The Disguised Dark Ranger

"How much longer until you can open the portal?" Nathanos urged Meryl after hearing his subordinates' report on the situation around Auchindoun. This was somewhat unwise, as Meryl had just fought a major battle and her mana hadn't fully recovered. Nathanos disliked rushing people, but the situation in Outland was still unstable. Even whether Auchindoun was a suitable base for the Forsaken was yet to be determined.

"I need some more time," the mage replied, glancing back at the Witherer, who was also looking at him, clearly having something to say.

"Nathanos, are you really willing to believe what that Walker Between Worlds said?"

"Do you think what he said is unbelievable?" The Witherer asked rhetorically.

Before leaving, the Walker Between Worlds mentioned three things. First, he said the Naaru's core was a powerful energy vessel; Nathanos had stared at K'ure's core for a long time. It was already filled with the energy of the Shadow Void; if used for evil...

Nathanos suddenly understood why Meryl had asked him that question; it made perfect sense.

"If the Walker Between Worlds don't use the Naaru Core to deal with us, there won't be any problem."

"That Voidwalker is very mysterious. Hopefully, he's not our enemy," Meryl said fiercely. The portal in front of him had already taken shape, through which the outline of the Undead Fortress in the Wailing Caverns could be seen, and the army there was ready.

Instructor Rassuvios was the first to step out of the portal. He was a burly man, and his bravery was evident in his eyes. "Greetings, Master."

"Use your sword to carve out territory for the Forsaken in Outland, Instructor."

"As you wish!" Rassuvios smiled, stepping aside to allow the following troops to pass through the portal. The Forsaken emerged after him was a female Dark Ranger. She glanced at Nathanos and gave a stiff bow. Nathanos narrowed his eyes, calmly nodding and gesturing for her to step aside. Meryl noticed the anomaly. He wanted to say something, but the Witherer's hand behind her back signaled him not to alert the enemy.

The mage's eyes flickered, understanding the unspoken message. He quietly watched as the Terror Guard trained by Rassuvios emerged one after another from behind the portal. Meryl thought Nathanos would send Belmont over, but upon closer inspection, he realized that the Darkblade Organization members' missions were concentrated in Azeroth, and with limited manpower, it would be difficult for them to extend their reach into Outland.

"Master, should we make this place our base?" Rassuvios asked after surveying the area. Nathanos hadn't decided on this either, but frankly, he really disliked Auchindoun. The surrounding area was open, offering no strategic hiding spots. Most importantly, Auchindoun was considered sacred by the Orcs, and one day Orcs might come here, at which point the Forsaken would be unable to hide.

"No need," Nathanos finally decided. He looked around at the facilities. Auchindoun, after all, a spaceship, and it retained some technologies not found on Azeroth. "Search this place thoroughly and move anything that can be moved to Azeroth."

"Yes, Master."

The Witherer turned around, and Meryl was standing behind him. "Let's talk alone and think about where to go next."

The monk nodded upon hearing this.

The two arrived at the top of Mount Auchindoun and began to talk only after making sure no one was around.

"Why don't you expose that Dark Ranger? She's clearly an imposter!"

"The Shadowblade was founded with the intention of keeping track of all movements in Azeroth." The Witherer crossed his arms and gazed into the distance, his voice low and tinged with anger. "Our eyes will be in every corner of Azeroth."

"Including the Forsaken's territories, right?"

"Yes," The Witherer admitted sharply, turning to glare at the mage. "Rassuvios, Veronalara, even Belmont, are all secretly monitored. Everyone's movements are under my control. So, if anyone tries to infiltrate the Forsaken, they'll be discovered immediately. Yet that Dark Ranger actually followed Rassuvios here. Do you understand the hidden story behind this?"

"I understand. Veronalara's Dark Ranger are all in Shadowfang Keep, so the appearance of that female Ranger is illogical." Meryl thought carefully for a moment, then said, "What if Veronalara arranged this?"

"Veronalara to me is merely following, not being loyal. She may question my orders, but she will never disobey me. I want her to guard the stronghold in the Eastern Kingdoms, and she will stay there," Nathanos said. "Besides, my order is only to send the Terror Guard. Rassuvios will not allow such a Dark Ranger to be mixed in with the group."

"But he did give permission, and that Dark Ranger followed him to Outland." Meryl's eyes widened. "You mean, Rassuvios is also involved."

Nathanos laughed, clearly in control of everything, Meryl could sense. "I can't say for sure whether the others have problems, but Rassuvios, whom I personally resurrected, has no reason to hide anything from me. So even if he's being controlled, I can tell."

Meryl stood there, frozen in place. Even without saying it aloud, he knew what Nathanos was thinking. A person who could control the Will Rassuvios was no ordinary individual.

"Then why didn't you stop her?"

"Why should we stop her?" The Witherer looked at Meryl with amusement. "We still don't know what that Dark Ranger's identity is, and if we break off relations, and she turns out to be someone we can't handle, then we'll be in danger."

"So we shouldn't expose her for now?" Meryl, somewhat worried. "What if she's right under our noses..."

"A threat that can be seen is not a threat."

The Witherer's confidence was somewhat reassuring, but Meryl still had a question. Nathanos had just said: what if the opponent was an invincible being? The statement sounded reasonable, but something felt off.

"Nathanos, didn't you already know the Dark Ranger's true identity?"

The Witherer glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "Belmont's report said she was missing. I thought she was hiding, but I didn't expect her to come right under my nose. Well... let's see what this 'distinguished guest' has to do."

"So you knew who she was."

"It's just a guess, but her appearance reminded me of something. Something... that my teacher has to confirm for me personally."

The following chapters will switch characters and drive the plot from Queen Sylvanas's perspective.