Chapter 9

'I fear this is the best I can do for now' said Inara. They had gained a momentary reprieve after clearing this room of their enemies in which Azrael had been introduced to Liha's new companions. Corporal Inara, Paladin of the Silver Hand, had almost immediately been troubled by Azrael's wounds and had insisted on healing them as best as she could, even if it did take time. She still had a doubtful look on her face.

'He's survived far worse wounds' said Liha trying to ease Inara's discomfort.

Azrael had told Liha of Durk'anh's death while he was wearing his armor. He had mentioned of the connection between the runes and Ilim altering the story to tell them that Durk'anh had let it slip in his overconfidence. He wasn't sure how any of them would take to the news that he hadn't killed Lyresa. They had nodded. Azrael learnt from William that the level above them was filled with scourge as well.

'Why aren't they attacking us then?' asked Inara looking around

She was answered by a long groaning noise which seemed to come from everywhere. It was followed by a series of clicks and scraping metal. Azrael knew that sound. Scourge. And it grew louder steadily. They were heading towards them. He could not tell how many, but being enhanced as they were by Ilim, it would only be a matter of time before him and his companions fell to their numbers. He quickly made a decision.

'Go now! I'll try and hold them off as long as possible. They key to this battle is Ilim. If he dies, the scourge will be weakened. Even the four of us together will not last against the scourge as long as Ilim lives'

'You cannot hope to-' Inara was interrupted by Liha.

'He's right. The longer Ilim lives, the lesser our chances of surviving this. We have no choice. Azrael is the only one among us who can stand against them long enough'

'But his wounds..' she continued.

'They are of no consequence. Trust me' said Azrael 'Go! NOW!'

Azrael watched Liha and the others depart towards the chamber where Ilim would be. He knelt down and placed the rune blade in front of him on the ground and touched the blade with both hands. He would only have a few seconds. He collected his strength to prepare himself for the ordeal. The noises grew louder and Azrael saw the first of his enemies enter the room. There was no time to lose.

Picking up his sword, Azrael charged it with inhuman speed. Purely on the offensive, he gave no attention to it's attacks, striking it quickly at all points he knew undead were vulnerable. The runes on his blade glowed as he channeled their power to destroy the skeleton. More enemies had entered the room. Azrael quickly made to attack these as well. He knew how this would turn out. The more time he held them back, the more Liha would have to kill Ilim. More scourge would come. He could hear the scraping of an Abomination's meat hook on the ground. When the numbers would become overwhelming, which they would in a matter of minutes, he would have to become completely defensive. But till then, his best bet lay in killing as many of the scourge as quickly as he could. Three more ghouls entered the room. The skeletons circled him to find an opening.

It was not advisable to overuse certain tools that he had at his disposal. But these were extreme circumstances. He ran his thumb across the rune blade drawing blood. The wound healed immediately owing to the rush of battle that he felt heightening his powers- a rush he had not felt since he first became free from the Lich King. He held the thumb to his mouth and felt the familiar taste of blood and steel. He felt his head explode, his eyes pulled back into their sockets. He could barely feel his limbs as the hysteria overcame him. He exploded into motion striking everything within reach, with a balance and precision that was very alien to the utter chaos that he felt overcome him. Through the haze of his spell he could make out more enemies come to join the fray. Live or die, he decided, today he would prove that whatever else he was- a half undead monster, a butcher of innocents, a former pawn of the Lich King, a reinstated soldier of the Alliance- first and foremost he was and always will be a Death Knight of the Ebon Blade.