Music: In The Moment || Fridrik Karlsson

I woke, feeling my arm being shifted, then the warmth next to my body dissipated. 

My eyes peeled open to find Sarah sitting on the edge of the bed starting to dress. "And where do you think you're going?" I asked, rising and pulling her back against me.

I felt her soft laughter ripple across my chest. "I have to get up. Gwen will be arriving back soon," she explained, turning to face me.

I swept a strand of errant hair behind her ear. I was still in awe of her. To find she had never lost faith in me, had never stopped loving me despite all that happened, gave me an entirely different and very welcome sense of self-worth. 

I was no longer the de-humanised Archmage. I was Khadgar, the man, lover, father, and more complete now than I had ever been.

The inevitable question, however, did need to be asked. "How are we going to broach the subject of my 'return'?" I said, stroking her cheek.

She looked at me for the longest time, then smiled. "No dramatics really, perhaps a small party to make it known though? Modera and the Kirin Tor already know..."

"What?" I was astounded.

"I discussed it with Illidan once he helped you transform and ..."

I held up my hand to interrupt. "I have a vague recollection of being in my study during the spell, but I do not recall Illidan being there. There was an Elf but ..."

Her face brightened. Her fingers traced my brow and down to my mouth. "I will explain later," she said softly.

The sound of a door banging shut and an unmistakable Dwarven twang shouting along the hall announced Gwen's arrival. Sarah quickly disengaged herself from my arms. "I must see to Gwen and Ocel."

"Shall I come too?"

"No. I think all our friends should be together when we announce your resurrection. I will invite them to dinner."

"I want to see Ocel."

"Once Gwen leaves, come through, and you will hold your son again." She leaned down and kissed me, her lips soft and warm. She finished dressing and left the room, closing the door with a soft click.

I flopped back on the pillows. Smiling to myself, I felt oddly revitalised, as if the entire journey from the Dark Portal had somehow given me a new lease of life. Or perhaps it was down to the last few incredible hours spent with the woman I loved. 

Either way, I appreciated how good it was to be a man again. I had Sarah and my son Ocel. Supposing there was nothing and no-one else, I realised they were all who truly mattered. I now fully understood the sentiments of Vindicator Ocel - my son's namesake and my friend - who I sorely missed. His words of wisdom would forever guide me.

I lay a while, listening to the chatter coming from the living room. 

Gwen was her usual buoyant self, always upbeat, enthusiastic about everything. She would be a good influence on my son. 

I realised it could be some time, however, before she left, and I knew Sarah would not be rude in asking her to go before the customary recount of her walk with Ocel had been delivered.

I threw back the covers and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. I heard my bones and joints creak as I stretched, but there were no more aches or pains.

Catching my reflection in the dressing table mirror, I leaned in for a closer look. I smiled. Running a hand over my cheeks and jaw, I reaffirmed Sarah had indeed shaved me well. Standing tall, I turned from side to side. I was quite pleased to see I had shed a few pounds and was almost 'taut' again.

I crossed to the wardrobe where I selected a pale blue shirt, tan britches and soft-soled shoes.

Tucking the shirt into my britches, I moved to the door and listened keenly to tap into Sarah and Gwen's location. The low mumblings suggested they were still along the hall in the living room.

I didn't want to scupper Sarah's plans for a dinner evening where everyone would learn of my return, but I couldn't stay in the bedroom -  I wanted to go to my study. So, I estimated I could reach it easily without being seen.

I tiptoed along the hall; something I hadn't done since I was a child when I tried on many an occasion to dodge my peers in the Kirin Tor. This time it felt oddly delightful.

Once inside my study, I quietly closed the door and leaned against it.

The residue of the powerful magic was still present. My whole body could sense it;  the hairs on my arms prickled and I watched as goosebumps spread over my skin. To say I was surprised by this discovery was an understatement. I thought the magic would have dissipated by now.

As I neared my desk, the tingling grew ever so slightly more potent. Glancing at the floor, I saw scorch marks; they bore the semblance of runic symbols. I touched the wooden boards, and a ripple ran up my arm. I smiled. Yes, this was the spot where I had transformed.

My mind hurtled into a flashback. I saw myself as the raven; its body distorting, elongating, expanding. 

I watched as my flesh tore then healed, feathers and skin absorbed, renewed and pulled apart once more. I declare I felt quite nauseous witnessing my torment - it was brutal.

My eyes moved from the floor to find Atiesh, the Great Guardian staff, which I had inherited from my mentor, Medivh. 

It was leaning against the bookshelves, its particular enchantment emitting a soft thrum only I could hear. 

But another mysterious force pulled me towards the weapon; no doubt something connected to the magic lingering within the room. 

As my hand closed around the staff, I bore witness to the past once more.

The purple-skinned Elf stood before me, as clear as day. He was enormous, with a well-muscled torso and arms. His hair, long and black, was tied up in a high knot. But his eyes! I could not forget those eyes – intense and amber. They burned like molten lava, oozing power, steeped in countless centuries of knowledge.

The image flickered, undulated, and next, I saw Illidan. Demon Hunter and Lord of the Illidari, he was a sight to behold. His body, ravaged by dark forces - horns curved from his forehead over his shoulders, enormous wings of toughened hide sprouted from his back, his calves hocked and feet - cloven.  Empty eye sockets were bound in runecloth - a price he'd paid for infiltrating the Burning Legion thousands of years ago.  

For years he had been looked upon as the Betrayer - shunned and hated by his people, and others feared him. Thanks to Sarah, my wonderful time-travelling world-hopper, the truth of Illidan's path was made known. He became hero, conqueror of the Burning Legion. And a good friend to both Sarah and myself.

As I witnessed his image turn to the pedestal in my study, I could not repress the disappointment that it was not he who transformed me. And I could not understand why I was seeing him within this flashback, but I let the scene play out before my eyes.

On the pedestal, was the journal I had left behind and in which I had stored the Thalassian Secret. Illidan started to recite the mantras. Crossing the room, he then collected Atiesh and returned to rune-carved circle on the floor. 

Suddenly, it was the amber-eyed Elf who stood before me. Illidan was no more.

I was confused. I could not comprehend what my mind was trying to tell me. I turned and saw Sarah's image - wavering, transparent, the same as the Elf and Illidan. She was distraught shouting at the Elf not to use the staff.

I focused on the Elf pounding Atiesh on the floor. Sarah's protests still resounded in my head, and I glanced at her. No! She cried. 

Again I turned to the Elf, but he was gone - it was now Illidan who used the staff, pounding its base on the floor. 

The amber eyes returned once more, and I heard Atiesh hit the floor one last time.

Then the images vanished, sudden, abrupt. I spun around. Nothing. No-one. And Atiesh was still in my hand.

Sarah's voice drifted in from the doorway. "Confused?"