Nonetheless, Krasus did not hesitate to delve deeper. The truth had to be known.
He saw within each the savageness and chaos that he had felt during previous incursions. That such evil could exist in any creature the mage still found hard to believe. It was a madness of sorts on par with that which had taken the once noble Neltharion and had created of him the foul Deathwing.
In the monstrous thoughts of the creatures he finally found what he needed to know. The three were scouts out on their own, seeking places of weakness of which the Legion might make use. They intended to not just confine the war to the battlefield, but also create fear behind the defenders.
Such tactics did not at all surprise Krasus. He was certain that Archimonde already had other plans in motion, which was why the quest to seize the Demon Soul was so important.
He scanned the area for other warriors, but found no trace. Satisfied Krasus ceased his probing.
“They are alone,” he announced to Brox. “We will deal with them, but I think it best done with magic, this time.”
The orc grunted in satisfaction. Krasus slipped down to wake Malfurion.
“What—” the night elf began. Krasus signaled him to silence.
“Three of the Doomguard,” the elder mage whispered. “They are alone. I intend to take them, with your help.”
Malfurion nodded. He followed Krasus around the stones to where they could see the hovering demons inspecting the hills.
“What should we do?” the druid asked.
“It would be best if I struck down all three simultaneously. However, their constant maneuvering means I might miscalculate. I leave it to you to deal with any who escapes me.”
“All right.” Taking a deep breath, Malfurion prepared. Krasus watched the Doomguard, waiting for the moment when they were nearest to one another.
Two of the demons paused to relate information to one another, but the third continued his observations. The mage silently swore, aware that he now had the best opportunity to destroy the pair. Yet, the third was so far away, Krasus feared that his attack would enable that one to flee.
Malfurion must have sensed his hesitation. “ I won’t let him escape, Master Krasus. ”
His words brought the mage much relief. Krasus nodded, concentrating.
Unlike Illidan—and even Rhonin at times—he had lived too long to waste effort creating elaborate displays out of his spellwork. The Doomguard were a threat and had to be dealt with. That was all. Thus it was that first one, then the other winged demon just exploded, their remnants quickly raining down on the landscape.
But as he had feared, the third escaped his trap. However, the demon’s reprieve proved short-lived. As what was left of the first two creatures plummeted, Malfurion held up a single leaf and muttered to the wind. An intense breeze suddenly arose near the druid, a breeze that quickly took up the single leaf and carried it unerringly toward the remaining Doomguard.
The leaf suddenly became many leaves, hundreds of them. They whirled around in the wind, spinning faster and faster. They closed on the already-fleeing demon.
As each touched the Doomguard, they adhered to him. Scores and scores soon clung tightly to the demon, yet the numbers still swirling about looked no less. The horned warrior fought against the wind, but the ever-increasing weight upon him made his efforts falter.
In but seconds, the demon became a mummy wrapped in green. The wings slowed, unable to battle against that which so weighed them down.
Finally, the last of the Doomguard dropped like a rock.
Malfurion did not watch the demon strike the hard ground. He had done what had needed to be done, but never savored it.
“The way is clear,” proclaimed Krasus. “But we must hurry, for it will take long to traverse the hills—”
From atop the rock, Brox suddenly called, “ Something else in the sky! Above us! ”
And mere seconds later, a shadow briefly covered them … a shadow sweeping
He saw within each the savageness and chaos that he had felt during previous incursions. That such evil could exist in any creature the mage still found hard to believe. It was a madness of sorts on par with that which had taken the once noble Neltharion and had created of him the foul Deathwing.
In the monstrous thoughts of the creatures he finally found what he needed to know. The three were scouts out on their own, seeking places of weakness of which the Legion might make use. They intended to not just confine the war to the battlefield, but also create fear behind the defenders.
Such tactics did not at all surprise Krasus. He was certain that Archimonde already had other plans in motion, which was why the quest to seize the Demon Soul was so important.
He scanned the area for other warriors, but found no trace. Satisfied Krasus ceased his probing.
“They are alone,” he announced to Brox. “We will deal with them, but I think it best done with magic, this time.”
The orc grunted in satisfaction. Krasus slipped down to wake Malfurion.
“What—” the night elf began. Krasus signaled him to silence.
“Three of the Doomguard,” the elder mage whispered. “They are alone. I intend to take them, with your help.”
Malfurion nodded. He followed Krasus around the stones to where they could see the hovering demons inspecting the hills.
“What should we do?” the druid asked.
“It would be best if I struck down all three simultaneously. However, their constant maneuvering means I might miscalculate. I leave it to you to deal with any who escapes me.”
“All right.” Taking a deep breath, Malfurion prepared. Krasus watched the Doomguard, waiting for the moment when they were nearest to one another.
Two of the demons paused to relate information to one another, but the third continued his observations. The mage silently swore, aware that he now had the best opportunity to destroy the pair. Yet, the third was so far away, Krasus feared that his attack would enable that one to flee.
Malfurion must have sensed his hesitation. “ I won’t let him escape, Master Krasus. ”
His words brought the mage much relief. Krasus nodded, concentrating.
Unlike Illidan—and even Rhonin at times—he had lived too long to waste effort creating elaborate displays out of his spellwork. The Doomguard were a threat and had to be dealt with. That was all. Thus it was that first one, then the other winged demon just exploded, their remnants quickly raining down on the landscape.
But as he had feared, the third escaped his trap. However, the demon’s reprieve proved short-lived. As what was left of the first two creatures plummeted, Malfurion held up a single leaf and muttered to the wind. An intense breeze suddenly arose near the druid, a breeze that quickly took up the single leaf and carried it unerringly toward the remaining Doomguard.
The leaf suddenly became many leaves, hundreds of them. They whirled around in the wind, spinning faster and faster. They closed on the already-fleeing demon.
As each touched the Doomguard, they adhered to him. Scores and scores soon clung tightly to the demon, yet the numbers still swirling about looked no less. The horned warrior fought against the wind, but the ever-increasing weight upon him made his efforts falter.
In but seconds, the demon became a mummy wrapped in green. The wings slowed, unable to battle against that which so weighed them down.
Finally, the last of the Doomguard dropped like a rock.
Malfurion did not watch the demon strike the hard ground. He had done what had needed to be done, but never savored it.
“The way is clear,” proclaimed Krasus. “But we must hurry, for it will take long to traverse the hills—”
From atop the rock, Brox suddenly called, “ Something else in the sky! Above us! ”
And mere seconds later, a shadow briefly covered them … a shadow sweeping
Similar Books
