The Servant

[Meredi]

'Come...'

I open my eyes and see darkness, like a shadowy veil placed over my eyes. Nothing but the unmitigated emptiness of a void. It feels cold, but there is no breeze, no breath of air upon my skin. There is only the nothing.

It strangely feels familiar to me. Like a favorite blanket, only damp and unnerving.

'How did ah get heah?' I ask myself, but I knew the answer even before the question snuck past my lips.

I close my eyes and remember.

I remember the desperation, the loss of hope, the pain, the hurt, and the end. The feeling is sickening. Your stomach churns, as if its not eaten for days, and your body grows numb. You feel nothing that touches your skin, and hugs are as empty as an accidental nudge. Your head aches like it has been baking in the Stranglethorn sun. It is a terrible feeling.

And I remember seeing it all in his eyes. His hollow, cold eyes, a mirror of the void I find myself in now.

My deathbringer...

My angel...

My friend...

and my lost love...

"Come..."

Love... three times had I thought I felt the pangs of my heart, and three times did I find my heart lieing to me. Perhaps I was never destined to love. My heart had shattered so many times, there were too many pieces to pick up and put together.

It reminded me of when I broke a lamp by my bedside as a child. It was fragile, and dear to me. But one accident sent it flying to the floor. A million showers of shards littered the area. I tried to pick up each piece, and felt stung as the shards pierced my flesh. They weren't big enough to gouge my skin deeply, but the small pieces added up. I bit back tears, hoping that all was not lost, and I could put the pieces back together again. Everytime I tried to fit pieces together, they would come undone, until eventually, I cried myself out, relenting, and threw the shattered bits to the sea. The scars on my fingers and hands did not last long, but I could still feel the bumps of a few of the deeper cuts.

As I brought my mind to remember those lost moments once more, I then remember Ethna being there as well.

How beautifully tragic she looked, in her robes, her soft face marred by tears. Her hair was windswept, a strand or two dangling in front of her eyes as she pleaded with those beautiful shining orbs.

She tried to call me back from my delerium, from my dispair. Her voice was in agony, hoarse from calling out to me, trying to restrain me from the choice I had made without really knowing.

I heard her, I think. But it was like hearing her through a long bamboo tube. The sound was there, but it was hard to make out, far away.

"Jyoo can't be doin' dis! Der be so much to live for!"

I laughed, crying on the inside. I had nothing to live for. My only life was gone and I couldn't think of anything else but the darkness and shattered pieces.

I shook my head, I dismissed Ethna, every reason she gave, every tear she pleaded with. There was nothing there for me. I had no love, no heart, no one.

Why was it so important to me? To feel loved.. to be loved?

I can't say I knew why then or now. I just know I wanted it so badly... The caress of a lover's touch, the embrace filling me with warmth.

Whenever I heard sweet words bouncing back and forth between two lovers, it made me feel so alone. And I hated the loneliness more than I feared death. In death, at least... I would not feel the loneliness, I would not feel.

And then I felt his touch, his cold hands grasping my face, cradling it in his bony fingers. I remembered that once, his hands were warm and inviting. But these fingers belonged to a man who cared for me no longer. He was my release, nothing more, nothing less.

He smeared the poison on his upper lip. His final favor to me. I wanted to die in a kiss. It was an empty one, of course.. but I could at least pretend, like I had before, that it was something more.

I remembered his lip, caked with the poison that would bring me my respite. How it called out to me, shining, glistening in the starlight. And how I drowned in it as I pressed my lips softly against his, feeling his breath against my skin. His breath was acrid with decay, but my imagination moved beyond it, letting me drown in the poisonous kiss.

The poison was swift, unnerving, but it did what it was meant to do.

First, it left me breathless, but perhaps all meaningful (it was meaningful, wasn't it?) kisses are such. I felt it surge through my veins like lightning would. I couldn't feel the ground beneath me as I fell to the sand. Ethna's voice was muffled, but I could hear her sobbing, but it too slowly began to fade. I tried to speak, to comfort her as I said my farewell, but my voice could not escape my lips. It struggled and tried, jumping off my tongue unsuccessfully. It curled up in my mouth and stopped trying. My eyes began to grow heavy, and then....

A thousand memories surfaced to in my mind, like an explosion, a cascade of goblin fireworks that sparked a thousand different emotions. Some of them were filled with pain that I knew all to well, and others.. others were of more joyful moments I had forgotten, buried beneath time and layers of sadness.

My mind and heart filled with moments I had thought lost, surging forth from the stream of time, as if I'd taken it in, a thirst-quenching drought.

I remembered...

Butha teaching me how to hold my maces. It was my first time with the Mace of McGowan. I hadn't anticipated its heaviness. He taught me how to grip the handle just right, and how to swing my arm, pull out my foot, and keep my balance, bracing my body for the inevitable impact. He made me practice my swing so many times. And then how to stealth with such a heavy weapon in my hands, being sure not to topple over as I crept towards my hapless prey. His toothy smile brought me comfort and support during the many times I was bound to keel over or when I had overswung my target and hit nothing. And the steel gaze he reserved for his enemies was replaced by something kinder, more inviting. My brother, my teacher, my friend...

I remembered...

My surprise at having been thrust into command of defense against the alliance in my third foray into the Valley. We were defeated, but we kept at every push, every struggle, up till the bitter end. We were bloodied, bruised, and defeated, but everyone still acknowledged her role as commander, having given her a chance. Their pats on the back were meaningful, and their agreement at returning to claim victory another day brought back hope.

I remembered...

Talking for so long with Moakrall amidst the din of Ogrimmar. Nestled on a ledge right next to the waterfall, talking of our pasts, admitting my upbringing to him. How I was so surprised at how cultured he was, not sounding like many of the grunting orc guards that patrolled the outer areas of the smaller villages. We stayed there for hours. An'she returning to slumber while Mu'sha watched over us. The trickle of the waterfall being our serenade.

Or showing Moakrall my secret place, embarrassed at having taken so long to swim to its outer shores. Our basking in the ruins, trading stories, emotions, so happy at having found and shared such a treasure with each other. Running its shores, staring at the forgotten dock, the abandoned tower with its streaming plantlife overgrown through its cracks and crevices. The look on his face as I stared into his eyes...

I remembered...

Getting dearest Raziel, my faithful raptor mount. Having his eyes follow mine as I tried to choose from amongst the raptor's the stable hand had. He eagerly nudged my hand. His eyes shone brightly as they stared at me, his raptor tongue flicking outward, licking the back of my hand as I moved to brush his scaley hide. I nodded to the seller that he was the one, and I felt it even moreso when I climbed atop the saddle, and rode off into the Durotar lands, hugging him around his neck when we had finally come to a stop.

Later, when brother Sangwin helped me get his new spurs and saddle, I remember his eyes shining brighter than ever. His scales had a new sheen to them. His color brightened and he was so lively and happy. When I rode atop him this time, I hugged him around his neck, not just because of joy, but because the speed he had developed was incredible. It was like riding the North Winds, albeit a little bumpier.

So many memories I had forgotten, and they rose up, familiar, inviting, and beckoning me back.

"...but it is too late, isn't it?"

I feel (Is this feeling?) around the darkness, trying to find my way out, struggling, as if there were even a glimmer of hope that I could grasp. But am I even moving? Or do I dream I am moving? I struggle even harder. Something in me is desperate to survive and now I try to escape this dark place.

"Come..."

A voice (Did I hear a voice?) In my mind, a voice reached out and I could feel its grasp, surrounding me in sound and understanding. I stopped struggling, reaching, moving, and eventually, the darkness gave way to a swirl of mist, fog, and uncertainty.

"Welcome yung wun.. Welcome tah Avaki." The voice touched my mind once more. "My home, n' now it be yahs, too."

I could not see where the voice came from, only that it emanated from my mind so that even if I tried, I could not stop myself from hearing it. It was a commanding voice, but it did not yell or shout. It was not loud nor booming, but it had an air of authority that only a god could have.

"It'zul..." I mouthed. How I knew the god's name, I did not know. All I know is that it sounded right, and that's what the voice should be called.

"Dat good, chile', jyoo kno mah nayme. Nevah jyoo fahget who bring jyoo tah dis playce. Few pahss thru heah as.... cahmly as jyoo do."

I nodded my head and as I did, I happened to look at my body. I could finally see that my body was surrounded by a wisp of fog and smoke and that it glowed a dull hue of green. It was strange, and I began to cry, knowing that I had finally died and that there was no hope left for me to return to what I chose to throw away.

"Chile', why jyoo be cryin'? Jya troll ancestahs befoah jyoo only hope tah die n' be taken tah dese pahts ah Avaki."

As I looked up, the expanse of fog and mist cleared to expose a seemingly endless jungle paradise. Serpents passed upon a beautiful green canopy, and the waters shone like liquid crystal.

"Avaki fah othahs... well, chile' jyoo dun wan' me tah tayke jya der..." And I knew I dared not ask the god for any reasoning.

"But.. Mastah It'zul.. why ah be so lucky tah be comin' intah dis playce dat lookin' lahk it be only fah heroes. Ah dun deserve no pahrahdice lahk dis."

The voice beckoned me to walk the green treasure before me. "Jyoo dun be askin' why ah do tings. Ah jus' do'm chile'." His voice sounded like that of a father, compassionate, but still commanding respect. "Ah dun need tah have no reason why ah tayke jyoo heah... unless jyoo wahntin' ah tayke jya tah da othah paht ah Avaki." And with that, the sky darkened and I shivered and knelt down, bowing my head, begging forgiveness.

"Please fahgive me Mastah... ah jus'.." I hesitated. I knew I had absolutely no right to ask for anything. My time had come, and I had brought it to pass.

"Chile', jyoo be wahntin' tah go bahck." It'zul resonated in my mind. "Don't tink ah dun kno dat, but jyoo be knowin' dat dese tings dun come easy n' wit'out fair exchaynge."

I stood up and replied, trembling, "Ah do anythin' tah go bahck Mastah..."

"Why jyoo be wahntin' tah go bahck. Ta da pain dat brought jyoo heah?" His voice changed, almost mocking now, baiting me with an answer that he must have already known. I was sure this wasn't the first time he was asked this request.

"Ah.. ah kinnuh respond truthfully dat ah.. ah kno a real r...reasun tah." I stammered out, "But if'n ah got a second chahnce..."

"Dis be da reasuns jyoo be wahntin' ta go bahck?" And the jungle disappeared to make way for an illusion, or was it? I could see the mists come and shimmer before me pictures of moving shadows. Soon as I let time creep by, the shadows formed into recognizable faces. I gasp. Each shadow making way for a new one.

There was Moakrall... fighting his way through the Spire.

And Ethna, her beautiful tresses flowing in the wind as she rode her raptor through the Stranglethorn.

There was Talgok fishing next to Adendra as she cooked a meal to send off to the Impalers.

Buthaleirus was riding off into battle within the sandy gates of Ahn'Quiraj.

And there was Droka and Ezrell fighting within Stratholme.

"Mah frends... mah famly..." I whimpered.

"Chile'... dese peopah jyoo cahll jya frends... jya famly... jyoo abandoned dem. Reahlize dat jyoo mayde da deecishun tah leave dem ahll because jya chose tah give in tah such an easy bait. Despah'er n' loneliness cahtch many yungin' lahk yahself." I hung my head and realized he was right. I had taken the easy way out, and I was foolish to think that it would be just as easy to take back what I had given away.

"Ah mayke jyoo ah... gift..." The voice was sincere, but it seemed laced with something more sinister.

The mist disappeared, leaving me atop a small island with only an endless sea of stars above me.

"Lemme explain, yung wun," He began, "Ah welcome jya ancestahs n' those dat come aftah jya heah tah Avaki, but de Lich King... he be doin' tings.. takin' away dem trolls dat be meant tah come undah mah command heah in Avaki... turnin' dem intah dem undead tings, da Scourge." His voice grew harsher.

"Dese souls, dey shuld be heah, dey done der duty n' dey supposed tah eithah be gettin' der torment o' der pahradise in Avaki." He continued, his voice gritting and grinding like sandpaper against skin, "But ah taynted soul, be no longah da soul dat wuld rest heah. It be chaynged, n' ah chaynged soul be no gud tah me."

I nodded, trying to understand.

"So dat soul, infested wit da Lich King's dizeeze, it no longah tink o' feel. It simply reahcts n' so dats why dem zombies be goin' on hittin' tings wit dem bodies dat decay n' shuld be left in da ground o' be put tah ash. Da Lich be stealin' from me, n' ah won't be havin' it!"

"But.. wats dat got tah do wit me?" I ask quietly, afraid to receive the wrath of It'zul for behaving like such a petulant, questioning child.

"Jyoo, chile'.. jyoo gunnah be mah... collectah." His voice was now wheedling me, baiting me like a worm tempting the sagefish out of their safe collective. "Jyoo be maykin' shore nah moah of ah kin be tayken in by dat Lich. Wen dey meant tah come ta Avaki, jyoo finish da necessary rituahls dat enshure dey come heah." Then his voice went low, changing once more to something scarier and filled with contempt. "Der gunnah be ah war brewin'. Da Lich be settin' sumthin' up wit dem Scourge. Wen da tayme come.. jyoo gonnah hafta den be mah reapah, mah fightah."

I was afraid, thinking I had asked for more than I should have, and been given more than I could handle.

"Mastah.. but.. ahm no gud fightah... how kin ah do dese tings fah jyoo?" I asked, my insecurity having arrived intact with me to Avaki.

"Chile', jyoo undahestimayte jyaself. Jyoo tink ah choose jus' anywun tah leave Avaki tah return to da blood n' flesh?" He whispered. "O' do jya not wahnt ta return?"

There was no time to be insecure. He was handing me what I had asked for on a silver platter, and if I did not grab at it, I would starve myself of life.

"Den... ah ahm jyah servahnt Mastah. Ah entah dis pact willingly." I closed my eyes and bowed my head. "Ah be jya collectah... jya reapah mah mastah, mah fahthah."

"Gud chile'..."

"Come..."

I stood and walked off of the island, entranced by his words, by my second chance. I fell off the island and into a sea of stars that I had thought had been above my head. As I fell, I closed my eyes, and I could still hear his words in my mind.

"Ah knew jyoo wuld not disahpoynt me. Ah tayke jya haht n' give it lahf, though der be chains dat bond it tah me. Remembah why jyoo left n' wat jyoo come bahck fo'ah. Ah own jyoo. Do not cross jya Mastah, do not disahbay jya Fahthah... or dem chains will strip jya of da life dat be jya gift n' no moah will jyoo be welcomed in Avaki."

And his voice, his world, faded away into the darkness that rests behind my eyes. I felt a sensation, like water running past my fingertips, yet it affected my whole body.

I felt pain... no... I felt.

I opened my eyes to be blinded by the sun. I shielded my eyes and looked around me. I was lain on an altar of stone and sand, the kelp still wet in my hands. I fumbled around for a moment, dazed and uncertain.

"Come..."

I nodded my head, remembering, understanding. As I swung my legs over the altar, fumbling for balance, I eventually was able to stand up tall.

I am his collector of souls, his reaper of Scourge. I am his right hand, his seeing eyes, and his voice in flesh.

"Yes Mastah.. ah come."

[Meredi]

She stared off of the Bluff and watched the stars dance slowly in the setting sky.

"Wat jyoo tink o' Chile'?" Came a familiar voice to her mind.

"Nuthin'..." She replied quietly. It was a lie. She knew it as well as he.

"Trooth Chile'." He coaxed her, subtley demanding an answer. He knew the truth, but it was different to hear admission. She shifted on her haunches, closing her eyes.

Lately, Khut'we had been talking to her. How he spoke to her, she did not understand, nor did she try to make sense of it. Spirits are complex like that, and if anything, she was more than relieved to at least have a friend to speak to. She had never felt more alone in her life than as of late, and Khut'we was a welcomed voice in that silence of solitude.

"It's about dat green ssskinned wun, ain't it?" He questioned. She nodded her head. "Jyoo kno jya get nuthin' but hurt from him." He continued. "Jya kinnuh bond wit sumwun dat alredy ssspoken fah."

"I kno dat... it's jus'..." She replied, her voice a small insistant plea.

"It's jus' nuthin'... der be plenty ah fine troll bruddahs out der fah da takin', n' der jyoo go hopin' fah ah green ssskin jyoo kin nevah have." He slithered around her feet, his eyes looking up at her. She opened her eyes and stared at him, rather annoyed.

"Not lahk any ah dem tahlk ta me." She retorted.

"Do jyoo let dem?" He spat back, flicking his tongue at her nose.

"Ah dunnah how..." She sighed out, putting her head on her knees. "...ahm difrent now anyways... Ethnah says sah... wat troll wuld wannah go tahlk wit me?" She pulled off her glove and shoved her hand in front of the snake's face, its faint green wisp flickering off into the night air.

"Dat troll no nuthin' 'bout who jya be. It ain't da body dat speaks fah da soul." He hissed into her ear.

"Besides.. dis ain't wat Mastah brought me bahck fah..." She replied, her head tilting away from the snake petulantly.

"Jya.. it ain't. It's wat jyoo assked tah come bahck fah." He replied, slithering up her shoulder and wrapping himself lazily around her neck, resting his head atop her cheek.

She let out a sigh. "Ah dunno wat ah come bahck fah...."

"Love Chile'..." The snake replied, this time in a cautious and quiet manner. "Its de only ting strong enuff dat kin bring ah persahn bahck..."

She did not respond save for her quiet voice and her broken heart singing a sad lamentation to the stars.

[Meredi]

"Mookie?... Ethnah?... Buthah?... are jya okay?..." She asked worriedly, seeing her friends in the distance, slumped over as if having taken a blow to the stomach. She hurried towards them, the sweat sliding off of her forehead and disappearing into the night air, using her skill of speed to race towards them.

As she neared, the air changed. It felt heavier, more oppresive, and she stopped hesitantly.

"Sumthin' not raght..." She mouthed, glancing at the three as they became shrouded in a thick, foggy mist. Then the earth began to tremble, and she fell to her knees, cursing herself for losing her footing so easily. She looked up to see if her friends were safe and gasped as giant crystals began to protude from the earth around them.

The crystals did not shimmer, nor did they shine, but glowed an eerie muted hue. It was almost sickly instead of sparkly, and she grimaced at the unearthly objects. Then, the grimace slowly changed to horror as her friends turned.

"No... NO!!" She screamed, rising to her feet to run towards them.

Her once beloved friends had a sickly palor, their skin melting from what once flesh. Bones protruded at one angle or another, and their eyes had either sunken in or were upturned.

There was no time to feel sick, though her stomach certainnly argued with her, but worry, anger, and fear were much louder than what churned within her.

She ran fast, faster, but everytime she thought she neared, they seemed further away. Their arms reached out for her, and she, in turn, reached out for them, but their fingers could never lace with each other, and her heart melted as quickly as their faces did.

Tears streamed down her face, and the tears became hot. It started to sting and it burned with such fervor that she clawed at her cheeks. In shock, as she looked down at her fingers, bits of skin and flesh clung to her nails. She shook her head, closing her eyes, refusing to believe what was happening. She sunk down to her knees and began to lose her breath.

"No... no... no..." Was all she could reply. She became overshadowed, and as she opened her eyes to look up to the stars and beg mercy, her friends surrounded her, their dissipating flesh and fingers reaching for her heart.

"NO!!!" She screamed.







She awoke from her bed of leaves out in the Stranglethorn. Khit'we was staring at her, flicking his serpent's tongue. She gasped and placed a hand to her forehead, letting it wipe away her sweat and fear.

"Ah nightmare... it's only ah nightmare..." She gasped. Khit'we shook his head.

"It nah nightmare Chile'... itsss begun." Replied the serpent as it snaked up her arm. "It's tahm Chile'..."

She groaned, fear rising up from her throat, ready to strangle her racing heart. She huddled her knees close, wrapping her arms around them, afraid.

"Jyoo kin do dis Chile'... Mastah gave jya dis duty fah ah reasun..." Urged Khit'we. She pressed her forehead to her knees, clenching her eyes shut.

"I kinnuh..." She protested quietly. "Ahm not strong enuff..."

"...Chile'.. jya frends need jya... Protect da wuns jyoo love witchah haht." Demanded the serpent. "Protect dem."

Those words struck her heart as the images of her three friends, her guild family, and others began to surface in her mind.

"Protect dem..." She whispered, picking her head up and opening her eyes. She looked at the snake as it nodded, knowing its words struck her where it needed to most.

She dressed hurriedly and rode off quickly, prepared to live up to her duty as the It'zul's Reaper.

[Meredi]

She sat atop the hill on Fray island. How she got there, she doesn't remember, but she sat there, reflecting on the past days that had gone by.

Khit'we emerged from his hiding place in her satchel and twisted up her arm, hissing, almost scolding at her.

He'd had contact with many of It'zul's various servants over years, decades, and beyond lifetimes, but very few times did he feel close to those that served under the dark god. She was one of those few and it concerned him the way she was taking her service. It was more than fervor or zeal that strove her onward.

"Jyoo need tah be mo'ah ca'ehfah... jyoo bin pushin' jyahself hahd dese pahst daysss." Said the serpent.

She bundled up her legs and wrapped her arms around them, pressing her chin to rest her head atop her knees. She listened, but she offered no reply.

"Look... jya body not lahk it wahs. If'n jyoo dun slow down, jya gonna wear down much quickah den some. How jyoo gonnah perform jya duties if'n jyoo got nah body tah do'm wit?!" Implored the snake, clearly irritated at her muteness.

He slowly snaked his body around her neck and stared into her far-gazing eyes.

"Lissen.. jya soul be lahk ah goblin batry. Wen it new, it be workin' gud. But if'n it go out, da body dun funcshun. Sum folks juice up da batry, get da body wurkin' agin." The snake hissed. "Jyoo got... ah goblin jumpah caybul hooked up tah jya haht. It'zul provide da powah.... but da batry worn, n' ah ded batry dun got da sayme powah n' lahf othah batries do."

She simply gazed beyond the snake into the horizon.

"Mer, jyoo listenin' tah me? Ya weakenin' jyaself too much! Jyoo kinnuh give jya lahf n' expect it bahck n' full. Give n' tayke ah souls dun be dat way. It depresheeyate ovah tahm, but jyoo speedin' it up bah workin' jyaself lahk dis..."

She turned her head and closed her eyes.

"Ah kno... Khit.." Was her only reply.

He was right. Every day she had been forcing herself to slay more and more scourge. So much that she begun walking to fights in her sleep.

She and Moak had even taken down a Naxx invasion shard all by themselves. It wore them down to exhaustion before they could find help to take down the shadows from the conjurors when they had managed to crack the shard a bit. By then, they had passed themselves out on the snow.

She was destroying herself in her work.

Her eyes glazed over and began to turn red when she reopened them to stare at the rising sun. Her shadows darkened.

She looked different. Was it the wrappings she had found a night or so before in Scholomance that was changing her appearance? She had begun to wear it constantly under her maskings of the rogue. Clothing can only do so much, thought the snake.

"But ah've nuthin' else...ah'm da Reapah..." she whispered.

Her work was her life now, and the snake looked on in fear that he had not felt before for some time.

[Meredi]

She sat atop the hill for some time now, bruised, bloodied, and tired from having searched for more Scourge. Her eyes glowed an eerie red haze as her shadows crept up around her face. She seemed entranced at nothing but her thoughts.

Behind her, Khit paced as well as a snake can pace, mumbling to himself.

"How kin she do dis tah hahssself?" He wondered quietly, staring at the troll from a distance, who stared mutely at the horizon.

"It be paht of da plahn... datsss why." Came a hissing voice from behind, low and sinister, familiar to the pacing serpent.

"Dahmbalah?... Wat jyoo be doin' heah?" Asked the black serpent as a rich black and grey serpent came into view from his right.

"Watchin' It'zul's new fayvrit." Was his seedy reply as he snaked his way up next to the perplexed Khit'we.

"Wat jyoo mean?" Questioned Khit'we, narrowing his eyes and flicking his tongue, apparently no more happy to see the other serpent than a paladin to that sees darkness.

"She's turnin' out bettah den It'zul hoped fah. Soon, she be da pah'fect servahnt void ah emoshun. Loyahl, obedient... jus' wat he hopin' wuld happen." Wheedled the one known as Dambala, as he snaked himself into a coil.

"He wuld go sah fah?" Asked the snake as he stared at the troll girl who was staring out into the water, singing softly to herself. Of course, he knew It'zul would.

"Jyoo kno da pahct he has wit her." Began Dambala. "Jyoo see da pain wen he tightens da leash he got on hah haht." Continued Dambala in an amused manner.

"But.. it only ah remindah o' wat brought hah to him in da furst playce." Cried Khit, flailing to see the logic. "It wan't meant tah be..." He stopped as the strategy hit him in the face. "He kinnuh..."

Dambala grinned wickedly staring at Khit'we, seeing the comprehension on his face. "Shore shore.. on da surfahce of da pahct, dat wat it be. But ah persahn dun wahnna haht. So, da less she ca'eh, da less pain she feel." He continued on as he flicked his tail to and fro. "But tink 'bout it.... wen ah fightah be devoid ah emoshun da fightah got nah ties tah anythin' tah hold'm bahck, soon, he dun feel nah physicah pain eithah." He flicked his tail in her direction. "She's ahlready devotin' hah tahm tah fightin' bahck da Scourge, pahtly cause she dun wahnna be lonely n' feel hurt agin, n' pahtly cause she dun wahnna fail on hah pahct wit It'zul. Only be ah mattah ah tahm befoah nuthin' but da Mastah be 'portahnt tah hah."

Khit'we was at a loss for words. Dambala spoke the truth. A fighter who had no ties to anything but a master was free to act unrestrained when serving out orders. A perfect servant. Devotion only to one.

"She's strongah den dat..." Khit'we replied quietly.

"Jyoo tink she is, but jyoo seen da chaynjes. She ahlready dun ca'eh fah hahself. Lookit how she bleeds hahself." Remarked Dambala as he uncoiled himself and started to slither away. "Only be ah mattah ah tahm Khit. No wun wahnts hah. She ahll ahlone. She lose hah haht ta It'zul n' dat be dat."

Khit'we shook his head as he watched the troll girl stand. She readied herself in a stance and began swinging her maces to an invisible rhythm, her mind, no doubt, thinking of a deadly dance performed with the Scourge to make her master happy.

Dambala's words clung to Khit'we's mind as he disappeared from sight.

"Love strong enuff tah bring ah persahn bahck tah lahf... den love ahlso be strong enuff tah tayke da lahf frum dem."

[Meredi]

Khit'we gently nudged her shoulder as she lay on the shores of Durotar, looking out to the sea.

"Jyoo okay Chile'?" He whispered into her ear as he slithered atop her shoulder.

She shook her head, her eyes aglow with bewilderment.

"Ah dunno... ahm confused...." She quietly replied. Khit'we nodded, resting his head atop hers.

Earlier that day she had encountered a strange troll that spoke words with unsettled and yet fascinated her.

"He knew mah nayme Khit..." She continued.

"It ain't a hahd ting tah figah out ah nayme, Chile'..." The snake countered.

"And his tattoo?..." She rebuked. She remembered the tattoo that twisted and snaked its way up and down the troll's chest. It was reminiscent of the one that was coiled around her heart, although there were delineations that weren't as defined as hers. The colors of the tattoo seemed consistant of the shadowed ones that snaked her chest.

"Ah kinnuh deny dat It'zul got a set ah followahs. He be a god aftah ahll. Gods have those tah beleeve in'm. Mebbe he be wun ah'vm, but he dun got da fayvah ah It'zul lahk jyoo do." Reassured the snake. "Jya got nuthin' tah be jealous ovah."

"Jealous?!" Cried Mer, a little too loudly. The snake winced as he raised his head. She softened her voice, embarrassed, "No no... it's not dat ahm jealouss..." She wrapped her arms around herself, the cold of the sea air raising goosebumps across her skin.

"Den wat?..." Asked the snake.

"He showed me tings... wen ah touched his eyes... were dey trix? Illushuns?" She asked in return.

The snake rested his head once more atop hers.

"Dey culd be... wat did jyoo see Chile'?" His forked tongue flicked at her hair a moment. She closed her eyes, the memories resurfacing like foam on the ocean.

"Ah saw mahsself... befoah... jyoo kno... befoah It'zul n' Avahki... he showed me smilin'... happy tahms." She winced, placing a hand to her heart as she felt a knotted, twisting pain in her chest. "Ah missed it.. but it hurt tah see how ah wahs..." In a quieter tone she added, "How ah wish ah culd be..."

The snake shook his head and slithered off of his perch on her shoulder. He snaked onto the sand and stared at her.

"Forget him Chile'..." He replied, his voice harsh. "He smell lahk troubah tah me."

She opened her eyes to look at him, her voice pained.

"Ah dunnah... ah jus'... he touched mah hand... ah felt wahm... he mayde me hurt n' yet ah kinnuh fahget dat hurt. It wahsn't lahk a wound o' ah bite ah anythin' lahk a fightah's hurt. Ah jus'...." She closed her eyes again, a tear streaming out. "Ahm confused..."

The snake wrapped himself around her wrist, his scaley body pressed against her neck, his head atop her cheek.

"Nevahmind Chile'... jus' rest..." He comforted her in reply.

But her rest was disturbed with the lingering thought, of pain, that which hurt her, and yet she wanted more of.

[Meredi]

She swung hard, striking the rock with a crash, sparks flying into the night air. Khit stared from behind, his forked tongue passing in and out of his mouth, his scaley brow knitted. She continued to dance to the invisible rhythm, the sweat glistening from her brow, her breathing heavy under the cool Winterspring air.

She had been at it for most of the night and into the rising sun. Her feet in constant motion, she danced, never stopping, always swinging, fading, turning, smashing, her concentration steady, even when her breathing was not.

"Sssstop now... jyoo've had enuff." Cried the snake, finally unable to restrain himself from voicing his frustration and concern.

She looked at him, her dance finally interrupted by the serpent's plea. She pulled down her mask and let loose her maces in their holsters. Her face was matted with sweat and stray wisps of hair, her eyes glistened red. She smiled a tired, toothy smile at him as she sat next to his side on a rock, slipping her gloves and boots off. Her hands were caked with dried blood, as were her feet, and she took care in letting them cool under the snow.

"Wats gotten intah jya Chile'?" The snake asked, his voice a mixture of perplexity and confusion. "Ah've nevah seen jya so... so... ah kinnuh even tink da wurds fah it!"

She shook her head as she pressed her burning hands down atop the cooling flakes. She fished out runecloth bandages from her pack and set them onto the snow.

"Ahlots happened... ah got insight... ah s'pose... clearah undahstahndin' ah tings mebbe..." She started, her voice catching up to the ragged breaths she exhaled as her body began to relax from the tiresome practice.

"Wahs it dat troll? Da green skin?" The snake asked, his head peering up at her as he coiled himself on the rock. "Ah told jyoo dey be troubah."

"Its ah lil' bit ah dat... n' sum othah tings..." She leaned back, her hands pressed against the cool rock as she stared up at the sky and the slowly fading darkness. Her eyes were shining like rubies as the sun crept its way into the sky.

"Wat happened?..." The snake asked quietly.

"So many tings..." The troll replied. "Yestahday.. ah wahs so confused..."

She began to recount the day, drawing her knees up close to her chest and pulling forward to wrap her arms around her legs.

"Ah wahs with Moak... n' it hurt, lahk ahlways. Bein' close tah even ah frend kin be paynfah." She continued. "Ah didun undahstahnd why Masstah wuld treat me sah... ah really wahnt tah do gud... but ah wahs so lost."

The snake slowly slithered up her leg and found his way around her neck as he rested his head atop hers.

"Khit... is der ahn evil oldah den da gods?" She asked him suddenly, taking the snake by surprise.

"Chile'.. gods be not gud nah evil... 'least not in such ah blahck n' white sense. Dey've got intenshuns, whims.. n' sumtahms it conflicts wit wat gud n' evil kin be." She looked at him perplexed, obviously confused by his explanation.

"Well.. lemme put it dis way.. tah da Scahlet Crusayde... wat dey do, is raght ta dem. Even tho dey let loose da wrong tings. Gud intenshuns in der eyes, but evil tah othahs. Jya see?" Explained the serpent.

"Ah tink ah undahstahnd.." The girl replied. "Da gods be nah blahck n' white.. dey ah grey areah."

"Raght.. dey not only grey cause dependin' on wat jyoo beliefs be, dey gud ah bahd, but because dey be ah balahnce ah both. It'zul mebbe da god ah death, but through death kin come lahf, n' dah bahlahnce ah creashun n' destrucshun is ahlways revolvin' 'round'm."

The troll nodded, blowing away a stray strand of her from her eyes.

"Why jyoo ahsk suchah ting anyways?" The snake asked.

"Moak... he shook.. sah afrayed.. ah sumthin' he saw... sum kindah evil he sed dey let loose." The girl's eyes narrowed as she grimaced. "Ah gottah protect'm Khit'.. Evrywun... Dis evil he spoke of, ah tink ah've seen it befoah."

The snake tilted his head. "Dat why jyoo be trainin' sah hahd? Jyoo tink It'zul will letchah go off on jya own plahns tah chayse sum unknown evah?"

She shook her head. "Ah dunno... it's paht o' da reasun ah be prahcticin'... but der othah tings..."

"Lahk wat?" The snake questioned.

"Somewhere ahlong da way, dat troll cayme... da wun claimin' tah be It'zul's followah." The snake's eyes narrowed as she spoke on. "He claimed It'zul sent him cause he wahs his sign ah love... dat It'zul intended fah me tah be wit him... confusin' words dat didun seem... right, n' yet ah fell intah dem..."

The snake hissed. "Dat fool..."

"Mah mind.. mah haht.. dey both hurt.. listenin' tah him, listenin' tah Moak. Dey sed such conflictin' tings, and yet der wahs trooth." She put a hand to her head as she wrinkled her brow. "Moak didun lahk how It'zul hurt me... but da troll sed dat it be It'zul's way ah showin' me love... in a sense. With ahll dese tings runnin' in mah mind.. ah pahssed out den n' der."

The snake looked aghast at her, grumbling to himself. "Ah knew ah shuldenah snuck away..."

She grinned and patted his scaley head. "No.. it wahs ah gud ting..." She let a hand fall to the snow, brushing it with her fingers, drawing a picture of horns on a tauren's head. "Kotho cayme... of ahll peopah."

"Kotho?" The snake inquired.

"Dis bull ah kno.. from long ahgo." She replied, almost dreamily. "He ah great fightah, a great warriah... ah admiyahed him lahk ah admiyah Buthah fah his strengths, his courahge."

"So, jyoo lahk dis bull?" The snake hissed into her ear.

She shook her head, although her cheeks flushed. "He be ah lonah... love, if ah remembah him sayin' raght... is ah distrahcshun tah his... duty." At this, her gaze began to change once more, a far off look, hardened by the reality of the conversation remembered.

"Hmmm..." The snake replied, clearly in thought as he gazed at the troll who spoke with the faraway eyes.

"He's lahk me Khit... and he undahstood me bettah den nowun. N' ah nevah knew till he explayned it ahll tah me." Her voice became softer, though rimmed with a determination that the snake had not heard before. "Ah've ah duty Khit... Ahll dis tahm, ah thought dat It'zul hurt me fah no gud reason, but dis is da way It'zul show me his love."

The snake look confused. "Wat jyoo mean Chile'?"

"Ah've ah duty... ah pahct. Kotho called me the... Hand of Death. I am... the reaper of It'zul." She chuckled, remembering, "He sed Meredi, Da Undead Slayah be ah whole lot bettah soundin' den Meredi, Da Undead." With a more serious tone she continued, "I cayme bahck tah serve his purpahses.. ahll dis tahm, ah've been questionin' dem."

"But dats not troo... jyoo cayme bahck fah othah reasuns Chile'." The snake countered.

"Ah didun have a real reasun ah could nayme, remembah? N' aht da tahm, ah wahnted any explahnayshun tah come bahck. But ah had none. Nuthin' real. Nuthin' solid." The girl replied. "But masstah... he give me reasun, he give me purpahs."

"But wat about love?" The snake asked. "Dats wat jyoo been wahntin'."

"It's troo... ah lingahed so long on wahntin' love.. attenshun..." She pressed a hand to her heart. "...but wat love kin ah endure wen der be Scourge wahndrin' ahbout? How kin ah enjoy mah wurld n' da peopah in it if it be in danjyah?"

The snake looked confused and stared at her mutely.

"Kotho sed we had powah... n' wat, ahs servahnts do we do wit dis powah?" The troll turned to the snake, but the snake had no answer. "We serve its purpahs." The troll returned her gaze to the sky, the clouds forming above her as the wind picked up and tossled her hair. "It'zul's purpahs fah me, wahs ta serve his biddin' so dat da cycul ah lahf n' deth kin continue. He did me ah fayvah... he didun haftah return me tah lahf ta mayke me his servahnt."

The snake's color drained from his face. "So.. jyoo kno den."

The troll nodded her head. "Da perfect servahnt has no tahs tah bind hah sayve fah da tie between her mastah n' hahself. With dat... ah kin give ahll ah me tah mah duties. No distrahcshuns, only mah purpahs."

"N.. jyoo ahccept dis?.." The snake asked quietly, his tone somber, morose. "Wat about jya haht?"

"Jya.. ah do. Ah gayve mah haht tah mah masstah in exchaynge fah bein' aybul tah fulfill these duties with mah own body. Tah serve mah masstah... ah kno now dat it not jus' fah his whims ..." And with this, she started to carefully replace her gloves and her boots. "But tah protect da wuns ah luv... mah famly... mah frends..."

She laughed, amused at recalling, "Kotho says dat it jus' be him n' his sword. His sword cause no dramah, no hurt tah hisself.. it dun be jealous wen he bring othah weapuns bahck wit him, it not ah distrahcshun from da duties he has tah fahfill..."

She bit her lip, wiping a tear from her eye and then adjusted her armor and wiped off the bits of snow, replacing her mask as she replied, "I admiyah Koth... he showed me wat ah didun see. Wun day, mebbe ah be strong ahs him n' Buthah....n' jya kno... wen ah thought ah Kotho.. n' ah tahlked tah him, n' hugged him... It'zul didun hurt me, because he knew ah undahstood."

The snake was dumbfounded.

"Da best way ah kin show how much ah ca'eh fah evrywun is tah fight. Da payne reminds me ah mah duty, tah mah masstah, mahsself, n' ta those ah cherish. Dis payne, it really is diffrent from physicah pain. It hurts n' helps me tah keep goin' wen ah've nuthin' left tah give. Wen ah've given mah ahll, n' da fightin's dun...mebbe den..."

"N' jya own luv?... Wat about dat?" The snake asked, hesitating, dreading the reply he knew she'd give.

"Sahcrifice." She replied as she walked off, unholstering her maces and gripping them with renewed zeal, in search of her next offering.





It'zul gazed down at his favored servant, smiling, pleased.

[Meredi]

As she stared at a couple walking past hand in hand, her mind began to wander and her chest began to hurt. She quickly grabbed her Crystal Fang and pulled up her sleeve, swiping at her forearm, and letting the blood run down her arm, her mind clearing itself of its original pain. Putting away the Fang, she fished out a long runecloth strip and began to wrap it around the gushing wound. She furrowed her brow with every wrapping motion she did. There were many raised welts up and down her forearm.

Trying not to feel was... painful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She sat within the inn, up on the second floor, her legs dangling over lackadaisically. Tearing off her gloves and bracers, she spent a long moment staring at her worn hands. Her skin had deep grooves where she had been gripping the maces hard. Her arms looked more like a Zandalarian mummy than anything else, having been bandaged and re-bandaged more times than she could count.

Lately, the pain had stopped. She didn't feel much anymore. The abuse on her body had strained her to the point where she couldn't tell if she was hit or bleeding till after she was the last left standing. And even then, she cared more about the next offering than she did about sitting down to properly bandage the wound.

She was exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. But to stop now was to admit failure, and she couldn't fail. She had a duty, as she was reminded, and she needed to protect the ones she cared for so dearly.

Khit'we slid out of her pack and glanced up at her.

"Jyoo finahlly ssstopped tah rest?" The snake asked. She looked down at him and shook her head.

"Not long.. but long enuff, ah s'pose..." Was her gruff response. The snake grimaced. She looked at him with such red faded eyes. They gleamed in battle, but without a fight, they looked so dim and lifeless. She was changed, but how much, the snake wasn't sure.

Aside from the crimson vision, her skin had taken a pallor that made her look like a watered-down troll. She was almost ghostly, and even when she faded in from stealth, it was almost as if she wasn't there. No longer did she carry a care-free skip or smile. And although she tried to hide this in the company of others, it was apparent she wasn't the same.

"How long has it been since jyoo seen da green skin?" The snake inquired, curling up next to her.

"Not for sssome tahm." She remarked poignantly. It wasn't completely true, however. There were moments where she pushed herself so hard, that she would wake up with him tending to her. And when he was done, she would leave her thanks and sneak out once more.

"It doesn't hurt tah be 'round peopah anymo'ah.." She replied quietly as she replaced her bracers and fitted her gloves.

"Jya dun tink 'bout dem anymo'ah, do jya?" Asked the snake quietly as he slipped into her pack. "Do jya even feel anymo'ah?..." He whispered as he disappeared into the leather and runeclothed satchel.

She remained silent as she picked herself up and walked down to the landing, making her way outside to the dusty winds of Kargath. As she whistled for Raziel, she pulled up her mask, her eyes gleaming through, her mind already forgetting the aches, the pains, and thinking of the next offering...anything to forget.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ah.. ahm.. Meredi... aht least.. ah tink ah ahm..." I tell the snake next to me, sighing softly. "Aren't ah?"

"Jya.. jyoo still be her... jya remembrin' tings agin?" He asks me, his voice soft and sincere.

"Lil' bah lil', da clouds cleah' in mah hed n' ah kin remembah mo'ah n' mo'ah." I reply, sitting on the sands, feeling their warmth against my toes somewhat, listening to the waves as they crash against the rocks. "Tings still seem ah lil' cloudy... but ah've pretty much got ahll ah mah memry bahck."

"Dat wahs ah nahsssty blow jya took..." I nod my head, feeling the wind blow my hair back, gentle lashes against my cheek from time to time.

"Ah kno.. dat Molten Giahnt shore did a numbah on me..." I reply, my hand sliding gingerly over the wooden splint on my leg.



...I had remembered going into The Core. I had wanted to become stronger, and having been invited, I thought it would be a great opportunity to train against stronger enemies. I underestimated how ill-equipped I was to face such a hot environment, and yet we persevered past so many of the lords of the Core.

My over-confidence got the best of me when it came to Go'lash... the giant of the Core. Before I could get the last blows in, I crossed too far towards his stomping feet. I felt molten rock hit the side of my head as I tried to step back away from getting myself flattened to death. I was hit hard, and could feel heat searing my temple. There was blood, and then darkness.

When I finally woke up, I could barely move, and I felt hands working on me. It was Moakrall, and yet, at that time, I couldn't remember the name, or the face that went with the voice. It was so dark, and although I tried to peer past the darkness, I could not penetrate the veil of black that separated me from seeing.

Moakrall carried me to the wyverns. He wasn't able to care for me as well as he wished he could, and sent me to Grom'gol. There, the priests took me to Yojamba, and the Zandalarians took care of me.

Remembering my duty to It'zul, I did not stay in bed long, as much as the priests tried to protest. I stumbled around, however, refusing to stay isolated to the mats and hammocks, till a troll named Falthir took me away to speak with me.

Falthir, a rogue, like myself, had a wise voice, aged and experienced. He reminded me of my father at times, when he would instruct and repremand me. When he spoke, I obeyed, when he lectured, I listened.

"So, jyoo kinnuh see, eh?" He remarked. "Jyoo tink dat shuld stop jya?"

"Shouldn't it?" I asked. I couldn't see his gaze, but I could feel it drilling into me. I felt his answer before he even said anything.

"If jyoo believe dat it shuld, den jyoo weak n' shuldenah be waystin' mah tahm." He spat out. "Jyoo kno da dahnce.. if'n jyoo kin feel da dahnce n' kin ahntisipayte da enemy, den jyoo dun need tah see tah be victoreeus."

We spent the day training and lecturing. Although I couldn't stand, I was strong enough to wield McGowan and Timmy and sat there, as he tried to stab at me with a stick. I learned to listen to the sound of rushing wind to figure out the direction to reflect or parry. It felt good to be fighting again.

Later, that evening, after my training, I could hear a familiar voice yelling. It was the voice that soothed me when I had been in pain earlier. He was screaming, almost frantic, looking for me. Eventually, the elders pointed the way to wear I had been training with Falthir.

Falthir clearly wasn't impressed with Moakrall, preferring to keep silent as we spoke. At first, I hadn't realized it, but I was talking to him in troll, and wondered why Khit was translating to me. But my mind had begun to clear up already, and I soon corrected myself, in embarrassment.

I remembered a waterfall, and the voice... and knew that this Moakrall was someone dear to me, a close friend.

We talked, and although it pained me to be near him, I didn't feel it as much as I used to. We talked clear into the night, and it felt nice to sit there with him, but I still felt the urge to go off and train more, and I felt torn.

By then, I was exhausted, and though I fought to stay awake, my mind relented and gave way to sleep.

By morning, Moakrall was gone, and I was alone. I felt a sadness wash over me, and even that did not last long as my hand instinctively grabbed for my maces and I stood and limped out towards the shores. Falthir was waiting there.

After Falthir greeted me, we went back to training till the sun was high in the sky and I felt the sun shining, boring into my skin. We had practiced stances that I could do with my leg all splinted up. More lessons in perception and how to find my way without seeing. I was a bit surprised at how I was able to catch on, and yet worried that this was something more permanent.

I don't think the realization of my blindness really hit me till then, and by the time it did, it wore me out moreso than the training. I saw myself at the seashore, letting the water creep towards my feet. It was then, Khit came, and at first, I was surprised at him as he crawled towards my neck, but then I was relieved that he was there to keep me company.


"Ah kinnuh feel it too much... guess bein' numb ain't such ah bad ting, eh?" I laugh... but it feels hollow. Have I forgotten how to laugh already?

"Jyoo lucky dat green ssskin come." I sigh a little, acknowledging the snake. "He took ca'eh ah jya pretty gud."

"He ahlways does..." I replied, sadly, worried, that perhaps the day will come again, when I'd have no one to turn to.

No one but... It'zul.