Previous installment here/ Musical Inspiration: here
It was hard to breath at first. The hiss of air a  mish mash against his broken ribs as Aurora forced the movement into his lungs. It felt bitter hot and acidic with a soft wash of needles down his throat. His black fox tailed soaked with sweat clinging to his lips against the dust and dried earth. The elven rogue would get a handle of where he was...if he could see anything. Thankfully the web of Katanjaâs held despite wherever he was. It would provide a guide back to them.
The darkness and swell of the empty space just as dark as the dismal light within his vision.
At least Ilyea was safe thoughâŠâ Aurora whispered coarsely to himself and felt his voice echo and bounce off. Though the mage herself didnât know it, he knew that Katanja could only save one of them with the spiritâs corroding strength with her webs. Of course that Katanja would chose herâŠhe would want her too. He was worried but he knew dimly that Ilyea would find a way to bring him back.
They promised after all.
Aurora rubbed his useless eyesight with the back of his gauntlets and took in a few more harrowing breaths. His body wasnât frail by any means but the shock of all the magic going through at once shocked his him quite deeply. No wonder his eyesight was first to fall. He couldnât imagine how magic worked with his wife who looked even more sickly than him. The rogue couldnât hear her at all and wondered if his hearing had gone as well. The subtle rattle of his breath against his lungs proved that it was false.
His heart leapt into his throat and hoped to the deepest of whatever hells the spider god wasnât wrecking vengeance upon his wife. His family. Aurora growled deep in his throat but it came out ragged and wet. The action felt of blood and grit and he spat into the black expanse splatting his leathers with the wet ichor.
âIlyea...love...can you hear me?â Aurora spoke within their bond attempting some kind of reach towards his wife.
âAURORAâ The voice was soft and gentle against his mind but the connection at least there held. It was distant though. Like an echo rippling through a large pond of water. He yearned to feel her lips against his own and feel the softness of her body against him. Know that she is safe and his...family.
The rogue let out another wet cough as he took in another small breath. Â Â If not for his eyes, his soul would be his guide. Leaning down the man held onto the thin wrapping of web that Katanja provided feeling the thin wiry web against his palm and moved towards it led to. Â
He scuffled forward thankful for the distraction, thankful he couldnât see within the time stream. Though his curiosity piqued, he remembered some of what Ilyea had told of her time being lost. Aurora focused instead on his battered body, the sting of sweat and blood that rolled down his back, soaked into his clothes. The rush of blood in his ears...and how exhausted he was.
If he died hereâŠ.itâd be alright wouldnât it? She wouldnât be in danger, sure she would cry. Mourn him. Both Ilyea and Ophie...would...but at least theyâd be okay.
Aurora grit his teeth. Â No they promised each other. He couldnât die here. He couldnât fucking die here at all.
The tired rogue imagined Ilyea smiling to him. The tired look of her bright green eyes and the way her dark red hair clung to her dirtied face. How much he longed to brush it away and hold her close. Â The thought poured more energy into his battle stern limbs. If it was just one step at a time, he could probably manage.
Just one step at a time, with the web as his guide.
Delirious thoughts entered into the rogueâs head as he pushed his body beyond extreme exhaustion. The thought of Ilyeaâs smile seemed to have brought the order of her scent to him. Not the one that many would call foul, but the one that seemed to be inexhaustibly her.
The smell of ozone, sweat, earth and  blood. Ah, she was like a goddess of the earth. The smell seemed to linger as Aurora found himself toppling over something warm as he fell against the earth.
The aroma became more pronounced and Auroraâs heart leapt once more in his chest. He couldnât mistake itâŠ.not at all.
âIlyeaâŠ.ILYEA you shouldnât of fucking followed meâŠâŠ.but Iâm soâŠâHe choked finding the words hard to suppress his tears. He did without. He clung to his wife he tripped over and held her so tight as if his very life depended on it.
â...WhatâŠ.howâŠ.Iâm lost..I...how..âThe woman croaked but he lined his fingertips against her dirtied face as he pressed his thumb against her lips. He pressed his lips against her dirtied forehead. âIt doesnât matter. You came...and now we can go homeâŠâ
âHomeâŠ?â Ilyea replied and laughed darkly. Her voice cracked as if it was filled with nothing but dust. If Aurora wasnât standing so close to her, he may have missed her altogether.
Aurora figured she must of hit her head with grief more than anything else and fished for her hand until he grasped it tight. âFollow me...Iâll take us home..â Â Ilyea seemed to hesitate hanging loosely upon his hand but squeezed it weakly.
Â
Now with two instead of just one, both of them seemed to move closer and closer towards wherever the web was taking them.
âAurora!â Ilyeaâs voice within the bond starting to reverberate clearly as more and more each step guided them. The rogue keeping most of his energy towards his steps merely squeezed his wife's hand nearby. Trying to provide combat to the both of them.
There was no rhyme or reason but Aurora soon felt the vacuum of something that seems chaotic and swirling about him and then suddenly, he was someplace cooler that stunk of dirt and blood. The edge of the web he was following sunk into the anchor clean upon the earth where his dagger held.
But the hand which held his Ilyea felt empty. Panic twisted in him through his whole body threatened to shut down. Aurora screamed with his garbled voice, gritty like worn sandpaper.  âKatanja! I HAVE TO GO BACKâŠ..Ilyea! Sheâs still in..â
He smelled her before he even felt her, arms about his neck holding him within her grip as salty droplets fell across his skin. He tightened his hold about her and they didnât need to say much of anything.
Aurora knew that she was here and thereâŠ..the guardian chuckled within his wifeâs embrace solving one of the small mysteries of what she had told him so long ago. She was lost in time but someone brought her back. He did.
The sound of Ilyea crying thankfully of his return became the nature against the thrumming of his heart. Though he usually hated the sound, here it was musical and a relief. Strength had feld them both as they held each other thankful at the large expanse that they had both endured.
Andy have arrived just a few moments before Aurora came back so the two battle worn souls didnât have to sleep upon the hard ground. Mounts were taken for both as they were guided from their battle field to their home within Pandaria. Ophie and the kitties understood making no fuss against the dirt and blood that they tracked in. They deserved it even if it meant extra cleaning for the hearth mage in training.
Each barely awake were pressed within the softness of their bed, the morning light filtering through the drapes. The softness of the pandarian breeze salty and sweet lulling Aurora and Ilyea into a restful sleep. Â
If anyone were to ask what experience helped the pair, if they were to reflect upon this day...both could say without a doubt, the sheer amount of physical and magical prowess would never be enough to beat a god. They could train for years and never ever come close.
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âDaevynâŠâŠ.andâŠ..my ex husbandâŠArieâIlyea whispered next to Aurora within their telepathic bond.  The two re-animated scourges scuffled forward as features filled in from reconstructive magic. Their faces and demeanor about as close to what the mage could give to her husband to give him an edge with what the necromantic magic that kept the souls close. Arie was pretty much match for Aurora in terms of his black fox tail and roguish demeanor through the eyes were deep blue. The soul that was plucked from him so early in life, lithe and deadly as an assassin should be. Daevyn, her older brother that fell into the well by design a few years ago was almost the same demeanor as Lledwyn. His once perfect dark black hair was greyed and thin but there was still power in them. His arms tawny and strong as more magic filled out the strength of its vessel.  It wasnât a surprise to see both of them emerge as the spider godâs chosen champion.
It was only a matter of when.
Ilyea shivered at the hidden powers resided against her. How many more champions could the Spider god make in this brief time? Her mind clicked and whirled with possibilities. This would not only test their defenses but the artifact she just created. Ilyea swallowed hard as she considered her lack of stamina to a gods. She had to believe in Aurora and Katanja.
The woman turned to stare at her husbandâs nimbus of void energy along with the spider humanoid by their side. The last thing she needed to do was panic though that feeling was rising up like the necromancy she was seeing. The mage could barely feel herself breath in this oppressive atmosphere.
âFocus on me, love.â Aurora gently commanded, his voice rising slightly higher then the crescendo of energy. âDonât worry about anything else..okay? Iâm going to make you proud of meâŠâ
Ilyea cracked a smile despite the atmosphere once more forcing down her fear. âIâm already so proud of you..â
The man smiled to his wife and turned to focus upon the pair in front of them. Aurora had heard stories about Ilyeaâs ex husband being lost to the well but not of another sibling. The poisons that this Spider God had seemed to go further then his wife had let on. Even so he wasnât afraid at all. Â His hand loosely gripped the white dagger at his side as his shadowed wings flapped and elongated. No fear remained in his eyes as the man only waited for the entities to make the first move. While the rogue could feel the panic in Ilyea as the bond was open its fullest so there was no lag in their feelings to one another, his attention was fully at the two in front of him.
The spider god in its haste attempted to provide both of the entities with weapons of their own, dual daggers for Arie while Daevyn was unarmed. Obviously it had failed but it didnât make either one less deadly. Â The two sneered at Aurora creeping along the webbed floor avoiding the traps with slow movements. Necromantic magic continued to refine their movements until they were moving with no hint of just being created. Â
Ilyea leaned forward pushing down her fear summoning what little stamina she had to move. As soon as she stood up, the effect caused her head to swim as she toppled back to her butt. Â The mage sucked in a breath and looked around within Auroraâs eye sight, sharing his awareness.
âDonât let them touch youâŠ...theyâll drag you downâŠ!â Her warning quick to her guardian to conserve energy. The mage couldnât seem to breath evenly against the erratic beating of her heart. She wanted to do *more* to help Aurora. Even though he wouldnât like it, Ilyea wanted to fight too.
âThey can tryâŠ.â Aurora commented back with a wane smile. His eyes tracking the two as they moved back and forth.
Katanja rose her hand at this time as well elongated the weave webs to ensnare those. It would dilute the protections but the weakness she saw in Ilyea  made her react automatically. Her wispy arachnid imbued hands rippled the magic put forth closing as she could around the two that manifested. The webs shimmered and thickened as the spirit weaved back and forth within the shadows. The spirits presence inconsequential to the those that wish her charges harm. Just like a spider, she would react in quickness to her prey.  Â
Arie was there for a few moments before he disappeared in a puff of smoke using his old shadow tricks as a rogue. Aurora reflectively moved forward where his dagger sounded off against the intruders weapon with a resounding clang. The movement so quick and close to his wife if he was a second too late. Ilyea turned her head to watch as she felt the shifting of wind that warmed near her neck. The undead thrall seemed to try to make a downward strike towards the prone target, the animation just as fast as in life. Aurora didnât move much from his position from his wife, placing his dagger face up guarding her neck. The moved like a flurry of windstorms kicking up dust and dirt that wasnât bound by the webs.
Ilyea didnât believe in much but she was thankful for her husbandâs quick reflexes.
âShe is mineâŠâ Her ex husband growled pushing against the blade that wormed its way so close to Ilyeas own throat. Aurora let his own steel slide against the intruders and hissed in return pushing it back.
âShe was never yoursâŠâ  Aurora retorted coldly with barely restrained fury. The slide of metal against metal chilled the the Sindorei female, her breathing stilling. Ilyea felt no need to speak as the melody of Daevynâs feet against the web and the fight so close to her became her music. A symphony of destruction.
The shadows shaked in their retribution as Aurora aimed his own blade for the villains eye to cause a much needed repose. Arie smirked and held up his dagger using the same trick against the guardian. Redirecting the force of Auroraâs blow, the rogue directed the aim towards his right shoulder with a sickening squelch. Arie was frighteningly clever and used to fighting dirty. With no effect of pain, the undead rogue leaned in closer entrapping the blade more into his dead body.
Not expecting the loss of his dagger, Aurora felt blinding unfriendly stars in the split decision he dared look away from his opponent. Â The shadow imbued man stumbled back sliding to his knees as the sharp skull of his foe slammed against him once more. The guardianâs head swam more sharply then when he went under into the well and his lungs burned trying to catch up with his heart. It was a cheap and dirty move and Aurora knew heâd have to fight just as dirty.
Arie stepped with languid boredom almost as he dug his arm into where the white thing had laid. Rot dotted where the blessed blade had collided showing the preparations the star blessed had made against his master. Â Arie would have to be more careful a the undead thing took the holy thing and tossed it aside like used tissue. The echo barely audible against the raging storm that was the god behind him.
A torquised illuminated dark dagger that connected him to the spider god as one of its champions was replaced in his grip. The hell was Arie kidding? He had two daggers and went in with both to finish the job quickly. Once more the thrall jumped into the shadows aiming low to the ground kicking up dust ashe built up speed. At the angle he put himself, his dear whore of a wife would have a hard time to roll out of the way. Either dagger would be waiting for her and his mission would be completed.
Wind met up with him again as Arie stopped himself from slamming into Auroraâs body. It surprised him to see the guardian up so quickly from before but then again he had other things helping him. Without that dagger though, Arie at least a bit more time. Â His weapons pierced deeply into Auroraâs leathers, cracking into the worn battle wear at an awkward near his shoulder and his leg armor at the way the Sindorei intercepted.. No blood spilled for the guardian, thankfully. There was always opportunity and Arie pushed with power to at least send one of them to his master, wanting to draw blood.
Arieâs vision shifted from the ground to the sky and then quickly to the ground again as Aurora angled his body. Â It took some time for the lithe Sindorei male to fight with winds but a quick burst of power was enough to spin Arieâs leverage against him. The shadow wings flexed back and angled to allow the rogue hug Arie against him as Aurora curled them both within his arms. There was a soft grunt from the disorientation as the rogue used the momentum of Arieâs body against him to slam him against the ground. Â A little of Katanjaâs webs coated Arie as he collided hard against the runed earth providing no cushion. Black blood bloomed as the thrallâs necromantic body made the sound of crunching bone.
It was short lived victory as Arie started to shake as more power poured into him from the well. Auroraâs eyes combed the dark grounds looking for the white glimmer of hope before Arie would fully recover. The rogueâs gaze noticed the rot where he had pierced Arie before being the only place that wasnât being repaired. Aurora took this time to throw both of the Spider godâs daggers as far aways as he could. The white one gaining importance as the guardian would need to find it.
âI guess this one is better than your other one so heâll make a fine addition to the well, sister.â The slow cutting voice of the other entity that was her older brother Daevyn. He had been a constant aggressive factor since Lledwyn got in contact with the weapons. When her brother had been part of their grand design when he made his axe. It was surprise that Daevyn did not have one when he emerged but the God was fighting against Katanja after all. The tall ghost of Lledwynâs similarity of dark grey soaked long hair gazed upon her with the same ice blue eyes and smirked. Daevyn strode with a slow purpose unlike Arie that Aurora was fighting with.
âYou wonât take him. Just like you wonât take Lledwyn!â
Daevyn stopped and allowed the smirk to increase in size like the necromatic magics that repaired Arie. No matter what she used to destroy that smirk, it would appeared again and again.
âOnce weâre done hereâŠ.Iâll take him back. Iâll take the whole light damned family back with me!â Daevyn promised and tilted his head. Strands of black hair blowing effortlessly against the howling terrokar winds.
There was a bravado in his step despite having no weapons. A sort of knowing that would come with the illusion of being defenseless. Ilyea didnât know Daevyn as she grew to know Lledwyn so there was no tall tale signs of what he was up to. Other then the smirk, he showed no other emotion.
âWhâŠ.at areâŠâ Her question died upon her lips as Daevynâs purposeful steps erased the webbing with a scuff back and forth of his feet. The spot was no matter then a scattering of stones though the webbing stubbornly clung to his legs.  One more of the Spider Godâs long slender legs emerged out of the damaged defense, Daevynâs arm rising in tune with it akin to a puppet master. With a flourish of a bow, her dastardly brother brought his hand down violently in an arc touching the ground like crushing a bug. The leg which had been brought up in tune with him careened towards her with the vicious intent.
At the angle it sat, it would lethally be able to pierce her anywhere. Ilyea summoned what little reserves she had to move but couldnât find herself to. Her body shook at the thought of moving and she couldnât find herself stopping. This was way beyond mental exhaustion, she was mere seconds away from collapsing. Ilyea opened her mouth to yell when a sharp tug pulled her gracelessly to the side as the leg slammed mere inches away from her location. The small island where the ritual site rested shuddered as the tremors rippled about the small island. Katanja had her hands full tugging at some of the webbing which was a cause of her movement. Ilyea was thankful that Katanja was looking after her while Aurora was occupied.
In the brutal chaotic field, the distant voices seemed to fade away as Auroraâs eyes lept about for the white dagger. The slam nearby rumbled across the platform echoing a dropped feeling in his stomach. Aurora turned his head just so adjusting his wings and brushing out his sweat soaked hair to watch the development between his wife and Daevyn. He was thankful for Katanja watching her when he couldnât but it wouldnât matter if he couldnât find the fucking dagger.
Pain blossomed against his right check with a wet thunk as the man groaned as he felt a cold fisted punch against him. Aurora raised his arm to ward off another punch delayed as it instead was muted against his leather chest with an audible creak. The Sindorei male grunted and threw his own punch into wide open air. The rogue was feeling cold but the violence was starting to warm him as more adrenaline pushed into his system. Though it was was far past a life or death situation, Â he couldnât help chuckle at the fantasy of killing Arie now. Aurora caught glimpses of the shadowed figure but punched again hitting cold meat against the Arieâs own chest. The cold exterior hurt as much as punching the ground but at least it caused the shadowed thrall to stumble. Â Just enough to throw him off so he could track him easier.
Aurora would need to make sure that he concentrated on him, really needed to piss him off. He usually wasnât the prideful sort but Arie perhaps would be. He had to bet on that.
âNo wonder you died so fast, you are so fucking weak.â Aurora growled with a bit of a laugh. âYou probably didnât even love her the way that I did...patheticâŠâ
âSheâs not fucking mine but Iâm better then some boring old fuck boy like yourself.â Arie hissed in return, but there was a glare in his eyes that wasnât there before. âIâll fucking enjoy getting you down into that well.â
Aurora curled the wings closer to his body to flex as the two dualed back and forth without their weapons and shadows. It wasnât completely the manâs intent to let Arie hit him but it seemed to build the manâs pride more than anything. Katanjaâs power helped  to guard against the blows but it still hurt each time one of the thrallâs fists hammered against some of the soft bits of his leathers. If he survived, he would need to have his leathers repaired.
Purposefully as a spider catches his victim, Aurora began to lead Arie away from Daevyn and Ilyea. He led  the thrall within the thickest of Katanjaâs webs while also looking out for the white dagger. The white fluid began to coat the undead in earnest with each jab and thrust that Aurora allowed upon him. Catching himself starting to pant and Arieâs boundless energy was starting to wear him out even with Katanaâs help.
The webs did well in hiding the white dagger away from evil intention but with all the distractions, it was hard to track the damn thing. The blows were not coming as much as Aurora had hoped and seemed to understand why as another dark shadow stretched within the ritual site. Another leg joining the three spider god limbs that still encompassed them from below. The webs that the guardian had used upon his foe were allowing more complications to arise.
âFucking HellsâŠâAurora sighed as his heart pounded to move out of the way of another attack of the giant spindly spider leg. His head swam as he felt the twist of pain along his chest where he had been battered and his side where Arie continued to use him. Perhaps it was doing more then he realized.  The leg came down testing the length of its appendage arcing straight down to impale Aurora. The undead thrall struck at the same time attempting to grabble Aurora in place for a bloody spear.. A burst of energy that Aurora had been hiding slipped Arie from the grasping hug that would of ended him.
At least thatâs what should of happened.
Pain exploded in his left side as one of the magically formed wings was pinned from the strike upon himself. Â The leg was stuck into the earth fastening the powerful wing in place. Aurora lifted himself up testing how malleable the wing was and disappointed to learn how real and stuck it was upon his body.
âI wish I could say it was a good battle, but like everything else you just need to give up. Bye bye replacement.â Arie admonished Aurora with a laugh as he squatted down. Â The Sindorei male could see the thrallâs legs glistening with Katanjaâs power but there still wasnât enough to use. Aurora needed to get out and with the legs pinning him in place; he was easy pickings for however Arie used to kill him. The rogue stretched hoping to find a rock or something to fight him off with.
Within one of the webbed areas that Katanja had produced, Auroraâs boot touched something hard against his shoe. Pretending to only move to avoid Arieâs next attack, Aurora pivoted his body to stare at what was in his reach. A plan hatched immediately after seeing what it was.
It seemed like only seconds before all their carefully laden plans went to shit.
Aurora barely had enough time to reach forward when Ilyea disappeared under the rocks, drowning into molten rivulets of darkness. Achingly his hand grasped at the silhouette of where his wife passing through the after image like figurative smoke. The screams of his wives lasting words echoed in his ear against the pounding of his heart. His mouth ran dry as he stared into the impossible darkness where Ilyea laid. Her red hair shimming against the waves like a school of koi fish.
âUnderâŠâ He remembered her saying. Stretching his legs as the details of a suicidal mission were clear upon the guardianâs mind.  Aurora touched the surface feeling the barely open portal where she was plucked, tactics and designs flowing through his mind in rapid detail. He paused for an extra moment to  push hard against his instincts to follow her wife to save her.  The rogue looked down below to follow but paused at the large entity that seemed to build underneath their sanctum recognizing the slim chance against him. It felt to him as though he was diving into the deep end without first knowing how to swim. Â
It was terrible and large to behold but what else do spiders do best then build traps to their prey. The attack upon the lab, the destruction wasnât merely an attempt on their lives, but a doorway to the very old god they were trying to destroy. It breached their sanctum and waited until the very moment they made contact. Anger prickled at the back of rogueâs throat as he swallowed down his fear. That wouldnât bring his wife back.
The white dagger of melded white marble and bone was produced with a quick arc with practiced precision.  Aurora gripped the instrument feeling the ivory as flickers of his wifes magic ebbed. The echos beat against his own heart but unlike his own; Ilyeaâs was slowing. The next decision was so instinctual that it surprised the rogue as he stabbed deeply into his healing palms. The guardian flexed the cuts  splashing the ritual blood upon the floor. Using the same tool, Aurora cut a piece out of the base of his foxtail before dropping it into the bloody pool.  Imaging Ilyea guiding him at this moment, Aurora tilted the edge of the dagger to  swirled the viscous liquid with his dark strands until it melted into an offering.
âKATANJA!â The rogue screamed into the still night air. The illuminated outline of his wife and the dagger they were enchanting seemed to follow along like the fading of a light within deep waters. Aurora could barely follow them with his trained eyes, her red hair disappearing into the ground like his blood. Every second would be wasted if his prayers werenât answered.
The rogue slammed his fist against the surface, not caring if the same spider God would pluck him like an insect. âI accept your fucking offer.â He muttered feeling the rush of adrenaline as he tried to remember the teachings of his wife. âI exchange my unborn son to learn in your service, I give you my fucking word. Just give me the power to save my wife. Protect her please!â Aurora growled as he pressed his bleeding palms together, desperately trying to remember if there was anything else to do. Â
The Spider spirit; Katanja appeared hazily from the offering; her form hidden against the grand landscape that Aurora and his wife had made. One of her many hands reached forward and sucked up the offered blood and materializing fully from the shadows that he conjured. The spirit as kind to them as he was.
âYour deal is accepted, guardian.â Katanja hissed in return as she opened her mouth. Â Two slim fangs erupted from her mouth as she slowly towards Auroraâs neck. The rogue tilted his head to the side closing his eyes tightly thinking that is how her power would be shared but he felt no piercing teeth upon his neck. Instead the materialized wrist was offered as she ripped her mouth there tearing her own flesh in a wet sloppy tear. The loa moved her wrist to the side allowing the black blood to flow freely from the wound, eight red beaded eyes watching him.
If there was any doubt before, it was gone as soon as Aurora opened his mouth for the offered blood. Katanja pressed her wrist to his own and he drank deeply as he could to provide any edge that she could give him. The vitaetasted of smoke, shadows and deep arcane. A living testament of all the magics that himself and his wife wielded creating the link to the spirit that offered its help. He drank as much as Katanja could give, choking when it hit the back of his throat with the sick dousing freedom he didnât know he could endure.
Auroraâs heart exploded in his chest as the full effects of the viscera reached his lips, reacting to the depths of his soul. It smoothed things together just like the blood of his wife did when they enacted their blood magic. Aurora stumbled as the fluid knitted his form together and the shadows that he wielded. Everything made more sense in that moment with what he was, his void and the abyssal that lay dormant within lovers. There was no dull pain in his hand, no the fear that threatened to buckle his knees as soon as he gazed upon the other spider god.
It was only Ilyea that egged his movements on, and only her that he could believe in. They would find a way to push it back, or die trying.
Aurora would make sure his wife succeeded.
The guardian stretched and the shadows reacted in a wave in the fueled power that blinded him. There was a glimmer within the pond of shadows where Ilyea was taken down before, and he followed that. âWeb me!â He demanded quietly to Katanja, as the lithe bond Loa did so threading her own delicate webs to one of his boots and waist. The other around the white dagger which he plunged into one of the few places the godâs darkness didnât reach.
Aurora pushed down then into the pure darkness disappearing like a bird into a rising tidal wave. It was stupid, it was foolish but it was him utterly. The lapping shadows swallowed him as he shot like a stone towards his wife within the spider godâs clutches. Slowly the darkness started to peel away like drying paint transforming the darkness into bright whites and faded greens. It was at a dull point in the back of the his head that screamed about the possibility of never coming back. The shadows were not as dense but he was thankful to Katanja fed him so much power so help him.
The rogue could feel the peeling of the shadows across his face and hair, the grasping of the fallen souls as he wormed his way not only through the water shadows and into the lip of the spider godâs well. Aurora could see the brilliance of the space that powered the godâs summoning, thousand of azerothian souls crying out for vengeance and freedom but they could be mute for all he cared. His eyes were focused upon his celestial wife.
âIlyea!â He screamed unsure if sound worked the same way. The words came out garbled but within their telepathic bond; they were strong. Ilyeaâs head snapped to his and her hands reached out to blind hope for some sufficient hold upon his  own.
Aurora only had one shot and he knew that as soon as he attempted his plan. Firm hands gripped onto her own and the fear was pushed down a bit as clammy hands could feel each other. There was no time for rushed thank yous or passionate embraces, there was only protection. His bloodied hands firmly pressed against her own encircling them within a death like grip. With his other dagger, Aurora spun and wretched the knife onto the godâs flail. Hoping that it could provide a small distraction as it  focused upon its new curiosity.
It hesitated only for a moment but it was enough as Aurora pulled his fear stricken wife whom held upon the  dagger with the same strength. The web string was pulled and both were quickly pulled up out of the milky shadows that hid the illuminated well of souls.
There was a large rumble of what resembled a scream within the shadow dimension but as the two passed through the barrier; they could only shiver. Ilyea seemed almost like stone struggling to breath as she was released by the rogueâs protective arms. Â Aurora reached over pressing his bloodied palms still sticky with sweat against her body. Allowing himself just a minute of his own fear, his shaking hands moving over her wild hair as she struggled to move her lungs. The rogue could feel the panic rising in her within their bond as he moved her around so that her widened eyes would look deep into his own.
âFocus on meâŠ.FOCUS on me.â Aurora commanded shaking the mage.  âYouâre alive. You can do this Ilyea. Iâm hereâŠ.â The rogue commanded softly and sternly. âBREATHE!â He roared in their bond before pressing his fear soaked lips upon her forehead.
The red haired mage swallowed her fear and squeezed Auroraâs hands for the same reassurance as she gulped large breaths of air.
Artifact Creation: Previous part here :Moon Light Ritual Completed Here.Â
Inspired Music: Here
Terrokar forest once more stood within the path of the mage as she stood nearby, the various runes she had started to draw upon the trees. It was messy but the marks still held true and even if it took another few hours; Ilyea was sure she could finish most them today.
At least enough to provide direction and sanctity as she started the ritual for her sanctum, her new lab to finish what she had started.
As she drifted to the next tree, Ilyea quickly carved the rune with her knife and splashed it with the cured moon well water, and a dash of Theronâs moon well cured blood onto the spot. Watching the blood ooze, she smiled satisfied at her work.
One of the suns had barely settled over the horizon as a stiff wind blew across the trees kicking up the leaves into a silent dance. The sweat that had collected over Ilyeaâs neck started to burn and cool as she slowly removed the robes until she had on just her shirt and pants leaving the rest of her materials hidden under a burrow of earth.
Before putting her ceremonial Armani knife away, Ilyea quickly sliced her palms gorging the cuts into her skin; nice and deep so thick dark red blood would flow over her arms. The winds further accentuated the flow as the electricity of the arcane matched the frigid temperature. Fel green eyes slowly turned into blue as she channeled more of her chosen specialization.
At the peak when she felt like her skin was going to be carried away from the movement of magic as it flowed around her skin, and coated her blood; Ilyea started to run.
The runes themselves didnât really matter much with the meaning even though the mage did pick very specific ones; it was the placement of them that really mattered. A combination of runes that when activated would lead the individual towards her sanctum. One that would be able to be changed easily with a bit of blood and magic, like a maze.
The crackling of the leaves and dry branches collided against Ilyeaâs skin as she broke into a run. The blood flowing off her arms dotting the ground like the branches that broke the flesh about her feet marking her path way like a bizarre ritual. Her form still vibrant as well as the iridescent blue eyes that surveyed her course. Â
As she passed each rune, her  bleeding hand slapped the ritual runes smearing her arcane soaked vitae upon them. Remembering the ritual chant that Theron had done a few times before, Ilyea yelled out in her own in vigor:
~Of the East, the West, the North and South.
        Fortify this vestibule, this place of power from those that wish it harm.
                Bind this place to me and my own and protect us.~
The  words were simple but they had a hum of power and promise as Ilyea screamed each syllable to the frigid air.
There was no time to tell when she was done, but Ilyea put everything she could into performing the sanctification that when the area felt *right*, the trails of blood along her arms and feet had long since dried. The clothes she had worn were proof of the blood bath of her design; but needed. The blue long faded from her eyes into their normal green. Her body as spent as the magic she had performed.
As Ilyea pressed her back to the entrance of her sanctum, she could only think of what laid ahead and how much more she had to give.
The future was changing and she had to change with it.
Whispering a prayer to her loved ones, Ilyea briefly thought of Aurora as she moved to start setting up for her next ritual.Â
Miss Lomeriel, you do realize by giving you this information. We be putting the entire Horde at  risk and we are already dealing with agents within our midst from the Legion. Let us hope that you arenât failing to become one as well, Feral mage.âÂ
The orc behind the paltry desk huffed, the tiny crowd accompanying him baring down at her lone figure as though she was just an ant.Â
âLet me read down your list of offenses Miss Lomeriel, if you donât mind.â The Orc snorted.Â
Ilyea couldnât help but fidget as the all familiar list of offenses tumbled out from the wizened orcâs lips as the mage felt the litany of her time with the Horde and her ilk with the Silvermoon guards came to past. Several charges of vandalism, trafficking with demons, subordination on several accounts, burning her fatherâs house, burning Silvermoon Academy, lots of burning, not to mention attempting assassination, and finally being disowned by her family. She knew them all by heart as the orc explained each detail with an unwavering heart. He even chuckled at a few of them which earned some growls from the peanut gallery but what can she do. Â
âAnd that is why we still not be releasing the location of this Malefacaâs body to you Miss Lomeriel. We cannot give a known traitor to the Legion to the hands of a psychopath.âÂ
Ilyea sighed and thought very briefly about causing undue destruction but she was dealing with high level Legion professionals within Orgrimmar. Those that have been around for two wars with them and plenty of unknown things. Fucking around with them would be plenty unwise.Â
âButâ The orc replied âWe could trade you that information if you do something for us. We know of the organization you are in now called the Scions, We know of their work with certain artifacts and have requested clearance with certain Legion artifacts or information regarding them. We have heard there is some disturbance upon encountering some type of powerful demon. If you could give us more information, we will give you the bodyâs location.âÂ
The orc slide over a piece of paper to contact him and then gestured the mage to the hall way where she had come from. Â
Ilyea had found herself on the top one of the buildings being rebuilt in Erudition looking over the same piece of paper as the memories came flooding back to her. They had the information, she had the information too but what exactly did it mean if she shared that it? What would Orgrimmar do to them that wasnât already being done by their own city? Friends?Â
The mage shook her head, the weight of everything numbing her from the inside out while her thoughts ran from the darkened corners of her mind. The last few days have upset the balance she had desperately tried to create. In an attempting to gain control, Ilyea had put everything on the table. All her plans, all that she was hiding to the few people she cared or trusted about in an attempting to start from the bottom.Â
To start over again.Â
Kurel was mad at her but that seems to always be the case. Lledwyn was mad at her too and was probably a word away from trying to cleave her head from her neck. Half the Scions were mad at her, and she wasnât sure if she was going to be thrown in jail again.Â
It was spectacular and completely unwanted.Â
Ilyea had a few ties lined up but the paper that the orc had weighed on her mind. If she gave the information to these orcs, about the Natherizm....about Korregan, would all the sins we had committed equal to better path for her future?Â
The mage had to bet on that.Â
Standing at mail box in Silvermoon city, Ilyea wrote out her reply to the orc and put it within the enchanted vessal. It was only an hour later that she had her reply and the location she needed.Â
@scions-of-antiquity @roewyn @kurel-andiel @lledwynlomeriel for mentions ))Â
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If it meant absolute freedom,Ilyea would tear the world apart as long as it meant doing absolutely everything to maintain that this was her choice.
All her stupid remarks, her actions, her ruthlessness,  getting beat up, losing or gaining folks, USING FOLKS was this for absolutely divine and stupidly foolish quest. Die on her own terms: just to be on her own terms. Her own reality.Â
In an effort to create that the last few days definitely werenât quiet around her. . There was so much talking about her that it almost seemed boring. Fruitless even but it created exactly what she had wanted. An untouchable bubble of chaos. Those that knew what Ilyea was capable of left her alone, those that didnât did so anyways because they were probably talking to the other people. And those that didnât follow the last two tenets around her were cleaning up her messes. Â Â
Yesterday was no exception and she felt a little justified in her decisions. She met with Kerrwynn first after coming from the poisonerâs lab. She resisted trying to twist his questions when it was learned he didnât know everything that went on to be so bold to meet the Captain by himself onÂ
People are stupid, People are stupidâThe incessant whisper echoed in her skull, soft spoken with the hiss of snake.Â
She later met with Mav upon a neutral agreement. She had no reason to lie and she was very glad when all of the people showed up perhaps in a show of force, they did indeed not jump her. Mav knew the price of freedom and she knew that there would be no issue for the alliance.Â
Kurel even dropped by to let her know her brother was looking for her. Inevitable considering everything but she wanted to be the one to first tell him. Now it was lecture time and....fair enough. The mage had calculated that risk, it would be a boring risk but one none the less. She was more then willing to sacrifice her pride for the sake of her mission.Â
They didnât have time to ask her other questions when war was the possibility on everyoneâs minds.Â
Idiots.Â
The mage placed her communicator with a confused teller at Silvermoon City before moving swiftly to her true objective at the end of boring pleasantries.. She had asked around and had to check the annuals of Silvermoon City for her dear friend Malefaca. She hadnât heard much of a peep out of him after he disappeared and any guard she talked to didnât have nary a clue. She had to visit the stupid library for the answers.Â
She did noticed the after finally finding him an interesting update that left her dumbstuck.Â
It appeared as Malefaca:  Deceased.Â
Interesting, Ilyea murmured but inside she felt cheated. She hoping for a grand ol reunion of insults and threatening to kill each other but here it was. She was alive and he was dead.Â
Did....he even leave a corpse? She wanted to dance on his grave and piss on his bones...and then  an idea rang so loud within her head that she thought she was going to fall over. Faca was a very powerful warlock of soul magic. What she was dealing with needed an expert on soul magic.Â
It was clear when the harsh words from two nights ago didnât nary a peep from her communicator at all. What are consequences? What are limits if you didnât test them?Â
SHE WAS FREE.Â
The mage couldnât help but smirk as the thought entered her mind, causing a vicious array of giggles to escape her lips. It took some time but was worth it. Now she could work without much delay at all.Â
She had to check some records. She had a dear friend to find.Â
Previous Installment here/ Musical Inspiration: here
(I was told that the previous installment didnât have the same polish as the others, and I agree! So I revised it! Writing is a never ending process, and just like ourselves we are always growing! )Â
It was hard to breath at first. The hiss of air that worked within his lungs, a mish mash of pain against his broken ribs as Aurora forced the movement. It felt bitter hot and acidic with a soft wash of needles down his throat. His black fox tailed soaked with sweat clinging to his lips against the dust and dried earth. The elven rogue would get a handle of where he was...if he could see anything. He wiped the back of his hand that ached against his useless sight, shortening his breaths to prevent the pain.
Thankfully the web of Katanjaâs held despite wherever he was, Aurora mused gratefully. It would provide a guide back to them. He felt the live giving web about his leg caressing it lightly lest it become undone.
At least Ilyea was safe thoughâŠâ Aurora whispered coarsely to himself and felt his voice echo and bounce off. He knew that even if the web broke and he was lost in the ebb and flow of the time magic, Ilyea would find him.
They promised after all.
Aurora rubbed his useless eyesight with the back of his leather gauntlets and took in a few more harrowing breaths. His body wasnât frail by any means but the shock of all the magic going through him at such a concentrated rate shocked him quite deeply. No wonder his eyesight was first to fall. He couldnât imagine how magic worked with his wife who looked even more sickly than him. Working his arms and legs carefully to determine where any other problems may lay despite the weakness he felt.
The rogue felt he could sleep for a thousand years despite where he was. His fingers scraped the small skin of water that rested near his hip, the red vial to help ease some of his wounds, the small communicator Ophie gave him among other rogue utilities. Jiggling the water skin, there was barely a few gulps of water within. Heâd have to conserve though the thought of water felt so sweet against his dry dusted lips. Aurora shook his head and once more moved forward with a slow moving gait towards his wife.
Unbidden other thoughts pushed out of the one of his survival instincts as he found himself thinking about his family. His heart leapt into his throat and hoped to the deepest of whatever hells the spider god wasnât wrecking vengeance upon his wife, Ophie or Lledwyn. Aurora growled deep in his throat but it came out ragged and wet. The action filled his mouth of blood and grit and unconsciously he took a some of the water he had been saving to wet his mouth. He swished the liquid and then spit it out before swallowing the little that remained. Â
âIlyea...love...can you hear me?â Aurora spoke within their bond attempting some kind of reach towards his wife.
âAurora..â The voice was soft and gentle against his mind but the connection at least there held. It gave no indication how far away he was from her but gave him a small glimmer of hope. He yearned to feel her lips against his own and feel the softness of her body against him. To know that she is safe as well as his family.
The rogue let out another wet cough as he took in another aching breath, pain radiating against his lungs shaking him from his thoughts. He had no time to think of what ifs, he had to get back there himself. Leaning down the elf held onto the thin wrapping of web that Katanja provided feeling the thin wiry fabric against his palm and moved towards where ever it let to it led to. Â
Aurora scuffled forward thankful for the distraction, thankful he couldnât see within the time stream. Though his curiosity was piqued, he remembered some of what Ilyea had told of her time being lost. Aurora focused instead on his battered body, the sting of sweat and blood that rolled down his back, soaked into his clothes. The rush of blood in his ears...and how exhausted he was. It was better than worrying about things he couldnât change. Â
If he died hereâŠ.itâd be alright wouldnât it? Ilyea wouldnât be in danger anymore, sure she would cry. Mourn him. Both Ilyea and Ophie...would...but at least theyâd be okay. The fatigue of the situation was starting to plague his mind, he surmised with a bitter sigh.  He didnât like the thought of making Ilyea cry, no matter how much his body wanted relief.
Auroraâs  thoughts drifted once more as he felt the softness of his eye sight cover him. The landscape like skittering ink droplets swirling like the errant strands of dark hair that drifted across his skin. How much Ilyeaâs name garnered complete domination to the guardianâs mind.  The tired look of her bright green eyes and the way her dark red hair clung to her dirtied face. How much he longed to brush it away and hold her frail body close. The way her lips curved into a smile when she was nearby him. The memories of his love  poured more energy into his battle strewn limbs. If it was just one step at a time, he could probably manage.
Just one step at a time with the web as his guide.
Delirious thoughts entered into the rogueâs head as he pushed his body beyond extreme exhaustion. The thought of Ilyeaâs smile seemed to have brought the order of her scent to him. It was a smell that many would call foul, but it was one that was inexhaustibly her. He could practically breath her in as each foot harkened against the ground. The smell of ozone, sweat, earth and  blood.
Ahh, she was like a goddess of the earth.
The smell seemed to linger as Aurora found himself toppling over something solid as he fell against the earth. The rogue would of called it quits at that moment but Ilyeaâs scent became more pronounced as he shifted. Auroraâs chest started to pound at the thought as he slowly rose to touch the figure.  He couldnât mistake itâŠ.not at all.
âIlyeaâŠ.ILYEA you shouldnât of fucking followed meâŠâŠ.but Iâm soâŠâHe choked finding the words hard to whisper along with the tears that threatened to spill. He clung to his wife that he tripped over and held her so tight as if his very life depended on it.
â...WhatâŠwho the fuck....howâŠ.did you find me?.âThe woman croaked but he lined his fingertips against her dirtied face as he pressed his thumb against her lips to stop her from speaking. Shakily he pressed his lips against her dirtied forehead taking in her scent like an elixir.  âIt doesnât matter. You came...and now we can go homeâŠâ
âHomeâŠ?â Ilyea replied and laughed darkly. Her voice cracked as if it was filled with nothing but dust. If Aurora wasnât standing so close to her, he may have missed her voice all together that seemed to melt into the background.
Aurora figured she must of hit her head with grief more than anything else and fished for her hand until he grasped it tight. âFollow me...Iâll take us home..â Â Ilyea seemed to hesitate but hung loosely upon his hand squeezing it weakly charmed by his confidence. The rogue reached into his pack and pulled out the red vial which helped heal his wounds and took a small sip of the bitter liquid. It gave a bit of stamina but he saved a few gulps for his wife.
âHow did you find me?â Ilyea asked taking the red liquid greedily as Aurora passed it to her. She gulped the liquid loudly and passed it back to him.
âWe always find each other my loveâŠ..you are my wife, my soul mateâŠ.âAurora chuckled squeezing her hand once more. âI love you...IlyeaâŠâ And Ilyea herself grew quiet, perhaps tired. The rogue didnât really question as he felt the security of her hand within his.
Now with two instead of just one, both of them seemed to move closer and closer towards the exit that the web was taking them. The rogue keeping most of his energy towards his steps using the web as a guide as the other hand merely squeezed his wife's hand nearby providing comfort to the both of them.
There was no rhyme or reason but Aurora soon felt the vacuum of something that seems chaotic and swirling about him and then suddenly, he was someplace cooler that stunk of dirt and blood. He could smell the stink of magics long before and the swell of shadows that guided him towards his goal. The edge of the web he was following sunk into the anchor clean upon the earth where his dagger held.
Unfortunately, the hand which held his Ilyea was empty. Panic twisted in him through his whole body threatened to shut down. Aurora screamed with his garbled voice, gritty like worn sandpaper.  âKatanja! I HAVE TO GO BACKâŠ..Ilyea! Sheâs still in..â
The guardian smelled Ilyea before Aurora even felt her, arms about his neck holding him within her grip as salty droplets fell across his exposed skin. He tightened his hold about her collapsing into his wife. They didnât need to say much of anything.
Aurora knew that she was here and thereâŠ..the guardian chuckled within his wifeâs embrace solving one of the small mysteries of what she had told him so long ago. Ilyea  was lost in time but someone had brought her back, she told him. He knew he did.
He was always her guardian.
The sound of Ilyea crying thankfully of his return became the nature against the thrumming of his heart. Though he usually hated the sound, here it was musical and a relief. Â Strength had feld them both as they held each other thankful at the large expanse that they had both endured. The battle that they had won.
Andy had arrived just a few moments before Aurora came back so the two battle worn souls didnât have to sleep upon the hard ground. Perhaps to provide council that Ilyea needed before risking her own self in the time stream.
Mounts were provided for Aurora and Ilyea as they were guided from the carefully constructed lab turned into destroyed battlefield. Each were carefully lifted into the waiting vessel as their flying guides were given coordinates to their Pandarian home. Katanja, the spider spirit gave a nod to Andy before disappearing into the tree line about the lab. Recovering her own essence that was given to her two charges.
Ophie was up waiting for her parents as she heard the rush of wings. Andy originally was there to protect her but when he suddenly was summonsed she feared the worst. The small girl was entirely too thankful as seeing both of them relatively unharmed. The tiny elven girl understood and would make no extra fuss against the dirt and blood that they tracked in. They deserved it even if it meant extra cleaning for the hearth mage in training.
Though it was way past her bedtime, Ophie hummed and went about to start creating many morning treats for the two warriorsâŠ.well when they woke up. The kitties began to play about knowing that their home was once more in harmony.
Aurora and Ilyea were barely awake as they were carried to their bed chambers. Â The softness of their bed was dirtied by the dried blood and dirt but the two could care less about that right now. The pandarian breeze salty and sweet, Â caressed their exhausted selves into restful sleep.
If anyone were to ask what experience helped the pair, if they were to reflect upon this day...both could say without a doubt, the sheer amount of physical and magical prowess would never be enough to beat a god. They could train for years and never ever come close.
