(2023-12-31) The Fight is Anything But Fair (S12 E7 - Blue Squad Log)

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Blue Squad and the Frost Giants restore Thorim's hammer and help him take the fight to Loken. Unfortunately, that's just what Loken wanted. Erixa tries to be a healer. Cressidha encounters some unfamiliar magic. Dane and Velrin are in for vengeance. ~3200 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 12

Erixa waves.

[Cressidha]: Good afternoon.

[Velrin]: Hello.

[Erixa]: Good afternoon!

Cressidha offers Erixa some water.

Erixa thanks Cressidha.

[Erixa]: Maybe today the giant King will decide to tell us about the hammer!

[Velrin]: I hope so. *she shivers from the cold*

Cressidha sweeps a warm wind around them. It doesn't last as long as it might in other weather.

Erixa nods appreciation to Cressidha.

[Erixa]: Velrin, what did you think of Thorim? I did not have time to ask.

[Velrin]: Oh. He seems a strong and good man. I trust he has Azeroth's best interest in mind.

[Erixa]: Mm. And maybe a little too different in size for partnering with people like us. *Erixa nods apologetically*

[Velrin]: It was a bit sad to find him in such a sorry state. I cannot say I didn't understand his sorrow… *her ears droop*

[Cressidha]: He seemed… like he has not finished mourning his wife. I am uncertain as to the timeline regarding him and… any of these events, really.

Velrin giggles at Erixa, "Perhaps not, but I have a partner of my own kind anyhow."

[Cressidha]: Oh?

[Erixa]: It seemed like it was long ago? But still felt very close for him. *Erixa turns to Velrin curiously*

[Velrin]: Hm? *Velrin looks between the two*

[Cressidha]: I was unaware you did.

[Velrin]: O-oh. Umm… yes I've been spending more and more time with Celaven Evensong.

[Erixa]: Ah, one of the priests!

[Cressidha]: I… believe I recall him.

[Erixa]: I think you mentioned him before. *Erixa tries to remember*

[Erixa]: Well, then, Thorim being… what he is… is not so disappointing!

[Velrin]: Y-yes he is… he is very kind to me. *Velrin blushes*

[Erixa]: It's good to have someone.

Velrin nods.

Cressidha smiles at Velrin.

Velrin tries to smile back at Cress but probably just looks really anxious.

[Erixa]: I have not really dated much in the past few decades.

[Cressidha]: I have not at all.

[Dane]: Hullo', you lot.

[Cressidha]: Ah, Dane, good afternoon.

[Dane]: Looks to be a new staff there, Cress.

Cressidha nods.

[Erixa]: Oh! Sir Dane, hello! *Erixa glances at Cressidha, but doesn't press on the subject*

[Dane]: How's the day?

[Velrin]: Cold.

Dane asks, glancing between the three of them assessingly.

Cressidha covers her mouth to hide a smile. "Cold."

Erixa nods. "Like most days here. But we were just waiting till we get the audience with the King."

[Dane]: As ever.

Dane nods. "Aye, let's see if he'll speak to us now."

Cressidha climbs onto her carpet.

[Dane]: Hail, King Jokkum

Atley bows before King Jokkum.

Erixa bows before King Jokkum.

Velrin salutes King Jokkum with respect.

King Jokkum says: Cobalt Company, back again?

Cressidha bows to the king.

King Jokkum says: I know what you come to seek - what we know of Thorim's hammer Krolmir.

Dane inclines his head to the giant.

King Jokkum says: I have considered what I should tell you. There is still much you might do to mend our relations with Thorim.

Dane nods. "We would see it done."

King Jokkum looks over everyone appraisingly.

King Jokkum says: In time. Trust is not built in a day. But… I do feel you have proven yourself enough for this one secret.

[Velrin]: You need only say the word and we shall make it so.

King Jokkum says: I will need you to trust me - I must take you somewhere to share what we know. Let me know when you are ready to depart.

Velrin looks to Dane and raises an eyebrow.

Dane nods. "We're ready."

King Jokkum picks them all up and puts them on his head.

King Jokkum says: Hold on, little ones.

He walks to the crater.

King Jokkum yells: Thorim! Come, show yourself!

Thorim says: King Jokkum, you have summoned me?

King Jokkum says: The deeds of your servants defy their stature, Stormlord. Their efforts have succeeded in softening the hearts of my people.

Thorim says: Jokkum, son of Arngrim, I have always regretted my actions here. In my grief, I brought great harm to those closest to me.

Thorim says: I would ask your forgiveness for the suffering I have caused you and your people.

King Jokkum says: Never have such humble words come from mighty Thorim. I shall deliver your words to Dun Niffelem.

King Jokkum says: The events of that dark day are hereby forgiven by my people. They shall never again be spoken of.

King Jokkum says: To signify our reforged friendship, I have something which belongs to you…

King Jokkum says: As the great explosion filled the region, my father cast a rune at the great hammer that it might not be had by our enemies. It was his final act…

Thorim says: Krolmir… I thank you Jokkum. I hadn't dared hope it still existed. It shall soon see glorious battle once again!

King Jokkum says: We welcome the opportunity to fight by your side, mighty Thorim.

King Jokkum says: I must return to Dun Niffelem. We shall speak again soon, Stormlord.
Thorim says: Words cannot express my gratitude, friends.

Thorim says: You have served me honorably.

Cressidha nods politely.

[Dane]: Wot's next?

Thorim says: I now have my drake, my old allies, and Krolmir. It is time. I am prepared to face Loken now.

Thorim says: Let us make our way to the Terrace of the Makers and face my brother's forces. The fool will regret ever crossing me.

[Dane]: Mount up, you lot.

[Velrin]: Indeed. *she bows* We would be honored to aid you in this fight.

[Dane]: We near the end of this.

Cressidha climbs back on her carpet.

[Dane]: Hold fast. There's no properly telling wot' awaits us.

They fly.

Dane glances around at the towering ruins, lips faintly parted, eyes squinting. He walks over to Thorim atop his gryphon.

Thorim says: We're here, my allies. My brother's forces will learn the meaning of defeat today.

Erixa looks around in wonder.

Cressidha lands her carpet, then seems to consider floating it in front of Thorim - it raises up a few inches before she sets it down again. No point in making him look in two different directions.

Thorim says: Now let's discuss what there is to be done.

[Dane]: Right.

Thorim says: For years I neglected my duties, giving into defeat and self-pity.

Thorim says: Not the brave earthen, however. Their oath to protect the Terrace of the Makers with their lives has gone unbroken.

Thorim says: Even now, they fight the corruption of iron with bravery and selflessness, waiting for the moment in which the tides turn.

Thorim says: That moment has arrived. We must rally what remains of the earthen defenders and lead them into a glorious victory. Sound the Horn of the Peaks to call them to your side and take back the Terrace of the Makers.

[Cressidha]: The corruption of iron…?

Thorim says: Yes, they fight against the Iron dwarves, among others of Loken's minions.

Thorim says: And that brings me to the other thing I need you to do.

Dane lifts a brow and grunts inquisitively.

Thorim says: The attack on the Terrace of the Makers was not a half-hearted move on my brother's behalf. He sent a legion of iron dwarves and some of his most powerful lieutenants.

Thorim says: Use the Horn of the Peaks, which I have given you, to call the earthen to your side and defeat Loken's servants.

Dane examines the horn, turning it left and right as he squints at the craftsmanship.

[Dane]: We'll join the earthen in combat 'gainst Loken and his iron minions.

[Cressidha]: We shall do as you request.

Thorim says: By this, I mean Loken's particular servants. One is called Eisenfaust,and you will find him in the Halls of the Shaper to the northwest.

Thorim says: The other two will be deeper in the Terrace of the Makers, beyond the stairs.

Erixa nods at Thorim.

[Dane]: Let's see it done, you lot. We're nearly finished, here.

[Dane]: Weeks of preparations' led to this day.

Earthen Elite says: Fight back the enemy!

Erixa starts out charging into melee, but then starts clumsily wielding the Light, her expression focused.

[Erixa]: We miss Iphindra.

[Erixa]: I will try, in her place.

[Cressidha]: Thank you.

Erixa does her best to keep the group healed.

[Dane]: I've never seen the likes of this place…

[Dane]: Uldaman was large, but this is somming' else.

[Velrin]: Indeed.

Cressidha feather falls them down the GIANT STAIRCASE.

Each step is about one and a half Cressidhas.

[Erixa]: Another big one!

[Erixa]: They are all over this terrace.

[Dane]: Aye, spoils of them.

[Dane]: Let's remount and take to the skies. Find that other Lieutenant.

[Velrin]: Understood.

[Cressidha]: Very well.

[Dane]: Stay at the ready in this ancient place.

[Erixa]: Wow. This place… so carved.

Dane glances around with a wary glare.

[Velrin]: On your mark.

[Dane]: Lookit' the ceiling.

[Erixa]: Wow! It is like a Cathedral thing.

[Velrin]: This is quite the impressive room.

The Earthen rally to help take down the giant.

[Cressidha]: I am uncertain what it is meant to depict…

[Dane]: Looks almost like children, with wings.

[Dane]: Let's head back out. See if we can bring any of those big bastards down.

[Cressidha]: Very well.

[Erixa]: Did humans once have wings, like Arakkoa?

[Cressidha]: Not that I am aware of.

They take more of the big bastards down.

[Dane]: That'll do. Leave the rest of the earthen, here. We return to Thorim!

Cressidha nods to Dane.

[Cressidha]: The Earthen are valiant fighters.

Thorim says: That I know. How goes the battle?

[Velrin]: Well. The targets you gave us have been slain.

[Dane]: The battle goes well, Thorim.

[Dane]: We've slain your brother's lackeys and many of his foot soldiers.

Thorim says: Excellent. One by one, my brother's servants have fallen. Loken's insurrection will soon come to an end.

Thorim says: But my brother's forces will not take long to regroup. We must make our victory a decisive one.

Thorim says: Loken killed my wife, turned my followers and me against each other. He took away everything I had, but today… that changes.

Thorim says: Today we reclaim our sacred grounds. Today… Loken dies.

Thorim says: Meet me on the bridge near the Temple of Wisdom, just southwest of Ulduar. I will finish this one way or the other.

Dane sets his jaw and nods. "It's been a long time coming."

[Erixa]: What shall we do?

Thorim says: I need all of you there as witnesses. You will not aid me — this is personal.

[Velrin]: Very well Lord Thorim.

Erixa nods.

Thorim says: After it's done, send word to Jokkum, King of the Frost Giants. He's a good friend and will know what to do.

[Dane]: Let's see this finished, you lot.

[Dane]: Mount up!

Cressidha nods. "We shall witness your fight without interfering, as you say."

[Dane]: Do those vines look natural to you?

Cressidha lands on the bridge, looking up at Thorim.

[Velrin]: It's hard to say… there are certainly trees that large in my homeland.

Erixa peers at them. "The way they curl around, it looks almost like intention."

[Dane]: Seems foul to me.

Thorim says: It is time I put an end to my brother's madness.

They approach Loken, who is just sitting on a throne out in the open waiting for him. Or is it an illusion?

Thorim yells: Loken!!

Thorim yells: Stand up and fight me, you worthless traitor!

Loken says: You seem eager to join your beloved Sif, brother.

Thorim says: Do not dare…

Thorim says: Speak…

Thorim says: Her name!!

Loken yells: ENOUGH!

Loken says: Looks like you can still best me in a fair fight, little brother.

Loken says: Unfortunately for you…. this fight is anything but fair!

Loken says: Thanks to your little friend, you've left the Temple of Storms, where you were at your strongest. Instead we fight closer to my master's power.

Loken immobilizes Thorim with some sort of spell. There's lightning. There are spectral tentacles.

[Velrin]: What!?!

Erixa gasps.

Loken says: Minions! Take my brother and his drake to their new dwellings. Make sure the beast makes it alive. I have special plans for the broodmother.

Loken says: As for your life, mortal. I will be generous. After all… why would I destroy my most useful servant? I waited for you for weeks inside that Hyldnir mine.

Loken says: The shape wasn't mine, of course. And had you not been so reckless, you would've seen past my illusion. But you came through for me, and for that… I must thank you!

[Cressidha]: …ah…

Erixa gasps again.

Dane glares at Loken, eyes alight with fury.

Velrin growls.

[Erixa]: He's… gone. He was…

Dane grinds his teeth. "Lok'lira. Bloody fackin' hell…"

[Dane]: I should've seen it coming.

Dane's fingers throttle the grip of his sword.

[Velrin]: Dune'adah alah'ni

[Erixa]: Loken. Lok'lira. *Erixa looks angrily at the empty throne*

Cressidha's expression has gone quite neutral.

[Cressidha]: We were told to report to King Jokkum.

[Erixa]: But we helped Thorim as we could. We did not betray him. He may yet get free.

Dane looks towards Ulduar, brow still tightly knit. "We've played in Loken's hands… Still. Thorim is mighty, as was his beast."

Erixa nods at Atley.

[Dane]: Aye. There's still hope, but we need to tell King Jokkum.

[Erixa]: Yes, he said King Jokkum would know what to do.

[Velrin]: Dane… *Velrin regards him seriously* We will have vengeance, will we not?

Dane regards Velrin with equal sobriety. "Of course. No one who's ever double crossed this squad, or Cobalt Company, lived to tell of it."

[Erixa]: But we cannot rush in. We see that we cannot rush in without a plan.

[Velrin]: Good. Then we are in agreement.

Cressidha nods to Erixa.

[Dane]: We'll speak with the king and see wot' needs doing, but I know now our path will lead us inside, for Thorim's sake.

[Cressidha]: Close to his master, he said.

[Dane]: Let's fly.

[Erixa]: And this time, we will outsmart him. And outfight him.

[Cressidha]: I… do not think his master is the Lich King.

[Dane]: You don't?

[Erixa]: There is another corruption in Northrend. I have heard others speak of it.

[Velrin]: The Old Gods?

Dane nods slowly as he looks around at the vines. "Let's meet with King Jokkum, then speak amongst ourselves."

Cressidha nods.

Erixa nods. "Those tentacles. They did not look like Lich King."

Cressidha is quiet during the flight back.

[Dane]: King Jokkum, we bring dire news…

Cressidha bows to King Jokkum and lets Dane explain.

King Jokkum says: Dire news? Tell me.

[Dane]: Thorim and his mount have been taken captive. Loken's deceived, and has been for some time.

King Jokkum says: No… it cannot be…

King Jokkum says: Was it an army laying wait in ambush?

[Cressidha]: No. Loken said he could not beat Thorim in a fair fight… but he did not need to fight fair.

[Cressidha]: He used some sort of unsettling magic that I am not familiar with.

Dane's expression remains grim, but determined. He grunts and nods at Cressidha.

King Jokkum says: Indeed. No one can defeat Thorim in single combat. Not a giant, nor a beast… no one! Especially not that coward of a brother of his. But…

King Jokkum says: Unsettling magic that even a mage such as yourself does not recognize?

[Velrin]: We think it may be some old, foul power. Even more so than the Lich King.

[Dane]: Aye. Something older, and fouler. He lured Thorim into a trap.

King Jokkum says: This bodes ill. The corruption in Ulduar must be poisoning him.

King Jokkum says: But on my forefather's names, this I swear… Loken will pay for this!

Velrin nods firmly.

King Jokkum says: He will expect you to be demoralized, but we must not let that happen. We must strike again, and soon.

[Dane]: He will need your help, before the end.

[Dane]: I cannot lead my people in after him. Not yet. We will need time to report, and prepare.

[Dane]: But we will have Thorim return soon, and vengeance satisfied.

Dane says, briefly looking to Velrin with a nod.

King Jokkum nods. "And he will have it, whatever help I can give. As for you, I can tell you where to find Loken. Thorim… I will need to find where he's being held."

[Velrin]: Worry not, King Jokkum. This blow against us will only serve to fan the flames of our fury. Loken will not have time to regret crossing us.

King Jokkum says: And if I meet him before you, he will regret crossing me.

King Jokkum says: But I should tell you what I know. Loken resides in the Halls of Lightning, in the Ulduar complex.

Dane furrows his brow.

Cressidha nods slowly.

Dane lightly shakes his head. "Wot' else, King Jokkum?"

King Jokkum says: Loken is not the only dread enemy in the Halls of Lightning. Your team has put an end to the fire giant Fjorn, and we have recovered his anvil. However, the leaders of the fire giants are still at large.

King Jokkum says: One of the two leaders, Volkhan, works day and night inside the Halls of Lightning, forging new constructs for Loken’s army. This must be stopped, if my people are to survive.

Erixa nods.

Dane itches his beard as he listens.

King Jokkum says: You should find him on the way to Loken's chamber. And, of course, Loken must fall.

King Jokkum says: If my people attack before yours are prepared, I will send you word.

[Cressidha]: Thank you, your majesty.

[Dane]: That is well enough.

[Dane]: Blue Squad, on me.

[Dane]: Loken is not the first to underestimate our wrath. Capturing Thorim and taking him into his halls will prove his undoing.

Velrin crosses her arms and nods.

[Dane]: Once we've this situation settled we can press west into Icecrown without distraction.

[Dane]: Anyone have anything to add?

[Erixa]: We might have done the same, even without Lok'lira's plans.

[Erixa]: Aiding Thorim, as we did.

[Cressidha]: … I have nothing to add. Well fought, everyone. It was Thorim's wish that we not intervene, and so.

Cressidha shrugs slightly.

[Cressidha]: Perhaps he will accept our intervention now.

[Erixa]: He is no longer in a position to say.

[Velrin]: Even if not we cannot forgive Loken's treachery.

[Dane]: Caspis did mention that there was something older than the Lich King. Something buried under these mountains.

[Dane]: That's a threat we can't ignore, regardless of any triumph or failure in Icecrown.

[Velrin]: Agreed.

Erixa nods. "Yes, it is no good if we defeat the Lich King but another evil triumphs."

Cressidha nods.

[Cressidha]: Would anyone care for a portal elsewhere?

[Dane]: I'll take one to Dalaran, and get word to Captain Jocoza to authorize a siege into these 'halls.'

[Velrin]: I'll head back there as well.

[Erixa]: I would head that way, yes.

[Dane]: Dismissed, you lot. Prepare for a next in the coming days.

Cressidha nods, tossing a portal stone into the air for the others. It cracks open to reveal Dalaran.