Erendiir
"Just...go away!"
I watched Alyssa's retreating form as she sprinted away, stunned by the absolute force of her voice, feeling as the roots entangled my boots beneath me. I glanced down at the emerging vines wrapping around my ankles, feeling a bead of sweat forming on my brow. Damn it all to Elune. Her magic is getting out of control.
Fyldren's looming presence behind me sent a pang of anger through me. I unsheathed the long sword from the hilt at my left hip with sudden vehemence, slicing clean through the roots with a single flick of my wrist, my eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. I can't let her get away. But first, I must deal with this scum properly. I stepped out of the bundle of muddled vines, sheathing my weapon as I shot around to face Fyldren.
There was a bit of distance between us as I had attempted to follow after Alyssa but that wouldn't stop me. Fyldren raised his hands in surrender again, that damn sly grin stretched across his face. In three steps, I had cleared the distance between us and my fist connected with his jaw. He sauntered back at the force, his hand flying to grip his chin, a bewildered look in his eyes.
When a swirling yellow glow formed in his hand, I dove for him, tackling him to the grass. The sart thinks he can just use magic to fight in a civilized zone? We had already gotten the attention of some others I noticed as I glanced around. Damn him. I prayed to Elune the sentinels wouldn't patrol near us until I was finished.
I got dangerously close to his face, my grasp on his collar tightening. My eyes narrowed, my blue locks of hair draping over us like a curtain.
"You think you can use her magic?" I hissed as his amber eyes searched mine with the same vehemence. "I won't let you. Not again. And now, following us? Just what is your game, Fyldren?"
"The question should be, what is yours?" he growled back lowly, his eyes flickering with malice.
I stared hard at him and yanked my hand away as I forced myself to stand. I was not obligated to tell him anything. I gave him one last sneer, scoffing as I turned and left him lying on the grass.
"Follow us and I will have your head this time." This would be his last warning.
Now, Alyssa. Her aura was unmistakable. I could sense her from miles off, like I did when I first discovered the human. The worst thing was how she seemed completely unaware of it, the way magic seemed to ooze out of her.
Citizens had been staring at her because of her clear lack of control over such tremendous power, not the fact she was human. Alright, perhaps both. It flared whenever she became nervous or angry, I'd noticed. Any significant amount of emotion caused chaotic amounts of magical energy to bubble within her.
I had decided to watch over Alyssa because I had saved her. At first. Then I quickly decided to keep her alongside me to keep her safe and keep others safe. When she had explained her situation, all I could see when looking at the woman was the massive target painted all over her face. Eventually I began to notice other things...
Her black hair was long and wavy, typically a mess due to the lack of bathing since her arrival, which I would hopefully fix soon... Bright green eyes peered out from underneath her side-swept bangs with fluttering, long eyelashes. She had a heart-shaped face, a thin nose, full lips and trimmed eyebrows. Some could say I was a fool for finding a human attractive and perhaps they were right.
The cloth blouse I had given her hung so loosely about her figure that one would have to look very hard to find any indication of well... curves. The same applied to the linen trousers, and I was going to have to visit a tailor with her to get her more form-fitting attire. I've seen her body in a way she probably would not appreciate, but it had been when she was dying on Lelysea's table. Her form had been beautiful even in that moment.
I wanted to see more.
I shook my head at my train of thought as I followed the negative energies she was giving off, very clearly. I walked to very edge of the village and stopped just outside the gate to Darnassus, my eyes wide in horror and realization. She had gone outside the city, alone. Damn it.
I broke into a sprint, sudden desperation swirling inside me. If I can easily sense her magic, who is to say that others can't as well? The grass and roots crunched underneath my boots, feeling as the negatives energies shifted into something... less. Less prominent meant harder to follow and I forced myself to focus. If I lose this trail, I will lose her.
I came upon a clearing, rays of moonlight casting from the sky and illuminating one particular spot in the center. My eyes widened in awe. It.. It was Alyssa. She was surrounded by several forest creatures, sitting calmly in the grass as she stroked a fawns coat while it sat beside her. My voice caught in my throat, unable to call her name.
I had never seen anything like it, not in 235 years. I was a fool, indeed. I was thankful she did not stray too far from Darnassus. She was still weaponless and it had been foolish for me to think she had not needed one if I was by her side. I would remedy that upon our return as well. But, for now, I...
Rabbits, foxes, deer and fawns, as well as birds sat about her, clearly unfazed by my presence. Animals were more inclined to Night Elves such as myself. Seeing how they had easily bonded to a human like Alyssa had astonished me.
She seemed to notice me standing there, frozen in place, because she looked up gracefully, her hair cascading down her back in waves of ebony. Green eyes, the first thing I saw when looking at Alyssa, peered up at me from the grass, her unintentionally seductive gaze meeting mine. She was enchanting. How could that be so?
The tears on her cheeks glimmered in the moonlight and my heart surged in my chest at the sight. It had been my doing, had it not?
I noticed the lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll on me, struggling to keep from squinting. Perhaps I was already dreaming?
"Alyssa." a question hung in the air.
She stared at me with hard eyes and I could see the stubborn glint in them as she forced her eyes to the floor. There was no anger in her aura. She was just being difficult, I thought with humor.
I eased forward until I stood in front of her and she continued to avoid my eyes. Alyssa was basically a child in my eyes. I could be her grandfather two times over. Did that make me perverted for thinking of her in the way I did? I paused. How did I think of her?
"Where do you think you are running off to, Aly?" I whispered as I kneeled in front of her crumpled form.
The forest creatures did not mind either of our presences. They likely enjoyed the calming magical aura Alyssa typically gives off, despite her usual anxious behavior, and they the kaldorei.
Alyssa can be reckless, impatient and impulsive, yet I could only hold her in high regards. It had been mere days since we'd met but I was so infatuated. It actually kind of pissed me off.
"Away from you." she grumbled.
I smiled at her childish behavior. I could not be mad at Alyssa.
"You know you could have been hurt. Do you even think to wonder how that may affect me?"
She was silent, so I took that time to continue.
"I cannot control what that scoundrel Fyldren says." I spat his name. "I can only tell you that it did not happen and hope you trust me."
Alyssa warily met my eyes, darting back and forth between them. Her face drooped as she slouched into herself.
"I know." she whispered.
I sighed. I think it was time that I told her. She was in too much danger. I sat down across from her, resting my arms on my knees.
"Why do you think these animals are attracted to you?" I inquired.
"...Because I'm good with animals, obviously." she snorted, petting the sleeping fawn.
I smirked and shook my head with a chuckle.
"Something similar has happened on Earth then?"
She glanced up in surprise, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"Well.. ah. Only at the petting zoo..." she trailed off.
What is a petting zoo?
"Petting..zoo?" I asked but she waved it off hastily.
"You wouldn't like it."
I pursed my lips somewhat playfully. Hmph. She assumes too much. I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Well, do you want to know the real reason?"
She wavered now, and the way her lips pouted was too cute.
"You are magical. That is how I was able to find you in that crash. Otherwise, I likely would have missed you entirely. Magic gives off an aura, you see. Yours is the strongest I have ever come across in my 235 years of life. They like the aura you give off."
Alyssa blinked once, twice, thrice in rapid succession. Her mouth opened and closed several times, unable to find the words to say. I knew I had just dropped a massive bomb on her. She was in a world she did not understand and only just now realized her powers.
"You're.." she stammered, gulping hard. "You're..!"
It was my turn to blink.
"I'm...?"
"235 years old!?" she screeched and some of the animals scurried away at the shrillness of her voice.
"That's what you got out of that? Of course. I am a Night Elf. We live for hundreds of years. Did Lelysea not tell you this..?" I was humored, at the very least.
"She seemed to have left that really important detail out.." Alyssa stared blankly at the ground in front of me.
I laughed as I raised to my feet, offering her a hand that she hesitantly took, and I gently pulled her up, flush against my chest, the heat of our bodies intermingling. Her cheeks immediately glowed red in embarrassment as she stared into my eyes.
"Is there a problem with that?" I whispered seductively.
I knew the effect I had on her. It was quite easy to get her fumbling and stammering about. Her eyes widened in mock horror as she stared up at me.
"Lemme go, old man!" she cried, slamming her balled up fists weakly onto my chest.
I chuckled.
"I am far from old, my dear Alyssa. I am very energetic, in more ways than one." I purred.
She appeared feint as her resistance wore down. Immediately, I let the woman go and I savored the confused look on her face. One could say she looked betrayed as I walked away.
"Come, off to Darnassus. I must rest and so should you."
I heard the patter of her feet as she clamored after me, trying to keep up with my brisk pace.
"I don't like you." she grumbled lowly, and If I had not been a kaldorei I would have missed it.
"Are you sure?" I said confidently and she rewarded me with silence.
I'm just glad she was not injured. I don't think I could live with myself if she got hurt on my watch. And that Fyldren will not be able to follow us where we are going. I hope.
Alyssa
The next morning, Erendiir and I set off for the ship to Stormwind harbor in comfortable silence. I was basically just mulling over everything that happened in the past 24 hours. Fyldren and Erendiir with their little feud that I knew nothing about. The little event between me and the forest creatures. My magical abilities. My head was spinning with all the crazy events that Azeroth had brought to me in my short time here.
My elven companion nearly didn't wake up in time. He'd practically gone into hibernation with no plans to wake up for many, many months. I'd bust into his room when my polite knocks went on deaf ears and shook him until he finally roused, looking half dead. It was actually quite funny.
Erendiir began explaining the dangers of my untrained magic and how I should never go off alone, that anyone could sense it and come after me or try to use me for evil, so on, so forth. And he also said if I really wanted, we could begin training so I could hone my skills. The thought just made me nervous and honestly, this was a lot at once.
We had made our way down to the beach to a little place called Rut'theran village where we boarded and set sail. Little did I know this trip would take up to two weeks and I got hella sea sick. I found myself leaning over the railings, simply trying to keep my lunch down. Erendiir felt bad for me from what I could tell by the way he hovered about and offered me various potions.
My head and side are healed so the bandage wrapped about my temples has since been removed, leaving only a faint scar upon my forehead. I noticed I also retained a sick side scar as well, which I was a bit excited to show off, even though I shouldn't be. It could be like, my tragic backstory or something...
I was currently hobbling about my cabin as the ship swayed back and forth, falling against the wooden door with a groan. I was feeling particularly sick at this point. I think I'm doing pretty well for never having been on a ship before, to be quite honest... I held back a nasty urge to throw up with a stifled choke and stumbled backwards towards my bed, head spinning. A knock at the door pulled me from my stupor and I could only manage a groan.
"Aly?" came the familiar voice of Erendiir. "How are you feeling?"
His only response was another unhappy groan from me. I felt fucking awful. I didn't like when he saw me like this so I usually just shut myself up in my cabin. It had already been what felt like a week of never-ending sickness.
There was a silence until his hesitant voice finally piped up.
"Can I come in?"
When I didn't answer, he let himself in anyway. I snorted into the bed sheets, clutching my stomach. Of course. He sauntered over to me, eyeing my sprawled out form as I looked annoyedly back at him with half-lidded eyes. He sat himself at the foot of the bed, placing a calming hand upon my calf. His expression held an apology to it but I just rolled my eyes. I couldn't help my annoyance for some reason. I felt like agitation just hit me out of nowhere when he showed up.
"I was not aware you would react so horribly to sailing. Here," he said softly, digging in his trademark red pouch and producing a small vial.
I just turned my nose up at him. Damn it. I know I'm being a brat but I can't stop myself... Also, did that pouch just hold infinite things inside it or am I crazy? Erendiir let his hand fall to his lap when I didn't take it, his lips thinning.
"Alyssa." Uh oh. He used my full name. And, he has that parent scolding tone to him.
I grumbled in annoyance, rolling so that I was on my back now, staring up at the roof. I shut my eyes hoping he would just take the hint and leave. I knew better, though. Erendiir doesn't take hints. It was silent and I could feel as he lifted himself up from the bed. Finally. Just leave me to my misery already.
The soft patter of rain against the wooden ship began to lull me to sleep. I was drowsy, nauseous and well..homesick. I began to drift when I heard a faint sound and then I felt it. The warm breath against my cheek and the strong scent of pine filling my senses.
"Alyssa." his voice reverberated in my ears and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull, shooting up from where I lay and promptly colliding with his forehead.
We both recoiled in pain with gasps of shock, my hands flying to grasp my forehead while he stumbled backwards with what I assumed was a curse in that sexy language.
"Jesus!" I cried, eyes wide as a wave of nausea tore threw me.
Erendiir simply groaned, shooting me a particularly unhappy look. He moved to cross his arms over his chest while I absently rubbed my forehead, eyebrows furrowed.
"I thought you left..." I mumbled.
"You looked so peaceful, I almost did not want to disrupt you."
"Then why did you...?" My voice sounded agitated even to my own ears.
"Well, I did not come simply to relieve your pain. There is danger on the horizon." he said gravelly, catching my eyes.
I paused and stared at him in concern. That could literally mean anything in Azeroth. He continued at my clearly frenzied features, moving to sit directly beside me, lowering the bed with his sheer weight.
"It seems there is a storm in the distance and it looks...bad. Foreboding, even." he said lowly, his eyes clouded. "I am not sure what the Captain plans on doing, either. I do not mean to worry you but..."
I could only stare at his face. Was he saying we were headed straight for a dangerous storm and we may die? And expected me not to freak out? I felt as my lunch practically forced its way into my throat and gagged, clamping my mouth shut. Erendiir was quick to place a soothing hand upon my back and whispered reassuring words, although I didn't hear what he was saying. The rain on the roof was getting progressively louder, I noticed. I heard several shouts from beyond the door and various footsteps clambering to the deck just outside my cabin.
I shot up from the bed and ran to the door, wobbling unsteadily as I did.
"Alyssa! Where are you going?" Erendiir called, quick to follow after me. "It is too dangerous!"
I quickly made my way up the stairs, careful not to further agitate my already sickened stomach. Several other passengers made their way up alongside me, including two human men, a female dwarf and a night elf woman. We were all similarly frantic in our movements and I felt as a man hastily shoved me to the side.
I glared at the back of his head. Careful buddy or I just might lose my lunch all over your shirt. Erendiir called after me but I ignored him knowing he would catch up in no time. I reached the outdoors only to be hit with a strong gust of wind and I couldn't help the look of horror that dawned on my face. It was much worse than Erendiir had let on.
The sky was midnight blue, cracking with lightning and I could see the beginnings of a hurricane not too far in the distance. Droplets of water pelted my skin, the clouds thick and full with rain. Erendiir ran up to me suddenly, his hand latching around my arm tightly. I met his furious silver gaze albeit a bit ashamed but mostly frightened. His face immediately softened at my features.
"Stay by my side at all costs. You need to heed my warnings!" he seemed more frustrated than upset.
"We are going to die, Eren! Look at that!" I cried, gesturing at the swirling mass not too far off. "I just want to go home..."
My eyes watered with emotion as we gazed at each other, the strong winds whipping our hair around. Erendiir growled in frustration, clenching his teeth, dropping his gaze briefly.
"Alyssa, I cannot do anything in this situation! What would you have me do?" he shouted over the wind and I shook my head.
I know, he can't do anything. Perhaps...I can? I gazed hopelessly up at the darkened sky. The cries of the other travelers filled my ears, a crack of lightning and the rumble of thunder overhead.
"You don't have weather forecasts or something?" I said in exasperation.
"There was clear skies all around until now." he replied.
A wave crashed roughly onto one side of the ship suddenly, water surging onto the deck as someone was pulled off into the water with a cry. I clung to Erendiir for support who seemed to be struggling as well, firmly placing his feet against the wood beneath us. Jesus. This is real.
The waves were angry and unforgiving, the dark waters shadowed and mysterious, the deck filling rapidly with salty waves as more and more waves began crashing upon our vessel. My feet were suddenly engulfed in water, freezing cold to the touch, eliciting a gasp of shock. If we were to go under... I shuddered at the thought.
Erendiir was lulling my suddenly and I limply followed after him, unable to think straight. I was going to die on some strange planet, my family never really knowing what happened to me.
"We have to get higher up!" Erendiir called and I nodded even though he couldn't see.
The inhabitants scrambled about in terror as a thick scent of salt permeated the air, my body drenched from the cold rain. Our hair clung wetly to our foreheads and my clothes stuck uncomfortably to my skin, rubbing with the familiar irritation I'd gotten as a child. We ran up a set of stairs and I nearly tripped at the wetness underneath me, although Erendiir made no move to stop.
We bust into the bridge of the ship where the captain was located and Erendiir was fuming. He stormed inside, dripping with water and my eyes followed the trail he left. The captain absently steered, leaning limply against it which I thought was odd.
"Just what do you think you are doing? You are headed straight for the eye of the storm! Are you mad?" he shouted, grasping the mans uniform.
The captain simply fell into his arms from what I could see but Erendiir's back was blocking my vision.
"Wha.." Erendiir trailed off, letting his lifeless corpse fall to the wooden floor with a thunk. "He's..dead."
"What do you mean? How can he be dead?" I cried in confusion, rubbing my temples in circles.
"I-I don't know, Aly, but it looks like I'm the captain now. Uh.." he hesitantly took the wheel in his hands, and in one swift motion jerked it to the side, away from the hurricane.
I fell almost immediately as my feet gave out beneath me, screaming as I slid across the wood to the other side with a thud against the wall.
"Damn it! Aly!" he continued to steer, his eyes trained ahead.
My head pulsed with pain and I groaned when waves of sea sickness hit me again. The boat was rocking dangerously against the crashing waves and only served to make me more sick. I weakly pushed myself up, eyes hazy.
"Oi, what happened here!" a short dwarven man cried in his accent, accompanied by two others. A night elf woman and a damned werewolf, stood in the doorway, bewildered at the sight of us.
"The captain is dead! Do any of you know how to steer?" Erendiir called desperately, his eyes stopping on my weak form lulling to the side.
I'm so tired. I just want to go home. I miss my bed.
The werewolf man stepped forward, tipping his drenched top hat, and I was shaken by his manners. I nearly croaked in surprise when his gruff, cigarette-smoker voice graced my ears.
"I believe I do, actually, if my memory serves me correctly." his accented voice grumbled politely, moving to take the wheel from the more than eager Erendiir, who immediately rushed to my side.
"My apologies, Aly, I'm a warrior not a ship captain..." he said weakly, brushing my wet hair from my face.
I leaned in his touch, ignoring his words. Just make it better, already, Eren. I scolded myself. I felt as if I was using him. You have Aaron, a voice hissed in my mind. I waved him off as he helped me to my shaky feet and we scanned our new companions.
An 8 ft tall 'Worgen', as they were called by Lelysea, was piloting our ship, dressed extremely fancy for a wolf. A black haired, big-nosed and heavily bearded dwarf man stood beside the night elf, barely reaching the bottom of her waist. And the elf had wavy teal hair that stopped at her shoulders, slender and toned with a bow draped across her back. She was looking at us curiously.
"Sorry to break the bad news but I don't believe I can get us out of this one." the Worgen grumbled apologetically, turning the wheel every which way.
Erendiir pulled my drowsy form in close as we rocked around inside the bridge. I cuddled up to him, teeth chattering from the cold. The man still seemed to emanate heat despite the freezing chill in the air and the ever constant fall of rain outside.
"No other survivors then...?" the woman whispered, her womanly and mature voice music to my ears.
"I think we be near the continent of Northrend! It's far too chilly around 'ere." the dwarf remarked, huddling into himself. "Don't ye agree, Arinda?"
The teal haired elf simply met his eyes and nodded. Erendiir seemed surprised at her name, seeing as his head shot up immediately. I gave him a look of curiosity as he scanned Arinda's features, his eyes wavering. Just what is that look? I felt a twinge of jealousy. Cut it out. You have no right to be jealous. He's not yours to be jealous of...
I eased away from him if only slightly and he merely glanced at me briefly. I rolled my eyes. What am I even thinking right now? Impending doom and I'm worried about the lack of attention I'm getting from an elf? I grumbled to myself.
A sudden and abrupt moan from the ship was followed by a hard bang that sent all of us scrambling forward, several cries escaping our lips. The Worgen clung to the wheel tightly, desperate to keep upright as he continued his navigations.
Erendiir began tending to Arinda, who waved him off with a thankful dip of her head and my eyes narrowed at the display. What... A swirling feeling of betrayal hit me at his sudden generosity for someone that wasn't..well, me. Perhaps it's because she is a night elf like he is. I couldn't shake the jealousy I was feeling regardless. It had latched itself onto me and refused to let go.
Erendiir's silver eyes met mine now, ready to check my safety, but I wasn't having it. I just glared at him and he seemed surprised at my apparent anger. I felt that familiar flare of pure energy within me again but ignored it. It must be the static in the air or something, the lightning is crazy right now. I forced myself to the front near the Worgen, peering out the window to the deck. Brief conversation was heard but I tuned it out.
Don't wanna hear them all buddy buddy. Hmph. I gazed down and to my horror, several other people could be seen shoveling water out with buckets. The water was filling the ship rapidly and they'd taken it upon themselves to throw it out. I could only watch as a woman was hit by a particularly strong wave, being pulled into the darkness below. An overwhelming feeling of sadness swirled inside me.
A crack of lightning above and a bright, searing white light struck the deck, causing a gasp from all of us. Wait... And then, two more struck in perfect alignment, just like when I was driving a week ago. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I could see into the portal from here and it looked like..Earth!
Now is my chance! I glanced at Erendiir one last time. The Elf stood beside Alinda, too close for my liking. He wouldn't be happy with what I was about to do but, hmph. He'd be perfectly fine with Alinda here. Goodbye. I think he saw the look of determination in my eye because he dashed forward, but I was quicker.
"Alyssa!" he screamed as I bound down the stairs.
I slipped on the last step and fell hard onto my stomach with a cry, water rushing underneath me. Damn it! I pushed myself up to my feet, forcing the bile that had threatened to come up down and making a break for it. A part of me wanted a better goodbye to Erendiir than this. Part of me didn't want to say goodbye at all...
The portal got closer and closer I could almost touch it! The rain was so dense it was almost blinding and I reached forward, eager to feel that weird tingling sensation I had from the beginning.
"Alyssa!" Erendiir cried again from a distance.
You don't care anyway, I thought bitterly. Just as I was about to reach it, a deep rumble within the hull of the ship and a sudden creak alerted me to the massive Kraken that appeared from the depths and screeched to the skies, roaring unbearably loudly. The tentacles slammed onto parts of the deck, one falling dangerously close to me in particular, sending me crashing to the floor with a scream.
What the fuck, dude? Really? I have to get to portal or I will die! The ship tilted to the side the Kraken had perched itself upon, bringing me sliding with it. I reached for something, anything to hold onto but to no avail. I shrieked, inhumanly so as I grasped the very edge of the deck, hanging for dear life. The Kraken was right behind me, towering over my trapped form.
I could barely see the top of the portal fading away into nothingness before my very eyes.
"No! No!" I cried in despair, my fingers whitening with the sheer tightness of my hold.
The beast from my nightmares screeched as another tentacle slammed down beside me, shaking the entire vessel. I cried, unable to hold back my emotions. I had acted hastily, letting my feelings control me, and now I would die. I'm sorry, Eren. And I'm sorry to all my loved ones.
My fingers couldn't hold on anymore, the deck being far too slick to grasp and my arms were not strong enough to pull myself up. Just as my hands slipped off and I plummeted to the harsh waters below, Erendiir's face popped into view. He reached for me but it was too late and all that came out of my throat was a hoarse cry.
"Alyssa!"
I hit the freezing water and it engulfed my entire being. All I knew was cold. So cold. Darkness surrounded me, all I could see was the shadows of the tentacles and body of the Kraken above me. My vision blurred and then disappeared altogether.
Blackness overtook me. Eren...
A/N: ion really like this chapter