Krasus sat on a relatively intact boulder, looking out over the plain ablaze with Fel Flame and littered with the corpses of the fallen. Small groups of elven soldiers searched through the piles of bodies for their own comrades.
Another brutal battle had ended. The air reeked of scorched flesh, and shattered war machines lay scattered across the battlefield.
The Resistance Army had once again repelled the Demon Legion's attack, thwarting its attempt to push into Val'sharah.
Illidan walked over from the nearby battlefield, leaped onto the boulder, and sat beside Krasus.
"Master, these damned demons seem endless. We must advance faster and break into the capital to destroy the portal. Only then can we hope to win."
"That is precisely the most difficult part." Krasus nodded. "Furthermore, we must unite every force we can bring to our side: Tauren, Bearmen, Worgen, Earthlings, and even the Wild Demigods."
"Commander Jarod is already working on it. I hope those simple-minded outsiders can understand that as well... ah, no offense intended, Master Krasus."
Illidan added awkwardly. The Night Elves' prejudice toward other races was not something that could be erased so easily.
"Jarod Shadowsong is an excellent commander. I have every confidence in him." Krasus shook his head to show that he did not mind, then began discussing the current commander of the elven Resistance Army.
That was right. Jarod was now leading the entire elven army. Lord Ravencrest of Black Rook Hold had fallen in battle.
The lord had always fought on the front lines. During the Demon Legion's previous assault on Black Rook Hold, the elven allied forces had launched a proactive attack and fought a bloody battle against the elite demon army.
Ravencrest's command platform had taken the full force of a Fel explosive barrel blast. Fel Flame mixed with violently corrosive acid instantly killed the valiant lord.
The elven allied forces had fallen into chaos, and their line had instantly teetered on the brink of collapse.
Jarod Shadowsong, who crawled out from beneath a pile of corpses, had temporarily taken over Lord Ravencrest's command. With the situation so urgent, he seemed to have forgotten his commoner origins. He barked orders at the surrounding lords and issued all manner of battle commands.
Then, through his excellent command ability and keen perception of the battlefield, the elven Resistance Army won the defensive battle and drove the demon army back once more.
Though the lords were deeply dissatisfied with Jarod's discourteous behavior, they were not fools. At such a life-or-death moment, it was no time to fuss over etiquette.
Thus, Jarod Shadowsong formally took office as General Commander. Though he still lacked confidence when facing the various lords, that weakness would soon vanish as the war continued.
Jarod placed great importance on the strength of other races. He dispatched numerous envoys to contact every race across the Kalimdor Continent, calling on them to join forces and concentrate their troops against the Burning Legion.
Forest Demi-god Cenarius was also pleased with the young elven commander. He declared that he was willing to contribute his strength and would try to contact the other Wild Demigods to seek their aid.
"I agree with you, Master Krasus. The situation is indeed developing as you predicted. Since Lord Ravencrest's death, no offense intended, but that newly appointed Jarod Shadowsong seems to have a greater talent for command... He is actively reaching out to all the other races."
As he spoke, Illidan looked again toward the Highborne mages on the nearby battlefield, who were guiding flames to burn the corpses.
"I am glad that most of the Highborne chose to stand with us. Their magic is truly mesmerizing."
Krasus glanced at Illidan beside him. "Forest Demi-god Cenarius and his Druids do not seem particularly welcoming toward the Highborne."
"Hah... The Forest Demi-god and my stubborn brother will never understand the power of magic. Gentle nature cannot save Azeroth, nor can it save Kalimdor! I truly wonder why Tyrande... why she chose Malfurion of all people... Ah, Master, I spoke out of turn."
Krasus smiled. He had experienced the emotional entanglements among the three elves firsthand.
In the future time from which he came, no matter what Illidan had become, his feelings for Tyrande had remained as pure and unwavering as they had been during the War of the Ancients ten thousand years ago.
"What concerns me more is..." The Dragon Archmage looked toward the female Highborne walking over from afar. "Why did the one in Suramar City permit her to lead the Highborne mage forces here... As far as I know, Archmage Elisande is that person's treasured possession."
"Master Krasus, it is a pleasure to meet you. The spells you guided on the battlefield, as well as your insights into the arcane, have earned my deepest admiration."
Elisande arrived below the boulder, lifted her head, and spoke to Krasus with a smile.
The female elf wore a silver-white runic robe, with a purple crystal embedded in each shoulder guard. Three clusters of differently colored energy floated above her shoulders. She held an ornate staff two meters long, atop which an eye formed from Arcane energy gleamed and occasionally blinked.
After listening in on that conversation, she now knew that Krasus was a Red Dragon disguised in humanoid form, and that he had come from the future. She therefore treated him with considerable respect.
"Please give my regards to the Divine Lord, Archmage Elisande. Still, I am surprised that the Divine Lord would send you here to command the Highborne mage forces."
"War has always been the best way to unlock one's potential, has it not?" Elisande blinked her eyes, which shone with energy.
"It is an honor to meet you, Archmage Elisande. Your magical skill is breathtaking. Other than Masters Krasus and Rhonin, I cannot think of anyone better than you." Illidan bowed to Elisande. This bow was far more sincere than any he had given the Forest Demi-god.
Elisande looked at Illidan, then smiled and nodded to him.
"You are talented, Illidan. I can sense it... If Master Krasus is willing to accept you as his apprentice, I believe another Archmage will be born before long."
Receiving the recognition of an Archmage thrilled Illidan and strengthened his resolve to walk the path of magic.
Krasus, however, was carefully studying the energy eye atop Elisande's staff. The eye stared back at him and blinked.
"May we achieve final victory under the Creator's guidance."
Krasus rose, bowed to Elisande, and then walked toward the Resistance Army's encampment in the rear.
Illidan quickly bid Elisande farewell and followed Krasus back. Still, he could not shake the feeling that Krasus had bowed to the staff rather than Elisande. That was truly strange.
Before you continue