Ch. 649Within the Kingdom

Patrick returned to Silvermoon City and confronted the tensions between Kael'thas's Royalists and the Council over authority in Quel'Thalas, especially control of the Isle of Quel'Danas. He called for reforms to preserve the kingdom's stability, and Kael'thas and Malande pledged to address the divisions.

  • Patrick and Kael'thas returned to Silvermoon City, where their positions within the Arcane Pact left Patrick more powerful than Kael'thas despite Kael'thas's status as heir to Quel'Thalas.
  • Royalists and Council members clashed over their shared authority over the reborn Sunwell, while the Isle of Quel'Danas's original guards resented Council involvement.
  • Patrick summoned the Royalists to Sunfury Spire and said growing internal divisions threatened Quel'Thalas and the Arcane Pact.
  • Patrick recalled how he had restrained his response to rival Council factions and said he shared King Anasterian's commitment to the kingdom's stability.
  • Kael'thas promised to deal with the minor disputes, and Malande pledged that the Council would address the Isle of Quel'Danas's divisions; Patrick said he wanted results.

Ch. 650A new outline

Patrick outlined Quel'Thalas's development priorities, including advancing research, drawing on Titan technology, and improving administration. He argued that the kingdom's most urgent problem was its low population and called for encouraging people to have children.

  • Patrick told Pasareen to accelerate research into cosmic energies, magical weapons, Naaru technology, and Outland's Manaforges, while also studying technologies that could improve people's livelihoods.
  • Patrick revealed that he was building a floating city from Ulduar and that Titan Guardians there could advise on technical matters.
  • Kael'thas appointed Talonikus to lead an engineering research team and serve as a deputy in the Engineering Department.
  • Patterson-Cabrolon presented reports on Quel'Thalas's administration and Windrunner Harbor, and Patrick said the report lacked attention to population.
  • Patrick explained that Quel'Thalas could not match human population growth and urged the elves to have more children to strengthen the kingdom.

Ch. 651The decision

Patrick proposed adding broader subjects to schools and monasteries to educate High Elf children, strengthen ties between Royalists and the Council, and help address the kingdom’s population problem. The Council would work out the plan as Quel’Thalas prepared to expand its shipping routes and Patrick remained uncertain whether Vashj could speak for Queen Azshara.

  • Patrick proposed adding engineering, mechanics, shadow studies, the Holy Light, history, Thalassian, and knowledge of other races to school curricula.
  • Patrick said his second floating city would be used to seize Dalaran and remove it as a future threat.
  • Patrick argued that shared schooling could help children from Royalist and Council families form lasting bonds, and Patterson warned that heavy coursework might alienate ordinary elves.
  • Idonis said the kingdom could afford to build schools throughout its towns and villages, and Patrick asked the Council to study how to implement the plan.
  • Patrick agreed to open connected shipping routes among Kul Tiras, Eldre'Dani, Windrunner Harbor, Dal Island, and Maranor Harbor.
  • Vashj planned to expand her naga forces, while Patrick wondered whether she truly represented Queen Azshara.

Ch. 652The Kingdom of Stormwind's choice

Medivh announced that he intended to reopen Karazhan and return to the Kingdom of Stormwind, forcing Stormwind’s leaders to weigh him against their longstanding ties to Dalaran. The House of Lords chose to welcome Medivh, seeing his power and plans for Duskwood as more valuable to Stormwind.

  • Medivh appeared without warning in Stormwind Keep and told the city’s leaders he planned to reopen Karazhan and return to the kingdom.
  • Stormwind’s nobles debated whether siding with Medivh would damage their relationship with the Kirin Tor and Dalaran.
  • Earl Remington Ridgewell and Grand Duke Bolvar argued that Medivh belonged to Stormwind and would strengthen its position by rebuilding the Council of Tirisfal.
  • Varian weighed Medivh’s responsibility for King Llane’s death and the orc invasion against Stormwind’s interests and his personal ties to Jaina and the Kirin Tor.
  • The House of Lords welcomed Medivh, expecting his return to help resolve Duskwood’s problems and add a powerful ally to the kingdom.

Ch. 653Thrall and Vol'jin

Thrall and Vol'jin assessed the Horde's place in Azeroth's shifting balance after Medivh's return and considered how the Council of Tirisfal might create an opening against the Kirin Tor. Patrick then arrived at Ulduar to begin pursuing the world-changing secrets held in its archives.

  • Rokhan worried that Medivh's return and the Alliance's new strength threatened the Horde, while Vol'jin and Thrall discussed the Horde's fragile alliances and balance with the Alliance and the Arcane Pact.
  • Thrall explained that Sylvanas had destroyed the Forsaken's plague weapons to prevent other powers from using them as a pretext for war.
  • Vol'jin warned that Medivh still represented Stormwind City, and Thrall agreed the Horde needed to watch him while looking for news about the Council of Tirisfal's possible return.
  • Thrall wondered how Hamuul and the others were handling the nightmare crisis.
  • Patrick arrived at Ulduar, where the Iron Dwarves had returned to normal and the Guardians awaited instructions, and went straight to the archives.

Ch. 654The data disc

Patrick studied Ulduar’s archival data disc and reviewed the Titans’ limited records on the Old Gods, while considering how their powers and the Curse of Flesh worked. He left with new questions about spiritual power to investigate in the future.

  • Elune transferred the data disc’s contents into Patrick’s mind as Ulduar’s four Guardians watched over him.
  • Patrick and Elune discussed how Old Gods assimilated matter, spread infection, and transformed Earthen and Iron Dwarves through the Curse of Flesh.
  • Patrick acknowledged that he lacked the strength to confront an Old God and decided their mysteries would require further study.
  • Patrick wondered whether spiritual power was separate from the power of soul and whether it could be trained into a distinct form of energy.

Ch. 655Just one step away

Patrick learned that reaching demigod status required finding a concept aligned with his power, while true gods could create rules and reshape reality. He considered how to develop his spatial attack and left with the challenge of discovering his own concept.

  • Patrick concluded that the Titans had sealed the Old Gods rather than destroy them, to avoid destroying Azeroth and Elune with it.
  • Elune explained that Patrick was close to becoming a demigod but needed to crystallize a personal concept that could influence the world around him.
  • Elune described demigods as protected by Azeroth's rules after death, false gods as able to distort rules, and true gods as able to create rules.
  • Patrick reflected on his distance from true godhood and wondered how to find a concept of his own.
  • Patrick considered refining the spatial spell he used against the Fusion Giant, which trapped and shattered an enemy inside a collapsing space but consumed great amounts of mana and mental energy.

Ch. 656The Secret of "Rules"

Patrick learned how Freya’s life magic could restore vitality and how powerful beings could alter the rules of life and death, but he still lacked the strength to use the technique. He then focused on developing Energy Ascension into a combat-ready Super Arcane Magic spell.

  • Patrick questioned Freya about her life magic, and she explained that she could restore vitality but could not overcome death from old age.
  • Freya said Eonar could grant immortality, and Patrick learned that demigods and stronger beings could alter the rules governing life and death.
  • Patrick asked Freya to explain her resurrection ability, and she gave him a memory thread containing its principles.
  • Patrick discovered that the technique required vast nature energy, the power of matter, and strength he did not yet possess; Elune offered access to Titan facilities and enough nature energy to help.
  • Patrick began planning to train the resurrection spell and continued developing Energy Ascension, which required extensive arcane and spatial techniques and further combat testing.

Ch. 657A new mission

Patrick entered the Emerald Dream at Elune’s suggestion to help Malfurion stop Xavius and planned to send Illidan and Maiev after Xavius’s physical form. As Malfurion and Tyrande confronted Xavius’s corrupted presence, a silvery-white disc blocked his attack and Patrick declared that Xavius’s end had come.

  • Elune urged Patrick to visit the Emerald Dream and help Malfurion, and Patrick agreed to go and notify Illidan and Maiev to hunt Xavius’s physical body.
  • Patrick entered the Emerald Dream and saw Azeroth’s scenery appearing there as the dream and real world began to merge.
  • In the real world, Varian and Thrall’s forces battled the spreading nightmare while Malfurion protected those controlled by Xavius and Alexstrasza guarded the portal.
  • Malfurion used the Force of Nature to clear a path, then carried Tyrande through the mist toward Xavius’s enormous, crimson-branched form.
  • Xavius’s branches attacked Malfurion and Tyrande, but a silvery-white disc appeared and blocked them as Patrick announced Xavius’s end had come.

Ch. 658Supporting Malfurion

Patrick joined Malfurion and Tyrande in the Emerald Dream to confront Xavius, explaining that they had to defeat both Xavius’s dream form and his physical body to stop him from merging the Emerald Dream with the real world. As Xavius sent demons and satyrs against them, Patrick protected the others and gave Tyrande the chance to call on the Moon Goddess.

  • Patrick revealed that Xavius planned to merge the Emerald Dream with the real world and that his physical body was hidden in Azshara.
  • Patrick said Broll Bearmantle, Illidan, and Maiev were searching for Xavius’s physical body, while Malfurion worried that Broll might not be strong enough.
  • Xavius summoned demons and satyrs, but Patrick’s arcane power turned them to ashes as they approached.
  • Tyrande prayed to the Moon Goddess, whose blessing healed Malfurion’s wounds and improved his condition.

Ch. 659The counterattack against Xavius

Broll Bearmantle and Sora Saurfang found Xavius’s true body in Azshara and fought his guard, Nayal, before Xavius wounded Sora. Maiev and Illidan arrived to rescue her and attack Xavius, leaving their battle unresolved.

  • Varian, Hamul Runetotem, Thrall, and Alexstrasza struggled to hold back the Nightmare invasion and protect the portal between the real world and the Emerald Dream.
  • Broll Bearmantle bound Nayal with powerful vines while Sora Saurfang moved to strike Xavius.
  • Xavius pierced Sora with a branch and reached for Broll, but Maiev arrived, freed Sora, and cut off the branch.
  • Illidan destroyed Xavius’s attacking tentacles and branches, then joined Maiev in confronting him.
  • Maiev declared that Xavius would die, and Illidan flew toward him with his blades drawn and Immolation blazing.

Ch. 660Greater Tranquility

Malfurion gathered the druids’ power and unleashed a vast storm to cleanse Azeroth and the Emerald Dream of the Nightmare’s forces. As Xavius and the Lord of the Nightmare resisted, Patrick supplied Malfurion with more power, and the battle continued.

  • Xavius tried to merge the real world with the Emerald Dream while boasting that he would rule the world.
  • Malfurion asked the druids to transfer their power to him, and Tyrande’s blessing protected him.
  • Malfurion summoned a storm that erased shadow satyrs and Nightmare Servants, healed the wounded, and cleansed cities across Azeroth.
  • Malfurion’s green lightning awakened the Lord of the Nightmare’s victims and struck its corrupted forces, while Xavius burned before Illidan.
  • As the druids’ strength waned, Patrick sent his gathered force of nature into Malfurion.

Ch. 661The dust settled

Malfurion and his allies struck Xavius in both Azeroth and the Emerald Dream, overcoming his rapid healing with an enchanted axe and coordinated attacks. Xavius was destroyed, leaving only fel debris behind.

  • Malfurion used healing rain to weaken the Nightmare Lord and projected his consciousness into Azshara to attack Xavius in both realms.
  • Malfurion called on Broll to attack while Patrick and Illidan blocked Xavius's branches, and Sora gave Illidan Cenarius's enchanted axe.
  • Illidan struck Xavius's trunk with the axe as Malfurion blasted him with lightning in both realms.
  • Illidan's repeated blows split Xavius apart, and his body and Emerald Dream counterpart crumbled into dust.
  • Illidan burned Xavius's remains with his Eye Beam, leaving only a puddle of fel debris.

Ch. 662An invitation after the battle

After the War of the Nightmare ended, Patrick and Malfurion sealed the Ohn Rift and freed the survivors trapped in the Emerald Dream. Patrick invited Malfurion to join the reformed Council of Tirisfal, and told him where to find his younger brother.

  • Within the Titans' seal, N'Zoth dismissed Xavius's failure and prepared the next stage of his plan, while his dark ray stirred the Firelord and Neltharion.
  • Malfurion destroyed the Lord of the Nightmare's remains, but Patrick stopped him from pursuing N'Zoth.
  • Patrick learned from Elune that the Ohn Rift was a Titan failsafe, and he and Malfurion sealed it with arcane energy and Force of Nature.
  • Malfurion restored those freed from the nightmare's influence, mourned Lethon and Emeriss, and released trapped souls across the world.
  • Patrick invited Malfurion to join the reformed Council of Tirisfal, then told him his younger brother was in Eldre'Dani as king of the Kingdom of the Highborne and a member of the Azeroth Arcane Covenant.

Ch. 663Khadgar's Return

Patrick confronted Tyrande and Malfurion about the Night Elves’ history with Elune, then returned to Quel'Thalas to oversee the aftermath of the nightmare crisis. In Dalaran, Khadgar returned from Outland and was welcomed by the Kirin Tor.

  • Patrick told Tyrande he could be considered Elune's divine emissary and challenged her to question the Night Elves’ past actions.
  • Patrick left the Emerald Dream after inviting Malfurion to join the new Council of Tirisfal and planning to invite Thrall.
  • Duchess Malande gave Patrick Quel'Thalas's casualty report and reforms for public education, childbirth, and early childcare.
  • Patrick reviewed the report, ordered the rescue operations completed, and asked Malande to bring the reform plans for his signature.
  • Khadgar returned to Dalaran, where several mages welcomed him in the Violet Citadel's Teleportation Chamber.

Ch. 664Undercurrents in Dalaran

Khadgar returned to Dalaran and urged the Kirin Tor to reconcile with Medivh rather than send him to Karazhan as a spy. Meanwhile, Zendarri confronted Aethas over the Kirin Tor’s requisition of his rangers’ medical supplies during the Nightmare invasion.

  • Khadgar met with Rhonin, Modera, Ansirem, and Kalyne in the Violet Citadel’s secret Wizard Chamber.
  • Rhonin told Khadgar that Medivh had returned to Karazhan, and Modera asked him to act as a bridge to the Council of Tirisfal.
  • Khadgar rejected the proposal, recalled the Kirin Tor’s past actions against Medivh, and advised the councilors to speak with him honestly.
  • Zendarri confronted Aethas at Sunreaver Sanctuary after the Kirin Tor requisitioned his rangers’ medical supplies for the Violet Guard.
  • Porter Dawnblade tried to prevent Zendarri and Aethas from escalating their dispute.

Ch. 665A continent-wide celebration

After the nightmare crisis, Zendarri confronted Aethas over the Kirin Tor’s treatment of the High Elf Rangers and left Dalaran furious. Quel’Thalas then hosted a continent-wide celebration in Quelrins City, where Kael’thas welcomed leaders and prepared to announce the rebuilding of the Council of Tirisfal.

  • Zendarri accused Aethas and the Kirin Tor of exploiting the High Elf Rangers, but Aethas defended his decision and promised that future supplies would prioritize compensation.
  • Zendarri returned to his residence and vented his anger as his officers complained that the Kirin Tor treated the High Elves as second-class citizens.
  • Kael’thas invited leaders from the Alliance, Horde, Covenant, neutral dragons, and Arcane Pact to Quel’Thalas’s celebration and the announcement of the Council of Tirisfal’s rebuilding.
  • Kael’thas welcomed the arriving powers in formal Sunstrider attire and reflected on Quel’Thalas’s recovery and growing strength.
  • Alonsus Faol, Tirion Fordring, and Queen Calia Menethil arrived to represent Lordaeron, marking Calia’s first public appearance as queen.

Ch. 666A meeting of leaders

Leaders from across Azeroth gathered in Quelrins City for a continent-wide celebration that Patrick used to propose expanding and reestablishing the Council of Tirisfal. The leaders approved its purpose of uniting the world’s greatest spellcasters against threats to Azeroth, leaving the council’s formation as the gathering’s central task.

  • Delegations from Kul Tiras, the Wildhammer Dwarves, Stromgarde, the Syndicate, and other peoples arrived in Quel'Thalas, while Varian and Thrall led the Alliance and Horde delegations.
  • Kael'thas welcomed the leaders to Quelrins City and celebrated Azeroth’s victory over Lich King Ner'zhul and Xavius.
  • Patrick deployed his animal gods, demon hunter legion, and Sunfury Legion to guard Quelrins, while Quetz'lun and Sseratus were stationed in the Eastern Plaguelands.
  • Patrick told the assembled leaders he wanted to reestablish the Council of Tirisfal as a council of Azeroth’s foremost spellcasters, with responsibilities beyond fighting demons.
  • Thrall and Alonsus Faol supported Patrick’s proposal, and the leaders agreed that the council should unite against threats to the whole world.

Ch. 667Collectively reorganizing the Council of Tirisfal

Patrick proposed a New Council of Tirisfal with representatives from the Alliance and Horde to coordinate against threats to Azeroth. The leaders agreed in principle, but their debate over where to place its headquarters ended in an impasse.

  • Patrick named eleven senior councilors, including representatives from the Alliance and Horde, and said they would unite against threats to the world.
  • Tirion supported the proposal, and the gathered leaders saw value in creating an organization to face powerful enemies together.
  • Hamul asked where the council would be based, and Tirion proposed New Faolun City or Quelrins City in the Eastern Plaguelands.
  • Velen and Patrick opposed locating the headquarters in the Plaguelands, citing its political implications.
  • Varian proposed Theramore, but Tandred angrily challenged its status and condemned Jaina's role in their father's death.
  • The leaders could not agree on a location, since neither faction would accept the headquarters being placed in the other's territory.

Ch. 668A meeting

Patrick persuaded the leaders to establish the Council of Tirisfal’s headquarters in Karazhan, and Medivh agreed to prepare it. After the conference, the guests attended a lavish celebration in Quelrins, where Magni thanked Patrick for rescuing Muradin.

  • Patrick proposed Karazhan as the Council of Tirisfal’s headquarters, and Vol'jin, Thrall, and Hamuul Runetotem agreed despite the Alliance representatives’ suspicions.
  • Medivh said he had cleared Karazhan, and Varian and Malfurion approved the site before Medivh accepted the councilors as its first visitors.
  • Kael'thas invited the conference guests to rest and celebrate in Quelrins, where the kingdoms’ leaders witnessed the high elves’ extravagant wealth.
  • Magni approached Patrick at the celebration and thanked him for rescuing Muradin, explaining that Ironforge owed him a favor.
Show
Page 32 of 41
Page 32 of 41