Chapter 17 – War and betrayal
A/N: Intense! Please note that the quotes that are underlined are quotes from the actual World of Warcraft Broken Shore cinematic and I did not invent them or own them. I have simply used them to illustrate my story.
One week had passed since the Jaina and Sylvanas managed to convince the leaders of the Alliance and the Horde that they needed each other in the battle against the scourge. The assembling point they had agreed upon was a little island outside the Broken Isles, close to the Broken Shore. The Legion, who they had found out was led by Gul'dan, had not yet been realised the Alliance and the Horde's whereabouts. Varian and Vol'jin stood side by side and watched as the fel ravaged the once beautiful shores of the Broken Isles. It was with great grief they thought of what the scourge had already destroyed. Although the Burning Legion had based themselves at the Broken Shore, their invasions throughout Azeroth had already cost many lives. Sylvanas Windrunner approached Vol'jin and put her hand on his shoulder. Without words Vol'jin appreciated the support. Sylvanas had lately been invaluable to the Horde and without her, they would have never come to know as much about this scourge. The Banshee Queen remembered too well how her life had been taken away from her.
On Varian's side, Jaina appeared. She glanced over at Vol'jin and Sylvanas, and nodded. Sylvanas gave Jaina a weak smile back. The extent of their relationship was still unknown to everyone but Varian, who had not spoken about it. Archmage Khadgar had been silenced by Jaina who explained that this was her's and the Dark Lady's plan all along. To get the Alliance and the Horde together. And the Horde had not questioned Sylvanas whatsoever. They did not interfere with the Banshee Queen of the Forsaken's personal life and they knew better than to ask. Nevertheless, it was crucial that they never found out as all trust in Sylvanas would vanish in one split moment.
"We infiltrate tomorrow". Varian Wrynn raised his voice and both the Alliance and Horde listened carefully. "By air, by sea and on land. They will not stand long against our united army". His attempted words of bravery moved Jaina as she could not even imagine the bloodshed they were going to witness the following day. A single tear ran down Jaina Proudmoore's face as she gazed upon the now fel green sky. She closed her eyes and prayed to the old Gods that their people would stay safe. "We shall help each other and fight for our lands. FOR AZEROTH!" Varian raised his sword. "FOR AZEROTH!" The army replied and war chants filled the air. Sylvanas walked over to Jaina and stood at her side. Jaina looked up at her lover as Sylvanas discretely grabbed her hand. "Don't you dare die tomorrow Lady Proudmoore". She whispered. Jaina swallowed her tears and replied. "Don't you dare die either Lady Windrunner". In silence, they watched as the army went to rest before the storm.
The following day, Sylvanas stepped out of her tent as rain poured from an open sky. She watched as the army assembled in formations to embark boats and air driven gunships. It was rare she felt at all, but she had a bad feeling about this infiltration. She knew it had to be done, but she was more than concerned regarding the outcome. She watched as Jaina enchanted the warrior's weapons with spells and blessed them with luck as they entered the ships. Sylvanas swallowed nervously. The thought of anything happening to Jaina was unbearable. Yet, today she had to protect her people and fight for the Horde. All she could do was hope that Jaina would leave this encounter unharmed.
Impulsively, she pulled Jaina aside and into a private tent. "Sylvanas, I need to be assisting the Kirin Tor mages in their enchanting". Sylvanas did not listen and grabbed Jaina. She kissed her deeply and embraced her lover as a tear ran down her face. Sylvanas could not believe she was crying over worry for Jaina. Their kiss ended and Jaina felt as if Sylvanas was saying goodbye. "Don't do this my love. This is not the end. Neither of us will die today". The young sorceress wiped the tears from the Dark Lady's cold cheeks. "Please do not worry, Dalah' surfal…" Jaina smiled as she said the Thalassian words Sylvanas had said to her a week earlier. Sylvanas looked at Jaina, seeking an answer as to how she now knew them. "I visited the Royal Library in Stormwind. I know what you said now. I am safe with you, my love". "But I cannot protect me from this. Today we fight for our lives". More tears streamed down Sylvanas' cheeks as she kissed Jaina and pressed her to her chest. Jaina felt sudden unsettling emotions and hopelessness as she held on to her lover. "Here, take this!" Sylvanas fished out an amulet from her pocket, putting it in Jaina's hand and closing her hand around it". Jaina stiffened and swallowed. "I love you Sylvanas Windrunner. Remember, don't you dare die today". Sylvanas bit her teeth together to stop herself from crying more. "I love you too Lady Proudmoore. Stay safe always". "Always, Dalah' surfal".
War chants filled the air again as the ships set sail for the Broken Shore. Jaina was on board an air gunship with Varian and Genn Greymane, while Sylvanas boarded another together with her undead soldiers. "My friends. Good luck! And may the old Gods protect us all". Applause broke out as Varian Wrynn ordered the ships to departure. Jaina glanced over at her lover one last time before the ships disappeared in all different directions.
Many soldiers disembarked at Broken Shore and were immediately met by demons, imps and fel imbued hatred. Gul'dan appeared behind the soldiers of the Burning Legion and laughed evil-ish when the Alliance and the Horde assembled in front of them. "Welcome… To your death…" Gul'dan's voice made several warriors shiver. "Kill them all, leave no living being". Gul'dan smirked as his command led his minions to attack instantly. The Horde and Alliance started to fight back with all they had.
From the air, Jaina and Sylvanas witnessed the land bound battle from each of their gunship. The ground army was already outnumbered and Varian Wrynn made a decision to fire missiles at the demons, but to no use as more kept appearing. "I have to aid them, lower the ladder!" Varian grabbed a rope ready to go and looked at Jaina whose worried expression made him turn around. "Be careful Varian" Jaina said whilst holding her hands to her chest. Without warning, Varian grabbed her and kissed her. It was quick and passionate. "I love you, Jaina Proudmoore. Always have, always will". Jaina did not have time to respond before Varian jumped overboard and lowered himself with the ladder to fight the Legion.
Sylvanas had seen the kiss. It had been short but she had seen that it was emotionally loaded, at least from Varian's side. What if Jaina reciprocated it? Anger boiled inside her as she watched Varian Wrynn heroically assassinate several demons on the ground. How dare he touch Jaina? Jaina was her property and Jaina had told her that Varian was the only one who knew. He knew, but still he had the audacity to cross that line. Furious about what she had seen, Sylvanas decided to put it aside for now and lower herself down on ground to assist her rangers as Warchief Vol'jin was busy giving orders to the shamans and warriors. The Dark Lady grabbed hold of an armored blue wind rider and flew towards her ranger army.
As the battle commenced and intensified Sylvanas could already see that many of the Horde had fallen. Dead bodies started to fill the ground and her and her rangers could not keep the sky clear of flying fel bats. She quickly turned around to see Thrall caving on the ground attempting to escape the dreadstalkers and doom guards. It was looking anything but good for the Horde and Sylvanas knew that Gul'dan had plenty more backup. Vol'jin appeared and shouted: "Dey're comin' from behind! Cover da flank!" Unexpectedly, a doomguard drove his spear straight through Vol'jin's stomach and the warchief fell to the ground as he managed to fight the doomguard off. "WARCHIEF!" Sylvanas swiftly jumped on to her deathcharger and rode towards Vol'jin. She picked him up and got him on to the horse back. The Banshee Queen glanced at the ongoing war and in that moment, she knew that even with the Alliance, they were outnumbered and defeated. Vol'jin coughed and murmured: "Do not let da Horde… Die… Dis… Day…" before he passed out. Sylvanas took a deep breath and thousands of thoughts ran through her head all at once. Save the Horde, leave the Alliance? She thought of Jaina. Probably safe at the gunship. Had she kissed him back? What if she had… She saw Varian still fighting bravely. That bastard, she thought. He would never lay his hands on Jaina ever again. She could make sure of that, right here, right now. Sylvanas looked down at Vol'jin's unconscious body. She closed her eyes and made her decision. A loud and deep noise spread in the air as the Dark Lady blew her horn. Several Val'kyr brightly appeared from the sky and aided the Banshee Queen in collecting the harmed members of the Horde. Her command was given, and the Horde's remaining army ran for the ship they had situated at the shore.
Varian heard a horn blow and he looked up to see Sylvanas Windrunner's archers leave their posts. "No… She wouldn't…" In that moment, Varian knew they had lost. Without the Horde, they did not stand a chance. Jaina, who was still on the gunship, saw the Val'kyr lift the Horde's soldiers off the ground and in the far distance, she saw her lover ride for their ship. "What the fuck Sylvanas?!" She shouted and ran to the other side of the gunship to look down at Varian. "Genn, he will die down there!" Genn Greymane ran over to Jaina and saw Gul'dan's minions surround Varian who was now the last man standing. "I knew it! I knew we couldn't trust her!" Genn snarled. But Jaina thought they could? So how could she? Jaina thought. How could she let her down like this? She had left Varian to die and for what? To save the Horde? Jaina swallowed and tears streamed down her face. It felt like her heart broke into a million pieces. She felt so betrayed and helpless. "VARIAN!" Jaina screamed as Genn dragged her away from the edge of the gunship. "There is nothing we can do for him now…" "NO VARIAN, VARIAAAN!" Genn was too strong for Jaina to break lose but she fought against him as she wept and watched Varian disappear in the mist as they steered away from the Broken Shore.
