Warcraft IV: War of Legends

Chapter 7: Fall of the Pack (Part 2)

Remulos checked over the Night Elf defences. Their base consisted of many Ancients, ready to battle at a moment's notice. This area had been a Jaedenar outpost, but had been razed relativley quickly. A few weak demons had come through, but were easily slain. However, the Druids of the Pack had to urge the creatures to return. Without that, the land might never have healed. Nonetheless, Remulos intended to restore the land and give an advantage to the Night Elves over their unholy foes.

Aquinar Flamebringer removed his Cloak of Shadows unwillingly. He always had a Moon Stone with him, just in case, though he often left the cloak in his hut. He always put it on before battle, and would hide under the cover of darkness when needed. He had just put it down when the winds of war began to blow. He looked out as he grabbed his cloak, still not seeing anything. Suddenly, the wolves of the forest seemed to appear. As he watched, he realized that these were not the wolves, but rather almost all of the Druids of the Pack.

He ran outside, excited. "Where is Istraz?" he asked with excitement. He, unlike many before him, was one of the older Druids of the Pack. Many had been added to the group since they had awakened, but there were still a few from the first group in the massive army. Many did not hear him, but one did.

"Aquinar! Ish thero donavan!" said one of the Druids. Aquinar's purple skin instantly darkend. "Long time no see, Flamebringer!"

"Hello, Loki! How goes the inland battle, by the side of Istraz?" He, unlike the female before him, had to watch the coast constantly.

She was one of the few female Druids of the Pack, but also one of the oldest. Istraz had picked her (and himself) all those years ago... He shook his head, knowing that more important things were at hand. "He still insists on it, but the others refuse... Have you agreed?"

"No. Of us originals, only he believes in it at all. Though fourteen stand against him, he does not give up!"

She lowered her head. "Twelve, now. One was slain during scouting."

Aquinar was confused. "That's still thirteen. Wait, are you saying someone agreed with him? Who could be so foolish?"

Her head still lowered, she said "He grants us our opinion, but he could easily take it away. You know he does not need our opinion, though he treasures it so..."

Aquinar, clearly shocked, looked away instead. To his horror, he realized that he had completely ignored the beginning of the battle. He saw the many Undead, and wondered why he was safe. He then understood that, not only was he away from the base, but it was night. Loki had worked hard on Shadowmelding, but only his cloak protected him. She didn't notice what she had seen until the ground beneath her turned to blight. She gasped as she saw it, though Aquinar quickly covered her mouth. She almost screamed in horror when she saw several corpses piled up where the Tree of Eternity had been.

Both prepared for the worst as a shade approached. They saw Arthas himself enter the clearing, most likely hoping to kill any survivors. As they braced themselves and closed their eyes, they heard an odd sound. They opened their eyes to find themselves standing in front of Remulos. "Good, I was able to save you! Istraz just arrived and gave me a Gem of Recall! He went off to see the damage for himself. Sadly, I must now take my leave. Farewell, Druids of the Pack!" And with that oddly short encounter ended, the demigod left.

As they stood in shock, they heard a voice call to them. "Aquinar! Loki! How fare you both?" When they looked, they saw two more of the original Druids of the Pack. They were oft considered second only to Istraz himself, so it was no surprise that they had remained with him during the ride. Loki silently resented them, having been safe from the slaughter.

Istraz then arrived from the darkness of the woods. "It is much worse then we could ever imagine," he stated grimly. He then changed topic, saying "Once more, I ask you..."

One of the two Druids, who had previously been calm, turned in a rage. "Now is not the time! Only when all the Druids of the Pack assemble are you to..."

"All the Druids of the Pack, that remain, at least, are here. The hundred we trained and the nine that remained in the battle were all slaughtered... Aquinar and Loki survived through luck. Luck that he had his cloak and luck that it was night."

The Druid that had spoken entered shock as well. "All... Fell?" Only then did it strike them all how massive their loss was. Only then did all of them realize that an order, once a hundred strong, was now five.

The other who had been with Istraz on the way suddenly filled with rage. "You! You planned this! You planned it so we would agree! If we had been there..."

"If we had been there, we would not be here now. Arthas himself was in the battle. Now, once more, I ask you: Will we undertake the dark ritual we make our loyal Night Elves undertake, and swear loyalty to the Lord of Outland?"

The five formed a circle, and their voices showed their thoughts:

"Yes," said Loki Floodwraith

"Yes," said Daedal Darkeye

"Yes," said Jarod Soulender

"... Yes," said Aquinar Flamebringer hesitantly.

Istraz nodded. "Then, the Druids of the Pack are no more. Henceforth, we shall be known as the Soul Hunters." He turned to the woods and whispered. A satyr came from the woods, nodded, and ran away towards a nearby Night Elf base. Their minds corrupted by Felwood, they owed their loyalty only to Illidan. They were about to become satyrs, as the others hated Night Elves with a passion.

One by one, the other Soul Hunters left the circle. At last, only Istraz remained. He thought of what he had to do, and that he had to head east to Khaz Modan. He had to move quickly, lest Arthas reach Northrend. If that happened, all would be lost. He stepped onto a small patch of Blight. As he did, his cloaked form changed. Rather than the loose Druid clothing he had been wearing, he now wore garbs similar to that of a Demon Hunter. On his wrists were warblades similar to theirs. Though his eyes remained in tact, dark inscriptions now covered his skin. Upon blight, the effects of the dark ritual his brethren were now performing were easily seen. However, upon living ground, there was an illusion of how they once were. He grinned as a single wolf stepped from the shadows and then ran towards Teldrassil. He would locate Malfurion, no matter what.

AN: Well, I hope that took you by surprise! Trust me, though, when I say that this is far from the end!