Chapter 23

 Transcendence 

Chapter 23: Relaxation and Contemplation

Redridge Mountains, Lakeshire

The battle in the Burning Steppes had been brought to a close after a long arduous day of fighting, through the efforts of the Knights of the Stormwind Brigade and the noble adventurers who had taken up the call. Through their actions the Orcs had been driven out of Redridge and the Steppes, returning to their cursed mountain the plot and brood with their Dragon masters. Though they had lost many warriors to defend the sanctity of the kingdom, they had not died in vain. Every soldier and warrior would be remembered for their deeds, and those who lived would be praised for their heroism.

"Another ale!" called out one adventurer, around him were others laughing and joking, the recently returned men and women who had fought in the Burning Steppes now resided within the Inn of Lakeshire.

They had returned in the dead of night, tired and hungry, so in appreciation of their deeds in saving the town and the people, the townsfolk had decided to hold a feast in their honor. Now close to forty adventurers where drinking, eating, and attempting to charm the local maidens to other activities that would occupy them for most of the night.

But it wasn't just the rowdy adventurers who were taking part in the festivities, for they were not the only ones to help win the day, the soldiers remained to take part and earn a much needed reward for their work. They went around the town drinking, eating, and laughing as they were treated as heroes for their deeds, even the senior officers were not above celebrating; Tyresa and Windsor were casually speaking and having some ale. While the ever stoic Joana simply stood nearby and withheld herself from losing herself in the drunkenness that was slowly descending on the crowd.

"I thought a celebration would not be so… wild," Adelina said, looking at a man who laughed so hard he fell off his seat, and despite so kept on laughing.

"This isn't a celebration, it's a damn riot waiting to happen, these people don't have any etiquette," Caren said, looking at everyone around her with distaste. Not liking how the men had too much beer in them and the women wanted some of the men in them as well.

"It's a party what do you expect?" Ichigo asked. The three of them were sitting in the middle of the inn, surrounded by the drunken loons as they went about getting drunk or trying to get laid, spouting off about their prowess on the field of battle. "No different back home, although most of the time its people our age."

"Our age? What kind of savage hole did you crawl out off?" Caren sputtered out. The concept of people their age going out getting drunk and chasing after women seemed completely insane.

"Yeah, we kind of are a little different back home," Ichigo said. He had gone through Stormwind and he had seen a few people his age, eager to make most of their youth, but not in the same way people did back home.

They usually went out to bars and got wasted, but here these guys were taking up apprenticeships under Blacksmiths and Tailors, becoming squires and joining the priesthood. It was completely different here when compared to his world, the fact that someone his age would want to become a priest and serve as a squire was odd. Although there were people back home who did want to find a solid foundation for their future, many did otherwise and tried to enjoy their teenage years to the fullest before buckling down.

"Different, you could say that again," Caren replied, taking a sip of her water. She was far too young to drink mead or ale so she and her two compatriots were stuck drinking water.

"So Caren, why don't you tell us about yourself," Adelina asked. She didn't like awkward silences, it really wasn't any better despite being in the middle of an inn where people were laughing and shouting for more food and mead every second.

"My full name is Caren Willmorne," the young maid said with some pride. She looked at both Ichigo and Adelina, expecting a stunned or surprised expression, but found them only looking at her wondering why she was flaunted herself over just her name. "You have no idea who I am, do you?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Uh… should we?" Ichigo asked. Looking at Caren's sour expression as she simply stared at him, as if trying to bore through his skull with her eyes, and seeing the abilities she had utilized against the Gnolls earlier in the day, she might actually be capable of doing such a thing.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I am a noble of Stormwind," Caren replied, looking as both Ichigo and Adelina's expressions change, one of confusion to some form of astonishment.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh… kind of makes sense now," Ichigo said, to which Caren looked at him confused for a minute, wondering what made sense now that she had revealed her higher standing in life. "You did have that air about you, and the way you act shows it to."

<p class="MsoNormal">Caren smirked a bit at that, they had finally realized why she acted so dignified.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Also the fact you are uptight and can't really hold a conversation without seeming self-important," Ichigo stated, thinking hard on the subject. To which Caren's smirk dropped and her teeth ground together in aggravation, which Ichigo soon further increased. "Demanding, annoying, angry, and only value your own opinion…"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Will you shut up!" Caren yelled at Ichigo, her form appeared to be shrouded in a layer of fire, as if the was about to explode in pure rage, and being a mage she was likely capable of doing such a thing. "I am not bad with people, I give them lessons on how to better themselves, and I am only reason I'm angry now is because you just insulted me!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo quickly backed down from messing with her, she was a very unstable individual, if he tried to continue it would likely end with him being set on fire. Raising his hands in defeat and also shielding himself from the possible fiery death he let her simmer a bit and calm down, and thankfully she did so and decided to continue.

<p class="MsoNormal">"As I said: I am a noblewoman of the Willmorne House, one of the most prestigious houses in Stormwind," Caren said, sounding quite proud of herself.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Aren't they all prestigious?" Ichigo asked sarcastically. They always say that they were the best or the greatest, but he failed to remember that Caren was a walking fire ball that would burn him alive should her anger take aim in his direction.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Shut up!" Caren shriek at Ichigo, forcing the substitute to quickly apologize and almost leap out of his chair to run for his life. "The Willmorne House is a prestigious one because we are not only a leading body in Stormwind, but also have governance over Goldshire and the surrounding region."

<p class="MsoNormal">"So your family are land owners then?" Ichigo asked, to which Caren looked at him annoyed at such a simplified and unjustly descriptive term. Catching onto her glare Ichigo got worried again; he really didn't know how this world worked or the reason he kept provoking her.

<p class="MsoNormal">"So your family is very prominent in Stormwind then?" Adelina inquired, coming to Ichigo's aid when she noticed how intently Caren was looking at him, as if she were trying to set him on fire with her eyes, she likely could.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, we earned out name when my grandfather, Alexander Argyll Willmorne showed his heroism and greatness during the First War," Caren said. "It is from his actions that my family has become a powerful House in Stormwind."

<p class="MsoNormal">"So what does your family do?" Adelina asked. She had some idea, the Druids and Tyrande Whisperwind were the leading body of the Night Elf government, but she didn't know how they worked or governed their lands.

<p class="MsoNormal">"My family works over the region of Goldshire, which is a main trading point for nearly all the region under the rulership of the Kingdom of Stormwind," Caren said, giving them details on what exactly made her family so important. "We control the only town that has trading points in Redridge, Westfall, and Duskwood."

<p class="MsoNormal">"So your family controls the trade between all the different regions of the Kingdom?" Ichigo asked, he had some idea on how a family of nobles maintained control and power. Most feudal lords maintained control by having territory similar to what Caren's family has and also owned certain aspects of the economy within, for example: Trade and Export.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That's right, my family has their hands everywhere, but even so we are having rough times," Caren said, frowning at them both. "Westfall is in open revolt ever since the Defias Brotherhood has begun to undermine the Alliance's control in the region, and Duskwood is a blighted death trap, where you couldn't send a convoy without thirty men guarding it."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Really?" Ichigo asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, ten to guard the cart, and twenty to guard everyone else, including the ten guard on the cart," Caren replied, looking at him seriously. Duskwood was a very dangerous place, full of dark things that would kill you long before you saw their shadow lurch over you.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Scary. But if you're part of a noble family why are you out here?" Ichigo asked. Usually a noble doesn't go about doing grunt work, or what they consider grunt work.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I came here because I was told to by the Magister Guild, which I am a part of, I was sent along with my master to apprehend Morganth and also return the stolen book," Caren replied, but that didn't answer his question.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yeah, but why did you want to become a mage for, wouldn't you want to stay home and live a nice quiet life with your family?" Ichigo asked, wondering what made her tick as you would say.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Because I want people to see that I am not just some noble or little girl that needs to be pampered by servants, that I can be something more than just a child who doesn't deserve any respect." Caren replied, with some fierceness as she stated her reasons.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo was a little surprised by this, she had seemed very uptight and superior, but it looked like she was out to prove something, to show she didn't need help. But he could tell that this was more than trying to remove any form of stereotyping on the idea of what a noble is like; there was a very deep personal reason for her to do this. But Ichigo didn't question her on it, if she had her reasons then they were her own and he had no reason to pry.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey, you proved today just that," Ichigo replied with a small smile. "You helped save Redridge from being destroyed, everyone here is alive because of what you did, and you deserve respect for that."

<p class="MsoNormal">Caren was a little surprised by what he had said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Even though they may be a little caught up in the moment, you don't have to ask if they are thankful, you can see it on their faces," Ichigo said, looking at the different village people who were joining in the dancing and drinking, happy and content with the peace. "That is because of what we did, what you did, you went out of your way to help these people, to actually fight someone way out of your league. You deserve every ounce of respect these people can offer, because you not only defended them in the now, but in the tomorrow."

<p class="MsoNormal">"And if you don't think that is enough, then you have my respect," Ichigo finished, looking right at the surprised Fire Mage.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I… thank you," Caren replied; a little flustered by his words she turned away and hid her face in case a blush decided to work its way onto her face. All the while she was cursing herself for not being able to remain composed.

<p class="MsoNormal">"How lovely, are you two lovebirds enjoying your time together?" everyone turned and to their surprise they saw Tyresa standing there looking down at them with a smirk, although the paladin's eyes were on the embarrassed fire Mage.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked defensively, looking up at the woman that had given him wisdom and inspiration only a few hours ago, and was now teasing him for some reason.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Well that heart-warming confession was just so beautiful that I couldn't help but shed a tear at the love that will kindle between you two now," Tyresa said dramatically, with a swoon and the back of her hand on her forehead gag, she was overplaying it, but still it had a result.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We are not!" both Caren and Ichigo said, clearly red with embarrassment from the statement, they were definitely not interested in one another, but Tyresa wasn't letting up.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You are so like one another, you have the same attitude, you start and finish the same sentences and you're now the same shade of red." Tyresa sang, her hands clasped together, and smiling sweetly. "Such a beautiful thing, young love."

<p class="MsoNormal">"We are not in love!" both Shinigami and mage shouted in unison again, and glaring at one another for speaking while the other did, which added more fuel to the fire.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, are you going to kiss now, if you wait I can get the minstrels to play something," Tyresa said, looking over to the group of instrument players who were playing a melody.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Shut up!" Ichigo said, this time alone, his face red with embarrassment at the accusation.

<p class="MsoNormal">All the while Adelina was sitting nearby wondering what was going on, were Ichigo and Caren now mated with one another, she had no idea what was going on it was so confusing.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Alright alright, just having some fun," Tyresa replied, before taking a seat and speaking a little more serious. "So how are you doing?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Fine, why do you ask?" Ichigo replied, a little on edge. He wasn't going to be blindsided by another round of teasing, he knew that around people like her you always needed to watch what you say and how you act.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Just wondering, you were in much lower spirits earlier this evening and I wanted to know if you were doing better." Tyresa said, to which Ichigo wondered why she was so interested.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why are you so interested in my well-being?" Ichigo inquired, curious as to why she would really care.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You're a young impressionable mind, I didn't want to have to go by wondering if the mission I sent you on would have cause long term mental trauma," Tyresa replied, looking at Ichigo seriously. She didn't want to have it on her conscious that she sent a person into a very disturbing situation such as the Dreadmaul Mine cleansing.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I can understand where you were coming from on it; war is not all black and white, good fighting bad," Ichigo said, remembering what she told him in the ruins. "I understand that I need to kill to protect people, but I won't be a person who takes a life without reason or when it can be spared."

<p class="MsoNormal">Tyresa smiled at that, he valued life very highly, that was something she had to admit she found very impressive with someone so young, usually it was either they couldn't kill or couldn't wait to get started. But Ichigo was different, he wasn't a person to take a life needlessly, he valued life more than he did taking it, which was the mark of a good man.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Never let that go Ichigo, keep that philosophy for as long as you can," Tyresa replied, patting him on the shoulder before calling out. "Hey, get these kids some food, it's shameful that you ignore these brave young heroes!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Thank you Tyresa," Adelina said, she was actually very famished and wanted to get something to eat.

<p class="MsoNormal">"No problem Adelina, now if you will excuse me I will be off, got some more things to square off with Windsor and Morgan," Tyresa said, rising from her seat and asking one last thing to Ichigo. "What are you planning on doing tomorrow?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo looked thoughtful for a moment before replying.

<p class="MsoNormal">"No idea really, was thinking of going back to Stormwind and then maybe just exploring," Ichigo replied. He noted that Tyresa was actually looking at Ichigo very thoughtfully, as if his answer was important in some way. "Why?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"It's not important now, have something to eat and get some rest, you deserve it," Tyresa replied back, before turning and walking off.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That was weird," Ichigo said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yeah, it was like she was hoping to ask you something," Adelina replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">"She was," Caren replied, looking at Windsor and Morgan, both of them looked grim, as if they had just been given news that the King had been captured by the Horde and was being forced to fight to the death in the arena against their warriors. "Something must be going on, something big."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Any idea what it might be?" Ichigo asked, looking over and seeing the same thing Caren did, the commanders looked worried.

<p class="MsoNormal">"No clue, maybe the Knights are being withdrawn back to Stormwind," Caren said, which surprised the two others.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why? The place needs them, if they leave no one will be able to protect Redridge from another attack," Ichigo said,

<p class="MsoNormal">"That's right, if they leave the Orcs can simply attack again, and take back what we fought to reclaim," Adelina said, shocked that the Alliance would so quickly give up what they had fought and died to claim.

<p class="MsoNormal">"It's how it goes, the nobles have been in hot water ever since the King disappeared and turmoil between the different families has increased," Caren said, she knew all about the turmoil in Stormwind, a lot. "There's word that a new family may need to step up to take the Throne."

<p class="MsoNormal">"But I thought the King was only missing," Adelina said, surprised that they would so quickly try to replace their king after he only disappeared several weeks ago.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That's the story, but the nobles are getting a lot of backlash from the people and Defias Brotherhood, about taxes and also inflated prices," Caren replied. "In fact supply from Westfall has fallen severely, and Duskwood is a no go, so food has started to fall short and the people are getting angry."

<p class="MsoNormal">"What about this Defias Brotherhood then?" Ichigo asked, wondering who they were exactly. "Why are they doing this for?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"They were called the Stonemason's Guild years ago, they helped rebuild Stormwind after the Second War, but instead of a reward they were basically exiled and left to fend for themselves," Caren said. "By the House of Nobles, so the Defias are causing strife in Westfall to make the people turn against them."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why haven't they tried to stop them?" Adelina queried, they should gather their people and stop them from causing any more problems; her people would have done the same.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I have no idea; it's like every other problem that has come along in the last four years," Caren replied with a huff. "The Defias, the Worgen, the Undead and now the Orcs, every time something comes along we have to rely on mercenaries and adventurers to deal with them because the Guard is shorthanded."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Shorthanded? I saw like a thousand soldiers just roaming around Stormwind when I got off the damn boat in the Harbor. How is that shorthanded?" Ichigo asked in disbelief.

<p class="MsoNormal">"All I know is that the House of Nobles wants the army in Stormwind at all times; don't know why but the fact that the local soldiers aren't even able to defend Elwynn Forest from Gnolls and Defias insurgent's means that things are getting bad," Caren said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"So then all this was really pointless?" Ichigo asked. It was stupid to send in some Knights to kill off a few Orcs and then leave the place undefended without so much as leaving behind a small platoon to defend the area.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Maybe not, it is the most likely situation but not the definite one," Caren replied. Although she could have guessed it was at that, the grim look on their faces made her wonder what was really going on.

<p class="MsoNormal">The soldiers being forced to return to Stormwind would not be something that would make them act like that, they would be angry or annoyed, but this was different. They were worried, they actually looked like they were in the middle of a war meeting, and Caren for some reason thought that Tyresa didn't come over here just to check up on Ichigo.

<p class="MsoNormal">Any other thoughts on the matter as to why the Commanders were so anxious were quickly lost as a large platter of food arrived, from smoking chicken to baked potatoes and vegetables. But that was only the start, soon fish and several other delicacies were brought before them, and they were treated to a feast of both the eyes and the stomach.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Eat up, you earned it!" the Bar maiden said, to which the three young teenagers quickly dug into the meal, ravenous after a long day of fighting and having little food to eat.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Do we have enough men for this?" Tyresa asked, to which Windsor scowled in both annoyance and concentration.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Definitely not, we would need over two hundred men to even begin to consider doing this, and we're just skimming the halfway point," Windsor replied, to which both Morgan and Tyresa scowled.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I won't be sending my men to their deaths down there, I don't care what that bitch in the House of Nobles says; I will not send my warriors into hell." Morgan stated firmly, she knew it was a suicide mission the moment it was suggested.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That means we have only ninety seven people, and they are not the best that can be offered at the moment," Windsor said, this operation would likely end before it even began with the soldiers they had on hand. "I would be surprised if we actually got there before the Orcs or Dwarves got to us."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't even know if I can go in there in good conscious, knowing that many if not all of our men and we along with them will perish," Tyresa said, looking at the different soldiers and adventurers who were eating and drinking and had no clue about what they were going to be getting themselves into.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That's if they decide to go, remember you're paying them for their services," Morgan said, to which Tyresa's head drooped forward in defeat. That was true, it would likely end with them all being reduced to a dismal number that would have no hope of succeeding.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Is there any way we could get some support?" Tyresa inquired, looking to the Marshal for aid, he was the only one she could rely on to actually help in this matter.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I could call in a few favors, I might be able to get thirty to fifty more men, but apart from that it is all I could do," Windsor replied. He had contacts in the city and with several mercenary guilds who offered their services to anyone willing to pay; luckily they owed him a few favors. "But still, will it be enough?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Tyresa was silent for a moment, what they were being ordered to do was a suicide mission through and through, and so soon after their success with the Blackrock Orcs was even more shocking. Obviously the House of Nobles thought that they could get something out of this little victory, but she doubted that it would be that easy. Entering that place and facing those creatures would require tedious planning and time, and they had only a few days on their hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know, but maybe the ones we have will be enough," Tyresa said, praying to the light silently that they would be enough to win this.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo, Caren, and Adelina moved up the stairs to the second floor. They had eaten and had their fill, and now they needed their rest. Caren had her own room which was purchased several weeks ago which was luckily still in her masters name, while the substitute and druid had their own room and were dead tired.

<p class="MsoNormal">Entering their small single room they found a large cream sheet bed and little other furniture of note, and as quickly as they entered they went on their way to get undressed. Adelina going behind a dressing screen and Ichigo just near the bed, working on unfastening and opening his armor, he had taught himself how to get in and out of it without Adelina's help just in case she wasn't there to do so. He could get in and out in ten minutes easy, and then into something a bit more comfortable.

<p class="MsoNormal">Simple linen pants that reached down to his ankles and a grey sleeveless shirt, he sat on the bed and cleaned off the caked on blood and ash from his recent and earlier battles against the Orcs and Dwarves. A simple cloth and washbowl that was already crimson from the quantity that had painted itself onto his armor, this was the burden of a warrior, to wash away the blood of those you kill and to repeat the process after each battle. Something that slightly disturbed Ichigo was how a soldier could quickly remove the blood on his hands and be ready to shed more, murdering another person was something still foreign to him. Even if that person was not completely Human, but he knew the reasons he had to do it, to protect those close to him, those who could not defend themselves, that is why he fought, why he killed.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey Ichigo?" turning the substitute saw Adelina no longer in her armor but a simple linen shirt with an open front that revealed her bra and cleavage, along with simple knee high pants that were both a deep green. "What do you think we will be doing tomorrow?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't know, maybe going back to Stormwind, maybe staying here until we find out where we want to go next," Ichigo replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina sat on the opposite side of the bed and yawned, she quickly lay down and rested her head against the pillow, despite them being on the same bed and going to sleep next to one another there was no awkwardness. Ichigo and Adelina had been forced to share a bed together for the last three weeks, though there were times when they would find themselves a little to close when they woke. But they continued to do so out of the need to keep expenses low, and so one bed was all they could afford at the moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hopefully we can rest for a while, all that fighting was really tiring," Adelina said with another yarn, snuggling into her pillow. Ichigo looked back at her and laid down on his side of the bed and let out a breath, it would be good to finally get some rest. With all the fighting and mental stress he had been going through today, he truly needed some shut eye.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Maybe, let's just get some sleep," Ichigo said, feeling his eyes begin to creep shut. Fatigue from the long day finally getting to him, and at last he felt himself fall into unconsciousness.

<p class="MsoNormal">But the moment Ichigo closed his eyes did they shoot open again; he was in a dim cityscape, leaning against the side of a building, despite being on the side of the building he was not affected by gravity. He sighed when he realized he was no longer in the waking world, he was in his inner world, but it was very much different from before.

<p class="MsoNormal">The area was grey, the sky was full of dark clouds and he could see wear and tear on many of the buildings around him, obviously something is going wrong in here. He hadn't really spoken of or visited this place since he got here; he had been busy with dealing with a lot of emotional problems and dangers to his life expectancy.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What happened here?" Ichigo wondered, looking at the glass he stood on begin to crack and buckle under his weight, he quickly moved off just as it shattered, stepping onto the more solid concrete.

<p class="MsoNormal">Looking within he saw something that made him lurch, he saw Shady Rest, and he saw everyone who was dead, down a long wide street, their bodies burnt and slowly falling apart. He quickly turned away from the sight and moved away, he couldn't bear to watch that again.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Ichigo," a thick baritone voice called to him. Looking, Ichigo saw a man cloaked in black standing before him, pale skin and a pair of orange glasses over his half-lidded eyes that stared at him with great intensity.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Zangetsu," Ichigo replied, looking at his Zanpakuto's spirit. "What is happening here?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"You," his spirit replied, cryptically as always. "Your world is falling apart, you doubt yourself and your reason to fight, despite your resolve to move forward and keep fighting."

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo knew that was likely the case, ever since he came here he had been put through all sorts of trials and tribulations, from killing to survive and killing to protect. He had never gone so far in his life, not since his arrival here has he spared a life, every opponent he fought he killed. As he thought on this a building nearby collapsed, bringing Ichigo out from his thoughts on the subject of his collapsing mental fortitude and morals.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Every single thought and action only brings this place further to the brink," Zangetsu said, whether his statement was to Ichigo or he was talking to himself was not known.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What will happen if this continues?" Ichigo asked, looking at the building that fell into the black abyss below him, the source of his despair and fear, which was eating away at everything around him.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Your inner world is a reflection of your psyche, if this world falls apart and collapses, then your mind will be broken," Zangetsu replied, looking as the rubble of the building slowly sink into the darkness. "It is no different than going insane; you will snap and lose your mind to madness."

<p class="MsoNormal">"How can I stop it?" Ichigo asked, there was some desperation in his voice, but he held strong.

<p class="MsoNormal">Another building began to buckle, there was no hiding his turmoil within this place, he could not put on a strong face and play that nothing was wrong, not to himself or to Zangetsu.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You cannot conquer these things as you would a normal enemy, you must find a reason and purpose that will set you back on the path," Zangetsu said, giving his partner the wisdom needed to fight on. "You need to find a purpose to strive towards, not just something to take your mind away from your pain, but to erase it so you can continue to grow without being held back."

<p class="MsoNormal">"But what can I do?" Ichigo asked. He had no idea where he could start, what he could do to try and find some form of peace in this world. There was chaos all around him, both in the world and in his mind, how was he to find peace?

<p class="MsoNormal">"There is always hope, even in the most dismal of places such as this, all you need to do is find and seize it when the opportunity arises," Zangetsu spoke. Ichigo felt his mind begin to pull away; his time in his Inner world was beginning to fade. "Do not let your fear and doubts fester, you built this place on your hopes and dreams, and they can rise again if you find dreams to aspire toward."

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo felt his world go black and as he sat in that darkness he thought on what he could do to try and find something to hope for and to give him something to strive towards. But he couldn't think of anything, he could barely think on this, he was losing his mind and he couldn't even get worried about it unless he wanted to go more insane.

<p class="MsoNormal">He could barely breathe, he felt his chest was being crushed under something; every breath was harder than it should be and he couldn't help but feel it was his doubts weighing down on him. He also felt warn and smelt roses? What the fuck? Feeling his eyes open once more he looked up to an alarming sight.

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina was currently sleeping very soundly, a small smile on her face and she appeared very comfortable, right on top of Ichigo with her head on his chest and her hair in his face. How the hell she ended up on top of him he would never know, but the fact she was there did not help Ichigo remain composed as he tried to figure out how to get out of this situation. But things got a whole lot worse when Adelina began to stir, a small whine as she began to wake up, raising her head and placing her hands on Ichigo's chest as she pushed herself up.

<p class="MsoNormal">For a moment she looked confused and tired, her eyes only half open and she still had tired written all over her features as she stared down at the substitute. And in a single moment she realized what happened, her face lost the tiredness of waking up only a moment ago, and she was soon very much alert to the position they were in right now. She was straddling his waist and had her hands on his chest, but she didn't see what Ichigo was looking at.

<p class="MsoNormal">Her shirt had come undone and was down her arms, her bra was the only thing keeping her breast from being seen completely, her tight linen bra that clung to her breast like a layer of skin. Ichigo was finding it hard to deal with this very stimulating situation, and for that moment both of them were caught in it and had no idea how to get themselves out of it and save face for themselves. But as bad as the situation was at that very moment, it got only worse when the door opened.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey you two awake, lets…" Caren had come into the room unannounced and without knocking and was standing in the doorway, and as soon as she saw Ichigo and Adelina she halted and looked at them for a moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">Seeing Adelina on top of Ichigo, her shirt was around her arms and appeared as if she was about to take it off, and her hands were firmly placed on Ichigo's chest. Both their faces were red and they were very much shocked, but Caren wasn't really surprised at all, in fact she could only have guessed this is why they travelled together.

<p class="MsoNormal">"My apologies, I will be down stairs when you finish up," Caren said, turning and leaving. Both Ichigo and Adelina were shocked further at the sudden and blasé indictment that both of them were planning on being intimate with one another.

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina quickly jumped off of Ichigo and landed on the opposite side of the bed and Ichigo rolled off onto his side, both staring at one another for a moment and not saying a word. It was one of the most awkward and embarrassing moments that either of them had been caught in, hell even the time when Lillian asked if they were going to be having a good time together was not as bad.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We…" Adelina started, her blush not leaving her face as she pulled up her shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Get dressed…" Ichigo finished, looking around and finding his armor nearby, turning he got started to getting suited up.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yeah… let's do that…" Adelina finished the short conversation, she moved off behind the dressing panel and got changed; luckily her armor wasn't covered in blood and gore.

<p class="MsoNormal">When they were both suited up and ready they left their room, and went down to the main hall of the Inn; sitting at a table was Caren enjoying a bowl of porridge. Both Ichigo and Adelina walked stiffly towards the table and sat down, Caren didn't acknowledge them as they sat down and simply continued to eat her meal. When she finished it she let out a content sigh from the filling meal, and when she finally noticed Ichigo and Adelina she looked surprised.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I see that you are out of bed," she stated plainly. Much to the embarrassment of the two, but that was nothing to what came next. "I see that you are as quick under the sheets as you are on the battlefield, preferring to end it in only a few seconds."

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo's jaw dropped and Adelina blush deepened considerably, they knew what she was implying, they may be young but they knew enough about sex to understand the innuendo.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We did not have sex!" Ichigo choked out. Glad that his loss of speech was the only thing that prevented the entire Inn from hearing him.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Well not what is considered sex," Caren said offhandedly, much to the continued embarrassment of the two, which was bringing her eternal joy.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Shut up!" Ichigo shouted back. Clearly angry over this situation and red with embarrassment, just as much as Adelina was shocked into silence from the course this conversation was going.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm too young to have a mate," Adelina murmured, scared that she may have done something while they were both asleep, she had heard things like this happening to people before.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We didn't do anything! So I'm not your mate and you're not mine," Ichigo said, wishing to clear this entire thing up quickly. He really didn't want this day to start with him having to clear up him being caught in an awkward situation with Adelina.

<p class="MsoNormal">"So you're not lovers then?" Caren inquired, confused. Which also brought confusion to their faces, as if something had just happened that threw out a very important piece of information that Caren had on why Adelina and Ichigo were together?

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why the hell are you so surprised?" Ichigo demanded, irritated and confused at her question and the way she asked it.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Well you may not be bad looking but still, your nothing much other than a pretty face with very naïve values so I have no idea why she would be with you," Caren replied with a shrug. "Other than maybe whatever skill you have under the sheets."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Shut up!" Ichigo roared out, his day was ruined and there was no changing it now, there was no way this could possibly get worse.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Ichigo isn't just handsome, he's much more than that, he is strong and a skilled warrior," Adelina said, and quickly blushed when she remembered what she just said. "No! Wait I didn't mean that!"

<p class="MsoNormal">"You know what? I think I might tag along with you two, give me a few laughs at the obvious sexual tension between you two," Caren smirked again at their red faces.

<p class="MsoNormal">"There is no sexual tension!" both Ichigo and Adelina cried out, in anger and embarrassment respectfully, much to Caren's amusement.

<p class="MsoNormal">Their breakfast was over shortly afterwards, simple oatmeal and a cup of melon juice, and they were out exploring the town. There was little for them to see and even less for them to do, the town was a simple community that was filled with farmers and few blacksmiths and tailors. These people did not have the same open market as the cities and trading settlements that were present across the kingdom, they were a village of people going about their lives.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Something has gotten everyone riled up," Caren said, looking around at the many pensive and downright horrified soldiers around them, something must have happened or is going to happen.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey, what's going on?" Ichigo asked, grabbing hold of a passing soldier, he quickly shook off Ichigo's grip and then pointed off towards Tyresa nearby. She was speaking to the crowded warriors, who for their part were looking very anxious and scared.

<p class="MsoNormal">As they moved forward they heard her speaking to the crowd, and from the way she was speaking she did not like what she way saying.

<p class="MsoNormal">"All soldiers and willing individuals who are willing to take part in this mission will be rewarded ten times the amount given for yesterday's contract," Tyresa said, looking to try and bring people in and this certainly surprised Ichigo and his two female companions.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo and Adelina had each received thirty gold pieces for their services; this meant they had enough money to keep them occupied for a month or two. But three hundred was something that would set them out for nearly a year here, with extra comforts, something he wouldn't mind after the last two months of hell he had been through. But they knew that the amount they were offering meant that whatever they were going to be doing was going to be stepping right into hell.

<p class="MsoNormal">"How is that any good if we all die?!" one soldier called out, some others joined in and yelled and bickered to one another.

<p class="MsoNormal">"How the hell can our steel cut fire and molten rock, it is impossible!" Another shouted, this was catching everyone's interest, something big was going on, and from the way they were talking they did not like where they were meant to be going.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Please, I do not ask you to do this without giving you a chance to decide, we have three days before the attack begins, time enough for you to decide if you wish to join or not," Tyresa called out, silencing the men and women who had taken part in the battle yesterday and were now scared of the one to come. "Return to Stormwind and collect yourselves, in three days hence we depart for Blackrock Mountain."

<p class="MsoNormal">Tyresa quickly descended down the stairs and moved off, she looked tired as if she had not slept the night before. Obviously the entire speech that was missed by the three teenagers did not only have an effect on those who it was addressed to.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Tyresa," Ichigo called out, the senior paladin halted and looked to see Ichigo and his two friends nearby, and all looking at her wondering what was going on.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Ichigo, Adelina, Caren, good to see you up," Tyresa managed a smile but she could barely hide the grim aura that she carried on her.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What's going on? Why is everyone so worried?" Ichigo asked, looking as the soldiers moved off, their movements were mechanical as if their minds had finally died on them leaving behind a lifeless shell.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We got a mission from the Nobles of Stormwind, more specifically Katrana Prestor, to invade Blackrock Mountain and cripple the Dark Iron Dwarves," Tyresa said, which surprised the three, the Dwarves were not a real problem for Redridge so there was no reason to really be fighting them.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why them? Shouldn't we be dealing with the Orcs and their leaders?" Caren asked, not understanding how undermining the Dark Iron dwarves would help them in the long run.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I don't know, but that isn't the worst of it, we have only a hundred men maybe half as many more should Windsor be successful in bringing reinforcements," Tyresa said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"That is a lot, but even so that should be enough to storm the Dark Iron dwarves stronghold under the Mountain should it not?" Caren asked, she had a lot of knowledge on this subject, she knew a bit from the old scrolls and teachings on the different Dwarf clans and knew a bit on the cities they built.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We aren't attacking Shadowforge City," Tyresa said, which confused them even more, how were they going to undermine the Dwarves if not attacking their capital and killing their leader.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Then where are you attacking?" Ichigo asked, and the answer immediately made them understand why the others were so fearful of this mission.

<p class="MsoNormal">"The Molten Core, we are going to attack and banish the Elemental Lord Ragnaros."