Chapter Summaries

Akama relived Shattrath’s fall, when the Orcs slaughtered its defenders and The Holy Light stopped answering his prayers. In the present, imprisoned by Illidan, he continued to hide his thoughts from the Demon Lord inspecting the cells.

• As the Orcs besieged Shattrath, High Priest Mar'adul ordered Malkorath to lead the last refugees out while Akama and the remaining defenders stayed behind.
• The Orcs bombarded the walls and charged, burying Akama beneath rubble as he called on The Holy Light without receiving an answer.
• Akama crawled out of the ruins and found the Lower City filled with Draenei corpses, including children, and his rage deepened when The Holy Light remained silent.
• In the present, Akama remembered that Illidan had imprisoned him because of the woman in the opposite cell, who asked whether he had made up his mind.
• When a Demon Lord inspected the cells, Akama told him that everything was normal.

Nathanos and his companions crossed the Dark Portal into a devastated Draenor and discovered that Hellfire Citadel housed demon-corrupted Orcs. Nathanos chose to head for Nagrand and leave the citadel to the Alliance and Horde once they arrived.

• Nathanos led the group through the Dark Portal, where they emerged beneath the Orcs’ immense stone gateway and left the area to wait until daybreak.
• Nathanos, Meryl, and Xirezege saw that Tanaan was a scorched wasteland, and Meryl suspected powerful magic had torn the world apart.
• Meryl reported finding an Alliance fortress led by an old human warrior, whom Nathanos identified as Darius Thorne, and a nearby fortress he recognized as Hellfire Citadel.
• Meryl and Xie Feng revealed that Hellfire Citadel’s Orcs were demon-corrupted and that a demon lord’s power lay beneath it; Xirezege identified the fallen Orcs as the Shattered Hand Clan.
• Nathanos refused to attack Hellfire Citadel and asked Xirezege to guide the group to Nagrand, saying the Alliance and Horde could deal with the corrupted Orcs later.

Xirezege, Nathanos, and Meryl discussed Outland’s unstable nature and sought a place where Meryl could open a portal for reinforcements. Xirezege left to search for Orcs at Garadar while Nathanos’s group headed for Auchindoun.

• The Witherer warned that Outland’s time and constellations changed unpredictably, and Meryl said they needed a special place to open a portal.
• Xirezege identified Auchindoun as the Orcs’ sacred ancestral land, where their ancestors’ souls were said to gather.
• Nathanos decided to investigate Auchindoun and possibly summon reinforcements there.
• Xirezege chose to search for the Orc settlement of Garadar, and Nathanos assigned a Deathstalker to accompany him and report back.
• Xirezege departed from the hill, and Nathanos led the others toward Auchindoun.

Nathanos and Meryl found Auchindoun and fought their way inside, where they discovered demons and signs of an unknown intelligent civilization. The chapter ended as Meryl sensed something deeper in the ruins and led Nathanos toward it.

• Nathanos challenged Meryl about his suspicion that he had sent a Deathstalker to kill Xirezege, and denied that he would kill anyone unless they threatened to expose the Forsaken.
• Meryl sensed eerie cries from a silver-white mountain, and Nathanos identified it as Auchindoun and ordered the Deathstalkers to clear its entrance.
• Nathanos and Meryl entered a cave beneath Auchindoun while the Deathstalkers guarded the entrance against bandaged beings and void creatures.
• Nathanos killed a Doomguard inside the cave, and Meryl blasted another demon that appeared nearby.
• Meryl and Nathanos discovered carefully polished walls with unfamiliar patterns, and Meryl sensed something and led Nathanos farther into Auchindoun.

Nathanos and Meryl discovered the Naaru K'ure in Auchindoun, where it transformed into a Dark Naaru and attacked them. Meryl fought it in Demon Form as a mysterious robed stranger emerged from a portal and claimed he was not their enemy.

• Nathanos and Meryl found K'ure, a Naaru whose Holy Light had been consumed by shadow.
• Nathanos received visions revealing K'ure's identity and history, then warned Meryl as K'ure transformed into a Dark Naaru.
• Meryl entered Demon Form and attacked K'ure, but the Naaru absorbed his spell and trapped Nathanos with magic.
• Meryl freed Nathanos with a fel-infused Pyroblast, then sensed someone approaching.
• A bandaged stranger stepped through a portal, and Nathanos challenged him before the stranger said he was not their enemy.

Nathanos and Meryl defeated K'ure after the Walker Between Worlds revealed that an Entropy Demon's weakness was its heart. The Walker claimed K'ure's heart and explained its connection to Ashbringer and the Naaru K'ara, whose core had been taken by the Orcs.

• The Walker Between Worlds offered to trade for K'ure's essence and told Nathanos that an Entropy Demon's weakness was its heart.
• As K'ure grew stronger and Meryl lost ground, Nathanos asked the Walker for its weakness, and the Walker told him to destroy its heart.
• Meryl shattered K'ure's shield and plunged his hand into its heart, while Nathanos and Meryl were thrown back by a shadow storm.
• Meryl overcame the demon's power and returned to his usual form, while the Walker Between Worlds collected K'ure's heart.
• The Walker told Nathanos that a Naaru's core had been used to forge Ashbringer and that the core of K'ara, worshipped by the Shadowmoon Orcs as the Dark Star, had been taken by the Orcs.

Nathanos sent Forsaken forces through Meryl’s portal to Auchindoun, where he ordered them to salvage the site’s technology rather than establish a base. He and Meryl realized a suspicious Dark Ranger had infiltrated the troops, and Nathanos chose to watch her while he investigated her identity.

• Meryl opened a portal to the Wailing Caverns, and Instructor Rassuvios led the Forsaken forces through it to Auchindoun.
• A female Dark Ranger followed Rassuvios through the portal, and Nathanos silently recognized that something was wrong with her.
• Nathanos rejected Auchindoun as a Forsaken base but ordered Rassuvios to search it and transport anything movable to Azeroth.
• Nathanos told Meryl that the Shadowblade secretly monitored Forsaken leaders, making the Dark Ranger’s presence alongside Rassuvios suspicious.
• Nathanos decided not to expose the Dark Ranger, reasoning that they should observe her until they learned what she intended to do.
• Nathanos said the Ranger’s appearance reminded him of someone, but he needed his teacher to confirm his guess.

Sylvanas faced harassment from two unruly human trainees at a Theramore inn and beat them when they threatened her. She poured tea for the injured Yutasi and demanded that he name the other troublemakers in her unit.

• Sylvanas struggled to train Theramore's human and Dwarf soldiers, who neglected their lessons and made lewd remarks about her.
• Yutasi Tanvir and Hubert Tanvir confronted Sylvanas at the inn and made suggestive remarks about skinning women.
• Sylvanas mocked the brothers' skill, then beat them when they insulted her and threatened her.
• Sylvanas took tea from Jennie, beckoned the battered Yutasi over, and demanded the names of other troublemakers in her unit.

Sylvanas dreamed that Alleria stood over a burning house with blood on her blade, then awoke aboard a ship nearing Stormwind City. She accompanied Jaina to face the city’s leaders as they discussed the reopening of the Dark Portal, expecting another confrontation with Varian Wrynn.

• Sylvanas dreamed she followed the sound of fire through an empty Theramore and saw Alleria standing by a burning house with a bloodied sword.
• Sylvanas woke aboard the ship to Stormwind City and took Nathanos’s Lo'gresh and Quel'delar with her as she prepared to go ashore.
• Jaina reassured Sylvanas that Varian would not make things difficult for her, and Sylvanas said she had come to help Jaina face Stormwind’s nobles.
• Baine told Jaina they were about to dock, and Jaina said she hoped Varian and his politicians had finished discussing the reopening of the Dark Portal.
• Sylvanas remembered her earlier confrontation with Varian Wrynn and anticipated that they might clash again.

Jaina Proudmoore and Sylvanas attended a tense gathering at Stormwind Keep, where they noticed a Draenei paladin and heard nobles criticize King Varian over the Dark Portal crisis. The chapter ended with Varian confronting Duke Greg Lescova and demanding that he explain a king’s duty.

• Jaina pointed out a Draenei among the Night Elf delegation, and she and Sylvanas realized he was a paladin.
• Sylvanas noticed Duke Greg Lescova stirring fear and resentment among the gathered nobles with his criticism of Varian.
• Lescova accused Varian of collecting taxes while failing to protect Stormwind from the Dark Portal threat.
• An elderly noble complained that the Alliance’s wars drained the kingdom’s money and blood, while Jaina hinted that Varian was considering a bold decision.
• Varian entered the throne room and challenged Lescova to explain what a king’s duty was.

Varian received the Draenei envoy Malkorath and welcomed his people into the Alliance, pending a meeting with Prophet Velen. Jaina revealed that Thrall planned to lead a Horde army to Stranglethorn Vale to force open the Dark Portal, leaving Varian to consider the looming threat.

• Varian confronted Lescova and the nobles, then ordered them to leave the throne room.
• Varian questioned Malkorath, and Shandris Feathermoon explained that the Draenei sought a home and refuge from the Burning Legion.
• Varian welcomed the Draenei into the Alliance, saying their membership would be finalized after he met Prophet Velen.
• Jaina told Varian that Theramore would support the Alliance and revealed that Thrall planned to bring a massive Horde army to Grom'gol Base Camp in one week to force open the Dark Portal.
• Jaina assured Varian that the Horde intended to deal with the Blasted Lands, then left with Sylvanas.

Sylvanas decided to fight in the Blasted Lands alone to earn respect for Theramore and establish herself in the Alliance, despite Jaina's objections. In Ironforge, Gudul befriended a drunken veteran named Sherdu and asked him to tell his story.

• Sylvanas told Jaina that Varian's call for concrete support meant Theramore should send troops to the Blasted Lands.
• Jaina realized Sylvanas intended to go alone and tried to dissuade her, but Sylvanas refused to reconsider.
• Gudul visited the Stonefire Tavern in Ironforge and bought liquor for a Dwarf who had run out of money.
• Gudul recognized the Dwarf as a veteran of the Draenor expedition named Sherdu and asked him to tell his story.

Void Dragon Mother Karinaku remained imprisoned by the Dragonmaw Orcs while an Elf discussed capturing more Dragon Eggs and hunting her mate, Nelsaraku. Elsewhere, Nathanos watched echoes of Gul'dan's past at Gul'dan's Hand and decided to investigate further to obtain the forbidden power of the Curse Cipher.

• Karinaku struggled against the magical chains and attacked an Orc riding one of her enslaved offspring, killing both with her dragon breath.
• An Elf arrived and negotiated with an aged male about keeping Karinaku captive, capturing Nelsaraku, and collecting more Dragon Eggs.
• The Elf warned the male not to reveal their dealings to Illidan, then promised Karinaku she would take her home once she had more eggs.
• Nathanos watched a vision of Gul'dan performing a ritual at Gul'dan's Hand while Meryl reported that a Dark Ranger had gone to a crystal-covered area in Shadowmoon Valley.
• Nathanos told Meryl to monitor the Dark Ranger and chose to remain at Gul'dan's Hand to delve into Gul'dan's world for the Curse Cipher's forbidden power.

Nathanos learned from a letter that an Orc warlock had betrayed Ner'zhul during the attack on Shadowmoon Temple and might have survived. At Honor Hold, Sylvanas arrived as a volunteer recruit, and Marshal Isildur sent her to General Danas for an assignment.

• Nathanos heard Gul'dan's phantom repeat its account of the Curse Cipher ritual and considered how its power might be used.
• A hidden Deathstalker delivered Nathanos a letter from his mentor, who revealed that an Orc warlock had betrayed Ner'zhul and survived his master's attack.
• Marshal Isildur addressed exhausted recruits at Honor Hold while they watched a Gryphon descend.
• Sylvanas introduced herself to Isildur as a volunteer recruit and offered to carry out any assignment.
• Isildur sent Sylvanas to see General Danas and ordered Sergeant Dalton to escort her.

Oronok the Broken Heart fought Stone-Gnawers without using the demonic power he had renounced, but fell from a cliff during the battle. After an unknown figure killed the remaining Stone-Gnawers, it offered Oronok a hand, and he recognized its red-eyed appearance as that of a dead man.

• Oronok took a boar to gather Shadowmoon Tubers and was attacked by six or seven Stone-Gnawers.
• Oronok killed several attackers with his staff but refused to use the demonic power he had sworn off.
• The Stone-Gnawers wounded Oronok and drove him over the cliff, where he caught hold of a protruding rock.
• An unseen fighter killed the Stone-Gnawers, whose bodies fell past Oronok into the abyss.
• A red-eyed figure offered Oronok a hand, and he recognized it as a dead man.

Nathanos asked Oronok for information about the Curse Cipher and revealed that he sought revenge against Ner'zhul. Oronok agreed to help him, then explained the Cipher’s history and identified the groups holding its three encrypted pieces.

• Oronok gave Nathanos water, and the two exchanged accounts of their histories and the current state of Azeroth and the Horde.
• Nathanos revealed that he sought the Curse Cipher to take revenge on Ner'zhul, and Oronok agreed to help him if he later reported Ner'zhul’s defeat.
• Oronok explained that Gul’dan had used the Curse Cipher to twist the Fire King Senn'Rukhan, sever the Orcs’ bond with the elements, and devastate Draenor.
• Oronok told Nathanos that Illidan had split the Cipher’s encrypted text into three pieces and entrusted them to the Naga, demons, and Blood Elves.

Onyxia met her mother, Sinestra, near Dragonmaw Fortress and learned that Deathwing was still alive and hiding. Sinestra planned to continue Nefarian’s experiments using Void Dragons, while Onyxia offered the aid of her undead servants.

• Onyxia flew to Dragonmaw Fortress in Katranara’s form and waited for someone to arrive.
• Sinestra appeared and warned Onyxia not to reveal their identities to the Orcs, then told her Deathwing had gone mad but was not dead.
• Onyxia told Sinestra that Nefarian was dead and that Blackrock Mountain’s experiments had failed.
• Sinestra revealed a strange Dragon Egg containing Alexstrasza’s power and said she planned to continue Nefarian’s experiments.
• Sinestra explained that she intended to use the Void Dragons in Outland as substitutes for the dragon eggs she needed.
• Onyxia offered the assistance of her undead servants, led by The Witherer, and Sinestra accepted while urging her to stay safe.

Nathanos learned that Sinestra planned to use a Dragon Egg containing Alexstrasza’s power in research against the five dragonflights, and he ordered Meryl to seize it for the Forsaken. He also realized that Orunok might impose an unspoken condition before the Curse Cipher could be used.

• Nathanos waited for Meryl, who revealed that he had been watching from hiding with a demonic-powered invisibility spell.
• Meryl showed Nathanos a vision of Sinestra discussing a Dragon Egg and a plan to combine the powers of the five dragonflights.
• Nathanos told Meryl to obtain the Dragon Egg and tamper with it, while Meryl agreed to pursue it.
• Nathanos explained that Orunok had approved his search for the Curse Cipher but had not stated any condition.
• Nathanos realized that Orunok might reveal the Curse Cipher’s secrets only after all three fragments were gathered, making the old Orc’s unspoken condition essential.

Nathanos set off explosions across the Kuska Naga camp to force Sessna to check the Curse Cipher fragments. He sent Grom'tor to seize the fragment while he provided cover, leaving the search underway amid the chaos.

• Grom'tor told Nathanos that the Curse Cipher fragment was hidden in one of many locked chests in the Kuska camp, with keys held by Naga soldiers.
• Nathanos learned that Sessna would soon leave for Shadowmoon Temple and devised a plan to draw her toward the fragment.
• Illidan ordered Sessna to bring her forces to Shadowmoon Temple, but explosions suddenly tore through the camp.
• Nathanos watched the fires spread and waited for Sessna to check the fragment's safety.
• Nathanos instructed Grom'tor to find Sessna and take the chest while he covered him with his bow, and Grom'tor slipped into the chaos.

Sylvanas infiltrated Hellfire Ramparts to investigate its defenses and spotted Gargoma abusing his subordinates. She shot the commander despite the danger, then fled by leaping from the ramparts as Orcs converged on her.

• Sylvanas hid among the ramparts and surveyed the Orc defenses while waiting for patrols to pass.
• Sylvanas watched Gargoma threaten two laborers and learned that he commanded the guard at Hellfire Ramparts.
• Sylvanas weighed the danger of attacking Gargoma against her unfinished goals and chose to take the shot.
• Sylvanas shot Gargoma, drew fire from the Bonechewer Orcs, and leapt from the ramparts to escape.