Hearts and Bones

New Story time.

This time I've decided to challenge myself by writing a story in first person present tense. Should be interesting.

Please read and review.

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Silvermoon City:

I can do this, and always redeem myself later.

I almost burst out laughing at the thought, but stop myself in time. After all, Lady Liadrin is standing right here, watching me carefully. I suspect many initiates don't get passed this part. The Naaru above me hums with power and anger as hungry elves draw upon his energy to satisfy their needs. What is this compared to that?

The vial in my hand seems so tiny. Surely it won't even notice the loss in comparison to how much others are taking. Still I don't move. I'm rationalizing, I know. I realize that this is the point of choice. Whether to continue on this path and become a Blood Knight, or to choose a different path. Perhaps my old one, when I was a Ranger, a defender of the city.

I close my eyes and I see it all again. The destruction of the city, the deaths of so many of my people. I was so helpless, I wasn't even strong enough to help Sylvanus defend the Sunwell. The old bitterness clamps down on me and I realize there is no real choice.

I have a chance here to be something greater. A true defender for justice. Alright, for revenge. It really doesn't matter, does it? The Naaru is merely a tool for that end.

Casting aside the last of my doubt I step closer to the creature and siphon off its energy. I feel a cold trickle down my hands as I realize that it does know what I am doing, and that I am hurting it. Horror threatens to stop me, but I push it down hard.

After I have the energy I need, I quickly make my exit and start running to the inn off of Murder Row. There are people here, gaily eating and drinking, but there's an air of tension in the room, something no one will give name or shape to.

I know what it is as I make my way upstairs to the main room.

The elf on the floor attacked me early this evening, and I killed him. I was told to. Now I am meant to give him life again, using the lifeforce of the Naaru. A Blood Knight stands over him, looking bored as I enter.

The energy flows from the vial in my hand, through me and into the dead elf. I feel a rush of warmth flow through me, and it makes my hair stand on end. Its invigorating and I almost lose myself in it completely.

The elf coughs as life re enters him. He looks up at me, not with anger as I had expected, but with pity. Then he looks at the Blood Knight in disgust before leaving without a word to either of us. She looks at me, impressed, but a cold feeling has formed in my gut, now that the high of wielding the magic has worn off.

Can I do this? Can I really keep this up?

I can always redeem myself later. Somehow that sounds like cheating. But if the Scourge is eradicated and my people made safe, it will have been worth it.

Bloodmyst Isle:

They can't do this, there will be no redemption for them.

I'm crouching by the road north of Blood Watch, waiting for a rider. A Blood Elf I'm told, named Matis, the Cruel. Its not just a clever name I'm guessing. The Blood Elves that followed us here have all been cruel, vile creatures, and he is one of the worst.

I've been hearing rumors, about the Sunhawks, about how they stole a Naaru to fuel their power. I can't say if its true or not, but I would not be surprised. Vile creatures. It may not be charitable of me, but I'm a Shaman, not a priest, I don't have to be forgiving.

My tail twitches as my legs start cramping up. My hand is sweaty as it grips the flare gun for dear life. I hope that the back up I was promised comes swiftly after I shoot, because I doubt I could stand for long against him by myself. I'm afraid, yes. Why not?

Suddenly I see a horse come over the rise and I know its time. I stop breathing as I wait for him to get closer. If he runs, we've lost him for good, I have to signal the Vindicators and keep him here.

Why didn't I ask for backup? Because I'm too proud, that's why. Well if I die here, at least my friends can have a good laugh over that. The ones that are left anyways.

He comes close to my hiding space and without hesitation I stand up and shoot the flare. He starts in surprise but then a cruel sneer appears on his face as he jumps down off the horse. I hope the Vindicator doesn't take his time.

I push my will into the ground and a totem sprouts at my feet. My skin hardens slightly, but I know it is not going to be enough as he swings at me with his weapon. I hold up my shield and manage to block the blow, but it reverberates throughout my body. Ineffectually I swing my mace at him, but he dodges it easily and brings another blow crashing down on my shield.

He's laughing and I realize that he's going to toy with me first. Good, if that keeps him here longer, then good.

If I last that long.

I lift up my hands and electricity crackles all over my skin, giving me extra protection. Matis doesn't care. He swings again, almost catching me on my midsection, but I manage to jump out of the way.

Unfortunately this is a bad idea as I didn't really take care to study my surroundings first. My hoof gets caught in a root and I fall backwards, landing heavily on my butt.

So much for dying with dignity.

He stands over me, smirking with satisfaction and leans over me to say something in Elvish that I can't follow. I should do something while he's bent over me, but my mind won't stop being afraid. He's going to kill me, like he did those other Draenei. I remember the wreckage of the Cryo-Core, the Blood Elves going through it like vermin.

Anger pulses through me and I bring my hoof up right to his midsection. He manages to jump out of the way, but in doing so leaves his face open. I clip him on the chin. He growls as blood drips from his mouth. I scramble to get up before he has a chance to attack me again.

I get my shield up in time, but barely. He begins to attack me with a new fury and all I can do is hold him back with my shield and try to stay on my feet.

The Vindicator finally arrives and Matis realizes that he's now facing a more powerful enemy. I stumble back as he forgets about me and fights the Vindicator. I quickly regain my wits and begin channeling electricity down my arms and to my hands, sending the lightening into Matis' back. He stumbles forward a little, and its all the Vindicator needs to bring him down.

I look down at the Blood Elf, disgust in my heart. He gloats as the Vindicator hauls him off to be judged and likely killed. I follow them to the watch and sit by as the Triumvirate and Velen judge him. He is proud and gloats and confirms what we all suspected. They've captured a Naaru and are using it for power.

They cannot do this, there will be no redemption for them.