Into the Light

39 | THE CONSORT OF A TITAN

Malfurion hadn't come. Tyrande was not going to escape. Now she spent almost all of her time in the Chamber of the Eye. Only a small part of her continued to exist in the sphere within the Nether, or at least, what was left of the sphere. Illidan was still there, pushing the fractured and fel infested thing away from the portal every chance he had, but he was also here too, talking to her, trying to keep her from succumbing to the seduction of Sargeras's words.

But when he wasn't here--suppressing his corrupted self--she would weaken. Illidan's corrupted self was so powerful, so possessive, so enigmatic, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. He was a confusing cross between the Illidan she once knew and loved, and the dark one she didn't. As his tendrils seethed around her, caressing her, he told her of the things to come, of their destiny as immortal beings, cleansing every world in the Twisting Nether with fire. He encouraged her to channel Elune's Light into her body, corrupted by Gul'dan's magic, so she could become a worthy consort to the greatest Titan of all. He promised to love and cherish her. He promised to always fight by her side, unlike--he reminded her--Malfurion who had so often left her to fight her battles alone.

He asked her who had rescued her from the Scourge, while replaying the memory of Illidan's arrival into her mind, letting her watch him storm the camp, and open a way out for her. His golden tendrils stroked her face as he told her he was the one who loved her, not the hybrid thing she was bound to, who always ran away to protect his own interests. If Malfurion loved her so much, where was he now? He had had eleven days to come for her, but he had done nothing, because he was a coward. But Illidan, the one who truly loved her, would have saved her.

She lifted her head and met the burning eyes of the creature in front of her, enough of her spirit had been drained into her body, corrupted, that she could finally move a little. She smiled, cold.

Yes. Illidan loves me, she answered. But Malfurion loves me too, in a way you could never comprehend.

He laughed, amused. You will forget him and his paltry love. Once you have known the love of a Titan, you will never think of it again. And I will be kind, I will even allow you to see the Illidan I know you still love, so your heart will betray you into believing it is he you are giving yourself to, and not me.

She closed her eyes. It was so hard to think straight when he talked to her. She realised she wanted what Sargeras was offering, her corrupted soul longed for it even. What would it be like to be the consort of a titan? The power she would wield would be enormous. Everything about her life in Azeroth paled in comparison. And she would have Illidan, she would not be alone. She would still have him. She felt his tendrils tightening around her, drawing her closer to him, possessive.

Yes, he whispered, reading her thoughts. Stop fighting, and come to me. Be my beloved. For eternity.