Chapter 5: A Duel of Champions
Inside the Horde’s fortress-like base, Aritzaga moved silently through the shadows. The night elf druid had shifted into her cat form, her sleek body weaving between the patrols of Orcs and Trolls guarding the flag. Her paws made no sound on the packed dirt floor, her heart racing with anticipation as she neared the flag room.
The red and black banner of the Horde stood at the far end of the chamber, illuminated by the dim light of flickering torches. Several guards lingered nearby, but Aritzaga knew she had to act quickly. She shifted back into her night elf form, summoning her connection to the natural world and preparing for the strike.
But before she could make her move, a deep, rumbling growl echoed through the chamber.
Aritzaga’s sharp eyes darted to the source of the sound, and there, emerging from the shadows, was Salove.
The massive Tauren druid had shifted back into her bear form, her hulking frame blocking the path to the flag. Blood trickled down from the arrow wound in her shoulder, but the fire in her eyes was undiminished. She was ready for battle.
“You Alliance scum never learn,” Salove growled, her voice deep and guttural. “This is Horde territory. You won’t leave here alive.”
Aritzaga’s hands tightened around her staff as she met Salove’s gaze. She knew this fight would be brutal. Salove’s reputation as a fierce warrior was well-known across Azeroth, but Aritzaga wasn’t one to back down.
“Your deforestation of Ashenvale ends here, Tauren,” Aritzaga said, her voice calm but firm. “You will not desecrate the forests of my people any longer.”
Salove responded with a roar and charged forward, her massive paws crashing down where Aritzaga had been standing just moments before. The night elf had already shifted into her bear form, her muscles rippling with power as she met Salove head-on.
The two druids clashed in a whirlwind of claws and fur, their roars shaking the walls of the Horde’s base. Each blow was met with equal force, neither giving an inch as they fought for dominance. Salove’s strength was immense, but Aritzaga was quick, dodging and weaving between the Tauren’s massive strikes.
With a swift movement, Aritzaga shifted into her cat form and darted behind Salove, her claws raking across the Tauren’s side. Salove let out a pained snarl but retaliated with a swipe of her paw, catching Aritzaga in the side and sending her tumbling across the chamber.
Panting, Aritzaga rose to her feet, shifting back into her night elf form. She could feel the strain of the battle, but she couldn’t afford to falter now. Not when the Horde flag was within reach.
Salove, bloodied but unbowed, shifted back into her Tauren form. “You’re skilled, elf. But you’re not strong enough to defeat me.”
Aritzaga’s violet eyes narrowed as she summoned the power of the Emerald Dream, channeling it through her body. “It’s not about strength,” she replied, her voice steady. “It’s about balance.”
With a burst of energy, Aritzaga shifted back into her cat form and pounced, her claws sinking deep into Salove’s leg. The Tauren roared in pain, stumbling back as Aritzaga leapt toward the Horde’s flag. With a swift motion, she seized the banner and darted toward the exit, her heart pounding in her chest.
But Salove wasn’t done yet.
In one final act of desperation, Salove shifted into her cheetah form and gave chase, her massive legs carrying her toward Aritzaga with frightening speed. The chase was on, and the outcome of the battle would be decided by who could outrun the other.