Assault on Maraudon

Nathanos has reviewed the information on Earth Elemental Lord Therazane many times. Medivh's assessment of her is fairly fair: she is the most peace-loving of all the Elemental Lords.

"I hope she can remain at peace after learning of her daughter's murder." Nathanos closed the Medivh's Book. He could hear the faint sound of the wind and the churning of the sea. Thunder Axe Fortress was very close to the sea. Giant waves crashed against the steep cliffs, the spray reaching unimaginable heights. This seemed to foreshadow something, and if it foreshadowed a great Wailing Caverns in the Desolace, Nathanos hoped that any creatures that heard the warning would leave quickly, if they would.

"It looks like tomorrow won't be a good day." Nathanos sensed a moderate sea breeze would reach the beach. Besides that, he heard other sounds—hurried footsteps.

"Sir, we've finished!" Belmont shouted.

"The flags of the four Centaur Horde have been switched?" Nathanos pressed, making sure their mission hadn't gone wrong.

"Yes, sir. We also did as you said, killing several Centaur and disguising it as the work of other Centaur Horde. But will doing this really cause them to start a war?"

Nathanos didn't continue to tell Belmont how high the success rate of his plan was; the results spoke for themselves. He donned his weapons. It was the first time Belmont had seen him so nervous.

"Tell everyone that tomorrow morning we'll take the coastline, circle around to Spear Valley, and launch a surprise attack on Maraudon!"

The Earth Elemental Princess Theradras wandered endlessly around her husband's grave. There were enormous horns, like two vibrant branches, from which grew brightly colored wildflowers. These weren't just natural; Theradras had plucked them and adorned them. This gigantic creature's appearance was twisted, with three faces, enormous fangs, and four powerful arms—it resembled a demon. When Nathanos first saw her, he also thought she was a demon.

But her entire body was indeed made of stone, not flesh and blood.

At that very first moment, the Witherer was struggling to suppress his fear and forcing himself to focus on the impending battle.

Theradras had pale skin, tinged with a mossy green. Judging by both her physique and appearance, she was not someone to be trifled with.

She has many followers, Forsaken sacrificed many to pave the way.

"Is that Za'tar with those two horns?" Nathanos shouted, hoping to get Theradras's attention. Nathanos's voice echoed in the narrow space. But the earth elemental princess seemed not to hear him at all. Her eyes were dull and lifeless as she stared ahead, her feet circling around Za'tar's grave.

"Can't she hear me?" Veronalara put down her bow and asked in confusion.

"Whether she can hear us or not, we must destroy her!" The Witherer turned to Belmont. "How many of us do we have left?"

"Only half the people are left, sir."

"We can't afford to lose any more!" Nathanos clenched his right hand. "Have all the Dark Ranger follow me to deal with Theradras. You take the others and wipe out the remaining remnants in Maraudon."

"Yes, sir!"

There would be a private meeting at the start of the council. Jaina was willing to host all the guests in Theramore, but the Night Elf were more concerned with joining the Alliance; everything else was irrelevant. To avoid arguments at the formal council meeting, Jaina decided to try one last negotiation with the Night Elf to better understand the Night Elf's needs.

The mage recognized the wisdom of her decision. At this sensitive time, the more Alliance and Darnassus members there were in Theramore, the higher the likelihood of arguments and riots, potentially even jeopardizing their hard-won goals. Considering the past conflicts between humans and Night Elf in Ashenvale, the probability of such a risk was already high enough.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, General Shandris," Jaina greeted.

The Elf wearing the metal mask bowed to Jaina. "In the name of High Priestess Tyrande, I thank you for your hospitality during this important meeting."

"I am deeply honored that you could come on her behalf, although the Alliance would prefer that High Priestess Tyrande attend in person."

Shandris straightened her black robe with purple swastikas. Despite being a general of the Sentinels, her attire was quite ordinary. "Given the unfavorable situation in Darnassus, she decided to stay and stabilize the situation. Believe me, she was more than willing to come, Lady Proudmoore."

Jaina was quite surprised by Shandris's frankness. Was Darnassus not a good place? Was there some hidden danger in the Night Elf city? Perhaps this was why the Night Elf wanted to join the Alliance.

"Every great leader has times when they have no choice." Jaina didn't continue; Admiral Daelin Proudmoore was a sensitive topic. Daelin died because of his stubborn stance against the Orcs. Admiral Proudmoore's daughter was grieving his death, even though the admiral's actions forced her to support the Horde rather than her own father.

Shandris hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Baine alright?"

"She remains as loyal and devoted as ever." Jaina then shook her head. "She never accepts any help, which is certainly a commendable quality."

Shandris bowed again after hearing this. "I look forward to meeting with the Alliance representatives."

"The Alliance's envoy is Duke Bolvar of Stormwind, and he also looks forward to meeting you."

As Jaina left, the Sentinels Ranger-General murmured, "I hope the Alliance can be as straightforward as the people of Theramore, otherwise our return will be delayed."

"Lady Jaina!"

Jaina was pondering how to speak to Bolvar, the high-ranking nobleman, when they met later. Bolvar represented the Will of King Varian.

"Tervosh, what's wrong?"

The mage, who had rushed over, straightened his robes. As Jaina Proudmoore's second-in-command and advisor, he also wore an exquisite gold vest with beautiful embellishments on the shoulders. "She wants to see you. She says it's very important."

"Her?" Jaina paused for a moment, then immediately understood who Tervosh was referring to. Aegwynn, Medivh's mother, who was currently living in Theramore. "As you can see, Tervosh. I'm very busy right now. Tell her to be patient. I will visit her in person later."

A deafening scream echoed through Maraudon, the savage impact forcing Nathanos to plunge Sulfuras into the ground to regain his footing.

Theradras's body fell before Za'tar's grave. She reached out to touch the exquisite antlers, but though they were only inches away, they seemed worlds apart.

The other Dark Ranger lay on the ground; the Forsaken felt no fatigue, but they could feel pain. The battle with Theradras had left them all wounded to varying degrees.

Nathanos was the first to stand up. He stared at the Earth Elemental Princess, whose head had fallen to the ground as if it had lost its balance.

Is it all over?

"Success! My soul is free!" A transparent creature suddenly appeared on Za'tar's grave. The body of the Forest Guardian Za'tar was on par with his father's.

"Thank you, outsider."

"I can see that..." Nathanos clutched his left chest, still throbbing from taking a direct hit from Serendra's punch during the fight. "She loves you, but why does she imprison your soul?"

"The earth elementals were once servants of the Old Gods, and still are. Theradras has been controlled; she obeys the Old Gods and attempts to use my power to interfere with the Emerald Dream. Hidden within the dream world is an evil enemy, the first Satyr in the world, Sargeras! He is sealed deep within the dream."

"No wonder there are Satyr in the Wailing Caverns; are they trying to release their master?"

Za'tar nodded, looking down at Nathanos. "Now, whatever Theradras may have been, she's fallen. Maraudon is yours, outsider. But beware of the earth elementals' vengeance..."