The True Paladin - Part I

Brilliant blue forks of lightning lit up the dark sky for a second before it was plunged back into darkness. Great rumbles of thunder coursed through the heavens with titanic might. On the ground lay dazzling pink crystalline shards, some rivalled even the tallest trees in height, and their points were sharper than the mightiest spears; yet some were small enough to just be seen and admired, and dainty enough to be handled and pocketed.
With a sudden rumble of thunder, the heavens opened, and sharp droplets soared down towards Azuremyst Isle. A group of 5 figures ran along a path that lead to a colossal building made of dense layers of thick pink crystal and sturdy metal. The group stopped at the large gates and stood there for a minute, before the gate was opened and they were allowed through into shelter. The large gates closed heavily, sealing them off from the world.
The rain poured down harder and became more violent with every torrent until suddenly, it stopped. There was no easing of the rain, it simply stopped. The clouds that hovered above the Island parted, as if swept away by an angry hand. The sun became visible and its rays swept over the Island, and each and every droplet of rain that once fell violently, now glistened calmly and holily, as if forgiven by the divine rays of light. The inhabitants of the Island rushed outside and gathered in their groups, watching as the mighty storm passed. The Exarch of Azure Watch gathered the villagers around the town centre, where a large crystalline formation started to shine with celestial light.

Throughout the Island, every crystal, regardless of size, began to shine and a small gathering of light appeared at the tip of each one. With a large flash, the light was released into the sky, each ball floating gracefully higher until it hovered above the large building that the group had entered. The balls of light fused together and shot up into the sky, which flashed a brilliant gold, and slowly lowered a column of golden light onto the building. The Exarch smiled and turned to the inhabitants of Azure Watch,

“It has been born!”

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19 Years after the Divine Occurrence…

She awoke slowly, slipping silently out of her dreams and into reality. A ray of light reflected through her window and caught her eye, dazzling her slightly. She sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes, focussing them. She had become accustomed to her new quarters. The bed was soft and the blankets were warm, the floors and walls were clean and the furniture was polished. Above the bed was a portrait done of her when she was 16 and had exited the stage of maturing, and entered maturity. She tilted her head back and gazed up at the portrait through light blue eyes. She was wearing her prized set of armour, golden with silver trim and the Insignia of the Hand of Argus crafted masterfully in the middle. It was commissioned for her by the prophet Velen himself, and she was most proud of it.
She finished looking at the portrait and stepped out of bed, her sleek form slipping slowly out from under the covers. She walked over to her dresser, the light catching her body as she passed the window, lighting up her sky blue skin tone; her feet making no sound as she gracefully swept over the floor. She opened the dresser and chose a golden mageweave skirt, belt and matching tunic. She placed a pair of golden, fir-lined boots on her dainty feet and sat down in front of the mirror.

She picked up nearby brush and started to slowly brush back her flowing silver hair. As she brushed, her hair lustrous hair cascaded down her back like a silver waterfall, lining up perfectly with the other strands. She set the brush down gently upon her stone dresser and reached for a solid gold circlet that lay atop a stone bust of her. She picked up the circlet and laid it gently upon her head, the central topaz glinting mystically. She moved over to a large glass case on the far wall, reaching out to open it and grab the sword that lay there, its hilt wrapped in wire and cushioned with Moongraze leather, and the blade, forged from a metal found deep within Exodar during excavation, it’s edge still as sharp as the day it was forged, and the pommel, that held a cluster of dazzling pink gems.
She opened the case softly, and lifted the blade out of its hold, picking up the sheath and her lined battle gloves. She stared at the blade, marvelling at its beauty, before reluctantly stowing it into its sheath and swinging it over her back, so that it nestled neatly across it. She slipped her hands into the fur lined gloves, and closed the glass case, before walking up to the door and slipping silently outside.

The staircase down from her quarters was empty, but the sound of talking and shouting echoed up. She placed a hand on the banister and started her descent. A minute later, she reached the bottom, and was met by cheers and applause. A silk red carpet, trimmed with gold, lay in front of her and lead up to a platform where Velen stood, a stern look upon his face, but a joyous glint in his eyes. She breathed out slowly and took her first step onto the carpet. She gained confidence and took the next few steps, never stopping or stalling. The crowd fell silent as she passed down the middle of the Exodar’s Great Hall, finally arriving atop the platform. She fell to one knee and bowed in front of Velen, who smiled and walked up to her, laying a wizened hand on her shoulder.
She looked up and Velen whispered something in her ear, and then dropped to one knee. As she rose, she saw Velen’s guards do the same, and heard the crowd behind her also drop to one knee. Velen rose slowly and raised his head, as to address the whole hall.

“My fellow Draenei, we stand her today to witness the crowning of our champion of the light! For years, we have watched as darkness steadily grows over us all. Our allies in the alliance, and our enemies in the Horde united in Draenor to smite the Burning Legion, and we succeeded… at a price. Both the Alliance and the Horde lost countless thousands to conflicts in our desecrated homeland, and many irreplaceable heroes fell to the demons. But it was not this that brought this wave of darkness upon us. We united again at the Sunwell, where we prevented the ascension of the might Kil’Jaeden, but again, this was not what has brought this darkness upon us.”
“Not even our current conflict is the cause… no… my fellow people, it is with great sadness that I say this, but… we are dying.”

The hall burst in low chatter, but stopped as Velen waved a robed arm.

“But we may, just may, still have an age left in us. What we have needed for years, is a saviour, a noble warrior of the light… a True Paladin. For it is within the True Paladins of the Draenei, that the light of the Naaru is the strongest. Not within me, nor within a normal Paladin, but a True Paladin. We had waited for the day of Draenna’s birth for years; I doubted that I would live to see the day, but it happened, and those 19 years have made her into what you see before us all!”

The hall erupted into cheers and shouts, and Draenna blushes a bright scarlet. Velen walked up to her and kissed her once on her forehead, before once again resting his view on the crowd.

“Draenna, you have my blessing, you bear the blessing of the Naaru, and the blessing the Draenei race. Go forth, into the lands outside Azuremyst, and bring peace to this world, and save us all from being buried by the darkness. With sword, and shield, and the light, beat back the darkness, and restore the light to the Azeroth and Draenor!”

The crowd cheered once again, and Velen mouthed a few words. A large ramp extended from the side of the platform and spiralled upwards and out of the Exodar. Velen nodded at Draenna, who looked back at the crowd of people behind her. She smiled and turned to face the ramp. With pride and duty in each step, she ascended, higher and higher until she appeared above ground. Two large doors closed behind her, and she stopped, staring in front of her. Before her were her father, her mother, and a large purple Elekk, armoured on both sides by thick metal plates, with several large bags handing from the saddle, 3 on either side.
Her eyes became teary, and she ran towards her parents, grabbing them both and pulling them into a large hug. Her parent’s eyes were also watery, but she’d never seen her father cry before. She thought that men didn’t cry, and since he was the head blacksmith of the Draenei…

“Goodbye Mum… Goodbye Dad… I’ll miss you.” Draenna said between sobs.
“And we’ll miss you too, Draenna.” Draenna’s mother replied.

Draenna wiped her eyes on her arm, and her father went behind the Elekk, returning with Draenna’s armour, and a shield bearing the Hand of Argus Insignia. Draenna removed her sword and sheath and squeezed into her armour, lined with chainmail and leather on the inside and behind the plating. She took her new shield and gazed deeply at its perfect metal surface. She attached the shield and her sword and sheath to her back and mounted the Elekk, which plodded slowly over to the tiny dock at the end of the island. Draenna turned, tears streaming down her soft blue cheeks, and waved at her parents, who waved back, her mother holding her father’s hand tight.
A large ship glided through the water and came to rest at the end of the dock. 4 Night Elf Sentinels helped the Elekk and Draenna onto the ship, before signalling to the Male at the controls. Draenna turned again and looked back as the ship silently turned away from the island, and in the distance, Draenna could see her Mother and Father holding each other in a teary embrace. She twisted back around wept hard into her gloved hands.