Lightning Strikes

[Voice of the Storm]

“That’s not the way I work.”
“When lightning strikes, the mouse is sometimes burned with the farm.”
“There’s got to be another way about this.”
“I don’t think you have much choice.”
“… just… take care of them.”

Sparking blue eyes giving a piercing gaze, lips moving to mouth only a few, short words. “Tell them that they shall get no warning from me. No threats of violence, no diplomacy, no forgiveness. Tell them that the Voice of the Storm has spoken.”

A large hand drawn back and clenched into a fist before darkness befell the soldiers mind.

“Very cliché.”

The electric-eyed figure stood, the orange glow of a burning Alliance fortress behind him in stark contrast to the glow of his eyes. With a roll of broad shoulders he turned to glance at the result of his visit. The bodies of dead human soldiers were strewn about the landscape, charred with burns of varying types.

He turned; his furred, leather armor squeaking with the movement. The thundering noise of approaching reinforcements in the distance catching his attention. Gathering his thoughts, he turned and walked from the site to let the survivors be collected and tell their tales, to send his message. He disappeared among the trees as the riders arrived.

“There’s no better way about it than this.”
“If you want to send a message, usually fliers work perfectly fine, Unulu.”
“That’s not the way I work.”
“You make jokes?”
“No. That’s just not the way I work.”

It would not take long for word to spread as already he could hear the groans of awakening injured soldiers, squawking in common about the ‘Voice of the Storm’. A very gaudy moniker but you couldn’t beat a title to spread fear, as had been proven plenty of times before.

He snorted in disgust before turning and continuing out of Elwynn unopposed.

“This is your big plan? Scaring people with attacks on training facilities for Alliance troops?”
“When lightning strikes, only fools stand in the rain.”
“You’re full of wisdom, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m only just getting started.”

[Voice of the Storm]

“Are you really trying to turn me into something like the Onyx Sun?”
“I prefer to think of it as parodying source material.”
“I thought you don’t do jokes.”
“Besides, it is effective.”

He stood upon the boat in Theramore as several guards along with the aid of an Alliance ‘hero’ came down upon him like a ton of bricks. With a growl, he sent them all sprawling backwards with a blast of electricity – watching as they were thrown off the boat and landed upon the dock or in the water.

It didn’t take long for some of them to climb back to their feet and rush back towards the boat, but by the time they had he’d wandered backwards to the edge of the ship. Smirking to them as he stepped and fell from the side of the boat. The defenders rushed to the side of the boat as it began to move off into the distance, the bulky figure standing upon the surface of the water and giving the group a passing wave before wandering back towards the shore.

“You’re attacking random targets.”
“Am I?”
“There’s no rhyme or reason for where you strike.”
“They’re Alliance.”
“That’s it?”
“Should there be more purpose to it?”
“You make it sound like there is.”
“After all they’ve done to you, I’d think you could find a little more reason to be a little less picky about who you kill.”

Wandering up onto the beach, he looked back at Theramore. Dark clouds swirling overhead, some of the populous had gathered upon the bridge into the town and were staring up at the sky with interest. The figure smirked, adjusted his backpack and continued into the swamps as a bolt of lightning leapt from the heavens and struck down a single guard. Shocked yells and screams rose from the audience.

The clouds dissipated as quickly as the crowds surrounding the guard.

“What do you plan to achieve?”
“Fear.”
“Fear?”
“Fear is a powerful tool. It can halt armies, stop oppression, end wars.”
“They won’t fear you. You’re no stronger than anybody else.”
“And that’s why I don’t target them. That is why I will target the weak. Because they often have the most power over the strong. And then they will have no choice but to listen.”

[Voice of the Storm]

"This isn't right."
"This is war."
"There are better ways."
"You've been looking for a better way all your life."
"And I'll find one."
"You would have. Look at how your options have changed over time. This is merely the evolution of the path you were already set upon. The end of the road you began to walk. If you want to end war for some overly sentimental reason, there's one swift route - victory."

"Are you talking to yourself again?"

The electric-eyed figure blinked, found himself staring at the untouched ale he'd been served in the scungy tavern. What was once a bubbling amber liquid had since gone flat. He turned his nose up and pushed it aside, disgusted. Wondered why he hadn't pushed it aside the moment it was served to him. He glanced at the goblin staring at him from the other side of the table.

"You know that's not possible, goblin. You know the way it works."

The goblin narrowed his eyes, looked annoyed. "I have a name, you know."

An image of just how easy it would be to break the small creatures neck with his large hands flashed through the electric-eyed figures mind. He ignored it, that would annoy his proprietor far more than anything he'd done these last few days. He instead shrugged and chose to ignore the goblins statement of the obvious.

"It's really no different from the way your friend spoke to spirits. They were a part of him, but not him. I'm a part of him, but not him. Though he offers far more engaging conversation than the rest of the dead."

The goblin growled through his teeth. "Don't talk about him like he's passed on."

A smirk crossed the electric-eyed figures lips. "For lack of better term, goblin, he is dead. And you would do well to accept that fact."

Rising from the overly small seat, the electric-eyed figure began to move to the door before looking back at the goblin for a moment. Anger and sadness accented his features dramatically. He looked pathetic. "You should take me to his people."

The goblin looked up, blinked at the bulky figure in the doorway and sighed, nodding as he jumped from his chair. "Right."

The electric-eyed figure left the tavern, the goblin trailing behind his bulky frame as they wandered towards the docks.

"You shouldn't treat him like that."
"What do you want me to tell your people?"
"... tell them that you are my replacement."
"I don't think they will like that much."
"I don't think they - or I - really have a choice."

[Voice of the Storm]

"They're not as bad as I expected."
"You only bumped into one of them and then left."
"He's going to get a bit of a shock when he finds out the truth."
"Anyway, don't change the subject."
"Is this really necessary?"
"Yes."

The sparking-eyed figure looked at his reflection in the water, adjusting a new, uncomfortable set of clothing that he had on. He didn't like it in the least, felt far too exposed. But he didn't know enough about how people acted to not listen to the advice of his proprietor.

He squinted, and with some visual effort the sparking faded from his eyes until they returned to normal. He let out a sigh.

"You look great. People will definitely recognize who you are meant to be."

Glancing back at the direction of the voice, the goblin was standing there looking at him. The large figure glanced back to the surface of the water, dipped his hands in it and stood up before wiping the cool moisture over his face.

"I'm not sure who I'm even meant to be."

"Yeah, well, I'm guessing he's told you enough times. And you'll be recognized often enough that it will catch on. Don't worry about it!"

The large figure rolled his eyes and sighed. "I do not worry, goblin. But I am not sure turning up to this masquerade is such a good idea."

Frowning, the goblin wandered away again to continue his tinkering underneath the shade of a large tarp.

"Are you really sure that going to this event is a good idea?"
"You could benefit from watching people interact, and it seems a non invasive way to introduce you to old friends."
"I could imagine better ways."
"It's also a good chance to mingle, I've not in such a long time."
"And you won't be."
"Heh, I'll be there in spirit."

[Voice of the Storm]

"You know, at first at the masquerade I was wondering how you could even stand elves."
"Understandably."
"And then I saw their drama unfolding and realized just how amusing it was."
"Not so much when you're a part of the politics and having to handle it."
"Remind me to not get involved with politics like that."
"I doubt I'll have to."
"They're still annoying creatures though... most of them."

He turned swiftly on a heel, bringing his hands out in front of him. Electricity arced off his fingertips and blasted forwards like lightning from a storm cloud, striking a ghoul clean in the chest and making it explode with the sheer power. Rotting flesh and bone raining down and splattering against the cold, hard dirt.

The sound of feathered wings caught his attention, turning towards the noise and spotting an armored Night Elf flying not far overhead upon a hippogryph. With a smirk and narrowed eyes, he thrust his hands forward again. There was no pause, no effect from his hands as the warriors platemail burst into flames and he began to yell in pain. The electric-eyed figure moved his hands just slightly, a ball of shifting, molten heat formed in his palms. With a simple flick of his wrists it rocketed forward - struck the fleeing Elf clean in the back - and sent him along with his mount tumbling towards the ground, landing in a pile.

"Nice shot."
"Thanks."

Wandering forward, the large figure glowered over the smoking corpse of the Elf as its mount scrambled up from underneath its master to flee. There was no hesitation from him as he grasped a mace clipped to his belt - flame flickering from the head suddenly - as he bought it in a low upwards swing, smacking the hippogryph on the chin and knocking its head back with a loud crack.

It slumped to the dirt beside its master.

Clipping the mace back to his belt, the bulky figure stretched as though nothing had happened and made a single, large step over the two corpses before moving on to killing more undead.

"You're a monster."
"You were expecting something different?"
"If somebody caught me doing that--"
"I don't like to pretend to be someone I'm not."
"It's just not the right moment yet."
"And what if they find out before we -- I tell them?"
"Then we just have to hope they won't."

[Voice of the Storm]

"That could have gone smoother."
"It could."
"I think they'll cover for us."
"I believe they might both be a problem. The Elf was distressed and the Forsaken will undoubtedly try to find a way to prove me a liar."
"It's best for them to not say anything, and they know that. And him trying to prove you a liar will only convince him that you told the truth."

Crouching in a dark corner, the large figure pulled his hood over his glowing eyes to cover them up and shadow him perfectly. On the deck overhead he could hear the stomping of a paladin upon his mount.

For the first time in the quiet he truly listened to his heartbeat, and shuddered at the sensation.

The boat began to sway as he felt it pull away from the dock, and allowed himself some time to relax. He used the term "sneak" loosely to get upon the ship, as he knew he'd been spotted by some of the local Alliance. But the paladin he'd trailed seemed oblivious to his presence, and he'd been able to sneak aboard and hide on the lower decks as such.

In the darkness he allowed himself some time to relax. Feeling that nobody would stumble upon his position and - if they did, it wouldn't be difficult to knock them into the ocean - he opened his palms and let electricity arc from his fingers.

"An excursion into Alliance territory for more killing? Not the way I would gain their trust."
"I'm not going there to kill."
"Then what?"
"The Alliance have a very large system of water transport."
"So?"
"I'm curious."

He snapped to attention as he heard the heavy ring of a bell, the ships sway much more relaxed. The noise of the paladin above deck trailed off into the distance. Gathering himself, he wandered out of the lower deck and poked his head out into the moonlight.

No Alliance in sight.

He made the short dash to the edge of the ship and dived into the water below. Around him, electricity jumped at the surface of the water.

"If you really want to be quiet, you'd best stop that before you make yourself a beacon."

Rather than trying to restrain the power flowing through him he dived deeper under the surface of the water and held his breath as he swam past several docks. After a short swim he came back to the surface, glancing at a human sitting upon a small dock - his size minuscule compared to the giant boats being constructed behind him.

He was not oblivious to the electricity upon the surface of the water, however.

"Goibon ud--!"

His voice caught in his throat as he was struck in the chest. He had a moment to look down at himself and the hole in his chest that the ball of liquid fire had created before he slumped to the wooden planks of the small dock.

Leaving his hood over his eyes, the large figure smirked a little to himself before he heard the rattle of plate armor. Glancing over to spot two guards quickly approaching the fallen civilian. Stepping to the side and past the two guards to avoid a glancing blow, the two guards were suddenly blasted back by a wave of electricity that sent them into the salt water.

As they turned to swim back to the shore, a single bolt of lightning struck the water. Their bodies twitched and writhed as they were electrocuted before going limp.

The figure turned and wandered over to the nearby shed, kneeling down and looking out at the ships at dock - ignoring the hood still pulled over his eyes. He made a mental note of the guards, the people boarding the boats and leaving them.

The smirk slowly creeped over his lips once more.

"Do you think that--"
"They don't buy into that sort of thing."
"So you keep telling me. My idea is something different."
"Oh? And what do you have in mind?"
"Burning the farm."

[Voice of the Storm]

"This deal isn't working for me."
"Tough."
"I can drop my end of the bargain at any time, and you will be the one to lose the most. I'm just here enjoying myself."
"I know you don't like it and I don't deny that things haven't worked out great--"
"That's an understatement."
"-- But you seem to be enjoying yourself anyway."

The figure dropped from the second floor balcony of one of the many apartments in Ironforge, catching two young Alliance heroes off guard as he drew his mace and shield. Electric eyes glowing with unrestrained power; he lashed out.

A blast of electricity sent two corpses flying into one of the many large pillars in the center of the cavern, crumpling against it before slumping to the cold stone.

Casually the bulky figure wandered past the two dead bodies to the large bonfire just beyond it. Corpses already littered the area, though most of them had not been put there by him. Crouching down, he held a hand out to the base of the fire. Drawing it back a moment later to glance at the flame dancing upon his palm, he clenched his fist about it before standing straight again.

"That's the third time today that you've done that."
"I find the practice fascinating. You know, your friends frustrate me."
"How so?"
"They introduce me to something so wonderful as slaughtering countless numbers of guards and soldiers simply to extinguish or steal a flame that has no real value, all in the name of a holiday. And then they refuse to kill two Elves because they're family?"
"You're just frustrated that you couldn't kill them."
"Why didn't he give me the damn order? I could have gotten that annoyance dealt with. For good."

He turned away from the fire, his eyes widened and he ducked down swiftly to dodge a wide swing from a two handed sword. He was barely fast enough, thrusting his hands forward and lighting the plated heroes armor on fire. He glanced up further expecting to see the face of a Warrior. But instead he caught the glowing, empty gaze of a Human Death Knight.

"Shit. Death Knight. Not good."
"I can handle it."

Roots grasped at the Death Knights boots, holding him in place as the large, stormy-eyed figure turned and ran several feet away, smirking to himself. The feeling was short lived however, as he felt a grip around his chest and his body suddenly yanked backwards. He turned, saw the Death Knight bringing his sword around in a powerful swing, and raised his arm to block the strike.

He blinked as he found the Death Knights blade had sliced into his right arm, and jammed into the bone.

"BE CAREFUL!"
"Sorry."
"Shield is in the LEFT hand!"

The figure narrowed his sparking blue eyes at the Death Knight, whom seemed to be smirking in satisfaction as he yanked the blade back. The large figure didn't shift to stop the bleeding as blood rushed down over his armor. Another blast of electricity and the Death Knight was knocked back several yards; the figure drew his hands back before thrusting them forward again. A molten ball of lava rushing towards the still burning Death Knight.

A bright green shield popped up around the human and the lava simply splashed against it harmlessly.

"Unulu."
"I've got this. It's fine."
"UNULU."
"I can take him."
"RUN. NOW."

The large figure winced, narrowed his eyes and shimmered in the dim light of Ironforge. What was once a large, bulky figure had suddenly sprinted away as a transparent wolf. The Death Knight growled and stomped on after it as it rounded a corner and disappeared down a hallway.

He shifted back to his large, bulky form and glanced about at the Ironforge station of the Deeprun Tram. No trains currently stationed. He winced as he heard the heavy, plated footfalls behind him, turning and backing up with his mace and shield drawn. The Death Knight appeared once more around the corner and rushed towards the electric eyed figure. He rose up his shield this time, caught a glancing strike and arched backwards at another slash along his chest, continuing to backtrack as he heard the tram come into station behind him.

A smirk crossed his lips as he stepped backwards onto the tram. There was a loud clang, dust fell from the ceiling and the Death Knight stumbled backwards, stunned.

The tram shot off towards Stormwind.

With a roar, purple tendrils shot out from the Death Knight once more towards the bulky, electric-eyed figure; only to harmlessly teeter off back towards the platform.

The large figure threw a casual salute to the now deflated-looking Death Knight. He let a few minutes pass upon the Tram before he was confident he was out of sight, jumping off the still moving carriage to land with ease in one of the maintenance bays.

He touched at the large slice in his arm that had cut through his armor like butter. Pulling out some bandages and wrapping them about his arm carefully.

"Yeah. Big bad force of nature you are."
"I'm still governed by YOUR rules. If it were up to me, I'd not have to hold back."
"Riiight."
"Besides. It takes an army to win a war, not lone men."
"You're not exactly leading an army... you're not exactly a lone man either, for that matter."
"Any chance of rallying Horde guilds?”
“HAH! That certainly worked out in past. Most of the Horde aren’t particularly subtle in strategy. The most ambitious they typically get is ‘lets go kill that woman leading the Night Elves’.”
“And the Raven Cross?”

[Voice of the Storm]

SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER

Dark clouds with lightning jumping from them filled the skies over a dark, twisted version of the Borean Tundra. The giant, electricity spewing form of a Primordial Aspect of Storm stood on the coast, looking out to the South in the direction of the Eastern Kingdoms. A large hammer clutched in one of his electric hands.

It glanced to the small but bulky figure by its side. It simply nodded in the direction of the Aspects interest, and the Aspect nodded in turn.

The Primordial Aspect raised its large hammer back before bringing it down upon the earth in a powerful swing; throwing sand into the air with the powerful strike. Electricity rushed outwards from the area of impact, arcing over grass, rocks and dirt in an increasing area.

Leaving its hammer in the dirt, the aspect turned his attention to the sky. Raising its hands up over its head, there was a long pause as it seemed nothing was going to happen; before lightning shot forward from the aspects hands and into the clouds.

It continued to feed the clouds with a powerful stream of electricity, the lightning jumping from the clouds became more dramatic as the clouds began to draw back.

The Aspect began to dim, the electricity arcing from its body slowed, and the lightning spewing from its hands stopped. It was drained. Glancing off towards the south once more, an area of clouds had drawn away completely – sunlight filtering through onto the beach. The clouds slowly moved to fill in the gap.

“You did well.”
“Let’s just hope it’s enough.”
“Do you think he noticed?”
“I hope not.”

PRESENT

The electric-eyed figure looked up at the giant crystal at the heart of the remains of the Lifeblood Pillar. Pausing for a moment; he stepped forward and pressed his hands to the cold surface of the crystal, closing his eyes.

A few minutes passed in silence before he stepped away from the crystal and opened his eyes. Glancing down at his hands, he rubbed the tip of his thumb against the tips of his fingers. Bright arcs of electricity crackled at the touch, springing from his fingers. A smirk crossed his lips and he nodded.

“Was it necessary to take it from here?”
“It’s not exactly working anymore, I doubt it’ll all be missed that much.”
“Will we need to come here often?”
“It depends on you and what you ask of me.”

Wandering away from the crystal, he mounted up on the drake waiting patiently for him and took off into the air, flying North East.

“You did a good thing before.”
“I didn’t do it to do a good thing. I did it to test him... and because you ordered it.”
“And?”
“You and your kind are tenacious to have made it as far as you have.”
“He is only a man.”
“No. He’s not...”

[Voice of the Storm]

"We should talk."
"About what?"
"You killed her."
"She was a threat."
"And yet I'm proud of you."
"What?"
"You sent her out as you promised."
"She was like me in some ways."
"How?"
"She just was."

The Electric Eyed figure glanced about at the streets of Stormwind, the streets littered with corpses and dried blood. The battle had taken place several hours before but the figure had decided it was necessary to return to the scene. To fully grasp the entirety of their battle, the result of their efforts. And the satisfaction of a plan gone so very right.

He stood up straight, looking down at the harbor from on high. Fresh corpses of guardsmen and incapable adventurers alike strewn about not far from where he stood. Deciding it was best not to prolong his stay, he wandered back down the stairs and towards the ships in the harbor.

"They're changing."
"Who?"
"The Raven Cross."
"Maybe."
"They are. They would never have found justification for this in past. And now, they march upon the homes of the people of the Alliance. Taking the battle to their doorstep rather than lingering upon the Hordes, waiting for the fight to come to them. They are taking the fight to the Alliance."
"Don't give yourself so much credit as to believe you somehow manipulated this."
"I'm not. That's what's beautiful about it. They did it all of their own accord."
"You're using them."
"You set my rules."
"So you're not using them, then."
"No. I'm merely hoping to guide them down my path. And it seems I haven't needed to try."

He wandered onto the boat to the Borean Tundra, leaving a trail of the bodies of guardsmen in his wake. Stepping onto the ship as it pulled from the dock, turning to look back at Stormwind as the boat pulled away. The city was silent with the rise of the morning sun, the stench of death was on the air.

It would be a while before the bodies were cleaned away.

"They will all know soon."
"I know."
"Do you really want me to keep pretending?"
"I don't want people to know the whole truth. At least, not outside the Raven Cross."
"So?"
"So you will be yourself. But you won't tell them your story."

[Evanthe]

[Very interesting....]

[Voice of the Storm]

"You never cease to surprise me."
"Why?"
"You get a letter and suddenly you want to send her off."
"I want to make sure she STAYS dead."
"Right..."
"Don't be condescending."
"That's hardly all there is to it. You have other reasons."

The electric eyed figure stood on the coast of Teldrassil, thunder rolled overhead as rain pattered against his hood. Before him was a wooden raft - a funeral pyre - resting on the beach; a rather tall body blanketed in furs laid atop it. He stood by the pyre silently for a long moment before stepping forward and giving it a firm push into the water. It floated with ease and was drawn out into the ocean. He stood and watched before drawing his hands back slowly. With a snap of his wrists forward, the pyre burst into flames.

He paused for a moment to watch before turning and wandering back towards the docks.

"I think being here has changed you."
"I think you're wrong."
"Am I? You cared about her."
"I did not. Don't try to make it out like I am you."
"That's not what I--"
"Yes, you are. You're trying to live through me and I don't appreciate it. I'm here to do your job. Nothing more, nothing less. All I did there was respect her wishes."
"I just didn't expect you to do something like that."
"What are we going to do about you-know-who?"
"... if she approaches us again all we can do it pass on the message and hope for the best."

Snapping back into focus he found himself upon the boat back to Auberdine. A trail of dead night elves left in his wake along the dock. He glanced to the right to find one of their warriors charging him from the other end of the boat.

He was swiftly knocked off the boat with a blast of electricity as it left the dock.

Adjusting his hood, the electric eyed figure glanced off at Teldrassil silently. Crossing his arms as it disappeared into the fog.

"That's two cities, now. Your perception of them was flawed."
"All of them have changed, so much. I was not expecting this."
"They've evolved. They've learned that to truly send a message to the Alliance you don't kill farmers and guardsmen. You kill the heroes. The adventurers. The mercenaries."
"And all the guards and farmers you kill along the way are...?"
"Bait."

[Sabachthan]

They've learned that to truly send a message to the Alliance you don't kill farmers and guardsmen. You kill the heroes. The adventurers. The mercenaries."
"And all the guards and farmers you kill along the way are...?"
"Bait."[[damn straight]]

[Voice of the Storm]

"Are you okay?"
"Fine."
"You've spent most of the past few days talking."
"I'm trying to better understand how your people work."
"For what?"
"Their actions are all bound by emotions, they can't even stick to their own code of conduct because of it."
"And?"
"The Alliance are no different. Understanding emotion should make them easy to manipulate."
"... and her?"
"... I've no plans to manipulate her, that's purely... curiosity."

The electric-eyed figure glanced about himself at the rush of Orcish bodies towards the walls of Wintergrasp's fortress, vehicles tossing up snow as they approached the outer wall. Spotting several Alliance moving to intercept one of the vehicles he quickly dashed over to it. A blast of electricity sent the few attackers flying back from around the vehicle and into the mass of Horde.

They didn't rush back towards the vehicle again.

"So then--"
"Not a good time to be talking."

Electricity bounced from one Alliance to another, the Electric-eyed figure smirking as he bought his hands back and blasted one of the adventurers in flame. A second an a half later a blisteringly hot ball of flame struck the same adventurer in the chest, dealing a killing blow.

The bulk of the Electric Eyed figure turned in time to see the doors to the fortress come down. Wintergrasp belonged to the Horde, for the time being. He turned back to deal with a few Alliance stragglers as they turned to retreat out of the remains of the fortress.

"You were saying."
"So then your plan for the Alliance is to manipulate them?"
"No. I only plan to kill the Alliance. But I need to understand how to manipulate the Horde."
"Why?"
"Because somebody else found out our story yesterday, and I'm beginning to suspect that many others will know, too. Sooner rather than later."
"And that means you need to understand how to manipulate?"
"Because I suspect it'll be more difficult to gain trust when people know my true nature. Despite what I'm sworn to."
"Hm... What happened to the 'Voice of the Storm'?"
"Heh. That became unnecessary when we decided to stop striking fear into the Alliance, and started going into their cities to strike our blades into them, instead."

[Voice of the Storm]

“… so you think this war is no different from the one you fought.”
“The Alliance and Horde largely want the same thing; it’s just that they cannot coexist. At least, they don’t think they can.”
“So then why do you take so much pleasure in killing the Alliance?”
“’Pleasure’ is a relative term with me. But I’d take just as much pleasure in killing game as I would killing the Horde.”

The bulk of the electric eyed figure stared out the door of the Ratchet inn. Behind him he could sense the small form of a goblin pacing back and fourth. It paused every now and then to glance up at him before stopping entirely and turning towards the bulky figure before speaking.

“I get it that the Raven Cross consider this vengeance and inside their creeds--”

The electric eyed figure simply nodded once.

“… but it seems to me that this was decided on the spur of a moment. Why not attack the Alliance leadership? The ones LEADING this war?”

The electric eyed figure sighed at the question, crossing his arms. He continued to stare out at the ocean as he spoke bluntly. “Because it’s not them that come into our cities to attempt to kill our leaders. It’s their soldiers. So the Raven Cross attack their soldiers. Killing their leaders won’t end this war. It’ll prolong it as somebody else steps in to take their place. So we kill their soldiers, weaken their armies, and the Alliance will have no choice but to give in.”

The goblin seemed to consider this, frowning after a long moment and crossing his arms. “Fine. I see your point. What would Diomades think of this?”

The electric eyed figure paused, closing his eyes and shifting slightly on the spot.

“What WOULD Diomades think of this?”
“… he would think that Leoren knows what he’s doing. That as much as he hates it, fighting the Alliance this way is now warranted. The Forsaken and the Humans started this war and now it’s up to us to do what every other Horde guild seems unwilling to do and fight this war.”
“That’s a mouth full.”
“… He’d have tried to say something… inspirational.”

The electric eyed figure opened his eyes again after a long, silent pause. Speaking bluntly. “He would think Leoren is right for choosing to do this.”

The goblin paused a long moment, narrowing his eyes at the large figure. “You want this. You want the Raven Cross to attack the Alliance like this.”

The figure finally turned towards the Goblin. Crouching down low, he stared at the Goblin silently; his eyes crackling with electricity. The Goblin backed up slightly, though his eyes were still narrowed. The Electric Eyed figure spoke matter-of-factly. “Of course it’s what I want. But the Raven Cross are making this choice on their own.”

The Goblin fell silent and the Electric Eyed figure stood up straight. Brushing off his robes before pulling his hood back over his eyes. He turned and wandered out of the Inn with a few last words. “Somebody needed to finally stand up against the Alliance.”

“He’s just worried about the Raven Cross, and the possibility of you manipulating them.”
“He should talk to Leoren, then. He’d say right away how little he trusts me.”
“You have a point… he and the rest of the Cross will learn to trust you, though.”
“I’m not so sure.”

[Leoren]

(( This thread is win. ))

[Naowyn]

((I second that.))

[Cyrass]

(( Looking forward to the next part! ))

[Yatokth]

I barely heard the beaker shatter as my body fell backwards...

And never collided with the ground.

Down, down, down I fell, and soon my vision left me... Blinded by colors, strands, threads of pure light, assaulting my conciousness in jolts of visionary blows. Segacity was mine, and gone again...

....



SMASH

I whipped my warblade around and sheared off the head of the wooden dummy.

Suddenly, I paused... Where was I? What..?

My hands... They're... human..

I dropped my sword immediately, stumbling backwards as I surveyed my body, no longer emaciated by the plague, full and whole as I had been in...

Strom.

The bastion of my olden city... Sprawled before me like a road of glory. Barely could I see, barely could I notice my old sword... whole and full...

"Afarium."

"...Kate?"

[Voice of the Storm]

"The Raven Cross continue to impress."
"I have to admit, two attacks on capital cities was... interesting."
"They've gone above and beyond my expectations."
"You expected them to mercilessly slaughter adventurers in their own city as long unpaid vengeance?"
"Well--"
"Don't answer that. It was a natural evolution of the Wrath Gate event."

The Electric Eyed figure stood in Tarren Mill. Dead Forsaken guards sprawled around on the grass nearby, but his attention was focussed solely on the dwarf hunter responsible for their deaths. It turned and attempted to flee but found its feet bound. A smirk crossing the bulky figures lips, he bought his hands back to strike the killing blow.

Something stayed his hands.

"... something wrong?"
"... I don't know."
"Focus. I can't act if you don't focus."
"Let him go, I think we might have larger problems."

Frowning, his hands coming back to his sides. The hunter shook away his binds and took off, sprinting towards his mount. He could only stand and watch, but his gaze was distant. His focus elsewhere.

"There better be a good reason for--"
"I have company."
"You're d--"
"So you understand my shock."
"... who?"
"Yatokth."
"As I said about Ravens."
"If he intentionally did this to find me... We need to get to him. Take us to Arathi."

[Yatokth]

"Aye," said she softly, her voice like a sweet song against my ears. I stumbled backwards slightly as she smiled, moving towards me.

Beautiful

Her hair burned like a fire hotter than the bowels of the most massive forge, alight and smoldering with passion. Her skin as radiant as the sun high above me, her nose like a crown aloft her perfect lips, her emerald green eyes like forests all their own, labyrinths of beauty and magnificence. Her gait like the steps of a dream, and the dress as a cocoon upon the most sanguine form...

She smiled, and the whole of Strom erupted in brilliance.

...Yet so plain was she, unassuming and unrevealing, striding towards me on tufts of windswept grass. But in the eye of the beholder was the magnificence of a symphony, crescendo after after crescendo, mounting in heat and scorching beauty with each breathtaking movement.

My mind raced with questions as I gaped at her.

How? When? Why? Where--

Our lips met, and they all melted away.

Each moment was better than the last, like a furious volcano bursting and bubbling, thrusting upwards in a violent and passionate outburst. And then subsiding, like the peaceful calm of the sea, covered daintily by the mist of an unspoken morning...

And again, the bombastic cannons of a firey announcement, glorious and tender, marvelous and soft, barely could I envision what I could see. But feeling was enough, enough for her and me...

...

Never

Never would I know love.

And sleep took me.

[The_Golden_Wolf]

((Good god Yat, you have a way of writing as if painting a canvass. I can't even describe how beautiful this is.))

[Voice of the Storm]

"You have a plan?"
"Do I need one?"
"He's not going to want to leave."
"Then my plan is to not give him a choice in the matter."
"Do you think it was planned? Quite a thing to go through with."
"I highly doubt Yatokth would get himself killed by accident."

The walk through to Arathi took a lot longer than he was expecting. The Alliance was about in force, it seemed. But he didn't have the ability to fight any of them off right now - the electric-eyed figure found itself dodging back and fourth between trees and entering Arathi through a collapsed area of Thoradin's Wall.

Thunder rolled overhead, and rain began to lightly patter against the grass. He paused where he stood; tilting his head back towards the sky. His enjoyment of the weather was cut short as he was pushed to continue onwards, towards the ruins of Stromgarde Keep.

"You're sure he will be here?"
"I'm sure."
"And how will you convince him to go back?"
"I'll remind him of his duty. But that's not my concern."
"What is?"
"The fact that I have no idea as to how to get him back."

[Yatokth]

"Wake up, my love..."

I slowly opened my eyes, the soft whisper against my ear of her lovely voice crowned itself with a short kiss.

I started upwards, bolting into a sitting position, grabbing my head. My fingers drove through a patch of coarse hair, and I drew back again, surprised at my own form.

A touch as a warm stream enveloped my shoulders as she drew her arms around me, pressing her bosom to my back.

"Was it not wonderful, Afarium?"

"I.."

I could only mutter and stare, still confounded by this rush of sensation. I turned to her eyes, and the deep green maze nearly engulfed me. Shutting my eyes briefly and turning, I grunted as I threw off the covers. I rose, the wooden floor coarsely setting beneath my feet. I took two tentative steps, lifting my gaze to a dew-soaked window, a veritable doorway to the great walls of Strom.

"Kate."

"Yes?"

"When is this?"

"Time is... infinite here, Afarium. It is... odd, I know."

"Then this is the afterlife," I mused, looking down now to the wooden floor, I was able to see every crack, crevice, and groove, like I was right next to it. The simple beauty of it struck me, as if it were... alive.

Kate made no reply as I turned to face her, speaking, "Is my father here?"

She smiled and replied, "Yes, he is... Get dressed and we shall go see him." She rose as well, throwing off the covers. As I witnessed her bared back and perfect hips, running down to milky legs, I found it hard again to contain my lust for her beauty. I watched as she dressed, unable to tear my gaze away from the silky form before my eyes.

"Well, you getting dressed or are you going to stare at me for the next hour?" she smirked, winking and moving off to the door.

I shook myself and started over to the closet, donning a tunic and trousers. I followed Kate out the door, and she took my hand, the feeling coursing through my body as she began to run, leading me down the cobblestone streets. The pace seemed to quicken as we ran, perspective warping around me. The walls and houses rushed past, as if it were not us moving but they... And suddenly stopped in a flash.

I blinked several times and looked around, my eyes finally settling upon a familiar figure, draped in Arathi armor...

"Father."

"It is well to see you, Afarium," he said, extending his arms and pulling me into an embrace. Taken aback at first, I soon returned the gesture before pulling back. He was young... young as I remember him from my youth, his armor tightly cinched around him, dual swords slung at his waist. His hair was a deep brown as mine, coarse and rough...

"I see you finally made it. Late as always," grinned another man, extending his hand for me to take.

"Keilan," I remarked, recognizing my old friend, taking his hand firmly. Again he was young... Leaning on his spear and dressed in his usual tunic, sinched off at the sleeves with bracers of leather. Many times had I fought beside him.. Not the least of which when--

And then a twinge. I cocked my head as I saw a small swirl of light around the head of my former comrade... What was-...

"Keilan..." I muttered, slowly dropping my arm. A sudden sense of foreboding overcame me, reeling my conciousness into its grasp. Quivering, I looked back to Kate, "Were not you and...?"

"Aye... But it was not how it was meant to be," replied Kate slowly, soon after smiling briefly at me. This time I was not overcome.. My mind seemed to push on the edge of a precipice, ready to simply...

"Fall."


"The future is many things, but rarely immutable..."

"I realize we have not always seen eye to eye..."

"You always seem to be swooping in to rescue me."

"Does violence really solve anything?"

"Open your eyes, and perhaps you shall."

"Drink the elixir on my command."

"This war will not end if we sit idly by..."

"You are wise not to trust me, Forsaken..."

"BRING. HIM. BACK."

...

"..I don't belong here."

[Voice of the Storm]

"Shouldn't we go in?"
"I don't know how they will respond to me."
"Whats the worst that could happen?"
"You have a point... but... I think he needs his time in there."
"To what? Convince him that he needs to stay?"
"No. Convince him that he needs to leave."
"... how does that work?"

The electric eyed figure stood at the gates to Stromgarde, the city in ruins. Though humans and ogres still dwelled within the ruins, it was only a shadow of its former self. Rain still poured down upon his armor, dripping from his gauntlets.

But to the other, the city was as it should have been. Glorious. The sun was out and seemed to make the stone walls of the city glow with an almost holy light. Soldiers stood at the large gates, but paid little heed to him as he stood on the path leading up to it. He knew that he could have walked inside without issue, without them stopping him.

He just knew it wouldn't be right to interrupt.

"So we're just going to stand here and wait for him?"
"... basically."
"And if he never comes out?"
"He'll come out."
"And what then? What do you say to him?"
"... I tell him the truth. And we get him back home."

[Yatokth]

I was not prepared...

I reeled backwards, the firing assault of my living memories searing my concious with its veracity. I shook myself once again, steeling my footing, repeating the words that I could feel, yearn, deep to my core, and know that I was right.

"I don't belong here."

"You've only but arrived, my love..." said Kate, taking my arm briefly. I found the touch intoxicating, but more had I to lose...

"I am not your love, Kate. Nor will I ever be," I replied, pulling away and looking around hurredly. I had to get out... Leave before she changed my mind with her voice... The soft, angelic, chorus of clear beauty that seeped into my mind like a poison so sweet.

"That's not true! It's what I always wanted..." she protested, taking my hand firmly and squeezing. I looked back, unable to control myself against her... Could I? Can I?

"Perhaps in another lifetime, Kate," I said, pulling away and turning. My heart wrenched inside my chest, burning and protesting, screaming for my acceptance of this life... this dream. I cannot. I will not.

"This is another lifetime, Afarium," she said, bringing me back to the moment, "How can you run from me even now?"

"I do not run... I do not wish it... But I must, this I have learned, Kate, and as must you."

And silence draped upon us like a curtain, I looked to the sky as the sun sank low o'er the walls. With narrowed eyes I could glimpse the whole of Strom, set alight in glorious contrast by the setting sun... And soon would I depart...

"Then go, my son..." my father spoke, "And battle with all your strength. For honor."

The creed

Keilan stepped forward, his spear glinting in the lowering light as he continued the great chant, "For Arathor."

I paused, looking to my old comrade as he returned my gaze with a piercing one to match. I stared straight into my fellow warrior's eyes, pride welling within me.

"And vengeance."

And the walls blasted in a deep red display of blood and pain. But even as my heart bursted its protests, I turned, and the whole of the city, my father, my friend, my love, melted away...

And I ran.

Ran towards the gates of the burning walls, from the home of my people, from the dream of my beloved, from the ghosts still haunting my past... To my goal.

My reason.

My affliction.

My conviction.

The Raven Cross.

And as it all crumbled around me, I could see him. Standing at the entrance.

Diomades

[Voice of the Storm]

"That's him?"
"I believe it is."
"You were right about him coming to find you."
"I'm rarely ever wrong when it comes to the Raven Cross."
"Is that so."
"I should. I've been there since the start."

Diomades looked up at the gates to Stromgarde, his leather armor was covered with numerous different trinkets - teeth, gems, feathers. The decorations typical of a Tauren Shaman there to lead his tribe rather than fight a war. He barely smirked as he looked at Yatokth. Not shifting from his spot, crossing his arms.

"Basically killing yourself in order to have a conversation? Not what I'd expect you to do."

Diomades paused before he wandered towards Yatokth. His almost jovial expression replaced by a serious one, his tone blunt and to the point as he spoke.

"You came here to ask questions, so ask them. I'm not going to play the role of the 'wise elder' and speak in riddles. The Raven Cross needs you right now, so you can't stay here long."

"How long is this going to take??"
"I just need some time to tell him what's going on and work out how to get him back home."
"Good. We've got better things to do than stand around Arathi all day while you talk to a dead friend."

[Yatokth]

I neared the tauren before me, the din of the crashing city behind me fading as my focus moved to a singular purpose. There, I could see the form of my friend, Diomades, dressed in tribal garb, more a ritual leather than any warlike contraption. He smirked, and somehow I knew... This was the moment of truth.

"Basically killing yourself in order to have a conversation? Not what I'd expect you to do."

"I had to be sure, Diomades," I replied, "I had to be sure it was you."

I looked to Diomades as his expression changed to grave, studying him closely. My vision seemed heightened in this... world.. I could note every tuft and strand of fur on his face. ...Still I had to be wary of what I would say. He would perhaps be under the influence of the elemental, even were his spirit still here.

"You came here to ask questions, so ask them. I'm not going to play the role of the 'wise elder' and speak in riddles. The Raven Cross needs you right now, so you can't stay here long."

"The Raven Cross needs you as much as it needs me," I replied, "You were the constant... The unwavering. And now you loiter, nearly beneath the thumb of a heartless elemental..."

I started forward, steeling my grim gaze directly into Diomades's eyes, "True or False, I shall know..."

My warning given, I clenched my jaw before posing the poignant query.

"Are you yet the master of your fate?"

[Voice of the Storm]

"He's aggressive."
"He's worried."
"Is he really going to believe you?"
"He will."
"What are you going to tell him?"

The Tauren did not shift as the Human closed distance to stare at him. Not by reflex or force of will - he just didn't respond to the movement at all, like his mind was in another place.

"Are you yet the master of your fate?"

He raised a brow at the question. The smile returning to his lips, letting out a light chuckle and shaking his head at Yatokth.

"The only time I was not the master of my fate was when this all started. Do you have any idea what it's like? Your understanding of yourself falling away, not knowing who or when you are when you open your eyes? It took everything I knew to steady myself and call upon Unulu in what few moments I could actually focus."

Diomades turned to walk away from Stromgarde, making sure that Yatokth was in tow as he wandered out into the grassy plains of Arathi Highlands.

"What he told you is true. I made a deal with him not unlike deals made with other elementals. It benefits us both. He was trapped on the Elemental Plane and wanted to get out, and I was trapped in my own mind with no way to fix it... so I traded. He got my body and my power along with the ability to freely roam Azeroth. And I got the ability to make sure this war ends."

Stopping in some knee-high grass, Diomades closed his eyes and tilted his head back into a breeze before turning to once more look at Yatokth. The smile was still there.

"I didn't get what I expected with Unulu. But from what I've seen... the timing of his arrival was not exactly unwelcome with the Raven Cross' new outlook on war and how to fight it."

"They're finally learning that this is what it takes to end a war."
"So you keep saying."
"I do. I've seen power traded back and fourth countless times by aggressive tactics."
"But your war never ended."
"No, but--"
"Now's not a good time. I'm trying to have a conversation with a friend."

[Yatokth]

"I didn't get what I expected with Unulu. But from what I've seen... the timing of his arrival was not exactly unwelcome with the Raven Cross' new outlook on war and how to fight it."

I had listened attentively and walked along the path with my old friend, the grass brushing softly against my legs... a feeling I had not experienced in many ages... A calm breeze, as if washing away the pain of the city behind me, came over us. I glanced back, and Strom was in quiet ruins, swept only by a soft wind over the dew-soaked rubble.

"Perhaps it isn't..." I finally replied, turning back to Diomades, "I apologize for my overbearing demeanor. I had to be certain you were not under control or duress."

Stepping forward, the grass softly rustling against my trousers, I felt the wind blow my hair backwards, yet another sensation of old I had not experienced for a long time... I crossed my arms and looked to the cloudy sky... not dark or foreboding, but peaceful and calm, unbroken by any ray of overpowering light... It was as if the world were blanketed by a gray curtain, shielding it from all evil...

How illusory. What a false reprieve from this icy wall of darkness that looms o'er us all...

"And how do you expect to win this war?"

[Voice of the Storm]

"That's a good question."
"It's a simple question."
"Oh?"
"Yes. And you already know the answer."

"And how do you expect to win this war?"

Diomades crossed his arms at the question, the smirk returning to his lips. He didn't look back to the human, staring out over the fields as the grass swayed back and fourth slowly in the breeze. He finally replied after a short, silent pause.

"Unulu."

He finally looked over at Yatokth before he continued.

"I couldn't unleash a power like that upon the world directly. One, that would be against the rules. And two, that tends to draw adventurers from all around the world, no matter WHAT your intentions. So while he's on Azeroth, he's limited. The plan was one of tenacity. An elemental doesn't tire. They don't stop. They just keep on going."

He looked back out at the plains, the smirk leaving his features as he watches the wind blow through. The grass flowed back and fourth like waves over an ocean. He paused only a moment before he continued.

"Of course, when I asked for a powerful elemental I was not expecting Unulu. I didn't have much choice, I had to go with what I got. And in all honesty, I don't regret it. Unulu is as tenacious as he is powerful and - in his own way - passionate. He has a different idea as to how to end this war. But I am confident that - with time - he will succeed where I did not."

"I'm flattered that you think so highly of me."
"Think nothing of it. At all. I still don't agree with how you work."
"You cannot disagree with results."
"I can disagree with how you get them."
"You get what you ask for. You asked for results."

[Yatokth]

"I do not see how he can do anything you could not," I replied swiftly.

It was baffling to me... How could he trust this elemental? A being who made threats as readily against my own person as would fight beside me against the alliance. Indeed he fought well, but I noticed no difference in effectiveness from the old Diomades... Only in character.

"And lest he has some extraneous power you've yet to reveal..." I continued, "I doubt one tauren, even controlled by the spirit of a volatile elemental, can change the course of this entire war."

As I pondered Diomades's words more, weighing them within me as I awaited his reply, I came across the irony of it all... I looked to the gray sky and smirked slightly, thinking that through all this change to the darker side of war... From the sunswept sky of honor, glory, and defense of our lands, to the blackened clouds of vengeance and retribution... Through all the infliction of suffering and spilling of blood, he still thought he could end it.

You always were an idealist, Diomades...

[Voice of the Storm]

"You seek me out for my power but then restrain it."
"That's right."
"So then why seek me out for my power?"
"Because you never know when that power might come in handy."

Diomades shook his head, pausing as he looked up at the sky before speaking bluntly.

"He's not that special as far as Elementals go. The main idea is that he will continue to get back up, no matter what happens. He is far more tenacious than I ever was. He never tires."

Crossing his arms, Diomades grunted and looked to Yatokth with a smirk. It was difficult to get used to talking to him as a human and treat him totally the same as he would have otherwise.

"But if it were true that single men could not change the course of war, you wouldn't be fighting it, my friend. I expect Unulu to work as a part of a team with you and the Raven Cross. And from what I've seen thus far, the course of the war HAS changed as a direct result of our actions."

"People are starting to get worried. Leoren just questioned me about Yatokth."
"Right. Watch your words."
"He just ordered me to tell him."
"... tell him that you are getting your orders from a higher power."

Shaking his head, the Tauren let his hands fall back down by his sides, clenching his fists.

"In any case, you got your answers. And people are starting to worry about you. I think it's time we found a way to get you home."

"I'm assuming you finally have a plan for that then."
"You'd be right."
"And?"
"I am... was a Shaman. I'll call in some favors, it shouldn't be an issue to get him back safe and sound."

[Yatokth]

I will never abandon any who bear the cross. United we fight. United we fall. Together we shall never recoil before adversity, and make our stand as one.

"Perhaps not just one man..." I muttered. Shaking my head slowly as I stared down at the swaying grass, like reeds on the top of a smooth pond, I exhaled. The first I'd noticed my own breathing since I had arrived here.

More tenacious...

Bullshit.

But my argument would not change what has happened. And it was somehow reassuring, to hear Diomades's words of deference... He had always been humble as well.

"I disagree with your assessment of Unulu, my friend. But there is little we can do to change it," I spoke. Narrowing my eyes and steeling my gaze, I looked up once again, as if returning from a trance. Turning to Diomades, I spoke.

"No doubt I've missed the blood of a few hundred alliance. Let us ensure I do not miss anymore."

[Voice of the Storm]

"You are just calling in a favor? To bring him back?"
"Something like that."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"I've got to try."

Diomades simply nodded once at Yatokth before closing his eyes and seemingly simply enjoying the melodic quiet of the wind blowing through the grass. After a long moment, another Tauren appeared before Diomades. This ones fur was a pure white and he stood a head taller than Dio, though his horns were cut short and his facial features were much like Diomades - if older. He stood in armor not unlike Diomades and glanced down at him curiously before speaking frankly in a deep voice.

"Adanado. You called me from our ancestral grounds? What is it you require?"

Diomades smiled, motioned towards the human beside him, glancing to Yatokth before looking back to the older Tauren.

"My friend here needs some help getting back to the living, father. He gave his life that he might check that I was alright and Unulu wasn't lying."

The older Tauren glanced at Yatokth, raising a brow slightly as he looked the human up and down, before looking back to Diomades.

"He is forsaken, then."

"That's right."

"I cannot."

Diomades winced, looking up at his Father.

"I know it is against the natural order, Rokoce... father. I understand that he is already supposed to be dead once. But the Horde needs him, more than ever. And I cannot send him back alone."

Rokoce shook his head, crossing his arms and looking to the human. He paused a moment before speaking - though it was obvious it was in Diomades direction.

"Son, it's not our place to meddle in mortal affairs anymore. And while I understand the connection you have with those people, you need to let it be. Your friend is here for better or worse, as he should have been a long time ago."

Without waiting for a response, Rokoce faded from sight. Diomades winced and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, though it seemed more out of mortal reflex than anything.

"So..."

He paused and turned to Yatokth.

"I don't suppose you have any bright ideas."

"What am I going to tell Leoren and the Raven Cross?"
"That in all likeliness, Yatokth is dead and stuck that way."
"I somehow doubt they will like that, at all."
"You and I both. But not telling them anything will make them more suspicious."
"With due respect, Diomades. I see this ending very, very baddly."
"You and I both."

[Yatokth]

I stood in awe as the great white tauren before me, a figure so imposing, appeared. He seemed to glow, his olden fur, tufted and matted with what seemed the wisdom of many years, shimmering in the light breeze. The clouds rustled in the sky with his approach, but remained gray, overcast... Their neutrality now foreboding as the conversation loomed forward...

A stronger gust swept the beads and teeth on both Tauren's armor to the side, jangling lightly in the wind as they exchanged words. At junctures, I thought to interject, but I restrained myself... It would be unwise. Diomades's father was likely as important a figure to him as was mine, and I would not interfere, as he had not interfered with me.

As the Tauren offered his final rejection, I grimaced slightly at his words. He faded as quickly as he had appeared, and the wind grew stronger still, the clouds moving and groaning, as if a storm was coming...

"I don't suppose you have any bright ideas."

"Not particularly," I said. Looking once again to the grass, now rustling more vehemently as the wind picked up, I pondered... What was it that Cyrass had said?

It should be strong enough to seperate your spirit from your body...

...

Seperate

"Diomades, we need to get to Sun Rock Retreat."

[Voice of the Storm]

"I hope he realizes its going to take a bit more than running back to his body to come back to life."
"I don't know, but right now, I haven't got any better ideas."
"The Raven Cross gather soon, so hurry up."
"I can GET him there, but what we'll do when we get there..."
"Then think of something."

Diomades seemed to pause at the idea before nodding once, placing a large hand on Yatokth's shoulder.

"I'm not sure what good it will do us but right now, I'm all out of ideas."

The world around them began to twist and shift, the trees, tall grass and distant hills in a pallette of golds and green faded into towering red mountains and bare branched trees - leaves stripped down by strong winds on the mountain tops.

The sense of vertigo quickly passed.

Sun Rock Retreat was vibrantly colored. The Tauren style buildings painted with tribal markings in red and cyan seemed to almost glow as Orcs and Tauren alike went about their daily business and mingled as though nothing in the world was different.

Diomades nodded once and looked back to Yatokth.

"And now?"

"Is now really a good time for sight seeing?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"No, but I'm thinking and not wasting time traveling the world on the whims of a dead man."
"No. You're travelling the world and killing people on the whims of a dead man."
"The part where I kill people is what makes it different."

[Yatokth]

"And now?"

The move to Sun Rock had been even quicker than my run with Kate... I reeled slightly, and shook my head, the sky above still overcast, the clouds turning almost black, my premonition of a storm nearly realized.

"Now... I've no idea," I said, regaining my footing.

Cyrass, where are you...

[Voice of the Storm]

"This is going well."
"You've got a few minutes."
"I don't have the power alone to bring him back, and the rules prevent me from doing anything myself."
"Then find something."

Diomades shook his head and began to pace back and fourth, slowly, glancing about himself. His expression was dire, trying to search for an answer.

The electric-eyed figure stood silently in the major tent in Sun Rock, staring at the doorway.

"... I have an idea."
"Shoot."
"Let me bring him back."
"What?"
"I'm not a Shaman. I'm not bound by the same rules as you."
"Unulu..."
"Hurry up and give the order."
"... Fine. Do it."

The Electric Eyed figures eyes suddenly faded, and he knelt down.

Reality seemed to ripple beside Diomades, electricity sparking at the ground. Thunder suddenly struck at the spot and a large, shifting figure formed. The giant elemental sparked with electricity, a massive hammer clenched in its right hand. It seemed to take a moment to adjust to its surroundings before looking to Yatokth and narrowing what passed as its large, glowing eyes.

Diomades didn't look at the figure as he motioned to it, and spoke bluntly. His tone was not without concern.

"Yatokth; Unulu. He apparently has an idea."

The elemental simply nodded once before stating bluntly.

"I can't promise it won't be... disorienting."

"You better not hurt him."
"I plan to bring him back to life. More than you can apparently do."
"I'm sorry that I am bound to more rules than you are."
"I'm bound to your rules, too. You just dictate my actions."
"Look, just... do it. And be careful."
"Sometimes you need to use force."

[Yatokth]

Disorienting...

Excruciating would have been a more appropriate word. The lightning-bound mace was cast towards me, and as it collided with my ethereal form, agonizing pain shot like knives through my body. My head shot upwards, and I felt a pull... A fierce call back to the land of the real. Up, this time... Up, up, and up.

My vision was blinded once more, the same threads of light speeding past me. This time, each new color assaulted my vision with its luminescence, a searing pain scorching through my eyes and head at each new vision, each new blow.

It felt as if my entire being was being pulled out through my eyes, battered and beaten with each rope of pure light as my essence was dragged towards the end.

And it could not come soon enough...

...

"Foah."

"T'ree"

"T'ah"

"'ne!"

BOOM

[Voice of the Storm]

((Continued in this thread)) (http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?t=16903)

[Stiq]

(( this thread is epic. that is all. ))