Chapter 10

Destins- I suppose you're right with Chief. A rewrite of that scene should be uploaded as soon as this chapter is uploaded.

And thank you for praise. Much as I prefer a gun or sword over magic most of the time with some exceptions, magic users are more dangerous than a guy with a gun, let's be honest. Unless you shot them dead before the cast or do so many attack on them that they can't cast without getting cut in pieces.

And yes, Jaina is out for blood. A lot of blood.

11/20/2019- Rewritten due to criticism.

Dalaran

Violet Hold

Jaina

Anger, shock, and hatred were the best emotions that were prominent in Jaina Proudmoore at the moment as she looked walked around the prison level where the Sunreavers were placed after the purge of Dalaran. Well used to because they're all missing. Right under their noses. Various mages and Silver Covenant rangers were hard at work in determining how they managed to escape and did so without them noticing.

Though they got a base idea, a small team of elite warriors managed to infiltrate Dalaran, kill the guards that were guarding the Sunreavers, then somehow managed to escape with all their prisoners. The fact they all escaped meant that magic was involved. Thus, they were looking for magical residual that'll give them any clues to who did this.

The fact that all of the Sunreavers that they captured had escaped, left Jaina infuriated. So infuriated that she wanted to go out in the field and destroy an entire Horde army by herself. It also left her in a violent disposition, which left many keeping their distance from her so they're not the ones that face her wrath.

Fortunately for everyone in Dalaran, Jaina restrained herself and simply relegated herself to help with the investigation of how the Sunreavers escaped. Looking at the Silver Covenant ranger, she asked them how they escaped.

"Well," Started the ranger as he looked at their sourroundings. It was the portal chambers that Chief and group used to escape. "From what we can tell, several mages combined their power to create a portal, breaking through our wards through sheer power. To where I don't know."

"I know." Said Jaina. "Quel'Thalas." The ranger nodded.

"A possibility." Said the ranger. "Though we're not certain of that. We're still looking into it. Don't worry miss Proudmoore, we'll get to the bottom of this." Jaina nodded at the ranger before taking off, knowing that they'll find out what happened eventually.

As she passed Silver Covenant soldiers, either investigating how the Sunreavers escaped or were covering the bodies of their dead, she couldn't help but feel sorrow for them. Most of the Silver Covenant soldiers were High Elves, who have forsaken their Blood elf brethren to keep their status of High Elves.

Originally, the Blood Elves used to be High Elves and there was no such thing as a Blood elf, but after Arthas, the name brought shivers to Jaina's spine, sacked Quel'Thalas, the High Elves prince, Kael Sunstrider, changed their name from High Elves to Blood Elves, to honor those that died at Arthas's hands.

Some, however, refused this choice and choose to remain High Elves, whether out of pride or because of Kael's decision to use Fel magic, a powerful, but additive form of magic, to sustain the Blood elves as, unlike other races, including the Night Elves, they needed some kind of magic energy to sustain themselves along with regular food and water. Without it, they become weak and frail. Some can even die without a good amount of magic power.

They originally had it in the form of the Sunwell, a fountain of mystical power found in Quel'Thalas, but after Arthas came and corrupted it, they had to use the Fel to survive. Although technically they could find it in other sources, Fel energy, at the time, was the most easily accessible for the Blood elves and was abundant enough to sustain them indefinitely. What few were left, anyway.

Those that refused this treatment were kicked out of Quel'Thalas, and they kept the name High Elf as a result. Most that survived the 3rd war went to Dalaran, finding the city to be the most secured non-alliance, until just a day ago, city left for them to repopulate their people. The rest lived in scattered villages or communities in Alliance lands.

Kicked out for refusing a treatment that, admittedly, could prevent them from going frail and die was something that Jaina found a bit too harsh. Perhaps if they were in the Alliance, Jaina would have been able to help them with finding an alternative solution to their magic problem, but after the bombing of Theramore, the traitorous actions of the Sunreavers, any sympathy Jaina had left for the Blood elves were gone, replaced by a cold need for vengeance.

Pushing the Blood elves out of her mind, she ventured to the home of Vereesa Windrunner. For some odd reason, it wasn't Vereesa that had reported to her of the escape of the Sunreavers. Rather it was one of her lieutenants.

Wondering why this was, Jaina was currently walking to her home so she could figure out why. It couldn't be shame for failing to prevent the Sunreavers from escaping. Her pride would have prevented her from not reporting in of the situation.

Upon arriving at the house and opening the door, she heard the sounds of Vereesa crying to herself. Concerned for her friend, she went to Vereesa's room to see her crying while holding a picture frame.

"Vereesa, what happened?" Asked Jaina, shocked to see such a display. Upon hearing that, Vereesa looked at Jaina, tears in her eyes.

"Its my boys, Jaina. They've been kidnapped." Said Vereesa, managing to say the words. Widening her eyes in horror and shock, Jaina stared at Vereesa, too caught up in her shock to say anything. After a minute or two of gawking, Jaina went over to Vereesa and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry for you." Said Jaina in true sorrow. "Not only did you lose Rhonin, but now this," She looked at the picture frame that Vereesa was holding. "If I had known that any of this would have happened, I would have stayed behind and stopped all this from happening." She then began to hug the elf tighter.

At first, Vereesa didn't respond, but soon, she began to break down in tears again. Eventually, she broke down and cried like a little girl, staining Jaina's chest with tears. She cried for forgiveness, both at Jaina for failing her and Rhonin for failing to protect their children.

Jaina just allowed this to happen, soothingly stroking the Windrunner's back as she cried her sorrows away. After a few minutes, Vereesa stopped and looked at Jaina with sorrow.

"I'm so sorry I failed you." Said Vereesa, voice hoarse from the crying. "I'm unworthy of being called a Windrunner. If Alleria or even Sylvanas had been in my place, they would have done a far better job than me. They would have stopped the prisoners from escaping and even captured the ones trying to free them." Jaina looked at Vereesa in pity at that.

Even if she didn't say it, Vereesa always felt like she was overshadowed by her sisters and their accomplishments. Sylvanas was the ranger general of Silvermoon before Arthas came. Even then, she's now the leader of the Forsaken and is one of the Horde's best tacticians.

Alleria had, before she went missing, had been the catalyst of several victories against the old Horde before Thrall took over and had killed so many Trolls in the defense of Quel'Thalas during the 2nd great war that many Trolls still fear her.

But Vereesa. She didn't have anything that was as spectacular as her two sisters. She didn't lead the defense of Quel'Thalas when Arthas attacked like Sylvanas did. She didn't take the fight to the Orcs on their home world of Draenor like Alleria did. Her best accomplishment was stopping Zendarin, her own cousin, from stealing the Demon soul, but that was nothing compared to the likes of her sisters and their accomplishments.

She tried to hide it, but Vereesa felt like she was nothing like her sisters. That she was a mockery to the Windrunner name. Rhonin managed to lessen this view she had on herself. And with the birth of their twins, Vereesa's thoughts of being a worthless addition to the Windrunner legacy was all but forgotten.

But then Rhonin died and now this. Those thought must be resurfacing, except worse then they have been before.

Shaking her head, Jaina stroked the silver hair of Vereesa.

"Vereesa, you're not unworthy of being called a Windrunner. You had no idea what was happening, the enemy was just that skilled in the arts of stealth. I'm sure that your sisters would have just been as befuddled as you are right now." Vereesa, however, shook her head.

"I should have done better. I should have better protected my children. And now they're gone. Taken by those murderous thieves. There's no telling what horrors they're being forced to endure.

Quel'Thalas

"Jesus fuck." Said Courier as he carefully pulled out the weapon parts and shrapnel from Galadin, one of Vereesa's kids. After pulling a big piece of metal from the kid's face, he quickly began to clean and disinfect the wound before bandaging it up. "Kids going to have some scaring later on unless your mages have some fancy magic that can cause them to go away." The Sunreaver medic that was with him shook his head.

"I'm afraid we don't have anything that can remove the scars permeant. We can make them barely visible, but they'll still be there." Courier sighed at that.

"Damn. Poor kid. Didn't deserve this." Said Courier with the Blood elf nodding in agreement.

Vereesa and Jaina

"I know." Said Jaina. "Rest assured that I'll do whatever I can to get them back. And if the Horde…," Jaina then swallowed. "…If the Horde killed them then every single one of them will receive a death so painful that they're ancestors and descendants will feel it. I promise you that." Vereesa smiled at that, but still had tears dripping down her face.

"I think I should resign from my position, Jaina. I feel like I don't deserve it anymore." Jaina widened her eyes in shock, not believing what she heard. Having be the one that founded the Silver Covenant, Jaina didn't think Vereesa would ever give up the position of leadership she had in the organization until she felt it was time or if someone else was more capable to lead it than her. To her recollection, Vereesa didn't have a successor yet, nor had any plans to retire anytime soon.

"No, don't do such a thing, Vereesa. You've been a great commander to the Silver Covenant. Just because you failed in one mission, doesn't mean you aren't worthy of being a leader."

"That one failure was allowing the entire Sunreaver prisoner population to escape, getting hundreds of my men killed, and getting my children kidnaped." Said Vereesa miserably. "Anyone else would have done a better job than me." Exasperating in frustration, Jaina forced her to look at her.

"If you do this, then you'll be disappointing Rhonin." Said Jaina. Upon hearing that Vereesa widened her eyes in shock. Jaina cursed herself for using Vereesa's dead husband against her, but if that was needed for her to stop her mopping, then so be it.

"Rhonin didn't marry you because of your beauty, Vereesa. He married you for your warrior heart and unwillingness to give up, despite the opposition. If he was here, he would be telling you to stop mopping around and give up this insane idea of giving up your position. He would also be telling you to get back out in the field and fight to return your children back to you. That's who he married Vereesa. Not the person you are currently. So please," Jaina then adopted a pleading look. "Don't give up so easily." Vereesa just looked at Jaina. Seeing the fire in her eyes caused her to sigh.

"Very well. I'll stay in my position as general of the Silver Covenant." Said Vereesa. "But one more failure as the one last night, and I'm gone. The Silver Covenant is better off with a more competent general." Jaina nodded at that before helping Vereesa up.

"Come, you're not doing yourself any favors by staying here moping around. Let's get you some sun." Said Jaina as she led Vereesa out of her home and to the streets of Dalaran. As they left, Jaina began to think on those that freed the Sunreavers and how they'll pay for their transgression. They made a powerful enemy today and they'll regret ever making it.

Quel'Thalas

"I must admit, I did not think that we will ever get our people out of the Violet Hold." Said Lor'themar as he walked with Master Chief in the streets of Quel'Thalas. The rest of his team were either exploring Quel'Thalas freely or were tending to the sons of Vereesa Windrunner. As they walked, countless citizens, mostly Sunreavers, came up to them and thanked Chief for saving the Sunreavers from the hands of the Alliance. Some elf maidens had even looked at the man suggestively, thinking him as a suitable mate. Considering Lor'themar had seen how he looked during a celebratory dinner that Lor'themar made done to celebrate the successful evacuation of the remaining Sunreavers, where team Sigma, strange name, had to attend, he could safely say that Chief would get quite a few maidens wanting his hand in marriage, despite him being human.

"If it weren't for you, my people would be stuck, rotting in cells." Said Lor'themar.

"Don't blame the entire Alliance for that, regent lord." Said Chief, looking at Lor'themar with that strange helmet with a golden visor. "Blame Jaina Proudmoore and her way of dealing with betrayal."

Though Chief could understand Jaina's anger at the Horde for destroying her home and countless friends, the way she dealt with the Sunreavers was completely unnecessary and stupid. If she was in the UNSC and she had done such an act against a civilian populace of the UNSC, she would have been thrown to the brig for unfit behavior for an officer as well as letting her emotions get the better of her and causing civilians to be hurt as a result.

Why the Kirin Tor allowed an, at the moment, emotionally unstable individual be their leader during a war astounded him. Though Jaina was a great mage who worked with the Horde before, even advocating for peace between the two superpowers, at least according to the rumor mill and from Alliance officials that couldn't keep their mouths shut while High Elf was out shopping for supplies, she clearly isn't that woman at the moment, and likely never will be again after Theramore.

According to Aethas, it was due to a prophecy, one that pertained to Jaina. That left him and the rest of team Sigma shaking their heads. Even if that prophecy turned out to be true, that shouldn't be dictating their decisions. Even if this was a land filled with magic, Chief refused to listen to a prophecy. To him, prophecies were thing that can be used to control people, to prevent others from doing what was best for the people. If he was told that a prophecy pertained to him, he'll tell them that he'll acknowledge it before telling them that he won't follow it or believe it, especially if it'll force him from doing what needed to be done to save the innocent.

"I know that." Said Lor'themar, slightly offended. "I know that it was Jaina that ordered the imprisonment of my people. But the fact is that the Alliance is doing nothing to punish her for her actions. The Blood elves were in the middle of negotiating with the Alliance, to turn from Garrosh and his Horde, and it looked like we'll join them. But then Jaina comes and does her purge of Dalaran. When I sent word to my ambassador of this, he told me that the Alliance king refused to do anything, claiming that he had no authority on what the Kirin Tor did." Lor'themar then growled as he thought of Varian and how he did nothing against Jaina for what she did.

"You shouldn't be blaming Varian for that." Said Chief. "The Kirin Tor were technically neutral at the time of the purge. He couldn't do anything to them without causing a massive scandal."

"Really? Then perhaps he should have said something to me personally instead of sending my ambassador back to me in chains!" Yelled Lor'themar, remembering how his ambassador returned to Quel'Thalas in cuffs. The Alliance mage with him then insulted them, calling them betrayers and the lot that don't deserve to be in the Alliance.

Chief just stayed silent as Lor'themar silently fumed. Eventually he calmed down and spoke to Chief with his usual regal tone.

"Let's drop this conversation. It's no good for either of us." Said Lor'themar, not wanting to be angry at the people that saved the Sunreavers just hours ago over such a petty subject. Chief just nodded before changing the subject.

"How are the Blood elves being treated under Garrosh's leadership?" Chief asked, needing to know what the Blood elves stance on Garrosh were. If they could get a race within the Horde to help them in killing Garrosh, or at least depose him, and replace him with a more stable and logical leader then peace on Azeroth can be brought once again. Or at least until the two sides decide to be idiots and fight again.

"Well you certainly like to ask questions that frustrate me to no end." Said Lor'themar. "*Sighs* As I said, if it weren't for Jaina and her stupidity, I would have lead my people away from the Horde and into Alliance hands."

"But now?"

"*Sighs* Now, I'm not too sure." Said Lor'themar, sitting on a bench in front of a fountain. "The decision, at the time, was supported by most of my advisors and closest allies, but now, after what happened in Dalaran, they're advising against it. To continue the fight against the Alliance for this transgression."

"You don't approve?" Asked Chief, surprised slightly at Lor'themar's levelheadedness. If there was a Horde leader that they had the best chance of convincing to help Team Sigma's goal in stopping Garrosh and ending the war, then it was Lor'themar. The others they didn't much information on, so there could be others that they could convince.

"A bit." Said Lor'themar. "I put the protection of my people first and foremost." That was something that Chief could agree on. If one didn't put their own specie's interest first, or at least high up on their importance's list, then they weren't exactly fit to be their leader. "Though we're not technically being oppressed by Garrosh, in his eyes, we Blood elves are beneath Orcs, that we should be glad that he's even letting them in the Horde in the first place."

While Garrosh technically didn't say those thing in Lor'themar's face during the many council meeting between Horde leaders, he could see it in the Orc's eyes. He could see it in the Orc's eyes whenever he saw the other Horde leaders from the other races. Sylvanas. Baine. Vol'jin. Gallywix. It didn't matter. What mattered in that insufferable Orc's head was that they weren't Orcs and that made them and their concerns beneath him and his role was War chief of the Horde.

This caused him to but heads with the other leader. Sylvanas calls him an idiotic brute that'll lead the Horde to ruin. Vol'jin is rumored to be plotting rebellion against Garrosh. Even Baine wants him dethroned and he's the most tolerant of the Horde leaders. Gallywix doesn't give a flying fuck about what happens. Just that he gets money. Needless to say, Garrosh is in hot waters right now. All it takes is a strong leader, like Vol'jin, to ignite the sparks of rebellion. The only important question to Lor'themar, though, is where he will be during that inevitable rebellion.

"I take it a rebellion is inevitable?" Asked Chief, despite knowing it to be true. Their raids on Horde bases more or less have confirmed the theory that rebellion will happen in the Horde. The diaries of Blood elf and various other races practically confirmed that.

"To be honest, I'm surprised war didn't happen when Cairne, the previous leader of the Tauren, was killed by Garrosh. Granted it was revealed that Cairne was secretly killed by his rival Magatha Grimtotem, using the Mak'gora between Garrosh and Cairne as a way to kill the old Tauren, but still, I thought the Tauren will want Garrosh's head after Cairne died. Guess that shows just how nice they are." Lor'themar then coughed before speaking again. "Anyway, if I had to guess, Vol'jin will be leading the rebellion. He's the most vocal of his disapproval of Garrosh actions."

"Will you and the others join?" Asked Chief. Lor'themar shrugged.

"Baine will no doubt support Vol'jin in disposing Garrosh. Gallywix will support either one. He doesn't care who wins, just that he gets paid. Sylvanas hates Garrosh and his actions but I don't know if that translates to her siding with Vol'jin when he rebels." Explained Lor'themar.

"What about you? Will you support Vol'jin if he rebels?" Lor'themar sighed at that.

"That's the big question. I don't know." Said Lor'themar honestly. "I hate Garrosh for his xenophobia and his want for war, but if I rebel against him and that rebellion fails, his retribution will be catastrophic to my people."

"You don't trust the other leaders of the Horde to succeed?" Asked Chief.

"I don't doubt their abilities." Clarified Lor'themar. "I doubt that the rebellion can garner enough support for it to succeed."

"Why not secretly convince the others to support this supposed rebellion then? Surely you have some clout within the Horde." Said Chief. Lor'themar laughed out loud at that.

"You think that they'll listen to me? The blood elves have a reputation within the Horde as being haughty and self-absorbed. Even during Thrall's reign, we weren't the most well-liked race within the Horde. Besides, the ones that are most likely to listen to me are already ready to rebel. Sylvanas may once been a proud daughter of Silvermoon, but that was a long time ago. Now she has no loyalty to her former home. And like I said, Gallywix isn't exactly a reliable person. If those other two leaders side with Garrosh in this rebellion, then the chances of the rebellion winning are minimal at best.

With Lor'themar not willing to do much unless there was a good chance of victory, Chief offered him an alternative.

"What about a high-risk assassination of Garrosh and all his named successors? Or people that support him no matter what? Will that work? To convince you to join this rebellion?" Asked Chief. Lor'themar hummed at that. It was a frowned upon tactic for the Horde, but Lor'themar knew just how useful those dirty tactics were.

"What exactly are you proposing?" Asked Lor'themar, knowing what Chief was proposing was dangerous. Both for him and his people.

"You give us names of people that Garrosh named as his successors or his top generals and we'll take them out. That way the rebellion has a higher chance of victory." Said Chief. This was a dangerous proposal. One that can backfire a great deal to him and the Horde. Lor'themar could find this deal insulting and warn the Horde of this and they'll be forced to deal with both the Alliance and Horde.

And if the Alliance found out that Horde forces and equipment were being taking out, they could see it as an opportunity to be bold and fight harder against the Horde, even taking the fight to Quel'Thalas or Undercity.

Lor'themar glanced at Chief as if he was mad when he made his proposal.

"You want me to give you the names of Garrosh's successors and best tacticians so you can kill them?" Asked Lor'themar incredulously. "You realize how much that can backfire for my people and the Horde, correct?"

"I know." Said Chief. "But it's either that or help in the rebellion when it comes. Because, like it or not, you have to take a risk on who to support when rebellion occurs. If I have to, you owe me for saving your people. I will use that if it means your cooperation." Lor'themar growled at that.

"You're blackmailing me." Said Lor'themar, glaring at Chief.

"If it gets what I want, yes." Said Chief before going to his ship. "Think it over Lor'themar. You still have a choice on the matter."

With that, Chief began to walk away, telling him that he'll expect answer from soon. If he doesn't see him when his team departed from Quel'Thalas, he'll assume that Lor'themar didn't want to partake in Chief's offer. He also told him that if that was the case then Team Sigma will end this war on their own with no support. Once he left, Lor'themar pondered on what to do.

Courier and Ikit

Dropship

"So much-much knowledge." Said Ikit as he read a book he stole from Dalaran, sniffing it on occasion. "This will elevate me to even greater power! Yes-yes."

"Yeah that's great, man." Said Courier, now finished with treating Galadin and was now carrying him back to the dropship. It took a lot of persuasion to convince Chief to allow Vereesa's children back to Torrington base. Eventually he caved, though he warned that he'll have them brought to Quel'Thalas if they proved to be troublesome. After placing Galadin gently to a row of seats on the Pelican dropship, he looked at his brother Giramar, who was currently staying silent in the dropship, being watched by Ikit as he read a book. Looking at the kid, Courier knelt down to look him in the eye. "Your brother is going to be fine, kid. He'll have some scaring, but he'll live." Looking at the man in scary green and brown armor, Giramar simply nodded.

Sighing, Courier patted the boy in the head gently, trying to act as comforting as he can.

"You're a brave kid. Your mother and father would be proud of you." Said Courier. Giramar still stayed silent before nodding in thanks. After promising that he won't let anyone hurt Giramar or his brother, Courier waited with Ikit for everyone else to arrive.

In under an hour, they all did and got onboard. High Elf sat far away from Jack, who sat next to Giramar and the unconscious Galadin, keeping them both close to him. Both not looking at each other. Confused at this, he was about to ask when Chief spoke.

"We're on our own." Said Chief as he sat down. Courier looked at Chief.

"You sure?" Asked Courier. Chief nodded.

"Lor'themar is too worried about his people's safety to overthrow Garrosh." Said Chief. "Looks like we're on our own unless he changes his mind or he get another Horde leader to help us."

"Any in mind?" Asked High Elf Archer, curious.

Chief was about to speak when they heard Lor'themar.

"Stop!" Yelled Lor'themar as he ran with his guards. Upon hearing Lor'themar's voice, Chief got off the ship and went up to Lor'themar.

"Changed your mind?" Asked Chief as Lor'themar stopped before him. Grumbling a bit, Lor'themar spoke.

"I thought of your proposal and I believe it could work. The Alliance is too busy in a new land to take Orgrimmar or Quel'Thalas. Although I have no doubt that SI:7 has men monitoring us, I doubt the Alliance has the manpower necessary to seize an opportunity to attack one of the Horde's capital cities." Explained Lor'themar.

"Yes, this new land. It attracted that much of a presence from the Alliance?" Asked Chief. Lor'themar nodded.

"Oh yes. I've been there and the resources there speak for themselves, including the people." Said Lor'themar. "In case you were living under a rock or came from space, which most of you have, the land is called Pandaria, a land full of beauty, but also great danger."

"Danger?" Asked Chief. Lor'themar sighed.

"You know the reason why my people were purged from Dalaran? Its because of an artifact in Panderia. A powerful object that can produce strong warriors. The Alliance found it first but Garrosh used my people in Dalaran to steal it. And you know what happened next." Explained Lor'themar. Chief nodded.

"Will this artifact change the tide of the war?" Asked Chief.

"It'll certainly give the Horde a boost. That I have no doubt. But that's not all, I've heard of even more powerful artifacts within Panderia, locked away by the people there." Said Lor'themar. "Because of those, and the natural resources in the land, both sides have relegated most of their forces there, leaving only token forces to protect our cities."

"A perfect time to sabotage Garrosh's Horde." Said Chief. Lor'themar nodded.

"Precisely." Said Lor'themar. "So, on the off chance that one of Garrosh's loyal subordinates is ripe to be taken out by an assassin, and I just so happened to know their location, I'll let you know and have my men turn a blind eye to it." Chief nodded at that.

"I'll have my men give you a way to communicate with us." Said Chief. "Any restrictions on this?"

"Yes. Do try to not kill my people. If I hear that even one of my people died by your hands, this "deal" of ours is off. Do you hear me?" Asked Lor'themar as he glared at Chief. Respecting Lor'themar's protectiveness to his people, Chief nodded.

"I understand. I'll make sure we'll be extra careful around your people." Said Chief before taking off. After wishing Lor'themar good luck, Chief got onboard his ship, which then took off, leaving Lor'themar alone with his guards. Once the ship was gone, one of his guards looked at his regent lord.

"Are you sure that was wise, sir? Our people will suffer a great deal when Garrosh finds this out." Said the guard.

"True, but if that monster continues to rule, the entire Horde will suffer." Said Lor'themar. "I just know it." With that, Lor'themar left, hoping that he didn't make a mistake.

Few weeks later

Chief

Broken Isles

"God damnit, Chief, you couldn't handle this yourself!?" Asked Courier as he and Jack prepared to snipe a high value Orc commander that Lor'themar tipped them off. The Orc was riding back to Orgrimmar on a large wolf, escorted by several guards.

The Orc supported Garrosh fervently and was responsible for transporting material from Panderia to Orgrimmar and Orgrimmar only, thus Lor'themar had requested them to take him out. That and because the Orc was responsible for getting some of his people and many others from the other Horde races killed in a botched-up attack against the Night elves that could have been avoided if he didn't decide to initiate a stupid charge against the Night elves fortified position.

Chief was about to take the mission himself, but then he received a priority alert from his ally in the Broken Isles, thus forcing him to leave this to Courier and Jack.

"I'm sorry, but he explicitly asked for me." Said Chief. The fact that Kel'danath asked for only his help was concerning to Chief. Since meeting him, Team Sigma had visited the man, helping him in his research by either getting rid of some pests in the manor he was hiding in or just striking up conversation with him.

Although he detested Ikit, especially after the rat nearly him upon seeing Kel'danath for the first time, he liked the others. High Elf especially as her attitude and stubbornness reminded him of his own childhood.

So, the fact that he asked only for Chief left the Spartan wondering what was going on.

"I'll try to make this quick." Said Chief as he made his way to Kel'danath's mansion.

"Don't. Take your time." Said Courier as he prepared his sniper rifle. Both Jack and him fond a ridge that gave them a perfect sniping position to take out the Orc from afar. "We got this. I'm just yanking your chain. By the way, what does Kel'danath want anyway? Is he close to the cure?"

"Possibly or he needs my help specifically." Said Chief.

"Whatever it is, good luck. You might need it." Said Courier before cutting comms. His target was in sight and he needed to focus.

Chief acknowledged the wish of luck before venturing deep inside the manor. Upon venturing in the manor, he found Kel'danath stroking his chin and muttering to himself.

"Kel'danath?" Asked Chief, looking at the Nightborne.

Upon hearing his name, Kel'danath looked at Chief.

"Ah, you arrived! That's good." Said Kel'danath before motioning Chief to come closer. "I finally made a breakthrough! Good thing too as I'm low on Arcwine."

"You found a cure?" Asked Chief.

"Yes, I believe so!" Said Kel'danath, unable to hide his happiness. He then looked at the docile test subject from their last meeting. "Theryn here as been instrumental in my research in finding a cure."

"How?" Asked Chief, curious how this Withered helped Kel'danath.

"It was so simple." Said Kel'danath, scolding himself for not figuring it out sooner. "I was so distracted with Theryn's biology that I neglected to check his memories. While there wasn't much left, his mind is too far gone, I did see something interesting. You see, sometime in his life, he encountered a seed. A seed of great power. It, somehow, managed to calm him. If we can find this seed, study it, perhaps we can apply this to all Withered, maybe even find a cure to the Nightborne's addiction."

"And that's why you asked for my help?" Asked Chief. Upon seeing him nod, Chief asked another question. "But why just me? Why not the others?"

"Well, I'm certainly not trusting that power hungry rat of yours with this knowledge." Said Kel'danath, speaking about Ikit. "High elf, strange name I might add, is too inexperienced with the most dangerous parts of this forest. And I know of your little war with this Horde. I know you need everyone on deck for that." Chief nodded at that.

"We could have spared time for you. This is important for us too." Said Chief.

"Because of what the Nightborne can give to you." Reminded Kel'danath. Shaking his head, Chief was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something. Theryn then hissed as he looked around. Upon seeing this, Kel'danath slowly reached for a makeshift blade he made during his time in exile.

Once he grabbed it, Chief brought out his assault rifle and began opening fire at the ceiling. Within a few seconds, a spider came crashing down on top of some notes on a table, destroying the table as it crashed into it.

"My word." Gasped Kel'danath as he saw the corpse. It wasn't an ordinary spider. While the lower half of the body was a spider, the upper half was the body of a Nightborne that has become withered. Kel'danath can tell with the skin pigment. "How did this happen?"

"Is it a Withered?" Asked Chief as he eyed their perimeter, keeping an eye out for more of those abominations.

"Yes, but…this is nothing like the Withered I'm used to." Said Kel'danath as he examined the corpse. "As far as I'm aware, this type of thing isn't normal for a Withered. They don't certainly get spider bodies."

"Someone experimented on them?" Asked Chief as he lowered his guard, finding that no one was around aside from him, Kel'danath, and Theryn.

"Its possible, but it had to be someone skilled in magic." Said Kel'danath as he lifted a spider leg. Nodding in agreement, Chief looked at Kel'danath.

"We need to move, some others like that thing might be on their way here and I doubt they'll be friendly." Said Chief.

"Agreed." Said Kel'danath before going over to Theryn and removing the wards that kept him in place. Upon seeing Theryn look at him, Kel'danath began to speak to the Withered. "Theryn, though a part of me doubts you can understand me, I need your help. Can you show me the location of that seed that gave you peace? Its important. Its for the survival of our species." Tilting his head, Theryn stared at Kel'danath a good while before walking out of the mansion.

"Good!" Said Kel'danath. "Come along, Spartan! The salvation of the Nightborne await!" As Kel'danath sprinted after Theryn, Chief spoke to Cortana as he followed them.

"Have a gunship on standby along with a Titan." Said Chief. "I may need them."

"You got it, Chief." Said Cortana before Chief cut the comms and caught up with Kel'danath, protecting him and Theryn.