#zeronex

Night had finally made it’s way to Fort Fenris. A peculiar and stormy night, the howling winds eerily passing through the halls of the stone fortress. Zeronex sat idly, staring into the fireplace. A bottle of expensive wine sitting upon the small marble table. Two glasses had been poured. One resting in his hand. Cradled and swirled. The aroma of the lovely liquid filled his nostrils. Engulfing his senses. These were the kind of nights he loved. Silent, dreary... A storm would soon befall his lands, adding more to the senses. It was a far cry from his usual sense inducing comas. The smell of battle. Blood, mud, grass, smoke, soot, and burning flesh. The sound of screams, barely audible over the rumble of oncoming soldiers. Sweat stinging his eyes. He still remembered those days. As though they were yesterday. His past lingered, haunting him. The sound of thunder cracked outside. Startling him slightly as he sighed. His grandmother was still missing... She was sure to come with that scoundrel of a woman she attempted to set him up with. Countless strange notes, ramblings of a mad woman.

He hardly slept now. Fearing for his wife and her well being. Having already once failed her, nearly losing her and losing his child. Trauma... It followed him everywhere. Regardless how much he attempted to atone for the deeds of his past. He hummed gently as he sipped his wine. Placing it upon that marble table beside the glass that awaited it’s caretaker. “Lumerzine still has yet to find either of them...” He mumbled to himself. Reaching for a book, sifting through the pages as the fireplace cracked and popped in the background. “I’ll need to find new methods... Speaking of... Where is that woman...” He looked back to the fireplace. Monisha was late - As always.

Holiday Giveaway winner and first art of the year.

( Music )

Silence... It washed through the room quickly after those words. Numerous scoldings from his former lover Gavia. Telling him that it was all on him now. He was the one who had to take care of her. Take care of someone he loved more than anything, and someone who would never remember him. A sweet form of torture from the old gods he was sure. His punishment for all his past misdeeds. Now forever he would have to atone for those atrocities. Those sins. He had thought the world of Azeroth had played more than enough foul tricks upon him. Everything - Had been lost... This was the last piece of his puzzle.Crippling defeat.

“I understand... I will protect her...” He wanted to love her, to do more than just protect her. Now - He would be nothing more than a stranger, perhaps another man she would simply lay because that is what Monisha has always been. His eyes closed as Gavia climbed into her mind. More silence..., now accompanied by something far worse. Sadness... Loss... One would think that he at this point would be used to this. No, far from it. Zeronex had a glaring weakness, and that weakness was always his heart. The want to do good, the want to change even the darkest of souls. Though no matter how hard he tried, each time was a failure. He only wished he too could forget everything, but someone... Someone had to remember. Someone had to remember to protect her from harm. She may forget all she’s done, but those of her past certainly will not. He once had hoped her most faithful guard would have helped, perhaps maybe assisted him in perhaps talking her out of it. The letter to Baririn was never responded to... Perhaps it was the tipping point. She had lost everything, even someone she deemed a friend and loyal guardian.

They both had lost everything, even each other. Zeronex waited until the ceremony was over. Gavia walking to him, and giving him a stern warning. She was always so selfless. Someone Zeronex could count on no matter the cause. He nodded gently walking to Monisha’s body. Kneeling down and picking her up in his arms. A final somber look at the one he loved, the mother of his child. She would remember nothing now. He pulled her limp body in close and a few tears rolled down his face. Perhaps this was not the end of their story. Perhaps this was the beginning of something new, perhaps... This was the start of something beautiful.

With what positive thoughts he had left, he made his way up the stairwell, and into the light. He would have to watch her from afar, and bring her somewhere safe. She could never know of his noble title, his wealth. He would be nothing more than a lowly Knight to her.

At least he would be something to her this time around. Something more than a toy. Perhaps, a husband... Or perhaps nothing at all. Only time would tell.

“Dear Barirn,

I am sure you are finding this strange, a letter sent by me, but there is good reason for such a thing. You know as well as any other, I would not reach out to you unless it were dire. Times are trying these days, and as much as you have attempted multiple times to steer Monisha away from me. You have failed, but I now offer a hand, a chance to redeem yourself in her eyes. I care not how you think of me, but you swore yourself as her guardian. Her guard... One that will never leave her side or turn their back. You have done so, and in you doing so... Monisha is on the brink of death. I -cannot- do this alone. Which is why I am requesting your help. I have tracked down those that have done this, and I desire a meeting with you. I will bring you to her so that you can see for yourself should you think this a ploy or set up. We will talk more upon our meeting, and I will fill you in on all that has transpired.

All must be forgiven, and all must be cleansed.

Sincerly,

Lord Zeronex Fenris.”

“It haunts me... The darkness... No matter how much I try, the Light cannot remove this creeping shadow from my mind, the voices, the scratching of nails upon the wall. The screams of innocents that I have taken. They come together each night lately. Terrifying horrors. Blood spewed creatures that resemble them all. People I have hurt, people I have mangled in the name of something. What was that something. Even with me having so much... The baby, soon I will have a child, yet still even with all these things going on... The building in the manor. I feel an uncertain evil... A shadow somewhere near... I cannot afford to fall to the darkness. No... I will prevail by all means necessary. Still, this thing... This haunting thing will not leave me be... Coming to me in dreams. Strangling the ones I love, leaving me helpless to protect... May the Light guide my path... I cannot lose myself, nor my mind.” 

Zeronex closed the journal, letting out a gentle sigh. So much had been happening as of late, though little things. The building in the manor, creating a new room. He was so far from his lands. He had wondered how they were. Zeoriel... Was he tending to them well? Shaking the doubt from his mind Zeronex stood, walking slowly to the window. Rain poured from the open skies. Darkness only slightly weakened by the occasionally clash of lightening striking or crossing the skies. The trees always would cast a frightening shadow upon the walls. A stark reminder of the past. A stark reminder of the present, perhaps even the future. His eyes closed, a vision coming to him. A pause, it was the dream from the evening before. “Light guide my path... Whatever you are, I will purge you.”

“As chains unbind - He frees himself from the darkness that clouds his mind. Soon the weapon, will turn against his captors. Soon...”

“As time progressed, bonds built. Respect, no more lies. Only two ambitious minds, and one fierce protector. All who would try to harm her, now would be judged, and executed.”