The calming scent of the forests of Hyjal usually brought the young hybrid elf comfort. But alas, on the eve of the new moon it brought nothing but more anxiety, more fear. The elf let out a soft sniffle as the chill began to seep into her limbs, but she dare not return to her home yet. For the young elf, only the age of 90, barely an adult, committed an atrocity to all she believed in.
From a young age many elves are reminded of the dangers the powers of the Arcane magicks could bring. So the young Kaldorei half-breed trained in secret with the power that breathed through every fiber of her being. She hid the arcane powers by training to be a priest. But today someone had followed her, Her teacher, Oaksong.
Many knew that the purple skinned elf, Davrith Oaksong fancied his hybrid student, finding her glowing blue eyes to be so unique, so lovely, compared to the silver of their people. He had followed her from the shadow, hoping to lay claim to the lovely half-breed. What he did not anticipate was that the young Kaldorei came into the forest to train with her arcane magicks.
He had sneered, threatened to inform the wardens of her crime, unless she agreed to be his lifemate. Horror struck the young female, and she tried to run from Oaksong. But the older elf was far to quick, having used his agility to move up behind the female and pin her to a tree.
He had gripped her hair, yanked the ebony locks hard enough that it pulled tightly against her skull, the young female had let out a cry of pain, her body going numb as Oaksong's hands roamed across her, trying to tear away the clothing from the moon-kissed skin of his young prodigy. A cry escaped the elf as he moved his hands between her legs, ripping away the thin fabric that protected her from the elements. But that was when something within her broke.
A fire like sensation started from the center of her chest before building up, the energy within her felt as taught as a bow string before it suddenly snapped and she let out a scream of anger before the energy buildup within her vanished, expelling outward. She trembled when she no longer felt the hands of Oaksong upon her.
A silent scream escaped her as she turned and fell backwards, the area behind her, the normally green foliage, was coated in the dark ichor of blood, pieces of the elf known as Davrith Oaksong littered the rose to the back of her throat as she scrambled away, trying to hide herself within the comfort of the bushes. She gagged, releasing the contents of her stomach onto the ground before she got up and began to run. The elf ran until her legs could carry her no more, and at that point she crawled up against a great tree and let sobs wrack her body, the sky began to weep with her releasing a cleansing rain across the forest.
That did nothing to soothe the young elf however, She knew that she killed him in self defence, and without even meaning to, but that did nothing to ease the disgust she felt with herself. The Huntresses found what little remained of Oaksong later that week, no one knew how It happened, and they suspected an outside on their precious World Tree. She didn't mind that, after all... why would someone suspect the mourning student of Priest Oaksong to have used an arcane explosion such as that.
So far as everyone was concerned, the little priest, Saiya Dawnbreeze, was but a victim in the death of her beloved admirer.
A few years after the incident Saiya had taken to hiding in the Barrow Deeps among the sleeping druids once nightmares had begun to assault her once peaceful sleeping schedule. The darker the nightmare, the farther into the Barrow Deeps she would venture, until she reached a gate of some sort, unknowing of what it was she would constantly return, no matter the severity of the Nightmares.
Eventually Saiya grew bold enough to sneak past the gate, blending into the shadows as much as she could, her footsteps were soft among the dirt and stone of the closed off cavern. She noticed flickers of flame ahead, an odd sight compared to the wisps and glowing fungus strewn about the rest of the tunnels. As she got closer she noticed the flames were torches, resting upon stone walls with skulls near the base of the wall. As off-put as she was from this she continued forward.
"You there..." a baritone voice called out, "How did you get in here?" Saiya looked for the source of the voice before realizing... it came from within the cage. She moved closer, blue eyes a light with curiosity.
"I... just walked in?"
A deep chuckle rang out from her words, the sound of shackles moved as the voice spoke again, "Odd, I would of thought the door to my prison would be more guarded, if a young elfling managed to enter."
Saiya's cheeks almost puffed out with mild anger as she crossed her arms, "I'll have you know I am not a child! I am almost an adult."
"Almost is still a child, Elfling." she could barely see him from within the cage, "Tell me, what is your name, Girl?"
"Its Saiya..." she swallowed slightly, unsure if she should be telling this stranger her name. "Saiya Dawnbreeze."
"Dawnbreeze?" he questioned, the surname did not sound Kaldorei to him, he shrugged it off glad to have any other company other than Maiev. "So tell me, Elfling, why are you down here?"
Saiya bit her lip slightly and she looked down, "I... Decided to explore the Barrow deeps... each time I would get a nightmare." she heard a soft scoff but the unkown male said no more. Saiya fidgeted slightly before speaking up again, "You know my name... But what of yours?" The elf within the cage paused, the girl did not know his name? Interesting.
"Ah, you must earn my name Elfling." he chuckled as he stretched as much as he could, his fiery eyes scanned her form, actually taking the time to look at her and her magical signature. "Elfling, do tell me... Why is it you have such a strong affinity for Arcane, yet I sense that you are using Light." he noticed that the girl sucked in a sharp breath.
"Because... they shun that type of magic, If they knew that I had the power of my father..." she looked down her brows furrowed. "They would lock me away." The male held in a snort, after all here he was actually locked away while she was thinking this is what they would do to her, just for some simple magicks.
"I doubt that, Girl."
"They would, I just know it."
"Why do you assume?"
"Because it was arcane that killed that... that bastard Oaksong." her voice shook slightly. The male within the cage fell silent, the only noise that filled the air was the sound of the flames from within the torches.
"Illidan."
"What?"
"You wished to know my name, it is Illidan." he awaited for the elfling to flee in horror, when she did not he raised an eyebrow out of curiosity. "Why do you not run, girl?" when she did not answer he began to grow upset, a snarl escaping him as he moved closer to the bars, his arms pulled behind him slightly as the shackles strained, right as he opened his mouth to ask her again, she spoke so softly, her voice reminding him of a soft bell.
"It is wonderful to meet you, Illidan." she looked up at him, his face now illuminated by the flickering flames. "I do not run because I have no reason to."
"Do... you not know who I am?"
"I do."
This confused him, if she knew, why did she not go? "Then wh-"
"You have not given me a reason to leave, nor have you asked me to leave."
He paused before he began to chuckle, the deep rumbling of his laugh echoed within the chamber, "I like you girl... Return whenever you feel like it, just be wary of Warden Shadowsong." he hummed, "If you would like... I can teach you about your arcane powers... You have much potential, it would be a waste if you let it just... fade away as you trained to be a priestess."
For the first time since Oaksong had tormented her, Saiya actually felt happy, and surprisingly safe. "A-Alright, Shan'do Illidan." a snort escaped the imprisoned Kaldorei.
"Do not call me that, it is just Illidan."
"Alright... Illidan."
Many years had come to pass before the young hybrid, Saiya, had been called to an audience with her High Preistess, Tyrande Whisperwind. One of the few Kaldorei that knew of her father's origins. Her white robes flowed around her as she walked, her back straight as pride showed on her features. This was not only her marking day, but her assigning. The day she would know if she would stay with other priestesses of the moon, or if she would be placed somewhere else near their home tree of Nordrassil.
Tyrande's face was almost like stone as the young elf entered the room, before her gaze softened seeing the ebon haired woman. "Elune'adore, Sister Dawnbreeze." her voice was soft, yet held a stern authoritative tone to it. She looked at many others within the room before she waved a hand, "Leave us, I wish to speak to our Sister alone." Several of them nodded, answering with a soft yes priestess before they took their leave. Once they had left the room and the door had been shut, Tyrande's gaze melted to a soft look. "Saiya, how have you been?"
"I have been good, Priestess Whisperwind." she bowed her head respectfully. Causing the Priestess of Elune to let out a soft chuckle.
"You are always so formal."
"I must be, M'lady."
"Why is that?"
"Because its how she raised me." she hadn't spoken of her mother since she passed, and Tyrande knew that well enough. A soft hum escaped the chosen of Elune and she walked over to the half-breed.
"She would be proud, to see you now." her eyes were soft before she placed a hand on her shoulders, giving a comforting squeeze before stepping back, "Saiya Dawnbreeze, born of Ellysia Stargrove and Andorian Dawnbreeze." Tyrande noticed the way Saiya's shoulders tensed up when she spoke of her Quel'dorei father, "You have chosen the path of Elune, and become one of her guiding lights as a priestess. On this day, you shall receive your marking chosen from our great Mother Moon, do you accept what will become of you from this day forth?"
"I do, High Priestess." Saiya's voice was strong, she was accepting of the plan their great goddess had for her. Tyrande smiled at the shorter elf, and placed a hand on her head.
"I have prayed to Elune for guidence on your journey ahead."
"My... Journey, Priestess?"
Tyrande nodded, and smiled softly as she gently laid her hands over Saiya's eyes, paritally over her slender cheeks before a soft white glow illuminated from her hand the Moon goddess using the High Priestesses' power to place a marking upon the woman's face. Two faint markings rested upon her cheeks, curving along her cheekbones and even across her shining blue eyes when she finished. Her hand removed itself before she let out a hum, "Odd, it seems Mother Moon has graced you with the mark of the Blade, that is... not usually given to other Priestesses." she stepped back slightly before smiling tenderly. "Alas, it does not matter, Perhaps it will tie into where she wishes for you to go."
Saiya didn't like the sound of that, she didn't wish to leave her home. "This has to do with... my Journey?"
"Yes, little one." the High Priestess turned to face the waters of the moonwell behind her. "Elune has told me that you must venture to the lands East of Kalimdor, to assist the humans, and your Fathers people." She didn't notice how the hybrid tensed up, the younger ones fists clenched. "Do what you can to assist them, Sweet Dawnbreeze... I would greatly prefer you here, but if Elune has decided you are to go, then I do hope you make us, and your mother, proud." her voice was gentle, as Ellysia was an old friend of hers, She had passed of a broken heart when news that Andorian had passed away reached her.
Saiya let out a heavy sigh before placing a false smile upon her face. "I accept my marking, and the plan Mother moon has laid out for me." she brought her hands infront of her, a fist closing in one hand pressing against the palm of her other hand before she dipped in a curtsy-like bow. "Thank you priestess, for informing me of Elune's guidence."
Tyrande smiled at the younger elf before returning the bow, a sign of respect. Truthfully, Tyrande was worried for she never did enjoy the company of humans, not to mention Saiya would be with the other Quel'dorei, that in itself was trouble; what if they corrupted her?
"Ande'thoras ethil, Thero'shan."
"Shaha Lor'ma, Elune'adore"
Saiya bowed once more before she quickly left the temple of Elune. Inside her emotions were all over the place, she would have to leave her home, her people... And for what? Some humans and her seed givers people. She did not see him as her father, he was simply one that gave her mother his seed.
She grimaced and returned to her home, an angry cry escaping her once she was within the confines of her mothers abode. Her skin tingled with magic from her mixed emotions; anger, sadness, frustration, even loneliness. She willed herself to calm down, slow and steady breaths, the way Illidan had taught her.
Slowly her magic died down, still bubbling beneath the surface of her skin, but not so much that a passing warden would be able to feel it. She ran a hand through her thick black hair before she moved into her room, packing her essential items, which she found barely even filled the backpack she would be carrying with her. She crossed her arms at the nearly empty bag before deciding to place two extra pairs of clothing in there, along with an extra set of robes no doubt she would get more clothing later.
A knock sounded at her door startling the hybrid elf. She got up from her backpack and walked over to the door, opening it she almost winced at seeing the Warden, Maiev Shadowsong. "Yes Warden?"
"I was asked by the High Priestess herself to give you this." she held out a map to her. "I was also told to inform you a boat will be leaving at dawn tomorrow for the other continent." the warden paused, it was hard to tell what she was thinking with the mask on, "Elune light your path, Priestess Dawnbreeze."
"Thank you, Warden Shadowsong." she took the map and sighed softly, "Would you care for some tea?"
"No, I have to be going. I'm going on a scouting mission with some new wardens." she glanced at the marking upon Saiya's cheeks, "I wonder if you would of made a good Huntress or Warden."
"Again, Thank you. Good luck Warden." she smiled as the warden turned and left. She softly closed the door before realizing this would be her last night to visit her teacher in his prison. Her heart almost broke, he had been a good friend and companion to her, he taught her many so many things with her arcane powers. She sighed and put her gear and backpack on, holding onto a thin silver staff with a moon on the end of it. She focused then on the ley lines within the earth, finding a familiar one that ran near Illidan's prison, she closed her eyes and teleported herself within the prison.
"Ah, my little Elfling has returned. It has been awhile now hasn't it?"
"I'm sorry that it has been, Maiev would not leave the opening to your prison." she walked over and smiled softly to Illidan, She had grown more over the last 40 years losing much of her childish looks to melt away into womanly charm, a beautiful mixture of Quel'dorei and Kaldorei. "It seems Elune has given me one last gift before she sends me away, as Maiev is taking new Wardens out into the field."
"What do you mean before she sends you away?"
Saiya frowned, and she gently gripped the bars of Illidan's prison. "I.." she sighed, "High Priestess Whisperwind has informed me that... Elune wishes for me to travel across the great sea, and assist the Humans there, and my... Fathers people." she almost hissed the word before she heard him snarl.
"Why would she allow Elune to send you away?" over the years he had grown possessive of the young hybrid, especially after he watched her mature.
"I do not know... But I did get my markings today." she smiled softly, "Mark of the Blade... I'll assume that associating with you would be the cause for that."
Despite the angry growling escaping Illidan he couldn't help but let out a deep rumbling chuckle. "I half hope it did." he hummed out before moving as close to the edge of the cage as he could. "Promise me something Saiya." the half-breed looked up at him curiously, awaiting his words eagerly. "You will not die out there, do you understand me?"
"You know I cannot promise that... especially if I am supposed to be there for a war."
"You have to try, Saiya." the way he said her name sent a shiver coursing through her body, her magic responding to her emotions as it danced across her skin in soft purple sparks that Illidan greedily siphoned, his markings glowing just a bit.
"I... will do my best, Afterall, I have to stay alive long enough to see you free, remember?" she smiled softly at the promise she had made 10 years ago. A smile graced Illidan's chiseled features as he nodded,
"Thats right, I'll be expecting to see you when i'm not within the confines of a cage... Perhaps I could teach you to use glaives, Hmm?"
"I'd like that." she smiled before reaching her hand into the prison, gently touching the older Kaldorei's face, a sign of affection, one he rarely got within his prison walls, he welcomed the touch with a soft purring sound.
"You should go and get some sleep... When do you leave?"
"At dawn... I can sleep on the boat, Let me just... Stay here for now, please Illidan?"
The way she pleaded sparked something within him and he nodded before sighing, "Alright, but be prepared to teleport out of here should Maiev return early." he grumbled softly before the slim girl, no... woman, smiled brightly.
"Illidan."
"Hm?"
"Thank you, for teaching me all these years."
"... You're welcome, little Elfling."
A soft laugh escaped Saiya, "You and I both know I am no longer an Elfling!"
"Yes but it does not stop me from saying it, you are far younger than I am." he smirked as a soft scoff escaped the younger elf. Before she backed away from the cage and looked to the door. His gaze drifted to the large gate seperating his cavern from the rest of the tunnels, his vision picked up on a Warden moving to open the door, and he softly hissed, "Saiya go, now!" the little elf panicked and she nodded, giving Illidan one last look taking in every detail of his face before she teleported out of there. Leaving Illidan alone with the warden Maiev had sent to babysit him.
A sad sigh escaped Saiya as she now stood within the confines of her own home. She had hoped to spend until dawn with him, but the warden had prevented that. She held on tightly to her staff before she exited her home. heading to the Hippogryph master she paid for a fare to the docks, deciding she'd rather wait for the boat to arrive than leave an hour before dawn.
She mounted the feathered beast, and gently stroked the feathers of its neck, "To the docks, majestic one." the hippogryph gave out a screech before it took off into the air, beating powerful wings as it climbed into the sky, and headed for the docks, Saiya took this time to silently bid her home farewell, for she didn't know if this would be the last time looking upon it or not.