With this chapter it brings about the end of the Stonetalon Arc, or Adelina Arc. Most of you might be surprised with the direction this seems to be going but there is a reason for my choices. I like to build things off early and let them flourish as the progress. After all, where is the fun is a story where things progress like A to B.

Now many might be annoyed with my delays but life has been very hectic for me over the last few months, I am currently dealing with Strep Throat. I am working over 45 hours a week. I am now a new home owner and have to go through some other expenses that have occurred in that time including a new car. Also, plans for surgery to correct a nasal issue I have had for many years. And finally helping my folks retire.

So nothing has been peaceful for me.

But that doesn't mean I am going to stop doing what I love. Which includes some Are We Alone and some more Hand of Suffering later. So stay tuned and enjoy.


Transcendence

Chapter 80: Parting Ways

"Asshole…"

Ichigo muttered the curse just under his breath, along with a good distance from the entrance to the Timbermaw Hold. Last thing he wanted was to have to deal with that Furbolg, Gorn One Eye, bastard had it in for him. Actually, led him on a wild goose chase around the Hold just to mess with him, likely an attempt to scare him.

Not that it worked, only served to aggravate him. They were being such pains in the asses that he wouldn't have cared if they stopped being unfriendly and just be downright hostile, would have allowed him to vent.

As he walked down the path he however came upon some more welcome company, comparatively.

"Ichigo, how was the hospitality of the Timbermaw Tribe?" Codexia asked, behind her was Mordent and Azore.

"Pulled out all the bells and whistles, felt like a king coming back from abroad." Ichigo replied, laying on thick how annoyed he was.

"Only the best." Codexia smiled, clearly amused. "I hope we can receive the same treatment on our way out."

"Going back to Ethel Rethor?" Ichigo asked.

"To begin with, but later I will be travelling to Eldre'thalas to take Tylarwin and Maluineth back to their people." Codexia replied.

Ichigo recalled that was part of the agreements, that they would release any prisoners back to the Highborne. It has not been a difficult discussion and was still open to negotiation, but it was mostly agreed that the two Nobles would be released if Maluineth unlocked the Library in the city. Said library was stocked with thousands of tomes on ancient magic and tools of the empire, most of it was valuable for academic purposes as well as other things.

It was a tradeoff, that knowledge would go to Theramore, the Night Elves would be happy it was secured away from the Highborne and the Highborne got back two prominent figures.

"Surprised that the people want them back." Ichigo said.

"Most of them don't, but the Shen'dralar is divided, and the last of the Old Guard are not pleased with Tylarwin's detainment." Codexia stated. "The Highborne leadership and upper echelon is not completely stable."

While Mordent and his two compatriots were detained Ethel Rethor was left with no leaders, without anyone to guide them there was uncertainty about how they were to proceed. As Codexia has said the Shen'dralar was divided, two camps of supporters for Mordent and Maluineth, while the Guards were unwilling to appoint any new leadership.

The most they had for leadership was Caelyb, although being the son of their former leader was not doing him any favors. Neither was the fact he was also technically part of a divergent sect of the Highborne learning Primalism, something considered primitive and savage in comparison to the study of the Arcane. So things weren't exactly stable right now in Ethel Rethor, as much as the former leadership was not liked they were preferable over nothing. So getting them back might help stabilise the situation there, and with the leaders effectively cowed into compliance they would do as they were told.

"You think having them back is going to clear things up?" Ichigo asked.

"Tylarwin shouldn't cause to much of an issue, he cares for his people safety above all else and while he is xenophobic, he isn't going to do anything that would put the last of his kin in danger." Codexia stated, before shrugging. "Maluineth on the other hand…"

"She will be the harder of the two to integrate back into our society." Mordent stated. "Likely she will attempt to regain control over the Shen'dralar as a whole, or subvert my authority."

"After all the shit that we went through she still has an axe to grind." Ichigo asked, rubbing his temple and wondering if he would need to do to her what he did to Mildreas.

"She has been nursing this grudge for over a millennium, a few weeks won't change her so quickly." Mordent replied, he sounded just as aggravated as the Substitute. "I can hold her down, but that would only reinforce her stubborn beliefs, either way we need her back to unite the order."

Politics were always a pain, most of it was just some administrator who wanted to expand their influence or power for no other reason than they could. Maluineth wanted the Shen'dralar to not only lead the order but also the lead the people, girl had delusions.

"What are you planning to do after that?" Ichigo asked.

"Find the last of the Primal Spirits, discovering Veles was a fluke for the most part, I had thought he was sealed beneath Thunderbluff before we discovered his Heart with Terramok." Codexia stated. "Now all that remains is to locates Sethlan and Zephyr, the Primal Spirits of Fire and Air."

Ichigo was kind of surprised she was still going along with this, after all she had been told that they were only using her for their own purposes. If Veles was to be trusted than none of them cared for Codexia enough other than a means to an end, something he found quite disconcerting.

"You going to be alright?" Ichigo asked.

"Yes, I have a new ally that will be helping me in this endeavor, hopefully we can unite the Six spirits together as quickly as when I freed Druantia and Thetis." Codexia said.

"But a lot less chaos I hope." Ichigo said.

"Don't worry, I learned my lesson well, from here on out I intend to build things up rather than tearing them down." Codexia replied, stepping forward and putting her hand out. "It has been a pleasure to work with you, I hope to do so again in the future."

Ichigo took her hand and gave it a firm shake, it would probably be a long time before they met again. Given that they usually meet when there is a massive crisis going on it didn't exactly inspire confidence their next meeting would be peaceful. Likely they would be dealing with another world ending threat that only he could hope to stop.

"Likewise." Ichigo said, giving a smirk as he said so. "Keep yourselves out of trouble, alright?"

Codexia and Mordent nodded, the former giving an amused smile, then they moved off towards Timbermaw Hold. Azore stayed back for a moment to speak.

"Things will be getting worse before they get better, best you prepare for the coming conflict." Azore said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Ichigo didn't know what to take from that, he had never really had a conversation with this man, they weren't exactly friends or comrades. The most he would call the man is an associate. They worked together for only a short time, with a few words shared between them and then they never saw each other again.

But what Ichigo did know is that the man was resourceful and knew a lot, in fact right this moment he was recalling how this man had sent Caren right to him right before they invaded Ethel Rethor. He had sent Caren, on her own, to a remote Troll fishing village nearly on the opposite side of the Desolace. People who knew what was going on when they usually shouldn't wasn't something that made a lot of sense to him, yet it also wasn't something he found all that impossible to believe.

For all intents and purposes that kind of person you should be wary of.

Friend or not, people like that were never to be taken lightly. Ichigo had met many of them during the short time he was a Shinigami, and while he could trust many of them there were some, he was unable to say he could say the same about. Azore was firmly in the latter category.

Ichigo just nodded in response to his words.

Azore released him and went on his way, following after the departing Primalist and Archmage.

Ichigo turned back and continued down the road, he didn't have time to worry about that right now, what was coming he would deal with when the time came. For now, he had to sort out what was left to deal with here, and that meant seeing Adelina.

As he stepped up into the lodge he was met with another person, someone he actually felt a little worried about meeting. Tyrande was waiting for him at the entrance along with most of her delegation, arms crossed and an impassive look on her face. He knew she was not happy to see him, looks like she knew how to hold a grudge.

"Don't suppose you are going to let what I said slide in light of how things ended?" Ichigo inquired.

"You were quite vulgar during the summit, your behavior during such did little to ease the tension that rose during the conversation." Tyrande said.

"No, what I did was stop you all from bickering with one another." Ichigo retorted. "If I hadn't stepped in when I did you would likely still be arguing."

"Perhaps that would have been preferable." Tyrande muttered, before letting out a sign. "I just finished up a meeting with Jaina Proudmoore, she is going to be providing support in the reclamation of Feralas. You will be stationed in Eldre'thalas within the next few weeks."

That made sense, from a diplomatic standpoint and military one he was the logical choice, at least in his own mind. He kind of knew when this was decided he was going to be taking part in the cleanup of Feralas and also keeping everyone from killing each other in Eldre'thalas.

"I will do what I can, just let me know when you get there and I will come running." Ichigo replied.

Tyrande nodded, turning and moving off, but Shandris remained behind.

"So how is this going to play out?" Ichigo asked the Sentinel-General.

"Due to the Warsong relocating most of their forces into Eldre'thalas I can do the same." Shandris stated, sounding very pleased with this development.

It was no surprise that she wouldn't mind having an actual army at her back, one that was in the high thousands rather than low hundreds. It had always been one of her vocal irritations that she never had enough Sentinels to do anything but hold a position against an enemy.

Ichigo had had wondered why that was the case, he didn't learn until later that the Sentinels had some grievances against Adelina. In fact, based on what Shandris had told him the reason she couldn't get major support down in Feralas was because of Adelina's mother. Why they were told or knew Adelina was there he had no idea, a good guess would be the Druid told them and used this as a means to weaken Shandris' position and power.

It was surprising how much effort was put into shaming Adelina; it was both out of hate and a move to weaken their political enemies. Staghelm was definitely someone you had to be wary of, if a guy like that could pull off something like that, actually using real hate and hostility against one person to harm others simply by proximity. Ichigo never would have thought it possible, it made him worried what kind of plans that old Druid had in store for them with this scheme of his.

"Do you have enough to equal them? There will be more than just the Warsong there, most of the Tauren's army along with whoever they can scrounge up will also come along." Ichigo said.

"That is where Theramore comes in, they will bolster our numbers, and you will be a deterrent to prevent any possible conflict." Shandris said.

"Yeah, well I might not need to do any threatening to do that." Ichigo replied, presenting his Seal of the Horde, Shandris looking at it for a moment. "Thrall gave this to me, said it was his personal seal, I can get myself out of any situation if I present it to someone in the Horde. I think I can keep the peace a lot easier with this."

Shandris looked up and nodded, seemingly pleased to know that keeping the Warsong at bay would not be so hard. Ichigo would agree, if he responded with force, it would only make the Warsong more aggressive. Their impression of him wasn't the best, so if he could do things that would earn their respect it would go a long way.

Ichigo wanted to groan, he couldn't believe that he was going out of his way to make good with others. Usually, he busted a few heads and something happens and then everyone was friends, although guess he couldn't rely on things going that way anymore. Now that he looked back on it and all the crap that happened when he became a Shinigami, most of what kept himself and his friends from being executed was luck and people working in the background – friend and enemies alike.

Same thing was happening now.

"Politics makes my head throb." Ichigo muttered, going through all this crap and then more personal issues was going to make his hair fall out.

"I can imagine, you often like to forgo all this and simply rush into trouble and hope it all gets cleared up." Shandris said, a bit of humor in her tone.

Ichigo didn't deny it, because with some quiet reflection that is usually how it went for him. Made him wonder how much crap he had had to leave behind for others to clean up, no wonder they got cross with him so much.

"You know, it is times like these that looking back on everything make me wonder how it all could have gone." Ichigo muttered, sometimes things never go according to plan, and considering what he has been through he knew that there was so much that could have gone wrong when he invaded the Soul Society.

"Thank Elune, you are starting to realize that, maybe in the future I do not have to worry about you causing problems for me." Shandris said, walking past him and looking pleased, it was annoying that she thought of him as some sort of troublemaker that only caused messes.

Although he couldn't really argue right now, hindsight was catching up to him and he could only reflect on his impetuousness.

But now was not the time to dwell on that, he had to meet with someone and the last thing he wanted was focusing on the past. With that in mind he decided to meet with Adelina and spend his final night with her. It wouldn't be easy, but he had to tell her face to face what was going to happen, he had to tell her he wasn't going to be staying with her.


It was a nice view of Lake Elune'ana, from the balcony he could see the whole of the crystal lake as it shone in the moonlight. He had been here for a few hours, since he had come in to talk with Adelina, shooting the breeze and mostly talking about how everything went.

They were having dinner now, just the two of them, it seems that Caren had decided to give them some space. Mostly because he had told her his plan, she had taken the hint and decided to give them some privacy to hash things out. They were having dinner, he was having lean wolf steak and Adelina was having Bristle Whisker Catfish, he wondered how wolf tasted so good.

He always thought that they were too tough or that it tasted terrible, but this was different. He didn't know if this was because it is a different world or something, but he was sure that carnivore meat was actually inedible due to how touch and muscly it was.

"I have been speaking with Romulus about my future here, he wishes to teach me personally and finish my Druidic training." Adelina said, cutting open the fish and popping a piece in her mouth. "He thinks that when I complete it and when the situation in Feralas is settled and peace is established he thinks I can become an Archdruid."

Ichigo looked up and chided himself, he was thinking of stupid things again. Ever since he got here, he had been procrastinating and screwing around, he hasn't been able to broach the subject at all. He was nervous about telling her, she had not taken it well when he had said he would be heading back home and he doubt that him saying he had to leave her here was not a conversation he wanted to have.

"That's good to know, but becoming an Archdruid so early, that is surprising." Ichigo said, he had not thought her becoming an Archdruid so early was going to happen.

Although he was happy about it, by gaining both the fame and recognition from the peace between the Horde and Alliance as well as getting the Warsong out of Ashenvale, it would certainly get her out of the dog house. This would be what she needs to get out from under the thumb of her old masters.

"I am a little disappointed that most of this however is a power play, my ascension is simply to reform my father's faction to weaken Staghelm's." Adelina said, giving a half smile. "While I was reassured my talent and ability was capable of ascending me to the rank of Archdruid, it is a little disheartening that my talent isn't the defining factor here."

That wouldn't be surprising, politics was involved here and there was no way around it. More times than not he had to deal with that kind of crap before, only this time he was knee deep in it, although he couldn't argue with the results.

"Better you are safe than constantly having to fight off those bastards." Ichigo replied, that's what is important, keeping her safe.

"You don't need to worry about that anymore, there is no need to worry about me." Adelina said, she put down her knife and fork, looked him right in the eye and gave him a smile.

The smile however wasn't one he could easily distinguish; it was like she was trying to reassure him of something.

"You have been protecting me for a long time now, not just from this but from so much more. Back at Feathermoon when the Naga attacked, at Shady Rest, in Dustwallow Marsh. And all the other times after that." Adelina said. "You were there to shield me from harm, lift me up when I was down, you gave me strength where I had none. You were the support I needed to go on."

She stood up and walked over to him.

"Ichigo, you have been the only person since the death of my family, that I have ever been able to trust. The only one I have ever believed without a single shred of doubt, and not once have you ever led me astray, ever make me regret when you pushed me forward." Adelina said, she placed a hand on his shoulder, her smile bright. "There is nothing I could possibly do to repay you for what you have done for me. Your strength, your kindness, are the reason I am here today and fulfilling a dream I thought I would never be able to see make a reality."

Ichigo actually felt embarrassed with the praise, the way she was looking at him actually made him a little uncomfortable as a man. He had seen her naked once before, cursing himself for thinking back to that, now was not the time to let his hormones get the better of him. Damn, how long has it been since he had been involved in an awkward situation like that.

Not since Yoruichi flashed him or Rangiku tried to seduce him…

He let out a cough and turned away, unable to look at her sweet smile.

"You did as much for me." Ichigo replied, trying to hide the redness on his cheeks.

"Not enough in my eyes." Adelina said. "You went through so much just for my sake, you nearly made an enemy of the High Priestess and Archdruid just to protect me. You fought in an arena that you had no experience in and won for my sake, you did everything in your power and not just to keep me safe."

Ichigo guessed that it might look like that from her perspective, and he wouldn't deny he had to go outside his comfort zone to fix things. Have to admit this isn't what he would usually handle things, but he doubts that this time he wouldn't get off scot free if he decided to go in guns blazing.

Although he had friends that might be able to help him it wouldn't have solved everything.

Kind of drove home how lucky was back when the Gotei let him and his friends off the hook, if it wasn't for Yoruichi's aid and Aizen's treason they likely would have been captured during the invasion or after it. What happens after that didn't require an active imagination, it would be the death of them all.

But for Adelina… it was different.

If he didn't stop this from happening, if he hadn't put an end to this witch hunt, what would have happened to her would have destroyed her.

"I couldn't let that happen to you, I couldn't… let them hurt you again." Ichigo replied.

He felt his heart ache knowing what she went through, pain she didn't deserve, pain that they forced on her for others mistakes. But most of all, the most painful thing that he felt, was because he wasn't there to stop them from hurting her. He had left her alone; he had not done enough to keep her safe.

"You don't need to protect me anymore." Adelina said.

Ichigo looked up at her, surprised by her word and unable to form his own.

"I have been relying on you for so long, you gave me confidence to do things I never thought I could do on my own. You protected me when I failed or when I was in danger, you have gone above and beyond what anyone could ask of you." Adelina said. "I don't want that anymore, I want to be able to stand on my own feet, to actually be worth the same effort you gave to protect me."

Ichigo tried to speak but she placed her fingers against his lips.

"You don't have to say anything, I know what you want to do." Adelina said. "I know you have to leave me, and you are afraid of doing that, afraid of me being alone."

He didn't know how to respond to that, finger on his lips aside, he was caught completely off guard with how well she could read his intentions.

"The laws of the Moonglade will not permit you to remain here for long. And I will be working with the negotiations between the Horde, Highborne and Kaldorei for the foreseeable future. While you will need to continue on your search for a way back home." Adelina said. "I know that you might think that I will not be able to cope with your departure, that I will break down and run away. But the person who I was back then is no longer here, despite it being only a few months ago, you have changed me. You have made me stronger; you don't need to worry about me."

Ichigo looked up at her, the young night elf who he had come to call his closest and oldest friend on this world. Someone he saw as eccentric and strange, a bit dorky as well, who had these quirks when it came to humans and their culture.

She had a vulnerable side born of a sense of inferiority, yet she never shied away from a battle or going to someone's defense. She cared for anyone she saw as hurt or in distress, her empathy born of her own troubled past. Never did she allow her own pain cast a shadow over the kindness she showed to people around her.

Now…

She was strong, he could see it in her eyes. There was an edge to her gaze, a glare from her would be deadly, she could protect herself now.

"You don't have to worry; this isn't the end." Adelina said, giving a reassuring smile. "You can always visit when you are available, or when you are nearby."

Ichigo didn't know what to say for a moment, he looked back to his meal and fiddled with the fork in his hands. He couldn't denounce her conviction or try to retort her claim, this was her right and she had earned this strength she had gained. Let her choose this and become stronger for it, he didn't need to be here, and a part of him was glad he could leave without hurting her.

He smiled and stood up, standing in front of her, she an inch taller than himself, and with a small amount of courage stepped forward and gave her a hug. She responded immediately, her arms wrapping around his body and squeezing him tightly. But she didn't want him to stay, it wasn't one of a desperate girl clinging to her friend, just a firm squeeze to let him know she was happy and glad for all he had done.

"I'll try to visit as much as I can." Ichigo replied, stepping back and giving her a smile, something he had not been able to do for a long time. "Don't go forgetting about me, okay?"

"I will never forget you." Adelina replied, a small laugh escaping her lips.

Dinner continued, the air lighter and filled with laughing and jokes as they reminisced about old stories and recent memories. With no dark thoughts weighing down on his mind he could enjoy this, enjoy her company and know that the future ahead of them would be peaceful.


Next Morning

Ichigo brushed the feathers on the Hippogryph, which responded by turning its head and playfully biting at his hand. This guy had been his mount during the short campaign against the Centaur in Stonetalon Mountains, helped him fight through the horse-men at Thal'darah Grove.

He had to admit the guy had become something of a friend, there was this strange immediate connection between the two of them that he couldn't exactly describe. A mutual respect and comradely that just made two individuals click, sort of like when you go to a shelter and find a puppy. Only in this case it was a large quadrupedal avian creature with antlers that could snap a man's neck with its beak or rip you to shreds with its talons.

"What am I going to name you?" Ichigo mused, wondering what he should call him.

He had learned that when a Hippogryph finds a suitable rider it will remain with them for life, and usually when that happens, they get named. Ichigo also wondered if he should make it Japanese or Darnassian, keep it traditional or maybe put his own spin on it.

"You should name him in your language, the names you give must reflect on your impression of the Hippogryph. It all depends on you." Adelina said.

Ichigo turned back and looked his Hippogryph in the eye, he thought about it for a moment and had a few possible names pop into his head. Usually referring to the sky or something, maybe naming him after the god Fūjin, or something more poetic, but he wasn't one for that sort of thing. He would think about it when he got back to Theramore.

"I'll think about it." Ichigo replied, giving him a pat along the neck and walking over to Adelina. "Guess we will be seeing each other later."

It was a strange feeling to be parting ways with Adelina, he had been on Azeroth close to five months now, and a good portion of that time he had always been by Adelina's side. To see her go, it was in no small way going to be a major change for him.

"Don't worry, you still have Caren to keep you company." Adelina said, one of her playful smiles appearing.

"Oh, yeah, she's just a treat." Ichigo muttered, giving an annoyed huff at the prospect.

He didn't really spend much time with Caren, girl was too busy fawning over Jaina and managing that vault to really hang out with him. Also, she tended to prefer being with Adelina than him, whom she referred to as a Gnoll with a foul mouth. Without Adelina around he wouldn't really have anyone he could talk with; life was getting a lot scarier now.

"Don't worry, you can make some new friends now, try smiling. When it isn't scary it is actually quite nice." Adelina said.

Ichigo smirked at that.

"I have been told I can be charming at times." Ichigo replied, faux arrogance seeping from his mouth as he bragged. "Wouldn't be surprised that some people wouldn't mind getting to know me."

"I heard that some of the handmaidens think your quite cute." Adelina said. "Maybe you can ask one of them if they wish to courted."

"Whoa! That might be getting a little too familiar." Ichigo replied, never let it be said he was afraid of the fairer sex, but when it came to romance, he knew he was somewhat out of his depth. Given the fact he often scared away girls because of his thuggish appearance and demeanor, he never really had much interaction with girls his age and none when it came to anything romantic.

Also being a sixteen-year-old teen certainly didn't help, and the most knowledge he has about courting came from manga and some books he read that showed it to be an awkward affair. Not that he could say it was bullshit, because oddly enough it was really just like that.

"Have a pleasant journey, I hope to see you again soon." Adelina said.

Ichigo mounted his Hippogryph and with a final wave he took off into the skies, soaring up through the canopy and mist that shrouded the glade in twilight. He rose quickly, but still it took nearly a minute to breach the mist cover, he broke the cover and levelled out.

The sight was one to behold, he could see the massive mountain that was Hyjal. Sometime he was shocked by the sheer size of this mountain always boggled his mind, it was huge on a scale he couldn't even begin to fathom. He could see the damn canopy of the World Tree even from Theramore on a good day when the haze didn't block the sky out.

He could look up now and see the canopy just sticking out over the edges of the mountains peak, he wondered what it would be like up there. Maybe one day he could go and take a look.

"Come on, let's go home." Ichigo said, steering away from the mountain and heading south.


Astranaar

"Here are your meals." The Innkeeper said, placing down two plates in front of him.

"Thanks." Ichigo said, before looking up and across the table. "You didn't have to treat me."

"This is me repaying you for all you have done, I owe you for looking after Adelina for all this time, and saving her from those bastards in the circle." Haldrissa Woodshaper said. "Without you I don't even want to know what would have happened to her."

"I can imagine a few possibilities." Ichigo replied. "You'll be providing support to Shandris in Feralas won't you? You think you can get a few Sentinels down to help Adelina along the way?"

He might be being a little over protective but he still had some worries he couldn't exactly just brush aside.

"I had the same idea, I have a few Sentinels in mind, they're old friend of mine and they will make sure she is alright." Haldrissa said. "So, what happens with you now?"

"Back to Theramore, going to take a few days to get home though, might sleep under the stars for a while. Saw an oasis or two in the Barrens I could camp out near." Ichigo muttered, recalling during the few fly overs he had done and seeing one or two oases.

He needed a few days to decompress, because he knew as soon as he got there, he would be working on what comes next. Finishing that vacation felt like something he wanted, he was actually able to sleep now, and the last thing he wanted was to waste it with more politics. So, if he could take the next three days to relax and learn about the area he would.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, but before that, do you have anything interesting to do around here?" Ichigo asked.

"You interested in archery?" Haldrissa inquired.

Ichigo paused for a moment, he wondered if he could learn.


The Next Day

His training sessions with the bow and arrow didn't go as he expected.

Sure he got in the training as he expected but things didn't start off all professional.

It would appear that many of the Sentinels had heard a few things about him, seemed there was a lot of correspondence between Feathermoon Stronghold and Ashenvale. Apart from how he was depicted as some legendary figure who walked on water and take on armies on his lonesome, they mostly heard a few embarrassing things about him, things he honestly didn't want circulating without context.

First thing he found when entering the barracks was a Sentinel laying on the table not moving, and surrounding her with the rest of her comrades looking at him expectantly. Then some officer rushed over pleading for him to save her with the 'kiss of life', he had been through this enough times to know when someone was fucking with him.

This joke was not funny at Feathermoon Stronghold and it was not funny at Theramore, and it sure as hell wasn't funny when Shandris came along and reprimanded him for trying to kiss all her Sentinels. It sure as shit wasn't wasn't funny now!

He missed it when they respected him like he was one of their Ancient Guardians, now he was that one guy that knows how to save you by putting your lips on yours. That was all Anaesia's fault, he was going to get her back for this, mark his words she would pay for screwing with him like that.

Aside from some teasing and a joke at his expense they did actually train him.

Truth be told they were impressed enough with his technique rather than his shooting skills, after all he was trying to remember what he could about Archery. Back in school he had seen a few practice sessions with the Archery club, he recalled a few of the stances and stages that they were drilled on when preparing to fire. It wasn't a clear picture but he was able to level up his shot easily enough and let an arrow fly, and he got it close enough to where he was aiming.

These bows were a lot more powerful than the ones used back home, they were more compact in comparison to the Yumi and the flex of the arms was much more noticeable. But either way he had a good grasp of how to shoot, although Haldrissa had given him a few pointers when it came to his form.

Ichigo knew that what he was using was a more passive form of archery, designed for competitions and low stress environments. In battle he had to have the skill to fire on a whim and at ranges that were hundreds of yards from a target or within arms reach. Apparently a bow could be used at nearly any range, from the examples given they could be shot point blank if needed, but he decided to stick to long range shooting for the moment.

He wasn't going to be winning any medals at the olympics with his archery skills any time soon but he was better than what he hoped for. A part of him held more attachment to using his Zanpakuto to solve his problems and if need be he could just launch it like a flail at anything from a distance if necessary.

But still he had an odd attraction to the bow, maybe having seen the things Ishida could do with his got him thinking on the possibilities. While he knew he likely couldn't create arrow of reishi on a whim or create a bow out of energy he saw the practical application of such a weapon. After all sometimes getting too close to something wasn't a good idea, and throwing his weapon away might also be a dangerous move.

He got a bit more advice and even was able to put those skills to the test against some Bog Beasts as the Sentinels called them. Didn't do much against the creatures other than attract them, but it did serve as a way to try and nail a target in a certain body part. Haldrissa had even instructed him from behind to target specific spots on the creatures to test his skills, oddly enough the pressure to meet her expectations actually improved his aim a little.

But his stay at Astranaar all round wasn't just about getting the feel of a new weapon, he walked around the settlement and dabbled in a few things. In fact, he looked into some of the stuff they do, the blacksmith and alchemist store were interesting to say the least. He liked how they made their medications and potions, they had some very advanced production and extraction methods for certain enzymes in plants and roots. He had done a bit of medicine making back home before he became a Shinigami so maybe he could apply his skills here, likely improve on them.

That would come later though, maybe when he had a bit of free time.

"Thanks for the hospitality." Ichigo said, hopping onto the back of the Hippogryph, he still hadn't decided on a name yet.

"It is the least I could do, did you get the supplies?" Haldrissa said.

"Yeah, all here." Ichigo replied, patting the bag of camping supplies he had been gifted.

This was actually a very unique tent, it was like a teepee that you hang from a tree, apparently there was a lot of things out there that could kill you in your sleep. Especially around the Oasis', word was that there might be centaur there, along with huge scorpions and other things. He couldn't wait to see it…

"Have fun on your little venture, and try not to die, last thing we need is you disappearing." Haldrissa said. "Safe travels Ichigo."

Ichigo took to the skies and headed south, he had a long journey ahead of him.


The Barrens, Lushwater Oasis - Two Days Later

This place was not so bad, sure there were a few annoying neighbors but it was better than the Forgotten Pools up north he had stayed in yesterday. In comparison he didn't need to deal with raptors, hyenas or Tallstriders. And that was just the wildlife.

When he got there, he had to fend off a Horde attack, which he won and then questioned them on their hostility. After a short conversation and using the damn glyph Thrall gave him to settle matters, after that he got the lowdown.

Apparently, the Centaur had moved in on the Oasis and were causing problems, so he decided to get involved. To push them out and secure the oasis for the Tauren and Orcs, wasn't much of a battle but he did secure the area and afterwards there was a small party. He even got a reward or two for his efforts, couldn't complain but it certainly didn't give him much of a chance to relax as he was hoping.

That was over now, he was here, in the Lushwater Oasis and his teepee set up. He was taking a well-deserved rest and reading a book, sipping on a Moonberry juice he had gotten from Astranaar while nibbling on some roasted raptor, it was very delicious. He couldn't argue that having this kind of relaxation wasn't so bad, being able to kick back and read was something he had only just been able to enjoy.

'Doesn't feel relaxing though.'

He closed the book and tossed it to the side, he couldn't relax, he couldn't get over it. Now that he was free to spend time with his own thoughts, no longer distracted by random crap he might get involved in willingly or not, he could do nothing but think.

"What the hell am I going to do?" Ichigo thought aloud.

He couldn't let this go; despite all the reassurances he had been given he couldn't just ignore what he knew. Recent history has proven to him that he couldn't ignore what he knew, if he did it would only bring about tragedy. If he didn't do something about this people would get hurt, he had to prepare.

"Eldre'thalas would be attacked…" Ichigo remembered, he saw Anaesia killed there along with many Sentinels.

He didn't know what did it but he knew he had to be there to stop whatever would be coming, he was going to be there so that worked in his favor. If he could warn them or at least prepare for whatever was coming he might be able to stop what happened.

"Caren too, her family will try to take her."

If he kept her away from Stormwind and out of reach of her family maybe that could do the job, but it might be smarter to get to know a bit about her parents. She mentions her grandfather more than her parents, wouldn't be that hard of a guess to say she respected him more than the people who sired her.

These visions were something he couldn't ignore; he had already been proven wrong that they were weren't illusions. Adelina suffered because he brushed off those nightmares as such, they were visions of his future. He had to stop them from coming to pass, he had to protect those around him no matter the cost.

Protect Anaesia…

Protect Caren…

Protect Adelina…

He had to fight back a shudder; he couldn't help but shake as he recalled that final vision. He stood over her bloodied body, a wound carving through her chest, and tears streaming down her face. Her words ringing in his ears.

'Please, don't leave me. Don't let him take you.'

This future he could not allow to come to pass, even if he had to die to prevent it, he would. She was going to die if he did nothing, and he would be damned if he let that come to pass. He would die before he let her die, he would die before he hurt her.

Because the one that kills her would be him.

He needed to talk to someone about this, someone that would believe him without a shadow of a doubt. The only one that he could really confide in with this was Zangetsu, the Old Man was there when he saw that thing. If there was anyone out there that would give him some advice it would be him, after all he gave him some good advice in hindsight about that thing.


Inner World

Getting into his own Inner World was not easy, in fact it had taken nearly an hour of meditation to get inside his own head. Made him realize just how hard this was, he had it easy whenever he had to be dragged into here. He recalled how some of his Shinigami friends had actually complained once or twice on how tricky it could be to commune with their Zanpakuto spirits. He had only been in his own mind a handful of times, despite the real lack of time spent there he knew enough about it to say he was familiar with his own head.

But what he was seeing now was definitely not like he remembered. Even back in Redridge when the Old Man had dragged him here it hadn't looked like this, a crumbling city under an ocean of despair looked a lot better than what he was seeing now. The buildings looked smaller, decrepit, and covered in some dark liquid that looked to be flowing despite being submerged.

This liquid moved from building to building, spreading and flowing, like oil, and patches of it floated around him like ash. It made seeing through this place even harder, in fact he couldn't see much, everything around him was obscured by the murky water and what light did shine here was patchy and seemed to die before it could even make it down to where he stood.

"What did this?" Ichigo mused, wondering where this 'taint' could have come from.

He knew that the Inner World reflected on the mental state of the individual, with how bad it looked here Ichigo had no doubts that he was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. Seeing it like it is only confirmed what he already knew, with how stressed he had been and with how his anxiety has been it wasn't a surprise he was one bad day away from losing his mind.

Although, a part of him suspected that maybe this 'taint' wasn't caused by his slowly declining mental health, but possibly by the thing that had entered his head and decided to fuck it into oblivion.

"I hope Zangetsu is close by." Ichigo muttered, he needed to find him and figure out how to fix this.

The search took longer than one would expect, moving through the streets and across the buildings had been a hazard. He could barely tell where he was going, also the sludge made it more difficult to traverse. He half expected it to suddenly attack him or something would pop out of it, going through his own mind was like being stuck in a horror movie.

But he was able to escape the solitary nature of this nightmare, looking over the edge of the building he noticed a figure moving across the surface of one of the nearby buildings. A shadow moving in the dark, and there was only one person he knew could be in here.

"Zangetsu!"

Ichigo leaped off the building and sailed towards the spirit, who had halted in his dash to look up.

"Ichigo?" Zangetsu said, sounding surprised that he was there. "I did not sense your presence."

Ichigo landed before the spirit, and the moment he did the glass beneath him cracked, black ichor burst through the new hole. It coiled and moved as if alive, as if some force was either guiding it or the mass was actually a living organism. Before he could be coated Zangetsu grabbed him, pulling him away from the black sludge before it could even touch him.

"Do not let it touch you!" Zangetsu warned, leaping away with him in hand and to a safe distance. "It has harmful effects, and if your conscious mind were to be tainted, there is no telling what might happen."

Ichigo took his word on that, best he keep this thing buried here.

"What the hell is happening here? Where have you been? I been trying to reach you before and I haven't heard a peep from you." Ichigo asked.

The Old Man didn't answer at first, only looking at the black sludge, whatever was going on in here had his attention. But most of all it was actually making him look worried, he never wore an expression like that, and that made everything even more terrifying for Ichigo. Anything that could scare the Old Man was not to be taken lightly, he did that once back at the Dream Bough, he wouldn't make a mistake by doubting him.

"This… 'corruption' is spreading through your inner world; it is somehow interfering with our connection to one another." Zangetsu said.

Ichigo didn't need to think hard on what that meant, the connections between a Shinigami and the Zanpakutō spirit is what gives him his power. If that connection is severed or weakened it would dampen the Shinigami's power, in his case he would lose a lot of his already diminished strength. His strength is what gave him an edge against most of his enemies, even in this body he was still stronger than an average human.

With this, that boon might become something a lot less impressive.

But the real danger is losing contact with the Old Man, his wisdom was what truly helped him through many of his trying times. If he were to lose all contact with him Ichigo had no idea who he could confide in and ask for help, especially with matters pertaining to his own power.

"Where did this come from?"

"Maraudon, this is the black blood that spilled from Princess Theradras' wounds when you fought against her." Zangetsu replied.

Ichigo remembered that, and then he had a thought.

"This's how he got into my head." Ichigo muttered.

"Yes, this corruption is the result of your exposure to the substance, likely infecting you through close proximity. Now it is influencing not only you but us as well, our connection has been severed and is so distorted that I am unaware of when you even enter your own Inner World." Zangetsu stated.

"What do you mean us?" Ichigo inquired.

Zangetsu was quiet for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"The Hollow has vanished."

"What?" Ichigo exclaimed. "What do you mean vanished? You can't sense him? Can't find him?"

"He is gone, vanished from all sight and sense, I cannot locate him no matter what methods I try. Not even searching the confines of your Inner World that he had been forced into have revealed his presence to me." Zangetsu replied, clearly frustrated. "All attempts to find him have failed, this corruption has hindered any and all my attempts to locate him. If he remains at all."

"You think he was taken?" Ichigo was actually concerned, if something could take his Inner Hollow without much of a fight it didn't mean anything good.

The only thing that came to mind that could do something like that was that thing that invaded his mind and fucked it over. That thing had to be powerful, if it could predict the future and overwhelm him it made sense. In fact, it is possible that the reason Theradras was corrupted herself if her body was filled with this black blood.

"It is the only explanation, but to achieve something such as that, for this Hollow specifically, it would take a great power, one I have no idea on how to contend with." Zangetsu said. "And if not, if he is simply being shielded from my sense, that bodes ill for both of us. To have such control within your own Inner World, it has a hold here, it has dominion."

Ichigo didn't like the sound of that. His Inner Hollow had been able to rampage through his mind once before, nearly taking over his body on several occasions, and there was something here now that could take that same Hollow on and likely do worse to him.

"Maybe… maybe that is why I have been having nightmares." Ichigo said.

"Nightmares?" The Old Man asked.

"Over the last few weeks, I have been having these constant nightmares, they were vivid and unseen most of the time, but only recently have I been able to make them out." Ichigo said, he nearly shuddered as he recalled some of the gruesome visions, he had borne witness to.

He told the Old Man of every single dream he could recall, the gory details flowed from his mouth and he had to let them flow otherwise they would be forced up by bile that he kept swallowing back down. He saw Caren being beaten by her father, tormented by her family for her actions. Anaesia in Eldre'thalas, dead alongside dozens of other Sentinels, killed by some unknown attackers.

But he also saw home, Earth and the people he cared about. He saw that bastard Nnoitra beating Nel, she was wailing as he drove her head into the dirt and slowly crushing her skull. Orihime with a hand through her chest, the pale faced and emotionless Espada looking on dispassionately as he ripped her heart from her chest. Aizen cutting down Toshiro, Sui-Feng, Shinji and Kyōraku, in the skies above a devastated Karakura Town, around were the bodies of many other Shinigami as well.

He didn't know if he should believe what he saw was true or not, but a part of him couldn't simply ignore it.

"I… I don't know if I can trust these nightmares, if they are real or not… but he showed me Adelina, show me her suffering at the hands of the Druids of the Peak." Ichigo said, as he spoke, he started expressing the same fears he had kept locked away so he would never say them.

The idea that what he was seeing was not only horrible to witness, but could be the future yet to come scared him to the core. If one vision had come true than who was to say the rest would not be that far behind. They may have already happened, what he was witnessing now might simply be the aftermath.

His world might be gone.

That scared him.

Just as that thought passed through his mind the world around him shifted, the corruption shifted and twisted, spreading faster.

"Calm yourself!" Zangetsu shouted, seizing him by the shoulder and shaking him. "This spreads through fear and doubt, do not let it influence you, focus only on the present!"

Ichigo took in a few deep breaths, as his heart settled so too did the world around him.

"It knew about our world, who was there."

"Memories, that is all." Zangetsu replied.

"Adelina wasn't a memory, every bruise, every cut… those eyes when she looked at me." Ichigo retorted. "That wasn't a trick, it knew things it shouldn't."

"If that is the case than you must block it out, the more you focus on these visions the greater the harm it will do. You should focus your mind elsewhere." Zangetsu replied. "This is what it wants, to distract you and bring turmoil and despair into your Inner World, it feeds on that."

"How can I not think about them? My friends and family could be dead right now, they likely are dead! And worse still even here the people I know and want to protect are on the same path!" Ichigo shouted back. "I need to find a way to fight back against this thing, to protect everyone. I need your help."

Zangetsu was silent for a while, not saying anything, but he looked like he was thinking on something deeply.

"We cannot do anything, the only choice you have is to distance ourselves from this being's machinations." Zangetsu said. "It is likely that it has plans for you, and what it is doing now is obviously related to whatever scheme it is concocting. If you distance yourself from these people, from whatever events that might unfold, you can prevent further tragedy from unfolding."

"What?" Ichigo couldn't say anymore, he couldn't believe what he was being told to do.

He was being told to abandon everyone here and simply run off somewhere, to ignore what he was seeing and simply let everything go its course. Did he not understand what he had said, people were in danger and many of them were people he knew and called friend. He couldn't abandon them.

"We are at a disadvantage, if this being can see the future, I can only surmise that it is trying to force us down a particular path. Every future needs very specific events to unfold to bring about a specific future, if we can break the chain, we can prevent whatever plans they have for you." Zangetsu said.

"If I do that everyone could die, regardless, and we lose our change to return back home, you realize that don't you?" Ichigo asked.

"We have little choice, if we continue the course, we may be walking right into this entities clutches, if it can do this after a few hours of exposure, who knows what else it could do. Our only choice is to break away and not involve ourselves with anything, regardless of who is involved." Zangetsu said.

Ichigo shook his head.

"I can't do that."

"You must."

"No. I will not abandon them, I have to stay, to keep them safe, to protect them. Protect her." Ichigo shouted. "I won't fail again."

"If you do not change the circumstances, you find yourself in you will play into their hands, it is obvious they are manipulating events to their benefit, you do yourself no favors in playing their game. The only chance you have is to break away from everyone and everything, it is your only chance." Zangetsu warned.

Ichigo stepped back, unable to form words as the one man he could trust above all others told him to abandon everyone else for his own benefit. He couldn't do it.

"No, I won't. You know I won't, I won't turn my back on them. I will protect them." Ichigo said.

"They do not matter." Zangetsu argued back. "Once you cared only about leaving, not giving a damn about the people you would leave behind. The moment your path back to Earth opens you would leave here without a second thought."

"They do matter!" Ichigo hissed, stepping forward and glaring at the spirit. "You know me! You know who I want to protect, and that I will do anything to do it. Why are you trying to push me to give up everything?"

Zangetsu loomed over Ichigo and looked down at him critically.

"What you want to protect, your friends and family and these people, is not what I want to protect. No one else is important, not on Azeroth, not on Earth, all that matters is your survival." Zangetsu said, not hesitating as he made the declaration.

Ichigo stepped back, his mind a whirl of thoughts as he took in what Zangetsu has said to him. He couldn't accept this, couldn't believe it more than anything, this went against everything he believed in and desired. He was telling him to go against every principle that made him who he was for the sake of survival, a part of him might agree on some level, but he could never run away when people he cares about were in danger.

"…"

He couldn't form words, not even an insult or retort, all he could do was turn away and break his meditation. Gone was his Inner World and he was back in the tent near the oasis, he took in several deep breaths before he grabbed his Zanpakutō and jumped out of his dwelling. He was going back to Theramore, there was no more camping or waiting, he needed help and he sure as hell wasn't going to get it from the Old Man.

Aegwynn might be able to help, possibly someone else, he just needed time and to get across what was happening.

"Hope they don't think I am going mad, last thing I need is them doubting me when I need their help the most."


Zangetsu scowled when he saw Ichigo depart.

He knew that the young man wouldn't agree with his decision, no matter if he explained it in detail or not. Even if he revealed the entire truth, stopped hiding all that he knew and came clean, it wouldn't have made him change his mind.

A part of him was proud of how strong willed and determined he could be, despite his lack of foresight and objectivity he was still someone he could respect. Yet the majority of him cursed at the boy's lack of understanding the gravity of the situation.

Perhaps that is his own fault, hiding too much from him, trying to guide him without giving too much away. So, he wouldn't suspect anything, so he wouldn't question his true intentions, or discover the truth behind one of the most defining moments of his life.

"I need to find him, to regain that strength to fight back against this corruption." Zangetsu muttered.

Without the Hollow his own strength is not great about to combat this vile taint within the Inner World, only his might can beat it back and save Ichigo. But with how often the boy involves himself in precarious situations he did not know how much time he had before he was in too deep. If he involved himself with this beast again, the thing that in such a time tainted these depths of his mind, all would be lost.

But more than likely that was the plan.

Something was manipulating him, guiding him to many different events one after the other and ensuring that certain events played out. How could be involved in so many major conflicts in such short of a time since his arrival on this world, this showed other forces were at work.

He knew, because he had seen such scheming before, controlling events decades if not centuries ahead of time to ensure his plans bore fruit. But this was more detailed than he realized, many more players were on the board and as much as he hated to admit it whatever was orchestrating this plot was just as dangerous as the origin of his existence.

That scared him, to think there was something as cruel and powerful as him here.

Azeroth was meant to be a saving grace for Ichigo, taking him away from a world where his fate was most certainly being guided towards a horrific end. To be spirited away from there, even violently and painfully, was a blessing Zangetsu could never have hoped for. To be free of the Shinigami, the Arrancar, and most certainly the monster that created him for the sole purpose of empowering Ichigo.

"I became complacent, I should have known something was amiss." Zangetsu growled.

There were no other options now, he had to make Ichigo stronger, more powerful. Even if it meant giving himself up and allowing the Hollow full control, it was the only way he could survive. The boy would never deviate from the path he set for himself, the only choice now was to make sure he had the strength to resist whatever power came to harm him.

"You knew that you could never save him."

Zangetsu stopped.

"The strings that guided his every choice was never yours to hold."

He turned, looking over his shoulder, eyes wide and a feeling of dread working its way through his entire being.

"Now we hold them, and we thank you for leaving them for us to take, now step back and accept he is our pawn now. A lost Son with no father to guide him back to the light. Only a treasonous nail helping to lead him into the dark."


There it is. Let me know what you think.

As for why I went down the path of separating Adelina from Ichigo it holds importance to both Ichigo's character development. What is coming is something he is now going to need help with, and that involves many other people. Ichigo has always had Adelina to act as a sort of crutch for him, a beacon of wisdom and empathy that he could keep close. But now he needs all the help he can get from the people he knows.

Adelina is an important character, and driving point for Ichigo on Azeroth, she is the one person that made his time there bearable and someone he connects with deeply. Where he often compares many characters with Bleach characters he doesn't do that with Adelina, I did that because she is her own person and a unique existence that he doesn't need to pretend is someone else to push away the feeling of home sickness.

As for the appearance of C'Thun at the end there, he is up to something. Zangetsu is missing and the Old Man is trapped with no way of fighting back. I have learned that the Old Gods are a dangerous forces, because they have plans within plans and are willing to wait centuries and even Millennia to achieve their goals. What they have planned for Ichigo is far from simple. And ties in to some very important world building I have set up for far later in the story.

Have a good one.