A/N: Welcome to Episode two! To get most of the plot, please read episode 1. In this episode, Bakthar, now Ebon Champion Bakthar, is recruited to help end the Nexus War. He gains many friends along the way, and loses most. This fleshes out on Bakthar's personality, as well as his will to love.

Sin'dorei

Episode 2

Negotiations Failed: Open Warfare

Prologue

War has broken a fever pitch in Coldarra, ironic huh? The instigator of the war is the Blue Dragonflight and their master, Malygos the Spell-Weaver. Malygos declared war on all spellcasters in Azeroth, to prevent another invasion by the Legion; his last memory before going insane. The Blues in their home of the Nexus prepare to drain all magic from the world. We and our anti-magic specialty were called to action by Rhonin and the Council of the Six. Rhonin sent a message to Darion and sent me for our meeting……

Chapter 1

Reining the Magic Monster

"It's good to see you again Bakthar, I'm glad Darion accepted this." "I am too Rhonin, I'm guessing I will be acting as the Death Knight Commander of this war?" Modera responded, "Yes, but you have two commanders above you, us and Alexstraza, the Dragonqueen." "Al...Alexstraza? How did she become involved?" Krasus quickly answered "In truth, I am really Korialstrasz, a red dragon and Consort to Alexstraza, and with Rhonin and Vereesa's help, we freed my love, and she pledged her strength and wisdom to us if someone threatened our order; even Malygos, her brother. Since he has declared war on us, my brood has pledged their full alliegence." "Thank you Krasus. Now, Bakthar, head to Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight. Plan with Alexstraza, and we will end Malygos' aggression; by any means necessary." "Understood, Rhonin, say hi to Vereesa and the twins for me ok?" "Sure Bakthar, and good luck my friend." "You too Rhonin." I walked out of the Citadel, and got ready to depart for Dragonblight.

Chapter 2

Enter Eregos

I took the small teleporter to the surface of the majestic Crystalsong Forest, deciding to go the Dragonblight on my Deathcharger. As I slowly walked on the path, I heard a shrill scream coming from my left. I immediately dismounted and ran in the direction of the banshee-like wail, only to find a human woman running towards me. Unaware of what was in front of her, she ran right into my hands, outstretched, ready to catch her. She started crying, obviously in terror. "What's wrong?" She barely was able to reply, scared and out of breath, "Ddddddraaagon….." At that moment, a blue drake flew into view, and landed in the clearing behind the two of us. "Priestess!!! You have chosen to defy Malygos by siding with the Kirin Tor of Dalaran! As slated by my master, you are to be terminated." "Hold on dragon. I won't allow this!" "Who are you to challenge me, Eregos?" "I am Bakthar Rommath, Chosen Champion of the Knights of the Ebon Blade!" "Rommath you say? Interesting….." "Enough chatter Eregos! Face the wounds of my blade!" I charged Eregos, and faintly heard the priestess whispering something. Eregos immediately uplifted his right claw and swiped at me. The claws tore at my armor, causing grooves to appear in my chestplate after the encounter. He then quickly threw me with this left claw, landing a few feet in front of the priestess, and in bad shape. I then felt a presence upon me I had not felt in many months, the presence of The Light. I felt much better, and stood up, ready to fight. "How? PRIESTESS! FACE THE WRATH OF EREGOS, GUARDIAN OF THE LEY-LINES OF THE OCULUS!!" He then breathed in, and exhaled a mighty cloud of frost. I called upon my mastery of the unholy to conjure an anti-magic zone, to protect myself and my new friend. The frost breath went around us, and I heard Eregos chuckle with the obvious sense of success, but I had imagined a different outcome. I charged Eregos again, but this time, he was unprepared. "EREGOS! FOR DALARAN! FOR ALEXSTRAZA!" I tore open his right shoulder with my runeblade. He writhed in pain, and flew off. "YOU WIN THIS TIME SON OF ROMMATH! BUT BE WARNED! MY MASTER'S WAR IS A WAR TO PREVENT ANOTHER LEGION ATTACK LIKE THE WELL OF ETERNITY! WE WILL DESTROY ANYONE WHO STANDS IN OUR WAY! I WAIT FOR YOU, Death Knight!"

I sighed in relief and the priestess fell over, unconscious. I picked up her body and put her on the back of my deathcharger and continued on my way to Wyrmrest Temple, with a new, albeit unconscious friend.

Halfway to the temple, she finally woke up. "Ugh…I feel like I just got hit by a Deeprun Tram car…who are you?!?" "I am Bakthar, and I saved you back there. What's your name?" "My friends call me Healy, and thanks, Bakthar. Where are we going?" "We're going to Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight. I have an appointment with a mighty dragon there. I know I'm going to need help…would you like to help me?" "I guess I have no choice, Malygos' lackeys are after me, and you saved me." "Welcome to the team, Healy." "I'm honored, Bakthar." "Good. To Wyrmrest!"

Chapter 3

Friends in REALLY High Places

Healy finally felt good enough to get on her horse, scared and almost all of the way to Wyrmrest. We finally arrived at the majestic temple and couldn't seem to find a way up. Suddenly, a massive red dragon came into view, and was preparing to land near us. "It is good to see you Bakthar." "Krasus? How'd you get here so fast?" With a small dragonic smirk he said, "Remember Bakthar, I am a mage and a proud dragon." I chuckled and asked him for a ride up, both Healy and I. "Sure Bakthar, hop on and I'll bring us up to the Dragonqueen." The mighty dragon Korialstrasz then lifted off and quickly ascended the height of the Temple. He then motioned for us to dismount, and transformed back into his elven form, taking his place next to his mate.

"Welcome to my brood's headquarters for the Nexus War, Bakthar Rommath." "I am honored to be in your presence, Alexstraza. Now, for the task at hand; do you have any of your brood in Coldarra fighting in the fronts?" "Yes, I have dispatched Keristrasza, and other assorted dragons to the front. Please, gather some allies and help out Keristrasza. I'm counting on your resourcefulness, Bakthar." "Do not worry; we have some common enemies and common allies. Let us end this crusade, my any means necessary." "I hope not, for my brother's sake."