Author's Note: Soooooo... it's been a while... Sorry bout that... I wrote a whole other fic during my break. After writing the siege on Wyrmrest chapter, I wrote a short chapter 7 for this sorry, and decided to take a break. But then, I wrote something else for fun one night. I then started continuing it until that was the only thing I was writing. Now I realize how long it's been since I've worked on this. I finally finished the other story I was working on, reread all of this fic, and finished the chapter I had written a while ago. In other words, I will try to make this story my main writing priority again. This chapter was mostly written a while ago, so I patched it up a little and published it. After this chapter, the writing quality should be improved, mainly due to all the practice I got from my other story. One thing I'd like to mention, is that Tinnidus is now going to be Tinnidas. Anyway, I hope you enjoy if you're still reading this, and I look forward to continuing it to its finish!

Chapter 8: Games of Love

Alexstrasza had felt rather… conflicted lately. She found herself feeling a sort of anger whenever she would see Crystal around Neltharion, even if it was at Wyrmrest. She would feel as if she needed to protect him from her as if she was a threat to him. She found this confusing since she liked people like Crystal.

The female dragon had managed to overcome the many tortures of her life and survive while still maintaining her sanity and kindness. She was also the last chance at posterity for the Black Dragonflight. Normally, Alexstrasza would comfort such people and help them find their place in the world—but Crystal was different.

The Dragon Queen had also noticed that she felt different when Neltharion was with her as of late. Long ago, he had been a close friend, the Aspect she enjoyed the company of the most. He would offer a shoulder for her any time she needed one, and she would sometimes prefer his solace over even her consorts. The Earth-Warder was the right-hand of the Life-Binder, and he would be with her almost every time she appeared in a large public. Being the strongest Aspect made him her protector by nature, which she found unnecessary but still thanked him for.

Despite that, she had not felt how she felt now. She thought of him as an advisor, a guardian, a consoler, and the closest of friends back then. He would brighten her dull days and make her laugh, which was why she was thrilled that his humor had not died with Deathwing's ascendance. He meant more to her than any other, but she wished she had reminded him of that more often. Because, all of a sudden, one day, Deathwing took him from her.

Deathwing had revealed himself, desecrating the Blue Dragonflight and killing thousands of mortals, dragons, and demons alike. From that day on, Neltharion was gone, and only the rage remained. He would eventually have her imprisoned in Grim Batol and be forced to birth her children, only for them to be used as war mounts. She had hated him for it, but she was too blinded in her anger to realize that Neltharion was still alive and that it was Deathwing who committed those horrible acts.

Even then, she hated Deathwing but still hoped for him to return to her and the other Aspects. She would have forgiven him in a heartbeat, however foolish that would have been, only wanting to have him back. Over the ten thousand years of Neltharion's imprisonment, Alexstrasza had become more bitter. She killed one of her own brothers, which did not help her state. She became lost, sitting within her chambers and clawing at the walls in her torment. She was prepared to kill him, her brother and closest friend, only to find out that Deathwing had been torturing her real brother for ten millennia. It shattered her heart when she learned that, then knowing that she was about to kill the innocent Earth-Warder, her dear friend—which meant that Deathwing would have still won. Luckily, she was able to get Neltharion back.

And now, she felt as if she would never let him go again. She had gotten used to his companionship, and when it was taken from her, she realized just how much she wanted it, how much she needed it. That was why she spent months ensuring he returned to his health, and that was why she aided him in every way possible. However selfish that may have been, she cared not; she only cared that he was back.

Shaking her head and dispelling her rambling thoughts, Alexstrasza looked at where she was now: the Obsidian Dragonshrine. The land around the burial site was desolate, and lava flowed here and there. The Maw of Neltharion led into a small part of the mountain attached to the dragonshrine and contained the few bones that his flight had recovered. Unlike the other dragonshrines, no mortal ever came to visit the black's. They found the place repulsive, and they never paid respects to Neltharion's flight, even now that they knew they were uncorrupted. This pained Alexstrasza greatly, and she knew that his flight had no real home—so she decided to change that.

She slowly transformed into her draconic form before turning around, taking in the hundred or so red dragons now in front of her.

"Thank you all for coming. I know that some of you hold hatred towards Neltharion, and yet you came to help me give him a proper place to call home. Times have been very trying for us all lately—him especially—so let's work together." She smiled to her kin as she paused. "So, let us carve him a home today. We must hurry if we are to have it done by nightfall." At the end of her statement, the dragons started moving to their stations. Some of them began tearing away part of the massive mountain area that was behind the Obsidian Dragonshrine, some started to gather materials, some instructed the others, and some performed other tasks to get everything in order.

The Dragon Queen flew into the air and started to blast away rock with her flaming breath. When she and the part of her flight assisting her were finished, Neltharion and his kin would finally have a place to gather and live safely. That thought brought a smile to Alexstrasza's face as she continued her work.

"Why do you think he called us here?" Crystal asked Wrathion, walking alongside him.

"I'm not sure. He wasn't too detailed as to why he wanted us to come here. He just said he needed us for some 'changes in management,' as he called it," Wrathion answered.

Said dragon, in human form, had a black robe on that was lined with golden thread that made up intricate designs. They were shaped like small fires, the robe branching from his shoulders like two swirling flames. He had a silky black shirt beneath it, his pants made of the same delicate material. Freshly trimmed, his facial hair was short and fine along his jawline and lip. His slick curly black hair hung slightly behind him. His eyes were a dark red, akin to the color of a blood ruby. There was a deepness to them that made them look like an endless void, drawing the attention of mortals who looked into them.

Next to him was Crystal, also in human form, looking as refined as ever. Her black hair was straight, going down to just past her shoulders. Her skin was a pretty pale, her eyes a sapphire blue. Her fingernails were painted black, but they were not that long. She wore an outfit very similar to Wrathion, but hers was a bright red.

Together, they looked like a pair of wealthy nobles who had come to visit the rocky area they were in. Their outfits were on point, and their jewelry sold that quality. Wrathion had a solid gold ring with an obsidian piece in its center on his middle finger, and Crystal had a pure silver necklace around her neck with lots of gemstone baubles on it.

The two dragons looked at the mouth of what most mortals would avoid with their life: the home of one Neltharion the Earth-Warder. The giant entrance dwarfed the two walking below it, making them equivalent to the size of dust against its size. They stepped into the vast expanse that was the inside of the cavern, the air suddenly changing. Outside had been scorching hot, yet only warm for the two, but the inside was the perfect temperature for a black dragon. The air was moist, providing a nice moisture to a black dragon's scales. It was hot enough to feel like a warm, snug blanket without actually burning. This combination would give their scales a dark shine that no other dragons could achieve.

"It feels wonderful in here," Crystal pointed out.

"Yes, this volcano provides the perfect climate for us. But you know what they say," he said, turning around to look at her with a smile, "it's the company that determines how a place feels."

"Did I say this place was wonderful?" Crystal began. "Sorry, I actually meant narcissistic."

Wrathion tried to hold back his laughter but could not for long. After a few good chuckles, he replied with, "You know you like it."

"However true that may be, Wrathion, it doesn't change the fact that you have an ego the size of a mountain," she quipped back lightly.

He took a step toward her, his face mere inches away from hers. He pulled her into a hug, wrapping tightly around her. He lowered his lips to her ear.

"Maybe it's a sign of other big things," he softly whispered to her, effectively teasing her. He pulled his head back to look at her face. Instead of seeing a flustered Crystal, he saw she had a smirk on her face that worried him a little.

"I doubt it. You probably have to compensate for… something," she lowly whispered back, looking up at him with slightly glazed eyes while still wearing her smirk.

He huffed at that, rolling his eyes around. He gripped her back tighter as he leaned his head in slowly. She replied in kind, raising her head and parting her lips as she went up to meet him. They turned their heads, Wrathion moving a hand to the side of her face as their lips brushed together. As they both closed their eyes, they heard the sound of a throat being cleared.

Snapping out of the spell they had put on each other, they let go of one another and looked around. Getting off the wall he was leaning on, Neltharion walked towards them, wearing the same type of grin Crystal had been wearing only seconds ago.

"Am I interrupting something?" he teased.

"No, father," Wrathion deadpanned.

"Good, because we have business to attend to. Follow me if you will," Neltharion said in stride, walking further into the cave.

The two followed him, finding themselves in a domed room that was absolutely massive for a human. The jagged rock walls were barely even visible due to their distance from the middle of the room.

They all gathered at the center of the room in a triangle-like formation.

"I'm glad you're doing better. Soon enough, you will be ready to lead us again fully," Crystal told Neltharion.

He smiled, replying with, "Thank you, Crystal."

Wrathion seconded her comment, to which Neltharion nodded in thanks. He clapped his hands together, preparing what he had to say.

"As you know," he started, looking toward Crystal for a moment, "the flight can continue since there is at least one female. What you don't know is that there is only one: you." He gave her a moment to process what he had said. Her face lit up as she understood what he meant.

"I'm the only female left?" she asked, sadness pulling at her tone.

"I'm afraid so." Her mouth moved up and down as she tried to say something, nothing leaving her mouth each time. "The future of the Black Dragonflight falls upon you. I know this is a lot to take in, but I will respect whatever decision you come to." He smiled, saying, "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. My conscience won't allow it, especially after the horrors Deathwing unleashed."

After a moment, she slowly nodded, her eyes staring off into space as she did.

Neltharion turned to Wrathion. "Wrathion, the last pure male black dragon," he slowly said, "I lay upon you the biggest responsibility within the entire flight."

Wrathion gulped nervously, never finding the room so hot before. "My time as an Aspect may be close to its end. While I still live, many view me as unfit for the title. I hope to gain that trust back, but I may not be able to. I will not put my pride before the betterment of all dragons, so I will step down if I must, which brings me to my point.

"Should I die or relinquish my powers as the Earth-Warder, I want you, Wrathion, to take my place as Aspect and father of the Black Dragonflight."

"What?" Wrathion said in surprise. "You want me to lead the flight?"

"Yes," Neltharion curtly replied. "Your purity gives you a unique reason to lead. Without the whispers, you will be able to think with a clearer conscience than any of us can. I also know you to be smart and calculating, and I saw you lead the flight into battle at Wyrmrest. All of these things are why I want you to take my place, if necessary.

"When you led the defense of the temple, the flight followed you. They fought alongside you in my absence, putting their trust in you."

"But I am not made to be a leader," Wrathion said.

"It is always those who do not seek power that rise to the occasion and claim it when their people need them. I trust in you, and so does the flight. I am sure you can handle this if need be."

"Do not mistake my apprehension for ungratefulness because I am honored that you would want me to lead in your absence. It's just… a lot to take in is all," he concluded.

"I understand. I tell you this now so you can have time to prepare, should I retire." Neltharion put a hand on Wrathion's shoulder, trying to comfort him. "As I said, I have faith in you. You must have faith in yourself."

"Thank you, father."

Neltharion chuckled to himself, realizing just how philosophical he had been sounding. He remembered the last thing he wanted to discuss with them before letting them return to their day. He looked again at Crystal, who was a little more composed than she was a few minutes ago, and took a breath.

"It was revealed to me recently that the one respo—" he started to say before being interrupted.

"Lord Neltharion," a voice called from near the entrance of the cave. A blood elf in red robes walked towards the three dragons, his eyes yellow.

"Yes?" Neltharion answered.

"Lady Alexstrasza requests your presence at the Obsidian Dragonshrine."

"Can it wait? I'm in the middle of something."

"She said it was important, sir."

"Okay then," he acquiesced, "I will be there shortly." He turned around, looking back at the two humans. "I will return soon, and we can continue then."

With that, he walked with the blood elf to the entrance of the volcano. They both turned into their draconic forms, both stretching their wings. Neltharion went into the air.

Alexstrasza looked in the distance, seeing Neltharion soaring through the sky next to her messenger, not too far from the dragonshrine. She turned to the members of her flight behind her, smiling. "Thank you all for this. I'm sure he will be pleased."

They nodded in agreement, looking back to the sky and seeing the black dragon angling down to the ground. With a loud thud, he landed on the snowy ground in front of the dragonshrine. He lumbered toward her, crushing pounds of snow beneath his claws as he did.

"It's good to see you again, brother."

"And I, you," Neltharion replied, coming up to her.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you here."

"Yes."

"Well, I know that your flight has been without a home for quite some time now, and it pains me to see them trying to find places to live with no real shelter for them. You may have a home, but it is hardly big enough to house dozens of dragons."

"So," she said while smiling, "I, with the help of some of my flight, have done something to remedy the situation. I think you'll find it most satisfactory." She turned around, walking past other dragons and coming up to a giant rock face that was off to the side of the dragonshrine entrance. She whipped her tail around, slamming its spiked end into part of the mountainside. The rock she hit shattered, crumbling apart and revealing an opening through the mountain.

Neltharion leaned in, trying to see what was inside. Alexstrasza motioned him forward with a claw, so he went over to the hole. It was not large enough for him to fit through, but he guessed that any other dragon could. He looked back at his sister with a puzzled expression.

"Go inside," she beamed at him.

He changed his body, shrinking to the size of a regular drake. As he looked inside the opening again, he could see that whatever was inside was a lot bigger than he had thought. There was an enormous chasm within the mountain, its size still unknown. He folded his wings tightly to his sides and went through the entrance. He walked through a dark tunnel that was wet and moldy, unsuitable for a creature to live in for long.

Alexstrasza's talons scraped on the ground behind him, so he continued to go forward through the tunnel. Eventually, he was able to leave the dank area, finding himself in a new area. This one was larger than the last because he could barely see the walls since it was so dark.

"I don't understand," he said to his sister, who was now at his side.

"Just wait," she said. She lifted her head and brought flames to her mouth. She released them in a steady stream directly above her, the fire going into a small chasm in the ceiling. Upon stopping, she looked back at Neltharion with a large smile. He was about to say something, when the room lit up with a purple flash. The walls around him crumbled away, revealing the absolutely massive chamber he was in.

It completely dwarfed him. The ceiling was high above him, and there were all kinds of cutouts in the walls. He could make out small living caves in the cutouts, and lava flowed down the walls between them. There had to be a few hundred of the caves, and the main room could fit nearly five hundred dragons. There was a large pool of lava at its center, illuminating everything. The floor was a shiny obsidian, and most of the walls were volcanic glass.

It was perfect for a black dragon. It had the look of a volcano, it felt nice and toasty, it had damp air, and it was large enough for them to roam around in.

"Wow," Neltharion muttered, still taking in the cave.

"Do you like it?" Alexstrasza asked, a little worried and anxious at the same time.

"I love whatever it is," he simply replied. "What is it, by the way?"

She chuckled. "It's your flight's new home. It should fit all of you, and then some. I hope you like it." She turned to him with a smile.

"You did all of this," he said, his voice full of emotion, "just for me?"

"With the help of some of my flight, but yes."

He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you so much," he whispered into her ear without any hint of sarcasm.

"You're welcome, Nel," she answered, her cheeks feeling warm.

"Crystal will love this place too," he said. "It will be a safe shelter for her, considering her rough past."

Alexstrasza's smile instantly fell apart. "Crystal?" she asked, trying to keep her normal voice intact.

"There's no way I'm letting her stay anywhere other than here under my protection."

"Yeah," she whispered back, trying to hold back her emotions. She knew she was not being completely obvious, but could he not tell what she was trying to do? They have been there for each other for thousands of years as companions. Was he truly enthralled by Crystal more than her?

Neltharion was walking back to his personal home. Alexstrasza had acted weird ever since she told him she had made a new home for his flight. She went through the rest of the mountain, quickly explaining what each area was. She lost her excitement once he thanked her, and she acted like she wanted to leave as soon as she could. He did not know why, but he hoped he had not said something wrong. Maybe he sounded ungrateful?

He cleared his thoughts as he went through the entrance, in human form again. Crystal and Wrathion were waiting for him in the main room, and he went over to them.

"Sorry, that took longer than I thought it would. I hope you weren't waiting too long."

"It's fine," Crystal replied.

"Alexstrasza took me to our dragonshrine, where she and some of her flight built us a new home inside the mountain." They quietly gasped. "A home for the whole flight. It's got everything we need, and it's in the perfect spot."

"She did all that?" Wrathion asked. "I'm sure she's pretty happy with it then."

"That's just the thing," Neltharion began, "I thanked her, and she just seemed off after that. It's like she didn't want to be inside that place after that. I have no idea why, either."

Wrathion simply answered with, "Odd."

"Yes indeed," Neltharion said, mulling over her reaction. "Anyway, I came back so I could discuss what I was going to mention before I was interrupted earlier." Neltharion turned to Wrathion. "If you would leave the two of us for a moment. You should go see the new home while you're at it." The prince obliged, heading for the exit.

"What is it you want to talk about?" Crystal asked Neltharion, now that they were alone. "Is this about me being the last female?"

"Not quite," he grimly answered, making her a little worried. "When I first found you, you had been captured by those goblins. Did they do anything to you?" She stopped in her tracks. She had been avoiding that painful memory for quite some time, but she tried to remember it for him.

"They chained me up and muzzled me. There was this one goblin who was going to inject me with something, and then you showed up."

"Did the goblin actually inject you?" Neltharion asked, his voice heavy with concern.

"I… I don't remember," she muttered, not able to recall whether or not he interrupted the goblin.

"I hope they did not because the Old Gods were the ones responsible for your capture." The gravity of what he said hit her, causing her to gulp hard. "I suspect they were trying to… taint you. Without your purity, the flight's hope for a future would be doomed."

Seeing her panic, he put his hands on her arms, making her look up at him. "Let's not get too worried yet." He gave her a smile, calming her. "I'll have Alex make sure you're alright." She slowly nodded, seeming to calm down to at least some extent.

He pulled away, headed towards the exit. "Follow me."

Neltharion flew through the frigid skies with Crystal, Wyrmrest Temple quickly approaching. They landed a short distance away, shifting into their human forms before entering the temple. The two drakonids stationed inside greeted them, lowering their weapons.

"Do you know where Alexstrasza is?" Neltharion asked.

One of the guards responded in their scruffy voice, "She is in the Ruby Dragonshrine, Lord Neltharion."

"Thank you," Neltharion said with a respectful nod that the guards returned. He turned around, heading away from the temple. He transformed into a drake, taking flight with Crystal beside him. They soared over the barren land, quickly reaching the Ruby Dragonshrine. They landed in the snow, walking into the sacred area. Their claws felt the soft texture of the lush grass beneath them as the landscape changed.

Alexstrasza stood in her elven form in front of the large tree at the center of the dragonshrine, seemingly staring at it in thought. Its ruby leaves were as numerous as the remains of her flight that had helped grow the vibrant plant life within the shrine. Its bark held firm against all the years of calamity that had befallen it, and still, it persisted. The tree symbolized the Red Dragonflight's unwavering zeal that kept them alive for so long. The mortals, the Burning Legion, Deathwing himself—the flight had persisted through all of them.

Neltharion went into his human form, Crystal doing the same. He went towards Alexstrasza, who slowly turned around upon hearing their approach. Her face looked tired—but not from fatigue. Her expression seemed empty and devoid of the usual joy she always carried with her, her eyes looking the same. The trails of tears from her eyes to her cheeks were still wet with her pain, but she quickly dried them in an attempt to hide them. Neltharion walked up to her, noticing her current state. It chilled him to see her like that, more than he cared to admit.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and soft.

"Nothing, just thinking about the attack on the temple—" She looked over her shoulder at the bones recently added to the shrine. "—and all those that were killed because of it…" She let out a short sigh as she trailed off, looking back at him and masking her sadness. "Enough of that. What brings you here?"

"During the battle, I learned that it was the Old Gods who captured Crystal. The leader of the attack told me that they used it to make me vulnerable, but I am afraid they had another motive. When she was taken, the goblins were going to inject her with something, something that I'm worried could taint her pure blood." He put his hands on her arms. "Do you have any way to see if her blood is still pure?"

Alexstrasza looked at Crystal, eying her form. After a moment, she spoke. "I should be able to, but it might be painful."

Neltharion grimaced, but Crystal stepped forward, ready to endure whatever she had to. She looked up into his emerald eyes. "I can handle it, don't worry."

"It may also take a while," Alexstrasza added. "A couple of hours at least."

"You sure you want to do this?" Neltharion asked again.

Crystal nodded. "Whatever it takes for the flight to continue."

"Alright, do whatever you have to," Neltharion said, turning back to his sister. "Thank you, Alex."

"Of course," she answered, giving him a warm smile. Neltharion remembered one other thing he wanted to ask before leaving.

"What ever happened to the leader of the Old God forces?"

"Tinnidas is still alive. He is recovering from his injuries and is barely conscious, but it is only a matter of time before he realizes where he is." She paused, raising an eyebrow at him. "Why are you so interested in him anyway?"

"I have a feeling he is going to be feeling just as broken as I was when I first returned. Despite me being the reason for his brokenness, I think I will be able to help him. If anything, I owe it to him."

"Be careful, brother," Alexstrasza warned, "he is still dangerous."

"I thought his Void powers were gone?"

"That may be true, but the Old Gods still have sway over his mind. I pulled his soul before it could reach the afterlife, but it is fragmented. He still has his memories, but he must adjust to no longer having the Void coursing through him. As long as he is lost, he will still be a threat."

"We were able to stop him before; we should be able to contain him now," Neltharion said.

"We stopped him, yes, but he almost killed you. He was strong enough to rip you apart, and I fear that was only a small portion of his power."

"As long as I am not chained up, he doesn't stand a chance."

"Still, you must be careful."

"I will be," he agreed, "but I see great potential within him. His rage blinded him and turned him to darkness, but I may be able to bring him to the light."

"We will see, brother."

Neltharion nodded, stepping back. "I'll leave you to your work."

A few hours later, Neltharion returned, this time to Wyrmrest Temple, finding Alexstrasza and Crystal waiting for him. He walked over to them, hoping that Crystal was fine.

"Did you finish?" he asked his sister, standing in front of her.

"I did," she flatly replied, leaving him waiting. "Everything points to her being fine." Neltharion let out the rather large breath he did not know he was holding. "She must not have been injected; either that or it was harmless. She's still pure, brother."

He pulled Alexstrasza into a hug, holding the back of her head as he whispered into her ear, "Thank you." She slowly returned the embrace, rubbing a hand on his back. When he pulled away, he gave her a grateful smile that made her smile as well. He turned to Crystal, pulling her into a hug as well.

Alexstrasza watched him hug her, making her smile drop. "I'll give you two a moment," she said, walking away.

Neltharion furrowed his eyebrows when he saw her leaving. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to arrange the Accord."

"Okay," he slowly muttered, watching her transform and fly away.