Twilight

How much longer can my body hold out?

Nathanos pondered this question throughout his secret return to Stromgarde. Aside from the Valkyr, only the guards Sansa and Malcolm knew what had transpired. The Forsaken must be bewildered by their master's plight. With the decisive battle imminent, panic could not be allowed to spread at this crucial moment.

However, for Nathanos, losing an arm was just as bad as internal strife within the Forsaken. With only one hand left, he couldn't draw his bow, use the Sulfuras effectively, or even perform his usual actions.

Concealment and delay are not solutions; the key is how to repair or strengthen his body. He has tried many times, but Malygos's power cannot resolve his predicament. The power of time has no effect when it descends upon him.

Perhaps I really should consider the Valkyr's suggestion. Nathanos lowered his head, trying to convince himself. He had witnessed the Val'kyr being restored to her peak condition under the Valkyr's ritual.

What am I still hesitating about?

"Master?" Malcolm's greeting and knocking sounded in the room.

"What is it?" The Witherer controlled his voice, making it sound calm, to let others know: I'm fine.

"The soldiers who cleared the Elemental Altar have returned. One of them found an item on Hagra's body that looks very important."

"Bring it in."

Malcolm pushed open the door and entered the room. The guard's expression was hidden by his helmet, but Nathanos was curious to know how he viewed the fact that his leader had been weakened.

The guard opened his clenched hand, revealing a ring-like object before the Witherer's eyes. It was broad and thick, purple with silver trim, and made of some rare mineral. Malcolm had just said it was a very important item, and Nathanos understood within seconds that "important" referred to the tiny numbers and inscriptions engraved on the inner and outer rings.

"You can leave now."

Malcolm gave a simple bow and slowly left the room, leaving Nathanos alone to study the little gadget he had just acquired.

This is a cipher used to record top-secret documents; the Darkblade Organization also uses similar tools. Nathanos remembers that this kind of thing was originally invented by Gnome and then "made great use" by SI:7. And now, Deathwing's minions have also learned the enemy's ways of doing things.

What kind of message would be on it? The Witherer casually picked up a piece of paper, took out ink, and poured it little by little onto the ring, then let the ring slowly roll on the white paper like a wheel.

The decryption process will take a long time, but the Undead have no shortage of time, and one night is not a long time.

His efforts paid off. Almost at dawn the next day, Nathanos unlocked the message in the ring, but his brow furrowed, and he jumped up from his stool in utter disbelief. He wanted to shout Belmont's name, feeling it was best for him to do it, but then he looked at his own arm. Of Forsaken, he was the one who truly understood the Black Dragon.

Two days later, the most powerful among the Forsaken arrived in Alterac one after another. Surprisingly, the Goblins squad that had been training in Uldum was the first to arrive, followed by Ohan and Meryl.

Nathanos and Belmont had been waiting for a long time, and unsurprisingly, when they saw him, they were all astonished by the Witherer's severed arm.

"Who did this?" Ohan asked, his anger barely contained.

"Enough!" Belmont stepped forward to stop her. "This is not how you speak to your master."

The female Orcs wanted to say something more, but Nathanos interrupted her with a slight shake of his head. Time was of the essence, the Witherer did not want to dwell on trivial matters. Fortunately, everyone else remained silent, except for Meryl, whose eyes held a hint of pity.

"Belmont, you speak."

The leader of the Shadowblade nodded. "Listen up, all of you." He turned to the Blade of the Witherer. "Breaking news from Northrend: Deathwing's attack has begun, and the location is Wyrmrest Temple."

"So fast?" Meryl exclaimed in surprise. The other members of the Goblins squad, however, had the opposite expression.

"The scene must be spectacular."

"I have never seen the monsters summoned by the Old Gods. I have heard that they are all tentacle monsters."

Patch coughed quickly, silencing the Salamander and Shali. "Please continue, Belmont."

"According to reliable intelligence, the Guardian Dragons and Thrall have arrived at the Wyrmrest Temple, preparing to Innervate the Dragon Soul to deal with Deathwing. But their situation... is very dangerous."

"That must be a large gathering of dragons... and corpses," the Pendulum said.

Belmont glanced at the Goblins who was the most shrewd businessman and added, "Not only dragons, but also elemental creatures and the tentacle monsters that the Shali mentioned. Although the Wyrmrest Accord has the support of the Earthen Ring and the Cenarion Circle, they are ultimately surrounded."

"You once said that we have to deal with more than just Deathwing." Meryl stared at the silent Nathanos. The latter's lips curled slightly, and he stood up from his chair.

"Yes, not just Deathwing, but also the Guardian Dragons."

"This wasn't in the plan, Master," Patch said. "What should we do?"

"Your mission remains unchanged." Nathanos waved to Belmont, then proceeded with the explanation. "Goblins squad, Meryl, and the other member of the Blade of the Witherer, you must proceed as planned. Especially you... Meryl, what you do will determine whether the future of this world will be in the hands of mortals."

"I... will do my best." Meryl's answer displeased Nathanos. The Witherer wanted assurances, not just "doing their best." But considering the mage's contributions to the Forsaken's cause, Nathanos decided not to press him further.

"I believe you won't let me down."

"Master," Ohan stepped forward, "And me? What am I to do at this crucial moment?" The female Orcs clearly sensed that the other member of the Blade of the Witherer mentioned by Nathanos wasn't her. The Goblins squad and Meryl all had their own missions, but she alone hadn't received any assignments. This was truly perplexing.

"I won't forget you, Ohan. In fact, I need you to come with me to a place to investigate something of concern."

What could be more important than the battle for the survival of the world before the Wyrmrest Temple? This question crossed everyone's mind, except Belmont.

"Come with me to the Ravenholdt Manor."