Dar'Kahn Drathir

Since the first flame, I, Lorian, First of the Risen, have served Lord Nito and Lord Gwyn honorably without question. I thought this is what was right, and it was… for a while. Gwyn grew arrogant and Nito grew ignorant. Now I am dead floating in an endless array of black. My soul waits for its next life to grow in.

I expect my memories to be erased and to be sent back to the cycle but instead, I feel my soul be pulled somewhere foreign. My consciousness forms as I take in a large breath, the first in a long time.

I take note of my new surroundings, it's a sensory overload. It smells of rats and death… like home. I look around to see I'm in an unfamiliar room with an unfamiliar person who has a grin of absolute glee.

"AHAHAHAHAH! I DAR'KHAN DRATHIR AM THE GREATEST NECROMANCER TO EVER LIVE!" The man with a pointed hat and long ears yells with a stupid grin on his face.

My eyes narrow "How did you summon me?"

His eyes widen "AHAHHAHAHAHA HE CAN SPEAK." calming himself down he looks at me. "I pulled you from further than the shadowlands. I pulled you from the essence of death itself… the Well of Souls."

I rub my chin as I look at my body. It's exactly the same as before the fight with Gwyn, no scars from the lightning, like in the final battle… and no burn marks… But why am I naked? Also, what are the 'shadowlands?'. I know of the Well of Souls, Nito spoke of it in confidence but never a 'land of the dead'.

I look back at the mortal who is a solid foot shorter than me "Where am I?"

"Deathholme, in the ruins of the old Quel'Thalas kingdom." His answer confuses me more than anything.

I shake my head in confusion "What race are you? Why are your ears so long… why don't you have pupils?"

He straightens up looking a bit offended "I'm a blood elf. What era did you live in that didn't have elves."

My eyes narrow "The beginning." Looking around the room I see many magical objects, at least more than I've ever seen in one place. The room itself has beautiful architecture, curvier than Anor Londo but still beautiful; However, the room is so dirty and full of corpses that it becomes distasteful.

I prefer my corpses in crypts, not in a lab. I find researching corpses unnecessary as we already know more by practicing miracles through them.

I look at the man again and order him "Lead me outside."

He looks like he doesn't want to listen to me but just shrugs and gestures to follow. I nod and follow behind watching the decrepit halls become cleaner as we get outside. My eyes squint as the bright sun hits my eyes. 'The sun seems brighter than before… but smaller, was Gwyn right about it all?'

I close my eyes and feel my soul as I breathe slowly. My magic is still there… I am still a 'God' my divine magic doesn't feel 'divine' anymore though… it feels different… more evil? No…it's more connected… to something else… Wait! 'I DON'T FEEL MY CONNECTION TO NITO!' I open my eyes and stare at the sun… 'Is this not Lordran?'

I question my judgment but it makes sense seeing as I don't know what the 'elf' is. I look around at the surrounding buildings and see wraiths, phantoms, and skeletons alike.

Looking down at the elf I ask "Do you rule this hoard?"

He shakes his head "No, all undead are servants to the Lich King. Even you."

I scoff at his assertion "I serve no-one." he meets my gaze as if ready to challenge me but quickly looks away. I look out again and notice most of the buildings are of an odd architecture, different from the beautiful one I'm standing in. I believe they are called ziggurats, not very functional buildings.

My eyebrows raise as I point at an undead "What is that 'thing'?" The 'thing' I'm pointing at is a massive pile of flesh and skin with 4 arms and butcher chains hanging from it. It's walking through the hole in the massive walls exposing the shallow black ravine.

"Ah, we call those abominations, they are made by our scientific necromancers by stitching together 10 or so normal corpses. That's Luzran, my best creation." I feel disgusted at the blatant disrespect for death but I move on.

I lean against the railing to the stairs that lead out of this small palace-like building. Without turning I order the little necromance "Grab me some clothes. Preferably plate armor."

He sighs, "I'll see what I have."

As I wait for him I practice my magic to make sure it still works. I raise my right hand and my hand glows red and black. Only a second later my greatsword raises slowly from the ground. I grab the bone hilt and inspect the blade. 'Exactly as it was… but it feels odd to use… as in fundamentally different… connected to something.'

As I put away the sword I see the elf returning while holding a pile of clothes. He hands me the stack and walks away "That's all I could find."

Completely without shame, I put on the clothes outside. He gave me tough black leather pants, greyish boots, a half-breastplate, and gauntlets. I covered my back and chest with a black cloak that was frayed on the edges… It's better than nothing.

It's surprising he could find clothing to match my seven-foot nine-inch frame anyway. All the Gods needed custom made clothes unlike the humans mass-produced.

Once I finish getting clothes on he comes back outside with a sword in hand. "Thought you would need a sword if you were going to be of help."

I shake my head and start walking away. "You have my thanks for the clothes, I'll be on my way now."

His eyes go wide "What do you mean?! I summoned you! You should serve me!"

I scowl at him "After I finish roaming all the lands I'll consider coming back to aid you for bringing me here." I smirk a bit "But I. SERVE. NO. ONE." He shrinks back a bit at my words.

His face goes blank as his eyes glaze over going white. "If you do not serve then die!" the voice that came out was surely not the voice he originally had. 'Was he being controlled?' My mind wanders as I stare at the elf with a now outstretched hand.

My thoughts are cut short as ice spreads from where he is standing towards me. I jump to the side avoiding the line of frost. His eyes shift to me but I quickly gather magic in my hand raising it high. A giant red and black sword pierces through the ground cleaving the elf in half like butter.

Seeing him fall dead and the frost instantly melting I stand up straight preparing to walk away. I jump again as I feel someone has appeared behind me. As I turn I see a man in full plate armor, it has skulls adorning the ebony-colored steel with small scruffs of white fur. The sword he bears has blue runes glowing on the blade and a skull on the hilt.

I tilt my head "You aren't really here are you?" It's a projection… 'I wonder if he is one of this world's God's?'

The man says nothing as his cold blue eyes stare at me with a glow of power I've never seen. It's similar to Gwyn in his prime but I can't know for sure since it is just an avatar.

Seeing he isn't saying anything I grow impatient "If we are done here I'm leaving…"

As I walk past him I hear him speak in a deep booming voice "We. will. meet. again."