McTacky Saves the Lunar Festival (Part 3)

Master Blood Knight Aloysius McTacky brushed back his silver grey hair from in front of his eyes and blinked and squinted from the snows. He had arrived at the Steamwheedle Cartel trading post of Everlook in the heart of Winterspring late in the day.

After receiving directions from a friendly High Elf, Nymn, McTacky left town and set out for the lake. The High Elf also warned McTacky to avoid Kel'Theril. McTacky already knew this place was not safe. Four years ago, before the restoration of the Sunwell, an expedition of warriors and scholars set out from Silvermoon to this lake. They were after a powerful artefact of tremendous arcane power.They never returned.

McTacky left the road and set out in the snow. He strode uphill until he was at the peak. Putting a hand over his eyes, he could see the whole frozen lake below and the ruins.

Here once stood the Highbourne Night Elf city of Kel'Theril. McTacky's ancestors. During the events of the Sundering 10,000 years ago, the city was destroyed and sunk into what is now known as Lake Kel'Theril. McTacky had heard from the Sunreavers in Dalaran that the spirit of an Elder was there and would give him the answers he needed.

McTacky could feel a sense of history as he stepped onto the frozen lake carefully with his metal plate boots. But this place was alien and full of Night Elf architecture and design. His ancestors were another people, unlike himself. Perhaps he shouldn't be here.

McTacky ignored his doubts and crossed the lake. The ice was very thick.

On the island in the middle of the lake stood three spirits. A Kaldorei, a Quel'dorei and a Sin'dori. That is a Night Elf (highbourne), a High Elf and a Blood Elf.

"Do you seek the artefact, sir Blood Knight?" asked the Blood Elf Spirit.

"What artefact?" asked McTacky

"The Crystal of Zin-Malor," spoke the Kaldorei Spirit, "10,000 years ago we stole it from a far-off temple without remorse. Its ability to control the arcane was too tempting, and when it was toyed with, its shattering cursed us all. Kel'theril suffered until the Sundering destroyed it for good."

"The crystal was a powerful artefact that that can contain and control strong arcane forces but it could only be held by the worthy, and brought doom upon all others. 100 years ago we set out from Silvermoon and never returned." said the High Elf Spirit.

"Four years ago we set out from Silvermoon. We were not naïve, as our forefathers were. We were suspicious and cunning and ready for betrayal at every turn," spoke the Blood Elf Spirit, "we found shards of the crystal. Yet we were still destroyed."

"I'm here to find the Elder. Not some artefact," said McTacky.

"Oh. She is over there on the far side of the lake," said the Blood Elf Spirit, "Just know that the Crystal of Zin-Malor brings only ruin to all around it. Leave this place, if you do not wish to join us."

As McTacky set out across to the far side of the lake, he wondered if he should take up the Crystal of Zin-Malor. Only the worthy could use the Crystal of Zin-Malor and the Naaru had said this was a task only McTacky could do. The power of the Crystal of Zin-Malor could make McTacky powerful enough to be the top of the healing charts in the guild raiding team!

Then there was a beam of light from the sky and the Elder Brightspear appeared before McTacky.

"The heavens, in their countless stars, hold answers to earthly mysteries, Mctacky.  Might, then, the wise, and the lucky, gaze up and find truth?" asked the Elder.

The truth? McTacky looked up and just saw stars. He realised the truth.

He was already superb! He didn't need the Crystal of Zin-Malor!

"The Stars of this time are bent on new paths, beacons of hope and strength for the coming ages," spoke the Elder.

McTacky left Kel'Theril feeling enlightened, but yet clueless as to what his mission to 'save the Lunar Festival' actually meant.