Where was he?
He was in darkness, and he was lying on something hard. He panicked, and felt around for some way out. He was in a box of some kind. Fear and confusion swelled up in his chest. Why was he here? The last thing he remembered was...What? He had a fuzzy memory of Jaina.
Yes. He, her, and a group of soldiers were going to investigate the plague that had been infecting so many towns and villages. Then, everything was dark and here he was.
He tried to get out of the area that he was trapped in. It was hard, like rock or something. Marble or granite perhaps. He then had a horrible pit in his stomach. Tombs were made of granite and marble, and would be pitch black inside. Oh Light, was he in a tomb?
Furiously, He tried to break out, beating his fists against. There was cracking, and, in hope, he doubled his efforts. One of his hands broke through it. He did not question how he was strong enough to break through the hard material. He just wanted to get out of this horrifying place.
He slowly made a hole big enough for him to escape the prison. Dust filled his lungs, and he blinked his eyes. He coughed, and slowly crawled out of the tomb. There was only a dim light, but it was like sunlight to him. He came out.
He was in a crypt, and it terrified him. Several black-robed hooded figures came forward. He recoiled, and stared at them in shock.
"Who are you?" He asked, and was freaked out. His voice had some kind of echo to it. He tried not to show his concern. The robed figures were standing there patiently. They obviously did not understand the question, and the one with the bowl held it out.
"Forgive us, Master, for the abrupt resurrection, but we have blood to stabilize your body."
One held out a bowl of blood, the liquid filling it to the brim. He recoiled. What resurrection? That did not make him feel any more reassured. The disturbing people looked at him in confusion.
"Master, What is wrong?"
He trembled, and backed away. One moved forward quickly.
"Master, the blood! You need it so your body will work properly."
He ran though, pushing past the robed individuals. They cried out in surprise, but he ran out of the crypt, and was met with horror.
Rotting corpses stood at the entrance, and looked at him with dead, black eyes. Soldiers with grey skin, and wearing spiked armor stood there to, and turned to him. Two bloody bodies were laying on the ground, and some of the moving corpses were eating the bodies. He reeled back in disgust and horror, but he quickly recovered, and fled toward a body of water to the left. He jumped into the water, and swam. The creatures all cried out, but did not pursue him.
Arthas Menethil slowly swam in the freezing water to the other side of the lake. He looked around, and saw the Cathedral of Light. He did not remember a lake being next to it. He swam to a wooden dock, shivering. He slowly climbed up the slick pilings of the dock, and collapsed. Strangely, his heart was not beating hard, but he was breathing heavily. He ran his hand over his face, but realized he was wearing gloves. He looked down, and saw armor similar to the grey skinned creatures. He blinked, and saw his hair that draped across his shoulders. It was white, and limp. Arthas pulled his glove off, and looked at his hand. The skin was grey, and looked dead.
What had happened to him? Arthas looked around, and saw a glowing lantern as a guard approached. For some deep reason, the man did not think the guard should see him. Arthas got to his feet stiffly, and fled to a dark alley. He pressed himself against the wall, and watched the guard make his rounds.
Arthas slowly fell to the ground against the wall. He sighed.
"What's happened?" He said incredulously, that same echoing voice. The man needed to get home, and figure out what has happened. He shook his head sadly, and leaned back against the wall. He felt hot, and his head throbbed.
When he figured it was time to be able to leave the dark alley, the man snuck along the streets. He saw guards, but he never encountered any trouble. He went into Old Town, and found a house. Broken shutters, boarded up windows, and missing roof tiles told Arthas it was abandoned. He did not wish to stay in a place, but he had a nagging feeling, like an itch. He should not reveal himself for who he was. Not even to go see Varian, which confused him. His friend would help him, wouldn't he? Why did he not go to Stormwind Keep?
Arthas kicked out a window, and climbed into the room. Dust covered the floor, and broken furniture was scattered around. Arthas looked around, and went to the fireplace. Using the pieces of furniture, he made a fire and pitifully sat in front of it. He pulled off his gloves, and stared at his grey skin. The man laid down, and figured he would decide what to do tomorrow.
When he fell asleep, Arthas was plagued with nightmares of him killing innocent people, watching his father die, and horrendous creatures that rotted and snarled viciously, feasting on bodies.
The raven flew over Sapphire's head, flitting about the dark branches of Duskwood's trees. This place was so dark, and comforting to the girl. Glowing eyes were everywhere, but the girl did not see them. Invincible ran hard and fast. They could have flown, but Sapphire did not want to be seen. Roads were safer, believe it or not. His hooves hit the cobbled road, clattering loudly.
Sapphire saw a wolf run across the road, but then it was behind them. The black bird dove, and landed on Sapphire's shoulder when it was lagging behind. Its feathers brushed against her, soft and reassuring.
Invincible came up to a crossroads, and skidded to a stop. Sapphire gasped, and tightened her grip.
An undead stood there, in the middle of the road. His fingers and arms were bony, but his face was rather preserved. Only his nose was rotted away.
His voice came out in a nasal whine. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Sapphire glared at the undead, and hissed, "Hello, undead. Do what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Your kingdom needs you," He said pleadingly.
The girl laughed coldly. The bird on her shoulder shifted its feet from side to side, and pecked at her hood.
"I have no kingdom. Now, move out of the way, or I will rip one of your fingers off to feed my bird."
The undead smiled indulgently, as if she were a child. His teeth was blackened. Sapphire curled her lip in disgust. Invincible, stomped the ground impatiently.
The man held out his bony hands. They were empty. "Hear me out. The Scourge is in ruins, and we need a leader. Lord Kel'thuzad has been worried about you, his true Master's only child all by herself. He will be so relieved to hear you're alive. Come back to your family."
"Tell him to go rot. Those old bones do not care one about me. I have no family."
The undead nodded. "At least consider it. If you decide to take up the offer of a family and a home, come to Stratholme. Baron Rivendare will be happy to help."
He walked off, leaving Sapphire alone in the forest. She looked down, and scowled. Then, she told Invincible to run fast. The horse happily did so. Wind blew into Sapphire's face, and tugged the hood away from her head. It fell back and pure white, almost glowing hair streamed out, snapping wildly in the wind.
She heard the raven caw as he struggled to stay on her shoulder. She held one hand to her shoulder, and he got onto it. The girl lowered her hand and let the bird sit onto the saddle to avoid being buffeted. It sat down, disgruntled.
The approached a place where the sign called Raven Hill. And they passed without another glance. A river came into view, but the skeletal horse just ran onto the covered bridge that spanned over it. They entered Westfall, a place that was known for farmers, gnolls, and something called the Defias Brotherhood, which was disbanded now, but there were still rogues running around the area.
Sapphire stopped the horse after the moon started to rise. She was tired, and wanted to think about what the undead had said. Invincible stopped at a ruined farm. After Sapphire entered the house and started a fire, she opened her backpack. She just had a few pieces of salted pork left. She wetted them with water, and gave the raven one. It took it eagerly, and ate it quickly. The girl ate the rest, and laid down immediately. Pulling the necromancy book out, Sapphire read it in the firelight. The bird hopped up onto her, and cocked its head at the book. It made a very humanlike sound of disapproval. Sapphire looked at it, and the bird ignored the look.
Sapphire shook her head. It was just a bird.
Invincible woke her up in the middle of the night. Sapphire jumped up, and grabbed her backpack. She left the fire as it was, small coals. She had been sleeping peacefully, but the horse had made a noise of alarm, and months on the run had hardwired Sapphire to wake up on the instant. She ran out the house, and looked around for danger.
There was a group of humans approaching. She blinked, and decided to let them come closer, and told Invincible to circle around the house. The girl was curious, and took her dagger out, and hid it in her sleeve.
They must have been highwaymen or something. She watched them come, and smiled at them when they approached. They were all men, and they knew she was a girl. Oh, this might be fun.
"Hello, Sweetheart," One said. He was a tall man, with a grizzly beard and breath that smelled of alcohol. The other two were younger, closer to her age. She saw them eyeing her hungrily.
"What are you doing here, all alone? Lost?" Sapphire gave him a flirtatious smile, and leaned toward him.
"Yeah, honey. Could you help me?" She purred. Then, she got within of inch of him. He grinned, and moved to touch her. Sapphire stabbed him in the chest. He gagged in pain. Sapphire yanked it out, and blood spurted. Before the other two could react, Sapphire grabbed the older man and used her power. His very blood boiled, and he shrieked in pain. The other guy, stared in shock and fear as both slowly died, in agony.
Sapphire went to him, and kissed him on the lips. "Take care, handsome."
She left him, and went to Invincible. The raven cawed, and flew away. Remounting her horse, Sapphire ran into the night.