CHAPTER IX
The drow sprinted through the darkness, finding a way out of the Underdark. She came to a cave, a bright luminescent light shining through the opening. Stepping out of the cave, Traxex squinted as the moon shone over her, stinging her eyes. I hope I get used to this. Her bow strapped on her back, she ran into the forest.
She stopped to rest on a tree, her back slumping onto it. How ironic. This place is so beautiful She thought as she looked at where she was. I wonder what caused my kin to hate such a place? Sighing, Traxex arranged her white hair, which covered half of her face. A pretty drow, she was slender, undeniably beautiful. Her skin was ebony black, only natural for her kin. Her eyes were a bright vermilion.
Before she could react, a chakram touched neck, the cold steel threatening to kill her if she made a single foolish move. "A drow, I see," a feminine voice said behind her. "Welcome to the surface, my evil kin."
A surface elf! Traxex froze at the thought. The night elf might kill her without hesitation, since she was drow. Words won't do at all.
"Don't kill her yet, Mortred," another voice said. "We will report this to Mistress Tyrande."
Her expression sour, Mortred scowled and let go of the drow. She faced the other night elf. I don't trust her.
I'll take care of it. "Greetings, drow." The last word was spat out like a curse, but the night elf continued. "I am Shnedelzare Silkwood. May I know your name and motivations?"
Traxex hesitated, but finally spoke up. "Traxex, and I left my underground home to leave my evil kin."
"Yeah, right," Mortred spat out.
Shendelzare ignored her and continued. "Why do you use a bow? Its an unnatural weapon for a drow. I heard they favor using two swords."
"It symbolizes my rebellion against the drow tradition," Traxex replied. I've always been sick of my kin's evil ways.
"Fine enough." Shendelzare turned to face Mortred "We take her to Lady Tyrande," she commanded. The night elf turned and left.
Her expression sour than before, Mortred cuffed the drow's hands and went to follow Shendelzare.
Can't believe I managed to survive this.
-
Reading the book Fainte gave her, Yuki sat silently in the library, her eyes striding through the pages. Though she felt someone come in, she didn't make a single move and continued what she was doing.
"Yuki-san," the one who came in said.
Yuki looked up from her reading. The elf sat down on the chair in front of her. "Yes, Caladan?"
Apparently having no reason in calling her at all, Caladan shrugged and grinned. Yuki rolled her eyes and continued reading. The elf's attitude was dwarf-like, but he had an element of shyness.
Caladan looked at the reading Yuki. She was quarter elf, not having any pointy ears. She looked more like a human despite her elf heritage. Her short hair was purple, and she wore a kimono with a short skirt. Methodical and stoic, Yuki is a girl of very few words rather preferring to use body language such as a nod of the head or brow which even then is very minimal. She shows almost no facial expressions thus giving her a constant blank stare. Only when prompted to does she speak and she responds in a way that is concise and to-the-point. Contrast to this though, she has a very wide vocabulary and often uses big words when providing a description or explaining a situation to others. Through reading books, perhaps? Caladan shrugged mentally.
The elf sighed. "Okay, fine. There is a reason I went here," he said. Yuki looked up again from her reading. "The Scourge has declared war," he explained. "I jus came here to ask you to join the Sentinel. That is, if you want to."
Thoughtfulness was in Yuki's usually expressionless eyes. "I'll think about it," she finally said. Caladan nodded and left.
-
Skurai paced around the glade, thinking uncomfortably. Thinking about Alassea that is. He finally got himself to sit on the tree stump at the center, his favorite brooding spot. He put his hands on his face and sighed.
"Oh, so lonely," a voice said. Skurai jumped from where he sat, bringing out his dual spears. He didn't know where it came from, the voice sounded from all directions.
"Who's there?" he asked, his spears in a defensive position.
The voice gave out a cold chuckle. "Your hate and your anger, lad"
"Show yourself!" Skurai shouted at the voice. The elf felt something cold at his back, a chilling presence, making the hairs at the back of his neck rise. He turned, and saw the glowing lavender eyes of the shadow now in front of him. "Who are you?" he asked, threatened.
Apparently not hearing his question, the shadow chuckled again. "Thinking about Alassea, are we?"
How the hell does he know? Skurai felt himself shiver. Who is this guy?
"I've watched you the whole time, my dear Skurai," he said, seeming to have heard the questions in his head. "Now all you feel is jealousy towards one person."
That damned Shuin.
"And now because of it, I doubt Alassea will ever be truly yours."
That dissolved Skurai's fear for the one now in front of him. He slashed out with his spear, which was intercepted by the shadow's longsword cutting neatly through the wooden body of the spear. "And I've come to help you," the dark figure before Skurai said. The elf could imagine the shadow grinning.
Skurai halted to a stop, obviously surprised. "What?" he asked. "And who are you?"
"Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself," the shadow said, shaking his head. "I am Mercurial, the Specter of Vengeance." He chuckled. "And, yes, I've come to help you. Help you get your revenge on Shuin."
"And help me get Alassea as my own?"
Mercurial scowled. "No." He saw the loneliness in Skurai's eyes increase. "I'm afraid there is no hope." He smiled. "Bear and endure the pain lad. Join the Scourge, and it will be all but easier to get your revenge."
Skurai jumped back. "No way." He pointed his remaining spear at Mercurial's face. "Alassea will do naught but hate me when I do so. I'll kill you."
Mercurial's smiling face became expressionless. "So? You still won't have her." The shadow turned away from him. "Its better that you just sate your revenge." He started to leave. "Think about it."
The Specter disappeared into the shadows, leaving Skurai alone.
-
"What?" Alassea asked Shuin, a surprised look on her face.
"I have to leave."
"Why?"
"I fear I could only cause more trouble for the Sentinel," he asked turning away. Alassea went to his side, her eyes full of concern. "I'm a Daikyu, and it could seem that I'm hiding under the Sentinels safety, which I am not. Because of this, more revenants would soon join the Scourge, only causing more trouble."
"Why would they do that for a single Daikyu?"
Shuin sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't know." The Daikyu looked up at the blue sky. "Aren't the Draenei enough?"
The night elf gave him a confused look.
"The Burning Legion's after them. Kil'jaeden will stop at nothing to get his once kin."
"But the Burning Legion can't come here. Not without some powerful source of energy," Alassea replied to that.
"We can't be sure of that." Shuin faced Alassea. "I have to leave."
The night elf put a comforting hand on the Daikyu's shoulder. "Promise me you'll come back," she said sadly.
"I will come back," Shuin said to her, taking her hand and clasping it around his. "I promise," he added.
A kiss, and Shuin left.
-
Alassea walked home, to her family's house, to her room, and slumped onto her bed. She couldn't stop thinking about Shuin. The night elf could only hope that the Daikyu would be safe.
She faced the closed door of her room, hoping it would open and Shuin would come. Which she knew, will not happen. Alassea looked away. A knock eventually sounded from it, and by the mana flows of the knocker, she knew it wasn't the Daikyu, but her mom.
"Alassea?" she called out from within the door. "Can I come in?"
Alassea rose and sat on her bed. "Yes, mom." The door opened slowly, revealing a female night elf, who was just like an older version of Alassea. "What is it?"
Her mother, Ykallea, sighed. "I don't know if you'll like this, but…" Her voice fell away.
"But?" A frown was evident on Alassea's mother.
Ykallea gave another sigh. "You're to be married to our rival tribe's leader's son," she said after a moment.
Skurai. "What?!" Alassea's eyes were full of surprise, and unknown to her mother, horror and worry. The young night elf hasn't told her family yet about her relation with Shuin. "Why?!"
Her mother paced around, hesitating. "Its for peace between our clans," she finally said when she was able to decide. "Both clan leaders signed a contract. Its for the good of us, but I'm worried about what you would feel about it."
Alassea looked away from her mother. She was not prepared for this. She never thought something like this would happen. If I accept it, the peace that me and Skurai longed for will finally become true, but I betray Shuin! The young night elf mentally shook her head. Well, if I don't accept it, I don't betray Shuin's love for me, but I sacrifice a lifelong feud between two families! "I just- I'll think about it," she said with a worried face.
"Well, good luck." Ykaella went for the door and left.
More trouble, I suppose.