Chapter Summaries

Rhonin proved his Holy Word could destroy an Undead and earned Nekros’s favor, then followed him and Vereesa through the Dragonmaw caves to the imprisoned Red Dragon Queen. Nekros presented Rhonin to his “mistress,” leaving Rhonin poised to meet Alexstrasza.

• Rhonin cast a hundred Holy Words at once, burning the Orc Death Knight to ash and convincing Nekros of his value.
• Nekros made Rhonin an honored guest and gave him Vereesa, whom Rhonin insisted on treating as a fellow prisoner rather than property.
• Rhonin pretended Duncan Senturus was his close friend, and Nekros promised to keep Duncan safe as long as Rhonin cooperated.
• Nekros carried the Demon Soul through a barrier of flame, leading Rhonin and Vereesa past Dragon Eggs and into the deepest cavern.
• Rhonin saw the Red Dragon Queen in human form, and Nekros knelt before her and announced that he had brought Rhonin.

The Red Dragon Queen used the Demon Soul to boost Rhonin’s spiritual power and mana, then told him to prove his loyalty by handling a small matter. The story shifted to Lordaeron, where Genn Greymane and Daelin Proudmoore gathered with King Terenas to await Lord Prestor.

• Nekros confessed that he had failed to bring Rhonin to the Red Dragon Queen earlier because Zuluhed had interfered.
• The Red Dragon Queen explained that she needed Rhonin to cast Holy Words reliably and offered to increase his power through meditation with the Demon Soul.
• Rhonin meditated beneath the Demon Soul’s golden light, shared in the spiritual power of dragons within it, and heard a warning about the price of power.
• The Red Dragon Queen dismissed the warning as demonic temptation, and after three days of meditation Rhonin could support two thousand Holy Words.
• The Red Dragon Queen ordered Rhonin to prove his loyalty by taking care of a small matter.
• Genn Greymane waited in Lordaeron’s royal palace for an Alliance meeting, where King Terenas said Lord Prestor would soon arrive; Admiral Daelin Proudmoore also appeared.

At the summit, King Terenas proposed giving Alterac to the Orcs and driving out or sacrificing its people, provoking outrage among the other leaders. Terenas claimed the plan had the Guardian Aegwynn’s backing and declared it approved despite Daelin Proudmoore’s opposition and Danath Trollbane’s refusal to support it; Prestor challenged the leaders over ignoring his opinion.

• King Greymane and Admiral Daelin Proudmoore clashed over their feud until Prestor arrived and restored order.
• King Terenas proposed giving Alterac to the Orcs, then said its people could be turned into food for them.
• Prestor condemned Terenas for abandoning Alterac’s people, while Danath Trollbane and other leaders voiced their outrage.
• Terenas invoked the Guardian Aegwynn’s authority, and Greymane agreed to the plan if Aegwynn wished it.
• Daelin Proudmoore refused to agree, and Danath Trollbane declined to support the proposal.
• Terenas declared the plan approved and Prestor asked why the others had not sought his opinion.

Prestor rejected Terenas’s plan to make him king of Alterac and decided to settle the matter on his own terms. Meanwhile, Nekros’s forces defeated the Order of the Silver Hand in the mountains, captured Uther, and forced Rhonin to duel him; the fight began with Uther slowed by Rhonin’s Frostbolt.

• Terenas proposed making Prestor king of Alterac and arranging a marriage alliance in exchange for a war against the Dragonmaw Clan, but Prestor refused to follow the kings’ plan.
• Terenas promised the other rulers rewards for their support, leaving Alterac’s people to bear the consequences of the deal.
• Nekros, Rhonin, and Vereesa arrived with the dragons at a mountain battle where the Silver Hand knights surrendered and the black-feathered Orcs were defeated.
• Nekros recognized Uther among the captured knights and offered him freedom if he won a duel against Rhonin.
• Uther armed himself with Earthshaker and attacked Rhonin, who dodged the hammer’s range and slowed Uther with a Frostbolt.

Rhonin defeated Uther by exhausting him and triggering a landslide, but a rotting dragon rescued Uther and flew away. Nekros identified it as the Red Dragon Queen’s discarded corpse, which Zuluhed had turned into an Undead Dragon with a mind of its own.

• Rhonin repeatedly froze Uther with improved Frostbolts, then used sand, ice, and illusions to wear him down.
• Rhonin exhausted Uther, bound him with Sandstorm, and triggered a landslide to bury him.
• A rotting dragon appeared, shielded Uther from the landslide, swallowed him, and flew away.
• Rhonin asked Nekros about the creature, and Nekros explained that it was the Red Dragon Queen’s shed corpse, reanimated by Zuluhed as an Undead Dragon.

Robbie and Krasus suspected that the Red Dragon Queen and the rotting Dragon were separate beings, and went looking for the queen’s other consorts. Rhonin learned the queen’s account of the rotting Dragon’s escape and was paired with Talanastrasz to confront it.

• Robbie and Krasus concluded that the Ancient Evil might have separated from the Red Dragon Queen during her Metamorphosis four years earlier.
• Robbie urged Krasus to seek out the queen’s other consorts, while Rhonin dreamed of an enormous Red Dragon hidden beyond the barrier of flames.
• Nekros led Rhonin to the Red Dragon Queen, who said her shed remains had gained consciousness and escaped after Gul’dan’s skull disturbed her Metamorphosis.
• The Red Dragon Queen said the rotting Dragon might contain Gul’dan’s soul or a Demon and asked Rhonin to use Holy Word against it.
• The queen introduced Rhonin to her oldest consort, Talanastrasz, who offered to protect him with scales and fight alongside him.

Robbie and Krasus infiltrated Zuluhed’s camp and discussed whether Talanastrasz might be working with the Ancient Evil in The Maw. They discovered the weakened Korialstrasz behind a barrier and identified Zuluhed as the person who could pass it, while Uther negotiated with the chieftain and asked to meet the Red Dragon Queen.

• Robbie and Krasus disguised themselves as Orcs and bullied their way through Zuluhed’s guarded camp.
• Krasus told Robbie rumors that Talanastrasz had once led the Red Dragons, hated Alexstrasza, and might be colluding with the Ancient Evil in The Maw.
• Robbie and Krasus found a flame barrier protecting a weakened Korialstrasz, and Krasus said he could not penetrate the barrier.
• Uther met with Zuluhed, who rebuked him over his failure to defeat Rhonin and demanded support against Nekros and his Dragons.
• Uther offered the Dragonmaw Clan the lands of Alterac, and Zuluhed accepted the plan while insisting that Lord Prestor must die.
• Uther asked to pay his respects to Alexstrasza, and Zuluhed agreed to take him to her.

Uther learned that the Red Dragon Queen was near death and needed the Demon Soul, while Robbie and Krasus searched for another consort who might know what had happened. They found the poet Mihatesiweizi tortured and dying, and Robbie offered to save him as he began questioning his view of death.

• Zuluhed brought Uther to the Red Dragon Queen, who explained that a female Ogre had trapped her in a dying body and that the Demon Soul could restore her.
• The Queen urged Uther to spare her weakened mates, and Zuluhed warned that Lordaeron's delay could doom them all.
• Robbie and Krasus stole spare Red Dragon scales from Zuluhed's tent and used one to locate the Queen's consort Mihatesiweizi.
• They found Mihatesiweizi pinned beneath garbage, and Krasus asked him what had happened to the Queen.
• Mihatesiweizi refused to help and claimed he was beyond saving, so Robbie offered to keep him alive and invoked the power of death.

Robbie and Krasus uncovered that the Red Dragon Queen had secretly studied death energy and created a rotting dragon corpse, while the mystery around the Ancient Evil remained unresolved. Meanwhile, Lord Prestor raised an army against the Dragonmaw Clan, and Zuluhed prepared to face it.

• Robbie threatened Mihatesiweizi with death energy until he agreed to reveal what he knew about the Red Dragon Queen.
• Mihatesiweizi described seeing the queen fight a shadow at Grim Batol, then admitted he had run her laboratory, where she studied death energy and created a rotting dragon corpse.
• Mihatesiweizi explained that the monster had trapped the queen in human form and that she escaped using the Demon Soul; Robbie later burned Mihatesiweizi's remains.
• Krasus wondered whether the Ancient Evil had influenced the queen, while Robbie urged him to remain a bystander and wait.
• Lord Prestor provided food to Alterac and raised an army to attack the Dragonmaw Clan at Grim Batol.
• Zuluhed heard that Prestor's army consisted of poorly trained farmers and declared that he did not fear them.

Zuluhed led the Dragonmaw Clan into Alterac, dismissing Uther and the Order of the Silver Hand despite their attempts to help. After repeated nighttime alarms and a forced march, the Orcs charged into Alterac’s ruins and were ambushed by Ogres; as they fled, Zuluhed saw Uther’s knights approaching.

• Uther offered Zuluhed intelligence about Alterac and asked to accompany the Orcs, but Zuluhed mocked him and allowed the Silver Hand to follow behind.
• War drums and false battle cries repeatedly roused Zuluhed’s troops at night, while Uther warned that Lord Prestor was trying to exhaust them.
• Zuluhed rejected Uther’s request to lead the vanguard, struck him with his axe, and ordered the Dragonmaw Clan to march without rest.
• At Alterac’s ruined capital, Zuluhed sent his soldiers after fleeing defenders, who led them into an ambush by countless Ogres.
• Zuluhed retreated with his surviving troops as the Ogres pursued, then spotted Uther’s Order of the Silver Hand approaching and regained hope.

Uther abandoned the Silver Hand to be slaughtered by Magsor’s Ogres, then blamed Prestor for the defeat when he returned to Lordaeron. Terenas appealed to Guardian Medivh, whose reply threatened to end the Menethil royal line unless Terenas proved his sincerity within three days.

• Zuluhed left Uther to face the pursuing Ogres while he fled toward Grim Batol with his exhausted troops.
• Uther used the Aura of Courage to drive the Silver Hand into battle against Magsor’s Ogres, then escaped as the Paladins were wiped out.
• Uther told Terenas that Prestor had betrayed the Alliance and sold Alterac’s people to the Ogres.
• Terenas revealed that he had planned to use the Dragonmaw Clan and Orgrim Doomhammer to reduce Lordaeron’s burden of supporting the Orcs in internment camps.
• Terenas sent a report to Karazhan, and Medivh replied that Terenas had three days to prove his sincerity or the Menethil royal line would end.

King Terenas interpreted Medivh’s message as a demand to make peace with the Orcs, and Uther persuaded him to reshape public opinion in their favor. The chapter ended with Terenas founding the Peace Dove to promote Orc culture and reconciliation.

• Amnennar told Terenas that Medivh had left Karazhan and suggested he wanted the Orcs in the internment camps killed.
• Amnennar warned that Prestor had won Medivh’s support by offering him Ogres as more appealing subjects of study.
• Uther described a vision in which Orcs conquered most of the Eastern Kingdoms and urged Terenas to befriend them.
• Terenas and Uther planned to blame the Burning Legion and Mannoroth’s blood for the Orcs’ violence and promote Orc customs.
• Terenas founded an organization called the Peace Dove to advance peace with the Orcs.

Rhonin struggled to satisfy the Red Dragon Queen while Nekros mistreated him and negotiated with Goblin Kreel for supplies. Kreel revealed that Lord Prestor wanted to know which figure was the real Alexstrasza, and Vereesa claimed she knew.

• Rhonin reached the limits of his mana and mental strength, and Nekros worsened his treatment of him after the Red Dragon Queen showed dissatisfaction.
• Kreel arrived to bargain with Nekros, who agreed to sell half his Dragon Eggs at a steep discount to secure supplies and pursue leadership of the Dragonmaw Clan.
• Kreel asked to meet Rhonin, then used an enchanted sword to keep the Orcs from overhearing their conversation.
• Rhonin told Kreel what he knew about the Red Dragon Queen, Talanastrasz, and the Rotting Dragon Corpse, but Kreel said Lord Prestor wanted to know which one was the real Alexstrasza.
• Vereesa claimed she knew which figure was the real Red Dragon Queen and said her experience as a Silvermoon City intelligence agent supported her knowledge of magic.

Vereesa persuaded Kreel that the Red Dragon Queen and the rotting Dragon were the same being, while Rhonin obtained the Demon Soul. Nekros ambushed Zuluhed, but Zuluhed unleashed an army of Undead Trolls and Skeletal Dragons, leaving Nekros calling for Talanastrasz's help.

• Vereesa told Kreel that both the humanoid Red Dragon Queen and the rotting Dragon corpse were the same, and Kreel promised her a chance to survive if she cooperated.
• Vereesa gave Rhonin a sword and suggested he claim the Demon Soul would help him meditate and use Holy Word.
• Nekros traded with Kreel for supplies and Dragon Eggs, then set out with his army and Talanastrasz to ambush Zuluhed.
• Nekros's forces met Zuluhed's exhausted troops, but Zuluhed summoned Undead Trolls from the ground and Skeletal Dragons into the sky.
• Nekros led his guards against the Trolls as the Orcs steadied their line, then called for Talanastrasz when the Skeletal Dragons overwhelmed his Dragon riders.

Alexstrasza sacrificed Korialstrasz’s life force and transformed into her Death Dragon form to battle Talanastrasz, while Rhonin repeatedly failed to cast Holy Word. As the dragons clashed, Vereesa realized Alexstrasza had deliberately spared Rhonin and suspected a trap.

• Talanastrasz obeyed the Red Dragon Queen’s command, and his attack sent Zuluhed fleeing as the battle shifted in the dragons’ favor.
• Alexstrasza drained Korialstrasz’s life force, then emerged from the mountain to fight Talanastrasz.
• Rhonin attempted to cast Holy Word twice, but both attempts failed, so he meditated to restore his mana.
• Alexstrasza transformed into her Death Dragon form using the Key of Rebirth, and Talanastrasz prepared to face her with an Undead Slayer enchantment.
• Vereesa noticed that Alexstrasza had repeatedly avoided Rhonin and realized the dragon’s restraint might be a trap.

Vereesa tried to warn Rhonin not to cast Holy Word, but he used it against Talanastrasz and unknowingly helped the Ancient Evil escape its prison. The Ancient Evil revealed that it was one with Alexstrasza and declared that Talanastrasz would become its new body.

• Vereesa sent Rhonin a note warning him not to cast spells, but Rhonin decided she had misunderstood the situation and resumed meditating.
• As Talanastrasz gained the advantage over Alexstrasza, a familiar voice told Rhonin to act, and he cast Holy Word through Talanastrasz.
• Holy flames burned away Alexstrasza’s body and exposed the Ancient Evil, which explained that Holy Word could temporarily seal the Maw’s power.
• The Ancient Evil thanked Rhonin, revealed it had been one with Alexstrasza, and said it planned to take Talanastrasz as its new body.
• Krasus despaired at learning his queen was one with the Ancient Evil, while Robbie suspected the creature still had more plans.

Ancient Evil, calling itself Xuthris, took control of Talanastrasz and revealed itself as the supposed creator of Azeroth’s Dragonkin. Xuthris and the Dragon Kings it controlled surrounded Deathwing, who unleashed the power of the Old Gods as their battle began.

• Talanastrasz froze as Ancient Evil’s power overtook him, and the entity transformed him into the Red Dragon Queen.
• The Red Dragon Queen called for Neltharion, and Lord Prestor revealed himself as Deathwing.
• Xuthris claimed it had created and evolved the Dragonkin, while Deathwing feared its plan to create Chromatic Dragons.
• Malygos, Nozdormu, and Ysera arrived, and Robbie explained that Xuthris had split its soul among the Dragon Kings and controlled all but Deathwing.
• Deathwing revealed the power of the Old Gods, and Malygos attacked him with corpse beetles before Nozdormu charged in golden light.

The Dragon Kings battled Deathwing, but Kesutruisi revealed her ability to transform into a many-headed dragon and began overpowering him. As Deathwing’s Old God tentacles helped him turn the fight around, Kesutruisi unveiled her five-headed form and declared her plan to become a ten-headed dragon and create a New World.

• Nozdormu, Ysera, and the Red Dragon Queen attacked Deathwing, but he resisted their magic and defeated Malygos and Ysera in close combat.
• Nozdormu used Talonixiya’s claw to threaten Deathwing, but Deathwing escaped Nozdormu’s trap and tore into his shoulders before Ysera intervened.
• The Red Dragon Queen grew purple and white heads, gaining enough strength to drive Deathwing back, while Rhonin and Vereesa realized someone was erasing their memories.
• N’Zoth’s tentacles grew out of control from Deathwing’s back and wrapped around the Red Dragon Queen’s new heads, helping Deathwing regain the advantage.
• Kesutruisi grew orange and cyan heads, revealed that she was Chromatus, and announced that her ultimate ten-headed form would kill the others and create a New World.

Rhonin and Vereesa discovered that the sword meant to destroy the Demon Soul had been switched, but Rhonin used a sharp fragment to release the Dragon Aspects' power and free three Dragon Kings from the Ancient Evil's control. The Red Dragon Queen broke free of the power's restraint and sowed fear among the Dragon Kings, leaving them wavering as Deathwing urged them to fight.

• The Red Dragon Queen, now a five-headed Chromatus, commanded Deathwing to submit while Nozdormu, Malygos, and Ysera prepared to sacrifice themselves to her.
• Rhonin tried to destroy the Demon Soul with his sword, but the blade shattered, and Vereesa realized someone had switched it.
• Rhonin admitted that a female Orc had helped him bathe, and Nekros revealed that he had taken the real sword, which was made to destroy the Demon Soul.
• Vereesa found a gleaming fragment, and Rhonin used it to cut open the Demon Soul, releasing its power for Deathwing to direct into the five Dragon Kings.
• The power freed Nozdormu, Malygos, and Ysera from their daze, but the Red Dragon Queen broke free and warned the Dragon Kings that she controlled their past and future.

Deathwing and Atramedes fought the Red Dragon Queen while the other Dragon Kings aided her, until Atramedes sacrificed himself to destroy them both in a compressed Twilight Realm explosion.

• The Red Dragon Queen offered the three Dragon Kings their lives if they submitted, and they bowed while Deathwing chose to fight.
• Deathwing summoned Atramedes, a Twilight Dragon who sought revenge on the Red Dragon Queen for killing his mother.
• Atramedes attacked with black flames as Ysera, Malygos, and Nozdormu supported the Red Dragon Queen, and Deathwing tried to stop them.
• The Red Dragon Queen merged five Dragon energies and transformed into a Chromatic Dragon, then pounced on Atramedes.
• Atramedes admitted his body was failing from absorbing Shadow Energy, embraced the Red Dragon Queen, and unleashed Twilight Rupture, causing them both to vanish into a compressed explosion.