Done

        Shadoren walked away from the Shadow Watch base, clearly furious. The fel damned elf.  As he walked towards a clear near the pumpkin patch. A shadow moved out of the corner of his eye.

      "Terefi. I trust you were diligently watching my every move with your sister. I don't trust her."

       A Night Elf clad in rough leathers slipped out of the shadows, looking at Shadoren intently.

       "I know Shad. But she's my sister."

        Ignoring the elf, Shad called down Coletharku, the netherdrake gliding down easily.

        As he mounted, he looked at Terefi, "If she's keeping something from me, Ter, know, I will make her pay if it means Lyc's in trouble. I'm done with sitting by as my friends are hurt. It's time for me to act."

       And with that, Coletharku took off from the ground, leaving the elf staring up at him.

      "You crazy old man..."

                Shad sat there at the workbench idly mending the various pieces of leather and mail the Argents seemed to have in abundance.  Offering, no insisting, his aid in any way possible.  All he could think was his last conversation with Lyc before she had gone off...

           "Keep quiet. I went looking for Daelin. I know what happened to my children."

            The hell did she mean by that?

            "Take care of Elicoor.  Take care of them."

            "I'll do the best I can Lyc. And Lyc. You find these bastards and you make them pay."

            "I will. Don't worry. I know what I have to do."

            "Fel damnit Xana'ri!" he shouts, slipping back into draenei in his frustration.  Slamming his fists into the table, completely ruining the breastplate he had been working on.  Looking at the ruined mail, he sets it aside and sits at the workbench tired and irritated.

            "And now I have to talk to Khoura."

            Clearly unable to do any work, he picks up his cloak and leaves the room he was staying in.  He needed to think.

Resolution?

                Laying in bed he groaned in pain. Whatever was in his head was preventing him from anything. Hearing the Elements. Getting something out to Lycannon. Shadoren lay there in utter misery.  The last few weeks had not been kind to the man, his skin looked paper thin and the wound in his shoulder looked infected, and his eyes looked sad beyond time. With nothing left to do all he had left were his memories, and relive those memories he did...

Karabor One-Hundred and fifty years ago.

                Shad stood at the steps of the beautiful Temple happy to be home again after visiting Lycannon.  As he made his way up the steps and to his home he heard the laughing of children.

                "Daddy, daddy!" a small draenei girl with pigtails and hair as black as night ran up to Shad and jumped into his outstretched arms.

                "Elsila, how is my baby girl?" he smiled fondly as he kissed her forehead.

                "Good! But Jhaedon won't let me go with him to watch him be blessed by the Prophet!"

                A woman walked up behind the girl, looking ever the warrior and clad in shining silver armor, "It's been the only thing he's been talking about for the entire time you've been gone dearheart."

                Looking up Shad's smile beamed with pure love and affection, and he went from the girl to the woman to give her a hug and a kiss, "Of course it's been. He's never been able to focus on much aside from what he's interested."

                Smiling the woman, Merliss, returned the kiss, "And how are Lycannon and the twins?"

                Going back to the girl and picking her up so they could walk to their home, "Good. Lulu is adorable as ever, but no oen could beat my Elsi."

                Elsila wrinkled her nose and stuck it out at Shad, "When is aunt Lyc going to come visit us again daddy?"

                "I don't know baby."

                "Was the trip eventful dearheart?"

                Shad shrugged, "No more than usual. Ran into an orc hunting party somewhere outside Tuurem, and they were respectful enough to let me pass without any issues. Other than that just a lot of walking."

                Smirking Merliss gently nudged Shad's shoulder, "The Light watched over you I'm sure. I know I prayed every night for it to."

                "Father. Father we have a cure for you."

                Broken out of his memories, he heard people. Hurrying down there stairs were Therras, Phasha and Terefi with some vial of something that looked as though a demon had produced it.

                "A cure?" The thought was for some reason foreign to him.

                "Yes Shad, a cure, Stadht concocted it from Khoura's notes."

                Before anything else could be said there was a flash as Lightning shot out of Shadoren's outstretched hand towards where Terefi was standing less than a second ago, only her quick reflexes saving her from the blast.

                "Ha, like I'd let you cure this old fool." the voice coming out of Shadoren's body was cold and dripped with cruelty, and at once Therras had his bow trained on Shad with Terefi easily shifting into a cat and Phasha just standing there, eyes narrowed in anger.

                "I will not let you keep my father." and with that, Shadow energy flowed from her fingers as her eyes were covered in it and the small probe she had put in him to keep an eye on him was instantly connected to her, giving her control of his body, and access to his mind.

                Screaming Shadoren's body went limp as Phasha made him walk over to Terefi, who had shifted back, and take the vial, drinking it with no complaints or resistance, at least right then. As soon as the liquid had been swallowed, Phasha's connection broke and the internal battle began. The concoction working its way through his system getting rid of the toxin implanted.

                Watching intently Terefi and Therras never took their weapons off him, while Phasha just sat there stunned. His memories were left out, and she had seen them all. His friendship with Lycannon, his family, everything.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                After the toxin was clear, Shadoren lay in bed exhausted, barely conscious.

                "Are you sure you have to go? I was just getting used to my little brother again."

                Chuckling Therras rolled his eyes, "Yeah, it's not cool for a guy like me to be living with his brother. Besides, I'll still be around, need to make sure you don't fuck up again." and with that, and his things packed, Therras took off up the stairs to whatever he did in his free time.

                Only Phasha remained, still quiet.

                "Phasha darling, are you alri-"

                "I saw everything Father. You entire life. I think I understand it now...I...I need to go."

                Turning on a hoof she quickly trotted up the stairs, the clop of her hooves fading as she left.

                Sighing, Shad just sat there for a moment and smiled as he heard the Elements whispering again. Perhaps...perhaps thing can get better now.

Surprise...

                Sitting in his bed, Shadoren had looked better. Large bags were under his eyes, his face seemed sunken in and sullen.  On the floor next to where he sat was his brother. His younger screw up of a draenei brother.  However Therras had found him, he didn't care.  He didn't care about much at that given time.  All he could think about was how to fix everything.

                Attacking Kaludra? Threatening McSars? Sure he'd thought about attacking the old man, but he still would have never done anything of the sort. And the probe Phasha placed on him.

                "Damn my daughter and her master of all aspects of the Light..."

                Then he knew. He knew how he could fix everything. How he could make everything go away.  Creeping slowly from his bed. he took one of Therras' hunting knives from its sheath.  Staring at the wicked sharp blade, he knew with certainty he had to do this.

                Lycannon, Phasha, Elicoor, Lulu, Harpagos, Therras...Yas...forgive me. But this is the only way.

                And with those final thoughts, he plunged the dagger towards his heart.

                Only to have his hand stop just short.

                "Wha-"

                "Did you really think I would let be that easy for you Shadoren?"

                Eyes widening, he knew that voice. "Aselleus?"

                "Not quite. Merely an echo, bound to you by the curse your dear friend helped make. Now then Shadoren, while I do not want you dead. Yet. A little pain can suffice"

                And watching in horror, Shad saw his hand take the dagger and plunge it into his shoulder. And yet with the intense pain, he could not find his voice to scream.

                Blood seeped out of the wound, the dagger still firmly planted in his shoulder.

                "Now behave. There is much to do."

                Feeling whatever had his body release its grip, Shad removed the dagger and attempted to heal the wound, only to find the Elements out of his reach.  As quietly as he could, he gathered bandages out of his brother's pack, curled up on his bed, and wept.

Dreams

                Terokkar Forrest was beautiful this time of year.  Before the corruption of the Orcs.  Before everything went to shit.

                Up ahead Shadoren saw a Naaru, but why would one be in the middle of Terokkar?

                "Hello?" his voice echoed as the world around him shifted and he was in what he knew to be Karabor now, the Black Temple.

                Welcome Shadoren. the Naaru's voice echoed in his head.

                "Where am I?"

                The being merely floated there as though expecting Shad to figure it out.

                "I mean, besides Black Temple...why am I here?"

                To understand.

                "Understand what?"

                To understand that what has happened to you is not the end. The Light has not abandoned you.

                "But I'm krokul...the Light was forced away by fel energies..."

                To those you call krokul, yes.  But you were not corrupted by fel energies.  The energy that courses through you is corrupted elemental energy, shaped into a curse that would harm you most.

                "Corrupted...elemental energy?"

                The naaru simply floats there.

                Look within yourself Farseer Shadoren Wavetender of Argus.  Even in your darkest hour, the Light shines within.

                "Wait, who are you?"

                As the naaru faded into nothing, he whispered, S'ren, and the rest of the world faded with him.

                Waking up in Auchindoun still made him jump, as though the spirits of his people were going to come to embrace him.

                "Well, well, well.  Phasha said you'd be here big brother."

Decisions

               Seeing her dressed up in her formal robes made Shadoren's eyes tear up.  Four days he'd been in Shattrath to see his first born daughter become an inducted Aldori priestess and he'd never been so proud.  And now it was time to leave with that pride and her accomplishment intact.

                Moving as quietly as he could to the nearest exit he intended to go to Auchindoun.  If he was going to die, at least he'd be with his people.

                "Father. Where do you think you're going?"

                Turning around, Shadoren found himself with Phasha's accusing glare upon him, her glowing eyes never leaving his, until he had to look away out of guilt.

                "I'm going away for a while dear heart.  There's no need for me here.  Krokrul aren't needed and I'd just get in the way."

                Furiously she walked quickly to him and forced him to look into her eyes, "Now listen to me old man.  I'm not losing you for a second time.  Whatever Aselleus did to you we'll find a way to heal you."

                "With what?" Shadoren exploded, "Neither I nor Terefi can heal the would on my leg.  The Light bends away from the would when it's used, and as for being Krokrul, there's nothing that can reverse that.  Aselleus did exactly what he knew would do the most damage, cripple me and turn me into what our people fear and despise.  So forgive me Phasha if I don't want to stay in Shattrath, where I still feel alienated because I wasn't here to defend it, where at least if I had been infused with the mists then I wouldn't feel like this is my punishment for surviving Karabor when everyone else I knew and loved died."

                And with that, and Phasha's stunned expression, Shad set off for the bridge leading into Terokkar Forrest and towards the Draenei city of the dead.

                "Fath-" before she could even finish the word, with a flick of his wrist backwards a stone wall erupted from the ground stopping her progress.  By the time she went around it, he was nowhere to be seen.

                "Oh mother...what do I do?"

Dreams

                The draenei man lay there, looking as though he was asleep, shifting as though he were dreaming. Or remembering.

Argus, 25000 years ago.               

                The draenei boy ran across the field playing with the girl that was there with him.  It was a simple game of tag, but everything in the world was perfect for them.  Just two friends having fun.

                Finally tiring, both of them collapsed, laying with their heads next to each other.

                "Xana, we'll always be friends, right?"

                "Well duh Shad, we'll be friends..."

Argus, before leaving

                "Xana, I don't understand. It doesn't seem like something Elicoor would do."

                A tall draenei man sat across from a very distraught woman trying to rationalize things.

                "Shad. He killed her...he...my Zorana..."

                "Xana, are you absolutely sure?"

                "Yes fel damnit! I'm sure."

                Shadoren sighed as he looked out the window to see the city of Mac'aree, "It's almost time. Come on."

                Xana'ri nods as she follows Shadoren out the door to where the followers of Velen were to meet, the highest mountain on the longest day of the year. There they waited until the Naaru saved them, barely, from becoming man'ari. The only comfort Shadoren had was that he had seen Elicoor there amongst those that fled. Xana couldn't have been right...

Random planet 10,000 years ago.

                The draenei man paced outside the door, waiting for possibly the most important news of his life.

                "Shad.  Shad.  SHAD!" a woman was sitting, very calmly, at a chair just outside the door, "It's okay.  Merliss will be fine, as will the child."

                "How can you be sure! Light bless. She's been in there for hours Lycannon! Hours!"

                The woman chuckled, "And? It takes time Shad. The priest has to be careful. Perha-"

                The door opened, and a woman, obviously a priestess, smiled at Shad as he rushed to the door looking very anxious.

                "She is ready."

                With one last glance at Lycannon, who just urged him to go in and meet his child, he rushed into the room where his wife and newborn were. He sat there as he watched his beautiful wife hold their child. His first child.

                "Is it a-"

                "He's a boy. Want to come meet him?"

                Nodding dumbly he walked over to where his Merliss was holding his boy. A son...

                "He's so small..."

                "Well did you expect him to come out as big as you are?"

                "What's his name?"

                Smiling at Shadoren, Merliss simply stated, "Jhaedon. After your father. I thought you'd like that."

                Eyes tearing up, Shad just smiled and nodded, reaching a finger out to gently stroke his sons cheek.

                "Jhaedon..."

Draenor, first landing.

                Walking off the ship Shadoren looked at the new landscape that was to be his home.

                "Well, it's pretty." Lycannon walked off to stand next to Shad as other draenei shuffled off the ship to look at their new home.

                Smirking and looking at Lyc, "Very.  I wonder if there are native people. There seem to be animals, " a group of Talbuks ran by, eyeing the newcomers, "Though they look strange."

                "Well. No time to waste kiddies, let's see if we can find ourselves someplace to call our own." Merliss says as she rushes past the two, her children following her...

Tuurem

                "Lycannon, you're using him."

                The woman looks at Shadoren, "And?"

                Shadoren sighs and tries to get it through her head, "You're using Aselleus, and one day he's going to realize it."

                "Please, Aselleus is too oblivious to realize anything."

After the slaughter at Karabor

                The draenei man stood there, his cleric robes covered in blue blood, but not his own.

                Gone. They were all gone.

                Merliss.

                Jhaedon.

                Elsila.

                What about Lycannon and Elicoor? Or the twins Kaludra and Harpagos...

                And with those thoughts, he screamed a blood curdling scream.  The Light had forsaken his family, and now he was forsaking the Light. No more would he be a cleric.

                As these memories were flooding through his head, a single thought entered.

                They're coming.