Chapter Summaries

Hu Feng completed work on the Arcane Golem Ktilax while Aegwynn, now the Guardian, traveled to Suramar to meet her grandmaster. After Saelin attacked her and Hu Feng intervened, Aegwynn arrived in Suramar and prepared to meet him.

• Hu Feng neared completion of Ktilax, a golem powered by the wills of Zealot Will believers and able to switch among three types of will.
• After centuries of peace, Aegwynn took up the Guardian's duty, while Merith Winterwind disappeared into seclusion.
• Aegwynn traveled to Darkshore to seek Hu Feng, but Saelin attacked her and the two fought until Hu Feng's Void Ray stopped them.
• Hu Feng invited Aegwynn to Suramar and asked why Merith had not come with her.
• Aegwynn landed on Suramar's reception platform and met Elisande and Ysera as she grew nervous about meeting Hu Feng.

Aegwynn visited Suramar with Elisande to meet her grandmaster, Hu Feng, and told him that Sargeras was about to descend upon the world. Hu Feng declined to join her journey to Northrend, leaving Aegwynn confident that he believed she could defeat Sargeras.

• Elisande led a nervous Aegwynn through Suramar’s towering Mage Tower, where Aegwynn saw Faceless Ones that Elisande said served Hu Feng.
• Ktilax changed personalities and energy forms while guarding the tower, and Aluneth panicked when Ktilax and Hu Feng’s staff showed interest in it.
• Hu Feng welcomed Aegwynn and asked after Merith, who had returned to the Stormwind Kingdom to live in seclusion.
• Aegwynn told Hu Feng that Sargeras was about to descend upon the world in a greatly weakened state and asked him to accompany her to Northrend.
• Hu Feng refused to go, saying Aegwynn was strong enough to handle Sargeras, while keeping a strange look to himself.

After Aegwynn defeated Sargeras and established herself at Karazhan, his hidden influence led her to turn away from the Guardian Council and have a child. Hu Feng learned that Medivh had been born and prepared to act against Sargeras.

• Hu Feng told Elisande that Sargeras had hidden his soul inside Aegwynn and might use her future child to return as the Guardian.
• Aegwynn defeated Sargeras in Northrend, sealed his body in the Tomb of Sargeras, and believed she no longer needed a successor.
• Aegwynn built Karazhan in Westfall and allied herself with the Stormwind Kingdom, distancing herself from Dalaran and the Guardian of Tirisfal Council.
• Aegwynn fell in love with Nielas Aran and gave birth to Medivh, whose immense power killed Aran when he suppressed it.
• Aegwynn sent Medivh to Northshire Abbey, while Hu Feng received news of his birth in Suramar City and vowed to set Sargeras up again.

Hu Feng welcomed the wandering Pandaren Liu Lang to Suramar, exchanged thoughts with him about Pandaria and the Sha, and received a recipe booklet and wooden beads. Liu Lang departed Darkshore with Shenzhenzi as the Song of Liu Lang echoed over the sea.

• Elisande told Hu Feng that Aegwynn had charged ten thousand gold to his account, and he ordered the debt paid and Stormwind to reimburse him.
• Elisande introduced Liu Lang, a Pandaren adventurer who had arrived at Darkshore on his turtle, Shenzhenzi.
• Hu Feng shared tea with Liu Lang, praised Shenzhenzi's potential, and urged Liu Lang to encourage the Pandaren emperor to reconnect with the world and the Night Elves.
• Liu Lang gave Hu Feng a booklet of Pandaren recipes and liquor-brewing methods, and Hu Feng showed him Suramar and Darnassus.
• Hu Feng explained his thoughts on the Sha and recited a verse about war, doubt, and fighting, leaving Liu Lang silent.
• At Darkshore, Liu Lang gave Hu Feng wooden beads from Pandaria's Kunlun Mountains and departed on Shenzhenzi as the Song of Liu Lang played across the sea.

Medivh and Lothar watched Hu Feng arrive in Stormwind City as the kingdom welcomed him with great fanfare. Medivh sensed that Hu Feng was not truly a physical being and realized there had never been a Divine Emissary.

• Medivh told Llane and Lothar that he planned to go to Karazhan, but Lothar urged him to wait for his mother's grandmaster, the Divine Emissary.
• King Adamant prepared a grand reception for Hu Feng, whose arrival the Stormwind Kingdom celebrated.
• Hu Feng arrived with Suramar's spider knights and Highborne mages, then greeted King Adamant and praised Prince Llane.
• Medivh probed Hu Feng from a gryphon platform and found his presence unfathomable, like a will without a physical body.
• Medivh told Lothar that there had never been any Divine Emissary.

Medivh learned that Sargeras was inside him, and Hu Feng explained a plan to keep the evil god from taking control while confirming that the Dark Portal would still be opened. On Draenor, Gul'dan prepared to build a portal as Durotan and Orgrim grew increasingly worried about the Horde's direction.

• Medivh realized Hu Feng was a Titan God, and Hu Feng privately told him that Sargeras was inside him.
• Hu Feng instructed Medivh to conceal the relevant memories, remain calm, and be ready to relinquish control; Medivh asked whether the Dark Portal had to open, and Hu Feng said it did.
• Warchief Blackhand learned that Prophet Velen and the surviving Draenei had escaped aboard a naaru ship, while Gul'dan promised him a new world and proposed building a door.
• Durotan told Orgrim that he feared Gul'dan's power would bring destruction, and Orgrim urged him to keep his concerns from the other clans.

Hu Feng observed the routines and social divisions of Stormwind City, from dockworkers and nobles to priests and adventurers. Watching the adventurers at The Pig and Whistle Inn, he reflected on how familiar their struggles felt and wondered whether, apart from his identity and mission, he was still the ordinary young man he had once been.

• Hu Feng observed dockworkers buying cheap leftover food while foremen ate better meals at Stormwind Harbor.
• Stormwind Cathedral’s priests began their morning hymns as nobles gathered nearby and young noblemen rode out toward Elwynn Forest.
• Hu Feng reflected on how wealth and sponsorship shaped the paths of warriors, mages, priests, and adventurers in Azeroth.
• Hu Feng considered the danger and rewards of adventuring, including the uncompleted bounty on Hogger and the fortunes earned by adventurers returning from Kalimdor.
• Hu Feng sat hooded in The Pig and Whistle Inn, watched adventurers struggle and quarrel, and reflected on his lingering connection to his former ordinary life.

Hu Feng helped King Llane secure his throne and arranged Night Elf support for Stormwind’s defenses in exchange for leasing Westfall’s Golden Sands region. A secret pact with the dwarves also established the first alliance, one year before the Dark Portal opened.

• Hu Feng declared that the Night Elves recognized only Llane’s rule, causing Stormwind’s rebellious nobles to pledge their loyalty to the young king.
• Hu Feng, Llane, and Lothar discussed Medivh, the coming Orc threat, and the need to strengthen Stormwind and train its soldiers.
• Hu Feng proposed a fortress network across Elwynn Forest, Westfall, and the Redridge Mountains, and offered to fund it in return for a lease of Westfall’s Golden Sands region.
• Llane agreed to the lease, and the Night Elves promised to build the fortifications and provide weapons, supplies, and a loan.
• One year before the Dark Portal opened, the Night Elves and Stormwind signed a ninety-nine-year lease and a secret alliance memorandum; King Magni Bronzebeard also sealed the pact.

Hu Feng watched the Stormwind Kingdom, dwarves, and gnomes prepare for the coming Orc invasion as King Llane purged nobles who resisted mobilization. The Alliance’s war machine reached full strength, but Hu Feng warned that Sargeras was controlling Medivh and heading for The Black Morass, signaling that the Orcs were coming.

• Hu Feng outdrank Magni, then offered Princess Moira advice about communicating with her father if she fell in love with someone she should not.
• The Stormwind Kingdom, dwarves, and gnomes signed a private alliance and rushed to build defenses, move supplies, and train troops for war.
• King Llane’s opponents protested the mobilization, but royal guards arrested the nobles and Highborne mages exposed their crimes through magical interrogation.
• King Llane replaced the old noble houses with loyal New Aristocrats, while Highlord Bolvar took charge of internal affairs and Lothar handled external matters.
• King Llane and Lothar declared the Alliance ready to crush the Orcs, but Hu Feng warned that Sargeras controlled Medivh and was heading for The Black Morass.

Kil'jaeden and Gul'dan prepared the Burning Legion’s invasion by opening the Dark Portal between Draenor and Azeroth, while Azeroth’s defenders mobilized for war. As the portals nearly synchronized, the story left both worlds on the brink of battle.

• Kil'jaeden planned to use the Orcs as cannon fodder and intended to transform Ner'zhul into a weapon of necromancy against Azeroth.
• Gul'dan synchronized the Dark Portal on Draenor with the portal in Azeroth as Warchief Blackhand ordered the Orc clans to assemble.
• Durotan told Draka to protect their child and seek Orgrim if they were separated, then called the Frostwolf Clan to assemble.
• Human forces in Duskwood Fortress entered combat readiness, sent Gryphon Riders toward Karazhan and The Black Morass, and prepared the walls and weapons.
• Two costly Retribution Golems stood ready in Westfall as the portals' positions nearly finished synchronizing.

The Orc Horde crossed the Dark Portal into a new world, where Gul'dan corrupted Durotan and Draka's newborn son, Gul'guro, with fel energy. As the Orcs invaded human territory, Stormwind prepared for war, and a human fortress faced a second force led by a Gronn.

• Medivh opened the Dark Portal, and Gul'dan and Blackhand led the Orc Horde through it to claim a new homeland.
• Durotan crossed with the Frostwolf Clan and found Draka going into labor; Gul'dan took the newborn and turned his brown skin green with fel energy, naming him Gul'guro.
• A human guard spotted the Orcs approaching a fortress near Darkshire, sounded the alarm, and Llane ordered the Alliance to enter a state of total war.
• Orcs attacked the fortress, but defenders drenched them in fire oil and ignited it, trapping many in flames.
• A second Orc force arrived with Ogres and a Gronn, prompting the human soldiers to retreat and destroy their important documents.

Hu Feng found his former student Merith Winterwind, who had become an undead while resisting a Pit Lord’s possession, and brought him to Stormwind. With the Orc invasion stalled at the front, Hu Feng prepared to begin the Alliance’s next step.

• King Llane, Lothar, and Bolvar discussed the Orc advance and the danger posed by warlocks, Ogre Mages, and Gronn.
• Suramar’s Retribution Golems halted the Orc vanguard at Westfall, while fighting in the Redridge Mountains became a bloody stalemate.
• Hu Feng visited Merith in Sunstrider Woods and learned that Merith had become undead after resisting a Pit Lord’s attempt to possess him.
• Hu Feng invited Merith to join the Alliance’s effort and brought him to Stormwind Keep.
• Bolvar reported that the Orc offensive was under control but nearing a stalemate, and Hu Feng said it was time to carry out the next step.

The Alliance turned its defenses into a counterattack and planned to draw Orc forces north to pressure the kingdoms that had stayed out of the war. Lothar brought the captured half-Orc Garona to Stormwind, where Hu Feng sensed Gul'dan’s dormant influence within her.

• Hu Feng and the Alliance leaders planned to let some Orcs through toward the northern kingdoms, and Lothar agreed to manage the operation.
• Merith Winterwind linked human and elven mages to devastate the Orc warlocks and Ogres at Redridge Mountains, while the Alliance routed the remaining Orc infantry.
• The Retribution Golems killed the gronn at Westfall, and the Alliance began pursuing the retreating Orcs on both fronts.
• Blackhand raged over the Horde’s defeats as Durotan and Orgrim blamed Gul'dan’s influence and Blackhand’s leadership for the war’s failure.
• Lothar arrived with Khadgar and the captured half-Orc Garona, who identified herself and called Llane the human Great Chief.
• Hu Feng sensed dormant fel energy in Garona and realized Gul'dan might use it to control her and attempt to assassinate Llane.

Quel'Thalas joined the Alliance and sent Alleria Windrunner and the High Elf rangers to Stormwind, where Alleria reunited with Hu Feng. Sylvanas learned that Hu Feng was the God of Magic’s incarnation and that she had developed feelings for the god she had long spoken with.

• Anasterian and the Silvermoon Council agreed to join the Alliance after considering the orc threat and Hu Feng’s warning about the Rune Stones.
• Alleria Windrunner led the first High Elf reinforcements to Stormwind, where Sylvanas and the rangers were welcomed by King Llane and Hu Feng.
• Hu Feng embraced Alleria, while Lothar and Llane teased them about their relationship.
• Sylvanas asked Llane what he meant by calling Hu Feng a god and learned that Hu Feng was the God of Magic’s incarnation in the mortal world.
• Sylvanas confronted Hu Feng about hiding his identity, then pulled Alleria aside to explain their past correspondence.
• At a welcoming banquet, Alleria accused Hu Feng of deceiving her, pinched him, and threatened to deal with him that night.

Hu Feng and the Alliance forces set out to assault Karazhan and confront Sargeras. After reaching the tower, they encountered Medivh’s chess challenge blocking the way upward.

• Alleria asked Hu Feng about his other lovers, and he insisted that only she and Elisande were involved before promising to remain on Azeroth.
• The Alliance drove the Orcs from Sunstrider Woods and forced them back to defensive lines in Westfall and The Blasted Lands.
• Khadgar repeatedly urged Lothar to assault Karazhan until Lothar agreed to wait for Hu Feng at Duskwood Fortress.
• Hu Feng arrived with Alleria, Sylvanas, and Garona, then explained that Sargeras had lost most of his power and warned the group not to fight him head-on.
• Hu Feng and the others flew to Karazhan, where he sensed dense fel and shadow energy beneath the tower in a structure called Anti-Karazhan.
• Khadgar opened the locked gate, and Medivh’s projection challenged the group to win a chess match before proceeding upward; Hu Feng agreed to play.

Chen Stormbrew left Pandaria aboard Shenzhenzi to deliver a letter from the White Tiger to the Titan God’s avatar, while Emperor Shaohao began the Trial of the Four Celestials. Shaohao passed the Azure Dragon’s and Vermilion Bird’s trials, overcoming suspicion, fear, and despair.

• Shenzhenzi returned to Pandaria, and Chen Stormbrew boarded Mistvale Isle to explore the outside world and deliver the White Tiger’s letter.
• Shaohao insisted on undertaking the dangerous trial to purge the negative emotions growing in his heart.
• Yu-Long sent Shaohao to Mount Neverest, where he endured her Emerald Flame and overcame suspicion and fear.
• Chi-Jing led Shaohao to ruined relics in the Krasarang Wilds for the second trial.
• Shaohao endured Chi-Jing’s flames and Crane Rush, drawing hope from his people and purging despair from his heart.

Shaohao passed Xuan Niu Niuzao’s trial of courage and resolve, then faced the White Tiger’s trial in the Kunlun Mountains and emerged transformed into an emperor. He accepted that ending his arrogance might one day require him to sacrifice himself to protect Pandaria, though he regretted that he would never meet the Night Elf ruler the White Tiger praised.

• Shaohao and the Monkey King crossed the Great Wall and evaded Mantid patrols on their way to Xuan Niu Temple.
• Shaohao stopped fleeing Xuan Niu’s charges, endured the storm of wind and sand, and attacked the bull, passing the trial of courage and resolve.
• Xuan Niu sent Shaohao to the Kunlun Mountains, where he spent ten days climbing to the summit and met the White Tiger.
• Shaohao attacked the White Tiger, who countered with claw strikes and challenged him to distinguish strength from brute force.
• Shaohao completed the White Tiger’s trial and returned transformed, with his savagery replaced by strength and reason, while arrogance remained.
• Shaohao learned that eliminating his arrogance might require him to merge with Pandaria’s mists and die protecting it, and he calmly accepted that possibility.

Hu Feng and the others cheated their way through Medivh’s chess match, claimed a sword nobody wanted, and killed Prince Malzahar on the way upstairs. They confronted Medivh in the top hall, where he revealed Sargeras’s demonic form and prepared to fight.

• Hu Feng expanded the Alliance’s chess forces with divine power, and the group beat the orcs while countering Medivh’s cheating.
• Hu Feng opened the reward chest and took the one-handed sword King's Guardian after everyone else refused it.
• Hu Feng struck Prince Malzahar with a Void Ray, and Malzahar collapsed into black charcoal as the group continued upstairs.
• Lothar confronted Medivh over his possession of their old friend, while Garona, Alleria, Sylvanas, and Khadgar attacked him.
• Medivh blocked the attacks with Fel energy and transformed into a horned, Fel-burning form resembling Sargeras.

Hu Feng and Sargeras fought until Lothar used a crystal to awaken Medivh’s soul, allowing Medivh to cast Sargeras into the abyss. Hu Feng survived Sargeras’s curse, and Medivh named Merith Winterwind as the next Guardian before the group prepared to return to Stormwind City.

• Hu Feng revealed himself as Sarodar and attacked Sargeras, battling him in brutal hand-to-hand combat while the others watched from the hall’s exit.
• Alleria wanted to help Hu Feng, but Sylvanas stopped her, and Lothar waited with a strange crystal.
• Hu Feng wounded Sargeras and shouted a signal, prompting Lothar to smash the crystal and awaken Medivh’s soul.
• Hu Feng lent Medivh Titan Divine Power, helping Medivh overcome Sargeras and cast him into the abyss.
• Sargeras’s final curse began draining Hu Feng’s life force, but Hu Feng stabilized it while Medivh collapsed in an aged, weakened state.
• Medivh said he could no longer be Guardian and approved Hu Feng’s choice of Merith Winterwind as his successor; the group then gathered to recover and return to Stormwind City.

While recovering from Sargeras’s curse, Hu Feng learned that the Alliance had maneuvered the Horde northward and celebrated Stormwind’s victory. The Horde regrouped in the Wetlands, while Hu Feng’s injuries continued to heal and the war moved toward the Arathi Highlands.

• Elisande welcomed Alleria, and the two women quickly bonded while Sylvanas supported her sister.
• Hu Feng’s wounds had mostly healed, but Sargeras’s curse still spread through his body and had to be removed gradually.
• Merith Winterwind became the Guardian of Tirisfal, and the kingdoms accepted his succession after Medivh stepped down.
• Hu Feng, Llane, and Lothar planned to funnel the Horde north, and Blackhand led the Horde through the Burning Steppes, Searing Gorge, and Wasted Lands.
• After failing to overcome the dwarves’ defenses, the Horde settled in the Wetlands and planned to attack the Arathi Highlands when the weather warmed.
• King Llane celebrated Stormwind’s victory as returning Alliance armies and cheering citizens filled Stormwind City.