Chapter 1. We pledge Our Allegiance

Aysa and I glanced one last time at our master before the winds pulled us away.

I had finished the quests given to me, I had passed the tests, I had accomplished my duty to Pandaria, my home, and so did Aysa. We were leaving, staring at the giant turtle one last time, before it was completely out of our sight...it was time for a new beginning. A new start.

We stayed silent most of the time as we both were lost in our own thoughts. It still felt unreal. WE were chosen to meet the other beings, to travel across the many other lands that still were a mystery to us. We were chosen by our master to help the world surrounding us. Aysa, Ji, and I had been approved. Ji...Ji chose to join the Horde. The enemy of the Alliance. I felt a pang of hurt in my heart.

I knew from the very start that Ji had feelings for Aysa, he loved her, I could see it in his eyes and I could also see in Aysa that Ji was important to her, though in her heart, she refuses to acknowledge these feelings...their departure had been quite cold and hard. It pained me to see their bond broken in such a way. And now that Ji had joined the Horde...I believe there was not much that could be done, considering Aysa's stubborn character, she would definitely turn her back on him, if they were ever to meet again. And to think we were partners once.

I met Aysa Cloudsinger first after she was done training. The first task I was given, consisted of protecting her while she meditated to seek for answers to our future. Next, I met Ji Firepaw, whom I helped fend off those monkeys. Like that, we started joining on many quests, watching each other's backs, I watched over Ji, Ji watched over Aysa, and Aysa watched over me. With no time and without us realizing, we had become close friends.

Truthfully, I did not know at first which side I was to choose. I didn't want to be an enemy of the Horde, nor did I wish to be an enemy to the Alliance. I was even more confused and lost when both of my friends chose different paths. What was I to choose ? Who was I to go with ? The choice wasn't easy to make, but the answer was easy to find. Aysa was someone I had admired and I had finally become someone considered equal to her. Together, we had fought to save Shen-zin su. And now...I chose to pursue my fate by Aysa's side. I decided to join the Alliance, therefore, making Ji my enemy. As real as it seemed, I refused to make that my reality. If I ever would meet Ji again, I would not be his enemy, and if it ever comes to it, I would stop Aysa and Ji from killing each other.

"I am glad you chose to come with me, Tuarwen." Said Aysa, gently smiling at me.

I smiled back. "So am I. We may continue our path together, now." I said, shifting my gaze to the endless sea before me.

"It will be a long one." She said, deep in thought.

"Yes." I agreed.

We remained silent the rest of the trip. I evaded the subject of Ji, knowing that I did mot want to hear what she had to say about him, for I knew it would displease me much.

...

A few hours later, we saw for the first time with our very own eyes, the sight of Stormwind. The walls were built of snow-white stones and the roofs were painted of a warm, dark blue. At the gate was a huge statue of a man.

We left the balloon and watched it as it left back to our home, before facing our new lives.

"This is our new life." I said, mostly to myself.

"We have a duty, Tuarwen. It is our responsibility to spread the Tushui philosophy beyond the edges of the Wandering Isle... and there is no better place to start doing that, than here: Stormwind City, heart of the Alliance. Let's find out who their leader is. We need allies."

Her eyes brimmed with curiosity, joy and admiration. Her lips were plastered with an eager smile. We, step by step, marched into the city of Stormwind, our heads tall and our eyes fearless and proud. The guards who were the first to see us, gaped at us, murmuring what we were doing or why we were here. We ignored them. As we entered the merchant's square, the buzzing population, turned towards us, all whispering and murmuring at the sight of us, pandarens.

"Master, are these pandarens ?"

"What are pandarens doing here ?"

"They must have come here to join our side..."

"Mommy ! Look at the two furry ladies !!"

"It's my first time seeing pandarens..."

"What have they come to Stormwind for ?"

"What a rare sight !"

And so on and so on...Aysa and I could see that our presence, our very sight, disturbed the citizens normal lives and routines greatly, though it would pass after some time, after our sight didn't surprise them as much.

"Look at this, Tuarwen !" Said Aysa enthusiastically, as we walked through the castle's gate. "Isn't it amazing ?"

"It is Aysa. This is our new beginning."

She turned to face me. "Yes, and we shall face it together."

I smiled.

I could see Aysa was thrilled and happy, and so was I. I was glum at first, for we didn't even say our farewells to Ji, both of them turned their backs on each other and walked away, not even looking at each other. I was sad but mostly angry and annoyed at them for their stubbornness, for they didn't realize what a mistake they made for acting so cold towards each other, for acting so cold to me. I understood the tension with Aysa, but why did he have to ignore me too ? And why couldn't Aysa wait for me to say my goodbyes ? Fools, both of them. But I didn't let myself be gloomy because of their quarrel and permitted myself to be happy as I began my new life, as I walked upon the new foreign land, at least for now, I could be happy...

We slowly walked the long corridor, stepping on the soft blue carpet, until we reached the throne room, where the King of Stormwind was awaiting us.

As we appeared before him, he laid his eyes on us, his face neutral, neither surprised or thoughtful like his citizens had been. We bowed before the King who we would now serve under.

"Pandarens...you're here. Good. I am King Anduin Wrynn and I welcome you to Stormwind. You have made the right choice by choosing our side, for we will stand by your sides as long as you will not betray us." Aysa and I exchanged a glance. "I thank you for helping my people when they needed it the most, if you hadn't been there, they would have engaged into a battle to death with the Horde, shedding blood for nothing. My people and I owe you a debt of gratitude for bringing our soldiers back to us."

"It is our honour sire, for we wish to help however we can." Said Aysa.

"Hm." He muttered, looking at Aysa, then glancing at me. "What are your names, pandarens ?"

"I am called Aysa Cloudsinger, sire."

His eyes shifted to me, waiting for my answer. "My name is Tuarwen, your grace."

He remained silent for a second as he thoughtfully, observed us. "Fine warriors I see in you. Fight for the Alliance, pandarens. Do not disappoint me. Do me proud." He said, his voice fearless and unwavering as his eyes bore into ours, a confidant smile on his lips.

Our hands closed into fists on our hearts, we bowed and at the same time, said, "We pledge our allegiance to the alliance and swear to stand by your side, King Andui Wrynn, until we are no more needed. Aysa said.

"We pledge our allegiance to the alliance and swear to stand by your side, King Andui Wrynn, until we are no more needed. I said.

'Or until death do us part.' I thought.

...

The King hadn't urged us to start on a new quest immediately, instead, we were told to rest, for the trip from pandaria to Stormwind had been long.

Aysa and I chose to take a stroll, getting acquainted with our surroundings. We walked through the dwarven district, passed through the Cathedral square and to the sanctuary, where we decided to settle down.

We both sat on a stone bench silently, watching the beautiful scenery before us. Everything was so peaceful here, so bright...pandaria seemed so distant now, it felt strange, different...I was still getting used to the feeling.

I turned my face to Aysa. "What will you do from now on, Aysa ?"

She looked into the distance, looking forward to the future. "As soon as I am well rested, I will go where I am needed, help wherever I can and spread the Tushui philosophy to those who wish to learn our way." I looked down at my feet. She looked so confidant, so sure of herself. "Will you follow me ?" She suddenly asked. My head whipped back up, startled. "I believe we should stay together, for this land is still foreign to us, and fighting side by side as we are yet the only pandaren here, would prove to be very helpful. Stronger we are together. Besides...it would be reassuring to have a familiar face, close." She said, kindly smiling.

I smiled back. "I would be honoured to fight side by side with you Aysa, and as you said, having a familiar face close by as we learn of this foreign world would be reassuring."

"Then it is settled. We leave tomorrow morning at first light."

I nodded in answer.

This would be a long, long journey...though none of us knew of the difficuties and hardship we would have to endure on our new path. Right now and then, we were still bathing in bliss and hope for the new future, but sooner than I thought, I would have to make choices that would either tear me apart or join them together...but either way, the pain was still to be there.

To be continued...

hey guys ! I hope you liked the first chapter, sorry if it was a little short, though I promise you they will be longer. Tell me what you think in the comments ! And by the way, I know that you must think that the name "Tuarwen" is weird but it is actually an Elvish name from Tolkien !

Pronounciation of Tuarwen: Too-are-wehn (don't forget to roll the r's !!!)