Say No To This

Inspiration: Say No To This

The gangs had been crushed beneath the Vastari's heel. At the forefront was the man known as Aboleth Havonde. Returning to his chambers, his hair white as pure light falling free from his ceremony helmet. Waiting inside the deep crimson room, sitting on the edge of the bed sheets behind curtain of fabric was the half elven woman with hair as white as fresh fallen snow.

"What brings you here?" Aboleth spoke softly as he pulled the curtain free to reveal the woman in her silvery blue robes that barely reached her thighs.

"For our usual night." She offered a playful smirk, seems their purity was for show as they were ready to stain their Light.

[CAMILLE]
I know you are a man of honor
I’m so sorry to bother you at home
But I don’t know where to go, and I came here all alone…

[ABOLETH]
She said:

[CAMILLE]
My husband’s doin’ me wrong
Beatin’ me, cheatin’ me, mistreatin’ me...
Suddenly he’s up and gone
I don’t have the means to go on


[ABOLETH]
So I offered her a loan, I offered to walk her home, she said

[CAMILLE]
You’re too kind, sir

[ABOLETH]
I gave her thirty bucks that I had socked away
She lived a room away, she said:

[CAMILLE]
This one’s mine, sir

[ABOLETH]
Then I said, “well, I should head back home,”
She turned red, she led me to her bed
Let her legs spread and said:

[CAMILLE]
Stay?

[ABOLETH]
Hey…

[CAMILLE]
Hey…

[ABOLETH]
That’s when I began to pray:
Light, show me how to
Say no to this
I don’t know how to
Say no to this

But my Light, she looks so helpless
And her body’s saying, “hell, yes”

[CAMILLE]
Whoa...

[ABOLETH]
Nooo, show me how to

[ABOLETH/ENSEMBLE]
Say no to this

[ABOLETH]
I don’t know how to

[ABOLETH/ENSEMBLE]
Say no to this

[ABOLETH]
In my mind, I’m tryin’ to go


[ENSEMBLE]
Go! Go! Go!

[ABOLETH]
Then her mouth is on mine, and I don’t say…

[ENSEMBLE]
No! No!
Say no to this!
No! No!
Say no to this!
No! No!
Say no to this!
No! No!
Say no to this!

[ABOLETH]
I wish I could say that was the last time
I said that last time. It became a pastime

Reborn (Part 4): The Meeting

 Inspiration: Re_birthday, TNT, Bullet with Butterfly Wings, and The Hunter.

“Before you can enter and meet my child, you must go through the trial of purity.” The man spoke, folding his arm behind his back as he guided Charlotte through the gates.

“Trial of Purity?” Charlotte tilted her head to the left.

“It will purge you of all negativity and allow you the freedom of happiness.” He spoke matter-of-fact.

“I see. When will it begin?” She stared up at the gargoyle that guarded the gates.

“Now.” With that, he disappeared.

She found herself surrounded by darkness, eyes unable to see anything or make out any shape. She felt chains fall upon her shoulders and arms and her ankles grow shackled.

“What is this?” She called out, to nothing in particular.

His voice called out in the distance, “You must release the chains that keep you here. Forgive your past and prepare for your future.”

Memories began echoing through her head, the murder of her fiance, the loss of her child, every mistake that lead to those points. She shook her head and let out an agonized cry.

“Focus. Do not let them haunt you.” The voice commanded.

“I- I can’t.. I’m a murderer. I will live with that for eternity.” She weeped.

The memory of having killed innocents in the name of the Twilight Cult. Running the blade through her lover’s heart when she could handle it no more. Her child ripped from her arms as repentance.

“You’re a good witch.” She heard Grant’s voice echo in her head.

“I’m not.” She shook her head, “I’m a terrible human being.”

“You’ve done good.” Vaul’s memory spoke.

The smiles and thoughts of those in her order trying to condol her but to little avail. She began feeling the weight of the chains crushing her soul as she fell to her knees.

“You can’t torture yourself forever, child.” The man’s voice rang out.

She grit her teeth, “No.. I can’t..” She remembered the orders Vaul gave her.

“Live to live, not to regret.” Her master had told her.

“F-Fine..” She took a breath, and soon the chains lifted but did not fade completely.

“I suppose that is better than most.” The man’s voice called out as the chains and darkness vanish.

Charlotte’s eyes had to squint against the light of the room, looking around at the canopy bed covered in white silk. She sat up and rubbed her head before she heard an infant’s cry in the corner of the room. Pushing back the curtains she saw the man and child standing there.

“Welcome home.” He spoke.

Back in present time…

“...And Charlotte isn’t only my family…” Aayan looked up at the ceiling barely holding onto his sword.

“She is no longer your family.” He shook his head, “I must deal with this new nuisance. My ghouls will handle you.”

He disappeared into shadows as more ghouls came out of the pool he left behind.

Aayan smiled. “Oh...please…” Aayan used his sword as a form of cane. “This isn’t my first rodeo.” Aayan began a whispered chant. He closed his eyes as time seemed to almost slow, but it was his imagination. “Kahriahgosa...Thoringdir...Two dragons that have been by my side for years...come forth...AND RETURN ME TO SOLACE!” Aayan began to glow with runes. Dozens of them were plastered around his body. “I have been storing magic in me for over Five years...and now I think I want to release it….” Aayan clutches his sword and swings it down towards the paralyzed ghouls, his sword’s red tint flinging off and making a form...a ghostly one but then physical! A stormdrake appears in front of Aayan and begins to unleash a terrible lighting breath upon the ghouls. The Blue Earring on his ear, shattered, and from a portal, a smaller drake, but a blue drake missing her rear leg appeared and fluttered shooting off a storm of crystalline ice. Aayan’s form began to flow mana, each rune acting like a vent of stored power. He looked to his runeblade, returned to its old form, that looked as if it leaked a cold sad energy from the blade. “Welcome back Solace...your enchantment….will be key here. Aayan turned around in the hallway and began to go after Charlotte’s last location, hand on the wall, leaving a streak of crimson blood.

Outside the fortress, the man appeared in a dramatic flurry of shadows and bats to peer at the human that was breaking his spell barrier. On the other side he saw a man in white gold robes, with a pointy hat on the top of his head that concealed his face. Two of the guards had their spears ready to attack the man when the barrier went down, however as this wait happened one of the guards shaked their head and seemed to lose their balance for a moment.

The other guard didn’t lose his attention due to this and stayed waiting, leaving him vulnerable as the first guard, his eyes now glowing a golden yellow charged forward and stabbed the man in the head with the spear, it seemed that his lost his minds for mere moments, and those moments were enough for him to execute his former comrade. As soon as he was controlled, it ended. The Light controlling him destroyed his body in an instant and caused the guard to turn to ash. The barrier lowered, leaving the man and the san’layn alone. “I expected more from your guards, and even more from your barrier.”

The San’layn watched his guards with pity before looking at the newcomer.  “You must be one of that human order. What a shame, I expected a bit more courtesy.” He quipped before holding a blade towards Grant and sending out a beam of shadow and blood magic. His eyes widened at the result, the moment his magic connected to Grant he was able to sense what type of blood he had, golden, light infused blood that could easily burn unholy entities, entities like him.
His blade cracked and broke as light magic from his blood seemed to react violently towards the spell and repel back at the sword, the power of the repulse even managed to get to the San’layn’s hand, causing him to hiss out as the light cracked his skin for a few brief moments before the blade simply exploded from the amount of magic being shot back into it, causing metal to scatter all over the place and cut the vampire’s robes deeply. Grant on the other hand didn’t seem affected at all by the spell sent forward to him, merely amusing the San’layn by adjusting his pointy hat.

“I’m afraid I didn’t have my morning cup of tea.” Spoke out Grant, humming softly as he eyed the damage the counter-attack did, “Honestly, I expected a little bit more from someone as old as you. Hm, but I suppose my saying rings true. A hundred years, a thousand years, even ten thousand years. You darkcasters are always as stupid as you are arrogant. You may as well slit your own throat now with the broken sword and save me the effort.”

Regaining his composure, the man narrowed his eyes, “Perhaps I shall, though perhaps not the throat.” With that he cut his palm before dropping the broken blade and digging his nails into his blood, letting it pool on the ground before they hardened and shot out as spikes with necrotic tips before raising ghouls of the guards to leap at the strange Light Man.

Within a split moment the San’layn felt his eyes be blinded as a holy nova of light magic eradicated all the ghouls into ash within the contact of the magic. The San’layn eventually regained his sight, only to find the ashes of all the ghouls he summoned to be send straight to his eyes, causing him to grunt out in surprise before he was blinded by the ash. He then felt a punch enchanted by the light slam onto his face, his hissed once more as his flesh was burnt by the punch, the force of it knocking him straight onto the ground.

As he tried to get back up he felt the foot of the priest on his neck and pressing down on him. The priest was dangerously close to crushing his throat, but for some unknown reason the priest raised his foot and instead kicked the San’layn in the chest. “Get back up, you think yourself of great power, prove it. All you’ve done so far is prove to me how much a sniveling weak minded fool you are.”

He let out a cough, “The Hoard will get you for this.” He sunk into the ground, a puddle of glooping shadows before it opened a portal. Ravenous and frenzied San’layn came pouring out of the portal to attack the man as the main San’layn vanished.

Reborn (Part 3): A Soul's Struggle

Inspiration: Bystander and Dragula

Months before…

“Charlotte.” The man’s gruff voice spoke.

“Yes Master Vaul?” The woman spoke as she sat down his lunch next to his lab table.

“I have a mission for you.” He spoke without looking up from his research.

“What is it?” She tilts her head to the right, her blonde hair slipping past her shoulder.

He paused and set down his quill, folding his hands as he looked to the food she brought, “There is a magistrate that I wish for you to capture and bring to me. His dark magic would help further my project.”

“Where can I find this magistrate, sir?” Charlotte blinked, her cheeks burning pink as she felt pride for him choosing her for the mission.

He unrolled a scroll, pointing to a village marked in Storm Peaks. “Here. Be warned though, do not look into anyone's eyes. They are the fallen San’layn and will do anything to lure you into their coven.”

She peered at the map, memorizing the location then nods before bowing at the waist, “It will be done, Master.”

She grabbed her snow gear and moved to leave the safety of the lab for the last time.

Wandering into the snow covered village of Nelfiem, north of Dun Neffelem. The mountains shielded the poor town from the harsh winds as a large bonfire crackled in the middle of the village. Men, women, and children wandered the cobblestone streets, all whispering to each other at the new comer. Fighting against the cold, Charlotte strode to the bonfire, pausing to pull her hood down and let out a frosty breath as she warmed by the flames.

“My my, you must be new around here. Not many dare coming all the way here.” A man’s voice of silk spoke out to her, grabbing her attention.

Her gaze turned to his but she quickly looked away. His raven hair tied in Vykrul braids down to his back. His leather armor dark as night and attached to blades to assist in moving through the snow.

“I am looking for the local Magistrate.” Charlotte’s voice was soft and alluring.

The man chuckled, his elven ears bouncing a bit as he pulled down a mask to reveal his ash pale skin. “Well you found him. What brings you to town?”

“My Lord wishes for me to speak with you and train on magic.” She spoke, still averting her gaze.

“I see.” He grew silent in thought for a moment before a grin passed his lips, he leaned forward to take a strand of her hair between his thumb and index finger, rubbing and twisting it, “Then how’s about a deal?”

“A deal?” She glanced at his hand, watching it began to drip with shadow magic that caused her heart to race.

He dropped her hair before taking a hand and planting a kiss on her knuckles, “Become one of my court for a month.”

She blinked, “What’s the catch?”

“Simple. You will join the court as a lady-in-waiting for my daughter.” He kept his grin.

“Sounds reasonable.” She murmured, though felt her suspicions growing.

“Excellent. Well, let us head to the manor and introduce you.” He held his arm out for her, which she gingerly took so he could guide the way.

Back in the present…

Charlotte’s ruby gaze opened to see the man holding her in his arm, the bracelet in held aloft in his free hand as he inspected the magical item.

“Master Ver-” Charlotte began to speak.

“Rest now.. I will deal with the intruder.” The dark haired man spoke, setting the bracelet on the nightstand table.

Peering around, she found herself in a familiar room. The white satin curtains of the canopy bed obscuring her vision of the rest of the room, but it was easy for her to tell, this was the Magistrate’s room.

“Master..” She began to speak as he stood, summoning his blades to his side with a snap of his fingers.

“Don’t worry, My Snowlily.. Everything will be okay.” He planted a kiss on her forehead before heading out of the room to confront Aayan.

Locking the door behind him, the Magistrate melted into shadows before reforming into his elven form before Aayan.

With a lavish showing of drawing his blades, he pointed one towards Aayan, “Turn back now, or perish here and sustain my monsters.”

    “You think I’d simply back away when you’re holding one of my dear friends hostage? I think not. Return her to us, or I will plaster these halls with bits and pieces of you.” Aayan kept both of the swords close ready to fight off this new threat, a determined look on his face. He was not going to back down, not when she was just incapacitated. “Ru’amoth, Taleliel!” Aayan’s swords bursted into fire, a deep blue. The fire crackled with arcane energy.

“What pitiful magics. You think that you can slay someone that is thousand years your elder?” The man sneered, “Human arrogance is quite something.” Shadows began to descend over the halls, blocking out any sight of anything or anyone else.

    Aayan took a step back and smiled. “You know, San’layn, I’ve always wondered a question for your kind, and maybe you’d answer being a gentleman. That question being...How much do you need to drink?” Aayan kept his senses up waiting for a strike.

     The man peered at Aayan, “Hm.. Depends on how far you’ve descended.. I merely need a glass while others need a full body.” He gripped the leather hilt of his blades, “Now tell me, why ask such a personal question?” His eyes began to glow violet with wisps of shadows.

    “Why you ask?” Aayan aimed his water sword and blasted in the direction he heard the voice and sees the eyes. “I have my reasons, and keeping you talking will give away your position.”

    His violet eyes turned ice blue, freezing the water that rushed at him. He raised his blade and cut it down as he took a step towards Aayan, “Is that so? You’ve come to take my people? My bride and daughter?”

    ‘That all depends on what Charlotte is to you. I’ve come to take her home.” Aayan kept his swords at the ready, and twisted the Hydraxxian hilt, causing the ice to shatter out in a flurry of hail. “You seem to the be the creeper type, be a shame that anyone would even go near you!”

His brow twitched at the remark of being a creeper, “I beg your pardon? Where does
firehead get off to tell a Magistrate such things? Charlotte is my bride and will remain here with the rest of our family, as it has been deemed.”


    Aayan gave out a snicker. “Creeper type it is. You’re what a thousand years old than me? How much older does that make you than Charlotte? You sure are into young girls!” Aayan said and charged the man, his stormforged fist arcing energy into the Hydraxxian hilt.

    He twists his blades together and sends a flurry of Icecrown wind rushing at the man and his blades, “Hm, don’t think I don’t know about you and your elven wife.. Iza was it?”

    Aayan smiled along. “Oh, everyone’s heard of her legendary beauty, frankly kicks Charlotte out the window...well mostly, the white hair is a nice touch.” Aayan then scowled, the cold wind drift off his warded cloak that was specifically designed to ward against the elements. He slashed upward with Thoringdir’s Rest and downward with the hilt blade in a vertical scissor motion.

    He turned into a gloop of shadows to avoid the scissor cuts, reemerging behind the young human. He moved to plant his leather boots into his back to kick him forward, “Then how’s about I kill your wife so you will learn to watch your tongue?”

    Aayan got kicked forward, his body and face dragging against the sharp ice that laid on the floor. “Trust me….” Aayan got up and turned to face his enemy, the Hydraxxian hilt running out of water for its daily usage. He pocketed the hilt. “Over the years, do you know how many people have tried to kill my wife?” Aayan gripped his runeblade with both hands. “Do you know how many people I have beaten into a pulp who have threatened that?” Aayan charged some magic into his hand and into his blade, using the tip to draw a powerful rune. “Dinir.” Aayan said a bright Vrykul rune, the one Aayan uses to completely immobilize foes to lock down the -thing- that dared threaten his beloved.

    A grin danced along his lips at the sight of the man using runes, “Cute.” His eyes would glow with arcane energy as out of the shadows would lurch ghouls to try and get between him and Aayan. His body seeming to endlessly move out of reach, but just barely.

“Ward of my wards, protector of this world. Bind this evil, so he may taste my sword!” The Rune rocketed forward into the ghouls, binding their movements. But stopping short, Aayan fell to a knee drained of magic. “Well, that’s just cheating.”

    “No such thing when defending one’s home and family.” He threw his blade towards the human, imbuing it with necrotic magic that if connected would eat away at his flesh.

Aayan raised his runeblade to defend against this thrown blade, the necrotic magic, causing his left gauntlet, the non-magical one to wither away, causing blackened veins to shoot up his arms, melting away the cloth and copper he wore. “Gah!” He threw the sword away with a deflection. “She’s...my family too.”

    “Is that why you all abandoned her during the avalanch-” The ground began to shake as his shadows faded away and the barrier began cracking, “What is that?” His eyes look towards the ceiling as the barrier fell.

Reborn (Part 2): Aayan's Wrath

Reborn: Aayan’s Wrath

Inspiration: All Eyes On Us and BFG Division

Charlotte let out a bored sigh after the others had run away. She ran a hand through her silver locks as she turned her eyes towards what remained of the town.

“I’m bored now.” She summoned a ball of fire in her hand and set the village ablaze before teleporting back to the keep of the San’layn.

“Is it done?” The man spoke, eyeing her and waving off the others he had been speaking to.

“They were boring and ran away like cowards.” Charlotte answered, rubbing a hand on her throat, “Left me more thirsty then entertained.”

“I see. Go feed on a prisoner while I prepare for the next assault.” The man shooed her away.

Charlotte got giddy and went down the stairs of the black stoned keep to the dungeon.. It was going to be a long day…

Back in <Whatever Og Named the Damn Base>...

Aayan sat next to Izanamie, pouring out his magic in runes to contain and deliver Iz from the evil shadows. “Dammit! Dammit all!” Aayan shed tears as he did his best to watch over his beloved wife, a wife that to him was nearly everything. He could feel it, deep in his heart an unrelenting vengeance. Northrend had been a place of pain and suffering for Aayan. He had often failed to protect people, even his own sister as she fell to undeath. Something...began to stir in his chest.

Thoringdir, the Stormdrake that resided in his Runeblade materialized and fluttered nearby, the blue crystalline earring that held a connection to the Blue Drake Kahriahgosa shimmered as well. “You’re soul is on fire, Aayan.” Thoringdir said, his eyes sparking thunder.

    “I sensed a great torment in his heart. Aayan, speak to me, you’re troubled.” Kahriahgosa said, setting her image on his shoulders.

    “Charlotte...Iz...by the Light…” Aayan’s tears flowed freely, sinking shimmering specs that vanished into Iz’s robes. “No….No more….I can’t let anyone else die because I was not able to protect them!”

    Aayan stood, and withdrew his sword. He looked over towards Grant and Sebastian. “I’m going back there...I have long since kept myself at bay...but I will...I WILL get them back! Kah, hone in on Charlotte’s bracelets and teleport me back.” Aayan began walking to the Armory, grabbing the Warded Cloak, the Hydraxxian Heart Sword, and the Stormforged Fist. “The Warder becomes the Warhawk once more!”

Back in the Castle of the San’layn, Charlotte finished devouring the blood of a poor villager that had been captured. She stood, wiping some excess blood from her chin with the back of her hand before walking up along the stairs. Her orchid robes flowing behind her as her silver hair glittered in the torchlight. She returned to the room she had been given, a simple room with a wooden bed to rest and a series of drawers to hold what little belonged to her. She sat on the bed edge and peered at the bracelet on her wrist. Why was she still wearing this? Everytime she attempted to take it off, something stopped her. She couldn’t bring herself to remove it and she did not know why. She shook the thoughts from her head and merely flopped back on the comforter, staring at the stone ceiling as her mind drifted and listened to the voices in her head.

As she listened to the voices in her head, the Bracelets would glow. A voice rang in her mind...it was not a whisper.

    “For years...I dedicated my life to protecting those in need. I said to myself...I would never turn my back on someone who needed my help. That I would keep all the precious things I thought close. Items of power, friends….family…”

    Thunder sounded over the Castle of the San’layn. It shook and rumbled. The voice in her head sounded again.
   
    “Charlotte…” The voice said in an angry tone. “Return to yourself...I will MAKE you return!”

    The thunder shook again, her bracelets glowed and in a flash of thunder and lighting crackling around her, Aayan appeared. He was wrapped in a shimmering white cloak and hood, his hand in a bright blue metal gauntlet that sparked with a sword pouring water out of it. His Runeblade glowed in a fierce white light, not the Light, but something...different…

    “I will bring you back!” Aayan said with both swords raised.

Charlotte’s eyes went wide at his appearance and she immediately rolled off the bed and away from him. She held her hand out and summoned her scythe and gripped it with both hands.

“How did you get here?” She growled at the intruder, “My Master will see you dead!”

    “It was a simple spell really...bring your master….bring your...allies. For you have invoked my wrath.” Aayan’s eyes began to glow a fierce purple, leaving a trail of smoke off them.

    She continued to growl, “I am not your dog, boy. I will not need them to vanquish your pitiful magi magic.”
   
She charged forward and swung her scythe wildly at him as she imbued it with necrotic magics.

He held up the Hydraxxian Heart Blade and blasted her with a fire-hose pressure of water. “I do not wish to harm you, Charlotte! I will lock you down and deal with your so called master soon enough!”

She let out a cry as she’s blasted back into the wall by water. Great, now the bitch is wet. Her eyes glowed with black magical wisps of power. She began to create flames in her hand to try and counter his water strike.

    “I will not summon my Master. Your blood will fuel us!” She shrieked at him.

    Aayan felt an intensity rising. He truly did not want to hurt her. Control or not that was his friend, a leader amid everyone else. No, the Warden is still there...He kept up the blast from the heart sword, steam beginning to fill the room they were in. Nearly blocking all vision. Aayan said the word. “Mirandir!” As a flash of purple energy appeared on his side. His favorite barrier spell. Then, the sound of a click, a snap even, as lighting blasted through the steam like it’s own personal thunderstorm shocking the entire room with a powerful earth shattering blast.

Electricity flew through the air but found no purchase. When the mist cleared, she was gone. She had escaped the moment the mist had been made, and slipped out of the room. He’d find the door locked from the outside.

Aayan takes his swords and raises them up. He sprayed water at the stone door and with a twist of the handle the water froze in an instant. Aayan readied a strong blast of arcane energy and flung it into the ice, blowing the door out. “I won’t let you get away!” He focused for a moment, tracking the spell on the bracelets, seeing where his magic was in this foul place.

He could sense the bracelet moving down a series of corridors that were a floor below. She was on the move and he could tell she was trying to use dark magic on the bracelet.

Concentrated on the bracelets hard. He closed his eyes and began to chant. “She’s going to hate me for this later.” “Cyrsamre, Shoofa aman arath!” He activated the bracelets power to forcibly cause her mana to be vented from her body.

Charlotte let out a string of curses as her spells began to fail her, but when she went to rip the bracelet off, she felt her body struggling to fulfill her desire. Part of her mind was fighting for control.

He kept up his chant, trying to force her magic off, maybe put her into a coma. If that was the case, then getting her out of danger would be cinch. Then the damn San’layn who dared take control of such an innocent woman would feel the full unbridled wrath of one who sought to protect all that which was good.

He would be able to feel the mana venting out, then suddenly it was cut off. The bracelet was moving again to deeper in the fortress. Why wasn’t it draining Charlotte? Had someone intervened? He wouldn’t get a chance to find out as he’d feel a magical barrier fall over the building, causing him to be unable to teleport out.. Or anyone else in.

Reborn (Part 1)

Inspiration: Like A Vampire and Control

Charlotte Dragul was known as the Brotherhoods Keeper. She kept track of every bit of information and was always the first responder to any given request. One week she disappeared for a personal mission and did not return. A month went by with most finding little to no trace of where she disappeared until one night they got a call from a town in Howling Fjord asking for help against San'layn. Keeping to their contracts they arrived at the scene, only to see a male Magistrate San'layn and next to him was a white haired, ruby eyed Charlotte drenched in the blood of civilians.

The company stared in shock as the man kept a hand on Charlotte's shoulder, the two red eyed San'layn staring the company down that were sent to fight them.

"My pet.. Dispose of these intruders. The others are awaiting our return." The man stroked her silver hair.

"Yes Master." Charlotte held a hand out, summoning a large blackened scythe.

"Charlotte! Snap out of it! It's us!" Aayan shouted towards the woman.

A smirk crossed her blood stained lips, "You think that matters? I've risen above all of you."

Dark energies wafted off of her, like an unseen force and brought several members to their knees.

The man disappeared in a flurry of darkness as Charlotte charged them in a blur, her scythe connecting with Aayan's sword.

"This isn't you!" Aayan growled at the woman. "What happened?!"

Her mind went back to the day she left on her mission.

Standing on the frozen peaks of Icecrown, the fallen snow whipped around the pair. Her breath emanating in puffs of smoke as she tried to keep hold of her staff.

"Growing tired already, Puppet?" The San'layn laughed at the woman.

"Silence! You won't be escaping here alive, Bloodsucker!" Charlotte gripped her staff and charging and swinging it at him while imbuing it with Light.

His ashen hand reached out and grabbed the staff, his hand sizzling a bit from the Light as he used it to pull her close and wrap his other arm around her waist.

"Why resist?" He flashed his fangs as his eyes began glowing with dark magic.

She released her staff and began channeling a ball of fire into her fist as she swung at his head. He merely leans out of the way.

"Now now, no need for that firey temper of yours." He tossed the staff to the side before gripping her chin, forcing her to look at him, "What happened to all those nights of you inquiring about me?"

She tries to avert her gaze, "That was before I knew you were a monster!"

"Now now, My Darling.. Why won't you look at me?" He keeps trying to turn her to gaze at him.

"I KNOW YOUR TRICK!" She let out an arcane blast to knock him away.

He let out a tsk before fixing his apparel and looking at her, "I remember you begging for me to look at you more."

She shot a glare at his chest, "Shut up!" She began channeling the arcane and mixing it with Light, causing her bracelet to begin glowing in warning.

His lips curled into a sneer, "Looks like you're running low on reserves."

She sent the ball of arcane and Light at him, "I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!"

He held out his hand, catching the ball of magic in his hand and crushing it. "Think of the power I could give you if you just gave in."

"I'm not a damn cultist. I won't become one now!" She looks around for something to grab, but was too slow.

As she turned to look towards his chest again, she only found his eyes lowered down to look at her. She felt her blood begin to freeze and her body stop moving.

"N-.. No.." Her lips whimpered out.

He kept their gazes locked as he stood upright, "There we go." He ran a hand through his raven locks.

Her body was no longer hers to command, his hands found their way around her lower back and back of her neck. Soon he leaned in and she could feel his fangs piercing the skin of her neck. The feeling of frostbite creeping through her veins and her heart slowing down as her body went limp. Was this the end?

As her eyes found their way open, her throat was burning and dry. Her ruby eyes searching the darkened sky above as she could feel the snow beneath her but could not sense its temperature. Her mind swam with the dark whispers of others, telling her to arise and prepare for work. Her body began moving on its own as she felt as though she was in the backseat of whoever was driving her body. The pale skin of her hands soon turned red as she found a body of the deceased thrown at her.

"Consume and become anew." The San'layns voice commanded her.

Soon the river of blood flowed through her, quenching the burning fire if merely briefly. She felt euphoric and thankful for it to be gone. She turned her gaze to the man who changed her and spoke in a soft voice.

"Where shall we go, Master?"

Soon her mind focused back on her battle. Her mind recalling everything of her past life, of Aayan's ability with the Arcane. Of Grant's with the Light and Void. Sebastian, the Commander of Light. Iza, the creature of Void and Fel. She recalled it all and felt her lips twist into a cynical grin. Calling upon the powers that flowed through her, she met Aayan's anger and betrayed filled gaze and began calling upon the powers of control.

"Swesky look out!" Grant shouted as he slammed into the side of the newborn, causing her to stumble and lose focus on her target.

"What did you do that for?!" Aayan turned to shout at the Void Breaker.

"She isn't human anymore, so focus. She's a monster. She is going to try every trick in the book to defeat us. So leave your emotions behind." Grant snapped back before sending a bolt of Light towards the new San'layn.

Her body redirected energy into her legs to cause her to leap high in the air, away from the bolt.

"Well done, Luxford. Always so observant, but.. Sadly.. Still no match." Charlotte cooed as she raised both hands in the air, summoning a collection of shadows together before flinging it down at the group.

Iza quickly held her hand out to recollect the shadows into her palm and crush it, but upon finishing the spell, the shadows wrapped up her arm and she felt her mind begin going crazy with voices shouting at her and causing her to lift her hands to her head.

"Stop it! S-Stop! What did you do?!" Iza screeched in agony as she fell to the ground.

Charlotte landed on the cobblestone near her, "Always so predictable."

Aayan felt fear clutching at his heart as he ran to Iza's side, "C-Charlotte! CHARLOTTE STOP!"

Charlotte laughed, "You should be scared of me."

"No. You should be afraid of me." Grant spoke as a blade of Light sliced through her shoulder, causing it to burn.

She let out a hiss of pain as she turned to face the man. Sebastian running to Iza's side to assist Aayan on trying to clear the shadows that gripped her.

"How's about you all be quiet for a bit." Her hand filled with blood orb that she threw at the distracted trio.

Grant's eyes flashed a different color as he tried to intercept but fell short. Blood and blackness gripped their throats, beginning to choke them as their faces began paling.

He held his staff aloft as he began to grow empowered by the Naaru.

"Ah ah ah. Careful now." Charlotte warned him, "You do that and you'll kill them as well."

"What do you mean, Witch?" Grant spat the word out.

"I've already infected them.. Any use of the Light would kill them." She blew him a kiss and a wink.

Grant grit his teeth but stopped channeling the Light.

"That's a good boy. I'll make you a deal. You can take them home and try- in vain- to save them from my spell... Or you can fight me, and I use their blood as fuel to kill you. Your choice." Charlotte smiled sweetly at him.

Grant took a rune off of Aayan, crushing it and causing the group to teleport back to base.

"That's what I thought." Charlotte laughed to herself.

The Break

Inspiration: The Plagues

Grant had fought with the power of the Naa'ru for many years, though finally it had gained control of his mind. His comradery with the other races shattering as he began collecting every Ren'dorei and Warlock he could to be executed. Gathering them in camps to be imprisoned by Religious Light Zealots until their time came. General Ogrimskar, seeing the man going mad from the Light, sent No'lariel to snuff out the light forces and free the innocents locked away in his camps...

She took a vial of prepared poison from Jon and poisoned the water of the Zealots, before unleashing demons and void entities on the guards. Grant came to face his old friend, and struggle to decide how to deal with the situation...

[CHOIR]
(Thus saith the Lord, thus saith the Lord
Thus saith the Lord, thus saith the Lord
Thus saith the Lord, thus saith the Lord
Thus saith the Lord, thus saith the Lord)

Since you refuse to free my people
(Since you refuse to free my people)
All through the land of Egypt

I send a pestilence and plague
Into your house, into your bed
Into your streams, into your streets
Into your drink, into your bread
Upon your cattle, on your sheep
Upon your oxen in your field
Into your dreams, into your sleep
Until you break, until you yield
I send the swarm, I send the horde
Thus saith the Lord

[NO'LA]
Once I called you brother
Once I thought the chance to make you laugh
Was all I ever wanted

[CHOIR]
I send the thunder from the sky
I send the fire raining down

[NO'LA]
And even now I wish that Og had chose another
Serving as your foe on his behalf
Is the last thing that I wanted

[CHOIR]
I send a hail of burning ice
On ev'ry field, on ev'ry town

[NO'LA]
This was my home
All this pain and devastation
How it tortures me inside
All the innocent who suffer
From your stubbornness and pride

[CHOIR]
I send the locusts on the wind
Such as the world has never seen
On ev'ry leaf, on ev'ry stalk
Until there's nothing left of green
I send my scourge, I send my sword
Thus saith the Lord

[GRANT]
You who I called brother
Why must you call down another blow?

[CHOIR]
I send my scourge, I send my sword

[NO'LA]
Let my people go

[CHOIR]
Thus saith the Lord

[NO'LA & CHOIR]
Thus saith the Lord

[GRANT]
You who I called sister
How could you have come to hate me so?
Is this what you wanted?

[CHOIR]
I send the swarm, I send the horde

[GRANT]
Then let my heart be hardened
And never mind how high the cost may grow
This will still be so:
I will never let your people go

[CHOIR]
Thus saith the Lord

[NO'LA]
Thus saith the Lord!

[GRANT]
I will not...

[(NO'LA) & GRANT & CHOIR]
...let your (my) people go!

The Cromwell Cousins

Part 1 Inspiration: Satisfied
Part 2 Inspiration: Congratulations

The High Priest Aboleth raised a glass, clinking a knife against it to gather everyone's attention before speaking.
"Alright, alright. That's what I'm talkin' about!
Now everyone give it up for the Maid of Honor
Moria Yamina!"

Moria stood, raising her glass in return before beginning.
A toast to the groom!

People began chanting along.
(To the groom!)
(To the groom!)
{(To the groom!)}
To the bride!
{To the bride!}
(To the bride!)
{To the bride!}
From your Cousin
(Moria!)
(Moria!)
{(Moria!)}
Who is always by your side
(By your side)
{By your side}
To your union
{(To the union!)}
{(To the revolution!)}
And the hope that you provide
(You provide!)
{(You provide!)}
May you always…
{(Always)}
Be satisfied

The wolf inside began to whisper..
{(Rewind)}
Rewind, rewind
Helpless,
Cromwell, Cromwell
Helpless
Drownin' in 'em
Drownin', rewind




I remember that night, I just might (rewind)
I remember that night, I just might (rewind)
I remember that night, I remember that

Moria's thoughts intruded as she returned to the past memories.

[Moria:]
I remember that night, I just might
Regret that night for the rest of my days
I remember those soldier boys
Tripping over themselves to win our praise
I remember that dreamlike candlelight
Like a dream that you can't quite place
But Edwin, I'll never forget the first time I saw your face

I have never been the same
Intelligent eyes in a hunger-pang frame
And when you said, "Hi," I forgot my dang name
Set my heart aflame, every part aflame
[Full Company:]
This is not a game…

[Edwin:]
You strike me as a woman who has never been satisfied
[Moria:]
I'm sure I don't know what you mean
You forget yourself
[Edwin:]
You're like me
I'm never satisfied
[Moria:]
Is that right?
[Edwin:]
I've never been satisfied
[Moria:]
My name is Moria Yamina
[Edwin:]
Edwin Xerathi.
[Moria:]
Where's your family from?
[Edwin:]
Unimportant
There's a million things I haven't done
but just you wait, just you wait…

[Moria:]
So so so... so this is what it feels like to match wits
With someone at your level! What the hell is the catch?
It's the feeling of freedom, of seein' the light
It's A Goblin with a key and a kite!
You see it, right?

The conversation lasted two minutes, maybe three minutes
Everything we said in total agreement, it's
A dream and it's a bit of a dance
A bit of a posture, it's a bit of a stance

He's a bit of a flirt, but I'm 'a give it a chance
I asked about his family. Did you see his answer?
His hands started fidgeting, he looked askance?
He's penniless, he's flying by the seat of his pants

Handsome. Boy, does he know it?
Peach fuzz, and he can't even grow it!
I wanna take him far away from this place
Then I turn and see my cousin's face
And she is…

[Caterina:]
Helpless…
[Moria:]
And I know she is…
[Caterina:]
Helpless…
[Moria:]
And her eyes are just…
[Caterina:]
Helpless…
[Moria:]
And I realize
[Moria and Company:]
Three fundamental truths at the exact same time…

[Edwin:]
Where are you taking me?
[Moria:]
I'm about to change your life
[Edwin:]
Then by all means, lead the way

[Company (except Moria):]
Number one!
[Moria:]
I'm a girl in a world in which
My only job is to marry rich
My father has no sons so I'm the one
Who has to social climb for one
So I'm the oldest and the wittiest and the gossip in
Stormwind City is insidious
And Xerathi is penniless
Ha! That doesn't mean I want him any less

[Caterina:]
Caterina Cromwell. It's a pleasure to meet you
[Edwin:]
Cromwell?
[Moria:]
My cousin

[Company:]
Number two!
[Moria:]
He's after me 'cause I'm a Cromwell cousin
That elevates his status, I'd
Have to be naïve to set that aside
Maybe that is why
I introduce him to Cat'rina
Now that's his bride
Nice going, Moria, he was right
You will never be satisfied

[Caterina:]
Thank you for all your service.
[Edwin:]
If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it
[Moria:]
I'll leave you to it

[Company:]
Number three!
[Moria:]
I know my cousin like I know my own mind
You will never find
Anyone as trusting or as kind
If I tell her that I love him she'd be silently resigned
He'd be mine
She would say, "I'm fine."
[Moria and Company:]
She'd be lying

[Moria:]
But when I fantasize at night
It's Alexander's eyes
As I romanticize what might
Have been if I hadn't sized
Him up so quickly
At least my dear Cat'rina's his wife;
At least I keep his eyes in my life.

She snapped out of reverb and focused on finishing her toast. That night she left her cousin's home and returned to focusing on tending to her own family affairs. Years down the road, rumors began to spread that Edwin had taken a dark path and became controlling. Soon he was telling Caterina how to dress and act and Moria finally felt that longing turn to hatred. She confronted her brother-in-law...

Upon arrival, she heard that it was not controlling Caterina out of darkness, but embarrassment at being caught by an enemy accusing him of cheating. 

[Edwin:]
Moria

[Moria:]
Xerathi
Congratulations
You have invented a new kind of stupid
A 'damage you can never undo' kind of stupid
An 'open all the cages in the zoo' kind of stupid
'Truly, you didn't think this through?' kind of stupid
Let's review
You took a rumor a few maybe two people knew and refuted it by sharing an affair of which no one has accused you
I begged you to take a break, you refused to
So scared of what your enemies will do to you
You're the only enemy you ever seem to lose to
You know why Aboleth can do what he wants?
He doesn't dignify school-yard taunts with a response!
So yeah, congratulations!

[Edwin:]
Moria

[Moria:]
You've redefined your legacy
Congratulations

[Edwin:]
It was an act of political sacrifice!

[Moria:]
Sacrifice?
I languished in a loveless marriage in Gilneas
I lived only to read your letters
I look at you and think 'Light, what have we done with our lives and what did it get us?'
That doesn't wipe the tears or the years away
But I'm back in the city and I'm here to stay
And you know what I'm here to do?

[Edwin:]
Moria...

[Moria:]
I'm not here for you.
I know my cousin like I know my own mind
You will never find anyone as trusting or as kind
And a million years ago she said to me 'this one's mine'
So I stood by
Do you know why?
I love my cousin more than anything in this life
I will choose her happiness over mine every time!
Cat'rina

[Edwin:]
Cat'rina

[Moria:]
Is the best thing in our lives
So never lose sight of the fact that you have been blessed with the best wife!
Congratulations!
For the rest of your life.
Every sacrifice you make is for my cousin
Give her the best life!
Congratulations!

With the final word, she backhanded Edwin to the ground and glared down at him, as if challenging him to make another mistake...