#daevara

As it stands, I have been making 2026 my year! And if you have been paying attention to this or @duraxxor-draws you may have noticed an influx of art. I have been trying to keep my ball rolling with that as it reflects what is happening in my mind with my spare time. Time has been tight resource, but I still manage to pull something off. But the writing is still coming slowly but surely! With that being said, that brings me to my next point! As some of you may know, Duraxxor's storyline has had some family history over the last decade or so and I once explored some of that history back in Legion and all the way to the very beginning of Shadowlands. However, in my recent resemblance of data, I've come to realize that I am not the biggest fan of how things changed in Dura's story. I relied too much on the influence of other people who I do not even associate with anymore. Therefore, I have decided to rip the tree of time out by the roots and turned it on its head. Some things will change completely and others will not. If you are already part of the family stories or wish to be a part of the future, please reach out and contact me. Luckily, there isn't any roleplays that currently affect these changes at this time! I want to focus more on what I can bring in your sights rather than trying to force people to participate. Because in the end, I'm here to tell a story and express such through writing and artwork! I also don't believe in limiting myself or others to what the game has to offer in story because I believe Blizzard is allowing us that much flexibility to play the stories as we wish without breaking the meta. Which is why I haven't leaned into expansion story telling since the beginning of Shadowlands.

Anyways, let's make 2026 fun and once again, thanks to all my friends, artists, and writers who have supported me! Sincerely, the Mun

Here, have a Dura XD LOL emoji art as a shameless plug!

Everyone story has a beginning, and Duraxxor's ancestory goes all the way back to the earliest days of the Highborne. The story of two, fraternal twins trying to succeed in their family name by a destiny thrusted upon them by their father. But every boon has a price to pay... sometimes in blood.

And speaking of young princes, we cannot forget about the first one, @aiden-daevara.

In the beginning, young Alphus Daevara only knew of the life of a misjudged child. Tormented by his peers and the adults that should be encouraging him to do better, there were few that Alphus held in his heart at such an early age. And eventually, the loss of the only parent he had ever known would cause him to go into a rage, killing the man that was responsible for abruptly ending her life. But once the deed was done, what is it you have left besides the blood on your hands? Pictured above is the following from left to right

Alphy, the original Alphus

Wrathful Alphy, the boy who learned to kill

" Are you sure about this, Lord Daevara? " A feminine elf spoke to a leather-coat wearing gentleman that was packing a briefcase full of belongings in one of the apartment buildings. Black hair cascaded down his back like an river of ink. Right before the case stood a sword in it's sheath that was clearly designed to be used by two hands. " Are we ever sure, Lady Sunveil? But... I don't have anything left to lose at this point other than my own life. Besides, I've been wanting to see the world for what it was. It's time I had a change of scenery. “ 

The blaze haired elf frowned with an envelope in hand with his signature on the front of it. " Very well. I'm not going to stop you despite how good of a tenant you've been. You didn't have to pay your final rent for another week. " She found herself being offered a calloused hand for a shake by the individual before her, golden eyes stared directly into her mint greens. A soft smile added to the dealings of a gentleman. " Better to do it while I'm here than keep you waiting. And next time I see you... just call me Aiden. I've had just about enough of these lord titles... we're beyond that age. "

Handshakes and equal opportunities were set in place as two exchanged one last handshake for the time being. Lady Sunveil even added an exchanged hug for good measure after what he had been through in the recent months? Years? It was hard to tell with how time seemed to fly by after what had become of the opening of the Shadowlands. " Are you going to be okay? " 

"... I have to be, ma'am. Every day we get is a day we survived to live to the next. " He looked to a photograph of himself, his sister, and their father before silently tucking it away and throwing the satchel strap over a leather-bound shoulder. " Be well and I hope you're next tenant is as good to you as you have been to me. " Wasting no more time, he departed through the doorway to go on his way. And as he walked the cobblestone streets of shining city of Silvermoon, the memories that lead to this point flowed through his mind.

I suppose you were expecting my father to tell this tale, aye? Well he would be if he were here right now. So please, sit down and listen for this is not a tale of happy endings. I cannot even fathom how long it had truly been but everything seemed to be at peace for a time when the Scourge began assaulting Eversong Woods and Tranquillan again. I joined in the battles that took place as I felt as though I was an aspect for this considering my father was once reborn from the magics that created these terrifying monstrosities. Coincidentally, it was a Darkfallen that was behind everything as he referred to himself a Lord? What nonsense! It sounded as though someone was wishing to copy my father's own work. I bet you're thinking " Well, Aiden? Where is the tragedy? " To which I say... I'm getting to that. 

I returned not long after to recuperate and continue my usual works of training when I went for my usual visit to the White Lotus Tea Shoppe. What I didn't expect, however, was the smoke coming from Market... Aiden had heard a commotion from the training grounds and was rushing frantically in the direction which he had grown all to familiar with. Smoke was rising to the afternoon skies in the same area of destination he sought. Sweating and panting, desperate to go from one side of the city to the other. Running through the corridor that lead to this section, he gasped as the image of a blazing, tea shop came into clear view. Silvermoon magi were trying to put out the flames with summoned water elementals and frost spells and Aiden was pushing through the crowds of people until he came across the guards.

" Sir, we are going to have to ask you to stay back! " The Silvermoon guardian stood imposing, trying to hold his ground against the panicking Aiden with a stare.  

" That's my auntie's tea Shop! Is there anyone still in there?! Are they alright?! " Aiden's expression was entirely worrisome as he appeared as though someone had struck his heart. 

" There was one person found within the blaze- " The guard spoke with a calm tone when he was suddenly cut off by the Son of Daevara. " Who?! Auntie Vivi?! Xanthariel?! WHO?! " He began to shake the guard and growled with fiery frustrations. ".. I don't have time for this! " At that point, he ran to where it appeared that medical assistance was tending to the victim that he never caught the name of. 

" Sir, we're going to have to ask you to stay back! She's in critical condition and she could slip away at any moment! " The female priestess held a single hand up, yielding Aiden to approach with caution. It was when he looked to the covered body with nothing more than blonde tresses and scorched lips that Aiden's fears were worse than expected. It was his older sister, Raven-Lynn Daevara! 

" Raven... No! " He instantly fell to his knees and approached while the injured sibling was coughing. " I said stay back! " The priestess chastised with a point of her finger and a glare. " I can try to heal her too... Please! She's the only person I have to go off of what happened... " Pleading eyes stung the glare as the priestess sighed and simply nodded. Aiden placed both hands upon where Raven's stomach would be located, trying to dimly projecting the healing factor of the Light. An art while he wasn't quite adept in, he was desperate to bring her back from this. Hands shaking nervously while the light sputtered like a campfire that threatened to go out at anytime. Even the priestess herself was beginning to shake from the strained application of magic with little progress on her healing. Another hand, burnt and bloodied reached from beneath the sheet that was placed upon her form and weakly gripped the brother's. Both priestess and Aiden gasped in shock as Raven managed to sputter some words. " A..Ai..den... listen to me... " Aiden tried to shush her and pass that stereotypical matter of telling her to conserve energy before the sister rebelled by fluttering a slap against his hand. " N-no... you lis...listen to me.. They... are.. g-gone... I have no... idea where b-but... they all l-left... Revusss... Vivi... Xanth... the fire was al-ready lit... they all... abandoned... us.. " 

Aiden began to tear up at her words as even the priestess herself bit her lip, seeming to think the worst of these people despite the story not quite being clear. " Sister... It can't be true. They would never do that. " His fingers were clutched tightly that hand as she put every bit of strength she had left into this final speech. " Aiden... -gasps-... tell dad... when you see him... hello... the way... I... I... " She trailed off in a series of mumbles and faint laughter until she collapsed completely to the ground. 

" Raven! Noooooo!! Don't leave me, please! I can't lose you too! " Aiden bawled his eyes out as this time his sister would not reply with any sort of comment. " C'mon, sister! Tell me how much of a big baby I am! Don't you fucking do this to me! " He shook her to try and rouse her as the priestess herself began to cease her own actions, dropping her head as even she felt helpless in the moment. " No! Don't stop healing her! She's going to make it! She'll make it! Raven... RAVEN! "

I still remember screaming her name for hours. That entire fiasco had caused me to lose more than just my voice, however. My beloved sister was gone and I was a fool to think that her words were nothing more than an assumption. The White Lotus was no more and no one could get in touch with it's owners. Owners I thought of as family. Family that was not there even when Raven's burial was administered. The only familiar faces that attended were Lady Sunveil, Avariel who was Raven's girlfriend, and Dominic Sunflare that had been a close friend of hers for a long time. Not even they were aware of what happened and the guards themselves were of little help. They tracked the fire to be caused by a malfunction of one of the cooking ovens but I say at this point that foul play was far from off the table. 

I grieved my loss of my dear sister and over time, I began to despise the thought of the rest as days turned into months. No sign of those that I cared for. Occasionally, my mind went straight to my father but even he did not return. Spite turned into Hatred, something that I began channeling in an unhealthy manner until finally at the training grounds I had completely destroyed one of the target dummies with brute force. Even the nobles were beginning to look at me more so like they once looked at my father with disdain. And they were right to, I never belonged in the house of nobles. This was something my father placed upon me before he departed and over time, I even began to hate him as I feel this may have been what sparked everything. 

But now, things were changing and I would not see it continue to bleed from this hole in my heart. I would find purpose by going around the world, just my sword and I. Maybe then I would have some form of peace in fighting to help others? Right?

Elsewhere in the wilds of Tirisfal Glades in today's world.. A portal opened in the midst of the thickets just outside the Agamand Mills, two figures exited through this magical pathway. A bat chittered by in a flapping frenzy as an omen before one of the pulled a hood off to reveal a phantom cascade of hair that trailed down his back. To which, this familiar individual spoke. The light of the pale moon gleamed off a crescent smirk of predatory teeth.

" We're home, Anna... home at last... "

Lord Daevara treaded across the coastlines upon the southern border of what was Aszuna. Salty sea air and traces of arcane energy laced the oxygen one might breath in, especially considering the rocky coves that the man was examining. A hearth was being held upon the left hand of the lightly armored assassin.

“ This place.. it has quite the vibration to it.. as if I have been here once before..” Thoughts came to mind as the man came upon a carving that extended into a downward descent. The hearth would then hum much like an apexis crystal from Draenor, which Dura would then proceed to pocket it. Silently he would descent down the cavern, keeping his senses up for the most part as the dim lighting provides enough.. for now at least. However, his mind would move to the events prior.

“ Apolla Daevara, I release you from you prison so that you may speak with he who had been baptized by the blood of your womb.”

The words of the Sanguine Sorceress still echoed through his mind as the image of the pitiful maternal spirit would forever be imbedded in his mind. Weak, drained, and mumbled, it reminded him far too much of the state she was in before her untimely death.

Very little was truly asked as far as the questions that Lord Daevara asked his maternal spirit, yet the only one’s that provided any real education was the one that angered him the most due to the truth that had been held back all those years ago..

What is the Beast?

Her very voice, the tone of her wail betrayed her emotion as she provided the answer. “.. I know not what the creature truly is… but… I do know it.. is something that fell upon your father as well. Sephirrion mustered all he could to fight its temptation.. it’s murderous lust… however…”

Howeve. That very word still made him quiver in rage..

“… I lied to you as a child.. your father did not fall in a battle of bloodshed.. he.. he sacrificed himself in order to keep us safe.. from that monster inside of him..”

That very piece of information drove Dura absolutely insane even as he descended into the tunnel. Unbelievable was the only word to describe it. Had he known this all along.. there may have been more done or less atrocities committed. Yet, he felt no pity.. no remorse for what happened..

Meira Daevara

She was the answer to all of this.. the Grand Matriarch whose name was uttered by even Alphaeron, her husband, before his descendent had ended him in the Nether. Yet, the ancient woman was not deceased.. but rather.. hidden.

Today, that is what brought Dura to this dwelling within the earth below Aszuna that trickled with sea water through various crevices along with the illumination of ancient mana that pierced through. He would need a personal possession to track her in Sorceress’ ways. Yet, what he would find.. would shake him..