A new King Varian sits on the throne of Stormwind Keep.
Gazing at that identical face, Varian trembled uncontrollably. Staring blankly at the Emissary, he finally managed to utter, "Emissary, please don't kill me."
The Emissary a disdainful smile and asked viciously, "Varian, look at what you've done! The green- Kobolds nearly destroyed this world, and you personally slaughtered Stormwind City and Elwynn Forest. What use is a piece of trash like you to me?"
Varian knew the Emissary's resolve; pleading was useless. He growled resentfully, "You forced me into this, Emissary! I'm going to die anyway, so why shouldn't I fight back?"
"You, so stubbornly clinging to your delusions, death is far too merciful to you."
The Emissary stretched out his hand, and a point of light fell on Varian's head. The light flashed, and Varian transformed into a puppy with a red bow tied around its neck.
The Emissary said expressionlessly, "From now on, you will be confined to Stormwind City forever, powerless to change the lost throne. This is the best punishment for you. I will grant you extraordinary strength, so you won't even be able to die if you want to. From now on, you will be a dog in the backyard of Stormwind Keep."
The puppy barked, its eyes big and cute. Thrall found it amusing and scoffed, "Varian, I never thought you'd turned out like this."
The puppy got angry and bit Thrall's leg, tearing off a large chunk of flesh, causing Thrall to scream in pain. The puppy then jumped up and bit Thrall's neck. Thrall hurriedly raised his right arm to block, but the puppy opened its mouth wide, and a sharp pain shot through him as half of his arm disappeared into the puppy's mouth.
Thrall was terrified and quickly hid behind the Emissary.
The Emissary raised his hand, and Varian, transformed into a small dog, was teleported to the back garden of Stormwind Keep. The Emissary helped Thrall repair his arm, glanced around at the crowd, and coldly said:
"You are on your own now; whether you are destroyed or saved is entirely up to you."
The Emissary, unwilling to participate in the plan to restore the Outland, chose to leave. Thrall, clutching his injured leg, sat silently on the ground.
Rhonin asked cautiously, "Savior, what is your opinion?"
Tirion Fordring leaned closer and asked in a humble voice, "Savior, please make a decision. We'll do whatever you say."
Neither Jaina Magni Bronzebeard spoke. Without the support of the Emissary, and with King Varian turned into a dog again, neither of them were optimistic about the plan to restore Outland.
The usually low-key Sylvanas said in a low voice, "Although we promised A'dal, we face many difficulties. Perhaps we should repay A'dal in another way."
Jaina and Magni Bronzebeard nodded in unison, Rhonin for a while, also agreed. Only Tirion Fordring was very unwilling.
Thrall laughed heartily, stood up, and gazed at the crowd. "Gentlemen, do you think I did this for A'dal or the people of Outland? You're wrong. I have my own purpose."
The group exchanged glances, unsure of Thrall's true intentions.
Thrall pointed to the masses of Stormwind City and said, "Look at these people. Their Destiny is not in their own hands. They are like chess pieces, manipulated at will by the Elune. They toil their whole lives, but in the end they have nothing. No one remembers that they ever existed."
"And what about us Orcs? Orcs lives are spent in war, bleeding and sacrificing, most dying on the Battlefield, never getting a good night's sleep. Many times I've wondered, what's the point of such a life? But the cycle continues, and our descendants can never escape this tragic Destiny."
Hearing Thrall's words, everyone was deeply moved. Thrall stared at Tirion Fordring, then looked at Jaina: "Humans and Orcs are alike, with very short lifespans. Tirion Fordring, you are old. I know you wanted to become the Lich King and gain immortality, but unfortunately you failed."
"And what about you, Jaina? Perhaps you have the chance to live for thousands of years like the Guardian Aegwynn, but as long as Aegwynn lives, you will always be Pain Suppression by her. Do you like that kind of life?"
Thrall turned again, looking at Sylvanas and King Bronzebeard: "Dwarves have long lifespans, but they are ultimately finite. Forsaken, hmph, Dark Lady, you dislike this rotting body, don't you?"
"Although we are high above, we are all people who are dissatisfied with life. Now, a golden opportunity is presented to us. Successfully repairing the Outland is just a pretext. The important thing is to gain super control over the Elemental Power. Don't you want to live forever like the Elemental Lords?"
Thrall's words made everyone realize that he actually had such ambitions.
Ragnaros, the Firelord, is said to be older than the world itself; who wouldn't envy such a long lifespan?
If given the chance to become Ragnaros, I would gladly destroy the world.
Tirion Fordring, being the oldest and most fearful of death, was the first to respond to Thrall's call, kneeling on the ground and devoutly saying, "Great Savior Thrall, the Argent Crusade will fully support the Justice cause of restoring Outland."
Jaina nodded slightly. "Thrall, you're right. I've long since grown weary of this beautiful yet fragile body of flesh and blood. Although Aegwynn possesses a method for immortality, I truly do not wish to become a monster. I hope we can cooperate amicably."
Rhonin said cautiously, "I'm very worried about what will happen to Vereesa and my children when I get old in a few decades. Thrall, Dalaran will fully support you."
Sylvanas vowed, "What does it matter if Azeroth is destroyed, as long as it helps me rid myself of this rotting body?"
Magni Bronzebeard shrugged. "Looks like you've convinced me, Thrall."
Seeing everyone drawn to the Elemental Power, Thrall was overjoyed. His smile remained unchanged, and after a pause, he said, "Next, we need to cooperate fully, uniting the strength of the Alliance and the Horde, to have any chance of accomplishing this great task. First, we must bewitch the new King Varian. Jaina, this task is entrusted to you."
Jaina smiled slightly, full of confidence, and said, "This is not difficult; all Varians share the same weakness."
Thrall pondered for a moment, "Dalaran provide magical support, Ironforge will provide the Dwarf miners, Sylvanas, you need to do everything in your power to help me reclaim the Warchief."
Seeing that everyone else had tasks, Tirion Fordring grew anxious and asked uneasily, "Savior Thrall, what about me? What do I need to do?"
Thrall smiled and continued, "Tirion Fordring, your task is of utmost importance. Icecrown Citadel's geographical location is extremely strategic and will greatly benefit our cause. You need to control the entire Icecrown Citadel. Whether you are the Lich King or not, I want you to sit on the Frozen Throne."
After the Stormwind City meeting, everyone went their separate ways. Tirion Fordring returned to Northrend and led the remaining Argent Crusade on a non-stop journey to Icecrown Citadel.
This time, Icecrown Citadel was different from the previous times. The gates were tightly closed. Tirion Fordring looked at the towering, seemingly indestructible walls, his brow furrowed with a somber expression and a hint of worry.
"Has Arthas returned?"
Only Tirion Fordring knew that it was not Arthas who died on the Frozen Throne, but his son Taelan.
As Tirion Fordring hesitated, the gates of Icecrown Citadel slowly opened, and a tall figure appeared before Tirion Fordring, speaking in a majestic voice:
"Go back, Tirion Fordring, you're too late. The Scourge already has a new Lich King."
"It's you, Duke Fordragon Bolvar Fordragon."
Tirion Fordring growled in frustration.