Chapter Summaries

Belorell reunited with Alleria after telling Alexstrasza what he had witnessed, while the Queen of Dragons learned of Chromatus and prepared to unite the dragonflights against Deathwing’s scheme. Alexstrasza sent Tethys to take the heroes to Dalaran as she went to aid her kin.

• Alexstrasza thanked Belorell for revealing the truth, transformed into her dragon form, and saw Alleria approaching with Tethys.
• Alleria embraced Belorell, and he concealed his questions about Marius Farm and Chromie, saying he had missed his mother.
• Tethys told Alexstrasza that Kalecgos had become the new Arcanist and reported Chromatus’s power and the events in The Nexus.
• Alexstrasza gave Belorell a dragon scale as a token of her oath and vowed to stop Chromatus, part of Deathwing’s scheme.
• Alexstrasza told Tethys to take the heroes to Dalaran while she went to help unite the dragonflights near Wyrmrest Temple.

Malygos watched the End of Time for signs that Nathanos’s plan had changed Azeroth’s fate. The dragonshrines began to transform, but Deathwing still lay atop Wyrmrest Temple, and Malygos discovered Nathanos’s afterimage waiting among the ruins.

• Malygos waited at the End of Time for Nathanos’s promised changes, but initially saw only Alexstrasza’s bones and the devastated world.
• Malygos noticed plants growing near the Ruby Dragonshrine and saw golden light make the Guardian Dragons’ corpses vanish, confirming that the future had changed.
• Malygos saw that Deathwing remained atop Wyrmrest Temple and found altered dragonshrines occupied by Baine Bloodhoof, Alliance ghosts, and Tyrande Whisperwind.
• Malygos returned to the Ruby Dragonshrine and found an afterimage of Nathanos declaring that everything was over.
• Malygos realized the changes had created a new crisis and resolved to tell Nathanos that Twilight Judgment was not over.

Sylvanas visited Stormwind Keep with Jaina to deliver important intelligence to Varian, but he was too busy preparing for a possible war to meet them. As Sylvanas spoke privately with Talbert, Jaina worried that the Alliance and Horde were heading toward renewed conflict under their new leaders.

• Sylvanas told Jaina she was uneasy about meeting Varian, and Jaina reminded her that she represented the Alliance in Dalaran.
• Jaina and Sylvanas discussed Varian's strained relationship with his son, Anduin Wrynn.
• Talbert arrived and explained that Varian could not meet Sylvanas because clashes with the Horde were escalating across several regions.
• Jaina argued that the Horde's actions might not be aimed at the Alliance, while Talbert described its new Great Chief as a militarist unlike Thrall.
• Jaina reflected on the risk of war as Sylvanas spoke privately with Talbert.

Sylvanas warned Varian Wrynn that Deathwing’s emergence would bring the Cataclysm, but Varian hesitated to impose martial law and decided to consult Archbishop Benedictus. The chapter ended with Talbert reporting that Benedictus had recently vanished, prompting Varian to defend the Archbishop.

• Varian met with Jaina and Sylvanas, who described Ysera’s warning and what she had witnessed when Deathwing emerged at the Maelstrom.
• Varian questioned whether Deathwing would target the dragons, and Talbert argued that Stormwind could be threatened because its city displayed Nefarian’s head.
• Talbert recommended stronger patrols and martial law to guard against Deathwing’s cultists, while Jaina supported taking precautions.
• Varian said he could not impose martial law alone and would discuss it with Archbishop Benedictus.
• Talbert noted that Benedictus had vanished from public view, and Varian angrily rejected any suggestion that the Archbishop should be questioned.

Sylvanas left her meeting with Varian convinced that the Alliance would not take the Cataclysm seriously, and she warned Jaina against trying to interfere with Garrosh’s Horde. Meanwhile, Alexstrasza arrived at the Eye of Eternity and learned that Nozdormu was still missing as the dragons prepared for battle.

• Sylvanas ended her meeting with Varian after he focused on the Horde rather than Deathwing.
• Jaina apologized for calling Sylvanas by her familiar name, and the two discussed the growing danger of war between the Alliance and the Horde.
• Sylvanas warned Jaina that Garrosh would not accept her involvement in Horde affairs and said she would stay in Theramore to help stabilize Dusty Swamp and the northern Barrens.
• Alexstrasza reached the Eye of Eternity, where Ysondre told her that Ysera and Kalecgos were inside and Nozdormu had not been found.
• Alexstrasza sensed that a battle had recently taken place and asked Ysondre to tell Ysera and Kalecgos that she had returned.

Meryl learned that Nathanos had withdrawn to a private chamber after receiving intelligence from Dragonblight, while Nathanos secretly studied magic to compensate for his failing body. Talbert and Taresa maintained their Alliance disguise and plotted revenge against Varian as Nathanos searched for a way to channel powerful magic.

• Meryl questioned Belmont about Nathanos, but Belmont refused to reveal the Dragonblight report's contents and warned Meryl that he had exposed Nathanos to terrible dangers.
• Meryl learned that Talbert had replaced him in the Alliance and that the Forsaken had carefully established Talbert's identity among its upper ranks.
• Taresa helped Talbert remove his disguise, and Talbert revealed that Benedictus had disappeared and that Jaina and the Silver Covenant's Ranger-General had warned Varian about the approaching Cataclysm.
• Talbert, secretly a young girl, demanded to know when Nathanos would let her take revenge on Varian, and Taresa reassured her that Nathanos would keep his promises.
• Nathanos studied Medivh's Book and ancient magical arrays, seeking a way to control powerful magic despite his weakened body, and focused on the ideas of immense energy, runic spells, and the caster's bloodline.

Alexstrasza reunited with Ysera and Kalecgos at the Eye of Eternity, where they discussed Krasus’s sacrifice, Arygos’s fate, and the threat Chromatus posed to the Dragon Guardians. Meanwhile, Nathanos told Malygos that he was going to Dalaran to visit an old friend who knew how to defeat Deathwing.

• Alexstrasza joined Ysera and Kalecgos at the Eye of Eternity and told them the truth about Krasus and how the Regent of Quel'Thalas and her child had helped her.
• Alexstrasza confirmed that she knew Arygos had been used and driven mad, while Kalecgos expressed anger over his deal with Deathwing's lackeys.
• Kalecgos explained that Chromatus could wield the powers of all five dragonflights, but Alexstrasza urged the three Guardians to face it together.
• Nathanos told Malygos that destroying one Chromatus had not changed the wider threat posed by Deathwing.
• Nathanos said he was going to Dalaran to visit an old friend who knew how to defeat Deathwing, and invited Malygos to come with him.

The Wyrmrest Accord attacked the Obsidian Dragonshrine, where Chromatus battled Alexstrasza, Kalecgos, and Ysera. Chromatus used his five heads’ powers to turn the fight against the Guardians, leaving Kalecgos badly wounded as Alexstrasza called for Nozdormu.

• Deathwing warned the Twilight Father that letting Kalecgos escape could expose Chromatus, but the Twilight Father argued that the news would demoralize the dragons.
• The Wyrmrest Accord arrived at dusk, and the Twilight Father saw that the Bronze Dragons were absent as the Twilight Dragonflight attacked.
• Chromatus confronted Alexstrasza, Kalecgos, and Ysera, taunting them and invoking Neltharion before the battle began.
• The Guardians coordinated their attacks and initially gained the upper hand, but Chromatus used his time powers to slow them and began counterattacking.
• Chromatus divided his attacks among the Guardians, leaving Alexstrasza unable to heal Kalecgos as his wounds worsened.
• Ysera showed fear and despair as Alexstrasza urgently demanded to know where Nozdormu was.

The Bronze Dragons joined the battle, but Chromatus unleashed the Twilight Domain and exposed that the Guardians could not win without Neltharion. Just as Nozdormu accepted their apparent defeat, a strange power from the future weakened the Domain and frightened Chromatus.

• The Bronze Dragons arrived, and Nozdormu joined Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Kalecgos against Chromatus.
• Nozdormu ordered the Guardians to retreat as Chromatus spread the Twilight Domain across the battlefield.
• Chromatus revealed that the Guardians were incomplete because Neltharion no longer stood with them, and despair spread among the Dragonflights.
• Nozdormu sensed a familiar power coming from the future, and the Twilight Domain's painful effects began to fade.
• The Twilight Father saw Chromatus sway in fear and wondered who had disrupted its power.

A mysterious black dragon destroyed Chromatus in one attack, then called someone “Father” before vanishing. Later, a Forsaken visited Khadgar with a Bronze Dragon, and Khadgar recognized the undead as Nathanos.

• Chromatus attacked the black shadow, but the shadow’s purple flames overwhelmed him and reduced him to dust.
• The black dragon looked at Alexstrasza, flew north toward Dragonblight, cried “Father,” and disappeared.
• A young apprentice told Khadgar that an Elf with an owl face and a Forsaken had come to see him.
• The Elf indicated that the Forsaken wanted to speak with Khadgar, then went to the window.
• The Forsaken lowered his hood, and Khadgar recognized him as Nathanos.

After Chromatus was destroyed, the Twilight Father reported the defeat to Deathwing and escaped through a portal back to Stormwind City as Archbishop Benedictus. Meanwhile, the Forsaken prepared for war across their territories, and Nathanos the Witherer studied the Eastern Kingdoms and considered who would rule Quel'Thalas.

• The Twilight Father confirmed Chromatus had been annihilated and feared Deathwing’s reaction while the Guardians searched nearby.
• Deathwing rebuked the Twilight Father for his failure but spared him and opened a portal to his Stormwind residence.
• The Twilight Father abandoned the Prism of Focus, returned through the portal in his archbishop’s robes, and promised to keep serving Deathwing as Benedictus.
• The Forsaken forged weapons, built warships, and trained soldiers in preparation for a campaign in the Eastern Kingdoms.
• Nathanos studied a map of the Eastern Kingdoms, examined an intelligence report from Orgrimmar, and wondered who would become ruler of Quel'Thalas.

Alleria Windrunner traveled to Orgrimmar for Garrosh Hellscream’s gathering of Horde leaders and saw how the city had been transformed into a militarized stronghold. As the leaders waited in Grommash Hold, a scarred Blackrock Orc announced Garrosh’s arrival.

• Alleria entered Orgrimmar and was unsettled by its new steel defenses and Grommash Hold’s move to the Valley of Strength.
• Alleria greeted Baine Bloodhoof and spoke with Trade Prince Gallywix about future trade between Quel'Thalas and the Goblins.
• Alleria entered Grommash Hold, where she greeted Vol'jin and waited with Baine, Gallywix, and Eitrigg.
• Alleria noticed Mannoroth’s skull and armor displayed on Garrosh’s throne and silently condemned Garrosh for using his father’s glory as decoration.
• A scarred Blackrock Orc entered and announced that Great Chief Garrosh Hellscream had arrived.

Garrosh announced an aggressive war against the Alliance and ordered the Horde leaders to prepare for attacks across Kalimdor. Alleria pledged Quel'Thalas’s support, but Garrosh hinted that he expected the Blood Elves to do more than supply the war effort.

• Garrosh declared that the Horde would answer the Alliance by force and attack its territories in Kalimdor.
• Vol'jin challenged Garrosh’s claim that the Horde should rule the land, while Gallywix asked for a concrete war plan.
• Garrosh ordered attacks on Ashenvale, the Stonetalon Mountains, and Northwatch Hold, and demanded that Baine send Tauren troops against Northwatch.
• Garrosh told Vol'jin to deal with the Darkspear uprising on the Echo Isles and assigned Gallywix his task.
• Alleria promised Quel'Thalas would provide supplies, soldiers, and scouts, but Garrosh said the Blood Elves’ role should extend beyond supplying the war.

Garrosh ordered Alleria and the Sin'dorei to attack the Crimson Crusade at Andorhal and Gilneas, leaving Alleria little choice but to comply. As the Blood Elves prepared for the campaign, Vareesa proposed a swift battle to limit their losses.

• Garrosh ordered Alleria to prepare the Sin'dorei to fight the Crimson Crusade and conquer Gilneas.
• Nathanos decided to let the Horde attack Andorhal first while he focused on Southshore and Stromgarde.
• Rommath condemned Garrosh's order, but Alleria said the Blood Elves could not refuse without risking an attack on Quel'Thalas.
• Vareesa warned that Garrosh intended to use the Sin'dorei as bait for the Alliance's Seventh Legion.
• Vareesa explained that the Sin'dorei needed to defeat the Crimson Crusade at Andorhal quickly before enemy reinforcements arrived.

Nathanos's Forsaken attacked Stromgarde from Faelan Bay and Sor'Thalas Wall, while Darius Thorne commanded the human defense. After Nathanos sent five assassins to open the wall's gates, Darius called for a retreat as the defenders faced an overwhelming assault.

• Tatsel's Forsaken forces captured Faelan Bay and began advancing toward Stromgarde.
• Darius Thorne learned of the attack on Faelan Bay but chose to hold Sor'Thalas Wall until he could drive back its attackers.
• Nathanos discovered that Darius commanded the defense and ordered his forces to storm Sor'Thalas Wall as soon as its gates opened.
• Nathanos sent five trained operatives to infiltrate the wall and open Stromgarde's gates.
• Darius found the gate guards murdered and tried to rally the defenders against the Forsaken assault.
• As the defenders were overwhelmed, Darius ordered them to retreat.

Malygos used the Hourglass of Time to revisit Nathanos’s past and forged an amber gemstone containing time power and memories tied to him. As Malygos prepared to use the treasure, Nozdormu arrived to confront him.

• Malygos walked alone through the Bronze Dragon Sanctuary, expecting Nozdormu to meet him there for a final battle.
• Malygos activated the Hourglass of Time and watched scenes from Nathanos’s life, including his family’s suffering and his survival after Alleria’s attack.
• Malygos explained how the Bronze Dragons had mistakenly believed Nathanos was dead, while the Infinite Dragons tried to erase him and the Bronze Dragons secretly protected him.
• Malygos condensed the hourglass’s time power and memories connected to Nathanos into an amber gemstone that slowed time within a hundred meters.
• Nozdormu arrived and accused Malygos of unforgivable sins.

Galin refused Danas’s order to evacuate Stromgarde as the undead army threatened the city, while Danas organized a retreat for civilians. In the Forsaken camp, Nathanos revealed that Tatsel was tracking Alliance shipping routes, and Orisus expressed eagerness to help attack Stormwind if war came.

• Kalno reported that Sor'Thalas Wall had fallen and Danas had urged Galin to lead Stromgarde’s civilians south.
• Danas confronted Galin, who refused to evacuate the people and ordered the city defended to the death.
• Danas instructed Varokar to take the gathered civilians south to Menethil Harbor without waiting for him.
• Nathanos told the Forsaken commanders that Tatsel was tracking Alliance shipping routes for a possible future visit to Stormwind City.
• Orisus said he looked forward to helping attack Stormwind, and Belmont pointed out that arrows could not shoot through city walls.

Nathanos explained that the campaign to take Stromgarde would strengthen the Forsaken before future conflicts with the Alliance and Horde. After receiving a mysterious letter from an Orc who knew his true identity, he secretly set out to investigate, while assigning his commanders new duties.

• Nathanos told Prefist that the Stromgarde campaign was meant to secure resources and make the Forsaken's strength impossible for the Alliance and Horde to ignore.
• A scout returned from Hammerfall with a letter from an Orc who claimed to know Nathanos and asked to meet him.
• Nathanos read the letter and ordered Belmont to govern Stromgarde, Orisus and Prefist to defend Sor'Thalas Wall, and Meryl to travel to Feralas.
• Nathanos refused an escort and kept his destination secret as he went to investigate the letter's sender.

Grot Deathstrike watched Mog'gor kill another challenger in a mak'gora and then dragged the corpse away to feed to the Wyverns. As Grot buried the Beastmaster and lamented the Dragonmaw Clan’s continuing subjugation to Demon Blood, someone spoke to him from the darkness.

• Grot woke to the news that someone had challenged Mog'gor and went to the arena despite dreading the duel.
• Mog'gor defeated the Beastmaster with a single blow, and the clan cheered while Grot refused to join them.
• Mog'gor dismissed the crowd after asking for another challenger, then left Grot to deal with the corpse.
• Grot checked the Beastmaster’s pulse, saluted him, and dragged his body to the place where the dead were buried.
• Grot buried the Beastmaster beneath the moon, wished Mog'gor would die, and heard someone ask why he felt so dejected.

Grot met a stranger who revealed himself as a Bronze Dragon and offered the Dragonmaw Clan redemption in exchange for Grot’s help. Grot agreed to contact Nathanos in Arathi and deliver him an amber stone, left wondering how Nathanos had become Undead.

• Grot confronted an unfamiliar Orc and learned that the stranger was a dragon who had taken an Orc’s form.
• The stranger revealed that he knew Grot’s secret connection to Nathanos and demonstrated his ability to witness the past.
• The stranger offered to help the Dragonmaw Clan join the Horde and regain its former standing if Grot helped him.
• Grot accepted the deal and received an amber stone to deliver to Nathanos in Arathi.
• The stranger left through a golden portal, and Grot wondered how Nathanos had become Undead.