Solving Both at Once

"It seems you failed to bring reinforcements, Undead."

"You're about the same as me. I don't think you can bring so many allies, Orcs." Nathanos returned to Garrid's side and couldn't help but mock Broxigar. He was also shocked by the tall and mighty demigods, but he believed that the Orcs' abilities alone were not enough to persuade these gods.

"Anyway, I'm glad you're back, Undead." Garrid smoothed things over; whether or not reinforcements arrived, the arrival of the demigod had already reassured many Elf.

Nathanos looked around, frowned, and asked, "Where's Malfurion? Didn't he come?"

Garrid's smile froze. If Nathanos hadn't mentioned the name, Shadowsong might have already forgotten about it.

"I remember that Druids said he was going to Sintalari." Broxigar rubbed his chin.

"That was during the first Battle of Blackrock Spire Hold. So much time has passed, and there's still no news from Malfurion?" Nathanos asked.

Cenarius spoke briefly with the demigod Aviana, then, after hearing people talking about his apprentice, he stepped forward and said, "Malfurion did indeed go to investigate Sintalari, but he hasn't lost contact with us. It's just that the only person he can contact... is me. In the Emerald Dream, he and I can exchange messages."

"So, you know where Malfurion is?" Garrid pressed.

The demigod, with his large horns, nodded. "He went on a dangerous mission, a very dangerous one! I promised him I would find someone to help him."

A bad feeling crept into Broxigar and Nathanos's hearts. Cenarius indeed glanced at Nathanos and Broxigar, and the demigod continued, "He went to the lair of the Earth-Warder Neltharion with a dragon, intending to steal a powerful treasure."

Neltharion? Nathanos was more familiar with the black dragon's other name— Deathwing. He suddenly realized that he had never paid much attention to the Dragons since he came to this era. Why didn't these self-proclaimed guardian dragons show up when the Burning Legion invaded Azeroth?

"Neltharion?" the Undead muttered, drawing Cenarius's attention.

"You know him?"

"Your apprentice is truly brave, demigod. That black dragon is not one that ordinary people can face."

"So I need someone to help him." Cenarius looked at Nathanos, waiting for the latter's reply.

Seeing Nathanos fall silent, Broxigar asked, "You said Malfurion went to steal a treasure. What kind of treasure was it? And why say 'steal'? The title 'Earth-Warder'... doesn't sound like an enemy."

"That was before." A refined voice rang in everyone's ears. It belonged to a Night Elf in a long red robe, with Rhonin following behind him. Back before the ten thousandth, Nathanos realized it seemed like he was seeing Rhonin for the first time, and the human mage was as wary of him as he had expected. Nathanos wondered if Rhonin had already prepared a spell, and only had one final incantation left to unleash his attack.

As Nathanos looked at the Night Elf, he noticed some red scales peeking out from the cuffs of his sleeves.

'A dragon?'

"What do you mean by that, mage?" The Orcs's rudeness interrupted Nathanos's conjecture.

The Red Dragon Calygros, sighed deeply, looking utterly helpless. "Neltharion has betrayed the Dragons. In fact, the Dragons leaders noticed the Burning Legion's threat long ago. To combat the demons, the dragon kings gathered together, intending to contribute a portion of their power to forge a powerful weapon— the Dragon Soul. They succeeded, but then something unexpected happened. The Black Dragon Aspect interfered, stealing the treasure and using its power against other Dragons. The Blue Dragonflight was nearly wiped out, and even the powerful Aspect of Magic Malygos, was severely wounded..."

The Red Dragon could no longer speak. He finally gritted his teeth and concluded, "Neltharion betrayed us all."

Calygros's words were too much for one to process at once, especially for Garrid, who couldn't understand why the Red Dragon disguised as Night Elf would tell him all this. The young Elf took it as a warning: the black dragon might influence the war, perhaps even appearing at the most crucial moment in the conflict between the rebels and the demons to reap the benefits.

"That's terrible news," the commander murmured.

Compared to Garrid, Nathanos was much calmer. Listening to Calygros's story wasn't a waste of time; at least he learned the origins of the Demon Soul. "Indeed terrifying. So why send Malfurion to provoke that dragon? As far as I know, death... Neltharion is just as terrifying as the Burning Legion. If the two join forces, that would be a disaster."

"This is the quickest way to eliminate the crisis, outsider," Calygros said. "The reason why other Dragons dare not confront the Black Dragon Aspect head-on is because he possesses the Dragon Soul. According to Malfurion's investigation of Sintalari, Queen Azshara is using the power of the Well of Eternity to build a powerful portal. The magic has reached a point where it cannot be stopped by ordinary forces alone, so we must rely on external help."

Nathanos narrowed his eyes. "External force is the Dragon Soul?"

Calygros nodded. He found the creature in front of him to be frighteningly intelligent, but communicating with it was indeed convenient and quick.

"That's a great idea—to solve both the Black Dragon and the Burning Legion problems at once. But have you considered the consequences? Are you clear about how high the chances of failure are?"

"The greater the danger, the greater the reward," Cenarius said, his calmness surprising Nathanos. Did the demigod not worry at all about his apprentice's safety?

"This was the most dangerous attempt, but also the best method, and it was Malfurion himself who proposed it. He reached an agreement with the Guardian Dragons, using the Dragon Soul to bring the Dragons into the war."

"I see. That's why you've been staring at me and Broxigar," Nathanos sneered. "You said you'd find someone to help your apprentice, and that person was me and the Orcs, wasn't it?"

"Among everyone present, you and Broxigar are the only ones without any magical aura. Garrid needs to command the troops, so... please."

"What the heck!" Broxigar said before Nathanos could even respond. "The Druids saved me from Suramar, and I think it's time to repay that favor."

Cenarius nodded in satisfaction. He looked at Nathanos, who felt like an arrow on a bowstring, ready to be released.

"I can go, but..." Nathanos glanced at the battle axe in Broxigar's hand, "I need a bow."