Wow it has been a while hasn't it, sorry about that, but I needed to refresh myself and I have done that now, so I am back to writing. Now enjoy this chapter of Transcendence and United that I have posted alongside it. Reviews will be placed in an edited version of this chapter later on, for now enjoy the chapter for now.


Transcendence

Chapter 41: Rolling over Thunder

Kohor growled as he stormed down the path from his fortress, the gravel and stone ridden dirt digging into his bare feet uncomfortably. This blasted landscape was always a bleak place to live, but the fact it also sucked the very life and sanity from a person by being within it only drove him madder.

He had been here for nearly three years now and could barely stand living another day in this horrid expanse of ashen sand and bones. He did not know how much longer he would last before he snapped and killed everyone in sight, honestly he was too old to be dealing with this.

But what aggravated him most was the damn undead that strolled into his chamber and woke him, saying that he is needed at the gate. It was well within the night, dawn was probably a few scant hours away and he was forced to walk along the cold jagged ground to see what was causing problems.

"What is it?" Kohor barked, whatever the undead had been told to bring to his attention was nothing more than a few torches in the distance.

"A party from Shadowbreak Ravine is at the gate," Adept Bel'Thak hissed, his pale and aged features covered by his cowl. "Ten Blademasters, alongside two others, Al'arr Darkhill's entire contingent, they are escorting someone."

Kohor was surprised for a moment; Al'arr was here with all of her Blademasters and was escorting one individual, it did not make much sense that they would all be coming here. Then his expression took a darker turn, scowling in irritation before he motioned for the gate to be lifted, he would see for himself what was going on.

As the wooden gate was lifted up off the ground he saw the party moving in, leading them was an Adept, staff in hand she strolled into the courtyard. A few glanced later she finally stood before Kohor, slamming her fist into her chest and giving a short bow, the orc looked at the Adept with narrowed eyes.

"Who are you? Why do you walk with these Blademasters? Where is their master?" Kohor barked, where the hell is Al'aar' why are here guards here?

"I am… Sha'Kuna, I am… was a servant to Al'arr Darkhills," The orc replied, her head bowed and hidden beneath the cowl, as Kohor missed her expression she also missed his snarling face.

"Where is she? I know that Al'arr would never let her elite guards to move with some insect like you, why are you here with them?" Kohor demanded.

"She is dead," Sha'Kuna replied, lifting her head to look at the Warlock with dead milky eyes. "Killed along with most of the conclave, we are all that is left."

"What? How did this happen?" Kohor demanded, a brief moment of shock passing over his features before his eyes lit up with fiery anger, grabbing the orcess by the throat and lifting her up.

She made no struggle or even seemed to choke but Kohor did not notice or care, he wanted to know what has transpired. He gave her a shake and tightened his hold, the action enough to warrant her to give him what he wanted.

"Speak!" Kohor demanded.

"Attacked… by elves… they invaded the ravine… killed all of our… Acolytes and servants… we captured one in our escape… their leader…" Sha'Kuna replied, her words rasping as she was held aloft.

Kohor dropped the adept and looked at the ten Blademasters, finding them in two lines and waiting for orders, but then he noticed another in their presence. Standing between the ten orcs was a human woman, red of hair and wearing several shades of blue clothing, including a cloak that sat partially over her head. Her hands were bound and she appeared to be mostly unharmed, aside from several bruises and cuts, his eyes narrowed again.

Strolling forward he looked down at the woman, who was two feet shorter than himself, who did not move to turn to look up at him. Instead she continued to mutter something under her breath, he did not hear it, but it only annoyed him.

"My lord, I have brought her to you… in Al'arr's last words… I was to lead the Blademasters back here and inform you… the enemy is on their way…" Sha'Kuna said, standing back on her two feet and gesturing stiffly towards the bound woman. "She knows who we face… and can be of use…"

Kohor did not take his eyes off the woman as he glared down at her bowed head, he did not like this, something told him that these circumstances were wrong with this woman. She exuded a dark aura, and that alone was something he could detect, obviously she was some kind of Shadow Priest. But he did not need to guess what was happening, he would find out soon enough, when he dragged her back to the Stronghold he would question her personally.

"Sha'Kuna, take the Blademasters to the barracks, leave them there and report to me," Kohor growled, turning and gesturing toward two nearby felsworn.

The two lumbering orcs stepped forward, their large reddening hand reaching for the bowed woman, grabbing her by each arm and tugging her along. As she was dragged across the ashen grey sand Sha'Kuna watched on blankly, her eyes peering in the direction of her captive taken by Kohor. Then she turned towards the Blademasters and uttered a single command, and as the single word was uttered, the orc warrior followed her.

A quick stroll around the base of the fortress brought them to a standalone structure; sitting huddled in the corner of the fortresses' grounds. Sha'Kuna strolled within and found within many orcs hovering around within the large nearly vacant room. The large circular room was devoid of everything aside from cots where to sleep, while a pyre burned within its centre. Roaming around were many orcs, Blademasters, all aimlessly hovering and pacing.

This was where they were to be confined when they were not of use, kept in a single place where they could not cause problems. The mental magic dominating their minds keeping them from acting irrationally, but in turn the quiet and limited commands causes them to stir. For without the magic controlling their minds receiving the orders in which they operate, begin to go lax but not weaken, and the mind of those dominated begin to try and regain their freedom.

It never works, the magic often overwhelms their conscious mind and torments it as they resist, and often driving those of strong will to go mad. It was a cruel fate for them all, one that had taken the lives of many great warriors, rotting their minds away into nothing.

"Look at them, rotting like this," Murauro said, glaring around the chamber at his subservient brothers.

"Find Drakada, he will know what must be done," Sha'Kuna replied, stepping forward and towards the flame.

She gazed into the pyre for a moment, before she raised her hand, her dead milky eyes did not move as she channelled the shadowy energies through her entire form. Soon all the darkness around her seemed to become tangible and deepen. Seeping from whatever corner it resided in, and within, and pooling towards the docile orcs.


Codexia smiled slightly, even as she stood inside the massive throne chamber of this warlock and nearly three dozen of his personal attendants and servants, she couldn't be more than happier. But she kept her head bowed, she had much more to do, getting inside was only the beginning.

"From what Sha'Kuna said, you are the leader of a band of elves that destroyed Blackridge Ravine, and the conclave that was there," Kohor said, leaning back onto his throne and glaring at the woman.

Codexia glanced around the chamber, finding the upper ring of the chamber where most of his warriors and servants stood, while she was placed in a small depression in the centre of the room. While the Warlock himself sat on an even higher elevation on his throne, glaring down at everyone from an imagined height of superiority.

"Who are you? What makes you think you can escape our wrath once we come for you?" Kohor continued, leaning forward in what could only be described as a menacing way.

Codexia just laughed a little, a small chuckle under her breath; it was funny that this orc thought he could scare her with such childish tactics. Looming over her from on high and leaning forward in an aggressive manner, there was no better word than childish at this point.

"Are you mocking me girl?" Kohor growled, his eye flickering with green flame for a moment as he glared at her.

"I just find your methods of interrogation and intimidation to be quite childish, that is all, but really I shouldn't insult my hosts, it is of poor tastes," Codexia replied, smiling slightly as she looked up at the warlock, who only returned it with a growl and sneer.

"You have spirit girl, perhaps that is the reason you thought yourself so brazen in attacking us, thinking you can challenge the might of the Burning Blade," Kohor said.

Codexia wanted to laugh again, but decided to only do so within her mind, truly this orc was mad if he thought he and his cult was a threat to anyone. From what she had heard most of their operations in the Barrens had been destroyed, they had lost so many footholds and their only safe haven was this bleak nightmare.

To actually think that the Burning Blade had the power to be a major threat was a massive overstatement, especially since now that their only base of operations was this crumbling fortress. Maybe the Satyr's at Sargeron could be allies, but by daybreak they would all be gone, along with this fortress.

"Yes we do, after all, if you are so mighty, then why was it so easy to decimate the entirety of your forces at Blackridge Ravine and Mannoroc?" Codexia replied, and got a sneer from the warlock.

"You lie, those two locations cannot have fallen, you human and your Sentinels Allies could not have destroyed our two greatest gatherings without us knowing," Kohor growled, while a murmur broke out in his court. "Quiet!"

Codexia could see that they were all concerned with the prospect of defeat, after all if you always thought that you will win the realization that defeat is the end for you can drive people to drastic things.

"My lord Kohor,"

Codexia turned and regarded the speaker for a moment, finding to her surprise that the speaker was an elf with bright green hair and greyish skin. Immediately she realized that this is the elf that Drakada spoke of, the elf that had been studying the Sceptre of Light, someone she needed to question immediately on its location.

"It is obvious that this human is similar to those that now live near the coast," Tyranis Malem, that had to be his name if she recalled correctly. "It may be possible that they are after the Scepter, after all they do seem quite fixated on those ruins."

Codexia stared at him for a moment, she could feel the dark energies coursing through his being, it was obvious that he was practicing dark magic and succumbing to the addiction. It would only be a matter of time before he finally is taken by the power, but sadly for him that time was never going to come about.

"Is this true human? Do you seek the Scepter of Light?" Kohor inquired.

"I do," Codexia replied, deciding to humour him; she only had to stall for a little while longer. "That Scepter is something I need to accomplish my goals, and I would be very thankful if you gave it to me right now."

Kohor lost all expression, his face going completely blank for a moment, and then he burst out laughing. Despite how annoyingly long he choked out each laugh Codexia did nothing but smile, the longer she delayed the better off she would be. And the good minutes he was choking on his own humour was all the more victory to her than him.

"Do you even know what that Sceptre is capable of?" Kohor inquired, his amusement only diminishing slightly as he continued to press on. "It is capable of raising and levelling cities, it sunk the elven city of Ethel Rethor beneath the waves, and I intend to do the same to Theramore Isle."

Codexia believed that there was some more elaborate plan behind this but he did not elaborate, but she did not care for his schemes or what it entails, she had other things to do. She knew the capabilities of the staff more than anyone else, raising and levelling cities? Please, it served only that purpose when the city is over water. The real power of that item is much more unique, and that is why she needed it.

"Well, it is obvious that I am underqualified to handle the weapon, but I am sure with some time and effort I can match whatever your ally here has been doing," Codexia replied. "I know that this elf is studying the artefact and that only an elf can use it, specifically a Highborne. Or a Night Elf that uses arcane magic, likely the reason you allowed him to join you."

Kohor did not show any surprise, but the narrowing of his eyes and the loss of his humour proved he was not happy. That elf was only alive and in their service because he was the only one that could do what they wanted, that was all there was too it.

"Be silent, what do you know of the Sceptre of Light?" Tyranis growled, obviously catching on to her insinuation that he was only a temporary asset for them.

"I know that while the Sceptre can be harnessed through arcane means it actually can be used by others, specifically Shamans," Codexia replied, noticing the surprised expression on the faces of the warlock and elf. "Come now, don't you find it odd that the main source material of the object relies heavily on the ocean? That is because that object was designed for that specific purpose, any fool could see that if they studied it enough. But I am sure that you saw sinking cities and that was all it took, I do wonder how you figured out that you need an elf."

"How do you know this?" Tyranis yelled out, his eyes betraying his anger, Codexia suspected that his own pride made him misinterpret the power and capabilities of the Scepter.

"The Ancient Highborne actually used a form of Shamanism before they delved into the Arcane, the only reason they could still use the Scepter is because the staff was designed to be used by two specific types of people. The Highborne – whom your elven friend here is a descendant from - and any who could tame the elements – Such as a Shaman – so with the right means anyone can use the staff, so long as they are respectful towards the elemental forces they harness," Codexia replied.

"That is impossible, no such records exist!" Tyranis hissed, glaring at the woman who appeared to know more about the staff than he did, and Codexia smiled all the more as she matched his stare.

"You just do not know how to look, the Scepter was a gift from a powerful elemental spirit that resided within the city." Codexia replied honestly. "She gave the items a specific restriction that it could only be used by the Highborne and a Shaman, but the restriction has a loophole."

As she finished speaking the doorway opened, Kohor glanced up and his eyes narrowed as he saw Sha'Kuna stepping through. But behind he followed two dozen Blademasters, all of them moving along the outside wall of the chamber.

"Sha'Kuna, what is the meaning of this?" Kohor barked, but the Acolyte did nothing.

"Don't you want to know about the loophole?" Codexia continued, and drawing the warlocks gaze back towards her. "I am sure that as a Warlock you likely were once something else, possibly a Shaman?"

Kohor narrowed his eyes at her, where was she going with this?

"Likely you know of the Spirit of Life and the Spirit of Death," Codexia stated, her smile never leaving as her eyes scanned the room around her. "You probably know that it is the Spirit of Life, this element is what binds and connects all living things to the elements, and is used by Shaman's to bring balance to them."

"Why do you prattle?" Kohor growled, standing from his throne and skulking towards the rim of the bowl, he glared down at the human that seemed so confident despite being at their mercy. "You think you can save yourself by telling us of the Sceptre? We will learn of it soon enough, all you do now is give us the extra push to uncovering its secrets."

"Let me finish." Codexia replied, glancing up at the Warlock. "The Spirit of Death, or Decay, has the opposite effect, instead of causing harmony in the elements it is used to subjugate and control them, to manipulate them to the persons will."

Kohor growled under his breath, she continued with this, but then his eyes turned to the Blademasters around the room. His eyes glancing at them and finding something amiss with them, they did not appear as they should, he could see their once apathetic and expressionless faces were now tight and concealing their building rage.

"This is what will allow me to harness the Sceptre of Light, because within the Scepter is a great deal of power that I can harness and use because I can subjugate it," Codexia continued on, taking the orcs attention. "But that doesn't get me the Scepter, no; I need to take it from you. And oddly enough what I have been telling you now actually leads into how I intend to do that."

Kohor slowly back away, he knew something was wrong; he needed to get his staff and prepare for whatever this woman does.

"Decay can also be considered shadows, or the Shadow of Death, as it is closely tied to Shadow Magic and other forces of the like," Codexia said, before she raised her hand and jerked it toward Sha'Kuna, the orc convulsed for a moment. "With it you can do so many wondrous things, including controlling someone, be it living or dead."

True to her word from the Acolytes mouth a wet stream of shadows poured forth and moved through the air and along the floor towards Codexia. It flowed into her hand and through her arm, seeping through her gauntlet and glove. As the last of the dark substance vacated the orc she collapsed to the ground, her gaunt face and milky eyes clear for all to see now.

"But more than that, it can also be used to siphon off the dark energies within other beings, including mind control," Codexia finished, glancing at the warlock who had just taken his staff.

Kohor quickly glanced to the side, and nearly lost his head, ducking as quickly as he saw the blade moving for his neck and raise her fist and punched it forward. The Blademaster was thrown back, his form burning with fel fire, connecting with the wall and smouldering on the ground unmoving.

"Damn you!" Kohor roared, turning towards Codexia, his intent to set her alight and leave her corpse to be reduced to cinders.

Codexia did not reply, but instead disappeared from sight, her form taking on a shadowy quality as she vanished. Kohor turned and looked around, most of his Acolytes were dead, having been cut down by the Blademasters, and his few warriors still on his side were outmatched by the superior swordsman.

"I will not die here," Kohor growled, turning and moving around the chamber, he needed to escape from here.

Kohor made his way around the room quickly, the door was only a few meters from him, and he cast aside anyone in his path, caring not if they be ally or enemy. A Blademaster made an attempt and was quickly dispatched, his chest incinerated by a bolt of fel fire. Kohor reached the doorway before a hand grasped his forearm, he turned and prepared to incinerate the one who touched him. He halted just before he did so, but still considered it when he saw the culprit, standing there was Tyranis.

"My lord, I have the Sceptre, we must escape…" Tyranis said, under his free arm was a crude wooden box, the container for the weapon.

Kohor nodded toward the elf, he would keep the elf with him for now, something to keep his sides safe as he moved for the exit. Along with someone to be at his back in case someone decides to sink a knife in it, better the elf than him after all. He turned and walked out, not a word said, the only noise being the slaughter that was dying down quickly behind him.

"A trap, a damn trap," Kohor hissed, unable to believe he had been deceived so easily, to think that the woman could have tricked him so easily.

"We still have warriors outside the fortress, we may be able to send them against the woman and the Blademasters," Tyranis said.

Kohor did think it was possible, but he had nearly fifty Blademasters under his heel, if the enemy had freed them all and brought them to their side it would be devastating for his forces. He needed them killed off quickly, once he rallies his warriors outside the fortress he could easily retake it.

"I will sacrifice that damn woman to my demon masters, and feed her body to Fel Hounds afterwards," Kohor growled, stepping out of the fortress and looking out over his citadel.

His eyes widened to the battle below, finding that the Blademasters that have rebelled were not his only concern. Fighting with the Blademasters were an assortment of other warriors and mages, varying races of the Alliance fought together with his former slaves, and they were winning easily.

There had to be over two hundred of them, outmatching his own feeble warriors in both numbers and skill, they washed over what defenses had been erected by his acolytes and Fel-Sworn. This fortress had been taken, his men were scattered and falling fast, and he was trapped within it with an army at his front and another at his back.

"No… No, no, no!" Kohor growled, he couldn't allow this; the Burning Blade could not crumble here, not after so long of preparations and waiting for the opportune time.

"My lord, what do we do?" Tyranis hastily asked, his tone as frantic as his expression.

Kohor turned to berate him, but as he glanced over his shoulder he saw someone not ten meters behind him, his words died in his throat as he noticed her. Turning her raised his staff to attack, a ball of condensed shadow forming in his palm, but his eyes widened when he saw that she had already attacked.

A wave of shadows swung forward and slammed into him and Tyranis, propelling both off their feet and down the natural ramp to the lower courtyard of the fortress. Kohor rolled to a stop near the base of the ramp, battered and bruise from the attack he pulled himself back onto his feet. He looked over to the fallen elf, he lay there on the ground unmoving, still clutching at the box even in death.

Kohor turned to the fortress to see Codexia and the Blademasters descending towards him, calmly walking towards him and planning on finishing him. But he would not have that; he would kill that woman even if it meant he had to die with her. His eyes lingered on the chest still in the elf's death grip, its contents being the only thing he could use to at least gain a sporadic victory.

With that in mind he leaped towards the chest, he flopped to the ground and reached for the container, ripping from underneath Tyranis' body and pulling it open. Inside he found the sapphire sceptre within, the blue metal shaft twisted itself up to the egg-shaped ornament, where two twisting arms formed around it.

The ornament pulsed a dull blue light, filled with untapped power; he grasped the handle and raised it up. Even if he was no Shaman or Night Elf, he would not be stopped, he would force the power free and dominate it and use it to destroy this woman. He aimed the Sceptre towards her, it glowed brightly as he pulled on the power within, forcing it to obey him.

"You think I will let any of you leave here alive?" Kohor roared, ignoring the many that surrounded and closed in on him from all sides. "I will not be killed here without at least dealing the death blow unto you! If I am to fall with my clan, my enemies will come with me!"

The sceptre burst with energy, light and waves of force expelled from the headpiece as rampant as an erratic heartbeat. Wild and uncontrollable spiritual energies shot out in every direction, the ground shuddered and those upon it failed to keep their footing, while the orc could bring the power forth he did little in way of controlling it.

"When we first claimed the Staff from the Naga we sunk most of the island off the coast, the energies within this Sceptre were so potent it ripped that island apart!" Kohor screamed, a large grim plastered across his face, he may die but he would take as much pleasure in this as he could.

"He is releasing too much energy! If he continued he will destroy this entire fortress!" A cry sounded out from the Highborne.

"We need to stop him! Kill him now!"

A moment later a barrage of spells assaulted the orc, fire and ice mixed with raw arcane bolts, yet he remained unscathed as the violent energies spiralled out and pushed aside anything that tried to harm him. Kohor laughed, he felt invincible right now, the fact that this power protected him just because of it volatile nature only made it more enticing for him. Had he not been bested like this he could have brought down the city of Ogrimmar with this weapon, maybe even Stormwind if the time came.

'But no more, the only solace I shall have in this is the fact that they will all be dead along with me,' Kohor thought, drawing upon more power from within and forcing it to the surface.

The pulses grew in strength, blowing many aside as the concussive forces built upon one another, the ground tore itself apart and the very air dispersed with each shockwave. Even his former fortress upon the hill began to shake and collapse from the quakes that rocked the earth. Kohor laughed, few heard it over the thundering energies the escaped the artefact, he revelled in the destruction he would cause.

"All of you will be blown apart, leaving nothing behind!" Kohor yelled, glaring the woman ahead of him, who remained on her feet and stared right back at him. "What do you hope to do? Stop me? It is impossible now! When the Sceptre reaches critical mass it will ignite all that power and rip this fortress and all within it apart!"

"We need to escape! He cannot be harmed and those energies are too wild to be contained!" Another Highborne yelled, many taking his advice as they scrambled to escape from the vicinity, wanting to at least have the explosion at their backs than face it head on.

"There is no escape! All will be ripped apart, this is but a taste of what the Legion will bring when they return to claim this world!" Kohor yelled, watching as the red haired woman skulked forward despite the outbursts of spiritual energy that washed over her body. "I may not be there to see it, but I will ensure that you all are dead when…"

His words died in his throat, but his taunt was not all that had been halted, around him the air cleared and the night had become peaceful. Kohor looked down at the Sceptre, finding that the energies dimming with each passing second, and the hand upon it that seemed to be the cause. He looked towards the owner, Codexia, who smiled at him before she twisted forward and swung her other arm up.

Blood.

His vision was clouded by the deep dark red substance, it was his own, pain flooded his mind as he registered the strike. Glancing up at the dark pulsing blade that had delivered the blow, the longsword with chains wrapped around it, and hiss under his breath.

"I… cannot… believe it…"

He fell to the earth, his eyes clouding as his life left him as quickly as the blood the flowed from his gaping wound. As he struck the earth he had already passed, a final exhale coming from his deceased and slowly cooling corpse. Standing over him, blade and Sceptre in hand, Codexia smiled to herself at the easy victory.

"I told you, with the Spirit of Decay one can subjugate the elements, and within the Sceptre is a portion of a spirits power given to the Highborne," Codexia said, mostly to herself rather than anyone else, she found it vindicating in a way to prove herself. "With the Spirit of Life I can connect with the elements, and what power they give me I can manipulate it to its fullest potential with the Spirit of Decay. And since that Staff was given to the Highborne to use at their discretion, every ounce of power within it is mine to tame and use to my discretion."

Codexia blinked a little when she realized that she had been speaking aloud to a corpse, she shook it off along with the stares she received. Maybe she had become a little too morbid with how she was doing things, talking down to corpses and all this manipulation was really making her feel like some kind of villain.

'Best not think about it, it is for a good cause,' Codexia mused, trying to reassure herself more than anything.

"You certainly did seem to accomplish that," Mordent called out, strolling through his fellow kin and towards Codexia.

"Thank you, I am not one to boast, my guardian taught me better than that," Codexia replied, smiling in a sane and humble fashion compared to before. "But still, our mission is complete; we have eradicated the entire Burning Blade from the Desolace, leaving the entire northern region under our control."

With the Burning Blade gone the Centaur were the only issue that remained, but she was certain they could be dealt with in time. For now she had what she needed to enact the next phase of her plan, the Sceptre in her hand she could easily move onto raising Ethel Rethor.

"Let us return to Ethel Rethor, there we can rest and prepare for the next phase of our plan," Codexia said, before she turned towards the orcs. "Please, come with us for a little while, we can give you provisions and send you on your way, a token of our thanks for your aid."

Drakada and Murauro stepped forward, the two orcs sharing a glance with one another, a silent conversation going on between them. Codexia waited patiently for them to conclude their business, picking up a few words under their breath as they continued to deliberate. Finally Murauro turned towards Codexia and nodded, no other words were said, but she suspected that they would speak again soon.

"Good, let us go then, we can arrive back home by dawn," Codexia said, turning towards the gate and strolling out, behind her the entire Highborne contingent, alongside the Marta Mercenary Company and the Blademasters of the Burning Blade clan followed.

It was well into the night, they were halfway through the dark, and when the sun rose this morn she would be back where she needed to be, and by dusk she was certain the city of Ethel Rethor would sit above the waves once more.


Dalinda ran as fast she could, despite being starved and thirsty she did not stop running, she needed to get away from that fortress as fast as she could. Even if the shackles and chains wore her down she did not allow them to stop her, after so many months being a prisoner she was free. How could she allow herself to lose that again if she did not fight against the restricting metal that dragged along the sand.

"You damn fool… you damn fool…" Dalinda mumbled under her breath, tears in her eyes as she continued to run.

She had been there when the orcs had interrogated the red haired woman; she had been caged in the back of the chamber, able to see her through a crack in the cell door. Her brother was there, standing beside that putrid orc and he thought himself equal to that monster, how could Tyranis be so blind?

"I don't understand… why did you do this?" Dalinda cried out.

It was not long before she collapsed, her legs giving out only a few hundred yards from the fortress. She did not fight the fatigue, she was just happy to have escaped when she did, maybe if she rested here she could start fresh when she recovered. It was a desperate thought, that maybe she would be able to reach home from this barren wasteland.

"Oh Elune, please help me…"

The crunch of sand made her eyes widen, but the weakness in her bones and body did not abate as she fought to turn and look at the one who was approaching her. Fear worked its way into her heart at the thought of being captured again, being chained up and locked away in the dark to be tormented by those foul warlocks.

'No… No… Please no…" Dalinda begged, praying to the goddess for mercy.

"By the Light, where did you come from?"

Dalinda found herself flipped onto her back and had her head supported by an armoured hand, she looked up to see a straight haired man with a goatee. He was a human, covered in robes of black, grey and white, while he wore a strange silver badge shaped like the sun.

"Drink, slowly," He said, guiding a waterskin to her lips.

Despite his instructions Dalinda took the water within quickly, sculling the skin dry and feeling her parched throat moisten, it was an intoxicating feeling to drink cold water after so long. Before she knew it she had been hoisted up, the man lifting her in his arms and turning away.

"Come on, we need to get you to Nijel's Point," Azore Aldamort said, grimacing as he carried the woman in his arms.

He did not mind the weight and the time it would take to reach the camp, no his thoughts were occupied by the thoughts of the fortress and the power that had surged within. He had seen a massive army of elves and mercanaries assault the Hold and were victorious. Azore needed to know what has happened within, he needed to know if that power was the Scepter of Light.


Ethel Rethor, Dawn

Marta let out a yawn as she strolled out of her Submarine, she had a wonderful six hours of sleep last night, after finally finishing the repairs her pride and joy was ready to dive beneath the waves again. It had been two days since Codexia had returned and just as hastily departed, leaving with the majority of her armed forces to help the destroy the Burning Blade.

That left her to deal with the Naga from the oceans, and with most of her warriors gone it was a nightmare to hold the coast, and the Highborne who were an even more massive pain in the ass. Especially those nobles among the people, very demanding and always complaining about one thing or another, it was like they had never seen the outdoors or knew it was dirty. Despite how funny that may sound it was far from a laughable matter for Marta, having to deal with something trying to kill you with tridents and someone to kill you through bickering left her unable to handle either in equal measure. Especially true since you can bat one aside with a few good sword swings, and right now she wouldn't mind swinging something at these uppity elves.

"Gnome, I will not have any more of this foolishness,"

Marta could only glare right now, it didn't have to be at anything in particular, that man simply forced her to hate life itself with the way he spoke to her at times. He never referred to her by name, always calling her 'Gnome' or 'Child', she really hated him for that.

"What do you want now?" Marta growled out, it was too early to hear his damn complaints. "As I said before, I don't care about your opinions on food, the quality of water, the lavatories or your current accommodations, so if that is the complaint, please go away and leave me alone."

The elf's frown only deepened, despite how hard it was to believe that the already grim looking expression that seemed carved into his face like stone. That is what she had come to expect from Mildreas Willowgrove, a member of the Court of Nobles, ruling body of the Highborne common people and former advisors of Prince Tortheldin. He had actually said that to her, and seemed quite proud of his position, even if it was hard to see his expression as something other than the grim frown it always is.

"I am here because I demand an answer to the question I have asked more than any other, where is the City we were promised?" Mildreas replied, glaring down at Marta.

"Turn to the West, look down a bit, its right down there, if you want to take a look, just hold your breath for a long time and go see," Marta replied.

"I do not joke Gnome, my people were ripped from our home by demons and led here by some stranger who thinks she can command us simply because she controls Shadows and Nature," Mildreas replied, his arm swinging aside, as if dramatically batting away the statement that offended him. "Now she forces us to wait here, while our warriors and mages move against enemies not our own and use what little power we have left to satiate ourselves and stave off starvation."

Marta narrowed her eyes at that, it had been something that had come up several times actually, it would seem that these elves are suffering from magical addiction. She had heard of this before, recent reports of High Elves from Quel'thalas suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms from lack of contact with high levels of arcane energies.

But these Highborne were different, from what Codexia had revealed they were not like the Blood Elves, instead of overusing the energies their entire culture seems to be starved. Marta may not be an expert in the Arcane but she knew that if their bodies could handle the withdrawal and low levels of arcane consumption, then their bodies had acclimatized. Meaning that they likely did not need to continually feed on raw arcane energies, instead they likely are suffering from something else.

'They were harvesting demonic energies to satiate themselves,' Marta mused. 'They likely are also suffering from Fel poisoning as well, that's not good.'

"I wouldn't know about that, we have enough food here to last you a long good while, besides Codexia should be back soon, she did say two days at most," Marta replied, feigning ignorance to most of what he had said before, mostly because it was not her problem.

"I do not care for these excuses, my people are proud and mighty, we will not be held here like slaves to inferior races such as you," Mildreas said, glaring down at her.

"Make a single move against my people and you will live to regret it," Marta replied. "You are being given protection, shelter and food, without it you wouldn't last a week out there. The worlds changed, but from what I know the Night Elves likely won't take kindly to you being so close to their territory, the Horde sure as hell won't. So next time you threaten the hand that feeds you, remember that we are the only ones that are not going to turn you into chopped liver simply because you exist. You get me?"

Mildreas glowered down at her, his eyes pulsing slightly in sign that she had hit a nerve, and Marta returned that scowl with one of her own. Without a word he broke eye contact and skulked away, his steps deliberately heavy and aggressive as he walked, leaving Marta to following him as he moved back towards his fellow Councillors.

"What a baby," Marta glanced over her shoulder, finding her second command standing just behind her.

"Got that right," Marta replied, slabbing the man on his knee, which is about where her shoulder came up to. "So Bomo, what's the morning report looking like?"

'Bomo' looked down at Marta with an annoyed frown, something the gnome found amusing considering he never liked the nickname. Not her fault the guy's name was Booth Morton; everyone just called him Bomo for the heck of it, and now only did it to mess with him. If this was the military they would be punished for disrespecting a superior, but this is her company, and they can poke fun at anyone they like – just not her.

He ran a hand through his messy shoulder length auburn hair and then down his chiselled face, he always did that whenever someone annoyed him, Bo was never one for keeping it close to the chest.

"Well? I am waiting?" Marta said, craning her neck back to look up at him.

"Sentry's report mostly Centaur to the South, near that mountain, but that is still leagues away from here, and also fires near some sort of mound to the South-East, still don't know if it is centaur or something else, so pretty much the usual."

"Damn, and I was hoping for something to make me happy today, been stuck here for two months and got nearly nothing to show for it," Marta replied.

This job was brought on by Codexia because she was someone Marta could trust and actually was friends with, but still she was a client and a client needed to pay for this. Money doesn't come from promises and assurances; if they did the money she made from Codexia would have been enough to buy Kezan right out from those greedy little goblins. But sadly that was only a dream.

"Do you trust that Codexia can do this? Seems like a longshot if you ask me," Booth said, crossing his arms and giving his boss a questionable stare. "Raising a city from the ocean is one thing, but she is basically sprouting about starting an elemental war, that is something we may not want her to do."

Marta only sighed at the statement; she wasn't annoyed that he was telling her this for the hundredth time. No, that was not what made her exasperated, it was the fact the man made sense and she was going along with this despite everything. It made her question her own sanity over going along with this, after all she was no great and powerful general with an army at her back to fight this war.

No.

She was a leader of a Mercenary Company that stood at about a hundred strong and had ten submarines at their disposal, what the hell was she meant to accomplish with that?

"Bo, I really don't know, seriously the only reason I went along with this is because of the money, but hearing about what she is planning and intending, really scares me," Marta said, giving a light shudder at the thought of what happened in the Burning Steppes three hundred years ago happening everywhere else. "I just hope that when we finally see these elementals that they can knock some sense into her."

"And if they don't?" Bo inquired.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Marta replied.

"Captain!"

Marta turned to the call, finding one of her sentries rushing over, and despite his haste Marta could tell that he wasn't frantic. Seeing the smile on his face and the energy in his mad rush to get to her told her otherwise, he had good news.

"Their back! I saw them over the hill, a few minutes out," He said, shouldering his rifle as he smirked.

"Good," Marta said, moving forward with wide steps as she made her way towards the path between the dunes, she wanted to greet them as soon as they got inside. "Now we can finally see what kind of fruit Codexia has wrought with this little scheme of hers."

As she strolled towards the dunes and stood at the natural gateway to their little private beach she thought, mainly about what she knew already. Spurred by Bo and his concerns, something she shared, Marta had to think about what Codexia was planning and the means that she is going to achieve them. After all what she is doing is paramount to suicide, staring an elemental war was one thing, but she was making all kinds of enemies by doing what she was doing right now.

Taking over a contested region like this, giving it to the Highborne who had a very bad history and one that some seem to be non-repentant over, it was going to make her enemies fast. Especially if she intended for this city to be used as a sort of base of operations for her plans, it wouldn't remain hidden forever. No more than likely as soon as that city pops above the waves she would have people looking to skin her alive.

Worse is that she is planning on trying to convert the Highborne population towards her own goals, what reason for that she has no idea. Converting a bunch of magically addicted individuals to her calling was going to be a problem, especially with how arrogant they were with their magic. But really why do this? Codexia has never shown herself to be this kind and compassionate, especially to such ungrateful bastards like them, so what was the angle here, what did she have to gain from helping them.

'She has never done anything out of a kindness, always an underlying motive, not always bad, but not always good either,' Marta thought, she prided herself on being smart, but Codexia was all kinds of cunning that it was impossible to figure her out.

Just as she finished that thought she looked ahead, finding Codexia leading the Highborne and her detachment of Mercenaries up the slope. From what she could see no one was hurt, or at least no bodies were being dragged back, that was a relief.

"Codexia, glad to have you back again, hope your stay is a little more lasting compared to the previous time you departed and took two weeks to get back here," Marta said, smirking at the woman who returned it with her trademark smile.

"Sorry about that, but someone told me I had to act before it was too late, and good thing we did," Codexia said, turning and looking beyond the two forces. "I take it you haven't noticed our newest acquaintances?"

Marta cocked an eyebrow, new acquaintances? Her query was lost as the individual she was speaking of pushed himself through two of her soldiers. A hulking orc with many scars and intricate red tattoos across his pale green skin stepped forth, his deep red eyes turning toward her. Marta had to hide a wary expression that threatened to work its way onto her face, this guy was a freaking Blademaster of the Burning Blade.

"Hey, nice to meet you," Marta said, giving a nervous smile.

The orc did not deign her with a reply or shift in his expression; instead he turned from her and towards Codexia.

"Those supplies you promised, we would have them and depart, we have had enough of this desert and the dark things that roam it," Murauro said, before he skulked past Marta, several dozen followed after him as they marched through the Highborne and Mercenaries.

"Friendly bunch," Marta said, giving them a look as they moved off towards the centre of the camp and waited there.

"Don't mind them, I simply offered some food and a short respite for them," Codexia replied, strolling into the camp and motioning Marta to follow. "If it would be no issue could you give them some supplies and maps, I will speak with them later before they depart."

"Fair enough," Marta replied. "Corinne, get the men in order, get them rested up and treated if they are wounded. And get some supplies together, set them near the entrance, the orcs can take them when they are leaving."

"Yes ma'am," The paladin replied, giving a quick salute before marshalling her forces and moving off, but while she was professional the rest of her men were a little childish in the way they pushed each other and commented on finally getting a drink.

"Mordent, please deal with those Nobles, they are becoming a major pain in the ass," Marta said, giving an annoyed huff before moving off and not bothering to hear the elves reply.

Codexia followed after Marta, they moved in silence towards the tower. As soon as they reached it Marta whirled on her, her expression going from emotionless to something with a lot of emotion in it.

"What in the name of the Light are you doing bringing those orcs here?" Marta demanded. "This camp's morale and current guests are a handful as is; having these guys here is only going to add to the problem."

"Calm down Marta, they won't be here long, I just need to speak with them before they depart, and once they have their supplies they will gladly leave," Codexia replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "But for now, tell me, have you repaired the submarine?"

Marta would have yelled at her for trying to dodge the issue, but she really didn't have the will to fight her on this. No matter what she did Codexia always countered her and stuck to what she was doing and for the moment no matter what Codexia has done since she has known her has never been detrimental to her operation.

"The Sub is operational, everything is prepared, I assume that you want to depart as soon as possible," Marta stated, looking at Codexia for a moment and finding that she had a Sceptre latched on her right hip just opposite to her sword. "And since you have the Sceptre, I guess that question is a bit redundant."

"Quite," Codexia replied, giving a small chuckle. "With the Sceptre the city will rise and we will have a home for the Highborne."

Marta would have liked to asked why she was doing this for the Highborne, why give them this chance and going out of her way to help people she didn't know and didn't trust her. Codexia never really fit in with anyone else, even amongst her Company their relationship was amicable and friendly, even going as far to say they were friends, yet at the same time she was the black sheep. Distant and always in that little corner of hers, away from anyone else, hiding what little secrets and machinations she was forming.

"Please prepare a crew, and also get the diving gear ready, we will be using it," Codexia continued. "Also get some people that can operate in the water, I may need some help fighting off the naga when the time comes."

Marta nodded her head, it was back to business right now, the city needed to be raised and her reward was just around the corner. As much as this was becoming a very morally grey area she didn't want to risk losing out on their payment.

"I'll have everything ready, you just get those orcs out of here and tell the Highborne that they will be getting their city soon enough," Marta replied, walking past Codexia, she had a submarine to prepare, and right now she did not want to think of anything but the money and completed job.

The longer this went on the more it left a bad taste in her mouth, Codexia was starting to scare her with the means she was trying to accomplish this goal of hers. But the really scary part is the fact she had no idea on the extend of those means, after all, it is the unknown that was the most terrifying. And the most terrifying thing Marta knew, more than the schemes and plots that were being formed by Codexia, was Codexia herself, for there were things about that woman none knew of.

How far would she go? What would she be willing to do? What has she already done? Those were haunting questions to ask, especially when linked to the mystery of who exactly was Codexia Fairchild.


There you have it, soon the Codexia Arc will be over and we can focus back on Ichigo, huzzah.

But for now this arc has two chapters remaining before we go back to Ichigo, so bear with me here.

Will edit the chapter later on to add the review responses, just wanted to get it too you all soon. Be sure to check out United as well, if that is your thing of course.