#aliya suntreader

As his hearing returns, the muffled shouts around him clear up.

“Get up! You got this!”

“Come on, Z! Up! Up!”

Zyraden shakes his head, looking up at his opponent. The young sin’dorei, Kyanor, approaches him slowly with his spear, vivid gold and violet runic paint contrasts his dark bare skin. His right arm, covered in the violet sorcerer runes, his left, in identical gold ones, and when the runes meet at the center of his torso, they dissolve into smaller runes connecting the paint. He twirls his spear theatrically, able to get away with such a flashy trick only because Zyraden was on the floor.

He huffs again. The pain in his chest hasn’t gone down yet.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Kyanor was worried, of course. The proposal was unexpected, and it made even Ronae and Aliya bristle.

“It’ll be different this time,” Zyraden said with a firm nod. “You guys are my friends, I trust that you know when to hold back. Plus, you’re of the Discipline sect, aren’t you? You could patch me up in a pinch.”

Kyanor pressed his lips together tightly. “Yeah but like… after everything with —”

“Don’t. Everything that happened is why I need to do this.”

“Man. I just don’t want to hurt you like that.”

“I can’t get better if I just hide from it.” Zyraden smiled. “Besides, who better to spar with than a friend?”

Kyanor holds his arms open wide, the spear glowing with the Light. “Come on, Zee-Zee! I know you got more in you than just *that!*”

Zyraden spits on the ground, forcing himself to stand. He manifests his rapier back in his hand. He has to blink away stars.

“Do you need a break, Zyraden?” Ronae calls out from the sidelines.

Zyraden holds out a hand to halt her. “No. I can still do this.”

Kyanor grins. “Then show me!”

“And what if I go too far?” Kyanor asked in a hush. “What if I maim you like she did? What if your healing process has to start all over?”

“Things changed,” Zyraden said calmly. “I’m a special case now. I get special medical care now.”

“You’re avoiding his question,” Aliya pointed out with a jabbed finger. “Just because we got Void privileges doesn’t mean you’re immune to getting hurt.”

“Do you think our adversaries will hold back on me if they use the Light?” Zyraden quipped back. “Do you think they’ll take it easy on me just because it’s my weakness?”

“He has a point,” Ronae said. “Tolerance training is critical for someone like him. Kyanor, if you won’t do it, I will.”

“No I’ll do it, I just…” Kyanor took a deep breath. “No, I’ll do it. It’s better we start with Discipline before moving to pure Light anyways.”

“We’ll work our way up, and if I can’t keep up right away, then, well…” Zyraden shrugged. “I’ll just get better.”

Metal on metal, their weapons clash, Void and Light tossed every which way. Zyraden struck, swung, fired and dodged, weaving his steps like a dance. Kyanor moved like a martial artist, twirling his spear expertly, gaining on Zyraden with great offensive maneuvers. It forces Zyraden on the defense.

Then, the Light empowers the spear, and in a bold move, Kyanor sticks the weapon out enough to thwack Zyraden on the side of the head, knocking him over to the ground. He rolls, disoriented from it, and Kyanor descends upon him quickly, one fistful of Light in his free hand as he aims to slam it into the horrific Voidforge scars at the center of his chest. Zyraden rolls away in the nick of time, turning into black Sludge and manifesting into a humanoid on his toes.

“You’re holding back,” Kyanor says, twirling his spear as a taunt. “Is this the great Zyraden Emberblood? The man who would’ve taken on an entire army in the Voidforge Facility? This is all you got?”

Zyraden bristles, remaining on the defense. “I… I don’t want to hurt you.”

Kyanor barks a laugh. “Ohhh BROTHER! So you just want me to get you, but I’m not allowed to get got?”

“Come on Zyraden, get his ass!” Aliya cheers from the sidelines. “Quit letting him hit you!”

“Show me what you got, Z-blood!” Kyanor cackles. “Show me your might!”

Zyraden looks down at his ankle monitor. It beeps quietly, the light on the device blinking in tandem with his pulse. He looks back up in time for Kyanor to charge at him and blast him in the chest with the Light.

Zyraden skids back, flopping uselessly, feeling cold stone on his bare skin. Ronae and Aliya cheer for him to get up, trying desperately to hype him up. He can barely hear their words.

“Zyradennnnn!” Kyanor drawls. “I want to see some ACTION! Get up! Get up! Come on man, get up!”

“Get up!”

“Zyraden get up!”

Was this a good idea after all?

“Get out of your head, Zyraden!” Kyanor snaps. “Get out of there and FIGHT ME! Traumatize me, dude!”

Zyraden rolls his eyes, staggering to his feet. The Light chips away at his stamina, but they’re right. If he wants to win, he has to stop holding back.

When was the last time he didn’t hold back? Even with Lady Sunblade, there was still a part of him that didn’t let go.

His eyes darken, blackened veins framing them. The Void within swells, purging the Light inside of him. It burns as it does, the pain blurring into satisfaction. He straightens with power twisting within him, crawling up his muscles, pure Void pumping through his veins. Adrenaline spikes, and when he looks up at Kyanor, he’s taken a step back.

“Ohoho,” Kyanor laughs as the other two women cheer. He braces himself defensively now. “Now we’re fucking talking.”

Zyraden grins. “Don’t hold back.”

Azaera Daybrook, look for Azaera Daybrook, She repeated in her mind as she dismounted. The onlookers watched her with mixed faces of disgust and fear as she marched past them. She was used to those looks by now – being a death knight, you had to get used to it.

Seaandra strode through the grand building that housed various knights and their adepts, and was met with the cold glares of the guards who lined the walls. One Blood Knight, a youthful brunette with his hair tied into a short ponytail, made his way towards her, shoulders back and jaw jutted out with his thick brows furrowed together.

“What business have you here, undead?” He demanded, venom in his voice that may have been intimidating had he been older and with a deeper voice.

Seaandra stood unflinching, standing tall with just a few inches over than him. She didn’t have time for his attitude. “I’m here looking for Azaera Daybrook. I was summoned–”

“That’s Champion Daybrook to you,” He interrupted. “You will be careful to use the appropriate titles around here.”

Seaandra grit her teeth together and resisted the urge to shove him off the staircase. She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by another voice.

“Knight Dawnsorrow!” The sharp voice cut in. The brunette nearly jumped out of his skin, and he scrambled for his composure, holding himself high and saluting as his face paled. The bearer of the voice stepped forward, a tall, strong woman who held herself with great pride and power. Long black hair was tied into a neat ponytail that flowed behind her, and felfire eyes glared at the young knight she had addressed. Her skin was fairly dark, tanned from the battles she’d seen in her lifetime, and close inspection saw various scars that marred her freckled skin. Her gaze, however, was one Seaandra found the most captivating. This woman was hardened, and Seaa could practically feel her power. There was something familiar about her as well, as if she’d seen the knight before, but couldn’t quite recall where.

“Y-Yes Champion!” Dawnsorrow said, his voice shaky as she stepped in, just a few feet away from the youth and the death knight.

“Have you any idea who you’re talking to?” She snapped. “This woman is to be treated with as much respect as I, perhaps even more.”

“But–”

“Do not question me, Rae'them. This is Lady Sunblade, know your place and mind your tongue, boy.”

He hung his head down in shame, and Seaandra had to suppress a smirk at the sight. Serves you right, she thought, turning her attention to the other.

“I was summoned here,” Seaandra began, folding her hands behind her back. “I was told to find Azaera Daybrook.”

The woman nodded and gave a short bow. “At your service.” She said. She waved a hand, motioning the death knight to follow.

“You’re here fairly late, I might say, Sunblade.” Azaera mused, glancing back at the death knight as they made their way down the elegant halls.

“I didn’t receive word of this until earlier this hour.” Seaandra snapped. “Else I would’ve been here sooner.”

“Fair enough.”

Azaera led her through the dimly lit building. Seaandra felt the other knights stare at her, and the feeling unnerved her more than it should. They descended down a few steps and made a turn to a secluded room. Blue lights lit the room and four guards lined the corners. At the back, several couches lay, arranged around the large table that had several books and maps on it. What caught her eye, however, was the fiery orange hair that clashed with the rest of the room’s aesthetic, and sitting on the couch with her wild curls spilling over her shoulders was a very shaken Aliya, cradling her knees to her chest.

“Aliya!” Seaandra gasped, taken aback at how the huntress looked so…broken. Aliya snapped her head up, tears in her eyes spilling down her cheeks.

“Auntie Seaa!” Aliya cried out, leaping off the couch and rushing towards the death knight. The young huntress collided into her, prompting an “oomf” to emit from the death knight. They embraced each other, and Seaandra cradled Aliya close to her. Azaera watched them solemnly, allowing them some time before she’d begin speaking again.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, Ali, I’m so glad you’re alright.” Seaandra murmured.

“They took Nae-Nae, I-I can’t believe they took her, Seaa t-they took her away…”

Aliya’s voice cracked, and she fell silent, sobbing quietly against Seaandra’s chestplate. Seaandra felt something inside her churn, and all she could do was hug Aliya tightly.

“They’re not going to keep her, I swear to it.” Seaandra declared, turning to look at the blood knight beside them. “Azaera, what do you know about Ronae?”

Azaera straightened, waving a hand for Seaandra to follow to the center of the room. “If word was delivered to you properly, then you should be in possession of a folder regarding the Dawnstrider’s Regime.”

Seaandra nodded, patting Aliya’s back before gently unwrapping her arms from around her. Aliya moved away, wiping her face with her forearm. Seaandra glided over to the table at the center, pulling out the folder she received from her comrade. “Forgive me, I haven’t looked through it yet. Was too busy getting over here as fast as I could.”

“Fair enough,” Azaera replied quietly, opening up the folder she had. “When we made our investigations this morning, all signs pointed towards the Dawnstriders. Lord Viridiel, as we know, is not one to enter escapades personally, rather, sending out his men to work for him.”

Azaera picked up a different folder, one that was cleaner and newer than the others. She pulled out several photographs and handed it to the death knight. “Aliya and Ronae’s house is currently closed and being investigated by our finest officers. Most of their belongings seemed to have already been put in storage, and whatever was out in the main room has been damaged in one way or another.”

Seaandra shifted through the photographs, furrowing her brows and grinding her teeth as she saw the mess. The outside of their home was littered with shattered glass of the windows and pottery. The front door had been torn from its hinges and hung loosely, a trail of blood smeared on the floor inside and outside the home. The furniture suffered from tears and cuts by the blades of various weapons during the struggle, and several chairs were flipped over atop the mess. It was clear that there was a fight, and while Seaandra felt utterly disgusted that anyone would do this to her niece, she couldn’t help but feel just a little proud that Ronae put up a fight.

“While it was difficult to narrow down suspects, we did find something the assailants left behind.”

Seaandra glanced back at the champion as she pulled out a broken piece of armor. It appeared to be a part of a bracer, and on it was the familiar symbol of a setting sun. Dawnstrider.

“I’m not surprised,” Seaandra said quietly, looking over the armor piece. “Gives me all the more reason to spill those fuckers’ blood.”

“Auntie Seaa,” Aliya squeaked, her voice small and timid, a tone Seaandra had never heard before, least not in her voice. “We have to tell Minn'da somehow.”

Azaera’s face lit up at the mention. “Actually, I meant to ask you about her,” She chimed in. “Lady Sunblade, have you received any word from your sister whatsoever?”

“During the few months that she’s been out?” Seaandra waved her hand irritably. “Not at all. I’ve been sending her letters, and it’s too damn expensive to hire a mage to send a message across another world. For all I know she could be dead.”

“Auntie!”

Seaandra froze, and raised her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry Liya, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Well let’s be honest here, that is a possibility after all.” Azaera stated, setting down the folders she held. “We tracked down which regime she should’ve been in by the time she reached Draenor. Commander Krauul of Orgrimmar should’ve been leading her squad, and if all went well, she’d be in his garrison.”

Seaandra quirked a brow at this, a faint glimmer of hope blossoming in her chest. It felt warm, and its life was quick and fleeting before she killed it off, crushing its warm essence as quickly as it had appeared. It’s stupid to give into a false sense of hope, and she’d not allow herself to be weak again.

“Well?”

“Well, Commander Krauul has been reported missing in action since his airship landed at the Blasted Lands. The whereabouts of his squad is unknown, only a handful of his men and women have shown up.”

Seaandra’s brow twitched, and she struggled to suppress her anger. “I see.” She growls through gritted teeth, her hands clenching and unclenching. Since his airship landed…

“Traces of Krauul have been difficult to track. We suspect he may have fallen in battle, but investigations are still under way–”

Seaandra snarled, and in a quick outburst of anger, slamming her fists on the table just before tossing the surface over. All the documents and photos that littered the table spilled to the ground as the table fell, and the guards around held up their shields and glaives in ready. Azaera and Aliya jumped back a bit at the outburst, and Seaandra leaned dangerously close to the Blood Knight.

“Three months!” Seaandra shouted, staring up at Azaera. “They’ve been gone for three months, and only now you’re telling me that this Krauul is gone?!”

Azaera’s lips curled back in a sneer, and she shoved Seaandra back, waving at the guards to stay in their position. “You do well to mind your tone with me, Death Knight!”

“Oh, yeah, sure, my dearest and sincerest apologies,” Seaandra mocked, her body coiling in and ready to lunge at any moment. “I’ve been stressing and waiting for news on my sister this whole time, and you give me this shit?”

“The situation is under control—“

“Whose control?” Seaandra demanded, swiftly closing the distance between her and the other knight. Aliya took a step forward, clearly wanting to help, but is quickly ushered away by one of the guards.

“A-Auntie Seaa, Champion, please don’t fight!” Aliya shouts, shoving the guard away from her. Seaandra shot her a glance, teeth bared in rage.

“Stay out of it, Liya!” The death knight demanded. “This don’t concern you at the moment!”

“Get the girl out of here this instant!” Azaera commanded. Two guards fell immediately to Aliya’s sides and guided her out of the room, shutting the doors behind them. The remaining two closed in, shields raised and ready to take down the death knight should the situation grow more unstable.

“Just what has your Order even been doing these months?”

Azaera straightened her posture, looking down her nose at the death knight. She held a good four inches or so over Seaandra, but not even the height difference deterred the infuriated undead. “You’d best drop that tone if you want anything from me, Lady Sunblade. I offer my aid to you and to the search of Ronae’s whereabouts. Do not get distracted.”

“I don’t think I’ve made this clear, Daybrook,” The death knight says, tilting her head to the side. “But I’ve been waiting days and nights, weeks, months for any sort of news on my sister. And this aid you speak of? If you were going to be useful, I should have been notified much sooner! I hardly think you understand!”

“So what you mean to tell me is that you and your family are of higher importance?” Azaera scoffed. “That you’d have to make it to our priority list?”

“That’s not what I’m saying you Light-ridden bitch.” Seaandra spat. “Three months, for Light’s sake, three months when you could have sent out a simple letter stating the disappearance of Krauul’s battalion!”

Azaera snarled, reaching out and seizing the death knight’s shoulders. Seaandra lashed out, wrapping her hands around the paladin’s neck. Azaera stepped back, grabbing onto Seaandra’s arms and forcibly twisting them at the joint of her shoulders. Seaandra let out a shout, and Azaera moved swiftly without hesitation, twirling the death knight’s arms over her head until Seaa’s body had turned, back facing the paladin. Azaera released her, crouching briefly before springing up and kicked her, her plated foot connecting with the death knight’s spine. Seaandra fell to the ground, scrambling back away from the knight as Azaera unsheathed her sword.

“Pathetic!” Azaera shouted. “This is Sylvanas’s supposed champion? This is the prime example of a death knight? This is what the Forsaken have been bragging about?! An uncontrolled disaster? Reckless behavior? What a pity!”

Seaandra stood to her feet, rolling her shoulders back angrily. “You’re nothing to me, paladin.”

“You’ve been reduced to nothing faster than you could even muster that thought in your rotting brain.”

Seaandra hunched over, striking her animalistic stance as Azaera raised her sword. “This is pointless, Sunblade.”

“Of all the things on Azeroth that are pointless, yes, sure, perhaps this is.” Seaandra retorted. “My point, however, still remains. My family… my nieces, they – we deserve justice! You should have told me!”

Seaandra leaped at the other, this time more calculated. Azaera held her sword tightly, turning her wrist so that the sword’s edge pointed directly at the death knight. Seaandra ducked, keeping close the ground as she swooped to the back of the blood knight. Azaera whirled around, swiftly bringing her sword down. The intent of the movement was not to kill, but rather, incapacitate, but Seaandra would not take chances. She seized Azaera’s wrists, pressing down on her veins until the pressure point forced the knight to involuntarily release the sword. Seaandra rose to her full height, kicking the sword aside and raising her fists. Azaera faltered slightly, only because she had not been expecting that outcome, but straightened her posture and held her ground firmly. The blood knight stood on her toes, her hands curled into loose fists, raised to the sides of her temples. They curled like paws, and felfire eyes glared at the death knight, watching as Seaandra planted the bottoms of her feet to the ground, head kept low and arms out, talons extended and ready for the leap.

“You’re not the only person who matters here, Sunblade,” Azaera said evenly, following Seaandra’s movements as they began to circle each other.

“Neither are you.”

Seaandra lashed out, frost coating her armor in cold rage. Snowflakes fell over both knights, and Seaandra swung her claws at the blood knight, only for them to be blocked by a swift move. Azaera countered with a quick hand, stepping forward to strike at the death knight’s collarbone. Seaandra ducked, bending her knees and launching herself off the ground, grabbing at Azaera’s torso and tackling her to the ground. The moment they fell, the guards quickly closed in, swords drawn and aimed at the death knight.

Azaera struggled under the iron grip of the other, her pulse quickening. She pulled her hand free and summoned the Light to her aid, blasting the death knight with a vivid display of gold. Seaandra shouted in pain as the holy magic threw her across, landing on top of the overturned table. The guards held their massive shields up to protect the blood knight as she rose to her feet.

“You… You are in the place of the Light, Sunblade…” Azaera growled as she stood. “You will behave yourself, or allow the Light to cast its judgement upon you.”

Seaandra stayed on the ground, teeth grit and keeping silent, despite the horrid burning she felt on her skin. “You know you’re wrong, Daybrook. Tell me you know.”

Azaera said nothing, simply gathering whatever documents had fallen during the encounter. “You’re not the only one who suffered from this, Seaandra. Countless other families haven’t heard from their loved ones since the war began. This is no different.”

“Then why haven’t you said anything?” Seaandra demanded, rising to her feet. “This isn’t right! They deserve to know what’s happened to them!”

“I’m not in control of what information goes where. We cannot reveal such information if it isn’t a solid answer. Until we can find evidence that our knowledge is in fact true, we cannot risk spreading false information.” Azaera sighed. “Guards, step aside, please. If she becomes hostile again, restrain her. I won’t deal with another outburst like that again.”

The guards obeyed and retreated to the dark of the room once more. Azaera stepped forward and picked up the other documents around Seaandra. “Around here, you are easy to kill, Sunblade. We aren’t your enemies, but by the Light we will be if you keep this up.”

Seaandra grit her teeth together, holding back the vile and snide comments that threatened to surface. Azaera looked through the photos again before gently placing them back in their folders. “I’ll excuse this outburst, though this damage to our property would’ve cost you.”

The Blood Knight cleared her throat, standing tall once more as she faced Seaandra. “The Dawnstriders are a difficult group to manage, and their multiple attacks on both factions has caught the attention of the Regent Lord as well. They hadn’t made any direct attacks on Quel’thalas, however, until this morning. We can assume that they are vast in numbers, but we still know little to nothing on them or their whereabouts. The Forsaken are willing to lend their troops to help us locate Lord Dawnstrider, and we are awaiting a reply on Stormwind’s account of the ordeal. We cannot allow them to continue their acts of violence and terrorism.”

Seaandra tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes as she watched the other speak carefully. “Why?”

“I think you know why, Sunblade.” Azaera replied evenly. “They’re a threat to all of us. We have no power in deciding their fate unless we are given direct orders. Now is our chance.”

The blood knight held the folder up with an eyebrow raised. “The law requires that we release these photos to the public by the end of today. By tomorrow, anyone who picks up the paper in Silvermoon will know the details of this event. By the end of this week, the news should reach the capital city. The writers will be wording it in a way that will sway the public’s affection towards Aliya, and the sympathy in the people should be enough to stir inspiration to find these culprits. We’ll gather more information on the whereabouts of the Dawnstrider Regime and keep you updated.”

The death knight nodded, taking in the information. “I… I can respect that. Thank you… I’m sorry about… yeah.”

Azaera bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. “I’ll put in a word with the higher ranks about your sister. I will certainly not promise any results, nor any confirmation that we will put effort into finding a single person, especially when our priorities lie elsewhere, but I can promise you that you have my sympathy.” She handed the folder to one of the guards and waved him away. “And for the love of the Light, please rejuvenate my hope that you aren’t some reckless soldier who bought their way into a higher position.”

“I could’ve killed you if I wanted to.”

“And you clearly wanted to. And couldn’t. Think before you act, and control yourself, Sunblade. Never let your emotions control your thought.” She leaned in, lowering her voice as she held Seaandra’s gaze. “And never, ever let anyone control your emotions. Not me, not the Blood Knights, not those Dawnstriders, no one. Those are yours, not for anyone to manipulate.”

Seaandra had attempted to glare back at her, but she wore a defeated look. She was right, painfully so, and those words echoed in her head again and again. She could certainly see the ideals Ronae had been learning, and a tiny part of her was proud of that fact.

Not that she’d admit that out loud. They’re still wrong, somehow.

Seaandra rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. “So… What now then?”

“We gather our forces and make haste to finding Lord Viridiel. You and Aliya will be given housing close with the Blood Knight Order so that we can keep close watch. Aliya may need covering before reporters decide to pry for personal information. They’ll do anything for a good story. Once a rescue mission is arranged, we will have you within the attack force to find Ronae. For now, Aliya needs you. We’ll take care of the details.”

Seaandra nodded, saluting to Azaera before darting out of the room. Aliya jumped off the bench she was seated on and hugged her aunt tightly, sobbing softly in her arms. She held her niece closely, something inside her churning in rage. She’s tired of losing so much, and seeing Aliya, such a strong, young girl stripped of everything she was snapped something in the death knight. Seaandra would not stand for this, would not stand for losing yet another member of her family, not like this.

Not to him.

You can take my life, take my soul if you want it. Burn it, step on it, twist it, see if I care. But lay a finger on any of my nieces, and I will show you a path of anguish so great that even Death itself fears.