Forest Wolf Shadows (3)

"Watch your step. Don't trigger any traps. Keep your wolves calm and don't let them make a sound. We've entered Alliance territory now." Rough Orcish drifted out from the woods. Their green skin blended into the forest; if not for their red armor, no one would have known where they were. Those wielding massive iron axes were infantry, while those riding dire wolves and carrying huge blades were wolf riders.

To be honest, this was Alpha's first time seeing Orcs. Only now did he understand why the Alliance, despite its excellent equipment, had been unable to drive the Horde away. Their weapons and armor might have been crude, but their bodies were enormous. Even Worgen were a head shorter than them, not to mention humans and elves. Their weapons alone showed the difference. A single giant axe was as large as a person, and the wolf riders were even more terrifying. Their mounts were two or three times larger than the Sentinels' panthers, and their sharp fangs and crimson tongues sent a chill down one's spine.

"So, how does it feel seeing Orcs for the first time?" the Sentinel captain asked quietly. Alpha answered honestly, "I'm truly shocked. And I admire those soldiers for facing these monsters for so long." The captain replied casually, "Actually, aside from that, Orcs aren't too hard to deal with. They're rather simple-minded and not very disciplined. The truly troublesome ones in the Horde are the Blood Elves and Tauren—the harvesters of the battlefield. You'd better pray you never run into them."

Alpha fell silent. After a while, when the Orcs had spread out enough, the captain signaled for the attack to begin. The other eight slowly fanned out. The Worgen climbed into the trees and concealed themselves, while the Sentinels rode their black panthers into position. A small encirclement gradually took shape.

The Orcs' wolf mounts seemed to hear something. They suddenly stopped and lifted their heads. An arrow shot out of the forest and buried itself viciously in a wolf's eye. The wolf instantly collapsed and began thrashing about. Worgen leaped down from trees in different directions, targeting the wolf riders, while the Sentinels continuously fired arrows to cover them.

"Enemy attack! Defend yourselves! Don't panic!" the wolf rider leader roared as he hacked apart arrows coming from every direction. Suddenly, a wolf-like shadow lunged at him and knocked him heavily off his mount. He hit the ground, and the two rolled several times before separating.

The Orc leader quickly got to his feet and pointed his blade at the figure before him. Only then did he see his attacker clearly. It looked like a wolf, except it stood upright. Silver-white fur was mixed into its gray-black coat, and its pale blue eyes brimmed with fighting spirit. What kind of monster is this? Why have I never seen one before?

Alpha was also sizing up the Orc before him. His green skin was hardly pleasant to look at, his protruding tusks gleamed coldly, and crude armor hung loosely from straps around his body. His sturdy muscles were like iron. Suddenly, the wolf rider let out a roar and charged. Alpha had no time to think and rushed forward as well. The two beasts collided. Alpha barely dodged a slash, then clawed viciously at a spot the Orc's armor did not cover. Green blood flowed out. Alpha froze for an instant, giving his opponent an opening. A heavy fist smashed into Alpha's face, forcing him back several steps. Seizing the advantage, the Orc brought his blade down again. But Alpha was still dazed and failed to react in time. Whoosh—an arrow struck the blade, and the impact knocked it off course, sending it into the ground. Coming back to his senses, Alpha shook off his fear and rammed the Orc with his head. The two tangled together once more.

Alpha no longer showed the naive reactions he had displayed earlier. Every strike was steady, precise, and ruthless.

The Orc was filled with shock. I never thought the Alliance had a race like this. They can clash head-on with Orcs and not fall behind. No, I have to break away and report to the Warchief immediately. Damn it, why are its claws so sharp? Feeling the agonizing pain from his wounds, the Orc cursed inwardly.

Alpha was equally shocked. The Orc was so strong, and his reactions were so fast. No wonder they had caused the Alliance so much trouble.

As time passed, the wounds on both of them grew more numerous. Suddenly, the Orc whistled, and a wolf mount rushed toward them. The Orc vaulted onto its back and rode the giant wolf at Alpha. Arrows flew out again, but they were cut apart by a single slash. Seeing that he was the only one left, the wolf rider leader decisively drove his mount away at full speed.

The battle here came to an end. Casualties: 0. Enemy kills: 10 infantry, 4 wolf riders. One escaped.

Alpha walked over to the Sentinel captain and said, "Thank you for saving me. Otherwise, I would've died right at the start." The captain looked at the dead Orcs and said, "No need. That's how the battlefield is. Our duty is to create opportunities for you. Honestly, this is my first time seeing someone fight Orcs to this extent with nothing but their own strength—aside from those Druids, of course. Sorry, I forgot you're a Druid too." Alpha merely smiled.

After a brief rest, Alpha's team headed toward their next destination. Small battles continued to break out across the area.

Splintertree Post, main fortress.

Garrosh received news of the defeat and said furiously, "Tell me, what does 'unknown race, uncertain factor' even mean? My scouts were nearly wiped out. Only a small number came back, and this is all you have to tell me?"

Vol'jin said, "According to the witch doctors, the wounds on the returning Orcs were all made by beast claws. There were no marks from swords or blades. They also said these wolf-like creatures possessed strength comparable to theirs, but were much more agile."

"Those are Worgen. They were originally humans, but became Worgen after being afflicted by a curse. I thought they should all be going mad amid the ruins of Gilneas by now. I never expected them to appear here." A woman's icy voice came from the shadows.

"Are you certain, Banshee?" Garrosh asked.

A female Night Elf draped in a large cloak stepped out from behind the shadows. Her perfect figure was faintly visible beneath the cloak. But the moment she appeared, an icy presence spread through the fortress, and none of the other commanders dared meet her eyes. She was the source of that coldness. She could no longer truly be called an elf. Her originally dark-purple skin had turned translucent, her beautiful eyes had been replaced by a red glow, and an exquisite bow rested across her back, with a quiver full of arrows behind her.

Walking up to Garrosh, the Banshee said lazily, "I'm certain. My troops encountered them and fought them in Gilneas. They were originally humans from Gilneas, but were cursed while resisting the Scourge. In a way, they and I are rather fated. Warchief, leave them to us. My subordinates understand them better."

After Garrosh and Vol'jin conferred, Garrosh said, "Then I'll leave them to you and your subordinates. Tell me your name, Banshee."

"Sylvanas Windrunner. Leader of the Forsaken. Rest assured, Warchief. I'll bring you their wolf heads first." With that, Sylvanas left with elegant steps.

Watching Sylvanas's departing figure, Vol'jin said, "I don't trust those undead. After all, the Lich King created them." Garrosh said indifferently, "No matter where they came from or what they want, I only know they can solve our problem here. By the way, have Baine and the others arrived? They've taken too long." "Baine sent word that they'll arrive in three days. The Tauren are too heavy for the airships to carry, so they can only travel here on foot."

Alpha, who had completed his mission and was now on his way back, had no idea that their sworn enemies—the undead—had also arrived on this continent and were preparing to bring them a "surprise." What expressions would the Worgen wear when they saw the undead again?