Chapter 08

 Transcendene

Chapter 08: The King

Ichigo charged through the dark stoned hallway, the sound that he could hear was his heart thumping in his chest and his sandals striking against the stone, behind him he could hear more than just his own footsteps. An assortment of boots, feet and hooves were accompanying him on his run, he would have smiled at the fact that they decided not to leave him for dead in this place, but the trust between them was on thin ice as it was, so relief could come when their purpose here was complete.

When they had killed the Dreadlord and there were no more threats present, he would tell them everything he could, his status as a shinigami, his mission to return home, his role in bringing the demon here. Although telling them may cause physical harm to his person, they still deserved to know what caused of this entire event; he owed it to them as well as Hawnia and Uruk who died. Their sacrifice couldn’t go in vain so long as he stood strong, and he would be damned if he was going to let anyone else die, he had caused enough of it since he arrived here, and he would end it with just one more.

He passed the corner and came to a long high ceilinged corridor, as far as he could see there were bodies of many demons and ogres, their corpses laying in heaps or on their own, some were leaning along the wall or impaled against it. The smell of blood was thick in the air, as was the continueing ding of battle in the distance what had happened here was nothing short of a massacre, and he knew that if he followed it further he would find the cause of this along with the leader of this Demonic horde. Ichigo grasped Zangetsu and charged towards the sound of battle, his allies right behind him and doing the same, leaping over the corpses of the recently fallen and ducking under the spears and sword that were used to hold the dead against the wall.

The demon was definitely close, he could feel it in his being, his time in the twisted nether had almost made him attuned to the corrupting energies of the demons, it felt like all kinds of wrong and evil, but also it was enticing like it wanted him to submit to its will. But he wouldn’t allow something like that to control him, there was already one who had that covered and he wasn’t going to let him out for a spin anytime soon. He was drawn from his thoughts of the demon by the sound of battle growing closer but also fainter, it looked like the battle up ahead was starting to come to a close, but also he could see light at the end of the tunnel.

Picking up speed they moved that much quicker, they were close to the end and didn’t want to risk losing their quarry because they were slow, soon the light grew brighter and their exit was right before them. They rushed into the light and when their eyes adjusted they found themselves in a large oval courtyard, large stone walls surrounded then and stone floor was littered with dozens if not hundreds of bodies. But as many dead there were, there still those that were alive and kicking, albeit a scant few, but still enough to warrant some attention, they scanned through it and saw dozens of demons fighting an equal amount of ogres. The ground was red with blood, but it could barely be seen under the blood drenched bodies that littered it, but their eyes were focused on finding a single target rather than face a small army of demons and ogres.

Their eyes drew them to the far side of the courtyard, there was a raised semicircular path that had a circular stage within, and a ring of ruined pillars formed around the stage and separated it from the path. Above the pillars were slabs of stone that would have acted as nothing more than decoration for the pinnacles of the pylons, but now were now far and few between the rest, but the architecture was only the location of their target. On the circular stage were two individuals, like actors that one would see in a play, were fighting in a struggle of supremacy, one a large and robust ogre with a great deal of armour and a golden crown with fists covered in spiked gauntlets and a massive claymote. The other was their prey, a demons of great height and stature, pale grey skin and dark eyes shone within its gaunt face, two large black horn that jutted from its forehead and curled upwards, large tattered wings hug from its back. Lord Hel’nurath, the Stablemaster of Xeroth, had been found.

Both ogre and demon clashed against one another, claws grinded against the large claymore, sparks flew and neither backed down from one another, they seperated from one another and followed up quickly with another attack. It was like an actual play going before then, across the battle field the two armies clashed and in the centre of it all was the battle between the two generals to see who would take this city and the head of the defeated as their own.

“Move, this is our chance to end him!” shouted Turok, charging forward and gripping his gun tightly, he swung at a Fel Guard and slip its throat up with the bayonet on his gun.

Shikil’hi and Rai were close behind the Tauren, slashing or burning away anything that attacked from the sides, Ichigo didn’t follow them immediately; instead he turned to Adelina and held her at bay for a moment. This was going to be a big fight and he wanted to make sure that while he took care of that demon she was safe.

“Don’t get too close to these guys, stay with Shikil’hi she will keep you safe, alright” he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder to put emphasis on what he was asking of her, she took a moment to process the request before nodding.

“Don’t worry Ichigo, I’ll keep out of the way.” she reassured him, Ichigo had a small smile on his face and turned back towards the rest of his advancing party.

He crouched low and charged off, Adelina close behind him; his smile now replaced with a determined scowl, Ichigo had fought against this demon before and unlike last time he was prepared to fight him.

Turok cut down another demon to his left before shooting one that charged at him from the ramp leading up to the raised semicircular trail; its body was thrown back and landed against the stone with a heavy and squishy thud. Leaping over it he moved to the circular stage where the Clan leader of the Ogres was fighting against the Dreadlord, he had hoped to catch him while he fought but instead he arrived a moment too late.

The stone floor was coated in a fresh layer of spilled blood and hanging off the ends of the demons clawed hand was the former king of the Gordunni ogres, is large form suspended above the ground like nothing more than a rag doll. The Dreadlord discarded the ogre with a simple flick of the wrist; it flew through the air shortly before its large obese form slammed into the ground and slid across the stone before falling off the stage down the rest of the dead that littered the courtyard. The Dreadlord looked at the three before him with a sneer, Hel’nurath raised his right claw and soon it was drenched in green flames, he swiped in their general direction and watched as wall of flame sailed towards them.

<p class="MsoNormal">Turok leapt away from the flames and ducked down onto the ramp to avoid it, while Rai and Shikil’hi ducked behind the pillars to allow it to take the attack rather than them, all the while the Dreadlord watched in some glee as these mortal desperately tried to protect themselves against him. He moved to shatter the pillars with another spell when he saw something attack from his left hand side that gave him pause, looking up the Dreadlord saw something he never thought he would see again; above him was a young boy. He had tattered robes hanging from his waist and a bare scarred torso, in his raised hands was a large cleaver with a white cloth attached to the hilt, and he had bright orange hair, and there was only one thing Lord Hel’nurath could say at that moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You!” he bellowed as he narrowly dodged the attack, which shattered the stone floor where he once stood, but before he could even get a good footing he was force to defend against another attack.

<p class="MsoNormal">A wide slash to his right side forced him to raise his claws to prevent himself from being bisected in two, the soul cutter grinded against the Dreadlords nails before sliding clear, and then the young substitute followed up with another attack, slashing down at the demons horned head. The demon crouched low and raised his left claw to block, using his right to support him as the force nearly knocked him off his hooves, with a growl he pushed the blade away from his face, and then tossed it aside. Rising to his full height Hel’nurath quickly swiped at Ichigo’s head, but Ichigo was able to duck under the swipe and then counter, he turned swiftly to his left and swung Zangetsu with the turn, the blade bit into the demons armour and into the flesh that lay hidden beneath it.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Dreadlord let out a groan as he felt the blade cut into his abdomen, he looked down to see a small trickle of blood pouring out from the opening in his armour, but he was able to dodge the second swing aimed to cut open his chest. Ichigo grabbed hold of Zangetsu with both hand and slammed it down against the demon’s claws, which sparked against the edge of the substitutes blades, with a growl he swiped at the substitute with his other claw and forced him to leap away.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath stared at the young human before him with a furious glare, he couldn’t believe he was here; he thought for sure he was killed when he tried to escape from the western part of the city, if either the ogres or elves found him he would have been killed. But now he was standing before him healthy as ever and with only a few wounds, he underestimated him, he did that before and was nearly killed because of it. Of all the people in this city was the only one the Dreadlord knew would be a threat to him, the one who would cause this entire endeavour to fail spectacularly, he needed to kill him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath moved to retort the boy for coming back here and say that he only brought about his demise, but when he glimpsed a shade from his right hand side he glanced to see a troll with two swords attack him. The tall blue furred beast leapt at him and aimed his rapier to skewer his head, quickly Hel’nurath swiped at the flimsy looking weapon and knocked it aside with little trouble, but the troll had accounted for such a calamity and swung his sword breaker right at the back of the Dreadlord’s neck.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath cursed as he was forced to duck forward or lose his head, he avoided decapitation but he did not come out of it unscathed, his right horn had been cut off by the surprisingly sharp blade, the Dreadlord was livid about the loss. The fact the mortal had snuck up on him infuriated the Stablemaster of Xeroth, but the loss of one of his horn was a personal slight against his integrity as a Dreadlord and a great shame, which infuriated him to no bounds.

<p class="MsoNormal">With two thuds Rai landed on the stone and the horn did the same, Rai went to strike again but was not quick enough to avoid the claw that wrapped around his waist, lifting him up and slamming him into the ground hard. Rai lost all the air in his lungs and felt himself black out when his head struck the stone, he awoke a second later feeling groggy and dizzy, but when he looked up he saw a pair of claws raised to pierce him through the skull.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath was livid at the fact that this little urchin had cut off one of his horns and personally insulted him because of it; it was due to his anger that he was unable to account for the fact that there were four others present in the vicinity that he was also fight against. As Hel’nurath raised his claw to kill Rai he was knocked off balance by a powerful concussive force; and nearly fell from his knee and onto the ground; he felt his chest ache with pain as his armour became dented and pressed down on his chest. Looking up he saw the Tauren aiming his gun at him, the gun smoking lightly from the quick release of a concussive round, which had done more damage to the demons armour that to the demon itself.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath glared murderously at Turok for a long moment, this was all that was needed for the troll to strike, Rai had stabbed the demon in the arm with his sword breaker, forcing the Dreadlord to let go and grasp his now lacerated arm. Another shot rank out and the demon was thrown off his knee and onto his back, its armour taking another concussive blast and cracking violently against the onslaught that it took in its wielders sted. Seeing the Dreadlord on its back and defenceless was Ichigo’s chance to finish him, he rushed forward and leapt onto the demons chest; he raised Zangetsu and speared it down towards the demons foul black heart.

<p class="MsoNormal">But as it was mere inches from piercing Hel’nurath’s chest a black claw clasped around the sword and halted it, sparks flew at Ichigo pressed harder against the claw that held his soul cutter in a vice, and slowly it was edging closer to the demons chest. But that was as far as it would get, a claw wrapped itself around Ichigo leg and pulled him off the demon, the next thing he knew he was slammed into the ground, the demon rose and quickly flung Ichigo at the troll.

<p class="MsoNormal">Not having enough time to dodge Rai was knocked off his feet and barrelled away along with Ichigo, they flew through the air before they rolled the rest of the way and off the circular stage and into the gap between the stage and the outer semi-circular ring. Turok raised his gun again and fired at the demon, an armour piercing round aimed for its head; but the Dreadlord amply dodged to the right before charging forward. Hel’nurath’s feet hovering above the ground as he glided quickly towards the Tauren hunter, Turok fired once more and this time the demon leapt into the air with a single beat of his wings and then glided toward the Tauren intending to crush him beneath his hooves.

<p class="MsoNormal">Turok rolled to the side quickly and avoided the attack, the ground shattered against the dreadlords landing, Turok rolled onto his knee and while turning raised his gun, but as he aimed the demon’s claw wrapped around the length of the gun and ripped it from the hunter’s grasp.

<p class="MsoNormal">Throwing the massive rifle away Hel’nurath moved to attack the tauren, Turok has pulled his halberd free it in his right hand, and when the demon struck out with its right claw Turok seized the chance to counter. He shot forward and blocked the demons arm with his left arm, which he felt jar itself against the force of the strike, Turok pulled back his spear and stab it into the demons abdomen, aiming for the opening in the armour that Ichigo made. His aim was as true as his shooting and he pierced through the armour and into the demon’s stomach, Hel’nurath went limp for a moment and staggered slightly, before he straightened up and grabbed hold of the Tauren’s left arm and tossed him aside.

<p class="MsoNormal">As the Tauren slammed against a pillar, it collapsed and fell onto Turok, when the stones stopped falling he tried to move but Turok was stuck under the debris, looking up he saw the Dreadlord standing over him with his spear still stuck in his gut. With an angry snarl Hel’nurath called fel flames to his hand and let them coil around his fingertip, they felt like only warm air compared to how dangerously hot they were, with a single thrust he shot the flames at the Tauren.

<p class="MsoNormal">The dark flame coiled through the air and towards Turok, as it closed the demon smirked at the thought of burning the trapped creature to ash, but as he continued he felt something slam into his side, and an eruption of flame engulf him. His concentration lost and the demonic flame that veered deathly close to Turok was abated, the demon let out a growl as he turned to see another troll standing off to the side with her hand extended forward and a group of totems around her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Damn little pest, I will tear out your soul!” shouted Hel’nurath, but before he could even think about attacking he was attacked, his back flared with pain as he felt a sharp blade slice from his shoulder down to his lower back.

<p class="MsoNormal">He twisted around and swung his arm at his attacker and saw the same troll as before, and like the slippery mongrel he was he ducked under the attack and when the Dreadlord tried to slam down on him with his other claw he leapt away and doing a few acrobatics for the sake of it. Hel’nurath gather a ball of fell energy into his hand and threw it at the troll, three orbs of flame shot towards the insufferable creatures quickly, but as he cast the spell he was attacked from his left side by that boy. He raised his claw and caught the blade, he then looked at the human that had caused all this; he growled as he drew back his claw to strike, he would make him suffer for coming back here.

<p class="MsoNormal">Seeing the claw was being drawn back he was about to leap away, but when Ichigo looked at the spear that was still stuck in the demons midriff, he came up with a better solution. His left hand wrapped around the shaft and he pushed it further into the demons wound, the Dreadlord’s attack was momentarily halted which Ichigo used to his advantage, he ripped Zangetsu out of the demons grip and also knocked the offending limb away as well. Leaving the Dreadlord’s chest vulnerable, he slashed at the demons chest and blood flew free in a glorious spray of crimson, the demon pedalled away and ripped the spear from his gut and threw it aside, he moved to attack Ichigo again.

<p class="MsoNormal">But an explosion of flame at his back forced the demon onto his hands and knees, leaving the back of his neck vulnerable to Zangetsu’s sharp edge, which Ichigo didn’t hesitate to use; he raised his Zanpokuto and moved to perform the execution. As his blade descended towards the demons pale neck it was halted by a raised claw, the demon looked at Ichigo and he could see the dark anger that radiated in its black eyes, and with a mighty display of speed and power he rose to his feet and threw Ichigo over his shoulder and then out of the round stage and into the far wall.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo hit against the stone wall hard, the pale stones breaking and crumbling under the force that accompanied Ichigo as he sailed towards it, Ichigo fell to the ground along with a great deal of stone and mortar, Ichigo laid flat on his face and struggled to get back up. That hit really took it out of him, he didn’t expect something like that from the demon, hell Immol’thar hit harder but this guy was still in the big leagues when it came to abnormal strength.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo got up on one knee and used Zangetsu as a crutch, when he looked up he saw a wall of green flame moving towards him, panicking slightly he flash stepped away from the wall just as it struck where he was a moment ago. Fel flames engulfed the entire section of the area and turned the stone black, Ichigo landed unceremoniously on the lower part of the area, as he slowly got back to his feet he saw Rai land beside him, his clothing slightly singed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo got back to his feet and turned back to the stage when he heard two thuds ahead of him, looking up he saw both Turok and Shikil’hi land on the ground, beaten and in the latter’s case disarmed, on the stage was the Dreadlord. And to Ichigo’s horror in his grasp was Adelina, she was flailing around trying to get out of the claws that were wrapped around her throat. The demon looked down at them with a dark sneer before he directed his gaze solely on Ichigo.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I underestimated you boy, I didn’t think you were a threat and now look at me!” barked the Dreadlord, his voice brimming with arrogance and anger.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Let her go!” Shouted Ichigo, raising Zangetsu to show him he will kill him should anything happen to her, but in truth he was killing regardless.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You care for this little thing here?” Hel’nurath mocked, constricting the girls throat even more at the thought of making the boy suffer, Adelina struggled harder and choked trying to breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Put her down!” he shouted again, desperation starting to work its way into his tone.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why should I?” bellowed the demon “After all you have done to me!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Turok got himself back to his feet and reached for a large sword on the ground, a large piece of rusted metal sharpened down into a sharp edge, which was attacked to a piece of wood by a leather straps. It may be nothing but it was better than going in unarmed, he turned and dragged Shikil’hi off the ground, she was in much better shape than him but still those flames and dark magic can be deadly, even when hit once. Turok looked up at the demon and saw him strangling Adelina, he cursed under his breath, as much as he didn’t have any responsibility for the girl he didn’t like the fact that she could be killed, the young don’t deserve to die.

<p class="MsoNormal">He watched closely and saw that the demon wasn’t paying any attention to his captive, but to Ichigo, he could see the angry glare that was shared between them, what the hell was going on here?

<p class="MsoNormal">I intend to make you pay for these wounds” said Hel’nurath “As well as for placing me in this miserable predicament”

<p class="MsoNormal">What was he talking about? That was the thought that was going through everyone’s minds as they observed from the sidelines, even with all the battle that was going on around them they could hear the demons monologue in perfect clarify.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Because of you I am stuck on this damn world with nothing but a handful of competent warriors” he snarled at the human, Ichigo scowl deepened and he gritted his teeth in anger as Adelina continued to be choked. “It is your fault that I am forced to scrounge through this pathetic ruin for anything I can use to strengthen my power here.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Turok, Rai and Shikil’hi looked on in shock at the human, he was the one who brought the demons here; they were right; he was the one who had caused all of this.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Put her down! Now!” bellowed Ichigo, raising Zangetsu in front of him and readying to attack “She had nothing to do with this!”

<p class="MsoNormal">“As long as she is with you, she has everything to do with this!” the Dreadlord roared back, lifting Adelina above his head and intent on ripping her in half, she screamed as she felt him tug on her leg and neck. “I will make you suffer for you slight against me!”

<p class="MsoNormal">   “Don’t count on it!” roared Ichigo, disappearing in a flash and then in the same moment the Dreadlord was knocked away by a powerful kick to the stomach, his armour - weakened by Turok’s barrage and the efforts of Ichigo and Rai prior - fell apart and he was knocked away from the edge of the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo caught Adelina when she fell and Shunpo’ed back towards the group, he laid her down and looked her over, she was coughing violently, obviously that demons grip had nearly choked her to death, he gritted his teeth because of that. Ichigo looked up to see the demon advancing forward, his hand over his stomach and the remains of his armour falling away from his torso, with a snarl he looked at the young substitute.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is this all you have mortal, you will have to do better against the Stable Master of Xeroth!” roared Hel’nurath, creating a ball of condensed darkness in his hand before throwing it at Ichigo.

<p class="MsoNormal">In an instant Ichigo shot up and swung Zangetsu at the ball of dark energy and shattered it, without another word he charged forward to confront him, safe in the knowledge that Adelina would be safe with the others. He then charged forward to fight against the demon, leaping onto the stage Ichigo slashed at the Dreadlord with an upward swing, his anger giving the strength he needed to fight and finish this demon off once and for all. But Hel’nurath backpedalled away from him quickly and sends another volley of shadow bolts at the substitute, using all his natural speed and agility he dodged them as best as he could, a few brushed dangerously close but still he remained unharmed.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo closed quickly on the demon and slashed at its chest, the demon turned away from the attack, and then turned back to swing its claw at the substitute in retaliation, Ichigo ducked under the black claws and before leaping away to gain some distance. He slashed at Hel’nurath as he did so to prevent him from attacked as he leapt back; as he landed Ichigo resumed his assault, bolting forward he raised Zangetsu up and slashed it down at the demon, who claws just barely prevented it from splitting its head in two.

<p class="MsoNormal">Hel’nurath then began to channel shadowy energy into his right hand; Ichigo took noticed just in time to see it veering towards his stomach, in a desperate move he slid his blade off the demons claw and then struck out at the one covered in shadows. He batted the shadowy claw aside and then struck once more, slicing his blade towards the demons chest, which connected and made known with a spray of black blood. The Dreadlord backpedalled from the attack and watched the boy carefully, he shouldn’t be this strong, when he first battled him he couldn’t even land a single strike against him, and now he was doing it like it was child’s play.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I will not lose to a mortal!” Hel’nurath roared, extending his wings and with a strong beat he lifted himself off the ground, the Dreadlord rose through the air and landed on top of a small slab of stone held up between three pillars. He glared down at the substitute and from there he began to channel his power, soon his hands were engulfed in a shroud of dark magic and he began to channel it to form many different spells.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo watched as the demon summoned a literal storm of magical energy above him, from it shot forth lightning, wind and the promised of an agonising death, Ichigo raised Zangetsu and readied himself for the onslaught to come. As promised a volley of shadow bolts descended towards him, Ichigo dodged them with some effort and others he was force to rely on Zangetsu as a shield and as a bat to knock them away. But these attacks were simple feints to the true one that lay beneath his feet, Ichigo noticed a dull green glow below him and when he looked down he saw a glowing orb indented in to ground and around it many hairline cracks forming around it.

<p class="MsoNormal">He realised that he had just stepped within the range of a demonic landmine, and in that second of hesitation he was caught in the explosion, he felt the dark flames coil around him and attempt to consume his body. But in a desperate bid to save himself he released a wave of spiritual pressure to blow the fire back far enough for him to escape, it worked but still the burns were present.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo knew that he couldn’t fight against him like this, the Dreadlord would just wear him down and then finish him off, he needed to get close and kill him before he could get the drop on him, and the only way to do that was to knock him off his pedestal. Ichigo charged forward, his target the middle pillar that held the Dreadlord up on his little perch, but that didn’t dissuade the demon from attacking, bolts of fire and dark magic flew at Ichigo as he rushed towards the demon’s perch.

<p class="MsoNormal">Below in the courtyard were four individuals who were watching the battle from afar, shocked still about the revelation that the being they had been working with for the last few hours had been the one to cause the current situation with Dire Maul. Although they held their suspicions about him from the start, they couldn’t deny that his power held a dark and powerful force within, but they didn’t think that he would have any ties to the demon other than the wish to end its life.

<p class="MsoNormal">But now they know that was not true, he was the cause of this entire event, the cause of this demon invasion and the deaths of two warriors of the horde that would never truly be replaced, Hawnia’s and Uruk’s deaths were on his head. Although they were spectators to the fight above they were not just watching; they were fighting themselves, when Ichigo had charged off the demons and ogres around them converged around and a massive brawl had taken place. Trapped between two opposing forces, they had no choice but to try and defend themselves against them, Turok hacked off limbs with his new sword, Shikil’hi smashed in skulls and burnt enemies alive, and Rai did what he did best, slash and stab everything within a metre of him.

<p class="MsoNormal">But even though they were in the middle of a massive brawl they would wonder to themselves, would they be willing to go up there and help him, he was responsible for that demon being here and he would have to be punished for it. But still with the time they had to think about the boy, they could see that aside from his abilities and suspicious nature, he was more good hearted then the lot of them, even though he was responsible for their deaths he defended Hawnia and Uruk. Saying that comrades should never disregard one another, they all knew what he meant by it, they should honour them and remember them for who they were and what they died for, doing what was right in their mind, not what was wrong in their perceptions.

<p class="MsoNormal">As much as there was conflict around them, there was also conflict within whether to help him or not, Turok could understand each of the people around, Rai would likely help him to see what the deal was about the man. Shikil’hi would probably watch from the sidelines and wait till the last possible moment, whether the demon won and then she would jump in a kill it, or she would subdue the boy after the battle and question him on his identity. He would be the same as her, he would wait from the sideline for the perfect chance to strike and then if the boy proved to be a threat he would end him in one bullet.

<p class="MsoNormal">He thought about the young Night Elf girl, she was obviously more trusting of him, but not because he was human or possibly part of the Alliance, there was something more between them than just acquaintances. Lovers? Possibly. Friends? More likely. Saviour? That sounded the most definite. He turned too looked to the Night Elf, and when he looked towards Shikil’hi he only saw her, he glanced around quickly and couldn’t find her, where the hell was she?

<p class="MsoNormal">“Damn it!” he heard Shikil’hi yell, he turned to see her trying to run towards the stage, but a Fel Guard halted her progress, it slashed at her with its blade before she blocked it with her Shield and then punched her mace into the demons face. “Girl! Get back here now!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Turok turned to see the girl rushing through the crowd, blowing enemies out of the way with an occasional moonfire or dodging their attacks all together, he cursed under his breath when he saw this, he would likely have to saver her now. He raised his crudely made sword to block the strike from an ogre, he tossed it aside before cutting its throat open and then pushing towards the stage, behind him Shikil’hi and Rai followed, carving their way to save that damn foolish girl.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo cut through the pillar with ease, its slid along the now smoothly cut surface and brought down the slab it held up, the Dreadlord leapt from the perch and then glided down to the centre of the stage. Now that his enemy was groundside Ichigo rushed forward, but as he did the Dreadlord twisted around and send a wave of dark energy at the substitute, having no time to dodge or even acknowledge that the attack looked like it was composed of shadow-like insect, the substitute braced himself for impact.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo was struck by the attack and although it was nothing more than a breeze over his bare skin, the foul energies did more hard, he felt something twisted and malicious work its way through his body and tearing it apart, like there were little bugs crawling under his skin and in his muscles. He fell to his knees panting and groaning in pain as the shadow magic paralysed him with pain, he could feel the dark magic working its way through his veins and muscles, it was truly agonising.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You are lucky” said Hel’nurath, he gripped the hair at the top of Ichigo’s head and pulled his head to look him in the eyes “I was planning on ripping you apart, but now, I will take back to the twisted nether.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo could only grimace as the pain continued to work its way through his body, he couldn’t even speak or even move a muscle, as much as the pain was agonising it was also debilitating, meant to torture its victim without them having the strength to move.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I will keep you as a pet and when I find you world, I will rip it apart before your eyes, I will make you watch as I burn down your home and bath in your family’s blood.” He grinned madly at Ichigo, who scowl of pain turned into one of anger; he felt his fists work to ball themselves together, he felt his anger start to manifest and a dark voice in the back of his mind roar for release.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How fun it will be to watch as you break under the pressure” said Hel’nurath, Ichigo could feel his anger swell and the pain subside, he felt his power rising through and over it, he felt something forcing its way to the surface and countering the dark magic that coursed through him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Before anymore could be said the Dreadlord was knocked away from the boy by a bolt of energy, the Dreadlord was knocked off his knee and onto the ground, Ichigo could only look on in surprise before it turned to shock. Standing near the edge of the stage was Adelina, her hands extended forward and brimming with energy, she had a scowl of concentration as she sent another blast at the demon, knocking back into the ground as he tried to rise; she drew close and continued to assault.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo struggled to find voice to his thoughts, he wanted to tell her to run and get back, he couldn’t let her get killed, she was his responsibility, he couldn’t let her do this, he was meant to protect them, he couldn’t let them die. He struggled as he saw her standing nearly in front of him, sending another ball of moonfire at the demon that was now fighting to get to his feet, but he could tell that the excursion was not doing her any favours; she was using all her strength the attack. She sent another bolt towards the Dreadlord as it reached to its knees; knocking it into a daze and her to the brink, she was keeled forward and looked like she was about pass out, and in that moment where she halted her attack was when the Dreadlord struck.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo watched in muted shock at the demons claws stabbed through Adelina’s shoulder and out her back, she didn’t scream or cry out in pain, she simply looked at the wound with the same shock that consumed Ichigo. There was silence all around as all Ichigo could do was watch in horror as blood dripped from between the demon’s claws and the holes through her shoulder, this couldn’t be happening, this couldn’t be happening.

<p class="MsoNormal">She turned her gaze towards him and in that short moment she looked into his eyes, she felt guilty, because she has been nothing but a burden and every time she had tried to do something she had always failed, and now this would be her final mistake. She composed herself for only a second in order to say something, something that shocked Ichigo even more than the attack she took to her shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m sorry, for being a burden” she smiled weakly before she was tossed violently aside by Hel’nurath, she landed near the far end of the stage, still in view of Ichigo and it was only then that she started to cry.

<p class="MsoNormal">He could hear her pained sobs and he watched in shock, the Dreadlord loomed over him for a moment; he looked down at Ichigo with a scowl before it changed to a sick grin, and then the demon turned away and walked toward Adelina. Fear gripped him tightly, he struggled to move, he struggled to try and lift himself from the ground and fight and yet right now he couldn’t even, he tried to crawl but his arms and legs could barely flex themselves.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I think I will start with the little one here” said Hel’nurath, as he slowly advanced on Adelina, Ichigo could barely look up to see him only a few feet from her. “I want to see what happens when I kill her right front of you”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t… touch… her” gritted out Ichigo, making another futile attempt to move, but still he couldn’t.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I can only imagine how painful it would be to see someone die in front of you.” Said Hel’nurath in a demeaning tone, he circled around Adelina’s whimpering form “I can only imagine how quickly I can break you if I kill all your family”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t!” Ichigo cried, desperation thick in his tone, but this forced the Dreadlord to continue on.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Come now, look up, don’t you want to look in her eyes as she dies?” laughed Hel’nurath, Ichigo gritted his teeth and struggled all the harder to move.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Move damn you! Move!’ he screamed in his mind, willing himself to move forward.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Maybe if I dangle her head in front of you, I will get the reaction regardless.” Said Hel’nurath, he looked down at the girl and with a dark smile on his lips he reached down toward her pretty little head.

<p class="MsoNormal">But as his hand drew close he was saw a shadow pass over him, looking to his left he saw that troll swordsman attack, his rapier moving to pierce his skull, Hel’nurath raised his claw and grabbed the weapon and then tossed the offending beast over him and away. But as he did this he felt something strike him in the chest, he looked down to see a neat hole going through his left breast, he had been shot, looking up he saw the damn Tauren. On the Far side of the stage with the gun now back in his hand and aiming right at him, why was it that everyone was ruining his fun? Hel’nurath raised his hand to turn the damn bull to ash, but before he could, he was knocked off his feet by two ethereal wolves, they claws and bit at his arms and chest, blood and flesh was rent asunder as he struggled to remove them.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shikil’hi moved to the young Night Elf’s side and try to help her, the wound on her shoulder wasn’t life threatening but the girl obviously had a very low threshold to pain then them, but before she could even begin to chant a healing spell. A blur of blue shot past her and she saw the form of her spirits wolf collide with the pillar and dissolve into mist, then she saw the other disperse as it was throw off and into the stone floor. The Dreadlord got back onto its feet and looked at the damn troll that set its dogs on him, he raised his arm and from it a bolt of shadow shot out and struck her in the chest, she was thrown off her feet and near the edge of the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shikil’hi was still awake and groaning in agony as the shadow magic ate away at her from within, Hel’nurath would have struck again, but when he felt something pierce through his back and emerge out his stomach he knew he had other fish to fry. Turning he found the troll had stabbed his swordbreaker through his back, gripping the troll by the head he tossed him at the Tauren, but he amply dodged his comrade and fired again, this time it passed through his shoulder.

<p class="MsoNormal">With a growl he watched as the troll behind the Tauren get back to his feet quickly and tried to resume their attack, but with a wave of his hand a wall of darkness shot towards the Hunter and Assassin. Like the human boy they were rendered immobile with unimaginable pain. They fell to their knees and struggled to fight through the agony, they were now at the demons mercy, and from what they all knew they were hoping it would be quick rather than slow and painful.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I cannot believe that the Legion failed to conquer this world” said Hel’nurath, staggering to his feet, he was bloody and badly beaten, they group had given him a hard fight, he reached around his back and pulled free the swordbreaker and tossed the bloody sword aside.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ten Thousand Year, it took them ten thousand years to plan out the second invasion” he continued, a small amount of blood drooling from his mouth as he spoke, moving toward them with slow steps, he was in no hurry they were as good as dead.

<p class="MsoNormal">“And this is the result, our forces are scattered across this planet with nothing more to show than a few corrupted ruins and dens of evil, pathetic” he stood over the prone form of Adelina, looking down at her with a sneer.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Your kind is to blame, you have stood in our way on both occasions and sealed our fate in equal measure” he reached down towards her and planned on ripping the girls head from her shoulders “And the only thing I can do now to bring some satisfaction is to rip you head off and show it to that human boy.”

<p class="MsoNormal">As he was about to touch her though the pressure rose drastically, everyone could feel gravity press down on their shoulders and a wave of dark energy could be felt, they wanted to shudder at the dark feeling it gave them when they felt it. Everyone had felt the pressure before but not with such dark intent behind it, all their eyes moved onto the only person they knew who could possess such power, the young human who was on his knees with his head downcast.

<p class="MsoNormal">Slowly he rose to his feet and the pressure continued to rise, as he stood there they could see at his feet black energy coil around him, Hel’nurath looked on in surprise as the boy had somehow overcame the carrion swarm. It should have immobilized him completely, but that was not what shocked him the most, when Ichigo raised his head everyone’s eyes widened at what was on his face. Covering his face completely was a mask compose of bone, it looked like a human skull with red tribal tattoos painted on the left side, but the most startling thing about it was his eyes. They had changed colour, no longer white and brown, but black and gold, and carried a sense of a dark being that resided within the boy, something completely inhuman and monstrous.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What… are you?” breather Hel’nurath, shocked by the boy’s power that appeared along with this unknown mask, if he didn’t know any better he would think he was standing before another demon.

<p class="MsoNormal">“My name is Ichigo Kurosaki” His voice has changed, carrying a hollow emotionless tone that carried anguish and madness, it had become a distortion between two different speakers, one Ichigo and some else. “and I am a Soul Reaper”

<p class="MsoNormal">In an instant he charge forward at almost blinding speeds, only Turok, Rai and Hel’nurath could actually keep pace with his movement and that was barely, Ichigo swung Zangetsu at the Dreadlord who could only raise his hand to just prevent the blow from cleaving him in two. But the blade still sunk deep into his chest, the force behind it so great it knocked the limb far enough out of the way to still cut, Hel’nurath pushed the blade away and then was forced to block from above as it moved down to cut him in half once more.

<p class="MsoNormal">Both claws moved to block the attack but that didn’t stop it from digging into the demons shoulder and forcing him to his knees, this was impossible, how a human could become so powerful by putting on a mask, what the hell was he? Before he could think more on the subject the blade was forcefully ripped from the Dreadlords grip and his shoulder, Ichigo pulled his Zanpokuto back and swung it hard at the demon; he raised both his claws and turned to the blade to catch the attack. But it served to save him a quick death and to be thrown back, Hel’nurath was thrown from the ground and towards the far side of the stage, he landed hard on the stone floor and struggled to stand, the wound from his battle now starting to catch up to him. He leaned up to see the human advancing on him; he called himself a soul reaper, what was that? Some sort of creature from that emerald dream those druid frolic in, was he some sort of demon?

<p class="MsoNormal">“Impossible… you cannot beat me!” roared Hel’nurath, trying to rise to his feet and strike, but in an instant he halted, the boy in front of him and he was looking into those dark golden irises that burnt with anger and rage.

<p class="MsoNormal">Looking down he saw the boys sword had pierced his chest and ran through his heart, he would think this nothing more than a simple hindrance to him, he would return to the twisted nether in time and be reborn, but he felt something was amiss. He could feel this blade had done more than just destroy his body, he felt it deep within, this blade had done more, it head cut his spirit, he could feel himself drifting away, he was dying. He was actually dying, he couldn’t believe it to be true, the damn boy had actually killed him, he had a weapon that could kill him all along, a reaper of souls indeed, falling to his knees his last sight before he died was the bone mask on the boy’s face begin to crack.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo watched as the demons body began to disintegrate into nothing, soon its entire form turned to dust and all that remained was the last piece of it armour that covered it legs and wrists. He let out a hallowed breath as he felt the last of the hollow mask fall away from his face, and then he felt the wind rushing past his face as he fell to the side, his strength sapped from the use of the mask. He felt himself hit the ground and for what might have been the hundredth time today he was rendered unconscious, he didn’t feel anything and was consumed by darkness of sleep and exhaustion.

<p class="MsoNormal">Fifteen Minutes Later

<p class="MsoNormal">“How much longer do you think he’s gonna be out for?” Ichigo heard someone say, carrying the distinct accent that he knew belonged to a troll, and he recognised the male voice of Rai as he felt his body return to the world of the living.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t know, whatever that mask was really took a lot out of him” came another voice, female, and carried a similar accent to the male, Shikil’hi.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well let’s hope he wakes up soon, there are still hostiles here that I really don’t want to deal with at the moment” said Rai, Ichigo felt his eyes open and he was staring at the cloudy afternoon sky of Feralas, he could see they were starting to darken, it would likely be raining soon.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I hope Ichigo won’t be mad” the timid voice of Adelina reached his ears, as much as he would be mad at her for recklessly charging in against the Dreadlord he was happy she was alright.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Of course he will be mad! You damn idiot, you’re lucky that demon’s claw didn’t pierce you heart” Roared out Shikil’hi, Ichigo groaned as he sat up and it was then they took notice of him, he looked up to see them sitting on a few fallen bits of stone and waiting.

<p class="MsoNormal">They looked over to Ichigo and saw him stir, rising to their feet they moved to help, Rai stood over Ichigo and offered a hand, Ichigo took it and he was pulled to his feet, he stumbled a bit as he tried to stand straight, obviously still warn out by the fight. Rai guided him to a slab of stone and sat him down, Ichigo took in a breath and then he heard a thump and around him he saw two totems, one glowing green and the other blue, he looked up to see Shikil’hi lowering her hand and placing them back on her lap. He then turned to see Rai staring at him along with Turok, although they didn’t carry the same hostility as before he could tell that they wanted answers as to what just happened.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I guess you guys want to know the details, huh?” said Ichigo; there was a tense silence as they practically shouted in agreement without speaking. “Well first of all, I am a Shinigami”

<p class="MsoNormal">The conversation went on for a few minutes, Ichigo giving them the details they needed to know in order to understand, who he was, what he was and what he just did. He went on to explain the details of the Shinigami, spiritual beings that travel across the world and find earth bound spirits and perform soul burials on them to allow them to pass on to the afterlife. They ask a range of questions regarding his abilities and the strange power he wielded.

<p class="MsoNormal">He gave them a run down on Reiatsu and spiritual power, telling them what he knew from what Rukia and Kisuke had taught him back home, how it’s the power source behind all Shinigami, how it is the potential within their soul that can determine their level of power. He says he is one of the stronger ones, but states there are others who are much stronger than him, he also goes into detail about Zangetsu, his Zanpokuto.

<p class="MsoNormal">When Shikil’hi heard about this she had actually asked for him to hand her his blade, he did so and when she did she went into what he could only think was Jinzen, and when she came back she said that the man was quite the looker. Now he had to ask how she did that, she told him that she believe that he is similar to Shamans in regards to their duty and purpose, to maintain balance, whereas Shamans do so from the world of the Living, he does it from the afterlife. She also explained that they can also cleanse spirits and speak with them on occasion and even summon them, she handed his Zanpokuto back to him and as he did he felt an almost uncomfortable vibe coming from it

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Please refrain from giving me to others Ichigo, especially by people such as her, she was quite… lewd’ he heard Zangetsu speak in his mind when he had him back within his grasp.

<p class="MsoNormal">But she also says that he carries something dark within his soul, and that led to him telling them about his inner hollow, he gave them a rundown of how he gained his powers an also how he lost and had to regain them. Which led to him contracting an inner hollow, he explained that they were also a military force that would combat these Hollows, which were corrupted spirits and that he was among a handful that possessed one. She asked if he was in danger of being possessed, he reassured her that once you dominate your inner hollow you maintain control over it, he defeated it some time ago and that he was not at risk of being taken over.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s pretty much it, yeah” replied Ichigo, finished with his explaination and looking at the group before him for their final comments.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I am surprised to hear this” said Turok, since the explanation he had become to respect the boy, after all Tauren society venerate the spirits as wise and noble creatures, although the boy could be wise in some cases, he was mostly temperamental. But the nobility in him shone through based on his actions and his willingness to fight. “I would not think that I would be brought before the presence of a spirit such as you, a guardian spirit if you will.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“We prefer being called balancers, after all that is our job” said Ichigo

<p class="MsoNormal">“I can’t believe you’re so powerful and divine” murmured Adelina, staring at Ichigo in shock; she had truly never met anyone who could be such an important part of the world, she had spoken to her spirit animals within the dream before, but never something along the lines as a being that maintained the balance of souls.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So you were sent here through a portal?” asked Rai, clarifying what Ichigo had told them a few minutes ago about how he was brought here and how the demon was also brought along with him.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, some bastard threw me into a portal and I ended up in the Twisted Nether, nearly died there, barely survived three days there.” Said Ichigo, growling as he thought about that damn Espada, he better not have hurt Orihime or Nel, because if he did he would be as good as dead.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You’re lucky that you landed here than some other world that the Legion has already destroyed” said Turok, it was nearly common knowledge to most of the denizens of Azeroth that the Burning Legion has conquered and destroyed many world across the Cosmos, and the likelihood of him landing on the only one that could actually say they could stand against them was negligible to almost zero.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Still though, three days, that’s a might accomplishment considering” said Rai, mighty impressed that the guy actually could survive in such a hell hole, he hadn’t met anyone who has done so before, but still, that was damn impressive.

<p class="MsoNormal">“One I don’t intend to try and do better on next time” said Ichigo in a deadpanned tone, he was just hoping that the people could create a doorway from one point to the other without him having to travel through some sort of tunnel and end up having to run for his life.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How do you intend to return to your world then?” asked Adelina

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s the reason I’m going to Theramore” stated Ichigo, which made them all realise why he was going there, there was only one real person of interest in Theramore and she knew almost everything about the arcane.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You intend to ask Jaina Proudmoore for aid” stated Turok, to which Ichigo nodded in affirmative, it was a good plan, there were few people in the world who knew as much about the arcane and also was a kind soul willing to help anyone in trouble, and also had a forwarding address.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey, what happened to all the demons and ogres after I passed out?” asked Ichigo

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh them, they ran off after the Dreadlord was killed, the demon’s with their tail between their legs and ogre just following to kill them.” Said Rai

<p class="MsoNormal">“Shouldn’t we leave before they come back?” asked Ichigo

<p class="MsoNormal">“Nah, what are the odd their coming back this way?” said the Assassin

<p class="MsoNormal">“Dere dey are!” shouted an ogre, everyone turned to see a single ogre standing at the only entrance/exit to the courtyard, and he was pointing right at them.

<p class="MsoNormal">As soon as those words left his mouth however about forty other ogres rushed in out of the narrow hallway, all covered in a wide array of armour and wielding many different sorts of weapons and over their blue or pinkish skin was blood, both their own blood and likely a good amount of demon’s blood. They stood at the far end of the courtyard and waited, while Ichigo and co readied themselves for a fight of a lifetime, there was a long standoff between the two groups before one of them moved forward and was looking at something at the side of the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">Looking down they could see the body of King Gordok lying on the ground, and a few moments later one of them shouted out, his words thick and sounded like something that would come out of a mentally retarded hillbilly.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Which one kill bat-thingy, that killed bog boss” asked the Ogre to another one, he thought for a moment, which actually looked as if he was standing stock still and frozen in place, actually they could see a bit of drool hanging from his lips as he just stood there for about a minute.

<p class="MsoNormal">“He did” said Ogre finally, pointing up towards Ichigo, who was a little startled by their presumption, after all from what he has been told about them they like fighting, and nothing is better than fighting something strong.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Whut you name orange head?” Ichigo scowled at the comment, he hated it when people made fun of his hair colour; although he would have to keep his cool otherwise he might provoke them into attacking.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ichigo Kurosaki” he replied, the Ogres looked between one another, and there was some incoherent murmuring within the group for a good few minutes before they all stopped and looked at Ichigo, for another full minute.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then without warning or explanation, the ogres dropped to their knees and bowed, everyone was a little taken aback by the ogres current actions, they had no idea what they were doing, where they actually bowing to them?

<p class="MsoNormal">“All hail new king of Gordok” said one “All hail King Itchygo”

<p class="MsoNormal">The entire grouped turned on the substitute with their jaws slack at the ogres proclamation, he wasn’t fairing any better than the rest of them, being declared king by a group of ogres was something he did not expect to happen to him. He turned to the rest of them and asked the only question that could at the moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What the hell do I do?” they couldn’t give him an answer.

<p class="MsoNormal">Two Hours Later, the Reliquary

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo and company had returned to the library after the incident with Ichigo becoming King of the Gordunii ogres, it was explained to him that most ogre clans had certain tribal laws that determined who lead the clan, and it was a simple: the strongest leads. So when he was revealed to be the killer of the previous king’s killer he took the title, so technically now he was the King of the Gordunii clan, and likely one of the most powerful fighting force within Feralas and southern Kalimdor. Luckily he was able to keep a cool head and ordered the ogres to battle in order to hunt down the demons and remove them from this city completely, they charged off without a single word, likely to carry out the king’s order and also spread the word of their new king.

<p class="MsoNormal">As they walked back they had watched as the Ogres cheer for their new King and give him gifts, mainly pieces of armour and some weapons that they had lying around or scrounged up from the dead, most of it looked like simple clothing or weapon. But a work from Shikil’hi said that many artefacts from ruins such as these can be enchanted and have magical properties, he thanks them for the tributes and told them to clean the place up and get rid of all the bodies and bury their dead.

<p class="MsoNormal">Now Ichigo was with everyone else scrounging around through the abandoned library for anything of value, most of what he found was pieces of armour and a few robes he could use to replace his own one. In fact he found one that nearly matched up to his bankai, a set of dark purple robes that was a long sleave coat that went to the ankles and was buttoned over the chest. Under it was a set of loose fitting robes that were similar to his clothing as he wore before they were damaged, and when he brushed his hands against the fabric he felt a strange tingling sensation run through the tips of his fingers.

<p class="MsoNormal">Obviously Shikil’hi was right; there was magical energy within these items, he was about to try it on when he tapped on the shoulder by Rai, he was then pulled over towards a large table with an assortment of loot. Armour, weapon and trinkets littered the table before them, many of different assorted value, much of it looked like it would be worth quite large amount of money if sold, Ichigo wondered if he should keep some of this stuff, put it up on his wall when he got him or something.

<p class="MsoNormal">“We will distribute the spoils between up, take what you desire and then we can leave this place” said Turok, he turned to see Adelina eyes a pair of green and brown leather leggings, a similar pair of leather bracers, a blue leather belt with a large circular buckle and a chest piece of green and brown. She had obviously already picked out her gear; she scooped them all up and rushed off to a room off to the side, obviously very eager to get out of those ragged green robes and into something a little more clean and sturdy.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo looked down at the assorted pieces and saw a few things he could take, there were a lot of things he could take with him, his bag was big enough and he could also do well with some enchanted gear to keep him protected. He picked up a ring and examined it closely at the silver ring, on it was inscribed several runes that when touched glowed in a golden light, he could also feel something pass from the ring and into him, oddly enough he felt stronger.

<p class="MsoNormal">“An enchanted ring, those are very valuable” said Rai, Ichigo looked up and saw him going through some of the weapons, likely to sell them off for money or give them to his cartel, he would likely never part with his two sword unless they were destroyed or lost.

<p class="MsoNormal">“What does it do?” asked Ichigo

<p class="MsoNormal">“Some are made to increase certain attributes to a person, strength, speed, awareness, some even increase ones mental aptitudes” said Shikil’hi, taking the ring from Ichigo and examining it, before she handed it back and stating “This one has a charm that increases the users strength, those runes correspond with those that are meant to empower a user’s body, it does by funnelling energy into you and making you stronger.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wow, this stuff is incredible” said Ichigo, shocked that such object could exist, true he had seen thing from soul society that were impressive, but this stuff really took the cake.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You should suit up and get yourself some protection, those robes of yours won’t keep you safe against some of the more dangerous foes in the world.” Said Turok, suit up? Did he actually mean get some armour and actually put it on, he was just going to take that coat off that robe and call it a day and maybe he would take the pants but who knows.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t think that would work, it would just weigh me down” said Ichigo, trying to move off the subject of him getting actual armour, he could use one or two of these rings and maybe a new sash, but armour? come on, that absurd.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I wouldn’t be too sure, like that ring in your hands they have special properties other than protection, and also can be altered due to their environment” said Shikil’hi, lifting up a pair of dark marron gauntlets; he could feel something about them that were different. “For example: these gauntlets here have been enchanted to improve a person’s strength and power, but also I feel violent arcane energies within, if you were to strike some with this you might be able to unleash them upon your enemies.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo took the gloves and examined them for a moment, although they didn’t appear much, he knew that using these pieces of equipment could do him a lot of good, but still what good it would do against a Zanpokuto.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Listen, if you not sure take them with you anyway, better to have them and not need them, rather than the alternative” said Rai, Ichigo understood what he was saying and he decided to sort through some of the armour and pick out a few things, Shikil’hi helped in identifying several pieces that could be useful.

<p class="MsoNormal">He had a chestpiece, shoulderguards, gauntlets, bracers, leggings, and some boots. But for now he stored them away until he could really test them out, for now he would wear the rings a few trinkets he had taken an interest it. He had three rings that would be beneficial and a necklace, the three rings were the same one he examined along with one that was solid gold and had a small orange topaz attached to it, which gave off a similar hue, when he put it on either of his fingers he felt his strength rise. The third ring was a similar, but made of silver and had an aqua colour gem attacked to it, from it radiated a similar energy, when he placed all three on his fingers he felt his strength increase, nothing like Bankai or using his mask, but still the increase was noticeable.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Necklace was a simple disk around a silver chain, the pendent was bronze that had intricate etching over the surface that showed off a vertical eye with black wave marking swirling out of it, its pupil was a black diamond that radiated power.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he finished placing the assorted pieces of armour into his bag and the rest of the group were doing the same, including Rai who had found himself a nice new belt made from the golden brown hide of some animal and dark purple fingerless gloves with metal straps for the wrists. However on his back was Uruk’s axe, he turned to looked at the gaunt form of the orc warrior that was laying on the table a few feet from them, he had been brought back and was going to remain there until they left. Beside him was the wrapped form of Hawnia who was brought here by Turok about an hour after they arrived back here, he had left to collect her body and wait for them all to leave. He told Ichigo that they were lucky enough to actually collect the dead, sometimes they would be unable to, and other times they were forced to destroy the remains, so that other things did not come to claim it.

<p class="MsoNormal">Those thought haunted him a bit, after all, what could be so bad out there that you would need to resort to burning the bodies of your friends in order to be safe, when he asked the Tauren he simply said: It hard when they die in front of you, but it’s harder when they come back and you have to kill them again. He had an almost unnatural chill run up his spine when he heard that, there were things in this world that really were starting to scare him, if the dead could walk, then there was telling was else roamed the land and the deep places of the earth.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey Ichigo! How do I look?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo turned to see Adelina standing there posing – her legs spread apart with one hand on her waist and the other on the staff that was extended out to her side – in her hands she was holding a long staff, a silver shaft with a blue cloth wrapped grip near the middle of the shaft. It had a small golden pummel and a headpiece, which was shaped like a pentagon but had inwardly curved edges at it ran up to the top of the tip, on the centre was a deep purple quartz crystal which bathed the headpiece in an emerald glow.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Druid herself wore some very interesting clothing, from her feet up she wore simple shin high brown leather boots that looked almost to be made of wood, on the shin guard was a belt to tighten it and a metal buckle. She wore long green pants of brown leather straps with green silk, which was held up by a navy blue sash with a green leather strap to adjust to the user’s size and a large circular metal buckle to fasten it. Over her body she wore tight fitting leather breastplate that covered her shoulders and arm up to her elbows, it looked bulky but she moved in it with little difficulty, on her wrists were two small brown bracers with green trims. Her hands were covered with tight fitting gloves of brown that had black chevrons along the back, the reached up and covered her arms just above the bracers. And finally clasped on her shoulders was a long cloak that descended down towards her lower back, green in colour with much of the rest of her attire, aside from the edges that was finely decorated stitching of gold patterns over brown cloth.

<p class="MsoNormal">All in all she looked like a would-be adventurer who was ready to set off into the world, Ichigo would have laughed at the sheer change she went through when she put on a different set of clothing, he would have been more set on what he was going to wear as well but decided not to.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You looked like you’re ready to set off into the world now” said Ichigo, which she smiled broadly and beamed at his praise, although she would have liked it if she complimented her appearance, after all she liked it when people say she was pretty.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Our business here is done, the Dreadlord is dead and the city is now under the control of the Ogres, and by extension you” said Turok, gesturing toward Ichigo, as tantalising as it was to have an army of ogres under his control he was more tempted to just to get the hell out of dodge before they came back.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Do I have to lead them?” asked Ichigo, his tone between worry and utter dissatisfaction, he didn’t want to be a king of a bunch of meat heads; he just wanted to go home, but he was worried that if he left them they would all somehow starve to death.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t worry, if you leave they will eventually get a new leader, albeit there will be a bit of fighting but still they will survive” reassured Turok, which did its job because Ichigo visibly relaxed and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding “Now, what will you do now?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo was silent for a minute, he was going to say he was going to go to Theramore but then he remembered something, he still had something he had to do here, even though it wasn’t his responsibility he could leave it without a clear conscious.

<p class="MsoNormal">“There’s something I need to do before I leave”

<p class="MsoNormal">The next day

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo, Adelina, Rai, Shikil’hi and Turok walked out the front gate of Dire Mail, although their departure could have happened the previous day, they were forced to stay within the city after nightfall had come. The reason for their say was due to Ichigo’s request to remain and perform his much needed duty; he had remained behind to cleanse the entire western part of the city of the trapped souls that remained.

<p class="MsoNormal">After nearly six hours of hard work he had cleansed the entire section of the city of over two thousand separate spirits, Ichigo had done more work than any other Shinigami would have done back on his world likely in their entire lives, and more than any of them should do. He had thanked them for staying until his task was done; they simply told him that they considered it a fair trade for the aid in their mission.

<p class="MsoNormal">Everyone came to a stop outside the game and turned to face one another, Ichigo and Adelina stood in front of Turok, Rai and Shikil’hi, in Turok’s arms was the wrapped form of Hawnia and in the hands of an Earth Elemental under the request of Shikil’hi was Uruk. This is where they were to part ways, Turok would back to the Horde encampment to the East and meet up with his fellow tribesman and return to Thunderbluff with Hawnia. Shikil’hi would travel to Ogrimmar to lay Uruk to rest in their homeland and Rai would return to Gadgetzan and get a ship to Booty Bay and back to his Cartel.

<p class="MsoNormal">“This is where we part from one another friend” said Turok, to which Ichigo nodded in agreement, it was a very interesting experience fighting alongside these people, he could almost say that he considered them friends.

<p class="MsoNormal">“It was an honour to fight beside you Turok” said Ichigo with a bow, he then turned towards the two trolls and said his own goodbyes to them “It was nice meeting you two; I would say that I would hope to meet again but I don’t think that would be happening.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey don’t worry about it mon, you did a good thing here, and if you stuck here a little longer then don’t worry about it, you might see us again” said Rai

<p class="MsoNormal">“Maybe” said Ichigo, although he was desperate to return home, but he was also eager to see the rest of this world, after all one could never tell what one could find out there and what Adventures they could have.

<p class="MsoNormal">“May the Earth Mother watch over you, Ichigo Kurosaki, and to you Adelina” said Turok, before he turned to walk off into the wilds, behind him were Rai and Shikil’hi, Ichigo turned to the south and decided to find the road and use that rather than walk around through the woods.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Before you go, a little bit of advice” said Turok, stopping to speak with them for one last time “When you travel through Thousand Needles, beware of the roads, the Centaur are known to ambush caravans and travellers through the area.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine, it’s not like we’re going to walk into their camp or anything” said Ichigo, with their partnership complete the two parties separated and went their own separate ways.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey Ichigo” asked Adelina

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why do you have such a funny name?”