AN - Apologies about uploading a day late, I passed out while editing the chapter last night and I didn't get a chance to finish before work.
Chapter XV: Brotherhoods
15 ADP, 7th Day of the Third Moon
A transformed Hinata soared over the skies of Elwynn Forest as she carried her Master Menma and the Broodmother of her new race and Earth-Warder Onyxia. Her luminescent scales glowed a dim violet in the evening sky as the Earth Aspect told her where to go.
A few minutes later they landed in a clearing in the woods a few minutes out from where they were to find the people Onyxia wanted to meet him.
"As I've told you, we will be meeting with Edwin, the unofficial leader of the Stonemason's guild that rebelled after they weren't paid." Onyxia informed him as they walked, the she-dragon having taken the opportunity to wrap her arms around the crook of his elbow.
"And you think he would be suitable for our plan?"
"He used to be a roofwalker as a child and then an SI:7 agent until he took up stone masonry alongside his father. I have no doubt that he would be able to adapt in the same way that the nobles of the Syndicate did."
"Hmm."
As they neared a small farm by the Mirror Lake he could see a trio of people waiting for them. Two people that looked like peasants and a rather handsome fellow with long black hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. "Edwin VanCleef, I presume?" Menma asked as he extended a hand.
"Aye, I am he." The man looked a bit intimidated given Menma was in full ANBU armor and a Syndicate mask but still gave Menma a firm handshake. May I ask your name, Sir?"
"Menma." Menma replied. "Lady Prestor has informed me of what has taken place here in Stormwind over the past several weeks." Turning to the other two people he nodded his head. "Greetings."
"Greetings milord." The woman curtsied while the man gave a short bow. "I am Rodrik the owner of this farm and a friend of Edwin's, this here is me wife Morgaine."
"Well met." Menma nodded once more before turning back to Edwin, "Shall we?"
"Right this way." Edwin guided them in. Menma held out a seat for Onyxia before sitting down himself.
"Now then, from what I hear you and your friends were cut a raw deal." Menma said as he sat down. "Dreadful what they did, truly."
Edwin frowned as he looked down at the table with a tightening of his fists. "That damn King and his nobles actually had the gall to renege on our deal, even after we rebuilt that bloody city of his in record time!"
Menma nodded in fake sympathy "I know all about being tossed on our heads because of the stupidity and greed of others. Tell me Edwin, did Katrana tell you who I was?"
The man shook his head "No my Lord, Lady Prestor simply mentioned that she knew someone who could help us. During the riot that broke out, Her Majesty the Queen Tiffin who was one of our main supporters for being payed the agreed-upon sum was unfortunately struck by a stray rock and died. Since then we of the Guild have been on the run as that damn king has been rounding us up and throwing any Guild members in the stockades."
Menma nodded slowly as he digested the story. "Well you are in luck. I can sympathize with what you and your fellow guild-members are being put through and I am willing to aid you."
"Truly?" Edwin exclaimed, shocked that a foreign noble would be willing to help people not his own.
"Truly." Menma spoke gravely as he lowered his mask. "I am Menma Uzumaki, King of Alterac... however before that I was Menma the bandit. It wasn't until I met my Queen Beve that we seized control over the Syndicate and then retook our kingdom. I believe you may be capable of the same."
"Me?" Edwin looked confused. "But my Lord, I am but a simple stone-"
"I know about your shadier past VanCleef." Menma cut him off. "Which fortunately for you is exactly the skill set you will need in the years to come. Currently you and your kin are fugitives and your past as an assassin in SI:7 will be what keeps your head intact."
Edwin looked uncomfortable, "I left that life behind."
Menma smirked, a very rogue like smirk that Edwin recognized right away. It was similar to the one Mathias sent his way when Edwin turned in his badge of office. "You can take the man out of the shadows but you can't take the shadows out of the man."
"Even if I still desired such a life, I cannot simply return to a life of blood and murder, I... I have a daughter now. A child of two who will never know the caress of her mother who died the same day she was born, I cannot risk death or imprisonment." Edwin returned emotionally.
"And that is exactly why you must hide in shadow. You are already a criminal as far as Stormwind is concerned, the moment Shaw catches wind of where you are he will come for you, or do you think yourself above your old band? Do you truly think you can simply live your life on some farm now? No, like the cast-out nobles of the Syndicate you're on the run now." Menma told the man firmly. "However unlike my people who had to suffer alone, I have resources and men I can spare to your cause. My people already know how to live on the run, how to survive in the wild and how to thrive as thieves."
The two farmers looked worried as they turned to Edwin who was in quiet contemplation. "Thieves..."
"Think about it Edwin, for your little girl. You need to feed and clothe her somehow. I somehow doubt you'll be able to stroll into the Stormwind bank and retrieve any savings you may have had." Menma continued. "Consider my offer. If you require the aid of my people, then it's yours. Simply send your friend there for Lady Prestor and she will relay a message to me."
Standing up, Menma helped Onyxia to her feet. "Have a good night." With that they left the cottage and walked back over to where they left Hinata. "Give me a moment."
He dispelled his henge and returned to the clothing he was wearing before. A pair of good pants and a majestic looking fur cloak that covered his entire body down to his shins. The only part that stayed the same was the orange bandanna around his neck which he took off and stashed away in a scroll.
Mounting Hinata, his cloak parted and revealed him to be shirtless as always. He pulled Onyxia up behind him and set off for Stormwind, landing just outside of it to the panic of the guards before he sent Hinata away though Onyxia did need to use a magic shield to block some of their arrows.
She quickly dismounted and made her presence known "Halt your fire you fools! It is I, Katrana Prestor and King Varian's guest King Menma of Alterac!"
Suddenly all fire stopped along with the guardsmen that came running towards them. They stopped mid-run and paled considerable at the fact that they fired upon the King's adviser and a foreign King. "M-Milady, a thousand pardons! We did not know, y'see, simply saw that great beast flying towards the gate we did!"
Onyxia snorted but waved off the man's apology. "Silence. Prepare an escort for His Majesty King Menma!"
"R-Right away milady!"
It wasn't long until they were escorted into a private room inside of Stormwind keep where Menma met Varian Wrynn for the first time. "King Wrynn."
"Please, call me Varian." The man said as they shook hands. By his tone an appearance you could tell that the man was going through a lot recently.
"You have my condolences about your wife." Menma said as they sat down. "Katrana told me on our way down here. Truly a tragic event."
The man returned him a grim smile "Thank you."
Menma nodded at him "At least you still have your son and she will live on through him."
"Hmm." Varian stared at him for a moment before returning a thankful nod. "Kat tells me your own was born not to long ago?"
"A year and a half ago now." Menma responded neutrally. "Saren, she named him. Yours?"
"Anduin. We named him after my father's best friend and my mentor, Anduin Lothar." Varian answered. "We just finished rebuilding Stormwind, how fares your city?"
"Quite well in fact, with Alterac also benefiting from the new tax increase to help rebuild our cities we are set to finish reconstruction in about five years." Menma answered truthfully. In a surprise turn of events not only was Alterac exempt from the tax increase but were given a portion of it. "Then again my city is much smaller than Stormwind so it naturally would take less time."
"Naturally." Varian agreed before moving on to the main reason for him being here. "So Kat wishes to permanently move to Alterac then?"
"Indeed Varian." Katrana answered this time. "In a strange turn of events I found happiness by Menma's side and wish to remain so."
"I see." Varian let out a sigh of exhaustion. "I am happy to see you happy Kat, it's just..."
"I understand Varian. With everything going on, I don't plan on leaving you to run this city alone, at least not for some time. Menma and I have spoken about this at length and I will stay to help you deal with this Stonemason's guild problem and quelling the nobles for a time." Onyxia told him, keeping in character of her persona as his childhood friend. "You need time to grieve Varian and I will give you that time, just leave everything to me and go spend some time with your son."
This time Varian allowed a relieved sigh to escape him, "Thanks Kat... with everything going on... I fear it has yet to truly hit me. I've been so busy running the city that I haven't had time to simply sit down and... think."
A servant came in just then with a tray of drinks and everyone took a moment to silently sip at their beverages. "Have you had time to look at my proposals?"
"I have." Varian nodded. "They are acceptable. Hopefully a steady stream of Alterac's famous cheeses and precious metals will help quell those damn nobles."
"Excellent, while we have plenty of raw goods, our farms unfortunately are not ready to feed our numbers once again so the food imports will do much to help us." Menma responded.
They spent some time speaking more about matters of ruling and trivial things before Menma excused himself saying that he had to return to Alterac. Watching him leave Onyxia could only snort in amusement seeing him take off on the newest Void dragon Hinata.
"You know." Varian began as he watched his fellow king fly off. "I never took you for the mistress type."
"Neither did I." Onyxia said mirthfully "Queen Beve seems to tolerate me at the very least so thankfully I don't have to deal with some jealous wife hounding me."
"She knows?"
"Mhm."
"Huh..."
"Enough chatter Varian, let's get to work. We've a city to run." Onyxia said imperiously before walking off.
With a rueful chuckle he followed after his friend. "Indeed."
000
15 ADP, 4th Day of the Fifth Moon
Onyxia was surprised that it took nearly two months before VanCleef sent his friend to ask her for a meeting. Her Master was unfortunately busy with other matters but she knew their plan for the Stonemason's guild and could execute it on her own.
Once again she traveled to the small farm by Mirror Lake and greeted the owners and Edwin before being ushered into the cottage. "I must apologize for my Lord's absence, he had other prior engagements that he needed to see to but gave me full permission to act on his behalf."
"That's fine." Edwin said with a nod. "I have given your offer much thought... our supplies dwindle day by day and we are nearing the end of the stocks. Some of our members have taken to stealing food from the various farms around Elwynn and have started ignoring my orders not to. I fear that the life of an outlaw is our only option at this point."
"And why shouldn't you?" Onyxia asked rhetorically. "Stormwind stole from you, it's only right that you steal from them back. You and your guild did honest work for promised pay and then you were threatened, abandoned and thrown out of the city! Why shouldn't you take what is owed to you?"
Edwin blinked in realization before nodding slowly, the noble's words ringing true in his ears. "Yeah... you're right."
"Eddie?" His friend asked cautiously. "That's dangerous thinkin' it is!"
"No!" Edwin retorted, standing up suddenly. "Lady Prestor speaks true! We are owed, and not just in gold but in time and hardship... and blood. That damn king sicked his guard dogs on us and killed innocent men who simply wanted their due! Is it not just to demand compensation for honest work? To be paid for services so a man can provide for his family!?"
Onyxia hid her growing smile as Edwin was slowly working himself into a frenzy with just the slightest push. She could tell by the sunken eyes and pale pallor that VanCleef had not slept in some time and he was mentally vulnerable at this moment.
Now to simply nudge him along a bit more. Her eyes flashed for a moment as a spell worked its way into Edwin's subconscious making her words more appealing to him. "As I and my Lord have stated before, we are prepared to help your people. We have food, resources and men that we can put towards your cause in exchange for a minor trade."
"A trade?" Edwin asked, turning his full attention back to the woman.
"Yes. You see my King's city was destroyed during the last war and while his people have been doing their part in clearing the rubble and demolishing any unsound buildings, they have no true construction works to rebuild the place. King Menma simply proposes a trade of men, some of his mercenaries in exchange for some of your works who could help rebuild the city. Naturally they will be paid well and upfront." Onyxia spoke frankly as she reached into her satchel and withdrew several items. First was a written contract detailing the trade, the second was a standard quill and inkwell and the last was a satchel of gold.
She had to dip into her own funding to pay out the initial thousand gold but it was a paltry sum in the grand scheme of things. Sliding the contract across the table she let Edwin carefully read it over.
"This seems... too good to be true. Why would the king of Alterac give us so much in exchange for so little? What is his true objective here?" Edwin asked calmly as he stared the woman down.
Onyxia smiled faintly and turned to the two farmers "Would you mind if I spoke to Edwin in private for a few minutes? I'm afraid this is a matter above simply farmers and I would rather not get your family involved in political intrigue."
Rodrik shared a look with his wife before nodding "Of course milady, the missus and I will take a stroll around the lake."
"Please, do be careful, I ran afoul a pack of wolves earlier. Poor creatures looked positively starved." Onyxia responded kindly as the two farmers left the building before she shut the door and cast a magical ward keeping any spoken words from being heard outside of the cabin.
"You're a sorceress?"
"Indeed." Onyxia admitted easily. "It is one of the many things I share in common with my King Menma. While Varian is an old friend, he is brash and short-sighted, terrible qualities in a king."
"You're telling me."
Onyxia chuckles as she took a seat once more. "Menma prefers to approach matters frankly and asked that I do so with you as well, normally I prefer a more subtle approach but what my King wishes is my command."
"What are his aims then? Does he wish to use us to choke Stormwind until they come crawling to the other kings for help?" It wasn't a far off guess admittedly.
"You had the first part right. Menma wishes to see history repeated, he led the Syndicate, a roving band of nobles that had never so much as cooked for themselves before and turned them into a well oiled crime ring. They operated smartly and decisively and took over not only one kingdom but two, Menma wishes for a third with you at the head."
"Me? I'm no king." Edwin denied.
"Not yet." Onyxia corrected. "Who else has a better claim than you? Your mind built that city and your people toiled over it, by all rights it should be yours Edwin. While Varian was my childhood friend, I'm beginning to see what kind of king he is and I will not see my beloved city be destroyed once more because of one man's incompetence!"
Edwin was about to speak before he paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "And King Menma would wish an alliance with me then? Should I become king?"
"Not quite. My King wishes for greater things, an Azeroth with no more war, one unified under one banner. Menma wishes to elevate himself from King of Alterac to Emperor of the Eastern Kingdoms and is already making significant progress on that front." Onyxia told him in a grandiose manner. "Dalaran, Stromgarde, Kul Tiras, Aerie Peek and Quel'Thalas. The heirs to all of these prominent kingdoms have shown faith in my King and will follow him in his endeavors to unify this continent and now we wish to extend our hand to you."
Edwin took a moment to let that sink in before asking "Why me?"
"Because you hold traits that Menma values. You are smart, cunning, resourceful and loyal. Your people may have lost some faith but it can be restored and raised higher than ever. Menma has seen your worth and believes that you would be the best choice to lead Stormwind as it's rightful King." As she spoke her eyes flashed once more and the final vestiges of resistance left the man. "Think of your daughter, were you to become king then she would want for not, the best schooling and the best life would be hers. All you need to do... is sign the contract."
Looking over at the piece of parchment that rested of the table innocently. It already held the King of Alterac's name and official stamp and only needed his own signature to go into effect. For a moment he thought about his deceased wife Kadence and their daughter Vanessa.
His wife had known about his past and had never judged him, she knew what he needed to do to put food on the table and now... now that they no longer had food he would once again return to that life of shadows so that he could provide for his baby girl.
He dipped the quill in the ink and signed his name with a flourish. He could only hope that his daughter would not think any less of him for what he would have to do for the sake of her future. I do this for you Vanessa... it's all for you.
000
Meanwhile far to the north Menma was enjoying the hospitality of one Aedelas Blackmoore. A member of the bastard lineage of Proudmoore who had been shunted off to the mainland only for the first Blackmoore to make a name for himself and became a landed noble in service of the then Lordaeron King.
Taking a sip of his wine Menma made himself more comfortable in his chair as he watched two orcs duke it out. He had been invited to a gladiatorial match by Lord Blackmoore and had so far been enjoying the show.
Especially after Blackmoore had introduced a gladiator he had raised from childhood, being no more than fifteen or sixteen now, the young Thrall held a ferocity in the ring that few of his fellow orcs could match.
In recent years the orcs had become slow and lethargic in their imprisonment but Thrall had a viciousness in him that led to many victories. Menma watched with a smile as the young orc ripped the head off of one of his kin with his bare hands.
He knew exactly why Thrall had become the way he had of course, nightly visits of poisoning the orc with his Void magic and blocking out the elements had driven the young orc, not quite mad but far more ruthless.
With a bellow of victory Thrall roared to the heavens before tossing the severed head aside carelessly. "Dramatic, isn't he?"
"Quite." Aedelas sneered. "Regardless, the boy is skilled... for a savage at least."
"Shall we retire to your study and continue our talks?" Menma offered seeing their show at an end.
"Lets. This way if you please, Majesty." Blackmoore said politely as he led Menma further into the keep. Seeing his secretary's daughter pass by he stopped her. "Girl, fetch King Menma and I refreshments, we will be in my study."
"Of course, Lord Blackmoore." The young woman said with a short bow that allowed Menma a glimpse at her cleavage and bountiful chest. Menma kept a trained eye on her backside as the girl rushed off to complete the order.
"My secretary Foxton's daughter, Tabetha or something or other, boring as a plank of wood but at least she's fetching to the eye." Blackmoore scoffed.
Menma snorted. "That so? Well, no matter, shall we?"
"Right." The two reached the Lord's office a minute later and discussed varies things including the sale of the various metals held in the Alterac mountains. He and his clones had been hard at work clearing the mines of any squatters and was at least able to use the yeti's for fur and leather but the kobolds that hid deep in the mines were better off enslaved and used as a free workforce.
Taretha that arrived shortly into their conversation carrying a tray of wine with an assortment of bread, cheese and fruits on a few plates. Setting the tray down on the table, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at the young King of Alterac who having caught her looking sent her a sly wink. "I hope everything is to your liking milords. Will that be all?"
"What about you?" Menma asked drawing her gaze. "Are you on the menu?"
"M-Milord!" Taretha stuttered out with a blush covering her face.
"Go girl," Aedelas dismissed the girl with a wave but kept Menma's interest in her in mind. Perhaps he could use her to his advantage. Once she had left the room he turned to the young King. "Do you fancy her your Majesty? If you wish to spend the night I could have her brought to your chambers."
Menma raised an eyebrow. "I might just take you up on that. Now as I was saying, we have only recently started up our mining operations again and have rationed out portions of ores for sale or trade but..." He smiled crookedly at the man "I think an exception could be made."
Aedelas returned the wicked grin with one of his own "Wonderful!"
000
15 ADP, 23rd Day of the Sixth Moon
Taretha bit into her pillow to withhold the moan that threatened to tear from her lips as King Menma thrust into her one final time, spilling his hot seed deep inside of her. With a relieved sigh she let body fall to the bed, utterly exhausted.
"You're not going to pass out on me tonight are you?"
"F-Forgive me milord." She pleaded tiredly.
Menma rolled his eyes "Whatever. More importantly how is Thrall doing?"
The young woman sat up with a strain of effort, raising the blanket to cover her body. "Thrall has become... increasingly unhinged. He has always been smart and he had a certain kindness to him but as of recent he has become more withdrawn. More quiet... more ruthless."
"Perhaps with maturity his orcish instincts have started to kick in." Menma snorted "Perhaps his kind will always remain savage."
"I- I don't believe that milord."
"Hmph." Menma scoffed as he redressed himself. "Continue to watch over him, I'll be by tomorrow night as always."
The young woman of nineteen looked down but nodded obediently. "Of course milord."
The now renamed Void Construct that was more void magic than chakra sneered at her meekness for a moment before leaping out of the window and quickly making his way out of Durnholde keep.
At first he had only been created to harass the traders of Southshore during the day and train Sally Paletress at night but recently he had acquired two new hobbies, corrupting Thrall with Void magic and fucking the servant girl every night until she passed out from exhaustion.
Comparatively speaking to the rest of his clone brethren he had the sweet gig and aimed to keep it.
As he leapt off the ramparts and rushed over to his hideout, a small hut in the woods that used to be owned by a lone huntsman he missed the narrowed eyes of a shadow watching him leave Durnholde.
The shadow waited a few minutes before activating his Hearthstone to report back to headquarters. "My Lord, I believe I have found our bandit."
"Oh?"
"I have observed a man coming and going from Durnholde Keep every night at roughly the same time every night. His speed and acrobatic ability demonstrates high levels of training. It would explain how one man has been able keep a hold over a trade hub like Southshore for the better part of a year." The shadow explained.
"Hmm." The man nodded slowly. "Take a team with you tonight and deal with this man."
"As you command my Lord."
With a nod of dismissal Jorach Ravenholdt returned to his book to read the night away after another bout of sleeplessness.
000
15 ADP, 24th Day of the Sixth Moon
Menma shot up from the sudden influx of memories, startling his wife in the process. "Me-Menma? What's wrong dear?"
Menma scowled as he began to go over the memories in detail. "Nothing Beve, go back to sleep. I need to go take care of something."
"At this time of night?"
"Yes. Go back to sleep." Without another word Menma left their chambers and stormed down his castle until he reached the balcony that led outside, having already swapped his night clothes for his armor with a kawarimi seal, the orange bandanna sitting comfortably around his neck.
His warm breath misted in the cold Alterac morning before he pulled the mask up and took to the air. "Time to find whatever dead motherfuckers dared to attack me."
A band of five assassins jumped his Void Construct that he had assigned to train Sally and had recently taken a few liberties with the nearby orcs and servant girls which he was fine with but apparently ended up being his downfall.
His Void clone had managed to kill four and severely wound the fifth before succumbing to the multiple poisons and injuries they had inflicted on him. Even if the Void clone could only use ten percent of Menma's base strength it still galled him to think that some fucking nobodies dared to assassinate him.
He had been flying as fast as possible to the clearing where they had fought and as luck would have it he found the bleeding elf trying to tend to his wounds beside a tree. Startled by his sudden appearance the elf tossed a knife his way that Menma caught easily and threw back nailing the high-elf in the shoulder and pinning him to the tree. "GUH!" The elf grunted but held in a scream of pain.
"So you're the leader of this little band of assassins huh?" Menma questioned as he walked to the still downed elf.
"Who... who are you?" The elf panted out the question, sweat starting to run down his forehead.
Chancing a glance at the shoulder wound he could see the darkening of the veins around the injury. "Ah, poison. Lovely. I'm guessing you have an antidote for it?"
"You'll get nothing-" A silence spell caught the elf mid sentence causing him to choke on air.
"That's enough out of you." Menma spat. "Now here's how this is going to go down. I'm going to heal you and then you and I are going to spend the next couple of day getting to know each other real well."
Menma twisted the blade - and judging by the elf's face he would have screamed that time if not for the silencing spell - before pulling the knife out and punching the assassin in the face causing his head to hit the tree and knock him out.
Making a replacement Void Construct he had it go fetch Sally while he bandaged the elf's wounds. The girl could heal the internal injuries and... and keep healing the elf... and perhaps learn other skills on his new friend. A cruel and sadistic smile flit across his lips. "Oh yes~ that'll do nicely."
000
15 ADP, 10th Day of the Seventh Moon
A man screamed in pain as he felt his body burn for what felt like the hundredth time this week. Once the stream of fire cut he let his body slacken, the iron manacles biting into his wrists but he couldn't find it in him to care anymore. Standing upright was beyond him at the moment.
The girl sneered at him, a look of disgust that one could only feel when forced to deal with something unsightly. "So this is what happens to one of those pretty elves after they've been completely burned from head to toe." She spoke with obvious malice in her tone.
"If nothing else I can respect his restraint. You've been torturing him for two weeks straight and he has yet to crack." The man whom he now knew to be the new King of Alterac said with a detached casualty that actually caused more fear in him than the little girl. Something in the older boy's tone told him that he found the girl's efforts mildly amusing at most. "I believe it's time to step it up a notch."
"Oh!" Her eyes glittered with child-like wonder that he almost forgot that this was the same girl who had been putting him through hell for the last several nights as she used him for torture, target and healing practice.
The long, pointed and severed ear that now hung around her neck like a pendant helped remind him that this girl was just as much a monster as her master the King.
"Yes." He spoke with a fond grin, turning his gaze to the still sizzling elf. "Since physical pain isn't having the desired effect then we should try...?"
"Mental anguish!" The girl answered quickly and gleefully before turning to him with a wide-eyed and almost hungry look. "You'll tell me what Master wants to know... one way or another, elf! PAIN!"
Myrokos Silentform, master assassin and one of the oldest members of the Assassin's League screamed in pain once more as his mind was made to feel as if it were caught on fire alongside the rest of his body.
000
15 ADP, 25th Day of the Seventh Moon
The nearly lifeless elf had finally broken at spilled everything they wanted to know in exchange for the mercy of death. "Very well." Menma grinned. "It's just a shame you never specified when we would have to kill you."
Sally couldn't keep the smile off her face "We're keeping him Master?"
"Consider it an early birthday present Salamander."
"Yay!"
Menma chuckled. Sally was crazier than him but at time she still acted her age of fifteen and was pretty excitable when learning something new or getting something new to test her skills on. "I'm going to go take care of our little assassin problem, you enjoy your toy, don't break it too quickly."
"Understood Master!"
Menma hadn't even fully left the room before the elf's hoarse and blood screams started once again. Truly that girl was someone after his own heart. It didn't take long to leave the hidden dungeons beneath his castle and for the cool wind of the very early morning to hit him.
Crossing his fingers he formed a group of Void Constructs in the form of his former ANBU team. "You three will guard the perimeter, keep your senses up and make sure that nobody escapes. I want all of these fuckers dead by daybreak."
"Sir!" The three clones saluted and rushed off towards the mountain where the Ravenholdt manor was hidden. Taking to the air himself he briefly considered calling Hinata to firebomb them but decided against that, also vetoing his amusing idea of simply dropping a Dai Rasenringu on them but figured that would cause too much damage to his own lands.
He descended from the skies in full view of the manor's inhabitants and was met by Lord Jorach Ravenholdt upon touching down. "King Menma, you grace us with your presence but may I ask what you are doing here at this time of night?"
"I am here Lord Ravenholdt to official charge you with treason, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder." Menma replied calmly.
"I beg your pardon, Grace?" Jorach said, affronted and utterly confused. "When did I commit such heinous crimes?"
"When you sent a team of five assassins to kill me." Menma said casually as he eyed the ever increasing number of people. "How is that anything but treason? To send people to kill me, your king?"
Suddenly Jorach's eyes widened as he realized what had happened to Myrokos and his team. "I beg your pardon, Grace, this is all a misunderstanding. I fear we had mistaken you for another!"
"And yet the crime still stands." Menma said evenly as he extended his right arm outwards where the massive form of Kubikiribocho suddenly appeared. "I'm sure you know the punishment for treason?"
Jorach's eyes hardened as he slowly reached for the hidden blades on his person. "Death."
Menma nodded. "Death."
000
As the sun crested over the mountain Menma could only smile in satisfaction as he rested against his sword which happened to be impaled upon a hill of corpses. The assassin's league had put up an impressive fight and if it weren't for Kurama passively healing and burning away the many poisons the league employed he may have actually died.
Well, not really, if he had gone Cosmic or used Kurama's form he would have wiped them all out in seconds but if he were a normal non-stupidly overpowered person then he might have died. Maybe.
"This is the last one boss." The clone that wore crocodile's mask said as he dropped the last of the runners onto the pile. "The usual?"
"Yep, loot em and loot the mansion then burn the bodies. We'll keep this little hidden mansion as a secret retreat." Menma ordered, finally getting up and pulling out Kubikiribocho from three chests deep. "Are you full girl?"
The sword rumbled slightly in his grip and he figured that meant a yes. "Oh good! Well get to it boys, I'm going to go back to sleep."
"Sir!" The clones saluted once more and Menma flew back to his castle.
As he flew over the city he could already see his citizens starting reconstruction on the city with the aid of VanCleef's men that had arrived a few weeks past. Now the projected five years may actually be more feasible rather than a pipe-dream.
Seeing their King take to the skies had been so common in the almost two years he'd ruled that most people simply ignored it and went about their day while the workers VanCleef had sent over always stopped to gawk as they had yet to grow accustom to it.
Landing on the balcony of his castle he made his way over to the bedroom where he found Beve waiting for him. Taking one good look at his bloody armor she simply asked "I trust your business is settled, Beloved?"
"Unless the dead start walking, yeah, it's pretty settled." Menma returned. "I'm going to have a bit of a lay in, wake me up at midday if you need something from me."
The woman rolled her eyes but strolled past him, stopping only just to place a kiss on his cheek. "Sleep well dear."
"Mm."
"Daddy?" The curious voice of Saren called from his crib. "Daddy back?"
"Oh great, you're awake now too." Menma groaned as he swapped his armor back with his night clothes. "Hey Saren, do daddy a favor and stay quiet alright buddy? Daddy's gonna take a nap."
"Daddy go sleep?"
"Yep. Daddy go sleep." Menma replied as he fell on the bed and pulled the furs over his head.
"Ok." *Pop* "Saren go sleep?"
Damn kid had been getting better with his blinks and could now control whether he wanted to appear on top of the covers or under them. The electric blue eyes staring back at him told him that his son chose the later. "Sure kiddo, we'll both take a nap alright?"
"Ok."
Menma closed his eyes, thankful that the needy little shit would at least grant him some reprieve. "Daddy?" Nevermind.
"...Sleep." The king smiled at the blessed quiet once more.
000
15 ADP, 5th Day of the Tenth Moon
"What worries you?" Menma asked in a husky voice into her ear.
"What makes you think I'm worried?" A haughty voice returned.
"You only ever ask me to stay with you when you're worried about something. Otherwise you simply tell me to leave before I stink up your place with my odious self." He replied, ending it with an amuse chuckle seeing her pout.
"Have I become that predictable?" Jandice asked as she turned her body to face him.
"Not necessarily. I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to differentiate worried Jandice with the usual ornery and pissed off Jandice." Menma answered as he began lightly stroking her side.
"Well thank the Void for small miracles." She said sarcastically. A few moments later she rested her forehead against his chest. "Master Kel'Thuzad left Dalaran today... or I should say he was ran out."
Blinking in surprise at the news he asked, "Really? What for?"
"Practicing Necromancy. It's long been known that Master has been academically interested in the art ever since the Horde's Death Knights introduced it to our world during the second war. He was actually one of the leading forces in finding ways to combat said necromancy but it was discovered that he has been practicing it for years now." Jandice told him. "The Violet Eye have been seizing his properties and begun questioning his apprentices."
Menma frowned, this being the first he had heard about this. Sure he had left the Violet Eye upon ascending his throne but he still held a good reputation within Dalaran and with Leryda and Keanna. "Have you been practicing necromancy? Is that why you're worried?"
"No, I haven't, but Master did make me the offer... and I'm afraid some of his students took him up on that. Perhaps in the past I may have accept but now-" She gazed up at him "I've found another Dark Art I wish to pursue and thankfully the Void doesn't absolutely reek of death."
Menma snorted "Well then I reckon you'll be fine, even if they search through your stuff they'll only find your notes on Illusions and Void magic."
Seeing her remain quiet he continued, "So then? What worries you?"
"I fear for my reputation. I will begin teaching at the start of the new year and I fear that me being apprentice to Kel'Thuzad may hinder my future as an instructor." She told him.
"Isn't there a way to... I dunno, abandon your apprenticeship under ship? Maybe publicly renounce his actions and distance yourself as much as you can from his image."
"Something I already planned on doing, yes, but the problem lay in the Violet Eye. They may continue to monitor me for some time and ensure that I am not giving... off-topic teachings." Jandice told him to which he nodded.
"Unfortunate seeing as we were hoping to use your status as a teacher to lure more impressionable budding dark wizards to our cause but if you feel the need to lay low then do so. There are others spreading our message after all." Menma assured her.
What they were talking about was a movement Menma had begun a year ago in secret, the movement would seek to spread the way of the Void to people. With the help of Angela retrieving a book called Secrets of the Void, Menma had written a manifesto of a new way of life.
Not quite a religion as they did not worship the Void but more communed with it and gained enlightenment on the greater universe and the true nature of the Void. That, not as a force of chaos or malice but the jailer of the true horrors of the universe.
He had created the Embraced to prepare the world for the ancient evils that were awakening and those further beyond the stars as only those who embrace the Void could learn and be shielded by it.
Menma grunted. "Well, worry not, our plans continue. Onyxia tells me that the one below Silithus is growing in power and I would like to have a company of at least forty when we confront it."
"And I will be there by your side." Jandice promised.
Menma grinned "Someone's getting attached."
"Oh quiet you! You should count yourself lucky I even put up with your crap." Jandice protested.
"Haha, yeah whatever Jen, you know you love me." He said before pulling her into his arms. "Don't worry about it Jen, you'll be fine and you're a great teacher and that will say more for you than your association with Kel'Thuzad ever did."
"Hmph." The woman huffed but allowed the tension to leave her body as she relaxed into his toned chest. "For a ruffian and a scoundrel... you can say some pretty good things once in a while."
"Does that mean I can butt fuck you in the morning?"
"...And you've ruined it."
"Hahaha!"
000
15 ADP, 10th Day of the Eleventh Moon
Menma smiled as he watched Durnholde burn. His clone had been altering the minds of the orcs and giving them mental nudges to rebel and with the help of that servant girl Thrall had escaped from the prison fortress.
Taretha had been instructed to tell Thrall to head north into the Alterac mountains where the exiled Frostwolf clan had been rumored to be staying. Menma knew this to be fact as he had spotted their camp during his first year as King but felt no need to wipe them out.
He didn't have any settlements there and the iron in the mountains was pretty low quality so he would allow the orcs to use them for the time being before setting them upon the forces of the Alliance.
From what Jaina had told him of Daelin Proudmoore he had a serious bone to pick with the orcs for killing his firstborn son and Menma would use the orc's escape to further ingratiate himself with the man.
He would offer supplies, weapons and armor in Daelin's crusade against the green skins and in exchange he would slowly but surely attain a grasp over Kul Tiras, if not through him then through Jaina.
Flying off towards Southshore he had another meeting planned for tonight. Upon being informed by his clone that Sally would be carted off to Stratholme to further her priestess training he had told the clone to set up a meeting for him.
Reaching the old cabin in the woods that his Void Construct had used he entered it to find Sally already inside. "Salamander, it's good to see you again."
"Master!" The girl cheered as she rushed to embrace him. "I don't want to leave you Master!"
"Be at ease my dear apprentice." He cooed, rubbing her blonde hair affectionately. While also enjoying the feeling of Sally's rapidly growing chest squished against his own "I agree with your parents on this."
Sally took a step back, a look of shock and betrayal crossing her face. "But-"
"We have focused solely on your Fire and Shadow magic Sally but I can do nothing for you on the Holy front. Luckily for you I have secured the aid of an old adventuring friend of mine, a priestess by the name of Eris Havenfire. She's much like yourself in that she can commune with both the Light and Shadow at will and has agreed to take over your training during your stay in Stratholme."
"There is someone else like me?"
"Yes. I want you to follow her instruction as if it were my own, understand? Eris has agreed to do this as a favor to me and because she's just as excited to meet someone else who can hold the balance besides herself." Menma told her sternly "I will need you to become strong because soon the Old Ones will rise again and we must be ready to put them down."
"Of course Master... I understand!" If this was what her beloved master thought was best for her than she would go along with it. After all Menma had never steered her wrong before.
"Good. Now let me tell you what we'll be working on tonight..."
000
16 ADP, 8th Day of the Second Moon
It was the night before Sally's sixteenth birthday and she had requested to see the real Menma tonight. Entering the cabin he wasn't exactly surprised to see Sally in the bed, very clearly playing with herself beneath the blanket.
Seeing him enter, her eyes dilated as her fingers sped up and one hand dislodged her covering as she began to roughly knead her breast. "Oh Master~"
His clone had been aware of her increasingly affectionate touches and embraces and the smell of her arousal when they sparred and figured it was only a matter of time before she would ask him to take her.
"I see you've been here for a while my dear Salamander," Menma spoke as he pulled off the rest of the blanket seeing the soaked through sheets. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
His hand slid up her womanly thigh and caressed her firm ass before using his other hand to spread her knees apart. Moving her hand away he was greeted by the sight of her weeping cunny slick with juices and what looked like an attemp at trimming her golden pubic hair.
Were he not sure it would crush her spirit he might have laughed at the poor attempt but he also remembered that this world was less technologically advanced than his own. Never mind the fact that he had grown accustom to trimming himself with a knife.
Running a hand up her slit drew a pleasure filled hiss from the girl as did his light rubbing of her clitoris. "Is this what you want my dear?"
"Yessss!" Sally moaned as his thumb pressed harder on her button. "I want you Master! I crave only you!"
"That's what I like to hear." Climbing onto the bed he lowered himself and slowly licked at her petals.
"MASTER!" Sally screamed as just that minor bit of stimulation was enough to drive her over the edge once more.
"Normally I would properly prepare my girls but..." He stared down at her sopping wet pussy and shrugged "Looks like you already took care of that."
Menma activated his clothes switching seal and then simply took off his sleeping bottoms before climbing into bed with Sally, taking a moment to admire her milky white breasts topped with tiny pink nipples.
"Don't think I haven't noticed your growth here as well." Menma said as he began to fondle Sally's c-cups "My clone had to physically restrain himself to just jumping you every night but tonight? Oh tonight I'm going to fully enjoy these!"
Sally moaned as her Master began to suck and nibble on her teets, twisting them this way and that which only increased her pleasure even more. "Yes! More!" She moaned deliriously as he played with her body.
After a moment's reprieve Sally finally looked up at Menma and smiled happily "Take me Master! I belong to you and only you, please do as you wish with me!"
Menma grinned at her words and was actually thankful that Kurama had picked up Sally four years ago. "Very well Sally," He said as he lined himself up "Your mind and soul already belonged to me but now your body will as well."
Sally groaned in pleasure as he slid in inch by inch, popping her barrier before she had the time to fret about it. She was tight like any other virgin but had thankfully prepared herself by essentially turning her snatch into a waterfall by playing with herself for Void knows how long before he had shown up.
"Ah! Yes! Master is inside of me!" Sally cried happily as Menma steadily filled her up until he reached her back wall. "Ohhhhh~" She moaned as he slowly slid halfway out before pushing himself back in.
Menma had to control himself from just full on ravishing the girl as her tight teenage pussy was clamping down hard around him. Slowly he started increasing his tempo while grabbing a firm hold on her hips as he thrust into her.
Instinctively Sally had wrapped her luscious thighs around his waist while her hands went back to teasing and twisting her nipples as Menma began pounding into her in earnest. He could feel his release fast approaching as Sally's constantly orgasming quim milked him for all he was worth.
"Fuck, god damn you're so tight Sally!" Menma grunted as he roughly thrust into her, no longer caring about technique and simply trying to fit as much of his cock into her tight pussy as he could.
Sally didn't respond, having long lost herself into her sex induced delirium and could only moan in pleasure as Menma used her body like a toy.
Dropping he on the bed he pulled her legs until they rested on his shoulders while he folder the girl into herself, using his elevated stated to drive himself into her tight pussy. A few hard thrusts later and he pushed himself inside of her as far as he could, spraying her womb with his hot seed.
Sally had let out a long and loud moan of satisfaction as he came inside of her and could only barely respond to his kiss as he had his way with her.
After breaking the kiss Menma leaned back and let her straighten out once more. The girl was panting heavily as she laid on her back, legs spread open as his thick cum leaked out of her.
It was enough to make him rock hard once again. Seeing the still out of it look in her eyes he figured she probably wouldn't mind if he started their next round early. Flipping Sally on her stomach he grabbed her shapely ass with both hands, squeezing and kneading them before landing a sharp slap on her cheek.
Sally moaned loudly at the rough treatment. "Don't worry Salamander, there's more where that came from!" Pushing inside of her tight pussy once more drew another loud moan from the girl as he laid on top of her while thrusting his hips against her firm ass.
"Ah! Yes, Master! More, give me more!" She cried as he drove himself inside of her. Even in her deepest and most depraved fantasies she had never imaged something like this. To be so utterly dominated and controlled by her beloved Master was driving her to new heights of pleasure.
"Fuck," Menma cursed as he slammed into her pussy which held a vice-like grip on him. "Whose pussy is this?"
"You're Master! Only yours!" Her response only spurred him on further.
"You're! God! Damn! Right! It! Isssssss!" Menma groaned as he came inside of her once again, only to be drowned out by the scream of pleasure from his young apprentice.
Panting, Menma slid out of her and fell on the bed with Sally taking the opportunity to kiss him this time. It was awkward and uncoordinated but Menma had guided her until she go the hand of it.
"Ma... Master?" Sally asked in an exhausted voice.
"Yeah?"
"May... may I be on top this time?"
Menma was surprised that this girl could still go "You want to keep going?"
"Yes! I imagine I will only be able to spend this night with you until quite some time so I want to make the memory last. I want Master to use me as he desires until I pass out, even then Master can keep using my body for his pleasure is he wishes!" Sally told him, her cerulean blue eyes shining with devotion flickered into a deep amber at times before returning to their normal color.
"Well then, let's make it a night to remember."
AN - I had originally wanted this chapter to span into the 18 ADP but I wanted to give more screen time to the new Thrall and his liberation of the orcs so I decided to end the chapter here and focus on the orcs next chapter.
Next Chapter, 4/2
