History by Warneshi

[Keeper Of Lore]

History

Warneshi - April 12, 2006

Part 1. In the night is born our greatest of fears...

The winds of Tanaris where as harsh as always, a song of death to
the weak, and a song of hope to the strong. Warneshi Sandscalp
stood before the ruins of a once great metropolis; Zul'Farrak. It
had been many many years since the terrible tragedy that had
brought it to ruin, that had crushed the once mighty Sandfury
empire. Warneshi closed his eyes and remembered the glory of
victory against the vile Silithid occupation, remembered the days
of Ukorz and his dream of a Sandfury people free of their demonic
overwatchers, and remembered the day he destroyed all that...

Ukorz was ecstatic, he had done what he had promised, the
Sandfury reigned supreme over the lands now known as Tanaris, the
Shimmering Flats, and were fast taking land in the mysterious
crater on the western half of the empire. Ukorz had defeated the
Silithid, who had occupied the Sandfury heartland for so very
long. He had thrown off the yoke of demonic opprestion that had
held sway over his people since their forming shortly after the
fall of the Gurubashi Empire. With the forging of his great
warblade; Sul'Thraze the Lasher, he had taken the power and pride
of the entire Sandfury people and placed it into one blade, one
blade that severed the vile Silithid overlord's head from his
body, and had severed the demoic blood curse that tainted all the
Sandfury.

Slys'Thok was furious, this little welp Ukorz had thought to
throw aside all the power she had given the Sandfury people so
easly? They were her people, she had given them their strength,
their rage, their magic. She laughed at Ukorz's arrogance as he
paraded through the streets of his new capitol like some fool
king of clowns. He could not escape her influence, she knew how
to bring them back; her plan was flawless; the Sandfury belonged
to her, belonged to the burning legion.

Ukorz's empire entered it's 47th year when the king knew it was
fast becoming time that he needed an heir. While the empire was
full of females, all of who where more then willing to bear him a
child, he did not care for any of them. It was Sandfury
tradition, all females in the empire ruled over all males, except
for one; the King, in which case all females belonged to him. The
Sandfury wondered why the King had not yet taken what was his by
right, the options where there, but it seemed the king had his
eyes on only one troll; his chief advisor, only known to the
masses as "Bloodshine".

Bloodshine was the most gifted shadow master in the whole of the
empire, she weaved the shadow like a master tailor weaves the
simplest of patterns. Her totems brought people to their knee's
in fear, raped the souls of any she wished, and could bring
blessing to whole villages. She was a legend among her people;
and Ukorz wanted her more then he had wanted freedom for his
people. Bloodshine however had a differant view, her eyes where
for another Sandfury, and no matter how many times Ukorz
advanced, he was turned away. She always told him, "Sandfury
custom be damned, if those customs still survived from when where
slaves to the demons, then we are not yet free."

Ukorz would rage and rage for days on end after every failed
attempt, he knew his time was coming; age was setting in, he
needed and heir for his throne.

Slys'Thok knew of his need for an heir, and was well aware of his
desire for this Bloodshine, and so her plan to reclaim her people
was born of Ukorz's lust.

On the eve of the 50th year of the Sandfury empire, the people
where in celebration; they had lasted 50 long years, and not one
other race could raise an army to destroy them, the Empire was
spreading, now touching the borders of the last strong hold of
the Silithid, Silithis. Despite all this Ukorz was still in a
state of perpetual anger, he was still denied the one thing he
wanted. It was in the night that his dream would come true, it
was in that night the one thing he coveted above all would
finally be his.

Bloodshine strode into his majesty's chamber, more beautifull
then ever, Ukorz heard her approach and could only stay rooted in
his spot with awe at what he was seeing with his eyes. Bloodshine
approached her king whispering into his ear sweet promises of
things to come, and gentle reminders of how somethings were
always worth the wait. To Ukorz there was nothing outside of his
chamber, this was his world now, Bloodshine was his life.

When Ukorz awoke in the morning, it was to the eyes he had fallen
asleep staring into. They watched him with the strength of
passion mirrored only in his own. Bloodshine whispered into his
ears, if this was his world he need never leave it, he was always
welcome and never would this world harm him.

The Sandfury people worried for their King, he had been locked
away for almost a year in his chambers. Bloodshine had many times
come to her kings door and inquired as to the welfare of her
lord; everytime she had been turned away with a harsh word from
Ukorz saying that none would disturb his happiness.

The eve of the 51st year of the Sandfury Empire, was the day it's
destruction was given a voice, the end of the empire was heralded
with the crying of two new born trolls. Bloodshine had birthed
unto Ukorz twin boys, one born under the high noon sun, the other
in the darkness of the new moon. Ukorz's chambers burst open and
the King strode forth to show his empire their new Kings and
saviors. His stride was cut short when his eyes found Bloodshine
in the main room of his keep, he had just left her in his chamber
not minutes before.

Bloodshine's eyes fell upon the infants and she looked to Ukorz
her face full of joy. She ran forward and embraced her King and
his children, singing praises that the empire would be secured
for centuries to come. The look on Ukorz's face told her
something differant.

"Are these your sons Ukorz? If so who is their mother? For she
must be shown to your people as the bearer of their saviors and
future Kings."

Ukorz looked down into Bloodshine's eyes, the same eyes that had
shown him only love and affection for a year.

"You are...these are you children, one born under the noon sun,
the other in the darkness of the new moon."

Bloodshine was shocked, she had never layed with her King before,
where was he getting this; was he that lost in feelings for her?
That he would find passion in another womens arms and think it to
be hers?

Ukorz handed his sons to his servent and raced back to his
chambers, Bloodshine on his heal. In his chamber he found his
worse fear given form, his greatest nightmares given life before
his eyes. The beautiful form of Bloodshine, with which he had
layed with for a year, had become a the flaming form of a
serpent, in his chamber was the aspect of the Sandfury god of
old; Slys'Thok.

"Foolissh Ukorz, did you think that blade would free my people?
The Sandfury are mine! I forged them from the ashess of the
Gurubashi, tempered them with my hate! You are a fool and a
coward to try and run from the blessingss only I can provide!
Your death wass born thiss day, as iss the death of your people!
Your arrogance hass brought the fall of thiss empire, and the
desstruction of your people! Do not worry little trolling, in
your sonss iss born the new King of the Sandfury, a new Tyrant;
he will desstroy all you have made and re-build it in my image!

Two sonss born, one to slay the empire that ruless both night and
day. My will is born under the bright lite sky my vengence in the
new moons eye. Tremble now your day has come, in the 60th year my
will be done."

With her legacy birthed and her prophecy given, Slys'Thok
vanished to the dark places of the nether leaving only her
laughter to echo in the chambers of the Sandfury King.

Ukorz returned to his two sons and took them in his arms and held
them for what seemed an eternity. Bloodshine appraoched him,
after what she had seen, she knew just what had been happening
that long year of the Kings withdrawl.

She whispered into the Kings ear.

"Which one was born in the night? If he is her vengeance you had
best do away with him now, the one under the day we can train
away from his mothers will."

Ukorz looked to Bloodshine and bared his teeth and tusks at her,
taking to his full height. Many servents thought he was about to
strike her down, they had seen him in do this to several of his
other servents before.

"These are my sons! My heirs! I will not kill one! To do so would
be to kill part of what I am!"

Bloodshine let him gather himself before she spoke into his ear,
this time weaving a web to control his mind as she had done
before.

"We have free'd many from her will before, you entire people! But
if that one is born to be her arm of vengeance against you, then
I fear we may not be able to stop him once he has fully grown.
Can you not feel her taint upon him now even as we speak? He
reaks of power, but it is of demonic origin, not your own blood."

Ukorz fell to her powers as he had done so before many times, she
was right, this son was Slys'Thoks, and he could feel her taint
upon him. He hated what had to be done but it was the only way to
save his people. He would order his most loyal bodyguard to take
the babe to the desert and leave him there with a only a blade to
protect him. Ukorz knew the blade would do nothing, the babe was
afterall just that, a babe. But he would not let his son go
without some fighting chance.

Ukorz looked down to his child born under the new moon and moved
back the cloth on his face. Ukorz was unnerved when the child
opened his eyes; Ukorz was met with the eyes of a serpent, not a
troll. Ukorz whispered into the young trolls ear before he handed
him to his bodyguard.

"I will name you Warneshi, and even in death know you were my
favorite of sons."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Part 2: The winds of change.

The sun beat down harshly upon Warneshi's head; he did not care,
the heat always made him feel more alive. His city was a ruin,
overrun by those who were still possessed by Slys'Thoks power. He
could remember when that was not the case...

Heslek hated the duty she was now given; her king had just
ordered her to dispose of one of his twin babes. She knew that in
the case of twins, as was Sandfury tradition, that when they came
of age only one would be allowed to continue living. This
however, this was un-heard of, especially a babe of royal blood.
She had been instructed to leave him with a blade, a means to
defend himself in the harsh deserts of their homeland; Heslek let
herself laugh at this idea, if anything came upon the babe, it
was dead. The little troll kept staring up at her with those
serpent eyes of his, they unnerved her; sure she remembered the
days when the serpents ruled their pantheon, but she had never
seen nor heard of a child being born with the eyes of one, and
this babe's body was so very warm. She wondered if perhaps he was
getting a fever, but he did not act sick at all. Just kept
staring up at her, not smiling or laughing, just like he was
watching her. She knew it was an absurd idea, but she could swear
he was "reading" her.

Heslek reached the outer walls of the great city, Zul'Farrak. She
told the gate watch she was on a mission from the king, they
believed her; the symbol of the Sandfury Bloodguard emblazoned on
her armor told them enough. She stepped out into the harsh desert
sun, it was beting down fiercly upon them both. It was in that
tremendous heat that the babe started laughing, it was an odd
laugh, more a cackle then the happy sounds usually atributed to a
babe's laughter. Heslek was unnerved even more, perhaps she was
starting to understand why Ukorz was getting ride of this one;
their was definitly something wrong with him.

When she reached the point she planned on leaving the child at,
near the ancient bones of the long gone god-serpents, the babe
did something even more un-expected; it grabbed hold of her and
started to wail. Heslek didn't know what to do, a minute ago he
was cackling away, but all of the sudden he decided to break down
into tears? She remembered that odd feeling she kept getting
whenever he would look at her, remembered how it felt similiar to
getting spoken to by Bloodshine. The babe could not know what it
was she intended to do with him here? Did he? The little trolls
crying was something else, it was a wail, and it broke her heart;
how could Ukorz be so cruel as to kill his own son? Especially
one as special as this one. He should be allowed to grow, to be
given a fighting chance, if he died at this coming of age; at
least it was because he would die fighting.

Heslek took the babe to the village of her mother that was not to
far from the city walls. The babe would be raised in secret, and
when he came of age she would return him to his father, to show
the mistake his majesty had made in trying to kill what he had to
of thought was the weaker of his two sons.

In the house of Hesleks mother, Jekslew; the babe found his home
for the next few years of his life. They did not know the name
the king had given the young troll, so they made their own for
him; Luklorz, after his great-grandfather who ruled before the
Silithid destroyed the first Sandfury empire. Luklorz enjoyed a
good childhood, he was both strong and wise; especially for a
child his age. Many of the other children he played with went
home in tears, either from his own beatings, or him convincing
them to fight each other. Luklorz always seemed to know who to
play against who, and how to set them off. There was times when
Heslek thought that perhaps Bloodshine was the mother, he acted
in so many similar ways to her.

On the day of Luklorz's 2th season, Jekslew found him behind
their house trying to use the blade that was supposed to of been
left with him in the desert. She took the boy inside and sent a
message to Heslek to come as quickly as she should. When Heslek
arrived, she was overjoyed to learn the news, the boy was able to
hold a blade at such a young age, and had been teaching himself
how to properly wield it as well.

When Luklorz hit his 6th season, it was to the sound of steel on
steel. The past 4 years had been of intensive training of the
young troll. Heslek had told him he could be good enough to serve
with her on the royal guard. She was impressed when the little
troll came at her a blade in each hand, and was amazed to see how
well he took the wounds she left on him with hers; but not as
amazed as to how fast those wounds closed up, faster then any
troll she had ever met.

By his 7th season Luklorz was a better blade wielder then most of
the Sandfury Blooddrinkers, which was saying alot. He could but
up a decent fight against Heslek, and she could not wait to take
him to Zul'Farrak; at 7 he was going to be introduced to the
Bloodguard.

Sezz'ziz strolled the streets of the great city, as always he
studied every troll he saw. He had been out of an apprentice for
many years and the ranks of the Souleaters were starting to grow
small. Ever since their freedom from the demon blood, something
he had never really been a fan off, the mark of the Souleater had
been showing up amongst the Sandfury far less then he cared to
admit. What angered him even more was the fact that Ukorz had
even thought once or twice about doing away with the group. Ukorz
had been obssessed about his new son, and trying to train him in
the new Sandfury magics; under Bloodshine the boy was learning
quickly. How Sezz'ziz hated the advisor to his King, she was a
major supporter of the Sandfury peoples seperation from the their
demon gods, and a large reason that Souleaters were becoming far
less prevelent. She supported a new form of shadow magics, using
the nether instead of calling it to aid; it was arrogant and
doomed to failure, but so far it had seemed it was working, and
the new son of the King this Worneshi was quickly becoming very
skilled in it.

Sezz'ziz scanned the slave markets, only useless humans and some
of those odd things called elves, nothing interesting. It was
when Sezz'ziz looked back to the street that he was stunned in
his tracks. It was as if his dark mistress of old had come
screaming back to this world and hit hard with something very
blunt. Walking in the street his hand in the hand of one of
Ukorz's bodyguards, was a small troll, and he radiated her touch,
he was a beacon of his power. Sezz'ziz drank in the sight, for so
long he had not seen of felt the beautiful touch of Slys'Thok,
but now, now he had found the new Souleater.

Sezz'ziz came forward and took the the bot from Heslek, stating
by divine providence this boy was removed from her care and
placed in his. Heslek reared to her full height, trusks and teeth
bared.

"Silence male, go back to your owner this boy is mine, high
priest or not only the king may command me!"

Sezz'ziz hated the females of his race, all so haughty, they had
always been. Back in the old days he was given respect and
reverence next to the King, but ever since they broke away from
their demonic gods, things had changed.

"Well these are orders of the King, since I have been ordered to
grab up and good cantadites for our ranks, and this boy he
radiates the mark. So begone women, under orders of the great
Tyrant Ukorz Sandscalp, I claim this child."

Heslek was furious, spoken to in such a way by a male, how
insulting; however she knew who he was, and that the king had
given that order, and she couldn't reveal Luklorz's true identity
yet. She let him go; she knew the Souleaters were a throw back to
the demon times, but well she had always known the boy was
destined for a great many things.

Sezz'ziz took the boy back to his headquarters and sat him down
in the same room as another hopefull. They were both strong
indeed, but this new boy; he was like a shinning beacon of hope
to the great Souleater master.

"Now boy, listen well to me. You are going to be a Souleater, you
radiate the power of one with such brilliance that it is as if
the dark mistress herself had blessed you with her touch. You
will train till I say you are ready for the next lesson, you will
not cringe, nor shy away from any lesson I teach you. This is
your new fellow student Zum'Rah, he will learn along with you and
one day it will be you two who bring about the greatest of things
for this empire."

Luklorz and Zum'Rah trained for years and years under the dark
and vile tutalage of Sezz'ziz. The act they commited where
heinous, but they two did not care, they both shared a lust for
power unrivaled by any others in the empire. Every lesson
Sezz'ziz gave, they both passed with flying colors, and they were
always ready for the next lesson.

It was in the 59th year of the empire that Luklorz and Zum'Rah
were fast approaching their coming of age. It was also in this
year that Luklorz had the first of his dreams.

It was dark and hot, yet all Luklorz could feel was cold, but
oddly enough he felt more at home here then he did anywhere else.
It was in this dream, in this place that he first met his mother;
the demon matron Slys'Thok. She spoke to him, and it was the most
beautfiull voice he had ever heard.

"Greetingss my son, welcome home to my world. You onyl dream but
in that dream you are mine, remember thosse wordss. You are now
known to my loyal serventss, you will be raissed as I would of
raissed you, to be King of thiss empire, and to serve me more
loyaly then any before or after you. Your desstiny iss great, you
will desstroy what hass kept me locked away from my people, you
will bring them back to me so that we may rule thiss world. Where
Hakkar hass failed we will succeed, the nether fuelss you my
child, shy not from itss blessingss but given them life in your
actionss. I call to your blood now, let itss true power be
awakened; in one yearss time my will be done, my son, my child,
Warneshi."

Luklorz awoke quickly, it had felt so real all of it, he could
still feel the heat of the place, and his skin was freezing. He
remembered her words, the first being to claim him as son, he
remembered her name for him, Warneshi.

Warneshi went to Sezz'ziz quickly and told his master of the
dream he had had. Sezz'ziz let his vile lips curl into an even
more vile smile, and told the troll boy that it was not a dream
but a vision. The great mistress, mother of their people, had
spoken directly to the boy and whatever she had said was to be
taken as the greatest of truth and be endevored to be done.
Warneshi told Sezz'ziz how she had called him son, and had told
him his real name, that of Warneshi. Sezz'ziz was stunned, the
child had just put the last piece of the puzzle into place, that
explained his immense power, this boy was the son of his god!

The next year was spent in preperation for the ceremony for the
two boys, at the coming age for them; which was expected to be a
year earlier then most trolls who had theirs at the 10th season,
they would also be inducted into the Sandfury Souleater caste.
Warneshi and Zum'Rah were excited, but Warneshi for other reasons
all his own; what he had not told Sezz'ziz was that he had been
having more dreams, and in them Slys'Thok had been outlining a
plan that he would follow, at the ceremony he would clense the
world of her un-loyal subjects.

Ukorz had heard great things about the two rising Souleaters, and
was eager to see their ceremony. Anything that would make
Sezz'ziz putter around like an old house troll, all full of
excitement and glee, had to be good for the empire. Ukorz was
going to have them perform their rituals on the steps of his
great keep, Worneshi and him would watch as their empire was
gifted with the power of two great Souleaters. It was a great day
for another reason as well, it seemed that Worneshi was growing
faster then most trolls his age, it was going to be the day of
his coming of age as well. Ukorz could not of been happier for
the day that was coming.

Slys'Thok was ecstatic, it was the dawn of the day of the 60th
year of the empire, and her prophecy would ring as true now as it
did when she gave it 9 years ago.

The day of the 60th year of the empire was heralded in with great
joy and jubulant celebration. The empire was to gain the first
Souleaters in many years, and two of them in the same year! Not
only that it seemed the son of the King was going to be having
his coming of age as well.

Warneshi and Zum'Rah ascended the stair case to the platform
where awaited their rituals. Ukorz watched in great anticipation,
nothing could go wrong this day. Placed on the two dias where
humans, both children, and both male. The two trolls took their
places at the foot of the dias and kneeled down. Warneshi looked
to Zum'rah, the only troll he felt he could trust; they had been
through hell together, literally. Zum'Rah was part of the plan,
and he was willing to be involved most willingly.

The ritual began, both trolls in unison recited the ancient words
that would sever their own souls from themselves and ready them
as gifts to the dark beings that would grant them their powers.
In unison the boys raised their knives to their chest, and in
unison both boys began to slice open their own chests to get to
their hearts. The pain was tremendous, Warneshi had never felt
anything like it, it was horrible and yet glorious at the same
time. Both boys put the knives down and dug into the holes they
had carved and removed their own still beating hearts, and in
unison they devoured their own hearts. The two human children
wailed and screemed and tryed their best to fight their
restraints, as the two troll ate their own hearts. Warneshi and
Zum'Rah took the knives they had used to remove their own hearts
and drove them into the chests of the human children. The trolls
leaned in close before the children died and spoke to them words
of power, the souls of the children rose from their mouths and
fed the two trolls. Warneshi had never tasted anything as
magnificant, it was the greatest of meals, he could feel the
power he had just devoured course through his veins; he wanted
more, he needed more, and so the first time in his life, Warneshi
truely hungered.

Ukorz cheered with the rest of the empire, it was a gruesome
ceremony, but it reminded the Sandfury who they were, a people to
be feared and respected. Ukorz rose from his throne and with his
son Worneshi wne to meet the two new Souleaters.

Warneshi watched his approach, just as she had told him to, all
was going as she said it would. Ukorz neared the two boys and was
a bit taken back by how large the one was, around 8 feet tall at
least, truely a gift to the Sandfury. Oddly enough the large one
had his head tilted down and his eyes closed at his Kings
approach; Ukorz smiled, he loved respect.

"I congratulate you on both on this tremendous day, to come of
age a year early is a true sign of power amongst our people, and
to be inducted into the Souleaters that very day, you two are a
great gift to the Sandfury. Now may I have the names of my newest
Souleaters?"

Zum'Rah spoke his name and Ukorz gave him the blessings of the
blood throne, but when he looked to the taller troll he had
recieved no answer.

Warneshi heard his father speak to him, his father, and how he
hated the troll. This day was indeed a glorious day, all debts
repayed all vengeance delivered.

"Troll! Your King demands you name! What disprespect is this that
you will not even obey your King!"

Warneshi cackled, and Heslek, who was near the throne reconized
the laugh from when he was only a babe. He lifted his head and
openend his eyes and stared directly into the fear-stricken eyes
of his father.

"It iss I father, Warneshi, your favorite of sonss, and in the
60th year...her will be done."

[Keeper Of Lore]

Part 3: Like Father Like Son.

The sun was begining to set in the desert of Tanaris, and
Warneshi still sat watching the ruins of his city; it was his
city, and Warneshi took great pride in that knowledge. The cool
breeze that blew across the desert in the eve was another
blessing to Warneshi, it brought the promise of night and with
that promis,e the knowledge that he could hide in the night;
forget for a short while who and what he was. He wished it would
of been night that day at the ceremony, wished he could of
forgotten who he was then...

Warneshi grabbed his father by the throat and hoasted him into
the air. Ukorz realised then how powerful his son was. Warneshi
towered over his father by an foot and while the older troll was
begining to feel the pains of old age, the younger one was just
hitting his prime; Ukorz was no fool, he knew he stood no chance
against Warneshi.

The Kings bodyguards moved swifty down the stairs to where the
big troll had their majesty hoisted not less then a foot off the
ground; their blades were swift and accurate. Warneshi heard the
footsteps of his fathers guards and when he did, he sneered into
his fathers face and whispered into his ears.

"She blessesss me father, you will not stop me thiss day. Your
kingdom iss mine to desstroy and to rebuild. Thiss day you and
all who betrayed me will suffer worsse then jusst your death,
Warneshi will eat your soulss. You will not have an afterlife,
Warneshi will make sure of that..."

Warneshi let his sneer become a wicked grin, even when he felt
the blades enter his body in several places he continued to smile
into his fathers eye. Ukorz knew he was dead, he knew what his
guards were doing would not do anything, they were just delaying
the inevitable.

The bodyguards drew back, shielding their King; the body of the
large troll layed lifelessly on the ground.

Bloodshine had been watching the events from her seat at the top
of the stairs, she knew what was going on; knew who this large
troll was. She had told Ukorz to kill the babe, she knew if it
was not slain in front of the Kings eyes that this day would
come. Ukorz had loved the babe, and here was how how love repayed
him.

The sky's above Zul'Farrak burned, all the citizens of the vast
metropolis looked up horrified, such a sign had not been seen
since the days when the old gods walked among the Sandfury.

Slys'Thok could not of been happier if the world has been handed
to her on a silver platter; in a way it was. It took a great
amount of her energy to manifest herself in such a way, but it
was worth it to see the look on Ukorz's face, to watch the
destruction of what she hated so much.

The form of the flaming serpent in the sky's above Zul'Farrak was
a terror to the many older Sandfury who reconized its form. Many
fell to their knee's calling for forgiveness for their sins,
asking that she bring them back into her fold. Slys'Thok enjoyed
the scene, but it was to late; her children needed to be
punished.

"It iss the 60th year of your freedom from me, and in that year
you shall suffer my retribution. Foolss and cowardss, like little
children you musst be punisshed so that I will accept you as mine
again. Born in the son of your King iss you desstruction! Suffer
Warneshi! He iss my wrath incarnate, my hand of vengeance! He iss
my enforcer, and through him your sinss will be purged, your
missdeess expunged!"

The form of Slys'Thok rolled in the sky with laughter, it swooped
low towards the altar where the lifeless form of Warneshi lay,
his wounds already clossing before his mother came to bless him
with more of her power.

Warneshi was rolling in darkness, it embraced him from all sides,
blanketed his body and cushioned his head. He was safe and happy,
whatever this place was, it was home. He could hear a song being
sung far off in the distance, it was the most beautiful song he
had ever heard and he wanted to find who sung it; he needed it
now. She called to him, he was still needed and he could not deny
her that request; the dark home she weaved for him and the song
she sung required that he do anything he could.

"Risse my son, my power for you, deliver to them my vengeance and
you will know joy."

Ukorz watched in horror, the form of his son rose to his feet,
the same grin on his face as when he fell. The Bloodguard raced
forward to bring down the troll again, but this time something
was differant.

Warneshi cryed out in rage, he was on fire; seering and burning
was all he felt. His blood was fire, his skin fire; all of him
was fire. Warneshi wanted to end the torment, it was consuming
him and he needed to be ride of it before it devoured him whole.
Warneshi remembered the cool taste of the childs soul, remembered
how it soothed his whole being. Warneshi opened his eyes, all he
saw was souls. An endless field of souls, they were watching him,
waiting for him, so many shapes and colors. Warneshi saw a group
of four coming right for him, and he hungered so badly.

The four bodyguards of Ukorz stopped dead in their tracks, the
large troll was glowing, and it seemed in some places was
actually burning! He looked upon them with eyes that were only
filled with hunger, they felt fear as they knew what was coming.
Heslek knew he mistake now in letting this troll live, she had
always known their was something odd about him, but the son of
the demon god!

Warneshi raced forward, the four guards raised their blades to
ward off his assualt, but it was not enough. The lead guard went
down fast, Warneshi drove his tusks into his neck, and even as
the troll was falling all could see the familiar blue mist of his
soul being drawn into Warneshi's mouth. Warneshi was amongst the
other three like a dervish, lashing out with talon and tusk, fist
and foot. The fight was shortlived, and when ever one would fall,
Warneshi would draw their soul into him. Heslek soon stood as the
only one between Warneshi and Ukorz.

"Listen to me Luklorz! Remember it was I that saved you, gave you
the ability to be here today! Do not follow her teachings, her
words are a poison that will only corrupt you beyond redemption!
Your father has worked hard to free us from her, do not let his
success be so easly thrown asside!"

Warneshi did not even hear the words of his former mentor as he
removed her head from her body and drank deep the nice cold
referesing soul.

All that stood before Warneshi now, was his father and
Bloodshine. Warneshi let lose a roaring laugh before he began to
advance on the two.

"She hass told me what you would of done, slain Warneshi before
he even had a chance to defend himsself? Now you will see the
consequence of that error. Warneshi iss stronger then you could
ever dream of being, and by that strength you will die for your
weaknesss!"

Warneshi advanced on his father, Bloodshine tried her best to get
between the two, but Warneshi threw her asside like a rag doll.
Ukorz knew his time was near, but he would not let this all die
without a fight first. Ukorz drew his blade from its scabbard,
the mighty Sul'Thraze gleamed in the sunlight and stung the eys
of Slys'Thok in the sky above the city.

Ukorz stepped forward to engage his son, it seemed Warneshi was
weary of the blade. They battled for what seemed ages, every
swing of the blade was dodged by Warneshi and every talon and
tusk was parryed away by Ukorz.

Bloodshine began to come to, it seemed Warneshi had thrown her
into one of the large pillars around the altar. When she opened
her eyes she was greeted with the face of Sezz'ziz.

"Why hello little priestess, it seems my prodegy has done well
with you. Perhaps now you will listen to the words I speak about
who is the true power in this kingdom. I will take what is mine
by right, and show you who is the master and who is the
apprentice."

Bloodshine knew what he meant by "his by right" and even as he
reached for her hip, she would let him know she would not have
any of it. Bloodshine commanded the nether to her will, forced it
from its dark and restless place to come to her now. Sezz'ziz was
cought up in his victory, was to overjoyed with what he was about
to do to the one being he hated more then any; he did not even
see her mouth the words, did not hear her cry out. Bloodshine
smiled as she flayed his brain to mush, and alowed herself a
laugh as Sezz'ziz's body struck the floor.

Ukorz was weakening, he could feel himself lossing ground with
each blow he deflected, each swing he made drained him more and
more. Warneshi still looked just as good as when the two began
their fight. The only change was that Warneshi's grin was getting
bigger and bigger. Ukorz realised then, Warneshi was only toying
with him, he was letting this fight drag on just to watch his
father get weaker and weaker.

Worneshi watched from afar, he did not know how to handle this,
his whole life he had been told his only brother had died in
birth, but here he was a being of such great power it was almost
painfull just to look upon him. Worneshi looked into the sky, the
voice that spoken from it, he reconized that voice from some long
time ago it had sung him his only lullabies, the rest of his
memory was only of Bloodshine's voice and his fathers voice. That
voice though, it had always been there and here it was again.
Worneshi did not know what to do, but that was his brother, his
twin brother.

Warneshi was growing bored with this fight, he had already shown
his father his true power, had already drank in the fear that
radiated off the older troll. Warneshi was finished with this,
his brother still needed to be dealt with.

"It hass been fun father, but it iss time you suffered the
greatesst of torturess."

Warneshi called upon his greatest rage, he most painfull
memories, his greatest hate. The blow was hard and it came fast,
Ukorz raised his blade to deflect it, but to his utter whore;
Warneshi shattered his blade into two pieces. Sul'Thraze the
Lasher broke into two and the shards hit the ground with a sound
that ecoed the fall of the empire, the death of all of Ukorz's
dreams. Warneshi did not care that the blade was broken, the only
thing he cared about was watching his father suffer. Warneshi
used his great strength and hoisted his father far above his head
and threw him against the nearest pillar, breaking Ukorz's back.
Warneshi laughed at his fathers pain, he knew Ukorz would live
long enough to see Warneshi destroy all of his hopes and dreams.

Slys'Thok could not believe this day had finally come, the blade
was broken, the Sandfury were hers again.

Worneshi watched in horror as his fathers blade was shattered and
as his brother broke his fathers back. Worneshi was even more
terrified when his brother turned his eyes upon him and began to
stride forward.

"Greetingss brother. so we finally meet; do you know what it iss
father told Warneshi before he tried to have him slain? Know
Warneshi that even in death you were my favorite of sonss. Do you
think he will extend to you the same curtoussy? Warneshi doess
not think so, look at him over there, squerming and wisshing he
could cry out in pain. Warneshi iss going to take hiss life and
hiss meaning, you will suffer so that he may know hiss misstake."

Worneshi wanted to cry out to his brother, to tell him his
mistake; to say Worneshi held more loyalty to his brother then
his own father who had lied to him all these years. He could see
in Warneshi's eyes, that no words could stop what was coming, his
brother was not the troll he was when he was born. Worneshi knew
it was time to use his power, to call upon Bloodshine's teaching.

Warneshi laughed even louder as he watched his brothers feeble
spells bounce off of him with no effect, could feel his brother
try to enter his mind only to be thrown away like a useless
child. Warneshi came near and grabbed his brother by the throat,
drew him close.

"Know that even in death, you were my favorite of brotherss."

Worneshi cryed out in horror, but his screams where overshadowed
by Warneshi's vile laughter. Even as Worneshi tried to struggle,
he could feel his soul being drawn from his body, it was a
terrible expierience, he could feel himself descending into
nothingness. Warneshi savored the soul, it was indeed the best he
had feasted upon thus far; but he wanted his fathers and so he
turned to return to the older troll.

Ukorz could do nothing, he wanted so much to die, to let this all
end, but he knew it was not going to be that easy. Warneshi
approached him and leaned down so that all Ukorz could see was
his son, and the passion and hate that burned within in his eyes.

"The time hass come father, you are finisshed. The time hass come
for Warneshi to rule and you to fend for your own in a wasste
land of your own fearss."

Warneshi leaned in close and drew his fathers face close to his;
he drank it slowly, loving every second of it, savoring the look
in his fathers eyes as his life was drained away.

Warneshi was lost, something was differant. He could see his
fathers thoughts, his fathers dreams. He could see the massive
Silithid overlord, and how his father had led the fight to
overthrow him. He could see the harsh life under Slys'Thok, when
the Sandfury where slaves of the nether. He could see the love in
his fathers eyes when him and his brother where born, the love in
his eyes even as he handed Warneshi away. Warneshi screamed in
torment; what had he done! This was his dream as well! When
Slys'Thok had spoken to him he had invisioned an empire of the
Sandfury under him that was mighty and prosperous; his empire. He
saw in his fathers memory the same dream from long ago, his
father has put the same stock in Slys'Thok, and she had betrayed
him. After the victory over the Silithid she had demanded it be
declared her victory or she would destroy her own children.
Warneshi saw now she would do the same, she would claim this as
her day and try to throw Warneshi asside. Warneshi swore he would
avenge this day, he destroyed his people, but he would re-build
them in his image, not hers.

Slys'Thok's joy knew no bounds, she had won again, had proven her
will was all powerfull. She went to Warneshi to congratulate him
on her victory.

When Warneshi felt her presence he turned with a sneer on his
face, this was his victory; and his vengeance. He would see his
fathers will done, see that dream brought to reality.

Slys'Thok felt something differant in her son, his eyes held no
reverance for her, no love; all she saw was hatred. She knew what
had happened, the boy had drank of his fathers soul and seen what
his father had seen. She had lost another Sandscalp, and now she
was furious. This boy had only her to thank for his victory, only
her to thank for his power, and like his foolish father he was
going to throw her asside; not again.

"Boy! You are foolissh indeed, thiss victory iss mine! I can see
it in your eyess the same betrayel that I saw in you fatherss so
long ago. Suffer now foolissh one, know that you live forever as
a Souleater, an abomination, and know you failed all who loved
you thiss day. Begone from thiss city and watch the cursse I
place upon it becausse of you! Forever will thosse you have slain
walk thiss city and itss ruinss, forever will your people be
enslaved to me.

Shattered in anger,
forged in hate.
You power I did create.
Never will they be free,
until that blade I do see.

Begone boy, you are not welcome here in thiss place."

Warneshi watched in horror as his father rose from the ground, no
life in his eyes; only a mindless slave of his mothers will. All
of them rose, and those he had not slain turned to him with only
hatred in their eyes. The only two he could not see where the
corpses of his brother and Bloodshine. Warneshi knew this was his
doing, he looked upon the people they would suffer an eternity
because of his actions. Warneshi fought his way free of the city.
He turned to see the gates of his home, they were no longer a
welcome sight, but a reminder of the curse he had wrought.
Warneshi took to the desert, he would lose himself their like he
had once before in his life.

Bloodshine drug the body of her best puple away from the city.
She looked into his lifeless eyes, he was like a son to her. He
had loved her as a mother, the only one he knew till this day.
She vowed vengeance upon Slys'Thok and that wretch of a boy
Warneshi. She would be the death of him, she would see him suffer
as he had made his whole people suffer.

Zul'Farrak was leveled in Slys'Thoks rage, she had won and lost
at the same time, and because of that the entire empire
crumbeled. Warneshi had done his mothers will, he had destroyed
his fathers empire, but he had also betrayed her; he sowre it
would be re-built in his image not hers.

Warneshi was soon forgotten, only given credit as a legend.
Travelers for many years to come always told stories of a ghost
in the desert that would come to steal the souls of those who
lost themselves in its endless wastes.

Warneshi opened his eyes, it was night and it was cold, he could
hear footsteps approaching behind him. He could smell the soul of
the being before it even attempted to make its presence known.

Warneshi turned to face his sister Grim, Lilliana Bloodshine; the
only child of the great shadow master only known to Sandfury
history as "Bloodshine".

"Waaaaaaarneshi! What are you doing out here? Are you reminising
again! Is that all you royal types ever do! Come on lets go find
something to do, besides it freezing out here; wouldn't want your
highness to catch cold."

Lilliana shot him a silly look, followed by a grin and a wink.
Warneshi allowed himself a small grin, he found it odd that the
only other being that ever gave him comfort was the daughter of
one of his most hated enemies. Warneshi let out a laugh that made
Lilliana tilt her head and watch, sometimes she thought the king
was crazy, but ohh well he was King afterall. After his laugh he
let his eyes fall on the troll that stood near.

Like father, like son...