Hello all, sorry for the delay in this chapter, my computer messed up and I need to get a new one, got it back in order just to finish the chapters and post them. Again I am sorry for the massive delay in posting but sometimes things like this cannot be helped. Hopefully my new computer will be a little better than this one. Four years old, basically it is a dinosaur, it needs to be thrown out.

Anyway onto the story, a bit of a tangent here, instead of focusing on Ichigo we go back to the center of the city and focus on Shandris. But also someone else, be sure to enjoy the chapter and check out the wiki, I have been updating it as quickly as I have been able.


Transcendence

Chapter 35: Fallen Prince

"Keep pushing!" Morgosh ordered.

He watched as the soldiers charged into the demon's ranks, hacking at the hulking red fleshed abominations that made up the Legion's main force. They were holding the line well, even as he ordered the push he knew it was only for show. Their orders were to keep the demons trapped for as long as possible.

The assault towards the main highway had been easy; the demons did not have a major force present in the southern parts of the city. Instead they focused on the West and North where their enemies lie, while from the East their forces flowed in. But now that they were close, their numbers were beginning to grow.

"Advance! To the demon's stronghold!" Morgosh roared, raising his axe and aiming it forward.

An all-out attack like this would only do so much; using might against might would only cause unneeded casualties. Instead he would take down the main defenses the demons employed to protect the stairs to the upper wards where Highway was located. Small camps made for the single purpose of preventing the enemy from assaulting their flanks.

The Highway offered a great tactical advantage to anyone who held it, for it allowed for any force to move in great numbers to every section of the city unhindered. With the Highway the demons could attack every single point in the city and didn't have to rely on navigating the streets. Instead they would use the highway and when reaching a specific point would scatter and destroy everything within their vicinity.

But it also had its weaknesses, if the Highway was cut off or taken by an opposing force they would cut off any reinforcements. If the demons in the north did not receive any support they would have to deal with the remaining Ogre population with what soldiers they had. That is why it was imperative that they capture the Highway at a specific point to separate North, East and West from one another.

But first they needed to breach through the defensive camps set up near the stairs leading up to the wards, after they were destroyed he could lead his men up and assault the Highway. But first he needed to draw out the demon's main force that protected these camps, and he was doing that right now.

"Are the men in position?" Morgosh inquired, looking to Turok, the hulking Tauren in red and black armor gave a nod.

The Thunderhorn Hunters had scouted out three specific locations where the demons had camps, in close proximity to one another, but these three were the most isolated of the camps along the walls, meaning he did not have to risk an attack from other camps. This would mean he could create a large opening for his forces, but also lessen the risk of an attack from his flanks from the other strongpoints.

"Yes, the demons have engaged the main bulk of our forces, they are funneling troops in from the three camps here, with them occupied you can assault the Eastern and Western camps, then converge on the middle," Turok replied. "Afterwards we can catch the demons in a vice and keep them trapped, after that my warriors will rain arrows and bullets down from above."

"Good, get your men moving then, I want them on the roofs of the right and left flank, as soon as they remove the camps there we converge on the center and move as one towards the stairs and the upper ward," Morgosh ordered.

Their entryway into the Wards was a little further West than he would have liked, meaning they had to fight their way East and towards the main junction that connected the Highway to the different parts of the city. Didn't matter either way, once he got his men marching as a single force they would be able to decimate anything in their way easily enough. Reports did say that the demons were mostly focusing on the North and not the West, so resistance should not be too high, if he was lucky.

"Understood, I will see you at the Highway," Turok said, strolling off and leaving Morgosh to observe the battle from his perch.

Morgosh remained where he stood for a few minutes, watching as the line withdrew and advanced, the fighting continued onwards like this. His men could not fight continuously, as great warriors as they were any one of them can be felled just as easily as a novice with a sword. No, here he must be patient and wait for the right moment to strike.

"Warlord!"

Morgosh turned to the shout and found a runner standing before him, out of breath and carrying several wounds.

"Speak," Morgosh ordered, turning to look at the wounded Orc and waiting for the likely terrible news.

"Our flank has been attacked; our forces are being attacked by the Elves!" The Runner said.

Morgosh's eyes widened, the Elves were attacking his flank? What kind of madness was this? Is that damn General filled with such hate that she would attack his warriors and try to bring them all to ruin? He did not know, but he was going to find out.

"Get me my guard and any soldiers we can spare, I will deal with this personally," Morgosh growled, he would find these Elves and decimate them completely, and if they wanted to speak he would allow them only to scream for this betrayal.


Shandris kept her gaze to the tower in the East, the green that ran along the surface making it easy to see among the dilapidated rooftops between it and where she looked from. It would seem that her forces had been successful in their mission, they had destroyed or more than likely cleansed the Felvine. If that was the case she could begin the assault now, no point in waiting for anything else now.

"If Iyeana is alright she would move to regroup with us," Shandris mused, but she doubted it would be that easy.

It had taken nearly six hours for her to reach the tower and cleanse it, meaning that she had encountered heavy resistance. Even with someone the likes of Ichigo they would be in grave danger of being overrun, maybe she should send in some aid to locate them. She turned to one of her squad leaders, a magenta haired warrior who she valued for her speed and scouting ability.

"Anaesia, gather your band and enter the Eastern sections of the city, find any trace of Iyeana's party and aid them," Shandris said. "If it is the worst, collect their bodies if you can, if not, return to me."

"Yes, General," Anaesia replied, giving a bow before she quickly turned away and began to carry out the command.

Shandris turned back to the tower, she hoped that they were alright, they had been sent in with the assurance of victory and survival with Ichigo at their side. To think they would be dead and gone made her worry that she had told them a lie.

"Do not fail me Ichigo, my warrior's lives depend on you," Shandris murmured.

With that final thought she turned from the window, reaching for her bow that rested against the wall. The Sentinels were ready to march, and she would be leading them against the enemy force now. Her scouts have reported that the Orcs were near a stairwell leading up to the Wards in the western part of the city. From there they would be able to invade the former Royal Quarter, where the main demonic force has assaulted the Ogre's last standing stronghold.

If she aids the Warsong in moving up the highway and then securing the intersection she can easily have fortifications erected and seal the demons within the Northern Quarter. From there all it would take is their forces advancing in and destroying the cut off demons and securing the entirety of the city.

"Gather the Sentinels and begin a wide spread, I want the streets cleared as we advance, not a single demon is to survive when our eyes fall upon it," Shandris said, stepping out the doorway, behind her were the rest of her squad leaders.

Having heard the order they moved aside, a detailed plan was not needed. They have been fighting together for millennia, a few words is all that is needed to convey exactly what she expected and wanted of them.

"General, we have a problem," Millaora said, appearing from the shadows, one of her scouts sent to investigate the western part of the city. "Large contingents of Highborne Magi and warriors are moving through the streets, and have engaged the Warsong's flank. If the Highborne assault the Orcs with all they can muster, the Warsong will lose their momentum and they will be overrun."

Shandris narrowed her eyes, it would seem that the Highborne have decided to fight back, and at a most inopportune time. That was far from good, if they disrupted the Orc's attack the demons would easily overtake them as her scout had said. She had only one option then, to engage the Highborne directly and remove them as an obstacle. Once they were dealt with she could aid the Warsong then.

"How close are these contingents?" Shandris inquired.

"A force consisting of close to one hundred moved through a main street just south of the upper wards," Millaora replied. "Around them are eight groups of ten sentries, moving in the adjacent streets to their flanks, rear and point, preventing anything from reaching the main force undetected. Their advance sentries have already assaulted the Warsong's flank; their main force is moving to join in the assault."

That complicates things; if these sentry parties around their main force are able to get off a signal their attack vector would be compromised. That cannot be allowed to happen, and neither can they allow the Highborne to reach the Warsong. If they do they will lose the only ground forces present that are physically equipped to engage the demons in close quarters.

With a quick whistle she called back her officers; there was no way she was going to leave this to the Orc to handle. He would get himself killed for certain; they would cut the head off the enemy and then move as one onto the Highway.

"New orders, separate the army into three regiments," Shandris ordered quickly. "First regiment will flank the Highborne's rearguard, second will cut off their advance towards the Warsong and the final will move up forward to their right flank."

"At your command General," Hymaercia said, giving a crisp salute, one arm over her chest and another behind her back.

Shandris nodded her head and turned towards the North West, and with a single gesture she led her people towards their first engagement. Her warriors quickly formed three columns and dispersed down three streets, already moving to their objectives. It was time that the Highborne were reminded of the prowess and skill of the Sentinels, something they had likely not seen in ten thousand years.


Prince Tortheldrin advanced with his mages and warriors, they had already pushed back the demons near the highway and defended their sanctum. Now it was time that they advanced their forces further into the city and around the main demonic force. He would lead them to the Royal Quarter and destroy the main bulk of the demon's army and then reclaim the entire city.

Some had spoken against him, warnings and refusals were given, all were killed when they voiced their doubts to him. He would not allow these weak willed fools to dictate how to fight a war, this was the time for his people to rise up once more.

"My Lord, we have come across resistance ahead, a force of green skinned warriors alongside Tauren and Trolls bar our path," one of his sentries reported, having come from the front.

"Is that so, more foul beasts have come to our city to take it during the chaos, they will be removed along with all others!" Tortheldrin exclaimed, raising his duel sword high and motioning forward.

His men marched on down the streets, he felt pride in those who would follow him through this, they were the best of his people. With them he would rebuild this city and the Empire of Queen Azshara, and bring about the renewed glory of the Highborne.

"Stand proud and strong my warriors, today we reclaim this city from our enemies and begin what has been long overdue!" Tortheldrin called out, attempting to rally his men and raise their spirits. "Today is the day we rebuild our Empire, and we shall start from the city that was second only to Zihn Azshara! Here we will regain ourselves and rebuild the nation we so valiantly have defended for these last ten thousand years!"

A cheer came from his men, loud and clear, they were ready to fight and Tortheldrin grinned at their eagerness for battle. This will be the day he cements himself in the history of the world, where he will lead his people back into their golden age and become a savior and leader they deserve.

"Forward, to glory!" Tortheldrin said, leading his men from the front at a quickened pace.

Their march brought them to a small plaza, nothing notable aside from the many bordered garden beds that showed off only the dead soil. They trudged on, passing through quickly towards their quarry, but before they could reach far they were forced to a halt when a Sentry rushed in through a side street.

"We are under attack!" He called out, rushing towards the Prince. "Archers attacked us in the streets, many of them!"

"Trolls? Tauren?" Tortheldrin growled out, his anger rising at this delay.

"No, they are rebels my Lord, our traitorous kin from long ago!" The sentry replied, and watched as his lord's face took on an ugly grimace.

"They still live after all this time? To think that rabble hadn't devolved into the animals that they are," Tortheldrin growled. "Send in my men! I want them all dead!"

"Of course my Lord," one of his Captain's called out, taking with him a detachment of ten men to deal with this disturbance.

A few archers would not stop his advance; they were likely scavengers and vagabonds that survived in the jungles beyond his city's walls. They were nothing to fear, as soon as his knights dealt with them he would advance again and destroy all opposition.

"My Lord, the rear guard is under attack!" A man called, beside him stood a sentry, wounded with an arrow in his shoulder.

The grimace had returned, another attack? What had caused this sudden attack?

"More of our kin?" Tortheldrin inquired, glaring at the messenger.

"Yes, a group of five, but they are skilled my Lord," the sentry called out, cradling his shoulder.

Tortheldrin growled at this blatant attack on his rear and sides, these Elves did not know who they were dealing with. They were obviously trying to stall his advance with such weak and pathetic attacks, sending in so few to slow him? He would crush them all under his full might.

"My Lord, a sentry from the front has returned," one of his soldiers called out, pointing his weapon ahead to see a bloodied warrior rushing toward him.

His armor caked in blood and damaged, it would seem that he was also in a bad way. Yet another group of his warriors had been beset by a force, was all that he had filled with cowards and weaklings? Tortheldrin let his anger show, a moment ago they were cheering for battle yet the sentry before him looked terrified.

"My Lord, the enemy is relentless and has a sizable force, I do not know how many but they are strong. We should fall back and…" As soon as the words of retreat left his lips his fate was sealed.

A blade stabbed through his chest, more blood soaked his armor and poured from his mouth as he was impaled upon the Prince's duel swords. Tortheldrin would not allow his men to dictate this battle to him, he would lead them to victory whether they wanted to fight or not.

"I will have no dissension within my ranks!" Tortheldrin yelled, raising his blade and aiming it at his own men. "None of you will turn back; we will fight and die here if necessary! For our people will survive if it means our deaths!"

None offered cheer or encouragement, but none denounced his words or even spoke out against them, they simply had to follow and let him lead them. Fear or resignation, it did not matter in the slightest, all that did matter was surviving what came next, be it the coming battle or their lord's slowly rising madness.

"Send in two squads and cut down these attackers!" Tortheldrin yelled, watching as two of his Captain's took their men with them and moved to reinforce the rearguard. "Now, all of you, forward!"

None chose to comment that they still had forces out stopping an unknown group of warriors that had assaulted their flank. Instead they followed at a calm and grim pace, letting him lead their forces through the plaza without a word being said.

Yet they did not move far.

The first man to fall let out a pained scream as an arrow lodged itself in his breast, he fell to his back and continued to call out. Many halted, but within seconds of the first man falling many began to join him, their bodies littered with arrows. Tortheldrin growled as he scanned the surroundings, his eyes immediately drawn to the rooftops around the plaza, finding them lined with hundreds of archers.

"Damn them! Those cowards!" Tortheldrin roared, he turned to a mage and grabbed him by the throat. "A barrier! Now!"

The mage rushed forward, those of his fellow occupation moved alongside him, quickly calling on what magical aid they could and creating a barrier. The blue dome formed over the heads of the Highborne army, descending quickly to shield them from the hail of arrows. As it touched the ground the dome shimmered as many bolts struck its surface, bounding off harmlessly and leaving those within safe from harm.


Shandris loomed over the edge of the building, looking down at the dome with narrowed eyes. It would seem that the Highborne had not become lax in their use of magical abilities, and she had not expected their leader to be so tact. The way he killed his men and raved it was a surprise he could think up a legitimate strategy, especially after she lured his men away from the main group to aid his sentries.

"That barrier, a simple defensive measure, it can be bypassed easily," Tervosh said, looking at it with a scowl.

Beside him stood Pained, her arms crossed and eyes roaming across the barrier and those beneath to see exactly what kind of force they had left within. They couldn't have more than fifty within, this battle would be over within a few minutes and then they could move onto the main threat.

"How so?" Shandris inquired.

"That barrier is designed to counter anything coming at it quickly, using the force that hits it to repel it, but it only works on small things," Tervosh replied, smirking slightly before shaking his head. "A very ancient and outdated method, it can be circumvented by living beings who walk through it."

Shandris nodded her head, before she raised her hand and gave a distinct motion, and with that her warriors went about the plan. Most of her force dropped down the side of the buildings, scaling down the stones and into the plaza. Their bows gone and instead blades drawn from their backs, two long curved sabers went to their hands.

"Pained, get down there and lead them, I will join your shortly," Shandris said, listening as Pained strolled past and scale down the side of the building. "Their leader, he seems to be quite unstable."

"Likely being stuck in this city for so long, if he is suffering from arcane withdrawal he likely is having symptoms such as hysteria," Tervosh said, knowing that certain individuals that lose their mana in large quantities can have hallucinations and even changes in character.

The arcane was a drug, in large quantities it can change you and even with a little dabbling and sudden stop and loss of power you can have withdrawal symptoms that are dangerous. In fact they can make you more dangerous than the ones where you amass too much power, especially with what he has heard about the isolation of the Blood Elves around three years ago.

"Then it is best I deal with him myself," Shandris said, walking forward and quickly jumping down to a small balcony before leaping off and onto solid ground. "Sentinels! Charge!"

The Sentinels moved in close formation of one another, Shandris at the head of their charge, as they passed through the barrier and set upon the Highborne on all sides. The crash of bodies and weapons was not immediate; instead it was like water through the rocks. The Sentinels often ducked and weaved by the frontline warriors, passing them and letting their rear troops take them out while they moved deeper into the enemy ranks.

A formation is only strong when the enemy has their numbers together, separate them and you can take their entire army apart piece by piece quickly. Shandris made use of her superior numbers to tear through their forces quickly and separate them into smaller groups.

Shandris dropped to her knees and leaned back, sliding under a blade as it veered to her head. Leaning back up she drew back her string and let loose an arrow, striking a Highborne knight further ahead before she raised herself to her feet and turned to her attacker. Taking another arrow she aimed quickly and let it loose, the bolt passed through the narrow slit in his helm and punched right through his skull.

Shandris turned back to the fight and quickly assessed the situation; her warriors had easily punched through the outer shell of the defenses and were already herding the Highborne. Her warriors lacked the same protection and raw power as the Highborne warriors, but they had the speed and dexterity to make up for that.

"Now where did that mad man go?" Shandris mused to herself.

Notching another arrow and shooting a Highborne in the back of the leg as he raised her sword to attack one of her warriors. As he fell three of her Sentinels pounced and stabbed him, piercing his armor wherever they could get through.

Her eyes scanned her surroundings and quickly found what she needed; the long pale haired warriors could be seen. His distinctive duel blades in motions as they slashed at her warriors, cutting them down as they tried to draw close. Her eyes narrowed in on the man as she rushed forward, notching an arrow and letting it loose.

Tortheldrin turned as he struck down another Sentinel, slashing with his blade and cutting the arrow out of the air. His glare turned to Shandris as he watched her approach, letting loose arrow after arrow at him, and he replied by destroying each of them as they flew towards him.

"You cannot kill me with such a coward's tool woman!" Tortheldrin roared.

Shandris did not respond as she fired one last arrow before she slid down along the ground, under his strike and tried to get behind him. As she rose and drew her arrow to shoot at his back she was shocked to see that he turned and slashed through the arm of her bow. The weapon completely destroyed she discarded it and leaped back.

Tortheldrin advanced on her quickly and slashed, forcing Shandris to duck and weave out of the way until she drew her two blades from her back. Raising her blade she blocked a strike before ducking down and letting what little force remained in the strike carry on over her head. In his short stumble Shandris slashed her blade to the side of his neck, but he easily counter with his second duel blade. With a twist her blade was pushed aside and he was stabbing right for her throat, forcing her to leap and roll forward. As she rolled to a knee and turned she saw his blade coming right for her back, twisting the blade in a reverse grip she held it behind her, halting his strike.

Shandris narrowed her eyes, twisting around and out of the reach of his blade, there was no way she would be able to defeat him in close quarters. He was likely a master of his craft with millennia of experience and training, or at least what counted for it. Despite his bulky armor he moved quickly and with a good amount of freedom, but his strikes were rigid and well-practiced.

'I can't beat him in a sword fight, but if someone else got close they could,' Shandris mused, weaving in and out of his strikes and she learned his pattern.

Her skill relied heavily on the bow, what swordsmanship she possessed paled in comparison despite what she knew. She had only fought with the blades a few times over the last ten thousand years, she was better than most but it simply didn't compare.

Ducking under another swung she swung at his leg, letting the blade just graze against his armor before she retreated, saving her arm from being removed. Getting in close was difficult; she could say they were evenly matched in this case. He had the dexterity of the hand and blade that made her attempted strikes and counters failed, while she had limited defense that prevented her from getting too close.

'Still wish I had that bow,' Shandris mused, annoyed with herself for thinking his combat skills were as sharp as his command ability.

"Die you treacherous filth!" Tortheldrin yelled, stabbing his blade forward.

Shandris ducked to the side and twisted around to slash at his arm, aiming for the joint and hoping that the connection between the armor pieces could be cut through. But as she swung down her blade was caught by his, the blade twisting around in his grip and halting her strike. Then he stabbed his other blade under his arm and right to the General's side.

Twisted out of the stab like the first she narrowly evaded being disemboweled. But when he tried to swing both blades around to cut her in half she dropped to a knee and leaned back away from him. Her eyes watched the glint of silver as both blades swung over her, passing just over the tip of her nose.

Leaning forward and rolling ahead and to the man's back, she kept herself low and raised both her blades to her left. A moment later both his swords struck against hers, her feet remained firmly planted on the ground and her arms went rigid as the held him at bay. But then he pulled back one blade and swung it over his head and around to Shandris' opposite side, forcing her to retract one blade and block the attack.

Shandris growled as her arms shook under the strain, she had been placed in a very difficult position right now.

"I will kill you all! I will have my glory and my Empire reborn!" Tortheldrin yelled, pressing harder against her.

Shandris narrowed her eyes and kept up a strong appearance, she needed to think of a way to get past this man's defenses. But the problem was that she did not have the skill or power to match him, she was not the person that needed to fight him.

"Shandris! Down!"

Immediately Shandris realized who that was and acted, leaping to her full height she leaned back and out of his reach. His blade crossed over his chest and then he attacked again, but this time she stepped in close and pushed her blade forward. She caught his sword as the cross over one another, halting them before they could slide apart.

Tortheldrin looked momentarily startled by this before he glanced at the smirking Sentinel-General, who pushed his blade down quickly. When the pummel of her blade struck the edges of his own they were pulled down hard, and Shandris dropped down along with them. Ducking low and letting her friend come in right over her head, the silver claymore coming right for the Highborne Prince's head.

Tortheldrin's eyes widened before he leaned back and stumbled out of range from the attack, only the pauldron on his shoulder being struck. As he stumbled he raised his blade to stop another strike, then another followed as soon as he blocked it, coming seemingly in the opposite direction. His eyes landed on his new opponent, dark blue hair and light purple armor.

"I will deal with this Shandris, go aid your warriors," Pained said, turning and swinging her blade around and knocking aside one of the Prince's blades.

Shandris did not argue with her, she would finish off the rest of the Highborne while Pained fought; she was more than qualified to defeat this upstart of a leader. With that she rushed off, sheathing her blades and then dropping low to claim a discarded bow.

Pained weaved in and out of range, swinging her sword quickly and beautifully as she sparred with Tortheldrin. The mad Elf struggled to hold back her strikes; her massive sword easily batted aside his less weighty blades and made him stumble.

As he stabbed his blade forward it was parried, the claymore swinging around and slashing through his chestplate. The sting of the blade's edge reached his senses and he stumbled back, a grimace on his face as he glared down at the wound. A snarl escaped his lips as he attacked, becoming reckless rather than cautious with the obviously more skilled warrior.

"Damn you! I will not be denied!" Tortheldrin yelled, slashing wildly at Pained, his strikes becoming formless and easily countered.

Pained did not respond as she quickly swung around and deflected two strikes from the man, before slashing at the back of his leg. His armor helped him keep the limb, but he was brought to a knee, but it was only to make the following swing easier. Her blade coming around to slash at his neck.

Tortheldrin raised his blades and took the strike, but fell to his back and was left prone on the ground. Only having enough time to see the blade stab down towards him, and just enough to make sure it didn't pierce his chest when he deflected it to the side. Rolling away he returned to his feet and attacked, striking quickly at the seemingly defenseless Night Elf.

But Pained swung her large blade up quickly and almost without effort, sending Tortheldrin's duel blade flying from his grip. As he tried to attack with his other weapon she deflected that weapon as well, and then swung back around and through his waist. His arm clasped to the wound, but she was not done as she swung down and into his leg.

Tortheldrin screamed as his leg bent at an unnatural angle, leaving him on his only remaining knee. Before he could fall to his hands, Pained slashed again and through the back of his armor, dropping him to the ground with a roar of pain.

"No… this wasn't meant… to happen…" Tortheldrin growled. "My Empire… this was meant to be… my Empire…"

"Now it will be the tomb for the last of your kind," Pained replied, raising her blade for the executioner strike.

Tortheldrin roared as he tried to lift himself up, unwilling to die in this city with his dream unfulfilled. But Pained ended it all when she dropped her blade, severing the man's head from his shoulders and leaving it to roll away.

Pained stood up straight and planted the tip of her sword into the ground, her eyes scanning the battlefield to find that it had changed into nothing but a mass of bodies. Many dead lay on the ground, few were their own, but all of the Highborne were gone.

"Secure the area, hunt down the rest of the Highborne and remove them, we will be advancing soon enough," Shandris called, and soon many groups formed and dispersed into the streets, while those upon the rooftops rushed off as well.

"With them dealt with we can move on to assault the demons now," Tervosh said, appearing in a burst of light.

"That will be likely yes, but first we will need to support the Warsong, if they are still fighting the demons we need to lessen the resistance they are facing," Shandris said aloud, and with a sharp whistle she brought her remaining warriors together.

Orders were quickly given, wounded were carted off and the dead were placed to the side and hidden to be carried back when the battle was over. Shandris noted that she lost twenty eight warriors in the assault; it would not be a detrimental loss to her standing forces in the next attack.


The demons moved from the camp, swarming down the streets and towards the Warsong parties several blocks away. The commander of the camp directed them from a large plinth in the center, surrounded by several portals and fortifications.

"Where are my reinforcements?!" The Satyr roared, looking at the flickering portal that did nothing, the runes upon it glowed but nothing came through, not even an opening was seen to the Nether.

"It is likely that something is disrupting our connection, those Web that blood elf gave us are worthless," a Succubus said, casually checking her nails as she spoke in disdain.

"That pulse from before, whatever it did seemed to have disrupted the energies around us, I can sense it," the Satyr said, growling as he sniffed the air and sneered. "The air smells too clean and sweat, find out what is wrong!"

"Of course, Lord Zevrim Thornhoof," Xezuhr said, the Succubus waving off his demand casually as she strolled away.

Zevrim growled at the way she ignored his commands, he had been assigned her by the Dreadlord Abraxus to oversee the defenses of the Highway. He was to make sure no external force penetrated his endeavor to secure the upper sections of the city.

Now he was dealing with Horde warriors and he had no more reinforcements, his numbers were dwindling and he couldn't keep up. He hoped that damn whore would get him some help, the last thing he needed was to end up like his old master.

But his time was about to get all the more worse, because as he watched his warriors rush into the streets he saw them fall. Arrows littering their torsos on all sides, and soon all around him his warriors were suffering the same fate. Felguard and doomguard fell alike as they were littered with bolts, his eyes darted around frantically and found his attackers on the rooftops.

"Sentinels!" Zevrim roared.

This could not have been any worse.

Before he could speak again close to a dozen arrows struck him in the chest and neck, throwing him from the platform and to the ground. Dead before he even was tossed off his hooves.


Shandris advanced through the camp, her warriors beside her as the rest continued on along the rooftops and side streets to the other demon camps. The Warsong needed reinforcements and they were going to get it, the time for fighting separately was over and as night came they would be uniting to fight the demons.

"Make sure there are no survivors," Shandris ordered, before she looked down the street, seeing a band of Orcs barreling down it and over the dead demons. "Terrific."

Morgosh lead the band into the camp, his axe coated in fresh blood and he leered at Shandris from afar. It was obvious he was annoyed at her for something, and she had a good theory on what it may be, although she hoped that the idiot could tell that the Highborne were a little different than Sentinels.

"I expected you to stab me in the back somehow, decide to attack me when this was all over, yet to actually go back on your word surprised me," Morgosh said, looking at her for a moment. "So, want to tell me why my flank was attacked by a pack of Elves?"

"Highborne," Shandris replied, not bothering to convey any form of innocence other than that.

"Lucky for you I know your history, and you expect me to believe that I was attacked by ten thousand year old Elves that still occupy this city?" Morgosh growled.

"If you noticed that they were all male, maybe you would realize that the Sentinels do not have a single male member in their ranks," Shandris replied, before she scoffed. "I do not have time for any suspicion right now, I cleared up these camps to get your forces moving so that we can make a joint assault on the Highway, are you coming with us or not?"

Shandris did not do anything further, she would not argue and say she was innocent in this, because he would make an argument that she was against him. Mainly for not supporting him when he called for aid and her willingness to attack rather than negotiate on their first meeting. There was no point in a senseless argument that would take time, so she did away with it and went ahead, with or without him.

"Too think I am the one trying to make cooperation work," Morgosh hissed, turning to his men and giving a jerk of his head.

They would follow them in, after this was over they would have words on this matter, it was obvious that they didn't trust each other. They had to work as one, no other choice at this point, because they were about to attack the main bulk of the demon's army.


The main Highway sat on a large shelf built on the slopes of the mountains; this area ran in a semi-circular fashion around the entire city. This upper ward was the more prestigious and restricted section of the city before the fall of the Highborne Empire. The Highway ran along this shelf in an arc from one side of the city to the other.

The only way up was a select few set of stairs that ran along the shelf, with only nine along the twelve kilometer long shelf.

The Highway was a well paved marble road, twenty meters in width and every inch of it was being used by the demons as they advanced into the western quarter of the city. Snarls and hisses went around them as they pushed against one another to move quicker. None led the massive demon horde; instead they followed only the demon ahead of them.

It would be suicide to attack such a tightly packed enemy force.

On the ground it is.

When a hail of arrows rained down from the few buildings that lined the side of the street the demons were felled quickly. Dozens dropping in seconds and hundreds upon hundreds of arrows flew down towards them, not missing a mark as they buried themselves in red fel flesh.

Then the rest appeared, charging into the street and shooting as they formed a wall of archers from one side to the other, cutting off the Highway. From above and from street level the Sentinels fired, cutting down over a hundred within a few seconds, and more joined them. But even so the demons continued to pour in from both sides, charging forward without regard.

They drew closer despite the rain of death from above and ahead of them, bodies piled up and formed low walls that hindered their advance, but they still persisted. Arrows were expended and used in rapid succession, five hundred Sentinels discharged an arrow every two seconds, and nearly as many demons fell in that same amount of time.

But they continued to close in, hundreds of demons filled the Highway from side to side, and even with them falling in droves more would charge forward from East and West. They were close, and soon the Sentinels would be caught in the ensuing melee, something that they likely would not survive even with support from above.

"Lok'tar Ogar! For the Horde!" Morgosh roared, charging past the Sentinels with his Warsong warriors.

Axes, swords and maces joined the onslaught as the Horde contributed their strength of arms to the Sentinels flawless archery. The two forces worked in tandem with one another, the Warsong keeping the demons at bay while the Sentinels fired from a distance and covered them.

"Move to the East, we must reach the main entrance to the Royal Quarter!" Shandris called, joining her warriors as she advanced with them along the highway.

They fought and carefully picked off the opposition as it closed in, the Warsong warriors advancing along the Highway slowly. While at their backs and from above the Sentinels kept them covered, they moved slowly, the demons were limitless and continued to march in from the east.

"Dammit! We need more support, there are just too many of them!" Morgosh growled out, his axe splitting through a Felguard's torso.

"We have none, this is all we have!" Shandris called out, releasing an arrow and drawing another.

She noted that she had fired over sixty arrows already, and their refills were still being brought along. Her eyes turned to see that many of her Sentinels were already refilling their quivers from their resupply, sabers carrying hundreds of arrows on their backs. Already three had been freed from their burden, while two more still are waiting to be expended of their arrows.

Her eyes drifted to the rooftops, her warriors would likely be low on ammunition, their shooting has become scarce and infrequent. This was not going to be an easy fight for them to win, they most certainly needed support.

"Keep pushing!" Shandris ordered, advancing and with her warriors right behind her.

There would be no help coming for them here, not now.

A lull in combat occurred, lasting only but a moment, a massive boom and thunderclap was heard as something burst through a building back down the road. Beyond the rearguard that protected their rear they could see something stumbling out of the destroyed building.

To their surprise it was an Ancient, swinging its massive tree limbs around and tossing the demons aside easily. But it was not alone, many more came through, bursting through buildings or simply hobbling down from further up the Highway. There had to be dozens of them, all marching from the west and towards them.

One marched through the carnage, its body larger than those that fought around it. More bark formed over its body than foliage, with large tusks along its long face, and large jutting stumps from its back. This creature was an Ancient of War, a powerful and great Ancient Protector, and it stood before their combined force and looked down upon them.

"These demons will be removed…" It bellowed. "We will aid you Sentinels, and your allies…"

Shandris let out a breath, the prospect of fighting Ancients did not sound too good to her, especially with the demons already about.

"Thank you Ancient," Shandris said, bowing to the great spirit of nature.

"Attack!" Tendris Warpwood bellowed, his fellow Ancients walking past the Sentinels and Warsong to the demons.

The battle had turned in their favor, and now they had the numbers and force needed to finally push the demons back.


"Get all the relics and tomes! We cannot leave anything behind!" Mordent yelled out, watching as the libraries were emptied of all their contents.

Thousands of tomes and hundreds of relics were sealed in chests to be carried away from here, but even so they had not the numbers to carry them all. Their people could not be expected to gather all their knowledge and history and depart with it, they were already sacrificing what could be kept and what could not.

"Archmage, the demons are advancing!" Daros called, his staff in hand and ready to fight.

Mordent hissed under his breath, he knew that Tortheldrin would die out there, that fool thought he could win back this city with only two hundred men. Thousands of demons had likely already poured forth and into the city by now, it was all lost.

But worse yet he took almost every single able bodied warrior with him and left their people defenseless. Adding salt to the wound he didn't even seem to defend the places he so valiantly took, instead passing over them and leaving the demons to retake them as soon as he left.

"That damn fool, because of him we may all suffer for this," Mordent said aloud, knowing that this may be the moment his people fall.

This may be their final stand, but he would not allow them to go without a fight, to actually defend the last of their people before the end.

"Get all the people into the Athenaeum; we cannot let them be harmed!" Mordent cried out, looking to the few remaining warriors with them, and loyal to their people rather than the Prince. "Azj'Tordin, have you found a route yet?"

"No, the tunnels I intended to use are no longer accessible; I have no idea how to get us out of the city!" The jade haired mage said, before the doors of the archives burst open.

They pour in and move to the nearest target, but his mages are ready for them. Mordent raises his staff and releases a burst of arcane energy, blasting the foul beast aside, while more pour in behind him. They fight to hold the door, keeping the demons from getting any further into their sacred library.

"Keep fighting! We must hold on!" Mordent cried.

He was about to shout to Azj'Tordin to take the people and escape, but was unable to when the world around them began to grow dark. The windows seem to darken and the shadows began to expand and grow thicker, as if all the light was being sucked out of the world.

"What in the name of…" Mordent cried, before he heard a demon cry out.

He turned and watched in shock as the shadows shot out and grasped the demon, pulling it into the shadows. It disappeared into the black, along with any sounds that it could have produced, and soon the other demons fell victim to the same darkness. Being taken into the black where they were never seen or heard again.

"What is this magic?" Mykos said, stepping back and grasping her staff tightly.

Then the darkness moved in a singular motion, the light returning to the room and the shadows formed at the doorway and formed over it. A veil of shadow spilled down and through the doorway, looking to be a gate to the abyss.

"You all seem quite keen on escaping, allow me to help,"

Appearing from the shadows was a woman, covered in a light blue cloak and holding a sword in hand. She strolled forward gracefully as she looked around the library with a small smile on her pale face. The Elves were on alert, the shadows coiled at her feet and from her blade; she was the source of them.

"Who are you?" Mordent demanded quickly.

"Is that any way to speak with the person that saved you?" She said, smiling still even while being threatened by a dozen Elven magi. "But to answer your question: My name is Codexia Fairchild, and I have a proposition for you."


There you are, hope you enjoyed the chapter

Reviews:

Selias: Well that would ruins the surprise later on wouldn't it? Knowing everything at the beginning just takes away, leaving you with answers for immediate questions, instead of lingering questions you want solved. That is how I like to write, leaving you guessing what is to come next.

Kragh50: Glad you like it. Also Codexia will be revealed in time, trust me.

DanteNaru: As you said, there is a difference between a God and a god, lower case gods are basically powerful spiritual entities that are seen as god-like beings. Loa like Hakkar the Soulflayer is considered a god, and rightly so because of his raw power. The spirit sees Ichigo as a god because she senses his power and the nature of it, that is why she called him a god.

Yeah, the Bronze will continue the hunt for now. The Blood Elf, Lethlandris, was a boss in the Dungeon that I made into an enemy encounter. She is an enemy to Ichigo but not the whole Blood Elven people. Yes, Ichigo will fight against the different bosses such as Illidan, Arthas and Garrosh.

Faust: Really, I guess I could see about getting the images updated but I do still think she is cute.

Yes, the image is of his Bankai, mainly a Bankai variant to his armor that he is currently wearing. Also he will acquire several weapons of note and use them in tangent with Zangetsu, both in Shikai and Bankai.

Reality Deviant: You have to wait and see for these questions to be answered, trust me.

Earendil18: You are certainly trying to analyses the situation and that is what I like, people simply want answers out of the book but sometimes the question is more important and trying to diagnose it yourself is better. Why have all the answers when you can think of one up yourself, it is no different than what any Fanfiction author does. But the answers will come soon, I promise you that. They will come.

Black Cross0: Glad you like a story that leaves some mystery, because not everything can be explained all at once otherwise the story lose its flow and basically will become a text book. As for Codexia you will see and find out who she is in the next arc and what her story entails and what lengths she will go to attain her goals.

It is certainly stronger than Malfurion, but maybe not as powerful as Cenarius. She is a spirit of Nature, and while she is powerful she doesn't possess the same divine spark as Cenarius does due to being a son of Elune. But, a love child between Cenarius and Ysera, sounds like one of those messed up Step-Mother and Son pornos.

Impstar: I have plans for her, that is for certain. Also I am glad that you are interested in Codexia, she is going to be a major character for this story, I promise you.

Krazyfanfiction1: Yeah, depersonalizing an entity makes it easier to handle and fight, you are surprised how easily we do it. Crushing a bug is easy, but what about a dog? People becomes attached to them and they are part of our lives sometimes, connections is often what leads us to hesitate in striking, Hollows are no different. You see a man that was once human, you would be surprised how often people do not strike.

Drow79: Not a God, but a god, lower case mate. Ichigo is a lower class of god, technically a powerful spirit not unlike the Loa such as Hakkar the Soul Flayer, but instead of Blood it is Death.

Leapinglemur: You will see in time who Codexia is and what she represents, in the next arc all will be brought to light about her and the goals she seeks. As for Drauntia she is something a little more ancient than those guys, much more primal.

Yeah, but Transcendence is much easier than United, over a hundred OC's for that story I assure you.

Mandalore the Freedom: I would recommend some of the RTS games, those would be a good start and I highly recommend them. They will get you hooked and begging for more, of that I assure you. How does a woman maintain her figure, easy, it is magic.

Sillent: Well at least you got further than most, at least your attention span is not as small as your review.

Plums: Come on man, they barely know each other, friend and all. Besides you could use that same argument with Orihime for god sakes, and Ichigo sure as hell hasn't been getting anything from her in the last two years they have been hanging out with one another in the manga. I need to give a right moment for them to convey a sense of feeling and connection between the two.

Meech Macko: Codexia is someone that can bring about major change to the world, be it good and bad and you will see why in the next arc.

Lethlandris surviving will have some consequences, that is for certain. Slso LethLandris is the name of the Blood Elf.

Also remember there are two ways to say God, with a capital G and a lower case g, mainly because a Capital Case God is a being of phenominal power such as the Soul King. Ichigo is a lower case g, a powerful spirit with near god-like power but doesn't possess divine powers and omnipotent power.

Adelina was surprised but she is not embarrassed, she had that discussion with Ichigo in the bath, remember? Actually that is how they appear, that is their armor and weapons.

Vinayakdj1: Glad you like the chapter and the mystery of it all. Also I am glad and hope that some of these questions are ones that you really want to be answered and I can promise you that they will come with time. Not one for revealing spoilers, they take away the mystery.

Guest #1: You will see soon enough that fight, Ichigo is going to be showing off what he can really do.

Umbra Venetor: Glad you liked it, and that confrontation is a whiles off, but Chromie will be fighting Abraxus next chapter.

Templarsith: Very good, she is someone to be careful with. Also I like your logic on the Bakini's, Harems and Ichigo's instincts. They certainly do sound legit.

MSG1000: Glad to be of service in making you want to read more. Also thanks for pointing that out, helps me work harder and make sure I don't make mistakes like that again in the future.

Guest #2: It is possible, but demons being bound to the Nether are similar to sinners being bound to hell. If they die they simply reform in Hell, same as demons in the Nether, but Elementals and possibly Demons can be killed on their own dimensional planes. But sinners cannot, now if this is different in some manner, I do not know, but this leaves up to debate if demons can be permanently killed or destroyed.

Also yes, as Ichigo's fame grows he will be sought out by others and seen, rumors and legends will form around him but it will not be till the War of the Shifting Sands that he makes a name for himself. That is where he will be known by all.

Guest #3: Yeah, he will use his Bankai in a desperate situation.

Bucio: Glad you like the chapter and I can see that Codexia is making you think heavily on what her purpose is and what she is planning. That is what I like about readers like you, you don't get pissy about the answers not being there, and you theorize and think of what could be. I cannot answer most of these questions as they reveal too much but you are on the mark on several things about Codexia's alignment and the coincidences.

Also the timeline issue is something I have been feverishly trying to create a believable means to convey, I have kept it light in order to create a legitimate reason. After all time can be altered and changed, but what is lost in the event of these changes, that is something that needs to be considered.

Blindluck92: Congrats, you win!

Hope you have a good day.