Chapter 12: Karazhan Ending and New Beginning
'Is this a maze or a tower?' I thought darkly as I opened yet another door that led to nowhere. 'This crazy mage—does he find amusement in creating doors that open to nothing but more walls or bricked-up passages?'
I slammed my fist against another wall in rage, frustrated to find myself in the fourteenth dead-end I'd encountered. Despite the force behind my gloved fist, the walls remained unyielding, reinforced by a strange, purple-hued layer that resisted any attempt to damage it.
I grunted with frustration as I continued to sprint at full speed towards what I hoped was the top of the tower. In this bewildering maze, it was impossible to orient myself; floors shifted and ceilings became floors in some rooms.
My only beacon in this labyrinth was my soul contract with Aegwynn. Despite her tendency to disappear and reappear in completely different places, I always knew her whereabouts. Following this trail was my best chance of finding my way through Karazhan's ever-changing corridors.
I continued to run for what felt like an eternity, the minutes stretching out before me like an endless nightmare. Each step was laden with stress and uncertainty. What if the battle against Medivh didn't unfold as planned? What if my very presence had doomed the group to failure? These thoughts gnawed at my mind, amplifying the already overwhelming sense of dread that gripped me.
As I gazed up, I beheld a towering platform suspended above, a battleground where the forces of chaos clashed with ferocious intensity. Arcane and fel energies intertwined in a dazzling display of power, casting ominous shadows over the weary group below.
Upon the platform, Sargeras, in his formidable demonic form, loomed over the scene. His back turned to me, his focus wholly consumed by the impending cataclysmic spellcasting.
With a surge of determination, I refused to remain a mere spectator to the unfolding chaos. Gripping my sword tightly, I braced myself, adopting a javelin-like stance. With two swift strides backward, I propelled myself toward the edge of the platform, gathering momentum with each step.
In the pivotal moment before the leap, I unleashed my magic, weaving it around myself in a desperate bid to evade detection by the mighty Sargeras. Drawing upon every reserve of strength, I infused myself with power, channeling it all into the impending throw.
As I hurtled through the air, my sword trailing behind like a comet, a resounding sonic boom echoed through the chamber. Sargeras turned, but it was too late. My blade pierced his demonic skin with a sickening splash of green blood, disrupting his spellcasting as the void swallowed his intended devastation.
His gaze locked onto mine, promising a world of pain as I realized my aim had fallen short. With a surge of fear, I bolted toward the nearest exit, unwilling to face the wrath of the Dark Titan.
A spike of raw magic pierced the air behind me, and I glanced back to see Sargeras aiming his hand directly at me, conjuring a deadly ball of green energy.
"Shit!" The expletive escaped my lips as I braced myself for impact. With a desperate surge of power, I summoned a fiery shield using every ounce of mana at my disposal. The intense heat of the shield melted the ground beneath me as the chaos bolt collided with it, unleashing a devastating explosion that sent me hurtling through the air.
Pain seared through my body as I collided with a nearby wall, blood trickling from a wound on my head. My hands tingled with the corruption of fel magic, a grim reminder of my failed defense against the onslaught.
Amidst the chaotic aftermath, a demonic howl reverberated through the chamber, followed by the resolute sight of Anduin Lothar plunging his blade into the heart of Medivh. Despite his determined demeanor, a pained expression flickered across his face.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I attempted to rise, only to realize with a sinking heart that both my legs were missing. Despite the grim realization, a faint smile touched my lips.
'We've won,' I whispered to myself, a surge of satisfaction mingling with the pain coursing through my body. With each labored breath, blood bubbled from my lips, signaling the severity of my wounds.
As darkness threatened to claim me, I felt a familiar sensation coursing through my body, a curse seeping into my very being and lodging itself within my heart.
'This bastard cursed my body,' I growled through gritted teeth, defiance burning in my eyes as I fought against the encroaching darkness.
Suddenly, a shimmer of arcanic energy danced before me, and through blurred vision, I beheld the group emerging from a portal. Aegwynn held aloft a radiant soul, its ethereal beauty captivating my gaze.
An instinctual urge to reach out to the soul surged within me, but I halted just in time, taking a deep breath before turning my gaze to the group.
Every member, save for the dragon, regarded me with a mix of relief and concern etched upon their features. Their eyes spoke volumes.
"Thank you, Val-Beleth," Anduin's voice broke the silence, his expression a blend of gratitude and worry as he handed me what remained of my sword—the hilt. It was evident that the Dark Titan's fel magic had obliterated the rest.
"It was nothing," I responded, trying to downplay the severity of my injuries to the Lion of Azeroth and the future commander of the Alliance. However, before I could continue, a solemn request escaped my lips, earning widened eyes from both Anduin and Llane.
"Just one request," I began, the gravity of my words hanging heavily in the air. "Could you... kill me?"
Shock rippled through the two at my unexpected plea, prompting me to offer a swift explanation.
"Don't be alarmed," I reassured them, recognizing their unfamiliarity with demonic nature. "We demons can reincarnate within our realms of existence."
Spitting blood onto the ground, I grimaced, the pain from the curse was unbearable as I growled
"You're cursed?" Aegwynn's voice held a mixture of concern and regret as she observed my condition. "And it prevents any form of regeneration," she continued, her frown deepening as she gestured toward me.
Her words resonated within me, and I nodded solemnly in acknowledgment. "I understand," I replied, appreciating the gravity of the situation. Despite the circumstances, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her.
"This is in no means pleasant for me, Val-Beleth," Aegwynn spoke with a tinge of sorrow, her hand now wreathed in arcanic magic. "But perhaps we'll see each other again soon."
With a heavy heart, she unleashed the blast, and I braced myself for the inevitable. As the magic engulfed me, I whispered my gratitude one last time.
"Thank you, Aegwynn," I murmured softly, before surrendering to the darkness that enveloped me, a temporary respite from the pain and turmoil of battle.
–
As I opened my eyes, the familiar crimson sky of Sheogh greeted me, reassuring me of my return to my home realm. A surge of relief washed over me as I realized that my contract with Aegwynn was still intact.
Examining my hands, I noticed that the foul taint of fel corruption had vanished, and my body was restored to its pristine state. A wave of gratitude flooded through me, accompanied by a renewed sense of determination.
With a swift stride, I made my way toward the castle, my mind set on reaching the library. There, I would delve deeper into the secrets of fire magic and fully absorb the essence of Malchezaar's soul, further enhancing my power and knowledge. I wanted to know how a demon could recreate his body as I wanted to go back to Azeroth the quicker the better.
But first, I had to prepare for the upcoming meeting of all the Legion leaders in one month. Strengthening myself was paramount to avoid being trampled upon by the other powerful leaders.
Closing myself off in the library, I devoted long days to absorbing Malchezaar's soul. It was a challenging task, as the soul was tainted with corruption. Yet, like a child avoiding vegetables, I employed a strategy of selective consumption, absorbing everything except the corruptive essence.
I let out a triumphant roar as the power surged within me, my mana reserves nearly quadrupling from the absorption of the piece of Malchezaar's soul. With a satisfied huff, I reveled in my newfound strength.
Turning my attention to the ancient tome before me, I eagerly delved into the lore of fire magic, absorbing every recorded spell with fervor. As I reached the third tier of magic, I encountered spells of immense magnitude—army-wide incantations capable of bolstering my forces or unleashing devastating destruction.
My eyes alighted upon the final page, where the spell 'Armageddon' awaited. It was a spell of unparalleled devastation, utilized thrice in the history of Ashan by mortal races. The last recorded use was by Kha-Beleth during the Sixth Eclipse, obliterating an entire Orc army in a single cataclysmic blast. Seventy thousand beings, consumed by the flames, not even their souls spared from annihilation.
Recognizing my current limitations, I focused my efforts on mastering tier two and tier three spells, knowing that I was not yet ready to wield the devastating power of spells like Armageddon or Firestorm.
For days on end, I immersed myself in the intricate complexities of arcane fire magic. By the time I emerged from my studies, I had gained proficiency in spells such as Bloodlust, which granted augmented power to myself and groups of demons. Additionally, I had mastered Gating, I advanced to what the demon lord called 'Advanced Gating', a summoning spell that allowed me to call forth even stronger and greater numbers of demons to my aid.
After days of relentless practice and experimentation, I rose from my studies with newfound mastery over the flames. As I surveyed the scene below, I beheld a vast congregation of demons gathered beneath the newly reconstructed citadel. Their numbers had swelled significantly, with the cacophony of laughter echoing as hundreds of Maniacs reveled in chaos while Imps engaged in their chaotic skirmishes.
According to the latest reports, our forces now boasted three Breeders, and approximately one thousand demons had rallied at the citadel. This assembly comprised all the demons from the surrounding territories, effectively placing control of the region's mines and resources firmly in my grasp. However, our ranks lacked skilled craftsmen and alchemists to supply the troops with essential armor and potions.
I smiled at the sight below as a portal materialized beside me, and an armored demon emerged from within.
"Lord of the Legion of Knowledge, the meeting is about to begin. I am here to escort you and your advisor," he announced, his gaze shifting to Malar.
I recognized the distinctive armor of the demon as that of a Heretic, an individual who strayed from the traditional beliefs of demonkind. Despite this, I greeted him warmly. "Greetings, Heretic," I said with a smile. "Please, lead the way."
With a nod, the Heretic gestured for us to follow him back through the portal. As he bore the mark of Urgash himself, I trusted that he was chosen by the God to guide us to the meeting.
As I stepped through the portal, I was immediately greeted by a dizzying array of sights, a stark contrast to the teleportation methods of Azeroth. Within moments, I found myself standing in a grand hall, surrounded by towering figures, each exuding an aura of immense power. Compared to them, I was but a mere speck in their presence.
"Val-Beleth, leader of the Legion of Knowledge," announced the Heretic, drawing the attention of all the other legion leaders seated within the hall.
"Knowledge, eh? It's been so long since I've heard that word," remarked an enormous pit lord, his voice resonating throughout the chamber. Even one of his claws dwarfed me in size.
"Normal, Azkaal, my brother, you are just as dumb as the master you served," another pit lord chuckled, spewing streaks of magma onto the table with each laugh.
"Be careful of your words, Ahribban," Azkaal hissed in response, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Welcome, Val-Beleth," greeted a towering Chaos lord named Tor-Berith, leader of the Legion of Pain. He nodded to me, his eyes glinting with an unsettling intensity.
"Oh my ~ such a young demon at the head of a Legion," remarked Tor-Berith's aide, a beautiful succubus who dwarfed even me in size.
As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but ponder, 'Does everyone just love to be that big?' The lack of acknowledgment from the other lords only added to my sense of unease.
An enormous presence enveloped the room, causing a hush to fall over the assembled demons. A massive eye opened at the back of the chamber, and I recognized it immediately.
'Urgash,' I whispered to myself, but before I could fully process its significance, the eye closed, silencing all the leaders.
The Heretic began to speak again, but his words were cut off by the sudden appearance of a blazing inferno before the table. Every eye in the room turned towards it, apprehension palpable in the air.
From the flames emerged a figure I had only ever seen in stories and games. Clad in exquisite hellcaller armor, he exuded an aura of majesty that dwarfed even the largest of demons in the room.
Azkaal hissed in hate, while I found myself gazing in awe at the demon before us. It was Kha-Beleth, though I had thought him long gone from Sheogh. Judging by the reactions of the other demons, I wasn't the only one caught off guard.
"Did you miss me, dear Lords?" his voice resonated through the chamber, sending shivers down the spines of Azkaal and the other succubus who led their legions.
–
That'll be all for today
A little arc of Sheogh for the transition and he will gain his support in Sheogh and after I will the snowball roll.
See you soon
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