Deception (a World of Warcraft Fanfic)

Experiments

The next few days went by rather slowly. I passed the time by doing chores throughout Krasarang. From intercepting alliance orders to fighting on the front to checking in on Valurine's plans, I managed to keep busy.

Valurine had grown obsessed with Nazgrim and his tactics, it's all she ever talked about. She had developed a peculiar admiration and hatred for his ingenious decision making skills.

She was planning a minor assault in the east in attempt to cut off the transportation of stone from the quarry to domination point. I informed Nazgrim and he altered the route slightly in hopes of avoiding conflict. Unfortunately Valurine wasn't so easily fooled, we lost a good team that day.

Meanwhile I recieved more word from Garrosh and met him and Lor'themar in Mogujia.

Though having knowledge of it, Garrosh had not informed the archaeologists that the terra-coda statues were capable of coming to life. Many eleven lives were lost, and it didn't please lor'themar that Garrosh could care less.

I rescued those that I could against the warchief's wishes, then joined Fanlyr to take out a type of spellweaver in the mountain above.

The spellweaver had a codex on him. It told us of the Korune mogu and how they tried to harness the power of the sha itself using the divine bell. There was also a map giving it's exact location.

Fanlyr was thrilled, even after I warned him of how dangerous the sha could be. He insisted it was exactly what Garrosh was looking for.

So I returned to Domination point and was able to enjoy some time with Kiryn while she was off duty. I admit, she's not the best at first impressions, but Kiryn makes a good friend.

She had been working with Nazgrim on our grand counter move, which was a success. We managed to March on the beach and take a heavy toll on one if their ships.

I was helping Kiryn repair some of the broken armor when I was approached by Nazgrim. He handed me a hastily written note, signed by Lor'themar. I was to meet him in the Valley of Emperors, immediately.

A team of blood elves and I worked together to fight the mogu in the valley and retrieve information. Lor'themar thought it was unwise to continue throwing men at an enemy they didn't understand.

Once we had gathered some scripts and artifacts for the reliquaries to analyze, we assaulted their leader and took him prisoner.

My arrows weren't enough to get him to talk about the divine bell. He taunted me, oh how I wanted to shoot him.

Lor'themar didn't want anyone trying to get him to speak, in fear we were underestimating him, until we spoke to the other leaders of the Horde.

At first it seemed nothing, until I found myself on my next mission, starring into the eyes of an old friend, Baine.

*

It was a strange request in this letter, a champion capable of combat, and digression. The handwriting was not of an Orc or blood elf. It was choppy, much like my own. A tauren's penmanship.

I was greeted by Sunwalker Dezco, armed and ready for anything. He escorted me to the portal room, where Garrosh, Lor'themar, and two very near and dear to my heart, Baine and Fluffy waited.

Raven waited silently as I wrapped my arms around my long lost companion. At last, wolf and master reunited.

"Well met, hunter." Baine greeted as if I were a stranger. He lead me to the hall. As soon as we rounded the corner, he reached out to hug me.

"I missed you."

"As did I. You're scarred, so Vol'jin didn't exaggerate... Saerah, what's to come?"

"I don't know, all I know is the Horde will never be the same again."

"I feared you had gone sha crazed as well, which is why I asked for a champion capable of combat and digression, not you. I'm glad Nazgrim chose to send you."

"I am, too. This continent makes me second guess everything I've ever done."

"No, you have a good heart, my friend, remember that." Baine smiled at me, "You're a warrior when you need to be, and I'm afraid you'll have to be today."

"What's hapoened?" I asked.

"When I arrived here I found Garrosh... experimenting... with some ancient power he found in the mountains in the north. He believes these "sha" will strengthen our men, but so far they've only done the opposite. The erupt in random bursts of aggression. I want you to join me to speak with the men, be prepared to defend yourself if they lash out."

"Lash out...?"

He sighed, "They are no longer orcs, Saerah, they don't control themselves. We need to try and purge them from the evil, hopefully not destroying the person in the proses."

"I understand. come on, Fluf." I called, but he wouldn't budge.

"Fear, c'mon boy." Called Baine. Fluffy joined us, wagging his tail as he ran.

"What did you say?"

"There's one! Hello sir."

"Feeling alright?" I asked. An unholy aura surrounded him, much like one had Nazgrim when we first arrived here. If only Taran Zhu were here, he would be angered, but he knew how to dispel it.

"Get away from me... ILL KILL YOU ALL!"

Baine and I make a good team, we defended ourselves, but were careful not to harm the corrupt orc. Eventually the sha fled and we killed it off. We continued this until we were certian every Orc in the shrine was freed.

"I'm off to help the nurses gather the wounded to be bandaged, tell the Warchief we have succeeded."

"I'm unsure if I'll be sent back to domination point, if this is goodbye, will you be staying?"

"In my brief time on this continent, I've fallen in love with it. This land needs protection from Garrosh's dark motives. This time we fight side by side, my friend. I'll see you soon."

I walked in on a heated debate between Garrosh and Lor'themar over the sha usage. They stopped immediately as I walked in to hear my report.

"You bested the defenders? Finally, someone with strength. I need more men like you."

"Do you truly believe the sha can be controlled?" The blood elf questioned.

Ishi, the blademaster who accompanied Garrosh, was outraged by the question. The Warchief told him to back off and calmly explained that the sha were a powerful tool used by the Mogu.

Lor'themar argued that the sha could have been the downfall of the mogu, or perhaps their pride.

Garrosh was done with him. He called him a coward and a fool not to want to seize the power for the horde.

Defeated, Lor'themar mumbled, "As you say... Warchief."