Turning Tides

[Zahru II]

Minutes after their recent battle, Isabella, Pizzaro and the mysterious stranger arrive to an abandoned clearing.





Shrouded figure: 'They should arrive any minute now.'



Gurak: 'I arrived as requested bu- Hey, what are THEY doing here?'
Isabella: 'Long time no see, gruesome.'



Shrouded figure: 'Enough senseless bickering! I have summoned all of you here to discuss our next move against the Falx. My master scout should arrive and brief us on their status.'



Shrouded figure: 'There he is! He goes by the name of Thalren the Shade, known for slipping back and forth enemy lines as if he was a ghost.'



Thalren: 'Greetings my liege. The Falx fortress and the surrounding area has become something of a large staging ground. Practically crawling with troops, ork and Falx alike. Also saw some rogue titans, apparently they are in liege with them as well.'
Shrouded figure: 'Excellent Thalren.'



Pizzaro: 'Seems like you were right Isabella, that army and Aetheros were mere decoys while the real army is still gathering.'
Isabella: 'However, that means we still have some time to recuperate. The question is whether we should attack or wait for them to move out and retaliate.'
Shrouded figure: 'Exactly. Knowing the Empire, they are likely to have contacted their elven and dwarf allies by now. Together, we might just have the edge over them.'
Thalren: 'Pardon my liege, but there is something else I need to tell you.'
Shrouded figure: 'Go ahead Thalren.'



Thalren: 'Torquemada sends his regards.'
SF, Pizzaro, Isabella: 'WHAT!?'
Gurak: 'MOVE, FOOL!'



Gurak: 'AAAARGH!'

[Zahru II]

All of them attack Thalren, who just manages to leap away and pull out a toxic bomb.





Shrouded figure: 'Thalren, what is the meaning of this?'
Thalren: 'Simple, "my liege". Our true leader has grown tired of this charade, and is about to take matters into his hand!'



Thalren: 'You shall see.'



Two dark figures emerge from the recently opened death gate.

Ossuran, the Bone-father: 'I am Ossuran, the true master of the Cult of the Corrupted. It is great to see you finally in person, Albrecht.'

[Zahru II]

Albrecht: 'What? But I cut down the cult master in Direwood personally!'
Ossuran: 'Oh, he made a great decoy then! Granted, we all look alike after death. He was a good acolyte, conscripting and converting the living to new members of the cult.'



Albrecht: 'In that case, I shall correct my past mistake in this very instant!'
Mordrak the Executor: 'BACK-'



Mordrak: '-OFF!'
Thalren: 'Such a shame my special poison dagger was wasted on that ashen husk. Guess I will have to simply cut your heart out.'



Ossuran: 'ENOUGH! Both of you.'



Ossuran: 'You see Albrecht, the reason why I haven't murdered you yet is because you are an enigma. I haven't seen anyone to not only resist, but also master the dark gift the chalice of unlife bestows upon mortals.'



Ossuran: 'Most of us never get to awaken our inner necrotic potential throughout our unlife. But you Albrecht... you are already a great death knight. Your deeds are more than commendable. Your planning was first class as well! However, here's a lesson for you: no matter what you plan, the cult will always be two steps ahead you.'



Ossuran: 'It's a shame your heart is still with the Empire! Due to our clash of interest, I just simply cannot let you run loose anymore Albrecht! However, I will give you a chance to absolve your misbehavior.'



Ossuran: 'All you need to do is get past Mordrak and his minions! Seek me afterwards if you make it; we could perhaps "talk over" our disagreements! Hahaha!
Mordrak: 'Let's see if your blade is as sharp as your wits, boy.'

[Zahru II]

Albrecht: 'I shall stand my ground alone against anything you try to throw at me!'



Gurak: 'Not... alone.'



Mordrak: 'Bah, you're unlife is numbered! Nobody survives Thalren's special flesh-eating poison. Not even the dark magic that keeps you ticking!'



Gurak: 'The only thing... that keeps me going...'



Gurak: '... is ORK FURY THAT KEEPS BOILING IN MY VEINS!'



RAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRR-



-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!





Gurak the Blazing: 'Ready, kid?'
Albrecht: 'Ready.'

[Zahru II]

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[Zahru II]

Isabella and Pizzaro regain consciousness as the toxin wears off.



Isabella: *cough* 'What *cough* happened?'
Albrecht: 'We have been duped. Turns out I was played for fool by the real master of the undead, whom are in league with the Falx now.'
Pizzaro: 'Well that's just dandy! Now I'm starting to understand why the natives have such distrust against them!'
Albrecht: 'Regardless, you need to return and report this immediately so that you could assault Torquemada's fortress! Take Gurak with you, I must attend other personal matters now.'



Isabella: 'We need to come up with some cover story why do have an ork with us.'
Pizzaro: 'Perhaps we should pretend that we found him and took prisoner while waiting for backup! How does that sound?'
Gurak: 'Bah, FINE! Whatever it takes to fight for my brethren.'
Albrecht: 'It is settled then. I'll open a deathgate so that you could return. One more thing: you mustn't tell that you met me. My father... the Empire needs a strong leader now! I'm not sure how devastated he would end up upon hearing about me now.'

[Zupponn]

Gurak the Fucking Crazy Badass Mofo

[Silverdream]

Fucking awesome.

[Kommander Ken]

Gurak gets my vote for most badass ork award, if there ever was one.

[Quantumsurfer]

This made me smile. Rare it is to see so much badassery in one place. And this story just got a lot trickier. Well done.

[Bragallot]

Nice twist(s)

So that guy is Albrecht. He has my sympathies, even though I almost got him killed that one time.

Those red undead (Falx skeletons?) look pretty awesome.

You know, I actually missed out on 'Road to Damnation' entirely - I'd totally forgotten about the fate of these characters. Must've been posted during one of my forum activity hiatuses.

I feel a huge battle coming up

[BFenix]

*battle ensues* This is awesome.