Countess

Archmage Rommath walked to the only wooden table in the room. On it lay a heavy box, which Alleria had noticed as she entered. Rommath chanted a spell, and the box's clasp opened automatically, revealing a spear with a large, bright red blade at one end, its smooth tip resembling a tongue of fire.

"What is this?" The Regent asked instinctively, sensing the weapon's extraordinary nature.

"Liadrin's new weapon." Rommath's eyes sparkled. As he uttered the Female Elf's name, she looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion and doubt.

"This is Blood-Tempered Spear," the mage added.

Liadrin reached for it. Rommath gestured, and the weapon automatically leaped into her hand. It was a finely crafted weapon, and it felt good in her grasp. Its length reminded her of what she used to carry as Priest, while the weight of the blade was comparable to the warhammer she was used to wielding—it felt...very natural.

"It seems Quel'Thalas has gained another Warrior," Alleria said with a light smile. "So what exactly did you call me here for, Rommath? It wasn't just to let me witness your 'generosity' towards your own people, was it?"

"Don't rush, Regent, listen to me. A few years ago, after Prince Kael'thas destroyed our beloved Sunwell, many priests and Priest said that the Holy Light was unreliable and useless, and could not be used when it was most needed."

Liadrin's green eyes met the Archmage's sharp gaze. "I said it before."

Alleria turned to her, feeling a pang of sorrow for Liadrin, whose mentor Vondelor was dead, and whose apprentice Jarel was dead—the latter having become Mindless Ones and been executed by her own hand.

"Do you still think so now?" the Regent asked, seemingly casually, which was also what Rommath wanted to know.

"Still the same."

The mage raised his hand, tracing the flaming blade of the spear with his fingers. "This is why I sought you out. If there were a way... to bring the Holy Light back to you, not through prayer, but by making the Holy Light obey your commands, just as you can easily wield the Blood-Tempered Spear, would you still be willing to use the Holy Light?"

"That's impossible. No one can command the Holy Light," Liadrin replied coldly.

Alleria felt a certain admiration for this former priestess. She no longer used the Holy Light, but she still retained a deep reverence for the Holy Light. At the same time, Alleria agreed with her words; recalling the past, Alleria had once asked Nathanos, "What is the Holy Light?"

At the time, his lover was somewhat averse to the question. His answer was: Many people regard the Holy Light as a kind of faith, a sublime place, but I feel that it is more of a power, a power that belongs to the category of light. The devout can use it to illuminate the four directions, while the fanatics will destroy everything in its name.

"Nothing is impossible. I have something I want you to see." Rommath chanted a spell, and Alleria felt the distortion of the teleportation. The study vanished, smoothly replaced by an unfamiliar room. Nearby was an arched balcony. Sheer fabric billowed from the inside, and the curtains were bathed in soft, brilliant light shining from the other side.

"Where is this?" Liadrin asked.

"At the Farstrider Square," the Regent determined at a glance.

Rommath wasn't surprised. He went to the balcony, gently reached out and parted the curtains, gesturing for the two Female Elf to look.

As they walked through the entrance onto the balcony and looked down into a larger room, they felt as if they were floating in a dream. Floating in the vast space was a luminous creature, seemingly constructed purely of energy, pieced together from glowing fragments. Alleria was momentarily frozen, mesmerized, and speechless.

The creature emitted a shimmering light that spread widely throughout the spacious room, its outline somewhat resembling wings.

Alleria could feel that it radiated not just light, but the Holy Light. The Holy Light was washing over the room, touching everyone in it.

"What exactly is this thing?"

Rommath smiled and replied casually, "Few have seen it." The Archmage crossed his arms and looked on proudly, "It comes from Outland, but it doesn't belong to that world. It is... well, you could say it's a gift from His Highness. They captured it in a fortress called Tempest Keep, and its name is M'uru."

"M'uru ..." Liadrin repeated softly.

"From the information we've gathered, he is sentient. They are unaffected by time and brimming with energy. You've surely sensed it already; they are bearers of the Holy Light, messengers of the Holy Light. The Prince intends to use them to replace those pathfinders in the kingdom who can no longer use the Holy Light, which is you."

"So it obeys your commands?"

"Yes. And through it we can command the Holy Light. All we need now is a vessel: a willing participant. This person must have knowledge of the Holy Light, yet not feel morally uneasy about dominating the Holy Light."

Alleria's mind raced. The person was undoubtedly Liadrin, but why would Kael'thas suddenly seek out Liadrin? What was his true purpose in bringing this luminous being back?

"Okay." Just as Alleria was weighing the pros and cons, Liadrin spoke up, "I accept your invitation. If the process is as you say, I'm happy to go through it all." Alleria wanted to stop her, but it was Liadrin's own choice now.

Rommath nodded and released his arm in a gesture. Magical energy swept over the Female Elf, and moments later she stood on the hall floor. She looked up, able to observe the magnificent entity more clearly. Her heart raced, and she could hardly breathe. Standing in its shimmering light, she felt incredibly small and insignificant.

"Kneel down and raise your weapons," Rommath instructed.

Liadrin knelt on one knee and raised the spear with both hands. Rommath placed one hand on her shoulder and reached the other towards M'uru, softly chanting an unfamiliar incantation that seemed unsuitable for a mortal's voice.

Then, in an instant, it happened.

Time seemed to stand still. A profound silence fell over the hall. For a brief moment, she felt as if she were floating in mid-air...

It hit her.

When she invoked the Holy Light as High Priest, the Holy Light bathed her and filled her with warmth, but this time it was completely different. This time, it felt as if the Holy Light was tearing her to pieces, as if it were destroying her soul.

In an instant, her body seemed to be turned inside out. Then she heard music in her mind, and she knew what the creature was—it was Naaru, wanting to communicate with her. That feeling, that feeling of being filled with the Holy Light, remained. Now the Holy Light was with her, inseparable, and under her command. She could feel the Holy Light flowing within her, like a fickle fire. Liadrin focused her thoughts, looked down at her hands, and saw the halo of the Holy Light enveloping them. She smiled.

Rommath released her shoulders. The Archmage's eyes gleamed with pride as he stretched out his arm in a grand gesture. "I hereby declare, by His Highness the Prince's command, that you will be the first in our new order of knights: the leader of the Blood Knights. Rise and accept your title, Countess Liadrin."