The Observation Ring
Ulduar
The gnome's black boot dug into the stone shaped maw of the broken giant. He squealed with delight as he twisted his heel deeper and deeper into the rocky surface.
"Not so tough now, ain't cha?" Taunted Weasel. "What's the matter? Got nothing else to say? Oh, I'm sorry, your mouth is a little fu –"
"His eyes are moving."
"Gah!"
The gnome spat frantically while fleeing. He was stopped dead in his tracks as he crashed into the thick plate leggaurds of the warrior. Marcus lifted the gnome into the air to get a closer glimpse of his amusing expression.
"Too easy," grinned the warrior.
"Do I look like your mother?" The gnome quipped back.
Marcus slammed him to the ground in a huff of fury. Weasel should have known better than to taunt him in such a humiliating way. Then again, finding someone's weak spot was the trademark of a good assassin.
The paladin walked around the area checking the final fitting of his armor. There were no more abundant squeaking noises and a few of the plates on his spaulders were scraping together as he swung his arms from side to side. It was a minor nuisance that would only come up during combat situations and shouldn't be an issue unless they were trying to maneuver stealthily.
Ulduar's grand visage stared before them. The Templar Knights marveled at the wonderful architecture. Light blue light shot out in a brilliant column. Shattered remnants of a clear dome swirl around the translucent pillar. Six entryways along the edges, however, only four of them appear to be opened. Giant stone guardians stand vigil between each one.
Two sets of stairs led downward to the circular pathway. A pair of unique celestial images are posed between each flight. They depict images of a horned humanoid holding a blade embedded into the ground and a long eared female with a staff in one hand while playfully caressing a deer in the other.
Weasel dusted himself off. His face still stung after being planted on the ground and joined his fellow knights at the bottom of the stairs.
"What's a tauren and a night elf doing here?"
"They are amongst some of the most ancient races in Azeroth," Cayden answered.
"Yes but they are both evolved forms of separate races," added Samuel. "However, their presence here is rather curious."
"You mean," Zariyana chimed in. "Why these two races in particular?"
"Precisely," nodded the male twin. "Biologically speaking, they don't have much in common. I wonder why the Titans would depict these two together."
"That is not entirely true," entered Narula. "Our people share a similar nomadic presence and kindred spirit with nature. It is why they are allowed to take part in the Cenarion Circle."
"Right, I had forgotten about that," Samuel shrugged. "Perhaps that blow I received early has some unknown lingering effect."
"We all take our lumps kid," Marcus teased while graciously patting the priest on the back. "Although, that weapon the cow's carrying does look kind of familiar."
The warrior called out to the paladin.
"Hey Rayne! Come take a look at this. And bring that big red sword of yours."
The paladin returned a quizzical stare at first but soon did as he was asked. He drew the red blade from his waist and held it aloft in similar fashion to the celestial image.
"Would you check that out," grinned the warrior.
"It's nearly identical," Cayden gasped.
The mage's eyes widened as the new found significance of the sword began swirling hundreds of thoughts throughout his mind.
"Do you know what this means? Perhaps this blade was forged by the Titans themselves. It could be a divine prophecy of grandeur. The history alone –"
"Calm down Cayden," the paladin implored. "It could be all of those things or nothing at all."
"Yea, maybe that's just what swords looked like back in those days," Weasel sighed.
"Still, I would love the chance to continue this research. Even if it doesn't lead to anything, wouldn't you want to know the origins of that fantastic weapon?"
The mage sighed deeply while staring into the ground.
"Sometimes we spend so much time looking forward that we forget how we got here. If there are any secrets hiding within that weapon, it could be the very thing that may save your life one day Rayne."
Cayden made an excellent point. Unfortunately, the paladin was not interested in a history lesson at this time. The mage's heart may have been in the right place but his mind needed to stay focused on the task at hand.
"Wait a second," the warrior declared. "Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?"
Marcus moved up towards the large lamp pit at the top of the stairs. He motioned over towards the gnome to follow him over. Weasel did as asked, silently tip-toeing through the area until he was safely nestled in behind the short pillar.
"Take a look at that," Marcus ordered.
The gnome peered through his googles. A giant female with shimmering copper colored skin was patrolling the walkway. She wore thick silver spaulders and a matching waist and leggaurds over a seemingly simple cloth cyan-colored dress. Her hair was short and matched the color of her skin. A large mace hung carefully in one hand. It was easily the size of the draenei, maybe even a little bigger. Bright white eyes scanned the local area as she made her approach.
"Who in the hell is that bronze-bimbo?"
"Don't know," Weasel shrugged. "But I'm more worried about those hairy pussies."
"Her what?!"
The tiny finger of the gnome peeked over the short ledge and pointed at the two big panthers following the female's every step. One was black with white stripes while the other was deep violet. Both had glowing red eyes that only added to their already intimidating ferocity.
"Damnit," cursed the warrior. "There's no other way around this platforms without going through her. Even if we sneaked around to the other side, we'd still have to contend with those stone giant guardians at each entrance."
"Yea, and when the fight breaks out, it won't be long before she comes running over to help," added the gnome.
Marcus let out a beaten sigh.
"Looks like we're just going to have to go through her," he began. "Let's get back to the others and –"
The air in his throat went dry as the giant bronze female locked her pearly white eyes upon his. A scowl grew on her face as the mace lifted upwards and pointed in their direction.
"Holy crap," the warrior spat. "She sees us."
"You mean, sees you."
Marcus shot the gnome a quick glance only to find his previous residence completely unoccupied. He had taken the initiative to remove himself from the dangerous vicinity and rejoin the rest of the Templar Knights. The look of bewildered anger upon the warrior's face made for an incredible mental memento.
"Marcus!" The paladin desperately called.
The warrior couldn't send the signal for his legs to move fast enough. He bolted from the covered position and made haste towards his friends. No matter how fast his muscular legs pushed, they were no match for the speed of the panthers barreling down the first set of steps. Their claws feverishly scraped the marble tiles as they hungrily leaped over the rising steps. They bore down upon Marcus' speeding frame ready to complete their pounce and tear his fleshy bits asunder limb by delicious limb.
Hardened boots rapidly slammed into the stone surface. The warrior ran with all of his night. Hungry jaws snapped open. The panthers' teeth oozed with saliva as they neared their landing zone.
Golden light streaked over Marcus' head. The shining barrier slammed into the skull of the left panther knocking it back down the steps. It bounced off and struck the right panther across the side of its face sending it crashing into the nearby wall. Stone cracked as its body collided against the fine masonry. The panther's body slumped to the ground battered but not entirely beaten just yet.
The gleaming shield returned to the paladin. He caught it in his awaiting grip. Rayne lowered his goggles while slipped the hardened leather straps of the shield over his forearm. He drew the radiant red blade from his waist and prepared for combat.
"Thanks kid," the warrior wheezed up his safe return. "I owe you."
"Save it," he snapped back. "Let's just through this."
The female giant loomed closer. Even on the lower platform, she still towered over the Templar Knights. The ground shook violently with each approaching step. She marched past the panthers as they regained their bearings from the paladin's previous attack. Her mace lifted high into the air. She bore down upon them with a menacing stare.
"Some things are better left alone!"
Her powerful words resonated within the paladin's core. The mace came down with blinding speed.
"Scatter!"
Rocky debris exploded from the site of the crash. The Templar Knights dove away just in time. The resounding crater was large enough to flatten half of their group outright. Getting caught underneath it would have been catostrophic.
"You have proven your strength iron lady," Ademski snickered while pulling himself to his feet.
The draenei drew his large blade from across his back. It glowed with the redeeming essence of the beloved Naaru's golden guidance.
"Allow me to show you mine!"
He rushed forward just as the bronze female was pulling her mace out of the site of the blast. The thick blade sliced wickedly into the air. It clashed against her armored knee. Painful vibrations clattered in Ademski's armored hands. The hilt of the blade was nearly ripped from his grip.
"You are much tougher than you look," he jested.
The draenei lifted his weapon towards his chest seconds before the giant's mace came crashing through. He braced himself as the impact collided against the sword and drove Ademski clean off his feet and into the nearby wall leaving a crushing dent in its wake.
"Don't stand toe to toe with her!"
Rayne's order was fierce but duly noted. Cayden and the priests began their initial volley. Radiant bursts of flames tore into her copper skin. The spells flecked off her body as if they were drops of water in a rainstorm.
"She's not like the other behemoth," the mage begrudgingly stated between casts. "Her natural armor is too strong. This is futile."
When the mage sounded desperate you could take those words to the bank. Rayne gritted his teeth. Every challenge they encountered in this blasted fortress was more difficult than the one prior. It was as if this mission in and of itself was designed for failure. If this was a patrol guardian set to keep watch over the other areas, he didn't even want to imagine the horror of the being that this place was designed to imprison.
The paladin buried those painful thoughts for the moment. They had to fight here and now. This moment was more important than any other future that awaited them. They couldn't match her in strength and durability; that much had already been prove. Rayne would have to use their wits to best this monster.
Unfortunately for them, she wasn't alone. The two panthers rose up and snarled sinisterly in their direction. They may have the numbers advantage but if those beasts were allowed to run wild, they could make short work of this meager resistance.
"Marcus, Weasel, follow me!" He shouted. "We'll keep her distracted while everyone else contends with those panthers."
"Don't forget about me friends," Ademski painfully smiled.
The draenei pulled himself from the wreckage using his sword as a crutch. He joined the trio with a pair of haggard steps. His eyes locked on those of his beloved wife's. With just a simple glance, a plan quickly formed.
"We will take her together," he nodded. "Let Saelena handle those kitty cats."
"Can she handle them both?" Rayne stated while moving in.
"Of course," the draenei boasted. "Her eyes are like that of a bird. Nothing escapes her sight."
The paladin had no choice to concede at the moment. The panthers moved too quickly for Narula to entrap them in vines and Cayden wouldn't be able to finish his incantation before their vicious jaws wrapped around his throat.
Saelena moved back up the previous steps. She hopped graciously between them almost gliding into the air. The hunter perched herself just at the edge of the platform and drew her rifle. She laid down flat and stoically peered through the sharp lens of her gun.
"Where is she going?!" Marcus cried.
"A bird sees better from the sky, no?" The draenei smirked.
All four Knights surrounded the bronze female. This allowed them to easily telegraph her blows and give them the added time they needed to avoid them. She couldn't strike all four at once so she'd be forced to try and pick them off one at a time.
The female grimaced. Her mace hung softly to the side. Rayne's expression tightened as she roared back and prepared to unleash a new type of attack.
"Brace yourselves!" Yelled Rayne.
Air violently sliced apart. A horrifying screech ripped through their bodies. The Templar Knights were stopped in their tracks. They all fell to their knees, clutching their skulls in desperation. The instinctual reaction did little to numb the pain. Their own cries were silenced by the bronze giant's menacing shout.
The paladin's armor cruelly vibrated. His bones rattled within his muscular frame. The agony continued to tear through them with little to no resistance. He looked over to find Cayden, Narula and the priests reeling in similar fashion. Rayne frantically tried to reach out to them but couldn't tear himself away from this deafening torture swelling over him.
Both panthers whizzed passed them. The paladin's eyes shot open. This was an incredible strategy on her part. She nullifies the defenses of her attackers while her cats pounce and tear them apart while they would be forced to watch.
The black panther skated ahead. Its paws scraped away at the marble as it loomed in on the first target. Zariyana was in its range and ripe for the plucking. Her silver hair waded over her golden eyes while her hands continued to squeeze her head. She didn't even get to see death's nearing embrace approaching. The beast leapt into the air. Its razor sharp fangs opened wide and ready to tear into its first meal.
Blood splattered over the priest's white robes staining her hair and neck. The warm liquid seeped through and coated her untanned skin. Her eyes shot up to find the source of this newly disgusting feeling. The panther laid convulsing in a fleshy heap just a few short steps away. A trail of crimson splatter followed it starting from the priest's head all the way to where its carcass sat.
Relief swelled over the paladin. Saelena was their saving grace. The audible misery continuing to drive them to their knees didn't appear to have any effect on the brilliant sniper. From that distance, she was able to easily pick off the pouncing cat and save the priest from certain death. The bullet ripped through the panther's skull and shut it down with a single shot.
The terrifying screeching noise thankfully began to subside. The Templar Knights removed their hands away from their ears simultaneously. Even the ferocious sounds of a fierce battle were much better than anything coming out of the bronze giant's mouth. However, they couldn't breathe easy just yet. There was still one last charging panther to deal with and it had its crimson eyes set on the night elf's kneeling frame.
"NARULA!"
Rayne's lungs burned as he shouted in utter terror. The corner of his eyes spotted Saelena still cocking the bolt of her rifle after the initial shot. She wouldn't make it time to save her. The paladin reached out. A glowing aura of light grew within his palm. The panther snarled as it leapt into the air ready to tear her beautiful visage in a pool of blood.
Wind exploded from the wall. The night elf swiped her hand from one end to the other and unleashed an unrelenting typhoon at the panther. The wave of air crushed the beast's hide. It drove him clear across the room. Its body spun wildly in defiance as it cleared the barrier and descended into the unknown depths in the center of the ring.
The fear subsided. Rayne's nerves finally started to settle. All this time he had been searching for an emotion to free him from this void of nothingness and terror was more than happy to take up residence. That exceedingly vile sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach dug away at his intestines begging for more attention. He easily brushed them aside knowing one of his oldest and most cherished companions was safe from harm for the time being.
Narula's eyes continued to glow. The stern look upon her brow reminded the paladin how capable she truly was. In the moment Rayne feared he was going to lose her, she had already conjured a stunning defense of her own and in the process, provided him with a brilliant idea on how to best this giant. It was going to take some quick coordination on everyone's part. If done properly, she would go down without a fuss. The only problem was they were going to need her to scream one more time.
The bronze female swung her mace downwards. It crushed the area where Weasel once stood. The gnome tumbled in the air and landed on the adjacent wall. He planted his feet against it while dangling off the ledge of the rise above. Using his free hand, the gnome dug into his pockets and unleashed a volley of throwing daggers. Each speedy blade pelted the giant's and harmlessly bounced off her skin.
"We can't keep this up all day Rayne!" Weasel implored. "Not unless you've got another one of those tanks in your back pocket."
"Cool your pipes micro-noggin," taunted Marcus as he swayed backwards from a vicious strike.
The warrior's back leaned towards the edge. Pushing him any further would put Marcus in a very precarious position. And besides, that's not who they wanted over there anyways.
"Marcus!" Called the paladin while ducking underneath a quick swipe. "Trade places with me!"
"And how the hell do you expect me to do that?!"
Rayne loaded a fresh flare into his hand launcher. He snapped it into place and strapped his sword back onto his waist.
"Run around," commanded the paladin. "I'll find a way through!"
The warrior shrugged. He delivered a useless strike to the back of the giant's leg gaining her menacing attention once more. Rayne stepped back a few feet preparing to launch himself into a sprint.
"Now!"
The bronze guardian delivered a massive strike in Marcus' direction. The warrior blitzed off to the side forcing her eyes and head to give chase. Rayne saw his opening. The giant shifted her legs and opened her stance. She turned to face Marcus just as he arrived at the paladin's location.
Rayne took off in a mad dash. The giant's eyes locked onto his. She raised her mace on high hoping to crush him as she did so many tiles during the duration of this battle. The paladin fell backwards tucking his right leg underneath his extended left. He slid forward with his outstretched wrist pointing towards her shining bronze skull.
"Narula! Bind her arms!"
The rocket exploded from his wrist. Blinding green light erupted in her face. For the first time since this confrontation began, the giant wailed in agony.
Roots emerged from the broken cracks of the marbled floor. They rose quickly, thickening to nearly a foot in diameter at the base before wrapping around her flailing hands.
Rayne's left foot smacked the edge of the inner ring wall. The leftover velocity quickly picked him up back upon his feet. He turned around and faced the giant's backside. Both of her arms were constricted in the druid's powerful entanglement. They pulled her hands back and stretched the appendages outwards greatly reducing her available strength.
"Cayden!" Rayne called while pointing to her legs. "Lock her down!"
The mage nodded. A wash of brilliant blue energy waded over his eyes. The moisture in the surrounding air began to freeze. Bright blue runes were quickly carved underneath each of the giant's feet. They began to glow with a chilling savagery. Crystals of ice washed over her legs up to the shin. It grew thicker and thicker with every passing breath.
Cayden snapped both of his fingers. The ice swelled and froze into place. Hardened blue shackles nearing five feet in thickness locked the giant onto the ground.
"Raymond," the night elf distressingly said through her taxing spell. "Her strength is excessive. I do not know how much longer I can sustain this effort."
"Likewise," Cayden painted. "I won't be able to keep her bound for long either."
The paladin figured that would be the case. However, this was all part of his plan. He didn't want her all tied up with nowhere to go; he just needed her desperate and distracted enough to unleash one of those hideous screeches.
"Marcus!" Rayne shouted. "Give me a boost."
His eyes darted towards the priest.
"Samuel, Zariyana," he began with a serious stare. "I'm going to need some hang time."
The twin's looked puzzled initially but they quickly nodded in unison. It appears they were the first to catch wind of the paladin's plan. He only hoped everyone was willing to go on board once it got started.
Ice cracked in front of Rayne. She was beginning to break free. Her body slowly shifted as she leaned her head back. This was the moment he was waiting for.
The paladin raced forward. He zoomed passed the two blocks of ice and sprinted towards Marcus' awaiting grip. Rayne leapt into the air and planted his greave into the tough interlocking fingers of the warrior. Bolts of light released from the palms of the twins and formed into the vague shape of a cloud. The struck the paladin's armor and washed over his body freeing it from the shackles of gravity.
Marcus cried in a tremendous shout as he flipped his beefy arms upward. Rayne launched into the air. He graciously flew with in a swift glide. The paladin flipped his body backwards as he descended towards the rearing skull of giant. Her mouth opened widely. She filled her body with air and prepared to unleash another chaotic torrent of sound.
Metal slapped metal as Rayne landed just atop the giant's shoulders. He sat upon them and threw his shield over her face. His legs and arms locked around her enormous head and sealed the steel barrier in place. The paladin squeezed with every fiber of his being to ensure the giant's wail didn't make it an inch past his shield.
Roots snapped and ice shattered in a rampant fury. The bronze guardian unleashed her horrific cry. It rattled against the paladin's barrier but found no audience outside of it. The vibrations threatened to rip the shield right out of Rayne's hands. Try as she might, the giant could not break the resounding stubbornness of the paladin's will.
"Everyone!" Clenched Rayne. "Drive her back!"
A flurry of explosions caught the bronze guardian square in the chest. Saelena rose to her feet and continued to fire carefully timed shots across her abdomen taking extra caution not to accidentally hit the giant's unwanted guests. Stars crashed against her igniting in a bright ball of silver dust upon impact.
The giant continued to flail as the Templar Knights unleashed their onslaught. She reeled against their unrelenting attacks. Though they didn't appear to be doing any significant damage that was not the point of this strategy. The just needed to get her closer to that ledge and let gravity do the rest of the work for them.
Two massive swings rocked the bronze guardian's core. Ademski and Marcus' combined efforts nearly dropped the giant to her armored knees. This was not what the paladin was looking for but still found this opportunity to be a gem buried underneath a mountain of sand. Rayne let out a ferocious roar as he pulled back with all of his might and lifted the guardian back up and dragged her towards the edge.
"Rayne?!" Marcus cried. "What are you doing? Let go!"
"Just a little more," the paladin cringed.
The giant took another step back. Her heel was inches away from the raised edge. One more push was all he needed. Rayne begged the light for another blessing to grant him the strength for one last incredible tug. His mouth widened as he dragged his entire body back with all of the might left within his body.
Stones crunched against the giant's heel. Her body reeled over the edge. Rayne continued to pull as their bodies became parallel with the ground on the far away platform. The bronze guardian's shouts turned into cries as she careened over the edge. Glass shattered in a vain attempt to catch her immense frame. Her shouts continued to trail into the air as she descended into the unknown below.
"RAYMOND!"
The night elf dashed towards the edge. Her purple locks swayed into the air as she leaned over to examine the disaster that seemingly awaited her. Thunderous beats slammed into Narula's chest. The guardian had been reduced to a fraction of her size. She appeared as if a mere speck in the distance. The fall was several hundred feet deep and would have been catastrophic to anything or anyone who would dare challenge it.
"Rayne!"
The simultaneous shouts of the Templar Knights melded together to form a singular voice. They all swarmed around the night elf. Each of them frantically searched the depths below for any sign of the paladin. At this distance, it was hard to make out anything in the faint light provided. Whether it be a shield, a sword, or even the famed red Templar crest, they would take anything at this point to verify the whereabouts of their beloved leader.
"You don't think she fell on top of him?"
Weasel's suggestion was nowhere the top of the list of optimal scenarios. Fortunately it was the one they all wanted to rule out first.
"I am going down there."
The night elf's stern demeanor was rivaled by no one. She perched herself on the ledge despite receiving an overwhelming amount of opposition from most of her companions. If Rayne was still alive down there he could be badly hurt and in need of immediate care. Narula couldn't let him continue to suffer. She dedicated her life and promised to always protect him.
Cracks continued to build along the pathway. They couldn't wait any longer. The night elf began shifting her form. Her fingers melded together as purple feathers began to sprout.
"Narula stop!"
The pleas of her companion fell upon deaf ears. She was not about to let it end this way. Whether it were in the grip of an Old God or within the void of the Maelstrom, Narula would brave any obstacle that stood between her and the paladin.
"I'm okay!"
Electricity snapped against the night elf's senses. She had completely shut herself off from the outside world. Narula didn't realize the one begging her to stop was the one she was so desperately seeking to save.
"Raymond!"
The night elf collapsed to her knees and peered over the edge. Her hands returned to their normal size and form. Marcus and Ademski held onto her ankles as she leaned over to verify the wonderful news. Just a few feet below, Rayne dangled above the massive drop with shield still in his hand. The paladin's other gauntlet was embedded into the hanging wall below underneath the ledge. He was just out of sight for anyone peering from the edges surface but from this angle, Narula was able to find every inch of his silver armored body.
More cracks began to seep their way through. The forced ledge the paladin had created was crumbling within the tips of his fingers. His eyes begged to look down below at what may await him but his resolve could not be broken. He continued to stare up as the night elf leaned over with her outstretched hand reaching towards him.
The stone gave way. Rayne's gauntlet tore through the rocky surface as gravity wrapped him up in its deadly embrace. He tried to reach upwards hoping to cling onto anything within his grasp. The look of horror on the night elf's face as he descended would be one he would not soon forget. He braced himself for the inevitable and painful impact.
The paladin's body jolted. He didn't expect to hit the ground this soon but was more surprised of the lack of pain. Unless of course his death was so instantaneous that his mind could process all the residual torment. He continued to feel weightless in this new dimension except of course the continually tugging sensation burned into his wrist.
Rayne slowly opened his eyes. The night elf had clutched his arm in her vice-like grip. She dangled perilously over the edge with Marcus hanging just above. The draenei locked both of his arms around the warrior's ankles with no signs of letting up.
"Relax my friends," Ademski cheered. "There is nothing to fear. I will pull you up in just a moment."
The Knights began their slow drag up to the top. Rayne couldn't believe they had performed such a dangerous stunt but it wasn't like he was one to talk. He couldn't help but notice Narula's joyful but still distressing look of concern bearing down upon him. She didn't blink once during their ascension. Her eyes never left his even for a second.
Ademski pulled and pulled until all of them had made it to solid ground. The draenei nodded in approval at his fine work then took a seat against the wall to catch his breath from the taxing series of events.
The paladin pushed himself up and onto his knees. His muscles still twitched from the extended effort required to keep him living even if for just a few moments longer. Rayne rolled back slowly and planted his back along the safe confines of the sturdy raised edge and drank in a few moments of relief.
"Did we get her?"
The first words out of his mouth were unexpected but necessary. Weasel hunched over towards the ledge and gave the area another quick peek.
"Well she's either dead," he began. "Or pissed."
Humor notwithstanding, it was good to know they could breathe a little easier. Rayne took that to heart as he continued to pant and drink in more of that sweet air into his lungs. He desperately sought that delicious numbing feeling coating every inch of his body but not a drop of adrenaline flowed through his veins. This growing pit of nothingness continually plaguing his conscious was beginning to test his nerves. Even with the threat of absolute death looming below him, he didn't feel a single shred of trepidation.
"Raymond…"
The paladin opened his eyes. Narula was staring back at him. She was hutched over on all fours just inches away from his face. Her warm breaths tickled the layer of exposed skin. The night elf's expression hadn't changed since they were hanging for their lives just moments ago. He couldn't savor the gorgeous curves of her thin lavender lips or the sultry twinkle in her silver eyes as he normally would. Something about this moment was off. It felt wrong for some reason and yet his heart pounded as if trying to cry out to everyone who would listen except for the one it truly wanted to speak to.
"Narula."
The words exited his lips so easily. He looked upon her frantically searching for anything to get his chest to stop pounding.
"Thank you."
It was all he could get out. Those words swam on the surface and yet still aided in reducing his rapid heart rate. In the end, it needed to be said. Expressing his gratitude towards the one who saved him was the least he could do. Unfortunately for the paladin, the sickening void brewing in his stomach showed no signs of dispersing.
A sharp blow tapped Rayne near his waist guard. The night elf, realizing the precarious position she was in, rolled off the paladin and sat at his side.
"I'm surprised you could fit those balls in such a small codpiece."
The warrior grinned as he lowered his hand and offered Rayne assistance back to his feet. The paladin obliged offering a small smirk in return.
"That was a gutsy move kid," Marcus shrugged. "I hate to admit this but I doubt I could have done the same and lived to tell about it."
"Well, at least you would have died the way you lived," the gnome added.
"Oh yea," the warrior snarled citing his brewing rage, "And how's that?"
"Half-naked with nothing running through your mind except a gigantic pair of bo –"
"Must we be so uncouth at a time like this?" Sighed Samuel.
"It's the only way some of them know how to live brother," his sister answered.
"Uncouth?!" Weasel snapped. "I'll show you uncouth!"
The gnome passed a quick glance to Cayden.
"Hey Flame-Brain, just between you and me, what does uncouth mean?"
"Hey!" The mage growled. "I thought I told you to quit calling me that."
"Would you rather I call you uncouth instead?"
Seeing the Knights enjoying themselves after a hard fought battle even as they continued to playfully argue usually brought a little warmth in the paladin's heart. It was nice to see their tensions melting away but Rayne couldn't shaking this feeling of restlessness. A shadow continued to creep over him. So far, all of his efforts had ended in success but it still failed to feed the hunger that brought him out here in the first place. He nearly lost himself in those thoughts until a jolt of electricity began tickling his back.
The night elf's soft hand gently caressed his shoulder. Rayne turned and met her eyes. She stared at him with inquiring hesitation as if she were struggling to call out to him but the words couldn't reach her throat. The paladin had never seen her look so confused and worried before. Something was definitely troubling her but for the life of him, Rayne couldn't discern why. Just before he could think to even ask, a hardened slap slammed into the paladin's back.
"Magnificent job Templar," grinned Ademski. "I could not have vanquished that foe more solidly if I were in your place."
"Thanks?" Rayne said forcing a smile. "I'm just glad everyone is okay."
"Okay?" The draenei countered. "We are incredible. Never have I felt so full of vigor. Tell me, what new challenge awaits us?"