The Antechamber

Ulduar

Heavy pants filled the sullen hallway. Rayne allowed himself and his companions a well-deserved moment to rest. The Iron Lords had sought fit to place squads of guards within these walls just in case any intruders happened to make it past their tank and construct. They put up quite the resistance but fortunately, they were no match for the combined strength of the Templar Knights.

This was the first time Rayne swung his blade since his encounter with Jean. It still felt as amazing as ever. The hammer may have been a paladin's signature weapon but he became increasingly more comfortable with a sword in his hands with each and every slice. This red blade fueled his drive and allowed him to push through any and all obstacles. It was one of the few weapons that actually lived up to its given name. Rayne cherished the weaoib and all of the hard work that went into acquiring it but he could still smell the blood on it no matter how many times it was washed.

"Brilliant work lads," complimented Brann. "I can't believe anyone would ever talk down about you with the way you've fought here. I feel like people were pulling my leg when they said the Templar Knights were a bunch of amateurs."

The paladin quietly laughed. Only the Knights themselves knew of the ruse carefully orchestrated by Rayne. The fact that remnants of it continued to pass on after their string of recent victories made the whole effort worth it.

A wave of light exploded from the south. Everyone quickly snapped towards the source of the disturbance. Rayne's goggles blared of two new arrivals to their position but thankfully, they were anything but hostile.

"Narula, Zari, you made it!" Boasted the draenei. "I was beginning to think you had gotten lost. This place is quite big, no?"

The two Knights nodded in acknowledgement and joined the rest of the group without saying a word. Something was different about their auras. The air surrounding them was thick. Why they took so long to meet up with them was a question for another time. There were much more pressing matters to attend to.

"Where to next Brann?" Rayne asked.

The dwarf lowered his head. His expression was concealed by the large brown hat. This must have been as far as they had gotten last time. The paladin could sense an aura of fear swelling all around him.

"Down this path," he pointed. "I'll show ya the way."

Rayne followed as instructed with the rest of his Knights and soldiers in tow. Their footsteps echoed throughout the silent hall. Giant beings made up of stars decorate the walls. The Titan's influence was radiating from their glowing blue auras. One could spend a lifetime studying the design alone let alone the many other secrets hidden within. The sheer beauty of the architecture almost makes one forget this place was built to imprison a malevolent being of pure destruction.

A large flight of stairs lifted towards a massive circular opening adorned with gold. It revealed a giant platform with another radiating constellation underneath a pale beam of light. Two humanoid creatures appeared to be doing battle with a fearsome creature that had the head of a dragon but the body of a snake. The holographic image split a giant marble stairway leading to another raised golden circular archway. Two more similar openings were found on the east and west.

"This is as far as you got," asked the paladin.

"Just up those stairs," acknowledged Bran. "That's when he showed up."

"He?" Lena pondered. "Are these bozos not good enough to have a name?"

"Well I'm sure he has a name!" The dwarf cried. "I'm willin' ta wager even that big thing that Templar turned ta scrap outside was called something or another but I didn't exactly have the time to stop an' ask, ya understand?"

"It's okay Brann," Rayne calmed. "We'll take it from here."

The paladin glanced towards the opening before his eyes quickly returned to the dwarf. Brann was still visibly shaken. The entire ordeal he experienced a week ago was still fresh in the dwarf's mind. Rayne didn't want to ignite any unwanted feelings but right now, they needed information and Brann was the only one who had it.

"What can you tell me about him?"

"He's a monster," the dwarf shivered. "Looks like he could be on of me ancestors with the impressive beard on him but nowhere near as friendly. Just the size of the behemoth is enough to make those colossi over there shake in their boots. I only saw him at his waist and he was already towering over me like that big robot outside. That thing's even got plates of armor that would be big enough to hold a small keep."

Brann's vivid description was not boding well. The rest of the Knights were holding their composure just fine but unfortunately, the dwarf wasn't done yet.

"When he slammed his fist into the ground I thought he was pushing Azeroth out of orbit. As I ran away, those steely blue eyes of him shot out at me. It melted the floor like it wasn't even there an' almost turned me into dust."

Even if Brann was exaggerating, it was already sounding like a task that was beyond any mortal's capabilities. Technology aided them in defeating the first two challenges. They couldn't utilize the same methods against this goliath. The thought crossed his mind but even a fool would think twice about trying to bring pyrite through the teleporter. There's no telling what would if even a fragment of it is exposed to the technology and unfortunately for them, it was their only way back home.

"Sorry I don't have more for ye," he sighed. "I got out of there as quick as could and didn't look back."

"That's quite alright," Rayne replied. "I'm sure we can manage."

The paladin carefully paid knowing nods to each of his Knights as well as the lot of the Templar soldiers. If they all attacked at once, the strength in numbers may be their only advantage in overcoming such a towering adversary. However, Rayne did not want to risk any of the lives of his men as mere cannon fodder. Hopefully, there was another task they could assist with that wouldn't put them on the front lines of said monster.

"Will you be waiting for us down here Brann?"

"Actually," the dwarf began. "I'm thinkin' of going west here. I actually came here looking for something that can help me answer some more of the questions I had after the Tribunal of Ages."

"Was that the computer you were speaking with in the stoney halls, friend?" Ademski questioned.

"Halls of Stone," corrected Brann. "And yes, that's the one."

"You were with him during his expedition?"

The paladin raised an eyebrow.

"I thought it was a simple excavation?"

"Excavation, yes!" The draeni laughed. "Simple, no. Whoever built that thing did not want us to uncover its secrets. They sent an army of defenders to try and stop us but we drove them back with ease."

Saelena's hand landed upon her lover's shoulder. She shook her head dejectedly.

"Well, ease is a strong word," Ademski shrugged. "But we managed to survive either way. The dwarf got his answers but the computer appeared to be sick."

"Sick?"

Ademski had a unique way to describe things in this world. Rayne never questioned why, he just needed to clear things up once a while to paint the whole picture.

"Yea, it sounded like it had a lot of information but the stout one had a question and it couldn't speak."

The paladin accepted that response turned to Brann.

"And you believe there is a similar machine in the fortress?"

"Similar?" The dwarf gasped. "I believe the archive of our entire world rests within these walls. All of the knowledge and history of our past could be revealed before our eyes. It would be the discovery of a lifetime!"

His enthusiasm was well noted. While Rayne didn't share the same love of discovery as the dwarf, he was not here to impede on his business. However, that didn't mean he couldn't help either.

"Well, I won't have you going alone," the paladin said while addressing the Captain. "Lena?"

"Yes sir!" She saluted.

Rayne had almost forgotten they were in the presence of the other Templar soldiers. Watching her address the paladin in a military fashion was somewhat uncomfortable. Still, she had to keep up appearances in order to keep them in line.

"You and your company escort Brann. Protect him with the best of your ability but if things get difficult in there, don't hesitate to pull out and retreat."

The Captain returned an almost wicked looking grin. She always loved a good challenge. Nothing was better than not knowing who you might be facing.

"Yes sir!" She happily replied.

Lena turned to her men and began barking orders.

"You heard the man, march! Get a move on. Any slackers are going to answer to me!"

All of the soldiers quickly followed her commands. They knew exactly what was in store for them if they didn't. The Captain took a step after them but was immediately stopped in her tracks. Rayne had grasped her bicep within his tight grip. He waited until the soldiers were beyond an earshot.

"Lena," Rayne said.

Deep blue eyes stared back at her. He could see a bit of confusion building within her expression. The paladin implored his seriousness with just the simplest of looks.

"Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Rayne…?"

She was at a loss for words. The woman he had come to known for years with a mouth larger than any blade she wielded had nothing to say in response.

The paladin slowly released his grip. He was satisfied parting on these terms. Lena was tougher than an iron bulwark and more ferocious than all of the animals in Stranglethorn put together. She would be just fine.

Pain ignited in Rayne's shoulder. The Captain had sought fit to deliver one last punch before parting.

"Were you waiting for a kiss or something?!"

She stormed off and chased down the slowest of the soldiers shouting commands all the while. The Captain quickly turned her head back towards Rayne and winked. That was the Lena Sherwood he's known since childhood. That was something he hoped she would never lose.

"Alright everyone," Rayne started. "Let's go."

The Templar Knights ascended the stairs. Rayne lead half the group on one end and Weasel on the other, each taking slow and methodical steps. He wasn't able to spot the giant guarding the path from where they stood but that means he couldn't see them either. The element of surprise was a far greater weapon than any sword or shield strapped to their backs. At this point, they needed any advantage they could get.

After reaching the last step, the paladin and gnome hugged the wall and carefully inched their way over to the opening. A pair of black scars marred the ground nearby. This set presidency to Brann's story about the giant's presumed strength.

Rayne and Weasel both lowered their engineering goggles. The paladin turned his towards the threat assessment setting and timidly crept over the edge of the opening. The sensors were calm for the most part. There were a few small flickers of red in the distance that could be dealt with later but nothing in the immediate vicinity. If this giant was as big as Brann described, they should have been able to see him from the base camp.

The paladin cast caution aside and turned straight into the opening. A wide chasm separated this platform from the next. Two sets of stairs on opposing sides led down towards a circular walkway. Openings to other areas of the fortress were carved out along the path. This was a marvel of Titan-architecture and a sight to behold for any mortal. However, Rayne felt despondent in the fact that there appeared to be no giant blocking there path.

"All clear," sighed Rayne.

He lifted his goggles up and set them on his forehead. The paladin wiped away the sweat building upon his brow in frustration. It wasn't that he hoped to battle against a seemingly unstoppable giant. He was more irked with the fact that if it did exist, it now had the upper hand. Whether it was roaming around in the large light-filled pit beyond or hibernating in some other part of the fortress, they were going to have to confront it soon or later. And Rayne did not want to be on the receiving end of that surprise.

"Do you think the 'ol dwarf was seeing things?" Asked Marcus.

"He seemed fairly certain of it back in the Violet Citadel," the mage answered. "However, texts and reports have historically shown that the Old God's influence can alter one's mind. Perhaps this giant of his was a vision of danger projected by Yogg-Saron in order to drive him away."

"That doesn't make sense," interjected Samuel while pointing on the ground towards the opening. "If the giant was not real, then who in the world could have made those marks?"

"Their spacing appears to be in line with the average dwarf's stance, my dear brother," Zariyana countered with a smirk. "Perhaps he was running faster than even he could imagine."

The male priest lifted his glasses slightly and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger.

"This is hardly the time for jokes Zariyana."

"Narula," beseeched Rayne. "Do you sense anything?"

The night elf gloomily shook her head.

"There are too many muffled thoughts within this fortress to be certain," she stated. "I am detecting an extraordinary amount of painful cries coming from the area in the north. However, nothing in this direct vicinity that we should be concerned with."

This was another dead end. The paladin gritted his teeth. He wasn't about to give up now but the lack of evidence made it difficult to proceed otherwise. Something about this didn't feel right. Maybe there was some minute detail Brann had overlooked while he was running in fear.

"Hey, check this out Rayne," called Weasel. "The heat sensor in the goggles is picking up a large reading nearby the chasm."

"Really?"

There was a bit of excitement in the paladin's voice. It almost sounded as if he was hoping the giant actually existed instead of a figment of the dwarf's imagination. He flicked his sensor to the same setting and saw a massive body of heat permeating the area all over. It wasn't exactly humanoid in form but this was the only lead they had.

"Could that be it?" Rayne questioned. "It's too muddled. Perhaps it's just the ambient energy of the fortress."

"Nah," the gnome answered. "The closer I get, the more it takes shape. Try it."

The paladin followed suit. They slowly walked towards the chasm. Every step was taken with extreme caution. The bright red blob melded and moved in an awkward way but after several steps, still retained its ambiguous shape.

"I'm not seeing anything Weasel," sighed Rayne.

He flipped his goggles back to the threat assessment setting. This was a pointless exercise. They might as well embrace their good fortune and figure out a way to cross this wide pit without falling into the unknown below. Weasel, on the other hand, was not ready to give up just yet.

"I think I see it," he grinned. "Almost there."

"Weasel!" Marcus shouted. "Get your soggy, tainted gears back over here."

The gnome did not pay him any mind. He continued to tip-toe ahead inching closer and closer to the empty chasm.

"What's the matter Marcus," he turned while grinning. "Chick-"

Dust erupted from the chasm. An avalanche of brown sand littered the area. Stone cracked in defiance as a being the size of a mountain rose up like a phoenix from the ashes. A colossal brown spaulder with gold trim sat on its right shoulder holding a red sash that slung all the way down to his similarly designed waistplate. His hands were more monstrous than Brann had described. They could toss around siege vehicles like a single berry in the hand of a child.

The giant stared down upon the Templar Knights with his aggressive blue eyes and shouted a fierce declaration.

"None shall pass!"

"Weasel get out of there!" Rayne ordered.

The gnome flipped backwards chucking a handful of throwing daggers as he flew into the sky on instinct. The silver blades bounced off the giant's stone-shaped flesh and fell harmlessly to the ground nearby. Their impact didn't even seem to resonate against the giant. He stood their ominously as if awaiting their attempt at a meager resistance. The chasm must have been quiet deep since everything from below his waistguard was hidden from view.

"Everybody fan out!"

Rayne's order reeked of desperation. The last creature of this size they had to contend with was summarily taken out with a single but devastating explosion. They were afforded no similar luxuries this time. As Weasel's initial volley had proven, their weapons may be useless to crack this giant's thick hide.

The Templar Knights scattered. Cayden, Samuel, Zariyana, Saelena and Narula ran towards the left side of the room. They spread out in a standard formation with the night elf up front and her allies in a line behind her.

"Alas my friends!"

The draenei revealed a small smile . He retrieved his gleaming silver and gold broadsword strapped to his back. The blade itself was nearly six feet in length but Ademski handled it as if it were easily half that size. Glorious light enveloped the weapon fueling it with the essence of the paladin's greatest tool.

"To battle!" He shouted while charging in towards the right side of the room.

Marcus and Weasel drew their weapons and followed. The draenei stomped ahead. His mighty blade was dragged over his shoulder ready to deliver an incredible swing against the hovering left hand. Ademski's lungs roared as he drew closer and closer to the target location.

The giant's fingers rolled inwards forming into an enormous fist. He lifted his hand on high and drove it down with a fearsome shout.

"OBLIVION!"

The ground erupted into a massive quake. Tremendous tremors shook the ground sweeping the charging Knights clean off their feet. They laid only inches from the site of the detonation. The stone crater indented with the giant's fist stared back at them as a warning of his incredible strength.

"Get out of there!" Cried the paladin to his fallen companions. "Everyone else, let him have it!"

Light exploded from the priests' hands. They fired countless columns of magnificent holy fire at the giant's core. Narula followed in kind channeling the surrounding spirits of nature and raining down a torrent of stars across his girthy hide. Bullets ripped from Saelena's rifle. She peppered the giant in an unending barrage of gunfire right across his smug face.

Fire burned within the mage's hands. Cayden channeled the might of the chaotic energy between his palms. Ambient dust began shifting away from the center of his stance. The radiant power charging within his frame was building to monumental levels. It was almost too much for him to contain

The mage shot his hands forward and unleashed a scorching ball of flame at the giant. Stone crunched as the spell exploded on impact. A trail of black dust emanated from the side of the giant's head. His rough skin was scorched but otherwise unscathed.

Rayne cursed in his mind while drawing his blade and moving down the center of the room. His shield was gripped tightly in his left hand as he pushed it forward in pursuit of the monster. The goggles blared a warning from the left side crying out for the paladin's attention. He wasn't daring enough to attack this thing head on. They just needed an accurate measurement of his abilities.

The giant's right hand came sweeping forward. Rayne ducked and raised his shield overhead. The monster's giant finger merely grazed his steel barrier but shook the paladin down to his bones. He immediately jumped back, swiping his sword across the ground and engraving a distinct mark through the marble tile.

"Everyone stay behind this line," ordered the paladin. "Marcus, Ademski! Keep those left hand busy and cut away at them when you get the chance."

"Roger that!" The warrior sneered while pushing himself up and dashing towards the left side of the room.

"Keep up the pressure!" Rayne demanded. "Don't let up!"

Spells bounced off the giant's body at a frightening pace. Smoke rose into the air and dust fizzled onto the ground. Their efforts were astounding but throughout it all, they just didn't appear to be doing any significant damage to it. As long as they could stay out of its direct threat range, Rayne would keep pushing for weeks on end until this monster falls once and for all.

The giant almost appeared to be getting bored of this charade. He reared back taking in a massive breath of oxygen. Tiny sparks of red dust flickered in his immense throat. The paladin's goggles snapped at him. They detected an imminent threat and warned him to clear the area. There wasn't enough time to get everyone clear so Rayne did the only thing he could.

The paladin stampeded towards the giant. His grand shield pressed forward glazed with the Templar's crest in front. The giant leaned forward and unleashed a mighty wave of stinging sand from his lips. The sandstorm blew with the strength of a tornado. It burned over his armor and singed his stoic frame. Rayne clenched his teeth and spat cries of pain through the cracks of his enamel. He wouldn't dare open his mouth fully less some of that debris find its way inside.

Thankfully, the gust of violent wind subsided almost as quickly as it came. Speckles of red dust coated several plates of his armor. These precious few moments gave the paladin the time he needed to breathe and regain his composure. The former was easily attained as heavy pants continued to push in and out of his body. However, the latter proved to be much more of an arduous challenge.

Terror bore into Rayne's mind. His body was frozen in place. The giant's attack wasn't merely a fiery blast. It was meant to stop pursuing attackers dead in their tracks and keep them from approaching any further. Unlike most brutes of grand stature, this one possessed an equally impressive strategic mindset.

The paladin urged his muscles to respond. Specks of red dust slowly caked off his body. He would be free soon but it wasn't soon enough. The giant's eyes began to glow with a powerful energy. This must be the beams that Brann had mentioned prior. In this position, Rayne was a sitting duck. He pushed and pushed begging the light to give him the strength to move once more. However, the giant's gaze wasn't targeting the paladin. His eyes shifted towards the left side of the room focusing on one priest in particular.

"SAM!"

Rayne's tarrying cries snapped the attention of the male Legend twin. He was standing on the outside end of the firing line they had established. Samuel's eyes were drawn towards the paladin briefly before heeding his warning and staring down the two brilliant beams of energy slamming on the ground before him and heading his way.

Light peaked through the cracks of the paladin's armor. With one immense roar, dust exploded from his body. Rayne rushed towards the fleeing priest' location. Samuel had just begun to depart while the chaotic lasers gave chase. The paladin slammed his shoulder into the priest's and sent him skidding westward along the wall.

"Rayne!"

Samuel's made his frustration well known. He quickly rose up to a knee and continued to lash out at his leader.

"Why did you do that?! I –"

The priest's retort was silenced as the beams of energy crashed upon Rayne's shield. Frenzied sparks of violent colors bore down upon the steel barrier. The mammoth strength of the beams forced the paladin to a knee and he aggressively shouted in agony. Rayne couldn't keep his mouth closed this time. The beams burned with an unrivaled fury the likes of which his mind couldn't even begin fathom.

Stone crunched against the Templar Knight's onslaught as the battle furiously continued. Their attacks had grown more ferocious thanks to the inspiring presence of their leader's courageous save. He could hear them screaming and calling out his name but they knew better than to break ranks now. There would be plenty of time to recuperate once the battle had ended. How they were going to reach that outcome was still yet to be seen.

The giant's beams dissipated. Rayne collapsed forward catching himself before falling face first by planting his blade on the ground.

"Rayne!"

The paladin was met by Weasel's eager approach. The gnome did all he could with his short frame to help Rayne onto his feet once more. Residual heat still stung all across the plates of his armor. The paladin shook his head to regain his bearing and clutched his blade tightly to resume battle.

"Are you alright Weasel?"

"Me?!" He shouted confusingly. "What about you?! That thing almost turned you into a landmark!"

"I'm fine," the paladin insisted.

The battle raged on before his eyes. Everyone was trying their damnedest to keep up a furious pace but none of their attacks proved overly effective against the giant.

"We can't keep this up," Rayne painfully sighed.

His dismay quickly snapped to anger.

"Why is nothing working?!"

"I'll say," Weasel chimed. "I tried every poison I own and nothing's working. I even stuck a knife in one of the cracks and –"

"Cracks?"

The paladin turned towards his companion with a small gleam forming in his eyes.

"Yea," he replied. "Marcus and the big one have been chipping away at his fingers for a while. They haven't been able to break anything but they sure as hell have made a mark or two."

That was it. Rayne knew exactly how to best this giant. They had spent all their time attempting to break down the thickest parts of his hide when they needed to focus on his weakest. The giant had kept his midsection well defended from attackers with his muscular arms and petrifying breath. If he could take down just one of his defenses, they might have a shot at this.

Rayne tossed aside his sword and shield. He slowly made his approached down the center of the room once more. Spells continued to detonate and stone crashed all over the battle field. The paladin reached the dead center of the room where he raised his hand and commanded the Templar Knights to obey his new order.

"Everyone," he called out. "Hold your fire."

"Raymond!" Narula desperately cried. "What are you doing?!"

The paladin was not swayed by her pleas. He loaded a rocket into his gauntlet. Once the knights ceased their attacks, he fired the explosive square across the giant's menacing jaw.

"Hey you!" Yelled Rayne. "I'm standing right here! Come and get me!"

The giant did not seem amused. His expression was stiff much like the mass of his hulking frame. Stone crackled as his fingers inched their way closer to him.

"Are you deaf or just dense," Rayne mocked. "What are you waiting for?!"

"RAYMOND STOP!"

Hands clapped in the center of the room. The giant seized the paladin in his crushing grip. Rayne shrieked in monumental anguish as he was ripped from the ground and lifted into the air.

"I will squeeze the life from you!"

Steel crunched from within the giant's palms. Rayne's arms were bound and pressing cruelly into his sides. The paladin's armor was no match from his incredible strength. It was forced to bend under the sheer scale of might being pressed upon it.

His mind was a rampant flurry of torment. Terrifying shouts silenced the cries coming from his worried companions. His lungs burned while his nerves begged for release. Air no longer had space to enter or exit. Inch by inch, the giant grew closer to living up to his declaration.

Rayne forced his eyes open. His body trembled through the pain as he looked downward. The giant's massive hands continued to tighten as he approached to the paladin's breaking point. Thankfully, a ray of hope pierced through his lenses.

Tiny chunks of rock began flecking off the giant's skin. The previously made cracks were growing wider and longer. He may be outclassed in both size and strength but Rayne relished in the fact that his body was a little tougher than that of this stone behemoth. It was time to invoke his final hand.

Light radiated through the paladin's eyes. It began to envelop his body. The tiny specs of holy power squeezed through the giant's grip and wrapped Rayne in its warm and protective barrier. This was one of the most incredible abilities in their arsenal and any paladin worth their salt knew that it could make all the difference between life and certain death.

Rayne cried out in remarkable fury. The giant had pressed his luck further than his body could carry. His hands crumbled against the paladin's unbreakable holy barrier. Chunks of stone littered the floor below as the cracks followed through up to his shoulders. For the first time since this battle began, the giant actually cried out in sheer bewilderment.

The paladin fell from the sky and crashed upon his knees. He pressed his hands forward before fully collapsing onto his face. The sweet taste of air quickly filled his lungs through breath after painful breath. He looked up upon the giant whose arms now lay in rubble in the surrounding area. They had their moment. All they needed to do was take hold of it.

"Now!" Rayne croaked. "Hit it!"

Marcus and Ademski let out a pair of fearsome battle cries as they whizzed past the paladin on opposing sides. The warrior's mace slammed into the giant's left rib cage. The resounding blow sent shivers through his rocky frame that rivaled his initial slam. In similar stride, the draenei's blade cracked against the right side of his body. Light radiated through the strike sending more stone shattering cracks up through the giant's chest.

The giant reared back. His body could no longer stand up to the monumental wave of attacks unleashed by the combined force of the Templar Knights. Stars exploded across his head while the priests' continually smited the newly cracked stones sending more of his mass falling into the chasm below.

Radiant energy flickered in the giant's eyes. He was broken and nearing defeat. This was his last resort. With all of their attention focused on desperately trying to finish him off, the stone defender attempted to rid himself of the invaders once and for all.

"Oh no you don't!" Weasel taunted.

Two hefty daggers ripped into the air with a pair of lit saronite bombs in tow. The gnome had seen him try this move before. Once was more than enough for this seasoned assassin to find a weakness in any attack. The daggers pierced each of his eyes. Explosions soon followed. The giant slipped further back and unleashed his powerful beams into the sky above.

Arcane energy swirled around the mage. He'd been channeling this spell since the order was given to cease their attacks. Fire swelled with Cayden's eyes. His outstretched hands erupted in a torrent of flames. A chaotic meteorite was conjured between the swelling inferno building within his grip. The mage let out an awesome shout as he hurled the flaming boulder towards the giant.

Stone exploded against the remarkable power of the mage's spell. Thunderous cracks ripped through the giant's frame. His body was no longer able to withstand his own weight. Enormous chunks of himself spilled into the chasm. The rest of his being fell backwards. His head slammed into the opposing walkway and rolled off several feet away leaving a single breath in the wake of his crushing defeat.

"Master, they come..."

The Templar Knights had finally bested the giant and achieved not one but two victories. Vanquishing the monster was a great feat in and of itself but now its colossal body spilled across the chasm creating a perfect walkway leading to the rest of the fortress.

"Raymond!"

Narula quickly dispatched to the paladin's side. Zariyana followed closely behind. They carefully cradled themselves underneath his arms and slowly lifted Rayne upwards. The night elf could feel his weakened body still trembling after the incredibly dangerous stunt he attempted. He shivered in pain and yet still had the wherewithal to finish this battle. Reckless wasn't even the half of it this time.

As they pulled the paladin to his feet, the priest shot Narula a look of pure scorn. Their previous conversation was weighing heavily in her mind. Zariyana was right to have her suspicions. This alone was just mounting additional evidence to prove her claims. Rayne's actions were unbecoming of not only a paladin but his intrinsic nature.

"Are you alright Raymond?"

The night elf's words dripped with uneasiness. This was not the first time she had to ask him that today but with every subsequent question she grew more and more troubled over her companion's well being.

"Just a little banged up," Rayne smiled with an added laugh. "But I'll live."

Ademski shared in the paladin's levity but boasting a loud snicker of his own.

"This is why I like you Templar," he jeered. "The glass is always more full in your eyes."

Saelena's gracious hand tugged at the draenei's back. She pointed with a simple glance over at the expression of the two women carrying the battered body of their leader. Their dismal faces told Ademski while it may have been in jest, this was not the time to speak out of turn.

"That was getting pretty thick in there kid," the warrior sighed as he took a seat atop the giant's fractured waist. "You sure you're doing okay?"

"I'm fine," Rayne declared.

He quickly freed himself of the night elf's and priest's assistance. Had he said it any louder, they would have easily found the anger buried within his breath. He was beginning to grow weary of receiving the same line of questioning after every battle. They had no idea how he felt in this moment, or rather, how he didn't feel. Even in the clutches of the giant he didn't find a single tinge of fear or remorse. The only thing he sensed, which was still spinning through his thoughts, was a small flicker of peace that he'd been desperately seeking for quite some time.

The paladin's armor creaked with every movement. Some of the joints had taken significant damage. It wasn't enough to dwell on or stop this mission outright but they would be in need of repair if this continued. He could perform some quick maintenance to hold him over in the meantime. The Knights deserved a few moments to relax and relish in this victory as well.

"Everyone, lets rest for a bit," commanded Rayne. "But don't get too comfortable. We've still got work to do."

Descent into Madness

Ulduar

The young elf descended the final broken step landing into a wide room. More large stained glass portraits lined the walls. Some were shattered but the few that remained untouched depicted horrifying images of tentacles and creatures of unspeakable malice. Some of the previous masonry designs were still present in the area but it was as if the rest had been corrupted or tainted by an unknown force.

Another broken portrait hung high overhead. Shards of glass floated ominously in the air underneath the pale teal light. Clouds of saronite vapor hovered in the atmosphere but did not find its way down into the room. A single door to the west illuminated by a precious gold orb provided the only other exit out of this room.

In an unexpected turn of events, a large group of Horde and Alliance races gathered towards the center of the room. However, these ones were different that the usual lot and norm. They didn't carry any branding or imagery of their factions. Their tabards were adorned with a silver hammer surrounded by a spiked covered circlet over their black and purple robes. While they didn't appear to be overtly friendly, the young elf didn't perceive them as much of a threat either.

Standing over them was a hideous beast of unimaginable terror. Four grotesque appendages covered in bladed joints hung across his back and shoulders. Deep blue plates of natural armor covered his body. Golden spikes protruded from his shoulders. In lieu of traditional hands, this monster was equipped with massive claws that could decimate any mortal being that dared to cross it. They were even furnished with rows of dreadful fangs that promised to chew up anything before they spit it out.

Of all the emotions swelling in her heart, fear was not one of them. Lorelei could sense the presence of another just beyond the door. This had to be the blessed voice that had guided her here. There was no other place to look and nowhere else to go. She had no one to turn to other than this magnificent being that promised her true salvation.

The young elf walked proudly through the confines of this room. She didn't offer the group of factionless fanatics and their companions a second passing glance. Outstanding piles of wild saronite crystals protruded from the walls near the exit. Lorelei continued to walk down the crudely carved hallway. Traces of the powerful substance continued to grow on the walls and crack the marbled floor nearby.

A Titan-forged door lead into the final room of this fortress. Astral chains hung from the walls and connected to symmetrical points across the floor. Four empty platform sat in a square near the outside edges. Trace glows of yellow light illuminated their surface from above.

The floor itself was cracked and broken. A pool of saronite colored liquid brewed within. The vortex swirled softly leading to a lone vrykul woman standing amidst a green cloud of residual vapor. She was tall, strong, and gave off a powerful presences. Her muscles dwarfed those of the young elf. She wore thick straps of leather armor. Her gauntlets alone appeared to have been hand woven by a grandiose tailor. A hefty plate waistguard hung across her hips and held aloft a sleek black skirt that floated all the way down past her feet and ankles.

Lorelei carefully stepped into the room. The hairs on her neck began to stand on end. There was a powerful energy flowing through this chamber. It took everything her body had not to crumble under its might. The young elf had already come this far. She wasn't about to let a few split ends stop her now.

She continued to approach. The vrykul woman's vast figure came closer into view. A plate headpiece was wrapped across her forehead. Smooth strands of auburn hair hung just past her shoulders and over the white fur of her short cloak. The most dominant feature were her gleaming red eyes. They stared sharply at the young elf almost commanding her to continue forward without so much as a gesture spoken or otherwise.

"Welcome Lorelei Starstrider."

Lorelei's heart thumped. This was it. This was the voice that had been calling out to her. She had only sensed the soothing presence within her mind. Having her incredibly strong voice grace the delicate fibers of her ears was euphoric. It trumped any other feeling her heart had experienced and she desperately cried out to hear it again.

"You have made it this far," she boldly stated. "I have one final moment to show you and one final task for you to complete."

The young elf fell to her knees. Tears began to pour onto the ground. Her mind couldn't take it anymore.

"Please, give me strength!" She pleaded.

Her sorrow was drowned out by the fire spewing forth from her lips.

"I can't take this pain anymore," the young elf cried. "It's everything I think about. It's all I can see before my eyes."

The vrykul woman remained silent. It only implored Lorelei to press the issue further and submit herself to the will of this incredible powerful woman.

"I beg of you. I'll do anything! Let me have this moment and I will serve you from now until eternity."

A flash of light beamed from the vrykul's eyes. It enveloped Lorelei in its familiar presence once more. She tried to shield her vision from the blast but her efforts were futile. Before being fully consumed by the white void, the voice called out to her once more.

"You already have… And you already will."