Zarressa Bladehawk Malache

Learning to live again is harder to do then giving up

[whiteknightblackpast]

Accepting the past and Moving on with the future

Zarressa stood in the living room of the huge mansion waiting. She was scared of what was to come next but excited at the same time. She had hid them so long ago, visiting as she could but would they accept what she was about to do. Would they come with her or throw a fit and want to live here from now on? She stood there waiting as a human maid ran around cleaning. 

     “MOMMA!!!” She turned her had and smiled as the twins came running into her arms. The auburn haired boy looked up at her with his blue eyes and smiled. “Momma your here!!” She looked down at Zather, he looked more and more like his father every time she seen him. She missed him so, her Aelther. But the boy gave her no time to think back on the past as he riddled her with question after question. “Can we take out these stupid eye covers now? There is so much I want to show you! I learned how to talk to animals and have them help me hunt! I learned how to …” He was interrupted as a mass of curls blinked in front of him. “Look what I learned mommy!” Amaru giggled as her brother tried to push her aside. Zee looked down at both of them and smiled as a tear tried to roll down her check. She wiped it away. “Oh my your both getting so big! Yes you both can remove the eye covers now. You wont be needing them again.” She knelt down in front of them. “I think your both big enough now and learned enough to come with me now. Would you like that? To travel with me? To meet your uncle and grandpa?” She waited with baited breath for their replies. 

The twins seemed to turn as if on que and looked at each other and began to talk in whispers. Her nervousness grew. Suddenly they ran back up the stairs. She sat down on the floor defeated. The maid walked over and tapped her on the shoulder then pointed up the stairs. At the top of the stairs stood the twins, bags in hand, blazing green eyes ready for what the world was going to bring them. Zee stood up, proud for the first time. 

                       “Come children. Its time to go home!”

[whiteknightblackpast]

Massive headaches and kidnapping dont mix

Her dreams where mixed flashes of light, freezing cold water, a ship, a black haired lady and a mouthy chaing smoking asshole. She woke slowly the sounds outside of the ocean and life moving seemed odd to her. Where was she. She started yelling but the pain in her head hurt so bad she passed out again.

She woke several more times finding food and water. She took them and thre themout what she assumed was the opening to the tent before passing out again.

She finally awoke to sounds of what she assumed was evening going on. She started yelling again this time the pain was there bt not badd enough. “who ever the fuck you are let me out of here. I dont know why you took me off the ship but you need to let me go and let me go now you fucking bastards.” She continued her rant yelling and screaming all kinds of profanity into the nether. Suddenly she heard voices and thought she had heard her brothers name on the wind. She got very quiet and strained against he chair she was hand cuffed to. She may be half naked but this might be a chance to have someone help her. Suddenly magic explosions rent the air and the sounds of all out fighting find the tent. So much for a rescue. She started screaming again but no one came...... Maybe just maybe who ever was out there heard her and would rescue her from who ever had taken her captive. She curled her hand into a fist as the light filled it. Yes let them come for her........

[i-am-retired-blog]

“I didn’t grow taller; I learned how to stand.” - Flaxin Malache

Something little I doodled for the dork, @flaxinmalache. We all put this character through hell sometimes!

[whiteknightblackpast]

Yep and now he just inherited another mess.

[whiteknightblackpast]

[whiteknightblackpast]

A fathers love is shown in the amount of bullets he gives you.

Zee twisted and turned in her sleep. Everything seemed to twist in her head. Blood flowed from her fingers. Voices ran through her head. She heard whispers around her, voices ringing. She felt as if she was now laying in a cloud. She snuggled in closer Suddenly the air around her seemed to be filled with static and she felt as if some one was right in front of her. The scent of freshly made shepherd's pie has settled over the whole place, mingling with the smell of thistle. A hand was reaching for her..... Blood dripped from it.....

  Zee sat up and screamed. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO....." She raised her hand to send out a blast of light but nothing comes out. She turned and blinked at her father who sat on the banner staring at her. "Oh by the gods." She laid back down and covered her head up.Twitch got up and moved to the bed, causing the whole bed to protest as he sat on the side, pouring some water into a glass on the nightstand, "Ain't nothin Godly here, dove." Nothing -good- at least. She sighed and peeked out from under the covers. "I know, just not where I thought I was. I.... I dont even know where here is. Last I remember was a temple...." He offered her the glass, "Drink." He blew some smoke out of his nose to the side as he eyes her, "The fuck happened to you."

 Zee lifted her hand to grab the water and winced as she griped it. "My light..... its gone.....I think this time for good...." She took a sip and tried to sit up fully. He reached over to pull her up if she has too much trouble sitting up, herself. "Well...I mean what did it to ya." He -was- kinda gentle. She looked down. "Some one I thought was an old friend..... I went to see them and found them........ ripping out their soul. " He nodded again, "Aye? Who...?" He looked her over, remembering what he'd already told. His eye is critical though, not exactly that loving father look. She shook her head. "I mean another elfs soul. Troll..... loa guardian......Right now ........ everything is blank...... I dont know why though." She glances down at her chest and pulls the shift closed more. She did see the burn. "There was also something funny that happened with my armor." From down stairs she heard a womans voice."Twitch! Your dinner is ready. I'm going to Silvermoon...." He called out, "A'ight!" "What happened with yer armor?"

 She gasped at another voice echoing.She blinks again looking dazed. "They took it......... I think but the gem....... the gem in the center. The purple gem exploded.... with shadows......" He once again nodded, "A'ight. M'callin in Ana s'soon as she gets back. How's it feel. Y'need a healer?" She attempted to move. She grimced. "I think I need more then that." She raised her hand and attempted to bring light out of it but nothing at all appeared. "What the fuck am I to do now...."

Twiotch shook his head. He sat there thinking a moment it seemed and then went to a desk. He pulled out a dusty old lockbox and brought it over, setting it there for her. Inside was a beautifully tooled 9mm pistol set. The name Claire etched into their ivory handles and set with a red jade. She glanced down at the pistols. She looked up wide-eyed. "Really? No one has ever given me anything....... this nice before. Thank you....." She ran her hands over them. He watched her touch them with a look that was dangerously close to discomfort. He muttered little something and then added, "Well I'll want those back. I'll make ya somethin nice t'suit you. Just be careful with them, aye?"

She nodded. "I wont. I..... I plan on looking for some type of trainer to teach me .... I guess how to use my hands. I mean I know how to sword fight but its gonna be different now." Twitch nods "Aye? I think i know just the man..." Ithios. Definitely. "Y'still ought to carry. Y'never know. Even th'mage does. Yer cousin couldn't hi the broad side of a kodo though..." She laughed softly at the thought of it all. "No I dont see Leth being able to hit with guns but I have seen his magic do some great damage. I promise I wont go without anything." She sniffs the air. "Ithos..... good. I would like to start training as soon as I am cleared. God that smells good." He chuckled and gets his feet, "Y'sta there an I'll get us some. Should be fine t'eat now." She smiled. It was good to hear him chuckle. Almost healing it felt like. She could never remember her mother laughing like that. He took himself down to get that squared up, "Y'ought t'know better'n to fuck with the Loa..."

Zee closed her eyes and sighed. "I know but ...... I knew the man from child hood I think..... But he said he would sacrifce me too..... Either way I was fucked." Twitch dug them up a good serving each and came back up the steps, "Aye? Well y'didn't do him any favors, didja?" Xyrressa "No but I figured if i was going out I was at least going out fighting..... They took my armor and weapons.... and my com." Zee suddenly reached up and felt her head. "Oh my gods. I think I am hurt more then I thought. I can understand you fully." He nods, "Aye? Think they kept it?" He sat his plate down on the side table and offered her one. "Fresh lamb...Can't beat that." She takes the plate and sniffs. "Oh yes it smells so good." She thinks for a moment. "No I remember them smashed it I think and burying my armor." Suddenly a large crash was heard from outside. Xyrressa screamed and the plate went flying.......... "By the gods what was that?" Twitch tenses slightly and takes to the window. "Uuuh...Stay here an I'll g'find her. Y'ought to meet anyways." He eyes the mess and snorts, stealing the blanket with the plate as he hands her -his-. "Eat." She noded. "Sorry....." She takes the plate and begins to take a few bits. "Oh this is good!" He took the blanket with him and deposited it downstairs on the way, "Celi's the best. I'll be -right- back." She heard the door open down stairs. She could hear him yell out the door downstairs: "Hurry in then, our luck we'll end up fightin off a pack." She heard a womans voice laugh downstairs. "Not to worry, there doesn't seem to be anything for a good ways. They must be preoccupied elsewhere. for the moment." She heard the door shut and barred "Aye? M'guessin y'got a good eye n things? Sorry but m'daughter's here. Had a bad run last night it seems." She once again heard the woman speak "I wasn't aware you had a daughter." Twitch chuckled, nodding up the steps, "Aye? Makes two of us til bout a month ago...She's Xin's twin. Y'wanna meet her?"  "I see no problem." The woman replied.

She heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. She laughed softly to her self, wondering how he hunted with that heavy step. "A'igh. Y'lookin good, dove." Suddenly she felt a soft breeze on her neck. Xinthalore bounced through the window quietly, out of sight from the stairs. At the sight of the wolf, he quickly widen his stance to spread his balance to firmly to take the weight of the massive wolf. "Yes, yes, kisses to you, too, Moira." The rogue muttered. keeping an elbow under the wolf's neck to keep her jaw from slurping his face up and getting his hair and goggles all soaked. Free hand snatching the scruff of the wolf domineeringly, making way over to the bed with his sister. Whether she was asleep or not, the rogue would force himself and the wolf onto the ground. Stroking the wolf's mane soothingly, intending to put her staticly self to a relaxed state. She continued to eat her dinner listening to all the voices. "Thank you." the woman replied again. Zee braced her self. She continued to eat her shepherds pie waiting on either the slap to the back of the head or a dagger in the back.

Twitch came up and around the banister to see...Oh look. Both children. Wonderful. He lofted his brow and clears his throat as Moira's tail thumps out a pleased beat. "Well...I guess they're both here." He steped on up, eyeing the her plate as he drew out another smoke to light. The woman walked up behind Twitch, leaning against the banister, arms folded against her rather lithe form. Xinthalore didn't mention to the two behind him, keeping the wolf tamed as the mechanical gaze locked blankly upon her. She could tell though that he wanted to stab something. "Mmmm..." He hummed to the wolf for a moment, "So, who did it?" Silver brows quirked. Zee looked down. "Some one I thought was a friend. You would think I have learned by now. I was at the forum and seen so many old faces I got to wondering about people..... I wont be making that mistake again. Twitch shook his head drawing himself up to the foot of the bed as Moira tries to get a lick in the moment Xin looks down to her hmming. He glances over to Core and mutters to her as he moves before looking to Xyrresa, "Aye. Y'shoulda left with th'rest a us." Xinthalore didn't phase. Infact, there was no sign of subconcious movement about the rogue's unusually still form. "Right. Who was it?" Assertive aggression accented the deep voice viciously, lip twitching a moment. She looked up confused...... "I.... I dont remember. I just remember being in a temple of some sort....... and Loa.......I..... i dont know." Twitch flicked his ears a bit, hands on the footrest, "Aye? Zanza speaks t'tha loa. Maybe h'can find out for us...If they're willin to tell." Xinthalore looked at her. "Seen mom yet, Zee?" Zee rubs her chest. "No but I wanted to ask her about the shadows I seen come out of my armor. I do remember that part."Twitch shot a look at Xin. Its rather devoid of everything but that common pensiveness. Secrets. All over the goddamned place. Again. His fingers tighten slightly on the wood, scratching a slight imprint there. "..."

The lady simply stood against the banister, activating a portal pocket at her waist and pulling one of her half-sphere holo-devices from it. Activating it, several panes of information spring up. She scrolls through them, moving them about, seeming to work with something as they questioned the girl. Xinthalore slowly collected himself to a stance after he managed to convince Moira not to pounce on him again. Flicking an ear, returning the flash of a gaze over to Twitch, bringing the attention on to Zee in the end. Using a hand to rub at the short-haired,scruffy facial features. "Right..." He whispered. "Well, she's living with me currently." Zee glanced up wide-eyed. "What do you mean she is living with you? How.... How did you get her? Is she dying if she is living there?" Twitch kept his eyes on Xin as Moira hops up but doesn't do more than circle the rogue's feet a little back and forth. His ear flicks and he turns to Core briefly before casting a shorter glance at the girl in the bed. Not a single word as he moves to head back down the stairs. Xinthalore replied "I found her in the city, and kidnapped her. No, she's doing just fine. Infact, I'm more afraid of her attempting to brainwash my wife into something." The lady deactivated the hologram without a single look upward before clipping the device to her hip and following Twitch downstairs in silence. Xinthalore watched her farther "Twitch, where are you going?" Twitch grabed the good scotch and a silvery mirrored box on his way down stairs, "Y'should take her home." Its all he adds as he goes to his chair by the fire, setting the bottle by his glass. The lady slided a chair rather gingerly across the floor, seeming to put a curious bit of effort into pushing it before sitting down, "Something happened to her, I gather." Xinthalore sighed "Zee... Come home with me." Zee nodded and sat the plate down on the table. She threw the covers off and attempted to stand. Her legs went out from underneath her and she fell to the floor. She growls and grabs the end table and attempted to pull her self up. She places her hand on her mid-section but to no avail. She heard from down stairs:"Guns, girl."

 The rogue blinked as she could barely hold her own. A brief palm to his face. Damn, The rogue crouched to bring his arms under her to hoist her from the ground. "I swear,-none- of you can walk on your own -still-." She slapped Xin on the chest. "No.... No I can do it..... just they ... they took my light.... If I could heal I would be fine...... MY GUNS...... Dont leave my guns. He gave me guns!!!" She attempted to wiggle back to the bed to get her guns. Xinthalore blinked. The rogue didn't seem to care if she wasn't a paladin anymore, that was a useless occupation for anyone to take up. Stupid holy light... Regardless of her hissy struggle, he'd drag her guns to her. He'd let her hold them... This family gets overly attached to their weapons it seems. He was the same way about his daggers. She held the guns close. "Fine...... I guess I will go back with you. But If I am not a pally any more I need to figure out what to do." Xinthalore: snorted "Paladins have addressed me as The Murder King, I don't think you need the holy light to be effective.He paused at the bottom of the stairs to see if Twitch would notice them. Xin just wanted to give the marksmen the sight of -both- his babies he unintentionally abandoned. Xyrressa shrugged and grimaced at the movement. "Its fine I can survive without the light I just need to figure out how to do that." Twitch didnt even look at the moment. He made a point of it. She sat as he rode her back across the plains to his house. Upon reaching Xins house, she heard voice from inside.Chaysie said"Come on, brother...it's just us here. Xinthalore snorted "Wrong." Zee glanced up and noticed Sic. She petted the guns for a moment before deciding against it. Chaysie jerks around, a small heart attack as she'd been worried about Sic. She lets out a sigh of relief. "Xin! Don't scare me like that." She frowns a little at Zee before offering a small smile. Sicarius shook his head. "Honestly, Chays. It's nothing." he said. He'd reach his hand up and wipe a little blood away from his lip, out of sight from Chaysie before Xin and his sister entered. He'd turn his head to look at them. "Nice place, Crimson." Xinthalore walked in carelessly, carrying her over to the free bed to set her upon it gently. Rolling his shoulders to work out the pain of the muscles after carrying her across the fields A pivot to head up the stairs without a word. Jaen huffed and walked outside. Xyrressa huffed as she was sat down on the bed. "Hello Sicarius." She glanced around and smiled. She never would have thought her brother living in something so nice. He looked back at the fire. "Hey you. Who shot you?" She frowned at him. "Was not shot. Loa ripped the light from me....So you dont have to worry about being blinded anymore." He shrugged: " What the fuck is Loa? And I wasn't worried about you blinding me." She rolled her eyes. "The loa is a type of old god I guess you would call it. Troll gods." A shuffle, something cracking, a lock breaking. After a moment, the rogue descended down the stairs again with a collection of -highly- explosive devices strapped around his form, a large shovel in hand. Chaysie blinked as she watches Xin...apparently she had zoned out and is trying to follow along with everything she missed. "Love....why so many explosives?" Sicarius perked his ear as Xin thudded down the stairs. "From bandit, to assassin, to mercenary, to... miner? Can't say I approve of your latest proffession, friend." Zee tried to glance around the pole to see what was going on with Xin. He grunted as he exited the house. "A thousand mines to protect one..." With his twin here now, the rogue had to go establish -more- secruity. Go ahead, thugs. -Try- to rob the rogue's house. " Another girl entered and watched Xin with a curious expression, her left brow arched. She oftered a faint smile. "What in Old Gods' names are you fussing about?" Chaysie shook her head a little as she follows after Xin. "Please tell me you'll inform some of us where you're going to be placing those?" She seemed to be teasing, trying to pull a smile out of him.Sicarius looked over to Xrysta. "When did you get here, love?" he said, walking past Chaysie to look at Xin. "Hey, if you're gonna have a kid, that's a bad idea. Let's think of a better alternative, eh?" The mention of the Old Gods scored a shiver from the rogue. Free hand raised to turn a knob on his goggles. Their dim crimson glow rising greatly while the cogwheels began to spin rapidly. "They won't be in the walking paths..."Sicarius replied "Kids don't go in the walking paths..." Xrystaeilah ears wilted some, and she looked briefly over her shoulder to the evasive elf. Sicarius replied " Did you, when you were a kid?" Zee attempted to stand up out of the bed and fell promptly onto the floor. "Xin wait..... By the gods he has always been this way with me... Always being the big brother......" She glances back at her hands and slams a fist into the floor. "Motherfu......"

Sicarius shrugged as Xin exited. He'd walk over to Xrysta and put his arms around her waist. "Hey." he said in a low tone. "Show Chays your wedding band." Chaysie blinked as she turned around "Would anyone like a drink...or something." She looked towards  Zee and waved a little. "I'm Chaysie...by the way." Zee grabed her hand. She nods back. "So your the girl who finally tamed my brother. Congratulations." She looked up and smiled. A tear was in the corner of her eye. "By the gods that hurt.... And it does heal right away now." Xrystaeilah looked over her shoulder still, her lips pouty and she blinked, snapping out of some sort of line of thought she was apparently caught up in. She sighed, looked over her shoulder to Sicarius then to Chaysie, smiling. "Oh, huh? Ah, yes!" She lifted her right arm's leather past her elbow, showing a bracelet of delicate strands wrapped around her arm. Chaysie smiled as she catches sight of the bracelet. "It's beautiful, I've never seen anything so original. Have a great man to have designed that." She winks at Xyrsta before stepping over to Zee, offering a hand or whatever was needed to help her off the floor. Zee took the hand and wobbly stood up. "By the gods that troll really messed me up. Sorry about you meeting me this way Chaysie." Sicarius gently pecked at Xrysta's cheek before pulling away. "We're going to go camping, soon. Remember that vacation I told you about? Chays says Xin is thinking about it, but I don't give a fuck. We'll go with or without them." he glanced over his shoulder. "No offense, Chays. Xin's always grumpy these days." Chaysie pouted back over her shoulder briefly. "Fine, be that way. I won't bring my amazing camping drink then." She turns her attention back to Zee, about to ask about the Troll.. "Oh, shush, Sic. He just needs more hugs."I hope that Troll is dead...or in pieces." Sicarius laughed " I believe hugs are your department." Xrystaeilah jaw clenched and unclenched, she seemed irritated. Lowering her sleeve back down she grumbled to herself incoherently, turning around to peck Sicarius on the cheek before going to lean agains the doorway, staring out at the rain. Sicarius looked at her and asked "Xrysta...?" Chaysie frowned a little, her posture stiffening before she masks it. A smile once again on her lips. [Xrystaeilah:" Hmmm?" Zee watyched the whole scene. Her mind raced about her mother outside. Her brother somewhere in the darkness planting bombs. She glanced down. "No he is not. Thats all I remember......" She sits back down on the bed, Chaysie winced. "I'm sorry to hear that, hun. Want some tea or water while you regather strength?" She looked up and smiled. "How the hell did my brother get you. Some tea would be nice." Chaysie winked at Zee. "He kidnapped me and tried to kill me." With that little gem she turns and begins the process of brewing tea. "I hope Watermelon Tea is alright, I keep it around for a friend...so it's all I have." She nodded, "Its fine. Thank you." She glances around. "Minn'Da step out side? Oh and congrats Sic."

Xrystaeilah looked over her shoulder, her look apologetic towards Sicarius. She shook her head slowly, walking over to him, forehead rested on his chest as she looked between their space, down at their feet. "Chaysie, do you have any tea?" she asked. Chaysie shook her head at Zee, she pours two cups for both of the women. "Watermelon tea it is, and ready." She picks up one to offer over to Zee. "And...he decided now was the perfect time to go soul searching.." She took the tea and begins to sip, waves of sleepness took over her. Chaysie grinned at Xyrsta, offering a hug before she steps outside. "And I'm going to go find him before he blows himself up with all of those mines he was carrying." She decided to lay down and go back to sleep. She placed the tea on the table and snuggled under the covers.

[whiteknightblackpast]

When the light fails, rain will wash it all away.

                         Zee slowly made her way out of the back of the forum. So many people there. So many she had never heard of.... yet familiar faces. Nikittah.... That name took her back to the time of House Varythlis and Lady Nymune..... She shook her head trying to clear the thoughts. Old friends, many who had become enemy ran through her head. Suddenly she found her way to the bar in Silvermoon but once again too many people here.... Maybe.... What the hell... She took the portal to Undercity and jump a zep down to Booty Bay. One could blend in there and disappear.

As the zep flew over the jungle she heard the drums coming from several ruins. Her thoughts went back to an old friend she had. Zanza.... she had heard he had a family now. She left the zep, looking to the flight master she tried to decide if she should head on down to the bar or head to the ruins and see if she could find zanza. Shrugging she decided the bar would be there all night, Zanza may not. 

She kept out of sight of the other trolls and headed to where Zanza had been reported to live. "Zanza? Zanza are you here?Zanza?" She headed up a set of steps. At the top was a troll on an alter. Zanzajin pushed his hand through the chest of an elven man, chanting, his eyes glowing a brilliant emerald as the body disappears in a puff of orange smoke. " Joo be fagivin Zanza, 'e be makin a offerin ta Meuh'Zala." Zee gasped. "No.... NO I not be forgiving Zanza.... please tell me he was at least a dangerous criminal or something." She shifted slightly placing her hand on her hilt.This was not like the Zanza she knew. Ya he hated most trolls but he only had killed the ones that had done wrong. "Zanza killin 'im fa it bein wha Mueh'Zala wantin." Zee took a deep breath and repeated the sentence differently. "So.... but was he guilt of anything or just the fact that your Loa wanted him....." Zanzajin stood, his hand still covered in blood. " Guilty a bein who Mueh'Zala wantin." She watched the blood drip from his hand. "Zanza.... we used to be friends.... You always hated other elfs.... but never to the point of killing..... Why.... What if your Loa ever wants me?" "Meuh'Zala be givin Zanza 'is powah. 'E gotta be doin it. She lowered her head and spread her feet apart. "So if Meuh... who ever wanted me then you would give me to it just to get power..... Your no better then Minn'Da. Zanza.... I cannot let you do this." "Zanza no be gettin powah.. Zanza 'avin ta do it cause 'e avin da powah. Parta da deal. Zee shook her head. "Does not sound like a good deal to me to me. Zanza you have fallen. I... I cannot let you do this." Her mind raced. She started to reach for the com but everyone was at the forum. She looks up with tears rolling from her eyes as she draws her sword and shield." Zanzajin shook his head " If dat wha joo wantin." he stands to his full height, muscles flexing as his eyes glow a vibrant indigo. " Da Loa be tinkin joo mi be bitin off mo den joo wantin." Zarressa placed one foot behind her. "I may be biting off more then i can chew but .... but I really dont care anymore. I cannot let things just go anymore. I cannot let things jus pass and not look at them." The crystal in her chest piece begins to glow slightly. Thoughts raced through her head. Why the fuck was she doing this... Suddenly an old voice came back. "Cause you miss the thrill of the fight..... " She shook her head clearing her thoughts.

Zanzajin calls out in a primal tongue, his body shifting to be even larger " Joo pickin da wrong place.." he steps forward, the purple light expanding from him to envelope her, his voice calling in thalassian " You have transgressed on the Loa's sacred lands, you? Have stepped forward to assail a Keeper. This transgression will cost you immensely, in a way you cannot recover!" The purple light seeps into the armor of the elf. " Prepare to be powerless to the Loa!" She whispered several blessings under her breath. "Yes, I came for help from a friend but find a blood sacrafice of my own kind. Guilty of nothing but some thing wanting its blood." She took her stance shield at her side and sword ready. She jumped up on the edge of the alter. She ready her shield, saying a small blessing into it hoping for the light to come to her one last time. She then threw her shield towards the troll and prepared to rush in.

                                   Zanzajin held his hand up, catching the shield and tossing it to the ground. The loa empowering the area would make him more formidable than anything she had faced. " Joo elfies bein in Zanza way too many time!" he charged forward at speeds that one would not believe for his size, grabbing for her throat. Zarressa gasped as the large hand closed around her throat. She gathered a hammer of light in her hand attempting to swing it at the troll as her other hand would attempt to drive a strike of holy power with her sword at his side. Zanzajin lifted the elf off the ground, taking both blows without a grunt, the clench on her throat emitting more purple mist, seeping through her flesh. " Enjoy being powerless." he said in Thalassian once more.

Zarressa attempted to scream but nothing escaped but a whisper. Darkness closed in around her. She reached for her com but he knocked her hand away. Suddenly it felt as if the plate on her chest was burning. The purple gem on her chest began to glow and emit shadows from it. The shadows wrap around Zarressa as if cocooning her. Suddenly it emits a blast towards the troll. Zanzajin stood and took the blast, the hole in his chest not seeming to bother him, he reached up and ripped the gem off the her armor, throwing it to the ground, then pushing his hand effortlessly through her midsection. " Joo no longa 'avin da powah!"He pulled, much of her own essence attached, that of the light, coming out in his hand, the hole in his chest beginning to mend. Zarressa screamed, though she was not sure where the scream came from. She suddenly felt cold inside, empty. She watched as his hand held what little light had remained in her. As she looked at it she felt ashamed. It should have been so much more. 

She looked up for a moment and watched the whole on his chest mend. Where the shadows had come from or what had caused the blast she had no clue.She watched as the gem tumbled across the stones, sparking couple times. She glanced back up into his eyes. She found pity there. She wanted none of it and spit at him.He tossed her behind him like a rag doll, the light in his hands absorbing into his flesh. " Dis powah be lie dat a Mishala... Teifin elfies..." Zee rolled across the stone. She gasped for air. Her thoughts flashed back to the last time she had rolled across a stone floor. Flung by another she thought had been a friend as well. Her wedding gown in taters. "I will tell them....." she started coughing, blood flowing from her lips "nothing....." She crawled towards the stone. It held some power that had wounded him.... maybe just maybe... Zanzajin laughed at her. "Best be learnin sword play...from da bro, da ligh no bein dere fa joo." He sent a bit of energey to the gem, bringing it to his hands " Joo comin ta da Loa home.. an den be pickin a figh... Joo no be gettin ja toys back " his chest looked as if nothing happened. Waves of darkness flowed over her. She laid her head on the cold stone, the copper smell of blood filled her nose, wether it was hers or the elf that he had killed she did not know. She glanced up and watched the crystal float towards him and laid her head back down on the stone. "Just finish me off then...." She whispered barely able to talk due to the force on her throat. Pity filled his voice. She knew not what his eyes held for she could no longer see them. Hers refused to open. "No, Zanza lettin joo be livin wit joo mistake.Zee scoffed.They had always said so in the past but never passed up the oporrtunity to place a killing blow on her. She lay there. Unable to fight she felt as her armor was stripped away. Humiliation.... He ment to leave her to die with nothing. Might as well. Suddenly she heard a female trolls voice whisper something. Rain suddenly poured down on her. She was placed on what felt like hay. With one last effort she opened her eyes and say the sky crying.... She closed her eyes and let the rain wash everything away as the cart rolled through the streets of Gilneas.

[whiteknightblackpast]

Visiting family

She had been back and forth several times. Her brother Xin kept trying to get her to stay..... But how could she let them know the light had left her..... She could do basic things.... More like parlor tricks then actual magic. She had been working with a pandiran to train her in the ways of a monk. But she did not let anyone know that yet. Maybe she would stay this time...... Maybe she would stay with Xin this time..... Her brother.... Family did have a nice ring to it..... She just had to figure out what to do with her father.............. that one just threw her for a loop.

She took another swig out of her drink. She was just tired of not belonging anymore..... Of just being another hired hand on some job.... By the gods..... She slammed the drink down and walked out into the rain. She slipped on her horse and headed back to the house in Gilneas. She needed to find Ana or Xin. She was home.

[whiteknightblackpast]

Truth is in the eye of the beholder and I see it all.

Zee stared into the sitting sun. How long had it been since she had stood on the beach that night with Aelther by her side. She remembered that day that had been her wedding day. But today she was here for a different reason. Today she was here to say good bye.

She knew it was time for her to move on. Her husband was gone. Her friends ..... well those she thought her friends scattered to the four winds. She had lost so many but yet she had gained alot as well. Her father.... she had finally met her father. Be it hard for her to understand him, she still felt connected some how. He was only the donor but yet.... She sighed deeply. He had already gotten on on to her but yet what he had said had been true. He had only been telling her what to do not punishing her for doing what she did. She had thought for sure he was going to kill her that day she laid the sword to Sicarius's throught. She thought they would all kill her. Maybe she had hoped for it but when they had not. Later after talking with Ana she found out they always protect their own. If she had been there to truely hurt him they would have stepped in. Her brother.... well what could she say about him. Same old same old. She had been in what could have been a nasty fight with Sicarius .... She shivered at his name. Her blood heated at the thought of his name even. 

Damn that man. She was not ready to feel those things again. And she had no clue why she did either. He was rude, crude, and blunt. He found ever excuse to sexually harasse her and for some odd reason it got to her. She shook her head. Trying to clear it.

She eyed the cliff and walked up the small green hill. "Aelther.... be well in your life be it this one you may have found or the next. Good bye my love. Wish me luck as I try to live for myself now." She sighed as she turned her back to all she had ever known. But in all reality all she had ever known had been harmful to her. That day in the temple she had learned the truth. Apo had taught her that as well. Her brother and father and extended family showed her the way. She wanted to live like that now. She finally felt free. 

[whiteknightblackpast]

The more the mask you’re wearing rips

Why was he there? He was not supposed to be here.  This tall man who stood before her was not supposed to be here. It was just supposed to be a simple hand off and then she could finally lay everything to rest and move on. She had asked him to make sure he got it to its rightful owner when the emotionless face seemed to crack for but a moment. “You already did….”

———————————————————————-

Before entering the city she had made sure that she had her emotions in check. She had changed her hair, both color and style, letting it grown long and circled in a bun on her head. She had circled the city several times trying to spot some one who looked like they might have a connection to the rogues that worked in Murder Row. As she was about passing the back of the inn in the Royal exchange, she spotted an elf in blue armor that looked completly out of place. She had to start some where and it had seemed as good as anyplace to start. She had dismounted and approached the guard. Using the old word games she remembered he had taught her, she talked with the warrior. Seeing that she was going no where she tried one final tactic. “Well then I am sorry to have bothered you. I will just go look for him in the row.” She started to step away when the man in blue stepped right infront of her almost touching her. “The row is ours. Tell me how you know… him.” Hook line and sinker…. She smiled slightly under her cowl. After a little bit more exchanges and catching him in several lies she started to loose hope when suddenly a large shadow appeared behind the elf in front of her.

He was a tall, lean with white hair. His leathers where well made and dyed which indicated leadership. He wore engineering goggles as well that seemed to twitch and turn reflecting the emotions within which the face did not show. “She’s asking about him,” The elf in blue replied. She stepped back and steady her self. This was it the final step she needed to take. “I come with a message and to delivery a package. SHE says she is sorry. SHE should have returned this after the what happened in Shat. SHE wants you to have this.” She held out the package as the elf stepped around to stand before her. “I am going before this gets to personal.”the elf in blue stated as he turned to walk away. “Later sweets.” He called out to her.

As the man stood there staring at the package she could tell he was trying to figure out what had happened there. “I swear it is not a bomb. It is something that she took and now wants to return.” She remembered when it had happened. How the young elf had dangled on the tip of her sword as his blood spilled on her hands, her brothers blood. She had never gotten the blood stain out of the lining to the armor. It was still there to this day, maybe that was why she wore the armor now as a rememberance. She watched from under the cowl as he slowly opened the package. He seemed to freeze, his hands trying not to shaking, he slowly reached into the box and pulled out the small family crest. “Can you please make sure that reaches him? SHE wants him to know he is still family.”

“You already did…………………………..”

*crack*

Her hands began to shake. Her breath speed up. She stepped back. Him…. it was him…. How….. She knew he had returned and had been working in the row but a leader. And he had grown… Yes they had both been young when he left but…. What stood before her was not the young kid she had known but a man. One who now was a leader, who had made something of himself.

     *crack* 

                                                                         the more of you that i inspect

“where is she? Will ….. she be back?” What had been a stone face before now resembled that which she remembered. “She is back, here, now, slipping through the crowds. She has a new name, new clothing.” “I not allowed to see her then?” He asked his voice slighlty cracking, his goggling going crazy. She nodded no. “You are allowed to see her. You would not be holding that crest otherwise.”

              *crack*

                                                                              the more of me i see reflect

“No one else knows she is here, no one. Only you. Not even her husband.” He growled fiercly and spat at the mention of the name then sighed. His goggles twisted and turned. He took a deep breath and looked up at her with almost puppy dog face. He tucked the medallion in his armor. “Then I will wait for her to come to me.” His cheeks slightly puffed out like the used to when he pouted. She reached up and poked his cheek without thinking. “Dont do that your face will stick like that.”

*Shatter*

                                                                            The more the mask you’re wearing rips The mask, the whole facade shattered. She could not help but touch him just to make sure he was real. The elf’s goggles went crazy, he grabbed her hand with a deep frown on his face. With the other reached forward and pulled off her cowl.

The cowl fell back as her hair fell from the bun. She felt as if the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She knew that she had aged since he had last seen her. The torture from the lightbringer, the endless time on the run before that, the emotional toll from everything had aged her slightly. As she looked up she seen the color drain from his face. His goggles stopped moving. He dropped her hand and stared for but a moment. For a split second she thought maybe I made a mistake and he will deny me, but that was only for a second before both hands gripped the sides of her face, almost making her make a fish face, and a smile came across as the mask he wore broke as well. oy welled up inside her so much that she wanted to cry. Tears started to slip from her eyes. She had promised her self she would not do this. He quickly pulled her close. “Please don’t cry. It will all be ok. Don’t worry.” He held her against his chest and did not care that the world saw. She started to laugh so hard she shook. Family…….”So what do the call you now name changer?” She asked. “Xin, call me Xin.”

“Call me Amy now.” she replied. “It seems we are both running from our past.”he replied. “No not running but it is best if some things are left buried.” He smiled and looked at her again as if he could not believe she was real. “We both have a chance at a new start, a new life and I plan to take full hold of this.”she stated. She smiled and looked up at her twin. “So whats next?” He looked back down at her and smiled with a grin full of mischief, she remembered it well. Oh by the gods what had she gotten her self into.

[whiteknightblackpast]

Justice is in the eye of the beholder. I look with my eyes for the first time……

there is no light, there is no darkness there is only that which we create. we pull, we push we reap we sow we are the creators of our own destinys some are great heros, leaders of tribes, kingslayers while others fall to the wayside, forgotten lost souls who fall to others corruptions or do the corrupting themselves. Justice is in the eye of the beholder. While some see it as right, others see wrong.

  Zarressa stood there staring at her reflection in the mirror. Some how she had managed to find her way back to the house. No one had been there in a while it seemed. Above the fireplace stood a picture of a once happy family. A husband and wife, deeply in love, held a set of twins. One boy, one girl. As looked at herself in the mirror then at the picture, she no longer recoginzed what looked back at her.

Her armour was dull. The gems that had once seemed to glow as if a life force had flowed through them, where now a dull lifeless purple rocks. Her cowl which lay limply on her head had once glowed with an aura of a halo above her head. The only thing that seemed to have any life force to it was her sword and shield but then again those where enchanted with protection and healing spells.

Reaching up she unclasped the cowl and cape. Her cape which had once been white with enchanted gold thread around the edges which was now stained with mud and blood fell to the floor behind her. As the cowl followed the cape, dark burgendy hair fell down her back. Still up in a ponytail, it now hung well past her hips. What had once been vibrant and full now hung limp and dull. Blood, mud, leaves and small sticks hung to the aurbun strands.

The so called light had left her. She relieased now though that it had never really been hers at all. It had been a gift, something that had been given to her and had been taken away. She wondered at all if it even had truely existed. It had failed her more times then it had saved her.

She slowly slide of her gloves letting them fall to the floor. Reaching up she unbuckled her shoulder guards which fell to the floor with a thud. The sound echoed through the empty house, stricking deep in her heart. The rest of her armour followed suite with the same sicking thud to the floor. She continued with the underclothing till she stood there with nothing on but her family crest that hung from her neck.

She turned and numbly walked to the bathing room, leaving the armour in the pile on the floor. The water was hot yet soothing to her as it rained from above. It washed away the mud, grim, blood and other things that stuck not only to her hair but skin as well. She stood there with her hands on the wall as the water raced down her face, mixed with a few tears. Sighing deeply she reached out and turned the water off. She reached for a towel but stopped short. The towel before her was neatly folded in normal military style. He had always folded them that way and had teased her for her hap-hazard folding. She walked slowly back to the bedroom, letting the water dropplets from her hair roll down her back and between her breast, making a slow trail down her body.

Standing before the mirror again she ran her hands over the scars that littered her skin. Some small, others large, some only she knew existed. Her fingers traced the scars across her chest and stomach. Each scar bringing back memories of battles, attacks and unwanted love. The new scar on her shoulder burned at her movement. Turning she glanced at the scar in the mirror. The cut had been clean. The sword piercing straight through the small opening in her armour. It had not suprised her that the orc had mearly disabled her. The scar matched in though almost perfect with the faint tattoo that lay across her back. The magically curse her mother had left her with as she had died still showed under the skin. She shrugged off the feelings that started to rise again. The hate burned at her and as it did the tattoo began to glow. She closed her eyes and calmed her self. Turning fully away from the mirror she padded to the closet.

She knelt down and and opened a chest that had not been opened, from what she could remembered, in years. As the chest opened waves of sent drifted into the closet around her. The scent of pine, the smell of the woods, the smell of old leather, as well of furs and mothballs. In the chest was a world long forgotten. Before the twins, before her husband, even before she joined the knights. Leather clothing and fur capes where folded on one side of the chest while the other held cloth. At the top of the pile was a robe that had been given to her through her early fights with the dragons, towards the bottom where her yellow and purple robes. She smiled at remembering the trials she had went through to earn the yellow one. Sighing she picked up the leather clothing and capes and padded back to the bed.

She slide on one of the leather out fits, a simple jerkin and pants. It still fit after all those years. She picked up one of her smaller one-handed axes, her mace that Ael’ther had given her, and a small one handed sword she had earned in the north. She slide on her leather boots and packed the last of the things in a few small bags.

She made her way to the front door with her small packs. She mounted her white hawkstrider and glanced back at the house. It seemed lost in time. She turned and headed out. She stood on the hill and looked out over the road ahead. Out there had to be the answer. Some where was some one who knew how to balance what life threw at you. They knew how to balance the ebb and flow, the good and the bad. She would find it. This time it would all be on her own terms. This time she would be in control of her own destiney. She would shape her world now. She would not be one those that was tossed to the way side.  War loomed on the horizon, rumors had been spreading. This time…….. this time she would be ready.

Justice is in the eye of the beholder. I look with my eyes for the first time……

[whiteknightblackpast]

The truth in the eye of the beholder

A scream echoed through out the temple. Few may have heard it but those that did knew from where it had come from. “Ael’ther………..” She screamed his name not out of pain but out of frustration. The truth. It could not be the truth. It was not …. There was no way…

She collapesed back against her restraints. She chewed the food the person in front of her was shoveling in her mouth. Earlier someone had done just enough to close the wound on her back. They were making sure she lived. For one reason or another, they where saving her.“Its more then what the others did. They ran, retreated you heard the Lightbreaker. You saw the look in that little mages eyes, the one they called Zune and in Jadoths.” She shook her head trying to dispatch the voices. The little cultist in front of her smiled and laughed. “Mothers words still echo in yur head, do they? It wont be long now.” A cackle escaped its lips as the cultist turned and left the room.

They had moved the others. No one remained in there with her. Left alone to her thoughts. She had been able to withstand the physical torture, passing out a few times to be awakened by water thrown in her face or something poked in the wound in her back. The Lightbreaker had smiled and seemed to understand that she would not buckle under the physical torture so then turned to a new tatic. THE TRUTH. Her mind raced with all of the things she had been told. The reality of it all was that it was the truth, she just had been to thick to see it. Too biased. To stupid to admit that which was the truth. She had felt it known it for a long time but even know did not want to give into it.

All her life she had been the underdog. Beaten, tortured and even killed several times for her beliefs. For trying to protect that which she thought was right. She began to mumble out loud. “They left, retreated. Sent out a call to retreat…. They …. they left them to die…. They left me to die….. As before…. as always….No its not true…. Something must have happened. Something some where else more severe that they had to leave……. Yes thats it….. Has to be it…. Must be it…… Thats why they have not come for me yet….. Kono had to have told them…… ” They had told her about the attack on Falconwing square and the Lightbreaker had even told her how she had been cornered in the square. The Lightbreaker smiled as it told her who had come in to save Silvermoon. Elestan……. Elestan who had once confessed his love to her and when she told him of her fiance, had beaten her. He told her he would set her free but could never kill her. He had carefully at that time put her on his mount and taken her to Apo in the ruins. She lay there in the sand watching as they talked about what to do, the giant tauren had walked over to her. In his eyes were not pity, anger or disgust but sadness. He apoligezed for what had been done. He had them heal her and when the rescue party had come, they handed her over with no fight. Yet when she was handed over all they had done was throw her through a death gate and from what she had been told started a fight with apo. “See remember how you lay there, in that cold tomb in the sky. How upon awaking, it was not those close to you but that troll had treated you. It had taken several days before the others showed up.” “NOOOOO… THEY CARED THEY WHERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE HE DID NOT ATTACK OTHERS…. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE I WAS SENT…It …. It just took several days …… It took them time to find…” Her yell turned into almost a whimper…… A laugh echoed through her head. “You know they knew where you where… They just had other things that where more important. What about the time you lay dieing in Nagarand and no one came? What of your wedding day? Yes they came for there was too many there it would not have been proper to answer the call. BUt you seen it your self how they had not checked on you but ran after the attacker. The troll demon had stood over you once again. Think about it….. How many times have those you considered friends left you……How the light never stopped them from killing you….How many times did you feel empty and alone… Now think about all those that where supposed to have been your enemy. Never once have they left you wounded and alone. Never once have they looked at you with pity in their eyes as they healed you.” She shook her head and screamed.

“NOOOOO. THEY NEVER……… THEY NEVER DID IT…. THEY…They never looked at me with pity…….” Even as she said the words she knew them to be true. She screamed at the top of her lungs once again this time not due to physical pain but due to the realization that she had been betrayed this whole time. Several cultist walking by door stopped for but a moment before rushing on. She tugged against the restraints that held both her arms and legs till they had started to bleed. “THEY LEFT ME….. ABANDONED……RETREATED…… THEY LEFT SILVERMOON…… LEFT THEIR PEOPLE…. THOSE WHO THEY CALLED MY ENEMIES SAVED ME……..” Her mind twisted and turned. The thoughts and words of the Lighbreaker echoed through her. No one was coming. Those that did had once been her enemies. Her restraints released and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing in tears, as she tried to sort out everything in her head. Suddenly a shadow appeared around her. She slowly pushed her self up into a kneeling position and looked up into a face that was cold but cunning. It spoke no lies, held no pity, showed only the truth. Zee looked up with broken eyes into the face of the Lightbreaker. Slowly it reached out a hand to her. She lifted her arm slowly and as she did her eyes took on a new look. Gone was the look of innocence. What had once been sparkling gleaming emerald fel eyes, now held that of steel fell iron. Gone was the constant smile which had once graced the lips that spoke of light and justice. Now standing before the Lightbreaker was a harden warrior.

The Lightbreaker smiled.

[whiteknightblackpast]

Aftermath (The torture of the knight)

…… A dragging noise…… Whimpers….. She opened her eyes. Glancing around she found that she was not alone. Jadoth hung some feet from her. She watched as a young girl was dragged into the room. She sighed. The girl could not have been more then barely an adult. She watched as the thick substance flowed out and wrapped its self around her feet. The young girl collapesed on the floor. She tugged at her own binding knowing fully that nothing would happen but hoping maybe it would. She sighed and collapsed back against the bindings.

Suddenly a cold ripped through her body. Glacing up it seemed as darkness was coming towards the door opening. Only few occasions had Zee ever felt a true fear and this was one of them. She had faced many opponets ranging from a deranged former friend to Apo him self but this…. What ever was coming down that hall had Zee frozen to the bone. It seemed forever before the figure made its way to the door. She watched in surprise and confusion as the being walked through the door.

She heard several whisper a name “Lightbreaker.” Well at least she had a name now. The young girl on the floor twitched and moved. She watched as the girl looked up into the eyes of the Lightbreaker and began to shake from crying. Zee wanted to look away as the tears rolled down the young girls face leaving dirty streaks on her face but it was like eleeks charging she just could not look away. From the look on the girls eyes she had been there before, tortured before. If she had been here before then she felt no pity for the girl but was proud of her. She had gotten away some how. She had done more then Zee had and in her eyes the girl had earned her respect. She watched as the creature walked towards the girl. She watched in confusion as she did not touch the girl but actually freed her only to seend her flying across the room. Zee straigned to look behind her at the girl who now stood as she stood . The lightbreaker then turned and from what Zee could imagine was a mouth came a smile. It was the cruelist thing she had ever seen. Her heart stopped, cold raced through to her very core. It first turned to Jadoth as if to give her some view of what yet was to come to her.

She turned her head trying not to watch as the Lightbreaker tortured the others. Her ears though could not block out the sounds and what was happening in her head was far worse then what she turned to watch. The young girl behind her begged and pleaded and even tried to give her self as a sacrifce to the enity but it had all fallen on deaf ears. The thing ordered for Jadoth to be taken away and then turned to smile at her. She said a small prayer to her self. Zee steeled her self the best she could and prepared for what was yet to come.

A scream echoed through out the temple. Few may have heard it but those that did knew from where it had come from. “Ael’ther………..“

[whiteknightblackpast]

Aftermath (Back at the Temple)

The nightmare had been real. Some how Fairbreeze had fallen. The smell of blood, shinged flesh, earth and fire still stuck in her nose. It now mixed though with a few new smells. It was dank musty smell. It was the smell of saltwater and damp earth. As she glanced around at her prison she knew these stones had not seen light in many many years. Her muscles ached from not only the pain of battle they had been through but also from the strain of hanging from the odd chains that held her arms and legs. The chains seemed to be more of a tenderal that came from the earthen ceiling and floor. From them beat a life force which seemed to hold back the light with in her. She could not move but a few inches, just enough to relieve some of the pain from the strained muscles. She was not sure how long she had been hanging there. Minutes… Hours… Days… Weeks… Surely not months…. Time though seemed to not exist here. The wound on her back still felt as if it was open so it could not have been too long. She had passed out several times from what she had not been sure, blood loss, fatigue, or a combination of them both. Each time though she had been awaked by extreme pain as some cultist poked and proded her would. “Either heal the damn thing or leave me be you fel creation.” She spouted as a cackle was heard the cultist who just simply walked out of the room. At some point she had been stripped of her armor and weapons or had she lost them in battle she was not sure. For now she hung in her shirt and pants she wore beneath her armor. Suddenly the temple seemed to buzz around her. Had they won? Did the village and Silvermoon fall? She strained against the tenderals trying to get some glimpse so sort of notice of how the battle had gone. The tenderals dug into her skin but she cared not. She had to know had they fallen? Had back up come? Did Silvermoon won the battle or had it all be for not? She could barely tell from sounds till a suddenly a heavy metallic sound echoed through the halls. It sounded as if some one was dragging a set of armor through the hallway. Through the doorway she caught a glimps of something that both gave her hope and hurt her to her core. She knew the battle had been won but with great cost to both Silvermoon and to the knight who was oblivious to seeing her there. His dark red armor was covered in mud, ash and blood. A knife protuded from his knee but he seemed to pay no heed to the blood that was left in his tracks. His face was what told the full truth. Horror, plain and simple horror. The look spoke of what he had done but more of what had been done to him. It spoke of fear of something she knew not. He truged on past her door. Where he was headed she knew not. She let her muscles relax. Her arms felt out of place but she cared not. She let the tenderals hold her for a moment. They had at least survived for now. What ever this enity was though she knew from what she had seen it would not take a defeat lightly. Other sounds came from the hall way but she paid no heed. As she glanced up towards the doorway again it was filled with the form of an orc. A cruel smile crept upon his face as he turned and walked away. She tried to spit at him but due to everything it barely made it past her lips before falling to the ground between her feet. Her head hung. She many never know what had happened. Once again she had been stupid and had rushed in with out anyone knowing she was there. Well one had known. Hopefully Kono had survived long enough to let some one know. Her heart broke at the thought that Kono might have not made it. She had found the little rogue as a child and had worked closely with Aseyka on her training. Once she had passed her training little kono had run many missions for Zee. She almost felt like a little sister to her. Water filled her eyes at the thought of the loss of lives. Hopefully there was still some one left… at least one person out there who knew she was here. She slumped against the restraints. That was all she had……. Hope…. A single tear fell against the floor.

[whiteknightblackpast]

Assault on Falconwing Square (The fall of the white knight)

This was all just another test. Just another dream. There was no way. Truely this was a nightmare she had to wake up from.

She watched as everything seemed to move in slow motion. She dropped to her knees as she watched Vlasta and Jadoth pass by her. Her plate had taken most of the blade but it was still enough to knock her out of the battle. She felt the blood run down her back. Sticky, wet and hot. It also felt as if the wound on her chest had opened again as well. This was just a dream. It had to be a dream. How had she ended back in Silvermoon? How had she gotten back here if it was not. The pain seared through her as she twisted to see who had delt the blow. An orc stood behind her wiping the blood from his blade. She turned and waited for the final blow. If this was to be the end, then so be it. She would die defending her home and her family. She did not know if Aelther was some where in the battle but prayed he would make it through. A smile swept across the face of the orc. It reeked of pure evil. She knew that look, had seen it other times. She had seen it on Elestans face when he had taken her to Apophan. She collapased backwards into the mud. He motioned to several of the horrors near her. They wrapped their tendrils around her and begain to dragg her from the field. “You have failed. You know this to be true. I think I shall wait and see what this unknown leader has instore for you. Perhaps they shall have better use for the guardian.”  The voice in her head echoed as the faceless abominations pulled her off the field. She watched as Kono was pulled back by medics. The eyes of the young rogue as she fought to try to get to Zee spoke of a childs love of a mother. Zee had raised her the best she could now she would be on her own. She thought back to the party where she and Aelther had danced and had a food fight in the top of the inn. Tear had laughed and giggled and Zee knew she had something to do with it.

All around her cultist, faceless, knights, and farstriders fell under blade and feet. She watched as the orc that had taken her down backhanded Aeyllene. It seemed that they had given Silvermoon a moment of reprieve before the second wave would hit. Her head felt heavy, her eyelids closed on her own, as she tried to open them the last thing she saw was another wave walk infront of her. She heard the whirl of portals behind her and and said a silent prayer for Fairbreeze and all of Silvermoon as she felt the tug of the portal.

She had been able to open her eyes several times only to see other faceless carrying other things. From the bloodloss though her view was hazy at best. She tried taking in the things around her. Crickets chirped, she seen several oozes in the small creeks they had passed. From the massive amount of trees and water there was only one place she could be. Swamp of Sorrows. She realized only too late. This was not a dream. This was a nightmare that sadly she was actually living. Some how she had gotten from that raft to Silvermoon and jumped in the middle of some massive invasion by an unknown attacker. Well it seemed she would soon find out who this attacker was. Her final view before she lost the battle to stay awake was of the massive temple she had long thought abandoned in the middle of the lake.

[whiteknightblackpast]

The Siege of Fairbreeze (Zee’s return)

She raised her sword above Zarressa’s chest, her armour fading leaving nothing but a small gold shirt underneath it.  The sword plunged…..     “NO. NO STOP SHE IS NOT FULLY BROKEN YET, NOT DEFEATED YET. She has much power we can still gain from her” The sword stopped, just barely piercing the skin right above her heart. Zarressa closed her eyes ……This was her last chance. Her last stand. It was all or nothing. The sword was in her skin but just the tip. She could heal herself. She had to reach her sword. As she looked up the gladiator was distracted watching the figure to the side. She took a deep breath and steeled her self for the pain that was about to rip through her.

With the gladiator distracted Zee suddenly lifted her legs up against her chest and kicked the knight with all her might. The sword ripped to the side leaving a small wound above her right breast. The pain seered through her body as the blood started to bead up and roll down her side. Rolling to the side she grimced as the sand filled the wound. She quickly kicked up and ran for her sword. Never had a few feet felt so far away. Stumbling she quickly grabbed the sword. Turning she found the dark versiion of her self was closing in quickly. She closed her eyes, held her sword close and said a small prayer before kissing the blade. Rising she rushed towards the other her. One final chance…. One final swing….

“I know I have failed so much in the past. I know I was not alway there for people. But I am now. I will always be there even if just in spirit. I know I have failed my self most of all. But not this time. This time I will not go down, at least not by my own doing!!! BY THE LIGHT OF DAWN MAY YOUR SINS BE CLEANSED!!!” From her finger tips came tips of light blinding the knight, causing her to fall to her knees. The knight felt the tip of steel on her neck. “Bravo little knight. I see you do have some spunk left in your little icey cold heart of yours. I will let you know though. I am here waiting…. Watching…. You will falter. You will waiver…. The second you show any sign of weakness, I will be there waiting. The moment you hesitate to take that swing, to plung that sword, I am going to take over.”

The words seem to echo across the sands. They seemed omenes. Zee knew she would be here again. Fighting this fight. slowly she dropped to her knees. The pain in her chest was matched by the sudden pain that ripped through her head and across her back. The sand dissappeared. She was back in the wallless room. The shadows slowly backed off, the voices quieted to a low hush. With the last of her strength she stood tall in the middle of the room. Suddenly the lights flashed. The room spun. A loud buzz echoed through the room. Zee closed her eyes and covered her ears.

Suddenly pain ripped through her body. Her chest throbbed. She reached for her chest but was met by the sound of metal. Opening her eyes Zee realized that she had control of her body. She was back in it but she was not on the raft. Looking down she was back in her armor, her sword and shield at her side. Glancing around she gasped. This had to be a dream as well. The dragonhawks shrilled behind her. The buzzing she had heard was still around her. It was the sirens. Silvermoon was under attack.  Suddenly riders went rushing past her. Even though she had not seen many in months she recoginzed one rider, Aellynne Greyjoy, who was riding with several riders towards Fairbreeze Village.

This had to be another dream. There was no way some one was attacking Silvermoon, not so that the alarms would sound. Her whitehawk strider was beside her. With out question she jumped on the back and headed towards Fairbreeze Village. The sounds of battle in full swing could be heard from down the path. As she rushed in she spotted a small female holding a body in the middle of the road. She knew that figure for a moment and quickly dismounted and grabbed the little rogue attempting to pull her out of the way of the nightmares that filled the village. “No! NO I wont leave his body here… Please at least move his body fo…. ZEE! Oh by the gods your alive… Zee please…” Tears filled the small rogues eyes. Not saying a word, she quickly grabbed the little rogue and moved her off the path then moving back she grabbed the young male and moved him as well. Turning back to the village her view was filled with horrors. She had not been here when Arthas had attacked the city but deep in her gut she knew it had been something close to this. Bodies lay crushed in the mud. Fires raged on the barraceds. This had to be a nightmare caused by that blasted curse. If this was a test, she would not fail it. Pulling her sword and shield, she said a silent pray, kissed the blade and rushed towards the front lines.

Several she knew as well as others that had come in her time gone surrounded her. Spells flew past her in both ways. Burnt flesh and decay filled her nose. The stinch of blood filled her nose. The cultist fell easy. Suddenly it seemed that time slowed down. An opening in the creatures was before her. Her heart stopped. No … this had to be a dream… This could not be real. How could paladins, bearers of light… be on the side of darkness. She had fought side by side with them. Been through much with the city, from a rampant change in Knightlords to the cultist first attack on the city. “Jadoth? Vlasta?” Zee paused for a moment and when she did the pain ripped through her body….

[whiteknightblackpast]

When light and darkness dance

The image of her mother faded. The voices retured and started to echo through the vast room that her mind had created. The shadows begin to move once more and the figure waivered and moved towards the light.She sighed and took a deep break breath. This was going to be a long day.. well not really day… long fight….. it was going to be a long fight….. She took her stance as the first figure started to take shape infront of her.

as the image begain to take shape the room around her began to shift and distort. The shadows dissappeared and around her lay ruin. Elves ran screaming, crying, calling out to loved ones. As she twisted and turned, all around her silvermoon lay in ruins. Bodies lay mangled. The trees burned. The smell was horendous. It was  a mix of burnt flesh, burning wood, and cloth burning. Rushing forward she tipped on the hime of her robes and fell. As she sat on the ground, watching people run around her a figure appeared in the distance. The foul zombies still wondered around the city. One in particular seen her and started to rush foward. All she could do was sit there, her body did not respond. The being was directly in front of her. Its fould breath smelled of a tombie that had not been opened for centries. Rags and skin hung in shreads on it. It raised a hand but she could do nothing but stare at it. Suddenly as the arm came down towards her, a female rogue appeared in front of her and took the full brunt of the attack. She quickly made work of the zombie but was mortally wounded in the process. She watched as her friend rushed forward to the rogue. He kept calling out master, master as he held her in his arms. Once again she was too late. She covered her face with her palms.

The air around her grew cold, her breath appeared inbetween her fingers.  She stood back in Icecrown only this time she was in her her heavy priest armor. The wind was cold, almost felt like it was blowing right through her. All around her, the bodys lay. Some mangled, some burnt, while others had been tore to shreads. The blood ran think and puddled in some areas. The smell was horrible. If she did not know it was a dream she might be throwing up. As she looked around at the bodys she knew who she would find there. They where all there, both the so called enemys and the so called friends. All lay there dead. Eyes staring out into nothing. There where many ghost roaming the field. Most still locked in battle. They where gone but yet still in death the hatred reigned. The frozen field seemed to streath on for miles in anyway. The sounds from the battle raged all around her. The noise forcing her to cover her hears. The blood curdling screams, the weapons clashing, the spells zinging past her. She dropped to her knees, closed her eyes, and covered her ears. Suddley everything was quiet. A deep cold feeled her. A single voice rang out. This had not happened before. As she raised her head, everything was gone. In the distance, stood a single person. She strained to see who or what it was. The outline was blurry but it looked to be a blood elf. They had some sort of armor on. The female stood at least six foot tall, and had long blue hair and eyes that seemed to dig in to Zarressa’s soul. They were a deep blue, one of cold deep cold. They seemed empty while at the same time they had so much emotion in them it hurt. A single voice rang out. It was the voice she had heard before. Rosezara stepped forward. “You left me there…. you left me for dead. You watched as they pierced my heart. You watched from your little hidden spot as my life rolled down my body to the ice below. You watched as they quickly raised me right back from the dead. My body not even yet cold. You watched…..”

“No.. No rose I did not watch….. I … I could not move.. I was trapped… There were others behind me pullng me… I tried….” An empty laugh echoed across the plain of ice. “You did not try you let them take you. You just watched…….” “no… No… NO….. I TRIED TO HELP….” She screamed she pulled her self from the crevie, never once wondering how she had ended up there. The image infront of her faded. She slipped on the ice and hit ground hard.

Upon opening her eyes again she found her self staring right into the eyes of a bunny. He twitched his nose and ran off leaving a little egg laying in front of her. She was outside of Silvermoon again. As she looked up, she looked directly into the eyes of an elder death knight. She knew those eyes. This time he would not belittle her, he would not call her a tramp, a home wreaker, he would not take Elemar from her. She quickly jumped back up and drew her sword. Rushing forward he met her blow for blow. He laughed as each swing was deflected, each thrust pushed aside. Suddenly Elemar appeared infront of her. The sword appeared through his shirt, the blood staining the leather a dull brown color. He said nothing but his lips moved. Thank you she made out. A scream was heard around her, it echoed off the walls. She put her hands upon her ears before she realized it was her own voice she was hearing.

Several more visions came at her. Erianias attack in Nagrand, her own attack on Aelther when she was posessed, Brelinda, and many others. She truged through them, most of them being able to beat back the angish and fear but the ending never changed, the person either died or left.  One of the hardest ones had been the attack from Birx. She had been once again unable to defend her self as he had swung at her on her wedding day with Gorehowl. As she rose up again and wiped the dirt from her legs she noticed this time she was standing in the middle of a desert. The wind blew and wiped the sand in little tornados all around her. From the sand rose a figure. It slowly shifted and changed into that of a female in plate, the armor shifted and morphed untill it had taken on that of gladiator armor. It looked furious and ornamented. The dark grey metal was touched with gold around the edges while strips of read ran through several spots. The sand began to fall away leaving the image that she feared the most standing in the sand infront of her…. The copper hair was pulled back in a ponytail. The sword at her side was forged from the tooth of a dragon, the shield glowed as the enchanted ruins ran across its surface. The fel green eyes stared across the sand at her, sparkled with other colors. The voice sounded foreign yet all to familar. “Now you face your self…. Now you face the real you, the one you hide from your friends, your neighbors, your childern, even from your husband. He never knew your real name did he. None of them new. Marie, Ven, The Crimson Circle….. none new it did they? The only ones that knew was House of Varthylis and now they are all gone…. Missing in action…. Convient to say the least? You know when I win I think we will go back to that name…. Yes I think we shall….. Maybe a new hair cut too, its time for a change.”

Her own voice echoed in her ears. She could not move…. The gladiator rushed her. All she could do was defend. She stumbled in the sand but perried everything thrown at her. “Fight back, fight back you bitch. Defend your self or something. I dont want to win cause you gave up. You where never good at anything. You were a whore, a selfish bitch that only saved your self. How come you always survive but others dont. Do you even know where your husband is at the moment? You drove him out you good for nothing bitch.” The attacks, both verbal and physical kept coming. The images flooded through her head with each attack.  Suddenly she tripped over a small stone that stuck up through the sand. Falling backwards she watched as the gladiator rushed forward taking advantage of the situation. As Zee landed on her back, the gladitor quickly stepped over her, kicking her mace and shield far from her. Pity filled the eyes she had seen in the mirror so many times before.

“I had actually wished you would beat me, over come me. You would have been an exellent host. We could have worked hand in had so beautifully. But alas there is no way I can let a weakling like you ever have control over me. I am sorry Zarressa but you lose. You could not protect that which was most dear to you…….. Yourself…..” She raised her sword above Zarressa’s chest, her armour fading leaving nothing but a small gold shirt underneath it. She had forgotten about that shirt. Aelthers sister had made it for her after Zee had rescued her in the jail. The sword plunged….. “NO. NO STOP SHE IS NOT FULLY BROKEN YET, NOT DEFEATED YET. She has much power we can still gain from her” The sword stopped, just barely piercing the skin right above her heart. Zarressa closed her eyes ……

[whiteknightblackpast]

The final flame of a dead phoenix

“Hello my daughter. For what its worth I am sorry. Truly sorry…..” A voice Zee thought she would never hear again echoed off the walls some where in shadows around her. “Mo… Moth…… Mother?” A soft laugh came from the figure. “No I am not but a safety device that your mother made a part of the curse. All of her thoughts, fears, loves and hates are inside of me as well. I am a warning to whoever became the new bearer of the curse. Unfortuantly it was you……”

“Curse? What do you mean curse?” The image of her mother blurred for a moment as a wall seemed to appear where she had stood. On the wall as if some goblin or gnome projector was showing a movie, a memory started on the wall. It was an older one, it seemed to have been before the cataclysm. She did not even have the scar on her arm from Apo yet. Her mother stood in what seemed to be the old grave yard out side of Undercity. Before her stood what seemed to have been an older troll mage. She recoginized him, Kelain was his name if she remembered right. Her mothers shadow for some time.  “Jaen, I am dying. The phenix cannot be released into this world, not yet, not now. Not with Apo running loose gathering supporters, not with the elements running crazy.” Her mother looked aggravated. “I am sorry Kelian but I have told you this already. I cannot go down that road again. I promised him I would be good, that I would not seek out the darkness.” “Jaen I am not asking you to let the darkness controll you but for you to controll the darkness. There is not many others that I would trust with this information, and fewer still that I would offer this power to. You are the only one I would pass it on to. With your history and the fact that you have over come much of it I think you can controll with out being consumed by it.”

Her mother passed for a moment and sighed, her shoulders stiffened and she turned back towards the troll. A look that would send most running crossed her face before a look that sent chills down her spine settled in those green eyes.  She nodded. Not more was said. Everything was quiete between the two. Kelain suddenly jumped down out of the tree he had been sitting in and gripped Jaens arm. Black seemed to flow from the troll onto her mothers arm. As the black made contact with her arm it seemed to twist and turn, the black ruins skittering across the skin, burning their way up her arm to her shoulder. Once there it spread across her back and her shoulders. The ruins slowly dissappeared under her skin. As the ruins skitted across her shoulders and back, it seemed to burn a tattoo into her skin. A silent scream escaped her mouth as her mother started to wobble.

The memory seemed to waiver for a moment as it froze and dissappated. “I will spare you the rest of the memory. The pain and anguish that your mother went through, special on gaining control of the curse was her weakest moment. The main thing is this. You will be tested. This curse will bring up your deepest darkest regrets, your worst fears, and your greatest fears.  You will have to face your past as well as what might be in the future. You will have to accept these things and full embrace your self, the darkness that existest there and all. If you can do this then your light will shine brighter then it ever has before. If you fail though…. well your mother was never one to beat around the bush. If you fail then the darknes will consume you, all of you body and soul. You will be wondering around forever in the darkness of your mind, which for some is a fate worse then death. If this happens… and I am stating if, whoever finds you will have full influence on the phoenix guardian…. and of you.”

The image of her mother faded. The voices retured and started to echo through the vast room that her mind had created. The shadows begin to move once more and the figure waivered and moved towards the light.She sighed and took a deep break breath. This was going to be a long day.. well not really day… long fight….. it was going to be a long fight….. She took her stance as the first figure started to take shape infront of her.