Black Walker Part 3 - At the Gates of Hell

Post by Monday

“We’re past th’ biggest obstacle to our goal gentlemen. Next stop, Ironforge.”

Elsoris looked confused. “Ironforge? I thought Kharanos was Ground Zero.” Korsin tapped the side of his nose knowingly. “Aye, it was. Everyone died though, so there’s no point fer us to be in Kharanos, now is there.”

Elsoris looked slightly confused, but shrugged and sat down in a chair bolted to the wall. “Be prepared for a bumpy ride you two!” Korsin called back. “We’re headin’ into worse territory now. Some real nasty things up north.”

With that said, Korsin paid full attention to the controls, and Black Walker started lurching toward Ironforge. Elsoris opened the now slightly dented door into the inner walker and strode up on the deck, keeping watch once again. Gorgron staggered to his feet, but he seemed to be in a state of inner peace.

Avery looked on approvingly, and then pulled a book from inside his robes and started reading. Gorgron, who was already becoming stronger again with aid from the spirits, ascended the stairs to stand next to the elf outside and watch the scenery. Elsoris glanced at the orc and away again, so fast that the orc didn’t catch it.

“We’re about twenty miles away,” said Elsoris, breaking the silence. Gorgron nodded. “When do you think we’ll arrive?” he asked. Elsoris regarded the road for a moment. “Perhaps another hour,” the elf replied. Gorgron turned his gaze absently to the roads. “What could have happened to destroy this nation?” he asked softly to himself.

To his surprise, Elsoris turned his head to look questioningly at the orc. “Didn’t Korsin tell you?” Gorgron shook his head. “No. He didn’t tell Avery either.” Elsoris shrugged and turned his gaze to the land again, keeping ready in case of ambush. “That’s for him to choose. I can see why he wouldn’t though…”

Gorgron frowned, but kept silent. Eventually, the mountain of Ironforge came into sight. “What is the state of the Eastern Kingdoms? Why aren’t the Alliance here?” Gorgron asked. Eloris replied, “They have troubles of their own. Ironforge wasn’t the only place it happened. What about Kalimdor?”

Gorgron grimaced. “After the civil war in Durotar, the Horde has been keeping to itself. I just recently returned from Northrend, only to hear about impending doom left and right. I thought Deathwing had been defeated.”

Elsoris nodded. “He was. But what happened after… that was much worse.” Gorgron shrugged and entered the interior of the vehicle. Korsin glanced back. “Ah, Gorgron. Good. We’re about to head into the city itself. Do ye think yer ready?” Gorgron glared at the dwarf. “How can I be ready when I don’t even know what we’re going up against?” he asked angrily.

Korsin sighed. “I knew ye’d ask sooner or later. Get Avery, I want to tell him myself.” Gorgron motioned Avery over, and the priest walked over to them. “What?” he asked.

“We’re up against something pretty rough. I’m afraid, I won’t deny it. I’m very afraid.” Gorgron rolled his eyes at what he thought were theatrics, but which evidently weren’t, as Korsin stood up, face red, and bellowed, “WHAT HAPPENED IS ENOUGH TO MAKE ANYONE AFRAID, ORC!”

Gorgron took a step back, startled. Korsin closed his eyes, holding his hands out in front of him, and let out a breath. “Sorry. Me nerves are kinda frayed. We’re heading into one of the greatest disasters known to Azeroth, and also one of the greatest discoveries.”

Avery cocked his head, but stayed silent. Gorgron grunted. “Out with it, dwarf.” Korsin paused for a moment, then said, “A portal to the Dark Below.” Avery looked stricken at the name, and made a holy sign above his chest.

Gorgron raised his eyebrows, looking confused. “What is this ‘Dark Below’ you speak of?” Korsin sat down in his chair again, and started guiding Black Walker up the trail to Ironforge Mountain. “It’s the place where the practitioners of the Holy Light believe your soul goes when you die if you are evil. Those who don’t believe in the Holy Light as a divine being believe it to be a separate plane of existence, such as the Twisting Nether. All agree that it is one of the most dangerous places in the universe.”

“Why?” Gorgron asked, sitting down as well. “Well,” replied Korsin, “There appear to be… things, in the Dark Below. Those who believe the Holy Light believe that they are demons, not like the Legion where all are just alien species corrupted by dark magic, but true beings of darkness, who’s very existence is to torture the damned souls that are sent there.”

“Whatever the truth may be in the statement, I know what came out of that portal. I saw a glimpse into the Dark Below, and I wish I could scrub my eyes out to forget it,” Korsin said.

“What happened?” Gorgron asked. Korsin’s eyes turned distant. “It was horrible. The portal opened in the middle of the Mystic Ward, and everything inside, all the books, rock, dwarves were pulled inside. Their screams were what brought us over. I was with the guard at the time. Several beasts came out from the portal. Some were like men but with the heads of horses. Others were shapeless blobs of flesh, which engulfed their enemies and digested them alive.

Tentacles shot from the portal, dragging several of us inside. We tried to hack them apart, and succeeded in killing several, but the horror of what we saw lessened our fighting ability.

Then the dead started rising. Any dwarf who was slain rose, like Scourge, and attacked their former comrades. With a fresh round of demons roiling from the portal, and noxious gases filling the air, we fled.

The gas killed most of us. It was hell in there. We got lost in the tunnels, unable to see more than a few feet ahead of us and coughing ourselves to death. Me comrades fell quickly, and I happened to take the right way out.

And now we return, to whatever new horrors await us.”

Avery moved over to the dwarf and laid a hand on his shoulder. Gorgron sat, processing what he had just heard. Black Walker crested the rise, and started into the gates of Ironforge. “Open that locker,” Korsin said, pointing at one set against the wall. Gorgron crossed over and opened it, exposing several suits and masks. “Put ‘em on. They’re based on the Gnomish radiation suits, and should protect us from the gas.”

Gorgron suited up, but Avery declined. Shooting him a questioning look, Avery smiled. “The Light will protect me.”

The walker passed through the gates. “Last chance,” said Korsin. Avery shook his head.

“I will remain strong in the Light to protect me.” Standing, he recited a prayer to the light, ending with “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Light will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and its glory.”

Post by Monday

Writer's notes.

1 - I shamelessly stole one of my scriptures for the end, but I felt that it fit and that it added to Avery's character.

2 - While the enemy may be cliche in RL, in WoW it has never been seen (afaik).

3 - The best is yet to come. The story will not end with Ironforge.

Black Walker Part 3 - At the Gates of Hell

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