The Decision to Save the Clan

The Witherer was speechless for a moment, then finally replied, "I... can't do it." He admitted it willingly. This frankness seemed to surprise Malygos as well, and the Infinite Dragonlord also took a long time to speak.

'So you need other methods. Until you find new methods, you need this force.'

"Why, why did you give me the essence of the Guardian Dragons's power?"

"Rather than asking why I'm giving it to you, it's more about ensuring Nozdormu never gets it. Nathanos, tens of thousands of years have passed. For tens of thousands of years, the Guardian Dragons have carefully watched over this world, but have remained indifferent to the many calamities that have befallen it. Moreover, the dragons themselves have more or less brought suffering to this world. Deathwing, Malygos, and so on. I often wonder if this world would be better off without the Guardian Dragons. It's a terrible thought, but I'm determined to try. First, I must utterly destroy Nozdormu's hope of regaining control of history. If the Time Lord knows what is about to happen, he will surely tell his companions and prepare for it. And the essence in your hands is the key. Without it, Nozdormu sees no future except for the End of Time. Of course, you can use it yourself. As for how much it can do, that depends on your own abilities."

'You want to deal with the Guardian Dragons, but you'll still need them to defeat Deathwing.'

'Stop being foolish, the Witherer. You're dealing with far more than just Deathwing.'

"There's one thing you shouldn't forget, Malygos. My enemies are enemies among themselves. The Guardian Dragons want Deathwing more than I do. And I will make sure they lose all ability to threaten me when they clash." Nathanos was still responding to the Infinite Dragonlord, while Malygos remained silent.

'Malygos?' The Witherer called repeatedly but received no response. The other party had lost contact. Nathanos cursed inwardly, unsure what to do with the gift the Infinite Dragon had given him.

Grot silently watched Nathanos, who sat motionless. His intuition told him that the Undead were conversing with something they couldn't see. This easily reminded him of the dragon who had given him the amber stone.

Are you alright?

Nathanos opened his eyes to hear Grot's hoarse voice, and it took him a moment to realize that he was still in Twilight Highlands.

"Don't move," The Witherer said to the Orcs.

Grot hesitated for a moment, watching Nathanos raise his hand to his face, stopping just inches away. He noticed that the crystal fragment held in the Undead's hand was gone.

Is there something on my face?

"Answer."

The Orcs was utterly bewildered. He remained seated, his eyes following Nathanos's hand as it moved back and forth.

After a long silence, Nathanos exclaimed, "This is truly amazing." Driven by the Time Power, the wrinkles on Grot's face were disappearing, and his eyes were becoming more piercing; he seemed to have truly returned to his most youthful appearance. However, Nathanos quickly realized that this was merely a visual effect. He could see an object's past, but he couldn't reverse time, at least not yet.

"Alright." Nathanos withdrew his hand, looking at Grot with a strange smile.

"Where is that fragment?"

"It's gone, or perhaps it's already done its job," The Witherer shrugged.

Grot shook his head, then changed his tone and said in a hoarse voice, "I won't press you if you don't tell me, but I've done what I had to do. When are you and your friend going to keep your promise? You must be having a telepathic conversation with him. He promised to help me save the Dragonmaw Clan."

The Undead blinked. Grot hadn't mentioned any of the promise Malygos had made. That dragon had caused him quite a bit of trouble. Nathanos nodded helplessly and asked, "What exactly do you mean by 'salvation'? Is it bringing the Dragonmaw Clan into the Horde? Or simply replacing them with a chieftain you're satisfied with? If it's the latter, I can kill Mog'gor right now. If it's the former, you'll need to wait a while longer."

Grot pondered for a moment. Nathanos knew what had happened within the Dragonmaw Clan; it seemed he had conducted his own investigation before arriving.

"The Horde?" the old Orcs murmured the familiar yet unfamiliar name. He had heard rumors about the New Horde many years ago, which had greatly surprised him.

In addition to Orcs and Troll, the Horde has gained new members: Tauren and Blood Elf. The addition of Quel'Thalas, representing the Blood Elf, to the Horde was unexpected by everyone. The Old Horde had enslaved the Red Dragon and burned the northern forests; the conflict between the Orcs and Elf was a deep-seated hatred. Grot was very curious about how they had put aside their past grievances.

Regardless, the truth is just that unbelievable.

Over the years, clan members have mentioned the Horde. Many Dragonmaw Orc believe the Horde no longer exists, while others have wandered far away in search of Horde. Grot has also considered returning to the Horde, but abandoning the clan is shameful, and he has yet to make a decision. He also does not support Nathanos's suggestion to eliminate Mog'gor; the Dragonmaw Clan has had many chieftains, and each chieftain has failed to stop the internal strife and killings, with some even condoning such behavior.

Joining Horde might be a wise choice.

"I think... joining Horde would be better. At least tribe members won't have to worry about who's the leader of the tribe anymore; their only leader is the Warchief. I believe that a leader who can rule multiple races must be wise and powerful."

Garrosh Grommash? Wise, powerful?

Nathanos suppressed the urge to be sarcastic. No one with a shred of reason would associate Grot's assessment with that Ogre fellow. The Witherer simply sighed inwardly. He would never deceive the old Orcs, nor would he tell him about the Horde's current predicament. He was the leader of the Forsaken, and all his plans now had to consider the Forsaken's future interests. Garrosh certainly didn't possess the qualities a leader should have, but his existence was what the Forsaken needed right now. Such a warmonger, with a little manipulation, could become a weapon to restrain the Alliance.

"Are you sure? You want the Dragonmaw Clan to join the Horde?"

Grot seemed slightly less hesitant. He took a deep breath.

"Yes," he said. "I hope the Dragonmaw Clan will join the Horde."

"I understand," Nathanos replied softly. "May the spirits of your ancestors protect you."