Phenolph and Sekhmet
The Bastions of Blaise
Caring, Decisive, Righteous





The clash of swords hitting shields rang throughout the spacious grounds. In the courtyard of the Light's Hope Chapel, two paladins of the Silver Hand were training for war. The first, a young woman, fresh face untouched by the horrors of war, yelled as she lunged towards her sparring partner, sword held high and shield aloft. Her partner, a man as young as she was but with a full brown beard, met her sword with his and dislodged it from her grip. The disarming move caused her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. The attacker threw a precise blow towards her chest, and in defense the woman thrust her hand forward. Calling upon The Light, a blinding flash whipped at his face making the man stumble backwards and fall onto his backside.

With a smirk the paladin pushed herself up, offering a hand to her partner. "Phenolph, you're getting gutsy; that last swing almost ended me."

The man chuckled and replied with a grin. "Sekhmet, you knew you were never in any danger. If I wanted to hurt you I would have."

Sekhmet playfully punched at his shoulder, "The Light protects us!" She raised her hands in the air as if grasping at the sunlight.

Phenolph's smile fell and became solemn. "And if that fails you, I will carry that burden."

The playful atmosphere changed and a chill filled the two paladins, Sekhmet's arms falling from the sunlight and her face becoming pale. They were training for war, and they had to remember that.

Sekhmet grasped at Phenolph's hands, armor clinking against armor as their fingers intertwined.

"And I you."

- x -
Forty Years Later

The sounds of war surrounded the battlefield, metal beating against metal and the screams of agony echoing together in grotesque harmony. Sekhmet, her hair grey and her features hardened by the countless battles she had attended, stood amongst the paladins of Stormwind as they marched on the Undercity. Once the proud human city of Lorderon, it had long since been fouled by the Undead of the Horde.

Phenolph stood alongside her, his own face bearing the marks of war. His long brown beard had changed to become the same white as her hair. Sekhmet would claim that these features defined him, still as in love with him as she was forty years ago. Phenolph smiled at her, as he had felt her gaze upon him.

"May The Light be with you."

A phrase she had heard hundreds of times a week meant so much coming from the one she loved. The words felt like they were truly blessing her, not mere rote recitation. Even though she was readying herself for the horrors of yet another battle, she smiled back.

"And with you."

Orders were sounded, and the paladins were charged with attacking the gates, rushing over the sickly-green fields towards the massive stone fortress. The couple yelled as they bounded into battle, swords and shields in hand. As they fought in perfect synch, their deadly dance could have been mistaken as a performance by onlookers. The two had an unspoked connection, each knowing what the other would do next. Enemies charged and soon fell by their hand, and when their blades could not destroy their foes they called upon the burning flames of The Light. Forsaken bodies became nothing but husks as The Light ripped at their remaining flesh.

Sekhmet felt that she was alone as she dislodged her blade from a fallen enemy, standing to see Phenolph charging forward without support. He readied his sword for an attack, lifting it above his head; but in his haste a Forsaken's mace swung and crushed into his side. The paladin quickly fell to the ground and screamed in searing pain.

"Phen!!" She screamed. "What was he thinking?!"

She rushed to meet him but was stopped in her tracks when a thick green gas began to envelop the battlefield.

"The plague." The gas was an unstoppable force which cursed its victims with swift undeath. If she was going to get to Phenolph, she had to do it quickly. She moved swiftly but so did the gas. Too fast…
"Not like this…"

The gas was fast approaching Phenolph, and while he attempted to stand, each step sent red hot pain through his body. Sekhmet called upon The Light and summoned a Steed; it would not last long, but it would get her to him. The horse vanished in a flash as they reached the fallen paladin. Sekhmet fell to the ground and rushed to Phenolph's side. Throwing both hands into the air-
"Light protect us!"
A barrier of pure white light surrounded the two lovers, and the gas engulfed the shield. The outside world vanished with a green tinge as the two leaned shoulder to shoulder.

"Sek, you saved me."

Sekhmet lowered her hands and embraced Pheolph gently. "Of course I did. I made a promise, didn't I?"

Phenolph smiled and nodded. "That is true. Thank you." His eyes began to examine the green gas surrounding them. "This is a bit of a tight spot. Lovely color though…"

Sekhmet, even on the battlefield, giggled. He was still the young man she fell in love with. "Just relax and let me tend to your wounds." The Light filled his body and soul, and what was once burned their enemies was now healing the faithful. Without thinking, the man fell asleep.

- x -

Phenolph awoke from his Light infused slumber. Even through his sleep filled eyes he could see they were no longer on the battlefield. Sekhmet sat beside him, still tending his wounds. He felt at home and comfortable, the army apparently having retreated to the Lights Hope Chapel in the secure Plaguelands. "How long was I out?"

Sekhmet relaxed and released the healing Light. "About six hours." She gently cupped Phenolph's face. "Lorderon fell, it was made uninhabitable by Sylvanas..."

He sighed deeply and buried his face into her hands. "This war is not over." Phenolph removed his face from her hands and took them in his. "This will change everything."

Sekhmet took his hands and placed them over her heart, then pulling him into an embrace.
"Not everything."




Profile template by Lea
Story by Tasha, edited by Frode
World of Warcraft belongs to Blizzard Entertainment
Background from World of Warcraft, screenshot by me.