Author's Note:
There were a few problems with chapter 1. Just so you know, the part where Link and Ysera are talking to each other should have had all the dialogue italicized. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work on fanfiction.net. I've since updated the dialogue to have * instead of " to distinguish thoughts from speech. Anyway, here's chapter 2. Please review each time a new chapter comes up; the more reviews I get, the more updates I put up.
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Link awoke with the bright Kalimdor sun in his eyes. Its rays painted a deep red hue on the already tinted rock of the barrens. Link yawned, and looked around to see the orcs already packing up for their return to Ogrimmar. Some of them occasionally looked up from their work to cast awed glances at him once in a while, for Naros, the orc he had saved, was a bit weary, but otherwise perfectly healthy. Apparently the people of this world didn't take much advantage of the fairies.
Breakfast was leftover spitted pig, and as soon as everyone was finished, the orcs set off at a steady, impressive pace. The orcs had strength and endurance unmatched by anything of that world except tauren and undead, but Link was not of their world. He was used to similar long treks across Hyrule field, though he admitted to himself that he missed Epona at times like that.
Occasionally as they ran, they noticed several fearsome creatures eyeing them. There were pig-like people that the orcs identified as razormanes, strange bestial creatures naturally hunched over that Link discovered were called gnolls, as well as some malicious-looking bird women called harpies. Still, these creatures all kept a respectful distance, as if they were experienced with orcs and did not enjoy their company. By now the sun had risen to its peak, drying out the already parched earth. The orcs' heavy footsteps raised a dust cloud visible from miles around.
Finally they came to an enormous watch tower. It was maybe fifty feet tall, with large spikes protruding from its base. Underneath its structure, huge barrels whose purpose Link could not guess at were strapped together by rope. The design of the tower itself seemed crudely practical, and on top of it Link saw several grey-skins armed with formidable spears, as well as a curious-looking creature he was not familiar with. This small, hysterical character was busy jumping around, manning several curious devices that looked somewhat like telescopes.
"Hehehehe! I saw you coming a while ago, I did. Yes yes, the patrol and-" here the creature stared at Link and muttered "and the strange one, yes. What are you doing here stranger?"
"Pay no attention to him. He's a goblin; they're good at making things, blowing things up, and not much else."
"Eh? What's this I hear? Slander! Slander slander slander! Talking bad about me, eh orc? It's boring up here, so dreadfully boring! You should see what it is, to be bored!"
The orc cast a sympathetic glance at the two headhunters who, while struggling to remain impassive, were obviously strained by the company of their eccentric friend. After they had given the password "Grom Hellscream" they were allowed passage through to Ogrimmar territory. As they set off at a run again Link noticed that there was a weird contraption sitting on the ground next to the tower, covered by a large burlap sheet. Link asked Naros about it, and received this answer;
"That is a zeppelin my friend. It's a flying machine designed by the goblins. We have to produce them in great numbers these days, to patrol for undead or carry news of their movements. Fortunately we no longer have to purchase them from the goblins themselves; they always charge three times what its worth."
"And what is the purpose of that tower?"
"To keep a watch out for the undead. The moment that the tower's sentries spot an undead army approaching, they will hold it off for as long as they can, then they will flee in the zeppelin and light the fuse."
"Light the fuse?"
"You saw those barrels underneath the tower? Those are explosives. There'll be nothing for the undead to salvage, and the blast will be powerful enough to take out a fair few of them."
Link was left to silently brood on this concept, and hardly noticed it when they came into more crowded parts of the territory. By the time he looked up again, they were running down a well-traveled path with merchants hauling their wares on the backs of some lizard-like beasts. Peons dashed on the path going both ways, hauling building materials and tools. Link uncomfortably noted that most of these people, while each busy in their own way, always found time to stare at him.
Finally, as even Link began to tire from the long trek, they came up over a ridge and the sight took Link's breath away. A huge, sprawling city lay before him, nearly every bit of it designed the same way that the tower had looked; rugged, practical, and powerful. It seemed somewhat overcrowded, but that wasn't to diminish its glory. Vast city walls protected the orcish capital, and Link could see many creatures manning towers similar to the one he had seen earlier built into these walls. Within the city, smoke rose from several large, industrious buildings; weapons, armor, and machines of war were being forged. For all its wonders, there was no city like this in Hyrule.
The orcs laughed, seeing the expression on Link's face.
"Yes stranger, your reaction is the same as anyone seeing Ogrimmar for the first time. Come, the warchief awaits."
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He sat atop the Frozen Throne. In body, but not in mind. He was neither Ner'zhul the warlock nor Arthas the death knight. He was greater than both. He was now just the Lich King, in every sense of the title. His psychic powers had been restored since the battle of Icecrown, and he was now more powerful than ever. But still, he was disturbed. He had felt the power arrive, a power that shook his confidence and posed a threat to everything he had worked towards. He pondered the problem; the threat was clearly from another world, and had not felt like anything he had sensed ever before. In a panic, he had sent the sheer force of his mind reverberating throughout the world, and he felt the rift in the Kalimdor barrens. He had sent the largest scouting force that could be mustered on such short notice scouring the barrens, but no news had arrived yet. He growled in frustration; a few more prisoners were going to be tortured if his mood didn't improve.
Just then he became aware of one of his servants entering the throne room. He waited in anticipation as the necromancer climbed the spiraling path of ice up to him. The twisted human stood before him, waiting for permission to speak, which the Lich King was both pleased and displeased with, for the obvious reasons.
"Speak."
"My king, we have received word from our base in Kalimdor. They sent twenty- nine ghouls and two gargoyles to seek the source of this disturbance you spoke of. Only four ghouls returned."
At this the Lich King shivered inwardly, careful not to let his fear show. Instead, he impassively waved his hand, gesturing for the necromancer to continue.
"The ghouls reported encountering a mysterious warrior clothed in green. His fighting skills are bizarre and varied, yet more effective than anything we've encountered before. He effortlessly took down three ghouls, but the new mind-binding magic informed the others in the search party of what was going on. Twenty-six ghouls and two gargoyles should have been enough to take the warrior down, however."
At this the necromancer paused, then seeing the impatient look upon the Lich King's face, quickly resumed his story.
"Another orc patrol came upon the scene. Five grunts, three headhunters, and this abnormality were enough to kill both gargoyles, twenty-two ghouls, and send the rest of our forces fleeing."
The Lich King was silent for a while. Indeed he knew little of the threat when he first sensed it, other than it was a great power and that it was not of this world. The description of this seemingly unstoppable warrior was good, as it informed him of the nature of his new adversary, though it explained none of the questions that burned the Lich King the most. Pondering this new turn of events, he realized that it would be disastrous if the warrior joined the Horde. Perhaps it was time to initiate the plan he had been so carefully timing.
"Your orders my king?"
"How goes the resurrection project?"
"The subject has completed his phase of rebirth, master."
"Is he ready to awaken?"
"He awaits only your command master."
"Good. It is time for us to take Kalimdor. Awaken my new champion, and put him in charge of our forces in Kalimdor. Tell the fleet to unload their troops under his command. The orcs will never know what hit them."
The necromancer bowed low, then exited the throne room hastily. The Lich King considered his new champion. If there was any foul servant of his who could defeat the green warrior, it would be him. The Lich King slowly rose from the throne; part of him was still unused to moving, but the other part of him was eager to move. In any case, both parts of him were fascinated by his new champion.
The Lich King exited the throne room and gazed upon his Icecrown Stronghold. The frozen earth was completely scarred by the blight of the undead buildings. There were countless buildings devoted to the foul industry of undeath; morgues where bodies were sorted according to size and race, graveyards were bodies were preserved for later usage, slaughterhouses where body parts were assembled, ritual altars were the dead bodies were made to serve the Lich King, and black citadels to oversee the entire gristly process. Ghouls ran here and there, devouring and carrying corpses, of which there was a surplus after the battle for the Frozen Throne. He smiled coldly at the brilliance of his empire, then strode towards one of the larger Black Citadels that housed all of his most terrible experiments.
He passed through the dark corridors, paying no heed to the screams of both the dead and the living that came from each chamber, though he did pause to observe a hideous specimen inside a cage; it was an extremely large two- headed abomination. The Lich King had named his pet Scourge after his magnificent army, though he had soon found that with two heads Scourge had become twice as dumb as a normal abomination. Laughing at the laws of undeath, the Lich King finally reached the inner sanctum of the citadel, and stared at his champion, sealed within an ice prison in all his terrible glory.
"You've outdone yourselves, my servants."
The necromancers bowed to their King. "We are pleased that you are pleased master."
"Awaken him."
"As you wish."
One of the necromancers walked in front of the crystal prison and chanted a few fell words. At his command, the ice began to crack, deep fissures in it's unmarred surface appearing and spreading throughout the prison. The Lich King could feel the mind inside it becoming aware, and was quick to exert his psychic influence over it. Then, as the champion stirred, the ice shattered and huge shards of it flew everywhere. The necromancers dived for cover, but the Lich King merely laughed in glee as his champion stepped forward.
"My champion. How are you feeling?"
"Well, I never thought that undeath would feel so good, that's for certain."
"And who is your master?"
"You are. Being dead implies serving you, dose it not?"
"There are some fools who disagree with your wisdom my champion. Do you know what is expected of you?"
"Heh. Of course."
"Excellent my champion. Now, what is your name?"
"I am Lord Illidan Stormrage, champion of the scourge!"
Illidan stepped forward. Undeath had changed him almost as significantly as becoming a demon had. His horned night elf face was now pale and haggard, and two holes had been cut into his blindfold. Bright, malicious eyes shone through them, and the former demon hunter could now see and sense equally well. His formerly frail wings were now long and silky, almost like a cape. His skin was now pale, and his flesh was hardened by rigor mortis. The gash across his chest from the blow that Arthas had dealt him was still visible, though no blood, neither night elf nor demon, flowed through his veins. Each step he took still burned with demonic hellfire, though there was now a cold aura that surrounded him.
"My champion, you are part night elf, part demon, and part undead. You possess the powers of all three, and before your might all my enemies shall fall."
"You certainly haven't lost Arthas' arrogance, that's for sure."
"You have spirit. That is good, I am tired after dealing with soulless slaves. Are you ready for a test of your strength champion?"
"I seem to have plenty of time on my hands, so why not?"
The Lich King smiled, then walked over to a purple crystal and grasped it hard. The part of the floor on which Illidan stood began to sink into the ground. It sank twenty feet before stopping, and a barred gate was now revealed. Immediately Illidan understood; this was an arena. The Lich King called out from above.
"Go now my champion. Prove your worth."
The gate slid open, and from it burst hundreds of carrion beetles, skittering over the walls and floor, making eerie squeaking noises as they moved in search of flesh. Illidan did not waste a second, and began by channeling demonic energy around him. Soon he was engulfed in flames, and lunged at the mass of beetles, burning those that approached him and slicing the ones further away with ease. In a matter of minutes, the only beetles in the pit were scorched or severed.
"Come now, that was pathetic!" Illidan called.
The Lich King grinned. He waved his hand again and the gate swung open again. This time something more formidable approached; a certain two-headed abomination named Scourge. Both heads glared at Illidan and approached him menacingly. Illidan grinned; this was going to be fun.
There were a few problems with chapter 1. Just so you know, the part where Link and Ysera are talking to each other should have had all the dialogue italicized. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work on fanfiction.net. I've since updated the dialogue to have * instead of " to distinguish thoughts from speech. Anyway, here's chapter 2. Please review each time a new chapter comes up; the more reviews I get, the more updates I put up.
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Link awoke with the bright Kalimdor sun in his eyes. Its rays painted a deep red hue on the already tinted rock of the barrens. Link yawned, and looked around to see the orcs already packing up for their return to Ogrimmar. Some of them occasionally looked up from their work to cast awed glances at him once in a while, for Naros, the orc he had saved, was a bit weary, but otherwise perfectly healthy. Apparently the people of this world didn't take much advantage of the fairies.
Breakfast was leftover spitted pig, and as soon as everyone was finished, the orcs set off at a steady, impressive pace. The orcs had strength and endurance unmatched by anything of that world except tauren and undead, but Link was not of their world. He was used to similar long treks across Hyrule field, though he admitted to himself that he missed Epona at times like that.
Occasionally as they ran, they noticed several fearsome creatures eyeing them. There were pig-like people that the orcs identified as razormanes, strange bestial creatures naturally hunched over that Link discovered were called gnolls, as well as some malicious-looking bird women called harpies. Still, these creatures all kept a respectful distance, as if they were experienced with orcs and did not enjoy their company. By now the sun had risen to its peak, drying out the already parched earth. The orcs' heavy footsteps raised a dust cloud visible from miles around.
Finally they came to an enormous watch tower. It was maybe fifty feet tall, with large spikes protruding from its base. Underneath its structure, huge barrels whose purpose Link could not guess at were strapped together by rope. The design of the tower itself seemed crudely practical, and on top of it Link saw several grey-skins armed with formidable spears, as well as a curious-looking creature he was not familiar with. This small, hysterical character was busy jumping around, manning several curious devices that looked somewhat like telescopes.
"Hehehehe! I saw you coming a while ago, I did. Yes yes, the patrol and-" here the creature stared at Link and muttered "and the strange one, yes. What are you doing here stranger?"
"Pay no attention to him. He's a goblin; they're good at making things, blowing things up, and not much else."
"Eh? What's this I hear? Slander! Slander slander slander! Talking bad about me, eh orc? It's boring up here, so dreadfully boring! You should see what it is, to be bored!"
The orc cast a sympathetic glance at the two headhunters who, while struggling to remain impassive, were obviously strained by the company of their eccentric friend. After they had given the password "Grom Hellscream" they were allowed passage through to Ogrimmar territory. As they set off at a run again Link noticed that there was a weird contraption sitting on the ground next to the tower, covered by a large burlap sheet. Link asked Naros about it, and received this answer;
"That is a zeppelin my friend. It's a flying machine designed by the goblins. We have to produce them in great numbers these days, to patrol for undead or carry news of their movements. Fortunately we no longer have to purchase them from the goblins themselves; they always charge three times what its worth."
"And what is the purpose of that tower?"
"To keep a watch out for the undead. The moment that the tower's sentries spot an undead army approaching, they will hold it off for as long as they can, then they will flee in the zeppelin and light the fuse."
"Light the fuse?"
"You saw those barrels underneath the tower? Those are explosives. There'll be nothing for the undead to salvage, and the blast will be powerful enough to take out a fair few of them."
Link was left to silently brood on this concept, and hardly noticed it when they came into more crowded parts of the territory. By the time he looked up again, they were running down a well-traveled path with merchants hauling their wares on the backs of some lizard-like beasts. Peons dashed on the path going both ways, hauling building materials and tools. Link uncomfortably noted that most of these people, while each busy in their own way, always found time to stare at him.
Finally, as even Link began to tire from the long trek, they came up over a ridge and the sight took Link's breath away. A huge, sprawling city lay before him, nearly every bit of it designed the same way that the tower had looked; rugged, practical, and powerful. It seemed somewhat overcrowded, but that wasn't to diminish its glory. Vast city walls protected the orcish capital, and Link could see many creatures manning towers similar to the one he had seen earlier built into these walls. Within the city, smoke rose from several large, industrious buildings; weapons, armor, and machines of war were being forged. For all its wonders, there was no city like this in Hyrule.
The orcs laughed, seeing the expression on Link's face.
"Yes stranger, your reaction is the same as anyone seeing Ogrimmar for the first time. Come, the warchief awaits."
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He sat atop the Frozen Throne. In body, but not in mind. He was neither Ner'zhul the warlock nor Arthas the death knight. He was greater than both. He was now just the Lich King, in every sense of the title. His psychic powers had been restored since the battle of Icecrown, and he was now more powerful than ever. But still, he was disturbed. He had felt the power arrive, a power that shook his confidence and posed a threat to everything he had worked towards. He pondered the problem; the threat was clearly from another world, and had not felt like anything he had sensed ever before. In a panic, he had sent the sheer force of his mind reverberating throughout the world, and he felt the rift in the Kalimdor barrens. He had sent the largest scouting force that could be mustered on such short notice scouring the barrens, but no news had arrived yet. He growled in frustration; a few more prisoners were going to be tortured if his mood didn't improve.
Just then he became aware of one of his servants entering the throne room. He waited in anticipation as the necromancer climbed the spiraling path of ice up to him. The twisted human stood before him, waiting for permission to speak, which the Lich King was both pleased and displeased with, for the obvious reasons.
"Speak."
"My king, we have received word from our base in Kalimdor. They sent twenty- nine ghouls and two gargoyles to seek the source of this disturbance you spoke of. Only four ghouls returned."
At this the Lich King shivered inwardly, careful not to let his fear show. Instead, he impassively waved his hand, gesturing for the necromancer to continue.
"The ghouls reported encountering a mysterious warrior clothed in green. His fighting skills are bizarre and varied, yet more effective than anything we've encountered before. He effortlessly took down three ghouls, but the new mind-binding magic informed the others in the search party of what was going on. Twenty-six ghouls and two gargoyles should have been enough to take the warrior down, however."
At this the necromancer paused, then seeing the impatient look upon the Lich King's face, quickly resumed his story.
"Another orc patrol came upon the scene. Five grunts, three headhunters, and this abnormality were enough to kill both gargoyles, twenty-two ghouls, and send the rest of our forces fleeing."
The Lich King was silent for a while. Indeed he knew little of the threat when he first sensed it, other than it was a great power and that it was not of this world. The description of this seemingly unstoppable warrior was good, as it informed him of the nature of his new adversary, though it explained none of the questions that burned the Lich King the most. Pondering this new turn of events, he realized that it would be disastrous if the warrior joined the Horde. Perhaps it was time to initiate the plan he had been so carefully timing.
"Your orders my king?"
"How goes the resurrection project?"
"The subject has completed his phase of rebirth, master."
"Is he ready to awaken?"
"He awaits only your command master."
"Good. It is time for us to take Kalimdor. Awaken my new champion, and put him in charge of our forces in Kalimdor. Tell the fleet to unload their troops under his command. The orcs will never know what hit them."
The necromancer bowed low, then exited the throne room hastily. The Lich King considered his new champion. If there was any foul servant of his who could defeat the green warrior, it would be him. The Lich King slowly rose from the throne; part of him was still unused to moving, but the other part of him was eager to move. In any case, both parts of him were fascinated by his new champion.
The Lich King exited the throne room and gazed upon his Icecrown Stronghold. The frozen earth was completely scarred by the blight of the undead buildings. There were countless buildings devoted to the foul industry of undeath; morgues where bodies were sorted according to size and race, graveyards were bodies were preserved for later usage, slaughterhouses where body parts were assembled, ritual altars were the dead bodies were made to serve the Lich King, and black citadels to oversee the entire gristly process. Ghouls ran here and there, devouring and carrying corpses, of which there was a surplus after the battle for the Frozen Throne. He smiled coldly at the brilliance of his empire, then strode towards one of the larger Black Citadels that housed all of his most terrible experiments.
He passed through the dark corridors, paying no heed to the screams of both the dead and the living that came from each chamber, though he did pause to observe a hideous specimen inside a cage; it was an extremely large two- headed abomination. The Lich King had named his pet Scourge after his magnificent army, though he had soon found that with two heads Scourge had become twice as dumb as a normal abomination. Laughing at the laws of undeath, the Lich King finally reached the inner sanctum of the citadel, and stared at his champion, sealed within an ice prison in all his terrible glory.
"You've outdone yourselves, my servants."
The necromancers bowed to their King. "We are pleased that you are pleased master."
"Awaken him."
"As you wish."
One of the necromancers walked in front of the crystal prison and chanted a few fell words. At his command, the ice began to crack, deep fissures in it's unmarred surface appearing and spreading throughout the prison. The Lich King could feel the mind inside it becoming aware, and was quick to exert his psychic influence over it. Then, as the champion stirred, the ice shattered and huge shards of it flew everywhere. The necromancers dived for cover, but the Lich King merely laughed in glee as his champion stepped forward.
"My champion. How are you feeling?"
"Well, I never thought that undeath would feel so good, that's for certain."
"And who is your master?"
"You are. Being dead implies serving you, dose it not?"
"There are some fools who disagree with your wisdom my champion. Do you know what is expected of you?"
"Heh. Of course."
"Excellent my champion. Now, what is your name?"
"I am Lord Illidan Stormrage, champion of the scourge!"
Illidan stepped forward. Undeath had changed him almost as significantly as becoming a demon had. His horned night elf face was now pale and haggard, and two holes had been cut into his blindfold. Bright, malicious eyes shone through them, and the former demon hunter could now see and sense equally well. His formerly frail wings were now long and silky, almost like a cape. His skin was now pale, and his flesh was hardened by rigor mortis. The gash across his chest from the blow that Arthas had dealt him was still visible, though no blood, neither night elf nor demon, flowed through his veins. Each step he took still burned with demonic hellfire, though there was now a cold aura that surrounded him.
"My champion, you are part night elf, part demon, and part undead. You possess the powers of all three, and before your might all my enemies shall fall."
"You certainly haven't lost Arthas' arrogance, that's for sure."
"You have spirit. That is good, I am tired after dealing with soulless slaves. Are you ready for a test of your strength champion?"
"I seem to have plenty of time on my hands, so why not?"
The Lich King smiled, then walked over to a purple crystal and grasped it hard. The part of the floor on which Illidan stood began to sink into the ground. It sank twenty feet before stopping, and a barred gate was now revealed. Immediately Illidan understood; this was an arena. The Lich King called out from above.
"Go now my champion. Prove your worth."
The gate slid open, and from it burst hundreds of carrion beetles, skittering over the walls and floor, making eerie squeaking noises as they moved in search of flesh. Illidan did not waste a second, and began by channeling demonic energy around him. Soon he was engulfed in flames, and lunged at the mass of beetles, burning those that approached him and slicing the ones further away with ease. In a matter of minutes, the only beetles in the pit were scorched or severed.
"Come now, that was pathetic!" Illidan called.
The Lich King grinned. He waved his hand again and the gate swung open again. This time something more formidable approached; a certain two-headed abomination named Scourge. Both heads glared at Illidan and approached him menacingly. Illidan grinned; this was going to be fun.