Promises. [Complete]

[Hawk]

(( YEAH PAGE 2 WOO ))

Hawk glanced around his shoulder at the Tauren talking with the Goblin outside. His eyes rested onto the chains once more, after a couple of seconds he narrowed his eyes into a glare and tries to break them, thrashing and flailing his wrists wildly. But all it did was scratch the chains together, the cuffs clearly reinforced to prevent even a Gladiator breaking them. The blackened captors were going to be with him for a while.

'Bugger bugger bugger bugger!" He muttered angrily as he continued to try snap the chains in half, eventually giving up.

"Hawk? Hey!" He heard the voice of a Blood Elf flowing through the tavern. He inclined his head to the left and saw one of his Elven friends that he occasionally ran into: Terant. He didn't know much about the guy, and I doubt Terant knew much about him, but he was alright. For a Blood Elf. He was a good fighter, and he had even been with him in one of the times he was shipwrecked. He was following another Blood Elf who came in the tavern before him, a golden haired woman. Presumably a 'Blood Knight' too, judging from the plated dress robe combination thing, which Hawk never understood why it was even made. The aged Troll would naturally make a comment about him having a crush on this Elf, but he had more pressing issues than to gossip.

"'ey, Terant." He replied with a smirk. Terant took a few steps closer, peering at Hawk. He took note of the bruises and wounds all over him, but the chains more so.

"More Gladiator stuff?" He asked. Hawk shrugged.

"More like enslavement..." He scowled. Terant just chuckled.

"You're a slave now? I'll try get you out of this later."

"T'anks." Hawk said. "I doubt ya can." Hawk thought.

"By the way, you know Tzekel, right?" Terant questioned. Ah, Tzekel. The Primal. He wasn't exactly an individual you could forget. The guy was a giant. He moved around on all fours like an animal. He had a pair of golden iris' and longslitted pupil. He had a mane that ran down his back and his huge arms. He met Tzekel during the Echo Isles retake, and when seeing him tear apart his enemies, he made it a priority not to get on his bad side. But despite his brutal and feral shell, he was still Hawk's friend. One that he admired.

"Aye? What about him?"

"He and I are both Frostbrand Marines. Once you're out of this, you should join. After all, you know how to sail."

Tzekel's a marine? What the hell did I miss? Hawk thought to himself. But he looked back up to Terant. "Sorry, Terant. Can't do dat. I got a contract, and I gotta stick wit' it 'til de end."

"Suit yourself. Try not to get yourself killed." He said with a sly grin. "I gotta go talk to some friends. Catch you later Hawk."

The pair nodded to each other before Terant moved over to the golden haired woman, who was accompanied by another Elf, male, with the same golden hair as hers. As Hawk gazed across to the table of rabbits, he looked around the tavern for anything that could help him get out of these damned chains. A fork, or a knife... soon his search came to a halt when he saw a Human woman leaning against the wall with the expressive capabilities of a watermelon. She had raven black hair and was clad in light brown leathers with a single sword at her side. In his experience, people who wear leather aren't the most honest. He should know - he used to wear leather. He caught a final glimpse at his Tauren master, who was still talking with the Goblin outside. He seized the chance and made haste to the woman.

"Oi, you. Know how to pick a lock?" Hawk inquired. The woman narrowed her eyes.

"Do I look like the sort of person who would?" She countered. Hawk narrowed his eye in return.

"Aye, ya do, else I wouldn't have asked ya!" He retorted. "Can you pick a lock or not?" The chains that bound his hands together were raised to prove his point, with an unamused look on his face.

"Maybe, what's it to you?" Her lips formed an amused grin. Guess she wasn't a watermelon after all. Hawk hated when people were difficult. His time was limited, but this woman may very well be his chance to get himself out of this disaster.

"Alright, look. I'll pay ya 30 gold to pick dis lock an' distract de Tauren outside. Once ya done, meet me at de bank so you can get de gold. Agreed?" Hawk soon regretted saying the first number that came to his head. 30 gold?! He may have gotten loaded from all his arena matches, but he was no millionaire. But he couldn't change his mind now. The woman under the grasp of bribery's eyes lit up with genuine interest, and without a moment's pause she got to work on picking the lock.

"30 gold for picking a lock? You've got yourself a deal." She furrowed her brow in concentration as she tried to unlock the device, Hawk kept his wrists as still as he possibly could to assist her. With the quick sound of tumbling he was freed, but only from one wrist. Though he could move his hands, he was grateful for that. After a few more words the Human dashed outside and began to taunt the Tauren with several 'cow' remarks. As Hawk hid behind the corner to wait until the coast as clear, yet another Blood Elf had interest in him and caught his attention.

"What sort of situation are you in?" The Elven Mage was rather simple looking, but of course, appearances aren't always what they seem. He had a wooden staff on his back and wore robes which had mixtures of red, gold and white sewed into them. Concealing his face was a red and gold mask. Hawk's fists clenched in agitation. He had to wait for his chance to sprint out the tavern and blend with the crowd, not exchange more words. With little patience, Hawk shortened his story and, assuming the man had overheard his entire conversation with the Human, knew where to meet.

"Pleasure doin' business." Hawk tossed a bag of coins to Human. She smiled widely.

"A pleasure indeed."

"Alright, now scram. Don' need anyone seein' you wit' me." A blue hand gestured towards any other way but his. The human complied and walked off, counting the gold in the sack. Out of the crowd came the curious Elf. Hawk held up a hand to him before he could speak.

"Lis'en up, Elf. I don't enjoy givin' my gold away. But I'm assuming you want gold or else ya gonna squeal. I ain't a damned charity, but 'ere." Hawk untied a satchel of gold from his waste and tossed it at the Blood Elf. Much to the Gladiator's confusion, he let the gold simply bounce off him. The Elf glared at Hawk.

"Like I'd want your charity you mud rolling Troll! All I want is information." Hawk began to like this Elf. That is, until he stabbed his staff into the bag of coins, which soon began to sizzle with heat. The bastard was melting his cash! "Do you know about Zul'drak?"

"... Dat's in Nort'rend."

"Correct. Now, I understand that the Trolls there don't like your kind. What I want to know is, do they still speak your language? And where is Zul'drak?" Hawk thought the Elf was joking, but it turns out he was being serious. With a shrug he answered the questions.

"Ya, all Trolls speak Zandali... and las' time I saw a Nort'rend map, it was east of Dalaran. You look like a mage considerin' ya burnin' my money." Hawk's voice rose for a moment with vexation, but he soon calmed. "Jus' teleport dere and travel east..."

"Thanks." The Elf simply walked off. Was that really it? All he wanted to know? Hawk guessed he should be counting his luck, because he had the feeling there won't be much more coming. He got onto the ship docked in Ratchet.

It was time to get back in game.

(( Long post is long! I had no idea it would take up so much room. If you read it all, you win 3 cookies.

I also think I should note:
Kat was the one who freed him.
Zariel was the one who burnt the precious monies.
Terant was Terant. My thanks to them! ))

[Hawk]

A sigh escaped from Hawk as he leant over the railing. His chest slowly moving in and out under his steady breathing. A faint, reminiscent smile surfaced on his face as he felt the spray of the sea and the cries of seagulls flying over him. He traced a finger across the worn wood and glanced around the ship, noticing how it was nearly empty. But suddenly it hit him - there was very little people boarding this vessel, and usually trips from and to Booty Bay were packed. He took note of the passengers, peering at their extravagant and well made clothing. These were obviously important people. He felt so out of place, and he could already tell they had no combat experience, and they had little more than 3 body guards on them, clearly underestimating what pirates are capable of.Then he saw him. The Tauren who enslaved him. He was looking around the ship - for Hawk - and he was soaking wet. It looks as if the woman he bribed drew him to the water, and whilst Hawk was strolling across the pier, he saw him and climbed into the ship, ready to ambush him. Hawk sure as hell wasn't jumping off the ship, and he knew without a doubt that the Tauren was letting him go easy. It turns out this Tauren had a name which he overheard from one of the passengers: Krolkai.

Hawk slowly drew his swords and smiled coldly. This would feel good. He didn't care if some would find it cowardice to kill him in one blow from behind, this bastard deserved a dishonourable death. He waited until Krolkai was looking inside the cargo before casually walking behind him with as little noise he could muster. Once behind him, he tapped the Tauren on the shoulder. Krolkai grunted as he turned around, ready to insult the person for disturbing his important search. But he found what he was looking for, and his eyes widened a little.

"You..." He said angrily. Hawk still had the smile.
"Aye, me." He replied before driving one of the scimitars into the Tauren's gut with enough force and strength to make it stick through the other side. Krolkai let out a groan in pain, blood dripping out of his mouth. Hawk let the blade remain inside his stomach as he grabbed and threw him into the mast. There were a few gasps of horror and even a scream from behind him, but the Gladiator's thirst for vengeance made them fall upon deaf ears. He gripped his other sword with both hands firmly on the hilt, pointing the blade face down. He rose the sword and brought it down into the Tauren's chest, skewering his lungs. Hawk paused as for a moment as Krolkai was still living, but helpless. Leant in and whispered in his ear.

"You people will pay fo' dis... fo' tryin' to kill me, beat me, humiliate me and make me fail in my goal... you chose de wrong man to meddle wit." And with the haunting speech he took a single pace back and then ripped both weapons out from the Tauren's flesh, breaking a few ribs. He then flung both of the bloody steel edges towards Krolkai's neck, the blades singing as they crossed over each other and they met their destination. The defeated Tauren collapsed in a headless heap, the head rolling away from it's former body. Hawk placed a foot onto the severed head to stop it's escape, then stomped onto it in fury, breaking it in half. The passengers looked utterly petrified and stared at Hawk with fearful eyes. Now he felt how the other half of his audience felt. He heard the sound of fast-paced footsteps storming up the stairs. Turns out they had more mercenaries on board. But luckily for Hawk, mercs have very little moral issues with anything and after explaining the situation, they continued to let him stay on board after finding how who he was. And some 'shinies'.

Once arriving in Booty Bay, Hawk was dying for a drink like most people in Booty Bay. It was that moment that he saw an old friend standing near the edge: Zealaya. They got off to a... 'bumpy' start, to say the least, but eventually Hawk used his skills in persuasion to make her see he wasn't a bad guy. They eventually formed a friendship, and in truth, Hawk had a little bit of a crush on her. But hell if he was going to admit it. He smirked as he approached her.

"'ey dere." He called, which in turn made her jump slightly. She turned to him and smiled.

"Hawk! I haven't seen you in so..." She stopped and inspected Hawk. "What happened to you?"

"It's a long story... le's go sit down." The pair made their way into the tavern. Zealaya brought Hawk a mug of rum, which made him grin that she remembered. He took several swigs of rum before telling his story, speaking in Zandali.

"Alright, Zealaya... I'm not quite sure what to say, because I don't even know how this happened. It started when I finished my trials that my Battlemaster set me... after we came out, we were ambushed by Skullsplitter Trolls. Managed to fend them off despite having no armour and knuckle dusters." Like many men around attractive women, he made himself seem more impressive. He was telling the truth as well, which made it even better. Whether or not it worked, he didn't know, but he carried on the story. "I get back to the arena and rest, then suddenly Ogres come along and arrest me. As I'm being dragged out, I hear my manager yell that he never ordered a transfer and that someone else moved me. So, I'm a slave for a while. With some bribery I managed to get free and get the hell out of Ratchet. Now, here I am."

Hawk gripped the handle of the mug and drank all of it down before slamming it onto the table.

[Hawk]

(( I got a virus from trying to get a picture from this prestige post. Pictures of parchment = evil, kids ))

Moments passed. Hawk and Zealaya continued speaking until another Troll came in and sat himself next to Zealaya. He went by the name of Kaz, and for some reason he seemed very familiar, but couldn't quite place where he saw him from. He was a little shorter than Hawk with a strong build. He donned mostly green armour and used a metal staff as a walking aid, which the Gladiator soon realised it was for his damaged foot. Judging from the several scratches and other similar marks on the staff, he could tell that it was used for more than just supporting him. Out of the corner of Hawk's eye he noticed a Human with a large sack of letters around his shoulder. He was a delivery man who was a bit on the short side and had curly blonde hair. He wore dull brown overalls and had a cap sitting atop his head. Hawk suddenly had a plan spark in his head, and he only had a limited time to execute it. Just like in Ratchet. He turned his head to Zealaya and Kaz and nodded at them.

"'scuse me for a momen'... I gotta go make some arrangements..." He said before standing out of his chair. At that moment, the Human stood up as well and paid the waitress, who's rear was admired by the delivery boy as she walked away. Hawk made his way through the tavern and then through the crowd as he left the tavern, eventually catching up to the Human, who found out his name to be 'Ronald' after seeing his name tag.

"'You! Wait up!" Hawk called to him. Ronald stopped before turning around, blinking at the large Troll approaching him.

"Yes? What can I do ya for?" He asked with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Are ya goin' to de Gurubashi Arena on ya way?" Hawk replied. Ronald nodded slowly.

"Sure am. Need another letter delivered?" A look of confusion spread like wildfire as the stranger plucked the pen resting in his chest pocket and stole a sheet of parchment from the bag. Hawk scribbled briefly on the parchment and tucked the pen back into Ronald's pocket, afterwards hanging the folded sheet of parchment.

"You'll be takin' dis to Sniks Broadpocket or Mosh'grokk. Off ya go." Hawk shooed Ronald away, who complied with his order without a pause. As the Human went away, he began to whistle a tune, but he noticed he wasn't heading out of Booty Bay - he was walking towards an alley. With a narrowed eye in thought he decided to follow him, weaving his way through the crowd. He saw Ronald with a pale blue glow igniting in his hands and muttering an incantation. Suddenly, he was gone. I suppose it would make sense for a delivery boy to get to where he needed to go quickly, but why would a Mage waste his powers on such a menial profession?

Meanwhile at Gurubashi...

Ran'falah rubbed his temple with a pair of two pale fingers. He was sat in front of a recently varnished desk, the shine from the wood seemingly making the room seem a lot lighter. His foot was tapping against the floor impatiently, and his eyes stared at a door. He was waiting for something, or someone, to arrive. Beside him was a burly Orc who wore a previously white vest, but was now stained in booze, sweat and blood. His trousers were dirty and tattered and didn't cling onto him too well. His hands were clasped together and held behind his back, and his fingers occasionally ran across the tip of a wicked two handed scimitar strapped to his muscular frame. His eyes too were staring at the door. He too was waiting for something, or someone, to arrive. After a moment, the silence was broken by the Elf.

"You didn't need to wait for him to arrive." As the Elf said this, he was met with a scowl.

"Of course I do. Everything you've done to try rid us of this pest has failed. Seems I have to do this myself..." The Orc grumbled. As Ran'falah went to speak, the Orc held up a hand towards him, a gesture for him to be silenced. The Elf slumped into his chair as the Orc leant across his desk. "Unless you've forgotten that he managed to escape from slavery in the very moment Krolkai was distracted, according to my sources. He was then killed by this Troll who didn't even notice him on the ship until his final moments. Whether this Troll is very strong or just plain lucky is out of the question. Lucky for you however, I don't make the same mistake twice."

Suddenly a pale blue light appeared in the room. Out of the dust stood a man disguised as a delivery boy wearing brown overalls, with curly blonde hair and a cap. He dropped the sack onto the floor and nodded towards the pair. The Orc spoke first.

"Did you manage to see Goretalon?" The Orc questioned. 'Ronald' just smirked.

"Even better. The idiot though I was an actual delivery guy. He told me to give him this to manager." The man clothed in the facade passed across a folded sheet of parchment. Ran'falah went to reach for it, but a hand much bigger and menacing than his own intercepted it. His eyes scanned what was written after unfolding.

"I'm on my way."

"Send word to the compound to ambush him. It'll look as if he was just a normal traveller being attacked, and people will be none the wiser. You've done us well. Let's hope you'll be useful in the future."

[Hawk]

"Hm. Looks like a Troll...." A male Human with a black helmet on his head began speaking into a built-in walkie talkie as he knelt over Hawk's body, his concealed eyes examining him with a machine-like focus.

"We got a male Troll here. Roughly seven foot four and weighing at over two-hundred and seventy pounds, found unconscious and armed, sustained moderate head injuries. Missing eye, blue dreadlocks, black armour. Looks middle aged, and can handle himself.”

“How do you know?” A voice responded.

“'cause he's got a ton of scars for one thing!” The Human exclaimed. He had his finger held over roughly where the microphone so he could hear the voice easier. Little did he was not the only one who was trying to listen in.

“Bring him to HQ. We may be able to use him. Now, I have other matters to attend to. Maintain radio silence on all channels.” The voice said this quickly, and static soon followed. The Human sighed as he pressed a button on the side of the helmet, and now silence followed the noise.

“Great. More work to do…” The man said to himself softly, the lack of enthusiasm in his voice seemed to fit him like a missing puzzle piece. Suddenly he froze as he heard the voice of a gun clicking, and his eyes fell upon the barrel of a pistol. The gun was being held by a middle-aged Troll with a missing eye and blood dripping down his face and a harsh glare across his weary face. He looked as if he could handle himself, and that was true.

“Funny, I be t'inking dah same…” The gladiator growled. He pressed the gun further against the man's head. “Who a' ya an' why you be talkin' me to yah headquartahs…?”

“My name is Laurence Gale. I don't know why my employer wants you delivered. I just found you're here! I swear!” The Human stuttered occasionally as he spoke. This man was not prepared for death… something Hawk envied. Hawk was indeed prepared for what some perceive as the end, but he always found himself in situations where people would try to stop him achieving his dream. To be free until his dying breath. Whatever he wanted to do, he had more barriers. More obstacles. And whoever this man was, he would be one of those obstacles. He was about to pull the trigger and the Human's life, but then another gun was present – and it wasn't one that helped him. A female Blood Elf was holding a rifle at his head. But before she had a chance to even tell him to put down his gun, Hawk grasped onto the barrel of the rifle and pried it free from her delicate hands, then swung it in a concussive uppercut. The Elf's alarmed face had blood drawn from her forehead and she fell onto her back, sinking into darkness.

Hawk got onto his feet with shaky legs, the blow to his skull having made him lose some feeling in his limbs. Laurence Gale had some hope in his mind that this Troll was going to let him live, but sadly he was mistaken. Hawk took off Laurence's helmet and put the gun to the back of his trembling head. Birds rapidly flapped their wings as they fled in fear from the loud gunshot, and more fled after the second, which was at the Elf who was just about to do the same. It seemed Hawk would miss his appointment with ‘headquarters'

Suddenly he heard the sound of… conversation?

Who the hell would be out here?

His question would be answered by a group of Orcs, donning a raiment he hadn't seen before. He was spotted, along with the two corpses next to him. The group of five circled around Hawk. At first they looked suspicious, but now they had a wide grin their face and one of them, who was assumingly their commander, gave him a hard pat on the back.

“Lok'tar, Troll! I see you have found the spies that we've been tracking for the past hour!” he exclaimed boldly. Hawk blinked.

“Spies..? Spies fo' what…?” The Orcish Commander let out a displeased grunt to confused Gladiator's question.

“They are a group who wish to steal the Crater and mine it's minerals. We are attempting to stop them destroying the earth with their foul machines… you have helped us, my friend. Come!” A plated hand beckoned Hawk to him, and he hesitantly followed. Before he could ask where, the Orc had more to say. “I can tell you've not journeyed here willingly… you don't have any supplies, food or water, or even bags.

“You good…” Hawk chuckled. “So, where we goin'?”

“The Earthshaker Hold, home to the Earthshaker Clan.” The Orc said, pride filled in his commanding voice. Hawk nodded traveled with them to the Hold. His legs were aching when he finally arrived, and his stomach was growling at him. After being told to help himself to food, he quite literally did and ate until he was about to burst. The food here was much better than the food at Gurubashi. As the days went pass, Hawk began to accompany more Earthshakers on missions in return for giving him food and welcome hospitality. He soon learnt that there were more than industrial-obsessed tyrants attempting to lord themselves over the lands' natives – Warlocks too lurked in the crater, dwelling in their caves and corrupting those who met them. Hawk preferred this much more to the arena. He could now see what Mosh'grokk was training him to become, and it was sure as hell welcomed.

For now though, Hawk had a favour to return. He knew who he was fighting for, but not who he was fighting against.

[Hawk]

(( I had to rewrite this! Stupid Internet Explorer making me lose my work... ))

In the dark obsidian caverns of the gorge, the only thing lighting the way were the pools of molten lava, swirling around the edges and bubbling from the intense heat. This was the way Hawk was marching down, however he wasn't alone. With him was the Earthshaker Clan, along with it's Chieftain personally attending, Kretol Earthshaker. Also here were the Bloodsworn Honorguard. He had heard stories of their feats, and he was impressed. He had considered joining them at some point, but Hawk wasn't a military man. With the Earthshaker's Chieftain and such a renown group of Horde warriors present, he figured that this final battle would be easier than he first thought.

He had no idea what he would be expecting.

As he stepped further and further through the gorge, the more corpses there were littered around him, their blood almost taking shape of a cobblestone path that Humans tend to favour. Both Earthshaker, acolyte and demon were all meeting the same end under the same motive: to destroy each other. Around the corner, he heard more sounds of battle, along with the roar of a dragon and it's beating wings keeping it airbourne. As the eager warriors approached, the warlock perched atop the drake gestured for them to come closer.

"LET US FINISH THIS, KRETOL!" he bellowed over the beating heart of battle and began to assault the group with both fel fire and blackened shadow. Hawk was one of the first to feel the burn of the foul magic, yelling as he felt the flames gnaw at his flesh. With a snarl he shook off the pain and loaded his rifle, firing two rounds at the Orc. The first missed, but the second managed to bite into his shoulder. As the fight went one, the drake's wing was caught ablaze by the crackles of lightning and it was forced to land. The Chieftain Kretol was the first to act. Letting out a deep roar he bounded towards the drake, each step he took seemingly having the rage of earth storming behind him. The drake's head was severed from it's scaley frame within the blink of an eye, taking Hawk by surprise was he watched for a moment in awe at the display of strength.

As he began to regain focus and advance, he felt a portal trembling the ground beneath him. He turned around, as did many others, and out of the vortex came a colossal beast that didn't seem to be from this world. At least, that's what Hawk thought. It stood at over 30 feet tall and had a canine-like body, alongwith two heads and countless eyes. The earth began to tremble beneath it under any movement it did. Hawk drew his pistols and fired at the eyes, seeing as how his swords would only leave scratches against it's massive limbs, no matter how powerful the strike. The creature barely flinched, even as two of it's eyes were shot off, and began to cause rocks to fall from above. Many were trapped under the rocks, including Hawk. He felt his chest begin to collapse under the weight and clenched his jaw as he used all his strength to lift it off. As he laid down and got his breath back, his eyes fell upon 3 lone Orcs fighting the Warlock overlord. One of them was Kretol, the other two were from the Bloodsworn. Their leader, Kathorg Gorehallow, and his Warmaster, Draknir Blackeye.

Eventually the creature fell, and all that remained was the Warlock and his miniature core hounds. Well, miniature compared to the previous monster that was summoned. The one who seemed to be doing the most damage at first glance was Draknir, who's rage was greater than that or any others who were present. He let out a long bellow before charging, blocking an assault of shadow before skewering his chest, but he was far from dead yet. He staggered back and coughed up blood, but the Warmaster wasn't holding back. He advanced further, as he ran splitting open the side of a fel core hound and then chopping off the warlock's arm. Finally, he met his end under Kretol's hand. Draknir spat on the corpse.

"May you seek no rest in death, Uncle..." he growled before stomping away after spitting on his corpse.

The battle was over. One of the factions plaguing the Crater was no more, and despite his rather small role, Hawk felt somewhat proud that he was present for it. Whilst the other Orcs were busy having deep talks and saying whatever they wanted to say, Hawk took the drake head with a shrug, and took one of the polearms left by a minion and impaled it. May as well get a souveneir, after all.

Hawk's next destination was Ratchet. After a few hours rest and packing some food, he began to long, tiring journey back. On foot. Once his food had ran out, he found himself actively hunting beasts and sleeping under trees. A part of him enjoyed this, but he soon got bored and continued the trek. He let out a groan of exhaustion as he finally arrived in the giant port town, and grabbed some rum that he was desperate for. He got some rather strange looks for the drake's head on a pike that he was carrying, but he didn't care. As he entered, he saw a strange Troll woman asking for Human's clothes. She kept pestering a Human until he gave him, relinquishing his ownership over his boot. As Hawk gave a look of confusion, the woman approached him with a wide grin and spoke in Zandali.

"Fucking tourists will do anything. So fair I've gotten two gloves, a cape and some boots." It became abundantly clear that she had no need for these clothes, she was just getting kicks out of conning people out of their clothes. Hawk laughed, something he hadn't done in a while.

"Humans are gullible. Elves, too. But hell, you've got one stylish soup to be prepared." he said with a grin, which the Troll returned. "So, what's your name?"

"Anski." she said with a smile. "You?"

"Mokaku. Or Hawk, or even Goretalon. Take your pick." Hawk replied with a smirk. Anski paused.

"Wait. -The- Gladiator Hawk?" She questioned. Hawk was taken back by this. Someone actually asking him to confirm his identity? This either meant something wonderful, that he was known, or something horrible, that he was being hunted yet again. Being a sucker for impressing women however, Hawk went for the former.

"Yeah. You know me?" The moment of truth! ... Sort of. But Hawk was eager to hear some good news about himself, considering his luck as of late.

"Well, yeah! Every Troll in their right mind knows who you are! You're a Gladiator of the Gurubashi!" she exclaimed. Hawk's ego, meanwhile, already inflated, and he had a wide grin stuck to his face. But he was genuinely surprised that he was known. He thought himself as just one of those Gladiators who are fairly known, but not famous."Loads of people were wondering where you went. Last I heard from Orcs, you were imprisoned."

Oh boy. Now there were rumours about him. Hawk couldn't resist telling her his story, which was one of the things he loved doing most. However generous he may be in some cases, he's always been a man who enjoys praise a bit too much. Not so much to go chasing it, but enough not to pass up an opportunity. The flattered Gladiator decided to invite Anski to a drink as he told the story. He had told it to a fair amount of people, so by this point he had even modified it a little to make him sound more impressive, or added in parts which just made it more interesting to hear. Anski began listening intently as they each drunk down their booze. Every so often she'd ask a question, and Hawk never failed to answer. His ego aside though, Hawk actually began to have a liking for her - and not that kind. Her words almost made life seem a lot better than he perceived it to be, and it made Hawk realise that he might be getting some good luck for once. Although he didn't say it out loud, he appreciated her company.

As they went their seperate ways, Hawk sincerely hoped he would meet her again. Forgetting about the compliments, she was great to talk to, and apparently she watches his matches, so perhaps they would. For now though, Hawk would get some well deserved rest and take his next step - the Gurubashi. And by the Loa, it was not going to be pleasant.

(( A big thanks to Anski for increasing Hawk's ego sevenfold, and making some lulz. I'm hoping that I didn't make her come off as just some fangirl, though. ))

[Hawk]

Hawk arrived at the Salty Sailor tavern. When he arrived, he met up with several Goblins that he previously did business with. With plent of time toreturn to the arena, he played a few hands of poker. He lost some, he won some. He ended up with roughly the same amount of gold he came in with, except for the bottles of rum that he ordered. Hawk glanced out the window. It was sundown. Now was the time to move. He would be engulfed in black shrouds this night, an old man hooded and cloaked. He couldn't just walk along without some form of disguise, considering each time he attempted to take the road he would be ambushed. Grasped in his large, strong hands was the spear he collected from the fight with the drake, along with it's bloody head sitting atop the blade. He left the Bay with all haste, quickening his pace in a jog.

When he reached the gate, a small smile tugged on his lips as he gazed up at the massive gates of the Gurubashi. As his eyes slowly came back down to head for the entrance, his face twisted into a daggering glare. As he walked through, he threw off the robes, revealing his coal black plate rainment, who had received some scars like it's owner. As other people saw him, whispers of his arrival spread like wildfire. Some widened their eyes at his presence, others point at him. But his ears and eye paid them no attention as his unwavering focus was drawn elsewhere. He marched onward to the gladiator's quarters beneath the arena and kicked the door open with a calloused foot. Some of the gladiators recognised this Troll and stood to greet him. Upon hearing the sudden noise, Mosh'grokk rose from his seat to see who had arrived. As he stood, as did Snik's and Hawk's arena team. They all stared in disbelief as they watched Hawk plant the drake's head next to the collection of other prized beast trophies. Hawk smirked.

"Miss me...?"

One hour later...

Sniks, Mosh'grokk and Hawk were sitting around a table with a cackling fire in the background. It was silent save for Hawk's chomping of chicken wings and gulps of rum taken. It had been a long journey, it was only fair he was given time to get his strength. Mosh'grokk frowned as he stared into the middle of the table.

"Word that you've returned has spread quickly. And of course, there'll be some other plot to get you out of the picture - again - because now you'll get even more attention to yourself. If we follow Ran'falah, he'll lead us to who he's getting his orders from, and then we can kill him there and then. A rat will always lead you to it's hole." The pair before him nodded.

"I'll be on look out. I'll get ya some radios, then I'll tell ya when he's leaving the arena." Sniks added, Hawk nodded in approval.

"Good... it'll be good t' finally kill dese basta'ds..." He said with a growl.

"So it's settled. Goretalon, you should get some rest... we've a bloody day ahead of us. It would be wise to be fully recovered."

Sunrise...

The grizzled Orc shook Hawk gruffly and woke him up.

"Time t' go?" He asked tiredly, rubbing his eye free of sleep.

"No. Not yet... there is something I would like to show you."A hand gestured towards an adorned cabinet that was a few feet away. Hawk was confused, but followed him anyway. Mosh'grokk opened the cabinet and showed him a pair of swords. "These were handed down to me by my general as a reward of loyalty after losing my arm, as well as other standard rewards. I did not understand why he would give me two blades to wield when I didn't have two hands to possess them, and even now I do not know. However, I know that you would put them to much better use than I... take them, Goretalon, and may you sew terror wherever you fight your enemies and bring glory to our world."

Hawk was speechless as he hesitantly grasped onto the swords and took them from their resting place. They were pretty large in length, and yet they were light for their size. They were made from one of the strongest metals and had a silvery blue hue to them. Skulls were forged into the hilt, and at the end of the handle was some sort of pale, sharpened white gem. As he inspected them, he caught his reflection in them and looked to his Battlemaster. The Orc nodded slowly at him as if to say 'you deserved them'. Before thanks could be shared, Hawk's radio crackled with static, and then a shrill Goblin voice pierced the silence.

"GORETALON! Come in? This is Sniks here! Do you read, over?!"

"Yah, I heard you. Found Ran'falah?"

"Yeah! He's heading out! Get'cher asses here!"

2 hours later...

The trio stalked Ran'falah with as much subtlety as they had, and watched them arrived at a random house in the middle of the jungle. How long as this place been here? Hawk thought he knew Stranglethorn inside out, but apparently not. They watched as Ran'falah spoke with an Orc who looks strangely similar to Mosh'grokk. He didn't look too pleased. Whilst he was distacted with his anger, the trio had already burst through the door. Ran'falah and the Orc looked shocked. Hawk was the first to speak.

"You. Me. Arena match... NOW."

[Hawk]

"You have quite the Gladiator with you, brother..." the olive skinned Orc said, his eyes preying on Mosh'grokk, who remained silent. Hawk and Sniks looked to each other with a raised brow, but Hawk looked to Orc. His eyes widened... he knew who he was. Krohn'gar was his name... and he was the very same Orc who had the gun pointed at his head years ago at the shores of Stranglethorn. When he had lost everything he held dear, his ship and crew, and was bleeding on the shore, he was the one who was about to take whatever remained of his life. He was rescued by the Bruisers of Booty Bay who were close by... but he had never forgotten that face. The cold grin as his thumb flicked back the safety trigger had remained scarred in his conscious.

"It takes one pirate tah kill anot'er..." Hawk said, anger in his voice as he walked towards the table and met Krohn'gar eye to eye. The rest of the group remained silent, no one knowing what to even say to one another when it became clear these two had history.

"Indeed it does, Captain Hawk. Or 'The Bloodsail Butcher', as we used to call you. It is a shame that I didn't kill you there and then whilst you bled with that dagger in your gut. Helpless. Weak. All my problems you've given me would never have existed, and I wouldn't be standing here talking to a Troll who simply... won't... die."

"You destroyed everyt'ing I had dat day... I left dat shore as a lifeless shell... but t'ings are different. You'll die by MY hand. You'll lose everyt'ing you've gained, and I'll look down on your bleedin' corpse and smile... dese are my Promises." Hawk said darkly. Both he and Krohn'gar stared at each other as the leant in towards each other.

"Then it's settled... I'll finish what I should have done years ago... we will meet in the arena, and I'll prove you're just a pirate who gets too damned lucky..."

Hawk spat at the Orc's feet before turning around, Mosh'grokk and Sniks followed behind him. The finale drew near...

2 hours later...

Mosh'grokk and Krohn'gar sat face to face with each other, emotionless as they stared at each other.

"It has been too long, brother."Krohn'gar said calmly.

"I simply came to perform what our father has always told us to do. I hope you have at least had the respect not to deny our father's wishes. You know of which one I speak, yes?"

"No. I have not, little brother. I will not dishonour our father, whatever you may think of me. We are brothers..." As they said this, they each pulled out a bottle of alcohol and passed it to each other. They both unbottled the cork with their teeth and rose them to each other, and they spoke in unison, as if it had been repeated a thousand times over.

"We who are about to battle 'til our dying breath salute each other, as both warriors and brothers, and pray to the spirits our blood spilled is for just causes, in the name of our ancestors and our generations to come. No matter what betrayal has come before us, we shall respect each other as brothers, and keep them in our memory." They clanged the bottles together and drank heavily from them, slamming them onto the table before them and wiping their lips free of moisture. Mosh'grokk stood wordlessly and made his way out of the room. Krohn watched with a wide grin as he saw his brother leave...



Hawk stood alone in the arena, the roars of the crowd the loudest he had ever heard. People were throwing gold and trinkets into the arena sands as they cheered for the person they wanted to win. He stood motionless, fearless and bloodthirty as he leant on his swords which were stabbed into the sand. His eye was staring at only one place - the gate in which his enemy will walk out of. There was no commentator this time either, as this was no normal arena match. Slowly, the gates opened, and there stood Krohn'gar... but he wasn't alone. The coward also had Ran'falah with him, who was already charging a felfire bolt. Hawk growled as he dug his new blades out of the sands and spun them. But then he heard the landing of a thud behind him. It was Mosh'grokk, but he looked tired and pale, and not at all suitable for combat, though he had his blade drawn regardless. The odds were evened.

"I didn't know he would get his pet with him as well... I decided to arrange for myself to enter as well. I will keep my brother off you, you take care of the Elf. Then he's all yours..."

Suddenly, the battle sprung to life. Hawk broke into a fierce charge into the Blood Elf, ignoring the felfire bolt that soared past his head. He tossed a crystal onto the sands before Hawk could get near him, and a felhound burst out of it and pounced onto the Troll. His rage however, would prove superior. As he held up his wrist to let the plate armour absorb the demon's bite, he skewered the beast in the side. It yelped as it rolled off Hawk and writhed in pain. It was stabbed once more in the neck before the Blood Elf now had the Troll's attention. He frantically launched more bolts of fire in Hawk's direction, but his feeling of fear caused him to be quite inaccurate. Hawk lept over a final wave of shadow before slicing open the Elf's chest.

He staggered back and yelled in agony as the blade cut deep into his flesh, blood flowing rapidly. A foot was sent into his chest and Ran'falah was on his back. Desperate to survive he tried to cast a spell, but his breathing was cut short when he was lifted off the ground by his neck and strangled. The Elf flailed about helplessly like a fish in a neck as he attempted to have Hawk relinquish his hold, but his grip was deadly. Eventually, the life was choked out of him.

(( Music! ))

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86f_U_q4SFg[/youtube]

He grinned as he got revenge, but there was still some to be dealt. He dropped Ran'falah, letting him crumple into a heap. His eyes were still wide open from fear as he lived his final moments, the suffocation allowing darkness to fall before him. As Hawk turned towards Krohn'gar, his grin faded, and his facial expression turned to that of pure horror as he watched Mosh'grokk cough up blood and fall to a knee. He then heard what seemed to be final words, but it was just gurgles and he was too far away to hear them clearly.

"Coward... poisoned..." he whispered before collapsing onto the floor, blood dripping from his mouth. He was a fool to believe his brother had changed, even for their beloved father. He was and forever will be a traitor, a coward, who simply brought in Ran'falah so he could kill his own flesh and blood. For Hawk, it almost seemed as if time had slowed down, and all the other sounds around him had faded from existence. The person who had given Hawk the most faith and trust in his life was now gone. Krohn severed his bleeding head and spat onto his brother's corpse and looked to his next opponent with a cruel grin, then began laughing as he saw the look of devastation on his face. He heard the laughter echo and ring in his mind like funeral bells. His heart felt as if it was in his throat, and he stared at his Battlemaster's cold, dead corpse.

Hawk began to feel the rage growing inside, and it roared within him like fire. He let out a terrifying bellow and plummeted towards the murderer and swung furiously, pure rage had taken over him. He had no control, no second thoughts, his mind was only set on that to kill. The Orc, though weakened, was still a worthy foe. And dodged and blocked most of Hawk's wild assault and landed a few of his own, but this Troll had transformed into an animal. The battle was long and tense, and the cheering crowd were completely forgotten within the blaze of sparks and rampaging limbs. Krohn punched Hawk in the face, causing him to stagger back from the force of the blow, but he stood his ground. He slashed open the Orc's thigh and then headbutted him in the nose, then slamming the hilt of the blade against neck.


Hawk finally began to get the upperhand. He spun about sharply, letting Krohn fall forward into Hawk's blade and goring open his shoulder. He defended against a vicious counter attack and threw the attacker away, slicing his hand off cleanly. Krohn howled in pain and continued to do so as he felt his torso skewered, and then his back. It had all been happening in an instant, and his life hung by a thread that was soon to snap under Hawk's fierce tenacity. He let the Orc fall to a knee and clutch as his bleeding wounds, looking up to the Troll that was about to kill him. With a final roar he decapitated Krohn'gar with a single, powerful blow.

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBUiu_m70KQ[/youtube]

Heavy breaths escaped from Hawk as he watched the head roll off the Orc's shoulder and fall to the sands. The roars of the crowd soon became apparent to him. They rose and rose like a storm. Their voice was the thunder, and their arms were the lightning. As the veterans of war say, great victory comes with great sacrifice. He knelt beside Mosh'grokk's corpse and spoke in his native tongue.

"You have my thanks, my friend... The Loa will watch over you. You will not be forgotten... I take these blades you gave to me to seal these Promises..."

Hawk's journey had come to an end. He was now a Gladiator until his dying breath.



(( I'm happy to announce that prestige storyline was 20,832 words long and was 41 pages on Microsoft Word. I had a GREAT time writing this, and it only made it better than people were actually reading it and enjoyed it aswell. So thanks a lot, guys! I appreciate it. If you want to comment or anything, feel free, but otherwise this thread will remain here. ))