Ulric's eyes opened up, weakly, meeting the pale blue of the sky above, a sweltering pain running all over his face, to the point where his jaw felt locked up when he tried to open his mouth, feeling out the pain that consumed his body. He reached his hand up, rubbing his face, able to feel the large bruises that sat there, figuring he had been lying there for quite a while, given how bad they felt.

Slowly lifting his torso off the ground, grunting painfully the whole way as his muscles tensed up, sore to their deepest reaches. His eyes squinted beneath the powerful sunlight that reflected off the ground beneath him, coming even more powerfully off the grandiose, shining tower in the distance, its golden spires shimmering brilliantly as Ulric's eyes adjusted. Staring at the ashen earth beyond his feet, his brain slowly unraveled, recalling bits and pieces as to what had happened.

He remembered not being in control of his own body after Aerxaxx had fully corrupted him, but that was about it as he sat there, rubbing his face, enduring the gentle numbness that followed all g where his fingers slid.

Colin.

"God damn," he chuckled to himself, vaguely recalling the visage of Colin atop of him, just able to make out the ramshackle punches that blew down upon his face.

His eyes opened up, turning to examine Wyrmrest Temple in the distance, himself being about halfway between it and the mountains he remembered traversing, just barely catching the distant shadows of airborne dragons, circling the temple's magnificent apex. Ulric's eyes followed the tower upward, attempting to recall what his mother had told him about the Aspects as a child in some book or fairytale.

"Let's see… A clever un' is Neltharion, a spellweaver at most is Malygos, Ysera's one mysterious, as swift as a topaza is Alexatra-"

A chill ran down his spine as a gush of memories flooded his mind, suddenly remembering the whole of his encounter with the Dragon Queen. He reached up, clenching his chest as his heart raced, the dragon's voice pouring over him like an overflowing kiln, even in his memory.

"I'll be pleased to teach you how wrong you are, demon."

"Am I to be responsible to every mortal's corruption?"

"The amount of eternal tortures that I can offer you are mastadonic."

Wrapped his arms around his chest, breathlessly, feeling a fiery pain at his hand as it made contact with himself, a gasp escaping him as he noticed what had been left of his hand, which was only charred muscle tissue and bone, his skin having entirely been torn off. At the recalling of Alexatraza's words, Ulric had already become overwhelmed, but now the sight of his hand increased her tremors, his face growing red as a mass if tears began to fall from his eyes, covering him as he buried his face in his one good hand, thinking back to his mother's words of so many years ago.

He whispered to himself, sadly, his voice croaking as his shoulders shook with every gasp of tearful air, "You wanted me to forget you. To forget you and my father… To not chase after revenge for what he was…"

His hand ran up his face and through his hair as he buried his face ever lower, "If I'd forgotten you, who'd have been with me all these years?"

Shaking his head, he stared at his hand curled into his lap, witnessing the result of all that hate he'd endured so many years ago, back in Tiristfal. Though he had no idea how it had happened, the idea of Alexstraza confronting him left quite little to the imagination.

Gradually, he began to notice the gentle pattering of speedy footsteps making their way across the hollow ash toward him, the footfalls growing with strength as they drew nearer and nearer, though Ulric was too absorbed in his thoughts to make any attempt to demonstrate to the newcomer that he'd noticed them.

The steps slowed to a stop, leaving only the heavy breathing of the woman Ulric knew was Shadowmoon as she tried to catch her breath, holding herself up by her knees as she keeled over, "I thought you were in danger! You and Colin fell down the mountain; after those explosions and shit, I didn't know what had happ-"

Ulric raised his head toward her, causing her to gasp as she nearly recoiled in place, her brow furrowing in worry as his tear-stained face stared up at her, emotionlessly, though in a moment's time, a gentle smile arose at his lips, "Sorry."

"Sorry?!" she cried out, stomping up toward him, "That's all you can say?! Motherfucker, I'm about to kill you right now for having made me worry to death and killing my heart and lungs just rushing out here!"

She knelt beside him, reaching up to examine his bruised face, yanking her hand back suddenly once he groaned out loud in pain, grinning, "I didn't know that man had it in him."

"Who, Colin? He did this to you?!" Shadowmoon questioned, angrily.

Ulric nodded, "Yeah, but- Surely you knew I wasn't being myself."

Frowning, Shadowmoon sighed, "I suppose it makes it easier that you're admitting to it. I think we all had no idea what to do when you started pulling the weirdest shit- I mean, you've had us all fell some pretty monstrous creatures, but at least we can buy that sort of crazy. Taking prisoners was some pretty odd shit, coming from you."

"I guess I deserved it, then," Ulric smiled, faintly, as Shadowmoon pulled away, content with her examination as she stood, "We'll have to get some herbs to help the bruising, but you should be fine within a week or two."

"You sure about that?" Ulric questioned, rhetorically, as he reached his good hand up to wipe off his face, revealing what was left of his other extremity, sending Shadowmoon into a horrified, sharp inhalation as her hand covered her mouth.

She immediately fell to her knees once more, frantically reaching for the uncharred portion if his arm, carefully pulling it toward her as she quickly reached for whatever dressing she had on her person, her face leaning closer and closer as tears welled up, gradually worsening her vision as she stared at his injury.

Gently pulling his arm away, Ulric managed a weak smile, "It'll be okay; don't worry about it."

"Okay?!" Shadowmoon shouted feverishly, tears flying from her face as her head whipped up toward him.

Ulric nodded, still smiling, "After whatever happened to expel that demon from within me, I feel recovered enough."

Shadowmoon eyed him curiously through whetted eyes, "…demon?"

He grinned, "After my parents died, I was rather lost. I was alone, afraid; too young to really do much of anything to keep myself protected. I survived solely on my hunting abilities, and I hated that so. My father was a monster, yet I was forced to rely on what he'd taught me. I became a vicious, relentless hunter into my teens, my hatred and anger increasing every day; that bitterness toward my mother being stripped of her humanity…"

Sighing gently, he reached up to scratch at his cheek, "Then, after a matter of time, I began experiencing the symptoms of that horrible worgen virus; whenever I felt in danger or cornered, it seemed to trigger something within me. I was becoming more like my father each day, and I felt more and more angry at my mother's fate. I was a great candidate for any malevolent being, I'm sure."

Ulric chuckled, "So I basically made a deal with a satyr, who promised to keep me alive and help me take revenge on my mother's 'murderer', in a sense, so long as I allow myself to be his vessel when he can't be around. Obviously, I was willing to accept most anything at that time that gave me any sort of drive, particularly that of vengeance."

"I grew older, learned more about life, I moved on," Ulric explained, his eyes sinking regretfully, "I didn't hear a peep from him for years; he was probably entertaining himself with others until I headed out here and he grew interested. Regardless of how much is changed, we'd made a deal, and he was always in my mind. Bringing forth anger I had buried so deep, sending me back into the primal rages of my teenage years. Then when that those travelers said they were coming out here…I could feel that satyr's tendrils entangling my mind, but he wouldn't even allow me to think of questioning him."

Shadowmoon sighed, turning up toward him with a serious face, "Would you really have shot me up on that mountain?"

His eyes growing distant, Ulric grumbled to himself, regretfully, before shutting his eyes, "I don't know. Considering what all he was able to make me do… I hate to think I would have."

"Well then, I have a great deal more thanks to give Colin than I already did," Shadowmoon groaned, "Thanks."

Ulric couldn't help but chuckled behind his closed mouth, smirking widely as he returned to staring at his hand. His face averted, Shadowmoon glanced over toward him, her critiquing eyes following the side of his body, having seen such an incredibly vicious side of him, he now seemed far more serene than she'd ever noticed before.

"Would you have fucked me if you weren't…," she trailed off, muttering under her breath as her eyes shifted to the side, skeptical of his answer.

His eyes curled up toward her, a mischievous smile appearing there, "You know, every time I ended up in those states where I was crippled by heart palpitations and nearly keeping over- basically those times where I was almost more worgen than man… So often, when that happened, I'd never felt more like myself."

He rubbed a finger along his eyed, tiredly, as if knowing what he was saying was crazy, "I started wondering, and came to think that all those times, it was whatever is inside me trying to protect me from that satyr."

"So to answer your question," Ulric laughed, disarmingly, "Yeah, I'm sure I would have. Granted, it was for an odd reason, but I mean, you know, I can't help but see so much trust and independence within you that I admire greatly."

Shadowmoon's lips turned curiously as she thought to herself for a moment, crossing her arms as she began, "You know, I often thought about such things when I was younger; having that sort of relationship with someone. I always figured if it happened to be a one-time deal, I wouldn't bother sticking around. I mean, there's no point being around people with that bad of taste not to take me for forever."

Ulric grinned, "Well I certainly don't want that."

"Good," Shadowmoon concluded out loud, more so to herself before she swallowed the nervous knot in her neck, repeating quietly, "Good…"

"I know just by being around you for so long that you have a difficult time trusting others," Ulric shrugged, "I think you believe that nobody could ever hold that same, immense level of trust in you that you offer to others. If it's worth anything after what all has happened, the other guys and I- I don't think we could survive out here for long without you, now, after having you."

Shadowmoon smirked, tightening her crossed arms against her torso as she rolled her glowing eyes, "I mean, somebody has to keep you all alive and in line. That's why I came all the way out here to get you."

"Really, now," Ulric replied, teasingly, "For a moment, I thought you might have fallen in l-"

He immediately paused as Shadowmoon's neck whipped around toward him, her eyes growing like saucers in surprise, "D-Don't even go there!"

"It was only a joke," Ulric assured her, smiling wryly, "Though, your response says a lot."

She frowned, "I have two sisters ready to take me back home; you'd better watch what you say or I may just take 'em up on that offer!"

"You won't," Ulric retorted, "Because as much as we need you, you need us just the same."

Shadowmoon blushed, her blueish skin collecting two pools of purple at her face as she quickly turned away, shaking her head as she quietly replied, "…shut up."

Ulric chuckled as he slowly began to make his way onto his feet, carefully to keep his injured hand close to his body and away from any activity. Despite her current mood, Shadowmoon quickly jumped to help him along, keeping her hands on either side of him as he stood, shakily, groaning painfully as his muscles ached through.

"That wasn't so bad," Ulric sighed, shaking his head warily, "Thanks for the hel-"

"Syheath," Shadowmoon interrupted, remaining close as she remained holding a grip on both his shoulders.

Ulric eyed her curiously, "Pardon?"

"My name… It's Syheath."

Her head jerked up toward him, angrily, "Look, I'm trying that whole trust thing you just mentioned, okay?"

Ulric grinned, "It's beautiful."

She blushed all the more, suddenly pulling her hands away in an attempt to quell the heat collecting at her face, though as she did so, Ulric began to tip over to the side, unable to remain upright, forcing Shadowmoon to quickly grasp his shoulders again.

"D-Don't embarrass me anymore or I'll let you fall next time," Syheath made clear, weakly.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Ulric assured, pain radiating through him from the movement as his breath seethed, "Maybe later there'll be something I wouldn't mind falling into alongside you, but here isn't exactly- WOAH!"

He fell backwards, slamming into the ground as Syheath crossed her arms again, watching him from her upturned face, "Told you."

"Okay, okay," Ulric grinned, accepting her hand as she offered to help him up to his feet, "Thanks for coming out here for me."

Syheath only helped him along, pushing him in front of her so that he wouldn't see her face, so sure that she was, once again, exhibiting her weakness to the power he now wielded over her heart. Slowly, though, she came to know that her trust had to have been well-placed as they walked along toward the temple, figuring they might as well complete the journey.

"Any time," she assured, quietly, long after the fact, "Always."

Kyra's breath just barely kept up with the rapidity of her lungs as she dashed across the ashen sands, desperately rushing toward Wyrmrest Temple with the hopes of meeting Colin there. Her energy had been revitalized with the conclusion of their little skirmish with Aerxaxx, and she pressed onward, despite her body's gradual resistance to her doing so.

Vylira and Ascal both raced along behind her, though both at a slower pace until Ascal had transformed into a elk, his body much more free to exert the type of energy needed to keep pace with the you gest Shadowmoon. He'd graciously, albeit embarrassingly, allowed Vylira atop of him, who was still weak and slightly out of it from her part in Aerxaxx's assault. She simply draped herself atop his broad back, clutching one arm over her large neck to keep ahold of something to keep from flying off.

Kicking up ash behind him, Ascal's elken head turned into the distance upon noticing two bodies slowly making their at toward the temple, and he quickly dashed forward, catching up with Kyra, who barely heard him as he shouted above his breath, "Another Shadowmoon!"

Kyra's head jerked to the side to, indeed, find Syheath and Ulric slowly making their way across the ash, her legs slowing to a stop as she gasped for air, turning to the druid, who had also slid to a stop at her side, raising his antlers toward the sky as he similarly stared out across the landscape, "Dumerval is not with them."

Kyra grumbled, annoyed, and quickly asked, "You do t know where he is?"

Ascal's long head shook, "My Lady hasn't spoken to me since our run-in with that satyr."

Without warning, Kyra reached over to grasp ahold of a tuft of Ascal's mane, pulling herself up onto his back as he protested, helplessly, "H-Hey! Have you any idea how demeaning this-"

"Please," Kyra muttered, holding onto Vylira's limp body, "I'm sure Ysera would love to know her druid is so caring in the face of uncertainty."

Ascal's wild head meandered over his shoulder, his eyes downcast in unamusement, though he snorted freely as if in annoyance, "Were I not a guest in your home for a year, I'd…"

He grumbled to himself as he gradualy built up speed as his mighty legs petered against the ground, shaking his head sardonically as the three of them made stupendous time. Syheath had noticed them, and slowly lowered Ulric to the ground for a rest, pulling out her satchel in preparation for their arrival, though her eyes turned sour at the sight of Vylira.

"What happened to her?!" she questioned, seriously, as Ascal slowed to a stop.

A thumbs-up slowly managed to lift itself toward Vylira's head as Kyra quickly retorted with her own question, though she was far more I tense, "Where's Colin?! What did you do to him?!"

Ulric's eyes wandered up toward her, just realizing that she was addressing him, "He was gone when I came to. Come to think of it, Alexstraza was nowhere to be found either; perhaps they both left for the Temple?"

Syheath shrugged, "We just figured we'd see it up close; we're the closest we'll ever be, I suppose. You have any bandages?"

"By the gods," Ascal exclaimed, lowly, as Syheath presented the humans hand in explanation.

He carefully allowed the Silverwings to slide down his back and onto the ground before referring back to his elven form and quickly examining the horrific appendage, his eyes nearly clenching shut, "This was done by druidic magic."

"Yeah, and a very pissed off one if my haziness is to be trusted," Ulric chuckled, shaking his head, "Did a number on my face, too."

Ascal's hands glowed a brilliant, emerald green as he began a soothing hold on Ulric's arm, running his other hand over his hand's remains, "This should do for the time being. It will ease the pain and dull the nerves until you can get aid; I'm sure the youngest of this clan is more than ready to-"

Sure enough, as he turned, Kyra had already started toward the massive spires of Wyrmrest Temple, which only stood about two miles away, clearly within running distance. He sighed, his eyes following the now-sleeping body of Vylira, now curled up on the ground, before he turned back into an elk, embarrassingly bringing up a question, "Would you…mind helping her onto my back?"