Chapter 21

Plums- I apologize if you feel that way.

Suramar

"So far, so good." Thought Thalyssra as the meeting between the Nightborne and the Horde and Alliance envoys continued. So far, no one had accused the other of cowardice, treason, or something along those lines. They all treated each other with the elegance and respect one might expect from an elf. She supposed it was because neither Tyrande, Elisande, or Liadrin wanted to make their people look bad by insulting the other two, whether it was subtle or not, so they kept cordial with one another.

For Thalyssra, she hoped that her people get something out of this that won't cause them to regret their choices later on. From what she had discerned of both the Horde and Alliance they tend to not like it when one side has something that the other doesn't and resent those that try to keep neutral from their conflicts, likely because those neutral factions could have been the difference between victory and defeat for either faction. Even those that deal with both factions weren't spared from this with both sides trying their best to coerce them to join their side solely. As such, Thalyssra feared that trying to gain something from both factions will only end badly for her people.

While Chief and his team promised to protect them from retribution from the Horde and Alliance in case one of them grew angry enough at the Nightborne for their neutrality to act on said emotions, she silently feared that wouldn't be enough. They number under the dozen and the Nightborne in the tens of thousands. The Horde and Alliance probably number in the hundreds of thousands each, perhaps millions. If war did come to the Nightborne, Thalyssra feared much for her city and her people.

It must have been noticeable because she heard Chief talk. His team had been stationed with her own podium in the Sanctum of order. Thought Valtrois didn't like them around, only because they're appearances contrast so much with the dark purple and white of the Sanctum, she allowed them because of Thalyssra's trust in them. Her friend was such a difficult woman sometimes.

"Are you alright?" Asked Chief, turning slightly at Thalyssra to indicate that he was listening to her while not taking his eyes off of the Horde and Alliance envoys as they spoke to Elisande. Twitching her ears in discomfort, Thalyssra whispered to Chief, quiet enough that only he can hear.

"Yes, I'm worried that will end with us being a prime target for either or both of these two factions." Said Thalyssra as she still looked the envoys to make it look like she was paying all her attention at them and not her guard. "I heard that the Pandaren have split into three factions. Those that want nothing to do with the Horde and Alliance and those that have joined either faction. I fear something like that would happen to my people. Or worse." Chief, understanding her concern, but didn't know what to say, replied that he didn't know what to say to her to make her feel better. Disappointed slightly, Thalyssra nonetheless nodded. "I fear that opening our barriers and attempting to trade with both factions will tear our city apart. I don't want to see my city strife with civil war." Sensing her distress, Valtrois looked at her friend and wanted to comfort her when Chief placed a hand at Thalyssra's shoulder, squeezed it softly, before letting go. Although a part of Valtrois wanted to scold him for laying a hand on the First Arcanist, when she sensed her friend calm down at his touch, she relented.

"That's shows you're a good leader to your people." Said Chief. "You wouldn't worry about the negatives of these decisions if you didn't worry for your people." Thalyssra, though it wasn't what she wanted, just smiled.

"I thank you for those words.' Said Thalyssra. "I just wish I didn't stop worrying so much."

"Don't worry to the point of it overriding your sense of logic and confidence, Thalyssra." Warned Chief. "It's important as a leader to keep a balance mind and to rein in on their emotions as much as they can."

"You make it sound so easy." Said Thalyssra, the ear that was closet to Chief twitched as she spoke.

"I know." Said Chief. "But it's still an important lesson that one must keep in mind at all times, especially with something like this." Thalyssra nodded at that as she went back to looking at Elisande speaking to both the Horde and Alliance envoys.

"So, we are in agreement." Said Elisande with a smile. This was going all according to her plans. The Alliance and Horde were agreeing to have Suramar as a place of neutrality, similar to a goblin town called Ratchet, where both sides could intermingle. They also agreed to not make any attempt to negotiate with Suramar in joining either faction unless Elisande allows such talks. In exchange, Suramar would give out some of it's goods, particularly their Arcwine and some manufactured goods, and some of their magic to both sides, although the more advanced spells would be kept out of the hands of the Horde and Alliance. It was an agreement that benefitted the Nightborne greatly and Elisande was satisfied with it. "I will have my people construct the final draft of the agreement. It should be done in the next few days. I thank you both for being such wonderful guests in Suramar. I can tell that we'll all benefit from this agreement."

Tyrande, a bit annoyed with Elisande's cordial way of speaking, just smiled and bowed. Followed by Liadrin as soon as she spotted it.

"You honor us." Said Tyrande, looking at Elisande directly. "If it is not too much to ask, can both the Horde and Alliance be given a building in Suramar so that we can ease the burden of negotiations." Elisande nodded at that.

"Yes. Unfortunately, all of the buildings in Suramar are occupied." Said Elisande. "So, you'll have to settle with a room within the Sanctum. We'll quickly have two rooms retrofitted for both envoys. Until then, may I implore you all to partake in a tour of Suramar. Especially you, Tyrande. Much has changed since you left your home. I believe the changes are sufficient enough for you to partake in a tour of the city." Tyrande pursed her lips at that. She really needed to report to Varian that she successfully managed to give a favorable treaty for the Alliance. It was favorable to all technically, but as long as the Alliance benefitted it as much as the Horde, then Varian will not be too disappointed with the results. But at the same time, she was eager to explore her former home and see what changed and what stayed.

Thinking that it would be fine if she indulged on her curiosity, it's not like she was pressed for time after all, she agreed with the tour, but asked it be separate to the one given to the Horde.

Liadrin, both out of seeing what Suramar had to offer to the Horde in goods as well as wanting to see the grand beauty of Suramar for something that was just for her own curiosity, agreed as well, saying that it be best for all that Horde and Alliance interactions are kept as minimal as possible so that neither side damages the grand city of Suramar. With that, Elisande had two of her guards to send forth their finest tour guides and adjourned the meeting.

With that done, everyone left, leaving Thalyssra with Valtrois and team Sigma.

"That went well." Said Valtrois. "Though I sincerely hope that Elisande is doing the right thing in not picking a side. From what Thalyssra told me, they are not exactly a tolerate group of people for those that wish to trade with both sides openly. At least at the moment."

"You'll be fine." Said Courier. "If one attacks you first without a good reason, it'll make them look bad in the eyes of their citizens and the more righteous people in their side. But if that isn't enough, we'll do what we can to prevent them from, you know, assaulting this place, killing most of your leadership, and taking what they want from this place. Both in arms and in diplomacy." Upon hearing the last word, Ikit scoffed loudly at that, causing some people to glare at him.

"That's good to hear." Said Thalyssra with a smile. "It's good to have friends that know when to fight and when to talk. It speaks volumes of your strength and beliefs." High Elf Archer smiled at that. Thalyssra reminded her so much of her older sister, just a bit less insistent on her to settle down and marry or to stop adventuring with her party. She wondered if she should ask Thalyssra if she was open to having a little get together with her and the team again. No diplomacy or political stuff. Just a get together for the purpose of getting to know each other. Thinking it was a good time as any other, High Elf was about to ask her about it when her ears twitched at hearing the sounds of footsteps coming closer. Turning around, she saw Shandris coming up to them, an impassive expression on her face.

"Greeting to you again, team Sigma." Said Shandris, bowing respectfully at those that saved her life when Azshara tried to kill her sometime ago. She then looked at Thalyssra and Valtrois, frowning a bit, before speaking again. "Tyrande wishes to speak to you, lady Thalyssra. She wants to speak to you alone." Upon hearing that, Thalyssra twitched her ears at that, surprised that Tyrande would want to speak to her alone and not Elisande. She may be the First Arcanist of Suramar, making her one of it's highest figures of authority, but she thought Tyrande would focus mostly on Elisande as she had most of the power in Suramar. Still, it would be rude of her to deny Tyrande, and so told Shandris to lead her towards Tyrande. Valtrois protested, thinking that this was foolish, but Thalyssra assured her friend that there was nothing to worry about and that Tyrande won't do anything foolish in Suramar. Plus, she hadn't done anything wrong to the matriarch of the Night Elves so there shouldn't be any problems between the two ten-thousand-year-old elf ladies. Still reluctant about this, Valtrois nonetheless allowed this and watched as her friend left with Shandris Feathermoon, praying that this would not go array for the Nightborne.

Sometime later

Tyrande

"Everything is going well for us, king Varian." Said Tyrande as she addressed king Varian, who was busy with the rest of the Alliance leaders in discussing reparations with the Horde leaders in Ratchet, communicating with him directly there as a result of Jaina teleporting her to Ratchet. The Goblin town was too dirty and atrocious to Tyrande's eyes, but it was the only neutral town that accepted both Horde and Alliance personal, making it the only place for them to negotiate in. "Elisande has allowed an embassy be established in Suramar and is also allowing trade to be done with us as well as exchanges of magic. Unfortunately, the Horde also have the same deal with Suramar." Varian pursed his lips at that, not happy that the Horde have the same deal as the Alliance did. It was the exact same thing with the Pandaren, who has split into three factions. One was with the Alliance, the other with the Horde, and the final was for neither, despising both for what Garrosh did as well as dragging them into their war between each other. Reminding himself that it was to be expected and that, sooner or later, Suramar would choose a faction, Varian calmed himself and looked at Tyrande.

"A pity, but what I expected." Said Varian. "If I recall, you called Elisande as one that will do anything so long as it benefitted her people. Even playing sides in order to gain something out of it." Tyrande nodded.

"Yes." Said Tyrande, recalling Elisande and her pompous attitude when it came to the lower class of Night Elves back during the height of the Night Elf empire. In fact, during the negotiations, she saw Elisande giving her and her envoy looks of hidden mock behind her impassive face. Having never been part of the higher classes of Night elf society, she knew that the Highborne had looked down on the normal class of Nightelves, even though there were no significant physical differences between the two. Heck, she had faced the same discrimination even during her time as a simple priest in the Sisterhood of Elune. The Highborne of Suramar were no different. "She always had looked down upon the lower classes of the old Night Elf empire, much like majority of Highborne at that time, but she also was keen and had a good hand on economics and politics. She's driven on the survival and future of the Nightborne of Suramar. And, at the moment, the best way to do that is to play with both factions, make them interested in Suramar's resources enough that they won't try to invade to take those by force without irreparable damage to said resources." Varian nodded as he heard that. This Elisande knew what she was doing, he'll give her that.

"Unfortunately, she's right in that regard. The magic and resources of Suramar, as well as it's position in the Broken Isles, could prove invaluable in a future war against the Horde." Said Varian. Though he was allowed the Horde to remain as it is this time, it was only this time. If they did pulled something like the war just a few weeks ago, then he'll dismantle them once and for all. That was something he promised his son, Anduin, who wanted the horde to remain as it is, as well as everyone else in both the Horde and Alliance. Even if rebels help them succeed in winning over Horde like they did with Garrosh, it won't be enough to persuade him from doing what must be done to secure the future of the Alliance. Tyrande frowned at that, a bit disappointed at Varian with his choice of words, before speaking.

"If so, then I don't think we need the resources of Suramar as much as you think. Or, at least, the same need as the Horde does.' Said Tyrande. Varian raised an eyebrow at that.

"And why is that, Tyrande?" Asked Varian. Curious. Tyrande sighed before explaining herself.

"It was the Highborne that had caused the War of the Ancients, Varian." Explained Tyrande. "It was them that brought the Burning Legion to Azeroth and split the lands into what they are today. And, even when the Burning Legion came and fought against us, most of them ran and hide, like those in Suramar, leaving us, the common folk and other beings, to fight the Legion." She then took a deep breath before speaking again. "Varian, these people are backstabbers. They do not know of loyalty to others, only to themselves. Their magic, while powerful, is unnecessary to the wealth of knowledge that we already have. So, I cannot agree to the idea that we need the Nightborne or their goods. We should not fall to Elisande's manipulations." Varian just stayed silent, processing this information, before speaking.

"Tyrande." Said Varian. "Are you sure your opinion is based solely on logic and fact, and not on emotions." Tyrande, stunned by this, was about to retort when Varian continued to speak. "As I recall, your Night elves destroyed all Highborne after the war. As a way to prevent something like the Burning Legion from coming again, I know, but also as a form of vindictive revenge against the Highborne for their cowardice and treatment of you, am I wrong?" Tyrande just sighed as she nodded. "So, I do not see why we should not gain the same knowledge that the Suramar elves are offering us. It's same magic from those that mistreated you, yes, but it's just magic, Tyrande. What matters is the wielder of the sword, not the sword itself. Besides, the Horde is having no qualms with taking the Nightborne in, so we should do the same, less they gain an advantage over us. Am I understood?" Tyrande sighed again before nodding.

"Very well, Varian." Said Tyrande, a weary look on her face. "I do not agree with this, but I will trust in your judgement. Though I recommend picking someone else for future negotiations with the Nightborne. I'm afraid my emotions, as well as those of my people, against the Highborne will affect our relations with the Nightborne if we stay here for an extended period of time. Perhaps your son Anduin or someone of the Kirin Tor council can be a good pick." Varian nodded at Tyrande's words.

"I'll speak with the rest of my advisors about this, but for now, stay there." Said Varian. "I'm afraid the negotiations with the Horde are taking much more time than we initially thought." Tyrande nodded at that before leaving to find Jaina or some other wizard capable of teleporting her back to Suramar. After finding one, she had them teleport her back to Suramar. Once she arrived back in Suramar, she made a note to have the Alliance make a portal between Suramar and some secure place in Alliance lands. Perhaps Stormwind itself or Dalaran.

Once she arrived, she spotted Shandris with Thalyssra, the Nightborne woman looking at Tyrande with curiosity in her eyes. Upon seeing her mother, Shandris gave a salute and spoke.

"Tyrande, I've brought the First Arcanist as you requested." Said Shandris. Nodding at her adopted daughter, Tyrande looked at Thalyssra, a pang of anger rising within her before it was quashed down.

"Thank you, Shandris, you may go now." Said Tyrande, causing Shandris to leave the two women alone. Once they were, Tyrande spoke. "I'll get to the point, arcanist Thalyssra. Were you truly sorry for abandoning the Kaldorei during our time of need. With your magical prowess, we could have prevented the amount of deaths that occurred on our side. We could have lessened the amount of damage that the legion inflicted on Azeroth. We might have been able to stop Illi…" She stopped whatever she was going to say and instead glaring at Thalyssra, who sighed, sensing the hostility.

"I cannot speak for most of my people or Elisande, but a few of the other Arcanists, myself included, thought we should have not hidden ourselves against the legion. That we should have helped you in your resistance against them. Even if we lost our lives against the demons, it was better to die a pointless death than be a slave to those monsters." Said Thalyssra, looking at Tyrande's glare with her own impassive stare. "Unfortunately, we were outnumbered and the group that wished to hide ourselves had their way with Elisande's approval." She sighed before speaking again. "You have no idea how hard it was for us to do something like that, Tyrande. We had to abandon most of our families that were outside the barrier to the legion. Many of us had nightmares of them being ripped apart by demons while we slept comfortably in Suramar." She then closed her eyes as she remembered her own family, all of whom were stationed in other Highborne cities, as well as those she trained in the way of the Arcane, and the nightmares she had in the first few decades that barrier was up. She hated herself for not getting at least one of them in Suramar with her and it still haunted her that she basically left her family to die while she stayed cozy in Suramar. Looking at Thalyssra's stance, Tyrande saw that she was telling the truth, and sighed.

"I suppose it's good that some of you know the error of your choice." Said Tyrande, glare still there, but lessened after seeing the regret in Thalyssra. "But that does not explain why you didn't lower the barrier once the war was over. A hundred years is acceptable. Perhaps a thousand, but ten thousand years? Why did you not lower the barrier sooner? Did you not have to take laws against births and the like?" Thalyssra nodded.

"We did." Said Thalyssra. "Families were only allowed one child unless stated otherwise by Elisande. And we had to use the powers of the Nightwell to sustain us during the time of the barrier. We thought the rest of the world was uninhabitable and that the only fertile place left was Suramar. Or worse, that the Burning legion made Azeroth a staging ground for them."

"But you had access of magic capable of fertilizing the land." Argued Tyrande. "Even if you hadn't, it wouldn't take much time for you to figure out how to re-fertilize the land. And the Burning Legion theory did not make sense. They have access to their own infernal realm, they did not need Azeroth as a staging ground." Thalyssra sighed before nodding in agreement.

"Fear can cause people to make outlandish theories." Said Thalyssra. "And it was enough for Elisande to permanently keep the barrier on for the rest of our lives." She then opened her eyes at Tyrande. "I'm sorry, Tyrande. As stated before, some of us regretted leaving you all to die, but the safety to our citizens and people came first in Elisande's mind. I hope that you can acquaint with such ideals." Tyrande just sighed at that, frustrated at this, before nodding.

"I can." Said Tyrande. "But that does not make me forgive the amount of deaths that could have been prevented had you all helped us in the battle against the Legion." Thalyssra nodded at that.

"And I don't intend it to.' Said Thalyssra. "I'm merely giving you the explanation you deserve. I can't promise it is satisfactory for you, but I can promise that it is the truth. From the bottom of my heart." Looking at Thalyssra and her impassive stare, Tyrande pursed her lips before tilting her head slightly.

"It was not satisfactory, nor did it make me forgive your mistakes, but it does give me some clemency for knowing the reason that you hide instead of fighting, no matter how much I disagree with it." Said Tyrande. Thalyssra nodded at that.

"As a sign of apology, do you wish for me to give you a tour of Suramar?" Offered Thalyssra. "Much has changed since you've been here and I believe I can help you adjust to the changes more than any of Elisande's selected tours can."

"As much as that is tempting, I cannot." Said Tyrande. "Do not worry about me. If I can face entire hordes of demons by myself, I can deal with an arrogant Nightborne, who believed themselves to be the pinnacle of Night elf evolution." Thalyssra smiled at that before bowing at Tyrande as she took her leave. Before she left, however, Tyrande turned her head slightly at Thalyssra. "You are wise, Thalyssra, and more empathetic than Elisande. It's a pity that you are not Grand Magistrix of Suramar instead of her." With that, she left, leaving Thalyssra, shocked at what Tyrande said.

"Me as Grand Magistrix?" Thought Thalyssra as she brought her hands to her chest. "That's absurd! Even if I wanted to, I cannot be Grand Magistrix. Elisande has far more support in the city than I ever could hope for. As long as she lives, I cannot be Grand Magistrix, and for that, I am grateful. My position as First Arcanist is stressful enough, I don't need the extra burden that comes with being the Grand Magistrix." Sighing, she left to find team Sigma, eager to speak with her allies more and get to know them more.

Few days later

Underground base beneath Kul Tiras

'I cannot believe that all this is beneath Kul Tiras." Said Farthing as he looked at the massive room that hold some of the vault's largest weapons. It had been two days since he brought his followers to Kul Tiras and finding the vault that N'Zoth spoke of. Xal'atath had brought the Orcs to Zandalar and reported in that they successfully found the vault and have settled in, finding great technological weapons in them just as the one in Kul Tiras.

When Farthing found the vaults, he expected just a big empty place with enough room for his people to sleep in. What he got completely stupefied them all.

The vault wasn't just a place for them to train, sleep, and hide until the day of their reckoning. It was a vast fortress, complete with a basic foundry to create more arms and armor for their uses. Not that it would be needed. In vast rooms were advanced weapons and armor that not even the Gnomes and Dwarves could create in their wildest dreams. And in other rooms were large vehicles that make the vehicles used by those races look like children's play toys.

Some were large tanks that were so heavily armored that it looked like only magic can hurt them. Others were bipedal machines that rivaled the largest war machines in the Alliance arsenal in height and size.

And then there were the sentient machines that bristled with guns on them and handled the daily maintenance of the vault.

Combined all that, were vast tunnels that lead to the outside, placed in areas that allowed access to the base without being detected. All in all, a great fortress of the Twilight Hammer cult to grow and prosper until the day of reckoning.

"How the Kul Tirans failed to notice all this," Said Farthing as he looked all around him, smiling as he did so. "Is beyond me. Perhaps this a sign that the world needs N'Zoth to set it on the right path."

"Do not be so foolish, Farthing." Said Xal'atath as she walked up to the human leader of the Twilight Hammer cult. Her elf body's hair was now cut short. Now it only flowed down enough that it can barely touch her shoulders. "Those foolish Kul Tirans were so focused on the Horde and Alliance as well as their obsession with the water that they failed to recognize the grave threat underneath them. It's that simple." Farthing just chuckled as he looked at Xal'atath.

"Perhaps, but that is also a sign that the world needs N'Zoth. His planning and genius is what will us the planet. Not brute strength, though much of that will be needed." Said Farthing. Xal'atath just scoffed but nodded in agreement. She had to admit, she didn't like Farthing at first, believing him to be just a sad mortal that followed N'Zoth around because he promised understanding and a place of acceptance, but no. He actually had a brain and followed N'Zoth, not because he told him to do so, but because he genuinely believed in N'Zoth's goals and followed them with passion that came from understanding, not false loyalty. For that, she'll refrain from flaying him alive for spouting such ridiculous religious fervor.

"Moving on, I must admit." Said Xal'atath, looking at the vast room before them, seeing the various machine below them, either just standing there menacingly or were maintain other machines. "N'Zoth has planned this for a long time. Perhaps even longer than his plan with Deathwing. The amount of resources dedicated to making the vaults here and Zandalar would have taken a large amount of time and resources." Farthing nodded in agreement at that.

"Yes." Said Farthing. "Hmm…did N'Zoth expect Deathwing to fail?"

"No, I believe Deathwing was just a way to divert the Alliance and Horde's attention from all this." Said Xal'atath. "Or perhaps he did intend Deathwing to win and this was all just a backup plan in case he did fail. He didn't lose much if Deathwing lost, after all. But another question remained, how did he gain all this?" Farthing, also wondering that, wondered what his master did to gain all this and what else he had in store for the Alliance and Horde for he told them that he had more vaults like this around the world. Just thinking about it made Farthing excited for the coming slaughter that was to come when N'Zoth made the call to finally bring the coming of his time.

The two pondered on the last question when suddenly one of the machines of the vault, a biped machine with a skeletal structure with a long thing neck that attached a cone-like head that was angled down with four slits for eyes, two for each side of the head, came up to them.

"Uh, lord Farthing? Madam Xal'atath?" Said the machine in a squeaky voice. "A transmission came from N'Zoth's partner. He's requesting that a team of our best soldiers be sent to these coordinates." He then handed them a thick, metallic, pad that showcased a map of Azeroth, pointing to a specific location. Grabbing the pad from the machine, Farthing looked at the map and was astounded at it.

"The Blasted Lands?" Asked Farthing incredulously, looking at the machine who squeaked out in fear. "Why would that…partner of our lord wants us to send our best men to that barren wasteland."

"No idea." Said the machine. "All he said that he wants specimen of great historical value for his collection. No idea what they are though." Xal'atath just hummed as Farthing and the droid spoke.

This business partner of N'Zoth was someone that caused no end of paranoia for Xal'atath. Upon arriving to the vaults beneath Kul Tiras and Zandalar, both Farthing and Xal'atath had received a, what the machines called, transmission from a communication device embedded on a wall in a room called a communication station. The transmission came with a metallic voice that introduced itself as N'Zoth's business partner and had warmed them warmingly to the vaults. It then told them that they'll be doing some errands for him when the time comes. And when that time comes, they better get what he wants or else N'Zoth would be displeased. Neither liking being ordered by an unknown, the two tried to speak to the voice when it suddenly ended the transmission. Since then, they've wondered who this business partner was and how they came into contact with N'Zoth.

Despite repeated attempts by Farthing and herself, N'Zoth himself refused to expose the identity of his partner, claiming that they wanted to avoid revealing themselves, lest they ruin their own agendas. The last time Xal'atath asked, N'Zoth forcibly brought her to the void and told her that repeated attempt will be meet with pain and misery as well as her being forced back into her prison. He then told her, in order to satisfy her curiosity a bit, that the partner was someone that can give them the means to vastly cripple the Horde and Alliance as well as removing a pest that could endanger their plans for taking Azeroth. So long as they meet his long list of demands of course.

If anything, that explanation left Xal'atath with more questions. What could be so powerful to make an Old God, even as one as intelligent as N'Zoth, bow to their demands? It can't be the Burning Legion, she knew enough of the demon army to know the Old Gods will never work with them. It couldn't be another being in the Void as they all have the same agenda in mind. So, what could it be? It drove her mad with annoyance and curiosity. Eventually, she was snapped out of her thoughts when Farthing sighed.

"Very well, I'll send the team I sent to collect the vault's contents near Darnassus to do this." Said Farthing. "Send them in."

"Yes sir." Said the machine before leaving. A few minutes later, Derek Swifthand, Gorl Dragonteeth, and Kudius Starkguard arrived with the machine. With them, however, was the person that the three had came back with the being that they had brought from the Darnassus vault.

When he saw the being, Farthing was shocked at how tall they were. Being almost as tall as a Nightelf male, the being was armored in dark purple and black armor that covered a black under suit beneath it all. There were opening here and there, mostly in the joints, but the armor covered the user well and the under suit looked like it can take a bit of punishment as well. To cover their identity, the user had a helmet on with a gold visor, contrastingly greatly with it the rest of it's armor.

All in all, a terrifying being that made Farthing glad it was on their side. Even more so, when he sensed the presence of the void within it, augmenting it's already impressive strength.

"I see, you brought your companion with you." Said Farthing as he looked at the being before the trio of soldiers he asked for.

"Yes.' Said Derek. "He wanted to come along. He though it would be good for us all to work together and form an effective team with each other." Farthing nodded at that, understanding the reasoning behind it.

"Hm…very well.' Said Farthing. "Now, you four will go to the Blasted Lands. N'Zoth's…partner requests that you make it there. Why, I have no idea."

"It's located here." Said the machine as he brought another metal pad with coordinates. The giant being took it and inspected it. Once it did, it spoke in a masculine voice

"We'll head out at once." Said the being before looking at Farthing and Xal'atath. "We will not fail you or N'Zoth."

"I know you won't." Said Farthing. "But in the case you do, the punishment will be severe. You understand?" The four nodded before departing. Once they did, Xal'atath thought of the being before her and wondered who they were.

"If I recall, it called itself a Spartan." Thought Xal'atath when she first meet it. "Interesting bunch of things you have, N'Zoth. I can't wait to see what else you have in store for Azeroth."

A day later

The Blasted Lands

"I can't believe I'm here." Said Gorl as he walked besides his group in the Blasted Lands. He remembered the Blasted Lands well. It was the lands that the Orcs used to travel through during their first invasion of Azeroth, back when they were under the command of the Orc shaman, Gul'dan. Back then, it was a lush plains with trees and grass. But, then, it grew into an infertile land of sand and rock. All because of Gul'dan and his magic. It he hadn't died and the Horde lost their first invasion of Azeroth, the planet may be as dead as Draenor is. "The place where my people first came to Azeroth."

"Sad isn't it." Said Kudius as he walked with his group in the sandy waste of the Blasted Lands. "All this death and destruction. It's a shame that your people came here under the command of a bastard like Gul'dan." Gorl hmphed in agreement, hating Gul'dan as much as any other Orc as, perhaps ironically, was the reason their homeworld of Draenor was a barren wasteland.

"Yeah." Said Derek, uncomfortable with being in the Blasted Lands as it reminded him of Westfold and it's failing crops. "Why did N'Zoth's business partner want us here anyway?" Before anyone could speak, the being with them spoke.

"He wants a prize." Said the being, short and to the point. "Or rather prizes from something here."

"Prizes?" Asked Kudius in shock. "From here? What is there of worth here in the Blasted Lands?" Before anyone could speak, they all suddenly heard a massive war shout coming from somewhere nearby. That caused them all to stop and look at the direction of that in shock.

"What the…" Started Derek before the spartan with them motioned for them to follow him and to do it quietly. Looking at each other, the three did as they were told and followed him. A few minutes later, they found what made that noise and it shocked them to the very core.

Up ahead of them, some great distance away, was a massive Orc army and it was coming out of a massive stone portal that was emitting green energy.

But this army wasn't green like the ones found in the Horde. They were tanned and were wearing black iron armor that covered their entire bodies. On their faces were skull shaped helmets whose eyes glowed bright red as the Orcs looked around themselves. In their hands were mostly swords and axe, but some of them wielded massive oversized guns. Not only that, but there were massive vehicles that bellowed out black smoke as they moved out the stone portal and to the Blasted Lands. Such technology was beyond the skills of Orcs, yet all the group saw were Orcs, tan skinned Orcs, and that shocked them all.

"What is this?" Asked Gorl as he widened his eyes at the Orcs before all them. They were all safety hidden behind some rocks that gave them cover so they wouldn't have to worry about the Orcs spotting them. "Why are there Orcs coming out of the Dark Portal? Draenor is completely devoid of life." No one spoke for they, as well as Gorl, didn't know. For all they knew, the Dark Portal, the same one used by Gul'dan to transport his Horde to Azeroth so many years ago, was only linked to Draenor and Draenor was devoid of life, especially Orc ones. How could Orcs be still coming out of the portal.

"This must be what N'Zoth's partner wants us to take prizes from." Said the spartan. "But how are we going to get them?"

"We-we give you way-way!" Yelled a voice behind them. Turning around, the group, much to their shock, saw a black-clothed rat man, around the size of a human, looking at them with beady, red eyes. How it came close to them without them spotting it was beyond them. Before they could even speak or draw weapons, more black-clothed rat-men arrived and with them were two massive guns, the same shape as a minigun but with a claw with an emitter instead of barrels, that were connected to a large backpack via large thick cables. The guns were obviously meant for the spartan and Gorl as neither Derek and Kudius can carry them without some sort of assistance.

"These-these made by great god partner. Made to capture-steal prizes for him. Just point and shoot at prizes and they be captured! Yes-yes! Then, once done, come back to Blasted Lands and deliver guns to us! We deliver to great god partner! Yes-Yes!" Not even commenting on the rat-men's speech, the spartan grabbed one gun, inspected it, before putting it on. After some trial and error, he put in on the correct way.

"How does this thing work?" Asked the spartan, looking at the rat-men, who simply smirked.

"These!" Yelled another rat-man before some others brought up several sacks and tossing them towards the group. One sack, in particular, toppled over and spilled it's contents, revealing them to be a black colored cube about the size of a fist. "Insert cube-square to this hole!" The rat then pointed to a slot the size of the cube on the side of the gun part of the weapon. Grabbing a cube, the spartan then inserted it into the slot, where it soon slid closed and the gun began to glow green, the emitter being the brightest. "Then aim at prize and fire! Yes-Yes! Cube-square do rest. Remember, one cube for one prize. Yes-yes. Place cube in back thing once it full. It show you once cube thing full!" The spartan nodded before looking at the gathering Orcs, who were still coming out of the portal.

"What are the prizes?" Asked the spartan, looking back at the rat-men, who just brought out a stack of papers.

"Names there." Said the lead rat-man. "Along with faces. No idea why great god partner want filthy brown-skins, but we do what great god orders. Yes-yes." With that the rat men quickly left, disappearing before their eyes.

"Well that was…interesting." Said Kudius as he went back to watching the Orcs coming out of the portal. "What the hell does N'Zoth's partner want?" The spartan just looked at the first paper on the stack he was given.

"Grom Hellscream first of all." Said the spartan, causing his team to look at him in shock.