I apologize if the chapters seem small. It allows me to consistently keep up with the one chapter a week schedule. I also promise that the story will pick up quite soon. Chapter 4 will have us finally in The Eastern Kingdoms, along with a few surprises for the party.
Thank you for reading!
I don't own Naruto or Warcraft.
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His dreams were the same every night, drenched in blood. Bone chilling screams piercing his ears. His face was wet, with tears or gore he couldn't tell. A deep sinister laugh echoed in his mind. Naruto awoke with a roar, a swirling ball of chakra in one hand and his tanto in the other. Rage filled his soul, shattering the peace he desperately worked for. He only calmed down when he realized he was in his own mind. An old dilapidated sewer.
He begrudgingly began wading through the murky water, towards the home of the one who had brought him here. Naruto scowled as the giant bars of the cage came into view, "This better be important, Kyuubi."
As he said the name, two crimson eyes the size of moons opened and peered down at him. A large maw of ivory white split the darkness. Its voice was that of rolling thunder, reverberating throughout the mindscape.
"Insolent cretin! I should keep what I know to myself and leave you clueless!" His growls were so loud Naruto could feel them in his chest. He would never admit it, but Kyuubi's power had always intimidated him.
"What are you talking about Fox? What do you know?" Naruto knew that a shinobi's greatest weapon was information. And if the fox had something to tell him he would listen.
"Not so fast brat, I'll tell you what I know, in exchange I want you to reopen our link." His voice was neutral, but Naruto could see the slightest bit of desperation in the beast's eyes. Staring at sewer walls for the past four years would drive any mortal insane. Yet the mighty Kyuubi was just…bored?
Naruto tilted his head in thought, keeping the Fox in suspense. Perhaps allowing the Bijuu to use his eyes and ears would have some benefits. The young ANBU hummed before giving his answer.
"I agree, but only senses. You may not take control of my body or flood my system with your chakra without my consent. Agree to those terms and we have a deal."
The great nine tailed beast did something that surprised Naruto, "Very well. I accept!"
The blonde sighed in relief. He was so sure that the Bijuu was going to wiggle more freedom into the deal, "Alright Kyuubi, uphold your end. Why am I here?"
He felt a familiar chill pierce his heart. His breathing quickened. Whispers permeated the air. Kyuubi dropped his ears and snarled viciously. Something was behind the blonde. He turned slowly, afraid that if he moved any faster he would anger the presence.
In the center of the room a flame appeared. This was not a typical flame. It was not orange like an Uchiha's Katon jutsu, nor did it give off warmth like the sun. Instead, it was black as pitch. Purple lights danced in the darkness while smoke the same color wafted from the tips of the flame. It stole any heat from the room leaving behind a cold melancholic feeling.
It was only the size of his fist yet Naruto felt as if he was going to burn alive at any moment. He flinched when Kyuubi's voice pierced the vale of fear that smothered him.
"THAT is why you are here. While you were trying to kill us with that ridiculous Shunshin, something entered your mind. It wore a cloak of shadows so I couldn't make out any details. It spoke in riddles. I used a considerable amount of my power to oust it from your body. When it was gone, this flame was all that remained."
It felt wrong, turning his back on the ethereal fire but he did so nonetheless. Naruto looked up at the fox, blue eyes narrowed, "What did it say?"
The Bijuu lowered its head to level with the Uzumaki, "Beware the coming of the herald. He who serves the Void shall open the way. Let his key be the black flame. Let his purpose be the death of light."
The chill of fear once more made itself known to ninja as he heard the words. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. But within him he also felt his burning rage begin to build. Hatred for whatever had lit this fire within him began to form.
The fox rose once more, a hard look in its eyes, "Whatever this means, someone or someTHING has its eyes on you Naruto. You need to find out what it means. Perhaps this realm has the answers."
What could it mean, Naruto wondered. What was the Void? Who was this Herald? And what was that vile black fire? He had no answers, and many questions. And by all the Kami in heaven he would find answers. Even if he had to kill, maim, and murder his way across this new world to get them.
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Naruto awoke when he felt a hand on his shoulder lightly shaking him. With speed reflecting his shinobi training he snapped a kunai into his hand and pressed the blade against the neck of his assailant. When his eyes finally focused, Naruto realized that it was Erlok standing above him. The troll's expression was serious, but not angry.
"And I thought YOU were ugly." Perhaps allowing Kyuubi an open link wasn't a good idea. Naruto ignored the beast for now.
"Ya talk in ya sleep mon, Nightmares?"
Naruto moved his knife away from Erlok's neck, and sat up when the troll moved away, "Something like that."
The Hunter made a sound of disbelief before turning away. Grug had already begun disposing of any evidence that they had been there. Naruto took note that the sun had yet to rise. Good, he thought, better to travel without the sun beating down on them.
After the trio broke camp they started moving west. As they walked Erlok explained that they needed to cross the SouthFury, the river that divided Durotar and the Barrens. Which would be difficult, as all official bridges were manned by the Horde.
"Hope ya like swimming!" He said with a laugh. If only he knew.
As they trudged along the blonde turned his gaze to his other traveling companion. The silent and brooding orc kept his eyes busy. Keeping a lookout for any potential danger. Naruto took this time to scrutinize the warrior.
His skin was a dark shade of green contrasting the bright blue eyes of his family's namesake. His head was shaved down to the scalp, yet a shadow of stubble formed on his chin. Which the orc would scratch at subconsciously. The final detail the shinobi noticed was the stone knife hanging from a leather string around his thick neck.
Naruto allowed his curiosity to win over good manners, "What is the knife for?"
Erlok perked up at this, he too was interested to know more about his companion. He glanced at the knife in question. It looked ceremonial, rather than utilitarian. So its purpose remained a mystery to the troll.
The orc turned his head sharply to stare down at the young human. He snorted before placing a hand over the knife, "It serves as a reminder. Of tradition and of destiny."
He fell silent after this, leaving Naruto and Erlok annoyed at the vague dramatic answer.
The trio continued marching across the cracked sandy earth of Durotar. The sun had begun to rise, bathing the land in sunlight. Said sunlight disguised the hellish landscape with bright colors of orange and red. Naruto couldn't help but admire its deadly beauty.
As the small party crested another hill Naruto was surprised to find a marsh in such a dry environment. Dilapidated buildings lay abandoned around the swampy area, signifying a flood. Beyond this was the river that separated Durotar from the Barrens.
To their right Naruto could spot a settlement in the distance. Razor Hill no doubt. It lay just outside of the swamp, untouched by the flood.
To the left of the marsh was a small mountain range, stretching all the way to the river. Growing out of them was what appeared to be giant thorny vines. Structures were built into the side of the mountains and Naruto could see small silhouettes milling about the area.
His guides scowled in disgust, "Quilboar."
They spat the word like it had offended their tongues. Erlok pointed to the center of the swamp, "We be able ta avoid da pigmen, and Razor Hill by cuttin drew da center of da swamp. It be wet, but safe."
He began descending the hilltop, Grug and Naruto close behind.
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Somewhere far away, deep in the ruins of a dark temple, a man dressed in priestly robes addressed a crowd of similarly dressed persons.
"Send word to all who serve, the Herald must be found. For he holds the key to paradise. Soon brothers and sisters, our masters will seat the throne of this reality, and we shall all be rewarded. The hour of twilight is at hand! Now go, search every corner of this world! Bring him to me."