The Battle of Shadowmoon Temple (Middle Part)
In the Shadowmoon Temple's conference room, Illidan stood atop a circular platform. His advisors and messengers, carrying the latest news, knelt below. Normally, this platform belonged to them, but now the Betrayer needed information from other regions.
Illidan looked at his palms. He had almost fully recovered from his soul journey on Argus, and he couldn't afford to relax now. He needed to keep pushing forward and make the most of what he had found. To face Kil'jaeden, he needed to open the gates to the Legion world. He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Duchess Malande was speaking to him.
"What are your orders, Lord Illidan?" Malande's tone was resolute, tinged with nervousness, as she tried to get his attention. Illidan gazed at her; so far, he was quite satisfied. These Blood Elf, having learned of their master's defeat, had not left but continued to manage the Shadowmoon Temple impeccably.
"About what?" Illidan said, his expression turning annoyed.
"There's a lot to say about Hellfire Citadel and Serpentshrine Cavern. The bastions have fallen, Kargath and Magtheridon are dead; Vashj has been overthrown, and those giant pumps have been shut down."
The Horde and Alliance have already established a bridgehead on Hellfire Peninsula; they have plundered Hellfire Citadel and destroyed Magtheridon. In the long run, this defeat will be devastating for him; without the blood of that Abyssal Lord, his Legion won't be able to create a single Fel Orcs.
Serpentshrine Cavern. Images of massive pumping stations equipped with numerous magical engines flashed through Illidan's mind. He imagined miles-long pipes winding through the vast underground, contemplating Vashj's plan to control all of Outland's water resources. It had once seemed incredibly important.
This was just the latest setback, in addition to a long string of defeats. Some were omitted by Malande, who would never dare mention Kael'thas to Illidan. Shattrath had been spreading rumors that the Blood Elf Prince was colluding with Kil'jaeden, and had presented substantial evidence. Malande believed Illidan had heard about it as well.
But she didn't know what the other person was thinking.
With the situation unfolding so rapidly, it's no longer worth spending time here. Illidan has more pressing matters to worry about.
He would no longer need long-term plans. Everything would be resolved quickly, and it would all end in Argus, not Outland. He already knew the true location of Kil'jaeden's lair, but he had found it in spirit form; now he needed to teleport an army there in physical form. Opening such a portal would consume an enormous amount of energy, an astonishing amount. He had considered many methods these past few days, such as how Gul'dan opened the connection between the two worlds, but this idea was impractical. There was no Dark Portal on Argus, and even if there were, there weren't enough souls to support a portal. Therefore, he would have to rely on some powerful artifacts.
Crusher Gathios stood at attention, slamming his powerful fist into his breastplate. "Lord Illidan, what should we do? The Alliance and the Horde are launching a full-scale attack; they're not only attacking the Burning Legion, but also us. Should we retreat to the Shadowmoon Temple and hold out until we defeat them?"
This suggestion sounds good. Now, all he has left in Outland is the Shadowmoon Temple, and those who see him as an enemy are gathering outside. Holding out elsewhere is pointless. Outland, Shadowmoon Valley, even the Shadowmoon Temple — Illidan knows he doesn't need any of these things. Whether he can hold Outland for a few more years is irrelevant. Everything happening here and now is no longer important, unless it's related to this real war. Whether he's the King of Outland or not is irrelevant, whether he can maintain his rule is irrelevant; all he needs now is time. More troops in the temple means he can hold off the enemy for a little longer.
Thinking of this, Illidan couldn't help but feel angry. The Alliance and the Horde could even ignore a greater threat.
"Take all necessary measures," Illidan told Garthios. He swung his claws sharply and solemnly declared, "I have other matters to attend to!"
A suffocating silence filled the conference room, and all eyes were on him. At such a crucial moment, what could be more important than repelling the invading enemy?
Illidan's gaze swept over everyone: Malande, Garthioth, and the other members of the council.
"We will do everything in our power to resist the enemy," he said.
The hall grew even quieter. The others looked puzzled. Illidan was filled with rage; he wanted to give those suspicious-looking fellows a good beating.
He calmed himself slightly, pulling himself back from the brink of explosion, and tried to see things from their perspective. They only saw their fiefdoms being seized and power slipping from their hands. They feared for their lives, and it seemed that their lives were meaningless in the face of the armies of the Alliance and the Horde.
It wasn't entirely their fault for focusing on trivial details while ignoring the bigger picture; after all, Illidan had never bothered to waste words trying to persuade them. He relied on their ambition and greed, using them to gain their loyalty.
"I believe you won't let me down," he said.
"As you wish, sir," said Willis Deepshadow, though his tone and the glances of the staff in the meeting room suggested they had no other choice. "We will ensure the security of the base."
Illidan nodded slightly, then turned and walked towards the temple rooftop, where one of his most elite troops awaited him.
His footsteps made a dull sound, growing farther and farther away.
"I think this is the last time we'll see him," said Villeles after Illidan left; he was always the quietest.
Malande looked at him with a horrified expression. "You mean we're going to die? I don't want to die because of him."
"Don't be silly, it's too late for me to escape now. The Shadowmoon Temple is completely surrounded, and the Betrayer are watching us all the time."
Archmage Selevol smiled smugly, as if he had a unique idea. "I don't think so. Although Prince Kael'thas's betrayal broke my heart, it doesn't mean we have to sacrifice ourselves for Illidan. Don't forget his title; he's the Betrayer. He must have known we might do the same. But he didn't warn us, nor did he threaten us. I think... he doesn't care anymore."