Varimathras suddenly appeared before Antonidas, the Dreadlord revealing a cunning smile:
"Archmage Antonidas, look, we Dreadlords are masters at reading minds. You would never guess that Rhonin is working for the Scourge. You must go and see that Magic Circle, where the magic in Dalaran is flowing."
"What?"
Antonidas was startled. Jaina's betrayal had put him on high alert. Could Rhonin also be a traitor?
"Oh no!"
Rhonin had planted a spy by Antonidas's side, and received the news immediately when the Dreadlord. He didn't know how the Dreadlord had seen through the flaw, so he hurriedly destroyed the core of the Magic Circle, hoping to buy some time, and then rushed home to find his wife Vereesa.
"Dalaran about to set up a teleportation barrier. It's going to be too late. Don't pack anything, we must leave immediately."
"What happened?" Vereesa asked hurriedly.
As Rhonin opened the Portal, he lamented, "Dalaran finished, Antonidas, alas!"
In the deserted main control room of the Magic Circle, Antonidas immediately noticed the anomaly. He roared in panic:
"Rhonin, do you know what you're doing? You're destroying Dalaran, you're destroying Azeroth! Luckily I arrived early, it's not too late."
Having suffered repeated betrayals, Antonidas refused to trust anyone.
He summoned his most trusted disciples, repaired the core of the Magic Circle, and decided to personally supervise it. Varimathras was extremely familiar with the Legion magic, and he was very willing to be the one to oversee the formation.
The Magic Circle finally started operating smoothly. Varimathras floated into the Magic Circle, and the Runes inscribed within it flickered with purple flames, crackling and exploding. Columns of flame shot out from around the Magic Circle, illuminating the sky above Dalaran.
The sky Dalaran cracked open, and countless Spatial Rifts spread like a spider web, as if the end of the world had arrived. Meteorites, trailing green Flames, shrieked as they pierced the sky and fell toward Dalaran.
Varimathras turned and glared at the stunned Antonidas, his eyes gleaming, and explained.
"Don't worry, this is just the prelude. We need some advance troops to arrive and scout ahead. Hehe, you know, big shots always like a grand spectacle."
Meteors continued to fall, destroying many buildings in Dalaran. In fact, most of the Dalaran Mages were unaware of the truth. They were terrified and ran around in all directions in the face of this terrifying summoning ritual, but no one cared about their feelings anymore.
The earth trembled continuously as the meteorite struck, and then stone golem-like things, or ugly monsters with huge wings and wielding flaming swords, crawled out of the craters.
Antonidas recognized them as the infamous Infernal and Doomguard.
Arthas and Robbie gazed at the strange celestial phenomena above Dalaran, both feeling uneasy and their hearts pounding with fear. The end was near; the Burning Legion was coming.
"Rhonin has failed." Arthas sighed. "His plans were anticipated by the Dreadlord, Archmage Antonidas finally succumbed to the Legion's temptations. Our plan has failed."
Robbie was even more disappointed, feeling a sense of powerless defeat. He saw the cracks in the sky, the intersection of points and planes, the convergence of powerful magic. This unusual power seemed to be mocking his overestimation of his abilities.
History is indeed unchangeable; the destruction of Dalaran seemed inevitable. Although he knew this history beforehand and was mentally prepared, Rhonin still felt waves of sadness.
"Retreat, Arthas, we are no match for the Burning Legion."
Arthas nodded; he knew the Scourge's limits and had no choice but to order a retreat.
At the same time, Robbie heard the call of the Infinite Dragonflight. He had been stuck in this Timeline for too long; it was time to return.
Robbie found an excuse to part ways with Arthas. He shouldered the Justice of the Holy Light, found a high place, and looked towards Dalaran. He wanted to remember all of this deeply, as it was an experience and lesson he had to keep in mind.
A vast horde of Infernal and Felguard protected the enormous summoning Magic Circle.
Varimathras hovered in mid-air, arms outstretched, head held high with horns raised, chanting incantations.
The Magic Circle spun rapidly, and a torrent of energy crackled and surged forth. A green sphere began to form, and finally emerged from its cocoon. A huge beam of light shot straight into the sky, shattering all the dense Spatial Rifts. Above Dalaran, a pitch-black hole appeared, as if leading to a deep hell.
Varimathras cried out, "Appear, great Archimonde! Enter this world, and let us bathe in your immense power!"
Boom!
A terrifying force descended from the sky, and something appeared in the pitch-black hole—a huge oval-shaped green sphere of light, surrounded by countless magical Runes, slowly passing through the enormous black hole.
Varimathras emerged from the Magic Circle; the summoning ritual had drained him of much of his energy. He pointed to the enormous sphere of light and said, "That is Lord Archimonde. The Rune the sphere protected him as he passed through the spatial portal."
"Truly an incredible power." Antonidas exclaimed repeatedly, having witnessed firsthand the Legion's devastating power and profound magical skills, and increasingly felt that his choice was correct.
An oval-shaped green orb floated above Dalaran. As the magical Runes dissipated layer by layer, Archimonde the Defiler was about to descend upon this world. Even from a considerable distance, Antonidas could sense the powerful and Evil force contained within it.
The Legendary Burning Legion descended overhead, terrifying the mages of Dalaran. Unfortunately, the teleportation barrier had already been activated, making escape impossible.
"Tremble, despair! Mortals, the end has come for this world, the Burning Legion has arrived."
Varimathras shouted excitedly, and Antonidas wanted to join in the celebration, but then realized he was too old and perhaps not quite right. Varimathras suddenly revealed a sly smile and gave a deep bow.
"Thank you, Antonidas, for summoning the Legion. Before Lord Archimonde arrives, I must tell you something: Medivh is Archimonde's student, and he calls Archimonde 'Headmaster.'"
"What?" Antonidas felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his whole body was cold, and his blood seemed to have frozen.
"Although Archimonde wasn't Medivh's mentor, their relationship was like that of Rhonin and you. Foolish mortal, now you should know what you did wrong, shouldn't you? I've seen countless foolish mortals like you, blinded by greed and desire. What a laughable mortal! You've brought destruction upon yourself and your world, and now it's finally your turn to pay the price."
Antonidas was stunned; his thoughts froze, and his mind ceased to function.
He saw a large group of Orcs approaching, together with the Scourge, led by Thrall.
"Archimonde promised me," Antonidas said in vain.
"Of course, but Lord Archimonde hasn't agreed to protect you. Too many people want to join the Legion. If you can survive the Orcs, you'll be rewarded, you foolish old man."
A bright light flashed behind Antonidas, followed by immense pain. Antonidas struggled, but he had no strength left.
"I apologize for that dishonorable attack."
Saurfang, wielding his Battle Axe, grinned maliciously as he watched the pitiful Archmage fall into a pool of blood.
Varimathras smiled at the Orcs: "Don't say that, you did very well." Then he spat at the Archmage: "The Legion doesn't keep useless trash."
Thrall, gripping the heavily wounded Antonidas, forcefully pressed his head down and grinned maliciously:
"You old bastard, you actually dared to try and replace us Orcs! I told you, I would eat you up, you fool! Let me see if your brain is made of mush."
He forcefully pried open Antonidas's skull and devoured the Archmage's brain, leaving it dripping with blood.
The little girl beside him screamed. Thrall recognized her as the Archmage's granddaughter.
"Nip it in the bud," Thrall ordered.
Just as Saurfang was about to reach out his Evil hand to the little girl, he suddenly flew up with Thrall, as if riding on clouds.
It was a gigantic monster, majestic and upright, exuding Pride and conceit.
Archimonde the Defiler descended, grabbed Thrall and Saurfang, and ignoring the two Orcs' screams, bit into their flesh and swallowed it whole, leaving only their heads, which he then threw in front of Varimathras.
"Repair them, Dreadlord," Archimonde commanded.
This is a ritual, an Evil magic that devours the flesh and blood of the Orcs, forcing Orcs to submit to Archimonde, and their descendants will forever be Archimonde servants.
"The Orcs are no longer of any use. You Dreadlords will command them. Soon I will order the invasion to destroy the Scourge and wipe out all life on the Azeroth Continent. But first, I will make an example of these insignificant mages. I will utterly destroy their cities and reduce them to dust in history."
Robbie, witnessing all of this, lamented inwardly.
King Terenas, stubborn and foolish, established Orcs internment camps, bringing disaster to Lordaeron.
Elf Anasterian's stubbornness and inflexibility led him to take in the Orcs, ultimately resulting in the destruction of Silvermoon City.
High Archmage Antonidas's stubbornness and greed summoned the Burning Legion, bringing destruction to Dalaran.
History often repeats itself in surprising ways: when power is too concentrated and leaders act arbitrarily, disaster is imminent.
This is an experience and a lesson that must be learned.
Although Robbie accomplished his mission and discovered Medivh's weakness, he felt he had failed.
A complex Timeline, an unalterable history, and too many mysteries.
Arthas, my old friend, I will definitely return.
I will study the patterns of time, gain the ability to alter the Timeline, and the power to change the world.
I must become stronger, so that Evil will have nowhere to hide and will pay the price it deserves.
Justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.
Guided by the Infinite Dragonflight, Robbie chose to return.