Chapter Summaries

Deren recruited Rivendare to profit from the coming campaign against the Qiraji and to manipulate the Horde into risking its forces for insect shells. After Rivendare left to organize the scheme, Jaina asked whether the battle could finally end the Orc threat.

• Deren told Rivendare that the Alliance and Horde were preparing to attack the Qiraji in An'qiraj and proposed buying insect shells from the battlefield.
• Deren asked Rivendare to spread word through Rustwater Goblins or Venture Company that intact insect shells could be sold for armor, encouraging Orcs to fight while protecting the shells.
• Deren arranged for the Rattlesnake Goblins to join the Silithus campaign, handle Alliance logistics, and sell specially prepared supplies to Orcs while posing as Rustwater Goblins.
• Rivendare accepted the plan and left to put it into action.
• Jaina asked Deren whether the An'qiraj battle could weaken the Orcs enough to resolve the threat, and Deren said the survivors could remain in Orgrimmar or return to Outland.

Jaina, Varian, and their allies planned an Alliance expedition to An'qiraj, relying on the Horde to fight the Qiraji and a secret weapon to destroy a concentrated enemy force. The chapter ended with Sargathas agreeing to handle C'Thun while the Alliance focused on the insect army.

• Varian and the Alliance leaders agreed to send a small force to An'qiraj, teleporting to Theramore and retreating before the secret weapon arrived.
• Deren outlined a plan to burn out the outer insect hives and explained that the Alliance would likely face C'Thun in the Temple of An'qiraj.
• Jaina revealed to the Alliance leaders that Theramore possessed a secret weapon capable of severely injuring an Old God, while Krasus decided to report the weapon to Alexstrasza.
• Jaina said Thrall had sent King Saurfang as the Horde representative and would lead the assault, while Deren proposed selling insect shells to Goblins and joked that the Orcs might hold back to preserve them.
• Theramore offered insurance and postwar bonuses to the Expeditionary Force, and Varian thanked Jaina for the sponsorship.
• In a concealed chamber, Jaina explained the weapon's plan to Varian, and Sargathas agreed to deal with C'Thun while the Alliance handled the outer insect army.

Malfurion Stormrage arrived at Cenarion Hold to confront the growing Qiraji threat and coordinate with the Horde and Alliance. As Varok Saurfang offered the Horde’s aid and Jaina withheld a firm arrival time, Malfurion suspected that the other forces had plans of their own.

• Malfurion arrived at Cenarion Hold with Night Elf Druids, and Fandral Staghelm warned him that the fortress lacked supplies as the Qiraji gathered beyond The Scarab Wall.
• Malfurion insisted that the Alliance and Horde must cooperate against An'qiraj, rebuking Fandral for opposing a joint effort with the Orcs.
• A sentry announced Varok Saurfang’s arrival, and Saurfang told Malfurion that Thrall had sent Horde forces while the Alliance Expeditionary Force was gathering.
• Malfurion contacted Jaina Proudmoore, who said the Alliance was making final preparations but gave no specific arrival time.
• Malfurion ended the call and wondered whether the Horde and Alliance had plans that left the Druids alone in their concern about the threat behind The Scarab Wall.

Chromie obtained the intact Scepter of the Shifting Sands from Nozdormu, who appeared to be tacitly endorsing Deren’s plans for An’qiraj. Deren decided to proceed with the attack, while warning that others might be watching the scepter.

• Chromie and Lezi Long entered the Cave of Time, where Anachronos said he was waiting for a mission.
• Nozdormu revealed that he had already restored the Scepter of the Shifting Sands and gave it to Chromie to decide when to use.
• Chromie returned to Deren’s home in Theramore and told Deren, Jaina, and Onyxia what Nozdormu had said.
• Deren concluded that Nozdormu had anticipated their actions and was allowing them to take the initiative at An’qiraj without intervening directly.
• Deren told the group to prepare their surprise and choose a day to attack An’qiraj, then warned them to keep the scepter safe because others might be watching it.

Saurfang welcomed the exhausted Kor'kron Guard and Goblins to Cenarion Hold, where news of buyers for Qiraji goods prompted the Orcs to plan hunts. Rival Goblin merchants competed for the Orcs’ business and sold them marked-up jerky, leaving the Rattlesnake Goblins celebrating their profit.

• Saurfang received the Ninth and Tenth Companies of the Kor'kron Guard and arranged for them to rest at a camp near Cenarion Hold.
• A Rustwater Goblin announced that Ratchet would pay high prices for Qiraji shells, and Saurfang promised to find the Orcs an Elven guide after they recovered.
• Rattlesnake Goblins arrived and challenged the Rustwater Goblins, prompting the Orcs to make the rival merchants match each other’s prices and buy the same goods.
• The Rattlesnake Goblins said their jerky was reserved for Alliance forces, but Orc captains pooled money and bought all of it.
• The Rattlesnake Goblins counted their earnings and celebrated selling inferior jerky to the Orcs at a large profit.

Saurfang led Orcs and Goblins to a nearby Qiraji nest to test their fighting strength, while a Goblin saw the insects as a lucrative resource. The Orcs defeated a small group and took the Qiraji back to camp to study and sell them.

• A Night Elf Druid guided Saurfang's troops to a nearby Qiraji nest and explained how to fight the insects safely.
• A Rattlesnake Goblin concluded that the insects could become a source of wealth and hurried off to report his discovery to headquarters.
• Saurfang decided to lure a few Qiraji away from the nest and asked the Druid how to do it.
• The Orcs used jerky on a rope to draw several Qiraji into an ambush, then killed them with only a few minor Orc injuries.
• Saurfang ordered the Qiraji taken back to camp for study and sale to the Goblins.

Orc soldiers traded Qiraji corpses to rival Goblin groups for food while the Alliance's elite force arrived at Cenarion Hold. Deren recognized that Malfurion's plan would place the main offensive burden on the Horde as the leaders prepared for their first joint military meeting.

• Orc soldiers bargained with the Rustwater Goblins and Rattlesnake Goblins, exchanging Qiraji corpses for barrels of jerky.
• Malfurion received word that Theramore's Alliance force was ready and ordered the eastern square opened for their arrival.
• Jaina, Varian, Krasus, Kael'thas, Deren, and nearly a hundred Alliance troops appeared at Cenarion Hold.
• Malfurion challenged Varian over the small size of the Alliance force, and Varian and Krasus explained that elite troops and Portals would provide rapid support.
• Deren told Jaina that Malfurion would likely shift the main offensive burden to Saurfang and leave the Horde vulnerable to blame.
• Malfurion welcomed the Alliance and announced an afternoon joint military meeting with the Horde to discuss the Qiraji threat.

Malfurion convened the Horde and Alliance leaders to plan attacks on two Qiraji nests as the Scarab Wall weakened. Saurfang and Varian accepted their assignments, while questions about the War of the Shifting Sands remained unanswered.

• Malfurion and Fandral explained the Qiraji threat and proposed simultaneous attacks on Rego Insect Nest and Hive'Zora.
• Saurfang offered the Horde for the harder task, while Kael'thas said the Alliance could handle either objective.
• Varian questioned why the Dragon Aspects were not being summoned, exposing inconsistencies in Fandral's account of the War of the Shifting Sands.
• Malfurion assigned Saurfang's Horde to the eastern Rego Insect Nest and Varian's Alliance to the western Hive'Zora, with Druids supporting both forces.
• Saurfang and Varian accepted their missions, and Deren privately wondered whether the Horde would prioritize intact insect shells over flattening the nest.

The Alliance routed the Qiraji at Hive'Zora with an efficient defensive formation, then burned out their underground tunnels with Wildfire Oil. The spectacle left King Saurfang, Malfurion, and others reflecting on the Alliance's ruthless methods as the eastern front continued trying to capture intact insect shells.

• King Saurfang watched Kor'kron warriors struggle against the Qiraji while holding back to preserve valuable insect shells, suffering more casualties as a result.
• Jaina and Deren observed the Alliance's disciplined defenses, where mages, Dwarven marksmen, and Paladins stopped the Qiraji before they could reach the lines.
• Varian ordered the Alliance to begin its second phase after surface swarms retreated, and mages located entrances to the Hive'Zora tunnels.
• Alliance soldiers poured Wildfire Oil into the tunnels and ignited it, filling the underground nest with fire and smoke as the Qiraji burned.
• King Saurfang, Malfurion, and Fandral watched the destruction, while Deren and Jaina remarked that the tactic used a great deal of oil.

The Alliance enjoyed abundant supplies while the Horde’s insect-hunting effort became a grim trade in damaged shells, leaving its soldiers hungry and increasingly focused on profit. King Saurfang recognized that the Horde’s tactics were causing heavy casualties and resolved that he had to change them.

• The Sandbox supplied the Alliance camp with lavish food and drink, and King Varian celebrated with the soldiers.
• Deren and Jaina shared a relaxed moment and agreed they should return to Silithus for a vacation together.
• Rustwater and Venture Company Goblins paid the Horde low prices for insect remains, leaving Orc soldiers with meager rations and ale.
• Orc soldiers grew envious of the Alliance feast and resolved to kill more insects to earn better food and drink.
• King Saurfang saw that the Horde’s efforts to preserve valuable insect parts were costing lives, and decided he had to change the tactics.

After the Alliance cleared Hive'Zora, Malfurion criticized its use of fire and asked the Horde to report its progress at Rego. Saurfang accepted the Alliance's offer to help, but his squad leaders resisted because they feared losing the insects they traded for supplies and money.

• Malfurion praised the Alliance for clearing Hive'Zora, then criticized its use of black flames, and Jaina agreed to follow his guidance.
• Saurfang told Malfurion that the Horde had suffered heavy casualties at Rego and needed the Alliance's help; Varian agreed after a few days of rest.
• Varian warned Saurfang to prepare his warriors for the Alliance smashing and burning the insects, and suggested he return home instead of continuing to fight.
• After Malfurion finalized the joint plan to clear the surrounding nests, Saurfang gathered his squad leaders and explained that the Alliance would help at Rego.
• Saurfang's squad leaders objected that destroying the insects would deprive them of money and supplies, and the meeting ended with Saurfang and the Orc leaders at odds.

Saurfang secured reinforcements from Thrall, and Jaina teleported them to Silithus, where the Orcs and Alliance cleared the Rego Insect Nest. At a meeting about invading An'qiraj, Varian and Saurfang challenged the Druids' plan to open The Scarab Wall, and Krasus suggested asking the dragons to reinforce its seal.

• Saurfang asked Jaina to teleport him to Ashenvale so he could report the Orcs' casualties to Thrall and request reinforcements.
• Thrall ordered two companies of Kor'kron Guard to join Saurfang in Silithus, and Jaina teleported the reinforcements there in exchange for magical gems.
• Saurfang brought the Orcs together under Thrall's orders, and the Orcs cooperated with the Alliance to clear the Rego Insect Nest.
• Malfurion called a meeting and proposed opening The Scarab Wall to attack the Qiraji Swarm inside An'qiraj.
• Varian and Saurfang questioned why the armies should open the seal instead of asking the Aspect Dragons to reinforce it.
• Krasus agreed that they could contact the Red Dragon Queen, while Deren wondered why the Druids favored a dangerous invasion.

At a meeting in Silithus, the leaders discussed opening The Scarab Wall but discovered that the Scepter of the Shifting Sands was missing. The scepter suddenly appeared before them, and they agreed to open the wall in three days despite their suspicions that unseen forces were watching.

• Malfurion and the other leaders agreed that the mortal races would have to attack An'qiraj without the Dragon Race's help.
• Deren asked how they could open The Scarab Wall, and Fandral Staghelm admitted that its key, the Scepter of the Shifting Sands, was missing.
• A strange spatial disturbance appeared, and the Scepter of the Shifting Sands materialized on the conference table.
• Fandral insisted that they open the wall to avenge Valstann and destroy the Qiraji and C'Thun, while Deren suspected that unseen forces were manipulating events.
• Fandral announced that they would open The Scarab Wall in three days, and the leaders returned to their camps to prepare.

After the Scarab Wall fell, the Alliance and Horde chose separate routes into Ahn'Qiraj: the Alliance attacked the Ruins while the Horde entered the Qiraji Temple. The Alliance destroyed Kurinax, and Deren told Varian to rest while they waited for a secret weapon.

• The Qiraji Swarm poured through the opened Scarab Wall, and King Saurfang led the Alliance and Horde in holding off its first assault.
• Fandral Staghelm urged the armies to attack both routes into Ahn'Qiraj, and Saurfang chose the Qiraji Temple while Varian took the Ruins.
• Jaina and Varian led the Alliance against the swarms emerging from the Ruins, while Saurfang led the Horde into the temple's more dangerous passage.
• Kurinax erupted from beneath the Alliance forces, but the mages blasted it apart before it could reach their battle line.
• Deren advised Varian to let the Alliance recover in shifts because their secret weapon was already on its way.

The Alliance lured the Qiraji swarm into the open and used Aegwynn’s super Thermobaric Bomb, “Alliance Warmth,” to devastate the An'qiraj Ruins. Varian’s forces entered the scorched ruins afterward and raised the Alliance banner.

• Deren judged that the Alliance should keep fighting until the Horde had spent more strength underground, while Aegwynn and Onyxia flew toward Silithus.
• After another half day of battle, Jaina confirmed Aegwynn had arrived, and Varian ordered the Alliance to prepare the extermination plan.
• Jaina’s Mage Corps provoked the insects and drew them into a dense swarm before teleporting away as the bomb fell.
• Aegwynn guided the bomb onto the swarm, where its fuel cloud and ignition caused a massive explosion that destroyed the insects and devastated the ruins.
• Varian led the Alliance back into the ruins and ordered a search for survivors as the Alliance banner was planted on the scorched earth.

Deren spared the badly burned General Rajaxx and sent him to Cenarion Hold so Fandral Staghelm could confront his son's killer. Meanwhile, the Horde's assault on the Temple of An'qiraj stalled at the Twin Emperors until a massive explosion forced Saurfang's army to retreat, and Jaina concealed the Alliance's role in it.

• Deren stopped Varian from killing the half-cooked General Rajaxx and had Krasus teleport him to Cenarion Hold for Fandral Staghelm.
• Jaina asked Deren whether he was trying to save Staghelm, and Deren explained that confronting his son's killer might ease the Druid's grief.
• The Horde defeated Prophet Skar'kris and three giant insects, suffering casualties against the latter, before reaching the Twin Emperors.
• The Horde could not overcome the Twin Emperors' shifting immunities and healing, but Saurfang ordered a retreat after a huge explosion shook the temple.
• Saurfang found the Alliance searching the blast crater and questioned Jaina, who claimed the explosion was an accident and denied that her troops had been harmed.

After the explosion destroyed much of the An'qiraj ruins, the Alliance concealed its cause while Malfurion accepted their account and tried to coordinate the forces. The Horde returned to face its enemies, while Fandral volunteered to help the Alliance clear the caverns.

• Krasus returned with Malfurion and Fandral, and Jaina and Varian claimed that a Qiraji attack had caused the explosion.
• Malfurion accepted Varian's explanation, and Fandral thanked the Alliance for helping him defeat Rajaxx and end his thousand-year hatred.
• Saurfang reported that the Horde had entered the Temple of An'qiraj but withdrawn after encountering two difficult enemies and fearing the caverns would collapse.
• Malfurion offered Alliance support to the Horde, but Varian declined and suggested that Druids assist them instead.
• Saurfang resolved to return with the Horde and fight the two monsters, while Varian organized the Alliance to clear the underground caverns.
• Fandral volunteered to help the Alliance search the caverns with Root Growth, and Deren told Jaina that Fandral wanted to repay his debt and that Malfurion acted like a long-standing leader.

The Horde’s assault on the Twin Emperors killed the Sword Emperor but devastated its army and left Saurfang unconscious. After the survivors retreated, Varian agreed that the Alliance would take over the Temple of An'qiraj, and the Alliance prepared to attack.

• Saurfang led the Orcs in a final Bloodlust-fueled assault, and they overwhelmed and killed the magic-immune Sword Emperor.
• The Magic Emperor blasted the Orcs back, severely injuring Saurfang and forcing the surviving Horde to retreat with him unconscious.
• After waking at the temple entrance, Saurfang learned that more than half the Horde had died and asked Jaina to seek Alliance help.
• Jaina brought Varian to meet Saurfang, and Varian agreed that the Alliance would attack the rest of the temple.
• Fandral accepted the Alliance’s takeover, and Saurfang led the surviving Orcs back to their camp.
• Once the Horde had left, the Alliance regrouped to assault the temple, and Deren told Jaina that the Twin Emperors would face the Alliance.

The Alliance reached the Temple of An'qiraj and defeated Emperor Vek'lor through coordinated Paladin defenses and Mage attacks, benefiting from the Horde's earlier victory over his brother. After ordering the troops to recover, Varian prepared them to face C'Thun.

• Jaina, Deren, Varian, and the Alliance forces marched through the temple, passing the fallen Orc warriors and reaching the Twin Emperors' hall.
• The Alliance found Emperor Vekniras dead and Emperor Vek'lor still fighting, so Varian ordered the Paladins to hold the front while the Mages attacked.
• The Paladins endured Vek'lor's assaults with healing and protective spells as the Alliance Mages overwhelmed his defenses and killed him.
• Jaina praised Deren's accurate knowledge of the battle, and Deren explained that his wisdom let him know the past and future.
• Varian ordered the Alliance to clear the battlefield and recover, then warned them that C'Thun awaited ahead.

After the Alliance reached C'Thun's hall, Sargathas tried to persuade the Old God that the Titans had turned against it and that it needed help. Deren summoned Ysera after C'Thun insulted him, and the chapter ended with C'Thun cautiously examining Deren.

• Varian, Jaina, Deren, and Sargathas entered C'Thun's hall, where Sargathas revealed herself and reminded C'Thun of their past.
• Jaina attacked C'Thun with Ice Arrows while Sargathas told it that Yogg-Saron and N'Zoth had been killed, then showed it pieces of their bodies.
• Sargathas explained that the Titans had chosen the Orcs as their new representatives, and C'Thun protested that it had stayed quietly in Ahn'Qiraj.
• C'Thun dismissed Deren as a mere mortal, so Deren used a Communication Crystal to summon Ysera.
• Ysera arrived through a Void Portal, warned C'Thun to respect Deren, and introduced him as her teacher.
• C'Thun sensed familiar Void Energy in Ysera and then fixed its gaze on Deren, who prepared to convince it with stronger proof.