Author's Note: Hello readers! I am happy to share this story of mine with you all. As this is my first fanfiction, there will be a lot of things that I need to improve on. Feedbacks are very welcome, and I will take every comment to heart. Because English is not my first language, there will be grammatical errors in my writing. I am trying to proof-read my chapters at least twice before I update. But seeing I'm the only one who is editing it , I would love for a dedicated beta-reader to evaluate my story before I post

I took my inspiration from the popular MMORPG World of Warcraft. In the story will contain elements of how I see the world.

I do NOT own any of the characters nor locations in World of Warcraft, Blizzard does. I only name ownership to the original characters I created. Please don't sue me! I just started…

Prologue

The night was cold. Darkness engulfed over the small town that rested under a thick layer of mountains. The chilling breeze blew harshly against the trees, yet it brushed harmlessly against the wooden walls of the small houses that scattered about the township. Within the town, a calm serenity covered the sleeping citizens. The only disruption that pierced through the quietness was the rhythmic galloping of five horses. The animals carried their riders down the long village road until they stopped before a small cottage near the outskirt of the town. Dismounting from the horses, four cloaked riders stood expectantly and waited for the fifth. The last rider shifted his cloak before muttering something inaudible behind his shroud. Moving alone towards the door of the cottage, the fifth rider lifted his hood and knocked lightly at the wooden entrance.

Montellus opened the door slightly and peeked through the crack into the cold darkness outside. But instead of seeing darkened silhouette of tress, the alchemist's eyes caught sight of a pale man staring back at him.

"Evening Montellus, I hope I am not visiting too late for your liking." The rider began politely.

"Certainly not, magistrate Tarrin. Please, come in."

The Magistrate lowered his head and moved his tall frame into the warm cottage. Taking his dark cloak off, Tarrin examined his surroundings. The living room was kept in pristine condition, with the exception of a large alchemy table to the far end of the room, where old tombs laid scattered on table and floor. A small fire place burned quietly behind a dining table. Tarrin turned his gaze towards the table and focused on a figure sitting in a wooden chair. The woman had skin as dark as night, her large eyes watched him with hidden fear. Inside her hands was a small white dress.

"Would you like some wine… or tea Magistrate?"

"Tea would be great Montellus, and thank you." Tarrin smiled politely at the man and casually moved himself to sit in the chair opposite the woman. "How are things here? Are you finding the same comforts that you were accustomed to back at home?"

Monetellus bowed respectfully as he busied himself around the small kitchen. "Yes sir, I am more than comfortable and forever grateful of the hospitalities that this town has given me." Setting the fresh kettle on the stove, the man added more forlornly, "although sometimes I do miss Gilneas in my dreams."

"I am glad it is in your dreams. You must remember you are a fugitive of your homeland. You should be clearly aware of the punishment your people give to those who leave the great wall." The Magistrate stated plainly.

"Of course sir. I apologise sir."

Tarrin laughed lightly and smiled reassuringly at the dark woman, "No need to apologise Montellus. I am here to help you; I look after my subjects well." He lifted his leg over his other and leaned back into the chair, "However, I also expect the best from my subjects. How is my research going?"

Montellus turned from the kitchen slowly and rested his backside on the edge of the cooking bench. "I am making remarkable progress sir… however…" the man gave a worried look to his wife before turning back to the magistrate. "I have also discovered…many unforeseen results."

"Oh? Tell me about them."

Montellus coughed awkwardly, "This… magic you're tasking me to dwell into, it is not just any fel-magic. It's something completely different. It is ancient, and powerful beyond anything I've seen. It is… uncontrollable."

"Everything can be controlled dear Montellus, you just need to find the key."

"Not this my Magistrate." The alchemist urged carefully, "this magic is pure corruption. It will rot and taint the soul of the wielder. I… I will wish not to continue in studying this."

Tarrin sighed defeatedly, "You're scared, and do not want to taint yourself. I understand. What have you found out so far."

Montellus twitched his fingers nervously, then quickly rushed over to his alchemy table and rummaged through the mess. Eventually he found a piece of scrunched paper and held it before him. "I've managed to create a stable channelling idol that can partially transfer the magic into the user safely. It lightens the corruption of the magic while maintaining its potency."

"So one can use the magic as long as the idol is with him?"

The alchemist nodded, "I fear I have created a device that would eventually doom us all." The man added sadly.

Tarrin lifted himself from his seat and walked towards Montellus. "That is not for you to worry about. Give me the idol and you will never hear of it again." The magistrate snatched the paper out of the alchemist's hands and glanced down at it. "What is this?"

"That is my resignation as the town alchemist. You will also find inside my request to relocate my family to Redridge." He straightened himself with more confidence, "I no longer wish to affiliate myself, and my research with your dark ambitions."

Tarrin's eyes darkened, his lips twisted upwards into a slight sneer. "I gave you all the funding you needed to research this and you think you can just cut your ties with me and run away without giving me anything? I don't think so Gilnean." Laughing deeply he scrunched the paper in his hand into a tight ball. "Now, give me that idol. I know you have it, otherwise I wouldn't be here."

Montellus lifted his chest and stood defiantly, "You are certainly mistaken; I do not have it. I have tried many times to create the idol, but have failed at every attempt. I have given up on this matter. Now leave my house, you are not welcomed anymore."

"I do not take kindly to threats Montellus, especially from someone whom I've put in too much money and effort into keeping alive." The Magistrate hissed angrily. "I am more than happy to tear this entire house down to find that damned idol if I have to."

Montellus paused, and thought deeply before continuing in a calm and steady tone, "I may have exiled myself from all my family back in Gilneas when I ran away to pursue my alchemistic ambitions, but I have found a new one here. I love them with all my heart, and will NOT abandon them to the mercy of a power-hungry noble obsessed with dark magic. You might as well kill me now, because I am not giving you the idol."

Tarrin took a moment to let everything set in, then shrugged his shoulder dismissively and gave the pale skinned alchemist a resigned smile. "Full of honour till the end, but a bit too late I say." Turning to the door he picked up his coat from the hanger and dressed himself all the while eyeing the dark woman sitting by the table, "You have made this tailor a promising wife; she must enjoy her comfortable life with you. I heard you even sired a half-blooded child with this bitch. It is unfortunate for you they will have to die." The magistrate knocked on the door, and four heavily armed guardsmen entered the house, "but fortunate for me, I rather like your wife. And I am going to enjoy tasting darker skin for a change" With a devious smile, Magistrate Tarrin moved towards the Alchemist once more.

Screams of pain and agony roared through the quiet night. The sound startled the slumbering birds, and caused them to fly away in alarm. Several candles from nearby houses lit in response, but they were quickly flickered off, for the villagers feared the unstoppable wrath that came down upon Montellus' family that silent night.