My Work Continues

The Slumber 1.2

A nightmare, but a nightmare unlike any other. There was a laugh, a deep throaty one and it surrounded his dream self completely as if coming from every direction. His world shook and trembled as the sinister laugh continued, occasionally stopping for a breath and starting again. When it at last died down, he shouted at the darkness, “Come out whoever you are. Who are you that you dare to enter my dreams and mock me behind your veil of blackness?” shouted Medivh in his dream form to the enveloping darkness. The mysterious being let out a snort, and slowly, a huge dark figure emerged.

What he saw was beyond imagination. A beast of humongous proportions with skin made of tarnished bronze, armour black as night but transparent like that of obsidian, but this had a liquid character to it. Its mane which stretched from its upper chest right up to the top of its head was living fire, but it neither singe nor burn anything around it.

Gigantic horns jutted out of its forehead, ending in a curve reminiscent of horns from those of a hill ram, like the ones the Dwarves of Ironforge favoured as mounts. And in its right hand was an enormous polearm-like weapon, black and as liquid-looking as its owner, dripping red with what could only be one thing – blood. Blood like what he had coughed up just a few minutes ago. “Who are you? And what do you want with me? I fear nothing, and you are no different than the countless others who have tried to intimidate me. You do not scare me, foul beast,” shouted the boy. His fear-raked voice betrayed his intentions, baring the fear he had, to all.

“I know, oh ignorant one, oh I know. I knew you since before you were born, little one, before you were even conceived, even before your mother knew. You will know who I am before I am done with you, and you have no way to resist me, as you and I are one and the same.” Medivh’s spirit self just looked on, confused and upset by the being’s words. He and that vile creature were the same person? How could this be? Was this just all a bad dream or was this dream happening because this, this thing intended it so?

“Stop playing mind games with me beast, tell me who you are. The very least I should know of the one who intrudes my dreams is your name, so I can banish you from this world, like I would any other demon,” Medivh managed to spit out, despite his growing uncertainty of his condition, even in his dream world. He had heard of magicians, powerful ones, who were driven mad by evil spirits and who were later exiled for practising dark magic. These practitioners were called warlocks. Only stories and rumours, but nevertheless with enough truth in them to shatter every bit of faith Medivh had in his own abilities to stop this monster.

“You will know me in due time, magician, as will the whole world when I am ready. For now, rest in the peace that you will be untouched, so long as you seek no further of who I am, either from tomes from ancient past or from your superiors in the Kirin Tor. I have use for you,” the snorting demon said, in an uncomfortable kindness. How this dream being knew about the Kirin Tor, Medivh had no idea, and he had no intention of finding out. One warning was as many as he needed and he silently nodded his agreement.

“For now, you will only know me as this - Sargeras.”