The Man in the Shadows

"Damn it! Damn it!! Damn it!!!"

"How dare you!"

Vel'th screamed madly. He finally understood the Nightmare Lord's purpose in coming here. He had not come to mock his former student, nor had he come seeking shelter. Vel'th had guessed everything wrong!

He had come to... shift everything onto him and slip away cleanly!

Was the bait that had lured him into pursuing power also part of the Many-Tentacled Demon's grand betrayal?

Had that deity sleeping beneath the deep sea planned its rebellion against its kin countless ages ago?

What exactly! What kind of devil had he been serving all this time?!

The Nightmare Lord burst into laughter. His laughter echoed over the Storm Plains for a long while, grating against his pitiful student's fragile nerves.

"Too early. It is far too early. This world is not yet ready to welcome the Hour of Twilight!"

"And you, my apprentice, have not even made the slightest mental preparation."

"But it doesn't matter, because from beginning to end, you were merely an insurance policy."

"On this train that cannot be stopped, anyone who obstructs our ultimate goal will be discarded without mercy, even if it is... a true god!"

Vel'th screamed, "You brain-dead fool! Aren't you afraid of Twilight's Hammer's... no! Of the Many-Eyed Demon's frenzied revenge?"

"Of course I am not afraid, because they have no idea, and they will never guess... who exactly betrayed it."

"They will not come after me. On the contrary, they will come for... you!"

In the end, it was still a belated mockery. The Nightmare Lord had not even appeared before Vel'th, yet he had effortlessly toyed with his self-righteous student.

"So, my foolish student, are you still planning to stay here and waste your time?"

"You may punch the air all you like, but I think you know, don't you? Poor little me is still suffering imprisonment in the Emerald Nightmare!"

"Then farewell for now, my dear disciple. My fragrant prison meals are still waiting for me!"

That bone-chilling voice seemed to be the Nightmare Lord's very laughter.

The storm subsided, and the Elemental Lord lowered his head in despair.

Xavius had been right. The war he had stirred up had unknowingly become cover for the Nightmare Lord's little tricks. Everything that had happened here could no longer escape the eyes of those who had once been his kin.

He had exploited his greed, forcing him step by step into a dead end, while Xavius and those behind him merely watched—watched from afar.

At some point, Xavius's noisy voice had vanished as well.

Emerald Nightmare, Aln's Rift.

The Nightmare Lord had just finished his war of words and was now engaged in a call.

"Would you raise your head, my dear court mage? It has been so long since I last admired your handsome face..."

A seductive voice came from the spellstone, accompanied by the faint roar of ocean waves.

"You are still so fond of jesting, my queen." Xavius gently shook his head and smiled helplessly.

Though there was no one here, the Nightmare Lord still offered a dignified bow.

Several tens of thousands of years had already passed since that ugly face of his had been changed.

Some said that the Dark Titan's blessing had twisted his will, leaving him unable to control his own soul.

Yet his love for the queen, like his will, had never changed and never would.

"My loyal Xavius, I have a lovely suggestion. For your queen's sake, shall we not discuss work today?"

That seductive voice spoke in teasing tones, tempting Xavius to lose himself in it.

But after a moment's thought, he still rejected the alluring proposal. He faithfully replied, "My apologies, Your Majesty, but this is necessary. If you wish to chat, I would be willing to heed your command at any other time, but... not now."

"What a bore. Then as you wish, report your progress to me..."

The queen's voice remained as enchanting as ever, now carrying a trace of languidness, as though she were forever troubled by something. Xavius lost focus for an instant.

But he quickly put himself back in his proper place.

"Yes, my queen. Our bait is about to make its final move."

"Is everything proceeding as desired?"

"Of course, my queen. Everything is just as you expected. To obscure this 'fact,' he will surely slaughter every living thing on that land... leaving none alive!"

"Utterly foolish, isn't it, my loyal Xavius?"

"Yes, my queen. Did you know? Even that lowly Malfurion is still sleeping soundly in his beast den!"

"To borrow the words of an ancient Pandaren scholar: if you don't want anyone to know, don't do it."

"You see, from beginning to end... I did nothing."

"I merely used a few lies and gently, gently—gave him a little push. That clever fellow was frightened out of his wits."

That was the fate of one who possessed cleverness but no wisdom. Xavius smiled smugly.

Fear, suspicion, trust, denial... and incurable arrogance.

Knowing how to make use of these sources of sin was what the Nightmare Lord relied upon. The pitiful little fellow believed he had grasped everything about him, but in the end, he had learned nothing at all.

"Very good. You have pleased me and deserve a reward!"

Xavius humbly lowered his head. "I dare not accept it. I believe I must ask your forgiveness. After doing these things, even I must keep a low profile for a while. If you are willing to pardon my disrespect, please permit me to take my leave."

"This is the queen's permission, dear Xavius. Leave it to you. I know that you will never disappoint me... no, disappoint us, will you?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. Of course."

The Nightmare Lord deeply lowered his head. As he had always done, he had to understand clearly what could be done and what could not if he wished to survive in this mad world.

Unlike that ignorant and arrogant disciple of his who knew no limits, if he had a choice, he would rather conquer the Emerald Dream alone than dare stand against that Tauren.

That awe even surpassed the reverence he held for the Many-Tentacled Demon he served.

But this time, he did not know whether his choice was as correct as it had always been, because he had angered someone he absolutely could not afford to provoke.

This had been a costly test. Although he had been extremely careful to downplay his own influence, he still feared the consequences of being exposed, because the price would be one he could not bear.

But every one of these tests was worthwhile. For the sake of his beloved queen's next consideration, he had to do this.

And now, he could only pray that the Tauren would vent his attention and fury upon his bargain-bin disciple, allowing him to withdraw as quickly as possible.

After all, he had only lived for twenty thousand years. He was still young, and he did not want to die yet.

As for the master he served... do not forget that his Azshara still called herself queen. Since she was a great queen, how could she be willing to remain beneath the narrow, dark, decaying city?

That was right. It was a fact he, the queen, and N'Zoth all understood perfectly well. For villains, loyalty was forever nothing but a lie used to maintain balance.

The Many-Tentacled Demon's test had achieved the result it desired, while the Nightmare Lord's test would pass without a sound.

With that Tauren's awakening, the balance would soon be broken. The pitiful sacrifice had already been chosen. Chaos would bury the Old Gods, and the yellow sands would serve as a magnificent funeral.

And for them, it was time to place new weights upon the scales.

So for the time being, it would be best for him to disappear without a trace.