Part Thirteen: Attack on the Fortress

At Wyrmrest Temple Celeste and Valithria awaited word from Kitali. She had reached them via holocom to inform them that Daneel had subdued the girl and was returning to the Northrend fortress. When they had received the call they were almost half way to the Eastern Kingdoms. Turning around they began their journey back, and it was at Wyrmrest where Valithria decided she needed a rest. Dragons could fly for great distances over a long length of time, but they still needed rest periodically during a long journey. Kandrostrasz had rendezvoused with them at the Temple and the three of them were enjoying a slight reprieve for the past couple of days. Then the call came that brought bad news. Adaria had tortured the mother they held captive and was trying to leave in order to find the girl and kill her. Celeste wanted to return right away, but the draenei stated she wanted them where they were and mobile in case something would arise that required their involvement in tracking the druid or possibly another of them that could fall under the influence of the Old God. The dragons had to remain in humanoid form when at the fortress due to the confines of the interior, but at Wyrmrest Temple they could remain in their natural state giving them much more flexibility. The padawn and two dragons had been edgy since that call. The red and green flew around the tower pensive while Celeste paced inside. Meditation did not work to calm her anxieties, so she had walked ever corner and discovered every nook and cranny in the place, but nothing could keep her mind from wandering. On the third day and at least a day after she knew her master would have reached the fortress, The two dragons landed on the upper level. In the distance they had spotted two other dragons flying towards them. An hour later Alexstrasza landed with Risera beside her. Valithria rushed to the green's side. Her scales were darker than normal and showed signs they had been burnt while others were missing, but the reptile smiled to her flight-mate as she approached.

"You have recovered," Valithria said to Risera with glee. "When I heard what happened…"

"Nothing permanent," the wounded green replied. "I am healing quite well. The scales will grow back in time." The two dragons wrapped their necks around each other in an embrace. To their side Kandrostrasz nuzzled Alexstrasza happy to see his queen again. "I am glad to see you too," she said to him.

Celeste watched the reunion of the dragons partially relieved that things seemed better with the appearance of the Life Binder, but also apprehensive for the same reason. Why only the two and not all of the dragons? And where was Ysera? As Kandrostrasz stepped away from his queen, the former Aspect looked down at the padawan. The smile she had been wearing waned, and the other dragons' attentions were drawn to her immediately almost sensing she had more bad news. Risera lowered her head as the great red began speaking to the small human.

"I am afraid I bring bad tidings regarding your master," she said quietly. Celeste staggered back a step. "I have brought Risera here because this place holds special meaning for us dragons, and her healing will be greatly enhanced here. She will remain with Valithria and Kandrostrasz." She looked at her fellow red and smiled. "Tariolstrasz declined to come, and I couldn't refuse him," she told him with a smile answering the unspoken question. Kandrostrasz simply nodded. She looked back down at the padawan who was wringing her hands. The wind blew just then wrapping her long blonde hair around her beatific face. "I will return to the fortress with you, Celeste, and I will tell you all that has happened on the way."

"Is he alright? Is he hurt?" the padawan asked. "Tell me he is ok."

"He is in great peril, young one," Alexstrasza answered with sorrow.

"What kind of peril," Kandrostrasz asked as he thought back to Silithus and the actions the man had taken against the leviathans. Daneel had earned the red's respect that day.

"His body lies unconscious as he struggles in another plane with at least one Old God or perhaps more," the dragon queen replied. Kandrostrasz and Valithria reacted while Risera remained poised with her head lowered…she already knew. The male's mouth gaped as if to speak. "He is unlike any mortal I have ever met. In many ways he is like Go'el in that he entered into his conflict with the Old God willingly and knowing the consequences. But unlike Go'el he did not hesitate…he did not waver…he had no doubt that what he is doing is what must be done…and we must do all we can to help him and return him to us…and to his wife." She lowered her head close to the ground near Celeste. "Climb onto my back and I will tell you the rest as we fly to the fortress."

The Avatar stood at the end of the old creaky wooden pier as he watched the Widow's Thigh approach. The ships always changed over the past thirteen hundred years, but one thing that was constant about them was that they arrived at the same time of the same day every two months bringing him supplies. Before today he never bothered to meet any of the ship's captains or crews. They simply arrived, left the crates stacked at the end of the dock, and departed. He knew another agent of his master provided such things and always in a timely manner. Only once in thirteen hundred years had a greedy crew bothered to try and explore the island, and he slaughtered them for their trespass. Their ship he untied from his dock and allowed it to drift away in the ocean current. No one ever came looking for the missing ship or crew.

Today, however, he would leave the island for the first time. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest as the vessel drew closer. His black hood remained pulled over his head even as a gust of wind blew into his face. Spray from crashing waves pelted him, but his black robes remained dry. Finally the ship approached the dock. Deckhands scurried atop the ship preparing moorings while others manipulated a large pulley raising his cargo from the lower decks. He uncrossed his arms and casually walked to the end of the dock where the ship's crew had lowered a gangplank. Coming down was a goblin followed by a muscular human with dark hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"See…I told ya there was actually someone living on this island," the goblin said to the human. He looked at the Avatar with a discerning eye. "A frail old man by the looks of it."

"I bet there is more than just him living here," the human said with a grin. "By the looks of this one he couldn't even lift the lid off one of those crates. This is our third trip here and always the crates are moved when we return. He ain't alone."

They stopped at the bottom of the ramp as the Avatar approached. The goblin grinned at the human and then looked back at the Avatar. "You want us to just leave the crates with you, old man?"

He stopped before them and wiped the water from his pointed white goatee. "You will take me to Northrend."

The two sailors looked at each other and laughed. The goblin gave the human a playful elbow to the leg. "You hear that? He wants us to take him to Northrend." He looked at the Avatar with a wider grin. "We just came from Northrend with no intentions of returning. Ole' Bartels here was mighty disappointed when we departed. He was hoping to get reacquainted with this elven wench he had the pleasure of knowing…if ya know what I mean."

The man called Bartels laughed. "Still breaks me heart she was not there. Met her back at Fizzle and Pozzik's I did. Prettiest red hair and one of those bodies you dream about. Told me she was coming to Northrend and joined me in me cabin for a night. Then some mage opened one of those portal things and she went there all quick like. I was hoping to be lucky enough to see her again. She had the greatest set of tits and really knew how to move her ass. I was thinking we'd maybe find her and meet up for at least one more pickle tickle while we were up there. I swear she was the best fuck I ever had."

The Avatar gazed at them with a hard expression. "Your dalliances do not concern me. You will take me to Northrend…now."

The human and goblin turned serious. "Look here…I'm captain of the Widow's Thigh," the goblin said pointing at his chest with his thumb. "And I decide where it goes. There ain't nothing you or…"

He suddenly grabbed his throat and began choking. The human gaped at his captain and then back at the frail old man who was holding his right hand out towards the goblin. A good ten feet of empty space was between them, but he could swear the man was causing his captain's choking fit. Then the old man looked at him and for the first time he could see his eyes…red eyes with yellow circles around the irises. Bartels swallowed hard and looked back at the goblin. Veins were bulging on his neck and face as he struggled to breathe.

"You, captain, will take me to Northrend," the Avatar said coldly to Bartels. "And you will take me there now." Bartels nodded yes as he heard bones crack and watched the goblin's body go limp. He was just promoted to captain of the Widow's Thigh.

Zharn sat back in his chair while Grogg spooned soup into his mouth. It wasn't hard to find the orc in Shattrath City, but convincing him to leave and come to Northrend had proven difficult. The man simply had no desire to return to Azeroth. It had taken most of the day to get him to agree to meet here, in World's End Tavern, to discuss even a remote possibility to come back to the world where he was born. Zharn believed the orc agreed mostly for the prospect of free food. Behind them on the stage Perry Gatner was performing his comedic routine. Occasionally he would say something funny and Grogg would laugh boisterously. Zharn politely joined him, but his concentration was more on convincing the orc to return to Azeroth and help with disarming the drill. The comic right now was not what was grating on the shaman's nerves, however. It was Haris Pilton and her vapid comments that were wearing on Zharn's patience. He turned around and was about to say something to the socialite when two orc women entered the tavern. He was pointing and had his mouth open to speak, but something about the two women seemed vaguely familiar stopping him in mid-action.

"What? You like my bag? It's a Gigantique," Haris Pilton said to Zharn. When he didn't respond to her she thrust her nose in the air. "Psshh…whatever."

The two women walked past the blood elf and stopped next to Zharn's table. Grogg held a spoon half way to his mouth and stared at the two newcomers. Zharn rolled his eyes at the sudden change in Grogg's demeanor. The spoon slowly lowered while he smoothed his long black hair with his other hand. One had darker green skin with long black hair and blue eyes. The other had vibrant green skin and green hair that fell to her shoulders. She was quite a bit thinner than her companion…thin almost like an elf which made Zharn examine them closely. For orc women both were slimly built and very beautiful which also made the shaman wary. They would've driven many in Orgrimmar crazy with lust because their appearances were extremely rare amongst his people. And now he was looking at two of them. What were the odds especially here in Shattrath? Zharn followed them with his eyes as each grabbed a chair and sat down.

"What are two lovely ladies like yourselves doing here?" Grogg asked as he adjusted what little collar he had on his sleeveless black tunic. Obviously he did not have the same concerns as Zharn and most likely was hoping for a dalliance with one or both of the women. "And what can I do to make you stay?"

"We can't stay long," the one with black hair replied as she looked at Zharn. "We have pressing matters elsewhere…isn't that right, Zharn."

"Hey…she knows your name. Does your wife know about her?" Grogg teased. "I mean…I can keep a secret if you need me to." He looked over to the green haired one. "Perhaps you can stay? I know the owner and he keeps a room for me in back. We could…you know…"

Zharn leaned forward on the table resting his elbows on the edge and his chin in his hands. He studied the outspoken woman…and her blue eyes. Blue eyes were very rare amongst orcs and if he had met her before he would definitely remember her eyes. He took a deep breath. "Do I know you from somewhere…miss?" he asked her.

"We've never personally met," she replied. Zharn looked at the one with green hair then back at the other. "But we have a mutual friend that desperately needs your help. Specifically…we need your friend's help." She looked at Grogg. "So is he coming back to Northrend on his own? Or do we need to force him?"

The shaman lifted his head. "Is this some kind of trick?" Grogg asked. "I told you I don't really want to return to that world. I like it here. People treat me fairly here. Getting these two to come over to seduce me…"

"We did not come here to seduce you," the one with green hair replied. "But we must return and soon…and you are coming with us."

"Who are you?" Zharn asked still looking at the one with black hair and blue eyes. "And how do you know why I have come here?"

"I am Kuro," she said bluntly. "Your wife sent us. Windi is no closer to disarming the device and there is another development that I am certain you will be interested in."

"Cute name to match the cute face, but I'm still not going to Azeroth or Northrend or anywhere on that world," Grogg stated as he spooned soup into his mouth. His interest in sex with either woman had apparently waned greatly.

"You no longer have a choice," the green haired one said. "You can come with us willingly or we can force you."

"You're the black dragon that Kitali mentioned," Zharn said quietly, but Grogg still heard and spat soup over all three of them and started to stand. Vethsera grabbed his arm keeping him from standing. "What's happened that made you come here?" he said wiping soup from his face and beard.

"It's the jedi," Kuro answered. "He…needs your help. Kitali sent us here to retrieve you both and get you back to the fortress so that you can help with saving Daneel."

Zharn stood. "Coming here as orcs is smart, but you will only partially pass as real ones." Both dragons cocked their heads at him. "You're too thin for one thing, and your blue eyes are extremely rare." Both nodded in understanding. Neither dragon had tried to use the form of an orc before. "Still…you are passable enough that we can use the portal to Orgrimmar and then catch a zeppelin to Warsong Hold."

"Hey…I said…"Grogg started and then slumped forward into his soup. Kuro lifted the orc's head and moved the bowl to the side. Vethsera smiled still holding his arm.

"Neat trick," Zharn said with a smile. He walked over and picked up the slumbering Grogg hoisting him into a fireman's carry. "How long will he be out?"

"Long enough for us to get to Northrend," Vethsera answered. "Like you said…once back in Azeroth we'll portal to the Borean Tundra and then fly the rest of the way. A zeppelin from Orgrimmar will take too long. Daneel's condition could be worsening the longer we delay. As for that one…he'll waken probably in mid-flight from the tundra to the fortress."

"Worsening?" Zharn asked.

"He is struggling against at least one Old God or even more," Kuro stated as she joined Vethsera standing beside the shaman. "We mustn't delay."

"Then lead the way."

As they left the tavern the comedian never stopped his act, the other patrons seemed to have completely ignored the slight ruckus of the four orcs, and Haris Pilton was heard saying, "Orcs never can hold their liquor…psshh."

Demira cupped Daneel's head with her right arm as her fingers ran through his hair. Her left hand held his as she sat in a chair whispering to him. Behind her with her arms crossed and leaning against the doorway was her closest friend. Kitali could not hear what her friend was saying, but she knew the pain the elf felt. When Zharn was wounded by Selene she sat by the orc's side just as Demira did now next to the jedi. What was it about their men that made them so willing to sacrifice themselves to save others and leave her and Demira behind to suffer in the agony of seeing the men they loved fighting for their lives. Demira looked down with tear-stained cheeks at the jedi's collar and used her left hand to smooth out a wrinkle. The draenei closed her eyes fighting back her own tears. At her waist there was a beeping. Demira acted as if she didn't hear it as her left hand again held the jedi's and she continued whispering to him. Taking a deep breath, Kitali left the room and walked down the hallway past a couple of rooms before answering the holocommunicator. She wiped a tear from her right eye as the device began to form the image of the one calling her. She didn't want whoever it was to see her cry…not at a critical moment like this. She was essentially the leader right now and the others needed her to be strong…but it was so difficult. The image solidified to show Zharn on the back of a dragon. Finally something good, and her heart lightened at seeing her husband.

"Hi, hon," he said as he rocked back and forth with the movement of the dragon he was riding. "We've left Warsong Hold and should there in about four hours." She swallowed to keep her voice from breaking and nodded to him. His image smiled at her. "I know, hon…I know. You just hang in there and I'll be there with you soon." She smiled as a tear fell from her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said as her voice broke.

The image faded. She sighed as she deactivated the device and placed it back in her pouch at her waist. Behind her she heard running steps and turned to see Celeste turn into Daneel's room. Following her was Alexstrasza. Another tear fell down her cheek and she wiped her eyes and then tugged her robes around her crossing her arms around her midsection. The former Aspect walked up to her and smiled.

"Your heart is breaking as much as hers is," the dragon said quietly when she was next to Kitali. The shaman looked past her to the jedi's room. Alexstrasza touched Kitali's shoulder, and the shaman looked into her eyes. "He has touched many lives profoundly, and he is your friend as is she. It is only natural to worry while he struggles."

Kitali took a deep breath and then licked her dry lips. "I have to be strong for her, though," she said as she sniffed back tears. "When Zharn was hurt…she was there for me…they both were." She looked back at the room. "I knew that woman was going to kill him…before Daneel arrived and saved him. Selene. She stared at me with this look of pure evil as she stood over Zharn with that lightsaber. She was going to kill him and I was helpless to stop her." She looked back at the dragon. "But Daneel saved him. I was so happy to have him alive and in my arms…to still have him sleep in my bed…and I owe all of that to Daneel." She looked up at the ceiling and wiped her eyes again. "You know…it was he that convinced me to reveal who I really was to Zharn. When I first met him…Zharn…I was an alliance spy in disguise as a pandaren. I was still in disguise when I met Daneel even though I had stopped spying by then. I fell in love with Zharn…and Daneel convinced me that he would love me no matter what I was…whether I was a pandaren or a draenei…so I listened to him…" she looked back at the dragon. " And he was right…Zharn still loved me even as I really am…a draenei."

"He is a very wise and insightful man," Alexstrasza said smiling. "And I think that Demira would be better served if she saw you like this. I know you two are very close. She doesn't need someone who is strong…she needs one who knows what she is going through and understands her pain…she needs you as you are now….feeling as you do now…show her…that is what she needs most." Kitali choked back tears and smiled as she nodded. Alexstrasza stepped to the side allowing the draenei to pass. "Go…and be there for her."

Kitali took a step past the dragon and then stopped. She looked at the Life Binder. "Thank you…for helping me understand," she said.

Alexstrasza smiled. "I too also know what it is like to lose a loved one…one very close to my heart. And it took the wisdom of a single man to help me heal and grieve."

"Who was he? This wise man?" Kitali asked.

"Go'el. I think you know him," she replied smiling. Kitali nodded and turned back to join Demira and Celeste at Daneel's side. Part of her wished that Thrall was here now with his strength and wisdom. If he could help one like Alexstrasza when she was pained the most, then they could use him now that Daneel fought for his life against perhaps the strongest foe in all of Azeroth.

The Avatar ran across the frozen plain towards the mountain ridge. The Force enhanced his speed and he would reach the mountain his master had shown him within the next couple of hours. Behind him in the distance rose a plume of smoke from the wreckage of the ship. Winds that he powered with the dark side sped the vessel to the northern coast of this continent. The bow was shedding parts of the hull as they travelled much faster than the ship was ever designed for and crewmen worked frantically bailing water. Some also tried to lower the sails, but as they did they were suddenly hurled over the side of the ship as if a hand of a god swept down and tossed them to the sea. During the whole trip, which took only hours, the Avatar never left his place near the helm. As the ship rocked with its incredible speed, men and women were tossed around like children on a merry-go-round, but he stood straight and firm never seeming to move even the slightest inch. When they reached the shore the front hull shattered. The Avatar then slaughtered everyone onboard leaving no survivors. A feral smile crossed his lips when he slew the captain. His dying words were, "She had the greatest tits." Now in the distance he could see his destination. Soon he would kill the girl and free his master. Soon he would face the jedi and have his vengeance.

Illiana sat before a mirror while Raeva brushed her long black hair. The cuts and bruises on the mother's face were healing, but seeing her in the mirror and the damage done to her beautiful face made Illiana wince. She wore the barmaid's outfit she wore when she first met her mother, and Raeva wore the same outfit she also wore that day. Their black bodysuits were ripped and torn and these were the only clothes they had which they had left here just before Illiana fled for the Sunwell. When Raeva first came searching for her daughter many of the rooms were locked. Surprisingly the gnome had figured how to unlock them and it was one of those they occupied now. The pleasant discovery was that while the unlocked rooms were empty, the locked ones were fully furnished from when people actually live here. While they were still prisoners in this place they were not kept under lock and key. They could move freely about the fortress, but a dragon guarded the lift to the outside and another at the lift to the lower levels where all the machinery and droids were.

"Mother?" Illiana asked as she looked into the eyes of Raeva's reflection. "I've done horrible things…haven't I?"

How should she answer? The draenei had told her what happened to Illiana and about the voice of an Old God that influenced her actions. It definitely explained the madness in her daughter since they met back at Valiance Keep. Now she had huge gaps in her memory and acted more like a frightened and confused adolescent than the power hungry woman from before. Could she handle the truth if Raeva told it to her?

"You're silence tells me I have," Illiana said looking down in shame. "Why can't I remember?"

"You were controlled by a very powerful being," Raeva answered. Perhaps the truth was what would be best. At least she would be with her daughter now to help her through this transition. "It made you do things…"

Illiana shook her head causing Raeva to drop the brush to the floor. "No…I remember…I remember Drakus said that no one person could make another do anything against their will. Manipulate, yes…but not outright control them." She turned in her chair to face her mother. "If I did horrible things to people then part of me must have wanted to do those things which means I am a horrible person. Maybe that is why I don't remember."

Raeva knelt before her daughter and held her shoulders while looking into her eyes. "You are not a horrible person."

"But Drakus…"

"Lied and tricked you," Raeva said. "He tortured you and meant to use you for something that was never what you wanted. He twisted you into something you are not and that is why I believe you do not remember."

Illiana looked down at her chest and traced the scar in her cleavage with her left hand. "And this? Did he also do this to me?" Raeva closed her eyes. "And that voice in my mind…I do remember some of it…it wants me dead…dead so that thing below can free it from some prison. And this thing inside me is the key." She looked back up at her mother with sad blue eyes. "Why me, mama? Why me? What did I do to warrant this? Why can't I remember why I am the one they did this to? Why do they want me to die?"

Raeva reached up and pulled Illiana into an embrace. "I don't know why, sweetie. I don't know why."

Outside in the hallway Adaria turned and walked away from the room. She had come here to apologize to the mother for what she had done. Like the girl she had also been influenced by the Old God's voice, but unlike her Adaria remembered everything. She knew why she tortured the old elf and wanted to kill the daughter. The voice had manipulated her, but that did not diminish her guilt. After Daneel had freed her mind from that nightmare now she lived one of shame. In a way she envied the girl back in that room because she didn't remember.

Celeste walked into the main throne chamber where the body of the old sith still sat. With all that had happened no one had bothered to dispose of the corpse and because there was no longer any smell she figured most had forgotten it was even here. She walked up to stand before it and looked up at the drooping head. So this was one of her ancestors? Like the statues that lined the hallways adjacent to this room it wore robes and armoring that was more style than function…something meant to drive fear into their opponents. She looked down at her own attire. Her green mini jacket she wore open over a green top that she tied in a knot between her breasts. The matching miniskirt only went to her mid-thigh and the calf-high boots she only wore because they matched the skirt and jacket. Her toned abdomen was bare as were her legs. She looked back up at the clothing of the corpse. Like her ancestors she wore robes and clothing that was more for style than function. Her master wore simple brown robes most of the time, and perhaps that was another lesson she was just now beginning to learn. She was proud of her body and delighted in showing it off to all who saw her. But now as she looked at this dead sith and thought about her master back in that room lying unconscious and the deeds of both men she realized that she was emulating the wrong one. Alexstrasza, Ysera, Tyrande, even Shandris…none of them cared about seeing how visually strong Daneel was nor how flashy his attire. They respected him because of what he did and how he did it…not how he looked while doing such deeds. Modesty and humility…traits he embodied…and perhaps now it was time she started to do the same.

"Are you okay, Celeste?" she heard from behind her.

She turned to see Kitali walking towards her. Even this woman wore white robes styled like her master. She had seen the woman sometimes wear a top under the robes that left her midriff bare as did Demira, but not all of the time as she realized she had since becoming a padawan. She turned back to look at the corpse sitting in its throne.

"Just came up here to do some thinking," she replied. "You know that this man's race is part of my ancestry?" She turned back to look at Kitali. "I feel so under dressed right now."

The draenei stopped at cocked her head to the side. "Under dressed? What brought this on?"

Celeste nodded towards the corpse. "They wore robes, clothing, armoring, or whatever to instill fear in those they meant to rule or those that opposed them."

"That is how they still are according to Daneel."

"So what does this say about me?" she asked tugging on her jacket. "Am I too vain? Vanity is not a trait of a jedi."

Kitali smiled at the padawan. "There is nothing wrong with liking how you look. Sometimes it's nice to show off a little. Be proud of who you are and how you look. I, myself, like to show off my fabulous abs from time to time."

"I know," Celeste said. "But you don't do it all of the time. Clothing like this is all I wear." She turned back to look at the corpse. "They wore their lust for power for all to see. I think…I think that maybe I also wear my vanity for all to see. In that I am just like my ancestors." She turned back to look at the draenei and squared her shoulders. "But no longer for I am a jedi. From now on I will also dress like a jedi and not a sith."

Kitali walked over and placed her hand on Celeste's stomach. The padawan looked down then back up at her face. "Don't be afraid to show-off this fabulous feature from time to time. A girl does have a right to flaunt on occasion."

"Just not all of the time," Celeste grinned. The shaman winked back.

A loud crash coming from one of the outer corridors caught their attention and they both looked in the direction where the lift to the outside was located. Another crash was followed by screams. They ran in the direction of what sounded like a conflict, and Celeste pulled her saberstaff from her belt. Had the girl or Adaria fallen back under the Old God's control? Had Daneel failed in shielding them? Cielstrasza had joined them the previous day and was guarding the main lift outside and it was her screams they were certain they heard. Passing another ring of hallways they met with Alexstrasza who had also heard the commotion. They approached the corridor with the lift when Cielstrasza flew past the junction. Her body was smoking and her screams filled the room. The three women tensed as they entered the hallway and looked in the direction of the lift. Standing sideways to them by the lift's doorway was a rail-thin man wearing hooded black robes. He turned towards them nonchalantly. They could see the pale white skin of his neck and lower face. A white pointed goatee covered his chin and veins webbed his face around his mouth and up his exposed cheeks. The hood obscured his eyes.

"Where is the elven girl," he asked them with a raspy voice.

"She is safe," Kitali answered.

"Not from me," he replied raising his hands.

Bolts of purple Force lightning sprouted from his fingertips towards them. The women jumped to the sides avoiding the attack that impacted the wall where the hallway curved. Chunks of stone and plasteel exploded where the lighting struck.

"Where is the girl?" He lowered his arms to his sides. Purple energies danced along his fingers and up his arms. "Where?" Before him a ring of purple energy appeared and lightning danced inside it. "Tell me where she is!"

Celeste, Kitali, and Alexstrasza scrambled to their feet and towards the hallway they just came from. The man pushed his arms through the ring and a ball of lighting and energy flew down the hallway. They ducked down their previous corridor just as it passed them. Celeste could feel the energy tingle the hairs on her arms. A large explosion shook the entire fortress. She looked back to where the ball had flown past them, and the corridor had collapsed. She ducked back as another lightning bolt struck the corner just missing her head showering her with pebbles and dust. She coughed as she looked at the other two women and pointed. They all ran back towards the main throne room. As they ran Celeste peeked over her shoulder to see the man turn the far corner to follow them. Purple lightning and energies still danced along his hands and arms which hung to his sides as he stalked them. When they reached the throne room, Adaria, Raeva, and Illiana were standing together on the far side. The explosion had attracted their attention.

"Get her out of here!" Kitali screamed as she pointed at Illiana. "Get out now!"

The three just stood there in shock. Kitali and Alexstrasza kept running towards them passing the old throne. Celeste stopped just on the far of it and looked back from where they came. The man still walked towards them with his hood still obscuring most of his face. She thought he might be human or maybe elven judging by his chin and mouth. He entered the room and spied the three elves on the far side. A feral smile crossed the man's lips. Celeste crouched trying to anticipate what he was about to do. The hilt of her saberstaff she held in front of her. Just then from their right Tariolstrasz and Ysera emerged from another corridor. The man looked in their direction and raised his left arm. Lightning jolted from his hands at Ysera. Tariolstrasz pushed the former Aspect to the side and received the full power of the attack. His body writhed as bolts of lightning coursed up and down his body. Alexstrasza screamed behind her, and Celeste activated the blades of her weapon. She jumped at the attacker and raised the blades above her head. He ceased his attack on Tariolstrasz at just the last second to sidestep Celeste as she buried one of the blades deep into the floor where was standing. Without stopping she pivoted on her heel and swung the saberstaff at the thin man. He jumped high over it to land some ten feet away from her. Celeste completed her turn and stood facing him with the saberstaff held in her right hand.

"A jedi," the man snarled. He raised his arms to his sides. "But not the one I was promised."

"Get out of there, Celeste," Kitali yelled.

The draenei pulled on Illiana trying to get her out of the room. Raeva stood between her daughter and the thin man while Adaria and Alexstrasza raced to Tariolstrasz and Ysera. His body was smoking much like Cielstrasza's was and Ysera was lying unconscious on the floor…knocked out by the impact of the red's push and where her head had struck the wall. The purple lightning and energies intensified along his arms as he lifted two feet into the air. Suddenly bolts of lighting filled the entire room between the floor and the ceiling. Alexstrasza and Adaria just managed to pull Ysera and Tariolstrasz through the doorway as the attack sprouted in the room. Kitali kept pulling on Illiana, but Raeva was not so lucky. A bolt of lighting struck her right shoulder and she screamed in pain. Celeste jumped from side to side avoiding the bolts striking around her…the Force allowing her to sense each one and avoid it just in time. Another bolt struck the throne with the corpse. The body exploded into dust and bits of bone while the stone chair shattered raining rocks and dust that mixed with the debris of the corpse. Celeste coughed and jumped to her left just as the man leapt at her. The crimson blade of his lightsaber swung through the space she had just occupied.

He stood up straight and turned to face the padawan. His lightsaber pointed to the ground in his right hand. Celeste squared her shoulders and crouched facing him with her saberstaff held in both hands before her. He raised his head to look up past her and at Kitali still struggling with Illiana on the far side of the room. Raeva lay on the floor in front of them and the girl was trying to reach her mother. And for the first time Celeste could see the face of their attacker. He looked old…older than any human she had ever met. His eyes were red like a sith with deep dark circles around them, and the veins webbed all over his face. He glowered at Illiana and Kitali and then back at Celeste.

"Kill the girl and I promise you a quick death," he growled. "Her death is inevitable. My master wills it and it shall be done."

"Nothing is inevitable," Celeste answered shifting her feet.

"What N'Zoth desires is always inevitable," he said as he threw his lightsaber at her. She raised her saberstaff to block his throw and succeeded, but while he had done that, with his other hand he unleashed a barrage of Force lightning at Illiana. Kitali spun the girl and threw her to the ground, but she received the full brunt of the lightning. She writhed in agony and screamed out. Celeste looked back in her direction in horror as the purple lighting coursed along her body. The old man laughed as he brought his other hand up and more lighting poured into Kitali. Celeste jumped at him and he sidestepped causing her to miss him completely. But it was enough…just enough…for him to cease his barrage on the draenei. She slumped to the floor. The old man turned back to face the far end. Only Illiana remained standing. "There is no one left to save you, child," he said as he raised his hands.

"Who the fuck are you?" a voice boomed filling the room. The man turned his head just as two green meaty hands wrapped around his throat. His eyes bulged and he shot bolts of Force lightning into his attacker, but Zharn tightened his grip and shook off the energy the old man poured into him. "What have you done to my wife?" he yelled. He lifted the man two feet into the air. Gloved fists pounded at the orc's hands and the old man tried to kick him, but Zharn held him firmly and continued to tighten his grip. "No one harms my wife and lives…do you hear me…no one!" he screamed into the old man's face.

Celeste heard the crack of bones as the orc snapped the neck of the assailant. Zharn lowered his gaze to Kitali lying on the floor, and with a toss the man flew into the wall behind Celeste like a rag doll. Zharn ran across to his wife and knelt beside her holding her head gently in hands that had just crushed the life out her attacker. His angry grimace washed away to the one Celeste was used to seeing…warm, caring, and compassionate.

"Kit," he said quietly in contrast to the booming voice he had just used against the old man. "Can you hear me, baby?"

She moaned and opened her eyes a little. "Zharn?"

"I'm here, baby," he said as he caressed her cheek. Scorch marks were scattered on her robes, but otherwise she appeared unhurt.

"We'll have to change our deal. You get a solid month of me any way you want me," she said trying to smile.

"Deal," he said as he brought his forehead to hers.

Illiana maneuvered past the couple to reach her mother. Raeva sat up and coughed as her daughter approached. She smiled to Illiana and hugged her as she knelt down beside her. Celeste surveyed the rest of the room. Alexstrasza and Adaria were tending to Tariolstrasz and Ysera respectively. Both were awake and appeared they would recover. She took a deep breath and looked back where Zharn had come from. Standing in that door way was Vethsera with a strange orc standing beside her. His eyes were wide and his mouth gaped…speechless. Vethsera looked at the padawan and smiled giving her a thumbs up. Walking up behind them was Kuro with Cielstrasza whose arm was around the black's shoulder and limping. "Ouch," she said as they entered the main throne room. Despite the destruction and the power unleashed by the old man, everyone was alive…battered and bruised…but alive. And in another room Daneel squeezed Demira's hand.