Author's notes:


2021-12-07: Hey, I would like to share a short preview with you. Though as I have mentioned recently, I will try to take more time to finish each chapter, rereading it a couple of times. So, please do not be surprised if some parts of the preview do not make it through into the final release. Besides that, enjoy the text :)

2021-12-08: Hey, I have managed to finish this part a bit faster than anticipated. But, yeah, I guess sometimes it is that way.

Note: I have decided to write this short story after seeing one of the newest pieces of the art regarding this couple by ammatice. You should be able to find it on her Twitter without any problem. And, please, I do not take any credit for the art. I just felt like writing something regarding Illidan and Maiev.

Don't forget to comment. I really appreciate your feedback.

Note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.

As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)

Changelog:
[2021-12-07]: A preview was released.
[2021-12-08]: The chapter was fully released.

Info: Overall, the current plan is for me to write 'My home is where my heart lies' and 'Family tree' alternatively. Between the updates of these stories, I will try to upload other texts. Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to finish some of the short stories. However, I truly doubt that. It seems that most if not all of the stories will be extended both in terms of the time and the number of chapters.

Bonuses' section:
A new story taking place in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Story of one lost soul: The war call: rewrite.
An entirely new story (possibly Akali x [Irelia, Syndra, Katarina]).
A new short story (Vi x Cait).
An entirely original story (possibly even 2 stories, one taking place in medieval times, the other in the far future)

References:

*bonuses will be worked on when I don't feel like writing the chapters pointed out in the schedule :D


End of the author's notes section.


10 millenniums had come to pass since the rise of the 'Betrayer'. The name, the title that each and every Night Elf knew and, to some extent, dispised. It had been cast down on Illidan Stormrage for his attempt to recreate the Well of Eternity. Back then, to even think about such an action would have been enough to put the blame upon. After all, the results of the Great Sundering could have been easily seen, the wounds still new, open, and bleeding. For the crime, the first and arguably greatest mage of the Night Elfs had been cast for eternal imprisonment under Mount Hyjal. The position of his warden had been taken willingly by Maiev Shadowsong. For the woman, it had been something more than a duty. The personal vendetta against Illidan Stormrage could not have been discarded so easily. So, with a nasty smile covering her beautiful face, Maiev had led the 'Betrayer' into the prison, his new home in shackles.

Deep below the surface, under the holy mountain of Hyjal, the secret prison was located. Not even a single ray of sun or moonlight was allowed to enter that dark, twisted realm. The bars and endless narrowed passages could be barely seen in the dim light of rare magical orbs. These creations of a raw magical essence were slowly pulsing, casting a hallowed glow. The cold, moist brick that the passaged were made of sometimes reflected these spare rays, making the scenery creepier.

One of the wardens took a route throughout the prison's blocks from time to time. The silence needed to hand over its eternal rule in these seldom occurrences. Then, the sounds of the heavy boots stepping over the stone could be compared to the cacophony. These sounds were carried through the emptiness, filling it, at least for a few moments.

Even though many individuals had been sentenced here throughout the years, its true purpose remained the same. This facility was meant to be an eternal prison for Illidan Stormrage in the very first place. To constrain his significant magical capabilities, many various measures had been introduced.

The 'Betrayer' cell was surrounded by two additional layers of magical runes. In addition, the arcane workflow within the man's body was disrupted by enhanced shackles. Additionally, his cell was significantly smaller if compared with other prisoners. Last but not least, Illidan was the only prisoner who had been constantly watched throughout the years. The cavern where his cell was appointed had 4 tunnels diverging from it. Beside each, 2 fully armed wardens stood. These nearly still figures could transform into fierce fighters in less than a blink of an eye if the situation had required it. Though it was worth mentioning that this vigil seemed tiring. The wardens would have changed their appointed members every 4 hours, keeping the watch all the time. Even when the 'Betrayer' would have fallen asleep, 8 deadly warriors would have watched him.

Though sometimes, very rarely, the only one who took a vigil over Illidan was Maiev herself. In such situations, the tunnels were sealed, preventing anyone from accessing the inner cavern. The other wardens were instructed not to disturb their leader whilst taking sweet revenge over the 'Betrayer'. However, what was truly happening behind the magical wall, was unknown. What was Maiev doing? It was a question that at least once each prison guard had asked. Apparently, something that required further adjustments to the already impenetrable cell?

"I can smell you, Shadowsong," Illidan said outright. "You do not need to stalk."

"Who's said that my intention was to stalk, hmm?" Maiev uttered her own question instead of replying.

"Your steps died out when you have entered the northern tunnel," the blindfolded elf uttered. "Perhaps you put something on these heavy boots to muffle the sounds."

"Why would I make an effort such as this?"

"I think you should answer that question, Maiev," the demon hunter replied, switching his tone. As expected, the man opted to use his most comfortable variant, possibly the deepest and richest of them all. "Though I doubt that you will reply."

"Oh, yes, as expected," the chief warden said, softening her voice. "Sometimes, I pity you, Stormrage. With your voice, you could have fooled nearly anyone in the outside world."

"Hmm…," Stormrage hummed. "Does it mean that it does not work down here, deep below the surface?"

"I wouldn't say so," the warden uttered quickly. "I stopped counting how many times I must have remained my fellow wardens that you're an enemy. So of them are young enough to be fooled by such an old trickest as you, Stormrage."

"Did I hear the amusement in your voice, Shadowsong?"

"I wouldn't count on that, my dear prisoner," Maiev said, softening her voice even further. "Do you know what time is it?" she asked rhetorically.

"I would assume you have come to torture me," the demon hunter replied simply. These words sounded so bland in his mouth.

"I'm glad that your mind is still intact enough to comprehend this matter," Shadowsong responded softly, lifting a corner of her lips slightly. "I assume you know the procedure by now?" she once again asked a rhetorical question.

"Is it not evident, my dear warden?" Illidan opted to play alongside.

"It is, it is," the chief warden replied immediately, nodding. "Be still then; I'll remove your shackles in a moment," she informed her prisoner.

Stormrage did not reply. For the next couple of moments, the reign was returned to the silence, at least mostly. Then, ancient words were slowly uttered whisper-like, dispelling the magic wrapped around the cell. Just a moment later, the demon hunter felt the fluctuation in the arcane structure. The outer layers of his prison slowly faded away, disappearing into the nether. Then, he heard a clapping sound followed by the clatter of the metal plates.

"Discarding your armour, my dear warden?" Illidan spoke, mocking openly.

"I don't think you could handle me with all of this ironmongery on," Shadowsong replied simply. "And on a more personal note, I feel much more comfortable without these plates wrapped around my body. It's a real shame that I spend most of my life shackled in this damned armour. To some extent, you must feel the same way. After all, you're cuffed with these shackles, restrained against your own will. Does it bother you, Stormrage?"

"For more than a thousand years, I have not felt a wind blow upon my skin," the blindfolded man started with sadness. "For even more so, I have not seen the light. My eyes are forever gone, traded for a power that had brought me here. But, it does not bother me in the slightest. If I had to, I would do so once more."

"It's worth to follow such a devotion," the chief warden commented. Then, her spiky helmet was put down, causing a quiet thud. "I admire that part of you; I must give you then," she added whilst dealing with her chest plate.

After a moment, the piece was dealt with, carefully put onto the table. The cloak was soon to follow. As soon as these unnecessary weights had been put aside, the warded stretch. As a result, a moan-like sound escaped her slightly parted lips. It was so lovely to give her stained muscles a little break.

"Taking your sweet time, I see," Stormrage commented, smirking at the woman. Even though he no longer could see the details of her frame, in his sight, she looked like a shiny star. The reserves of a raw magical potential buried deep inside the warden seemed endless. "It is a shame that you were not allowed to develop your powers. Deep inside you, there are reserves that many mages would have killed for," he added sentimentally.

"You perfectly know that it was never my true path," the warded mumbled quietly. "The temple has never felt like home to me. Yet, even though I'm restrained as a warden, I've been given much more freedom than I'd have ever expected to have if I had remained a priestess. So, in a way, your crime set me free whilst convicting you for eternal damnation. Or… has it really?"

"No," Stormrage uttered immediately in a whisper-like manner. "I was too cocky, too ambitious for my own good, in the past," he reflected. "Through the ages that I have spent here, I learnt quite a lot."

"For example?"

"Hmm," the blindfolded man hummed. "For example, I was a fool believing in Tyrande. I was an utter fool who channelled all my love and desires into her. And, yet, in the end, she has turned her back on me. Throughout the years, I have learnt to put my feelings onto more reasonable people."

"Do you have someone particular in mind, Stormrage?" the warden taunted him mockingly.

"I will let you guess," the demon hunter replied, flashing his famous smirk once again.

"It seems that I don't have any other choice than to call you the most puzzled man I know. And… I know quite a few difficult units," Maiev responded, taking some time to pick proper words.

With that statement uttered, the silence was allowed to rule once again. The warden used these moments to adjust her hair tightly styled into a ponytail. For more than a few heartbeats, she fought against her own reason. One part of her wanted the hair to be put down whilst the other argued against that will. Overall, she preferred to have her hair down. However, the warden only allowed herself to do so in privacy. And, even though she was sharing some private moments with her prisoner, she had doubts. Quite frankly, she would not have been able to style them afterwards. Her hair was always styled by one of her sisters.

"What is bothering you, Shadowsong?" the fallen mage sounded again, mocking her.

"My hair," the warden replied plainly. "But, never mind, let's proceed," she quickly changed her mind.

"If it is what you truly desire," the dark-haired man stated. "I remember your hair. Or… at least, I think so," he slowly added. "The straight strands of a snowy-white colour that reflected the moonlight. We might have met in the nighttime, for the very first time, that is. I must admit you were stunning, yet my eyes were blinded by my immature love toward Tyrande," he whispered.

"You and your damned words," the white-haired woman replied, lowering her voice. "You've always had a unique way of wording. But, that doesn't mean I neither didn't nor don't find it appealing," she whispered back.

"What do you waiting for then, warden? Is it not high time for my torture?" he intended to mock, yet his soft tone did not match his intention.

"Oh…," Shadowsong hummed, then giggled a little. "Does it mean that you started to like our torture sessions?" she asked with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

"You can be very persuasive if you want," the 'Betrayer' simply replied.

The white-haired woman did not provide any response. Instead, she opened the door leading to the man's cell. The crackling of the steel key echoed through the cavern, filling the silence that was left after the elves halted their conversation.

Within a few short-lived moments, the creaking of the said door could be heard, followed by the sounds of the heavy steps against a solid stone. It meant one thing, the warden finally decided to step into the narrowed cage that Illidan grew to call home throughout the years. Another moment passed before the shackles let loose. The blindfolded man felt free, unrestrained for the very first time in weeks, if not months.

"Thank you, my dear warden," Illidan's voice went silken whilst he turned around to face Maiev. "It is a very appreciated change in the setting."

"Don't get too comfortable," the white-haired woman uttered, reminding him that it was only a temporary state. "Before you notice, these shackles will be back on. But, for now, savour the freedom."

"Indeed, it is inevitable," the dark-haired man spoked with a hearable hint of sadness.

"Who are you?" Maiev softly asked out of the sudden. Her clawed gloves were put on the man's cheeks a moment later.

"I am my scars!" the demon hunter replied confidently.

"Wrong answer, my dear," the white-haired warden commented, squeezing his cheeks.

"I am 'Betrayer'," Stormrage reflected after a moment.

"Who's 'Betrayer'?" Shadowsong questioned tenderly.

"Yours," a short response was initially provided. "I am your idiotic 'Betrayer'," he added afterwards.

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear, my dear 'Betrayer'," the chief warden spoke quietly. "Let's get going. We don't have much time, and your tortures must be served," she added, chuckling a little.

Then, the clawed gloves were taken away from the man's cheeks. However, just a moment later, her right hand grabbed Illidan's wrist, pulling him forward, pulling him out of the cage.