What Illidan Wants, Illidan Gets...
The two magi had a moment to enjoy their new ameythst surroundings, before gravity took over, and they fell into a crystal blue lake.
"Whoops, sorry about that," Jaina spluttered when they surfaced. "Must have gotten distracted while casting, thankfully we're in the right city."
"Where are we?" Vereesa asked, looking around.
"Darnassus, capital of the Kal'dorei," Jaina said, before blinking to the shore.
Vereesa copied the younger magi's lead, just in time to be met by the city guard, who had clearly heard the splashes.
"Identify yourselves!" they demanded, brandishing their glaives.
"Jaina Proudmoore and Vereesa Windrunner of the Kirin Tor," Jaina said quickly. "We've come with dire news, we must speak with Tyrande at once."
"Follow us," the guards said, putting their weapons away, before guiding them past a tree carved into the shape of a bear.
"Is it normal to threaten visitors when they arrive here?" Vereesa asked as they walked.
"We recieved word of potential Legion activity a few days ago, and Warden Maiev asked we be on the watch for suspicious behaviour," one of the guards informed them.
"Apparently the Betrayer is loose, and may try to infiltrate the city," the other guard added.
"What business have you with the Priestess?" the first guard asked, as they approached the temple.
"The Legion has come, their numbers flow freely through the Dark Portal as we speak," Jaina replied, seeing the horror on their faces. "The forces of the Titans hold them at bay, but only for so long; plus there are several advanced scouts sent out to further weaken this world's defences."
"To make matters worse, we believe the Lich King dispatched agents to every faction of the Alliance to sow chaos for the Legion's invasion." Vereesa added.
"And you think we have been infiltrated?" the first guard asked.
"You resisted the Legion thousands of years ago, if there is any race they'd want neutralised most of all, it's you." Vereesa said honestly.
They entered the temple, and the guards stopped in the entranceway, their escort being taken up by young priestesses of Elune. The priestesses guided them up a stone ramp to the floor above, where Tyrande and Malfurion Stormrage were clearly expecting them.
"Greetings magi, welcome to Darnassus," Tyrande gave them a curtsey. "I fear your presence here bring grave tidings."
"The Legion has come," Jaina stated. "Ulduar's forces keep them at bay for now, but we need your army to help push them back."
"We will mobilize at once," Malfurion boldly stated, he moved to leave, but Vereesa quickly added;
"There's more."
Malfurion hesitated, before turning to face them again.
"Their invasion force sent out advanced scouts, we don't know where they went, plus the Lich also had agents infiltrate the Alliance," Jaina said quickly. "Has there been any recent developments? Anything out of the ordinary?"
"No." Tyrande said after careful thought. "Other than Illidan's escape, we have not had any troubles plague our people."
"You have news of my brother?" Malfurion asked, spotting something in Jaina's eyes.
"He appeared at the Dark Portal when it opened, he stole the artifact the demons used to open the portal again, before fleeing east." Vereesa informed them.
"Why would he steal the artifact needed to stop the Legion's invasion?" Jaina asked, knowing Tyrande and Malfurion had a better insight into Illidan than she did.
"I do not know what my brother hopes to accomplish with this act, but if he stole it knowing it was needed to stop the invasion, then I fear he may be one of these infiltrators you spoke of." Malfurion sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "My brother has always been a schemer, even millenia in isolation would not have dulled his keen, calculating mind."
"Indeed. He clearly has his own plans for this artifact, as well as the Legion," Tyrande was quick to weigh in. "I just hope they do not come at a cost for my people."
"Our people, Tyrande," a voice said from above. "You may have turned your back on me, but I am still Kal'dorei!"
Illidan dropped down from the ceiling, landing between Tyrande, Malfurion, Jaina, and Vereesa.
"Illidan! What are you doing here?" Tyrande exclaimed, as guards rushed into the temple at the priestess's exclamation.
"I came to see you, obviously," the blind Kal'dorei smiled. "As these two told you, the Legion has returned to our world."
"And you stopped them from preventing their invasion!" Malfurion nearly yelled at his brother. "Why steal the only artefact needed to close the portal? What were you hoping to gain by letting the demons in?"
"An opportunity, brother." Illidan smiled. "Simply cutting off the assault won't stop the Legion from trying to take this world; a more long term solution is required."
"And what would that be?" Vereesa almost laughed.
"Draw the demons in, let them bring forth their most powerful forces to bear on Azeroth, and then eliminate them." Illidan stated. "When they're left reeling, take the fight to the Legion's master."
"There has to be another way!" Vereesa protested.
"There is no other way," Illidan snapped at her. "We tried simply stopping their invasion centuries past, and all that achieved is the Legion rallied greater forces for this invasion. If we stop the invasion without making the Legion suffer for their intrusion, they will be back with greater numbers in their next invasion; Sargeras will not leave Azeroth alone after all the trouble its inhabitants has caused him."
"But think of all the lives that will be lost!" Jaina argued.
"As opposed to all the lives that would be lost if the Legion were to invade with greater force next time?" Illidan retorted, and neither magi had a response to this hypothetical, as much as they didn't like it, the Betrayer had a point.
"Then why work against these heroes, why not work with them in achieving this endeavour," Tyrande suggested. "From what I have heard you walk similar paths. The mages and their allies seek to rally the armies of Azeroth while preventing the Legion's advanced guard from hurrying the invasion; Illidan you want to make the Legion pay for invading our world, what better way than stopping their scouts."
"Slaying scouts will not..."
"What if the scouts are aiming to summon one of the Legion's lords to wreak havoc?" Jaina cut him off. "We all know that Hyjal will be attacked at some point, perhaps one of the advanced scouts willl summon a powerful Legion lord to decimate your World Tree."
Illidan stroked his chin as he considered the point raised.
"You may be correct, it seems for now our aims are the same," Illidan said slowly, sounding rather reluctant. "I will help you protect Hyjal, as I suspect these infiltrators you spoke of will prioritise it over attacking Darnassus."
"Will you surrender the artifact you stole?" Tyrande asked.
Illidan reached into a pouch at his waist, and withdrew the bleached-white Orc skull.
"Such a demonic trinket will not be safe here," Illidan stated, looking at the skull's empty eye sockets.
"I'll take it to Dalaran," Jaina stated, and Illidan nodded his agreement, before handing her the skull.
In a flash Jaina teleported away, Vereesa was quick to reassure the Kal'dorei.
"The skull will be safe in Dalaran, the magics there are some of the strongest on Azeroth."
"I hope for Azeroth's sake you are correct." Illidan said slowly, clearly unconvinced about strength of the magic-weilders of Dalaran. "Shall we make haste to Hyjal?"
"We shall accompany you, brother." Malfurion spoke up. "Tyrande, my love, rally the Sentinels to Hyjal's defence, I shall travel to the barrowdens and awaken my fellow druids; we will need the full force of our people mustered to stop the Legion from destroying our beloved world tree."
"Elune give you speed, my love." Tyrande caressed Malfurion's cheek.
They kissed, before the druid transformed into a large bird and soared down and out of the temple.
"I will meet you beneath Nordrassil, I shall also summon my sisters to aid us in defending the World Tree, Elune's might will greatly bolster the strength and resolve of my people."
"Let us hope it is enough," Vereesa said, sounding more morbid than she intended.