Chapter Summaries

Bell treated Sa Lu and Ke Er with healing Potions, then learned from their memories about the Mother of All Things and entered a hidden cave on the Holy Mountain with his companions. In the mountain’s central hall, they discovered a radiant, intricately carved stone pillar that appeared to record an epic through Illusion Magic.

• Bell gave healing Potions to Sa Lu and Ke Er, finding that the Potions worked on orcs but were only about sixty percent as effective as on humans.
• Bell examined the two orcs’ memories and learned that the Mother of All Things truly existed and was more powerful than the ancestral spirits they had encountered.
• Bell spoke an orcish phrase to reveal a concealed cave and led the group inside to investigate the Mother of All Things.
• Bell and his companions followed the torchlit passage to a large hall at the mountain’s center, where a brilliant stone pillar floated above an altar.
• Shanna noticed that the pillar’s elaborate carvings were not the work of the orcs, and Bell recognized that they used Illusion Magic to convey images of an epic.

Bell touched an ancient stone pillar and was drawn into a meeting with the Mother of All Things, who claimed to be the source of all life and nature. She sent him back to the mountain hall, asking him not to harm the orcs, while Shanna, Hermione, and Yomi waited anxiously.

• Bell examined the pillar’s carvings and sensed that it was not made by the orcs.
• Bell touched the pillar and was transported to a dark space filled with streams of light.
• The Mother of All Things introduced herself and claimed that everything in the universe was her child.
• Bell questioned her claims and how she gave birth to mountains and other things, irritating her.
• The Mother of All Things sent Bell back and asked him not to harm the orcs.
• Shanna asked Bell what had happened as Hermione and Yomi watched him anxiously.

Bell followed the Mother of All Things’ trail and vanished from the mountain hall, traveling beyond the Menethil Star System. Shanna went after him, while Hermione and Yomi were left behind, unable to make the same journey.

• Bell told Hermione, Shanna, and Yomi to wait while he tracked the Mother of All Things, then used the stone pillar’s connection to pursue it.
• Shanna sensed through her Magic Mark that Gege had traveled beyond the Menethil Star System, and Hermione worried about where he had gone.
• Shanna used her Magic Mark to follow Bell, leaving Hermione and Yomi behind.
• Hermione asked Yomi to pursue Bell too, but Yomi explained that she lacked the power and ability to make an ultra-long-distance spatial jump.

Bell explored a lush, magic-rich planet and recognized that its land carried a power resembling the Holy Mountain on Menethil Star. When the planet's hostile force attacked, Shanna arrived to help, and a mountain range rose to confront them.

• Bell examined the giant plants and animals on the new planet and sensed that the land's Magic Power resembled the Holy Mountain's.
• A familiar being confronted Bell, but Bell shattered its display and blocked the lightning it sent after him.
• Shanna traveled through space to join Bell and offered to help fight the hostile force.
• Bell used a tornado to absorb and disperse the dark clouds without harming the planet's plants and animals.
• A mountain range rose in the distance, and Bell considered whether to fight it or make peace.

Bell and Shanna discovered that the Mountain Giants were earth-powered constructs rather than living creatures and began destroying them. Shanna’s enormous explosion also targeted the hidden observers, though their fate remained unclear.

• Shanna hurled an Explosion Curse at a Mountain Giant and blasted off its arm, surprising both her and Bell with how easily it broke.
• Bell and Shanna teleported onto nearby giants and found that the creatures were more like Magical Statues than living Elemental Lords.
• Bell disrupted one Mountain Giant’s Magic Power and severed its connection to the earth, causing it to collapse into stone.
• Shanna flooded another giant with Magic Power and caused a massive explosion, while Bell and Shanna escaped into the Other Dimension Space.
• Shanna said she had destroyed the giants to deal with the enemies secretly watching them.

Mother of All Things sent an enormous army of plants and creatures against Bell and Shanna, while disrupting their spatial travel to prevent their escape. Bell unleashed Frostmourne, freezing everything in sight, but falling birds began smashing the frozen creatures and plants apart.

• Mother of All Things gathered Treants, beasts, insects, birds, and other magical creatures to attack Bell and Shanna.
• Shanna suggested retreating, but Mother of All Things interfered with space to disrupt their Apparition and told them to become one with it.
• Bell said Mother of All Things' voice was likely an auditory hallucination, then told Shanna to stay close behind him.
• Bell drew Frostmourne and drove it into the ground, releasing Magic Power that froze the surrounding plants and creatures.
• The frozen birds fell from the sky and shattered against the ground, destroying many of the frozen plants and beasts.

Bell used the souls gathered by Frostmourne to empower the sword, then demonstrated the spell Death and Decay. The Mother of All Things panicked and revealed that its fear of humanity’s reinforcements had driven it to retreat and trap Bell and Shanna, but it had now unexpectedly lost.

• Bell struggled to pull Frostmourne from the ground as the souls of the dead animals flowed into the sword.
• Frostmourne absorbed the powerful animal and Magical Animal souls, giving Bell the means to create a formidable undead army.
• Shanna raised an isolation barrier while Bell stood motionless, and the Mother of All Things stayed out of sight.
• Bell formed a flower from Magic Power, let it bloom and decay, and released the spell Death and Decay.
• The Mother of All Things cried out in alarm and explained that it had mistaken Bell and Shanna for a common measure of humanity’s strength.
• The Mother of All Things admitted that it had tried to keep Bell and Shanna from leaving, but was surprised to find itself defeated.

After Bell proved he could seriously harm Mother of All Things, it apologized and negotiated peace, introducing itself as Lu Yila. Bell and Shanna prepared to leave, but Bell searched the planet from space for compensation before they went home.

• Bell canceled the black-flower spell, confirming that Mother of All Things could be harmed, and it apologized and offered compensation.
• Mother of All Things said it had no personal name and chose Lu Yila, which meant “mother” in the orcish language.
• Bell introduced himself and Shanna Menethil, then told Lu Yila they planned to return home for dinner and asked what compensation it would provide.
• When Lu Yila asked what they wanted, Bell raised his spiritual body beyond the planet’s atmosphere to search for treasures.

Bell discovered a genuine Floating Island on Lu Yila’s planet and negotiated to receive some of the islands in exchange for handling the frozen wasteland. After returning to the Holy Mountain with Shanna, he explained that Lu Yila’s true body was the planet itself, leaving him puzzled by how she could reach Menethil Star across countless light-years.

• Bell found a Floating Island and asked Lu Yila for some of the islands, while claiming the spoils in the frozen wasteland.
• Lu Yila agreed to Bell’s terms and asked him to lift the ice seal so she could retrieve the children’s corpses.
• Bell left with Shanna, and Lu Yila’s temporary incarnation dissolved into motes of light.
• Bell told Shanna that Lu Yila’s true body was the planet and explained how he had reached that conclusion.
• Bell wondered how Lu Yila could extend her reach across countless light-years, and Shanna admitted she did not know.

Bell destroyed Holy Mountain to remove Lu Yila’s influence from Menethil Star, then forgot about his scheduled duel with the Augu Tribe’s orc chieftain until Hermione reminded him. After getting ready and joining the others for lunch, he asked about Shanna’s work and the negotiations with Lu Yila.

• Bell froze and shattered Holy Mountain, then filled the resulting pit with magma to eliminate the land carrying Lu Yila’s Magic Power.
• Two days later, Hermione woke Bell and reminded him that he had a duel scheduled with the Augu Tribe’s orc chieftain.
• Bell got dressed and joined Hermione, Shanna, and the others for lunch, where Shanna said she was studying the magical plants they had gathered.
• Bell asked Shanna how she had been spending her time, then asked how negotiations with Lu Yila were progressing and whether the materials had been shipped back.

Bell, Hermione, and Shanna arrived at the Augu Tribe for Bell’s duel and spoke with Shaman Nairuila while the beastmen prepared. Nairuila was astonished by Bell’s plant-made furniture, but remained resolved to fight for his tribe’s survival.

• Hermione urged Bell to focus on the duel, and Shanna stayed out of their disagreement during lunch.
• Bell, Hermione, Shanna, and another companion Apparated to the Augu Tribe without bringing Battle Wizards.
• Nairuila greeted Bell’s group and asked them to wait while the duel preparations were completed.
• Bell Transfigured a table and chairs, and Nairuila marveled when Bell explained that the furniture was made from plants.
• Nairuila accepted Bell’s offer of furniture but remained determined not to submit to the humans.

Bell and Nairuila waited together while the Augu Tribe prepared the Sacred Duel arena, and Bell reassured the old shaman that he would obey the rules. The arena was completed, and Bell’s group followed the tribe inside, where they found it filled with an array of protective and battle-enhancing magic.

• Bell offered Nairuila cola, and the old shaman choked after gulping it before recovering and admitting he liked its refreshing taste.
• Nairuila asked Bell about his confidence in the duel, and Bell said the outcome could not be known until the battle ended.
• Nairuila reminded Bell that using magic in the Sacred Duel was forbidden, and Bell promised to remember the rule.
• An Augu Tribe warrior reported that the arena was ready, and Nairuila led Bell’s group and the tribe toward it.
• Bell entered the rugged arena and noticed spells that reinforced the ground, strengthened fighters, and connected beastmen with the Soul of the Ancestors.

Bell entered a Sacred Duel against Viktor, chieftain of the Augu Tribe, but appeared to be killed by Viktor’s opening axe strike. As the arena erupted in celebration and confusion, Yomi stopped Hermione from rushing to Bell and urged her to watch.

• Bell and Viktor prepared for the Sacred Duel as the Augu Tribe gathered in the arena.
• Viktor demanded Bell draw his weapon, and Bell unsheathed Frostmourne before the duel began.
• Viktor charged Bell and struck him with his battle axe, sending him into the mountain wall.
• The orcs cheered Viktor and blamed the squad captains for claiming Bell was a worthy opponent.
• Yomi restrained the worried Hermione and said they should watch a little longer.

Bell challenged Viktor in a Sacred Duel and initially accused him of breaking the ban on magic when Viktor used Rage. After Nairuila explained that Rage was permitted, Bell infused his own Magic Power into combat and launched a powerful attack, leaving Viktor stunned by the clash.

• Viktor criticized Bell after Bell rose from the rubble, and Bell protested that Viktor had used magic despite the duel's rules.
• Nairuila explained that Viktor had used Rage, a power awakened by warriors and allowed in the duel.
• Bell accepted the rules, infused himself with Magic Power, and surged toward Viktor with Frostmourne.
• Viktor blocked Bell's downward strike with his battle axe and forced him away, then stared at his axe in disbelief.

Bell gained the upper hand against Viktor in the arena, but Viktor awakened Death Resistance and burned his life force to keep fighting. Viktor charged Bell again, declaring that no one could enslave beastmen or crush their glory.

• Viktor discovered that Bell's strike had chipped the Bloodthirsty Blade, and Bell offered to give him a better axe whether he won or lost.
• Viktor charged Bell, and the two exchanged blows until Bell adapted to his rhythm and began suppressing him.
• Bell kicked Viktor down and thrust at his abdomen, but Viktor used Intimidating Roar to briefly stun Bell and roll away.
• Bell struck Viktor in the stomach and sent him rolling beneath the spectator stands, where Viktor spat blood and struggled to his feet.
• Viktor activated Death Resistance, burning his life force to restore and increase his strength despite Bell's warning.
• Viktor charged Bell again, declaring that no one could enslave beastmen or crush their glory.

Bell defeated Viktor in the Sacred Duel and urged him to concede so he could live and continue leading the Augu Tribe. As Viktor struggled with the choice, Nairuila backed Bell and told him that conceding took more courage than dying in battle.

• Viktor fell after Bell broke his weapon and wounded him, and Bell explained that Viktor had failed to notice his axe had reached its limit.
• Bell asked Viktor to concede, explaining that he wanted him alive to keep leading the Augu Tribe.
• Viktor refused to concede and demanded that Bell kill him, insisting that an Augu Tribe chieftain could only die in battle.
• Bell called Viktor a coward for refusing to admit defeat and challenged him to choose between dying or living to become stronger and fight again.
• Nairuila told Viktor that he could concede and that living on required more courage than dying in battle.

Bell defeated Viktor in a Sacred Duel and became chieftain of the Augu Tribe, then began laying plans to build Mir City and bring the other orc tribes under his control. Nairuila agreed to Bell’s requests, while Viktor recovered from his injuries.

• Viktor admitted defeat after Bell shattered his battle-axe and held Frostmourne to his throat.
• Shanna congratulated Bell, who celebrated his victory and the strength of the orcs’ rage.
• Bell told Nairuila he wanted to build a city and asked him to invite the other orc tribes to settle in Mir City.
• Nairuila warned that the other tribes would become hostile, but Bell said he planned to subdue them regardless.
• Bell asked Nairuila to tell Viktor he would receive a new battle-axe and could use it to challenge other tribes after recovering.

Bell arranged for a small group of orcs to visit Earth after the Teleportation Array was completed, then caught up on events after emerging from a month of research. Penelope gave him the Menethil Star development assessment and updated him on where his companions were.

• Bell told Nairuila that a few selected orcs could visit Earth once the Teleportation Array was ready, and Nairuila eagerly agreed to choose representatives.
• Bell and the orcs chatted, and Bell made an effort to remember the names of those present.
• Penelope visited Bell and handed him the completed assessment for the Menethil Star development plan, explaining that Personal Terminal use was being limited until a local terminal Server was built.
• Bell learned that it was August 27th and reflected that he had spent a month researching after becoming chieftain and launching construction of the city.
• Penelope told Bell that Shanna had returned to Earth for Lena's engagement, Hermione was coordinating with the Augu Tribe in Mir City, and Yomi was helping the Emerald Peak Tribe with a troublesome Loa.

Bell learned that Shanna had returned to Earth by traveling through space on her own and offered Penelope knowledge and help to make a basic magical item. After reading Penelope’s report, Bell was dissatisfied that developing Menethil Star’s resources was expected to take three hundred years.

• Penelope told Bell that the teleportation device was still being tested and that Shanna had returned to Earth on her own.
• Bell and Penelope discussed Shanna’s power, and Bell offered to share magical-item knowledge with Penelope.
• Penelope agreed to study the basics, and Bell promised to help her obtain an ordinary Ice Core.
• Bell read Penelope’s report and found the projected three-hundred-year development timeline for Menethil Star too long.
• Bell worried that unrest, sabotage, or new discoveries could extend development indefinitely and threaten Menethil Star’s stability.

Bell argued that the Menethil Family needed more people to develop Menethil Star, but clarified that he did not plan to recruit mercenaries. He gave Penelope a golden bracelet and said he wanted to invite people to play a game.

• Bell complained that developing Menethil Star over three hundred years was taking too long and proposed recruiting more people.
• Penelope warned that lowering the Menethil Family's hiring standards could disrupt its departments and threatened to report Bell if he planned something dangerous.
• Bell suggested finding tens of thousands of kindhearted Muggles, prompting Penelope to suspect he wanted to hire mercenaries.
• Penelope worried that governments and rival factions would react violently if the Menethil Family recruited mercenaries and bought weapons.
• Bell denied planning to recruit mercenaries, explained why firearms would be ineffective or destructive on Menethil Star, and handed Penelope a golden bracelet for a game he wanted people to play.