PsykoReaper: Duskwood, what a terrifying place, that one undead guy spooked me when he just came out of bat-fucking-nowhere!

Dark Angel: The one who is the father of Miss Daddy-Issues?

PsykoReaper: Yeah, but we won't get to him until our second time at Duskwood, trust me, I got this whole thing planned out!
Dark Angel: He does…the freak…

Soril woke up in a bed; he looked to see he was in a room, a generic room you find in taverns. He looked at his left arm to see bandages on it, the pain almost non-existent, not like the throbbing like last night.

He saw the door open, it revealed a woman with pale skin and raven hair, wearing the same black armor as the ones who rescued him and holding a scimitar.

"I see you are awake, who are you?" she asked.

"My name is Soril Greyhelm, and you?" asked Soril.

"My name is Commander Althea Ebonlocke, why have you come to Darkshire?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, but we are trying to get to Quel'Thalas from Stranglethorn Vale, we didn't mean to intrude," spoke Soril, trying to keep the truth almost non-existent.

"The night elf and the human, are they with you?" asked Althea.

"Yes, they are," answered Soril.

"And the troll, goblin, and murloc, what of them?" asked Althea.

"They are with me too," answered Soril.

"Hm, then, are you with the Horde or the Alliance?" asked Althea.

"I guess I am neutral, the troll and the goblin said they were when I first met them," answered Soril, trying to make it seem less antagonistic.

"Hm, your story seems to be believable, you are heading to Quel'Thalas, right?" asked Althea.

"Yes," answered Soril.

"What for?" asked Althea.

"Why all the questions?" asked Soril, getting tired of this interrogation.

"Just a formality in Darkshire, again, what for?" asked Althea.

"Oh, I'm afraid it's our own business," said Soril, trying to hide the truth.

"If you say so, Soril Greyhelm, sorry for the questions, but we have let away many spies of our enemies, so questioning was needed," said Althea.

"What of my friends?" asked Soril, "And how long was I asleep for?"

"You were asleep for a day, it is 3:00 AM in the morning, not that you can tell what time it is here, and your night elf and human friend are in a different room, also being questioned, understand that we had to put the troll, goblin, and murloc in the dungeon, for safety reasons," answered Althea.

"Can I see them?" asked Soril.

"Of course, do what you wish, afterwards, the mayor would like to talk to the four of you," answered Althea.

-______________________________________________________________________-

Soril entered with Althea to see Thalaa and Anveena in separate beds, Thalaa with a bandage around her stomach, and Anveena covered in bandages, but seemed alright. A woman with bright hair and black armor was talking to them; she turned to see Althea and Soril.

"Good morning, Commander Ebonlocke," she greeted.

"Good morning, Watcher Sarah Ladimore, you may leave, I don't think they are of any threat," ordered Althea.

"As you wish, Commander," answered Sarah, she then left the room.

"Soril, what happened, I thought we were surrounded by Worgen, and then a flash, and then…nothing," asked Thalaa.

"We defeated the Worgen with our power," answered Anveena.

"Power, Soril has power?" asked Thalaa, almost laughing.

"She gave me a quarter of her power, what is it anyway?" asked Soril.

"I am the old energies of the Sunwell, although, it is not much now," replied Anveena.

"Sunwell, is that why you are all going to Quel'Thalas?" asked Althea.

"Yes, I believe something bad will happen in Quel'Thalas," answered Anveena.

"I see, and it has nothing to do with the Horde?" interrogated Althea.

"It was my home, we mean you no harm, Silvermoon may be home to Horde members, but we are truly neutral," said Anveena, trying to negotiate with the commander.

"Fine, I believe you, just don't mention it to anyone else in your journey, it may be dangerous if they knew you were trying to save a Horde city," warned Althea.

"I believe you are right," said Anveena, hanging her head low.

"What about the other three?" asked Soril.

"I will show you them now," replied Althea.

-______________________________________________________________________-

Soril walked downstairs to see a bunch of humans, sad and depressed, sitting and drinking.

Soril walked out of the tavern and saw a depressing town, as if it has seen the most heartbreaking thing in the world. The people of the town were sad; they hauled their weight across town.

Althea came from the tavern and led Soril to the town's holding.

They went downstairs and saw Gi'Thorr, Beez, and Glarble, sitting in the dungeon, Glarble sitting in a bucket of water.

"How have you guys enjoyed your stay?" asked Soril in a humorous tone.

"Oh, shut up, mon!" groaned Gi'Thorr.

"Yeah, it's damp here!" whined Beez.

"Aaaaaughibbrgubugbugrguburgle!" roared Glarble, who splashed in the damp dungeon.

"Well, at least ONE of us is enjoying this place!" growled Beez.

"I am sorry for this, we thought you were with the Horde," said Althea, unlocking the cell.

"Thank ya!" laughed Gi'Thorr as he left the cell.

"Hmph!" let out Beez as he left the cell.

"Brrrrrrrrgh!" yelled Glarble as he ran out of the cell.

"Now, the mayor wants to see us at the town hall, I don't know what though," said Soril with an air of uncertainty.

"Hm, let's go as soon as possible, get Anveena and Thalaa as well, he may want to speak with all of us," said Gi'Thorr, also with distrust.

-______________________________________________________________________-

After half an hour, they all gathered and they all entered the town hall. It was cold in there, like death was just waiting for them.

A man with black hair, rich village clothing, and a monocle spotted them and walked to them.

"Hello, welcome to Darkshire, even if you are not part of the Alliance," greeted the man.

"And you are?" asked Thalaa.

"Please excuse my rudeness, my name is Lord Ello Ebonlocke, mayor of Darkshire," he answered.

"Oh, you sent for us?" asked Soril.

"Yes, and before I continue, I wish to speak to you all in private," said Ello, as they place had few people, but they all had ears, of course, so eavesdropping could be made.

They followed Ello to a room, he then closed the door.

"So, what is wrong here?" asked Thalaa.

-______________________________________________________________________-

"Well, as you know, we have a bit of a wolf problem, along with a dead problem," answered Ello.

"Undead, where?" asked Gi'Thorr, seeing the undead a big threat.

"Never mind them, we can handle them for now, it's the wolves we cannot handle," assured Ello.

"What about the wolves?" asked Thalaa, knowing that Ello was talking about the Worgen.

"Well, listen, our people have suffered hard times, our livestock hardly grow, undead and Worgen kill our scouts, and a pregnancy has not come to term in two years, I fear it will be the death of us if we do not receive help," Ello told the adventurers.

"Couldn't Stormwind help?" asked Anveena.

Ello scoffed, and faced a fireplace in the room. "Stormwind has all but abandoned us, they cannot help us," said Ello in sadness, "We even had to resort to barbarians to help, bandits, gnolls, the Horde, but all have died, and all have taken gold from us for a sure victory…"

"What do you want us to do?" asked Soril, Beez then grabbed on his right arm.

"Are you bonkers, kid, we got a mission to do!" Beez loudly whispered.

"We have to save him, his people are in need of salvation," Soril whispered.

"I agree, we should help," said Anveena, seeing the direness in Ello's situation.

"Argh, fine!" groaned Beez, not wanting to face anymore Worgen.

"Mayor Ebonlocke, we would be glad to help you," replied Soril.

Ello looked at them in shock.

"You would help us?" asked Ello, they all nodded, "But we have no money to give!"

"It doesn't matter, we will help anyway," answered Thalaa.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" said Ello, with his voice cracking from happiness.

"So, what about the wolves?" asked Thalaa again.

-______________________________________________________________________-

"The Worgen have been more hostile of late, I am sure you saw to that," said Ello, they all looked at each other, "Well, we need you to find were the most of them hole up, and slaughter them!"

"Where do the wolves hole up?" asked Gi'Thorr.

"That…we don't know," said Ello, they all looked down in disappointment, Ello sensed this and attempted to change the tactic, "B-but, there might be one that knows!"

"Who?" asked Beez, wanting to get over with all this madness.

"His name is unknown, but people call him Jitters, you will find out soon why he is named that," explained Ello, "He might know, as he keeps on talking about wolves from the mines and a scythe, this may indicate what is going on, maybe if you speak to him, we can get a definite answer, talk to him and tell me the information so that I can take more affirmative action."

"Understood, mon, we'll find the wacko," spoke Gi'Thorr in an agreeing tone.

"Where does he live?" asked Thalaa.

"On Raven Hill, just walk down the path you came and go on the left road from Stranglethorn," answered Ello.

"Alright, let's see what the insane human wants, and let's get out of this hell hole!" growled Beez.

"Before you go, you should…know about something," said Ello, uncertain if he should say what is to come.

"What is it?" asked Anveena.

"There is a legend about…Black Riders plaguing Duskwood, they seem to be looking for something, we know not what it is, also, we keep on seeing a hooded figure wandering around, he maybe suspicious…"

"I'm sure we can handle them, good morning, Lord Ebonlocke," said Thalaa, they then left from the room and walked to town.

-______________________________________________________________________-

As they walked down the road, they saw a hooded figure, in brown robes, standing in the middle of the roads.

"That must be the hooded figure," said Thalaa to Gi'Thorr.

"I be thinkin' the same thing," hushed Gi'Thorr.

"I believe I saw him before," whispered Anveena.

"Do you know how to fight?" asked Gi'Thorr.

"A little," replied Anveena.

Gi'Thorr handed her a dagger; she took it and held it behind her back.

They approached the figure and stopped, he did not move, not the simplest budge from the wind, he looked like a statue in clothing.

"Who are you?" asked Thalaa, the figure did not say anything, "Speak or be struck down!"

The figure let out a small chuckle and disappeared in a pillar of shadow energy, quickly subsiding.

"Alright, that was weird, I wonder what he wanted…" pondered Beez.

"Well, he must have been a warlock of sorts," declared Thalaa, "Who else has that much power?"

"A dreadlord, perhaps," said Gi'Thorr with an unknown seriousness.

"A dreadlord?" questioned Anveena.

"The worst of demons, mon, also called nathrezim, they be dark wielders of the dark arts, some go their whole lives not seeing a nathrezim," explained Gi'Thorr, "They take different forms to spy on their enemies, evil things, I hope that be not a dreadlord, and neither should you!"

-______________________________________________________________________-

They walked to the three-way fork in the road, going the one that would be straight to them. As they walked, they heard howling of wolves.

"Don't worry, mon, we be ready for them," cautioned Gi'Thorr.

"I hope so," uttered Anveena.

They continued through the forest, even when the howling stopped. They finally entered the abandoned village of Raven Hill. It looked like everyone ran out as soon as the First War started, of course, that could be not true, possibly later…

"Hello!?" yelled out Anveena, trying to get an answer in return.

"I don't think anyone is here," insisted Thalaa.

"Are we at the right place?" wondered Soril.

"Yes we are, that sign over there says Raven Hill Town Center," protested Beez, "I am sure it is…"

"Search the place, mon, he might live here, even with it's abandonment," commanded Gi'Thorr.

"Hold it!" hollered a voice, "Hands up in the air!"

They did what the voice told them to do, so not to anger whoever it is.

"Turn around!"

They did so, to see a jittery man, holding a blunderbuss at them.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"We are just a few travelers, are you Jitters?" asked Anveena.

"Yes, and why are you in my hiding spot?" interrogated Jitters.

"We need to ask you something," answered Soril.

"And that is?" asked Jitters.

"Do you know anything about the Worgen?" asked Soril.

Jitters looked at them in confusion; he then lowered his blunderbuss slightly. "Why would you wish to know?" asked Jitters, still in an untrusting mood.

"We have come to stop them," replied Anveena.

"Ha, those carnivorous beasts cannot be stopped, no matter what you do," announced Jitters.

"We are open to try, mon," boasted Gi'Thorr.

"And why should I trust you, troll?" growled Jitters.

"Because I be neutral, you can tell of my markings, mon, they be Night Elf markings, and I be a troll, that means I be not part of the Horde or the Alliance," explained Gi'Thorr.

Jitters nodded and put down his gun. "I am sorry, the vents of my life have made me completely jittery, hence the name Jitters, what do you wish to know about the Worgen?"

"We want to know how they got here," said Soril.

"Then…perhaps I should explain…everything…"

-______________________________________________________________________-

They followed Jitters into an abandoned tavern, where they sat at a table, Beez and Thalaa overturning the fallen chairs for them.

"I cannot tell you my name or who I am affiliated with," told Jitters, "But I can tell you I was sent to the mines of Roland's Doom for a mission…"

"What was the mission?" asked Soril.

"I'm afraid that is classified as well," said Jitters.

"Alright," mumbled Soril, finding it hard to trust this man.

"As me and my comrades searched the mines, I found that…thing!" revealed Jitters, "That evil thing that started everything!"

"What was it?" asked Thalaa, becoming interested in this story.

"It was a scythe, a wooden scythe, jutting from the rocks," explained Jitters, he then sighed, "And with the utmost stupidity, I grabbed the scythe…"

"And then what happened?" asked Beez.

"I…don't know, something happened, like something opened somewhere," said Jitters in regret, "And then, there they were, those foul wolf-men, tearing all my comrades apart, and then, I ran…ran and hid…"

"Where is the scythe?" asked Beez.

"I left it somewhere, I was too scared to hold on to it," replied Jitters.

"What is this scythe?" asked Anveena.

"That is another part of the story, I hid with this family," answered Jitters, he then attempted to remember the name of the family, "Yorgen, I believe, I never made myself known, but they seemed nice…"

"Is this any relevance to our mission?" groaned Beez.

"Beez!" snapped Gi'Thorr.

"It's ok, the goblin seems impatient, I will get to the point," agreed Jitters, "One night, when the master went out for something, large Black Riders appeared and slaughtered the family, asking for a scythe, the Scythe of Elune…"

"Elune, my goddess?" asked Thalaa sharply.

"I'm afraid so," uttered Jitters.

"How could my goddess allow such evil?" asked Thalaa, not believing what she is hearing.

"Where did you lose the scythe?" asked Beez.

"I forgot, but the worgen seem to hole up in the mines, in Roland's Doom," warned Jitters.

"Don't worry, we'll report this to the mayor of Darkshire, and we will attempt to defeat the worgen," chuckled Gi'Thorr.

-______________________________________________________________________-

They walked down the path; they heard the howling of the worgen, seeing shadows in the woods.

"Why don't they attack?" asked Beez.

"Because they be afraid, mon, they know what we did to them the last time, they wanna be careful this time," revealed Gi'Thorr.

They then saw the brown hooded figure standing on the road again, just at the crossroads of Duskwood.

"It's him again!" groaned Thalaa, she then walked to him, stopping right in front of the figure, "Listen, who are you, identify yourself or die!"

The hooded figure held out his hand and created a concussive blast made of shadows and pushed her far away.

They all prepared for battle against the enemy, holding out their weapons.

"Answer dreadlord, who are you!?" roared Soril.

The figure held out his hand, and made a leaving sign with his hands. "Goodbye…" he cooed, he then disappeared in a pillar of shadows.

"Freak!" grumbled Thalaa as she got up.

-______________________________________________________________________-

They entered Duskwood and entered the town hall, to see Ello waiting, his faced beam when he saw them.

"Ah, you came back, did you speak to Jitters?" asked Ello.

"Why, yes, he told us they were holding up in Roland's Doom," replied Anveena.

"Ah, excellent, excellent indeed, now, I have one more mission for you," announced Ello.

"Yes?" responded Gi'Thorr.

"Now that we know where the most of them live, I think a frontal assault is needed, kill them all, if you will, and it would mean so much to us, my daughter will even accompany you there," said Ello in a hearty mood, something that never happened in a long time.

"Very well, we will start soon as your daughter arrives," answered Soril, "Who is she anyway?"

"By golly, I thought you already knew?" gasped Ello, they all heard the front door open to reveal Althea Ebonlocke enter the room.

"Oh," said Soril dumbfounded.

"So, are you prepared to kill some wolves?" asked Althea.

"Can I stay?" asked Beez, not wanting to deal with anymore worgen.

"You be comin' to, ya green freak!" groaned Gi'Thorr.

"Fine!" growled Beez, folding his arms.

"But you should stay Anveena," said Soril, thinking of Anveena's safety.

"Don't worry, Soril, I can deal with anything, remember, I am the Sunwell Avatar," assured Anveena.

"Alright, we should go as a small group, the more there are, the more the worgen can mobilize, best to catch them off guard," ordered Althea.

-______________________________________________________________________-

Althea led them far off the trail, leading to the abandoned mine of Roland's Doom. As they walked to the entrance, five worgen ran out and guarded the entrance, snarling at them to stay away.

Thalaa pulled out her bow and shot two of them in the head, killing them. They snarled even more at them.

"Ha, they are still afraid, what a bunch of little poodles!" laughed Beez.

One of them then ran at the group, getting sliced in half by Soril. He and Althea ran at the two remaining worgen and stabbed them both, Soril in the guy, Althea in the neck.

The two worgen fell into death, Althea made a movement with her head to have the others to follow. They entered the mines, seeing it wet and dark, they heard much growling in the mines.

"Where are the worgen?" asked Thalaa.

"Deeper in the mines, no doubt," replied Althea.

Suddenly, a worgen jumped on Gi'Thorr, trying to kill him. Gi'Thorr held him back by putting his hands on its throat, then Gi'Thorr, just quickly, snapping its neck, killing it. He then threw it off of him, letting it fall on the floor.

They continued to walk down the mines of Roland's Doom, slaying any worgen that came across them.

They finally got to a large opening, to find a horde of worgen, gathering around a black stone.

"What is that?" asked Soril.

"I have no idea," admitted Althea.

"Whatever it be, mon, it must be destroyed, it reeks of demonic energy," answered Gi'Thorr.

Suddenly, the black stone glowed a purple light; it hit one of the worgen with a purple lightning, causing the worgen to change.

The worgen's coat turned pure black, it grew several feet taller, its claws grew a foot, it seemed emaciated, and its eyes were completely green. Its teeth turned into green crystals, along with its claws. Its roar sounded hard and coarse, as if it is dying in the inside.

The stone started hitting more worgen, one by one each turned into these felworgen, worgen created by a powerful amalgam of beast and demonic energy.

-______________________________________________________________________-

"What…happened to them?" asked Althea.

"It seems that the fel energy has fused into the worgen's biological structure, turning them into what I would like to call…Felworgen," replied Gi'Thorr.

"This shouldn't be so hard!" laughed Beez.

"Yeah, they are still worgen, even if they are powered up a bit!" agreed Thalaa, she got up and shot one of the felworgen in the neck while its back was turned.

It turned to face her, it slowly pulled it out, the fel energy glowing, healing the worgen.

"Try this!" announced Beez, he then shot out missiles at the felworgen, making parts fly across the cave, "And that's how it's done!"

Suddenly, the body parts started to move, first the arms, then the legs, then the torsos, then the heads, they started to put themselves back together, back to their original fel forms. They looked at the intruders and growled and them.

"How is it done again?" asked Soril in an annoyed tone.

"What do we do?" asked a frightened Anveena.

"We have to get to that stone, and destroy it, if we let these creatures live, they will completely ravage Duskwood," answered Althea with determination.

The felworgen slowly crept at them, with their green claws ready to cleave. Gi'Thorr jumped at the felworgen and sliced one in half.

"You all get the stone, mon, I can handle the fel-enchanted worgen!" roared Gi'Thorr.

"It would be easier if we had a demonically enchanted weapon, smart-one!" commented Beez in a sardonic tone.

Gi'Thorr threw a glowing dagger in the air, Soril catching it. It glowed a green light in Soril's hands.

"Get to it, mon!" yelled Gi'Thorr, holding back more felworgen.

"Right!" nodded Soril.

They ran across the cave area as Gi'Thorr fought the majority of the felworgen. A few felworgen appeared to face them, dodging all of them to get to the stone.

A felworgen grabbed Althea and threw her at a wall, but was blown to pieces by Beez, Althea quickly following him and the others to the stone.

-______________________________________________________________________-

Gi'Thorr was being overrun by the felworgen, who kept on regenerating faster than a troll like him.

The felworgen slowly crept towards him…

-______________________________________________________________________-

After much resistance from the felworgen, they finally got to the stone, floating near them.

"Soril, destroy it!" yelled Beez.

Soril ran to the stone and stabbed it with the dagger, yet it only bounced off, as if the dagger was not effective on the stone.

"It…It's not working!" stammered Soril to Gi'Thorr.

"What!?" roared Gi'Thorr in disbelief.

"Soril, the sword!" yelled Anveena as the others were being surrounded by the felworgen.

Soril grabbed the golden sword and slashed at the stone, cutting it in half. It released a green lightning in the air and the fel aura disappeared.

The felworgen howled in pain to the ceiling, they quickly turned back to normal, yet they died quickly after that, falling on the ground, breathing no more, never to terrorize Duskwood again.

They all cheered into the air in victory, defeating the bloody worgen.

-______________________________________________________________________-

They ran out of the mines in happiness and fell on the grass in tired glory.

"I can't believe we did it, and they were enhanced by fel energy!" laughed Beez.

"Bableab!" gurgled Glarble.

"We should thank Soril, he was the one who destroyed the stone, mon!" cheered Gi'Thorr.

"Yeah, I guess you are good for some things!" sighed Thalaa.

They heard clapping from a distance, they saw the hooded figure again, clapping with clawed hands.

They all got up and prepared for battle.

"Please, I came not to fight you, but to congratulate," said the dreadlord with a cocky attitude.

"Is that it?" hissed Thalaa, readying her bow.

"And to warn," replied the dreadlord, "Quit while you are ahead…"

"Were you the one who placed the stone here?" interrogated Althea.

"Someone put this stone here…on purpose?" taunted the dreadlord, "Who would wish these poor people such harm?"

"We are asking you!" yelled Anveena.

"My dear Anveena, you should thank me for all the good I did for you," mused the dreadlord.

"What?" asked Anveena in confusion.

The dreadlord grew a pair of wings and flew into the air, disappearing in a purple portal.

"What a strange dreadlord," replied Beez.

"A familiarly strange dreadlord…" let out Gi'Thorr, remembering something he forgotten…

-______________________________________________________________________-

Ello waited outside of town, waiting for his daughter and his what-others-would-call mercenaries.

He then saw them walk to the village, with a air of confusion.

"You…have done it?" asked Ello.

Althea nodded.

"The our fears have been lifted, the worgen's numbers should wean, making our job easier," announced Ello.

"Yes, father, but listen," warned Althea, "A stone of fel energy caused the worgen to transform into something monstrous, felworgen, as Gi'Thorr called them…"

Ello sighed at this information. "This is grave news, yet thankfully they are dead, right" asked Ello.

"Correct, Lord Ebonlocke, those worgen won't trouble you, if we had not come along, who knows what would happen," responded Anveena.

"Lord Ebonlocke, did you happen to spot any Scourge the past few days?" asked Soril, Thalaa gave him a concerned look.

"Yes, there has been, they went from her, completely dodged us and hit Westfall, but they have nestled near the end of Duskwood, who knows how long they will be there, though…" replied Ello.

"Any death knights?" asked Soril, "And a lich?"

"Why, yes," said Ello, wondering what he wishes to do with this information.

"Soril, please…" said Thalaa in concern.

"Thalaa, we can avenge Thanos, by killing that lich and that death knight," said Soril in determination.

"Remember what I told you of Comirin and Crakeron?" warned Beez, "They are not to be taken lightly!"

"But we have a Demon Hunter with us," urged Soril.

"Maybe we can hit 'em for fun, mon!" chuckled Gi'Thorr.

Beez groaned in anger, not wishing to do something suicidal…

-______________________________________________________________________-

In the depth of the undead base at the end of Duskwood, a certain ghoul skulked around, it wore shredded golden armor, had white hair, and looked completely drained.

It ran across the woods, looking for anything living, it saw a rabbit on the ground and sliced it apart with its claws.

It then started to remember something, it remembered Soril…

PsykoReaper: Hello, pretty much Duskwood in a nutshell…

Dark Angel: You're a nutshell!

-______________________________________________________________________-

Melarnie Duskweaver: Sorry, we'll use her next chapter, probably as a priest, but maybe a Death Knight, we'll check on the lore. The reason we did not use her was because I didn't check the comments before she appeared in our comments…