True Inner Fire: Part I, the Awakening of the Flame.

By: Jay Steinberger

[A/N] I only own the characters I create, the creatures I inspire, and the new towns. The rest belong to the creators of Warcraft, Blizzard. Oh, and I might use a couple of creatures or towns from Diablo. Anything else that is blindingly obvious I will try to give credit but know I did not use it. I would like to thank Valken and TheRebelQueen for ideas, inspiration, and proof reading.

Anyways, after the frozen throne expansion, I decided to change the story around. This story is going to continue the frozen throne, with Arthas and the lich king becoming one and slowly taking over the world. Who will be able to stop him? We shall find out.

Sorry for the insane amount of time, I had to wait for all of the campaigns to come out so I could redo this and actually think of ideas to continue the story, so without further to do, the story.

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Chapter I: The Beginning

The archers huddled up in their towers around the warm fire in the stone pits they had made, melting the icy hand of death from their fingertips. The orcs, breaking their treaty, had not retaliated against the expansion in a few weeks due to the fall of an unexpected winter in Theramore, and so the three soldiers could enjoy their dinners in peace. Their crossbows leaned upon the wooden walls below their arrow slits, and they used their shields as stools.

"So what do you think caused this storm ta come in so quickly?" one of the guards said, hoping to strike up a conversation.

"Beats the 'ell outta me, boy, rumors go from witches to the Water Magus going crazy. Some even say the Orcs traitors," he spat after saying the word, "have unlocked something terrible from the earth below. Whatever the reason is, I sure hope we find out soon, cuz none of us brought our winter coats and the only one here that's gonna survive is me!" He put both hands on his large gut as the other two guards gave a nervous laugh.

As they were talking none of them noticed three distinct objects coming over the distant hill to the wooden doors of New Covell. The snow was almost blinding as three shadows trudged their way towards the door in the merciless wind. All three men jumped as a harsh *THUD* shook the entire palisade and sent splinters into their chicken, potatoes, and wine. The one who had just spoken, a tall, plump veteran who had fought in the great battle of Mount Hyjal, looked down to see one of the foot soldiers running to the gates. The second loud *THUD* nearly threw the man off his feet as he ran for the handle. A signal was given from the towers, and five arrows guarded the foot soldier as he opened the great wooden doors. The hinges creaked for they had not moved since the start of the snow storm, and the scream of a banshee howled through the air as the monstrous door let open his arms.

As the footman stared into the path and forest, all he could see were shadows camouflaged upon heavens ice. Then three pairs of glowing eyes lit up the scene staring up at the soldier.

"Who's there?" screamed the soldier, the armor clanking away as his legs shivered not only from the cold. A new recruit, tall with blonde hair, stared into the dark abyss with fear in his soul. Still, all that he could see were those four red eyes, two blue eyes, and hear nothing but the silence of the cold. Suddenly the black demon formed into a column, leaving two small distinct shadows with red eyes, and a larger object in- between. As the three came forward, fighting the snow, the light from the flames revealed all, splitting the monstrous demon into two.

Standing in front of the soldier were two dragons. They were the size of dogs, each red with fiery eyes. The front one had flashes of gold spread throughout his scales, and resembled more of the high dragons that once roamed the land. The other one in the rear was crimson red and took its heritage from the Lordareon clan of dragons. Between the creatures glowed the most beautiful horse any of them had seen. It was clothed in red scales that fit the horse perfectly, and blue eyes, mane, and tail any animal would wish to own. In between the armor they could see the beautiful white coloring of the horse. Lying upon the horse was a bundle of goods. The column stopped, looked the town over, and continued on their path. All the guards could do was stare in awe. However, considering the animals weren't causing any trouble, yet, the soldiers did not plan on probing the three any further.

The trio had no chosen path. They only saw one light on in the whole town, and so, the dragons drawn by the golden brilliance, headed towards it. As they approached the shop of "De Lacy Blacksmith and Stables" the first dragon sprinted out across the plains of snow, ruining the snowmen several children had been working on earlier, and again threw its tail upon the door. The door was thrown open just as the horse and smaller dragon approached the door.

"What the devil was." The blacksmith was soon cut off by a softer thud. The bundle of cloth fell off the horse and a boy had rolled out upon the snow. He looked around 17, with long flowing dark brown hair, brown eyes, a small nose and mouth, and long, narrow ears. He was shadowed inside a blood red cloak with golden lining and symbols engraved along the edges. He wore mainly wool and studded leather from head to toe. The blacksmith looked at the two sacks upon the horse that were undoubtedly the boys' weapons and supplies.

"What the devil is an elf doing so south of Ashenvale Forrest?!?" said the man as he noticed the red paint covering the boys face. "And one of the high elves no doubt, all the way from Quel Tha'las?!" exclaimed the man in a deep Scottish tone as he saw the tan flesh of the boy, unlike the purple skin which the night elves bear. He spat upon the snow outside. He remembered how after the battle of Mount Hyjal the elves had retreated to their lands and the high elves were a mere myth, slaughtered by the Scourge. Now the humans were looking for another land to take, and the orcs had settled here first! The humans and orcs had decided to keep their treaty but recently the orcs had decided to attack the new expansions and things had gotten ugly. The blacksmith spat again. He was a tall man, slowly going bald but his deep, black beard more then made up for it. His muscles pierced his wool clothing, and weight had started to form around his mid-section from age and nights at the nearby pub. He wore a brown tunic, black belt, brown pants, and brown leather boots. In his right arm was a large hammer and on both wrists were black leather thongs that saved his wrists from breaking as he forged all day. He glanced at the elf again, spat one last time, and called inside.

"Jessica!! Madeline!!! Come quick!!!" screamed Mortimor as he began to pick up the young boy. Two figures came out from the small house. The first was the mother, Madeline. She was in her mid 40's, around the same as Mortimor. However, not one wrinkle had planted itself upon her skin, and she still looked as radiant as on their wedding day. Madeline was the average height for a women of that day as well as in "size", however her little nose, long, flowing blonde hair, green eyes, and somewhat Elvish ears made her more extraordinary closer up. She wore the common clothes of the people: A brown dress and pale shirt. Currently she was wearing a giant blue cloak she had just finished sewing to keep out the cold. The second one to follow her was their daughter, Jessica. She was the most beautiful girl in the town of New Covell. Many Lords as well as adventurers had fallen for her, but none had succeeded in courting. She was taller then her mother, and her elegant beauty almost floated to the horse. Her long brown hair and blue eyes went perfectly with her oval face, slim nose, and luscious lips. She also wore the same clothing of her mother, aside from the yellow lining and colors she had added in a vain attempt to add flair to the cloth. Both the mother and child stared in awe at the elf in the man's arms.

"Well don't just stand there, help me! Jessica, take the horse around back, take care of it, and then come in for the night, it's getting late and who knows what comes out at this time!" Jessica nodded and took the horse around back to the wooden stables. Madeline quickly ran through the kitchen/living room to get to the back bedroom. She slid away the sheets off of the bed and ran to fetch some warm water, cloth, and salts. As Mortimor carried the boy to the bed he could feel the warm, red liquid covering his hands and the color fading in the elf's skin.

"Oh bloody hell! Quickly my love!" Mortimor screamed. He laid the boy upon the bed, and removed his cloak and shirt. What they saw next appalled them. Slashes and wounds covered the elf's chest. Puss was everywhere. Many of the wounds had healed, but blood was still pouring out of the deeper wounds and gashes. Madeline silently went to work. She grabbed the bottles of salts and poured them over the wounds. Many of her patients before would scream in pain from the sting of the salts, but the elf took no notice. She thanked God for this, and continued in the cleaning of the body. After she had stopped the bleeding, washed him down with water, and wrapped his wounds up, she pulled up the covers and went over to her husband.

"Don't worry," exclaimed Madeline as she put a hand on Mortimor's shoulder. "He'll live. The weird thing is.. he shouldn't be. Those wounds were too deep, no one should have survived that many, much alone a journey on horseback in that condition."

"Orcs.. may they all get sent back to hell. Oh well, at least this one will be able to claim vengeance." And with that the two lovers headed up to bed wrapped in each other's arms.

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Jessica had just finished setting up the horse in one of the many stalls with feed when she noticed the many packs on its back. 'Poor boy' she thought. She lifted up the sacks, brushed over the horse one last time, said her good byes, and dragged the bags into the back door of the house. As she threw them on the table, she looked at the house and smiled. It was a two-story house, made out of wood and stone like all the others. Downstairs was the kitchen and a table with chairs, and a door for her dads' blacksmith shop next door. In the back was the guest room, where the elf was sleeping, and upstairs were her parent's room and her room. Closets and cupboards scattered the house. Being somewhat of a cleaning freak Jessica decided to unpack the sacks of their new company. When she opened the first bag her face lit up golden as the sun. The entire sac was filled with gold! Jessica quickly closed the bag and took it into the back bedroom where the elf was. As she entered the room she could barely see for all the candles had already been extinguished in the room. It looked as though things had already been put under the bed, so Jessica decided to put the sack of gold at the foot of the elf's bed. When she looked up she suddenly realized how handsome the elf was. His cloak and shirt were hanging on hooks next to the bed. White bandages, now soaked red with blood, covered the elf's chest, and he was breathing heavily. Jessica smiled, and went back into the other room to open the other sack. Inside were the elf's weapons, a belt with several daggers sheathed in it, some food, and a large, crimson book, lined with the same gold symbols as on the boys cloak. She ran her finger down the golden spine. Although made of metal, it felt incredibly smooth.

After finally organizing everything neatly Jessica quietly blew out the rest of the candles, and headed up to her room. In the darkness she threw off all her clothes and got into bed. It felt so good to her to wrap up in the warm sheets caressing her skin and keeping her snug. She leaned over and pulled out a golden medallion from underneath her bed. She was given it as a child, before her father, Mortimor, sailed off to do battle, and she had kept it ever since he came home for good luck. She cherished it, for it always reminded her that he loved her dearly. She clutched it in both hands and settled in.

Yet as soon as she had pulled out the memento sounds filled the house. She heard rummaging of cloth as well as the tearing of it, and then eight feet pattering around the house. Four of them had stayed in the back bedroom and she could hear the chinking of gold coins hitting the floor, but four were running up the steps! She looked at the doorway to see two red eyes peering in. Before she could do anything the "pat pat pat pat pat" had reached her bed and she moaned with an "umph" as a small creature jumped onto her stomach and created a ball wrapped around the golden medallion.

"AWW! Aren't you just the cutest little thing" Jessica exclaimed as she caressed the back of the dragon now the size of a small cat. She noticed the small scratches it had left on her hands while going for the medallion. It hissed slightly as it clutched the gold and nestled itself into the warmth of her mid-section. She just smiled at it, stroked its back, and soon was overcome with dreams.

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[A/N]: Well there you have it: the first chapter. Please R & R. I would also like to exclaim that I am indeed a guy, and I apologize for having my female characters react in future parts of the story in ways girls wouldn't really react. If some female wrote a book on how the female mind works, it would sell millions. Anyway, more action in later chapters I promise! I just had to get the description down in this one. If you have ideas, send them to me on AIM for raptor386. More to come later!