The Grey Templar 3: Warp Storm

Don't you just love Blizzard for dragging its projects ? .

No, seriously, I still love them. What to do ? I'm a fan XD

This one's continued from:

http://starspawn07_deviantart_com/gallery/#Comic

( replace the underscores with dots. deviantart has some weird issues; the page may not load properly all the time … )

From now on I'll jump back and forth between text and illustration mode ( and 'hiatus' mode XP ), so be warned !

Also, I'm trying to break free of my usual style of writing, so this may sometimes appear a bit … warped …

Interloper

"If you are not Terran, then what are you ?" Zeratul visually scanned the figure before him. She ( or what appeared to be a she, if he learned correctly from the discussions of anatomy with Raynor. Then again, it was some time before Raynor could distinguish Protoss gender too … ) still looked Terran, except that she exuded a kind of unearthly elegance and depth of mind that Zeratul had never sensed among other humans he had met. Also, as her silky dark hair danced lightly in the breeze, Zeratul saw that, unlike other humans, she had long thin ears that pointed sharply backwards. 'Elfin', Zeratul recalled Raynor using the word once when they were exchanging folk tales.

"That should be my question." She pointed her sword at Zeratul's chest. "What are you ? How did you get into the Webway ?" Her voice was calm and soft but commanding. It reminded him of Kerrigan's voice, only more serious.

"Ah, that confirms it. You cannot read my mind." Zeratul laughed. "Even if you did, you will never understand my thoughts."

"Very well, if you are that eager for deeper telepathic contact." Her eyes glowed phosphorescent white. "Then perhaps you want a taste of what you felt before you lost consciousness."

"You mean … this ?" Zeratul's right hand shot up and a bolt of orange red force lightning erupted from the centre of his palm, past the sword, under the wielder's arm, past her waist, through her cape, and struck the ground behind her, burrowing harmlessly into the bone-white stonework of the platform.

She remained motionless, her gaze fixed steadily on Zeratul's from the same four metres away.

At once, Zeratul felt a shift in the air behind him, and the sharp edge of a blade pressed against his neck.

"One more time, and your head rolls." A higher – pitched voice, with the same elfin smoothness.

Zeratul froze.

Lowering her sword, the elf-lady who had just ignored his psi-assault as if it were a harmless light show smiled at both Zeratul and her accomplice standing behind him. "It's fine, Liya, he missed on purpose."

Zeratul felt the blade being withdrawn from the side of his neck, and relaxed slightly, then immediately put on a serious expression again. "It was for not restraining my arms. My next shot will not miss. "

"Oh, do try." The she-elf sheathed her sword and put a hand on a hip.

First, I will immobilize both her and the one behind me, then I will see what she has that I need, Zeratul thought as he stepped slowly forward.

Three steps later, Zeratul felt a sudden intense nausea, and his eyes flared lime green in shock as his knees went soft and he collapsed into a sprawl. He brought one hand close to his face and saw it dissolve momentarily into a familiar lime green blur, like a shaky video transmission. "No, not now …" Zeratul drew a deep breath and gathered his internal energies, sighing out in relief as he felt the latter stabilize and his hands became distinct again.

He heard the calm, smooth voice just above his head. "You are tired. You have travelled a long way on an important quest. There is no benefit in harming me now. You are as curious about my people as I am about yours. That is why, we will let each other live until the other one has outlived his or her usefulness. That is what you are really thinking, is it not ?"

"Your words do not frighten me." Zeratul tried to stand up, and looked sideways to hide his expression.

"Putting up a front is pointless. I may not be able to read your thoughts, but I have seen a lot, and my intuition has never failed me …" There was a chuckle. "though, I never expected you to be ill. Perhaps knocking you out was unnecessary …"

Zeratul shook his head in mild disbelief and whispered one of those expletives that Raynor liked to use, especially when dealing with dangerous adversaries like Kerrigan. "Crazy b_tch …"

"How rude." The calm voice pretended to be hurt. "First you compare me to a race of religious fanatics, and now you call me a female canine."

Zeratul's skin flushed bright blue and he stared back at the source of the reply in astonishment. ( Protoss blood is blue, so I imagine that when they blush, they turn blue XD )

A mistake. What Raynor forgot to tell him, was that elves are, apparently, also taller than humans. This one returned his gaze from the same level ( actually, Zeratul is way taller, but he's now a bit weak in the legs … ), and he found it hard to look away from her eyes, whose golden irises caught and dimly reflected the moonlight.

"Yes, I am familiar with Terran slangs." She appeared amused by his reaction.

"I apologise, I … still do not know your name." Zeratul raised a brow ridge at his own question. Was that what Raynor called a pick-up line ? Or did he call it a stalling tactic ? Likely something in between.

And to his surprise, her tone softened. "Neha … That is all you need to know." ( Yes, it's likely the same farseer from Daemon Hunter ;)

"Zeratul." The Grey Templar placed his right hand on his left chest in greeting, then froze and slowly glanced down as he realized something very important.

He was now completely naked.

"Since you already guessed my intentions, o clairvoyant Neha, would you … be so kind as return my belongings ?"

Neha laughed and walked past him. "Of course, come, I'll show you where they are kept."

Zeratul turned to follow, and as he did so, he saw a lithe figure clad in a checkered form-fiting costume approaching him and Neha. Her face was painted in bold black and purple patterns, her hair tied back in three long thin ponytails, which reminded him of full grown nerve cords. In each hand she clutched firmly a short thin sabre.

"Peace." Zeratul made his greeting gesture again.

Liya only glanced suspiciously at him as she whispered to Neha in the Eldar language. "You are serious about keeping him."

"This I am not sure: he may have something to do with these … unsettling premonitions I've been having." Neha replied in the same tongue. "though I admit, I am fascinated. I have never felt such psychic potential in another species before."

"I noticed. Most of your conversation was not voiced. Where do you think he came from ?"

"That I don't know. I suspect a connection to the Old Ones. They leave a subtle mark on those that they have nurtured. It cannot be described, but you can feel it, as I felt from him … a simplicity that leads to an unearthly effectiveness … a … purity of form …"

"Admiration, hmm." Liya leaned closer towards Neha. "Tell me, do you … desire him ?"

Neha froze and her smile faded. "I do not desire anything, Harlequin. My actions are guided by the hand of fate alone. Desire is but an illusion through which She Who Thirsts lures souls to their doom."

"Indeed … it's just so rare to see you interrogate someone without wearing your power armour."

"Do we have a problem ?" Zeratul stopped walking as well, and looked from one elf to the other, not knowing what was going on.

"Nothing." Neha relaxed and walked on.

"Oh wow, is Starspawn finally gonna include romance in his fanfics ?"

No promises, guys. Must be careful or else Slaanesh will eat our souls XD XD XD

Anyways, that's all for tonight.

Have a good time, and Happy Lantern Festival to all of you !

- Star *,~