A/N: Please note that this is of course Fan Fiction, therefore the events described would be slightly deviated from the orginal telling.

And nope, I in fact do not own Warcraft or anything else I write about.

Chapter 28

"Keep your arms straight and still!" Wayne commanded as he walked along the line of his trainees. They obeyed as a long line of arms locked in place with a wand at the end of each. "Focus your mind, any distracting thoughts will unbalance the curse. Now begin!"

Loud shouts of pain from the gallery of captured Scarlet Crusaders filled the vaulted room. By now experiments on live test subjects became commonplace practice to all guilds within the Undercity. The only real point of contention came when a decision had to be made on who would be rewarded with the frightened creatures. Wayne was able to procure this group of humans due to their need for interrogation. Though nobody actually expected any true Crusader to talk at this point, practicing today's curse had the hopes of swaying their minds. An evolved version of a curse that Wayne came up with months ago, it involved squeezing and bursting organs within a living body. One of the many death-mingled spells Wayne spent most of his time perfecting.

The humans wrenched in pain while spitting up blood across the stone floor. If performed correctly the curse would give the subject a few minutes of agony before ending their life. Enough time, hopefully, for a foolish human to give up any valuable information they might be withholding in the hopes of receiving mercy. Though suffice to say, none of his pupils performed it as well as he wished. Some either did not put enough force into it, others could not clear their thoughts and the curse did other, 'unintended' effects. Still others put far too much force behind their magic. A prime example was Wayne's star pupil, a woman named Mias.

"Well he lasted longer than I imagined he would," Wayne said over her shoulder. Then looking down to observe the disfigured lump of meat on the floor that was once a human. "I've told you a dozen times that you use far too much anger in your magic. You must learn how to calm yourself or you can kill us all."

"Yes Master, it is just not becoming any easier becoming adjusted to this...existence," Mias said in seething undertones.

"Just know that none of us are more dead than you," Wayne said as he turned away only to face a pair of Deathguards.

They both bowed as their eyes locked. "Lady Sylvanas has summoned you to her throne room, she requested that you come at once," said a Deathguard.

Wayne nodded and turned to the side to observe his students' progress. Nearly all the Crusaders were already dead, having uttered nothing more than screams. The rest crawled and moaned on the ground, the curse still weakly impacting them.

"Finish them off and raise half of them as Forsaken. The rest send to the Apothecaries for spare parts. And clean up the mess," Wayne added before following the escort of royal Deathguards. Nollis always no more than a few steps behind.

The underground necropolis bustled with activity. Noise from all types of labor resounded within the city that made rest more of an impossible action. All around, craftsmen worked on weapons and inventions. Carts laden with all types of goods were constantly being pulled from one sector of the city to the next. It was obvious, even to a foreign observer, that the Forsaken were preparing for war. Heaven help any enemy who happened to be foolhardy enough to think they could seize this city.

The four walked at a brisk pace down the long winding corridor that led to their Queen's chamber. A large throne now graced the center of a large circular stage upon which Lady Sylvanas stood, enraptured in conversation with several banshees. Seeing his Queen for the first time in months, Wayne felt uplifted, regenerated even. The two Deathguards stopped at the steps to hold their position. Nollis stopped as well, leaving Wayne to venture up to the feet of his Queen alone. Where he kneeled low before her splendor.

"Rise my champion," the Banshee Queen said softly.

"How may I best serve you, My Queen," Wayne said as he rose up, taking in the sight of her with the unrelenting beating of a deadened heart.

"There is a task which I have assigned to you. A task of utmost importance that will determine the future of the Forsaken," said the Dark Lady. "I give you the option of accepting this duty."

"Without reservation, My Queen," said Wayne, his colorless eyes downcast as he was temporarily unable to look upon her out of respect.

"Always the faithful one," Lady Sylvanas said lightheartedly. "I officially apoint you as Emissary of the Forsaken."

Wayne looked up and into his Queen's eyes, glowing with pride.

"You are charged with traveling to distant lands to observe the quality and worth of the entangling alliances we have been offered. I am giving you priority judgement on this matter. It will be your decision that will usher in our future Wayne DeLovely," said the Banshee Queen.

"I swear to never fail you, My Lady," Wayne said quickly.

The Dark Lady walked forward a few steps until standing directly in front of him. "I give you my trust and grace to make the right choice," Sylvanas said as she placed her right hand on Wayne's head.

End of Chapter 28