Beneath broken stone and warped metal, a solitary raven panics as it senses imminent danger. It escapes certain death mere seconds before the structure finally crashes to the ground. On soaring above the devastation, the bird spies a wet-eyed woman...
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Instantly, Illidan stopped chasing the Nightsaber, halting a short distance from where we stood. His mouth curved into a broad smile; the characteristic fangs of the Elven race glinting in the morning sun.
"Khadgar!" he enthused. He stepped up to me and gripped my hand in a firm handshake. "It is good to see you again, my friend."
I was in awe of him. The transformation, or rather, de-transformation was utterly incredible. Images of the Elf in my study flashed across my inner vision – this was the man I'd seen performing the ritual. My mind was just having a little difficulty accepting it was one and the same as the Demon Hunter I had known.
He towered above me still, and I was, as ever, considerably less muscular. "Illidan," I said, my voice betraying the utter amazement. "You look... you look..."
"I have brushed up well," Illidan's brow furrowed. "Isn't that how you put it, Sarah?" he asked her.
"Yes," she said, laughing. I nodded in agreement. "And I think Modera would agree with that," she added in a whisper.
I stared at her. She grinned. "Oh, I think Illidan has made quite the impression on her."
"Sarah, please!" Illidan whispered back.
"Don't worry I wouldn't let anything slip in front of Arcaena - she might try to rip Modera's head off. But she will have to get used to others ogling you, as will you when men stare at your gorgeous wife."
Illidan responded with an embarrassed smirk. It seemed his de-demonising had made him susceptible to Sarah's teasing. I had to admit; it was rather amusing seeing this hulk of an Elf blushing.
"I've got her!" A shout came from behind us.
I turned to see a female Night Elf walking towards us, holding a NIghtsaber cub in her arms. The woman's lop-sided smile told me who she was straight away.
I felt my mouth twitching at the corners; she was quite simply - beautiful.
Sarah nudged me. When I looked at her, she was grinning, glancing at Illidan. "See? Told you, watch out."
I laughed, slightly unsure and Sarah rolled her eyes at me. "Oh, for goodness sake!" she said.
"Khadgar!" Arcaena greeted me. She pressed the Nightsaber into my arms. "Perfect timing!" she grinned. "You can deliver this little rascal. Oh! Forgive me!" She gave me a peck on the cheek. "Wonderful to see you breathing again." She giggled.
I do not know what I expected, but their welcome was simply incredible. We were all smiling and laughing within moments, and the atmosphere was very relaxed - quite removed from how we all used to be. But, we were fighting a war then, two in fact, and our hosts were once Demon Hunters.
They steered us towards their home. "What did you mean 'You can deliver this little rascal', Arcaena?" I asked as the Nightsaber nuzzled my hand.
"Sorry, Khadgar," Arcaena said. "Illidan has been on a mission to find a new companion for Lhadral."
