I don't own anything.
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Hadrian growls at he stares at the creatures surrounding him. He never could have guessed such beasts could rouse his ire as much as they have, but he would correct this affront. Fel energy coalescing around him, Hadrian fires it at the vermin around him, taking satisfaction at their deaths. "Bloody rats." He murmurs to himself. After patting away at his clothes, simple trousers and tunic, he climbs out of the large cellar housing various brews. Once out, he comes across a friendly face. "Well, brewmaster Li, I've cleared the last of the pests down there with no damage done to your brews."
The pandaren female smiles broadly. "Thank you, Hadrian. As a reward," Li walks over to two small crates filled with ale and whiskey. "Some of my best ale and whiskey for you and Lady Lysanastrasza."
Hadrian returns the smile as he takes the offered crates. "You're welcome Li."
"You two should come by later! My husband will be making his famous dumplings and stew!"
Hadrian laughs. "Alright. We'll come by then." The demon hunter turns around and walks for his home. Home. Hadrian chuckles as his smile turns nostalgic. The past two years were filled with adventures from his travels with Lysanastrasza, but in the end they chose to return to Pandaria and seek a home for themselves here. He had had no contact with the Illidari in five months and both having gone three months with no contact with the red dragonflight. Their little farmstead sitting on the riverbed that ran between the Jade Forest and Valley of the Four Winds was their small place of peace and comfort. They grew a few plants in their garden with a large cherry blossom tree right in the middle of their farmstead, a few minutes walk from their house. A simple life, but one they both enjoyed greatly. He hums to himself as he enjoys the sights of the countryside as he walks on at a leisurely pace. At his pace, it took him less than an hour to reach his and Lysanastrasza's home, but once he saw who was standing nearby, Hadrian's good mood fell.
"Greetings Hadrian. It has been quite a while since you've sent a report. Lord Illidan has grown… concerned." Kayn Sunfury smiles at his fellow demon hunter. "The years have been kind to you it seems."
Hadrian hesitates before returning the other man's smile. "Yes. I found my small bit of peace." Both fall silent as they study each other. Finally, Hadrian asks. "What does Lord Illidan need of me?"
Kayn snorts as he steps closer until he is just beside him. "He merely wishes to know if you will still answer his call." At Hadrian's questioning look, he explains. "I am sure you've heard of the presence of Horde and Alliance forces in Outland correct?"
Hadrian nods. Even here in the isolationist lands of the pandaren, word had indeed reached him of such an expedition occurring a month ago. "So they've reached the Black Temple have they?"
Kayn scowls as he nods. "The fools believe Lord Illidan to be their enemy and so move to attack." Kayn sighs in frustration. "We won't be assisting in the defense however. Lord Illidan has a mission for the Illidari and he wants all of its elite members to take part."
Hadrian raises an eyebrow. "Let's take this conversation inside. My mate will wish to hear this." He turns to look at his home to indeed see Lysanastrasza standing by the threshold looking mildly concerned.
"Can she be trusted?"
"Completely." He has told her everything once they were settled and was happy when she continued to stay with him. The two walk over to the dragoness who nods in greeting at Kayn before wrapping an arm around her mate's arm.
"Who is this my love?"
"This is Kayn Sunfury. Kayn, this is my beloved Lysanastrasza." "He leads his guest and lover inside and all sit at the dining table, taking the opportunity to take a flask of brewmaster Li's ale for them all to partake in. "What does Lord Illidan command of me?"
As he listens to the Betrayer's most trusted lieutenant explain the mission awaiting them, Hadrian couldn't help but frown and grasp his chin in thought. "And the Sargerite Keystone will help us take our fight to demon-held worlds, correct? Does Lord Illidan intend to open a portal to Argus itself?" He knew that Kil'jaeden the Deceiver held it as his throne world.
Kayn nods grimly. "I assume so."
Lysanastrasza grips her lover's hand tightly. "I will join you on your mission." She says stiffly, unsaid is her fear for his safety.
Hadrian shakes his head and says. "You are of the red dragonflight, led by the Lifebringer. A world so thoroughly corrupted by the demons and their fel will leave you severely weakened."
Lysanastrasza grits her jaw as she stares at Kayn. "I do not know you, but please, keep him safe. You Illidari May be prepared to sacrifice everything, but I am not. Not him. Bring him back to me once you've accomplished the mission. Swear it."
Kayn studies the dragoness and is reminded of just why he joined Lord Illidan. He smiles softly as he bows his head. "I understand how you feel more than you may know. I swear to bring him back."
Hadrian chuckles as he wraps Lysanastrasza in a hug and kisses her on the cheek. "Nothing will keep me from you, my love." He grins as his dragoness nuzzles into his neck. "I would destroy anything and anyone who would try."
Kayn stands suddenly. "We should get going. The forces of Azeroth will commence their assault on the Black Temple at any moment. I would prefer for us to have returned to assist in its defense."
"I understand." Hadrian gives his lover one last hug before he and Kayn step outside. One opened portal later, Hadrian finds himself once more at the Black Temple. He looks around to see many demon hunters gathered at the summit alongside him and Kayn. He looks to the temple's edge to see Lord Illidan crouching as he overlooks the grounds. Keeping his sight downwards, he calls out. "Hadrian of the Illidari, step forward."
The human demon hunter does so and kneel an appropriate distance away from him. "My lord."
Illidan stands and points down. "Look upon the forces of Azeroth who have come to challenge me. The fools, in the belief of me being an enemy, have come to claim my head."
Hadrian moves to stand beside the Betrayer. He studies the gathered soldiers wearing the colors of the Horde and Alliance alongside those they call their champions. He watches as two groups confront a felreaver as he says. "Kayn Sunfury has informed me of the mission assigned to myself and the Illidari."
Illidan smiles as he turns to look at him. "Yes." He faces his Illidari. "These mortals in their ignorance have come to destroy their own salvation." He opens a portal with a wave of his hand. "I will deal with these, intruders. You are to venture to Mardum and retrieve the Sargerite Keystone." As the demon hunter rush through the portal he addresses Hadrian one last time. "Remember, my champion, should you fail, all worlds will burn."
Hadrian merely nods grimly before dashing forward.
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Distant explosions could be heard from within the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Hermione Granger grips her wand tightly as she, the professors of the school, and a select few others gather round as students huddle together in terror. So much has happened since she was told of her abilities and accepted into Hogwarts. But it was after graduation that things truly fell into darkness. Whispers of Death Eater activity grew, increasing slowly until the Ministry fell a year later at the hands of a newly resurrected Lord Voldemort and his strongest supporters. The year that followed was filled with conflict between the new Ministry and those that rebelled against Voldemort's cruelty. So many friends and allies fell at the hands of the Death Eaters until in an act of desperation, they all gathered and took control of Hogwarts when news reached them of the Ministry planning to take all muggleborn children from the school to be processed into camps. Now, they had no idea of how to flee when the headmaster, Severus Snape, locked down the magical wards of the school during his escape. This was also a blessing however, since Lord Voldemort couldn't enter until a weakness in the wards presented himself. The explosions in the distance were the attempts of his Death Eaters in weakening the wards for their master.
Hermione rubs her forehead in an attempt to think of a solution. Ronald Weasley growls as another explosion is heard. "We should do something."
His eldest brother glances at his sibling with a frown as he wraps an arm around his wife, Fleur Delacour. "If you have any ideas please speak up, brother." He looks down at his wife and rubs her belly, a slightly noticeable bulge belied her pregnancy. "I shouldn't have allowed you to come here."
Fleur scoffs as she punches his arm. "As eef you could stop me." She says in accented voice. "I will not sit around waiting to hear word of what happened here, my love."
Professor McGonagall coughs once to get everyone's attention. "While the wards are extremely strong, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will eventually break through. We must prepare for that eventuality." She and the group make plans for the school's defenses. "...Professors Sinistra, Babbling, and Slughorn as well as Fleur Weasley will stay with the underage students as the last line of defense in the dungeons."
Remus Lupin rubs his chin in thought as his wife Sofia talks quietly to their daughters. "My pack and I will hold the bridge for as long as we can, but there is only twelve of us."
Neville Longbottom grunts as he, Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones share a look. "We'll help." He says simply. His once shy attitude having been replaced by forced confidence and resolve after the explosion at St. Mungo's killed his parents and an attack on Diagon Alley that saw his grandmother dying in a skirmish with Death Eaters. "I want to pay them back for everything that' everyone done." His anger was quelled by a comforting hand from Hannah.
Remus nods as he turns to face the few werewolves who would follow him. "Let's go."
Luna Lovegood looks around as she hums quietly to herself. After a few moments, she speaks up. "Well, I will try to find a way to escape. I don't want us all to die meaninglessly if we find one. Then we would only need to buy time for the students to escape." She skips off without waiting for an answer and so unaware of the sad looks sent her way. Luna suffered for most of her life with her mother dying in an accident involving experimental magic, her father during an attack on their home during her sixth year which also cost her her left arm until the Weasleys and Aurors arrived.
Hermione sighs. "We shouldn't forget the house elves either. Perhaps we could have them look for a way out too." Once everyone had a task to accomplish they separated to prepare.
)(
Hadrian rolls his shoulders as he assimilates his growing power, fel blood dripping down his warglaives as he stands above the corpse of the Pitlord General Volroth. He looks over his shoulder at the naga prisoners that were captured by the fallen demon. "Rejoin the others! Do not let your shame consume you and retake your honor!" He raises a warglaive as the naga cheer and rejoin the fight.
"Hadrian!"
The human demon hunter jerks his head to look at Kayn Sunfury. "What is it?"
"The demons has been defeated! With our rear secured, we can now take the fight to Queen Tyranna on the Fel Hammer!"
"Understood." Hadrian glides sown the small hill and jogs with Kayn to the flight master to ride a felbat. Not a moment is wasted as they fly up to the Fel Hammer to confront the ruler of Mardum. He looks to the lieutenant of Illidan and asks. "Do you think we'll return in time for the defense of the Black Temple?"
"I do not know, but I certainly hope so." He sneers as he adds. "It rankles me to think that the fools would stop their best chance of defeating the Burning Legion."
Hadrian snorts as he and his companion land on the Fel Hammer. "Well, let's finish this. I'm sure our kind host will have countless obstacles for us to accomplish before gracing us with her presence."
)(
Lord Voldemort scowls as the wards around continue hold against his forces' onslaught. "I have no more time for this!" The rebels have held Hogwarts for more than a day and it is infuriating that such rabble would dare defy him for so long. Severus paid dearly for committing such an idiotic thing during his escape. Only the fact that all those who rebel against his rule are now trapped inside kept Voldemort from killing the man after hours of torture. With the wards still holding strong and victory over his enemies so near, he wasn't surprised to feel his patience wear thin and unravel when the sun rose. Now he would use a ritual he had discovered in an unmarked tomb of an unnamed sorceress.
From the few preserved scrolls and stone tablets within, the deceased woman had attempted to gain control of the surrounding land by summoning demons from an unknown world, only to be vanquished by her enemies before the ritual could be complete. That wasn't to say he planned to summon a swarm of demons; he was not fool after all. All that would do was take care of one problem and create an even more troublesome one to take its place. Instead, he plans to summon only a few to prevent any from escaping once they help him take Hogwarts. He turns swiftly as he heads to a small clearing within the Forbidden forest outside of the wards. "Prepare the sacrifices for the ritual." He says to a nearby group of his Death Eaters. Victory will be his soon enough.
)(
Hadrian gasps for breath as he is flung against a wall. The assault of Mardum has gone well into its second day and finally it would reach its end. The Illidari have managed to break through the stiff resistance on the ground and in the Fel Hammer with only Queen Tyranna and her brood to be taken cared of. Personally, Hadrian will revel in taking the Sargerite Keystone from her corpse and return to his beloved. He leaps at the felguard who dared to strike him and roars his victory as he plunges a clawed hand through his chest. He doesn't let any of the surrounding demons to recover from his attack as a burst of felfire erupts around him as he flings bolts of fel energy before leaping back into his allies. He grins as the last of the demons fall to the blades of the Illidari. "Everyone into the central room! We finish this now!" He and Kayn Sunfury lead the charge inside to meet the ruler of Mardum herself; Brood Queen Tyranna.
"You dare attack me! You will pay for this insolence with your lives!" Without any warning, she begins her attack, hatchlings and older aranasi crawling out of the shadows to defend their broodmother.
Hadrian scowls as he raises a warglaive. "Illidari attack!" He and the elite of the demon hunters move to engage Tyranna as the others deal with the aranasi. Hadrian leaps over the brood queen's head as a distraction while two demon hunters run low to slash at her knees and heels. Kayn, Kor'vas Bloodthorn, and Jace Darkweaver simultaneously blast Tyranna with powerful felfire. With a loud roar, Hadrian leaps at the demon, exploding into his own demon form halfway. Wit his eyes and tattoos glowing a menacing emerald, Hadrian engages her in deadly close combat, occasionally hitting her with close range shadowbolts. "Die demon scum!"
Tyranna growls in pain. "I will not die here!" She screams loudly as one wings is sliced off, the sound drawing more of her brood.
Battlelord Gaardoun yells out in near panic. "They will soon overcome us!"
Matron Mother Malevolence sighs as she swipes at a group of felguard with her blades. "Sisters, assist the good Battlelord."
Hadrian takes a leap back onto a high platform that overlooked the battle. Making a quick decision, he yells out an order. "Lady S'theno, have your Coilskar aid them as well."
"It shall be done."
Hadrian scowls as he leans to one side as one aranasi tries to leap onto him. He grabs ahold of it and slashes it's head off with a warglaive. After a cursory glance at the battlefield he pauses when he takes notice of a portal shimmering into existence behind Tyranna and slowly inch towards her. From her continued look of desperation, he could only guess that it wasn't meant to be an escape route for the aranasi queen. Hadrian leaps into the air, transforming into his full demonic form once more and barrages her with felfire, his powerful wings keeping him hovering in the air. "I will not let you escape from us, demon scum!"
Tyranna looks confused before glancing behind her back. She knew not where this portal came from, but if it was not made by her enemies, she would risk everything in order to deny them their prize. She screeches loudly as one blast of felfire rips a hole into one of her arms. "My children, save me!" Her brood wastes not a single moment as they rushed forward in a suicidal attack to buy their queen time. Without a moment's hesitation, Tyranna leaps into the portal with a victorious laugh.
"No!" Hadrian and those demon hunters who were fighting against the brood queen followed their prey, unwilling to fail their lord. They all closed their eyes when going through the portal caused a bright flash of light until all that remained was the darkness of night. Hadrian quickly rises to his feet and studies his surroundings. His prey was currently confronting a group of mages wearing black cloaks and silver masks. He roars his rage and he moves to confront these mongrels who dared to interfere in Lord Illidan's plans. "She is ours, worms!" Still in his demon form, Hadrian disappears in a burst of speed, takes the heads off two of the mages and spitting another in two.
Lord Voldemort snarls at the interruption on his forcing his will on the female demon. He is shocked however when three of his Death Eaters are quickly killed with no trouble to this other demon. "Kill him!"
Kayn Sunfury raises his warglaive. "Illidari attack! Kill these pests who have dared interfere in our vengeance against the Legion!" He and Kor'vas leap onto a group of the mages, erupting into their demonic forms in twin bursts of felfire. Jace himself confronts another group made up of shabbily dressed adults led by a man that looked for beast than man.
Hadrian sneers as he dodges an emerald bolt and leaps back when a silver lance of light strikes the spot he had been standing. These weaklings were the ones who, from the clues he saw, planned to subjugate a powerful demon? They either underestimated the demon they would summon or overestimated their own power. Had they not also summoned him and his fellow Illidari, Tyranna would have killed them all and opened this odd world to the armies of the Burning Legion. He's shaken from his thoughts as two emerald bolts of light fly over his head. It took little time for him to see and determine where they came from. He studies the pair, one a bald grotesque man with no nose and a rather attractive woman with a crazed gleam in her eyes. "You were the fools to summon us and our prey?" He glances at the man while ignoring the now enraged woman beside him.
Lord Voldemort glares at this demon before him. The wretched thing dared question him? "I am Lord Voldemort! I rule this land!" He fires a Killing Curse at the demon, only to growl when his enemy parries it with one of his blades.
"You are not even fit to guard an empty cellar." Hadrian says coldly. Before he could move to eliminate this upstart warlock, he rolls to one side when the wounded aranasi Queen, Tyranna, finally breaks from the chains that these mages used to restrain her. Hadrian scowls At the demon and unleashes a barrage of felfire shaped like crude lances. "Perish Legion filth!" He takes satisfaction when Tyranna's chest is speared through and her corpse falls to the ground.
Lord Voldemort's eyes widen. He had felt the power behind the attack and knew he was outmatched. "We leave my Death Eaters!" It mailed his pride fiercely to admit defeat when only minutes ago victory would've been his, but this new threat had to be dealt with with minimal losses to himself. Voldemort looks at the corpse of the giant demon and noticed a shiny stone of great power nestled on a strap at her waist He disapparates quickly to retrieve it and once more to escape to his main stronghold at what used to be Malfoy Manor, fully expecting his forces to follow.
"You will not escape us so easily!" Hadrian uses his powers to imprison several of the wretched man's followers, immediately helped by his fellow Illidari in cages usually used to capture powerful demons. (Essentially the Imprison ability).
"Kor'vas, gather our prisoners for immediate transport! Jace, see to opening portals big enough to gather our forces on Mardum! We must retrieve the Sargerite Keystone!"
"Understood!"
Kayn scowls hatefully at the corpses of their new enemies. "Lord Illidan will be displeased with this new turn of events."
"Yes." Hadrian replies simply. "We'll need to send word." With a quick summoning, an imp appears at his side. "You must inform Lord Illidan that a third party chose to meddle in his plans. We are now on an unknown world and will retrieve the Sargerite Keystone as soon as possible. We will send a more detailed report soon." He ignores the imp as it salutes comically, only to frown when it reappears only a moment later. "What?"
"The master has been defeated great one! The Black Temple has fallen to the hands of Azeroth!"
"What!" All those who heard the little demon's words freeze in place. Hadrian gapes as Kayn roars his outrage.
"We must avenge the master! Illidari!"
"Wait Kayn!" Hadrian controls his own anger. The fools had actually stopped their best chance at defeating the Legion! "We must complete Lord Illidan's plan! Now more than ever! Once that is done, we will make plans. Imp," Hadrian looks at the small creature jumping on one foot then the other. "Try to learn what is to become of Lord Illidan's body. Return to me once you find out."
Kayn growls and flings a bolt of felfire at one of their prisoners in a fit of anger. The man hidden by the silver mask barely screamed his pain when he fell as a pile of ashes. The sin'dorei male glares at the ground as he balls his hands into fists. "We took too long and now our master is defeated."
"Lord Hadrian." Jace Darkweaver salutes before making his report. "Powerful ley lines run through the land and connect at one location almost a kilometer from here." He points eastward.
"Then that is where we'll go. If our enemy is there, show them no mercy!" Hadrian's last statement is directed at his fellow demon hunters who growl or cheer their agreement. With their prisoners in tow, the group made their way out of the forest and towards a castle that sat right where all the ley lines connected. Hadrian takes the lead and looks up at the towers and walls of the castle. He raises a hand and can feel the wards protecting those inside. He growls as he cautiously prods the magical barrier with mild usage of fel magic. His sour mood brightens however as he feels the strength that powers it all being held together by one of his own prisoners. Hadrian walks over to one of the "Death Eaters" and asks. "You are the one who protects this place?" He chuckles menacingly. "You were foolish to leave your hovel to take part in the fighting." He raises his warglaive to decapitate the prisoner who could only squirm helplessly within his prison.
"My lord please do-" The man's head rolls to the floor, his mask falling off to reveal his frightened expression.
Hadrian grunts once as he feels the wards collapse momentarily. After walking across a large bridge and into the castle's main courtyard, Hadrian and his comrades spread out with their prisoners nearby. "If those within serve the mongrel who dared interfere in our hunt, surrendering to us now will grant you mercy. If you are not allies of the worm called Voldemort, come out for we mean you no harm unless provoked." It took only a few moments of waiting until a small group of three adults walk out of the main doors of the castle.
"We are not allies of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I am Minerva McGonagall and these are Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody. We are a part of those who defy You-Know-Who. Everyone within are only children and those who would see him vanquished." The elderly woman, Minerva, says once they were only a few feet away from the demon hunters. Her companions stand at her side, casting tense looks at their guests, the one with heavy scars, a fake eye, and peg leg looking as if he were preparing himself for a fight.
Hadrian studies the three quietly as the woman explains the position of her land as if he had requested the information, but didn't stop her for it wouldn't hurt in the off chance something important was said. "It was when she spoke of Voldemort's attack on their governing body's building that he cut her off with a question. "Would the pest be at this Ministry of Magic?"
Minerva shakes her head quickly. "He has taken Malfoy Manor as his home. While it once was indeed a manor, now it is a fortress." She glances at this man's prisoners with contempt. She held no love for the Death Eaters, even if some were once her students at one time.
Hadrian scowls. "This "Dark Lord" of yours," He scoffs at the thought. The man would've been taken cared of swiftly in Azeroth by real ones. Even an acolyte of the Kirin Tor would have little to no trouble dealing with his followers if his prisoners were any indication. "Took something that belongs to us. Could you provide us with a location of this manor of his?"
This gained the attention of the scarred man. "Think you can just waltz in and confront the Dark Lord so easily? The place is guarded by dementors and his followers."
Hadrian glances at the man. "Moody correct?" At his nod, he continues saying. "Do you believe us to be so foolish as to attack an enemy stronghold without precautions." Their enemy may be weak, but even an ant could prove to be an annoyance under the right circumstances. "Much less with so few of us?" He doesn't wait for his response as he turns to face Jace Darkweaver.
"Do it."
Jace nods once as he begins gathering fel energy around himself. He ignores how the humans grow even more tense as he unleashes the coalesced power to create a large portal that towered over the courtyard.
"What are you doing!" Kingsley Shacklebolt takes out his wand and points it at Hadrian, very much aware of the now raised weapons of these demonic looking beings.
Hadrian looks at the man's wand in amusement before answering. "Summoning our soldiers." Not a moment later, Battlelord Gaardoun, Matron Mother Malevolence, Lady S'theno, and the rest of the forces of the Mardum Assault march through.
"It is good to see you well, Lord Hadrian."
"We feared you did not sssurvive, my lord"
"I however held no doubts. We even bring gifts." Another portal appears overhead and the Fel Hammer passes through to float above the castle of Hogwarts at Malevolence's words . "Queen Tyranna is dead correct?"
Hadrian nods. "She is, but a local warlord interfered and made off with the Sargerite Keystone. We shall show him the error of his ways for meddling in the master's plans." The Illidari and soldiers of Illidan make their agreement known. "For now we will make a base here with these locals. They defy the warlord and could prove helpful."
Minerva McGonagall frowns. "Very well." she turns stiffly to lead her two guards inside to tell the occupants of what is happening.
Kayn steps to stand beside Hadrian. "Do you think they can be trusted?"
Hadrian shakes his head. "Of course not. They will be useful in the effort of getting the Keystone however." He looks to their prisoners and addresses Kor'vas. "I leave them in your hands Kor'vas. Ensure that they tell us everything we need to know."
The demon hunter smiles viciously. "It will be my pleasure, Lord Hadrian."
Once his forces move to make their base on the courtyard, Hadrian summons a felguard over; one he recognizes. "Krandror. A moment please."
"Yes, my lord?"
Hadrian looks around before saying. "Travel to the Valley of the Four Winds and look for my mate Lysanastraza. Inform her that my mission will take much longer than we presumed and that I'm alright. She is without a doubt worried."
The felguard smiles as he bows. "Understood." He turns around and opens a portal that would take him to his destination.
Hadrian sighs. "Why couldn't things go easier." He rubs his head and walks towards the door that lead into Hogwarts. There was much planning to be done.
)(
"That is your mission. Go and see it done." A female ethereal voice fills the room of the occupant as the one who was addressed responds in a reverent tone.
"It shall be done, X'era."
)(
Well, that took a bit longer than I thought it would, and shorter than I would've liked, but I felt its a good place to stop. What's going to happen I wonder. Let me know your thoughts in a review or PM. Hope you all enjoyed and have a good day!
