It's the Perfect Time of Day - Chapter 12: To die would be an awfully big adventure...
Song: Perfect Time of Day
"Mister Archeon? Where ya be? Can ah be meetin' wit'cha? Ah be needin' t' talk wit' cha right now" Malis called out over the communicators as she hurried through the city, heart in her throat. It had to be true, there was no way Rynn would turn her back unless she was enthralled. Malis wasn't a fan on the Forsaken, believing the dead needed to stay within the ground, but a few had changed her opinion so she gave them the benefit of the doubt. However, this was soon to change if this Archeon had anything to do with it. A cold mechanical grumble replied "Can it wait, Malis?" Even his voice made her scowl for the moment and she gripped the communicator tighter in her hand. "Malis!?" Rynn's voice came next, "What happened! Where are you? You just vanished!" Her voice made her heart leap into her throat for a moment. The troll shook her head, trying to keep her focus on the madly concocted plan within her mind. It was now or never, if she left, she would lose her sister and would probably not get to see her again. "Rynn! Don't ya be listenin' t' him! Follow mah voice! Come back t' me!" Plans be damned! The smallest thought of losing her blood sister was too much for Malis to bear. If she could pin point their location and get there, then she would be able to figure out what was going on. "What absurdity is this?" Archeon demanded, intruding in on her thoughts. Malis gripped the communicator, she tied to keep her voice empty of the anguish and revulsion she felt as she spoke. "Mister Archeon, ah must be speaking wit' ya right now!"Now or never... the chanting in her head repeated over and over, keeping her focused and seemingly calm. "I'm by the bank in the royal exchange, Malis." Archeon's familiar crackle come over the communicators in answer. "Do come visit if you must." Malis couldn't tell if he was aware of the emotions storming within her but if he was, he was hiding it quite well. "What in fell's name are you talking about Malis? Don't listen to who? You are not making any sense" Amirynth spoke once more, "Where have you been? Mister Asinity has been looking for you?" Was that a tremor in her voice? The bloodelf's stammer was hardly noticeable, almost as if she was a different person. The troll took to the streets, the bank was just around the corner and it would only take a few minutes to get there. Sooner if she could shift to spirit form but then she would be unable to communicate and she had to keep her dear friend out of trouble. "Rynn ya be in danger!" Malis' voice took a pleading edge, "Ah be comin' t' save ya! Mister Archeon, ah be comin'!" She was almost frantic now, her mind conjuring up worse situations that became more and more implausible. Amirynth had mentioned nightmares getting worse and now Malis had the thought of those nightmares coming true. A new voice came over the communicators as Marrika chimed in, "Malis dear, Rynn is right here with us. I'm sure whatever is going on she'll be fine." Her voice was smooth and calm, trying to placate the troll but it only served to stoke her frantic thoughts. "Rynn what ever ya be doin' don't be listenin' to him... follow t' light! Ya must be findin' t' strength t' be comin' home!" With that she clicked off the communicator. Spirit form it was, she needed to get to the bank fast! Archeon turned towards his apprentice with a frown "What is she babbling on about, Rynn?" He had never heard Malis get so riled up about something before and was concerned. "Didn't you say she was leaving to go hunting for dragons or something?" Amirynth looked confused, "I have no idea actually, I haven't seen her in quite a while." She shook her head wondering what the troll was thinking. A small part of her worried that Malis was going to turn this into something bigger than it was. She needed the troll to leave the city because she was sure that the shaman would get the wrong idea. With a glance towards the now-silent communicator her worries might be correct. If Malis got the wrong idea... Rynn shuddered, she had done everything she could to push Malis out of harms way. Surely Kiowa would have dragged her sister back home to Yojamba Isle? "You said she was missing?" Marrika glanced over towards her fellow warlock, punctuating her thoughts. Rynn nodded, "Yes, Asinity was asking about her location..." Her heart beat a little faster as her mind ran over the conversation with the paladin. If only they had planned one day sooner... She paused as Malis suddenly ran up, shifting out of her wolf form as she did so, halting before them, her breath coming hard. "Give me back mah Rynn!" The troll had a look about her as if she hadn't slept for a few days. Everything was spiraling out of control around her and it showed. Archeon's voice box crackled on, "What do you want, Malis..." The warlock's eyes narrowed from behind his bandana. The last thing he needed was her causing trouble. He looked around as she yelled her threats, noticing that the outburst over the communicators had attracted more than just the troll to the footstrps of the bank. "Mister Archeon, ah be needin' t' talk wit' ya alone" The shaman looked at the growing crowd and frowned, wondering why everyone was here for a split second. Even Per and Deru had gathered, Dorac and even non-Symphony members like Karis and Meela were here. There was a tenseness in the air that felt like it could be cut with a knife. Amirynth looked confused, and a little worried, watching everyone with Marrika from just behind where Archeon stood. "I'm in no mood for trifle or games, spit it out." Archeon's voice almost growled as his eyes narrowed towards the troll. In the corner of his eye Marrika, wondering if Malis's wits were addled by her 'disappearance', shook her head slightly as Peredhel shot a firm look at his wife. Eniki eyed Malis coldly as the troll spoke. Malis frowns, "Well then fine! If ya gonna be like that. Ya be stealin' away somet'ing special t' mahself an' ah be wantin' her back!" The shaman lost it, standing up to her full height of almost nine feet and scowled down at the forsaken. Now or never... She bared her teeth and clenched her teeth, sure that she could get him to break the enchantment upon her sister, not wanting to accept that it may have been of her own volition. "Stole? "her"?" The warlock arched an eyeborw. "Rynn has made her own decisions, Malis." If he was intimidated by the large troll he did not show it. Archeon leaned back on his heels in a nonchalant manner as his followers moved slightly to gether closer to his 'side', the guild of Symphony dividing slightly between them. Malis shook her head, "Ah be knoin' that!" She waved a hand in the air as if trying to explain. She knew that on the surface, the bloodelf had made her own decision, had chosen to follow Archeon. Until a few days ago when Kiowa had opened her eyes, she had thought Archeon was a great influence on Rynn. The last few moments with her blood sister, however, had illustrated something a little more sinister but Malis wasn't sure how to explain it correctly, she just... had a feeling. "But ya be makin' Rynn be all... different. She not be t' person she used t' be. Rynn not be... Nice an' kind an' such!" Malis stomped her foot and put her hands on her hip, glaring at the forsaken before her. "She has grown in confidence and skill." Marrkia narrowed her eyes. "Perhaps that is "different" to you." The fellow elf moved slightly to wrap her arm around Rynn's as if to shield her from the irate troll before them. "She's learned independence, is that so bad?" Derusilla added, nodding towards Marrika in agreement as they both sided with the younger warlock. Even Amirynth chimed in, shaking her head, "No, Malis. Archeon has done nothing wrong. He has taught me how to become strong." She wanted to tell her how she had managed to not rely on the demons anymore, how he had shown her how to find an inner well of strength that she did not know she had. The look on Malis' face dissuaded her, the troll was in no mood to argue. She narrowed her eyes, nails digging into her palms. "Yes! It be bad when she be different' when she not be herself anymore." The troll looked between the three women who almost formed a wall behind their forsaken mentor. Malis once again turned towards Archeon who was no longer even listening to her. "Karis." Archeon looked towards the darker forsaken who straightened up slightly at the mention of her name, "Stand with me." His eyes glowed with that unholy look, no longer the inviting, polite expressions that most remembered him with. The darker aura about him permeated through the others who stood with him. Amirynth and Marrika seemed to have the same feel about them but then so did Perehdel and Eniki. The troll shaman no longer his usual jovial self and the shadow priest completely entangled in his namesake. Karis spoke some gutteral comment in the tounge of the forsaken at Archeon as she blinked, eyes flashing for a moment. She seemed to be turning something over in her head. The warlock's eyes grew harder "You swore an oath, Needleteeth." Terthelas frowned, looking over at the assembled. "I...am very confused." He wondered who to stand with anymore though the divide seemed to be growing larger as time went on. As he observed, there was a subtle shift in positions as secret bonds were strengthened, finally coming into light. Meella blinked at Karis wondering what he was talking about. "An oath?" Shaking her head she frowned with disappointment at Archeon. "...What's this all about, Archeon?" Like Terthelas, she felt the subtle pull of the growing chasm that was forming between the members of the Symphony. Jyrunai looked uneasy as he watched the battle of control. His gaze settled upon Karis as she set her jaw. "I swore an Oath to the Dark Lady first." From just behind her, Horror nodded to himself in agreement. His tongue moved back and forth slightly, the eye clasped between it's prehensile grip observing the goings on. Asinity joined the throng on Malis' side and glanced over at Medelitha as she also joined them sharing a moment of confusion at what was happening before them. "Malis, you have this all wrong..." Amirynth stepped forward to placate the troll. It was up to her to defuse this. She knew that Malis would not listen to Archeon and, if this was all to blow over and not escalate, she had to make the shaman listen to her and understand that there was nothing wrong and well, people changed and... Her words sounded hollow to even her as she played them within her head. Malis turned on Rynn, "You used t' be happy! Remember all t' adventures we be havin'! What happened t' mah sister?" The shaman almost wailed as she spoke, trying to show her blood sister that it didn't matter if she was 'stuck in the city' as long as it was with her. The vibes she was getting from her nerves was grating against her skull. She could feel the spirits screaming at her and yet there was something rooting her feet to the ground; she couldn't leave Rynn in this situation. Archeon shrugged. He pulled something out from his robe and slips it over his head, slowly. "No sense being discreet any longer" The large horns gleamed menacingly in the light as the cowl covered the forsaken's face with shadows. Horror snapped his head in the direction of Karis. His tongue retracts a bit, as he noticed her reaction as she swore under her breath, the forsaken knew more than she was letting on. Meella widened her eyes. "What the..." She turned to the paladin as he gasped and reached for the pommel of his mace that hung on his hip. Asinity shrugged in answer before getting ready for the worst, determined to protect his guild. "What under the Light itself..." Jyrunai shook his head in disbelief, "What is he wearing?" He shifted stance as the rest of the Symphony gathered behind him. Medelitha glanced over and nodded at Elitharan as Terthelas frowned, a hand also dropping to his sword. Amirynth ignored the gasps of astonishment around her and focused her attention upon Malis. "I am just a burden to you, Master Archeon promised me strength and see, I can now stand tall with no aid from the demons, isn't that what you wanted?" She almost winced as she said the words. Everything was crashing down around her, the people she trusted were now standing before her, weapons at the ready. She had not wanted it to come to this, she had not wanted anyone else to become wrapped around these nefarious plans. "NOT LIKE THIS!" Malis stepped forward until she was close to Rynn and Archeon. Her height towered over the forsaken and bloodelf and her eyes burned with a bright rage that seemed to be reflected in her dreads. She clenched her fists in frustration, not knowing what to do with the emotions running through her veins. She wanted to shake the forsaken, try to get him to understand her words, getting frustrated at how everything was turning out. The troll did not even notice how there was now two sides facing each other, both poised to attack. "MALIS, YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE!" Archeon turned his attention back to the troll as Marrkia moved up close behind him. Malis tried once more to talk to Archeon, "Please give her back! She be no nice anymore, she be actin' mean. She be yellin' at mah sister, tryin' t' get her t' leave. She not be like this an' it be all your fault!" She almost pleaded with the forsaken, the pain in her voice making Marrika wince. Medelitha stiffened as Terok shook his head. "None of this bodes well." The rest of the Symphony eyed each other as the forsaken and troll exchanged words. "You. Will. Not. Interfere." Archeon drew his sword, his eyes narrowing, each word punctuated with another step closer. It was done, over with. If she wasn't going to back down, he would use her as an example. The secret was out and this stage was just as good as any other. even better in face, as most of the Symphony was gathered here, called either by the earlier outburst on the communicators or the growing network of spectators who had gathered to see the altercation on the steps of the bank. Eniki growled softly. "Get away, girl... if you know what's good for you...." Marrika and Derusilla stood with him, Per hunched behind the trio, not quite as tall as the furious Zandalari before them but still giving a run for her money. Asinity glanced at Elitharan, then jerked his head towards Archeon. He was ready to step in and end this but wanted confirmation before he blazed in. The paladin had a bad feeling but did not want to raise his weapon against fellow Symphony members. The guild leader shook his head slightly before holding up his hand, there had to be another way to restore order to the throng before them. Eli glanced at Litha and Jyr, seeing their agreement with his decision before turning his attention back to the main trio in the center, the Zandalari towering over the forsaken and blood elf. He didn't know Rynn that well but had grown fond of Malis. Archeon, he had known for years and this sudden betrayal seemed very out of character for him. There was something going on that was bigger than all of them but until he figured out what it was, he didn't want anyone rushing in in case someone got hurt. Amyrinth gasped and took a step back, looking between Malis and Archeon, her heart beating fast in her chest. This was not what she had wanted to happen and for a moment she considered jumping in between them in hopes of possible stopping the face off. There had to be something she could do though she had the feeling everything has spiraled too far out of control and there was no backing down now. Sides had been chosen and the chasm had opened up, splitting the guild in two. The troll pulled out her axe, eyes flashing. "You be not havin' any power over mahself Archeon. Ya be returnin' what ya be stealin' an break t' spell ya have placed upon Rynn!" The shaman growled softly, her hands tightening around the shaft of her 'Fluffy'. The rage that burned with in was something new to her but she refused to let the forsaken take away someone she held dear. This was no longer someone she looked up to, this forsaken was an enemy. The troll muttered lightly to herself in Zandali before hefting her axe. She paused considering her options, not wanting to attack but ready to do so if it would help save her friend. Without warning, Archeon broke the tension, lurching forward, impaling Malis on the runeblade 'Fateweaver'. With a shriek, the metal twisted and grated, changing shape as it pulled forth the troll's life essence. His grin was palpable from behind his mask, the fel taint within his eyes growing into a cold icy blue. Slowly the troll fell to the ground, her knees buckling and bright red dreads spilling around her face. Fluffy fell with a final clang right next to her, stunning everyone around her for a moment frozen in time. A pool of blood darkened around her as the troll blinked with the instant pain and confusion, breathing her last... Medelitha 's eyes widened and she griped the sword at her hip. "MALIS!" The world exploded around her with the cries of the Symphony, each echoing her disbelief. "NO!!" "Archeon! Don't!" "Malis-..FEL." "You..." "THE FEL?!" "By the...by the Sun!" Elitharan was stunned, not quite expecting what he had just seen.. "Archeon! What are you doing?!" The mage clenched his fist, preparing a spell, looking for a priest to help same Malis, hoping the wound was not fatal. He noticed the paladin stride forward, hefting his mace with both hands. "You..." Asinity seethed with anger, eyes burning brightly. "What the -hell- have you done!?" He readied his weapon, about to attack, "You -BASTARD-! In the name of the Light, I will not allow you to leave this place in one piece!" He was joined by Horror who brought his giant axe to the ground and spun out his flaming blade. The forsaken's tongue jutted forward, the amber eye glowing brightly. Behind him Terthelas drew his sword, cursing softly. "TRAITOR!!!!" Jyrunai began to wield an amalgam of shadow energies, coalescing into a sphere as Medelitha shook with the emotions coursing through her body. "How could you... Dammit all! Archeon, how could you?!" Archeon turned to the Symphony, laughing coldlly. "Fear me Mortals, for I am the anointed, the favored son of Arthas, Scourge of the world. The Armies of the Lich King rally behind me and it is by my will and by my blade that your weakling nations shall fall..." He disregarded the troll at his feet and slowly eyes all who stood against him, cold eyes burning into each and every one. "Stay yourself, lest you join her in Oblivion."