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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | Blue Squad storms the Halls of Lightning in search of Thorim and Loken. They find one of the two. Dane doesn't actually want to be lifted up to a giant anvil in the middle of a danger zone. Marina is going through a rebellious phase. The Titans didn't put informational plaques on their holographic planets, but the squad enjoys looking at them anyway. ~5200 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 12
Blue Squad assembles at Dun Niffelem.
Dane swiftly lands and dismounts. "Cress."
[Cressidha]: Dane, good afternoon.
[Dane]: Aye. How's the day?
[Cressidha]: Well, so far. And yours?
[Dane]: I'll be better once we've slaughtered that traitor, Loken.
[Dane]: And return his tongue, to…
Dane trails off and looks to King Jokkum.
Cressidha does not comment on cutting out tongues. She nods.
[Dane]: Iphindra, Erixa.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Iphindra, Erixa.
[Erixa]: Hello!
[Erixa]: Are we going after Loken today?
[Dane]: We are, and his servants.
Cressidha passes out water as usual.
Erixa thanks Cressidha.
Iphindra runs to the others. "Hello, I am here this time, I apologize for last time I… I um… I almost deathed. But I'm okay now!"
Erixa nods. "That is good. I hope we will find Thorim there."
[Dane]: I've heard some, but very little. We've clearance to storm these Halls of Lightning.
[Cressidha]: Goodness. You almost died?
Erixa turns to Iphindra in concern.
[Iphindra]: Yes, but not anymore! I'm ready to help! *She smiles.*
Cressidha tilts her head, but doesn't pry further. "Very well."
[Dane]: Hullo' then, Velrin.
[Erixa]: I'm glad you did not death.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Velrin.
[Dane]: 'Fore we depart, I've somming' to ask of you lot. Have you heard the news?
Celaven walks over from the flight point, coming to stand by Velrin.
[Cressidha]: Celaven, good afternoon.
[Iphindra]: Tha- thank you! I will try to not let this happen again! *She nods at Erixa, then nods hello at Velrin.*
Velrin nods, "Sir Dane." She turns to nod at Cress a bit awkwardly.
[Erixa]: Which news?
[Erixa]: There are lots of news.
[Iphindra]: The news? *She tilts her head.*
Velrin reaches for Ven's hand while she listens.
[Dane]: A strange mist has taken Goldshire. The town's effectively fallen silent. Everyone's fell into a deep, unwaking slumber.
[Cressidha]: Oh, Light. I thought that was gossip. It's true?
Celaven takes her hand and listens to Dane solemnly.
[Dane]: 'Tis. I often take that road to return to Eastvale, but I was turned away. Had to cross through the forest.
[Erixa]: Does anyone know what's doing it?
Dane nods briefly to Celaven in greeting.
[Iphindra]: It- it was… a sleeping thing?
[Dane]: If I'd to wager I'd say it's the Lich King priming for another attack.
Dane nods to Iphindra. "Aye, striking the common folk."
[Velrin]: Oh my… I pray that Miss Ivrianna and little Karson are well.
Cressidha frowns a little.
[Erixa]: I have not heard of him attacking with dreams…
[Iphindra]: Hmmm… *She furrows her brows in concern.*
Dane nods solemnly. "They're well, but they've been racked with dreams, foul ones, as have I."
Celaven frowns. "I have heard some troubling things from the Temple very recently. It may be a different foe."
[Iphindra]: E- everyone has bad dreams, too?
Dane furrows his brow, perhaps misunderstanding the question.
[Dane]: … Aye, sometimes. But more lately.
[Erixa]: I… I did not think it unusual, given circumstances.
[Dane]: I think the closer we draw to that wretched citadel the darker our hearts become.
[Velrin]: I-I had a few. Nightmares aren't unusual for me so I thought nothing of it, but these were particularly disturbing.
Dane grunts, echoing Velrin's sentiment.
Iphindra inexplicably moves further and further away from the two kaldorei. She's doing it a little sneakily though.
Celaven nods quietly.
[Cressidha]: What did you hear?
[Iphindra]: N- no, but I never have dreams! Never. That- that's what made me feel badly, last week.
[Iphindra]: I- it was my first dream… ever!
Dane lifts a brow. "Ever? You don't dream in sleep?"
Celaven adds, "I heard there is a trouble to do with the Dream. That is, the Emerald Dream. Druid business, so I know little beyond that."
Iphindra shakes her head no.
Velrin clenches her jaw in worry.
Dane clears his throat.
[Dane]: As for why I bring this up, it's to underscore the importance of our victory today. The darkness closes in on all sides; it's time to push back.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
Erixa nods. "We will push!"
[Dane]: Let's storm the Halls, you lot, foul dreams be damned. Mount up!
Celaven gives Velrin's hand a squeeze and lets it go.
[Velrin]: Indeed. *she starts to regain some confidence*
Iphindra mounts up.
Celaven says, "Come back safe, love."
[Cressidha]: Celaven, will you be waiting here?
[Cressidha]: Or do you require a portal?
Dane hovers, turning to look at Celaven.
Celaven nods. "I think I'll just wait here. The giants are friendly enough."
Velrin gives Ven a quick hug, "I will Ven. I'll see you soon."
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Dane grunts. "Farewell."
[Iphindra]: F- farewell!
They fly!
Dane squints up at the entrance.
[Erixa]: This is the place then?
[Dane]: Leave the beasts here. It's no place for them inside.
Dane grunts. "According to our intelligence."
Cressidha rolls up her carpet and puts it away.
Velrin stretches in preparation.
[Dane]: We may well be the first beings of flesh to ever step foot in this place…
Iphindra pats her gryphon. "Fly a little for now, I will be back! Have fun."
[Cressidha]: Thorim.
[Cressidha]: Was not Thorim a being of flesh?
[Dane]: He's an earthen, like the others.
[Erixa]: He was… a guardian of the titans? I did not feel him.
[Dane]: We kill anything that resists us in our path to Loken.
[Erixa]: I mean, I did not feel to see if rock or flesh.
Dane marches inside and stares at the astral bodies.
There are constellation-like statues on either side of them as they enter.
Erixa looks to either side. "They have stars inside."
[Dane]: Looks to be a tauren, with some shield.
[Erixa]: Or… statues of them.
[Iphindra]: A- a statue of stars! *She points at an astral thing.*
[Iphindra]: Yes!
[Dane]: An elven priestess with a doe.
[Cressidha]: Goodness.
[Velrin]: Time to show the heroes of old what you're made of, eh Sir Dane? *she winks*
Erixa nods.
Iphindra approaches the one with the doe. "W-wonderful."
Dane scoffs with amusement at Velrin. "Aye, somming' like that, if you leave anything left alive for me to prove myself against."
Velrin chuckles at him, "Just try to keep up, little boy."
[Erixa]: I am ready for good retribution.
Cressidha smiles and tosses out Marina's bracers.
[Iphindra]: An- and me to heal!
Dane squints around.
Marina burbles. Time to throw splashy water!
[Dane]: I've a mind to have Brannagen tell us wot' the hell this place is for.
[Iphindra]: Th- there are giant statues under!
Dane grunts at Iphindra before he peers over the ledge. "Mm?"
[Dane]: They're… dormant…
[Erixa]: Constructs or statues?
[Velrin]: There's so many of them…
[Erixa]: I am thinking constructs…
[Dane]: Constructs, aye.
[Iphindra]: I- if they wake up… We are in danger.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Dane grunts at Iphindra. "Properly. Let's count on them to stay sleeping."
[Erixa]: Let us hope.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
[Erixa]: I think that's one of them there.
[Erixa]: He looks like the ones below
[Dane]: Looks properly sized.
[Velrin]: Indeed.
General Bjarngrim yells: I am the greatest of my father's sons! Your end has come!
General Bjarngrim yells: GRAAAAAH! Behold the fury of iron and steel!
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
General Bjarngrim yells: Give me your worst!
General Bjarngrim yells: How can it be…? Flesh is not… stronger!
Iphindra pants. "… Phew."
Cressidha nods. "Well done, Iphindra."
[Dane]: Aye, well fought.
[Erixa]: We took one, but I would not want to take one hundred.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: And there are bloody hundreds.
[Dane]: Some energy still moves through this place.
[Erixa]: At least, I think we do have surprise on our side.
Dane points at the ground.
Erixa looks down. "Oh yes. It seemed normal, but this is not a draenei place."
[Dane]: That drape is made of stars.
[Dane]: This makes Uldaman look like a cove.
[Cressidha]: Oh, how lovely.
[Iphindra]: It's… all beautiful.
[Erixa]: Can you imagine a cloak made of stars like that…
[Velrin]: Hopefully we strike off this monster's head with Loken.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Aye, clear it out for the Explorer's League…
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Erixa, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Dane]: We'll go here, then double back.
Cressidha might be imagining a cloak made of stars like that.
Dane sniffs.
[Dane]: Smells like a forge.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Erixa's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
Dane looks them all over.
[Erixa]: This reminds me of Ironforge.
Dane grunts.
[Erixa]: Except, you know, the killer elementals.
Velrin looks happy as can be from the unexpected warmth.
[Dane]: That smithy there is automatic.
[Iphindra]: Oh, the outside!
[Erixa]: A lake!
Dane looks out over the structures.
Iphindra feels a lot better that she can see the sky from there.
Marina makes an angry splashy sound as she watches the fire elementals.
[Dane]: This entire facility's larger than Elwynn Forest.
[Cressidha]: Be on guard…
[Velrin]: Indeed… This is quite the sight.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Kill them.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Atley, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Erixa]: More!
[Dane]: Let's press on. I want a closer look at that pile.
Cressidha presses on.
Marina seems particularly enthusiastic.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
[Erixa]: It looks like… bits of constructs?
[Cressidha]: Spare parts…?
Dane squints at the pile and reaches down to push it around.
[Dane]: Rejected models, or somming'.
[Iphindra]: T- the broken ones?
[Dane]: Misshapen. Disobedient, p'raps.
[Velrin]: To think these are just the scraps. To say nothing of the completed ones.
[Erixa]: I suppose every craftsman must make mistakes.
Big guy is over by the forge.
[Dane]: According to our intelligence, that'd be Volkhan.
[Dane]: If not, he's a big facker' and he's worth killing anyway.
[Dane]: Let's clear the entire place out.
[Erixa]: That will help the giants.
[Erixa]: This must be the one they spoke of, the fire giant leader Volkhan.
[Erixa]: Making soldiers…
While the group is fighting one group of elementals, Marina drifts towards the NEXT pack of fire elementals, unbidden by Cressidha.
[Cressidha]: Marina!
Cressidha gives her elemental a stern look.
Dane gives Marina a sharp look. "Hold fast."
[Iphindra]: Water elemental, n- no!
[Dane]: On my mark … Marina.
[Erixa]: Marina, Dane is leader.
After the elementals are dead, Marina pauses and slowly floats back to the group.
[Dane]: Properly eager, but too much of that is dangerous.
[Velrin]: Is it… normal for a familiar to act like that?
Dane growls evenly at Marina.
[Cressidha]: She's oddly unruly today.
[Dane]: When'd you first 'get' her, Cress? Outland?
[Cressidha]: I wonder if it's something about this place?
[Iphindra]: We are fighting…. fire? Maybe this is why?
[Erixa]: Is it an elemental rival thing? Fire?
[Cressidha]: Yes.
[Dane]: Faced many perils with that creature.
[Dane]: That's the forgemaster.
[Dane]: Likely hits like a wagon train, you lot. Prepare.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Volkhan yells: It is you who have destroyed my children? You… shall… pay!
[Iphindra]: I'll heal! No worry!
Cressidha pulls up her ice barrier.
Volkhan yells: Life from lifelessness… death for you.
Volkhan yells: I will crush you beneath my boots!
Volkhan yells: The master was right… to be concerned.
They kill him, of course.
[Erixa]: One fire giant down!
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
[Erixa]: Unusual forge here.
Dane lightly rasps on the anvil with his sword.
[Dane]: Aye. I'd have a mind to use it, if I'd a ladder…
Marina floats over to the anvil and pokes it. Steam hisses from her arm.
Erixa turns around and gasps.
[Iphindra]: We can help lift you!
Velrin giggles at Dane.
Iphindra approaches Dane to lift him up.
Dane grimaces and waves her off.
[Dane]: No.
Erixa walks back. "I think one of the big doors opened when we killed the giant."
[Dane]: Mm? Where?
[Iphindra]: V- very well I apologize!
[Erixa]: Just behind…
[Velrin]: Are you sure? I can lift you. *she teases*
[Dane]: M'sure.
[Erixa]: I am also strong, we can give a good boost.
Dane looks to Erixa. "Let's move."
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
Erixa nods.
[Dane]: Have a care, you lot…
[Erixa]: More dormant constructs…
[Dane]: These ones look livelier…
[Iphindra]: Th- they have fire daggers.
[Erixa]: Not dormant!
[Dane]: I don't recognize these constellations. Two hunting trolls?
[Erixa]: More!
[Velrin]: This is a Titan facility, no?
[Dane]: Aye.
[Erixa]: But yes it looks troll to me.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Velrin]: We know they are responsible for the humans, gnomes, and dwarves.
[Dane]: Trolls, night elves, tauren… I know wot' you mean.
[Dane]: The elder races.
[Velrin]: But perhaps they has a hand in making all of Azeroth's creatures.
[Erixa]: Weird that they have constellations of peoples they did not make.
[Iphindra]: Th- there was a human!
[Erixa]: Or… or did they? *Erixa looks at Velrin*
[Dane]: There was a human?
Dane asks Iphindra.
[Iphindra]: Yes!
[Iphindra]: Earlier in the room!
[Iphindra]: Didn't you see?
[Dane]: Damn… I'd have liked to have seen it.
[Iphindra]: Come!
They backtrack a little down the hallway.
[Erixa]: Ah! A mage!
[Erixa]: With a ball!
[Iphindra]: Here.
[Cressidha]: I admit I was more focused on the enemies.
Dane grunts at Cressidha.
[Dane]: Looks human, alright. Short ears.
[Dane]: Keep note of wot' others we see. Good eye, Iphindra.
[Erixa]: The staff and ball makes me think mage.
[Iphindra]: I- I was focusing on the enemies too! I… um… I looked very briefly.
[Cressidha]: I did not mean to imply you were not, Iphindra.
Iphindra beams. The squad leader said good eye!
[Dane]: We slay the lot of these elementals.
Velrin points at Ionar.
[Dane]: Mm… That one looks important.
[Dane]: Clear the entire area, first.
[Erixa]: Big elemental, yes.
[Velrin]: Understood.
Iphindra takes a deep breath now that she's out in the open again.
Dane shakes his head. "To think that throughout all the ages of my people this entire place has been hidden here, in these mountains."
[Iphindra]: I- it's good we have moments of peace like this. Outside.
[Cressidha]: Mm.
Dane grunts. "This place doesn't make me feel peaceful… It makes me feel small. And young."
[Erixa]: This place is amazing.
[Dane]: Like these beetles.
[Erixa]: I did not know Azerothians had places like this.
Cressidha does not seem particularly interested in the outside, but she waits politely, sweeping a warm gust of air around the group.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
[Dane]: Wonder if there's fish in that water.
Iphindra takes another deep breath.
[Dane]: Wot' they might look like.
[Cressidha]: No sign of Thorim so far…
[Erixa]: We can fish after…
[Dane]: We'll carve our way to him, soon enough.
Erixa nods at Cressidha.
Marina locks her attention onto the giant elemental.
[Velrin]: On your mark.
[Iphindra]: O- or just look at the fish from outside the water!
They fight a gigantic air elemental.
Ionar yells: You wish to confront the master? You must first weather the storm!
Ionar yells: The slightest spark shall be your undoing.
Ionar yells: Master… you have guests.
The air elemental perishes.
[Dane]: Master… Loken.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
While the others move out to the balcony, Cressidha turns to look in the other direction. There is a large… holographic? Diagram? Of planets?
[Cressidha]: Look.
[Dane]: Easy, Cress, not too close.
[Erixa]: Oh! How nice!
[Cressidha]: Certainly, but… look.
[Erixa]: A lot of technology here reminds me of home.
Dane squints.
[Dane]: Other worlds? Is Azeroth amongst them?
[Iphindra]: Draenei… they have technology as strong as the titans?
[Erixa]: Oh, I do not think so. We did not make worlds.
Velrin looks at Erixa.
[Erixa]: But we do make holograms.
[Dane]: Erixa speaks true. Their technology's nearly advanced.
[Dane]: Let's examine it after we clear the room of foes.
[Cressidha]: Naaru technology is truly remarkable.
[Iphindra]: Hmm… Maybe if yo- you had more time of peace… You could have made a world too!
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
Erixa nods at Cressidha. "They are a wonderful people."
[Dane]: You lot stay here. I'll lure them to us.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Erixa]: But of course, draenei existed before we met the naaru. I did not, I was not born yet.
Dane eyes the floating devices with a squint.
[Dane]: Another pair!
[Dane]: Stay on me, you lot.
[Dane]: Let's venture in.
[Iphindra]: Wh- what are the smaller ones?
[Erixa]: They did not put information plaques for the planets.
[Erixa]: That is a shame.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
Dane pauses to look at the hologram, now.
Erixa looks at Cressidha. "Ah?"
[Dane]: I can't tell which is Azeroth.
Cressidha waves it off.
[Dane]: Looks like this one's got two moons.
[Cressidha]: Perhaps the blue one?
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Cressidha]: Blue for the ocean.
[Cressidha]: And there appears to be land.
Dane looks over and grunts. "Aye. Let's get closer."
[Velrin]: True, but where is the second moon?
[Dane]: It's… some other world.
[Dane]: Or this one at an older time.
[Cressidha]: Ah. Hmm.
[Dane]: Let's see the other side, shall we.
[Erixa]: I wish I could remember what more looked like from outside.
[Iphindra]: Th- they only have one moon, it looks.
[Iphindra]: How sad.
[Erixa]: Some planets can be very pretty with only one moon.
[Erixa]: Or maybe the ones with seven think Azeroth is sad.
Dane looks back to the world and tilts his head.
[Iphindra]: Humans, they say… the more, the marrier!
[Dane]: That continent there…
[Dane]: It nearly has the look of Kalimdor, but on its side.
[Erixa]: If it is Azeroth, it would be sometime in the far past, yes?
Dane grunts.
Metal giants and metal dwarves keep interrupting them while they try to look at the planets on display.
Velrin shakes her head, "In the past all of Azeroth was one continent."
[Velrin]: Everywhere was Kalimdor.
[Erixa]: Then this one is elsewhere.
[Dane]: Wot' if these are different versions of our world…
[Dane]: How things might've gone.
[Iphindra]: Hm. I like… the Eastern Kingdoms!
Dane shakes his head and growls. "This madness is beyond me."
Dane watches one of the hexagonal orbs float by, brows knit angrily in confusion.
Marina begins to drift towards the next patch of enemies. Cressidha calls, "Marina!" and reins her in.
Iphindra blows flower petals at Atley, the scent bringing comfort and sweet whispers from nature spirits.
[Erixa]: Ah! Two moons ahead!
Dane scoffs with amusement. "Now that one looks much more familiar."
[Iphindra]: And the Eastern Kingdoms!
[Erixa]: That is Azeroth!
[Cressidha]: Ah. Yes.
[Erixa]: But not old, one continent Azeroth.
[Erixa]: There is even Northrend!
Dane stares at the globe.
[Dane]: Aye, so there is…
[Dane]: It has the Kingdoms and Kalimdor.
In the distant back of the room, Loken sits on a throne, just waiting for them to get closer.
[Erixa]: Do you think it updates itself?
[Dane]: I cnanot say. Look to Dun Morogh. S'covered in snow.
[Dane]: And Wintergrasp.
Atley glares angrily at Loken.
[Iphindra]: The giants… Kind of look like they are protecting Azeroth. *She giggles.* Do you think real Azeroth also has protective guardians, outside of the world?
[Dane]: Cannot say.
[Erixa]: Floating in the Great Beyond…
[Velrin]: Well there is Elune for one.
[Dane]: Two constructs on the other side. Let's slay them.
Cressidha watches Loken, on-edge.
[Iphindra]: T- true! Elune. Hmm, maybe more?
[Dane]: That sleepy bastard is underestimating us.
Atley glares angrily at Loken.
[Erixa]: He must see us by now
[Dane]: I warrant he's been watching us this whole time.
[Velrin]: We'll make short work of him in due time.
Dane grunts.
Loken yells: I have witnessed the rise and fall of empires… the birth and extinction of entire species… Over countless millennia the foolishness of mortals has remained the only constant. Your presence here confirms this.
Loken yells: My master has shown me the future, and you have no place in it. Azeroth will be reborn in darkness. Yogg-Saron shall be released! The Pantheon shall fall!
Cressidha frowns as Loken invokes Yogg-Saron's name.
Dane squints. "… 'Yogg-Saron'…" He looks to the others.
Velrin growls.
[Erixa]: That is the Old God name, yes?
[Dane]: 'Tis. He's been taken in.
[Iphindra]: Old God…
[Dane]: Mortals may be foolish, but we're defiant.
[Cressidha]: I can't see Thorim from here…
[Erixa]: I do not think Azeroth will be reborn in darkness. Not while we are here to defend.
[Dane]: He'll have to deter us with death, only.
[Iphindra]: He is controlled by the Old God?..
[Velrin]: Taken by darkness… Let us cure him of this delusion.
[Dane]: He serves one, aye.
[Erixa]: I do not see Thorim at all.
[Iphindra]: Deter us with d- death?
[Dane]: I mean he'll have to kill us to stop us.
[Dane]: Some speech is not going to cut it.
Loken yells: What hope is there for you? None!
[Iphindra]: Bu- but we won't let him yes?
[Dane]: No!
They fight him. Loken yells a lot during the fight.
Loken yells: You stare blindly into the abyss!
Loken yells: Your ignorance is profound. Can you not see where this path leads?
Loken yells: Your flesh cannot hold out for long.
Loken yells: You cross the precipice of oblivion!
Loken yells: You are too late for Thorim. He is already deep in Ulduar…
Loken yells: My death… heralds the end of this world.
Loken dies. Or does he? He probably dies.
Dane takes a breath.
[Dane]: S'done.
Iphindra sighs of relief.
Dane raises his brows in anger.
[Dane]: Ulduar…
[Velrin]: Damn!
[Dane]: At least this world is now free of your treasonous ways, coward.
[Erixa]: He was indeed not difficult in a five against one fight.
[Dane]: There still may be more cretins lurking about here. We clear it out, then I send word to the Captain that it's clear.
[Erixa]: But… he did not call tentacles?
[Iphindra]: Do you think… what does he mean "deep in Ulduar"?..
[Cressidha]: I found that odd, yes. Is this truly him?
[Dane]: He may not be senior enough in … Yogg-Saron's ranks to summon them.
[Dane]: P'raps slaying us would've granted him the right to use darker forces.
[Velrin]: This facility is huge. Thorim could be anywhere here.
[Cressidha]: He's deceived us before.
[Dane]: All we can do is clear the rest of this network.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Dane]: If he still lives, then we kill him again.
[Cressidha]: Well.
[Cressidha]: King Jokkum wanted a tongue.
Cressidha looks at Dane.
Dane grunts. "Aye."
[Iphindra]: Do… we will need a pickaxe for this, no?
[Dane]: I've a hand pickaxe.
[Iphindra]: O- of course!
[Erixa]: I will hold him still.
Erixa braces Loken's body.
Dane produces it and crouches low, squinting. He tries to pry Loken's lips apart before he gets to work on the tongue. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Iphindra grows her vines to help stabilize Loken.
Velrin holds his mouth open while Dane works.
[Erixa]: He is not vanishing. It seems real.
[Dane]: Feels real.
Cressidha gathers Marina's bracers.
Dane emerges from underneath Loken's frame, holding up a shining tongue.
Dane moves to fasten it to his belt. "Solid metal. Advanced working. Likely worth somming'."
[Dane]: Let's move on.
[Dane]: With his death, this garrison will lay still.
Cressidha readies her feathers.
[Iphindra]: Hopefully the constructs will not wake!
[Dane]: Let's leap here.
[Erixa]: Do you feel… satisfied? That we have vengeance?
[Dane]: Not entirely, in truth. Not without Thorim.
[Dane]: But we've made Loken regret his betrayal.
They feather fall off a ledge.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Erixa]: Thank you, Cressidha.
Cressidha looks wistfully at the star-drapes on their way out.
[Cressidha]: Of course.
They run into one final patrol on the way out.
[Dane]: Attack!
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Atley's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
[Erixa]: At least, though, it sounds like Thorim is alive.
[Erixa]: Maybe the giant army can push further into Ulduar, look for him.
[Iphindra]: Hopefully, 'd-deep in Ulduar' doesn't mean… with Old Gods.
[Dane]: Aye, aided by the fact that this garrison's fallen.
[Cressidha]: Hm.
[Dane]: We cannot know that, now. It won't do to speculate.
[Dane]: Let's slay the last of these and be free of this place.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
Cressidha once again feather falls them down the stairs that are slightly over one Cressidha high each.
Dane takes one last look behind them.
Iphindra seems to be happy to be finally out for real.
Dane inhales deeply. He whistles for his gryphon, Thoras. Theat beast swoops down, shredding through ice.
Erixa whistles for Snowball.
Iphindra calls for her gryphon. "You can come back!"
Cressidha takes her carpet out.
[Erixa]: This place does make me feel small sometimes.
Velrin whistles for Shei'lathar.
Iphindra's gryphon does come back.
[Dane]: We report back in with King Jokkum. If he's nothing else for us, I want a final debrief at K3.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Cressidha]: Very well.
[Dane]: Aye. I feel like a rodent or somming', scurrying about.
Cressidha looks for Celaven as they descend.
[Dane]: King Jokkum.
Erixa bows before King Jokkum.
Atley bows before King Jokkum.
Iphindra bows before King Jokkum.
Cressidha bows without stepping down from her carpet.
King Jokkum says: Cobalt Company! Do you bear good news or ill?
[Dane]: Both, King.
[Dane]: We could not find Thorim. But we did find Loken, and we bring you a prize.
Dane steps forward like a mouse and holds up the tongue.
King Jokkum says: That vile worm is dead? You have turned out to be a great boon for my people, Cobalt.
Iphindra smiles proudly.
King Jokkum says: He'll lie with that tongue no more.
[Dane]: We also slew Loken's forgemaster, Volkhan.
King Jokkum says: Oh, that is good news as well. My people will no longer dread his armies.
[Dane]: Wot' else would you ask of Cobalt Company, and the Alliance?
Dane asks. Subtle.
King Jokkum says: Ulduar will need to be dealt with, but we cannot rush blindly into the complex.
Dane grunts and nods. "I'll communicate that to my seniors."
King Jokkum nods. "I would be pleased to work together on this."
[Dane]: We won't flinch from any fight. We'll be in touch, King Jokkum.
[Iphindra]: In times, we- we'll find the King Thorim!
King Jokkum says: Oh, do you think Keeper Thorim is still alive? Not slain by that cowardly Loken?
Dane nods and gestures to Iphindra to elaborate, thumbs cinching in his belt.
Cressidha once again looks for Celaven.
[Iphindra]: He… he said King Thorim was deep in Ulduar. That means… maybe alive, no?
Celaven lands nearby, staying politely distant for the audience with the King.
[Dane]: Alive, captive.
King Jokkum says: Ah, yet more good news. I would hate to lose a friend so soon after finding him again.
[Velrin]: Indeed. Please call upon us when the battle to free him begins.
King Jokkum says: Thank you. I expect we'll need to move on Ulduar soon, and I would be honored to have you at my side.
[Dane]: I believe we will recover him and bring peace back to these mountains, and your people.
Erixa nods firmly.
[Iphindra]: Soon, yes! As soon as we can!
[Dane]: For now, we'll depart.
Erixa bows again and backs away from the king.
[Dane]: Your majesty.
Atley bows before King Jokkum.
Iphindra bows before King Jokkum.
Velrin salutes King Jokkum with respect.
[Dane]: Let's return to K3, you lot. You come along as well.
Dane says to Celaven.
King Jokkum nods his gigantic head in a royal dismissal.
Cressidha bows to the king.
Celaven nods, shooting a relieved smile at Velrin. "I'll follow you there."
Velrin smiles at Ven.
They return to K3 and land just outside.
Dane dismounts, but keeps Thoras near.
Cressidha rolls up her carpet again.
Erixa lands, keeping Snowball by her side to follow Dane's lead.
Celaven lands his gryphon and takes a place by Vel's side.
[Dane]: Well then, Blue Squad. We come to the end of another journey. When we first arrived in these mountains, it was to merely solidify an alliance with these goblins of K3 before the Horde could establish inroads.
Velrin dismounts and goes to stand shoulder to shoulder with Celaven.
Erixa nods at Dane.
[Dane]: Our path has taken us to greater heights, greater challenges, and we met them all with courage and valor, and fought against something as ruinous as the Lich King himself.
Iphindra nods excitedly.
[Dane]: I do not know if I'll serve by any of you these next few months, but you all did your duty to Cobalt and the war effort.
Erixa smiles at Dane.
Velrin smiles and nods at Dane.
Cressidha nods.
[Cressidha]: Well said, Dane.
Iphindra salutes Atley with respect.
[Dane]: Unless you've anything for me, you are all dismissed. I warrant we'll be drawn back here, in time, to deal with the evil underneath those mountains.
Erixa salutes Atley with respect.
[Iphindra]: It- it's an honor to work for the Company in the Squad!
Dane gives them all a big salute.
Atley stands at attention and salutes.
[Erixa]: This was my first time serving with all of you like this, and I have been proud to call you all allies.
Cressidha smiles faintly at Erixa and Iphindra.
[Iphindra]: You all have been s- strong.
[Dane]: As have I. It is one thing to merely slay your enemies, but to forge new alliances is somming' else entirely. We've done that.
[Erixa]: I do hope, even if we do not serve together again, we may keep in touch.
Iphindra smiles at Atley.
Erixa nods at Dane.
[Iphindra]: And I… I have to apologize again for missing last time, without warning.
Dane eyes Iphindra. "Wot' was it? I hear the druids are moving."
[Iphindra]: Oh, I… I don't work with the Cenarion Circle. I don't know i- if they organize things now.
Celaven shifts his feet, and says, "I could write to the druids I know, if you would like news?"
Dane grunts, and then looks to Celaven.
[Cressidha]: I'm certain someone will inform Captain Jocoza soon enough, even if you do not. We merely have to wait for this week's newsletter.
[Iphindra]: I, uh… That's a… *The plants around her arms tighten comfortingly.* A good idea?
Dane grunts. "I also have to report to her of Loken, and … Yogg-Saron."
Erixa nods. "And what he said at the end."
Dane issues a gravelly sigh. "It seems there's no end to slaying these wretched monsters. Somming' to look forward to."
[Dane]: Aye.
Velrin tenses a little and squeezes Ven's hand.
[Erixa]: 'My death heralds end of world', something like that. Maybe just lying again, but…
[Cressidha]: Would anyone care for a portal?
[Erixa]: Oh, yes, thank you!
[Dane]: I'll have one to Dalaran.
[Dane]: Well fought, you lot. I am certain we won't be strangers.
[Iphindra]: Me too, please!
Cressidha nods and tosses out a portal stone. "Indeed."
Velrin looks to Celaven.
Iphindra salutes Atley with respect.
Atley salutes Iphindra with respect.
Celaven looks to Velrin. "Back to Dalaran?"
Dane grunts and ducks his head, stepping through the portal.
[Velrin]: Ok~
Iphindra crosses the portal, sighing of relief to not hang out with not one but two kaldorei at once.
Cressidha does not step through, possibly because it's awkward to act like you're going your separate ways and then end up in the same location.