Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

All Gone

(Sarah)

"Sha" Mumbled Anduin. In the past mile I've killed about ten dozen of them.

This time, to my surprise, by the time I turned to shoot, Anduin had already killed it, or "smite" as he calls it.

I let out a round of applause. "Nice reflex there."

"Thanks." he said in a question like tone, shocked that I was praising his combat skills. I confess, I am as shocked as he is.

I didn't like the look of things ahead, all so bleak. The plants, the wildlife surrounding the area, they were all corrupted by the negative energy of the sha. I could feel this strong presence in the area, so did Anduin, he was extremely tense. Even Raven was stirred by something ominous in the air, her short fur stood straight up, as off she had been electrocuted.

In fact, it felt as if the entire surrounding area was wrong. Is this what high levels of sha exposure do to someone?

Oh, what's the use. everyone is dead, all dead, and even if they weren't, I couldn't save them. I'm a lousy excuse for a hunter.

"No you're not" said Anduin, startling me. "You're a great hunter, and there's hope yet! Snap out of it, the sha are getting to you."

"Don't listen to him. He know's you're Horde." "He's lying." "Tell him to give up on you." Voices, these voices buzzed in my brain, and it was driving me up a wall!

"Sarah!" Yelled Anduin as I collapsed. I felt his hand on my shoulder. Raven brushed against my side, trying to get me up. "Listen to my voice, not theirs. I hear it, too, but not as bad. They appear to be targeting you."

"No, it's hopeless. Everyone is dead, and we will die too!" Why won't he listen to me? We're screwed if we continue on.

"You're a great hunter."

"No."

"You tell beautiful stories."

"I do them no justice..."

"You're really clever."

"I'm dumb."

"You freed me from the cruel tyranny of the Hozen and Horde."

"I-I guess I did..." but you didn't really, did you?

"Yeah, that's it! Ignore them, they are filling your mind with doubt. You are a great hunter."

"I guess I am."

"You tell beautiful stories."

"I love when people listen to them and feel like they were there..."

"Good, now take my hand, we will fight this invisible enemy together."

"Thanks, I needed a reality check. Why aren't you as bad as I am?"

"I'm used to it." He said, shooting me the 'yeah, I'm used to stuff, too' look, "I fill my own mind with this doubt, the sha can't come up with a thing I haven't already pondered over. Sometimes you just can't let doubt control you, though. It's always there, something you cannot change, but can ignore. Ignore it, Sarah."

"Wow, that's amazing." I said with true sincerity. I then realized how hard I was on him in my mind. We can clearly fight when he wants to, heals, gives great advice, and was brave enough to come to this land, to defy orders for what he felt was the best for his people. He was like me, a same-different. And most important of all, if he hadn't stumbled into Kiryn's grasp...

I'd be dead.

Thank you, Anduin.

"We're almost there. How are you holding up?"