Well here is a new chapter for Transcendence, now begins the next part of the Desolace Arc, or more correctly, the Maraudon Arc. Now this arc is special to me, simply because it will have a unique and horrifyingly good ending to it. While every arc has a special place in my heart this one is the best simply because of what it reveals, and at the end you will see something very interesting.

Even in this chapter you will see something incredible as well.


Transcendence

Chapter 46: Back into the Fight

Desolace, Base of the Twin Colossi

Shandris continued to listen as the reports funnelled in, continual updates on their defensive lines and how they were holding, every message changed and brought about new details. From breaches in one area to flanking manoeuvres made by the Centaur, along with a handful of other actions the rapid beasts performed every moment. That was the problem with such a disorganized army, they had no formal command structure, aside from their Khan and maybe a few veteran warriors that instilled order, and technically all they did was random things that sometimes worked.

"The western ridge is clear, the three scores you sent to Ravenwing have set up archers into the ruins as per instructions, Captain Felenora only waits for the signal." Iyeana reported, gesturing to a map and towards the ruins nestled in the north-western section of the upper wilds.

"How is the eastern defensive line holding there?" Shandris inquired.

Due to the sheer mass of the Centaur horde along with the openness of the region they were forced to rely on some unique tactics to hold the Centaur back. Located in the long valley known as the Upper Wilds, it was here that she would have to hold the Centaur back and make sure they do not spread. For the last three days she had held the line, holding them for as long as she could, pushing their army back to the Twin Colossi and keeping them where they were until she could get reinforcements.

"We are holding but we do not know for how long, we have only two hundred Sentinels at station, many of them are still recovering from the recent victory at Eldre'thalas and with so few, we were lucky to have held this long." Iyeana said.

Shandris knew that, knew it so very well, they had been lucky to have been able to push them to a location where their numbers were made negligible because of the terrain. There was only three paths the Centaur could use to get through into central Feralas, and each one is protected not only by herself but her allies that lived in this region.

"Shandris, they are here." Hymaercia said, stepping through the tent flap and gesturing outside.

Shandris turned and quickly moved outside to get the negotiations sorted out, but while being quick about it she needed to make sure it was handled with a good deal of tact. Negotiations with these two allies was not as simple as asking for aid, there was a level of protocol that needed to be followed. But hopefully the dire necessity of the situation would help her, after all these Centaur were defiling their land as well.

"I thank you both for coming to our aid in such a dire hour." Quintis said, bowing towards the two figures.

The first was a towering mountain of rock, dirtied stone with moss of many green and brown colours, over twenty feet tall and bulky in shape. This was a fabled Mountain Giant, a powerful elemental creature that has been allies to the Night Elves in ages past and continues to aid them even today. His name was Rockbiter, an ally in the region and close friend to the elves, and he is the leader of the Cliffwalker Giants that roam the Upper Wilds.

The second, noticeably smaller than the giant but having a stature even greater than Quintis, was a pale purple skinned elven woman in robes of a druid. She wore predominately green silk with intricate patterns and designs, with golden lining and embroidery, along with a blindfold around her eyes. While she may appear to be her kin, Shandris knew better, it was but a guise used to speak with mortals. She was in fact a member of the Green Dragonflight and leader of the enclave that resided in what is known as the Dream Bough.

"Great Rockbiter and Lady Ysondre, it is good that both of you would answer my summons so quickly." Shandris said, giving a bow to both of them, but in truth it had been a little difficult to get them to come to her.

"Think nothing of it Sentinel-General, this is a grave threat that we must all face together." Ysondre said.

"Agreed, we must not allow these foul cursed children of Zaetar any further into these lands." Rockbiter said, his gravelly voice reverberating through Shandris' bones.

"I am glad we can see eye to eye on this then, I have a plan that will most certainly give us the advantage against the Centaur and push them back into the Desolace." Shandris said.

"Please, enlighten us." Ysondre said, gesturing for the General to tell them of her plan.

"It will be a three pronged strike against the Centaur's front and flanks, each of us will be taking part in the assault in a different capacity." Shandris said, reaching into her pack and pulling out her paperweight.

She presented a map to them, enlarged to show off the region they now resided in, a few rotations and movements of her paperweight and the ink on the parchment began to shift and change.

"The Centaur have only three paths to reach us, to the west is the hills and cliffs that move around the north-western Colossi. It is hard to scale and is a perfect barrier to preventing the Centaur from climbing and flanking out forces, and the only way through is a small depression running between the hills and the Colossi." Shandris said, gesturing to a small narrow causeway of a long dried out river that ran from the base of the rocky and steep hills and the Colossi.

This would funnel the enemy Centaur into a single spot, where her forces could hold them off for a time and make their numbers count for nothing. But that was not the plan, they needed to attack before the Centaur did, because their forces would be present there when the time came.

"Rockbiter, I need your Cliff Walkers to move around the hills and attack the Centaur's, we have warriors within the Ruins of Ravenwing, that are ready to intercept enemy reinforcements that may move from the pass, we need you to descend from the cliffs and strike them from the side. Once you break their forces my own troops will advance and support you." Shandris said.

She knew that there were dozens of Mountain Giants in those hills, even a handful of them supporting their army would be invaluable. As soon as they hit the enemy's flank they would be scattered and broken, easy pickings for her forces to drop in and decimate their forces.

"Ysondre, I need your Dragons to assault the eastern flank and cut off the centaurs access to the valley leading around the south-eastern colossi so I can free up my forces there to assist in the assault on the central path, sadly you will be carrying this assault out alone as I will need all remaining forces to assault the central path." Shandris said. "Once the east and western flanks are under assault my main forces will be pushing up the central path between the two Colossi and attacking the main army of the centaur warband. Once the Cliff Walkers and my Sentinels push through we will attack the centaur in a pincer strike, from both sides and surround them. Then when they are defeated we move onto the main force near the pass, from there we will push them back into the Desolace."

The Green Dragon nodded to the plan, it was a simple strategy, when carried out it will ensure that near complete erasure of most of the Centaur horde. Although she only had a few drakes in her brood, most of her forces were Dragonspawn and Drakonids. They may not be here in large number, however she was certain that they could carry out the task set before them, but herself taking part in the battle she was certain that they would be victorious.

"It will be done." Ysondre replied, her part in this would be ensuring the defence of the only means to flank the Sentinel army as well as being a distraction for a great majority of the centaur horde.

"My kin will do as you ask." Rockbiter said.

"Good, then let's begin." Shandris finished.


The centaurs were moving down the path in a slow trot, their War-Leader was preparing another large assault against the barricades set up down the channel. Judging from its size one would think there were hundreds of them, all ready to charge in and take out the few dozen Sentinels guarding the path.

Shandris suspected that they could do it, and if they did her meagre force would be utterly destroyed and nothing would stop these barbarians from spreading across the region and beyond. Thousands of lives were on the line right now, she could not afford to be careless with this assault, and she needed to make sure she succeeded.

"We have been lucky so far, they are only just beginning to organize themselves." Shandris said aloud, watching from her perch on the hills.

"From what we know there is a single Khan leading them, but they have warriors from many other clans here, and it seems that he has brought in enforcers to ensure that the warriors do as they are told." Anaesia stated, it was surprising to see so many different Centaur clans working together like this, usually they would just kill each other, and from the looks of it the peace is only barely holding. "If we attack it may be possible to do more damage than we realize, kill whatever enforcers they have and we could scatter them completely, some might retreat and those that stay would be disorganized."

"Maybe, but remember that strategy and leadership is not what makes the centaur dangerous, but let us hope for the best and prepare to slaughter them all if things turn for the worst." Shandris mused, before she raised her hand and made a single chopping motion.

The attack would begin in seconds, any anxiety she may feel for the coming fight along with the dreariness of long nights without sleep and rest were quickly buried under a mask of cold professionalism. Hopefully after today she could rest for a while, back in her bed in her personal fortress, but she did not put much hope into actually being able to sleep after this battle was done. So she cast aside any desire for comfort and rest, it was time to live up to her duty and lead her warriors into battle, it was time to fight till she could fight no longer.

Drawing an arrow she notched it and leaped from her perch, leaping down to the tree she landed on the rocky ground nearly noiselessly, when she hit the earth she lined up her shot and fired. The War-Leader took the arrow to the throat, a gurgle escaped its mouth, blood and spittle flew from its roaring orifice before it was silenced by another arrow through the eye. The commander was down, now it was time to murder the rest of the beasts.

"Crush them!"

Shandris moved slowly towards the frontline, the centaur struggling to move up the rocky and steep slope towards the archers. While she knew that she could maintain this position with the hundred Sentinels she had under her command it wouldn't last. The centaur would eventually get past the difficult terrain and take out her forces, so instead of maintaining a vulnerable position it was best to attack head on while the enemy was disorganized.

Luckily for Shandris and her Sentinels they wouldn't be leading the charge, the ground shook as the thundering footsteps of the Cliff Walkers charged past her, they had others that would do that for them. The Mountain Giants were spread out along the hills, moving alone or at least in groups of two, and they all slammed into the centaur ranks. The bastard children of Zaetar were tossed around, massive limbs of stone or uprooted trees used as clubs to bash them aside, and within moments the centaur had over a hundred casualties, and they were climbing.

With a gesture she moved her forces forward, Sentinels charging into the fray, arrows were let loose and swords were buried into the chests of the centaur luckily enough not to be crushed underfoot by the giants. The attack was going perfectly, in the first minute they had cleared most of the lower shelf of Centaur and were moving closer to the main foothold they held near the base of the Twin Colossi.

She could see the camp in the distance, a good four hundred yards from their position and packed to the gills with rampaging Centaur, spikes and spears acting and makeshift walls. But the attention of its occupants was focused solely on the central path between the Colossi, Iyeana should be on the offensive by now, and Shandris could see in the distance green flames and large figures battling.

'Good, the Green Dragonflight is on the attack; hopefully we both can push forward and towards the centre.' Shandris mused.

Her eyes turned to the north; she could see smoke and barely noticeable constructions in the distance, the centaur's main encampment located at the entrance of the pass. While half of the centaur warband assaulted her forces near the Colossi, the rest were waiting patiently near their homeland until their advance forces broke through so they could all swarm across Feralas.

But this left open the problem to deal with them, while they likely wouldn't see the Green Dragonflight through the thick fog and dense foliage; Shandris and her Mountain Giants were in the open. The centaur would likely send reinforcement to assault her position and make sure that they don't lose their flank, something Shandris expected, hence why she had an entire contingent of Sentinels in Ravenwing Ruins.

She could already see the marauders coming towards them, she doubted that they would be a threat to the Mountain Giants, but she knew best not to test them. As they drew closer she watched a score of arrows assail the Centaur's position, their front ranks crumbled under the barrage and those behind tumbled over their dead and others were forced to a halt. Another barrage followed and more dead clogged the ground.

"That should keep them delayed for a time, long enough for us to finish up here." Shandris said aloud, giving a hand signal and ordering her forces forward.

They needed to get to the forward encampment, it is there the main army was and where the fate of this battle lay. But they had hit their first obstacle, one that even hindered and forced back the Mountain Giants, bolts of lightning fell from the skies and towards the stone giants. Rocks shattered with each impact and forced them to retreat, their arms raised in futile attempt to protect themselves, the attackers were females that stood on dirt mounds near the borders of the camp.

Shandris knew that the females of the centaur clans were all sorcerers and shamans, controlling the elements to their whim. They were the greatest threat on this battlefield; their combined power could easily push back her forces, and that of the Mountain Giants, if not dealt with quickly. Shandris had drawn an arrow and let it fly, striking a Stormcaller in the chest, she gave a cry before rearing onto her hind legs and collapsing backwards.

Another hail of bolts moved towards the Shamans, who raised barriers of crackling lightning to hold back the barrage, and that is what Shandris needed. The pressure kept up, forcing the centaurs on the defensive as her allies advanced forward unhindered and without fear of retaliation. It was already too late for the Stormcallers to change tactics now, the Mountain Giants were upon then, while a few strikes were sent and a single Mountain Giant fell to the onslaught the rest pushed forward.

The Shamans of the centaur were smashed aside or crushed, and Shandris ordered her forces forward once more in the wake of their earthly allies, any that survived the Giants wrath were quickly dispatched by the blades of her Sentinels.

The Mountain Giants stormed up the slight incline and into the camp, the sound of battle intensifying and growing greater with each passing moment. Shandris was quick to run up to the top, finding the entire field ahead of her packed with Centaur and Mountain Giants, her Sentinels were close behind and already assailing the enemy.

"Press forward, look for targets of opportunity and do not let them flank our position! Keep them in front of us!" Shandris called, notching another arrow and rushing into the fray.

Shandris knew that this camp would be the hardest to capture, hundreds of Centaur would be packed into here just waiting to attack anything that got within earshot of them. She may have the Cliff Walkers, yet they would only hold out so long against the magical forces that the centaur employed, but right now her own Sentinels needed to keep them protected. But she needed her people on high ground, herself included to gain some situational awareness over the battlefield, and the only place she could see was near the base of the western Colossi.

Yet it was also occupied, more Stormcallers stood along the slope, calling down lightning and wind to batter her forces and that of the Giants. They would need to be dealt with immediately, quickly she gave a whistle and called to her nearest officer, soon enough Shandris found Anaesia at her side.

"Anaesia, take your score and get to the base of the Colossi, take the high ground from the Centaur and turn it against them." Shandris ordered, and quickly they set out the do as instructed.

Shandris was close behind, firing arrows as she ran and scoring kill after kill with each shot fired, as soon as she reached the crest she shot past the her fellow warriors and buried and arrowing into the chest of a Stormcaller. Ripping it free she notched the bolt and sent it towards another, scoring a hit through the centaur's neck, without a second to waste she had another arrow drawn and fired a moment later.

Her allies came clambering up behind her, arrow were set loose and centaur began to fall, Shandris ducked down as a Centaur attempted to bash her head in with a club. A quick draw of her blades and the front legs of the attacker were gone, a howl of agony escaping the woman's veiled lips before Shandris silenced her forever, a blade through the heart to finish her.

A cry forced her to turn and level her arrow, a centaur having killed one of her own; she released it and ended the life of the murderous beast before she continued the grizzly work. Of the score of twenty Stormcallers, eight had fallen to her personally, only three of her own warriors had fallen to them in turn.

"Take up position!" Shandris called, moving for the highest point on the slope and surveyed the battlefield.

Her eyes roaming over it quickly to see the current state of her army, she found the Giants acting as a wall and beacon for the Centaur to be drawn too while her Sentinels maintained a distance and rained down death from above. Mixed among her troops were those with bows and blades, that was good, if things got chaotic down there she wanted them to be prepared for close combat.

Her eyes roamed to the east, finding that the flank had been decimated and reduced to nearly nothing; it would seem that the dragons had been able to push the enemy back. That was good, it meant that she didn't need to free them up, this would mean they got reinforcements to attack the enemy's rear and pressure them from both sides. The battle seemed to be going in their favour, something Shandris wanted to maintain, never assume you are victorious until the last enemy is dead.

"Anaesia, give the signal for our forces to advance, I want to put the pressure on and keep them from regrouping." Shandris said.

"Yes Ge… General! To the path!" Anaesia called out, pointing to the central path between the Colossi.

Shandris rushed over to her and looked down, she scowled when she saw it, it appeared as a wave of dirt brown and torn leather that was nestled tightly in the crevice between the colossi. It was a massive centaur attack force, and they were going right for Iyeana's force, one that would breach the weakened defence there and run rampant.

She should have thought of this, knowing that by pushing them from both sides that they would be forced into the centre, but she never expected them to all move in a singular direction like this. She was getting too overconfident and not thinking clearly, lack of rest or just poor hindsight she couldn't blame now, they had to get this battle under control before it turned for the worst.

'There has to be five hundred of them, if they get through they would cause all kinds of havoc, and we will lose half our army in one fell swoop!' Shandris thought, gritting her teeth as she realized the dilemma of what she was facing.

"Get the archers up here now! Put the pressure on the pass below! Push into the central path, we need to assist Iyeana now!" Shandris bellowed.

They had to get in there now, but still hundreds of centaur stood between them and valley, they needed to break through and catch that strike force. If they could shatter their momentum they could win this and stop them from spreading. Already she heard the thundering steps of her Sentinels storming up the slope and towards her position, there was little room to shoot from but hopefully they could make every arrow count.


Iyeana scowled as she ordered three firing lines to be set up, the first line kneeled while the second and third stood behind them and the latter behind the former. With a quick call she ordered the first and second line to fire, as soon as the arrows were set loose she called again and the second line ducked back while drawing a new arrow. He third line stepped forward and fired, before stepping back again when called and drawing another arrow to let the second line to fire again.

She had seventy two Sentinels left, among the survivors that is, just above two and a half scores, but now with this attack she was certain that it would be their complete annihilation. Arrow after arrow was fired into the charging horde, they didn't stop or seem to slow as their dead fell to the ground, and they trampled over the corpses of their comrades and howled for blood.

"Keep firing!" Iyeana called, hoping Shandris had reached the encampment and was able to break the enemy's line, and if not, this will be where they fall.

The centaur were only a hundred yards out and closing fast, she knew a defensive line would not hold against them, they had no chance. Right now all she could hope for was to take as many of the centaur as possible, and that would require some fancy planning.

"Quintis! Can you summon up a barrier?" Iyeana called, desperate for anything to at least hold back the horde for a moment.

"Not a large one, but it will be sturdy!" The Druid replied, and instantly Iyeana thought of a plan.

"Lines two and three! Scatter to the flanks and get to higher ground! Orderly withdrawal!" Iyeana called.

There were some high slopes and boulders around that they could use to get to high positions and at best keep the centaur off them long enough to do some damage. This wasn't going to end any differently, all she was doing was delaying their demise for a few minutes at best, but the longer they held out the more casualties they could inflict.

"Line one form a double edge! Archers in the centre!" Iyeana called again. "Quintis you know where to summon the barrier!"

While the first line formed into rows of three, a column of swordswomen flanking a single line of archers, the second and third line covered them as they rushed to any high ground they could find. Iyeana drew an arrow and notched it, the centaur were thirty yards out and would be on them in seconds, the Soldiers she left down on the flat earth were remaining fast against the approaching horde. Iyeana swallowed as she watched, it was haunting to know that she was sacrificing them like this, yet quickly she squashed any fear and waited for the right moment.

Ten yards out and she called to Quintus, immediately he cast the spell, from the earth in front of the Centaur and Sentinels formed a solid barrier of vines and stone. This wedge blocked the Centaur from ramming into her Sentinel forces, those unlucky enough not to turn to the side crashed into it painfully with a crack of bone and the tearing of muscles.

As they flooded around it Iyeana ordered the arrows to be released, striking them from all sides, and then they began to fall rapidly, yet not quickly enough. While in the centre she watched her Sentinels swing wildly at the Centaur that rushed past, hacking off legs and leaving fatal wounds along their humanoid and horse bodies.

Yet even with the sudden surprise attack they could only do so much before the Centaur retaliated, soon axes and spear descended on the trapped Sentinels who could do nothing but fight and die where they stood. Iyeana had only kept them alive for a few seconds at best, but it had delivered five times as many centaurs to their graves than Sentinels. That counted for something, and she would make sure every life lost here would take at least five cursed Centaur with them, she would not fail here.

"Kill them all! Do not let them into Feralas!" Iyeana called, and a rallying cry was heard as they fought to the bitter end.

For the next two minutes arrow were sent flying at the marauders, but it seemed as if their bolts disappeared into a sea of living dirt and mud, it appeared to make no difference. Her Sentinels were being pushed back, some had been lost and the rest only preserved because of the difficult terrain. But it would be over in a few moments, the centaur marauders were pulling themselves up towards them, and Iyeana knew that it had been a fight that was in vain.

"Above us!" Someone cried.

Iyeana looked up and was surprised to what she saw, but even more so when she heard a deafening screech as a Gryphon descended towards them. A moment later the ground erupted with fire, swallowing a dozen centaurs and spreading to the many that surrounded them, before more fiery projectiles began to fall upon them.

But when a wave of force slammed into the marauders ranks, the wave of energy erupting in a magnificent explosion, now the army of brutes seemed diminished visibly. Many had simply vanished while others had been knocked to the ground unmoving, leaving a gaping wound in their swollen ranks. Soon the Gryphons descended into the newly formed landing zone, both riders and beasts falling upon the stunned attackers and slaughtering all in their vicinity.

"Iyeana!"

Said Sentinel turned to the speaker, a Gryphon falling from the skies and gliding to a halt just behind her, its rider familiar to her.

"Lorena, thank Elune you came when you did, I had thought this to be the end." Iyeana said.

"Not yet." The Colonel said, before calling out to the heavens. "Ichigo! Give us some more room!"

As soon as said his name a bright light formed above them, a trailing arc of blue energy flowed behind a single gryphon and its rider, it was as if lightning danced through the air.

"Getsuga Tenshou!"


Shandris looked at the marauders, they were almost through the pass and seemed to be completely unhindered, a hundred of them lay dead on the ground but that was small compared to how many got through. She cursed her miscalculation; this would have cost her soldiers and possibly this entire endeavour, without the support from the middle she doubted that they would clear through the encampment before the remaining horde struck.

Her eyes turned to Ravenwing, arrows no longer fired from within the ruins; instead the centaur now seemed to be charging from the ruins. Shandris assumed that the scores of Sentinels she sent there had been forced to retreat or died where they were fighting, but knowing Captain Felenora it had to be the latter.

'Her stubbornness never to retreat finally caught up to you, I hope that it is not in vain.' Shandris thought.

So many lives lost and it appeared to be all for nothing, they had pushed into the main horde near the pass, most of the encampment was theirs but still hundreds of Centaur remained to hinder their progress. Wounded were started to stack up, the dead even more so, a good portion of the Mountain Giants had been felled and only half remained to continue fighting.

"This wasn't how I envisioned it." Shandris mused.

Yet she knew that if she was quick they could turn this battle around, they just needed to defeat these last remaining pockets of resistance and prepare for the next assault by the centaur. That wasn't exactly the best plan but the only thing they could do in order to survive the oncoming onslaught.

But maybe a bit more time on their side would be good.

"Anaesia! Find Ysondre, tell her to create a wall, I want to hold those centaurs off as long as possible." Shandris ordered, and immediately her lieutenant was off.

A few minutes would be all they needed, the centaur were on their last leg in the encampment and only fighting a battle of attrition now. They were trying to hold out as long as possible for reinforcements to arrive, smart move on their part, yet if Shandris was quick they could finish them in a few minutes.

Sadly she didn't know if she had that time.

Then a massive roar and explosion of force rocked the ground beneath her feet, she turned to the source and saw a wave of energy. Moving through the pass was a tidal surge of blue energy, encompassing the many centaurs within and expanding out to wash over the camp. The Mountain Giants seemed unaffected, the wave of pressure washing over them, but her own troops and especially the centaur were knocked to the ground.

"What was that?" Shandris thought aloud, her eyes turning to the pass and rushing over to see what had attacked.

A dragon could have done that, but what kind made her wonder exactly what kind, possibly a Blue Dragon that could breathe pure magical energies. She did feel a tingle of strange power in the air, but it felt familiar to her, could one of the Dragons of Malygos truly be here? It is what she suspected, until she saw who came marching up road.

A small army was moving through the pass, bloodied and ready for more slaughter. Silver and blue armoured warriors marched together, lined by Gryphon riders who trotted besides them, there had to be over two hundred of them. Three faces she recognised instantly, all of them astride Gryphons and leading the troops, Colonel Lorena lead the coronation with Archmage Tervosh and Ichigo Kurosaki beside her.

"Surprised to see you here, didn't think you would have gotten my message so quickly!" Shandris called, smiling to see her old friends were back to help her, and Ichigo of course.

Lorena glanced up towards the Sentinel-General, before giving a nod towards Ichigo and Tervosh, quickly all three took off from the ground, Ichigo and Tervosh charging into the fray while the Colonel moved for Shandris.

Landing on a small overcrop just above Shandris, dismounting and leaping the eight feet down to the Sentinel, Lorena greeted her with a clasping of the forearm.

"Good to see you are well, when we got your message we feared we wouldn't make it in time, luckily we had arrived just as things were about to turn." Lorena said, releasing Shandris and examining the battlefield.

The centaurs were all but being annihilated; the Theramore soldiers alongside the few mages in their ranks were making short work of the survivors. Iyeana and her remaining Sentinels offered good support, while the Giants and Dragons closed in on the sides and crushed the marauders completely.

"It seems that your arrival has heralded victory." Shandris said, smiling slightly at the turn of events.

"We got here just in time, and luckily we had someone that knows how to cause large amounts of damage in a single swing of his sword, so that helped a bit." Lorena replied, glancing at Ichigo as he dismounted his Gryphon and joined the troops on the field. "But I think we should worry about the second half of the army."

Shandris glanced to the north, finding a wall of vines and foliage having risen up to hold back the Centaur, while the barricade was holding them off it would fall soon. Lightning and fire burned along the green leaves and roots, and then the rest of that horde would be upon them.

"Form up! Rockbiter! Get your people to the front! Ysondre! I need your soldiers as a secondary line! We hold here!" Shandris called, drawing her blades she lifted them high and rallied her own soldiers. "Sentinels! To the slopes!"

Immediately the battle formation was constructed, just in time for the wall to collapse and hundreds of marauding Centaur to come charging through. Shandris had her Sentinels lined up along the hills, while below the few mages were preparing their own offensive, arrows ready to be let loose. The dozen or so Mountain Giants raised their tree sized clubs and prepared to swing.

"Loose!" Shandris called, immediately letting her bow string go, and less than a heartbeat later the rest of her soldiers followed.

It was a continual stream of arrows upon the charging centaur, it did little against their numbers but it was still satisfying to see them tumble over their dead and get trampled by those still standing. Then they hit the front like, or more correctly the front like hit them, tree trunks were swung forward and tossed the horse-men into the air and away. The front charge was broken like that, and soon the Dragonspawn and Drakonids were charging into the marauders ranks, behind them followed the Theramore Guardsman.

It continued on like this for another five minutes, arrows would rain down from above as towering fifteen foot tall Drakonids swung their mighty halberds forward. The centaur stood not a chance against these might draconic warriors, even the powerful Stormcallers were brought low before they could do irreparable harm.

"Advance!" Shandris ordered, the Sentinels breaking position to join their allies in close combat.

It was quicker than expected; they pushed back the enemy hard and broke their charge, and soon enough Shandris' own army had reached the entrance of the pass. The Sentinel-General saw the mighty Khan leading them, a strong looking creature for his own kind, savage and with powerful muscles across its human and horse body.

"Coward! Fight them! Make them pay for defying the Maraudine Clan!"

Shandris knew that if they killed the Khan the rest would shatter and retreat back into the Desolace, all they needed was someone to land the killing blow. Luckily for her Ichigo was the first one to see this and charged in, slashing anyone that got in his way to the main target. With him there she had nothing to worry about; this battle would be over in the next minute.


Ichigo ducked and swung Zangetsu to the side, carving through the flimsy leather breastplate of the centaur, and then leaped towards a spear being swung at him. His foot caught the weapon, and his momentum pushed it back, and he swung around and decapitated his attacker.

But he kept running, going for the one guy that was keeping this entire thing going, when he got to the Khan he could take the bastard out with a single swing. He struck out again, slashing side to side, cutting through flimsy weapons and tough flesh as he moved for his real target.

He reached the crest of the hill and charged up to the Khan, even as three Stormcallers barred his path he moved forward without hesitating. Swinging once he cut through a centaur, her humanoid body separated from her horse one and using her horse back as a stand to leap towards the next Stormcaller. He slashed to the side and removed her head, and continued his flight towards the third, he swung down hard and tore through the final obstacle in his way.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, even before the Stormcaller began to fall to the earth, he was moving towards the Khan.

The Khan roared as he thrusted his spear towards the substitute, Ichigo leaning to the side and raising his armoured bracer to shield himself as it shot past him, but this was a feint. The Khan reached behind his back and drew an axe, swinging towards the Substitutes unprotected head, Ichigo raised Zangetsu and blocked it easily enough.

Then the Khan jolted to the side, leaping away from Ichigo and thrusting his spear again, Ichigo saw the attack and evaded it easily. Leaning out but also reaching for the weapon, he grasped it tightly before reversing the hold on his Zanpakuto; he then punched his weapon to the wooden shaft and took off the spearhead.

The Khan roared in outrage, tossing aside the worthless shaft and swinging his axe down at Ichigo, as the massive stone hatchet came down Ichigo swung Zangetsu up to block it. Then stepping forward, twisting the spearhead in his hand, then stabbing the Centaur right in the chest. But the Khan did not buckle, instead it seemed to make him angrier, he proved that by grabbing hold of Ichigo's arm and bucking around before tossing the substitute aside.

Sailing through the air and landing roughly Ichigo rolled to a crouch, glancing up quickly to see the Khan was far from finished with him. Ichigo stepped forward and blocked the axe one more, feeling a little more power behind it this time, and then raised his arm to halt a punch from the opposite side. Had to give the Khan credit, he didn't want to go down and if you hurt him he got pissed, but now it was time to see how much of a punishment he could take.

Pushing the axe off his blade he quickly grasped the outstretched arm, keeping it in place, and then dropping Zangetsu on top of it. Ichigo felt a bit of resistance in that swing, these guys must have some tough muscles, but it seemed that the loss of limb only infuriated the Khan further than before. Ducking down and weaving towards the side, Ichigo decided that he was going to remove something that he couldn't block out, and with a leap he swung around and towards the back of the centaur's neck.

A clean straight cut, lopping off the head and sending it sailing forward, and the Khan was finished, and along with him his entire army.

As soon as the Khan fell he could see those around him begin to break rank and start running, the rest would follow soon after, and after a minute or two the rest of the creatures turned tail. Running back into the pass and back into the Desolace, he let out a breath, that wasn't too bad of a fight actually.

"Wonder if they will be coming back." Ichigo mused, from what Shandris had said in her letterm there had been something that drove them out, and if there were more of them and more Khans, then this attack may be only the beginning.

Ichigo turned back towards the army that had been responsible for holding Feralas, and in truth he was surprised by most of what he was looking at. He had not had the time to really get a look at what he was fighting beside in this engagement, but now he was gazing at a good variety of creatures that populated this world.

Giant stone creatures, he never had heard of those things before, twenty or so feet tall and using tree trunks as damn clubs. He passed by one, and he knew for certain now that they were completely made of stone, yet they didn't appear to be artificial or just magically moving stone. He could feel a subtle pulse of spiritual energy from within them, these things were alive, however that was possible he did not know but it was surprising.

Then there were the green snake like things, they looked like a mix with a Centaur and lizard, it was a little creepy looking at them and even the big fifteen foot tall ones. He could sense some strange spiritual energy on them as well, but it seemed to be fluctuating and he noticed a sort of alteration in their bodies as it spiked. It looked like they were moving in and out of phase, as if the rise in spiritual energy was actually drawing them out of the physical world.

But the strangest thing about them was that they were giving him these weird glances every once and a while, it was as if they could see something. But the stares weren't what were weird, all their eyes were closed, how could they know where he was or see anything with their eyes closed?

'Maybe they have heightened sense?' Ichigo thought, he would need to find Adelina and see exactly what these things are.


"Get the fortifications up and prepared, I want this pass sealed and protected!" Shandris ordered, Iyeana giving a salute before the entire surviving Sentinel force moved for the pass to begin construction.

"Men, give them a hand, and start bringing in some materials as well." Lorena called, looking to her own officers and Tervosh, they complied and moved in tangent with their elven allies. "I can assume that we will be experiencing more attacks in the future?"

"More than likely, considering what has been going on in the Desolace it is understandable why they are acting this way." Shandris said aloud, scowling slightly before rubbing her eyes. "You don't know this, but recently a transport ship came to Feathermoon Stronghold and reported a City off the coast of the Desolace, a Highborne City, one that wasn't there a month ago."

"A city? How is that possible?" Lorena inquired, quite surprised that there was an unknown city located near the Desolace and if Shandris was telling her this she in turn didn't know where it came from.

"We don't know, whatever they have done has spooked the centaur enough that they are attempting a mass exodus of the entire region, that is something we cannot allow." Shandris said. "If they were to get into Feralas, Thousand Needles, there is no telling how much damage they could do."

Lorena could understand that, such a rampage could utterly decimate the regions, and also with the Tauren populations throughout the area they would be driven to near annihilation. While she may not care for the Horde and their allies Lorena knew that Lady Jaina would not condone the chaos and destruction that would be caused if they did nothing. Also if they eventually infiltrated the Barrens than Theramore may be put at risk in the future, if there was one thing that could motivate her it was that.

"My men will be remaining here to hold the enemy back then." Lorena said.

"And my Dragonskin will do the same."

Lorena turned and regarded the massive Dragon; it had landed a few meters from her, its massive wings spread wide as it somehow glided to a halt. The massive buffet of its wings, the air pressure nearly making the Colonel stumble back, and it landed and then quickly was enveloped in light.

"My kin will protect the pass with your warriors, ensuring these fallen creatures do not disturb the sanctity of these forests." Ysondre said, her form shifting from a massive wyrm to that of a tall Night Elf.

Lorena had never had the pleasure of being in the presence of a Dragon, let alone one of the so called fabled Green Dragons that protect the Emerald Dream. It was a surprise that the Night Elves had such a close relationship with them, back in the Eastern Kingdoms her people often were forced to contend with Dragons. But recent history has revealed much on these massive creatures, that they were not all ruthless and bloodthirsty monsters looking to devour humans.

That was usually only their black scaled brethren.

"Thank you, Ysondre." Shandris said, giving a respectful bow towards the elder Dragon.

"Maybe we should head somewhere more tranquil to discuss this, please come to me to the Dream Bough, we can talk in safety and comfort there." Ysondre said, gesturing towards the eastern section of the forest.


"Green Dragonflight?" Ichigo asked, glancing at a passing Dragonspawn. "These guys are Dragons?"

He could understand that one big one that had dropped down here a few minutes ago, that looked like a dragon hands down, but these other ones just seemed so strange. Even Caren seemed a little surprised with the look of them, although that may be curiosity or some other weird quirk of hers.

"Dragonspawn and Drakonids, both of them are servants to the Dragonflights, they serve as foot soldiers for their Dragon masters." Adelina clarified. "They both are said to be created from Dragonsworn, mortal servants who devote themselves to the Flights and wish to serve them, this often is said to involve transforming them into what you see now."

Ichigo glanced at them, turning oneself into that is a bit of a surprise, he never really had heard or seen anything like this before. Although he had heard from Toshiro that the Arrancar were created with Hollows gaining Shinigami powers, he doubted that this method was the same or even remotely similar.

"How do they do that?" Caren asked, cupping her chin and wondering what the process could be, possible magical ritual or maybe some form of bonding with a dragons to cause the changes, maybe a blood ritual?

"I do not know, rumours often circulate, but unless you are a Dragonsworn and wish to join a Dragonflight it is impossible to know." Adelina replied, giving a shrug to her mage friend.

Ichigo looked at a passing Drakonid, it seemed to sense his gaze as it turned to look at him, they kept eyes contact the whole time, despite the Dragon having his eyes closed. He would need to ask Adelina about that, he just kept forgetting.

But it made him wonder why they would transform themselves into these things, what could they possibly hope to gain by becoming what they are? But in truth why did anyone ever do anything these days, Hollows serving a Shinigami was strange enough, but people wanting to be turned into Dragon creatures? That had to make you wonder why? Who knows? Who cares really?

Because as of right now, they had other things to discuss.

"Shandris said that the centaurs were being driven out of Feralas, you think it has anything to do with the Highborne?" Ichigo asked.

"More than likely, from what we found in Dire Maul the Highborne are deeply satiated on magic and the need to harness and devour it. Remember those empty bottles we found?" Caren said.

Ichigo did recall, he had been told they were bottled magic, filled to the brim with liquefied arcane energy and to be drunk to empower the person who took a taste. Ichigo had wondered about this and he had been told exactly what it meant, magical addiction, the Highborne were addicted to magic.

It seemed that all who harness the arcane often suffer from the desire for power and to use it, in laymen's terms the Mage often felt compelled and intoxicated by the powers they wielded. Over time this could change a person's personality, and when they cast a spell they can be compelled to cast another simply for the thrill and feeling of harnessing their power. But sometimes it can go further than that, dabbling into finding sources of magic and harnessing that to improve one's powers.

"More than likely the Highborne have found a power source for themselves, and if what we learned from those ghosts is anything to go by they likely are abusing that power right now." Caren stated, crossing her arms and frowning.

"Let us hope not, there are more than just centaur in those lands, there is no telling what kind of chaos could ensue if the Highborne dabble into things they shouldn't." Adelina said, in her stay in Feathermoon and Stonetalon she often learned that there were dark forces in the Desolace.

She had heard of Satyrs and Demon worshippers that had set up fortresses there and were practicing their dark magic without interference from the outside world. But it was also said to be the place where the legendary Xaetar had met Princess Theradras and said to have given birth to the centaur race. If it was true that a powerful elemental was present she shuddered to think what would happen if the Highborne discover her.

"If the Highborne were willing to imprison a demon to take its power to feed themselves, then we cannot hope that they will be doing anything ethical." Caren replied. "My guess is as good as any, and that is what I am afraid of."

Ichigo remembered speaking with some soldier in Dire Maul, she had been one of Prince Tortheldrin's personal guards, and she said that the Prince had gone near mad when he began harnessing the power from the demon. His personality changed and his actions becoming erratic, he murdered the majority of the population just so he could have more power for himself and his select few.

He hoped that whoever was leading the Highborne now had a little restraint, but if these guys were Azeroth's equivalent of crack addicts, that may be wishful thinking. Then as soon as you are no longer fed spoonfuls from your dealer you don't have to worry about repercussions for taking the whole bag. This was not going to be an easy win for them, he could already tell bad things were on the horizon.

Soon the beating of wings caught his attention, glancing up he saw a Hippogryph pass overhead and moved for the camp. But it was the rider that made him turn and follow, Caren and Adelina close behind, and as the avian mount landed he saw the familiar blue haired swordswoman that they had not seen since Dire Maul.

"Pained." Ichigo called out.

"Ichigo, back into the fray I see." Pained said, giving a nod of greeting to the substitute. "Adelina, Caren, good to see you as well."

Both mage and druid returned the gesture.

"Do you know where Shandris is? I need to speak with her immediately." Pained said, face and tone serious.

Ichigo didn't ask what was going on, instead he just led her to where he had last seen Shandris heading. They had to move through what is known as the Dream Bough, which was heavily guarded and after a few run-ins with patrols they were able to get to where Shandris had been escorted.

When they found the place though Ichigo was stumped, it was a small island surrounded by a clear crystal water stream, the trees were lush with emerald leaves and the air had a strange green mist. Flowers were blooming everywhere and the entire place felt so tranquil, even the air smelled sweet, in a way he also felt like he could just lay down and go to sleep.

But what really took the cake was the massive tree on the centre of the island, it was the biggest tree he had ever seen and had a trunk that was probably fifty feet in diameter and probably ten times as tall. In front of it was a long marble ramp leading to a strange portal embedded in the tree.

"What is that?" Ichigo asked.

"A gateway to the Emerald Dream, I have heard of these trees but never thought that it would be here." Adelina said. "This is one of the fabled trees that were planted thousands of years ago by the Cenarian Circle, it is said that they meant to stop a catastrophe from occurring, and this tree is said to have been grown from a branch from Nordrassil."

This was a portal to the Emerald Dream? Was it like the Dangai then? He doubted it because Adelina probably would have mentioned something and also likely there was no Cleaner, more than likely these Dragons are meant to clean up anyone stupid enough to come here.

'So many things look the same but are so different, at least I can start to understand some words, hate it when I am left in the dark and not knowing anything about anything in the whole freaking world.' Ichigo mused in an annoyed fashion, silently happy his lessons on learning the common language were progressing.

They moved for a single tower in the distance, the stone monolith looked like it might crumble at any moment, yet despite its frail appearance the many vines along it surface seemed to be holding it together. As they entered they found Shandris speaking with Colonel Lorena and another elven woman with a blindfold.

"Nijel's Point is a good place to start, if anyone has an idea what is going on in the region it will be them." Shandris said, before she turned to the entrance, her eyes locking with Ichigo's.

But hers was not the only one, the Elven woman that could turn into a dragon was also there, she was starting intently at Ichigo. She cocked her head to the side and seemed to be focusing on his chest rather than anything else, a little strange if you ask him.

"What is it?" Shandris inquired, snapping Ichigo from his thoughts.

The Substitute stepped to the side and let Pained pass through, she strolled forward and stood beside Lorena.

"I just arrived from Nijel's Point, and things are worse than we have anticipated." Pained said, taking the floor and holding everyone's collective attention. "I spoke with a man there, Azore Aldamorthas was his name, and he informed me of several things that have occurred in the region in the last few weeks."

Ichigo leaned back against the wall and listened patiently, he wanted to see what they were dealing with here. Being held in the dark was not what he wanted, if something was going down he wanted to know everything that was going to happen so he can be ready to fight it.

"The Highborne have been busy since their arrival in the Desolace, they took residence off the coast to the north of the Maraudine Mountain, and from there launched attacks against the other races in the region." Pained continued. "Burning Blade Cultists were the first to fall, and eventually they destroyed Thunder Axe Hold, destroying the local Satyr population in the region as well. After that they claimed an Artefact known as the Sceptre of Light."

"That name is familiar." Shandris mused.

"It should be, this Sceptre was known as Caduceus of Thetis, it is a powerful artefact that holds the power over the oceans and is said to be able to raise and bury cities beneath the waves." Pained stated. "They used it to raise Ethel Rethor from the ocean floor."

That was a surprise to all, raising and lowering a city from the ocean floor? That took a lot of power and even with an artefact it would require tremendous energy to perform the ability, and very few individuals had that kind of power.

"The Highborne are in possession of this artefact?" Shandris inquired, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Were they the ones to raise the city?"

"That and more, we were able to observe several Highborne raiding the ancient ruins known as Shari'adune. They have pilfered several artefacts, for what purpose they were being used we do not know but they did mention several things of note." Pained stated. "Codexia is responsible for the raising of the city and it seems that she did so in order to release another spirit similar to Druantia, this one shares the name sake of the Sceptre, Thetis."

This was another surprise, a big one; this woman had appeared from almost nowhere and had led to the freeing of a Spirit that none would have thought to have corporeal form and then the conquest of the Desolace. But more than that she has risen a city from the oceans and now was working with the Highborne to drive out the Centaur.

Things were changing rapidly, and it seems that Codexia Fairchild is the one responsible.

"Little else is known about what the Highborne are planning but we know that recently that they allied with Burning Blade Blademasters, a Mercenary Company called Marta's Merc Company and it seems based on what we are hearing, Druantia is in the city along with a Third Elemental called a Spirit of Decay." Shandris informed.

"A Spirit of Decay? Are you certain?" Ysondre asked, looking shocked at the revelation. "Could it be…?"

"Yes, the Spirit is within the Temple at the centre of the city, and it seems Codexia is attempting to convert the Highborne to Primalism. I don't know how she is going about it but it seems that the Mages are not too keen to follow her way." Pained replied. "In fact I have just learned that they seem to be raiding Maraudon, this exodus of the Centaur clans is due to the Highborne attacks on the mountain and their attempt to breach it. They must be after something inside."

"That's obvious." Caren muttered. "Something in there is giving them hunger pains."

It was obvious that had to be the reason, why risk attacking the Centaur to get into a Mountain they own, they wanted more power and they were fighting for it. Ichigo wondered though if this might tie to the myth regarding Theradras and Xaetar, could it be that they are sensing her and whatever elemental forces might be down there. He remembered the Burning Steppes and the ambient spiritual energy that was soaked into the land, maybe this was the same.

"Maybe it is Princess Theradras." Ichigo said, gaining the fours attention. "When I went to the Burning Steppes I felt spiritual energy permeating the entire area, it had soaked right into the ground. I remember being told that a powerful Elemental Lord was summoned there and that was three hundred years ago, if he released that much power and it soaked into the ground and is still there. What if they are actually sensing the Princess, and trying to get to her?"

The three elves looked at one another with concerned glances; it was obvious that the suggestion was not something they were keen on. They all knew that the first time Princess Theradras awakened from her slumber, it had marked a terrible event in history, she had destroyed the entirety of the region. What is now the Desolace had once been called Mashan'she, the Loom of the Earth Mother, it was no different than Feralas.

Yet she was said to have drained all the life energies from the land and absorbed it into herself. If she were to escape from those catacombs, and return back into the world, there was no telling how much damage she could cause.

"I can go over the details later, for now I think we should stop the Highborne's attacks on the Centaur, even if they are not after Theradras we need to stop them before they drive the entire centaur race into Feralas." Pained said, crossing her arms and looking to Shandris for orders.

"Agreed." Shandris said, moving for the door, planning to bark orders on the move rather than waste a single second waiting. "We will need to send people to Nijel's Point, there we can work to slow down the Centaur and Highborne."

"What do you plan to do?" Lorena inquired.

"A two pronged attack, one against the centaur leadership, if we kill as many of the Khans as possible we can slow down the clans from leaving, they will be fighting for days to find a new leader for their tribes." Shandris said, knowing the Centaur's brutish traditions will force them to fight one another until one reigns supreme to lead their kin. "The second is stopping the Highborne from continuing this assault, and we do that by stopping these attacks on Maruadon and also removing the one causing this."

Shandris halted for a moment to look at Ichigo.

"I will be sending Iyeana and as many Sentinels I can to Nijel's Point, but I want you to go with them." Shandris said. "I want you to personally fight Codexia and beat her, if she is as powerful as believed than we will need your strength to finish her. Can I count on you?"

Ichigo was silent for a moment, before he gave a determined look and offered a simple nod. He knew what was at stake here right now, there were a lot of people riding on keeping this pass protected, and if they didn't stop the Highborne thousands would die. If Codexia was leading these attacks than she needed to be stopped before she endangered even more lives.

"Good, get to your Gryphon, you will be leaving within a few minutes." Shandris ordered, nodding towards Lorena to see to the task, she needed to get the last of the details from Pained.

As they moved off Shandris turned to Ysondre, her eyes seemed keenly focused on Ichigo, she raised an eyebrow at that. She wondered if the Green Dragon's astral sight had picked up something on Ichigo, would be interesting to know what they saw.

"That boy, Ichigo, what is he?" Ysondre inquired.

"He is a being called a Shinigami, think of it as a Primal God or Loa that is charged with the task of ferrying the dead to the spirit world." Shandris replied, technically she couldn't really put it in any better words than that.

"Truly? How strange that a being of such power would use it for a simple task, to only be a guide rather than a collector or instigator. I had thought him to be something else, something greater." Ysondre said.

"He is powerful, of that there is no doubt, but he has done much for those he has come to ally with, and I know he doesn't do it for reward or respect. He only does what he feels is right and does not care for laws or the way others see it, he is stubborn like that." Pained stated, strolling just behind the two. "Yet, it is something one can come to admire, to be so tenacious and dangerous, yet despite all that power he chooses to protect life rather than take it."

"You trust him so? Even respect him I see. But you compare him to the more savage Spirit Gods of the world and yet treat him as if he were an Ancient of Hyjal." Ysondre inquired. "Do you share her convictions Sentinel-General?"

"He has saved my life and many others, gone beyond what I have asked of him, all he has done is for own ideals and belief in protecting what he feels should be protected. I owe him for all he has done for me and my soldiers, for all the lives he has saved from deaths grasp, my soldiers trust him with their lives, and I trust him with mine." Shandris replied.

"So strange, he is certainly more than he seems, I do wonder if that crest on his chest means more than it appears." Ysondre muttered, seemingly deep in thought and wondering about what she had seen.

Shandris didn't know what she meant by that, but right now she couldn't help fulfil the Green Dragons curiosity, for now she had to worry about the Centaur.

"I am sure you can speak with him when the opportunity presents itself, but for now we much focus on matters of the centaur." Shandris said.

"Yes, of course." Ysondre said, although she sounded as if she wasn't paying particular attention to the Sentinel-General.

In truth she thought of what she saw when she looked upon the Shinigami, a strange name and duty that he performed, so many things were seen that she did not understand. What she noticed was a strange power pulsing through his body, the current of it moving from his chest where his heart was and moving predominately along his arms.

But strangely it seemed to be trying to move to his sword, yet it was meeting resistance, the power simply washing over the weapon and away. It was as if the weapon he carried was not the right medium for his powers to be harnessed, yet she could see a divide in his powers as well. Sensing something within his mind, his inner thoughts churning with dark emotions and some strange forces that dwelled within his soul.

'But could he be a Dragonsworn?' Ysondre wondered, seeing the strange shield that formed around him, protecting him from the ravages of time.

Only the Bronze Dragonflight could have made something of that intricacy, but why would they do that and send him here? But even that was not what made her curious, for he possessed something upon his chest that did not seem to affiliate with any faction or race she knew of. She had tread upon the dreamscapes of many races and never before has she seen the crest he has upon his chest. She had seen similarities but nothing of a definite comparison.

'I have never seen something of its like before, yet it feels like it holds deeper meaning that realized.' Ysondre wondered, thinking on the strange crest that sat upon his chest and where his power seems to flow from, and the image adorning it. 'A black hand with an eye upon its back, what could that mean?'


There you have it, took you all by surprise I bet?

Review

FlashLit3: I can expect that people didn't expect many of the results that came from it, But still it was for fun.

Astroga121: Thanks you. Also the mentality of many people who are in positions of power and feel that they cannot be defeated is always the same, these people crave magical energies and the rule of magic is that those who use it often feel that they are invincible and cannot be beaten or do wrong. That is the mentality of it, you are brought up in a society that preaches superiority and perfection and you think you are gods gift to the freaking world. That is the mentality of these Nobles, through and through.

Also nice job on picking up on that power play, that was a hard thing to get done and make it so damn subtle.

Daio Ine: Glad you like it, doing this scene was really a challenge to not make it some cliché romance, technically they are still friends and plutonic. So pulling it off like this is perfect, I didn't want it to be romantic, I wanted it to be right as where they are in their relationship, as friends.

Also the meeting between those two needs to be handled carefully and I have a plan for it.

Black cross0: Yeah, that chapter was fun to write, so many cool things to show off and I feel that each chapter should have a defining moment that truly sets it apart from the rest. Her doubt is likely why things are escalating with the Highborne, she planned much of everything out but since she is in turmoil her plots are unravelling and she isn't trying to correct them. Had she maintained her ruthless course she likely would have a lot more control over everything.

Guisniperman: Well surprise my friend, he is back in the fight right now. Also if she killed the nobles it would have sent the wrong message, she needed them to be the political leverage in order to get things her way. But since she isn't micromanaging them things are getting a little hectic.

Mad Thought: We shall see, there will be many other characters to come along as the story progresses, I promise you that.

Blindluck92: I know, it was so cool that I could make people feel the 'FEELS'. Felt like I was a god for a moment there.

Yeah, sadly even the most logical of things can still sound heartless, and Ichigo knows that but still he needs to follow through.

As for Ichigo ending up with someone, I intend for a romance, but not one of those romances where everyone is lovey dovey and they only worry about that for the rest of the story and how they love each other and smooches, always ruins it for me. Read Into the Realm of Magic and got irritating how that continued to explain it over and over again that Mira and Ezra loved Ichigo. Would have liked some deeper character development on them.

And war is on the Horizon, but this is just a prelude to the grand scheme of things.

Leapinglemur: Yeah, the Highborne a little caught up in their ways, kind of stubborn you know? Also no problem, just a small review is still good my man.

Luna's Meow: His Zanpakuto is basically a Spirit Weapon made through Quincy means but acts like an Arrancar's Zanpakuto. Basically a weapon shell housing his power, but there is still the imbalance because of his Quincy and Hollow side being at odds with one another. In fact that is why the mask appears, because he has no true means in which to manifest his Shinigami powers because the Zanpakuto is not a true conduit or medium to use those powers. His Hollow and Shinigami powers are one and the same and technically they need a Zanpakuto to work. His hollow powers are able to manifest through the Mask, but even then it is unstable.

Earendil18: That he does. Well Tyrants usually do die in a particular fashion, killed by heroes.

Krazyfanfiction1: Thank you.

Stuporman: You are correct that she doesn't fit in the hierarchy. In a way Druantia is basically spiritual aspect of the Elementals, her presence is meant to be unseen and usually guiding the elementals from a distance, keeping them calm and placate. Her power is above that of the Elemental Lords, but at this point much of that power was siphoned off by the demons in Dire Maul to create their portals, hence why she was so weak.

But her powers are different from the Elemental Lords. There is Raw Power and there is Might, she possesses much greater Raw Power than the other elemental Lords but she doesn't use that power to fight or cause destruction, but the Elemental Lords are mightier than her and could defeat her if they fight her simply because they use their powers for more destructive means.

As for doing her job Druantia is connected to all life in the world, even when sleeping her consciousness is still roaming the world and exploring it. She is sealed physically in Dire Maul, but her spirit and mind are not so bound as you might think, that is why the Spirit of Nature is so elusive, because she is essence of life that is everywhere all at once.

I will do it next chapter, do that scene and make it an omake and funny as well.

Yeah, find it strange that people forget some of his quirks, he is also Analytical, Deductive and strategic when he fights. People just think that he does that and make him a Gary Stu and a asshole and somehow everyone loves him, find that annoying.

Yeah, she aint gonna get any sleep anytime soon.

Star: Mordent was made into the Leader of the Shen'dralar after Tortheldrin was declared dead. The Shen'dralar always lead but since there was a power gap the Nobles saw a chance and began to take control.

Kido sadly can only be taught by Shinigami and neither of his Shinigami spirits would be able to teach him, he would need to learn it from a Shinigami.

Cole: It would be interesting for them to meet, will make sure that it happens thought.

Lineares91: Thanks. You should be right about her age I think.

The Unsung Anti-hero: Yeah, never a smart idea to try and imprison something more powerful than you, didn't work with Immol'thar and it won't work well with these guys.

Prince Sheogorath: Yep, planned that out a long time ago, I know how to do it and it will be awesome.

Silverhawk88: The Primal Spirits always move for the agenda of the world and are not above using mortals for their own means when it suites them. They can be helpful but only when it helps their agendas.

Ben 10'000: Well considering that they don't know exactly what he may be walking into, and that he would be a target simply for existing means that his presences there could put his family in danger simply by being there.

Mitchellsy: Thank you, it is nice to binge read something isn't it? Sad part is that now that you have read it all you have to wait for the damn updates, which sucks.

Umbra Venator: Thanks.

Meech Macho: I understand, there is a lot going on in this story.

Betoran: Glad you like it, I am happy to please.

The timeline is set Four Years after the Battle of Mount Hyjal, this is set during World of Warcraft, before the Burning Crusade Expansion. I haven't played Warcraft III in a while as well, damn I miss it and really loved the Founding of Durotar campaign, it was epic.

Yeah, the Bronze are going to be an interesting element to add and make it that they don't erase his ass from history. Trust me it will be fun doing their parts in this story.

Zangetsu was always his Hollow, who is White who when he infected Misake later transmitted himself into Ichigo and melded with his Shinigami powers. Basically White absorbed Ichigo's Shinigami powers into himself and that became Hollow Zangetsu. While Old Man Zangetsu is his Quincy powers manifested and pretending to be his Zanpakuto, by creating a fake Zanpakuto to house his power and such. In fact the Old man was using his own power to subjugate the True Zangetsu to use his powers to make Ichigo stronger.

Demon Hunters will be in the sequel regarding Outland and it will be interesting because Ichigo is going to learn from one.

There you have it, a good night to you all.