Tormenting Visions

[Asarelah]

Asarelah heard a high pitched hum coming toward her and instantly ducked, then chuckling to herself, lifted and arm and gave a shrill whistle, knowing that any second her arm would be laden with the whelpling answering to Frosthawk.

Sure enough, Azureus landed, flipping his wings to his back as he settled. The tiny dragon was agitated, and Lah did her best to soothe the beast. “There, there Azie, it’s all right…” she cooed at it until finally the whelpling calmed under her gentle stroke and allowed her to take the message from it’s grasp that Leothiel had bid it deliver to the Nightwarder.

Moving to her study and quick to close the door so that the fluttery little whelp could not instantly return from whence it was sent, Lah settled Azureus on the top edge of her chair, and took a seat to read Frosthawk’s missive.

“Dear Oracle Asarelah,” the letter began…. Scanning the lines quickly, Lah’s brow wrinkled in concern. Yogg-Saron… Leothiel had been going on about molten metal, being on fire and the old god’s for weeks… and she had best pay attention. This letter had the finality of death!!

Grabbing a pen and parchment she hastily dashed off a few words...

Leo,

We must get to the bottom of these visions - for all our sakes. Where shall I meet you?

Lah

*cooing to Azie, she handed her message scroll back to the whelp and Mind Visioned it to return to its Master at once*

[Leothiel]

Oracle,

Either somewhere in Outland or at Wyrmrest Temple.

[Leothiel]

*Opens the journal to write*

Oneille and I had a nice picnic on the grass next to Stonebull Lake. A nice swim followed. Being in Mulgore and soaking in the scenery brought some clarity to my troubled mind. It also gave me a desire to spend a few days in Quel'thalas for some answers.

Why does extreme doses of pure magic weaken me?

What are some alternatives to purging Yogg-Saron from my mind and stopping these tormenting visions?

*From here, it's all scribbled notes*

Ask the priests in the homeland and scour the libraries

Talk with Haleh

Finish up trip to library visit to the Shendra'lar

*"Meditate in the homeland" is scribbled in the margin*

=====================

*Pulls out pen and parchment to write letters*

My Dear Brother,

I am going to take some time out of war to answer some questions. I fear that some of the exposure to magic I have had combined with the tormenting visions are having an undesirable effect on me. I am going to talk with the Oracles to hand some of my guild business to you.

Sincerely,

Leothiel

*Second Letter*

Dear Asarelah,

I will need a leave to answer some questions. Could you give some of my duties to my brother Thieldren in my absence?

Sincerely,

Leothiel

*Thinks about what to write to Oneille*

((No, I am not taking a break from WoW. Leothiel will still be available for PvE raiding. This is an RP case in favor of raiding Ulduar ))

[Leothiel]

Leothiel and Oneille met up in the libraries of Silvermoon looking for something on magic addiction and dosage. It took much looking around. There were cases of transformations into wretched or felbloods. They did not explain why a practitioner of the arcane, which is a very pure magic, is weakened from exposure to the energies of the Sunwell or swimming in the Well of Eternity.

The time seemed like hours until Leo found a book that shed some light to his affliction: Certain elves were vulnerable to magical energies despite channeling them. They had passed through families usually skipping centuries. Leothiel also felt uncomfortable sitting in a chair that night as he felt two points in his back.

That answered one question out of his list. Oneille wondered what she could do. "There's a library trip I never finished" he began to tell her. He told her of his capture and subsequent mistreatment at the hands of the Alliance. "If you can find a Thalassian-Darnassian dictionary, you can find out more about the moonwells from the Shendra'lar. They are in the ruins of Eldre'thalas. You know it as the 'Dire Maul'."

After Leothiel and Oneille parted ways, he drifted to sleep in one of the inns. He found himself back in Sunstrider Isle next to one of the fel crystals. He siphoned energy from it. He felt fine after a while then he found himself gruadually turning into a wretched. He had to find new magical sources. After siphoning every crystal from Silvermoon to Quel'danas, he entered the Sunwell Plateau. He started feeling weaker again, siphoning energy off of everything until he arrived at the Sunwell. He saw something rise out of it: A blob with many mouths. Leothiel siphoned the blob and felt a slow agony of transformation. The stumps on his back grew into wings. His skin had lost all pigmentation. Soon, he knew what he had to do: Destroy the Sunwell completly. He siphoned the power from it, which started a chain of events. First the Sunwell collapsed into the abyss of the planet, then he felt a pull. He was summoned to an unfamiliar place. One of the hooded figures said "Immortality is now yours." Leo turned around and recognized the tree as Nordrassil, whose waters had weakened him in the past. He then heard a voice that said "Bring the sacrifices." He recognized the sacrifices as his own high-ranking guild members. They pleaded and begged for their lives. Then he saw Oneille. Leothiel commanded that the ceremony begin. As it did, he turned around and began siphoning the power of the Well. He felt immortality flow through his body as his ascent to godhood would be finished while his old friends and newfound love were being sacrificed for his sake. Eventually, the world sundered in two and Leothiel woke up while being consumed by the fire of his nightmare. He was in bed sweating. Azureus was across the room shaking with great fear.

Leothiel stumbled for his journal to write what had transpired. He then wrote this vision and sent a copy of it to Asarelah through the mail. He wrote a second copy and sent it to his brother. He now realized what he had to tell Oneille. After he finished writing, he called for Azureus, who was still shaking. "Take this to Oneille."

[Oneille]

Still clutching her satchel to her chest Oneille sat upon the dirty thoroughfare leading between the main gate of Ogrimmar and the city itself. Tears seemed to be dried and staining her face in a red blush. After having returned to the capital of the Horde she felt exhausted as though the world was collapsing upon her. In her mind there was doubt and a since of dread but deep in her heart lied a savage nagging. Something dark was on the horizon and she felt there was nothing she could do to stop it.

"I went there for him and I sought the book with the translations," tears still begging for release, Oneille sobbed quietly burying her face into the leather bag. Croaking back more sobs she forced herself upright almost knocking into an orc. Skipping to the side she rushed to the inn in Ogrimmar hoping to find solace there for the night.

A shrill call caused the female warlock to perk her ears up and notice the arrival of a sapphire streak. Wiping away a stray tear Oneille realized it was Azureus.

"Azureus!" a faint smile crossed her lips as she drank down a few tears rolling down her cheeks. In spite of her dismal look she was pleased the whelping was about. Holding an arm out she extended it and coaxed the blue whelping down. He fidgeted then released a parchment from between his snout, dropping it and whirling about.

"What is wrong?" bent over to recover the item Oneille watched as the creature eventually came close hovering as he watched her intently.

"A letter for me, no less from Leothiel!" grinning she dropped her satchel and unfurled the parchment reading but then falling deathly pale when she scanned the letter.

"Goddess!" staring dead on at the parchment she cried hard as Leothiel described the visions, the sacrifices, and himself being helpless to stop it all.

Oneille's slim hand passed over the ink and the scribbles but she saw the water stains, "Are these...from tears?" Shaking Oneille claspsed the letter to her chest crunching the parchment. Falling to her knees the female elf sobbed like a child in a fit. Unable to pick herself up she made a small scene just outside a local vendor, but gathering what strength she had she pulled upright. Wiping away a flood or tears she watched the poor whelping flurry about with no idea what to do.

"I know Azureus...I will reply back with my word but this...this..news you bring...gives me no comfort."

Walking away to the inn the warlock sets to work getting a room and settling into the routine of writing her love back.

Dearest Leothiel
I have the translation book found at Dire Maul. It is currently in my possession but what concerns me more is the letter you send and what is entailed...these visions are truly frightening. As lost as I am in this plight I cannot help you, I know this fight is something you're struggling with alone...but you're not alone! Never! You said that sometimes the path of darkness is one traveled alone, you're wrong! You've me! I won't let you fall...let me be your light...<the letter trails off to a few scribbles>

As she rolls the parchment up and hands it over to the little whelping she hesitates, "Azureus, swiftly return this to your master! Waste no time!" Catching on the little whelping grabbed the parchment and flew off.

"For all of us...please hurry..."

[Leothiel]

*From the journal entry of Thieldren Frosthawk, the afternoon after the godhood vision*

This afternoon, my brother caught up with me for lunch. He had much to talk about. All I could do was listen. Power is one thing that we all crave including myself but what is its price when it means torment? The warlock Oneille must have made a mark on him considering his charms are going to her and no one else.

I asked him if it was with Oneille in Mulgore where he had the idea of spending time back in Quel'thalas and he replied with "You can see through lies and my answer is yes." He went into detail on the disturbing visions that have plagued him for the past several weeks and the night of rest in Outland. He also talked about the appointment with the priests this morning.

What Leothiel found out how magic is more dangerous to the practioners who were not previously attuned. Exposure to pure magic can also trigger this and they need a constant source of magic. The destruction of the Sunwell can be fatal but its destruction cut off magic and left a longing. Those who "starved" themselves became the wretched. Leothiel has been fighting against becoming a wretched. He also revealed something to me that I am not to write or tell anyone.

I saw something similiar with Remtheras before my desertion in Outland. Now it's affecting my last brother.

===
*Later that afternoon*

Leothiel was enjoying the views of the beach when he recognized a small blue dot that was fluttering. It was Azureus with the reply from Oneille. The news of the reply excited him. He'd rather skip the reading and have a picnic first.

[Oneille]

Though both mage and warlock were happy for the chance to escape official duty there remained an order of business between both. After an extensive tribe meeting the two ventured off to a local shoreline for a well deserved picnic. Seems that Leothiel is notorious for plucking away the heroine and swiftly taking her to the nearest beachfront for a picnic or a swim. One would be correct in the assumption. Oneille and her love transfered the open forests of Eversong to find a suitable locale for drink, talk, and even a swim!

Both Leothiel and Oneille could only think to stare at each other with a lover's gaze till the matter at hand broke the mood. There was the topic of discussion...the information Oneille had gathered: from what she has learned in her travels for a translation book from Dire Maul, it was discovered that during the reign of Azshara and at the height of the highborne's glory many highborne families chose to selectively breed themselves for magical perfection. This all seemed to be followed by the notion that some female highborne died from magical withdrawal while pregnant. Pregnant females would die in child birth, give birth to still borns, or even expire before they came to full term. Such greedy persistence to create the perfect child left both the mother and baby in great peril.

Such dire news left Oneille on the verge of tears but Leothiel with greater identity to what his ailments were about. In the mix of all the pain and harrowing nightmares, only the cool breeze and cool waters were able to make the evening even greater for both.

[Leothiel]

After parting ways with Oneille, Leothiel went to bed refreshed and with his greater love for her on his mind. That night, his tormenting dream was interrupted by sense of solace when a blue drake changed into her Quel'dorei form and talk with him. Leothiel woke up in the middle of the night still sweating but the words "Mazthoril" and "alone" stuck with him the most. He tosses and turned for the rest of the night. At the first hint of daylight, he looked around to find the place where Azureus fell asleep was gone: He had flown off.

Azureus was more than a companion pet: He was a lifeline and a messenger. Leo recalled that Azureus had went to Mazthoril the first time he flew off in fear. Thieldren looked after the whelpling that time until Leothiel's rescue.

Later in the day, he talked with Oneille. "I must go to Mazthoril. Alone." They kissed as he left Dalaran. The weather in Winterspring was a blinding snowstorm. Leothiel mounted on his talbuk stag and rode towards the cave. The dragonkin gave him notice but they neither greeted nor attacked him. He still didn't trust their temperament so he went invisible as long as he could. He found the rune being patrolled by some drakes. "If I can touch that without them attacking" he thought. He stepped on the rune, and the next thing he saw was the high elfin visage of Haleh, the blue flight's matron protector.

"I am surprised at your timing," she said, "Considering how valuable Azureus is to you, I thought you would have been here late last night when you became aware of his absence."

Leothiel replied with "You called me during something... major."

"As in one of your... tormenting nightmares?"

Leothiel spoke hesitantly "Y.. Ye... Yes."

"Azureus is more of a runt for a dragon, but he is safe under my watch. His mind is connected with yours which is why he is frightened and ran away. I have something for you that will help you stave off those tormenting visions, but you need to answer for a certain crime."

Leothiel's blood went from running cold in the snowstorm to even colder at the word "crime." "What crime do you speak of, Matron?"

"That is something you will need to answer to Alexstrazsa about. I have the power to take you to her but I won't exercise it. You are too well-traveled and can be anywhere in two worlds in a matter of minutes. Return to me when your crime is atoned for."

Leothiel knew what Haleh was talking about: He had taken a seed from the Nordrassil of the Third War right before the combined stand. Haleh turned around. Leothiel went to ask but felt a "Silence" from her to where he could not speak. He quietly mounted up and headed to Everlook.

He re-gained his speaking near Everlook and teleported to Dalaran. From Dalaran, he went to Wyrmrest Temple to find Alexstrazsa. She quietly whispered to him "Meet me at the Wrath Gate" then saw her transform into her dragon form. He quietly mounted on his hippogryph and flew towards the gate. He steadily grew more fearful at every new stroke of the wings.

After he landed, he felt the peace that surrounded the Life-Binder but he was afraid of courting the dragon's wrath. Alexstrazsa did not speak to him loudly even in her dragon form. Her voice was one of peace despite his crime. "You are to return the stolen seed to its proper place and time. It must also be buried under the Well." Those words made Leothiel even more scared for his first visit to that Well resulted him weakening him and possibly starting his physical transformation. He tried to keep a face of courage. "You are still afraid of weakness. You may bring someone with you but when the Tree is in view, they need to stand back. You must do this without their aid." Leothiel's blood grew cold. He re-mounted and left to prepare for an assault on the Scourge.

[Oneille]

Nestled away in the warmth of her bed rested Oneille. Since the departure of Leothiel the warlock could only sleep and dream of he who has won her heart. The night calls of Dalaran carried on the wind as the sleepling elf tossed in her bed. Lingering in the back of her mind was a fear, a fear of someone or something taking away her love...her life. Fighting unknown forces the sudden appearance of daylight broke the trance of sleep. Sitting upright with a start Oneille clutched the sheets close to her chest as she panted. Red nails dug into the silken bedsheets as she choked back a gasp.

"Mmm, sunrise?" tossing the covers aside Oneille proceeded to grab her robe and make her way to the bathing chamber. In the tiled room was the obvious tub but Oneille's attention drifted to the basin and pitcher. Lifting the heavy pitcher carefully she watched as the cool water powered into the wide basin below. As carefully as she lifted it Oneille sat the pitcher down. Cool, gliding water graced her hands as she cupped the water then a cascade of coolness swept over her face.

"Burrr!" bracing herserlf Oneille made a face of suprise as the water hit her face. Grabbing for a nearby cloth she patted her face dry until she looked at herself in the mirror. Before her stood a woman elf whose knowledge and prowess goes far beyond what others may think.

After a refresing herself further Oneille left the bathing room and made her way to the bedroom hoping to dress and be on her way to Icecrown. There was a nagging at her heels a certain threat she couldn't shake. Letting the thought slip pass, she shrugged the hesitation and began to clothe herself.

As the morning routine subsided, Oneille flipped her long tresses out the crimson locks furling about her fair skinned face. Feeling satisfied with her appearance she prepared to leave until her beloved made his return.

"Leothiel!" Arms found him and held him close but the feelings were not recipocated. "Beloved?"

The mage felt rigid, unmoveable. Leothiel looked as though stone. "Love? What is wrong?"

Somewhere between morning brunch and afternoon the mage unraveled his doings and his account spoke of venturing once again to the Caverns of Time.

[Asarelah]

Nightwarder Asarelah browsed the merchants in Wyrmrest Temple as she awaited the arrival of Ambassador Frosthawk and his beloved Lady.

Concentrating on her hearthstone and directing her mind vision toward Leothiel, she could hear the rumblings deep within his thoughts, and feel the molten fire still burning, harsh and hot....