Focusing Iris?
Antonidas shook his head, sighed softly, and dared not ask any further questions.
The story behind Garrosh using Focusing Iris to destroy Theramore is very complex.
Focusing Iris, an artifact of the Blue Dragonflight, requires exquisite spellcasting skills to use.
Even Jaina had to return to Dalaran and consult relevant records to learn how to use the Focusing Iris.
Antonidas was well aware that such information Dalaran, and ordinary mages had no right to access it.
Moreover, even if they could find the information, most mages in Dalaran would still find it difficult to understand; it requires a deep understanding of magic. If Jaina hadn't received guidance from Medivh, she simply wouldn't have been able to comprehend it.
Garrosh, a muscle-bound Orcs, Orgrimmar, a bunch of warlike militants—do you really think the Orcs have a greater reserve of magical knowledge Dalaran?
The explosion of Focusing Iris not only destroyed Theramore, but also made the space there extremely vulnerable, making it ideal for invasion by external forces.
Antonidas then realized that all of this had been prepared in advance.
Perhaps Theramore wasn't intended for the Iron Horde, in which case the answer is obvious: it was likely a prelude to the Burning Legion's invasion.
The airship slowly sailed toward Theramore, where the harbor was lined with thousands of sails.
The Forsaken army had already landed here, and a large number of ships had brought mountains of building materials from Undercity.
Countless Ghouls were busy at work, and the base had been initially completed. Just like in the Blasted Lands, in the center of Theramore, at the core of the Focusing Iris explosion, a huge crater had been dug.
Three sturdy Castles were built beside the deep pit, forming a perfect defensive system by supporting each other.
To prevent the seawater from flooding the pit or causing waterlogging during heavy rains, a Magic Shield needs to be built to cover the pit. The mages from Silvermoon City are working hard on this task.
Another essential condition for summoning the Dark Portal is powerful mana. In the Azeroth Continent, apart from Medivh and his son who possess the Spellstealer Wyrm, no one has the mana to support the ritual of summoning the Dark Portal.
Antonidas saw a shimmering pool filled with magical water.
This water comes from the Sunwell; its abundant magic ensures the spellcaster's mana needs are met.
The last question, and also the most crucial problem.
Who will preside over this summoning ceremony?
It's important to understand that summoning the Dark Portal is no ordinary magic; it requires incredibly precise casting. As the saying goes, a slight error can lead to disastrous consequences, and even the slightest deviation can result in a cataclysmic disaster.
Ner'zhul's spellcasting in the Black Temple resulted in turmoil throughout Outland, serving as a cautionary tale.
Such intricate magic can only be performed by one person; mistakes are bound to occur when multiple people work together.
In particular, this time, summoning the Dark Portal is aimed at the Dark Portal in Draenor thirty-five years ago. The caster must have a full understanding of time and space, making it much more difficult than Medivh's previous summoning of the Dark Portal.
Antonidas was quite self-aware; he knew very well that he was absolutely incapable of completing the spell.
Who in Azeroth today is capable of performing the ritual to summon the Dark Portal?
Antonidas pondered for a long time, but couldn't find a suitable candidate.
Sylvanas seemed to have been prepared, and she calmly said to Antonidas:
"The summoning of the Dark Portal will be accomplished by the Emissary."
Emissary?
Antonidas was secretly surprised. He recalled the mysterious figure in Karazhan who had easily destroyed the Magic Shield Karazhan. The Magic Shield that Medivh and his mother had set up together was no match for the Emissary.
The exquisite spellcasting skills and profound understanding of magic left Antonidas feeling inferior. In front of that Emissary, Antonidas felt like a mere magic apprentice.
But is the Emissary truly capable of summoning the Dark Portal?
Antonidas glanced at the confident Sylvanas, hesitated for a moment, and asked in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, I wonder if that Emissary is confident in completing the summoning ritual? To be honest, I have my doubts. Of course, I have no disrespect for the great Emissary, but I feel that such an important matter must be handled with utmost care."
Sylvanas scoffed and waved her hand, saying, "Antonidas, if you knew the true identity of that Emissary, you wouldn't have asked such a foolish question."
After a pause, Sylvanas also showed a look of doubt.
The Emissary noble status and highly regarded by the Dark Side of the Moon, so they dare not disturb him easily.
Sylvanas believed the Emissary could summon the Dark Portal, but this was based on blind trust in the man. Antonidas's reminder made her realize that she might have made a mistake.
After a long silence, Sylvanas shrugged and said:
"Alright, Antonidas, why don't we confirm with the Emissary? Although I feel that doubting the Emissary's abilities is disrespectful, and I don't want to anger Emissary, as you said, this matter is of great importance, so it's better to confirm. I still think it's completely unnecessary."
Antonidas opened Portal, and several Royal Guards from Undercity carried an exceptionally ornate coffin out of Portal.
Looking at the magical gems adorning the coffin, Sylvanas secretly gave a wink.
Emissary Mastery in magic, Antonidas is certainly more professional.
Antonidas knelt beside the coffin, his hand resting on the center of the magic gem. He knew very well that the Emissary inside was in a state of eternal slumber.
This is a form of hibernation that can slow down aging and reduce the loss of magical energy within the body.
It's merely to confirm the Emissary's abilities; there's no need to awaken the Emissary.
Antonidas used special sorcery and magic, usually to communicate with great beings.
"Great Emissary, please forgive my unintentional offense. We plan to summon the Dark Portal from Draenor World thirty-five years ago to Azeroth. We have found a region with a weak spatial structure and will use the water of the Sunwell as a source of magic. Please provide guidance Emissary Messenger."
As expected of the shrewd Antonidas, he dared not directly question the Emissary's abilities, but instead used a more subtle approach.
There was silence inside the coffin for a long time before a sound slowly emerged, coming from all directions, elusive and uncertain, as if a deity was responding to a believer.
"Summoning the Dark Portal is no easy task, Antonidas. You were once the leader of Dalaran. You must know very well that creating any magic requires countless studies and numerous failures. In the realms of time and space, the mages of Azeroth have limited knowledge. Only a few major cosmic powers, such as the Titans, the Burning Legion, the Void forces, Army of the Light, possess such technology."
Sylvanas's expression changed upon hearing this. Her understanding of magic was limited, and if it weren't for Antonidas's reminder, she would have made a grave mistake.
But you are the first in Azeroth.
Sylvanas immediately shut up, having almost revealed the true identity of the Emissary.
Antonidas was secretly surprised; he had already guessed who the Emissary was.
After a long silence, the Emissary's voice came again from all directions:
"On the Azeroth Continent, only two people are capable of performing this magic: Medivh, and Queen Azshara, Medivh's predecessor, who also studied at the Sargeras Void Academy."