Dreadlord Anetheron, one of the key commanders of the Burning Legion's assault, was currently hovering behind the battlefield, his gaze sweeping across the entire Horde defensive line.
He witnessed the resilience of the Horde's defense and took note of the human who was constantly casting strange magic to drastically enhance the combat power of the orc warriors.
"That caster must be eliminated first," Anetheron hissed in a low whisper. He spread his massive bat-like wings as dense shadow energy began to coalesce around his body.
The moment the Dreadlord appeared, Rhodes knew the "raid boss" was entering its next phase. This was the second commander-level figure of the Burning Legion to appear in the Battle of Mount Hyjal.
This particular demon also appeared alongside Archimonde in the Version 6.0 Hellfire Citadel raid, though he was merely treated as a "trash mob" for players to kill there.
However, his true strength was not inferior to other famous Dreadlords like Tichondrius, Varimathras, or Mal'Ganis; he was a constant fixture by Archimonde's side. To be designated as the personal adjutant to Archimonde the Defiler—one of the two supreme commanders of the Legion—spoke volumes about his actual power.
"Thrall, do you see that Dreadlord? He's likely the leader here. You must execute a decapitation strike and kill him," Rhodes said, keeping his eyes on the demon.
"That fellow won't be easy to deal with, but I can dispatch an elite squad of warriors to confront him," Thrall replied with a heavy nod.
"I'll provide your warriors with some hardware," Rhodes said. He produced several massive battle-axes forged from anti-wear metal. The coming battle still required the Orcs to do the heavy lifting.
"These are powerful anti-magic weapons. They can effectively dispel fel magic and deal significant damage to these demons—a bit better than the weapons you're using now. Take them," Rhodes briefly introduced the anti-magic gear to Thrall.
These weapons had been forged in Night Elf territory over the past few days, with the enchanting work handled by the High Elf sorceresses. Furthermore, Uther and Rhodes had summoned Light elementals to infuse the blades with Holy Light, further enhancing their lethality against undead and demonic beings.
"I understand, Lord Rhodes," Thrall nodded solemnly. He summoned several of the Horde's finest elite warriors.
Among them was an orc with a white beard who looked like a seasoned veteran.
"Broxigar, you will lead the team for the coming fight! Your mission is to kill that Dreadlord. These are special weapons provided by Lord Rhodes to counter fel magic," Thrall said, handing one of the axes to the old orc.
"I promise you, Warchief, I will take that creature's head," Broxigar said, accepting the two-handed great-axe with gravity.
He also nodded toward Rhodes. To be honest, the Horde's initial attitude toward this human had been quite poor because he had killed Grommash Hellscream, chieftain of the Warsong clan. Hellscream held immense prestige among the orcs as one of their greatest warriors, and his death had left many bitter.
However, Thrall later explained that Hellscream didn't technically die at Rhodes' hands. Hellscream had shamed the Horde once more by drinking demon blood and swearing fealty to the Legion again before his death. According to reports brought back by the Tauren Druids, after the failed mission to attack the demigod Cenarius, Hellscream's master, Mannoroth, had personally struck down the orc warrior, and Grom was ultimately killed by the fel explosion resulting from the demon's own death.
This significantly lessened the orcs' hatred for Rhodes. Furthermore, seeing him hold back the Legion single-handedly at the first line of defense earned the warriors' deep respect. His continued support on the Orc battlefield had boosted his reputation even further; Rhodes himself was unaware that the orcs now viewed him with a sort of cult-like admiration. Among humans, Rhodes was undoubtedly the most respected by the Horde.
"My highest respects to you, Lord Rhodes. If only you were a great warrior... My name is Brox, but you may add 'igar' to the end," Broxigar said, thumping his chest toward Rhodes.
"I believe we will meet again in the future, warrior. I will help you slay that Dreadlord!" Rhodes nodded. He hadn't expected his first meeting with Broxigar to happen like this. According to Cenarius, he was destined to save this veteran in the future. Unlike Grommash, this old orc possessed a far superior character.
Broxigar nodded and led his squad to begin their preparations. Rhodes cast several Paladin blessings on him. Combined with the previously cast hero magic and Rhodes' own attack and defense bonuses, the old warrior was poised to create a miracle. Rhodes even considered keeping the veteran around—he might be useful later when facing Archimonde.
As they discussed their strategy, Rhodes suddenly felt a jolt of primal fear.
In the next heartbeat, a visible bolt of shadow energy streaked across the battlefield like a meteor. Ignoring the front-line warriors, it aimed with pinpoint accuracy at Rhodes in the rear! The power contained in this Shadow Bolt far exceeded anything a common warlock could produce; it seemed to devour the very light around it as it traveled.
This was a strike from the Dreadlord. He had been preparing this Fel-Shadow spell the moment he spotted Rhodes. This was Archimonde's signature move, "Finger of Death." While he couldn't cast it instantaneously like Archimonde, the prepared version was still powerful enough to kill any mortal or even a demigod. If hit, the human mage was finished.
"Mr. Rhodes, look out!" Thrall, who had been watching the field while keeping an eye on Rhodes, shouted a warning. He tried to summon lightning to intercept it, but he was a fraction of a second too slow.
At the critical moment, a green figure lunged in front of Rhodes, raising a golden axe to cleave the incoming "Finger of Death."
It was Broxigar. The anti-magic weapon collided with the Fel-Shadow spell. Seizing the opening, Rhodes immediately summoned his Diamond and Gold Golems, who rushed forward to help shatter the remaining energy of the spell.
That was close... way too close! That wasn't just any Shadow Bolt; it was a lethal magical strike. If it had landed, it would have been certain death. It was indeed a version of Archimonde's Finger of Death, which his adjutant Anetheron was capable of using.
"Thanks, Broxigar. You saved my life today; I will save yours in the future," Rhodes said, his heart still pounding. He realized he couldn't underestimate the top-tier experts of the Burning Legion. A single lapse in judgment could lead to being one-shotted. He hadn't expected that instead of him saving Broxigar, Broxigar would save him first.
"You are welcome!" Broxigar nodded and immediately led his squad on a charge toward the Dreadlord.
Rhodes recovered his composure and glared fiercely at Anetheron. You bastard... now it's my turn. I'm going to make you regret that.
"Found you, you bat-winged filth!" Broxigar's elite squad quickly pushed through to the Dreadlord. The old orc led the charge, swinging his axe. Several Felguards guarding the Dreadlord intercepted them, clashing with the elite orc warriors.
However, ordinary demon soldiers were no match for orcs buffed by Rhodes' myriad spells; the Horde troops were currently more than twice as strong as their normal state. Broxigar didn't waste time with the rank-and-file; he lunged straight for Anetheron. The Dreadlord, undaunted, met him with massive claws.
With a loud Clang, the golden axe collided with the demon's talons, severing a finger bone. The Dreadlord roared and began casting Fel spells, but for some reason, the orc's golden weapon possessed a powerful dispelling effect. The Fel spells were shattered by the blade; although the physical heat of the Fel flames caused some minor damage, it was overall negligible.
Broxigar's axe bit savagely into the Dreadlord's chest. Seizing the window, Rhodes fired a Magic Arrow—a bolt of pure blue magical energy.
Anetheron's pupils dilated. He never expected the counterattack to be so swift and fierce! The shadow shield he hastily erected was pierced instantly like wet paper!
"No—!"
The Magic Arrow hit his chest dead-on, and the terrifying mana within erupted! Anetheron let out a piercing shriek as half his body was nearly blasted apart. Dark green demon blood rained down as his massive frame faltered and plummeted toward the ground.
Before he could struggle to take flight again, the orc warriors on the ground charged in with bloodshot eyes. Broxigar raised his axe.
"For the Horde! For Lord Rhodes! I'm going to slaughter you!" Broxigar began a frenzied assault with his golden axe, sending green blood spraying everywhere.
"It's you! I recognize you... ten thousand years... ah!"
Anetheron flailed his claws in vain, attempting to release a Fear Howl, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the berserk assault. Finally, with a roar, Broxigar slammed the massive axe into the demon's skull, ending the Dreadlord's life.
The Legion commander died miserably on the spot. The fall of the Dreadlord dealt a significant blow to the Burning Legion's morale.