Azeroth: Starting with Eagle Eye in the Necropolis

Page 105

For example, there are some high-yield ores and a lot of timber, but these need to be manually cut down or developed by Rhodes, so it's not that easy.

Rhode examined the three-dimensional map in his mind and quickly located a special beach. Unlike the dense jungles in other areas, this beach had only sparse vegetation and obvious traces of fel magic on the ground. Although the magic had faded considerably, it was still visible under the effect of seeing through the earth.

This was the Broken Beach that Rhode was looking for. After finding his destination, Rhode immediately spurred his wyvern to fly in that direction.

Just as they were about to arrive, Rhodes saw a special force approaching. It was a lone small boat carrying about a dozen night elves. (It should be noted that some night elves did follow Illidan; otherwise, there wouldn't be any night elf demon hunters. This is a later addition from the official sources; in the original campaign, Illidan had no night elves with him, only naga.)

One of the night elves was tall, with demonic hooves and feet, and a huge bat wing on its back. After it stepped onto the shore, green evil fire ignited on the ground.

After a dozen or so night elves landed, a large number of strange creatures emerged from the sea. They were humanoid creatures that resembled fish and carried all sorts of long-handled weapons.

These creatures are the Naga of Azeroth. Ten thousand years ago, a large number of them followed Queen Azshara and the Highborne were sunk to the bottom of the sea. They were doomed to die.

But Queen Azshara made a deal with the Old God N'Zoth: terrifying shadow magic altered the flesh and blood of these Highborne elves, turning them into a completely different species. The night elves, infected by shadow power, became deep-sea creatures.

The Naga forces following Illidan numbered in the thousands, and huge, fish-like humanoid creatures with snake-like tails kept emerging from the sea.

The leader was a strangely-looking female Naga, who was none other than Lady Vashj, Queen Aisara's former handmaid.

"Lord Illidan, we've arrived at the Broken Isles. Is the artifact you spoke of truly here?" Vashj asked Illidan.

“That’s right, that’s exactly what I remember from that skull, but we have friends coming.” Illidan looked up at the sky and saw Rhodes flying overhead.

Unexpectedly, they encountered Rhodes here. After escaping from the cave beneath Mount Hyjal, the two of them together defeated the dreadlord Tichondrius.

He was then banished by his brother Malfurion, but was also hunted by his nemesis Maiev Shadowsong, even though the order to release him was given by the demigod Cenarius.

But that doesn't matter to that crazy woman; what matters is how to lock herself back in her bunker once again.

With no other option, Illidan led a group of like-minded night elves, who had suffered persecution at the hands of the Burning Legion and wanted to take revenge on the Legion, to a coastal area!

He sensed an indescribable magical power in the deep sea, and then he summoned this power, calling upon his ancient allies.

The creatures from the deep sea came before Illidan. The Naga were once proud Highborne elves, but since sinking to the bottom of the sea, they have become a group of monsters. However, these monsters can help him.

Leaving behind a portion of the Naga forces to intercept Maiev Shadowsong, Illidan led the main force to this shattered coast, where he accepted a special mission from the demon lord Kil'jaeden.

When Illidan killed the Lich King, a traitor to the Burning Legion, and acted alongside Rhodes, he learned about the Scourge. He had no good feelings towards this undead force, and believed that destroying them was also a way to protect Azeroth, so he accepted the mission.

He never expected to run into Rhodes after arriving here. He originally didn't want to have any more contact with Rhodes.

Chapter 170 Illidan's perverse sense of humor; Rhodes offends Azshara.

The other night elves and some naga looked up at the sky curiously but found nothing unusual; there was nothing in the sky.

In fact, when entering the Broken Isles, Rhodes cast an invisibility spell to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble.

It might fool the eyes of ordinary people, but it won't fool the eyes of a demon hunter. Although Illidan is blind, his fel-based vision allows him to see things that ordinary people cannot.

Rhodes in the sky was completely exposed to Illidan, so Rhodes simply stopped hiding and revealed his true form, a huge two-legged dragon appearing above everyone's heads.

"It's been a long time, Illidan."

As soon as Rhodes revealed himself, the night elves on the ground immediately drew their bows and aimed at him. Some of the Naga even raised their staffs and various ranged weapons, and one Naga even took out two bows and aimed them at Rhodes.

Many Nagas have four or six arms, but because of the queen, women generally hold a dominant position, while men generally have a lower status.

“No need to be alarmed, my followers. He is not our enemy.” Illidan immediately raised his hand to stop his followers from showing hostility.

Rhodes also controlled the two-legged wyvern king to land on the ground, and then came to Illidan. He extended a hand very warmly, intending to shake hands with Illidan.

However, Illidan clearly had no intention of giving Rhodes any face, and only touched him perfunctorily.

“I should have said it before, Rhodes, now is not the time for us to meet. The best time will be after you return,” Illidan said.

"Don't say that. I came to you this time because I have something to ask you. I've accepted a new mission, and I'm here to help you," Rhodes said.

At the same time, she smiled slightly at Lady Vashj, Illidan's rumored girlfriend, but the Naga lady's face was frosty, whether due to racial issues or something else, and her body was even somewhat stiff.

With her four arms tucked behind her back in great unease, and her hair, resembling octopus tentacles, was whipping wildly around her head, Vashj seemed to be trying her best to restrain herself, even turning her head away.

Vasch felt strange. She didn't know this man, so why was she suddenly tense?

"Could it be the one behind you? Tyrande, is she alright?" Illidan seemed to have thought of something and immediately asked.

The one behind Rhodes must be the goddess. Could it be that after ten thousand years, the great goddess has given Rhodes a new task?

Can Tyrande's body handle this? Rhodes, you bastard, if anything happens to Tyrande, I'll tear you apart first.

However, something doesn't quite add up. Rhodes established contact with that person 1 years ago, right? At this point in time, he shouldn't have traveled back 1 years.

“Yes, the great Titan Keeper gave me a mission. I know why you came here: to find the Eye of Sargeras and to destroy the Lich King, right?” Rhodes said with a smile.

“Titan Guardian! How could you accept those guys’ mission? You’re not… never mind, I shouldn’t talk to you too much, but if you want to come along, then come along!” Illidan seemed to want to say something, but he held back.

"Aren't you going to introduce the lady next to you? She looks like she must be the leader of these Naga!" Rhodes asked with a smile, looking at the enormous Naga in front of him.

“You two are old acquaintances, Vashj. This mage is called Rhodes, do you remember him?” Illidan said with a playful smile.

The Highborne elves were quite adventurous back then, and Rhodes had spent some time in the Highborne noble circle, so he and Vas knew Rhodes.

"Who are you? I... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, but I can't remember where. This is so strange. Are you sure I know him? Lord Illidan?" Vashj asked, puzzled.

Now, with four arms, hair like octopus tentacles, a giant snake-like tail, and gills like a fish, she is too ashamed to face her former acquaintances.

Moreover, she had no recollection of Rhodes at all, but for some reason, it seemed instinctively that she didn't want Rhodes to see her in her current state.

“Strictly speaking, I’m not the Rhode you know. The specifics are a bit complicated. You should have heard of time magic. I traveled back 1 years into the future,” Rhode said with a shrug.

"Oh! So you don't know me now, but I know you from ten thousand years ago. This is really strange."

"But why do I have no memory of you at all?" Vashj said, covering her head.

“Don’t worry about it. After all, not many people know my identity. I kept a low profile back then,” Rhodes said.

Illidan, standing to the side, snorted coldly, "You bastard, keep it low-key, that's the funniest joke I've ever heard."

The reason Vashj doesn't recognize Rhodes is because some powerful being cast a memory spell.

Currently, besides the supreme beings, the only ones among the night elves who truly retain Rhodes' memories are himself, the demigod, Malfurion, and Tyrande.

However, the queen in the deep sea must have Rhodes' memories. If Azshara finds out that Rhodes has returned, things will get interesting.

They'll definitely come after her! She'd love to tear Rhodes apart alive and devour his flesh and blood.

Back then, Rhodes was highly regarded by Queen Azshara in the Highborne. However, when Azshara was welcoming the great god Sargeras and fantasizing about becoming his wife, Rhodes stabbed her in the back.

He even mocked Azshara as a "green tea bitch," and now when he recalls Rhodes's mockery of Queen Azshara back then, he feels extremely satisfied.

Sargeras is looking for a maid to serve him tea and water. You'd be perfect. You could lick Sargeras's feet like a bitch.

She didn't even take a piss and look in the mirror. Queen Elsara hated Rhodes to the core, and even after falling into the deep sea, she was still cursing Rhodes.

She cursed Rhodes for ruining her perfect marriage, forever depriving her of the right to become the Queen of Gods and the chance to become the Queen of the Burning Legion.

Illidan looked around at his subordinates. These Naga were not core members, and they weren't even qualified to contact Azshara. Moreover, many of them didn't have Rhodes' memories.

As long as you keep it a secret, Rhodes's message won't get out.

“Okay, I understand,” Vashj nodded to Rhodes.

She felt like she'd heard the name Rod somewhere before, and it sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

“Tell me, Illidan, what are you planning to do next?” Rhodes looked at Illidan.

"First, I'd like to know something: how did you come to know about the Eye of Sargeras?" Illidan was very curious about how Rhodes knew about this artifact.

“This needs to be kept secret, after all, you know about the person behind me,” Rhodes said mysteriously.

Illidan nodded. If it was the goddess's will, then so be it. He then began to explain his plan to Rhodes.

"I need it to destroy the Lich King, who is hiding in the Tomb of Sargeras ahead, which is full of dangerous demonic creatures."

I had planned to lead my men in to infiltrate, but now that you're here, perhaps the two of us will suffice.

Illidan originally planned to use the Naga as cannon fodder, filling the Tomb of Sargeras with human lives, and fight his way into the Tomb of Sargeras.

Then seize the Eye of Sargeras at the center of Suzuki. With this artifact, it can successfully destroy the Frozen Throne and the entire continent of Northrend.

This is a Burning Legion artifact that Sargeras carried when he entered Azeroth, possessing extremely powerful fel energy.

Now that Rhodes has arrived, and Rhodes himself is equivalent to countless warriors, there is naturally no need to bring these cannon fodder troops in. It is more convenient for the two of them to infiltrate together.

“You and I are thinking the same thing. I think so too. Let’s go in together, and I’ll help you clear out all the demons inside,” Rhodes said.

These demons are a real treasure! They provide an endless supply of resources, as well as various treasures and even rare units. Moreover, Rhodes can unleash some special forces, such as the undead, in front of Illidan.

"Then it's decided. Your companion must be a mage, right? Let her stay outside and travel with Vashj!"

That crazy woman keeps chasing me. She and Vashj can hold her off and buy us more time.

Rhodes looked at Illidan and asked, "That's not a problem, but are you sure you want to break ties with Maiev?"

The encounter between night elves and naga is a fight to the death. The night elves have a deep-seated contempt for these once-fallen high elves.

"Do you have a better idea? You know how obsessed that crazy woman is with me. Her only goal is to drag me back to that dark and sunless dungeon."

"How about I lead the troops into the Tomb of Sargeras, and you stay behind to deal with that woman?" Illidan sneered.

That bastard Rhodes spread a lot of rumors about me and Maiev back then, but Maiev probably doesn't remember Rhodes now.

It's a real shame that only the four of them retained their memories from back then. He even wanted Maiev to hunt down Rhodes as well!

“Let’s forget it. Let Jaina stay behind and hold Maiev off,” Rhodes said.

Regardless, we still have to go into the Tomb of Sargeras, since the demon Rhodes inside is really craving it.

Illidan nodded and began to arrange the defenses, preparing to deal with Maiev Shadowsong and her army of Wardens.

Chapter 171 Illidan, a petty man is no gentleman, and a ruthless man is no hero—who taught him that?

Jaina also came to Rhodes' side and asked curiously, "Who is this Maiev of Rhodes'?"

"A crazy woman." This is Rod's apt assessment of Maiev Shadowsong.

Maiev Shadowsong harbored a deep hatred for Illidan during the campaign, wishing she could devour him alive. However, strangely, after capturing the lone Illidan in Outland, Maiev Shadowsong did not kill him.

The official explanation at the time was that killing Illidan in Outland would not completely destroy him, because Illidan had already transformed into a demon, and he could only be permanently killed in a place like the Twisting Nether.

Maiev Shadowsong then pursued Illidan Stormrage for years in Outland until the players stormed the Black Temple. Maiev finally succeeded in defeating Illidan, killing him once again, and imprisoning him and his demon hunter in the vaults of Nethergarde Keep, intending to keep them there forever.

However, in later versions of the story, Cordana's Evil Song ruined everything by helping Gul'dan steal Illidan's body, intending to use Illidan's corpse to house Sargeras's soul and allow Sargeras to enter Azeroth.

In the official storyline, Illidan's body is the most suitable for Sargeras to possess. As long as Sargeras's soul can enter Illidan's body, it can have an effect similar to Hades's soul entering a human body in the Saint Seiya world.