Hey Guys, another update for my side story! I'm sorry its been so long since you've guys had any kind of update, for this, or TSOFT, but now that my disgustingly long History Captstone is finished, I should be able to update my stories with more frequency
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Natsu's and Wendy's jaws were equally low in awe at the sight they were beholding, McBride grinning at the looks of awe on their faces. Reaching from one opening in the mountains to another was a wall of stone, only breached by a gate with massive oaken doors. On either side of the door were stone towers that breached high into the sky, each tower lined with four guards, who stared stoically out over the surrounding forest. Past the gates was a bridge, four statues line either side, with the tallest standing watch over all of them, a broken sword clutched to his chest.
"I've never seen a city this big!" Natsu screamed in a happy, unbelieving tone.
Wendy giggled at him, "It is impressive isn't it?"
"That it is lass. That it is." McBride chuckled, patting Wendy from his black stallion. Wendy smiled at him as McBride clucked his tongue and dug his spurs into the mounts side. Wendy and Natsu did the same, Natsu mounted on a brown gelding and Wendy a white filly foal.
As they passed the roaring lion motifs that adorned the watch towers, Natsu would look up at McBride. "Who are the stone guys hmm?"
"I was wondering that as well sir." Wendy chimed in as their horses carried them forward.
"Well, they're all storied heroes from the First and Second Wars." he started to explain. At the confused look both of his charges gave him, he sighed and ran his hand over his bald head. "Oh right… Well the story is too long to explain right now but… They were wars where the alliance fought to push back the orcish horde." he gave the most simple backstory he could before pointing his finger at the first statue on the left. "That's Kurdan Wildhammer, he led a contingent of Wildhammer gryphon riders through Draenor. On the right," he said, moving his hand to the corresponding statue. "That's Danath Trollbane, one of the greatest warriors that ever fought for the alliance."
As they passed by the statues of the dwarf holding up a battle axe, and the bald man holding a helm under his arm, McBride's finger shifted to the next row of statues, more specifically, a wizened old man with a long, snow white beard that reached his waist, and staff raised defiantly to the sky. "Archmage Khadgar… who recently returned to Azeroth from the Outlands. He slew his own mentor, the Guardian Mediev." His finger shifted yet again, to the second statue on the right. "That's Alleria Windrunner, during her time she was the Ranger-General of Silvermoon, and led the small contingent of High Elves that were deployed to the Alliance Army in the Second War." McBride explained.
Finally, they pulled up to the only statue in the center. It was larger than all the others, of a man with his eyes closed and a gentle smile on his face. He looked regal, proud and peaceful. "Who's that?" Wendy said in a small voice, staring up at the statue with wide eyes. While her and Natsu were both impressed by the story, neither fully understood it, without having any former knowledge of Azerothian history.
McBride stared up at the statue for a moment before he responded, "Turalyon, High General of the Alliance forces in the Second War. When Lothar, the former High General fell in battle, it was Turalyon who picked up Lothar's sword and shield, rallied the broken alliance troops, and broke through the horde! Pushing them out of their damned mountain and chasing them back to the world they belong in." McBride spat at the end. For those who remembered the First and Second War, the bitter memories never faded. However McBride wasn't the type to mope, he looked back at his two young charges. "You two ready? The cities large and the Keep is nowhere near the entrance."
When both of them indicated that they were, they rode together, passing under a portcullis and turning right to enter the city. The interior of the city was just as full of wonders as the exterior. Thousands of people crammed the streets, hailing from Azeroth's diverse and varied races. Wendy gawked as a tall blue man with hooves and tentacles hanging from his chin passed her horse, as tall standing as she was mounted! Natsu got distracted by a group of pale women with glowing blue eyes and lengthened ears who were glancing at his exposed chest and giggling.
Beside the giggling trio was a flower stand being run by another pointed eared woman. This one had a good foot over the others, easily taller than Natsu, and had a pink skin tone. Beside her, a massive mountain lion was laying, basking in the sun. Less exotic then them, but still strange to Natsu and Wendy were the human looking half sized men who sported long bushy beards, and the even smaller beings that Natsu guessed were about as tall as his mid-thigh.
"Uhm, excuse me, Mister McBride?" Wendy piqued up as the Marshal turned right, where the crowd started to thin. "I don't want to sound rude, but a lot of those people looked very strange."
As they turned left, entering a back alley that was a lot quieter, McBride chuckled. "I forget you're new. Human's aren't the only races in the Alliance or on Azeroth." Natsu gathered his attention and refocused on the aging Marshal, "The blue skinned ones are called Draenei, the purple ones with the pointy ears, Night Elves, and the pale ones, High Elves. The short ones, Dwarves, and the even shorter ones, Gnomes." He finished.
"That's so confusing." Natsu complained.
McBride laughed loudly as they rode out of the Trade District and into the Canals. Wendy almost falling off her horse. "I'll explain it to you later." She sighed consolingly. She did smile however. Natsu might be dumb, but his goofy attitude did help her feel a sense of normalcy.
Above the mounted trio, the sky started to turn dark. Menacing clouds formed overhead, and thunder rolled. "We should hurry." McBride grunted. "It's going to storm soon."
With that, they picked up the pace to a light trot, crossing a bridge and riding along the edge of a section of the city with red roofing. As they rounded a corner, Wendy and Natsu gasped at the towering keep in front of them. "It's massive!" Natsu gasped.
"It certainly is impressive." Wendy agreed.
The next few minutes of riding passed in silence. Above them, the clouds continued to grow darker. There was something eerie about the storm. It didn't seem like just a regular weather pattern. It was as if the clouds were somehow malicious. "Wendy," Natsu began to speak, growing apprehensive.
"Yeah, I feel it too." she responded in a hushed tone, staring worriedly at the sky. Thankfully, it was only a minute later when they were at the gates of the keep.
"Halt!" a royal guardsman commanded them. "What is your business with King Varian?"
McBride held out a letter. "I'm escorting these two to the King."
The stranger took the letter and opened it. He nodded, then ushered them inside, the Trio dismounting and going up a side stairway behind a massive statue of the King they were about to meet. At long last, they entered Stormwind Keep.
The dark clouds blanketed the keep in a dark, depressing shade of gray. Royal tapestries of golden lions on a blue field hung to either side. "I'll be leaving the two of you now." McBride announced.
Wendy turned around and frowned, her large brown eyes wide and sad. "Are you sure you have to go?" she murmured.
The aging marshal smiled sadly, "Aye. My post won't run itself, and my men won't forgive me if I stay away for too long." he told her, before looking to Natsu. "Take care of her, Okay lad?"
"You know it!" Natsu laughed confidently, grinning his trademark grin and putting his arm around Wendy's shoulders. She smiled lightly and wished McBride the best as he turned around and walked off. He still had a few hours, and if he was in Stormwind, he might as well stop by the Pig and Whistle for a few drinks before returning to that damned Monastary.
Being left alone, Wendy and Natsu would stare at the imposing ramp ahead of them. It was so long that they couldn't see the top yet. They started to slowly ascend, the malicious clouds above not allowing any light, meaning the corridor was lit by torches alone. Step after step, the wizard duo climbed the ramp, Wendy lightly holding onto Natsu's vest, comforted by his confident presence. Eventually, they reached the top, where they were greeted by another duo of people.
The man sitting in the throne cut an opposing figure as his dark eyes flitted up to examine Natsu and Wendy. A scar stretched over his left eye. The King was garbed in deep blue armor, with two pauldrons, one in the shape of an eagle, and one in a lion. In a pedestal beside his throne sat a shining, double edged blade. Down the hollow central shaft was a bright, shining golden light.
At his side stood a young, handsome man with a proud face. He had his fathers face, low cheekbones, a squared jaw, but his hair was as bright as gold, two loose strands hung beside his face, and the rest was tied into a pony tail. His eyes were blue, unlike his fathers, and he carried a gentler expression on her face than his father did.
"Who're you?" All tension was lost as Natsu demanded to know the answer to that question.
Wendy fell over in shock and stared at her friend, "Really?!" she demanded, unable to believe Natsu couldn't deduce who this was!
The King's lips quirked up at the two's antics, and his son laughed. "Is that really how you greet a Monarch?" King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind asked in an amused tone.
"W-Wait, you're the King?!" Natsu gasped in a clearly taken aback tone. He quickly bowed at the waist. "I'm sorry! I'm Natsu Dragneel!" he squealed, "It's a pleasure for you to meet me!"
Varian and the Prince traded a look of confusion. Wendy, meanwhile, sighed in exasperation and pinched the bridge of her nose, before turning on her heel and bowing as well. "My name's Wendy Marvell, it's a pleasure to meet you sir!" she assured him.
Varian smiled at the… uniqueness of the boy, and sweetness of the girl. "A pleasure as well. You must be the two children who fell from the sky. I've been eager to meet both of you. I-" he started, but was interrupted as suddenly, a raven screech in the dome interrupted them.
The King pushed himself to his feet and Anduin stood a bit straighter. Natsu and Wendy stumbled back at the sudden movement. The raven landed in the center of the floor, before smoke and feathers billowed out of its form. Natsu and Wendy gasped in awe as its feathered chest started to grow outwards, developing into a broad, clothed chest.
At the same time, the raven's wings grew and became thicker, wing joints turned into elbows, and wing tips developed into finger tips. The being's scrawny legs lengthened, covered by a long, dark blue and gray robe. Talons extended into human feet, covered by comfortable boots. It's beady eyed head transformed into the wizened visage of a care worn old man with piercing blue eyes and unshaved stubble. The short, snow white hair was swept back messily. In his right hand, he carried a long oaken staff with a visage of a raven carved into the top.
Wendy and Natsu stood with wide, shocked eyes, and dropped jaws. "D-Did that bird just turn into a guy?!" Natsu whispered to Wendy.
Wendy was about to respond when the newcomer slammed the butt of the staff into the stone of the tower. All speech was interrupted as all attention turned to the wizard. "The Burning Legion," he started. Varian's eyes narrowed in anticipation for the rest of the wizard's sentence, while Anduin's expression grew to one of concern, "has returned."
The two Fairy Tail wizards stood silent, even Natsu could tell that whatever this Burning Legion was, the mood had shifted. Gone was the kind King who had greeted them, and in his place stood a warrior. "How… How many Khadgar?"
Khadgar's silence was all the King needed. The legion was back, and they were back in force. The King fell back onto his throne and sighed, closing his eyes. A few long moments passed, during which time Natsu and Wendy stood, feeling like they had been totally forgotten about. This newcomer, Khadgar, didn't so much as spare them a glance, instead staring directly at Varian until the King found it in him to speak. "Khadgar… We need to talk alone." he said.
"Fath-" Anduin tried to argue.
"Anduin, take our guests to the courtyard and talk to them there. I'll fill you in later." Varian ordered. The son nodded to his father, and led Natsu and Wendy out, shutting the doors behind them. Anduin closed his eyes and sighed, his heart felt like lead.
"Is everything okay?" Wendy gently touched his arm.
Anduin's eyes snapped open, and he smiled down at the young girl, "Yes, it's nothing." he reassured her. It had begun to rain, so they stuck to the edge of the courtyard, where the overhand would protect them from the fury of the elements. He guided them over to a bench and all three sat. "My father showed me the report Marshall McBride sent him. You two really fell from the sky?"
"That's what everyone keeps telling us!" Natsu exclaimed.
"The truth is we really don't remember, Your Majesty. We didn't wake up until after Sir McBride had taken us inside" Wendy further explained Natsu's poor choice of words.
Anduin smiled at the two of them. "Just call me Anduin. I'm not King yet." he ordered them both, "I see though… With Khadgar's news, Father will suspect your demons. Fortunately, I have a way to check that."
"Hey! I'm not a demon!" Natsu growled, standing up and shouting at the prince. At the other end of the courtyard, a royal guard slammed the butt of his spear into the ground and glared at Natsu, who noticed, and backed down, but still stared at Anduin.
The Crown Prince held his hands up in a sign of peace. "I believe you, but we can't be too careful in these times. I promise the test won't hurt… well, so long as you're not actually a demon."
Natsu was about to retort, but Wendy tugged on his vest. "I'll take the test." she offered in a gentle voice, and Anduin Wrynn smiled at her. He stood before the young girl and began to chant in a strange tongue. Gentle, golden light enveloped his fingertips, and with a gentle motion, the young prince laid his hands onto Wendy's shoulders.
The young girl gasped as holy energy surged through her every being. She was surprised to find it wasn't uncomfortable at all. Far from it in fact. The Light filled her with joy. Hair all over her body stood on end. Every bit of despair she had felt in her life was swept away. The loneliness of losing Grandeeney, of losing Jellal, and of losing Cait Shelter was a forgotten memory, as it had the first time she joined Fairy Tail. The Light filled her with joy and happiness, and made her wonder how she had ever felt despair in her life.
The joy would carry over even after Anduin finished casting the spell, and Wendy would smile at him, the Crown Prince smiling back and ruffling her hair. "You're clearly no demon." he chuckled, before turning to Natsu. He did the same process, to the same effect, before finally passing the two of them as being totally, certifiably human. "I am sorry about that, truly."
"It's okay!" Wendy responded before Natsu had a chance to speak. "If you don't mind me asking, what's that power you used on me called?" Anduin smiled, and for the next hour, explained to Wendy, and to a lesser extent, Natsu, the teachings of the Holy Light. He explained Night Elves, and how they accessed the light through their Moon Goddess, Elune. This conversation, which had Wendy enraptured and Natsu bored.
Sometime during the conversation, the doors to the throne room swung open, and the King strolled out, followed by Khadgar. In short order, Anduin explained that neither Natsu or Wendy were demons, and with that in mind, Varian explained the situation to his son, telling him that the Legion had returned in force. That he had to plan an invasion of the Broken Shore, and that Anduin would have to stay behind.
"Absolutely not!" Anduin snapped vehemently.
"Andui-"
"I'm not a child anymore, father! You know that!"
Varian sighed, "I'm not asking you to stay behind because you're a child." he reached his hand out to clasp his sons shoulder. "You're the Crown Prince. A Wrynn must always rule in Stormwind."
As father and son talked, Khadgar made his way over to Wendy and Natsu. "You must be the children of the sky Varian told me about."
Natsu stared up at the old, careworn man. Something about him seemed familiar and comforting, the same feeling he felt around Makarov. "We are… well… at least that's what everyone tells us. We just woke up here!"
"I see." Khadgar chuckled and took a spot on the bench between Natsu and Wendy. He had already sent a message to Vol'jin, and Maiev hopefully would tell Stormrage and Whisperwind. This had been a hard couple of days for him, and he was still exhausted after his battle with Gul'dan. He could use some interesting conversation to pass the time.
"Uhm, sir?"
Khadgar turned his head to look down at the young, blue haired girl who had addressed him. Her wide brown eyes were comforting for Khadgar. To see a child, a being so brimming with life was comforting after facing death so often. "Yes, child?"
Wendy looked back at him, "Back in the throne room you were a bird. How did you do that? I never saw magic like that before!"
"Oh yeah!" Natsu sprang up and spun around to face Khadgar, "That was so cool! Can you teach us to do that?!" he asked excitedly.
Khadgar smiled lightly, "Do either of you have any background in Magic at all?"
"I used to be one of the most powerful fire wizards in our guild!" Natsu bragged, but was interrupted by Wendy, who looked up at Khadgar.
"We lost our magic when we came here though. I used to be a heal-"
"Wendy!" Anduin's voice interrupted her, "Would mind accompanying me? I'd like to talk with you more about the light." he offered her a gentle smile, which made Wendy nod. Before she left however, she would turn to Khadgar and bow at the waist.
"It was nice to meet you Sir!" she said respectively, before turning around and scampering after Anduin.
When the two were gone, Khadar would scoot over to give Natsu more room, and would stare down at the young man. "So she was saying you lost your powers?"
"Ah, Yes Sir! I don't know what's happening… I just landed here and my fire didn't work!" he growled, punching the wall, hoping to spark his flames to no avail.
Khadgar cocked his eyebrow at the young man, intrigued. Normally it takes someone years of practice in the art of the arcane to cast their first fire spell, but this young man sounds as if he only knew how to fight with fire. How interesting. "Natsu, was it?"
"Yeah?" the dragon slayer responded.
"I want you to try something for me. Tell me, even if you can't use it, can you still feel your magic?" Natsu nodded, "Good, Good." Khadgar grunted, pulling a small book out of his pocket and riffling through it. He opened it to a specific page and handed it to the Dragon Slayer. "Say the incantation here," he pointed, "and let's see what happens."
As Natsu began to chant, Khadgar watched with interest. It was a simple Arcane Blast, the simplest spell a mage can learn. As the young man finished, an arcane blast would occur without a doubt. It exploded right in front of Natsu, sending the young man flying back, where he crashed against the wall with a loud grunt. Khadgar laughed as Natsu started to pick himself up, the old man amused, however wrong it might have been, by what happened. "Well that was expected."
"IF YOU EXPECTED IT WHY DID YOU MAKE ME DO IT?!" Natsu demanded.
Khadgar laughed lightly and with a twinkle in his eye. "I wanted to test you, forgive an old man and his curiosities, will you?" Natsu muttered darkly but nodded his head. Khadgar picked up the spell book and flicked through it, finding another page and handing it to Natsu again. "Try this one now," at the distrustful look Natsu gave the man, Khadgar would smile, "If this one backfires, it won't be on purpose." Khadgar assured him
Once again, Natsu chanted, and this time, when he finished, fire enveloped his hands. He dropped the book, blinking at the flame that surrounded his fingertips. It had only been a few days, but it felt like a lifetime since he last had control over his preferred element. He focused the fire into a ball, the swirling flames dancing between his fingers before he threw it into a pillar, where it burst and singed the stone. "I DID IT!" Natsu cheered and laughed.
Khadgar stood and laughed. "Normally it takes a mage years of practice in the arcane to even attempt their first fire spell, but for you the opposite is true. You have no talent with the arcane and yet fire answers your call with no effort!" The Old Man praised, looking over Natsu's garb with a critical eye, then flipping open a small book and scribbling inside, He ripped the page out and handed it to Natsu. "Here, take this to a store called Stormwind Staves in the Mage District."
"What for?" Natsu asked suspiciously.
"Here, spells become more powerful when channeled through staves. I've commissioned one for you out of my personal account. It won't be as powerful as a homemade Dalaran staff but it should do the job."
"T-Thank you!" Natsu bowed gratefully, already excited to practice this new form of fire magic. With a grunt, Khadgar rolled his shoulders and tapped the butt of Atiesh against the ground.
"I've spent enough time satisfying my own curiosity." he sighed, "I need to rally the council of six and discuss what our next move will be." The wizened mage smiled at Natsu, "Thank you, I appreci-"
"Wait," Natsu interrupted him, Khadgar turned his head to stare curiously at him. "This… Legion… you were talking about, is it really that scary?"
Khadgar sighed lightly, and smiled as gently as he could. "I'm afraid so." he responded, before tapping Atiesh again. "It was a pleasure to meet you young man!"
As Khadgar would disappear, Natsu mumbled a soft "Later." and stared down at the piece of paper he was handed, wondering where the Mage district was. He would need to practice.