I should have seen the signs. Everyone else probably knew but they didn’t want me to see the truth. Here we are, barely recovered after fighting and winning against the Legion and we’re already at war again against the Horde! The very people that we were working WITH we’re now supposed to fight! All of my mentors, all of my teachers, they’re all technically members of the Horde. My new friends, too!
I met with Braelith the other day. She’s devastated. She can’t tell me why, but this war hurts her deeper then she was going to let on and she was telling me High Lord Falkieri is furious. She’s leaving the Horde’s army to work strictly with the Silver Hand. Since they’re neutral that means I may not have to face her on a battlefield somewhere. I’d really rather not fight against the High Lord and his Archmage lady! That woman is terrifying …
Brae and I decided though. If we do end up having to be on the same battlefield we’ll walk away. I’d much rather not fight anyone, really. I know many people that are exhausted after fighting the Legion and we lost so many people! Why are we at war already?! I wish I could go in and yell at Anduin and Sylvanus.
Sylvanus though … Oh the world tree is gone, most of Ashenvale with it and I’ve been tending to burn victims for the last few days. It’s terrible! How can any one person be so HORRIBLE! Cere hasn’t stopped growling, either. He just sits on a post at the docks, facing the direction of Undercity, and growling. He’s terrified a lot of the refugees but I can’t convince him to help with anything except keep watch. I’ve noticed his spines are longer again, and the scales on his arms and torso are spreading further. Can Demon Hunters turn into demons? I should ask, but I’m afraid of the answer…
And adding to everything else, I haven’t heard back from Rand, Thad, Nace, or Linda. Not even Dirge! I haven’t see the ship at dock and I’m so scared… What if they got caught in the middle of some fight and they’re stranded on a tiny island or something. I don’t know where to begin looking so I’ve been helping with the wounded at the docks, keeping an eye out for any of them or any sign of them. Light, please let them all be safe. I still haven’t been able to apologize to Thad and give him the origami wolf I made. I’ve made better ones since then. His will be the best one, I think.
(Part 4 Italics is the Dagger, Bold is Shilly’s internal dialog. I haven’t figured out how to add color to text.. or change font size...)
Everything Burned. Her skin was too hot, she blood was beginning to boil, her breath stolen by the darkness coiling around her heart. From the corners of her eyes she could see Alonsus on one side and Zabra the other, fear and concern etched into their faces as they watched her struggle.
Why would you get rid of the only voice that says I Love You. The only one that knows you. I know all your darkest desires and I still Love you.
Maybe you’re right. Maybe you do love me. But I don’t want you. I want to be free of you and your terrible whispers.
Even as she thought that the Light radiated out from her small frame and all she could feel for a moment was FIRE. Curled in on herself, unaware she clutched that blade protectively to her chest, Shilly wondered who it was that had screamed.
Do you see how they treat you? I would never do this to you. You can’t even be sure if the ones you care for would protect you as I would. They don’t even know you want them and they aren’t here to comfort you. I am though. I’ve always been here.
Shut up. Your whispers are making this worse. My friends will be safe when you’re gone. That’s all I want. I want them to be safe and happy.
You want them to be yours. Isn’t that your deepest desire? For one of them to see you as more than a mere healer? To be more than their Little Light? Don’t you want them to want you, too?
As tightly as Shilly held her eyes closed there was no escaping the visions the dagger played within her mind. Von’s hand held out to her before embracing her. The warmth that always radiated from him soaking into her tired body. His voice softer as he whispered to her about how he was sorry he never saw it before. Her heart clenched and she curled up tighter as the crushing weight of solitude bore down on her.
Like the vision he was, Von disappeared like smoke only to be replaced by Cade’s hand resting on her shoulder. A small smile, comforting in how tired he was as well. The way he pulled her close and hugged her tightly soothed the ragged edges of her heart. Smelling like various plants and herbs, his image drifted away and left her alone again.
Darkness surrounded her and all she could hear was her gasping sobs, every inch of her body aching and burning and then cool fingers brushed through her hair. Looking up, it was Rey coming to sit next to her and somehow the darkness was less frightening. His fingers laced with hers before bringing her fingers up to be kissed. Her heart was racing now, their eyes locked, and it felt so very real to her…
Why do you do this to me… For something that claims to love me, you hurt me so much.
I just want you to see what you try so hard to deny. These tiny mortals will never know your depth, your potential, and they will squander your talents. Together we can be so much and we would never be lonely. It would always be us two.
It hurt, her heart breaking all over again as Rey blended into the darkness and the loneliness sunk back into her skin. Curled into the smallest ball she could, Shilly wept even as she admitted the dagger was right. But it wasn’t the whole truth, and she knew it. That’s what it did, Zabra had told her. It gave little lies like a breadcrumb trail into her heart. Yes, she wanted a partner. Yes, she was attracted to her friends, but there was more to it as well. She had never -told- them, or even hinted that she wanted more than friendship.
Without me, who will you have that truly knows you.
Without me, who will love you.
Go away. GO AWAY!
Hands clutching her heart, Shilly wept tears of regret and pain. Light burned through her very soul, cleansing away the last vestiges of negativity leaving her soul naked and exposed. Every thought hurt and emotion of any sort was like acid on a burn.
Zabra watched as the little healer lay on her side, curled into a ball weeping, but the dagger was out of her hand. The tethers of darkness and corruption that had tied the dagger to her were weak and as he watched, the sheer unstoppable amount of the Light flowing into her burned away those anchor points. Her heart-breaking sobs hurt him physically, Alonsus grabbing onto his robe to keep the troll from going to the little woman. “Not yet, my friend. Soon. She’s nearly free.”
“Alonsus… She’s breakin’ under de daggah’s weight.” Crouching down, his eyes locked on Shilly’s anguished face. “If it winnin’...”
“It won’t. She’s already let it go. That thing is trying, though. She’s going to need all of us to help her soul heal but she can do this.” His bony hand never let go of Zabra’s shoulder and the High Priest looked confident but under all of that, he was regretting that someone so small and innocent had to be put through such a trial. “She’ll be healing for some time. Her friends will be a comfort to her, I think.”
(Part 3 with ITALICS being the voice of the dagger and BOLD being Shilly’s inner voice. Just in case anyone got confused. )
Her walk in the city helped a great deal and being able to chat with Zabra about anything else was good as well. Dalaran was always so full of people and life, the sounds of tradesmen working their craft while various heroes rested between missions. A few times she had been asked to help speed someone’s healing along and she always gladly helped. The sigh of relief as pain was removed, as wounds stopped aching, or as tension was relieved reminded Shilly about why she was training so hard to be a healer. Why she needed to have that dagger release her.
Zabra could tell she had resolved herself and was proud to see how she walked confidently into the Temple, chin raised and shoulders squared. Her fear was still there and her hands shook a little as she greeted Alonsus but she was prepared now.
The circle had been made of candles and was surrounded by priests of every race, each wearing an expression of concern or curiosity. This sort of thing had never been attempted before but everyone was made aware of how strong a hold the dagger had on Shilly. In their center was a table with a large, heavily warded and blessed box waiting for the dagger.
Taking her place, Shilly breathed in slowly as she allowed the shadows within her to emerge. For someone who was always a bright ray of sunshine she soon had tendrils of darkness covering the entire circle while her own form was partially see-through. In her hand was the dagger, a palpable presence oozing from it that made Zabra nervous. This was an Old God, contained in a piece of metal and held by someone he saw as his niece. An Old God that manipulated and twisted her so easily and he swore the damn thing mocked him as he curled a tendril around her tiny wrist. Alonsus stood beside him and nodded, the undead High Priest scowling even deeper in mirror of Zabra’s expression.
“We begin. Shilly, all you need to do is breathe and try to push against the shadows.” For all his scowling, Alonsus was still gentle with the human woman and made sure his voice was free of any harshness. “Let us handle the rest.”
She nodded and took a seat, the dagger on the stones in front of her with a web of tendrils stretching from it to her. Closing her eyes, she did as Sa’ara had told her and looked within for all the negative emotions that were normal for humans. For a little bit, she needed to be more than human. Around her the priests began their prayers as they gathered Light within the circle. Even though she couldn’t see it, she could feel the weaker tendrils releasing her arms and legs.
First it was fear. That was her biggest challenge, she thought. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of not being strong enough. Fear of not being -enough- to save people. Fear that the dagger was going to use her to kill again. Like weights, these had been building up and dragging her deeper and deeper into anxiety and no amount of Light was going to cure her of them. But she could accept them. Sort of.
Fear of not being good enough? She had been studying non-stop since making the Deal. Alonsus was so proud of her and had nothing but praise for her ability to heal quickly and almost painlessly. Fear of not being strong enough? Zabra and even Highlord Falkieri had told her time and time again she had more Light in her heart than anyone else they knew. That should be proof enough that she was indeed strong enough to help.
Or they’re lying to make you feel better. You know they pamper you, coddle you, protect you from all the real danger. You’re a pretty little doll they don’t want hurt.
**Shut it. Falkieri doesn’t lie. Even if Zabra has lied to me, Falkieri hasn’t. Even if they protect me it’s because I’m valuable to them. That alone should be enough! I’m -needed- and you aren’t. Shut it. **
The Light around her was so much stronger now, her skin felt warm and she could hear the chiming of the Na’aru that were helping. Some of the larger tendrils of darkness were forced to retreat back into the dagger but she could still feel the way they squirmed under her skin. The way they gripped her heart grew stronger and a hand went to her chest as she coughed a few times.
Fear is something that lives within everyone’s heart. They fear you even now. Why else would they work so hard to separate us? Together we can do so much. Together we could -be- so much more!
Shut. Up. I don’t want you. I never did! Yes, I’m afraid of you, too, but that ends today. You won’t be my problem anymore. You won’t be in my dreams and whispering to me. That’s most of my fear already being taken away!
There was no reply from the dagger for that so Shilly chalked up herself a mental point and moved to the next big emotion she needed to face. The Light around her was being condensed and it felt like she was in a bubble of safety, but that also meant it was almost time for the hard part.
Jealousy … Sa’ara said that jealousy was man’s first great sin and the hardest to let go. How do I face mine though.  A deep breath, her eyes squeezed shut more, she bowed her head under the weight of realization.** I’m jealous of everyone else’s happiness. That makes sense. I’ve been struggling so long with fear and responsibility that I haven’t had time for me. Rand would pick on me so bad if he found out I was jealous of his freedom. **
Just his freedom? Or his love, too. You sit alone while they all have another. I’m the only one that has stayed with you through all of this. I’m the only one who knows and understands you. You’re right. They would pick and tease you if they knew how much you loved and yet were rejected. No one will love you like I do.
Her eyes snapped open and hands clutched at her robes as it felt like the dagger squeezed her very heart. Barely able to gasp, she leaned forward and struggled to breath as the Priests began to channel the Light into her.
Everything Burned. Her skin was too hot, she blood was beginning to boil, her breath stolen by the darkness coiling around her heart. From the corners of her eyes she could see Alonsus on one side and Zabra the other, fear and concern etched into their faces as they watched her struggle.
Why would you get rid of the only voice that says I Love You. The only one that knows you. I know all your darkest desires and I still Love you.
Kneeling so low on the stone floor that her forehead almost touched, Shilly focused all her energy on following Saa’ra’s guided meditation. She felt cold and hot all at once, fear coursing through her veins like ice. Standing on either side of her, their voices a rumbling bass as they chanted, two archons acted as her guardians. She felt so small, so exposed… Saa’ra had helped her delve into the deepest recesses of her soul and face the darkness hiding within.
Shilly had expected there to be fear, self confidence issues, maybe even a little resentment but with the na’aru’s guidance she had found there to be so much more. A twinge of guilt went through her again, interrupting the golden glow she was supposed to be maintaining. An archon rested his hand on her shoulder, quiet support that she so desperately needed, without ever interrupting the chant. She had been kneeling for hours, sobbing and shaking and exhausted as she worked through the emotions as best she could. There wasn’t enough time to do it gently, not if they were going to do the ritual with all the high Priests in attendance.
Saa’ra spoke, the voice a blend of male and female with an almost bell-like quality. “Little one. Rest. The ritual will be soon.”
Her very bones ached from the strain of kneeling on the floor and the archon beside her must have recognized that. Carefully, as if she would break, he scooped up the little healer and carried her out of the room to set on a bench. Concern darkened the draenei’s face but Shilly’s tired smile and barely audible thank you eased him a little. Zabra’s assistant was quickly by her side, tea in hand, and a blanket draped over an arm. There weren’t too many Nightborn that had joined the temple but this woman had dove in head first, learning everything she could. Even though they didn’t speak any common languages, Shilly and her had spent many hours studying together.
Now though, curling into the blanket that smelled of incense and tea, Shilly felt a weariness she had never experienced before. Trying to study seemed beyond her. Even walking was a daunting concept… The tea she managed to sip while the assistant watched over her. Once the cup was empty it was taken away and Shilly was left on the bench to watch as they prepared the center of the room for the ritual. Banks of candles were set up with the floor cleaned and polished. Zabra was in his full regalia, face paint and all, as he oversaw the set up. Catching sight of Shilly brought a concerned frown to his face that the paint exaggerated into a scowl. Shrinking deeper into the blanket, she hid her face as the troll shadow priest began walking her way.
His height blocked the light and he watched as Shilly tried to burrow deeper into the fabric and hide. Reaching out a hand, he gently touched the top of her head. She jumped but looked up at him and his heart clenched to see so much fear in the eyes of someone so pure. “Little Ligh’. Don’ju worreh. Ah’ll be righ’ dere keepin’ ju safe. We all gonna be. Gettin’ dis done is gonna be for de bes’.” For all his intimidating appearance Zabra spoke with a soft voice and crouched down so he’d be more at eye level with her. “Ju know ah’m no gonna leave ju alone wit’ dis.”
A tiny smile, almost a ghost of one really, touched her face and she reached a hand up to touch his still resting on her head. “Thanks. Can I go outside for a bit? Maybe some sun will help perk me up.”
Nodding as he stood, Zabra picked her up and began walking toward the portal out. “Ju righ’. A bitta sun will get some Ligh’ back into dat face.”
Squirming as he walked, she managed to actually sulk up at him. “Can I please walk? I’m not an invalid, or a child!”
Stopping to look down at the human he had inadvertently adopted, Zabra sighed heavily and set her down. “Aigh’, but ju no walkin’ aroun’ dat citeh alone. Ah’ll be wit’ju so jus’ tell Zabra if ju gettin’ tired.”
Zabra finished setting the first bank of candles down as several of the acolytes were scrubbing down the center of the floor. More were carrying in boxes of fresh candles, the creamy white wax etched in with their hopes and wishes for the ritual’s safe completion. They worked quietly, tossing nervous glances toward the half of the temple where Saa’ra resided. Kneeling before the na’aru was one of the high priests, her small size seemingly diminished by the large Draenei priests on either side of her.
In a quiet voice, even though they were too far away to be heard, one of the acolytes looked up at Zabra’s concerned face. “Sir… the candles are in place.”
Startled out of his thoughts, the troll stood straighter and unintentionally loomed over his assistant. “Dat’s good. De floor done?”
“Yes, sir.” Another acolyte stood nearby with the broom still in her hand. “What else should we prepare?”
A glance around the ritual space and he shook his head. “Ah tink we got it done. Jus’ need ta wait for de othahs. Make sure dey all readeh, ya? We gonna need e’rehone for dis job.” Rubbing a large hand on his face, Zabra turned and slouched toward the shadow priest quarters. This ritual was going to be hard enough on everyone, he had best look the part of a high priest.
Alonsus has decided it’s too damaging for me to keep the dagger. I’m excited and a little hurt all at the same time. The dagger has been manipulating me, yes, but I’ve been getting stronger and have learned to tune it out mostly. The nightmares are still bad. The voices get too loud sometimes but I have managed to control it. He’s right though. After what happened on the Broken Shore… oh Light, after what I did to Von… Zabra, Alonsus, and even Von have told me over and over again it wasn’t me but I can’t get the dreams out of my head. I’m scared sometimes it really was me. That’s why I’ve been training so hard, you know. Trying my hardest to make sure I never hurt anyone again.
But I think Alonsus is right. It would be best if someone else more experienced took the evil thing away. That’s where the scary part comes in though.
See, the dagger has managed to burrow into my soul. That’s where the nightmares and whispers are coming from and that’s how it’s controlling me so well. No one had noticed until Zabra tried to take it from my hand. It’s pretty deep, too.
The decision was made that the best option was to channel so much Light through me that there’s no darkness for the dagger to hide in. No where for it to latch onto. This means I have to face all my darkest thoughts.
Humans are darkness and light. That’s just how we are. All my attempts to be a good person and helpful and cheerful can’t hide the darker parts of me. Im scared that I can’t face that side of me. If I can’t, if the darkness wins, I’ll never be free of that terrible thing! It could have a stronger hold on me. it could use me to hurt more people.
I’m hurt that Alonsus thinks I’m a liability but I understand as well. He can’t let that happen again. Just looking at Von is painful. That horrible scar will never go away, I’ll see it all the time now. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I am a liability.
I’m a scared liability. Zabra doesn’t want me leaving Dalaran and would prefer I stay in the Temple. I can’t just sit still though. I’ll offer to help at the first aid center and maybe… maybe I’ll see if Rey will come talk to me.
I was scared of him at first. He’s almost comfortable with the void! I think for him it’s different then mine. Maybe he asked for it. Maybe he trained for it. I didn’t want it, the dagger chose me. But here is Rey, so nice and comfortable and easy to talk too. He likes the shirt that I had Shiv make, so I’m glad. I feel more relaxed around him and Thad then I do some of the other friends. Cere is different, too, but I think mostly because he understands how much my heart hurts to see people hurt because of me.
I’m rambling. I should probably meditate like they told me and see how much of my deepest self I can find. I’m scared there’s more darkness in me then I realize, but I try so hard to be a good person and helpful and friendly that there can’t be that much, right?
I met the paladin that went in behind me, rescuing the rest of our scouting party. She’s such an odd paladin compared to the others I’ve met. Her eyes, the same blue-green of other Blood Elves, are dark from all the terrible things that she’s been through but she still manages to smile and encourage those around her. Where many say my Light is warm like summer hers burns like the sun! There is no denying she’s a weapon of the Light, harsh edges and unignorable strength. Standing next to her as we worked together to help the rescued party, it was as if she shared her strength with me.
After everyone was back in Dalaran and settled in, Braelith (that’s her name, I forgot to write it earlier) and I went for a drink. She ordered an entire pitcher of beer for each of us and we sat on the Ledgermain Lounge’s balcony drinking and talking. There’s a lot between us that’s alike and she understood my stress and even cried with me when the talk turned toward what we saw. There’s something really comforting in having someone else experience the same responsibility and the same terror as you. Neither of us can show weakness, we have to be strong and lead our respected groups with unwavering resolve. But that evening, we were sobbing, scared, and regrettably sober. It seems the Light purifies her blood as much as it does mine which makes getting a few blissful hours of drunken sleep nearly impossible!
It was so nice though. She was telling me about a hunter that she met and about the man that denied her affection. That one I felt too, telling her about how Von turned me down but my friends continue to pick on me about him. Braelith nodded, her hand on my shoulder the only comfort I needed. Shared pain does indeed heal faster. I hope her hunter friend is alright, wherever he is. I hope she’s alright too. She’s going to be in charge of organizing the paladins in defense of the temple so we get to work together again. If the Horde and Alliance could just get along I’d be able to talk with her more. As it is, I’m surprised she speaks common so well! Not even a weird accent. She told me Kieri taught her and it took me a little bit to realize that Kieri is the very same Highlord Falkieri! To be so familiar with such an imposing man is impressive. Braelith told me he was personally training her in how to be a Guardian and that he was as harsh a task master as he was devout Paladin. I’m not sure if I should pity her or envy her.
It’s been ages since I’ve had time to write. Things have been very busy and I’ve had a lot to learn. My latest was the worst lesson.
I had to learn how to leave people behind.
Demons are preparing to attack the temple and several of our order were sent ahead to scout out numbers and see who was leading the attack. They didn’t report in until the other day when one had managed to escape back out the portal and was found by a patrol. Beside the one that could escape, all the others were trapped within the demon portal with no hope of escape. Alonsus called us all to him and I was one of the first to arrive. He sent me and Zabra to the portal to see how many we could get out. I sent Zabra for reinforcements and went in by myself, hoping to at least get some of ours out before the demons caught on.
I’m not going to forget what was beyond that portal. I’ve never heard so many screams and most of them were like ghosts. Haunted screams with no physical source and I can hear them still. I’ll probably always hear them. There were bodies and pieces everywhere. I found several of our order like broken dolls laying on top of bone piles. Those I could heal, at least, and send them to the portal out. A few others were poisoned so badly, hallucinating and weak that even when cleansed they could barely walk.
Light help me, finding Aponi bound in a soul-cage almost broke my heart but she was alright. That woman is so strong and she immediately took charge of getting the weak and wounded out. I never would have made it if not for her.
Arator and Delas were kept separate from her so we had to go in deeper. It only got worse. Aponi must think I’m the weakest person ever but it was (several scratched out words) I don’t know how to describe it. It’s going to be all I see when I close my eyes and all I hear when it’s quiet and no amount of alcohol makes it go away. My friends won’t understand. How could they. They’re not me, they’re not as weak as me, but they would have been so useful.
By the time we got to Delas I was exhausted from fighting what felt like a never ending stream of demons and healing the abused prisoners. Aponi kept our escape path in sight to make sure the others could escape but this meant I had to get Delas and Arator out of the cages.
Some of the cages still held… people? I don’t think they’re people anymore but once upon a time they were. When I got Arator free he freed them from their misery and the look of grateful release as they died is going to haunt me. Delas was as shaken as I was, but with Arator and Aponi we made it out again.
Light forgive me. I left people behind. My whole body is still shaking and I can barely breathe for panicking but I failed so many. They’re still there. Arator swore to me, even as he helped carry me out of there, that others would be fast on our heels to free the others.
Light forgive me. The ones I left behind, I heard them crying out for me, but I left them. They will never forgive me.
I will never forgive me.
And all this. All this panic. All this fear. All the sick darkness waiting behind my eyes. I can’t explain it to my friends. They’ll just tease me for being sensitive. I don’t want to have to put into words what I’ve seen. It’s bad enough writing it but Zabra says getting it out of me is healthy. Maybe I’ll burn these pages later. I don’t want others to know how terrified and sick I feel after that rescue mission. Hard work and dedication is what got me this far so perhaps it will carry me just a little further. The whole nightmare of the burning legion is nearly done. And then I will go find a nice quiet place in the woods and just cry for weeks. I wonder if Von’s little cabin is still available, because there I can hide and no one will find me for a while.
Waking up in a darkened alcove, Zabra’s head pillowed on her stomach, Shilly looked around confused. It was very quiet, so likely very late, and the ceiling looked like the Netherlight Chapel. Moving anything more substantial than her eyes hurt and her throat was raw as if she had been screaming. Something in her breathing must have awoken Zabra though as the troll’s head raised up to look at her face.
“Ju alive. Good. Ju hurtin’ much?” He sounded tired, but a hand cradled her cheek as he looked into her eyes. “Still dark… Ah hope de gold come back.” He sighed and gave the little priest a small smile. “Let Zabra do a bit for de pain. Ju slep’ a long time an’ de body gonna be sore. Try an’ sit up.” Withdrawing his hand, he sat back more to watch while Shilly struggled to sit up.
“What… Why did I sleep so long? How long was I out?” Her voice was hoarse and barely a whisper with every word feeling like shards of glass digging in deeper.
“Sshh, don’ be talkin’ just yet. Dey makin’ some tea dat gonna help. Ju jus’ got so tired dat ju slept too long. De body gonna need some more sleep ta finish healin’ so don’ worry. Zabra watch ovah to make sure ju sleep good.”
The curtain to her little alcove was twitched to the side to reveal a clearly concerned Alonsus. Even as an undead his eyes looked worried and when he held the cup of tea out he took one of her hands in his. “You’re cold still. Let me get you another blanket. Drink up, little healer.” His face cracked into a smile, not a very convincing one, but Shilly smiled back as she took the tea.
The tea was herbal and heavily sweetened with honey, the warmth floating through her heavy body. Her eyelids drooped some, head nodding as sleep began to take her again. Zabra carefully removed the mostly empty cup from her hands and guided her back down, tucking the blankets up to her chin. “Little one. Ju gonna sleep a while an’ ju gonna wake up wit’ a headache. Zabra gotta make sure dere no memory of what happen but understand dis: Ju not at fault. De shadows have you for now but ju gonna be fine. Dere enough Light in ju tiny body to brighten de darkest place.”
Once her eyes closed and she was truly asleep, brows knitted as the dark nightmares began again. “Don’ ju worry. Ju won’ remember a ting.” His large hand gently rests on her forehead as the shadows deepen around him. Removing the memory of what the void did while controlling her body would take time. Alonsus was right though that letting her remember the carnage caused by her body would only darken the pure soul, weakening her further to the void’s touch. Eventually, once she had more control, he would tell her the truth but for now that innocence and purity was her best protection against the void.
(Woooooo!! Almost done! This one’s more edited.)
It was quiet.
Still.
Peaceful.
Shilly just lay there, or really, existed there, in thought only. But thinking was so hard, and she was so tired. There was nothing around her, darkness that really was just an absence of Light. Nothing scary, no yelling, no pain, no demands. She was just there. She knew there was more to her then the emptiness around her but for now, this was good. Restful. Eventually the concern of going back to where-ever-she-was-from would bubble up but for now she could sleep. Rest. Peace.
As the staff shattered, shards of the holy weapon speared through the demons around her, Shilly dropped down to hands and knees next to Von. The worgen was conscious enough to move a hand to brush hers, the touch feather-light with a trail of blood left behind on her pale skin. It was enough though. Her skin was ice cold and the contact seemed to jolt her awake. Sitting back, hands over her face, Shilly began to laugh. Not the usual bright laugh, but something cold. Something dangerous. Her hands lowered and the hordes of demons saw not the defiant gold eyes from before but black empty pits. Streams of shadow fell from her eyes and mouth, wrapping the slender form before burrowing under the ground.
“I EXIST. ALL WILL BE CONSUMED.” The voice that crawled out of her was -wrong-. Several voices in discord were blended together, Shilly’s body moving like a puppet to stand. Tendrils of darkness and void squirmed around her and the ground nearest her, wiggling beneath her skin as a collection of them began wrapping around Von. For a brief moment, possibly just his imagination, Von heard the whisper of Shilly’s true voice Not this one and felt the brush of her fingers on his muzzle. Instead of strangling him like they had intended, the tendrils spread out and surrounded him in a protective bubble.
From where he floated, his body held in place by void, he could see as the entity controlling Shilly’s body ripped and shredded through enemies. Whole infernals were thrown back off the cliffs and eredar casters were devoured by hideous mouths opening in the ground. “ALL WILL BE CONSUMED.” Mouths opened up and several comrades were swallowed up as well, their screams echoing from the open chasms she created as she walked. Fires were put out by overwhelming shadows, the void creature that had once been their healer laughing as those she protected were absorbed.
Von struggled against the tendrils that held him still, re-opening the wound that Shilly had tried so desperately to close. There was no breaking free though and as the blood soaked down his front his vision began to blur. The void whispered to him soothingly, crawling under his armor toward the gash that went from right shoulder to nearly his left hip. Spears of darkness stitched his skin together, icy cold and burning him all at the same time. Between the pain and blood loss Von passed out, his last conscious moment spent hearing his Shilly whisper softly. I won’t let you die.
“SHILLY! DOWN!” A more familiar roar behind her cut through the dread, the command one she recognized as coming from Von. Dropping down to a crouch, her hands over the back of her head, the air above her whipped around as he hurled his massive sword at the infernal. Following the blade, the man shifted to his worgen form while launching himself through the air and into the stone behemoth. Sparks flew as he slashed with both his swords, shards flying as the two fought. Â
Knowing that Von would be able to hold the construct for several minutes, she jumped up and ran for the barrier and her staff. “Back up is here! Hold this as long as you can!” Snatching her staff from where it hovered, the tingle of welcome coming from Tu’ure reassuring her, Shilly smiled with all the optimism she could muster. “We just need to hold this point a little longer.”
Not waiting for a response from the other priests, she ran to support her friend and the troops that had come charging up the hill to their rescue. Golden Light radiated from her upheld staff, feet lifting from the ground as her whole being focused on sending out healing energy to those defenders she could reach. Straining her already exhausted body meant little to Shilly. There were injured that needed to be healed and defenseless she wanted to help protect. Exhaustion could be dealt with later and Tu’ure whispered to her that she was stronger than she thought, to have faith in herself, to shine brightly, and to give hope.
And then Von went down in a spray of blood, his sword falling from limp fingers. Standing over him, wings spread wide and flaming sword raised high, the Doomguard readied to finish off the worgen. The sword whistled as it fell through the air, flames trailing behind it only to be stopped by Shilly’s tiny frame and the thin wood of her staff blocking the much larger weapon.
“Foolish mortal. Perish!” Pushing down with his considerable strength, the Doomguard roared in her face as she nearly fell to a knee. Arms quivering, the gold light radiating from her brightens even more in a final effort to protect her friend. Sweat broke out and soaked her already drenched robes as her knee hit the ground, elbows bending until the axe was a handbreadth from her face.
He’s going to kill you. The voice was quiet, barely heard over her frantic prayers to send healing to Von. Why save someone who’s dead? Tears began to fall down her cheeks even as the demon looked surprised that she was holding him back. You can’t hold him off for much longer. The voice became softer, and yet easier to hear, as if the noise around Shilly was fading away. You’re so tired. So very tired.
Closer now, as if the source of the voice was whispering directly into her ear. Let me help.
Shilly realized where the voice was coming from even as her arms began to give way, the axe nicking her forehead so that a tiny trickle of blood mingled with her tears. A final flare of Light erupted from the staff, a crack like ominous thunder, and the wood splintered into hundreds of shards. Victorious, the voice that had been nagging at her screamed in delight even as the Light disappeared to show the Doomguard dead and the ground around them scorched.
YOU ARE MINE! Shilly didn’t even have time to gasp before everything went dark.
Having been stationed on the Broken Shore for months this was the most active Shilly had ever seen healer’s area. Tables had been cleared off for emergency surgery and benches were being used to lay down injured troops where no cots or space on the ground could be found. Watching the others work, Shilly saw that not only were the healers and their apprentices exhausted but the guards were fewer than before. With fresh troops not expected for a few more days it was starting to look like the sargeri had planned this. Next to her, almost forgotten, the hunter groaned in pain.
“I’m so sorry… this is going to hurt more before it’s healed. Be strong.” Moving to kneel next to the woman, her hands a little steadier, Shilly begins the healing process for burns. The dead skin flakes away as she encourages new skin to grow, binding the nerves and repairing muscle as she goes.
So focused on her work she didn’t notice the imp slinking passed her, crawling beneath cots until it was able to hide behind a stack of crates. Several more soon joined that one while others successfully hid throughout the perimeter of the healer’s tent.
It wasn’t until the fire started that anyone noticed they were under attack. Bandages, already soaked in disinfectant, caught and burned quickly. Every healer snapped their head up to watch in terror as their supply of medical herbs and potions burned. Apprentices ran to collect water from the pond while mages and shamans began summoning water to put the blaze out but it was too late. The tent caught next urging several people split off from trying to douse the flames to trying to rescue the patients, dragging them out from under the fiery canopy.
Guards scrambled to take care of the imps as the troublemakers continued setting everything important they could find on fire. Food supplies, books, maps, and even the furniture was quickly blazing while everyone did what they could to reduce the damage. Priests erected a barrier around their patients, the ambient light pulsing faintly as they scramble to keep it up. Shilly, leaving her staff with the shard of Tu’ure behind with them to help, was helping put fires out when the tell-tale sound of infernals landing shook the very ground they stood on.
Wide-eyed, she turned to look as the infernal stood up within the crater it had made. The unearthly sound of it’s roar froze her blood, fear welling up in her throat. The bucket in her numb hands fell forgotten to the ground as the monstrosity began to walk toward her and the priest barrier.
(This is both very long and incomplete, but I’m posting on mobile and don’t have the desire to edit very much right now.)
Fighting on the Broken Shore was a never-ending stream of demons and hazards with every inch of the island out to kill the troops. Alliance and Horde fight side by side, ignoring prejudices in the face of their more immediate opponents. The healers in particular were hard worked, the stream of wounded as endless as the onslaught leaving little time for racism.
Tucked away from the main staging area, the healer tent was a hive of activity with the wounded count much higher than usual and the lookouts reporting more demons in the area then normal. The patrols were being sent out more and more to clear out encroaching enemies only to come back wounded and in many cases nearly dead. It was clear the demons were pushing harder and seemed to be desperate with the attacks well coordinated and ferocious. Some of the scouts whispered that the eredar were done playing with the mortals and growing bored of the back and forth. Quieter whispers worried that something bigger was coming.
A week passed as the guards and troops diminished steadily in the struggle to hold back their stream of attackers. Every cot within the healer tent was full with wounded stretching out on the ground while more coming in by the hour. Dark circles sat under every healer’s eyes, their movements slower as the struggle to keep up was lost. Whole squads of injured were being sent to Dalaran for healing and the call went out for reinforcements.
Leaning against the bookcase, her normally tanned skin pale from exhaustion, Shilly watched as three more dead were removed from her section. The spaces were quickly filled again and she set to work with poultice and bandages where she could. Supplies were low but so was strength as many of the healers were barely able to heal a bruise let alone the deep gashes left by demonic blades. Her hands shook as they hovered above her patient’s stomach wound, the faint glow emanating from Shilly as the flesh started to knit together again. Her breathing was ragged but the wound was mostly healed before she had to stop. An apprentice healer was by her side in moments, a cup of broth being held out.
“Healer, please, try to drink something. They say reinforcements will be here soon so there will be fresh healers!” The smile was forced, apprentices just as tired as healers, but Shilly returned the smile all the same.
“Thank you. Can you finish bandaging him while I check the next ones?” The broth was warm, soothing and herbal. Cradling it in her hands, Shilly slowly stood and made her way to the second bed. This one was an archer, her whole left arm charred black. Triage had dulled the pain so she could sleep but it was clear this would take weeks to heal properly. Sinking down onto the edge of the cot, Shilly finished the cup of broth and looked around her again
I did it!! I found the best mix for my Axe press o! The little gnome had some cream and sugar and now it's perfect. He's really nice and let me drink four!! I should have saved one for Rand... I bet he'd like this one. Maybe then he won't be as tired!! @minstrelofmyths and @tribeoftrolls
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