Book 3. The Exiles of Orgrimmar.
Synopsis. Stormwind burns. Its inhabitants cut down mercilessly, its leaders driven from the city or lured to faraway places.
As Souldefiler revels in her victory her mind turns to Orgrimmar. Leaving her Devoted to oversee the building of The Devoted Palace she contacts her agents in the Horde and tells them to prepare her return to reduce Orgrimmar to rubble. Unbeknown to Souldefiler, one Devoted wracked with doubt will soon learn the truth of what it means to be truly Devoted. This one Devoted may be the key to unraveling Souldefiler’s whole plan.
In her stronghold the ranger Brigan is brought to Shala’kazor where his torture begins at the hands of the dreadlord. Utterly devoted to Souldefiler, Shala’kazor relishes her task, eagerly waiting her chance to stand beside her Mistress as her Hand, and wreak death and destruction in her name. It will start with the breaking of Brigan. It will end with the deaths of all who defy her.
Chapter 1. Journey to Durotar.
In their cabin the three devoted took counsel over their next moves. Twill seemed uneasy, as she twisted and her head jerked.
“Are you ill?” asked Puny, looking up from her parchments. “Stop doing that, it’s annoying.” Nyfera smiled. “You need some food” she said, and slid some food over.
Twill rose to take it, then collapsed on the floor. Jumping up Puny and Nyfera came to her still body.
“Is she OK?” asked Puny as Nyfera bent down. “I think so. However, she bleeds from her shoulders.” Turning Twill over in her back was a small dart. Removing it Nyfera studied it closely. “It’s not a dart the Night Elves usually use. I haven’t seen this before.” She threw it to Puny who grabbed it before studying it. “Me neither. But there is something else…” as she rubbed her fingers on the blade. “This isn’t blood” as she licked her finger. “Some kind of poison”. Nyfera stood and examined the dart. “Poison? Rogues I imagine” as she turned it over.
As she did so Twill groaned. “Are you well?” said Nyfera, still examining the dart. “I will tell you in a second…” said Twill as she gingerly got up, before emptying her stomach.
“Thank you” said Puny sarcastically. “A much-needed improvement.”
Twill rose and cackled. “I thought you would enjoy my joke. Can I have my dart back now?” she said, extending her hand to Nyfera.
Sighing she handed the dart over. “You have a strange sense of humour” she said. “I’m not going to clean that up” she said as she sat down.
“Nor I” said Puny as she did the same. Looking side to side Twill began to call for a crew man.
“No”, said Puny. “You. Clean it up. Maybe this will teach you to curb your sense of humour.” Grumbling Twill mopped up the mess and emptied the bucket over the side.
“So we are nearly in Orgrimmar waters” she said returning. I can see the red mountains of Durotar closing. Should we summon our Mistress?"
“She will come to us” said Puny looking over to Nyfera who was visibly shaking.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Nyfera looked from Twill to Puny and back again. “Must we?” she asked. “Surely we know our mission.”
“We don’t” said twill. Our last mission was a success. We captured the Ranger. Now we wait for new orders. It is her wi…"
And as she spoke a Death gate burst open and Souldefiler walked through followed by D’eea. All three knelt as she took a seat with D’eea standing impassively as always behind her.
“Mistress” said Puny. “We are humbled by your presence.” Souldefiler said nothing as D’eea stepped forward to her side.
All three raised their eyes and felt afraid. D’eea came over to them and studied them one by one. Her breath, cold as ice, caressed their faces as she looked deep into their eyes.
Then she turned to Souldefiler. “They are ready Mistress” and she took her place at Souldefiler’s side.
“My Devoted, you have done well. Very well. You brought to me my Ranger and you succeeded in alerting the Elves. They will draw help further from Stormwind.” She took a bottle of wine and motioned for D’eea to bring over some glasses. Filling up the glasses she motioned everyone to take a glass.
“A toast my devoted.” she said “As Stormwind burns even now and I leave my devoted to bring Stormwind to its new glory, it is now Orgrimmar’s turn. To the Horde!” she said, raising her glass. Looking over her glass to Nyfera, the devoted repeated her toast. “Stormwind belongs to me now. Soon it will be razed and rebuilt. The Horde I believe will be very glad of this news. My dear Nyfera” she said, as Nyfera bowed. “I told you I would save the Horde. By eliminating Stormwind I will give the Horde time to see how corrupt their leaders are. If they were to be strong, now would be the time to strike at the Alliance.
but as you will see when we arrive, they will not. They will hesitate, and send messages of support. indeed some will advocate for sending aid. The true Horde would never hesitate.”
Nyfera nodded and smiled as she put down her glass. “Mistress, then you are coming with us to lead the Horde into battle?”
Puny and Twill smiled at the back of Nyfera’s head. “Of course my dear” said Souldefiler. “Did I not say I was coming to save the Horde? I will indeed save it, and then stand down and allow its true leader to emerge from the shadows and lead it to victory once and for all. Then I shall return to my island, and live in peace for the rest of my days. My Devoted champions I will give to their new warchief.” Nyfera smiled and rose.
“Thank you Mistress. but you must help us choose the new warchief. I beg you to help us choose.”
Souldefiler smiled and rose from her seat and stood in front of Nyfera. “I know who would be the best choice. You will see in time, that when you lead the armies of Orgrimmar to Stormwind, you will see what I have, and realise that you are the best hope the Horde has Captain Nyfera. You will lead the Horde to victory.” She bowed to Nyfera and D’eea did likewise. “My champions I give to you to be your loyal servants and allies. Maybe they can advise you as well.”
Turning to Twill and Puny, both bowed as Nyfera turned to Souldefiler again. “I am not worthy.”
“No one is until they find their own worth. You will find yours. Warchief. I will march with you to Orgrimmar and aid you best as I can against the traitors who would destroy you and the Horde.” As she spoke the crew began to prepare for docking.
“Come. It is time to reclaim the Horde” said Souldefiler, as Nyfera left the room first followed by the Devoted.
Chapter 2. Warmest greetings.
As they stood and watched the ship draw into the harbour Lor’themar and Baine watched in silence. Only the shouts of orc peons could be heard amongst the crashing of waves. Behind them came a guard.
“My lords” he said as he stood behind them. “We are standing by ready to take them into custody.” Lor’themar nodded while Baine snorted. “It will hopefully not come to that. If they listen to reason this will go well for all. if they do not see reason we will have no choice to take them into custody. Something is amiss in the winds” as he looked into the skies as if searching for something.
“Things have never been the same since that day” said lor’themar as he turned to speak to the orc. “Stand down for now. But do not leave. Once they disembark I will search for lies in their speech”
“As you command” said the orc. The guards all stood to attention with their weapons lowered as the ship came to a halt. The peons rushed to anchor it in place and a gangplank was lowered from the deck to the pier.
Then descended Nyfera, followed by Puny, Twill and D’eea. Souldefiler remained on the ship with her arms crossed. watching them disembark. Baine’s eyes narrowed as he saw the human remain on board.
“Who is your prisoner?” has asked as the four Devoted came to him. “She is not our prisoner” said Puny. “She is here as our friend and ally. She helped us in the debacle that Brigan caused in Feralas.”
At this Lor’themar started. “Debacle? Explain.”
"Our mission started well. But on route to Feralas our ship’s ca[tain had accepted a bribe from the Alliance to deliver us to the Draenei on Azuremyst Isle. We then had to dock at Desolace for supplies and while out hunting twill came across this human who had been exiled there by the Night Elves. it was only when she came to our camp that we recognized her. The Death Knight known as Souldefiler. She begged us to allow her to prove her worth to us and earn an audience and safe passage to the Horde. She saved us all from slaughter when Brigan alerted the night Elves.
Baine nodded. “I see. So the mission failed then?”
“Not quite” said Nyfera coming forward. “While Brigan was slain by the Night Elves he did buy us some time. We quickly headed back to the ship but we were surrounded by our foes. Souldefiler saved us all by using her frost spells to freeze our foes and shatter them. The rest of the Night Elves fled, cursing their former ally’s name.”
“Did you return for Brigan’s body or anything else?” asked Lor’themar.
“No” replied Nyfera. “There was no time. The Night Elves began to muster reinforcements. Only the cold winds that Souldefiler summoned gave our ship the speed to evade them.”
“I see,” said Lor’themar. Walking past them he came to the gangplank and in a loud voice cried “Souldefiler the Death Knight, I grant you passage into Orgrimmar. You may enter our city and have no fear of attack, but I advise you to not walk Orgrimmar alone.”
Turning he mounted his hawkstrider and rode into Orgrimmar saying no more. Baine turned to the guards and ordered them back into Orgrimmar. “Follow me champions,” he said, beckoning to them. “I have other matters to discuss” Behind them all walked Souldefiler.
“What really happened” he asked Nyfera when he was sure the others were out of earshot. “I sense something in your four companions” Nyfera nodded “It is as I spoke. Without the human’s help, we would have failed.” Nodding, Baine replied “yet it is strange that you should run across this human in Desolace. I know of her past, she was a great champion of our enemy but she left a long time ago, seemingly in self imposed exile. Do you not find it strange she should join you? Join the Horde?”
Nyfera said nothing. “Captain, you have heard the news about Stormwind?”
“No… No I have not” said Nyfera.
Baine paused before replying “Perhaps you should come see me when the others have taken their leave of us.”
Nyfera nodded before replying “You do not trust them? Because of the human? Forgive me my lord but I must remind you that you were, and still are I believe, great friends with the human Jaina Proudmoore.”
At this Baine stomped his foot on the ground and the entire party stopped. "Bringing his mouth to Nyfera’s face he muttered “Proudmoore has not been seen in Stormwind for a long time and Anduin dismissed people we once trusted. Something is wrong and people mutter about Devoted and Her coming. And this was all before Stormwind was…”
He looked overNyfera’s shoulder to stare at Souldefiler. “I wonder… Meet me when you are alone” he said, and left them.
Chapter 3. “How shall we break the ice?”
Deep in the chamber Shala’kazor awaited her prize. Finally, she would have someone worthy of breaking their will to their new Mistress. As she went to her instruments the door opened and two figures dragged an unconscious figure between them. “Where do you want this one” came a soft hissing voice from the shrouded hood.
“Over there on the rack” replied Shala’kazor as she turned to her table. “When you are done, leave us.” The two Devoted manacled the Blood Elf to the table and left. Brigan lay unconscious on the table as a pale red light surrounded him. From the ground, tendrils rose and snaked all over his limbs. Then he awoke.
Crying in pain he tried to wrench his hands loose but he was held tight by the manacles on his wrists and the strange tendrils clinging onto his arms. “I would not struggle if I were you” said a cold voice. “These serpents have voracious appetites and it takes all my strength of will to restrain them from devouring you.”
Suddenly the table split into two and Brigan was raised to face his tormentor. Jarring pain shot up his back as he was placed violently into a sitting position. Around his arms the serpents tightened their grasp as small rivulets of blood ran down between his fingers.
“Good. it is nearly done” said the voice again as the figure drew closer into the light. Suddenly Brigan gave a shout of pain as the serpents disappeared into his arms, only the serpents moving under his skin gave indication they were there. Brigan began to panic. “What are you doing to me?” he demanded, as he tried to break free.
“Patience” said the voice. “I will reveal all soon.” The figure dimmed from view again before returning back into the light. “Do you not recognize me?” said the figure as it stepped into the red light and into view.
“No” whispered Brigan as his neck writhed and his skin began to tremble. “What about now?” said Shala’kazor as her face came into full view. “Demon. A mere demon. And a female Dreadlord.” said Brigan. “Nothing more. nothing less”
Shala’kazor smiled and came to the side of Brigan. “Oh my dear, more than just a dreadlord.” Then she assumed the form of Jaina Proudmoore. “How about now?” she said in Proudmoore’s voice.
“So it is true, the rumours were all true” grunted Brigan as she brought her face to his. “Yes my dear, it is true. Everyone’s favourite archmage is indeed a Dreadlord. Now. How are my pets progressing. They should be close to their goal now.” as she moved Brigan’s head to one side. Inside his flesh the serpents had now shrunk and made their way to his head. Blood began to drip from his nose and he cried out in pain as the serpents made their way into his brain. Releasing her hold Brigan slumped his head on his chest. Suddenly more serpents appeared out of the light and writhed on his chest.
“Defy me, and try to lie to me Farstrider, and I have yet more of my pets.” She came forward to him as he looked up at her, his once green eyes now black.
“Good” said Shala’kazor. “We can begin. Do you know where you are?”
In a husky yet melodic tone he replied “No.”
“You are in my mistress’ stronghold. You have been brought here to join her in service, Together, we will turn this world into a visage of devoted perfection, all will know her Grace or feel the bite of her revenge. Are you prepared to accept this boon?”
Brigan writhed and screamed as his head pulsed from within. “Never… Never will I do such a thing” he groaned. “I will always serve. The. Horde”. he screamed again and strove to free himself from the table. On his chest the serpents rushed to his legs and held him fast.
“You only delay the inevitable,” said Shala’kazor as she shifted back into the form of jaina. “Come now Ranger” she said in jaina’s voice. “Give in. You can be free of torments forever. No one need ever know.”
Brigan raised his head and with bloodied gritted teeth he hissed “I will know” and he dropped his head again.
Jaina laughed and raised his head. “You are strong. Most break by this time as soon as my serpents invade their mind. I did not want to do this, but you leave me no choice. These serpents are no mere flesh eaters. They are mind eaters. A particularly nasty parasite from one of the worlds we burned in our crusade.
Others felt they were just that, mere mind-eating parasites, but I found they could hoard those thoughts, and with the proper spells, those thoughts could be taken from them and given a purpose. Like this”
Brigan began to twitch violently as something emerged from his nose. A black creature emerged and with a hiss it dropped something on the floor. Stooping to pick it up the creature returned to its hiding place as Brigan gave another cry of pain. “Yes it is unpleasant I grant you” said Jaina as she turned her head to look at him before examining the small crystal as she held it to the light. “Yes. This will do for starters” Taking the crystal to her table Jaina leaned over it and chanted a spell. The crystal shattered and a ghostly figure collapsed to its knees. It rose to its full height and stood before Jaina. “Speak” she said.
“I am the ranger Theara” said the figure.
“Do you know why you are here?” asked Jaina as she walked to Brigan. “No” replied the figure as it too stood before Brigan. Brigan looked up and grimaced as he looked at them.
“May you burn in hell for this” he grunted as the figure came closer.
“Hush now” said Jaina “let your mind tell us what it knows”
The figure came up to Brigan “You betrayed us. You left us to die on that island. Now you too are here, and together we will suffer the same fate as is only right.”
The figure then took hold of Brigan’s head as if to bite.
“Enough!” cried Shala’kazor, as she pulled the figure back before it dissolved into dust. “Not yet at least”. She came to Brigan again. “Are we ready yet?” she asked softly, looking up into Brigan’s eyes as his head slumped forward again.
“Do… Your…wor…” he began, before his voice trailed off. Jaina stood with a smile. “If you insist.” she said.
Brigan screamed again, his entire body straining as two serpents dropped crystals. Taking them again to her table, two shrouded figures materialized.
“State your names” barked Jaina. “Sergeat D’ee of the Farstriders” said the first. “Captain Nyfera” said the second.
At those names, Brigan looked up and tears came to his eyes. “D’ee… Nyfera. I am sorry” he whispered as they came close.
“You failed me. You left me to die. You could have saved us, You chose to flee and leave us to Her.” said the vision of D’ee. Again the vision made to bite. Again it crumbled to dust with a word from Jaina.
Nyfera then came forward. “You were weak. Your tactics failed you. It failed us all. You have doomed us to an existence of servitude. it is all your fault” and she too, made to bite Brigan before she dissolved into dust.
“You are strong indeed.” said jaina. “Your will is strong. Stronger than perhaps She thought. You will make her a grand Champion Brigan. All you need do is submit to her will, and this can end.”
Brigan coughed up blood and softly laughed. “My will is stronger than you know witch. Do your worst.”
Jaina strode over and raised her hand. With a look of malice, she ran her fingers over Brigan’s head. Inside the serpents followed her fingers as she drew them to his face. “This will sting” she smiled, as she brought her fingers to his eyes.
With one last scream, he passed out in agony.
Chapter 4. A vision of Orgrimmar
Allowing her companions to catch up Nyfera led the party into Orgrimmar. Speaking as softly as they could to avoid the guards overhearing Nyfera spoke first. “Mistress we go first to the Valley of Strength and the main tower in the center. The council will want to speak to you. What are your plans for them?”
Souldefiler smiled. “Nothing for now. it is too soon and the time is yet not ripe. Your devoted siblings still have much to do in Stormwind but the winds will change soon as we will strike.”
Nyfera nodded. “I never knew how much I loathed this place” said Puny as she walked behind. “it was always so… Metal” as she gazed at the metal spikes and spears on the battlements “Always so brutishly orcish”
“They need a new decorator!” said Twill. “I suggest skeletons and bones and skull and bones and bodies and bones”. “Enough” said Souldefiler as they entered the valley. “It seems we have a welcoming party…”
Before them stood a party of orcs. “Paladin Punicilla” said the leader. “We welcome you. I trust the spirits and elements served you well?”
“Well enough Shuma” replied Puny as she took the hand of Shuma and shook it warmly. “I may have need of your powers again” she whispered. “The voices still scream”. Shuma nodded and replied, “I understand. Stay with me, I will do what I can.”
They passed more of the inhabitants of Orgrimmar, who in turn all gazed at the travelers, and especially the Human who walked so brazenly.
Passing the inn Warspawn the warrior caught sight as they walked past the door. “Hey look!” he said, nudging the arm of a druid next to him. “Careful you brute” she said, as Warspawn’s huge elbow made her spill her drink. “What is it anyway?”
“A human walks in Orgrimmar” he said jumping up. Moving to the exit both peered out “He’s right” said Keran to two demon hunters who sat by. “No he’s lying” said one getting up. " The other laughed saying “Oh sit down Khaa… War’s drunk again. Always happens when he’s out with her”
Khaa looked out from under Warspawn’s massive frame. “Except he isn’t. Come see for yourself”. The other demon hunter also looked out “Hey what do you know, he isn’t seeing things after all” said Uldur. “Should we follow?”
“Why?” said Keran turning to him. “It’s one human. What do you think she will do?” Warspawn grunted in agreement while Khaa laughed. “Always reaching for the doom and gloom scenario aren’t you Uldur?”
Uldur snorted. “Saved us all before.” Keran sighed. "If it makes you feel better we can go and ask Shada and S’mucke if they know anything. “If we can tear them away from their pets that is.” said Uldur.
“Well. let’s go now” said Warspawn, bounding out of the inn. All followed and headed into the valley of Spirits.
Sitting at a table with his feet on the table Shada watched smiling as S’mucke lifted up one of her pet cats and brought it to her face. The cat rubbed its head against hers as S’mucke laughed. “It loves me!” she said as Shada looked on “it should do the amount of food you give it. Wait, someone’s outside.” He rose to his feet and welcomed the visitors in.
All now sat at the table while Khaa joined S’mucke on the floor. “What’s wrong?” asked Shada as they all waited for someone to begin. “We saw a human march into Orgrimmar today” said Uldur. We thought you would know."
“Why would we?” replied S’mucke. “We have been here all day” as she handed the cat to Khaa who purred over it. “Did you recognize her?” she asked rising. "No. “But I got a good look at her.”
Shada looked at S’mucke and she did the same to Shada. “OK it’s a start. Describe this human.” "Well, started Keran, “she had long red hair, blue eyes a beautiful fa…” “Yes, I need more than that” said S’mucke sharply. “I meant to describe her appearance as a whole. Did she give you a feeling of dread or happiness?”
“I felt a cold coming from her” said Khaa as she nuzzled the cat. “I can’t explain it but I felt a chill like Death itself had come to our door”.
“Strange” said Keran. “So did I.”
-“And I” said Warspawn.
“You all did it seems” said Shada.
Turning to S’mucke who sat beside him he asked “could it be true? She is alive and here?” All now looked at Shada and S’mucke as they sat in thought.
“Who is this she you refer to?” asked Khaa.
Shada looked over to her as she let go of the cat. “Souldefiler the Death Knight” he replied. The others looked none the wiser. “Never heard of her” said Uldur. “Is she someone important?” he asked.
S’mucke looked up from her thoughts. “You could say that. She is, or was, a great champion of the Alliance and a very powerful Death knight. But she vanished some years ago and has only recently revealed herself to the world. If she is here then something is about to happen.” her eyes widened and she turned to Shada.
“My vision!” she breathed, and ran back into the bedroom
As the others followed she returned bringing with her a parchment. “It’s here Shada. All of it!” Shada nodded and closed the tent’s door.
Then he turned to the guests. “Do you all solemnly swear to not reveal to any living soul what you are about to hear?” All nodded. “Shada, we must warn the Council of what is about to happen! They are doomed!”
Shada nodded. “Yes but first we must reveal to our friends what we know. it will save them in the long run and hopefully, save us all from death”
“Death? Wait… What? What is going on?” cried Keran. “Hush, and let us speak” said S’mucke as she lit a candle. “Let the vapours take you into my vision as I have seen, and be forewarned of what will come to pass”
All sat around and breathed in. One by one their vision changed from dim haze to burning clarity. They saw both Stormwind and Orgrimmar in flames, corpses of unknown numbers lying in the street, as strange figures walked amongst them chanting to raise their bodies. They saw the Champions who walked with the Human stand with her, their blades soaked in the blood of Orgrimmar, as Souldefiler stood high amongst them standing like a conqueror amongst her fallen foes. And their vision climbed to the ramparts and imprisoned in gibbets, lay the bodies of Lor’themar, Baine, Thalyssra, and Gazlowe as their people who were still alive begged for their lives. And the vision faded as their request was denied.
“By the Earthmother” whispered Warspawn as he held the hand of Keran tightly. “What is to become of us all. Can we prevent this?” he asked Shada.
Shada stood up. “S’mucke’s visions show only this fate. No others.”
Khaa stood up “Then we should warn the council now. Before it is too late.” I agree" said Uldur. “We must go now. Every second is vital.” After all agreed they made for the valley of Strength. “Wait” said S’mucke, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Do not move”
The company stood still as she crept to the tent’s door. Suddenly the canvas swallowed her. Crying Shada jumped up and tried to tear her loose as her arm reached out. Suddenly he too was enveloped in canvas. The others shrunk back, looking for cover, before the tent swallowed them all. A voice could be heard through the canvas.
“Take them to the outskirts.” Then they heard no more.
Chapter 5. Betrayal.
Souldefiler and the company walked to Grommash Hold as Shuma followed. Guards stopped their progress and especially focused on Souldefiler. "You are not to enter here human until we hear otherwise. “She is allowed entry.” said Shuma from behind them. The guards reluctantly lowered their weapons and allowed them in. “Puny… We can speak now as we walk” said Shuma turning. Puny followed.
“What is it my friend? What ails you?” he asked as he walked towards a secluded spot of the valley. Finding a spot they both sat in the shade. “Shuma, the voices return. They scream for me to avenge them against the one who walks with me. They cry for me to take her head and redeem them. But I fear I can not. Not anymore.”
Shuma looked at her carefully. “Why not?” Puny looked up “I. I… cannot tell you. It as if a mind block is cast on me. I want to tell you, but I cannot. The hold is strong on me.”
Shuma looked around “I think I can help. Very few know of the existence of this plant.” he took a pouch filled with a herb with blue and red leaves. “In shamanism, it is known as “Revealer”, which means exactly as it sounds. I can use this to cleanse your mind, and reveal the truths you hide. But you must not resist, or your mind will break. it is potent medicine, but not without risk.”
Puny looked at his face searching. “I understand. And I submit.”
“I knew you would Puny.” said Shuma as he brought from the air fire and prepared the Revealer.
“Now” he said as he finished his preparation. “You must allow the Revealer to reveal what you keep behind the locks of your mind. It needs your help to break the locks. Are you ready?”
“Yes” she whispered and sat facing Shuma. The fumes from the Revealer filled her lungs and she heard the voice of Shuma grow fainter. “Let it take you. Let it open you” was all she heard before sudden blackness filled her eyes.
Then a sudden burst of light filled her and she saw Punicilla the paladin standing at light’s Hope awaiting the onslaught of the Ebon Blade.
“Prepare yourselves Champions of the Light” said the familiar voice of Liadrin. “She will not be allowed with her Knights to raise him.”
Puny heard the cheers of the amassed paladins as the Ebon Blade Horsemen led by a dark figure burst open the door.
She saw the battle in the Chapel, where before the undead would not have dared to step foot in their sanctum this time they cut down all, carried by the will of the dark figure. Then the light faded once more into darkness before again exploding into light, only this time she saw herself and Souldefiler on that fateful night of her turning. Only this time Puny bested the death knight, and slew her.
The voices that had tormented her for so long suddenly stopped screaming. The spirits of those she had failed to protect all bowed to her before ascending. Then again blackness took her vision before a small beam of blue light descended slowly to the floor. A soft melodic voice rang in her ears.
“Punicilla, I am the Seeker. The voices of those slain are not your tormentors. They are your inner strength. Embrace them, and free yourself from the will and grip of the one who has damned you in sharing the fate she did. Where she was weak, you will be strong. And you will know the freedom of your soul, when your time comes. Know this to be true, as I. The Seeker, lift your companions to ascension. No soul is truly damned, as long as it holds the glory of the Light in it’s heart. But you, and you alone, can bring yourself back to the light. Redeem your soul Punicilla, and return to us in the warmth of the Light.”
The voice faded as she saw the last of the spirits ascend, then the blue shaft was gone.
Puny awoke to see Shuma sitting cross-legged patiently watching her. “Well?” he asked softly. “Was all revealed to you?”
Puny wept and nodded. “She revealed to me my fallen comrades in the Light, and how I walked so far from their path. Yet I have done things that seem to me unworthy of redemption. I…” she paused.
Shuma raised an eyebrow and ran his tongue over a tusk. “The Revealer is a strong guide on the right path.” he said. “It may also reveal other things.”
Puny smiled.
“I saw her glory and heard her voice. The Seeker”.
“The Seeker?” asked Shuma.
“The Seeker is one who watches over guardians of the light, no matter how great or small, and lifts them to Ascension when they pass. She knows all our deeds and judges us accordingly. She told me that I still had hope of Ascension”
Shuma nodded “Then your path should be clear. What will you do now?”
Puny looked at him before rising to her feet. “What I should have done a long time ago. And redeem myself.”
Taking the blue stone in her hand, a death gate opened and she walked towards it.
“Wait, can I be of any assistance?” asked Shuma, shielding his face as a wind picked up.
“No” she said. “I must do this alone, I cannot let you follow. But you can warn the others of the disaster that is about to come. They cannot stop it, she is too powerful and she is already here. But they can escape the carnage and return with aid to retake their city before it is lost to Her forever.”
“Lost to who?” asked Shuma, still shielding his face “Sylvanas? She is gone forever!” he said louder as the wind howled.
“No. Souldefiler.” replied Puny and then she was gone.
Her Death gate burst with a howl into the Halls of Judgement where she was first seated what seemed an eternity ago. Devoted rose as she strode past. “Devoted!” she cried. “Has Shala’kazor began breaking the Farstrider?”
“Yes Champion” replied a hooded figure, “she breaks him even now.”
Puny paused. “Take me to them I will assist his final breaking on orders of our Mistress” as she strode out of the room. The devoted led her down the staircase to Shala’kazor’s chamber.
“Leave me” said Puny as she knocked on the door. The devoted dutifully nodded and left her. Before she opened the door Puny breathed in heavily and strode in. “Shala’kazor, Our Mistress has ordered me to assist you. She feels you take to lo…” pausing as she caught sight of Brigan and his torture.
“Taking too long?” snorted Shala’kazor as it turned again into Jaina Proudmoore. “Nonsense. It goes exactly as I intended. Now stand back and allow me to finish.”
Puny crossed her arms and watched as Jaina once again ran her hands over Brigan’s head. He screamed and Puny started as she focused her attention on what was coming out of Brigan’s nose. She raised an eyebrow as he screamed and a small crystal fell onto the floor. Jaina picked it up and studied it as Brigan caught sight of a new tormentor to him.
“You” he whispered as his head slumped again. “You did this” he whispered as Puny turned and walked to Jaina.
“What’s that?” she asked, pointing to the crystal.
“Oh, it’s just a little gift from the mind of our dear Brigan. It’s a part of his mind if you must know. I’ve built quite a collection of chips. as you can see” as she swept her hand over a collection of chips of various crystals.
“Can they be returned to him?” asked Puny. Jaina held a crystal to the light examining it. “Why would it be? He will not need them when he is in our Mistress’ service now will he?” as she turned back to Brigan.
“Possibly.” replied Puny as Jaina moved closer and took hold of Brigan’s head again. “Just one more for today my dear Farstrider then we return again in a few hours”. Running her hand over Brigan’s head he screamed.
With a shout of “enough!” Puny swept out her blade and in one stroke Puny cut off Shala’kazor’s hand off at the wrist. She screamed in pain and cowered in the corner as she held the bleeding stump of her wrist.
“You betray us!” she screamed as Puny undid Brigan’s chains. She rose to her feet but Puny with a blur of movement held her blade to Shala’kazor’s throat.
“One more move and I will end you right here. I only let you live so you can tell our Mistress what has happened here. Tell her who did this, and that she will know my vengeance soon enough.”
Holding Brigan with one arm she led him through the door, closing it as the whimpers of Jaina Proudmoore echoed.