The Decisions
In the midst of the battle, two demonic beings fought ferociously. Malioch punched back, but the transformed Doombringer had withstood those attacks, and counterattacked mercilessly. Distanced himself, the Nathrezim spat brackish blood and commented,
"Similar but not…alike. You surely look like the creature that had killed Lord Tichondrius…" The comment was responded by a rabid snarl from the demonic Night Elf.
Malioch smiled bitterly, "I think words meant nothing for you now…let's finish this once and for all!" Then they clashed each other again!
-#-
In other side,
Zoril panted heavily…for the first time he had to expend his mana to fight. Yet, Malevor still stood. The remains of his golems were scattered everywhere, along with the crushed Infernals. The Pit Lord disdained the archmage; he snorted,
"So, do you ready to die, old fool?" Zoril grasped his staff tightly, ready to make his last stand. However, Hurim came to his help after brushed an Eredar Sorcerer with his axe. The Tauren immediately placed himself between them.
"You won't hurt this human, not even a single hair…" the Chieftain rumbled.
Malevor merely laughed, "I guess I have to hurt you!"
Hurim was undaunted, "Do your worst, demon!" Both of them raised their weapons and charged…"
-#-
Meanwhile,
Steels clashed furiously, as Rugold and Kargil attacked each other. They slashed their blades. The Death Knight gritted his teeth; his severed hand pulsated painfully. The power that was given by Prince Arthas did little to stop the pain. It made him feel like a…
Then Kargil said, "Despite the power that you have, you were still a human…"
"Shut up!" Rugold cursed, "How come you grow stronger than me?"
The Blademaster smiled enigmatically, "I had embraced my weakness…I don't like to finish the defenseless opponent. We can end our duel here…" Those words inflamed Rugold further. He felt slighted by this…orc! He screamed,
"Be quiet! You are mocking me!" the young knight pointed his Runeblade, "I will make you pay for my hand!" Roaring to his lung, Rugold swung his weapon uncontrollably, and slashed indiscriminately. The Blademaster could only sigh,
"I guess I have to end you here…" Focusing again, Kargil held his blade in kendo stance and waited the crazed Death Knight. When he came, the Blademaster sent two consecutive slashes; one on his abdomen and the other at the back. Rugold fell upon its knees, and let off his runeblade. Behind him, Kargil was ready to give final stroke. He said,
"Death is just the beginning…I will return…" The Blademaster swung his blade toward the neck and Rugold's body fell to the ground. Yet, a eerie glow bathed the Death Knight's body and took it toward the West. Kargil noticed that, saying,
"So be it, we will meet again…"
-#-
Back to the Undead Base,
Kroll ran along the corridor inside the Necropolis. He realized that he had to hurry. His concern was confirmed when a loud roar echoed along the corridor.
"Troll! Stay still!" The Shadow Hunter quickly ran as Squarrah charged furiously. Along with that, the humongous Crypt Lord destroyed much of the corridors. While running, the troll watched his surroundings and noticed a small opening to outside. Swiftly, he leaped and climbed outside. Just for a second, Squarrah crashed head on to the wall of the Necropolis. The creature rolled its compound eyes and saw its prey climbing to the peak. It rumbled,
"So, you think you can escape from Squarrah? Squarrah won't let its prey easily…" The huge Nerubian grappled the wall, and began to crawl toward Kroll.
-#-
Kroll had problems in its hand. The crystal atop the Necropolis kept attacking him with unholy energies. He could manage that with his Voodoo ward, yet the Crypt Lord was entirely different. They tried to beat each other, while managed to avoid the Necropolis' attack. Below, the Horde-Alliance's forces were fighting the Scourge…
-#-
At the same time,
Time dragged long; Malioch grew exhausted. His infernal power wasn't a match for the crazed and furious Demon Hunter. His blow was gone weaker for each succeeding attack. His armor was cracked everywhere. However, J'bric didn't show such weaknesses. The corrupted Night Elf kept pummeling his opponent. Then
"BASH!" With a single, decisive punch from him, the Nathrezim fell into a heap. He wasn't satisfied with the defeat. The Demon Hunter grabbed the defeated demon on its collar, staring directly to him. Despite the bloodied and broken visage, Malioch chuckled,
J'bric asked, "Why are you laughed?"
The demon answered haltingly, "Look…to…yourself…Night…Elf! Do…you…think…your…kinds…will…accept…you…now?" The Demon Hunter puzzled,
"You…like…us…now…you…are…a…demon!"
"That's not true!" J'bric roared, "You are lying…"
Malioch continued, "Why…don't…you…look…yourself…at…the…mirror? I…might…be…failed…Lord…Kil'jaeden…but…at…least…I…won't…have…to…face…his…wrath. Be…side…I…was…died…by…my…own…kin…" The last sentence was full of mocking.
Not wanting to hear it anymore, the Demon Hunter shouted, "Shut up! Shut your mouth!"
Instead Malioch mocked, "You…are…a…demon…like…us! Demon…Demon!"
"I said shut up!" After shouting that, J'bric head-butted the Dread Lord and pummeled the weakened opponent until what remained from him was a bloody pulp, yet still breathing and sputtering. With his full anger and unholy power, the crazed Demon Hunter lifted Malioch and… ripped the lifeless demon apart. He did that, while laughing maniacally amidst the shower of the blood. Adyl, Shera and Earyl watched that event with horror.
Before expired, Malioch's head managed to mutter,
"So…merciless…this…is…demon-like…"
-#-
The Lone Figure watched the event impassively,
"Awful!" Diana commented, "I am glad that I wasn't present to see that…"
He added, "From now on, everything would be changed greatly. We simply just wait and see…"
"You are right!" the feminine voice agreed, "Why don't we see another front?"
With a blink of eye, the Lone Figure disappeared beneath the falling petals,
-#-
At the Undead Base,
Elech stared the unmoving farseer and commented, "That was too easy…I thought you're quite a challenge." Then the lich turned to the Necropolis and saw Squarrah atop the Necropolis.
Stop playing, Squarrah! He contacted the Crypt Lord telepathically, Finish that troll and join me to contact Prince Arthas!
It is easy to say, lich! The Nerubian replied, This bug was difficult to squash!
Do it quickly! After Elech finished, something appeared afar.
Fen'ris also noticed that, "What is that?
-#-
From the dark horizon, a fleet of Goblin Zeppelins appeared. All of them were filled with…the fresh warriors of the Horde along with the Goblin itself. Inside the zeppelin, Knockgear the Goblin Tinker commented,
"Hey, dats da base! 'xactly lyk the ol' Lookeye said…"
The Alchemist Rygent replied, "So? Wat are we waitin' for? Raze dis base to da ground!" The Zeppelins landed and simultaneously unloaded the innumerable Goblin Sappers. Those crazed creatures ran around the base excitedly with cackles and explosive. And then…
BOOM! BOOM! The chain explosion rocked the base, as the Sappers exploded themselves and destroyed the Ziggurats. The Goblin Alchemist went toward the battle atop his trusty ogre slave,
"Blog!" He commanded, "Destroy those ne'er-to-nothing!" Activating the chemical reagents and concoctions, Blog was enraged and plowed through the Scourge, crushing the Ghouls and battled against the Abominations with blind rage. Rygent wasn't left alone; he threw several acid bomb to damage the embattled force further.
In other hand, Knockgear glanced to the Necropolis and spotted the Shadow Hunter.
"Da ol' Kroll was in trouble!" He instantly planted the Pocket Factory and the device immediately produced Clockwerk Goblins that added the explosion around. To help Kroll, he bombarded the Necropolis with Cluster Rockets. Squarrah and its prey were busy to avoid those attacks.
The remaining forces brought the Catapults, and added firepower along with the Goblin. Within a minutes, the Undead base was almost razed to the ground.
-#-
Elech was silent to see the change of tides. Being undead, he was unable to express shock or surprise. Then someone spoke,
"This might not what you expect, undead, but everything was worked exactly as I have seen it…" The lich turned around and saw…the very much alive Grothak Lookeye.
"How?" the undead asked
In response, the Farseer took out something from his cloak. It was a broken watch.
"The Spirits will me to not die today," Grothak said menacingly, "In other hand, you will…"
Elech responded, "You talk big for someone who had escaped death, but this won't be happened for the second time!" The undead sorcerer prepared to cast his deadly spell, but the mana was gone.
"What?" Glancing to another direction, the lich saw Fen'ris. His hands were glowed blue.
"How do you feel to be drained from mana, undead?" the elf taunted, "That's Mana Drain!" For the first time in his undeath, Elech muttered,
"Curses! Damn you all!"
-#-
Once the Ziggurats and other structures were done, the force turned their attentions to the Necropolis and the Demon Gate. Soon, the heavy bombardment commenced. Those structures began to damaged, and unholy flames burst out from its crack. At the same time, the Crypt Lord had cornered the troll. It rumbled,
"Now you won't escape me ag…" Suddenly, the Necropolis began to tilt leftward. It pointed toward the Demon Gate beneath it. Kroll shouted,
"Knockgear, let me out first!" Below, the goblin tinker misheard the shout,
"I swear that Kroll wants us to send the Sappers…"
"Here we go!" A group of sappers went toward the damaged Necropolis and…
KABOOOMM! The explosion finally brought the Necropolis fall toward the Demon Gate with a heavy rumble along with…Squarrah and Kroll. The Shadow Hunter screamed,
"Knockgear, I will killlllllllllllll youuuuuuuuuuu…" The structure crumbled with a loud roar.
-#-
Grothak and Fen'ris saw that; they immediately ceased their assault upon Elech and withdrew. The lich didn't understand what happened until a huge shadow loomed upon him. When he turned around, he saw the Necropolis was fallen upon the Demon Gate and him…
"This isn't what the Lich King has in mind…" Then the damaged Necropolis crushed the portal along with the lich and the Crypt Lord, thus unleashing the powerful arcane explosion. Knockgear, Grothak, Fen'ris and the other were forced to protect their eyes.
-#-
The Lone Figure had just arrived when the conflagration happened.
"Look…" Diana warned, "…out…" He lifted his cloak to protect the eyes…
-#-
The explosion was huge; it can be seen from the battle field. Malioch stopped his fight and saw the conflagration. He was stunned,
"The Gate…it is gone…" Hurim and Zoril noticed the development. The Archmage smiled,
"Lookeye, you old fool…you did it!" The Tauren Chieftain shouted,
"The portal was gone! The Undead base was gone!" His shout echoed throughout the battlefield. The disheartened Alliance, Horde and Sentinel force immediately buoyed by the pronouncement, and redoubled their fight. The Legion was taken aback with the rousing, and slowly but sure, they were forced to give their grounds. Trying to fix the problem, Malioch roared,
"Not yet! The portal might be gone, but Lord Archimonde will prevail…" As he tried to finish the sentence, another explosion was coming off. This time, it was larger than the first and sent a powerful magical shockwave. Earyl noticed,
"This is coming from the direction of the World Tree…Shan'do's plan is working!" The shockwave immediately destroyed any demonic creature within its range. The Dread Lord trembled to this,
"This can't be happened! The Legion must…" His rantings was gone swallowed by a bright light bathed around its body…
-#-
Adyl had watched the battle entirely; she was unable to turn away. The unconscious Sylane was on her lap. To be true, she was shocked to see J'bric's transformation. The sorceress didn't believe what happened; it was a nightmare.
-#-
After the laughter died, J'bric sensed something wrong. His fingernails were extremely long. He touched his forehead and found horns. His mouth was full of fangs and he smelt blood on his body. He turned to the women…he sensed Adyl and Sylane were still alive. He was blind, but he could sense that the human girl was…afraid of him. It dawned in his mind that Malioch wasn't lying. He was transformed into what he hated…things that killed Vyshna and turned her into a banshee.…a demon! Horror clutched J'bric's heart for the first time. He loathed himself. Unable to bear such revelation, the transformed Demon Hunter howled sadly, With a large step, he leaped and left the battlefield…
-#-
Adyl realized, despite such appearance J'bric was inside. She called,
"Doombringer…" However, he had already left…not realizing that he wasn't completely alone. At the same time, Sylane awoke,
"Silverlock…" The sorceress turned around,
"Priestess…don't speak first. Your wound is serious…"
Sylane asked weakly, "Where is…Doombringer?" Before Adyl managed to answer the question, another explosion followed. This time, the reinforcement from Khaz-Modan had arrived. The Flying Machines and Siege Engines filled the battlefield, routing the remaining Scourge and Legion. Balk Firebrand was on the front; he shouted,
"Get rid those stragglers!"
Not for long, Earyl came toward them. The Keeper took her injured sister gently, while saying,
"Let me take care of Sylane, human…our battle is over. The Burning Legion was routed, but only for now. Azeroth was safe…now we'll withdraw to our forest for healing the wounds. My sister would be fine…" To this, Adyl cried,
"I…I am…sorry…I…couldn't…do anything…to…protect…Sylane…"
Earyl replied, "That's nothing, human…My sister wished to protect you…to repay what she couldn't do millennia ago. Now it is done…" Then the Night Elves vanished behind the flock of ravens, while the Ancients returned to their place. As the young sorceress watched their departure, someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around and saw the exhausted Zoril,
"Father…"
The Archmage replied, "That's alright, Adyl…I am fine…it seems the Ancient returned again to their forest…"
"Father, what will happen to us in Kalimdor now? The Legion has been defeated…"
Zoril sighed, "We'll make our new home in this land…this is our home now…and we are not alone,"
The young girl smiled, "Yes, we aren't alone…"
-#-
Slowly but sure, the Horde pulled out from the battlefield. Kargil had Hurim to take care everything. He glanced to the battle-weary Paladin. Karn managed to say,
"Thanks…for saving…me,"
The Blademaster replied, "Do not thank me…I just do what is necessary. Someday, we might not be allies anymore,"
"Perhaps…" the knight sighed, "Yet, I don't want the day to come…"
"We might meet sooner than you have thought…" With that, Kargil left the Paladin to join his clansmen. Karn lifted his eyes and saw a magnificent red bird flew on the sky. He welcomed this sight as a good omen.
-#-
Two battles, the same result…today Azeroth was safe. The Burning Legion was defeated, though they weren't destroyed. Their master was still out there, but it would be for another time…and another heroes.
The red bird went toward the east
-#-
Back to the ruins of Undead Base,
Grothak, Knockgear, Rygent, Brin and their remaining forces were facing Fen'ris and his Blood Elves. Their faces were taut and serious. With their common foe gone, nobody would stop those forces from exacting their vendetta. Falnir glanced uneasily to the Blood Mage; he knew both forces were exhausted. If they insisted to fight, there would be no survivors at all. Few moments later, the elven sorcerer quipped,
"There will be no another fight today…Falnir, lead us back to Theramore Island!" With one accord, the entire Blood Elves withdrew from the place, leaving Fen'ris last. He glanced to the Farseer,
"We might continue our business at another place and time, orc…for now, savors your victory while it is can…"
Grothak replied, "I will wait for the day, Flamehand…yet, I thank you…"
The elf snorted, "Just for today, orc…save your thanks later…" Then he teleported out from their sight. In the mean time, the trolls managed to dug Kroll out from the rubbles and put him onto a stretcher. As the band passed them, Grothak turned,
"May the spirit bring the healing upon you, Shadowswift…"
The Shadow Hunter complained, "Since I know you… Lookeye, there isn't anything good happened to me…I ask you a favor…don't see me for a while…don't even sent any message to me…you hear that…" The old farseer merely chuckled as Kroll was brought away. He patted his wolf steed, saying
"Let's go home…we'll take a long rest…" The Longthornes turned back to their home.
-#-
Back to the Ruined Silvermoon,
I am alive… Rugold muttered,…but not quite alive yet. He was lying sprawled atop the Altar of Darkness, while his fellow knights circled him. He could see Perenolde's sneering smile…and another knight beside him. The former king of Alterac called him with a mocking tone,
"Get up, kid…how long you'll stay here?" Rugold recognized the knight beside Perenolde as Thassarian, his superior when they were still humans. The Death Knight rose by pushing…his right hand. He slightly stunned to found his severed hand was healed. Of course, he was restored again as whole on the Altar of Darkness.
Thassarian called again impatiently, "Let's go, Prince Arthas needed us…"
Prince Arthas? Is he here already? Rugold mused, and then asked his fellow knight,
"Are you sure?"
Annoyed, Thassarian answered, "He'd been here, when you're resurrected. He told us, "When Killgrave is awaked, tell him to join me!" After saying that, he came out and Rugold followed outside, where Prince Arthas had waited with Kel'Thuzad and Sylvanas Windrunner. Ignoring the young knight, the corrupted prince spoke,
"Today, we will scour Lordaeron from…the living humans! I will make this land pure!" Before them, the forces of the Scourge were arrayed. Arthas shouted,
"I shall cleanse this land in the name of the Lich King!" The Death Knights shouted in response, including Rugold. He thought deeply,
I will become stronger…for my prince…and someday we'll meet again, Kargil Bloodfang! I will be the victor…
-#-
Far from the assembled Scourge, the mysterious red bird noticed what transpired,
Despite the loss, the Scourge still mighty than before…the question was what will happens to them after the Legion was defeated? What is the destiny of Arthas and Rugold? I fear that only the Lich King who can answer such question.
-#-
Thirteen days after Battle of Mount Hyjal,
J'bric sat despondently atop the rock. His wing stooped low. The former Demon Hunter was depressed…now he had no way to return to his people at all. Vyshna was a banshee…and he was a demon. Hadn't for the memories of Adyl, he believed that he could gone insane…
Suddenly someone tapped his shoulder from behind. Giving in to his darker instinct, J'bric lashed out but blocked by the intruder. He turned around and saw…a similar creature.
"Master…Illidan…" The stranger smiled,
"Not bad, Doombringer…I thought I am the only one who had been corrupted…"
J'bric pulled his hand and turned away, "This is not what I have in my mind…"
Illidan frowned, "Do you think to return to our people? Forget it, Doombringer. I was even banished by my own brother. They won't accept us anymore…why don't you serve me like before?" Doombringer mused awhile; he once served Illidan and got banished. Now he had nothing to and him were beyond redemption for other Night Elves. He wouldn't stay here, when the damned Watchers hunted him like an animal. He would have an ally…
Without thinking, the demonic Night Elf bowed before the other, saying,
"Therefore I, J'bric Doombringer serve you like Before, Master Stormrage…"" To this act, Illidan laughed,
"Excellent, Doombringer! I will make you as my second-in-command. Together, we shall show this scorning world something!" Then he continued, "I shall introduce you to our allies…" J'bric felt that they weren't alone. The serpent-like creatures slithered around them. One of them, a snake-haired female humanoid went toward Stormrage and asked,
"Well, Lord Illidan. It seems you have another servant…" J'bric growled, however Illidan quickly explained,
"Doombringer, may I introduce you to Lady Vashj…here is the Naga, formerly Kaldorei from the War of the Ancients. With their help, we shall take vengeance to this world…"
Vashj smiled, "I hope we can work together for our Master…Doombringer," The former Demon Hunter watched the crowding Naga through his 'sight', wondering whether he had made the right decision…
-#-
Unseen by the Betrayer and the Sea Witch, the Lone Figure watched the conversation from a safe distance,
To this, Diana complained "This is bad! The world is saved, only to be threatened by another menace…great!
He said, "The Naga…they might have connection to the past…yet we have to continue to watch until the opportune time came,"
The feminine voice asked, "What do you mean?"
"This means our long vigil shall be ended…"
-#-
At another direction,
Maiev Shadowsong led her Watchers march toward the coastline; she had heard that the Betrayer had passed here along with the strange creatures. Amongst her force, Shera and Elysha followed the High Warden. The Warden muttered,
"This time, nobody would stop me from taking Doombringer as my prey…hey, are you listening me, Morningdew?"
The young Watcher replied, "Yes, Mistress! We are going to bring him to the justice this time!"
"Excellent!" As Shera turned back, Elysha's eye glowed eerily. Little did Shera realize that Elysha Morningdew no longer exist…Vyshna Envystare had possessed her during the battle. She whispered softly,
"Until then, my love…" The Watchers continued their march toward the seashore…
-#-
Author's Note: Finally, the fanfic has finished after on and off for 8 years. It had 13 chapters, 12 reviews and 720 hits. I appreciate those who had sent their reviews and critics. I give thanks for Rowan Seven, who had encouraged and helped me to edit the first two chapters. Thank you for everything and see you at the next fanfic…