This time truly was a bountiful harvest—I've gained new spells and a massive amount of high-tier resources!
While it's not yet enough to upgrade all the new special town buildings or empower the Tier 8 units, I have more than enough to raise the Conflux (Element City) to Level 7 and upgrade the Firebirds into Phoenixes without much trouble.
Rhodes opened the construction page and chose to build the basic Phoenix Nest to recruit Firebirds. Back when the Burning Legion first invaded, it would have been incredible if he could have recruited Firebirds and upgraded them into Phoenixes then. He didn't rush to upgrade to the Advanced Phoenix Nest because he had the Hill Fort available; for now, the basic structure would suffice.
While Rhodes was cataloging his spoils, the Night Elves, Orcs, Tauren, Trolls, and other allies of the Kaldorei began clearing the battlefield. They piled up the remaining demon corpses to dispose of them through specialized means. If left alone, demon corpses would rot and corrupt the land, leaking massive amounts of fel energy into the environment.
In this war, one could say humanity participated, but also that they didn't—after all, the only humans present were Rhodes, Uther, Jaina, and Medivh. While this approach avoided massive casualties, the bulk of the human race remained unaware of this epic struggle.
Even if given the choice again, Rhodes would still lead only an elite squad. Humanity's foundation was currently too thin. They needed to rest and recuperate; the Scourge had dealt them a devastating blow. Had they participated fully in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, at least tens of thousands more would have perished—all able-bodied, fighting-age men. That loss would have been unnecessary.
"Rhodes, what are you thinking about?" Tyrande asked as she approached.
"I'm just worried that many small pockets of demons have escaped. They must be purged," Rhodes replied.
Although they had won, and Archimonde's death caused a fel explosion that wiped out roughly 90% of the Legion's forces, a significant number of demons were still wandering the wilds.
"Indeed. I've already considered this," Tyrande said. "I will dispatch the Watchers to deal with the demons who fled. Maiev Shadowsong is exceptionally skilled at this. I will also have Shandris Feathermoon lead the Sentinels, supported by some Druids, to hunt them down."
With the Watchers, the Sentinels, and the Druids working together, the remaining demons should be cleared—at least within the Night Elves' sphere of influence.
"Are you sure?" Rhodes asked. "As far as I know, your relationship with Maiev isn't exactly warm. And after you released Illidan this time, I doubt she'll let the matter rest. You'd better be prepared."
Although Tyrande hadn't slaughtered the Watchers as she did in the original timeline, releasing Illidan had still infuriated Maiev. In Maiev's mind, Illidan remained the greatest traitor and the most dangerous criminal in Night Elf history. She believed he should have been executed ten thousand years ago, and it was only the protection of Tyrande and Malfurion that kept the "demon" alive.
"Hmph! Thank you for your concern, but I am the leader of the Night Elf people. Even if she harbors resentment, she must obey my orders," Tyrande said, crossing her arms with a cold snort. "Besides, the order to release Illidan came from the demigod Cenarius, not me. Purging the surrounding demons benefits the entire race; she will execute the command."
Earlier in the Vault of the Watchers, Maiev's subordinates had treated her with blatant disrespect. Had it not been for Rhodes being her only companion at the time—without her own Sentinel guard—Tyrande might have lost her temper then and there and commited a massacre like in the game.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Rhodes. If this were the Rhodes from ten thousand years ago, he would have helped her the moment she asked, given their relationship. He definitely would have acted... but alas.
There were still things she couldn't tell him—at least not yet. She had nearly let it slip last time. By her calculation, this boy was about a year away from traveling back ten thousand years into the past. She just had to wait. Once he returned from that journey, they would have a very long talk to settle the score between them.
"I understand! If you need help, just ask," Rhodes said.
"I won't be polite about it, but not now. Go celebrate! Your human companions are waiting for you," Tyrande nodded to him before turning away. She joined Malfurion to continue directing the cleanup efforts with the other racial leaders.
Once "Grandma" Tyrande was gone, Rhodes let out a breath of relief. Spending time with her always gave him a creeping, "hair-standing-on-end" sensation.
What exactly happened ten thousand years ago?
Rhodes looked over at Malfurion. The Archdruid's head was metaphorically "green" (a Chinese idiom for being cheated on). When I travel back, did I... do something? Surely not. Malfurion's attitude toward him was excellent, as was Cenarius'.
So why the tension? Rhodes was full of questions, but he didn't dare ask Malfurion. Tyrande had warned him that if the Stormrage brothers found out, they'd both want to kill him. He wasn't sure about Malfurion, but Illidan certainly would; his love for Tyrande bordered on a pathological obsession.
Sighing, Rhodes got up and walked over to Jaina and Uther.
"Rhodes, you're just in time," Uther greeted him. "Jaina and I were discussing having her and Capurnia open a portal to summon our people from Dustwallow Marsh. They can help the Night Elves clear the battlefield and purge the remaining demons."
In the final stages of the war, Uther had strongly desired for humanity to participate—especially his Paladins. The Knights of the Silver Hand were eager for revenge against the Scourge and the Burning Legion.
"Can the two of them support a portal that large with their current mana?" Rhodes asked.
"Don't underestimate us, Rhodes," the High Elf mage Capurnia chimed in. "With our combined mana, we can at least teleport some of the High Elf Archmages over. Then we can scribe a ritual circle together to hold a portal open for several hours. Bringing over a thousand troops won't be a problem."
Before arriving, she and Jaina had already planned this contingency. If needed, they could bring in the human forces from the marsh by first summoning the mages and then working together.
Rhodes was stunned. Damn, you can do that? Well, that works. Bringing in Paladins, Priests, High Elf elites, and Dwarven riflemen to help clean up the Legion was a solid plan.
"Lady Capurnia is right, Rhodes. We can definitely manage it," Jaina added.
"Fair enough. Start the ritual circle now," Rhodes agreed. "Summon the Paladins, Priests, Dwarves, elite Riflemen, and the High Elf Spellbreakers and Mages."
With his approval, the two sorceresses found a clear patch of ground and began casting. Soon, the mages back in Dustwallow Marsh sensed the signal and coordinated the spell. Within minutes, over twenty mages were on-site, working together to construct a massive teleportation array using various catalysts.
Once the array was stabilized, a large force arrived: Paladins in anti-magic plate armor wielding demon-slaying weapons, followed by waves of Priests, Mages, Dwarven riflemen, and hunters.
"Is there a battle waiting for us? Lord Uther, Lord Rhodes, we are eager!" the lead Paladin, Balder the Bright, asked immediately.
When Rhodes had left to free Illidan, Uther had notified the Paladins to prepare for a massive engagement. Now that they had arrived, they assumed the fight was just beginning.
"Ahem... Sir Balder, there is indeed a fight waiting for you," Rhodes coughed. "The demons here have mostly been dealt with, but many have fled down the mountain. I need you to lead the men and purge them."
"Wait... so we're just cleaning up?" a Dwarven rifleman asked, looking at the scene. It was obvious a cataclysmic battle had already taken place, and they had missed the main event.
"This is truly disheartening, Lord Rhodes. Do you not trust the strength of the Knights of the Silver Hand?" a Paladin named Reinhardt asked, sounding quite dissatisfied.
This was the same human Paladin hero Tyrande kills in the first chapter of the Night Elf campaign in the original game.
"The battle broke out quite suddenly, my fellow knights," Uther said, stepping up beside Rhodes. "The Burning Legion launched a surprise assault, so there was no time to bring you through. However, a vast number of demons have fled, and we need you to hunt them down."
"Understood, Lord Uther, Lord Rhodes! We move immediately. We'll show those demons the power of the Silver Hand!" The Paladins, their morale instantly restored, set off with high spirits.