After a few moments, it got large enough to almost pull the man off-balance with the weight, but fell off on its own, and continued to grow in size as it started to chase down Lyn.*
- - "I'll handle the slimes. You and the others deal with the monster!", Lyn shouted at Sapphire, so that she would know not to expect Lyn to be able to interfere.
- - The slime from the pipes stopped flowing, but just a few moments, another announcement from the observer could be heard, "Great news, everyone! The slime is flowing again!"
*The slime filled a different section of the floor, while the slime on the other side dissipated. Everyone had to move quickly to avoid being caught in it.*
- - "I think I made an angry poo-poo! It gonna blow!"
- - "Everyone away! NOW!", Lyn directed the group to get away from the abomination at the center of the room.
*The creature shook, and large blobs of slime were thrown about the room, exploding as they hit the floor.*
- - "How are we going to take this one down when we can't both hit it, Lyn?", Sapphire looked to the Paladin for guidance.
- - "You know, you aren't the only capable ones here.", Alice glared at the Night Elf. "I guess I am going to have to prove it to you."
*Alice jumped on the monster's knee and thrusted both of her weapons into the creature, resulting in slime squirting from its chest. The monster howled in pain, and Sapphire took the opportunity to leap up onto the weapons, using them as footholds. She then attempted to cleave the monster's skull. The creature looked Sapphire in the eyes, and just one eye squinted. All of the others behind the abomination pushed it forward, in an attempt to knock it over, and they succeeded. Sapphire jumped down between Alice's weapons and yanked them out of the creature's chest, and slid between its legs before it collapsed onto the ground.*
- - "Bad news daddy."
- - "Terrible news, everyone, Rotface is dead! But great news, everyone, he left behind plenty ooze for me to use! Whaa...? I'm a poet, and I didn't know it? Astounding!"
- - "These are yours. Thank you for the... support.", Sapphire returned the weapons to Alice, who still had a scowl on her face. "Looks like pulling my axe out of my enemy's skulls is going to be quite commonplace in here.", Sapphire stated as she pulled her axe out of the creature's head.
*A faint, blue, ghastly light followed the axe out of the skull, enveloped the axe's bloodied edge, and vanished around the cold steel and blood of the axe head.*
- - "There it is again.", Lyn said as she dispatched the last of the living slime. "I saw it, and I want to know what that is. Tell me. Tell me, Sapphire."

http://www.blogcdn.com/wow.joystiq.c...chandilier.jpg

- - "What is the Crimson Hall?", asked one of the men curiously.
- - "It's where the vampires of myth and legend now live. The Lich King brought them back from their graves and brought them here to serve him. Or at least, that's what I heard...", boasted another one of the men, trying to scare the others.
- - "Actually." a Blood Elf stated as she walked towards the advancing party of Alliance soldiers and heroes. "He's half right."
- - Some of the soldiers having drawn their weapons upon sight of the Elf now had faces as pale as the ice around them once hearing her words.
- - "It is the home of some vampires, indeed.", the Elf started to explain as she stopped within an arm's length from the men in the front. "However, these are not the vampires of the past. They are actually former High Elves. My kin."
- - "Why do you offer us this information so easily? The Horde's aggression toward us so far would have us think they wish nothing more than for us to fail. Why help now? And why you?", one soldiers quickly retorted out of distrust.
- - "Because I am not your enemy, nor am I here on behalf of the Horde. I am a friend.", the Elf girl said to explain herself while measuring up each of the uniforms in front of her.
- - "Aye, a friend she is.", said Lyn as she walked around from behind the group and toward the Elf with open arms. "A hug for you. Quite the surprise seeing you here, Syri. What are you doing in a place like this?"
- - "As I said, these vampires used to be my kin.", releasing Lyn, Syri continued where she left off before being questioned. "They call themselves the 'San'layn'. They were defenders of my homeland until the Lich King took them from us. I only sought that they could at least be given proper burials. I'd like to assist you so that I can ensure it happens."
- - "A friend, eh? A friend of Lyn's? Good enough for me.", Sapphire said after sizing up the Blood Elf and continuing on past the group toward the Crimson Hall.

- - The hallway had an echo to it, and every bit of the corridor had a red tint to it. Almost as if someone had painted the place with blood-based paint. The corridor was wide, almost large enough to allow every person in the party to walk through, shoulder-to-shoulder, at the same time. Yet, not a single person dared venture near the walls. Almost as if some malefic force hid within them. After passing through the dreaded gate at the end of the long hall, they came face to face with that which many lesser men fear. Facing them were three vampires. Three, seemingly lesser, male corpses laying down on the floor, and a much larger and winged female standing above them.

- - "You all should know of them. Each of them have been encountered recently. Lana'thel at Quel'Delar's Rest, just south of the Argent Tournament grounds. Keleseth in Utgarde Keep. Valanar at Naxxanar in the Borean Tundra, and Taldaram in Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom of the Nerubians.", Syri explained their prior acquaintances as she stepped forward. "It's a shame that the three Princes haven't been raised to fight along your side, yet, Lana'thel."
- - A booming voice filled the room as the adventurers reached the center.
- - Blood-Queen Lana'thel yelled at the party approaching her, "Foolish mortals. You thought us defeated so easily? The San'layn are the Lich King's immortal soldiers! Now you shall face their might combined!"
- - Red, electrical-appearing beams reached out from the Queen's hands and encased the corpses of the Princes, and pulled them to their feet.
- - Lana'thel continues, "Rise up, brothers, and destroy our enemies."
- - Each of the Prince's eyes opened wide, glowing, and each of them smiled at the mortals in front of them, almost as if being presented dessert on a silver platter.

Just as the mortals raised their arms, the Princes dashed toward the men, and the queen vanished in an instant.

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- Several hours later, the group had defeated the council of vampires, their queen, and rescued a green dragon from the clutches of the Scourge. They were tired, but their resolve remained strong as they knew they were getting closer to the Lich King himself. Only one obstacle remained between them and their goal - the Queen of the Frostbrood. The Frostwing Halls were colder than any other section of the citadel. The chill cut right down to the bone. Some might envy the dead within these halls, as they cannot feel pain or temperature. The extreme cold could only be coming from one being, and our heroes marched toward what could very well become their frigid tomb.




This is a story I wrote back in 2008-2009 & 2011-2012.