Dramatic Turn

The war in the ruins of Dalaran ended shortly after Nathanos led his Undead army in retreat.

Illidan Stormrage knelt dejectedly before an altar where the Eye of Sargeras should have stood just moments before. Now, only emptiness remained.

He had succeeded. The power of the Demon Eye was unstoppable; he would have completed his mission soon.

But now... everything is ruined!

The demon wielding the Warglaives of Azzinoth heard footsteps—the footsteps of his enemies; his Naga had no feet. Illidan looked up and saw Maiev Shadowsong, the Wardens he hated most, standing on the platform above, along with a young Elf he didn't recognize, and his brother.

It has only been three months since he killed Tichondrius, and his brother Malfurion Stormrage has not changed much. However, the way he looks at him now shows more surprise and disgust than before.

'Is he contemplating what kind of monster his brother has become?' Illidan thought sarcastically.

"It's all over, brother. Your schemes have come to an end!"

The brother's heartless voice was followed by another, even more heartless voice.

"Illidan Stormrage, because your misdeeds have put countless lives at risk and even threatened the balance of the world, I hereby pronounce you dead."

Malfurion and Maiev's haughty demeanor infuriated Illidan, especially the Wardens had threatened to execute him.

"Your hands are stained with blood, Illidan. I can almost feel the Northrend Continent still trembling in pain because of the spells you cast. This time, imprisonment is far from enough." Malfurion tactfully acknowledged Maiev's verdict on Illidan, his expression devoid of the slightest sadness.

"I want to execute him myself." Maiev impatiently darted down, closing in on her prey.

The demon rose in fury and roared, "Fools! Don't you understand? That spell is for attacking the Undead, our common enemy! My mission is to destroy the Lich King's Icecrown Citadel!"

Such an explanation failed to convince Malfurion, let alone Maiev, but it greatly excited the silent Kael'thas. However, the thought that the demon's spell had failed calmed his feverish mind, and he cursed himself for believing a demon.

"Does it mean that any sacrifice is acceptable?" Malfurion roared, his face contorted with pain. Illidan was curious to know what could have caused his Druids -minded brother to react in such a way.

"Because of you!" Malfurion felt his breath catch in his throat, but he still managed to utter what he considered an undeniable and heartbreaking truth. "Tyrande ...she's dead!"

"What?" Illidan dropped the Warglaives of Azzinoth from his hand, completely forgetting that Maiev was only five yards away. If that woman seized the opportunity now, she could easily send him to hell.

Kael'thas was greatly surprised by the Archdruid's anger, but he still had to tell the truth, after all, Tyrande had helped him transport the caravan.

"I'm sorry, Stormrage. However, the priestess may still be alive. She simply fell into the river and was swept downstream. It's too early to draw any conclusions..."

"Shut up, Kael'thas!" Maiev interrupted him, but Malfurion already understood, and the anger that had been directed at Illidan was immediately transferred to the Wardens.

"You said she was torn to pieces! How dare you lie."

"Finding the Betrayer is our top priority, Malfurion. I desperately need your help, and I know you'll go after her first, but this is an opportunity that must not be missed, I..."

"Enough! Who's the Betrayer now? The woman? I'm going to find her right now."

Illidan seemed to see a glimmer of hope, and he immediately suggested, "Trust me, brother. Although we are worlds apart, you know I would never let Tyrande get hurt. Let me help you; my Naga can patrol the river! At least let me do that."

Tens of thousands of years have passed, Malfurion never imagined that one day he and Illidan would share the same goal.

"Oh well."

"What?" Maiev looked up at the resolute Archdruid in disbelief. "He has committed countless evil deeds, and you still believe this traitor."

"Shut up!" Malfurion showed no mercy, using Entangling Roots to immobilize Maiev. "I'll settle the score with you later. Let's go, brother."

The dramatic ending was something even Kael'thas himself hadn't anticipated; a single sentence from him had turned the tide. Back at camp, the Blood Elf were cleaning up the battlefield; their next stop was another mission from the Alliance.

Kael'thas touched his chin with some discomfort. What concerned him was not the grudges against the Night Elf, but the battle with the Undead.

"How may I help you, Prince Highness?"

"Thank you, guard. I'm fine, just some minor cuts and bruises." He smiled back, his mind racing with how to report to Commander Osmar Garithos of the Alliance. They were already late, and from what he knew, Garithos was an arrogant fellow. More importantly, this human's family had been slaughtered by the Orcs during the Second War, while he was fighting to defend Quel'Thalas against the Horde. The tragic end shouldn't have been Quel'Thalas's fault. But this fanatical man blamed the Elf, believing the Alliance's ultimate goal of protecting humanity had been misled by the Elf. This largely determined Garithos's hatred of the Elf race.

'Serving someone like that must be unpleasant,' Kael'thas sighed helplessly.

"Excuse me, Your Prince. But this girl says she has something important to report to you and insists on seeing you no matter what."

The Elf Prince raised an eyebrow as he saw that the Elf swordsman before him had brought a young Elf female Ranger.

"What do you need me for, little girl?"

The Ranger bowed to him. "I apologize for taking up your time, Prince. But I saw you fighting that Undead commander on the battlefield today, and I must say... I know him."

The troubles never seemed to end. Nathanos walked at the very front of the army, his pace quick, completely unconcerned about whether the soldiers behind him could keep up.

It's best not to keep up!

Commanding these people only required a simple order, but Nathanos knew that the Lich King could seize his command at any time. After all, he was a slave too.

"Lord Nathanos."

"What is it now?" He glared impatiently at the looming shadows; their appearance always meant a new situation he needed to deal with.

"Our patrol along the Arivas River has discovered a powerful Night Elf. We have surrounded her, but we are unable to defeat her. We hope you can lend a hand."