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Exile of a hero	By : fibericon Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 10410 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft, nor do I make any money from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter warning time! This chapter is long, lore-y, and has no sex! I think that makes it the first chapter I've written for this story without sex in it. I thought about adding it, but the chapter is already quite long enough.

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Nessa awoke, finding herself in Karasae's arms. She got up with a sigh, waking Karasae from her light doze. The time had come to go on the offensive. She was to join a mage and a warrior to kill Valanar and his lieutenants. Getting dressed, she looked down at Tewah. Nessa reached out to wake her, but thought better of it. Nessa and Karasae left quietly, heading down to where the rest of her team would be. The mage, a blood elf, was sitting on a log waiting for them.

"Couldn't sleep either, sister?" he asked.

"Indeed," Nessa lied, "Drink this so you don't fall asleep on our quest."

Nessa produced a vial and handed it to him. He eyed it suspiciously before taking it.

"What does it do?"

"It gives you a decent amount of energy for several hours, then makes you feel like an ogre used you as a training dummy."

The mage hesitated, then removed the cork and drank the contents. An orc clad in heavy plate armor approached.

"Are you two ready? We should get started."

The three traveled to the Temple of En'kilah, slashing and burning their way through the mindless undead that shuffled aimlessly in their path. They located the alter Chieftain Wintergale had mentioned and used it to gain entrance to Naxxanar. Skeletal mages assaulted them immediately. The undead inside were smarter, or at least stronger, than the ones they had faced on their way. The warrior plowed ahead of the two magic users, protecting them from what would have been swift deaths had they remained at melee range. Nessa wasn't used to his silent, brutal demeanor. A blood elf would have been talking the whole time. The mage next to her kept silent as well, obviously influenced by the orc ahead of them. Even when he charged the first of Valanar's lieutenants, he said nothing. No victory cry, no threat, nothing. To him, this was all business. Karasae took care to draw little attention to herself as she sneaked up behind the death knight to attack. He fell quickly under the attacks of all of them. The second lieutenant fared no better. Nessa's confidence in their ability to take Naxxanar grew. Making their way up to the second level, they encountered a much less powerful death knight guarding the staircase. As he suffered his second death, the orc spoke for the first time since they had entered.

"Let's kill Valanar and get away from here. This place reeks of death and acid."

The three pressed on, and soon confronted Valanar. The orc charged again, slamming his target with his shield. The two casters hung back and attacked from a distance. Distracting Valanar from melee range seemed to be working beautifully. Two ice lances followed in the tail of the mage's frostbolt. As they were absorbed by Valanar, the mage shrieked and crumpled to the floor. Nessa hadn't noticed what killed him, but within seconds it was clear. Valanar cast a curse on her. As an incinerate struck her target, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Luckily, she wasn't casting quite as rapidly as the mage was. She let her afflictions leave Valanar and waited. The curse ended relatively quickly, but she had caused herself a considerable amount of pain in the meantime. She resumed casting, and noticed the warrior beginning to falter. He fell to one knee, blood spilling out from under his armor. Nessa bared her teeth, transforming to her demonic counterpart, and charged Valanar. Though his facade was admirable, he was greatly weakened already. Nessa's immolation aura was the final nail in his coffin. As he fell, she looked down at her allies. The blood elf was quite clearly dead. The orc was bleeding profusely, blood flowing from under his unscathed armor.

"It's only a matter of time now," Karasae said in Demonic.

"Listen to me, warlock," the orc grunted, "I won't make it out of here. You must burn my body. I don't want to end up like one of them."

"On that you have my word." Nessa replied.

With that, the warrior fell to his side. Nessa set about burning the mage's corpse, then checked for a pulse on the warrior. Once satisfied that she wouldn't be burning him alive, she set his body alight as well. She turned her attention to Valanar, but Karasae grabbed her arm.

"Listen," the demon said, "Do you hear that?"

Nessa listened closely. Clattering and scraping noises were coming from up ahead, getting closer. When they came into view, Nessa saw it was a large group of ghouls and skeletons.

"Run!" Karasae yelled, tugging on Nessa's arm.

"But if we don't burn him, they'll bring him back!"

"And if we don't run, you'll be joining them!"

Nessa growled and turned away, sprinting for the path they had cleared to get in. A veritable army of lesser scourge was hot on their heels. Using the transporter to leave Naxxanar, Nessa whistled for her wolf. They jumped onto the back of the beast, which quickly carried them to safety. Nessa couldn't help but feel their mission had been a complete failure. Approaching Taunka'le reaffirmed this. The scourge had laid siege to the village in her absence. She quickly tried to find someone who could tell her what happened. Chieftain Wintergale remained in the inn, determined to endure until the end. The sense of loss in his voice was palpable.

"We are lost, Nessa. This place has been our home for many generations, but it is no longer safe. There remains only death... Death and a memory of what used to be. I have called for the evacuation of Taunka'le. All remaining taunka must leave at once and make their way to our capital city, Icemist, located in the Dragonblight." He pointed to the east and continued, "You must help get my people to safety, Nessa. Mother Tauranook awaits you at the village gates. Hurry! The scourge closes in from all sides!"

Nessa met with Mother Tauranook, helping escort what civilians they could evacuate. She and Karasae had to remain sharp; the threat of the scourge was constant. Only, when they got within eyesight of Icemist, there was only more heartbreak and disappointment. It was lost. The scourge had decimated the village. A refugee camp had been setup nearby, but it did little to ease the minds of the taunka. Nessa, however, was relieved to see reinforcements. All of her allies in Taunka'le were dead, or worse, had been captured or fled. A healer tended to Nessa's injuries while some other soldiers retrieved armaments for the taunka. The tauren emissary meant to have them inducted into the horde. She provided Nessa with a scroll bearing an oath. It was an oath she knew well - the Blood Oath of the Horde.

"They are ready, Nessa. These taunka will all willingly join the Horde and give all that they have to see the Scourge driven from this world. Within this scroll you will find the blood oath of the Horde. Tradition dictates that our new taunka brothers and sisters utter the sacred words herein. Take the scroll and swear the taunka into the Horde, commander. Return the scroll to me when you have completed your duty."

Commander? Was I promoted without my knowledge, or is this an assumed title due to battlefield crisis?

Nessa went to a newly equipped taunka. She held the scroll up as a matter of ceremony, though she could have recited the words without it.

"Listen carefully and repeat after me, for these words will forever bind you to the Horde. Lok'tar ogar! Victory or death - it is these words that bind me to the Horde. For they are the most sacred and fundamental of truths to any warrior of the Horde. I give my flesh and blood freely to the Warchief. I am the instrument of my Warchief's desire. I am a weapon of my Warchief's command. From this moment until the end of days I live and die - for the Horde!"

The taunka clearly took to these words well. An obvious sense of renewed purpose and vigor came over them as they swore themselves into the horde. They wanted retribution. They wanted allies to help them destroy the threat that had claimed so many. But most of all, they wanted somewhere to belong. Everything they knew had been taken away from them in such a short time. Nessa returned to Brighthoof and handed back the ceremonial scroll.

"Thank you for doing this, Commander Felwhisper. They had nothing left. You have given them purpose and with purpose comes hope... hope for a new tomorrow... for a new life."

"I must correct you. I'm no commander."

"On the contrary, you have been recognized for your service to the horde and received an official commendation from both Saurfang and Agmar. With all the work that had to be done, there was little time for ceremony, but your rank remains. Agmar has requested your presence. He has an assignment that you would only be allowed to undertake as a commander, and as such I don't know the details. I'm told this mission is of the utmost urgency. You are to go to Agmar's Hammer at once."

Nessa quickly mounted up, her wolf sprinting for the nearby Horde base. She knew others were aiding the Wyrmrest accord, and possibly the Forsaken as well, but could it really be time to assault the gate already? She shook this thought from her head. Her strength was a facade. Drained physically and emotionally, there was no way she would make for anything more than a momentary meat shield. Arriving at the base, she went directly to Overlord Agmar. He nodded as she entered.

"You have done well, sister. All that you have faced, you have done as a champion of the Horde. The Scourged Anub'ar of Azjol-Nerub, crushed under your foot! The taunka, brave and powerful new members of the Horde, because of you! Our super-weapon against the Scourge was tested and perfected only because of the time you bought us and the fact that you gave us the liberty to withhold some soldiers for that purpose. The time has come, the moment is now - our elite soldiers at the Wrathgate need you. The son of Saurfang awaits your arrival at the Kor'kron Vanguard. Go now, northeast to the Wrathgate."

Nessa hid her fears and responded in a battle cry, "Lok'tar!"

"Blood and thunder! Show them no mercy, commander!"

She exited and mounted up again, riding north. Swallowing hard, she turned to Karasae, who was flying beside her.

"Don't worry, Nessa," Karasae said, "I'm not."

"How can I be calm about this?"

"If you were to battle at the Wrathgate, don't you think you would be there already?"

"And just what the hell else would I do? Make cookies for everyone?"

Karasae took a moment to respond, "I'm a demon. I feed off pride, among other things. As such, I can sense it in any situation. I can't tell you exactly what's going to happen, and I wouldn't even if I could. A warlock who studies demonology needs to learn to perceive situations like a demon, and I'll be damned if I'm going to coddle you through it."

Nessa remained silent. That reply had angered her. Karasae was clearly upset about something else, but this was hardly the time to ask her about it. As they reached the overlooking cliff where Saurfang the Younger watched over his troops, Nessa dismounted and greeted him.

"My father was right about you, Nessa. Everything that he said has come to pass - only one final duty remains unfulfilled. I will now lead the Kor'kron to the front line. The time to end this war is at hand. The Lich King's tyranny ends today! Take my post now, Nessa, and stand guard over our forces."

Nessa watched Saurfang the Younger walk away, and finally understood what Karasae had meant. He wanted the glory of battle, but someone had to take this post. There's a reason high ranking soldiers don't take the front line - the front line dies.

"I'm torn," Nessa began in Demonic, "Between my loyalty to the Horde and the joy it brings me to see someone killed by their own stupidity. They are attacking directly, but Arthas will never respond in kind."

Karasae said nothing, watching the scene unfolding below. The Alliance attacked first, tearing through the masses of scourge. Nessa was suddenly distracted when Saurfang yelled not far from her.

"Rise up, sons of the Horde! Blood and glory await us!" An orcish horn wass sounded as the Kor'kron rode into battle, trampling undead along the way.

"I was wondering if you'd show up!" Fordragon said with a smile.

"I couldn't let the Alliance have all the fun today!"

The two armies dealt with the undead guarding the gate with astonishing efficiency. The two leaders approached the gate. Dranosh glanced at Bolvar, prompting him to speak.

"Arthas! The blood of your father, of your people, demands justice! Come forth, coward, and answer for your crimes!"

Granting his wish, Arthas opened the gate and stepped through. As he spoke, minions rose up from the ground around him. "You speak of justice? Of cowardice? I will show you the justice of the grave and the true meaning of fear."

"Enough talk!" Saurfang growled, "Let it be finished!"

The orc charged, and was dispatched with a single swing of frostmourne. His axe shattered, he laid dead on the ground. As Arthas held his cursed sword over the orc's body, Frostmourne absorbed his soul. Bolvar could barely contain his rage, seething with hatred.

"You will pay for the lives you've stolen, traitor."

"Boldly stated, but there is nothing you can-" An explosion rang out, interrupting Arthas, "What?"

On the ledge opposite Nessa's stood Putress. He laughed wickedly, looking down on the armies below. Catapults were brought to the ledge as he spoke. "Did you think we had forgotten? Did you think we had forgiven? Behold, now, the terrible vengeance of the Forsaken!"

"Sylvanas..."

Canisters of plague rained down onto the battlefield as the insane apothecary's followers murdered Horde, Alliance, and Scourge indiscriminately. Soldiers attempted to flee in terror, but found nowhere to run. Green clouds of poisonous fumes consumed the battlefield, annihilating everyone caught inside. Some troops around the outside edge were lucky enough to escape, dropping their shields and weapons and running as fast as they could.

"Death to the Scourge! And death to the living!"

"Fall back!" Bolvar yelled, all too late.

Arthas collapsed to his knees, coughing and gasping for air. With a final burst of strength, he forced himself to rise and walked back into his fortress. "This isn't over."

"Now, all can see this is the hour of the Forsaken."

"We're finished," Fordragon said, collapsing to the ground hopelessly, "No escape... for any of us."

He saw what appeared to be birds flying away in the distance before he gave in to the embrace of death. As they got closer, Nessa could see that they were actually red dragons. The Red Dragonflight scorched the earth below to purify it, removing all the toxins from the plague bombs. Flowers and grass grew around the area, for all the good it did. Nessa made her way down to the valley to assess the situation. She wasn't looking forward to reporting this.

"Darkness stirs, Nessa." Alexstrasza said, "A tragic event has transpired that none but the Timeless One could have foreseen. Soon your people will be gripped by anger and hatred. War is on the horizon. The red dragonflight has done all that it can. What happens next is in the hands of the mortal races of Azeroth. Regrettably, your journey begins with anguish. A father has lost a child today. You must bear the grim news. Gather the armaments of Saurfang and return them to the elder Saurfang."

Nessa nodded, and with a sigh, picked up the armor laying at the dragon's feet. She had nothing to say as she mounted and rode toward the Borean Tundra. Karasae was waiting for something, anything, but eventually broke the silence herself.

"What happened to the joy of watching someone die from their own stupidity?"

Nessa stopped abruptly, angering her wolf. Caught by surprise, Karasae stopped a few feet ahead. Nessa climbed off her wolf and grabbed Karasae roughly by the center of her skimpy top, pulling her in close to look her in the eyes.

"Listen here, demon. I just watched our closest allies, people with a portal into our city right inside their walls, betray the Horde. If they choose to take this further, Silvermoon will fall. There is no way I can get a message home in time. I know you don't give a shit about my people, but do me a favor and don't joke about this around me."

Nessa shoved Karasae back, releasing her. She turned to walk back to her mount, but the demon grabbed her arm. "Like hell you're going to abandon this conversation!"

"While we stand here and argue in the snow, the Forsaken prepare to kill us all! Do you want that?"

"I want to make sure you're still with me when this is over."

"Hmph. Honestly, Karasae, you don't seriously expect to lose me over something this petty, do you?" Karasae looked down and didn't reply. Nessa waited a moment, then sighed and added, "When I'm not trying to stem the tide of war, we can have it out about what a horrible warlock I am. I promise."

Nessa remounted her wolf and rode onward. This was an extra problem she really didn't want to deal with at the moment. Dealing with the taunka was about all the drama she could handle in one day. On top of that, she was about to go deliver horrible news to the elder Saurfang. Entering the large building, she carried the armor in both hands. Saurfang's back was to her, but Hellscream motioned for him to turn around. Nessa's heart sank. She knew he recognized the armor at first glance. He took the armor from her gently.

"My heart..." he said weakly, "My strength..." He looked to the heavens and collected himself before continuing, "Like Brox, my son died a hero. Do not mourn him, Nessa. For an orc, there could be no better end! No greater honor! At this moment, my heart swells with pride. I thank you for returning our battle armor. It will be placed upon his pyre at the Ancestral Grounds of Nagrand. We must turn our full attention to more pressing matters. The Warchief needs you, champion. Orgrimmar is in a state of martial law. All merchants and services have been shut down as the Warchief prepares for an unavoidable conflict. I cannot tell you much more - not now. Not in this place. The Warchief commands that our strongest champions report to his throne room. Go now, Nessa! Take the portal back to Orgrimmar and seek out Thrall."

Nessa stepped through the portal, which took her to the gates of Orgrimmar. Forsaken refugees were camped out in makeshift tents throughout the city. Merchants were shut down, and on the verge of rioting. Soldiers tried their best to keep the peace, but clearly expected the worst. Nessa hurried to find the warchief, desperate to end this nightmare. She found Thrall pacing back and forth in front of his throne, Sylvanas on one knee in front of him, her head bowed.

"The demon lord, Varimathras, and the Forsaken's chief apothecary, Putress, are responsible for this betrayal." Thrall began, "Yes, the same Putress responsible for discovering the cure for the recent Scourge plague outbreak. Those that would not side with their regime have been executed or banished. Sylvanas was nearly killed in the coup. The Horde has lost the Undercity. Orgrimmar will take on the Forsaken refugees until there is a resolution to this crisis. For now we are under martial law."

A portal suddenly opened near them, and Thrall's guards rushed to attack. Jaina Proudmoore stepped through.

"Kor'kron, stand down! Jaina..."

"Thrall, what has happened? The King is preparing for war..."

"Jaina, what happened at the Wrath Gate. It was a betrayal from within..."

"Lady Proudmoore," Sylvanas began, "The Warchief speaks the truth. This subterfuge was set in motion by Varimathras and Grand Apothecary Putress. It was not the Horde's doing. As the combined Horde and Alliance forces began their assault upon the Wrath Gate, an uprising broke out in the Undercity. Varimathras and hordes of his demonic brethren attacked. Hundreds of my people were slain in the coup. I barely managed to escape with my life."

"The Horde has lost the Undercity. We now prepare to lay siege to the city and bring the perpetrators of this unforgivable crime to justice. If we are forced into a conflict, the Lich King will destroy our divided forces in Northrend. We will make this right, Jaina. Tell your king all that you have learned here."

"I will deliver this information to King Wrynn, Thrall," Jaina replied, "But... Bolvar was like a brother to him. In the King's absence, Bolvar kept the Alliance united. He found strength for our people in our darkest hours. He watched over Anduin, raising him as his own. I fear that the rage will consume him, Thrall. I remain hopeful that reason will prevail, but we must prepare for the worst... for war. Farewell, Warchief. I pray that the next time we meet it will be as allies."

Jaina stepped back into the portal, which closed behind her.

"Kor'kron, prepare transport to the Undercity. On the day of my death I wish to be able to say that I lived a life without regret. Those who mourn my passing will know that I was a Warchief who made decisions that best served his people. But this betrayal by Varimathras and Putress... All that we have worked for is for nothing." Thrall sighed heavily before adding, "Justice must be served. Portals to Undercity will be active momentarily. Vol'jin will be waiting for you. I will meet you there soon. Together we will make it right, Nessa."

"Warchief," Sylvanas said suddenly, "A warlock is the last thing we want! It's a demon that started this whole mess!"

"No, sister," Nessa replied, "You thought you could play warlock and kept a demon at your side. He turned on you. Perhaps if you could command a little more loyalty-"

Sylvanas stood up and approached Nessa, "I am no sister of yours."

Karasae let her whip unroll, the tip hitting the ground, and calmly interrupted, "Don't rush to your second death."

"Enough!" Thrall barked, "I will not tolerate infighting! Take the portal. Now."

Nessa smirked and stepped through the portal. Vol'jin was waiting for her on the other side, and couldn't be bothered with a greeting. "Let me get you up to speed, Nessa. Undercity is a war-zone. Putress' apothecaries and Varimathras' demons have seized control. They've taken a defensive position inside and are using that damned blight against our troops. The entirety of the Undercity is controlled by Varimathras. Our soldiers stand ready, waiting for the Warchief to give the attack orders."

Nessa nodded and looked around. She spotted Thrall behind her. The fact that he could get so close without her noticing frightened her. It meant that she was tired. This battle was more than she thought she could handle. There was nothing she could do to prepare. She had been through hell since she woke up, and she was now continuing to battle on into the night. With obvious uncertainty in her voice, she spoke to Thrall.

"I am ready, Warchief."

Thrall nodded and turned to the rest of the troops. "Heroes of the Horde," he called out loudly, "Your warchief calls! Gather behind me at the gates of the Undercity! Soon we march upon our fallen city and reclaim it - for the Horde! Blood and thunder, champions of the Horde! We fight on this day for our fallen brothers and sisters! Mourn them not for they all died with honor in their hearts! Though we face great conflict, our might combined shall obliterate those who would oppose us! The grave injustices committed against the Horde will be met by an unstoppable force of reckoning! I call to you great spirits! Grant the Horde your blessing! For on this day our cause is righteous and just! Spirits of wind, carry to Saurfang the Younger the song of war! May ALL of our fallen brethren be vindicated by this battle! The battle for the Undercity begins now! Sound the horns of war! Champions of the Horde, be empowered by the might of your Warchief!"

Thrall cast a spell over all those around him. Nessa suddenly felt a surge of energy. She could fight again. More than that, she wanted to fight again. She bared her teeth and prepared mentally for battle.

"Onward!"

The army marched towards the ruins of Lordaeron. The mist of plague was thick, but Thrall didn't seem phased. He stopped just outside the green clouds.

"Great wind brother, clear our path!" As Thrall entered the courtyard first, Varimathras appeared in front of him. He bared his teeth at the demon, "You must answer to the elements, demon!"

"Welcome to my kingdom of darkness! Did you enjoy my minion's terrible creation? Potent, is it not? But enough prattling! You wish to reclaim your city? Come then, heroes! Your souls will fuel the host! You will have this place back in pieces!"

"Great water spirit, wash away this corruption! Attack!"

Predictably, the demon didn't stick around to fight Thrall himself. Instead, hundreds of undead flooded the courtyard. Sylvanas began to sing, channeling a spell. Nessa felt further empowered, as though she would never feel tired again. Waves of undead fell at their feet. Karasae was unaffected by the unquenchable blood lust that Thrall had instilled in those around her. No one else was thinking. They were so focused on killing anything that moved that they didn't realize the demon was just stalling for time. Her chain of thought was broken when a massive flesh giant tore through the crowd of lesser undead, flinging and trampling them if they got in its way. They scrambled to get out of its way, scattering across the courtyard. Thrall rushed the creature head on, drawing its attacks. Under the rain of arrows and spells, the creature didn't last long. When it finally swayed and crumpled to the ground, Thrall looked around to assess the situation.

"The courtyard is ours! Onward to the inner sanctum!" The army rushed inside and to the elevators. Thrall stopped abruptly, looking down the elevator shaft. "Hold! They've destroyed the elevators!"

"The shaft is trapped, Warchief," Sylvanas replied, "A fall would mean certain death."

"Great air spirit, hear my call once more!" a cyclone filled the shaft and he continued, "The spirits of air have heard my call. Cyclones will lower us to safety. Now we jump!"

One by one, they jumped down the shaft and were slowly lowered to safety. The other soldiers allowed Thrall, Sylvanas, and then Nessa to go first. Nessa was still rather unused to her new rank. Thrall turned and addressed them all.

"We have breached the inner sanctum, heroes! We press on!"

A seemingly unending army of undead awaited them, attacking on sight. They fought their way through, slowly advancing into the crowd. They had to keep going in spite of their fatigue. There was no room to fall back, and nowhere to rest. When they finally reached the inner district, Sylvanas shrieked in rage at the destruction they had caused.

"What have they done to my beautiful city? The only redemption for the traitors responsible for this will be an agonizing death. My vengeance will be swift and without mercy!"

"Lead the way, Dark Lady. We will follow."

"Very well, Warchief. The Royal Quarter is this way. Stay on guard. There's no telling what Varimathras and Putress have in store for us."

This area was surprisingly devoid of resistance. There were undead, but not the massive waves that had greeted them before. It was unsettling to say the least. They were all on edge when they reached the sewers.

"Hold!" Sylvanas yelled, stopping in her tracks, "I sense dark magic. Demon magic... Stand ready!"

The booming voice of the demon rolled through the corridor, "Clever girl... My brothers have grown hungry. Your souls will sate their appetites."

A massive doomlord appeared to join the fray. It swung a sword that was larger than Nessa. Even Thrall grunted when their weapons clashed. Karasae grabbed Nessa by the back of her robes and yanked her out of range.

"Get back, foolish elf!" Karasae hissed in Demonic, "There won't be anything left if that sword hits you!"

Sylvanas glanced briefly in their direction, but couldn't afford to be distracted for long. The Horde fought hard to take down the demon, which seemed to grow stronger with every swing of its enormous sword. Nessa tossed her curses from a distance, but Karasae hung back, well out of the range of her whip. This demon was out of her league by a long shot. She instead tried to feel the energy around her. The level of demonic magic in this place was strong, too strong to be only from this. There wasn't enough time to pinpoint the source. The beast fell at Thrall's feet and he bellowed triumphantly.

"Is that all, demon? Have you nothing left to throw at us? We come for you! Prepare yourself!"

They charged across the bridge, eager to end this uprising once and for all.

"The Royal Quarter is just up ahead, Warchief." Sylvanas remarked.

"Bring down the halls!" Varimathras yelled, "Now!"

The halls shook violently, causing them to crumble and shatter. Large stones and rubble blocked the hall. Thrall roared with anger. This wasn't just another obstacle. This was an insult.

"Coward! You think to stop the Warchief of the Horde with pebbles? I will show you the true power of the elements! Great spirit of the earth, help us in our hour of need!"

The blockage was instantly scattered across the floor, the large pieces breaking down. There was nothing to block their path now.

"Let's go! quickly!" Upon entering the royal quarter, Thrall looked around at the portals. "What is this?"

Karasae hissed at the demon in the center. This was the disturbance. And unless she was mistaken...

"Welcome to your future - what little there is left of it..."

Lesser demons poured into the room, rushing the Horde soldiers. Karasae smiled. Varimathras was running out of strength. He couldn't properly fend them off and summon the demon he really wanted to. The Horde obliterated his minions with ease.

"Too long... Tireless, endless planning... It will not end like this..."

"You're a fool, Varimathras!" Karasae bellowed, snapping a demon's leg with her whip, "You were a fool to give out your name so freely, and an even bigger fool to rely on someone else to buy time for you!"

Karasae got Sylvanas's attention once more.

Another intelligent demon - that's the last thing Azeroth needs. And she's concerned for her summoner's safety? Just what in the hell is going on here?

"Need more time... The Master is near... Such power! Can you not feel it, mortals? Cease this foolishness and join me! I will not fail! Not again!" As Thrall dispatched the last of the demons guarding Varimathras, the power he was using to maintain the ritual failed. "I cannot hold... Destabilizing..."

"You have failed me, Varimathras!"

The hair on the back of Karasae's neck stood on end. She knew that voice. That was Sargeras. If he was speaking to Varimathras directly, there was only one demon he could have been summoning.

"A thousand-thousand pardons, Master! I will deal with these intruders myself!"

Varimathras came down from the center pedestal and went directly for Thrall, calling up more lesser demons to aid him. These new minions were weaker, and spawned more slowly. The majority of the Horde forces converged on Varimathras, hacking away at him. He roared and attacked wildly, knocking them all back with a shadow nova. It wasn't enough. He fell to his hands and knees before collapsing on the floor.

"Years... wasted..."

"We are victorious!" Thrall yelled out, "The Undercity belongs to the Horde once more! Lok'tar! Dark Lady, join me! You have fought hard and spilled much blood for this right. The Royal Quarter belongs to you!"

"Such will be the fate of all enemies of the Horde, Warchief. Now we must deal with the wretch, Putress."

"We shall, Sylvanas..." Thrall paused as the sound of horns from another approaching army rang out, "Alliance horns? Stay on guard!"

Wrynn entered with his own army, eying Thrall with disgust, "I was away for too long. My absence cost us the lives of some of our greatest heroes. Trash like you and this evil witch were allowed to roam free - unchecked. The time has come to make things right. To disband your treacherous kingdom of murderers and thieves. Putress was the first strike. Many more will come. I've waited a long time for this, Thrall. For every time I was thrown into one of your damned arenas... for every time I killed a green-skinned aberration like you... I could only think of one thing. What our world could be without you and your twisted Horde... It ends now, Warchief." He paused, barely fighting back tears of rage as he cried out, "Attack! For Stormwind! For Bolvar! For the Alliance!"

The two armies clashed, and Nessa went straight for their leader. She hated everything he stood for. Everything about Wyrnn reminded her of the betrayal of the humans, of their call for genocide against her people at their weakest, of him. She yelled out in common, to make sure he knew the reason for his demise before it came, as she lunged at him, shifting to demon form in midair.

"Die, traitorous human scum!"

"Nessa, no!" Karasae called after her.

The king turned his attention from Thrall in time to see Nessa before she shifted forms. He meant to explain why her race deserved to die before he killed her, but knew she wouldn't understand a word of it under metamorphosis.

"Varian!" Jaina yelled, "No! Stop! It did not have to be like this..."

With a single spell, she froze the entirety of both armies in ice blocks. Mere inches from Wrynn's throat, Nessa was denied her vengeance. She watched helplessly as the Alliance forces vanished. The spell wore off, and she returned to her normal form. She fell to her hands and knees, her hair hanging in her face. Another soldier approached her.

"Commander, are you-" His voice stuck in his throat as she looked up at him.

From behind a few strands of hair, Nessa seethed with hatred. "Cowards." She growled.

The soldier who had approached her felt an aura of demonic power around her. It made him slightly ill, but he dared not speak. Thrall could feel it too, but ignored it. This was what happened when a warlock truly lost control of their emotions. Nessa had lost a small piece of herself to the forces she drew upon for her power. Karasae helped her rise and offered her a bottle of melon juice in the hopes of coaxing her into calming down. It did little.

"It ends like it began... All that we have fought for in this world is lost. The hopes and dreams carried by my father and mother... by Doomhammer... Gone... If only you were here right now, old friend. You would know what to do."

Saurfang approached and put a hand on Thrall's shoulder, sitting next to him, "I know what he would do. He would say to you what I am about to say to you: Thrall. Lead your people. Let's go home, old friend."

Thrall nodded, "It's good to have you back, Varok, old friend. I'm sorry about your boy."

Nessa went over to speak with Thrall, "Warchief, I... I lost my temper. I wanted his throat so badly... I'm sorry."

Thrall's response did not indicate that he had even heard her. "Tomorrow brings with it uncertainty. Gone are the days of Alliance and Horde battling alongside each other in pursuit of a common enemy. A new battle dawns, Nessa - a battle in which there can be no victor. But we must continue our march towards Icecrown. We have no choice in that matter. Our salvation lies with heroes like you, Nessa. The future of the Horde - of the world - depends on you. Let us return to Orgrimmar. You must return to Northrend at once."

A portal opened up and they stepped through into Thrall's throne room. Nessa intended to leave at once, but not to Northrend. She clutched her hearthstone tightly, transporting herself back to Silvermoon. The noise outside was the first indicator that something was different. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was already midday. They had fought all night and through the morning. But Nessa couldn't rest just yet. There was something else she needed to take care of.

"Karasae..."

"Nessa, you look like hell. You should rest."

Nessa shook her head, "I can't sleep. I might concoct a potion later to help me, but I won't be able to sleep on my own. Not after that."

"Then take a shower. You'll feel better."

"But I want to talk to you."

"Do you want me to join you?" Nessa looked weakly at the demon and she added, "We don't have to do anything, Nessa. I'll just help you wash your hair, okay?"

Nessa nodded and Karasae led her by the hand. Once they were undressed, they stepped into the shower and turned it on. Blood, both theirs and from other sources, washed down the drain. Karasae waited a bit for Nessa to speak, and finally decided to start.

"Nessa, when you first learned metamorphosis, I was so proud to be with you. You have no idea how it made me feel. But you can't stop now. Especially with the approaching war..." Karasae ran her fingers through Nessa's hair, rubbing in the shampoo, "...You need to have all the strength you possibly can. And with your new rank - I mean, I know I'm not always the nicest person. I-I'm sorry."

Nessa turned around to face the demon, kissing her softly. She smiled and replied, "I know you worry about me. I'm sorry I haven't been living up to your expectations. My own training has taken a lower priority with everything that's been going on."

"Let's finish getting cleaned up. Then I'll mix your potion for you so you can get some rest."
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Exile of a hero