Standing before Illidan, Rakeesh felt like an ant.
Illidan, however, was a colossus reaching for the heavens. Rakeesh strained to look up at the sky, but all he saw was blue sky and white clouds.
There is an old saying in many worlds of the universe: the end of science is Theology.
The gods referred to here are not invisible and intangible idols of faith, but real beings, such as Titans or Void Lords.
Slightly less qualified, the Old Gods barely qualify.
Then some people ask, what is the end of Theology?
Rakeesh witnessed many strange and unusual things throughout his long life.
But ultimately, these were all explained; after all, the Burning Legion is one of the most advanced civilizations in the universe, possessing a top-tier technological team.
However, Rakeesh had a premonition about the strange things happening before him, something that even the Legion's leaders couldn't explain.
Illidan is the Theology end that Rakeesh has ever seen.
"I want to choose a dignified way to die." Illidan's expression was calm. "Rakeesh, would you be willing to help me choose?"
Rakeesh bowed and scraped, saying, "Lord Illidan, you must be joking. Your abilities are unparalleled in my life; even Archimonde and Kil'jaeden are no match for you."
Illidan replied indifferently, "Archimonde, Kil'jaeden, mere ants of considerable size. Have you ever seen Sargeras?"
Rakeesh said ingratiatingly, "I am of lowly status and not qualified to have any contact with Lord Sargeras. In my opinion, you are no different from Sargeras."
Illidan's brow relaxed, and he smiled slightly, saying, "You're right. I originally intended to tear your soul apart and throw your body into the Black Temple to grieve your father. Now I've changed my mind. Go back and give Kil'jaeden a message."
Rakeesh breathed a sigh of relief. His father had long ago taught him that words are one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.
It's never wrong to temporarily set aside your dignity and say flattering things in front of the powerful.
"Lord Illidan, you can rest assured that I'll handle things well." Rakeesh revealed a shrewd look.
Illidan said solemnly, "Tell Kil'jaeden that the secret lies hidden in the Shadowlands."
Rakeesh didn't understand the meaning of those words, and of course he didn't dare to ask, so he lowered his head and said meekly:
"I understand."
Illidan looked at the crowd in the council chamber. "Alright, you choose for me. The lucky one among them will have the honor of killing me."
Rakeesh knelt earnestly on the ground. "Lord Illidan, I feel an immediate connection with you, and I am willing to serve you faithfully and never abandon you. I don't understand why you chose to take your own life?"
"You're not being honest, you're not saying this from the heart." Illidan's expression hardened, but he was in high spirits.
"I might as well tell you, I have to go to the Shadowlands. Everything is ready; all that's left is a dignified farewell."
Rakeesh didn't dare ask any more questions and stood up to look at everyone in the council hall.
The Elites sent by the Horde must be excluded; they are all Thrall's men, and Rakeesh doesn't want Thrall to become the Lord of Outland.
The Bastard Son Prince of the Alliance was not under consideration either. Rakeesh had long known that the House Wrynn and Thrall had an inextricable and unclear relationship.
The Mag'har Orcs, Rakeesh despised them from the bottom of his heart.
This is a motley crew with no opinions of their own; if Thrall beckons to them, they will immediately kneel before Thrall.
Murloc, forget it.
In the end, only the adventurers of Azeroth remained, the elite forces from various guilds.
They are not controlled by the Alliance or the Horde, have no background, and are solely driven by profit.
They'd be willing to kill Thrall for money and equipment.
"Lord Illidan, the adventurers of Azeroth possess free will, and I choose them."
Rakeesh lowered his head, secretly watching Illidan's expression.
Illidan laughed heartily, "Just what I wanted. Velen has a fine son."
Illidan casually raised his hand, and dozens of Murlocs gathered together, transforming into green-skinned Murlocs.
The Mag'har Orcs merged together and became a young Gronn.
The Horde's elites came together and transformed into a kind-hearted Tauren.
The Bastard Son Prince of the Alliance and his many subordinates were transformed into a Shar Pei dog.
"Murloc Mugga, Sunhide Little Gronn, Tauren Gamon, Shar-Pei Krishito, go forth, you have your own Destiny."
Several Portals opened.
Munga Munga, Sunhide Little Gronn, Gamon, Krishito bowed to Illidan and went their separate ways through the Portal.
Rakeesh stared in disbelief; the ability to freely blend life forms was unprecedented.
Illidan stood up, his voice low and deep. "Take your men and leave. I'm exhausted."
Rakeesh expressed his gratitude repeatedly and left the Council Chamber with his many subordinates.
The magnificent Black Temple meant nothing to him.
Only the utterly admirable Lord Illidan.
Outside the door, Jaina showed no surprise and chuckled, "Now you know you're no match for them, right?"
Rakeesh turned his head and suddenly understood something: Jaina possessed the Heart of Zangar, yet she had never had the thought of killing Illidan.
"Woman, you knew Illidan was terrifying all along, didn't you?"
Jaina laughed, "You have no idea what kind of being you were facing. To be honest, I'm surprised you all came out alive. It's a pity about your trusted followers."
Rakeesh understood the implication: his subordinates, who had been manipulated by Illidan, would certainly face suspicion upon returning to the Burning Legion.
The inherently suspicious Kil'jaeden would never entrust these people with important tasks; their best fate would be to send them to various Battlefields as cannon fodder.
"I didn't come away empty-handed either; I witnessed firsthand the pinnacle of power. Thrall, on the other hand, will never become the Lord of Outland."
Rakeesh felt an extraordinary sense of satisfaction at the thought that Thrall had paid the price of millions of Orcs, only to gain nothing in return.
Rakeesh led his men back along the same chain path.
The battle in the Shadow Hall was raging, with the corpses of Fel Orcs and green-skinned Orcs piled up like mountains, both sides bloodthirsty.
After Rakeesh left, Illidan rose from his throne and walked step by step toward the terrace of the Black Temple, followed by twenty-five adventurers from Azeroth.
Illidan slammed the heavy stone door shut, leaving the twenty-five adventurers outside. He collapsed to his knees, clutching Skull of Gul'dan tightly.
Skull of Gul'dan contained a small amount of Fel, which became the energy that sustained his final life.
The Black Temple was engulfed in war, and Akama led the Broken to choose to avoid battle.
The cunning Akama sensed Illidan's unusual behavior and first led the Broken to release Shade of Akama, allowing his soul to be restored to wholeness.
Immediately after hearing the news, Akama arrived at the command hall where the Illidari Council was located and saw twenty-five adventurers standing like wooden stakes.
"Who goes there?" Akama demanded sharply.
A Blood Elf Warrior slowly turned around, his silly grin gradually turning serious:
"We are adventurers from Azeroth, here to defeat Illidan. We severely wounded Illidan, and he fled to the highest point of the Black Temple. And who are you?"
Akama was taken aback, realizing that Illidan had weakened to this extent.
"I am Akama, leader of the Ashtongue Deathsworn." Akama's eyes darted around. "I am willing to help you open this stone gate, for the sake of Azeroth."