Two Interesting Conversations

The feast carried on below as I observed from my vantage point. With a sigh, I closed the book beside me, feeling a sense of boredom creeping in. I'd never been one for revelry even when I was human, and now as a demon, the festivities held even less appeal for me. The heightened sensitivity of my demonic senses only amplified the cacophony of music and myriad scents swirling around the room. It was all so loud and overwhelming.

I couldn't fathom how people could revel while the threat of destruction loomed over them. Among the celebrants, the High Elves seemed to indulge the most, imbibing alcohol with abandon. Their magical heritage perhaps rendered them more resistant to intoxication, but it was a spectacle nonetheless.

I flipped through another tome about the Legion of Voracity before I sensed footsteps approaching behind me. They were surprisingly stealthy, unlike any normal person or even trained soldier.

"Are you not enjoying yourself, Demon?" came a voice, belonging to a beautiful blonde High Elf who bore a striking resemblance to Alleria.

"I am not acquainted with you, lady," I replied gruffly, closing the book.

"Sylvanas. Sylvanas Windrunner. You've met my sister," she said with a smile.

I raised an eyebrow. This was someone I knew well, but her presence here didn't make sense. Only her sister should be present.

"Well met, Lady Windrunner," I nodded, peering down. "As for your question, I'm not accustomed to parties like these. They're quite foreign to me."

She chuckled softly, casting a glance at Kael'thas who observed us. "I'm not fond of parties either. We Windrunners are rangers at heart. We don't partake in the frivolous acts of the magisters."

"I can understand that sentiment," I said as I settled onto the bench beside her, briefly meeting her gaze before looking away.

"You're not what I imagined demons to be," she admitted, toying with her drink. "I expected you to be a monster driven by bloodlust and war, not a bookworm."

"I'm rather unique among my kind. I draw more from my King than other demons, less of the cruelty," I replied, accepting the drink with a grateful smile.

"It's a wine from my mom's cellar," she said with a smile, downing her cup in an instant before setting it on the bench. "It's quite good," she admitted, glancing at me. "Are you not going to drink it?"

I considered her offer before pouring the contents of the glass into the hole that served as my mouth. Tasting wasn't necessary for me, but I savored the gesture nonetheless. "Well?" she prompted, curious.

"It was good. Why are you seeking my approval so eagerly?" I asked, studying her reaction.

"I wanted to see if demons could taste things like us while enjoying the wine I borrowed from my mother," she confessed.

I scoffed lightly. "You went out with your sister to have fun, didn't you?"

She blinked, taken aback, before carefully considering her response.

"Having fun wasn't my main goal," she replied, her gaze dropping. "I just needed a break from Quel'Thalas and its tiresome courtly affairs. I'm not one for politics, and I wanted to avoid all the people trying to get into my pants."

I chuckled before responding, "You're refreshingly direct, Lady Sylvanas." Glancing at the prince who seemed displeased with our interaction, I added, "I doubt attending a party with mostly human nobles was the best way to avoid admirers."

"But I can comprehend your need, I am quite lucky that I was designated for my role by the king, if I stayed in Sheogh to contemplate the burning atmosphere, the burning steppes and the burning trees for more years I would have become even crazier" I finished

She raised an eyebrow at my remark. "You consider yourself crazy?" she inquired with a smirk.

"We demons tend to have a rather unique perspective," I continued, pausing for a moment to gather my thoughts. "Our way of interpreting the world is vastly different from yours. We're predisposed to be a bit eccentric, you could say it's in our nature. I consider myself fortunate to have been spared the horrors of the war against Ashan, which has helped me avoid being as bloodthirsty as some of my brethren."

"This war has had significant impacts on all demons," she observed.

"Yes, it was a pivotal moment in our history, our reason for existence," I acknowledged. "But today, we're not here to dwell on those dark times."

She smiled. "Your world seems to be quite intriguing."

I nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it has its complexities, but I must admit, I find your world far more fascinating. It bears resemblance to Ashan in some ways—a vibrant world with diverse races coexisting, filled with wars and conflicts."

"The last part could be avoided," she mused, emptying her cup once again. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps we'll cross paths again in a few years. Tomorrow, I'll be riding back to Quel'Thalas. I'd rather not have my mother come and fetch me on her mount."

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Sylvanas," I replied as she rose to leave. "You made the evening a bit brighter."

"Oh, and be careful on your way back," I added. "I've heard that trolls have quite the disdain for high elves."

She frowned slightly. "It's the trolls who fear me, not the other way around," she retorted before making her way down to the festivities.

"If you say so," I murmured, warping the book once more before sensing another presence approaching. I glanced back to see Kel'Thuzad making his way towards me, his aura tinged with disgusting magic.

I sighed, closing my book. "What do you want, Archmage?" I asked, cutting him off before he could speak.

"Hello, Lord Val-Beleth," he began, only to be interrupted by my assumption.

"Necromancy, I presume," I stated, noting the surprise in his eyes as he took a step back. "You weren't exactly discreet about it during the council meeting."

"Yes," he whispered to me. "I want to understand everything in this world. The arcane arts aren't sufficient for me; I crave knowledge beyond that."

I clenched my hands, regarding him closely. "Do you understand how necromancy is inherently wrong, Archmage?"

Kel'Thuzad sighed, shaking his head. "Please, Lord Val-Beleth, can you refrain from using that voice trick where Antonidas' voice comes out of your mouth?"

I huffed in annoyance, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Why should I indulge you, Kel'Thuzad? You don't seem like the kind of person who would approach Necromancy with the necessary caution. To me, you're the type of mage who would use any means to advance your studies."

"Research cannot be hindered by setbacks, Lord Val-Beleth."

"True, but moderation often leads to more fruitful discoveries than reckless experimentation."

"You, a demon, lecturing me about moderation? Your kind is the foulest blight this world has ever known," he spat, his eyes blazing with anger.

"You've clearly never encountered a Faceless child," I retorted with a smile. "You're no Belketh, Arantir, or Sandro. Why should I teach you necromancy? You're shortsighted, as our conversation revealed. You see necromancy merely as a means to grasp the incomprehensible. The truth of the cosmos isn't found by delving into dark arts or through arcane or Light magic. Nobody knows the truth, not me, not you, not even the Gods. And this is not something that is meant to be understood."

"You will refuse me for something so little?" he asked calmly now.

"I didn't refuse you, I just think that you are more of a calamity than a benefit. The moment you delve into necromancy, you'll be hunted down by the Church and other mages. Will you sacrifice everything just for this art, when other arts that can offer the truth you crave exist? Druidism, the Holy Light, the arcane—all of them reveal a part of the truth of the cosmos. Yet, you believe necromancy holds the key to the ultimate truth, when in fact, it's just one of many pieces."

"Then teach me," he declared, his eyes alight with determination. "I will prove to you, and all the other foolish mages in this city, that I, Kel'thuzad, am worthy enough to comprehend the cosmos!"

I regarded him for a moment before conjuring a book on the basics of necromancy and dark arts. Handing it to him along with a contract, I stated, "Sign this. In exchange for continuous information about necromancy, you must pledge never to betray the alliance. Additionally, you'll provide me with fifty percent of your magical materials."

"Do we have a deal?" I offered my hand, my eyes glowing red with anticipation. He shook it firmly, a pen appearing in his hand as he signed the contract.

"You'll receive fifty percent of my materials by the end of tomorrow," he assured me eagerly, his eyes fixed on the book. "You won't regret giving me this chance."

"I know I won't. This is your destiny, after all," I replied with a smile as he glanced at me strangely before teleporting out of the room. I looked at the contract with a smile

'This is done, next let's make some preparations for my meeting with Deathwing' I thought as I looked below as the festivities continued.

I rose from my seat and made my way to the ground floor, grabbing another cup of wine that seemed far inferior to the one Sylvanas had served me. People seemed to avoid me as I moved through the room, reaching the center before I felt a surge from my summoning mark. An inferno erupted before me, thankfully causing no harm, as an image of Kha-Beleth materialized within the flames.

"I received your parchment. Well done, Val-Beleth. You shall be rewarded," his gravelly voice reverberated throughout the room as I glanced at him.

"My lord, you chose quite a p-" I began, but he cut me off abruptly.

"I'm aware you're still amidst the festivities, and that everyone can hear me. I don't care. You know how I am," he stated bluntly, surveying the room.

"It is indeed a beautiful world, reminiscent of Ashan. Val-Beleth, you are to lead the legions that will support this world against the usurpers. Urgash has begun to stir, prompting efforts from the Dragon Knights to subdue him," he informed me.

"Tell me, Val-Beleth, do you aspire to become a Dragon Knight, a demi-god?" Kha-Beleth inquired.

"No, my lord," I replied, averting my gaze. It was too perilous to meddle with Urgash, and I was not among the elite demon lords destined to become Dragon Knights.

"I understand your apprehension, but it is an unprecedented opportunity. I shall gift you one of the eggs containing the essence of the dragon gods. When they perished, each dragon god imbued their essence into an indestructible artifact resembling an egg. These eggs possess greater power than Asha's Tear," he explained.

"As for your second reward, you'll lead a portion of the Legion of Voracity. Their former leader sadly passed away just last week. How unfortunate for her to meet her end at such a critical time," he added, his voice sending shivers down my spine as I gazed at him.

"I will nominate Toross Mordal for this role. Although he's not keen on leadership, his strength surpasses many other leaders in the legions," he continued.

"Two demon lords of your choosing will accompany you in this world," Kha-Beleth continued, his tone grave. "I cannot predict who will volunteer, but I anticipate members of the Legions of Destruction or Hate will eagerly join you in dismantling these usurpers."

"Write to me on parchment which egg you desire, then come to Urgash's gaze to receive it. You are astute, reminiscent of Agrael," his voice turned ominous, causing me to tremble as I felt an immense pressure bearing down on me. I knelt under the weight of his words. "But do not mistake my leniency for weakness. I reward only competent demons, not fools."

"Of course, my lord. Thank you for your generous gifts," I managed to reply, struggling to stand.

"Good. I await only victory from your endeavors. I expect nothing less from you," he concluded before vanishing into the inferno. Silence engulfed the chamber, and I could sense the fear emanating from everyone present, including the mages. Aegwynn herself had a bead of sweat forming on her brow.

I stood up, glancing around the room. "I'll excuse myself for the rest of the night," I announced, quickly making my way toward the exit.

As I hurried out, I noticed someone looking particularly unsettled. It was Deathwing, his human facade drenched in sweat as he stared at me.

'Well, it looks like the king really scared them shitless,' I mused to myself, opening the door and heading back to my rented house for the night.

–

Well, next chapter is the last chapter about Dalaran and the Alliance, after we go into war preparations and Legion management

I referenced one other universe in this chapter for the ideas of the eggs, which one I wonder ?

See you soon