Chapter One
I awoke from my long slumber to the sound of a familiar voice. However, the tone was one that I had not heard in a long time. It was the voice of my Father, harsh and stern. Commanding.
Was this a dream? Was I really awake at all? And then, the pain...
The pain.
The pain of my very being, every essence of my form, being ripped through the astral planes. Through the realms of mortals, through the blackness known as space, through the emptiness of the void. Until finally I was unceremoniously slammed into one the most sacred, honorable and revered places any Undead has ever had the honor of finding himself: The Bone Castle, the home of the Dark Lord, the master of the dead - my Father. The screams of 10,000 souls wailed their unending torment, the disgusting forms of the Master's creations writhed and crawled about, the sweet smell of death and decay - all these presences filled me with remembrance.
It had been a very long time since I had been in the Dark Lord's home. Many centuries had past since I left the fold of his dread legion, The Undead Lords. My family, my bond. Thinking back now I cannot quite recall the full reasons for my departure, either through too much time going by, or just the simple fact that I chose not too remember. Either way the pain and longing I felt for my separation from my kin was still as clear and true as the day I retired to my crypt, forsaking any active duty with those who I have called my brothers and sisters for so long.
During my time as an Undead Lord, I had followed many a fellow Lord to greatness in battle and conquest and I had led the war machine myself on several occasions, always striving to spread the power of the Dark Lord throughout the mortal realms. For too long to remember I had done this, I had served the god of death. On many an occasion I was honored to meet with him, to learn personally from him and even from time to time I would reside on the plane of Death for rest in between domination of the mortal realms. However, I never thought I would see this place again, never get to sit with the Dark One or be in his presence. What could he want with me? Could, after all this time, he truly want to seek retribution from his once trusted Ancient Lich? Too many thoughts and scenarios filled my head, what seemed like an eternity could have in actuality been minutes, but one never knows when they are contemplating the worst dread imaginable, and plus I never could quite grasp the measure of time on this plane.
A voice boomed out brining me back from my thoughts, a voice that commands the attention of all who reside on this plane. Immediately I knelt before the Master.
"The Dreaded One...That is what they called him. The puny mortals he slayed in my name feared him so. Oh how mighty he once was."
A laugher that was pure malice and hate ensued shaking the very foundation of the ancient and decaying castle.
"You pathetic piece of rotting flesh, you think that I would forget about you? Who gave you the power that you wield? Who gave the centuries upon endless centuries of undeath that you have had to do with as you please?"
Not waiting for an answer the Dark Lord continued. A hint of disappointment now seemed to creep into his venomous voice.
"Oh how he has returned to me. Did he think his services to me were over? The bond and oath that you made to me were for all eternity. YOU are mine to do with as I please. You do not decide when your services to me are over, I DO. And when that happens you won't even know it. You will just simply cease to exist."
Looking up into the skeletal face of the Dark Lord I felt, for the first time in centuries, real emotion. I felt ashamed.
"I have been busy with other matters, but now I have gotten to you. You are not done. You have had your time to be worthless to me. Now that time is over."
"Yes, my Lord", I replied "Anything you command of me, it shall be so. I shall collect a thousand souls, I shall destroy a 100 kingdoms, I shall spread your word through 10 mortal reams. Whatever your wish, it's my command."
And again with the laughter. It seemed to last for a decade or two. And then finally...
"You think yours shall be a glorious return? You think your worthlessness over the past centuries will grant you any kind of reward from me? Have you forgotten who I am?"
"No my lord, of course not. Whatever you wi..."
"I know it's whatever I wish. You have not served me for some time; you have been worthless to me. Since it is your desire to be "worthless", you can be worthless by rejoining your "kin"...as a mortal."
A mortal? A MORTAL?!! My thoughts were screaming at me to beg for a quick end instead, damn even for a slow and painful end - anything but a mortal life, and even worse, under the command of my once fellow Lords? How could this be? This was impossible. Never in a thousand centuries could I fathom a fate such as this.
"I see you realize the full extent of what this means little "dreaded one"." The Dark Lord smirked.
"No sense in wasting any time, your orders stand - you shall return to the war machine at once - and in the form of a mortal to serve your Lords as a Squire."
The Dark One looked at me for several minutes with a sinisterly amused expression while it all soaked in.
"However, if you can successfully fulfill this task I can promise you a return to your undead form along with a return to your ranking in my undead legion. However, the chances of your survival are, well...you know how it goes."
"Good luck "dreaded one"...." As the hideous laughter trailed off, so did my form as yet again I was ripped through time and space.
From the side of the Dark Lord's throne a shadowy figure materialized and bowed before the Master.
"Greetings Malatesto."
"Greetings my Lord" the Arch Lich replied and then rose to stand before Old Grey Skull.
Both their eyes went to the spot where just a few moments ago knelt the one known as Skunk.
"This should be interesting." Smirked the Lord of Bones.
"Interesting indeed, my Lord."
Both the Dark Lord and his highest ranking minion laughed well into the night at the new found fate of the former Ancient Lich, Skunk.
Chapter Two
"Don't stop until you feel the burn! Don't stop...don't stop!" Mocked Lady Salina as she cast Pyroblast over and over again upon my smoldering carcass. If she really wanted me to stop after I "felt the burn", then this would have ended about 6 hours ago. Instead she has blasted me into almost nonexistence only to have Lord Bixby heal my worthless mortal flesh back up so she could do it all over again.
"You know sis, I am kind of disappointed that the Inner Council has assigned our dear brother Skunk to you as a Squire instead of me. There are many tasks I could think up to keep him busy well past the time his mortal body could possibly hope to exist." Said Lord Bixby.
"The Dreaded Lord Skunk actually dying of old age, how ironic." Grinned Lady Salina.
"Now that would be the true ultimate punishment. However, not even he deserves that I don't think." Said Lord Bixby as he examined my charred and battered body before starting the healing process over, yet again.
"Once you are healed Squire Skunk why don't you run down to Under City and grab me this list of supplies I will need for the next raid." Said Lady Salina as she dropped a rolled parchment next to my still semi charred body.
"Yes, Lady Salina, however don't you mean Shattarah City as we are only but a few miles away from it?" I ask as I watch the skin on my hands slowly regenerate as Lord Bixby casts his spells of healing.
"Did I say Shattarah? No, I think not. I said Under City, therefore I meant Undead City. And while we are at it, it looks to me that Lord Bixby's healing skills are so great that you are healthy enough to WALK to Under City and back from here. So you can leave your war wolf with me."
'Can she be serious?' I thought. WALK all the way through the burning wastes of Outland to the Dark Portal, then from the Portal all the way to Under City and then BACK?
"If this is what my Lady requires of me then it shall be done." I said with a mildly sheepish tone that I remembered using in my previous mortal life on the ladies that seemed to get me my way.
"That is what I require. Now be off - I grow tired of your fleshy smell." She commanded.
Well, so much for that idea. Guess that stopped working on the ladies a few millennia back. Oh well, I can handle a little walk. At least it will keep me away from my sadistic kin.
So off I went down the road, that will undoubtedly lead me past at least a couple hundred different vendors that I'm sure could fulfill my Lady's list of items, to Under City.
Chapter Three
As I made my way through the dusty roads of Hellfire Peninsula I contemplated my fate. The more I walked, the more I fumed. How could after all these years of commanding the undead legion I now find myself serving in it as the lowest of the low? A mortal? My anger grew, and grew and grew.
This road was well known for having many a human or night elf patrolling it since it was so close to their wretched city. Maybe I would come across an Alliance member or two that I could unleash my fury upon.
Just then I heard something off to the left rustling around in the bushes. Could it be a couple of Alliance love birds sneaking off for a little "naked dueling"? If only I could be so lucky, how I would love to drive my blades through their pathetic little throats while they were locked in a lover's embrace.
I stealthed up and made my way towards the bushes, poison dripping swords in hand. The closer I got, the more I felt my muscles tighten, ready to spring forward and slice and dice whatever foul Alliance that may be coddling each other behind those bushes.
Just as I was about to launch myself and my outstretched blades through the bushes a most disturbing, but familiar being popped it's ugly bald head up and out of the bushes.
"Greetings, Skunk! What are you doing out here?"
With an inward groan of disappointment at the fact that this was not a pair of half naked, sex crazed Alliance, but instead a fellow Squire, I said "Greetings Squire Trend. I am making my way to Under City to collect some supplies for Lady Salina. But the real question is, what are you doing out here rummaging around in these bushes? "
"Well, I am collecting some herbs for my Lord Bixby." Stated Squire Trend.
Wincing at the mention of the Lord I just had the "pleasure" of seeing just a short time before I said "Ahh, I see. Well have you seen any Alliance scum around here? I almost sliced you up thinking you were them in the bushes there."
"Gee thanks Skunk. I guess it's a good thing I popped up when I did." Said Trend with no small amount of uneasiness in his voice. He has obviously heard tales of my former exploits and of my lust for killing. A smile crossed my face at the thought.
"It was nice seeing you again Skunk, I must be off, Lord Bixby has many tasks for me - I will tell him you send your greetings, good bye then." Said Trend as me scrabbled to put some distance between him and what he thinks must be some blood crazed looney.
As he turned to leave my blades shot out, going right through his back and protruding out his stomach. Quickly I pulled them out only to lash out again this time severing his left arm. The attacks so vicious and fast Trend never even had a chance to scream out as my blade drove itself through his throat.
As I looked down at my blood soaked hands and blades, then over to the mutilated corpse of Trend, I tried to rationalize what just happened. In the past I never would have even questioned my slaying of a Squire, but this was different - this mortal was a fellow Squire. One who I had gotten to know quite well and one who has sought out my knowledge of the lore and history of the Undead Lords on several occasions. There was no reason for me to do this to him. Not that I have any sort of conscience or remorse left in me - even in my current mortal state - but the pure fact that this made no sense bothered me.
Then off in the distance I hear laughter. I turn and see a few yards away two undead forms seated upon their dread steeds.
"Mind control never ceases to amuse me brother Zers." Said Lord Kanien.
"Me either brother." Said Lord Zers as they turned their mounts and rode off toward Shattarah.
Chapter Four
Finally making my way through the Dark Portal and into the city limits of the Swamp of Sorrows, which always brought back memories of my ancient residence - Dread City, I decided to stop and rest my aching legs in front of the blacksmith's shop.
This mortal stuff was horrible. How could these pathetic beings not be lining up to serve the Dark Lord and embrace the joy of undeath? I'm not sure how much more of this I can stand. I'm all fleshy and stuff - it's really beginning to get on my nerves.
Deep in contemplation, I had no idea of what truly transpired in the next few seconds. I just remember a flash, a roar and me on my back with the wind knocked out of me and two giant very sharp clawed paws upon my chest.
Teeth as long and as deadly as daggers greeted my face as I came to my senses. Realizing that I was just assaulted by an overgrown, beast of a mountain cat, I readied my flash powder to vanish.
"I think he likes you." Said a familiar voice.
"What? Lou is that you?"
"Yep, it's me. And it seems you already met my pet Gabby."
"Damn it Lou, get this flea bag off me!" I said, Cleary embarrassed, as what I thought was as about to kill me, really only wanted me to pet it behind the ears. And the purring, that damn purring!
"Gabby? Where did you get such a ridiculous name?" I said as I got up and brushed a plethora of smithing flux, leaves and cat fur off my leather armor.
"I'm not real sure; it just came to me one day." Said Lou.
"A Gabby you say?" Said an old haggared orc sitting on a stool outside the forge.
"Ya." Said Lou.
"It's a pretty stupid name if you ask me." I said.
The old orc held out his grubby palm and said "For a few coin, to buy an old orc a meal, I can tell you all about the Gabby."
"What are you talking about old man?" I said.
"The value of knowledge is priceless, but for a few coin I would be willing to bestow some upon you two fine sirs." Said the grizzled green orc.
"Sure, why not, if it will get you to get lost as soon as you are done with your history lesson, then it will be well worth it - your smell is beyond that of the stinkiest of corpses." I said as I thrust a hand full of coin into his filthy palm. "Now make it quick, or the last meal you had will really be your last."
Undaunted by my threat the old man dropped the coin in the inside pocket of his stained and worm tunic and leaned in closer to Lou and I.
"The Gabby was an ancient race. They were well known for being one of the hairiest people in all the land."
"Even hairier than a Tauren?" Lou asked.
"A LOT more." Said the aging orc. "They were also known for shaving strange designs into their facial hair and always making their friends wait around while they did it."
I looked at Lou perplexed and he only shrugged.
"Is that it? Is that the great knowledge that my coin bought us?" I said.
"No, there is more. They were very peculiar because they worshipped a man-bat." Said the old orc.
"A man-bat?" Both Lou and I said.
"How the heck could you have a man-bat? How could that pairing even be possible?" I asked.
"It wasn't really a man and a bat combined, but rather a man who dressed up as a bat." Stated the orc.
"Why would a man dress up as a bat?" Inquired Lou.
"No one is really sure of that age old question. And unfortunately the Gabby were a very primitive race so they kept no records of their history - all they kept were drawings of the man-bat. Piles and piles of man-bat drawings strewn about all over their caves."
As I took a moment to absorb what I just heard, I realized that I just got a little dumber because of this new found "knowledge".
"For a few coin more I can tell you about their brother race the Chrissy." The old orc said holding out his hand expectantly.
"Umm, no thanks old man. I really must be off. I have a very important quest I must accomplish." I said.
"It's a really great story though, the Gabby and the Chrissy used to perform a strange ritual where they would sleep together nak-"
"No thank you!" both Lou and I said in unison as we turned to get away from the crazy old man.
"What in the abyss was that old fool blathering about?" I said to Lou.
" I have no idea, but I hope I never hear about it again. What a waste of your coin though, eh?"
"It wasn't really mine." I said.
"What do you mean?" Asked Lou.
"I got it from Squire Trend."
"Oh really?"
"Yea, I didn't think he would be needing it anymore." I smirked.
Chapter Five
After saying my farewell to Lou in the Swamp of Sorrows I made my way North through the Redridge Mountains. This is dwarf country. I was sure to find some diminutive Alliance filth somewhere in these hills - even though I despise these tiny creatures they always seem to remind of my good friend VR. Killing a few dwarfs on my way to Under City should do wonders on improving my current mood. Nothing like the smell of freshly spilt blood to wash away to horrible, and even weirder, day I have been having.
About twenty miles into the mountains I spot a merchant caravan. A DWARVEN merchant caravan! You know what that means don't you? It means lots of very rare and expensive ore and freshly mined gems!
I definitely hit the mother load this time. I could use some of those gems to socket my armor with. Even though I am stuck in this mortal frame, those gems - if cut right- could go a long way in increasing my power. Also, that ore would sell for a pretty penny at the auction house in Under City. And most rewarding of all, the deaths of these bearded beasts by my hands.
As I make my towards the caravan undetected I count about four lightly armed drivers and two heavily armed guards. Most likely these last two are warriors, or possibly even pesky Paladins.
I creep up onto the last wagon's roof and move toward the driver. Blades drawn, I assess the situation and formulate a battle plan.
The driver has no idea just how close his killer is. I draw closer, just a few feet away now...
And then out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of a faint feline form. Reminded of my previous meeting with Lou's pet and the stupid Gabby story I had just heard I am momentarily stunned.
The feline form lashes out at the driver slicing his chest open. Fully materializing after the attack I recognize it as a black panther. Just as quickly as I do, it transforms into a bear and charges the heavily armored guard, stunning him. Up ahead I hear the commotion as another form materializes and back stabs the driver of the lead wagon. The form then vanishes and reappears a second later behind the other heavily armored guard.
By this time the cat turned bear has fully decimated his guard and is moving onto the other two drivers who have taken up a defensive position between the second and third wagon. The bear charges in, completely over powering one of the drivers. The other, realizing his companion has no chance at survival, but he might, turns to flee under the wagon. As he emerges on the other side however, the other attacker is there to greet him with two swords. Using them like scissors he decapitates the fleeing dwarf instantly.
Still a bit dazed from all the sudden carnage and my lack of participation in any of it, I realize that I better be ready to battle these two new foes. As I move in to get a better look of these potential adversaries I see the bear let out a deep roar and change into a huge, hulking Tuaren. A huge, hulking Tauren wearing the tabard of an Undead Lord, that is.
"Well, well Skunk. Lucky for you we happened upon this caravan."
"What?" I said stunned.
Realizing who it was in front of me, I corrected myself.
"What Lord Tourach?"
Materializing next to Tourach was Lord Jiraxx.
"Ya Skunk, I'm sure Lady Salina won't be pleased to hear her Squire was captured by a dwarven merchant caravan." Chided Lord Jiraxx.
"Captured?" I said, dumbfounded.
"We can probably forget all about it though if you would be so kind as to haul all our new found ore and gems to the bank for us. Where were you headed anyways?" Asked Lord Tourach.
"Where was I headed?" still a bit amazed at all that had transpired today. "To Under City...to get supplies for Lady Salina." I said, still a bit confused.
"Great, they have a bank there. You can carry all this can't you Skunk? " Asked Lord Tourach.
"Sure...not a problem." I mumbled.
"Just drop this stuff in bank for us on your way will you? Thanks. We must be off now, preparing for the raid and all."
Just as I was grasping what had just transpired the two Lords were already speeding away on their mounts.
Captured by a dwarven merchant caravan? How could they think such a thing?
"Could this day get any worse?" I said to myself as I loaded up Tourach and Jira's "spoils of war".
Chapter Six
After an uneventful, yet back breaking trek, I finally reached Under City. The great Undead City of this mortal realm. Now, this is no Dread City or Bone Castle - but it is the best damn place in this world for an undead to feel at home. After making my way to the bank to drop off Tourach and Jiraxx's ore and gems I head to the inn for a bit of rest and a bite to eat.
Once I have my meal and my mug of ale I settle down at a nice table over looking the Trade Quarter. Thinking back on my day and what has happened up until this point, I remember my initial reason for making this trip. I pull out the rolled parchment Lady Salina gave me earlier and break the seal. I unroll it and hold it up to the candle on the table to see it more clearly.
On the parchment, obviously written in blood, reads the following....
Squire Skunk, meet me in the Apothecarium.
Lady Salina
After carefully reading and re-reading the text several times to make sure I was actually reading it correctly, I started to think about what this new change in events could mean.
What kind of madness must I endure now? What types of great tortures could they use on me next?
Not one to be known for a whole lot of patience, I quickly discard my uneaten food, slam my drink and head out towards the Apothecarium. I move as quickly as my aching legs allow me to, maybe in one of their tortures they will just cut off my arms and my legs? It would probably be less painful than what I am feeling now after that trip.
After wandering around what seems like an unending maze, I finally find my self at my destination. Looking around for Lady Salina, she suddenly appears.
"Greetings Lady Salina" I say as I bow before my mentor.
"Greetings Skunk. How was your trip?" She asks.
"Oh, as well as can be expected I guess." I reply.
"I'm sure it was." Salina says with a hidden smirk.
"Skunk, there is someone who wants to meet with you." Salina says.
"Who's that m'lady?"
"You shall see soon enough, but before you go, I want to just say welcome back."
"Welcome back?" I ask.
"No time for questions, you don't want to keep him waiting."
"Him...? Waiting...? Who...?"
"Go stand over there..." Salina points to the middle of the chamber.
And then, the pain...
The pain.
The pain of my very being, every essence of my form, being ripped through the astral planes. Through the realms of mortals, through the blackness known as space, through the emptiness of the void. Until finally I was unceremoniously slammed into one the most sacred, honorable and revered places any Undead has ever had the honor of finding himself: The Bone Castle, the home of the Dark Lord, the master of the dead - my Father. The screams of 10,000 souls wailed their unending torment, the disgusting forms of the Master's creations writhed and crawled about, the sweet smell of death and decay - all these presences filled me with remembrance.
Chapter Seven
As Look up I see the Dark Lord seated on his skeletal throne. An amused look on his face. To his right is standing a shadowy form I soon recognize as the Arch Lich, the highest ranking member of the Undead Lords, Lord Malatesto.
"Greetings my Lords." I say and I kneel before the throne.
"Welcome back Skunk." Says the Dark Lord. "How has your experiences of late been?"
"Excellent my Lord." I said.
"Did you learn anything?"
"Well, I learned a few things. I learned that Pyroblast is a very powerful spell, Mind Control can be a very amusing one. I learned about Gabbys, though whether that is good or bad I still haven't figured out. I learned the proper way to assault a dwarven merchant caravan. That ore and gems can get pretty damn heavy when you have to carry them across a whole continent. And that walking from Shattarah to Undercity may be a pain in the ass, but you can learn a lot about one's self in the process."
"Interesting. Anything else?
"Actually yes, I learned that I would rather be a pathetic mortal in the Undead Lords, than any other rank in any other guild in any other realm."
"It's about time. I was wondering how long it would take you to come to your senses." Stated the Dark Lord. "Lord Malatesto and I have been watching your progress from here. Don't ever think that things don't happen for a reason, cause they always do. You will do my bidding, whether you are aware of it or not and you will learn the lessons that I set forth for you."
"Yes, Dark Lord"
"You have served me well in the past, and you will serve me well in the future. Now Skunk, go forth and claim souls in my name and spread death and decay in all the mortal realms....and do so as an Undead Lord."
Speechless, awed and relieved. That's all I can say to describe that moment. To be back with my kin where I belong, to be able to claim souls and spread the dark word....wait a second.
"Dark Lord...?"
"Yes, Skunk?"
"You are going to relieve me of this mortal shell now too right?"
"Of course...Malatesto can you help him with this?"
"At last!"
Malatesto walks up, sticks his hand on my chest and literally rips the mortal flesh from my body.
I feel my undead powers flow through me again, no more aching limbs, no more pathetic need to breathe. Lord Skunk is back. The Dreaded One has returned....