Resurgence of the Light ch 12

Both Uther and Sylvanas gazed at the finished ships and the supplies being loaded onto them for their journey. Uther cast a sidelong glance at Sylvanas before repressing a sigh. Despite all his attempts, the woman remained aloof and unwilling to engage in any sort of discussion.

At least none that did not pertain to the task at hand. Make no mistake, she was a capable leader and made sure all ship-building, supply gathering, and the destruction of any remaining undead went smoothly. Yet all attempts at making simple small talk with her or even her rangers were met with failure, and not just from him.

He had seen others attempt to engage them in conversation and be simply ignored, unless they were relaying orders or something of that sort. Still, none attempted to raise a fuss over it. No one doubted that they had their own reasons for their attitude.

“It seems all we are missing is our illustrious leader,” Uther commented lightly, seeing that the last few crates were being moved onto the ship.

“I am here,” a voice spoke from beside Uther, making him jump in surprise and jerk towards it. In doing so, he missed the small smirk that briefly appeared on Sylvanas' lips, gone as quickly as it had come.

“By the Light! Do not startle me like that!” Uther admonished the man.

“Is everything prepared?” the man chose to pose a question instead of addressing Uther’s admonishment.

“Yes, the ships are finished, and the supplies have been loaded. We can board and depart immediately,” Sylvanas reported.

Behind them both, Uther gazed at the sky as if asking for salvation, yet none was forthcoming. He sighed and returned his gaze to Sylvanas and the Light’s Chosen.

“Might I inquire what you were doing?” He asked with some curiosity, and if he was not mistaken, the little twitches from Sylvanas betrayed her own interest.

The Light’s Chosen turned to gaze at the harbor and the ships for a time, almost making Uther think he would not respond. “Securing the future,” the Light’s Chosen spoke at last, his tone tinged with a strange melancholy.

Yet all of that was gone the next moment as he turned to them both, his commanding presence returning at once. “Uther, tell the men to begin boarding the ships; we will be departing today,” the Light’s Chosen commanded the old paladin, then turned towards Sylvanas. “Take me to them,” he said to her. Sylvanas narrowed her eyes for a moment before nodding and began to walk, with the Light’s Chosen following after her.

Uther gazed after them both for a moment before shaking his head. “As imposing as ever, indeed, Tirion,” he muttered to himself before walking towards the men to relay their boarding orders.

~~~~

Sylvanas had wondered why he wanted to capture the Dreadlords – Balnazzar and Varimathras. It seems she would learn the answer to that question today.

As they approached a nondescript and quite dilapidated house, she stopped for a moment before giving a nod. After a moment, two of her rangers walked out of the house with their bows drawn.

Raising her hand, she let light pulse in it. After it had finished its last pulse, the rangers lowered their bows and nodded their heads, standing aside and letting them enter.

The Light’s Chosen made no comment on any of it, no doubt understanding the necessity for such measures. As they walked past the two rangers, he gave them a nod before entering the house.

It looked the same inside as it did outside – dilapidated, which served them perfectly well. Walking towards the fireplace, she pressed on a brick, opening an entrance in the floor.

Entering the secret basement, they were met with two glowing cages, made from Light and containing their prisoners. Rangers were spread out across the room, all with bows drawn. Repeating the same pattern, they lowered their weapons and stood at attention, waiting for orders.

“Leave us,” Light’s Chosen ordered. After a second, her rangers obeyed and left the basement, closing the entrance after themselves. Leaving both Light’s Chosen and her to gaze at the two Dreadlords. They were alive, but there were signs that the constant exposure to Light had not been pleasant for them.

“You will pay for this!” Balnazzar snarled at them both, yet it was obvious that even saying that took its toll on him, for he was panting after having said that. Which did not lessen his glare of hatred.

Varimathras, on the other hand, seemed almost docile in comparison, simply gazing at them both inquisitively.

Light’s Chosen approached the cage containing Balnazzar. Just as he was about to run into it face first, it simply disappeared. Balnazzar, despite being exhausted, used the last of his strength borne of anger to lash out at him.

Which cost him the arm he swung, as it simply disintegrated all the way up to the shoulder, bringing a shout of agony from him and making him fall to his knees. Yet before he could hit the floor, chains of Light emerged from the ground and pierced and bound his body.

Light’s Chosen stood before his bound form for but a moment before raising his hand and laying it on his skull. He then gripped it tightly. In fact, his grip was so tight his fingers sunk into Balnazzar’s skull, drawing yet another shout of pain. This one was cut off, leaving him with wide, empty eyes and a hanging jaw. A moment later, Light began to shine from his eyes and the places where Light’s Chosen’s fingers had sunk into his skull.

Sylvanas was observing all of this with a measure of confusion, not understanding what he was doing or why. Varimathras, on the other hand, could only look on horrified as to what was happening to one of his brethren.

After some time, Light’s Chosen closed his fist, crushing the part of Balnazzar’s skull in his hand, before Balnazzar began to disintegrate. Light’s Chosen remained silent, gazing at his clenched fist.

Lowering it, he turned towards Sylvanas, who was still looking on in confusion. After a moment, Light’s Chosen gestured towards Varimathras, who was looking at them both in fear. “If you choose to follow me, after, you may use him to learn what we face,” he said, leaving Sylvanas uncertain as to how to proceed.

She gazed at Varimathras, who was looking at her with fear. “Now now, there is no need for such drastic measures. I am sure that whatever you wish to learn, I can impart without such violence. After all, I did promise to serve you, so truly none of this is necessary,” he attempted to convince her.

Sadly for him, it seems his words had the opposite effect for Sylvanas. Her uncertainty was replaced with certainty and a sense of purpose as she approached the cage. She took no such risk as the Light’s Chosen did; she chained Varimathras long before the cage disappeared.

“Please! Sylvanas, do not do this! Have I not served fait-” Varimathras attempted to plead through the pain, before Sylvanas' fingers sinking into his skull interrupted him.

Light guided Sylvanas in finding what she needed to know, yet even so, she saw glimpses of the Dreadlord's life and all he had done. Seeing the atrocities committed by him, she grit her teeth at herself for ever being so naive as to trust this creature.

And then she finally saw what the Light’s Chosen wanted her to see, leaving her speechless and distraught.

As Varimathras slowly disintegrated in front of her, her eyes were wide in disbelief and confusion. A part of her even regretted learning what she did.

~~~~

Aboard the Xenedar, the Army of the Light was going about their usual business. In fact, Turalyon, Alleria, and Lothraxion were standing before Xe’ra, their leader.

Their discussion was the same as usual, movements of the Legion, their own response, and everything in between. Yet something drew all their attention – Light began to pool some distance from them.

“What is going on?” Turalyon asked in some confusion, gazing between the pool of Light and Xe’ra.

Xe’ra remained silent and hard to gauge, as usually Naaru are, for they have no expression to read, being entirely made of floating crystals of Light.

“There is no need to be worried.” Finally, Xe’ra’s melodic voice rang out, putting them at ease.

Just as she finished speaking, the pool of Light began to change shape, turning into an armored figure, if translucent, who turned his head, observing all who were before him.

“Hello, who might you be?” Turalyon asked inquisitively, yet the figure ignored him, instead turning to regard Lothraxion instead. To which Lothraxion raised an eyebrow before addressing the apparition. “Can I help you?” He asked in confusion.

“Yes, Thal’kituun. You can help us all by doing one simple thing - die.” The Stranger said, taking them all aback, but not as much as Lothraxion himself.

“How do you know that name!” Lothraxion shouted with wide eyes at the same time as Turalyon shouted. “What?!”

Yet the Stranger did not deign to answer them instead simply raising his arm with his palm pointing at Lothraxion, who had begun to turn to escape, yet was bound and unable to move.

“Foolish spy, you failed.” Was all the Stranger said as Lothraxion cried out in pain and anger as he was disintegrated.

“What have you done?!” Turalyon cried out still not understanding the situation. At his side, Alleria had drawn her bow, yet realized that it would do her no good against someone who is not truly here.

“Calm yourself, Turalyon. There is no need for panic.” Xe’ra’s voice rang out, both commanding and comforting. Both Alleria and Turalyon turned towards her with wide and confused eyes.

Yet before they could question her, the Stranger spoke up once more. “Alleria Windrunner.” He said commandingly, making her turn towards him with narrowed eyes.

“Cease this foolish path you walk. The Void offers nothing, but lies, corruption, and false promises. Cease this foolishness at once, or face the consequences.” The Stranger commanded her and warned her to not disobey.

Having said his piece, he turned his attention towards Xe’ra, yet speaking no words. Or perhaps no words that could be heard by others. Having finished their silent conversation, the Stranger disappeared as he came.

Leaving confusion and uncertainty in his wake, for at least both Turalyon and Alleria.