Author's notes:
2021-09-10: Hey, a short preview of the next chapter is here. I wanted you to know what I'm currently working on.
2021-09-11: Hey, here's a bit shortened version of the chapter. I decided to shorten it up, because I would not be able to finishin it within the next couple of days.
Don't forget to comment. I really appreciate your feedback.
Note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.
As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)
Changelog:
[2021-09-10]: A preview was released.
[2021-09-11]: A chapter was fully released.
Info: The top4 of the previous poll. Each of these will receive a new chapter. Maybe, just maybe, I will choose one additional story for update of my liking.
- My home is where my heart lies
- The family tree
- The rise of the Blood Moons' servants
- Will you look past my mistakes?
Schedule for the nearest future:
1. My home is where my heart lies.
2. Family tree.
3. The rise of the Blood Moons' servants.
4. Fully original story.
5. Story of one lost soul.
6. Will you look past my mistakes?
7. Last Christmas.
Bonuses' section:
A new story taking place in the Warhammer 40k universe.
A story regarding KaiKali (aka Akali x Kai'sa) (Will you look past my mistakes?).
Sometimes it's just better not to know (possibly rewrite).
Kiss the rain (more than likely rewrite).
Whispers in the Dark (extending beyond 2 chapters story).
Story of one lost soul (translation of 2 of my old texts - previously written in polish).
Story of one lost soul: The war call: rewrite.
*bonuses will be worked on when I don't feel like writing the chapters pointed out in the schedule :D
** It is possible for me to change the schedule a little. So stay tuned for the upcoming information.
Vote poll (for September):
Service: strawpoll
Hash: h5q1ebwe6
End of author's notes.
The uncomfortable silence fell upon them. Sammara tried her hardest to avoid her mother's eyes whilst the shocked general was doing everything in her power to do the opposite. After all, it would not be daily news that one of her children was not-so-secretly dating her oldest sister. Yet, to Veressa, this news was difficult to get over.
"Am I the only one who didn't know about this relationship?" the silver-haired woman asked.
"I'd say so, mother," Serathi replied, lowering her gaze slightly as if embarrassed.
"Why didn't you tell me about that? Why no one told me anything?" the ranger general wanted to know.
"I asked them not to discuss that matter with you, mum," Sammara finally broke her silence. "We... it is Alleria and me; we were not really sure whether our feelings would pass the test of time. So we opted to proceed with a much safer approach; we would talk with you when we were ready. When we would commit to this relationship, giving our 100%," the white-haired elf tried to explain as best as she could.
"Ehhh...," the ranger general sighed heavily, trying to organise her thoughts as the air was being exhaled. "I can see the reasoning behind such decision; but, I feel like I should have known nevertheless. After all, she's my sister, and... you're my daughter. Even though we're not tied by blood, you're my girl. You should have had more faith in me," she added sadly. "But... I guess it's my fault, at least to some extent. I've never openly shown you how much I care about you. I'm sorry for that. And... thanks to you, I'll have yet another thing to tease Alleria with," she finished her lengthy speech on a positive note.
"I... I... I do not know what to say," Sammara replied, stuttering a little. "We expected you to get angry at us. Are you not upset, disappointed?" she asked, seeking some sort of validation.
"Not really," the silver-haired woman responded cooly. "I must admit, I was shocked, pretty much stunned with the news, but you're my family; as long as you're happy, I'll be content with that," she added, flashing a reassuring smile.
"Uhhh...," the snowy-white-haired woman sighed, scratching her nape. "I do not think Alleria will like you teasing her, but, hey, whom am I to tell you what to do, mum," she added after a moment of pause.
"Did you ever see her blushing?" Verresa asked. "She's so adorable and cute whilst she's reddening all over her face. And... if we're lucky, she might pout as well," she giggled cheerfully. "Gosh... it's been ages since I've seen her in such a state. So, it seems I have a clear goal for tonight."
"Verresa, darling, I do not think it is the best idea to push your sister to the limits," Illidan tried to salvage the situation before it would inevitably get out of control.
"You don't know her as well as I do," the ranger general replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "Even if she got upset, she'd forget about it soon. And... laughter can be a good tool to relax."
"I assume there is no way in heavens and hell for me to convince you, is it not the case?" the previous master of Outland asked, sighing.
"You of all the people should have known the answer for that particular question, honey," the silver-haired elf replied sweetly, winking at her husband. "It's all a game of sort," she added playfully.
"I worried that you would tell that," the demon hunters' leader replied, giving up. "I must go; I promised Shandis to help her in the kitchen," he informed everyone.
"Don't worry, dad," Serathi spoke immediately. "We'll be fine here on our own. After all, we have quite a lot of catching up to do with mum," she added confidently, flashing a reassuring smile.
"Fine, I will be as soon as possible," the raven-haired man uttered quietly. "I do not think there is that much preparation to be done. Soon, we will be able to sit beside the table and enjoy the dines."
"Go," Verresa said, playfully punching him in the arm. "As Serathi said, I have some catching up to do," she giggled.
"About that... I am certain," Illidan responded after a moment of pause. The man needed to find the right words, and it took some time.
Without anything more to add, the last master of Outland turned around, taking his leave. Immediately, he headed toward the kitchen when he had left his oldest daughter earlier. Even though the preparations were nearly finished, there were a couple of things still needing his attention. So, without a moment of hesitation, he sped up a little. The quicker he would deal with these matters, the sooner he could enjoy the holidays with his family. It was ridiculous; he had a proper family after all these long years of being banished and forgotten. Someone above must have had a sense of humour. Still, the previous master of Outland would not have changed what he currently had for anything. Maybe... just maybe, he would have wanted one detail to be changed. But, even with the power he possessed, he seemed to be powerless against some rules of this world.
The dark-haired man shook his head a couple of times. Such thoughts would lead him nowhere. So, the simplest solution was to discard them. But, even though he knew it was the right thing to do, it did not come without a struggle. The demon hunters' master sighed heavily. Some people, some events had left the invisible wounds all over him. So, these scars were only for him to see.
Illidan allowed himself to curse a couple of times under his breath. According to some twisted logic, it helped him control both his thoughts and emotions. But, of course, it was not a good habit. Nevertheless, it was a working workaround for the problem he was facing. Sometimes, it felt like shutting down his thinking process was the best he could do, both for his family and himself.
Within minutes, he reached the kitchen. The smell filling the very air of the room hit his nostril with delay. Or maybe, it was just him not registering it due to the fight he was participating in, deep inside.
"Sorry, Shandis, for the delay," the demon hunter immediately apologised to his oldest daughter. "The plan did not work out as smoothly as planned," he added in a bland tone.
"It is fine, father," the blue-haired elf replied nearly instantly, smiling. "I have had things to deal with. So, I did not really notice you being out longer than anticipated."
"If you say so, fine," Illidan nodded slightly. "What remains to be prepared?" he asked. "What do you need help with?"
The tall man's tone changed momentarily. Then, finally, after a couple of prolonged minutes of internal conflict, he managed to regain his composure. As usual, he looked around. It was another habit of him. He loved to have everything under control.
"You have overdone yourself," he praised Shandis. "Almost everything is finished. Great job, Shandis," he continued doing so, proudness filling his voice.
"Ehhh," the sentinels general sighed, reddening slightly. "It is nothing, really."
"I would not say that," Illidan replied immediately. "So, what should I deal with, chef?" he asked, teasing the blue-haired woman slightly. His rich, deep tone was back.
"Ehhh...," Shandis sighed heavily. "Do I really need to tell you what to do, father? I bet you have already preplanned everything like thousandfold," she added, allowing herself to giggle a little.
"Fine, fine, you are right, though," the previous master of Black Temple admitted. "I planned a little before you have arrived. So, shall we cook together?" he asked.
"It is a very rhetorical question," the sentinels general commented, continuing to giggle. "Still, I will answer it; of course, we do."
With no more words needed to be uttered, they focused solely on finishing up the preparations. The soft silence was allowed to fell upon them. Of course, it was periodically interrupted by sounds commonly connected with cooking. It must have been admitted that Illidan enjoyed working closely with his daughters. Yet, it was doubtful that he would have ever uttered it aloud. After all, he could not have been called the best dad ever, not by a long shot. He had some little time to spend with his family since he finally had returned. If he had a choice, he would have given all his hours, all his time to his beloved ones. He would have dedicated himself to be a better husband and father. Though, after a few moments of intense thinking, there might be some obstacles on his path. After all, neither Shandis, Sammara, nor Serathi needed him all that much, not anymore. For them, the growing up period was already a past. Only Merill would need him to be around, watching and helping her grow up, develop. The black-haired man allowed his frustration to manifest by a heavy sigh.
Quite frankly, it did not take them much time to finish cooking. It was a satisfying sight to look at what they had prepared for the supper. It would not have been an understatement to say that everyone should have easily found something for themselves.
"I must admit, it was a hell of a job, Shandis," the master of demon hunters praised his oldest daughter. "Shall we bring it to the living room?" he asked, wiping down sweat droplets from his forehead.
"Good idea," the blue-haired elf whispered. "Give me a moment, though. I did not think it would have been that much work with cooking. So, frankly, I am quite spent," she admitted. "Go ahead; I will join you in a few."
"Ok, I will start with soups," the male informed.
"It is fine; I will prepare them for you, father. And... please, try not to use magic today," the general whispered.
"Ehhh," the man sighed, then burst into laughter. "I know that your partner is waiting on the estate's roof. I will leave you now, so you can have a couple of minutes for only yourselves," he added.
"How?" it was all Shandis managed to mumble.
"Let me ask you a very simple question," Illidan started. "Who do you think cast all of the spells that protect this estate?" he asked as soon as the woman slightly nodded.
"You are that person, I presume," Shandis sighed the response.
"I am leaving now. But, please, Shandis, do not be too naughty," the raven-haired demon hunter chuckled.
His usually stoic daughter looked so adorable when she was embarrassed, frustrated. Then, in what felt like a heartbeat, the general's face turned red. Instantly, she cast down her gaze as if trying to hide under the ground.
"Father!" the blue-haired woman cried out.
"Do not forget to tell your girlfriend that I want to speak with her," Illidan reminded his daughter. "Other than that, have fun... but, please, not too much fun. There will be time for that later," he continued to chuckle, heading out. "And... before I forget, tell Lynore hi from me."
There was nothing more to add. So, the last master of Outland left the kitchen, carrying the vase filled entirely with hot liquid. Yet, he must admit, it smelled wonderful. But, of course, he had not listened to his oldest daughter's request. Without uttering a single word, he cast a spell that made all of the soup containers fly a few steps behind him. A small smile was allowed to show up. After all, he was in a surprisingly good mood. And... he would want it to last as long as it would be possible.
It did not take him more than a few minutes to reach his temporary destination. However, what surprised him was the fact he had not found anyone lurking there.
"They must have gone to another part of the mansion," he thought.
It was not like this estate consisted of only a couple of rooms. Still, it would not have been an understatement to say that someone unfamiliar with the building layout would easily get lost.
The raven-haired night elf decided to proceed with the plan he had come up with earlier. So, without wasting any more time, he closed the distance to the table. As soon as he did so, he put down the vase he was holding, using the arcane powers to do the same with the rest of the containers. His happiness could not have been contained anymore. It was just a matter of time, most likely minutes before one of his greatest wishes would be fulfilled. The small smile that was previously playing on his lips was extended to its broad variant. He could not believe it; it would finally happen. Finally, he, Illidan Stormrage, would have a loving family.
Unfortunately, before he was allowed to fully delve into the depth of his imagination, he sensed someone entering the building. A single, prolonged sigh escaped his throat.
"Back to reality, I guess," he thought, heading toward the estate's entrance.
