Zakir, a high-ranking leader of the Eredar, also holds an important position as Archimonde's mentor.
Unlike Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, who later joined the Burning Legion, Zakir's research focused on summoning and enslaving Demons, and he gained Demons knowledge by binding Demons.
Sargeras was one of the first Eredar to communicate with the Dark Titan Sargeras, but he successfully resisted Sargeras's temptations and rejected him.
This action enraged Sargeras, who then seduced Archimonde, Zakir' most trusted disciple. Archimonde obtained power from Sargeras, defeated his mentor, and personally severed Zakir's head, crafting it into an artifact known as the Skull of the Fallen.
Velen knew perfectly well that Zakir was innocent; he had never betrayed the Eredar, but only wanted to gain knowledge of Demons.
But that doesn't matter. No one will defend Zakir, because someone of Velen's status and position never cares about morality or law.
The strong rule, the victor reigns supreme—that's their game.
Zakir slowly walked towards Velen, removing heads as he went, exhaling streams of dark energy, and asked:
"Archimonde, is he alright?"
Velen scoffed, "He's dead."
Zakir was slightly surprised, then laughed and said, "He actually died? I think it must be Kil'jaeden's trick."
Velen shook his head. "Who knows? I was also surprised by Archimonde's death. Just think, a mighty Eredar war elephant was killed by rats."
"And this war elephant knows magic," Zakir added, then hesitated for a moment before saying with a troubled expression:
"The arrival of the Army of the Light is very disadvantageous to me. It should have been the Burning Legion that gave me the opportunity to gain my freedom. I have waited too long for this opportunity."
Velen guessed that Zakir was currently under the control of some Demons of the Burning Legion, and asked suspiciously, "How are you communicating with me?"
Zakir's head winked and chuckled, "You should know that I have always believed in the Holy Light."
So that's how it is. Even after Archimonde took his head, Zakir never wavered in his faith in the Holy Light.
"I need your help," Zakir said. "I've had enough of these filthy Demons and desperately want to return to the embrace of the Holy Light. If you can help me, I'm willing to pledge my allegiance to you for ten thousand years. After ten thousand years, grant me my freedom, help me forge a body, and allow me to be reborn."
To venture alone into Argus Planet and rescue Zakir is an impossible mission. Velen was about to refuse when Zakir hurriedly said:
"That Eredar Demons carrying my head is now in Azeroth, disguised as a human nobleman. He thinks he's well hidden, with few soldiers around him. A simple raid would be enough to defeat and kill him. Velen, you'd be happy to help me, wouldn't you?"
Velen remained hesitant, but Zakir urged impatiently, "Velen, you must be worried about offending the Burning Legion. Listen to me, you need my help, otherwise my tragic Destiny will befall you—a Holy Light artifact forged from your soul."
"That's impossible."
"Ha, that Holy Dragon is the best example. Wasn't he the Aspect of the Blue?" Zakir reminded him, "How similar your situation is to mine back then."
Velen finally panicked. Zakir was defeated by Archimonde because he was so engrossed in the study of Demons that he temporarily relinquished his authority to Archimonde.
Now, Velen is in a similar situation, a leader who has been sidelined.
Zakir looked at Velen with disdain. "Your wisdom is insufficient to handle the current situation, isn't it? So you can only pray to the Holy Light. The Holy Light can only deal with you with prophecies, but it cannot guide your schemes. Although I was defeated by Archimonde, you should know that I am the best schemer among the Eredar."
That's true. Zakir's failure was due to misplaced trust, not to his own wisdom. Archimonde created Zakir into the Skull of the Fallen, valuing his mentor's wisdom and trying to compensate for his own shortcomings.
If Archimonde had had Zakir's help on Mount Hyjal, he would never have suffered such a crushing defeat and died.
At this moment, the last trace of doubt in Velen's heart vanished, and he became certain that the illusion before him was indeed Zakir.
Velen sat at the entrance of the Cosmic Cathedral, head bowed, and said, "I truly don't know what to do, but I don't trust you much. Who knows if this isn't Legion plot?"
Zakir gave a helpless, wry smile. "Alright, alright, before you rescue me, I'll offer you some advice to get you out of this predicament temporarily. Consider it a deposit, how about it?"
Velen's lips curled into a smug smile.
"You're still the same as before," Zakir said seriously. "Listen, Jaina's current position is ostensibly due to her being Holy Dragon, but in reality, she's providing the Allied Forces with Flesh-Eternal. All you need to do is destroy the Flesh-Eternal, Jaina will be in a terrible predicament, losing the soldiers' trust. Then you can seize the opportunity to do what you want—support her, or make things difficult for her—it's all under your control."
Velen scratched his head and asked in confusion:
"But how can we destroy the Flesh-Eternal?"
Zakir chuckled, "Go find the Red Dragon Queen and beg for a portion of Void Dragon Essence."
Velen suddenly understood, and with this hint, a series of conspiracies and schemes quickly began to take shape in his mind.
Seeing that Velen had been persuaded, Zakir decided to call it a day, "That concludes our conversation for today, Velen. I look forward to our next collaboration."
Having said that, the illusion shattered, and Velen ended his meditation, drenched in cold sweat. He listened to the sounds of the Lightforging soldiers drilling in the tent and fell into deep thought.
Deep within the Flesh-Eternal, the Black Dragon Eggs let out a long breath and said to Kalecgos:
"I've succeeded in my mission; I've finally fooled that old bastard, Velen."
The Lightforging Orcs and Lightforged Trolls Legions of the Argent Dawn have established a base on the continent of Azshara and at Rustwater Port.
Jaina sent a Lightforging Centaur force to harass them, and the two sides made their first contact outside Rustwater Port, where they clashed with a Lightforged Trolls force.
The clash between the two Lightforging Legions successfully attracted the attention of various factions in Azeroth.
Meanwhile, a Tauren messenger boarded a zeppelin bound for Northrend, his destination the Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight.
Upon learning that a Tauren had requested an audience, the Red Dragon Queen smiled and said to Krasus beside her:
"Guess whether this messenger represents Velen or Magatha?"
Krasus pondered for a moment before saying, "Given Velen's intelligence, he wouldn't have thought to contact us. I suspect it must be Magatha."
The Red Dragon Queen nodded. "Just as I guessed, bring him to see me. If he doesn't do well, I suggest a meal of beef."
The Tauren was brought to the top of the Wyrmrest Temple. Faced with that mountain-sized figure, he hurriedly knelt on one knee:
"Leipi has met the Red Dragon Queen."
The Red Dragon Queen was slightly surprised; Leipi was no nobody, he was the drummer of the Tauren Chieftains.
It is said that Leipi was a close friend of the previous Tauren Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof. After Baine became chieftain, Rapier left Thunder Bluff and led his band to perform in various places. He was a rock star in Azeroth.
Battle of Mount Hyjal, the Red Dragon Queen lived a secluded life, but she had heard of this band.
"Is the Tauren Chieftains going to perform in Northrend?" the Red Dragon Queen asked with a smile.