Chapter Summaries

After the Horde’s defeat, Ner'zhul listened as the Death Knights Talon Bloodmaw and Jaz Skullcleaver proposed reopening a rift between Draenor and Azeroth. On Azeroth, Sylvanas waited for Nathanos at Marius Farm, then bribed Stephan to reveal where his cousin had gone.

• Grata and Brodoq passed the time guarding the apparently useless Dark Portal while Draenor’s ruined landscape and the Horde’s defeat weighed on them.
• Ner'zhul questioned Talon Bloodmaw and Jaz Skullcleaver about contacting the Orcs stranded on Azeroth.
• Talon Bloodmaw told Ner'zhul that a rift in time and space still connected Azeroth and Draenor, and Ner'zhul asked to hear his plan.
• Sylvanas arrived at Marius Farm looking for Nathanos but found Stephan instead.
• Sylvanas offered Stephan a pouch of gold, and he agreed to tell her where Nathanos was.

Nathanos helped Mekkatorque deal with giant rats in Stormwind’s subway tunnels while the Alliance kings debated the cost and purpose of Tower of Observation. The chapter ended when Mekkatorque pointed out someone waiting for Nathanos, who accused him of being good at hiding.

• Nathanos joined Mekkatorque’s subway project and spent hours catching oversized rats in the tunnels.
• At Lordaeron Palace, Genn Greymane and Sorath Trollbane questioned the expense of Tower of Observation, and Turalyon described Stormwind’s reconstruction.
• Khadgar and Antonidas explained that corruption was spreading through the Blasted Lands and that a small dimensional rift remained where the Dark Portal had stood.
• The kings learned that Dalaran mages and Alliance soldiers would need to remain at Tower of Observation to monitor the rift.
• Nathanos returned with a sack of captured rats, and Mekkatorque directed him to a visitor in a rocking chair who accused him of hiding.

Sylvanas told Nathanos that Alleria had sent for him and revealed that a growing Time Rift near the Dark Portal might allow the Orcs to return. On Draenor, Ner’zhul gained Grom and Kargath’s support for a plan to reunite the fractured Orc clans and seize something.

• Sylvanas found Nathanos at his workplace and told him she had important news from Alleria.
• Grom and Kargath met Ner’zhul at the ruined Dark Portal, where Grata reported that most Orc clans were fighting or refusing to answer the summons.
• Grom and Kargath agreed to follow Ner’zhul if his plan was feasible, and Ner’zhul said they would need to seize something.
• Sylvanas told Nathanos that a Time Rift near the Dark Portal was growing stronger and that the Orcs might return to Azeroth.
• Nathanos threw away the Silvermoon Council appointment Alleria had secured for him, thanked Sylvanas, and said he would visit Alleria after finishing his work.

Sylvanas returned toward Quel'Thalas troubled by Nathanos's refusal of the Windrunner family's gratitude and by the unresolved threats of the Orcs and Zul'jin. On Draenor, Grommash defeated the Bonechewer Clan, claimed the Skull of Gul'dan, and secured Tagga Bonechewer's pledge to the Horde.

• Sylvanas wondered why Nathanos had refused the Windrunner family's gratitude and kept her suspicion that Zul'jin was still alive from Alleria.
• Grommash led the Warsong Clan in a surprise attack on the Bonechewer Clan, then confronted its chieftain, Halkhan.
• Grommash defeated Halkhan in a duel and killed him with Gorehowl.
• Tagga Bonechewer found the Skull of Gul'dan on Halkhan's body and handed it to Grommash.
• Grommash asked Tagga to lead the Bonechewer Clan in loyalty to the Horde, and Tagga agreed.

A month after returning to Marius Farm, Nathanos prepared to travel north to Quel'Thalas while the Alliance called its armies back into service and rumors of Red Dragon attacks spread. On Draenor, Ner'zhul used the Skull of Gul'dan to advance his plans to reopen the rift, and Nathanos arrived in Stratholme, where Larein and Kasha called out to him.

• Nathanos overheard Jonathan and Bred discuss General Turalyon's order to assemble the Alliance armies, while Daphne tried to hide her sorrow about Bred leaving again.
• Nathanos recalled reports of Red Dragons attacking human villages and kept secret from his parents that he would soon travel to Quel'Thalas.
• Ner'zhul told Grommash Hellscream that the Skull of Gul'dan could help reopen the portal and ordered Talon Bloodmaw and Grom to prepare for their tasks.
• Ner'zhul dismissed Blood Maw and Grom, then went to the Dark Portal and declared that it had all begun again.
• Nathanos reached an inn in Stratholme during a downpour, where Larein and Kasha recognized him.

Larein told Nathanos that he was going to undergo the paladin’s consecration, while Terenas discussed Alterac’s betrayal and planned a common-born companion for Prince Arthas. The chapter left Uther preparing to find the young candidate Terenas had chosen.

• Larein and Kasha met Nathanos at an inn, where Larein revealed he would undergo the paladin’s consecration and warned himself not to discuss the past that led him there.
• Nathanos learned that Gray had become a cavalry captain and heard rumors about the gryphon rider Falkor Wildhammer.
• Terenas questioned Chris Vikritz about a former Goblin alliance with the Horde, then arranged to review Chris’s trade proposals later.
• Uther urged Terenas to punish Perenolde, but Terenas explained that he intended to make Perenolde abdicate and was preparing for possible conflict in Alterac.
• Terenas told Uther that Arthas needed a young, skilled commoner as a true friend, and Uther agreed to find the candidate.

Blood Maw’s Death Knights found Medivh’s Book missing from Stormwind’s Royal Library and traced its theft to Alterac, while Alleria and Nathanos met in Zul’Aman and argued over her hunt for Orcs. Nathanos left without reconciling with Alleria, and she let him go.

• Blood Maw and four Death Knights entered Stormwind’s Royal Library, killed its guards, and discovered Medivh’s Book was missing beside a clue pointing to Alterac.
• Blood Maw ordered the Death Knights to take the dagger and proceed toward Alterac, with Blackrock Mountain on their route.
• Alleria flew alone to Zul’Aman to meet Nathanos, who told her he had refused the Ranger-Lord title and preferred to live apart from Silvermoon’s politics.
• Alleria asked Nathanos to hunt Orcs with her and confessed that she had killed ten Orcs, insisting that every Orc deserved to die for their crimes.
• Nathanos challenged Alleria’s desire for vengeance, and she insulted his understanding of loss; he turned away, and she did not ask him to stay.

Nathanos and Alleria retreated into their grief and anger after clashing over her desire for vengeance, while Uther found Nathanos and came to speak with him about Terenas’s assignment. At Blackrock Spire, Teron Gorefiend failed to persuade Rend and Maim Blackhand to rejoin Ner'zhul’s Horde.

• Nathanos remembered Alleria’s losses and worried that her hatred might put her in danger, but her words stopped him from returning to her.
• Alleria shut herself away in Windrunner Tower and resolved to take revenge on the Orcs, no matter the cost.
• Uther found Nathanos, soaked and distressed, outside Marius’s farm and went inside with him to talk quietly.
• Teron Gorefiend arrived at Blackrock Spire with Fenris Wolfbrother, Tagar Bonechewer, and other warriors to ask Rend and Maim Blackhand to rejoin the Horde.
• Rend rejected Ner'zhul’s leadership and Gorefiend’s plan, declaring that he and Maim would benefit from Ner'zhul’s defeat; Gorefiend stopped Tagar from attacking and led his squad away.

Deathwing secured Blood Maw’s agreement to transport goods to Draenor and sent Nefarian to take control of Blackrock Mountain. Meanwhile, Uther and Nathanos traveled toward Turalyon to investigate the theft of a book written by Medivh.

• Deathwing revealed himself to Blood Maw, offered the willing service of his black dragon descendants, and arranged safe passage for his goods to Draenor.
• Blood Maw accepted the pact and told his group to move north to complete their own task before helping Deathwing.
• Deathwing ordered Nefarian to seize Blackrock Mountain and control the Orcs who had broken with the Horde.
• Uther asked Nathanos about his abrupt decision to join the Alliance and accept an assignment with Arthas, but Nathanos declined to explain himself.
• Uther told Nathanos that a book by Medivh had been stolen from Stormwind City’s Royal Library and that three people had died; they planned to learn more from Turalyon.

Antonidas and the Kirin Tor failed to stop Death Knights and Deathwing from stealing the Eye of Dalaran. In Lordaeron, Nathanos helped Turalyon and Khadgar deduce that a separate intruder had stolen Medivh’s Book, and the search remained unresolved as Turalyon was summoned by King Terenas.

• Antonidas showed Krasus reports of villages destroyed by dragons and asked how they could be stopped, but an alarm revealed that intruders had broken into Dalaran’s Secret Vault.
• Antonidas and Krasus teleported to the vault, where Death Knights led by Talon Bloodmaw had taken the Eye of Dalaran and escaped using its power.
• Antonidas pursued the Death Knights to a terrace with Krasus, Kael'thas, and other mages, but Deathwing arrived and carried Talon Bloodmaw and the others away with the Eye.
• Nathanos argued that a first intruder had killed the librarian and taken Medivh’s Book before a separate group killed the guards, and the others considered that the book might be intended for a private sale.
• Khadgar explained that Medivh’s Book contained magical text written in the language of demons, and Turalyon proposed looking for mages or collectors who might want it.
• A soldier arrived and told Turalyon that King Terenas urgently wished to see him.

Turalyon ordered Nathanos to seek Alleria’s return as the Alliance prepared for the threat posed by Deathwing and the Horde. Meanwhile, Fenris and Tagga reached the Tomb of Sargeras, defeated its demon guardian, and claimed Sargeras’s Staff.

• Terenas confirmed that a Death Knight had stolen the Eye of Dalaran, and he agreed to reunite the Alliance.
• Turalyon ordered Nathanos to bring Alleria back and said he would investigate the threat and prepare for the worst.
• Fenris and Tagga entered the Tomb of Sargeras to retrieve the artifact Ner'zhul had sent them to find.
• Fenris and Tagga discovered the demon guarding Sargeras's Staff and joined their Orcs in attacking it.
• The Orcs defeated the demon, and Fenris picked up Sargeras's Staff before leading the group to leave.

Nathanos traveled to Quel'Thalas and found Alleria starving herself in grief over her losses. He told her about the internment camps and offered to accompany her against the Horde, while privately resolving to protect her and stop her from pursuing revenge.

• Nathanos entered Eversong Forest alone and gave Lo'gresh to the Rangers so they would summon Alleria.
• Sylvanas met Nathanos, returned his bow, and told him Alleria had refused food and water for two days.
• Nathanos entered Alleria's room and told her that Dalaran had been attacked and King Terenas planned to build internment camps for Orc prisoners.
• Alleria broke down in Nathanos's arms and asked why he was the one telling her about the camps.
• Nathanos told Alleria that Turalyon was summoning old allies to fight the Horde and its Black Dragon ally, and promised to go with her.
• Nathanos left Alleria alone and privately resolved to protect her and stop her revenge, even if she came to hate him.

Fenris delivered Sargeras's Staff to Blood Maw, who prepared to return to Draenor with the Orcs and concealed cargo while leaving forces to guard the Dark Portal. A week later, the Alliance investigated the Horde's growing threat, Khadgar learned that the Horde had stolen the Eye of Dalaran, and Nathanos encountered Alleria at the Tower of Observation.

• Fenris handed Sargeras's Staff to Blood Maw, who said the mission was complete and ordered some Orcs to remain behind to defend the Dark Portal.
• Grommash Hellscream questioned Blood Maw about the black dragons and covered wagons, and Blood Maw threatened anyone who tried to inspect the cargo.
• At the Tower of Observation, Uther reported attacks on patrols and Horde alliances with black dragons, and Turalyon ordered close surveillance of the Dark Portal as the Alliance gathered reinforcements.
• In Dalaran, Antonidas told Khadgar that Death Knights had stolen the Eye of Dalaran and that black dragons had attacked Alliance troops near Alterac; Khadgar wondered why the Horde wanted it and Medivh's Book.
• Nathanos trained a recruit at the Tower of Observation, then saw Alleria and watched her leave to report to Turalyon.

Nathanos joined Turalyon’s forces at the Tower of Observation, where an Orc night raid forced the Alliance into a sudden battle. The Orcs withdrew, and Nathanos set out to capture one so he could learn why only part of the Horde had attacked.

• Uther introduced Nathanos to Danas Thorne, a Stromgarde militia captain and Turalyon’s aide.
• Alleria confronted Nathanos over Turalyon’s decision to defend rather than attack, blaming him for the dead.
• Nathanos spotted flaming arrows and warned the camp of an Orc attack, while Turalyon organized the defense.
• Turalyon led a counterattack, Alleria and her Rangers fired on the Orcs, and Uther struck their rear flank until the Orcs withdrew.
• Turalyon and Khadgar questioned why the Horde had sent only part of its forces, and Nathanos offered to interrogate a captured Orc.
• Nathanos saw Alleria inspecting the fallen Orcs and ran out to find a prisoner.

Nathanos tried to stop Alleria from killing a surrendered Orc, but she fired at the Orc and struck Nathanos instead. Seeing him take the arrow for someone else brought Alleria back from her hatred, and the two reconciled as she kissed him.

• Nathanos captured a brown-skinned Orc who had fallen behind the retreating army and lowered his bow when the Orc surrendered.
• Alleria arrived and aimed at the Orc, but Nathanos stood between them and urged her not to kill him.
• Alleria accused Nathanos of breaking his promise to stay with her, then released her arrow in anger.
• Nathanos took the arrow through his right shoulder and twisted it away from the Orc, who fainted when he saw the arrowhead against his brow.
• Alleria rushed to Nathanos in tears, struck him, and asked why he had not dodged before collapsing against him.
• Nathanos embraced Alleria, and she kissed him deeply.

Nathanos learned from Rogue that Ner'zhul had brought Orcs to Azeroth through a rift and planned to open passages to other worlds. Turalyon resolved to stop them, and, with Kurdran and Danas supporting a volunteer-only operation, began preparing to leave Azeroth.

• Nathanos questioned Rogue, who said he had arrived on Azeroth a month earlier and had not fought in the Horde's war.
• Nathanos told Khadgar, Turalyon, and Danas that Ner'zhul planned to take the Orcs to other worlds, shocking Turalyon.
• Kurdran reported that black dragons were carrying several wagons' worth of cargo, possibly including the Eye of Dalaran.
• Turalyon declared that the Alliance had to stop the Orcs from harming other worlds, while Nathanos challenged his plan and warned him not to force his soldiers into danger.
• Kurdran and Danas backed Turalyon on the condition that only volunteers join, and Turalyon began preparing to leave Azeroth.

Nathanos learned that Alleria planned to return to Quel'Thalas after helping the Alliance, while Turalyon prepared an assault on the Dark Portal timed to the Black Dragonflight's movements. In Draenor, Ner'zhul acquired three powerful artifacts to open new portals and discovered that Deathwing had helped obtain them.

• Nathanos asked Alleria what she planned to do, and she said she would return to Quel'Thalas, find her missing brother Rilas, and stay with Nathanos.
• Khadgar comforted Turalyon over losing the Elves' support, and Turalyon planned to attack the Dark Portal after the black dragons followed their cargo into Draenor.
• Alleria agreed to fight alongside the Alliance but did not plan to cross through the Dark Portal.
• Ner'zhul resisted Gul'dan's voice and resolved to use the Skull of Gul'dan to save the Orcs.
• Blood Maw brought Ner'zhul a raven-emblazoned book, a purple-rimmed crystal, and a green-gemmed scepter, which Ner'zhul said could open new portals.
• Blood Maw introduced the human Deathwing as the Black Dragonflight's leader, and Ner'zhul sensed the dragon's true form beneath his disguise.

Nathanos and Alleria joined the Alliance forces attacking the Horde near the Dark Portal, where Grommash led the Warsong Clan’s defense. Nathanos exposed and stopped a plot to blow up the portal, but the Horde was driven back and Grommash rallied his warriors to keep fighting.

• Alleria told Nathanos that the Alliance planned to attack at dawn in two days, and they agreed to remain together to support the expedition.
• Grommash and Rexxar prepared the Warsong Clan for battle as Turalyon led the Alliance charge toward the Dark Portal.
• Nathanos fought Rexxar while Alleria faced Hals, and Grommash ordered the Orcs to retreat toward the portal.
• Nathanos spotted a cloaked figure placing a ticking device beside the Dark Portal, warned Alleria, and hurled the device into the air for Khadgar to blast away.
• Grommash learned that a warlock had been deceived into believing the device was a protective shield, and he vowed to survive the betrayal.
• The Alliance drove the Orcs away from the Dark Portal, and Grommash rallied the Warsong Clan to fight on for the Horde.

Rexxar and Grommash Hellscream led the Horde through the Alliance resistance toward the Dark Portal while Turalyon prepared an expedition to pursue them. Turalyon and Khadgar crossed into Draenor, where they found a blazing red wasteland beneath a blood-colored sky.

• Rexxar fought alongside Grommash Hellscream and the Warsong warriors as they broke through the Alliance soldiers toward the Dark Portal.
• Kurdran directed the Gryphon Riders, while Khadgar warned that the Orcs were breaking through.
• Turalyon left Nathanos and Alleria to lead soldiers holding the valley and invited the rest of the expedition to choose whether to cross into Draenor.
• Danas joined Turalyon, and Khadgar followed him as Turalyon rallied the expedition and led it through the Dark Portal.
• Turalyon and Khadgar arrived in Draenor and saw a vast barren plain beneath a crimson sky.

Turalyon led the Sons of Lothar into Draenor to confront the Orcs, while Alleria and Nathanos prepared the Dark Portal defenses and grew closer. In Hellfire Citadel, Deathwing took the Skull of Gul'dan from Ner'zhul as both sides hurried to complete their plans and escape Draenor.

• Turalyon rallied the Sons of Lothar against the Orcs waiting on a ridge in Draenor.
• Alleria and Nathanos discussed the shortage of supplies and forces at the Dark Portal and planned to contact the Tower of Observation.
• Alleria asked Nathanos whether his shoulder still hurt, and he told her he had trusted her before they kissed.
• Verina interrupted Alleria and Nathanos with a scout report and promised not to reveal what she had seen.
• Deathwing demanded the Skull of Gul'dan from Ner'zhul, took it, and left some of his children to obey Ner'zhul.
• Ner'zhul and Blood Maw agreed they had little time to finish preparations before the humans disrupted their plans to leave Draenor.