Chapter Summaries

At the Eternal Night God-Emperor’s coronation, the factions under Boss Hu swore loyalty before a crowd of rulers and nobles. Elune descended to support the ceremony and began arguing with Boss Hu over his use of her moon and divine blood.

• Chromie declared that Llane, Lothar, and Ysera were mistakes in the doomed timeline, while Llane explained the fate Medivh had foretold and Lothar rejected it.
• At the coronation, the Holy Crusaders of Truth, Night Elf Border Guard, Moonwing Ranger Corps, and Priestesses of the Moon marched before the gathered guests and swore loyalty to the Eternal Night God-Emperor.
• Elune descended in a beam of moonlight as the Priestesses of the Moon made their oath, then told the crowd to continue the ceremony.
• Azeroth sent divine power into Elune’s avatar, and Elune thanked Boss Hu while temporarily forgiving him for eating one of her moons.
• Elune demanded compensation for her divine blood and essence, while Boss Hu denied responsibility and blamed Aman'Thul for the Well of Eternity’s destruction.

The forces gathered at Eternal Night Palace Plaza for the coronation and pledged loyalty to Sarodar as God-Emperor. The chapter ended with every faction accepting his rule and the new centralized Night Empire taking shape.

• Grom led the Iron Horde into the plaza, while Durotan and Taresa discussed the Horde and Durotan urged her to claim her freedom and dignity.
• Durotan's son insisted on keeping the name Thrall, and the gathered forces prepared for the ceremony while Gul'dan and the Fel legions remained out of sight.
• Sarodar's divine eye appeared above the plaza and asked whether the Night Elves and his people had made up their minds.
• Elisande pledged the Highborne's loyalty, Alleria and Sylvanas pledged the Windrunner Rangers' loyalty, and Turalyon pledged the Dawnlight Draenei's loyalty.
• Sylvanas glanced at Sarodar's divine eye and felt its majesty and indifference, as all the gathered forces knelt and welcomed the God-Emperor.

Boss Hu established the Night Empire, secured Elune’s support, and appointed its governing council and allied forces. Meanwhile, Kael'thas remained silent about Quel'Thalas as Old God whispers pushed him toward seizing the Sun Throne and taking revenge on Arthas.

• Boss Hu was acclaimed as Eternal Night God-Emperor and privately persuaded Elune to fight their common enemy.
• The Night Elves ended their council system and established the Night Empire under Boss Hu’s centralized rule.
• Elisande became Grand Vizier and Hand of the God-Emperor, while the former council leaders formed the Eternal Night Prime Minister Council.
• The Iron Horde, Holy Crusaders of Truth, and Socrethar's Legion formed the Dawn Legion, while the Dawnlight Draenei and Mouth of the Maw Bearmen became tributaries and neighboring powers offered diplomatic ties.
• Quel'Thalas made no statement, as Prince Kael'thas brooded over disasters facing the High Elves and resolved to become Sun King, take revenge on Arthas, and win Jaina.
• The Old Gods continued influencing Kael'thas, while Boss Hu’s Millennium Eye Demon monitored him.

After Dawn's Light transformed the Millennium Eye Demon, Boss Hu named it Cthulhu and sent it to influence Kael'thas. Kael'thas returned to Quel'Thalas while Suramar's final Nightmare Citadel event drew Oscar and Sitharis Mograine into an epic-difficulty challenge.

• Dawn's Light greatly strengthened the Millennium Eye Demon's eyes, tentacles, and ability to seize control of minds already influenced by other Old Gods.
• Boss Hu named the transformed Millennium Eye Demon Cthulhu, Old Ones Ruler, and made Kael'thas its first target.
• Influenced by mysterious whispers, Kael'thas left the Night Empire early and returned to Quel'Thalas without delivering Sun King Anasterian's message.
• Suramar reopened the Nightmare Citadel with generous rewards for its final challenge event, and Divine Queen Elisande made a final appearance there.
• Oscar paid the entry fee and declared that he and Sitharis Mograine would challenge the Nightmare Citadel at the highest epic difficulty.

Oscar and Sitharis bluffed their way into the Nightmare Citadel hoping to claim welfare rewards, but Elisande brought them to the final stage and gave them gifts instead of fighting. Oscar left with legendary gear, while Sitharis received an invitation to study at Suramar Academy.

• Oscar and Sitharis intimidated the ticket seller and entered the Nightmare Citadel, prompting Elisande to summon them to the final stage.
• Oscar surrendered rather than fight Elisande, and Sitharis introduced himself as an Arcane Mage.
• Elisande gave Oscar four epic reward chests and granted Sitharis access to eight Suramar Academy lectures.
• Oscar and Sitharis emerged hours later wearing powerful legendary equipment, astonishing the adventurers.

The Night Empire established its diplomatic presence while developing trade and political ties with the Alliance and the New Horde. The Eternal Night God-Emperor promised to consider transforming Durotar if the Orcs proved their worth during a future crisis.

• The Night Empire opened embassies across Alliance territory, relocating Frostmane Trolls to build its embassy between Ironforge and Gnomeregan.
• King Llane learned that the Night Empire would leave Eastern Kingdoms politics to the Stormwind-led Southern Alliance.
• The Night Empire and the New Horde agreed to trade timber and seeds for Orcish pelts and specialty spirits.
• Warchief Durotan accepted Night Empire embassies in Horde lands after the Eternal Night God-Emperor said he might transform Durotar if the Orcs made a major contribution during a future crisis.
• The Eternal Night God-Emperor relied on the Azeroth Restart Device to explain how divine power could reshape Durotar, but judged the New Horde had not yet earned that effort.

The Northern Alliance continued to fracture as the Scourge, worgen attacks, and political isolation battered its kingdoms. In Quel'Thalas, Prince Kael'thas's return enabled the Twilight's Hammer to begin a coup aimed at forcing King Anasterian to abdicate.

• The Scourge spread through Lordaeron, while King Terenas continued pursuing Pristor and Lordaeron dealt with worgen attacks on Shadowfang Keep.
• Prince Thoras sought aid from the Southern Alliance after the Arathor Restoration Army lost Stromgarde, but Stormwind offered only conditional trade and future help.
• Jaina begged Dalaran and prepared to seek Kael'thas's help, while Antonidas refused to send mages to Lordaeron.
• Quel'Thalas sealed its borders and abruptly adopted an aggressive stance toward Lordaeron, baffling Terenas and Jaina.
• After Kael'thas secretly returned, the Twilight's Hammer launched its plan to make King Anasterian abdicate in favor of his son.

Kael'thas used Twilight's Hammer to spread prophecies that Quel'Thalas faced imminent disaster and that only he could save the High Elves. Anasterian sent forces to crush the cult, but its infiltrators rebelled at Fairbreeze Village, where Kael'thas revealed his allegiance to Cthulhu and his new Twilight power.

• Kael'thas formed Twilight's Hammer and spread prophecies that warned of an undead calamity and called for him to replace Anasterian.
• Twilight's Hammer recruited High Elves by showing them visions and teaching its senior members that Cthulhu and the Dawn Council could guide them.
• Anasterian rejected the cult's threats and sent Spellbreakers and combat Mages to purge its gathering place near Fairbreeze Village.
• The Spellbreakers' and Mage group's commanders revealed themselves as Twilight cultists, and the loyalists among the force were executed and sacrificed.
• Kael'thas appeared above Fairbreeze Village in a dark purple robe and explained that Twilight had magnified his convictions without taking away his sanity.

Kael'thas led Twilight's Hammer in overthrowing his father, Sun King Anasterian, and took the throne of Quel'Thalas. After Anasterian recognized that Kael'thas was acting of his own will, he gave his son his life essence and magical power before dying, leaving Kael'thas to lead the High Elves.

• Kael'thas addressed Twilight's Hammer cultists and invited them to become Ascended.
• Anasterian realized that Kael'thas had led the revolt and accepted that Silvermoon City was about to fall.
• Kael'thas entered the Silvermoon Court and demanded that Anasterian abdicate.
• Anasterian attacked Kael'thas, who stabbed him with a crimson dagger and explained that he acted to protect Quel'Thalas.
• Anasterian confirmed that Kael'thas was not controlled, transferred his life essence and magical power to his son, and died.
• Kael'thas became the new Sun King and vowed that the High Elves would not perish.

As Lordaeron faced mounting crises, Kael'thas became Sun King and Quel'Thalas sought tributary status within the Night Empire, whose God-Emperor recognized his legitimacy and accepted its demand for autonomy. The chapter left the Night Empire considering whether to readmit the Satyr demons and release Illidan Stormrage.

• King Terenas sent another delegation to Northrend to recall Arthas while the Dark Portal remained unusable and the Outland expedition's fate stayed unknown.
• Kael'thas succeeded Anasterian as Sun King after killing him, and Jaina publicly condemned him in Dalaran.
• Quel'Thalas denounced Arthas and applied to become a highly autonomous tributary state of the Night Empire.
• The Night Empire accepted Quel'Thalas's terms under the God-Emperor's decree, recognizing Kael'thas as Sun King and undermining opposition to his succession.
• The Satyr demons petitioned to rejoin the Night Empire, while the Prime Minister Council considered whether to release Illidan Stormrage.

Kargath held the first Shattered Hand deathmatch tournament on Floating Island No. 2, forcing captured Highmaul ogres to fight for the Iron Horde’s amusement. At the Eternal Night Palace, Boss Hu watched the spectacle with Elune, who complained about the orcs, Cthulhu, and the moon he had damaged.

• Kargath watched the Goblin announcer introduce the first deathmatch between Ogre Crystal Mage Krag'gor and Fungus Giant Blankenspor, then silenced him with a kick.
• Kargath taunted the bound Ogre Chieftain Malgok, declaring that he hated all Highmaul ogres and that Malgok would fight after his people died.
• The divine chains were removed, and Krag'gor formed an ice storm as Blankenspor charged him in the arena.
• Boss Hu and Elune watched the arena from the Eternal Night Palace, where Boss Hu explained that he needed the Iron Horde to help fight the Burning Legion and the Void.
• Elune complained that she was too weak to form a physical avatar and demanded that Boss Hu repay her for the moon he had damaged, but he pretended not to hear and walked away.

Sylvanas chose to become the Dark Queen and lead a force that could support Hu Feng, even though the plan required her and her army to die in the coming war. She returned to Quel'Thalas with a group of loyal mages, while Cthulhu prepared Twilight's Hammer members to become the first Forsaken.

• Sylvanas asked Hu Feng whether he was behind Kael'thas's ascension and the Twilight's Hammer, then questioned him about the Old Gods' influence.
• Sylvanas decided to become the Dark Queen and first Dark Ranger so she could gather an army and help Hu Feng.
• Hu Feng told Sylvanas to let Arthas resurrect Kel'Thuzad at the Sunwell and ensure that she and her army's core died, then gave her a necklace to conceal her independence after resurrection.
• Sylvanas told Alleria she would visit Quel'Thalas and asked her to care for Vereesa while she was away.
• Sylvanas departed for the Eastern Kingdoms with loyal Highborne Spellblades and mages, as Cthulhu selected Twilight's Hammer members to become the first Forsaken.

Arthas claimed Frostmourne, defeated Mal'Ganis, and fell under Ner'zhul’s control, becoming a Death Knight. The Infinite Dragons confirmed his fall matched the predetermined fate, while Deathwing began planning an experiment near Grim Batol and chose Alexstrasza as his first target.

• Arthas pulled Frostmourne from the ice despite Muradin’s warning and returned to his camp, having killed his father’s envoys and burned the expedition’s ships.
• Arthas led his troops toward Icecrown Glacier, killed thousands of undead with Frostmourne, and confronted Mal'Ganis.
• Arthas defeated Mal'Ganis and walked alone into the snowfield, where Frostmourne’s whispers overtook him and transformed him into a Death Knight.
• Aeonus ordered an Infinite Dragon to report Arthas’s fall to Divine Lord Sarodar and Lord Mdozno, then sensed a major deviation in another being’s fate.
• Deathwing chose a site near Grim Batol for his experiment with Twilight Dragons and mind-controlling mechanical constructs, naming Alexstrasza as his first target.

Deathwing captured Alexstrasza and used a device to imprison her while creating Twilight Dragons, as the Dragonmaw Clan fell to the Black Dragonflight. Onyxia delivered the God-Emperor’s warning and began telling Deathwing he had two choices.

• The Dragon Aspects searched for Alexstrasza after she fled toward the Eastern Kingdoms, and Nozdormu sensed that Titan Sarodar’s timeline was growing stronger.
• The Black Dragonflight conquered Grim Batol, killed many Dragonmaw orcs and dragons, and searched the fortress for survivors and hatchlings.
• Deathwing showed the imprisoned Alexstrasza the machine he had made to restrain her and dismissed her warning about Sarodar.
• Onyxia arrived at Grim Batol and told Deathwing that the God-Emperor knew about his Twilight Dragon experiments and had sent a warning.
• Onyxia told Deathwing that the God-Emperor had given him two choices, but the chapter ended before she revealed them.

Onyxia delivered the God-Emperor’s choices to Deathwing, who agreed to release Alexstrasza intact after three months, then reluctantly surrendered half his Dragon Eggs to Boss Hu. As Onyxia left Grim Batol, her mother Sinestra appeared and asked for the Titan’s protection from Deathwing.

• Onyxia told Deathwing to either release Alexstrasza intact after three months or move his research to Kalimdor, and warned him against dealing with N'Zoth.
• Deathwing chose the first proposal, and Boss Hu’s energy form demanded and received half of Deathwing’s Dragon Eggs.
• Boss Hu warned Deathwing to protect Onyxia, while Onyxia rebuked her father for insulting her before leaving in her carriage.
• Sinestra appeared inside Onyxia’s carriage and said she had finished placing the Dragon Eggs in Outland and would not return to Deathwing.
• Sinestra asked Onyxia to secure the Titan’s protection, and Onyxia agreed to introduce her while telling her to prove her own value.

Arthas returned to Lordaeron, killed King Terenas, and raised the kingdom’s dead into the Scourge before resurrecting his warhorse Invincible. In Quel'Thalas, Sylvanas arranged with Cthulhu to build the hidden power she would command as the Dark Queen.

• Arthas returned to Lordaeron to public celebration, but Frostmourne’s whispers drowned out the welcome as he approached the throne.
• Arthas killed King Terenas, slew those who tried to stop him, and raised the dead as the Scourge while the Infinite Dragon sent a message from the palace.
• Arthas resurrected his former warhorse Invincible and completed his transformation into a Death Knight.
• Sylvanas met Sun King Kael'thas in Quel'Thalas and inspected the Elemental Ascended controlled by Twilight's Hammer.
• Sylvanas contacted Cthulhu and requested Faceless Ones, Twilight's Hammer followers, Dreadlords, and his ability to beguile and brainwash people for her emerging rule as the Dark Queen.

The Night Empire and its allies mobilized for the coming Battle of Mount Hyjal, while Quel'Thalas prepared for the Scourge and the Watchers received orders to return to Kalimdor and release Illidan. Maiev accepted that the Watchers had to obey the God-Emperor’s decree.

• The Night Empire issued total-war orders, gathered its armies and allies, and prepared to let Archimonde advance to Mount Hyjal before surrounding him.
• The New Horde dispatched a coalition force to Mount Hyjal, while Lothar led the Alliance’s steel airships toward Kalimdor.
• Kael'thas ordered Quel'Thalas to prepare for war, and Twilight's Hammer believers vowed to die and return as Forsaken under Sylvanas.
• A Crusader messenger ordered Maiev Shadowsong to release Illidan and return the Watchers to Kalimdor, threatening a purge if they disobeyed.
• Cordana Shadowsong agreed to carry out the order, and Maiev resigned herself to the end of the Watchers’ old role.

Arthas led the Scourge to Andorhal to recover Kel'Thuzad's corpse, where Oscar and Sitharis fought back and inflicted heavy losses on his army. Arthas killed them and raised Oscar as a Death Knight, but Oscar's spirit still remembered Ironforge and resisted the ice within him.

• Arthas unearthed Kel'Thuzad's corpse outside Andorhal and noticed that his undead forces were rapidly dwindling.
• Oscar and Sitharis defended the ruined council hall against the Scourge, and Sitharis sacrificed himself with an Arcane Explosion that destroyed many undead.
• Oscar fought on alone until a ghoul pierced his chest, and he died longing for his home in Dun Morogh and Ironforge.
• Arthas raised Oscar as a Death Knight and ordered him to serve the Lich King.
• Oscar awakened with icy blue eyes, though the memory of Ironforge's forge continued to burn within him.

Oscar Flashdrill struggled against his new existence as a Death Knight and planned to escape the Scourge on its march toward Quel'Thalas. Meanwhile, Princess Cariath and the last loyal Royal Guards fled the ruined capital of Lordaeron toward Silverpine Forest.

• Adventurers across the Eastern Kingdoms mourned Oscar's fall and formed parties to hunt Scourge in hopes of giving him peace.
• Oscar's moments of clarity revealed that he was traveling with the Scourge toward Quel'Thalas, and he resolved to find a chance to escape.
• Arthas ordered Oscar to trail behind the Scourge Legion after the dwarf's curses and attacks repeatedly disrupted its march.
• A palace guard killed a Royal Guard who had threatened Princess Cariath, and the squad leader urged her to flee Lordaeron.
• Princess Cariath and the remaining loyal guards broke through the palace gate and fought their way out of the city toward Silverpine Forest and Fenris Isle.

Cariath treated refugees while struggling with the destruction of Lordaeron, then secretly killed her captain of the guard when he tried to take control of the restoration effort. As the Holy Light left her, the Dawnbreaker offered her another power, while Aeonus chose to watch rather than intervene.

• Cariath healed sick refugees and worried that she could not save them all or lead them.
• The captain of the guard proposed taking the refugees to Fenris Isle and forming a Lordaeron Restoration Army under Cariath.
• Cariath pretended to consider his plan, then summoned him to her tent and stabbed him when he spoke of commanding the army for her.
• Cariath declared that the Menethil family would retain power and sensed the Dawnbreaker offering her a new source of power as the Holy Light faded.
• Aeonus rejected another Infinite Dragon's suggestion to stop Cariath and decided to wait and see.