Endings Or Beginnings by Warneshi

[Keeper Of Lore]

Skash was entirely lost... what did this troll have to do with Warneshi? Why did Reg want to blast him into tiny bits and why was Bloodshine ready to let him? As far as Skash knew, this troll was someone to mold into the Grim mindset. Skash rather liked him. He listlened to him and talked with him. Until someone really explained things, Skash thought it best to stand his ground.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Midius

A pale moon shone down, trying to peak into the dense jungle canopy spread out for vast distances beneath it. Only a few bands here and there could penetrate the thick canopy, casting thin beams of light down onto the forest floor, adding to the eerie atmosphere of an already frightening place. The buzz of insects was a constant drone here, one could imagine they were in Silithus it was so alive with their presence. Occasionally a scream or howl could be heard, emanating from deep within the jungle, along with the fleeting distant sound of drumbeats. The intense heat and humidity was a constant as well, bothersome to most travelers, but not to this particular one...

Midius let his risen steed slowly pick its own way along on the thin broken path, passing ancient ruins and old outposts, long abandoned and left for the wilds to claim. "A cursed land." Midius thought, as he nudged his steed to pick up the pace a bit. "A land soaked in blood and permeated with the scent of an ancient evil." Midius silently mouthed, a small grin forming on his pale lips. Suddenly, Midius commanded his steed to halt, as he could see something moving in the darkness ahead on the path. Holding his wand aloft, the light illuminated what was not just some sort of jungle beast.

Arcane light reflected off of polished plate mail armor, and illuminated a pair of intense fanatical eyes, human eyes. Midius recognized from the symbols etched all over the man's armor, that he was a warrior of the light, a paladin. Humans already sickened the mage, but seeing a worshipper of that abominable light never failed to stir up Midius's burning hatred. The paladin spat some words in his own tongue, meaningless to the mage. He then pulled his great two-handed maul out of his belt loop, and boldly strode towards Midius.

Dismounting, and with elemental runes and symbols already rushing through his mind, Midius slung his arm forward with all his might, opening his hand with fingers stretched wide. Out of his opened hand came a missile of pure elemental cold, which streaked towards his opponent. The paladin had already foreseen this type of attack coming however, and broke into a sprint as the frostbolt whistled towards him. Ducking into a roll, the paladin avoided the projectile just in time and came back out of the roll in front of the stunned mage, bringing his hammer down in a mighty overhead blow.

The slight hesitation from the shock of seeing such a maneuver nearly cost Midius the fight. However some spells were like instinct to the mage now and could be cast in a fraction of a second. Midius shot both arms upwards towards the descending maul and spat out his incantation. There was a sound almost akin to a thunderclap as the maul smashed into the arcane shield which was now was formed around the mage. Sizzling and crackling, the paladin continued to try and force his maul downwards through Midius's shield. The mage, slowly weakening against his mighty opponent's strength, could not hold up the shield any longer than a few moments and the blow finally hit home. Slamming against Midius's shoulder, the maul sent him spinning to the ground. Most of the momentum had been stunted by the mana shield, so the blow was not fatal, however now Midius was on the ground stunned, and the paladin loomed over him. Placing a plated boot upon Midius's torso, the paladin got ready for another swing, this one aimed to crush the mage's skull...

Darkness descended upon the jungle. The patches of moonlight on the forest floor disappeared like so many candles snuffed out by a great wind.

Silence...

Silence was laid across the land like some sort of giant muffling hand. No bestial screams, no distant tribal drums...Even the constant drone of insects was totally cut. A morbid dread descended like an unseen enemy from the darkening skies, piercing the souls of mortals...

Midius's eyes blurred, his lungs heaved and his chest burned...

Then just as suddenly as this wave of all encompassing dread emptiness came, it passed. And the jungle resumed its wild noisy chatter.

Midius squinted and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "What in the nether had just happe-", suddenly he remembered the situation he was in and quickly rolled off to one side. However when he looked up, his opponent still held the great maul aloft in the same position, a look of terror and shock upon his features. Midius, always one to take the advantage when he was presented with it, drew his dagger, and in one deft motion shot to his feet and slid the enchanted blade under the shoulder plate of his opponent. Into the paladin's armpit the blade sank, deep into the side of his chest and through his heart. The look of shock never left the paladin's features, as he collapsed backwards, blood running from his lips and down his chin.

Midius looked about wearily as he cleaned his blade, "what had happened?" He thought. It was only for a fleeting moment, but something significant definitely did occur. The mage still had the "aftertaste" of the presence which had tainted the land in his senses. He looked west. "Kalimdor", he whispered. Whatever that presence was, it had originated from the western lands.

...

Midius stood on a rock outcropping protruding from the dense foliage of the jungle. The outcropping stretched out from a sheer cliff that dropped straight down to dark, mirror-like waters below. Gazing out onto the moonlit waves of the Great Sea, Midius looked down upon the small rune-etched stone in the palm of his hand. His thirst for knowledge, power, and bloodshed had pulled him to many places across Azeroth, and kept him away from civilized places for long periods of time. It was now time to return however, Midius knew he couldn't sort out this incident by himself; it was beyond him as one mage. "It is time to return to The Grim halls." Midius told himself, for surely the rest of his brotherhood had felt at least a part of what he did.

Concentrating on the sigil in the center of the stone, Midius envisioned Orgrimmar, with its great entranceway, large structures and bustling streets. He concentrated harder, veins bulging on the sides of his white decaying temples, and he then saw the valley of spirits, with its huts and ponds. Zooming in further he concentrated on one specific hut in the valley. The hut slowly came more into focus and grew larger. He then could see inside the hut on the top floor. Concentrating, Midius saw the troll of portals there, glowing like a beacon in his mind. The rune upon the stone then flashed in a bright bluish light, and Midius felt his physical self being shifted, moving across great distances...

...The pale jungle moon shone down weakly upon a rocky outcropping of stone, illuminating thin dissipating wisps of smoke and the few leftover flickers of arcane magics.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Regna-N'Etah scowled as he turned to Skash. He doubted the old troll had given in so easily and so swiftly without some reason..but there were other things to deal with at the moment.

"Skash mon...dis troll mus die...fer Warneshi ta be returned ta us...an fer Crimes commited 'gainst da Grim las time is face was shown in dese parts...E be a failure...once one ah us...untill we learned da truth dat E is an enemy ah Warneshi, who was one ah us..an we intend ta make sure E be one ah us again. Step aside mon, an elp me plan fer da Tyrant's return."

As Regna-N'Etah gesturied with one hand, behind Skash, a piller of fire erupted, engulfing the Troll hiding there, but leaving all else untouched.

"Go, ead ta Gadgetzan, I'll 'ttempt ta make Pincus come as well. Dis be an order from ma as an Iredeemable ah da Grim...Ifn ja e'er wish ta see Warneshi walkin dis land agin, as one ah us, an no a demon."

With that, Regna-N'Etah turned towards the warlock, and used his magics to blink in front of Pincus.

"Pincus mon...I be needin both ju an Lupen ta elp me wit sometin..whae'er ja intend ta do ta im...old it off fer now...dere be odder work ta do. Punishment kin always come later..an don worry...Punishment dere will be for dat one."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Skash looked behind him to only find the charred remains of Worneshi. "Awwwwwwwwwww..." groaned Skash as he looked them over then back to Reg. "Skash go git Lupen den if'n dat help git Warnseshi back!"

Skash watched as Reg blinked in front of Pincus, furiously trying to get the other irredeemable to stand down. He whistled for Simba, and his wolf came running. Skash hopped up, and started off for Gadgetstan in search of Lupen.

He egged his wolf on with his mithril spurs and pieces of meat. Time was of the essence.

[Keeper Of Lore]

Part 1: The Begining of the End.

The winds of Tanaris blew harshly, as if to warn away all who would come to it's wastes that day. Bloodshine ignored the fury of the desert, she had grown accustomed to the deserts anger, and its hatred of all life. The troll shaman made haste to her destination, she knew time was of the greatest essence, and the last words she had heard from Warneshi egged her on even more, she would see Lilliana alive again and Warneshi had the means.

She paused for a moment when the great city of Zul'Farrak came into view, something was not right with the place. Bloodshine could feel something ancient and evil now called those walls home, she knew what it was, Slys'Thok had come home finally.

Dismounting she unwrapped her face and strode headlong into the ruins of the once great city. All seemed dead, not a soul came to greet her, even the corrupted Sandfury that had called the place home for many years were no where to be found. Death hung in the air, Bloodshine could feel it, but no dead lay about her. She shivered, she knew what she felt, souls, a large gathering. Invisable usually to the naked eye, most would just mark their passing with a chill, but Bloodshine had spent many years of her life dealing with them, she knew them for what they were, and if this many were present then Warneshi had to be here.

She followed the chill feeling, it was like a map layed out before her. Soon Bloodshine found herself approaching the center of the city, and the center of the long dead Sandfury Empire; the Altar of Blood. Placed atop the largest of the temple cities Ziggurats; the Altar of Blood had been a sacred place to the Sandfury, the center of many rituals and the symbol of their bloodthirsty people. Bloodshine could remember fondly the many ceremonies she led at this place; she also remembered with great pain, the death of the Sandfury that had taken place at this very Altar as well. It was at this place that Warneshi and Worneshi had come of age, it was this place that Warneshi was inducted into the Souleaters, and it at this place that he became Slys'Thoks Avatar, and damned his people.

It was not Warneshi however that Bloodshine saw when she approached the great Altar, it was a smaller figure, far more decayed and meek looking then how the Tyrant would of appeared, no it was Lupen the Dreadmage that stood atop the greatest monument of her people.

Lupen seemed to be busy preparing a circle of summoning, as well as inscribing many other runes and symbols that Bloodshine did not reconize. When Lupen noticed her appraoch however, she knew something was not right with the undead.

Lupen turned slowly to greet Bloodshine as she ascended the stair case. Giving her a quant smile and a nod, Lupen finished his last rune and went to greet the approaching shaman. Bloodshine felt in Lupen the same feeling that permiated the entire ruin, she could feel the touch of the nether falling off the Dreadmage in waves. He was not the Lupen she had seen several times before, he was far more open, to happy perhaps even cocky, not at all the reserved Warlock many knew him as.

Lupen waited for her at the top of stairs, he gave her a small bow before he spoke, and when he did, Bloodshine could hear in his voice a taint. A taint she had fought against for many years, the taint that had destroyed all she knew and loved, the taint of Slys'Thok.

"Why hello good Bloodshine I had not expected you so soon. It seems I was a little lax in my duties, I never took the time to fully appreciate the beauty of this temple city. Never really realized how advanced the Sandfury were in controlling the nether. It has been an eye opening experience, and I can not wait to recored the knowledge I have learned here. But listen to me I ramble on like a schoolboy, come I will show you what is left to be done, and what my master has planned this day."

Bloodshine listened closely and raised an eyebrow when Lupen mentioned the word "master", he was indeed lost now. She would have to deal with this quickly, Lupen was dangerous and seemed to of slipped out of Warneshi's control and into Slys'Thoks. Bloodshine knew she should end this, end the Warlock and stop this whole ritual, but she thought for a moment about ehr daughter. Her strength, what she would bring to this world. Bloodshine lingured for a moment on the memory of her daughter and the decided she would let this game continue for a bit longer. She followed Lupen as he beckoned for her.

Lupen walked slowly, but he was so full of joy. He had not felt this happy in many years, and he could not understand why. All he knew is that this is what he was meant for, this was his purpose, after many years he had found it. All the while he had worked a voice had told him as such, it was a beautiful voice, and he could not help but believe her words. It was the voice of a mother, perhaps a love from long past. Lupen did not know the voice, but he did know he loved it, and he would do its bidding.

Both troll and undead approached the altar, Lupen fervently reached for an item upon its surface, and Bloodshine tried her best to take in the whole scene, to watch for a coming attack. As she placed her eyes upon Lupen again, she noticed what it was he pulled from the altar, what it was he held aloft as if he expected the world to bow to it; Sul'Thraze the Lasher.

The Grims made haste to Zul'Farrak, they had been called to action and had been told Zul'Farrak was where that action was to be. Some were ahead of the main collum, those being Skash, Syreena, Regnanetah, Krezinak, Ashagga, Trilok. Zuruzuru and Pincus. Only a few were aware of what the rode to find, or face. Those that did not know followed their brother and sister Grims. The most ruthless army in the horde was on the move, and nothing would stand in the way of it's objectives.

Razev sighed as he held up a cloth against the sandstrom. It had come out of nowhere and attacked the Grim collum like a swarm of angry locusts. He pushed on however, just like the rest of The Grims, however he knew that something was not right. Since the night of his vision and the day that the dread voice had fallen across Azeroth, he had felt something strange in the air. Like a sense of dread that did just not want to settle. He knew they went to face something horrible, and he was prepared, he only prayed the other Grims were as well.

Malstrom had been listening to the words of the spirits since he started this journey, all he could gather from them was fear. He shivered in the heat, he could not grasp what was capable of putting fear into the very spirits themselves. Whatever it was though, he went to face it with his Grim brothers and sisters at his side, and he would prepare as best he could for whatever battle he might have to face.

Midius looked around at the other Grims that rode with him. He had felt power before, and tasted it, as a mage power was his proffesion. The power he felt before them was something differant, it was a terrible power, and a horrific one that made him wish he was still off in distant lands. He looked to his fellow Grim again, they marched as he did, they did not know towards what, but still they marched. Grim many and Grim strong, Midius knew if had to face this with any it would be those that now faced the deserts rage with him.

The lead Grims entered the city gates first, unwrapping their faces they looked around. It seemed the storm had stopped when they entered the city walls. Skash was confused, he did not know why the desert raged outside, but in this open air ruins it seemed cowed. Trilok sniffed the air, he had taken the form of a bear during the storm to ward off the stining pain with his thick hide, it was rank with the nether. The spirits he knew and loved, called his family as well as his friend, were terrified of this place, the whispered into his ear to begone from it. Let others deal with it, but Trilok would not leave this task to others, he was a Grim and this was their task. Syreena could not shake a cold feeling from her spine, no matter which way she stood or looked, she felt as if she was watched and she feard an ambush was coming. Ashagga stood near Krezinak, she had come to notice his startling similarities to Warneshi, she was a rogue and it was her job to notice such things, he stood in the same amnner, and had come to speak in a similar manner. Ashagga did not know why, but she feared Krezinak a bit. She had been present when Slys'Thok had touched Azeroth for only a few moments, and she had rememberd the smile on Krezinaks face when she had. Ashagga followed the group, watching, always watching. Pincus took in the land around himself, and was comforted, the nether was thick in this place, and he could feel it reaching out to protect and cradle him. He also felt another presence, souls, and many of them. He had almost never felt such a strong gathering of them in one place, Pincus did not know why this was, but he intended to find out. Zuruzuru grunted as he removed his head cloth, he had come to hate a few of The Grims that surrounded him, he knew they wished to stop whatever was taking place, they wished to keep him from his Lilliana. He would not have it, so Zuru waited, he would strike when the time was right. Regnanetah smiled, he could feel the corruption of Slys'Thok. He had escaped it when he was younger, but it had always fascinated him. He had been in the city many times before, and he knew where the party must go, signaling the forerunners of the Grim collum, he bid them go further into the temple.

As they appraoched the altar, what they saw would forever be burned into the backs of their minds.

Lupen stood before Bloodshine, Sul'Thraze in hand, she looked down on him with no fear in her eyes. Striding forward he walked past her and to the edge of the steps, looking down on the few Grim that had arrived he smiled and addressed them.

"Behold Grims! The legacy of these people is in my hands! The Sandfury are powerful, I have seen it, and soon I will help them return to power. I know many of you may wish this to not be, but know you are to late. The redemption of Warneshi Sandscalp has begun!"

Lupen heard a voice in his head, the familiar one that gave him the good feelings he so loved, she spoke softly and sweetly.

"Yes little one, you have done well. You suffered my greatest torments, finish this and so you will suffer my greatest blessings..."

Lupen gave a cry of joy and turned once again to face Bloodshine. He smiled at her only speaking a few words.

"In your death is born the salvation of your people..."

Lupen the Dreadmage took a swift step forward and plunged Sul'Thraze into Bloodshines womb. All assembled cried out in horror, they had not expected such a thing. Bloodshine however simply smiled at Lupen as she felt herself die, she reached out and craddeled the undeads face in her hand, whisering soft words to him.

"What I suffer will be nothing compared to what she will do you, her "loyal" servent."

With her final words said, Bloodshine's lifeless body fell to the floor. Lupen looked down in horror, what had he done!? His horror was only temporary though, for he looked down at the blade and saw it's unholy light had tripeled. He felt his feet lift clear from the ground and cried out in pain, he could feel his power growing, he could feel his body becoming one with the nether. It was the greatest pain of his life, and the greatest joy.

The lead Grims watched in awe as Lupens body lifted a few feet from the ground and he began to glow in the dark of shadowflames. Pincus and Regnanetah looked to each other, both knew what was happening, both not wanting to admit they might not of been prepared for this.

Lupens joy was cut short as he noticed his body began to turn to dut, he cried out in pain as he felt himself start to fade away. He cried in pain for release, for a reason, he asked why this was happening, he had served faithfully, so why was he being destroyed! The sweet voice simply answered.

"You have served your purpose, now you are nothing."

Lupen tried to release the blade, tried to run, but he could do nothing. He watched as his body turned to ash and those ashes pilled high upon the altar. Lupen the Dreadmage could do nothing, only suffer as he had been promised.

The lead Grims watched as the pile of ashes grew larger and larger, they did not know what to say or do, the world was silent in the aftermath of Lupens act. It was cacaphony of silence, and those there could only hope it was over, it was not...

The ashes begane to move as if something was buried within them. The Grims watched in awe as a form rose form them, something was being reborn from the ashes. Zuruzuru' heart leaped, for the thing that crawled from the ashes was none other then Lilliana herself. He rushed forward, the other Grims quickly behind them.

Zuruzuru tried to hold back his tears as he took his love in his arms, wiping away the ash around her body. He layed kiss upon kiss after her, his words were warm as well as his embrace. The other Grims watched, some seemed happy with the reunion, but Pincus and Regnanetah reconized that this was not right.

Lilliana opened her eyes and smiled at Zuru, she ran a hand down the side of his face and pulled him close to whisper softly into his ear...

"She iss losst to you fool..."

Zuru's eyes opened wide and he looked down at Lilliana, he did not know what to say, or what to do. He was so stunned he did not even notice when Lilliana's hand fell over the great blade, Sul'Thraze the Lasher, did not notice when she brought the blade around and plunged it into him. Zuru died with only shoke and horror painted upon his face.

The other Grims were quick to act, they backed away, preparing defensive spells, the rogues found the shadows, and Skash could only stand stunned, the only words on his lips..

"But Lilly's whys?"

Lilliana stood slowly and surveyed the other Grims, by now the rest of the Grim army had arrived and had found its way to the altar. Looking out across the scene, Lilliana smirked and spoke in a voice many knew all to well, but not from her lips.

"Greetingss again Grimss, Warneshi hass returned..."

The form of Lilliana waxed and wanned, as if a mirage in the hot desert. Her form grew and filled out with muscle and larger tusks. In moments it was Warneshi Sandscalp that stood before them all. He smirked and hefted his mighty blade.

"The time hass come Grimss, you have served well in thiss little game, all of you playing your part. Warneshi thankss you, but now you musst be ussed Grimss. A sacrifice iss needed, and thosse who wissshed to stop to Warneshi have brought that sacrifice right to Warneshi'ss feet."

As he said his last words his eyes feel upon those Grims that stood atop the altar, he spoke words only for them.

"Thiss army is here to stop what iss coming, Warneshi will see they only help it. Face Warneshi'ss army, and face your purposse."

Warneshi's form began to change again, he grew even taller, his form taking on a shadowy appearence. Tendrils of darkness sprung from the ground around him, and it seemed the very world around him was consumed in darkness. He spoke a few words in a language only a few warlocks knew, and of Regnanetah.

"COME SOULSSS, YOU ARE WARNESHI'SS SERVENTSS AND NOW YOU WILL DO BATTLE FOR HISSS CAUSSE."

Syreena shivered again, she looked around her and knew why. The clear air in Zul'Farrak was soon warped and twisted as hideous shapes appeared. An army of souls materialzed at the bottom of the Ziggurat, they seemed to be everywhere. The world around the Grim army had been filled with these incorporeal combatants, their numbers seemed to stretch on into infinity.

Warneshi smirked again at the Grims, and spoke in a voice that sounded like the sandstorm that had fought the Grims on their trip to Zul'Farrak.

"THE DAY HASS COME, THISS WORLD WILL BE THE LEGIONSS ONCE AND FOR ALL! LET THE SACRIFICE BEGIN!"

The world seemed to hold it's breath as the soul army charged the Grims, they spoke no words, gave no war cry's. Only rushed silently towards their prey.

((Ok, ok. Yes I killed a few people, but no worries they are not out yet. For ingame RP purposes, this whole thing will not of happened till I finish the whole ending. No worried Grims, you characters are in good hands!))

[Keeper Of Lore]

Part 2: The End of all Beginings.

The world was silent for Skash, all he was aware of was the cold bitter chill creeping up his spin. He watched as a sea of shadow rose up to crash upon The Grim. Was this it? Was he going to die here in this damn hot desert, without pie in hand? Skash gave his head a shake, bringing the world into a more real perspective; pie or not Skash would not give into death without a fight.

The Grim army stood stunned, where only moments before was empty air sand, no was an army souls. Many did not know what to do, they were trained and battle hardened, but they could not begin to comprehend how to fight such a foe.

Warneshi smiled as he watched the confusion permiate The Grim ranks, watched how the incorporeal army spead towards it's victims and they barely raised a defense against it. His victory was coming swiftly to hand, and soon all would be as he desired. Raising his blade, Warneshi strode forward to deal death and suffering amongst his "allies".

A battle cry ripped the silence in two...

"We's Grims! Shadowy folks or no we cuts you down and shows you fury o the likes ya never saw when yous wasnt dead!"

Skash leaped from the top of the altar, clearing almost half the steps before his feet landed and he continued down the steps on foot. The Grim army looked to the battle cry and was pullen from its revery. Their hearts filled with hope as they saw Skash come flying down the steps, bound to crash into the nevernending ocean of death.

Razev looked to his fellow Grim, the sight of Skash had broken him from his haze of doubt, as it had done for the other Grims. He focused his magics anf called forth the fires of the arcane, turning the ground to molten rage beneath the feet of his attackers, he also flung massive balls of burning rock into their lines. Razev focused to the point he was almost not aware of the world around him, he did not seem the notice that while his fire would of consumed whole units of the living, these souls charged silently through his torrent of magic...

Midius watched in awe of the power that Razev called to his control, the younger mage tried his best to match his elder. His own magics sowing would be death amongst his enemies, his missles and rain of ice should of lai low even the best prepared of soldiers, but he looked on in horror as he realized what Razev did not, his magics did nothing...

Malstrom was brought to awe by the bravery of his orc brother, the mighty Skash now almost colliding with the lines of the souls. He knew that Skash would need his healing touch and the powers of his totems. The orc would not die while he held watch. He called to the spirits, he commanded them to his aid, made them overcome their fear of this place. Hurling his totems to the ground he gave his battle shouts and called the storms to his aid. The air crackeled and popped around him as it convexed and let loose the burning power of the storm. Malstrom hoped it would hold the souls at bay long enough for Skash to join The Grim lines he charged so heedlesly to reach...

Regnanetah looked around him, he could not believe what he saw. He always held a respect for Warneshi but had found it disturbing how easly the Tyrant feel to the forces of the nether. When Regnanetah surveyed the scene around him, he knew now how powerful those forces were, and gave a small prayer in his head that they had sought Warneshi and not himself. Turning his attention back to the Tyrant he summoned forth his great magics. The solid stone beneath him cracked and splintered at the enegry he gathered on atop of it. He would see this ended, this power was not to be controlled, and thus did not belong. He would burn Warneshi from this world and see to it that this part of the history of his people was forever buried.

Ashagga and Syreena crept silently towards Warneshi, they knew now what must be done. They had followed his words and wanted to see him returned, but now they truely understood the mistakes they had made. They would silence the Tyrant with the ways they new best, silence and trickery.

Trilok called to his brother and sister spirits. He could feel them reluctant to come to his aid, for they feared what stood before the mighty Tauren. Trilok had not known fear for a long time, but he could not help but feel the affects a little as he saw what stood before him. He could not see the actually appearence of Warneshi, for Trilok eyes were now attuned to the spirit world as he prepared for the fight. That is what terrified him, for he now understood, that the Warneshi that stood before him, did so with no soul, or purpose. He was nothing incarnate, and the sprits feared only the thought of nothing...

Krezinak felt a terrible weight upon his shoulders, he could not tell if it was fear or regret, or both. His uncle stood before him a terrible visage of woe, and Krezinak understood what powers he had sought himself to traffic with. This was not his uncle, this "thing" was something far more vile then Warneshi had ever been. He knew the monster looked to him, he knew it called to his blood, his dormant demon tainted blood. It wanted him, but he could not give in, he could not serve something that wished to only destroy everything. Krezinak took a battle stance, he would fight this thing, he would clense his family's bloodline once and for all...

Pincus stared in admiration of what was before him, it was pure nether, it was an embodyment of nothing, and it was beautiful. Pincus wanted to reach out and touch it, to embrace it, to learn from it. However he knew what price that entailed, he only need look to the small amount of ash that remained to know how this master treated its servents. He called to Nether, calling up his wards and forming the shadows around him into deadly weapons. Curses floated across his tongue and ancient and powerful incantations flooded his brain. It was then he felt something odd, he felt the cold of the souls getting closer and closer, he looked to the ground and saw them rise from the very stone itself. His allies were surronded, and the souls bared the way to Warneshi himself...

Regnanetah let his ball of power fly, it was not just fire or arcane, but both. A torent of energy that would tear a city wall asunder. It flew at its target with great speed and wrath, the air the burned around it seemed to call out death to anything it struck. Warneshi smiled at the approaching missle and when it was almost to him he simply dissappeared, and standing where he was, was one of the endless souls that now flooded the entire city. Regnanetah watched in awe as the missle collided with the soul and seemingly have to affect. The soul appeared to shimmer but soon took its normal form again. Reg looked about in a panic for Warneshi, he came quickly to the understanding of the trick the Tyrant had pulled. Regnanetah eye's lite up in horror as he felt a chill on his back, as if in reflex he blinked away from it and turned to see what was there. A shadowy tendril reached up from the floor, and standing near it was Warneshi, with the smirk still painted upon his face. For the first time in his life, Regnanetah was in a state of utter panic, he did not know how to fight this threat, but he would have to find a way soon, he feared that soon Warneshi would be done toying with him...

Syreena and Ashagga tried to jump from the shadows at Warneshi put were surprised to find he was not there at all, hearing the sound of the approaching missle they threw themselves to cover, just in time to avoid being burnt to cinders. Ashagga coughed away some dust and sand and opened her eyes, she let out a scream as she found herself face to face with several of the souls. They reached for her with incorporeal weapons that must of carried in life, she rolled out of the way, but took a cut to her arm. The cur burned of cold and bled violently. She watched her assailints and observed her surrondings, she needed a way out. Syreena landed on her feet after the missle hit, she quickly took in the area around her and saw Ashagga in trouble, she swiftly closed the gap and drew one of her blades, she tried to plunge it into the vital spot of a soul that appeared to be human. As he blade touched the soul she felt a bitting cold in her hand, and dropped the blade. The soul turned to face her and prepared to attack, she looked to Ashagga who was ready to move, Syreena knew the orc would be on her own for a bit. Syreena drew her other blade and tried to make a break for it and join the rest of The Grims...

Skash closed ranks with the dead, he flung himself upon their ranks like a hammer to an anvil. Shield up to cover his vitals he brought his axe down with all the rage he could muster. He felt cold, endless biting cold, it burned like fire, but held no heat. Skash cried out in pain as his armor burned his flesh and his weapon burned his hand. He felt cuts, many of them appear all over his body, he did not know how to fight this. Skash tried his best to fend off the many incorporeal assailents but he could feel the cold over taking him. He felt wound after wound open on his body, he could feel his life blood draining away, he knew death was coming, but he was Orc, and death would have to work harder then this to take him. Calling on his last reserves of strength, he let loose another battle cry and charged though the souls, he was determined to reach the Grim lines. He could feel his body being weighed down, could feel his joints seizing up and his heart start to freeze. Skash pushed forward, he was almost free of the lines, he could see Malstrom now, the troll was calling forth the healing spirits to restore health to the drained orc. Skash gave a cry of joy, he was so close to the end of this tunnel of death and cold...

Skash was cut short, he felt a hand wrap around his throat and he was lifted into the air, he tried his best to focus on this new attacked, but when he did all he found was the eyes of a serpent, staring deep into his own tired weary eyes.

"Did you think Warneshi would let you esscape thiss prisson of cold? You will pay for your foolisshnesss Orc. Are you so dullwited that you think you can charge into thisss army and fight your way free. No, no orc, you die for your misstake and your stupidity/"

Warneshi smirked and slid his blade cleanly into the orc. Skash felt his life being drained from him, felt himself driting into darkness, he was going to visit the halls of his ancestors, and they would be proud of the baravery and vigalence he showed that day...

Malstrom's jaw dropped open, he felt the sprits of healing slip from his control. He had been so close to saving Skash, but a giant of Shadow had appeared amongst the lesser souls and grabbed up the orc, sliding a great blade all the way through Skash. Malstrom knew who that giant was, it was Warneshi, and Malstrom could not let this murder go without punishment. Calling again on the spirits of the storm, he let lose a great bolt of lightening at the Tyrant...

Midius was in shock, he had seen the death of Skash and the great bolt of lightening that had rocketed towards the shadowy behemoth, but what startled him was that the bolt never found it's target, mere moments before it hit, the great shadow was gone, replaced by some other soul. Midius looked about in panic, he could see the souls overwhelming The Grim lines. All around him Grims fought hard and they fought strong, battle cry's and litany's of bravery flooded the air, but still Grims fell. They fell like corn to a scythe, he could not see how to stop the vast sea the pounded them to pieces. In his panic he did not even notice how close the wave of souls had come to him, but he did notice when they set upon him with gruesome weapon and biting cold. Midius tried to call forth his magics to save him, but his body was numb, and he could not react. He drifted to death in the agony of being torn limb from limb...

Trilok scanned the area around him, he had seen Warneshi dissapear and had watched how inaffective Reg's magics had been. Trilok looked for nothing, for he knew it hide itself amongst the souls. He could feel it, could feel the nothing creeping up on him, he did not know how to stop it, did not know how to fight this foe. He felt Warneshi, felt him near again, whiping his head around he was just in time to see the great shadowy form appear amongst the souls that assualted the group on the top of the Ziggurat, he saw the smirk on its face as it reached for Syreena and Ashagga, they were not even aware of its presence. Trilok called out...

"Syreena, Ashagga! Behind you!"

They both reacted instictively and rolled away from the threatened area, but their shock the great shadowy beast of Warneshi simply appeared were another had just been prior. Warneshi grabbed them both up in his hands and held them close, he cackled and shoke them roughly by their necks.

"Running are we? No, no running thiss time little shadow whoress, thiss time you face and fight your enemiesss."

Warneshi let several of the tendrils of shadow that danced around him to grab thw two rogues, their screams of agony twisted the air, and caused many to cringe. He did noy kill them, but kept them in torment, as his terrible war banner as he continued his battle.

Regnanetah heard the screams of the rogues and turned in time to see them taken up by Warneshi, he knew this was his only chance, calling forth energies again he let fly several missles at Warneshi. Warneshi smiled and watched as the missles flew at him, he did not dissapear this time, instead his tendrils brought the two rogues into the firing line, he watched with a smile upon his face as the missles blew the two rogues apart. Regnanetah stood in horror watching as his missles did their job. He knew this was to much, he prepared to blink away, to join The Grim lines, perhaps there he would have a fighting chance. As he felt the energies coil around him and felt his body begin to re-locate, it all stopped. Reg felt a great hand grab him and hoiste him up, he meet the eyes of Warneshi and he knew fear.

"You tried to stop thisss, that wasss wisse, but how doess it feel to know that you failed? Not only that, but you were right all along and no one wanted to believe you? Warneshi'ss corruption seepss deeper into the heartss of all then your knowledge ever could. Your magicss are uselesss, and all that leavess you with, iss thiss frail little body, that Warneshi will soon break."

Warneshi cackeled into Regnanetah's face and watched as two of the tendrils grabbed the troll. Warneshi simply smiled as they pulled Regnanetah into two pieces, and flung them both down the stairs. Warneshi looked to the two remaining Grim on the tower then called out above the din of the battle.

"Desspair Grimsss! Your greatesst mage hass fallen, your greatesst warrior iss dead, you can do nothing but die!"

Pincus heard enough, he launched a furious assualt at Warneshi, launching every power he had, every curse every damnation. His bolts of shadow struck home and his curses rended the flesh of the great shadow Warneshi. Pincus smiled as he watched the great thing buckle underneath his control of the nether...

Pincus gasped, Warneshi rose from the ground and turned to face him. Pincus looked to his right and saw one of the souls dissipate in a scream of agony, when he looked back to Warneshi he found himself stading face to chest with the demon. Warneshi grabbed Pincus by the face and lifted him into the air, whispering quietly into his ear...

"Warneshi can die a million deathss and still have the power to take thiss world, you are uselesss old corpsse. You will not jusst die, you will suffer worsse then any, for you tried to play the legion againsst itssself. Do you feel that? It iss nothing, no one comess to save you, you suffer alone."

Warneshi laughed as he watched a tendril take Pincus and the undead was slowly consumed by hellish flames. He turned to face new victims, the sound of Pincus's suffering fueled on the slaughter of all those present...

Krezinak let lose a battle cry of the Sandfury and charge his uncle, he knew deep inside he charged to die, but he would rather die fighting then cowering. As he closed ground with his uncle, Warneshi brought his great blade around and parryed Krezinak's blow. Warneshi smirked as he took a fighting stance, Krezinak knew he was only toying with him, that he would best Krezinak in a fight just because he could. The two exchanged blows for a bit, Krezinak's battle prowess was good, but he could not get past Warneshi's defenses, and soon a blow from Warneshi found its way to Krezinak's body. Krezinak felt his tendons snap and bones shatter, the blow was mighty and even his troll body could not lessen the damage right away. He cryed out in pain and Warneshi grabbed him by the neck and spoke to him harshly

"My dear nephew, have you learned nothing of battle, Warneshi hass swepted asside your defenses and thrown away your blows, if you are thiss weak you could never have served her."

Warneshi smirked and drove the blade into Krezinak's belly, he laughed as he watched his own nephew slip into darkness.

Malstrom breathed heavly, most of his enegry was spent, all those he had sought to save had died underneath the crushing waves of souls, only a handful of Grims, Razev and himself remained. He tried his best to keep the mage fighting, but it seemed all for not. Razev had unleashed his fury upon the souls and had done nothing but rend the earth around them to pieces. Malstrom watched as the endless tide of souls overtook the few remaining Grim around him, their suffering screams echoed the his own as he felt the shadowy weapons of his enemies begin to rend him to bits. He felt his life end, and could do nothing to stop it...

Razev could do nothing to save Malstrom, and his magics were all but spent, and still his enemies charged him. He thought back to his vision, he had seen The Grim taking victory this day, so why had his vision lied to him! In his last effort he used what little magic remained to shield himself as he grabbed his weapon, and gave a final charge to his enemies. Razev's shield held for only moments and soon all that remained were bits and pieces of the once great mage...

Trilok felt the cold overtaking him, he knew he could not die, but he dreaded what suffering he would come to. His claws and fangs did nothing to his attackers, as did his mighty moon magic. He felt useless, he could not save his brother and sister Grims. He felt the nothingness overtake him, and knew it was the end. Warneshi laughed as he stood over the wounded body of Trilok.

"You would think to stop thisss? That the spiritss of thiss world, your alliess in nature could stop thiss? You have failed Trilok, and since your death can not be asshured, then you will watch ass the world around you diess, and your spirit will be ensslaved and it will help bring her into thiss world."

Warneshi raised his great blade Sul'Thraze and plunged it into Triloks body, the spirit cried in torment and agony, he felt his precious energies being drained, felt his power being sucked into the blade. He could not bring himself to move, to even wince after a few seconds, he was to weak. All he could do was watch in horror as Warneshi pulled the blade free and cut a hole into reality itself.

The hole grew larger and larger, it became a portal, a doorway. Trilok felt his hope die as he saw the figure that approached it from the other side.

She was coming...

[Keeper Of Lore]

Part 3: The End of the Begining

Lupen felt nothing, he did not know why this was. The last thing he remembered was being burned to ash, and then...nothing. He thought he could be drifting, but towards what, he did not not. After what he thought to be an eternity, the drifting stopped and he thought he could feel solid ground, thought he could feel heat, and perhaps even the smell of sulpher. Lupen opened his eyes and and gazed in awe at the scene before him...

Trilok was horrified, never in his existance had he been helpless, yet here he was, drained of all his powers and energy's, forced to watch the coming of the end. All he could hear was Warneshi's calm breathing, he looked over and saw the Tyrant standing paitenly, a small smirk upon his face. Trilok closed his eyes and called to his spirits, hoping against hope that one would respond, he found nothing, his friends, his brothers and sisters had left him in this place. Trilok watched the coming of the end, and he almost welcomed it in his mind...

Warneshi's mind was racing, he was so close to his goal he could taste it. She was coming through the portal and all he needed to do was wait, paitence would win him this victory, paitence and timing. As he saw the form near the surface of the portal he began to wonder if the others involved in his plan would be able to accomplish their part, they had fought well against his soul slaves, but this would be an entirely differant kind of foe. Warneshi closed his eyes for a moment and let lose a sigh, they were Grim, nothing was beyond their power, and nothing ever stopped them permenantly...

Slys'Thok smiled sweetly as she saw the portal open before he eyes, looking across her courtyard she gave a few words to the newly arriving souls that appeared before her.

"Grimss, Grimss, Grimss, welcome to my world now. You have alwayss thought you could besst anything before you, well now you have failed and you will all suffer the torment of my choosssing and watch ass I deliver thiss world to greatesst powerss of the Legion. Suffer well Grimss, suffer well."

Slys'Thok cackled and gave one last nod as several more Grim souls found their way to her palace, more toys for her to enjoy when the time came. She entered the portal a great joy filling her chest, she had finally won...

Lupen could not believe the words he heard, or the sights before him. The palace of Slys'Thok was a grand and horrifying thing. All around him his brother and sister Grims were appearing, onyl meaning all those slain had been delivered directly to Slys'Thok. He could not help but try to gulp, he knew the tortures that awaited them were beyond comprehention. The many Succubi and Inccubi that called the palace home smiled and cracked their whips, just waiting for the words from their mistress to begin the fun. Lupen eyed his fellow Grims, all of them were now present, all of The Grim army now stood on the doorstep of the halls of the corrupter...

When Regnanetah, Pincus, Ashagga, Syreena, Skash, Zuruzuru, Bloodshine, Krezinak, Malstrom, Midius, and Razev all felt themselves stop drifting, they opened their eyes. The scene horrified several, but a few just sighed, realizing where they were and what was coming. It was Pincus who looked on in with a mock sense of joy, he had always wished to bring the legion to Azeroth, and now he got to visit one of their own commanders palaces; even if he was about to met with the greatest torment for the rest of all eternity.

Slys'Thok's great form came through the portal, she did not adopt any guise, only came as her true self. Trilok wanted to look away, it was a terrible form to behold, but he could not longer move hi head and could only try and close his eyes. Warneshi looked up to the great serpent of shadow and flame, he gave a quant nod and went forward to present the world he had delivered to her. As her massive body finally cleared the portal, Warneshi took his blade and focused his will into it. He let his will fly through the cosmo's finding his intended target, he entered the mind of the Dreadmage...

"Lupen, lissten well and do not think your death meanss nothing. You are in her plane now, her home. She hass come through the portal and now iss on the cussp of delivering Azeroth to her masstersss. However she iss still vulnerable, she needss to kill and consssume before her whole might cal come through that portal. You musst rally the Grim, storm her palance find her throne room you will find the other half of her esssence within, slay it. Warneshi can then slay her form here, and she will gone from uss forever. Do thiss Lupen you have no time."

Lupens eyes opened wide in shock, he could not believe the words he had just heard in his mind. It could not of been Warneshi, for he had used Lupen and the other Grim. Lupen looked to his fellow Grim, almost afraid to speak the words he had to do so now...

"Grims! Listen to me! We have not lost! Only found victory in death! We must storm this dread citadel, we must slay its master! For her death here will be echoed in our home and then we have found vengeance for out death and victory for our cause!"

The assembled souls of The Grim looked on Lupen with almost digust. They had just met death, now faced suffering, and still he asked more of them? The veterens of The Grim stepped forward however, they gave Lupen a nod and prepared themselves for battle. Soon after this display the newbloods followed suite, they learned that day that a Grim never gives up the fight, even death can not stop the might that is The Grim...

Warnesshi lowered his blade and approached his mother, he gave a small bow and then looked across his ancient home.

"Look mother see what Warneshi hass delivered to you which you can deliver now to the Legion. Thiss world iss now yourss, and Warneshi iss ready for what other tasskss you require."

Slys'Thok looked down at her son, her tongue flickering in and out of her scaley mouth. If she could of sneered at him she would, instead she spoke bluntley to Warneshi.

"Ohh dear boy, did you think to find me so foolisssh? Do you know what it iss your alliesss do now in my home? They fight, they try to seek my throne room and to do away with what esssence I still have on that plane. And what of you little one? Do you think to slay me when they do so? Do you think you have the power, the ability? Your soul iss still mine, and so my control over you iss alwayss complete. You have failed again my son, and thiss time I will give no second chancesss..."

Warneshi rolled clear as Slys'Thok struck with open mouth and fangs barred at where he had stood moments before. He ended his roll near Trilok and looked down to the Tauren.

"Trilok, Warneshi can not defeat her on hiss own, she ownss the void that iss Warneshi and so hiss powerss are uselesss againsst her. Throw off thiss spirit shell when Warneshi givess you back your energy, become a soul for Warneshi and she will hold no power anymore."

Trilok looked stunned, moments before Warneshi had been speaking to him as if he hated Trilok, and now he asked for his help. Trilok wanted his energy back so badly though, he wanted to be able to call the spirits and have them answer, he tried his best to nod at Warneshi, but a blink was all he could manage. Warneshi took a quick note of where Slys'Thok was and then plunged Sul'Thraze back into Trilok. This time however, Trilok's physical form disappeared and Warneshi could feel something he had not felt in many centuries...the presence of a soul.

Slys'Thok dove for Warneshi, she was furious. Her son had tried to trick her and failed, but this, she had not forseen this. She tried to call forth her control of her son only to find she could no longer bend him to her will. She knew his soul she still possessed, but he had a new one.

"Well my son it seemss you have learned something of deception, perhapss I have tought you to much, no matter you will still die thiss day."

Slys'Thok threw herself at Warneshi with all her rage, and all her might. She called up fonts of shadowflame and tendrils of darkness. Warneshi was a skilled combatant however and did his best to dodge and weave amongst the attackers. Whenever he recieved a blow he could feel the spirit of Trilok call on healing powers that closed the wound even faster then Warneshi's own regeneration. The fight was going to be a long one, and Warneshi prayed that The Grim accomplished their task soon.

The fighting was brutal, Grims fought valiently against wave after wave of Slys'Thoks minions, they had almost found the throne room when the Felguard Elite descended upon them with hellish wrath. Skash had suffered several deep wounds but the healing power of the Grim was greater then them. Razev, Regnanetah, and Midius stood side by side launching spell after spell into the oncoming horde. Pincus and Lupen found the fight to almost be enjoyable, they enslaved demon after demon, turning Slys'Thoks forces against themselves. Syreena, Ashagga and Zuruzuru crept silently in the shadows, finding the path for The Grim army to take, they also went about elminitating any demon they thought to be a commander; they were silent and efficent like death walking the shadows. Bloodshine rained down curse and curse, Hex's and the wrath of the elements upon her demons foes, to her this was the purest vengeace; she would see the corrupter herself layed low before her. Malstrom weaved the power of storm and healing like a great artist. He kept his vanguards alive and introduced many demons to power of the elements. Krezinak fought near Skash, cleaving through demon minion after demon minion making sure the great orc was not overwhelmed, all the time his thoughts drifting to his uncle; did Warneshi plan this all along, was he really not as corrupted as he had let himself on to be?

The battle raged, Grim loses were raised to fight again, demon loses were mounting and soon the battle was turning from their favor. The forces of the nether tried to hold back The Grim, but they came with a wrath of their own hells. Grims layed waste to all in their path, no demon found pity or mercy. When they had cleaved their way through the endless throng of demons their blades were well soaked in the black blood of their foes. The Grims stood in the throne room of Slys'Thok, they stood in defiance, and they had come for their vengeance.

Slys'Thok felt panic rise in the back of her mind, her son still lived despite several viscious blows she had landed upon him, and she could sense The Grim entering her throne room. Calling on all her power she brought to bare against Warneshi a power he had not anticipated, her final burst of energy took the Tyrant off guard. She came at him like lightning, biting and burning his body. Warneshi felt his strength decay, and his power wane. He knelt to the ground his body not able to heal the wounds quick enough, he watched his blood pour across the ground, he watched it go and felt his hope go with it.

Trilok growled and yelled to Warneshi from within him.

"You kill The Grim! Not her! You! And now you can not even take a simply snake! You are Warneshi, Tyrant of the Sandfury, one of the greatest trolls to ever walk this plane and you will let yourself die to her! Get up! Fight! You are better then this! We are Grim, we do not lose!"

Warneshi smirked as he heard the words, he grunted and rose to his feet to the astonishment of Slys'Thok he stepped into his fighting stance and hefted his blade. Triloks healing powers restored his body and focused and prepared to charge...

The Grims came quickly upon the throne, throwing aside guards like they were children. The shadowy form of Slys'Thok the serpent watched them with animosity, she tried to startle them with hiss and snap, but they did not relent. Launching blow after blow upon her bloated form they felt her life drain away, felt her strength weaken and slip into nothing...

Warneshi charged Slys'Thok, he could see she was weakening, she was vunerable, and Warneshi took that to his advantage. Bolting forward with great speed Warneshi brought Sul'Thraze the Lasher to bare, he came quickly to her great belly and prepared to run her through...

The Grims watched as Slys'Thok screamed in agony, her energy in this nether was dead, they had dealt a blow the Legion would not soon forget...

Warneshi's blade struck home and he watched as Slys'Thoks great form quivered and fell to the ground, she said no words, made no final stands, she simply accepted her fate and died. Warneshi smirked, it was the reason The Grims had defeated her, she would accept defeat, they would not.

The Grims looked around as their numbers slowy began to disappear in small fonts of light, it did not take long for the entire Grim army to be gone from the nether. When they disappeared they found themselves hearing the familiar call of the spirit healers. Their souls were being restored, which mean soon their lives would as well.

The greatest of the Burning Legion commanders watched the events as they took their coarse. He growled and many near him fell away in horror, Slys'Thok had failed the legion and she had payed for it. Permenant death was her price, but the legion would pay an even greater one; because of her failure they would have to postpone the launching of their Burning Crusade for several more months.

Warneshi looked about him, taking in the scene of death. He look at the many bodies of his friends and allies, he sighed and returned to Triloks body. Placing Sul'Thraze on top of the great Taurens form, he restored Triloks spirit to its rightfull place. Warneshi smiled as the Tauren opened his eyes weakley, it would still be some time before he had all his strength back. As Warneshi smiled he felt something odd within him, he felt something familiar, something he had not known for so long. Warneshi looked down at Trilok with surprise, the Tauren only looked back with his own smile.

"I have called to the spirits and they have found what you lost, your soul is restored Warneshi Sandscalp, a reward for all of this."

Warneshi stood stunned he did not know what to do, he felt...hungry, and thirsty, lustfull and many other emotions he had not know for sometime. Warneshi looked down to Trilok and spoke a few more words..

"Warneshi thankss you...Thiss iss not something Warneshi ever expected to know again. To be mortal, it iss a blesssing...Warneshi musst be gonefor sometime, he needss to go and know thesse feelingss again, know what it iss to be...alive. Tell The Grim, that Warneshi hass ussed them yess, but for a causse greater then all of uss, she hass failed and so did the Legion. Tell them Trilok, tell them Warneshi will return soon enough."

Trilok noded at the Tyrant and watched as Warneshi descended the stair case and called to his raptor. Mounting Ses'Thur, Warneshi made quickly for the desert. He had been redeemed, something he had not planned on at all. He felt the wind in his hair, the sand sweep across his face, he felt alive and he could not of been happier...

Trilok watched Warneshi ride off, he slowly rose to his feet his body still sore form the many wounds it had suffered, he watched the other Grims begin to rise from the ground, the spirit healers working their magics.

The sun was setting and the cool desert wind began to set in. Those Grims that stood looked to Trilok as he watched the sun fall from the sky, a light mood permiated the whole scene, Grims hugged and cheered, congratulating each other on the great victory they had won. They prepared to make camp for the evening, they would return to the guild hall tommarrow.

Triloks mind drifted as he watched the setting sun, he knew that the Tyrant and himself shared a similar feeling at the sight of it; it had been the end of a terrible begining, and the begining of something that would never end...

End.

((yep that is it folks, all done. I had so much fun writing this and I hope you all had fun reading it, well those of you who did anyways *laughs*. I will give another post with specific thanks, but for now I will simply say, thank you GRIM! Also for storyline purposes, when I enter in character today it will be Warneshi returning from several weeks of solitude, so this whole event actually ended awhile ago. So we all know!))