Formation Grounds
Ulduar
A gentle warmth caressed the back of the paladin's neck. His eyes slowly peered through the void. The blurry haze had started to clear. Gleaming amethyst strands shined brilliantly along the edges. Delicate violet skin came into the foreground. Lush lavender lips hung gently overhead. Shimmering silver eyes stared back at him. It was as if an angel had taken him into her glorious care.
The gorgeous creature held Rayne's head upon her thighs. She carefully stroked his long blonde locks. This was serenity at its finest. No man could find a greater source of harmony if the searched the cosmos and beyond. The paladin wanted to drink in this moment forever. Unfortunately, as the fog washed away and the woman's stunning face came into view, his heart instantly cried out.
Rayne snapped up. His head was still ringing but other than that, he didn't appear to have any other bouts of lingering pain.
"Raymond," called Narula. "You should be lying still."
The night elf inched forward still sitting on her legs. She stroked the paladin's back with the soothing touch of nature's blessing. He continued to groan as his bearings were finally settling down.
"I'm sorry Narula," he began. "I didn't mean to be a burden on you."
"What are you talking about?"
It was hard to tell if she was more surprised or offended by that comment. Rayne had no idea why he said either it. The words just came out on their own. Normally he'd thank her and relish in that moment for just a bit longer. It's not every day that the love of your life fawns over you after a great and heroic act.
"You are not a burden to me. I –"
She stopped herself suddenly and without warning. Her delicate hands fell atop his shoulders and slowly glided along until they carefully graced the exposed skin around his neck. The night elf's forehead landed softly against his spine and rested there. Her long purple hair dangled over both sides of her face and kept any expressions hidden from view.
"You're too reckless Raymond," she implored through a long sigh. "I was so worried about you."
The paladin caught the surge of electricity running through his back. He'd never heard her sound so soft and fragile before. It started to itch at his mind. Maybe he was walking too far down a dangerous path. They hadn't even kicked down the front door yet and already Rayne has taken a rich beating. This mission was starting to impose great taxes upon his body and he was quickly running out of ways to pay. However, his companions looked as fit and capable as ever before. No matter the burden, Rayne was more than willing to endure it.
"Thank you Narula."
That barely came out above a whisper. He needed to say. His heart demanded that he did but it nearly pained him to push out each and every syllable. The paladin had no idea why it was so difficult but it had to be said and he was thankful he still had the strength to do so.
"How long was I out?" Groaned Rayne.
"About ten minutes," the warrior cut in.
The paladin had been so lost in the previous moment that he didn't even see or notice most of his companions gathering around him. Narula calmly pushed herself away from his back but continued to massage his lingering wounds with the glorious touch of her nature-infused magic.
Marcus lowered his hand to help him up. The past between them appeared to be good and buried. Rayne took the warrior's generous offer and rose to his feet. Narula slowly followed as well. Her concerned expression was still evident as Rayne dusted the ambient debris and smoke from his armor.
"That was some stunt you pulled kid," joked Marcus. "I've been through nearly every damn war this planet's lived to fight and I ain't ever seen anything like that before."
The details were still jumbled. Rayne peered down the path and could only find large clouds of black smoke piping into the air.
"Did it at least work?"
"Like a charm," the warrior grinned. "The only thing left of the bastard is his shoes. I almost hate to say it this way but you blew everything but his socks off."
Rayne chuckled. He needed a good laugh to help dull the ringing still dancing upon his ears.
"I'm glad I could be of service."
Bringing a bit of levity would hopefully lift everyone's spirits. Rayne had no idea how it looked from the spectator's side but he wouldn't wish the driver's view upon anyone.
"I must admit," the mage sullenly stated. "I may have been unable to survive that explosion as well as you have on my own. While I disagreed initially, I believe you made the right call Rayne. I'm sorry for doubting you."
The paladin smiled and gave Cayden two gentle pats on his back.
"Don't mention it," he smiled. "It was my crazy plan to begin with. I couldn't live with myself if anyone else took that seat."
That seemed to calm Cayden down as well. He was looking a bit more distressed than usual. Rayne was happy he could help settle the matter without another argument.
"Though I agree with Rayne, I must say that I'm curious to see what outcome would have been if you had filled his shoes," Samuel casually said.
Rayne peered over towards Zariyana. Naturally, this was her time to add something to her brother's statement that would get the mage all riled up as usual. However, the priest remained silent. She held a stern look upon her face. A small gash cut away at Rayne's heart. It was the same look she had given him back at Templar Keep. Though she normally had no interest in the lives of anyone other than her own family, something told Rayne she was not amused with his previous explanation and she would continue to dig deeper until she found the truth.
"Where is everyone else?"
The paladin hoped changing subjects would divert attention away from his heroic endeavors.
"Findle stopped by to check on you," Cayden stated. "Then he took off with Weasel to the courtyard. They have begun fighting over the scrap parts that remained. According to the engineer, they appear to have significant value."
That sounds like something they both would do. Rayne wouldn't have it any other way. As long as his friends were happy, he couldn't ask for anything more than that.
The paladin attempted to peer forward to get a better look at the devastation wrought by the exploding tank. He quickly realized his goggles were not only no longer over his eyes, they weren't even on his head.
"Where are my goggles?" Rayne asked while looking in the surrounding vicinity. "Don't tell me they're –"
"I believe that gnome played with them briefly," Samuel interrupted. "He spouted some nonsense about frayed connections and then handed them to Narula."
Rayne turned around. The night elf stood before him with a pleasing look in her eyes. She retrieved the goggles and smiled while handing them over to its rightful owner.
"Here you are Raymond."
The coy pattering of her lips couple with her ravishing figure and striking visage were sending the paladin's emotions into overdrive. It was almost as if he'd forgotten not only how beautiful Narula was but how he'd felt about her for years on end. His mind desperately combated these feelings. If he showed an inch of weakness now, he'd never be able to complete this mission as intended.
"Thank you," he smiled with taking the goggles into his hands.
The warrior's beefy arm immediately wrapped around Rayne's neck and tugged him into a tight headlock.
"Look at you kid acting all tough," he teased. "I'm surprised you didn't ask us to bury you right there with your head in her lap."
"Marcus!" The night elf scolded.
Her rattled nerves seemed to calm down considerably before she continued.
"Please do not joke like that."
It was hard to see clearly with the blood slowly being cut off from his head but Rayne thought he notice a spark of thunder crackling in the night elf's eyes. Marcus must have received a much clearer message because he released his muscular grip nearly instantaneously. The joke seemed harmless enough but perhaps the warrior's phrasing was a bit too much given all that's happened.
Rayne relented as he slipped his goggles back on. He flicked through each setting just for good measure. It was hard to tell what kind of damage these things sustained with all of that ambient energy exploding all at once. However, if Findle took a look at it and was pleased with the repairs than it was good enough for the paladin.
"Well look at this lad here," Brann called from behind. "If it isn't the one-man demolition derby."
The paladin turned to face the jesting dwarf as he approached with both Kirin Tor archmages in tow.
"It was hard to tell from where I sat," responded Rayne. "Well, was sitting would actually be more fitting."
"I'll say!" Brann cheered holding on to his hat as if it were about to lift off. "We were standing way the hell over there with the wreckage of yer first battle and it nearly took me off my feet. I think my ancestors might've felt that one."
Everyone's mounting concern was starting to make sense. The paladin had no idea how bad it looked from their view. He gritted his teeth and hoped that this memory would fade away quickly.
"How is everything else?" Rayne questioned. "Were you able to get the teleporters online?"
"Indeed we have," Pentarus smiled. "Thanks to you that is. Shall we?"
Brann, the Kirin Tor mages, and the Templar Knights followed them towards the courtyard. They explained their findings as they walked along the seemingly quiet pathway.
"There was another teleportation chamber at the top of the steps in the courtyard. We were able to activate it test it out successfully," Rhydian added. "There appears to be some ancient text that appears upon stepping inside. They allow you to choose your destination before the teleporter activates."
The female archmage retrieved a small piece of parchment from her waist hand handed it to the paladin.
"It's a rough translation but this should help get you around. There are only three locations listed currently. The bottom one should take right inside to the Antechamber of Ulduar."
It all seemed well and good on paper but something about this felt a little too convenient. There had to be more to this story.
"And you're sure it's safe to pass through these? Are there any long-term effects we should be worried about?"
"The teleporters are based on ancient Titan technology," answered Pentarus. "It appears to use a system similar to our own arcane method of travel except they have been able to not only condense it, but modify it and allow anyone that steps through the ability to manipulate their destination."
"If the circumstances weren't so dire," the female Archmage chimed in. "We would spend as long as we could to not only learn its secrets but recreate them for use within our home territory."
The Kirin Tor did a great job of clearing the air. Though Rayne was still not too keen on using any technology he couldn't take apart and rebuild himself, it was a good enough answer to move forward.
The group approached the steps of the courtyard. A colossal door stood before them. This place was indeed forged not only by the Titans but for the Titans. The previously mentioned teleporter was only a few short yards in front of it at the top of the stairs.
Metal clanked in a furious fashion not too far away. Weasel and Findle could easily be spotted digging the remnants of the iron construct's feet. Their eyes glistened as they pooled piles of scrap into heaping mounds.
"Weasel," the paladin called. "It's time to go."
"Already?!" The rogue whined.
Weasel jumped out of the iron foot and begrudgingly joined the rest of his companions.
"Just remember which pile's mine Findle," he barked while pointing a sharp finger back towards his pile of merchandise. "I don't want to find any of your greedy prints all over my stuff."
"Do I look like a goblin to you?!"
"In the right light," Weasel chimed, "yea, you do."
"Just what in the hell are you going to do with all of that scrap metal bolts for brains?"
Marcus taunted the rogue and scooped him up in a single handed grip. He dangled Weasel and watched the delusions of grandeur illuminate before his very eyes.
"I don't care about the scrap, I can about the story. I'm going to sell these parts as souvenirs of Ulduar. You know how much people pay for actual Titan relics? I'm going to make a fortune!"
The warrior dropped Weasel atop his grinning chin. The idea sounded so ridiculous he didn't want to continue sullying his hand. Some of the Knights shared in a group chuckle at the sight. This may very well be the last time they'd be able to do so.
"Let's go everyone," Rayne stated trying his hardest not to laugh.
"Go?" Weasel said peeling his face off the ground. "Go where?"
The paladin nudged his head slightly towards the giant doors at the top of the steps.
"There?!" The rogue shockingly asked. "Are they expecting visitors? Do you want to give it a good knock or should I?"
"Not there," said Rayne.
He pointed his finger just below at the glowing column of blue light.
"There."
The rogue glanced at the teleportation device. His mind began spinning in circles as he pondered all of the possible outcomes in his mind. He finished with a smile and the snap of his fingers.
"Nope, not going."
"And why the hell not?!" Marcus barked.
"I don't trust it. Hell, I barely let Flame-Brain taxi me around as is. No way I'm gonna allow some piece of technology now in the clutches of an Old God try and scramble this piece of hot property."
"Hey!" Cayden snapped back.
"Is that so?" Growled the warrior. "Then we'll do it together!"
Marcus scooped the gnome in his unbreakable grip and stomped up each step making sure to make the ride that much more difficult for his unwilling passenger.
"Let me go ya big brute!" Weasel pleaded. "I promise if I don't survive this I'll haunt you until the end of your days!"
"Quit bitching," Marcus sighed.
The warrior gladly stepped through the column of radiant blue light. Ambient energy slowly formed into an odd but familiar shape. Bright markings formed in the vague shape of text. It wasn't any language familiar to either of them but looked harmless enough.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," winced the gnome.
"Funny," Marcus giggled. "I heard your mother said the same thing the day you were born."
"You son of a –"
The warrior gave the energy a quick tap of his finger. Their bodies became consumed in the swelling light. It quickly spilled upon the ground leaving no trace of Marcus or Weasel in its wake.
"See, nothing to be afraid of," smiled Rhydian.
Rayne shrugged and ordered the rest of the nights to follow suit. Samuel was the next to go followed by Cayden. The paladin ascended the steps for his turn before the animated cries of a gnome stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey Rayne! Wait up."
He stopped just at the base of the platform. Findle desperately pulled himself off of the heaping pile of damaged metal plates and broken transistors to meet his friend at the top. He panted wickedly as this was the hardest he'd ever run in quite some time. Once his breathing settle, he looked up at the paladin and spoke from his heart.
"You're really leaving?" he said trying desperately not to sound apathetic or concerned. "I guess, this is goodbye then."
Rayne kneeled down to greet him personally.
"I guess so," he smiled.
Findle choked back any emotion that would otherwise make him look weak. He inhaled a big puff of air and made one final declaration.
"Don't go dying on me or anything," he ordered. "You think I can handle all these spare parts on my own? I'm going to need the help of a good engineer for weeks, no, maybe months to repurpose all of these parts."
Rayne laughed at the bold notion presented.
"Alright."
"Promise?"
The paladin furrowed his brow. He'd never seen Findle acting so cautious and sentimental before. Whatever stories he had overheard at the encampment about the Old God and the dangers lurking inside this fortress must have gotten to him. They may be parting ways here but the journey for each of them was far from over. Whether their paths would cross again was still yet to be determined.
In the end, all Rayne could offer was his trademark smile and a short nod of acknowledgment. The gnome appeared to be satisfied with that response. He gave the paladin one last look before burying himself in his future treasure trove.
"Com'on Rayne!"
The paladin's arm was violently jerked backwards towards the teleporter.
"Lena?!"
The Captain looked upon him with a gracious smile. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he wasn't looking at the woman he put in charge of the Templar soldiers. She was the same perky girl who lived next door with a penitent for getting them into trouble. This seemed extraordinarily out of character for Lena all things considering but that may very well be her way of dealing with everything that has been going on.
"I've always wanted to try something like this," she sinisterly smirked.
"Wait," Rayne beseeched. "Don't just press any –"
It was already too late. The wave of light washed over them and took any trace of their existence as it left.
The night elf watched over Rayne's actions carefully. His previous efforts still lingered heavily in her heart. She was prepared to follow after him through the teleporter when the silver haired priest called out to her and stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Narula," the priest spoke. "May I have a moment of your time?"
"Of course," she acknowledged. "How may I help you Zariyana?"
Brann, the Kirin Tor and the rest of the Templar soldiers made their way through the teleporter as the two women stepped off to the side for a conversation. The priest had to be cautious yet firm with her words in order to solve this puzzling conundrum. After all, this night elf was one of the few people on this planet that Zariyana respected enough to give her proper courtesy.
"I wanted to ask you," the female Legend twin carefully proceeded. "Have you noticed something strange going on with Rayne lately?"
Narula's expression tweaked slightly. Her eyes narrowed and she stared back at the priest inquisitively.
"What do you mean?"
"His behavior of sorts has been odd to say the least," Zariyana stated. "And I don't mean odd for normal people, I mean odd for him in general. Rayne has an outlook and personality that is solely unique to himself."
The priest pursed her stance and stared deeply into the night elf's eyes.
"I'm wondering what happened to it."
Narula's resolve was strong. She didn't give an inch when it came to revealing any explicit tells or reactions to Zariyana's strong words.
"Perhaps you are misinterpreting a few things," defended the night elf. "This mission has put Raymond under a lot of pressure. He always puts the safety and well-being of others before himself. The stress appears to be weighing heavily upon his shoulders."
"Perhaps," Zariyana countered. "But I've noticed changes occurring well before this mission began. I believe it all started once the battle at Wintergrasp had ended. Though we haven't spent too much time together personally I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen Rayne rise to that level of anger before. Honestly, I didn't think he was even capable of it."
Narula's eyes softened. Her mind began traveling places it hadn't journeyed in quite some time.
"Raymond is strong-willed and humble at heart but anyone, when pushed to their limits, can succumb to anger. I have only seen it happen a handful of times on my travels with him but I can attest that he has never let it take full control over his actions to the point where he's done something so terrible that even he would not forgive himself."
"He came fairly close though, didn't he?" Probed Zariyana.
The night elf's eye twitched slightly. She may have shown the first chink in her armor since their conversation began. The priest couldn't hold back with this advantage staring her in the face.
"We were all there to witness it. Rayne nearly beat that orc to death in front of us all. And I believe he would have finished the job had you not been there to stop him."
Zariyana's eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath. Saying this was more difficult than she originally anticipated.
"No matter how hard of a barrier he put before himself, he always has a soft spot for you."
Narula didn't seem to react at all to that statement. The priest had an open opportunity to exploit and she failed. Just before she began mentally wallowing in defeat, the night elf turned her head and pointed her gaze at the nearby ground.
"That is not the first time I had to intervene on his behalf."
The words painfully came out. Zariyana didn't believe there was a side to Rayne that was anything but an overenthusiastic optimist. This was troubling news to here. Something called out to the priest buried deep within her emotions to probe further but Rayne's past was not at issue here. Not yet anyways.
"After Wintergrasp, Rayne went back with you to Ashenvale correct?"
Narula nodded. Her eyes still averted contact with the priest.
"A month is quite a long time to spend together. I can't imagine how much fun one could have playing with children for that long but I'm not here to criticize,"
Zariyana peered deeply at the night elf. She couldn't afford to miss a thing when asking this crucial question.
"Did something happen between you two?"
The priest was bold and direct. She made sure to choose each word carefully. Particularly, saying something over anything implies that she knows an incident may have occurred and is merely diving deeper to find that response.
Narula's finger twitched. She began reminiscing about that fateful night after the battle had ended. The way Raymond broke down in front of her was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. The night elf couldn't admit to what they experienced that evening to the priest. It wasn't her place to share that moment with her. It may have put an end to this conversation outright but Narula was also searching for answers. If Zariyana had started to notice something different as well, then perhaps they were both right to worry.
"No," the night elf calmly stated. "Nothing happened."
Her statement was clear and direct but even so, the priest was not fully convinced. It almost sparked a tinge of irritation within her intellectual mind. She had never succumbed to such emotions since she was a child but for some reason, Narula's actions and answers on the matter had begun to annoy her. Normally this would be the time where Zariyana ceased her questioning to spare herself from a slip up of her own but she had one more thing to ask about before giving up entirely.
"Maybe you are right," she brazenly said. "When Rayne and I spent a few days together in Menethil, he told me a similar story. The battle had certainly taken its toll on him despite our victory. I was worried that he was merely using this expedition to further bury his emotions but he assured me that he would be fine."
The priest had hoped to coax a reaction from the initial part of her story. It seems like Rayne spending time with and sharing his emotions with another woman didn't bother her in the slightest.
"It took a little convincing but in the end, I conceded," declared Zariyana. "I know Rayne may put more faith in his beliefs than anyone else would but I couldn't doubt his words. His heart is always in the right place despite his mind not knowing how to fully get there. He's already proven his worth to all of us. Knowing that, I couldn't do anything other than believe him."
Her eyes steeled as she sharpened her expression. She couldn't hold back now.
"After hearing all of that, I am left with one last question…" The priest direly posed. "Do you?"
The night elf paused. An eternity of time seemed to slip away as she became lost in her thoughts once more. Zariyana was bold but it was unlike her to care so much about any other than her direct family. She may have been showing signs of her own weakness beginning to slip in. What that could lead to in the future was still up for much speculation. At the very least, Narula could take solace that there was a gentle soul buried underneath the hardened shell of her.
"I do," nodded the night elf. "I have never had any reason to doubt Raymond. He's already proven twice today that he is more than willing to endanger himself and himself alone in order to keep us safe."
Narula's eyes turned towards the priest. Her expression tightened as she implored the full seriousness of her final words.
"We should be giving him our utmost support, not standing underneath a cloud of uncertainty."
Her heart desperately tried to finish by saying he needed it now more than ever but her wise resolve stopped another breath from slipping out.
"You are right Narula," the priest sighed. "Please accept my apologies."
The night elf's heart fell at ease. She offered a small smile in return.
"There is nothing to apologize for Zariyana," she brightly replied. "I am actually quite pleased to hear that Raymond has found a place in your heart as well."
Thunder struck the priest's chest. The tables had been turned against her. All the while she thought she was in total control and in the blink of an eye the night elf managed to get the upper hand. Narula's ability to read between the lines so vividly was just another reason why she respected her. How she could act so aloof at all other times was beyond Zariyana's comprehension.
However, this one moment of concern for a companion should not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness. She couldn't allow anything, or anyone for that matter to dig too deeply under her skin.
"I believe we've kept them waiting long enough," Zariyana sighed. "The last thing we need to do is give everyone something else to worry about."
Narula's smile widened.
"Shall we?"
The night elf was the first to take the teleporter. She vanished just as all the others had as if they never existed there in the first place. Though their conversation had ended, Narula's words continued to linger in the priest's mind. Something was telling her that this couldn't be so easily swept under the rug. Then again, the night elf was rather unique in her own right. She could easily see right through a person when they believe they are at their strongest and yet she still couldn't see Rayne's true feelings for her staring right in her face.