Speech = ``….. ´´

Thoughts = ….

Inner thoughts = " … "

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``Brother…..you grace us with your presence at last, we thought you would not come….´´ The words reach him long before he can see them, the words echoing inside his mind as the proximity with his kin was strong enough to allow it without any outside interference.

The tone jovial if not up beat…., the same way one would when greeting a long lost friend, yet he knew there was no joy behind them. All in all, a polite way to may known their anger for his late arrival.

A few seconds later he reached the desired location on the far ends of the cavern, where a sturdy wall of rocks cut his path into a dead end, or seem to be as he pushed forward, only after taking a last glance behind his back. After all, it would be poor showing if even for a moment he allowed other eyes to follow his trail.

The inhabitants of the Twisting Nether were as cruel as they were curious about the goings of their betters….

Just as his skin was about to press with the stone a red like glow surrounded his skin. Warping around him, slowly yet steadily, the ethereal energy reaching down every corner of his body yet never fully grasping it. Then it retracted away from him, leaving no trace of its whereabouts to mortal eyes.

He knew what was to come, the ground shifted before it open down below his feet, quickly finding himself falling down a large cavity under the ground, the darkness within so thick that his eyes would had some difficulty to picture the ground had there not been a rather peculiar ring of fire.

Soon enough his fall was brought to a sudden halt as with a thought a pair of gray scaled wings stood on all their grace. Allowing his hooded legs to reached the floor with a silent grace.

For better or for worse he had finally arrived, with a bored look on his face he regarded the hidden depths once again. A massive semicircular chamber made of black rocks, magma flowing down holes around the ceiling, creating puddles liquid flame that trailed down the edges of the cavern.

Filling a series of crude runes carved down on the ground, each symbol carrying a meaning long forgotten to time and life itself as they glowed with a faint yet untraceable energy. Their power being the core of the barrier that he had previously trespassed. A thin line that kept prying eyes from venturing too far, and indiscreet ears from hear too much…..

But once inside it was another story altogether….

The sound of hooves tapping the floor repeatedly and the sensation of half a dozen eyes glued on his back told him that he could no longer stall his brothers, even if that meant to cut short his amusement.

Now there were more important things to do...

``My apologies, brothers. My tasks in the mortal world and my following resurrection were ….more taxing than anticipated, though that would not have been a problem had Lord Archidemonde not demanded my presence when I returned…., and it seems that I lost rack of time….´´

It was no lie, though not entirely true either….

``The truth remains silent for all I hear is deceit, brother….such blunder is beneath you´´ Growled Anetheron, clearly not buying his excuse at face value as his eyes followed his every moment like two hungering stars. He did not expect him though but that did not count. Still, he could feel the irony of the situation….., a deceiver calling another a liar.

``As if you have not done the same for more trivial things, Anetheron´´ Spatted between laughs another of his kin, fat and grease covered most of its body unlike the common muscular sight of the other Nazhrezim.

For better or for worse, Dethretoc always stood up like a sore thumb in their little conclave, and not just for its deformed body as he watched his fellow devour a large piece of meat with the same voracity a ghoul would over fresh dinner. A frown formed over his face, no matter how long did it take, that familiar burning sensation of bile climbing up his throat as it tried to make its existence known was….annoying to put it lightly.

It was said that one should respect their brothers, that did not meant you had to like them though.

Fortunately for him, that ball of incompetence and wasted potential had foolishly drawn the ire of the more wrath fulled brother, green shining eyes glaring at the fat blob of flesh with burning hatred. ``And the only thing I hear from you is the constant humming of half baked steaks...´´

``I don't see where the problem lays with that, it at least is far more honest and interesting than your one sided monologues...´´

``I would stab you brother, but I would rather not stain my hands with your grease. For all we know your body is filled to the brim with it´´

``Should I feel pity about your lack of commitment then?´´

It seemed that the situation would devolved into another brawl between the two, but such notions were luckily put to a stop by a characteristic growl. ``Your bantering is as amusing as is useful, leaving that aside….., what did masters wanted, Mal'ganis? Its uncharacteristic of them such decision without the rest of us present to say the least´´

A grin barely appeared before it was washed away as he took notice the way Tychondrious tried to hide away his real inner thoughts, how his body tried to fight of the growing tension on his muscles and the way his words came out softly and swiftly, only for his eyes to betray his real intentions about the wrongness of him not being the one they had spoken with.

Your pride remains the same if not greater than before, brother….

``Perhaps, but it had to do more with our masters own impatience than anything else my Lord Tychondrious. An explanation of the situation was in order…, as well as command us to speed up our progress. Legions of demons await in the Nether with our masters, and each passing second they grow restless...´´

He was glad that it had been Archidemonde the one that had interrogated him about the events taking place on the mortal world, for no matter how strong Sargeras enforcer really was, he would never hold a candle to his crimson counterpart.

Nor his ability to break through the minds of those considered lesser.

``Then they have nothing to worry about, that measly kingdom of dirt and cheap flesh is over, and with it the strength of the entire continent has been crippled forever. Before it, we could have laid waste to them with some difficulties…., but with them gone our dominance is all but assure. We will be calmly enjoying the spoils in a heart beat…..´´ Spoke a different booming voice this time.

Armour shaded in green like gold ancient patterns, wings glowing brightly with a sickly hue of blue, a mirage that time could not wipe away since their banishment, not completely at least. He would not admit it, but for a creature now infused with that much Fel, it was strange as it was fascinating to see the leeched powers of the Eternal drove still linger over such unworthy husk.

A peculiarity that sadly gave his fellow brother ambitions that vastly outmatched his capability, and with it an unreasonable thirst to put himself on the spotlight. For better or for worse he was finally getting fed up with it.

``Don't be so quick to call this a victory Mephistroth, the first steps have been taken…..., but it will be a long way before we bring Lord Sargeras the planet as we promised him so long ago. Any hasty decision, any not well carefully thought, any loose end not taken care at the right time and the plans we have so much carefully crafted would be ruined´´

``How curious, you seem rather certain of such grim outcome….as if you have seem it, have you become a prophet as of lately. Have you seem your true death coming, brother?´´ He guffaw, a wicked grin warping around his face, showing a series of black onyx fangs into the world.

His eyes barely narrowed as the words echoed within, louder now than an eerie silence had settle as everyone stood still. Awaiting with barely disguised anticipation what was about to follow, it was clear that they did not seem to mind the nature of their new found distraction, even if that meant postponing their meeting for a brief moment.

But that was not what he cared about, slowly, he turned his gaze back at his fellow brother, a cold mask of indifference hiding away the cold fury crawling on his back as he allowed for the hidden meaning of it all to rot, to fester ever deeper...

A challenge.

He had uttered a challenge, if not completely direct but one nonetheless. Foolish boy, he had more courage than wisdom, he will give him that.

``Am I wrong?´´ He replied dryly, a dispassionate look over his features as he observed his nails. That seemed enough to wipe away the grin forming around the blue clad Nazthrezim, replacing it with a deep scowl, though not truly shaken, clearly annoyed with his lack of reaction.

``Clearly you have passed way too long outside the Twisted Nether if you consider them our equals...´´

``Arrogance is a poor shield, brother….., for your sake, I hope you don't wield it to protect yourself before the mighty wrath of our master when you fail´´

``As if I would lower myself to your level when that princeling slayed you, brother. Don't you remember who laid siege to those filthy Kaldorei at the cenit of the war? Whose efforts brought us closer to total victory against their meddling while you stood at the rear lines? Hiding?´´

He fought down the urge to scowl at his brothers delusions, he too remembered those times, though his recollection vastly deviated from his it seemed.

``There are ways and ways of hiding, my dear brother…., you will have to be more precise for my memory is not quite what it once was´´

``Ha! Even after ten thousand years you remain pompous, if what you are doing is not hiding then perhaps I should pick one of your tedious manuals to aquatint myself better with the meaning of the word...´´ He grumbled with distaste as he waved his arms up in annoyance.

``Of course…., perhaps that way you may learn something new brother. Still, I am wondering how is reminiscing about old glories going to aid our cause? If you would not mind that is….´´

``Old glories!? Why y-´´ His face stopped for a moment, allowing for that ricktus of anger to fade away, giving way to a more compelling one ``Right….I should have expect that coming from you, but fret not brother, this time you will be part of the battle, let it not be said that we took the fun out of your hands...´´

Ah...such devious duplicity, if only you were at least trying to be more….tactful it would barely pass from been mediocre. ``You seem to forget that one does not need to be on the field to wage war...´´

``Words spoken like a scribe….still, one would expect that with victory at our hands you would be more….laid back. You clearly overestimate their capabilities….´´ He replied with a condescending tone before he started turning around.

Did he really thought that would be the end of it? Amusing indeed….

`` And you pay them to little credit, that is why if the time comes you will lose, brother…, no matter how many times you outmatch your opponent, victory will be snatched away from your grasp when you least expect it´´

``Nonsense...´´

`` Is it now?´´ He muttered, his voice ghastly dark yet loosing none of its strength as he stepped forward, drawing the attention of everyone else as he did. He then extended an arm forward, green lights warping around the edges of his knife looking nails, twisting the air before him before it gave way to the shape of a certain world, one left untouched from the corrupted touch of the Legion.

Though not for long….

``Do you remember the inhabitants of this world? The way they have proven remarkably stubborn and annoying against all odds? How their existence means an oddity over our masters plan…? Of course you do...you were there, weren't you?´´

``What are yo-´´ Mephistroth tried to cut in with a snarl, magic cracking through his brothers arms with clear intent if he dared continue, but he did not care. Not when he had him right where he wanted….

``To spite them for their stubbornness and lack of vision is normal, comprehensible even….., but to underestimate them would be a grave mistake, one that you will not live long enough to understand...not for a second time. Or did you think we wouldn't notice?´´ His last words seemed to hit a sore point as he noticed the way Mephistroth flinched, hands clenching into tight fists soon after. A solemn look warping around his features…

``That "monster"…. is no longer with them...´´ He spatted, his voice echoing like the burning coals from a great fire with, everlasting hatred glowing from his eyes. And yet…. that did not hide away the flickering fear from showing on his ancient eyes.

The memory still fresh after all this time on his brothers mind.

``Making up excuses for your failure now, brother? Isn't that unbecoming of a noble Nazthrezim like yourself? Tell me, when your forces faced those primitives ten thousand years ago, was that "thing" with them?´´

``Was that towering abomination the cause of your defeat? Or was it another thing entirely? Tell me, brother…. What mortal whose name will fade from existence faced you? How your invincible forces where butchered to the last? Tell me...how did you returned to us..?´´

Each words was spoken with a cold solemnity that did not match the furious glint from his eyes while he slowly closed the remaining distance between the two. Coming to a stop when standing just an inch away from him. His gaze never wavering from his as he slowly towered over him….

He then leaned towards him, sensing the way every pore of his brothers body ached with the desire to hurt, to kill yet denied by the sacred oath he had taken with his blood. The same oath that shielded him from his wrath now stays down his hand from fighting back in any meaningful way.

Slowly muttering a faint whisper through his lips as he twisted the knife ever deeper inside him was nothing more but a nice addition.

``In handcuffs and ashamed...´´

At that point he had expected him to lash out, to scream and rage...there were so many things going through his mind as he prepared himself to deliver the final blow. One that sadly would not come to fruition...

Instead, Mephistroth disappeared in a flash of flames, leaving no trace of him than if not for the burning scorch in the ground. He did not pay much heed when his senses no longer tracked his essence anywhere near the room.

A curious developing….though almost a boring one.

``And there he goes….´´

He decided not to pay attention at the cheerful jab from the float of flesh as his eyes remained entirely focused on the sickly burning stars that made up for Tychondrious eyes.

``Your actions here wont be forgotten, brother. Do so again without my consent, and the consequences will be dire..´´ He merely gave him a nod in acknowledgment, there was no point in doing anything else.

``With Mephistroth gone, is there any point to continue?´´ Muttered Varimanthras, that seemed enough to drive away the attention of the Lord of the Nathrezim from him. A brief reprieve, though one he would take it.

``Indeed we shall….there is too much at stake to allow his pettiness to put a stop to it. Speaking of which, Mal'ganis…I hope you do not mind to answer my query….´´

Or perhaps not.

``What would you have me do?´´

``What is your opinion of the progress of the Scourge…..´´

``They have shown remarkable results, they have done well from what we have seen….., perhaps too much. Though it would be wishful thinking, I doubt that our newfound pawn will stay under our control for far too long. The young prince power and by proxy the Lich king´s is growing, and perhaps they would rather...´´

`` Turn against us….´´ He finished for him.

``Indeed, though empowered by the powers of necromancy, a human is a crude, short sighed and temperamental creature. Death may be the end of many woes, but it does not cure such ailments...´´

``Indeed…., how would you approach such circumstance with the resources we currently posses?´´

``Its unlikely that he would act anytime soon…., biding his time is the only way for him to succeed. Something we can slow down considerably if we were to monitor the situation, closely….´´

``You consider our actual measures improper?´´

``Do you consider them enough to put a quick stop to it through the coming chaos…? ´´ It wasn't that hard to imagine that once the dice were thrown over the table, anything was possible.

``Mmm...your words will be taking into consideration, but understand that the Lords commanders will have the last word on it´´

``Of course, I would never dream to imply otherwise...´´ Knowing their so called masters policies he knew that such thing was far from happening, though not impossible.

``Good, with that said…. we must make the prince move forward north, the Sunwell and its power must be claimed before we tried to summon our Lord to the world, the Scourge will end any future mangling they could do take any meaningful action against us...´´

``And if they fail?´´ He asked, not stating he thought such an event would happen but wishing to get the insight of what his supervisor believed on the matter. Though perhaps it was of bad taste to ask something you considered you already knew.

``Pray brother...´´

``Pray?´´

``That we never have to find out for all of our sake's...´´ He stated calmly, the sound of his voice not matching at all the meaning behind his words. Words that sent a very perceptible shudder in their spines, grins of satisfaction and smugness wiped away in an instant, leaving only a cold mask of apprehension.

Terror even.

He would have enjoyed viewing what terrible thoughts crossed the minds of his kin, what cruel shows of violence. Alas he could not, that did not meant he could not imagine it. For it was not needed to be told what would be their fate should they fail.

``I believe that our reunion is at an end brothers, return to your post, continue your tasks… and we shall meet again in the near future, now we have much to do...´´

No one said a thing, for no words were needed to be exchanged, after a few seconds of eeri silence and uncomfortable glares, one by one, each one of them disappeared from the room in bright flashes of light. Leaving basically no trace of their presence than the faint fickle smell of burnt silver from the mana used in their teletransportation.

Without their presence, his eyes lingered on the center of the room, a pensive look settling on his ancient face as he did. Thoughts passing bye one after the other at a rapid succession, almost random like, never truly wasting much time in each one of them.

Their work has beared some fruits, he would not deny them such...

Yet they had become too lost in this game of conquest, seeking glory rather than results, a far cry of their original goal and reason to exist. Perhaps it could be attributed to their new masters and their warlike tendencies, or the Fel had truly started to rot their brains, neither were good reason to lose themselves with such….crude practices.

Especially knowing how utterly disgusting was the taste of the green chaotic energy.

If the situation did not resolve itself soon, then there would be a need for replacements, but for that he would need the stage to reach its highest point, when the attention of the key players was focused elsewhere, and that meant that he would need to wait.

Wait.

Wait for the opportunity to rise.

An exasperated sigh left his lips as his eyes furrowed in annoyance. Even for someone like him, this wait was truly getting on his nerves, wasn't it?

He clasped his clawed hand tightly, knife long nails digging through his stone like flesh with ease where swords and arrows had failed time and time again, allowing bright green droplets to fall down the floor.

But of all the things that had been said, there was only one thing that he did agree with them. They would be the victors of this grand game, one way or another.

Not the machinations of the Titans, the poisonous whispers of the shadows, the lies of Life, the hypocrite and heartless righteousness of the Light or the chaotic frenzy of the Legion. All of them paled in comparison to the true masters of this game.

How ironic that the one scorned and look down upon had in reality created the fates of the rest.

That it was by their hand that the very fabric of reality would be unmade by the only ones worthy, unlike the pests that roamed freely all over reality, their hollow chants of immortality and invulnerability echoing through time and space. Hiding behind their nobility and technology the way they had gotten fat and lazy, in fear of others finding out of the farce of what they truly could control.

Of what they really were….

A farce that soon enough will be turned to shreds.

The mere thought brought a strange feeling inside his chest. He would have said it was happiness if what he had learned from mortals had anything to go by, yet it couldn't be had it not been stripped away from him when the master gave him form on his personal chambers.

After all, a tool did not need such useless things as emotions, especially when their minds were constantly rewrite and changed to suit better their goals, molding them and their bodies like clay as they "served" their new masters in a show of loyalty, for the secrets their minds held were too important to be let loose to chance in case another cosmic entity became too curious and decided to delve deeper.

Flesh was weak, but that did not meant that stone could not crack either...

A mistake they had already paid with Ilguinoz and his damned pride. Now nothing but a hollow husk remained, killing him at this point would be a mercy, yet he doubted that the Lords of Shadows would allow their new found toy such a premature end. No, there was way too much fun to have with him to allow that…

It was almost a fate worse than death, almost….

Still, for all that his fellow Nathrezim brothers working with him in the Legion, none remain the wiser of who their true loyalties lied. It was hard to keep a secret from prying eyes when a dozen knew it. It was far easier to cover it when only one knew from a thousand.

He knew that their usefulness will soon come to an end, and in more ways than one could conceive. They will not cry for the loss of it, when they only needed to sit still and obey do its purpose.

Purpose. The words echoed in his mind like a soft waterfall, making his chest swell with pride by their mere presence. Their glorious purpose, and how glorious it was indeed.

Only death…..death and those that shaped its victory would survive the change in the universe, and he would be there to witness its glory with living eyes. He could barely keep himself from smiling, a fact that he would have killed anyone who would have witnessed it..but perhaps today he would have let it pass without much fuss.

With a decision taken a bright light started to engulf him, and just as his essence was about to be warped away, a last final thought crossed his mind before the room was left vacant.

After all, wasn't he anything but compassionate?