Read upto 10 extra chapters worth of extra content; Simply go to my Patreon and become a Patron.
Patreon Challenge: If I get 100 Paid Patrons then I will officially make writing a job of mine.
Allowing for more consistent updates as well as more Content availability on my Patreon.
Current number: 43/100
Patreon: Patreon.com/ArkNova
NecrotikZone and RavenCore552 Thanks a lot for joining as a fellow Patrons, it means a lot, not to mention it helps out the story.
You too can support the story and get multiple extra chapters simply by going to my Patreon and becoming a Paid Patron member not to mention you can also contribute to the Patreon Challenge.
---------------------------------------------------
(A/N: Yesterday I had a dream about how the 5th and strongest Faction of Chaos is actually Teletubbies and how their leader the baby sun had captured and "corrupted" Khorne into becoming the female red teletubby Po.)
Alastor, Anduin, Alleria, Loretta, and Krasus were seated within a secure chamber. After servants finished setting down food and refreshments and departed, both Krasus and Alastor layered several barrier spells over the room to further secure it.
Only then did Krasus begin explaining the reason for his abrupt arrival.
Suffice to say, everyone in the room stared at the humanoid dragon in shock.
"What do you mean one of the human kingdoms is just gone!!?" Anduin demanded.
"Exactly as I said, Anduin Lothar," Krasus replied gravely. "Alterac is all but gone. And not only that—Lordaeron City has fallen as well. Its central structure all but destroyed."
Krasus' expression darkened as he continued recounting recent events.
"Before all of this began, the Plague had started infecting the populace in major settlements across Lordaeron. Thankfully, the suppressant Alastor created allowed the crisis to begin coming under control."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But from what I have heard, Prince Arthas—in a moment of madness or weakness—ordered the city of Darry to be burned to the ground after it was discovered that the city's grain had been infected with the Plague."
"This led to his falling out with his mentor, Uther the Lightbringer, as well as Lady Jaina Proudmoore. Uther expelled him from the Silver Hand then and there."
Anduin scowled, gripping Quel'Zaram tightly.
As a knight—and a very renowned one at that—Anduin took the Knightly oaths very seriously.
Yes, he understood that difficult decisions sometimes had to be made. But such decisions should only be considered when all other options had been exhausted.
Slaughtering an entire city by fire—when a suppressant existed and a cure was in development—did not justify such actions. Especially not from their own Paladin Prince.
Anduin was not alone in his anger. Loretta and Alleria also frowned at the news.
Alastor, though saddened and angered by what he heard of Arthas, asked about someone else.
"Krasus. What about Jaina?"
"You need not worry about her. Lady Proudmoore was already returning to Dalaran after the falling out. When matters escalated, she was safely within the city."
Alastor quietly exhaled in relief. Dalaran was one of the safest places to be—at least for now.
Krasus continued.
"Afterward, Prince Arthas re-emerged and announced an expedition to one of the islands near Northrend. In addition to his forces, he brought Muradin Bronzebeard and a contingent of dwarves."
"When he returned… he was changed. And we realized it far too late."
"Arthas had allied himself with the Black Mages and gained tremendous power through a cursed runeblade known as Frostmourne."
"He launched a surprise assault on Lordaeron City, shortly after entering it in disguise attacking it with undead, daemons, cultists, and Black Mages. But not before he murdered his own father, King Terenas—and shortly after, his mother, Queen Lianne."
Krasus shook his head in regret.
"The Archbishop, Lord Uther, and many others fought bravely to stop him. In the end, they were forced to retreat while evacuating Princess Calia."
"Lordaeron City—and its entire populace—was transformed into an undead breeding ground after Arthas unleashed a massive pulse of cold, chaotic energy that engulfed the capital."
"He now calls himself the Lich King and leads his Scourge alongside his fel allies in open war against the living kingdoms."
Silence fell heavily across the chamber.
"The Black Mages," Krasus continued, "shortly after Lordaeron's fall and the mobilization of the Allied forces, conducted a massive chaotic ritual."
"They sacrificed at least ninety-five percent of Alterac's population—along with its ley lines—to fuel it. That ritual is what plunged the world into its current state."
Alastor's expression hardened.
"What exactly was this ritual, Krasus? What was its purpose?"
"It was a daemonic rite designed to weaken the veil between reality and the Aether. At this very moment, the planet is surrounded by Warp storms."
Anduin, Loretta, and Alleria's eyes widened at the revelation.
Alastor, however, remained composed.
"I'm sensing a 'but.'"
Krasus nodded.
"Indeed. Azeroth is not a normal world. Multiple forces are already at work to halt the corruption—if not fully stop it, then at least blunt its advance."
"Such as?" Alleria asked.
"The Light," Krasus answered. "It has permeated this planet for millennia through its countless practitioners acting as a strong deterrent to dark and malevolent forces."
"And the Dragon Aspects themselves are taking action."
"The Aspects themselves are acting?" Loretta asked in surprise.
Alastor frowned slightly at that.
Part of him felt relief that they were intervening. Yet another part felt frustration that they were acting only now—only when everything was going to shit.
Krasus may have sensed his thoughts. Having known Alastor in Dalaran, he understood enough of his human friend's thought process.
"I understand you may not be pleased with my lady and her kin," Krasus said calmly. "But believe me, there are reasons for what you perceive as absence."
"The Aether houses many powerful and malevolent entities who have watched Azeroth for a very long time. To protect the world from them, each of the four Dragon Aspects—and the majority of their flights—contribute in their own way to keep such forces at bay."
Krasus conjured four differently colored projections of dragons as he spoke.
Red, Blue, Bronze and Green.
"Lady Ysera resides within the Emerald Dream alongside her dragonflight, safeguarding it and nature as a whole. The Emerald Dream—often called the Land of Dreams—is a vast, ever-shifting spirit realm existing beyond the physical world."
"It protects the souls and minds of Azeroth's inhabitants from malignant entities and allows them to dream without fear."
"Lord Nozdormu, the Timeless One—the Aspect of the Bronze Dragonflight and guardian of time—along with his flight, protects the timeways and prevents their exploitation for destructive ends."
"Malygos, the Spell-Weaver, guardian of arcane magic and hidden arcanum, oversees the currents of magic alongside his flight."
Alastor noticed Krasus' expression grow complicated when mentioning Malygos—but before he could ask, Krasus continued.
"And finally, Alexstrasza the Life-Binder—my and my kin's queen."
"We of the Red Dragonflight has sworn itself as guardians of all life on Azeroth."
"Currently, nearly all of our kind—alongside the Four Aspects—are holding back the hordes attempting to encroach upon Azeroth through the Aether while simultaneously suppressing chaotic energies as much as possible."
Alastor listened carefully.
He sensed no deception from Krasus.
A quiet sense of shame stirred within him.
He had judged them too quickly.
If the Aspects were truly holding back greater daemonic incursions from beyond the veil, then without them, the Black Mages might have drawn upon far greater power.
Not to mention vast daemonic hosts might have already descended with catastrophic consequences.
Perhaps this also explained why the Aspects and their dragonflights rarely appeared in mortal affairs.
Their war was simply fought elsewhere.
"I may have judged your kind—and your masters—too harshly," Alastor said at last, inclining his head. "For that, I ask forgiveness, my friend."
Krasus smiled gently.
"There is nothing to forgive, Alastor. I understand how our actions may appear when viewed at face value."
He gave a faint chuckle.
"And let me simply say that many of my kind are quite...prideful."
Krasus felt a quiet satisfaction regarding Alastor, the man was level-headed and reasonable and not drowning in pride to the point of arrogance.
That alone set him apart from many rulers Krasus had known.
And Krasus had seen many such rulers.
Alleria took the opportunity to finally interject.
"You've told us about the enemy's recent movements, as well as the dragons', but what of the Allied forces facing the Scourge and the Black Mages?"
"Of course," Krasus replied. "Before the ritual was completed, swift action was thankfully taken by several notable figures from Lordaeron."
"There are currently two major points of resistance in the north of Arda."
"In the northern region of Lordaeron, General Abbendis and Paladin Turalyon have gathered a great host at the Holy City of Stratholme, effectively halting the Scourge's advance across most of the north—aside from the routes leading toward Quel'Thalas."
Alleria's eyes flickered with concern at the mention of her homeland. For a brief moment, worry surfaced—but she forced herself to remain calm. Quel'Thalas possessed formidable defenses, and her mother and sisters were there as well to assist in the defence of their home.
"In the south," Krasus continued, "Archbishop Alonsus Faol, along with Uther Lightbringer, Saidan Dathrohan, and Tirion Fordring—accompanied by Princess Calia Menethil after escaping the fall of Lordaeron—Linked up with High General Alexandros Mograine and his army."
"Alonsus Faol formally assumed command. After disseminating all gathered intelligence regarding the Black Mages and the Scourge, he issued a call for aid to every kingdom across Arda."
"Thankfully many answered."
"Multiple kingdoms dispatched armies to reinforce Faol's host, forming a large and formidable Allied force to contain the Scourge along Lordaeron's southern borders until further plans could be devised for a more permanent solution."
Krasus' expression darkened.
"Unfortunately, even with the Aspects and the Holy Light holding back the bulk of the daemonic incursions, certain regions saturated with daemonic energy—where the veil between realms is particularly thin—have seen Warp portals successfully opened."
"These portals summoned daemonic legions."
"They have also been used to transport Beastkin and undead behind Allied lines, launching surprise assaults against various kingdoms. As a result, many of those kingdoms were forced to sever supply lines and redirect troops to defend their own territories."
"For the moment, the Allied armies positioned along Lordaeron's southern border remain stable. They possess sufficient manpower and supplies."
"But with rear settlements under attack and transport routes compromised, the movement of reinforcements and provisions will become increasingly precarious."
"And what is it you seek by coming here?" Anduin asked, voicing the most pressing question after receiving a comprehensive overview of the war's state.
There was no denying it now.
This was total war.
"I need Alastor—and Stormwind's support—to reinforce the northern front," Krasus said seriously.
"Krasus, I would gladly help," Alastor replied, "but I cannot simply abandon the south. Grimgor and his Horde must still be dealt with."
Alastor narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And why come to me? Wouldn't it been more better to go directly to Stormwind instead to speak to my father?"
"Alastor…" Krasus' expression turned grim. "Stormwind City itself is under siege."
"WHAT?!"
Alastor shot to his feet.
Beside him, Anduin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I do not speak lightly on such matters," Krasus said firmly. "Stormwind's capital is under siege by a combined force of Beastkin and daemons."
"How the frak did they even—"
Alastor cut himself off mid-sentence as realization struck.
Krasus had already explained it.
Regions saturated with corruption, where the veil of reality had thinned, were being exploited to open Warp portals—used both for daemon summoning and large-scale teleportation.
It only meant that a similar portal was opened in the south!
By pacifying the Beastkin warherds in Stranglethorn Vale, Alastor had reduced the size of the attacking force—but it had only forced Malak's forces to expend greater resources to teleport a full warherd and daemonic army directly to Stormwind.
"Alastor," Krasus continued carefully, "I understand your frustration. But I have reason to believe the enemy deliberately targeted Stormwind."
"They may have even engineered Grimgor Ironhide's resurgence specifically to keep you pinned in the south… or to kill you."
Silence fell across the chamber.
When viewed in sequence, the pattern was disturbingly clear.
First, Grimgor destabilizes the Savage Lands—forcing Alastor's full attention.
Then communications falter.
Then Stormwind is besieged.
The Stormwind kingdom's capital's collapses and with it morale and central control.
Alastor remains trapped in the south—between Grimgor's Horde and the daemonic-beastkin forces that would most likely flank him from behind.
A calculated scenario designed either to immobilize him…
…or to remove him outright.
In a sense, Krasus' arrival had disrupted the enemy's carefully crafted southern strategy.
"These bastards have been planning this for a long time," Anduin growled, teeth clenched.
"Krasus," Alastor said evenly, "I am grateful for the information you've provided."
"But there is one final question."
"Who told you to come here?"
It was a necessary question.
Yes, Alastor and Stormwind were powerful assets. But there were other strategic avenues available to the Allied forces.
Which meant one likely conclusion.
Someone had specifically requested—or ordered—Krasus to retrieve him.
Krasus hesitated. A complicated expression crossed his face.
"Yes… you could say I was approached by an unexpected source. Allies, in this current crisis."
"The Night Elves."
Alleria's eyes widened once she heard the name of her "cousin" kin.
"The Night Elves? Why would they intervene? They're the most isolationist and secretive of all races for a reason."
"They were approached themselves," Krasus explained, "by another distant kin of your people, Lady Alleria. They call themselves Harlequins—servants of their Laughing God."
Alleria blinked in surprise at the mention of one of her people's ancient deities.
Anduin and Loretta, meanwhile, exchanged incredulous looks at the revelation that there existed a race of elves who worshipped what sounded suspiciously like a clown god.
Was this a joke?
Alastor, however, reacted differently.
He was surprised—but kept most of his surprise to himself.
He knew that name.
Not extensively—but enough.
Cegorach; The Laughing God.
Patron of the Harlequins; The most mysterious and secretive branch of the Eldar race.
Perhaps the only Eldar/Elven deity—aside from Isha—to survive the Fall of the Aeldari Empire. The others had been devoured by Slaanesh, while Khaine had been shattered.
From the fragmented foreknowledge of his past life, Alastor knew that Cegorach resided within the Webway and rarely acted directly—choosing instead to influence events through his Harlequins.
They were sworn enemies of Chaos—doubly so in the case of Slaanesh.
Enigmatic. Secretive. Unpredictable.
Yet despite their theatrical nature and inscrutable motives, they had saved countless worlds from annihilation at the hands of Chaos—often without the inhabitants ever realizing they had been spared.
Which raised a far more concerning implication.
If not only Chaos but also Cegorach himself had involved himself in the ongoing war than that could only mean that the outcome of the war was of particular significance not just to the people of Azeroth.
But far beyond it.
Alastor couldn't help think if he should be honoured or frustrated with his circumstance, since from what he remembered from what foreknowledge he had that his other Primarch brothers while facing their own challenges.
Did not in fact have to already contend with not just the attention of all 4 of the Chaos Gods but also other Gods and similar entities!
In fact now that he thought about it wasn't Gork and Mork's attention also here considering there was an Ork like Grimgor?
Boy did he feel honoured. (Sarcasm)
Krasus continued speaking while Alastor processed the information.
"Currently the Night Elves are assisting the Allied forces in the North especially the Archbishop's Host, and it was one of them who went by the name Shandris that approached me on Dalaran where she revealed that she knew my true identity"
"She informed me that I needed to get you to the North alongside the other armies, saying how your presence would significantly increase our chances of victory."
"That said regardless, first and foremost I will assist you in breaking the Siege of Stormwind before we can discuss heading to the North, you have my word."
Alastor, Alleria and Anduin were silent for a moment as they thought of the best course of action.
But then surprisingly Loretta stood up and faced Alastor with a serious look.
"Prince Alastor please make haste to Stormwind with Lady Alleria and Lord Anduin, leave the defence of Fort Clover to us."
Alastor looked at Loretta incredulously. "Loretta do you even hear yourself? you saw what Grimgor and his ilk were like, I can't just leave you and the others to suffer through them without a valid counter."
Loretta instead shook her head with a smile and bowed towards him on one knee with her fist clenched to her heart.
"Prince Alastor, Yes I and the others had seen the full might and brutality of the Orks especially Grimgor Ironhide in the last 2 months but more than that YOU have shown us that despite the legends even monsters feared by Heroes could be fought and overcome."
"As warriors of Stormwind, the moment we took up arms we knew one way or another that death would always be a constant companion whenever we enter the battlefield yet despite that we swore Oaths to protect our lands and loved ones from those that would see them dead or worse."
"Yet when the Green Slaughterer appeared for the first time, we only felt despair and helplessness despite never facing him before and only hearing of him in legends we almost broke down if not for his Highness's spell(Battle meditation)."
"You even went and faced him head on not once but multiple times regardless of the fact that he was someone that had killed countless people and Heroes in his long life."
"We will not deign to delude ourselves into thinking we could be as strong as you, Prince Alastor but without a shadow of a doubt this is our Shame!"
Even Alastor did not realize but his actions of fighting Grimgor head-on and facing every challenge that he and his forces met with a calm and level-head along with his Primarch presence that instilled hope and willpower amongst those under him had not only long ago dispelled the fear and helplessness his army had felt before his arrival and when encountering Grimgor for the first time.
But had also strengthened their spirits and filled them with determination to face the challenges head on and either die paving the way for others or overcome these challenges themselves no matter how daunting.
"So my prince I humbly request for you to make haste to Stormwind without worry and allow us to hold position and cleanse the shame we have brought upon ourselves."
Alastor looked at Loretta with a mixture of pride and unwillingness, he was never one that condoned needless expenditure of life which was one of the reason that shaped his way of waging war.
Strategies that expended the lowest amount of life to achieve the greatest results.
While making damn well sure that those that did end up dying did so knowing that their deaths and sacrifice had "meaning".
Because when you die almost everything ends for you, aside from the memories and legacies you leave behind.
If soldiers had the duty to obey orders then it was the duty of the commanders to make sure they gave their sacrifices meaning.
It was Alastor's own view of a true symbiotic bond between an army and their general.
"...Commander I charge you and the others with the defence of Fort Clover to defend against the Orks from the Savage Lands."
"You are to hold, defend and overcome any attacks that threaten this crucial location and you are also to survive once the current ordeals are to be resolved."
"That is an Order."
Loretta gave Alastor a smile and a salute by putting her fist on her heart.
"Orders received, we'll give those Greenskins hell my lord you can count on it."
-------------------------------------------------
Alastor, Anduin, Alleria and Krasus made their way to the largest landing pad.
"How do we get to Stormwind though? An Aircraft might be the most viable since both long-range magical and technological teleportation would be too unreliable not to mention unstable with the rampant chaotic energies bleeding through the Veil."
Anduin asked but Krasus only chuckled as he was once again surrounded by his red aura and turned back into his gigantic dragon form.
Alleria's eyes sparkled as she immediately jumped onto the dragon's back followed by Alastor who looked at the suddenly nervous sweating Anduin with a smile.
"Come now Anduin, are you really afraid of a bit of dragon flight? it is the fastest way to go aside from teleportation."
Anduin quickly gulped and composed himself as he quickly climbed on Krasus back as well.
"Who said I'm nervous boy!? I've faced things you couldn't even believe besides it's only flight not like I haven't been on a plane before it's just that Dragon flight is rare nothing el---!!!"
Anduin did not complete his sentence as with a mighty leap Krasus took to the skies and in a few moments reached speeds upto Mach 5 while his magic aura surrounded and protected his "passengers" from the G-forces.
Anduin's undignified splutters were the only thing Alastor and Alleria heard and despite the tense situation they laughed in amusement while the legendary Knight held onto the dragon's back like his life depended on it.
---------------------------------------------------
Back at Fort Clover, Loretta sat within the war room alongside the remaining commanders.
"Alright," she began briskly. "We're on our own for now. Let's review defensive projections for the coming days."
She expected the usual exchange of structured analysis.
Instead, the others stared at her strangely.
"What?"
"General… shouldn't you give us a framework first?" one of them asked cautiously.
"Henry, we've done this before. It's not any differ—"
She suddenly froze as the words registered in her mind and proceeded to give them a deadpan look.
"What did you call me?"
"What? General? Oh—was I supposed to congratulate you first?"
Another commander laughed. "Don't tell us you don't know? before Prince Alastor left he already told us about your promotion to General, so Congrats for your promotion.....again."
Loretta did not hear what else was said as she could almost see Alastor in front of her giving her a thumbs up with a confident look that said 'You got this!'.
Loretta did the most sane thing that she could.
SLAM!
Loretta slammed her face on the holo-table to the shocked looks of her now-subordinates and groaned loudly at Alastor once more suddenly just dumping this on her!
Sadly (for her) this would in fact not be the first time Alastor would do something similar and stress inducing to one of his favourite commanders.
--------------------------------------------------------
Author Note: Please remember to Vote, comment, Add to library and give the story a 5 star review to help it get the coverage it needs.
Read upto 10 Chapters worth of content ahead by going to my Patreon and becoming a fellow Patron. As well as supporting both the story and myself as well.
By a 100 Paid Patrons I will officially make story writing a job of mine. Guaranteeing more consistent releases as well as more extra Chapters on Patreon.
Patreon: Patreon.com/ArkNova