SOVEREIGN by J CAE
Meris's Interlude
Meris had only ever been human. This Naga body felt so different, though not unpleasant. Through those sallow eyes, she could not see very far on land--rather she 'perceived' her surroundings with her keen sense of smell. But it was a different story altogether in water. It was almost freedom to swim and dive depths without having to resurface for breath.
This strange shell had felt weird at first, but Meris soon learned how to control it. Though Vashj's souls were destroyed, her essence was still there, bounded by the banshee's will. Meris drank in her memories and extracted her knowledge. And she was shocked by how much the vile snake actually knew.
But Vashj had been living for sixteen thousand years--sixteen thousand years of hell. There was so much anger inside of her, that almost made Meris's own cause trifle. From the hatred for the common night elves at the time of Azshara, to the rage and sorrow of having everything taken from her, to the bitterness of Illidan's recent betrayal--they all seemed to scream out in Vashj's tortured mind. Meris lust for the ecstasy in her pain.
There was, however, also a soft spot in the Naga's heart which rather disturbed the banshee.
Kael'thas.
Thinking of him lowered Vashj's defences.
"Kill him!" Meris screamed. "Kill him after our task is done!"
She did not hear the snake's response--instead she felt something else she had not felt before.
Hand in hand with this tenderness came secret jealousy.
Images of the elven king sitting beside the Dark Lady's bed all night, neither moving, resting nor eating made the Naga tremble with anger--or was it only self-pity? In Kael's eyes she was not even the equal of a dead chunk of flesh! She remembered calling his name twice before she could get him to turn his face away from Sylvanas.
The Naga's essence struggled. The induced painful memories had its effects. She tried to resist Meris, but the banshee only pressed her harder. She yearned for more pain!
And Kael...was the reason she was suffering the way she was now. She had tried to be close to him, forgetting that she had already sworn allegiance to another master. It was her choice.
"But if he never existed, none of this would have happened!"
The sea witch had only followed Illidan because he promised he would help the Naga reclaim the surface world--and she knew he had the power. She tried her best to please him, to bind herself to his affection so he would not forsake her.
But in the end he had.
He had hurt her so badly.
His only consideration, ever, was for himself. He had never given a moment's thought to the Naga. It was no help to him if the Night Elves were wiped out, Vashj then realized. He had actually made an effort to reconcile with his brother--that damned Archdruid, and the woman he loved. But in order to please Kil'jaeden and destroy Ner'zhul, Illidan needed forces. He had to control the Naga's rage to ensure that they would stick by his side.
A few of the Naga leaders actually still believed in his empty lies--but not Vashj. She knew too long ago that she had been manipulated.
Seeing an opportunity, Meris grasped it, "I can help you put an end to Illidan. Make him pay for what he had done to you!¡¨
The sea witch now stopped struggling and listened, as if she was interested.
"I will lend you my strength. But the deal is this: you must in return help me put out the one who killed me."
It sounded reasonable enough. The Naga nodded in silent agreement.
"Sing. Sing again!"
The Sea Witch began to hum. A low but sweet song rippled through the ocean, luring thousands of dark and terrifying creatures to the scene.