Air bends and breaks as the ship careens onward. Armies scatter and flee across the rocky terrain. Dark clouds burst with electrified light as we move. Sparks dance across the bitter black sky. They dance above us as if they are chasing us, as if they guiding us on our path. As if…they are watching us…
"Worm!" I quickly glance down to the undead man before. "We will we arriving in Dalaran shortly."
"Wait, we are that close?"
He nods, "Yes, Dalaran borders Icecrown and is extremely close to the fortress itself."
Jaina chimes in as Nathanos pauses; "It holds a strong, watchful position over the Lich King's Dark Citadel. We have been keeping track of any movement around it."
Marris sighs, "Mages and your plotting. Attack or don't attack. Stop stacking plot after plot on top of an already flat battle plan."
Jaina grunts, "Nathanos, just because you prefer quick, uncoordinated strikes doesn't mean we all do."
"No, just means all of you are fools." He shakes his head, "How long are you planning on sitting within striking distance of the Fortress, yet not at least barraging it with constant annoyances of arcane magics?"
Her eyebrows shift angrily, "As long as it takes to keep ourselves clear of dense thoughts such as that."
"Seems odd, Proudmoore, that with all your mage's power, that you do not dare take risks."
Jaina turns and glares at him, "Risks?" She takes a step in his direction, "I let a man into my heart, I risked all emotion, and what happened?" She narrows her vision, "He killed my mentor, killed the man dearest to me. And then he had that same man's home destroyed."
She pulls her face to his. "Risks? Acts of desperate men. We mages will never be that foolish again."
After a second of brief silence she steps away and heads to the front of the ship.
Nathanos smirks terribly and blurts, "Sounds like the only one taking risks was you."
In a flash she spins, vanishes, and reappears next to him. Flames flicker from her fingers. Rage burns within her soul. An expression spoils her usual calm demeanor. Without warning, she winds back, swings forward…
PHWACK.
Nathanos reels slightly. Jaina's hand rests at the side of her body. Suddenly, her face contorts and shock floods her expression. She moves to comfort the undead man, but oddly he looks back to her and smiles.
"My dear, I have no feeling left in my face." His hand lifts and rubs the impact spot, "Strange, though, I can still feel some burning. Impressive."
She stammers as she speaks, "Forgive me, Marris…I…I don't know what came over me."
He frowns and quickly draws himself to her, "Simple, my dear. Pain."
His voice lowers to a whisper, "You are not the only one to watch the one you love become your worst nightmare. The pain will kill you from within. I know."
Hurriedly he steps from her and shuffles across the deck. Jaina throws a bemused look at him as he moves. Finally, her face shifts back to the average calm expression, and she moves to his side.
Carlin leans over and whispers, "What was that?"
I shrug and glance to Carlin, "They are not getting enough vitamins?"
Instantly Carlin begins laughing. He seals his mouth and lifts his hand to hide it. After a second he draws in air. He releases it. More air in. Lots of air out. He finally composes himself and stops.
Crazy, old Carlin.
At that I focus back forward. Mountains slowly fade to whiter pastures. Spikes fold to rolling hills. Ahead, is one last black and white jagged structure. Behind it is the same glow that came with the large, strange tree a few hours past.
I cannot help but shout.
"Nathanos, are we heading back into the Crystal…melody…forest?"
He spins and lowers an eyebrow, "Worm, it is Crystalsong Forest." He turns back, "And yes, that is exactly where we are headed."
Confusion sets in. You better end it before it consumes you. He better not hesitate!
"Wait, I did not see a city when we were flying through the air. Nothing but ruins littered the ground."
Nathanos chuckles. "Aren't you in for a surprise, eh, Worm? Over this last mountain ahead of us, a big surprise for you."
What is he talking about? There wasn't a city. Is he going crazy again? You really are in for a surprise. He is going to be shocked. We approach the mountain. My heart begins to race. Rocks slowly fade to air. Pounding faster. Then, in a flash, we round the…
Blood turns to ice…
Before me, unlike anything seen before, is a massive, flying city.
Tall buildings rise from a large chunk of brown dirt. White, purple, and brown structures line the outer edges of the huge floating soil platform. Gold trim litters the edges of each structure and give a great outline to each building. Spikes of soil hang from the bottom, reaching for the earth they once belonged to.
One key feature that stands out above the rest is a looming tower that hangs over the vast of the city. It is easily four times the height of any of the city's buildings, drawing your eyes from a distant. A fine, purple hue radiates from the surface of this structure. Actually, the entire city seems to be enveloped in this delicate glow.
Upon the tower is a large, green crystal. It floats calmly in the air for a brief second before flashing a bright, lavender color. A rather bright explosion rips from the stone. A spiky tendril of purple, laced with strips of interweaving white, rips towards the blood-chilling anomaly that froze my veins.
To the left of the rising city is a structure that I remember well. A pyramid like anomaly floats ominously at the edge of the purple city. Stone blocks line and build the slanting walls. Skulls are placed upon each side, vomiting green sludge from the gaping mouths.
Spiky black obelisks rise from the top platform, perfectly placed at all corners of the upper platform. At the very pinnacle of the sight, a large jade stone stands in place, churning with burning strands of black, green, and white.
Naxxramas.
Flames bellow from the side of the fortress, as the beam of light shot from the large tower collides with the unholy wall. Large blocks of stone fall from the floating fortress' side. A hole is apparent from his side, but the structure quickly begins rotating to hide its fresh wound.
Suddenly, a flash builds from Naxxramas' stone, and a bolt of energy courses outward. Sparks rain from the purple hue, revealing it as a rather strong magical barrier. You are a master! He is getting good at this guessing game.
Unexpectedly, another flash bursts, and another green bolt collides harmlessly into the large city's tower cannon. My eyes shift to the right side, and a second horrific sight fills my vision.
Another floating structure darkens the city. It has the same design as Naxxramas, except this one has large bones running down the corners of the main portion; it is as if the bones are the glue to the four walls of this juggernaught.
These bones are massive, leading to spikes at the floating base, and ending at a large jade stone at the top. Another unique feature of this building is a large, blue object that rests in the exact center of the wall facing the city. From here, it almost looks like giant eye with a large, black pupil.
The city is under siege by two, gigantic flying fortresses. You need to know those are called necropolises. He better know what they are. Bolts strike from the giant tower of the mage city. Jolts of energy rip into the protective violet wall. Flames rain down from above.
As we near the city, I can see objects circling overhead. Large, skeletal dragons clash against lively red colored dragons of equal size. The giant beasts collide with each other, biting and gnawing ferociously. Red dragons shoot balls of molten fury, while bony, blue dragons vomit clouds of icy death.
One dragon catches my attention completely. It is easily twice the size of any of the others here. The bone structure is completely visible, and is the only true frame of the beast. Patches of hazy blue fiber connect the bones of the wing and tail sections.
Large horns jut from the back of the beast's head. Blue flames fill the corners of its mouth and feed to the heart. The ribs cannot contain the fire, allowing for wafts of blue, infused with pockets of spiraling black and laced with bursting flares of white, to travel from the body. This said fire pours from the body and drizzles upon the violet blanket.
It makes a large, slow circle around the city, occasionally firing a large, blue, black, and white ball of flame from its mouth. Constantly, the massive winged beast looks out from the fight as if searching for something. You make a very clear point. He must be a relative of the easily distracted dragon.
"See, Jaina. Bad stuff." Skippy shouts as we quickly near the ensuing battle.
"Bad, goblin?!" She grows angry again, "This is unbelievable! Frostwrym dragons…Necropolises? This isn't bad! Your thought process is bad, this is horrible!"
He shrugs, "Well, my bad."
She glares at him, but Nathanos speaks in her stead, "May I ask, Captain, but…how did you manage to draw such a lively bunch of guests to this city?"
"I didn't lure all of it." He points at Naxxramas, "I simply shot at Naxxy a few times. I left and went back to shoot at it some more. The second time around it started chasing me. That or it was headed here, and I was simply leading it. Whichever."
Jaina sighs, "So, you are telling us you didn't provoke the other necropolis nor the dragons?"
"No. Well, maybe a dragon or two, but not that big one. No, I don't recall shooting at that." Skippy scratches his chin.
Again Jaina sighs and looks to the city. With each passing second, the large structure grows larger and larger. With each second, we near the purple shield and the firing walls. With each second we near, but we don't slow nor descend.
"Um, Skippy," I scratch my head, "How do we plan to get from here to down there?"
Again all he does is shrug, "I don't know. Tuck and roll?"
Jaina makes to smack the goblin's head, but manages to control herself. She slowly turns, breaths, and looks at me, "Hope, I will get us down. Don't you worry, we mages do not fear falling."
Nathanos chuckles, "Yes, they prefer the nice splat at the end, instead."
"Enough of you, Marris."
Nathanos puts two fingers together and slides them across his mouth as if sealing it. Jaina quickly reaches into her pocket, grabs for something, and retracts it. Like before, she flicks powder outward, but this time it is directed towards Nathanos. It turns white mid-air and vanishes into a puff around him.
She does this to Mark then to Carlin, Jessica, and finally me. At first the powder does nothing but disappear upon my flesh. Unexpectedly, a strange, tingly feeling rushes across my body. The air wraps around my flesh and clings to it. It feels as if the wind itself has fused with my being.
I feel weightless. You are heavy as a feather. He will fall like one as well.
We move to the edge of the ship and prepare for the city. Only a short distance away now. It will not be much longer…
CARASH.
A loud crash pulls my sight towards Naxxramas. Stones shake from the surface, and the entire structure tilts down slightly. Upon the top of the building, the massive dragon is now perched.
It claws and drags itself to the jade stone on top. There it looks to the left then whips its large head to the right. Trails of blue gusts follow the head loyally. Flames burn from all corners of the mouth that suddenly breaks asunder.
"Alexstrasza! Show yourself, you coward!" The blue fiend shifts upon the stone fortress, puking a horrendously dark, feminine voice. "Do not make me draw you here with the death of a thousand poor souls!"
A second passes and she looks around one last time.
"Fine, may the blood stain even your blood-soaked appearance!"
In a flash she lurches down, latching her massive fangs to the jade stone. Green energy courses through jaw. It flows down her throat and collides with the swirling blue concoction in her chest. A horrific explosion of colors rips from the body as she releases the stone.
Her head twists towards the city, and she draws air in as if out of nature. Releasing from her is a torrent of flame and bathing molten fury. The barrier holds, but creeping flames crawl the walls. The bath continues, and each second it spreads. In moments, half the city is nearly covered by the gathering damnation.
"Cease your sinister deeds!"
Another femininely voice booms into the air. It sounds further away, yet definitely rings a sweeter, calmer tone than the beast prior.
Instantly the dragon stops the flow of dark power and spins atop the fortress. The green hue fades from her body, and a loud, internal chuckle radiates into the air as an equally as large red dragon appears from the hazy clouds ahead of us.
"If you wish to release your rage upon anyone, let it be me." Massive red wings, tinted with a white underside, beat the air, "Sindragosa."
Again the deep, muffled cackle crashes upon the tides of air. As it does, the bone wings of the evil beast, Sindragosa, whip from its body and throw the bulk into the air.
Blue flames fold from the mouths of the dark dragon. Red fire baths the edge of the massive red dragon. The same red fire dances across the side of the ruby dragon's head, shifts across two, curling horns and down the bulky body. Glinting gold chains decorate the beast on the arms and legs.
Simultaneously the two behemoths eject death upon the air. Dark flames, fused of swirling black, build upon a core of navy blue damnation. Red fires caress the epicenter of a gentle red glow
Together they clash, raining a spectacle of deadly fire from the collision. Ignoring the burning wall of stopped fire, the two dragons collide headlong, thrashing and gnawing at each other's body as they move. Red scales flicker from one dragon's body while splinters of bone fall from another.
Then, in a flash, the red dragon soars overhead, forcing shaky air upon our ship as she does. Both circle around the three floating structures. As I look around, I notice the purple barrier fill my sight below me. Tan roads appear beneath the violet hue, and give organization to the buildings.
"Ok, ladies, humans, and stinky dead men, I am not kicking you off my ship, but you can no longer stay here."
Skippy turns and smiles.
Instantly, we shift to the edge of the ship and gaze awkwardly down at the city. Roads lead to a large fountain in the center of the city. Arched stonewalls cross over the streets, forming a square perimeter for the watery spectacle.
Suddenly my focus is broken as Jaina speaks, "Ok, the light feeling should last a few more minutes, so we need to go now."
"Yeah, go, go, get off." Skippy gives us motivation.
I take a deep breath and begin focusing on the jump. Mark, however, doesn't seem to be worried about this crazy endeavor at all; he climbs up and leaps off the railing. The fool, he has nothing to slow his fall! You need to relax. He is wound tighter than Nathanos during Love Week.
At first I expect the man to plummet to his death, but strangely he catches the air and slowly floats downward. It is as if he is a feather caught in a breeze. You were told. He wasn't listening.
Another ball of stress builds as he nears the barrier. Again I am expecting him to bounce from the wall, but instead he floats through unharmed. Instantly Jessica squeals.
"Oh, I want to try!"
She hurriedly leaps from the side. Carlin reaches to grab her, but like Mark, she drifts into the air. The old man grunts to himself before leaping after her. Nathanos takes a glance at me and sighs.
"Worm, I do not want to do this, but," He climbs up and jumps, "You are not beating me to it!"
Like the others, he floats towards the city, gently falling to the roads below. A strange knot twists within me, forcing my sight from my city. I look to Jaina, of whom throws me a nod. I glance to city, than to her, city, her. She smiles as she grips the railing and jumps.
I take a deep breath and throw one last look around. Giant, stone structures approach the walls of a shielded city. A white tower fires bolts of purple death at the enemies, while giant dragons fight each other. And, most notably, I catch sight of furry cowman emerging from the bottom level of this Zeppelin, carrying a rather large cylinder with a rocket at the end. You are looking at a bazooka. He certainly is.
Again I take a deep breath, look to the city, grab the railing and jump. The wind grabs me and I pull towards the city as the Zeppelin barrels away. I move slowly, dragging downward at a slanting path. In seconds I pass through the barrier.
My eyes close slightly as I do. Of course nothing happens, but you never know. You are a wuse. He is a coward! After few short moments, I approach the hobble stone pathways and land gently on my feet.
Buildings rest to my right. The arched pillars near the fountain are to my left. Directly ahead is the base of the massive cannon tower, and the sight of all my currently gathering companions.
I sigh and begin moving towards them.
In the words of Nathanos, 'welcome to Dalaran, Worm.'