The Mind of Yogg-Saron
Ulduar
The young elf brooded over the final words the voice had spoken to her. She sat with her legs crossed in the center of entryway leading to a wide open space filled with red colored dirt and mountains. The Starstrider family blade was planted in the ground in front her.
It was hard to stay calm and focused with so much raw power pumping through her veins. She desperately wanted to explode from this veritable prison and break in her newfound strength. Unfortunately, there were no visible means of escape. Even the hazy room with the amorphous being had become off limits. She didn't know what compelled her to leave so suddenly but now, it was as if she was given an unspoken purpose of guarding it.
The voice may have been very clear with its directions but not its intentions. It must have sought to further incite her anger. The voice didn't need to go that far. She wanted nothing more than the crush that man's still beating heart within her palm after what he did to hers. It promised to bring him right here into her awaiting arms ripe for the slaughter.
Every second ticked away slowly. Lorelei could feel her mind cracking with each obnoxious click. Breaths poured from her lungs rapidly. Her heart rate increased. This was taking far too long. She couldn't take it anymore.
The young elf rose up and removed her blade from the ground. It sat in her grip with less weight than a quill. Her favored bow was still strapped along her back with a quiver full of razor sharp arrows. As much as she wanted to pin him up against the wall and watch him bleed out slowly, Lorelei believed there would be much greater gratification if she impaled the bastard at the end of this blade in an ironic twist of fate.
A musky scent of decrepit earth filled her nostrils. She walked into the room that was vastly unlike the one she had entered prior. A hazy orange sky hung above. The mountains were red almost as if they were drenched in blood. In the distance, a tallest peak drew her gaze. The dirt on its face was black as if cindered by a searing flame. Trails of molten lava spewed from various ridges and onto the ground below. An iron bridge led up to the base leading to a mysterious entrance.
Lorelei scoffed in disgust. If this were the place she was set to do her final battle than the voice had an incredible lack of thoughtfulness. Then again, it really didn't matter where they fought so as long as she was able to watch him take his last breath. The very thought of his death made the young elf salivate in delight. Whether it was due to this glorious substance flowing through her veins or just the pure anticipation of their confrontation was of little importance.
An incredible heat swept over Lorelei. She guarded her vision as the vast sun quickly rose overhead. It was so painfully blinding. This damned thing wouldn't leave her alone in her past visions and now it sought to taunt her further by annoying her moments before she claimed her ultimate revenge.
The white light quickly spread and marred the surrounding landscape. No matter how hard she tried, its rays penetrated through her defenses even going so far as to push past her shut eyelids. Its damned presence was beyond infuriating. If it was a looking for a fight, it didn't have to go very far.
"STOP IT!"
The young elf's booming voice echoed across the landscape. Bits of dirt and rocky debris trembled against its superior might.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Her final word trailed continuously from her throat. She yelled at an unrivaled capacity. Even her own ears started to ring at the incredible force drawn from within her newly muscular frame.
The searing burn of the atmosphere had ceased. Lorelei slowly opened her eyes and found that her first challenger had been vanquished. The sun was gone and with it, any trace of its continued presence. She breathed a great sigh of delight. That haunting light had been plaguing her for days. She had fought it constantly to a standstill for far too long. Finally, a victor was declared and Lorelei was the only one with her hand raised. This was but a small taste of what awaited her. The final course was on its way and she couldn't wait to sink her teeth right into it.
The Hall of Memories
Ulduar
Rayne ran up the steps with his companions following closely behind. They hadn't encountered any form of resistance just yet but the paladin always had his guard up. The goggles were already locked into to their threat assessment setting. No matter what was lurking within these walls, they would not get the drop on the Templar Knights.
The paladin ceased his approach as they reached the end of a hall. A vast stone face carved in Titan imagery stared back at them. Golden pipes connected to a large circle around the solid stone face. A gleaming line of pure light rose from the top into the roof above. The rest of the Knights gathered around him as Rayne examined the unique structure.
"Is this some sort of Titan-forged seal?" Pondered the mage.
"No idea," replied Rayne. "I can't see anything beyond the wall no matter which setting I switch my goggles to."
"I imagine Titan architecture is far beyond the capabilities of modern man's engineering Rayne," Samuel dejectedly sighed.
"Be that as it may," his sister interjected. "There must be something nearby that allows us to pass through."
"Amateurs," scoffed the gnome. "Stand aside!"
Weasel pushed his way through the crowd and stood between the paladin and the sealed entrance. He placed one hand on his hip and raised his tiny knuckles towards the carved chin towering over him.
"Ever try knocking?"
Three quick taps pecked the stone surface. The gnome stood proudly over his work as if he were three times his natural height.
"Weasel," sighed Rayne. "I don't believe it would be that –"
Light beamed within the eyes of the carving. The face twisted and stone began to slide open revealing a bright new path before them.
"I don't believe it," the warrior gasped.
"See?!" The gnome cheered. "Piece of –"
"Weasel look out!"
The rogue turned his head just in time to catch a wily purple tentacle across his face. He skid violently across the marbled surface until his head slammed into the adjacent wall. A few thick cracks seeped from the masonry upon impact.
Rayne took a step back and clenched his teeth. This monster was unlike any he had ever seen. Though it appeared humanoid in presence, this creature was anything but. Its flesh was scaly and hardened. There were no hands at the end of its slithering appendages. One arm was massive and the other slender but each appeared equally as deadly. Small circlets and armor hung of its flesh carved with various blue runes in an unintelligible language.
The most ghastly feature of them all was that this creature had no distinct head or face to speak of. A giant trunk-like appendage hung from its shoulders and drooped over its chest. Several smaller tentacles dangled off the edges. There were no eyes, nose, or mouth to speak of. This creature stomped its massive dual-clawed hooves and prepared to continue its assault.
"Just what in the hell is that?!" Marcus snapped as he drew his mace.
"It must be a Faceless One," the male Legend twin clenched as he procured his own weapon. "I overheard Matron Alesso discussing something that matches its description when I first arrived in Dalaran."
"I know what you're speaking of," added Cayden. "Archmage Lan'dalock mentioned some adventurers finding similar creatures during a trek to Ahn'Kahet. They waged war against the nerubians and attempted to seize control of their subterranean territory."
"Did they not say anything about how to kill one of them?" Ademski boldly asked.
It was an honest and valid question but one they did not have time to discuss at great length. The monster was marching towards them with nothing standing in its way and they were already one man down.
"Shur'nab... Shur'nab... Yogg-Saron!"
"It speaks?!" Cayden snapped.
"Not for long!"
Marcus charged in and slammed his titansteel forged mace into the belly of the beast. The resounding blow echoed mightily into the hallway. Even the stain glassed windows shook in response to the warrior's initial attack.
The faceless creature stood motionless as if the attack did not even register. Marcus' mind froze. His eyes shot open in utter shock. A swing like that was enough to send a burly armored tauren flying through the air and yet the monster standing before him waved it off like a light breeze.
The warrior could barely process what happened. His legs froze in place. The faceless one's counter attack didn't even register in his mind. A lashing tentacle struck him square across the chest. The powerful blow tore Marcus off the ground and sent him flying into the wall opposite from his short rogue friend.
"Everybody spread out!" The paladin shouted. "Hit it with everything you've got!"
A volley of deadly fireballs ignited from the hands of the mage. They struck the monster's unmoving frame, pelting off his skin like specks of fallen gravel. Cayden clenched his teeth in frustration as he continued his arcane onslaught. His efforts proved to be mostly ineffective. None of the flames stuck to its purple hide. If he could only get one of them to ignite at the very least, the scorching fire would weaken its armor and pave the way for the others to finish it off.
It was no use. Physical attacks were inadequate and even Cayden's assortment of fire-based spells bounced off its skin without so much as a flinch. The monster continued to press forward. It wouldn't take long for it to make short work of the rest of them as it did the Templar Knight's two heavy hitters. If they couldn't find a way to stop it here and now, taking on Vezax and its evil master would be nothing but a foolish dream.
Continuous bursts of exploding gunpowder ripped into the air. Saelena kept the pressure up through aimed rifle shots. Unfortunately, the tiny bullets did nothing but fleck off the monster's hide like flakes of dead skin.
Rayne clutched his shield and hurled it at the faceless creature. The light's golden aura radiated brightly throughout the solid steel barrier. The paladin blitzed forward chasing after it. A burst of light exploded on the monster's frame upon devastating impact. His expression lifted. The monster actually reeled from that attack. Hope may have been slim but at the very least it was within their grasp.
The shield returned to Rayne's awaiting gauntlet. It slipped back over his arm as he charged ahead. The monster quickly recovered from the initial attack and reared its tentacles back for a counter assault. The paladin dove forward planting his shield on the ground. He slid across the marbled tile floor and straight through the stocky legs of the faceless one. Tiny sparks lit up underneath the bulwark as he traveled.
The monster's limbs slapped the ground, cracking the floor with its awesome strength. Rayne was already well clear of the attack's threatening range. What it lacked in speed it more than made up for in raw power. After seeing what happened to Marcus and Weasel, being caught in one of its strikes was officially out of the question.
The paladin flipped to his back and blasted the back of the faceless one's legs with his steel greaves. It was as if he had attempted to trip a mountain. His nerves roared in utter defiance. The monster didn't move in the slightest. At least Rayne was able to confirm one hunch that would turn the tide of this battle.
"Sam! Zari!" Called the paladin as he rolled backwards to his feet. "Smite it!"
The priests did as they were told. Columns of magnificent light came crashing down upon the faceless one's backside. It actually began stumbling against their combined might. This monster may have been able to withstand physical and even arcane punishment but its one weakness was glaringly obvious. Evil could not stand up against the pure radiant strength of the light.
Divine energy continued to strike the faceless creature. It may be doing some damage but it was meager at best. All they managed to do in this short time was get it attention. The paladin could not afford to lose anyone else especially his two most effective offensive units at this moment. He had to get this to focus on him once more. Not because of any desire to throw himself into the thick of danger as a sacrificial lamb. He was doing it because it was his job. As the team's leader and stalwart defender, he would do what he must in order to protect those he loved and cared for.
Rayne lunged forward and swung his shield straight into the monster's back. Light exploded upon impact. The faceless one was actually forced to take a step forward in response to the brilliantly charged attack. Maybe Samuel and Zariyana had done more damage than he initially thought but in the end, his bold move served its purpose. The monster was slowly turning around to face its new target and it had a raised writhing appendage coming along with it.
"Ademski!" Rayne shouted. "Give this thing a full dose of –"
The paladin raised his shield just in time to catch the faceless one's overwhelming tentacle slap. The sheer force of the blow drove Rayne off his feet and into the nearby wall. His shoulder dug into the freshly cracked masonry. Stone spat out in agony as it caught all of the paladin's velocity and stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Now then fiend," the draenei smirked. "Let us see who is superior."
Ademski planted his stance and pressed his blade forward. An array of golden lights began to channel in the surrounding space. He focused the energy to envelope his massive sword and prepared to drive it straight through the monster's seemingly impenetrable hide.
Despite being hit with an incredibly powerful blow, Rayne expected to feel much more pain than he currently experienced. He pushed himself off the newly dented wall and watched as chunks of stone and bark fell from his armor's plates. The paladin snuck a quick gaze behind the monster. Narula's hands were extended and glowing with large and radiant silver light. She must have caught on to what the paladin had just figured out. If her own attacks were fruitless, she could still use her command over nature to keep Rayne protected as much as possible. The night elf's battle prowess and mindset were truly a sight to behold.
The paladin bounced off the wall and charged his blade with a searing golden radiance. He sliced at the monster's writhing appendages. Trails of slimy, teal-colored blood oozed from the strike. Rayne managed to pierce its flesh with the aid of his gleaming holy power. A smile rose from his lips. They were actually going to beat this thing. His mind flooded with blissful thoughts of victory that unfortunately blinded his eyes from the oncoming downward strike.
The walls shook against the faceless one's unbelievable slam. Its beefy tentacle blasted the paladin's shield and forced him to his knees. Rayne was lucky his instincts were in full operation otherwise, he would have been forced to block that blow with his face. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the greatest position either. The paladin was kneeling before the monster as it lifted its enormous appendage for another colossal strike. He couldn't move out of the way and still be under the protection of his shield. The only thing left to do was keep it raised and hope this one didn't drive him through the floor.
Rayne tightened his grip and braced himself for another tremendous attack. He only hoped the bulwark would remain strong despite the constant beating it took all day. Though the wide slit in the faceless one's open stance he saw a savior approaching. Ademski charged down the cleared path. He howled at the top of his lungs. Light radiated off the tip of his sword and funneled over him in a cone-shaped pattern. He pressed the blade forward impaling the monster before it could lay another rotten tentacle on his leader's body.
Horrific shrieks filled the air. The paladin couldn't believe what he was hearing nor seeing for that matter. Not only did the faceless creature had its toughened hide pierced by the draenei's divine strike but it was actuating writing in agony over it. Its appendages flailed wildly in response. The monster had no recourse to remove the light radiating sword from its body and even when it attempted to touch it, the golden energy seared its armored flesh into a fit of anguish.
Ademski pressed his weapon forward. It was already protruding over one foot through the faceless one's midsection. However, it wasn't enough to take it down completely. Even the priests continuous volley of holy smites did little finish it off. Rayne looked up that the blade that was only a few short inches above him and found a brilliant way to aid his companion.
The paladin clapped his hands along the flat of the blade. His eyes began to glow with the awe-inspiring radiance of the light's incredible energy. The golden rays funneled through his hands and into the sword itself. More ghastly cries exited faceless one. Rayne and Ademski roared at the top of their lungs as they pushed the weapon upwards. It seared the menacing creature's flesh as it ascended. They let out one final simultaneous shout as the blade ripped through the top of the monster's frame.
Splashes of green blood painted the paladin's face. He spit out any traces the horrifying substance that managed to get on his lips. Thankfully the goggles protected his eyes from a similar fate. Rayne looked up at the faceless one that had been almost split entirely in half. It ceased any more vile movement almost entirely. Any last traces of life faded as it slumped to the ground in a massive heap.
The paladin allowed himself a few moments to catch his breath. His lungs still pumped air in and out at a quickened pace. Ademski lowered his hand to help him back up to his feet. Rayne happily obliged taking the draenei's free arm into his grip and pulling himself to a standing position.
"Narula, Samuel," panted the paladin. "Please, check on the others."
The priest and night elf nodded in unison. Samuel descended upon the gnome and immediately began checking his vitals. Narula carefully lifted the warrior out of the wall and commanded the healing essence of nature's spirits into his wounds.
"Did someone get the number of that train?" Marcus groaned.
The warrior's eyes slowly opened. He looked up at the night elf as she continued to channel a radiant silver light on his exposed flesh.
"Are you alright Marcus?" She asked with a deepened care and consideration spilling from her breath.
"Yea, I'm good now thanks to your special gifts and all," the warrior nodded. "Nothing hurts more than my pride currently but it's not like that can be fixed with a little magic. Thanks though."
"You are quite welcome," smiled Narula.
"Why does he get felt up by a babe while I'm laying here getting probed and prodded by four-eyes over here?" Weasel whined.
"Excuse me?" Samuel posed with an added bit of agitation. "The injured should be thankful to those with the talent to heal them instead of insulting their eyesight."
"Yea well right now I'd rather have the big guy's vision over there," the gnome countered pointing a thumb at Ademski. "At least in his eyes you look like a girl."
Most of the Templar Knights shared a short laugh together. The priest was least of all amused with his companion's antics but at least there didn't appear to be any permanent or lingering injuries on Weasel's body. His mind, on the other hand, was something that not even the light itself could cure unfortunately.
"Is everyone else alright?" Asked Rayne.
Everyone acknowledged their leader positively. It was good to know that they were able to get past this initial obstacle without any lingering effects. However, this initial combat encounter has given them a great insight on what they could expect as they progressed further. With that valuable knowledge in hand, they had a new advantage to further exploit.
"Please tell me there are no more of them lurking around here?" Begged the gnome.
Rayne looked through the shattered window nearby. Someone or rather, something appears to have made quite the entrance. The columns have been toppled over and cracked. Light posts have been smashed. Even the pathway leading below has been broken as if something with incredible weight and stature came barreling through here. Fortunately, there were no other similar look sentries within his field of vision.
"We're good," sighed the paladin with a breath of relief. "Weasel, can you scout ahead to make sure there are no more surprising waiting for us?"
"I was afraid you were going to say that," he sulked.
Weasel affixed the purple goggles over his eyes. He carefully stepped through the broken window and began his descent. The gnome's movements were quieter than a whisper. Had Rayne not see him leave with his own eyes, he would have never known anyone was moving down there.
The paladin moved over to examine the defeated faceless one. Cayden was already performing a bit of research on his own with Samuel and Zariyana observing over his shoulder. Even Emerald was sniffing the quickly rotting corpse of the monster.
"What do you make of it?" Pondered Rayne.
"Based on my initial analysis, this creature does not appear to be immune to physical or arcane attacks," the mage stated. "I can see faint traces of scorch marks and even signs of bruising from Marcus' mace."
"Really?" Rayne contemplated. "So they can be harmed by alternative means?"
Cayden nodded.
"However, it appears the most effective method in dealing with them is utilizing light-based spells and attacks."
"Agreed," Samuel replied. "Perhaps these creatures are protected by shadow magic."
"If that is the case," his sister commented. "I imagine this general of theirs will be even more formidable than this fodder here."
"Shadow energy is the most sound hypothesis," nodded Cadyen. "Although, I am a bit intrigued by the fluids excreting from its wounds."
"This is blood, no?" Ademski said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," the mage answered. "But there is an abundance of it the likes of which no mere creature could possible need to survive. It is almost as if it were a power source instead of a life essence."
"How dangerous could it –"
Rayne's question was immediately silence as the night elf brazenly stepped between him and the others. She stared at him inquisitively and slowly raised her hand towards his face. The paladin could sense his heartbeat rising. This was certainly not the time nor place for any affectionate gestures but Narula would not be deterred. Her hand graced his flesh. It carefully swept over his forehead, down his goggles and just above his upper lip.
The night elf cautiously drew her arm back. Rayne was relieved he could breathe easier again but now he was curious. In her hand, Narula held a few traces of the substance within the faceless one. She rubbed the substance between her fingers and dabbed a few drops upon her bare flesh.
"I can sense something living within this liquid. Whatever it may be is screaming, or perhaps, crying for attention," the night elf explained. "It is attempting to burn my skin but I feel no ambient pain."
Narula brought the liquid to her nose and took a few quick sniffs.
"This reeks of saronite."
"The Black Blood of Yogg-Saron?!" Cayden snapped. "Could this mean the Old God can corrupt living things by absorbing them in its blood?"
The rest of the Templar Knights turned their gaze to their leader and the only person to be exposed to this substance amongst them. Their expressions dropped as an overwhelming sense of dread fell over them.
"Guys?"
Rayne took a step back. He knew exactly what was on all of their minds. Thoughts sped through trying to come up with anything in his defense but the evidence was hard to dissuade.
"I'm fine, really," the paladin stated trying not to reveal he was forcing his smile. "I promise you, I don't feel weird or –"
Narula stood before him yet again. Her beautiful visage encapsulated his vision. Gleaming silver eyes stared back at him filled with concern. The racing beat in his heart returned. She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned in slowly. Blood began to fill his cheeks. Her nose twitched between his brows and carefully searched the rest of his face. It lowered until her tip gently grazed his for just a brief moment. That was more than enough to send his emotions into running an endless marathon.
Panic swept over him. His lips have never been closer to hers. He could heed Freya's advice and seize this moment right now. The paladin's heart begged him to do it but his mind was in an entirely different place. Though he was prepared to acknowledge his feelings for Narula, they would have to wait for another more opportune moment.
The night elf lingered for a few more seconds that seemed to stretch to eternity. She pulled back slowly. Her face was soft and carried a pleased expression.
"I do not sense any remaining traces of its blood," stated Narula. "It does not appear to be spreading either."
"Then perhaps it can only be transmitted through imbibing," added Samuel.
A touch of scorn graced the paladin's expression. If only the priest had spoken up sooner it would have saved him through suffering such an emotional tornado. He just hoped this moment would pass quickly and that they could move on to the task at hand without another word.
"Who in their right mind would want to drink something so foul?" The draenei scoffed. "A tankard of ale in your stomach is a much better aid in battle."
"That's the point," Marcus cut it. "These creatures aren't in the right mind. They're pawns of their master. Anyone who would willingly drink this crap is a couple of swords short of an armory if you catch my drift."
The warrior made an excellent point. However, it did not appear to relieve Rayne's worries. If Lorelei was trapped down there perhaps they could be coercing or even forcing her to swallow the Black Blood of Yogg-Saron in order to turn her into a monster like they just fought or something even far worse. She may have been a little hot-headed, misguided, and immature but no one, not even a sworn enemy deserved such a cruel fate.