A redraw of the first piece I made of these two as a couple. They've both been through a LOT since then. Sinafay ( @codegemini ) was reincarnated and regained her sight, and Argonas ( @argonas ) got hotter with a beard and a few extra scars <3
Overall, I'm very happy with how this picture came out. It's a pretty good feeling putting the two pieces side by side and seeing how I've grown as an artist over the years. I kind of wand to do more of these now XD
Patreon reward for @thefugitivemango , who actually requested a chibi icon of MY main OC, Sinafay! ( @codegemini / @sinafay1 ) Sp here she is, doing what she does best <3
[[ Co-written with @kidcatgemini, player of @sinafay1 and @sinafay-the-defiant ]]
~*~
The Kyrianâs duties in Korthia were primarily as scouts. Their air superiority gave them a distinct advantage in surveying the area. But even for a wingless Kyrian adherent like Grakkar, scouting was the best way he could contribute to the joint efforts of Deathâs Advance. An eye in the sky was one thing, but without getting a sense of things on the ground, it didnât count for much.
The orc hefted his axe over his shoulder, relaxing his stride as he stepped out onto the open road. Heâd trudged and crawled through the thickets, underbrush, and cliffsides of this unforgiving land enough for one day, and now returned to the Keeperâs Respite up the hill. Todayâs report wasnât much different than yesterdayâs-- fighting here happened quickly and spontaneously, and ended equally so. It made it hard to predict when and where the Mawsworn would strike. But they werenât amassing anywhere out of the usual. For now.
Grakkar stopped, eyes shooting wide as he entered the encampment. His heart skipped a beat, swelling up in his chest! It was a face heâd know anywhere-- Sinafayâs! What was she doing here? And why was her skin so much more blue than before? Her eyes, too were--
â... Oh.â
It dawned on him, heart beating back normally again⌠though feeling excessively heavier now, as a result. It was Sinafay. But not his Sinafay. His wall of a Soulbind by her side confirmed it, as the two spoke indistinctly across the camp. Shared a kiss⌠then Argonas stepped away, approaching the Kyrian forward commanders. Likely to report in. Heâd been scarce lately, but Grakkar understood why. After the Battle for Ardenweald, he finally attained what he came here for in the first place. Sinafay.
And⌠there she was. Standing alone now, watching her mate from afar. That same hopeful, jovial expression as she looked at Argonas that her Lightbound self back home would give Grakkar when he was around. It made him miss her all the more, seeing this facsimile here and now.
Before he knew it, his legs took off without him, closing the distance between him and Sinafay. By the time he was within talking distance of her, he realized he had no idea what to say!
âNice body.â was his knee-jerk reaction.
He could almost taste his foot as he shoved it in his mouth.
â--Uhh, I mean⌠Iâm glad you restored it. Your body, I mean.â he tried to correct. âBecause, you know⌠last I saw you were a soul.â
An attempt at a save. Not a good one, but an attempt!
Sinafay visibly bristled at the voice. She recognized the gruff Orcish accent easily enough. Her eyes narrowed as she snapped an ice cold glare at Grakkar. Her tail twitched, clearly demonstrating her annoyance as he fumbled his words out.
She hadnât yet had a chance to discuss with Argonas how heâd ended up with an Orc as a Soulbind. Either way, she at least attempted not to be immediately hostile towards him, if anything because she wasnât aware of the specifics of how the connection worked.
âThank youâŚâ she replied, though it appeared to take great effort on her part, âIt has served me well thus far.â
She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her hip, brows knit as she looked him over. Old⌠very old. No doubt a good fighter to have reached that age. She wondered how many Draenei deaths he was responsible forâŚ
There was an awkward silence as they both just stood there eyeing each other. She wasnât certain why Grakkar wasnât leaving⌠was he attempting to befriend her because of the link with Argonas, she wondered? Sinafay looked over towards where her husband had gone, hoping to catch his gaze and indicate he should come back, but he appeared to be in a deep conversation about the mission report. She let out a heavy sigh before returning her attention to the Orc.
âYou and Argonas are⌠Soulbinds, yes?â she figured she might as well attempt to gather information, âWhat exactly does that entail?â
âItâs, uh⌠complicated.â he sputtered out, not entirely sure how to answer that. âThe Kyrian do this ritual to connect people, so they can draw on one anotherâs strengths. Argonas and I share a link of sorts. Memories. Emotions. Those kinds of things we can glean from one anotherâs pasts.â
It was honestly about all he knew about it, for having undergone a Soulbinding ritual personally. The rest of it felt⌠innate. Unable to be put into words, just understood through the experience. He found a lot of shamanistic rituals were like that, too.
â--Ah! Youâre a shaman, right?â he brightened, smiling as he remembered that fact! âI remember Argonas mentioning that. Or⌠reading it from his memories. Either way, thatâs impressive! Where I come from, not a lot of Draenei have the tenacity or commitment for such a sacred calling.â
He smiled a bit. Relaxing. This was going well⌠he thought. He hoped.
âI⌠am, yes,â she replied, tail flickering behind her. She wasnât about to mention that having a new body made it so that she had to reconnect with the elements once again. It was one of the main reasons she wanted to accompany Argonas to Korthia, what better place to reconnect than on the field of battle itself?
The idea of him gleaning memories and emotions from Argonas was⌠disturbing, to say the least. Especially considering she and her mate had spent the past few months doing nothing but celebrating her return in very physical ways! She couldnât help but wonder how much of that heâd picked up. Perhaps it was the reason he was so relaxed around her. Her nose scrunched up in disgust. It was uncomfortable to say the least. This Orc already seemed to know so much about her, yet she knew next to nothing about him.
For the moment, she pushed aside the memory and emotions issue to concentrate on the other things Grakkar had divulged.
âWhat do you mean âwhere you are from?ââ She couldnât help but ask, noting his skin color and tattoos, âYou speak of Nagrand?â
"Heh, good eye. You know your clans, it seems." he nodded.
Grakkar then spread his arms and turned slightly to further show off his Warsong clan markings. He was impressed; this Sinafay seemed as interested in Orcish culture as his was!
"I'm from a different timeline than you are, though-- the one you Azerothians returned to and saved from the Legion's devastation." he clarified, straightening up once more. "After you all left, the Orcish clans and the Draenei empire lived in peace⌠for a time. Before the Lightbound Crusade."
A frown crossed his features, diminishing the polite and friendly smile he had tried to maintain in her presence. Even now, the sudden betrayal of the Draenei weighed heavily on his heart. He lost so many people he cared about to that zealous treachery. Including Neelah.
"But⌠that isn't a very pleasant story." he shook his head, shrugging the negative memories away for now. "Regardless, it's impressive to see a Draenei cultivate an affinity to the elements."
Sinafay simply blinked as a pack of new information came rolling out of the Orcâs mouth. Draenor? Draenei and Orcs living in peace?! Lightbound Crusade? She shook her head as she tried to digest it all⌠except none of it made any sense!
âWait wait wait,â her arms finally uncrossed from over her chest, to bring her fingers to rub at her temples, âYou are saying that the portals to Draenor are OPEN again?! Since when?! What the fuck is a Lightbound?! What crusade?!â
So many questions filled her head. She looked towards Argonas once more. He hadnât mentioned anything of the sort!
Fuck, she needed a drink!
Grakkar's eyes widened, brow raising. His lips grew narrow, as he began to recognize the familiar signs or panic and confused anger in this Sinafay he had learned from the true one back home. He had definitely upset her.
"--Oh, uh⌠no, no. The portals aren't open again. They were briefly so we could escape the Lightbound Crusade." he tried to explain simply and quickly as possible. "The, uh, the Lightbound were what the Draenei in my timeline became after the Azerothians left. Their leader grew zealous and broke the peace to try and force the Light onto us. They killed anyone who resisted, so⌠uhâŚ"
Only after he expounded on the terrible incident did he realize⌠knowing more probably wouldn't calm this Sinafay down. Just like the feeling of shame and anger he felt learning the Orcs of the Azerothian timeline had succumbed to the Fel, he suspected this particular Sinafay might not be pleased to hear her people had become oppressors.
Whoops.
"I, uh⌠I'll let Argonas fill you in on the rest of that. Where'd he get off to, anyway�"
He joined Sinafay in looking for his Soulbind⌠but the crowd had grown. Argonas was nowhere in sight!
She took the opportunity to get up in his face. Hands grabbing his tabard and tugging his attention back to her as she growled at him. He was right, she was upset. Tail flicked erratically behind her, and despite having not fully reconnected to the elements, static electricity and sparks of lightning became evident at her growing sour mood.
âDetails, Orc,â she practically barked out the command, âNow.â
His lips almost curled into a smile. Almost. Sinafay was so sexy when she was angry and aggressive⌠even this Azerothian variant! It took significant willpower to keep his hands at his side, rather than grabbing at and groping the Draenei like he would do back home in a situation like this. He had to remind himself this wasnât his Sinafay.
Hopefully she didnât notice his erection-- the damn thing clearly couldnât tell the difference.
âThe, uh⌠the clans were thinned, and forced to merge into one clan and unite against the Lightbound. But even that didnât stop them, after their empire had grown so powerful. The last of us escaped through the portal to Azeroth, right after the Ogres succumbed.â he elaborated, at her insistence. âLight drove them to madness, same as an excess of any magic would. I know things worked out differently in your timeline, so this must be hard to hear, Sina. But⌠your people on Draenor turned into zealots.â
He brought his hand up to gently push hers off of him. His arousal abated, after recounting the awful tragedy that ended his life on Draenor. That, and Sinafayâs rage was far less sexy when he couldnât fight back, as it turned out...
â--Look, donât get mad at me, alright? I didnât raise my weapon to any Draenei who werenât trying to kill me. After the peace, anywayâŚâ he attempted to quell her anger further. âNo, during the Lightbound Crusades, I even worked with a Draenei; the real Sinafay, actually! And later after that, Sinafay and I⌠well⌠she became my mate.â
He smiled. That wouldâve surely cheered her up, to learn that her true self wasnât one of the oppressive out-of-control Lightbound that conquered his people!
âWe even had a child together-- but thatâs more recent, once we got here to Azeroth. Argonas thought it was his at first, and we had a big fight over it. I won, easily, but it was still a sore point in our relationship.â he continued, filling Sinafay in on the more recent details. âBut weâre past it now, and are working together! One more point of proof, if you need it, that Iâm most definitely a friend of the Draenei! Married one, have one as a child-- and if I can work well with Argonas, what more proof do you need?â
With a hearty laugh, Grakkar brought his hand firmly down on Sinafayâs shoulder! He was so glad they were getting along now!
Sinafayâs head spun. She remained in front of Grakkar, hands still up in front of her, balled into fists as he recounted all the details to her. Her eyes widened as he explained the path her kin on Draenor had taken. Surely, the Orcs must have provoked them somehow! But then, sheâd seen for herself how the Naaru and the Light could corrupt back on Argus. It turned her stomach that such a corrupted path had been the one Yrel had takenâŚ
She shook her head slowly, face visibly paled and brows drawn together as she tried to make sense of it. Surely, Rurik wouldnât have stood for something like that nor would her mother orâ
âThe news of her Draenor counterpart took her completely by surprise. She blinked as Grakkar updated her on her alternate self. She stared at the Orc in shock and disbelief. Part of her was pleased that the other Sinafay had both fought against and survived the crusade. It seemed their will to do what was right and their survival skills were similar.
Apparently, though, that was where their similarities ended. Her counterpart was mated AND had birthed Grakkarâs child?! And why would Argonas think the child wasâŚ
Wait.
He would only think the child was his ifâŚ
Anger returned to the forefront of her mind as she realized two things. One: her alternate self had managed to cross over and was now living on Azeroth. Two: Argonas was sleeping with her again.
The hand on her shoulder was the breaking point. Baring her fangs, Sinafay grabbed Grakkarâs upper arms and moved forward as she raised her knee, swiftly connecting hard into the Orcâs testicles.
âFuck that bitch and fuck YOU!â
She was furious! Her eyes flared as lightning sparked around her form. Shoving Grakkar aside, she stomped off into the wilds of Korthia, tail swinging aggressively behind her.
She needed air.
~*~
Grakkar wasnât sure how long he was on the ground. His eyes fluttered open to see his Soulbind Argonas, scowling down at him. Slowly, sound returned to him. Muffled mumblings at first, but growing more clear as his senses returned to him.
â... ere is she? Where is Sinafay?â Argonas asked, demandingly.
Thatâs when it started rushing back to the Orc. The memories and the pain, both. He winced, feeling the intense pain in his groin all at once.
â--A-AncestorsâŚâ he whimpered.
Argonas, too, grimaced-- their Soulbinding translating that physical pain in Grakkar into sympathetic pain for the Vindicator. He glanced down, and briefly brushed his hand overtop the Orcâs battered bundle. A flash of Light, and the pain was suppressed. For now.
â--Hnngh⌠Thank youâŚâ Grakkar managed to speak, no longer straining from the intensity of the pain. âShe⌠kicks really hard⌠I didnât expect it-- we were getting along so well!â
âClearly not as well as you think!â Argonas resumed scolding.
He pulled Grakkar up, whether he wanted to sit up or not, and crossed his arms before him.
âI will ask again; where is she? You were with her last, and clearly upset her!â
âI⌠I donât know. We were talking about Shamanism, then about DraenorâŚâ Grakkar replied, as the memories started lining up again. âThen about the Lightbound, and the real Sina⌠then our child, and--â
â--Wait, you told her about the other Sinafay?â Argonas interrupted, frowning. âWhat exactly did you say?â
âThat she and I had a child together. I told her how we fought over it, when you thought it was yours, but only to indicate that we had moved past that, yeah?â the Orc replied, grunting as he slowly stood up. âI was trying to show her Iâm not like most of the Orcs you and she have encountered in your timeline. That Iâm a friend. I thought thatâd be best, given our circumstances.â
Argonas had stopped listening after the part about the baby. His eyes widened, skin growing a paler shade of blue. He turned, staring at the ground as a million thoughts raced through his mind. None of them good.
â... She knows, then. And she is not happy about it.â
âAbout what?â
âAbout the other Sinafay. And how we--â
He gasped, turning to Grakkar. He didnât have to say it-- their soulbind link conveyed it well enough in the moment. Argonas was not supposed to have rekindled things with the Sinafay from Draenor. Grakkar could tell immediately.
â... Itâs alright, big guy. Look, you just explain to her that you thought she was gone for good, yeah? Sheâll forgive you!â
âDoes she seem like a forgiving person to you!?â Argonas snapped back, brow furrowed. âThey hated each other! Light, I should have warned you, but I did not expect you would speak of that in your first ever encounter with her!â
â... Second, technically.â the Orc mumbled to himself. âI⌠Iâm sorry. I didnât know.â
The silence lingered between the two of them for a moment. Both feeling the complexity and awkwardness of the situation through their soulbind. Finally, Grakkar shrugged.
âIâm gonna go.â
âI think that would be best, yes.â Argonas nodded. âLay low for now. I will sort this out so it does not interfere with our duties to the Kyrian.â
â--No, Argonas⌠Iâm gonna go home.â
Argonas raised his brow, as he looked at Grakkar. The Orc nodded resolutely, as he hefted his axe back over his shoulder. Aside from a pair of bruised berries, his encounter with Sinafay had left him with one thing; homesickness. As much as he wanted to help, he was starting to realize what this time apart from his mate and daughter was really costing him. He had been able to push his feelings down until now. But seeing Sinafay? Even a copy of her? Those feelings were too much to ignore.
He didnât have to say it, though-- Argonas could feel it. And honestly, were he in the same position, he couldnât say for sure that heâd continue to squash the feelings for the good of the mission. It was time for his Soulbind to return to Azeroth.
â... Mm. So be it.â he replied, nodding.
He stepped forward, and extended a hand. A gesture of goodwill-- the first heâd ever made towards an Orc! Grakkar smirked, taking Argonasâ hand in his and squeezing it firmly. They grinned to one another.
âHonor and glory to you, Argonas.â
âAnd Lightâs blessings upon you and yours, Grakkar.â
Grakkar nodded one final time, before turning to depart. He paused, calling back as he approached the portal.
â--And good luck with all that!â
His chuckle echoed across the Sanctuary, before fading away with his physical form back to Oribos.
Following Sinafayâs reincarnation in Ardenweald, I figured it was only appropriate to use her as a warm up picture to get the art flow going again <3
~*~*~
Drawn and colored with CSP and Wacom Cintiq tablet <3
~*~*~
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The red rose is symbolic for passion, true love, romance, and desire. It represents true respect and appreciation toward one another.
~*~*~
My #1 OTP. A pairing I never expected to be a thing, considering how completely different they were. A shaky friendship made strong through the trials and tribulations of Warlords of Draenor. A traditional Vindicator and rebellious Elementalist come together, appreciating one anotherâs differences, leaning on each other for strength, and completing each other in every way. Argonas ( @argonas ) and Sinafay ( @codegemini )âs is a love that even death itself couldnât separate!
~*~*~
Drawn, inked and colored with CSP and Wacom Cintiq tablet <3
Argonas belongs to @thefugitivemango . You can check out and support his awesome writing here.
The mawsworn mage turned her hollow gaze to the Vindicator, and let out a ghastly scoff. The siphoning continued, unhindered.
âKill this one.â she spoke, though not to Argonas. âHe must not interfere with this harvest.â
The Draenei moved inâ but was halted as a maw portal opened between him and his target. The rift was large⌠very large. Argonas stepped back, surveying it quickly for a way to get around it. But before he managed to find one, a massive fiery behemoth stepped out. It bellowed as it materialized fully in place of the portal, standing between the Vindicator and the mage who summoned it. It was a mass of metal plate and embers, filling the grove with a thick black smoke. Fiery eyes set on Argonas, as the monstrosity took a thunderous step forward!
But Argonas was undeterred! Heâd fought hard to save Sinafayâs soul from the Maw. Waited patiently as her body gestated in the pod. Even brought in offerings of anima to expedite the processâ often through liberating it from the Mawsworn or their allies! He wouldnât be stopped now, not so close to finally and fully restoring his beloved wife! He snarled, before roaring back at the brute, and charging in!
Argonas fights to protect that which is most precious to him when the Mawsworn invade Ardenweald. Driving out the Jailerâs forces is, of course, importantâ but nothing is more important to Argonas than saving Sinafay!Â
Read this short story and more like it over at the Observerâs Archives! These stories are free to read, regardless of whether youâre a patron or not. Though, if you like my writings, please consider supporting me!
((Co-written with @argonas / @grakkar-gorefang / @thefugitivemango . @sylaess / @sylaesschasewind , and @sinafay-the-defiantâ and @avehi-the-adamantâ for character mention.))
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV |
~*~*~
âPut me down!!!â
Sinafay kicked and struggled against the crafty bonds Argonas had created, but to no avail. Her tail swings and kicks moved right through him, not hindering him in the slightest as he carried her far away from the tower. She grit her teeth, frustrated and angry.
âUgh! How could you leave her there?! Why not grab HER and go?! I would have followed!â
Argonas marched on in silence, despite Sinafayâs protests. His countenance stone; a permanently etched frown. Inside, each of her words cut deeper and deeper. He didnât want to leave Sylaess behind. But rarely did he ever get everything he wanted. He wouldnât have had to fish his wifeâs soul out of this terrible place if that were the case!
They egressed the tower safely enough, once Corrus had been defeated. A translocator ejected Argonas and his wifeâs soul in a small alcove. An open-air cavern, really, hidden from sight of the various Mawsworn forces that flew about overhead. Finally⌠they were safe.
Relatively.
âEnough!â he grunted, curtly. âYou know as well as I do that she would resist me! I⌠I made a choice!â
He set Sinafay down, before prying the spear from around her spectral form. He knew she was angry. Emotions ran high for both of them. And that was dangerous, in a place like this.
She clenched her fists at her side, baring her fangs in defiance. She opened her mouth to argueâŚ
âI could not lose you again,â he added, with a huff, âNot in that place. Not ever again!â
ââŚâ
Her rage subsided some, allowing reason to break through. Sheâd suppressed her emotions for so long, it became hard to control when they did emerge. And how could they not, given what theyâd all just gone through? But deep down, she knew Argonas was right. Sylaess was every bit as stubborn as she was. It would have been a fight. He had to make a call.
âIâŚâ she sighed, eyes lowering sheepishly, âApologies.â She was silent for a moment, regaining her composure, âIt is my fault we ended up in Torghast. She is⌠much more unstable than I remember. I found out she had no memory of me and⌠I assumed she was an agent of the Maw, playing mind games. I ran away from her and got caught. She followed me in. Refused to leave meâŚâ
Argonas nodded. He understood. It wasnât ideal, leaving Sylaess behind, but he knew she was strong⌠in her own way. Sheâd make it out of there on her own terms, after she accomplished whatever goal she had in mind. He didnât want to think too much about that, though. Instead, he reached for Sinafay. He knew he couldnât touch her, but⌠feeling close to her transcended the barrier of mortality between them.She moved in closer in response. Oh, how she craved his touch⌠She closed her eyes, attempting to remember what it felt like.
âShe will endure. She always does, somehow.â he offered, in an attempt to comfort her, âBut we need to leave this place. Avehi and my Soulbind should be just over this ledge. From there⌠we will finally get you out of the Maw!â
Again, he had the right of it. She sighed, and nodded her head before following âAnd not a moment too soon. I am eager to be held by you once more, my love.â She smiled tenderly up at him, âAnd to hear of your adventures! You seem to have been through much in the centuries I have been captive hereâŚâ
âCenturies,â Argonas thought to himself. âIt certainly feels like that is how long it has beenâŚâ
[[ Co-written with @sylaessâ / @sylaesschasewindâ & @kidcatgemini /@codegeminiâ ]]
|| PART I || PART II || PART III ||
~*~
Sinafay was quick to act. Even without weapons, she rushed at the winged figure, but was immediately knocked back by one of its powerful wings. She hit the wall and landed next to a crushed animated armor⌠well, not animated any longer, most likely cut down by Argonas on his way in. Her hand reached out and took hold of the depleted armorâs weapon, a large axe.Â
Convenient.
She grinned.Â
The Vindicator took hold of the Mawswornâs foot as it was pressed to his bare chest. He strained, resisting being stomped further into the ground. Thankfully, he was sturdier than the fallen Kyrian had anticipated. In a quick, fluid motion, he twisted the foot!Â
*CRRKKK*
The Mawsworn let out an echoed squeal of pain, rivaled in volume only by the sickening cracking and snapping of its ankle bones and tendons! Immediately, it flapped its wings to get airborne once more, and take the weight of its now-broken foot!
Argonas scrambled to his hooves shortly after, and reclaimed his shield and mace. The Light coursed through him, shining brightly in the otherwise dim place. A show of force⌠and also a distraction, he hoped.
âStrike fast when you can, then fall back!â he instructed his companions. âI will keep its focus!â
With that, he hurled a Light-borne hammer upward at the tainted Ascendantâ exploding on the impact and knocking the winged abettor back slightly further as sparks of Light showered about it. He definitely had its attention now!
Sylaess had to squint at the shower of Light. Her twin blades were in her hands instinctively. Feet were already moving.
For one reason or another, this felt far more comfortable to her than the dread and wonder. Maybe it was a familiar action or the affirmation of danger. Or literally just her swords in her hands and no need to keep puzzling out this wretched tower. The Mawsworn cursed in her shriek of surprise and agony, those wings sweeping in almost defensively as she hurled herself backwards.
Or was hurled on the hammer express. Hard to say.
The elf caught a glance of that shadow magic forming around the Darkswornâs hands. Heard the quiet words start forming.
Ah, shit.
âArgonas, âware!â
It was a lot like twisting her skin tightly across her skull, agitating that permanent migraine sheâd been nursing this whole time into a dull roar. One leapâfelt her lips peel back over her teeth in a rictus snarl as she cast her own spell.
Runes barely glimmered. But it went off. The death grip. Yanking her attention with tainted arcane. Felt like being lit up by a search beacon. Syl did not like it.
âYou should know my name is Corrus. I will not permit you to leave.â
The unwanted thought was as intrusive as a finger in the eye. Sylâs swords crashed into the Mawswornâs spear harmlesslyâbut sheâd interrupted the cast at least. Landed on her feet and danced aside before she could be taken by a swing from that very unfriendly looking spear.
ââI donât give a shit who you are. Get out of my way.â
(( Story co-written with @argonas / @thefugitivemango and @sylaesschasewind / @sylaessâ ))
Part I | Part II
~*~*~
Sinafay couldnât help but wince as Sylaess passed out and took her seizure, unable to do anything to help soften her fall. It was to be expected after expending so much energy in the phase shift. Even though she couldnât do a thing to help her friend, she knelt down, tilting her head as she looked forâŚ.Â
âSigns of life? On a Death Knight?â she mentally berated herself.
âWe will watch over you, yes?â she said to the wisp as it settled onto her friend, assuming it was helping to ease whatever ailed her head.Â
She stood and turned to Argonas, walking over to him with her tail swaying. She was unphased by the behemothâs frustrated roars in the distance, eyes too busy eating up her loverâs form, if only for a moment. A slight frown as her hand came up, fingers hovering over the runes the Sargerei had inflicted upon him so long ago⌠Sheâd felt them a number of times, feeling their Fel energy whenever they flared up. Seeing them was something else entirely.
âHow are they now, my Love?â she asked, remembering all too well the moments before her death.
âInert, thankfully.â he replied, nodding. âThey are scars, and nothing else now. Thanks to you.â
Argonas reached for Sinafay, instinctively. But as Sylaess had fallen unconscious, her incantation had fadedâ he became corporeal once again. He frowned, looking the elf over. There was a lot they had to discuss, it seemed. Clearly, her condition was much worse than he thought. Much worse than when they spoke last about it. Perhaps it was a mistake to leave her hereâŚ
âCome. We can speak more later, once we are free of this place.âÂ
It pained him to say. He so wanted to sit and speak with his beloved Sinafay more. To tell her how much heâd missed her, and catch her up on everything that had happened since Argus. The burning of Teldrassil, the Fourth War, the conquest of Nyâalotha. But it would have to wait. Nothing was more important than getting out, now.
He stepped over to Sylaess, and reached down to scoop her up. The wisp kept position, doing⌠whatever it was doing, Argonas wasnât sure. But draping the Death Knight over his shoulder didnât seem to disturb them. Clearly, she needed help as well. Help he couldnât provide, but perhaps Avehi could? It was imperative to get them all out and to a place where they could be tended to.
For the best. He was sick of this tower!
~*~*~
Her mind tumbled, clumsily trying to catch up to the events that unfolded. Stars glittered overhead in the pleasantly dim clearing. Gentle on her night-eyes. It felt surprisingly normal, standing there with Solieyu pacing about. Grass swayed around her legs, moving with that dream-like quality.
Her mate. Her husband. It felt bizarre that she didnât remember that automatically, that she had to struggle for the information.
Something soothing about being under stars again. Amongst trees she could no longer name.
She breathed out slowly, carefully, closing her eyes in an attempt to collect her scattered mind. It was apparent the cost to be here, the cost for both of them. Yet it still felt almost restful. It was worrisome.
ââŚSolieyu. You canât keep bringing me here. I need to get us out of the tower. I canât do that if IâmâŚâ She gestured emptily, scrounging for words. His smile was bright, despite the circumstances. It was easier to communicate in this place. This special little bond they sharedâhad shared for such a long time.Â
But she couldnât remember how long.
âI know. But we need to talk. You need to find my brother.â
ââYour brother?â Confusion. She blinked back at his silver-eyed stare. Warm, comforting features of his face. He had a brother? The lack of knowledge felt like a missing limb. Phantom sensations, like she shouldâve known.
âWhen we get out of here. And youâve gone the wrong way.â
âWhat?â
âWrong turn.â
ââŚI donât even⌠Iâm going somewhere? I thought we were running from that thing.â
âYup. We are, right now. But I couldnât reach you to tell you.â
She pinched the bridge of her nose. Reality was fragile, and after Nâzoth, it was horribly impossible to tell what was and what was not. For all she knew, she was still back in Acherus! But her gut told her otherwise. Too much struggle going on in the Maw for that to be false. There wasnât any pain in this dreamscape. Too good to be trueâso therefore it was just that. Not true.Â
Felt his hand cup the side of her face gently. He kissed her forehead.
~*~*~
The cavern tunneled on a few hundred winding meters. They were going in blind, breaching unfamiliar ground. But what choice did they have? This tunnel was the only way forward. Argonas kept his shield up on one arm, leading the way cautiously. Finally, the tunnel opened into a fabricated chamberâ steel ramparts walled them in, littered with piles of bones in each corner. Not a welcoming sight, to be sure.
But somewhat familiar. Argonas recalled passing through a similar area before. Was this the same one�
âThis way.â he made a snap decision, leading Sinafay and carrying Sylaess down the left hand corridor.
[[ Co-written with @sylaess & @kidcatgemini /Â @sinafay1â ]]
[[ Part I ]]
~*~
Sylaess felt rooted for a moment, staring at the lone wisp that stayed with her. Sheâd been so deep in thought, sheâd missed the sounds. The signs. It had been quiet for too long. It felt like her heart had plummeted through her chest and into the floor, an impressive feat, considering the incessant hunger for power. For sustenance.Â
Such as it was to be undead.
ââŚWe need to run. Donât fall, donât lag. Donât stop to fight. Fucking run.â
Her voice was oddly calm. Flat.
Both swords were in her hands, but she didnât move yet. Pulling on a quick set of runes, a rapidly modified spell that she wasnât sure ofâ
It worked. It was fragile. But it worked. The spirits nearby fled before them in a wave, suddenly. She was pushing them. Well, it was more like suggesting a direction, but it worked nonetheless. Her skin felt tight across her skull, teeth clamped in concentration.Â
Still, that single wisp stayed.Â
The elf swore softly at it.
Argonas wasnât in the habit of running from fights. His grip tensed, tightening around the handle of his hammer. As Sylaess, Sinafay, and the host of wisps all made haste down the stairway, Argonas held. What mattered was getting them out, after all. Self-preservation wasnât his highest priority here.
ââGo, I will buy you the time you need, and meet you down there!â he instructed, once Sylaess and Sinafay were too far to intervene.Â
âArgonasââ
But it was too late. He already careened ahead of them in a show of protective light. Thankful he had that blessing, but now more concerned than ever at their chances of escape, Sylaess grit her teeth, slamming her blades into their sheaths hastily.Â
He charged up the stairs, hammer and shield at the readyâ thatâs when he laid eyes on the Tarragrue. Impossibly massive, brimming with a blazing core and adorned with plated spikes. Its eyes pierced into Argonasâ soul, filling his mind with thoughts of dread and weighing his heart with despair! A creature of nightmare, through and through! It let out a booming bellow that shook the tower itself before lunging for Argonas!
(( Story co-written with @argonas / @thefugitivemango and @sylaesschasewind / @sylaess . @avehi-the-adamant and @grakkar-gorefangâ for character mention ))
~*~*~
Argonas grunted as he tore the pointed edge of his tower shield from the now-lifeless Mawsworn Shacklerâ nothing inside its sundered armored chest plate but ethereal smoke. A hollow suit, at least now. He strapped his shield back to his arm, before continuing towards the next stairwell. Up again. Up eternally, it seemed.
Avehi had made good on her word, and brought both him and his Soulbind Grakkar to the Maw. For Argonas, it was the second timeâ third, if when he died counted. Such was the case for the only other time Grakkar had been here; the memories of it shaking him to his core. And being soulbound to him now, to Argonasâ core as well. Grakkar needed help and guidance more than Argonas did, for now.Â
While Avehi and Grakkar ventured off to recover the misplaced souls of the Lightbound-oppressed Orcs, Argonas entered the infamous Torghast. All evidence outside pointed to Sinafayâ and possibly Sylaessâ being captured and taken here. A possibility that haunted him after last seeing Sylaess in Bastion; with the upset in the Maw upon their entry, the Jailerâs forces were especially active. It was only a matter of time. Time Argonas had hoped to beat, but now it seemed more like a time he had fallen behind.Â
There was no alternativeâ he had to get them out.
No two floors of this place were identical, it seemed. Similar in design and structure, but the layouts were⌠winding. Confusing. Almost random. It was easy to get lost, Argonas figured out early on. To remedy this, he began leaving âbreadcrumbsâ to help guide him back out if needed. Light-suffused sigils etched into pillars and gates thatâ for lack of originalityâ translated to⌠breadcrumb. Simple, but effective.
Of course he met resistance at every turn. Swarms of Mawsworn sentires, and their ghastly metallic beasts. A hulking armored monstrosity that thankfully he had managed to topple off a ledge. Occasional distant clankings and unholy screams that echoed through the tower suggested the monster was still falling, even now.
But as he came upon a crossroads, he found himself unsure. The stairs both led upwards, one banking left and the other to the right. Into differing chambers, it seemed. He knelt down, brow furrowed, as he etched another âbreadcrumbâ into the ground. Then, still kneeling⌠he prayed.
âLight, guide meâŚâ he muttered softly, clearing his mind and focusing his thoughts on Sinafay.
Nothing. Nothing sprang to mind. A simple choice, but one that could either lead him closer to his beloved, or even further away. The Light urged him onward, but he couldnât feel one way or the other. He grunted in frustration.
âGive me a sign!â
âA streak caught his eye, a soft chime faintly heard from its direction as it darted past him. He turned, shield up just in case it was unfriendlyâ like everything else in this accursed tower. But as he focused, he recognized it. A wisp? Here? It zipped to and fro, before ascending the left-hand stairs. Drawn to something, perhaps. Argonas sighed. It wasnât exactly a sign from the Light, but it seemed a sign, nonetheless. He took off after it, eyes peeled and wary for wherever it may lead himâŚ
(( Co-written with @sylaessâ / @sylaesschasewindâ ))
Part I
~*~*~
The wisp and the fragments all seemed to start talking at once. In her head. Her aching head. Syl sighed. âLookâListen here! Damn!â A hand scrubbed down her face, trying to muster the patience to focus again. The most focused of them, the wisp, was square in her face. The rune etchings on her armor shimmered dimlyâa small draw of power.
 âThat one knows you, does it not?â Sinafay asked as she moved alongside her friend, âIt acts more familiar than the othersâŚâ
 The elf stared it down for an awkwardly long moment, clearly having some form of discussion. Maybe she didnât hear the question, or she chose to feign the ignorance in her focus.
 In the smallest of voices. âThen lead the way.â The wisp flitted off, but not far. And waited. Sylaess felt another tangled mess of emotions but stuffed that away. Sort that later, right now, they needed to move. While the way was clear. No doubt there would be more on the way shortly.
 She shook her head as if to shake off another thought and set to hunting around the husks for a weapon for Sinafay. Preferably not a crossbow.
Sinafay knelt down and attempted to pick up a morningstar like weapon, but her hand simply moved through. It was frustrating, if the weapons werenât made to be used against spirits, she couldnât use themâŚÂ
 âNone of these will do. Let us follow your friend and see where it leads us. It knows more about this place than either of ââ
 The Draeneiâs voice was cut off by a series of howls. She looked over her shoulder to see a pack of shade hounds running down the hall at them. Those, she knew, could hurt her. And with no weapon of her own to fight them off, she only had one instinct.
 âRun!â She took off towards the wisp, knowing it feared the hounds just as much, âLead the way, friend!â
The sudden howls jerked her head up and she grimaced down the corridor at the charging beasts. The hollow armored forms that rattled in their unbridled charge at them.
 âAre you fucking serious?â Although she didnât groan out loud at least. âFollow that wisp! He wonât lead us wrong.â Turned and drew a single runeblade. âDâDonât stareâŚâ Oh. Oh for the forsaken love of an Old God, no. The stutter on her lips turned into a tremor. The runeblade wavered. Clamped her mouth shut and drew everything she had to focus.
 She took it all in with a bleak lack of surprise.
 The green-grey fog swirled around, another silvery soul fragment came into view by her head. Syl blinked. Something was off about this one. She squinted as it shifted into a fog creature. A bog creature?
 Limbs too long, claws longer than her torso. A creature out of story-book hell. A neck with too many vertebrae, a skull-face with a mane of blue white ghost fire. It screamed in her face. Sylaess screamed right back at it. Arm up. Block the first strike. Saronite screamed a high note as those insanely long talons wrapped over her arm, crashing into her head.Â
 Vaguely she noted herself getting slammed to the stone by the other hand, staring up at that bare skull grin. The crack of her own head on the stone. Hands up, gripping at that absolutely monstrous hand in futile attempt.
 (( Co-written with @sylaess / @sylaesschasewind . Tagging @argonas / @thefugitivemangoâ for character mention))
 ~*~*~
The trees swayed gently in the breeze. She smelled moonflowers faintly, and looked around. This again. This grove. So familiar, it was going to drive her mad! She had to know.
 But she didnât. The void in her memory was a gaping wound she couldnât get past.Â
 Sylaess sighed softly, placing her face in her hands gently. There was no scar pitting the left side of her jaw, no exposed tissue. It was oddly gratifying. But it sealed the knowledge that she was not awake. Most likely. Torghast was a very difficult place to traverse when not plagued with traumas. Her grip on reality was fragile at best.
 âVaâshal dan duentha.â
 ââŚI donât understand you. Why donât I understand you?â She fixed the other elf with a stare, trying to puzzle him out but only ending up with a headache. She knew that voice, it brought her comfort. Sadness. Longing.
 ~*~*~
A sharp, ragged breath drawn in and the sword slammed into the ground beside her head, narrowly missing.
 Oh, shit!
 Teeth bared in a voiceless snarl of effort, Sylaess brought her feet up and kicked hard at the empty husk of armor. Saronite screeched across the floor as she slid away a little, clattering back to her feet. The intense throbbing in her skull cinched tighter, trying to force her eyes shut.
 Breathe. Walk through it.
 The brittle calm settled over her, a ragged safety blanket as she fell back into the warrior mindset. It was getting nearly impossible to draw upon. Half clenched fist, runes flared along her body. An enormous spike of ice crashed up from the floor beneath the guard, impaling the hollow armor and immobilizing it.
 The rush of magic fled and she wilted, head falling back a bit.
 Get your shit together, girl! Find her, get the hell out. You know the drill.Â
 The elf scrabbled up her dropped swords, hunting around for one that had been kicked away. Brought herself into a slow jog up the corridor. Sheâd made it this far. Again.
((Story co-written with @sylaess / @sylaesschasewind . @argonas / @thefugitivemangoâ for character mention))
~*~*~
She stood on the ring in Oribos. Settled her mind, and let herself fall into the wispy white cloud of souls draining into the Maw.
 It was just as jarring as the first time, the wash of voices, the sudden personal knowledge of everything she came into contact with, real or spirit.Â
 A shudder coursed through her, but it didnât last long. Balled up with her arms folded tightly, holding the hilts over her shoulders, she hit the ground unceremoniously. The shadow of Torghast hid the ever-present blowing dust from her eyes for a moment.
 The air rushed out of her lungs. Let it come back slowly.
 For the place of eternal hell and torture, it was oddly hospitable. Not too hot, or too cold to her. Strangely familiar in a sense. She shook her head, darting off the side of the road of broken flat pavers. Sure, there were holes through the floor that would drop the unwary fool for eternity, traps and molten stone and a literal river of screaming souls, but all in allâŚ
 All in all it was too familiar and she didnât like that. Not one bit. That she could hear the dead speak in her head, feel their hands grabbing at her? It was a nightmarish flash-back to the half-forgotten time under the Lich Kingâs control.
 It turned her stomach. Felt like that, anyway.
 She hurried on to find Sinafay in the alcove theyâd sheltered in. Glanced back thoughtfully to Veânariâs refuge a moment. What an odd place for a trader. There was little to trust for either of them, but the trinkets sheâd bought were without a doubt useful.Â
