Ancient Demigods

"They should have arrived by now, "Garrid thought, gazing towards Suramar. Archmage Elisande's reinforcements—they should have arrived long ago. He knew something must have gone wrong. When the messengers returned with the mage's message, Rhonin's heart was filled with hope for the future. Elisande had boasted that she would help them defeat the Legion, but Garrid still hadn't seen a single soldier from Suramar. He sent out several more messengers, but all of them never returned.

Yes, something very serious must have happened. The captain of the guard first guessed that Suramar had been attacked by demons, but the messenger who returned earlier reported that no trace of demons had been found, making that possibility extremely low. Soon, an even more terrifying thought entered Garrid's mind: they had been abandoned.

No! He told himself it was impossible, but the thought was amplified infinitely. Garrid repeatedly convinced himself that Blackrock Spire was the shield of Suramar; if it fell, Suramar would be finished. Elisande must know this, which was why she would send reinforcements...

... But perhaps she has already surrendered, or perhaps she has found a way to protect herself, but he has never mentioned it to anyone.

"Lord Garrid, there seems to be some unusual activity on the demon front."

"I need specific details, soldier."

Garrid consolidated his position as commander, displaying his true character. In the previous battle, the captain of the guard faced a pivotal moment in his life: he could not stand idly by and issue foolish orders; regardless of his humble origins, he had to make the right decision.

"It looks like a Tauren, and... and a green monster."

Garrid Shadowsong was thrilled upon hearing this. Without asking any further questions, he rushed up the city walls to investigate. The Elf had excellent eyesight; he first spotted a Tauren wielding a sharp spear, charging through the demon ranks. Then, he saw Broxigar Saurfang ...

"Reinforcements!" Shadowsong shouted excitedly, his words igniting hope in those around him. But Garrid didn't continue; he didn't reveal where the reinforcements came from. He saw Tauren and Orcs, and a group of Furbolg. Garrid couldn't find the words to describe the army. The lack of reinforcements from Suramar was always somewhat disappointing.

"Open the city gates! Everyone rush out and fight the demons!" Garrid issued what he considered the most insane order. Shadowsong was unwilling to be the commander of the Elf army. He wore a set of gleaming armor, which, though lacking any heraldic markings, featured red and orange arcs running down to his waist. His cloak was the same color. He also wore a helmet adorned with heraldic markings, with a tail woven from the fur of Night Saber trailing behind it.

In the past, he didn't have much ambition; he only hoped to obtain a minor official position and wear the fine armor befitting his post. Now, he is forcing himself to change that mindset!

No one would argue with him or question his decision to order the offensive; the captain of the guard's performance left a deep impression on everyone.

A wounded white stag? Huln Highmountain had never seen such a beautiful and harmonious creature. Its antlers made the Tauren feel a sense of familiarity, but the Demon Blood on the antlers made him nauseous.

Earth Mother! Even animals like these are protecting Azeroth?

Huln lowered his head and gently touched the white stag's wound. The beautiful animal trembled, then shrank back warily. The Tauren was surprised to find that its eyes were glowing with a faint blue light.

"What are you doing? This isn't the time to hunt." Broxigar walked up behind Huln. He had killed too many demons, and his shoulders and arms were a little sore.

Huln didn't want to hear him say that. He knew it was a powerful creature. If it were allowed to stand up, the demons would suffer even more casualties!

"I need some time." The Tauren took out a spare bandage from his body, which was made of Bearskin.

Broxigar thought this guy was beyond saving. Everyone on the battlefield was on the brink of death, yet Huln was focusing his energy on a beast. "Whatever." The Orcs noticed a group of demons charging towards them, gripped his Oak Axe, and charged forward.

"I never imagined that one day I would be riding a dragon and fighting demons."

Rhonin yelled from the back of the Red Dragon Calygros, who also had another name: Krasus. However, Rhonin knew he wasn't the one he knew, but rather Krasus from ten thousand years ago.

"The sky is where you and I truly shine," said Calygros. He unleashed a burst of dragon breath at a bottomless Abyssal Lord was wreaking havoc below.

Upon hearing this, the mage's face broke into a long-lost smile. He unleashed a blazing fireball, instantly wiping out a large number of Felguard in the air. "Why didn't you ask me if I'd get dizzy?"

Just as he was speaking, a melodious horn sounded. For some reason, all the creatures of Azeroth felt at peace upon hearing this sound.

Rhonin looked back. "The sound is coming from the far right flank. There shouldn't be any Night Elf troops there! Could they have moved there?"

"That's not the Night Elf's horn, that's the horn of the demigod Cenarius."

Rhonin genuinely respected Cenarius, even though Cenarius had initially been hostile towards him and Krasus upon their arrival. The mage had heard many tales of the demigod's heroic deeds from Krasus. The Elf relished his teachings of Druids to them.

Rhonin spotted Cenarius, who was standing on a hilltop, with a tall, ancient tree emerging slowly from the jungle behind him.

The horns sounded once more. The mage was certain this time the sound came from the Night Elf. The forces of Blackrock Spire surged forth from the fortress while the demons were busy dealing with the sudden appearance of the enemy. Having integrated into the Elf ranks, the resistance of Azeroth was not to be underestimated; even the Furbolg had their own space to maneuver. If Doomguard attempted to fly towards the back of the ranks to attack the highly effective mages and archers, the Furbolg would mercilessly smash their heads with their clubs.

It was a chaotic battle, Rhonin was reminded of the wars the Alliance had fought against the Horde. The mage cast spells while observing where his power was needed. His eyes immediately caught sight of a figure. Behind that figure was a strong white stag; upon closer inspection, the figure was Tauren, charging towards a towering Demon Lord.

"It's Tichondrius!" Calygros exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't expect the leader of the Demon Lord to be here as well."

"By the Holy Light, does that Tauren know what he's doing? He's going to face Tichondrius alone!" Rhonin cried out from the air. "We must go and help him."

"No need. Look at the little guy behind him. That's Aethel, the companion of the demigod Cenarius. It seems this Tauren friend has been blessed by the forest god."

Just as Rhonin was about to speak, he suddenly saw something in the distance. The mage saw those enormous, winged creatures, and a group of strange-looking demons. Although he had seen the Burning Legion in the future, he still couldn't tell what they were.

The enemy let out a chilling roar. There were also giants in the ranks, larger and more imposing than any demon Rhonin knew. The winged figures didn't remind him of the Doomguard; although there were other flying demons in the Burning Legion, he couldn't reconcile these with the enemy.

"We must stop these Abyssal Lords!" Calygros roared, without even asking Rhonin's opinion.

"Wait a minute, Krasus!"

"Don't be afraid, there's also... this name is good!"

Garrid led his troops forward for over a thousand meters, achieving results even better than he had anticipated. And soon, he was truly at ease. A unit approached, and when he saw the man at the head of the column, his certainty was further confirmed. The man was tall, walked on four legs, moved nimbly, had tousled hair, and a pair of beautiful antlers atop his head. Behind this giant followed dozens of creatures remarkably similar to Satyr. These beings had upper bodies much like Night Elf, but lower bodies like deer, and were all young and beautiful women. Besides their animalistic appearance, they also possessed plant-like characteristics: their bodies were covered in smooth green leaves.

"Greetings, Garrid Shadowsong, nice to meet you. You are a born leader!" said the antler-wearing man, his voice booming. The women looked curiously at the somewhat bewildered commander. "I am delighted to see that you have been able to organize an army to defend our beloved homeland..." he gazed at the Night Elf engaged in fierce battle, "Your ability to coordinate actions even surpasses that of Kultaros Ravencrest."

Garrid gaped in astonishment. "Yes... oh no! I only did what I felt I should do, and I don't possess the talent of Lord Ravencrest. However, I am grateful and surprised by your arrival... Cenarius of the King of the Forest."

"No one can stand idly by in times of crisis," Cenarius said, his words carrying a deeper meaning. Garrid's eyes immediately turned toward the back of the legendary forest guardian.

Everything before him seemed like a childhood fairy tale come to life... perhaps that was the most apt description. Garrid looked up at the giants opposite him; they were figures that only appeared in mortals' dreams. The King of the Forest, though immensely tall, had companions even taller than him standing beside him. A pair of bear-like twins stood beside Cenarius, one of them watching Rhonin with keen interest. Behind them was a smaller creature, but with the fiercest eyes, eagerly gazing at the distant battlefield. He breathed heavily, his massive paws scraping the ground, leaving deep furrows. It was clearly a wolf.

There was also an enormous wild boar, with tusks and its body covered in sharp, even deadly, quills. Garrid stared at it, and a name suddenly flashed into his mind... Agamaggan, another demigod possessing primal power...

Some people, though not particularly striking in appearance, still managed to leave a lasting impression. Among them was a beautiful yet eerie woman, resembling a bird, surrounded by a large flock of birds. A gigantic tortoise, dragging its heavy body, stretched its neck to gaze into the distance. Around the demigod were also some short-bodied creatures, flying swiftly, their butterfly wings fluttering... like some kind of Elf, or perhaps a dragon-like being.

A pure white figure flashed past the mage's eyes. He immediately turned to see who it was, but saw nothing. However, an image kept flashing through his mind—a gigantic stag with antlers, seemingly descended from heaven...

People slowly approached from the opposite side. A forest giant, as tall as a small mountain, roared and joined the battle. Hippogryph soared through the air.

Besides these creatures closely connected to nature, there are also unexpected allies, such as the elements. The addition of the Air Elemental and Water Elemental surprised Garrid. Even from a distance, Garrid could feel the power emanating from each element; they represented the most primal forces of this world.

"The King of the Forest!" Garrid Shadowsong managed to squeeze out a sentence, "The demigods of Kalimdor... all of them have come!"

"Not only demigods, you saw it too, didn't you?" Cenarius approached Garrid, a smile spreading across his face, before his words and actions nearly made the young Elf faint. "We will obey your command!" the demigod said respectfully, then knelt on the ground. The others behind him also assumed respectful postures in their own ways.

The new leader of the Elf army swallowed hard, speechless, unsure of what to say! He glanced behind him. All the Elf soldiers stared in awe at the magnificent sight. Most now realized that these demigods who had joined them had lived for a very long time and were far more powerful than they had ever imagined... and they now regarded Garrid as someone they should obey in battle.

Cenarius stood up and looked gently at the Night Elf: "Time is precious, we await your command."

The commander straightened up and replied, "Welcome, Cenarius. I am very grateful for your efforts. We have a chance to survive, a very good chance."

The King of the Forest nodded, gazing at the army behind Garrid. Cenarius's bearded face hardened with determination. "Yes. You're right, Lord Garrid Shadowsong ...we still have a chance..."