Meeting the Organization

Author's Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to "Resident Evil" or "WarCraft". I write this out of love for both series.

Dedication: I dedicate this work to three women who never stopped believing in me:

Gabby Garcia Neumann, for always being willing to read my work. Thanks for your support through my angsty times.

Veronica Garcia Neumann, for being my muse and one of the reasons I wake up in the morning. You have no idea how much you have helped me this year, my dearest friend. And you will always mean the world to me.

Umbrella's Worst Enemy, for being there to support me since Day One on this site. Thank you for your kind words and support. They mean a lot to me. And thank you for being my biggest fan before I even published anything. :-P

For what you have done for me, for what you continue to do for me, and what we have been through and share, I love all three of you very much. You all mean the world to me!

Ada Wong quickly shut the helicopter hatch and sat down in the cold, hard seat as the helicopter left Leon Scott Kennedy on the iron platform he had just vanquished Osmond Saddler on. She stared out of the window as Saddler's stronghold erupted in a brilliant display of smoke, fire, metal and rock. As the helicopter flew over a gaping maw in the side of the island, a jet ski carrying two passengers flew out of the cave, followed immediately by a wall of rock and water.

Ada smiled softly as she placed the sample in a container generously provided to her by the pilot. Suddenly, her PDA began to blip. She smiled softly as she opened the PDA and looked at the screen. The face of Albert Wesker stared back at her through the flat screen of the device in her hand.

"Albert," Ada said with a hint of satisfaction in her voice "I have the sample."

Even though Wesker was wearing his signature sunglasses, Ada could see his eyes light up with restrained excitement.

"Excellent." Wesker said, trying his best to be remain calm and dignified. "Have you dealt with Leon and Saddler?"

"Unfortunately," Ada replied "I managed to deal with Saddler, but Leon and Ms. Graham managed to escape."

Wesker shifted uncomfortably in his seat "That's unfortunate. I thought you had him wrapped around your finger."

Ada shrugged "Guess he got unraveled."

"Indeed." Wesker said with a distinct hint of suspicion. "Well, at least you have the sample. I'm going to make my way to the Rendezvous point that the Organization has told us to meet at. The pilot has the coordinates."

"Understood." Ada said simply before she flicked her PDA unit off.

Just as the screen turned black, the fatigue and exhaustion from her most recent mission slammed into her light body like a sledgehammer. Her muscles ached and screamed from her over-exertions and her brain seemed to throb with an undeniably powerful life force. She felt as if there was another being in her mind, trying to break free like Athena from the head of Zeus.

She laid back in utter exhaustion, trying her best to sleep over the cutting screeches of the helicopter blades.

"Ms. Wong?!?" She heard a voice call out to her in the darkness. She groggily looked up and saw the pilot staring at her. "WE'RE JUST COMING UP TO THE LANDING SITE!!"

Ada nodded briefly and turned to look down at the landscape below them.

The pure sapphire of the ocean had vanished and was replaced by an emerald carpet of trees.

She watched as they flew over the rugged landscape and over tree-covered mountains till she saw the rendezvous point materialize just over a tall range of mountains.

There, hidden in a valley that never seemed as if any humans had ever dared call this land, was proof to the contrary. A massive and elaborate castle compound laid at the bottom of the valley, its majestic dull grey walls festooned with green vines that snaked their way around the stone like veins. From atop the many towers and along the parapets, Ada could make out what must have been hundreds of black figures patrolling the grounds.

As the helicopter slowly made its descent to the wide inner courtyard of the castle, Ada began to check all of the equipment she had brought with her. Her PDA, her grappling gun, her pocket knife, her Blacktail. Everything seemed to be in order. She smiled softly as she held her Blacktail in her hands. For some reason, she felt a strong, almost overpowering urge to replace the half-empty magazine in her weapon. She knew nothing could happen now that she was safe, but her gut instincts had never failed her before.

She nodded as she silently removed the magazine and replaced it with a fresh one. Her last full mag.

The helicopter set down just as she holstered her weapon, and a pair of tall men in black robes with gold and violet trim stepped out and ran over to the chopper. The men slid the door open and stood at perfect attention.

Ada reached over and grabbed the case containing the sample and stepped out of the helicopter. Just as she did that, the massive iron doors of the keep wailed and groaned to life as they opened.

Ada watched as Albert Wesker emerged from the opening, flanked by a pair of robed soldiers. Ada could see that the mouths of all of the robed men were completely covered by their violet scarves. She could also see that the two soldiers behind Wesker were armed with wicked-looking short spears.

"Ada," Wesker greeted his operatively as warmly as he could. A hint of ice was in his voice as he spoke "I'm so glad you could make it."
"You have no idea how glad I could too." Ada replied casually.

Wesker smiled and asked "You have it?"

Ada smiled assuredly at Wesker and gave him the case.

Wekser held the case in both of his hands as if he was just given the command codes that would make him ruler of the world. And in a sense… maybe he was.

"Excellent." Wesker said flatly, trying to maintain his composure and hide his excitement. "Come now. He's waiting for us."

Ada nodded as Wesker and the robed men began to walk back to the keep. She followed Wesker into the gaping maw of the keep and could hear and feel the scraping of iron on stone and mud as the heavy doors began to shut.

Just as the doors closed, a dagger of wind stabbed Ada right in the face. Her eyes began to sting and her body was covered with goosebumps as thousands of imaginary icy knives and needles emerged from the walls and shot at her, bombarding her with a chill that pierced clean through her.

Wesker smiled cynically as he watched his operative shake and shiver involuntary in the frost of the keep. He too felt the cold, but he was so used to it that he was not even all that aware of it. The Organization preferred to meet in places like this.

The halls they traveled were long and dark, and still filled with an icy presence that did not cease in tormenting Ada's worn out and weary body. Even though she could not see them, she felt the presence of countless robed men who were walking past them in the near darkness or standing as sentinels. All of them seemed to stare at them with the same icy blue eyes that were like the imaginary daggers that stabbed her from all directions.

Finally, the entourage came to a halt before a forbidding set of oak doors wrought with iron. Standing in front of the doors was a pair of robed men carrying the same short spears as the guards of the entourage.

One of the guards spoke to one of the comrades keeping watch over the door. The pair spoke in a hushed, hissing language that seemed to be just as cold and icy as the atmosphere of the castle.

The two sentinels nodded to one another and pushed the doors open. Just as the opened the doors, the other two guards motioned for Wesker and Ada to go in. Wesker nodded briefly and led Ada into the room beyond. Just as they entered, the doors behind them were shut. And Ada could have sworn that she heard a distinct locking sound.

For a minute, Ada was mesmerized by the prodigious room they were now locked in. The room they were now in was an enormous and grand great hall, its high arched ceiling gave it the look of an ancient cathedral. There were no windows in the room, yet everything seemed to glow with an unnatural pale azure light. She could see no natural or other means for the light, yet did not question it.

The walls were festooned with elaborate tapestries depicting scenes of battles between knights, green-skinned brutes, elegant purple women, and rotting corpses. Each tapestry was separated by the pillars that rose up to support the ceiling. Just before they columns touched the ceiling, each one had a platform that held an enormous and elegantly carved gargoyle. The beasts looked so perfect that Ada had the briefest notion that they might come to life and attack her.

In the center of the room was a massive wooden table draped with a shimmering violet table cloth. On top of the table was the most elegant and elaborate assortment of meats, cheeses, fishes, vegetables and breads either of them had ever seen in their lives. Accompanying the rich foods were ornate pitchers that must have contained some sort of refreshment.

Ada felt herself trying to regain her breath as she saw the people sitting around the great table. There were five men in total. Two men sat on the right of the table, with another pair seated on the left. A chair on both sides flanked the fifth man, who sat at the head of the table.

All five men wore similar dress, massive and incredibly detailed black and silver armors covered in spikes, skulls, and runes. The whole engraved images gave the huge men an even more terrifying appearance. All of the men had long white hair that looked as if they were centuries old, yet their faces looked young and still full of vigor. Yet, despite the youth in their faces, their expressions were old and weary, as if they were truly older than anyone Ada had ever met before.

The man at the head of the table, who seemed even paler than and more worn than anyone else at the table, rose up and extended his arms warmly. He spoke in a cold voice that seemed to come from anywhere but his throat. "My friends, welcome to New Icecrown!"

Wesker smiled in kind. "Thank you, King Arthas. Ada and are honored to be welcomed by you."

The man Wesker called "Arthas" smiled warmly and walked over to Wesker. Ada took the time to study the man's features. He had heard Wesker talk about this "Arthas" extensively over recent months. A man who was supposed to be in control of the organization that they worked for. Aside from that, she knew nothing about him. And yet, here she was, face to face with the man himself.

Arthas placed his hands on Wesker's shoulders in greeting, and gazed deeply into his eyes. Ada looked over and Arthas, and instantly admired the man. He stood almost as high as Wesker, yet he seemed to need to look down to address him. His skin was a sickly white, crossed by pale blue rivers of veins that ran under his skin. His chin was partially covered in stubble, and his hair was deathly white. It almost looked as if he was a walking corpse.

The only part of Arthas that seemed to be alive were his incredible blue eyes. They were a blue Ada had never seen before. They were nearly clear blue, with a deep, piercing chill coming from deep within them. Despite how deathly pale his eyes were, she could feel an unnatural power emanating from deep within him. I life force that was stronger than anything she ever felt before.

She couldn't explain it to herself, but she was intrigued by him. And terrified.

Arthas turned to face her, filling her instantly with an even greater dread and icy terror. He smiled coldly and said "Ms. Wong, I greatly thank you for your efforts to bring this… magnificent specimen to us."

Ada felt herself blush and she replied "It was my honor and pleasure, sir."

Arthas tried to smile warmly "Please… call me 'Arthas'."

Ada felt herself involuntarily nod and she said "Very well, Arthas."

Arthas smiled again and gripped her shoulder. She could feel a pang of ice run through her body from his hard, iron-like touch. She fought back the urge to yelp in pain and discomfort as Arthas declared "MY FRIENDS!! I HAVE HERE THE WOMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE REASON WE HAVE COME TO THIS WORLD!!"

The men at the table let out a cheer and lifted their goblets in admiration to her.

Ada blushed slightly at the accolade, yet felt the touch of concern on her mind.

Did he just say "come to this world?"

Ada brushed it off. Surely that wasn't what she heard. Must have been her imagination along with her fatigue.

Arthas smiled again and guided Ada and Wesker to the table. Wesker sat at his right while Ada took a place at his left.

Arthas smiled with satisfaction as he poured Ada's goblet for her. The liquid was blood red, and yet did not flow like wine. It almost seemed to have trouble coming out of the bronze pitcher.

When the goblet was filled, Arthas raised his own and declared "TO ADA WONG!!"

The entire table echoed the toast, which made Ada blush crimson. She tasted the drink, and was surprised by it. It was the sweetest tasting wine she had ever tasted in her entire life. It was like a mixture of honey, wine, and something else she couldn't identify. The sweetness caught her by surprise, and she found herself downing the entire goblet.

The feast was incredible. Ada could barely remember the last time she had eaten so well in her life. She enjoyed the high-life and the finer things life had to offer, but she had never savored a meal that was quite like that.

Ada tried her best to reframe from gorging, but her appetite seemed to know no limits, and she could not stop herself from eating or drinking everything she could.

Almost an hour into the feast, Arthas smirked at Ada and said "So, Ms. Wong, it had to be very hard to obtain that sample by yourself."

Ada finally paused her feeding frenzy. She blushed crimson as she was addressed, and dabbed her lips with her napkin.

Trying her best to regain her composure, Ada nodded "Well, it was difficult. But not impossible."

"Especially since she wasn't alone." Wesker said "She did have the assistance of Lt. Jack Krauser."

Arthas's eyes seemed to glow an unholy azure at the mention of Krauser. Ada felt herself grow very cold again all of a sudden. She mentally summoned up her inner defenses, as if to keep Arthas from probing her mind. Not that he could. Right?

"Ah, yes." Arthas said with an enlightened tone. "Krauser. And where is the good lieutenant?"

Ada did her best to keep from turning red. "He's dead."

Arthas released a gasp at her response, which Ada frowned slightly at. For some reason, it seemed very fake and in fact… prepared. Could he have known Krauser was already dead?

Then again, Wesker probably told him. That had to be it. Yet, why did he feign his shock then.

"What a shame." Arthas said in a consoling tone. "Was he killed by Leon?"

Ada felt her entire body screech to a halt at the question. She turned to face Arthas and his dagger-like eyes. She was so scared of what she saw in those blue eyes of his. They reminded her of Leon's. But only just enough that she could stand staring into them.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ada flashed a smile at Arthas and asked innocently "Who?"

Arthas's expression turned just as cold as the atmosphere around them. "Don't play coy with me, Ms. Wong. Many have tried. And all fail miserably. I know of the man the United States sent to save Ashley Graham."

Ada turned to face Wesker, but Arthas interrupted her. "Albert did not need to tell me anything about Leon Kennedy. I observed all of the events that transpired during the operation." He paused and chuckled "I must admit, I was more than impressed with this Leon's skill in battle. He proves to have a tact, resourcefulness, and sheer talent that you just don't see in this world."

"Yes, my King." One of the armored giants, the one sitting next to Ada, said "He seemed to remind me of yourself."

Arthas smiled and replied "Do you really believe so, Lord Darkhallow?"

Another soldier, the one next to Wesker piped in "I agree, my King. He seems to possess a fire and vigor we have not seen since your days as a Paladin."

Ada kept his eyes on the new speaker. Paladin? What was a Paladin?

Arthas chuckled warmly and said "I agree with you, Baron Morte. He did seem to remind me of my younger, more foolish years."

The armored men all seemed to agree, and Wesker was smiling warmly at Ada the whole time.

Ada hated being kept in the dark. What's more, she felt uneasy about hearing all of these men talk about Leon when none of them even knew him. What was with all this talk of Leon anyway?

"I must say," Arthas declared "When we came to this world, I only expected to come for the precious creatures known as Las Plagas. But now…I see that we may be here for something else entirely."

Arthas rose from his seat and addressed the audience "My friends, I propose that we invite Mr. Kennedy to join our ranks as a Death Knight of the Scourge!"

The entire table erupted with cheers as Arthas made his declaration. Even Wesker seemed to applaud Arthas's proclamation.

Ada could do nothing but sit and listen to the cheers of the men at the table, and feel herself be dragged into the icy darkness that began to consume her.