Seeing Uther disappear into the basement, Eitrigg assumed victory was assured and followed him in.
By breaking down the basement door, Eitrigg happened to see Uther being enveloped by dark light, about to be sucked into a black vortex.
Eitrigg's expression changed drastically. He quickly put on a fawning smile and was about to close the door and leave.
Nathanos didn't let him go, and with a gentle wave of his staff, two Plague Hounds emerged from the wall, baring their teeth and lunging at Eitrigg.
Eitrigg was no Uther; he had just drawn his Battle Axe when a Plague Hound bit his wrist.
Immediately afterwards, another Plague Hound bit his ankle.
"Help! I don't want to die! Spare me! Orcs and Forsaken are allies forever!" Eitrigg pleaded, weeping bitterly.
Seeing this, Uther was so anxious that his eyes widened in fury, and he roared:
"Traitor! Release the great Eitrigg! Do you intend to destroy Azeroth?"
Despite the cracks in his soul, Uther struggled relentlessly, his soul being torn in two, one half of which lunged at Nathanos.
Nathanos hadn't expected Uther to be so selfless and fearless. Half of Uther's soul was wrapped around Nathanos, and he laughed triumphantly.
"Fighting for the Orcs, my life has been worthwhile. Come with me into the Shadowlands."
Uther's soul reunited, surrendered, and entwined with Nathanos's soul, entering the vortex together.
The vortex slowly closed, Eitrigg sat down heavily on the ground, drenched in cold sweat.
"Something's wrong, you bastard, Uther, you've really put me in a difficult position." Eitrigg gritted his teeth in anger.
Eitrigg's goal was to kidnap Nathanos and coerce Sylvanas, but Uther instead stole Nathanos's soul.
Nathanos's soulless body collapsed limply, Eitrigg felt waves of darkness before his eyes, unsure how to return to Thrall and explain the situation.
In Undercity, Sylvanas was enraged to learn that Nathanos's soul had been dragged into the Shadowlands by Uther.
"Varimathras, how can we retrieve Nathanos's soul from the Shadowlands?"
Facing the enraged Dark Lady, Varimathras calmly replied, "Your Majesty, only the Jailer has the authority to release souls that have entered the Shadowlands."
"Alright, then let's contact the Jailer," Sylvanas said resolutely, "No matter the cost."
Varimathras shrugged:
"Interesting. You remind me of an unforgettable experience, a girl named Lisa. But I'm sorry, the Dreadlord can communicate with the Shadowlands, but he's not qualified to see the Jailer."
Sylvanas frowned, her expression darkening. "So there's no other way?"
Varimathras shook his head. "It's not that there's no way. In Azeroth, there's someone who's very close to the Jailer of the Maw."
"Who?" Sylvanas's hope rekindled.
"Illidan Stormrage."
The council chamber of the Black Temple.
Akama lay prostrate on the ground, head bowed, staring at the earth.
On the high steps, Illidan sat on the ground, holding the Skull of Gul'dan in his hand, tilting his head as if listening to something.
After a long pause, Illidan revealed a strange smile, his sharp teeth gleaming.
"Akama." Illidan rubbed his temples beneath his demonic horns. "Many doubt your loyalty, as do your ugly Broken."
Akama hurriedly crawled forward a few steps and said nervously, "Lord Illidan, you must believe me, my loyalty to you is as clear as day."
Illidan waved his hand, a twisted, Evil smile spreading across his face, "I can trust you, trust your Broken, but I want you to prove your loyalty to everyone."
Akama lowered his head. "Lord Illidan, what are your orders?"
Illidan stood up, looking up at the sky over Shadowmoon Valley: "Kael'thas did a great job. Shattrath City suffered heavy losses and was severely weakened. Silvermoon City is now less than a tenth of its former strength. Just recently, the Blood Elves officially joined the Army of the Light, receiving the blessing of the Holy Light. A ceremony was held in Shattrath City, an opportunity for the Broken to prove their loyalty."
Akama understood Illidan's meaning and said with difficulty, "Shattrath City is protected by the Holy Light."
"Are you refusing my orders?" Illidan was displeased. "Do you think I don't value the lives of the Broken? Ordering them to their pointless deaths? Let me tell you, A'dal is being punished by the Army of the Light. The Mother of Holy Light Xe'ra, has slammed him in a complaint, and these past few days have been the period when A'dal's light is at its weakest."
Akama looked up in surprise.
They even knew the internal struggles within the Army of the Light perfectly, just how terrifying Illidan Stormrage truly was!
Illidan has always been enigmatic, but he has never been as awe-inspiring as he is today.
Seeing Akama's greedy gaze, Illidan sternly warned, "Don't harbor any ambitions towards A'dal. Even if he's as weak as a Kobold, he's not someone you can handle."
Akama quickly composed himself and prostrated himself on the ground once more, listening to Illidan's teachings.
Illidan, confident in his plan, gave the order:
"The slums of Shattrath City have been largely consumed as military rations, and the city is desperate to absorb a large number of refugees. You will infiltrate Shattrath City by mixing the Broken among the refugees, and find an opportunity to disrupt the Blood Elf ceremonies. Vashj's Naga forces at Coilfang Reservoir can assist you."
Akama breathed a sigh of relief as he recalled the endless Naga Legions surging from Doom Volcano.
"Lord Illidan, I will certainly not fail in my mission."
Akama went down to make preparations, while Vandel quietly appeared beside Illidan.
Illidan whispered, "Continue to monitor Akama. This is a good opportunity to lure him out."
Akama arrived at Maiev's cell. Maiev looked to be in good health, though she had clearly gained a lot of weight, probably due to lack of exercise.
Since their last conversation, Maiev has seen through Illidan's plot and formed an alliance with Akama, at least on the surface.
"Akama, I heard Tempest Keep has been breached, Thrall killed Kael'thas and took his head." Maiev said with a smile, relaying the hottest news.
Akama blinked and sneered, "And then he killed Kael'thas again on the Magisters' Terrace. I really feel sorry for Thrall; the Orcs never seem to lose."
Maiev stared into Akama's eyes and tentatively asked, "What do you think of Thrall, the Savior?"
Akama shook his head and honestly said, "I don't know."
Maiev immediately devised a plan to help her gain her freedom, deliberately displaying an expression of hatred:
"The conflict between the Night Elves and Orcs is constant. We lost many men in the Ashenvale Battlefield, even the great Lord Cenarius was killed. Thrall's methods are extremely clever, with endless schemes and tricks. If anyone could defeat Illidan, it might only be Thrall."
Akama has knowledge of the battles for Tempest Keep and Magisters' Terrace:
"Indeed, in the war against Kael'thas, Thrall successfully weakened Shattrath City and Silvermoon City, while strengthening Orgrimmar."
"I must warn you," Maiev deliberately put on a stern expression, "Never cooperate with Thrall under any circumstances, or I would rather surrender to Illidan and procreate for him."
"I won't make the same mistake as A'dal," Akama swore.
However, he was deeply moved, Maiev successfully planted a seed in his heart.