#young medivh

[sigurdjarlson]

I always found that sweet how a lot of the time in TLG Med would jump to reassure Khadgar or even apologize after snapping at him

And yet in some ways the cruelest thing Medivh said to Khadgar in my opinion was correcting him when he called Karazhan “Our Tower.” And reminding him he was there at his whim and he could send him away at any time.

And he never did apologize for that one and honestly I don’t really blame Med for that per se? It is his tower and Khadgar can’t tell him who is allowed there. What I mean is going by JUST the power dynamic they have as mentor-apprentice, Khadgar is absolutely out of line there

In some ways could have come off quite spoiled and entitled but the thing is I don’t think that was the case at all.

He’s become so comfortable in Karazhan he’d started thinking of it as his home. Then Medivh has in one conversation reminded him it very much was not his home and he could send him away at anytime if he so wished it

He’d finally found someone who cared about him, respected him and treated him as a person. He found a place where he felt he belonged for once in his life and…

No wonder he was so jealous of Garona for a while after that. He’d been reminded that all of it could be taken from him at any moment and here was someone stealing his Master’s attention.

Just thinking about how that jealousy so obviously comes with feeling like he’s not enough and insecurity about his place in Med’s life.

Just very interesting how I think it could very well have went over Med’s head as not that big of a deal too? One of those things he’d be like huh oh yeah I said that? Meanwhile Khadgar is spiraling about it

He could of also been absolutely aware of how harsh it was because Medivh does lash out like that on occasion (especially towards the end of the book as Sargeras gets harder and harder to fight) he can be a little shit we know this

(Don’t really blame him for that given being possessed by the demon lord Sargeras is probably just a teensy bit tiring /s)

Also seen valid and honestly very possibly canon interpretations where he’s also trying to push Khadgar away cuz he knows what’s coming and what Khadgar is going to have to do.

The more attached to him he is the more difficult it will be for Khadgar to do what needs to be done.

What better way to push someone away then hit them right where it hurts?

And yet even then I think those words hurt Khadgar deeper than he’ll ever know :(

[auntarivia]

Alright, there it is.

I have no idea for a title tho.

It's been a while since I read 'The last Guardian', so forgive any inconsistency. Although I feel like the self-insert is the biggest inconsistency here lol.

Also English is not my first language so forgive me any errors as well.

Enjoy.

Echo of their steps and heavy breaths ran through the empty, wet corridors of Karazhan. Julia wasn't with them, but they didn't have time to wait or search for the Librarian, even though it was her plan. Whenever she was...

Scream of pain reached them from the top of the tower. Khadgar cursed under his breath. She was there already.

He burst through the door, with Garona and Lothar right behind him. All three froze in place when they saw the scene in front of them.

The ritual circle was ready, but neither Julia nor Medivh were in it. Instead, the Librarian was lying on the floor with her back naked and covered in blood. She was reaching desperately towards the circle and trying to crawl there, but she was unable to because of the Guardian.

Or whatever he just became, since Khadgar could swear that it wasn't his Master. His face was twisted into some weird demonic features, with a pair of horns growing from his head and eyes burning with green light. He was sitting above Julia, pressing her back with his knee and craving symbols in her back.

So this was that 'Sargeras' the Librarian warned them about.

Medivh, or Sargeras, or whatever it was, turned his gaze towards the intruders and growled like a beast. Librarian also looked up. Her eyes were bloody, tired, and dull. She let out a desperate sigh when she noticed them.

Guardian pushed her away, making her scream from pain once more, and threw himself towards Khadgar. The young mage dodged his attack and gave Garona free access to the demon. She struk him with her arm in the chest, making him lose his breath and take a few steps back. Then she jumped at him, angry like a feral cat, and pushed him to the ritualistic circle. They both fell on the ground and orc pinned Medivh to the floor.

"Khadgar!" yelled Julia with her sore, scared voice.

Garona rolled from the circle just right when Khadgar started the incantation. Medivh got up on his knees and tried to stand up when the circle lighted up with a soft green light. Librarian, despite the obvious pain that has been shaking her body, spread her blood on the edge of the symbol as her eyes started glowing in the same light as the circle.

Medivh let out an inhuman scream as the light started surrounding him and a green mist wrapped around his body. Then suddenly, the demonic attributes left his body and turned into a demonic torso, rising above him from his back.

"Now, Lothar!" Librarian's voice was desperate and full of pain. She knew that they had only once chance and it couldn't go to waste. Her drained face went even more pale when Lothar's sword swung millimetres above Medivh's head, right onto Sargeras' throat, and cut his head off clean. His body exploded with a wave of fel magic, throwing Lothar against the wall and sweeping Garona and Khadgar off their feet.

A silence has occurred as all five of them were laying down, drained by the fight and the ritual. Garona was the first one to manage to get on her feet, but she could only stand in place, confused and unsure who needed her help the most.

Finally, she decided to go towards Lothar, who was the closest to her. She helped him get up, but before any of them were able to say anything, a painful groan of the Librarian brought their attention. Exhausted, woman tried to crawl towards Medivh but was still too weak to manage to move. She gave the other two desperate look that they understood immidetly and went towards the Guardian. Lothar kneeled next to him while Garona walked further to Khadgar.

"He's breathing," said Lothar and looked at Julia. Woman managed to smile softly and then just closed her eyes, as if she finally allowed herself to faint.

***

She woke up feeling her chest burning from pain, and took a deep breath that caused only more agony. She opened her eyes slowly and looked around. She was in her room, the window was covered, and light was dimmed. Her chest was wrapped in a clean bandage, and on a nightstand was a glass of water. She reached towards it and took a few slow sips. Almost as if he was waiting behind the door, Morose walked inside, holding a platter with a bowl of soup.

"Ah, miss Julia, you are awake. I'm glad, " he said in his unnaturally calm voice.

"Morose! Where are they?!" Librarian didn't wait any second to ask what she was worried about.

"Miss Garona and sir Anduin Lothar had to head out almost immidetly after your accident..."

"Good, we can't lose them. But Medivh? And Khadgar?"

Morose hesitated.

"They both are... alive and conscious, but I can't say they got without a scratch. They are now resting and..."

Julia didn't wait for him to finish. She rushed out of the bed and, forcing herself to ignore the agonising pain, threw herself towards the door and corridor.

"Miss, you are almost naked!" yelled Morose after her, although he didn't seem to be really bothered. He knew too well that trifles like that wouldn't stop her.

Julia ran up the stars, jumping over a few steps at the time. She barged into the Medivh's chambers without a warning.

Both Medivh and Khadgar were in Guardian's main room. Medivh was sitting on the couch while Khadgar was standing in front of a mirror with a bowl of water standing next to him. Both men turned towards Julia almost immediately. The

Librarian first looked at Medivh, and after deciding that he was in an acceptable state, turned her gaze towards Khadgar, which caused her to gasp softly. She rushed towards him and then carefully reached her hand towards his face. The grey hair, wrinkles... she tried so hard to avoid this, and yet Khadgar still suffered the same fate of losing his youth.

"Oh, Khadgar..." she sighed sadly. "I'm so sorry."

"Come on, I know I shaved for the first time, but it can't be that bad," mage responded with a chuckle. His old voice broke Julia's heart. At least he still had his sense of humour. And his eyes... they still had that young spark.

"Hey, it's fine, really." Khadgar tried to comfort the Librarian. "At least I look smarter now. I just have to get used to having back pain after taking too many steps."

He finally managed to make the woman smile.

"Well, if this comforts you in any way, I think that you are a real silver fox now." She winked at him.

Khadgar laughed nervously and looked away with his cheeks getting bright red. He still was that innocent boy, after all.

"I'm glad that you both are in a mood for jokes," Medivh's cold voice brought their attention, "But it's not time for this."

Julia carefully studied Medivh's face. He looked... acceptable. His face had few wounds from where the demonic scales appeared before, he was also more pale than usual, and his eyes were sad and angry, but other than that, he looked alright.

"How do you feel?" she asked softly, taking a few steps towards him.

"Show me your back," Medivh ignored her question and stood up.

The Librarian hesitated. She was concerned about her friend and his well-being. After all, everything they did was for him, so she preferred to make sure he was fine first, but arguing with Medivh wouldn't work anyway. She sighed and turned her back towards the mage. Guardian started unwrapping her bandages, which caused Khadgar to blush furiously and look away.

"Don't be a prude, Khadgar. I need your help now," Medivh rebuked his apprentice and waved at him to join him.

Khadgar stood behind Julia, and both with Medivh looked at her naked back. The Librarian looked at the mirror to see their faces, which caused her to widen her eyes and tensing muscles from stress. Both men looked concerned, Khadgar even afraid.

"What is it? Is the wound not healing?" she asked in a worried voice.

"It's not that." Medivh shook his head. Then he pat Khadgar's arm and pointed at the woman's back. The apprentice understood immidetly as he rushed for a piece of paper and coal. While he was sketching, Medivh gently ran his hand through Julia's back.

"Do you remember if... I said anything during doing this?"

"It wasn't you, Med. It was Sargeras. Don't blame..."

"Answer my question," Medivh cut her and met her eyes in the mirror.

"You were just mocking me," Julia replied, resigned. "Calling me stupid and weak. Saying that I would be just as easy tool as you."

Khadgar and Medivh exchanged looks, which caused the Librarian to worry only more.

"What is it?"

Neither of them replied. Khadgar only gave her the piece of paper on which he was drawing her wound. The woman looked at the sketch and frowned. It wasn't a normal scar. It was some kind of a demonic symbol, like a summoning circle.

"Do you feel something inside of you? Some other presence?"

Julia quickly shook her head and turned towards Medivh. They eyes met as both of them were just as worried and confused about what was it. Khadgar finally broke and wrapped his coat around Librarian's body.

"I'm sorry, I can't..." he mumbled nervously, but neither of his friends paid attention to him.

"You... you aren't pregnant, right?" Medivh asked nervously, just as if it was the worst possibility, and then let go his breath when the Librarian shook her head again.

"Then, what does it mean?" Khadgar managed to get himself together enough to ask a question.

"I have no idea." Guardian looked away and bit his lip, as if his next words were about to be the hardest thing to say. "But I don't think you should stay in Karazhan, my lady..."

"Med, don't blame yourself." Julia grabbed his wrist. "You weren't in control, it was Sargeras, you..."

"It's not about blame, it's about your safety! You could still be in danger, we don't know what those runes do!"

"That's why I should stay in the place with answers!"

"That's why I'M gonna look for the answers, and YOU are gonna stay away!"

"What?! No-"

"Please, stop arguing!" Khadgar's desperate voice broke in between their yelling. "Master, Miss Librarian is right. It's not your fault, but now we both should help her."

For a moment, there was a cold silence. Medivh sat down and glued his eyes to the floor.

"It's my fault. Everything that happened is my fault. I hurt you, both of you. You are not safe with me."

"Bullshit." Julia joined him on the couch and put her hand on his arm. "I knew the risk, and I was ready to take it. You know what I know, that was my choice. You are alive and clean from Sargeras, and only that matters."

"I still don't understand." Khadgar also sat down. "It was your plan, Miss Librarian. Why didn't you wait for us?"

Julia looked up into Khadgar's young blue eyes, contrasting so much with his wrinkled face and grey hair. She wanted to avoid it so much...

"I thought I could do this on my own. I wanted to save you, I was afraid that you would get hurt. And you were..." She once again looked away, ashamed.

"Hey, you said it yourself. I'm a silver fox now." Khadgar chuckled and elbowed her gently. "We are all alive and only that matters."

"I still think you should leave. Both. For your own good." Medivh kept being in his depressive mood, unable to look up. His feeling of guilt was clearly visible for his friends.

Julia pulled him closer to her and hugged tightly.

"Shut up. We are staying with you, " she declared. Then she felt Khadgar's arm wrapping around her as he decided to join the hug.

"Yeah, Master. Respectfully - shut the fuck up. We are staying."

[skymagpie]

That scene in The Last Guardian where Medivh is teaching young Khadgar how to drink and then encourages him to levitate a cup while being tipsy, which ends in Khadgar cleaning the cup off the floor - that lives rent free in my mind

[echthr0s]

[Plural Ask Game]

📢 1. How did you get your sys/collective name? Hellraiser (2022) introduced a new interpretation of the infamous puzzle box to the lore -- namely, the concept that "the Lament Configuration" is just one shape that the thing can take, and there are other Configurations that represent different desires and ultimately evoke different results from Leviathan. Laudarant is the one that represents the desire for love. We are likewise configured.

🔔 2. Who is the current host/frequent fronters? I, Medivh, am the one who is tasked with interfacing with meatspace reality. This is a singular (lol) role and generally only one of [Us] is capable of this feat at a time. Possessive switches are very rare and usually indicate a change in body pilots; however, the particular blendy-ness of Can Calah and I makes partial possession/sensation-sharing much more common with us specifically. The thing is, there is so much to Me/Us as an "individual" that it feels like a mini-plurality situation on its own. [We] contain multitudes, sure, obviously, but also We contain multitudes within those multitudes.

📎 3. Who is your first known alter(s)? This body has been plural since it's been conscious of itself, so we have very thin memory of the very first people who were here as we would have been quite young at the time.

🏳️‍🌈 4. What is your collective/most prominent identity? I'm not positive on what this question is asking.

🏳️ 5. What's your systems origin? Our "origin" is that we have been plural since we've been conscious, and that's truly all there is to it. The how of it really doesn't seem important or relevant to anything at all.

❗6. Do you have DID/OSDD? We do not.

🛂 7. What's your headcount? We are an open space, entities who have access to it may enter and leave at will. This makes it difficult to keep a count, because do I count people who have been here but haven't been seen in a while? They will always have "citizenship", so I'm inclined to, but then that just complicates matters (there have been. so many of [Us].)... I can tell you how many life signs are currently on the map today, and that would be three. Maybe four? I'm not sure how to count that fourth one.

👥 8. What's your brainmade to introject ratio? None of the entities currently in the Configuration were created by Us. Well-- not in this lifetime, anyway...

��� 9. Who's your most mischievous headmate? (/silly) [We] tend to attract real serious motherfuckers. I am probably the most mischievous one, but not terribly so.

⚪ 10. What's your headspace like? We tend to imagine the Configuration as a star system with a <Tower/Tree> at its center and a dying star/black hole/Sun nestled in its branches. It is but one universe in a multiversal sea, and there is much travel between Here and other contained universes. Hence the walk-ins, and hence Us being here on Earth with y'all motherfuckers.

🤔 11. How did you find out you were plural? There was no "finding out", it has simply always been so. We found out the various terminologies for the phenomenon much later, but I will say that knowing them earlier might have saved us some confusion/distress in our younger years. :/

🗨️ 12. Random quote from a headmate, go! I can never think of these things off the top of my head. Can Calah is always saying wild shit, I just never write it down.

🗣️ 13. "Plural culture is…" I don't know, ask someone who's more tuned in to that sort of thing.

❤️ 14. What gives you euphoria about being plural? Just basking in the fullness and vastness of this state of being, of Knowing [Our] truth and feeling the awe and wonder that that Gnosis evokes. Delighting in the cosmic mercuriality and primordial chaos that keeps the Configuration, well, configured. Being in love with the Others, being so grateful that [We] have found each other despite the odds, despite the forbidding mundanity of this universe.

💔 15. What give you dysphoria about being plural? Unfortunately, being touched and loved Inworld doesn't do a damn thing for the actual body's touch starvation and isolation. It's very disorienting sometimes to be in such vibrant and fulfilling relationships on another plane of existence and have none of that reflected on this plane of existence.

👤 16. Is there something that makes you different from other plurals? There are a few things about [Our] existence that I rarely, if ever, see reflected in writings from other plurals. A lot of people are really invested in certain dichotomies that we feel are... muddled and ultimately irrelevant. Spiritual/psychological, endogenic/traumagenic, and so on. None of that reflects [Our] chaotic internal logic at all. What else... ah. We kind of resonate with Soulbonding as a concept but we feel like [We] take it a step further. Like... We exist here, right? But We also exist in many other universes, simultaneously. This existence is one of many stories being told about one entity (which in turn is likely one of many as well, but we're not telescoping that far out right now...), and in this existence we have the unique perk of having found gateways to many of those stories through the media this world creates. Likewise, those stories are often in active flux, being created by Us in real time, as they're being lived by Us in their own time... it does occur to me that maybe others do have experiences similar to this, but it's so goddamn difficult to explain that they just can't be bothered, same as us. -__-

[neveraguardian]

"There you are, Young Trust. So long since you have visited me here; I thought you would not return, this time." Perhaps the old Tower still has a haunting to give him, after all. // @guardianfallen

Surely, it cannot be yet another terrible trick, can it? Not another attempt by some fiend or aggressor to prey upon his ever-wounded and ever-grieving heart.

There is no oppressiveness to the air beyond that same sadness that lingers always within these neglected stones and empty halls.

There is no foul feeling of fell magicks. [ Or, at least, no more than that radiated by some of the artifacts kept in this place to be safe. ]

He should be able to sense if either were the case... shouldn't he?

And yet, he can summon forth no reasonable explanation for this... this spectre who stands before him.

His grip tightens on Atiesh as he squares his stance, ready to fight if fight he must, but his eyes... his eyes betray him, as does the quiet brokenness of his voice when at last he speaks.

"... Medivh?"

[ladymischievous]

World of Warcraft fic: A Twist of Fate Chapter 5

I am back with a new chapter. Originally I was planning on posting this chapter along with chapter 6, but I decided to go ahead for that readers can have time to enjoy this one. Chapter 6 is currently in the works, I can't guarantee when it will be out, but certainly sooner than my earlier updates.

Chapter 5: The Magus and the Mageling

-o-o-o-o-o-

  “You look absolutely miserable.” Moroes said. He noticed the empty wine bottle that rested on the table by Medivh’s couch-bed. The sorcerer himself lounged on the couch but looked anything but relaxed. Moroes noted the darkened circles under his eyes, the paleness of his usually tan skin. He had half a mind to say something but refrained. “Late night?” 

Medivh didn’t have the energy to muster up a witty retort. He followed Moroes’ eyes to the wine bottle and gave a small, tired sigh. “Something like that. I know you want me to head downstairs, but I’m not in good shape today. I’d like to have some time to myself.” 

Moroes knew that look and that tone in Medivh’s voice. Something happened. Something that left the sorcerer feeling awful. If Moroes had to take a guess, it was Medivh’s own doing. His eyes flitted about the study, taking in details in his usual calm and practiced way. 

A wine bottle caught Moroes’ attention first. Empty. More likely, Medivh was dealing with the repercussions of drinking too much. What caused him to drink in access though? As mischievous as the mage could be, Medivh had made it a point to cut down on drinking. Incidents that Medivh refused to talk about, had made states of inebriation and lack of control unsettling to him. 

“What happened?” Moroes asked. 

Medivh was quiet for a long moment. He didn’t launch into a tirade of hurt pride, annoyance with the Kirin Tor, no, he was quiet for a while. That made Moroes feel more unease than anything else. Medivh lightly chewed on his lower lip as he thought. 

“Would you say that I’m a bully, Moroes?” Medivh asked, the events of the night before were still fresh in his mind. He had been replaying the night’s events back in his head over and over. Dissecting it all. Over-thinking. He was awful to Khadgar. He had been awful to him for some time now. 

“It’s to tell me when there’s powerful or dangerous magic around. It’s to protect me, it’s my...friend.” Khadgar’s words rang up from the back of Medivh’s mind. The look on that boy’s face was enough to make him pause. To drag him back from the wine induced haze. “How would you feel if someone did that to the clockwork construct you’ve been working on?! Just tore it apart just because they could?! Just so they could hurt you!?” 

Medivh’s eyes were fixed on the ground. He  did  want to hurt Khadgar. He wanted him out of his home, away from Deadwind Pass, out of Stormwind. Anything to put as much distance between himself and the Kirin Tor as possible. Twelve mages were pushed onto him. Most of them betrayed him, stole from him, spoke of him behind his back.

“You can be, when you get a way.” Moroes said honestly. “You can be truly wicked when you want to be. I’ve found myself on the receiving end of that sharp tongue of yours once or twice. I’ve put you back in your place easily enough, but I feel sorry for those who don’t know how to handle you.”

“How often would you say that I act like that?” Medivh asked, truly curious.

“As of right now, very often.” Moroes admitted. “You’ve been giving Khadgar a hard time, though, you’ve been balancing it out, somewhat.”

Moroes watched Medivh’s expression shift, his refusal to meet his gaze. He looked every part a young lad that had been caught making trouble.

“What did you do?” Moroes asked, his brow furrowing.

-o-o-o-o-o-

The rest of the chapter can be read on AO3.

If you are new or wish to start from the beginning, the fic starts here.

[mischievouswritingblog]

Prompt Fic: Rose Tinted Memories

Doing some writing practice with ficlets some prompts.

 “Thank you for agreeing to help.”

 -o-o-o-o-o-

 “Thank you for agreeing to help.” Khadgar said, his voice was barely above a whisper. He could barely believe that his former master was standing at his side. That they would face Sargeras and the Legion together. 

 Fear rolled around in the Archmage’s stomach. Fear of failure, but also fear that this moment was just a dream. That, with a blink, Medivh wouldn’t be there and Khadgar would find himself alone.

 Alone. Such a simple word that held so much weight and terror for Khadgar. He had been alone before, many times. He had lost so much, so many people over the years. One would think that he’d have gotten used to it, numb to it. But it still hurt now, just as much as it did when he plunged a dagger into Medivh’s chest all those years ago.

 Medivh blinked. Khadgar’s words caught him a little off guard. He had been enjoying the relative silence with his former apprentice as they looked out at Azaroth from the Vindicaar. He had been so enamored with the breathtaking view of their world that he almost missed Khadgar’s words entirely.

 Medivh had originally planned to leave after the defeat of Viz’aduum in the upper reaches of his tower home. He was ready to do it but that look Khadgar gave as he asked him to stay. Seeing him standing there, having come so far but still being the Young Trust, he knew under it all. Medivh’s feet were suddenly lead. He couldn’t bring himself to leave.

 “I’m not sure how useful I’ll be. Your friend Turalyon says I’m a potential threat. He’s probably not wrong.” Medivh admitted.

 The mention of Turalyon and the fight Khadgar had with him over Medivh made his stomach twist. His hold on Atiesh tightened a little, as they had thrown harsh words back and forth between them.

 Lately, it had seemed like the universe had been giving some things back to Khadgar. Alleria and Turalyon were here. He had friends in his champions; he had Medivh back, of all things. Yet, everything was still ‘off’. Alleria and Turalyon, he cared about dearly, were very different from when they last saw each other. Both changed by void and light. Turalyon was much harsher, even allowing for his wife to be locked up by Xe’ra. Alleria was wrapped in the embrace of the void. She was colder, more venomous. Khadgar found himself worrying about her, for her sanity. She always had a mean streak. He remembered the times he used to butt heads with Alleria in the past. But this was different. This was much more dangerous.

 Khadgar quietly mourned his friends all over again. That small part of himself that hoped against all hope that they’d be together again finally died. Khadgar had to wonder if the fond memories he had of them were truly real. Being there in their presence, listening to them as they spoke, memories bubbled up. Both the good and bad. Every argument he had with Alleria, his crush on Turalyon, and the pained disappointment when they became a pair. Khadgar still loved them, he still cared about them, but the three of them were more flawed than he cared to admit. He held on to his rose-tinted memories to help him get through the toughest times. 

 Now, that was all peeled away. Khadgar found his ironclad resolve start to waver.

“I’ve been living as a hermit for a long time.” Medivh spoke up, breaking Khadgar away from his thoughts. “Going out now and then for supplies, doing tasks for people in Darkshire. I would tell myself that it was a self-imposed punishment.” Medivh gave Khadgar a moment to let it all sink in. “I wanted to see you when I heard you had returned from Draenor…Or, ‘Outland’, as it’s known now. I even traveled all the way to Dalaran…”

 The memory of that day was still fresh in Medivh’s mind. The feel of his hammering heart as he walked the streets of the mage city. The goosebumps that rose from his skin as he feared recognition, even with how unlikely it was. Disguise aside, his time was a good number of years ago. It was highly unlikely any civilian would have realized who he was, let alone a young student. Still, there may have been someone out there that could. The anxiety only grew with gradual over stimulation of everything Dalaran, from the magic flaunted about the markets to the crowds of civilians, students, and adventurers crept up on him.

 It all boiled over, the moment he caught sight of Khadgar. He was being shown around the city by some eager students. He looked far older then, having a beard that went down to his knees. His hair was all grey, save for a thick streak of pure, bright white that Medivh recognized as Khadgar's signature Mullen stripe. It was him. It really was Khadgar, there and alive. Medivh's feet moved on their own, marching towards him. It took a minute for his mind to catch up with his body's actions. One of the students noticed him, eyeing him, and suddenly it all became too much. Medivh ducked into an alleyway before Khadgar could turn around to see him.

 He couldn't do it. Medivh couldn't face him. So he fled.

 “Honestly, I was just hiding from the world, and the repercussions of my crimes.” Medivh admitted to himself more than anything. It was a truth that needed to be said, that he needed to accept. “I separated my study from the rest of the tower, never realizing what was happening within it. That Moroes and my friends are still there, cursed and having to put up with demons and adventurers. Even now, I’m terrified of facing Sargeras, of the idea that he might…that I might…” Medivh didn’t finish. He looked down at one of his hands and found it trembling. Turalyon had raised the idea that Sargeras might try to use Medivh against them. As much as the magus didn’t want to admit it, it was a very real possibility. “I’m just a coward, Khadgar.”

 “Then why did you stay?” Khadgar asked. There was no accusation in his voice.

 Medivh slowly closed his trembling hand into a fist. “...I...don’t know. I was going to leave, but I couldn’t.”

 “I’d like to think that if there’s one thing I understand, it’s you, Medivh.” Khadgar said with a weary smile. “You were never the type to simply do as you were told. Even back then, you fought Sargeras’ control as much as you could. I’m sure I would have been a pile of ashes if you hadn’t.” Khadgar’s smile grew more fond, he blinked and Medivh could see his eyes had begun to tear up. “I think the two of us standing here, together again, is proof of that.”

 Medivh felt his face heat up. He broke eye contact with Khadgar and returned his gaze to Azaroth. “It was because you asked me to, Khadgar. I saw you there and for a moment, I saw that awkward lad the Kirin Tor threw at me.” Medivh felt his own eyes sting as it was their turn to tear up. “You’ve changed so much but you’re still ‘Young Trust’. You wanted me here and I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘no’ to you.”

 Khadgar couldn’t help the blush that creeped its way into his face. He chewed lightly on his lower lip as he tried to pick out the words he wished to say. 

 “I’m afraid too, Medivh.” Khadgar admitted. “I’ve made so many mistakes as a leader and poor choices as a person. We’re both flawed and damaged people. But I can’t deny that I feel braver with you here, with me.” Khadgar took a chance, reached over, and took Medivh’s hand into his own. He threaded their fingers together. When Medivh gently squeezed back, he felt his heart flutter. “I don’t just want to defeat Sargeras, I want to come out of this alive with you.”

 Medivh couldn’t help but smile a little. “I…wouldn’t mind leaving the tower more after this. Maybe…we could…? Ah…I…”

 “I’d love to show you around Dalaran.” Khadgar said. “I know you never liked it, but there are excellent places to eat. There’s also a very famous bookshop there that has more of those steamy romance novels…”

 “Dear light, you saw all of those?!” Medivh laughed halfway through the sentence.

 “I’ve always known about your smut collection. I had to organize those too back when I was cleaning your library.”

 Medivh’s face grew so hot, so fast that he felt a little lightheaded. His free hand rose up to cover his face. Laughter bubbled up from his chest and broke free. It was light, warm, and almost melodic. It brought a warmth to the room that Khadgar knew so well. At that moment, Medivh was lighter, more vibrant.

 “Excuse me…” a familiar drawling voice spoke. Moroes had arrived, with broom and dustpan in hand. The ever loyal steward refused to let Khadgar and Medivh go off without him. Surprising them both in his ability to leave Karazhan’s tower. Moroes gestured both magi to step aside as he began to sweep up what Khadgar noticed were small, golden crystalline shards. “Honestly, you’d think people around here would know to sweep up random bits of glass. If this junk gets into their hooves, it’ll cause them all sorts of problems.”

 Medivh’s brow furrowed as he stared at the collection of shards that were in Moroes’ dustpan. “Huh, so that’s what that occasional ‘crunch’ under my boots was…”

 “Um, that’s…Khadgar paled as he realized quickly what Moroes was sweeping up. “...That’s not glass.”

 Medivh looked to Khadgar, and then the realization hit him. “Oh, that’s the naru your moody purple friend blew up, isn’t it?”

 “Y-yep…” Khadgar could hear tiny, disjointed tones coming from the shards.

 “I don’t care what it is!” Moroes huffed. “It’s a mess, and it’s everywhere! Do your mage thing and help me clean.”

 “Magic!? Oh no, I couldn’t! I’d never!” Medivh said as an impish smile spread across his face. “I seem to remember a certain someone telling me that magic didn’t belong with cleaning. That all you need is good old-fashioned elbow grease and--”

 “Medivh.” Moroes’ voice was firm. He crossed his arms and gave the magus a firm look. “Enough of your sass or I’ll box you on your ears.”

 “Yes, yes, Mother Hen…” Medivh said, his smile turning warmer. He had very much missed Moroes and was thankful to have him back. He raised both of his hands into the air and his fingers gave a loud, sharp ‘snap’.

 Arcane crackled as mana flowed from Medivh and swirled in the air before shaping itself into multiple brooms. They floated off and went about sweeping and cleaning around the Vindicaar.

 Khadgar would take whatever levity he could get. Being there with Moroes and Medivh was grounding. Something he needed for the trials to come, for when they finally faced Sargeras.

 They would defeat him and get out of it alive, together. Khadgar didn’t need to hold on to rose-tinted memories to push him forward. There was so much to look forward to in the future.

 -The End-

Fic can be found on AO3

[archmage--khadgar]

"Anger makes you careless, Young Trust," drawled a lounging Medivh who did not look up from the romantic book in his hand. He can hear his former student pacing back and forth downstairs, and muttering angrily about something.

"I'm never careless!" Khadgar retorted, scrunching his face up. "I am the very definition of careful, cool, and collected!" He huffed, slamming his tome shut. "Cool as a cucumber, in fact!"

[shxwmaster]

   // PERSONAL TIMELINE ! UPDATED FOR DRAGONFLIGHT //

(Used this Timeline as a rough reference)

BASICALLY:

- The current year is 40 (DF) - Mathias is roughly ~52

General Timeline:

- Will assume Mathias’ mother (whom I dub Charlene) was 29 at death, and that Pathonia was 30 when Charlene was born - Year -67 -- Pathonia Born   ○ This is 8 years after the Gnoll Wars fought by Barathen Wrynn   ○ 22 years before Medivh is born - Will assume Pathonia is roughly 25 when recruited to form the Assassin’s Guild - Year -42 -- The Assassin’s Guild formed   ○ 3 years before Medivh is born - Pathonia served King Barathen, Llane and Varian Wrynn - Year -37 -- Charlene born - Year -18 -- “The Sixth Finger” AKA SI:6 formed  ○ During the Gurubashi Wars  ○ Formed in response to King Barathen’s death  ○ 6th Legion Army formed at the same time - Year -12 -- Mathias born   ○ (No significant events here Alliance-wise) - Year -8, his mother killed   ○ (No significant events here Alliance-wise)   ○ Mathias is 4 years old - Year -2 -- Mathias joins Fourth Finger  ○ Mathias is 10 years old - Year 0 - SI:7 formed  ○ Formed in direct response to the emergence of orcs  ○ Beginning of the First War - Year 3 -- Mathias avenges his mother (First Kill)  ○ Mathias is 15  ○ Mathias traumatized by event, runs away. AG & SI scramble to find him and bring him home  ○ Stormwind falls, Llane killed  ○ 6th Legion falls, SI:6 extinct and defunct. Elling Trias sole survivor of SI:6 - Year 8 -- Stormwind begins reconstruction   ○ Mathias and Edwin promise themselves to each other - Year 10 -- Vanessa VanCleef born - Year 15 -- Stormwind reconstruction complete   ○ Stonemasons riot, Defias Brotherhood formed   ○ Edwin and Mathias split - Year 18 -- Mathias promoted to Spymaster    ○ 1-3 years after the formation of the New Horde    ○ 1-3 years after Gilneas and Stromgarde secede from the Alliance    ○ 3 years after Stonemason Riots & Tiffin’s death    ○ Aegwynn summoned Medivh’s spirit to Azeroth - Year 25 -- Edwin dies (VERSE DEPENDENT) - Year 28-29 -- Pathonia dies in Cata    ○ Aged 95    ○ Vanessa “dies” age 18 (VERSE DEPENDENT) - Year 32 -- Legion   ○ Varian dies   ○ Mathias imprisoned by Detheroc and rescued - Year 33 -- BFA   ○ Mathias 45   ○ Mathias meets Flynn - Year 34 -- Canon Fairshaw (VERSE DEPENDENT)   ○ Events of Shadows Rising   ○ Mathias and Flynn enter a relationship   ○ Events of Terror by Torchlight   ○ Events of Exploring Azeroth: Eastern Kingdoms - Year 40 -- Present (Dragonflight)   ○ Mathias 52   ○ SI:7 tasked with watching over the Dracthyr

NOTES: [The Stormwind Assassins & SI:7] [When Shaw Ran Away] [Pathonia Trained Shaw Young]

This is the general timeline/canon I follow by default. I will change certain things to accommodate different RPs; for example, if you play a canon muse who has a different timeline, I will defer to yours OR find a middle ground to smooth it out! We can always discuss specifics

[veldrune]

Warcraft Lore behind "The Prophet's Warning

The Prophet’s Warning

In the aftermath of the Second War, a mysterious prophet appeared before the leaders of Azeroth, taking the form of an unnaturally large raven. His cryptic warnings spoke of an impending apocalyptic threat, urging them to take action. Unbeknownst to all, the prophet was none other than Medivh, the former Guardian of Tirisfal, concealing his true identity to avoid being recognized as the sorcerer who had brought the orcs to Azeroth.

The Mad Prophet

King Terenas of Lordaeron and Antonidas of Dalaran, both wise and respected leaders, found themselves dismissing the prophet's warnings as the ravings of a madman. Little did they know that their decision to ignore the prophet's words would have far-reaching consequences for the fate of Azeroth.

Thrall's Vision

The prophet appeared to Thrall, the young warchief of the Horde, in a dream. In this vision, orcs and humans clashed as infernals rained from the sky. Upon awakening, the prophet urged Thrall to lead his people to the ancient lands of Kalimdor if he wished to save them from the looming threat. With the guidance of the elemental spirits, Thrall set sail for the distant shores of Kalimdor.

Jaina Proudmoore's Fateful Decision

While Prince Arthas Menethil refused to abandon his beleaguered people, Jaina Proudmoore, the young daughter of Daelin Proudmoore and apprentice of Antonidas, sensed the truth in the prophet's words. As the invasion began and Stratholme lay in ruins, Jaina heeded the warning and gathered her people to journey westward, hoping to find salvation in Kalimdor.

The Oracle

In Kalimdor, Thrall sought out the Oracle, guided by his new ally, Cairne Bloodhoof. At the Oracle's location, Thrall encountered Jaina and her human companions, and the two factions prepared to battle. However, the prophet intervened, revealing that only by ceasing hostilities and forming an alliance could they hope to defeat the Burning Legion and escape its corruption.

The Last Guardian's Revelation

In a shared dream, the prophet revealed his true identity to Thrall, Malfurion Stormrage, and Jaina Proudmoore. He was Medivh, the Last Guardian of Tirisfal, and it was his actions that had brought the orcs and the Burning Legion to Azeroth. Convincing them that victory could only be achieved through unity, Medivh rallied the unlikely allies to defend the World Tree, Nordrassil.

The Battle of Mount Hyjal

In the final hour of the battle at Mount Hyjal, nature's spirits, summoned by the Horn of Cenarius, swarmed around the demon lord Archimonde, ultimately destroying him. With the world safe for the time being and having repaid a fraction of his debt for his past sins, Medivh vanished, taking his place among the legends of the past. His powers waning, the Last Guardian departed the physical plane, hoping that the people of Azeroth would continue to fight together as they had at Hyjal.

[riogamistblossom]

Rioga's History

Rioga's life started in a small community within Moonglade, her being the eldest with two younger siblings she spent most of her time within the tree line surrounding the territory. While the three were still rather young their father a druid who was seeking out an attack on the Shatterspear tribe completed his task but was killed for his efforts. As retribution their mother was caught and killed as well but managed to gather Diosa and Roandi and have them sent to the Eastern Kingdoms to ensure their safety. Rioga was left behind in the rush, leaving her to evacuate and continue her education as a druid elsewhere.

BC: The opening of the black portal would have her dislike for Medivh and mages for destroying the environment, giving her dislike early on for Draenei and the Kirin Tor by association with arcane magic. She'd possibly make her feel as if we were wasting resources on aiding them in the outlands, until coming upon the black temple with Illidan and learning the true cost of life. Her ability to use Common would still be limited having her come off as crass to other alliance she comes in contact with. Knowing Rioga at this point in time, she'd be rather hostile or frustrated with most unless close to the character. She'd be more likely to have contact with other Kaldorei.

Lich: Her previous hate for mages grows to all of arcane magic during the Nexus War. Malygos having had turned his aggressions into Azeroth, Rioga strictly blames arcane users doing this upon everyone. Absolutely hostile, she turns her frustrations unto the Scourge completely giving herself giving herself over to the war effort. Rioga would be fully against connections with mages and very weary of death knights.

Cata: Rioga is deeply upset over the global impacts caused by Deathwing, with the world's shamans having joined to repair the harm caused to the land and its elements a deepening respect for shamanistic allies. Rioga had joined the aid in Gilneas helping the affected learn to control what she considered a gift, always having a dangerous interest in pack form. She had liked Thrall’s leadership for the fact he was more interested in the greater good of all but could not shake her hatred for the horde to look past that. Upon Garrosh’s use of arcane to inflict a toll on Theramore, Rioga had seen Jaina as someone to rally with letting up with some of her bias with mages.

Panda: Rioga had an interest in the teachings of the Pandarian, melting away some of the bloodlust she had been building into wanting to invest in pack form, inspired by the fact her youngest sibling had enrolled herself as a monk. She was deeply invested in the execution of Garrosh, leaving a crack in her belief in Varian as a leader; and a strong distaste for Wrathion. Preferring the warlord is punished even if it means she must take on the legion and horde herself.

WoD : Rio took the call to aid in setting up the garrison doing what she could to gather resources, to relax from a day’s efforts she would drink with allies boasting and telling stories of previous fights to numb herself from oncoming conflicts ahead. Upon the death of Velen in this timeline, Rioga is fueled with disgust for the atrocities done; she takes careful measures to begin her hunt with her fellow Kaldorei and her personal need for justice. During the destruction of cities in Talador, she resided in Shattrath giving aid to residents during the time of conflict and scouting for any signs of Gul’dan’s presence. Upon further destruction and invasions, she gives way from her mission to protect the sick and the weak. Reuniting with her sisters despite the chaos, their meeting was cut short they rushed to provide aid.

Legion: Upon the death of the king, Rioga takes to Val’sharah adding to the efforts to save the the wild gods. Debilitated from the sheer loss of life she experienced by the previous attack by Gul’dan in Draenor she takes to the grove exasperated and morose. She finds herself changing, her grasp on language and ability to be socially inept from where she had been as a child became muted; reverting to something more similar to her former self. Quietly sullen amidst the tall grass favoring her feral form despite the war continuing.

-wip-

[sigurdjarlson]

Medivh: it’s pride month, Young Trust. You know what means?

Khadgar: huh? What? Do you want us to cast like… gay spells or something?

[imperiumallaboveall]

Watch "Guardian Medivh- All Powers from Warcraft" on YouTube

That's the elderly Thanos eldari plus that your new blue for a 56 look it's happening just need to be patient man I know you don't like your my verbal diarrhea on your side and I get you on a retaliate all that but look what is happening on a result basis you're going to have to understand that you're four points you billion starter is nothing compared to what had to be done so if you factor in those three timelines and then make it the best one and let all other things happen you could use that time to clutch it to fix your and heal yourself because you're self harming right now which means you've been you've been enlightened and you don't know what to do because you're young and you need to be facilitated at all ages right now especially around here I don't know what that facilitation is but it's going to be very Ministry and then gradual there's no stop hitting me

[theater-of-the-mind]

Prompt Fic: Rose Tinted Memories

Doing some writing practice with ficlets some prompts from this list.

AO3 Version can be found here.

 “Thank you for agreeing to help.”

 -o-o-o-o-o-

 “Thank you for agreeing to help.” Khadgar said, his voice was barely above a whisper. He could barely believe that his former master was standing at his side. That they would face Sargeras and the Legion together. 

 Fear rolled around in the Archmage’s stomach. Fear of failure, but also fear that this moment was just a dream. That, with a blink, Medivh wouldn’t be there and Khadgar would find himself alone.

 Alone. Such a simple word that held so much weight and terror for Khadgar. He had been alone before, many times. He had lost so much, so many people over the years. One would think that he’d have gotten used to it, numb to it. But it still hurt now, just as much as it did when he plunged a dagger into Medivh’s chest all those years ago.

 Medivh blinked. Khadgar’s words caught him a little off guard. He had been enjoying the relative silence with his former apprentice as they looked out at Azaroth from the Vindicaar. He had been so enamored with the breathtaking view of their world that he almost missed Khadgar’s words entirely.

 Medivh had originally planned to leave after the defeat of Viz’aduum in the upper reaches of his tower home. He was ready to do it but that look Khadgar gave as he asked him to stay. Seeing him standing there, having come so far but still being the Young Trust, he knew under it all. Medivh’s feet were suddenly lead. He couldn’t bring himself to leave.

 “I’m not sure how useful I’ll be. Your friend Turalyon says I’m a potential threat. He’s probably not wrong.” Medivh admitted.

 The mention of Turalyon and the fight Khadgar had with him over Medivh made his stomach twist. His hold on Atiesh tightened a little, as they had thrown harsh words back and forth between them.

 Lately, it had seemed like the universe had been giving some things back to Khadgar. Alleria and Turalyon were here. He had friends in his champions; he had Medivh back, of all things. Yet, everything was still ‘off’. Alleria and Turalyon, he cared about dearly, were very different from when they last saw each other. Both changed by void and light. Turalyon was much harsher, even allowing for his wife to be locked up by Xe’ra. Alleria was wrapped in the embrace of the void. She was colder, more venomous. Khadgar found himself worrying about her, for her sanity. She always had a mean streak. He remembered the times he used to butt heads with Alleria in the past. But this was different. This was much more dangerous.

 Khadgar quietly mourned his friends all over again. That small part of himself that hoped against all hope that they’d be together again finally died. Khadgar had to wonder if the fond memories he had of them were truly real. Being there in their presence, listening to them as they spoke, memories bubbled up. Both the good and bad. Every argument he had with Alleria, his crush on Turalyon, and the pained disappointment when they became a pair. Khadgar still loved them, he still cared about them, but the three of them were more flawed than he cared to admit. He held on to his rose-tinted memories to help him get through the toughest times. 

 Now, that was all peeled away. Khadgar found his ironclad resolve start to waver.

“I’ve been living as a hermit for a long time.” Medivh spoke up, breaking Khadgar away from his thoughts. “Going out now and then for supplies, doing tasks for people in Darkshire. I would tell myself that it was a self-imposed punishment.” Medivh gave Khadgar a moment to let it all sink in. “I wanted to see you when I heard you had returned from Draenor…Or, ‘Outland’, as it’s known now. I even traveled all the way to Dalaran…”

 The memory of that day was still fresh in Medivh’s mind. The feel of his hammering heart as he walked the streets of the mage city. The goosebumps that rose from his skin as he feared recognition, even with how unlikely it was. Disguise aside, his time was a good number of years ago. It was highly unlikely any civilian would have realized who he was, let alone a young student. Still, there may have been someone out there that could. The anxiety only grew with gradual over stimulation of everything Dalaran, from the magic flaunted about the markets to the crowds of civilians, students, and adventurers crept up on him.

 It all boiled over, the moment he caught sight of Khadgar. He was being shown around the city by some eager students. He looked far older then, having a beard that went down to his knees. His hair was all grey, save for a thick streak of pure, bright white that Medivh recognized as Khadgar's signature Mullen stripe. It was him. It really was Khadgar, there and alive. Medivh's feet moved on their own, marching towards him. It took a minute for his mind to catch up with his body's actions. One of the students noticed him, eyeing him, and suddenly it all became too much. Medivh ducked into an alleyway before Khadgar could turn around to see him.

 He couldn't do it. Medivh couldn't face him. So he fled.

 “Honestly, I was just hiding from the world, and the repercussions of my crimes.” Medivh admitted to himself more than anything. It was a truth that needed to be said, that he needed to accept. “I separated my study from the rest of the tower, never realizing what was happening within it. That Moroes and my friends are still there, cursed and having to put up with demons and adventurers. Even now, I’m terrified of facing Sargeras, of the idea that he might…that I might…” Medivh didn’t finish. He looked down at one of his hands and found it trembling. Turalyon had raised the idea that Sargeras might try to use Medivh against them. As much as the magus didn’t want to admit it, it was a very real possibility. “I’m just a coward, Khadgar.”

 “Then why did you stay?” Khadgar asked. There was no accusation in his voice.

 Medivh slowly closed his trembling hand into a fist. “...I...don’t know. I was going to leave, but I couldn’t.”

 “I’d like to think that if there’s one thing I understand, it’s you, Medivh.” Khadgar said with a weary smile. “You were never the type to simply do as you were told. Even back then, you fought Sargeras’ control as much as you could. I’m sure I would have been a pile of ashes if you hadn’t.” Khadgar’s smile grew more fond, he blinked and Medivh could see his eyes had begun to tear up. “I think the two of us standing here, together again, is proof of that.”

 Medivh felt his face heat up. He broke eye contact with Khadgar and returned his gaze to Azaroth. “It was because you asked me to, Khadgar. I saw you there and for a moment, I saw that awkward lad the Kirin Tor threw at me.” Medivh felt his own eyes sting as it was their turn to tear up. “You’ve changed so much but you’re still ‘Young Trust’. You wanted me here and I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘no’ to you.”

 Khadgar couldn’t help the blush that creeped its way into his face. He chewed lightly on his lower lip as he tried to pick out the words he wished to say. 

 “I’m afraid too, Medivh.” Khadgar admitted. “I’ve made so many mistakes as a leader and poor choices as a person. We’re both flawed and damaged people. But I can’t deny that I feel braver with you here, with me.” Khadgar took a chance, reached over, and took Medivh’s hand into his own. He threaded their fingers together. When Medivh gently squeezed back, he felt his heart flutter. “I don’t just want to defeat Sargeras, I want to come out of this alive with you.”

 Medivh couldn’t help but smile a little. “I…wouldn’t mind leaving the tower more after this. Maybe…we could…? Ah…I…”

 “I’d love to show you around Dalaran.” Khadgar said. “I know you never liked it, but there are excellent places to eat. There’s also a very famous bookshop there that has more of those steamy romance novels…”

 “Dear light, you saw all of those?!” Medivh laughed halfway through the sentence.

 “I’ve always known about your smut collection. I had to organize those too back when I was cleaning your library.”

 Medivh’s face grew so hot, so fast that he felt a little lightheaded. His free hand rose up to cover his face. Laughter bubbled up from his chest and broke free. It was light, warm, and almost melodic. It brought a warmth to the room that Khadgar knew so well. At that moment, Medivh was lighter, more vibrant.

 “Excuse me…” a familiar drawling voice spoke. Moroes had arrived, with broom and dustpan in hand. The ever loyal steward refused to let Khadgar and Medivh go off without him. Surprising them both in his ability to leave Karazhan’s tower. Moroes gestured both magi to step aside as he began to sweep up what Khadgar noticed were small, golden crystalline shards. “Honestly, you’d think people around here would know to sweep up random bits of glass. If this junk gets into their hooves, it’ll cause them all sorts of problems.”

 Medivh’s brow furrowed as he stared at the collection of shards that were in Moroes’ dustpan. “Huh, so that’s what that occasional ‘crunch’ under my boots was…”

 “Um, that’s…Khadgar paled as he realized quickly what Moroes was sweeping up. “...That’s not glass.”

 Medivh looked to Khadgar, and then the realization hit him. “Oh, that’s the naru your moody purple friend blew up, isn’t it?”

 “Y-yep…” Khadgar could hear tiny, disjointed tones coming from the shards.

 “I don’t care what it is!” Moroes huffed. “It’s a mess, and it’s everywhere! Do your mage thing and help me clean.”

 “Magic!? Oh no, I couldn’t! I’d never!” Medivh said as an impish smile spread across his face. “I seem to remember a certain someone telling me that magic didn’t belong with cleaning. That all you need is good old-fashioned elbow grease and--”

 “Medivh.” Moroes’ voice was firm. He crossed his arms and gave the magus a firm look. “Enough of your sass or I’ll box you on your ears.”

 “Yes, yes, Mother Hen…” Medivh said, his smile turning warmer. He had very much missed Moroes and was thankful to have him back. He raised both of his hands into the air and his fingers gave a loud, sharp ‘snap’.

 Arcane crackled as mana flowed from Medivh and swirled in the air before shaping itself into multiple brooms. They floated off and went about sweeping and cleaning around the Vindicaar.

 Khadgar would take whatever levity he could get. Being there with Moroes and Medivh was grounding. Something he needed for the trials to come, for when they finally faced Sargeras.

 They would defeat him and get out of it alive, together. Khadgar didn’t need to hold on to rose-tinted memories to push him forward. There was so much to look forward to in the future.

 -The End-

[frostsworn]

It was the frantic wailing of Blind Mary that alerted Jairius that something was very wrong outside of Darkshire. Bane’s hooves thundered over the wet road as Jairius hurried towards the sound. It was the middle of the day, but in Duskwood that meant it was just as dark as midnight. He didn’t need sunlight to see where he was going, though. The Light flashed through the trees like an abrupt and very localized sunrise, and Bane balked at the edge of consecrated ground, his hooves sizzling. Jairius grabbed his runeblade and ventured further on foot.

There, in front of Blind Mary’s cabin, stood Aradrius, his shield raised, using the Light to fend off attack by...a Rider. Behind Aradrius floated Blind Mary, something clutched to her chest, screaming in fear. Aradrius’s ears were bleeding from the banshee’s wails, but he resolutely kept his shield raised, weathering blow after blow from the Rider before him. 

Ghostmaw! Come! Attack the Dark Rider! Show this minion of Medivh why he shouldn’t challenge the Scourge! A roar from above, and the frostwyrm landed behind the Dark Rider, forcing the undead thing to skitter backwards away from Aradrius and the dragon, or end up with her jaws around his midsection.

That was when Jairius attacked. Attacked...by controlling as many of the nearby undead as he could, sending the hapless ghouls to mob the Rider. None of them could do enough damage to hurt the thing, but they could keep it off balance, keep it from being able to mount a good offense. Then Jairius leapt into the fray himself. His runeblade, Oathbreaker, didn’t cry out in hunger, but in eagerness. It didn’t need the soul, the blood, not like the newer paired blades that were still so young, but Oathbreaker did enjoy taking life...unlife. Jairius rushed to Aradrius’s side, and together the two brothers, along with the horde of undead under Jairius’s control, began to drive the Dark Rider back.

At least until the Rider’s back hit the side of Blind Mary’s house. Then the Rider stopped retreating. Ghostmaw let loose with a blast of punishingly cold frost that slowed its movements. Aradrius’s Light burned where it touched any of the undead, but especially the Rider, as if Aradrius was trying hard to concentrate it on the threat. The blood magic Jairius employed stole the vigor from the Rider, slowing its movements. It seemed as though they would win. Before Oathbreaker could descend for the final blow, though, the Rider gave a determined cry and thrust its sword out. Out, and into Aradrius’s chest.

Jairius snarled and brought the runeblade down, half-severing the Dark Rider’s head. He felt the subtle pull as the runeblade tried to devour the Rider’s soul, but whatever magic bound the Rider to Duskwood and Deadwind Pass was also stronger than the death knight’s runeblade. Jairius kicked the dead not-dead thing and slung his blade over his back so he could kneel to check over Aradrius.

The paladin had collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. He lay in a heap at Jairius’s feet, bleeding profusely from a gaping hole in his chest. Jairius didn’t need to ask anyone. He knew. His voice was a quiet growl. “You’re dying, Aradrius.”

The paladin coughed up blood. “No. No. Mary. Was helping...need to...” He tried to get up, but didn’t have the strength.

Jairius eyed the paladin. “What were you doing?” He looked over to Mary, who looked on mournfully but didn’t explain. “A healer can’t help you, Aradrius, there’s too much damage. If you’re determined, I can call Adahlissa, but you know what that means. The two of us together are powerful enough to bring you back...but necromancy can’t restore life. You know that.”

Aradrius didn’t have the energy to speak. He simply nodded. Once. Before he succumbed to blood loss and pain and passed out. His breathing rasped, then he was still.

Jairius knelt to pick the paladin up and tied him to Ghostmaw’s saddle. He released his control over the lesser undead and climbed into the frostwyrm’s saddle. “Darkshire, Ghostmaw, I need to pick up Lissa. Then we’re headed to Raven Hill. There are enough necromancers there on a regular basis, we may as well make use of what they’ve left behind.”

While they were waiting on Lissa to get her things, Jairius penned a note for Thomas and for Cartery:

Thomas, Cartery,

There was an attack this afternoon. A Rider attacked my brother, Aradrius, while he was helping the banshee, Blind Mary, with something. He wasn’t able to tell me what it was or what drew the Rider, the Rider landed a killing blow before I could temporarily incapacitate it.

Aradrius voiced a desire for Adahlissa and I to bring him back. Whatever he was working on, it’s important enough to him to accept undeath. I won’t fight him on this. I’m leaving you this note so you know, if you hear or sense any necromancy in Raven Hill tonight, it’s probably us. Since the crypt keeps attracting necromancers, we thought we’d scour it for the materials we need instead of having to set up a fresh ritual site elsewhere.

I expect that even though Ghostmaw and I were able to nearly part the Rider from its head, it’s only a temporary inconvenience. Whatever animates it wouldn’t allow my runeblade to do any permanent damage to the Rider’s soul, so once it recovers, it might be back. Hopefully there’s nothing around Blind Mary’s cabin that will attract it back here. I think I saw her hiding something, but I’m not sure what it was.

I will be back once I’ve taken care of my brother.

Your friend,

Jairius Frostsworn

[mycophobian]

This is so messy and arghhh it’s not good at all honestly. I just as quickly as possible wanted this idea out though. x__x What would Medivh do on his worst depressive days without Khadgar? ;W;