User:Peregrine2976/Fanfiction/The Fall of Azjol'Nerub/Part One

Part I Ajar’Zarak moved hurriedly through the tunnels of his home. As he raced forward on his 6 spindly legs, he considered the rumors he had heard. Most of it was probably just nonsense, but all myths and legends had within them a grain of truth. That worried him to no small degree, for the rumors declared in no uncertain terms that Azjol-Nerub was doomed.

As overseer of the Nerubian elite, he was often called to the imperial council chambers, either to keep the peace during a particularly heated debate, or to be informed of potential threats to the empire. Most times, such warnings were little more than more nonsense, but the elites took no chances with the safety of the empire or the emperor.

The council chambers were just ahead. As he approached, the two Nerubian guards on either side of the door stood at attention, then raised up their long spears and pounded them on the floor, a salute to a soldier of high rank. Ajar’Zarak acknowledged them with a brief nod of his head as he passed through the doors into the council chambers.

“Aaahh… Ajar’Zarak. We are pleased you could come today…” the voice hissed out of the shadows that covered the seats where the imperial council sat. The room was large and circular, with a shaft in the ceiling that was designed so that light always shone onto a podium in the middle of the seats at the far end of the room. Consequently, the rest of the room was cloaked in shadow. However, Ajar’Zarak would recognize that voice anywhere. It came from someone he intensely disliked, Anub’Arak, one of the high councilors of the emperor.

“I was summoned, so I came,” replied Ajar’Zarak.

“Good… good…” hissed back Anub’Arak’s voice. “We have a very pressing matter, one that could mean the destruction of the entire empire if not handled properly. My neutrality in this matter is, however, in dispute, so my colleague, the venerable and respected Akun’Aran, will continue from here.”

“Good overseer,” began Akun’Aran. “Yesterday, the Prophet dreamt.”

Ajar’Zarak was stunned. When the Prophet “dreamt”, that meant that he had received a divine order… from the Great One. No one knew exactly what the “Great One” was; only that to defy its wishes meant death for the entire empire. It was said to be a divine being, to have been there at the creation of the world, and even before that. A Prophet would be lucky to dream once in his lifetime, so a dreaming was a momentous occasion.

“The Great One’s command… was that we relinquish the Legacy Stone to it.”

Again, Ajar’Zarak was stunned into silence.

“As we know, the Legacy Stone is what keeps away the frigid cold of this land, keeps the wild beasts at bay, and more recently, hides our home from the Horrors that stalk the land above. It is what keeps us alive. So, this council has decided to defy the Great One and keep the Stone.”

An indelicate noise came from the same direction as Anub’Arak. Apparently he disapproved of this, and Ajar’Zarak was not sure he disagreed with him.

“Revered Akun’Aran… is that wise? To defy the wishes of the Great One…”

“Yes, I know. We debated it for two sunsets before we reached this decision. The Stone has protected us against all dangers thus far. Perhaps it will protect us from the wrath of the Great One.”

“Blasphemy!” came a hoarse cry.

Turning, Ajar’Zarak beheld none other than Aruk’Nahaz, the Prophet himself. The council fell completely silent as Aruk’Nahaz slowly pulled himself into the center of the room. Ajar’Zarak pulled back respectfully to make room for him.

“Blasphemy!” shouted Aruk’Nahaz weakly again. “You would turn against the Great One, against that which has kept us safe from all? You know as well as I the origin of the Legacy Stone! Forged by the first Prophet in the depths of the fire-mountain, imbued with the powers of the Great One itself! And now you refuse to surrender it back to it? What makes you think the essence of the Great One will turn back the Great One’s own fury?”

“We have no choice, exalted Prophet,” explained Akun’Aran. “To surrender the Stone is to die.”

“But to not surrender it is to die as well!”

Akun’Aran thrust his face out of the shadows. “Then at least we shall die with our heads high, instead of dying like obedient dogs at the feet of a cruel master!” Akun’Aran pulled his face back into the shadows. “Ajar’Zarak, prepare the guard. We must prepare to defend the city and, above all else, the Legacy Stone, from whatever power the Great One commands.”

Aruk’Nahaz suddenly cackled. “Whatever powers! Whatever powers! You cannot be telling us that you do not recall your old childhood stories!” He cackled again. “The Faceless Ones, the Faceless Ones, demonic harbingers of the Great One’s wrath!”

“We will not be frightened by fairy tales, exalted Prophet,” said Akun’Aran coldly, the honorific more likely than not a matter of mere habit as opposed to any real sense of respect. “Ajar’Zarak, the guard must be prepared. We do not know what forces the Great One has at its disposal, but we must be prepared to defend the Stone.”

Despite his troubled thoughts, Ajar’Zarak bowed respectfully and exited the council chambers. As he hurried out, the guards saluted him once again. It was the last time he would see those guards alive.

<<< Prologue --- Part II >>>