Union Of Enemies.
Several days has passed since Lucina and the remainder of her people left their homes and traveled across the sea. It took a long time and the elements of nature didn't make the trip easy. But they ultimately made it to Kalimdor. They spent some time to build a few settlements, before they finally had the chance for a much needed rest. However, sleep was something Lucina had a hard time with. Losing her homeland was bad enough, but both her mother and father has been slain by the man she used to call a friend. So much happened in such a short amount of time, and it weighed heavily on Lucina's mind. Not to mention the fact she was now the new leader of her people. A burden she was not yet ready for.
Lucina was laying awake, with Valeera sleeping next to her. Lucina sighed, she wouldn't get any sleep like this. Being careful not to wake her adopted daughter, Lucina got up and went outside. She walked on to a cliff that allowed her to gain a view of her people. She could feel it in the air. Her people were scared, and wondered what would happen in the future. And if there even was a future for them.
"Are you alright mom?" Came the voice of the young elf.
Lucina sighed, of course Valeera would notice. The girl was far to perceptive to sneak away from "Just a lot on my mind, sweetie".
Valeera leaned on her "Are you worried about not being a good leader?".
Lucina was beginning to believe that Valeera could read minds "Yes. I was raised and trained to be able to lead my people when the time comes... But the time came to quickly. My training wasn't finished yet, and I have little to no experience when it comes to leading a people. But I have to do it now... but I have no idea how to do it. I can feel them, Valeera. I can feel the people's fear and confusion. They are looking at me for answers. Answers I do not have. I have no idea why I needed to come here or what I am supposed to do here. I just went here because a Prophet warned me that staying in Ylisse would be a death sentence to my people... and while he was right about that, he failed to tell me what I was supposed to do once I arrived here".
Valeera was quiet for a moment before she rubbed Lucina's bare leg, making her adoptive mother look at her "I wish I could help you mom. But all I can do is tell you this: Whatever happens, I know you will be able lead the people to a better future. Because you are the strongest woman I know. And you are my mother now. I know my mother is more than strong enough to lead her people to a brighter future".
Lucina was silent for several moments, before tears ran down her face. She then went down on her knees and pulled Valeera in to a strong hug. She kissed Valeera's cheek ten times before hugging her closer. Valeera was surprised at first but smiled and hugged Lucina back, happy she managed to lift Lucina's spirit. And she did more than that. Lucina would forever miss her parents, but now she could feel that she still had much left to live for. Not just her people, but her daughter as well. Her father was right, she still had a family. And she was not going to lose this one.
"Let's go back to sleep" Lucina said as she picked Valeera up.
"When was even the last time you slept at all?" Valeera asked with a knowing look.
Lucina chuckled "Good point. I haven't been sleeping that much recently. With everything that's happened, it left little time to sleep".
"I felt the same when my home was destroyed by the undead... but then you showed up and took me out of that death place. After I lost my parents, there was no one around to help me when the undead attacked. I'm sure I could've survived on my own. But if it wasn't for you, my life would've been meaningless... thank you. For everything" Valeera said, she meant every word.
Lucina kissed her forehead "You saved me too, Valeera. If not for you, I might have forgotten that I still have a family. I am the only child of my parents and I only meet aunt Lissa every once in a while. Something I hope to correct once I've found a new home for my people. My father gave his life for our people and for me. I need to be ready to do the same".
"You won't die right?" Valeera asked in worry.
Lucina sighed "There is no telling what might happen. I am not just a princess or a leader. I am a warrior, I need to fight alongside my troops on the battlefield. And there is always a chance I could die. But don't worry to much. I did not survive this long just to die and leave you alone. I will do everything I can to make sure I always come back to you, not matter how hard the battles might be".
Valeera leans on her "That's all I ask... I don't want to lose my mother again".
Lucina rubs her back "I promise, I will not die anytime soon. Not until you've grown big and strong".
"Hey! I am already big and strong!" Valeera argued.
Lucina giggled at her cute pout "Of course you are. My big and strong warrior".
"Don't tease me" Valeera said, her pout growing more cute.
Lucina just chuckled and carried Valeera inside so they both could get a proper night sleep. And for the first time in a while, Lucina slept more peacefully. The next day, Lucina spoke to Jaina about their next move. And Jaina had some news that surprised Lucina.
"An Oracle?" Lucina asked.
"Yes, I believe this Oracle could provide the answers we need. We've already located a cave entrance that should lead us right to him. It's out best chance. Otherwise we are just walking blind in this new land" Jaina explained.
Lucina thinks about it for a few moments "After everything that's happened, I am ready to believe just about anything. Very well, I will join you on this trip along with some of my warriors. Severa, you will stay here and take charge of our remaining troops. Keep our people safe... and keep my daughter safe".
"I will not fail you, Lady Lucina" Severa promised.
"I know you won't. Let's hurry up and prepare for whatever might be inside that cave" Lucina said.
With a nod from Jaina, they went to prepare. Little did they know, they were not the only people to travel to this new land.
Thrall has led his people west over the great sea as the Prophet requested. It has been several weeks, but they have made it. Their fleet broken by the elements, the Orcs venture inland. The clans were scattered, and Thrall slowly roamed the coast, collecting the orcs and trolls he came across as he did. But Grom could not be found. This new land held many strange new creatures, but the most brutal were the centaurs, particularly in their treatment of the tauren. When Thrall battled a group of centaurs who were attacking tauren, he was unexpectedly greeted by Cairne Bloodhoof, chieftain of the Bloodhoof tribe. Impressed by their fierce but noble behavior, Cairne offered to help him find the destiny of his people. Thrall told Cairne of the centaur army he had seen advancing to the north, and they quickly departed, as Cairne realized that his village was in danger. Thrall's forces followed Cairne back to their village, where they defended it from the centaurs.
But Human forces had cordoned off much of the pass going up the mountain, and Thrall believed that hiring some goblins to ferry them up the mountain in zeppelins would allow them to bypass any defenses. As Thrall tried to make his way stealthily up to the goblins, the impatient Hellscream unexpectedly attacked the humans, who retaliated by attacking to him and to Thrall's forces. Thrall was forced to stay their wrath by attacking their bases. Worried that Grom's impetuous bloodlust would lead to nothing but trouble, ordered his friend and his clan to head to Ashenvale and collect wood for their future settlement while he made his way up the mountain to meet the Oracle. Grom reluctantly complied with Thrall's request.
At the base of Stonetalon Peak, Thrall and his forces have run into a bit of a dead end as one of the Orc Scouts return "Warchief, we scouted the peak as you ordered. The humans have entrenched their fortifications all the way up to the summit".
"What are they up to? If they're looking to pick a fight, they've had ample opportunities before this!" Thrall wondered.
Suddenly Cairne and his taurens approach "Ish-ne-alo-por-ah, young warchief!".
"Cairne! What are you doing here?" Thrall asked both happy and surprised to see the Tauren leader again.
"Our debt to you Orcs can only be repaid with blood. We've come to help you reach the oracle. However, those metal-clad pinkskins look like trouble" Cairne answered.
"Those pinkskins are called humans. They are our enemies from across the sea. They seem intent on keeping us from the peak" Thrall explained.
Cairne thinks for a bit "Hmmm. The Oracle's wisdom belongs to us all. Perhaps the wyverns that live nearby can be of use to us. They have no love for hostile intruders!".
Taking Cairne's advise, Thrall searches for these wyverns. Turns out they had been captured, but thankfully Thrall managed to free them, and they aided them in their battle against the humans. With their aid, the human base falls and Thrall is able to march to the entrance of the Oracle's lair. There is a problem, though, a small human force gets in just before him. Jaina is leading the expedition. But Thrall noticed another human that was not part of Jaina's warriors. He couldn't see clearly from where he stood, but she seemed familair.
"That's the young sorceress Grom told me about. It appears she seeks the oracle as well" Thrall said.
"Be wary, young one. That cave is the perfect spot for an ambush" Cairne warned.
"Don't worry, Cairne. I was raised by the humans. I know their tricks and stratagems. There's no way that I'll let them stop me from reaching the Oracle" Thrall declared and they followed the humans inside.
Futher inside the caves, Lucina and Jaina had to pass several taxing ordeals in their own search for the oracle. The caves were anything but easy to navigate. They were full of traps and dangerous creatures. Lucina struck down several cave monsters. She hated having to sully Falchion with their blood, but at least it served as a good sign that Lucina was worthy of wielding the legendary weapon. If she was not worthy, her strikes wouldn't have been that effective. A comforting thought, despite the situation they were in.
"This is getting ridiculous. If this Oracle is so willing to share his wisdom, then why all these traps and monsters?" Lucina asked as she cut down a cave monster.
"I believe it is a test. If we want the wisdom of the Oracle, we need to be worthy of it" Jaina answered as she blasted away several enemies with her magic.
"Nothing is ever simple" Lucina said with a sigh as she cut down another cave monster.
They continued on until they reached the spot where the Oracle should be. Lucina looked around, but didn't see anything note worthy. She was beginning to worry they have come all this way for nothing. However Jaina has had a strange feeling ever since hey entered the cave. She felt like someone had been following them. Her instinct proved to be right as they could hear someone approaching, and they were getting closer by the second and soon enough they had fully caught up with them.
"Orcs. I knew that we were being followed. Defend yourselves!" Jaina ordered as she was ready to face her enemies from her old homeland.
However, before violence could break out, Lucina noticed someone among the orcs. Someone she remembered. She quickly pushed past Jaina and her soldiers "Wait! Stay your hands!" She then looked back at orcs, who were accompanied by Taurens "Thrall?".
"Lucina?" Sure enough, it was indeed Warchief Thrall, the honorible Orc Lucina had spoken to some time ago "What are you doing here?".
"I could ask you the same thing. But I think we both know the answer" Lucina answered.
"Lucina, what is happening?" Jaina demanded.
"It's alright, Jaina. I know Thrall, he is not like the orcs we used to face" Lucina assured.
"How would you-" Jaina began until a familiar voice was heard.
"You should heed your friend's words, Young Proudmoore" Everyone looked to see a familiar man.
"That voice. You're not Oracle! You're the prophet!" Thrall realized. Sounding a little annoyed that he had been tricked.
"Very perceptive, son of Durotan. I am the prophet. And, now that I've lured you all here, I will tell you what destiny holds" The Prophet said.
"What the hell is going on here?" Thrall demanded.
"We almost died trying to find you. I hope for your sake this is important" Lucina said.
"More important than you know, child. Thrall, this is Jaina Proudmoore, leader of the survivors of Lordaeron. And you've already met Lucina, leader of what remains of the Ylisse's people".
"Survivors? What are you talking about?" Thrall asked.
"Our homes were destroyed by the undead, Thrall. My father and mother died trying to fight them. That is why we came here" Lucina answered, much to Thrall's shock.
"The invasion of the Burning Legion has begun! Lordaeron and Ylisse has already fallen and now the demons come to invade Kalimdor! Only together, united against the shadow, will you be able to save this world from the flame" The Prophet added.
"Unite with them? Are you mad?" Jaina asked, not sure if she even heard right. Humans allying with their mortal enemies? What kind of ridiculous suggestion was that?
"Have you heard nothing that I've said? The Legion comes to undo history and end all life! Thrall, your friend Hellscream has already fallen under the demons' influence. Soon he and your whole race will be lost forever!" The Prophet said.
"No... I'll die before I let that happen!" Thrall declared.
"Then you must rescue him immediately! He is the key to the destiny I promised you. However, you will need help" The Prophet said.
Jaina shook her head "Wait! This is insane! You can't possibly expect me to-".
The Prophet interrupted her "Destiny is at hand, young sorceress. The time to choose has come. For the fate of all who live, humanity must join forces with the Horde".
"Jaina... I think he might be right. You saw how powerless we were when we tried to fight the Scourge. And if the demons really are returning, we won't stand a chance of fighting them on our own. We need help" Lucina said, she had her fair share of bad encounters with orcs, but Thrall was different, she could feel it the moment she spoke to him before all that happened.
Jaina rubbed her head in frustration "Alright, let us discuss this outside these caves. I need some time to think".
Luicna nodded in agreement and as Jaina walked away, Lucina looked at Thrall "You know... despite the circumstances. It is good to finally meet you in person, Thrall".
Thrall couldn't help but to smile at that "Likewise, Lucina. I am happy you saw reason before more needless bloodshed could occur".
"I know what you mean. I think we've wasted far to much time fighting each other, that we failed to notice who the real enemy was before it was to late. And we paid dearly for it. Come on, we have a lot to talk about" Lucina said.
Thrall nodded and they left the caves together. But as they walked Cairne decided to introduce himself "Hello there young human. I am Cairne Bloodhoof. It's always an honor to meet a friendly leader".
"Likewise Cairne. With any luck, we can remain friendly" Lucina said.
Safe to say they did not expect any of this. But they knew their future would be very different from now on.
.
Tell me what you think.