New Target

A month later, Belmont emerged from behind the portal. Creating a portal between the two worlds was simple, but maintaining it was far from easy. It took the mages of the Mage District a full year to successfully stabilize the portal.

"We've lost contact with our spies in Silvermoon City, Master." Belmont was somewhat surprised to see the Witherer as soon as he stepped out of the portal, but this also showed that his master didn't want to waste time. Belmont knew that the reason he had been summoned to Outland was to escort an important prisoner, and he wouldn't stay here for long, although he still had time to report to Nathanos on the current situation in Azeroth.

"Lost contact?" Nathanos tried to comprehend the message. "Were the spies discovered? Or did Seredun betray us?"

"No, Master." Belmont shook his head. "To find out what was going on, I urgently sent Lilian Voss to the Elven Kingdom. Her report said that Silvermoon City was under martial law and completely locked down. The reason seems to be... a rebellion has broken out within their ranks."

"Ha!" Nathanos laughed. He waved for Belmont to follow him and said as they walked, "A few days ago, I received news from the Netherstorm. After Kael'thas fell, I ordered people to search for his body, hoping to resurrect him to serve me. But the men I sent out found nothing. They said... the Blood Elf Prince had disappeared. After comparing this with the information from Shattrath, I concluded that he is still alive."

"You mean everything that happened in Silvermoon City is related to Kael'thas?"

The Witherer watched as two Terror Guard saluted their leader as he passed by. Once they had gone some distance and only he and Belmont remained, he spoke, "There is another point that can prove my guess: the Blood Elf of the Netherstorm, apart from those who surrendered or died in battle, all the remaining troops withdrew from Outland in an orderly manner. They did not join Illidan Stormrage."

"They might simply be returning home." Belmont knew it was unwise to question the leader's judgment, but he couldn't help but voice his opinion.

This did not draw any objections from Nathanos, as their journey was nearing its end. "Perhaps, perhaps not..." They eventually stopped inside a cell, where torches were lit so that those outside could keep an eye on what was happening inside.

"She is the one you are going to take with you on this trip."

As soon as he finished speaking, Belmont peered through the iron bars. "She's Onyxia? The missing black dragon?"

Nathanos nodded. The Black Dragon Princess in the prison, her face deathly pale, was resting with her eyes closed, one hand never leaving the unhealed wound on her body. "How is the prison we built in Maraudon?"

"It's done. As you instructed, we've set up a magic-suppressing barrier around the prison, so no magic can be used."

"Very good." Nathanos nodded in satisfaction. He was about to order Belmont to take the man away when the commotion interrupted him. The air before them shimmered with a pale purple light—typical Arcane Magic. A moment later, a bright, pale blue light illuminated the entire tunnel, and Meryl Xie Feng appeared before them. This mage had finally changed his entrance.

"Welcome back, Meryl," Nathanos announced loudly. "I must say, your appearance...was a bit of a surprise to me."

A smile flickered across the mage's face. "Thank you, I didn't want to do this either," he replied. "However, there isn't a single bird to be seen around Warhammer Mountain. Although there are no Ranger, it still feels unsafe for me to fly back in my raven form."

"Indeed," Nathanos replied smoothly. "So, what news have you brought me? Or has Sinestra made some new move?"

Normally, Nathanos would have someone report news when no one else was around. But now, the Black Dragon Princess was right there, and although she appeared unconscious, it was uncertain whether she could hear their conversation. In that case, there was no need to hide it. The Witherer was also curious to see how Onyxia would react if she knew about her mother.

"Yes, she has indeed made some new moves."

"Is she coming to save her beloved daughter?" Nathanos asked. If so, preparations must be made soon.

Meryl shook her head. "No. The truth is quite the opposite. She did notice Onyxia's disappearance, but instead of investigating, she was busy trading Void Dragon with the Dragonmaw Orc. It seems she's preparing to escape."

"Of course she'll run." Nathanos raised his voice, his ears catching the Black Dragon Princess's breathing to make sure she wasn't eavesdropping. "The Shattrath, Horde, and Alliance's operation against Shadowmoon Valley began weeks ago. All forces that follow Illidan will be struck. Soon, the Dragonmaw Orc will also face defeat."

"So what should we do in the meantime?" Meryl asked, then added, "I don't want to have to keep an eye on that black dragon anymore."

"Your mission ends here, Meryl," Nathanos replied, the mage before him looking much more relaxed. "I've already thought about what we need to do next. Follow me!"

The Witherer led the other two to a secluded spot. "I intend to end the Forsaken's operations in Outland." Upon hearing this, Meryl and Belmont exchanged a glance, more puzzled than surprised.

"At this point, there's nothing left in Outland for us to miss. Although I came to Outland hoping to sit down and have a proper talk with Illidan Stormrage, the King of Outland has never left his fortress. It's a real shame." Nathanos shook his head, giving a bitter smile that sounded more like a cough. "And right now, everyone's attention is on Shadowmoon Valley. It would be a shame for the Forsaken not to seize this opportunity."

"I understand. You plan to launch an operation in Azeroth," Meryl said calmly and confidently. "Let me guess, Feralas? Or Zul'Gurub?"

"Neither," Nathanos denied. The two places Meryl mentioned were indeed what he wanted, but capturing them now wouldn't be of much use to the Forsaken. Feralas had always been a battleground between the Alliance and the Horde, Night Elf eye on it. Zul'Gurub, located in the heart of Stranglethorn Vale, also had Alliance spies there.

"The territory we are going to seize is in the north of the Eastern Kingdoms."

Belmont understood Nathanos's implication and asked, "Master, don't you plan to return to Maraudon?"

"That's right, we can't go back for now."