The azure sky was dotted with rosy clouds that drifted slowly, occasionally touching a thin protective layer, from which countless rays of light scattered in all directions.
The Prophet Velen was in a garden full of flowers, with colorful floating islands drifting in the air.
This is the Argus World before the Legion's invasion. The clouds are a manifestation of stellar energy, and the shield is a defensive system built by the Eredar.
Velen's expression was conflicted, showing some displeasure and a hint of unease as he was once again drawn into this ancient dream.
K'ure, the Naaru who first made contact with the Eredar!
At that time, the future Prophet Velen was just a street thug, an uneducated rogue.
Velen stole a Magic Crystal from a wealthy family, but was caught and had his leg broken. The wealthy family thought the crystal was worthless, so they compensated Velen for his medical expenses.
Unexpectedly, it was the famous Ata'mal Crystal.
Regarding Velen's background, another version circulates on Argus Planet: he was born into a wealthy family, was well-read, exceptionally intelligent, and particularly popular with girls.
A lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth; many times, even Velen himself couldn't be sure which of his origins was true.
There is no doubt that Velen became Argus's Three Mogul because he made contact with Naaru K'ure through the Ata'mal Crystal.
K'ure taught Velen advanced magic and technology. Thanks to this powerful influence, the Draenei made great strides in both magic and technology. Velen was instrumental in this, and his status rose accordingly, eventually reaching the pinnacle of power.
In the dream, Velen paced cautiously.
Above the sky, a dim Naaru appeared, its body cracked and its edges filled with scattered powder, like a fragile piece of porcelain.
"Velen, have you forgotten our past friendship?"
K'ure's voice was filled with sorrow. "Have you forgotten that it was I who helped the Eredar rise to power, that it was I who helped you ascend to the throne of the Argus's Three Mogul, that it was I who provided the blueprints for Tempest Keep to help you escape Argus Planet? I do not agree with the Naaru feeding on the souls of the Draenei. The excellent Draenei should be the main force against the Legion, not refugees."
What has made our relationship so distant? Why did you leave me to die? I was heartbroken to hear of your passing, but when I learned of your arrival in another Timeline, I saw hope. I'm begging you one last time: help me, help your old friend. I'm still young; I shouldn't be growing old.
Velen sighed deeply and said, "I'm sorry, old friend, there's no place for you among the Naaru. Just like the Dark Star K'ara, you've been abandoned."
"K'ara has evolved." K'ure's Naaru trembled slightly. "She told me something. My power is almost gone. This is our last conversation. Will you tell me if it's true? K'ara said you were secretly colluding with the Void Lords."
Velen's lips curled into a smug smile as he said, "I've known for a long time that success comes from playing both sides; don't pin your hopes on any one party."
"So you admit it? No wonder."
K'ure's tone was one of deep disappointment as he asked in a trembling voice, "When did this happen?"
Velen replied, "The Ata'mal Crystal can also be used to contact the Void Lords."
The dream shattered, signifying that K'ure's power was nearly exhausted, to the point that he could no longer even maintain the dream.
Velen opened his eyes in the meditation room, a gloating expression on his face.
K'ure is doomed.
Nagrand, Oshu'gun Mountain.
Cho'gall led a party to Oshu'gun Mountain, which included Cyclops, towering Gronn, and even more Ogre Mages.
From the pitch-black crevice, a chilling, dark aura surged forth. The Gorian Empire had long recorded the existence of Oshu'gun Mountain, where Ogres had once ventured deep into its heart and encountered a large horde of Pale Orcs resembling zombies.
"We must exterminate all the White Demons; they are filthy Orcs transformed," Cho'gall shouted.
The Ogre Mages cast a spell together, dispelling the darkness at the cave entrance, Cho'gall summoned an Earth Elemental to lead the way.
Bright magical light illuminated the cave, while a chilling atmosphere enveloped it. Many dark creatures screamed, only to be quickly annihilated by the Ogre Mage.
A withered, pale creature lunged at the Earth Elemental with incredible agility, its sharp claws leaving marks on the Earth Elemental.
Cho'gall cast a binding spell, immobilizing the Pale Orcs, and an Ogre Mage stuffed a pill into his mouth.
Freed from its restraints, the Pale Orcs roared in pain, its body turning pale purple, before turning and running deeper into the cave.
Cho'gall said sinisterly, "This Pale Orcs will soon go mad and attack its own kind. If its kind eats its flesh, they will also go mad. It will be a chain reaction. Before long, the white orcs will kill each other and be wiped out."
"Your Excellency is wise," an Ogre Mage said obsequiously.
Cho'gall nodded in satisfaction. "Proceed. Besides the Pale Orcs, only ghosts remain, formed from the souls of the Orcs. Use the Purify Ghost spell."
The Ogre Mage dispelled the darkness and successfully entered the mountain's interior. Countless Orcs skeletons were piled on the ground, along with many broken crystals—fragments of the Draenei spaceship.
Legendary Oshu'gun is a sacred place for Orcs, and many elderly Orcs enter the mountain to await their death before they die.
Deep within the cave, the sounds of battle between the Pale Orcs could be heard intermittently, clearly indicating that the pills were working.
Suddenly, a hissing sound came from the air, Cho'gall cautiously looked around.
The power of darkness coalesced before the group, coalescing into a tall ghost wearing a black crown and holding a jet-black scepter.
"Ogres, this is the end of it. You cannot proceed any further."
"Who are you?" Cho'gall cautiously sized up the ghost. The ghost was slightly shorter than Ogre but two heads taller than Orcs, and it was impossible to tell what race it was.
As the screams of the Pale Orcs continued to echo, countless souls flew out and entered the ghost's body.
Cho'gall gasped. The ability to directly absorb soul power meant that the ghost's life level was extremely high, possibly comparable to that of the Naaru.
"Go back, Ogre, this is my territory," the ghost threatened.
I'd like to see what you're really capable of.
Cho'gall summoned countless purple Arcane freaks, which lined up and walked toward the mysterious ghost.
The ghost brandished its scepter, and the skeletons on the ground rose up to meet the Arcane deformity. The skeletons opened their mouths and swallowed the deformity whole.
Cho'gall was secretly astonished; the spell the ghost was casting was beyond his comprehension. A chaotic sphere quickly formed and flew towards the ghost.
The ghost raised the scepter again, and the sphere of chaos was absorbed by the scepter.
Cho'gall noticed something amiss; the mysterious ghost could not only devour souls but also absorb magic.
"Cyclops, Charge!" Cho'gall shouted the order.
Three towering, Cyclops pounced on the ghost from three directions. The ghost's body swayed and it burrowed into the body of one of the Cyclops.
In the blink of an eye, the Cyclops let out a scream as its flesh and blood tore away, leaving only bare white bones.
The ghost then entered the body of the next Cyclops.
The cave was filled with the thick stench of blood, Cho'gall saw fear in the eyes of the Ogre Mage beside him.