Haka

So much time has passed and there's still no progress!

Sargeras was in a terrible mood. He thought that if he didn't make any progress soon, the Queen probably wouldn't ignore the commotion he was creating.

Several High Elf mages were being replaced; their magic was depleted, and they would soon be replaced by mages brimming with energy. Sargeras then glanced at the three mages about to step down. The High Elf were undoubtedly the Queen's most favored servants; the Queen couldn't possibly be unaware of her secret experiments. The only reason she hadn't questioned it was because she enjoyed surprises. And Sargeras was indeed preparing surprises for her, even though this sometimes angered the Queen.

"Should we increase the power of the magic, Lord Sargeras?" The person speaking to him dared not look him in the eye.

"What kind of question is this, Perotharn? Increase it tenfold!" he commanded, his eyes gleaming.

Pessalon dared not look Xavius in the eye, but he dared to say, "Lord Sargeras, this is too risky! Adding extra energy could hinder our progress, and..."

"Progress, Perotharn?" In the magical light, Sargeras's shadow flickered. "What progress have we made?"

"I'm just a little worried, my lord. We've been using far too much magic lately. What if the Queen blames us for hiding it from her..."

Sargeras nodded, then frowned. "The Queen won't stop us. Perotharn, you short-sighted fool. Go and prepare!"

Perotharn was speechless, lowered his head, and turned to leave.

Sargeras glanced disdainfully at the High Elf preparing to take over the work, and said, "We must utilize the energy of the Well of Eternity to the fullest extent. We must ensure the portal's precision to achieve our ultimate goal! We..."

"Say it again, Sargeras."

That sweet voice captivated countless High Elf, causing them to kneel in adoration. They would do anything to please her. She entered with a smile, her every movement breathtakingly perfect. Sargeras's eyes widened in astonishment. She was the pride of the Night Elf; with each breath she took, the crowd held their breath, obeying her commands. When she touched the cheek of their beloved warrior, they would immediately and willingly challenge any formidable opponent, even knowing it might be a one-way trip.

The Queen, though imposing among the Night Elf, moved with the speed of the wind, exuding confidence. She made no sound, quieter than the footsteps of a small animal. So quiet that when she approached, Sargeras didn't even notice her.

Her sky-blue skin was as smooth as silk, and her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders. The clothes she wore perfectly matched her hair color—a luxurious and elegant silver.

Sargeras longed for the Queen's favor, but his ambition far outweighed this desire. Sargeras was the Queen's confidant, and Azshara needed Sargeras help in researching the Well of Eternity. To put it bluntly, they were exploiting each other because they shared the same goal, only wanting different things in return.

When the portal was finally completed, Sargeras was confident he could prove his worth to her.

"My dearest Queen," Xavius said respectfully, "You remain as pure and beautiful as ever. I am assigning tasks to my men, and I have told them that they will be rewarded by you upon completion, so they will not fail..."

"I'm afraid they will disappoint me, my loyal servants." Behind the Queen stood two maids, holding up the hem of her semi-transparent dress. The Queen sat in a special chair, so she could comfortably observe the High Elf's every move, while the servants set the dress aside. "I think their fear outweighs their awe of me. For they know that what you are doing has not been told to their Queen. And they know how capricious I am."

"That's not true, my queen."

The Queen shifted her posture, her gaze fixed intently on the weary Sargeras. She relished the mage's expression when he could no longer conceal his secret. The robe accentuated her figure even more perfectly.

Xavius wasn't deterred by Azshara's cold water. He knew that if he achieved his grand goal, not only the Queen, but everything would be his. His master had promised!

Suddenly, a blinding light flashed, and both the Queen and Xavius turned towards the mages chanting incantations. A powerful ball of energy hovered above them, constantly replicating itself. It appeared to be an elaborate doorway. Sargeras stared intently at the Night Elf's masterpiece.

"I think you're not listening to me, my loyal Sargeras! What are you doing?"

He tried to regain his composure. "Of course, my Moon Goddess, but I admit I was a little distracted just now, so I haven't explained it completely yet. But I believe no words can compare to seeing it for you."

The Queen laughed, her voice hoarse, but she did not refute him. "What do you want me to see with my own eyes? Do you want me to see the results of your research on the Well of Eternity? If so, I believe I would be very interested."

"No, what I want to show you is not the Well of Eternity." Sargeras quickly noticed the change in Azshara's gaze and continued, "But I believe you will be interested, and you will support my actions. This will make your kingdom more pure and enjoy lasting glory."

Hearing his words, the Queen smiled knowingly, "If you lie to me, or displease me, then you will suffer, Sargeras." Azshara narrowed her eyes, as if she could already see the High Elf before her.

"I will certainly not let you down, my queen."

Azshara nodded slightly in satisfaction, her slender eyes glancing downwards before she rose gracefully—a poise unmatched by any other. Her servants immediately lifted her skirts, as if afraid of hindering her movement. "Come, take me to see... the surprise you've prepared for me," the Queen said, turning around. "I hope this surprise will make me forgive you for keeping it from me."

"I will not let you down," Sargeras replied, bowing and repeating his earlier words, "Never."

The Queen and her servants walked ahead, a hint of worry on Sargeras's face.

It was a sphere. A portal, Queen Night Elf frowned.

When Azshara arrived, she saw the dancing magical energy completely obscuring the terrifying sphere, which continued to replicate itself. When Sargeras went to look, the sphere's interior folded up, seemingly about to devour itself.

"It worked," he whispered. The closer he got to the sphere, the more intense the energy emanating from it became. However, Azshara was currently the closest to the sphere.

Azshara stood before the blazing sphere, her gaze fixed intently on the central crack. But deeper within, above her consciousness, she felt something watching her. The conversation began!

I've been looking for you for so long!

A sound came. Azshara sensed it immediately, feeling fear, death, creation, destruction... and an endless, powerful force. She was drawn in, her eyes fixed on the sphere, as if sinking into an abyss. Many eyes were on her, and there was something else drawing her in.

'Now you're here with me...'

'I heard your plea,' he said to Azshara, and the queen felt a surge of anger; no one had ever dared to utter the word 'plea' to her. She was the Queen of the Night Elf, the Light of the Night Elf. She would only grant the plea of her people, and for herself, she could obtain anything she desired with a single word.

But Azshara was quickly wrong. The voice saw right through her. It let out a heavy laugh, then two words flew from within the sphere, sounding like a command.

See?

Fantasy flooded Azshara's mind; she saw the ruins of a palace engulfed in flames! It wasn't her palace; Azshara knew it belonged to another civilization in the universe. A giant stood above the world. He was so majestic, his entire body ablaze with fire.

'Did he do all this?' Azshara wondered in astonishment. 'He destroyed a world all by himself?'

The illusion vanished, and the voice continued speaking to Azshara.

'And I know what you want... The impurity and impurity of the world should be eliminated. I will give you what you desire...'

Nothing else matters; what matters is the last sentence she heard.

"Will you come?" the Night Elf Queen asked, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Will you come to our world and help me fulfill my wish?"

'The portal isn't enough... it needs to be strengthened... it also needs a lot of magic... so I can enter...'

Azshara nodded in understanding. Such a colossal figure, the Queen suspected that even this palace couldn't contain him; if he were to stand here, the gates and bridges would probably crumble to pieces.

We must indeed perfect the portal, making it truly flawless, and ensure it remains open forever.

"What should I do?" she asked. "My people..." She glanced at Sargeras, convinced that the advisor must have done everything in his power. "My mages have exhausted all means; their abilities have long since reached the limits of their skill and understanding."

'You need my guidance, and I will send someone to guide you... He will descend upon your world, so be prepared to welcome his arrival...'

Sargeras was so happy he almost jumped for joy. However, he made no move, simply kneeling and listening to the conversation between the Queen and "God." Although he couldn't hear what "God" was saying, the Queen seemed to have made her stance clear.

"Have your men reinforce this portal, Sargeras. Welcome our guests!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After redoubled their efforts, and with Azshara's permission, the High Elf's portals drew energy directly from the Well of Eternity. Outside, the sky was terrifying. Anyone who witnessed this sight would be gripped by fear.

The sphere began to expand, and the crack in the middle gradually opened, like a savage mouth. Suddenly, roars filled the area around the portal, the sounds incessant.

This pace didn't satisfy Azshara. Seeing the change in the Queen's expression, Sargeras immediately took action. He forced himself to stand in the center of the circle and channeled his magic and skills into the portal. Things didn't seem to be going well. The portal didn't expand; it didn't open at all. Sargeras concentrated all his Will on the sphere, forcibly widening the crack in the center.

Then, a blinding light forced the Elf to retreat, except for Azshara, who remained standing. Everyone was surprised, but the queen believed the mages still needed to work harder.

Deep within the sphere, a strange-looking creature emerged. At first, it was only a few inches tall, but as it moved forward, its size increased, grew larger, and larger still...

The mages standing at the portal's entrance saw Sargeras retreat, and they followed suit. The entire spellcasting process had drained a significant amount of their mana; two mages collapsed, one could barely breathe, and several others swayed precariously. It seemed they would need a long time to recover their strength.

Suddenly, the eerie howls of hounds rang out. Only Azshara could clearly see what emerged first from the sphere's entrance.

These monsters were at least the size of a horse, with horns that curved forward. Their bodies were covered in red scales, and a tuft of tangled brown fur grew from their backs. Their limbs were incredibly strong, and their feet were equipped with sharp claws. Their tails were also studded with spikes. Their appearance was somewhat incongruous, but Azshara had no doubt about the speed and ferocity of these canine creatures. Two long, whip-like tentacles stood erect on their shoulders, each tipped with a small, suction-cup-like mouth. The tentacles lashed out constantly, their eyes fixed menacingly on Azshara and her mages, as if filled with a thirst for flesh and magic.

These creatures had peculiar heads, resembling both wolves and crocodiles. Their savage jaws were filled with rows of sharp teeth. Their narrow, whitish eyes held a cunning glint, clearly indicating they were not simple, docile beings.

Then, their owner came out from behind.

It was a creature with the head of a jackal. Flames roared beneath his chainmail armor. He wore iron gauntlets, and his massive right hand gripped a whip, which flashed with blood-red light wherever it struck. His shoulders were broader than the rest of his body; he was incredibly burly. No Night Elf warrior could rival his strength. The parts of his armor that weren't covered were red, splattered with blood.

"I am a messenger sent by God, and His vanguard," he said in a hoarse voice, his eyes burning with intensity. "I have come to help you open the entrance, so that God's glorious body may enter this world!"

A wild beast roared, and the self-proclaimed messenger of the gods lashed out with his whip, silencing his "pet" instantly.

"I am the Hound King," the enormous monster said menacingly, staring intently at Azshara, "Hakkar the Houndmaster."