"Damn fool needs to learn when to stay in bed." said Maes. "Though I have no idea how he managed to haul himself out in the first place. With injuries like that he should have been bedridden for 3 days."
"A fire burns deep in this one." Helfdain said. "It is fueled by combat. It will rage until the body is no more."
"He is certainly proving to be quite the handful, these herbs should sooth his wounds, but he will need much rest." Kathris said.
"Well ge' on wit it witch!" yelled Thoradin. "Gae on, heal 'em oop, If ye think he is goona stay here why'al we gae oop tae th' temple, ye had best think again. He drag himself oop there if he has tae."
"Prehaps you are right dwarf." said Maes. "Should he regain consciousness, I don't think I could restrain him. I doubt even three of us could. He would fight us all the way there. And even in the state he is in, he would probably win."
"Bah! ye humans are nothin' but wimps." scoffed the dwarf. "Quit ye snivelin'. Ah nay stand aroond here waitin' fer him tae wake up. Me axe be..."
"Itching for a skull" Kathris said. "Yeah Yeah we heard you the first time, now why do you go and get drunk like a good dwarf."
"Ah'll hold ye tae tha' elf." Thoradin said with a large maniacal smile. "Noo whear's me drink!! Ye bar maid!! Fetch me me drink."
"You think that's such a good idea getting him drunk?" Maes questioned. "With Wulfgar out, that dwarf is the best fighter we got here."
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
After she returned from gathering healing hebs, Kathris entered the room where Wulfgar was recouperating, only to find him no longer there.
Rushing out the far door, she found him sitting on the steps slumped on his axe.
"There you are!" she exclaimed.
"Where else would I be?" asked Wulfgar. "In bed, like an old man on his death bed? Bah!"
"Yes. Rest is what you need." replied Kathris.
"I can walk and swing my axe, that is all I need to do. And that is what I am going to do." Wulfgar said as he grabbed hold of his axe and held it out in front of his body. "There is a great evil in the temple. I cannot rest while it still lives and breathes. You know this."
"Do I warrior?" questioned Kathris.
"Get the dwarf and the best men you can find. I am going to the temple." declared Wulfgar.
"Hurrying to met death, lest your place be taken? Ha Ha" Kathris joked. " Such lust for battle, I can see there is no stopping you, I shall aid you. I will gather who I can."
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Dispite his numerous injuries, Wulfgar led the way to the temple ruins. Kathris surveyed their surroundings.
"A storm crow?" She mused. "Must be a Kaldorei war party nearby. It's unlike a Druid of the Talon to venture alone."
The bird flew off in the direction of the temple ruins.
"Wulfgar. Keep an eye out for a Kaldorei war party. Prehaps we can get them to join us."
"Keep an eye out!" Wulfgar grunted. "That suppose to be funny.
"Dinnae ye be like that laddie." Laughed Thoradin. "Ah happen tae like yer new look. Ye went an' lost an eye, sae ye can look more like me. Thoogh Ah think ye dun mess oop, 'Tis th' other eye. hahaha."
The Storm crow fly down into a clearing not far from where the adventurers were and changed into the form of a Night Elf.
"Master Warthbringer." spoke the Druid of the Talon. "There is a small warband approaching from the south, they have a Kaldorei with them. What are your orders."
The demon hunter sat in a meditative like state as he listen to the druid. He raised his right hand and cloased his hand into a fist, then it glowed shortly before bursting into a greenish flame that surrounded his hand.
"There are demons nearby. they should be our primary concern. If this group gets in our way we will deal with them. How much further to the temple."
"Not far." replied the Druid. "Next glen over, many fires"
"Good." said the demon hunter as the flame around is hand dissapeared. "Gather you things, we are moving out!"
How much further to the temple Maes? asked Wulfgar.
"Not much further. Once you see the trees turn lifeless and dead, we will be there." replied the ranger.
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Before he could finish his sentence a arrow struck the ground naught but a foot in front of him.
"That is a Kaldorei arrow!" exclaimed Kathris. "Fandu-dath-belore?"
A Night Elf emerged from behind a tall tree in front of the group.
"That dwarf is so loud I could have shot him in the dark." said a Night Elf archer as she strung another arrow, and readied herself to let it fly.
"Sister why do you take up arms against us? asked Kathris.
"You better start talking elf! Or my axe will do the talking for you!" bellowed Wulfgar.
"Your axe talks? That would be the work of a demon, were it true, ha ha" laughed a voice in the distance. "And as such, I would have no choice but to destroy it."
A figure cloaked in a green fire emerged from behind another tree and made his way towards Kathris.
"What are you doing here? Master Hellbourne is it?" asked Kathris sarcastically.
"I could ask you the same question Kathris. Such beasts you keep as company, they are not befitting of a Sister of Elune. And I see your memory is dulled as well. Has it been that long Sister since last we met." asked Wrathbringer.
"Wrath this, Hell that. You demonhunters always choose such predictable name to call yourselves." Kathris said. "Was your old name really such a bother?"
"Goad me all you want, Sister." said Wrathbringer. "But answer me this, are our goals really so different? I seek balance same as you, do I not?"
"So like your master." snapped Kathris. "Shall I deprive you of your 'precious' magics, by locking you under ground in a cage of darkness to?"
"Such a tongue you have. but I grow tired of this, you bore me priestess. You seek the evil within the temple yes?" asked the demon hunter.
"We do." Kathris said with a disgruntled look on her face. "As do you I suppose."
"You correct." Wrathbringer replied. "We seek the evil within the temple. A joining of parties, "
"Oh noo this is just grand, more bloody Elves!!" moaned Thoradin. "Ah swear ye buggers groo on trees aroond here!"
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Suddenly a strange, hollow-sounding howl erupted from the nearby trees. Everyone in the party turned to face the source of the noise. The bushes rustled and a creature emerged out of them - a creature unlike any other. It had the same appearance of all the dead trees around them, but had a human-shaped form, except for its hunched back.
The creature slowly crept over to the party, making similar but softer hollow cries than it had made previously.
Thoradin remarked, “Speaking of' grooin' trees, wha' the bloody hell is that'thin'?"
Kathris approached it cautiously. The creature stood still, watching her. She reached out a hand slowly towards the creature and gently touched it. The creature seemed to react affectionately to her touch. “Its made of wood. Dead wood” she said.
“A baby Ent, perhaps?” asked Wulfgar.
“No... It is natural, but not entirely....” replied Kathris with a tone of curiosity.
“Indeed, Sister. I sense something odd about it but it is no demon, nor related to one” added Wrathbringer.
Suddenly, the creature started to tremble. The bits of vines and branches that made it up started untangling and breaking apart. In the next moment the creature gave a gentle hollow cry as its entire body collapsed into an unrecognisable pile of dead tree branches and vines on the ground.
Kathris gasped.
“What was that?” asked Thoradin.
“My pet tree minion. I haven’t thought of a name for him yet though, do you have a suggestion?” spoke an unseen male from within the forest. The party all turned to the direction the voice was coming from.
The stranger stepped out into view. He wore dirty tattered cloth with a shadowy hood and was covered in bits of vines and branches, much like the mysterious creature. Two more of those tree creatures followed behind him, and a raven flew down and landed on his arm.
“Who are you?” snapped Kathris.
“I am Atrumentis” the figure answered. “No need for hostility, Night Elf. I am much like you, for I am a Morsarbor, the first of my order. I am learned in both the Druidic art of the Caoi Dulra and the teachings of Rathma. With knowledge of both sides of the Great Cycle of Being – the life and afterlife – I can better protect the balance of this world to keep it safe from both Heaven and Hell.”
“I was originally drawn here for this forests beauty. However, upon arriving exactly one moon ago, I noticed the trees were all dead or dying and I sensed the unpleasant presence of a demon. This place was not always like this... floating in a false and unholy darkness. It began only a short time ago. The ruins to the east of the den have long been a place of foreboding to my pack and I.”
“Pack?” asked the Night Elf archer.
“Yes, my pack of wolves that were kindly granted to me by the Spirits of Nature. I improved them though, using the knowledge of Rathma by imbuing their spirit into actual bodies of wolves and turned them into what I like to call Black Dogs. We had no desire to tread the ground of the fallen temple. The temple was once dedicated to Azshara. It was holy ground once, though now it is fouled. It is obvious that Azshara's power has waned for if this was still her consecrated ground, my doom would never have arisen from the bowels of the temple. Some weeks ago, muted rumblings were heard beneath the temple. We paid little heed to them until the skies darkened and the shadows deepened. It was high noon when it happened and the pack gathered so that I might calm them. I thought it to be an eclipse. It was not. The Shade Lord came among us then. He dominated my dogs, my children, with but a glance. I summoned vines from the earth to defend myself, but the vines turned to ash as soon as his shadow touched them – much like the rest of the trees of this forest”, said Atrumentis as he gently touched a nearby branch on a tree, causing it to fall off.”
“'Atrumentis,' the Shade Lord said, 'Bend to my will. You shall be the means of my revenge.' He walked amongst the terrified wolves and killed them all with a touch”, Atrumentis explained. “Once they were all dead his darkness reached out to the corpses of my children and altered them, animating them as demonic shade wolves. Powerless and numb, I ran. I've hidden these last few weeks from the shades that once were wolves and from the darkness that creeps out from the temple which once imprisoned the Shade Lord. I will hide no more. I have been gathering strength to face the Shade Lord again. He wants only to kill and those he kills, be they man-thing, wolf, or even tree arise as shades in his army. Will you allow me this revenge or do I have to fight you as well?”
“This Shade Lord certainly seems to be the true source of this evil. Alright, we will help you kill him, Atrumentis of the Morsarbor.” spoke Kathris.
“Meet me in the temple to the east of this den. Be wary of the shadows even the trees that lurk there. Prepare yourself before entering”, warned Atrumentis.
The paved stones that made up the roof of the temple were covered in vines and moss or had fallen into the temple. In front of the entrance stood a large window-like frame, as they neared it the dulled reflective surface of a mirror could be seen. As they drew even closer Wulfgar and Thoradin who had assumed the lead stopped and drew out there weapons.
"There is something here." said Wulfgar. "It stalks us even now."
"Thear!!!" cried Thoradin. "They are comin'! Ah can smell 'em. Foul wee beasties."
From out of the darkness of the shadows lunged a pack of shadowy like wolves.
"Yer barking up the wrong tree doggie!" Thoradin yelled as he swung his axe through one of them onlyy to have it glide through without causing so much as a graze to the wolf.
"WHA' FOUL SORCERY IS THIS!!" he cried. "Me axe it dinnae dae anythin' tae it!"
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
And with that his entire body became surrounded by a green flame, that scorched the earth as he moved.
"Impossible!!!" he screamed as his magic was powerless to damaged his opponent. "No creature can withstand my immolation!"
"There are too many of them!" cried Kathris as she diverted her attentions from healing her comrades to fending off the attack of a shade wolf. Fall back!"
"To where?" asked as the archer as she fired an arrow only to have it pass through her target. "These creature lurk in the shadows."
"There! cried Kathris pointing to mirror. It's reflective surface, while dulled, still reflected the moon's light and created a small pocket of light.
"To the mirror!!" shouted Wulfgar. "To the mirror!"
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As they retreated to the mirror, Wulfgar backed into it, knocking it into the grooves it should rest in. As the moonlight hit it, it glowed with a strange eerie light than slowly spread out in all directions away from the mirror. The light that emanated from the mirror dispelled the illusions of the wolves.
"So you have proved that you are of more use to me alive then dead." Wrathbringer said with a slight hint of mockery in is tone.
"An illusion?" Kathris mused. "They were just illusions?"
"WHERE IS THE MAGE!! WHERE IS THE MAGE! RRAGGGH!!! I WILL KILL HIM!!" bellowed Wulfgar. " Such a dirty trick is the work of a mage. A mage who cannot fight for himself. YOU HEAR THAT MAGE!! WULFGAR IS COMING FOR YOU!!"
"Apparently I was wrong." Wrathbringer quipped. "Come Kathris, I must speak with you alone."
They "I must say I do not care much for the company with which you keep Sister. This one is likely to get us killed. And if not him, the dwarf will no doubt do the same. You actually trust these brutes?"
"Demonhunter tell me" Kathris said. "Are they any worse than those who minds you warp I have no idea how you ever got that druid of the Talon to go along with you. Or do they following you if only to keep an eye on you, least your lust for power consume you entirely?"
"I have done no such thing, Sister." Wrathbringer said with a slightly agitated tone. "They follow of their own free will."
"If you say so." Kathris said.
As they worked their way deeper and deeper into the ruins the carvings and murals that adorned the walls had crumbled away with the ages, or collected various assortments of mosses and other fungi.
"There is evil round every corner.. careful not to step in any." Wulfgar said shortly before he put his foot into something mush-like.
"*sniff sniff* Wyrm excrement." Wulfgar said after he diagnosed the substance. "A big one."
"Good. Ah knoos ae thing or tae aboot killin' wyrms" Thoradin professed. "An' hoo tae cook 'em. Ah could gae fer some meat, none o' this foraging fer berries like ye bloody elves!"
As the continued they came at last to a great hall. One much more lit up than the other rooms they passed through. The mosaic of the former Night Elf Queen Azshara, that made up the floor was covered in what appeared to be scratchings made by a very large claw. A beam of light shone directly into the centre of the mosaic. as the light refracted off various mirrors that surrounded the mosaic it created shadows. One was that of a extremely large beast.
"How amusing that you petty fleshlings would dare disturb the slumber of the Shadow Dragon? Are you daft? Blind? Whatever, I shall tear your bodies apart and feast on your innards while you whimper and cry for mercy."
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As the mighty shadow dragon stood ground before the group of warriors, it spanned out its wings in preperation to assault. With a cloud of darkness smouldering out of the behemoth's nose and mouth, he projects a massive roar at the heroes.
The group of heroes stood firm as they conformed to counter the dragon's assault. Thoradin begins charging at the beast wailing his mighty battle cry. As Thoradin approaches the Shadow Dragon, it suddenly disappears in a nearby shadow along the wall. The dragon drifts across the mosaic walls around the warriors, teasing them in confusion.
"You will not leave this room alive!", chuckles the Shadow Dragon as he continues to swarm around the heroes in the shadows. "Com'on and fight ye coward! Quit playin around an face mi like a real drago'on", Thoradin shouts out as he gets frustrated watching the dragon swim across the walls in his shadow.
"Your time ends here, you foul beast!" as another figure dances in the shadows, persuing the shadow dragon across the walls. The others watch as a mere battle takes place within the shadows.
"Finally he shows up! Where thee` bloody hell of ye been?!", Thoradin exclaimed.
With roars and warcries echoing throughout the room, sword and talon clashing aginst each other...much like a puppet show of a battlescene is depicted amongst the walls.
The shadow dragon reanimates himself out of the shadows after a few moments, with cuts and open wounds around his tail.
"HAHAHAA", laughs Thasador as he climbs out of the shadows with his ability he learned from Shadow's Wake. "No mor foolin around, TIME TO DIE!", Thasador shouts as he speeds towards the Shadow Dragon with his Shuriko drawn.
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Those before me shall quiver in my wake as I unleash the fury within!
"Foolish boy." Kathris said to herself as her prepared her spells. "Wulfgar get in the and keep it occupied, it can only be hurt when it's solid. If it's in shadow form your attacks are worthless."
"Despair not! I shall inspire you by charging blindly on!" Wulfgar cried out as he charged at the dragon.
"Just keep it occupied!" Kathris called out. "Dragon your fate is sealed by the hands of Elune's faithful. Your evil presence shall be vanquished, and the light will shine in this place once again."
Kathris' body began to glow and the shadows surrounding her began to disappear, as she moved she seemed to gain strength with each step she took towards the dragon. The closer she moved to the dragon, the more brighter the light emanating from her became, and the more potent it's damage.
"Now fall before the might of Elune!!" Kathris cried.
The ceiling of the temple began to crumble and break apart as small comet like projectiles broke through and pound upon the flesh of the dragon. yet miraculously leave her companions engaging the dragon in combat unscathed. Though the same could not be said for the chunks of rock and brick which they had to dodge as well as evade the dragons attacks.
"Not the greatest of tactics, but we have no choice." Kathris thought to herself. "Let the stars rain down upon you!!"
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Thasador took refuge behind some boulders of the corner of the room as the stars from the heavens fell before the shadow dragon. Witnessing the mere power Kathris beholds within her, Thasador awed in amazement to the elf's might.
"We ought to slain thee dragon hastely before we witness more of his evil." Thasador shouted to Kathris.
With no response from the occupied elf. Thasador took off in blinding speeds towards the dragon. A sonic boom followed in Thasador's wake as he moves towards the dragon with lightning speed. Drawing out his Shuriko, Thasador aims towards the evil dragon.
"Take this ole mighte drake!"
With a lightning swift slash of his sword, a vacuumed sonic boom generated from displacement of air after the swing of his sword was released and streaked towards the dragon. Striking the dragon in the flank and disintergrated several layers of flesh and scales.
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Those before me shall quiver in my wake as I unleash the fury within!
The dragon reared back to unleash it's potent breath attack, but before it could bring up enough poison into it's mouth Wulfgar's axe cut a deep gash in it's neck, expelling the acidic poison all over his armor, disintegrating what little armor he possessed. Though is armor had been reduced to naught but a few patches of leather, the combined effects of the elf priest and Thasador, coupled with that of his own, felled the beast.
Wulfgar pulled out a small dagger and began to hack off several of the dragons scales, from which he fashioned a make shift set of armor.
"This creature is not the source of the evil that taints this place." said the Demon Hunter. "It is it's Master that we must seek out."
"Then I shall kill it's Master!" Wulfgar proclaimed.
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Thasador shiething his sword and removing several mandibles from the beast's jaw. "Aye, this will make some great materiel for items." thasador explained.
"Welt...wait are wee waitin for?" Thasador asks as he awaits direction from the other heroes.
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Those before me shall quiver in my wake as I unleash the fury within!
Climbing to the top of the winding staircase at the far end of the hall, a shadowy figure was in the middle of what appeared to be a ritualistic incantation.
Something is awry... I sense fresh souls. Who intrudes upon me? More unlucky adventurers come to swell the ranks of my dark army?" said the shadowy figure.
"You shall have to kill me first." bellowed Wulfgar. "We've gotten past your pet wyrm. What do you think we shall do to you and your altar?"
"Bravado, of course." replied the shadowy figure. "Your kind grows tiresome and predictable yet you may be of some use to me."
"I shall not be used by the likes of you!" Wulfgar thundered.
"Oh but you shall, mortal. This body that I inhabit grows tired. You shall make an excellent replacement. Come my shades! Open the portal! This brash fool has some strength."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As Thasador quickly sped toward the creature it began to work its magic, summoning showowy figures to aid him.
"Cast your pathetic magics monster "Wulfgar bellowed. "Your reign of pain has ended!"
As they others fought with the minions, Wulfgar and Thasador concretrated their efforts on the Shade Lord.
"No my spell is lost!!" cried the Shade Lord. "NOOOO!!!"
"I'm sorry, did I break your concerntration." Wulfgar said snidely.
Thasador's quick attacks and Wulfgar's powerful blows sent the Shade lord to the ground. WUlfgar stood over the creatures body poised to strike the fatl blow.
"Even If I fall you will not stop him, muhahahahahaha."
"What?! Who is your master!" cried Wulfgar. "Talk!!"
"You cannot win, muhahahahaha" the sade lord said with his dying breath. As he died so to did his shade minions.
What is this?" Wulfgar said as he stared down at the body and saw the amulet around the Shade Lord's neck.
"Tha' be the same talisman tha' bloody mage had on him!" Thoradin cried as he eyed the talisman. "He was working fer the mage!"
"This creature was making an army for the mage?" said Wulfgar. "You should feel proud, he must make an army to take you down, hahahahaha."
"I have no idea how long you have been hunting this mage of your's." Kathris interjected. "But from the state the forest is in surrounding this place, this creature has been here many years. But if this mage of your's is the true master here, then perhaps you can enlighten us on the subject on the way back to the village."
"Very well." replied Wulfgar. "During the siege of Dun Craig, we fought a mage who could not be harmed by any weapon or spell that any of those who were there to break the siege possessed. He used vile magic to dissappear."
"But nah befer he seid tha' Ah woold make ae great sacrifice." Thoradin said as he spat on the ground. "An' tha' Ah woold please his dark masters."
"All that remained was a talisman like this one." Wulfgar said as he held up the talisman.
"It is the metal in it that led us here." he continued.
"A most vile mage indeed." Kathris replied. "And what will you do now?"
"We will met up with the others who hunt for this mage." Wulfgar said. "But first we will return to Helfdain, and tell him his village is safe."
"Then let us hurry, this place is beginning to stink somethin' fierce." Throadin moaned.
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Upon returning to the village, Helfdain and his lieutenants were waiting to greet their saviours.
" Ah...my Lord! You have returned...I take it that the dreadful shade creature has been dispatched? Is my village now safe?" asked the cheiftain.
"It is, Helfdain." replied Wulfgar. "The Shade Lord will bother you no more."
"I have little to offer you in the way of payment, I give you this axe. My thanks to you again, my Lord...it is a great relief to know that my village will now be safe. I will tell the townsfolk immediately."
"I would stay and drink you more of your mead, but we must be going, we have a long trek ahead of us." Wulfgar said.
"Our bards will sing of your valor Wulfgar." Helfdain said.
"And my fury will be such that they shall run their quills dry! Yes! Ink shall be scarse where'er I go, Hahahaha!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
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"Damn fool needs to learn when to stay in bed." said Maes. "Though I have no idea how he managed to haul himself out in the first place. With injuries like that he should have been bedridden for 3 days."
"A fire burns deep in this one." Helfdain said. "It is fueled by combat. It will rage until the body is no more."
"He is certainly proving to be quite the handful, these herbs should sooth his wounds, but he will need much rest." Kathris said.
"Well ge' on wit it witch!" yelled Thoradin. "Gae on, heal 'em oop, If ye think he is goona stay here why'al we gae oop tae th' temple, ye had best think again. He drag himself oop there if he has tae."
"Prehaps you are right dwarf." said Maes. "Should he regain consciousness, I don't think I could restrain him. I doubt even three of us could. He would fight us all the way there. And even in the state he is in, he would probably win."
"Bah! ye humans are nothin' but wimps." scoffed the dwarf. "Quit ye snivelin'. Ah nay stand aroond here waitin' fer him tae wake up. Me axe be..."
"Itching for a skull" Kathris said. "Yeah Yeah we heard you the first time, now why do you go and get drunk like a good dwarf."
"Ah'll hold ye tae tha' elf." Thoradin said with a large maniacal smile. "Noo whear's me drink!! Ye bar maid!! Fetch me me drink."
"You think that's such a good idea getting him drunk?" Maes questioned. "With Wulfgar out, that dwarf is the best fighter we got here."
Rushing out the far door, she found him sitting on the steps slumped on his axe.
"There you are!" she exclaimed.
"Where else would I be?" asked Wulfgar. "In bed, like an old man on his death bed? Bah!"
"Yes. Rest is what you need." replied Kathris.
"I can walk and swing my axe, that is all I need to do. And that is what I am going to do." Wulfgar said as he grabbed hold of his axe and held it out in front of his body. "There is a great evil in the temple. I cannot rest while it still lives and breathes. You know this."
"Do I warrior?" questioned Kathris.
"Get the dwarf and the best men you can find. I am going to the temple." declared Wulfgar.
"Hurrying to met death, lest your place be taken? Ha Ha" Kathris joked. " Such lust for battle, I can see there is no stopping you, I shall aid you. I will gather who I can."
"A storm crow?" She mused. "Must be a Kaldorei war party nearby. It's unlike a Druid of the Talon to venture alone."
The bird flew off in the direction of the temple ruins.
"Wulfgar. Keep an eye out for a Kaldorei war party. Prehaps we can get them to join us."
"Keep an eye out!" Wulfgar grunted. "That suppose to be funny.
"Dinnae ye be like that laddie." Laughed Thoradin. "Ah happen tae like yer new look. Ye went an' lost an eye, sae ye can look more like me. Thoogh Ah think ye dun mess oop, 'Tis th' other eye. hahaha."
The Storm crow fly down into a clearing not far from where the adventurers were and changed into the form of a Night Elf.
"Master Warthbringer." spoke the Druid of the Talon. "There is a small warband approaching from the south, they have a Kaldorei with them. What are your orders."
The demon hunter sat in a meditative like state as he listen to the druid. He raised his right hand and cloased his hand into a fist, then it glowed shortly before bursting into a greenish flame that surrounded his hand.
"There are demons nearby. they should be our primary concern. If this group gets in our way we will deal with them. How much further to the temple."
"Not far." replied the Druid. "Next glen over, many fires"
"Good." said the demon hunter as the flame around is hand dissapeared. "Gather you things, we are moving out!"
How much further to the temple Maes? asked Wulfgar.
"Not much further. Once you see the trees turn lifeless and dead, we will be there." replied the ranger.
"Bloody forest..." Thoradin grumbled. "Damn tree-huggers an' daisy-eaters... burn 'em al..."
Before he could finish his sentence a arrow struck the ground naught but a foot in front of him.
"That is a Kaldorei arrow!" exclaimed Kathris. "Fandu-dath-belore?"
A Night Elf emerged from behind a tall tree in front of the group.
"That dwarf is so loud I could have shot him in the dark." said a Night Elf archer as she strung another arrow, and readied herself to let it fly.
"Sister why do you take up arms against us? asked Kathris.
"You better start talking elf! Or my axe will do the talking for you!" bellowed Wulfgar.
"Your axe talks? That would be the work of a demon, were it true, ha ha" laughed a voice in the distance. "And as such, I would have no choice but to destroy it."
A figure cloaked in a green fire emerged from behind another tree and made his way towards Kathris.
"What are you doing here? Master Hellbourne is it?" asked Kathris sarcastically.
"I could ask you the same question Kathris. Such beasts you keep as company, they are not befitting of a Sister of Elune. And I see your memory is dulled as well. Has it been that long Sister since last we met." asked Wrathbringer.
"Wrath this, Hell that. You demonhunters always choose such predictable name to call yourselves." Kathris said. "Was your old name really such a bother?"
"Goad me all you want, Sister." said Wrathbringer. "But answer me this, are our goals really so different? I seek balance same as you, do I not?"
"So like your master." snapped Kathris. "Shall I deprive you of your 'precious' magics, by locking you under ground in a cage of darkness to?"
"Such a tongue you have. but I grow tired of this, you bore me priestess. You seek the evil within the temple yes?" asked the demon hunter.
"We do." Kathris said with a disgruntled look on her face. "As do you I suppose."
"You correct." Wrathbringer replied. "We seek the evil within the temple. A joining of parties, "
"Oh noo this is just grand, more bloody Elves!!" moaned Thoradin. "Ah swear ye buggers groo on trees aroond here!"
The creature slowly crept over to the party, making similar but softer hollow cries than it had made previously.
Thoradin remarked, “Speaking of' grooin' trees, wha' the bloody hell is that'thin'?"
Kathris approached it cautiously. The creature stood still, watching her. She reached out a hand slowly towards the creature and gently touched it. The creature seemed to react affectionately to her touch. “Its made of wood. Dead wood” she said.
“A baby Ent, perhaps?” asked Wulfgar.
“No... It is natural, but not entirely....” replied Kathris with a tone of curiosity.
“Indeed, Sister. I sense something odd about it but it is no demon, nor related to one” added Wrathbringer.
Suddenly, the creature started to tremble. The bits of vines and branches that made it up started untangling and breaking apart. In the next moment the creature gave a gentle hollow cry as its entire body collapsed into an unrecognisable pile of dead tree branches and vines on the ground.
Kathris gasped.
“What was that?” asked Thoradin.
“My pet tree minion. I haven’t thought of a name for him yet though, do you have a suggestion?” spoke an unseen male from within the forest. The party all turned to the direction the voice was coming from.
The stranger stepped out into view. He wore dirty tattered cloth with a shadowy hood and was covered in bits of vines and branches, much like the mysterious creature. Two more of those tree creatures followed behind him, and a raven flew down and landed on his arm.
“Who are you?” snapped Kathris.
“I am Atrumentis” the figure answered. “No need for hostility, Night Elf. I am much like you, for I am a Morsarbor, the first of my order. I am learned in both the Druidic art of the Caoi Dulra and the teachings of Rathma. With knowledge of both sides of the Great Cycle of Being – the life and afterlife – I can better protect the balance of this world to keep it safe from both Heaven and Hell.”
“I was originally drawn here for this forests beauty. However, upon arriving exactly one moon ago, I noticed the trees were all dead or dying and I sensed the unpleasant presence of a demon. This place was not always like this... floating in a false and unholy darkness. It began only a short time ago. The ruins to the east of the den have long been a place of foreboding to my pack and I.”
“Pack?” asked the Night Elf archer.
“Yes, my pack of wolves that were kindly granted to me by the Spirits of Nature. I improved them though, using the knowledge of Rathma by imbuing their spirit into actual bodies of wolves and turned them into what I like to call Black Dogs. We had no desire to tread the ground of the fallen temple. The temple was once dedicated to Azshara. It was holy ground once, though now it is fouled. It is obvious that Azshara's power has waned for if this was still her consecrated ground, my doom would never have arisen from the bowels of the temple. Some weeks ago, muted rumblings were heard beneath the temple. We paid little heed to them until the skies darkened and the shadows deepened. It was high noon when it happened and the pack gathered so that I might calm them. I thought it to be an eclipse. It was not. The Shade Lord came among us then. He dominated my dogs, my children, with but a glance. I summoned vines from the earth to defend myself, but the vines turned to ash as soon as his shadow touched them – much like the rest of the trees of this forest”, said Atrumentis as he gently touched a nearby branch on a tree, causing it to fall off.”
“'Atrumentis,' the Shade Lord said, 'Bend to my will. You shall be the means of my revenge.' He walked amongst the terrified wolves and killed them all with a touch”, Atrumentis explained. “Once they were all dead his darkness reached out to the corpses of my children and altered them, animating them as demonic shade wolves. Powerless and numb, I ran. I've hidden these last few weeks from the shades that once were wolves and from the darkness that creeps out from the temple which once imprisoned the Shade Lord. I will hide no more. I have been gathering strength to face the Shade Lord again. He wants only to kill and those he kills, be they man-thing, wolf, or even tree arise as shades in his army. Will you allow me this revenge or do I have to fight you as well?”
“This Shade Lord certainly seems to be the true source of this evil. Alright, we will help you kill him, Atrumentis of the Morsarbor.” spoke Kathris.
“Meet me in the temple to the east of this den. Be wary of the shadows even the trees that lurk there. Prepare yourself before entering”, warned Atrumentis.
"There is something here." said Wulfgar. "It stalks us even now."
"Thear!!!" cried Thoradin. "They are comin'! Ah can smell 'em. Foul wee beasties."
From out of the darkness of the shadows lunged a pack of shadowy like wolves.
"Yer barking up the wrong tree doggie!" Thoradin yelled as he swung his axe through one of them onlyy to have it glide through without causing so much as a graze to the wolf.
"WHA' FOUL SORCERY IS THIS!!" he cried. "Me axe it dinnae dae anythin' tae it!"
"No effect!" cried Wulfgar. "What manner of beast is this, that it cannot be cut with my axe."
"They demons!" cried Wrathbringer. "Incertus Pulcher Imperium!"
And with that his entire body became surrounded by a green flame, that scorched the earth as he moved.
"Impossible!!!" he screamed as his magic was powerless to damaged his opponent. "No creature can withstand my immolation!"
"There are too many of them!" cried Kathris as she diverted her attentions from healing her comrades to fending off the attack of a shade wolf. Fall back!"
"To where?" asked as the archer as she fired an arrow only to have it pass through her target. "These creature lurk in the shadows."
"There! cried Kathris pointing to mirror. It's reflective surface, while dulled, still reflected the moon's light and created a small pocket of light.
"To the mirror!!" shouted Wulfgar. "To the mirror!"
"So you have proved that you are of more use to me alive then dead." Wrathbringer said with a slight hint of mockery in is tone.
"An illusion?" Kathris mused. "They were just illusions?"
"WHERE IS THE MAGE!! WHERE IS THE MAGE! RRAGGGH!!! I WILL KILL HIM!!" bellowed Wulfgar. " Such a dirty trick is the work of a mage. A mage who cannot fight for himself. YOU HEAR THAT MAGE!! WULFGAR IS COMING FOR YOU!!"
"Apparently I was wrong." Wrathbringer quipped. "Come Kathris, I must speak with you alone."
They "I must say I do not care much for the company with which you keep Sister. This one is likely to get us killed. And if not him, the dwarf will no doubt do the same. You actually trust these brutes?"
"Demonhunter tell me" Kathris said. "Are they any worse than those who minds you warp I have no idea how you ever got that druid of the Talon to go along with you. Or do they following you if only to keep an eye on you, least your lust for power consume you entirely?"
"I have done no such thing, Sister." Wrathbringer said with a slightly agitated tone. "They follow of their own free will."
"If you say so." Kathris said.
As they worked their way deeper and deeper into the ruins the carvings and murals that adorned the walls had crumbled away with the ages, or collected various assortments of mosses and other fungi.
"There is evil round every corner.. careful not to step in any." Wulfgar said shortly before he put his foot into something mush-like.
"*sniff sniff* Wyrm excrement." Wulfgar said after he diagnosed the substance. "A big one."
"Good. Ah knoos ae thing or tae aboot killin' wyrms" Thoradin professed. "An' hoo tae cook 'em. Ah could gae fer some meat, none o' this foraging fer berries like ye bloody elves!"
As the continued they came at last to a great hall. One much more lit up than the other rooms they passed through. The mosaic of the former Night Elf Queen Azshara, that made up the floor was covered in what appeared to be scratchings made by a very large claw. A beam of light shone directly into the centre of the mosaic. as the light refracted off various mirrors that surrounded the mosaic it created shadows. One was that of a extremely large beast.
"How amusing that you petty fleshlings would dare disturb the slumber of the Shadow Dragon? Are you daft? Blind? Whatever, I shall tear your bodies apart and feast on your innards while you whimper and cry for mercy."
The group of heroes stood firm as they conformed to counter the dragon's assault. Thoradin begins charging at the beast wailing his mighty battle cry. As Thoradin approaches the Shadow Dragon, it suddenly disappears in a nearby shadow along the wall. The dragon drifts across the mosaic walls around the warriors, teasing them in confusion.
"You will not leave this room alive!", chuckles the Shadow Dragon as he continues to swarm around the heroes in the shadows. "Com'on and fight ye coward! Quit playin around an face mi like a real drago'on", Thoradin shouts out as he gets frustrated watching the dragon swim across the walls in his shadow.
"Your time ends here, you foul beast!" as another figure dances in the shadows, persuing the shadow dragon across the walls. The others watch as a mere battle takes place within the shadows.
"Finally he shows up! Where thee` bloody hell of ye been?!", Thoradin exclaimed.
With roars and warcries echoing throughout the room, sword and talon clashing aginst each other...much like a puppet show of a battlescene is depicted amongst the walls.
The shadow dragon reanimates himself out of the shadows after a few moments, with cuts and open wounds around his tail.
"HAHAHAA", laughs Thasador as he climbs out of the shadows with his ability he learned from Shadow's Wake. "No mor foolin around, TIME TO DIE!", Thasador shouts as he speeds towards the Shadow Dragon with his Shuriko drawn.
"Foolish boy." Kathris said to herself as her prepared her spells. "Wulfgar get in the and keep it occupied, it can only be hurt when it's solid. If it's in shadow form your attacks are worthless."
"Despair not! I shall inspire you by charging blindly on!" Wulfgar cried out as he charged at the dragon.
"Just keep it occupied!" Kathris called out. "Dragon your fate is sealed by the hands of Elune's faithful. Your evil presence shall be vanquished, and the light will shine in this place once again."
Kathris' body began to glow and the shadows surrounding her began to disappear, as she moved she seemed to gain strength with each step she took towards the dragon. The closer she moved to the dragon, the more brighter the light emanating from her became, and the more potent it's damage.
"Now fall before the might of Elune!!" Kathris cried.
The ceiling of the temple began to crumble and break apart as small comet like projectiles broke through and pound upon the flesh of the dragon. yet miraculously leave her companions engaging the dragon in combat unscathed. Though the same could not be said for the chunks of rock and brick which they had to dodge as well as evade the dragons attacks.
"Not the greatest of tactics, but we have no choice." Kathris thought to herself. "Let the stars rain down upon you!!"
"We ought to slain thee dragon hastely before we witness more of his evil." Thasador shouted to Kathris.
With no response from the occupied elf. Thasador took off in blinding speeds towards the dragon. A sonic boom followed in Thasador's wake as he moves towards the dragon with lightning speed. Drawing out his Shuriko, Thasador aims towards the evil dragon.
"Take this ole mighte drake!"
With a lightning swift slash of his sword, a vacuumed sonic boom generated from displacement of air after the swing of his sword was released and streaked towards the dragon. Striking the dragon in the flank and disintergrated several layers of flesh and scales.
Wulfgar pulled out a small dagger and began to hack off several of the dragons scales, from which he fashioned a make shift set of armor.
"This creature is not the source of the evil that taints this place." said the Demon Hunter. "It is it's Master that we must seek out."
"Then I shall kill it's Master!" Wulfgar proclaimed.
"Welt...wait are wee waitin for?" Thasador asks as he awaits direction from the other heroes.
Something is awry... I sense fresh souls. Who intrudes upon me? More unlucky adventurers come to swell the ranks of my dark army?" said the shadowy figure.
"You shall have to kill me first." bellowed Wulfgar. "We've gotten past your pet wyrm. What do you think we shall do to you and your altar?"
"Bravado, of course." replied the shadowy figure. "Your kind grows tiresome and predictable yet you may be of some use to me."
"I shall not be used by the likes of you!" Wulfgar thundered.
"Oh but you shall, mortal. This body that I inhabit grows tired. You shall make an excellent replacement. Come my shades! Open the portal! This brash fool has some strength."
"This creatin talks as if he walks amongst the wraiths! We shall see whom thy mortal is once my blade is cast through your body!"
With a blinding spell, the shadowy figure casts Thasador to the ground against the wall.
"So pathetic you humans are" he proclaimed.
Thasador rose to his feet and disappeared from the naked eye in lightning speeds towards the shadowy figure.
"Taste me Wrath!!"
"Cast your pathetic magics monster "Wulfgar bellowed. "Your reign of pain has ended!"
As they others fought with the minions, Wulfgar and Thasador concretrated their efforts on the Shade Lord.
"No my spell is lost!!" cried the Shade Lord. "NOOOO!!!"
"I'm sorry, did I break your concerntration." Wulfgar said snidely.
Thasador's quick attacks and Wulfgar's powerful blows sent the Shade lord to the ground. WUlfgar stood over the creatures body poised to strike the fatl blow.
"Even If I fall you will not stop him, muhahahahahaha."
"What?! Who is your master!" cried Wulfgar. "Talk!!"
"You cannot win, muhahahahaha" the sade lord said with his dying breath. As he died so to did his shade minions.
What is this?" Wulfgar said as he stared down at the body and saw the amulet around the Shade Lord's neck.
"Tha' be the same talisman tha' bloody mage had on him!" Thoradin cried as he eyed the talisman. "He was working fer the mage!"
"This creature was making an army for the mage?" said Wulfgar. "You should feel proud, he must make an army to take you down, hahahahaha."
"I have no idea how long you have been hunting this mage of your's." Kathris interjected. "But from the state the forest is in surrounding this place, this creature has been here many years. But if this mage of your's is the true master here, then perhaps you can enlighten us on the subject on the way back to the village."
"Very well." replied Wulfgar. "During the siege of Dun Craig, we fought a mage who could not be harmed by any weapon or spell that any of those who were there to break the siege possessed. He used vile magic to dissappear."
"But nah befer he seid tha' Ah woold make ae great sacrifice." Thoradin said as he spat on the ground. "An' tha' Ah woold please his dark masters."
"All that remained was a talisman like this one." Wulfgar said as he held up the talisman.
"It is the metal in it that led us here." he continued.
"A most vile mage indeed." Kathris replied. "And what will you do now?"
"We will met up with the others who hunt for this mage." Wulfgar said. "But first we will return to Helfdain, and tell him his village is safe."
"Then let us hurry, this place is beginning to stink somethin' fierce." Throadin moaned.
" Ah...my Lord! You have returned...I take it that the dreadful shade creature has been dispatched? Is my village now safe?" asked the cheiftain.
" It is, Helfdain." replied Wulfgar. "The Shade Lord will bother you no more."
" I have little to offer you in the way of payment, I give you this axe. My thanks to you again, my Lord...it is a great relief to know that my village will now be safe. I will tell the townsfolk immediately."
"I would stay and drink you more of your mead, but we must be going, we have a long trek ahead of us." Wulfgar said.
"Our bards will sing of your valor Wulfgar." Helfdain said.
"And my fury will be such that they shall run their quills dry! Yes! Ink shall be scarse where'er I go, Hahahaha!"