A Pleasant Partnership

A gust of wind, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, swept through. With no plants to stabilize the soil, the wind whipped up countless clouds of dust. Everyone began to cough, frantically searching for something to cover their mouths, noses, and eyes.

"A disgusting place," said Danas Thoradin, coughing as he approached the group. Khadgar wanted some support from the approaching Warrior. "Am I the only one who thinks this way, or is the Blasted Lands really that similar to this place?"

Khadgar nodded. It was always good to focus on something else. "Their... well... this world is seeping into ours through spacetime rifts. Those Warlock and the magic they use are starting to affect Azeroth." He forced himself to analyze his surroundings. The earth didn't just seem dead; the entire world seemed drained. What had the Orcs done to their world?

As the group passed through the Dark Portal, only a few Orcs remained near it. Turalyon knew this wasn't the only Orcs they would face upon entering Draenor. However, the orcs had ample time to gather reinforcements. He could see nearly a hundred Orcs on the ridge ahead, their weapons gleaming in the red sunlight.

"It's just a small army," Danas said softly. He also saw the Orcs standing on the ridge, roaring or cursing.

"Yes," Turalyon said, his voice trembling with emotion. When he first saw this world, he too had been shaken by the sight before him. But now, his heart was filled with resolve. "But we also have an army, an army that will stop the Orcs from harming others, an army that will not watch its world suffer." He turned to look at his soldiers.

"Sons of Lothar!" he cried. "We have entered a new world. We are fighting entirely for our own world! We will not allow these Orcs to harm Azeroth, or any other world, as they have harmed their own!" His voice was clear and pure, as bright as the warhammer he held high. "For Azeroth!"

"That's settled then, "Khadgar thought, and followed his generals into battle...

Blasted Lands

"This place is a valley, which is not conducive to our defense." After repelling the Orcs' counterattack, Alleria ordered her soldiers to rebuild the defensive line using the fortifications left by the Orcs. Now the situation has been reversed.

"I'm a little worried." Nathanos pointed to the valley where the Orcs were, his finger sliding to the location of the Dark Portal. "Turalyon's Alliance Expedition took most of the cavalry and Gryphon Rider, leaving us with clearly insufficient manpower."

Alleria was also very worried about this, and she raised another problem. "I just checked our supplies carefully, and if we don't get a replenishment, we're afraid we'll run out of ammunition and food."

"We must inform Tower of Observation that the few Gryphon Rider left behind by Kurdran can be put to use."

"We're on the same page." Alleria smiled sweetly at him, her cheeks flushed despite the dust on her face. Nathanos hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and nodded.

Alleria was the only Alliance leader remaining at the Dark Portal. Turalyon had entrusted her with all authority, while Nathanos served as a figurehead advisor, or perhaps more accurately, Alleria's personal bodyguard. However, the Female Elf knew very well that she needed Nathanos by her side. She hadn't completely let go of her hatred for the Horde, but she no longer allowed it to drive her forward, thanks to the human analyzing the situation before her. She frowned, glanced at Nathanos's left shoulder, took two steps to his side, and lightly touched it, only to have her hand seized by Nathanos.

"Does it still hurt?"

"I've had much worse injuries than this, but I still survived."

Alleria said to him with a slightly teasing tone, "I've always wondered if you knew that the arrow wasn't fatal."

"I can't think that far ahead, I just..." Nathanos's voice trailed off.

"Just what?" Alleria's voice was sharper than she had expected. She cared deeply about Nathanos's thoughts, whether he still harbored any resentment or blame for that arrow.

The deep lines between Nathanos's brows disappeared, and he smiled sincerely, "I simply believe in you."

The ice that had been pressing on Alleria's heart melted instantly, like winter fleeing without a trace before the warmth of spring. She placed her hands on Nathanos's face and kissed him passionately.

"General?" another voice rang out. "You?"

They immediately jumped back, staring at the intruder. Alleria gasped softly, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Verina!"

Her adjutant forced back her surprise, but a smile was already welling up on her lips. "This is the battle report sent back by the scouts!"

Alleria glanced at Nathanos. He was just as surprised as she was, but he managed a forced smile.

"Thank you for sending the information, Verina."

Verina nodded, then looked curiously at Nathanos, and said, "I won't say anything." The Female Elf lieutenant turned and quickly left. Nathanos even assumed she was going to share her newly acquired secret with her companions.

Alleria finally let out a breath and smiled gently; Nathanos's panicked expression just now was really amusing.

Hellfire Citadel

"Cargo?" Although Ner'zhul could still speak under the pressure from Deathwing, his own voice still trembled slightly in his ears. "What cargo?"

"That doesn't seem like something you should be considering," Deathwing replied in his cold but slick voice, carrying a deadly warning. In that instant, the torchlight flickered, and behind Deathwing, his shadow suddenly began to expand, filling the entire room.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. "Deathwing, I am deeply grateful for your help."

"It is Deathwing."

"Of course, Deathwing." The black dragon stood there, seemingly disdainful of Ner'zhul. "Is there anything else we can do to help you?" Ner'zhul asked, but he only wanted the black dragon to leave quickly.

Deathwing curled into a smile as he stroked his beard with his long fingers, feigning deep thought.

"You are very generous, esteemed chieftain," he replied after a moment. "The head you possess is quite interesting, Ner'zhul. I suppose it will be less boring after I leave, at least someone will be able to talk to me, don't you think?" His words were polite and sophisticated, yet carried an undeniable power. At that moment, the dragon's eyes also gleamed, their flames eclipsing the surrounding torches.

'He can hear Gul'dan's voice?' Ner'zhul nearly choked.

Deathwing chuckled softly, extending a well-manicured hand. "As far as I know, you already possess enough power to achieve your goals. This head is no longer important to you, and besides, I want it."

Ner'zhul suppressed his fear. Even though Deathwing was telling the truth, he still didn't want to hand over the head he held. The Skull of Gul'dan was a powerful artifact, perhaps containing knowledge that Ner'zhul was unaware of.

Ner'zhul shook his head. He could clearly sense Deathwing's growing impatience, which was not good news. "As you wish, take it. It's nothing of value." Of course, this was a lie, and both he and the Black Dragon King knew it perfectly well. Deathwing smiled and reached out to take the head. Ner'zhul's eyes widened. In that instant, he saw Deathwing's fleshy hand transform into spikes, scales, and metal armor.

"Very good. I am very satisfied with our cooperation; we both got what we wanted." The voice was warm, yet so arrogant. "Now I must leave. My children will remain here; they will obey your commands as they would obey me." He nodded to Ner'zhul and the Blood Maw, turned and left the room, still holding the Skull of Gul'dan in his hand.

The Orcs Shaman and the Death Knight watched him leave. "I really hope he didn't take Skull of Gul'dan," Ner'zhul sighed bitterly.

"The black dragon has gone far away, "the Blood Maw said. "It's alright. If we no longer need it, then consider this a small price to pay for obtaining the artifact we need."

Ner'zhul took a deep breath, as if he had been afraid to breathe in the air in the room. "Why did he take Skull of Gul'dan?"

The Death Knight shook his head.

"Time is running out, our time is getting shorter and shorter. Those humans have arrived, we need to complete all the preparations as soon as possible."

They need to leave this dead world as soon as possible, before it's too late.