Straydog Saga

Flea 24: Shadow Over Zin'Azshari

The great meeting hall was alight with activity. The great oval table in the center of the room was long on people of great influence, spanning thousands of years of heroism in the world of Azeroth and beyond. Some faces were seen at the very beginning of the tree's naming. Others, who were kept at bay by the neutral forces, sat at the table for the first time and awaited the spectacle. Orifiel looked to the group before standing with a small smile.

"Thank you all for coming. I realize there are some new faces," She paused to look and smile at a stern faced but trembling shouldered younger human of about 30 years of age sitting in his father's seat and the ever contemplative orc shaman beside him, "So for their sake we shall all conduct a brief roll call. I am Orifiel Whitedeer, leader of the White Branch Initiative and co-planter of the tree." Orifiel sat and motioned to her right side to continue.

"Seth Nightgaze, co-planter of the tree and head assistant to Lady Whitedeer." Seth quickly spoke before nodding to the person to his right. The golden-haired Quel'Dorei woman smiled to the human across from her, in hopes the action would somehow put him at ease.

"Vareesa Windrunner of the Silver Covenant. I am here representing the interests of both Dalaran and the Argent forces." She nodded, smile brightening a little, to the person next to her. The once banished paladin was scorned and exiled for his sympathies to an elder orc then exalted in his Argent Crusade quietly accepted his turn to speak. His aged body was failing but the light and his great spirit overtook his wrinkled skin and brittle bones. He attempted to sit up a little straighter, Vareesa moving to help. The paladin held a hand to stop her and slowly lifted him self up.

"Tirion Fordring. Leader of the Argent groups." His voice was slightly slurred by the numbers on his curved back but his pride would not allow the sound to falter. He gave a small nod to the next person at the table. The blood-dressed mage gave a cold but polite nod to Tirion before speaking.

"Archmage Aethas Sunreaver, representing The Sunreavers and Dalaran's interests." He motioned to the one who sat at the opposite end of the oval table. The figure, who sat tall but still humble in his seat of honor politely bowed his antlered head before speaking.

"Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, representing the Cenarian efforts." Malfurion smiled as the corner of his golden eye picked up a bright emotional beam coming from the young human who sat a few spaces away. He motioned for the tiny figure beside him to give her introduction. She cleared her throat.

"I'm Geena Washina Uvina Foggybottom. Call me Foggy. I'm representin' the interests of the Bilgewater Cartel end of the White-Water trade agreement. My star-sign is Scorpid and I enjoy sushi dinners, accounting, romance novels, and trips to the cape." Geena chirped in an attempt to cut through the nervous energy beside her. The human nervously cleared his throat and slowly moved to stand on trembling legs.

"I-If I may, I would like to extend a sincere apology from my father. He'd been waiting for an invitation, but he cannot be here today due to matters of state. F-For those of you who do not know me, my name is Anduin Wrynn. I'm here to represent the interests of The Alliance, mainly Stormwind. T-Thank you." Anduin blushed slightly and took his seat. Vareesa softly clapped for him but quickly stopped the motion as the next great figure began his introduction.

"I am Thrall. I am here to represent the interests of the Earthen Ring and the forces of the Horde." Thrall cast a glance to the smaller, less weathered human beside him, resisting the urge to snort at the seating arrangement. Had it been Anduin's hot-tempered father in the younger man's place, Thrall wondered if his seat placement would have been the same. The last to speak was Romulus who gave a friendly nod to Archmage Sunreaver in return for a warmer smile from his fellow mage before conducting his introduction.

"Best for last I suppose. Hello again all. I'm Archmage Romulus Redmane and I am chief of operations here. Um for those who don't know I monitor all major activities and projects here, and I ensure contract work stays on track." He winked to Anduin who felt an uncomfortable lurch in his stomach from the small gesture. When introductions were over, Orifiel nodded in acknowledgement, stood, and walked towards an empty space behind her seat at the table. She closed her eyes and motioned to the floor. Several pairs of eyes marveled as great branches snaked up and formed a woven circle. Several large rose-colored flowers bloomed, spearing a thick mist within the circle. One of the flowers turned a bright blue, triggering a shift in the mist. The image of a massive gem appeared within the circle of branches as it slowly rotated in its typical place.

"What's that?" Anduin spoke before he was able to stop himself. His marveling eyes went wide at the improper mistake but the kindly look on Orifiel's face brought no punishment.

"This is our top project, our power repository. This gem has severed as a vital stabilizer within the tree as it takes in the arcane-laden water. Our mages and druids have found that as the tree has moved from the sapling to adult stages, the power fluctuations have become far less erratic, therefore once this item is properly warded, a second power gem will not be necessary. Our light-workers have ensured that no dark energy has permeated the gem or the surrounding area." Orifiel paused for a moment as a large green hand slowly went up. "Yes Lord Thrall?"

"What will become of this great stone once the process is over? Where will it reside?" He asked. Orifiel seemed to pause for a moment. Thrall's perceptive blue eyes scanned for any falsehood behind the calm purple mask. While Orifiel did seem to stumble, Seth managed to recover the falling question.

"The gem itself will remain in the Pinnacle Bough until we have a proper means to dispose of it. While the power within is rendered inert by the formation process the magical and natural wards are not. I know Dalaran has interest in studying the gem and, Lady Whitedeer correct me if I'm wrong, but once this project is over the mages and druids will be invited to stay under official clearance, correct?"

"That is correct. We simply don't want it going to any faction especially since we haven't fully explored its damage potential. While we know much about its construction, arcane magic can be very volatile. That being said, I wont be 'kicking anyone out' of the tree." Orifiel offered. Thrall's eyes closed with a satisfied nod as the image in the strange branch circle shifted to lesser initiatives. Orifiel took her seat and allowed Romulus to give his operations report. There were no further interruptions through the mundane happenings and functions of the tree. When Romulus was finished, he took a seat and gave the floor to Seth. He stood silent a moment before addressing the table.

"I'd like to thank you all again for making the journey here. We would like the express that, in our time in this strange place we have learned much about the tree and its mysteries. We have done our best to keep you all informed as a sincere effort to ensure all peoples of Azeroth know we are not establishing a nation, nor a bastion for either side of this world war. But this knowledge, this insight from Mydrassil was always limited. Our meditations always seemed contained, as if we were studying the ocean in a fishbowl. While Lady Whitedeer and I have gained a strong affinity for the tree…we will never be able to explore it fully." Seth shook his head as small whispers seemed to slither around the table like a waiting viper. "But what the White Branch Initiative has worked for carries on and there are those who have gone leaps and bounds beyond our wildest expectations. We shall end our meeting today with one, great proposal." Seth bowed to Orifiel who stood with a serene smile.

"Mystics. Until now, they were nothing more than a classification, a label for those of great vision. But through Mydrassil's power, two true mystics have arisen. While they are still growing in knowledge of their abilities and life in Mydrassil…I can proudly say that as individuals there are very few alive of better quality. I propose to you all that the tree be led by those IT chooses. And it has chosen well." Orifiel looked to the looks of shock and confusion and waited for the bravest among them to question her. A single white-gloved hand rose.

"S-So you're saying you're handing all this over to someone else? But I thought this was your home…" Anduin asked, once again cringing a little in anticipation of punishment.

"Yes, it does seem an odd thing to do." Tyrion's voice came to bolster more than the younger prince's confidence. The question seemed to echo on the lips of those who sat.

"This tree was only ever meant to be a memorial to my mother. With Lord Nightgaze's help, I was able to create a pocket in the sea where her home used to be in the great city of Zin'Azshari. Looking back I should have known better than to plant a seed of Teldrassil in such a strange and magic-soaked place. But here we are: horde and alliance, holy and arcane, druid and mage sitting here and I don't see a single drop of blood. We have found two who would continue that tradition and allow the full potential of the tree to be known where we are not able to tread. I will still remain in the tree until I am sure the pair will be able to run things on their own. All our standing treaties and agreements will not be affected. Does this transition agree with you all?" Orifiel asked, face looking for comment.

"So you're expecting us to accept two people we've never heard of, these "Mystics" to take over control of a great source of power? How can we be sure they WILL continue to remain neutral?" Aethas Sunreaver asked with no attempt to politely hide his skepticism.

"Yes, who exactly are these two? How can we be certain of their character?" Vareesa added. Orifiel looked to Seth for his non-verbal opinion. He gave his input in a supportive nod and a slight wave of his clawed hand.

"The first is one known well to the Argent Crusade. He has fought many battles against the undead and worked as a priest for over 50 years. His gentle soul and accepting heart goes well beyond the typical light-worker. He has moved passed prejudice and mistrust of the darkness. The second herself is born of shadow. A former warlock, she has delved into the very pit of depravity and evil. But when her power was taken into the heart of Icecrown Citadel, she helped usher the light of a new dawn. Now the darkness that dwells within does not hunger for the end of the light, but rather to surround it making it brighter than the sun." Orifiel smiled as the group struggled to think of names among the thousands who had done such feats.

Vareesa and Tirion exchanged glances, her questioning eyes looking for any clue in his weathered face. Soon his dull eyes contained a spark of recollection. There were several of the demon-class who offered him their service. Through their deeds they had even held high esteem among the ranks of his Argent Crusade. But there was one who stood out. The warlocks tender age coupled with her great abilities brought her great renown, and those elders who challenged her soon found themselves regretting it through vicious curses and burns. And her name, which had been snuffed from official history, was forever engraved in his mind.

"Young Keesha? She is here?" Tirion spoke with a mist in his voice. He looked to Orifiel with a strange shine in his eyes. Orifiel smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Keesha Hazzad has proven herself as a High Mystic of the Root." She replied. Tirion turned to look at the spot in front of him as a wave of images from that terrible battle came to him. He remembered the first time he had met the young, fiery warlock. She had vengeance in her heart and venom in her words. Even the death of the Lich King did not seem to quell the hatred that seemed as much a part of Keesha as her own blood.

"If I may be so bold, and I mean no disrespect to you my lady, but Keesha Hazzad is a maverick. She is driven by nothing more than her own vengeance and hatred. Unless…things have changed, how did you come to this decision?" Tirion asked, eyes grasping for a logical answer. Orifiel bowed to him, accepting his sincerity, as Seth raised his hand to speak.

"We did not choose these individuals lightly. We've conducted a series of extremely controlled and rigorous tests on both mystics. I personally oversaw Keesha's lessons and during that time gave her several opportunities to give in to temptation as it were. She rejected those offerings without hesitation. She and the other mystic work seamlessly and we foresee no issues in regards to fairness among the various groups or their interests." Seth spoke, negating to mention Keesha's overt, almost allergic reaction to members of the Horde.

"What about this other mystic? You say he's well known to us but I can't think of a priest who…no, no i-it can't be." Vareesa's eyes went wide for a moment as her face seemed half's smiling half gasping at the notion of the young, meek, and heart-torn youngling she allowed permission to dwell in the great tree. Vareesa's heart triumphantly leaped as her words evoked a big smile and enthusiastic nod from Orifiel.

"It is. The second mystic, High Mystic of the Branch, is Hanariel Dawnblade. I must say I underestimated him myself but if you placed a crow-pie in front of me I'd gladly eat it." Orifiel's smile waned a little as a scoffing snort came from somewhere towards the end of the table. Aethas Sunreaver crossed his arms before thinking of polite words to mask his bitter outrage.

"So a human and a Quel'dorei are chosen? Who's to say once they gain control of the tree and the gem they won't just hand it over to Alliance?" His point made the goblin and orc at the table slowly nod. Orifiel quickly spoke up.

"If that were my intention it would have happened already and no one with any connection to the Horde would be sitting at this table." Orifiel insisted. The power and calm will in her words seemed to quiet any further comment on the issue. But in the growing tense silence, it was the great antlered night elf, whose eyes had seen the sundering and whose will helped stop the destruction of the world, who calmly spoke.

"While our input is valuable and all our concerns valid, when the sun has set it is Lady Whitedeer's decision. She has allowed our groups into the inner-most parts of the tree. I think if there were ill intent, for either side, we would have detected it by now. She has given this council, this dream-walker no reason not to doubt your judgment. All I would ask is to meet these mystics, as you call them. It would do us all well to become familiar with our future allies." Malfurion humbly smiled. It took every measure of self control Orifiel had not to beam like a 15 year old girl. She gave Malfurion a look of profound thanks before looking to Seth with a question in her eyes. He slowly shook his head.

"At this time both Mystics are in their lessons or meditations. But I highly doubt either would be opposed to meeting such great people as are at this table. If you are able to stay longer, we would be more than happy to prepare proper rooms for you all. It would be no trouble, right?" Seth looked to Orifiel for an approving nod, which she seemed all too eager to give. Romulus resisted a sigh as a great deal of work may have been put on his shoulders. While many at the table had more pressing engagements or little real interest in the tree's happenings, Malfurion, Vareesa, Anduin, Aethas, and Thrall seemed all too eager to meet the mysterious Mystics.

The meeting adjourned on a far easier note than anticipated. All prepared arguments and rebuttals were tossed into the wind as Romulus ran to his office to locate free rooms for their guests while the 6 remained to chat and ask more questions that were considered less formal and inappropriate for a council meeting. When Romulus returned with his aids to escort their honored guests to their chambers, Malfurion asked to remain for a few moments to chat with the tree's planters. Obliged, Malfurion was taken to a more private room where he was offered food, drink, and further thanks for his intervention.

"They were honest questions. We should have prepared better." Seth admitted, as he gave a thanking nod to one of the servants who presented their meal of finger foods and white tea.

"Well we can only be so transparent…" Orifiel sighed taking a bite of a human delicacy: a small sausage wrapped in pastry and garnished with a sweet tomato paste.

"Agreed…they would not like it very much if everything was revealed." Malfurion admitted, his own knowledge of the tree's purpose extending far beyond any other guest at the council table. "What is the status of your…'confidential' project?" Malfurion curiously shrugged as he sniffed one of the sausage pastries before taking a bite.

"Nearly finished. Once the wards are fully in place, we can deliver the gem to their forces as soon as possible. Question is what will they do with it?"

"I am unsure. But once it's done, my lady, you will have your reward I'm sure of it." Malfurion smiled at the prospect though the strange taste in his mouth left him wondering whether or not he should continue to consume the strange human treat. His heart softened a little at the look in Orifiel's eyes. The longing and sadness within caused Seth to grasp her hand beneath the table. Malfurion lightly laughed and shook his head.

"You know neither of you need to be so discrete with me. Though you may need to be careful around my druids, they're starting to suspect." Malfurion shook his great bearded head with a sigh.

"Do you really think they'll be able to help me? Do you think they'll honor their promise?"

"If they don't I'll rip their lungs out, and feed them to them…"

"Seth, what have we talked about?"

"I know, I know. But it isn't as if I need to hide my nature here. Lord Stormrage knows how I am." Seth shrugged causing Orifiel to roll her eyes.

"In any regard, I would like to do a personal inspection of the deep roots, if it's all the same to you. I have my own reports to give. But for now I would like some time to meditate…"

"I'll take you to your quarters then. Let me know when you'd like to conduct the inspection and I'll take you down." Seth stood and bowed to the antlered hero. When the pair left for Malfurion's chambers. Orifiel was alone in the great meeting hall to quietly savor the first step in their victory and the remaining sausage-in-blankets in calm contemplation.

Keesha felt a new fire in her stomach. Nightgaze gave the empowered mystic the lease to the lower half of the tree, only negating one small part in the dankest depths. He insisted that it was a place of the dead, the actual memorial to Orifiel's mother and only those she allowed to see the shrine would go below. Keesha walked around the leaky corridors with a hand-drawn map, marking the roots that needed tighter weaving. She checked off a large, dripping section when a solitary pair of footsteps stopped just a few steps behind.

"What are you doing?" The red haired mage asked, placing a delicate hand on her thin hip. Keesha turned to see the lovely woman, a high elf, staring at her with a raised manicured brow. Keesha had seen the mage from time to time, but only in passing. She scowled at the tone and scathing gaze.

"Marking leaks, what's it look like?" Keesha shot back with a wave of attitude. The mage crossed her arms, nose raised, before uttering an indignant huff.

"We've done our best to keep the roots together. If you don't like it down here, you don't have to stay." She sharply spoke. Keesha's annoyance moved into an air of smugness as she shook her head. She turned to face one of the loosely woven roots. Keesha closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated. The golden runes on her forehead and hands began to shine as the roots themselves began to twitch.

"What in the world?" The mage marveled as the roots began to twist more tightly, forming a solid barrier against the endless sea of droplets. When Keesha was done, the dank wall finally began to dry. "How did you do that?"

"Mystical power, sweetpea."

"My name's Kat actually…" Kat spoke, trying not to grind her teeth.

"Keesha. Nice to meet you." Keesha extended her hand. Kat took it and gave an unsure but friendly shake.

"Oh, Keesha! You're the lady Romi was talking about." Kat spoke before her thoughts could stop her.

"Romi? Oh you must be one of HIS girls then…" Keesha surmised with a small smirk. There had been whispers about the nature of Archmage Redmane's relationship with his lead mages but Keesha did not bother to speak them. The slightly blush and indignant look on Kat's face was enough of a response. "What are you doing down here with the scum and villains?"

"Well I was on my way to deliver a message to Lord Nightgaze but he informed me you would be the one I am to report to from now on…" Kat resisted a sigh as she handed the note to Keesha who tucked it beneath her leak-map. "You may want to read it now…"

"I'll read it when I get to it." Keesha turned from the high elf, who's red face seemed as if it was about to burst. She swallowed her pride and any snide words that may have flooded out of her full red-painted lips.

"But it's the results from the council meeting, surely you'd like to be aware of their decision…"

"I don't give a damn about no council. You see these walls, they need fixing. And those portals to the trunk are FLICKERING damn it. What have you people been doing down here all this time?" Keesha ticked, trying to keep her annoyance from flooding her attacking runes.

"Excuse me, my lady, but we have been diligently tending to the matters of the roots long before you set you black-clothed foot in this place." Kat sneered, making a veiled reference at Keesha's former profession.

"Yeah and from day one I thought the place needed work. I'ma see that the work happens, on time, and to my liking. You got that, cupcake?" Keesha gave a toothy growling smile, almost daring the gorgeous mage to give her an excuse to put a few bruises on her perfectly formed face.

"U-Understood, my lady." Kat nearly choked on the words but managed to get them out of her system. She gave a polite but forced bow before turning and walking away as fast as her legs could travel. Keesha darkly chuckled.

"Oh, I'ma like this gig. I'm going to like it a llllot." She shook her head and continued down the corridor. All of the loose ends that could be quickly tied were deftly strung with care. The edges of the window that allowed the mages a glimpse into the shadowy abyss were illuminated by glowing arcane gems she'd learned to craft in one of her lessons. When Keesha got to the main hall another mage gained her attention. This time, the pale-skinned human was greeted with a smile and a sigh of relief.

"Oh hi there Roxanne, what do you got for me?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Lady Hazzad."

"Its Keesha."

"Ok, Keesha. I just coming back from lunch and I ran into Lord Dawnblade on the way back to the roots, he's looking for you in the trunk." Roxanne informed. Keesha's eyes went wide for a moment.

"What time is it?"

"About half past one in the afternoon."

"Shit." Keesha hissed as she tucked the map and announcement beneath her arm. "I was supposed to meet him for lunch an hour ago."

"Yes, he asked me to fetch you. He'll be waiting at the "ribs place" he said."

"Alright, I'm headed up there now. Thanks Roxanne, keep an eye on things for me, will you?" Keesha gave a thankful nod before heading to the flickering portals leading to the upper part of the tree. She arrived, with a slight feeling of nausea in her otherwise steady stomach in her usual place just outside the trade and restaurant districts. When she arrived at their favored restaurant she found Han quietly sitting at the small table for two they had become so accustomed to. He twirled a small glass of white wine with the menus still resting before him.

"I'm sorry I'm late, I lost track of time. Please tell me you ate something." Keesha asked, bravado and carefree attitude falling away like a slowly wilting rose. Han smiled and motioned for her to sit.

"I wasn't all that hungry today anyway. You should try this wine though, it's quite nice." He offered, extending his glass to her. Although the few times she bothered with the fruity beverage, the vintage had been a much darker shade, the sensation and taste was enough to cause a small smile and a second sip.

"You're right it is."

"I'll order a bottle then." Han offered as he moved to pass one of the two menus to the dark mystic. "I'm late for my daily mediation anyway so I was thinking; why not celebrate our new status."

"Haah, way ahead of you on that one. Still you shouldn't blow off your meditation because I was late. Couldn't you do one later?"

"I prefer to meditate a little after one in the afternoon but I could always try later this evening. Would you like to join me?" Han suggested with a sly boldness in his voice. Keesha smiled a little, playfully fanning herself with her menu for a moment before their usual smiling waitress came for their order. The pair enjoyed a filling dinner of Keesha's favorite ribs and cornbread supplemented by Han's tasty soup. When all that was left were picked-clean bones and empty wine glasses, the pair paid for their meal and began walking to Han's chambers.

Upon entering the clean and neat room Keesha felt the urge to kick off her boots and wrinkle the pin straight comforters on his lavish bed. Hanariel offered her a glass of water before he began preparing his usual incense and herbs. He placed two plush pillows from his bed onto the floor and motioned for her to sit. They sat back to back as Hanariel taught her his meditative sitting style. They closed their eyes and steadied their breathing as each drifted far into the sweet smelling clouds of the mind.

Hanariel felt a strange haze surround him that was thicker than the gentle puffs of burning sage coming from his usual bowl. His meditations had become so realistic Hanariel had trouble distinguishing the clouds of memory from the current moment. The only thing that kept him sure of the present was the empty space where his right arm used to be. Gradually, as Hanariel's visions became more real, his perceptions seemed to catch up to his current state. He stood in a great desert, with the smell of salt water nearby. The dryness on his skin compelled his heated feet to travel towards the lush palm trees and crystal blue waters of the Kalimdor coast. When he reached the white-sand shore he looked to see a small umbrella in the distance. As he came closer, three figures appeared beneath a small tent, similar to the one's he'd seen in the sinfully lavish Silvermoon smoking parlors. Two of the figures he'd never seen before. They seemed loosely collected, as if made of clouds that were starting to drift away in places. The other, dark skinned and rune bathed figure, was one he'd come to know very well.

"Han, what are you doing in my meditation?" Keesha asked, sensing the image of her sweetheart was far more than just a part of her imaginative mind.

"I-I was about to ask you the same thing. Where are we?"

"Tanaris…or rather what your mind chooses to see as Tanaris." One of the two figures, a faded-looking night elf woman with long white hair replied. She took a phantom sip of tea from a pale cup before casting the newcomer a smile. Han squinted a moment as he looked to her familiar seeming form.

"Lady Whitedeer?" The question caused the elder to widely smile before replying with a chuckle.

"That's correct, but not the one you know. Please sit and have some tea." The elder motioned to an empty blue pillow whose softness seemed to demand his touch. He slowly complied, carefully edging himself into the seat. The ghostly woman passed him a solid cup of red tea as the strange figure beside her smiled. What was once a loose clump of energy upon Keesha's first encounter with the spirit was now in a more stable human looking body. His well groomed black hair was combed back and a dark robe covered his form. Despite the improvement, Net's face and hands still seemed to shift from time to time, causing him to stop and concentrate from time to time. Both the elder night elf and the dark-haired human's eye glowed with a golden tint, the same color that found its way onto both Keesha and Han's skin. "I am Orin Whitedeer and this is my companion, Net. We are spirits of the tree."

"Orin Whitedeer…you're Orifiel's mom, right?" Keesha asked, remembering her briefing about the shrine deep within the roots.

"That is correct." Orin smiled.

"So the stories were true then, the tree keeps the souls of the fallen?"

"Yes…and no. I am here because of my daughter's actions. But that is not why both of you are here." Orin curtly spoke, covering the action with an apologetic smile.

"So, care to explain it then? How can two people meditating get into each other's head?" Keesha looked to the familiar form of Net who cleared his throat before speaking.

"We are not in a vision; we're in neither of your minds anymore. We are in a place called 'The Either.' It is the same place I mentioned when we first met. Your decision to conduct a joint meditation made it possible for you to be taken here." Net informed. Orin nodded in confirmation.

"That's correct. This realm knows no time, no flow, only the present perception."

"Like the Emerald Dream?" Han asked, receiving a quick nod from Orin.

"Very similar…only this realm is strictly controlled. Few have ever seen it, well, few who live anyway. The dead pass through it on their way to the light or to oblivion. The unborn flow to their next bodies from the life cycle. You are allowed here because…well that is not an answer you are to know yet. But in time, you will." Orin sighed, her eyes desperate to tell everything she knew, but her lips shut tight. Net was equally silent.

"So you brought us both here to tell us nothing? What a waste of time. I could be fixing leaks or buffing portals right now." Keesha shorted and crossed her arms. Orin merely smiled and placed her teacup down. The motion seemed to weigh heavy in the summer air as the scene around them began to slowly dissolve.

"What the hell?"

"He approaches." Orin's voice echoed as the landscape quickly crumbled. Each grain of sand became a black dot in an ocean of darkness. Each drop of water that washed over the beach became a bright golden star. The sky and clouds formed threads that extended well beyond sight. And as the world around them disappeared, Keesha and Han came together as they felt the ground beneath them scatter into nothing.

Han grunted as he felt himself pulled upward. With his golden runes blazing brighter than the billions of stars that surrounded them and eyes wide, Hanariel's form began to shatter like glass until all that remained was a complex body made of runes and consciousness. He could feel everything, he could see all of Azeroth's history and the myriad of possibilities flung at him all at once. The threads that were his mind threatened to unravel as a deep, black hand pulled them into place. What was once Keesha was a black-woven bundle of dark runes. She too felt the weight of Aseroth's sins and the burdens of the past. But the golden creature that held her kept Keesha from sinking into the infinite. There were no voices that came from the two masses of energy. There were no thoughts, only pure feelings of shared fear, uncertainty, and exaltation.

A voice seemed to thread through them both as the wave of past, present, and possible futures threatened to drown them both.

"Hanariel Dawnblade and Keesha Hazzad." The deep masculine voice rumbled. The sound echoed in the bundle of runes that were their minds. "Your time is now. Pull only what you need from the Either. Take only what is yours. Give everything to one another and you will become my champions. Trust in my wisdom and know what is to come." The great voice from Mydrassil burst as the chaos around them grew maddening. The pair of thread and rune bundles wove into one entity, fighting back the wild energies and vast history. Every tear shed and drop of blood washed over them but the mass of energy fought through it and when the surface of the great expanse was breached, each spirit flew out of the mysterious either and back into the familiar flesh of their mortal forms.

Keesha felt as if her very soul was torn to pieces and reformed. The darkness inflicted upon her soul was now a darkness that sheltered the strength of the past. Her eyes were alight with a fierce determination not even someone with her confidence knew before. But despite the knowledge and the resolution to the mysterious happenings, her heart screamed as if cut away from a perfect union. She turned to Han who looked to her with the same weighted gaze. There was a calm, a strength and a certainty that dwelled within his stern looking face. Her own heart's cry seemed to echo in his gaze but as they both settled back in their usual forms the heaviness that surrounded them lifted like a thick smoke cloud.

"So that is what this is all about." Keesha mused. The messages of The Either wordlessly spoke a million replies to any questions either could think to ask. She stood and stretched for a moment before helping her mate up. Hanariel stood and looked to her with a smiling nod.

"The veil is lifted it would seem. This will be quite the undertaking. Think you can handle it?" Han smiled and laughed as Keesha playfully struck his left arm.

"Please, try and keep up blondie. We both know you're a little slow." Keesha smirked as she slowly moved in to place herself in his emboldened embrace. She leaned in, pressing herself against him as if they would somehow meld as they did in The Either. Her eyes grew soft, beautifully vulnerable as Han felt her warmth enter his own chest.

"Not when you're doing that…" Han joked as they slowly leaned in for a long, passionate kiss. "Or that."

"How about this?" Keesha whispered as her fiendish fingers shamelessly moved to an area of weakness. Despite the great abilities and power he was bestowed, Hanariel seemed to melt like a well-lit candle. The pair bonded a second time, reinforcing their spiritual union. All future shadows that loomed before them and all tearing claws of past pain seemed to vanish between them as the mystics danced in perfection, light and dark - allies in whatever may lie in their path.