Soldiers scurry across stone streets. Citizens rush down pathways, flee around bends, and flock to any safe heaven that they can find. Every individual has his or her purpose, and I have mine. I gaze upon a large staircase leading to a magnificent building. You stare like a baffled man. He does so like a crazy turkey.
I look around for an only moment longer and take to my feet. Worn soles slap against young streets. People run past me, heading in all directions. Their limbs and luggage slap into my body releasing spurts of me. But I do not slow. I dash down this long pass and approach the rather steeply inclined, tall staircase.
At the top, rests the majority of my companions. I cannot see them all, but voices from above radiate calmly down to me. For some odd reason, I cannot help but throw the steps one last glance before lifting my foot.
Gently, carefully, I extend my leg. Tan stone mingles with lacing gray strips. Large walls extend to either side, railings jut upwards for support. Calmly, I begin my ascent up the case. My fingers glide against the incredibly smooth stone railings at the side.
My feet take in every step I take. Eyes scan the surrounding area. Figures from above peer down to me, patiently waiting my slow climb.
Carlin glances down, and I cannot help but look back. I make it half way, and I see him frown. He does not say a word, but I know what he is thinking. I know he knows what I am thinking. We both know…whatever is at top, I am not going to like. You should, there is candy up there! He should never take candy from strangers.
Figures begin appearing as I near the top. Eyes slide over the top step. Vision is overwhelmed by a collection of people and an array of familiar faces. To the left and right are soldiers waiting calmly for the leadership inside. The platform they stand on circles the structure itself like an odd type of stone patio. You are close. He is trying.
Ahead of me is the looming cannon tower. Curved walls arch into the vertical walls. Dozens of these quartered spheres rest at the side as decoration. They also encompass the massive doorway that reveals the pack of recognizable individuals.
As I near the final step, I can see Jaina standing in the middle of the crowd. She stands next to Thrall and Sylvanas. She also stands next to a man in dark-gray, cloth armor. Thick red hair rests heavily upon his head, and grows down from his chin as a large, bulky beard.
His face is rather commanding, yet has a strange sense of calmness that radiates from it. Large shoulder pads rise to his ears and outward from his body. Tiny spikes line the bottom of the pads, while a lights beam dimly through large slits on top of each.
Upon his chest is a strange symbol. Two white lines arc to form an elongated ellipse. In the center is a white dot, while white spines extend up and downward from both curves. Purple weaves in the center, filling the space of what seems to be an eye. You are looking exactly at that. He sees the mighty violet eye.
Finally he carries a massive, orange staff. Flames flicker from the end of the handle and shoot outward from it in a stream. The head of the weapon floats in and out calmly and rhythmically. You like the bobbling toy. He wants one of his own!
Jaina stands to his left, my right. You telling us that because…? He doesn't want us to be confused. Will you two stop? You are cranky. He needs to chill. I do not need to chill, I just need you two to shut up. You will never get us to! He cannot stop viva el talking! What? You heard him…
Ahhh!
Bah! Like I need my first impression in this city to be of me arguing with myself.
I shake my head a bit and gaze back forward. To the man's right are an unfamiliar dwarf, another odd mage, and the troll! Wait…what was his name? You forgot mister troll's name?! He is a monster!
Just tell me his name. You never find it odd that you ask us for such information? He needs to hang up and dial again! Ok, I will remember. Ok, I know it started with a "T." T…t…Timmy…Tommy…ummm…You are not even trying. He is close, though. You are doing…OK. He is definitely…OK.
Ok? What are…oh…T…OK…his name is Tok. Ah, thank you. You are not welcome. He owes us a buck fifty. I stare awkwardly at the troll as my voices fight with me. Sadly, he catches sight of my crazy gaze and smirks. Great, he knows exactly what I am thinking.
He flicks his wrist and motions me to come over. I hesitate at first, but almost feel forced as the entire room shifts their focus to me. I hate so much attention. You are a mighty hero and you cannot stand it? He needs to loosen up.
Nathanos passes by my side. Carlin next, followed by Jessica and Mark. All of their eyes lock on me. Soldiers shift by one by one. Their eyes lock to me one by one. Quickly I step into the rather dark, purple-floored room.
I ignore the vast of the dark appearing vacancy of this room and simply approach the signaling troll. He makes an odd chirping sound that kind of reminds me of an exploding bird. You are strange. He makes up the craziest of notions.
"Hope, mon, ya be just in time!" He turns to me and glares at the man in the middle. "Ya be in time ta tell dis mage here Arthas is not da only part of da Lich King!"
Whoa. What and where did that come from?
The mage shakes his head. "Troll, we were over this. Arthas is the only entity of the Lich King now."
"Rhonin, ya daft mage, mon, dat be foolishness!" Tok shuffles before the mage. "We know I be da wisdom of da evil within."
The man, that I think is Rhonin, sighs. However, a high-pitched, tiny womanly voice chirps, "Tok Fon, the spirit of Ner'zhul was banished and destroyed months ago. Arthas is the only part of the Lich King."
My eyes search the room and finally find a tiny gnome near the troll's feet. I think I know her.
"Troll, that means that it is gone, dead, forever out of mind." The mage speaks, "Ner'zhul is not a part of this equation"
Ner'zhul? What, is that some sort of snack? You are as slow as a waterlogged turtle. He needs a pair of rocket boots.
Tok narrows his vision, "Mon, we both know dat Ner'zhul is lingering and lurking within da boy. We also know from me own personal experience that lingering and lurking still means alive."
Ok, I know I can be confused sometimes, but right now, I am pretty sure they are speaking another language. You know you just have no idea what is going on. He also knows the troll might actually be.
Oddly I raise my hand and shout,
"Hold it!" My hand lowers and slides through my hair, "Firstly," I point to the tiny gnome, "You are from Andorhal!"
The red haired, freckled gnome squeaks and claps, "Hello, cutey!"
I smile and turn to the mage, "You must be Rhonin."
He nods.
"I am Hope Blackwood, and I am confused to know end."
The mage lowers an eyebrow and speaks, "Was that last part a question?"
Sylvanas snorts and replies for me, "No, he really meant it as a statement. He is really, really confused. It is Goldfish's second nature to be bemused."
He looks oddly at her then back to me, "You, boy, are the Hope Blackwood? The one known as the Light Bringer?"
I nod.
He narrows his vision as he speaks, "I always pictured you as a larger, stronger looking individual, giant even." His eyes divert to my side, "Wow, it is true. You really do wield a spade. Impressive."
A smirk forms over his face.
"Of course, if your legends are as true as your form, then you are the kind of crazy maverick this world needs!" His free hand extends forward, "Pleasure to finally have met you, Hope."
Without hesitation I grip his hand. He squeezes firmly. I squeeze back. Our eyes lock. Pain begins to ripple through my palm. Cracking screams from his. Leather crushes against cloth. Our minds are locked. We battle with our agonizing hands and mental fortitude. You are not allowed to use 'Hope' and 'mental fortitude' in the same sentence! He is charged with a personal foul!
"Um, gentlemen, not to be rude…"
We instantly let go as Jaina speaks. He clears his throat, and I cough a few times. You are doing this why? He is truly losing his mind.
"Rhonin, what are we planning to do about the whole scourge invasion?"
The mage rotates to her.
"Proudmoore, we both know that the barrier will last years. These pathetic scourge vessels will not overcome the magic of a thousand Kiron Tor Magi."
"Yes, Rhonin, but we will not be able to leave this city in one piece. Frostwryms and all sorts of Scourge aerial units are patrolling the rims…"
"Why does that matter? We are safe here, nestled in the heart of arcane."
She makes to speak, but silences instantly. Her eyes sweep Rhonin. They search the man for answers to questions she wishes to ask. They pray for solutions to problem she dreams to resolve. Then, oddly, she looks over to me.
Sadness seeps from her bright blue orbs. A force drills at her essence, but she does not say a word. She does not wince nor does she cry. Something is killing her from within. Nathanos' words suddenly pop in my head. But only one word stands out. Pain. You are the king of reclamation! He is the god of guess!
"So that is your grand mage's plan?" As usual a deep, crackling call of Marris breaks my train of thought.
"You plan to sit here and wait? Wait for a magical end deserving of your already wondrous sway?" He spits at the ground, "Fools! The armies of the Horde and alliance are marching towards the Citadel as we speak."
He spins in a dramatic fashion. "The Ashbringer rests in the hands of this wrinkly old fool here," he points to Carlin, "The Light Bringer is standing before you, arms open," points to me, "and all you have to show is useless patience?"
I glance back to Rhonin. A strange, angry, yet inquisitive expression sweeps his face. He looks to Carlin and his mighty weapon. His eyes slowly sweep back across the undead man and land on me. Strong, firm, confident orbs search my very soul. They, like Jaina's, search for something unseen and unrevealing.
They are hunting for something within me. And as his eyes narrow, eyebrows lock firmly, and his expression changes to utter determination, I know he has found what he is looking for.
He takes a step forward before speaking.
"Chromie, can you tell me what is going to happen this very day?"
The tiny figure shakes and moves a bit forward, "Rhonin, you know I couldn't reveal that to you even if I did."
He glances to her, "I do not want to know the outcome. Do you possess the ability to know the outcome of today?"
She cocks her head to the side and throws the tall man an awkward glance. Tiny pupils play within her skull and drill Rhonin as well as her own mind. Her lips curl to a frown and she scratches her head.
"Sadly, my boy, I only know possible, generic outcomes. Only the players of this game can truly define the ends and the means. You know that."
A smirk stretches his face, "Then today we shall shift our pieces. Today, we shall give reality to unseen solutions."
He spins to Jaina, "Young woman, what is that you want me to do? What was your idea of game play?"
She blinks a few times before looking to me.
"Well, we need to get to Icecrown. Anywhere in Icecrown will take a vast amount of energy, I know, but anywhere will do."
He snorts, "Anywhere in Icecrown? That will take more than vast amounts, that will take almost an entire army of mages!"
Suddenly he moves for the door, his head shaking as he moves. "Just imagine how many it will take to open a portal straight through Arthas' dark magic and right on to his doorstep."
Jaina's face shifts to shock, "Rhonin, what are you saying?"
He rushes from the building and into the light. His head shifts right, then left. Vision sweeps the streets of all the citizens and all the soldiers. Finally he turns his shoulder back to Jaina and smiles.
A deep, bellowing voice echoes froth from his loud, commanding lungs. It stretches the streets and catches the eyes and ears of all. It climbs the tallest of towers and spans the vast of the city. It reaches the soul and drives the spirit.
"Mages of the Kiron Tor, hear me, Archmage Rhonin!" He rotates in his spot, "Today, we come from the hiding. Today, we break from our plotting shell!"
He looks up, down, left and right, "Today, we bring the fight to the heart of the enemy!"
Cries from nearby soldiers follow the cries of the mage. Hands wave in triumph and others clap in excitement. But the man is not yet finished.
"Snuff the eye of the beast! Blind the blue darkness of the Necropolis! Once it is finished, all mages report to the center of the city!"
Cries ring loudly. Feet shuffle quickly. The hum of a massive cannon grows louder. Eyes of a leader sweep his organizing troops. Robed men rush from all locations and scurry rapidly towards the arched pathways of the fountain.
Rhonin makes to move, but Jaina cannot help but say, "Rhonin, the shield we be taken down if the mages leave their positions."
A sudden flash of violet and loud, rolling explosion delays Rhonin's answer. He, however, smiles as mages from behind burst into the room and rushing across the hall.
"It would seem the enemy is now blind."
"Rhonin, the shield?"
He pauses, smirks and simply replies, "We built this city from ruin once before, "He turns from her and makes for the steps, "We can do it again."
As he marches, Thrall chuckles while Sylvanas claps once before emitting,
"Finally, the mages bring their fury to this fight!" She quickly rushes past me with Thrall following, "Come, Goldfish, before you get lost in your own imagination again."
Both of them shift from the room in a hurry. I make for the door, but something suddenly grabs my arm and I spin. Jaina looks depressingly down to me. Tears build at the corners of her eyes.
"Hope, when you find Arthas…" she hesitates, "Tell him I love him." Again she pauses to hold back her tears, "Then end that monster he has become. Kill him."
Anger floods her voice before she lets me go. I look to her and frown as I say, "You aren't coming, are you?"
She shakes her head, "No, I cannot bear the sight of his death. Just the word of it will suffice."
I nod and turn away. She sighs one last thing as I near the door, "You remind me of him. Of the man I loved. He was once innocent and calm like you. Once…"
Without turning I say, "He will find that peace again…before he falls, he will find it. I swear to you."
I hear her whimper from behind, but do not dare to look. Quickly, I leave the saddened woman behind and trot hurriedly down the stairs. Nathanos and Carlin shift by a pair of arches before a loud, thunderous roar from overhead draws my attention.
A red dragon of massive proportions flinches violently. Blood splatters across the barrier and vanishes into burning nothingness. It flaps awkwardly and painfully. Nearby a giant blue dragon draws a swirling mess of blue, black, and white destruction inside her chest.
"Alexstrasza, I always knew this day would come. And we both knew it would end this way." Blue flame builds at the corners of the undead beast's mouth. "May the world weep endlessly, may trees wither from sorrow, may the planet itself flinch with your death!"
I watch in horror as the red figure struggles to maintain flight. Fire gathers at the edges of the wounded beast's mouth. It prepares to shoot, but its assailant is already ready for its deadly strike.
"Alexstrasza, may your corpse feed the maggots…"
As the words slip from her mouth, fire begins to flow. Air draws in, the beast readies. As she prepares, a small, white figure flashes around the bend of the Necropolis. As she arches her head back to end it all, a flock of gorgeous white birds fills the sky.
They are all led by one man, led by one, bellowing call.
"For Khaz Modan!"
Leaping from the back of the bird is a small, glowing man. Silver clings to all edges of the rapidly growing figure. In a flash, the tiny individual grows three times his side. In flash, his mighty maces lift and crash into the skull of the undead monster.
Fragments of white bone rain down from the monster's head. Latched to the skull, the glowing silver figure thrashes wildly. Shrill screeches of agony fill the air as the beast is pummeled mercilessly by the sudden assault.
It begins whipping its entire body in frenzy. Claws reach up and slice wildly at the attacking dwarf. Wings beat as the monster turns. The dwarf clings tightly, but a fast, high sweep of the claw catches the man and dislodges him partially. His legs draw near the mouth, and with a chomp and flick of the neck, the silver figure flies towards the city.
He spins and twirls midair. Birds attempt to pluck him from the sky, but his bulk is too vast. He nears the purple border, smashes through it and…
CRARASH.
Stone and water shoots high into the air. Screams of horror radiate from the center of town, and I quickly rush down the steps and sprint towards the arches. Unexpectedly, a flash draws my eyes back into the air, and I watch as a massive ball of fire collides heavily into the undead beast's side.
Black flame pours from the monster's side like blood from a vein. Its mighty wings drag the mortally wounded creature quickly around. Slowly it floats from over the city and takes to the sky.
As it moves, a shrill cry fills the air, "Mortals, I curse you! This was my vengeance! Mine!" The red dragon shift and takes off quickly after the monster, "I will return! Sindragosa will have her revenge!"
At that, the mighty dragons recede from sight, letting their story be told in another time and place. Filling the two's place are dozens of white, ferocious birds and their miniature riders. They fight relentlessly and drag Frostwyrm after Frostwyrm from the sky…
I continue to the downed fighter in the center of the city. In a flash, I come upon the small man and a crushed fountain underneath. A few stand near him, but I fight my way to his side.
As soon as I arrive he coughs and opens his beady eyes.
"Woo, that was a rush, ye'lad?"
I shake my head and reach down to him, "Muradin, you are late."
He chuckles and cracks his spine once he is upright, "Sorry, lad, these old bones are slower than I thought."
As he looks around, Rhonin snorts, "Muradin, did you really have to make such a dramatic entrance? You took out the fountain and everything."
A smirk forms on the dwarve's face, "I couldn't miss this for world, lad. Had to make it memorable."
Rhonin shakes his head and shoos the dwarf from the fountain. He eyes the now spurting base of the structure and nods.
"Mages, draw your magic here! Use the remains of the fountain as a base for your energy!"
Dozens of purple robed men shift in a circle around the fountain. Gleaming violet eyes lock perfectly upon the crushed fountain. Wrinkled, aging hands shift next to the smooth flesh of the young. Swirls of energy build at their fingertips. Purple haze gathers at their arms and slides down to their palms.
In seconds, all hands become lost in the lavender glaze. The swirling mess consumes entire bodies as it builds. Facial features are lost behind the unbelievable powerful magic. The barrier begins to fade overhead.
With each passing second, the barrier slowly diminishes. Violet turns to gray. Purple turns to white. Lavender turns to black. Second by second, the natural colors of the world break the once protective shield.
Below the mages begin feeding the power forward. Magic builds inward. It starts as a giant, fluffy cloud and quickly condenses. A sight of monumental proportions. A sudden flash of green erupts from my side…
BRURSH.
Stone rips from the archways and from the top of a nearby building. Flames billow into the sky, and flames flicker from a struck building. Past them both is a looming structure of doom. Naxxramas.
Rhonin yells loudly.
"We need the fortress distracted!" He pauses, "This is taking too long. We need more power!"
As if on cue, a white robed figure shifts past me. Blonde hair drags behind an elegant neck. In a flash she lifts her hands and a purples haze envelops her.
"Apologizes, Archmage, I got distracted."
Green flash. BRURSH
More chunks rain from another arch. Flame lashes unyieldingly from the impact spot. I see Rhonin shift, but before he can say a world, sounds of sputtering engines and whirling propellers fills the air.
A bulky Zeppelin sweeps us from overhead. A purple balloon drags a wooden ship quickly across the city and straight for the floating behemoth. Suddenly a large, furry creature leaps from the side of the ship. A cloth chute catches the air and lets him fall safely from the side and into a distant part of the city.
Nathanos appears in the corner of my vision, "What is that little idiot up to?"
The ship begins making a wide right turn. As it does, a high-pitched squeal echoes from the vessel, "Kel'thuzad, you denied me it once! Because I was too short!? Fool!"
Suddenly the ship makes a hard left turn, the bow now facing the floating Naxxramas.
"You forget who you are messing with, sir!"
It doesn't slow.
"I am Captain Skippy! I own these skies!"
It aims for the hole.
"And it can be hugz time now!"
Wooden sunders against stone. Ropes rip from a wooden base. A balloon lifts and tears into the sky as the lower section snaps horrifically and slides through the now larger hole. Stone crumbles inward as the ship careens straight into the heart of Naxxramas.
BRURSHA mighty explosion tears down the side of the ship. Flames billow from the vessels. An explosion tears massive chunks of the fortress and engulfs the entire zeppelin. Eruptions ripple down the side of the flying fortress. Flames pour in all directions.
Slowly and steadily, Naxxramas begins tilting before rapidly descending. The jade stone on top pulses wildly as flames flicker and dance upwards. For a brief moment, the fortress lingers in sight before floating downward and out of sight.
Taking along with it Captain Skippy. Gods' speed, little goblin. Gods' speed.
A bright flash blinds my vision briefly, and I turn quickly. Gleaming brightly for all is a large, circular object. Sparks of bright light flicker from the edges. White borders build inward and give light to an overwhelmingly dark structure.
Gray steps run upwards at a steep angle. Slabs of towering, solid black stone lock the steps firmly in place. Plastered on front of each said block is an enormous skull. Horns curl back at the side of the ram like creature's skull. Steps of the Citadel itself.
"It is finished…"
As Rhonin completes his statement, a loud, crackling explosion radiates from behind. I turn to see a streak of black and green energy tearing stone and vaporizing stone arches. Soldiers flee from the strike, but it is too late.
Buildings collapse inward, creating a stone ramp from the wall and towards the inner of the city. Another bright flash blasts and a horrific explosions ripples from overhead. Stone explodes outward as a bolt of raw energy cuts fiercely through the top of the cannon tower.
Dust ejects from the new wound. Stones break from the explosion. A loud, crackling sound fills the air as the tower begins tilting outwards. The slit grows, and in a display of horror and destruction, the neck of the structure snaps, loosing the upper portion from the tower.
Slowly it begins falling. Slowly it detaches from its natural base. Slowly…
"Go, heroes! Take it before the energy dissipates!" Rhonin shifts past me as he talks.
Sylvanas doesn't hesitate for a moment. In a hurry, she scurries through the portal and vanishes. Thrall follows quickly with a Horde soldiers close in pursuit. Carlin steps through with Jessica close behind. Mark takes off after them. Tok Fon shakes his head and takes a slow, heavy step through the swirling mess.
Finally Nathanos tilts his head back and sighs, "I hate portals."
He comes to the edge and Muradin shoves him through, "Go, Lad, I ain't getting stuck on this floating mess!"
The dwarf chuckles, turns to and motions me forward. Then, with a hop and jump he vanishes. Slowly, I approach the humming, vibrating mess. Slowly, I take in all the horrifying features of the portal.
Quickly, I turn to see where Rhonin went. I cannot see him at first, but I catch sight of him crawling up the new stone path. A dozen mages tail him close behind, and I cannot help but yell to him.
"Rhonin, where are you going."
Without turning, he rushes forward. However, I hear his deep, commanding voice echo outwards. As he speaks the severed portion of the tower comes into sight, its walls falling horizontally.
"My story is here, Hope. Defending my people." Turns his head briefly to nod, "Go. Your tale lies upon the frozen wastes."
The white structure becomes the background to the climbing man. It falls fast and true. He runs straight and with fury. He comes to the city wall as half the falling structure fades under the city, the other half still visible.
"For the Kiron Tor!"
He vanishes in a bright flash. In a second her reappears, his feet slamming into the top of the still falling structure. His mages appear next to him as he runs. They come to his side as the building falls. Stones lift past them. Dust wafts around their bodies.
Flashes blink and Rhonin vanishes again. He vanishes from sight. All of them do in a blink of an eye. All that is left is the edge of the city and the looming fortress that is the only remaining Necropolis.
Good luck, Rhonin.
I spin, face the portal, and smile.
My turn for a disappearing act.