Chapter Text
“But our little game is over. When next we meet, I will take everything you love…”
Alleria’s jaw clenched visibly, her hand still holding onto Locus-Walker’s Reshii ribbon. Or, rather, what was left of it. Was he dead? Was he returned to energy and imprisoned in the Dark Heart? She had been beyond angry with him, felt betrayed and lied to. Forgiveness was something that did not come to her easily.
But losing him? She never wanted that, either.
Her fingers tightened around the Reshii ribbon and she pulled it close to her chest. Her eyes drifted into the distance, her gaze upon the ruins of K’aresh. Alleria and the champion had found a quiet, secluded spot on one of the scattered floating pieces of the planet. The ranger would’ve found the bright purples of the sky beautiful to gaze upon, under different circumstances. She could hear the champion fiddling with something in his backpack, but was too afraid to turn around and face him, lest he saw the unshed tears welling up in her eyes.
Xal’atath’s parting words rang through her troubled mind again, stinging more and more each time she remembered them. Everything had been just a game to her, hadn’t it? Everything. Shame flooded her as she remembered her night with the woman back in Hallowfall. If only she hadn’t thought there had been something in Xal’atath worthy of a chance. If only she hadn’t been so distracted by the encounter, she might’ve been able to do more. To see through Xal’atath’s every little scheme. To prevent this tragedy. Maybe Locus-Walker would still—
“Alleria,” came the champion’s monotone voice. “The ribbon,” he said simply, skeletal hand hovering in front of Alleria.
The void elf turned, handing him the ribbon with a sigh. What could he possibly want with it? She glanced at his lap and saw a rod of some sort. She wasn’t sure what it was exactly. He carefully tied the ribbon to the rod, his hands clanking with every movement.
Alleria and the undead had begun working together only due to circumstance, but it had grown into camaraderie and friendship with every obstacle they’d powered through together. She didn’t think she could face anyone else in that moment. His features didn’t betray much emotion, but she could see the undead was as tired as she was. From the constant barrage of problems that always seemed to find him. Spending so much time with him had taught her that the two of them were not so different – keeping to themselves, running towards danger and duty whenever called upon.
He shoved the rod into her hands, the ribbon tightly secured around it. The undead pulled a hammer from his backpack, handing it to her as well. “You should do it. He was your mentor. As a memorial.”
Alleria couldn’t hold back the tears in her eyes anymore. Her walls were crumbling to dust and she was so, so angry. She stuck the rod into the rock upright and slammed the hammer upon it until she was sure it would not come loose. She realised she was sniffling, but if the champion had noticed he made no mention of it.
He wasn’t an individual of many words, but he was an individual of many gestures. And this one had meant more to Alleria than he probably knew. She turned to him and nodded, knowing they couldn’t linger for long. His old bones creaked as he stood up, dusting his otherwise immaculate robe off.
“Seems the battle isn’t over. Ever.”
There was a note of cynicism in his voice. Alleria knew that look. He was exhausted from the fighting and from having to prevent the umpteenth calamity that came their way. She understood all too well. He had been there for every single world-altering event she could remember. He was also Sylvanas’ most prized soldier, which wasn’t a title the Banshee Queen would give to just anyone. As far as Alleria understood, he was also one of her closest confidants. He had stood by her during Teldrassil, too. He had bowed down to Sylvanas as she was sent down to the Maw, loyal to the very end.
“It never is, my friend,” responded Alleria, as kindly as she was able to, voice rough.
Slowly, they departed for the Veiled Market, where Ve’nari was undoubtedly waiting to hear the news. She scoffed to herself. What was she supposed to tell her? That, yes, Dimensius had been defeated and contained. But Locus-Walker was very likely dead. And that Xal’atath had taken the Dark Heart, where Dimensius was now imprisoned, and had vanished as usual. That she didn’t care for them and had only wanted to get her hands on the Void Lord’s power. She figured Ve’nari wouldn’t be surprised by the last bit.
“We did what we could. And if you begin to wonder what else we could’ve done, don’t. It matters not anymore.”
It mattered to Alleria, though. The champion didn’t know about her meeting with Xal’atath. Would he see her differently if he did? Would he name her a traitor? She kept her mouth shut. She would loathe to lose another friend and faithful ally. Besides, she would probably take this particular secret to her grave.
Their mounts came to a halt on Tazavesh’s docks. Ve’nari was impatiently waiting for them, her hands crossed in front of her chest. Brokers’ faces didn’t show much emotion, but their body language did. Alleria could see the immediate shift in Ve’nari as she looked around.
“Where is he? Where is Locus-Walker? And what of the Harbinger?” she spoke quickly, looking between Alleria and the champion.
“Locus-Walker is gone. My condolences,” the champion responded, mercifully taking the responsibility of doing so from Alleria. “Xal’atath took the Heart and left. Took Dimensius, too.”
There was a heavy silence between the three, Ve’nari undoubtedly trying to process the information. Locus-Walker had been a longtime friend and she was likely devastated. Combined with the news of Xal’atath absconding with the Dark Heart, it was too much.
“But… we have brought you something.”
The champion reached forward, handing Ve’nari a crystal they had picked up from Dimensius’ body as he was sucked away into the depths of the Dark Heart. The crystal was a deep purple, strange power emanating from it. Alleria couldn’t recognize it, but judging by the intensifying of Ve’nari’s flame, she was willing to bet it was important to the brokers and the ethereals.
“I… I can hear K’aresh’s song!” exclaimed the broker, resting her hand over her chest. “The Worldsoul is weak, but it is not yet gone. I shall take this and we shall make sure it is well taken care of so K’aresh can thrive again. Hopefully,” she said, bowing to Alleria and the champion in gratitude. "It is what Locus-Walker wou'dve wanted," she added solemnly.
The three parted ways as Alleria and the champion headed for the portal back to Dornogal. The walk was filled with silence. Naturally, thought the ranger. There was nothing more to say. But there was infinitely more to do.
“You will hunt her down now,” observed the champion, more a statement than a question, as they stopped before the massive portal.
“I must. I’m the only one who can,” sighed Alleria, rubbing her temples. “For now, I will go to Telogrus to gather my strength. I am… not in any condition to chase after her after all of this. But very soon, I will,” she promised, placing a hand on the champion’s shoulder. He didn’t exactly recoil from the touch, but he seemed a little uncomfortable. “Thank you again, my friend. I know we will see each other again soon.”
“That we will.”
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The darkness inside the Sanctum was only broken by the purple glow of Xal’atath’s eyes. It was a cozy place, drifting slowly across the Great Dark, undiscoverable and safe. She gripped the Dark Heart in her manicured hand, her smile turning into a sneer.
“Not so powerful now, are you, Void Lord?” she spat the last part, the hatred in her words palpable. Soon enough, he would be nothing. A speck of dust in the great design of the cosmos. Even now, even while he was imprisoned in the palm of her hand, she could still feel the immense power he held. The Dark Heart shook slightly, as if aware of her observations.
Her bare feet touched the floor and she sighed in relief. Her endgame had been successful. She finally had all she needed. All she wanted. Locus-Walker had been an unfortunate sacrifice, but he had understood. She had shown him the truth of what was to come and he had made his decision. It was a pity, but it had been necessary. His dedication to denying Dimensius K’aresh had been admirable.
Her thoughts drifted to a different person, however.
Alleria Windrunner.
That woman’s spirit and resolve were a force of nature that could very well rival her own. Alleria had been the only one worthy of true respect and the only one who had managed to keep up with Xal’atath. She had never gotten complacent, even in those instances where Xal’atath had genuinely offered her assistance and meant it.
Xal’atath couldn’t deny the pull between them. A connection that had developed and evolved in a very curious manner. The entity found that she wanted to keep it. She didn’t care how Alleria felt about her, as long as she was feeling something; hatred, anger, desire. It was all acceptable.
She sincerely doubted the latter would be a thing, after what she had done. No, Alleria was furious at her. For sacrificing Locus-Walker, for taking the Dark Heart. She knew that. While she was far, far away from Azeroth, Xal’atath could still feel it. Though, the look of hurt she had seen painted on Alleria’s expression as she had vanished did not sit well with her. She did not know why. At present, she did not intend to wrestle with that puzzle at length. There was much to be done.
Xal’atath remembered the night they spent lying together. She wondered if Alleria had thought it all fake. A cruel ploy. But it had been the most honest Xal’atath had ever been with her. If Alleria knew that, she would be even more crushed, she gathered.
Xal’atath had come to her that night with no plan. She had simply followed fate’s draw, as she often did. What had transpired, much to Xal’atath’s perplexment, had stirred something unexpected and unknown in her. But alas, while another taste of the ranger would feel divine, Xal’atath figured there was no chance it would happen ever again. Not until Alleria embraced who she truly was. Not until she was ready.
Once Alleria could see things the way she did, perhaps it wouldn’t be that distant of a possibility.
Xal’atath pushed away the thoughts of her one and only distraction and grasped the Dark Heart firmly. She would need to lay low for some time. The ritual she had concocted would take time to perform and there was no room for mistakes. She would consume Dimensius’ power and she would ascend.
A new vision was forming in Xal’atath’s mind. One that, ironically, Alleria had sent her hurling towards with that one precise arrow she had fired into the Dark Heart. She had singlehandedly pushed Xal’atath towards a most delightful fate, if the entity were to play her cards correctly. And she would.
For now, she had to fade from the watchful eyes of the cosmos and disappear.
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Alleria stepped through the void rift, her feet finding familiar ground. Telogrus had not only become her safe haven in the past years, but it had felt like a home, too. She had lived with the ren’dorei - training them, guiding them, helping them fight against the most sinister of Void adversaries. Aiding them in regaining control and keeping the whispers at bay. They were shunned for their powers, but Azeroth needed them. Their people needed them, even if it was a thankless responsibility.
“Alleria,” she heard Umbric’s calm voice greet her. “We have pulled our forces away from K’aresh, as you requested.”
“Thank you, Umbric. I—I need some time to think. To clear my head,” she began, looking away from the void elf.
“Would you like to… talk about it?” he asked tentatively, raising an eyebrow. “Though, I suspect the answer is no.”
“You’d be correct. I just wish to be left alone, if it’s all the same to you,” she sighed, looking up at the stars that littered the void skies of Telogrus.
“You are my friend. I will do as you ask. But I implore you to find somebody to share your turmoil with. You know how close we are to the Void, Alleria, and it feeds on this exact type of pain and doubt,” he said, looking at her with concern. “It wasn’t your fault,” he added, trying to further soothe her and failing miserably at the task.
“I’m well aware of what the Void feeds on, Umbric, I don’t need the lecture,” snapped Alleria, turning to meet Umbric’s unfaltering gaze.
“I know you don’t need a lecture. You need support. But you will not take it, as usual,” he hummed quietly. “Very well, your tent is very much untouched. I’ll leave you to your thoughts and I will seek you out only if there’s an emergency.”
“I don’t want to get comfortable but—I can’t feel her, Umbric. She’s not on Azeroth. We may get just a moment of reprieve. I think we all need it,” said Alleria, softer this time. She felt guilty for snapping at the man, but she was in a fragile state of mind and she couldn’t properly manage her emotions.
“Good, the longer she stays away the better chance we have of meeting her head on when she returns. We know she will return,” said Umbric solemnly. “We are still looking for something on her to give us the upper hand. We won’t give up,” he promised, trying to give Alleria a reassuring smile.
“I’ll look too, I just—“
“Alleria,” he interrupted her. “One breath at a time.”
The ranger exhaled slowly, nodding her head. “You’re right. I will see you soon.”
With that, Alleria found her way to her old tent. She hadn’t been in there in a while, between Dornogal, dusty old inns and nerubian burrows, she had missed it. Most of the ren’dorei’s tents were quite spacious. It came as no surprise that they had absolutely refused to sleep on bedrolls on the cold rocks. The tents had beds, desks, baths and any other mortal comfort they could manage to fit in there.
Alleria sat down on her bed, her head in her hands. She had to speak to Turalyon. She couldn’t run from him forever. The night she had allowed herself to have with Xal’atath had opened her eyes to the truth – she cared for him, but there was no more understanding between them. She couldn’t share her fears with him, her desires. She felt disconnected in ways she never had before, even when they had been apart for long periods of time. Nothing ever came easy with him and it wasn’t either one’s fault. She did not love him anymore. Not the way he hoped she did.
The thought of how easy her affection for Xal’atath had come that night made her feel nauseous. But the elf refused to give those invasive thoughts any more ground and shook her head.
No. There was nothing between her and Xal’atath, much less affection. And as much as she hated to admit it, her problems with Turalyon were not the entity’s fault. The fracture in their relationship had started a long time ago, she had just refused to see the cracks. She would end things kindly, with respect for him. But Alleria couldn’t look at Turalyon now. She needed time.
But how long would she have? When would Xal’atath return and what exactly was the Harbinger planning?
Alleria sighed, lying on her side and pulling her knees up to her chest. She didn’t even bother lighting a candle or one of the lanterns, her tent completely closed off and encapsulated in darkness. She would let herself sleep and return to the storm raging in her mind after.
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The next week passed in a blur for Alleria. Telogrus had a calming effect on her, but it wasn’t nearly enough. She had been wracking her brain for hours each day. Why had Xal’atath taken the Heart and what did she intend to do with it? Could she somehow use Dimensius’ powers while he was confined? She remembered Xal’atath’s words from earlier.
What was it that she thought was rightfully hers? And on Azeroth of all worlds?
There was no sign of her presence yet, which might have been a good sign or a really, really bad one. Alleria had to admit she was out of her depth. It was one thing to simply chase after the Harbinger, but it was a completely different thing to try and discern her next move. Not when no one knew anything about her. She couldn’t do any of this on her own. While, yes, she could hunt down Xal’atath the second she set foot on her world again, they needed a plan. And she wasn’t the one who made plans, she was the one who shot arrows into her targets.
And her hands were itching to hunt. Not just Xal’atath. Anything.
“Alleria?” Riftblade Maella’s voice came from outside of her tent. “I’m here to deliver a message.”
The ranger pulled the flaps of the tent to the side and stuck her head outside. “What is it?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at her comrade. The other void elf was clad in her usual armor, swords tucked into their sheaths at her sides.
“Calia Menethil and Anduin Wrynn have requested your presence at Oribos. We’ve just received the missive from Stormwind.”
“Calia Menethil and Anduin? Oribos?” repeated Alleria incredulously. “What in the Void’s name would I need to go to Oribos for?”
“I’m not sure, my lady. The missive didn’t say. It did say it was urgent and important, however.”
“Thank you, I’ll be on my way soon,” said Alleria with a nod, ducking back inside to gather her weapons. She wondered if it had something to do with the brokers. Maybe, they wanted information on what had transpired on K’aresh? Did Ve’nari want something fetched for her eco domes? But Calia Menethil and Anduin being the ones who had made contact did not fit into those theories.
Perhaps, this little trip would get her mind off things for a moment. If it was even possible, that was.
Alleria exited the tent, heading for the permanent rift that lead to Stormwind. Travelling to Oribos was never simple, but she knew the mages in the tower would assist her. Keeping a connection between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead took a toll, but it was valuable.
Alleria stepped out of the rift, inhaling deeply. She always appreciated the clean, crisp air of Elwynn Forest. The smell of trees and fresh grass was grounding. It reminded her of Eversong, in a way. Not that it could ever truly compare. The air inside the city walls was far from clean, though.
The void elf made her way to the portal room, keeping her head down and avoiding any unnecessary interaction. She didn’t feel like lingering. The portal to Oribos was open and waiting for her. She gave the mages that were maintaining it a curt nod, before stepping through.
Once the sickening feeling of the teleporting between two different realms had passed, she looked around. The Maw was no longer as gargantuan or as intense as she remembered it, but it was still there. A place of many horrors, she thought to herself, before heading inside the lustrous city. No one had greeted her, yet. Must’ve been the supposed secrecy of the meeting, she figured.
The inside of the city seemed more peaceful and way less crowded. Her eyes scanned the vicinity and caught sight of a familiar face. Lilian Voss, Calia’s unlikely new friend and fellow member of the Desolate Council, was leaning against the wall, staring directly at Alleria.
“Voss,” nodded the ranger, once she had closed the distance. “I assume by your look we’re both here for the same thing.”
“Yes, Windrunner, you assume correctly,” the undead answered in a raspy voice. There was no hostility directed at Alleria and the void elf felt the tension in her shoulders relax.
“Let us get it over with, then. I understand if I’ve been called it ought to be important, but I have other business to attend to,” she shifted uncomfortably, looking at Lilian.
“Trust me, this is far more interesting than any business you may currently have,” came the emotionless response, as the rogue pushed herself off the wall and began leading Alleria to the upper part of the city.
They walked in silence, Alleria shuddering at the sensation of being transported up. The Oribos teleporters’ magic was vastly different than that of void rifts or regular portals, and using them felt nauseating. She wasn’t given any more time to think on it as a voice made her turn around sharply.
“Hello, sister.”
Alleria froze, staring intently at the figure in front of her. Oh, she should’ve known.
“Sylvanas?”
“Miss me?” a dark chuckle left the other Windrunner’s lips.