THE TWISTING NETHER

Existing between worlds and dimensions, the Twisting Nether is a highly dangerous and chaotic realm. Mostly due to the demonic entities and their armies, along with other dark forces roaming about. Yet this astral place was transcendent, and the one dimension connecting all the myriad worlds of the universe.

And in the bowels of a blackened stone fortress within the Burning Legion's domain in the Nether, a certain crystal transponder pulsed.

Kil'jaeden, eredar demon lord and acting leader of the Burning Legion, payed careful attention as Mal'Ganis appeared on the large viewing array. For he noticed the subtle signs that the dreadlord was extremely satisfied at the moment.

The curl at the corner of his fanged maw, the upright posture even while kneeling. Signs that Mal'Ganis has made significant progress on his tasks.

Good. There had been a decided lack of results thus far.

The demon lord listened impassively as the dreadlord displayed the new lunar artifact he wielded, and described its varied array of abilities. These worgen seemed useful at least. Controlling beings that were capable of fighting undead without fear was a quite the tool.

But it was the power to weaken space to allow access to another realm that specifically caught his full focus.

He had noted from the beginning that today's transmission was exceptionally clear compared to previous reports, but now wondered if this 'Scythe of Elune' was the cause. If it was, Mal'Ganis had truly exceeded expectations.

Kil'Jaeden had questions, "Stop."

Mal'Ganis halted his report and went silent immediately.

"This lunar artifact, you say it weakened the barrier to this 'Emerald Dream'. Does it weaken space in general as well?"

Mal'Ganis hesitated and looked up, "I-- do not know milord. Its creator did not inform me of such a feat when compelled. But he might never have thought to test it. Nor have I had the time to test it while traversing the hidden realm."

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

The demon lord mused balefully, "The signal reception this time has been strong, is the artifact effecting space where you are now?"

The kneeling demon concentrated momentarily and then his eyes widened and then he bowed his head, acknowledging his oversight.

"It is faint, but space is indeed weaker right now. I failed to notice as it it far more minute compared to what I sensed during the full moon."

Kil'Jaeden nodded. His deduction had been right. This artifact would be invaluable to another plan he was formulating. But it could wait.

"Continue your report."

Slightly subdued, Mal'Ganis picked up where he had left off, and detailed a journey into and throughout a verdant realm, where invisibility was near useless and taking on the illusionary guise of its dragonkin inhabitants. Then Kil'Jaeden noticed the the dreadlord's mood had recovered.

Then he was made aware of why.

The dreadlord continued on, "And I located and communicated with Xavius."

"Stop!" Xavius had been found?! "What of the dagger!?"

"The satyr didn't disclose its location, but implied he had knowledge that it still exists."

Kil'Jaeden closed his eyes thoughtfully. Xavius, the first satyr. Transformed by Sargeras. That was information all higher ranking demons were aware of. But the acting leader of the Burning Legion knew more than that.

Having been personally transformed by the Dark Titan had... resulted in a demon with extra gifts. Mainly, the ability to freely manifest the abilities of other demons. Somehow Sargeras had instilled Xavius with the titan's distilled thoughts on what a demon should be capable of. And on top of that, Xavius had been provided the means to make more satyr's in his image. The Dirk of the Beast.

The first satyr's disappearence along with the artifact hadn't just meant the loss of a powerful demon, but also meant the loss of a branch of demon's with incredibly high potential!

As the demon tasked with recruiting demons, even Kil'Jaeden had been irritated over the demon's supposed loss.

Yet he survived and the dagger still existed. This...

The demon lord gazed down approvingly at Mal'Ganis. Rarely did he get reports with success on this scale. And never from Azeroth. Especially considering the difficulty of Azeroth thusfar.

"Continue the report."

The dreadlord dutifully resumed, detailing the need to provide Xavius with a new physical body, and exiting the Emerald Dream to arrive on a whole seperate continent, and...

After Kil'Jaeden had dismissed the dreadlord with new orders and the communication array had gone dark, the demon lord relentlessly set to work. To account for the the new pieces suddenly available on the board.

Old plans were adjusted and the frameworks of new plans laid out.

After his flurry of activity was over, the eredar demon smiled.

The next step was in his hands.