Uther stared up at the massive Flamewreathed Faceless. The creature’s tentacles swirled menacingly, thirsty for the Paladin’s blood. A faint tinge of fear slithered through the human’s veins, but he stood his ground and waved for his next ally to come out.

The Arena’s gates opened once more, and a giant woman made of ivory strode out. “Oho!” Dar’jin declared, “Uther be bringin’ out da Keeper of Uldaman. Let’s see if she can turn da tide.”

Joining the Silver Hand Recruit and the Murloc Warleader, the Keeper of Uldaman raised a giant golden hammer and yelled, “None may steal our secrets!” As she spoke, a blinding beam of golden Light shot from the hammer and slammed into the Flamewreathed Faceless. Screaming in agony, the monster hunched over, trying to protect its face from the searing pain.

“Now!” Uther yelled. Heeding its master’s call, the Murloc Warleader charged across the field and slammed his sword into the fallen creature’s exposed back. Groaning in pain, the Flamewreathed Faceless collapsed to the ground, mortally wounded.

Cheering, the Murloc raised its blade in triumph—but this celebration was cut short, as in one final act of defiance, the Flamewreathed Faceless rose up and impaled the Murloc upon a flaming tentacle. “Ouch!” Dar’jin announced, grimacing at the grotesque display, “I guess dat be what ya get for celebratin’!”

Back down on the field, Uther finished his turn by ordering the Silver Hand Recruit to destroy the already damaged Wrath of Air Totem. This done, Uther stood back and prepared himself for Thrall’s counter-attack.

Thrall’s jaw was set in anger at how easily his creature had been defeated. However, he wasn’t done yet, and with a wave of his hand he summoned a second Tuskarr Totemic into the Arena. “Did you bring some fish?” he asked Thrall curiously, and once again, the orc shook his head no. Sighing in disappointment, the Tuskarr reached into his satchel and placed an inviting yellow Healing Totem onto the sandy Arena Floor.

Sighing at the mediocre result, Thrall turned back to the first Tuskarr Totemic and commanded it to attack the enemy. “Tusk tusk!” the walrus-like creature declared before charging across the Arena floor and slapping the Paladin across the face with a loud ‘smack’,

“Ouch! Dat looked painful,” Dar’jin winced at the mighty slap, “But dat be da end of Thrall’s turn. Now, what will Uther be doin’?” Narrowing his eyes, the Paladin reached into a scabbard at his waist and withdrew a massive two-handed sword. “Oho, dat be da Truesilver Champion!” Dar’jin declared, “Looks like Uther be dishin’ out da retribution himself!”

With a yell, Uther charged forward and slammed his sword into the first Tuskarr Totemic’s chest. The walrus-creature’s eyes widened in shock and it collapsed to the ground, dead. A second later, the Keeper of Uldaman charged forward as well, slaying the second Tuskarr.

Gazing down at the bodies of his fallen Totemics, Thrall felt a surge of anger run through his veins. Lightning surged around the orc’s body, and after a couple seconds he unleashed it in a mighty burst of power. Crackling electricity surged through the bodies of all Uther’s minions, slaying them all instantly. “And Thrall unleashes da power of da Lightning Storm ta annihilate all Uther’s allies. Now, back ta da Paladin.”

Looking down at the smoldering bodies of his allies, Uther let out a cry of rage. A second later, an answering cry boomed from the tunnel, and a large Azure Drake stepped out and took its place by the Paladin’s side. A smile crossed the Paladin’s face, and he turned back to face the orc with confidence.

Thrall isn’t cowed so easily, however, and with a mighty yell, he raises his hammer and charges. “Elements guide me!” he cries, slamming his hammer into the Azure Drake’s skull. The dragon attempts to fight back, but even its great might is not enough to stop the orc’s attacks, and the Azure Drake falls.

“Wow,” Dar’jin declared with excitement, “There be no way Uther saw dat one comin’. Now, Thrall has da advantage, and as we all know, once dis orc smells blood, he ain’t gonna be stoppin’ for anyting.”

Down on the Arena floor, Uther pondered his predicament. He needed to build up a wall of minions quickly, because if Thrall turned his hammer onto the Paladin, the fight would be over right then and there. If Uther was going to survive, he’d need an ally who could protect him—and fortunately, he knew just who to call.

“The Menagerie is for guests only,” a mechanical voice boomed, as The Curator (a giant Arcane Guardian that used to guard the Karazhan Menagerie) strode out onto the sand of the Arena. Taking its place in front of the Paladin, the Curator set its feet and prepared to defend Uther against his orcish foe.

Across the Arena, a look of worry crossed Thrall’s face. He had no doubt he’d be able to break through the Curator eventually, but he wouldn’t get through that battle unscathed. No, there had to be a better way, and after a minute of thinking, the orc figured out exactly what he had to do…

 

To Be Continued…

“Ladies and Gentletrolls—welcome once more to da Gurubashi arena! I be Dar’jin Longtusk, and I be excited ta bring ya anodder excitin’ match. Today, we be seein’ a battle widdout equal, as two mighty warriors go face ta face!”

The announcer troll pointed to the Arena’s sandy floor, where a human clad in golden armor and carrying a massive hammer was standing. “Today’s challenga be Uther, a Paladin of da Silver Hand,” the troll proclaimed, “Dis may be his first visit to our Arena, but even I’ve heard of his reputation as a strong and mighty champion of da Light.”

The crowd cheered as Uther held his hammer aloft and declared, “I fight with honor!”

 Waiting a moment for the noise to die down, the troll turned to the Arena’s entrance and announced, “And now, please welcome our reignin’ champion and leader of da Earthen Ring, Thrall!” Raucous cheers poured forth from every mouth as a tall, green-skinned orc stepped through the entranceway. The orc carried a giant stone hammer in one hand, while his other crackled with intense energy.

“For Doomhammer!” Thrall roared, raising the aforementioned weapon. “For the Frostwolves!” The cheers of the crowd grew even louder—if that were even possible—and they didn’t subside until nearly a minute after the orc had taken his place across the Arena from his human opponent.

“Two warriors enter, but only one leaves,” Dar’jin proclaimed, “Let da battle begin!” Immediately, a hush fell over the Arena, as everyone gave their full attention to the battle before them.

For several moments, the two combatants eyed each other warily, but then Thrall raised his arm and made a slight gesture. Immediately, one of the doors at the Arena’s edge opened, and a short, barrel-chested creature with a sharp stone hatchet came charging out onto the Arena floor. “Troggs rule!” the little humanoid (commonly known as a Tunnel Trogg) announced, skidding to a halt in front of its master. “Troggs rule!”

From the other side of the Arena, Uther narrowed his eyes, observing this first threat with concern. “It appears dat our challenga don’ know what ta do,” the troll announcer helpfully commented. “Da Tunnel Trogg be too much for him.”

Indeed, this appeared to be the case, as Uther stared at the lone Trogg in apparent indecision. Several moments passed, but then the paladin’s eyes brightened as he got an idea. Reaching into the coin purse at his waist, Uther withdrew a single gold coin and tossed it over to the tunnel on his side of the Arena. Instantly, the wooden door was pushed open, and a blood elf clad in bright red robes strode out and yelled, “The End is Coming!”

“Well, dis be a bold play,” Dar’jin stated, watching the proceedings with interest. “It appears dat Uther be putting his fate in de hands of da Doomsayer. Now, Thrall has ta make a decision: kill da Doomsayer, or let him go off. This be a tough choice, and…”

The announcer’s statement turned out to be incorrect, for even before he had finished speaking, Thrall barked an order and the Tunnel Trogg charged at the human paladin. Raising his hammer, Uther blocked the blow, but the sheer force of the charging Trogg knocked him back several steps.

Regaining his balance, the paladin slammed the Trogg with his hammer, knocking the creature away. Hissing, the ugly humanoid prepared to attack again, but before he could, the Doomsayer yelled, “I knew it!” An expression of horror crossed the Trogg’s face for a split second before both he and the Doomsayer were engulfed in giant burst of flame.

“Well, da end has come for dat Trogg,” the troll announcer proclaimed. “Now, it be up ta Uther ta decide which of his allies he’ll summon next.” Unlike Thrall, the human paladin was taking his time in making a decision, and nearly a minute and a half passed before Uther’s gates opened again, and a lightly armored Silver Hand Recruit charged out.

“Reporting for duty,” the young paladin saluted before taking his place in front of his commander. Nodding gratefully at the Silver Hand Recruit’s quick response, Uther looked back at Thrall, ready for whatever his opponent was planning.

Once again, Thrall was not long in making up his mind, and raising the mighty Doomhammer, he barked yet another order. Immediately, the doors on his side of the Arena opened—and a blubbery Tuskarr Totemic stepped out. “Did you bring some fish?” he asked his commander curiously. Thrall shook his head, and the Tuskarr let out a sigh.

“So, we have a Tuskarr Totemic,” Dar’jin Longtusk proclaimed, “Now, we jus’ need ta see what he will summon.” Down on the Arena floor, the Tuskarr raised his hand, and a second later a massive ‘thud’ resounded throughout the entire structure as a massive creature appeared. “By da loa,” the announcer gasped, “Dat be a Totem Golem!”

Raising his hands, Thrall let out a cheer at this incredible luck—but then, a gigantic foam mace dropped from the heavens and crushed the Totem Golem into splinters. “Whoa!” the troll gasped again. “Thrall’s amazing luck has been foiled by da power of da Nerf Hammer! The Tuskarr Totemic is trying ta repair his creation, but it looks like da best he can come up with is a Wrath of Air Totem. How embarrassing.”

Laughter rippled through the Arena at this turn of fortune, and with a smile Uther summoned his next ally. The gates opened, and with a loud “Mrglglrglglgl”, a Murloc Warleader marched out onto the battlefield and took its place beside the Silver Hand Recruit.

Waiting until the Warleader was settled, the Silver Hand Recruit yelled, “To Battle!” and charged across the field right at Thrall’s Wrath of Air Totem. With a loud ‘clonk’, the young paladin slammed his battle-hammer into the Totem, causing cracks to appear all over its wooden surface.

Satisfied for the moment, the Silver Hand recruit returned to his allies as Thrall pondered what he’d do in response. Several seconds passed, then a scowl crossed the orc’s face, and facing the doors he let out a primal yell. Immediately, a cloud of darkness began issuing from the tunnel, and a second later, a massive monster stepped out, murmuring “Need a light?” as it came.

“Oh, no!” Dar’jin exclaimed, “Dat be da Flamewreathed Faceless, da most powerful Arena fighta in recent years. Dis guy alone be why Thrall is so powerful—so unless Uther can find a way ta deal with it, dis match be over right now.”

 

To be continued…