Ch. 502The end of the Battle of the Sunwell

Patrick and Elune’s power destroyed Kil’jaeden and ended the Battle of the Sunwell. Elune then explained how the Old Gods infected her and revealed that the Well of Eternity’s destruction had been deliberately arranged, leaving Patrick to suspect Cenarius used the war to seize power among the Night Elves.

  • Elune restored Patrick’s strength through the Ley Lines, and her Moon Goddess Orbital Cannon killed Kil’jaeden and destroyed the demons’ Spatial Gateway.
  • The allied forces came to the Sunwell, while Vashj surfaced to check on Illidan, and Patrick demanded an explanation from Elune.
  • Elune told Patrick that the Old Gods had infected her, the Well of Eternity had sustained her, and she had crossed to Earth before returning to Azeroth.
  • Elune revealed that Kil’jaeden had secretly contacted Illidan, who informed Malfurion, and that the Well of Eternity’s explosion had been deliberately orchestrated.
  • Patrick suspected Cenarius had used the war to eliminate the Highborne, claim the World Tree, and replace the Night Elf mage regime with a Druid regime.

Ch. 503After the battle

Patrick learned the truth about Elune's role in the War of the Ancients and the danger her maturation posed to Azeroth, then heard there might be a way to help her. After the battle, he confirmed Elune had aided him against Kil'jaeden and told Tyrande that Elune would not see her.

  • Elune explained that Kil'jaeden had secretly worked with Illidan to kill Sargeras, and that she had come to suspect Tyrande of betraying her after the Well of Eternity exploded.
  • Patrick learned that the Moon Goddess Orbital Cannon used the Ley Line System like an advanced version of Tyrande's Starfall, and that Elune's emergence as a Titan would destroy Azeroth.
  • Elune explained that Azeroth's two moons were essential support installations and could not serve as a replacement body, then hinted that Patrick could help her by another means.
  • After the battle, the Sun Eater Temple lay in ruins, and Alleria's bow absorbed the Sunwell's remaining energy and became Thori'dal, which Patrick and Alleria also called Fury of the Stars and Avenging Wrath.
  • Tyrande asked Patrick to help her contact Elune, but he refused and told her that Elune would not see her, adding that the Well of Eternity was Elune's source of energy.

Ch. 505The Arcane Pact was officially established

After returning to Sunlight City, Patrick announced the founding of the Azeroth Arcane Covenant and invited Lordaeron to join. Kil'jaeden returned to Argus weakened, surrendered command of the Burning Legion to Archimonde, and vanished.

  • Patrick thanked Archbishop Alonsus for his support and discussed the coming Northern Expedition against the Scourge.
  • Patrick officially established the Azeroth Arcane Covenant, naming its member powers and inviting Lordaeron to join.
  • Patrick revealed that Illidan would rule the surviving Highborne of Eldre'Thalas and bring his Outland followers there as subjects.
  • Alonsus agreed to consider Lordaeron's membership in the Covenant and give Patrick an answer later.
  • Kil'jaeden returned to Argus after losing power at the Sunwell and handed command of the Burning Legion back to Archimonde.
  • Archimonde wondered how to respond to the strength of the forces on Azeroth.

Ch. 506Public enemy

Sunlight City carried the leaders toward Quelrins while Patrick arranged the Turbulence Needle and learned more about Yogg-Saron’s influence over Malygos. News that the Scourge had poisoned grain pushed the Alliance and Horde toward cooperation against the Lich King, and the chapter ended with Luminas Sunstrider telling Patrick that Sylvanas had arrived.

  • Saragoss brought materials for the Turbulence Needle, and Patrick agreed to meet Malygos after Sunlight City headed for Northrend.
  • Patrick reasoned that Yogg-Saron had extended his influence through Ulduar but had not yet gained enough power to fully control Malygos.
  • A guard told Thrall, Varian, and Patrick that Garrosh and Sylvanas had helped resolve the Scourge’s grain-plague crisis with an antidote.
  • The Alliance and Horde leaders began discussing the expedition against the Lich King, and their factional divisions softened.
  • The leaders left Sunlight City at Quelrins to return to their troops, and Luminas Sunstrider told Patrick that Sylvanas had arrived.

Ch. 507Joint Affairs

Patrick gathered the Arcane Pact’s members for a secret meeting and revealed a startling hidden objective behind the Pact’s founding. After the members accepted the plan, they discussed infrastructure, trade routes, and new homes for the naga.

  • Patrick sealed the meeting hall and warned the Pact’s members that they could not reveal what they learned or withdraw afterward, while threatening divine punishment for any leak.
  • Illidan, Vashj, Kael'thas, Tandred, Danath, Falstad, and Galin agreed to hear Patrick’s secret, and his arcane images shocked them with a plan that could destroy a world.
  • Patrick said the Pact would create new hope and enjoy the world’s favor, while Falstad objected that the plan would destroy a world and countless lives; Patrick said that outcome might be avoided if they acted carefully.
  • Patrick arranged for magical wheat and Scholars to go to Aerie Peak, where the dwarves would help build an underground railway connecting the Pact’s territories.
  • Patrick tasked Tandred with surveying sea routes and developing a port in the Ghostlands, while Vashj accepted Shalandis Isle and the Feralas port as naga habitats.

Ch. 508Targeting

Patrick explained that the Arcane Pact supported Stromgarde, Aerie Peak, and other factions to weaken the Alliance and build a network of allies without forcing them into submission. He outlined the Pact’s plans for a war against both the Alliance and Horde, then hinted at secret preparations before Sylvanas arrived in Silvermoon City.

  • Patrick, Kael'thas, Vashj, and Illidan returned to Sunfury Spire after the other leaders departed.
  • Patrick told Kael'thas that supporting Stromgarde and Aerie Peak would help separate them from the Alliance and extend the Pact’s influence.
  • Patrick described how the Pact would retaliate against the Alliance and Horde with its forces if they launched a joint attack.
  • Patrick explained that Thrall would not join a war against the Pact because of the Orcs’ history as refugees, and he mentioned his arrangements within Dalaran.
  • Patrick said he had another secret move prepared, and Nochong welcomed Sylvanas to Silvermoon City.

Ch. 509King of the undead

Patrick discussed the Forsaken’s future with Sylvanas and urged her to take over the Scourge after the Lich King’s defeat. Sylvanas remained uncertain about living on after her revenge was complete.

  • Thrall relied on Undercity to maintain the Horde’s influence in the Eastern Kingdoms, while Patrick used Magic Coins and Gazlowe to gain control over the Horde’s supplies.
  • Patrick welcomed Sylvanas to Sunfury Spire and asked what she planned to do after the Lich King was destroyed.
  • Sylvanas said the Forsaken existed to take revenge on the Scourge and admitted she saw no reason for them to exist afterward.
  • Patrick argued that most Forsaken wanted to keep living and proposed that Sylvanas succeed Arthas as the Lich King and lead all undead.
  • Sylvanas rejected the idea of becoming the person she hated and said she could not find the courage to live again.

Ch. 510Cooperating in Secret

Patrick urged Sylvanas to remain within the Horde, abandon plague alchemy, and preserve a careful balance of power rather than seek the Arcane Pact’s protection. Sylvanas was left facing the danger of both Horde and Alliance forces turning against her if she gave them a pretext.

  • Patrick told Sylvanas that becoming Undead Queen meant accepting responsibility for the Forsaken, and explained that she could not leave the Horde to join the Arcane Pact.
  • Patrick revealed that he knew the Forsaken were researching plague alchemy and told Sylvanas she had to abandon it.
  • Patrick warned that plague research could unite Lordaeron, the Alliance, and other powers against Undercity, while Thrall might send the Kor'kron to eliminate Sylvanas and install a Horde-aligned leader.
  • Patrick cautioned that the Arcane Pact’s intervention could escalate the conflict into a devastating war involving the Alliance, the Horde, and even the Dragon Aspects.
  • Patrick advised Sylvanas to avoid giving her enemies grounds to attack, maintain the balance of power, and build the Forsaken’s strength gradually.

Ch. 511Sunlight Temple

Patrick arranged cooperation with Sylvanas and oversaw the rebuilding of Quel'Thalas’s temple after the Sun Eater Temple was destroyed. The new Sunlight Temple was completed, with eight Sunlight Prisms designed to protect and channel the Sunwell’s energy, and Illidan became the focus of attention.

  • Patrick asked Sylvanas to keep Undercity and Silvermoon City cooperating and to have her sentinels carry out a task for him, and Sylvanas agreed.
  • Vashj left with Naj'entus, Fathom-Lord Karathress, and others to build a Naga Tidal Temple on Shalandis Isle.
  • Patrick returned to the Isle of Quel'Danas, where the Eclipse Burning Legion, the Magisters' Legion, and the Scholars rebuilt the Sun Eater Temple as the Sunlight Temple.
  • Halreen, Mati'gosa, and Tarecgosa installed eight Sunlight Prisms around the new Sunwell to protect it and channel its energy through Silvermoon City.
  • After the temple work was completed, Kael'thas thanked Halreen, and Illidan drew everyone's attention on the temple's first level.

Ch. 512The kingdom's internal affairs

Patrick and Illidan restored the Sunwell, then Illidan departed with his followers while the floating city’s defenses continued to be prepared. With the outsiders gone, Patrick confronted Kael'thas about ending the divisions between Quel'Thalas’s Council faction and Royalists.

  • Illidan poured preserved water from the Well of Eternity into the pool of arcane energy, completing the rebirth of the Sunwell with Patrick’s help.
  • Illidan said he regarded Patrick, but not Kael'thas, as an ally, and then left with Kargath, Mogor, Zuluhed, Teron Gorefiend, and his other followers for Eldre'Dani.
  • Patrick left the Sunlight Temple’s remaining construction to Rommath, Idonis, and others, while Saragoss prepared a giant arcane crystal to defend the floating city.
  • After Illidan and Vashj departed, Patrick told Kael'thas it was time to settle Quel'Thalas’s internal affairs and end the rivalry between the Council faction and Royalists.
  • Patrick recalled how the Council’s infighting and indifference to the kingdom’s suffering had destroyed his faith in its leaders, leading him to let Arthas devastate their families before he intervened.

Ch. 513A special decree

Patrick stepped down as regent and announced a decree restructuring Quel'Thalas's government through the Silvermoon Council, with timed appointments and performance assessments. Kael'thas endorsed reform, while Patrick defended continued development and engagement with the outside world, prompting Halduron and Lor'themar to challenge his decision not to destroy the Zul'Aman Trolls.

  • Patrick teleported the leaders and commanders of Quel'Thalas to Sunfury Spire and announced he was stepping down as regent.
  • Patrick issued a decree establishing the Silvermoon Council, appointing its standing councilors and councilors, and requiring assessments of their performance every fifty years.
  • The decree made Kael'thas the Council's speaker and gave the Silvermoon Council authority over Quel'Thalas and its subordinate cities.
  • Kael'thas asked Patrick whether he feared other families would surpass his own, and Patrick said he feared Quel'Thalas would stagnate and be vulnerable to another Arthas.
  • Kael'thas agreed that Quel'Thalas had grown too comfortable, while Patrick argued for outside exchanges and continued development.
  • Halduron and Lor'themar questioned Patrick about why he had not wiped out the Zul'Aman Trolls.

Ch. 514Dissolving the divide

Patrick explained why Quel'Thalas needed to keep Zul'Aman as a contained enemy, and Kael'thas appointed him Special Councilor with authority over the Silvermoon Council. The new leadership prepared to govern together, while Kael'thas defended his trust in Patrick against concerns that Patrick's influence threatened the Sunstrider family.

  • Patrick explained that he had left Zul'Aman intact to preserve a contained threat and prevent the trolls from becoming a danger to Quel'Thalas.
  • Kael'thas signed Patrick's decree and appointed him Special Councilor with authority over all members of the Silvermoon Council.
  • Gathios objected that the appointment undermined the Sunstrider family's ancient principles, and Kael'thas argued that Quel'Thalas needed to change and grow stronger.
  • Kael'thas announced that the new leadership would take office in two days and set development policies before the Northern Expedition.
  • Gathios and Nochong warned Kael'thas that Patrick's influence and control over energy sources could threaten the Sunstrider family, but Kael'thas said he trusted Patrick and expected the leaders to perform.

Ch. 515Mutual trust

Kael'thas rejected Gathios's suspicions about Patrick, arguing that Patrick had saved the blood elves and their allies when they were trapped in Outland, and urged the Royalists to take part in governing Quel'Thalas. Meanwhile, Tandred returned to Boralus with renewed hope as Kul Tiras looked for a leader and weighed its ties with other powers.

  • Gathios questioned whether Patrick intended to seize the throne of Quel'Thalas.
  • Kael'thas recalled how Kil'jaeden, the Alliance, and the Horde had left his forces trapped in Outland, and said Patrick had saved them when no path seemed open.
  • Kael'thas told the Royalists that Patrick had already faced the temptation of the throne and had shown no reason to doubt his loyalty; they pledged themselves to Quel'Thalas.
  • Kael'thas encouraged the Royalists to do their best as they entered administrative authority through the Council.
  • Tandred returned to Boralus, where Kul Tiras's people welcomed a Proudmoore leader despite his limitations and continued to hope for the return of their lost loved ones.
  • Tandred stood with Quel'Thalas, while Galin was closer to the Wildhammer Dwarves and the Syndicate survivors, with the Naga and Patrick's aircraft carrier group shaping their alignments.

Ch. 516Movements on all sides

Tandred and Stromgarde’s leaders discussed rebuilding their lands with Quel'Thalas’s support and strengthening ties with the Arcane Pact. The chapter left Galin urging Duke Falconcrest to establish the Syndicate at Durnholde Keep.

  • Tandred said Kul Tiras could recover through trade, navigation rights, and rebuilding its fleet after its agreement with Quel'Thalas.
  • Tandred asked Fenna Goldsword to serve as Kul Tiras’s permanent envoy in Sunlight City, while Jaina Goldsword advised seeking a shipping route and information about Theramore.
  • Galin told Danath that Quel'Thalas’s grain deliveries had eased Stromgarde’s food shortage, and Danath called for farming and production to resume.
  • Kurdran and Falstad agreed to make the Underground Railway between Aerie Peak and Stromgarde a priority, while Danath called for fortifications near the Thandol Span.
  • Galin urged Duke Falconcrest to use Durnholde Keep as a base for the Syndicate, but Falconcrest hesitated to appear openly before the world.

Ch. 517On gods

Duke Falconcrest accepted Galin’s proposal to restore the Kingdom of Alterac, while Patrick returned to Sunlight City and learned that he had reached the Immortal realm without gaining the world’s recognition. Patrick then questioned Elune about hiding her identity and explained that he did not believe gods or Titans gave meaning to Azeroth’s lives.

  • Duke Falconcrest agreed to Galin’s proposal after deciding that the Syndicate could restore Alterac under its kingdom’s banner if Patrick supported it.
  • Patrick returned to his residence in Sunlight City and felt that the battle had transformed his strength.
  • Elune told Patrick that he had become Immortal, though he had not reached Demigod status or gained recognition from the world’s laws.
  • Patrick asked Elune why she had disguised herself as Ellen, and she explained that his memories had changed her perspective and that she had feared his reaction to a god.
  • Patrick told Elune that he saw her as a Titan rather than a deity and rejected the idea that Azeroth’s inhabitants were insignificant to their creators.

Ch. 518A nighttime conversation

Patrick learned from Elune how the Old Gods assimilated worlds and how fragments could survive their destruction, then reflected on his changed outlook and Quel'Thalas's recovery. Alleria questioned whether he had truly wanted Kael'thas to return, and Patrick explained that he had built the Arcane Pact to prevent another power struggle and establish a third force on Azeroth.

  • Elune explained that Old Gods sought to assimilate world-souls and could survive the destruction of their main bodies through fragments.
  • Patrick realized that completely killing an Old God would be nearly impossible and reconsidered his understanding of Azeroth's gods.
  • Patrick emerged from meditation, and Alleria said he seemed more at ease since the events at the Sunwell.
  • Alleria asked whether Patrick had truly wanted Kael'thas to return, noting that he had helped him despite the temptation of Quel'Thalas's throne.
  • Patrick said he had no desire to seize the throne and revealed that his bases in Feralas and on Caer Darrow Island had prepared the Arcane Pact to become a third power on Azeroth.

Ch. 519The current situation

After the battle, Patrick and Alleria spent a quiet night together before Kyrissa arrived with warnings about Malygos’s plans to gather the world’s arcane energy at the Nexus. Patrick decided to travel to the Nexus after the New Silvermoon Council met and Quel'Thalas began its Northern Expedition, while the kingdom’s forces prepared to sail for Northrend.

  • Patrick reflected on Quel'Thalas’s new system for selecting and evaluating officials as he watched the Floating City with Alleria.
  • Kyrissa arrived and warned Patrick that Malygos wanted to eliminate the world’s spellcasters and use Turbulence Needles to channel arcane energy into the Nexus.
  • Patrick said Saragoss had taken the first batch of Turbulence Needles to Quel'Thalas and planned to go to the Nexus after the New Silvermoon Council’s meeting.
  • Kyrissa told Patrick that the Violet Citadel had arrived in Crystalsong Forest, and Patrick said the Covenant would not leave its allies to face Dalaran and the Red Dragons alone.
  • After Kyrissa departed, Alleria went to sleep while Quel'Thalas celebrated its coming march against the Lich King and assembled its troops and ships for Northrend.

Ch. 520The Council convened

Patrick considered how magical energies affected their wielders and concluded that the New Sunwell might provide a new form of arcane energy. He and Alleria attended the first meeting of the reformed Silvermoon Council, where Patrick began explaining how its authority had changed.

  • Patrick compared how different energies affected their wielders and noted that human paladins' Holy Light was an exception.
  • Patrick considered using the New Sunwell's energy as a distinct form of arcane power.
  • Patrick and Alleria dressed for the Council's first meeting and arrived at Sunfury Spire, where Kael'thas appeared after Patrick.
  • Patrick addressed the councilors and explained that the Silvermoon Council had changed, beginning with the former councilors' lack of power to formulate proposals.

Ch. 521An entirely new vision (Part one)

Kael'thas and the Council settled Quel'Thalas's plans for the coming years, including a Northern Expedition against the Scourge and measures to expand the Kingdom's reach and capacity. Patrick proposed reforms that challenged noble authority and called for changes to exported magical equipment, though Rommath doubted one proposal could be achieved.

  • Kael'thas announced a Northern Expedition to Northrend, with the Alliance and Horde participating and Lordaeron's remnants leading the campaign.
  • Halduron Brightwing proposed sending the Sunfury Legion, two Burning Legions, and the Unicorn Corps as the expedition's vanguard, while Patrick said Quel'Thalas would eventually settle its dispute with the Kirin Tor.
  • The Council agreed to retain the Free Rationing System and Patrick's magical monetary policies, and to begin preparing the expedition.
  • Patrick proposed an examination system that would let commoners enter public office after passing exams and completing twelve years of probation, drawing Kael'thas's concern about the challenge to noble families.
  • Patrick called for expanding industries and encouraging births to increase productivity and population, then proposed altering the enchantments on magical equipment intended for export.
  • Rommath said modifying the export equipment's magical properties through its enchantments would be extremely difficult.

Ch. 522An entirely new concept (part two)

Patrick proposed restricting Quel'Thalas's enchanted exports with a core that only Sunlight Temple mixed energy could power, while using trade to cultivate pro-elf factions abroad. He left the plan's final contingency as supporting the Defias Brotherhood's independence if events went beyond Quel'Thalas's control.

  • Patrick proposed using mixed energy from the Sunwell and Sunlight Prism to encrypt enchanted equipment so other nations could not reproduce it.
  • Rommath said the Magisters' Legion should be able to develop the method, and Kael'thas approved the research.
  • Patrick explained that trade would build influential factions whose wealth depended on ties with Quel'Thalas, making opposition to the kingdom costly.
  • Patrick revealed that the plan's final contingency was to support the Defias Brotherhood's independence if everything went beyond their control.
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Page 25 of 41