Of War and Wings

Chapter Three

Decision

It had been nearly three weeks since the disturbing news of vanishing auras and their abilities had reached Khepri's ears. In the week's time she had studied them and gathered reports not only from the group she had assigned to observe the oddities, but others who volunteered their own information, the spellweaving woman had come to the conclusion many others were beginning to come to. Their auras were fading, and it would only be a matter of time, no matter how long or brief, until they simply ceased to be altogether.

News of this had spread quickly through the community of Shattrath, reaching both the ears of their guests, the denizens of the city, and those who hailed from beyond its walls on the remnants of Draenor and into the cities of Azeroth. Certainly, this was no minor detail to just be ignored. Of the many who heard, a few knowledgeable souls had stepped forth, seeking to aide in preserving the waning powers. Whether out of the desire to aide them, earn compensation or simple curiosity, one thing was certain, it would be a long road.

Those who did not so avidly seek an answer to this dilemma, though, approached other courses of action. With so many still unsure of what to do with themselves after the loss of their home worlds, other concerns towered above them. There were families to feed, homes to establish, battles still being fought and sides being picked. Perhaps the most recent, and greatest development had been an issuing of sides for the respective races.

Humans had fallen in quite naturally with the Alliance. In spite of being denizens of a world where the Horde and Alliance conflict did not exist and they existed as a neutral party between a different conflict, the Horde had largely deemed the acceptance of any humans into their fold would upset the balance of their great faction, and leave far too many places in their defenses that could be extorted against those of the Alliance who would do them harm.

Following the humans to this side were the Umbrians, forsaking the racial name of the Cubi due to its closeness to a particular demon familiar warlocks were known to summon from time to time. It was a reception met with some reluctance, large in part due to their resemblance of that same Legion by nature of their wings. The some few-hundred of the dark-winged folk accounted for were left with little other option than to cope with this.

The Lumerrians boasted some greater numbers, nearly twice that of the Umbrians. In swift response to the welcoming of their old foes into the Alliance ranks, they bid for a place among the Horde, and were accepted under the condition that their wings under no circumstances be concealed. It was what set them apart from the humans rejected by the Horde, and with their waning abilities to control light in its many forms, would be what would safely grant them passage into their cities.

There were those uninterested with the conflict though, those who condemned their brothers and sisters for falling into the same folly they should have learned from after the savage destruction of their homes. Those who would respect the sides, but refuse to have any part in the conflict if they could avoid it. What they now sought instead of another reason to fight was a home.

"So you're going to Azeroth, huh?" Khepri asked as she gazed upon a small party comprised of Toru, Tetra, Juno and Flare. "You realize you're going to have to be really careful, since your auras could blink out on you at any second, right?"

"Yeah, haven't forgotten that pleasant little detail." Toru muttered, his thumbs hooked into his pant pockets.

"I'm surprised you're not taking the others with you." The black-haired woman chimed in out of the blue, a grin playing over her lips. "Chloe's going to be mad knowing you ditched her."

"She volunteered to stay behind, smart ass." Toru bit back in a tone lacking amusement. "She's been taking on the role of being the big sister in her family pretty heavily lately, and Mary's still having trouble learning Common. Adira's staying back to pitch in on the effort, too."

"Clearly the youngest child didn't inherit the family gene on brains..." Khepri muttered to herself. She turned her eyes to Juno, particularly curious about the absence of his wife at his side. "What about you and Azalea? I was hoping you'd be the knight for my student while she rounded up some of the spells of this world."

"One of us has to stay back and watch Elias, we don't have the leisure of baby sitters anymore, you know." Juno replied curtly, turning his eyes towards a series of portals behind him, sectioned off in an area marked by blue banners with the emblem of a yellow lion embroidered upon them. "This isn't a game and you know that. We've got the language down enough to communicate, so now we have to start carving a place out for ourselves. We can't just grub off of the kindness of the people of this city forever."

"Jeez, Mr. Serious, thanks for killing the mood." Khepri grumbled.

"Look, do you have anything useful to add to this, or are you just here to gawk and gripe?" Toru snapped, his patience with this woman clearly growing thin, something that only drew a broader smirk to her lips.

"You used to be so much fun as a kid, Toru, when did you stop appreciating my brand of fun?" She offered up a weak shrug as she approached, digging into a violet and golden bag hanging at her hip. "I actually do have something for you all." She said, her tone losing its playful quality as she withdrew a rather fat sack from the bag, bouncing it up and down in the air a couple times to demonstrate a jingling sound they'd all become quite familiar with.

"Khepri..." Tetra began, watching as she handed the bag off to Juno. "Just how much is in that bag...?"

"Abut four hundred gold." She said quite calmly. "A couple of mages from some group called the Kirin Tor came by and were very interested in some of the spells from our world, so I held a little auction and gave some of the lesser secrets to the highest bidders."

"You got this much off of chump spells?" Toru asked, leaning over the bag as Juno opened it.

"Aren't the Kirin Tor supposed to be really powerful though...?" Flare muttered, a clear look of disapproval on her face.

"Powerful, yes. Intelligent, definitely to work spells like that. But it's not like they know how they work. Hell, if they did they'd have called me out for fraud right at the start!"

"You're going to get yourself killed, and I'm not going to help you." Toru said sharply.

"They gotta know how to fight me first, and find me before that." She said with a confident grin. She certainly knew that in a fair fight, she'd be in trouble. But who in their right mind would fight fair with someone who wanted to kill them? That was her thought on the matter anyways.

"I've heard they can read minds..." Juno muttered dryly, words that urged Khepri to point to her own head with a grin.

"I've known people who could, I took precautions with a couple spells. Besides, like I just said, they'd have called me out." She waved that same hand dismissively at the group, settling a hand into her coat pocket. "Now, get going now, don't spend it all in one place, and bring me back some good notes!"

"I feel like I'm just a means to an end..." Toru muttered quite audibly, turning and stepping through one of the portals, one in particular that displayed a rather massive city, currently bathed in sunlight over the stone spires and rooftops.

"Fifteen years and you still haven't figured that out?" Juno responded before Toru slipped completely through the portal, waiting for the other two to enter before he followed in suit, vanishing from sight without a trace.

Khepri sighed a little bit, staring at the portal for a moment before turning and looking up to the naaru in the center of the building. Just looking to it after that admittance seemed a little embarrassing. The naaru were like holy figures, apparently a great subject of interest to followers of the Light, and apparently the closest thing to the actual source itself. A devout follower would no doubt feel some guilt in admitting things like that in ones presence.

Then again, not like I've ever been one for faith anyways. She thought dismissively, turning and walking away from the hall.

"Holy crap." Toru muttered, sitting on the floor and blinking in astonishment. It was his first ever trip through a portal like that, and it was something of a disorienting experience. There were similarities to the ones used to arrive back in Shattrath from Viarde, one already based off of technology they used to create gates to travel between worlds, but there were enough differences to throw him well off balance. He looked up to Juno, who seemed to have taken the arrival just fine, with a frown. "How is it you manage that...?"

"Dragons are magic resistant, remember?" he said calmly, currently steadying Tetra as she got her ground legs for it. "Just means that I have to focus harder to get through the portal, that's all."

"Where's Flare...?" she asked almost wearily, a little pale from the sudden transport.

"She ran outside to puke." The dragon responded bluntly.

Toru sighed, staggering to his feet as he laid a hand on his head. "I might join her in a minute." He muttered, looking back and forth between two identical portals. "Uh... which one?"

There was silence for a moment, a grace period in a way that gave he and Tetra the chance to fully regain their composure, before they watched a mage walk through one of them with others, clutching onto a book in one hand, and a loaf of bread in the other.

"That one." The three of them said at once.

It didn't take them more than a couple moments after that to descend the tower's spiraling ramp and find themselves situated in the middle of what looked to be a massive courtyard or a park of some kind. It couldn't be said for sure, but at the very least it was greener than any shopping district Toru had seen on any of the three worlds back home.

"So where do we start?" he asked.

"I think we should find Flare first, and then figure that out." Tetra said, her reminder earning a nod from Toru.

"Don't bother..." that same woman's voice stated from behind them, earning their gazes. She was clutching her head, certainly in still feeling the effects of that portal. "I'm never using one of those again..."

"So how do you intend to get back to Shattrath?" Toru asked with a feeble grin.

"I'll walk."

"Through space?"

"Then I won't go back." She said adamantly, earning a snicker of amusement from Toru.

"Enough fooling around." Juno said, starting off. "Come on, we need to find someone who can set is in the right direction. We'll split up and look through the city. Flare and I'll try and find the castle where the king should be, we'll request an audience. Toru, Tetra, you two get the lay of the land. If we're going to live in this world we're going to need to know where everything is."

"Fair enough, but why don't I go and see the king and you guys do the searching?" Toru asked, crossing his arms and setting an inquisitive gaze on his old friend.

"Because you're the most likely person to pick a fight with him if you get an answer you don't like." Juno said flatly, watching the Amian's face falter into a frown before he turned and started off, with Flare tailing close behind.

"I hate it when he's right with things like that..." Toru muttered sourly, starting off towards another path with Tetra at his side.

The exploration of the city of Stormwind was indeed task in itself. Broken up into six different districts, Toru and Tetra found much of the day spent exploring the Mage Quarter, Old Town and the Trade District. As busy as the latter of the three had become by mid-day, it was a struggle simply for them not to get separated from each other. Shops were marked by their importance, and the inn by the bank was made a point of special note, as they'd likely stay the night there with lack of better place to be. Perhaps the most jarring experience of the day was watching an attempt on someone's life, a gnomish engineer attacked out of nowhere by a figure dressed heavily in leathers and wielding daggers, a rogue. It was easily enough identifiable as a Blood Elf by the glowing green eyes, and it was struck down nearly as quickly as it had appeared.

Shortly after that bit of excitement, they had decided to take a break, and made for the northern exit of the district to the canals, a far less crowded and much more peaceful place overall.

"What a city." Tetra said, breathing out a sigh of relief as she glanced back over her shoulder towards the district. "It's almost like home in a lot of ways."

"I wouldn't compare the malls back home to that place, they seem more tame." Toru remarked with a smirk, walking up to the edge of the cobblestone road and looking down into the canal. "It's definitely different here..."

Tetra looked to Toru, a sympathetic expression on her face as she walked forward, coming up behind him and slipping her hands around his torso, hugging herself against his back and resting her head against him. She shut her eyes, feeling his hands settle over her own.

"It'll be alright." She said in a comforting tone. "We lost a lot, but... We're still alive, and so are many of our friends and family."

"Yeah, I know." Toru said with a sigh, gripping her hands more firmly. "It's just..."

"Hm...?"

"... It feels the same as when I was a kid..." he said, a deep hurt settled in his voice. "When Solear was attacked because Chloe and I were there, and..."

"And the Umbrians and Lumerrians killed your parents." Tetra said, feeling him tense a little against her. She slipped herself away from behind him and stepped around to his left side, taking his gloved hand into both her own and looking up to him with a solemn, but stern face. "I know... You and Chloe have lost a lot through your lives, and we all lost something, or someone, when the Legion attacked. But, you don't need to be scared... And don't blame yourself, alright?"

Toru couldn't help but crack a small smile, gripping one of her hands as he looked down to her, his expression more relaxed now as he turned and wrapped an arm around her, hugging her close. "Come on now, blame myself? What kind of idiot would I have to be to do that, huh?"

Tetra giggled softly at how he dismissed the idea, although knowing better. She loosed one hand from his and returned the embrace, holding it for a moment before stepping back, still holding his hand, and starting to lead him. "Come on, let's see the Cathedral Square." She said.

"Didn't take you as a churchy-type." Toru said with a grin, following her and walking up alongside her, the previous conversation already pushed behind them.

"You'd be surprised how many prayers I've said for you." She said as they crossed the bridge. "You picked a lot of fights up until this last year and all."

Toru offered a playful wince, looking off to the side with a chuckle. "I was kind of a jerk..."

"Was?" Tetra repeated with a playful grin, earning one from her lover.

"Don't get smart with me."

"Oh, wow..." Tetra breathed out as they entered the cathedral, taking in the splendor of the massive hall. Filled with light filtered in from the windows on all sides, and those devout in their faith, followers of what on Azeroth was commonly regarded as the Light, were scattered about, speaking amongst themselves, offering prayers or seeking advice from the priests and church-hands present. Tetra walked forward, looking positively absorbed by everything around.

"It's one hell of a church." Toru muttered, his hands in his pockets as he walked forward behind Tetra. Before either of them knew it, they were at the altar, stopped at the steps, but Tetra continued to look straight on in wonder, as if taken by something. Toru noticed this, reaching over and setting a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, what's up? You seem like you're spacing out a little..."

"I, I am?" Tetra stuttered, seeming to come around and looking to Toru with a light blush on her cheeks. "Sorry, just... I don't know, I felt this incredible peace here, and..."

"Pardon me, young lady." Another person addressed them from the side in Common, turning both Toru and Tetra's heads. Their attentions fell upon an older man with a white beard and mustache, dressed in golden and white robes, clutching onto a staff that bore an almost, if not, holy glow to it. "But I couldn't help but notice you seemed to have been rather taken by the Cathedral?"

Tetra smiled warmly to the man, nodding as she clutched her hands together at her waist, responding in well-polished Common. "Oh, definitely. The cathedral's beautiful, and so pleasant. And..."

"And?" the man continued, raising an eyebrow in interest as the girl turned her head to the table at the top of the steps.

"I... I don't quite know how to put it, but I feel like it's just... Right for me to be here. I've never felt so safe, so comfortable, even confident. It's like I'm empowered in a way." Tetra sighed, offering an awkward smile to the man. "I know it must sound silly..."

"Not at all." The man responded, his smile warm. "It sounds to me as though you've been rather taken by the Light."

"Here we go." Toru muttered dryly in their home language, earning a sharp elbow from Tetra that silenced him.

"Don't worry, young lady, I can understand the skepticism." The man reassured with a patient smile. "I'm the Archbishop of this cathedral, Benedictus. I've seen many come and go who both embrace and scoff at the Light, what the young man chooses to believe is his own choice."

"Look, I haven't got a problem with this Light thing you guys follow." Toru muttered, his expression stern. "Just you come off sounding like one of those door-to-door 'have you heard so-and-so' guys to me when you say things like that."

This seemed to earn a look of minor amusement from Benedictus as he nodded. "I understand, but that's not my intent. What the young lady..."

"Tetra, Tetra Catori." She said with a smile, offering a polite bow after her introduction.

Benedictus smiled warmly to her before looking back to Toru, the expression still the same. "What the young lady chooses to believe is of her own will, but if neither of you have any objections, I would answer any questions she has about the Light and our faith. Does that seem fair to you, son?"

Toru sighed, as if defeated, and turned, taking a seat on the steps and waving a hand as if gesturing for them to continue. Tetra beamed visibly as she saw this, something that drew a light smile to his lips as she turned back to face the Archbishop.

"Well, I've heard much about the Light since we arrived from our home world..." She noted Benedictus' odd look, smiling awkwardly in response. "Toru and I were part of the group that came to Shattrath a couple of months ago, we've been learning a lot since we arrived. But, I've really been taken by the concept of the Light ever since Khadgar first told us about it. I even sat in on some of the sermons they'd have in the terrace. What I've heard is incredible, it really is... Just..."

"'Just'...?" Benedictus repeated, staring inquisitively at her as she turned her head and looked up to the windows.

"... I... This may be forward, especially since I don't know much at all about your world or customs, but..." She took a breath, steeling her nerve and looking the Archbishop straight in the eyes. "I don't want to be just a follower... If you'd let me, I want to train as a priest."

The forwardness of this statement seemed to almost knock Toru over as his arm, propped up on his leg and supporting his chin, suddenly slipped off and caused him to tip forward on the step. He looked to Tetra wide-eyed, rising to his feet swiftly. "Tetra, you... Tetra, you know priests here don't just sit around in the church all the time, right?"

Tetra looked to Toru, offering a firm nod, with a resolute expression on her face. "I do, but that's just it." She lowered her head, clenching her fists lightly at her sides. "Ever since I became a part of your group, I've only been able to do so much because I couldn't do anything of great effect for any length of time with my aura. Even that boost to your sword can only last a minute, and now that we're losing ours..." She looked back up to him, the determination in her eyes unwavering. "With the Burning Legion doing so much, and already waging war here, I don't just want to sit on the side and be the one who has to be protected. I want to help, but I feel so powerless on my own. I know I'm no good at hand-to-hand combat, and certainly not much of a fighter with my own abilities, but if I can protect you guys, if I can heal your wounds, then maybe..."

Toru was silent, even as Tetra trailed off there. He recognized that look all too well, not from familiarity on her face, but something he'd seen many times in his own in the past. He sighed, hooking the thumb of his right hand into his pocket as he looked to Benedictus, who seemed to be quite intrigued as to what his own response to this would be. "... So, can you help the lady?"

Tetra's eyes widened a little, looking up and at the Amian. "Toru, you... I thought you'd be-"

"Against it?" Toru said, offering her a light smile. "Granted, I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea of you of all people being on the battlefield... But I'm not going to stop you, you've given this a lot of thought, I can see." He looked back to Benedictus, making a gesture to Tetra with his free hand. "So?"

The older man simply chuckled, walking forward and laying a hand on Tetra's shoulder. "You have a strong will, young lady, and it doesn't take more than someone with eyes to see your sincerity on the matter. If you're really serious, then I suppose we can arrange something. However, your training will not be child's play, and if you insist upon being a priestess on the field of combat, you'll be lying your life in harm's way. Are you truly prepared for that?"

Tetra smiled broadly, offering a sure nod. "I am. If it means being able to help those close to me, I really am." She blinked, hearing slow clapping off to her side, a strange gesture in a church. She turned her head with the archbishop and her boyfriend, only she and Toru's eyes widening at the sight of the gray-haired man, gazing at them through violet eyes, with an all-too familiar redhead following close behind, dressed in black robes and clutching a rather wicked looking staff. "Cygnus...!"

"I'm quite impressed with your resolve, Ms. Catori." Cygnus said as he approached with Desirei close behind him, his hands dropping to their sides as he stopped a few feet from the trio. "It's admirable that you would want to place yourself in such a position, that's not an easy decision for anyone to make." He fell silent, watching as Toru stepped forward, his weapon, Twilight, appearing in a flash in his one hand as he swung it out, pointing it at Cygnus, and falling short little more than a few inches from him.

"You son of a bitch, you ought've just stayed back on Viarde..." Toru hissed bitterly. "After all the shit you've done you've got a lot of nerve showing your face. I oughtta-" He was stopped short as a staff came down and forced his sword to the ground. Tracing it back to its owner, he found himself staring at a rather stern looking Benedictus.

"Young man, I don't know what business is between you and this man right here, however I will not permit combat in the cathedral. Dismiss your weapon, or I'll ask you to leave. Do you understand?"

Cygnus watched as Toru almost glared at Benedictus before nodding in compliance and sending his weapon away in the same manner it came. "If you're quite done, Toru, then I'm here on business of my own. This meeting was simple chance. I have no quarrel with your group anymore."

"Bull!" Toru snapped, swinging an arm out to his side. "You were looking to blow Lumerre and Umbris out of the damned sky before the Legion came, and your token tramp there made off with my friend's little brother after feeding him even MORE bull! Give me one good reason I shouldn't break your damned nose right now!"

"Better yet, I'll give you two." Cygnus said, frowning at the other Amian. "For one, we're in a cathedral, and if you weren't paying attention to the words of the archbishop, there will be no fighting in here. If you're so sore then I'll fight you outside, though the outcome will be the same as it ever was, and you'll limp home tonight." Cygnus sighed after that, looking to the archbishop. "On the second matter, however, I'm here on business of my own. If I may have a moment of your time, father..."

Benedictus nodded, turning to look to Cygnus. "You may. What is it I can help you with?"

"I am from the same world as these two you have been speaking with, and, quite like the young lady, have a strong interest in the Light and the concepts it teaches. I've been researching as long as I've been able to, and find its core values to be in line with my own. I'll spare you any lengthy talk of revelations, however, and come straight to the point. If you would have me, I would wish to train as a paladin for the Light."

"You've gotta be kidding." Toru growled, crossing his arms firmly over his chest. "You were willing to blow two worlds out of the damned sky, and you want to work for something like a church? Did getting your ass kicked by the Legion cross your wires upstairs or something?"

Cygnus offered a firmer gaze to Toru now, bordering a glare as he stepped forward. "You fail to note that these two worlds had been at each others throats for well over a thousand years, fighting so long that they forgot their own purposes and did it solely for glory. Two worlds that, might I add, only collaborated when you were born to erase from existence any evidence of yours or your sister's, and only succeeded at eliminating your parents and the entire town you were in. Or did the retro-cognitive reading I did on you upon our meeting show me something else?" Judging by how Toru seemed to silently seethe, Cygnus knew he had Toru in a way he couldn't argue out. "Two worlds that didn't care about anyone but themselves, and would just as soon have pounced on Viarde for the chance to add them to their military might. My methods may not have been the best, I will be the first to admit, but I would not simply stand by and watch as corrupted fools threaten the lives of all those around in the name of things as vain and whimsical as 'glory' and being the superior race. You'd do best to remember that. I am no messiah, I am no harbinger of justice and redemption and I am certainly no god, but I do, for however much longer it remains, have power and intend to use it to right around me what I perceive and know is wrong."

"And is this why you wish to become a paladin, for further power?" Benedictus said, some scrutiny in his tone and voice.

"Yes and no." Cygnus responded, turning to face the old priest. "It is true, I seek strength so that I may do what is right. As depressing a fact as it is, I've witnessed that in this world, as in our home worlds, many see it in the way that 'might makes right'. Integrity is cast aside for personal gain and the consideration of others, be it the Alliance's treatment of the Horde or vice-versa, is thrown to the wayside in favor of old grudges and power struggles that could just as well be resolved through a sit-down talk. Then there are those as your Lich King, and the dark titan Sargeras who will have no manner of talk, those who create the absolute necessity to defend oneself and those around. That is my 'yes'..." Cygnus sighed, pausing for several seconds before continuing. "My 'no', however, is slightly more complicated, and slowly effecting all who came from our worlds."

Toru seemed to catch on rather quickly, looking to Cygnus with wide eyes. "You don't mean... Your aura-"

"Fading, much the same as your own and those of all others from our worlds. Soon the Lumerrians and Umbrians will be the only true relics from our worlds as their wings descend from generation to generation, but even they may wane and fade in time. I have power now, but it is unreliable and fleeting, and at any moment I could lose it, for several minutes or for the rest of my natural life." He looked to Toru. "I have no quarrel with you anymore, and with the separation between the Alliance and Horde, the lingering numbers of Umbrians and Lumerrians are of little consequence." He turned his gaze back to Benedictus, raising a hand and clenching his fist in a gesture of his own resolve, his expression calm. "However, I have found a certain distaste for the abominations of what you call the Scourge, their master, and the demonic beings of the Burning Legion that stripped us of our home world. That is why I come here, father. With your blessing, I wish to become a paladin and do my part to put an end to the ones who upset this world's peace."

Benedictus studied Cygnus in silence a moment, staring the other man straight in the eyes as he considered his words, gestures, everything that had just transpired in the last few moments. Benedictus shut his eyes, breathing out slowly before turning a sterner gaze to Cygnus. "You seem to speak the truth, and your resolve is admirable. However, the road to attaining command of the Light will be a much longer one for you than it will for the young lady." He said, waving his hand in a gesture to Tetra. "If you are serious in your ambition, though, head into the room at the western wing of the cathedral. Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker will ultimately be the judge of your resolve, and your capability."

Cygnus offered a bow to Benedictus, looking him in the face as he rose again. "I will. Thank you." Cygnus turned his head to Desirei, who had been silent the entire time. "Desirei, continue with your own training. We'll rendezvous later this evening at the Blue Recluse. I'm counting on you."

"Of course." She said, smiling to him.

The elder Amian looked to Toru, a quite serious look on his face. "Were I you, Toru, if you want to continue being able to fight, I would pick a class to train under. It's my understanding that priests are fairly resilient when they can focus upon themselves, but quite vulnerable in a group without someone to act as their shield. Considering you love this woman, I would hope you're going to be pro-active in doing your own part to protect her as she is so adamant on doing the same for you." Cygnus turned after that, starting off towards the western room behind the pillars, ignoring the irritated sniff that Toru gave off as he left. He had much to prepare for and little time to do it.

"'I'd hope you're pro-active', that smug on of a bitch..." Toru muttered sorely as he exited the cathedral alongside Tetra, his hands buried deep into his pockets. "Maybe I should wait until his own aura drops out and then knock some teeth into the back of his head."

"He didn't seem like he was trying to start anything, Toru." Tetra said, clutching onto a sealed envelope as they began to descend the stairs together. "If he's even saying that our auras are fading too, on top of everyone else's assessment..."

Toru sighed, stopping and looking out over the square. "Yeah. Much as it burns me, he's got a point. I just hope the spell on my wings doesn't burn out too..."

"It oughtn't." Came the familiar voice of a particular redheaded woman, leaning into one of the recessions into the cathedral wall. Desirei stepped forward, her arms crossed loosely beneath her breasts as she approached the two of them. "You should have nothing to worry about, Toru. You'll still be able to hide your wings. I just doubt you'll be able to draw upon them as weapons anymore once the time comes."

"You have five seconds to respect my personal space bubble of a hundred yards before I rip your teeth out and mount them with that other dragon's head hanging at the gates." Toru snapped, glaring at Desirei. "What the hell are you waiting around here for? Don't tell me a twisted little snake like you wants to be a priestess too?"

"Hardly." Desirei said with a toothy grin, baring her fang-like canines to Toru. "No, I'm quite content walking the path of a warlock. I simply thought you could use a recommendation."

"Desirei, just leave." Tetra said firmly, glaring at her.

"Aren't you supposed to be the open-minded, forgiving one?" Desirei quipped.

"Forgive me for having issues with women who kidnap me and try to extract my mortal soul from my body for a power up." Tetra remarked in a biting tone. "Is there a reason you're hanging around here?"

"Like I said, I thought I'd give a recommendation." Desirei said, her tone fairly nonchalant considering the animosity towards her. "You ought to look into the barracks in Old Town, boy. The warriors of this world specialize in weaponry like you use. You may be able to refine those haphazard swings of yours into something of actual threat to your opponents."

"Look, when I want your opinion I'll smack the taste out of your mouth and then calmly proceed to bleed it out of you." Toru said, starting down the stairs again. "What would you know anyways? Maybe I might want to be a paladin."

"... Toru, I'm sorry, but that was the most horrible lie I've ever heard you tell in the three and a half years we've been together." Tetra said with an awkward smile as she watched Toru seem to cringe a little bit under the weight of her remark.

"Let me break it down for you, boy." Desirei said, starting down the steps slowly, taking her time with each individual one. "You, my dear little Amian, are brash, hot-tempered and, while capable, not one to actively think things entirely through. You lack the patience required to be a rogue, a mage or a warlock. There's absolutely no way you could ever cooperate with nature enough to place yourself as a shaman or a druid, and you certainly lack any drive in faith to be a paladin or a priest, even one of the dark ones. I suppose you could be a death knight, though that would cost you your immortal soul, liberty, and you'd likely end up finding your girlfriend there at the other end of a runeblade one day." She stopped at the base of the steps, looking over her shoulder with a grin. "Really, what other options are left? I suppose a hunter, but, judging by the way you've shot before with your wings that would require a sense of hand-eye coordination as well."

"... I really hate you, you know that?" Toru said bitterly, an irritated grin on his face.

"Because I'm right and you're all too well aware of that." Desirei turned her back, waving over her shoulders. "By all means, do whatever you want. If you get yourself killed then all it means is I never have to deal with you again."

"Before you go," Toru said, heading down after Desirei and coming up behind her. "Why? You've never done anything but try and kill me or the people close to me, or blow up planets with that ancient idiot back in there. Am I going to get shot when I pass into Old Town or what?"

Desirei paused, her gaze set forward on the dried up fountain in the middle of the square and a few children playing around it from the orphanage nearby. She finally broke the silence with a sigh, looking over her shoulder with a serious expression. "You're no hero or anything to that extent, certainly no legendary chosen one or some stupid thing like you'd find in a book or a movie from back home. However, you do have power and a will to use it, the latter being something many lack. Perhaps this is something that rubbed off on me after centuries of hanging around a man obsessed with righting the wrongs around him, but the problems of this world are our own now. Whether you believe it or not, we live here now. If the Scourge, for instance, win, then that's the end. Your immortal soul belongs to their Lich King and your body, or what's left of it, will either feed his minions or be risen as a tool. You can do whatever you want, but I'd frankly rather not find myself a shambling corpse being led on dark magical strings." She started off again, heading to the southern passage to the canals. "I imagine you would live the rest of your life in regret if you were to find Tetra in that state. You might want to think about that."

Toru watched Desirei leave in silence, her words, much to his own surprise, weighing upon his mind. He stood there, considering for a few moments before a light touch at his hand broke him from his thoughts. He looked to his side, seeing Tetra gazing up at him with concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"... Yeah." Toru said, turning and taking her into a gentle embrace, leaning down and kissing her softly on the forehead. "Just a little blindsided by all that, that was all. Desirei and Cygnus can be pretty preachy, it's a lot to process."

Tetra smiled gently, nodding as she stepped back. "Understandable."

"You need to head to Northshire Abbey to start your training, right?"

Tetra nodded, holding the letter up. "Marshal McBride is supposed to have my first assignments, so, yes."

Toru started walking with her, her hand still in his own as they moved alongside one another. "... Think we can swing by Old Town really fast on the way out of Stormwind?"