Inside the net cafe, thirty seconds ago.
Hearing Marlin's shout, Tirion Fordring immediately took off his VR glasses and confirmed that the runestone was indeed emitting a brilliant blue Arcane glow. It was an unmistakable Arcane light. He nodded to Marlin, who immediately began incanting the teleportation spell. This was the moment they had been waiting for.
However, Marlin stopped only two or three seconds into his chant. Seeing Tirion's confused expression, Marlin slapped his thigh and said, "I almost forgot! That brat Wayne told me to make sure you bring something! Arthur! Catch!"
As he spoke, he ran toward the door and tossed a sword to Tirion Fordring. He then resumed chanting, focusing the magical energy into the teleportation rune in his hand.
Tirion caught the sword and began unwrapping the cowhide covering it. Before he could fully express his shock at what lay beneath, Marlin's magical energy enveloped them both. The light faded, and when Tirion opened his eyes, he was standing in a familiar place. As the former High Lord of this land, he recognized the watchtower south of Hearthglen instantly.
Looking down, he saw his former comrade-in-arms—the man who had once helped him infuse Holy Light into a dark crystal to forge the Ashbringer, and who was now the Grand Inspector of the Scarlet Crusade: Isillien. Regardless of their past bond, they were now irreconcilable enemies. Not only were their ideologies diametrically opposed, but Isillien was currently leading a host to surround and slaughter Tirion's son. There was no room for mercy.
"Isillien! What have you done to my son?!" "Today, you will pay for this in blood!"
The roar caused everyone to freeze and look toward the top of the watchtower. Isillien couldn't believe his eyes. "Ti... Tirion... Fordring?!"
Silence fell over the battlefield. Everyone heard Isillien's words. No one had dreamed they would see this world-renowned legendary Paladin in the flesh ever again.
But the most shocked of all was Marlin. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. The old man he had been mocking and belittling all afternoon was actually Tirion Fordring, one of the five original Paladins?! And his son was a member of the Scarlet Crusade?!
"Father!"
Two voices shouted the word simultaneously.
Amy, while maintaining her spell-casting stance, called out joyfully as her father appeared. She finally understood why Chen had asked her to cast teleportation magic on the runestone at the net cafe without actually intending to return—it was a signal for her father to bring the legendary Tirion Fordring to the fray.
Taelan Fordring was even more overwhelmed. His eyes turned red, and tears threatened to overflow. Not long ago, when Shadowbreaker showed him the toy hammer and told him his father was alive, his emotions had already begun to unravel. This was what he had dreamed of for countless nights.
I often dream that my father is with me. He stands proudly by my side as I join the Order. We fight swarms of Scourge together, bringing glory to the Alliance and Lordaeron. I don't want to dream anymore. Take me to him.
These were the words he had spoken to Shadowbreaker after killing the four spies in Mardenholde Keep. Looking at Tirion Fordring atop the tower, he wanted nothing more than to rush to him and confess his shame for joining the Scarlet Crusade and watching them become the very monsters they sought to fight.
Shadowbreaker's voice cut through his emotions. "Survive first! Now is not the time for distractions!"
He was right. The battle was far from over. In an instant, Taelan felt a surge of infinite strength. His two-handed sword glowed with golden Holy Light as he hacked through the Scarlet warriors surrounding them.
Seeing his son fighting, Tirion Fordring, who no longer needed to hide, leaped from the top of the tower. The wind caught his hood, revealing to everyone a god of war with eyes glowing with golden light. No one could stand in his way. The sword he brandished was "Quel'Serrar," the ancient elven blade Wayne had entrusted to Marlin.
Before Tirion jumped, Arator tossed the shield from his back to the forefather revered by all Paladins. With sword and shield in hand, Tirion Fordring tore through the Scarlet Crusade's formation like a storm.
Marlin prepared his spells but ultimately didn't intervene. From his vantage point on the tower, he saw the tide turn completely the moment Tirion joined. The Scarlet Crusade had no hope of victory. As an elderly Archmage, Marlin wasn't a combat specialist, but he had read about legendary battles in countless books. Only now did he understand the true meaning of being "invincible against ten thousand."
Isillien began to cast, but the energy gathering in his hands wasn't the golden light of the Holy, but the black energy of the Shadow. Tirion was charging toward him, cutting down enemies with every swing.
As Isillien's shadow bolt flew toward him, Tirion flicked his left hand. The shield he held transformed into a golden flying disc, smashing through the shadow energy before striking Isillien hard in the chest and ricocheting into two elite guards. Isillien felt his breath catch; his mind reeled, and he nearly collapsed, unable to speak.
By the time he regained his senses, a heat spread through his chest. Tirion Fordring had reached him and plunged the longsword through his heart. The power of the black dragon's blood imbued within Quel'Serrar began to sear Isillien's body. He twitched in agony, looking at Tirion with despair, unable to do anything.
Tirion gripped the hilt, staring into Isillien's flickering, desperate eyes.
"You once fought for honor and the happiness of the people. Now, you try to kill my child. Isillien, your soul will burn in agony."
Finally, he roared at the dying man: "Look at me, coward! Face the faith and power you once held!"
At that moment, brilliant golden angel wings erupted from Tirion's back! The Holy Light surged through Isillien's body, forcing out a dark energy. The demonic influence that had seduced him was finally purged. Isillien dropped his staff and reached out with trembling hands to grab Tirion's arm, using his final strength to whisper:
"Thank... you..."
Then, he went limp.
Shadowbreaker seized the opportunity to shout, "Your commander is dead! Leave now if you wish to live!"
The remaining Scarlet warriors, terrified by Tirion's unstoppable power, dropped their weapons and fled.
Chen jumped down from the tower and said to Amy, "Quick! We must return to Goldshire immediately!"
Marlin handed a Light Feather to his daughter, the reagent required for a Mage's Slow Fall spell. To his shock, Amy said, "Keep it for yourself," and jumped off the tower.
Marlin gasped. They were Mages; they had no natural way to soften a fall. From this height, a jump would break at least a leg. He watched as Amy used "Blink" just before hitting the ground, landing perfectly.
"Young people these days... honestly..."
Marlin sighed, incanted a teleportation spell at the top of the tower, and brought Li Li and Arator back to the net cafe. Below, Amy cast her own spell to bring the others back.
Vroom—
Two flashes of blue light appeared outside the net cafe. Tess looked over to see eight people appearing, several of them covered in blood.
"Miller! Where the hell are you?! Get out here!" Shadowbreaker roared the moment he regained his footing.
Tirion Fordring, holding his son's hand with his left and the blood-dripping Quel'Serrar in his right, walked straight toward the private booth where Wayne was sitting.