Eighteen hours, thirty-four minutes and twenty seconds had passed since Khadgar had left their home. Not that she was keeping tabs or anything. He had after all, in the past, been away from home longer, but these hours, these minutes and these seconds seemed to have dragged out beyond any time he had been gone previously. Furthermore, until yesterday, he had never left home in such a foul mood. His exit from their home had been deathly silent. He had not said goodbye, nor kissed her, nor waved. He had simply left.

She tried to carry on as if all was normal, but in her heart she knew it was far from it. Nothing could ever hope to be normal again. He had accepted her demonic tattoos, and her unusual gifts from the naaru months before, easily enough. 

These new conditions however, were obviously not negotiable. Was she so repulsive to him? Barren and immortal - fruitless with longevity, a non-productive with continual youth. And just for good measure, her espionage of his mind, a spy in his midst. If he had rejected her completely, as it surely felt he had, she could not even return home to Earth as way of comfort, or escape. She was stuck here. 

She guessed the fairytale had to end sometime. But what a horrid way for it to happen. Left to bring their son up in a land doomed to destruction, and cast aside by her lover, her son's father, because she had acquired some traits she had not wanted, nor even been aware she possessed until recently. There was however, no option but to survive, for the sake of her son at least. Now she needed to take action to ensure his safety.

Arriving at Lukha's door, she could not help but feel she was asking a lot of the young draenei. Lukha however, had been more than happy to help with Ocel. Umrii fussed over him also and the infant himself seemed perfectly happy. Lhadral took Sarah through and out to the garden where Lukha loved to have all her flowers. The compact area was awash with colour and the most beautiful fragrances filled the air. There, he ushered Sarah to take a seat in the small summer house. "It is good to see you again, Sarah," he said, his soft voice always so calming.

"And you Lhadral. Much hunting done while you have been here?" She jumped a little as a throaty yawn came from behind her. Rishuul padded around the latticed structure and in through the door. She made her way straight to Sarah, nuzzling her big head along Sarah's thigh. The feline settled at her feet, contentedly.

Lhadral smiled. "Not particularly. I spent most my time making sure Drew did not get skewered by an over excitable Erik."

At that, both laughed. Poor Erik, people did like to exaggerate and make fun of his hunting skills. Truth was, he was a very good hunter and an experienced fighter when his skills were so required. "So, you have met Drew at last." Sarah said still petting Rishuul's head.

"Yes. He is a good man, Sarah, and most concerned for you."

Sarah smiled. "Yes, he has been a great friend over the years. I miss him when he's not here." Her voice trailed off, heavy with sadness. Lhadral placed a consoling hand on hers. The act caused a tear to escape. She quickly brushed it away and sat straight attempting to appear as if nothing was upsetting her.

The hunter, with his conciliatory and understanding manner did not pursue the matter. Instead, he steered the conversation in the direction which she had hoped he would. "Drew told me about the spirit within him, Camnath, and that there is another you seek, called Tiene?"

Sarah nodded. She was relieved Drew had opened up about the strange phenomena which involved them. Lhadral had been a good choice for him to place his trust. The hunter assured her he would help, along with Erik, Gwen and a worgen warrior who had visited Drew that same day who, by all accounts, seemed to be a good friend, going by the stories the two of them had shared about their battles against the Legion. Sarah nodded, pleased that Elias had kept his word and had visited Drew.

Rishuul suddenly sprang up, growling low then omitted an eerie roar. Her eyes were fixed upon the roof of the summer house as a shadow draped over the structure. Sarah and Lhadral moved out and looked up.

"Illidan!" Sarah gasped.

The demon hunter, crouched on the roof, bowed his head in salutation. Lhadral called Rishuul to his side. The cat obeyed after a moment's hesitation and did not move even when Illidan jumped down from the summerhouse roof. 

"Sarah," Illidan said in greeting, then offered the back of his hand to the panther. The cat eyed him warily but slowly, stretching her neck out, she sniffed. The fel that ran through Illidan's veins was obviously unsettling for the beast, but the demon hunter did not move his hand away. "What is her name?" he asked, kneeling to reassure the cat he was no threat.

"Rishuul," Lhadral replied, watching the demon hunter with interest.

Illidan's mouth twitched at the corners. "You are a beauty, Rishuul. A friend worth knowing," he said to the panther, his voice adopting the characteristic tones of the night elf he once was. Rishuul pushed up from beside her master's feet and moved warily towards the demon hunter. After a few moments, she nudged his hand. Illidan's smile broadened. She reminded him of the nightsaber he once had when he lived in Suramar, many thousands of years before.

The scene took Sarah by surprise. She would never have expected the Lord of demon hunters to be so taken by a cat. As she watched the bond develop between the two, she smiled. There was so much she did not know about this man. Going by Illidan's current demeanor  a past memory seemed to be recalled with great affection, perhaps even hankered for, she knew not. There was a complexity about him though, one that she might never fully understand, but which made him even less of the demon which he appeared to be. Breaking the moment, she asked what brought him there.

Still petting Rishuul, Illidan answered. "I was coming to get you when I noticed you heading this way."

"To get me?" she asked.

Reluctantly, Illidan ceased clapping Rishuul and stood, facing Sarah and Lhadral. "It is time, Sarah."

"Time? For what exactly?" The moment the question left her lips she knew it was probably the most stupid thing she had ever said. She sighed heavily and with a quick glance at Lhadral she nodded and dropped her eyes to the ground. "I understand."

"I take it we will have others joining us?" Illidan asked, his head turning to face the night elf hunter.

After introducing himself, Lhadral answered. "A few, yes. Where are we going?"

"Stonard, to begin with." Illidan noticed the night elf's brows pinch. He understood. "Worry not, they have all been told a possible Alliance posse will be arriving but with no ill intent towards them."

For all she knew this moment would arrive, it nevertheless weighed heavily on Sarah's heart."And then where?" she asked, raising her eyes. Again, she knew the answer, but somehow she needed it confirmed.

Rishuul padded forward and nudged Illidan's hand. The demon hunter could not refrain from smiling at the cat's affection, but when he looked back up at Sarah and Lhadral, his face became serious once more. "The Dark Portal, and then Draenor."

Mick stretched. His night had not been quite as unpleasant as the previous one had been in the god-forsaken swamp. Since Illidan's arrival a day earlier, things had improved somewhat, in that everyone seemed too preoccupied with what the demon hunter was planning with Waquro and the others, that they did not seem to notice Mick anymore. He was not complaining. He was actually quite relieved, it meant he had time to think of what he was going to do. 

He had listened intently as the Lord of demon hunters spoke of the Void and the threat it allegedly posed. Admittedly, it was not something he was well versed in (lore of the game was something he couldn't really be arsed with, he just liked to quest, kill and raid).

He surmised as the Burning Legion had been defeated in the real Azeroth, and gamers were still attempting to work their way through the game version, this Void couldn't possibly be that bad. After all, this whole universe was merely a mirror image of the game on Earth - was it not? All gamers aka Champions of Azeroth had battled and defeated everything thrown at them by Blizzard, the creators of World of Warcraft. So what could possibly go wrong?

What was the Void after all? By what he'd heard, it consisted of a bunch of armoured shades, spectres if you will, that practised the art of shadow magic. The Azerothians had that too, as well as frost, fire, arcane and countless other spells such as plagues, pestilence, draining life of their enemies. They weren't exactly handless. And then there were the weapon wielders, great hulking warriors, paladins and hunters. There was enough fire-power between them all to lay this shade-infested Void to rest. Surely. 

Music: YOU AGAIN by Árstíðir

https://youtu.be/lrehHSIfjaQ

Then there was the Iron Horde. The ones the Draenorites feared. Their original leaders had been defeated yes, but they seemed to be reforming under new leadership by what the orcs San'ti and Galurk said. That being the case, they would be pissed! Seriously pissed. 

A force like that would most definitely be worth siding with. If anyone was going to win this pending battle then surely it would be them. They too had all the weaponry and magic to boot. Into the bargain, look at what Mick had to offer. Inside information on the horde, the alliance, Illidan, Khadgar, this Sarah person, and ...Drew!

He huffed as he thought of that last individual. He had overheard Bernie telling Mel that Arcaena had taken her to meet him the first night the demon hunters had arrived at Stonard. He didn't listen to details - well not deliberately, anyway. He heard enough to know that she and loverboy were back on speaking terms at least. 

He sneered and sat up on his bunk. Drew!! Prick of the year. Quite why Bernie was attracted to him, Mick couldn't fathom. It was his understanding that the guy had an average job, made less than average money, and lived in a boring part of the country. Mick on the other hand, held a good position, lived in the city, made excellent money, had style, knew important people. Compared to Mick, Drew had nothing worth offering. 

 Why had she never even considered him then? He had been nothing but nice to her. Okay, he teased her now and again, but hell that's what flatmates did. He never ever said anything to hurt her though. He ran his fingers through his now less-than-well-coiffed hair and sighed. Granted, he had turned a bit mean since arriving in Azeroth, quite where that had all come from he wasn't even sure himself. He'd paid for that too. Several times.

He stared into the dying embers of the campfire. His mind questioned if things would have perhaps turned out differently had he not been so keen to pass through that portal of Drew's. But, Bernie had never shown any interest in him prior to Drew, if he was honest. Then again, oddly, he never seemed to bother much either until someone came on the scene to pique her interest. 

Quite what was going on in his head about her, he wasn't entirely sure. He had attempted asking her out on occasion, without her side-kick Mel in the picture. Without exception though it always ended up the three of them down the pub or going for something to eat. Maybe, if they got through this "adventure" he might have a chance to find out if it was worth pursuing.

He scuffed at the earth, kicking it onto the fire and dousing the last of the dwindling embers. From what he had gleaned by listening into conversations, the plan of action was for them to reach the Dark Portal and enter Draenor. 

If, of course, they got out of Stonard alive. In the last few hours, tempers had frayed between some of the orcs who resided in the complex. It was rumoured that it was due to the far-reaching effect the Void had on the peoples of Azeroth and Draenor. Shouting, clashing of steel and the odd thwack of a mace had been heard nearby, followed by the booming voice of Waquro as he tried to pacify the argumentative orcs. 

Things certainly seemed to be unravelling now, Mick thought. Hopefully, the Iron Horde would be epitomized by their name, and this fracturing of clan relations would not affect them. 

A strange whirring sound permeated the air. He looked towards the door of the hut and saw flashes of green, azure and violet bleeding through between the hides. He moved to the door and peered out. 

 A portal had materialised in the centre of the complex. The orc guards tensed, weapons readied to defend against whatever emerged from the swirling mass. Waquro pushed through and signalled for the others to lower their weapons. 

The unmistakable cloven hoof of the Lord of demon hunters stepped through the portal, rippling his wings as he fully exited the swirling mass. Next, two dwarves, a male, hunter by his weaponry, and female who looked like she could pack a punch. A night elf with green hair was next, going by the crossbow slung over his shoulder another hunter, followed closely by a large powerful looking panther. 

Mick grunted as the individual following was none other than Romeo - Drew. Interestingly, a worgen followed him, a warrior, huge, powerful, deadly and a teeny weeny bit scary with all those teeth. 

Finally, a woman with beautiful long dark auburn hair, a figure made for the dirtiest of fantasies and a look of hidden, simmering power. She had to be none other, than this Sarah, he had heard of. 

 He was mildly disappointed that no-one else emerged before the portal closed with a whoosh and sound of a bubblegum pop. Where was the famous Archmage? he wondered.

He stepped out from between the hides. His eyes immediately crossed to Bernie whose quick strides across the complex towards Drew instantly captured his attention. They clung to each other, almost eating faces. 

Mick sneered. His disdain soon turned to a sadistic mirth however as he noticed the blood elf mage, Alaen, heave a sigh. Seemed the mage had a little fancy for Bernie too, for the look dejection on observing the smooching couple was unmistakable. The mage's eyes soon lit up however when they landed on Sarah. 

This is going to be interesting, Mick thought. Wonder if Khadgar's woman has a weakness for mages of all races, he sniggered quietly. The cold hard stare from the woman suddenly made him gulp, his smirk faltered immediately. Nonetheless, he did not break eye contact with her and she only turned away when she was introduced to Waquro, San'ti and Galurk.

Illidan continued to introduce the party to everyone. Mick turned to enter the hut again when Waquro shouted to the gathered company. "Make sure you all have what you need. We leave now!"

"What?" Mick said to no-one in particular. He had thought they would at least be sitting down to discuss details and tactics. Seemed he had not been paying quite enough attention to the chatter in camp after all, for everyone else was packed and ready. Not that he had much to organise he supposed.

The Tauren signalled for him to join them. He slouched over to the company, feeling Sarah's stare burning into the back of his neck. What is up with this woman? he wondered. He reached the group as Alaen started to conjure another portal to take them over the last milestone to their main destination. Mick glanced round wondering who had made the first one. "The creator is not with us," a voice behind him said. He spun round to find Sarah.

"How did you ...?" He blurted.

"From your puzzled face," she replied.

"Oh. For a minute I thought you'd read my mind," he smirked. The corners of her mouth twitched, but she did not reply. Instead, she looked straight ahead as the group started to move forward.

Within moments, they were all stood in front of the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands. The arid air was a vicious contrast to the swamp's humidity. Those not used to the drastic changes in Azeroth's climates were all gasping and trying to get their breathing steadied. It did not help that looming above them were the gargantuan pillars of the dark portal. The hooded figures, leaning on their giant swords, somewhat menacing in their sentinel duty.

"Jeez! You never really understand how big this thing is when you play the game," Mel said, his eyes scanning the daunting structure before them. The low steady thrum of the portal's centre was almost hypnotic.

Waquro and the two frostwolf orcs took the lead, Illidan and Arcaena stayed at the rear. The Tauren was about to move forward but Illidan shouted for him to stop. Waquro turned, questioning why they should wait. Illidan pointed towards the sky. From the north-west a grey cloud approached. As it neared, the group saw it was squad of demon hunters. They descended and landed almost in unison behind their leader. Illidan turned back to face Waquro. "You may proceed."

Music: JOURNEY THROUGH THE PORTAL by Audiomachine

https://youtu.be/vpDrsEck_GI

The Tauren and orcs appeared unaffected by the conditions of their passage, progressing steadily, but it was a different story for the Earthlings. As they entered, the whirlpool sound of the time conduit first intensified to deafening proportions then shrank rapidly to a mere high pitched hum. All clapped their hands to their heads. It was like being stuck in a vacuum, the pressure in their ears becoming uncomfortable, the strain on their lungs, painful. Panic was building.

Bernie and Drew held hands, each trying to press through the viscous centre. Mel looked at Mick, both panicked but refusing to reach out and help each other. The dwarves ploughed ahead, even they were finding it a hard slog. Sarah linked arms with Lhadral while Rishuul padded close by, her mouth gaping in silent roars of anguish. Their progress seemed slow as if wading through oil, a strong current flowing against them.

The demon hunters grabbed the humans, dwarves, night elf and panther. With wings extended the Illidari powered through the portal's centre. Even with their aid, the dim light at the far end seemed a lifetime away. The humans started to gasp and gulp. Noses and ears began bleeding, eyes tearing, snot pouring. Their fingers were curling in on themselves from the sheer pressure of the portal. Fear took hold. The need to scream was desperate. Consciousness was slipping. The light was growing, but only marginally. The end was so near yet still so far. 

Then...they were spat out, tumbling and spinning over damp earth and soft vegetation. Finally, they were on Draenor ground.

Mere feet from where they landed, others had gathered. Sarah glanced around, pushing herself upright from the ground and dusting down her clothing. She watched as Waquro and the orcs moved to the left where a larger group stood. The Frostwolf clan. One wore a black mask around his eyes, similar to the demon hunters. The orc was afforded respectful salutations. He was large, bare-chested but otherwise adorned in furs. Huge tusks, possibly talismans, hung from his belt on long leather thongs. Sarah assumed this was Farseer Drek'thar. He looked every bit the proclaimed powerful shaman he was.

It seemed many had braved the portal. All races, both Horde and Alliance were gathered in respective groups, some busy building camp, or preparing food, others in deep discussions, no doubt about how best to defend the land from the Void.

The humans huddled closer together, joined by Erik, Gwen, Lhadral and Rishuul. The demon hunters formed a semi-circle around them.

From within the crowds, Sarah felt someone watching. Her breathing deepened and her heart beat a little quicker. Her eyes scanned the crowd from under her lashes. A feeling of excitement peppered with dread filled her as she locked onto her observer. 

The steel eyes of Archmage Khadgar did not hold any welcome.