#beledar

((DWC Feb 2025, Day 1, Hypnotic/Star, @daily-writing-challenge CW: None ))

Beledar's light shined brightly down on Dolraan as he stood on the wall, gazing up at the giant crystal. Some part of, aspect of the worldsoul, filled with life-giving light, as well as terrifying shadowy power that tempted the great evils of the world. And a song that could only be heard by those who were attuned to the Light, like himself. Lorellai, Spiru, even Janosis once they'd dug him out of Azj'kahet, couldn't hear it, even though the Radiant Song had come to all of them. But here, in Hallowfall, he could hear the crystal's song, soothing his mind and warming his heart.

No wonder the Arathi had decided to live here. It was, in every way that mattered, a blessing unlike any other. Beautiful. Affirming. Almost hypnotic.

"Penny for your thoughts, champion?" Dolraan turned to see Quartermaster Steelstrike walking up behind him, carrying two steaming mugs of tea. "Saw you head up here, thought you might like something warm to drink."

"That's very kind of you, Quartermaster," Dolraan smile as he received the mug, taking a sip of the tea. "As for my thoughts, too many and not enough. Questions that just lead to more questions. Even by my standards, this has been a very eventful time."

"I don't know whether to be impressed or worried, considering your stories. And please, we've shared a dinner table, you can call me Auralia, I won't tell the general," she said, winking. Her gaze turned up to Beledar. "You know, you'd think after years and years you'd get used to it, but it's still just so… magnificent. I'm glad to know that you outsiders can also look to Beledar for peace while you think."

"It is among the most remarkable things I've ever encountered, and I can say that with confidence. I think I agree with your historians; that you were brought here to safeguard it. I can't say that we'd have been able to stop Xal'atath's assault on it if not for the Arathi having established yourselves down here so well."

"I certainly like to think so. After all we've been through, all we've lost," she said, looking down and rubbing a ring on her finger, "having it mean something is important."

"I think it would have meaning, even if it was just a fluke. Because you gave it meaning. You made a decision, you built homes and families, and you work every day to keep everyone safe and happy. That's the Light, back where I come from."

"You have a real talent for making things big things seem simple," Auralia chuckled.

"I've spent the last five years teaching and training, I had to get good at it or I'd be embarrassed by my students, or ridiculed by my squire. Can't stand that thought."

"Well, I can understand that motivation. A toast, then. To keeping everyone safe and happy, even if it's as simple as sharing a warm mug of tea."

I was inspired by some of my friends art for their WoW characters to draw my own!

Meandering along at a faster pace than usual, it was long past the midnight hour, and Rosselyn was ready to be home, new geographical information successfully reported for the courier team today. The void state of the world crystal the Arathi crowned “Beledar” also spun the grand ‘owl’ faster in search for cover in Hallowfall, attempting to take shelter from the rise of dark forces that a night darker than dark seemed to suddenly breed.

Landing as a flurry of panicking feathers on a high formation of rock, the starry-eyed owl swirled away as she made herself the smallest, most imperceptible mouse when her feet touched ground, scurrying into a crevice of the rocky outcropping.

Trapped in her own dread, Rose heard it again. The solemn hum, some wordless plea resonating from the crystal. Or was it sourced from somewhere else? She had heard the rumors of the strange ‘song’ in passing, heard it hum that terrible, dreadful sound in this place when it would shift. Sometimes, it sounded stupidly scared, like her.

It’s a right horrid way to be, she thought. But I can’t help you. Dunno how…I’m so sorry…

It felt like an eternity of dark on dark, but eventually Azeroth’s called heroes did whatever it was they were called to do, and the great crystal shifted again into its golden hue, bringing the comfort of the skies with it. Rosselyn scurried out of her little crevice to let the warmth flow over her, and with it she returned to her full, human shape. Strangely, she didn’t feel regretful for not knowing how to help. No shame in hiding, in caring for herself. There was warmth, light. Hope, after the dark storm.

Even the dark times, they pass, Rose mused as her dread slowly released her. And we move on.

Rosselyn should have been on her way, the sensible part of her brain knew. But the tranquil moment inspired her, freezing her to the rocky outcropping as she stared at the golden light of the crystal like the light of dawn. The itch flowed into an unexplained compulsion, a moment that needed capturing, her own translation to paper. 2 bells in the dead of the morn, and she just had to surrender to the will of art. As Rose yanked her leather-bound book from her satchel and scrambled for anything she could draw with, she put the future body aches of the unrested to the back of her mind, and focused entirely on her crystalline muse.