The Black City, unlike real cities, ended abruptly. As did, rather worryingly, the tide of demons. That wasn't right, there should be more demons closer to the Tomb of Sargeras, not less.

Finally, the group crested a hill, the Horde forces doing the same moments later on the other side of a river of fel bubbling. Floating over in, encased in a ball of the same stuff, was Gul'dan, the hunchbacked warlock staring over them with a sneer on his face while in front of him, bound in chains, was Tirion Fordring. A snap of Gul'dan's gnarled fingers caused the chains to snap tight, lifting the leader of the Argent Crusade high into the air.

"Jaina!" Ruby ordered as Sylvanas nocked, drew and fired an arrow at Gul'dan in the time it took the one word order to get out. It burned to ash the second it hit the barrier around the warlock.

"Stay back! It's a trap!" Tirion choked out, a glyph burning on his chest.

"Of course it is, doesn't mean we're leaving you there!" Ruby called back as Jaina and Uther created a bridge of ice towards where Tirion was. Ruby accelerated, activating Petal Burst as Gul'dan flexed a hand. A giant made of red, craggily skin burst from the fel, green cracks of the same stuff burning along its upper torso. Resolidifying in front of Tirion, Ruby swung Crescent Rose through one chain, then the other, and caught the Highlord, dropping Crescent Rose so she could carry the larger man in both arms. Her heart ached as she activated Petal Burst and surged backwards, out of the way of the gout of green felfire that melted the bridge and Crescent Rose, watching her beloved scythe clatter on a rock in the center of the lake, blade gone.

"Ah, General," Gul'dan said in mock sympathy, "You appear to have lost your weapon. I know how… It was precious to you."

"Don't fall for it," Varian advised, splitting Shalamayne into Shalla'tor and Ellemayne, handing the left handed blade to her, "we'll get it back."

"Already done," Jaina said, clutching the ruined scythe, "We need someone to bring Tirion and it back to the airships.

"I'll do it after the fight with this thing is done!" Thrall called, "Tirion needs a healer, else he won't make it."

"Thank you, dear," Jaina said.

Ruby gripped Varian's sword tightly, back arching as bones cracked and rearranged themselves, fur growing along her muzzle and claws bursting from her hands and feet as she went digitigrade. She shucked off her jacket as it became too small for her, standing beside Genn.

"Gul'dan is mine," the Worgen growled.

—

Valeera stood in the back of the war council, spinning one of the Fangs of the Devourer as she waited for the leaders to finish talking about the coming war. Next to her stood Cariel, the dark skinned Paladin leaning on Truthguard, the winged shield balancing perfectly. In her shadow stood her party of Kurtrus Ashfallen, the Twinblades of the Deceiver on the white haired demon hunter's back, Tavish, the red headed dwarf leaning on Talonclaw while a hand crossbow dangled from his hip, Xyrella, the Draenai holding Light's Wrath, and Scabbs Cutterbutter, the bald gnome spinning the Kingslayers.

"King Wrynn," Kurtrus growled out, drawing the Twinblades off his back and falling into a combat stance, felfire eyes staring at a spot in space near the doorway to the war room, "don't be alarmed, but a demon just entered the room. A felhound."

Anduin drew Titanstrike off his back, Hati snapping upright at their master's preparation, as did Fordragon, the tamed wolfhawk bristling. Everyone else snapped to combat ready stances, Greymane drawing a heavy pistol off his hip. Then the demon became visible, and Valeera and Anduin visibly relaxed.

"Drei," Anduin breathed, walking over to the felhound, which dropped a scroll on the ground before turning, walking out of the room and turning invisible. Valeera met the young king's eyes, snorting as she did, "Well, let's see what it has to say… 'Anduin, Valeera, Tess. No interest in fighting this war. Sorry. Heading off to Remnant, gonna open a portal sometime in a couple of days to bring Kira through. Be at Dreadscar if you want to come. They have orders to summon me when the war is done. Don't die. Lots of love, Ruby.' Did she have to write it so stilted? Valeera, how do you feel about traveling to Remnant with a few soldiers for me?"

"What?" Genn said, "Anduin, we can't afford to weaken ourselves when we're on the brink of war!"

"The last few times we contacted another world, it spiraled into war, Genn. I want an advance group building a garrison there so if the worst comes to worst, we're ready. What happens if Sylvanas finds a way to Remnant and begins building forces there? We can also use it as a training camp for new soldiers, given the amount of monsters on Remnant."

"Ruby won't like that very much," Valeera pointed out.

"She is a General of the Alliance. The least she can do is set up and lead a garrison. Especially if worst comes to worst and we're forced into exile again. I'll pen her orders, she'll listen to me. We'll take a core of trainers and experienced warriors, but most of it will be fresh recruits brought in later."

"Send Tess or Liam," Genn said, "I want one of them in exile, in case the worst happens to me."

"Tess," Valeera said instantly, "Ruby would be happy to have her with us."

—