True Knight

“You see yourself a holy warrior, eh?” Arugal said, his tone increasingly becoming more mocking. “Of course you do. I can see the very aura of Light shining around you. It is a pity that a knight like yourself could be so deceived and delusional.”

“Your venom laced words will not shake me,” Keldren said in defiance. Still he was wondering where the corrupted mage was going with this.

“You and I are not very different, Keldren Silverblade,” Arugal grinned with evil delight. “Our methods may be different but ultimately, it is the shadows we both serve.”

“Blasphemer!” Keldren yelled and took a step closer, his sword erupting with holy fire.

“That may well be, but I speak the truth.”

“You dare to judge me?” Keldren responded. “You, who dwell in this house of evil? You conduct foul experiments within these walls, twisting men into fiendish worg. You chain the dead souls of this keep to your will, forcing them to serve you in undeath. This very place carries the stench of death and shadow. I am not like you.”

“And who you do serve, my noble elf?” Arugal questioned.

“I serve Silvermoon and the my people. The sin’dorei have been betrayed and battered but we continue to persevere.”

“You serve another,” Arugal interrupted, “and that is why you are here today. Her powers are as dark as mine.”

Keldren stiffened.

“Yes, now you understand?” Arugal began to circle around Keldren, who seemed to be stunned by the simple revelation. The mage kept his distance, keeping a weary eye on the vulnerable elf, slowing reaching into one of his sleeves. “You serve Sylvanas. She is a creature of undeath. The reasons for her existence may be unfortunate but nonetheless, her essence is joined with shadow. How can a paladin of Light such as yourself willingly serve an undead creature freely? Surely, you have fallen to the darkness as well. There is no other explanation.”

“Sylvanas and her people only seek to survive, like the sin’dorei. She is trying to make the most out of a terrible reality,” Keldren spoke though his determination seemed to fade.

“So, she is a victim and benevolent in her ways?” Sarcasm stroked Arugal’s words. “You are a blind fool. Do you not know of the plague Undercity is preparing as we speak?”

“What plaque?” Keldren asked with genuine confusion.

Arugal laughed. “She seeks to spread a plague across the continents, killing every living creature. They will arise to serve Undercity. How is she any different than Arthas?”

“You lie.”

“Ask her yourself,” Arugal challenged Keldren, taking steps behind the elf, close enough to almost touch him, “that is if I allow your undead spirit to leave Shadowfang Keep alive!”

Arugal pulled out a dagger wrapped in shadowy mist from his sleeve and plunged it into Keldren’s back. The dark blade sank deep, breaking through plate armor and sinking deep into the paladin’s back past his ribs.

Keldren stumbled to the ground dropping his weapon as one of his lungs collapsed. As his breath escaped him, he tried desperately to pull the wicked dagger from his body. Arugal stood over him grinning with satisfaction. The mage was preparing a spell that would finish the elf.

“Light give me strength,” Keldren faintly spoke. A shimmering glow formed around him as Arugal’s shadow blast struck his prone body.

“No!” Arugal shouted as he cast another blast which was again absorbed by the shimmering aura. He began to back away as Keldren managed to get up on his knees, the dagger finally pulled from his back and in his hands. The mage could already see the wound mending as Keldren mouthed a silent prayer.

Knowing the hopelessness of the situation, Arugal turned and ran but every step he tried to make to escape the paladin became a struggle. He was compelled to finish the fight. Arugal knew Keldren’s mastery of Light had prevented his escape.

The Lord of Shadowfang Keep turned around to face Keldren and he tried to counter the blow but the paladin ran his brightly burning blade through his stomach. Arugal stared into space almost in a trance as his life ended. He collapsed on the ground, lying in his own pool of blood.

Keldren stood over him, tightly gripping his sword. Victory was at hand but now Keldren had to speak with Sylvanas herself. He did not relish the thought.