The Pursuit of Strength

[Sadron]

Spoiler:

This is Malora's life. Starting with her falling away from the Grace of Elune, and going to whatever will happen to her in the future.

Speed, that's what's important. If I am not fast enough, they will die.

Malora encouraged herself in her head, as she pushed her body to the limit and ran as fast as she could. Wolves watched her as she ran past. As she travelled further north, closer and closer to Felwood, she was watched from the darkness away from the road. Soon, she came to the border between Ashenvale and Felwood, and stood still. The darker, more corrupt forest seemed to draw closer to her. The wind whistling in the trees called out to her. Fear gripped her for a moment, told her to turn back, told her that she would die if she went further. In a moment of self-doubt, she took a few steps back.

“No. I must continue.” The Night Elf shook her head, and managed to draw what energy was left in her to start running again. She was hungry, weak, sweating, and afraid. But some force, a fire within her, kept her spirits up enough to keep moving. The blue lights of the lamps of Ashenvale were replaced by ones with a green glow. The darkness seemed to reach out of the trees and surround her. Eventually, she came to a light that glowed just a bit brighter than the others, and collapsed out of fatigue and fear. She tried to get back up, but her body was weak.
“I guess running for hours can be a little tiring.” Malora muttered to herself with a small chuckle. “Ugh… My head… I'm tired… But I can't… sleep… too… dan…ger…ous.” Malora exhaled as she fell asleep, curled up by the lamppost.

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When Malora opened her eyes, she saw a figure standing next to her, wiping her forehead with a wet cloth. As she came back to reality, she saw it was a Kaldorei male, a druid by the looks of him. He stopped her from sitting up when she tried. She was lying on a bed in a house, and was confused at her location.

“You need rest, when we found you, you were injured.” The man said, in a soothing voice. However, it had little effect on Malora.

“Injured? Where am I? Who found me? When can I leave?” These were the first questions that Malora asked, so quickly that the Druid couldn't respond. She tried to sit up, but it she was too weak. He raised his hand a little, and motioned for her to sit down and calm down before he spoke.

“You were unconscious, a bit north of where you are now, the Emerald Sanctuary. You were found unconscious, curled up at a lamp post actually, by one of our Sentinels while she was on patrol. You can't leave for a bit, you have a nasty bump on your head, and you are fairly bruised. Not to mention dehydrated and exhausted.” He took a big breath, and looked at Malora with a gleam of admiration “Does that cover everything?” He gave Malora a little grin.

Malora took a moment to absorb all the information. “How long ago was I found?” She asked, and scratched her forehead.

“You were brought here a few hours ago. It is good we found you while we did, or you would have been found by Satyr.” The man looks around the room, and gets a steel mug full of water. “Drink this, you need it.” Malora hesitantly took the mug, and slowly drank all the water.

After a bit of silence, Malora looked up from the mug. “So, who would you be?”

“My name is Alerien Silentglade.” The man responded. “I am with the Cenarion Circle. Who would you be?” Alerien tilted his head to the side.

Malora looked over Alerien, noting his physical appearance. He had long, light blue hair, and blue-gray skin, like Malora. He was fairly well built, and he was wearing tanned leather, with a makeshift staff slung on his back. “I am Malora Leafstorm, I am a warrior with the Grace of Elune.”

Alerien furrowed a brow, “The Grace of Elune?” He asked, “I have never heard of them.

Malora slowly sat up, with the help of Alerien, “Well, we're a group of fighters that are trying to cleanse Ashenvale of the corruption that plagues it, to put it simply. We want Ashenvale to be as it once was, as well as all our other lands.”

The Druid nodded, “So, why are you out of Ashenvale?”

Malora thought for a moment, and then her gaze darted towards the door. “There was a… demon… that captured our commander.” She relaxed a little, “I was pursuing it…”

Alerien laughed to himself, “Well, Malora, you have proved yourself loyal to your friends. I'm sure that if they are as persistent as you are, they will be fine.”

Malora ignored Alerien's attempt to brighten the mood. “I am going to save them. My comrades.”

The Druid shook his head, and put his hand on Malora's shoulder, “No you aren't, you are going to rest up and then you can go after the Demon." Malora waited a moment, staring at Alerien's eyes. She slowly nodded, and agreed to rest up. But inside she knew, and the thought of it would be running through her head for days.

It may be too late by then…