Kalimdor Menethil's Story

The skies above the world darkened as thunder boomed in the distance. Lighting bathed the world in momentary blinding flashes of light. The wind began to pick up and howl with pure power and it was in that moment that the new God of War appeared. He came out of the heavens as the wind swirled around him. Lightning arced off his body as his new found power fluctuated around him. His eyes sparked with electrical energies as he looked upon Middle Realm for the first time since his creation. In his heart burned the thirst for war yet the power of the storm at his command tempered his blood lust and gave him a clarity of mind the previous Lord of War did not possess. Kalimdor Menethil, the God of War and Lord of Storms had come to Middle Realm. Those creatures that called this realm home felt the shift in power and new not what this meant. They feared for the return of the War God for they knew well the savagery of Genocide yet they knew nothing of Kalimdor, they knew nothing of the true God of War. The skies cleared as Kalimdor granted the world the chance to see the sun again and as quickly as it came the all encompassing storm dissipated. Kalimdor touched down not on the grassy plains of Sovengarde or the island sands that were held by the love Goddess. Instead his booted feet landed softly on the seemingly endless sands of the mainland. it was here the wise old sage was deep in conversation with a talking crane. The oddity of the sight were ignored by the newly formed War God as he landed in the hot sands. Kalimdor's bright eyes locked onto the wise gaze of the first of the Gods. He strode boldy to stand before him before hefting his mighty hammer in his hand. The weapon crackled with power before Kalimdor shifted it in his hand and knelt before Acanthus and set the head of his hammer in the sand. Kalimdor respectfully bowed his head before the creator of magic in the world.

"Acanthus, first of our kind. I come before you as the newly formed God of War and Lord of Storms. I am Kalimdor Menethil, currently the youngest of your brothers."

Acanthus


The Archmage smiled. "Ah yes," He said in response to Ahuv's reaction. "I call you a mortal because though you could live forever, you have not the power of a true god." He nodded when Ahuv spoke of the two new gods. "Very interesting indeed. A Divine Seed must have split itself during its birth. That is a very curious matter. I will look into it when I get the chance. I wonder if they are like mortals themselves, or are they in a whole new category of gods?"

Then a great storm whipped up and rain began to fall across the desert. Acanthus had felt the other gods appear, some quietly, some seemed to fall from the sky, but this one seemed to rend the sky with its birth. Then the storm ceased as quickly as it had started, the rain water was quickly absorbed by the thirsty sands. Acanthus watched as the air filled with electricity and the new god descended from the sky.

He bowed to him and Acanthus nodded in return. "Acanthus, first of our kind. I come before you as the newly formed God of War and Lord of Storms. I am Kalimdor Menethil, currently the youngest of your brothers."

Acanthus felt much that was different from Genocide but also much that was similar in that name. The aspect of storms gave the new god a sense of mystery about him. Acanthus recalled his last meeting with a god of war and prepared himself inwardly for any outbursts. He would not make the same mistake twice.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Kalimdor," Acanthus said. "I have been alive for a very long time. What is it like, experiencing the Middle Realm so soon after your birth? I hope it does not make you want to destroy it, like it did the last god of war."


The Crystal Heart

She felt it. The malice that came from that mortal, the Gorgon. Jute could not let it get out. But the crystal only held a small bit of power. It held the power of greed. She then had an idea. The Crystal began sending out a signal to the Gorgon. She would let it come to her. She would let it pick up the crystal. The Crystal would be something that the Gorgon needed, something that it couldn't live without. The Crystal would fill the Gorgon with greed.

Mathias left the cold wastes of the North and headed for more temperate weather. It seemed even more sparks have given life to more gods. The continuous affect has made Mathias on edge and while most seemed in no one extreme of a spectrum, there was certainly chaos abound. Mathias had a feeling these gods mean to cause mischief than actual harm. While the lack of evil deities was a relief it still didn't make Mathias' duty any easier. A lot of these gods are loose cannons that could cause some sort of trouble at any minute. There was causes for some alarm. A dangerous predatory aura seemed to seep back into the world, as if replacing the one made by Malus.

Once again another familiar force entered this world, one of war fare. It seemed, like the unstable god he met earlier, comes someone to replace Genocide. His power is ferocious enough Mathias to feel it without having to go in search for it. For some reason it didn't feel as vile as Genocide's. Perhaps this is yet a different god. Still his memories of Genocide did not help Mathias accept a new God of War, he felt he could be trouble all the same. It seemed he could be found further south, at the most extreme angle from where he once was. Mathias could also feel Acanthus near. Worried about the his eldest brother, Mathias made haste to reach the vast southern desert to make sure this New God of War, won't be trouble to Acanthus.

After some time Mathias would reach the desert, it was different, yet similar to the North. Vast stretches of barren wasteland, yet sand replaced snow, and heat replaced cold. Mathias wasted little time assessing the geography he had to make certain, Acanthus is not in grievous peril. Mathias soon found them, Acanthus was near that blue bird that serves Adarani, and found knelt before him, the New God of War. Mathias wandered up to the group.

"Forgive my intrusion my eldest brother, I came to assess the situation here." Mathias looked towards the newest god. "I sensed a familiar presence, one that from previous excursions makes me curious of the source." Mathias spoke as he gave bow to Acanthus as well. "Greetings there my kin." Mathias spoke towards Kalimdor. Mathias was unsure of the new god, so just to make sure they didn't have another Genocide on their hands he merely observed him. To see what his intentions may be.

Kalimdor took Acanthus' greeting as leave to rise and did so. Standing to his full height he glanced, ever so briefly at the odd crane that had been speaking to the old one moments prior. "Odd." He thought to himself yet dismissed it in turn as he replied to elder God.

"I care not for the destruction of the world Acanthus. I know little of who came before me or if he even was the true master of War for the one holds claim over the power of warfare should know that wonton destruction is not the path. War does not choose sides. War is neither evil or good, neither cruel nor benevolent. It should remain unbiased as shall I. Like the storms at my command I will not turn the power of war on one faction or another without due cause. War must remain neutral. I am well aware of the death caused by my essence of War and swear to you Old One, it shall not be used for ill purpose. No war shall ravage this realm for any other reasons than the natural motives of the players involved. No storm shall rip the land asunder less it should be so naturally or should my wrath be incurred. On this you have my word."

Kalimdor gave a respectful nod to Acanthus confirming the words he'd spoken. He'd keep to his word. He would not be a savage beast, an uncontrollable force. The chaos of war and the ravages of the storms would flow through him to wreak its destruction upon Middle realm but only as a wild fire purges a forest. It shall not destroy all yet from what was reduced to cinder a stronger form of life shall arise. This was the creed of the God of War, this was his purpose. May the Gods protect any who thought to hamper that cause.

It was then that either a friend or foe appeared beside Kalimdor, after a quick bow to Acanthus Kalimdor was greeted by the Elder God that helped bring about the end of Kalimdor's predecessor.

"Greetings there my kin."

Mathias said. His tone was authoritative as was his nature yet not challenging. Kalimdor turned to face him and the two Gods spent a few tense seconds sizing each other up. The God of War and the God of Justice. In times past they were enemies, the future would show if the future would repeat the past.

"Greetings Justice bringer. It was by your strength of arm that the one called Genocide met his greatest adversary. You are a great warrior indeed. To see you march on the battlefield will be something I look forward to seeing someday."

Kalimdor said doing his brother honor in his words. Kalimdor respected the warrior in Mathias but had trouble understanding how one so skilled in combat could just as easily abscond from war in order to achieve peaceful ends to his endeavors. Kalimdor merely attributed it to his purpose. The purpose of justice was not combat, combat was a by product of it to his understanding. While in war combat was a necessity and such was the difference between the two brothers.

Acanthus

When Mathias came Acanthus nodded at him. "It is good to see you too Mathias." He watched as the two seemed to be squaring off, waiting for the other to make a move. But Kalimdor broke the tension by greeting and honoring Mathias. Acanthus smiled, "There is no trouble, however. I believe we have met a war god far different from Genocide. This brother seems to be more on the natural side of war instead of on the aggressive side."

He turned and looked at the Oasis and then deeper into the dessert. "Would either of you two like to help me make another hall? I had to use the last one to help power my creation spell."


The Crystal Heart

It called the Gorgon closer and closer. When the Gorgon picked it up, it laughed hysterically. The Gorgon thought it had won. it thought it had defeated her. No, Jute would win. In the end, she would rule all. And with that the Crystal shot a spike at the Gorgon. The spike was long and sharp. It would splinter and go to pierce the heart and head. Then it would disappear after it had struck its mark.

Mathias watched the god of war with caution as he soon spoke. His words were respectful unlike the crass words of the former god of war, no Mathias did notice some differences. While he radiated different powers than the previous one, it still created nothing but uncertainty as is with most storms. Mathias studied him and while he wasn't sure, his words he heard spoken gave Mathias some hope. It was then until Acanthus spoke up. Acanthus' words proved to give him more reassurance. While not fully accepting his intentions as clear, he did however accept that he could at least trust him enough to not go back on his word. If The God of War betrayed this trust, then Mathias will know he is no different from Genocide.

"Well I'm glad no trouble is to be found here." Mathias spoke as he gave a warm smile. "Yes, it will be interesting to see you on the battlefield as well." Mathias spoke looking at his electrical kin. Mathias decided to give him a bow as a sign of good faith on his word. "I am Mathias, and as you seem to know I am the God of Justice." Mathias spoke introducing himself to the war god. Mathias watched Acanthus as he spoke.

"Would either of you two like to help me make another hall? I had to use the last one to help power my creation spell."

Mathias placed a hand on his chest, "Why it would be a great honor to help you reconstruct the hall!" Mathias spoke as he gave a smile. But before he could follow, something stirred. Mathias pulled forth from a belt chain, the tile Torsc gave him."Attention, Lord Mathias The Forge of Life has been activated, and organic genesis is about to begin. To return to the Citadel immediately, one need simply hold their invitation out before themselves, and repeat the phrase: "Traicere". This will cause one's invitation to become a gate to an atrium in the Citadel where the Forge of Life rests. This gate will only close upon the holder of the gate's corresponding invitation returning through their own gate. Any invitations used will be lost in this event. Sir Torsc eagerly awaits your arrival, Lord Mathias." It seemed Torsc is ready for Mathias to return. While Mathias would love to help Acanthus, it seemed prior engagements must take his attention. Mathias looked up from the tile and spoke to Acanthus.

"I must apologize, but our kin, the one called Torsc, has just invited me to make an audience to the beginning of his creations." Mathias spoke. "I said I would make an appearance and I will make good on my word." Mathias paused and smiled. "Our brother seems to be very clever with technology as my invitation is also my ticket there!" Mathias gave a chuckle. He then held out the tile in front of him and prepared to use it to travel north. "I bid good fortune to you all." Mathias spoke his goodbye. He then stopped and wondered, surely Torsc wouldn't mind if he invited Acanthus. He then spoke, "Acanthus would you like to accompany me?" Mathias asked his eldest brother. He then looked at his young brother. "Would you like to go as well?" Mathias asked Kalimdor. He awaited their response.

Kalimdor arched his eyebrow at his each of brothers request. Creation was not something the God of War was created for yet he was curious as to what form a creation of his would take.

"Ask and you shall receive brothers."

Kalimdor stated as he took a step towards Acanthus, his mighty hammer Ragnarok in his grasp sprang to life as lighting crackled around it.

"I know not what strength I have to build but I will set Ragnarok to the task. That is once we've returned from this demonstration of sorts."

Kalimdor said, turning to Mathias at the end of his reply.

"I will follow you, perhaps see what place this technology can have in the theater of war if any."

Acanthus

The wise god smiled. "A party then? Our little brother Torsc-" Here he looked at Ahuv for confirmation. "-the half-god is creating some mortals?" He thought to himself for a second and grinned. "I'd be happy to join you. Here, I shall cast a portal spell to bring us there." He then took his staff, which shrunk to the size of a small stick. He drew a rune into the air and it rippled and crackled with magical energy. The rune pulled into itself and the portal opened, showing a large cavern. Cold air flowed from the portal giving an odd feeling in the heat of the desert. "If you will. Gentlemen?"


The Crystal Heart

With the Gorgon dead, she sucked the remains into herself adding to her own essence. the Crystal felt Nylia searching for her. She sent out a quick pulse but hid most of the godlike energy she possessed. Once again the crystal would just feel like a powerful artifact and nothing more.

Mathias stared at the portal Acanthus made, while it was a nice gesture, Mathias had a better route. "Um, forgive my rudeness Acanthus, but this tile here will take us straight into the confines of Torsc's domain and we will be more better situated into our viewing area." Mathias spoke. "Please if I say the word we will be directed straight to the forge, otherwise we would have to navigate the caverns." Mathias spoke into the tile "Traicere" and another portal opened but this one was inside the caverns and in the area Torsc wished for Mathias to visit.

"Please you two must go first the portal will close if I enter first." Mathias spoke. As he waited for Acanthus and Kalimdor to proceed before him.

Acanthus

Acanthus laughed and closed his own portal. "That's fine my friend. We shall use your technological device." He looked closer at the portal made by Mathias "So this is technology eh? It's not all that different from magic is it? I will have to have a long discussion with Torsc. My new hall will have to wait for longer than I thought." He mused to himself. He looked at the blue crane. "Goodbye my friend, I hope to have another conversation with you soon. Say hello to Adarani for me. Oh! and give her this." He waved his hand and conjured a tongue of blue flame that had a stem like a rose. "From her father," he said with a smile. "It can give her any three things she desires as long as i could make it myself."

He nodded when Mathias said that they'd have to go first and stepped through the portal with the new war god, and into an underground fortress. He was amazed by all of the metal work. He looked around with the excitement of a child who just received a new toy. Then he saw the half-god. At first he thought that the god was just a head, but then he saw that the god was encased in metal with a glowing furnace inside of his chest.

"Hello Torsc, "Acanthus said with a nod of his head. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Acanthus."

Mathias watched as Acanthus and Kalimdor stepped through the portal before him. Mathias looked to the blue crane that serves Adarani. "Please excuse us graceful crane, may you have a good day." Mathias spoke to Ahuv saying his goodbye and then stepped through the portal himself. The portal closed behind Mathias and he noticed his tile was gone just as it said it would. Mathias looked around to see even more metal work than last he saw of it. Torsc certainly works hard and consistently. It looked as if he didn't even take a rest since Mathias left!

Mathias couldn't help but appreciate what Torsc had accomplish. He hoped one day his creations could create something so vast and wondrous. Then his mind drifted to The Valeish they have spent long enough in Paradise, he would have to return to retrieve them as soon as this is over. Mathias walked over to Torsc. "Great to see you again!" "I do hope that my inviting of some of our kin isn't of any inconvenience." "If you would like Acanthus could open a portal for them to leave, I thought it would be a good idea for them to witness this as well." "You can trust them, they hold respect and honor in high regard." Mathias spoke reassuringly. Mathias awaited to see this demonstration.

Jute

The goddess cocked her head at the whispering wind. She nodded as if in agreement with what he was asking. Jute realized she would have to toe the line with this god. He was a god of secrets. He would know when they were being kept. So she told the truth, modified, but still the truth. "There was a war. The biggest war that ever existed. I didn't know exactly how it would pan out so I stayed behind. I love peace but it can't be had unless one side is completely in control. But by the end of the war the world was set to be destroyed. I couldn't let that happen, so I stepped in. I destroyed the god that had been terrorizing the world and then the god of Magic made a spell that pushed away the chaos and the beasts that had nearly destroyed the world. I went with the spell. It was necessary because I don't want the other gods to meet me just yet."

She smiled at the wind that gusted around her. "But, I did want to meet you. You are curious, and new."

Kalimdor stepped through the portal into Torsc's realm. A seemingly endless network of winding streets and pathways sculpted from iron and steel. In this network were towering buildings that dotted the cavernous hall with lights from their countless windows. Steam could be seen pouring from several points around the cavernous city hinting towards it's industrial nature. The entire subterranean metropolis had a very packed, busy and chaotic yet there was an order to the way everything was layed out if you looked closely enough. Kalimdor took it all in as his bright storm filled eyes scanned over every inch in sight. The view was truly spectacular and already the mind of the War God could see the potential of this avenue of design.

"Impressive."

Came the only words spoken by the God of War before the trio was approached by the master of this metal work realm, Torsc himself. Mathias hurried to greet their brother leaving Acanthus and Kalimdor to watch in silence unless either chose to give voice to their still tongues.

"Great to see you again! I do hope that my inviting of some of our kin isn't of any inconvenience. If you would like Acanthus could open a portal for them to leave, I thought it would be a good idea for them to witness this as well. You can trust them, they hold respect and honor in high regard."

Kalimdor made no attempt at greeting. None was needed, Mathias had said everything worth uttering save the name of the hammer wielding God that stood before this tinkerer God. Should the Lord of Storms be addressed personally he'd offer his name until then he'd remain silent. His stoic vigil behind his noble brother unwavering as he patiently awaited what ever demonstration was in store for them.

Riomu

Riomu awoke with a start at the sight of the creature before her. All she could see was a maddening cacophony of colors and shapes, a horrific visage of features stretched far beyond normalcy, the chiming of bells never meant to be heard. She sensed intent of a variety she dare not ponder. She did not know what this thing was, but she had an idea as to what it wanted. With this in mind, she opened a portal directly beneath herself, leading to open air about fifty feet up and a half mile away. She proceeded to use portals to leap great distances, opening portals on the ground leading to the sky, allowing herself to fall toward another portal on the ground, and so on. She wished to be as far away from that... thing, as possible. If she couldn't find solace in another part of the forest, she'd simply have to return to it another day if she wished to discover the presence that laid claim to this place. But for now, she knew she had to run.

Torsc

Torsc payed thanks to Mathias for making the creation of his mortals possible, and greeted the two guests he'd brought with him. One was an entirely new presence, much like himself, while the other was familiar to him by way of his stolen memories. He knew he'd have to talk to him about something later. But, for the time being, he had so much to do. Lady Adarani had yet to arrive. She still had a few minutes to make her entrance, but if she couldn't make it, they'd just have to continue without her...

Torsc

And so, the moment was at hand. The guests of honor had arrived, and the machine was primed and ready. It resembled six massive alembics, the top vials, large as monolithic pillars, joined together by great brass bands and filled with colorfully glowing substances. The bottom tanks lay spaced out and separate below, with membranes forming a barrier that would hold liquid but allow solid matter to pass through undeterred. As he beckoned for his guests to take their seats, he initiated the final procedure. He watched as the fluids drained from the top vials through enormous tubes, and into the vast tanks below, where they slowly lost their luminescence. But as the glow dulled, dozens of shapes began to form in each tank, pulling infinitesimally small particles from the surrounding materials until eventually they coalesced into organic masses. As these masses began to take humanoid form, they sank to the bottom of their tanks, and once they reached the bottom, they each stood up, and began walking toward their tank's membrane. From each colored substance emerged a different creature equal numbers of male and female, each possessing knowledge of the ways of civilization, as well as knowledge their creator had decided to impart on them.

From the red tank, derived from Cinnabar, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Ifriti". They stood six feet tall, with dark skin, athletic bodies, hair as bright as fire, and great horns set upon their brow.

From the orange tank, derived from Amber, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Korrigan". They were two thirds as tall as the Ifriti, and stood stout and strong.

From the yellow tank, derived from Citrine, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Trow". They were yet smaller than even the Korrigan, though not by much. They were lean and nimble, as opposed to stout and bulky.

From the green tank, derived from Jade, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Ophidians". They stood just a bit shorter than the Ifriti, and superficially, they resembled bipedal snakes with muscular limbs. These had a bit more dimorphism among genders than the other beings, with Males possessing rattlers on the end of their serpentine tails whereas the females had nothing, while females possessed cobra-esque hoods on their heads whereas the males had nothing.

From the blue tank, derived from Aquamarine, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Djinni". They stood just a bit taller than the Ifriti, and were much more spare than their Ifriti cousins. They each possessed markings on their skin resembling tattoos, with no two Djinn's markings looking alike.

From the violet tank, derived from Amethyst, emerged beings that Torsc dubbed "Grimalkin". They stood far taller than any of their fellow beings, were a fair bit bulkier for their height than most, and possessed feline features. Though bipedal in shape, their legs were those of a Tiger, and they held claws in their hands and feet. Their faces were no different from those of the other tank-born beings, but they were covered in a coat of fine fur, as with the rest of their body.

After a few minutes, all of the tanks had been depleted of their materials, and six hundred beings had emerged from each. Once the process was complete, Torsc stepped down from the observation platform and greeted his children with a smile.

His first smile in the entirety of the time since he'd come into being.

Acanthus

The Elder god nodded to all of the new arrivals but remained silent. Intent on seeing what technology could do, he sat completely still but alert, grasping his staff with both hands. He watched as each type of mortal exited from their separate containers. While the process did seem to lessen their individual values, in the end the mortals that had been made numbered in the thousands. Acanthus was astonished. Technology was interesting indeed. He stood and bowed to Torsc. Then he began clapping.

"Well done little brother!" He said, "Even with diminished power you have shown yourself more than capable with the Technology you control."

He turned to Adarani, "I met your bird, Ahuv. I do believe he has a present from me to you."


Jute

As quickly as he had come, he was gone. "Just like the wind." Laska said thoughtfully. Perhaps he suspected her, but he had said nothing accusing so she took her leave. This one was not to be trifled with. She turned away from the mountain and landed on the ground. She was getting nervous. The amount of gods that suspected her had escalated exponentially. She needed allies. She needed scapegoats and tools. She pulled her wings back into herself. Now just a small girl, she began to wander. She began to think and plan.


The Sword

It felt him. He had been born from a sword. He had been nearby but was far away now. It was no matter. The sword grew sharper and wiggled just a bit. It popped out of the ground that had been holding it, and rent a tear into the side of the volcano. The lava poured down, taking the sword with it. As the flow pushed its way downhill it flowed into a nearby town. The town was empty and the buildings burned with no one to stop them. At last the sword stopped moving, right outside of a well furnished and up-kept house. It was the only one of its kind in the village. The sword stuck itself into the quickly solidifying lava. It waited for the newly born god to come back home.


The Crystal

She pulsated again. Nylia, come to me. Take me, use me for yourself. I will help you find the girl. She wanted to be found and used. She would take out this threat without lifting a finger.

Adarani watched as the mortals came to life. It was amazing what Torsc could do. Even as machines, these mortals had a quality to them which reminded her of the life that once was in the world. And she contributed to making the creation possible. For the first time in a while, the Elder Goddess of Love felt as if she actually accomplished something of significance which would be of help, a beacon of light. She was even more pleased when her father-figure, Acanthus, applauded Torsc's work. Her eyes locked on his as he spoke to her.

"I met your bird, Ahuv. I do believe he has a present from me to you."

Adarani gently smiled. "I'm sure it is lovely. Thank you, Dad." She snapped her fingers at a sudden realization. "Oh! I almost forgot!" She turned her head toward Hanriot. "Hanriot, this is Acanthus. He has kept us together even in our darkest moments." Her eyes met Acanthus', again. "Dad, Hanriot's Seed landed on a sword, hence he is still getting used to his humanoid body after spending so long as a sword. He came from a village that..."

Her heart felt a sharp jolt, an energy she did not feel before. It was weird. It was the direct opposite of the energy she felt when Genocide was alive, yet the feel of the source was familiar. Metallic, yet alive. There was only one weapon she knew which could behave so sentiently, but she had no proof, yet. She would have to see whatever it was that caused the jolt in order to know for sure. "That metallic sentience... I only felt it once, before, after the Battle of the Hall, yet this is different... the opposite sort of liveliness I know of." She looked toward Hanriot. "I believe it made its way to your old home, Hanriot, on its own, somehow. I'll go with you to find out, if you want to go there, just be careful. It could be a trap. It may have been the same thing that led to Genocide's demise durng the Cataclysm, as far as I know. Not that I witnessed it, but one can never be to sure, at this point."

Her eyes moved toward Mathias. "I'd like to talk to you after we investigate this. It's... well..." Her cheeks turned red. She could not even finish her sentence. Before she could say anything further, she felt another jolt. This was of death. "Cragin! He's dead!"

As Mathias watched the beings be created he couldn't help but feel both impressed and slightly disturbed. While it is a marvel of technological performance the way they are birthed...seemed so unnatural. Still such creative powers without the fullest extent of a god was truly praise worthy. As Mathias watched he could not the sudden joy of Acanthus. He was impressed as was he. And Acanthus was correct, with the technology he did have the powers of creation like a full god. Mathias decided to speak up.

"Yes, it truly is a spectacular feet you've managed to complete." "I have never seen anything of the like before!" Mathias spoke in amazement. Before he could speak to Adarani, his smile disappeared as a deafening force fell upon his heart. Mathias stepped back, and placed a hand on his chest he hunched over and suddenly yelled. Mathias then clutched his head, as if placing it in a vice began to shake. A fearful wide-eyed look came upon and suddenly he launched himself at Acanthus and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"ACANTHUS I NEED A PORTAL NOW!!!" Mathias shouted as he shook Acanthus some. He immediately let go and frantically looked about the atrium. "I need to get out of here now!" Mathias thought to himself and suddenly he ran off not waiting for Acanthus to respond. As he dashed in the subterranean world the golden aura of Justice enveloped him and Mathias disappeared. Mathias appeared in Paradise and he used his powers to search for the remnants of Cragin's energy. He quickly discovered it. Disappearing once again he reappeared in the forest and ran, searching for Cragin. He would find him.

Mathias was beside himself with both shock and denial. He stumbled closer to his body and when he was before him, he dropped to his knees. Mathias couldn't believe....Cragin's dead? Mathias just sat there on his knees, stilled...almost lifeless like the body before him. Mathias was shocked and he couldn't speak couldn't move, and couldn't think. Mathias looked at Cragin's body with a wide-eyed and confused look. "What happened and how did this happen!?" Mathias knew not the answer. For a while he just stayed there and watched his body hoping he would move, just once...say something...say he just hurt himself anything...anything at all...

Hanriot could not take it; the Shouting, what he saw with his eyes and most of all sensing the death of a God.

Hanriot gathered his thoughts and tried to make sense from these emotions but none where prepared for the ferocity of these events and the speed by which each followed the next.

Hanriot felt he could not "breath"... if that was the correct word to describe the feeling; as a sword he remembered breathing once when he was forged.
The great painful heat as his entire form was hammered anew followed by his first and then only breath as the blade cooled.

Hanriot didn't know why but the death of this mighty god made the very memory of his forging come alive... so many thoughts... so many feelings, he could not take them all at once!

Hanriot closed his eyes, grabbed hold of his ears and attempted to blind his sense however none of these efforts helped.

"home.. I want to go Home!" said Hanriot to himself as if willing himself back to the fireplace. Hanriot rose in the air, the distance from this place growing... as he left soil and matter behind him and rose to the sky.

Hanriot gazed to his feet, upon them lay boots he did not notice before. These boots had small wing like feathers gracefully placed on them as if a work of art however unlike an artistic curiosity Hanriot could feel these boots propelling him through the sky.

Hanriot began to smile, he was flying! the memory of pain was replaced with the memory of his breath; the feeling of cooling, and finding peace. Hanriot wondered, had he been born when forged as a sword? he assumed so for he had no memory beyond his forging.

Fire was his first thought and so Hanriot willed to return to fire; the fire place in his home. He flew gathering speeds beyond anything he had ever experienced however his journey was not over in a flash.

Hanriot began to explore the boundaries of his maneuverability in the sky as he neared the village when he began to feel a new presence near by... was this the stranger Adarani had spoken of? As he turned his sense to the stranger... a burning presence of fire burned itself into his mind and the memory of his forging once again returned to his thoughts.

Hanriot lost his balance and fell from the sky managing to land very roughly at the center of the village.

He dusted himself off and raised himself from the Earth... that was quite an experience and despite the soreness from hitting the earth with such force Hanriot decided he would try crashing again when he had the time.

Hanriot followed his sense until he saw the sword... he was right to feel the flames for it was clear that lava had accompanied the sword's forging. Hanriot felt great pain from flames however he also felt great comfort for in the flames he was born.

He approached the blade, at first Hanriot avoided touching it remembering Adarani's words however he had to touch it... really how could a God of Adventure ever practice caution? He laughed, the very thought was preposterous! even as a Blade Hanriot's policy was to dance around his foes using the Old Master's force to crush his foes and Young Master's speed to strike them where they where weak.

Caution was self doubt and self doubt was just silly, the adventurer should beware of traps but what better way was there to find the trap other then to trigger it?

Hanriot grinned to himself savoring this feeling of suspense before taking hold of the sword in an attempt to release it from the ground.

The God of war watched the events unfold with silent interest. The death of the Wild Bearer, the God Cragin whom Kalimdor never met. The rage of Mathias and the growl of the earth itself. Then the healing power of Adarani took focus followed by the remorse of the Justice Bringer. Finally was the return of the odd blue crane and the sudden appearance of the shadowy figure who was totting the one who had offended Mathias so by stealing the ashes of his fallen elder brother. Kalimdor shouldered his hammer, as the realization that the Elder Gods not only could die entered his mind but that they were as prone to flights of emotion as the newer deities were. In a sense it brought the image of these elder gods off a pedestal of the unattainable and made them, at least in that moment, all seem as equals. A family like any other dealing with a loss of one of their own. Kalimdor Menethil had never met Cragin, never cared much for the wilds. That being said the loss of a God was always a somber event and the blasphemous theft of even a small part of the ashes of the deceased called for decisive punishment. Punishment Mathias would undoubtedly deal out in time. The outburst from Mathais while terrifying to some planted in Kalimdors mind the seed of inspiration. To have one so orderly, so righteous give way to savagery and blind berserker fury was impressive. The duality of it was powerful showcasing Mathais' power and might. That duality was to be admired and emulated and Torsc's little inventions had given Kalimdor an idea of how to do just that.

With a plan in mind Kalimdor took a step forward, nearing the odd thief, the figure wreathed in shadow and the still grieving paragon of Justice. Kalimdor's bright lightning infused gaze fell on the thief who was still laying in the dirt at Mathais' feet.

"I do not envy the penance my brother has in store for you young one. Yet take solace in the fact that I did not know this fallen elder better for then it would be I whom dealt your judgment and your pain would be legendary before I threw your soul at death's door."

Kalimdor's lightning glare held the thief in sight for a few tense moments before he raised them to Mathais.

"Your loss is felt by all of our kind brother. Come find me if you seek battle to busy thy mind from your sorrow."

Kalimdor gave Mathias a final nod of condolence before turning to leave but paused as his gaze fell upon the shadowy one. An interesting figure indeed yet not one that Kalimdor knew of. The War God and the God of Darkness locked stares for a moment before Kalimdor gave him too a nod and with that a bolt of lightning struck the ground where Kalimdor Menethil had been standing. In the next instant he was gone, off to lay claim to an area of Middle Realm and try his hand at the creation of his own mortal races or races.