Author's Note: This is a short story I decided to write, portraying the interaction and backstory between two of my characters. I RP on Moon Guard, so if anything doesn't make sense, or seems to end abruptly, it's probably continued with another person! If you want more of the story, come on down and I'd be happy to RP with you!
The scout had been right, of course. An army of undeath, marching upon the eternal spring of Quel'thalas. Long before the wails and shrieks of the dead were audible, the stench of death swept over the land, foreshadowing what was to come.
In this hour, there was no confusion. No uncertainty. The Ranger-General and her troops had failed. It was clear from the report what would become of them, but that didn't keep the people from their hopes. But now, as it became increasingly obvious that Death was at their door...
"Let's go." Zaraelyna pushed herself up from where she knelt in the Farstrider Square, placing the freshly sharpened arrows into her quiver. With a look of grim determination, she'd nod at her mother.
Anyanda Morningsorrow was beautiful, graceful, and strong. When Anarian wasn't around, she would guide her family and friends. Unwavering determination and courage, she inspired those near her. Yet, on this last day, she was worried. Not for herself, her people, or even her husband. For her daughters, Zaraelyna and Vyndina.
"Zara… Vyn… My loves…" Anyanda would nod to each in turn. Vyn, pacing nervously, would look over her shoulder, usually-flowing hair disheveled. Swallowing roughly, the girl would step towards the other women of her family. The quiet tension between the three was almost tangible.
The two rangers, Zara and Anya, shared a quick knowing glance, before returning their eyes to Vyn. Not wanting to break this precious moment, they'd stare at each other for a little while longer.
It was Vyndina, who finally spoke. "We could run." She'd blurt out, wringing her own hands in anxiety. "Go North, find a way around… Hide." Her voice would be barely loud enough to hear, but urgent.
Anyanda shook her head, an imperceptibly blank face tilting slightly. "No. Vyndina… You know we can not abandon our people. You are stronger than that." She'd wrinkle her nose slightly, finally showing signs of disgust at the scents of putrefaction.
"Vyn… Fight with us. If this is how we end, we end together." Zara would clasp a lithe hand on her sister's shoulder, nodding once more. Before another word could be spoken, a booming voice would echo through the city, a deep resonant tone, with an ominous undertone.
"Citizens of Silvermoon! I have given you ample opportunities to surrender, but you have stubbornly refused. Know that today, your entire race and your ancient heritage will end! Death itself has come to claim the high home of the elves!"
The Morningsorrow line had always been brave. They prided themselves in their strength and precision, unwavering courage. Always at the front lines, their members served their people until their dying breath. In a way, that was what it meant to be a Morningsorrow. Giving your whole life for your people, without wavering. It had been that way for longer than Vyndina knew.
Why me?
Pacing back and forth across the secluded inlet, the monk would seemingly have thrown her rationales out the window. She ran her fingers through her hair, coming to the only place she knew she would not be disturbed.
Not the point, not the point. Her thoughts were frenzied, scattered. What she had pushed out of her mind, closed the door on, she had hoped would stay gone. Her family. Her misdeeds. Her decisions. All old news to her, known to few, if any.
Her becoming of a monk had been to attone, in her own way. Viewing herself as a traitor and a coward, she felt she at least owed it to herself to prove her worth. All her training and meditation had helped her to overcome her grief, and anguish. She was the only one of her family to survive, and that was that. She was the legacy. And she had failed.
Relinquishing her title, she became known as only Vyndina, or Vyn. The fewer that recognized her, the better. Finally building up the courage to return to her old home, she'd allow herself to feel peaceful, like she belonged. She was a new face once more, in an old city. She had escaped her past, and had started on a new path. She was respectable, strong, honorable. She would never truly forgive herself for what she had done, but she could live with that. Until earlier that day, there had never been anyone else to hold her accountable. So how had the tables suddenly turned?
Rushing to the front gates, the Trio prepared for the worse. Zaraelyna, drawing her bow with grim determination. Anyanda lifted her own, nocking an arrow as she awaited the invaders. Vyndina, behind the other two, slowly lifted her own. With shaking fingers, she'd rest an arrow against the slot, preparing for what was sure to be their final stand.
What she saw was beyond even what she had feared. The shambling corpses of her people poured in with a sudden shriek. The few forces remaining at the gates charged valiantly, meeting their enemy head-on. Given prior knowledge of the threat, they fared better than they would have. But better than a complete slaughter, is still a slaughter. Within minutes, they were overwhelmed, and the dead pressed on.
Throwing themselves at the living, the walking corpses would hack and slash, swinging wildly at anything still breathing. The women drew aim again and again, downing as many as they could. Stepping back with each shot, however, they were quickly faced with a decision.
"Let's move." Anya called out, turning to her daughters. "To the spire, it'll be easier to hold out." Zara nodded obediently, as did her younger sister. As they made their way there, however, it became evident that they weren't fast enough. The dead pressed on, losing little ground. With grim determination, Anya turned. "Zaraelyna. Vyndina. Here, we make our final stand."
Zara… Is alive.
For anyone else, discovering their elder sister had survived almost certain death would be an uplifting moment, full of wonder and joy. For Vyn, the simple thought wracked her body with a guilt she hadn't felt in over a year.
She… She hates me.
The emotion cascaded throughout her being, overwhelming her. Dropping to her knees, she'd throw her head back, releasing a shriek of frustration, with herself, even with her sister, for being alive. She had drawn a blank, unsure of what to do. She couldn't return to the city, for fear of seeing Zara again. She couldn't go to Melli, because she didn't want to be seen like this.
Time to disappear again.
They released arrow after arrow, until their limbs screamed for rest. Vyn drew another, mounting it clumsily. "Mother… We need to run!"
"No, Vyn. This is our home. If it falls today, so do we." She'd not spare a look to her daughter, focusing on the threat beforehand.
Vyn, on the other hand, was never as focused. Turning a quick gaze to her mother and sister, she'd fight back tears at their courage, willingness to lay down their lives for Quel'thalas. Vyndina was never so brave. Releasing the arrow, it would sail over the heads of undead, before uselessly clanking off a shred of armor, falling to the ground. With a crushing sense of regret, she'd tear her eyes from the battle once more. "I'm sorry… This isn't my end." She'd throw her bow to the ground, took a few steps back, before turning to run.
Zaraelyna heard the shriek from where she was, following the old beaten path to the inlet. The place their family had found, many years ago, was lucky enough to survive the assault. Breaking into a run, vaulting nimbly over the branches and fallen trees in her way, she'd emerge from the woods to find…
Nothing. Vyn, despite having just been here, had vanished once more. Swearing under her breath, Zara would walk forward, scanning the area for traces of her sister. Footprints, the scent of peaches she had caught, strands of hair, even…
Then she felt it. In her younger sister's distressed state, she had failed to contain her energies. The sheer strength of her emotions permeated the air, and Zara thanked the Light silently that she had begun to study the arcane in the past weeks. With a small motion of her hand, she raised her chin, eyes glowing brightly. Following the trail, she'd press on.
Zara, so keenly aware of her surroundings, could sense her sister's growing distress, even over her own. Sensing the movement, she'd swear under her breath, as the spire was becoming surrounded. "Let's go, mother." She'd call out, as she turned to drop down from the ledge. There was no response. Looking over her shoulder, her mother had disappeared from her sight. Looking around, she'd begin to panic. Dropping from the ledge, she'd sprint away from the hordes, a pit growing in her stomach. Looking for her family, she'd swallow roughly.
"Vyndina!" She'd hear the shriek, looking around frantically. Her mother would be scrambling after her, the well-composed woman going into a frenzy. This struck Zara as odd, but she didn't have time to think. If her Mother was scaling the city walls, there must be a reason. Beginning to sprint towards the buildings, her heart would drop as she saw what her mother had.
What Vyn had not.
"Vyndina!" Zara screamed, spotting the gargoyles flapping about, dropping civilians back onto the ground. Flinging herself against the walls, she'd race up, trying to get to her younger sister. Little Vyn… She'd choke back a desperate sob, exerting all the effort she could. When the trio was noticed by one of the hideous stone creatures, Zara almost gave up. This was it. The last of the Morningsorrows, being chased, while they tried to flee. Was this how her family would end?
The trek was long, probably a great deal longer than it needed to be. Vyn had made sure to avoid most settlements, wanting to leave as little trace of herself as possible. Finally arriving in Tranquillen, she'd sigh. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears, but she was overcoming her recent outburst fairly well. Surpressing her emotions, she'd grimly purchase a Dragonhawk to Brill.
Mounting the beast silently, she'd lean forward, allowing it to carry her. Mind racing, she'd simply gaze forward, trying to hide from her own thoughts.
Zara… She'd allow her thoughts to drift to her sister, and she'd shake her head, trying not to let doubt creep up on her. She knew what she was going to do.
Arriving in the small town north of the Undercity, she'd solemnly take the winding staircase up the tower, waiting for the zeppelin. Sending one last look back to the direction of her homeland, she'd steel herself. Determined to prove herself once more, she'd turn to the goblin, lofting a brow.
"Is this the one to the fjord?"
She was scared. No, beyond that. Terrified. Death was shambling below her, and she was determined to outrun it. Suppressing her emotions, she'd push onward, pulling herself up building after building.
"Vyndina!" She'd hear the scream again, this time from her sister. She focused on climbing, trying to tune out the horrifying sounds below. For a few more moments, her world involved only reaching one hand up, then one foot. Simple, easy motions. Yes, she could do this.
"Mother!" The shrill yelp from below made her blood run cold. Taking a deep breath, she'd look down below her. What she saw made her lose her grip, and she tumbled painfully down to the roof below her. Now lying on her back, she had a clear view of her mother.
A clear view of the look on her face. Reaching out for her youngest daughter, her jaw would be open in a silent scream. Noiseless, Vyn realized as a wave of guilt wracked her body, due to the grip from the creature. Her mother's throat dripped a steady stream of blood, as the talons sliced into her flesh. Right before she soared out of the city, she was dropped.
"Mom!" Vyn jolted to life, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she scaled building after building. Knowing what she'd see before she reached the top of the wall, she'd begin to plead. "No, please no… No…"
Anyanda Morningsorrow was on the ground. Flat on her back, arms outstretched. The face that had whispered so many loving, reassuring words, the face that had kept it's cool when all else failed, was forever frozen in an expression of pure horror. Surrounded in a splatter of her own fluid, as the undead trudged on toward the body, continuing their horrid march through the city. Vyn let out a wail, dropping to her knees.
This was all her fault… All my fault…