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Resurgence of the Light ch 28
🕑 Added 2024-01-10 18:04:10 +0000 UTCWhile their advancement toward establishing a foothold in Icecrown was going smoothly, some might argue, perhaps even too smoothly, particularly with the Alliance and this emerging Horde engaging in conflicts over long-standing grievances.
Uther couldn't help but snort as he recalled the chaotic scene of unruly orcs and humans exchanging blows. The emphasis here was on attempting – it appeared that Lady Windrunner harbored little patience for such foolishness and bickering. Without a moment's hesitation, she assertively quashed their altercation, driving them forcefully into the ground while icily reminding them of the purpose that had brought them to this place.
Afterward, she rallied all of them to aid Light’s Vengeance in repelling the relentless horde of Undead relentlessly thrown at them. When their individual leaders attempted to voice their objections, Lady Windrunner joyfully retorted that if they were so idle and devoid of constructive tasks, she could easily assign them meaningful work.
This remark, naturally, elicited mixed reactions. Bolvar Fordragon was reminded of old wounds inflicted by the orcs, his response colored by past grievances. Varok Saurfang, on the other hand, appeared more open to discussion, yet he was not inclined to accept Bolvar's words without a response.
Thankfully, Tirion was able to diffuse the situation, reminding everyone present of the true enemy at hand. This was a skill he had always excelled at—bringing adversaries together for a greater cause, uniting even those who were previously at odds.
The implications of drawing the attention of Light’s Chosen were best left unspoken. The potential consequences were dire, making it crucial to avoid any action that might invite his scrutiny. Nevertheless, this concern could be addressed at a later time. For the moment, Tirion had to redirect his attention to another pressing matter—the Vrykul.
All their previous attempts had resulted in abject failure, yet Uther remained resolute, unwilling to surrender so easily. However, he found himself grappling with the realization that there seemed to be no viable path forward. There existed only one faction within the race that hadn't forged an alliance with the Lich King. Unfortunately, this faction comprised solely of females who harbored an inherent hatred towards males, regardless of their race.
Uther had made efforts to persuade Sylvanas to engage with this faction, but her lack of interest was evident. He couldn't entirely disagree with her reasoning; it seemed hardly worthwhile.
Nevertheless, this fact gnawed at him. The knowledge that their ancestors willingly chose to align with such a monstrous force and harbored such intense disdain for everyone else weighed heavily on him.
"Are you still wasting your thoughts on the Vrykul?" Sylvanas' voice was filled with exasperation as she spoke from beside Uther, who simply remained silent in response.
Sylvanas let out a silent sigh of frustration. "Uther, give it a rest. The Vrykul are resolute in their decision, and no amount of effort on our part will sway them. They have chosen their path; let them perish with their wretched master." The disdain in Sylvanas' tone was unmistakable when she mentioned Arthas.
Just as Uther was about to reply, shouts from the gate captured their attention. They exchanged a quick glance before hastening toward the source of the commotion.
Upon their arrival, Uther was taken aback by the scene that greeted him. A female Vrykul stood at the gates, engaged in a heated argument and shouting match with the beleaguered soldiers stationed before her.
"I've said it before, you little twerp! I demand to see your leader. Bring them here, or I'll deal with you myself!" the colossal woman growled menacingly at the guard in front of her.
Intrigued by the commotion and feeling sympathetic toward the overwhelmed soldier, Uther continued walking until he reached the scene.
"I am the one in charge here," he declared firmly, prompting the guard to release a small sigh of relief and step aside. "How may I assist you?"
The enormous woman towered over the surroundings, her imposing stature accentuating her significant size. She stood tall, a silent observer of Uther for a brief moment before releasing a disdainful sniff. "A pipsqueak like you? No wonder you come growling to my people for help, and it's no surprise they laughed at you."
Uther felt a surge of anger at the woman's words. "If your intention here is merely to hurl playground insults and scorn, I'd suggest you restrain your spiteful tongue. It appears clear now that expecting you to comprehend the mistake of aiding one who seeks to end all life on this world was a mistake in itself." His voice didn't hide any of his frustration or scorn.
The woman snorted derisively before bursting into raucous laughter. "Haha, those are quite the fighting words, little man." With a menacing leer, she drew her weapon, challenging Uther as he did the same. "Care to stand by them?"
~~~~
On the sidelines, Sylvanas could only watch with exasperation as events unfolded before her eyes. From the moment she discovered the Vrykul's willingness to aid the Lich King, they became adversaries in her eyes. She didn't possess Uther’s idealism, nor did she believe she could sway them from their chosen path.
Now, they had this... whatever it was, to deal with. A profound desire to bury her head in her hands in despair overwhelmed her—a cascade of what she deemed useless distractions. Not only did she endure the presence of the filthy orcs, whom she considered mere vermin, but she also found some utility in them as effective shields. A grimace twisted her face as she acknowledged the reprimand from the Light for such thoughts. Some days, she regretted the decision she had made, her eyes rolling at the inevitable disappointment she felt from the Light.
Lost in her thoughts, what she considered a squabble continued before her, a mere trifle in her opinion. The others had cleared and area, leaving Uther engaged in combat with the Vrykul woman.
Although the woman displayed prowess, Uther clearly outmatched her, swiftly subduing her.
“Ha! Not bad,” the subdued Vrykul woman expressed with obvious glee. “I surrender. Let it be known that I, Syreian the Bonecarver, take this man as my mate!” Her declaration reverberated loudly, stunning everyone present.
This time, Sylvanas didn't hold back her reaction. She allowed her head to fall into her hands, utterly incredulous at what she had just witnessed. The sheer audacity of the situation was beyond belief. She simply couldn't fathom the reality of what had transpired.
~~~~
Sally found the past few days terribly amusing, largely due to the relentless efforts of the Vrykul woman to persuade Uther into seeing 'sense' and consummating their new relationship. Her constant endeavors never failed to bring Sally a sense of amusement.
As for the others, their reactions were quite varied. Some appeared bewildered, while others seemed simply uncaring. A few, like Sally, found amusement in the situation, enjoying the spectacle as she did. On the contrary, there were those who found it deeply upsetting, conflicting with their deeply held morals and values. The stark contrast in reactions added an intriguing layer to the unfolding scenario.
Regarding Sylvanas, she had nearly fled the fortress entirely and sought refuge on the battlefield, where the chaos somehow felt more comprehensible. Of course, nobody dared suggest that this was her primary motivation.
Her stated reason had been to guarantee that nothing went amiss and to prevent any breach by the undead, or something along those lines. However, those who had witnessed her response to the incident could infer the genuine cause behind her actions.
Regarding the matter at hand, Sally unexpectedly found herself favoring the Vrykul woman. In her view, Uther had appeared overly tense and distressed about his failure to secure Vrykul allies. However, now that he had succeeded and Syreian had affirmed that with fighters of Uther's caliber, they could attract strong Vrykul women willing to test their strengths and, if defeated, join their cause.
Admittedly, it was a barbaric way of life; Sally conceded to that point. Yet, on the other hand, life on this continent was harsh and unforgiving. Ensuring the ability to protect one's home and family necessitated strength.
In a sense, the women were simply taking essential precautions. The reason humans in the Eastern Kingdoms had largely moved beyond such practices was due to the prolonged period of ease and comfort they had enjoyed.
It's essential to note that the women's readiness to embrace these methods might seem unconventional, but it stemmed from the necessity to survive in a challenging environment.
Undoubtedly, the very first humans who were led to the Eastern Kingdoms by their Vrykul parents likely followed similar approaches. However, as they established their own settlements and as safety increased, such practices were gradually abandoned.
The most significant threat their kingdoms had faced were the trolls, but these adversaries had been subdued long before any of the present generation were born. Thus, while maintaining military strength remained a priority, the majority of the populace led simple and secure lives, contending with different types of challenges.
Each time Sally believed she had grasped an understanding of the world, a new revelation emerged, proving her previous notions wrong. Nevertheless, she welcomed these revelations as they contributed to her knowledge of the world and life itself.
Undoubtedly, she had much more to learn, and there would always be aspects that would elude her understanding. Nevertheless, she found solace in the fact that her path was set, and she was determined to navigate it, utilizing all that she had learned to make the best of her journey.
~~~~
The snow and ice crunched beneath Alexstrasza’s feet as she approached the individual she sought to speak with. As was his wont, he was alone—a silent guardian, observing from above. He had withdrawn further and further, evidently preparing others for...
She shook her head, dismissing those thoughts for now. Her purpose for being here was different. Behind her, another set of steps echoed, belonging to the person who had requested to accompany her on this journey after she had assisted Chromie in the caverns of time and had exchanged words with Nozdormu.
Her brother had been... obstinate, but Alexstrasza had remained steadfast. He had become so engrossed in manipulating time that he had forgotten a simple truth—to truly live.
The reason for her visit weighed heavily upon her. She sought to rekindle a spark of life within her brother, to remind him of the beauty and purpose beyond the intricacies of time. Alexstrasza aimed to break through his obsession and bring him back to the present, where life's vibrant moments awaited.
To live means to experience success, failure, and the constant cycle of rising after every fall. Life is a journey marked by its peaks and valleys. Embracing both is essential; striving for an immaculate existence is futile and often ends in disappointment or, worse, calamity.
Attempting to grasp every potential choice and its consequence is an exercise in futility that could drive one to madness. This futile pursuit gave rise to the Infinite Dragonflight. Their obsession with crafting an impeccable timeline led them into madness, transforming them into mere pawns manipulated by the Void.
A heavy, weary sigh escaped her lips, echoing the weight of countless trials and tribulations borne from everyones relentless pursuit of perfection, a pursuit that often morphs them into monstrous beings, erasing their essence along the way.
As she finally ceased, standing beside Light’s Chosen, she allowed her eyes to wander across the sight before her, drawing strength from the scene unfolding. Amidst the unity and cooperation, albeit somewhat coerced, a promise of transformation lingered—a prospect of evolving into something superior. It was this potential that she chose to believe in and place her faith upon.
The howling wind became the sole audible presence as they lingered there in silence, each lost in their own contemplations.
After a while, Light’s Chosen broke the silence, questioning, "Why have you come?" Alexstrasza remained silent, recognizing that the query wasn't directed at her but at her companion—Soridormi, the one who had approached her earlier, filled with confusion, seeking guidance to lead her to the figure standing beside her.
"To understand," was Soridormi’s answer. Ever since she beheld this person, something had drawn her to him. Worse still, she could feel her own power lingering from this individual, yet she couldn't recall ever meeting them before.
Lost amidst the howling winds, a soft sigh escaped the Light’s Chosen. "There is nothing to understand—nothing for you to learn here, at least, nothing you do not already suspect."
Pursing her lips, Soridormi spoke matter-of-factly, "You are displaced from your timeline, and I was the one to do so." It wasn't a question; it was a statement of fact. "Why?" Her longing for an answer lingered palpably.
"Because I failed, and she lost her last shred of hope. In her grief, anger, sadness, and hopelessness, she lashed out," the Light’s Chosen spoke, his tone masking his own emotions on the matter. "After which, I awoke here."
They stood there in profound silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts, processing the weight of his words and the gravity of Soridormi's actions. Yet, amidst the quiet, Alexstrasza and Soridormi harbored the same burning question: what had he failed?
“What did…” Soridormi attempted to ask, but her words were abruptly halted. “It doesn't matter. I've come to terms with what has happened and what I've become. I've chosen my path and will see it through to its conclussion,” he replied sternly, an edge to his tone that signaled his reluctance to delve further into the matter.
Alexstrasza turned towards him, her expression a poignant mixture of understanding and acceptance, and offered a sorrowful smile. She then shifted her gaze to Soridormi, recognizing the array of questions etched across her face, and subtly shook her head.
Soridormi swallowed her questions and bowed her head, her departure marked by a few grains of sand carried away by the wind.
As Alexstrasza turned around and prepared to depart, she felt the need to express one more sentiment. However, it appeared that she wouldn’t have the chance. “Save your pity for others; I have no use for it,” Light’s Chosen spoke, devoid of mockery, simply stating his acceptance of the past and the future.
With that, Alexstrasza departed, her heart heavy with sadness for someone who had already sacrificed so much and was prepared to sacrifice even more.
