Chapter 17

Destins- You'll find out later on.

Plums- I can understand where you're getting at. This is just N'Zoth planning to gather as many resources as he can to make his move. If he knew about the whole Iron Horde and legion stuff, he would have adjusted his plan a bit. But since he doesn't…well he'll just have to do on the go thinking.

Guest- If it was, then my information must be off. Ah well, too late to change it.

4/7/20- Rewritten slightly.

"Uh, Vereesa?" Asked Jack as he knocked on Vereesa's door. "You in?"

"Yes." Said Vereesa, sounding miserable.

"Can I come in?" Asked Jack. It took a minute, but the door opened, revealing Vereesa, eyes red from crying. Not saying anything, Jack entered and watched as Vereesa closed the door. She then led him to the bed, where they sat next to each other. "I'm sorry about your brother. Him dying again…must have been hard for both of you." Vereesa didn't say anything for a few minutes before speaking.

"He died in the 2nd war with the Orcs." Explained Vereesa. "He, along with several others of our family, was the reason my other sister, Alleria, left Azeroth to kill the Orcs in revenge. She never came back with her husband, leaving her child here with us." Hearing that caused Jack to take off his helmet and look at Vereesa with even more sympathy.

"I can't imagine the pain you felt." Said Jack. He didn't have any siblings, just a mom that was hospitalized permanently for a disease that left her a vegetable. "Losing your brother and losing your sister so quickly. And then losing the rest of your family, only for your other sister to come back as…I guess a zombie. It…must be hard."

"It was." Said Vereesa, looking at her hands. "Our brother wanted to be a ranger, just like us. He was just so full of happiness and joy. Sylvanas thought he would be better off as an artist than a ranger, but she couldn't help but smile when he tried out archery with us." She smiled a bit at that, but then frowned and teared up. "It pains me to imagine how he died. Fearful and scared." She then remembered how Alleria reacted when she heard. She never saw her so full of anger and hatred before. When Sylvanas tried to talk to her, she just yelled that she was leaving Silvermoon to finish the Orcs off once and for all. They argued about that until Sylvanas left, fuming at their sister's refusal to see reason and inability to see that their people needed her, now more than ever.

She herself was hurt that Alleria was so adamant in fighting the Orcs than be with her remaining family, but looking back on it, she could understand why she did. Especially when she lost her beloved Rhonin. Seeing her so sad, Jack did something that he thought she would punch him for, but did it anyway. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.

At first, Vereesa wanted to push back and yell at him, but a voice in her told her to allow it. No matter what, it felt good to have someone tried to comfort her. And the way Jack held her, it felt similar to when Rhonin comforted her when she found out Sylvanas was turned into a banshee. Placing her head on Jack's shoulder, something that surprised the pilot, Vereesa closed her eyes as she basked in Jack's embrace. It was tough, unlike Rhonin's gentler embrace, but it will work for now.

Jack, meanwhile, was awkwardly touching his beard with his other hand, wondering what to do next. After a few minutes, he got his answer when Vereesa spoke.

"You didn't really plan for this much, did you?" Asked Vereesa, eyes still closed. Jack just coughed at that, knowing she was right.

"Yeah, just planned to talk with you and that's it. Didn't really put much effort in what to talk about." Said Jack, causing Vereesa to snort.

"You're just like my husband in that regard." Said Vereesa. "He was so terrible in comforting me. In anything beyond physical, at least." Jack nodded at that.

"What was he like? Your husband?" Asked Jack. Vereesa just pursed her lips at that.

"He was a good man." Said Vereesa. "He was like Jaina in many ways. Before the Horde destroyed Theramore. He believed that there was good in the Horde, no matter their previous actions. That's why, when he was the leader of the Kirin Tor, he allowed people affiliated with the Horde to visit Dalaran. It didn't make him popular with some of the pro Alliance people in Dalaran, but he remained firm in the belief that the Horde wasn't evil and that both superpowers can coexist."

"You believe that?" Asked Jack.

"No." Said Vereesa, honestly. "We argued so much over his beliefs and ideals. I didn't believe there was even an ounce of good within the Horde, not even from my former people. I still don't. Some of our arguments left us sleeping in opposite rooms, but we always reconcile in the end. We still loved each other, regardless of what we believe." Jack smiled at that.

"Sounds like a guy that I can get along with." Said Jack.

"You would probably like him." Agreed Vereesa before frowning and tearing up. "I miss him." Jack nodded before holding Vereesa tighter.

"If you want to cry more, do it. No shame in doing it." Said Jack as he placed a hand on Vereesa's silver hair. After a minute, Vereesa began to sob, placing her face on Jack's chest to muffle her cries. Jack just let it happen as he patted Vereesa's back.

Chief and Thalyssra

Pandaria

Paw'don Village

"This is beyond beautiful." Said Thalyssra as she watched a waterfall flow from a mountain near them in Paw'don village, the place where they decided to relax in.

"I suppose." Said Chief as they walked around the village, ignoring the various Pandaren tending to the apple fields in the village's orchard, which is known for their apple cider. As they walked, Chief never thought he would do something like this. Walking with an alien in a village full of other aliens that were tending to something that came, or at the least looked like, something that came from Earth. He, a warrior built and trained to be nothing more than a killing machine. If only the other Spartans could see him now.

"The way they tend to their fruit." Said Thalyssra as she saw Pandaren tend to apples, harvesting them and checking for any faults in them. "It reminds me of the Vineyards in Suramar. They treat them with care and elegance. Much like our vintners. Especially Margaux." Remembering the eccentric vintner, Thalyssra smiled. Chief, however, just kept silent as they found a quiet place to watch the Pandaren work. Sitting down, Thalyssra basked in the beauty around her, impressed with what she saw. Despite it all being so different to Nightborne and Night elf architecture, Pandaren architecture still held beauty within itself. After a few minutes of watching the Pandaren and their work, she looked at Chief and frowned, seeing that he was just watching and nothing else.

"You don't seem to enjoy yourself." Said Thalyssra, sensing Chief's apathy towards what he was seeing. It wasn't out of indifference or hatred for the Pandaren. Rather it was more out of…an inability to understand the beauty around him.

"I don't understand how you could see beauty in this." Said Chief, honest. "All I see are people working an honest life, working hard to provide for their people and family. But I don't understand how they aren't looking at us in suspicion. Why they are letting their guard down around strangers. And I don't understand seeing beauty in things like this." Frowning at that, Thalyssra placed a hand on Chief's own.

"Tell me, you were a warrior for the majority of your life, correct?" Asked Thalyssra, looking at Chief's golden visor. Chief just nodded. "Did you have a childhood? A normal one without violence?"

"I used to." Said Chief, knowing that lying to her wasn't really a good thing, especially with how much they've done to earn her people's trust. And since she can detect lies, it didn't seem like it was worth the effort to lie to her. At least until he figured out a way to lie without her knowing.

"Do you remember your childhood?" Asked Thalyssra. If he didn't, she would be so sad.

"Only parts." Said Chief. "I remember my mother being kind and smelling of soap. And that I played a games with other kids back home. I always won them."

"Nothing else?" Asked Thalyssra, looking sad at Chief, who simply nodded.

"Aside from remembering a few childhood friends, nothing else." Said John. "Not even the names of my mother and father." Thalyssra grew upset at hearing that and tightened her hold on Chief's hand. Not remembering your own parents…that was something that always saddened Thalyssra. With her skills in the arts of the Arcane, she could always relieve moments with her family, both sad and happy ones. Even those that didn't have access to the Arcane arts was still able to do so by asking an Arcanist skilled in such magic. Although she didn't know if humans had access to the Arcane, she suspected this John didn't have access to such individuals.

"Do you regret it? Not remembering much of your childhood?" Asked Thalyssra, eyeing Chief with sympathy and sadness. Chief just immediately responded.

"I don't know." Said Chief, honest in his answer. Although he was completely fine with his fate, he always wondered what his father was like. What he used to be like. He never tried to ask Doctor Halsey, the mastermind behind the Spartan II program, about his childhood. Largely due to lack of interest in such matters, especially since he had to completely focus on his training to becoming the man he was now. But now that the war was over, at least he thought it was back in his world, he began to wonder about his past life. "I've never had an opportunity to ask about it. Nor did I have any interest on it. There was simply too much to do in order for me to do something so selfish." Thalyssra frowned at that.

"I see." Said Thalyssra, remembering the images she saw and shivering at the memories of such acts, especially the burning world. "But now that you no longer have to do such things, do you want to know?"

"Perhaps a part of me." Said Chief. "But anyone who knew about my past are either dead or are people I can't speak to. Not without them discovering the Spartan program's classified materials." Thalyssra frowned even more at that. The way Master Chief spoke of the Spartan program and its classified material, it made Thalyssra suspect that it was something that she would disagree on.

"I see." Said Thalyssra, her curiosity towards the Spartan program growing more, though she didn't know if it was a good or bad thing. Still, she sympathized with her companion and wanted him to know about his parents, a bit more at least. And she had the ability to do so.

"If you allow it, I can peek deeper into your mind, to see your childhood." Said Thalyssra. "I can even bring forth the memories into the physical world and allow you to witness them yourself. If that is what you wish." Upon hearing that, Chief looked at Thalyssra.

"How?" Asked Chief. He knew the magic here was powerful, but he never expected it to allow one to bring forth memories into the physical world. Thalyssra simply smiled.

"I don't think you want to spend your vacation time in Pandaria with me explaining the arts of the Arcane." Teased Thalyssra. "Unless you wish to spend several hours listening to me explaining the arts of divination." Seeing her smile, made Chief simply nod.

"Understood." Said Chief before contemplating if he should take her offer. On one hand it would satisfy the curiosity he had with his childhood, but on the other, it might enrage her when she found out how he used to live, only to figure out what the Spartan program did to him and many other children. While he was perfectly fine with what happened to him, a great deal of people would not be. Thalyssra especially. That being said, it's unlikely that she can do anything significant to the UNSC. Aside from being the fact that she had no way to contact the UNSC, what she said would hold little sway with the populace. With the war with the Covenant costing billions of human lives, he doubted any UNSC civilian would trust the word of an alien. Even with her abilities, they'll refuse to listen. Heck, they might see her trying to manipulate them against the UNSC, the government that saved humanity in the war with the Covenant. Debating it over and over in his mind, Chief nodded.

"Alright. I'm alright with it." Said Chief as he looked at Thalyssra. "But just my childhood. Nothing else." Thalyssra tilted her head at that.

"Worried that I'll take military secrets?" Asked Thalyssra, teasing a bit, though she understood the warning. Being skilled in the arts of divination, it wouldn't be too difficult for Thalyssra to see through Chief's mind and see whatever she wanted, even things that he forgot. No matter how powerful his mental defenses are, without proper training or even with it, no secret can be kept from those skilled in the arts of divinations. Unless they were more skilled in the arcane arts themselves. "Do not worry. I swear that I won't take any military secrets unless ordered to. Or if I feel like it is needed for the safety of my people." Chief nodded at that.

"I understand." Said Chief, respecting Thalyssra's want to protect her people from danger. It reminded him of himself and his fellow Spartans. With that, Thalyssra placed both of her hands on the sides of Chief's head. She didn't really need to do it, but it helped concentrate her energy. Plus, she rather liked the feeling of Chief's helmet, how her fingers brushed against the hard metal of the green helmet. Perhaps it was the individual?

Arcane energy flowing through her hands, Thalyssra began to view Chief's mind, who, used to the feeling, ignored the tingling sensation he that came with this.

Careful to avoid his more recent memories, aka the ones with the war that he had to fight in, Thalyssra delved into Chief's older memories, searching every nook and cranny for what she was seeking.

Chief, meanwhile, was starting to feel uncomfortable with her probing his minds and relayed this to Thalyssra.

"Forgive me." Said Thalyssra as she continued to probe. "I should have mentioned the older the memory, the more I have to dig deep into your mind. Tell me when you wish for me to stop."

Though a part of Chief told him to make her stop, another part allowed it, seeing no harm in allowing it to happen. Eventually, Thalyssra found what she was looking for and began to project it in front of them, though only Chief needed it.

In it, he saw a young boy playing out in a hill with other kids. Despite how young the boy was and the fact that the images didn't show him the color of the boy's hair or his eyes, Chief knew that boy was him. The way he held himself. The confidence. It then showed a woman coming up towards the kids and singling the boy out.

"I remember this." Said Chief as he saw the woman and the boy exchange some words before the woman brought out an old coin used before the UNSC, before humanity was able to travel through the stars. "This was the day I meet Halsey, the creator of the Spartan II program."

"I see." Said Thalyssra as she felt the emotions coming from the boy. The confidence. The happiness he had with playing the kids. And the smugness that came when the boy won the game with the woman called Halsey. The latter two a far cry from the man with her now. "These are your friends?"

"Some of them were." Said Chief as he saw the boy winning the game Halsey played with him, the memories coming back as he watched this all unfold again. As the woman took off, the boy went back to the other kids, eager to show off his prize. Seeing the memory, Chief remembered how proud his parents were when he showed them the coin. And how happy he was to show it off to his friends. "They all were jealous of me winning, both the coin and the game we played, but they suspected I would win. I always win that game."

"I can tell." Said Thalyssra. "The confidence you had as a kid was indicative of such traits. Shall I continue? This time with your parents?" Chief just nodded and Thalyssra went to his mind again, this time going a bit deeper. After a few seconds, Thalyssra saw something that surprised her a bit. "What is this?" Thalyssra then showed an image of Chief as a young boy celebrating with two adults, which Chief assumed to be his parents. With them was a cake dotted with six candles. Even with his limited knowledge of civilian practices, Chief knew that it was a birthday party. His birthday party.

"This is a birthday party. We humans celebrate the year of our birth." Explained Chief as he watched the young boy blew out the candles and began eating the cake with his parents. "The candles represent our current age. Since there are six candles, that means I was six years old at the time of that party."

"I see." Said Thalyssra, intrigued by this. "We elves don't celebrate the day of our birth. Tell me, is it common amongst your people?"

"Yes." Said Chief. "We give gifts to the birthday boy or girl. And shower them with affection. That's what I've been told of them." Thalyssra frowned at that.

"You Spartans never had a birthday party?" Asked Thalyssra. Chief just shook his head.

"No." Said Chief. "That party was the last one I've ever had." Thalyssra couldn't help but feel pity for Chief. She then felt the sudden flow of emotions coming from Chief, anger and sadness. Both of which soon went away, causing her to blink in surprise.

"You're conflicted." Said Thalyssra as she stopped looking through Chief's mind and placed her hands on her lap.

"I'm not." Said Chief, firmly. "I've made peace with what I've become. I don't resent those that made me a Spartan." Thalyssra couldn't help but tilt her head at that.

"So…the Spartan program wasn't volunteer." Said Thalyssra, looking at Chief before placing a hand on Chief's helmet. "Am I right?" Chief just stayed silent a bit before nodding.

"It wasn't." Said Chief, intending to be honest with the elf woman as it would anything else would just disappoint and anger her, especially after all that she has done for him. "That's all I can say. It's a matter of national security for the UNSC. Try to understand. You wouldn't trust me with secrets that can destroy the trust your people had with your government, right?" Thalyssra frowned at that. Wanting to bite back, but knew that Master Chief was right. Sighing, she let go of Chief's helmet and decided to move on.

"Moving on." Said Thalyssra, looking away. "Do you care about the Pandaren?"

"I don't understand why they wanted to let Garrosh go." Said Chief, looking at the Panda-like beings before them. "It showcases a sense of naivety that can cost them in the long run." Thalyssra couldn't help but agree. Even if she doesn't know the extent of Garrosh's crimes, what she did know was enough for her to want him dead or at the least locked up forever, never to see the light of day again. "Still, I'll protect them from harm." That caused Thalyssra to look at Chief in surprise. "Despite their naivety. Despite me not understanding their way of life, I'll still protect them. They have people that are innocent to the cruelty of war. That don't deserve death early on in their lives. And if I have to sacrifice my life to ensure their safety, so be it." That caused Thalyssra to smile at Chief. Despite him not understanding the Pandaren and disagreeing with their decision towards Garrosh, he'll still protect them because he knows that not everyone Pandaren knew or even had a say in the punishment for Garrosh.

Placing a hand on his leg, she spoke to him.

"That's very admirable for you to say." Said Thalyssra with a smile. "Would you do the same for my people?"

"Yes." Said Chief. "Even if I had to sacrifice my life to do so." That caused Thalyssra to smile wider.

"I appreciate it." Said Thalyssra. "You have a kind heart. I wish there were more people like you." Chief just stayed silent as Thalyssra placed her head on Chief's neck, something that Chief ignored. "You know, people would get the wrong idea with this pose of ours. Are you at peace with them spreading rumors about us?"

"I have confidence that people can tell we're just friends." Said Chief, causing Thalyssra to smirk.

"You do not have the desire to advance our relations together?" Teased Thalyssra, looking at Chief with a cheeky smile. What she got surprised her.

"Do you?" Asked Chief, completely stoic. Blinking at that, Thalyssra processed the question. Looking at Chief, she couldn't help but wonder if he was a suitable mate.

While he definitely could do some work on the social department, he had some admirable qualities. His selfless nature. His courage, tenacity, and strong will are all strong points toward him being a suitable mate. Though she didn't know if he was good with kids, she wouldn't mind giving a few pointers to him when necessary.

Tilting her head in thought, Thalyssra spoke.

"I suppose you might be a worthy mate for the First Arcanist of Suramar." Said Thalyssra. "Though Elisande will be furious with me mating with someone outside of our own people."

"You'll ignore her." Said Chief. "Love is something I don't understand, but I know that it can make people do stupid things, but also make them do brave things that they normally wouldn't do." Thalyssra's ears twitched at that, not sure if that was an insult or compliment

"And which of those do you think I belong in?" Asked Thalyssra, looking at Chief with curiosity.

"Given your intelligence and care for your people, you wouldn't do anything stupid. Not when your people are in danger. I have confidence that you'll do the right decision when it comes to love and for your people's future." Said Chief. Thalyssra smiled at that.

"I'm grateful for your confidence in me." Said Thalyssra. "But going back to the original subject, if I do want a mate, I think you'll make a good one." Chief just looked at her, slightly surprised.

"I see." Said Chief before looking back at the Pandaren. The answer caused Thalyssra to giggle before going back to watching the Pandaren working.

Meanwhile

Jack

"You done?" Asked Jack as Vereesa finally stopped crying. Looking at Jack, Vereesa wiped her bloodshot eyes and nodded.

"Yes…thank you for being here." Said Vereesa as she let go of Jack and looked at him with gratefulness. "Your presence and aid, despite what you pulled with my children, was of great aid to me. I just wish Sylvanas was here to help me."

"Didn't talk to her?" Asked Jack, curious.

"No, after she left, I went straight for my room. I don't know where she is. I hoped she would come, but I got you. Not that I'm not grateful for you aid." Said Vereesa. Jack coughed at that.

"Well, given what I know of your sister, she's probably out killing something." Said Jack, causing Veeresa to laugh a bit, in sadness though.

"You're probably right." Said Vereesa. "She's changed so much since turning to banshee. She used to be so kind. A bit arrogant and, how you humans say, tomboyish, but kind and gentle to those that knew her. But now…she's just so cruel and callous. She doesn't care who lives and dies. Its like I'm facing a completely different person to the Sylvanas I knew."

"You think you two can reconcile?" Asked Jack. Vereesa bit her lip at the question.

"Yes." Said Vereesa. "While we were conspiring to kill Garrosh, she invited me to become an undead like her. She offered me a place amongst her people and to rule them with her. I told her I'll consider her offer and, for a time, I truly thought of doing it and being reconnected with my sister." Vereesa then sighed. "But then our brother died. Again. It made me realize, along with the sadness, that I still had family in the form of my children. What would happen to them if I turn into an undead ranger? Would they join with me? Would they still accept me as their mother? During this whole trial, I never thought of them and how they'll react if I become undead. It brings shame to me for neglecting them during these trying times."

"So, what are you saying?" Asked Jack, confused.

"I'm saying that I'm not going to take Sylvanas's offer to join her in Undercity. I still have family that I care about and need to take care of." Said Vereesa. She then began to rub her hands together. "The problem is, I don't how to face her. She seemed so…happy when I told her I'll consider her offer. She'll be devastated to hear that I'll refuse it." Jack widened his eyes at that, a bit shocked to hear that. After a minute, he sighed as he rubbed his hair.

"Well, I'm not really good with this type of stuff." Said Jack. "Nor do I know much of your sister and her personality. How you going to tell her?"

"I'm going to write a letter." Said Vereesa. "I'll have someone deliver it to her before I leave for Dalaran. Hopefully, she'll understand." Jack couldn't help but choke on that. He may not know much on stuff like this, but he knew enough that no one should confess something as important as this by something so impersonal. Especially with someone as volatile as Sylvanas.

"Um, not to be rude, but that is one of the most insensitive things that you can break the news to your sister." Said Jack. "And this is coming from someone who doesn't have siblings."

"Then what else can I do!?" Demanded Vereesa, looking at Jack with desperate eyes. "I don't want to see the hurt in my sister's eyes when I reject her. To tell her I still want to be among the living!"

"But you should still see your sister about your decision. Face to face. She deserves that much at least. Right?" Asked Jack. Vereesa was about to say something, but stopped. Knowing that Jack was right. "Look, if it helps I'll be there to give up support. Even if she blames me for stopping you from joining with her, it's better than her being mad at you." Surprised to hear that, Vereesa looked at Jack, who simply smirked. Touched by his words, Vereesa nonetheless shook her head.

"I don't want her to be made at you Jack. Mainly because that might cause you to lose your life." Said Vereesa. "I don't want that. Not anymore." Jack sighed then.

"Then I guess we need someone as a mediator. Someone that can convince Sylvanas to reconcile with you and not be furious with either of us." Said Jack. "Because you need to face your sister face to face with your decision."

"But who?" Asked Vereesa, knowing that Jack was right. "Who can do that for us? Because Sylvanas is one of the most stubborn elves in existence. It'll take someone with amazing diplomatic skills to get her to see our way." Jack just coughed at that.

"Well, I do have one person that fits the bill." Said Jack, causing Vereesa to raise her eyebrows in skepticism.

"Who?" Asked Vereesa.

Ten minutes later

"So, let me get this straight." Said Courier as he looked back and forth between Jack and Vereesa. "You guys want me to act as some family counselor so that Sylvanas will, at the very least, understand her sister's choice and not go crazy with anger and grief. And also not to blame someone else for it, like you Jack?"

"That's basically what we want from you." Said Jack after coughing a bit while Vereesa nodded. Courier shook his head at that.

"The things people do for love." Said Courier. "You two must be head over heels in love with each other if you're going this far for each other." Upon hearing that, they both blushed hard.

"There is nothing between us." Said Vereesa, glaring at Courier, though it wasn't really fearsome with her reddening cheeks. Courier, however, just snorted.

"And I didn't talk to my brain." Said Courier, knowing how crazy that sounded. "Deny it all you want guys, but you guys love each other. I can see it." The two blushed harder at that, causing Courier to sigh. "Look, I'll do this, if you guys go on a date. Otherwise, get some other poor bastard to act as a counselor for this. Because this will be a dozy. A very big dozy. Though, considering I'm the only one that actually has a silver tongue in this temple, I think you guys should accept my condition." Jack and Vereesa looked at each other, pondering this, before nodding.

"Fine, you bastard. If that it'll get your help with this." Said Jack with Vereesa nodding.

"This better end well for us." Said Vereesa as the two got up. "For us and my sister."

"Relax. If I can convince a stubborn, man with a vendetta against my country and me to reconcile with me and then fight with me against a bunch of crazy cannibals, then I can do the same to a crazy banshee elf to make peace with her sister. And her new boyfriend." Said Courier, laughing as the two blushed. As the two denied feelings towards each other, Courier led them to the courtyard, where Sylvanas was last spotted, speaking with Vol'jin about something.

Meanwhile

Northern Kalimdor

"Quiet. We don't want to attract the attention of the Night elves." Said a human in leather armor as he led a group of humans and Orcs towards a location that their leader, Farthing, somewhere in Northern Kalimdor. The location wasn't exactly close to the Night Elf city, Darnassus, but there was still the possibility of them stumbling on a Night elf patrol in the forest they were in. The Night Elves were quite territorial when it came to their forests.

"Bah. Why are we here?" Demanded an Orc, brandishing his axe, eager for some blood. "We should be taking the fight to the nonbelievers in the Horde and Alliance. Not sulking around in a forest."

"Because our god demands it." Said the human leader, glaring at the Orc, who glared back. "Our god believes that we must gather more strength first if we are to succeed. If we strike now, we'll never see his glorious victory." The Orc grumbled at that, but nonetheless, complied and stayed silent. Their other companion, a Dark Iron Dwarf, looked at the map that was given to them by Farthing.

"Hmm, we should be at the location in under several hours." Said the Dwarf. "According to Farthing, what we are looking for is behind a metal door unlike anything we've seen before. It'll have this symbol." The Dwarf then showed a piece of parchment with a symbol on it.

The symbol was strange. It had a black E on it, yet the middle line of the E was three black stripes that had space between each other and the rest of the letter. To top it all off, the E was surrounded by multiple black stars. It was an odd symbol, but if it lead them to achieving greater power, than they wouldn't question it.

"And then at the door, we have to say this sentence when a metal ball that floats in the air asks for a password, right?" Asked the human. The Dwarf nodded.

"Bah. If it weren't for the Old God proclaiming this must be completed, I would have laughed at this mission." Said the Orc. His companions ignored him and they went their way towards their destination.

Few hours later

"This is it!?" Demanded the Orc as the trio made it to their designation, the base of a small hill. To their disappointment, all they saw was just grass and trees, no metal door or anything. It stunned them beyond belief.

"This can't be." Said the Dwarf as he looked at the map, checking to see if he got it wrong or something. "According to this map, we're at the location. But there's nothing here."

"Foolish Dwarf!" Yelled the Orc as he stomped right up to the Dwarf and glared at the Dwarf. "You led us to a dead end! If it weren't forbidden by our god I would…" The Orc couldn't say anymore when they heard strange noises coming right towards them. They couldn't really describe it well, but it seemed that it was a metallic whirring sound and it was coming closer.

Readying their weapons, the three Twilight Hammer cultists were shocked to see a metal floating ball with antennas at the back of it was floating towards them. Along with those antennas was a tiny tube on the bottom of the ball.

Still cautious, the human walked up to it. Looking at the human, the metal ball spoke.

"Password?" Asked the ball, looking at the human with its faceless front. Coughing a bit, the human spoke.

"Access code: Navarro." Said the human. Upon hearing those words, the ball registered the words and shook around a bit.

"Access granted." Said the ball before parts of the hill slide over other parts and revealed a large metal door and on said door was the symbol they were looking for. As the three Twilight cultists members looked at the door in shock, the ball spoke.

"Welcome to vault 4, followers of N'Zoth." Said the ball. "Follow this unit and it will show you its contents." With that the ball went towards the door, specifically at a strange metal board next to it. After shooting a bright light at a small hole in the board, the door began to open. Once it was fully opened, the ball turned towards the cult members and motioned for them to follow it, which they did after a minute.

"What are you?" Asked the human as the door closed once, they entered.

"To being, this unit is not sentient." Said the ball once the door closed. It then led then deeper inside the vault. "I am merely using it as a way to communicate with you three. I am at the master control vault, where the largest contents of advanced technology and weapons are stored. No doubt you are all confused, rest assured, all will be revealed in time, travelers. For now, I will tell you my name. I am super tactical droid RG-54. However, prior to my affiliation to the Old God N'Zoth, I was called Mortem."

"So, you used to work for the Alliance? The Horde?" Asked the human as they walked with the ball. What they got surprised them.

"No. I formerly worked for a power that is beyond the capabilities of the Alliance and Horde in terms of everything except magical prowess. However, once N'Zoth has been freed from his shackles and has acquired the technology from the vaults, then the magical prowess possessed by both Alliance and Horde will be rendered moot." Said the voice as it led them to a large open room. In the room was, to their shock, were large, black colored suits of armor that fully encased the user. Judging from their size, they were all meant for humans only.

"What are these things?" Asked the human in shock. The voice spoke in a tone that resembled satisfaction.

"One of the many things that N'Zoth needs to finally win." Said the voice.