Netherbane: Returns, Part V
This morning we bring you Part V of Netherbane: Returns. This one brings Vasedra, formerly known as Sedrai, back to Azeroth after time off-world.
Read MoreThis morning we bring you Part V of Netherbane: Returns. This one brings Vasedra, formerly known as Sedrai, back to Azeroth after time off-world.
Read MoreIt started as silence; a stillness that longed to feel movement, like a tired muscle forced to remain unmoving for too long. There was an energy behind this silence--a sense of urgency and a build-up of anticipation. The underlying tension increased with each passing moment, with each passing breath.
Though, there should have been no breaths here. There was nothing but scattered wreckage from a battle recently fought and won. Or perhaps it was lost? That depended on which side you were on, of course.
Read MoreSomething pulled him back together. The blast had sliced its way through his molecules, separating them and disintegrating his form. It has also scrambled his soul, severing the connection to the body and cutting it loose into the Twisting Nether.
It had been, undoubtedly, a powerful weapon. The House of Gis should be commended.
But something did not want any of it to have happened, and so he was not allowed his psuedo-death. Not yet, at least. Not here, in this place in between.
He--coalesced was the best way to describe it. He coalesced out of the residual energies from the blast and reformed. His bones came together first, followed quickly by muscles and skin. But something was missing. Some physical parts of him had actually been vaporized by the blast, and there was nothing left to coalesce from.
That's when it reached outward from the gate, and put him back together itself. It used part of its own essence to complete him. Dark energy fused with material from this realm and shaped it into shadow-flesh. It was wonderfully similar to the soulshaping Sraath had been used to, but somehow more.
He felt cold, however, very cold. The heat of the fel was gone complete, leaving an emptiness that tried to draw in everything else around it.
His skin shifted on his body and writhed against this new cold. It split, growing teeth and trying to consume whatever it could; trying to consume the fabric of reality. It was a hunger now; an absolute, faceless hunger.
There were still souls here. He could still feel them, drifting away on the remains of his once-great fortress. He could still reach out, however, still touch their life energies.
He could still feed…
Read MoreThere was no roar of flames, no superheated blast that raced through the open corridors of the ship. There was no massive lurch as countless tons of force were suddenly unleashed upon a small internal chamber of the Umbral Eclipse.
There was a flash of light, and then silence. It was an unnatural silence; the silence of unexpected deafness, of a heart suddenly stopping. It was the silence of two lovers parting ways after countless years, but without having the chance to say goodbye.
The Umbral Eclipse shuddered, a thick and slow vibration that stole balance and bruised bodies. It happened once, lasted for a few seconds, and then ceased. Any sound that could have come from the vibration was choked out by the oppressive silence.
This all happened in an instant; a singular moment of time sliced from the chronology of creation and frozen for what felt like an eternity. Then it was done.
Read MoreTen hours ago...
There is that touch on Sedra's consciousness, familiar, intimate, possessive...a master's caress. Her thoughts, recent memories, emotions are perused, combed through, considered and put aside almost idly.
"A task for you, Desire, as you save your pet." The voice within her mind is darkly rich and husky, that of a predator aware of his own power. A night hunter in deep shadow. "There is something I would have you procure." Tza'kiel's mental presence weaves about her mind like the hands and arms of a lover. "Your Sraath has appropriated something of mine that I would like back. A well-honed blade. Return Daethior to me and you will be well rewarded."
The demon's tone carries promises, seductive and needful. An image of a felsworn, once demon hunter and void-tainted, emerges, vivid, in her thoughts. "And, if you can, Desire, a sample of your past master's vitae. A minor thing, though. Daethior is foremost. Do not disappoint me." Just as quickly, the demon lord withdraws leaving behind a brief, aching, emptiness.
"Remain here," Tharion said to the others shortly after the Umbral Eclipse had slid its way into that space between planes. "Guard the device. We cannot let him or any of his minions disarm it."
Araatris frowned at him and opened her mouth to protest, but Tharion shook his head and held up a hand. He cut her off with the motion. "I am going to find Eraelan. Then, after that, perhaps find the others."
The huntress frowned even deeper, her features turning down in an expression of disgust, but she did not say anything after that.
Fethas just growled.
"Sraath is aware that we have done something, so we have lost the element of pure surprise. However, we may be able to use his curiosity to our advantage. If he comes here to investigate, we want to be here to face him. If only a fraction of our number is here, however..." Tharion let his voice trail off.
"Fine, Thar, go." Araatris mumbled and turned her attention back towards the device itself. It had successfully been connected to the Umbral Eclipse's systems, and was now pulsing with a thrum that was more felt than heard.
The Greyseer nodded once, then vanished down one of the adjoining corridors.
Read More