Survival Guide: Azeroth Chapter 2, a Warcraft + Fate/stay night Crossover fanfic

My beta still hasn't sent me a message so there might be a few mistakes here. I will reupload another copy if he contacts me. Anyways, please read and enjoy. Oh and please leave a review, I'm not changing the plot but a few suggestions to tweak the story a bit is welcome.

All hope is lost.

The patriarch is dead, our flight scattered and our burned to the ground.

All hope is lost.

Our leader is blind and crippled, our powers waning and our enemies increasing.

All hope is lost.

Azeroth is doomed...

-Excerpt from the Dichronos Codex page 01

-0-

Lirath sat down as he looked on. He could feel the tension in the air. It had been five years since Kael had began teaching him. He had learned how to fight and how to survive, specially how to survive. According to Kael as long as he survived he learned something from it. He would grow with the experience. He emphasized it to him multiple times. They were elves. They had longer lifespans than most races. As long as they lived to fight another day that was all that mattered.

His sister seemed conflicted about those teachings but she did not say anything. His attention was drawn when he saw the two fighters on the sparring grounds move. It was between his respected teacher and older sister.

They were at it again. Kael had shown surprising physical growth that he looked like a pre-teen elf which would be equivalent to somewhere around 70 years old. Though Kael easily towered over him he was still shorter than his sister. He tried to follow Kael as he danced around his sister with ease. Kael's unreal speed easily lead to his sister's defeat most of the time. As long as she didn't grab her bow that is.

Kael accused his sister of cheating whenever she wielded that bow and said something about it being a Noble Phantasm whatever that was. But when it came to pure skill with any sort of blades, Kael easily beat his sister nine out of ten times. Even then he was sure that Kael only lost during those times so as to appease her, and stop her from grabbing her bow.

After the a few minutes of delay, he finally saw his sister getting pushed out of the circle. He knew Kael could have ended it earlier and so did his sister but she seemed satisfied enough this time. He approached them after they stopped to take a breath.

Kael's hair had grown long enough to reach his shoulders but right now it was tied in a ponytail behind his head. He was clad in black leather armor that covered his upper body, nearly invisible dark grey runes etched on it.

He was also wearing trousers full of pockets, a dark red metal kneeguard was wrapped around his thighs. Even his arms were covered in the metal plated gauntlets, the same metal that most of his equipment was forged from.

While Kael had almost all of his body covered in armor, his sister was wearing a revealing steel armor and cloth that only covered her privates. Sometimes his teacher even teased his sister about it calling her a pervert. Then his sister would bring out her bow. They were funny that way.

"Your as good as always Teacher."

"Thanks Lirath, so how are you doing on your other lessons?"

"Great!" At least better than he was doing in his combat training.

"*Cough cough* Ahem..." He saw his sister staring at him.

"Uhm, you did great too Sis."

"Humph... of course. I only surrendered so that Kael won't be too tired to teach you. Isn't that right Kael?" He tried not smile at that. He was not as naive as his sister thought he was.

He knew. His sister always tried to appear strong. She had to appear strong. He knew that she sometimes cried herself to sleep blaming herself for the death of their parents.

"Of course, milady. You were splendid that I almost admitted defeat had you not done so. You truly are the Lady of the Battlefield. Your beauty knows no bounds and so does your ego!"

It took his sister a few moments to comprehend the full statement her cheeks turning pink when Kael said the word's 'beauty' and 'lady'. Before her face warped in anger when she realized the last statement was an insult.

He could already see Kael moving away from her and starting to sprint towards the trees covering the backyard of the Windrunner estate.

"You can run for the hills Kael! But you can never outrun my arrows." He saw his sister furiously grabbing her bow then running after Kael.

They were having fun on their own again. He wished he could join them on their game someday. But he knew he was too weak. He would get caught by her sister's arrows easily. Her sister always said bad words to Kael but he knew she liked him a lot. Her sister would sometimes go pink when she spoke with Teacher. A lot of the women that worked at the house would always do that to Kael.

They were all acting strangely.

He asked them about it one day and they laughed. They made him promise to never tell his teacher. They told him that when a girl always tries to make a boy notice her(attacking him out of nowhere with a rain of arrows), talks with him a lot (insulting and saying bad words to each other) and always trying to make physical contact(his sister always trying to strangle Kael) that meant that they liked each other.

Maybe he'd ask them about it when they returned. He started doing the basic warm up that Kael thought him. By time he was done they would be back. He used to have his combat lessons in the morning but Teacher suggested to have it at noon saying that he would be too tired for his afternoon lessons.

He could almost hear them now. His sister's distinct proud voice and his teacher's panicked yells.

"Now now, Sylvanas! You do know that you need me alive to teach your brother right?!"

"Don't worry Kael. I know you'll be able to teach even with an arrow to your knee! Let me empty out my quiver at you!"

He spotted them with Kael leaping from tree branch to another and his sister just right behind. He saw Kael deflecting an arrow aimed at his head.

"Are your trying to kill me, woman!?" He could see Kael with sweat running down his neck dampening his shirt.

Her sisterly was laughing darkly as he approach Kael with her bow in hand.

"Don't worry Kael. I know it would take far more than this to kill you."

He saw his sister releasing two, no three arrows simultaneously. Kael frantically parried two of them but he didn't see that last one his sister released when he turned to catch the third arrow. He made a sprint and was able to cross a visible line on the ground.

"Looks like I- Gaaaahhh! Not the ass! You sadistic bit-" He saw his teacher pause , look at him then continue cursing. "Brute! I was already over the line! You cheating who-" Kael stopped mid rant, took ahold of the arrow then pulled it out. "That's it! I'm not cooking for you for a week!"

Lirath could see his sister paling.

"Kael, I urge you to reconsider your words. I am still your employer." She said with the threat of death in her eyes.

"If you apologize then I'll consider it." Kael replied back with the same steel conviction.

He saw the two standing off waiting for the other to say a word for a minute before he finally saw her sister surrender. Umu. The threat of Kael's cooking truly was on a realm of its own. It could even make his sister who was more stubborn than a mule accept defeat. A terrifying foe indeed.

Even Lirath could say that his taste buds had long lost all hope of finding anything better than Kael's cooking.

"..."

"Please speak up, milady. I couldn't catch what you said just now." His tone was almost smug.

"I apologize for shooting you, ass!" He could see his sister trembling in shame.

"*Sigh*... That's good enough, I suppose. Give me a minute Lirath. I just need to heal this a bit." Kael took out a bottle from somewhere, dripped it on a cloth before dabbing it on his wound.

His sister approached and forcefully took the cloth from Kael and made him lie on his stomach as she applied the potion.

Lirath sometimes felt jealous at how friendly they were with each other. This was the only time he could see his sister speaking out her true thoughts. He wished he was older so that he could join their games.

He could run with Kael while they were being chased by his sister or maybe he could be he one chasing them!

"Gah! Can't you be a little gentler?!" Kael's faced twisted into a grimace.

"If you stop being a sarcastic ass. I'll think about it."

"Huh. Good point."

Kael writhed on the ground as Sylvanas cleaned the wound for him.

"Uhh...can I ask a question?" He stared at them innocently.

If they liked each that means that they were going to get married.

That's what his sister, Veeresa, told him in one of her letters. She said not to mention it to his sister Sylvie. Veeresa wrote that she might soon get married with the man she liked.

So Kael and big sister Sylvanas were also about to get married right? They liked each other and if married people always wanted to be alone together they would have a baby!

The maids at the house said so. They also told him not to peek at what they doing. That was bad. He was told to leave the two alone if they were purposely hiding.

If they had a baby, then he would be an uncle! Yay!

He gave himself a mental pat at his impressive mental deduction. He was so smart! Teacher always said he was smart but he should always ask questions to confirm it.

"Yes/What is it Lirath?" They both spoke up.

"So..."His eyes gleamed brightly with excitement. "When am I going to be an uncle?"

""Huh?"" That was their intelligent collective response at his question. Both of them stared at him as if he had grown a second head.

-I-

Kael felt like having good cold drink for the first time since he woke up in this world. No, he needed it. After Lirath's question, Sylvanas fled like the hounds of hell were at her heels and he was left to awkwardly explain to Lirath that they were not going to have a baby soon. He could not bear to ask how he came up with that question after seeing him sulk like the child he was.

Lirath did tell him to just ask him questions if he needed answers. But he did not expect that kind question, not in his wildest dreams.

He needed that drink.

He felt his nose pick up a peculiar and familiar scent.

His feet was already subconsciously leading him to the Wandering Inn. It was one of the few inns he frequented, managed by a strange quirky woman. He could swear the inn was magical. This inn appeared and reappeared at different times and at different locations.

It was releasing the heaviest scent of magic he ever had the luck of encountering in this world yet.

But it didn't smell bad, the inn carried the scent of home, nostalgia and comfort. How he was able to translate that to smell? He would never know. His hands found familiar purchase on the door of the inn.

Pushing it open, he was greeted by the sight of a great variety of creatures. From the most alien creatures that hurt his eyes to look at to the most mundane humans.

"Welcome back Kael! Please take a seat here. Wilma! The specialty dish for table thirteen! So how was your day? Oops! Sorry! Hey no running inside!" She dodged one of the costumers who were chasing each other. Her torrent of words and cheerful demeanor would make even a dead man smile.

"Good evening Erin. Rum please and whatever special you have for today."

"Okay! Careful with that chessboard Thormund! Or I'll have hanged by your beard! And one Rum and special for table seven Guinne!"

The inn was crowded to a full house at the worst of times and peaceful at others.

"Looks like you're full today."

"Yeah, so tell me a story! What happened today? Come on, Kael. You rarely visit the inn."

"No, it rarely appears. That's why I rarely visit."

"Semantics! Just give some good stories!"

"If you stop talking and listen I'll tell you about it." This innkeeper had the strangest ability to get people to talk about even the most embarrassing stuff. And Erin only knew he came here if something absurd or terrible happened. Or rather the inn sensed him? He couldn't understand how the magic of this world worked. It was not like he had studied it though.

"Oh here's your order. Let me take that for your." Erin took the mug full of rum and the dish from her barmaid placing it on his table.

So he told her the story in between sips of his drink, and she laughed her ass off. What did he expect. It would be amusing. If it didn't happen to him.

"Hahahahaha! O-okay so pfffft- hahahaha."

He glared at her with all he was worth but it only seemed to make her laugh harder. He waited for her laughing to die down before he could speak with her further. He downed another mug, his fourth.

"Hahh hahh, I'm sorry Kael. That was just one of the funniest things I ever heard. You just made my day. I already like that Lirath kid without meeting him. Bring him next time you visit. So, you have another innocent woman caught in your grasp eh? If I didn't know you any better I'd say it was you fault Kael."

"It was not my fault." He said. He looked at the innkeeper blankly.

"See? That's what I'm talking about. You really are becoming an expert in shooting yourself in the foot. Tsk tsk. There's no surefire advice that I can give you to solve your problems but cliché, old 'follow your heart' will work."

"I was not asking for an advice."

"Riiiight. Thanks for the treat Kael! For that, your meal is on the house! Now I need to go before those writhing mass of alien tentacle snakes break into my inn."

He stared at the weird innkeeper running upstairs. He downed the last of his drink feeling a bit better. Damn. He still couldn't get ahold of the secret ingredient they used to brew this drink.

Well, he could always try next time. At least he got a few hints on how to improve his cooking further. He walked out of the inn then looked back. The inn was gone along with the heavy scent of magic it.

He felt that he'd see that inn again somehow.

He steadied himself as he was about to stumble. He shrugged. It was useless trying to cure himself of this magical intoxication. Erin's drinks had something 'magical' added to them. She claimed the ingredient was a flower given to her by a fairy. He would not be surprised if that was the truth.

He needed to get to the inn he was staying at before he would collapse. He also needed to visit the orphanage tomorrow...

Kael suddenly felt a chill go down his spine.

The alcohol was gone from his system. That was strange. He the change was so sudden it was disorienting. He looked around him only to notice something.

He was in a different place.

The vivid smell of corpses, death and decay covered the blighted land. The few remaining trees he could see were dying, their barks turned ashen. In front of him were the walls of a city. He was not in Silvermoon, that he was sure of.

Their was no living soul in sight.

He reached inside his robes to reach for one of his daggers. Ready and armed, he slowly made his way beyond the walls.

What he saw within was no different from the sight he saw when he was Alaya's beast. Bodies of the dead filled the streets. The closer he got to the center of the city the stronger the scent of death was. This could not be a dream could it? Everything felt too real.

He approached one of the corpses to confirm his suspicion. He kneeled down as he turned over the corpse. From the curves of her hips and the bulge on her chest he could tell it was woman even with a hood covering almost half her face. His heart beat faster as he saw the familiar indecent underwear like armor cladding the woman.

Kael lifter her head to check her neck, the hood covering her face falling as he lifted her head. Her skin was pale blue and her eyes were closed. Shirou's heart skipped a bit. Even in death, the woman's beauty was captivating.

He felt himself stumble backwards.

It was as if time had stopped. Ever so slowly, the corpse started to move. Under the light of the moon, elfin ears and delicate long eyebrows were revealed. The woman's eyelids opened to show blood red eyes shining with hatred for the living.

The woman in front of him was Sylvanas Windrunner, Head of the House of Windrunner, Captain of the 3rd Ranger Corps and his friend. She was dead.

The corpses around him started to awaken with her.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" He felt fear. But more than fear, his burning anger and overwhelm grief making him shout out with despair.

"Kael! Are you alright!?"

He looked around to see where that sound was coming from only to realize he was on someone else's bed.

"Hey! Speak to me." It was Anadriel who walked into the room looking at him with concern. He was at Ana's house, the light of dawn was already shining in from the window. A potted plant cast a shadow into the room.

He tried to lift himself off the bed only to feel a throbbing ache on his temples. He felt dizzy and nauseous, a sure sign of a bad hangover. Outside the window, glimpse of sunlight could be seen along with the rising fog of precipitating morning dew from the forest.

"Are you alright? You look like you had a nightmare."

"I'm... fine. Please keep your voice down. My hangover is killing me." He slowly got off the bed to look for the bathroom. "How'd I get here?"

"I found you sleeping outside in an alley. My home was nearby so I brought you over. What happened, you don't usually drink like this." He look at Anadriel who was looking at him, her cheeks tinged with pink. He turned his vision to where she was looking at.

"I never took you for an exhibitionist Kael. You're certainly energetic this early in the morning. I never knew it could grow that big."

"Huh?" Was his reply before he felt the cold morning breeze blowing on a certain stiff part of his anatomy that was particularly active in the morning. His hands swiftly grabbed a pillow to cover his loins. "Where are my clothes? And why am I naked in the first place.?"

"I couldn't have you sleeping in filthy sweat stained clothes and I don't really have anything decent that could fit you. "

"Where are my clothes"

"It's on the lowest shelf behind you."

He stared at Anadriel who stared back.

"Can you please go out so I can change my clothes?" His asked.

"It's not like I haven't seen it already. But sure." She said as she winked at him.

"Thanks." He said blandly.

He waited for Anadriel to get out before setting a chair against the door. He was not ashamed of his body which was finely sculpted with muscles but he was also not comfortable with someone staring at him naked.

He needed a bath.

He put on his clothes and navigated the house, already familiar with it because the number of times Anadriel called him to fix something around her home. The house was big for a single person to live in, Anadriel had invited him a couple of times to live with her so that he wouldn't have to stay at an inn.

Her reason was valid. What stopped was him was his gut instincts telling something very very bad would happen if he agreed. Certain people would inflict ridiculous amounts of physical pain on him. His gut said so. One thing he trusted more than himself was his guts. Specially with how reliable it was showing to be.

He went outside the house to the well behind it.

After drawing enough to fill a bucket, he dipped his head in the cold water. It did wonders for his hangover as he shook the water out of his hair. His breath turned to steam, his eyes staring at the bright sunlight of dawn.

He turned his head left as he felt eyes staring at him. It was raven. It's feather dark as the color of night. The bird stared at him for a few seconds before flying away. The scent of arcane slowly diminished with the creature leaving. Probably one of the magic creatures that inhabited this world.

His thoughts returned to the dream that he had.

Was that really a dream?

He still dreamt of his past as a Counter Guardian but this time it was different. It felt so real. There had to be something more to it. What confused him further was the anger he felt in his dream. Why was he angry?

'Because something important was taken from you.'

His thoughts answered back. He combed his long hair back with his hand, drips of water running down his neck. He needed to cut it soon, his hair was already long enough to reach his shoulders. He usually tied it in a ponytail to avoid getting it the way during a fight. But it was a bother taking care of long hair, it was time better spent doing something productive.

"Hey Kael! Breakfast is ready! Don't you have work today?" He heard Anadriel calling from the window in the kitchen.

"I'm coming." He walked in on Anadriel with an wearing an apron preparing breakfast. She was placing the food on the table. The apron was something he sewed and gifted to her when she told him she was learning to cook.

He had taken it as his duty to teach her when he served him a twitching amalgamation of rainbow colored something on a plate. At least she wasn't hopeless. On his rest days, he'd invite her to go to the orphanage to cook for the children.

She learned quickly. Not as good as him but good enough to match the food served at high class restaurants. But she still insisted she was not good enough.

"I don't have work today but I need to go to the smithy. I need new daggers." He took one of the chairs while Anadriel placed a plate in front of him. "Thanks."

"I could go with you. It's also my off today. And why were you drunk last night?" Anadriel was glaring at him which was as terrifying as a kitten. "You weren't drinking with some women were you?"

"I was at an inn that only opens up twice a year. They have great food and the only place that can serve drinks that can hit me. And no, I wasn't drinking with some women but a friend." He answered with a straight face as he put food into his mouth. He was technically correct.

Anadriel eyes narrowed but she didn't say anything.

Damn, she was sharp.

They ate with Anadriel telling him about her work and him responding. Overall it was a good meal.

"Are you going to the orphanage later?" He asked. His hand moving to collect the dishes.

"Yeah, I'm just going to wash some of my clothes. It's going to be sunny, a great day to air laundry. You can leave those dished there. I'll wash them later."

"Let me wash them, its the least that I can do as thanks for bringing me here last night."

"Its no problem. I told you to move in with, don't you like it here?"

He shook his head.

"It's not that. I like it here. I just don't want to deal with Coria's teasing if she find out." He knew she knew that was a flimsy excuse. He just needed time. He had too much emotional baggage from the memories of his past. A broken man like him didn't deserve their attention.

But he knew that deep down he was just trying to find an excuse not to get attached to her any further. It was too late for that. But he still tried to distance himself from the people he cared for.

That was one of the reasons he moved out of the orphanage as soon as he was able to.

He was afraid.

He was afraid to lose the people precious to him. If Rin was here she'd probably kick him in the arse and tell him to man up. Then she'd tease him relentlessly.

He was being a hypocrite. He didn't want to hurt them but distancing himself from them was in itself hurting them. He'd long accepted that though. After he was done with cleaning the dishes, he went outside to find Anadriel. He found her hanging sheets over a thin wire.

"Ana, I'm going."

"Take care Kael. See you this afternoon and don't be late." She said while wagging her finger.

"I know." He said with a smile.

He started walking towards the city. Anadriel's home was located outside the city, not far enough that she had to worry about magic beasts but near enough that it only took him 15 minutes of walking to reach the city gates.

He passed by the guards who gave him a nod. Most of the city was still waking up. Shops were opening their doors and stalls were being set up when he passed by the market.

His feet led him to the Craftsman district of the city. High elves were still elves. It was no surprise to him that most of the shops here were owned by tanners and bowyers. A large part of elves preferred using ranged weaponry.

There were very few smithies in the city, most of them catering to produce nails, horseshoes, hoes and other necessary tools. There was only a single smithy that crafted weapons. Though in times of war most of those smithies would be appropriated for use, the single smithy that produced blades for the city was owned by a dwarf.

Another stereotype he supposed. From what few movies he watched back on Earth, they were surprisingly similar to the dwarves that he knew here. They were stubborn, hard headed but extremely loyal, also having great fondness for wine.

He knocked on the door of his destination.

"I'm comin', what kinda bastards knockin' this earli'n the mornin'." Ragnarn's pronunciation of Common was tinged by his dwarven accent making him a little hard to understand at first. He had been learning various languages about the various languages from Coria before he left the orphanage.

He never knew where he could use them someday.

Dwarves were also crude. One of the reasons why elves didn't like them in general. But they usually meant well even with their gruff exterior.

"It's me, Kael."

The door opened to show a short stout dwarf wearing stained work clothes. He had a thick dark orange bushy beard and eyebrows.

Ragnarn Runehammer was a dwarf who originated from the great dwarven city of Ironforge. He himself claimed that he was eccentric among the dwarves.

"Haah? Whatca doin' here kid? Come in, dontcha stand there."

Kael followed closing the door after him. Numerous weapons lined the walls of the shop. Most of them looked simple, but were efficient to use. The few separate weapons on display were elaborately made to look good instead of being a good weapon. The good stuff for serious costumers were stored in the warehouse behind the shop.

"So, what d'ya need t'day?"

"I was thinking of making some daggers. The alloy I used last time makes the steel softer whenever I use magic on it."

"Ya'd been at it again eh. I haf'ta tell ya kid, ya need mithril for that one. I don't even know how ya can make it work with weak steel! Ya never used any good steel in 'em but they end up better than I'd expect." The dwarf said as he swaddled in front of him.

Kael followed the dwarf deeper into the shop into his smithy.

"How was the rune I taught you last time?"

"Eh the one dat' nearly set my shop on fire!? I tried usin' it on the alloy with the magmar core ta let the fire go to d' weapons edge but it keeps tryna go the hilt. It'd be useless when ye can't even wield it. It'd burn yer arms off."

"Where did you set the rune?" He asked curiously.

"Where da ya think? I used it on da' mi'l of d' blade for the sword and on the side of ta' axe."

" Have you tried etching the rune just above the handle and try adding a forward rune within the rune formation? The last time you added a block rune so far from the rune formation, it exploded. I don't think you need to block the runes power but direct it instead. Magic is volatile, its better to direct it than control it."

"Heh! That jus' might work! By Bruga's beard I'd say ya got the soul of a dwarf, my boy! How in Gimli's name ya come up those ideas, I'll never know. Someday, if ya grow tired of this place. I'll show ya around Ironforge! I can' jus 'magine the look on those oldbeards faces when I show them runes!"

"I don't think I'll grow tired of this place anytime soon."

He felt Ragnarn hit him in the back with a heavy slap.

"Don'tcha worry kid. Ya gotta lot o' time to think about it. You'd be welcome as a friend of the dwarves if you ever plan on going to Ironforge. If ya need anythin' just holler. I'll come runnin' over. Now I need ta try that idea ya gave me." He saw the dwarf excitedly ran off to his side of the smithy, giddy to experiment with his newfound knowledge.

He had met Gornak three years ago when he decided to try crafting his own weapons. His was the only shop, or rather it was the best shop for crafting weapons. A large part of this shop was dedicated as a part of the forge.

The condition Gornak gave him to share his smithy was to craft a good weapon. He had challenged Gornak's pride as a craftsman. As all true craftsman go, he was obliged to accept when he told him that he could create something good even with regular materials.

To say the least, the dwarf welcomed him with open arms. The dwarf was also the first person he shared the idea of using runes with. According to the dwarf, a long time ago they used to have knowledge on the use of runes but the knowledge faded with the passing of time.

The dwarf had demanded to be taught with pleading bloodshot eyes. He had his reservations as a magus, but he never was a good magus. He accepted. The dwarf was even the ones to provide the conditions. He was free to use the forge and any materials he used could be paid at third the price.

He had thought the conditions were too generous for him and tried to compromise to at least pay the material cost by half but the dwarf denied him. His friend said that the knowledge he was providing was far more than its weight in gold. He acquiesced.

Kael took of his clothes and changed into the working clothes that he had on the shelf. It consisted of just his trousers and a leather apron. He was mostly able to stave of the heat using reinforcement. With the body of an elf, he was able to reinforce himself exceeding what his previous human body could take without breaking.

He easily surpassed his previous limits. He could even dare say that he had the potential to be faster than a Heroic Spirit in the lancer class known for their speed. The downside was that his strength did not increase just as much as he would have liked when he was reinforcing himself further.

The body of elves seemed to have been preprogramed as swift agile hunters not muscled brutes. It was unlikely he could surpass a dwarfs natural strength with his base strength. Maybe it was possible with time, he couldn't tell.

His hands were already moving without any conscious thought.

He was hammering at the blade rhythmically with minimum effort. He would sometimes pause to stare at it, put it in the fire or dip in the water. He was letting the accumulated crafting experience of uncountable number of weapons he had in his soul as his guide.

Even if he could no longer trace legendary weapons with magic, the knowledge of their creation, their experiences and information on how they were used were all stored within him.

When his hands stopped moving, he stared down curiously at the two daggers he had crafted. Curved daggers, perfect for slashing, cutting and faster hand movements.

This weren't what he had planned on making, but they came out similar to how he would have liked Kanshou and Byakuya as daggers. It just needed the runes formations for attraction that he had already perfected on another weapon.

He held the daggers in his grip and slashed the air with it. He still needed to furnish the handle with leather but aside from that. The weapons were as good any. But they were not good enough.

Gornak would have laughed and tried throttled him if he heard this.

But maybe his standards were just too high. What he was trying to create with his mortal hands were Noble Phantasms. Weapons wielded by legendary heroes. Weapons so powerful that the best of them could destroy the world.

He slumped in defeat. What he lacked was not technique and knowledge but the materials needed to create them. What he lacked were materials with weight.

Mundane materials just weren't enough. If he tried to force a Noble Phantasms power on a normal weapon, it would disintegrate.

Just as how Gae Bolg was made from the bones of powerful Phantasmal Beast of the sea, he needed something similar. He needed to kill a beast just as powerful in order to add weight to his weapon.

It was too late for him too realize just how convenient his ability to trace weapons really was . He missed those days where he could just create those legendary weapons with simple prana.

"Well, time to clean up. I don't want those people going hungry." He shivered.

He had once forgotten to cook that one time. After he went back from his sparring session with Sylvanas, that same day Coria proposed to teach children about her type of magic. She needed his assistance. The next second he was led to the vegetable garden. He stood there confused until it started.

It was the longest time of his life. Four long hours of trying to evade murderous meat eating plants that wanted to a piece of him.

It took him a month before he was able to cook vegetables again. But even now he developed the habit of stabbing vegetables before he cooked them.

He swore he would never be late to cook again.

It was almost as bad as that time with Saber.

He cleaned his workplace and changed his clothes. He could clean himself at the orphanage later. He made his way to his friends side of the forge. He could see the dwarf with telescopic object attached to his right eye, his hand was holding graver.

He left quietly. It was a kind of silent agreement between them. Never disturb the other if they were at work.

He hurriedly made his way lest he be late.

-II-

The wind was softly blowing with the sun nearly at its peak. Anadriel was finally finished with the last of her laundry. It was nearly lunch time. She didn't want to be late for that chance to be with Kael'drin. She felt her heart skip a bit at that thought.

What she saw this morning had her hot and bothered. She wasn't completely innocent. She had read erotic romance novels before. She could imagine her hands sliding down Kael's abs into his V-shaped abdomen...

Bad Ana. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

She couldn't remember when it started. Maybe she fell in love with him when they first met. Maybe she grew to develop feelings for man as she stayed with him. It was only when Coria had confronted her about it that she finally acknowledged that she loved him.

Coria had given her blessing. She had advised her to be more forward about it because Kael wouldn't notice otherwise. She even hinted she had a rival of some sort?

That blockhead. Stupid dense blockhead Kael. She didn't really have any prior experience with love aside from what she read. She had grown up with a very sheltered life. She grimaced. She didn't want to remember about those times where she was nothing but a figurehead, a tool to be used by her family.

She was almost thankful for the Second War.

She hummed happily as she went to the back of her home. She was running a late but it was better to be more prepared than not. It was also better to arrive late than never. She drew a bucket of water from the well and started stripping her clothes. The back of the house was enclosed by a high wooden fence and she didn't expect anyone to be about at this part of the forest at the time of the day.

Her large breasts popped out of her blouse. She was quite proud of them, if only they didn't cause so much back pains. Wide hips and flat toned belly. She pinched her belly a little. She might have been eating more lately. She inspected herself carefully. Even her thighs were getting a little chubby. A patch of honey colored hair could be seen above her puffy pussy lips.

This could not stand, she thought to herself. She'd have to start exercising. She got to work with washing herself. She made sure to clean herself properly. Kael always emphasized cleanliness even as an adventurer.

She quickly put on her clothes after drying herself.

"Craaack."

She turned to look behind her at the sound of the creaking. She almost missed it if it wasn't for the creaking of the branch the person was on. She staggered back at the realization. Someone had been watching her take a bath. She felt horror, disgust and anger. But most of all she felt fear. She quickly ran inside her house locking the door behind her.

She took deep mouthfuls of hair. She was hyperventilating. Then she realized she forgot to lock the front door. She heard a crack as the person outside tried to force himself in. She doubled the lock and tried to run for her front door when she saw a man was already inside.

Her face paled.

"Well, well what do we have here." The man drawled out as he slowly walked towards her, his walking staff thudding against the floor. It was an elf with a face that she recognized from somewhere. His was clothed in a sorcerer's robes, his face was thin and leering.

She made a dash for her room on the second floor before the creep could react. She doubled the lock on it moving the shelf and a chair to block the door. Moments later, she heard someone knocking on the door. She stayed as far from the door as she could.

Her hope that they would leave when they couldn't enter was shattered when a fireball blew her flimsy barricade to smithereens.

"You thought you could run you bitch!?" The man she saw on the front door walked into her room. He was followed by three other men, humans. There sinister grins on their faces as they brandished their weapons.

What she thought as a walking staff earlier was a mage staff.

"Who are you people!?" She shouted while her mind thought of ways to get out. She could jump out the window but that would injure her feet making her unable to escape all the same.

"Don't you remember me? Let me introduce myself, I am Dorandor Brightstrider son of Theramore Brightstrider."

A gasp of realization escape her lips. Most elves had a good memory and a long life. This made them vindictive by nature. They would remember every wrong done against and return it in kind.

This elf was a one of the many who had tried to harass her in the past.

"Oh? You remember now!? You and that Night Elf spawn dared to shame on that day!? ME!? YOU EVEN TOLD MY FATHER!?" She could see a dark smile form on the elf's lips. "I'm going to enjoy every moment as I make writhe beneath you fucking whore. Don't you know what my father did to me after you fucking accused me? He nearly disowned me!? It took me five long years before he finally let me back into my own home!?" The madman gloated.

There was an insane glint in the mans eyes. She tried not to whimper as the man reached for her face. Two of his thugs each grabbed an arm as they dragged her to her bed. They ripped her clothes off exposing her body. She felt violated as the men forcefully fondled her breast. They squeezed her hard making her almost scream out. They even tugged at her nipples, pinching it making red.

She grit her teeth not letting them see her pain. The men tied both of her hands with a rope, then they grabbed her legs forcefully spreading it wide open.

"Hey boss, can we fuck her already? My dick is itching for some action."

"Now for the fun part."

"Of course, but I would have the first taste. I'm going to enjoy every second of your suffering." She tried to struggle but the men firmly held on to her limbs.

She did not want this. She wanted to cry.

"PLEASE HELP ME!" She shouted out.

She was not optimistic enough to expect someone to save her. Her house was isolated in a part of the forest that surrounded the city.

If was to die like this she might as well die struggling. She gathered mana into her self. Most wizards and sorcerers needed a medium to channel their magic. Without it, they were useless. She had learned magic at a very early age but was never able to apply it.

One magic that they had taught her that did not need the use of a medium was a method to stun them momentarily. She chanted the spell in her mind as she had been taught.

'Holy Light thy brilliance is unequaled, Brilliant Flash!'

A flash of light momentarily blinded them

"Huh!?"

"Shit! My eyes!"

"Hold her down!"

"How dare you! You bitch!"

Ana snatched the knife one of the men was holding and plunged it into her chest. They could not react. When they light subsided, they saw a dagger sticking out between her chest. They had let their guard down not expecting her to kill herself. They had thought she would escape that was why they focused more on pushing her down than subduing her limbs.

"Gukh... guhk..." Blood spewed out from the wound in torrents.

'I want to see you one last... Kael... I didn't get to say I loved you...'

Her thoughts were full of regret.

"What the-"

"You stupid son of bitch!"

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

"What a fucking waste. She killed herself."

The men cursed out as they tried to avoid the blood flowing out from her wound into the floor.

She felt a small amount of satisfaction seeing their disappointed faces. Her vision was slowly fading as more blood was pumped out of her wound.

'I'm sorry Kael... at least I'd die with my body dedicated only to you...May...the...light... guide us... to be together... again... in the next... life...'

Maybe the God of Light answered her prayers. Maybe it was a hallucination. But the last thing she saw was the face of the person she loved.

-III-

Kael'drin was almost done with his cooking. He just needed too wait for the stew to boil the meat to tenderize it further. He felt worried about Ana. It was almost lunchtime but she was not here yet. She might have been delayed but it was already an hour. Even is she was not able to help him cook, she would still be there to eat with them.

"Coria! Can you watch this for me? I just need to go check on Ana. She's might get late for lunch."

Anadriel was never late. No, she always managed to arrive far earlier than him all the time. She said she had the obligation as the student to prepare for her teacher.

"Okay Kael. Get it off the fire in about ten minutes."

"Okaay~." Coria did a mock salute with a hand over her heart.

He's gut was telling him something was wrong. He quickly made his way through the city neglecting to cover himself like usual. His red hair was swept by the wind as he made a beeline through the city crowds.

"Hey you! Stop! Stop!" He heard a guard shout after him.

But he ignored and further amped his reinforcement as he rushed towards the trail leading to Ana's house. The feeling of wrongness grew further as he caught the scent of magic being used. It was very faint but he was able to pick it up. His magical sensing did not work by common sense. As long he was within range of magic being cast he would still be able to pick it even if it was underground.

The scent of light grew stronger. The spell had just been cast. It was growing fainter.

He saw the door to her house open. Then he heard the voices. He quickly made his way up the stairs to where the shouting was coming from.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

"What a fucking waste. She killed herself."

Anadriel's body was half naked with a knife sticking out of her chest. Bright red lifeblood was spewing out from the wound.

Kael felt something break inside of him. His jaw slackened and his thoughts grinded to a halt unable to accept what was in front of him.

"Hey, don't you think we could still enjoy her while her body is warm?"

"You're sick in the head. Do it on your own."

"Dumb bitch!" One of the men kicked her head.

Kael felt his world breaking. He felt his soul cracking. His soul, that world filled with unlimited number of blades was changing.

'You couldn't protect her.'

"Eh? Who's this?" The man sneered at him. "Hey boss, doesn't this guy look familiar?"

"Why yes, yes he is. We meet again Night Elf spawn-"

All the sound in the world disappeared. Time stopped. All he saw was red.

Red the color of blood.

Sepia... I hope you can watch the Spring blossom again next year.

Please smile for me Onii-chan.

You are hopeless Shirou.

Within his soul, the twenty seven gigantic gears that had been spinning for countless number of years fell from the sky. In that unchanging landscape that had stayed the same for nigh eternity, massive layers off earth broke apart and flew to the sky.

Magma erupted from those rifts in the earth. The rusted sky was covered by dark storm clouds. Tornadoes formed and started to suck in the weapons filling the land making it even deadlier.

He felt like he was losing something important to him, something that he would never be able to retrieve if he let it go.

At that moment, he didn't care. He didn't care if he died as long as he was able to save the woman in front.

"Trace on." He ignited his magic core. What he was going to do was going to kill him, but it had the greatest chance of saving Ana.

He had never used his tracing anymore because rather than consuming prana, it was powered by his life-force. He would die if he used tracing.

"My body is made out of swords.

My blood is of iron and my heart of glass."

He forced himself to stand as dizziness hit him. This was the price he had to pay to forcefully enforce his will on reality, his life.

"What are you looking at!? Attack him you fools!" The leader of the villains shouted, sensing something was wrong.

Blades sprouted from inside his arm. White hot blinding pain assaulted him, he ignored it. Swords were conjured from air behind him. With a flick of his finger, the three men were incapacitated. The blade had been aimed to run through them. It had such forced the three were pinned to the floor with the blades.

His fourth blade was blocked by a bluish spherical shield that protected the staff wielding mage.

"You dare!? Ignis Sagita!" The man shouted a line that he had heard more than he would like in the past.

An arrow of flame went out of the mage's staff. He dodged the spell with ease not breaking his stride as he walk towards the man.

"I have overcome countless battlefields.

Unknown to Death,

Nor known to Life."

More blades sprouted from his legs going towards his torso nearly crippling all his movements. Blood was flowing from the blades, crimson footsteps stained the floor. The grinding sound of steel could be heard with each miniscule movement he made.

"W-w-what are you!? Fel beast! I knew- Hiiiikkk!" The mage shrieked with fear as blades severed both of his arms. " My arm! No! Mercy! Please mercy! I don't want to die!" He tried to run towards the door to escape but two conjured swords sliced off his legs. Only his torso remained, blood spraying out from where his limbs had been.

A spears formed above the squirming pile of flesh impaling it but not killing it yet.

"Uwaaaaah!"

All the threats were neutralized but it was not over yet. He continued trying to keep calm while finishing the aria.

"Have withstood pain to create a thousand weapons

Yet, those hands will never hold anything

So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works."

The effect that it should have had to the world did not materialize. He failed. His last gamble failed. He was not who he once was. The aria that described him in the past could not describe him now.

He failed. He failed. He failed. The self-imposed hypnotic calm was slowly crumbling.

He had never tried to recreate his Aria because of the reason that he wanted to forget about it. He did not want an ability that was the greatest reminder of his past.

Had he been able to materialize his Reality Marble there was a chance he could trace Avalon, the most potent healing Noble Phantasm that he knew of.

His body of flesh was completely covered in blades. It made for a macabre sight, a humanoid creature formed from steel. He drowned out the sound of dying screams behind him. His bladed finger grabbed the knife sticking out of Ana's chest and yanked it free. The blood which had been stemmed by the knife increasingly flooded out.

'There has to be something I can do!'

He tried to think of anything. He was grasping at straws.

'I can't save her. I can't save her as I am now.'

His whole life he had been a faker. Someone who created fakes from the original.

'There has to be a way! If I can't save her as I am now... I just need become someone able to save her.'

That was the way he knew how to fight, how to live. If he could not win, he'd just imagine something able to win against his adversary.

Even to his ears that sounded stupid. It was the height of stupidity. But even a fake could surpass the real one day. He had the blueprint within his mind but it was impossible to recreate with just that. He needed a miracle. He needed to rely on his memories and abilities as Emiya Shirou and use the body of Kael'drin Hopebringer.

In the past, he was only able to master very few abilities because of the limitations on his body and soul further limited by the world that he lived. Now, he had magical energy output that far exceeded what he had in the past by a thousand times over.

"Kuahahahahaha."He threw back his head as he laughed in realization. His delirious laugh sounding like steel grating against another.

Kael'drin Hopebringer was an elf, mixed blooded or so. Emiya Shirou had vast amount of memories that he acquired as a Guardian of Humanity. Memories contained knowledge.

He could still achieve a miracle.

He was only able to trace all of his weapons inside of his Reality Marble because the materials to recreate those weapons did not exist outside the world. That was only true back on Earth.

With one last attempt, he readied himself. He allowed his magical core produce magic energy to its very limits. He was dying. Only a few more minutes and he would not be able to revert back to his elfin form. With the lifespan of an elf, with such a life-force he could brute force his way onwards and combine it with his magical energy.

Without a second to waste, he started. He had never attempted this before finding no reason to slowly kill himself. He prayed to whatever God were out there hoping this would work.

Judging the concept of creation

It was a was a sheath made by the fae to serve as a scabbard for the Last Phantasm, Excalibur.

Hypothesizing the basic structure

A luxurious piece of equipment made of gold and decorated with blue enamel that seems more like a treasure to show dignity and nobility than a weapon.

Duplicating the composition of materials

It was crafted from Divine Mysteries lost to time, its appearance nothing more than a glamour.

Imitating the skill of its making

It was created by the fae through a miracle. Inscriptions written in Fairy letters were engraved on its center to indicate it was no work of man.

Sympathizing with the experience of its growth

It was given to Merlin who bestowed it upon Arturia Pendragon. It was later stolen through the machinations of Morgan Le Fay. It passed through the hands of mortal men until it was excavated at Cornwall finally finding its way to him.

Reproducing the accumulated growth

Avalon was used by Arturia as a shield. But that in itself is not the total truth, it isolates her to the Everdistant Utopia not allowing any harm to befall her. It is an absolute shield that not even the Five True Magics could penetrate it.

Excelling every manufacturing process

It is the sacred Utopia which Arturia seeks. A place where she could find eternal peace, tranquility and happiness. It could does not allow its owner to bleed nor suffer any illness and wounds.

He paused. Readying himself for the most important part.

Avalon is currently owned by Kael'drin Hopebringer.

He felt a dull ache in his core as the vast amounts of energy to materialize it was sucked from him along with his remaining life. Even with his intimate knowledge of Avalon, he was not able to decipher everything that made it what it was. He felt the world filling in the gaps as he fed his spell with more and more magic to supplement what he was lacking.

Wind started swirling around him and motes of light floated in front of him. Bit by bit the form of the familiar scabbard appeared. His eyes fell upon his creation and he knew it was incomplete. The dimension known as Everdistant Utopia did not exist on this world. He would never be able to use it as a shield like Arturia had but it still contained its miraculous healing properties.

With slow trembling hands, he lowered it on Anadriel's body. The sheath turned into the same motes of life and slowly sunk into her body. It was a beautiful.

With his task done, he welcomed death's waiting embrace. His consciousness slowly disappeared but his body remained in the same position. His body was kneeling with his head hanging back, his limbs loosely by his sides.

He had fallen off that damned road of a Hero. He had no regrets.

They say that the last senses that disappear with death is hearing. It was faint, nearly a whisper. But he was sure he heard the words that were spoken to him. A familiar scent tickled his magical sense, the smell of arcane...

"...I am sorry old soul but it may not be your time yet..." His senses were wrecked but he felt it when something was poured down his throat. "Now it is up to you to decide now." The voice said.

On that day Emiya Shirou died.

-IV-

A number of people were gathered and seated around a U-shaped table discussing the fate of a certain ex-hero. Only vague silhouettes of their forms could be seen but banners emblazoned with crests were displayed behind them to indicate from what House they were.

This was the Convocation of Silvermoon, the ruling body of the Kingdom on behalf of the King. Shouts could be heard echoing the room as the judges of the city argued over who was right and wrong. This case being the most debated over case since the war.

The chamber they were in had its windows closed barely letting any light in. It was one of the temporary countermeasures they had after a leak in information last month that they suspected was done by eavesdroppers who somehow made it to the third floor window of the heavily guarded High Council Hall. That was the public reason they gave.

The real reason was because it had been destroyed when two nobles of differing opinions had come to blows.

But to keep up the pretense of security, they were having the room reinspected for gaps in the enchantment while having it repaired.

Most of them showed clear interest in this case. Some were showing their interests more clearly than others. This case would set a dangerous precedent if not handled properly. It was about the handling of an adventurer who used dangerous and highly unknown illegal magic for self defense.

"Guilty!? How can a man be charged guilty if he attacked in self-defense!? Clearly, your greed is blinding Lord Drathir!"

"You accuse me of greed Lord Tidebreaker, when your decisions are being clouded by bias! Where is your objectivity in that!?"

"Shut your trap you cowardly rat! I've had enough of you!"

"NO! You shut up you muscle headed brute!"

But as most cases go, the argument was reduced to nothing but a petty squabble between nobles. The two nobles heated argument could end up another battle if not for most of the High Lord being in attendance to stop them.

These two loudest voices were coming from two rivalling nobles. Their fellow council members were conversing among themselves in low voices or merely watching with amusement and interest.

"What do you think Lady Windrunner? You personally know the boy-"

"He is man, Lord Lightseeker. He is a blooded warrior through and through."

"Er, yes. What do you think about the man? Is he guilty or not?"

"In my opinion? No, he should not be charged. Even if he used fel magic, it was to save a citizen of Silvermoon and to defend himself. I will not condemn such selfless actions. This is also based on my evaluation of his character."

"So you do not believe him guilty? That would put the countable votes to two against two. I'll withhold my own vote. I want to stay neutral on this matter."

"I'm surprised you would be willing to defend a magic user Lady Windrunner. You of all people who loath magic as nothing but a coward's weapon." A woman spoke up near them.

"What I hate is not the fel and unknown magics but the people who commit unspeakable crimes with it." Sylvanas replied tersely shutting down further conversations.

On the opposite of the table, two other people were conversing.

"So what say you, about the magic he used? Interesting isn't it? If he was charged guilty and executed, the knowledge would be lost with him. That would a loss we cannot take. I'd propose he be detained as magic experimentation subject. Even if he cannot speak, we should be able to garner something from his body."

"Your choices are tinged with self-interest as always."

"No no no. It's for the sake of the Kingdom. If we can advance our knowledge in the workings of magic, think of the things we could achieve! I am a patriot like no other working tirelessly for the Kingdom. How you wound me with such accusations milord. Everything I have done and will do are for the glory of Quel'thalas."

"Let's just execute him and be done it. He broke the law, he must pay for the consequences." Another woman beside them muttered lazily.

"Guilty or not guilty. If the accused was judged guilty, it would tighten all restrictions we have on the use of unknown magic. Some among us would greatly oppose that." A third spoke.

"If he was branded innocent, it would have heavy repercussions specially with our already tenuous relationship with the Alliance. It could set a precedent that would allow users of fel magic to more openly use their abilities. That would result in warlocks gathering to Quel'thalas." A fourth voice argued back.

The High Council was not as impartial as they appeared to be. Their judgement was influence by their own biased opinion, petty rivalry, self interest and desire. The High Council was composed of seven High Lords who ruled along with the King.

Decisions that resulted in a draw vote was taken over by the King.

Members of the Council are the Heads of the most influential families in all of Quel'thalas. It was not an exaggeration to say they controlled of the Kingdom.

An elf enter the room and approached the person at the Head of the table. He lowered himself and whispered to the person.

"High Lords and Ladies, a messenger from the Royal Palace has arrived." The elf raised his voice to gather the attention of his fellow Council members.

The discussion was brought to a halt with the elf messengers arrival, his coat of arms proudly bore the royal crest. The elf strode to the center of the U-shaped formation with the attention of the nobles.

"The case of Kael'drin Hopebringer has been brought to the King's attention. With investigation and inquiry by members of proper authorities, it has provided the King with basis to make a proper judgement. He has made his decision. Kael'drin Hopebringer is to be sentenced to a thousand years of exile from Quel'thalas.

Violation of the King's mercy will result in execution. He is not to step foot within the borders of the kingdom until he has served his sentence. His crime is not pardonable but his sentence will be revoked in only the 'most' extreme of circumstances. Barring a disaster the that can destroy the Kingdom and annihilate its people, only the King and with the total agreement of the High Council can a pardon be provided. Thus shall the sentence be given. The King has spoken."

"What!?"

"The King wants to release a criminal outside of Quel'thalas?"

"Is the King serious with this decision?"

"This can cause an incident with our allies if not handled well..."

Voices of confusion and disapproval simultaneously shouted out.

"B-but how about the magic!? The knowledge that we can-"

"If you question the King's decision then please bring it up to him. I am 'merely' a messenger after all." The crowd was silenced by the retort from the messenger. "Now, if you will excuse me..."

"This meeting is over, the King has taken over the case without knowledge but he has already spoken." A member said and stood to leave the room.

A few other people soon followed suit and left the room. Slowly the only member left in the room was the Head of House Windrunner and House Tidebreaker.

"Are you not leaving yet Lord Tidebreaker?"

"I'd ask the same of you Lady Windrunner. But by the Light what is the King thinking?"

"You seem to know something the Council does not." She asked.

"Hmmp, I wouldn't mind sharing this with as I know you're not the type to gossip. The person who was with Kael'drin that day was the last member of the branch family of House Sunstrider. Even if she was a branch family member, she did still have the blood of the Royal Family in her." He explained.

"You mean to say Kael'drin Hopebringer is going to be exiled because of rescuing a woman of Royal blood?" Sylvanas asked with a cold edge to her voice. "How utterly foolish... such stupidity has ruined his life? Worse yet, instead of a reward he was convicted a criminal?"

"I would not speak such things if I were you, Lady. You speak as if you know the boy when clearly don't. I have met him a few times in the past and he was not as stupid as you say he is. And the woman he rescued is as close to me as my daughter, don't disregard as if she is trash."

"That 'man' that we are talking about had such talent that I was planning on taking him under my wing Admiral Tidebreaker. Had he not been involved in that mess I would have taken him as my aide. He was someone I had vested interest in." She replied with gritted teeth. "I will go speak with the King."

Nesarion Tidebreaker glared at the woman as she left. He had never liked associating with these landlubbers. Specially with these arrogant noble scum. But he didn't dislike those who had spunk like the General Windrunner. Though she had just officially taken the seat of Ranger General three years ago, she had reformed the Farstriders to become the best it was since its founding.

The Farstriders were the elites of the High Elven Army. Traditionally, the position of Ranger General also translated to leader of Quel'thalas forces. But this only applied during war.

He sighed. His shoulders were heavy as he got out of the seat. Anadriel would not take this news well. He just hoped she would not do anything foolish like following the boy into exile. He could delay giving her the news. It was the best thing he could do until the boy was out of the Kingdom.

"I need a drink." He said to no one in particular as he left the dark room.

-V-

Another argument was taking place within the palace. King Anasterian was seated on a white marble throne. An orb was being held before him by a quivering servant who wished the two arguing beings would take no notice of him.

"You're branding him a criminal for saving someone of the Royal blood? This can cause a scandal." Kael'thas Sunstrider, Prince and Heir to the throne was speaking to his father through a communication orb.

"Very few know that the wench he saved was from our bloodline. It would have no consequences. The girl is from the ruined branch family." The king replied, his face hard and his tone unyielding.

"You can't be serious father! You are exiling someone of your own blood!? Please think this through!" Kael'thas shouted desperately finally voicing his true thoughts.

"That demon spawn is not of my blood. Have you forgotten it was he who killed your sister, the Light and the Hope of our people." The King stated with an even tone though he could not hide the hatred seeping out of his voice.

"Why do you hate him so much?" Kael'thas asked with grief.

"I don not hate him. I loath him with all my being. Your sister nearly had the cure that had plagued our people. She could have finished the cure that would rid us of the corruption that came with our us of the Arcane. She could have changed everything."

"That's how you've always viewed as. As convenient tools to you? You did not love your daughter. You only hate the fact that you were not able to make our people more powerful. You only wanted that power-"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" An earthquake shook the room. Dust was shaken from the ceiling and fell down. The banners that decorated the room were moving as if wind was being blown on them.

The King's daughter had been a brilliant wizard. She was a genius like no other. She had travelled through Lordaeron and all the way to Kalimdor to find a way to help her people from the corruption they experienced from using the energies of the arcane. They did not know what happened there. The only thing they knew was that she came back home with a child in her belly. She died hours later after she gave birth.

That had happened while the Second War was engulfing all of Lordaeron. They'd had no time to grieve for her. Just a few days after she died, Silvermoon was besieged by the Horde.

"I listened to you once to spare that monster. Now he has shown his true colors. You should be thanking me that I have even spared him." The King spoke evenly.

"Have you still not forgiven the boy for a sin he did not commit? He did not kill my sister, you're own prejudice is blinding you father. How can you accuse the child like that? For your vaunted wisdom, how can you not see that he did nothing wrong?" Prince Kael'thas pleaded.

"If it was not for him, I would still have a daughter!" Pure arcane magic was emitted from the King in waves. The poor servant who was holding up the orb with a pillow was trembling in fear while praying to the Light that his bladder and bowels would hold up. He did not want to get executed for pissing and shitting in the throne room.

Silence descended as the King's anger ebbed.

"This topic is over Kael'thas. You can recall that spy of yours. Was it the Coria Daydreamer who informed you of this? I knew you sent her to take care of the boy. If there is anything you wish to talk about I wish to retire to my chambers." The King said with finality.

The King left the throne room with heavy footsteps. He took no notice of the servant who fainted after he left the room. A yellow stain left its mark on the royal carpet that day.

-VI-

Kael'drin was having doubts that day. He was doubting the existence of a benevolent God. He never did believe in God. His previous experiences proved that Gods were a bunch of self-centered egoistical jackasses.

But today, his lingering hope was quashed.

He was in a wide white endless space with no end in sight. Maybe it was hell? He was quite sure it wasn't heaven. Or maybe it was the Root of Akasha? No, he was severed from the Root. He was sure of it. This world was strange and operated so far from his previous worlds rules.

Maybe this place was this world's version of the Underworld, the afterlife, limbo, whatever they called where people went after they died. Not for him though.

Then there was the white ball of light that was persistently following him around while repeating the same line over and over.