"If Kil'jaeden dares to set foot on Azeroth, I'll help you take him down."
Dealing with Kil'jaeden was no problem for Rhodes. To put it bluntly, if the "Deceiver" dared to manifest his true form on Azeroth right now, Rhodes would be more than happy to send him straight back to the Twisting Nether to wait for a respawn timer.
In the Legion expansion (v7.0), who was it that finally took down Kil'jaeden? Illidan, Khadgar, and Prophet Velen—along with a bunch of "not-so-important" cannonball adventurers.
The power scaling in Azeroth is notoriously broken. In the original Warcraft III, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden were the absolute ceilings of power. According to the lore, if those two descended in their true forms, they were essentially invincible; no mortal could stand against them. Yet, in v6.0, Archimonde—one of the most significant bosses in Warcraft history—was inexplicably defeated, and Kil'jaeden met his end in v7.0.
By the later stages, Azeroth's adventurers were basically running "god mode" hacks. They wiped out Old Gods in v8.0, stormed the Shadowlands to kill the Eternal One Zovaal in v9.0, took a quick breather in v10.0, and then went on to fight the Void Lord Dimensius. It's hard to describe. There's a saying: "If it has a health bar, I can kill it in minutes."
With Rhodes's current lineup—Titans, Holy Fire Phoenixes, Archangels, his own Hero-level stats, plus Kael'thas, Illidan, and Maiev—taking down Kil'jaeden felt like it would be a walk in the park.
"First, help me destroy the Eye of Sargeras," Illidan said to Rhodes. "This weapon is far too dangerous."
Rhodes nodded, and the two moved to the center of the ritual circle.
"Lord Rhodes, Lord Illidan," Drak'thul, the old orc standing nearby, interjected. "I believe we should perhaps keep this artifact. It could be of great use." Having spent the last few days helping Illidan channel its power, Dak'thul knew exactly how potent this relic of the Dark Titan was. He had never seen a weapon saturated with such immense Fel energy; it could tear through any enemy with ease. It felt like a waste to destroy it.
"Do not let the weapon seduce you, Drak'thul. I told you before—it only seeks to bewitch you. When you can no longer resist its call, you become a slave to power," Illidan said meaningfully.
"He's right. Even I almost fell for its traps back in the Tomb of Sargeras," Rhodes added, looking at the Eye with profound wariness.
Kael'thas opened his mouth as if to speak, then thought better of it. He remembered how his own mind had wavered upon entering the room. It had to go.
The two nodded to each other and unleashed their combined might. Illidan's Fel energy and Rhodes's Holy Light collided, creating a volatile chemical reaction. A massive Fel shockwave, laced with terrifying Holy power, slammed into the Eye of Sargeras!
"No! What a waste!" Drak'thul cried out, his voice filled with reluctance. However, the old orc made no move to stop them. He was pained to see it go, but he knew they were right.
The artifact was a corrupting influence. He wondered why Aegwynn hadn't destroyed it centuries ago—perhaps she, too, had been influenced. After all, Sargeras had allowed himself to be defeated by her specifically to possess her unborn child, Medivh.
Under the precise energy bombardment from Illidan and Rhodes, the already unstable Eye—strained from over-usage—let out a piercing shriek. Fissures spread across its surface until, with a violent BANG, it shattered into a million pieces. The terrifying Fel energy within surged out like a flood through a broken dam, but without its core, it rapidly dissipated into the air, leaving behind only charred fragments and the heavy scent of sulfur.
The artifact was gone.
Rhodes glanced at Dak'thul. The old orc had been seriously affected by the Eye's influence; it was a good thing it was destroyed.
"I just felt it was a pity, Lord Rhodes. I wasn't 'seduced,' believe me," Drak'thul insisted.
"Fel is dangerous. To master it, you must have a heart of iron, Warlock," Illidan remarked.
"I understand, Lord Illidan, Lord Rhodes," Drak'thul nodded, stepping back respectfully. He knew the dangers; he had run with Gul'dan, after all. The Legion was never "good."
"Now, let's talk about our deal, Rhodes," Illidan turned his focus back. "And you, Blood Elf Prince. You said you require the waters of the Well of Eternity?"
"Yes, Illidan!" Kael'thas nodded eagerly. "The destruction of the Sunwell has left my people suffering from a magical withdrawal. We desperately need a new source of energy!"
"You were right to come to me. I am likely the only one left in this world who possesses the waters," Illidan said. "Young Kael, follow me to Outland. Help me deal with Kil'jaeden, help me oppose—and eventually destroy—the Burning Legion. Become my steadfast ally, and the waters shall be yours."
Illidan was planning his move to Outland and needed a formidable army. While he had the Naga, they were limited on land. If these descendants of the Highborne joined him, it would be ideal. He was even considering training these Blood Elves as Demon Hunters; they were far more receptive to demonic power than their Night Elf cousins.
"Hey now, Illidan," Rhodes cut in, "don't go poaching my people right in front of me. The Blood Elves have rejoined the Alliance. They aren't going to just run off to be your private allies. Why don't you join the Alliance? Then you'll be an ally to all of humanity."
This guy... trying to steal my recruits right under my nose, Rhodes thought.
"My apologies, Lord Illidan," Kael'thas added, shaking his head. "I have already promised Lord Rhodes that I would lead my people back into the fold of the Alliance. I cannot follow you." Kael'thas was a prince, a future king. Rhodes treated him as a friend and peer; Illidan, however, spoke to him like a prospective subordinate. It rubbed him the wrong way.
"So, will you help me, Rhodes?" Illidan asked, turning back to him.
"You want me to go to Outland with you?" Rhodes asked, surprised.
"I need an army. The Naga are suited for water; on land, their utility is limited. Outland is a wasteland. I need a force that can hold ground. If your humans are willing to help, it would be perfect."
"I can consider it," Rhodes mused. "I can lend you some Elemental units. You've seen my summoning abilities. If I can make those summons permanent, we could build an army that outclasses any single race. Furthermore, there are already human forces in Outland—the Alliance Expeditionary Force that followed Turalyon and Alleria years ago. If you go there, you might secure their aid."
The veterans at Honor Hold were seasoned warriors. They could provide the foothold Illidan needed.
"The Expedition! Rhodes, you think they're still alive?" Kael'thas exclaimed. When the four heroes of the Alliance charged into the portal years ago, no one expected them to survive, let alone return.
"If they are willing to accept the leadership of a 'demon' like me, then so be it," Illidan said.
"It'll mostly be the Elemental army," Rhodes clarified. "If I go with you, I'll bring a contingent of the Silver Hand. I'm a young Regent; those old veterans might not listen to me without some 'old guard' Paladins to bridge the gap." He was thinking of Highlord Mograine or perhaps Dathrohan (before his possession).
"Excellent, Rhodes. Then we have a deal. You help me stabilize Outland and seize control; in exchange, I give you the waters of the Well of Eternity," Illidan finalized. With Rhodes's help, Illidan could seal the rifts between Outland and Azeroth, keeping the Legion at bay while he studied how to take them down for good.
"I'll bring an elite strike team," Rhodes nodded. "But wait for me. I need to get things settled in Lordaeron first." He needed to make sure Kael'thas and the army were positioned toward Northrend before he could depart.
"Very well. Prepare quickly. I will begin opening the portal, and then we depart for Outland together," Illidan agreed.
After refining the details and setting a departure window, Rhodes, Kael'thas, and Maiev left the cavern and returned to the Alliance camp. The mission was a success.