A/N: So here it is. My very first fanfiction. Hope you will like it.
P.S: Now with improved readability.
"Now what are we to do about this matter?" asked a weary mage clad in typical Dalaran vestments, coloured blue and purple.
"He is to be executed; nothing less, nothing more" answered a similar clothed mage, with a frustrated expression, that only made his wrinkles worse.
"Executed? I understand the gravity of the charge, but execution? I believe he shall be allowed to further his knowledge in the Fel arts, as for us to better understand the magic of the orc warlocks - of course under supervision."
"Are you insane! The next thing we need is warlock among us, to spy and betray us" exclaimed the elderly man, now with an angry brow, that certainly did not help his wrinkles.
"Calm yourself Drenden; we need to look at this strategically" rebooted the mage, who crouched down to the unconscious man at their feet, and picked up the book in the man's hand.
"Kel'Thuzard, you'r vote is misplaced at this matter" said Drenden, now less angry after the reprimand, now that the shock at the discovery have passed. But in his defense it was justified, after one of their mage initiate have gotten their hand on THE book of Medivh. A book that should have been guarded in the vault.
"Before we even begin to vote on the matter, we should at least get the young initiate a chance to defend himself," said one of other four council members standing in the room. "Seconded" reinforced another council member. And with that a third council member with a wick of his wrist, began to undo his sleep spell, that have befallen the downed initiative.
Forlorn opened his eyes with all the strength of a tired man, who have just been - not 5 minutes ago - forced to sleep like a baby on the floor. Still in a drowsy haze he began to stand op, onto his feet and pressed the imagined sleep out of his eyes. He was standing in a large oval shaped room, with a staircase that ran up to a first floor, with book-rows upon book-rows. Imagine his surprise when he began to focus, on the six council members standing in a circle around him.
"Shit"
"What is your name young initiate?" asked the last female remaining council member.
"Forlorn, m-Madam!" answered Forlorn with a maybe to orderly a fashion, hindered only with the slight stutter in his voice. But who could blame him for that? He was standing in front of the entire council of six.
"No last name? Alright then. What were you doing with that book" she pointed at the book of Medivh that Kel'Thuzard was holding in his hand, "and how did you get it?"
"I found it in the library under the arcane section." answered Forlorn with a little less orderly fashion, as he eyed the book. "I can not tell them how it whispered to me; i simply cannot. They would think me crazy if i did; and likely lock me in a cell."
"You found it in the library, did you now?"
"How does the book of Medivh end op in the library! Do you think us to be stupid initiative?" scowled Drenden, now with justified anger.
"No, i don't think you to be stupid Arch-mage, i am telling the truth."
"Calm down Drenden; now initiative be truthful, we won't accept lies" said Kel'Thuzard.
"I am speaking the truth! I found it under section M, trying to find Mage assortments and how to summon them." said Forlorn with a tense strain in his voice, trying his damnedest to sound convincing.
"Alright then, initiative; did you look in the book?" continued Kel'Thuzard ignoring the almost pleading sound of Forlorns answer.
Forlorn did not speak, he simply continued to look into Kel'Thuzad's eyes, not wanting to turn away; implying guilt, and being called out for it. "If i look away, they know am guilty, if i lie they will use magic to find the truth. So only one option left." "Yes"
The council of six did not speak outright, but Forlorn could guess that they spoke telepathically to each other, at least that was what Forlorn though they did; but in reality they all just stood there in silence, not wanting to be the one responsible for handing out the sentence of death, as they all knew that death was the only true punishment for looking in that accursed book.
"Council?" asked Forlorn, cursing himself as he did. Kel'Thuzard spoke first. "Young initiative, what did you learn from the book?" The other council members looked at him curiously; why prolong the meeting they thought? Kel'Thuzard found there stare and returned it.
"Damn, have they already figured out, that my arcane magic had been replaced by fel magic?" thought Forlorn to himself. "I didn't know it would happen, i only wanted to look out of curiosity; had i know there would be a curse followed, i would never have opened the damn book." Forlorn looked around at the council seeing their eyes quickly dart towards him, from Kel'Thuzard.
"Do they know? Of course they know, they are the goddamn council of six; they know all things magically. They likely know my magic signature change, the moment i opened the book. That is proverbially how they found me; so shortly after i had just gone down the stairs." "I didn't learn anything from the book" Forlorn said with a defeated voice and expression.
"Another lie initiative," said Drenden with a much more calm voice, while whiffing a finger in the air, as to make a visual tsk sound. "We already know that you're magical essence have been turned from the purity and refined arcane, to the impure and unrefined fel; so another strike in my book."
"No! I didn't learn it, it just happened when i opened the book!" Forlorn said desperately, trying not to sound like a madman and eye the council members directly.
"So the book is cursed? Bah, any lie to safe your skin; just admit it! Admit you learned from the book and we will grant you a swift and painless death" Drenden said with a sneer, and not a clue as to be mad or disgusted with the young initiative; maybe both?
"We haven't voted on his manner of punishment yet Drenden" said Kel'Thuzard, now becoming more and more like the initiatives public defender. "And i can support the initiatives claim, as the book doesn't have any teachings, that turn your entire arcane repertoire, into that of fel"
"How would you know?" countered Drenden know definitely mad.
"I was the mage assigned to skim the book for any information. Or have you forgotten that?" Drenden had actually forgotten that last bit of information, but just hoffed in defiance like a small child. That was better then admit to have forgotten.
"Now with that in mind, we cannot execute you based on a curse, you haven't even been responsible for; as the book was never meant to be in the library to start with" continued Kel'Thuzard, with a small sense of pride of having defended his impromptu charge and also because he won over Drenden. But Drenden was not done
"How can the book of Medivh end op in the library? It is simple; it did not. He must have stolen from our vault"
"The same heavily defended vault, with multiple magic seals?" The female council member asked, in a frustrated tone, having enough of Drendan for today.
As usual Drenden hoffted.
"It's obvious that the book got misplaced during the last inventory check, and as such was not the initiatives fault for stumbling upon the book; it is then only prudent that we exile him from dalaran, and send a note to every library with magical books, to not let him learn or borrow anything from them. With this, he will not be able to spy and betray us, and he will live virtually magic free, as he is unable to cast arcane spells," said the female council member.
Forlorn could not believe his ears; exile? Yes, they - and with they he mean Kel'Thuzard - had gotten him of the death penalty, but exile is just as cruel a punishment to a mage. This was not fair, they were the one to misplace the book first, he had only picked up from their initial mistake, by listening to that voice. And how was he supposed to know it was a bad idea?
"I think this may be a blessing in disguise" said Kel'Thuzard, ever the ardent defender of the young initiative. "As i first recommended, we could let him learn the fel arts of the warlock, and use him to learn the properties and limits of fel magic, as well as getting a grasp of understanding of it; as we currently do not know much about it."
"So two options? Either exile and banishment from all source of magically knowledge, or let him study the fel under supervision?" clarified the council member who had woken Forlorn.
"Forlorn will you, leave the rum and head into the rum to your left?" said the female council member to the young initiative. Forlorn bowed his head and left for the rum he was directed towards, with a scared pace.
After ten minutes of deliberating the council summoned Forlorn back into the main chamber, with the members now standing in a line, instead of the previous circle.
"It's a tie" said Kel'Thuzard neutrally. Forlorn's heart sank, "would i lose everything know? Would i be exiled?" "We will decide your fate with a question" Kel'Thuzard continued. After a slight pause he continued "Is fel magic inadvertently evil?"
Forlorn did not know what to say. First he thought it be a trick question; say no and be scolded and exiled; for of course fel magic is evil. But on the other hand if he said yes then he would be evil, as his entire being now screamed fel. With only one proper option left, he said.
"No, fel magic is chaotic unlike arcane that is orderly, but that do not make it evil; it makes it different. It require greater self control and restrain not be overwhelmed by its dominating presence, but in turn grants greater destructive capabilities. It's also a corrupting power, it sears the land if being used on it, and fel doesn't take its power from the magic in the air, but rather from a another plane. Fel magic also increase your emotional response to events and news." That was the best he could do. All his knowledge of fel magic he had, have been from his ten minute recess, in which he learned about the chaotic nature of it, it's dominating desire to make its user use it, and also that it did not draw its power from the magic in the air, but rather from an entire other plane or world. Plane sounded better than world, so he used that in his answer. For the other stuff about destructive capabilities? He just winged it, after all the mages observations he have read, he could make out that fel magic seared the land and corrupted the person using it; which would require a great will in order not to succumb to the euphoria of its magic; but so would arcane he guessed.
"In short; greater power for greater control" Kel'Thuzard asked questionably, with a very much peaked curiosity.
"Yes" Forlorn replied eagerly "But also greater the fall" mused the female council member.
Forlorn was silent, uncertain as to weather or not he would be exiled or not. Finally after many tense moments, the female member spoke
"You are allowed to study fel magic." Forlorn could almost fall to his knees of relief. "But, with strings attached" Forlorn tilted his towards her. "First, you will abandon any study of arcane, you currently have or will have; your teacher(s) will be informed. We cannot risk a mage with arcane and fel magic. Second, you are to be supervised by Kel'Thuzard and are to report to him daily of anything related to fel" Forlorn looked at Kel'Thuzard with a respectful glance and nodded, "it's better than Drenden. Kel'Thuzard actually supported me in my unofficial trial." "Third, you are not to mingle with other students, as to not corrupt them, and fourth, you are not to have children" Forlorn was saddened by the third one, as he would be alone except for Kel'Thuzard, and he didn't plan on having children, so the fourth demand was not really much of a sacrifice. "Fifth" god, how many strings are attached he thought. "You are to remain in Dalaran, unless we allow otherwise or order otherwise." That he did see coming. "Do you accept these terms?" She continued. "Yes" Forlorn said in an instant. It's better to learn fel than have no magic capabilities.
Stepping out of the structure, where he almost got expelled inhaling the air, and exhaling in relief; he found himself standing at the top of the stairs towards the streets of dalaran. Looking around him, he saw the towering presences of spiral towers at the ends of the small city, acting as lookout towers for the city. Looking down he saw fellow mages looking at him; some with a frown, others with disgust. It was obvious to any initiative of the arcane, who has gone through Arch-mage Antonidas lesson of Magic signature, that he reeked of fel. Afraid to step down the steps and meet their gazes on even ground, made him stand there just for moments longer. A quick glance down his arm, and on to his right hand he saw it. The book of Medivh, the artefact he was allowed to keep, and learn from. Another breath of fresh air and he walked down the steps, each step signalling a sacrifice he would make, either now or later on in life.
The onlookers immediately either vanished, or stood fast giving him a scornful dressing down. He tried not to care, but it was hard. Why should they judge him? He was not the or a cause of war; and just because he now only had fel, did not mean he was evil. "Are am to be forever looked in disgust" he thought to himself, looking around with a defeated expression. "Could they not see this hurt him more than them? Of course not, they only see him as a power hungry madman; that was what all the teachers told him and them, the user of fel magic where." With a sigh he walked towards his lonely abode.
Taking a turn down the an alley in order to shorten his route towards his home, he found three men clad in magical vestments of the signature colour scheme of dalaran; blue and purple. "You, felspawn are not welcomed in this city" the front man said, after which he got reinforced with an audible "yeah", from another mage behind him. "I don't wanna deal with this", "can you please move out of the way? The council have already given me permission to continue to live in the city; i won't even join your lectures or study beside you." "That should be enough satisfaction to leave me alone."
The front-man moved towards Forlorn with the others right behind him, steeping right in front of him he said. "The council may have allowed your stench to be sniffed in the city, but know this; you are not welcome felspawn," and with that he brushed past me along with his henchmen. "That could have been worse" Forlorn though to himself, letting a audible sigh leave his lungs. turning to leave past where the three mages stood before, he now saw a young female with blonde hair, clad in typical dalaran vestments. "Great another lesson in me being a terrible existence", "yes?" Forlorn said neutrally not wanting to antagonize the young mage, but also not wanting to entertain her either. "Is it true you have no arcane magic left?" asked the blonde girl. Forlorn frowned, could she not see? Is she mocking me, like the rest and judging me? "Yes, its true, are you also here to mock and judge?" he said in a bitter tone, not caring for the blonde mage.
"N-No, i simply don't know how to spot magic signature yet, so i was wandering and found you speaking with those mages; and wanted to ask you." Forlorns bitterness aided a little, "at least there is one mage here who doesn't judge a bog by its cover," he thought to himself. After a couple of awkward moments of silence, the girl asked
"What's your name?" Forlorn thought of giving her no answer, but she would find out from his previous classmates; and she had been not judgemental towards him; so the least he could do, was give her his name. "Forlorn, what about you?"
"Jaina Proudmoore" she replied instantly, with pride. "A noble then." Forlorn added. A few more pregnant moments later, and Forlorn couldn't keep the awkwardness a bay any longer. "Sorry Proudmoore, but i have been forbidding to mingle with other mage students, - so i should properly go know." He said and began to leave past her
"Call me Jaina, please; and sorry for taking your time" Jaina said walking away from Forlorn, thinking to herself; why would he not be allowed to mingle with other mages? Would that not become lonely? Is that not a little to harsh, she continued to think, not knowing that exile and death had courted him just minutes before.
Stumbling into his abode book in hand, he strode towards the his chair at his workstation. His room was not overly large, a bed with a fine set of pillow, beeding and sheet. A chandelier perfectly still in the middle of the room, attached to the loft; a chair with four legs, backrest and armrest. Not the best quality wood, but it was comfortable enough. And last a workstation made out of wood, with drawers underneath with room enough for scrolls and writing equipment, and quill and parchment already laid about on top. This, this was home, he thought to himself, setting into his chair, laying the book onto the table, and resting his arms. After a couple of minutes of R&R and more than a couple of moments contemplating, how things could have gotten south real quick, if he had not read those observations, along with his inner focus on the fel inside of him. Looking at the book of Medivh, he let out a sigh, "what to do about you".
Kel'Thuzard looked down from his personal quarters inside one of the towering spiral towers, overlooking Dalaran; sipping his tea as he read and corrected his students work. "Magic signature doesn't exist? what are you smoking initiative, that is definitely an -3 right there." Marking the papers justly as he reads them. "What's this. "...to conclude my thesis, i can say that fel magic comes not from the magic around us. But from an entire plane or world entirely..." What a conclusion, only through experience can you determine that; and since the second war is over, and all the warlocks have disappeared. It can only leave one candidate left."
Forlorn been stuck in his study since his unofficial trial, four months ago. Now he had done his best to keep to the promises he agreed to. But we humans are social creatures; unlike the elves, we need society and other people. So of course he could not just sit idly every day, day and night out. So he one day after two weeks of solitude, he went out. And who would he find if not the only person who actually treated him nicely. Jaina Proudmoore. He found at the tavern after study hours, downing a couple of pints alone with her only partner being her study materials. Accidental loneliness or purposeful loneliness? Forlorn had though when he sat beside her that day, remembering that it gave her a slight scare. Some exchange of words, theories and remarks and they became quite fast friends.
So when Jaina had one day asked him for help with her understanding of fel magic. He was more than happy to help, if not for their friendship; then for being allow to pass knowledge of his precarious situation, as he helped Jaina write her thesis.
Three and a half month later.
"So the moment you opened the book, you lost all of your arcane power? And it turned into fel?" Jaina asked in a studios surprise tone. "Yes, and arcane power that i now acquire, turn into fel magic instead; so i have stopped trying to study arcane, under the nose of Kel'Thuzard. Probably a good thing, for if he found out i would be in quite a bit of trouble." Forlorn added almost relieved, that he only was breaking one rule now.
"But what kind of abilities does fel grant?" Jaina continued still entirely enarmed by fel magic and its properties
"Well... Instead of... spells like fireball or frostbolt, i can create spells like Shadow bolt, that draw their power from the dark corners of the twisting nether; and a spell like Immolate, draw their power from the hellfire depths of the twisting nether. A spell like corruption or curse of agony, transmute the dark powers into psychological pain or agony. Oh but you already know that; sorry" Forlorn said casually, not really minding the state of Jaina's gaping mouth, that got wider and wider the more he told her of the power of a warlock. "It's fine, you already told me of the twisting nether property, but not you're repertoire of spells" Jaina said.
"But i still have not tried to summon a demon, yet. I have been forbidding from trying by the entire council, even though Kel'Thuzard tried to convince them otherwise. I still know one more spell, but that is a secret." He said and winked at Jaina, who by now, have taking to closing her mouth, thinking it be rude to continue gaping.
"But i better be going, if Kel'Thuzard know i have a friend, he would flail me alive." Forlorn said and began to rise from his chair.
"O-Oh yes, alright it has been enjoyable, having you help me with my material" Jaina said fumbling over her words. Forlorn merily gave her a hug and walked out of the tavern.
"I feel terrible for poor Forlorn. Why should he feel like a prisoner and a forced labour; considering that it wasn't even his fault to begin with." Jaina thought to herself as he left the tavern for the night.
Later that night, Forlorn returned to his humble abode smelling of booze, he opened the door, and saw Kel'Thuzard sitting in his chair at the workstation. Forlorn simple stood dumbfounded in the doorway, with an expression of surprise and dread. "Oh no.
"Well, Forlorn enjoyed your evening have we?" Kel'Thuzard said eying him up and down, with a neutral expression, masterfully employed. Forlorn still did not move; he was trying to figure, if the man Kel'Thuzard, was real or a figment of his imagination. "Now come now, sit; i insist" alright now he was sure he was real. And Forlorn did as he was told, sitting at his bedside trying to focus on Kel'Thuzard; though still feeling a bit dizzy.
"A certain Jaina Proudmoore, has just handed in her paper this morning, about the nature of fel magic. And i most say; it is simply fascinating. But i know that unless you fought in the second or first war, or was yourself a warlock. You would not be able to write such a fine piece of research."
Forlorn looked down - which almost cause him to throw up his many drinks, - but nevertheless in shame looked at his floor. "Was this it? Have i ruined my chance for a second chance? Oh god."
"That reaction is all i need to confirm my already confirmed suspicion; you mingled with another student of the arcane arts." Forlorn looked up, eying Kel'Thuzard who still was holding his employed expression of a neutral investigator. "I'm sorry" said Forlorn in a defeated tone knowing full well that he could be expelled now.
"It's no matter Forlorn" Kel'Thuzard said, which peaked Forlorns interest. "What?" Forlorn uttered breathless, not believing what he just heard.
"I said, it's no matter. I myself was wondering how long you would hold out on that specific rule." A pregnant silence had entered the room, as both men held their mouth closed. In the end Kel'Thuzard broke the pause. "I will go to the council-" Forlorn began to twitch "and ask to grant leance with the rule, to allow you to continue your interactions with this Jaina Proudmoore" ended Kel'Thuzard, employing a smile. Forlorn looked at him with wide eyes of disbelief, replaced quickly with gratitude and as a gesture of good will... threw up right on his own carpet. Kel'Thuzard merely laughed, and told Forlorn to rest and recover, and to not see Proudmoore for a week, as he would convince the council, to let him have his only friend.
Kel'Thuzard did manage to convince the council to let him have a friend; but with the condition on only seeing her after study hours; which he already did so it did not matter.
And with that he continued to perfect his fel magic; and found interesting ways of employing it's benefits, as people generally let him pas other people in line at stores and stalls; you have to make the most out of your situation you can, and Forlorn did just that.
Eight months later
Forlorn had found himself at an impasse. He wanted to increase his magical repertoire, but found himself unable to increase his magic pool, without letting the twisting nether poke at his mind. For you see; the twisting nether is generous in its initial pool of magic, it grants its users. But anymore and you would have to sacrifice more of yourself, in order to open that fond, and increase your pool. Currently Forlorn had the power of respectful mage. But he could be stronger.
If he only tapped into that fond, he could increase his own power exponentially, and with that power safeguard himself and others - even though they - the mages - have made him a pariah - he still wanted to safeguard the free and innocent of the world, and as well Azeroth herself.
So here he is, left with the option to begin his road to damnation, and in turn get stronger to safeguard the world. Okay maybe that is a bit ambitious, but at least safeguard his friend Jaina, and the innocents. He pondered the choice for hours not being able to choose either one. In the end he left for his scheduled meeting with Jaina Proudmoore, his only friend.
Drinking and having fun he asked. "Jaina, are you my friend?" Jaina looked dumbfounded."Did he really just ask her that question?" Jaina thought to herself. She relaxed her expression and said, "of course i am. Did you think i was only using you?" Forlorn quickly responded with a soundly "No! I am merely pondering a choice about my continued study practises." Jaina looked relieved "Alright so he doesn't see me as a love interest, and also not as a cold bitch; thank the light for that." "What kind of choice is that?"
Jaina asked curiously. Her interest peaked at the answer. "Sacrifice for power; it is an essential part of my warlock study and training." Forlorn said sourly. Jaina contemplated her question to Forlorn for a time, until she just asked. "What kind of sacrifice? Like the occult or the necromancy one!" Forlorn quickly said "Light no! Personal sacrifice; opening oneself to the power of the twisting nethers visions and euphoria of spell slinging."
Jaina looked at Forlorn, who by now have taking a sour character tone with his drink in hand, not taking a sip from it, since they sat down. "Forlorn" she said waiting for him to eye her, "you needn't worry, you have my friendship and comradery to help you through those visions, and... if it comes down to it; i will incapacitate you, should the euphoria take over your will." "Forlorn can handle the vision fine, that is not whats worrying him. It's the chance that he will succumb to the euphoria and kill innocents or those he wanted to project."
Forlorn smiled at the answer; now he knew that someone will stop him, should he fall. "Thank you, Jaina... and likewise" he added, and having found his answer to his predicament. "Thank you, being your friend cause people to whisper, so i am glad i could help. And that you will and would help me." She said with a soft smile, not knowing why she uttered that last sentence. Yes people where whispering, but he shouldn't know that; it's not a big deal, and she did not care. But Forlorn cared
"So she is sacrificing her social life by being my friend? Light i feel bad now. Dammit! Jaina is sacrificing part of her life, what right do i have to speak about my predicament. I will become strong enough for people to stop whispering about her friendship with me. And let them instead whisper about my power, and threat; so that they will require Jaina."
A/N: Prologue and chapter 1 done.
I hope you liked my setup and story so far.
Forlorn looking to become quite estranged in dalaran, by his peers; thankfully he has a friend in the form of Jaina Proudmoore of all people. Who would have thought ;D.
If you have any constructive criticism, i will gladly accept it.
Anyways i plan on updating this story maybe, once every other week? Maybe every third week. Since i am currently in my exam period, i can't promise anything.
And remember to have a nice day; farewell.