Stormwind harbor was abuzz as adventurers and soldiers gathered at the docks. Large ships to Kalimdor periodically arrived to take massive groups off, and more came to take their place. It was just a few days before the agreed date that The Might of Kalimdor alliance would take to raiding the mysterious Ahn'Qiraj, and Victor was not going to miss it.
The hatchling recently couldn't access The Emerald Dream, for some reason, it was sealed off. He wished he could leave some sort of message off to Revira before he went to Silithus, but that opportunity was now gone.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Marcus asked, dressed in armor beside him.
"We've made it this far haven't we?" Victor remarked and gave a smirk. "Besides, I think O'Neal would be more angry if we didn't go now."
Marcus had been giving him weird looks ever since the day of the duel. Marcus had clearly seen some of his power leak out during his outburst, but never asked him anything of it. Victor had concluded to just ignore telling him for now if he wasn't bothered, but the hatchling wasn't so sure. He was thankful that Marcus was coming with him to Silithus, especially since he became much more adamant to come.
Boarding a ship, the two were surrounded by adventurers of all kinds, excited to travel to Kalimdor. The Stormwind Guard being transferred over, had small corps put onto the ships to travel over as well. Many of the adventurers were showing off their weapons and magic to each other, proudly boasting of what they would do in Silithus and laughing with each other. A few others got rowdy, and a small fist fight had begun on board, before the captain of the ship yelled at them to shut up and settle down.
"Hey Marcus?" Victor called his friend. "Have you ever thought about adventuring?"
"Hmm?" Marcus looked curiously at the half orc. "I won't say it hasn't crossed my mind. Albeit I prefer to keep all my limbs intact, if you ask me. This trip to Silithus already feels a bit much, but I suppose the changes in scenery would be nice."
"I guess I can't blame you," Victor responded. "It just feels like there's so much Azeroth, and so little I have seen."
"There is the League of Explorers led by Brann Bronzebeard." Marcus put the idea forward. "I'm sure the pay's consistent, and you'll have your fill of danger!" his expression shifted. "Besides, you're still young, and have a whole life to lead!"
Victor momentarily rolled his eyes and mumbled: "Oh you have NO idea…"
"LAND HO!" A large cry rang throughout the ship. Several adventurers quickly rushed to the portside to get a view, and Victor followed closely behind. Their destination would be the port town of Ratchet, because of its neutral status between Horde and Alliance.
Victor could see smoke billowing from several of the buildings that lined the port. Small green dots that eventually came into view as goblins scurrying across the port, busy and at work. Heavy machinery was being used to move massive amounts of cargo into wagons, as the hum of the machines could be heard from far away.
Finally coming into port, Victor could see one particular goblin perched on top of a wooden post. He was wearing welding goggles on his head, and was currently reading a long scroll of paper as it appeared he was counting the supplies going into port; by him was a banner depicting a wrench, bomb, and gear: the insignia of The Steamweedle Cartel.
As the ship docked, and they began to walk by the entire scene, Victor could hear the goblin speaking.
"REPAIR CREW 2!" his voice boomed as he spoke out of a megaphone. "TO CRANE 5! THE ARM IS BEGINNING TO CATCH FIRE!"
"YES GAZLOWE!" A small crew of goblins shouted, and began to run off.
"THE ALLIANCE IS PAYING THE BIG BUCKS FOR THIS ONE!" Gazlowe exclaimed, encouraging his workers. "AND THE STEAMWHEEDLE CARTEL IS NEVER KNOWN TO DISAPPOINT!"
The goblin leader turned his attention towards the arriving groups. "Ah! You must be the arriving parties!" his voice crackled with delight. "Right this way! Steamwheedle cars will take you to Silithus as per our agreement!"
Gazlowe ushered the swathes of adventurers, herding them into the many different cars he had parked on the edge of Ratchet. Victor and Marcus ended up in a particularly odd one with flames painted on the side, and several long pipes coming out of the sides and backend that expelled flames. The half orc sat down in one of the leathery seats in the back.
"Hey! HEY!" The goblin at the wheel yelled as he turned around. "Don't just crash your armor into it! Those seats are the finest Stranglethorn Crocodile leather harvested from animals hunted by Hemet Nesingwary himself! I'm getting paid to do this, it ain't some damn charity!"
Shifting a bit as the driver yelled at him more, Victor was now awkwardly positioned near the edge of the car door jammed up against it in the overcrowded back, with Marcus now hanging on to his friend acting as a seat belt. With a loud noise, and a screeching of the tires, the car sped off towards Silithus.
The half orc watched as the nature of Kalimdor sped by as they raced forward. The vast plains of The Barrens rolling by. There were many wooden towers lining the area, orcs were inside watching out no doubt for those uninvited in Horde territory. Victor swore he could feel eyes glaring at him as they passed.
After passing a massive cratered area with a huge jungle in it, the car screeched to a halt as Victor saw a familiar sight. The environment of Silithus was far more barren than what The Dream had shown with many of the Oasis pockets around the area just not being present. One massive change Victor could notice were several underground tunnels nestled around the area, and loud chattering could be heard below. Several guards could be seen surrounding the holes keeping whatever was in there at bay.
Up ahead a massive gathering could be noticed: Beings of all races both Horde and Alliance gathered in swathes held together in peace, by the even larger threat looming in the distance. Even a few miles out, the massive temple of Ahn' Qiraj could be seen, its monolithic pillars built high above, surrounded by a massive magic barrier.
"Ready?" Marcus asked his friend as the massive army began to march.
"Made it this far haven't I?" Victor responded dryly. "I admit… looking at the whole scale of it all does put one at unrest."
"It will all work out I'm sure of it." Marcus tried to encourage him. "Though I do have to ask, especially since you managed to drag me all the way out here: how does this help your friend? You mentioned this was all for someone didn't you?"
Victor went silent for a moment, trying to formulate a response without giving away the draconic aspect of the situation.
"My friend's mother went out to Silithus on some form of 'expedition'." he spoke slowly. "She never came back, and so I wanted to find out why. I at least want to put her at ease knowing what happened to her mother."
Marcus's eyes narrowed, studying the half orc for a brief moment. He then silently looked away and continued marching as he gave a curt nod. Victor kept marching alongside him, rather awkwardly contemplating his weird response.
Finally, the army had come to a stop in front of a massive flight of stairs. At the top, a gong engraved with the symbol of a scarab stood.
A Tauren shaman stood at the head next to the gong, a large scepter held in one of his large hands. He then spoke in a deep rumbling voice.
"Soldiers! Adventurers! Children of Azeroth!" his voice rang throughout the crowd. "We have gathered here to stop a threat greater than we could possibly imagine! Greater than our own conflicts! The Might of Kalimdor is not here just to bring war, but to stop it, and save our home. FOR AZEROTH!"
The Might of Kalimdor roared, prepared for any challenges ahead. The Tauren raised the scepter, as he twisted his arm back, and then swung into the giant gong.
The sound of the gong rang throughout the desert. The Might of Kalimdor suddenly went silent. Everyone waited with baited breath as it seemed time had stopped and the world was consumed in the silence of suspense.
"Crkakrkkkaka" Chittering began to escape the entrance of the temple, and the shadow of monstrosities replaced the quiet. The army yelled as a horde of insectoid beasts had descended upon them. Victor raised his sword, ready for battle, ready to survive.
Author's Note: The choice of a Tauren scarab lord is actually based off of Luke Smith. He played a shaman named Aganathyre and became one of the first scarab lords in the original World of Warcraft. Also chose him because the lore of a specific scarab lore is just a placeholder that doesn't particularly matter as much, and it is nice to acknowledge some cool real world stuff.