CHAPTER I: Universes Collide

THE COSMOS

UNKNOWN LOCATION

SPACE

Within the endless dark, exists many phenomena, but few manage to compare to the Nexus: a transdimensional cosmic storm estimated to be several thousands of years old.

Nestled within the center of a powerful anomaly of immeasureable energy and power, it has started to spread and grow, in a paradoxical way, with chaos and order constantly balancing each other. The Nexus had its most distinct feature: the ability to pull universes in and out of existence, and in and out of its boundaries.

But, this time, it was going to reach out much farther.

The Nexus started to further the reach of its influence beyond its base universe. The encroaching tendrils of cosmic energy pierced the fabric of reality, seeking for new worlds to connect to. The reaction was violent, as space warped and became distorted in the process.

AZEROTH

LORDAERON

Andorhal

"Your crusade ends here, Arthas!"

The paladin swung his hammer around, but found it blocked by a cold steel blade, shimmering with blue runes. Around them, the town of Andorhal burned as ghouls rampaged through the streets, hunting down the living and tearing them to shreds.

As he pulled his hammer back for another strike, the old paladin knew he could not win. At the beginning of the conflict, it had seemed that the Light would finally manage to vanquish the fallen prince and his army, but then the Lich King had made his move and granted his chosen knight more power. Now he was losing, and knew that this would be the day he died.

But Light damn him if he would give up so easily!

As he swung it down, Arthas pulled on the reins of his dark steed, and it reared back. Arthas then slammed his sword into the paladin's hammer, knocking it to the street and causing the old man to fall to his knees. He looked up into the cold, glowing blue eyes of his former student, the grey hair and gaunt skin, and knew he had failed.

That he failed Lordaeron, failed Arthas, and most importantly, failed himself.

Yet, as he looked upon the corrupted prince, all he felt was anger.

He snarled, "I dearly hope there's a special place in hell for you, Arthas."

Arthas chuckled coldly. "We may never know, Uther. I intend to live forever."

As the death knight pulled back his blade for the final blow, Uther whispered, "Light, save my soul."

Arthas stabbed the blade towards Uther's heart.

But right as it was about to strike, there was a rumble of thunder, a flash of blue, and suddenly everything was black.

KOPRULU SECTOR

KORHAL

Augustgrad

Within the ecumenopolis of Korhal, Augustgrad served as its capital city. The Terran Dominion just suffered losses against Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan during the campaign on Char. With Prince Valerian taking half of the fleet and suffering casualties, his father, Arcturus Mengsk, decided to eliminate Raynor, Kerrigan and even his own son to get his revenge. Kerrigan's de-infestation made it considerably easier to terminate her. One of the operatives on this mission was one of the Dominion's top ghosts, Nova Terra.

UMOJAN PROTECTORATE

XT39323

Research Station EB-103

When the Dominion fleet under Emperor Mengsk arrived, battle ensued. The research station was put under attack. Nova infiltrated the building through a drop pod. While Raynor and Kerrigan were escaping, she pursued them and issued an order for them to surrender. While Kerrigan was able to escape, Raynor was left behind due to circumstances.

"Jim, Dominion reinforcements are arriving. The Hyperion is taking heavy fire and my team can't reach you." Valerian contacted him

"Roger that. Get the Hyperion to the rendezvous! I'll find another way off world." Jim responded

"See you there." he replied

All of a sudden, a door nearby blew open. Nova appeared.

"Nova!"

"Well, well. Jim Raynor." she said. "You helped me with my Tosh problem, and I appreciate that. But a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do!"

"Alright, blondie, take your shot!"

However, something happened. The moment she was about to pull the trigger of her C-20A Rifle, a blinding light flashed in front of her eyes.

LOCATION UNKNOWN

Uther awoke on the floor of a forest, rain pouring down in sheets and soaking his white-and-brown hair. His hammer was resting in the leaves beside him, and Uther wondered what had happened.

Was he dead? It certainly didn't feel like it. He still felt old and weary, and he doubted death would still make him feel that way. But if he wasn't dead, where was he? Where was Arthas? What had happened to him?

Groaning, Uther pulled himself to his feet, his golden armor clanking. He picked up his hammer, and looked around. But all he could see were dark trees and pouring rain.

He started walking, looking around for a river or a landmark or anything that could tell him where he was. Seeing that he was in a forest, it narrowed down some of the options, but he could still be anywhere from Teldrassil to Duskwood.

Then he spotted a flash of blue in the trees, and, curious, he started walking over to it.

He swiftly arrived in a clearing, in the center of which was a strange woman unlike anything Uther had ever seen.

The armor was a mix of dark and light gray, along with aqua blue lights streaming around some skin-tight fabric covering her entire body.

The woman was lying on the ground, unconscious much like Uther had just been. Uther used a quick healing spell to revive her, wondering if she'd be able to help him out.

The woman shuddered, then slowly got to her feet. "Whoa, Raynor must have done some dirty flashbang trick on me."

The strange woman saw him, and was trying to make sense on what just happened, and why was she suddenly in some forest, and that some strange knight-looking man was in front of her. "What the hell- who are you, and why are you dressed up like that?"

Uther replied, "I suppose I could say the same to you! Pray, do you have any idea where we are?"

The woman shook her head. "I'd ask you the same question! Wherever this is, it certainly isn't the same place or planet I was on. That one didn't have a forest. Or even trees."

"Well, that's certainly odd.", replied Uther, "Even Draenor had trees, from what I've heard."

"Draenor? I've never heard of that world before. Where exactly are you from? And uh, who are you?", the armored woman asked.

"My name is Sir Uther the Lightbringer.", Uther answered, "How about you?"

"Nova Terra.", replied the armored woman, "Though most just call me Nova. I'm thinking that something strange just happened to us, seeing as neither of us know where we are and you look like someone from some medieval fair, not to mention that I was definitely not near a forested planet just before this happened."

Uther nodded. "You do sound and look strange, at least from my perspective. Perhaps we could work together for now, and try to figure out what happened to us?"

"Sounds like a plan.", agreed Nova, "Now then, I think we should-"

Suddenly there was a loud bestial roar, followed by a woman's scream.

"That sounded close.", said Uther, "We should see what that was."

Nova replied, "Yeah, I don't like the sound of that. Usually, that means trouble. Let's go."

She picked up her C-20A Rifle, and the two of them took off into the forest, where they came upon a beaten dirt road. Backed against a tree was a young woman, dressed in simple clothes, cowering before a massive red beast. A basket of produce was scattered across the ground in front of her feet.

However, Uther and Nova were more focused on the fiend standing in the middle of the road.

It was at least ten feet tall, with dark red skin and massive spikes down its back. It stood on two feet, giving it a humanoid appearance, but it certainly wasn't a man. It had huge clawed arms and a thick spiny tail, both of which looked capable of slaughtering anyone foolish enough to fight it. The two could not see its face, but they could see it was framed by three thick horns.

"Your terror is delicious.", the monster boomed, "Perhaps I shall torture you before I kill you, in order to relish it longer."

The woman shivered violently, clearly not liking the sound of that.

Nova tapped the side of her visor, scanning the beast. "Think we can take out this ugly son of a bitch?"

Uther replied, "First thing when we awaken in this place is a fight waiting to happen. Trying to stop this monster from harming that poor woman is something I've done before. I reckon you've done similar things?"

The monster heard them, and whirled around, revealing its muscular torso, massive fangs, and fiery eyes. "You challenge me?! I will happily tear you to shreds!"

Nova raised her weapon, pointing it at the beast's head. "You won't find me easy prey, fugly!"

Uther readied his hammer. "The Light shall strike you down, fiend!"

The demon chuckled. "This is going to be interesting."