I own Vician, all else to Blizz
A/N...
So, if you want to know what the Cult is, without having to look it up, this chapter is for you :)
Really there are two factions in the Cult, but I added Vician to the mix to make things work
Warning: use of language, implied sexual situation, explanations, and Kalira
"Explain it again, from the top," Sylvanas demands, rubbing her temples as she scoots up on the pillows support on her bed. It had been a week since Ilius poisoned her in Deathknell church. Vician had carried her back to the Undercity, and never left her side in that time. Once the poison wore off, she demanded an explanation on Ilius and the Cult. Vician had been trying to explain to her, throughout the better part of the day.
"Within the Forsaken, there is a religion, known as the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow, which is a corruption of the Alliance's Holy Light," Vician explains, pinching the bridge of his nose, sighing to himself. "Our doctrine calls for self-empowerment and a balance between life and death."
"Alright, so, it's an egocentric view on life," Sylvanas summaries, nodding her head.
Vician nods and smiles, "Yes, we see the universe as subservient to us, and not as our equal. Currently, there are three factions within the Cult, each trying to unite the others. There is Ilius and the Lightslayers, Aelthalyste and the Shadow Ascendants, and myself and the Dark Rangers. Most of the rogues have sided with Ilius and most of the priests have gone with Aelthalyste. The remaining warriors and Death Knights are split amongst the three factions, but the most are following me."
"So, you have the most muscle, so to speak," Sylvanas say, starting to understand.
Vician nods, "True, but we cannot conquer the other factions. No faction is strong enough to completely conquer the others without it being a pyrrhic victory." Sensing the question on her lips, Vician nods, mostly to himself, "A pyrrhic victory is a victory but with terrible losses. If one faction tries to conquer the others, most of the Cult will die and it will be thrown into chaos, causing more problems than it'll solve."
Sylvanas bites her bottom lip and cocks her head, "So why is there so much strife between the factions? When Ilius attacked, is that a common occurrence?"
Vician stiffens up at the mention of Ilius's attack, "No. Ilius is pragmatic; he wouldn't attack unless he was sure he'd win. Attacking you was a message to me. You see, this division has been going on since the founding of the Forsaken and it's only intensified with my joining. All of the strife stems from the Virtues."
Pausing, Vician takes a sip of water, his eyes searching Sylvanas's. He knows he shouldn't treat her like some delicate flower, but he cannot help himself. It tore him apart to see her paralyzed, even more than when she died in the Silverpine Forest. Shaking his head to clear his dark thoughts, he sighs softly.
"The Cult preaches the Three Virtues: Respect, Tenacity, and Power. All of the factions follow those three. But, the Lightslayers follow a fourth, called Death. The Shadow Ascendants follow their fourth of Compassion. I, however, call for a compromise and want to include both in a new, unified Cult."
"So, exactly are the Three Virtues?" Sylvanas asks, adjusting her body in the bed.
"The Three Virtues are Respect, Tenacity, and Power. Respect calls for the development of a Self's personal power, without stepping on the toes of those more powerful. Tenacity calls for perseverance in order to change the universe. Power calls for the betterment of the Self, without being too greedy.
"The Fourth Virtues are Death and Compassion. Death calls for a balance, so the Forsaken must not needlessly kill, yet show no mercy. Compassion calls for compassion towards the Forsaken on a whole, trying to ease the life of the Forsaken, whether they are in the Cult or not."
Nodding her head, Sylvanas smiles, "So, the Lightslayers would see the Shadow Ascendants as weak for showing compassion and the Shadow Ascendants would see the Lightslayers as, needlessly killing?" Sylvanas cocks her head slightly.
Vician nods, "More-or-less. Aelthalyste says that not showing compassion towards the Forsaken is the same as killing needlessly. She also says it's a violation of the Virtue of Respect; that the Lightslayers are stepping on the toes of others. With no real leadership, fighting over the semantics of the Virtues is commonplace."
Sylvanas rolls her shoulders, stretching in bed. Throwing the covers off, she gently folds her legs under her, sitting up. "What's this about Faranell? Why did you need to talk to him?" Vician scratches his chin, looking down at the foot of the bed. "No lying, Trannyth," Sylvanas says, looking pointedly at him, "I know all of your little tricks."
Vician smirks, dropping his hand and moving closer to her. He gently places a hand just above her knee, enjoying the smoothness of her skin. Dipping his head low towards her ears he whispers, "I have tricks still up my sleeve, My Lady."
Sylvanas smirks, resting her cheek against his, whispering into his ear, "You'll have to show me sometime, My Lord." She places her hand on his, slowly moving it farther up her leg, and stopping when his thumb rests on her inner thigh.
Bringing up his other hand, Vician gently moves her hair from her neck. Carefully, he blows cold air onto the exposed skin, feeling her shiver exquisitely against him. "Oh, I plan on it," he mutters, his voice thick and husky. As he dips his head lower, Sylvanas cocks her head, allowing him greater access.
When his is no more than an inch from her skin, a knock at the door interrupts them. Groaning, Vician pulls back as Sylvanas smirks, "You should answer that."
Vician gives her a sideways glace, "I don't want to." Another knock rings from the door, as Vician straightens, casting his eyes upwards, cursing the universe itself.
Sylvanas giggles as Vician approaches the door. Opening it slightly, he sticks his head out. When he turns back towards her, she inclines her head, "You may go, Trannyth." Nodding his head, Vician walks out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Ever-so-curious, Sylvanas slowly slips out of bed. Although her legs are functioning, she still feels some pain from the poison. She limps over to the door, opening it slightly and listens in on Trannyth's conversation.
Kalira inclines her head to Vician, "Greetings, My Lord."
Vician huffs and returns the nod, "This better be important. I was very busy . . . teaching our Lady about the Cult."
Kalira smirks wirily, "It is. I spoke with Faranell. Things are proceeding as planned."
Vician smiles, "Excellent. What of the Kor'kron Overseers?"
"The Dark Rangers and I have already begun to slip the Plague into their drinks and food," Kalira begins, "it's easier at night, when we visit them; they fools let their guard down."
Sylvanas's eyebrows rise. Vician is using the rangers to poison the Overseers? To what end? Vician's voice catches her attention. "If it were up to me, I would not have you objectify yourselves. That was Faranell's stupid decision; I respect you and the rangers too much to allow you to become objects of sex for orcs." Vician huffs and squares his jaw, trying to reign in his anger at Faranell.
Both Sylvanas and Kalira smile, enjoying the fact that Vician is not a misogynistic coward like most men in the world. Kalira touches Vician's arm, calling back his attention, "You're sweet. I don't like this either." Kalira allows her hand to linger on his arm for longer than necessary. Vician looks from her hand, up the leather clad arm, and to her face, his eyes dancing over her features. Vician parts his lips slightly, cocking his head gently.
Sylvanas scowls at the display of affection. Her scowl doesn't lift as Kalira draws her hand back. "But, it is necessary," Kalira begins again, "Our bodies are pleasing to the orcs, which allows us to slip in the Plague undetected. Already the orcs have begun to change."
Vician smiles and nods, "Excellent. With Overseer Kraggosh following the Will of the Cult, we can move onto phase two. Soon the Kor'kron will be gone and the Abominations will return to protect the Undercity once more."
Vician runs a hand through his hair, "Now we must deal with Ilius." He glances back at Sylvanas's door, sighing gently. Sylvanas ducks back, to avoid being seen.
"I know who you can have to lead the Lightslayers after we kill Ilius," Kalira begins, "but you're not gonna like it."
"Who?" Vician asks, turning his attention back to Kalira, allowing Sylvanas to move closer to the door again.
"Lilian Voss," Kalira says simply.
Vician looks at her and shakes his head, "No, absolutely not."
"But," Kalira protests, "She is our best chance. She knows the Lightslayers; hell, she practically is one." She crosses her arms and glares at Vician, "Why not Lilian? Do you have anyone else in mind?"
Vician holds Kalira's glare, before dropping his gaze sighing. "Fine. I'll go see Lilian and try to convince her."
Kalira smiles and nods at his decision, "Good." Looking from Vician to the door, she steps closer, resting her chin on his shoulder, whispering into his ear. Sylvanas tries to hear what is being said, but cannot. All she can do is scowl as Kalira presses her leather bound body close to Vician, her right hand on his left shoulder. Her scowl deepens as Vician's right hand hovers mere inches from the ranger's hip.
It is only moments later that they separate. "May the Shadows bend to your will and Dark Lady watch over you," Kalira says, nodding her head to Vician.
With the tips of his ears red, Vician returns the nod, "May the Shadows bend to your will and Dark Lady watch over us all."
