The Unholy Legions of Anti-Sanctus Chaotica, a Warhammer Online Destruction Regiment, Malorath, Part I

Azaela

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« on: November 29, 2008, 09:06:58 AM »

Part II can be found here:http://warhammerdestruction.org/index.php/topic,2616.msg25148.html#msg25148

Inside the black tower of Clar Karond, a highborn child was born. Lord Khaitrus of the house Helbane, father of the child, brought the newborn to his personal seer. The seer recognized a terrible, blood drenched cataclysm that would unleash a tidal wave of high elf souls in the child's future. The lord and father knew that the Witch King would greatly reward his House with such a generous gift - no doubt his child would bring much prestige and power to his name in Naggarond's court. He was himself a vastly successful raider in House of Helbane and desired a worthy heir, but instead received a child that exceeded his wishes.

Malekith was visited in his court by the father of the child and several of his retainers. The Witch King took the child and brought him into a great, vaulted chamber where he could study the newborn. The walls were illuminated in a series of green witchlights and there was a hint of sorcery in the air. The father watched as two guards closed a great door behind Malekith, catchingt a brief glimpse of two sorceresses inside before the gates closed.

Lord Khaitrus grew tense as he sat and waited in the chamber beyond the room in which his child was being held. The smell of potent sorcery could no longer be ignored. He believed he had waited for two hours with no news of what Malekith could see in the child. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, could his seer have been wrong? If she was, he swore there would be no end to her torment.

It was then when he heard a great bolt being sluggishly drawn open, echoing through the halls behind. He looked to the great black doors to see the guards pulling apart the heavy black doors to reveal the Witch King striding towards him. He regarded Malekith with as much eagerness that he held at the child's birth.

"I see a great chorus of pain and death from the lips of our most hated foes in this child." His cracked skin stretched into a wicked grin, "I will name him Malorath. Take him to the towers of the Black Guard. There, we shall see what becomes of him."

The news brought a wide grin that was uncharacteristic of Lord Khaitrus, "You do us a great honor my lord, we will take him there now." He bowed and took his son from Malekith, then turned to leave with his retainers in tow.

As they disappeared in the halls beyond, one of the sorceresses turned to Malekith. "Will you tell him of the visions regarding the Warpsword of Khaine?"

The Witch King turned to the sorceress, "There will be no mention of that, to anyone."

**********

Malorath grasped his Halberd tightly, the blade pressed against the neck of a Druchii that was unable to hide the panic on his face. A small but bitter smile crept on Malorath's lips, "You have no idea how I've dreamt of this moment. You should see the disgusting fear you hold in your eyes. You are pathetic, weak. How you were chosen to be among the Black Guard is beyond me."

What started as a reply was quickly interrupted by the wet sound of steel slicing through flesh and vertebrae. Malorath noted the time it took for the head to thump to the ground, longer than he expected. He realised it must have been the degree at which he savored watching his most hated rival die.

"You are not a Black Guard yet." Malorath whirled to face the unexpected voice with his weapon ready. A man stood there in a dark green cloak, hood drawn back with a black Dwarven-hide Kheitan underneath. How long had the man watched his rival's destruction? "But you certainly wield that Halberd well considering your size."

Malorath snarled at the intruder, "Do not underestimate my age, lest your fate end up as this wretch here."

The smile steadily grew on the man's face, he was greatly amused at the ferocity of the child. "You are Malorath, yes? News of your success here has only added to the great prestige your house holds. I see first hand how effectively you can kill your enemies, but your timing is something to be worked on."

Malorath's anger at the intrusion grew at what the man was implicating. He knew that the Black-Guard-in-training were encouraged to fight and kill each other, but it was only sanctioned in the fighting pit. Kill outside of the pit and you were in line for a severe punishment. Malorath knew that it was only if you were caught doing it, they were encouraged to be as crafty as they were deadly.

"You have my attention, intruder."

"We have been aware of you for some time now. Eventually, you will grow to know us well. For now, you must be aware of the real reason I am here. My associates and I have forseen a dark event that will unfold in these walls, with you as the target."

Malorath's anger was growing every moment of his presence, "Who are you? Do you not realize that we are raised fighting and are expected to kill in order to survive? This one was my primary rival, and now he lies beheaded at my feet. No one will stop me."

The man before him tilted his head in agreement, "Yet there is another who wants you dead, one who is not a student here. He has been wronged by your father, Lord of your house. He seeks revenge and who better a target than his prestigious child, named by Malekith himself? Who I am is not important to you at this time, just know that we watch you with great interest. If you succeed you will hear from us further."

The Druchii drew his cloak over his head and ran towards a window. Malorath chased after him, but in a bright flash of near-blinding light he was gone.


« Last Edit: December 02, 2008, 08:43:51 AM by Azaela »	Logged

Azaela

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Re: Malorath, Part I

« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2008, 09:08:19 AM »

**********

Three days had passed since the intrusion of his former-rival's defeat. The others were wary of him now, they knew it was him who severed Jauralis' head. After the man disappeared from the chamber, he tied the head to a lamp post leading to the fighting pit for others to see as they underwent training the next day.

Yet his victory was not on his mind, not after what the Druchii had told him. He was waiting for the attempt on his life, so that he may destroy whoever it was that wished him ill. He knew that letting his guard down would lead to his death, but he was already used to being alert with the training of the Black Guard. It had been a lesson his instructors didn't have to teach, it was necessary to survive in the halls of the Black Guard trainees.

The day's training had ended, Malorath moved through the halls of the student chambers and came to his door. He pulled the latch open and entered his quarters, still carrying a shield. A sharp crossbow bolt cut through the air with a whirl and Malorath barely brought up the shield in time to protect himself. It was pure instinct, he had barely registered what was happening by the time the bolt had pierced through his shield and landed in his Human-hide Kheitan, poking into his skin.

With a cry the dark cloaked figure slunged toward him with a dagger aimed at his throat. Malorath brought the sharpened edge of the shield up right at the edge of his wrist, cutting through tendon with a splatter of blood. The figure screamed involuntarily and dropped the dagger. Malorath surged forward with his shield, his hate already building as he slammed into the assassin. His cloaked enemy fell back with a thud against the wall. While the slam was well timed, it lacked strength. It only delayed the intruder for a moment and quickly knocked the shield back.

Moalorath dove back for the dagger as his assailant drew a sword. The young one jumped to his feet, dagger in hand, and already the assassin was upon him. His attacker jabbed his blade straight at him as he pressed him back, aiming for Malorath's chest. The attacks were easily parried and blocked by the young Druchii.

Malorath realized his attacker was grossly underestimating him and expected the kill to be a simple measure of strength. The tight room and small weapon he wielded would be great assets if used properly. He waited for the assailant's next charge. The assassin lunged forward with a downward slash aimed at Malorath's head. The young Druchii dove towards the assassin as the sword crashed against the stone floor behind him. Using his momentum and his enemy's opening, he sprung up to slam the blade into his enemy's groin and again in his gut.

Quickly, Malorath jumped back to the far side of the room, holding his shield at the ready. The man cried in pain as his sword clashed on the hard stone floor. He dropped to his knees, looking down at the growing pool of blood. The man roared in his frustration and tried to stand up, only to crumble to the ground with his face slamming into the stone floor.

Malorath kicked the assassin's sword to the edge of the room before lifting the man's head up, “Let's see who you are.” He pulled down the mask hiding the older Druchii's face and recognized him,” I have seen you before, you are a highborn in this city, why have you attacked me? I demand to know!”

The highborn held a face of hate, even as he was dying, “Your damned father will pay... for what he has done... my riches...” The man's consciousness was dimming and his eyes were no longer moving.

“What did he do!?” The young highborn shouted at him, but the man before him had died.

Malorath then notice the point in his chest. The bolt went through too many layers to pierce his skin, though he could feel the tip digging into him. He pulled the bolt out and stood up, taking in the sight if his defeated foe.

**********

“What is the news?” The dark emerald cloaked Druchii stood before a barely dressed and stunning looking female Druchii. Her features were of a dark perfection, so beautiful yet so dangerous, her ornate daggers dedicated to the god Khaine holstered at her waist. Those blades were a reminder of her vicious nature, without them her beauty alone would attract a vast array of suitors. She was a Bride of Khaine, and the battlefield was her temple to the great god.

“Movrahk was killed by his target in his own chambers. His severed head was seen mounted above the young one's doorway.” They stood in a cold dark cavern, with only a single green witchlight to illuminate the both of them.

“Good, then it is coming together as expected.”

“Was this all just to test the young highborn? Why warn him ahead of time of the very assassination you had planned? I don't think the warning was even necessary, clearly the child is a capable combatant.”

The cloaked man shook his head once,”It was more than a test. You are correct, he would have killed the Movrahk without warning. However, by warning him we have become benefactors. He will be closer to trusting us, and eventually he will join the Blood Avarice.”

Azaela nodded. You underestimate this child as Movrahk did, Sakraal. I don't expect he will be so easy to manipulate, she thought to herself.


« Last Edit: November 29, 2008, 12:49:24 PM by Azaela »	Logged

Blarlack

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Re: Malorath, Part I

« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2008, 12:33:17 PM »

I really like this. Wanted to step back and try to not interrupt your continuity, but I'm really liking this. It's well-written and flows very nicely.

Hoping that there will be more


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