The Final Act Part 1

Written by Biara

*Felo'melorn Spire, Quel'Thalas, Evening*

Selenthiel felt restless and uneasy, as if there were a storm in the air fast approaching Quel'Thalas even though the land was never ravaged by nature. Unable to sleep, she had decided to take a walk through the dark halls of Felo'melorn spire in the hopes that the exercise would ease her mind or at least tire her enough to find rest. Many thoughts circled through her mind; little details of her meeting with Kyliska coming back to her and being turned and prodded as if to study the details. It was rare for her serenity to be so disrupted, and she knew that it was a sign that matters were even more dire than they first appeared.

I may need to bring war to our enemies. War in a time when we have seen so much bloodshed, so much destruction already. It is amazing to me that Biara ever could turn a hand towards this bloody trade, or that she could sleep at night when she did so. Did she have no reservations?

The thought swirled through her mind over and over and she walked down the long corridor, the magical lights illuminating it leaving small pools of cool soft light inter-spaced with long stretches of darkness. She felt as if she floated in the void each time she left the embrace of the light, and her dark thoughts intensified each time she did. Something nagged at the back of her mind, a siren call of warning that she could not shrug off. In the darkness she murmured a prayer of protection to the light.

The spire rumbled.

Selenthiel paused, her eyes wide. She had felt the stones almost lurch beneath her feet, and she reached out to place the flat of her palm against the cool marble of the corridor wall. For a moment, all was silent, and then the spire rumbled again, this time much more vigorously, as if the earth sought to throw the structure into ruin. Selenthiel gasped aloud, stumbling sideways and using her hand against the wall to keep herself upright.

The rumbling stopped a moment later only to renew in intensity. Distant sounds echoed through the hallway, and Selenthiel found herself tensely tilting her head, her long ears picking up the sounds of shouts in the distance. A second later the air before her shimmered, and a floating orb of magic appeared before her, twinkling in the gloom of night.

The voice of her sister Tyavel spat from the orb, urgency and strain in her tone, "Selenthiel! Someone is trying to breach our wards! Our spire is under assault! I will hold them back as much as I am able, but you must get to safety and then rally my apprentices! Go quickly! I cannot locate Andithiel!"

Selenthiel gasped as the orb was snuffed out. She lurched away from the wall, stumbling as the tower rumbled again before bursting into a full sprint down the hallway, her long gown trailing behind her and her footsteps echoing through the corridor. She dashed past closed doors and side corridors, her mind fixated on one singular thought that screamed in her mind.

"Because if we are to attack Seluna, that artifact needs to be kept safe at all costs. She cannot by no means ever get her hands on that artifact. Do you understand me?" Kyliska's voice seemed to yell in Selenthiel's thoughts.

Selenthiel rounded a corner, skidding to a halt as she almost ran into a group of House Felo'melorn guards heading in the opposite direction. She reached out, grabbing the arm of the sergeant in charge of the group, her voice a panting gasp, "We need to get to the eastern sanctum right away! Attackers are breaching our wards and I think I know where they're headed!"

Not even waiting for a response, Selenthiel turned and dashed down the hallway she'd pointed towards, the sounds of the guards' boots pounding behind her as they hurried to catch up with the Lady of the house. Ahead, Selenthiel could hear the sounds of combat as intruders tried to force their way into the corridor through several interconnected hallways.

"Quickly! We need to secure those openings. Three of you come with me into the sanctum! We need to secure that artifact!" Selenthiel shouted.

Her elven defenders responded to her commands instantly, several rushing down the side hallways to reinforce the beleaguered defenders and three of them following in Selenthiel's wake as she ran towards a closed set of double doors at the end of the hallway.

Selenthiel reached the doors and shoved them open, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked into the circular room beyond. With a sigh of relief she saw that the chamber was empty with the exception of a singular column of glowing blue arcane magic. Within the magic hung the half-tattered remains of a spellbook, a fragmented jewel glittering on the cover.

Selenthiel allowed herself a moment to breathe as her men filed into the room behind her. With a grim expression on her face, she slammed the doors leading into the chamber, laying a hand against them and activating wards that Tyavel had been wise enough to add in the event of an emergency.

"We cannot allow them to take this room, do you understand?" Selenthiel said, turning to face her men. "We must defend this artifact at all costs."

One of the elves nodded grimly, offering Selenthiel a salute, "Lady Felo'melorn, our lives are yours. We'll fight for you to the bitter end."

Selenthiel offered him a smile, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder and blessing him with her Light. "Let us hope that things do not become that dire. My sister is even now working to close the breaches in our defenses."

She moved into position behind the men, all four of them watching the barrier warily, hearing the sounds of combat echoing from the corridors beyond. Although Selenthiel mourned that she could not aid those of her House fighting outside of the chamber, she knew what dire consequences there would be if the room fell to the enemies of her House.

A moment later one of the doors shuddered as someone on the outside attempted to pull it open and was repelled by the wards. Muffled curses could be heard and then more pounding as weapons were used to strike the magically-reinforced wood. The barricade shuddered again as it was struck repeatedly, the attackers seeking to break it down.

Inside the chamber, Selenthiel and her men became tense as the assault on the door intensified. Each of them drew weapons, preparing themselves for the inevitable battle to come. A moment later the doors began to glow as magic struck them, until finally they both burst inward in a shower of broken splinters. Selenthiel's defenders shielded their eyes to avoid the flying debris as Selenthiel chanted, weaving protective wards over them to keep them safe from harm.

For a moment the gaping doorway was empty, the darkness of the hallway beyond filled only with faint silhouettes. A second later there was a shout and a half-dozen Sin'dorei attackers rushed into the room, weapons raised as they slammed into the thin line of defenders that Selenthiel lead. Behind them the darkness seemed to stir, vomiting out a black-haired, pale Sin'dorei with glowing blue eyes and a lacy black dress.

Ignoring the physical attackers for a moment, Selenthiel's eyes widened as she recognized Seluna Dawnsea. She brought her hands up, weaving holy spells around her and creating a burst of light in the room that made the other elf hiss in pain and shield her face. A moment later Seluna retaliated, tendrils of shadow whipping from her extended wrist and slamming into Selenthiel's shield, forcing the elf backwards and gouging deep ruts in the wall and floor around her.

In front of Selenthiel her men fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, swords flashing and warcries rising as elf fought elf in vicious melee. Selenthiel attempted to cast a healing spell, only to find Seluna's magical assault intensifying, interrupting her spells at crucial moments. In desperation, Selenthiel lashed out, a prayer to the Light flashing across the distance and slamming into Seluna's wards, making the elf shriek in pain.

Like a beast Seluna growled, the sound deep and echoing as if it came from beneath the ground. With a smirk on her face she quickly switched her focus, her spells slashing out into Selenthiel's men, cutting their protective wards to shreds. One of them was whipped across his torso, his blood spilling on the marble floor as he was thrown backwards. Another found his weapon grasped by a tendril of shadow just as he needed to defend himself, his enemies stabbing him brutally and then falling on the last of Selenthiel's defenders.

As the last elf fell to the marble floor with a clatter, the remaining attackers approached Selenthiel warily. The High Priestess of House Felo'melorn frowned, bringing her hands up in prayer, Light slashing outwards from her and burning those who would dare defile her house and home. Although Seluna attempted to shield her men, her darkness was overcome by the Light, and several of the elves stumbled backwards, immolated by holy flames.

"Enough!" Seluna shouted. With a snarl she extended her hands, whips of shadow magic striking out at Selenthiel's shields again and again. The High Priestess stumbled backwards as her wards failed one by one, gasping as here a tendril whipped her leg and there a spell burned her upper arm.

Seluna advanced across the room, mercilessly whipping Selenthiel with darkness, shredding the remaining defenses that the priestess had conjured, her power glowing purple in the dim room. Selenthiel cried out as she was thrown to the floor, shadowy tendrils whipping her again and again, her blood running from cuts on her arms, her legs, her torso, and even her cheek. Her dress was tattered, and her magic could barely keep her conscious as her enemy loomed over her.

Seluna smirked, reaching into the column of arcane magic in the center of the room. As her hand touched the blue light, darkness flowed from her flesh, corrupting the magic until it had turned purple. With a triumphant look on her face Seluna grasped the tattered book before looking down at the priestess laying on the floor at her feet.

"And so House Felo'melorn learns the lesson that all must learn; you will not stand against my will, my power. Go now into death knowing that you have given me the final key, the final piece I needed to complete my work and restore Quel'Thalas to the glory it once had...under my leadership," Seluna gloated.

She pointed down at Selenthiel, a tendril of shadows extending from her hand and wrapping around the wounded priestess's throat, the magic beginning to choke her as it squeezed her flesh. Even as Selenthiel gasped for breath, a disturbance could be heard in the hallway beyond.

Seluna's head whipped around as one of the guards at the doorway fell, an arrow protruding from his eye. Before anyone could react a second guard fell, an arrow in his heart, the projectiles flying from the dark corridor beyond with unerring accuracy. One of Seluna's men brought his shield up and an arrow found the artery at his groin. Another sought to shelter by crouching low and was struck in the head, falling unconscious from the blow to his helmet.

Seluna snarled, her power wrapped more tightly around Selenthiel's neck as an armored and armed elf stepped into the light of the chamber, a bow held taught in his hand, its arrow aimed at Seluna's heart.

"Ah, and so the favored son of the House seeks to be the hero," Seluna snarled. "Step no closer, or my power will snap your sister's neck like a twig."

Andithiel paused, staring hard at Seluna, his bow held steady and his voice stern, "You will follow her into death, monster." He took another step, circling to the right.

Seluna snarled, her magic tightening and causing Selenthiel to cry out, "If you seek to test my compassion or mercy you will find I have none to spare. I will slaughter her, and your arrow will do little to stop me. This is your last chance. Leave now and you will have lost only a sister and a tattered old book. Test me and you will join her in death."

Andithiel looked down at Selenthiel, studying her wounds and the blood on the ground. After a moment of consideration, he spoke softly, "Take me as hostage in exchange for her life."

Seluna's eyes widened for a moment, and her grip on Selenthiel lessened somewhat, "It has been long since I have seen such bravery. Long ago there was an elf, a brave, strong, handsome elf who displayed such qualities. One who understood honor. Honor that has been lost in these dark days. I am impressed, heir to Felo'melorn. Do you mean these words?"

Andithiel lowered his bow slightly, nodding, "I do. Take me and leave my sister alive. I will not fight you if she lives."

Seluna paused, the tension in the air like a storm between them. After a moment, she loosened her grip further, nodding, "I accept. Lower your weapon and she will go free."

Andithiel nodded, carefully setting his bow down on the ground beside him. Seluna smirked, her magic releasing Selenthiel who groaned in a half-unconscious state on the marble floor. She walked towards Andithiel, a hand reaching out to caress his face and making him nearly wretch from her touch, "Such honor and strength. When I complete my ritual and bring my beloved back, you will make a lovely vessel for him! Come, let us go towards our destiny."

With that she reached out and grabbed Andithiel, shadows wrapping around them and then dispersing. When the magic was gone, the two were gone.

A moment later the tower rumbled one last time and footsteps pounded down the long corridor outside the chamber. Tyavel burst into the room, a number of her apprentices in tow and all of them armed to the teeth with magical artifacts, staves, wands, and with spells at their fingertips.

Tyavel paused, surveying the room before rushing over to Selenthiel. She knelt beside her sister, rolling her onto her back and sighing in relief as she saw that her wounds were not fatal. She glared as she turned her head, seeing the dark purple column of magic where her spells had been corrupted.

From the ground beside her, Selenthiel coughed once, her voice a whisper in the stillness of the chamber, "S-she....took....A-andi....Andithiel...S-seluna...Dawnsea."

Although Selenthiel could not see the expression on Tyavel's face, the apprentices with her could and all took an involuntary step back as they witnessed actual rage pass across her features. Tyavel rose, a storm in her eyes as she stared into the glowing purple column of magic. Her voice was cold and tense, like the most wicked winter wind.

"Get our scrying orb ready to contact Kyliska Sunfire and get the rest of the apprentices ready. No one touches my spire, my FAMILY without paying the price. House Dawnsea dies this night."

With that she turned, kneeling beside her sister as her apprentices scrambled to make preparations. Within an hour, a magical signal would go out from the spire, reaching across Quel'Thalas and awakening Kyliska from her slumber to hear the dire news.

To hear of the last offense that either of the two Houses would ever tolerate from Seluna Dawnsea.