A Future of Flame - (Genise's "What if" story)

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

((This is my look at Genise's future through the "What If" trend we have going on. It's kind of wild, so I doubt it'd ever be what happens, but hopefully it'll be entertaining. All opinions/criticism r lubbed!))

There she stood, out upon the southernmost balcony of the Temple of the Moon. Twenty years had passed since she had retired from her adventuring, and even in her mid forties, Genise Crownsilver was more beautiful than ever.

That flowing red hair that never lost its fiery appeal, now sweeping to the back of her feet. Those intense, grey eyes that peered out from behind thin glasses, so warm, yet somehow, so cruel.

Her tall, slender form, giving way to every curve imbedded within the desires of any normal man, covered in a tight-bodice dress, few trinkets and a lightly glowing spellbook hanging from it at random.

The charred, still smoking remains of the elfin man before her….

Hmm?

Gritting her teeth, the Witch of Elwynn kicked at the body, shoving it over the side of the balcony, sending it down to the blood-stained ground below. Rolling onto its back, lifeless eyes staring up into the eyes of Sentinel Aradda Nightwhisper, this corpse hereby pronounced the death of…

Archdruid Fandral Staghelm.

What had become of Darnassus on this day?

The beautiful stone architecture of the city was in ruins, blood stained the streets, and corpses, both elfin and human littered the area. Genise stood safe upon her pedestal, the door to the temple incased in a flame so vile that all those nearing with even the slightest intent to enter would be charred to nothingness…

Behind the mage-gone-insane, huddled into a corner of the room from which the balcony stretched, three beings sat…

The first, a young, auburn-haired woman, wearing the robes of a Stormwind Battlemage, was Atera Merlot-Crownsilver, the mid-twenties in age daughter of Genise, and Halaster Merlot. Birthed as a bastard following the recent split of Halaster and Genise.

The second, a middle-aged Kaldorei woman, Sandala Windrider, presiding over the Temple of Elune upon Tyrande’s depature and disappearance into the Dark Portal some twenty years earlier…

Suddenly, out on the balcony, an arrow drove forward, poised to strike the throat of Genise Crownsilver, only to be grabbed and seared into dust by a flame which had sprouted from that book at her side…

Genise growled in anger, clutching the book in hand and holding it high…

“Murderers!” She cried out, a swirl of flames erupting from her body and forming into a large column before the temple.

“That book,” Sentinel Arrada whispered to herself as she spotted it rising into the air. “SENTINTELS, PREPARE FOR BATTLE!”

The city shook, and suddenly, the newly amassed forces were under attack… Large behemoths of fire, accompanied by smaller elementals, pouring out from that column; directly from the plane of fire in a likely attempt to overwhelm yet another force that would dare harm their mistress.

“Mother, no!” The third girl within the building, a half-kaldorei with fiery orange hair shouted. “He wouldn’t have wanted this!”

And the third…..

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

Chapter 1: Leading up to Chaos.

“Geny, please,” the soft, soothing man’s voice whispered. “You have to push this child out, or it’s going to kill you both. C’mon, love, just like you did with Atera…”

“I’m trying, damn it! Why don’t YOU try to have a kid and tell ME how to fuc-AHHHHH!”

Genise arched within her place upon the bed, crying out in pain and breathing heavily. A busy pair of elven nursemaids began working even quicker now to tend to the woman within the small house outside of Darnassus. On his knees beside the bed, kneeled a handsome elven man, his perfect, snow-white hair pulled back into a pony tail; his muscular body draped in a white robe, and the tone of his light skin marred by a slight redness and a hint of blood as Genise’s hand clenched it, nails digging in deeply.

This was fine with Aidol, however. He could only imagine the pain-cost of such a wonderful moment in life. He would be there for her, though, to the end. He wanted to be everything for her that Halaster Merlot had been before that horrible disease had finally took his life only two years earlier when, even with the two split apart, he sat at Genise’s side, assisting her in the birth of their beautiful daughter Atera.

He remembered the first meeting of these two, as a matter of fact.

She was in Stranglethorn, fishing, and sitting with a bottle of merlot. Hearing such a beautiful hum, he crept closer, only to see the young mage there, showing a child in her form.

He had to get that bottle away; how could someone so beautiful be so dense, or even uncaring as to a child’s safety? So suddenly walking up, he initiated conversation…

“Hello there,” he quietly spoke.

But the mage’s reaction was a bit of a surprise…

“Huh? Oh no!”

She quickly sprang to her feet,, scrambling for an oddly beautiful jeweled pin at her side. Quickly shoving it into her hair, Aidol watched in amazement as the form of the young woman suddenly slimmed down to a more natural state, a completely captivating and beautiful state.

“Who are you?! What do you want?!” She asked in a threatened tone of voice.

Aidol just blinked in amazement and shock. “Staghelm’s ass, what the?!”

Reaching down himself, still in shock, he grabbed up the bottle of merlot, and quickly began to gulp it down himself. Talk about an odd moment to see such a sudden change. Though, at the time, he had no true knowledge of her magickal ways, much less of her expertise in enchantments.

Genise just watched on as her merlot bottle, filled with water, disappeared before her eyes. She couldn’t help but let a small chuckle slip from her lips, knowing full and well that her change of form via her magickal pin had caused this stranger’s distress.

“I asked your named and business, not if you wanted to drink my water and force me to have to conjure up more…”

Aidol blinked, and lowered the jug, his pinkish skin suddenly flushing with embarrassment as he turned back to the tall young woman.

“Oh, uh… sorry, I’m Aidol, and it’s just that… Well, I thought I saw a pregnant woman drinking merlot, and had to interject… It’s unhealthy…”

Genise slowly nodded and folded her arms, shifting to the side in a manner that caught Aidol’s wandering gaze. And the accidental flirt nature of Genise Crownsilver had already begun on another…

“Well, as you can see, dear, I’m not pregnant, nor am I drinking merlot.”

She smiled devilishly, it was a blatant lie, and she seemed so terrible at it. “What if she turned her merlot to water when I approached?” he thought to himself, “She did completely alter her form, after all…”

Aidol eyed Genise up and down. “No… No you’re not. And I guess that means I’ll need another reason to stay here and flirt with a random human stranger. Does she have a name?”

He wanted to be confident, but the recent words that passed from his lips were so corny and practiced sounding, that he expected a kick between the legs. Much to his surprise though, the young woman blinked several times, before bursting out in an amused laugh.

“I’m Lady Genise Astera Crownsilver, High Sorceress of Elwynn, Mistress of the Flames, Second in Command of the Stormwind Royal Library, and I am really, really goofing up this oh so casual introduction….”

Aidol nodded, and smiled. While it had seemed to Geny that she said too much, it was all perfect for Aidol. In fact, she couldn’t have possibly said enough…

Grinning, he offered a polite smile to the young woman and led deeper into the conversation. For what seemed like hours, the two sat on the coast, fishing and talking about random silliness, with Aidol finding out anything and everything possible, and Genise just having a good time, and someone to talk to; the first man to show interest in just talking to her since she and Halaster had went their separate ways.

And hours later, when Aidol finally had to be on with the duties he was currently putting off, he made off with that merlot jug when she wasn’t looking; just in case she did actually change it… It’d be his good deed of the year..

Perhaps the only one for years…

“There you go, Geny… Good girl, good….” Aidol continued to whisper, holding his wife’s hand and hoping to alleviate her pain more than the most improper string of curses she had been throwing at everyone from the nursemaids, to the members of the Wildfire Riders outside who were there to witness this moment.

And on the shelf in the back of the room, was that merlot bottle that started it all.

….

“And beneath the watchful radiance of our Goddess Elune, and the Holy Light, I pronounce you two, Genise, and Aidol, husband and wife.”

The words of Shaila Viridiant marked the end of the wedding vows. Amazing how only four years earlier, she and Genise would have been happy to kill each other over a matter of accused traitorism(so not a word), yet now she was the priest of a wedding involving the other.

Aidol wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist and pulled her up to his eye-level with ease, as the two shared an intimate kiss to seal this pact. So many Riders gathered, many of them still without harm to their bodies so early in life, all dressed for the occasion.

Aidol held Genise there for what seemed like hours as the ceremony continued along. This was the proudest moment of his life. Even if it had always been in his head that he was a replacement for Halaster, a way for Genise to forget the pain in her heart when she knew he was dying, and never told anyone, or cried for help in her fear; he did not care. So long as he kept his own dark secret to himself, she could have hers, and they would still be happy.

……

“And what news have you now for me, Gatherer?”

The voice of the demon was harsh, and demanding, but Aidol stood tall before him, and unafraid.

“Staghelm is having trained an elite group of the Cenarion Circle to infiltrate the Shadow Council and assassinate you, m’lord. I thought it wise to attempt to join this myself, and despite wanting to keep me out due to my new marriage, I was able to get in. And now, I will be able to send ample warning for you to plan this ambush.”

The demon lord, Seziss, cackled maniacally, “You thought well, Gatherer. This is why you’re my favorite. Why you know -everything- about the Council.” He then paused, wetting his chapped, leathery lips before continuing.

“But do not get caught. Staghelm would imprison you for centuries and torture you just to learn what you know.”

“I would die before they could take me, Lord Seziss.” Aidol quietly responded.

“I have no doubts that you would, Gatherer. And for such loyalty, here…”

The demon tossed an overwhelming sack of coins at the young druid’s feet. There must have been at least five hundred gold there.

“Take it, buy a new home for the family. As much as the Council hates the Lady Crownsilver; it’s a perfect cover for you.”

“Thank you…”

Aidol bowed, and took up the coins. Yes, it was a good cover, but it was not his reasoning. He truly did love her, and would always; until the very end.

…..

Genise now laid limp in the bed, unresponsive and sleeping, and newborn child upon her chest. So beautiful it was, it’s slender ears, somewhat long, but not to that of a full Kaldorei, and pointed, and the faintest hue of orange upon her head where a light amount of hair was placed.

Aidol stared at the two, his mouth puckering, and his eyes watering like a fountain.

It was just so beautiful…

This moment, he finally understood. Genise held no dark secret from him. Her love for the Late Halaster Merlot was still there, of course, and always would be. After all, he was her first everything. But her love for the man known as Aidol was there now, and at the front.

It was her priority. It was her life. He would be the man she’d wake up to every morning until old age or misfortune took her away from him…

And with this sudden realization. The thoughts of all the innocent lives he had cost in his information brokering for the Shadow Council came crashing down upon him.

“Wh…what kind of monster am I?”

He quietly asked, sliding a hand to move over the head of his newborn daughter. The young child squirmed with life, and Aidol tensed up; how many of said children had he caused the deaths of with his traitorous ways?

And it hit him like a ton of bricks… He knew what he had to do.

Slowly, he stood from beside the bed, and stepped outside of the room. His gaze scanning over the collection of Wildfire Riders awaiting, he lowered his gaze and quickly stormed past; he had to see Archdruid Staghelm…

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

Chapter 2: The Betrayer Betrayed

“So let me get this straight,” the Archdruid Staghelm stated. “You’re the spy from the Shadow Council that we’ve all been looking for?”

Aidol closed his eyes, shaken by the tone of the recently appointed leader of Darnassus’ voice. With Tyrande disappearing into Outworld to chase after Malfurion, her successor was forced to take seat behind the more experienced Archdruid, and wasn’t about to let it be ruined by a long-standing, secret feud with the Shadow Council.

He almost wished he could undo the past two hours, and not give himself up. But he had to do it, he had to bargain for his freedom, and be able to settle down with his family; the only thing in life that now mattered to him. Her life would be short in comparison, and he wanted to make her feel more special than any man has ever made her feel. More special than his own Goddess, Elune; because she was, to him.

“Yes, Archdruid Staghelm.” Aidol calmly replied. “ I am their spy, and their most trusted broker of information. There is nothing about them that I do not know; including the coming assassination plans for you.”

“WHAT?!”

Staghelm stomped forward to glare down at the nervous druid. Even at 6’4”. Aidol was still small in comparison to the leader of the Kaldorei. He gently swallowed, mustering his bravery, for her, and looked up into his master’s eyes.

“The council intends to assassinate you. I know this, because I am on the team charged with carrying out the assassination.”

Aidol closed his eyes once again before continuing. All her could see was Genise; his lovely, dearest Genise, and their child, alone without him, alone because he did not do what he is doing now. And then he knew that he had to…

“And I…I’m willing to give them up, to be ambushed by the Circle, in exchange for you to let me retire from it all, and settle down with my wife and daughters.”

Yes, he referred to Atera as his daughter now. Of course, both he, Genise, and Atera herself knew that he would never replace Halaster and the greatness he brought his daughter in his final years before succumbing to the disease, but he was still there, and wanting and willing to step in and be the best replacement he could be.

She was the daughter of this human who had captured his heart, thus she would be treated as his own.

Staghelm just grinned, seeming amused by the basic negotiation. “This is amazing… For nearly two thousand years, you’ve walked this world. You were there for the fall of Hyjal and so many landmarks within our history, strong, willing to fight, and always at my side…”

He then sighed, “Only to be corrupted by power, and tamed by a human girl…”

“She means more to me than all of that, my lord!” Aidol quickly retorted.

But Staghelm just grinned one of those smiles that would let anyone know he was sickened, upset, and furious.

“Yes, traitor, I understand. I remember five years earlier when she came before me during our morrowgrain research. I admired her mortal form and had thoughts that she would make a -great- chamber-whore for a few nights.”

Aidol’s brow furrowed, and he shifted, about to speak. Staghelm ignored his motions and leaned down in a challenging manner, cutting him off with biting words.

“Not a word, Traitor! I could go to your home, right now, take her, and fuck her relentlessly before you into all hours of the night, berate and degrade her like a common, human whore, and then toss that human-tainted abomination of a child from Teldrassil, and you would STILL OWE ME for this betrayal!”

Aidol gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. For the briefest of moments, he could see it in his mind, and it lanced his heart; the image of his love enduring, and enjoying such because of what he had done. It made him want to murder Staghelm, torture him and make him suffer…

But he held it in, all in hopes of having his way. “I understand, Archdruid… I have done a great wrong, unforgivable. I only beg that you allow me to make it somewhat right. I am sworn by my blood to never reveal the secrets of the Council, but I will deliver you these assassins.”

Staghelm turned away, no longer wanting to look at the elf. This story almost made the leader of Darnassus pity him. Almost… But he did have a plan.

“Amazing,” Staghelm lightly hissed. “Amazing how a short-lived mortal can completely ruin the mind of someone who will never worry about death, so long as he lives a normal life.”

Aidol closed his eyes, not at all expecting to hear the next words spoken.

“Very well. Deliver these assassins to me, and your love shall be spared.”

“Thank y---“

“Leave! Before I change my mind…”

Aidol bowed his head, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude washing over him as he turned and quickly fled from the Temple of the Moon. In one week’s time, he would be free. Free to live out a life with his true love, his past no longer a matter so long as she would always love him.

…………….

Quietly, the druids all sat in a circle, looking up to their master, Archdruid Staghelm, from where he stood in the middle of them. Aidol glanced the circle over, all these hooded beings, disguised as elves and ready to murder the leader of Darnassus would soon be dead, and Aidol himself would be heading home to his love forever…

As was planned earlier that week, however, Staghelm knew very well who they all were; even their names, and a small smattering of each one’s history, thanks to the meticulous information-brokering of Aidol.

“We gather again this year, my Children of Cenarion, to discuss the troubles of our world, those who would do harm to the elves, and how to better perfect the make-up of Teldrassil.”

Fanghelm spoke calmly and perfect, making not even the slightest hint of nervousness that any moment now, a blade would probably be thrust towards his back. The arrogance of this Archdruid had always been well-noted, however, and would not fail even when looking the end of immortality in the very eyes.

And he wasted no time at all to reveal his knowledge…

“Today, we shall discuss an enemy to the Circle; a threat growin gin the back of my very mind. Yes… Today, we shall discuss, the Shadow Council, and exactly why you all have come to assassinate me.”

A brief moment of silence passed. All of the would be assassins were too taken aback to react, and it cost them dearly. Unmelding from the shadows, a small army of Sentinels charged the circle, their blades ripping into the flesh of their multi-racial enemies!

As was planned, Aidol was quick to Staghelm’s side. The Archdruid would not see his word broken by the death of Aidol, and thus agreed to protect him for the entirety of the fight.

The assassins soon countered back, however. Starting with the first, a young orcish woman who spun to meet a sentinel with her own personalized Heartseeker. Living up to the weapon’s name, she drove it deep within the elf’s chest, through the plate of her armor and the bone of her breast, forcing her heart to fail as the knife was drew back in an artistic spurt of blood.

These assassins were skilled, and well-trained, and soon, it was a full-on battle between both, as in the back of the chamber, two assassins stood guard over a Forsaken Summoner, who was quickly bringing in reinforcements settled just outside of the city.

A good five warriors had made it through the portal before it was fully comprehended, and they charged into the fray, even the final one who entered after Aidol had blasted the summoner with a wicked beam of moonfire!

Caught by surprise, the two assassins glared at Aidol. “Betrayer...” One hissed as he and his human partner moved in to kill the elf. They were deftly stopped, however, as Staghelm stood in the way, his hands shifting to that of a bear’s paws long enough to claw directly through the heads of both, leaving them crumbling to the ground amidst a mix of brain chunks and skull fragments.

There was an obvious reason why he was the Archdruid after all. And as he shifted his form into that of an enormous, black panther and took to the remaining assassins with the Sentinels, Aidol quietly sunk back into the shadows as ordered, awaiting the gory, violent battle to end.

“My lord,” A Sentinel approached the Archdruid as the last assassin fell, her boots slipping with each step across the blood-pooled floor. “All are dead now, and we have no prisoners to interrogate on this matter.”

Staghelm, still in panther form, released his jaws from the throat of the forsaken assassin beneath him, its head separating cleanly as the dead-again corpse fell to the floor. Staghelm took back his elfin form, smiling as he came to fullness, down at the sentinel.

“But of course we do, young Arrada. We have the only prisoner we need.”

Staghelm reached into a small pouch on his side, withdrawing a small scroll and handing it to the Sentinel.

“Deliver this scroll to Genise Crownsilver. Be swift, and say nothing more than you offer your condolences to her.”

Taking the scroll and bowing her head, Sentinel Arrada quickly turned, marching from the room. Staghelm grinned wickedly, and turned to Aidol who stood there in shock, stammering, and trying to speak.

“Y..Y..Y…You said…”

“I SAID!” The Archdruid interrupted, speaking with arrogance in his anger. “I said that your love would be spared. And now, you will tell us everything you know; even if it takes a hundred years to get it from you, before I show mercy with your execution.”

Staghelm snickered, almost tittering… “I have betrayed the Betrayer.”

Aidol’s heart sunk into his chest. He had failed her…

…………………

*RAP! RAP! RAP!*

The sound of metal on wood alerted Genise that company was at her door. Settling her newborn child into its carriage, she turned hastily and made her way to answer it.

Settling eyes upon the bloodied Sentinel, she took in a deep breath, staring down at the outstretched scroll in her hand, before finally taking it.

“I…you..W..What’s this,” Genise asked, nervousness in her mousey voice.

“My condolences, Lady Crownsilver.”

Arrada then slowly turned, walking down the steps of the home and leaving Genise there to stare at the scroll. Turning back into the home and closing the door, she slowly opened the scroll, reading it over.

Her face went ghostly, and her eyes watered up with tears. A loud cough escaped her throat, and a circle of flames popped around her form, quickly dissipating as she fell to her knees, coughing, hacking, and suddenly… Screaming in horror and agony…


Dearest Lady Crownsilver,

During our annual meeting of the Circle this morning, a devious plot was put in effect to assassinate Archdruid Fandral Staghelm. Our forces quickly overwhelmed the assassins, but in an act of the utmost bravery and courage, Aidol intercepted a corrupted bolt fired by an orcish assassin.

Upon this bolt, there was a poison unidentified just yet, but it inflicted your husband with a magickal disease of unknown origin, which quickly spread to three sentinels. No magicks or treatments were able to cure the brave hero, and it is our deepest regrets that we have quarantined him away until a cure may be found.

From the people of Darnassus and the Cenarion Circle, we express a deep greatness for the bravery of Aidol, and until we can one day set him free to be with you again, let it be known that you and your family will be completely taken care of by us all. Please let us know if there is anything you need.

Sincerely,
-High Priestess Amoon’ra Whildwhisper.


It was the orcs who once took her family as a child.

It was her first love, Halaster, who taught her to lose her hate for them.

It was a disease that took him from this world, and out of her sight forever.

It was Aidol who mended her heart against hate and taught her to love again.

It was an orc, and disease that took Aidol from her…

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

Chapter 3: The Promise

Westfall was more beautiful than ever these days. No longer did the Harvest Watchers terrorize the crops. No longer did the Defias keep it’s residents in fear of murder and robbery.

No, in fact, in the past couple of years, Westfall had once again settled down to the beautiful farmlands it once was before the war…

With the death of Halaster Merlot, and his last wishes to be buried on the farm in the Highlands, and not in the destroyed home of his past, The Wildfire Riders took it upon themselves to clear the area of everything from murlocs to the Defias, which ended horribly for Edwin Vancleef, who’s end came permanently as a duo of pyroblasts from both Genise and Azka incinerated the man beyond what even the Light itself could repair.

And just amidst the center of the newly rebuilt Moonbrook, a new statue was erected, “In Memory of Halaster Merlot, Westfall’s Greatest Hero.”…

……..

Three years earlier…

Quietly, she sat before the well-made tombstone, covered in a slim, green gown and as always, a pair of strappy high heels. Most of her hair was pulled back into a tail, but certain strands were whipped about and dropped before her face by the ocean’s breeze that constantly inhabited the Highlands Farm.

“I..It’s a beautiful statue too,” Genise quietly spoke, wiping at her eyes with a black cloth. “Hardly does justice to who you were in person, b..but nothing will ever do better to get as close as possible to immortalizing your name.”

When the two had separated and decided it best to go separate ways in life, to avoid hurting each other any further, Genise had left Halaster in control of the farm. She had discovered it, but he loved that place so much. Upon his death, however, she once again took control, vowing to herself that it would remain untouched by anyone outside of her family. She often came back to clean it, and to speak with the dead.

It was odd though; what she had to say to someone who couldn’t physically hear her was going to be one of the hardest things she had ever said in her life.

“B…But Hal… I wanted to come here, to speak to you. A…And…”

She whimpered, tears coming to her eyes and quickly being wiped away. The words I her throat felt as if they were latching onto the very walls with spikes, refusing to come out, and causing a great deal of pain at the same time. But she had to say it, by The Light, he had been watching form up above, she knows, and she had to get it all out.

“I…. I have to let you go, ‘Hally’… I mean… I know, that we were no longer together, but my love never left for you. It never will leave for you. But my heart is telling me to move on. And it has told me now, who I must move to.”

She swallowed, sobbing up and taking a moment to once again capture her senses.

“He is a great man, and loves me for who I am. Beyond my flippantness, beyond my flaws. He does not even care. He loves me for who I am; like you once, and I hope always did.”

She sighed softly, looking over the farm. “I’ll still come visit you, as frequently as ever. B..but, I’m moving away now, to Darnassus, where we have been gave a home by the elves for our services to the city. The farm is still yours, and always will be until our family line is no longer capable of keeping it from being taken.”

Sobbing, and swallowing, she slipped a hand up, seeming to conjure a single firebloom from out of nowhere. It was still her favorite flower, and she still had the hundreds of them that Halaster had given them in their time together. Sniffling as the tears rolled down her cheeks, she took in a deep breath and settled the flower down upon a pile of old, withered firebloom.

“I love you always, Halaster Merlot, and I dream you bless us from where you watch. Thank you for turning me into the woman I now am when you took my life in it’s direction that day we met in Booty Bay.”

She leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on the tombstone that she held for moments, before slowly climbing to her feet and starting home to her love, Aidol.

……………..

In the present time of this tale…

She was once again before the tombstone. It had been longer than usual as she settled deeper in love with Aidol. Her bi-weekly visits became weekly, to bi-monthly, and then monthly. And now, she usually only came to visit her former love when she came to tend to the well-being of the farm.

She knew he would not want her slaving away to make a visit so often. So now, she often kept a small journal of events to talk about when she would visit, writing the stories down to make sure they didn’t slip with the amnesia that never fully cured.

She was not so well-dressed today, however, nor did she have her journal. It was only her, a black silk gown, unbrushed hair, and a deadened expression.

“Why I have cursed myself in love, I am unsure, Hally.”

Her voice was dark and foreboding. A voice not common to this mouse-toned young woman and only heard once before by the Riders; at the side of Halaster’s bad when he passed.

“Perhaps… The best men in this world are doomed to not last. Or perhaps I am the curse that destroys them? But now, he has been taken from me as well. To a disease; just as you were taken.”

But she knew what was wrong with Halaster. She knew of his sickness for a long time before it claimed him, but he never allowed her enough insight into it to even try to help find a cure.

And the day of his death, when she had brought Atera to visit and found him in his bed; he made her swear to not tell the others of the disease. He wanted to pass on in strength, pass on in memory not as a sick man, but as a strong man with an unfortunate end.

“And they have taken him from me; I cannot even see him as it eats up his life. Once again, there is nothing at all that I can do to help the most important man in my life.”

Slowly, her cold, silvery gaze trailed over to the small farm house, and she swallowed a lump in her throat as she once again spoke.

“I know that I swore to myself that I’d leave your things in their state forever, Hally, but…. I need to use your lab. You wouldn’t allow me to find a cure for yourself, but please… Allow me to use it to find his. No wizard and alchemist in all of Azeroth had a grasp of the Arcane as well as you, let me save him, and not have to bury another lover while I helplessly sit aside and weep…”

She slowly leaned forward, placing a hand gently upon the stone as she kissed it in that same, exact place as always, whispering…

“Please…. Please bless me in this…”

And she slowly pulled away. Adjusting her glasses as she rose to her feet, she bowed her head and turned to the farm house, ready to delve into what alchemical and arcane secrets she could; all in the name, and memory of love…

[Bricu]

Keep writing!

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

Two years later…

Quickly, her eyes scanned from left to right, reading over the past few pages of her tome, her lips trembling out the words in mumbled fashion as she took in every bit of information she could.

She looked so terrible now.

Her hair was frazzled, large bags lined her eyes, and her naturally beautiful skin had turned such a sickly shade of pale that one might even fear she were the walking dead. She was so absorbed into the studies of Halaster’s years of arcane findings and alchemical creations, that she hadn’t even noticed the small group of Wildfire Riders that stood behind her at this very instant.

“Geni,” the voice of Tarquin quietly rang throughout the laboratory, but Genise didn’t answer. Did she even hear him?

Again he called out her name, but there was no answer. And again… Until finally, he stepped forward, the rest of the Riders watching on, as he lightly gripped her shoulder, giving her a light shake.

“Wha?!”

Genise quickly spun around, but Tarq knew the drill of surprising either Genise or Azka very well. He was already several feet back to avoid that accidental burst of fire, but was as shocked as all when her reaction was something quite different.

She sat there, turned in her seat, a single hand lit up with an oddly-glowing, blue swirl of arcane energy, almost seeming shaped like a flame. What exactly had she been studying?

The ball soon disappeared though, and a weak smile came to Genise’s face. “Oh… Hello everyone,” she calmly spoke to her friends who she hadn’t seen in months, due to her own self-exile into her studies.

The disgust of her apparent lack of health was well-etched into the faces of her friends.

Kuoshiro was the first to be unable to hold it in. “By the graces of the Light, Lady Genise… You’re killing yourself.”

“Eh, s’right true, Geni,” Tarquin added in response to her incredulous expression.

Genise attempted to speak, but was interrupted again. It was only a matter of minutes that each of them had professed their worries, not giving her a chance to speak an excuse as she had been well known for always doing.

Finally, when given a chance to speak, she could barely do so. She knew she was killing herself, but she didn’t care. This recurring heartbreak was just too much for her, and it wasn’t going to happen again.

She just slowly shook her head. “None of you understand… None of you know… You’ve never had to feel what I’m feeling right now.”

She glanced between all of the couples, Ceil and Tarquin, Azka and Thantrus, Alishe and Prydion, and so forth…

“You all have each other, and it’s not a danger beyond anyone’s control to separate you. Please, just leave me be… Let me help him. I want my love back…”

She may have actually been right in such, and there was no doubt at all, that every rider felt for her situation. Not a single soul in the outfit was spared from being crushed by the death of Halaster, and quite a few had came to like Aidol and consider him one of their own.

But as painful as it may be, they weren’t here to stop her from saving her lover. They were here for a reason quite possibly much more important.

“Aye, Geni, we know ‘at.” Tarquin quietly responded. “But yer babies need ya…”

Genise blinked several times. Slowly her gaze shifted away from Tarquin, and down lower as the Riders parted, her two daughters standing only feet away from her now.

Genise cringed, and a horrible look of pain shot across her face. “My babies…” She quietly whimpered, the feeling of a ton of bricks smashing her as she realized that she had neglected them so.

“Mommy,” both of the girls exclaimed, rushing forward to hug the mother they had not seen in months. Genise whimpered again and finally began to cry, hugging them both tightly. What had she done? How could she be so neglecting? Aidol wouldn’t want that…. She had to manage…

Six months later…

“Bring me the blue vial, honey,” Genise called out from her seat at the workbench. She was looking much, much better now. Since that day, when she was awakened by the presence of her children, she had kept herself up. After all, how would Aidol feel when he was cured, only to see his wife turned into a brutal, repugnant hag?

The half-elven girl plucked up a blue vial from a shelf, holding it carefully, as if a trained alchemist of many years, and delivered it to her mother.

She now kept her children close, and got them actively involved. In fact, Atera had shown such an affinity to magick, being the daughter of two Archmages, that Jennea Cannon had petitioned the Mages Guild to take the young girl in for training, as soon as possible, and completely free. Despite her dislike of Jennea, there was no disfavor to this for Genise, and she happily agreed.

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

The Failure:

She stared down upon the vial with a shaky breath, her eyes widened in a mix of shock and anxiety…

”This is it… This is what you’ve been looking for, Geny. The cure Halaster had always searched for, a potent arcane elixir capable of curing any disease…

The thoughts raced through her mind, and she began to shake even more. It felt as if her heart was near the point of exploding.

Almost eight years, she had forsaken the flames within for a search into the arcane.

Almost eight years, her children grew without father/stepfather.

Almost eight years, her love never died, and only grew stronger with each dream that passed in her weekly sleep.

They were finally going to be back together again… Finally.

“Girls,” she shouted, with a bit of excitement. “Get your cloaks, we’re going for a walk!”

And grabbing her own cloak, she and the young daughters quickly headed out from the Darnassian home, on their way to the Enclave to see Staghelm, and hopefully, her husband…

………

“Damn that woman,” Staghelm exclaimed! “Is she ever gonna give it up? Stubborn, impatient humans, gah… Tell her I’ll be right there.”

Staghelm growled and climbed from his bed, pushing aside the naked Kaldorei woman who had been with him the night before. Taking up his kilt and quickly tying it on, he stormed from the room, muttering something along the lines of “murdering a pesky fire witch”.

It was bad enough that Aidol was truly not infected with a single thing; but they simply couldn’t execute him yet, because he still knew everything, and told nothing. One day, he would finally give in though.

Staghelm passed by the guards at the entrance to his hall, leaning in and whispering. “Be ready; if she loses her mind, as most witches are known to do – kill her.”

Staghelm took on a friendly smile as he entered the chambers, looking down upon the tall human woman.

“Ahh, Lady Crownsilver, have you found more to your studies?”

“Y..Yes, I have!”

She spoke with happiness, and held up the small vial, which looked in resemblance to a glass of moonglow. Staghelm smiled, and reached out a hand to take the vial, but Genise quickly recoiled it, tucking the cure close to her bosom.

“I want to give it to him myself,” she timidly demanded.

Staghelm anticipated this. Eight years was an awfully long time in human years. Long enough that most women would have done bedded several more mates and forgotten a lost love to his grave. This one was different, however. Things were too sentimental to her. She hadn’t even forgotten that disease ridden Merlot boy from so long ago.

No, getting her to change her mind on this one would take some influence.

Staghelm let a sorrowful smile come to his lips. “I’m sorry, Genise. We can’t allow you to do so, as you’d only become inflicted yourself. And if this cure doesn’t work… What of your children?”

Genise swallowed the hard lump in her throat. Staghelm was right. There would be no one for her children; well, except for other Riders, but being so out of contact with most, why would she expect them to accept her children over a foolish mistake?

Genise dipped her head in a soft nod, and slowly handed over the vial to Staghelm, who took it carefully, and inclined his head.

“Ten minutes, Genise, and we’ll be back with your love, I’m sure.”

Genise grinned broadly, adjusting her glasses. “Um, might wanna make it twenty. I..I know it’ll work, but it takes a few to seep into the blood and destroy things, you know?”

Staghelm dipped his head in a nod and smiled, turning away from the mage and heading back into his hall. Once there, he checked the vial, making sure it was tightly sealed. Setting it down on a desk in his chamber, he motioned to the naked Kaldorei woman in his bed.

“Have it studied and duplicated. Let no one know it’s being done. If this elixir is what I think it is, we’ll be yet another step closer to gaining back our immortality, my dear.”

………..

It had been several hours now that Genise and the children waited; but that was fine with her. After all, what was a few more hours compared to the eight years already passed? It would all be over soon…

Slowly, the main door to the hall opened, and Staghelm came walking out. The look on his face was enough to wipe the hope completely from Genise’s eyes…

“No…” She quietly spoke, tears already coming to her cheeks, like some flash-flood of a river.

“I’m sorry, Genise. It seemed to suppress the effects, but only briefly, before it all came back.”

Genise was taken aback by Staghelm’s words. “B..But… I cleared the suppressant, a..and… That was how Hal always worked his; it should be permanent now… What have I done?!”

She began to whimper, and soon after, began to cry. How was she going to explain to her children that daddy wasn’t coming home, still? How was she going to fix this? She had exhausted every option possible…

Staghelm stepped in close, offering a personal hug to the Archmage, speaking to her in a soft tone.

“Look, Genise… Things need to be done, to ultimately help him… Can I come to your home later, so we can discuss it? And, I’d prefer the children not be there if possible, so they won’t have to hear it.”

Genise just sniffled, and dipped her head in a nod. Despite being somewhat out of touch, Azka never turned down a chance to have the Crownsilver kids come spend the day with her and Thantrus’ [b[many[/b] bundles of joy.

“Y..Yeah. I’ll have them out, around sundown; we can talk then.”

Staghelm nodding simply, squeezing her slender body in a soft hug, every bit full of intent.

“I’ll see you then, Lady Genise.”

[Chrystal Kaleigh]

With a loud cry, Genise squirmed against the sheets of her bed, pressed down deep into the soft mattress beneath the form of the mighty Archdruid. He worked eagerly to find deepening pleasure within the form of this young human sorceress, admiring her sweat-glistened form; naked save for her glasses and the silk choker and tiny bell upon it, that jingled softly with each massive shift of the weakening bed.

“Let him fade away, look at what another man can do for you…” The Archdruid grunted out the whisper to her, continuing to force out her cries of pleasure with recklessness. He wanted her to forget Aidol, let the elves do as they wished with him… She needed to agree to let him die…

But she just couldn’t do it, no matter how good this felt… “I can’t! Get off of me!” She cried out and raised her arms to push him away, but soon fund them trapped, and pinned to the bed.

She screamed at the top of her lungs…

And then suddenly woke up, covered in sweat and breathing deep. Tears streaked her face and she could barely keep from shivering.

The night before, when the Archdruid visited, had just been too much…

Earlier that night…

Staghelm had came just a she promised, and Genise had prepared a meal. Her cooking had always been terrible, but she was indeed getting better, and this was one of her best dishes.

It’s not as if he was coming to eat anyways.

“Genise,” Staghelm calmly spoke as he sat on the sofa beside her. “Aidol is…. Suffering, greatly. This disease is wasting him away, and if even a mage as powerful as yourself was unable to find a cure over eight years, maybe there is no cure.”

He slowly lifted his fingers to her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his. “Maybe it’s time to let him go? Let him pass on and watch you happily from another realm?”

No way could she do such. She sat by and watched the first love of her life pass on, and even now, the voices echoed in her mind…

His pleas to her, to not call for help, when he made her swear to finally let him rest. How awful her tears were as she watched the father of her first born die on the bed before her…

And her screams and cries as she tried to force those capable in the Riders to bring him back; going so far as to even threaten their lives in her hurt and pain…

She couldn’t let that happen again. There would be a cure, there had to be.

But Staghelm continued to persist for hours on end, attempting to coerce her with kind words. Even as she cried in objection, he continued, pulling her into his arms for comfort, his usually dry voice soft and soothing…

“Such unrivalled beauty amongst humans, such power, such grace… You could have any man you wished for, Genise. You need to begin thinking of such options before your life is no longer before you to be lived.”

She slowly shook her head. “But I don’t want…”

“There is no cure,” Staghelm interrupted. “You deserve happiness, why not try to find it in the arms of another man now? For your sake – for the sake of your children… I could be such happiness, Genise.”

Staghelm leaned down lifting her chin with his fingers, and placed a deep, but gentle kiss upon her lips. He usually, of course, wasn’t the type to use such deception to get his way, but the situation with Aidol and everything he knew called for differing measures.

Sure, she was a human, not worthy of his love, but she would at least make for several hours of satisfaction when he wished for it…

Genise whimpered, and slipped slowly into the kiss. Such comfort, to feel the touch of a man for the first time in eight years. How she desired it so; the comfort, the pleasure, the heat and the sweat…

And the falseness… This kiss wasn’t genuine; it was shallow, flat, and lacking any true emotion. She may have always been known for tripping over her robes and saying, “Huh?” a lot, but eight years of pure arcane study opened her mind far more than anyone might have suspected.

“Deceiver,” she lightly growled, suddenly pushing the Archdruid away from her. “You would move in to steal my love, taking advantage of a sick man, another druid of your very kind even!”

Staghelm blinked, unsure of what to say. She was actually turning him down? The Archdruid of the Cenarion Circle and current ruler of the Kaldorei?! He went to speak, but it was she who interrupted him this time.

“Tonight never happened,” she gritted her teeth, and eerie blue swirl of magickal energy curling around her hands like smoke, slowly twining itself with the orange blaze of fire magick. “Leave my home…”

She was serious, the tone of her voice was enough to let him know such. And while he had no fear that he could actually defeat her, it’d seal the decision for Aidol to not speak if his wife were killed by the Archdruid.

“Very well, Genise. When you’re ready to love again, I will be here…”

That was all he spoke, before slipping to his feet and calmly stepping from the home. “Whatever,” he thought to himself. Playing the deception game actually made him feel a bit sick inside; he was tired of playing games and Aidol needed to break.

Genise herself began to shiver, and she closed her eyes. The feelings that kiss brought up in her that she never wanted to feel for another man. Laying back and curling into a ball on the sofa, she softly began to cry. She knew she had failed to save her love, and feared turning down that path that drove so many insane – the true secrets of the nature of fire.