The Great Wave

"Maiev! Watch out! The cold coming off those rings is intense. Don't get frozen!"

Illidan flicked his hand, knocking the ice crystals off the Warglaives of Azzinoth, then turned and shouted a warning to Maiev as she charged toward the Frozen Throne.

Maiev heard Illidan's voice but gave no response. The slight furrow in her brow showed that she had heard him. Then she raised her leather coat and stabbed at one of the rings with the blade on its hem. Clearly, she paid no heed to Illidan's warning—or rather, she trusted her own judgment more.

The result was obvious. But if Maiev dared to do this, it meant she had a way to get out unscathed after approaching the rings at close range. With a blink, Maiev advanced instead of retreating, passing the ring and charging toward the Frozen Throne.

"Nathas! Help!"

Maiev had barely reached the Frozen Throne when a long sword thrust straight at her face. She could only flip backward to evade the sudden strike, then call loudly to her lieutenant without looking back.

"Maiev! Watch out!"

Nathas lacked Maiev's abilities. She had to wait for the ring of frost radiating from the Frozen Throne to dissipate before approaching it. But just as she charged toward the Frozen Throne, another long sword suddenly appeared behind Maiev.

Although the blizzard had dulled some of Maiev's senses, she was the leader of the Watchers, the woman who had kept Illidan under guard for ten thousand years. She wouldn't be defeated so easily. Maiev dropped into the splits, swiftly lowering herself and narrowly evading the sneak attack from behind. Then she bent backward, leaning toward the ground, and swung the two circular saws in her hands viciously at the attacker behind her.

As she counterattacked, Maiev got a clear