Final Battle

"One bottle?" Nathanos looked up, his vision filled with the thick trunk of Teldrassil, which even blocked out the sun. Medivh had just mentioned that there were three bottles of spring water's energy beneath this tree.

"So, Teldrassil possesses the power of three Sunwell?"

"Yes."

Nathanos frowned. Only three? He had thought the World Tree was far more powerful than the Sunwell, but now it seemed that wasn't the case. Moreover, a terrible question pierced Nathanos's mind.

"If... if we want to build the Sunwell, we'll need one-third of this tree's energy. But after taking that energy, can we still defeat Archimonde?"

"It depends on... your decision!"

Medivh threw the question back at him.

'How could I possibly know?'

Nathanos glared at the Guardian, thinking he was still joking at this point, but it seemed he really didn't know.

"You need to make a decision quickly, Nathanos. I sense Malfurion calling upon the ancient spirits deep within this sacred land, and those things do not welcome us."

Without the energy of the spring, what will Alleria and the others do? But if they take the energy, defeating Archimonde becomes an unknown outcome.

Now was the time to make a choice. Nathanos realized that this was a test; he had to choose between his lover and the world.

Time ticked by, and Medivh looked down at Nathanos pacing back and forth.

If the Burning Legion cannot be driven out of this world, then everything will be reduced to flames. What use will it be if the Sunwell is restored to its former state? All life on Azeroth will be wiped out.

The Undead stepped forward; he had made up his mind. Just as he was about to speak, a leaf drifted down from the sky and brushed against his face. Nathanos touched his dying face with one hand; it felt like the bark of the trees around him, yet it was familiar, just as Alleria had once placed her hand on his face in the same way.

'Nathanos, never leave me again.'

"No," Nathanos said to himself, Medivh almost mistook it for a wavering. "I owe the world nothing. I am Nathanos, Alleria's lover." He took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly sharpening. "I've made up my mind."

The doubts vanished without a trace; it was only a matter of time.

The Guardian seemed to have a victorious smile on his face. If it were anyone else, such as Malfurion or Jaina, they would have chosen to save the world instead of risking their lives for their loved ones.

Those who pledge loyalty to the world may also bring disaster upon it. They are merely doing what they believe is right, upholding their so-called justice. But the word "justice" is subjective; sacrificing the protection of those one wishes to protect in order to protect the world... is self-serving. Azeroth does not need such protectors.

At least for now, it seems that Nathanos has passed this test.

The first test!

The teacup fell from Jaina's suddenly limp hand and shattered. She gasped for breath, barely able to breathe, the stench of burning flesh like a knife cutting into her skin. One hand gripped the other.

"What... what happened to me?" Jaina's voice was hoarse and trembling, sweat instantly beading on her forehead. She was so terrified, as if something... had descended upon her...

"Lady Sylvanas?" For some reason, Jaina longed to find someone she could rely on. Windrunner was the first person she thought of.

"This isn't an illusion, Jaina." The Female Elf licked her dry lips; the rising temperature was stealing her moisture. "I feel it too... the end... has come!"

"The Alliance..." Jaina was about to shout the word "Alliance" when she stopped. She and Sylvanas exchanged a glance, forcing themselves to take deep breaths to remain calm. The Alliance was already a dead letter, and besides, the Alliance fought for their respective nations; at this moment, they were fighting for the survival of the entire world.

"For Azeroth!"

Thrall was startled, as if he'd been punched by the towering Tauren before him. Of course, he trusted Cairne Bloodhoof wouldn't do that. The Tauren chieftain was kind and wise, but at this moment he narrowed his eyes as he looked at Thrall.

"Thrall! What's wrong?"

The Horde's leader knew he had never drunk Demon Blood, but he was corrupted by Fel the moment he was born, so his skin was the same as most of his people.

He could sense it, and he certainly could. Throughout his life, whether as a slave in Durnholde Castle or as chieftain, he had always approached events with a calm and rational mind. It was because of this that Orgrim chose him to succeed him as leader, that Vol'jin was willing to lead his people to join the Horde, and that Cairne led his Tauren to follow him.

But now, an unprecedented urge to kill suddenly surged within him, causing his right hand, gripping the Doomhammer, to sweat. His left fist clenched and then opened. "Something's wrong. Something about demons. I... I sense it." There should have been no connection between Orcs and demons after Grom Execute Mannoroth; at least his people were no longer under the demons' control. But something still seemed to linger, making him wary.

"Get everyone ready for battle," he told Cairne and Vol'jin. "I'm sure they're coming."

For a long time, Malfurion had almost forgotten this feeling. He stood motionless in the center of a magic circle. As he raised his hands, a door suddenly appeared, blocking the path to the World Tree.

It's still a life-or-death moment; last time it was the Well of Eternity, and this time it's Teldrassil.

Malfurion Stormrage, the first Druids of the Night Elf, slowly opened his eyes. He looked back; the distant sky was painted a dark green, while on this side, the sun shone brightly, and all living beings basked in the blessings of the World Tree Teldrassil. The dark green sky, crackling with thunder, surged towards them, devouring the sky's original healthy color, spreading like a plague.

"It has begun!" Tyrande shouted, an announcement everyone already knew. Standing beside her was Shandris Feathermoon, the general of the Night Elf Sentinels. She looked nervous, just as nervous as the priestess.

Humans and Orcs must hold back the demons!

The earth trembled, and Nathanos, standing atop the mountain, felt it most clearly; he could even hear Archimonde shouting.

"Listen up, Night Elf! It's time to settle scores!"