[Exemplar Prestige Class Story for Rai’thas Starshield]
[Music: Heroes Never Die by DavidChappell]
Struggling to breathe within his first moments of life, his twin Alexander had somehow called upon another power to save Rai’thas. Barely moments old and the two were intertwined not only from the circumstances of their entrance into the world but from a desire to be with one another and to see each other live.
And the Light would see to their desire, one way or another.
As they grew, the Starshield twins’ father did as he pleased, sending Alexander off to become a paladin due to showing very early his innate ability to call upon and wield the Light. But Rai’thas on the other hand, was not allowed off their home island as their father had other plans for him that were certainly not in the young elf's best interest.
Rai’thas would sneak off into the towering shelves within the library of his home to learn while his twin was away, either by himself or from those willing to go against his father’s wishes to teach him. His kindness towards others, even while he was receiving so very little on a daily basis, showed in small ways and one priestess decided to teach him how to heal her way.
Day and night he learned from the priestess. Rai’thas devoted all the time and energy he could while his twin was away to attune himself to the human’s Light. Channeling the Light not only through his body, but through his soul. This healing caused his body to show evidence of the wounds healed through it in the form of bruises and soreness. Not a single person would ask or question the bruises as this was not too far off of the norm for the young elf whenever he came away from his father’s disciplinary hand. His skill grew in secret and as the years went on there were not many wounds he could not heal, nor many he could not make.
After the passing of his mother, his father allowed Rai’thas to leave the island at times, but only with him. Under an ever watchful eye Rai’thas had more difficulty learning new things that his father disapproved of if he was not taught them from his twin. The focus of their father’s control eventually switched when Alexander married, releasing his hold upon Rai’thas to go and do as he now pleased.
When Arthas and his scourge threatened Quel’thalas, the Starshield twins left their island home to join in the defense. Any of their family that was capable of fighting went alongside them. Once the Sunwell had fallen, the only two members of the Starshield family left standing and capable of fighting were Rai’thas, and his father.
Through years of meditation, and prayers to the Light, Rai’thas was able to sate his small personal arcane addiction. The desire and love for his twin pushed him to keep the reflection of himself to be that of what he last had seen of Alexander. He’d continue to be a living visual memory of his twin in remembrance of his sacrifice.
Rai’thas joined the Argent Dawn within the Western Plaguelands, keeping his head down and doing as he was ordered. After the battle for Light’s Hope Chapel, the merger of the Argent Dawn with the Silver Hand, knew he had to be with them- The Argent Crusade- to their goal. He had to go and be a part of the force to end the deathly plague of an army that took his twin from him and decimated so many lives across Azeroth.
During the battles in Icecrown something constantly was pulling him further and further into the fray, urging him to go on. Eventually he found out why with one familiar face: Alexander. The orders were given to separate the death knight from the others so Rai’thas could face him alone. The Light came to his call, bringing him to his twin and eventually aiding him in recovering Alexander’s mind with one simple Light empowered slap to the face.
Their father never saw his reanimated son, nor did not make it out of Icecrown alive. That didn't matter to Rai'thas. His twin, Alexander, was with him once more.
Rai’thas found out Alexander would forget where he was, who he was, what he was doing, and was nearly oblivious to the normal passage of time without gentle reminders or being anywhere near him. From then on they barely left one another’s side. They crafted armor, weapons, machinery, sturdy clothing, anything and everything the two of them could do together.
Rai'thas knew though that his twin needed more than their old way of living to keep himself sane, and whole. He'd provide Alexander with anything that was needed from sparring to keeping him fed. He loved him too much to let him slip away again.
Years past by for the twins. They went to fight at the back lines, the less dangerous but still ever important battles that needed capable bodies. Though when the Legion started to invade Azeroth they went to the Broken Shore to fight along with many others. There was another upon their boat Rai’thas knew: the priestess that taught him so many years ago, Marybell. They caught up on the voyage to the Broken Shore and decided to fight alongside one another for the first time.
The battle was a disaster. The twins and the priestess fought hard. Overwhelmed as they tried to get the overextended stragglers and fallen back to safety Rai’thas rushed and removed Marybell from the path of a charging demon. He was launched, a sparkling star soaring across the ground into the chasm of a lava pit.
With val’kyr plucking members of the Horde from the battle, Alexander and Rai’thas reunited once more upon a ship heading back to Orgrimmar. Rai’thas never did tell his twin how he survived, but they both knew it had something to do with the Light.
With Tirion fallen, Rai’thas decided to find a new place for himself and his twin to be which then they joined a paramilitary, the Sunguard. Whenever they could, wherever they could, the twins fought side by side in every battle both within the borders of Quel'thalas and beyond Azeroth's soil.
The Light would be there for both of them as the armies of demons decimated the lands of the Dawnspire. Wave after wave of demons and their crafted weaponry march up and fall down, but more continued to push through. Both of the twins were a wall between their allies and foes. Shoulder to shoulder they stood, but after so long even walls begin to wear down.. and crack.
After Rai’thas watched a fel reaver break through one of the defensive lines before them, he knew he had to do something. He turned to his brother, told him he loved him, and surrounded Alexander with a swirling cocoon of Light just before the massive fel reaver decimated the ground at which they had stood. With the paladin falling, Alexander’s blood connection was severed and he too had fallen within that cocoon but damaged far less than he could have been.
His body laid motionless, breathless, upon the crushed ground. After Alexander picked himself up he knelt down beside his twin and had found no pulse. Wide red eyes had begun to well up, frost crackled down the death knight’s cheeks, and he pleaded to the Light that he had once wielded so many years ago.
Alexander never left his brother’s side as soldier after soldier, mender after mender, had tried to restart his heart only for it to halt shortly after. It wasn’t until one Dawnmender wielding the Light restarted his heart and pulled him back with a voice as sweet as nature’s natural melody.
His fight was not over. The Light had brought him back for all those that loved him.
After he made dinner for everyone, Rai’thas decided to take the moment to write instead of eat. Having his two little girls in their chairs happily squealing and eating as they babble to one another instead of chasing them made it rather easier. He finished his letter at the same moment the girls finished eating. Both demanded to be let down so they could run around once more as they just learned to do so without help.
One little girl was taken out of her chair, hands and face washed, then set down so she could run while her twin sister was taken through the same thing. Though once the paladin returned with the second of his children all cleaned up he saw the first already left her mark on the letter he had written. One tiny handprint was left on the letter in the big blank space near his name. He only could sigh. The Knight-Commander would hopefully understand, she has little ones as well.
The letter was handed off to a Hawk courier, someone he knew did part-time work as one, and off she went. The letter was left on the Knight-Commander’s desk, with or without her present.
Knight-Commander,
Firstly, I wish to apologize for my semi-absence from the field and meetings. I am wondering if I may speak with you about a possible unit transfer? I have been doing some thinking after my two lengthy times in the infirmary late last year and very early this year. If this is acceptable, I will be waiting patiently for a time to meet with you.
Thank you for your time,
Lightward Rai’thas Starshield
[Warning: not a lighthearted story. Some arguing.]
Just like any other day, Alexander comes home to the apartment he shares with his twin, their lover, and lover's sons. Purchasing groceries after an every other day run around Silvermoon is a normal thing for him to do. His mind doesn't wander often so long as there are the people he loves to remind him who he is, and where he's at.
Twin girls babble and yawn sweetly in the room at the end of the hallway. Their giggles interlace with the wonderful singing of his twin. Their father.
Purring emanates from behind another door in the hallway. It's open enough for the three felines to come and go as they please into his cousin’s room, Razail, that he shares with Samiel.
After the groceries are put away, Alexander starts to make dinner for the three adults. No Tyleril tonight, or Samiel, as both are off doing things and spending tonight away from the apartment.
The smell of fish and vegetables starts to fill the air and soon begins to draw the attention of the trio of cats. The young man follows them as usual, though just like every day, Razail waits behind the couch with his emerald eyes peeking over to watch.
“Hungry, Razail?”
A nod with a smile is all the answer Alexander receives and it's enough. He gathers the plates, silverware, and then serves up three helpings he places on the table. A fourth plate of just fish is made for the cats and set near their tower so they wouldn't eat off the table.
The giggles are gone, and Rai'thas is no longer singing. The twin girls are now asleep in the cribs Alexander made for them. Finally time to call his twin for dinner softly from the doorway of the girls’ room.
“Rai, dinner's done.”
“I'm not hungry.”
The paladin sits on the spare bed within the girls’ room just staring at a key on a string hanging around his neck that Alexander does not recognize where it goes to.
“Did you eat?”
“Told you I'm not hungry, Alex.”
“Alright. You should go out for a walk and get some fresh air then. I can watch the girls.”
“Not interested.”
His twin lays on the bed and turns to face away from the doorway. The dangling key starting to irritate him as Alexander knows it goes to something important enough for his twin to keep close. Soft footsteps to avoid waking the babies and he puts a hand upon his twin’s arm.
“When did you last go outside, Rai?”
No answer but a shrug to try and remove his hand. The lack of answers irritating him further pushes Alexander to pick up his twin and remove him from the girls’ room. He takes a few punches to the chest, enough that in his living body it causes him to pause and lose a breath or two.
“Let me go, Alex!”
Alexander does just that, dropping his twin onto the couch and standing over him. Razail slinks to hide behind the couch completely now as the twins start to talk louder and argue.
“There, I let you go. Now answer me: when did you last go out?”
“I don’t remember.”
The paladin holds onto the key with one hand as he stands. Alexander moves to block his twin from going down the hallway.
“Then do me a favor and take a short walk outside.”
“I said I'm not interested!”
His twin attempts to push past him, but Alexander does not let him. He holds onto Rai'thas's arms, and they start to wrestle. It has been something they've done since their younger days.
Twisting, grabbing, pulling and pushing. The two men do not speak until one is thrown hard enough onto the couch to cause it to topple backwards and onto Razail as he tries to scurry away. They both softly curse the same word as their attention shifts to tend to their much younger cousin.
Rai'thas gets off quickly to grab Razail as Alexander puts the couch upright. Both stay silent as they look him over, full of worry watching tears fall across Razail's scars. They find a few bruises, and both try to heal him. Light and blood mending fighting against one another, just like the twins themselves a moment ago, and one wrong move leads to Rai'thas burning Alexander's hand on accident.
His twin tries to help, but Alexander pulls away. The burn jump starting his memory and his red eyes drift to that key still dangling from Rai'thas's neck. He remembers now.
It doesn't take Rai'thas long to tend to Razail, the bruises disappearing from the younger elf and reappearing upon himself in a much more minor form. The paladin slowly hugs his cousin and whispers, “I'm sorry, Razail.”
“I am as well.” Alexander puts his hands upon each of their shoulders, looking first to his cousin then to his twin. “I'll make both of you whatever you'd like for breakfast to apologise.”
His twin releases their cousin and gently removed his hand before standing up. “Just leave me be, Alex. Please.” A few steps down the hall and he pauses. “If you do I'll go for a walk in the morning.”
“Alright.” Alexander replies, and as his twin continues down the hall he quietly adds, “You should use that key. Leave a letter there if anything.” Rai'thas only shakes his head before disappearing back into the girls’ bedroom for the night.
He sighs and gives Razail a hug as well, the young man giving him a quick squeeze before pulling back to sign. ‘I’m hungry.’ Alexander finally smiles and nods, helping him up and to the table.
After they finish eating and cleaning up, already goes into the bedroom his twin and Tyleril share. Opening up the closet, Alexander stares at the large box within. One hand absentmindedly traces each absent scar on his new body that he recalled from the one within the box, his original body.
When he gets to his arm and shoulder where the rot set in, Alexander quickly shuts the closet. Frost forms around his eyes as he goes to bed.
Moments pass, unable to sleep, and the door opens quietly. Razail stands in the doorway, the three cats at his feet as he tentatively waits for Alexander to notice him before he signs. ‘Can you make the stars shine, please?’
He couldn't help but to smile and nod. “Of course.” A learned gesture and the apartment's ceilings alight with a starry night sky- one of many gifts from Tyleril.
His cousin smiles wide while looking at the magical stars and signs some more, rather timidly. ‘Can I sleep with you tonight?’ A rare request that Alexander accepts with a pat to the bed. “Sure. Maybe we both can get to sleep better.”
All three cats leap onto the bed as Razail slowly crawls across to curl up next to Alexander. His cousin picks Tyleril's pillow to sleep on, and he figures he wants comfort from the man that's become a father figure to his cousin. Alexander puts a hand on Razail's shoulder once he settles, and all the cats curl up between the both of them.
It doesn't take long, watching the magical stars dance across the ceiling, hearing and feeling the small purring bodies of the cats, just having someone there, and both fall asleep. Just like any other day.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Yes, Rai?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. You know I'm here for you.”
As you faced the hordes of undead, you found yourself in a position with a choice: retreat with the others and take the risk of being ambushed; or break off and distract them so the others would have a safer chance of survival. You, once a great paladin, gave your wife the last kiss you were to ever share, and your last loving breath in the teary and haste filled embrace of your twin.
You, Alexander, prayed to your precious Light and it listened. You were granted wings that blazed with the same determined fury you held in your heart. And you soared. A distraction you were, once paladin of the Light, and as the life faded from your eyes the others did indeed survive.
“... What was it like?”
“What are you referring to?”
“What we haven't really discussed before.”
“... My time apart from you?”
Risen into the ranks of those you sacrificed yourself against, you fight your former order, your former people, within the merciless cold of a continent too bitter to hold life, but perfect for the dead. You now wield blood, shadows, and frost in place of the Light you once held so dear to your heart.
You slaughtered numerous foes, Alexander. You focused your might on those that had dared to expel the ones that fought beside you; and one in turn focused on you. You were split from your then allies to fight against this foe whose own ferocity matched yours. It was a stalemate as you both continued to battle, but it was broken with a simple slap across your face and the realization of who you were fighting against.
He found you, Alexander. He cried tears of joy when you finally realized who you were, and who he was; your twin.
“Part of it, yes.”
“Which part?”
You watched over him as he fought, and as he trained. You used your magical talent to ensure he would not feel the full force of the attacks that broke his defenses. You wove the blood, his blood within your control to heal his wounds as he taught another. With your speed he, nor she, realized his ear had been hit as you had healed it too quick for their eyes to catch, or his body to register what had occurred.
You felt it though, Alexander. You felt every hit on your twin; every injury that was done onto him was then done onto you. You sacrificed your body, your life once before and you continue to do just that, for him.
“Well…Your hair and eyes changed… And you're drinking more blood from me lately. I’m curious, and worried, if more is going to happen.”
Opportunities to use your blood magic to heal came more often. You enjoyed it. Healing not only your twin but your friends was something more to do than training and fighting, and you were getting better at it. But using it comes at a price, does it not?
More healing. More magic. More blood. You fixed what bones were broken, and made new bone within him to do just that. You moved his blood, undid the bruising. But there was more. All the blood around you, all the use of your magic, had begun to pull on something. A desire, a need, to feed more on what you used to heal.
“I'm sorry, Rai. My only current thought is that, due to my more consistent use of blood magic lately, it’s starting to shift my needs.”
“But your hair, and your eyes- “
Your body, your corpse, was changing, but you could not admit this without seeing it with your own eyes, could you? You went to a mirror, one you knew was not enchanted, to see for yourself.
They were right you know. Why would they have lied, to you? The light blue of your dead hair had brightened to resemble freshly fallen snow. The frosty cold of your eyes were obvious in their change as now a blood red marbled within. You had more pronounced fangs now, Alexander. The frost could no longer hide the blood you were able to wield from other’s eyes.
“Increased power and a vampiric affliction. That’s why those are changing.”
“Vampiric... the San’layn were that, were they not? Did they bite you? Isn’t that how you turn?”
“I can’t remember all of it, or maybe, I refused to make it a memory.”
“What can you remember?”
A simple task, to ensure the axe you and your friends had made would be able to pass the test that the commissioner set. But you did not expect where this test would take place, did you Alexander? To the gates of Icecrown Citadel you went, along with Aestus and Tyleril nearby. The memories had flooded your mind, and the past you, the heartless you, had started to show.
You watched as the test had started, and you did as you were asked to do. Channel your death, your corruption, and your hate. You were to fuel the axe. The memories, the feelings, the thoughts, all of these things that you had pushed down and away swirled to the front of your mind just as the blood, shadows and frost came to your fingertips. They whirled around the woman whom this axe was made for and the test, in the end, was a success.
“… The cold, the blood, and the bodies of those rejected that were to be used for…other things.”
It was just a simple duel Aestus had asked of you. To see what you could do and compare it to your twin. He should have been prepared for what he was to see, should he not have? He watched you manipulate the blood you controlled into weapons, and as you merged blood with steel he then watched not only in fascination, but in horror. Your concentration was broken, you lost control of your blood weapon, and your back hit the ground hard from his assault. As you stared up at the sky, you realized you had been injured, but he was too.
Did you ever put yourself first in your thoughts, once paladin? You healed him as your arm dangled, unable to move. You had healed yourself later, but in doing so you had a need. Your twin grew pale as you fed, as you drained his blood he laid on the bed, unwilling to stop you. It took the one that loves you both to stop you from injuring your twin. And then you fed on him.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I wish I could have grabbed your body before this all happened to you.”
“It’s alright, Rai. I’m surrounded by those I love, that too love me. I’ll protect you, and the family we’ve made…as well as the family we’ve found.”
You reacted just as you would have, were you still alive, Alexander. Your heart, though it does not beat, still knows loves. You shielded that young boy the best you could from the nightmare that had awakened within your friend. His nightmare was that of the war you both fought in, and you who had been on both sides, were the target of his holy wrath.
Your. Body. Burned. You used your blood to shield yourself and the young boy, but it was not enough to save you from becoming injured. Samiel had called for his father, his indestructible father, as he had used his magic to shock your friend back to reality. Charred, dead flesh, could be smelt from any who went near you as your body lied on the ground. You begged, pleaded, for the boy’s father to understand it was your own fault, but it would not be heard.
“I’ll do everything I can too, to protect you however I can. The San’layn though, they weren’t really pardoned…”
“I am not fully a San’layn, but even a hint of it and I believe others would wish me gone. Take this secret to your grave, brother, as it has become mine.”
On the public board, somewhere near the others posted by Sunspear, another letter was written for all to see. Very clear and plain penmanship, easy for everyone to read in a black ink.
Oathsworn of the Pathfinder, Suncaster, and Dawnmender Units,
I want to prove I’m better than my twin brother. Duel me. My com is open.
Rai’thas Starshield
Underneath is another letter, nearly identical in everything but that it was written in…was that blood?
Oathsworn,
If you want an easy win, duel my brother. He sucks.
Alexander Bloodshield
@thesunguardmg
I’d like to use the roll20 dueling, can’t really duel with the characters in game. :(
Isle of Stars: Chapter 1: Silent night, deadly night.
If one were to sail North of Lorderon, or West of Silvermoon, far enough away the two lands could not be seen, lied an island full of all sorts of life. First to be seen would be the Lighthouse, tall, slender and bright, warning of the rocky shores ahead. Next would be the outlines of the island, the large city-like estate reached to the sky, with the telescope and spires easy to make out. Further in one would have to navigate the rings of the island, a natural defense against siege by boats taken well advantage of. The trees were tall along the edges of the islands, with brushes thick so one couldn’t see in. Once passed the third ring the details could be seen: boats of all sizes lined up at the docks, magisters were unloading the cargo from the largest ships with care, and the only building on the island stood tall, and old.
One would have to pass the security put in place, in order to go into the main section of the building, or stay longer than the day. It was nearly a fortress, tall and thick walls infused with arcane magics new and old. A small canalway blocked entry by magic,allowing only those that knew the key to enter. Elves lived here mostly, but they allowed any with good intent to stay and learn history. Those of various professions were allowed to stay and learn as well, and they had their own areas to be: the tailors worked near the enchanters, and those were set near the library; alchemists were working alongside the herbalists, fishermen and cooks, each could help the other in their craft; the leather workers were placed between the two previous sections, as they could work with either; and across from the leather workers were the blacksmiths and engineers, jewelcrafters and miners, along with those that could wield and command flames.
There was an area too within the complex focused on religions and allowed all to come and share their beliefs, so long as there were no fights to be had, and each had specific times or days they were allowed to have a private time to pray and worship. There was peace among all, and near the main gate were the stables, beasts of all kinds were kept here and taught about, anywhere from how to brush and breed them, to their diet and fighting capabilities. This was an island of knowledge, with those of all walks of life allowed: paladins, priests, mages, druids, hunters, rogues, warriors, and even those a little darker in their magical tastes were, so long as they did not harm others and followed guidelines that were the dead stay dead and summoning was not permitted, nor were portals outside of the designated room.
This certain time of year was special, the heir’s children were coming of age to receieve their Stars, and their parents would govern the island until they would have children of their own that received Stars. It was bustling and the two young men were running around, causing a little bit of chaos here and there as they chased one another through the working people, but never caused a mess.
Throughout the night, Alexander had wandered across the waters thinking. He had gone back to Tyleril’s apartment to retrieve his armor, and then to the barracks for his weapon before departing. The death knight’s frozen steps crackle and echo under the sheet of ice that seemed to move with him. Coming up to an island that felt familiar, and once he stepped onto the land he could remember where he was. Looking around he came upon a secret entrance he and his twin knew of and the memory began to play. He followed it around the interior cautiously, as there were broken pieces of his home lying about, and the feel of danger in the air. The memory was of him and Rai'thas, and wherever the two of them went, anyone else near that they interacted with appeared. They seemed to stop in the smithing area, as both boys had interest in what went on there, and even had started to learn the trade.
A heavy clang sounds. A hammer striking the anvil and the sounds of a forge burning happen as Alexander steps into the smithinging area. The light that comes from the smithy’s rotting doorway is pale and inviting. “-And then they just let you go right?” Tyleril’s voice was clear, devoid of it’s normal stutter and filled with good humour. “Like the Magister would just let you go? Ha!”
Alexander readies his spear, taking another look around before he gently pushes the door open. Creaking from the old hinges, splintering of the wood that stuck as it had swelled, the door puts up quite a fight but doesn’t break. He looks in, curiosity barely visible on the death knight’s face as he focuses on the man speaking. He had seemed familiar. The two boys were nearby, pushing one another with one being put into a headlock, whining and kept there as the other laughed.
There’s no reaction as Alexander nearly breaks into the smithy. It was clear that nobody had been there in a long time. Everything was covered in dust and ashes. The roof threatened to break as rain began to softly land atop it. A ghostly image of Tyleril stands by the anvil, holding something. "You two need to be careful- wouldn’t do for you to get burnt, eh?“ It was clearly a younger Tyleril. The clothing he wore had been out of style for decades easily and his hair was tied in a long braid that went to his rear.
The young Alexander laughs loudly, messing with his brother’s long hair as the young Rai'thas flails to try and get out of his grasp. "We’ll be having something today! I bet Rai’ll cry.” "I will not!“ Pipes up the young Rai'thas, finally punching at his brother’s ass a few times before the young Alexander quits messing with his hair. The death knight looks on and slowly remembers that day, looking over to the smith and it hits him just as the younger version of him speaks once more. "You’ll come and watch, won’t you Mister Silversword? The whole island’s invited.”
“You two are turning- nineteen? Twenty?” Tyleril lifts up the weapon he is working on. The ghostly echo waved it in his hands. “How about I make you two a weapon since it’s such a special day for the two of you?” Raindrops slowly seep through the rooftop to land in the house, dripping and making puddles the echoes don’t notice. The echo of Tyleril turns for Alexander to get a good look at him- the blue and grey clothing he wore matched his blue eyes and wide grin.
“Twenty!” The boys say in unison, each with smiles from ear to ear, even if one was still in a headlock. Alexander’s eyes widened, how could he have forgotten this part of that day? They had met Tyleril! The young Alexander spoke up first, “A sword! I’d love a sword, Mister Silversword!” Rai'thas not long after, “Me too!” Rai'thas is pulled around a little, as his twin starts to try and turn them both around for fun.
The echo of Tyleril laughs, even when a piece of the ceiling groans and falls through the coloful echo. “You two are lucky there’s plenty of materials then! Go play with the practice swords and find a grip you like so I know what to do at the end, yes? I’ll get to work on this first one.” He smiles at Alexander and walks towards the death knight.
Alexander instinctively moves out of the way for the echo of Tyleril, still wondering why he didn’t remember this but soon he would understand why. The young Alexander starts to spin, with his brother in tow, letting the young Rai'thas go. The young man stumbles backwards and into a steaming hot piece of metal, crying out in pain as he was burned on his side. Alexander caused his brother harm, and that had wiped the memory of Tyleril out of his mind.
Tyleril turns. “Hey! Stop that!” The echo of Tyleril dropped the tools he held. The dust and mud beneath his feet didn’t stir as he ran to check Rai'thas. “Here, let me see. Let me see.” His voice is gentle and soothing.“
Alexander reached out, whatever was left of his heart aching as he saw what had happened, as the young version of himself backed up with tears in his eyes. The young Rai'thas was crying, not very loud as he didn’t want his brother to call him a crybaby.
The echo fo Tyleril shushes Rai'thas, smoothing his hair down as he brings up a hand that brightens with healing Light. He holds it over the burn. "It’s alright. Don’t worry- See? The Light is making it better and all you’ll have is a scar. That’s not so bad, right?” The color in Tyleril’s magical echo begins to leech away, fading to grey but the echo of him remains. After a long minute the echo pauses and leans back to look directly at Alexander- not through him or to something else. Directly at him. “Alexander?” The echo whispers.
The young Rai'thas quiets down as he is healed, nodding all the while his young twin runs off to hide. Alexander squints, looking behind him to see if the echo was speaking to the young version of him. But once he realizes it was to the one here and now, his frosty eyes widen and his voice answers with an echo of his own. "Yes?“ He didn’t know exactly what was going on, but he’s already dead, what harm could come from this.
The echo of Tyleril smiled and hugged the young Rai'thas close. "You came back.” Although his smile seemed just as warm as it was when he tended the echo something felt off as he continued to speak. “There’s a chest behind you- would you get the spare sword I made for you? I always wanted to make a second one but my boat…did I ever leave?” Behind Alexander, left to rot in a corner was a chest that had rusted and sealed itself tight. The contents inside were likely still intact.
The death knight questioned what was going on, if the echo of his priestly friend was indeed talking to him. Alexander looked behind him though, finding the chest the echo spoke of. The young version of himself was hiding behind the chest, in tears. He approached it, knocked on the chest with his boot and then knelt down to open it any way he possibly could. The echo of his younger self was drawing his attention too, this was something he didn’t want to remember.
The echo’s voice is sweet and gentle to Alexander’s ears, washing away suspicion. “You might have to be a little bit harder on- yes, that’s it Alexander.” The color leached echo of Tyleril smiles as Alexander found the spare sword Tyleril had forged decades ago that had been forgotten and left in a trunk. “That’s good Alexander- pick it up will you?” Carefully the color leached Echo rocks the young Rai'thas- he seemed to have fallen asleep. Something might feel wrong , a bit off but the color leached echo of Tyleril was friendly. He was just trying to help…right?
Alexander reached into the chest, slowly grabbing at the sword with his free hand as his younger self now dashed off into another room containing a hidden tunnel the boys new of. Fingers gently gripped the handle and slowly removed it from it’s resting place. He rose, standing tall as he looked at the forgotten weapon from a forgotten friendly face. Why did this echo want him to have it?
The echo of Tyleril smiled and slowly rose up and the younger Rai'thas simply faded away. As the echo walked its braid swayed with its movements. “Very good Alexander.” It holds its arms out and begins to apply its magical charm to override Alexander’s will. “Hold the sword tightly, right? Don’t want to drop it.”
Alexander’s grip on the sword slowly tightens as the echo spoke. No, he didn’t want to drop it, it was something his friend made and forgot. He wanted to return it to him. Slowly the death knight’s frosty gaze moved to the echo of Tyleril, and the grip on his personal spear loosened.
Alexander is rewarded with an approving smile. “You know how to use the sword, right Alexander?” The echo clapped his hands. “I have a good idea. You ’ll appreciate this.”
Alexander nodded slowly. "What sort of idea do you have, Tyleril?“ He would do as the echo would ask, and follow him wherever.
"Kill me.” The Echo smiled warmly at him and held his arms out wide. The blue eyes still held warmth, the smile was still there- but something would linger that this wasn’t right. “And then you can kill yourself. It won’t hurt. Then we can go together. ”
Fingers, already touched by death once, tighten on the forgotten sword’s handle, and the spear clanked as it now hit the floor. "Kill you, and then myself. As you wish, Tyleril.“ Alexander slowly removed himself from the smithery and back off of the island, heading towards Silvermoon and the apartment of Tyleril Silversword.
Story written with @tyleril-silversword as part of a longer story to introduce my twins, Alexander Bloodshield and Rai’thas Starshield’s home island.
@thesunguardmg
TSGWC-9: Alexander & Rai’thas: Preparing for the Cold
PROMPT: How does your character deal with weather away from Silvermoon? Do they prepare, or just assume they will find what they need?
“Rai’thas, hold still!” Alexander chases his twin around the room with an enchanted sweater. The paladin ducks and throws his twin over his shoulder onto the bed. “No! I’m not going into Northrend again, let alone ICECROWN!”
“Oh come on, Rai! I’ll be there, Tyleril will be there. Aestus and Windsong too. We won’t let you freeze or get too cold.” The death knight slowly approaches his twin after rolling off of the bed with a sweet smile upon his face. “I’ll make sure the tent, bed, and heater are all working properly right after this.”
Rai’thas sighs and gives in, his twin putting the sweater over his head.
