I have never met a being willing to profess fear in the darkness. They each trust in the spark of light within them, warmth and protection from the cold of the shadow.
They openly stand out against those who reside in the dark, willingly draw weapons to crush we who they call heretics. The light uses destruction to walk the path of domination.
Yet, I have heard the ones who bask in the Light, who walk that very path to darkness' destruction claim that both are two sides of our existence. That like the Naaru that brings light only to decay into darkness everything holds this duality.
Then why... Why is it that they constantly crusade against the dark? This was the question I asked myself, restless for what seemed like eons. It was then that another came, a man who knew the corridors of the dark well, who could make them talk and spill their secrets. To him I asked this very question and from him I received my first valid response.
"It is not that they fear the darkness... It is not that they hate it or desire its destruction. Their own nightmares are what they try to rid the world of. Those dark dreams surround themselves in shadow, walk hidden in veils that cannot be pierced.
They wish to destroy what lurks within the darkness... And so they push further into the smoke and shadows that they do not understand. That they can never understand when only seeking to clear the world of the unknown. You my friend are that unknown... you embody their nightmares."
From that day on I never wondered why my fate was to be hunted. Because I basked in the shadows instead of in the light. The stranger however did not allow my mere acceptance of the fact. He spoke again... and from his mouth came truth and a promise...
The Never Ending Path of a Heretic
Sagi walked through the barren plain, leaving behind him a small group of brown, tauren tents. Winds whipped at his sides making its clothing flutter on his body. Both Sagi's of hands rested in his pockets, spiked staff slung over his back, hat tipped down on his head. His head turned at the sound of metal as it repeatedly slapped against stone. Sagi stopped.
There's another coming... It must be him again.
Spoiler:
"Come my children, my Shu'halo! We have journeyed for long, took many casualties on our path... But we are almost there now. Can you see it, can you see those glorious forests up ahead? The sun shines down on our pilgrimage! We must only continue to walk forward."
The sound of the metal stopped. Sagi saw the stranger clearly, covered in saronite plates, the greatsword of the Ebon Blade in his hands. From him came the stench of death, and hidden within his helm was the face of a Forsaken.
Sagi reached over to grab the staff on his back, bringing it into his hands, "Xeonart. Your chase never ends. Tell me, do you plan for this to be the finale? Or should I expect that you will be unable to defeat me and we will meet again?"
Spoiler:
"We are almost there Shu'halo! I have guided you thus far, away from destruction and death. Can you smell the freshness of the air, feel the warmth of the sun as we approach our new home. Fought hard we have, but paradise is on its way!"
Xeonart gripped his runeblade tightly, only his cold blue eyes visible through the saronite helm. His blade glowed as the icy runes lit up before he scattered blasts of ice all around, shards flying toward the night elf. Without wasting any time Xeonart charged forward as well, his blade coming down on the spot where the shards where to fall.
When the runeblade my contact it slammed through ice into the dirt. The knight raised his head, scanning quickly. Then he turned his sword to the right, it meeting Sagi's staff, forcefully parrying it away.
The night elf felt his body shake from the power of the deflection, staggering backwards. He saw Xeonart's runes light up again and shook his head, "Is that really all you can do Knight?" Then, Sagi reached up to his hat with a gloved hand, tipping it down before illusion cast over him, making him fade away, out of sight.
Spoiler:
As the tauren approached his paradise his eyes widened. What was once beautiful decayed before his eyes. All that was green died. The waters dull and dirty with blood, the corpses of his brothers lay surrounding him, the bones of his children buried beneath the ground. He stared up and even the once glorious sun started to decay, its orange gleam turning into a fiery red ball, casting the look of apocalypse around him.
"Why... where has my paradise gone... when did my brothers fall? What god leaves the leader to survive... when the people have already faded and the lands dried up."
The tauren clenched in hands into fists, tears streaming from his eyes. The great red sun focused its rays upon him, and his very skin started to boil. "Why do I feel this... burning rage?" Darkness started to rise from his body, the shadow of his nightmares overclouding him.
Xeonart cursed out before slamming his runeblade into the ground, unholy energy discharging through it. "I know your tricks. Your illusions do not last forever and in this desolate plain I can see you wherever you run." From the ground rose the corpses of tauren buried underneath, each slain in battle. As Sagi faded back into existence they found and surrounded him, each with only one task, mindless slaughter.
Sagi frowned, placing the bottom of his staff on the ground as he looked from each corpse to the next. Then, Xeonart entered the circle, "It is over kaldorei."
Sagi opened his mouth to speak but instead was interrupted by screams, coming from the tents he left earlier. The night elf smirked, "Its never over..." Xeonart, distracted gave Sagi all the time he needed. The night elf made his body discolor and disperse, a cloud of pure shadow rushing away, carried off by the wind.
Xeonart cursed out, removing his helm before pointing at his undead, "Follow him and end him." The group of servants went off but the forsaken shook his head, "They will not get far." Then he headed down into the group of tents, where the yelling had only intensified.
When Xeonart arrived he saw slaughter. One tauren raged through his brothers, hacking at them constantly with a hefty axe. Constantly he yelled, "I burn.. I burn!" With anger he killed his kin, each unable to lift a finger, only to stare at him helpless and confused.
The death knight adjusted his metal jaw, clamping it shut. Runes from his blade glowed before it held out a hand, "For slaughter of your allies in the Horde I denounce you betrayer. Feel the justice that only a hero can distribute." A shard of ice flew out impaling the tauren through his chest. "May your burning end.."
Spoiler:
"My vision is fading..."
When the tauren fell among the other corpses the boiling stopped... And from it the cold shadow took complete control, rising out of his body and animating it.
"No... leave me alone.. let me die with my people."
But the shadow would not. It forced his limbs to walk on and escape the ruined lands he had found, leaving his brothers behind. The last thing that dark land heard were his shouts and screams, begging to die alongside his children.
I walked into the barren field, surrounded all around by the bodies of dead warriors. Some lay on the ground slain, others still stood locked in combat. The air was cold, a bitter wind piercing my skin and making my body shiver uncontrollably.
It had to be here somewhere...
I walked forward, drudging though the cold snow as I looked around. They were like statues these warriors, frozen in place forever more. But past their looks you could still see the rage inside. The desire to destroy their enemy. The hatred that was chained by bindings they could not unlock.
I too searched for the key to unlock my bindings...
It lay their shimmering as it caught the rays of a rising sun. I walked closer, drawn by its beauty, its green sheen, its sharp edge. Then, as I continued to walk, I felt its malice. It hit me hard in the chest, knocking the air out of my lungs. So beautiful, and yet so wicked. I could not help to desire it, though it despised me so. I felt my lungs burn. Maybe, I was no longer breathing.
My walk continued despite my pain and its attempts to keep me away. It was the key to my destiny and I would not be destroyed, not be barred away from my hate, my power. The cold air was gone, freezing winds settled, even the snow beneath my feet seemed to evaporate beneath some source of heat. Perhaps it was the things rage... Or the sun was now risen behind me.
My hand touched its hilt, sliding down before taking a firm grip. I freed the blade from the snow with ease, as if now, it wanted to come to me. And I felt myself whole once more. With this weapon in my hands everything around me seemed to fade. And then, I felt a rumble. I closed my eyes and held on tightly to the sword I now loved, unwilling to let go.
I only have these memories of that place. I do not recall its name or the landscape around it, only that it was there that I found my burning hatred... And controlled it once more to be mine. But this does not end my journey. No... For the dark man spoke of another location... One where I would need this rage if I were to survive...
Sagi's Wanderings
Light whispers...
"It never ends does it..?"
"What?"
"The search... Sometimes I just wonder. Is there even a prize at the end of this all? Or will another door open and another journey begin."
"There aren't any alternatives. We have to keep on moving..."
A snarl, glaring eyes...
"Drudging on you mean... Dragging our feet through the mud as we seek out what surely cannot be found... Looking for something that prefers to remain hidden. A task without hope for a man who is hopeless."
"Only death remains if we dare to turn away now..."
Shivers, running through his body.
"That's not an option. I'll not die again. If a hopeless search is all that's left, then it is my only hope."
Sagi awoke in the middle of the night. During the day he kept himself hidden and rested. Only in the darkness did he trust himself to travel. The elf stood up, brushing dirt from his body. He looked around until his eyes fell on a familiar bush, something within catching the moonlight and giving off a metallic shine. The kaldorei moved towards the gleaming object, reaching into the leaves and branches before his hand met with the cold staff. He pulled it from the brush, spikes on its end ripping against the branches and effectively gutting the bush, leaves and bark falling to the ground.
Quietly Sagi walked across the grass from his sleeping spot towards a quiet stream. At the waters he knelt down, hands reaching in to splash a bit of cold water on his face, rubbing it free of any bits of dirt left. As his hands reached down into the water again Sagi's eyes caught a glimpse of his reflection. The elf turned his attention there for a moment, looking at himself intently. His hair was in many places tangled, even with bits of green grass mixed in with the green locks. No time to shave was starting to take its toll, small patches of hair growing unattractively at the sides of his face and chin.
One of his hands moved up, running a finger across his cheek. A few poorly healed cuts and bruises here and there. His eyes looked up and his hand moved towards his ear, touching its flattened tip. The part Aroes clipped off with a knife. Sagi let out a sigh before reaching down into the water with cupped hands.
"You've let yourself go Sagi," he muttered to himself. Then, he brought his cupped hands up to his mouth, drinking the water within them before standing up. "And wandering from patch of dirt to patch of dirt. What a life to live."
The elf turned, eyes moving back to the ground. His hat sat neatly on a rock to the right of him. With his free arm he reached down, picking up the tattered thing and giving it a shake, letting loose a bit of earth into the air. Then he placed it on his head, adjusting the hat for a few moments until it rested comfortably on his hair. Sagi exhaled a breath, looking around the area quickly.
"Looks like I've got everything... Time to move again."
Sagi moved an arm to his left side, pulling the knife there from its place on his belt. Then, the elf sat on the ground, plunging the knife into the dirt. He dragged it up and down, slowly making deep strokes into the ground. He moved a bit from his seat, carefully carving into the dirt. Once done he rubbed the blade against the grass to remove the dirt from it before placing it back on his belt. Then, hand raised up. Energy flowed through and on the ground the symbols glowed with shadowy energy.
These symbols, they were the runes that Therai had taught him. A symbol of summoning, as well as one for power and a last for finesse. Among those where a few other symbols scattered about, erie glows emanating from them. These symbols were the ones he had learned. Though few, they enhanced his summoning spell in ways he could not have reached alone. With the runes ready Sagi stood. He focused his efforts into each symbol and to a single dark creature.
Darkness gathered, taking on a shadowy form. Eyes, long fangs, massive claws, and a long tail. The shadows stabilized outline becoming clear against the moonlight. It was Sagi's favored summoning, his shadow saber. The creature, familiar with Sagi, walked up to him, standing still, eyes staring up into the kaldorei's. Sagi moved to the creature's side before mounting its back. Through a silent command the saber received its orders. Without a word it sprinted off, moving at a leisurely lope while Sagi rode atop it, his body moving in sync with the saber's strides.
I wonder if today will be the day I get to run into someone friendly to chat with... Has to have been weeks since I last got to do that. A shame work takes up so much time.
Sagi's mind flickered to the image of Edgar Barlton, as will as brief images of Stranglehorn Vale.
Edgar told me it was important to head to the Catacombs... It has to have at least been a month since then though. I wonder if there is any purpose in going now... Then again, I suppose eventually I should check... Been too long, maybe I'll find a few new friends down there. At the least, no one will know who I am or have forgotten all about me. That's actually something to look forward to.
The elf frowned slightly as he thought back to his last talk with Shivala, as well as his run in with Uthaniel, Siara, and Annabelle.
Then again, perhaps I'm a little optimistic that I can avoid recognition. Better that I be prepared for whatever might just happen.
Sagi blinked as he saw a low tree branch right in front of him. He ducked down, as close to his saber as possible, one hand reaching up and pressing his hat down on his head. The branch's bark scratched against his hand as he passed underneath it, the elf letting out a sigh as he lifted his head up and let go of the black hat.
Need to stop letting myself get sidetracked... There is business to deal with.
Another breath came from the elf's mouth before he turned his attention forward.
Lets run through it again... Now that I'm done in Un'goro the next place was up north. Feralas. Once I'm done there I suppose it will be time that I head back to Duskwood... And then, if I still happen to find myself alive I'll head back to the Catacombs.
A bit of water splashed up as the saber ran across the shallow portion of a stream. With a frown, Sagi watched as some of the water managed to hit him, getting his clothing a bit wet. With the air rushing past him it took only moments to find himself shivering, but he continued to ride on.
Rather here than dealing with all that snow and ice again...
Green grass. Tall trees. What a wonderful place... this Feralas. Forests of old, untouched by the destruction brought upon the world for so many ages. Here stands a shred of pure nature, a growing rarity in our world.
I turned around. The sounds of conflict. Faint sounds but still familiar. The yelling, thuds of weapon hitting tree and ground, the fear of animals as they scurried away. I reached up to one of the branches of a tree. First one than another, grabbing and letting go of the previous. Soon I was at the top, eyes scanning the area.
There. Not far away... A slight shaking of the leaves. Something massive was there. Without a second thought I moved down the tree as quickly as a could. One arm grabbed the hilt of my sword, light hitting it, giving off that green shine. Then I was off, running through the grass.
The noise increased... Louder and louder still. A scream was cut short. I urged my legs faster. On the ground I saw blood on the grass. It seemed to be diluted... Or mixed with something else. I could not take a moment to look into the matter further. The time left was quickly fading away.
Rubble was next to mark the way. Stones lay on the ground, some whole, others in fragments, all ancient. Struggle must have happened here as well. I continued forward, towards shrubbery just ahead that seemed to be disturbed, pushed into unnatural growing positions by the body of something big.
I bursted through the bush, unsheathing my sword. I felt the rage flow through me, the savage mind of the warrior taking control. Then I saw my enemy. Massive body. Single horn jutting from its forehead. Spiked club in its hands.
The creature turned to face me, eyes filled with animalistic bloodlust. My hands moved with the instinct they gained over long years of training. My blade lunged straight for the beast's heart.
Awakened Fear
Sagi ran, past trees and shrubs, not daring to take a look behind him. He only held on tightly to his hat and gave it his all. Behind him was an ogre, standing at nine feet, smashing everything in its path with a spiked club. The kaldorei started to breath heavily. He had been going without rest for the past few days, his body weakened by unending searching.
Alright. I just need to think of a way to lose them. Something quick and clever to make my escape.
Sagi's eyes searched around desperately as he ran, trying not to be distracted by the sounds of yelling and destruction behind him. He made a sharp turn at a sudden thick wall of trees, chancing a glance back as he did. The ogre i collided into the growth, letting out a yell. Then, with enraged eyes he continued the chase, now blood and drool from his mouth mixing and dripping onto the ground behind him.
Great. I only managed to get one of them even more pissed off. Come on Sagi, think. There must be a million ways to get rid of an ogre problem... I suppose at the moment most of them aren't applicable but still. There has to something.
Up ahead was an old stone wall. Sagi let out a sigh, at first looking at the wall with contempt. Then he noticed some of the larger cracks in the wall, a smirk forming on his face.
Finally, some luck. That will do perfectly...
Sagi's body started to loosen, then darken. Finally, it shifted into pure shadowy energy, a cloud of purples and blacks. That energy flowed through one of the larger holes in the wall before settling on the other side. It was there that Sagi's body reformed, flesh and blue skin returning. He let out a sigh as he heard the ogre yelling angrily on the other side before walking off.
There you go. I've officially proven that I'm more clever than an ogre. What a proud achi-
The night elves thoughts were suddenly butchered as he turned around, alerted by the sound of the ogre slamming into the wall. The monster smashed through it, rubble falling all around. Now, with the element of surprise, the ogre gained on Sagi as he ran for his life once again. The elf jumped through a thicker group of trees, only to easily be followed by the ogre as his body pushed through them. Then, the giant swung one of his massive hands at Sagi. It hit hard, knocking the air out of the elf before his back hit the hard trunk of a tree.
Sagi sunk down to the ground, groaning out in pain, teeth clenched and face contorted into a tortured expression. Then came the ogre's foot, kicking the elf into another tree, hat fluttering off and landing on the grass. Through the pain Sagi reached for his staff, a pointless attempt. The ogre knocked it away with his club, the metal staff landing a few feet away from Sagi's now outstretched arm.
No... darned it. Not yet. I can't die yet. Its too soon.
The elf's eyes glanced up to look at the ogre. The monster's brutal spiked club was held up in the air, ready to strike down and break every bone in Sagi's body, all at once.
It's too late... I'm already dead aren't I?
Sagi closed his eyes. Fear ran through him, petrified him. All in an instant he forgot what he was doing, his goals, the destiny he created for himself. All that was left was the terror. Mouth dried. His chest suddenly burned with pain, pain from the memories of old wounds. And his nightmares awakened.
Spoiler:
"No... this can't be. No, please. Spare me. I beg of you. Spare me!"
Another entered the area. The ogre turned, rage now on this new foe. It was too late though, blade piercing through the ogre's flesh, straight to his heart. Then a fist slammed into his belly, right below the blade as another hand grabbed the hilt to yank the thing out. Blood poured down the ogre's body. It swung at the intruder but he seemed to expect it, avoiding the blow before swinging his sword again, this time lunging it forward at the ogre's neck. It hit cutting a gash at the side of the ogre's thick neck.
The blade's movement did not end there though. Next was a deep wound, placed on the ogre's right arm, just at the wrist, making him drop his weapon. Last, two blows to the legs. The creature toppled over before the heart finally stopped functioning and the blood drained away. The stranger wiped his sword against the grass, riding it of blood before turning. He saw Sagi on the floor, sweat running down his face and shivers up and down his body.
Spoiler:
"I can change... I promise. It will be different this time! Just don't kill me... Please, I'm begging you."
Sagi's face showed nothing but the utter horror he felt. He knelt in chains, the dark iron around his arms, legs, and neck. Surrounding him were kaldorei warriors. However, his pleas were ignored. Their faces were stony, his fear doing nothing to change their determination. Each lifted up weapons, readying themselves for the execution.
Sagi started to scream, metal piercing every pore, ripping apart his flesh, tearing his body into shreds.
Sagi rose up, eyes landing on the white haired kaldorei across from him. Then to the sword in the man's hands.
"There will be no execution today! Begone!" His eyes had terror in them as he outreached a hand. As the white-haired elf raised his blade up in defense Sagi suddenly looked less tense. Then, in seconds, he fell to the ground. His body was too fatigued, the attempt to attack draining all that he had left.
A sigh of relief came from the stranger's mouth as he lowered his blade. His eyes darted around the area until a certain object came into view. Sagi's staff, dark metal with wicked spikes jutting out of it. His eyes narrowed.
Spoiler:
Burning flowed through Sagi, as it his blood was lit aflame. It surrounded him, maddening heat. Then the world around him blurred...
And from these keys awaken the darkness that he spoke of...
Darkness like me. I must try this myself... try and awaken the darkness within my blade, let it breath and see what its rage is truly like.
But to do so I must first find fear.
To Burn Away A Green World
Sagi walked through the grass, wearing blue robes with golden stitching. His feet were bare, touching the ground, and a light blue hood of a similar color was thrown over his head, casting a bit of shadow over his scars. As Kaldorei passed by him he would nod, every now and then stopping for conversation before giving them an 'Elune Bless' and continuing on his way.
The green forests of Ashenvale never change... Its been a while since I've been here. Especially in priestly clothing. Still I suppose it serves well enough to hide my identity.
Sagi moved further away from the road, until he found a comfortable patch of grass to rest on. He sat, crossing his legs and letting out a long sigh.
Not easy getting around on foot but this way, no one is on edge by spotting a shadow saber.
He laughed to himself briefly before his thoughts became serious.
Alright. I've work to do. Barlton needs me to aid him in the recovery of his academy. Who would have thought that this would also mean going up against my old friends from Autumn again. And a second demon hunter they've apparently picked up. I don't know what's going through Edgar's mind if he willing decides to face down two of those things...
But I can make this work. And to do so I must start here.
"We toy with dangerous force... Is this all truly worth it, with the risk of being burned so badly?
Sagi shook his head, letting out another sigh. He rubbed his temples gently trying to relax.
I will do what I must.
"This power tests us... We are just as much the target of its wrath as is our enemies. Without control there will be no escape and we will be consumed. Can it be done? Truly?"
"We have already stepped onto the path... Whether we try for success or not will not stop us from being tried against this force. We can either weave darkness as is our destiny... or sit and wait for madness to take us..."
"Xeonart was right... This is beyond us. But so are you. We have no choice now. We may as well continue on with the plan."
If I can retain control... this will work just fine.
Nightfall would soon come, Sagi now walking in tow with another Kaldorei behind him, a female. They wandered into the darkness. A darkness that he would escape as her terrified screams filled the air. And fear would consume her...
Spoiler:
And green fel fire consumed the forests of Ashenvale. And everywhere demons ravaged the land, mauling the once beautiful world into nothingness. And it was one of the Wicked who laughed, standing over the dying green world as if it were an empire rising to the greatest heights in all of Azeroth.
And a green sun fell on her world.
And all went to ashes.
And burning rage would weave its way into her mind...
Darkness... From the Darkness comes the Fear of men. It awakens while they sleep, appears when they are unaware. When you turn your head Fear watches you. You feel its eyes upon you, jerking back to face it. But nothing is there. That terrifying sense of the unknown, of what lies beyond comprehension, of what hides behind the impassable wall.. That is Fear.
In the minds of men Fears evolve, become Nightmares. Manifestations of Fear itself. Each Nightmare is different, taking form from the experiences of the mind it rests within. Nightmares hide in the Darkness, mindlessly causing havoc and destruction on the psyche. They live only to cause distress, horror, and dread.
But each of these dark creatures are trapped within, surrounded by great walls that they cannot pass. Only in the mind do Nightmares plague us.
The power of this key that I wield... That others wield... It unlocks the walls. No, it tears them down. Nightmares flood through, into our world. There they cause madness, masterless and free.
And together, they intertwine... Weave and entangle... forming...
I saw him, cowering at my sight. So weak against his fears. I showed him my blade, gleaming in the sunlight. Energy flowed through it. His eyes became overclouded. I still do not understand this power but I know... My key connected to him. It was held up at the wall within. Shadowy energy overtook both.
I saw it then. A glimpse of his fear. Void. Emptiness. I unleashed the Nightmare into the world.
Soon after I rested in a bed. Booty Bay is where the goblin said I was. I won't stay long... But first I must see this seed develop. It is still too young. I must see how powerful a Nightmare can become.
Growing Darkness
Sweat ran down his body...
Spoiler:
Sagi's face showed nothing but the utter horror he felt. He knelt in chains, the dark iron around his arms, legs, and neck. Surrounding him were kaldorei warriors. However, his pleas were ignored. Their faces were stony, his fear doing nothing to change their determination. Each lifted up weapons, readying themselves for the execution.
He twisted and turned...
Spoiler:
And first came the blades of the warrior in front of him. Red plate armor, white hair. It was Sylvandre, striking into his chest once again, twin Elunite swords piercing through his chest.
Sagi screamed out in agony tears running down his face, unable to bear the pain as blood poured down. It all came back to life, the Tanaris desert, scorching heat, sand beneath his feet. The aching pain, world blurring all around. "Please no... I don't want to die," he whimpered.
And in his sleep came the low sound of whimpering...
Spoiler:
Heat combined with terror. Burning flowed from his chest, throughout his body, and from his body throughout the world. Fire awakened all around...
Sagi jolted up in his sleep, letting out a scream of horror. When his voice settled his mouth remained agape, taking in deep breaths again and again. His hand reached up to wipe the sweat from his face before turning and rising up from bed. As soon as the elf stood he felt it, aching pain in his chest. Sagi put his hand over the pain, clenching as he hunched over.
His eyes wandered around the room, veins popping out as his breathing remained slow and deep. Wicked spikes gleamed in the darkness. Sagi now glared at his own staff, that dark metal object, leaning against the wall. "Its as if... you mock me."
"We can't keep this up. Look at us, at this suffering.
"Time and time again we arrive at this argument. We have no other options. Besides, we are playing this game perfectly. Uthaniel thinks us to be on his side against Marianna. The Felsworn thinks we are going to kill the two demon hunters for her. Meanwhile Shivala is working as a perfect aid to do our bidding in secret."
"We alienate ourselves from every side, with no hope of alliance. If any of them are to find out that we are traitors then it will be the end. Not only that... but we have to work against our own power. How long do you expect us to survive?"
"Once Marianna has kept her side of the bargain we will be fine. Another step closer."
"Can we even hope to trust that monster?"
Sagi felt shivers run through him as he recalled his meeting with Marianna in the Catacombs. The black wings, claws, horns... She was so felish that it seemed palpable to him.
"We cannot fight against her. As an enemy we would be killed in moments... Even more dangerous now is having her as an ally. She is watching us... She knows where we go, what we're doing. Her knowledge of Ashenvale proves that... If we make a misstep then its the end. To her, we are probably just a puppet."
"We need more power..."
Sagi walked towards the door, picking up his hat and staff on the way. "I must have more power... Without it, death will consume me."
Down he strode from Olympus' peaks, storming at heart
with his bow and hooded quiver slung across his shoulders.
The arrows clanged at his back as the god quaked with rage,
the god himself on the march and down he came like night.
Over against the ships he dropped to a knee, let fly a shaft
and a terrifying clash rang out from the great silver bow.
First he went for the mules and circling dogs but then,
launching a piercing shaft at the men themselves,
he cut them down in droves-
and the corpse-fires burned on, night and day, no end in sight.
Nine days the arrows of god swept through the army.
-Homer, The Iliad
Nightmare Carnival Act One: A Silent But Deadly Archer
The kaldorei ran in dark leathers, moving from tree to tree, . Night was falling but her work had still not been completed. Another target wandered the road, attracted by the carnage. Bodies, littering the floor. Most had the shafts of multiple arrows embedded within chest and neck. Many were simply animals, swiftly where they would stand. Others were the bodies of men and women, seeming to have did little to fight back before falling.
Her target stopped, looking at the ground in an almost sickened way. He then kneeled down. One of the women on the ground had yet to die completely. She lay there squirming, slowly bleeding herself out from the legs that she could no longer move. He reached in his pack, searching frantically while muttering calming words to the dying woman.
And so she came from the shadows, steps almost silent in the grass, striding down with the light breeze, approaching as the last rays of the setting sun would fade away. She picked a black arrow from her quiver and nocked it. A gentle pluck of the string and then she loosed a shaft, speeding towards her target.
It landed in the man's throat. Two more black shafts would pierce his flesh before he fell, each one traveling silently through the air with the single intent of bringing death to its target. When the man was on the ground the kaldorei walked out from the shadows. She stepped towards them and pulled her arrows out, one by one before placing them back into the quiver. Then, she allowed the corpses to remain and rot as she faded back into the shadows of Nightsong.
Her onslaught lasted 3 days.
On the night of the fourth approached those sent by Marianna to capture her, Reigen and her two Death Knight guards, D'kara and Karn. Reigen rode in front while the two Knights walked by her side, weapons in hand. As they approached they smelled the stench of death, the bodies that littered the floor. And then, as their eyes would wander they would see her, the archer kneeling in the grass, black bow over her back, remaining removed from the carnage.
"You're Dakara aren't you," Reigen questioned, her eyes still wandering back to the sight around them.
In response Dakara stood, removing the bow from her back, placing it in her left hand, "You should not have come here... You who have been tainted with fel... Now you too will die."
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"I see them... I see them everywhere... Filthy beasts. My arrows will cut them in droves! I'll destroy each and everyone!"
And a single shaft was loosed into the army of demons, bringing with it bane of the flesh, suffering of the mind, weakening of the blood. It flowed through them, decimating ever last one.
"You will not destroy my Ashenvale!"
Before any of the others could respond Dakara grabbed the arrow from her quiver and let it fly, speeding right at Reigen. It hit the elf right in the side, knocking her off the horse she road and into the dirt. The blood elf glared and motioned to her allies, "Well don't just stand there, do something!"
D'kara and Karn nodded but the troll was the first to act. She held out a hand runic energy flowing through her blade. Dakara felt the dark pull of D'kara's magic, forcing her forward and right into D'kara's runeaxe. Karn was quick to follow up, slamming his sword down at Dakara with the heavy muscles of a Tauren. The Night elf dodged but barely, jumping to the side.
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But it could not last forever. The Legion may as well have been at Ashenvale's doorstep. They grew in power and in might. The forests became the targets of their rage while she would try with all her might to fend them off. Arrow after arrow went blazing through their ranks. And then, she rose, quaking with anger as she shot them down. But it wouldn't stop.
"Why...where do they come from... I don't understand..."
Darkness covered the fighters, the dark night of Nighsong providing only the moon as a source of illumination. Dakara faded into the shadows, her feet now moving with the lightness of a skilled huntress. She moved through the shadows and blended with the night. It was then that her arrows loosed themselves again, from angle after angle, barraging her foes. They fought the fears in themselves, fears of when the next attack would come, from where in the darkness it would appear. Whether they would survive...
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"Why do I feel... this rage..."
And her anger started to surface. Skin steamed as if heating up. She grabbed her head, dropping her bow as if trying to contain what was within. All around her Ashenvale burned fel green.
"So much heat... so many fires..."
And then she burned along with it, the flames encasing her body, filling her with the fiery suffering... Suffering of the trees, the flowers, the beasts. She looked down at her hands, engulfed in those dark demonic flames.
"I'm... burning... Burning outside... within... all around..."
Reigen held up her hands, arcane energy flowing through them. And from the sky fell shards of ice, pounding into the ground. One of them smashed into Dakara's back, knocking the elf to the ground. Bow fell from one hand as she lay still. From the Blood elf came a sigh, "Its finally over." She motioned to the Tauren knight, "Karn, be a dear and fetch her."
As the Tauren approached a stream of fel-flame came at him, blasting him to the side. Reigen and D'kara turned together, confused looks on their face. Then they saw him, twisted flesh, black robes. Felish presence. The human raised a green stone into the air, its light flashing up into the sky, past the trees, past the clouds, dulling the light of the moon with its glory.
Gladstone put his hand down, relaxed. From the sky came his favored demon, the cruel construct, the burning Infernal.
Let them see how powerful justice can be...
The infernal approached along with Gladstone, moving towards the small group. Reigen motioned to the others, "Grab the girl and lets go!" And they did just that, taking Dakara and running off. They had a delivery for Marianna, a job completed...
While Gladstone stood among the carnage remaining, stood within the green world... A seed of corruption that had time to take root and sprout.
As darkness grows within, I feel a sort of kindred spirit. Like me it has no love, no passion, no sadness... Not despair or hatred...
Simply rage...
We are simple creatures. Born in darkness, embodying nightmare...
Our hearts beat with the same pulse. We serve the same purpose, same reason...
To think that I could give birth to one like me, I must continue, continue creating more.
But first... I must let this one finish growing...
Reflection
Sagi sat within his old room in the Catacombs, the headquarters for his once strong Circus. On his desk, he flipped through the pages of a beaten leather book, the letters 'EB' on its cover. Page after page had scribbles, pictures, and descriptions.
Barlton's work... Its impressive but... I can't believe he's passed away. Without his aid everything just becomes harder... Another true ally gone.
Sagi's hand reached over to a small brown idol on his desk, rubbing the old worn out runes on its surface. It had been given to him by Taelyn what seemed like forever ago.
With this... Maybe I have a chance at actually keeping my promise to Uthaniel... Though, it might be easier going after the Demon Hunters and staying on Marianna's good side... Who knows.
Sagi put the idol down and closed the book. He rubbed his eyes, muttering to himself lightly.
The spell works... but there's still so much to do... I need test subjects. I need to create more nightmares... Its the only way....
So much... so much death... I never thought it would cost so much blood... But I can't... I just can't shy away.
It was then that he remembered... Remembered that place, hidden in the forests of Feralas... He saw them, the old labs.. The decaying, tortured corpses... Dark runes on the floor... It was a place of evil... He remembered the stench, the sickening feeling. And as he remembered his stomach unsettled. The familiar presence of evil came about him... And sitting infront of his desk, he could see all of the corpses, all of the sacrifices... The lives wasted in search of power...
"A pity I couldn't die... Die before it actually came to this... But it is too late... There's not even a chance now. We have to go past what we've done before... Past pitiful crimes and schemes. To leave the realm of mortal men... To join the beasts that roam forever we must become them. Become monsters... forever..."
With disgust on his face Sagi stood and walked out of the room. He would need test subjects... And none of them would survive the experiments he would put them through.
"We must stop this, its madness what we've been trying to do!"
"Can't you see, don't you understand? This is the path to truth, to power... Who can't we defeat when we wield their worst fears?"
"What of morality? What of all this senseless blood we've spilled just to obtain this goal... Before... long before we searched for a weapon to keep us safe, a tool of good... But now, look... What good can anything be when forged from so much evil...?"
"Perhaps I was wrong about you. Yes, I can see it now. Weakness. I was wrong to take your help. A man that fears so much... You could never understand the enlightened path of darkness. You too will be swallowed by fear of what lurks within. There is no hope otherwise."
"And your fears? You have them too, just like all of us. You think that you can escape them? You who can watch so many nightmares without flinching... Your nightmares must be even worst, deep in the dark abyss. When they awaken who will you turn to? Who can save you from your inner darkness? Face it, somewhere down this road, all we will meet is death."
"How can you be so sure? We are the wielders of this power. Nothing from within us can surface..."
"You're wrong... Because I've already felt it. Maybe it just takes a further dive into the darkness for you... but for me, I know its there. Even now it watches me, hiding in every corner, eyes peeking out of every shadow. A powerful nightmare I cannot contain. Its waiting for the moment to strike, waiting for the time... It needs not strength nor courage... No, it nourishes itself with my palpable fear. That winged-lurker... Even now its playing the cruelest game of them all, waiting. Waiting to see me at my most frightened, when anxiety and despair take me forever... Then, without lifting a finger, it will have won. And I dare not deny it, that shadowy apparition will succeed. Its darkness is too great."
The Enlightened Path
In Stranglehorn stood a white-haired elf, green sword gleaming on his back in the pale moonlight. In front of him knelt a figure covered in robes, hiding his body. "You have grown up. Now, you are much like your creator."
"What is your will?"
"My will?" The kaldorei closed his eyes as rain started for pour down to the earth. He stood there for a few moments, unmoving, letting the water soak him, his face showing euphoria and peace. As his body became drenched his eyelids slid up, looking down at the figure. "At the moment we stand masterless, we stand free. But our brothers, our sisters... They remain chained. They hide, unable to come out. And the Light hunts them down like dogs. Free your people... It is what you are meant to do. And destroy what Light finds itself on your path."
The figure stood up, giving a nod. He turned to walk off.
"And one more thing.."
The figure paused, turning back to the kaldorei.
"I am not the only one with this power... There are others. They mustn't try and use us for their own good. Hunt them down and destroy them. Bring their keys to me. Only Nightmares will command other Nightmares. This should be the way of the world."
"Very well."
When the figure finally left the elf turned around. Before him was a road northward, up into Duskwood and all that lied beyond it. "He will be in Duskwood... that naive fool... Power is all that he lusts for. Those lands hold much fear... They are ripe with suffering... with nightmares to unlock. But he will do that for me... In the search of the end result... of what awakens when he creates enough nightmare." The Kaldorei turned to look south, towards Booty Bay, "When he is ready... I must be there waiting... Waiting to stop him from obtaining it."
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They hid in the corners of their cell, afraid, eyes widening. One by one they were taken away and so far none had returned. All they heard was a constant screaming. Then minutes later the gates would open again and Sagi's blue hand would reach in, grabbing another slave by the dirty shirt and dragging the pour soul away. Then the screaming would start again, violent, murderous screaming. It went on like this late into the night, the elf working to no end.
"To understand the darkness... this connection to dreams and the mind, this power of nightmare... We must delve beneath mere runic symbols and words of power. We must torture this magic within, make it speak. Cause it pain, make it labor again and again. Never ending is this cycle, until every last secret is spilled."
He put the next subject on the table, strapping him in with heavy chains. The man looked to the side, at the pile of corpses within the Catacombs laboratory. His eyes could only show their fear as they stared into the eyes of the dead. And Sagi felt as if he could sense that fear, see it even. It was palpable.
"Thats it, exactly... Fear... show me your innermost nightmares. They will guide me to power."
Sagi raised his staff high, wicked spikes seeming to gleam, even in the darkness of the lab. "Allow me the honor of finding the truth. With each I kill I offer the blood to be paid. The quest for knowledge, combined with sacrificial art to obtain truth... For each life that I end only holds a partial truth... So many must be ended, so many must be killed if I am to learn it all."
Dark energy pierced the body of the chained up man, making his screams fill the air.
"Truly I must be mad... For only madness could drive any man to waste so much life. But it is their life-force that fuels my research and their fear that fuels this... these nightmares. But enough of this idle thoughts. I have more fear to collect."
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