#phaelastra

[aellesaan]

Wanderings in Mac’Aree: Part One.

Part two

(Warning: Very long, but worthwhile read.)

It was the third time Te'Amun had been summoned by the Justicar and the Lightwarden to the streets of Mac'aree. The enourmity of the Univesity district was now mostly passified by their previous adventures as well as the efforts and skills of the Army of the Light who was meticulously cleaning up and carving a swathe across the scarred and hardened land that their people once called home. It was here amongst several tall buildings, skyscrapers as they could be described created seemingly out of a rich pearly white marble towering into the skies, their bodies glittering in the light of the sun, sparkling almost as if jewels had been inlaid in the surface, that the members of Te'Amun and those sworn to its service arrived. They would be greeted with the familiar sight of the curator. Obviously someone had "encouraged" it to come along to lend what it called ‘aid’ to the group, after all even if it was an asshole, at least it did know what it was doing and could provide some advice on the matter at hand. Interestingly enough it appeared that Rhuua and Justicar Epilvik, the leaders of Te’Amun, stood just in front of a large double doorway to one of the many towers; seemingly no different than the others, except this one they had propped open with several large stones, the murky darkness inside seeming to eat away the light. Two enormous dire-wolves stood on either side of Rhuua and Epilvik, legs bent as they looked into it, almost as if protecting their masters from whatever danger it was that laid inside the building.

A quiet rangari Draenei, Phaelastra, ominously appeared out of the shadows, Her lanky, sinewy muscles clad in the traditional rangari armour of Draenor. She took in their surroundings, her breaths silent behind her mask. With careful hoof steps, she made her way to Rhuaa's side (or rather, the side of the wolf next to Rhuaa - allowing the beast to gain her scent) and gave the other wolf a nod of acknowledgement. No words were spoken, out of caution.

Akaepi, a rangari as well, dipped her head, a small and respectful bow offered to the pair before her as she arrived. Her usual beast of burden, a hydra, lurked at her heels with three heads looming over the Rangari. Surveying the immediate area before settling with little more than a quiet hiss. A hand lifts in greeting to Phaelastra, regarding her for a moment then attention flickering back towards Rhuua and Epilvik. Her blue eyed hues scanned the immediate area to take note of any others approaching.

The quiet, eerie silence was broken by a sing-song voice, and the rhythmic skipping of hooves, gradually getting louder. "1,2... it's coming for you 3,4... better lock your door 5,6... grab your brick 7,8... going to stay up late 9,10... never awake again. As Aellesaan got closer, she ceased her singing, and looked around. As her wide, round, eyes landed on the door, she tilted her head in curiosity. "So, who is going to be the ginea-goat  and go in first? Nose goes!" She promptly puts a delicate, well manicured finger on her round nose.

Filaanu arrived in quite possibly the loudest way possible, having found a way to ride her gnomish chopper throughout the streets of Mac'aree, most likely ruining the air with the exhaust of her bike. In the passenger seat, her two mastiffs, Dexter and his mate, Spot, sat quietly, their floppy maws flapping about while Filaanu rode up towards the others. Stopping the vehicle when she was near, Filaanu climbed out and approached the others, canting her head to the side once she found Aellesaan with her finger on her nose. "That's not how you pick your nose," she commented before looking to the others, her eyes stopping at the large doorway, "What's through there?”

"I've only been here a few moments," Phaelastra's tenor toned voice replies. There's a slight wave to those who've followed, her tail coiled in a tense formation behind her knees. She pauses, studying Aellesaan with an odd expression - one that's thankfuly hidden behind her face mask - due to her confusion at the saying. Nose goes? With a shrug, she shifts her long bow to her opposite shoulder, a hand reaching back to make sure her quiver is secure. "If no one else wishes to be first, I am quiet enough to go undetected. No use in sending everyone in if it can be prevented."

Aellesaan blinks at their apparent confusion, and lack of understanding. Perhaps it was a human game after all. With a shrug she takes her finger off her nose and glares playfully at Filaanu for her comment. "I am quite alright being here, in the light, and not going first. I've always disliked the dark." To emphasize her point, she sits down, and practices making ice in various forms.

Akaepi merely lofted a brow at the group, a faint huff of what one would assume was laughter falling from her lips. "I do not believe it is our call as to who enters first." She calls out, a small nod of her head given towards their esteemed leaders and the direwolves that loomed near. "We should merely wait for now." A hand lifted, scratching over the many heads of her Hydra as she waited.

Rhuua, mate to Epilvik, dropped a hand to her wolf's head, but the touch did little to soothe her mount's discomfort-- the great beast seemed to quiver with anticipation, the fur along the back of her neck bristled on end as she stared into the darkness. "This is your territory, my love," the Lightwarden's voice was soft, as though she loathed disturbing the silent dark which loomed before them. She canted her head to the side, watching her mate for direction.

Epilvik turned to his mate with a nod as several of their people arrived. "Thank you my friends for coming once more. As we all know from the previous two expeditions, where our "friend" here explained, we must retrieve the third and final key in order to complete the locking mechanism that holds the sceptor of such great power. One that we might even be able to use to harm the Dark Titan himself. We have the tablet, we have the compass, and now we need the next item." Epilvik explained to them. "However as before... it seems.. whatever is down there in the heart of this planet, whatever malevolent being or creature resides down below, is now activly working to stop us. Thus the wolves guarding to stop anything coming out. We will need to work swiftly, and accurately; we cant make mistakes here, else...." He said with a grimace. "Albeit the Curator of the Universities has already somewhat explained that like before this area will be heavily dependant on your cognitive reasoning, would you care to explain, Curator?" Epilvik asked the robot(construct). "Not particularly you over important, self worshipping, lump of shit. But yeah, by all means go run in there. I’m sure you’ll do fine; just a couple of puzzles, and you’ll be done. You’ve done fine so far; dont worry about the rest. It’ll be fine, just get in there and get it done," He responded to Epilvik. Clearly, the pair didn't appreciate one another very well as Epilvik responded by punching it in the face before loudly swearing as he cradeled his fist in pain. Perhaps another might be able to get it out of him with their feminine wiles.

Akaepi merely stared at the exchange between Epilvik and the Curator. Ah yes, diplomacy at its finest! Only the barest hint of laughter bubbled over her lips, a twinkle of mirth wrote upon concealed features. "Come now-... There is clearly a reason for you being here," Words addressed to the Curator with an off-handed wave towards Epilvik; Please forgive her, she's trying, but feminine wiles is not her forte. "Does it not speak volumes that our esteemed leaders would turn to you for your infinite wisedom and advice in this?" The bristle of that wolves fur did not go unnoticed and, certainly, made Akaepi's form that little less at ease about the entire situation. Forboding darknesses never had a good track record for her. "If nothing more then would it not be a kick to their teeth to know that you are doing what they could not by assisting us?" Pandering to ego's however-... That usually worked as far as Akaepi knew. Well, it did in those silly books she read anyways.

As Epilvik explained the situation at hand, and conversed with the "charming" Curator, Danarshi was approaching the group on hoof, wandering towards them at a leisurely pace. Upon close inspection, the Anchorite appeared refreshed. The small gathering in Dalaran the other day had certainly reinvigorated him. Having only been a small number of metres away, Danarshi had overheard the exchange and, therefore, understood the situation at hand, despite the Curator's deliberately poor choice of wording. Halting to a stop a few paces away from his kin, he issued them with a singular salute. "Hail, brothers and sisters." he greets them. His eyes turned to the tower ahead of them, more specifically its entranceway. His mouth drops open as he falls amidst his own thoughts. Ultimately, the Anchorite's eyes rested upon Epilvik. "Puzzles have never once been my specialty, though regardless, my hand is yours, Justicar. I shall progress upon your word." he swears. He cannot help but to send the Curator a shifty glance. It did not feel as though the spirit was on their side. He would be weary of her.

Phaelastra frowned behind her mask, remaining silently otherwise. She crossed her arms, gaze flickering to Akaepi, to await further orders. All the talking seems to make her uneasy. Filaanu remained just as silent, looking back to her chopper to make sure her mastiffs had climbed out and were at her side before simply crouching down to pet one of the dogs. Shortly after, she stood back up and yawned, glancing to the tower ahead.

The Curator tried to hit Epilvik in the balls which he only deftly leapt out of the way of, hiding behind the otherside of Rhuua; now deliberatly out of range as Akaepi approached the robot construct in his stead; addressing it in a very civil and adoring manner. "Theres a reason alright That boso dragged me across the town to bring me here. Didn’t even try asking, he was very rude. You know, Lord Archimonde would have done no such thing no no, a gentlemen and a scholar that man was. Ahh his return will be sorely wanted," he commented wistfully as Epilvik nodded to Danarshi in greetings. The construct seemed to consider Akaepi’s words carefully as if evaluating them as she spoke. "Hmm your words speak reason, after all, it takes a certain mind, a genius if you will, to grapple with the magics and mystery that surround this task. After all, the locking mechanism was designed by yours truely. Although after Archimonde put me in this body, he forced certain parameters that stoped me from just guiding and giving the answers. The most I can do is provide advice." He explained. "Hmm fine, the final object you need is at the end of this passage, on the sixth floor of the building in the conference room, that is where you will find the answer. Once you enter, the building will seal until you either die or succed, sending advance parties or groups will not help you here."

The Rangari merely paused. There was a flicker of surprise that it actually worked though it was short lived. She dipped her head down low in a bow, smiling. "You would honour me with any advice you could impart. Despite how rudely you were pulled away to assist, you are proving to be beyond helpful and we would be in your debt." Standing up straight again, her gaze flickered to the building once more. Going in there did not sound like a fun time at all. Oh boy, sixth floor; all or nothing.

Aellesaan looked up at her peers, and the construct, listening carefully.  With a sigh, she stood up, and idly scratched at her blonde hair. "Well, lets get this party started shall we!" She started dancing towards the door.

Danarshi bites down upon his lip in sudden concern. Sealed until success or death? This was certainly a risk. As his kin each prepared to enter through the doorway, the Anchorite steped forward. "Wait," he abruptly lets out in an attempt to slow their approach. "If we venture beyond this doorway, there is no guarantee that we will be able to return." Danarshi reverts his attention to Epilvik. "Forgive me for my suspicions, Justicar - I intend not to sway from your lead, though, what is the intended purpose of the artifact that we seek? If it is worthy of the cost of sealing ourselves within this tower, then I would expect that is exceptionally powerful." he expressed. He bats yet another eye in the direction of the Curator, distrust present upon his face. Inside the tower, they could very well be placed beneath the mercy of the defiant spirit. He had heard of Vigilant Quoram, a similar entity who had acted in much the same manner. The constructs of Mac'Aree, thus far, were not of the trustworthy category.

Epilvik looked to Danarshi before nodding in response. "True, there is not, we may fail, but with our experience, our knowledge, and our diverse skill set it is unlikely to be the case that we will. However as for what is inside, in here is only a key, but it is the final key to our end goal, that goal being the sceptor of Archimonde himself, he who founded the University district on Mac'Aree, the principle place of higher learning, experience, and knowledge of our ancient and powerful race. It was here that our experiements, and our thirst for knowledge and power first drew the attentions of the Dark Titan." Epilvik explained to him. "That staff, was with Archimonde for millenia. So very, very long in fact, that the measure of power contained in the staff will be immense. Such force possibly, as much raw energy, as the sceptor of Sargerus is capable of." he added further. "That and that alone is why we need it, with such raw power, it is likely even a titan can’t stand before such an assault." Meanwhile the Contruct had been speaking with Akaepi as she continued to flatter and flirt with him as much as she knew how to at least. "Mhmm you’re right, I was quite rudely pulled away and abused wasn’t I. Humpf, we Vigilants really need to unionize. That'll show all those people who think they can boss us around what’s what. Yeah yeah thats a good idea." he said to himself going off on a tangent. "Hmm any advice huh? Well I suppose I'll tell you the solution for your first puzzle. Let’s see,

I have an eye but cannot see.

I am fast but I have no limbs.

What am I?..

There that is your hint, now please go right ahead. If you make it through the first I'll see you on the otherside." He commented before waving the group inside. Who would dare enter first?

Phaelastra's gaze followed the blonde Aellesaan. With slow steps, the rangari’s body dissapeared into the shadows once more, where she followed the path of the other. It would seem that she perhaps has the intention to prevent any harm that would come to her comrad, though they barely know each other.

Aellesaan didn't even take a second to recognize Danarshi's concern, but kept dancing her way to the door, and glided into the murky darkness. "Ah yes, darkness my old enemy. I have never missed your presence. Yet here we are, meeting again." She looked back for the Rangari she had heard called Phaelastra, but the darkness was so murky it prevented her vision. She lifted up her delicate hands, but she could barely see them. Fear gripped her heart causing her thick, decored tail to twitch, and her facial tendrils to go stiff. Aellesaan no longer wanted to sing.

Phaelastra was right behind her. Darkness had always been a friend to the woman, something that she’d used many times in the past to help her do her job. In a swift motion she steped out - just barely able to make the outline of Aellesaan. One of her strong arms wraped around the woman’s waist in attempt to comfort, her voice breaking through the shadows. “We should stay with the others, sister. Let us return to the others, yes?” Truthfully, Phae had stopped paying attention to all the talking - and would like nothing more than to get on with their mission. However, she also knew leaving Aellesan like this would keep them from doing so. She waits for the other woman’s response before she takes any further action.

Aellesaan jumped at the light touch of Phaelastra, but quickly calmed down at the familiar touch of a fellow sister. Looking into the Rangari's eyes and seeing a calm, collected demeanor, she nodded at her words. Aellesaan took a few steps back towards the door and waited for the others. "Thank you, sister. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, I charge ahead with no thought except for the goal ahead of us. It is both a blessing and a burden. Let us wait here for the others to join us, you are right." Aellesaan began to hum a bright melody as if to bat away the darkness cocooned around them.

This brought a smile to Phaelastra’s face that carried to her eyes. “It’s quite alright. The Naaru bless us differently for a reason, yes?” She lowers her arm, until her hand rested against the small of Aellesan’s back - a gentle reminder that she’s right there, the friend in the darkness. With each step of Aellesan’s, Phaelastra followed - allowing Aellesaan to set the pace. From time to time she found herself swaying her tail to the tune of her fellow Draenei, something she’s glad neither of her brothers were there to tease her over.

[aellesaan]

Wanderings in Mac’Aree: The Final piece.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

At the base of the pedestal the following was written in Argussian, an ancient old dialect: "I get cut, but I never bleed. I have teeth, but I don’t bite. I get put on a ring, but I’m not a diamond. I get turned, but I’m not a page." Beside this inscription was a round metal ring, looking remarkably familiar as the other projectors the Construct had used, this one only containing a button, perhaps a summon in case they got stuck?

Ash was the first to the pedestal which held the key, followed by a bouncy Aellesaan, but it was clear that he had no idea what this strange writing said. He stood there, scratching his head for a moment, looking at the weird chicken scratch, but was unable to decipher it. He looks back to Aellesaan and raises a brow "You have any idea what this nonsense is?" He points at the writing, then his eyes fall to the button, and his eyes light up. "Oooh, I wonder what this does..." Ash , not knowing if it was some sort of self destruct button, not really having paid attention to much of what the emotionally sensitive can opener had said before, besides the fact that it seemed very quick to anger and sounded more like a five year old throwing a tantrum than any real threat, presses the button rapid fire, mashing down on it as if he had hoped it was a call button for food service.

As Ash mashed down the button, Aellesaan patiently waited. "I wonder if there is food after this for a reward. I want a burrito right now; preferably a roasted orc burrito. Have you ever had orc before? Tastes quite delicious." Realizing she was rambling, yet again, she looked at the other Draenei. "Any of you old folk know how to read this scribbly mess?"

Ashaar grinned at Aellesaan and nodded.” That's what I was hoping, actually. I hoped this was some sort of food call button, maybe they'd give us some food for being so patient and awesome." Food was all he really had on his mind since dropping his sandwich, and his grumbling stomach was certainly making a fuss. He mashed the button a few more times, looking at the circle with a furrowed brow "Come on, you hulking mass of mechanical ignorance, give us snacks!"

If that button had of been a destruction button or in any way dangerous well oh boyyyy lets just say Ash would not have had a great day oh no not at all. As it were, it was lucky for him it was not dangerous, and it didn't seem to do much of anything yet besides emitting a glow a pattern which emitted onto the pad that seemed insignificant so far. Epilvik blinked at Aellesaan shaking his head in surprise. "Wait.. orc burritos? like orc meat.. it tastes nice.. really? But they are filthy animals... hardly better than a rapid dog... I’m very surprised, though pleased at the same time as well. Least they serve one decent purpose, and better yet they have to be dead to do it." Epilvik commented morbidly, as unaware as the others of how to read the script, so he watched to see what the pad would do. They certainly didn't get snacks, not even close, instead... it was their favourite mechanical construct as it blinked into existence, seemingly having been disturbed from whatever it was doing. "What the- oh it’s you again... and you’re all wet," It said laughing hysterically in amusement as it looked at Ash, though it stopped haltingly as it looked to Aelle. "Well you made it through. You guessed right, but you got dumped on, and very well. Guess my help would have been useful, huh?" it questioned with immense satisfaction. "So now I bet you want me to read that puzzle for you huh? Well well well... give me one good reason why I should do so?" He said nearly ready to leave this group stuck in this place.

Aellesaan smiled kindly at him, and waved. "Hello again dear old friend. I must say, thank you immensely for your guidance. I have heard a saying before: Two heads are better than one. It was a pleasure to work with you on this. However, would you be so kind as to teach me what this script says? I do love learning, especially from a handsome fella as yourself. Your armour is so nicely cleaned and shined." Her kind words, plus being in a wet t-shirt should work on him she hoped. Isn't that what all men wanted? She wondered.

Ash frowned as the only thing that appeared in the circle was that annoying construct. "Great, this asshole again. Don't you have a scrap heap convention to get to? You better have brought some fucking snacks, you cantankerous, bug-ridden vending machine." He was having fun coming up with new, and inventive insults for the arrogant chuck of scrap metal, whether or not it was helping their cause. He looked at Aellesaan with a raised brow, and half a grin "Seriously? Gonna try charming the can opener?" He gives a bit of a shrug, and looks at the Curator "Hey, tell us what that says, and she'll show you her boobs." He hoped that would work, after all, the thing did seem to have a bit of a crush on the spunky space goat. He waited patiently for the construct to reply, hoping it wasn't some dumb riddle again.

Aellesaan glared at Ash angrily. "My breasts are mine not yours. Watch yourself before you end up with frozen limbs you dim witted goat faced Draenei! Go grow your own pair of tits," she said with a huff.

Ash's face went blank as Aelle yelled at him; a slight pout formed on his lips as he blinked a few times at her. He turned back to the construct and glared. "See what you did? You made me upset her! You should be ashamed of yourself, you defective trash compactor!" He huffs and gives Aelle a nod, like he had just fixed things.

"Oh, for crying out loud, here!" Kairyth finally snaped, looking up from where she'd been studying the writing. Her lips moved soundlessly as she squinted and puzzled over the archaic writing. She reached into one of the many pouches at her belt and shoves a desiccated strip of... something... at Ash. "Eat this, it's good for you. " The something, should Ash be bold enough to try it, would prove to be smoked and dried clefthoof of a sort many Rangari carried on their person -  flavorful despite its unappetizing appearance, and sufficient to keep one's teeth busy and the worst of hunger pangs at bay for a time. With a huff, and ignoring Aeiia's pleased exclamations over her "generosity," Kairyth turns back to the writing. "My Pop made me learn... hmmm. Been a while..." She stops, looking blank. "I'm almost certain this says "teeth." Something about teeth. Or cactus. And this one here," She taped the writing with one stained fingertip. "Blood. Or bleeding. Or possibly uh... juice?" She sat back on her hooves with a groan, swiping water from her face irritably. She took a long drink from her second-best flask. "Well this is useless."

If the construct could beam properly, it likely would at the pretty Draenic ladies words. The construct turned to address her properly, so far being the only one there that has cared anything about him, and that treated him with even a modicum of the immense respect he considered himself entitled to. "Least there is one amongst you who sees greatness before you. Why can't the rest of you be like her? She at least was clearly raised right!" He commented huffily to the others as Aellesaan flirted with him openly, enjoying the compliments that she paid him. Unfortunatly before he had an opportunity to respond to Aellesaan, good ol Ash butted in again with the insults. The construct immediately swung its fury toward him; reached out as it flicked the man on the nose... hard. "Oi deaf prick... haven't you learnt by now insulting those you need help from isn't of value?" It questioned him rhetorically with a  voice full of loathing for the man. He tilted his head though at Ash's suggestion. "Oh is she now.. well... huh.... hmm..." The curator responded going silent as if seriously contemplating that offer before he noticed Aellesaan angrily responded to Ash, looking near ready to hit the man in the face. He made a soft chuckling noise at seeing someone else put him down.

"See what I did? It was you who were dumb enough to open your mouth unable to keep it in your pants! Just because you can’t appreciate what you already have, with her before you in a wet shirt, you had to try pushing it. Don’t you try pushing that on me now bucko, oh no no no, you’re just a dim witted little man,” It responded back huffily bending to look straight on at him, acting every bit like two males fighting over the same female, and indeed that is what it was, after all beyond being in a construct he was indeed a Draenic male. He watched as one of the wild people angrily stalked over to Ash and threw some sort of food at him and bossed him around quite maternally it seemed. Was it his mother? Truthfully the construct couldn’t give a shit. Kairyth would get a few of the words right, but nowhere near enough to learn the full riddle. "Hmm you got a few words... but oh my my my... you are never going to guess the answer like that, and you only have three guesses before your sealed in here forever, so you better think through it," It told them smugly satisfied in its superior knowledge. "My Light, how do they not teach you language nowadays? Young people, humpf."

Though clearly pleased to see that Kairyth had shared something - anything - Aeiia is also wet and cold and verging on grumpy - none of which suits her temperament. Perhaps that's why, though she smiles sweetly as ever at the construct, her words are laced with salt. "There is no inherent virtue in being old, you know. It simply takes a long time." She turns her attention to the Rangari she'd purportedly feared for decades. "If your lessons under your father's tutelage were anything like mine..." She shudders, forcibly shaking off the memory and composing her features carefully. "The knowledge is there, you must simply find it." She sighed sadly, looking from Kairyth, to the inscription, to the ball of Light in her palm. "This will hurt." "What do--" but the words died on Kairyth's lips, fading to a whimper and then a near-howl of pain as, moving swiftly - more swiftly than Kairyth would have thought her able - Aeiia pushed her palm flat against the words, and clasped her own hand to the scarred tattoo on Kairyth's shoulder. Aeiia's jaw snapped shut with an audible crack of teeth against teeth and the ball of Light in her free hand shuddered violently, twisting and contorting into meaningless shapes, runes, and figures with increasing speed. This continued for several long moments - the kneeling Rangari's screams echoed from the chamber walls, Aeiia's muscles were rigid, until suddenly, abruptly, it ceased. Kairyth's fury was palpable as she wrenched her hand away from the writing, swiping angrily at the trickle of bright blue blood from her nose. "I still can't even read it, you bitch!" She snapped, then stared, open-mouthed. Aeiia gasped for breath, panting sharply. "Mind magic..." she whispered with a moue of distaste. But there, gleaming brightly an inch above her palm, was the shining but unmistakable image of a key.

Ash rubbed his temple a bit as people around him began bickering, possibly a headache from lack of food, possibly from the bickering, but he gladly accepted the jerky from Kairyth, not questioning what it was, simply devouring it. After chewing for what seemed like five minutes, holding a finger up to the construct to let it know he was about to speak again, he swallowed the jerky, and tilted his head a bit to look back at the Curator. "Fine, I will try to be nice, as long as you stop being a complete dick. Deal?" He puts his hand out to shake the construct's hand, but leans forward with a glare. "But let me make one thing abundantly clear...you ever fucking flick me again, and I will toss your rusty metal ass onto one of those sun tiles and watch you melt, you got me?"

Soaking wet, and beginning to feel slightly grumpy, Aellesaan watched the chaos begin to unfold before her. She highly disliked encountering so many loud noises, and the screaming on top of it, made her curl in on her self. Memories of her childhood began to trickle through her mind which left her a curled up, shaking mess. She desperately found a wall, and sat against it, humming to herself to block out the images. She might as well rest while everyone else tried to figure out the scribbles.

Whilst all of this madness had continued on, Danarshi refused to move from the spot in which he landed from scaling the rung course - at least not until he had caught his breath and recovered from his efforts; lazy old fool. As his companions crossed the course of engraved tiles, he simply watched them, learning the answer via the easy way, again; sly reprobate. Although they were rather distant, he could roughly hear the exchange, that of which was consumed by obvious confusion, and then overridden by the blood-curdling screams of Kairyth. At that moment, Danarshi shot up on to his hooves and raced across the tiles, his robes were now utterly drenched from head to toe from the gallons of water that poured down upon him, like the wrath of the titans themselves. The Anchorite stood before the group, awkwardly, water audibly and visibly dripping down on to the stone floor beneath him. "Forgive me for the delay. What did I miss?" he suddenly inquired. So far, he had proved himself as quite the dead weight.

The construct turned its annoyance to a second female, looking bored towards her. "Hm.. something a child would comment, how appropriate considering..." He commented making a sound of what would have amounted to a yawn though watched in interest at the idea of one of the Draenei hurting another. He jumped, startled, as would Epilvik and Rhuua, as Aeiia's action surprised and horrified them with what she was doing, so callously injuring and harming another of their party. Even if she was a rude grumpy butt, and it wasn't fleeting pain either, but the screaming continued, lasting and going on and on as Aeiia must have probed Kairyth's mind for the answers she desired. The anger and fury of Kairyth was palpable when Aeiia finally released her, the Construct assumed the other girl would try and kill this Draenei for what had clearly been a horrifically painful experience. However he noticed Aeiia's hand and the shape glowing above it. "What the fuck... how the ... damn," It commented with a sigh, saddened by the development.

It looked down at Ash when the Vindicator approached it and offered him friendship, making him wait as if considering it for several minutes. "Fine... I guess I can tolerate you, for the time I need to put up with you, but you better behave yourself in the future. Also the idea of you tossing me is laughable... this frame is extraordinarily heavy," It said amused at the thought this provoked.

The rest of the group or any who were looking would be able to witness the glass container slowly sliding into the floor, revealing now suspended, seemingly just in the air, the solid piece of ruby, intricately and ornately carved and shaped. The entire length seemed to serve a purpose from the regular teeth part of the key to the elaborate hilt of it too. The final piece they required to unlock the Vault of Archimonde; where they could then seize the scepter that they had been seeking. The trials and tribulations finally over, having gathered all three items they needed to complete the unlocking sequence. It was then however that a disembodied voice, soft, almost whispering, almost as if it was in their very heads, both there, and then not there, as it spoke to them, "Do not go any further. What you seek will take your very souls. Don’t fall like so many others before you. He wants you to take it." Before it fell silent, it would answer no more from them, as the Construct looked to them. "Well well well... Looks like you succeed, guess now all that’s left is for you to delve into the vault at the great university." He commented casually.

Danarshi's inquiry had almost immediately answered itself as the glass casing around the ruby key slid away, leaving their prize for the taking, or so it seemed. As the mysterious voice filled their minds in warning, concern was quick to seep into the veins of Danarshi. Whilst he struggled to determine the source of the message, suspecting that it may, perhaps, be Shadow, or Arcane magic, he mustered a mighty breath and then stepped forward, towards the key. "Wait. Something is amiss," the Anchorite warned his companions. He stood in front of the key to ensure they could not take it. "It is due to the efforts of you, and you only, that we have survived this labyrinth, my brothers and sisters. Please, allow the burden of seizing the key to be my own. If the worse shall come to pass, at least it will have been I who shielded you all from it." Danarshi insisted in a somber tone. Allowing his companions barely a matter of seconds to try and stop him, he turned himself towards the ruby key and lifted his right arm, courageously grasping it within his right hand. As his hand encased the key, he closed his eyes and focused upon the inner Light within him, hoping that it would be enough to shield him if something were to occur.

The majority of this time, Phaelastra had kept to the shadows as much as possible - quietly following the group's lead. However... at Danarshi's comment, she slowly took the bow off her back, her free hand ready to arm it with an arrow. Her breaths were slow and even; however, every muscle remained tense. While she may not be in the center of the gathering, she could at least hopefully prevent something from happening if her rangari senses are able to pick up on them.

Danarshi, all the ceremony and bravery that he showed, his willingness to put himself into danger and sacrifice himself should it have been necessary, willfully placing himself between his people and a danger that he did perceive. However... it was for naught, he grasped the key, lifted the key, and it came away smoothly of whatever gravity well it had been in, becoming a regular key in his hand. Albeit considering what it was made of, extremely heavy, but they had completed the task, the key was secure, and they were all alive and safe. The Construct tapped its foot loudly. "If you people are well and truly finished, you can all gather here. There is no way back but through this teleport. If you  don’t come with the group, you’ll be stuck here and I am NOT making multiple trips, so get your butts over here. You can celebrate and exalt one another after I get to leave," It complained reminding them of its presence.

Aellesaan having quieted herself down from the previous chaos and screaming, shuffled over to the construct. The whole adventure had hit her, and she felt tired, hungry, and grumpy. She would still of course, be humming to herself with an odd smile on her face.

[samtheowl96]

Commission for my guildie Phaelastra, and friend of @aellesaan. Done by Lunaros <3