The World Cries

[shosen]

The gift had been a surprise, not just the hood and robe, though they were, but the offer. That a warlock who was rarely seen with a demon at his side would mentor one who was rarely seen without one, well, it didn’t quite makes sense. But maybe, it made more than I could have seen at the time. After all, look where I am now?

Going through Dire Maul, not my first time there, but there first where I could see what use I could be. Watching him command the demons, use them against each other, and then, tell me to do the same. And having it work.

Having him sit on the roof, calling down in demonic, out of sorts because Tabaqui was hurting, and he couldn’t help. Making it worse later, stupid amulet, and feeling every inch the fools we had been, but also comforted by it. Nothing quite forces it home that you have a family like a lecture of disapproval from a parent, not when it didn’t decrease how much they cared, just showed you that you were loved.

Dire Maul again, light around us, demons appearing, taking command of one, fighting the others, knowing that he was keeping the artefacts up, keeping them up, controlling a demon of his own, and causing the distraction that let Andramalech and I steal our own horses away. Getting outside, and he could that we need to run with them, just run, and be free, happy, and he was proud of us.

Stading in Zul’Ghurub, wanting to be there, wanting to help, but not really certain what to do, terrified that I could let so many people down at one time. Having him give direction, and after a while, actually getting it and letting no one down, especially not him.

Standing in the ruins, watching him ride his own horse, getting closer enough to the bugs to attract their attention, bring them back to where we were all waiting. Sometimes making it back, sometimes not, and always getting on the horse again for the next group, and another chance that he’d have to fall and get called back. Watching as his knees hurt more and more each time, until the walk from there to Orgimmar, and the knowledge that soon he wasn’t going to answer any of our calls.

Seeing him, briefly, everything happening so fast and there was just never enough time! Do what you can though. Make sure to give a hug every time, no matter what, because it might just be the last time. And then, telling him I was leaving for a while, and knowing that coming back he might not be... But he asked, if his time came, and I promised to be there. Knew that I would no matter where I was, or what I was doing, I would.

People entering the cave, one by one, or in groups, and knowing that I wasn’t the only one who had made that promise to themself. Knowing I wasn’t the only one who had moments, too few of them, going through my head. Not being the only one crying, at the start then, or as we walked, seeing him home.

Hearing the shouts in Orgimmar, hero of the Horde declared by the Warchief. Calls echoed by those who had joined the walk, who hadn’t needed this to know that. He said he wanted to go as a hero. So many people there to walk him home, so many lives touched, and moments treasures. I guess he just needed to hear it, and she was there for him, to say the words.

"You always were."

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die, the world cries, and you rejoice.
-- Cherokee Proverb