Twenty-six years into the Dark Portal, three months before Illidan's death.
The Karabor Temple, a sacred site for the Draenei, now known as the Black Temple, is an ancient structure riddled with spatial rifts due to Ner'zhul's mistake.
On the observatory atop the Black Temple, Illidan, an avatar of Aman'Thul, clutched the Skull of Gul'dan as if it were his own life.
This is a powerful magical artifact, capable of continuously absorbing Void Energy from the rift.
A powerful energy raged within his body, causing it to collapse and rebuild itself time and again.
Illidan knelt on the ground, and with each reorganization of his body, his strength increased.
Such inhuman torture would have driven an ordinary person insane.
However, ten thousand years of imprisonment and torture were merely a pleasure for him.
Suddenly, two green beams of light shot from Illidan's blindfolded eyes.
He looked up, and in the distant river of time, five green Orcs skulls drew closer, each bearing his mark.
The five skulls eventually fell in the Blasted Lands, before the Dark Portal.
Illidan stretched out his right hand, his sharp nails pointing at Skull of Gul'dan.
Scenes flashed from the five skulls, Illidan gave a wicked smile, revealing a set of sharp teeth.
"I control time, I hold the truth; so this is the Destiny I am about to face."
Illidan took a deep breath. "I understand. The future is clearly laid out before me. If I still can't change my Destiny, I might as well jump off the Black Temple."
Unfurling his shattered membranous wings, Illidan flew around the Black Temple.
"I was called the Betrayer, yet I was betrayed."
An image flashed through Illidan's mind: Akama, the leader of the Broken.
Akama was originally Draenei archbishop, but during the brutal Battle of Shattrath, he was corrupted by the poisonous mist and turned into Broken.
Because of the change in appearance, the Holy Light abandoned him without hesitation. Fortunately, he Mastery Shaman doctrines and led the Broken were as ugly as him, to become the Ashtongue Deathsworn.
The fortress is most easily breached from within; as long as Akama and his ugly brethren are executed beforehand, the Black Temple will be impregnable.
"And of course, Maiev."
Maiev Shadowsong is the leader of the Watchers. The Night Elf race have a close relationship with the Elune. Although they captured Maiev, they dared not do anything to her.
In addition, Illidan saw another scene.
"Kael'thas's claim that he sided with the Burning Legion and allied with Kil'jaeden is likely a lie."
Illidan made a reasonable conjecture: not everyone is qualified to access the Burning Legion's high command.
"But Kael'thas's betrayal was inevitable, while Vashj was loyal; perhaps she was killed before she could even reveal her ambitions."
"They're all traitors."
If all subordinates harbor disloyalty, then the problem must be examined within oneself.
Illidan began to reflect on where he had gone wrong.
Suddenly, right before his eyes, a bright flower bloomed.
The red flower has irregular petals, like a burning Flame, floating Anjing in the air.
This item, named Tyrande's Memory, possesses a seductive power that bewitches people, making Illidan infatuated with Tyrande.
However, Illidan destroyed it many years ago.
Since arriving in Outland, Tyrande's Memories have been constantly resurfacing before him, interfering with his emotions.
Illidan's face contorted in pain as he groaned and crushed Tyrande's Memories.
However, this had no effect, and Tyrande's Memories resurfaced.
One becomes two, two become four, growing exponentially, and in the blink of an eye, the observatory has become a sea of flowers.
Illidan's head was buzzing, countless false memories of Tyrande affecting his emotions.
"You think you can interfere with me like this?" Illidan roared furiously, "I know who you are. I've been imprisoned for ten thousand years under your name; this was your Destiny."
Illidan gazed at the sky, and through countless Spatial Rifts, he seemed to see a handsome Night Elf, a pair of golden eyes fixed intently on him.
"Like Queen Azshara, you were born with unique golden eyes," Illidan roared madly. "It represents your resonance with Azeroth. You are the chosen one, the master of the World Soul. Even I cannot disguise these golden eyes; I can only become blind."
"Unfortunately, your golden eyes betrayed your identity." Illidan gritted his teeth. "Elune had planned this all along. First, she tempted you with Demons power to abandon your talents. The ten thousand years of imprisonment were also aimed at you, ensuring you would never be able to merge with your World Soul again. You should thank me; I bore all of this for you and changed your Destiny."
Having probably convinced the other party, countless Tyrande memories vanished, leaving only one in the end.
Illidan viewed this little flower as a venomous snake, but he knew it was the other party's bottom line, so he reluctantly put it in his arms.
Tyrande's Memories affected his emotions.
Since the Dark Portal twenty-one years ago, and Illidan defeated Magtheridon to become the new King of Outland, he hasn't acted too brutally, all thanks to this little flower.
Taking a deep breath, Illidan calmed himself. A subordinate came to report that Akama had come to visit.
"How dare he come to see me?" Illidan stretched out his claws, as if to crush his head.
The sealed door opened, and Akama came up the stairs, kneeling on one knee. "Greetings, Lord of Outland."
"Stand up and speak." Illidan's face remained expressionless.
"I protest!" Akama's voice was loud and filled with anger. "Why have the Broken been driven from the Pleasure Gardens?"
Illidan was slightly taken aback.
The Pleasure Gardens in the Black Temple was built by Matron Shahraz and is a gathering place for Succubus, humans, and Blood Elf women, seemingly a place for pleasure-seeking.
Of course, there are also Orcs and Troll women, but they can't be displayed openly; they are used to satisfy customers with special tastes.
The purpose of establishing the Pleasure Gardens was to obtain the power of desire; there were no dirty deals involved. The enthusiastic guests were quickly drained of their desires and became indifferent.
However, the Pleasure Gardens has requirements regarding the appearance of its guests; ugly Broken are turned away.
In Illidan's nature, he should have mocked Akama mercilessly.
As expected, the volatile Akama flew into a rage, and the two clashed. Illidan easily won, extracting a portion of Akama's soul and crafting it into the Shade of Akama.
"Could this be the reason for Akama's betrayal?"
The claims of acting for the sake of Outland and the people are nothing but lies to embellish their own actions.
Having already grasped the future developments, Illidan patiently pondered the matter.
Most of the Broken felt ashamed of themselves, and were also busy communicating with the elements, so only Akama had the time and energy to visit the Pleasure Gardens.
"Akama." Illidan decided to change his mind, a fake smile on his face.
"The Pleasure Gardens is no good place; it's just a mirage, all show and no substance. If you like, I'll take you to a better place."
Akama didn't realize for a moment that Illidan had changed.
"Is there a better place?" Akama asked with longing.
Illidan laughed heartily, spread his wings, and soared into the sky.
"Outland is shattered, and its decadent lifestyle is far removed from us, but Azeroth is different. I know a place that will surely satisfy you."
"Where?" Akama asked with great interest.
"Rustwater Port," Illidan replied.