Hello everyone, I got another chapter for you. Been fun working on this one and got another in the works and is halfway done, I think that for the following few weeks I will be mostly posting Transcendence chapters because of all my stories that one I have planned out the most. In fact I have plans outlined form fifty chapters from this one.

So I know what I am doing in terms of story and I think if I am fast enough I could finish up the Vanilla Storyline next year and move onto the BURNING CRUSADE I am certain of it. So be aware of that most of my other stories will be getting treatments later on in terms of outlines being drafted up for them over the Christmas Holidays.

So hope you all are eager to read some more Transcendence.


Transcendence

Chapter 48: Don't Go Inside

Maraudon, Outskirts of the Valley of Spears

Mordent scowled as he watched the soldiers return to the camp, they had just breached the outer defences of the Valley of Spears. Now all that remained for them was to attack the main stronghold of the Maraudine Centaur and they would have complete access to the mountain.

'Tomorrow we will be inside, and we shall see what it is that was sensed.' Mordent mused.

Before he had left Elthel Rethor had asked Rhyanda and Tarelvir what they had sensed from the source of power, hoping for any possible clues as to what it could be beforehand. They could not reveal much, but they did mention that the power within pulses through the entire mountain and through the rocks. When he came here he too had sensed it, but the power was so trivial at first that he truly had to look to locate it, how they had sensed something so mild surprised him.

'Maybe the hunger is starting to affect them, what I feel through the stones must have been like cool moisture over the glass of a flask of water.'

Mordent feared what was becoming of their people; even those within the Shen'dralar were beginning to become desperate to find any source of power. While his influence kept many in line he could feel discontent among the ranks, a reason why he had chosen several individuals to come with him here. He could not trust anyone, especially those within the courts or tied to them, and he was certain the Maluineth was planning something regarding the Shen'dralar.

There was no love lost between them, even after nearly a thousand years the tension between the two had not evaporated in the slightest. But now that she had found herself back within a position of power, something she lost with the downfall of her father, he was certain she would go to many lengths to securing what she felt was owed to her family and herself.

"Mordent, I had hoped that with your mages here that you would offer your support, yet you only seem to be wasting my time and my resources that could be better put to use."

Mordent turned to the short haired Captain, the leader of this small army of warriors and likely a recently promoted one, he was young by the standards of their people, maybe three hundred or less. Mordent could tell the boisterous youth felt proud of what he was doing, his ignorance would be the death of him and all those if this mission of his turned for the worst.

"Captain Jirand Duskrage, as I said before my people are only here to assist in the retrieval and transport of the artefact that originates within the mountain, nothing more." Mordent replied. "Although I would expect you not to need my help, from what Tylarwin had informed me before my departure you have everything under control and have been doing well. Has something changed? After all, I have yet to take over from you."

"No. Of course not." Jirand said, giving a small bow of the head. "But these mages with us have been fighting for nearly a week and a half; you cannot expect them to be in the best shape to continue fighting. Even if tomorrow is when we achieve a final victory I would appreciate any assistance you could give."

Mordent was silent for a moment as he regarded the humble request, something that seemed out of place coming from such an upstart youth, in the two days since his arrival in this camp he has found it to be completely suspicious. When he came upon this small camp with limited defences and no sentries, not even protective wards have been erected in the event of a counter attack by the enemy, he was disappointed. This camp had been set up nearly a kilometre from the entrance to the mountain pass leading into the Valley of Spears and thought there wasn't thousands of centaur waiting to fall on them.

His eyes turned towards the mountain, the soft glow of the half-moons allowing him to see enough of the battered landscape and the many small camps that were nestled in front of the mountain pass. There had to be the home of hundreds if not thousands of centaur, and in a short two weeks the entire army had been decimated by only five scores of warriors and magi. They had pushed back thousands with such a diminutive force and suffered so few casualties, and all with the use of limited magical ability and from an unprotected location.

'I do not believe it for a second.' Mordent thought, this entire campaign reeked of something more, he could smell it and feel it in the air. 'Do they think me a fool? That I would not realise?'

He knew for a fact that they would never had sent the mages out here to fight, their already diminished powers would be worthless in a fight here, they would be no more useful than a farmer swinging around a stick. Yet the Nobles had deemed it necessary to send the mages to support the many army, he knew they couldn't have made this much progress in only two weeks by themselves.

'They have to be using artefacts of some sort, maybe the Sceptre of Light, Codexia said that it was tied to the Highborne and could be used by any.' Mordent thought, knowing that it had disappeared some time ago and through mysterious means.

He always coined it up to Codexia being responsible but now he was not so sure, after all it was a powerful artefact that was once used by his people; the Nobles would never pass up something like that. But even that Sceptre could not be the only thing to have been used, for it controls the oceans and waters and couldn't possibly be useful out here. So there had to be other items of power within the hands of these soldiers, but not anymore it seems, there was no other explanation that made sense.

"We shall aid you, be certain of that, for we are here to make certain that the source is found and that it is brought back to Ethel Rethor." Mordent replied, best to keep up appearances he supposed, not best to risk assassination by voicing his own misgivings about this mission.

"Mordent, a rider approaches." Archmage Daros said, pointing to the north where a single dark figure could be seen in the night, the rider was moving towards them with great haste.

"From the city?" Captain Jirand asked.

"I am unsure." Mordent replied, his eyes narrowing as they tried to perceive the individual that was moving with such haste towards them, yet when she was closes enough he caught sight of a familiar light purple cloak and red hair. "Her, of all people to come here, it has to be her."

"Who?" Jirand inquired.

"Codexia Fairchild." Mordent replied, giving a sigh of irritation before he schooled his features and walked forward. "I will deal with this."

Mordent moved for the Primalist, intending to stop whatever squabble she was going to launch into the moment she got off that horse. He knew what she would say, that this mission is a foolhardy one and that he is risking the future and safety of his people, and he agreed with her. After all, even with all her schemes and manipulations, she had done nothing but ensure that his people were to survive, yet under a means not their own.

Even if the intention and results could be considered noble they did not think so, for she was robbing them of the choice and the right to make their own fate and see to it being done. His people would have easily risen up against her if they knew the full details of her plan, the Shen'dralar knew as did the Nobles, but still did not and by his own choosing. For if there was anything he feared more than finding whatever was within that cavern, from the origins of this power and the dangers it would impose on his people, it was this woman and her schemes.

Her horse came to an abrupt stop just a few feet from Mordent, had she not pulled on the reins for another second she would have bowled him over. Quickly she dismounted and skulked up to him, her expression spoke of her ire, when they were nearly nose to chest she spoke.

"What in the Nether are you doing? Do you have any idea how you are endangering your people right now?" Codexia barked.

"I see you are aware of why we are here, should have expected you to get involved sooner or later, after all it ruins your plans for us." Mordent replied, and not bothering to answer her question at first, he glared at her as she continued to seethe. "But to let you know, we are to find the Power that resides in this mountain and claim it in the name of the Highborne."

"Yes, I know all about that, and I demand to know what made you even consider such a thing to be in the best interest of your people? Do you not know the dangers you are imposing on them, as well as the rest of the world? Had you listened to me you could have been safe!" Codexia barked.

Mordent would have found it amusing that she was talking down to him while being a whole head shorter than himself, but he was far from amused with this girl's belief that their fate does not lay in their own hands.

"This is none of your concern, my people require this more than anything." Mordent bellowed, his face twisting into a frown. "You have plotted and manipulated our people for far too long, and I will not have our way of life turned to dust simply because you have some supposed mission in the name of the greater good!"

"And this is better? Causing the centaur to run rampant, this is nowhere near their entire population, do you have any idea what would happen if they are driven out of her, if they don't decimate your entire race they will spread to the neighbouring lands. The Horde and Alliance will retaliate! They will know you are responsible and seek retribution!" Codexia cried.

The Centaur would move for the only available exits for them, Feralas and Stonetalon, and once they do all hell will break loose. If a large enough throng passes through those two regions thousands of lives will be lost and the Tauren and Night Elves will be the victims to suffer. Feralas and Thousand Needles are a massive Tauren population centre and if they were destroyed than the Horde would be involved. She didn't even need to think about Stonetalon, and since the path to it also led into the Barrens and right into Horde controlled territory and even Ashenvale, not to mention the druid conclave at its peak.

If the Highborne are blamed for the Centaur population displacement than they will be targeted by both factions, and whatever chance she gave them will be lost. They would all be dead before the month is out, who knows, maybe the Sentinels are already deploying their forces to march on the city right now. The fact they haven't sent anyone to investigate already is a miracle in of itself, but that miracle is running out and soon the consequences will unfold.

"We will persevere." Mordent replied, scowling in irritability, clearly not caring for her warning.

"I know you hate me, and think I am manipulating you and you were right, but please you must understand that I did it to protect you." Codexia said, she had to make him understand, even if she had to get on her knees and beg for it she needed him to understand. "If you followed the path you are following now you will only bring about your destruction, the Sentinels will kill you for continuing what you did ten thousand years ago, and if you involve the Horde there is nothing that will stop them from destroying you."

Mordent was too proud to admit she was right, Codexia knew for a fact he was denouncing her claims because he thought her to be influence him to her way of thinking. She wouldn't deny that, but the one thing that she had ensured while working her angle to converting the Highborne from the arcane to Primalism was that they would survive. It may have been callous but it needed to be done, because this is the result of her not ensuring the plan came to fruition, for they were free now and leading themselves down the path to ruin.

"Please. I am begging you, do not let this entire endeavour end with your people's extinction because they couldn't change and find a better way." Codexia said, praying to the spirits that the man would see reason.

But he would not.

"We have stood the test of time, for ten thousand years we survived and held fast." Mordent said. "And no matter what assails us now we will survive, and I will do what is best for my people, and not what is best for your agenda."

With that said he turned away and moved back towards the camp, but despite the assurance of his step and the rebuttal he had delivered, each step away from her filled him with dread. The anger simmered down and the words she had given him became much clearer, he couldn't doubt she was correct, their actions would have consequences. For a few moments he actually believed in the mission he was undertaking now, defending it with all his heart because it was against Codexia and her interests.

He shook his head, he let his own pride and anger get the better of him, this is not the first time a mistake has been made out of such baser emotions. Tortheldin's greed had led many of his people to being slaughtered, all for the sake of more power and desperation to keep themselves alive, and he had watched and done nothing. In a way he would think this is retribution, to be driven from their city and hunted down by their former kin, their sins had come full circle and they were ready to pay for them.

But instead of recognising these sins they continue to commit them.

If they continued down this path, reinforcing the hatred that their former brethren felt for them, than all it will do is lead to a similar fate that befell their Prince. The nobles were following in his footsteps now, trying to be like him but only different in the fact they intend to share this power with others. But they will become greedy and self-centred when the power begins to fade, none of them are above temptation, for the Prince was the same as them and he turned upon his people within a heartbeat.

'But I cannot act, to do so would mean my death and those loyal to me.' Mordent thought.

If any suspect he is to sabotage this mission and keep the Source from their hands he will be killed, likely the Captain is the one who will deliver the executioners strike and by the Nobles command. In fact, if his suspicions were correct, than him being here is the proof that he is already on the executioners block. Perhaps he had been too vocal to the other Nobles, he did not treat them as if they were like the departed Prince, he had let his guard down around them and they thought him treacherous.

That is likely why he was here, a possible test or just somewhere to bury his body within the mountain when the prize was seized so none would question where he disappeared to. Yet it would not come to that, he would fight if he had to, but maybe there was a way to subvert the executioners axe. Letting the neck of another take the edge rather than himself.

"I will not leave here, not while there is a chance to fix this." Codexia said, following after Mordent like a shadow.

"There is nothing to be fixed, nothing aside from our need to restore ourselves to our former strength, cease your attempts to stop us, if this continues you may become an enemy." Mordent warned, his mind working for a possible angle to use.

"You cannot turn me back, my power still is greater than yours, so do not test me."

Mordent hesitated for a moment, her power was indeed greater than his own and any mage here, but he wondered how powerful she could possibly be. Could she be powerful enough to defeat them all? Perhaps. Perhaps not. It had yet to be seen. Yet the possibility remained.

"Then remain if you wish, but do not interfere with us, when we reach the source we will claim it." Mordent said, turning from her and walking back to the camp.

"Do not be too sure." Codexia murmured, and Mordent heard it just within earshot.

He resisted the urge to smile, it was good that she thought the way she did and still had that ruthless edge, it seems he has found a perfect substitute for the axe. But he must not become complacent, his role here and that of his closest allies is not fully determined, the Captain may yet still prove to be an enemy.

Hopefully Codexia can deal the blow for Mordent and if she is killed in the fighting he can return back to Ethel Rethor with little issue. But still, while he may escape one attempt on his life he may be walking into another execution as soon as he sets foot through those gates. It was almost like he was back in Eldre'thalas again, but this time it was different, instead of avoiding the dangers of one man he was trying to find who amongst his entire race could be trusted.

Codexia scowled and gritted her teeth, Mordent was as stubborn as usual, this would be harder than she wanted it to be. She would need to accompany them into Maraudon then, follow their party and find whatever the source is and destroy it if possible. If all else fails she can always kill them, even if the thought made her lurch, she had no choice but to consider the option than allow the Highborne make any further mistakes.

But given how far they have already gone and what they had done, it may already be too late for them to turn back and reconcile. If Maraudon falls, the mountain lost to the Centaur and defiled, the holy grounds would mean nothing to the Centaur and they may simply spread out and finally search for somewhere else to live.

'I cannot let that happen.' Codexia thought, scowling as she walked towards the camp and began scoping out the army.

Just over a hundred of them were present, thirty or so mages made up their ranks, but she knew that without any arcane power they were barely a threat to her. Yet it made her wonder why so many were here, and if they were so weakened what use would they be in a large scale fight. She narrowed her eyes, it was impossible to think that they didn't realize their own limitations, could they be here for another purpose?

'Maybe those artefacts I heard of being in the Sanctum were not just sent there, maybe here as well.' Codexia mused.

That was a concern, if they had found artefacts that can augment their powers than that means they may be going off the deep end soon. Give a starving person a single bit is never enough, so when the platter comes along they ravage it without regard. They were setting themselves up to devour what is coming their way, and once they were bloated and had their fill they would be hooked, she had to make sure that feast never came to be.

'Alright, I need to figure out who is…'

She failed to finish the line of thought, a pang of pain pass through her entire being, stumbling forward she felt a wave of fatigue sap the strength from her muscles. Her vision blurred for a moment and her head felt light, her hand came to her brow and she tried to fight off the dizziness. Yet her legs began to fail her, turning to goo and threatening to send her crashing into the ground, and every step was a monumental struggle.

"What was that?" Codexia mumbled, she felt so tired right now.

A moment of panic passed through her as this wave of lethargy did not abate, where was this coming from? It just happened so suddenly that she didn't have time to prepare for it. Her eyes drifted back towards Ethel Rethor, finding storms cloud above the city and lightning forking across the sky.

'Where did those come from?' Codexia thought.

Worry welled in her heart as she saw it, a feeling that something was amiss back in the city, could something have happened when she left? Was this pain caused because of her connection to the spirits? Did something happen to the three of them? They had warned her that the Highborne would attempt something, could this be what they were referring to?

"Oh no, please tell me no." Codexia thought aloud.

She tried to focus but her eyes would not remain open, quickly she found a vacant spot and sat down. Leaning against a stone crate and folding her cloak over herself. Her eyes finally dropped, she didn't know if she was worrying over nothing or not, but right now she had no other desire but to sleep. Codexia hoped that this feeling was just from the many hours it took to ride here rather than anything regarding the spirits, she prayed that to be the case.


"Wake up."

Codexia jerked back into consciousness, her eyes widening and her head snapping from side to side to recall where she was, her eyes burned as the sun glared into them. Her hand came to shield her face from its harsh rays, but a shadow passed over her and offered some protection.

"Come, Mordent requires your presence, we need you on the battlefield."

Glancing up at the speaker she found a woman with skin as pale as her white hair, and wearing robes of purple and intricate golden embroidery. This woman was familiar to Codexia, she was one of Mordent's magi, her name was Arcanist Delaris if her memory served right.

"How long have I been asleep?" Codexia asked, rising from the ashen ground and stretching.

"Thirteen hours, some assumed you were dead." Delaris said, and Codexia was willing to bet that some of them wished for that to be the case.

"Not yet, and while I am at it I might as well save the rest of you." Codexia replied, pushing past the woman while retrieving her staff and sword from her mount.

In all the commotion last night and the fatigue she had forgotten to lead the horse to somewhere it could be tied down, luckily someone had done it in her stead. Taking out her amethyst coloured blade, she gave it a few test swings to test her grip and also warmup her muscles. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the runes along the blade, finding the power within it to be diminished.

'Maybe last night wasn't just from the ride here.' Codexia mused.

She glanced back at Delaris, finding her patiently waiting for Codexia to finish, something bad had happened back at Ethel Rethor and now she was suffering for it. Maybe this was recompense for all her action, of leading people to their deaths and manipulating them, or maybe it was the greed and destructive nature of the fools that were leading these people to ruin.

"Let's go." Codexia growled, skulking past the Arcanist and towards the mountain, she could already see the army was there fighting and she intended to end that quickly.


"Advance!" Captain Jirand commanded, pushing his troops further into the valley that served as the final defence for the Centaur.

Mordent scowled at the young Captain, the fool was getting boisterous and actually sending his soldiers in without regards to their own safety. Such reckless thinking shouldn't be part of a commander's repertoire, and that only further made Mordent suspicions that they may have had more held here than he initially realized.

The mages were scarce for this fight and not actively participating; he turned back and found them all near the rear of the army. His own Magi were supporting the main army, offering whatever spells and power they could to push back the Centaur, yet the dozen that were part of Jirand's routine were only offering their healing skills to the fight.

He narrowed his eyes at the Captain; if this was the methods he employed to fight the Centaur and actually win he was the luckiest man on the whole of Azeroth. But Mordent doubted that, according to what reports he was given, Jirand had only suffered two dozen casualties amongst his soldiers in the two weeks here. He had only lost a quarter of his standing force against the centaur and in turn pushed the marauders back while causing hundreds if not thousands of confirmed kills. He did not believe for a second this man had been instrumental in doing thta, especially if this bull-headed assault were a testament to the means he employed.

'You had artefacts here, I know that now, there is no way you would have twelve magi here and me not know about it.' Mordent thought. 'After all, not a single one of them was affiliated with the Shen'dralar.'

While the Shen'dralar was the main body that controlled the magic within the Highborne, acting as a distributor and regulator to their population, each member was an accomplished and sanctioned mage. But there were rumours and hearsay about rogue mages that often were tied to high ranking houses, kept hidden and protected to serve the families as spies and thieves. In Eldre'thalas there was only one currency and that was magical energy, Vainglorious Draught, concentrated magical energies that could be ingested and fed upon.

These magi were those types, he was certain of it, all because of what they wore. One would not expect clothing to distinguish a spy but in this case it showed who they were loyal to, while no definitive markings tied them directly to any house, it was the colours that were used that gave them away. While some of these mages belonged to A'oraen and Elaallaes, both were powerful mages in their own right and had ties to the Shen'dralar, but most had the green, blue and black configuration.

'Maluineth, what are you up to girl?' Mordent thought, to have this many mages outside of the order under one house spoke volumes to him.

Maybe he should be concerned about returning back to the Order, because from the looks of it, Maluineth may have taken hold of it while he was absent. If that was the case maybe he should not be looking to save himself from the execution block, or replace himself with someone else, maybe he should be looking for someone that can help him remove these usurpers.

"Mordent, lead your men! I do not have time to learn their names as I get my men into the breach!" Jirand bellowed, forcing the Archmage from his treacherous thoughts.

"Of course." Mordent replied, stepping forward and up to his magi.

His eyes roamed the valley walls, finding them to hold many overcrops that a small force could move along, they lined the valley and lead all the way down its lengths. A perfect place for them to rain down death upon their enemies, with a quick call he gathered his magi and then together they teleported to the nearest overcrop.

"Move along the wall, do not exert yourself! Walk and leap from one to the other, save your power for the curs below!" Mordent ordered, jogging to the edge of the overcrop he casually leaping to the next one.

Turning to the valley below he saw well over a hundred centaur fighting to hold back the Highborne, all of them were armed and armoured, they were giving it their all to hold them back. With a wave of his hand he summoned a ball of flame, his eyes roaming the battlefield and searching for the most opportune target.

He found a group of archers on a small mound behind the centaur's main line, they had yet to fire and seemed to be waiting for the opportune time to strike. Quickly setting them alight, their fur and leather armour turning to ashes as they were engulfed in magical flames, as they fell to the ground Mordent summoned another and searched for more targets.

His mages followed his example and threw spell after spell down at the marauders, fire and ice along with pure magical force bombarding the marauders from above. They were making a dent in the centaur's numbers and making progress towards the Valley of Spears, Jirand and his men were now advancing with much less resistance put against them. But half of his men were wounded or dead, he could see their battered bodies being tended to by the mages further down the pass.

'We cannot attack the centaur in the open as we are, we wouldn't stand a chance.' Mordent thought, knowing that in the open their numbers would be easily overwhelmed by such a large enemy force.

If they could maintain hold of the pass they could use it to lure the centaur in and beat them that way, an open assault would only lead to their deaths. If his previous theories were correct as well, that artefacts were used to bolster their forces, than Jirand and his men were simply ill equipped and undermanned to do any real damage.

"Jirand! Keep your forces from the Valley of Spears!" Mordent yelled.

"We are too close now! If we breach their defences we can assault their main fortification!" Jirand countered, issuing another call to advance.

Mordent growled, this boy was a damn fool if he thought he could take on the remaining centaur tribe in the open, he needed to get ahead and see what they were facing. But he halted when he saw someone moving up the valley, two people to be exact, his frown turned into a smirk when he saw them. Looks like Codexia would be fighting with them today.


She strolled by the wounded and dead, causally waving her hand over the area and releasing a wave of green mist. Those that it touched began to heal and recover, their wounds knitting themselves together and bruises beginning to fade, even those recently taken by death were given a new breath of life.

Some however did not rise up.

Codexia frowned as she passed the body of a fallen warrior, a large gash across his chest and the likely cause of his demise, her powers should have revived him. Yet he remained deceased and unaffected by her power, her gazed turned to her hand and she felt the once overwhelming command of the power of Nature and Life had been diminished to a fraction of what it was.

'I wonder if I should be saving these people.' Codexia wondered, because if she was right they would be her enemy soon enough.

She drew her blade and charged into the fray, her skin taking a shadowy sheen as she passed the elven warriors and stabbed a centaur through the chest. As it buckled she withdrew her blade and released a wave of darkness that engulfed the frontal wave of centaur, they screamed and fell to the ground as the shadows seeped into their bodies. They began to convulse and shriek, their bodies thinning and draining of colour, their very life force being eaten away by the darkness.

"Keep moving forward! Kill these wretched beasts! Our goal is nearly in sight!" Jirand ordered, charging forward with his blade in hand.

Codexia let him pass and moved forward as well, meeting another Centaur and blocking his axe with her arm. A wave of green energy flowed over her limb and she felt her strength increase tenfold and her skin turn to the consistency of iron, although she peeks at her exposed hand to see it appeared like bark rather than metal.

The stone axe nearly shattered when it struck her limb, which she tossed to the side along with her enemy's weapon, before she swung her blade up and decapitated the vile centaur. Leaping forward she carved through a spear and shoulder of another one, and followed up with seven more strikes that left just as many dead, she weaved her sword as well as her powers of Decay, Life and Water against them.

She was a force of nature and she was using all her power to push the Centaur back and get these Highborne to the Valley of Spears. She could hear the constant shouting from above, recognising it as Mordent, but she ignored his cries and focused on the Valley that was a mere fifty yards from where she stood.

"Push on my warriors, we are nearly there!" Jirand called, his words were all the encouragement the Highborne needed to keeping fighting and push to their goal.

But Codexia felt drained, this small skirmish was taking it out on her more than she thought, but she hid it behind a frown as she met another foe in melee. Lopping off his front cannons she then impaled the beast through the heart, and then let his drop to the side dead. Her blade grew stronger with the deaths of others, as a Spirit of Decay Erebus fed on death and therefore her shadow magic should be growing stronger now.

Yet she felt only a miniscule increase in her powers as time went on, something was wrong with Erebus and the other spirits, if her powers were being diminished like this something had to have happened to them. The Highborne were responsible, and now that she thought about it she realized that she had been so hasty to arrive here and not question things that she should have. They had practically told her about this and as if knowing what she would do as soon as she learned of it, she had been tricked.

That thought spurred her to lash out and carve through the chest of a nearby centaur, severing his hand and carving open his torso with a single swing. Those bastards had manipulated her, she would call it hypocritical of herself to be angry about manipulating someone, but she didn't care of the duplicity of it but the fact she had fallen for it so easily.

"Back you fools!" Mordent called from above, taking the Primalist out of her anger fuelled haze. "The centaur has far too many waiting for us within!"

Codexia turned ahead and sure enough she found herself at the mouth of the valley, the entrance to the Valley of Spears and to Maraudon. Within she found a small city of huts and tents, all built around a large stone temple built into the mountain and with architecture she has never seen before.

It resembled a large colossus of some sort, it would be hard to tell it was a face if not for the glowing red eyes within the stone; half of its face was missing at the jaw and making a determination of what it represented to be impossible. But two large arms lined the long stairwell the led to a smoothly carved door in the rocks, whatever had made this entryway was not made by Centaur hands.

"Back, there are too many!" Mordent called.

Codexia did not doubt that, had to be three hundred at least, and they outnumbered the invaders three to one if they were being generous. Despite her success in the pass she highly doubted they would be as triumphant here, for two specific reasons. The first being that there were sorcerers here to support the main army and they were in the open. Fighting in a narrow pass always negated numerical advantages, meaning that great numbers couldn't simply roll over a small army, yet when that pass is behind you that advantage is right out the window.

"Form a beachhead!" Jirand ordered, even that overconfident idiot seemed to realize the blunder they had rushed into.

Quickly the troops formed up two semi-circular lines and waited for the enemy to attack, that was both a smart and utterly stupid move. Codexia knew that running would do them little good so they had to stay and hold out, but these were centaur, holding them back with just manpower was like trying to stop a cavalry charge with no spears or shields. The centaur knew this as well and were charging in without a care, they had no doubt they could wash over the Highborne without having to break stride.

'This is going to end badly.' Codexia thought.

But they needed to win here, not just for whatever was in the mountain but because it was their only chance of leaving here alive. She tried to wrack her brain for a means to hold them off, summoning up an ice barrier could slow them down or even freeze the ground. But she didn't know enough of the water element of trained with it to fully understand or use it, also she didn't feel the power over the waters to be strong enough.

Summoning a tree or some sort of barricade seems to be a no go either, this land was completely sapped of life and that required her to sap life from living entities or anything around her to work. She couldn't do it to the people around her as they were not strong enough and the centaurs were nearly on them, so she was only left with one element to help her.

Decay, it had many uses and sadly she couldn't think of a single one that could stop the charging ranks of Centaur. She could sap the life from them and even make a few drop dead but that would require time she did not have. There had to be something around that she was missing, something she could try to remember that she could use.

'Alright, the Maraudine Centaur protect this region as it is sacred ground, the employ multiple forms of magic that are tied to using Decay to bend the elements to their whim.' Codexia was quickly trying to think of a solution. 'I can negate this with my own control over decay and stop their powers from working, but that would only go so far to stop the sorcerers.'

She could see the Centaur were only a few dozen meters from slamming into them, they may feel so close but it was torturously slow for them to get there. In a way she was glad for that, that the Centaur were going as quick as the undead after being risen from the grave. That line of thought then made something click.

'Maraudon is a burial ground, here all the Khans are buried regardless of Clan and also the Maraudine Tribe bury their dead here.' Codexia mused.

She smiled as she thought up a way to win here, because there was a single little fact about Decay few knew about. While the Spirit of Decay was elemental in nature it could do something that was considered taboo in the arcane world, a branch of magic considered to be forbidden, and that was Necromancy.

Codexia raised her blade and pulled on all the energy from the Spirit she could, drawing it all into the blade and then slamming it into the ground. A pulse of energy shot out from the point and moved through the ground, it did nothing to slow the Centaur but it didn't have to. She felt it as soon as the energy touched them, she felt the many restless dead that haunt the mountains interior, souls of fallen Centaur that sought blood.

"Rise! Fight and Kill!" Codexia called, ripping her blade from the ground.

As she did the ground erupted with force and spectres poured out from the earth, their presence more than enough to halt the charging marauders and cow them. Then the vengeful spectres, guided by Codexia and her power, attacked their former brethren with roars of anger and hate.

Codexia smirked a little, she had come up with that on the spot and it had pulled of perfectly, but still she needed to remain focused on the enemy. This fighting won't end until the Khan is dead, like all clans the Centaur valued strength over everything else, when their strongest was dead the rest would know that they cannot beat what defeated their strongest.

"Where are you?" Codexia said, eyes scanning the area for the leader.


All the while the Highborne had not moved from their spot as they watched as the spirits of the Centaur tear apart their living brethren, it was a haunting sight to behold that even shattered Jirand's arrogant demeanour. Mordent himself scowled at the scene, finding the act to be a most foul act to perform, to think Codexia would stoop to such a level sickened him.

"She is more dangerous than we gave her credit for." Daros said, standing just behind Mordent and beside his daughter Karabrel.

"That she is, but she may be useful later on." Mordent replied, glancing back at the mages. "All of you be aware, there is duplicity at work here, do not trust those outside the Shen'dralar, if things turn for the worst, we fight and we run if we need to."

There were some confused and uncertain glances sent his way, many not knowing the meaning behind his words and the true depths of his distrust to his brethren. But he could not reveal more without in turn revealing his own hand, if his people thought the soldiers below suspect of upcoming treachery they may act before they intend to. Best to delay the inevitable until it comes full circle, but at least his people would at least be prepared for it.

"What are we to do now?" Delaris asked.

"We bide our time, and see what Codexia does, and then we enter the mountain." Mordent replied, he wouldn't expend anymore of his power here, none of his mages would.


Codexia's eyes narrowed in on a single Centaur in a large hut near the back of the valley, around him were several female sorcerers. Likely his concubines, if there was any way to tell a leader apart from the rest it was the amount of woman on him at any time, probably wanted to get a few rounds in before he had to fight.

Smirking she gathered what power she could and faded from sight, her world shifted into that of the spiritual realm, everything appeared faded and grey. The world looked no the more different but she saw spectres of the dead she had summoned, fighting invisible adversaries that she knew to be the living.

Strolling across the valley she was unmolested by anything, not even the spirits of the deceased bothered her. But she found several obstacles in her path, it seems that the recent dead that had not been summoned by her, a few centaur did not take kindly to her summoning of their brethren to murder them.

"Great, of all the times this could happen." Codexia thought, readying her blade and preparing to fight.

Killing the spirits would be impossible here, but she could slay their spirits and force them deeper into the spiritual plane. When a spirit passes on from the material plane they automatically end up here regardless of who they are, and from here they are often taken to whatever realm their spirit is connected to. Druids often are taken to the Emerald Dream, Shamans to a deeper spiritual realm and then some to the Shadowlands.

So all she had to do was banish these bastards somewhere else, and she had a nice little place she could send them without much issue. Charging forward she sliced through a spirit, his body blowing apart into mist as his spirit was torn asunder and forced away. This realm was a limbo between realms, those who often died held onto themselves after death and don't pass on immediately, but there were means to push those who were less inclined to move on.

She had to hurry though, the dead were starting to pile up, and the angry spirits were now starting to appear in the realm. Running and slashing as she went, choosing to run for her destination rather than fight to it, and as she reached the steps she leaped onto into the hut. She turned back to the roaring and recently deceased centaur, giving them a wave of her hand, smirking as the world faded and the living world returned.

Immediately she lashed out to the side, decapitating a Stormcaller, before stabbing her blade to the side and impaling another through the heart. As she drained the power from the centaur she poured it through the blade and swung it out, a miasma of darkness enveloped the hut and blinded the Khan and his concubines.

As they choked on the black stench of decay Codexia moved forward and ran her blade through the Khan's heart, this staggered him and made him drop to a knee. Then she grasped his pony tail with one hand and swung her blade with the other, his head parted his shoulders and dangled in her hand. As the cloud of darkness dissipated Codexia held the severed head aloft for all to see, the effect was nearly instantaneous.

With the dead assailing them and their leader gone the centaur had no more reason to remain here, even if this land was sacred to them they feared this place now and what had been wrought here. Quickly they dispersed and ran for their lives, retreating through other routes through the mountainous region and likely anywhere that wasn't near Maraudon.

Casting aside the head Codexia walked towards the silent and motionless Highborne, who parted as she approached, in a way this is what she needed. She needed to remind them who was in charge, to tell them not to do this or risk being on the wrong side of her fury and wrath. Captain Jirand stood his ground, eyes hard and glaring back into her own, she didn't know if it was youthful pride or that he knew she wouldn't do anything to him, but he stood his ground.

"I had heard a lot of things about you, and a necromancer was never in the stories I have heard, it seems we are seeing those true colours after all." Jirand said, sneering at Codexia.

She in turn frowned at his words, it had been a kick in the face to be reminded what people thought of her, she recalled all the things Marta had said and the cold looks she received from the company. But she fought them down, this was something she couldn't let get a hold of her and distract her like last time, her distraction and doubts are what led to this happening and she wouldn't let another mistake befall herself or the mission.

"Think what you want, but remember this closely, you are treading in very dangerous waters right now, and if you do not watch where you go, you will drown." Codexia said. "And I will be there, and I will decide if I take your hand and pull you out, or put my boot to the back of your head and keep you under."

The threat was clear and easily seen, Codexia knew she couldn't rely on subtlety and manipulation anymore, she had to make them understand that she will kill them if they step out of line again. Maybe with that in the back of their minds they would remember what kind of person she is, and all those stories they heard, and maybe that will keep them alive when she does what she needs to do.

"Come, you want to find that Source within the mountains, then let us find it, and decide what to do about it." Codexia said, turning and strolling towards the archway.

Mordent watched from afar, it would seem that she was going to do what he expected her to do, and maybe even more than that. He would need to speak with her though, if she were to turn upon them he would make sure that his people are spared from the onslaught she may unleash upon them.

'We may yet be allies in this then.' Mordent mused, knowing that if she destroys the Power Source it may doom his people to starvation, but considering the dangers of having it would result it, starving to death is better than being slaughtered.


"Do you have the next shipment ready to send back?" The Highborne soldier said, looking to the mage as he packed the weapons into a stone chest.

"Yes, the weapons and skins are within." The Mage said, his black, white and blue clothing marking him as a retainer for a noble house. "Get them back to the city immediately, Lord Willowgrave requires more for the rituals."

Truthfully he could believe that this mage was using such profane practices, and that there was actual relics like that in one of their lost cities, made him wonder what their people were doing there what no one else knew about. But he didn't say anything and it was best not to aggravate the nobles, especially Mildreas Willowgrave, that way his head remained on his shoulders.

"We will get it there, alright listen up!"

They were going to be breaking camp, as soon as Captain Jirand entered the mountain they were to leave and return to Ethel Rethor immediately. Their captain was going to be getting a nice cosy ride back home, something they thought he didn't deserve, while the rest of them had to slog it through this wasteland carrying over a dozen chests filled with weapons and centaur skins.

"This reeks." One of his soldiers said, couldn't blame him, the centaur flesh was starting to turn to rot, and even before that it smelt bad.

"Let's pray for some wind then, maybe it can blow the smell away." He said, trying to make light on their otherwise dismal and grim duty.

They mounted the horses and loaded the carts they would be dragging across the Desolace back to their home, but before he could give the order he felt a massive surge of energy nearby. The Highborne officer turned and regarded the east and his eyes widened when he saw a wave of blue energy moving for the camp.

He could do little but shout in surprise before it exploded but a few meters from his position, he was thrown from his horse and onto the hard ground. Shaking his head and trying to toss aside the ringing of his ears and the tightness in his chest, he sat up and found his warriors had been similarly displaced.

He saw one of his men get up, drawing his sword and facing the direction the attack came, but he was cast down when three arrows lodged themselves into his chest and neck. He tried to get back to his feet but a hail of arrows forced him to a halt, a single bolt striking him in the leg, as they did stop his fellow soldiers.

The mage attempted to fight back but then someone appeared before him, a large blade in hand and with a single swing he cut him down. As the dust settled he found the entire camp had been destroyed and that his allies lay dead on the ground, and the attackers were now within earshot of him. Dozens of them, all of them wearing long grey cloaks and wielding bows, these were the warrior he heard of that had attacked their former home Eldre'thalas.

These were their former brethren. The Night Elves.


"We have a survivor." A Sentinel called out.

Iyeana turned and regarded the one that was pointed out, finding a pale haired and skinned soldier that she had noted seemed to be leading this small band. She had hoped to capture him alive, and it seems that through luck he had survived, and with that she can question him personally.

"You, Highborne, where are the rest of your soldiers?" Iyeana inquired, crouching down to his eye level.

"I will never tell you Night Elf." The Highborne hissed.

"I already know that they are attacking the Maraudine, but I do not know where within the mountain ranges that is, tell me now." Iyeana replied, grasping the arrow in his leg and giving it a light tug.

He gasped as the sharp bard pulled on his muscles and likely scraped along his bone, but he did not relent for an instant. Iyeana could respect that from an elf, but if it was from a Highborne she couldn't offer any sympathies, she turned to one of her Sentinels and gave a nod. She needed to see what the Highborne were transporting back to the city, and maybe find some clues as to where the entrance to the mountain was.

If the Highborne knew where it was or at least suspected than she could track them through the mountain or at least know their general location and find them. She heard not a sound coming from the mountain in the distance, and that is what had her worried, there was no telling if they had not entered it or not.

"Iyeana, over here." Ichigo called.

She turned and walked over to Ichigo, finding him standing over two chests, a scowl on his features as he looked down within one. Iyeana nearly gagged when she smelt it, and the sight was none the less pleasant, inside she found the peeled flesh of a Centaur.

"By the Light, what were these Highborne doing?" Caren said.

"Sacrifices, offering to artefacts." Iyeana said, remembering the report she had been given by Azore.

She looked into the other create and found within weapons, from the make and design they had to be made by the Centaur, it all but settled it in her eyes. These were the ingredients needed for the Brazier of Elune and the Handmaiden of Elune, artefacts that gave power to those who sacrifice Flesh and break the weapons of defeat foes upon them. It seems the Highborne were starting to harness them, and with the quantities being procured she could only imagine that they were going to either empower someone greatly or a great many people.

"The Brazier is said to bestow regenerative powers onto anyone who sacrifices the flesh or blood of someone to the fire." Iyeana said, scowling as she glanced at the shocked Caren and Adelina, while Ichigo seemed to scowl.

"How strong is this regeneration we are talking about here?" Ichigo asked.

"Unknown, but it is said to match that of a trolls, who are said to be able to replace limbs and internal organs." Iyeana replied. "As for the speed, I have no idea, it may only enhance ones restorative powers, or bring it to levels well above normal."

She knew of certain magical abilities that could reform lost limbs and even pull the lost blood from the body, even hearing of a man that had this throat cut open and survived because he healed through it before he could bleed to death. Such a thought was terrifying, especially if the Highborne possessed powers such as this.

"This is worse than I imagined, the Highborne are resorting to such methods." Adelina said, glancing down at the torn and bloody patches of flesh and fur. "They truly must be desperate to do something like this."

"No doubt, that should give us all the more reason they need to be put down." Iyeana said, turning to the nearest Sentinels. "Get the Gryphons, we will be searching through the air, we don't have time to waste anymore."

Iyeana looked at the chests, finding six of them, each were likely filled to the brim with patches of flesh and weapons.

"Caren, burn the contents of all the caskets, do not let the Highborne have a chance to reclaim them." Iyeana said, turning and moving away, but was satisfied when she heard a loud whoosh and sudden heat behind her.

Soon the Gryphons were being herded towards the camp, they would be departing soon and would find that entrance before the Highborne could find the power source. Whatever it was it was best that they do not disturb it, she would have loved to wait here and attacked when they return but that defeated the purpose. The Highborne were causing enough damage, letting them tear something out from within Maraudon that could house a dangerous evil was not a smart move.

She just prayed they get there to stop them from doing anything.

"Iyeana, the Highborne is being a little more compliant, we have all the information we need now, and some interesting news on who is here."


Ichigo glanced at the mountain, his eyes narrowing as he tried to sense whatever was within, but he let out a groan when he could pick up on anything at first. It would seem that he was not focusing on it right, he remembered when he had to find Chad and that Soul he could do it, but now it seemed to be completely gone.

"Feel anything?" Caren asked, likely attempting to replicate what Ichigo was doing.

"Can't feel a thing, don't understand how the Highborne felt anything when we can't." Ichigo said, feeling annoyed, sure his skills in sensing were poor at best but he expected to at least be able to do it if he knew the general direction of where the power was coming from.

But in truth he wondered about this place, there was simply no life or energy here at all. He thought that maybe he would sense something similar to the Burning Steppes when he arrived, but in truth he didn't feel a thing. It was a completely barren and lifeless desert that didn't have a single shred of spiritual energy or life energy left in the soil, in fact it was as if the very ground was decomposition rather than sand.

"Hmmm." Adelina said, kneeling down and placing a hand on a stone nearby. "I think I feel something, but I am not sure."

Ichigo glanced at her for a moment, how could she do that and they couldn't?

"How can you be sure?"

"I cannot, but I have a theory on why the Highborne were able to sense the power within the mountain. Their addiction and hunger may have made them more sensitive to the energies." Adelina said. "While a pitcher of water would be something one would crave for if they crave the water, even morning dew on the ground would seem just as delicious and nourishing if one was desperate enough."

Ichigo had to admit there was a bit of wisdom in those words, if the Highborne were so desperate and hungry than anything that so much as twinkled their senses would likely be felt. He couldn't imagine something like that, to be so hungry and dependant on an energy source that it would drive you to unspeakable lengths to survive. It reminded him of Hollows, who needed spiritual energy to survive and not regress into a more animalistic state.

'Kind of horrifying seeing it affect normal people, but those spirits in the ruins were similar to hollows but also different, they tried to take my spiritual energy and sap the life out of everyone.' Ichigo mused, remembering his encounter with those spirits and how they had nearly killed a Sentinel by touching her and siphoning out her life force.

"You certainly know how to make things easier to understand, you know that?" Ichigo said, and received a thankful smile in return.

"Thank you. But in truth I remember something my father once taught me, energy finds conduits to move through, it is always moving through something. The air, the water and the earth, and all one needs to do is know which it moves through to sense it." Adelina said, gesturing to the rock she had touched. "Try it. Maybe you can sense something that I cannot."

Ichigo glanced down at the rock before he gave a non-committed shrug; he dropped to a knee and touched the stone, closing his eyes he tried to concentrate. For a few seconds nothing happened, he wanted to punch the damn rock for making him look like a damn fool. But he decided against that, there was obviously something that Adelina had felt, he must be doing something wrong if he didn't feel a thing.

What did he do when he tried to find Chad? He mainly just let his mind go blank, but not completely, he focused on the person he wanted to find and he located him. Maybe that was the problem; he was trying to figure this out by seeing if he could sense any energy, maybe he should see if he could sense the object itself.

Focusing against he let his mind go blank, thinking about this object within the mountain and tried to locate it, he was not met with a response immediately. He kept it up for about a minute before he felt something, a small tingle through his fingertips, he reached out and grasped that power and tried to trace it back to the source. He couldn't get far but he felt it within the mountain, and it was powerful indeed, his eyes widened and the connection was lost instantly.

"What the hell?" Ichigo mumbled.

"Everyone mount up! We are going after them now!" Iyeana called out, she had just gotten some good Intel from their prisoner. "Ichigo, looks like you will be taking your fight to Codexia sooner than expected."

Ichigo only nodded his head and moved for the Gryphon, only giving the rock he had used to see into the mountain and what lies within its depth. He sensed several things within, some darker than others and made his skin crawl. But he sensed many spiritual forced inside, and the one that was connected to the power he was certain of it, it wasn't arcane or anything magical.

It was spiritual energy, energy similar to that of one other being he had met before. Druantia.


Hope you enjoyed it, another chapter next week, maybe even earlier.

Reviews:

Krazyfanfiction1: Thank you.

Leapinglemur: Glad you liked the chapter, also yeah the Highborne are going over their head in this.

Stuporman: Sort of, the image is of Mimihagi, the Hand of the Soul King. Yes, very soon they will be meeting, next chapter for sure so that will be interesting, and both of them will be going at one another. Also I will be doing that Kenso arc Omake in the next chapter, scouts honour.

The Unsung Anti-Hero: Yeah, I know that most don't plan things out but if you are serious about what you are writing then you need to plan it out otherwise you will never get anything done. Kind of why my other stories are suffering, my layouts for them are either outdated or just plainly non-existent.

Yeah, the Highborne are messing with powers they cannot begin to imagine.

Slimjm77: Thanks, it was fun to do that.

Ben 10,000: Maybe, it could be like that or it could be something else entirely. Won't reveal anything just yet.

Reality Deviant: Yeah, Nat was always a guy that is cemented in Warcraft lore. Also there is not much known about his personality but he is just a funny kind of guy.

As for Mimihagi, nope, the Shield as mentioned is stated to come from the Bronze Dragonflight, Ysondre mentioned this. Also the symbol it is mainly a mark of identity and not Mimihagi himself. We shall see if she survives this arc or not.

Star: Dude come on, how much have I offered you this year in terms of content?

Oh come now, Ichigo yelled at a pervert is not uncharacteristic of him, look at how much he argues with Yoruichi and Urahara.

Yeah, more people will be part of Ichigo's company as time goes on, some will be permanent and others will come and go as time progresses. Also Jaina I would think is better solidified as Momo, due to her serious nature and power but her attraction to the big bad. Aegwynn, she is the Unohana, hands down.

Maybe, I do try to bring in characters that don't replace the ones from the anime, because it takes away from it and makes it seem that they are just meant to fill the space of characters that are not there in person.

As for the Lodge thing, that could happen.

Blindluck92: Yeah, things are going to get a lot worse and more hectic as things go on from this point, I assure you that nothing is going to be peaceful and calm from now on in the story.

Glad you liked the Omake.

Guest #1: Maybe, but she still has some fight in her, we shall see where that takes her.

Kragh50: Soonish, but with the way I am busting these chapters out it can come about nearly anytime in the future. As for that, nope, Ichigo will learn about Zangetus, both of them at a prearranged time in my story. Regeneration repairs damage and fixes what is harmed, would be useful but it would burn through his power quickly because of it.

Maybe, he could fight her sometime later, maybe when she was turned into a Nightmare Dragon.

The series I felt ended the wrong way, it should have gone on for a dozen or more chapters from where it left of just to settle things. Really annoyed me that it happened like that, and I think that it needs more tie in stuff to make everyone understand what happened.

Black Cross0: No problem, glad you enjoyed it and hope you got a lot of birthday wishes.

The Dragon Soul contains a portion of Titanic powers. Time, Life, Nature, Earth and Magic. If Ichigo had access to that he would be immensely powerful, as the Titans bestowed great power over the Dragons and in turn they empowered the Dragon Soul with a portion of that same power they received. Also you might be foreshadowing something.

Lightbane1905: He is lonely; he does nothing but fish and needs companionship. But he drinks too much.

Astroga121: That I am, but I am unrepentant.

You shall see the results in a few chapter, did they capture them or not? And what is powering the storm. That is true about Codexia as well, she is being manipulated and she is meant to be the manipulator. But you will see soon enough, do not worry all things will be revealed in time. Also these Artefacts are in game, meaning they exist in the game and in the universe as a whole so they are not made up. Look them up, I assure you they are real and dark.

Thank you, also Warcraft is sadly not the most well-known on this site for stories and such, the fan base is real small because the fan base is playing the game. Bleach is much more defined, kind of the reason why my Are We Alone story is beginning to eclipse this one. Also this story is the one I put a lot of time and effort into making perfect and right, it is my child and I want to see it grow.

Also by my count Ichigo has been on Azeroth for nearly three months now.

Fathira: You're welcome. I plan to divide the story into separate books as it were. Vanilla will end when Ichigo is about to set off to the Blasted Lands to fight in Outland. And then I start a new story there. Basically Transcendence: Into the Nether or something like that. Title is pending.

Yeah, been thinking about that and have some funny scenes lined up for that when the time comes.

Well there you have it, hope you enjoyed the chapter.