Transcendence
Chapter 09: Common Enemy
Ichigo glared up at the sun from beneath his hand bandaged wrapped hand, using it to shield them from the rays of the hot sun that slowly continued its ascent into the sky. Ichigo felt his eyes sting from the sweat and dust that continued to get in his eyes and remain stuck under his eyelids. It was a constant pain to rub them free, having no choice but for him to rub his sweaty and dusty sleeve through them, and on occasion making it worse.
He wiped away the sweat away from his brow and eyes, relieving the sting of the salt perspiration for a moment. It could not be as easy for him to clear away his irritation; it remained solely fixated on his current location he was trapped within, a place that he had come to hate more than anything. It was completely surprising how one could hate a place so much, some people thought or school or maybe a certain city, but currently Ichigo decided this entire region desired his ire.
The Barrens lived up to its name perfectly, it was a dry rocky barren landscape that had no colour except for the rust coloured dirt that was continually swept into the air by blistering gusts of wind. The heat was unbearable and stung badly, Ichigo was sure he had sunburn; he had actually torn off a piece of his robes to wrap his hands and head just to stop them from burning. Ironically he looked like someone from that story he once read, and possibly a dream as well, Knights of Arabia it was called. How ironic it was, that he would be living out his dread, only in his dream he couldn't remember this kind of heat.
But even with the coverings he was still being cooked like a chicken in an oven, a hundred mile long oven that likely would be getting hotter as the day went on. This place was completely uninhabitable, how anything could live here or want to live here boggled his mind.
Why the Horde would want a territory like this, it was completely deserted and likely had little to no life in it what-so-ever. Ichigo had not seen a single living thing here, not even a damn vulture that likely would pick off anything in this hellhole. A day and a half of walking and all he has seen was the same expanse in front of them only get wider as they kept going. Slowly but surely the mountainous walls to the east and west began to retreat over the hazy horizon and slowly disappeared from view.
"How the hell is it so hot?" Ichigo groaned, looking down and finding no matter if the sun was on his face or if his new hood covered it, the sting of the heat was still there.
"This place was different once, it used to be no different from Ashenvale." Adelina replied back, she had a small green hood over hear head to block out the blistering rays from above.
"What happened?" Ichigo asked, feeling the need to scratch his head as his scalp began to dry out; he really hated the fucking desert.
"The War of the Ancients," Adelina replied back, and Ichigo instantly understood what she meant, he knew that the war had left the world in tatters at its conclusion.
Despite knowing the damage that was done during the war and in its closing moment, the world practically being torn in half was likely the major impact of the war. Ichigo found it still surprise that after ten millennia this place still had yet to recover from it, like ugly scars that were a constant reminder to those who knew the cause. He wondered what it would have been like had it never happened, it may have been pretty, too bad it wasn't, it likely wouldn't have been as damn hot.
Ichigo's thoughts drifted away from the heat and tried to focus on something else, quickly going to the topic that he and Adelina discussed a few days ago.
The War of the Ancients.
He could remember a few names of these ancients, Cenarius, Molorne, Urloc, Tortulla. Powerful God-like beings that Ichigo guessed were no different in a way to Shinigami back on his world, powerful spiritual beings meant to protect the balance of the world. But they were more than that, they took part in the mortal existence and helped shaped the world to be better than it was. But only when the world really needed it did they come along, he wondered if the Shinigami would do the same when the time was needed.
Another thing was the Sundering, as the Night Elves called it, was when the world was literally torn apart by the Well of Eternity imploding in on itself. It actually tore apart the continent and left it in pieces, something like that is almost unheard of.
He had seen a lot of things in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, he had seem people quite literally tear apart the world around them and leave nothing behind. He had seen the Shinigami and Arrancar literally able to destroy anything and everything around them in a matter of seconds. But he knew that not a single one of them was capable of tearing apart the world like what was described to him.
Ichigo thought that there was nothing in the World of the Living that could defeat anything in Soul Society or Hueco Mundo. But looking at what kind of things exist here and what he had yet to discover, he realized that even if you're a god, you can still be brought down by a mortal man. Kind of like the classic of how a man was defeated by his own arrogance, his hubris bringing his downfall.
Ichigo groaned and went off that subject of thought for a moment, not wanting to fry his brain while it was cooking in the hot sun. He couldn't lie that he found this completely interesting; the concept of another world is something millions of people have theorized over. The chance to go to one and speak with aliens is something no one would have thought possible, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
But he couldn't do anything about it, because he had something to do back on his world, Ichigo needed to get back home as soon as possible. He needed to stop thinking too much about this world, and more about getting to Theramore and back home. But sadly it was impossible to do, the more he thought about home the more anxious he became, his worries of what may be going on back there driving his nerve on end.
His paranoia giving form to ghastly and horrible images that ran through his mind, of his friends and family dead, of his world burning and Aizen standing over it all as the God he always wanted to be. Ichigo shook them clear, deciding that maybe letting his imagination run wild to the world around him was better than thinking on what was happening on the world he sought to return to.
Adelina was oblivious to Ichigo's emotional plight and continued onwards; slowing momentarily to pull out a water skin to have a quick gulp to parch her dry throat. As she grasped the water skin and pulled it free she hesitated, looking at the animal skin pouch she quickly gave it a shake. The water sloshed within but still Adelina could not help but feel worry seep into her heart and squeeze tightly. She turned back to Ichigo and looked at him worriedly.
"We should settle down for a while, I need to check something." Adelina said, and Ichigo complied, and not half an hour later they had found refuge under a small dead tree.
Ichigo rested against the tree, hearing the dry bark snap and fall onto his shoulders, much to his irritation as it slid into small opening in his collar. He looked up to see the blaring sun obscured by the trees thick dread branches, like bony claws trying to block out the sun for them, but failed poorly as small hot rays pierced through.
Adelina gave the tree little mind and was busy looking over the map and the assortment of supplies they had, that were spread out on a small piece of cloth. She traced her fingers over the map for a moment before quickly looking at their supplies and then back to the map. She let out a defeated sign before turning to Ichigo, wearing a despairing look as she spoke.
"We are low on water; we don't have enough to reach Theramore." Adelina said.
"How? I thought we had everything supplied," Ichigo said, but Adelina was at a loss, she too didn't understand why they wouldn't give them enough food and water to get through the regions.
Almost as soon as she thought of it she realized the answer to it, she rubbed her temple for forgetting something so important before cursing herself for failing such a simple thing.
"The Stronghold was short of water and supplies, Shandris said she could only give so much, she made suggestion we should visit a small sanctuary near the border of Feralas before we continue." Adelina said, cursing herself at forgetting such an important thing, specifically when she was told to do it. "Damn it, I should have known, I should have known."
"How much do we have left?" Ichigo asked, sitting up and moving over to see for himself, he saw three water skins, one looked full while the other two were about half and a quarter full.
"Two days if we ration it, by then we should be in Dustwallow Marsh, but the trek through it could take two to four days," Adelina said, not liking the situation, with little water and in such sweltering environments it would be certain death for them when their water ran out.
"Can't we get any water from there? It is a marsh after all." Ichigo asked, it was a marsh, maybe there was clean water or a river they could use.
"No, the marshes are toxic and cannot be used, we would simply get sick and possibly deathly ill, this is bad. There are no oasis' here, and with little water we may not be able to make it." Adelina said, trying to think of a way around this, trying to remember if there was anything she could do that could help.
Ichigo stood up, wondering what they could do as well, but as he looked up he froze for a moment. His eyes focusing on something he saw through the haze in the distance.
"Adelina," Ichigo said, keeping his eyes on the shadow as it began to grow in size and take on a very humanoid form.
The druid turned and quickly narrowed her eyes and she grasped her staff, she knew what she was looking at and got into a defensive stance. Adelina suspected that this might happen, and she knew exactly what that was, for they controlled this entire region.
"The Horde," Adelina said, some bite in her tone as she watched the shadow passed the haze of the distance and became a much clearer sight to them.
"What do we do?" Ichigo asked, he didn't want a fight despite the likelihood it would end that way.
"We fight, he will likely attack us without provocation, being Alliance or not a member of the Horde is reason enough to attack," Adelina said, much to Ichigo's discontent.
As the figure came within sight both could see it was a massive Bull-man, standing over nine foot and eleven feet in height. Covered neck to hoof in silver armour plates with black chain mail beneath, across his back was a large wooden shield and a long claymore strapped to his hip.
The massive creature stopped a few feet from them, its imposing size made even more threatening as he gazed at them with hard eyes and a strong grip around his weapon. Ichigo knew what this guy was, a Tauren was the name of their race, and he had to admit they were awe-inspiring at first sight.
Adelina prepared a spell, planning on immobilizing him first before killing him with a quick bolt of moonfire to the head. As the magical energies began to spring to life she halted, a hand on her shoulder forcing her to stop. Looking up she saw Ichigo the one causing her to hesitate in attack, much to her confusion.
"I'll try to talk with him," Ichigo said, but before Adelina could object to his tactic he continued. "I don't want a fight; if we can get out of this without fighting it will be for the better."
Adelina looked at him confused, thinking why he would want to avoid a conflict; he was an excellent swordsman and a capable warrior. But why would be he so quick to avoid a fight he could possibly win single-handedly if not for certain with her assistance. She would need to speak with him later, but at the moment they had to worry about the Tauren that was now standing before them.
"If he attacks I will trap him and you will kill him while he is ensnared," Adelina conceded, energy dancing along her fingertips as she prepared to cast the call at a moment's notice.
"No, I will do it alone, I don't want to kill him," Ichigo said, making Adelina raise an eyebrow in complete confusion, but she did not question it as he moved forward.
Ichigo slowly walked towards the Tauren warrior, his hands extended out from his side and making no hasty or threatening move. Ichigo just hoped that the Tauren he was approaching was friendly, or civil enough to listen to his case and not attack for any other reason than he could.
"Why are you here human," The Tauren demanded, his voice gravelly.
"Me and my friend are going to Theramore, were just passing through, we don't want any trouble," Ichigo replied quickly and clearly.
"Yet in the past you have proven otherwise to not cause trouble, this land is that of the Tauren, such as that mine your people created on the sacred land of the Stonespire Tribe." The Tauren replied, voicing his anger and stepping forward threateningly, making Ichigo shift slightly and twist his hand up towards Zangetsu.
Ichigo controlled himself, glancing back to Adelina to see that she wasn't going to do anything drastic. She was still there, standing there normally but had her hand tightly around her staff.
"Listen we are only passing through, we didn't desecrate your lands or anything, we just need to get to Theramore, please we mean no harm," Ichigo said, placing his hands up in a placating manner.
"That I do not believe, and even if I did, I would still not let you pass," The Tauren warrior retorted back.
Ichigo slid his right foot back and shifted his left side forward; he knew what was coming even before that Tauren drew his sword. Ichigo reached up for Zangetsu slowly while keeping his arm concealed from the Tauren's sight.
"My name is Drekhve Steelrage, for the safety of my people and the sanctity of the Earth Mother; I shall carry out this deed and cut you both down where you stand." The Tauren Warrior said, skulking forward with long strides, he drew his sword and shield quickly.
Ichigo's hand shot up and grasped Zangetsu, but before he could draw it, he had to jump aside before he was hit by the claymore that was thrown right at him. Ichigo watched the weapon shot past him and impaled the ground just behind him. In the moment he kept his eyes on the blade Ichigo nearly missed the shield that was moving right for his head. Leaning back and then backpedalling to get his bearing back from the sudden and unexpected attack.
Ichigo finally drew Zangetsu, the cloth falling away from the silver and black Zanpakuto, and as he did he brought it up to block the swing from Drekhve. Ichigo was surprised by the speed this guy had, he had barely noticed the weapon when it was thrown, and the eight meter gap the tauren covered in a second. Had Ichigo not been through a lot of life and death situation he would have likely either been impaled or had his skull caved in right about now.
'Need to focus,' Ichigo chided himself, not willing to be taken off guard so easily again.
Ichigo flicked the claymore off his Soul Cutter and retaliated, slashing down at the Tauren. Drekhve raised his blade up and blocked the blow easily, before he quickly shifted the angle of his blade. Zangetsu quickly slid off the claymore in a shower of sparks and collided with the ground a moment later.
Ichigo looked up at the Tauren from the corner of his eye, looking to see him about to counter, this guy was good. Instead of blocking Zangetsu with his shield or blade he chose to redirect the attack, preventing them from locking blade and to throw Ichigo off balance. Drekhve must have known his blade or shield wouldn't hold against Zangetsu, its size alone would cut through his claymore and shield easily.
'This might take a while,' Ichigo mused to himself.
Ichigo raised his palm and caught the shield, halting it only a few inches from his face. Ichigo pivoted around and swung Zangetsu around with his turn, aiming for the Tauren's side. But Drekhve quickly countered with his Claymore, jerking slightly from the hard hit.
'Such strength…' Drekhve thought to himself.
Drekhve pulled his shield from Ichigo's grasp and used it to knocked Zangetsu back, before swinging it back toward Ichigo again with his sword following close behind. Ichigo rose up and took a step back, raising his Zanpakuto and blocked the strike.
But Ichigo saw the shield strike was a feint, it wasn't aimed for his head, but for his exposed stomach. Dropping his hand Ichigo caught the shield just before it could connect with his stomach, but still the strike drove his own hand into his gut. Ichigo bit back a groan and retaliated, swinging Zangetsu up he parried the weapon away, after knocking the sword aside he attacked a second time, aiming for the Tauren's neck.
Drekhve leaned back and avoided having his throat cut open by only a hairsbreadth and quickly leaped to safety and away from a third attack that followed. Ichigo followed after the retreating warrior, Drekhve knocked aside the downward slash and quickly took up a defensive stance. Soon enough he was being attacked by a barrage of slashes, all aimed for his shield, trying to cut or break through it.
Drekhve staggered away from each blow, trying to keep his shield from shattering from each strike, the strength the boy possessed exceed his expectations. He knew if he allowed the human boy to land a direct hit his shield would shatter and he would be almost completely defenceless. He needs to keep the boy from attacking him directly.
"You're stronger that you appear," Drekhve said, deflecting a rising swing to the side and retaliated.
Ichigo didn't reply, instead he simply ducked under the decapitating swing. Ichigo didn't remain idle, pulling Zangetsu to his left side, quickly running under the claymore and to the Tauren's exposed flank. Ichigo twisted around and slashed up at the Tauren, aiming to sever his arms with a single swing.
Drekhve in a moment of panic leaned back and raised his arms over his head to save himself losing both his limbs. Drekhve saved himself, but at a cost, he was completely at the mercy of Ichigo's second attack. Drekhve looked to see the boy's blade had halted in its rise and now was being pivoted around to slash at his exposed midriff.
Drekhve saw the blade blur towards him, and in sheer hope of surviving this he dropped his shield arm right down on top of the blade. Twisting with his chop he hoped to avoid the strike, he was partially successful. The blade did not cut through completely, the Steel and Truesilver alloy of his armour protecting him mostly. The blade did eventually pierce through but Drekhve did not feel it pass through the chain mail beneath.
Drekhve growled as he was nearly cut down, by a human and a young one at that. He stepped forward and to the boy's side, while he tried to halt the motion of his blade, and dropped his sword towards his neck.
Ichigo caught the flash of silver in the corner of his eye and quickly pivoted around and swung up Zangetsu, sending both the Soul Cutter and Claymore upwards. As his blade reached its full vertical height Ichigo brought it down, aiming for the Tauren's shoulder. But using his shield Drekhve was able to bash the Soul Cutter aside without any further harm befalling him.
Following up with a second strike, Ichigo halted his blade movement and swing right back at Drekhve, impacting right onto the shield. Drekhve brought up his sword and pushed on the blade, halting the pressure on his shield that splintered and cracked from the strike.
Drekhve took a step back before shoving himself forward and pushing the blade away, sending Ichigo staggering to the side. Ichigo recovered quickly and realized he may have underestimated this guy's strength, and also his own.
Avoiding a thrust to his chest Ichigo kept to the defensive while waiting for an opening to appear. Ichigo admitted he was having some trouble with his guy; he was a pain to take down. It wasn't so much fighting him, but everything felt so off right now. He could dodge and evade the Tauren's attacks easily enough, but he felt he was not as fast or strong as he used to be.
He almost felt like he did when he was normally in his human body, sure that wasn't a bad thing. But the fact that he could feel his muscles burning slightly made him worry that he wasn't exactly as strong as he should be if he was still in his Shinigami form. Maybe it had something to do with the world or maybe how he got here, that strange golden light that brought him here might hold the key to why he was like he was right now. Ichigo shook it off for now; he had to put this guy out of commission.
'I have to try and get behind his guard, try and wound him somehow,' Ichigo thought, thinking maybe it was time he used Shunpo to get behind him.
Adelina watched from a distance and observed the fight with keen eyes, standing under the tree in the dry and still hot shade. Adelina found the battle to be quite interesting; she had never seen Ichigo fight against another opponent before. She had seen him fight on the Isles against the naga invaders, but not in the detail as she could now. His style of fighting was interesting, or more along the lines, lacking of an actual style of swordsmanship.
Having watched the training of many warriors in her time growing up in Ashenvale, Adelina knew enough about form and swordplay to understand that there was a rhythm and style to it. Adelina could see it in the Tauren, he kept his shield forward and centred to provide maximum defence to his body while allowing his sword ample room to thrust and slash around his shield. Drekhve was always on the defensive and never lowering his guard despite being on the offensive.
But Ichigo was different, he didn't have a style of fighting, he simply swung his sword in any manner he could that seemed appropriate. Ichigo had no formal stance or training that showed his fighting skill was brought about by rigorous training. But still his skill was not to be questioned, despite not showing any signs of any formal training he seemed to be one who continually attacks. Moving himself and his blade fluidly from one strike to the next, but in a manner that made it impossible to actually know what kind of action he would take next.
His skill lay not in his blunt and brutish style, but the fact that his way of fighting made it impossible for his opponent to get a feel for his fighting style. Ichigo's skill lay in using simple swordplay to prevent his opponent from actually learning how to overcome his style. Adelina wondered if it was intentional or not, because his style was dangerous to himself as well as his enemies. Without formal training he may not know exactly the right form to hold a blade or to defend against certain attacks when they came.
If an opponent was able to press him correctly they could injure him severely with only a passing strike. But Adelina could only think of a few people who could hope to stand up to Ichigo and have a chance of victory. Ichigo's style was about quickly attacking and overwhelming his opponent, though not perfect it was still hard to overcome, and only someone who was likely faster and stronger could hope to match him.
'It is no wonder he was able to defeat so many naga in Feathermoon,' Adelina thought to herself.
A snort drew Adelina's attention away from the fight, craning her neck over her shoulder she gazed upon a very unsettling sight. Standing a few feet behind her was a Quilboar, a short boar creature that stood on two stumpy hooves. Covered in animal hides and held together by small leather straps, making its already ugly appearance all the fouler.
On its back was a large rucksack that held all sorts of unknown items, but it was the flesh made banner that jutted from it that took the young Druids attention. Made of flesh, be it human or animal she did not know, but the fresh blood upon it surface could only mean that the unfortunate victim had only recently died.
Adelina's eyes glanced at its hand, a large jagged rock cleaver in hand that it held tightly and ready to use. Adelina gripped her staff tightly and prepared to defend herself at any moment, already a spell on the tip of her tongue ready to be uttered.
The Quilboar squealed a battle cry and rushed Adelina, snorting loudly and swinging its cleaver wildly in a rage. Adelina turned and faced the creature fully, raising her palm and firing a single stream of moonfire at the boar-creature, striking it full on. Its hollering quickly died as it fell to the ground in a similar manner, slightly singed from the magical attack.
Adelina glanced down at the creature with a scowl, it was almost stupid for a creature such as this to try and attack her alone. Quilboar were not known for their intelligence, but they had enough sense to know when not to attack. But the fact it was alone made her mind demand an answer, a reason for its suicidal behaviour, a reason for it to attack. Adelina and looked up quickly when her keen ears heard something, and the answer to her mental query was found.
Several yards from her position, appearing over the haze of the desert, appeared a small army of bristle back and snorting Quilboar. Over thirty she could see in total, but she had no idea if there were more or not. She glances down at the dead Quilboar and realized its purpose, a simple scout to test the three of them.
They must think now that with Ichigo and that Tauren fighting they can easily pick her off and then them.
'I need to stop that fight,' Adelina thought, turning around and rushing forward, planning on ending the bout between the two warriors.
Ichigo slammed Zangetsu down on top of the shield, listening at the wood splintered under the weight and unparalleled edge of his Soul Cutter. The shield remaining intact only because the metal rim along the edge, keeping the wooden from shattering and falling apart. But still the Tauren was barely keeping himself standing at the moment, fatigue was setting in and his arm was getting tired from the continual assaults.
'Nearly have him, just a little more,' Ichigo thought, ducking to the side as the sword speared towards his head from around the shield.
Ichigo leaped back and readied Zangetsu, not attacking again, but looking for anything he could use to end this little duel of their right now. Ichigo could see the Tauren was tired, he could see the massive bull was slacking in posture and was breathing heavily. He needed only a little more time and Ichigo could finish this in a single strike.
Ichigo charged back in, planning on simply beating into him long enough to either destroy the shield or exhaust the Tauren into submission. But Ichigo was caught off guard when the Tauren shot forward, Ichigo tried to swing Zangetsu down earlier and catch him. But again he was surprised when his Zanpakuto was knocked aside, by his claymore, Ichigo's had expected him to block than counter.
Zangetsu hit the dirt and soon Ichigo saw the shield moving right for his throat, to crush his windpipe. Ichigo raised one hand and tried to grab the shield, being partially successful, his hand wrapped around the rim of the shield. But still his hand crashed into his throat and Ichigo choked as his trachea was bruised.
'Shit, that hurt!' Ichigo thought, staggering back and clutching at his throat.
Massaging his throat, finding the sting of the strike still there, his tolerance to pain seemed to have been lost to him. The pain wasn't subsiding as it usually would whenever he was hit; in fact it was almost similar to when he was in his human body. Again another detail found about his current situation, his body wasn't as resilient as his Shinigami one.
'If this isn't my Shinigami body, then what is it?' Ichigo thought, remembering back to the same question as to when he first came here, was he in some kind of Gigai.
The only reason he was doing good was likely because he was channelling his spiritual energy though his attacks. That may have been his only saving grace at the moment, despite the fact he sucked at it. But he started to wonder how dangerous this was going to become if he didn't regain all his power quickly. Especially if he had to go through that Twisted Nether again and also get back to Hueco Mundo while not at full strength.
Ichigo shoved that behind him and suppressed the pain in his throat; he had to get past this guy first before he could get back home. Without a moment's hesitation both charged, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. Drekhve pressed the edge of his shield against Zangetsu to offer more support to his blade. While Ichigo braced his forearm along the blunt edge of his Zanpakuto and pushed back.
Both struggled against one another, despite the difference in height and size they were nearly on equal footing. The superior Tauren, tired from his long bout had only enough strength to match the boy's abnormal one. While Ichigo couldn't push back the massive bull, its weight was likely several hundred pounds. Both gritted their teeth as they tried to overcome their opponent.
"I hate to interrupt," Both turned sharply, surprise written over their features, to see Adelina standing close, she was looking off at something in the distance and appeared worried.
Ichigo and Drekhve turned away from her and towards what caught her attention; they saw a large force of Quilboar moving right towards them.
Ichigo and Drekhve shared a quick glanced at one another, a silent conversation of truce being made in that moment. They stepped away from one another, taking tentative steps back and maintaining eye contact until they were out of range from the sharp edge of each other's weapons.
Drekhve turned from Ichigo and focused on the Quilboar that were marching towards their position, a scowl of irritation on his brow. He could count around thirty eight, a very large raiding party. This entire region was populated with Quilboar tribes; their duel may have drawn their attention. But in either case they were all in danger now.
"What the hell are those supposed to be?" Ichigo asked, looking at the pig-men in the distance.
"Quilboar, a race of boar-men, their scavengers and rodents," Adelina said. "They are likely here to kill us and take anything of worth."
"How do we get out of this? Run?" Ichigo asked, looking at the three dozen or so pig-men moving towards them with obvious intent.
"We have to fight, if we run they will only follow, and we won't get far," Adelina said, knowing that the Quilboar would more than likely follow them for miles.
"It would seem we have come to a point where we must ally ourselves," Drekhve stated dissatisfied, looking at the Quilboar in the distance, before glancing at Ichigo. "If we three wish to survive the coming battle, we will need to work as one."
"Yeah and what happens after that?" Ichigo asked, knowing from the tone of this guy he didn't like the fact they had to work together, the feeling was mutual.
"We resume our battle," Drekhve replied calmly, his eyes on the Quilboar.
Noticing some were wearing black and brass armour, likely meaning they came from the Razorfen, they were definitely older and more mature Quilboar then. Meaning they were all the more dangerous. The need to work together was even direr now, especially if they brought along Dead Head Sorcerers with them.
"Oh great, something to look forward to," Ichigo deadpanned, but he knew there was no way around it. "How do you want to do this?"
"I will assault the left and you the right, the Night Elf will support us both and prevent them from getting behind us," Drekhve stated, taking command of the situation and giving the boy the basic explanation.
"Alright, whenever you're ready." Ichigo said, raising Zangetsu up and levelling it with his chest.
Drekhve stood beside Ichigo, a few feet apart from one another; they both waited for a moment and allowed the Quilboar to get that little bit closer.
"Attack!" Drekhve roared, charging forward alongside Ichigo with Adelina following closely behind them both.
Ichigo and Drekhve hit the Quilboar hard and fast, smashing into their front line and sending anything in their way flying into the air or crashing into the ground.
Ichigo leaped over a Quilboar and dropped down onto another, the one he leaped over quickly neutralized by Adelina and a bolt of magical energy. Ichigo swung Zangetsu to the left and cut through the chest of a single Quilboar, who fell back squealing in agony. Pulling Zangetsu back Ichigo swung to his right and brought low another.
Ichigo stepped forward and kicked away another Quilboar, throwing it into another and onto its back, before punching it in the snout and rendering it unconscious. Ichigo looked around and quickly caught the shaft of a hatchet, before kicking the wielder in the face. Turning Ichigo knocked aside a sword aimed for his back, then using the acquired hatchet to bludgeon the Quilboar.
Ichigo turned and quickly ducked as a bolt of pure shadow moved where his head was only a moment ago. Looking he saw a single robed boar, channelling a spell that coated his hands in a strange purple and black aura. Ichigo guessed these guys could use magic as well, and that means he would have to deal with them up close and at a distance. He didn't want that.
Ichigo flipped the hatchet in his hand and tossed it at the Quilboar Dead Head, hitting right in the forehead. The Quilboar fell back to the ground axe firmly implanted in his skull, a bit brutal but in situations like these you can't be too merciful.
He may be on a different world, be in a life and death struggle, as well as actually killing living beings for the first time; he had a right to defend himself and anyone else from harm. He would not stoop so low as to murder another living being simply to make his life that much easier, but when it came to battle you cannot be merciful on those that are trying to kill you. You hesitate and you die, here there was only one option, kill or be killed.
But even with that thought, why did it feel like something was building in the pit of his stomach and he felt so scared? He didn't know what it was, but now that he thought about it something didn't feel right fighting like this, as if something was wrong with what he was doing.
Ichigo turned and shattered the large mace that was coming his way, before slashing Zangetsu across the neck of his attacker. Glancing off to the side Ichigo saw Drekhve and Adelina, with about half a dozen Quilboar between Ichigo and the two. Ichigo groaned out load, he got separated from them; he would need to get back and help them before anything bad happened.
But Drekhve beat him to the punch, bashing aside a single Quilboar and impaling another. Drekhve moved to Ichigo's side and stood beside him, Adelina quickly coming in behind him, creating a tight circle.
"Foolish boy, you got ahead of yourself and nearly got killed," Drekhve chided, slashing another Quilboar that tried to attack them.
"Sorry, got distracted," Ichigo said, blocking an axe before kicking the one holding it away. "Thanks for the assist by the way."
"I did it so that we can survive, your death would have ruined that," Drekhve stated, strafed forward and cutting down two more Quilboar in quick succession of one another.
Ichigo groaned at the Tauren, guess comradely was out of the question when this was all over. Ichigo blocked another Quilboar, but before he could strike he felt something collide with his back. Letting out a cry of pain Ichigo fell to his knee as he felt agony spread through his body, he gritted his teeth as his muscles locked up from the pain.
Glancing up Ichigo saw the Quilboar raising its weapon up, ready to carve through the young substitutes head, Ichigo raised Zangetsu quickly. Blocking the axe from cleaving his head in two like a melon, but the likely painless death would have been preferable to the painful survival. His body throbbed with agony, so much that Ichigo couldn't even follow up with a counter to the Quilboar he was holding off.
But luckily Adelina did it for him, with a single spell the Quilboar was blown back and into his fellow kin. Leaving Ichigo to slump forward slightly, as the pain he felt slowly began to retreat. Adelina placed a comforting, and healing hand, on his shoulder. Ichigo looked at his hand and to his shock saw his veins were bulging and black under his pale flesh.
Looking over his shoulder Ichigo saw the cause of his suffering; three robed Dead Head sorcerers were nearby. Ichigo shot up, ignoring the pain and turning to face them, but was forced to a halt when the rest of the pigs decided to come in and have a piece of him.
"Shit!" Ichigo cursed, slashing aside the Quilboar close to him, trying to get some breathing room.
Glancing up the substitute ducked under a single bolt of shadow that came his way, barely missing him as it passed over his shoulder. A second came soon after; Ichigo raised Zangetsu and used it as a shield, blocking the ball of condensed darkness. Ichigo glanced around his Zanpakuto and towards the three Quilboar Dead Heads, all were channelling another spell.
'I need to get to them,' Ichigo mused, twisting Zangetsu and blocking another attack, gritting his teeth in irritation that he can't do anything other than defend himself at the moment.
As the three Dead Head's channelled their shadow magic they were halted, their legs becoming ensnared in dark roots. Ichigo slashed aside another Quilboar, then looking toward Adelina who was busy channelling a new spell, whispering in a strange language. A bead of sweat rolling down her forehead as she continued to channel the spell, while around her the Quilboar tried to take advantage of her vulnerable state.
Ichigo shot forward and slashed anything that got to close, keeping Adelina in sight and also anything else that might try to get to her. Eventually Adelina collapsed to the ground, her breathing was laboured and she was down on her knees trying to recover from the obvious expenditure of magical energy.
"Adelina, are you alright?" Ichigo asked, fending off the Quilboar as they tried to close in on weak prey.
"Just, a little tired…" Adelina breathed out.
"Boy! Get to the Dead Heads; kill them before they get loose!" Drekhve shouted, cutting down one enemy before bashing aside another with his shield.
Ichigo looked down at Adelina to see she was still recovering from the use of her powers; she barely looked to be able to stand. There was no way he could leave her side if she couldn't defend herself.
"Adelina, can you stand?" Ichigo asked, slashing aside an axe before kicking the boar holding it aside.
"Boy! Get them now!" Drekhve roared, slashing apart another before dropping to his knee when one got a lucky shot in on the back of his leg, stabbing between the armour plate and through the chain mail.
Drekhve stabbed from under his arm, impaling his claymore through the Quilboar's head.
"I can't Adelina is still recovering!" Ichigo shot back, much to the Tauren's irritation.
Drekhve looked to the Dead Heads, they were immobilized for now, but the vines would not hold them for long. Already their kin were cutting at the black vines and freeing their strongest support in this fight. If the Dead Heads got loose again then the three of them would likely be killed off, he had to make sure they didn't escape.
Drekhve stood tall and quickly moved towards the three immobile Quilboar, pushing and cutting down anything in his way to get to them. Wildly slashing at anything in his path, whether he hit anything or not he did not know, all he needed to do was reach them before they got free. With a single swing he cut down three Quilboar, their bodies flying to the side in pieces.
Looking at the Dead Heads, Drekhve raised his blade; he hesitated when he saw all three were no longer bounds by vines. They were all free and unbound, with their powers coalescing around their hands and their attention focused solely on him. A barrage of shadow moved toward him, Drekhve raised his shield and weathered the assault as best he could.
Yet Drekhve fell to his knee when a single bolt struck his exposed leg, making it impossible for the Tauren Brave to stand. The dark energy twisting and corrupting his limb, sending a wave of agony through his leg that soon passed through his entire body. Drekhve tried to stand, to fight the pain, but he fell again using his sword as a rest to prevent him from falling completely.
But he fell completely when he felt something collide with his back, the pain amplifying from the sudden strike that came from out of nowhere. Looking up he turned to see a single Quilboar above him, a large axe in hand. Drekhve's head shot down as the axe collided with his face, forcing the Tauren back down. Drekhve growled under his breath and stood back up, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The Quilboar was cleaved in two, from hip to the crown of his head.
Drekhve jerked forward as intense pain shot through his torso, he sunk to his knees as intense burning agony shot through his entire form. Those damn Dead Heads got him again; yet they were not going to be the ones to finish him. Around him were six Quilboar warriors, brandishing their weapons and snorting in delight at the vulnerable prey. Closing his eyes he fell to the ground, unable to move or defend himself as the boars closed in on their victim.
Drekhve grunted when he felt a hammer collide with his shoulder, the pain nothing compared to the tremors that passed through his body as the dark magic amplified his suffering at these beasts hand. He thought he would die in another way, in glory on a true battlefield, not as a youngblood still earning his right to be called a warrior of the Bloodhoof Tauren. It was shameful for him to die so soon, especially to such low creatures, if only he could live, even if it was only to find a better fate than this one.
Slowly he felt his eyes sting as fresh blood seep into vision, turning everything red that slowly became black. Drekhve's last moments of consciousness were filled with pain and humiliation, to die at the hands of these rodents was not how he wanted it. He wanted to live, he wanted to have glory.
The Quilboar continued to pry and bash at the Tauren's armour, trying to get through the thick metal and to the vulnerable hide beneath. Using their weapons to try and pry the armour off the tauren, desperate to sink their weapons in warm flesh rather than cold metal. But as they tried they were caught unaware when a wave of force knocked them from the ground and away from their unconscious victim.
As they struck the ground, either knocked out or severely hurt their attacked leaped over the prone form of Drekhve and continued his assault. Ichigo slashed one across the chest as it tried to rise; the sudden strike sent it back down to the ground out cold. Ichigo moved forward and slashed the rest that tried to return to their feet, sending them back to the earth out for the count.
Ichigo glanced up and flash stepped aside when a volley of shadow bolts veered towards his position. Reappearing towards their right hand side Ichigo charged right in, moving for the closest Dead Head, who only in its last moments of clarity saw the blade moving right for its chest.
The first fell quickly under a single stroke of his blade, the slice was clean and deadly, leaving two more still recovering their wits. Ichigo ducked to the side as he charged the second, evading a hastily formed shadow bolt, before lopping off the offending limb that tried to cast another spell. Ichigo silenced its cries, swinging Zangetsu around and cutting it in half from shoulder to hip.
Only two remained of the original three dozen that had attacked them, the last Dead Head sorcerer and his bodyguard. Without waiting Ichigo shot towards them, drawing Zangetsu back, ready to deliver the final strike. The Quilguard raised its blade, ready to defend its kin with its life, but before it could use do anything it was blown aside by a powerful burst of air. Leaving behind a vulnerable and very terrified Dead Head to watch as its killer slashed his blade right for his chest.
Ichigo slashed the Quilboar aside, its body flying back from the powerful swing, his gaze remaining on the last victim of his Soul Cutter. Glancing around he saw that he was definitely the last, the remaining Quilboar were dead or in no state to stand and fight.
Adelina slowly walked forward, her eyes looking over the dead and incapacitated before finally coming to a halt on Ichigo as she stood before him. They both looked over the carnage and weighed the battle differently, for Adelina she gave it little thought as it was a simple skirmish. But Ichigo had different feelings, this was the second battle he had been in and killed a bunch of creatures.
It felt strange to him, he didn't know if it was good or nor, but he certainly did feel odd about this. There is a first time for everything, but for some reason it was disquieting for him to have taken part in this slaughter, it felt strange. It felt oddly wrong despite the need for it, like it reminded him of something bad.
'Got to keep my head together,' Ichigo mused, turning away from the slaughter.
His eyes landed on a single thing, a silver body in a field of brown and black. Rushing over he quickly kneeled down next to the Tauren, finding him to be breathing, although it appeared to be shallow.
"He's still alive," Ichigo said, turning to Adelina. "I need some help over here."
Adelina let her surprise show as she tried to figure out what he wanted her to do.
"What do you need?" Adelina asked, uncertain at what he wanted of her, but she had a feeling but truly couldn't find a reason for him to ask for such a request.
Drekhve slowly felt his senses return, his stiff muscles aching and the feeling of his stomach being rampaged by a herd of stampeding Kodo. His mind was fuzzy and barely able to understand where he was, he barely remembered how he ended up wherever he was at that very moment. He last was on patrol along the Gold Road, and then he came across some Alliance scum. Drekhve's eyes widened as consciousness returned to him quickly, shooting up into a sitting position.
He glanced to the side and saw the Night Elf kneeling beside him, her hands extended over him and was surprised by his sudden rouse of slumber. Drekhve looked around to find the other one, and found him leaning against the tree looking at him.
"Boy… how did I…?" Drekhve started, rubbing his head and feeling his blood drenched fur stick to his palm.
"You got knocked out during the fight," Ichigo said, looking down at the Tauren and making sure to watch for anything he might try.
"Why am I not dead then?" Drekhve inquired, gauging the boy for an answer.
"I told you, I didn't want to fight you, and I don't want to kill you either," Ichigo said, looking at the Tauren seriously. "We only want to get to Theramore, nothing more."
Drekhve was silent for a moment, thinking on what he had been told. He was not one to easily take the words of another into consideration, for they could be dishonest, especially if they were from one of the Alliance. They would not hesitate to stab a person in the back in order to do what they wanted; the Dwarves had done so when they stole the sacred land of the Stonespire tribe, wiping them out almost completely.
What was the promise of a single human to him?
His answer surprised even him, for even he couldn't deny that the boy's words held truth. His promise may be hollow, but the actions that follow with them were anything but. Drekhve was dead for certain; the wounds and dark magic that afflicted him would have been the end of him. But the boy saved him despite the almost certainty that they would continue their duel in the end, and Drekhve could see that the boy was not naïve enough to not think it would not happen.
Drekhve has heard of many tales of great warriors who held honor above all things, yet in the real world he had never met any who held such integrity. But these boys' actions were something he could say were close, the willingness to do right by your enemy even when it may mean your death. Some would call that stupid or naïve to allow your enemy to survive a mortal would, especially when it was not caused by him.
Drekhve looked at the boy critically; he was surprised on how difficult it was for him to even consider giving the boy any respect. Yet as a warrior of the Bloodhoof Tauren and a son of the Steelrage tribe, a tribe that is meant to be a symbol of honor and the warriors way, could not find a small amount of respect for the boy.
"Then I will not stop you," Drekhve said, standing on his hooves and nodding towards the boy, surprising Ichigo and Adelina. "You saved me from certain death despite knowing the consequences of allowing me to live."
Drekhve sighed to himself, fighting him would be pointless, even if it was his duty to perform it. Drekhve could not kill him for his life now is in his debt, to murder his saviour would be taint on his honor. For even if none knew of it, he would carry the shame on his souls and in his eyes, and any would see that shame and know full well the crime he committed.
"Your words reflect on your actions, and for that I will take the words you promised me and allow you to pass through these lands and on your way." Drekhve said.
Ichigo was silent for a moment; he actually assumed this guy was going to attack him. Don't get him wrong he knew it was a possibility that he might see reason, but he didn't expect him to show any restraint as soon as he woke up. After all Adelina had told him the Horde were quite savage in their ways, while the Tauren were still the most peaceful of them all, they were not to be trusted regardless.
"Uh… Thanks," Ichigo said, rubbing the back of his head, really not expecting this to go over so well.
Then he remembered something that made his shoulders drop, he remembered that even if they left they still had a problem.
"Do you have any spare water, we didn't bring enough with us to get to Theramore," Ichigo asked sheepishly.
Drekhve stared at him blankly, realizing that he may have been slightly on the ball - as it was called - on the human boy being a naïve idiot. Drekhve just sighed to himself, there was always shortcomings to some people.
"I know of a town near the borders of the Barrens and Dustwallow Marsh, you can resupply there." Drekhve stated, and both Ichigo and Adelina looked at each other surprised.
"Are you sure? We didn't know anything about it," Adelina asked, she didn't know anything about the town or that the Alliance had any sort of settlements close to Horde territory, save for those in Ashenvale.
"Yes, they were close to our borders, the Horde has had several disputes with them building close to our territory and even claiming they are building within it." Drekhve stated.
"Do you think we can make it?" Ichigo asked, looking to Adelina.
"We have enough to reach the border, we should be alright then, maybe we can acquire accommodations while there." Adelina said, thinking on it, they had some gold so a possible room at an inn or just simply resupplying would be simple enough.
Ichigo let out a relived sigh; at least they wouldn't die in the middle of the desert from exposure and dehydration. Also the chance to get onto a real bed, that sounded pretty good right about now. Rocks and hard ground weren't exactly the most comfortable of places to rest; Ichigo never really understood how good it was to sleep on a comfortable mattress.
"Drekhve, thanks again," Ichigo said.
"Think nothing of it human, my life is in your debt, the least I can do is save you from a certain fate because of your short-sightedness." Drekhve stated, Ichigo forcefully chuckled at the Tauren's joke, not realizing that the Tauren had no sense of humour what so ever.
"Funny, by the way my name is Ichigo, Ichigo Kurosaki," the substitute said, hiding his irritation at being made out as an idiot.
"Then may the Earth Mother watch over you, Ichigo Kurosaki," Drekhve responded with a curt nod. "I take my leave then, and wish you both a safe travel to your home."
Ichigo turned from the retreating form of the Tauren warrior and to Adelina who was looking over her map. She stole a glance to Ichigo and smiled slightly, happy that they may not be in danger anymore.
"Come on, were two days away from the border, and if Drekhve was right, warms beds and cool baths." Ichigo said, to which Adelina nodded her head enthusiastically.
Ichigo and Adelina now had much greater enthusiasm in their steps as they moved for the town that would not only see them out of this desert, but also a chance to relax before the final leg of their trip to Theramore. And for Ichigo, the final leg to getting back home.
