~ The unforeseen ~

~ by Odeena Sabnach ~

Chapter fourteen: Rage

As Illidan flew away from the remainders of his brother's camp, his mind was filled by one thought alone: to kill. One by one, demons fell to his blade, and all the while long-forgotten images of Tyrande came to life and flashed before his blind eyes. He felt hollow, as though a part of him had died as well. Eventually, he collapsed in the middle of a clearing, and, plunging his blades into the ground, he cried out his pain, his sorrow.

The sun had rose high into the sky when Maiev found him, lying on the ground, motionless. His body carried the marks of countless wounds, and his features were contorted in pain.

"Illidan...?" she whispered, approaching him.

In an instant he jumped to his feet and whirled his blades, and Maiev raised her dagger, although she knew that she would have little chance were she to fight the demon. But the blow never came. The blade stopped inches away from her dagger, and Illidan's arm dropped limply at his side.

"Leave me." 

He turned from her and stretched his wings, wincing slightly at the pain this caused him, and prepared to fly away.

"Wait!" Maiev cried, running at his side. "You... you cannot leave now!"

He looked at her grimly. "Why not?" he asked bitterly. "Who is there to stop me?"

"You cannot leave", Maiev repeated softly. "My people need you, Illidan. And I... I need you", she finished, almost in a whisper. And all of a sudden, a mist of tears clouded her eyes. "Please."

With her last word, she reached out and took his hand, a tear sliding down her face quietly. Yet he remained motionless. They stood like this for several moments, until at length he pulled away with surprising softness and, spreading his wings, he rose into the sky and disappeared. 

Maiev shielded her eyes with her hand and looked at the sky, but there was no trace of Illidan anywhere. She dropped to the ground, and, burying her face in her hands, began to cry, her shoulders shaking quietly. At length, her crying subsided; finally, she got to her feet and began to walk towards the remainders of the Night Elf camp. Secretly, a part of her hoped that he would find Illidan there, although she knew that this was most unlikely. However, she felt her old hatred for the demon returning. Had she not warned Furion that he could not be trusted? Was this not proof that she had been right all along?

Lost in thought as she was, Maiev failed to notice the demon that was stalking her from the shadows. When she at last heard its unearthly shriek, it was too late. The creature had already launched itself at her, claws outstretched, ready to tear, and mouth wide open, its many teeth glistening deadly in the bright light of the midday sun. 

Maiev jumped back, startled, but tripped over a root and fell. But, just as the demon was charging towards her again, another figure descended from the sky, blades ready, and the two demons collided. At first, the balance of victory seemed to lean towards Illidan; however, weary as he was, it was just a matter of time before the demon lowered his guard enough for the creature to deliver him a vicious slash at the chest, and to send him crashing into a tree at a considerable distance away. 

By the time, Maiev had recovered from the innitial shock and had gotten up, daggers ready. As the demon prepared to charge towards his wounded oponent, she hurled a poisoned dagger at it. The creature roared in fury and turned towards her, only to receive several more blows, all of them finding their target. At the same time, Illidan threw one of his blades at it, and the blade left a deep gash in its back, making it shriek with impotent anger. After receiving a few more strikes, it finally withdrew, its roars and growls finally dying out.

Maiev ran to Illidan's side. "Are you all right?" she asked, panting heavily, but stopped short as she saw the hideous wound that marked his chest. The creature had left four paralel gashes, and all of them were bleeding.

Illidan 'looked' up to her. "I will be... although it will take me... some time to heal", he said. "And... you?"

"I am unharmed", the warden replied. Her voice softened again when she added, "Thank you."

For several moments, neither said anything. Then, Illidan motioned to get up. "We must return to camp", he said, supressing a growl as the pain  in his chest intensified. "More demons are coming."

"You cannot..." Maiev started, but then she paused as she realized the danger they were into if they stayed. As though to confirm her fears, Illidan took several steps, and then fell to one knee, clutching at his chest, unable to hold back a roar of pain. Maiev ran to him and supported him, helping him lie down on the ground.

"You are right", he panted, his features contorted. "I cannot... accompany you. You must... must return... alone..." He drew in a sharp breath. "I will be... all right... Go!"

Maiev took his hand gently. "I will not leave you", she whispered. 

"Listen to me... You are a brave fighter. Your people... need you. You must..." His words were cut out by a gasp. 

"And this is why I will stay. My people need us both. I will defend you for as long as it takes for you to heal."

"Fool", he whispered, although a small, mirthless smile played across his lips for a faint moment.

"A fool I may be", Maiev replied, her voice unusually soft, at the same time grasping his hand. "But that would be merely because I..."

A loud roar coming from nearby cut her off. Illidan motioned to get up again, only to fall back with a sigh of frustration and pain. "You... must leave!" he urged. "You cannot... take it down... alone!"

Maiev stood up, her features set into an expression of cold determination. "Maybe", she replied. "But I am willing to try."

She readied her circular dagger and fell into a defensive stance. At the same time, a massive demon emerged from the trees, coming to a step at a short distance from her. Just as Maiev was taking aim, prepared to release the first blow, another demon took form from thin air behind her, while a third one slithered towards her from the left. Maiev's eyes widened in shock. She was no match for them. 

Illidan tried again to stand up, but it was a vain attempt. Groaning in pain, he reached for one of his blades and grasped it tightly, although he knew it would be of little use. "This is... the end...", he whispered bitterly; and at the moment, neither him nor Maiev doubted the truth of his words.