Authors Note- I LIVE AGAIN! Yeesh, who'da though that life could get so complicated? They really need to teach us this in school before sending us out in the real world...xx; But yes! I am back, and going to be attempting to update more regularly! Hopefully! (Well, I've finally gotten a work schedule that has been constant for more then a month, so that should help a bit) Now then, without further delay, here is the next chapter!
Battle raged all around me as I made my way toward the demon that had threatened my friends. The former prisoners, along with several of the troll guards were now in an all out war against the jungle trolls that had held them captives. In more ways then one, it was pure chaos.
"Zal'kata Ishatol!" I called out, sending a powerful ice bolt toward the Nathrazim in question, intent on keeping him from hurting Onica and Tara.
The demon hadn't been paying attention as the ice spell slammed hard into his side, causing him to stumble, but not lose footing. Focusing all of his attention on me, the demon unfurled his wings and took to the sky focusing all of his attention on me. This was the first time I'd seen one of the Nathrazim up close, and I began to wonder on just how I would beat the aberration. Well over twice my size, I could see fel energy swarming every fiber of the demons being, telling me that this would definitely not be an easy fight.
"You will pay for your transactions against me and my minions!" The demon called out, giving out a war cry as he went into a dive at me with his claws, which burned with fel fire.
"You can put it on my bill!" I called back as I called upon the arcane energy to create a magical barrier around me as I jumped to the side.
The nathrazim slashed where I had been, and would have taken for the sky once more when shackles of pure energy suddenly seized the demon, holding him in mid air. It gave out a shocked roar and turned its blood gaze at me as I continued to chant and hold him in place. Sharp pain shot through my head as a stone club slammed into it, causing me to lose focus on my spell. Twisting my trident around, I thrust my weapon blindly behind me, and felt it connect connect with flesh. I turned a second later to see the troll who had hit me drop his weapon, and fall to the ground.
"Prepare to die, naga filth!" The demon called, and I turned to see the demon casting a spell.
"Me say you play!" Came a voice that spoke of brute strength and stupidity in one go.
A meaty hand grabbed the demon by the foot and slammed it into the ground. As my vision finally came back to me, I saw an ogre wearing a stupid grin as it brought its giant club down on the demon. Despite the strength and power of the mighty ogre, a simple club was no match for a Dreadlords powerful armor as the wooden weapon snapped as it made connection. I had to duck as a piece of the broken weapon flung over my head, and smashed right into a troll sneaking up on me from behind. Dazed, the creature tried to recover, but I didn't give him the time as I brought my trident down on his head.
"Can't any of you fight without sneaking up on me?!" I yelled in annoyance as I turned back to my previous target.
The ogre who had attempted to battle the Nathrazim was on the ground, gripping its stomach as its face contorted in pain. Speaking in its foul language, flames begun to erupt around the demons claws, and a second later the ogre found himself engulfed in fel fire. Using the bought time, I fired an array of arcane missiles, only to watch as the demons armor simply absorbed the spell. My opponent turned with a sadistic smile as the ogres body was completely consumed by the demons flame.
"Little fool!" He began as a dark aura began to surround his body "Do you really think you can stand up to me, the mighty dreadlord Zal'gothalas?"
I gave a smile of my own as I held my trident, preparing for a charge. "Zal'gothalasss...your name will be remembered as the firssst dreadlord to fall to the blade of Nas'kara'nas." Calling forth the power of the ocean, I once again summoned a mighty water element to aid me in the battle ahead. Zal'gothalas just laughed at my summoning attempt.
"What a feeble ally you have summoned." The demon began as he casted a spell of his own. "Let me show you the true power of the legion!"
Once again channeling dark magic, the clouds above us began to swirl as demonic magic began to affect the world. From the sky four giant green comets shot from the stormy sky and through the barrier. I quickly jumped out of the way as one of them crashed near me, which sent me skidding across the ground. As I regained myself, I saw a giant, burning hand of fel flames emerge from the crater that had just been made. Hefting itself, the giant, burning elemental stood at its full height and gave a terrible roar to announce its presence. It was followed in quick succession by three additional cries as the demonic elementals of demon fire and stone prepared themselves for battle.
"Infernals...oh this day just gets better..." I gave a sigh as I prepared for their charge.
"Nas? Nas is that you?!" A feminine voice called from behind him.
Caught by surprise, I turned to find myself staring at Onica and Tara, who were still bound to the large stone tablet. Quickly I brought by claws down on their bonds, which easily snapped apart under my strength. The two got up and rubbed their injured limbs before the two looked at me.
"Nas I..." Onica was interrupted as one of the infernals gave out a battle cry and charged toward Nas and the two recently rescued females.
Whirling my trident about, I called forth the mighty waves of the ocean as the magical wave appeared once more, slamming hard into the charging beast of fel fire and stone. Consumed by the cold ocean waters, empowered by the mystical magics that flowed through the land, the infernal was unable to withstand the attack as the flames died all around it, turning the once mighty golem into nothing more then a pile of rubble. Only seconds as the infernal fell apart did a beam of dark energy fly by where the fel golem had stood and slammed into my body. I was barley able to register what had happened as I slammed into the stone tablet, causing it to crack as I slumped to the dirt ground. Pain racketed my body as my vision began to blurr. I felt my weapon fall from my hand, and I could hear the faint screaming and yelling of the ones I had saved. I felt darkness beginning to creep over me as the light of day began to fade. I could make out a demon creature charging forward toward me, and my memories began to fall back to an early time, nearly four years ago...
'You have failed you're so called allies...you are nothing more then a weak worm. To think someone like you even dared to challenge me...how foolish of you. You can't save anyone...you are a failure...'. A dark voice spoke in my mind, and I knew the voice well...the same one that had brought the broken bodies of the night elves I had tried to save, the same one that laughed at my efforts to defend those who hated my kind...the one who had caused me to fail.
"ILLADIN!" I yelled as rage and renewed determination flowed through me as I hefted my weapon and brought it bearing down upon my enemy.
The trident slammed against the demons armor with a resonating clang. At the same time, the demons claw struck me hard, leaving a severe gash in my already injured arm. Before I could react, the demon moved to strike again, a blow that would be a killing strike.
"Noo!" A shrilled voice yelled out as Tara flew right above me, her entire body glowed with magical runes of power.
A magical aura covered the young harpy girl as she held the demons arm, then giving out a shrilled cry, she threw the demon back. As Zal'gothals stumbled back, the sound of thunder once again cracked through the sky as a bullet struck the dreadlords chest armor causing it to crack further. At the same moment, divine energy struck the demon, causing him to cry out as holy fire consumed his body. Just as I turned to see the light of elune fade from Onicas finger tips, a trio of battle cries erupted as a Drakan, Cenkic, and Dak'tar charged at the demon, brining their mighty weapons to bear. Lightning blasted down on the demon as well from Raknam, while giant vines erupted from the earth from the calling of the elder druid, and at the same time from the young tauren shaman the elements of ice raged against the demon. Tashi brought her arcane energy also collided with the monstrosity as Karadan brought two daggers to bear from behind, along with a yapping call of a gnoll as the creature swung its twin morning stars against the fel demon. Giving my own battle cry, I renewed my attack in melee combat, bringing my trident to bear.
The assault was merciless as Zal'gothalas tried to fight all of us off, but he was being quickly overwhelmed...or so I thought. Letting out a demonic roar, the creature let loose a powerful blast from its body, sending all of us flying away from the demon. I lost track of the others as I hit the ground hard, and I saw my trident fly off far in the distance in a heavily forested area.
"You foolish mortals..did you actually believe that your pathetic efforts could defeat me?! I am a Nathrazim! I will be beaten by rabble such as yourselves! You will feel the might of the Legion upon you!" He taunted as began drawing is energy in for a finishing attack.
Still trying to recover, I shook my head a few times as I desperately looked for my weapon. I then heard another roar over the fighting, and I saw lightning shooting from the distance. Memory served me well as I recalled the creature that made such a sound.
"Uh oh..." I said as I turned toward the demon, then back to where I saw the lightning...and I smiled, a smile so devious that children would have nightmares for life.
Whispering the ancient words of the elementals, I called my trident to me, and from the jungle the golden weapon flung at me, and I quickly caught it. At the same moment, I heard the roar yet again as trees began to fall aside like tall grass as the creature in question began charging. Whirling about, I called upon the energies my trident once more. Calling forth the command word yet again, a giant wave fired from my weapon and struck the dreadlord dead on, which did little to damage the demon, but I accomplished my goal; getting his attention. The demon yelled out in rage and charged right at me, while the other target was almost out of the woods. Calling upon the last of the energies within my weapon for the day, I smiled at the demon.
"Gallmak." I said with a smile as I sprung myself in the air a bit, letting the weapon blast me away from the charge.
I watched as the demon turned and ready to come after me, only for the giant thunder lizard from the arena to burst from the jungle woods on a collision course with the dreadlord.
Cursing, the demon let loose a powerful blast of pure fel energy at the massive lightning lizard, and at the same time, the creature fired its own lightning blast. Whirling my trident, I stabbed it into the ground as the two energies collided, sending a massive shock wave through the ancient troll ruins. Old buildings and walls began breaking apart as combatants were sent in call directions. Grasping tightly to my weapon, I held my ground as friend and foe alike were knocking off their feet.
Before the energy of the attack could fade, I drew together my arcane magic together, tapping into the large amount of magic that had filled the ancient troll ruins. As I called upon the arcane, I could hear whispers of power slipping into my mind as fel magic began to mesh with the power I was attempting to control. Shaking off the whispers and sharpening my will, I focused the magic onto the giant thunder lizard. Where the dreadlord and thunder lizard had been equal in size, the lizard suddenly became monstrous in size, the demon now being dwarfed by his opponent. Letting out a titanic roar that shook the ground, the thunder lizard charged again at its opponent, who quickly took to the skies and renewed his assault.
My attention was averted from the scene as I felt a powerful wave of magic being built up behind me. I barely had time to turn and call upon a magical shield to defend myself as a powerful fel blast struck me hard. The arcane shield I had created shattered before the attack as I was sent to the ground once again. I could feel a deep burning sensation within my body as my own arcane energies seemed to turn against me, burning me alive. The world was beginning to become hazy as I fought to keep my consciousness, fearing that death would come if I allowed myself to close my eyes.
It was then I felt a wave of energy flow through my body, one that was removing the pain that I felt, both physical and spiritual pain. As renewed strength flowed through my body, I found Onica standing above me, casting her healing magic upon my battered form. Genkic and Cenkic stood on either side of me, letting loose a barrage of shots from their rifles. Turning my attention to what they were shooting at, I gained an idea of what had hit me. Several trolls sorcerers were channeling magical energy to open a demonic gate way which allowed a horde of lesser demons to enter into our world, many of which were fel hounds, demonic creatures that consumed mana much in the same way demons consumed spirits of beings.
The others were trying to fight their way to the portal, but between the demons that were being summoned, and the hardened veterans of the dark troll forces were not only holding my allies back, but gaining ground. Noting that the dreadlord was still busy with the massive thunder lizard, I decided that it was a good time to switch tasks, and for this one, I had the perfect plan. Checking all of those that were near me
"Tara!" I called to the young harpy, who was quick to make her way over to me.
"Yes, Nas'kara'nas?" She asked quickly, looking ready and eager to help in what ever way she could.
Digging into my belt pouch, I handed the harpy a small vial. "Tara, I need you to throw thisss vial as hard as you can at that giant pillar over there when I give the sssignal." I pointed to the farthest of four giant pillars that surrounded the troll channelers.
Nodding, the harpy took off into the skies, actively avoiding ranged attacks from the trolls on the ground and what demons had been summoned in the skies. Meanwhile, I called upon my other allies.
"Galakr, Lilly, call upon your powers of nature and the spirits to destroy the pillar on the left side!" The two tauren nodded as they began to channel their spells.
"Genkic, Cenkic, get ready to fire those rifles of yours at the closet pillar!" The two looked at each other for a moment at realizing how close their names were. Shrugging, they threw in their best slugs and took aim while I turned my attention to the divine and arcane casters of the group. "Tashi, Onica, throw your most powerful spell at the pillar on the right side when I give the word."
Seeing everyone in agreement and ready, I began channeling the last of my arcane energy into a single spell, concentrating with all of my will power to increase its potential. Looking at the closest of the pillars, I launched a powerful ice bolt at the old structure, turning the thick rock into brittle ice. Using the last of my mana in such a fashion nearly made me loose myself to arcane exhaustion, but I was able to hold on to my mind as I yelled for the attack.
From the skies, Tara threw the vial I had given her, causing a massive explosion to occur at the farthest pillar. At the same time, arcane and holy fire slammed into the right side pillar, while giant roots and the shaking of the earth knocked the left one loose. To round out the destruction, the orc and dwarf sharpshooters took aim at the pillar I had frozen and fired, causing shards of frozen rock to shoot in all directions. As one, the four pillars fell inwards in a spectacular site as they crushed the trolls and demons alike, disappearing in a pile of rubble and dust.
A pained cry filled the area like thunder, making our victory over the summoners a short one. Turning my attention way from the destruction me and my allies had unleashed, I saw that the dreadlord had finally gained the upper hand against the thunder lizard, holding a giant fel sword that had pierced through the creatures hide. I watched as the thunder lizard gave out a last roar of defiance and let loose a wave of electrical energy through the demon before finally falling over to the ground.
The dreadlord was in terrible shape. One of his wings were badly mangled, and part of his left arm was missing. His demonic armor was all but destroyed, and blood ran down his body while severe burn marks could be seen were electricity had sored through his body. He reared his head at me, giving me a look that was filled with hatred and malice.
"I will not forgive this, naga..." With that said, Zal'gothalas vanished.
The magical barrier that had been covering the large area disappeared, causing the sky to go dark once more as the powerful storm now raged about us, unhindered. As I felt the cool and wonderful droplets from the sky wash over my body, I saw the remaining trolls of the Shadowclaw Clan beginning to retreat into the darkness of the jungle. Not many gave chase as the rain continued to pound down on them.
I could only smile as I saw those who had survived the conflict begin to gather about. It was then that I lifted my trident into the sky. "Thisss fight isss done...we are victorious!" I shouted, causing a wave of cheers to erupt from all around me.
The pain from my wounds finally reached me and I felt myself falling to the ground when a pair of arms caught me, and through my groggy vision, I could see Tara doing her best to support my weight, while Genkic caught me easily.
"Nas, you have to be one of the craziest people I have ever met." The orc looked down at me, and then he smiled. "I like your style."
I gave him a smile of my own, which I could feel blood dripping from my mouth as my injuries caught up with me. "Teh, glad to be liked."