Beckyann knelt before the ancient stone foundations of the wall, digging through the soil she'd loosened with a trowel and searching for valuables. In the heart of Stonetalon Mountains, the ancient Kaldorei ruins were a big draw for amateur Archaeologists and Beckyann had detoured to the area after a patrol in the Barrens to see what the fuss was about. She had instantly been impressed with the grandeur and scope of the ruins, coming to understand that the location was likely once the site of a mighty city of the ancient Night Elf empire.
Although she'd found little of value yet, the mere act of digging around and searching through the remains of the past was entertaining and had made the trip worthwhile. Sometimes it was the little things in life or unlife that made it all bearable after all! As Beckyann continued to dig, her trowel struck something hard beneath the soil, and she frowned, poking at the object with the tip of her digging implement. Whatever it was seemed to be large enough to be a box or square object, perhaps a foot across or more and sheathed in metal. In excitement, Beckyann eagerly dug into the soil, carefully pushing the dirt aside to unearth her find.
In the bottom of the hole she'd dug Beckyann saw her treasure as it was brought to light for the first time in tens of thousands of years. Covered in gold relief, and encrusted with precious gems, it appeared to be a metal-bound tome with a lock on it; likely a diary of some sort that an elf would have carried on their person. Even from a distance Beckyann could still feel the ancient Highborne magics flickering fitfully in the object. She pulled it out of the ground reverently, eyes wide as she ran her fingers over the bejeweled surface. One particularly large gem on the cover drew her gaze as it began to glimmer from its contact with the sun, ancient magics coming to life within it. She reached out, pressing her palm against it and feeling the energy within the tome surge, blinding light rising up around her and snuffing out every sense and thought....
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She stood in a long corridor, the elegantly carved marble around her depicting natural forest scenes and the structure illuminated with magical lanterns. Although Beckyann knew that she didn't belong where she was, she also felt a strange dual sense that she did belong. Some emotions or thoughts overlaid her own, and it was difficult for her to piece together what was real and what was in her mind. She looked down at herself, and the pure shock of the moment made her gasp.
She was not herself, or maybe she was? It was hard to remember or understand. She was wearing an elegant gown, the likes of which would not be seen on Azeroth again in all the centuries and eons to come. Sewn together with precious metals, covered in artfully carved jewels that were held against the fabric by special golden clasps, the gown was a dizzying display of clashing colors that somehow worked to form a complete outfit. Beckyann held out her hands, eyes widening as she saw the elongated digits of a Kaldorei. Her hands shot up to her head, and she could feel her ears sticking out from her...CYAN hair...what was going on..?
"Lorellilae! There you are!" a voice called out. Beckyann turned, the name ringing true in her mind as her own, but also not her own. Down the hall an equally well dressed Kaldorei approached, his smile wide and his hands held out to take her own in his. To Beckyann's everlasting shock, her body, her living body responded to the elf's presence, her heart racing in her chest and her hands eagerly coming up to clasp his.
"I'm so glad you've decided to come. Quickly, we must be away before they discover you," the elf said. Somewhere in her disjointed memories Beckyann realized that the elf's name was Corvellen, and that she loved him with all her heart. She nodded, still at a loss for words as he took her hands in his and leaned forward to place a kiss on her lips. Her heart pounded louder as she returned the kiss, the love she felt for the elf as real as could be. He turned after they parted, guiding her down the corridor.
They'd not gone three steps before another voice cut in from the end of the corridor, "And so you think to betray me and my House, do you?"
Beckyann, no Lorellilae, and her companion spun to face the speaker, fear rising up in Beckyann's throat in a manner that she was most unfamiliar with. Another elf strode towards them, fury written on his face and a naked sword in his hand. She knew at once it was trouble, for the Kaldorei was Lendellus, her betrothed through an arranged marriage that she had vehemently protested against.
"You will go no further with my bride to be, Corvellen, or I shall cut you down where you stand," Lendellus said angrily. He pointed the blade at Corvellen, even as the other elf bristled.
"She does not wish to be with you, Lendellus," Corvellen said angrily. "She and I love one another, and despite the decree of her House we will leave this place together. You shall not stand in the way of our love for your own political gain."
Lendellus smirked, stepping closer and bringing his sword through a few practice strokes, menace in his voice, "Bravely spoken for one who is unarmed. Release your hands from her and perhaps this matter will not be taken to the Queen's Court. This is the last time I shall warn you."
Lorellilae's heart sank as the words echoed through the corridor. With the absolute certainty that the magic provided, the entire future played out before her eyes. She'd go with Lendellus, forced to marry him and forsaking the love she had for Corvellen. Her life would not be her own, and she would live out her years before the Sundering in misery, dying with regret and with a broken heart. It was inevitable, and nothing that she did or said at this moment would change that fact. A random, stray thought crept through her mind as the vision played out.
I wish I had my runeblade, I would put an end to this farce.
The elf's mind became confused as Beckyann's will surged through her. It was a vision, nothing more than a magical construct left behind eons later. Beckyann was herself, and was not a part of this moment in time. She could do as she pleased.
"No," she forced the elf's lips to speak the word. "I will not go with you. Though my honor may be forsaken, I would betray my own heart to turn away from Corvellen. Step away from me. Now. We are no more."
She saw the rage pass over Lendellus' face. Somewhere in the combined consciousness of Beckyann and the elf Lorellilae, the knowledge that he was about to strike came from endless years of battle experience. The blade came up, aimed for Corvellen's heart, and it was only a simple matter for Beckyann to step before it.
It was strange, to feel pain from a stab wound. Beckyann hadn't felt pain in her body for years, and the feel of the steel sliding into her living flesh was stunning in the perfection of agony it caused. Stranger still, it became hard to breathe as blood welled up in her lungs. She coughed, the bright red, disease free fluids dripping down her chin. She felt weak, her body trembling as she realized she would not be able to stand for much longer. Behind her she heard Corvellen shouting with agonized shrieks. She saw the pale look on Lendellus' face as he realized what a terrible thing he'd done.
None of it mattered though as she slid towards the floor, the marble rising up to meet her. The world around her began to grow dim, and the magic began to tatter as the barrier between then and now began to fray.
As the magic failed, Beckyann would recall later one singular sensation flowing through her, a feeling of gratitude for lending the strength that another forlorn spirit had needed to change a mistake she'd made long ago. In that fleeting moment, she came to know that the elf Lorellilae would die happily, knowing she had never betrayed her heart.
Thank you...
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Beckyann rocked back on her heels, falling flat on her rear as the magic flared in her face. Emotions raged through her, a mixture of the elf's and her own, the connection to someone eons dead fading as the magic finally failed. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts and wondering if she had simply altered the vision, or the past itself.
She looked down at the tome that was still clutched in her hands, her eyes widening in shock as her question was answered.
The golden cover of the book was stained from something that had happened to it long ago, a stain that had not been there when first she'd picked it up. No stranger to the sight of such things, Beckyann knew without a shadow of a doubt what it was.
The cover of the tome had been stained by blood that had fallen on it long long ago.
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