***Story formally known as "The Last God."***

Sorry about the title changes, foolish of me to randomly alter it after 10 chapters. So it is back to the original, but yet slightly different. Once again, reviews, alert posts, or anything to see the fan base grow would be appreciated, or at least something to let me know what I might be doing wrong -- I can take constructive criticism, I am a big boy.

Thanks again to all those still following and supporting this story. It is with you guys that I feel motivated and inspired to keep writing this. Virtual cookies for all of you! Mmmmm, smell delicious.

Anyway, here is the next installment.

Enjoy.

"Run away, little girl! Run away."

An illusion amongst the halls of Karazhan.

"Why must you be so stubborn?" His voice hides a subtle rage beneath it, "Why…?"

He leans back, adjusting his shoulders. As he does, the black sheet upon his back quivers gently, as if a vertical breeze sweeps across it, pressing it inwards and down.

"Truly, disappointing."

My stomach churns as the cloak's borders activate, caressing the earth as they expel outwards. Elongated strips of solid black extend, sweeping across the ground.

Strangely, the figure begins to laugh. He secretes a demonic chuckle. The elves before him continue to glare, their care for his display naught. They need to stop focusing on the fool! He is distracting them! He is luring them from the true threat!

Unexpectedly, he stops, throwing his body forward in attempts to frighten the three figures.

"If only you cooperated. If you your brash reasoning would comprehend the nature of our design!"

The tenebrous character pounds his chest.

"Together, we could have broken the gates of your feeble Guardian." The top of his helm shifts back in forth, displaying disappoint. "Together, we could have ruled this world…"

My eyes lock upon the growing shadowy cover. The stygian form of the cape rolls from the figure, like waves upon an ocean. They cling close to the ground, and the Night Elves do not see. They cannot…I must warn them.

YOU WILL NOT DO A THING.

Ok…ok…

You will not move an inch…

My eyes simply watch, in horror, as the visible side of the man's cloak extends to the left Elf, as if living. My eyes simply gaze, as another stretching portion appears next to the Elf on the right. The malevolent fabric draws a crescent around the three.

"Crafted an iron fist for the mindless masses…"

The shadows stop,. They curl upwards, flicking the air as if testing some unseen water. Tiny tendrils grow from the edges, clawing at the skies like a dozen, misshapen fingers. They reach for the elves. They hunger…

"We could have smothered the world in shadows…"

Daring blades, constructed of charcoal, flicker inches from the elves. The eyes of the left figure catch sight of the trembling tendrils. If only it wasn't too late…

"Together…as…brothers."

Lashing outward, the edges of the cape slam into the two side figures. The darkness envelops their now thrashing bodies. They make to scream, but the thick, ooze like substance consumes their arms, legs…and body…fully. They become trapped in the cape…their every expression, their every movement, visible beneath the black mold that forms to their bodies.

Once the two are devoured wholly, the sinister assault continues, targeting the last man. They latch to his body, progressing in the same manner as the two prior.

It is then that the deleterious dealer, bearing the dark cover, releases a sound of despair…as if what he does pains him.

"This didn't have to happen this way…" He straightens his posture, "But to say I don't enjoy every, single moment…every contorted expression, every mangled face…well, then I'd be a liar."

He cackles.

"And I wouldn't lie to you. Brother."

Launching upward, the tendrils twist and wrap upon lone warrior's head. The elf is lost in the sea of black. All that remains is the marauding darkness, clinging to every inch of all three. All that remains…is the tenebrous cackling of the twisted figure. All that remains are their twisting bodies, their faces fully visible, and their expressions building haunting memories in my head.

The dark figure's head tilts backwards, allowing escape of his malicious laughing. His body quivers, showing the utter enjoyment of their agony. His form quakes, expressing the truth behind his words…

Then, once the noxious figure is fully satisfied, the shadows recoil, ripping from their victims. It takes a second for the cape to mold to its original, flowing shape. It is then my stomach bubbles wildly…and panic flows readily.

Left in the wake of the attack are the three elves, their bodies warped, their flesh as dark as coal. Once decorative armor molds to their body, making the difference between the natural flesh and cancerous evil near impossible to detect. And their faces…are mangled beyond belief…

Black flames lick from grotesque faces, dancing a sinister beat with each twist and bend. All that remains of their true faces are red embers of eyes. Almost as if they have become nightmares of their former selves…

Almost as if they have become something beyond their original capabilities…

"Our bonding is complete!" His arms raise horizontally to his sides, "Not much of a conversation, but still a glorious ending!"

Metallic limbs rotate forward, palms tilted to the skies, beckoning to those before him, "Now rise, soldiers of the dark. Rise, and bear the gifts I so willingly bestow upon you. Rise…Marauders of the Ancient Dream."

Obediently, the three stand, their prior sense of defiance all but naught. They stand tall, a dark form of what they once were. Blood chills beneath my flesh. Thoughts break boundaries, fluttering wildly into cluttering pile-ups. Fingers built of frost tickle my spine…

I have to get out of here…

You must do so…carefully.

I take a step back, carefully.

"Today, Protectors, the end begins!" The dark, sinister being shouts.

Another step.

"Today, the armies descend upon your weary defenses!"

A third step is taken, and the figure fades behind the tree. Oddly, something clings to my sole, and makes it hard to place my foot…

"Today, my armies march! March for…"

My foot forces its way to the ground.

SNAP

No! The twig crackles loudly beneath my foot. Sweat builds across my brow. Pools of unseen liquid agitate beneath my ribcage. A pump works to breaking between a pair of pulsing airbags.

Run…

Without hesitating, I spin. Fearful legs guide me to flight. A panicked head rotates, lagging behind the rest of me. I must get out of here. I must hide, I must get somewhere safe. My head swings completely, matching my fleeing body. I must escape quickly, before he…

Catches…me…

Before me, looms a bulky, stygian figure. A thick, black cloak folds over the man's shoulders, but does not hide the front of his form. Dark armor glistens, the shade of black fading and glowing as if a traveling light rolls across it.

A heavy glove shoots from his body, colliding with my neck. Mighty muscles tense, lifting me from the ground. My arms lock upon the cold, unfeeling metal that is his hand. I am unable to delay my ascension. I am unable to prevent him from gripping me a foot over his head.

I do not know how he got here. I do not know how he appeared. All I know is he is here. And all I can do is stare, terrified, at the armored figure. Stare down at his black, iniquitous form. Stare at the heavy helm that is hiding his true face from my optics.

Two, rectangular holes are carved in the front of his faceplate, allowing for a pair of piercing, sinister globes to glare at me. Oddly, light passes with ease through the holes, illuminating his ominously calming eyes. Dark metal rolls up and over his head, forming three blades that curve to the back of his skull.

Lowering from the carvings is more of his said helm, building a cover for his nose. However, it stops short of his mouth, forming an array of short, thin, downward pointing spikes. The flat spines run over his upper-lips but stop short of his mouth.

Another set of flat spikes jut upwards from a piece of metal that cascades down the side of his maw and molds onto his lower jaw. These spikes, however, start at the bottom of his chin and end at the bottom of the lower-lip. Beneath them, visible, brown hair is exposed. A metallic mouth over a normal human's maw.

"Seems we have a lost pup." The metal blades shift as he speaks, "What could it possibly be doing so far from home?"

The dark voice rattles my being. Strangely, though, it is not what I was expecting. When the Lich King held me this way, his normally distant voice became foreboding, more sinister up close. But his…is gentler, as if tempting me to listen.

He laughs suddenly, and I cannot take my eyes from his quivering jaws. The metallic maw, molded upon the true form, bear the true nature of this being, yet they are not his ultimate identity. Darkness above that which is light…

"And I thought I was the only human capable of traversing the boundaries of the dream." He rotates me, as if perusing the sides of my head, "Tell me, how did you get here?"

Silence. I dare not speak.

"Another being incapable of speech?" He sighs, "It's the mask, isn't it?"

Heavy shoulders slump forward. Thick plates shift below a horizontally oscillating head.

"I knew it was too malevonent in design." Piercing orbs strike at my soul, "All I really wanted was a simple design. No spikes, no dark additions. A peaceful construct."

Flesh curls to a smirk beneath the metal, "Matching my personality."

Uncomfortably, he bats his eyelashes, as if trying to lure me into his rather disturbing conversation. At this point, I would have retorted cleverly…but…no need…

He sighs.

"I see you did not find the humor in that, eh, pup?"

Strange light rolls across his faceplate, as if unnatural illumination rolls across it.

"Disappointing…"

My eyes lock with his. All thoughts upon his face, the alluring call of his malicious mouth behind the dark maw too difficult to resist. I cannot shift my sight. I cannot detour my current vision!

Suddenly, a sharp pinch assaults the side of my skull. My eyes dart downward, catching sight of the growing shadow.

Oh no. Ok, Hope, do not panic. A tall, sinister being has a vital portion of your body in his clutches, and the dark call of death is looming beneath you.

You need to say something. You need not end like the ones before you.

Yes, let me see if I cannot bring about a new outcome. Wriggling in his fist, I position my throat so I can speak. A harsh, cracked version of my voice radiates from my throat, but, nonetheless, it is still mine.

"I don't know."

He stops, his eyes lock firmly on my face. Just barely, I can see him squint.

"What?"

I fidget beneath his fingers.

"How…how…I got here."

He gazes at me. His eyes scan my face, absorb in my expression, my sight, all of it. He turns his head, eyebrows lowering. Our character is attempting to decipher my demeanor. Abruptly, he recoils to his original stance…and laughs…

"You don't know? Remarkable!" He shakes my body, "And best of all, you show no signs of lying!" He cackles, "How does one not know how…"

Oddly, all laughter ceases. A serious expression sweeps his visible flesh, and I feel him twist me again. He turns me to the left then to the right. As he does, a strange pain rolls from the side of my ear and travels up my skull.

What is he looking for?

"Impossible…" he barely whispers, "It cannot possibly be…"

I flinch as he drags me to his face. I wince, as the pain intensifies. What is he doing to me?

"IT is!" He cackles again, "You are it!"

He lifts me higher. The pain escalates.

"The vessel of our ascension!" He shakes me, "My master will be pleased!"

Painfully, his fingers tighten. Agonizingly, my head throbs. The world grows blurry.

"The Earth-Warder will be delighted to hear of my discovery! Ha!" He chuckles before becoming uncomfortably joyful, "Falling right into my hands. Almost perfect."

It is then I see his cloak ripple, as if a vertical wind descends upon it. Just as it had done prior.

"What a shame, though. What happened to you and all.." My eyes catch sight of the rolling shadow growing beneath me. "Legs crushed by the Titan's constructs."

Darkness extends for my twisting feet.

"Arms broken by Marauder sword fights." His eyes drift to an object at my side before locking back upon me, "Or, well, shovel fights, but…you get the picture."

Iniquitous tendrils lick at my soles, hungering for what awaits them.

The tendrils crawl upwards. My heart rolls rapidly. My body quakes violently. The pain grows wildly.

"Left as a mere shell of man."

An inch from my body is the cape, crawling upon the wind as if a latter built for such evil. All while a batter surge of pain assaults my being.

"Odd, though, even as a carapace of a being, you are beyond importance."

Long, black fingers grow from the extended reach. He is trying to distract me. He is trying to hide me from his plans. But the pain draws me from his face and to his shadows. The torture rolls across my mind. Yet this pain…I remember it…I have experienced it before. It isn't him...it is something else...

"Even as a limp, near lifeless form, you shall reshape this world."

Almost upon me, the shadows lurk. But the familiar pain gives me a sense of calming…it is her...

"Come now, Vessel, let us…bond."

A smirk forms on his, but fades as one appears on me. The shadows make to strike, but are thwarted by my calm appearance. It would seem he does not know why I am so cheerful, so joyful.

"What are you smiling about, pup?"

I say nothing. Instantly, the next wave of pain batters my being. With it, an unbearable onslaught of anguish overwhelms me, forcing my eyes shut.

I can hear his voice fade in the distance, but my closed eyes bask in the glorious darkness of my own mind.

"What magic is this? How are you doing this? " It dulls further. "You said you didn't know how!"

My hand lifts, palm facing outwards. I can still feel his grip, but his voice travels.

"I will not lose this opportunity!"

My fingers roll up and down, throwing the man a proper farewell.

A distant, disgruntled bursts from his throat before the faint words float, "How dare you, you…"

Before he can finish his statement, I chuckle, silencing him immediately, allowing for one word. My last word…

"Bye."

And with a deep black pulsation, it is gone. All of it is gone.

Instantly, pressure returns across my back, and a strange tugging pulls at the side of my head. I open my eyes, letting the sweet, tan light bath my vision. I sigh, letting the sharp pinching comfort me.

Raptor, you have no idea how much I love you right now.

Rolling my head, I gaze at her, and, like before, she lets go and commences licking my face. I laugh, letting each lick shower me with security and safety. I throw my hands on her, shaking the tiny figure with delight.

"Squeals, I swear, I am going to rub your belly until your leg breaks off!"

I feel her vibrate, filed with delight. She wriggles beneath my fingers, joy fueling her body at this moment. But I must move her, picking her up and placing her a few inches from my head. Scooting backwards, I drag myself up and into sitting position. I sweep my surroundings, and sigh loudly.

"Squeals, I am not a fan of these plains." I give her a shake, "But it definitely isn't as horrible as that green hellhole."

She emits a high-pitched chirp, and I am willingly forced to squeeze the tiny pet. My fingers flicker at the edges of her tummy, and I flip her to her back. Tiny jaws shoot inward, nipping at my assaulting hands. But she is mine!

"I got you! You tiny menace!" I chuckle, watching our shadows play as joyfully as we do, "You cannot escape me, little Squeals!"

She chirps joyfully, while complete relaxation brings a settled moment to this stressed form. My hands roll her to her side, letting the tiny clouds of black around her stretch and rock with her.

"Oh no, the mighty cape of darkness will get you!"

Again, sounds of delight and pleasure radiate from the tiny fighter, but the sheer enjoyment seems is lost in the unnatural movement near her feet. I feel my hands slow, and my mind drift as elongated shadows twist oddly.

"Squeals," orbs of curiously align upon the shifting blotches, "I don't think you woke me fully..."

I follow the dark patches below the orange tail as they grow outwards, as if the sun is setting at a rapid pace. They continue to expand, crawling across the ground in a way only a lost mind dare conjure.

No way. This is not happening. But my heart sinks and all sense of logic fails as the stretching shadows passes by my leathery shoe…revealing the same occurrence from my own shade.

Ice clogs my veins. Muscles clench in rapid fashion. Lungs contract and fill at speeds undesired. All while the shadows continue to grow. All while I watch. All while I gaze…uselessly.

This cannot be happening…

My shadows expand, extending in the same direction as Squeal's. I follow it, trying not to lose it. This is all a lie! It is trying to disturb my being! I will must not let it! I must stop it!

I lurch forward, throwing my fists at the soil.

"Stop!" My throat expels frustration, "Stop tricking me! You are not real!"

Fingers dig futilely at the hard soil, flecking flesh and chunks of earth with each scrape. But they do not listen. They continue moving, expanding towards some unknown location. Hands fly forward further, reaching for the end of the darkness…

But what I find brings nothing but an array of uncomfortable, unpleasing trickles down my spine. My hand smashes into the dirt, stopping directly in the core of a dark circle. The edges of my palm turn dark black, as if light itself is fleeing the scene.

Terrifyingly, the ring around my hand increases. No no no! I remove my hand from the soil, but it is too late. The circle expands, rapidly growing before my very eyes. Shuffling backwards, I pull to my feet and stand in a slumped position as shadows from all objects nearby draw inward towards this swirling mess.

Trees, bushes, shrubs, distant barns, vessels of all sorts feed the hungering pool. Long, stretched tendrils crawl across the ground, convening upon this one spot. And with each second, it grows…until it is massive pool, a bit wider than myself.

"You are not real!" Again, I scream.

I must be dreaming.

You are not…

Nervousness grips my being. Fear trickles through my veins. Muscles lax and my mind races. That cannot be. The world bends and warps. The reality I once knew seems lost and destroyed.

But it is in the recent voice, that all seems unreal…

"Oh, pup, I am more real than you ever dare imagine."

My arms snap in place. Squeals yelps, while my throat secretes a wince of pain. Eyes full of terror brace the darkness before me. The shadow elevates, creeping upwards unnaturally. Rounded edges form as it moves. A bulge forms upon the peak of the mound, revealing what I feared…

"I am far closer to you than you ever dare comprehend!" A dark, malicious chuckle assaults the very air around me, "And you know we all too well…"

Taller it grows, revealing a wafting border.

"Look to the darkness behind your light...."

Arms appear at the sides, thick and metallic.

"Bask in the shadows strangulating your very being…"

Legs form as the vertically expansion ceases, allowing for the mold to come into proper shape. All his body has form. All except for one, last portion...

"Heed the unyielding call…of fear."

A head, covered in dark, reflective armor, appears. The final piece to the horrifying visage.

"In them you find me! With them, many names and identities all mine!"

A bulky figure lurks before me. There he holds himself, glowing in the natural light of these lands. There he rests, a work of the darkest of art. There he towers, looming with intentions unknown yet fully visible. And there he stands…upon the same soil that Squeals and I both tread.

"But those who grown accustomed to my designs simply plead, beg, to the name...."

There he stands…not in the fantastyland, not in some distant plain…speaking again to bring assurance to his existence.

"...the Dark General."

There he stands…as true as his words…the Dark General.

He is no mere illusion. He is real…and he exists…in my world…