Chapter 18

Transcendence
Chapter 18: Mission Complete, Can I go home now?
Theramore
Night has set on the small city of Theramore, the people have retired to the Inn to rest and fill themselves on food and drink before taking the rest of the night to sleep, before toiling the next day at work. The only people still awake and doing their job were the guards, protecting the gates and docks from anyone who would try to enter their fortress without them knowing. With a few that patrolled the streets to make sure everyone within the walls were safe.
But coming through the gates of the city were not intruders seeking to bring harm upon the city. But two young teenagers, who have returned from their mission into the swamps, looking for a traitor responsible for the Shady Rest massacre. But returning with nothing aside from the badges of twenty slain soldiers of the Theramore Guard, all of whom had tried to stop the two of them from learning the truth of what had caused the attack on the small town.
Ichigo passed the guards and gave them a quick nod in greeting, one that was returned respectfully. Every single guard and mariner in Theramore knew who he was; he was the boy looking for people in their ranks who were traitors. One of the worst things a soldier could hear while in service.
A deserter is simply someone who forsakes their duty and leaves their post. But a traitor, they betray the very foundation on which they once defended. They go against the laws they enforced and create strife wherever they go, to those who were once their comrades and the people they once protected. They were both people to despair over, for they have forsaken and lost their way, and to hate, for they turn their backs on those who were once their brothers for their own selfish reasons.
Ichigo quickly let his horse off at the stables, handing the reins to the stableman before waiting for Adelina to do the same, he had a lot on his mind at the moment; the past week had been very chaotic since he arrived at Shady Rest. The attack that resulted in so many innocent deaths, which still weighed heavy on his mind and heart, the traitors within the guard that tried to cover it up, and the subsequent clash between them out in the swamp. The fact that so many of them were killed made his already heavy heart sink lower, he shouldn't have killed them. Even though they were traitors they didn't all deserve to die. They were angry and distrustful of the Horde; they hated them because of the past atrocities they had committed and were right in their anger, but not their methods.
Ichigo could understand that kind of hate; he felt it when he faced hollows. Those who took sadistic glee in devouring their victims and didn't care one little bit about who they were hurting, they didn't care about their own kind either, it was simply the law of the jungle for them. But these people didn't do it because the enemy was a sadistic monster looking to murder them all. They appeared to have made peace with the Alliance, seeking only to live in harmony with them and bury the hatchet of their dark past. But these people couldn't forget it, and therefore as soon as the chance came they took it. Undermining the Horde and giving these traitors the feeling they were getting back at the monsters that had caused them so much strife over the decades.
"Ichigo," looking up, the young substitute saw Adelina looking at him with a worried expression. He quickly masked his emotions and turned around, he wanted to report this and get this entire event out of the way.
Quickly they entered the Barracks, moving past several guards, giving the occasional nod in greeting to them before moving on, he wasn't here to make friends. These people saw him like a cop from his world saw internal affairs, with anger and resentment for looking for corruption within the enforcers of the law. So it wasn't surprising for the Shinigami to see that past their helmed heads, he saw anger and detestation in their eyes, although he couldn't blame them. These people have had it rough and the Horde practically living several miles north from them didn't help things in any way.
Soon he arrived at the Captain's office, already dreading the conversation that was to come, he was about to tell the man he had found the traitors, killed them. Then give the old man their badges and their names so that he would know who had caused all this.
Knocking on the door he waited for the Captain to allow him to enter, and a few moments later he gave him the call to do so, Ichigo entered and found this time there was two others in the room. The first was a woman in similar armor to the Theramore Guard wearing a badge with a unique design he had not seen before. She was a young late twenty-something woman, with long brown hair and piercing light blue eyes that were like icy daggers. She had a calm yet dominating presence within the room; the way she stood showed she was in command, both in rank and in presence; she glanced at Ichigo and simply raised an eyebrow at his arrival. The other woman was a much more mature woman; she had long snow white hair and wore robes of blue and green, and had a gold crested-sapphire hairclip that was big enough to fit in ones palm, but her most noticeable trait was her glowing eyes that were like two full moons.
"Ichigo, you have returned," said Vimes, addressing the boy with a nod.
"Yeah, I found Reethe," started Ichigo, his voice calm and composed. But there was some hints of doubt and regret in his voice that were noticed by one particular person in the room, the woman with the ruby clip hairpin and the eyes of moonlight.
"Where is he?" inquired the aged captain. Rising from his seat and the female officer turning to face the substitute fully, her expression became all the much sterner.
"He's dead," answered Ichigo. To which Vimes's eyes widened, then hardened a moment later to look at Ichigo demanding an answer for how he ended up that way.
"How was he killed?" asked the female soldier. Ichigo didn't bother to ask her name, he simply glanced at her before replying.
"He was shot in the back when I was questioning him, by a person name Private Hallan," said Ichigo. To which Vimes eyes widened in realization, that was one of the names that he remembered on the list of people that were sent off with Caldwell to apprehend the deserters at Lost Point. "But she was not the only one. The entire force that was sent to apprehend the deserters at Lost Point were there, led by Lieutenant Caldwell."
Ichigo moved forward and dumped a bag on the table, inside were twenty separate badges belonging to all the guardsmen that were killed. Shock passed through all of the people in the room, save for Ichigo and Adelina, they had not thought that so many people could have been involved in this conspiracy. But it was Vimes who was hit the hardest, he had allowed them to leave and in such a large number, he had allowed all the traitors outside the gate to follow and likely kill the boy he had sent to accuse them, he had been deceived by his subordinate and close friend.
The old and weary captain slumped down into his chair with a defeated look in his eyes. He had sent out the man because he trusted him the most and thought that of all the people in Theramore he was the one he could rely on not to be a traitor. While the female soldier looked angry over the fact that so many traitors were within their ranks, she walked over and found the badges of all the people who were once Guardians of Theramore, her head snapped to the substitute Shinigami.
"Are there any others still alive, someone we can question?" she asked, to which she watched as the boys gaze lowered and his eyes disappeared behind his hairline.
"No, they are all dead," Ichigo replied. His voice heavy and regret seeping through his teeth and into his words, so many dead, and some were by his own blade, how in such a short time had he killed so many people.
Lorena saw his expression and the grief in his voice, she looked closer and saw that he was actually fairly young, fifteen or sixteen at most, too young to be in the middle of a battlefield and to have blood on his sword. She backed down on the line of questioning for now, she would let Vimes handle it, he would be more inclined to speak with the boy, but she would need to tell Lady Proudmoore about this immediately, the deaths of twenty of the guard would cause much strife in the city especially when the reason was released.
"Captain Vimes, I trust you can handle the questioning?" she asked. To which the aged Captain nodded his head in confirmation, his own sadness over the loss of both his friend, in both his life and his treachery, still heavy on his heart.
Colonel Lorena nodded her head and quickly left to inform Lady Proudmoore about this news, she stole one last glance at the boy before departing; noticing the pained and regretful look he bore, she offered him a silent prayer that he would have some peace knowing that the traitors would harm no one else. As soon as the Colonel moved to leave the room, Aegwynn followed closely behind, casting her own glance at the boy, and was surprised by the strong presence in not just him, but his sword, she could feel a soul within his blade. Not one that was trapped or imprisoned, but as if the sword was like its own body and that it was born within it, and his power was quite strong, and uncontrolled as it would seem, it was flowing from the boy rapidly and violently, as if he wasn't enough to contain all that power.
But there was something else she felt from the boy, anguish and sorrow, he had suffered much in his life, not from the edge of the sword or the claws of his enemies, but in his heart and mind he had been tormented by his past. Aegwynn could see it, even if it was hidden she could see someone who had lost a piece of him that was so great, that no matter how much happiness was brought into his life, there would be no returning to that point ever again. Even as young as he was, he was suffering as much as a veteran of countless wars, she could only wonder what kind of world would allow a boy such as him to suffer and let that continue without a care, one that she believed he didn't deserve to remain in.
As the two woman exited through the door, Ichigo looked at Captain Vimes and waited for him to speak, which took a long moment as both tried to find reason to speak with the grief over what had been revealed and happened over the last few hours.
"I am sorry," said Vimes. Bringing Ichigo out of his stupor to look at the aged Captain. "I had thought that Caldwell could be trusted, he was one of my best soldiers and a close friend, and because of my misjudgment, it nearly got you and your friend killed."
"You couldn't have known, he had us all fooled," said Ichigo. In truth Ichigo didn't trust the man as soon as he met him and it was revealed that he knew about the attack and didn't report it immediately.
"But I should have known, he is… was a diligent and meticulous man, he wouldn't allow a report such as the massacre of Shady Rest, to be sent by a grunt," said Vimes. "I was a fool to think he was innocent in all this."
There was a tense silence for a while as they thought on the ramifications of this, first the Guard involvement with the slaughter of Shady Rest, although indirectly involved; their name would be tarnished for the foreseeable future, but that was if they couold survive the repercussions of the Horde.
"With their actions, the Horde will likely create an incident over the attack, just like six months ago with that damn pirate attack, but this time it will be us accusing them," said Vimes.
That incident nearly caused a war because one of their ships didn't aid an orc transport ship from pirates, and they nearly started a War after that demon got involved. But even though that event was cleared up, he could already see the consequences of the accusation on the massacre of Shady Rest, even if Thrall wasn't the one who ordered it or if the Horde was not responsible, there would still be unease created because of it.
"The Horde wasn't responsible," said Ichigo. Vimes immediately looked up at the young substitute and silently ordered him to explain. "The attack was organized by the Grimtotem Tauren."
"The Grimtotem? Why would they be involved?" asked Vimes, confused as to why they would have anything to do with this as they usually stuck to Thousand Needles. What reason could they have to attack Shady Rest? Sure they were the most savage of Tauren tribes, but still, why?
"Because the Quarvel Raiders have been staging attacks on their caravans on the gold road. Not only attacking the Horde, but the Grimtotem as well. They attacked the town, whether they knew about the raiders hiding there or not, as a message," said Ichigo, to which the old Captain leaned back in his chair shocked, and relieved.
"Can you prove this? Do you have any evidence or anything that could say they were involved?" asked Vimes. If they could prove they were responsible, then they could both prevent a diplomatic incident with the Horde and also bring these butchers to justice for Shady Rest.
"Sadly the information was given to me, by a friend." said Ichigo, to which Vimes's eyes narrowed at the boy, he was taking the word from one of them? That did not sit well with him, especially with them being one of the prime suspects in the attack.
"You do realize that his word alone will have little leeway when we make an accusation," said Vimes. But Ichigo wasn't surprised, without evidence they wouldn't likely get anywhere, but it was better to accuse the real enemy with no evidence; then accuse the innocent with circumstantial evidence.
"Maybe not, but it will allow the Horde to investigate the threat and see if the Grimtotem have anything to say about it," said Ichigo. They may not be able to prove it was them, but they would likely be on thin ice for a while at the thought of the rogue clan nearly causing an incident between Theramore and Ogrimmar.
"I suppose that is all we can hope for at the moment," said Vimes. He was already dreading writing this report and also the thought of handing it over to his superiors, they may trust his word, or think he has finally gone senile, either way there will be questions on the validity of this source. "As much as this isn't what I hoped it would be, you have done more than we would have likely been able to alone, I'll see about getting you a reward for your actions."
"No need, I won't be staying for long hopefully, but if you do find out where these bastards are, let me know, and settle this before I leave," said Ichigo. His eyes darkening slightly and his tone carrying a sharp edge that promised a painful demise to any who crossed him, Vimes nodded and Ichigo and Adelina took their leave.
Ichigo and Adelina quickly left to the Inn, to get the rest and meals they deserved for all their hard work and by tomorrow they would be going to finally meet with Jaina Proudmoore on getting back to his world. Hopefully she would be able to do so quickly and without much trouble, he needed to get back quickly, Aizen was still at large and it was likely that his friends were prisoners, if not worse. He shook his head, he didn't need to think about it, he just had to get back there.
The Next Day.
Ichigo and Adelina left their room at the inn to go and speak with Lady Jaina Proudmoore at the central tower, he just hoped that he could speak with her quickly; he didn't want to wait for an audience with the Queen of Theramore for a week or something. As he moved to enter the tower he was halted by two guards, both blocking his path and raising their shields and sword in front of themselves in case Ichigo decided to attack.
"I'm here to see Jaina Proudmoore," stated Ichigo. To which the guard didn't even move or acknowledge his words, they simply stood there for a moment, an action that irritated the young substitute a bit. "Uh, can you hear me?"
"We heard you boy," said one of the guards. Although Ichigo couldn't tell behind their full faceplate which one did it, but he assumed it was one of them, they were like statues.
"Then can I go in?" asked Ichigo
"No," was the immediate reply.
"What? Why?" asked Ichigo. He had no idea why they were keeping him out, they didn't demand anything, they just got in his way, and when they didn't answer that just annoyed him even more. He was about to yell at them to speak up when he heard a voice behind him.
"Excuse me; are you looking to speak with Lady Proudmoore?" Ichigo turned around and behind him was the woman he saw last night, the woman in the blue and green robes with the ruby hairpin and the glowing eyes.
"Yeah, I need to speak with her on something important," said Ichigo.
"Is this about what was spoken of inside the office of Captain Vimes last night?" she asked, her glowing eyes boring into Ichigo's. Although she may appear human, there was something about her that made Ichigo wary of lying or getting on her bad side.
"No, it's a different matter," said Ichigo, staring at her unflinchingly. Although he was getting some weird vibes from his zanpakuto, saying that this woman was more than she appeared and also something he really didn't want to go up against.
"I see; then please follow me," she said, walking past Ichigo and towards the guard. They moved aside and let the woman pass; Ichigo and Adelina followed close behind and entered the tower, entering a large room.
It was a simple atrium in which the people who entered could simply sit down and rest while waiting to either be summoned up to a floor or to wait for someone, there were many empty seats along with book cases with hundreds of books around the room. Although the importance of these books or their value was not known, in the centre of the room was a large winding staircase that rose up several floors, the place looked like a small manor, finely decorated and well maintained.
"Um, excuse me, but what is your name?" asked Adelina. Her question directed to the white haired woman with the glowing eyes. The woman turned, and with a small smile replied to the young girl.
"You may call me Alyn; I am Lady Jaina's Chamberlain," said Aegwynn, using her alias. After all, she was once the Guardian of Terisfal and the last thing she wanted was people to know who she was. She had enough chaos in her life when she was known, and the last thing she wanted was that chaos to follow her again.
She led them up the stairs, rising through many levels of the tower until they reached what appeared to be a small throne room, if you could call a room full of tables and scrolls with only a small stone chair at the far end of the room with a window behind it a throne room. Hundreds if not thousands of scrolls littered shelves and tables, some in neat piles and others in a clutter, some appeared to be very old, some on parchment that looked as if it was about to fall apart and written in a language Ichigo couldn't understand.
"I will go and retrieve Lady Jaina from her study, please, may I ask what this is about?" asked Aegwynn. Ichigo thought for a moment on what he could say, he couldn't come out with it, maybe just a few choice words would help.
"Just tell her that Ichigo Kurosaki is here, and that he has come to ask for her aid in going home," said Ichigo, hoping that was enough to allow Jaina to realize why he was here and who he is. After all, Shandris would have sent a message that he was coming here.
Aegwynn nodded her head and moved to Jaina's study. Although she was simply playing her part, she wanted to see who this boy was. After all, it was said in the letter he was a god of sorts back on his world as well as a reaper of souls. The implications of such a thing could be very dangerous, after all, many Loa's and Primal Gods don't tend to take kindly to mortals. And based on the consistency of his power, he felt almost like he was a demon, or at least a person who was corrupted due to dabbling in the demonic. But based on his recent activity it would seem to contradict her assumptions; and also what she could sense from him during their encounter last night showed that he is more human than demon or whatever these Shinigami are.
As Aegwynn entered the room she saw Jaina mulling over several pieces of paper, most dealing with the report from Captain Vimes about the incident on Shady Rest and the people who were said to be responsible, although that was inconclusive at the moment. But even so, the former Magna could see that the possibility of the Horde not being involved had lifted a small amount of weight from the Queen of Theramore's heart. After all, one of her closest friends and allies is the Warchief of the Horde. They were both glad that the events that transpired six months ago were not going to be happening once again; after all if the events at Shady Rest were released so soon after the diplomatic incident with the Horde Transport ship, then many would think it was retaliation for Theramore not aiding them when they were attacked by Pirates.
"Lady Jaina," said Aegwynn, attracting the young magi's attention. She looked up from the report to the former Guardian of Terisfal. "Ichigo Kurosaki is here."
Jaina's eyes widened in surprise, she didn't expect him to be coming by so soon, especially after the events of the last week, she had expected him to be resting or at least recovering from what was said to be a battle with twenty men. And from what Vimes and Aegwynn had told her personally, that the young man was distraught over the deaths of those people but none the less she decided to finally meet this boy. After all, it was likely the first and last time she would likely meet anyone from another world in the Greater Dark.
"Will you put that down!" she heard someone yell out in the 'Throne Room', even she couldn't see the point in calling it that. After all, it was more of her second study. And the fact it also had a window made it much more appealing to work within then that stuffy room she was just in.
Jaina looked in and saw a very comical sight, she saw a young man in various pieces of armor and a large sword wrapped in cloth on his back arguing with that girl she met nearly a week ago, who currently had a knights helm on her head. She appeared to be having difficulty standing up, as she was swaying side to side and also appeared to be unable to get it off her head, she was desperately trying to get the helm off her head and having little luck in doing so, it was kind of amusing to watch.
"I can't!" she cried out, her voice being distorted and amplified slightly within the confines of the helm, tugging on it and trying to get it off. "It's stuck, and my ears hurt!"
"Oh, for the love of…" stated Ichigo. Moving forward and grabbing the helm before he started pulling on it, trying to get it off her head. Tugging on it several times and trying to force it off her head, hearing several grunts and cries of it hurting, Ichigo finally got the helm off her head.
"Oh, why were you so rough for? My ears hurt," whined Adelina. To which Ichigo placed the helm on the table and gave an annoyed glare at Adelina.
"Don't touch other people's things, it's rude and if you break it, I'll have to pay for it," said Ichigo.
"What? But I don't break things!" said Adelina with a pout.
"It doesn't matter, usually anything you do ends up with me having to pay for it, either with gold or fighting against a damn pack of centaurs because you couldn't help but save that poor panther," said Ichigo sarcastically.
"But that was an accident!" said Adelina. "I didn't know it was dangerous!"
"Whatever," said Ichigo. Turning away from her and finally noticing a woman standing there while watching the whole scene.
She had long blonde hair and was quite beautiful, although Ichigo would be the last person to admit that openly, she wore very elegant robes of white and purple with gold trimming, which hung to her ankles. But her chest was covered by a simple piece of form fitting cloth what showed off her well-toned and feminine figure and also her stomach, which drew Ichigo's attention for a moment before he quickly corrected himself and looked a little higher.
"Uh, sorry about that," gesturing to Adelina, who looked a little miffed about being pointed at and made to look like a fool because of a little accident. "Are you Jaina Proudmoore?"
Jaina looked at the young man for a moment, taking in his appearance, he was quite tall yet appeared to be only just in his teens, no more than fifteen or sixteen at most, he had short scruffy orange hair, not ginger or reddish, but actually orange. She also could tell from his little scuffle with his friend he was a respectable person, she had always had the gift to tell the motives of anyone she spoke with. Although coming off a little prideful and cross, he was a boy who maintained an image of someone who was independent and strong. Like anyone else his age, always trying to appear to be seen as someone who is both cool and respected, but not him, he was more like someone who cared little for what others think and only uses the image he creates as a sort of cover, but why?
Also the fact that he stared at her chest for a moment and looked away showed he was either a prude or like any boy his age, battling his hormones, but she would let that slide, after all he wasn't here to ogle her.
"Yes I am. Ichigo Kurosaki, am I correct?" asked Jaina.
"Yeah, that's me," said Ichigo, turning and gesturing to his friend "and this is Adelina."
"Yes, we've met before, less than a week ago," giving a kind smile to the young elf girl, who scratched the back of her head and chuckled in embarrassment over the incident. "I have been made aware as to why you are here."
"So you know what I am going to ask you them?" said Ichigo, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yes, but I must tell you that what you are asking of me is no small feat," said Jaina. Walking over to a small table and taking seat, she motioned Ichigo and Adelina to do the same. As they sat down she continued, "Opening a portal to another world is not easy, it takes time and a great amount of power; and also to send you back to the right world is a difficult feat."
"What do you mean?" asked Ichigo. he had seen portals to Soul Society and Hueco Mundo opened plenty of times, how hard could it be if Captains and Hollows could do it.
"The distance between worlds is massive, and the currents of the Twisting Nether do no always stop in one place, but many. Sometimes a single current could connect to over a dozen worlds," said Jaina, giving him a basic run down on the Twisting Nether. "I have only known of one person who was able to create a portal to another world, and that was Midivh, and sadly even someone as strong as him couldn't do it alone."
"But he did it right? So then can't you do it as well?" asked Ichigo.
"Sadly no, the only means of doing something such as that is to have someone on the other end of the portal, instead of just him building a portal, another was built on the opposite end," said Jaina. "Without someone to guide that portal, Medivh would never have been able to create the portal."
"You mean… I need someone on my home world to make a portal for me to get back?" asked Ichigo. And it was likely that would never happen, after all, who would be able to understand what was going on with the portal and that was if they realized what it was or even noticed it at all.
"No, a portal can be created, but that is the only one that would ensure you would return to your world, any other portal without having something that could tether you to that world would result in you becoming trapped in the Twisted Nether or on another world entirely," said Jaina, which was dreadfully true. Without an anchor point for the portal there was no way it would be able to send Ichigo where he needed to.
Every single portal requires a certain point in space to work, there always had to be an entrance and exit point; most mages could only create a portal between certain points with the aid of another mage maintaining it in another location. But if one simply created a portal at random they could end up anywhere, that is why portals between cities are reliable, they are maintained on both ends by seasoned Magi and do not deviate or switch locations. So without finding anything that could tether the exit of the portal to the boy's world, there was no guarantee that he would end up back on his home world, in fact it would be unlikely he would end up on a planet at all.
"Is there any way you could find my world, look for it somehow?" asked Ichigo, with desperation in his voice. The thought of being trapped here for the rest of his life brought a new form of dread over his heart.
"I don't know; I would need something that is linked to your world, something to focus on," said Jaina. It could work, but without something that could be used to focus in on his world it would be difficult. She would need something that made his world different from the others.
"Wait, could you use this?" asked Ichigo, pulling out his substitute Shinigami Badge. Jaina took the object and examined it; she could feel a good deal of energy within it, dark and powerful energy.
"What is this?" she asked.
"It's my Substitute Shinigami Badge; I was given it back on my world. Could you use it to try and locate my world, use it as a sort of detector?" asked Ichigo, he knew it was a long shot but maybe it could work, if they could use it to locate his home then he was all for it, but he just hoped that he could get back in time.
"It could work, locating your world may be a little difficult, but with this I could test to see if the power in this device resonates with that of the world I am searching on," said Jaina, although it would not be that simple. To create a portal to a world would take time and power, and she would require a great amount of time and resources to do it, both of which were in short supply for the Queen of Theramore. "Ichigo, I can promise you I will do everything in my power to see you returned home. But even with this device, the time it will take to find your world and create a portal, a stable one at that, it could take years."
Ichigo sat there silently, all though her explanation he knew that it would end one way, it could be done that was for sure. but how long it would take that was the next question, and to finally hear the words from her mouth only confirmed the thing he was dreading the most. He was trapped here, away from his home, away from his family, his friends, and all the people who were counting on him, he was trapped here while the war against Aizen was being waged and his friends were at the mercy of that madman.
Ichigo rose from his seat and made his way to the stairs, not a single word passed his lips when he was given the news, Adelina watch with some worry as he departed, she couldn't see it but she could tell he was devastated by what he had heard. She couldn't blame him for being so, he had people back home that needed him, and he had a family and friends that were in danger, that alone has caused him more grief than anything else, but this, he would be lucky to recover from this.
"I'm sorry," Jaina said. Adelina looked up at the Magi, who was looking down, obviously she was also saddened by the thought of him being away from his home for such a time. "I wish I could do more, but there is only so much I can do."
"It isn't you lady Jaina, it's about what is happening on his world," said Adelina. She remembered all that he told her, about his friends, his family, about the war between Soul Society and Aizen, who had kidnapped one of his friends. "There is a war going on there, one that is really bad."
Jaina stared at the young elf with her full attention. She knew something about this boy, maybe she could tell her about who he was. But she wasn't the only one who was listening; Aegwynn listened from the arch of Jaina's private study.
"Ichigo is a Shinigami, a Death God, he and his kind are people who preserve balance between the world of the living and that of the dead, he ferries souls to the afterlife and cleanses evil spirits that seek to harm the living as well as souls trapped in limbo," said Adelina, remembering all she could about what she was told about. "He only became one so he could protect his friends and family, but then he wanted to protect everyone else, he wanted to protect his whole town, and everyone in it. He wanted to make sure that everyone around him was safe."
Jaina couldn't help but smile at that, the way the girl said the story was almost like he was a tragic hero. And from what she had been told already, she could only assume that was to come next only showed that he was just that.
"The Shinigami are at war with a traitor, another Shinigami called Aizen. He wants to actually become god and rule over the afterlife and the living world, and he even allied himself with an army of soul eating monsters," said Adelina. Jaina's smile fell as she heard more of her tale. "He tried to kill all Ichigo's friends, his family, and everyone in the town in which he lived. He even kidnapped Orihime Inoue, one of his closest friends and tried to use her against the Shinigami."
"When he was brought here, he was on a mission to get her back. He was going to storm Aizen's fortress, he said that the Shinigami thought she was a traitor and forbade him to go and rescue her. But even so, he along with five others went to rescue her, against an army whose warriors were likely several times more powerful than him," said Adelina, actually choking as she said it. "He even died once, someone impaled him through the heart. But he was saved by Orihime, she saved him and brought him back. He thought he had saved her, but soon enough he was thrown through the portal and into the Twisting Nether."
It was only now Jaina understood the boy's plight, Ichigo was someone who valued those he loved more than anything else, he valued them more than rules or even honor, and he cared about his friends and family. He would storm an enemy fortress full of warriors more powerful than him just to save one of his friends; there were few people who would do something so foolish, and yet even though he appeared brash, he cared more about his friends than his own wellbeing. Ichigo may appear to hold dark power, but he was someone who would risk his life for a complete stranger just because they needed help, a quality she could only remember in one person, a person that was just like that boy, brash and prideful, but still did the right thing only because it was just that: right.
"Is there really nothing else you can do?" asked Adelina. It appeared as if she was pleading for him, which she was, she had known him for only a short time and she had already seen his character beneath that scowl he wore and that angry demeanor he used.
"I'm sorry, but even with all my power and knowledge to create a portal to his world is far from easy," said Jaina. She was sincere in her regret in not being able to send him back at such an important time on his world, but there was little she could do, he was trapped here. "I am sorry, I truly am, but this is all I can do."
There was a tense silence that filled the room, no one said a word as they digested what has been said and heard, they could understand his despair in not being able to return home, anyone of them would feel the same, but they could do nothing. Aegwynn looked at the scene for a moment before moving off after the boy, Jaina had given him the promise to help and it would appear that she would need to give the boy reason to stay hopeful for the future and maybe, give him purpose.
Ichigo looked out over the sea from the small balcony on the side of the tower, he could see the massive mountains to the north and south and the orange sky casting a golden light over the sea as the sun continued its rise over the horizon. It was still early in the morning, as the sun had yet to fully appear over the horizon, and as beautiful as the scenery was, he was still reeling from the news he had been given. He was trapped here on an unknown world for what may be years, exactly how many was still to be determined.
How could he just stay here for so long, the very thought of it made him feel sick, he would always leave to either go to Soul Society or out in the city, but he was always close to home. But now he was in alien waters and without any support other than a few people he had met. Also the fact that there was more going on at home than him just going missing, his family and friends were still in danger, Aizen was still on the loose and he couldn't just sit by and wait, he had to do something anything.
"I can see you are not taking the news very well," Ichigo turned and saw Alyn standing near the archway, she moved forward and stood beside the substitute. "I can understand how you feel."
"How could you? This is your home; you have friends here, family. What makes you think you understand how I feel?" asked Ichigo, his anger very apparent, which she did not blame him for.
"I had a family once, and many friends, but they are all gone now, no longer in this world," she said reminiscing on her past. "My friends died over the years and my family was struck by a great tragedy, my lover was killed because of my son's rampant powers and my son died before my eyes, because I could not bear to see what he was to become."
Ichigo looked over at her and saw past the power in her eyes that sadness was all that churned within them.
"After it all, I only wished to simply leave to a secluded place, so that I could die in peace," said Aegwynn. "But Lady Jaina found me and gave me new purpose, even though it is a simple task such as this; it is something I chose because I feel it is best for me."
Ichigo could not tell the whole story behind her speech, obviously it was a close personal nature to her, but he did understand what she was saying, she let her despair take her and all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and wait to die.
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Ichigo.
"Because I wish you to know, of all the good you have done here since you have arrived. Saving Feathermoon Stronghold, revealing the truth behind Shady Rest, and preventing a possible war between the Horde and Alliance. Would you allow yourself to fall into despair like I did, or would you stand tall and seek to make a difference despite it," she replied with a voice laden with experience.
With that she left without another word, leaving Ichigo to ponder what she had said, she was asking him to basically make himself useful and do something to improve this world before returning to his own. But what could he do here, he was a death god, all he could do was cleanse corrupted spirits and protect people from monsters. He thought about that for a moment, protect people from monsters. There were a few of those here, but not just spirits or corrupted souls seeking to kill and devour plus spirits. But actual creatures out in the world which seek to do harm against innocent and good people simply because they could and wanted to.
Maybe he could do something; maybe he could have a use in this world.
Eastern Kingdoms, Redridge Mountains, Township of Lakeshire
Two Weeks Later.
"Alright people, here's the situation!" called out the paladin. She was a forty something blonde haired woman in thick silver plated armor. "Two weeks ago an Orc force invaded this region and has taken over Stonewatch."
There was general murmuring in the crowd at the mention of the Orcs, and the fact they had taken over the main stronghold in the region that was meant to keep them out. They knew about these Orcs well, the Blackrock Clan was notorious, rarely taking prisoners and very deadly when it came to a fight.
"Because of this you have been called to serve the Alliance in pushing back these invaders," the paladin warrior's words echoed out across the crowd. Crossing her hands over her breastplate and looking over the warriors before her. "Are you warriors ready to serve the Alliance, and stop the Orcs from destroying these lands and your homes?"
"YEAH!" a loud exclamation escaped the confines of the crowd.
Everyone looked around and saw a young night elf girl with her hands raised in the air with a big smile on her face. Right next to her was a young man with orange hair, the expression on his face could not be seen as his palm was covering it, but it would be accurate to guess he was frustrated at his companion for shouting out during the middle of a speech.
"I can see she has some spirit, what about the rest of you?" called out the paladin with a smirk, if you can't get them riled up with a speech, get a rise out of them by giving them an ultimatum. "Come on, what's the matter? Does that little girl there have more nerve than the rest of you?"
As a response the men cheered to show that was far from the truth. Although some did it begrudgingly, as they didn't want to admit they were not up to the task of fighting through a small Orc army. Also, admitting that the girl was more enthusiastic at fighting the Orcs was simply too much shame for them to bear.
"That's what I like to hear!" she called out.
Ichigo looked around as the warriors were moving off towards the edge of town; the attack on the Orcs would begin now, not later. Ichigo walked beside Adelina; who was skipping and had a smile on her face, which he really didn't understand one bit.
"Why are you smiling for?" he asked his companion.
"Because we can spend more time together and do fun things," she cheered. Which made Ichigo want to face palm again, how could getting into a battle with bloodthirsty Orcs be fun for her.
But he had to admit, the chance to be on this world a little longer did pique his interest. After all, he was probably the only human on his entire planet that has ever been to an entirely new world. He could only wonder what kind of wonders, and other things, was to occur while he was here.
Chapter 17	Chapter 19