theshadowsparrow

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Theo's Lab (Shadow-planed) Participants: Theo, Npc assistant

A hooded figure tidied the bench along a wall within Theo’s lab while the assassin hunched over a microscope, obtaining several dials along the side. Both worked in silence on the Shadow plane. The laboratory held an odd shape and appeared beneath the ground, with the walls covered in metal plates. The only runes appearing within the lab were on the inside of the single doorway, the closed entrance with an eight-inch dwarven forged steel door. Air ducts overhead were too small for a person to traverse, and the fans switched direction on random timers. Their covers appeared seamless from inside the lab. This location was not Theo’s first location. The raids in Silvermoon had taught him several lessons, and the reason the pair was conducting these tests away from Azeroth.

Every now and then, Theo’s gloved fingers would turn a dial one or another a few ticks in either direction. His careful eyes peered down to the slide, watching how Mori’s blood performed after death. There were dozens of slides along the bench, each held in separate containers from exposure. They ranged from fresh blood all the way to the extracted residuum. Many of the latter were reserved for him to test the blackened substance with some of his own creations. He wondered how well the spirit’s essence took to his secret pet project - ebon vine. Part of Theo knew he shouldn’t, but the rest of him said fuck it.

The Shadow Sparrow’s head lifted, and deft fingers released the microscope’s lens in close proximity before the slide was removed from the stage. The assistant eased over and took the slide, placing the next one into Theo’s hand in one smooth motion. This was not the first rotation of the set, nor likely to be the last. Observation came before notation. Right now, Theo was watching, seeking answers to questions that kept popping up, and there were a great number of them. One thing he’d known prior had been confirmed - the spirit was lingering and seeking to be revived. The one fact stood above all - it wanted a new host.

Casting a quick glance over the instruments to the stasis tanks where two bodies lay, Theo knew he would have to draw new samples soon. He also understood that he would need to find a suitable weakness to neutralize the lingering substance inside Mori. So far, he found no traces inside Aren’vial. The trauma the elf had sustained had made him eligible for revival. However, none of the redhead’s friends had mentioned such yet. Theo still contemplated the consequences if he were to return the elf to the living if he made that choice. More for the stilled elf than those currently breathing.

The next slide came into focus. The black and purple strands twisted and spiraled across the slide’s glass as if reaching toward something, anything, in desperation. It was almost as if eyes peered back, only there was no blinking. Theo watched the struggling substance under his gaze with a silent sigh. He used a syringe to inject the first substance of many trials to observe how the spirit’s residuum would react. Would it feed? Or would the spirit shrink from the essence extracted from Lightforged blood? 

The moment the two substances collided, they separated, avoiding each other. Incompatible. But then, they began to combat, attacking the other until the slide began to sizzle and break. Glass shattered, and Theo’s head lifted with a minute, audible sigh this time. Resting against the back of his chair, his assistant hurried over to clean up the mess, resetting the microscope to default after noting the settings on a notepad. 

The two exchanged a look before the next slide was set into place, and the lens lowered. The next test would be Theo’s hubris. A drop of his own blood. Not magically adept, he still held some secrets within his heritage. The rare ability to traverse planes seemed to be his true gift, apart from the extreme skill of killing others. Theo did not consider his hobby, his expertise in toxicology, worth mentioning for the test, despite having ensured his blood was formidable against many substances. Yet, his own abilities did not make up the full recipe of his blood heritage. The syringe let go of a single, small droplet of his blood, and Theo’s eyes remained unblinking to discover how the pure residuum sample reacted.

He had a small bottle at the ready, a solution of sodium sulfite. The twisted parasitical strands fed on his blood and pulsed, multiplying as a creature would when healing. Theo squirted the nozzle of the bottle instantly after his observation, dousing the slide in the solution to starve the residuum from air and life, also killing his blood sample, rendering it useless. The assassin’s eye remained, watching as the residuum’s strands uncoiled and thrashed about, searching the full extent of the slide for Theo’s blood. He also noticed that the eye-like clusters had formed together in the center, as a creature would in survival mode.  

The slide was removed and placed back into its own container. Theo took a moment to make notations. He exchanged another glance with his assistant before the next slide was moved into place.

This went on for what would be days on Azeroth, but time passed differently on the Shadow plane. He was able to work at length over the span of a few hours and return to deal with other matters outside the Shadow plane. His assistant would remain, despite the danger prolonged exposure posed. The bodies and samples had to be secured, and Theo could not be present the entire time. He had an organization to run and people to groom, after all. 

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Northrend Participants: Theo, Npcs

[This is after the death of IC player Moriarty and his best friend Aren'vial]

The harsh Northrend winds quickly froze the recently fallen warriors dangling within the claws of Theo’s Shadow Omen. The wide wingspan of the massive bird cut through sleet and wind gusts, forcing it, the rider, and the cargo higher until all entered the clouds. The air grew thin and was below freezing. As his mount found less turbulent conditions, Theo was forced to quickly pull on goggles and a facemask in order to survive at such elevations. Tipping forward, a hand reached to move some feathers and peer down to ensure the bodies of Moriarty and Aren’vial were still suspended within the security of the netting. Thankfully, they were. With the battle having been fought so close to the Ice Crown Citadel, any sort of flight was perilous. Coaxing with a heel, the Shadow Omen tilted to head south.

When enough time had passed, another nudge turned them to the east. A quiet word told the Omen the desired destination Theo wanted to go. It was not long before the bird suddenly dove down, forcing Theo to flex his core and hold on tightly. They crested the clouds to appear over Dragonblight, heading straight for the ground. Theo could see archers below pointing before bows being drawn. At the last moment, the Omen spread its wings to spiral downward, giving the night elves below enough time to identify them. ‘Fucking fel.’ A small squawk chirped from the side of the bird’s beak, either hearing Theo’s thoughts or laughing at him. Perhaps both. 

Motion down below continued, as he suspected. Gurneys were brought out. Theo cleaned the front of the goggles to discern who among those below was in charge. It soon became apparent by the time they landed. The bodies were gently set down by the bird before the assassin’s mount hopped back and stilled, allowing Theo to jump down. Once clear, the Omen flew off. “We nearly shot you down,” sounded one of Star’s Rest Sentinels. “Nah, we were still out of range. The bird knows.” “Even still-” “Use it as training,” Theo cut her off, smirking, removing the goggles and facemask. 

The blue-haired beauty pursed her lips at him. She was the one in charge. Theo had to refrain from grinning. Now was not the time to consider his next bedmate.

“Tell me, Commander. Are the mages prepared?” Theo asked, eying her form with close scrutiny. “Yes. Although, more heads up would have been appreciated.” “I gave you most of the day, including supplies.”

He sounded disinterested in her complaint, now glancing around at the small encampment. Theo chose this place because of its isolation. It was infrequently visited by outsiders, so visibility would not be likely. Here, they would secure the bodies in a neutral stasis to prevent any cellular decay or loss of magical residuum. He needed them exactly as they died to ensure maximum potential was reached in future work. Already enough time had passed. Theo met the Commander’s gaze directly and without expression as if waiting.

“It should only take an hour,” she explained. “Make it ten minutes.” “That’s not how magic works,” the Commander returned, starting to sound irritated. “It does today.” Reaching behind him, Theo retrieved a pair of gloves to pull on while clearly not giving two fucks at her mouth opening and closing. She turned and marched off. It was then Theo fetched a candy tin from a slot on his armor to open and plop a piece into his mouth to suck on. It took twenty-three minutes for three Winter Sisters to preserve the bodies at their current stasis and two arcanists to enclose them in arcane orbs safe enough for travel. The process would have taken longer had Theo not been quietly walking in a circle around them, stalking as a silent menace. Once it was completed, the assassin gave the location for them to open up a portal to transport the bodies through.

“And now, for your end of the agreement,” spoke the Commander beside Theo. “You will see it in a couple of days. This was sudden and personal,” he explained. “Did you-” the night elf leader began. “No.” 

Once again, Theo cut her off, but his tone was curt this time. He instantly turned away from her and walked off. When there was enough area, he gave a shrill whistle. In a matter of seconds, the Shadow Omen came close to the ground. Theo launched himself high and caught the side of the saddle before pulling himself the rest of the way. Now that Mori and Aren’vial were safely inside one of his personal labs and their bodies were secured, he could attend to other affairs. After all, he had promised to help Kastyl vend at the Fire Festival. Theo was most curious about how she was faring while he rode away southward across the sea.

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Eastern Kingdoms -> Edge of Silverpine Forest Participants: The Shadow Sparrows (collectively), Worgen Npcs

<<< This is an ongoing storyline that requires multiple posts, which will be given its own blog. If you are interested in reading, this chapter is about the Shadow Sparrows' (Theo's selective task group) assault on a rogue Worgen clan. The story details the conflict, which includes violence, gore, and profanity. (As of right now, it is unfinished and current status: to be continued.) >>>

Look for the blog "Edge of Silverpine Forest" to read more!

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Dalaran Underbelly Participants: Theo, Lae'lia (Sin'dorei warlock)

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Theo’s back stood against a brick wall, one foot flat pressed to it as well. The alleyway in the belly of Dalaran stunk of rat nests, degenerate piss, damp air and sin. Paradise. This time, Silvermoon’s orphan wore a mask over his eyes to leave his mouth in plain view. He picked away at something caught up between an elven fang and the tooth beside it with a toothpick. The sound drew closer on the stones.

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“Theo…dayne…”

He hissed, pushing off the wall and tossed the shard of wood aside. A growl rumbled out from his chest.

“I’ve half a mind to cut your tongue from that pretty face. You dare speak that name here?”

Her laughter richly flowed from her lips and licked his frame too deliciously… too dangerously as they made their mutual approach. She was dressed to capture a man’s soul and break his heart at the same time. High heels continued to sound on the ground with her measured saunter. Theo crossed his arms and while his fingers itched to draw blades to sink into her flesh. That wasn’t the only thing on his body tempted.

“Is that a crack in your armor I see? Tsk, you’re losing your edge.”

Theo grunted as the female elf came to stand before him, smelling of unfulfilled promises and temptation embodied. She stood just beneath his chin, hair the shade of dried blood that glistened in the dull lighting of the alley as if it was slightly damp. Curves for days with her ample hips and plump, firm breasts. The tapered waist where the silk clung begged to be touched, tested as did the strength of those thick thighs. He’d watched her ass plenty of times to know it on sight. She knew her looks afforded her liberties that no one else on this planet could otherwise with so many.

One of her painted nails reached up to press into his abs. Theo didn’t even hesitate as he struck out, hand moving to grip behind her head and fisting a handful of her hair. Her hiss was that of a viper as he angled her head back. She grinned up at him.

“There’s the Shadow Sparrow I know,” Lae’lia purred and Theo gripped her hair even harsher to bring on a familiar sting. His hand struck her waist, turning her before shoving her face into the brick. His body came quickly to align against her own, pressing her there. All she did was laugh again, its sound echoing down the narrow passageway. Dragging nails up the rough stone, Lae set her palms flat while rocking her hips back into his pelvis. A pout came to find him unaroused.

Theo growled again through clenched teeth. He spoke slowly, making damn sure she understood his words. “I didn’t bring you here for this. Now, tell me what the fuck it is I want to know.”

He’d be a fool not to admit his flesh was tempted, but he’d be a bigger fool to show it and give her any leverage over him. Theo forced images of fucking idiots praying to false gods in the Cathedral in Stormwind, and there was no chance this vixen was gonna win over that. She better not. Theo lifted her head a small fraction only to shove it right back against the stone again, not giving any shits if the brick scratched or marred her features.

“And you better keep those hands right where I can see them. I don’t need to let go of you to kill you,” he drew close to her ear to remind Lea before taking hold of her earlobe, biting it harshly.

She bucked against him, the tone escaping her mouth sounding pretty damn close to that of a moan. Once, she thought he'd been under her thrall. Once, they’d spent a single night of utter debauchery that Lae was convinced she’d found her mate in life only to awake to an empty bed. No note. And, he’d robbed her. She recalled that now with fondness as she ground her ass against him again, hips shifting back and forth trying to get /him/ to pay any sort of attention to her. “You know I like it when you hurt me, Theo.”

Fuck all the gods, false and true. This woman. He began to shove her head further into the wall and push himself away when one of her arms lowered, gripping at his waist in a desperate attempt to keep him near her. “Wait! Just…,” Lae’lia bit her bottom lip as Theo smirked. The negotiations had begun. “If you just be with me again, I’ll tell you whatever it is you want to know. I’ll tell you everything”

“I’m not buying it, Lae,” Theo replied and this time, he pressed his hips into her ass, pressing his lean form into hers, a display of strength to her softness. “I could fuck you right here, right now and get you to spill your fucking guts, sure. Or, I could spill your fucking guts as you tell me what I want to know anyway. How about we forego both, hm?”

Theo felt her stiffen beneath him and the dark beast preened within him. He was itching for a fight and this delectable warlock was the perfect specimen for such. It made him wonder where the fuck her precious imps were, his spidey senses hadn’t gone off yet. Had she really come here alone? Or her damn voidwalker bodyguard. Lae’lia almost never went anywhere without it. Probably guarding the alleyway. Theo made peace with this conclusion just as he felt the elf beneath him slowly relax, submitting under his will. Satisfaction filled him but Theo hungered for more.

“Fine, Shadow Sparrow. Have it your way,” Lae snapped before dropping her arms down by her sides limply.

Theo eased his head down by her neck, tugging on her hair to angle her head back so he could kiss the side of her flesh. “Good, now we can fuck.”

<< FADE TO BLACK >>

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Eastern Kingdoms -> Silvermoon Participants: Theo, Npcs

The air was chilly down in the depths of Silvermoon. Theo was looking to sever the ties with life of anyone who stood in his way, so people parted for him as he kicked the door open and stalked into his office on the winds of his small victory in the Swamp of Sorrows. He instantly began dumping blades across the desk filled with journals and papers of all manner of reports. His daggers came first, covered with the clinging gunk of spiders and troll juice. Then the axe he’d claimed for himself in Northrend with Moriarty when the man took the Jarl seat, was set against the side of his high backed chair. Theo didn’t bother with the dozens of throwing daggers and darts. It’d take too damn long.

“Well?”

A shrew of an elf walked in hunched over, clasping his hands together nervously as his eyes darted all about the office trying hard not to look at the other elf within. He gave a few weak coughs to clear his throat before the high pitched tone of his voice squeaked out.

“Everything is in place, sir.”

Theo tossed himself into the chair, kicking his feet up onto the desk not bothering to care what he dislodged at the moment. A hand fell over his features while the other reached forward for the one thing that could sate his appetite at the moment- information. The wax seal on the scroll was unbroken as it hovered over to one side on the desk. His fingers snatched it up quickly, thumb brushing over the seal intimately to decipher who’d sent it.

“And no one suspects I’m here right?”

“No, of course not, sir! We’ve… dealt with it,” the shallow man of an elf cringed and cowered as Theo’s hand flew away from his face, eyes striking him harshly with that blank stare. Sometimes he wished Theo would shout, would growl, anything but that unfathomable nothingness. A snivel left his lips as he shook in his silk slippers.

“Dealt with what precisely. Leave no details out,” Theo ordered, enunciating his words. The scroll could wait as he set it down, feet lifting up into the air before he brought them over and lowered them down in a controlled manner. Silently, he rose and walked over to circle the lesser Sin’dorei, who was so far up in debt that Theo could ask him to commit the greatest crimes in Azeroth for him, and he wouldn’t think twice. Not that the man was capable beyond being a skilled informant.

Another snivel and the man cowered further, trying to appear as small as possible while Theo’s trained eyes watched closely. His name was No’daras and he cursed the day he’d crossed paths with the raven haired cousin all those years ago.

“Nothing was detected at the meeting, sir, until after we concluded. But there was a rat,” No’daras was speaking fast, almost stumbling over his words. “Considering where we were, sir, we thought nothing of it until the color of its eyes looked funny in the lighting. I killed it instantly which caused a scream nearby so we gave chase. Ahh!”

Theo stepped up close so fast with a blade under the man’s chin touching tip point up. They were nose to nose and Theo wasn’t breathing as focused as he was, waiting….

“I swear it, sir! We took care of them and covered our tracks! No evidence left behind. Please, don’t kill me…,” No’daras began to blubber and sob holding as still as he was able to. The tip of Theo’s drew a droplet of blood and his informant’s face paled.

“We stop all operations effective immediately.”

“But, sir! I swear to you-” No’daras’ eyes widened with horror as he felt the pressure of that blade digging further upwards. The fear that this was his last day filled him, yet also a sense of acceptance in knowing he’d no longer be a slave to the dreaded assassin. Before he felt his life force slipping out of him, the blade was pulled free. No’daras gasped in shock and fell to his knees, not caring about the pain that shot up through his boney knees.

“Thank you, sir. You are ever merciful!”

Theo kicked him off, shoving No’daras away before licking off the tip of the small dirk to taste the blood there and know the truth of those words. Theo still hadn’t taken his eyes off the pathetic figure at his feet.

“Send out the word. The operation is a bust. Someone knew about the meeting happening which means there’s a leak somewhere, or at the very least, a weakness in the process. We will bide our time and start anew. Now get the fuck out of my office and get the shit done.”

No’daras thanked him several more times while crawling backwards out of the room. The elf also closed the door to leave him peace. Theo ran a hand through his rich ebon locks before turning around and looking at his desk, to the hovering scroll awaiting him. He walked around, thinking how it had come to pass that someone had learned about his movements in their precious city. A fist reached out and he punched the wall. Everything on it shook with the impact, but he didn’t care. This setback wouldn’t be the end of anything but it was a goddamn annoyance.

If only his vices weren’t the very thing that was affected by such failures….

[theshadowsparrow]

Created by a dear friend, BleuDream. 🖤

[theshadowsparrow]

Swamp of Sorrows - Part 4 FINALE

Sharn

Sharn grunted as she walked away, still aching from being tossed around like a rag doll by the undead dire troll. The thing had really done a number over her. And yet, the potion Theo had her drink was unlike anything she’d put into her body before. As a proud orc, she preferred fighting her own battles by her own merit. If she died, then so be it; she’d have died well. Still, her oath to Theo was left unfulfilled. So, she’d taken the unfucking believable delicious liquid down her gullet without a word, trusting him. The way her body had woven itself back together, sinew and bone healing itself without magic, had her wondering what bad omen he’s wrought over her this time.

Making her way to the edge of the room, she nearly lost the contents of her empty stomach when she walked up to one of the piles, finally seeing what Theo had earlier. Sharn didn’t care about the stench. Her mother was from the Laughing Skull clan. Body parts randomly showing up and tossed into a corner of ‘home’ being told it was ‘food’ before hearing the laughter is how Sharn swallowed the stomach bile down. She released a grappling hook high into the recesses of the ceiling, trying to find some place for it to hook. It took a few tries but the third attempt finally stuck. Testing the grip, Sharn swiftly tugged her way up into the crook of the wall before climbing and doing as Theo asked- finding the air ducts and plugging all but one up. Shouldn’t be hard. Hell, most of them should be plugged up for her after this shit hole had been left to rot for so long.

But then, where had all those bodies come from?

Theo

This fucking place had been trashed and it pissed him royally the fuck off. Whoever had put the Gurubashi dire troll here had signed their death warrant. Worse than that. He’d personally ensure that their soul wouldn’t pass on. In fact, their soul would be ripped to so many fucking shreds that each tiny thread would be in such eternal torment, there would be no single moment of release, no reprieve to even be able to beg for mercy. Even then, Theo wouldn’t be satisfied. Beyond death wouldn’t be good enough for him for the person responsible for violating one of his safe houses.

“How the FUCK had they gotten in here?”

He shifted through the debris, kicking whatever was in his way or moving rubble off in layers as he went about it. Despite the rage that rolled in tsunami waves through his flesh, he took great care not to cause further destruction lest he ruin any sort of evidence he might recover. None of the furniture had survived. Not one single fucking piece was intact. Theo was well aware that daylight was burning, knowing what that meant for them once the sun set in the Swamp of Sorrows. The countless souls who had perished trying to cross the bogs never left the area, left to rise and wander come sundown. Anyone thinking to be left camping in the area outside a few safe areas were damn fools. Then again, Theo thought to himself with a wicked smirk beneath his covered face, he was one of the biggest fools of them all.

“Hurry the fuck up!” Theo barked while moving deeper into the chamber.

With a rise of shoulders, he heaved a hefty sigh, emptying his lungs until he felt the low weight of his body struggling with the lack of oxygen. The task he was about to set for himself was not going to be pleasant, but necessary. Not until the trigger for survival hinted would he then begin the slow inhale while sniffing the air. It would mean taking in ALL the scents of the room. Theo prided himself on not having a scent to himself, or rather smelling like his surroundings that he either left no trace or he blended so fucking well he got away with so much shit. The decay, the near exploding bodies, the dust, all the mold, the feces and piss from the undead dire troll, bone dust, and finally… Theo’s keen sense of smell as well as a part of him, deep inside tingled upon something. His head turned towards a torn apart desk and headed for it. Leaping over a swollen leg, a skull with a shriveled eyeball dangling out by the thick optic nerves sitting on top of several other bodies, he has to wonder if they fell into the place or if someone came here to feed the big fucker. There hadn’t been any traces of someone opening that door up top but a portal or…

“… warlock fucking gate. MOTHER FUCKER!”

Theo knew what he’d find even before tearing the desk away from the ground where it’d landed after the battle, shoving it to the side. There, along the stone, were the remnants of the outline. Evidence of the fucking shadowgate. The smell of sulfur still lingered in the air and whispers of shadow magic clung to the floor near his feet. Theo instantly backed up a step and hissed through clenched teeth. He drew out a blade and a small pouch before lowering down to a knee. Taking the greatest of care, Theo began scraping along the stone along the outline his eyes could decipher.

“Either you’re a careless sonofabitch, or you want me to find you. I hope it’s the latter. Been awhile since I’ve planted a warlock’s head on a spike.”

Sharn

The orc covered her mouth with the crook of her elbow, hacking up her lungs while dirt and dust fell from the air duct above her. She clung with the other hand, fingers curled around the grooves within stone. Muscles ached while flexing to support her weight but she could handle it. Sharn lived for shit like this. Once the debris stopped shifting and falling, she wiped it off her face and took a glance up. This was the largest by far that she’d come across. All she had to do now was get it clear. That’s not what was bothering her.

“Boss? We’ve got a problem.”

No answer. What the hell, Theo. Sometimes the elf was no help at all and Sharn felt underpaid. No, that wasn’t true. He always made good on the arrangement made prior. That was on her, never negotiating properly before accepting the jobs he offered her. Slippery fucking elf. The problem was the many sets of red eyes glowing down at the top of the air duct at ground level.

“Don’t you fucking look at me. I killed two of your kin already. You want to join them? Try fitting down the chute and see whose odds are better… bitch,” Sharn taunts the spiders above. Chittering and a hissing comes from the openings of their mouths where the fangs are. She has to move quickly as venom drips down in their anger. Did they really understand her? No fucking way. All of a sudden, she could hear clicking and movement coming down the air duct. There was no chance one was gonna stuff its fat body down the chute. Keeping her eyes squinted, Sharn dared a peek up the opening and she yelped before instantly moving away. Hundreds of tiny spiders were headed her way.

“Incoming, boss!!!” Sharn bellowed out only to get what she thought was something along the lines of ‘handle it, I’m busy.’ “… FUCK! Okay, think. What would Theo do? What would mom do? Eh heh.”

The orc tore her hood off her head and placed it between her mouth. Next, she pulled out a flask from her pocket. It had miraculously not been tossed out. The spiders were nearing. Her eyes looked towards the air duct and she could see a few of them nearing the ceiling. She had to act fast! Dropping the flask, thighs closed fast to catch it. They failed her but her boots managed to grab hold just in time. Using her blade, she wrapped the damn hood up in it before touching the oil soaked material near the line of fire that lit up the chamber. It flared instantly up causing her to look away but she didn’t hesitate to push her blade into the air duct. The scream of tiny spiders wasn’t something she’d forget any time soon as the sound of her giggles began pouring out of her lips.

The spiders backed away, but they were many. With her feet holding the flask, Sharn flexed her abs and rocked herself to shake the oil upwards and splash the contents up at the spiders. One sweep of her makeshift torch set any touched by the oil ablaze. More hisses and the pungent of sizzling spiders filled her nostrils.

“Smells like dinner to me, eheh. You want more? I told you not to fucking come down here!”

The spiders on fire dropped down onto the ground below, writhing in the final throes of their death. The larger spiders above screamed out their fury above, helpless to do anything about it. That just made Sharn laugh even louder, feeling part of her heritage blossoming within. Every time she tossed a bit of oil up and each sweep of her ‘torch’ took more out. They had to get past her if they wanted to enter the chamber. Sharn was unrelenting and seemed to delight in their demise. A few clicking sounds from above and the spiders reluctantly began retreating.

“Aw, you’re leaving me? We were just starting to become friends!”

Theo & Sharn

“You done playing up there? We need to go.” Theo was done gathering up the evidence he needed for a hunt he’d later pursue. Watching Sharn dangling like a goddamn monkey from the ceiling toying with lethal spiders was amusing and all but they didn’t have time for this bullshit.

“Huh? Oh yea. I was just finishing up. All clear!” Sharn waved her dagger, dislodging her burning hood whose material didn’t seem to diminish despite the flame. She released herself and slipped out of view for a moment. Theo knew she’d reappear close by, already starting to head for the other room from where they’d entered from.

“How are you gonna clear the place, boss?” Sharn inquired, reappearing hot on his heels, having shadow stepped in midair.

Theo quirked a smirk, not looking back as he kept on walking, already at the staircase. He was taking the steps two at a time. “You’ll see. And if there’s a spider army waiting outside for us, I’m not going to be happy.”

Sharn sighed, nodding. They both slipped into the shadow plane as Theo depressed the lever to release the door that locked up this place. It made her wonder how many of these safe houses he had. This was the fifth one she’d been brought to and none of them were even close to the other. It made her wonder who the fuck he was, really. Sharn returned her focus to the sounds of the swamp instantly sharpening with the stone grinding coming to a halt. Both of them shot outside to see what awaited them. Nothing.

Theo turned his head to the side to simply give a glance back and gave Sharn a single nod. Both parted in opposite directions as they made a sweep of the area to see if the coast was clear. Their dinghy was still tied to the dock. That was a good sign. The dead bodies of the animals they’d killed upon arrival were gone, telling them others had stopped by and took the free meals. Sharn made a wider sweep looking for tracks while missing her hood already. She’d forgotten her spare.

When Theo came upon some slightly singed earth, he stopped and peered down a hole that he could fit done. The air duct. Two fingers set to his lipsl and he hailed Sharn with an intricate whistle that sounded like one of local tallstriders, but quick. The orc swiftly made her way over and they both peered down inside.

“So?”

“You ready for this shit?”

“I’m not getting any younger here, boss.”

“That’s for fucking sure.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Theo slipped back onto the normal plane of existence and reached into one of many of his pockets. Sharn really wanted to catch him out of his armor to examine it, just once. The elf produced a small glass bottle with a goblin label that had a name scratched out before someone had scribbled: ‘aw fuck it, blow ‘em all up.’ Her eyes widened as she looked to her boss on the shadow plane still, covering his back. What was he about to do?

With the utmost of care, Theo pulled the cork free of the silver, black powder inside. Gently, he began to pour it down the air duct at a slow rate. He also blew downward so that it wouldn’t come back into his face. Each time he came close needing to inhale, he’d pause the pouring and finish the contents of air in his lungs before filling them back up. Only then did he proceed until all the contents of the jar were gone. Theo stood up and he gave Sharn a wicked glance. Sharn watched Theo put cork back onto the bottle and the glass vessel disappeared back into a pocket. What came out was a lighter and her eyes went wide. She instantly came out of the shadow plane.

“Boss, what if it collapses?”

“If that fucker couldn’t bring the house down, nothing can.”

flick

Sharn reached out across Theo, trying for the lighter but the slippery elf was too quick for her. The lighter was dropped down the air duct and her instincts kicked in, forcing her to turn on a heel and start running. In the wake of her back turned on him, she could hear Theo’s dark chuckles ringing loud in her ears.

whoooosh

Theo was running right beside her and shoulder checked her, right into a log at her feet. Sharn stumbled and cursed at him. Theo laughed harder as he gained distance ahead of her.

“You fucking cheat!”

“No, you just are never prepared.”

Behind them, the sudden inferno that blasted out of the air duct sent off enough heat that she felt as if her armor might melt into her skin. The force of energy made the ground rumble at their feet and the impact hit them until they both tumbled into the shadow plane. All around them, the wild creatures came to life with sounds of protest and moving rapidly out of the area. All of the air ducts now of his safe house were shooting out pyres of fire as everything below ground in the chambers burned. But not the walls. Not the structure. Those warlocks he’d paid to build the place had done their job well. Just as his guess was they’d been the ones to take it back. He’d find out, his evidence safe on him

The two ran before laughing as they circled back towards the dingy. It would take almost an hour for the powder to run its course and everything within to burn to nothing. They boarded the small boat while the heat kept everything in the vicinity away. As Sharn pushed off with Theo sitting there like a fucking Sin’dorei king, arms crossed and legs kicked out casually, she had to give it to him. He had balls. Every job left her feeling glad to be alive.

“So what now boss?”

“Now, we get it ready for a very special guest.”

Fin

[theshadowsparrow]

Swamp of Sorrows - Part 3

Part 3

Not taking any chances, Theo went over and began slicing and hacking at the dire troll’s head to cut it clear away. Off in the distance, Sharn groaned.

“Nice of you not to die,” Theo teased her, his arm feeling the strain as he got to the spinal cord.

“Not yet,” *the orc called out where she’d landed.

The head required him to set the spine against his blade and him standing on top of the neck, jumping until it snapped clean. His blades weren’t dull. It simply wasn’t an easy job with how massive this thing had been. After about five minutes, Theo accomplished his task with the head severed and away from the body. He’d seen too many times, where somehow blood magic allowed heads to fuse back onto the bodies and fuckers came back. Not on his motherfucking watch. He dragged the head into the room they’d come from.

Returning, Sharn still wasn’t on her feet but Theo took a glance around the inner chamber for the first time. He gained some insight as to why the stench had been so bad. By now, they had acclimated though it was still pretty rank. Piles of bodies littered corners and the state of them were in various stages of decomposition. A few were rather gelatinous and there was no way he was going to poke them with a stick only to have them burst open to dump their gooey contents all over the fucking place.

“You still alive?” *Theo called out, looking around a bit before heading in Sharn’s location. He heard her grunt.

Theo moved over some rubble, tossing a few pieces of broken chairs and what looked like some crushed barrels aside in order to get to her. When he saw the blood stain trail down the wall and the crumpled orc female lying there, Theo heavily sighed audibly. He moved to squat down by her head, turning it so he could look at her eyes and know the truth of how bad things were.

“Sorry boss,” Sharn managed before coughing roughly.

“Sorry does nothing for me. You know this,” came Theo’s reply. “Had you not distracted him at the end there, I was thinking about leaving you here for his last meal. Fail me again, and I won’t hire you in the future.”

He slipped his hand beneath her upper arm and began lifting her up enough to haul her into his arms. Once he had her on her feet, he gave her a real assessment while handing her over a crimson sparkling vial. She was useless to him in this state. ”Drink this." Sharn did so without question.

In about a minute, the orc assassin was able to stand on her own feet and stretch. She felt as if she’d been tossed around but not into any of the walls. In fact, she felt like she could run for a few days and lift a few orcs for a couple of hours. What would have taken her weeks to heal, now she only had a few days left. Whatever was in that vial, it was good.

“Now, let’s begin. I want this chamber cleared entirely and prepared for an interrogation.”

“Wait… boss, you were joking. Right?” *Sharn chuckled nervously while kicking some of the trash aside, taking her first look around at the piles of bodies and the body of the dire troll making a fucking mess all over. When Theo didn't answer her, she asked, “When do you need this cleared by?”

“Tonight.”

“You’re serious? No fucking way.”

Theo, who was now searching for signs of who the fuck had been here, paused and turned to look at Sharn. The female orc stopped in her tracks. “What am I paying you for? I didn’t hire a fucking elf did I?”

That had Sharn’s back straightening instantly and her jaw tensing. Her eyes hardened as she left the chamber entirely. Theo knew she wanted to get paid for the job so she’d be back. True to his assumption, Sharn returned with her axe from the other room and began chopping the dire troll into smaller pieces. By the fourth swing, she was coated in undead goo.

“Oh, I’ve a better way to clear it all out,” Theo told her, but after she’s covered head to toe in the mess. Sharn, axe stuck in the dire troll’s flesh, stopped to stare at him in telling silence.

“Find the air ducts and plug all of them but one. Mark it, and we’ll head up topside once you’re done. I want to see who the hell had the balls to take over what’s mine.”

[theshadowsparrow]

Swamp of Sorrows - Part 2

The doors parted and air released from the crack. The first assault that hit Theo and Sharn, was a wave of pungent disgust that sent them both checking themselves. Neither of them were strangers to death, dead bodies or even grave robbing, but this? This was a whole other level. Sickeningly, sticky sweet decay was so thick in the air that it stayed within their nostrils, and they had to shake off the first ‘taste’ of it, and quickly. For whoever… whatever was behind the doors shoved them all the way open causing them both to hop back defensively.

The next room had also lit up, however not as much as the innermost chamber was larger, deeper. What stood before them had Theo gripping his blades, turning them, and tilting his head to the side. The pair of assassins stared at the fight ahead of them, at the massive figure that was an undead Gurubashi dire troll. It turned its head and red veined eyes turned to look at Sharn on the shadow plane.

“The fuck?” Theo cursed. ‘How the fuck did this thing get in here? Who the fuck put it here? How long has it been here? How the fuck are we gonna kill this thing?’ were just a few of the questions that instantly pummeled Theo’s mind.

“On it boss,” Sharn told him before shadow stepping onto the ceiling above the dire troll. This chamber was indeed massive, but their foe was plenty bigger than they were. It could squash them with a foot or fist easily if given the chance.

Sharn dropped down with blades out, hoping to stab the dire troll behind the neck. Only this thing somehow knew and stepped forward towards the doorway, causing her to fall to the floor. She barely had time to adjust and landed hard. That forced Sharn to roll onto her back.

Theo held in place, waiting for the right moment since it didn’t seem like he’d been spotted. The dire troll stopped its advance and took a step back. Sharn, seeing that foot coming down, instantly set the pommels of her blades beside her head and to the stone ground, blades pointing up. The dire troll’s foot came down and into the blades and they both flinched at the instant roar.

“Boss, get this thing off me!” Sharn panicked, feet kicking as she attempted to find some foothold to drag herself out from under the dire troll. It was no use at the moment.

Theo breathed in slowly as he assessed the situation. There was no way the two of them would be able to kill this thing alone by brute force. The thing had them beat on that measure. He had to be smart. Unclasping special sheaths, Theo dipped his blades in, making sure they got nice and coated before doing what he does best.

The dire troll began to recover from the sting of daggers under its foot, but suddenly felt more pain as Theo sped through the shadow plane and only let his blades appear to slice along the troll’s thigh on the opposite leg. The blades disappeared again as Theo ran out of swinging or kicking distance, turning around to prepare for another pass. Theo was fast, evening his breaths a moment.

The liquid coating his blade and now entering the troll’s bloodstream had the consistency of sticky syrup and fast acting, though it would take several passes to get the full effect of the toxin in such a large target. This toxin was his new creation, one that would hit the nervous system first to incapacitate movement, then remove sensory, one by one, then shut down organs, before finally stopping blood flow altogether. On an undead? It will break down the organs and tissue at a molecular level, since everything else has already been done. The toxin never stops.

The troll, unable to see where the gashes on its thigh came from, began swiping the area around it. It also lifted the injured foot, allowing Sharn to instantly drag her ass out from beneath it and to run off to the side. She pulled a couple new blades out as she vanished from sight. Not that it mattered, for the dire troll turned and, spotting her, took a step in her direction. It yelled out when it stood on her blades, but that didn’t seem to stop it any.

Theo swiftly moved through the shadows to again allow his hands and blades to slip back onto the regular plane, this time to cut deep along the ankle of the offended foot. By this time, the dire troll realized he couldn’t move the leg Theo had cut in his first pass. Fists bashed against its chest and the roar was deafening inside the chamber. Sharn took this moment to shadowstep onto the dire troll’s shoulder and the orc began stabbing into its neck over and over as did her people justice with a battle cry that even made Theo smirk. He re-dipped his blades into the special sheaths, preparing for the hard work now… the closer work.

The dire troll yelled. Sharn’s war cry. Theo could sense the walls shaking and dust falling from the corners of the room. He cursed inwardly, hoping nothing above ground was waiting for them if they made it out of this alive. As soon as he saw that arm going towards Sharn to pluck the orc off, Theo shadow stepped himself just below the dire troll’s deltoid.

His thighs clasped around undead muscle while he raised his daggers at two different angles. He went up into the armpit for an anchor and then sliced vertically across the target’s upper up. Theo released the tension in his legs, allowing himself to slide down before letting go to dangle at the blade in the armpit. Normally, a dagger struck here would kill a living target. But an undead? His weight dragged the wicked blade down a few inches, opening up part of the dire troll’s torso. Now, the roar deepened to the sound of pure rage. ‘Well, fuck.’

“Sharn,” Theo warned in his calm tone. “Why’d you go and fucking do that? I had it handled!”

’Sure she did.’ As Theo had taken care of one arm, the dire troll had two. It had already reached with the other hand and now clasped around Sharn, tossing her off like one would a piece of lint. Theo heard the orc smack against the stone wall and inwardly sighed. Flexing his arm, he pulled his weight up while still holding his blade before using his full body to yank downward again. The blade dragged downward several more inches, opening up the dire troll’s torso even wider. Theo glanced and could see bone and the beginning of organs.

The arm above him, however, came swinging down as the toxins incapacitated it. Theo was knocked back, leaving the dagger in the side of the dire troll, and he had to tumble down to the ground. He uncurled his free hand to release a grappling hook mid air towards the ground. Thankfully, it didn’t just scatter across the ground but caught the edge of a tile enabling him to land safely. Theo reached up to rub his shoulder while looking up to gauge the state of the Gurubashi dire troll.

Staggering, the thing held onto the blood poured from its neck where Sharn did damage. The other arm dangled limply with some innards bulging out where Theo had opened the troll up. The dire troll couldn’t walk forward, but it twisted at the waist trying to find the fucker who’d made its existence difficult. Theo began creeping forward, dipping his one blade, this time into his regular sheath. When the dagger was pulled free, the edge hissed for a brief moment in the shadow plane.

The troll began leaking more profusely out of every cut, thick nasty liquid, and it roared in protest. Theo continued to move closer, stepping to the left with every other step taken. As much as he wanted to glance in Sharn’s direction, he didn’t take his eyes off the enraged dire troll. ‘Come on, show me you’re ready for it.’

Out of nowhere, Sharn leapt through the air with one last attempt. Theo instantly saw her mistake, but it was too late for him to tell her. The dire troll lifted the hand off his wounded shoulder to backhand her from behind, helping her journey and sending her towards the other wall inside the chamber. Theo heard Sharn hit with another thud before leather slid down stone. Yet, the distraction did give him the opportunity he needed. Shadow stepping onto the shoulder she’d chosen, Theo curves his blade around towards the dire troll’s face to sink his blade into one of the red veiny eyes. He heard it burst and felt the splatter as it squirted all over the front of him.

The netherbloom mixture coating his blade began to seep into the Gurubashi dire troll’s undead brain where it’d begin to break down the cells keeping the abomination active. A sudden release of liquid fell from the gash beneath the dangling arm, telling Theo it wouldn’t be long now. The dire troll used its one remaining limb in an attempt to save itself by reaching for Theo. The elf tapped his heel for his toe blade to release and kicked at the incoming hand. No toxins coated the small blade, but the prick was enough to keep the hand at bay. No need to hold the knife in the massive troll’s eye socket, Theo pulled it free. Some of the eyeball flesh still clung to his dagger. Before the troll could try to grab him again, he barrel rolled behind and off its back.

As Theo walked away, the floor shuddered beneath his feet. The dire troll had crashed forward onto the ground. He’d been lucky the thing had fallen in that direction.

[theshadowsparrow]

Swamp of Sorrows - Part 1 Location: Eastern Kingdom -> Swamp of Sorrows Participants: Theo, Npc Sharn

The dingy dock sat in the backwaters of Swamp of Sorrows, with the fog hanging low. The air grew thick here, where one could taste it and caused clothing to cling to a person’s body and hair to stick to the side of one’s face, along the neckline. Overhead, the blackened sky threatened with a storm rolling in and nearby the troll temple persisted with its ominous vibes. Fewer green dragons have remained since the return of the primalists, thankfully. It made for the perfect return to one of Theo’s tucked away operative locations.

Two dinghies were tied to the end of the dock that kept bouncing to tap into the dock now and then. Theo stood on said dock with a masked figure peering at the stone entrance long since reclaimed by the local vegetation. The surrounding area sounded with crickets and the low drum of many insect wings. Every now and then, some odd creature grunted or a pierced cry came from prey claiming its food. Otherwise, the place was just… quiet.

“We better get to hacking,” Theo spoke low. The figure beside him, a small female orc, simply nodded and pulled out a wicked looked machete; Theo, an axe.

It took them a while to sort out the vines that would grow snug at first, not willing to relinquish their hold on the claimed stone entryway that jutted out of the ground. Once they pried away the layers of moss and saw what they were really working with, the hacking could commence and the pair really went to town. In the span of the three hours that it took, they had a few visitors in that time period… an alligator slipped from the waters thinking they’d be a good breakfast and ended up in halves on the shore… a couple of small spiders climbed over the top and jumped down onto each of them only to become smashed and in pieces at their feet with legs pointing up or broken in various directions. All they had to do was uncover the door. The rest, they left alone to keep the place hidden.

“What do you think awaits us?” the female orc asked Theo, who was still trying to shake spider goo off his axe blade.

“Not sure, but we better enter from the shadows,” he advised while rehooking the axe back onto his belt and stepped forward to the archway.

A series of presses to the stone was necessary, a sequence only he knew, in order to open the door. Would it work? There was only one way to know. His gloved hand depressed the worn, filthy stones one after the other before stepping back. As he did such, he vanished from their plane of reality and into that grey-scale plane of shadow. The orcess was already there awaiting him. Looking at her, they shared a silent nod before turning towards the doorway.

Nothing happened at first, causing Theo to doubt that the door would open at all. Had it been so long that the door was stuck? Stone scraped on stone abruptly as the door moved forward a few inches and it caused the entire archway area to shudder. All noise in the close vicinity stopped. No bugs, no wildlife at all which alarmed Theo because it meant anything that heard this would soon become interested. He couldn’t worry about that right now, for the door mechanisms went to work and the door gradually opened up entirely to portray the dark silhouette within.

Neither hesitated to pull their blades as they shifted into the doorway and into the darkened opening. The opened door was on a timer, so they had to slip within before it closed. Once inside, a few feet within was a staircase leading down. Time of being sealed meant stale air, though the brief reprieve would alleviate some of this. Vines had started to grow along the walls of the stairs. Stone torches near the ceiling lit up with their passing, sensing them even in the shadow plane; courtesy of a warlock Theo knew many years ago. A few stories down the stairs turned abruptly to the right, and still led down before they entered into a small room. Along the entirety of this room, in an indented line along the upper wall, a single flame lit it up. There, they found a table where they could see the remains of an elven skeleton as well as several rat skeletons within the room. Built into the walls near the table, were various shelves for instruments to be placed. They were currently locked behind glass with the tools on display; they appeared clean.

At the back, lay double metal doors with a closed window slot in one. Theo moved quickly towards these and reached out to try the handle of one, only to find it locked. The two exchanged a glance before he took a step back and his orc friend took one forward, to kneel. She pulled out some small tools and began working at the lock. The last time Theo was here, he hadn’t closed these doors, nor had they been locked.

The female orc inserted the tools and began working inside the chamber. Theo tilted his ears to listen for her to manipulate the pins. The door was thick so this was no simple lock. It would be a series of chambers needing to be disabled. That’s when Theo realized… these weren’t his doors. He crossed his arms and watched, waited. He could see sweat drip down from her hood across her eyelid at one point, forcing her to blink it away, pause and refocus. It had nothing to do with the swamp’s humidity, either. This took serious concentration as a lock master had been employed to make this. What was on the other side? Who the fuck was down here? The moss could have grown quickly but it was the thick vines that told him, whoever it was, had done this several years ago. Theo wasn’t happy.

Click. The sound of several mechanisms turning.

Theo uncrossed his arms and moved to the side, as did the masked orcess. They waited on each side of the doorway for the mechanisms to finish unlocking. That’s when they heard a noise from inside. A quick side glance exchange and both dropped into readying stances. Theo’s gaze bore through the door as if trying to pierce into it and get a sneak peek. The sounds grew closer to the doors before a BANG sounded directly behind the metal barrier. Theo inhaled and heard that the female did too. Both held their breaths as they waited for what came when those doors opened.

[theshadowsparrow]

(The artwork is not my own and will only be removed by an express request from the original artist.)

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: One of Theo's Labs Participants: Theo, Npc's

The darkened chamber was lit by sconces evenly placed around the area, illuminating just where Theo needed. The in-between left enough shadow to create the ambiance for this laboratory’s edge to be perfect for the subjects to wish for slumber but rarely get any. The walls had been constructed thick and impenetrable as a built-in sound barrier. A good thing, too, for the deeds done in the name of discovery and sake of perfection were a dastardly loud process sometimes. The ceiling was vaulted and ventilated with slow-turning fans that had sealed grates of good engineering. Theo was glad Siver (Ms. Nightingale) had gone all out for him. He was also glad for the various drains in the floor and the water hook ups. The subjects sometimes defecated themselves. These things were not nearly as impressive as the chemistry stations and the vats installed for him to indulge within his hobby. Poisons. For what are drugs, but consumable such? The art of taking herbal substances and incorporating chemistry, mixing the two to manipulate them within physical beings to work the wondrous outcomes one desires…. Yes, a hobby. Theo’s sleek, toned form silently stood on the hard floor, hunched over the midsection of a lab table. Beakers and glass swirling tubes ran their course with copper wiring, vials galore, and tubes running up toward the ceiling. A mad scientist's dream. And all this for lil ol’ Theo. Behind the table lay a well-organized system of his array of ingredients. The secret to his hobby’s success. No books. No written down recipes. No formulas or calculations. The sketchy, quiet lurker who appeared unassuming and from humble beginnings had, in fact, quite the brain on him. Grooooan His head tilted a fraction, hardly a thing to notice at the sound. Ah, one of the test subjects had come to. Theo set down one of the beakers with amber liquid swirling within and walked opposite the table towards the racks. There were currently five in attendance. Over the past three years, he’d had up to nearly twenty volunteers come knocking, eager to lay upon more. Individuals willing to undergo all manner of experimentations for the sake of being fed his wondrous Discordia. A darkening smile faintly hinted across the assassin’s lips as he approached the woman laid across the table, hung downward at 15 degrees.

“You survived. Goodie for you. Would you like another round?” Theo asked. Her body was bare save for undergarments and socks. Small lacerations lined down her arms and thrice across her belly. Small pin-pricks also could be found in various places upon her body to include her neck behind an ear, the inner thigh, near her womb, and naturally, between fingers. Wounds that didn’t fester and gave him access to her bloodstream. “Water,” came the meager whisper in an attempt to speak from the woman as it felt as if fire laced the inside of every inch of her skin. “I’m sorry, what was that?” Theo asked, merely tilting an ear in her direction. Unable to bear it longer, needing to make it stop for lack of the ability to claw at her own flesh, the woman succumbed. “More.” “I thought so.” Theo then reached within a pocket on his person for a syringe filled with a swirling amber and violet liquid, as well as specks of glittering gold. “Let’s see how you do with an increase, hm? Don’t die.” He set the needle behind her ear and inserted it deep before plunging the liquid down. He could watch the tension in her body fade fairly quickly as the drug began to take effect. As he removed the needle once the syringe was half empty, Theo listened to the cadence of her heartbeat and glanced down the line. The other four volunteers lay in various stages of their highs. One shivered as his chest was virtually sliced bare. The healing properties kept these people alive and Theo had been forced to incorporate an additive to keep the wounds from sealing up. Even so, he had to inflict the wounds once per day. Not that he minded or that it bothered him. The next two further, one upright and the other spread eagle, even relished when he did, the little pain sluts. Those two had thick cuts down their legs and arms, able to handle more than the rest. It was the last volunteer that whimpered nearly non-stop. It was the last volunteer that Theo asked daily if they wished to go home. He walked to that one now. She was young and a thing of beauty. Elven with flowing black hair and porcelain skin. Not a single cut upon her but plenty of needle marks. Sweat beaded her brow and across her budding chest. Her breathing was quick, with palpitations. The girl’s eyes wandered erratically with a look of stress. Her drug of choice was that of dreams, or in this experiment… nightmares. Each day he asked, she went into a frenzy and begged him not to send her back. Theo was offered all manner of things to be kept here, to give her the drug. How could he deny her? No, he never did. She was still alive, after all. A willing volunteer. He went back to the bench, to the beaker, and began to swirl its contents once more. Movement from the side glass case caught his attention which elicited a sigh. “I’ll feed you soon, my pet,” Theo told one of his own creations.

[theshadowsparrow]

Location: Kalimdor -> small seaport Participants: Theo, npc's Timeline: springtime, last year

Outside, seagulls marked the sky with their tell-tale cries taking flight while littering the area. Through the round, porthole like window, beams of light shone down onto a desk strewn with all manner of items designated for business. A stack of maps, papers with an inkwell and a set of quills paired with a few books and of course, bits and baubles that were the trinkets Theo set down out of his pockets to become comfortable within this seaside outpost office.

The seasoned rogue sat in the small room adorned with a tiny skylight to mark the weather and the hour, going over some mail and reports from various corners of Azeroth. The map magnifier was currently placed over the panda lands, just north of the Timeless Isles. Just as he set some scrap of parchment down and leaned forward to take a closer look, two knocks rapped on the door before it opened. Theo’s eyes instantly pierced towards the grains of wood.

“’Eyyyy.There's my favorite Silvermoon shadow. How’s it hangin’?” asked the goblin who walked in looking to Theo first before taking a look around. There wasn’t much more than the desk and chair before him. Just a small bookcase off to one side, and of course an alcohol cabinet.

In a single sweep, Theo took in Crix Loosewick with his golden globes. All of three foot six inches, wide shoulders and bulked arm muscles. The missing third tooth on the bottom row of teeth and the new golden left incisor was noted. So was the fresh tear to Crix’ right ear and the familiar scar along the same side of the goblin’s neck. Theo had placed that one there himself. Better clothing than last time, a small potion belt was spotted. He looked to see if any had been used or if one was missing. A dagger was sheathed on the left, another in Crix’ boot. He knew the goblin liked to carry throwing knives up both his sleeves. The blouse was bulky so he suspected grenades and other tossable tricks on the goblin. The pockets on Crix’ pants were also ruffled, so more things to worry about. Theo gradually breathed in and smelled pine needles, dirt, salt and a twinge of sulfur, telling him a tale of the goblin’s journey here.

All this was perceived before the Sin’dorei slow blinked for the first time.

Theo sat up and relaxed within his chair. His expression was what it normally was, in that there wasn’t one. “Slightly to the left. To what do I owe this visit?” he asked, his words dripping with sarcasm though the tone didn’t reach his eyes.

“Hey now! Don’t be like that. I did ya good last time. Didn’t I?” Crix came forward towards the desk.It was at this time that the hairs on the back of Theo’s neck began to rise and a sensation prickled down his skin. The long, knife-like elven ears tilted to listen and that’s when he took in another deep breath; the sort that expanded the diaphragm. He picked up on a tinge of death and something seemed out of place. Without hesitation, he entered the shadow plane and stood up from the chair. Crix saw the seat shift back but Theo had vanished from sight.

“Shit!” The goblin was observed peering about, clearly trying to gauge where the elf had gone to.

Many debate what happens when a rogue disappears. Those of lesser skill or variety simply take advantage of the shadows produced already by objects around them. Others who have elevated their craft have learned how to walk a plane that exists mirroring reality. A plane of darkness where someone, like Theo, can travel quickly and with ruthless abandon to carry out unspeakable deeds.

His reddened eyes (here on this plane) glanced around the varied shades that make up his office to see just what the hell was going on, withdrawing both blades from their sheathes. It took but a fraction of a second to capture who the culprit was. A female undead, human rogue at the small bookcase seemed keen on the ledgers at the moment. His lips curved wickedly to one side; another expression that has yet to reach those oval shaped eyes of his. He shadow- stepped behind her and settled one blade to her throat right as her fingers were about to pull one of the ledgers off a shelf. Both fell out of the shadow plane and back into sight.

“Eeeep!” coughed the Forsaken in a monotone state of surprise. She stayed her hand right where it was, the blade seemed to cut the first top layers of her undead flesh.

Crix jumped as the two reappeared and visibly broke out in sweat over his brow. The few hairs that adorn his otherwise bald head did nothing to help as one coiled due to instant anxiety. Both his hands came up in a defensive stance. His left foot steps back behind him in a pre-emptive attempt at retreat. Theo arched his other blade overhead before pointing it low and direct at Crix. He said nothing but stared hard at the goblin with expectation… waiting.

Crix saw his accomplice slowly trying to reach for something in their pocket and tried to buy them some time. “’Eyyy, it wasn’t my idea, pal. Okay? Let’s work this out.”

The goblin had one chance to make this right. Theo didn’t hesitate and sliced through the Forsaken’s neck, all the way down to the bone. As he stepped away, the honed blade was dragged towards the spinal cord to cut and sever all coordination before he slipped his dagger free. It dripped darkened drops across the floor as his arm lowered. The infiltrator’s body fell into a heap onto the floorboards, much like a sack of potatoes.

“Okay! Okay! I’ll tell ya what ya want to know! All of it!” Theo could now sense true fear.

Theo’s golden hues were unyielding as he approached Crix. The goblin was visibly shaking, the bony knees knocking audibly. The elven assassin took the blade used to kill the would-be thief and cleaned it off on Crix’s sleeve before resheathing it. With his other, he taps the flat of it on top of the goblin’s head twice.

“Start talking,” Theo said low. He then took a step back and leaned against the edge of his desk, keeping the one blade in plain sight as a reminder to Crix.

The Forsaken on the floor nearby kept opening and shutting her mouth, like a fish out of water. Each time she did such, more and more murky blood spilled out to stand the floor and added to the growing dark puddle.

--- Fade ---