This short story I wrote some years ago. It was as an end to the stories of my main characters in the MMOG World of Warcraft. I played on a RP server, Earthen Ring, with some great guilds as Pillars of Faith and Ember Throne. Dimitri was my original character. Later when I returned I made Ambius. Perhaps this short-story is a bit difficult to grasp at the beginning as it jumps straight into the story of the characters. But for some reason I very much felt like posting it tonight.

Closure

Chapter 1:

It was a warm autumn evening in Stormwind City. People happily enjoying the last summer breeze. Ambius was far to fetched up in his own thought to notice. He walked up the steps to the Cathedral of Light. Would his questions be answered here after all? It had not been before. Not here, not anywhere. He nodded briefly to the old priest at the entrance as he hurried past. Cornello’s answerers wasn’t satisfying. It gave no meaning. I don’t want to be a pawn in any game between light and dark. That was one thing he had decided on a long time ago. As he descended to a lower chamber of the cathedral he again wondered on who he was to meet. Apparently someone had taken the investigation into their own hands. Why? Who have told them? Cornello perhaps?

The lesser hall was dim, apparently not all the torches were lit this evening. Strange, usually the room is quite illuminated. He made out two figures at the end of the hall. A dwarf and a man judging by their sizes. They seemed to discuss something. Ambius perked his ears, but all he could hear was some strange words.

Suddenly they went silent.

«Approach lad», the dwarf said.

Ambius walked slowly across the floor trying to make out the figures.

«Who are you?», Ambius asked.

«Ah believe yher searching lad», the Dwarf asked back in rough dwarven accent.

«Perhaps so, but I rather…»

«Well ‘e wasn’t tae hard tae find out really. Nae when yhe have ‘e right contacts», the dwarf snickered.

«I haven’t even asked..»

«Forget about yher searching fer yher purpose, path, or whatever lad. Ah’m sure it will come in time.»

«So what are you offering me then?»

The figures looked at each others. Who is hiding behind those shadows and hoods? Ambius wondered. Why wont they show them self?

«Your past» The voice of the man seemed familiar.

«…you mean my home?!»

«Let me show you something.»

-:-

Chapter 2:

The waves rolled up the shore. Wave after wave. Most quite small, but once and again a larger wave hit the rocks. Waves that stands out from the rest. Waves making the coast a spectacular sight to watch sometimes. Will the waves ever stop? Again and again they crash against land. All from the time of birth of earth and water. Some days the waves are silent and one will forget them. Some days they will storm against the earth. As in a desperate struggle to tear down the land. To wreck the rocks. To rage a battle. Oh, those stormy days one remembers. Those days and those waves make a change in your life, a change in history.

It was getting dark. Dimitri could barely make out the waves without the light from the lighthouse. The tall building sent it’s beam tirelessly around and around. Illuminating the waves in predictable intervals. Dimitri shivered. He shouldn’t be out here in the cold any longer. It wasn’t good for his back they had told him. He shouldn’t be running a farm on his own either, according to them. But sending people to war… he thought. Sending youth who barely had seen the world, and experienced a simple fight, to the war. They don’t have have anything against that. Dimitri frowned.

No, he would work on that farm till a worthy heir could be found. He refused to have rebuilt the family farm for nothing. Oh, how all would have been different had I stayed home that day. Perhaps I would have lived here with them still. His wife, daughter and son. He let his thoughts wander. Perhaps his brother and family too. Grandchildren? Or perhaps I would have ended up dead too. Would that been better? No, he shook his head. He had made peace with this outcome long ago. And one day he would be called out to a last sacrifice. He was ready for that now. The light knowing he was ready.

A huge wave smashed up against the cliffs. It made water splash far up in the air. Before Dimitri could react he was dripping wet. He snorted and started to stand up. Not expecting the a slippery rock bellow him his foot slipped. All firm ground under him disappeared and he saw the dark water below approach rapidly. His fingers caught a crack and with all his strength left in his old bones he held on. New waves splashed up against his back. Is it time to let go?, he thought for a short moment. Then he catched a glimpse of something big illuminating the sky back on the land. He closed his eyes and concentrated. His prayer was short and concrete, like in the old days of battle. Shortly after he levitated over the cliffs and the water.

The light from the inland was still there. It flickered and seemed chaotic. And it seemed to come right from his farm. Dimitri ran from the island to the shore. He climbed up the steep cliff from the shore. Just making it over the top he saw what he feared the most.

The farm was burning. Just as it had three decades ago. When the orcs first came. He was enraged. Why would it have to end like this? Who? Suddenly his shield was around him protecting him, and his mind ready to smite those he could see. Had old enemies at long last caught up with him? Or was it those mysterious kidnappers? No matter, justice would be served.

Then he made out a man standing dangerously close to the fire. He seemed just to stand there. Dimitri ran towards him. His yells barely noticeable through the buzz of the flames. The barn fell together as Dimitri approached. Ruivinn! My beloved horse! The man dressed in robes kept remaining totally still watching the fire. As Dimitri closed in he prepared to launch all of his battle magic at the figure. In his rage forgetting all about what he himself had taught others about anger and hatred.

-:-

Chapter 3

Ambius stared into the flames. Fire had always fascinated him. From when he was a little child who stared into the fire in the oven. It was as fire was the one thing he could hold on to in life. He lifted a stick and prodded it into the camp-fire, making the flames grow. Perhaps that fascination was what really had made him want to become a mage? To wield the destructive forces of fire.

Ambius looked up at the gnome at the other side of the camp-fire. He kept on grinning like a madman, well just like all other gnomes really. His mouth making a curve from ear to ear. What was so darn funny?

“So can you give me directions, or not?”, Ambius asked emotionless.

The gnome seemed to grin even more if possible.

“I can!” he replied in his squeaky voice. “I can, be you sure. I can”.

Ambius took a deep breath and waited patiently.

Why is it that so many people in this world who claim to know all, and insist on meddling in other’s affairs all the time?, Ambius wondered. Can not for once just someone give answerers straight out! Ambius stared into the fire. Well admittedly I guess I can be accused for the same doings. Though I never claimed to know, I never seem to do. I guess only more lies would have been needed to be told if I had.

“What are you thinking about!?” the gnome squeaked.

Ambius jerked: “Uhm.. nothing special”.

“Well, then perhaps you should get a thought amplifier then!” the gnome cheered. “My uncle’s nephew tried one you know. Said it really helped him think. He invented a gnomecanon straight after using the device.”

“A gnomecanon?”

“Yeah, then he went into Gnomeregan to try it. Amazing, ain’t it?”

“Well, then what?”

“Never seen him again. I think it shows how good it worked!”

“You think?…”

“Yeah”, the gnome seemed to bounce up and down of excitement now.

“So can you tell me the directions now?”

“Oh, right. Yes of’course. To the north of Moonbrook, just head west towards the coast.”

Ambius jumped back up on his summoned horse. “Thank you. Farewell gnome”

“Goodbye mister!”

The gnome remained standing, looking after the rider long after he was out of sight. As the rider disappeared into the dim light of the early evening the grin on the gnome’s face faded into a worried look.

So close to an answer now, Ambius thought. Will it be real this time? He had refused so many before. On both sides of the struggle. Neither tasks of darkness or light had given him any meaning in the end. Had they thought he really had been with them? All the lies, they seemed to slip out so easily. And accepted so easily too. But perhaps he really had ment it at the time? Ambius nodded to himself, he likely had. When a youth ment it just get more power, without the thoughts on those it would hurt. But not evil either, never that. I just didn’t understand then. Then the tasks to infiltrate. The rewards had sounded so good, and even the purpose too. It was for a greater good after all! Albeit now in afterthought it just had been a good reason to start seeking new answerers in the world.

Then when he arrived in Stormwind he become confused. It was so different, so chaotic. And one after one they fell before I could do a thing. Why was I sent to do this if the Ember Throne order already was falling by itself or work of others. Or did I do something? A new thought sprung up in Ambius mind; Perhaps I was sent just to witness, to see and learn. But for what? And the lies he had told them. Well it had not been so far from the truth. Actually thinking about it, it was more truth than not. Each time he had been convinced himself, of the purpose of the greater objectives. Bha, light and darkness could send all their energy at him. He would never be convinced in any direction again.

He could feel the sea air now. His horse walked over another small hilltop. Fire! The farm that had came into view across some fields was catching a fire. It must be this farm!, Ambius thought as he raced his horse towards the buildings. Some men was getting animals out of the barn and away from the farm. Ambius’ horse thundered across the fields. The men noticed him and started to run. To late!, Ambius thought. He jumped of his horse. The chanting began before his feet had even touched the ground. Frost, Fire, Arcana! Soon several bodies lay dead around him. Filthy Defia scum! Simple bandits. Then he noticed the heat against his back. He had forgot the fire. It had caught on really fast. Perhaps his magic had fuelled it? He turned against the fire. Fascinating. Wait! This is it! I have seen this before! This fire! I’ve seen THIS fire…

-:-

Chapter 4

Light streamed from Dimitri’s hand and engulfed the stranger. The stranger shook, and in an instant he had turned against Dimitri and wavered his hand. Dimitri felt his skin blister as if torched by fire. “Justice will be done this time!”, Dimitri yelled and started chanting on another spell. But surprisingly it was as the stranger wasn’t intent on fighting.

”Wait!” the stranger yelled as a blue shield engulfed him. The man’s hood had dropped down back on his shoulders in the fight, and the light of the fire enlightened his face. Have I seen him before?

“Listen to me!”, the man yelled. What did he want? First now did Dimitri notice the dead bodies lying nearby. Defias! So they had finally struck at him.

He realized he had let his guard slip and immediately feared a new attack from the stranger. But the man just stood there, watching Dimitri intensely. Dimitri shook his head. What am I doing? Attacking like a drunk dwarf without even checking who is the real enemy.

“I think it’s to late to save your farm now.” the man said. “I am… sorry.”

Dimitri peered up at the man, it really was something familiar with him. “The animals!”, Dimitri yelled out as he suddenly remembered.

“I think the Defias took most of them out. Was likely looking for a feast after their victory.” Was the man grinning?! Dimitri stared into the flames. The farm lost to flames once again. Like so many years ago. He was unsure if he could handle this. He could do nothing noe but watch it burn now.

“Who are you then?”, Dimitri asked with a sudden tired and old voice..

“I’ve seen this before.”, the man replied.

Dimitri blinked. What, houses burning down?

“That is a strange coincidence, don’t you think”, he continued.

This world is full of madmen. Perhaps he is one of them, Dimitri thought. The man turned to Dimitri again.

“Ambius. That is my name”. He seemed anxious. “And I believe this was my home…”

Dimitri gasped. Impossible…

“I don’t remember much. But a fire is the first thing. A farm, fire, screams and darkness.”

Dimitri walked closer to the man. The heat of the fire blazing against his forehead.

“It can’t be… Who are you?”

“Father?”

“Son?”

Dimitri embraced the boy. Ambius stood still for a bit, with a blank stare on his face. Then very slowly he returned the embrace.

Long moments went without anything been said. Only the cracking sounds of the fire could be heard. Dimitri could not say anything. All these years, he had given up hope a long time ago. Tears slowly rolled down his chin. He withdrew a little from his son, still holding him, and looked him up and down. “The li”. He had to clear his throat.

“Light be blessed! Long since is it that my dreams, my hope, went away. I am sorry son, I should never have given up.”

“Do not be sorry. It’s not you fault.”

“I should have been there. It was Orcs. We had to defend our land. But I should…”

Ambius shook his head. “Don’t. There is no need. I know. Thrust me. I know.”

Some silent moments passed by. Dimitri held on to the one pressing question.

“What about your mother, your sister?!”, he finally asked.

“Of my mother I know not. Of my sister. Well that is a long tale to tell.”

“Well, light willing we have long time to talk. How?… I must ask, how did you find home after all this time?”

“Well another long tale. Pure chance perhaps? Help of friends, and strangers.”

“There is little that is merely chance in this world.”, Dimitri smiled.

Ambius nodded slowly. “Yes, perhaps there is light after all. Well, I have some questions.”

“I will be glad to answere son.”

Ambius stared into Dimitri’s eyes for a long moment.

“You know what. I think I already found the answer I was looking for. Father.”

Ambius finally returned the smile.

-:-

Epilogue

When one source of light faded another rose. As the fire of the farm finally burned out, the sun peered over the horizon. In the morning light riders approached the farm. They wore the mark of the People’s Militia. Only burnt remains of the farm remained now. Light smoke still rising from the ruins. A young woman dismounted from her horse and walked over to the ruins. She studied them for some time, walking around them. She shook her head and looked sad. Then she examined the dead bodies lying near the ruins. Another militiaman pointed south-east towards the base of the Defias. The woman nodded and saddled up again. The riders drew weapons and rode away towards the Defias’ main base.

Smoke rose from the scorched ruins. A slight breeze drew the smoke out towards the sea. Over the coastline, and past the lighthouse, over the cliffs and out over the sea. Where it slowly dissolved into the air. Very soon no memory of the smoke remained at all. Far below the waves kept on rolling. Their long journey across the sea neared an end. The shore close by would be their last stop.

Endlessly the waves will roll. From the dawn of time till the end of days. Most of them is small and without notice. Some meet a beach and silently ends it’s life as it washes up over the sand. Some meet rough cliffs, and makes sounds and a big show despite it’s small size. Some waves comes as giants, and when they meet cliffs it makes sights worth remembering for a long time. As is it with lives. Life has been from the dawn and will be to the end. As long as light shines. It does not stop. Another life after another comes. And sometimes, sometimes there’s storms in lives too. There is those remarkable persons. Lives of those who will impact history forever. Tales is spun of those lives. But between them there are all the smaller stories. Without them, the small, the ordinary, the stories of a family, loved one, father and son, wives and daughters. Without them, the gigantic, the memorable, the legends, would be nothing.

Small waves kept rolling peacefully onto the shore this day. The sea remained peaceful for a long time. Waiting, anticipating the next big struggle coming. The war that would rage again. Dark against light. The remote farm by the shore was never rebuilt. Some few people came cross it when heading for the lighthouse. Most passers-by not knowing the farm’s tale. But some few reigned in their horses and stood there for a bit. Remembering a family, a devoted priest, a tale of service for good, and a rumour of the light victorious at the end. As the years went by the ruins was overgrown. It’s marks in the land faded. With time there was no trace left. It’s tale long forgotten. Only a lonely lighthouse remained, endlessly beaconing out into the night. A flicker of light over a vast ocean filled with waves. A ray of hope in a vast world filled with lives. A beam making way for new tales to be spun.