True Purpose

Nathanos?

"Nathanos!"

"Humans, wake up!"

Grot shook the human lying on the ground frantically.

Nathanos initially struggled because he had no desire to return to the reality of being imprisoned and facing execution at any moment.

Why isn't there any response?

It wasn't Alleria's gentle and melodious voice, but humans were very familiar with it, and this consciousness brought him to a state closer to wakefulness.

"Nathanos!"

This final call accomplished what the previous cries had failed to do. The last vestiges of sleepiness vanished, and the pain throughout the body returned once more.

Nathanos opened his eyes. The Orcs seemed to be applying some herbs to the wound on his right arm. He also wore a badge on the opening of his belt, with a black gem set in the center.

"Grot? What are you doing here?"

"Because soon you'll be all alone in Grim Batol." The Orcs helped him up and kept a watchful eye on their surroundings to make sure no one would suddenly want to check on the prison.

"Me alone? What do you mean?"

The Orcs shook his head gravely. "I don't know. Zuluhed is missing. Ner'zhul declared himself the new chieftain of the Dragonmaw Clan, and he killed all those who opposed him. He also said that Deathwing betrayed the Dragonmaw Clan and demanded that all Dragonmaw Orc leave Grim Batol immediately, and take the Queen of Dragons with them."

"When are we leaving?" Nathanos was relieved that his plan had succeeded.

"We're still preparing. Grim Batol is in chaos right now. Ner'zhul hasn't had time to deal with you yet, but if he comes to his senses, you're dead. I'll take you out through the underground tunnel first."

"Thank you," Nathanos said, his eyes once again drawn to the insignia on Grot's waist.

"What's this?"

"This?" Grot took the thing out. "I found this. It looks like something Ner'zhul threw away. I remember he was really angry about it."

"Let me see it." Nathanos took the emblem and examined it carefully, feeling a sense of familiarity about it.

"Oh right, I remember he seemed to have spoken to this before."

The human's eyes widened. "A communicator? I know, it's Deathwing's stuff."

"What?! I'll throw it away right now!"

"No, I think this emblem has another purpose." Nathanos stopped him, then immediately thought of something else. "The Dragonmaw Clan is leaving? Does Deathwing know?"

"This..." Grot looked troubled. "I feel that nothing we do here can be hidden from that black dragon. He might be flying here right now."

Both of them gasped, praying that it wasn't real, otherwise it would be difficult for anyone to escape from the black dragon's clutches.

Where is the tunnel you mentioned?

"Follow me."

As lord of Aerie Peak, brother of the war hero Kurdran Wildhammer, and a Gryphon Rider, Falstad had faced many Red Dragons, each several times larger than his mount, but the behemoth before him was beyond his wildest imagination. Everyone, like him, was utterly dumbfounded. All of them combined probably wouldn't even be enough to fill a gap in this dragon's jaws.

'My Queen!'

"You... what did you say?" Rhonin, who had been in a daze, suddenly heard Krasus's voice, but what shocked him was what the other party said.

'Hurry up and throw the badge over there, quick!'

"You are who you are, Krasus."

"Hurry up, Rhonin!" The voice on the other end became more urgent, but Rhonin, who had the upper hand, grew increasingly furious.

"Answer my question."

'Please, Rhonin. Take me there!'

The mage was stunned. Was this really the Krasus he knew? This tone was completely out of character for him as a member of the Council of Six.

Alexstrasza had noticed the group's intrusion and was surprised to see mortals of another race here. Had Orcs been wiped out? Or were these people here to kill her? After all, her children had helped the Orcs commit so many heinous acts. But when she saw Rhonin, she found this mage so different; she felt an unprecedented sense of familiarity and warmth towards him.

The Dragons Queen, barely managing to keep her strength up, raised her head and watched as Rhonin cautiously approached.

"Oh no! How could she look so weak, as if she's suffered endless torment?" Vareesa covered her mouth with her hand. Aside from her awe-inspiring size, the Queen of Dragons before her was utterly wretched. Her once fiery scales were gradually losing their luster, turning white, and some were even loosening. As she stretched her neck, her ribs became even more prominent. The Queen of Dragons completely lacked the regal bearing expected of a queen, leaving only a remnant of her former majesty.

Krasus could see the Queen's face through the insignia, but just one glance was enough to cause him excruciating pain. Not only him, but the few mortals who saw Alexstrasza's true face for the first time gradually recovered from their shock and were spontaneously filled with sympathy. Even Sylvanas, who had been clamoring for revenge, lowered her longbow. Before her was not an enemy, but a prisoner! A prisoner who had suffered unspeakable torment. How could she possibly bring herself to kill him? Earlier, when arguing with Rhonin about whether the Red Dragon were truly enemies, Sylvanas had stated that the enslavement of the Queen of Dragons was not an excuse for the Red Dragonflight's crimes. But now, with the so-called enemy before her, the Female Elf felt no hatred; only sympathy and respect. Alexstrasza's current state was enough to show that although she was a prisoner, she had never truly bowed to the Orcs.

"My dearest Calygros, is that you?"

"Your Majesty, it is I." Krasus's voice trembled slightly. Rhonin knew Krasus's true identity from this one sentence, but he did not interrupt the conversation between the two dragons.

"Finally... I'm relieved to see you're alright, Calygros." Alexstrasza's slightly dim golden eyes gazed at Rhonin's face, as if the person standing before him was her most beloved spouse.

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty, it took me so long to find you."

"We don't have time." Alexstrasza was forced to stop the pleasantries. She warned, "The Orcs will be here soon. That Warlock — Ner'zhul —possesses the Demon Soul, an artifact that can control all Dragons except the black dragon. And he's planning to lead his Orcs away from here. I don't know why he's doing this, but I'm certain the consequences will be dire, because of Deathwing ..."

"Deathwing!" Rhonin shouted, echoing the sentiments of everyone present.

"Deathwing has only two goals: one is my Dragon Egg. The other, I can sense, is that she's on her way here."