Upon receiving news of Rhodes's return, Queen Azshara readily dispatched a contingent to welcome him. Before his departure, Rhodes had been a favored guest of the Queen; thus, Azshara was eager for him to join her in sharing a great honor—receiving the gifts of the great true god, Sargeras.
Inside Azshara's palace, atop a perfectly constructed teleportation platform, Queen Azshara knelt before a massive illusion, clad in a magnificent gown.
"I report to you, Great Supreme Being, the Great Lord Sargeras. My advisor, Rhodes, has returned to the royal city. He is the one possessing the power of the Holy Light whom you have been wishing to see."
"Very well. I am highly interested in the being who defeated the Dreadlords and Pit Lords under my command. To be able to independently comprehend the Holy Light suggests he is a person of talent. However, the Holy Light is a facade—they are but lackeys of the Shadow. Only chaotic Fel is the ultimate truth of all things," the massive phantom of Sargeras spoke.
Previously, Rhodes had defeated Xavius and subsequently annihilated a decapitation squad specifically dispatched by Sargeras. This caused Sargeras to view this powerful astral traveler in a new light. In the Burning Legion's conquest of the universe, they had encountered beings who grasped the Holy Light on their own without the guidance of the Naaru. Such beings were not incapable of turning to Fel; all things in existence can embrace Fel. As long as one is a living being and is willing, one can obtain the favor of Fel. Furthermore, once an energy of a righteous attribute like the Holy Light is converted into Fel power, the individual becomes even more formidable.
Rhodes's Holy Light was a power Sargeras viewed with great wariness. If the high-ranking members of the Burning Legion could reach Azeroth, they would naturally have no reason to fear a user of the Holy Light. His fear was that Rhodes might sabotage the teleportation arrays, preventing the Legion from descending upon Azeroth. Moreover, such Holy Light users were likely to attract another group of beings: the Army of the Light, who had long opposed the Burning Legion.
Sargeras had previously attempted a decapitation strike, sending two of his most powerful subordinates along with hundreds of elite demons to Azeroth to kill Rhodes. The results, however, were profoundly disappointing. Now, as long as this individual named Rhodes came before him, Sargeras was confident he could use his overwhelming Fel power to force the man's submission.
"Great Supreme Being, Great Lord Sargeras, I will help persuade Rhodes. He is a man of reason. Though he wields the Holy Light, he does not reject other powers. Once he witnesses your greatness and your noble ideals, he will surely make the right choice," Azshara said.
"Then I leave this matter to you. However, I would prefer you bring him here, before me; I shall persuade him personally. By the way, how is the investigation I tasked you with recently? Do you have any new findings?" Sargeras's voice echoed once more.
About six months ago, the demons of the Burning Legion had all sensed a surge of primal life energy. Such a riot of primal life force suggested that an ancient, powerful entity on Azeroth had awakened. Would this powerful being interfere with the Legion's plans for conquest?
"Lord Sargeras, I have been following and investigating this matter constantly, and I have already acquired some intelligence," Azshara replied.
"Is that so? You have results. Then tell me exactly what happened. Will this affect the Legion's arrival? Will it hinder my descent into the world of Azeroth?" Sargeras questioned.
"Great Sargeras, according to our investigations and on-site surveys, it appears a new Wild God has recently been gestated within Azeroth. This newborn Wild God engaged in a fierce battle with four others, destroying the surrounding terrain and leaving behind a vast amount of life essence." Azshara dared not be negligent and immediately relayed all the information she knew.
Although Azshara had once desired to become the Dark Titan's wife and the Queen of the Burning Legion upon first learning of his existence, further contact had changed her feelings. While she still admired him, she now felt more dread. At this moment, she finally understood the chasm between mortals and a true god. Though she was the Queen of the Night Elves and looked down even upon the Wild Gods, she was still leagues behind in terms of life-level.
This was even more true for a cosmic-level being like Sargeras, who could cleave a planet with a single strike. Thus, she no longer dared to even think about becoming the Queen of the Burning Legion or Sargeras's wife, fearing she might provoke the Great Supreme Being.
"A Wild God? You speak of the manifestation of life energy, correct? I am aware of this. Do you have precise intelligence on this mysterious demigod? His strength seems significantly greater than the other Wild Gods; he may become an obstacle to my entry into Azeroth," Sargeras said.
Azeroth was unlike typical planets slated for conquest; it possessed a World-Soul. If he could obtain this World-Soul, his Dark Pantheon would gain its third member, following the Death Titan, Argus. Perhaps in the future, he could even persuade Aggramar and his other brothers to return and join his great cause. Therefore, Sargeras personally oversaw the conquest of Azeroth, deploying the Legion's finest to ensure total success. He had to understand why a being with such terrifying life essence had been born at this critical juncture.
"I am sorry, Great Lord Sargeras, I am currently investigating this. But as you know regarding the Wild Gods, ordinary Night Elves do not favor the Highborne, and the other Wild Gods remain tight-lipped about this newborn. However, based on rumors, it is a powerful dragon, similar in appearance to a Cloud Serpent, but carrying the aura of a True Protodragon," Azshara said with some trepidation.
Sargeras remained silent for a moment, his flaming eyes in the illusion narrowing as if scrutinizing Azshara's words.
"The aura of a True Protodragon... a remnant of Galakrond's bloodline? Azeroth truly continues to provide 'surprises.' However, a newborn Wild God, no matter how powerful, is but a parasite on the planet's surface; it cannot stop the flood of the Legion's descent. Azshara, continue to observe, but do not expend excessive energy. When the portal is fully stabilized and I step onto Azeroth myself, all obstacles shall turn to ash."
"Your will shall be done, Great Sargeras," Azshara lowered her head deeply, though a chill involuntarily swept through her heart.
Sargeras turned his gaze back to her. "As for that Rhodes... bring him to see me as soon as possible. I look forward to a dialogue with this 'Light-user.' Remember, Azshara, you have stepped onto the path to immortality and the pinnacle of power. I shall grant you unimaginable strength; do not disappoint me. If you handle this well, you shall continue to rule this world after I have conquered it. If you fail... you know the consequences."
"Yes, Great Lord Sargeras. I shall arrange it immediately. I will certainly persuade Rhodes," Azshara replied respectfully.
The illusion gradually faded, and Sargeras's figure vanished into the churning Fel circle. Azshara slowly stood up, her gown trailing on the floor. Her sweat had soaked through her clothes; her entire back was damp. Only when facing Sargeras directly could one feel that terrifying pressure.
Azshara turned to look out at the prosperous royal city from her palace, her expression conflicted. She still craved Sargeras's power and promises, but as their contact deepened, her initial pure worship had become tainted with growing doubt and fear. Sargeras's tone revealed a will for the merciless destruction of all things and a naked desire to possess Azeroth's World-Soul. Could her ideas—and the ideas of the Highborne—truly be realized? Would Sargeras really grant them harmless power to let their entire race ascend?
"Your Majesty," a handmaid's voice called from outside the hall. "Lord Rhodes has arrived at the outer palace, awaiting your summons."
Azshara took a deep breath, quickly adjusted her expression, and donned her signature proud and perfect smile.
"Bring him to see me, in the Moonlight Garden."
The Moonlight Garden, located on the upper level of the palace, was an open-air courtyard maintained by magic, planted with glowing bioluminescent flora. In the center was a small fountain formed by a diversion of the Well of Eternity's waters, which shimmered with a soft arcane glow. This was usually where Azshara met close advisors or held private conversations.
As Rhodes entered the garden led by the handmaid, Azshara stood with her back to him by the fountain, as if admiring the blend of the water's glow and the moonlight. After more than half a year, the Night Elf Queen's grace remained breathtaking, but Rhodes keenly sensed that her arrogance had dissipated significantly compared to six months ago. She had likely suffered a major psychological blow. It seemed the proud Queen had already met that "true god."
"Rhodes, my advisor, welcome back," Azshara turned, gesturing a welcome with a smile.
"It has been a long time. I have missed Your Majesty dearly," Rhodes bowed in salutation.