Farstrider's Square

Silvermoon City

Lorelei averted her gaze from the blinding lamp in the sconce above. Her vision had temporarily been scarred but thankfully her other senses were still operating at full capacity. It took a few moments for her to regain her bearings but soon enough, the world before her revealed itself.

The room was astonishing. It was huge and furnished with only the finest of couches, chairs, and tables hand crafted by the world's greatest carpenters. This place alone was over three times the size of any dwelling they had resided prior. There were even small dividers separating each section of the home between living, eating, and cooking spaces. This was already too much as it was but the two adjacent doors affixed on the back wall told the young elf there was more to this place than meets the eye.

"And these will be your new living quarters."

"Thank you General Brightwing," stated the blood elf.

"Please, we are no longer within an earshot of our subordinates," the General smirked. "You should be relaxed in your new home Jean."

"My apologies."

Jean forced himself not to stammer over his words.

"It, this," he said looking at his surroundings, "it just takes a bit of getting used to."

"Think nothing of it my friend," smiled Brightwing. "You've earned this."

The Ranger-General allowed the new tenants to get a feel for their spacious quarters. Lorelei marveled at all of the wonderful new things they could now call their own. She even leapt atop the couch without any regard for her safety or the sofa's for that matter. Her slender body landed with a forceful plop. The gentle silk fibers melded into her skin as her body was being eaten by the wondrous cotton buried within.

"I see that your sister has found the accommodations to her liking."

"Her and I both Halduron," Jean smiled. His eyes lingered towards the young elf nestling in "Lorelei's always been better at expressing it than I have."

"I certainly know that all too well my friend," the General winked. "There is nothing else pressing going on at the moment Jean. Feel free to take the day to yourself and relax. There is plenty of work more apt for our soldiers below to handle for today. Our newest Ranger-Colonel deserves a day off."

"Thank you Halduron," the Colonel politely said. "You have no idea what this mean to us both. I am forever in your debt."

"Nonsense Jean," the General shrugged. "There isn't a thing I have offered that you haven't already paid back tenfold. After your battle against Gruul, it was the Regent Lord himself that called you back from the Outlands to have you serve within these walls. You have done our people proud Jean. The only debt you have left is the one bound by blood."

Halduron made his way towards the door and gave his a final smile as he exited their home shutting the door behind him. Lorelei was a little confused about the General's final parting words but paid them no additional mind.

"Are you satisfied with the accommodations Lorelei?"

"Satisfied?!"

The young elf exploded from the couch and wrapped Jean up in a tight but loving hug.

"Are you kidding? This is beyond words. It's like we're living in a dream."

"As long as you are content," Jean smiled. "I did this for you, after all."

Her lips gentle pecked the Colonel's cheek.

"Thank you Jean."

The Colonel returned the embrace of his beloved sister.

"My pleasure Lorelei."

The young elf released her older brother from her grip and began to prance around the living room. They had so much more space than their previous living quarters. Going from a single room bunker with two beds piled atop one another was night and day compared to this estate. She could freely bounce around the open space without fear of running into the walls or their single dresser. They even had their own rooms. Finally, Lorelei could get a little privacy with a space she could call her own.

"It pleases my heart to see you so happy," Jean smiled.

Lorelei's expression turned from one of pure bliss to another filled with worry.

"I'm just glad they called you back home," she started trying to keep herself from whimpering. "I dreaded every day you spent in the Outlands. Watching all of our neighbors receiving letters of their recently deceased brothers and sisters was unbearable. I nervously sat and watched the door every day praying that no one would knock and deliver terrible news about you too."

"Lorelei…"

Jean had no idea of the pain felt not by those who fought but by the rest who waited. Countless of their blood elf brothers and sisters fell in battle against the might of the Burning Legion. His own squad suffered major casualties of their own. By the time they reached Blades Edge Mountains, they were reduced to less than fifty percent of their fighting force.

"Oh well," she casually smirked while running up and planting another quick hug upon the Colonel. "At least you're home now. Let the army continue the fight in Outland. We need you here."

Her gaze dropped as she mustered the strength to say what was truly in her heart.

"And so do I."

The Colonel patted her on the head ever so gently.

"I'll always be here for you Lorelei," he declared. "I promise, I will never leave your side."

The young elf smiled as she slowly broke of their embrace. Thoughts began swirling in her young mind. They now lived in Silvermoon City. This was the capital city of their people. The opportunities and potential they had within these walls were near limitless. Lorelei was waiting for this exact moment to propose a new idea.

"Say Jean," she timidly began. "Once we get settled… Do you think, I mean… May I volunteer for ranger training?"

The air grew quiet in the living room. This was not a simple thing to ask. The call of a ranger was as ancient as the elves themselves. It was amongst one of the most noble and proud positions any citizen of Silvermoon could undertake. Sure the training was enduring both physically and mentally but it's something she's been wanting to do ever since Jean heeded the call. The young elf was tired of sitting and waiting by the door. She desperately desired to take up arms and join her brother in the thick of battle.

"Ranger training?"

Jean's tone grew grim with every breath.

"May I remind you that you are only sixteen years old. It is far too –"

"I know Jean," the young elf pleaded. "But most elves begin their training at only fifteen. I thought if I waited a year, you –"

"Would be more inclined to allow you to take part?"

The Colonel paused. He stood deep in reflection for what seemed like eternity before speaking again.

"Lorelei, your life is far too precious to be wasted staring down the length of an arrow. So long as there is breath in my lungs, I will do whatever it takes to ensure that you will never have to either."

"But," she sheepishly attempted to counter. "What if…"

Her mind could hardly process the thought. It was a dark reality that they would have to eventually confront but that didn't mean the meeting should be forced.

"What if something happened to you? Of course, I would never wish such a terrible thing upon you but if it should happen… Wouldn't you want me to learn how to defend myself?"

This was her last resort. She knew Jean would have trouble defending against her trump card. Silvermoon City may have been the furthest of all of the racial capitals but it is far from safe. Only a few short years ago, the former Prince of Loredaron Arthas Menethil and his undead minions charged through their home of Quel'Thalas, attacked their city, and completed a near genocide of the elven race. Jean was amongst those who proudly defended their homes against the scourge onslaught so he knows firsthand how important it was to know how to properly handle oneself in battle.

"It is still far too soon Lorelei," the Colonel lamented. "We are still too new to this city. There are plenty of other things to keep your mind occupied within these walls without jeopardizing your safety."

The young elf's heart was breaking. It must have been apparent since Jean's tone appeared to ease up for just the slightest moment.

"Perhaps in a year or so we can discuss it but until then –"

"But Jean!"

"But nothing!"

The scorned elf snapped back. His eyes sharpened and mouth snarled. She'd only seen this look a handful of times and been on its receiving end even less.

"Your safety is all I care about Lorelei," Jean started.

His tone had grown lighter but there were a few drips of malice at the end of every breath.

"I have sacrificed all that I am to protect it. This home, this job, and my life are here only to ensure that you never have to suffer another moment as we were forced to while growing up."

Jean may have been crash in his delivery but he made an excellent point. The anguish of growing up without parents paled in comparison to the horrors of trying to survive in a world where no one wanted them.

"We should cherish the blessings we've been given and not ask for any more on our plate than we already have."

His eyes softened. The anger brewing in his core seemed to have finally been quelled. This was the real Jean Starstrider the young elf had known their entire life.

"For now, just enjoy your youth free from worries and obligations. It has been an arduous journey for both of us. I just want –"

A rapid knocking at the door silenced the Colonel in mid-sentence. Lorelei turned her gaze upon the sound of the disturbance. That blinding bright light from the sconce attacked her vision once again. It was so painfully white she could barely keep her eyes open. She would have to do something about that sconce soon. How anyone could bare to live with that much light was beyond her.

The Colonel approached the door. Lorelei's heart rate increased as he drew closer. His hand grazed the handle. It was difficult to see with all of the radiant light glowing nearby. Her heart thumped loudly as the door cracked open.

There was nothing but black beyond the opening. With as much light provided by that annoying sconce, one would think it would do a better job of illuminating everything in its surroundings. The young elf turned her gaze slightly. She used her hands to block the penetrating rays from causing any further damage.

Just beyond the frame she could make out a tall soldier covered in plate armor. Rapid beats crashed against her chest. It was oddly familiar in a way but sent her nerves racing. Thankfully, the light was much dimmer at this angle and she was able to spot not one, but two blood elves standing before her brother.

It was hard to hear what they were discussing. Jean was boisterous when he needed to be and calm at all other times. They could have just stopped by to pay their newest officer their respects or maybe something urgent has come up that required her brother's attention. Even after their brief argument earlier, Lorelei did not want to see her brother go anywhere. He had only returned a few days ago and it was as if she was already losing him again.

The door was carefully shut. Thankfully, Jean was still visible on this side of it. He looked somewhat relieved as he ventured back towards the young elf. They must have delivered some pretty good news to see him looking so relaxed after their conversation.

"Who were they?" Lorelei casually asked.

"That was Private Soarinn Redsky and Private Draeis Brightfury. They are the personal guards assigned to us here in Silvermoon."

"Guards? Why do we need guards? I thought you said this was the safest place for us."

Lorelei's puzzled stare nearly melded into spiteful rage. If he had been deceiver her this whole time than her age be damned. She'd leap out the window today and start her ranger training with or without his consent.

"Please don't misunderstand. It is merely standard operating procedure for officers of the elven army Lorelei. All privates must take upon the task of guarding their superiors for many months before receiving a promotion and going on to other duties. I did it as well when I first started."

He made a very good and clear point. It was hard to argue with that logic. The young elf's mind was quickly set at ease. It would have stayed that way if Jean had just stopped talking.

"Regardless, I have assigned these two men to stand watch here instead of my new office."

"What?" Lorelei gasped. "Why?"

"Because," the Colonel sternly said. "I cannot see everything nor be everywhere. I need to ensure your safety at all times."

"So you're having glorified babysitters watching over me every day?!"

"Lorelei!" Jean snapped. "Do not demean their assignment with your cruel words. I would not entrust such an important task to just anyone. Private Redsky and Brightfury were amongst the finest in their class."

Jean paused and took a breath to himself. If he continued, it would only serve to add fuel to the growing fire.

"They know just how important you are to me. I value their service higher than any other soldier in my command. Your life means more to me than my very own."

The sincerity in his tone was thick and bold. He always had a way with words be it stern or soft.

"Please, try to understand why I'm doing this. Nothing I have done or sacrificed has been for my benefit alone. Everything I am, everything that I will become has been to protect you, now and until the end of my days."

"Jean…"

Tears slowly crept into the corners of her eyes. If he had just said that in the first place things wouldn't have escalated to this point and Lorelei would not be feeling so utterly guilty. It was moments like these that made her realize just how much she loved him. He was her provider, her guardian, and most importantly, the only family she had left.

"Why don't you rest in your new room for a bit?" Posed the Colonel. "I know you've been clamoring for your own space for quite some time."

The young elf smiled while carefully flicking away the remnants of those tears. She nodded and made her way towards the back wall where the two bedroom doors stood. Her slender fingers wrapped around the bronze knob. Behind this wooden barrier lie the space she could call her own.

The door cracked open. Through the small slit she could only see a void of endless black. The windows must have been closed. As she pulled the knob further back, the front door pounded once more. It was much harder and more violent than the previous rapping. Lorelei turned her head towards it and was once again assaulted by the damning bright light above. She could barely see anything at this point. Only a few distinct words and sounds penetrated through the white noise.

"Who could that be?"

Jean made his way back to the door and opened it. The young elf desperately tried to see through the blinding aura. She could hear her brother gasp. He never sounded so startled before in all the years she's known him. Metal clashed and scraped together. Her mind raced with the countless possibilities battling for supremacy.

A slit of crimson slowly cracked through the white obstruction. The color started to drip down onto the ground where a small pool began to form. The light was growing dimmer by the second. Her heart continued to pound at such a rapid pace it was almost humming. The living room was finally coming back into view. She had hoped to see the visage of her brother in the doorway as she last left him. Only a terrible scene awaited her.

Lorelei's eyes filled with dread. She could no longer breathe. Jean was impaled along a lofty and gleaming red sword. It bore through his chest over two feet in length. His lifeless body was slung over the hilt. Blood poured from the gaping gash and filled their floor with his vital fluids.

Jean's carcass was mercilessly launched to the side. It crashed against the wall and slumped into a heap of unmoving flesh. The sword began moving forward slowly revealing the monster that wielded it. He wore thick plates of silver armor with golden trim. Shimmering blond hair was tightly wrapped in a ponytail and slumped over his neck and shoulders. Bright yellow mechanical eyes stared back at the young elf. A menacing grin formed upon his massive lips.

"You think you can run away from me?!" The demon called out. "I'm not through with you yet. Not until I've taken everything."

He stomped towards her. Every step he took quaked the ground of their home. Wood cracked, furniture tumbled, and the walls shook violently. The world was breaking down all around her and she was completely paralyzed in fright to do anything.

A ravenous gauntlet reached out. It seized her thin skull in its bulky grasp. Painful steel appendages bored into her scalp as he lifted her off the ground. His white teeth grew into sharp menacing fangs inching closer and closer to her face.

"Who… Are…"

Those were the only words she managed to choke out. The sheer agony ripping through her body was more than she could bear.

His gaping maw slowly started to open. A hideous black void stood beyond the wall of bladed teeth.

"The Starstrider reign is over," he snarled. "It all ends with you!"

The monster hurled her through the door. Wood exploded on contact. Splinters rained throughout the blackened sky surrounding them.

Lorelei's body crashed onto a hardened steel surface. She skidded and came to a complete halt against a collection of thick iron bars. Nerves continued to cry out in agony. The young elf continued to shudder over the newly delivered pain. His haunting words echoed throughout her thoughts.

Starstrider reign…?

She had no idea what he was talking about. There was never a reign of the Starstrider family. They were anything but. Only two Starstriders existed in this world and one of them had just been brutally murdered before her eyes. Reign was hardly the term to describe them now.

Suddenly, the realization hit her like the entirety of the ocean collapsing in on her at once. She slowly pushed herself off the ground and forced her eyes open. Darkness swelled everywhere. Her home had vanished. A steel door slammed shut before her. Lorelei now found herself trapped within the confines of a rusted cage. It swung slowly from side to side from the massive black iron chain the monster known as Rayne Templar held in his deadly grip.

The blonde demon started to cackle. His hideous laughter surrounded the young elf. She slammed her hands over her pointy ears but it did nothing to silence the horrific sounds.

"Let me go!"

Her cries were drowned by the sounds of the continuous menacing chuckle. She looked upon his gruesome stature as he stared down upon her holding her fate in his disgusting hands. His laughter ceased momentarily as he gave her one final ghastly message.

"There is no escape... Not in this life... Not in the next..."

The armored demon released the chain from his grip hurling the cage downward. His silvery visage faded away into it was nothing more than a single spec of light. Lorelei shrieked as her prison fell into the unknown void. She pushed herself to the one side of the cage. Her head poked through the iron bars just enough to see what awaited her below.

Thousands of hungry maws snapped hungrily in the darkness. Their salivating jaws flapped in a continuous motion growing larger and larger as the cage sunk. Her screams no longer registered in her ears. Death had finally found her.

Lorelei screamed in terror. Rapid short breaths pumped in and out of her body. The darkness had faded. She looked upon her surrounds and begged the memories to return to her.

A crumbled walkway stood before her. Chunks of stone flooring and iron floated carelessly before her. Her body rested just before a massive shattered stained glass window. A smashed red column lay in several pieces along polished marble surface. Just beyond the massive opening, a crumbled walkway led deeper into the fortress.

The young elf slammed her fist into the ground. Knuckles cracked against the masonry nearly turning it to dust. Not a single cell in her hand cried out in pain. Her mind was exploding with ravenous fury. Rayne Templar had bested her yet again. Twice now he's invaded her dreams. Twice she's had to relive the vile memory of Jean's death. The fact that she couldn't get his appalling image out of her mind was driving her crazy.

There is a little lamb lost in dark woods...

Relief slowly crept back in. The voice had returned and it was louder than ever before. Its presence was soothing. All of her troubles washed away in an instant. Lorelei picked herself off the ground and walked through the cracked glass entryway. She had traveled through hell and back just to get here. Nothing was going to stop her from seizing the power that awaited her now.