Trials of a Planeswalker Ch. 01: Rising

The defenders were completely in shock at this and the blood elf attackers were broken and fleeing. Varia threw her arm forward, directing the great serpent to rise high in the air and come crashing down on the fleeing masses. She let the magic go and the blood dragon burst as it hit the elves, surging forth in a horrific show of sanguine power. She panted heavily, sweat mixing with the blood that covered her body, none of it her own.

"In all my years... I have never seen anything so terrifying." King Varian exclaimed through the silence of the battlefield.

The blood elves were nowhere to be seen, their spirits torn as they fled. The battlefield was a sheen of gut-wrenching red. Varia turned and looked at Blayne, a look of pure, driven abandon on her face. She grinned widely, white teeth shiny eerily through the fine coating of blood. It dripped from her silver glasses and she had to clean them off to see them.

"What in the fuck was that?" Blayne finally managed to say.

"Sangromancy. I told you that I learned from the best. Blood has more power in it than anyone ever thinks possible. Sangromancy is the way to unlock and use that power against your foes." Varia said, idly playing with a small orb of blood that floated away from her hand.

The defending Alliance stood twenty feet from her as they stared in shock. King Varian pushed through them and strode over to her.

"I have seen the greatest horrors the Horde has brought to bear. I have fought foes that would make the most harden champions whimper." King Varian said with a tone of resolution, "Never before have I seen anything that even came close to that. For a moment I considered killing you myself because of how horrific that was."

"You could try." Varia chuckled, "Let me clean up."

With a wave of her hand, all the blood that covered her jumped off her, splattering the grass around. She suddenly looked clean as a whistle, not a trace left.

"I must at least thank you for breaking the seige." King Varian said, looking out at the half-constructed trebuchets and other seige engines that were abandoned hundreds of yards away, "It looks as though they had been ready for a long haul, but I don't think they expected to see... a dragon of blood. Men! Steel yourselves and get out there! Tear down that seige equipment and bring it inside the walls! If they decide to attack again, we'll use it against them!"

The Alliance troops seemed only too happy to escape the presence of Varia. They marched quickly away towards the abandoned equipment.

"In my world, a show like that would just attract vampires by the dozens." Varia said, "Such weaklings."

"Facing down an enemy of pure martial strength is nothing in comparison to fight something, knowing that your opponent can turn your own body against you. An opponent that can tear your bones from your flesh, siphon the blood from your body or suck out your very soul is more than most men ever see on the battlefield." King Varian said, "Their terror is acceptable. This kind of magic is something nobody I know of could ever do. Sure, some shamans and other darker magics use blood, but nothing like this. They can't just stab you and suck the blood from your veins."

Varia seemed completely unphased by his comments.

"Whew. Nobody would happen to have a waterskin, would they? I'm thirsty." Varia sighed, "Bit taxing using that much magic."

"Come. I need to meet with my generals and check to see how the harbor is doing." The king said, turning to a nearby officer, "I want that seige equipment set up inside the walls and I want this gate repaired and locked. Build the defenses here. There's no possible excuse for the gates being broken!"

"Yes sire!" The officer saluted before turning to bark orders at other troops.

"Varia... Please forgive me for any wrong I may have done against you." Blayne finally said, his hands still shaking slightly.

"Blayne, I would never use this magic against you." Varia assured him, "And as long as you're not an ass, I won't have to use any other magic against you. Okay?"

"I'll try not to be an ass." Blayne nodded.

*******

CHAPTER 18 - BOOTY BAY

A week of traveling in a ship later, Varia and Blayne were sitting in a bar in a little pirate town called Booty Bay. The king had told them that he and his men were more than capable of mopping up whatever was left of the blood elves. If rumor was anything to be feared, they would likely not come back any time soon, should they rouse the ire of the blood witch again.

As parting gifts and thanks for what they did, the king gave them each a free request. Varia asked for a new sword that matched the sheathe she still had. The king delivered by having the most skilled dwarf smith in the city forge her a blade of unsurpassable quality. He also had one of his most skilled enchanters work on the blade, making it nigh-unbreakable and incapable of dulling. She was ecstatic with his gift.

Blayne didn't know what to ask for since he was no good at swinging a sword or shooting a bow. He ended up asking the king if he could borrow a griffin while he was here on Azeroth. The king said that he could, but such a mount was not worthy of two who had so easily saved the lives of so many of his citizens. He ended up giving Blayne a scroll that contained a spell to summon what he called: 'A mount befitting warriors of their strength'.

"So what do you think that spell does?" Varia asked, taking a drink.

"He said is summoned some kind of powerful creature. I'm not really that interested in finding out. Right now I just want to have my drink and relax." Blayne sighed, "You know this is a pretty nice tavern. Good rum too."

They were sitting at a table in the corner of the Salty Sailor tavern. It was a bit strange to Blayne to see the goblins and dwarves that lived there. The blood elves had been odd, but they had at least been somewhat humanish. The goblins were nothing like them, short and green with long, hairy ears.

"I would hope they have good rum, they're sailors and pirates." Varia laughed.

"So what's it like on your world? I've heard of the horrors and the war you talk about, but what about the good things?" Blayne asked her.

"There isn't much. The most we can hope for is essentially this, a night at the tavern without any death. Innistrad is a dangerous place." Varia sighed, "That's why the weak don't last long. The human villages there are under almost constant attack by all the creatures of the night. It's a challenge just to farm crops and take care of livestock."

"That sounds terrible. How did you manage to survive?" Blayne asked.

"Everyone who doesn't spend their time working for the betterment of the villages spent their time training or defending. It was a constant fight for survival. A day in which nothing attacked us was a good one." Varia sighed, "What about you? What's your world like?"

"Nothing even close to that. In my world, the humans are the dominant species. The only thing we need to fear are idiots behind steering wheels." Blayne said.

"What's a streering wheel?" Varia asked.

"A car. You know, the things on four wheels." Blayne tried to describe it.

"Whatever." Varia waved it off, "I'm tired, I'm going to bed."

Varia downed the rest of her drink and walked away slowly, heading up the stairs and into a back bedroom they had rented with gold from King Varian. Blayne threw back the rest of his rum and followed her, tossing a couple of silver on the table as he did so.

"Nothing... Nothing funny Blayne." Varia mumbled as she collapsed into the one bed in the room.

"Yea, yea." Blayne shook his head.

He blew out the candle and stripped off his leather. He climbed into bed next to Varia and stared at the ceiling.

"Hey Blayne?" Varia whispered.

"Yea?" He glanced over in the dark.

"I want to make love with you." She said slowly.

"What? Really?" Blayne said in surprise.

"I don't know if it's just the alcohol, but I really do want to." She turned to him under the blankets.

"Well I'm not so sure. Every other time you've shown me care and interest, you always turn around later and punish me for it." Blayne chuckled, "If we have sex, you'll likely stab me in the face."

"I swear, I won't Blayne. I don't know why I do it. It's just so hard to go back on everything I've done for so many years..." Varia sighed, putting a hand on his chest, "I've spent so long fearing frienship and caring..."

"Varia, it's okay." Blayne said, putting an arm around her.

"I want you blayne, I want you!" Varia hissed, turning over and stradling his waist.

She pressed her body to his and met his lips. She kissed with surprising passion, her tongue slipping between Blayne's lips.

Blayne submitted and wrapped an arm around Varia. No doubt she would be angry with herself in the morning over letting herself become continually closer to someone. That angry would manifest itself with Blayne as the target, but it would be worth it. Not just because it's sex, but because Varia needed this in ways she didn't know. Blayne believed she needed all the help in the world to slowly release the death grip she had on her heart, she needed to be able to give it away once again.

"Mmmm... this is nice, isn't it?" Varia said, brushing some of her red hair out of her face.

"Quite. Its good to see you open up." Blayne said, encircling her in his arms.

"I'm sorry if I seem cold Blayne. You know I care about you." Varia whispered, putting her hands on his face, "You need a shave. Getting prickly."

"Thanks." Blayne chuckled, "I love you too Varia."

She kissed him again and reached down, undoing his pants. She broke from the kiss and disappeared under the blankets. He could feel her working his pants and underwear down to get at his cock. His lust was starting to rise as she touched her lips to his shaft. It had been weeks since Ravnica and his last romp in bed. Although this was different, for he really felt love for Varia. For the first time, he thought about more than himself when it came to sex.

"B... Blayne, you're so big..." Varia mumbled under the blankets as her fingers felt up and down him, "I... I don't think this can fit..."

"Varia, if you don't want to, that's fine." Blayne said, "We can wait for another day."

"No, no! I want this!" Varia squeaked, her head suddenly pushing up from under the blankets, "I really do!"

"Okay. I won't argue." Blayne smiled, leaning forward to give her a small kiss on her lips.

She straddled his waist and pressed her body against him. She pushed her underwear aside and lined up on him, his cock prodding at her nether lips.

"Ahhhh!" Varia cried out as she sank down, piercing her virgin pussy deep and hard, "Whoa... that feels... so good. It stings, but it feels so good."

She pushed down on his lap completely and gave a noisy moan. Her insides stretched and conformed around his member, sending lightning sensations through her womb and up her spine. She arched her back and the blankets fell off her. Powerful emotions assaulted her mind and made her body shake uncontrollably.

"Blayne! Oh by all the magic, you're so big!" Varia cried out, "I feel great!"

She put her hands on his chest and rose up, sliding slowly back down his erection. Her pussy wetted him over and slid easily up and down. He could feel the tight muscles inside her squeezing and convulsing around him. She felt every curve and vein of his cock as it pushed into her inner walls.

"I never... never imagined... such a feeling." Varia's breath grew heavier and she clenched her fists on his chest.

Blayne put his hands on her hips and felt up her sweaty skin. He wrapped his fingers around her squishy bottom and teased the edges of her panties. She bounced up and down again and again, lust and desire filling her body. She moaned loudly, panting in time with her thrusts. She shoved down in him completely with each push, taking his entirely length.

"Blayne, it feels good..." She gasped, "It feels goood~!"

She hung her had back and howled with ecstasy. He had to admit how good her pussy felt. It's virgin tightness was bringing him quickly to an orgasm. He squeezed her ass and gave a powerful thrust upward. Varia cried out suddenly and a burst of hot semen sprayed inside her, filling her womb completely with hot goo. It overloaded her nerves with pure bliss and she cried out joyously. He grunted and spurted a little more inside her as she fell limp on his chest.

"Ohhh... Oh Blayne..." Varia panted, drooling a little on his chest.

The blankets lay forgotten at the foot of the bed as their body heat kept them warm. The two lovers slowly fell asleep in the soothing afterglow together.

*******

Blayne felt a stirring in the bed next to him. He was still half-asleep, but he knew this was coming. Varia's inevitable rage over his 'trickery'. He felt her sit up and he groaned.

"Blayne... good morning Blayne." Varia whispered, leaning close to him.

He put an arm in front of his face quickly, anticipating a smack or a punch. But it never came. Instead she pushed his arm up slightly and kissed him on the lips.

"What?" Blayne blinked and looked up at her.

"Good morning." Varia said simply.

"No anger? No smacking? No 'what the hell did you make me do'?" Blayne asked, looking at her in the rising sunlight that shone through a crack in the shudders.

"I... I know I've been hard to stand..." Varia sighed, scratching her head as she looked away, "Thank you for last night."

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek again before getting up. She dressed quickly and strode to the door.

"But don't expect me to be all lovey-dovey now Blayne. Things aren't changing because of this." Varia resumed her usual composure as she glanced back at him.

It was different though. This time there was a glint of something in her eye. Love maybe? Blayne knew it was there, maybe it was finally showing through that mask of hers.

She disappeared out the door and he sighed, flopping back into the hay mattress. It was no pillow top mattress like he used to have, but there was a wonderful comfort sharing it with someone like Varia. He looked over at her side of the bed and smiled. Things were taking a turn towards the brighter. Varia was finally coming out of her shell, there was no immediate death looming on the horizon and according to his watch he had approximately a month before he had to get home. He put serious consideration into just spending that month here in this small harbor town with Varia.

The problem was that she would never survive it. Staying in a peaceful, if a little noisy, place like Booty-Bay would probably drive Varia mad. He knew they had to go on somewhere else and he was honestly eager to explore more too. He was also very eager to find out what that scroll he was presented with would summon. So eager in fact that he quickly got out of bed and started to dress in his Izzet gear. Just then the door opened.

"Forgot my sword. Can't believe I did that. If I had done that back on Innistrad, I would be dead right now." Varia berated herself as she walked across the room and grabbed her sword, "Thanks Blayne."

"What did I do?" He laughed, buttoning his pants.

"Your insistence on sex last night made me lazy and tired. It's your fault I forgot my sword." She said as she belted on the sheath and saber.

"Varia, what was so special about your sword. The first one?" Blayne asked out of the blue.

She glanced over at him with an honest look of shock. After a moment, she took a breath and spoke.

"It was my father's. He was taken by werewolves when I was so young that I barely have any memories of him. But that sword. I remember that sword. I remember him defending my mother and I with it from a vampire attack. It was edged with silver, making it a deadly weapon against most foes on Innistrad." Varia said, "For a while I was... torn over losing it. But when I found you again, I realized that it was just another tie to my painful memories."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to..." Blayne scratched his head.

"No, it's fine. I'm glad to have this new sword. Its tied to better memories. Ones with you." Varia smiled, running her fingers along the saber's hand guard."

"You know, you're becoming a real softie. Hang out with me any longer and you might become a house wife." Blayne teased her.

"Shut up!" Varia snapped, turning on her heel.

She stamped out of the room and Blayne laughed loudly. As he pulled on the leather top and fixed the chest straps, he realized that he hated the damn sleeves on the top.

Creating a spark of blue mana, he used telekinesis to split the threads at his shoulders. The sleeves came free and slipped off his arms. The outfit was still obnoxiously bright red and blue and the chest was still surprisingly heavy from it's leather armor, but it felt better now. The air in his arms was considerably more comfortable.

He met Varia right outside the door and raised an eyebrow.

"Waiting for me, lover?" Blayne chuckled.

"Shut it Blayne. This is a different world, so I figured we better stay together." Varia grumbled, "I mean, you've already started one small war. Without me, you would throw an entire world into chaos."

"Thanks." Blayne grunted, following her down the stairs and through the tavern.

They walked outside and looked around. Booty Bay was home to a thousand or more thieves, pirates and other unlawful figures. From top to bottom, it was built like a pirate town should be. A number of buildings were built out of old ship hulls. The buildings were stacked up the hillsides around the small bay. A dozen or so ships floated in the harbor and outside of it, anchored securely to the ocean floor.

"Come on, let's head down the beach so I can try this spell." Blayne said, pointing down the docks towards the beach.

"Yea, who knows if it'll summon a dragon or something. Probably not a good idea to let it loose in town." Varia nodded.

"Hey, you know, I've never cast a spell with words before. This'll be a first for me." Blayne said, sticking his hands in his pockets as they walked.

"You really haven't used magic for long, have you? When I was a little girl, all my magic had to come from scrolls and books. I had no idea how to form magic without that focusing tool." Varia said, "So how have you learned to use magic without them?"

"These twins back on Ravnica, Lizzex and Tazzex, taught me how to picture the magic in my head and give it form. Then these other monks on a different plane... uhh... I'm not sure what it was called, but the place was called Mount Keralia. I blew up a mountain and learned to control my Planeswalking." Blayne said, "While I was there on Ravnica, I learned to use white magic after hurting myself and dumping myself in a dumpster. I also spent a day with this dryad woman named Rose... well, that's what she called herself. She was actually the tree spirit Selesnya. She taught me how to commune with nature and use green mana to grow wildlife."

"Really? You can really do that?" Varia asked, "I've never seen anyone who can make wildlife grow."

"I'll show you, come here." Blayne said, walking off the end of the dock and onto the beach.

He turned to the wild growth on the hill, beyond the end of the beach. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his mind and felt the green glow of life on the hill. He siphoned mana from the world around him and fed it into the plants. Their life flourished and they exploded upward. Varia gasped loudly as she watched the grass and bushes grow to eye level. He sighed and opened his eyes. There was a towering forty foot palm tree and the bushes had grown until their leaves were feet across.

"That's amazing Blayne!" Varia cried, "They grew before my eyes! That tree is so big!"

A coconut nearly three feet across fell in the sand next to them with a powerful crash, throwing sand about.