Transcendence
Chapter 07: Departure
Ichigo looked down at the patch of parchment that was laid down on the table, faded and crimpled from years of use and wear, like maps of old back on his world. It was a large map showing the entirety of Kalimdor, as well as the surrounding ocean. A massive asymmetrical rectangular continent, the regions separated by thin brown lines while the regions were varying in colours of green and dull brown.
The map was big and detailed to a degree, but it did not offer anything he needed in order to navigate his way from one side of the continent to the other. He could see small plated inscriptions for each region, Ichigo instantly recognised Feralas, finding the shape and writing familiar to the one he saw on the other map. But apart from that little bit of information the map offered nothing more than a simply picture of the continent.
Ichigo looked up from the map to Quintis, the Arch Druid who had provided the map, wondering how this piece of paper would be of any use. There was nothing except for an outline of the different areas and then a name for each one, how was this meant to get him to Theramore?
"What is this meant to be?" Ichigo asked, he noted that the stern faced druid simple raised a long brow at the question before replying.
"A map of Kalimdor, do you not have maps on your world?" Quintis inquired, wondering if his question may actually be true.
"We do, but we usually have it that they show something more than just the shape of the continent." Ichigo deadpanned, he actually had a better map showing some detail about central Kalimdor.
How was this meant to be of use? Ichigo had no idea, maybe put it on a wall for show or something, but not a means for navigation.
Quintis was silent for a moment after Ichigo's response, he quickly realized that the boy was obviously not of this world and likely didn't know the importance of the map. Quintis reached into a pouch on his belt and produced a small metal object from his pocket. The object was in fact a square shaped brass piece of metal that bordered around the coin sized clear crystal.
Stepping forward the druid placed the crystal at the top of the map, and as soon as he took his hand away the crystal began to glow and several unseen runes in the brass appeared. Ichigo looked at the sudden glowing paper weight with surprise before he watched the image of Kalimdor suddenly begin to go oily and the colours began to shift.
Quintis then place a finger on top of the area that was Feralas, as soon as his finger touched the fabric the image from where he touched began to quickly change. Soon the map of Kalimdor was replaced by a detailed map of Feralas, the map turning green and several markers appearing in different locations and area.
Ichigo was surprised by this sudden alteration; it would seem that these people use magic is many things other than just fighting. He never really was interested in the magic Shinigami employed, it never really interested him, but seeing this made him wonder what he was ignoring. They could make maps that can change and alter appearance, create portals between different places over vast distances; he even heard that the mages can conjure food. Ichigo wondered if the Shinigami in Soul Society could do something similar to that, conjure food from nothing, would be interesting he supposed.
"How did you do that?" Ichigo asked, looking for an explanation at the sudden display of magic.
"The Map may show the world, but it is the paper weight that holds the detail," Quintis replied, placing his hand over the stone and lifting up and showing it to Ichigo. "These specially made objects are enchanted and used along with a map to allow for easy exploration."
Quintis placed it back on the map before pressing his finger down on it again, this time on a small island off the coast of Feralas.
"With it one can expand the view of a map, allowing for a detailed view of the region and area." Quintis said, as the image of the Sendor Isle appeared, revealing a map of the entire isle and Feathermoon Stronghold, again Ichigo was surprise by the detail in the drawing.
Ichigo could make out the detail of the different buildings just off the north eastern coast of the Isle, where the stronghold resides. He saw each of the buildings that reside within the area as well as small dull brown lines leading between the buildings, obviously well-travelled paths and roads. He also noticed there were small details around the map, including a few details of structures around the south western part of the island.
"Sadly the map is also based off memory, though it can give you a brief idea of the land based on generic copies that are produced, it is through the stone that allows the map to become more detailed." Quintis said, taking the weight off the map and placing it back in his pouch.
Ichigo understood that in a sense, and it was definitely a very useful tool, both in war and for simple exploration. With this scouts could map out different areas easily and show them the details within a fortress. Basically the more a person knew about an area they went through the better the detail of the map would be after they placed the stone on the map. Giving a clearer picture on what the region was like when you went there the first time.
"Are you going to give me the stone?" Ichigo asked, that would likely be useful as this guy likely was well travelled and knew what was out there.
"Yes, can't have you running off headless in the wilds." Quintis said, and Ichigo looked at him expectantly, as if silently asking him to hand it over. "Oh no, not my stone, Adelina's will be more appropriate."
"Adelina?" Ichigo asked, wondering why her stone and not his, there's no way her stone could have more detail than Quintis'.
"Ah, she hasn't told you, no matter she will likely when we see her at the docks." Quintis said, before turning off and moving for the door before Ichigo could clarify what he meant about Adelina. "As much as getting to your destination is important, there is also getting there safely that you need to keep in mind."
Ichigo and Quintis walked side by side, moving out of the room and into the open area of the inn, several people mulling about not giving them a glance.
"There are several factions and tribes you need to be aware of when going to Theramore," Quintis said with grave seriousness, looking at Ichigo we an even more creased frown. "There is the Horde, they control the Barrens and much of Thousand Needles; I assume you have heard of them."
"I have heard about the Horde, but not much, who are they?" Ichigo inquired, he had heard of the Horde a few times from Adelina but nothing specific aside from mentioning of several races and also their reputation as barbaric monsters who crave blood and war.
"The Horde is a faction of several different races that have formed a coalition with one another for mutual survival." Quintis said. "The races that make up the Horde are as follows:"
"The Orcs, they are a race of war-like green skins who have been noted to have a very hostile stance towards humans, best to avoid their kind entirely. They are extremely dangerous, do not approach or engage them in battle, they may be brutish animals but they are far from unskilled." Quintis said.
Ichigo nodded to the Druid, saying he both understood and as a sign to continue.
"Trolls, they are savage and cannibalistic mongrels that dabble in dark magic and practice equally dark acts of cruelty. They will likely attempt to capture or wound you, using trickery or poison, they are deceptive and cunning, never allow them to fool you. It will mean your life." Quintis said, a snarl on his lips as he mentioned them, it would appear he had some interest in them.
"Tauren, although their race is known well to us and are quite peaceful, in fact many times in the past we have worked alongside them. But now, they have allied nearly every tribe in Kalimdor into a confederacy, and joined the Horde. They cannot be trusted." Quintis said, moving along without another word as they finally left the Inn and walked through the open area in the middle of the stronghold.
"There appears to be a fourth unknown groups simply known as the Forsaken, although I have little knowledge on them other than they are across the sea and in a place called Lordaeron." Quintis said, brushing it off as if would not affect Ichigo what-so-ever in his trip to Theramore.
"So they control everything between here and Theramore right?" Ichigo asked, if these guys were what he was dealing with than he needed to know what he was up against.
"Yes, Thousand Needles has several Tauren outposts and bluffs that are under Horde control, but not all the Tauren there are fully under the Hordes banner. The Grimtotem tribe are among them, a rouge group of Tauren that had a very dark reputation." Quintis answered.
"Okay, but what do I do if I run into them? You said you worked with them before, can't I just say I am passing through?" Ichigo said, he said they were peaceful so maybe he could just go by without a hitch.
"The Tauren may be peaceful but they know war like anyone else, they may not see you as a threat but they may still attack out of spite, especially the Grimtotem tribe since they are a more fanatical group," Quintis warned, it was not wrong to be optimistic, but being realistic about certain races was better.
Ichigo knew that there had to be more to this, sure he was being given the run down as he was likely going to be leaving in a few minutes but still he felt like he was missing all the details. He just hoped that if he ran into these guys that he could work his way out of it, rather than fight and hurt anyone.
"Anything else?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, the Galak Centaur tribe is also in the area, very dangerous. Cannibalistic bastard children of one of the Sons of Cenarius," Quintis said venom in his tone at the mention, something Ichigo had no idea about. "They are completely without reason or remorse, best to run from them or hide; they travel in large hunting parties and will likely kill you and eat your corpse."
Ichigo did not like the sound of that one bit.
"Shit, what the hell kind of messed up world did I land on?" Ichigo murmured to himself, forgetting about the Elf's acute hearing.
"This world is a very dangerous one; many dangers lurk around every corner and in every dark pit." Quintis said, looking at Ichigo and stopping him for a moment. "But do not assume that all is dark and bleak, as dark as some places are there are those graced with peace and non-conflict and always bathed in light."
Ichigo to his embarrassment tried to make it clear that he wasn't trying to insult them or their planet or anything.
"Hey, I wasn't trying to insult you or anything, just saying ever since I got here I have been attacked and knocked around," Ichigo said, waving his hands slightly in a manner of surrender.
"True, you do seem to be on the receiving end of others. But still, remember that they are the main opposition you will face in your journey to Theramore, of them all the Horde is likely the last you will run into." Quintis said. "They may control the Barrens and Thousand Needles, but those areas are very much contested with the other residence there so you may be able to pass through without being noticed."
"So I will likely run into those Centaur things and those Grimtotem guys?" Ichigo asked.
"That and other lesser known forces, don't worry, Adelina will tell you about it as you go." Quintis assured, before continuing on towards the docks, leaving a very confused Shinigami wondering what he meant about Adelina going to tell him about it.
Ichigo quickly followed after the Druid and soon the docks came into sight, a long wooden bridge that expanded over the water and towards a waiting ship. Several crewmen were busy getting the ship ready to depart, fastening the sails and tightening down the ropes. But the crew of the ship were not the only ones on the dock, Ichigo saw Shandris waiting on the pier along with Adelina. The young druid was being given a large knapsack by Shandris; the young druid nodded her head and thanked the Ranger General.
"Shandris," Quintis greeted with a nod, gaining both the elven women's attention.
"Quintis, Ichigo," Shandris said glancing at both of them in turn, her gaze finally settling onto Ichigo who fumbled slightly in his own greeting.
"Shandris," Ichigo said, bowing slight, not too sure about how to show proper respect to people here. Though he wasn't one for formalities, hell he called the Captain Commander gramps and never bowed to him, but in unfamiliar territory it is better not to step on anyone's toes and risk a possible violent confrontation.
"I assume you are ready to depart?" Shandris inquired, looking at Ichigo and back to the Feathermoon Ferry that was docked at their port, personally called to transport him over the waters and to the coast.
"Yeah, Quintis has been telling me about all the different things I might run into, just hope that I don't run into anything else out there." Ichigo said, not wanting to be on the receiving end of a variety of monsters that would be after him for sport or worse, food.
"We actually," Adelina said, stepping forward with a small smile, making Ichigo look at her in surprise. "I request to accompany you to Theramore."
"You want to come with me? Why?" Ichigo asked, wondering why she would want to leave the safety of this place for the harsh wilderness and likely harsher wildlife.
"Yes, I wish to repay you for saving my life, for that my life is bound to yours until I fulfil the debt, I cannot let you leave on a dangerous journey without repaying you." Adelina said, smiling at him with reassurance.
"You realize that it will be dangerous, and you still want to come? I don't know if we might get through it without a fight," Ichigo said, not wanting to possibly risk someone's life on the off chance they could get hurt, Adelina was nice but he didn't want her to risk her life for him.
"You need not worry about me, I may be young but I am well versed in combat and will not hinder you," Adelina said, but Ichigo was more worried about dragging her into a life or death situation rather than thinking she would be a hindrance.
"Yeah, but still…" Ichigo said, trying to think of something that could save her the danger and him the worry about her possibly getting hurt.
"Please, I wish to repay you for you deed, had it not been for you my time in this world would be over, I wish to ensure that your life does not fade and at least send you back to your world." Adelina said, trying to reassure Ichigo of her commitment.
Ichigo looked into her almost pleading eyes and saw Adelina was truly begging to come with him; she really wanted to repay him for saving her. He was silent for a moment and thought it over; there were definitely some pros and cons about bringing her with him. For one she likely knew how to read a map and probably at least knew where the hell they would be if she opened it. That would be great, saves him walking around in circles like a headless chicken or accidently running into something.
Of all the things he could think of that was the only good reason to bring her along, because she could lead him to Theramore without a problem. Ichigo just hoped that they didn't run into something that would put her at risk; he couldn't live with something like that on his conscience if she got hurt.
"If you do not wish me to come I will not," Adelina said, Ichigo looked at her and sighed in relief, satisfied she would remain behind and be safe. "I will simply follow you and make sure you do not make a wrong turn into a Gnoll nest by accident."
Ichigo groaned when she finished her sentence, she couldn't be serious.
"You're joking right? You're going to stalk me?" Ichigo asked, desperate if this was some kind of elf joke where they make fun of the human.
"No, I would only watch you from a distance in hiding to ensure you are safe. Why would you think I will prey upon you like a panther would a deer as you go through the forest alone and without protection and attempt to kill you and devour your corpse?" Adelina said, confused by Ichigo's meaning, she had no idea why he would think she would stalk him like a panther would a deer and attempt to kill him, maybe it was a human thing.
Ichigo looked at her mouth agape, what kind of fucked up world is this, and why the hell was she speaking like that.
"That is exactly stalking! You're following me without me knowing and watching me!" Ichigo shouted back, what the hell was wrong with her. "And where the hell did the killing and eating me part come from?!"
"Oh, so it is a human expression, your culture is so strange," Adelina said, wondering what else she could learn from him in their time together, all the while blowing off Ichigo's previous question.
Shandris chuckled slightly to herself, always finding the young druid to be quite humorous at times. Always fascinated by humanity, mainly their culture and ways, despite her very small amount of knowledge aside from where they are and look like, she had no idea about their customs.
"If you two are done you might want to get ready to depart, the ship will be leaving soon," Shandris said.
"Yeah, thanks." Ichigo said before turning to Adelina, and with a sigh he spoke to her. "Okay, you can come with me; don't want you skulking through the bushes ready to pounce on me."
"Thank you Ichigo," Adelina replied with a smile.
As Ichigo moved forward Shandris stepped in front of him, stopping him from getting to the ship. She stared into his eyes for a moment, gauging them for a reaction, fear, apprehension or anger. But all she saw was confusion as he waited for her to explain why she was stopping him, no worry she was going to attack or try to hurt him. He either thought she could not do it, making him seem arrogant, or that he didn't think she would attack him. That he may actually trust her, and in his eyes he could see that he held no animosity or amusement, he was simply waiting for her to speak.
"Despite my previous attitude towards you, and my actions in trying to determine if you were a danger to my people and this fortress, I do wish to offer my thanks for your acts of bravery." Shandris said, bowing her head towards him in respect. "You saved many of my warrior's lives and maybe even this entire fortress, for that I cannot properly thank you other than to allow you a chance to return home."
Shandris did not see anything change in his expression; instead it remained completely neutral even when he replied.
"It's nothing really; I understand why you had to do what you did." Ichigo waved off, not wanting her to think so highly of him or her to give an apology for doing what she was meant to do. "You had people to protect, I understand you have to do everything you can to do that; you don't have to say anything about it."
"You are quite humble for a young man; I would have expected an arrogant and boisterous fool rather than such modesty." Shandris replied, finding the human's apparent humility quite refreshing, most of the ones she met would soak up the praise.
"Not really, I had to help you, people were dying and I could help, it was as simple as that." Ichigo said, his words true and serious, Shandris let out a ghost of a smile at the statement.
"I can a respect warrior like that," Shandris said, before beckoning them towards the ship. "Your ship awaits, it will take you to the Forgotten Coast and from there Adelina will guide you on your journey."
Ichigo nodded, he turned to face Quintis and stuck out his hand. The elder druid looked at it and grasped Ichigo's forearm, Ichigo was expecting a handshake but this works to.
"Thanks for your help, I don't think I could have done it without your help," Ichigo said to the Elder Druid and the Ranger Sentinel, letting out a small but very rare smile.
"It is no issue Ichigo, may Elune watch over you both," Quintis said, releasing Ichigo's arm and letting both the Death God and his young Apprentice walk off towards the ship.
Ichigo walked up the ramp of the vessel and quickly took to the railing, looking back towards Feathermoon Stronghold. Soon the Captain of the ship began shouting off orders, getting the crew of the ship in order to depart for the Forgotten Coast. Within a minute the ship was sailing off, slowly drifting away from the dock before allowing a westerly wind push them towards the mainland.
Shandris and Quintis watched as the ship depart, moving slowly off into the distance, its form becoming nothing but a shadow in the thick fog of the early morning.
"Do you think I made the right choice?" Shandris asked, watching as the shadow of the ship disappears into the fog, barely visible even to her keen eyes.
"I trust the boy and his word, I do not doubt he will keep to his promise," Quintis said, turning away from the fading ship towards Shandris. "Do you doubt him?"
Shandris was silent for a moment, thinking about what she felt about letting the boy depart from her fortress. She turned away from the open sea and looked to her fortress that had been saved by that boy along with nearly every single Sentinel that now roamed it.
'…I had to help you, people were dying and I could help, it was as simple as that.'
His words were innocent but sincere, and they stuck with her as much as the actions he performed to protect this place. She could not doubt him on that, for what he did, but still she had many fears of what would occur if she let him roam free.
"I have only come to trust a handful in the Alliance, and I am sending a God of Death to someone I not only trust but consider a dear friend, I am have every right to have doubts." Shandris said, lowering her gaze before walking away from the docks.
"You think he will betray us?" Quintis asked, wondering what the Ranger General was thinking.
"No, I find him quite admirable, despite him being a human and but a child he has shown qualities that make him much more mature," Shandris said. "But still, one who carries such a title, how can I not feel unease at what kind of impact he may have on the world."
Shandris said no more as she left, moving away from the docks and back to the fortress. Quintis remained stationary for a moment, he understood her concerns, but he did not doubt that the boy would likely have some kind of impact. But he did not think that what he would bring was evil and dark, his soul was more pure than that, despite his oppressing power he was not an evil god looking to carve a piece of this world off for himself.
"We can only wait to see what will come of this," Quintis said, looking to the fading ship and wondering, having a strange feeling that the boy was bound for great things.
Eldre'thalass, Shrine of Eldretharr
"Wait…! It was foolish of me to challenge you," The Green Satyr said, crawling away along the dirty white stone tiles, trying to escape the imposing shadow that loomed over him despite how far he tried to crawl away.
"Please, show me mercy and I will pledge my loyalty to you great one." Alzzin pleaded, his sickly green skin and fur soaked black with blood, and his legs broken and mutilated.
The Wildshapers only response was a beam of shadow fire that shot through his chest and blew out through his back, exploding on the ground behind him in a fiery blaze of blackness. The Satyr fell back; its last emotion utter shock as it realized his own fate, and into the shadowy fires that had ended its life and intended to consume the rest of him.
All around the Satyrs that watched the execution of their former leader growled and hissed nervously, the one who killed him still standing there with his pale bony finger outstretched. Fel magic still twirling against the tip of his long black nails.
Abraxus lowered his hand and glowered at the treacherous curs that surround him, daring another to try and attempt to betray him as this one had done. He would root out all opposition and rule these cretins with a single law, none oppose him and all obey him. That already smoldering piece of meat only a few feet from his was the first example he would make. Anyone else who tries to take control would meet a similar fate as he, but only they will not die before he feeds them to the flames.
Already he could see them submitting, dropping down to one knee and showing their allegiances lie only with him. For the moment.
Abraxus turned away from the rabble he had been forced to deal with the last two weeks, using these worthless excuses of demons to further his holdings within the city. He was not content with simply have a third of it, he wanted it all, take everything in this city and make it his own. Abraxus turned and sat on his throne, growling at the uncomfortable stone and narrow seat, he barely fit into it without having to squeeze in and try not to slide out.
Looking at the rabble that were pledging their undying allegiance to him, nothing but cut throat Satyrs and a few trents under their control, they were all pathetic. They would be of little use to him other than expendable soldiers to bring forth a much grander force. First he would need to go about doing that; he would need to bring his servants here to begin his plans for conquest.
'I need reinforcements,' Abraxus thought to himself, he would need to summon them here to begin his conquest.
He scanned the creatures before him, looking for someone that held some potential, a powerful Warlock or Sorcerer, someone to perform the necessary rituals. His eyes shifting through them all, feeling the dark aura within them all and searching for the right person for the job. He found it soon enough, a single being that possessed the power needed to bring his legions here.
"You, Warlock, approach!" Abraxus ordered, pointing to an elven woman in the dark corner of the temple.
A pale skinned Blood elf, with long blonde hair and glowing green eyes that danced with great amounts of fel energy. She wore a long ankle length skirt of red and black with gold lining and patterns, with a tight fitting long sleeved shirt that had a deep V-neck and exposed her midriff. A long silver staff in hand, with a large black crystal that released a steam of shadowy energy.
She stood before Abraxus and bowed to him, smiling in a seductive manner as she rose back up and addressed her new master.
"Yes, Lord Abraxus," Lethtendris spoke, "How may I serve you?"
"Prepare a portal to the Nether, I need to bring forth reinforcements to this hovel and begin to take control." Abraxus ordered, leaning into his throne and grimacing as he had to plant his hooves into the tiles to keep himself from sliding out of it.
"But my lord, where will we draw the power from?" Lethtendris asked, she had not the power to summon a grand host as her master required, even if she drew the power from the entirety of the eastern part of the city.
"From the same source that allowed you to control these miserable ancients, the power that lies within this shrine." Abraxus said, turning towards the large decrepit and diseased tree just behind his throne, pulsing with power. "Drain it dry and use that power to bring about my army."
"Of course my lord," Lethtendris replied, smiling before moving forward towards the tree known as the Felvine.
It was once known as the Fruit of Fertility and gave this entire city life, every plant and tree was nourished by the roots of this once beautiful tree. Every Ancient and Trent that walked this city would feed on the energy that radiated from the tree, giving them strength and keeping them pure and healthy.
But now it was a corrupted and foul thing, dark sap poured from every opening and break in the bark. From it seeped only corruption and demonic energy, turning anything in the city into shadows of their former selves. Twisting the ancients and trents into mindless and savage walking monsters of bark and rotted wood, subservient to only the one who controls the tree.
"As for the rest of you, you will serve or die, I will not allow treacherous curs into my army," Abraxus said, gesturing to the corpse of the recently deceased Satyr who called himself the Wildshaper. "Let his burning corpse a forever reminder of what will happen to those who displease me."
The Satyrs did not give a reply or say another word only lowering their head in obedience, which was something that Abraxus found ever so pleasing. To afraid even to speak a word to him, that is how he ruled, through fear and power. As long as he held the power none could oppose him, not his enemies and certainly not his servants.
"Prepare for war, we have much to do," Abraxus said, and soon enough the Satyrs began to rush off, moving to the command of their new lord.
Charging up the ramps and howling as they moved off to face their enemy, not caring who they had to face, only facing them for it was their masters will.
"I will rule this city, and then I will burn this entire world to nothing." Abraxus said to himself, glaring into nothing as he thought of his next move.
The Broken Commons
A battle was raging below, ogres and satyrs were fighting one another in brutal melee. The two armies tearing into one another, with swords and axes, with claws and fists. Never giving a single ounce of restraint was shown, no quarter given to the wounded and no mercy to those who tried to beg for pity. The streets and walls were littered with bodies and drenched in blood, hundreds had fallen, and many more were on their way to join them. The entire eastern and northern part of the city was in chaos, the Gordunni ogres and the Satyr tribes were at each other's throats.
"This was not meant to happen,"
Above the battle standing on a pillar was a single figure, short and childlike in appearance yet it was nothing more than a deception. Blond hair tied up in two curls on either side of her head. She had pale white skin, and wearing thick robes of white, black and gold. In the small woman's hand is a long silver and gold staff with a crystal on its tip.
She was Chronormu, Agent of the Bronze Dragonflight and Temporal Investigator. Currently she was on a case, and observing a major deviation in the timeline.
Her gold eyes glared down at the battle, observing the events unfolding below with a scowl of irritation at events that were never meant to occur. Everything that had happened within this city for the last two weeks have been escalating and causing minor to major shifts in the timeline that were causing all kinds of problems.
The massive war that had erupted seemingly out of nowhere between the Satyr tribes of Eastern Dire Maul and the Gordunni Ogres of the North was one of those problems. Something has changed the timeline, causing them to fight one another and lead to several temporal shifts in the true timeline causing damage to the true timeline.
Her eyes focused on the battle below, her eyes seeing more than just what was happening now, but also what happened before and after. Glimpsing into the past, present and future of the events as they unfolded, and into the events as they were meant to happen.
The true timeline was clear to her, for she had seen it many time and the events were clear and concise as to what would transpire as how they should. She could see the clear streets with ogres roaming them mindlessly, under no threat from the demons in the east or fighting for survival. The Satyr tribes hiding in the deepest and darkest reaches of the Eastern section of Eldre'Thalas, plotting their schemes, yet nothing coming from it.
But that timeline had changed, no longer were the two remaining within their little quarters of the city, now they were fighting for dominance over the city as a whole. Even now she could see the result of these actions, seeing glimpses into the future fates of all those below her.
Images flashed in her mind, showing the ogre clans forcing their way through the dwindling Satyrs, invading their part of the city and seizing it as their own. The Gordunni warriors standing over the dead, dead Satyrs and Ancients all abound and littering the eastern quarter, victorious and controlling over half of the city. That was of little concern, for the Satyrs had little role in the events as they were to come, the ogres however would pose a danger for the future.
Their rampant attacks will eventually lead them to waging war against the Highborne, leading to a long and bloody conflict that will decimate the elves population. This conflict would lead to the eventual deaths of many key members within the Shen'dralar that would have important roles in the future. She could make out several that would play paramount roles in the future, Mordent Evershade being the most important.
His actions would eventually lead to the Highborne and Night Elves to finally mending old wounds and joining forces against… Chromies cursed when her vision blurred as she tried to gaze deeper into the future. But like many times before she was unable to do so, she could not glimpse that far into the future without something preventing her from doing so.
Six years, that was how far she could see into the future, but she once could see centuries into the future. Seeing the birth and fall of empires and kingdoms, but now she was unable to glimpse but a mere six years into the future. But she knew that it was a major event, one that would decide the fate of all Azeroth to come, she did not know how or why, she just knew. And the Highborne would play a part in it, and their untimely demise would only tip the balance of the scales to a catastrophe that could mean not only the end of Azeroth, but the unravelling of time.
The Bronze Dagonflight could look into the future of a single being and see the events unfold, their beginning to their end they could find out the important pieces of their life through images and small glimpses into the future. But events that occur within an area could also be observed, simply by looking at it they could observe the events as they unfolded without having to be there. Watching the course of a thousand years in a matter of seconds without having to take a step into the past, it was their power and their gift.
That is what she was seeing now, the defeat and eradication of the Satyrs from the city, within three and a half weeks they would be gone completely. The ogres would be proud of their achievement, fuelled by their victory and using it to push them to further conquests. They would attack the Highborne, leading to a four year long war that would lead to the deaths of thousands and end with the exodus of the Highborne into the wilds.
She could see it now, the Elves would depart and be without guidance and leadership, they would succumb to the world and be scattered and divided. Like cockroaches they will scattered and search for a place to be safe and satiate their hunger for the arcane, ignoring the fate they were originally meant to accomplish. They were never meant to leave the city then, they left eight month to early, and irreparably change the future.
The Highborne were meant to rekindle their bond with the Night Elves, to come together and be as one people. That was their destiny, that was the fate that time had deemed they fulfil, but something was changing it.
Chromie had seen enough, she saw the event unfold and the impact they would have and she did not like them. These actions may seem little, but every single action must go according to plan. For every stone must be in its right place, no matter if it is to have no other purpose than to simply exist in that spot for eternity. It was her duty to ensure everything went as it was intended, and she would ensure that the events that were unfolding now would be corrected.
'Best return to the Caverns of Time, we need to deal with this quickly.' Chromie thought, turning and tearing open a portal to her home, creating a rift in time and space.
As the bronze dragon took a step forward she stopped, feeling a tremor overtake her body and setting her nerves on end. Quickly turning her back to the portal she gazed out over the city, her eyes searching for more than way lay in front of her, but also what lay in the timeline.
That tremor she had felt was her keen senses picking up a disturbance in the timeline, all Dragons of the bronze flight could sense shifts in the timeline. Like being in a calm river and feeling the currents, and anytime there was a ripple or crash they would feel it. What she had felt just moment ago was a very big shift, one that made her previous prediction seem unimportant.
She gazed down at the still raging battle below, her eyes seeing into the events that would unravel as time moved forward. Again images flew into her mind, seeing battles and conquests, but not ones where the ogres succeed and are victorious. The images she was witnessing now were those that showed a new victor in this battle, the Burning Legion.
She saw flashes of many images, the Demons of the Nether invading through portal and decimating the ogres quickly and leaving carnage in their wake. The demons eventually taking most of the city, before turning on the elves and hunting them down, stealing their arcane energies to further increase their power.
'This is impossible, there is no way.' Chromie thought, horrified with the implications she was seeing.
Chromie began to sweat, this was not meant to happened, and there was no way a change like this could have suddenly occurred. Again she watched as new events began to unfold before her, an entirely new set of events occurring in the timeline.
She watched as the Gordunni ogres were wiped out, none left but the scattered few throughout Feralas, leaving the Demons to attack the Highborne. Images of many battles taking place, the elves fighting bravely against the demons, but proving to be inferior to the overwhelming numbers of the legion. They succumb, their people being forced from the city in droves and leaving a scarce few alive, nearly wiping their race completely from existence.
Their deaths would lead to a massive distortion in the timeline, she could see it; she could feel it in her very being. What was happening right now was a major temporal shift, one that would require the immediate attention of the Dragonflight. But first she would need to locate the source of this sudden change.
Chromie looked out over the city, her eyes scanning for the source of that tremor to find out where it had come from and what the cause was. Shifting through the fates of hundreds of different beings throughout the city, their lives appearing before her as nothing more than a blur. Soon her gaze fell onto a certain Blood Elf, Lethtendris, a Warlock who sought to quench her addiction by feeding on the powers within the city. A task she was easily able to perform, by very twisted and sadistic means, but Chromie saw a shift in her fate.
The fate of Lethtendris was to be killed by a group of adventurers seeking glory within the city; she died at their hands as they explored the city in search of treasures and the Fruit of Fertility. Her death was scheduled to be in two months. But that fate was gone, someone had changed it for her and put the warlock to task in bringing the Legion to Dire Maul.
Chromie gazed into the woman's thread of fate to determine what caused the sudden change, and found it almost instantly; she had been put to work in creating demonic portals to the Nether. Draining the power from the Tree of Fertility and using it to create stable portals for the demons to cross over into their world. But those actions were not her own, for she had been put to the task, not performed it on her own accord.
Chromie quickly looked to see the cause to her sudden actions, looking into her thread and trying to find out what had made her do this. But as she came close she felt something push her back, she tried to gaze deeper but it would seem that a certain part of the timeline was sealed from her sight. Chromie furrowed her brow at this sudden display of temporal interference; she was being blocked in showing the cause of the changes in the timeline. It was not possible, something was actually blocking out a key moment in the timeline, something that shouldn't be theoretically possible. To block out the future and past completely was possible, simply by preventing the user from looking into the timeline.
But to actually block out a specific spot, completely prevent anyone from seeing it, and still be able to see everything else was unheard of. Chromie had never come across something like that before, someone had created a way to hide not only a specific event, but also the effect it would have when it was performed.
This was not good, not good at all.
Things were getting out of hand, and she needed to figure out what was happening before this escalated further and the timeline distorted itself even more. Chromie turned and leapt from the pillar and fell through a portal, she would need to report this to the rest of her flight.
