The verbal jousting between Genn and the other kings persisted for what felt like an eternity, their voices echoing off the chamber walls. Yet, amid the heated exchanges, King Terenas could tolerate no more.
"Enough!" His voice, commanding and authoritative, cut through the tumult, commanding the attention of all present. "We are not here to squabble amongst ourselves but to forge an alliance that will stand against the imminent threat of annihilation!"
A brief silence settled over the assembly, punctuated only by the occasional stifled chuckle.
"Your Alliance has already been thoroughly discussed in a previous meeting, Terenas," countered a man whom I took to be Daelin Proudmoore. "Kul Tiras has already pledged its support. Besides, these savages pose no threat to our navy."
Terenas fixed Daelin with a resolute gaze. "Perhaps they lack naval prowess as of yet," he began, his voice unwavering. "But what prevents them from constructing or commandeering vessels? Nothing. With every moment wasted in petty disputes, our adversaries grow stronger. The portal from which they emerge remains untouched."
I observed the inefficiency of the assembly before me, a gathering plagued by the absence of a clearly dominant force. This was the peril of negotiations among equals – endless discussions devoid of resolution. Unlike the kings of the burgeoning Alliance, demons such as myself held no concern for the welfare of our populace. In our realm, age mattered little; even the youngest among us fought with the ferocity of seasoned warriors. Could it be that our immortality rendered us indifferent to such mortal concerns?
I turned to Aegwynn, noting the furrow in her brow as she observed the ongoing deliberations. It was evident that she deemed this gathering a futile endeavor.
As the discussion persisted, the issue of funding for the armies arose, revealing the financial plight of realms like Alterac and Stromgarde, ill-equipped for war due to their impoverished state. Sensing an opportunity, I decided to intervene.
"Do you require funds?" I addressed the two kings directly, drawing the attention of all present. "We demons hold no value in gold or gemstones. We can lend them to you."
A hush fell over the assembly, followed by murmurs of intrigue.
"And what do you seek in return, demon?" inquired Antonidas, the seasoned mage whose authority seemed to hold sway in Dalaran.
"We seek nothing more than to stand alongside you in the fight against the Horde," I responded, locking eyes with him, my intent clear.
"This seems hardly equitable," Antonidas remarked, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized me.
"For us, it is a considerable bargain," I countered, meeting his gaze squarely. "Our sole aim is to eradicate the Burning Legion—a scourge that tarnishes the reputation of true demons. They are but mortal races corrupted by fel energy and the machinations of death's spies."
"They are no spawn of Urgash, and their leader deserves to die as well," I continued, my voice resonating with conviction as all eyes turned toward me. Aiden Perenolde, the ruler of Alterac, regarded me with a solemn gaze.
"Alterac accepts your offer, demon," he declared, his words carrying weight as he glanced toward Terenas.
"And Stromgarde shall do the same," affirmed Thoras Trollbane, his steely gaze meeting mine before turning to Terenas with a firm nod of agreement.
As Terenas exchanged grateful glances with the other kings, I looked at my mark as I scanned how many ressources I could gather in the quickest way possible. I knew that the conflict should not start before two years as the Orcs will be licking their wounds and taking allies such as the Amani trolls and their fleets will be funded by the goblins
Perhaps I could change some things that made humans lose a lot of people and Daelin to lose his son and a lot of his ships due to Alexstrasza and her flight being enslaved by the orcs using the demon soul. But perhaps, not saving Alexstrasza right now and helping humans with Dragon Knights of our own could earn us a lot mo-
My eyes widened with a sudden realization. 'Since when did I disregard the lives of hundreds for my own benefit?' I whispered to myself, my fists clenching at my sides. I watched as the meeting drew to a close, the formation of the Alliance imminent. The absence of the dwarves and gnomes weighed heavily on my mind, knowing that Ironforge and Gnomeregan would play pivotal roles in the conflict to come.
The depth of the Horde's actual forces remained a mystery to me, a looming uncertainty that threatened to undermine our efforts. Should we launch a preemptive assault, risking the stability of our newfound alliance? Or should we proceed cautiously, gathering intelligence before making our next move?
One thing was certain: I vowed to intervene and save Alexstrasza before she fell into the clutches of the orcs. But to do so, I needed the demon soul—an artifact whose whereabouts remained unknown to me. All I knew was that a mage named Krasus, a consort of the Dragonqueen, held valuable information. I resolved to seek him out and enlist his aid in preventing the impending tragedy.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, admitting the arrival of a High Elven woman, her presence commanding attention. It was none other than Alleria Windrunner, accompanied by a retinue of rangers.
"I offer my sincerest apologies for our tardiness," Alleria said, her voice carrying a note of regret as she cast apologetic glances around the room. "We encountered unforeseen difficulties—a skirmish with forest trolls delayed our journey."
Kael'thas Sunstrider, his expression a mix of frustration and curiosity, addressed her. "Alleria, where are the mages and emissaries from my father's court?"
Alleria's response was unwavering. "His Majesty deemed it unnecessary to send them. He dispatched only the rangers to aid the descendant of Thoradin," she explained, her words causing murmurs among the humans and a subtle stir among the High Elves behind Kael'thas.
Kael'thas' brow furrowed at the news, his gaze lingering on Alleria. "I see," he muttered. "I presume my father saw fit not to employ a portal for your arrival?"
"No, Your Highness," Alleria confirmed with a nod, her demeanor composed despite the tension in the air.
I grunted inwardly at Alleria's words, reminded once again of the selfishness of Kael'thas' father. Anasterian reluctance to commit troops until Quel'Thalas itself was threatened spoke volumes about his priorities. He would wait until the Horde was at his very doorstep, then unleash the devastating magic of Quel'Thalas to repel them—a tactic that would cost countless lives on both sides.
"Quite the skilled deceiver, isn't she?" I murmured to Aegwynn, casting a sidelong glance at the ranger seated nearby. Alleria's presence here was a deviation from her orders to remain in Quel'Thalas, a decision made out of personal conviction rather than obedience to her king. But wasn't she supposed to arrive during the siege of Lordaeron? My thoughts swirled in confusion.
Turning my attention to the ranger, a key figure in the tales of Warcraft, I pondered the whereabouts of Khadgar. Though I sensed his presence within Karazhan, I hadn't seen him succumb to the curse as depicted in the games. Perhaps he remained a youthful apprentice under Aegwynn's guidance—a beneficial arrangement for both.
"Aegwynn," I whispered, drawing her attention. "What became of your son?"
"His physical form may have perished, but his soul endures. He now defends Karazhan alongside his apprentice," Aegwynn replied quietly, her voice laden with sorrow. "He asked me to bestow upon you a gift as a token of gratitude for your assistance."
As the chairs scraped against the floor, signaling the end of the meeting, I knew that tomorrow would mark the dawn of the Alliance and the onset of the Second War.
I rose from my seat, only to feel Aegwynn's hand clasping my wrist, a gentle reminder to stay put. Her touch, though slight, carried a weight of authority that gave me pause.
"Remain here," she instructed, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. "We shall confer with your kin alongside the mages of the Council."
I hesitated, a sense of apprehension settling in my heart. What if my brethren were not welcome? The prospect of rejection weighed heavily upon me. While I could understand their reluctance to accept aid from demons, such a refusal would undoubtedly worsen our situation in Sheogh. My mission was clear: to prevent us from becoming invaders of another world. Yet, I couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered within me.
How could His Majesty convince the people of Azeroth that we were different from the Burning Legion when, in truth, we shared similar traits? Both factions harbored a desire to annihilate everything in their path, albeit for different reasons.
"Please remain here, esteemed kings we shall discuss alliance with the demons of Sheogh," Aegwynn announced, her voice commanding attention from the gathered leaders. Their curious gazes turned towards her as she continued.
"He has pledged financial support from the demon realms of Sheogh," Trollbane interjected impatiently, his tone tinged with skepticism. "What more is there to discuss?"
"Indeed, you have made your offer clear," Daelin added, his eyes narrowing as he regarded me with scrutiny. "But what guarantees do we have of your sincerity?"
"We demons of Sheogh offer more than mere wealth," I asserted, meeting Daelin's piercing gaze head-on. "We possess ancient knowledge, long lost to the annals of time. Furthermore, we can provide direct assistance, deploying troops from Sheogh to aid in your defense against the Horde."
"Are you suggesting that we allow demons to once again set foot upon our world?" Kael'Thas challenged, his gaze ablaze with suspicion.
"Your Highness," I countered, meeting his fiery stare with calm resolve. "We are not akin to the Burning Legion. We demons of Sheogh are far more civilized, possessing a sense of purpose that transcends mere destruction. Our fight is born of necessity, a struggle for survival in the face of extinction. There are few creatures more dangerous than one backed into a corner."
"I do not propose that we fight alongside humanity," I continued, my tone measured yet earnest. "But rather, that we demons serve as a vanguard against the Horde. We are immortal beings; should we fall, our souls will return to Sheogh, where we shall be resurrected to fight once more."
"I extend this offer to you," I declared, my voice resonating with a weight of purpose. "During my absence, a convocation was convened among all Legions, decreed by His Majesty himself. We were commanded to lay aside our internal strife and instead focus our energies on amassing our strength and magic to confront the Burning Legion and eradicate them from existence."
"I concede that this endeavor will require considerable time in the reckoning of Azerothian years," I continued, my gaze sweeping across the assembled kings. "For in Sheogh, where time bends and twists under the influence of our awakened God Urgash, two years may pass swiftly. Yet here, amidst the turbulent currents of Azeroth's timelines, the task may well demand a far longer span."
"How many demons could you summon immediately to aid us?" inquired King Terenas, his tone weighted with urgency. Gasps rippled through the assembly, echoing from the quarters of both the High Elves and the mages.
"As a commander of the Legion of Knowledge, and with a portion of my Legion redirected to support the war effort, I could muster a vanguard of around a thousand strong," I responded, sensing the murmurs that ensued among the gathered nobles.
"Just a commander commands such a formidable force?" questioned Trollbane, his expression etched with skepticism.
"Yes," I affirmed, meeting his gaze unwaveringly. "And this allocation is considered part of our war effort. Our legion, though not renowned for its numbers, primarily serves as a training ground for spellcasters and warlocks. We are not typically positioned on the frontlines of battle."
As I observed the kings and elves beginning to contemplate my proposals, a subtle smile tugged at the corners of my lips. This was progressing rather well indeed.
"But how can we trust you, demons are not known for their honesty. What assurance do we have that your words are not merely a web of deceit?" questioned Kael'thas with a hint of skepticism in his voice.
"I can draft a contract, one that I will willingly sign, binding my legion to uphold the terms of our agreement," I replied evenly, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve. Despite his lingering doubt, Kael'thas nodded, indicating a measure of reluctant acceptance.
"Tomorrow, we shall forge the Alliance of the Eastern Kingdoms, and together, we shall exact vengeance for our fallen brethren of Stormwind!" proclaimed Terenas, his voice ringing with determination. With unanimous approval, we rose from our seats, our applause echoing throughout the chamber, a resounding chorus of unity and resolve.
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That'll be all for today
Hope you liked it and see you soon
Soon the clash of the two differents magic systems