Being a Night Elf, Shakaku, knew of her race. She knew the evil that dwelled within their hearts and the satisfaction they got when they destroyed another living creature. She looked at herself in the vanity mirror and sighed at the sight, "Why do I not feel right staying within the clutches of my people? I belong here....don't I?" Shaking her head at the unanswered questions she picked up her brush and started to comb out her long, black locks of hair. She ran her long, slender fingers through her thick mane and turned as her mother entered her room.
"Shakaku, my beautiful daughter, please come with me" Lady Asaka said with a little smile. Shakaku stood up and smoothed out her pale purple dress, "Yes of course mother, where are we going?" Her mother just shook her head, "You shall see in time, my dear daughter." Watching her mother turn and walk to the door, Shakaku couldn't help but to smile at her mother's free spirit.
Falling in step behind her mother, Shakaku was very quiet as they passed through the murky hallways of Sable Rock. She never liked the dim halls nor how deep her home was in the mountains, but she was a Night Elf. Night Elves were supposed to like the darkness. Sighing quietly to herself, she suddenly became very aware of the quiet that surrounded them.
Frowning slightly at the deepening quiet, Shakaku tensed up, knowing something was about to happen. Her keen purple eyes studied the shadows and picked up the silhouette of a man. As she and her mother neared the man, she thought about stopping to confront him but decided against it. "Mother wouldn't like that..." she mouthed to herself. Passing the man, Shakaku kept her eyes straight ahead, not wanting the unknown figure to know she knew he was there. But as they passed, a strong hand reached out and grabbed her arm harshly and pulled her into the shadows.
Her violet eyes went wide with fright when she looked at the strong man which held her. She looked into his blue eyes and glared softly recognizing who he was. "Arch! You know better than to scare me like that!!", Shakaku said as she punch her brother playfully on the shoulder. "Is it my fault that you are so gullible?" Arch said as he messed up his little sister hair. Groaning softly, Shakaku pushed her brother aside and quickly fixed her hair. "Yes" She stated matter-of-factly and turned to leave, "Okumi...." Shakaku said. "Okumi...Shakaku." Repeated her brother, smiling as they said "goodbye" in Night Elf.
Turning the corner, she found her mother running her fingers through her golden hair, a sign of impatience. "I am sorry mother, Arch frightened me and...."she trailed off as she saw a smile spread on her mother's face. "You and Arch....it reminds me of when I was back in Crystyre, with my own brother." Smiling at each other, Shakaku and her mother turned and headed down the hall, towards the lighted area in the distance.
Stepping out into the daylight, both Shakaku and her mother squinted at the harsh sunlight. Both knowing each other's thought about the sun. But coming to the garden often made up for the discomfort they suffered. Seeing all the flowers that would wither and die in the shadows of their home, flourishes in the undesired sunlight. That is why they come here so often.
"Sable Rock Gardens..."Shakaku said with a twinkle in her eyes. "Our special place." Sitting down at one of the many benches within the garden she turned to look at her mother. Looking at the sunset, Lady Asaka nodded, "Shakaku, do you know why I have asked you here?" Shaking her head quietly, Shakaku sat patiently, waiting for her mother to continue. "Shakaku, my dearest daughter," Lady Asaka started, turning towards her daughter," I fear for you." Looking into her daughter's bright violet eyes she saw the innocence that dwelled within. "You are growing into a proud, beautiful maiden...but being the daughter of the leader of Clan Sablearth, I fear for your safety."
"Mother? Are you saying that I could be in danger?" she asked, clearly alarmed. Chuckling, her mother looked at her, "You are in danger everywhere you go, remember that. Wherever you go someone will be watching." "Yes, mother." Looking at the ground, Shakaku could feel her mother's piercing blue eyes gaze at her. "Shakaku? You shouldn't be worried...you are also well protected." "I know mother but in this society, no matter who surrounds you...you always have to watch your back." Nodding at her daughter's keen perceptions, "You are wise beyond your years..." "Thank you", Shakaku whispered.
Smiling, Lady Asaka embraced her daughter within a firm hug, "I love you, Shakaku." "And I you, mother."
Being several hours since his mother and sister came back inside, Arch walked around Sable Rock. He liked the dark passageways and hiding in the deep shadows. He knew he would make a great warrior. Nearing his parents' bedroom, he heard a heated argument in progress. Stealthily, he darted from shadow to shadow, getting closer to the voices. Peering inside the room, he saw both his parents looking very angry. He also noticed that his mother had been crying.
"You will NOT sacrifice her to Thanatos! It's bad enough that you serve that evil creature...but now you want to sacrifice you only daughter?!" Lady Asaka spat out with disgust. "She is the best maiden for the job! I will not have the celebration ruined just because you do not like it! This has been going on for centuries!" His father said through clenched teeth. "But why her!! Can't you pick another maiden?" He watched her mother's tears slide down her golden cheeks. "No. Shakaku is the best maiden to be sacrificed. The Celebration of the Virgin will continue...with or without your consent." Lord Nyte said, his face reddening with anger. Falling to her knees, Lady Asaka lowered her head and wept. Watching his mother in agony, he couldn't help to see the look his father was giving his mother.
Running down the hall, Arch looked around frantically for his sister. Turning the corner, he noticed that the lights were out in her room. "I must tell her about her fate...she must know before father tells her", he thought with growing apprehension. Running into his little sister's room he noticed that she was sleeping. Smiling sadly, he left the sleeping maiden alone, he knew she would need her energy to fight for her right to live.
The rose colored light of the sunset crept through the cracks of Sable Rock, waking all sleeping elves, Shakaku among them. Yawning loudly, Shakaku turned to her side, "A few more minutes couldn't hurt..." she murmured as she closed her eyes. Feeling the warmth of the sun's rays she fell into a blissful sleep, until Arch burst into her room. Bolting upright in her bed she looked at her brother annoyed, "Arch!!! Get out!!!" Getting up in a huff, Shakaku got her robe on and turned to look at her brother, she realized that he was not joking around. "Arch? What's wrong?"
Biting his lower lip, Arch turned away from his sister, "I need to speak with you privately...later..." Looking over at his sister, he shook his head sadly and left her sitting on the bed, more confused than ever. Getting up, Shakaku got ready for the day, thinking about the disturbing encounter that just took place.
Walking towards her parent's bedroom, Shakaku again began to think about what Arch said, "He was so serious, so....unlike him." Turning the corner, Shakaku saw her father entering his room. Smiling she ran up to him, "Father!", as soon as the word left her mouth she realized her mistake. Lord Nyte turned on her in scorn, "Shakaku! Never shout at me...unless you want to be punished." Reeling back in fear, she tried to think of what she did to anger her father so. Following her father into his room she opened her mouth to speak again, "I was just wondering where mother was...that's all."
Sneering down at his daughter, Lord Nyte spoke eerily calm, "Your mother has left for Crystyre. She will return when her mother recovers from her illness...She will be back soon."
"But Father! If mother planned on leaving for an extended period of time, wouldn't she have packed more clothing than she did?" Turning to the doorway, both Lord Nyte and Shakaku saw Arch standing with an accusing glare in his eye.
"Mind you place boy," Their father growled," you may be my son but I will not take any insolence from you." Looking at his son with pure outrage he spoke again. "Leave me! Both of you! I do not want to see you around here no longer!"
Leaving the room soberly, Shakaku couldn't believe how angry her father became. She wondered what could have made him angry this time. Nearing a corner, Shakaku heard voices on the other side, talking about her father."
"...yeah, I heard that Lord Nyte was out all night."
"What do you suppose he was doing?"
"I'm not sure but I heard he wasn't alone..."
Turning to her brother, she noticed that he had overheard also. "What do you think they were talking about?" She whispered to him. He shrugged, "I'm not sure...but they were talking about father." Nodding, Shakaku noticed the two speakers were making their way down the hall. "Arch? What did you want to tell me?" Looking at his sister, Arch shook his head. "Not here...lets go to your room." "Alright."
Upon reaching her room, she noticed Arch's uneasiness. "Arch, please tell me what's wrong." Shutting the door, Arch turned to look at his sister. "Don't tell father, but you know what I think happened to mother?" Watching the shake of his sister's head he went on, "I think he did something to her. Something bad...I have a feeling that he had her killed."
"Please, tell me that you really don't think that! I don't think father is that cruel...and if he did, what reason did he have!" Looking at his timid sister with so much pity he murmured about the argument he overheard the previous night.
"Father told mother that the Celebration of the Virgin was coming up and the time for the chosen maiden to be picked. Mother was so sickened that she spat out how wrong the ceremony was and asked who was the unlucky maiden." Glancing at his sister morosely he continued, "The best maiden was already chosen...and when mother found out who it was she started crying and telling father that she will not have y...her sacrificed to Thanatos. That is why I think she was murdered...over the Celebration of the Virgin maiden."
Feeling pity for the sacrificial female she nodded at what her brother told her. "I feel sorry for her already...who is the unlucky sacrifice?" Startled to see her brother near tears, she knew the answer would haunt her until the day she died. "You are, Shakaku. Father is sacrificing you to Thanatos."
Eyes widening, she let what her brother just told her sink in. "No..." She whispered in denial, " Father...Father would never do that!" Jumping up from her bed, Shakaku ran out of her room and down the hall. Leaving her brother, shaking his head, his eyes downcast.
Running past several startled elves, she barged into her parent's bedroom. "Shakaku, knock next time!" Ignoring her father's angry looks she walked up to him. "Are you sacrificing me to Thanatos?" Amazed at his daughter's bluntness, he didn't have an answer immediately. "Shakaku, you are the best maiden to be sacrificed...so yes you are." Eyes widening again she looked down at the blurring floor. "That means...I have less than two days to be alive." Nodding, her smirking father was pleased he broke his daughter's spirit. Looking at her father with nothing but pure hatred she ran out of the room and down that hall towards her own.
Being in her room for nearly thirty-six hours since the confrontation, Shakaku could not believe the hatred that was dwelling in her heart, for her father. She glared up at the ceiling, "How can he sacrifice me? I'm his daughter..." She said harshly to herself. Noticing people talking outside her door, she sat up and watched as two female soldiers came in. Grim-faced, Shakaku looked at the warriors, "What is it?"
Looking at each other, the soldiers bowed low. "Lady Shakaku, we are here bringing the sacrificial clothing." Frowning, Shakaku took the gown, "Leave me." She turned around and noticed the soldiers standing still. "Lady Shakaku, we have orders by your father to await while you get ready." She scowled at the soldiers and turned to get ready, knowing she had barely a few hours left to live.
Walking through the throngs of her people, Shakaku walked proudly with her head held high. She knew her death was quickly approaching, but she would give no satisfaction to her heartless race, to let them know she was afraid. She watched the growing anticipation with a grim visage, knowing the sacrifice of a virgin was a major celebration in the Night Elf's race. Nearing the top, she saw the hideous creature, her father, near the drop off point of Sable Rock. Staring at her chained wrists as she neared her father, she couldn't help but to think about the previous days....
Sighing quietly to herself, she looked up to see the beauty of the full moon peering down at her in all her splendor. The moon's rays hit her gown with perfect accuracy, enhancing her beauty to greater heights. Stepping next to her father, she stood perfectly still as the elder of the clan took up the spiritual calling of the great beast, of Thanatos. Watching the black mist appear and take shape into a creature beyond imagination, she got furious instead of frightened. She watched the beast transform all the way from smoke into the hellish creature that would soon be tasting her blood.
The drool of Thanatos, rolled out of it's gigantic mouth and splatter against the ground. Shakaku became revolted at the sight of the six armed beast and turned away, only to look at her father. She looked at him with sheer hatred and asked a simple question, "Did you destroy my mother?" Looking at his daughter in pure contempt he said loud enough so everyone could hear, "Yes, I killed your mother!"
"NO!!" Arch screamed out in pure agony, "You heartless creature! Have you no feeling what so ever?" Arch stepped up to his father and bore into him, "Have you no soul...?" Shakaku watched her brother plummet to the ground as their father slapped him across the face. "I said I will not take any insolence from you, boy!" Lord Nyte said again as he kicked Arch in the side. Feeling a wave of anger rush through her, Shakaku rushed at her father and pushed him aside.
"I won't allow you to hurt my brother! Kill me all you like but leave him alone!" Realizing her mistake too late, she lowered her head as her father stood perfecting straight. "I'm so glad you feel that way, Shakaku, because Thanatos looks hungry and I think he should EAT!" Raising his arms above him, the sign to start the ceremony, the crowd of Night Elves erupted into cheers and applauding.
Turning around to see Thanatos approaching swiftly, Shakaku backed up hoping to find an escape, but only to find a wall. Closing her eyes, knowing that in a few ever-so-short minutes she would be slowly destroyed by the beasts sharp teeth. Shakaku clutched at the wall, feeling the rough texture of the rock with her long fingernails, knowing the end was coming. Feeling a rush of warm air go by her with a scream of hatred, Shakaku opened one eye slightly to look at what was happening. Seeing her brother trying to fight off Thanatos, she open her eye wide and shouted, "Arch! Get away!!"
Turning to see who called his name, he saw the horrified look rush unto his little sister's face as one of Thanatos' huge hands grabbed him around the throat. With his breath slowly being taken from him, his last word were to Shakaku. "Leave this place Shakaku...always remember...mother and I...loved you." Watching her only brother being shoved into the mouth of Thanatos she looked up to the sky. Hearing the muffled screams of Arch as his flesh and blood was slowly torn away, a single tear rolled down her pale face as she whispered, "If anyone is listening, please...help me." Bowing her head low to the ground, she wept. She looked up as she heard the cheers of her evil race, directly at her father. Feeling a wave of disgust over take her she realized her father truly wished them to die. She watched the smile on his face as each dying scream reached his ears, she lowered her head again wishing for this ordeal to end.
Crying into her arms, Shakaku didn't even realize something was next to her, watching her. Only when she heard the voice did pay attention. "Please don't cry dear child, I can help you escape this horrid place if you like." Not trusting in her voice, Shakaku nodded at the strange encounter. "To do so, you must help me with my cause, to bring peace to this dying world. Are you willing to do this child?" Satisfied with another nod the strange creature continued, "To escape this suffering stand up and take this..."Handing Shakaku a golden rod with a red star, edged in black, "...and shout out 'StarFyre Crystal Power' when you do run to the Crystal Falls where I will meet you and give further instructions..."
Wiping her eyes with her hand she looked up, just in time to see a blue flash of color before it disappeared. "Weird," She thought but not knowing what else to do she threw up her arm and holding the odd looking item and shouted out, "StarFyre Crystal Power!"
Twirling around with her arms above her head, she felt the magic of the item rush over her. She could feel her body warm as a flash of fire flew in and saw stars settle on her brow. When the feeling of magic left her she was no longer in her white sacrificial gown but in a outfit like she had never seen before. Looking around to see all the surprised stares, she glanced over at Thanatos, only to see one mutilated arm hanging grotesquely out of his mouth. She turned and ran as fast as she could, knowing that when the shock of seeing someone unknown at their celebration wore off, they would be after her.
Running through the dark maze of Sable Rock, she could hear every Night Elf chasing her, each wanting to bring the uninvited guest to their evil god, Thanatos, for judgment. Running as smoothly as a single flame in a darkened room, Sailor StarFyre ran as fast as she could to get out of Sable Rock. Turning the corner she saw the light, the sign that this horrid place would soon be far behind her, but when she was a few feet from the exit of Sable Rock when three shadows jumped down in front of her. Sailor StarFyre stopped short, "How am I supposed to get out of here?" she thought frustrated that her goal was so close. Realizing that time was getting short, the Guardians closed in, causing her to act on pure instinct.
Sailor StarFyre threw out her hands and screamed out, "Flames! Come to me!" As soon as the words left her mouth Sailor StarFyre watched as flames danced around the three warriors, leaving an easy exit for her. When she passed and was a safe distance away, she turned and yelled, "Flames! Enough!" Watching in amazement at her own work, she watched the flames dissipate into nothingness. Satisfied, Sailor StarFyre ran swiftly to Crystal Falls, where she would meet her savior as well as the person who gifted her with this amazing power.
