Chapter 9 The Fall of Orgrimmar.
Battle raged in the Valley of Strength. As Souldefiler’s devoted cut down all before them the Horde soldiers under the dark whispers of Shalakazor fight their once brethren. Deeper the Devoted pushed into the Valley, threatening to burst into the Drag and Valley of Spirits. On the battlements, the archers now under complete control
of the dreadlord, rained death on the Horde as it slowly retreated. And in the middle of the battle, stood Souldefiler herself, locked in deadly combat with Lunaera and Nyfera. Nyfera raised her sword and with a cry, she summoned all the strength left in her and charged at the Death Knight.
As she charged, so did Lunaera give her own battle cry and with a mighty leap bore her blades onto their foe. But Souldefiler, quick as a snake, evaded Nyfera’s charge and rolled out of Lunaera’s impact. With a crash, she landed and immediately swung her sword around her head to where Souldefiler had rolled. But she swung in vain, as Souldefiler once again rolled, only this time into Lunaera, and with a slice of her Slayer brought her to one knee. Screaming Lunaera dropped to her knee and held it as the blood flowed. Souldefiler turned to her and with a smile she drew her arm back for the kill. Time seemed to freeze in Lunaera’s eyes as she saw Souldefiler thrust with a Slayer.
But suddenly Nyfera’s blade parried the blow and the Slayer fell to the ground. Grunting in pain Souldefiler dropped her blade and rolled again to evade Nyfera’s downward thrusts. “Stay still snake!” screamed Nyfera as Souldefiler rolled. “Nyfera!” screamed Lunaera. “beware of the trick!” as Nyfera continued to pursue her foe. Ignoring her, the lust of rage and the desire to kill she who had taken all consumed Nyfera. Souldefiler suddenly grabbed a handful of dust and threw it in Nyfera’s eyes. Grunting Nyfera dropped her weapon and ran her hand over her eyes. “Nyfera! Left!” screamed Lunaera. Nyfera pivoted to the left as Souldefiler brought down her Slayer. “Roll!” again cried Lunaera as Souldefiler swept her blade to Nyfera’s midriff. As she rolled she felt the icy wind as the blade passed over her. “Raise your shield!” cried Lunaera again, as she herself struggled to her feet, holding her bleeding leg.
Lunging at the Death Knight she thrust her blade at the Death Knight as her back was turned. But the blow never landed, as her foot was pinned to the ground by an arrow. Screaming and grasping her foot she dropped her blade and looked around for her attacker. Out of the dust bounded the dim figure of a blood elf. Cackling it jumped into full view and landed with a hand on the ground and a leg stretched for balance. “Now now warrior, that would never do,” said the voice as its eyes glittered. Drawing itself to its full height it slowly notched an arrow and held it aimed at the Nightborne who looked up with gritted teeth.
“Do it” she hissed. “Send me to my beloved, she waits for me in the afterlife.” Drawing her bowstring back slowly, Twill grinned and replied “as you wish” and released her string. The arrow found its mark and Lunaera slumped to the ground. Laughing Twill ran to the corpse and took out a knife, intending to desecrate the corpse of the fallen Nightborne. Souldefiler pressed her attack on Nyfera. Nyfera blocking her blows began to stagger, as Souldefiler used her frost skills to add potency. Finally, Nyfera slumped to her knees panting, and held out a hand in a plea for quarter.
Looking over to the corpse of Lunaera she closed her eyes as Twill cut off an ear and threw it into the midst of the Devoted. "she looked u to Souldefiler who stood over her with her Slayers dropped, standing impassively.
“You have bested us” she said. “I heard tales of your skill when I was alive, and I heard more tales when I was devoted. In truth, I did not believe them, but now I see the tales are true. It seems you will, destroy the world if it will not be Devoted.”
Kicking away her weapons Souldefiler knelt in front of Nyfera. Nyfera looked up as Souldefiler brought her face closer. The icy chill of her breath caressing Nyfera’s brow as she did so. “I gave you the chance to be devoted. I gave you the chance to be my chosen ruler in this misbegotten dump” said Souldefiler, sweeping her hand up. “You could have had it all.” Behind her, Twill walked over and crossed her arms watching them. “There still… May be hope for you” said Souldefiler standing up. “We shall see”. Walking over to the corpse of Lunaera Souldefiler raised her arm and with dark magic raised her corpse. With a roar of pain, the body rose and its eyes blazed blue fire.
Dropping to her knees Lunaera clutched at the dust as if drawing strength from it. Slowly she rose to her feet and took her weapons. Souldefiler stood back as lunaera stood before Nyfera, who also rose to her feet. “Now,” said Souldefiler. “Prove to me you are worthy of being devoted, and I will return you to your comrades as we conquer the world.” Lunaera shuffled forward, dragging a great blade behind her, the blazing fire in her eyes dying. “But do not tarry in your choice. If you do not strike the Nightborne down, I will fill her with power and have her cut you down. Either way. I have a Devoted Champion to replace one who betrayed us.”
Nyfera grasped her sword and with a scream, she swung at the shambling corpse of the Nightborne. It fell in front of her, and as it fell, it grasped the feet of Nyfera and whispered “my thanks” and said no more. The corpse seemed to diminish before Nyfera.
Souldefiler came forward and took her shoulders. Looking into the face of Souldefiler, she once again felt the icy breath. “Now you must be cleansed, and your devotion renewed. return to me and help your fellow Devoted crush this city.”
Nyfera drew herself to her full height and replied “Mistress I am Devoted” as a Death gate burst open, and Nyfera walked through.
“Follow her” said Souldefiler “And make sure her cleansing and her new devotion are… thorough.” Twill bowed and opened her own gate. As she left Souldefiler paused to watch the ongoing battle as the Horde was steadily pushed back. Orgrimmar would soon suffer the same fate as Stormwind. Satisfied with the progress, she opened her own death gate and entered.
Chapter 10. The power of Souls…
Dragging the semi-conscious Brigan Punicilla made her way through the corridors of the devoted citadel. She stopped at every junction, listening for footsteps and voices. hearing neither she made her way to her private sanctum. Placing Brigan on the bed she made to leave. Turning to look at Brigan one last time she saw him turn to her and wince. “Why?” he whispered in pain. “Why did you save me?” Puny opened the door and peered out. Still silence. Closing the door she walked to the bed and knelt in front of the Farstrider as he rolled onto his side to face her. “I saw what had been dim before. My eyes were opened.”
Brigan laughed through gritted teeth. “You left it a bit late. You think rescuing me will bring you redemption from your sins?” “No” replied Punicilla “but I know many secrets of this place. Maybe I can do my former mistress a great evil. Perhaps weaken her fatally. I know where she draws her power. Rest Farstrider, I shall return soon. You will be safe here, only I can open this door once it is closed from the outside.”
Groaning Brigan rolled onto his back.
Checking his wounds for one last time, Punicilla brought to bear all she remembered of the Light and healed his wounds as best she could. Sighing Brigan seemed to relax and a smile came to his lips. “Do not tarry” he whispered, as his eyes closed. Bringing her face close to his, she heard his soft breathing and left the room. With a clang, the door shut behind her.
Moving deeper Punicilla tread carefully. It would not be long before the Devoted would break the seals on Shalakazor’s chamber and know something was amiss. Time was short. Moving deeper she came to the center of the Halls, where all had been reborn in the Ice. Opening to chamber door she stepped inside and was immediately assaulted by thousands of voices, all clamouring to be freed from their prison. Falling to a knee she drew a hand over the floor and swept away the frozen dust. Inside she could see countless souls, tormented and twisted as they circled their prison. Every now and again a soul would take form and bring its hands to the ice in a futile and pathetic attempt to break the unbreakable. “Free us Save us. Torment us no longer. Grant us justice. Bring death to the one who holds us here” screamed countless voices. Rising to her feet Punicilla looked around for some way to break the ice. No weapon or device was visible. Then a young girl’s voice rang clear from the clamour.
“You cannot break the spell of locking that binds us here with sword or force. The Ice is an illusion. Your will is what keeps us bound here. Your will and the will of all of her slaves. but hers most of all. You cannot free all of us, but you can free some.” Punicilla dropped to a knee. “Who do I release? Who will benefit our struggle against Souldefiler the most, and hurt her?” The soul fell silent and joined the maelstrom. “Please,” said Punicilla. “I must know”
The voice returned “But you already know who you must choose. But are you strong enough to make the choice, knowing what it would bring?” Punicilla shook her head. “If I release this one soul, I trade it for the souls of my comrades who I hold in my heart, and in doing so I damn myself forever and will never know Ascension.” The voice rang clear. “That is the choice you have to make. The gift that Souldefiler bestows upon her devoted is a strong gift, but it is a stronger curse that you do not know until it is time. She has taken all from you. More than you can possibly know.”
“But I saw the Seeker. She promised me Ascension”
The soul fell silent.
“Did she lie to me too?” asked Punicilla. “No she did not,” said another voice, this voice filled with power. “You will rise. but first, you must overcome what has happened to you. By freeing so much as one of us, it opens the way to your Ascension and weakens your former Mistress. She will come after you with a fury ten thousand fold, for you know her weakness and she cannot allow you to live. You will need to flee to those who now call you enemy and convince them you are not their foe, but their champion. You must free one of us, and this will be so. You can release us from our prison for a short time, but you can only take one of us with you. The rest of us will drink in our small taste of freedom, before we are returned.”
“Who do I free if I can free only one.”
The voice fell silent for a second that an answer came. “You must free Matilda.” She alone knows best how to wound the one who destroyed us all and keeps us here. She will be the one, who will guide you to victory."
“How Do I free her?” asked Punicilla.
“Open your heart, and your Light will show you”
Punicilla stood up and raised her hands to the roof and in a clear voice shouted “The Light fills me with hope. The Light brings me strength. Now give me the clarity to free one of these souls from its icy prison” The chamber filled with light and Punicilla felt its warmth once more. It swung around her like a coiling snake and every time it brushed her face Punicilla felt its warmth. Suddenly it wrapped itself around her hand and some will other than her own forced a small beam of Holy Light at the ice. “Concentrate,” said the voice.
“feel its power fill you and channel it.” Punicilla screamed as the light intensified. Suddenly there was a crack and the ice splintered. Dropping her hands and exhausted, Punicilla fell to her knees and watched as the ice cracked some more. Then a girl’s voice rang clear “Freedom! Finally, I am free”
Punicilla smiled and rose to one knee as the soul came into view before her. It stood as a young girl of 10 winters. “Thank you, paladin, together we will break the power of the Death Knight.” But first, we must leave. As soon as you freed me, it will have wounded your Mistress, and she will come here with all haste. If you have more to do here, it must be done now. I will lend you my strength, which is bound to all of the souls in this place. Their strength is mine, and our strength is yours. But now, the price for my freedom must be paid."
Punicilla sighed and felt tears well. “Is there no other way?” she whispered as she held her necklace.
“No” said matilda. “The price must be paid.” With tears flowing Punicilla took her necklace and dropped it into the crack. It seemed to turn to dust, and suddenly she heard no more voices of her comrades.
“They join the others. In time, they shall know release, but now they are the price you pay to vanquish our common foe. Now instead of your fallen comrades, you bear me.”
Punicilla indeed felt reinvigorated, and as she stood she took the soul in. “I now am one with you, and will guide you.”
"We must rescue my companion first said Punicilla. “Very well” said Matilda, “but we must not tarry. She is coming.” Returning to her chamber she helped Brigan to his feet. "Come, we must leave. I can heal your wounds. The blazing fire of Holy power surged through Punicilla’s hands, empowered by Matilda. Brigan gasped as his wounds healed completely. he stood up and brushed himself down.
“Impressive,” he said. “I never knew you had such power.”
“We have no time” said Punicilla Matilda’s voice hummed in the chamber. “We must go. She is here.”
Pulling out her Death gate stone, Punicilla activated it and they left the chamber. As she did so, she heard the roar of freedom from the souls remaining, but sadness knowing what was to become of them.
Chapter 11. The Revenge of the Horde.
The battle raged further into Orgrimmar. Standing at the city gates, the Council stood and listened to the battle grow closer. “Shuma” said Baine, turning to the orc shaman. What aid did you bring and where are they? I see no one."
“Patience replied the orc and told his companion to put down the burden he was carrying. Now watch and I will bring your help” as he laid his hands on the bundle and chanted a spell. Suddenly the small bag rapidly expanded and inside the council could see violent struggles and cries for help. Suddenly a sword blade was thrust through and a great rend was cut and whoever was trapped was now free.
“What in the Earth mother’s name” bellowed a Tauren voice as it tore the canvas off of his companions. Shuma came forward. “I apologize Warspawn but there was no time. If I had not used the spell of sealing you would not be here to curse me” Warspawn laughed and took the hand of Shuma warmly. “Then you have our thanks.” Noticing for the first time the Council he dropped to a knee. “My lords, forgive my words.” From the remains of the tent, the others trapped with Warspawn crawled out and gathered their strength. Shuma turned to the council. This is the aid I bring. together they can stop this invasion and drive our enemies out. But they need your leadership and strength".
Baine walked past him and sniffed the air, his muscles visibly tightening. “They shall have it” he cried and turned to the Horde mustered behind him.
“Friends,” he said “our city is on the brink of collapse. But we are The Horde. We are strong together, and together, we will drive the invaders from our city and take back what is ours. For the Horde” he yelled, and held his mace aloft. “For The Horde” rang out the cry and all prepared to take back Orgrimmar. Leaping onto their mounts, the Council and the Champions followed Baine on his mighty steed as they raced into the Valley of Strength. “We will take the valley,” said Baine to the remainders of his army, “your glory will be to drive out all who invade the Drag. leave none alive” The army cheered and raced along the cliffs to the Drag.
“Come now friends, it is time to retake our home.” Spurring his steed, the mighty form of Baine led the charge into the Valley.
They came into the valley as a whirlwind of hooves and steel, trampling and mowing down all enemies in their path. The Corrupted Horde shrank back, but the Devoted fought with fresh vigor, and now turned on the Horde who once fought with them although compelled to do so. No quarter was given to them, by the Devoted nor Baine and his companions. Dismounting the champions took the battle to their enemies. Warspawn cut down all in his path with his blades, the two demon hunters Uldur and Khaa taking demon form to rain death, the priest’s Shadd And S’mucke healing their wounds while casting the dreaded spells of Shadow and the Void. Shuma using the elements to destroy their foes.
The Devoted wilted before them and gradually fell back into the valley and trapping themselves against Grommash Hold. Unbeknown to all, the battle between Souldefiler and Lunaera and Nyfera raged in the valley to its bloody climax. The Council swept all before them and broke the Devoted line. Cutting them down with force and spell the Council swung around to the other side of the Valley, as the champions fought their way around the hold. A cloud of dust and mire obscured their view, but the sound of battle was clear. Shadd turned to S’mucke and said, “Can you pierce that veil?” “No” she replied “but I sense a powerful enemy in that mist. That will be their leader Souldefiler no doubt”
“Souldefiler is there?” bellowed Warspawn and charged at the cloud. “No stop!” cried Keran but too late, as Warspawn was flung back as though he was a gnat. Crashing to the ground he grunted and rose to a knee. “That hurt” he muttered. “I did try and warn you” said Keran. “That shield is held by dark magic, it will not break until the one who cast it wills it to open. And we still have more of the enemy to clear.” “Hah” cried Warspawn picking up his monstrous blades “Then let’s be at them!” With a cry he leaped into the air and brought all his bearing into a throng of Devoted, crushing them beneath his feet and in a wide arc cut down those remaining.
Khaa and Uldur joined forces and with their demonic hellfire, spat death from their eyes and sang a song of dancing blades. Keran and Shuma, with the powers of Druid and Shaman, tore apart any devoted remaining, while Shad and S’mucke dealt death by Shadow.
The devoted fell back to the ramparts and took cover as the archers filled the skies with arrows. Thalyssra seeing the carnage from above called to Lor’themar. “Look! Our archers fire on us” “Yes. let us free them” said Lor’themar and Thalyssra teleported them to the top of the ramparts. Raising his hands Lor’themar cast a spell freezing time and Thalyssra searched their minds for the dark presence. She heard the faint whispers of Shalakazor, and with a spell silenced them. Lor’themar dropped his spell and the archers fell to the floor in agony. “They will recover and join us,” said Thalyssra, “the spell used to enchant them leaves a strong impression. We must return to the others”
Casting another spell they returned to the battle.
Baine blew an ear-shattering blast on his horn and the Horde rallied to him. Coming to the front he pushed his way through and looked at the remainder of the Devoted army. “They will not surrender,” said Shuma coming beside him. "Baine’s eyes narrowed. “A dark will gives them purpose and they have no will of their own to resist. They will conquer or die.”
Baine lifted his mace to signal his army. “My friends of the Horde!” he bellowed as the devoted mustered and brandished their weapons. “No quarter to the invaders!” and brought his mace down in a signal to advance. The Horde charged past him as the devoted charged to him. Hacking each other to pieces, the Horde fell into the bloodlust of old, as the devoted fought with all the strength they could muster. Soon blood and bodies choked the ground and the Horde became stronger as the devoted numbers dwindled. Soon only a handful of devoted was left, and while some charged and were immediately killed, the rest fell to their knees and begged for mercy.
But there was to be none, as they were cut down where they sued for clemency. The battle for Orgrimmar was over.
Returning with the other Council members to Grommash Hold Baine took his seat and sighed heavily. The Champions found places of rest in the chamber, waiting for the council to speak. “This battle has taken much of strength,” said Baine, looking sideways to Lor’themar. We barely survived Stormwind’s fate. Do you think they would accept our aid in battling our now common enemy?" “If Anduin escaped the carnage I doubt very much he would refuse us. But we must tread lightly, and not have the Alliance believe we have come to aid Souldefiler and finish them off. We should send envoys first under a banner of friendship”
“Agreed,” said Thalyssra. “But where…” Noticing for the first time Gazlowe was absent she turned to Baine. “Gazlowe is missing” Baine laughed. “Who do you think led the defense and retook the Drag?” he said as Gazlowe casually strolled into the Hold. “Someone call for me?” he laughed taking his seat. “Whew, you guys stink” The chamber echoed with laughter. “OK” said Baine. It’s agreed we send envoys to the Alliance." Looking up to the Champions he beckoned them forward. “You have done well in the fight for our home. now we ask you to help our enemies retake their homes. The enemy of my enemy is my friend” he said getting up. “Leave as soon as you can and with these tokens I give you, help Anduin take back Stormwind. and when you return, together we will march to Souldefiler, and bring ruin to her as she sought to bring ruin to all”
The Champions bowed, and as Thalyssra opened a portal to Stranglethorn, they marched through to lend their aid to their oldest foe.