The Coming Catastrophe: The Search For The Guardians.(We were a bunch of idiots!

[Nova Starpaws]

Firneen froze in fear at the hiss, knowing it came from the dragon. He turned slightly, seeing Jofan staring at him. He glanced back at the bartender who was now holding a knife which was dripping with poison. It wouldn't kill him, but it would hurt. Raising his paw, he started whispering a transportation spell, hundreds of tiny glyphs circling him. He lost his concentration as the bartender jabbed the knife at him, the blade tinking against his armour. The spell backfired, incomplete and sent the cloak covering his armour away, his dark, form-fitting armour being revealed. The blast threw him against a wall, his bright green scales rippling. A couple of un-occupied chairs were blasted apart, the knife being wrenched from the bartenders hand, he glanced at Jofan, cowering with fear as he covered his face, his energy drained from the failed spell.

[Rayleonarde]

Ray split the final log with the axe and sat down on the block, his arms sore. After a few minutes, he hauled himself to Old Lady Dyrin's door and entered. "Lady Dyrin? The wood's been chopped."
The old otter smiled, handing Ray a small pouch of gold and a bundle of food. "Very good, young'n. I'll be sure to have more for you in a few days."
Ray smiled, nodded, and took off towards the inn.

[Alessia Starfurr]

 Hearing and seeing all that had gone on, Spyra stood in disbelief of what had just transpired... glaring at the bartender with the glare that'd equal that of a high-dragon's. Her mouth opened but no sound came out instead her hand  pointed directly at the bartender a scowl of anger on her wolf muzzle...

[Sohdakin]

Jofan stood there in astonishment at how quickly things transpired, it seemed to happen so fast that he barely had time to react when the explosion occurred. Instinctively he curled his body around Atauri to shield her from the explosion and debris....not to mention the flying creature.  Bits of the chairs bounced harmlessly off his armor and scales.  Slowly he unfurled himself from around Atauri and looked to Viktor to make sure he was alright.  Then again, he remembered what he witnessed earlier and turned his attention to the cowering form nearby.

The large Battledragon would growl and attempt to pick Firneen up and drag him over to slam against the wall.  "Who you! Do poor job hide, now cause trouble....WHY?!?" he growled, staring at Firneen then paused, his growl quickly silencing as he soon realized that Firneen was a dragon...or smelled and looked like one....sortof.  With a tilt of his large broad muzzle he looked at Firneen with narrowing eyes "What you be"

[Alessia Starfurr]

Spyra stepped up behind Jofan looking at the odd creature "Hmm looks to be one of those rare dragon-worshippers, Can't say i've heard much of them..." Spyra said her green eyes glowing a little for a second, she stepped around Jofan looking for the bartender that had stabbed Firneen, finding him soon after and grasping a furred paw/hand around his neck as she lifted him off the ground for a Wolf, she seemed oddly tall. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALDIUN WAS THAT?" SHE roared at the bartender in her grasp.

[Romulan_Furry]

Viktor drew one of his Katanas, and the glow in his other hand intensified. He snarled, his snarl being again that of a dragon, though it was unclear how. It was evident that Viktor was quickly losing his temper. The ground beneath them began to vibrate, and those in the immediate vicinity would feel an unusual heat - strange, given Viktor's unique nature. He was ready to go on a complete rampage if given the slightest excuse; he did not tolerate spies and intruders, but if there was one thing he hated more, it was ***holes that would stab anyone, man or dragon, in the back. Spyra stood between him and that ****bag bartender, but given the slightest excuse, that wouldn't mater - anyone that got between Viktor and his target invariably got thrown aside from the resulting "shockwave". So had it been with many others, so could it be now. Viktor's gaze was fixed squarely on that bartender, and the heat around him intensified, the vibration in the ground around him beginning to get worse.

[XIII]

Atauri couldn't understand what happened, as it was too fast for her relaxed mind. Her talk with the dragon forced her to low her guard. For some reason, she felt safe here. Even though she knew it wasn't. And until Jofan didn't touch her with his mighty body, her focus was on the dragon only. Like... nothing else existed for her. However, when her vision got an eye on Spyra and Jofan holding culprits of the explosion, she figured, that letting her wrath would be not a really good idea. Now there was no sense at it all. Because except Jofan, everyone will hit a wall damn hard and fingers crossed, no one gets damaged in the process.

But her attention has come across the knife the bartender had. She knew, that things like that might have a so-called effect of 'remained memory', when after upon it's energy release still have some energy to cause one more... effect, so to speak. And once Atauri picked it, the knife gave her flashback, back to her days in Kurast when she was a young elemental sorceress. The knife called 'Gidbinn' belongs to a city south of Pandaria. Where Katmai tracked a mysterious stranger who then appeared to be yet another powerful Legion general. Diablo himself. There, this knife has used to protect Kurast from the evil surrounded the city and after the city annihilation by Diablo, the knife considered to be lost forever. But as the elf has seen, someone had found it. And even was able to change the weapon properties into the wrong, dark side. Or tried at least.

"I'll ask one time - where and when did you found this knife?". The night elf said, watching on Firneen and the bartender. It's was still possible to restore the knife and charge him with the energy. She even knew who could do it. But she was afraid, that in case the knife had bought, other artifacts from the same place can be on the market as well. Which doesn't mean anything good. And maybe the night elf can be focused on the knife only as such things shouldn't be here. But the way Viktor changed the elf didn't like at all. Like... wolf' look even scared her and she knew, that something needs to be done before everyone here could die. Atauri couldn't allow that. Not again.

She touched the wolf, and at once, the purple-skinned female elf and Viktor got a flash in their visions and their mind transferred to an astral realm, losing any connection with the real world. For the beings arround the couple, it's gonna be only several seconds. But for Viktor and Atauri, the time inside the realm was a thing which couldn't be measured. There, they appeared on the top of the mount Neverest, watching the lands below. There, Viktor seemed to be a normal wolf, yet the empty gaze was on his face. He doesn't even look angry. But... why? It wasn't the first time for Atauri to be in such conditions, but some things there she still couldn't explain. Maybe because Katmai wanted to see him as she wanted? Not a Death Knight, but as a lovely, cute wolf.

"Are we... dead? Viktor, why? Why you let your anger to come? This world has seen enough blood and pain". She asked the wolf, petting him over his head. Also, the elf wasn't sure why in case she was actually dead, she was with Viktor but since it's happened, the point-eared female decided to figure the reason for their possible death.

[Tristan Foxalot]

He had heard of the presence of a dragon within the city of Cargath, but he always admitted that it could have been a long shot. The dragon ought to have moved on by now, going anywhere that had not yet felt their presence, but, as Tristan rode through the city, he would be rewarded for his efforts in coming here.

A roar. A roar he would know anywhere. A roar that was simply unmistakable. A roar of a dragon!

With a grin splitting his face, Tristan kicked the sides of his horse and sped through the streets of the city, barking for anyone on the road to get out of his way. Time was of the essence, after all. Anyone could have heard that roar. Other hunters, guardsmen, would-be heroes; and no one was going to take Tristan's prize so easily. Soon enough, his haste through the city would be rewarded with further lures; a boom, sounds of shouting and screaming, people falling over each other as they rampage out of a nearby tavern. Some of those panicking people shouting about demons and... dragons!

This is it!

Tristan would pull his horse over to the side of the road, walking into an alleyway before stopping and dismounting, and while dismounting he would see the ground; claw marks, blood, signs of battle. Did hunters already beat him to the dragon?! Maybe they pursued the dragon into the tavern!

With no small sense of urgency, the fox knight would draw himself around to the front of the tavern, finding that anyone fleeing the tavern have now gone, approaching the door with his hand on the hilt of his sword, taking a breath and holding it while taking a peek through a crack of the door. Immediately he took note of those present. Two wolves; one male and one female, female menacing civilian. Elf; female. Dragon; holding down assailant, must protect and secure! But if these were hunters, they were the worst hunters Tristan had ever seen; none of them seemed to have the right equipment, their formation was all wrong, they have their backs to the dragon, they didn't even seem to care that the dragon holds down one of their friends. Unless these people aren't hunters at all, of course.

Tristan couldn't just walk in there. The tension in the tavern is so thick that Tristan simply be but a spark in a powder keg. Whatever happened here has everyone on high alert. He needs to first discern their nature, listen in on them and observe. The fox steps away from the door and moves around the tavern outside, finding a back door and sneaking inside as quietly as he could. Creeping toward a doorway at the back of the tavern, leading into the main room from behind the counter, Tristan crouches just at the walls edge where he cannot be seen, and carefully listens.

[Alessia Starfurr]

Tristan's entrance to the town and entrance to the tavern would almost seem like a signal. Outside people would suddenly scream as gastley forms would appear all over the town their form coming into being as Demons and Imps that started to R avenge the town though the more female like Demons looked for men to... lure away from the town...

Spyra still holding the bartender in her hand, looked to the door. "ooh spit."

[Rayleonarde]

Ray ran into the tavern door, past Tristan, and towards Spyra. He cowered near her legs, tail wrapped around himself for comfort. He'd watched the demons approach, for but a second. But that second was enough.

[Sohdakin]

When Viktor made a growl that sounded much like a dragon, Jofan turned to look back at his friend, watching the ice wolf stare down the Bartender with utter malice.  For now, Firneen was forgotten as the Dragon watched intently what was going on and dared the Bartender to make a move.

This town was cursed, Jofan had no doubt about that.  Ever since he entered this town, hoping to get a meal....he has had nothing but problems.  It was as if the gods were punishing him for some unforeseen slight and just when Jofan didn't think things could get any worse, the screams outside told him differently.  'Oh WHAT now' he would hiss in Dragontongue and look towards the door.  While he watched, a peculiar scent wafted inside which made the Dragon pause and hiss.  He knew that smell all too well.....Imps!

"Have problem! Bad things come!" Jofan would growl loudly as he released his hold on Firneen finally as he had much bigger problems right now.  He moved more out into the Tavern and pulled out both his swords, holding them at the ready while he watched the entrance eagerly.  "Need outside, bad fight inside....need room, fight properly, else destroy tavern"

[Romulan_Furry]

On the outside, when Atauri touched Viktor, he seemed to freeze in place. It was almost like suspended animation for several seconds. But in those several seconds, Viktor's mind was whisked away to a place where time held no meaning or measure.

Viktor was shocked to be on this mountaintop. He looked around, either confused or surprised - probably both. But that quickly turned to a vicious rage. "Why?" He asked, his voice lacking that deathly thrum, but sounding more sad than angry. When he heard it, his anger intensified. "Why?! WHY!!!" he screamed. he immediately seized Atauri by her neck and hefted her off her feet. "What have you done to me?! Why have you brought me here?! What gave you the right?! WHY?!!!!!" He shouted, completely enraged. Tears were flowing, and it was clear that, while he was enraged, this particular spot held some form of importance to him, and he was vastly saddened to see it.

Outwardly, nothing happened. Viktor remained in what could be termed as suspended animation.

[XIII]

(Again, Viktor and Atauri are outside of the current location)

*** Viktor' mindscape ***

"Am I the one who did it? Really? Is it me who set the tavern on fire?". Asked Atauri in the response, as trying to pretend her as Viktor' morale or conscience. She knew, death knights usually don't have any of those features, but seeing Viktor tears, the elf could say he wasn't emotionless. At least he wasn't the death knight as Atauri seen many of them before. Did he regret what he has done? Or about who he has become? Even though the wolf was full of anger, the elf was still calm as she knew, that was no reason to talk on high tones. And so she reached his maw with her hand and wiped off his tears, not trying to even resist, letting the wolf do what he wants. "Your pain is the echo of your past. Sometimes we are helpless against the will of fate and so your anger, your hate, your sore, are toward things which you couldn't prevent. But we able to change our future, make it better. So tell me, Viktor, why are you letting your emotions and past ruin your future? You're stronger than you think."

Because Atauri was more sensitive toward the energy sources, her body in the physical world sensed a peak of negative energy. She knew what the source it was, however, Viktor was now more important for her and so she decided to finish her session. Otherwise, Viktor would stay in such condition forever (or until he won't find an answer for Atauri question in this realm).

[Tristan Foxalot]

As Tristan hid in his place, out of view at the back of the tavern, his attentions would be stolen from those within to those outside. Screams and cries and wails. But it was not the peoples struggles that draw the vulpine's focus, but another; the shrieking and wailing and thrashing of one closer to his heart. His horse, Midnight.

Almost without thinking, the knight turned and rose from his hiding place before he marched out of the tavern through the back, heavy footfalls and a slam of a door left in his wake. Just as he round the corner to where he left Midnight, he would gasp and skid to a stop, finding three creatures, as though lifted out of nightmarish dreams, attacking his horse; two demons and one imp. Tristan's heart thudded in his chest, forcing himself back around the corner to push his back against the wall, out of view and in some cover. The knight panted through his hammering heart, staring into space for a moment, completely aghast at what he has just seen. He couldn't quite believe it, but he also knew that he needed to do... something.

The vulpine drew his sword, as quickly but quietly as he dared, and rested the first and second fingers of his free hand against the blade, just were it met the hilt. He closed his eyes, gathering his will and forging it into his desired shape, opening his eyes as his fingers ran along the length of the blade, the steel turning bright hot white in his wake. This was a spell, a spell to heat metal for the purpose of cauterizing, but in a desperate moment it can be used as a makeshift enchantment for any weapon; in this case, imbuing a blade with searing heat. But that was not all.

Suddenly, Midnight neighed aloud before a heavy thud came, an imp falling and sprawling across the floor just where Tristan stood behind the wall, and the creature looked up at Tristan with a hateful scowl. Swallowing through his dry throat, Tristan instinctively brought his sword up high, above the creature, before then stabbing down against it's chest with all his might; cutting through the unnatural flesh with a sickening sizzle, the creature giving out an unearthly wail just as Tristan withdrew his sword with a fleshy crunch, silencing the creature by parting it of it's head with a single swift downward stroke.

Of course, now, out of cover, Tristan drew the attention of the two demons, and the knight looked up to find their evil gazes fixed upon him. "Oh, f---!"

[Romulan_Furry]

*** Viktor's Mindscape ***

Viktor tried to tighten his grip on Atauri's neck, but couldn't make his hand move. He roared, that same, vengeful dragon roar, but now filled with sorrow and regret. Voices filled his head, ones that, in this mindscape, Atauri could possibly hear:

I'LL KILL YOU!!! Viktor's voice would scream, but sounding distant and echoing, like a memory.

You were my brother, Viktor! I fought by your side! I loved you! cried out another voice.

Foolishly, you cling to the life you once had, came the unmistakable voice of the Lich King.

The more voices from Viktor's memory spoke, the angrier he got, but just as it seemed it would overpower his reason, a female Pandaren Voice said, so softly: No matter what happens, dear Viktor Horgus, I will always love you, even if I am not alive to say so. Even if you give your heart to others, I will always remember it was me who gave a Death Knight the ability to feel. To care. To LOVE. Never forget who and what you are - you are Viktor Horgus, living legacy of the Horgus bloodline, dragon child of the Tyheir, warrior of powers few are gifted with, and a man with unlimited potential, even in death. Know that when I am gone, as I am mortal, there will be another who will see what I see, and she will love you as I do.

Upon hearing this voice, Viktor's grip suddenly went away, and not only did he release Atauri, he dropped to his knees, then hands, sobbing. He looked up at Atauri, tears flowing, crying, "If you elves ever cared about life... if you ever cared about me... Don't rob me of my hate! It's all I have!" After, he dropped to the ground, curling up, burying his face in his hands, and crying uncontrollably.