Chapter 12: Only In A Dream

After recovering from Nal's attack, Draggo and Drake's expedition moved on to Feralas. They roamed the jungle searching for the gnome, but to no avail. They decided to set up camp and continue to search for Nal in the morning. Draggo was walking around the campsite when he noticed Frin sitting on a rock sadly staring at a photograph in his hand.

"Something troubling you?" asked Draggo. Frin jumped in shock from the massive orc's voice and slipped off the rock.

"No, I'm okay…I just…I miss Nal. He was like a brother to me…" said the gnome as he tried to climb back onto the rock. Draggo lifted the gnome up and placed him gently on the rock.

"I understand how you feel. I too lost someone very close to me to evil." said Draggo. The gnome turned to the orc and stared at him strangely.

"Really?"

"Yes. I know you feel like you need to save him, and that is honorable…believe me we will do all we can to save Nal, but under these circumstances, the chances are slim." said Draggo.

"I understand. When he attacked us at Thousand Needles I realized the Nal I knew died when he found that pendant. If he has to die, then so be it. It's for the good of the world… It's all my fault, I should have never made us go there…" said Frin dropping the photo to the ground and turning around on the rock. Draggo frowned and picked the photo up. In the photo was Frin and Nal, each with an arm around the others neck. Frin was holding some kind of artifact while Nal was holding a large bag with gold coins falling from the top. Nal seemed much less evil in the picture. His hair was well kept and his skin looked healthy.

"Tell me a little bit about Nal." asked Draggo as he placed the photo in Frin's lap. The gnome picked up the photo and gazed into it longingly.

"Well, me and Nal have known each other for years. I hired him as a bodyguard once when I went on an expedition through some old ruins. While there were became real close friends. We began to stick together all the time. He even introduced me to his girlfriend Izzy…" explained Frin as he averted his gaze to the skies.

"Izzy was a real character. Nal was always a free spirit and did things his way, but Izzy was always able to put him out of place if he ever got out of control. They had been together for several years when I met them. Izzy was a sassy girl, but she was lovable nonetheless. Frin finally mustered up the courage to ask her for her hand in marriage and the money to afford a ring for her, but the day he was going to propose to her she left to go explore some ruins in Northrend. Months passed with no news until one day Nal got a message saying that she had died in a blizzard. Nal was devastated, but eventually he got over…Then again, you never really get over anything like that." said Frin sadly.

"Interesting…Perhaps that has something to do with all of this. You don't seem like the kind to buddy up with an evil person. I trust Nal is a good person and his actions are somehow led by good intentions, however misguided they may be." said Draggo as he smile at the gnome. Frin seemed to take pleasure in someone believing in Nal's humanity.

"Drake needs you both back at camp, he's got something to tell us. He says it's important." said Sylvia as she approached the two. They both nodded and followed her back to the campsite.

The group was huddled around Longshot as he sat in front of the map they were tracking Nal with. His arms were folded and his goggles were lifted up onto his forehead. He had a very serious look about him. Draggo looked and saw Crether huddled alone in the corner of the group, seemingly oblivious to what was going on. He still seemed to be affected by whatever Nal had done to him.

"I think I might know what are Nal friend's doin." said Longshot as he rubbed Betsy's head.

"I've picked up a lot of information lookin for me past over the years. Along with that information, I've heard a many o' stories and myths and legends…" Longshot pointed to each of the marks indicated.

"Each one of these marks is located at ruins with fabled treasure in it. Now originally I thought of these stories as hogwash and swashbuckle, but for each place marked I found a relation. Each of these places is connected with similar myths and legends. Apparently they are supposed to be part of some kind of ancient ritual that's been around since…Well now one really knows. All that is known, in the stories anyways, is that the summoning ritual is supposed to be one of the most evil things ever created and the Titans themselves watched over the items held at these locations." said Longshot.

"That summoning ritual is probably what's bring all of these demons here." said Fenron.

"Aye Fenny. Frin, could ya draw me a picture of that medallion that ye found in the Maelstrom?" asked Longshot handing Frin a pen and parchment.

"Yes, I think so." said Frin. He began to scribble a crude drawing of the medallion and handed it to Longshot. The dwarf examined the drawing carefully. It was a large circular gem with markings that appeared to be some incomprehensible incantation. Longshot pulled a book out of a pocket placed on Betsy's saddle and began to flip through the pages.

"Well looky here. This pendant is related to the same legends as the locations Nal's been visiting." said the dwarf. "Apparently, Sargeras managed to get two powerful demonic artifacts into the world before the Well of Eternity was destroyed." began Longshot "The staff, Ghal'Rok'Gor, and the Pendant of Unending Suffering. These two items was thought to be mere legends, but it would seem they be real. They have a strong connection to the demon worlds and the Twisting Nether. Although the staff was destroyed in the explosion of the Well of Eternity, the pendant alone is enough to summon powerful demons into our world. If the pieces of Ghal'Rok'Gor are reassembled and combined with the pendant, Sargeras will roam our world and destroy every living thing here…" said Longshot. The entire group fell silent. Even Betsy layed down and put her paws over her head.

"This is inconceivable! How did the pieces of the staff get spread across the world?" asked Kataya.

"According to the legends, a secret ancient group of people were ordered by the Titans to hide these artifacts and watch over them for all eternity. Don't think thy did a very good job…" said Longshot in a depressed voice.

"Dammit! And these artifacts have just been lying around this whole time!? What kind of guards let some measly little gnome grab some of the most evil and powerful objects in the world!?" hollered Neluun.

"Well the legends go on to say that anyone who holds the pendant will have their powers increased ten fold as they will become infused with demonic energies." said Longshot as he read through more pages of his book.

"Demons…demons bad…" whispered Crether as he stared into the fire blankly

"Oh, this be fantastic! We got a demonic gnome runnin around summoin demons into da world, and to make matters worse he's bring the Destroyer here too!?" screeched Drek'val.

"Yes. And That's exactly why we need to stop him now." grumbled Draggo.

"But there is one thing that's been troubling me…"said Longshot as he stared at the text curiously.

"What is is it?" asked a curious Sylvia.

"According to this, it would be impossible for Ghal'Rok'Gor to be reassembled. One of the pieces of the staff was destroyed in the explosion of the Well of Eternity." said Longshot. "The only thing I could think Nal would do is to use the Caverns of Time to go back in time and stop this, but that's not marked on the map and he had already visited Tanaris when we found him. This is his next location, but I don't see how this is going to help him." explained Longshot pointing to a spot in the northwestern region of Feralas."

What the hell does that mean!?" yelled Tygra, frustrated by this whole event.

"We should know better than anyone else my sister…" said Fenron as he gloomily stared at the map. Tygra gave the tauren a strange look before widening her eyes in horror She quickly ran over to the map and looked at one of the places marked.

"The Dream Bough…" murmured the elf.

"What's the Dream Bough?" asked a confused Drake.

"The Dream Bough is one of the four known entrances into the Emerald Dream…Inside the Emerald Dream is what Azeroth would have been like if sentient races had never lived there…in it's pure form…" explained Tygra as she fell to her knees in desperation. "In the Emerald Dream the Well of Eternity never exploded, but that staff would have also never been destroyed.

"So that's where Nal's heading? To get some unexisitng artifact in the dream realm? Oh this is grand!" laughed Kataya.

"Makes sense. If the Emereld Dream be some kind of alternate reality, it's possible another form of the staff was sent there by Sargeras." said Longshot.

"Perhaps that artifact is the cause if the Nightmare…" propsed Sylvia

"Alright then. Our mission is clear: stop Nal from getting that ece of Ghal'Rok'Gar from the Emerald Dream. I think considering the situation, we should keep moving." said Drake. For once, the group was in compliance and they began to disperse. Suddenly, Draggo noticed that something was missing…someone…

"Where's Frin at?" asked Draggo. Everyone looked around but could not find him.

"First things first, we need to find Frin!" ordered Draggo.

"I don't know if you're hearing things right, but we have an apocalypse to deal with here!" barked Neluun. Draggo charged up on the draenei and stared him down.

"Look, I don't care if you don't like me, but you will do what I say. Frin is out there and after hearing this, I don't think I want him out there by himself. He could be doing something that could jeopardize this entire operation, so get out there and find Frin, got it!?" yelled Draggo. Neluun scoffed, spit on the ground, and stormed off.

"Any other objections!?" yelled Draggo. No reply.

"Good! The sooner we find Frin...the sooner we can save the world." said Draggo. Everyone spread out into the woods in separate directions.

"You got to teach me how to do that." Drake whispered to Draggo before heading off into the woods.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Frin was dashing through the woods praying he didn't run directly into a herd of hungry gnolls. Frin quickly came upon a large clearing where trees had been smashed and the land scorched. He was on the right track. Frin was following the trail when a large grayish clawed hand reached out from a bush and smacked the gnome, sending him soaring into a rock. Frin looked up to see a wrathguard with his axe raised above his head. Before Frin could scream in fear, a voice halted the demon.

"Halt minion." came an all too familiar voice. The wrathguard put his axe to his side and stepped back. Nal stepped forward and stood before Frin. His appearance had become even more ghastly. His skin had become dry and flaky with cracks breaking out everywhere. His eyes had become completely black and two hard stubbles had appeared on his forehead.

"Frin, my old friend, what brings you here? Still trying to stop me?" laughed Nal. His voice was tainted with a demonic presence.

"Nal, I know what you're trying to do…" Frin said. A strange courage began to surge through his body as he rose to his feet.

"Oh really?" said Nal in an amused fashion.

"Yes. You're trying to summon Sargeras with Ghal'Rok'Gar and that pendant and bring him to Azeorth."

"Very good Frin! You always were so smart!" giggled Nal sarcastically.

"I only have one question…Why?" asked Frin with a commanding presence.

"Does the reason really matter? Either way, my Lord is coming." replied Nal.

"…It has to do with Izzy doesn't it?" said Frin. Nal's pleasant demeanor drifted away and he approached Frin quickly with a look of scorn.

"What did I-"

"What Nal, you think you can bring her back somehow? Is that what you 'Lord' promised you?" said Frin. Sudden;y, Nal's guard fell. His face no longer seemed tainted by evil. His expression actually seemed...soft, caring, and even sad.

"Frin…Please…You are my best friend…Understand the pain I'm feeling…When Izzy died I died too. When He told me that He could bring her back to me…Frin, I don't care the cost, even if it is only for a second I must see her. Because of our past relationship, I offer you this: join me. It will be like the old days. We will be promised power in the new world…Frin…Please…" pleaded Nal.

"No Nal. It's wrong and you know it…If Izzy knew what you were doing…She would be disgusted with you." said a said Frin. Nal's gaze landed upon something behind Frin. His human demeanor reverted back to a demonic presence.

"So, once again you try to kill me? Well although it truly pains me, I see I must deal with you in the only way possible."

"Nal, what're you-" before Frin could finish, Nal lifted his arm and a large clawed shadow hand erupted from his robe and gripped Frin by the throat. Nal then lifted the shadow hand into the air.

"Nal stop! Remember Izzy! Please!" gasped Frin as he flailed about in the air.

"Don't worry old friend. When my Lord walks upon the land of Azeroth I shall ask him to bring you back along with Izzy. Then we can all live together happily. It will be just like the good ol' days" said Nal in a sadistic tone. Frin began to howl horrifically as his eyes began to melt from the inside out. Fire erupted from his eyes sockets and flames bursted from his mouth. His innards began to gush from his mouth in a combination of blood and ash. His skin began to glow and spouts of fire pierced through his skin. He was being burned from the inside out.

Nal dropped Frin to the ground and let Frin roll around frantically before becoming a smoldering skeleton.

"You there…In the tree…You can not hope to stop me." laughed Nal. Drek'val froze in terror as Nal glared at the tree Drek'val was hiding him. Nal lifted his hands into the air as the ground around him became black. Several black portals shot up from the ground. Brutish dreadlords piled out howling viciously followed by muscular pit lords.

"Exterminate him." whispered Nal before he proceeded north. The demons seemed to smell the troll's fear and charged for him. Drek'val's only choice was to run, but he was going to have to fight his way through the demons.

The first pit lord to reach the tree swung it's massive sword, cutting the tree into two pieces. It began to slowly fall off to the side. Drek'val swiftly equipped his fist blades and soared out of the tree. He pulled the trigger on his right fist blade, firing the blades outward. The blades penetrated one of the thick hides of the pit lords who didn't seem to notice. Drek'val pulled the trigger again and the chain pulled the troll towards the monster. It swung at him, but Drek'val summoned a wall of earth to protect himself.

Once he was on the beast's back, Drek'val engulfed his fists in flames and began to viciously hack away at the monster. In the process, hemanaged to hack off on of the monster's wings. The pit lord howled in agony. Another pit lord swung it's bladed lance at the troll, but Drek'val jumped into the air and the wind safely brought him to the ground as the pit lord severed it's brethren in two. Several dreadlords charged upon Drek'val. The shaman was able to defend their blows for several moments, but their strength began to overwhelm him. He quickly summoned a lightning bolt down from the heavens that blasted away the dreadlords in a sudden surge of energy. While they were briefly incapacitated, Drek'val began to burn the dreadlords with elemental fire

While the shaman was destroying the dreadlords, A pit lord began to approach from behind. Drek'val could feel the earth trembling and quickly encased himself in an earth caske. The dread lords blade shattered the earth and sent Drek'val soaring into a tree, leaving a large hole in the wood. The troll feel out on one knee and panted heavily. He was a powerful shaman to be sure, but he could not face this power alone.

Another pit lord was charging at Drek'val. He had to escape now or suffer the wrath of the demons. Drek'val fired his fist blade at the branch of a tall tree and pulled himself up just as the demon's blade smashed into the earth. Drek'val continued to fire his fist blades at the trees swing from branch to branch. Before long, the dreadlords were soaring behind him, snarling and speaking in a demonic tongue. They could fly much faster that he could swing and were crushing the branches he was using as support. One dreadlord smashed a branch that Drek'val was already attached too, causing the troll to plummet down to the ground and crash to the earth. Drek'val mustered all of his strength to try and pull himself up, but to no avail. His limbs couldn't do it.

He rolled over onto his back and looked up. Though his vision was fuzzy he could see the dreadlords slowly descending upon him. He could also feel the ground tremble as the pit lords approached. He thought it was over but a large brown figure soared through the air and tackled one of the dreadlords. The others were about to attack the brown figure when a similar purplish figure assaulted another on of the dread lords. In the confusion, two loud explosions boomed through the forests and two dreadlords were sent flying backwards.

Drek'val managed to make out the two large figures as bears, only these bears had a rather odd appearance; one with horns, and one with odd shaped ears. He knew there was only one explanation: druids. Tygra and Fenron were in brutal combat with the dreadlords, claw versus claw, fang versus fang. Drek'val saw another bear that seemed to be an average bear only it was donning strange armor and two large objects on it's sides. He then realized Longshot was barreling into the battle, Betsy's cannons blazing.

Longshot charged Betsy at an oncoming pit lord who was galloping at the dwarf, roaring the entire way. Longshot fired several large cannon shots at the pit lords, leaving large bloody holes in the beast's chest, but the demon didn't slow for second. When Betsy and Longshot were in range, the dwarf launched himself up into the air and Betsy dodged the blade that smashed into the ground next her. Longshot soared onto the demon's head and jammed his gun deep within it's skulls. He then began to release several powerful shots into the beasts skull until a hole blasted out of it's head on the opposite side. Another pit lord was charging at the dwarf to avenge it's fallen brethern. Longshot pulled out another gun from his back and held down the trigger. A series of continuous powerful bullets barreled into the beasts head, completlet destroyin the top portion of it's head and leaving it as a blood mess. Longshot leaped off of the pit lord and landed on Betsy as the two demons crashed on the ground behind him.

Soon after the rest of the group arrived and vanquished the remaing demons. Draggo flew down to Drek'val on Frostwing when the battle was over and pulled him to his feet.

"How are you?" asked the concerned orc.

"I'll live on…Sadly I can't say the same for Frin…" said Drek'val in a solemn tone. He led the group to Frin's remains. By now there were only charred bone and dust. A sadness overcame both the Horde and Alliance members. Drake approached the remains and whispered a quick prayer for his fallen companion.

"May you rest in peace and the Light watch over you Frin…" Drake whispered as he rose to his feet. Draggo approached the remains and knelt down.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way my friend… Your death will not be in vain…" snarled Draggo as he began to stomp off towards Frostwing. It was time. Nal had to be pay ofr this.