GILNEAS

Mal'Ganis was impressed. The artifact was substantially more powerful than he had expected.

Before the test he had wondered if there might be an upper limit on how many worgen he would be able to control. But now he knew the control was absolute for any worgen who felt the summons of the Scythe.

According to his original plans, now would have been the time to fly away with his experiment reaching its conclusion. With weakened space around him with access to more worgen however, Mal'Ganis couldn't resist taking the time to figure it out.

But the worgen here were no longer needed.

Which led him to simply use the Scythe to urge the worgen to return to their dens.

And due to the absolute control of Mal'Ganis's artifact, they rapidly departed without a backward glance in a seemingly never ending stream.

In the end, what was left were ten worgen that remained in submissive postures. Nine of which had crossed over. Ones that obviously couldn't return to their "den"...

And one hulking male specimen that was clearly struggling to stay, the largest he'd seen, twitching in place with low growls.

Mal'Ganis studied the resisting worgen with some wariness as this was the first one he'd witnessed to be able to fight against the artifact's compulsions.

It was staring back with bloodshot eyes and its front paws were digging furrows in the dirt as he clung to stay.

But when it seemed unable to do anything else, the dreadlord's attention drifted as he started considering how to dismiss them all, when-

"wielDER!"

Mal'Ganis hissed in surprise and eyes narrowed as he refocused on the straining worgen. Which had just displayed the ability to speak the night elf tongue. Something he hadn't known they were capable of despite his thorough 'testing'.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Interesting... This night be more beneficial than he could have ever imagined.

He ceased using the Scythe's compulsions and his target collapsed in a gasping heap while the other nine looked up and then retreated without taking their eyes off Mal'Ganis.

Only stopping after putting a fair bit of distance between them and the winged demon.

Mal'Ganis did not care. He simply wanted to hear what this worgen had to say. Due to its size, he judged it was likely the alpha of the local packs. And since it could communicate, this might be the breakthrough the dreadlord was looking for.

The artifact allowed for simple plans revolving around the lunar cycles, but being able to give complex orders, well... that would open up his options considerably.

If it turned out to be that easy that is. If not, a bludgeon could finish the task just as well as a dagger in the dark, but everything just got a lot messier.

The potential here was enormous, so he willingly allowed the humongous worgen the time it needed to gather itself. But he stayed on guard. There was no guarantee the beastman would be his willing pawn. He would use the Scythe again at the sign of aggression.

Eventually the assumed alpha got its breath back and stopped heaving. Mal'Ganis saw its muscles tighten for a moment and then... it abruptly sat up on its haunches. Even sitting, it was able to lock eyes evenly with the dreadlord.

Mal'Ganis waited patiently.

It examined him, "Wielder. Do you understand me?"

The deadlord acknowledged the worgen, "Yes, I understand the night elf tongue."

"Good, that will make things easier than with the last wielder. Do you know what you hold in your hand?"

"The Scythe of Elune. A relic of Night Elf origin."

"And do you know what it does?"

"Not completely. But I'm learning. Just now, you yourself have taken part in my latest experiment."

The worgen's claws clenched slightly before noticeably relaxing. Mal'Ganis noted the response. Quick to control and hide its true emotions. A dangerous combination, especially combined with its cursed physical gifts.

"Do you want to know its full power?"

The demon paused, then smiled. Now this was the type of dealings he truly enjoyed being involved with.

Mal'Ganis snorted, "Yes, but you want something. Just tell me what you want. If I can't do it, I'll learn on my own."

The worgen's face twisted, "I want the Scythe after you're done with it."

"Why exactly do you assume I would give up the artifact easily?"

Grimacing, "Because you are a demon. One of the Burning Legion's agents. Once you get what you from this world, that artifact won't be of use to you. It is bound to Elune's will here."

"And why are you so sure of that?"

"Because I'm the one who made it."

Mal'Ganis paused again, and smiled even wider. This was turning out to be a truly productive night!