On the Verge of War

Early the next morning, Alliance forces slowly began to gather along the border. Their neat formations were divided into block after block like cubes of tofu, golden lions emblazoned on their blue battle robes. Blue banners fluttered in the air. Infantry took the lead, raising shields to fend off all attacks. Behind them stood elven archers, followed by human cavalry and elven Sentinels. Dwarven riflemen were scattered among the infantry, while Gnomes drove battle tanks along the rear.

The Horde's side was considerably more chaotic. Their ranks were nowhere near as orderly as the Alliance's, but simply standing there, they radiated a savage aura. Their crimson battle robes carried the stench of blood, and red banners drifted through the air. Infantry and wolf riders were interspersed throughout the formation. Behind them were the Tauren who had arrived just last night—massive figures with sharp horns, each carrying an enormous log on their back. One blow from those logs would leave a man dead or crippled. Troll hunters and undead hunters stood farther back, the trolls' long javelins already coated in green poison. The Blood Elves stood leisurely at the very rear, energy spheres appearing and vanishing in their hands.

A no-man's-land lay between the two sides. No matter how orderly the Alliance was, they did not cross that line. No matter how disorganized the Horde was, they did not cross it either.

A rumbling sound came from the Horde's side. Emerald trees toppled one after another as mechanical harvesters felled them. Goblins piloted those machines, cutting down the forest openly before the entire Alliance army.

Rage burned in the elves' eyes. If not for those around them holding them back, they would have rushed forward long ago to teach those ugly Goblins destroying the forest a lesson.

Varian, Tyrande, Greymane, and the other Alliance leaders were already mounted at the center of their army. Across the vast forces, they watched the Horde's leaders: Garrosh, Vol'jin, and Sylvanas. Though no words were exchanged, sparks seemed to fly where their gazes met. At last, Garrosh made a throat-slitting gesture at Varian.

Time gradually passed, yet the two sides remained locked in confrontation. They were waiting for an opportunity. Messengers from both armies arrived where their leaders stood, reporting something unknown. All that was known was that when they finished, Varian and Garrosh spoke at the same time: "Prepare to attack."

Varian said, "Cavalry attacks first, infantry follows. Archers, fire when they are nearing the center. Three volleys. Stop firing after the third."

Garrosh said, "Go, pups! Slaughter every last one of those Alliance bastards! Wolf riders, charge forward! Infantry, move with them! Archers, fire three volleys! Tauren, hold the rear!"

After their plans had been more or less laid out, Varian said, "Sound the horns. Attack! For the Alliance!" With that, he moved out with the main force. Genn followed close behind, while Tyrande remained to command.

Garrosh said, "Beat the drums. Attack! For the Horde!" He mounted his dire wolf and charged out. Sylvanas rode her skeletal horse, a faint curl at her lips as she charged forward as well. Vol'jin stayed behind to command.

The troops on both sides began at a slow march, then broke into a jog, and finally a run. Hooves hammered the ground with deafening force, while the roars of the Orcs shook heaven and earth.

"For the Alliance!"

"For the Horde!"

From above, the blue sea and the red sea slowly converged, then collided violently and scattered each other apart in an instant.

The rain of arrows did not inflict much damage on either side. The Alliance had sturdy armor, while the Horde possessed powerful physiques that did not fear such volleys.

The cavalry drove into the Horde's ranks like sharp swords. Flesh and blood splattered, coating the lances. At the same time, great blades cut men and horses down, while others were bitten to death by dire wolves. Even sturdy armor could not withstand the blows, its wearers sent flying by a single strike. Even powerful bodies were pierced through before the immense impact.

In the blink of an eye, the cavalry had broken through the wolf riders, but suffered severe losses. The wolf riders likewise burst through the cavalry ranks, their casualties equally heavy. Both sides turned around at the same time and charged into one another again. Flesh and blood flew once more.

At the same time, the infantry clashed. One human infantryman could not defeat an Orc soldier, but two or three soldiers ganging up on one could. Thus, the Alliance infantry split the Orcs apart across the battlefield and surrounded them in groups.

Suddenly, as a small squad of human infantry searched for targets, a massive log swept in from behind. The soldiers instantly spat blood and flew away, their armor shattering. Tauren warriors charged in. Their strength was twice that of an Orc's, and the enormous wooden pillars whirled through their hands like toys, gusting through the air. Every swing sent soldiers flying.

Just as the Tauren swept through the battlefield, the Worgen appeared. They were not as large as the Tauren, but they were nimble. Dodging attacks, they searched for chances to counterattack, temporarily tying the Tauren down.

After splitting an Orc apart with one stroke, Varian spotted Garrosh and immediately spurred his horse toward him. Garrosh noticed Varian as well and laughed. "Come, Varian. Let us fight." Yet the axe in his hand continued cutting down soldiers around him.

The supreme leaders of the two great factions finally met on the battlefield. Both Varian and Garrosh were warriors, each displaying his own martial skill. The difference in strength between humans and Orcs was immense, and Varian knew he could not confront Garrosh head-on. He relied on his skill to duel Garrosh instead.

Garrosh chopped down with his axe. "What is it, Varian? Where is your spirit? Why are you so weak? Oh, right, you have a son, don't you? Anduin, was it? I wonder whether that little brat came along. What do you think if I go kill him?"

Varian roared, "Don't even think about it, Garrosh! You Orcs should get off this continent! You invaders!"

The two continued struggling and battling, creating an empty space around them.

Tyrande watched the changes on the battlefield. "Send the Sentinels into battle. Have the gryphon riders set out as well." "Yes."

The female riders atop black panthers had long since grown impatient. Upon receiving the order, they slapped their panthers and rushed into the battlefield. With their agile movements, they slew Orc after Orc and eased the pressure. The gryphon riders also charged into battle. The Dwarven riders unleashed the power of lightning, while the gryphons constantly swept aside nearby enemies.

Watching the Alliance counterattack, Vol'jin said, "Send out the wind riders. Tie down the Alliance's gryphon riders. Better yet, kill them all."

Countless wyverns rushed toward the battlefield, charging at the gryphon riders. Blood and feathers fell from the sky amid the aerial slaughter.

The battlefield was in utter chaos. Alpha had no idea how many Orcs he had tackled, nor how many comrades had fallen. His fur was dyed red with all kinds of blood, his own and his enemies'. After tackling a Tauren warrior, he decisively bit through its throat, but was still slashed by its horn. With a Bang, he was sent flying by another Tauren's club after losing focus. That Tauren, however, was also ambushed by one of Alpha's comrades and had its throat slit.

The instant he hit the ground, a terrified shout rang out. "Watch out, Varian! Get down!" "No, Genn!" "Sylvanas, you coward who fires from the shadows!"

One minute earlier, Varian and Garrosh had been fighting. Just as Varian found an opening and struck Garrosh down with a slash, Genn's voice rang out: "Watch out, Varian! Get down!" Varian turned and saw Sylvanas smiling at him. A black arrow shot from her hand straight toward him. Just before it could pierce him, Genn stepped in front of him and took the arrow in the chest. Darius happened to see the scene and shouted, "No, Genn!" Seeing Genn fall before him, Varian charged at Sylvanas and shouted, "Sylvanas, you coward who fires from the shadows!" But Garrosh blocked him again. "Our fight isn't over yet." Garrosh brought his axe down.

Sylvanas looked regretfully at Genn lying on the ground. "That was specially prepared for Varian, but it works well enough on you. Greymane, savor your final moments." With that, she turned to leave, but suddenly raised her bow behind her to block an attack. A blood-red giant wolf pounced on her and pinned her to the ground, its teeth just inches from her head. Sylvanas could even feel the hot breath spilling from its jaws. Looking into those familiar blue eyes, she said, "I remember you. You were the one Darius saved last time, weren't you? Good. Let's settle our score. Let's see whether you can escape from my hands this time."