The Unholy Legions of Anti-Sanctus Chaotica, a Warhammer Online Destruction Regiment, Part 2: A lifetime ago... (Skeech and Brikz backstory... warning VERY long)

Soft light filtered through stained glass windows bathing the room in vibrant colors. It was late into the dawn hours yet two entwined lovers slept from the previous nights passion. The woman slender and pale with skin like velvet opened her eyes to gaze upon her lover. Chestnut hair cascaded down her beautiful face like loving hands on her cheeks. Her pale blue eyes drinking in the colored light wiping away the cobwebs of sleep. Her hand touched the man beside her, he was in many ways her opposite. His tanned skin rippled with lithe muscle as he shifted in restless sleep. His blond hare cropped short revealing scars from recent battles.

With a sigh he awoke and looked over with eyes the color of emeralds, “The soft bed and your insatiable apatites will be the death of me. Sleeping past dawn would have my lord in a fury.”

He drew her in and kissed her deeply ending in a content sigh, “I would gladly face a thousand legions to make this last forever.”

The woman with mischief in her eyes moved her hands across his stomach, “My appetites are found wanting, would you deny me my sustenance Grothrel?”

“I can deny you nothing as my heart has been stolen and locked safely in your care.”, Grothrel whispered.

Both aching with wanton lust pressed ever closer as time suspended in bliss. It was clear nothing would come of the day until both supped from the cup of desire.

The sun hung low when the lovers finally were ready to meet the world. The man named Grothrel dressed in a white tunic and a surcoat made from fine silver scales. A great leafblade sword hung from his back along with a willow bow aged to a deep gray. The woman had on a simple gown blue as the sky which flowed in the afternoon breeze. They were beautiful even by elven standards and the eyes of the deep forest fell on them. Their hands brushed each other before parting to receive their penance for duties left undone. Both went to their punishment with smiles and lingering memories of their tryst.

The elven beauty was named Elothyel and she was a rising new maiden for the Everqueen. Her oath to the queen required purity yet who could resist the advances of her Gothrel? He was young, but already a captain in the sea guard. They met during a gathering for the queen and the fates spun a web of desire so strong a thousand unicorns could not break it. Their duties took them far from each other however once every few moon cycles they had s single day to consummate their love. Two full years had past since their first parting yet the pain wained no less each time since.

As Elothyel moved through the forest a shadow moved with her. She was aware of its presence yet seemed unconcerned. It had been this way for weeks now but today it seemed deeper more substantive.

She paused when in her head a voice whispered from the depths,”Are you not afraid of me child? Are you not concerned that I know your secrets?” it crooned.

She spoke aloud even though there was no sound to this voice, “I have sensed you spirit for many days now but you have remained silent. Why do you choose today to speak with me?”

It simpered, “I have watched you for much longer then you know child. You have great potential and our destiny is entwined.”

With curiosity Elothyel asked, “How so spirit? How do you know of me and what do we have to gain from each others company?”

“We are one child. I am no spirit, I am a part of you locked away only now to awaken. The shadow you have seen is how I manifest in your mind when present, I am no shadow that others can see.” it replied. “We are bound to the same body and mind. You can awaken me further and as reward I can share knowledge of power beyond any who teach you now.”

Intrigued and scared Elothyel whispered to herself, “Am I mad... has the winds of magic claimed my mind...” She quickly shook off that idea as impossible. She was a maiden and had risen to teach the young ones aspiring to be maidens themselves. She was trusted by the queen and any sign of insanity would quickly show. “Alright since clearly I am not mad, you must have a name. What shall I call you?”

The voice declared warmly, “You may call me Magrel. Now I will leave you for a while child. When the moon is new travel to the caves north of here where beasts refuse to enter.” With those last words in her head the voice and shadow disappeared.

Two weeks had passed when the moon was but a sliver in the sky. Elothyel in that time had found it easier to harness the winds and grew in power at such a rate it was commented on by others. She knew that her powers were a gift from Magrel, but it had not shown up since they last spoke. As she worked her way into the mountains shadows grew deeper and the presence of Magrel was once again among them. When she approached the caves a sense of trepidation hit her. She knew somehow that this was a crossroads and she must decide the path of her life. At the same moment the voice of Magrel came to her.

“What is it child, why do you pause? Have the gifts not pleased you? Your powers are greater then anything you may face in these caves I assure you.” The insistence grew with each passing word.

Elothyel gave pause then replied, “I am not scared of what is in there, but of what will come to be. Your gifts have pleased me but those gifts can also be taken away.”

A laugh echoed in her head, “Young one why would I do that. My existence is bound to your prosperity. As you grow in power the possibility of being made whole becomes greater.”

With the path decided in her mind, Elothyel moved closer to the caves and with one last look over the deep forests below entered the darkness. Hues of blues and purples greeted her keen eye sight strained by the lack of light. Water trickled down the walls creating an organic pulsing like the mountain itself was alive but slumbering. The passage opened into a small cavern glowing with phosphorescent light which emanated from mushrooms lining the walls. A dark pool of water gathered in the center reflected the light like a mirror.

“Walk to the pool child, I have something to show you.”, Magrel urged. “This night you retrieve something that has been lost for countless years well hidden from those who seek it.”

Elothyel moved closer to the pool, captivated by the cascading light of the pool. As she grew closer her reflection came into focus. Her attention became fixated on the eyes staring back at her, made even more pale in the dim light.

“Child stare into the pool, focus on the depths below. Picture in your mind a book bound in dark leather. Concentrate on this book with edges worn from centuries of use, with pages gilded in blues and gold. Now think child of the words Libri Silens Insania... Recite the words child and its power shall be yours.”

Elothyel gazed past her own image and thought of this book being described to her. Her lips moved silently wording the books name. The dark pool began to show a faint glow rising from far away. The silhouette of a book formed as it grew closer. Gilded words flashed in the light displaying Libri Silens Insania and she reached out yearning to feel its pages. Her hands slid into the pool, warm almost hot like when first entering a bath. Her hands reached further until she felt the texture of leather and a great weight as if the book was mired in mud. She pulled firmly and with a sudden release the book was free of its prison in the dark depths.

“How is this possible?”, Elothyel said. “How did you know the book was in this cave?”

Magrel laughed, “The book was not in this cave child, but trapped in the dark recesses found in shadow. The pool allowed you to retrieve the volume from this place only because you knew its name and had the power to make it whole once again.”

Elothyel opened the book to a random page and found the symbols unrecognized by her. As her eyes shifted over the page they seemed to crawl away from her attention and shift in a way that made her eyes water.

“What language is this? The symbols move making them impossible to read. The same lines look different each time I view them.”

Again laughter echoed in her mind, “The book is written in every language yet at the same time none of them. Only through practice and my training can you read what is meant to be seen within these pages.”

The moon hung full and luminous over ancient woods. Waves washed ashore creating a soothing hiss on the sands as they retreated with the tides. Gothrel had been gone for two months on a mission to the human lands and ached with longing for his love. He rushed to their spot in the woods driven by anticipation, the little cottage coming into view as he crested a hill. He moved like a snake through the trees slowing only when a few feet from the door. Time was short and his hunger to great for the beautiful face he left months before. He slipped into the common room to find the place in disuse and a fine film of dust undisturbed hung heavy over everything.

Confused Gothrel moved through the place, surely his love got the note he sent in advance. Even if not the place should still breath life from her use during their time apart. Dread creeping into his heart he rushed from the place. Something was very wrong and he could think of nothing but harm to his beloved that would restrain her from being there. His feet flicked across the ground as he ran to the Queens halls. Only there could the answers he sought be found, damn the consequences of their love finally revealed.

As he arrived to great buildings shimmering white in the moonlight, acolytes looked up at his frantic face. A maiden for the queen moved to intercept him concerned at his behavior.

“What is the matter Captain, why do you rush to us in such a state? What is so urgent that you grace my students at this hour?” She asked.

Gasping for breath he replied, “Elothyel, where is she? Is she hurt, has something happened to her?”

The maiden's features darkened at the name, “We have not seen Elothyel for over a month now. She started acting oddly a few weeks after you left, her students left without a teacher. We searched for her, but she was not found, her home in the woods left empty already for days.”

“I must find her she could be injured or in danger. Where could she be?”, his anguish clearly painted on his face. Thoughts ran through his head as images of distress played out before his eyes. “You must help me find her!”

“We have already looked and found nothing of where she went captain. Why are you so distraught over a maiden you hardly knew?”, she replied. He shot her a look of pure desperation and with it revealed what he could not bring himself to speak. The maiden looked shocked then her features softened in sympathy, “I... We never knew... How long have you two been in love? Why did you not make your relationship known to the Everqueen Captain Gothrel?”

The weight of the secret revealed brought Gothrel to his knees, “The first time we met. We meant no harm by it... how could love bring harm. Our paths were lead in separate directions yet we could not deny what we have. Please I beg you, please tell our Queen and implore her forgiveness on our behalf.”

“That is something you should do in person Captain. I cannot say what will happen, but the Queen is forgiving especially in the ways of love. Now follow me and I will seek an audience for you.”, the maiden turned to wave the Captain forward into the hall, but her gaze fell to empty space. With a sigh she went through the doors ready to inform her queen on these concerning events.

Gothrel was days into his search that scoured the vast forests he called home. He avoided others in fear they would drag him back to the queen. He would gladly answer for any injustice he may have caused but only after he knew Elothyel was safe. His legs failing from fatigue he stumbled up to some caves for an hours rest. Frustration showed plainly as trails of dried tears etched through the grime on his face. He slumped against the cave wall ignoring the cold water seeping through the back of his armor. His eyes fluttered closed giving fitful respite from his sorrow. As he drifted of to dream, he heard a light chanting coming from deeper in the cave. His fatigue was too great to care and slumber consumed him.

When Gothrel awoke it was to frantic talking. He tried opened his eyes and strained to see in the dim glow of the cavern. As he went to sit up he felt tight restraints hold him in place. Still very weak from days of prolonged searching without sleep or food, his muscles gave out quickly. As his ears drew his attention he realized that the speaker was his beloved. He had found Elothyel and weeped openly in relief. His sobs did not go unnoticed and a face moved into view.

What he saw shocked him. It was Elothyel, but she was almost unrecognizable. Her soft features were replaced by a gaunt almost hawkish face. Her eyes rimmed with red and darkened by fatigue scanned over him and dirty hands clawed at his chest.

“So you have returned then. You dare show yourself to me!”, her filthy hand slapping him in the face. “BETRAYOR!”

The strike burning hot on his cheeks Gothrel pleaded, “I do not understand love. How have I betrayed you? I would never harm you!”

“LIAR!”, her hand striking him again. “I have been shown the future. I have seen what you become. Your self indulgent nature, the whores you covet. You will betray me and cast me aside from boredom!”

Confused Gothrel stared at the creature before him so changed from what she was, “How can you know this? My heart is pure and only longs for you! I love you Elothyel, I always will. Anything you have seen was not true. It cannot be true. I do not understand.”

“Magrel told me your tongue would be twisted with lies. The book knows, it has shown me the truth and now you will suffer like I have suffered.” Elothyel replied. “The book has shown me how the Queen mocks me and the maidens laugh. They will pay for their cruelty and Magrel has shown me how.”

Gothrel struggled at his bonds, “What have you become? Who is this Magrel you speak of? My love please... please come back to me. No one is laughing at you, I am sure the Queen is worried and wants you safe like I do.”

She looked down at her lover with cruel eyes and erupted in laughter. Muttering to herself she leaves his side and walks over to a book resting on a table. Placing a hand on it lovingly and she gently flips through the pages. Her eyes staring down intently looking at the words, drinking in what they have to say. After a while she closes the book and comes back into Gothrel's view.

“You shall suffer greatly now lover and know that your Queen shall suffer greatly with you. Her children will burn this coming night while they are sleeping. Their cries will echo in the queens ears until the day she dies.” Elothyel gently kissed her lover before leaving the cavern. Gothrel's pleading drowned out by her laughter as she entered the night.

Gothrel awoke some time later after succumbing to his exhaustion. The tight bonds that bound him were somehow gone though he knew not how. Through the fog of waking the conversation with Elothyel washed down his spine like icy water. Leaping to his feet he sprinted out the into the night air crisp with dew from the impending sun rise. Down in the valley of the Everqueen several miles away he could see a strange red glow framing the maidens courtyard. His feet moved before his mind could take in the vision he saw, racing down the mountain side into the forest below. Branches and undergrowth whipped at him like lashes forming deep welts on his skin. He pressed on pushing faster trying to will the miles between him and his destination to disappear.

It took him only a short time before the flames crowned the trees in light overhead. Gothrel could hear the screams long before his legs brought him into the courtyard. He finally entered the clearing of the court to find one of the buildings lit up in flame. It did not curl and move with the usual grace of fire, but left the building unharmed spiraling angrily upwards into the sky like a beacon. Its blood red color casting a murderous hue over the scene in front of him. Bodies lay withered at his feet consumed and broken by some unknown force.

Gothrel watched as an archmage used winds of magic to dampen the fire, tendrils of ice crystals met the red flame and only seemed to intensify it. As the spell was maintained the flame started to creep down the spells path. A look of horror came across the mage's face as she tried to pull her arm away but it seemed stuck, drawn to the fire racing to her fingertips. The fire engulfed her and she struck such a note of agony in her screams that Gothrel fell to his knees. Her body raised into the air contorted with pain and shriveled before his eyes only to fall dead in front of him. Nothing would stop this fire from completing its work.

A hand gripped his shoulder and a face came into view. It was the same maiden he had spoke to days earlier a look of anguish on her face, “You must come with me. The Queen seeks to speak with you. We must make sense of what is happening this night.”

Grothrel stood on shaky legs and followed numbly as screams still sounded from within. From his time here at court he knew that several hundred children slept inside during their training and testing. They would all be consumed and Elothyel was the hand that struck this murderous blow. As his thoughts drifted over these horrors, his eyes fell on the Queen laying among her followers. Her right arm twisted and shriveled like the countless bodies in the courtyard.

Shifting her eyes to gaze on Grothrel her words come softly, “Captain you have much to tell me. A great wound has been given to us and it cannot go unpunished.”

Her eyes changing colors from deep greens to autumn browns follow his look of trepidation at her arm, “Ah... We attempted to contain the flames and save the children. This was a powerful and dark magic that befell us tonight, so many have died.”

She looked back at him with crystal blue tears which sprouted flowers when they hit the ground, “My wounds will heal but so much innocence and purity has been extinguished this night. You are indebted to these lost souls and your first payment shall be to tell me your story and that of Elothyel.”

Grothrel sat heavily on the ground and retold his story as the screams quieted around him finally finding release in death.

Many days later Grothrel looked into a mirror as he fitted his armor and weapons. Haunted eyes looked back at him as his fingers worked from memory. The Queen would live, but when the count was done four hundred and twelve bodies were buried. It would take many months for the Queen's wounds to heal properly and only because of her power was she not consumed whole. He turned to leave the cottage that once held such fond memories. His task was simple, to atone for his own crimes of passion he must bring to justice Elothyel. By capture, blade, or arrow she must be punished for her crimes.