ALPHA PRIME

Alpha Prime watched silently from a distant hilltop as the newest wielder of the Scythe of Elune departed for the Emerald Dream through a weakened rift.

The demon had grilled him intensely for hours about the realm and the Scythe, until the moon was nearly hidden by the horizon. Only once the demon was satisfied with a rough understanding of the Dream had he ordered the Alpha Prime and the nine others to depart.

He snarled remembering the command.

Already the demon was testing him. He hadn't even compelled him to depart, but instead ordered the pack leader to leave as if he might have been foolish enough to disobey. It was far too early for that.

He snarled again. This time in bitterness due to the outcome of this night.

Alpha Prime had been hunting for the Scythe in Duskwood for months. He sensed it was there and had bitten others to join him in his search, but they'd never been able to pinpoint it.

However, when the presence started fading in Duskwood he'd grown furious and despairing, until luckily some of his outrunners had detected the presence was stronger to the north.

So he had abandoned the cult he had created and headed north, in wild pursuit.

All the way to SIlverpine Forest, where he arrived behind the back of the enormous worgen pack staring at the laughing wielder in the air who soon faded into invisibility.

But he had seen the new wielder. A flying demon.

Stolen story; please report.

Alpha Prime didn't lose heart. He knew who the wielder was, but the wielder had no idea who he was. He would hunt this demon. And strike from ambush once he had found him.

He just had to be careful not to get caught up in the Scythe's compulsions or the fight would already be lost.

And when the presence started fading in SIlverpine he had managed to follow it to Gilneas.

Where he had gotten caught up in the Scythe's call...

Now the wielder knew who he was, and would be alert for Alpha Prime's presence in the future.

In the end, he had agreed to a bad deal, simply to live. He had sensed the demon's desire for his ability to converse with both worgen and humanoid. But knew he would be considered worthless if the demon couldn't wring some use out of him.

However, he figured the demon would come to depend on Alpha Prime despite the bad deal, so he would be able to keep the Scythe within sight.

But a bad deal was still a bad deal. And who knows how long it would take the demon before Alpha Prime got the reward he requested.

He howled and howled, fury echoing for miles and every worgen who heard, ran the other way.

Except his nine pack mates who had slipped out of the Emerald Dream. They were crouched behind him submissively, awaiting his orders.

Finally out of fury to spare, Alpha Prime quit howling to turn to his waiting brothers.

"Follow." And they obeyed.

As they all loped along to find shelter against the rising sun, the druid once known as Ralaar Fangfire felt his mind ease for the the first time in a long while.

He had been hunting the Scythe of Elune for years and despite its presence fading even now, he knew the wielder would return.

Return for him.

And who knows, maybe one day he'd catch the demon off guard and cut the deal short.

Sensing his growing excitement, the pack lifted their heads... and howled with joyous hunger.

THE EMERALD DREAM

In a vast realm of wild, ever-changing beauty, the colors were vibrant and alive, the air sweet with the scent of flowers and herbs.

In a vast realm of wild, ever-changing nature, shadows danced as ancient growth twisted with the wind.

In a vast realm of wild, ever-changing magic, time and distance meant little as spirits, dragons, and dreamers roamed freely.

And in a vast realm of wild, ever-changing beauty, nature, and magic, there was a unnoticed intrusion, by way of a new path, undetected by its guardians.

A demon had entered the Emerald Dream.