‘Once again, awoken from sleep.’ I thought as I was put into the body of a wraith.
The infinity circuit housed me for long this time. ‘As I age more and more, I lose more of myself. How long until I am but a soul?’ Useless thoughts, but I’ve always been a philosopher at heart, or so I liked to pretend.
As with tradition, I reviewed my memories to see what was lost. I remembered my father and mother, not much of my growth. Being proud to be… a gem smith? Yes. And after an unknown time, joining the warriors. Long years of service, and then death.
Sometimes I miss my true days. But duty is my fate. Oh how I miss my days of innocence, my family, my life. All I have now, is hate, and memory. And even that fades with time.
With these thoughts, I begin to stoke the flames of anger in my soul. My weapon, an old ghostsword, thrummed with me. Yes, even if I couldn’t live, hate will fuel me until my duty ends. Until my promise is fulfilled.
“Mhey Sharren, honorable guard of Mir-Marren, oath bound warrior of the craft world, awaken once more. Awaken, Wraithblade of Mir-Marren. For duty calls, and we shall answer.” The Spiritseer said.
”I awaken from slumber once more spiritseer. I await my mission, but hurry. I can hear Khaine’s call, and soon battle shall follow.” I state in my ethereal and hollow voice.
While the wrote responses are tedious, they have their place. And, tradition demands it. And what was said isn’t untrue, but truly, my soul burns for my only remaining purpose, war.
As the spiritseer guides me away from my resting place, I can’t help but think of a lyric to a song I still remember. ‘While summer falls and winter springs, our home shall never know. Abandoned, forgotten, driven, taken. Tis’ something I’ll never know.’
I forget where it was from, but it is entertaining to think about. But there is no time for such things. I can feel the empty soul stone in my chest, and it brings me rage. The spiritseer doesn’t flinch, but those around me in the hall do. I even scare a poor child. What I’ve become.
”Im sorry young one. Go along with your care giver now.” I whisper into the boy’s mind. I didn’t look back, but I felt him leave.
As I march on, time passes. Maybe 5 seconds, maybe 5 hours. When we arrived at the vessel of our descent, our group was just outside. From what I could see, it was a set of 10 Dire Avenger warriors.
This must be of middling important, for I am being sent as well. For, who would send a Wraithblade on some trivial mission for neophytes.
“Ah, the honored Wraithblade has arrived. Good, we may begin. As I stated already, the objective is to explore a section of jungle on the planet E-85364, otherwise named Jherhar. It is suspected that Drukhari raiding party has set camp in the area to prepare a raid. As you know, this will enrage the local population of t’au. Our objective is to simply scout out the area, and if possible, eliminate the targets before we call for reinforcements.”
A simple objective. And it seems the Drukhari still haven’t changed in the slightest. Hopefully we can stop them before the raid, lest undue attention be placed in areas best left undisturbed.
As we board the ship, I replay memory’s over and over again. Remembering good times with friends and family. Remembering bad times like arguments and wars long gone. The worst by far, is the things I forgot…
A small jolt rocks the ship as we pass through atmosphere. It makes me focus on the present. Thankfully, the spiritseer was near and still assisting me. I looked about, and most were checking weapons. I knew mine was well and good, so I prepared myself mentally.
Time, so odd. As it passes, it has less meaning to me. Perhaps I should ask? No, it would be useless. Too many useless thoughts. I should really-
“We’re here, let us go.” Stated the leader of the squad.
Ah, it is time. I followed the spiritseer down and awaited orders with him. And I was right in the end. We were to follow 200m back from the primary group while 3 scouts went out ahead. Simple but effective.
It was then I checked my sword. As usual, it was in perfect condition, ready for war. And as we began the mission in earnest, I began to hype myself up. For some reason, today felt odd. Had I ever felt so? No…
Perhaps it was because it was the day? No, probably not. Likely my sense’s were worsening. Yes, that was likely. I recounted my memory just to make sure, and yes, there was nothing like this. Maybe it was actually-
Suddenly a shot went through the head of the avenger in front of me. I instantly had my sword in hand, and located where the shot came from, I charged towards it, and heard a loud curse. From the top of a tree, came a lithe figure in black with a long rifle in its hands. A sword on its hip, and a pistol on its other hip.
It raised the rifle towards me, and shot twice in rapid succession. One aimed at my head, the other wheRe it thought my head would be. This was an experienced pirate at the least, maybe it would be a decent fight. I dodged the two shots with relative ease, and saw the pirate drop his rifle.
It pulled its pistol and sword, and charged, firing all the way. I put myself in position to dodge its shots, or deflect them with my armor. As I was about 100m away, I felt a premonition in my soul stone. I dodged left, and a bolt of black energy barely missed me by an inch. Not as powerful as a dark lance, so likely a blast pistol. Not good.
It looks like our group was ambushed, and now we are in dire straights. Not good at all. I immediately looked for a small enough tree, and instantly cut it down with a swipe from my blade. I grasped the end of the tree whilst running, and threw it with my offhand at where I thought the blast pistol was.
I followed right after it. That weapon needed to be gone. As I charged, I felt rumbling through the earth, and for the first time in hundreds of years, I felt true fear. Not for the dark elder shooting, but something else.
I got rid of those thoughts and drowned my fear in Khaines rage. I had to fight. I found the blaster user, and he was close. I rushed him before it could raise its gun, and smashed at its chest. As predicted, it jumped back, but my left arm shot out with enough force to break trees and hit it in the helmet. The pirate dropped, and I stabbed it through the head, and again through the heart to make sure it died.
I checked the bond with the spiritseer, and followed it. Hopefully we could call reinforcements before it was too late. As I charged through the trees, I saw melee fighting in a compact area, and went to it. I let the rage flow through me, and made sure all felt it.
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I quickly hacked through one Drukhari’s guard, and through its shoulder. Two shots hit the back of its head, and it went down. It was a full brawl, and I went to slaughter the enemies of my craft world.
I went to cut another Drukhari into pieces when the rumbling started again. This time, I heard the spiritseer’s terrified shout.
“SOMETHING HAS THE WARP IN TURMOIL! BY KHAINE, WE NEED TO LEAVE THIS WORLD AND WARN THE CRAFTWORLD! THIS WORLD MIGHT BE LOST TO THE WA-“
Suddenly, a rift in the fabric of reality began forming mid air. I saw only madness in the void, and all eldar, craftworld or dark backed away. We all watched in abject horror and fear as long red horns began emerging from the rift. We didn’t wait, and everyone with a gun began firing at the damned thing from the rift.
When it finally looked to be dead, everyone ran. We charged through the trees to our ship, too late, out of the trees came mad screams, filled with horror and chaos. I steeled myself, and ordered my group on.
”Go, warn the craftworld. This world is gone. May Khaine himself bless me with an honorable death.”
”NO! YOU MUST COME WITH US, YOUR SOUL, IT WILL BE-“ began the spiritseer. But the leader of the Dire Avengers grabs him by the shoulders, and looks at me. He just nods, showing deference, and great respect. We all knew what would happen.
“Good luck, warriors of Mir-Marren. Do your duty, and may your fate be kinder then mine.” I stated. My ethereal voice not wavering in the slightest. My duty was clear. My honor unshaken. “So be it. FOR THE CRAFTWORLD!” I shouted, voice filled with as much rage as I could. I would fight to the end, damn the consequences.
My rage filled shout and aura permeated the area, and soon, they came. At first, it was small, mad things. I killed them in droves, awaiting the true threat. And soon, my prediction came true.
Soon, rage filled bellows came from the trees, and a blood letter burst through the trees. It’s sword glowing with an infernal light, it’s eyes filled with rage. It charged, and swiped at my head. I bent back slightly, and attempted a stab, only to be rebuffed by it swiping my blade away with a two handed grip. I advanced and smashed my hand into both of its, where it gripped its sword. Once, twice, and finally I slashed up.
My sword cut from groin to upper chest before I had to step away. It swiped wildly with one hand, while its other held its wound. I deflected its wild strikes, and at the best moment I could, I stabbed forward after reflecting its blade into the ground.
The blade went through its head, and I ripped down, ensuring that it stayed dead. As I was finishing it, I heard a rustle behind me. I quickly dumped forward, far too late. My left arm was cleaved off with a jagged cut, and my main body was ripped into.
As the blade was yanked out, I spun with a slash, and kicked. Without the seer, I was slower, and was ensured to fall. But I wouldn’t die alone! My slash cut across its throat and I kicked it away. A third blood letter rushed me, scoring a strike across the chest and a scratch on my head. My wounds were deep, and if I was flesh and blood, I would surely be dead.
As I dueled with the third, a rumble in the earth around me intensified, and we both lost our footing. I took the opportunity to stab its leg. But it was too late. A rip in the fabric pulled us, and I became terrified. I tried to stand my ground, but slowly we were pulled, together, into the hell known as the warp.
Just before I entered, I stated one thing.
”Mother, I’m so sorry I failed to keep our promise. Pray for me…”
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Varra POV
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It was a clear summers day for Varra Bovart. The tiny village where she lived was peaceful, had food aplenty, and kind folk. Sure, she was one of the few non-unmans, but full blood light elves are as respected as humans in the unified kingdoms of Allzoan.
Varra was walking home, exited as she could be. She was a level 5 leather worker, her parents trade. She was coming back from the fields outside the village, as she was practicing magic! Real magic! She had great talent they said! She was going to the academy in Mirhal. She was so exited. When she entered her family’s residence, they could see it too.
“Varra dear, wash up before lunch, then you must deliver these to the smith.” Her mother stated kindly. In return, the 15 year old girl nodded, and soon, her mother and father began to eat with her.
Their long ears twitched subtly with each retelling of her day so far. In their hearts, they knew it was almost time to let her go, but they couldn’t help but want her to stay in safety with them.
When they were finished, she cleaned up the dishes, cleaned her hands, and went to deliver the leather pieces to smith Fredrik. As she walked, she couldn’t help but feel weird. But she put it off to what she ate. When she arrived, the smith called out.
“Varra! Good to see you, put them over here! Let’s talk if your free.”
She did as asked, and set down the leather, and when done with his work, she began to chat with him. As they were talking, she felt it again, only stronger.
”Mr. Fredrik, do you feel that?” She asked the man. She looked around, but saw nothing.
”No, but it may be magic. I recommend we warn the guard.” As he said this, the ground shook. It shook for a while, before a screeching sound came from the square out front. As they looked, a rift in the air was forming.
People began to run away, and calls for the guard sounded. As it grew wider, Varra saw something emerging from the rift. Wait… it was two something’s. After a minute, two shapes came flying out. One was a large red humanoid with large horns. Looking at it made her feel terrified. It’s eyes showed nothing but malicious intelligence and hate.
The other object looked even stranger. It was organically shaped and rounded. It’s head was long and oddly graceful. It was colored dark blue and forest green. Looking at it gave her a sense of sorrow, wrongness, and rage. But not like the other being, a calm, unending rage that could burn with true hate, righteousness, Malice, and love. It made her feel oddly safe.
It was damaged. One arm looks to have been ripped off, it’s back damaged. On its front, gouges and a large slash went from its chest to its head. It was scorched and smoking, and it felt wrong.
As the red thing looked at the weird thing, it roared in rage. It sent true fear through her, and she pee’d herself. In return, the weird being let out an aura of pure hate, and faster then she could track, got up, and held out a sword of strange make in front of it.
The red being grabbed its sword, and she couldn’t help but notice it looked like a cleaver given malice and hate. They charged each other with little care. And the fight was on.——————————————————————————
Mhey Sharren POV
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I could barely focus. There was ringing in my soul, and I felt like I was burned alive. My soul scorched and my soul stone damaged. Any more, and it would crack. As I looked around, it looked oddly clear, and I could think through the pain.
I saw people. Humans and some few eldar… together? What? How? This is…
As my thoughts started to spiral, I saw a young eldar girl looking at me in wonder, fear, and more. As I began to focus, I heard a roar of rage. I focused back on my enemy. Hatred. That was all I felt to this being. Even the Drukhari were better.
My feelings must have slipped through for I saw the girl pee herself. No matter. If I didn’t stop it, it would kill the eldar here. So, we charged. There was no grace. Each knew we had to kill each other fast. I cut its arm off and into its body, while it cut halfway into my chest. I could feel pressure from something, but Khaines rage had taken me. Unto death, it would die.
I dropped my sword and held its own in my body. I kicked out, and it fell down. I began kicking and stomping it, even as it gripped its blade. When it was almost dead, it let go, and gave me a hit straight to the head. I finished him off in that moment, and it fell. But something cracked, and I could feel numbness flow through me. And even as I fell, I was at peace——————————————————————————
Varra POV
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As I watched the fight end, I saw the red thing die. It slowly disintegrated, and left nothing behind. But the other, I felt it, like a crack in my heart. Something happened, and I could feel resignation, fear, relief, and peace. I rushed out to the large thing, and finally realized, it was just over 3m in height.
I didn’t stop running, even as Fredrik called for me to stop. When I arrived at its side, I felt something in my being resonate with it.
”Hello child.” It said in a weak, ethereal echo. It, she sounded female.
”Are... Are you… d-dying?” I asked in a shaky voice. All it did was chuckle softly.
“Yes child. My soul stone” It pointed at a gem she could now see in its head, cracked. “has broke. My soul will soon be devoured like the story’s say.” She stated calmly. Varra was shocked, to speak of such things with such calm…
”No…” she didn’t realize she said it out loud. She felt her confusion. “NO! I won’t let you die!” She stated vehemently. All she felt was a growing sense of sorrow, that slowly faded.
“No… No No NO NO!” She desperately looked around, trying to find something to help. She found naught. But when she looked back down she felt something. A resonance. She desperately threw all she had into it. And she felt it. Her magic power was slowly fading, and when that was empty, it started to feed off her life. She was thinning, but she didn’t care. She must save this being. SHE MUST!
Before she fully died, she felt a nudge. A helping hand. It pushed her along, and Varra felt its kindness and sorrow. When it was done, she collapsed. But before she went unconscious, she heard a ringing.
DING: You have saved the soul of Mhey Sharren from “She Who Thirsts”. You have been awarded 1 attribute in all stats and the title - Savior of the lost.
Warning: The goddess approved your actions.
As she lost her consciousness, all she thought was: ‘That name, for some reason, it scares me more than anything…’
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