The Battle for Mount Hyjal.
Malfurion felt his skin crawl at hearing Archimonde's voice echoing across Mount Hyjal once more, memories of the War of the Ancients centuries before threatening to drown him in doubt of what could happen now. But he shook them off as he held the Horn of Cenarius once again.
"We are too late, he has returned to threaten Azeroth once more," Tyrande breathed.
"We have not lost yet," Malfurion reminded her, shouldering the ancient horn as he turned to face her. "There is still time to stop him."
"The last time the demons came it took the combined might of the Kal'dorei, dragons, ancients, and demigods to hold the line." She noted. "So many were lost in that war that I fear we do not have the same strength to face them this time."
"There are more races on our side this time, far to the east the Legion are being held at bay by the creations of the Titans, with all the peoples of Azeroth united together, I believe we can survive this war."
"But at what cost?" she implored him. "The other races are scattered, disorganised by agents of the enemy; we must face Archimonde alone."
"We are not alone." He bristled, moving past her and out of the Barrowden. "I have been preparing for this day for some time, ever since we knew the Legion's return was imminent; it was clear to me that Nordrassil would be targeted, so I made sure there were defences in place to stop even the most powerful of assaults against Hyjal. But you're right my love, I fear we may need to sacrifice everything in order to protect our world from the Legion, but it is one I am willing to make."
"If Nordrassil falls, our people will lose their immortality, we will be like the other races."
"Then that is how it should be," he said resolutely. "If we have allowed our eternal existence to make us arrogant and look down on those we share this world with, than we deserve such a punishment."
Tyrande bowed her head, and he quickly moved to comfort her.
"Have heart, my love, regardless of how this day ends, know that our love is eternal."
They shared a chaste kiss, before Malfurion transformed into a bird and soared up into the sky. Tyrande mounted her Nightsaber and rode at speed to where she knew Maiev was awaiting her. She found the Warden crouched atop a crest of rock overlooking the valley in which Nordrassil's roots were based, and as Tyrande dismounted and approached, she quickly realised why the fearless Warden was keeping low.
All around the base of the World Tree, demons were in a constant battle with the Kal'dorei and Ancient defenders, but it was clear the defending forces were being overwhelmed.
"Where are our reinforcements?" Maiev hissed at the priestess.
"Scattered by the aerial defences we encountered," she replied, taking in the full carnage below her. "Where is Archimonde?"
"He's close, the Ancients are doing their best to hold him back, but they're only delaying his advance."
"Where is Malfurion?" one of the other Wardens asked, barely concealing the terror in her voice.
"He has the Horn of Cenarius, he plans to use it to summon the ancestors to defend Nordrassil when Archimonde comes."
"So even the great Malfurion Stormrage believes he'll reach the tree," Maiev laughed bitterly. "Our people are dying for nothing."
Tyrande resisted the urge to slap Maiev, not just because the Warden was wearing her helmet, but also it would not help their situation.
"He has faith that his plan will work, but he believes we may have to sacrifice more than we did during the last war."
"What's more valuable than the Well of Eternity was to us back then?"
"Our immortality."
That answer silenced the Warden, and in the brief silence that followed a single sound came over the stillness, the distant blare of a war horn growing steadily louder.
"More demons?" Maiev tensed, her hand moving to her glaive. "Reinforcements?"
Tyrande's ears perked up as another horn sounded, this one much closer than before.
"They are reinforcements, but I pray that they are friendly."
Tyrande and Maiev got to their feet and hurried to their mounts, the other Wardens following their leader's example moments later. The small group of Kal'dorei hurried towards the encroaching war horns, bracing for a fight while praying that the horns meant salvation. As they reached the Shrine of Goldrinn, the mystery behind the source of the war horn was revealed, as they were greeted by an oncoming wall of mounted Orc warriors. At the head of the charging horde were figures Tyrande recognised and was relieved to see coming to her rescue; Warchief Thrall and Grommash Hellscream.
The newly arrived Orc army halted before Tyrande at their Warchief's signal, but as Thrall drew closer, the priestess gasped at how he had been physically changed since the last time they'd seen each other.
"I trust we are not to late," Thrall immediately asked. "We saw the smoke from Orgrimmar and came as quickly as we could. What's the situation?"
"Our people are fighting to protect the World Tree from the demons, but they have already summoned Archimonde into our world."
"Good, I've been itching for a good fight." Gromm said with glee.
"He's too powerful for any mortal to fight alone," Maiev warned, but Tyrande pressed on, aware of the lives that were being lost with every second that passed.
"Malfurion is going to summon the spirits of the ancestors to defend Nordrassil from Archimonde, we need only delay his approach until he is ready."
"Then let's get killing!" Gromm roared, and the army behind him quickly roared their approval.
Tyrande turned her saber around and lead the Orcs back toward the tree, feeling the power of the force she was leading as she saw the branches of trees shaking at their approach. As they crested the ridge into Nordrassil's valley, the demons around the tree quickly rallied to face them; the tables had shifted so that the invaders were now on the defensive.
"Elune protect us!" Tyrande cried, looking to the darkening sky as the sun set over the horizon.
"Lok Tar Ogar!" Thrall boomed, raising Doomhammer high in his clenched stone fist.
The mounted Orcs and Kal'dorei Wardens smashed into the demon's hastily formed line, crashing through in places and galvanising the ailing defenders who had been near the point of defeat before their arrival. Tyrande was not as skilled a fighter as those who rode beside her, but she knew her presence amid battle boosted the morale of her people, so she fought on for them more than her own survival. As the Orcs helped eliminate the demon's presence from around the base of the World Tree, Tyrande rallied her people to her and cried;
"Protect Nordrassil at all costs!"
Her people cheered and quickly reformed their lines between the large tree roots, with the Orcs swelling their numbers; Thrall and Grommash remained close to Tyrande and Maiev, the four figureheads wordlessly deciding to unite as a team to show the cohesion their two races could achieve.
"What's so special about this tree other than its size?" Gromm asked rather bluntly as they awaited the inevitable demon counterattack.
"The lake contains water from the Well of Eternity, and centuries ago the Dragon Aspects blessed it with great power to ensure that history did not repeat itself again; it is the reason for our people's…"
Her words died on her lips as the sky darkened completely above them, all eyes looked up to see Archimonde striding towards them with an army of winged demons at his back; the demon lord alone stood as tall as the mountains around them, his cloven hooves sinking deep into the fertile soil to leave behind small craters with each step.
"So this is all the might of Azeroth can muster against me?" Archimonde laughed. "The elves whose meddling invited our arrival centuries ago, and Kil'Jaeden's discarded pawns. Pathetic."
"We defeated you before Archimonde, we will defeat you again!" Tyrande yelled back.
Archimonde only laughed, before waving a hand lazily towards them, signalling the demons to attack in force.
"For Azeroth!" Tyrande and Thrall cried together, as the demons now descended upon their lines, while Archimonde stood and watched from a distance.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What is he waiting for?" Gromm growled, as they continued to hold the line against a neverending assault of demons.
"For us to tire, so he can sweep us aside with ease," Maiev answered, in the fighting she had moved closer to Gromm, finding a bizarre kinship with the feared Orc warrior.
"Elune's light shines upon us," Tyrande smiled, her eyes darting up to the moon in the sky. "She gives strength to our cause."
"The night won't last forever." Gromm noted rather pessimistically.
"Where are these demons coming from?" Thrall wondered, while Maiev asked;
"Where the blazes is Illidan? Has he betrayed us again?"
"What is keeping Malfurion from acting?" Tyrande asked, adding to the growing doubts and concerns they were now voicing.
There was a flash of light and Vereesa Windrunner appeared in their midst, immediately blasting the demons back with a wave of arcane energy.
"Sorry for the delay, I had to take care of the one leading the demons."
"You mean him?" Gromm pointed at Archimonde, who was still watching the fighting with some amusement.
"No… Who…"
"That is Archimonde, one of the Burning Legion's top commanders," Maiev summarised. "If he drains the World Tree, Azeroth will fall to the Legion regardless of how hard we fight."
"Do you want me to summon more allies to join the fight?" Vereesa asked brightly.
"No! Find Malfurion! We'll hold the line." Tyrande commanded her, the ferocity in her voice surprising the magi. "Our victory rests on his shoulders. Go!"
Vereesa looked up to the top of the nearest cliff, and in the blink of an eye she was standing atop it. It took her longer than she would have liked to find the Archdruid, and when she did, she cursed herself for not acting faster.
"Malfurion!" she gasped.
The formidable Kal'dorei Archdruid was propped up against the base of a tree clutching his stomach, surrounded by the corpses of numerous demons. She immediately moved to tend to his wounds, but he pushed her hands away.
"There's no time," he wheezed. "You must blow the horn before its too late."
"I'm not strong enough, it requires a druid's…"
"Enough!" Archimonde roared, and Vereesa could see the demonic lieutenant approaching the World Tree from where they were. "Your resistance is commendable, but it will not save this world from the flame. The time for reckoning has come."
"You must summon the ancestors, child, only they can stop Archimonde from draining the World Tree." He insisted, handing the large curved horn to her. "The demons sought me out… I lack the strength to use it."
"I…" Vereesa stammered, but her objections died as Malfurion closed his eyes.
Before she could extend her hand to feel for Malfurion's pulse, the tree he was leaning against seemed to come alive. Its roots wound themselves around his body, and slowly drew him into its embrace.
Vereesa stood, feeling the weight of the horn increasing as she realised everything that was at stake if she didn't act. With trembling hands, she lifted the mouthpiece to her lips, and taking in one great gasp of air, before blowing into the horn with all her might.
The sound that emanated from the horn was deep and thrumming, and Vereesa felt like her entire body was vibrating; despite this, she blew into the ancient horn until her lungs were devoid of anymore air to expel, at which point she collapsed to her knees. She did not know if her efforts had been successful, and as Archimonde placed his hands upon the tree, Vereesa cursed herself for not acting faster.
'Has my self-doubt doomed the world?'
Her prayers were answered moments later, as against the darkness of the night sky, she could see small whisps of light emerging from the trees all around her, each heading straight towards the World Tree and the demon standing beside it. Archimonde seemed completely oblivious to the swarms of tiny lights that were amassing around them as he began to drain the life force from the tree; it was only when the whisps began to circle around him, that he became aware, but by then it was too late.
As the whisps began to pierce the demon's form, Vereesa realised that a new danger now presented itself.
'What happens when a demon that powerful dies?'
Her question was answered when vivid green light began to burst from Archimonde's form.
Vereesa teleported back to where she had left Tyrande and the others beneath the World Tree, knowing they could die when the demon exploded above them.
"Everyone into the lake now!" Tyrande yelled as she arrived, before noticing Vereesa's presence. "Where is Malfurion?"
She didn't answer, instead following the Orcs and druids into diving beneath the surface of the lake; there was no guarantee that the water would shield them from the blast, but their chances were better than if they remained on the surface. The destruction of Archimonde sent shockwaves through the still lake water, and even beneath the surface they could feel the infernal heat of the fires that erupted from the demon's body.