Resurgence of the Light ch 10

As her prince spoke the words and released the sphere of Light, which floated over to the place where the Sunwell once was, there was a moment of silence. Before an explosion of Light washed over them and the entire island. Somehow, Liadrin knew – there were no more undead on the Isle of Quel'Thalas.

The Light died down to a more soothing glow. Even she had to admit that, after a long time, she felt at peace. No matter how she desired to hold onto her anger and resentment, the gentle presence of Light and the lack of condemnation and judgment it had for her words and actions in spurning it made it harder to let such negative feelings fester.

Was this why she had been brought along? Was it truly so important that she, of all people, let go of her anger?

Then again, their Prince made an oath to not let evil fester in the hearts of his people, and even she could admit that – anger, resentment leads to darkness and evil.

Yet a part of her still rebelled at forgiving so easily! She looked at Prince Kael'Thas, who was silently observing the new fount of power. The expression he wore surprised her – peace, there was only peace on it. He stood tall and strong, not at all how he looked upon returning to Silvermoon, where the weight of the world seemed to crush him.

Looking at the Stranger who made this possible, she could not discern anything. Armor covered the man from head to toe, and if she had not seen him move and speak, she would think him a statue.

“Why am I here?” She whispered lowly, feeling a little lost.

“Good does not have sole ownership of victory. Evils triumph at times; it is a simple fact. Yet it cannot win fully while even a single person believes in good, for it takes but a single will to rise once more. To make a stand and push back against its success,” the Stranger spoke, still gazing at the fount of Light. Afterward, he turned toward her and continued. “Will you be that person, Liadrin? Will you rise once more, will you help the Light in its fight against evil? Or will you surrender and allow it to win?” He finished, challenging her.

At first, she was taken aback at his words. Then, anger, righteous anger, began to grow in her, and she glared at him. How dare he! HOW DARE HE! “HOW DARE YOU! I was not the one who surrendered! You dare call me a COWARD!” She finished with a shout of rage, rushing at him and striking with the weapon that had appeared in her hands. He caught the sword of Light in his palm, radiating smug satisfaction, while Liadrin simply looked on in amazement at the way the Light had responded to her, even unconsciously.

She took a step back and closed her eyes, feeling Light flow in her once more. For a moment, she almost pushed it away, but the earnest desire to help she felt from it stopped that.

“I think she is ready, Kael'Thas,” the stranger spoke to her prince, who turned to gaze at her. All she felt was confusion. Ready for what?

She looked at her prince in confusion and perhaps a measure of apprehension.

Kael'Thas approached her until he was standing in front of her. “Tell me, Liadrin, would you be willing to lead a new order of knights? Wielders of Light, defenders of the innocent, and enemies of all evils?” He spoke with utmost seriousness, making sure she understood that this was no joke.

Liadrin was taken aback at his words and was struck speechless. “I…” She began haltingly. “Am I really the best choice for this?” She spoke softly, gazing at the sword of Light still in her hand. A hand on her shoulder made her look up at her prince's smiling face.

“Doubt is natural, but one must use it as a catalyst for critical thinking and exploration, rather than allowing it to paralyze or limit their potential,” Kael'Thas spoke, imparting a measure of wisdom to her.

While she was still unsure, she knew that if she did this, tragedies like the one that befell them could be prevented, which hardened her resolve and made her nod at her prince. “Yes, my Prince, I will do so,” she spoke with conviction.

At which Kael'Thas clapped her on the shoulder one last time before stepping aside and letting her see the Stranger standing there, his hands on a sword with its point resting in the floor. He reminded her of the statues of knights she had seen in the human kingdom.

“Kneel,” he commanded her, his command echoing in the chamber and demanding obedience.

Not letting go of the sword of Light, Liadrin did so, one of her knees on the ground with the sword pointed at the floor in front her bent knee.

“Liadrin. Once but a simple believer in Light. The path your life has taken has shown you the price paid for those who fall to evil. You have seen the innocent suffer and die. Your faith has been tested time and time again. Yet even as you gave up on your faith, the spark of good still burns brightly within you,” the man spoke, his words heavy and without mercy. Liadrin simply gripped the sword tighter, remembering all those moments.

“So I ask – will you become the protector of the innocent?” The man continued, the question he asked carrying weight. Liadrin could feel that she would be judged upon her response, and if her will was deemed too weak, she would fail.

Hardening her will and conviction, she responded clearly and crisply. “Yes.” After a moment, the fount of Light released a pulse, yet Liadrin did not move her eyes from the man in front of her, nor was she cowed by the power growing from him.

“Will you strike at evil no matter where it hides and no matter who protects it?” The man continued, seemingly finding her will strong enough.

“I will,” Liadrin responded, and as the fount of Light released another pulse, she felt Light grow in her, emboldened by her will and righteousness.

“Rise, Liadrin, Matriarch of the Sentinels of Light!” The man finished, and the fount of Light released its strongest pulse yet at his words.

As she rose to her feet, Liadrin felt a sense of purpose and direction. Her path was clear, and she would walk it with conviction. She would be the Righteous Blade and the Just Protector.

~~~~

Kael'Thas looked on with pride as Liadrin affirmed his belief that she would be worthy of this choice. At first, when the man had asked his opinion on who would be a good choice for this new order, he was lost.

While names came to his mind for one reason or another, he had to discard them. Some would not be able to handle the responsibility, others would become too prideful upon being given such an honor.

Then, while he was deliberating on this choice, they happened to overhear a conversation or rather a tirade from a former priestess who had lost faith in the Light and how she was unimpressed by the Stranger coming to them and offering all these promises from the Light.

At first, he was worried that the words would upset the man, yet he made no comment or took any actions.

After her words had been said, he had simply asked for her name from him. Fortunately, he knew her name, and after hearing it, the man had grown quiet and contemplative.

Before out of nowhere, he had asked him if she would not be a good candidate. Which completely took him aback, since she had made her opinion on the Light quite clear.

Yet the stranger said that only those that fall know how to get back up again. Also, her belief in the Light was not an issue; her character and the will to be a force for good were all that mattered.

So seeing Liadrin here and now, almost a changed woman, filled him with pride and relief. Not just because he was worried about what would happen to her if she failed, but also for the simple fact he had no one else in mind.

He turned toward the man; something told him that he would be leaving soon. “Where will you go now? And is there anything we can do to assist you?” Kael'Thas asked him. While they had their own problems, he would in no way repay the man's generosity with nothing.

“Back to Lordaeron. Ships are being built, and soon we will depart for Northrend. The Lich King's evil must be destroyed; it cannot be allowed to fester,” the man responded, and Kael'Thas felt his eyes widen, and anger grew. Arthas, the fallen prince responsible for the misery of his people.

The Stranger spoke up before Kael'Thas could offer to come with him. “Peace, Kael'Thas. This mission will not end in a single day; your people need to recover first. I am sure that by the time you are ready to provide us assistance, there will still be work to be done.” The Stranger cautioned Kael'Thas to not make rash decisions based on emotion.

“Still, there is one thing you can do that would help us both,” the Stranger continued, piquing Kael'Thas's interest.

“Are you familiar with the Draenei?” The Stranger asked, and Kael'Thas felt a measure of confusion at the man's knowledge of them. Yet, after a moment of thought, he could see where the man was going with it. As far as Kael'Thas knew, the Draenei were fervent believers and wielders of the Light.

“You wish to have them join us on this world?” Kael'Thas asked to clarify, while being quite certain that was the idea.

“Yes, they could be of great help to your people in this period of transition. Not to mention worthwhile allies to have in general. Seek out Prophet Velen and be truthful with him; long has he led his people, and he is a just and wise leader,” The Stranger finished while beginning to walk outside of the chamber.

“I expect great things, Matriarch,” were his parting words to Liadrin, who had remained silent during their exchange, still coming to grips with her own ascendancy as well as being simply interested in their conversation and not willing to interrupt.