A change in direction, Jeriako's resolve.

Deep in a cave that separated the borders of Ashenvale and Stonetalon Mountains lurked Jeriako. It had been only a few days ago, he had been appointed by Chief Zul Thraze to act as an ambassador, and seek out other trolls to join the tribe. It was honor, a blessing he felt to be trusted with such a task and he would carry out proudly. However, many things where working through his mind. The losing of his spirit Ally, failing to win a heart, and an upsetting sparring match loss to a stranger outside the tribe. All these issues in just a matter of few weeks, weighed on the once lazy troll heavily.

Jeriako moved quietly through the cave seemingly skulking as if the weights of his turmoil were latched to his legs. He began to flashback of his last meeting with the tribe, when his tribe had decided to remain in Durotar or find a new home. He remembered how sickly looking the chief seemed, how stubborn yet proud Old Sengir was, how the Den Mother suggested more resourceful re sidings. He himself, had opted to stay in Durotar yet, suggested that a majority of the tribe remain where as a few would settle elsewhere. This idea of course was immediately shut down by the Chief himself.

Jeriako thoughts where shut off as he stubbed his toe on a cave rock. "OW" he yelped. "Now even da elements disaprove of ma" he thought. "Da elements!" thats what got him into all this in the first place! His life was less stressful before finding Manza, if werent for that infernal totem, held still be on that island...savoring fruits...stealing from Zalzane and his followers. He shook his head at the thought. "Dat not be right" he muttered.

Jeriako created a base for a camp fire, focusing his energy his energy a flame began to sprout. "No, its not da elements fault" he thought relieving himself. Of course it wasent, the elements where a blessing, they turn him from a lazy scoundrel to Ambassador of the War Tribe! He was where he had set of to be...building something grand.

Jeriako starred into the flame and another flashback came to him.

"He swam with his back against the waves, the sun on his face. All was peaceful until a large wave engulfed him. There he sank unconsciously to the reef bed, he knew nothing. Until he felt a thump to his back...and that was how he met the totem of Warlord Manza'ko, the Fleshcleaver of Zandalar".

Jeriako closed his eyes grinning. It was Manza who avised him to become a shaman, led him to Zul Thraze, and defended him from the Cult of the Forgotten. Yet another image stirred in his head. Manza's totem was destroyed by the Tauren Apophon, and the spirit was lost. Tears filled Jeriakos dormant eyes as he remembered.

This was of a powerful Troll, a lean yet muscular hunter who controlled savage beast. This was of course, his very own blood brother, Jinzakk. The image shifted to the two brothers slaying humans in the Arathi Basin, bathing the old human territory with the blood of their descendants. The image shifted to Jeriako making the blood pact, sliting his hand and Jinzakk slitting his as well. Their blood poured in a bowl and mixed together each savoring the others. Jinzakk would always be their for him and he for Jinzakk! He chuckled to himself as the image shifted again.

This next image, was of a statue. One who had came into his life and won his admiration through her battle prowess, her ferocity. This of course was of the Elder Eoyta. Jeriako growled at this thought as the scenes of their encounters played out. Eoyta was not a Troll...not at least fully. Her Zandali was proper, her skin rough and thick, and sometimes her anger made her different from the others. However, he could deny that was what made her special among the few females in the tribe. Yet, his pursuit was doomed from the get go. He rubbed his forehead, trying to shake the images.

"Jeriako's confession of love, his attempts to be close to her, her leaving him wounded to pursue the enemy, the emptiness he felt when she left him in pursuit, their attempt at sex....and something that pained him most, words that stuck him like cold steel through his chest "Im sorry...We cannot be mates".

The darkness crept back into his heart. The dark emotions , confusions, insecurities all caving in to one. Images caved into his mind.

"The loss to the stranger Chugga", the words of the Den Mother "Jeriako losses, A pity", "The Chief's sick demeanor" and Images of Eoyta leaving him.

Jeriako collapsed onto the ground, and the flame beside him was engulfed in darkness.

Deep, within the caverns of his heart, something ignited. Jeriako picked himself back up, shaking his head. The images where gone and all was silent. Jeriako could see nothing, feel nothing in the darkness. The ground around him seemed solid. He was alone.

A humming sound, began to pierce his ears, at first it was low but, gradually rose. He wondered, "what could this be?". Where was this humming coming from? At that moment, tiny golden orbs began to swarm around him. Each orb humming at its own tune, as they swarm around him. He stood in shock as he realized what they where.

"Soulz, mon" he whispered.

Indeed, the souls of ancient Trolls, humming war songs over their victories. Jeriako stood intrigued though, still in fear of the orbs. However, Jeriako began to feel different, as if something inside took hold of him. He felt invigorated! A grin popped across is face. However, a large golden orb shot for hi. Jeriako struggled to move but, could not. His grin hastened to a frown as he yelled "AAAAAAHHHHHHH".

The sound could be heard from both sides of the cavern.

Hours later, a figure arose from the Stonetalon entrance of the cavern. A deep frown curved around his tusk. His eyes a deep lavender, his cloak wrapped around his body. A totem hung around his waiste, its eyes and mouth possessing a flame inside them.

"Gud, ta be back, mon, Mwahahahaha!" it cackled.

The figure jerked his clamoring totem, "Eh, what dat be fo..?" it asked.

Jeriako did not answer. He whistled for his loyal raptor, and the beast came to its masters called. Jeriako's brows rubbed each other, as he surveyed the valley.

"So...what we be doin now, mon?" asked the totem.

Jeriako growled, and lightly kicked his raptor's side. The beast moved with quickness, as Jeriako helled his hood to conceal his face.

"Weeeeeheeeee" screamed the totem at his side.

The two road off into the lower valley, together.