Arc 2From Zakajz to Arathi

Jarod helped Apophis’s people defeat Zakajz, establish a mage tradition, and build a prosperous city before returning home to reunite with Naisha. Years later, Apophis’s clan split under Leo’s rule, and Leo sent Lothar to preserve its remnant as the Arathi.

  • Jarod and Apophis’s forces defeated Zakajz, and Jarod escaped the collapsing tomb with Tyr’s Silver Hand and a divine weapon formed from it.
  • Jarod agreed to teach Apophis’s children magic, and the Vrykul established farms, pastures, and a walled city over the following years.
  • Jarod sailed home, rescued Aisali, and returned to Dankfort, where Maiev sent him to find Naisha.
  • Snyder met Azshara at the banquet, while Jarod and Naisha fought demons together until Snyder arrived and rescued them.
  • Jarod brought Tyr’s remnant to Faledor, and Snyder gave Tyr a wooden body before reforging Nokao’si with the Silver Hand and elemental materials.
  • After twenty years without contact, Apophis met Jarod, then yielded leadership to Leo and Lilith and departed alone for Tyr’s Tomb.
  • After Lilith was killed, Leo’s rule drove the mages and warriors into a devastating conflict, and he eventually charged Lothar with preserving the clan as the Arathi.
Chapters 26–50 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 26Unknown Help

Apophis and Jarod led the allied forces to defeat the Faceless Ones in Tyr's Tomb, though an unseen golden presence secretly saved Jarod. After resting and sending the wounded back to the surface, the forces gathered at the main burial chamber's door for the final battle.

  • Jarod held off the high-ranking Faceless One while Apophis helped the soldiers defeat the lesser enemies.
  • Apophis used Bladestorm to cut through the Faceless Ones, and the allied forces pushed them back with the casters' help.
  • The high-ranking Faceless One overpowered Jarod, but Apophis blocked the killing blow and the casters froze the enemy, allowing Jarod to kill him.
  • The allied forces gathered their dead, rested, and learned they had three dead and five wounded; Jarod sent the wounded back to the surface.
  • Jarod searched for the voice that had helped him, unaware that a golden apparition watched him.
  • The allied forces gathered at the main burial chamber's door, ready for the final battle.

Ch. 27The Resurrection of a Formidable Foe: Zakajz

Jarod and the allied forces entered the burial chamber and attacked Zakajz as shadow energy revived him. After Zakajz absorbed the Faceless Ones’ corpses and returned to full strength, the battle continued, ending with Jarod breaking through a weakened spot in his shell.

  • Jarod led the allies into the burial chamber, where they found Zakajz’s corpse and the silver fist, then ordered the casters to attack.
  • Zakajz woke and fired Shadow Bolts before absorbing the Faceless Ones’ corpses to heal and strengthen himself.
  • Jarod ordered the casters to burn the corpses, but Zakajz shielded himself, attacked them, and absorbed enough remains to recover fully.
  • Jarod directed the casters and warriors to attack Zakajz, but their spells and blows barely damaged his shell as he charged through the allied ranks.
  • Zakajz summoned tentacles against Apophis and the Vrykul, and Jarod joined the fight and broke through a marked spot in Zakajz’s shell.

Ch. 28Fight to the Death

Jarod and the allied army fought Zakajz in the burial chamber, but Zakajz shattered Jarod’s weapon and knocked him unconscious. In Jarod’s mindscape, Tyr appeared and told him he was close to death, and Jarod said he still needed to kill Zakajz.

  • Zakajz attacked the allied soldiers with shadow energy, draining the life from those struck, and Jarod fought him while Apophis’s spellcasters brought him down.
  • Apophis led the troops toward the chamber exit as Jarod retrieved a silver fist, but Zakajz fired a beam at Jarod and forced him to defend himself.
  • Jarod used a blink spell to evade the beam, then fought Zakajz until his weapon shattered and Zakajz knocked him unconscious.
  • Apophis and the returning allied troops attacked Zakajz to protect Jarod and buy time for him to wake.
  • Jarod regained consciousness in his mindscape, where Tyr appeared and told him he was close to death.
  • Jarod told Tyr that he still wanted to kill Zakajz.

Ch. 29The Fall of a Formidable Foe

Jarod received Tyr’s remaining power and awakened just as Zakajz defeated the allied army and moved to kill Apophis. Armed with a new weapon forged from Tyr’s Silver Hand and the broken blade, Jarod prepared to face Zakajz as Tyr’s phantom joined him.

  • Tyr approved of Jarod’s determination and poured his remaining power into him.
  • Zakajz blasted through the allied army’s defenses, leaving its warriors defeated and Apophis too injured to fight.
  • Jarod awakened, blocked Zakajz’s attack, and rescued Apophis.
  • Jarod summoned Tyr’s Silver Hand, which joined with his broken blade to form a new weapon.
  • Zakajz attacked Jarod and Tyr’s phantom, but the new weapon blocked his shadow energy and empowered Jarod with Tyr’s power and experience.

Ch. 30The Dust Settled

Jarod and the allied forces defeated Zakajz, escaped the collapsing tomb, and celebrated with the Vrykul. Apophis asked to learn magic or elemental powers, and Jarod sent a report to King Snyder to ask whether they should be taught.

  • Jarod used Tyr's weapon to kill Zakajz and purify his corpse, while Tyr thanked Apophis's people and faded away.
  • The allied forces escaped the collapsing tomb, and the Shamans flooded it with Water Elementals after everyone got outside.
  • Jarod and Apophis celebrated with the elves and Vrykul, and Apophis said his people wanted to remain in their homeland.
  • Apophis asked Jarod to teach the Vrykul magic or elemental powers, and Jarod agreed to consult King Snyder first.
  • Jarod sent a messenger to report what had happened and ask King Snyder whether the Vrykul should be taught magic or the elements.

Ch. 31Quiet Days

King Snyder and Maiev received Jarod’s account of his recent dangers and discussed how to help the Apophis people gain power. After Snyder agreed to teach them, Jarod told Apophis that his people could begin preparing candidates, though the training would have requirements.

  • Snyder and Maiev worried about Jarod’s month-long silence until his messenger arrived with a letter describing his recent adventures.
  • Maiev scolded Jarod for facing danger alone, while Snyder noted that Tyr’s weapon had merged with Jarod’s and become a divine artifact.
  • Snyder and Maiev decided to offer the Apophis people simple magic or elemental training and let Jarod decide how to proceed.
  • Snyder replied to Jarod and added Maiev’s request that he return soon for a blind date.
  • After reading Snyder’s reply, Jarod summoned Apophis and told him the kingdom would teach his people, but that candidates would need to meet requirements.

Ch. 32Clash of Civilizations

Apophis arranged for Jarod to teach the clan’s children magic in exchange for a map of the area, while Jarod’s group would help establish farms and pastures. After Apophis returned to the village and told the elders, the old chief challenged his decision before agreeing to trust Jarod and ordering the children gathered for testing.

  • Jarod agreed to teach children aged six to ten minor spells and test their potential, while Apophis offered daily supplies in exchange.
  • Jarod proposed helping establish farms and pastures in return for a map of the area, and Apophis accepted.
  • Apophis returned to the village and told the elders that Jarod could teach them magic.
  • The old chief berated and pinned Apophis down for agreeing to provide supplies without consulting the clan.
  • After Apophis explained Jarod’s offer to help with food production, the old chief declared his trust in Jarod.
  • Apophis ordered the clan to gather eligible children so he could take them to be tested.

Ch. 33The Apprentice Commotion

Apophis brought the tribe’s children to the Eternal Elves’ outpost to test their aptitude for magic, where Jarod arranged food, baths, and new clothes for them. After Jarod reassured the sleepy children, the aptitude ceremony began.

  • Apophis gathered the children and led them under guard to the Eternal Elves’ outpost.
  • Jarod prepared the outpost with an awakening platform and arranged food for the arriving children.
  • Jarod welcomed the children, and the elves served them an unfamiliar meal while Jarod and Apophis discussed their training.
  • Jarod told Apophis the elves would teach the children until they could manage on their own, provided Apophis passed a test.
  • After eating, bathing, and changing, the children gathered at the testing array, where Jarod calmed them after Apophis’s stern outburst.
  • The mage aptitude ceremony began.

Ch. 34An Apprentice's Fate

Apophis and the children completed their mage aptitude tests, and every child awakened as a mage. After Jarod gave them food to take home, Apophis led the group safely back to their village.

  • The Eternal Elf "big sister" guided the children through the awakening array, and the first little girl awakened Arcane magic.
  • Jarod explained the three mage schools, and the tests revealed three Arcane mages, seven fire mages, and ten frost mages, with the smallest Vrykul showing the strongest fire talent.
  • Apophis declined Jarod's offer to escort them but accepted packed food in magic backpacks for the journey.
  • Jarod ordered his adjutant to record the day's events and send a report to His Majesty Snyder.
  • Apophis cut down a wild beast with his new weapon, then led the group home by the firelight of the village.

Ch. 35The day of parting

After ten years of cooperation, Apophis’s tribe had grown prosperous and its apprentices qualified as mages, while Jarod and the Eternal Elf mages prepared to return home. Apophis hurried to bid Jarod farewell with gifts, as Jarod looked forward to a reunion with the woman he admired.

  • Apophis and the old chief discussed how the growing mage class might affect the clan and agreed to prepare gifts for their allies.
  • Apophis led hunts while the old chief escorted the apprentices, and Snyder sent Druids, Shamans, and hunters to help build farms and pastures.
  • Over ten years, the tribe secured its food supply and developed its village into a walled city.
  • The Eternal Elf mage graduated the Vrykul apprentices, gave them books and advice, and prepared to leave for home with his companions.
  • Jarod learned the ships were nearly ready, planned to say goodbye to Apophis, and thought about the woman he hoped to meet.
  • After hearing that Jarod was leaving, the apprentices told Apophis, who gathered his followers and brought the gifts they had prepared.

Ch. 36Goodbye, My Brother

Jarod and Apophis said farewell after ten years together, and Jarod’s fleet departed for the Helidos Continent. Along the way, the fleet rescued a Night Elf named Aisali, who welcomed the chance to reach Jarod’s homeland and secretly said she could finally see someone again.

  • Apophis visited Jarod with gifts from his clan, and Jarod gave him a magic stone so they could communicate.
  • Jarod and Apophis said goodbye, and Apophis ordered the outpost sealed after Jarod’s fleet sailed away.
  • Jarod’s fleet found an injured female Night Elf on a reef and brought her aboard for treatment.
  • As the fleet neared the Helidos Continent, Jarod spoke with the recovered Night Elf, Aisali, and invited her to stay in their homeland before helping her return home.
  • After Jarod left, Aisali stroked her necklace and said she could finally see someone again.

Ch. 37The Development of the Eternal Elves

After ten years away, Jarod returned to Dankfort with his fleet and reunited with Snyder and Maiev. Maiev revealed that Naisha was at Nethergarde Keep and encouraged Jarod to go find her, so he hurried off.

  • Snyder and Maiev welcomed Jarod and his fleet to Dankfort and granted the crew a month of leave.
  • Jarod’s adjutant led the crew into the city, while Aisali observed the peaceful, prosperous Eternal Elf settlement.
  • Jarod told Snyder and Maiev about his time among Apophis’s people and praised their generous values.
  • Maiev said Naisha was covering for her at Nethergarde Keep and suggested Jarod go to her.
  • Jarod hurried away to find Naisha, and Snyder and Maiev teased each other about his feelings.

Ch. 38Lovers Finally Reunited

Jarod reunited with Naisha at the Watchers' fortress after injuring a sentry who mistook him for a threat. At the evening banquet, Snyder recognized the necklace worn by the Night Elf who approached him and demanded to know why she was there.

  • Jarod entered the Watchers' territory, fought off a sentry's ambush, and injured her before explaining that he was Naisha's younger brother.
  • Naisha arrived, confirmed Jarod's identity, arranged treatment and a reward for the sentry, then raced Jarod away to catch up.
  • At the banquet, Aisali's beauty drew the guests' attention, while Maiev had been recalled to take charge of the Watchers.
  • Snyder attended the banquet and noticed the necklace worn by the Night Elf who asked to drink with him.
  • Snyder recognized the necklace and asked the Night Elf what she was doing there.

Ch. 39A Romantic Showdown

Azshara met Snyder privately and tried to rekindle their relationship, but he insisted he had a partner and explained why he had given up most of the Kaldorei Empire’s legacy. Maiev caught them together and recognized Azshara, leaving her arrival exposed.

  • Azshara revealed her true appearance and thanked Snyder for the necklace that restored her beauty.
  • Azshara approached Snyder, but he stepped away and told her he had a partner; she said his inscription on the necklace had made her believe he still loved her.
  • Azshara explained that Vashj was helping her act independently of N'Zoth, and Snyder defended his decision to avoid further war and let the people choose where to live.
  • Azshara refused to say when she would leave, and Snyder warned her to hide her face from people who still opposed her.
  • Maiev returned to find Snyder and Azshara together, then froze when she recognized Azshara.

Ch. 40The First Meeting

Snyder stopped Azshara and Maiev from fighting at his victory banquet, then privately worried about managing their rivalry. As Jarod and Naisha traveled together, Naisha recalled their first meeting on a battlefield, where Jarod fought an Infernal and held off demonic reinforcements before an elf arrived with a rain of arrows.

  • Azshara and Maiev confronted each other at Snyder’s banquet, but Snyder separated them with a wall of water and sent them to their rooms.
  • Snyder dropped his angry act and worried about how to manage his relationship with both women.
  • Jarod and Naisha rode together on a Moonblade Panther, and Jarod told Naisha he had come because he wanted to see her.
  • During a battle, Jarod used frost magic to sever an Infernal’s leg and urged nearby soldiers to finish it off.
  • Jarod ordered a messenger to summon the other units when demonic reinforcements arrived, then fought to hold them back.
  • An elf appeared and sent a rain of arrows into the demons as Jarod prepared to make a last stand.

Ch. 41One Glance, a Lifetime Lost

Naisha and Jarod led the rebels against the demon coalition, but the Fel Reavers’ fire attacks turned the battle against them. After Jarod saved Naisha and she destroyed a Fel Reaver, they found themselves surrounded by demons.

  • Naisha ordered her reinforcements to dodge the Eredar Warlocks’ Rain of Fire as Jarod rallied the rebels against the charging Felguards.
  • Jarod killed a Felguard, and Naisha mounted her moonblade leopard and cut down another as the rebels counterattacked.
  • The Fel Reavers fired blasts of fire energy, killing many rebels and forcing the survivors to retreat.
  • Naisha charged a Fel Reaver, and Jarod teleported in to shield her from its Fire Breath.
  • Naisha struck the Fel Reaver’s head with her moonblade, then pulled Jarod clear before it exploded.
  • Naisha and the exhausted Jarod faced the demons closing around them.

Ch. 42The End of the Memories and the Unromantic Jarod

Jarod and Naisha were nearly defeated by demons until Snyder and the Hand of the Bright Moon arrived and wiped out the enemy. Later, Naisha recalled how she first met Jarod, while he pretended to fall asleep beside her.

  • Jarod and Naisha charged the Eredar Warlock but were struck down by his Fel spells as the demons closed in.
  • Snyder arrived with the Hand of the Bright Moon, rescued the exhausted fighters, and healed Jarod and Naisha.
  • Snyder fought the demon coalition, blocked its Finger of Agony with an earthen wall, and destroyed the demons with fire.
  • Snyder ordered the troops to treat the wounded and return to the fortress, where Jarod and Naisha introduced themselves.
  • Naisha recalled their first meeting and asked Jarod if he remembered it, but he pretended to be asleep, so she let him rest his head on her thigh.

Ch. 43Snyder's Headache

Snyder weighed his past with Azshara against his relationship with Maiev, while both women considered how to keep him close. After the returning heroes' banquet, Snyder visited the four great Elemental Lords to commune with Azeroth's elements.

  • Snyder decided to focus on his relationship with Maiev and stopped drinking to speak with the returning warriors.
  • Azshara contacted Vashj, learned that N'Zoth had not detected her deception, and admitted she had no plan for dealing with Maiev.
  • Maiev calmed her fears by choosing to trust Snyder, then blamed Jarod for giving Azshara an opening and fell asleep.
  • Snyder heard news from the returning heroes at the banquet and was glad they could finally rest safely at home.
  • Snyder teleported to the mountains to meet the four great Elemental Lords, who asked what had brought him there.

Ch. 44A Sudden Upheaval

Snyder trained in the elemental sanctuary and spoke with the will of Azeroth about his troubles and responsibilities as king. Meanwhile, Jarod and Naisha visited Faledor, where a blessing led the Silver Hand to reveal the vanished Keeper Tyr.

  • Snyder arrived at the Elemental Lords' sanctuary, rejected Ragnaros's request to be separated from the other Lords, and began meditating.
  • Snyder spoke with the will of Azeroth, discussed the person cursed by N'Zoth, and chose to have his will tempered.
  • Jarod and Naisha walked to Faletai'an and passed the guards' inspection before approaching Faledor.
  • Jarod quietly asked Faledor for a blessing, and Faledor gave him a magic leaf.
  • Jarod showed Faledor the Silver Hand from Tyr's Tomb, which shone and revealed Keeper Tyr; Snyder sensed the change and woke from his training.

Ch. 45Faledor's New Neighbor

Jarod and Naisha’s arrival at Faledor sparked alarm when Tyr’s remnant soul emerged from the Silver Hand, but Snyder returned and gave the soul a new body. Tyr agreed to stay with Faledor as his companion, while Snyder called the guard captain and Jarod aside to discuss something.

  • The guard captain confronted Jarod and Naisha when the Silver Hand shone, and Jarod explained that they meant Faledor no harm.
  • Tyr’s remnant soul left the Silver Hand and approached Faledor, who welcomed him and heard why the Well of Eternity had drawn him there.
  • The guard captain demanded that Tyr return to the Silver Hand, but Faledor and Tyr assured him that Tyr meant no harm.
  • Snyder returned, heard Jarod’s account, and offered to make Tyr a new body if he would stay with Faledor.
  • Snyder used water from the Well of Eternity and a branch from Faledor to create a wooden body, and Tyr entered it successfully.
  • Snyder told Tyr to keep Faledor company, then summoned the guard captain and Jarod for a discussion.

Ch. 46Snyder's New Weapon

Snyder collected the Silver Hand from Jarod and prepared to reforge a new weapon using it and other gathered materials. After cultivating, he retrieved his damaged first weapon, Nokao'si, and began melting it down as he started creating a new divine artifact.

  • Snyder praised the guard captain and sent him to collect a new set of gear.
  • Jarod gave Snyder the Silver Hand, and Snyder said he would use it to reforge a weapon.
  • Snyder cultivated with the will of Azeroth and felt his soul and willpower grow stronger.
  • Snyder went to Nokao'si's grave, dug up its damaged armor, and laid out materials for reforging.
  • Snyder summoned concentrated fire energy and melted down Nokao'si.

Ch. 47A Weapon Reborn

Snyder reforged Nokao'si with Thorium, the Silver Hand, water from the Well of Eternity, and the essences of the four Elemental Lords. After the armor's rebirth sent a shockwave across the world, Snyder promised the Elemental Lords he would introduce them to Shamans without allowing them to control anyone's mind.

  • Snyder forged Nokao'si from the damaged armor, Thorium, the Silver Hand, water from the Well of Eternity, and the four Elemental Lords' essences.
  • Nokao'si's birth released an elemental shockwave that startled Apophis's prey, caught Dath'Remar's attention, and prompted Cenarius to calm frightened animals.
  • Snyder summoned the reforged Nokao'si and sealed it inside his body for quick use.
  • The four Elemental Lords questioned Snyder about his promise, and he vowed to introduce them to outstanding Shamans without letting them control the Shamans' minds.

Ch. 48The Passage of Time

Twenty years later, Jarod reunited with the aging Apophis, who concealed the toll of warfare and clan leadership while discussing their homelands. Apophis summoned Leo and Lilith, whose standing among warriors and mages made them central to the growing division in his clan.

  • After twenty years without contact, Apophis called Jarod and asked to meet, and Jarod teleported to him in a forest in the Eastern Kingdoms.
  • Apophis and Jarod caught up until evening, and Jarod returned home after Apophis declined to host him because of recent clan tensions.
  • Apophis returned to town, reflecting on the conflict between warriors and mages and questioning whether introducing the mage profession had been right.
  • Apophis considered how he had unified the region, while hidden battle injuries and years of clan affairs had weakened his health.
  • Apophis summoned Leo and Lilith, and Lilith caught him when he wobbled after rising from his seat.

Ch. 49Peace for the Time Being

Apophis stepped down as chieftain and passed the clan’s leadership to Leo and Lilith, then left town alone for Tyr's Tomb. He settled beneath a tree there, hoping to spend his remaining time at the site of his greatest battle.

  • Apophis told Leo and his wife that he planned to hand them the clan, warning them to prevent conflict between its warriors and mages.
  • Apophis announced to the townspeople that he was stepping down and named Leo and Lilith the new leaders.
  • Apophis gave Leo the sword and Lilith the jeweled crown, and the crowd cheered their succession.
  • Apophis returned to his residence, packed his belongings, left a letter for Leo and Lilith, and departed alone.
  • Apophis reached Tyr's Tomb, buried Jarod's communication stone, and fell asleep beneath a tree.

Ch. 50A New Split

After Lilith’s death, Leo’s grief and harsh orders brought war between the clan’s mages and warriors, leaving the clan weakened. Near the end of his life, Leo entrusted its survival to General Lothar and directed him to found a new clan called Arathi.

  • After Lilith was killed by a coerced guard, Leo ordered the rebellious region slaughtered and forced mages to pursue impossible time magic.
  • Warriors abused and monitored the mages, and Leo punished them based on the warriors’ reports, driving some mages to plan a rebellion.
  • When the warriors uncovered the uprising, Leo ordered the rebels executed, but the warriors attacked all the mages, triggering a battle that devastated both sides.
  • As an old man, Leo summoned General Lothar and offered him the chief’s war sword and jeweled crown.
  • Leo told Lothar to take selected people to a place on the territory’s edge and preserve the clan’s spark there.
  • Lothar accepted the responsibility, and Leo named the new clan Arathi.
Arc 2 of 5
Arc 2 of 5