Disclaimer-I do not own Naruto, Shadows of War, Lord of the Rings, Inheritance Cycle, Dragon Age or any other game, book or manga, which I used while writing this...unfortunately.
Note: found a good cover image for my fic, all rights reserved.
Nazgul.
Chapter I.
Sauron. Gorthaur. The Enemy. He had many names. He committed countless atrocities. Both as servant to his master and Dark Lord of his own. He was many things, but never was he a fool. There was a possibility that he will fail, that his ring will be destroyed, that Dark Tower will fall to dust…
Thus he created something… His scouts had found someone in the wastes of Mordor. Young human-looking boy. But Sauron, unlike his servants could look through mortal shell. He saw power and rage, worthy of the mightiest Barlogs and not this tiny form that saw normal eyes.
Plan had quickly appeared in his head. Shall he perish someone must take his place. Since the Nazgul will follow him, he must prepare his successor beforehand. And this boy… this child named Naruto… He will be great legacy… with time and proper education…
…
Naruto looked, how Oroduin erupted. His hand covered by clawed metal gauntlets turned into a fist. So many efforts… all in vain. He was glad that his fate was now his own, but seeing something that once represented unspeakable might, reduced to nothing but pile of rubble…
Guess he was truly part of the Dark Races now, just as Sauron planned. It was strange really, he could return back, but unlike his first years he saw no reason. He grew up, he passed the desire to be respected. As heir to Dark Lord he will be both respected and feared. Now he wanted to build something to be remembered. Something that will last and he will start with a fortress.
Figure in dark cloak turned its back to the erupting volcano and slowly went away, deeper into the lands of Mordor, where life was slowly returning to its rightful place.
…
Naruto had spent a lot of time in the inner regions of Mordor. While Elves slowly but surely left the Middle-Earth, and Men and dwarves were too overjoyed to check, Naruto conquered one of the newly build fortresses.
From there, he ruled his orcs. They called him Screecher, since Sauron, when reshaped him used Nazgul as model. Naruto attained their powers, yet he was something more than both Wraith and mortal men. Unlike the usual undead, he could sire children. Sauron experimented a lot to insure that Naruto, or his descendants could carry his legacy.
From the day he succeeded Nazgul stopped being a title, it will be the name of new race that will naturally reign over death. Thus was the plan of the Dark Lord, however, Naruto didn't know that and he decided to leave a legacy the classical way… at least for the Dark Lord. He decided to build an empire.
Well Emperor of the Middle-Earth did sound good.
In Fortress he met the strange orc, who others called sage. Old orc was still powerful enough to give one hell of a fight, so younger warrior knew better than mess with him. The strangest in said orc was his hobby he collected books. Books, precious artifacts, everything that caught his fancy…
Naruto bought his loyalty when he taught him how to read, finally his mind, thirsty for knowledge got what he desired the most, access to it. His son, Urdon, on the other hand, respected Naruto for being the mighty warrior. Sage commented that he was the same back in his time. For this his son constantly growled.
Perspective to become obsessed with books slightly terrified him.
Wielders of the three Rings, alongside hobbits had finally left the Middle-Earth. Elves slowly, but surely went to the ports, leaving the land of Mortals behind. Meanwhile King Ellesar Telcontar rebuild his kingdom, preparing to take territories taken from Gondar in during previous kings' reigns. Moreover, he needed to establish his power over Arnor.
Naruto used this time, to gather forces and conquer territories of Mordor. His Fortress grew in size and orcs under his command, in numbers. He with Sage as his councilor and his son Urdon as his second-in command, he established the hierarchy among orcs and started the conquest of Mordor.
It was strange, how quickly did this land healed itself, just several years ago it was nothing but barren waste, but when Naruto started his crusade, lands of Mordor became green with life. Naruto presumed that Sauron's magic that left this place with his banishment let other forces, like Forest God Carnen, Ents and other forces of nature to heal the lands from the wounds, caused by Sauron and his ancient Master.
Nevertheless, something like this played on Naruto's side. Finally, he will be able to use inner resources provided by Mordor itself and not use raids to find provision. Of course, this also means that Graugs, Caragors, Ghuls and other ancient beasts of Mordor will return to their rightful place, alongside normal wolves, deer and every beast that inhabits neighboring regions, providing food and battle beasts for his forces.
Raids from the other newly built orc outposts forced Tribesmen of the Nurn to ask protection from them. Gondor was far away and didn't had any spare forces, so they gave their loyalty to Naruto, whose orcs protected the tribesmen.
Some of the orcs started to show more intellect and restrain over the years, death of Sauron only increased the work of their grey matter. They started to understand the meaning of cooperation. As Naruto presumed will of their dark masters was one of the sources of their aggression. Also, as sign of a good will, he was given Litha, current heir to the Tribesmen Queen and also descendant of the Lithariel, another Queen of the Shore, that his colleague, Talion, befriended during his travels.
Girl resembled her ancestor greatly, memories implanted inside his head by other Nazgul proved that. Memories of Talion. Magic knowledge of Witch-King. Skills and knowledge of other Nazgul. All in all, he was tenth, the most powerful Nazgul. All knowledge and powers of previous Nine and none of their weaknesses.
Beside that, Sauron placed inside his brain information about Rings of Power. Unlike his predecessors, Naruto understood the trap of ring's power. So… he forged his ring to not gain more power, but to aid himself with delicate magic operations. In other words, it was a tool, to control his vast magic power.
Naruto looked at the waters of Nurn from the highest tower of his fortress. His warriors, both men and orc, followed his lead without any question, but Naruto feared that his presence and unusual powers will gain attention of King Ellesar.
"My Lord." Naruto turned to see his best spy, scout and assassin uruk-hai Colzur. Blood Brother to Karzar, captain of his uruk-hai guards. "I have rather troubling news."
"Cannot you see, brother? Lord is meditating. Maybe you shall report sometime later?"
His brother snarled. "You desire to show yourself from the best side and receive something in return is disgraceful for uruk-hai, brother."
"Enough!" Naruto walked to brothers, who were about to unsheathe their swords. "Colzur, Karzar, we need to stay united, especially now. Our enemies held advantage over us. Haradrim and Umbar do not recognize the power of Mordor anymore. Warlords of orc build their fortresses all around Nurn. Without a doubt they will try to attack us. So… we do not need to fight each other. We cannot grant them easy win."
"As you wish, my Lord." Bowed Karzar. His brother just nodded.
"As I said, I have troubling news. Gundabad orcs are on the move and they are not alone. As far as I managed to find… Orcs from Moria and tribes from Misty Mountains. Rumors about their leader are also… strange."
"What about him?"
"It is told that their leader is a giant orc with unnaturally pale skin." Replied uruk-hai.
"Azog? But he is dead. Killed by Oakenshield." Stated Naruto.
"Him, or someone really similar, of course, if there are orcs like him… Those, who can also bear the title of Orc King without being killed by other candidates." muttered Colzur.
"Great… simply great. Nevertheless, the situation isn't as bad as it can be." Said Naruto. "I believe that I can find a way to keep our newly-founded state safe, both from Gondor and this Orc Alliance. Unfortunately… I may need some time to prepare magic rituals for this particular goal."
"Actually, my Lord, I believe that there is a way…" said Karzar. "King Ellesar managed to return province of South Gondor and is preparing to fight against Umbara and Harad. Both sides will pay dearly for information about their enemies."
"Interesting… and how shall we attain this information?" asked Naruto.
"Minas-Morgul. Palantir is still there and your powers shall be enough to deal with spells put on it." Answered uruk-hai.
"Not bad. Not bad."
Several days later. Outskirts of Minas-Morgul. Midnight.
Naruto looked over the ruins of Minas-Morgul. With fall of Witch-King and later – Sauron, only the boldest orcs dared to stay so close to their former home. Under orders of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, company of soldiers stayed near the ruins, to watch over the Keep.
However… their camp was abandoned, no guards, no weapons left. Just traces that led to the ruins of Minas-Morgul. Naruto needed to find out what happened. Hopefully before shit will hit the fan. He managed to sneak into the ruins, before he faced the first Gondorian patrol.
"What do you think will happen to her?" asked one of the guards, who held the watch beside his friend, while other warriors of Gonador either sat near fire or looked at something in the iron cage.
"Do not know and actually do not care. You shall do the same." Answered his companion.
"But… hey! Bolvar! Where are you? Brothers! Bolvar! He is…" Guard didn't manage to finish his speech. Something grabbed him and pulled into the darkness. Gondor warriors who went to check on their friends had found nothing.
Then it came… horrific howl, well-known to all, who lived pass the Siege of Minas-Tirith. Only one creature had such scream. Nazgul. Fireplace exploded with unholy. Emerald flame. Only torches in hands of the gondorians gave light inside the cursed ruins. Captain of the guards raised his sword when something came from the darkness into the circle of light.
It was Bolvar… or rather, what was left of him. His mutilated body made the last step, but a glowing green specter continued his path. He raised his spectral sword, but one of the soldiers managed to react and block it with his own.
Captain tried to raise his sword and command his men to attack, but something pulled him back and he felt how his heart was pierced by blade.
"Morgul Blade works like a charm." Thought Naruto, observing, how new specter deals with his former subordinates. While increasing number of ghosts dealt with the living, Naruto walked to the cage. To his surprise, inside was a woman. "What are you?"
"Well." Said rather beautiful voice and a pair of brown eyes looked into his slightly glowing ones. "It may surprise you, but I'm a goblin."
Naruto raised his brow. Like all creatures of the dark, he easily saw in darkness. Female in front of him had a green skin, but it was the only thing that she and orcs had in common. She had a fair skin, beautiful face features, long black-colored hair, pulled into pony-tail, short stature, maybe equal to that of a hobbit and large hands with claw-like nails.
"I believe that you are certainly not from Middle-Earth." Stated he.
"Middle-Earth? What is this?" asked she.
"A continent." Answered Naruto.
"A continent? I was born on Kalimdor." Answered she. "Wait it is apart where you say that you don't know where the hell it is… I should have known that, since the bastards who took me said that I will never see my home again."
"Well… Looks like you not here under your own free will."
"Of course not. Me and others are here because of some strange bug-like creatures, who took us, placed into cages and tried to sell us as slaves."
"Us?"
"Me, my sis, several others." Answered she. "They took us from different places, it was clear, but all of us were females. At least in our section of the cage. I do not know where they wanted to sell us, but I was glad that slaves managed to rebel and overpower them."
"What happened then?"
"One tyrant took place of another. Grendel. Mix between large rat and something… otherworldly. Demonic even. Worst mix possible with worst traits inherited by him. He enslaved everyone again. Mecame a tyrant, with countless ratlings under his control. Those, who were enslaved alongside him, now fight in gladiator pits for ratlings' amusement. Also he raids the human settlements and sells the slaves to that freaky white-skinned and scared dude."
"White skinned?" asked Naruto. "Tell me more. More about this White-skinned dude."
"He has only one hand. Wears iron armor decorated by bones and iron crown." Answered him female goblin. "Grendel called him Azog."
"What is your name?"
"Maddy Thermoswitch. Why do you…" sword, covered by green ethereal flame cut through the lock and chain that closed the door of her cage. "Don't mind."
"This… Grendel. You are here because he wanted something?"
"Yes. His soldiers took something from ruins. I managed to overhear them before soldiers captured me. They took something called palantir. I do not know what it was, but it sounded pretty important."
Young Nazgul sighed in defeat and with wave of his hand released the captured souls of Gondor's soldiers. "Can you ride a horse?"
"Ehm…"
"Okay, do you know where this Grendel is?"]
"Of course." Stream of wind forced her to kneel as Fellbeast landed before them.
"Then show us."
…
"Grendel walked through the underground cavern, to the large coliseum, built by his ratlings.
"You shall not worry, Lord Azog." Said he. "Everything is ready, right on time."
Glowing green eyes of the large white orc looked Grendel's own eyes.
"It's better be." He turned his face away from him. "Or you place in our great plan can be… reconsidered."
"Of course my lord…" said the large bipedal rat. "What is mine is yours…"
"Then you better remember your place." Said another voice, which belonged to small orc, who walked near Azog.
"Zoggy, please, you will not find more disciplined and loyal subordinate than me." Said the rat. "Moreover, I prepared feast in your honor. Gathered countless slaves that will fight here, summoned countless mercenaries, who will fight in your honor. Slaves receive freedom and mercenaries money. Moreover, my prized team of gladiatrix will be granted to you as a prize. I think that they will be mothers to powerful children… after all, since Lord Bold had fallen our King is without heir to the throne."
As rat made his way to coliseum, Azog turned to his other councilor.
"Do you think it is possible?"
"For you to have children again? Your body functions properly, ring that I had forged from the remains of those that belonged to the Nine works well for you, my king. I can bet that soon, you will conquer all Arnor, creating first kingdom of the orcs and starting our age. Sauron may have led us to victories, but you will lead us to our future."
"As you say Zog. As you say."
…
Naruto observed the large coliseum from the top of the mountain nearby.
"And here I thought that most of the Orc strongholds on the North are destroyed. How did they managed to build something so big in secret."
"Hell if I know." Answered him Maddy. "Anyway, my friends are underground in their cells. That bastard Grendel holds them there, hoping to break their will. I can get them out, locks are easy to open, however I need a distraction."
"Hmm… He gathers mercenaries, who fights for money in the tournament during the great feast in honor of Azog, The King of Orcs. I can participate. Yes… I will be your distraction." Stated Naruto.
Several minutes later, he stood among the long line of mercenaries, whose desire for money brought them to this place. Countless warriors gathered on the arena. They were too many of them, so before they will start fighting the champions of Azog, there will be one more event.
"Warriors!" screamed the white skinned King. "I greet you on this feast and on the sand of coliseum that will devour blood of the weak and see the strongest warrior of the North. Just yesterday you were slaves, simple mercenaries or no-name soldiers in my army. Today, I grant you right to rise through ranks. To take your freedom, riches or position through your power and skill. There will be no third option, either you fight and rise, or die on sand!"
Orcs and ratlings all around, who sat on the stands cheered for his words, thirsty for blood to be spilled. Meanwhile, smaller orc in black mantle stepped from behind the throne, where Azog sat and raised his hands up, silencing orcs and ratlings on the stands. Then he looked down, on the participants.
"To those, who don't know, I'm Zog the Eternal, Councilor of our King and judge of this tournament. First of all. You are too many in numbers. Only the greatest fighters will fight against our warriors for reward. Therefore, you will be equally divided into two groups. You will fight each other, till the time will be up, then the true tournament will start. You will fight for gold, you will fight for power… you will fight for dominance! Now prepare yourselves! It's kill or be killed! Nothing more, nothing less! Glory for Azog! For the Orc King!"
When the old orc gave them a sign, Naruto was the first one to spill the blood. He fell upon his 'enemies like a hawk. To them, in their last minutes he was a shadow that clouded the sun, a grim messenger of death, last vision before certain doom.
Naruto's sword glowed with ethereal green light, leaving barely visible lines in the air that followed movement of his sword. Soon, Naruto seemed to be surrounded by entire energy cocoon. Morgul blade found countless victims and among many swordsmen there were none equal to him armed with his trusty blade.
Another one fell by his blade, when Azog decided to make massacre a bit more enjoying. He gave Zog a sign to release their champions upon the surprised participants. With glee, he observed, how orc captains cut through their masses, but his eyes narrowed again when he saw familiar figure in dark cloak.
…
Maddy sneaked into the prison chambers, Morgul blade, given to her by Naruto in her hands. She was small enough to hide in the vents or sneak into the shadows. She killed several guards, slicing their throats open. With each step, she got closer and closer to her friends.
Orcs weren't really bright at least the local ones. Morgul blade plus sneaky goblin means countless dead enemies. One by one, careless orcs died from her dagger. Until… she saw the captain. Massive orc with shield and spear guarded entrance to the prison cells.
"Shit!" swore Maddy, as she saw the guards. "One blade will not be enough for them."
"Boss! Boss!" heard she screams from the entrance. One of these… orcs ran into the dungeons. "Da king! He fights one of screechers up above!"
"What are you talking about? All screechers are dead!"
"He screech like them, fights like them and he feels like them! He is a screecher."
"Let's go." After a second of silence said captain.
"To help our king?" asked one of his warriors.
"To see who will win." Answered the captain.
When orcs left, Maddy jumped to the stone floor. She quickly jumped to the door and placed her large ear near the door.
"How long till Maddy will return here?" voice of her sister was easily recognizable.
"I hope that she will not. At this rate she will manage to survive." Gruff voice of Jan'ai, a tiefling warlock was always full of power. Even slavery and defeat by endless hordes of Grendel, didn't broke her spirit.
This moment Maddy chose to open the door.
"Or, you can ask me to get you out of here. If you don't plan to become missus Azog in nearby future."
"Sister!" screamed beautiful goblin in Victorian dress. "How did you manage to get here?"
"Less questions more getting out of here." Answered Maddy. "I hope that Naruto will manage to stall them a bit more, while I'm leading you out of here."
…
Glowing blade dealt with another orc champion. He dodged a spear and threw a glowing green dagger in direction of assassin. Spectral dagger can cause temporal paralysis. If it pierces the chest area… Well heart attack is guaranteed.
"Screecher!" loud scream forced Naruto to turn in it's direction. He stood there, clad in massive armor with iron crown above his head. In place of his left arm he had a blade, his right arm tightly gripped a massive mace. "You came to my kingdom? You dare to threaten my subjects? You think that orcs will follow you just because you are some dark wizards wannabe? Time of wizards, Dark Lords and screechers had passed. New age is coming! Age of Orc King! My age! Do not worry, your head will get its rightful place inside my future trophy room."
"You were killed once, Azog." Answered him Naruto, preparing his sword. "Trust me, I will manage to do it again."
Glowing blade blocked the mace, while Morgul blade stopped the hand-blade.
"Your pitiful tricks will not save you, screecher." Hissed Azog.
"Tricks will not." Said Naruto, breaking the blade lock, grabbing the spiked shoulder pad and using his superior strength to pull his body into the air and attack orc king from behind. "But superior strength, reflexes and brain certainly will."
"Agh!" screamed Azog as green blade left massive wound on his back. "Guards! To me!"
To Naruto's surprise, orcs followed Azog's order without a question. Champions built a protective formation around their king, none of them even tried to kill their wounded leader… This was nearly mystical. When he saw Azog's wound heal within a minute, young nazgul understood that without magic something like this couldn't happen.
It would perfectly explain everything. Azog's appearance after he was confirmed dead, unnatural loyalty of orcs, high-speed regeneration, power and skill… However, his magic must have a source and when he will deal with it, Azog will not manage to do something, either to command, or to fight, or to regenerate or he will simply cease to exist…
Nevertheless, in front of him stood several problems: he didn't know what was the source of magic, what kind of powers stood behind Orc King and Azog himself was a problem of its own. Beside, Naruto turned his head to the lodge, where strange orc in robes was sitting; there was another enigma in this riddle.
Zog… strange orc with even stranger powers. He felt the magic, but couldn't quite grasp it. Zog was greatly skilled in hiding his strength. Still… why did he show up himself? Why did he gather so many orc and how did he gather so many actually? After all the wars there were so little left. With losses that they had suffered they would have been licking their wounds at least for several decades, but here they are, another army, ready to fight.
This was unnatural. Absolutely unnatural. Either Zog had some special powers, either there were much more orcs than he thought before, or… There was someone else pulling the strings behind all these kings and warlocks.
Naruto jumped into the air enforcing his power with magic and making a salt landed on the back of felbeast. From left and right two another beasts appeared, carrying a pair of female goblins and strange beautiful woman with grey skins and horns.
Something strange came to the Middle-Earth. Looks like bearers of the three elven Rings of Power decided to leave a bit too early.
Gondor. Rebuilt city of Osgiliath.
King Elessar looked over the rebuilt city of Osgiliath. Capital of Gondor now matched it's former glory. However, dark days once again came to their doorstep. On the North, Azog the Defiler, not only returned from the grave, but also managed to create the first orc kingdom.
Now, with iron crown upon his head, he commanded his forces to sharpen their blades and prepare for the long campaign on south. Rangers of the North do all that they can, but they fail to stop so many orcs. Fortunately, orcs do not go further north.
Azog's kingdom spreads to the west from Moria and to the south to Isengard, he didn't start his campaign on North, he will be sure that elves will leave this region at least as many as possible, then he will take Bree, Hobbiton and maybe even Rivendale if he will be careful and lucky enough.
Right now, he needed to make fortified outposts on the borders with Rohan and Gondor.
Azog knew it, Elessar knew it, heck, everyone knew it. That's why none will give him the time. Aragorn's men were already speaking with dwarves and elves, but still… to no avail. Dwarves were ready to fight, but they wanted to free their ancestral home beforehand. Elves simply will not pass through mountains.
In other words… They had the powers, but lacked motivation and union to do anything. Meanwhile, orcs, who seemed to multiple right on everyone's eyes, managed to build the outposts securing their position on North. Now, on south were outposts, from east, mountain chain protected them, and on west was the ocean.
Gondor's fleet was still too weak after war with pirates, so invasion from the ocean was impossible. Attack from south was suicide, but at least there was Rohan and if they will manage to lure them into a trap…
No… Aragorn sighed once again. They will need to deal with it themselves. Aragorn was supposed to lead the Reunited Kingdom, but if he was too weak to defeat even one orc… More than that he was worried by rumors from the North and from the East.
Fellbeast. Rangers saw it flying to the North and three, from it. Without a doubt, there was someone atop it. As his spies on North reported, during infamous massacre on Arena, there was a figure, clad in black cloak with sword, which blade was covered by ethereal flame. And it screeched… like only Nazgul did.
That fact alone bothered Aragorn. Has the Dark Lord returned? Did he managed to break the shackles in his dark prison, where he and Melkor now were. If he was… didn't his dark master stepped on the soil of Arda? Maybe it is the reason how orcs increased their numbers so fast.
But the cloaked figure battled with Azog.
That fact alone was enough to doubt any theories that he managed to formulate. King of Gondor massaged his temples. He was a king for merely a decade and already faces a crisis where he didn't know what to do. Everything changed, chaotic orcs managed to build their kingdom, some king of Nazgul battles orcs… What else, Sauron will return to give everyone gifts as he did before?
World was slowly turning into a madhouse. At least he had a hot wife. That was definitely a plus in any kind of situation.
…
Zog the Eternal looked at the amulet in his hands. It looked like he was made out of glass, but it glowed from inside with strange, red light. Orc shamans before him kept it as simple trinket, but Zog's abilities were far greater than those of his predecessors combined were. He senses that an amulet was nothing but a part of something greater, but even reduced to such pitiful state its power was immense.
Amulet let Zog increase the numbers of the orcs. Of course the soldiers that he got as results were dumb, but they were many, and they can use them as cannon folder, before sending more 'elite' troops. Amulet helped him revive Azog and forge the Unified ring from the remnants of the nine that Nazgul wore.
Zog searched for any kind of clue that will help him reveal the nature of strange shard and had found something. In some elven scrolls, there was information about the goblets where burnt fire that came after appearance of the light.
They witnessed the birth of Arda and first melodies of Eru Iluvator. Bathed in their light, appeared soil and oceans of the planet. Whatever happened later was unknown, but goblets were shattered. Most of their shards disappeared in the wastes of cold space, with fate of others unknown… until now.
Zog carefully placed the amulet around his neck. Though surge of power that coursed through his body was pleasant, but Zog didn't lose his head over it. His previous fiasco with a Barlog that nearly caused him his life taught him restrain.
It was only through his healthy paranoia he survived his last meeting with Thalion. Come to think of it… he didn't know what has happened with Celimbribor's Ring… Hmm… Tempting, but Zog will not let power become his trap once again.
Necromancer left one room of his laboratory and entered another. Here inside a large storage room stood a structure that looked mostly like an arc of sorts. Covered by runes, stones of the arc gave an eerie feeling. Nevertheless, Zog didn't care about it.
His project was complete. During his travels Necromancer had finally found out that Arda wasn't the only one world that was created in this universe. Countless worlds inhabited by countless sapient species, sometimes similar, sometimes absolutely different, lived out there.
So… according to all Necromancer's views… if you don't have something in your world, it doesn't mean that you will not find what you need in another. Zog desired a weapon to deal with Dwrves of Iron Hills and Lone Mountain, with elves of Mirkwood and Lorien and humans of Lake Town and Esgaroth.
He will do what is needed to be done to create a stable Orc Kingdom. Even if it meant to completely annihilate Men, Dwarves and Elves and start another Great War.
This Era, Fourth Era will be that of an Orc! Or his name wasn't Zog the Eternal.
