These chapters are short, but I'm trying to get them updated quickly seeing as the story is finally starting to flow for me. Plus, I'm actually getting this one submitted before 1 in the morning, so that's awesome. ;D
Review Responses:
Zarabethe: Yeah! Go Aitto's rez capabilities! ;D
I'm awesome and y'all know it: Ha! Well, I've got two I haven't updated in way too long, but that's because they're both sort of sequels to this story. Er.. Chance is only sorta a sequel. Reawakening is definitely a sequel. :D If that makes sense...
Connet: Muahahhahaha Garrosh = defeated. Happy dance! 8D
Sonya-Valentine: Seriously, I always crack up at your crazy reviews. "BOOM! Headshot." Got me on this one..xD
Noriana26: The suspense of that review nearly killed me :O And lucky you, you got another chapter update within only a few hours. ;)
Noblescar: Heheee you guys know I wouldn't really kill him, right? ...Right? Ehh, I wouldn't do that to you! ;D
Guest: Oh yes she is! Well, up until.. until what happens in this chapter. She can't really handle things well and.. yeah. :P
Aeschielle: It must be dramatic! *dramatic flounce* (whatever a flounce is) Plus, I wanted to keep it terrifying and war-ish. What better way to make it terrible than to KILL MY CHARACTERS MWAHAHAHAHHAHA!
ForGG: Haha actually sometimes I forget he's a healer and I have to go back and alter what I've written about him. He's far too big and burly and I keep picturing him as a Warrior.
Strazor: Hehehe. I'm so evil... Then again, not as evil as some stories I've read, where they actually DO kill the lead male protagonist and leave you with a gaping hole in your heart. I'm forever scarred with some of those stories.. D: I COULD NEVER DO THAT!
Also, as for your second review, ohmigod, I didn't even think about that. You're right, this story is almost over! Like, a few chapters! Whaaaat theeee heck. I'm both sad and elated, because this is my first story ever and it'll be finished and whooo!
peachycupcake: Make that threeeeeeee! :D
Lucian was dead. Gone.
...Forever.
Norivana's pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out all other sounds and leaving her nearly deaf and blind in her rage as she collided with Garrosh. Her throat and eyes burned as she fought back the utter and complete pain of loss that gripped her heart, but she refused to stop now. All she wanted was to get revenge, and to preferably die in the process.
Her vision was red, eyes focusing on nothing but her target, and as she thrust her long, silver blade toward the downed Warchief, she let out a cry of rage and pain, mourning the death of the man she loved, the loss becoming overwhelming.
Something hard smashed against her blade, though, and knocked both of her hands to the side, the sharp point of her dagger just barely missing its target and flying out of her grip. Her blade clattered to the ground and her fury returned as she realized someone had purposefully preserved the life of the abomination before her. With a cry of surprise and rage, Norivana startled back, hands whipping to grab her second dagger, only to be met with the blunt of a massive mace that stopped only inches from her face.
"This kill is not your own," a man's deep voice blundered, and Norivana froze, eyes traveling up the handle to whoever was holding it, only to see Thrall himself, weapon extended and blocking her from her target.
She let out a pained, panting breath, expression murderous as her eyes flashed with spite. Norivana had but one goal right now. One, single, final objective in which she would kill the man responsible for the death of her Druid. Thrall wanted to get in the way, and she wasn't going to let him.
Her voice shook with anger and grief as she spoke, and it sounded foreign to her, far too rough and tormented to be her own. "Move aside," she practically growled in a low tone, but Thrall just gripped his hands tighter around the handle of his weapon, standing his ground and giving her a stare not angry, but almost coaxing.
Now, Norivana'd had enough. She wasn't going to argue; she was going to act. She snapped, hands whipping recklessly to her side to retrieve the dagger she still had, and she threw herself toward the Orc at her feet. She just wanted him dead by her own hand. She didn't care what the consequences were.
But, yet again, Thrall's hammer connected with her shoulder before she had a chance to finish her task, sending her sprawling to the side. She stumbled backward, almost tumbling onto the ground.
Now knowing she had no chance to get back in there and finish the deed, she relented and let her sense of loss finally consume her, and she slumped down to her knees, staring blankly at the sight before her but not fully listening in. She couldn't even cry; she just felt the pain tear at her heart, burning violently and leaving her stunned. One hand went to her lifeless necklace at her chest, and despite her silent pleading, the necklace remained silent. This was the final straw, the final proof that she was truly, completely empty.
She removed it, holding it out in front of her and staring at the silver trinket with a blank, numb expression. It had lost its glow; it was empty. This necklace would now serve as nothing more than a reminder of her loss. Her eyes unfocused and she let the necklace slip between her fingers, hitting the floor with a tiny, unheard clink.
Her mind began repeating three words until they drowned out all thoughts, sounds, and sights.
Lucian is gone.
Lucian
The adrenaline that coursed through Lucian's veins could have easily been the only thing that kept him upright as he watched in astonishment as the Orc Thrall shoved Norivana to the side, causing the woman to stumble back. Lucian worried Norivana's battle rage would send her back to attack, but to his surprise, rather than trying again, Norivana just fell to her knees amidst the clashing swords around her.
To the side, Lucian saw Aitto tense up at this as well, his massive hands clenching into fists. Thrall began to mutter something to Garrosh, but Lucian didn't pay attention.
"We have to get to her now," Lucian gritted out, and Aitto nodded, giving Lucian an imperative look.
"Are you well enough to fight?" Aitto asked him, looking unsure. The Tauren glanced back at the battle, "There's still at least fifty Orcs down there who don't look like they'll be leaving anytime soon."
Lucian subconsciously stood a little taller in an attempt to convince the Tauren he could still fight, reaching into his pack and pulling out a handful of various potions. "I've still got some fight left in me," he said as he uncorked a rejuvenating potion that would help refresh his energy.
Aitto nodded and glanced back down at Norivana, and without a second warning, hefted a powerful mace in one hand and descended the stairs, crashing into the battling Orcs.
Lucian looked for her as well, only to see a relieving sight. Ian and the remaining members of his guild had just formed a radius around the red-haired elf, who was slumped down on her knees and appeared to be giving the floor a blank, glowing silver stare. If not for those Rogues protecting her, she'd have been cut down in a heartbeat. Lucian saw Ian standing guard closest to her, and even from this distance, Lucian could see the threatening, kick-ass expression on the young man's face, daring anyone to even come close to the woman behind him.
Feeling unspeakable gratitude and a new appreciation for the blonde Rogue, Lucian quickly drank a few more potions and hopped into action. Although he could have spent more time making sure he was up to par, he knew he had precious time wasting, so he followed after Aitto, resorting to using his destructive spells to take down every Kor'kron enemy in sight. With the combination of Aitto's and Lucian's spells, it was only a matter of time before the two of them cut down every opponent and burst through the front of the lines just in time to see the human King himself block a swing of Thrall's hammer that had been falling toward Hellscream's head, preventing the man from killing the Warchief.
What is it with everyone saving that damn creature's life? Lucian growled internally, having half a mind to just end it all right there, to burst in and kill that cursed Orc, who was currently still held immobile on the stone floor. Behind him, Lucian heard sounds of rejoicing, and he turned to see the few fleeting forces that remained of the Kor'kron fleeing back through the tunnels, followed by a good amount of both Horde and Alliance champions.
Lucian let out a breath, feeling winded and for some reason kind of bewildered by how abruptly everything had ended. He was ecstatic, drained, exhausted and in pain.
He then heard Thrall's voice growl out over the sounds of the dying battle, and he turned to watch what looked like a rising conflict between Varian and Thrall.
"I won't let you take him!" Thrall glared at the King, grinding his mace against Varian's sword, and Varian's eyes darkened for a moment before a Pandaren man interrupted, one who Lucian could only guess was Taran Zhu.
"We have all suffered from his atrocities," the Pandaren said in a low voice as he stepped forward, giving both Varian and Thrall a stare before continuing, "My people more than any other."
Thrall's blue eyes flickered at this, as did Varian's, as both of them realized that the Pandaren was correct. Hellscream had obliterated an entire vale of Pandaria, a sacred home to thousands who were now dead.
Taran Zhu's gaze fell to the fallen Orc in front of him. "Let him stand trial in Pandaria. There, we will mete out justice for all."
Varian stared at Taran Zhu, gears turning before he turned his intense stare back toward Thrall. A silent understanding passed between the two leaders and they both retracted their weapons while a few Pandaren swept in and began tying Garrosh in unbreakable chains, and Thrall walked over to the leaders of the Horde while Varian approached those of the Alliance.
Lucian stared in disbelief, both indescribably happy and shocked all at once.
Garrosh had been defeated. He'd be executed in Pandaria, forced to answer for all of his crimes.
The Druid blinked once, realigning his thoughts as he realized that something - rather, someone - was missing from this equation, this rejoice in winning the war. He turned toward where he saw Ian and his guild still standing in a wide shield around Norivana, though Lucian still couldn't quite see her. He walked up to the Rogues, making eye contact with Ian, whose expression flickered as he saw Lucian standing there alive. Relief washed over Ian's face and as Lucian approached, Ian stepped out of the way, revealing the sad, slumped figure of Norivana, who hadn't moved a muscle from when he'd seen her from afar.
She'd been staring ahead, and when Lucian stepped into view, her eyes rested on him, though her expression didn't change at all. The look on her face was haunting, and Lucian's mouth formed a firm line when he saw how bleak her eyes had become. Although she saw him, she just sat there, staring, face void of emotion until a nerve in her neck pulsed and her eyes tightened, and she let her gaze fall back to the ground.
Lucian looked at her in confusion, having thought that when she finally saw him alive, she'd have at least been a little bit relieved. But no, it was like it hadn't even registered for her. Concerned, Lucian took a few more steps forward as Norivana put her face in her hands, slumping over and letting her shoulders begin to quake as sobs wracked her body.
A glance at Ian confirmed that this wasn't just Lucian going crazy, that Norivana really hadn't even processed the fact that he was alive, or possibly that something was severely wrong with the poor woman. Lucian walked over to her, looking down at her feet to see her little silver crescent-moon necklace crumpled on the stone floor. He slowly knelt down in front of her and picked up the delicate necklace. She still wouldn't move a muscle, keeping her eyes scrunched shut and sobbing silently. Lucian's heart twisted at the sight of her tears and he reached out, tucking a lock of her hair away from her face and reaching down, bracing a finger under her chin and pulling her face up to look at him. Her still-brightly-glowing silver eyes finally opened and stared at him, full of grief as she sniffed back a sob, and a mix of confusion, disorientation, and hurt crossed her face, like she was being lied to.
Lucian's eyes flicked between hers as he stroked one broad hand along one of her cheeks, wiping away the tears, and he leaned forward, softly placing a deliberate, loving kiss onto her lips. She remained frozen for a moment before finally responding, her breath hitching as she at last processed that he was truly, definitely there. She leaned into him, hands shaking as they reached out and grabbed at his armor at his chest, grasping and clinging to him like he'd disappear again. Hot tears splashed down her cheeks as they began to stream again, this time less sorrowful and now tears of relief as she refused to release from the kiss.
He wrapped his arms around her and coaxed her to stand, breaking from the kiss solely for the purpose of no longer kneeling on a corpse-littered stone floor. Norivana refused to let go of her death grip on his armor, clinging to him desperately and still not saying a single word or making a sound. Lucian kept his arm around her, worried that if he let go, she'd have a mental crisis.
He glanced over and made eye contact with Aitto from about ten yards away, whose expression was bittersweet. Lucian gave Aitto a sincere, heartfelt nod of thanks, and Aitto nodded back.
Lucian heard Vol'jin's voice carry over the now bustling crowd of relieved soldiers, interrupting his thoughts.
"I speak for da Horde," Vol'jin called out, and Lucian's brow raised. Vol'jin was a warchief? The Warchief?
Lucian stared at what was happening between Varian and the entire Horde legion. Varian had left the protection of his own army and was standing before all the Horde leaders along with all their armies, who had gathered behind them.
Lucian saw a tense moment pass between Thrall and Varian, and then Varian spoke.
"Very well," the King said in a low tone, voice almost a growl. "The Horde has committed heinous crimes, Vol'jin," Varian said, and Lucian saw Vol'jin and the collective Horde together tense. Lucian held his breath. The battle against Garrosh had ended, but in a situation like this, the battle as a whole could still be far from over.
He saw Varian glance down at his own sword, saw the members of the Horde tense.
Lucian gripped his arm a little tighter around the woman at his side, fearing what would happen next. What was the King about to do?
Varian raised his sword, and the hair on Lucian's neck began to raise, but the King then jammed it down into the floor, its blade sinking into a crack and leaving it point-down in the ground. Now unarmed, the King approached Vol'jin, speaking in a dignified tone.
"But some of you fought against Garrosh's tyranny," he said as he stood just feet away from the giant Troll chieftain, who eyed him warily. The King continued, "And for that," he said, "I am willing to end this bloodshed."
Vol'jin's expression flickered in what looked almost like surprise and a glimmer of hope while Varian let it sink in. The King turned to go as he spoke again.
"But know this," the King ordered, eyes flickering over at Thrall before he turned and walked away from the Horde, "If your Horde fails to uphold honor as Garrosh did..." He paused as he reached his sword, which was still sprouting out of the stone floor. He wrenched it out of its makeshift sheath, rolling his shoulders once and then turning back over his shoulder, giving Vol'jin an intense warning look. "We will end you."
The King walked back to his troops, and Lucian stared in awe at what had just happened. Not only had both Horde and Alliance come together, put aside their differences to defeat a greater evil, but they had left one another on better terms. This meant endless possibilities. Varian and Vol'jin both were reasonable people, both of whom sought peace, so this could easily mean an end to the Horde-Alliance war as a whole.
Lucian blinked a few times, still not believing it all, and when he saw soldiers from the Horde and soldiers from the Alliance begin to mingle in together, his hope soared. A pact like this could mean neutrality within all the major cities, no matter their Horde or Alliance standing.
He saw Aitto walking over to them both, accompanied by another familiar face who Lucian hadn't realized he'd missed so much. A golden-haired Troll with blue eyes and a partially-bandaged orange tiger approached them, looking particularly ridiculous with blood covering half his face and splattered down his side. He smiled happily at Lucian and Norivana.
"What a turnout!" Eko joked, holding his hands out wide. Lucian chuckled, but Norivana still stayed silent, remaining firmly attached to his side.
Eko's eyes sobered a little when he saw Norivana's current state and he looked at her for a moment, then glanced at Lucian. Lucian gave Eko a halfhearted smile.
"She okay?" Eko asked, his humorous voice edged with concern.
Lucian didn't have an answer, because he didn't know. She was alive, and that was good, but as far as her being okay, well, he had no idea. She hadn't said a single word since he'd found her, and he was becoming gradually more concerned. He glanced at Aitto, who nodded silently, reassuring both of them. If Aitto said she was okay, then she probably was.
As the excitement slowly died down, Lucian began to survey the area, searching for his Druids. He was devastated as he realized that only three, three out of twenty-six of them remained; Sarion was there, easily recognizable thanks to his horns, and beside him was just two men, Legalith and Umiel, looking lost and beleaguered and tired. Lucian swallowed the sorrow he felt as he walked over to them with Norivana still clinging to his side.
As Sarion saw Lucian there, his eyes flashed in relief and happiness and his shoulders relaxed.
"Chief, I thought you were dead," Sarion breathed, "I thought I saw you fall."
Lucian felt Norivana's hands tighten their grip, and he nodded carefully, "I uh... I did," he said, "Aitto... Brought me back."
At Lucian's side, Norivana's head lifted up and she stared up at him, then looked over at Aitto from across the hall, finally making the connection and realizing how Lucian had come back to life.
Sarion let out an impressed whistle. "That's heavy stuff," he said, and Lucian nodded.
The green-haired Druid, Legalith, spoke up.
"What are we going to do with our dead?" Legalith wondered pensively, brows knit as his eyes swept over the multitudes of corpses, ally and enemy, that littered the floors. There was no possible way they'd manage to sort through all of these...
Lucian looked out over the area, then back at Legalith with an apologetic expression, "I don't think much can be done," he confessed sadly. "We'll have to give them their rites when we get home, without the bodies."
Legalith looked somber and he nodded quietly. Lucian felt sorrow well up at the loss of all his friends, and he took a deep breath, letting it out very slowly. They'd died with honor, safeguarding their liberties and those of others. They'd died for justice, a noble cause, and despite the loss he felt, he also felt pride for having had the privilege to fight with them.
Lucian noted that most of the people had begun filing out of the caverns, and he joined the crowds, wanting to get as far away as this bloodshed as possible. He took one last sweeping look over the hall; there were more dead here than there were those left still living.
But, it was over.
The battle, this ceaseless war against Garrosh and his forces, was over.
Now, we're done with the actual battle, but we'll spend a little more time here in Orgrimmar! Still have aftermath and Norivana still has to... well, talk.
The story itself will start to wrap to a close fairly soon, but I'm pretty sure I'll have at least a good 20-30k words before it's completely finished.
..Or possibly I'll change my mind on the ending and go with a shorter one, but I doubt it. :D