Thanks to those who reviewed! I am glad that, overall, these departure from my typical writing style has been well received. Discord, Youtube, and Twitch info in my bio, I mainly play World of Warcraft, and am more than willing at any time to discuss points of the story in real time during a stream, although I appreciate the PMs and reviews just as much. Just opening new options for you all to reach out to me if you're so inclined. Thx again and well wishes to you all. Stay safe in these uncertain times, and please R&R. ~Faykan
Chapter 126
Ashes and Dew
Nobu'tan grunted as he dove out of the way of the swinging chains. The abomination had proven itself to be extremely deadly, and shrugged off many of the warlock's Arcane-based attacks. It then had gone on a rampage, ripping through the lines of soldiers, and consuming the bodies of many.
For his part, Prince Arthas had held his own, trying in vain to steer the hulking monster away from his men, as well as crushing the scores of ghouls and skeletons that swarmed them from all sides.
Still, the number of their losses was growing unacceptable, and Nobu'tan knew he had to break the idea of him staying in the background that Chromie had asked if he was to fulfill the more pressing order to protect Arthas as he purged the city.
Rising to his feet once more, Nobu'tan drew his wand with one hand, while cracking the staff of Aetish into the skull of a skeleton that approached him with the other. With a moment to breathe granted to him because of that, the warlock called down a torrent of flames to strike the abomination, before calling upon his wizard magic of his homeland.
The flames, even as they crashed down over the grotesque creature, surged upward once more, spinning in a vortex of fire and continuing to ignite and reignite the undead hulk. The creature screamed, the horrid sound causing many to cover their ears and fall back, but the swirling flames hemmed in the creature from continuing its mad destruction, as well as excess flying outward to incinerate other undead nearby.
By the time the whirlwind of fire died down, the creature fell, a smoldering corpse that smelled only of charred flesh.
Arthas paid the dead creature a moment's glance, before turning to bathe his soldiers in holy light, mending their wounds and rallying them against the mindless creatures that continued to flood the streets.
Even as Nobu'tan returned to the protective circle of soldiers, he could tell that the ranks of undead were actually increasing the longer they remained in their location.
"We must push onward," Arthas said, "Mal'Ganis and his ilk are deeper in the city, and if we do not remove them, there will be no end to the horrors we face."
Even as they moved off to the right-hand side street however, Nobu'tan spotted the flames from the various explosions throughout the city starting to spread. They were running against the clock now, before the fire tried to cut them off from any escape.
Passing under an arch into another courtyard of the city, Arthas stopped their group as another large wave of undead, as well as lesser necromancer acolytes appeared. At the rear of the enemy forces, an old man stood in robes and adorned with skulls and bones, "You are too late, Champions of Lordaeron," the man said, "The dead will have their day…"
Whether the man expected them to retreat or not, the waves of undead advanced, clashing with the frontline soldiers of Arthas' force. "Ah, the entertainment has arrived…" the necromancer commented, and Nobu'tan heard the clatter of the dead from behind them, cutting them off from escape.
"Mage, we need your power," Arthas commanded, turning to glance at Nobu'tan, even as he moved to support those on the front line.
Nobu'tan breathed deeply, sensing the ambient magic of the area, and considering the options. More fire in the city wouldn't be wise, despite its effectiveness against the dead. So instead, he tapped into the chill of the dead around them, and conjured a frigid wind to blast those undead rushing them from the front.
The chilling effect slowed the dead just enough that the footmen and paladin could easily evade any attack as the finished off the ghouls and zombies quickly.
But, unfortunately, the necromancer also took note of the magical attack. "The fun is just beginning…" he said, before unleashed a ripple of shadow magic, which flooded all the nearby houses of the courtyard. "Come citizens of Stratholme! Meet your saviors…" he said, even as the dead crashed through the doors and walls of the buildings, pouring into the street and ambling forward with menace in their dead eyes.
"Light, give me strength!" Arthas roared, even as the holy magic manifested around him like wings, and the paladin charged into the thickest knot of the dead, scattering them with the swinging mace in his hands.
Nobu'tan leapt forward, after conjuring a freezing raid behind their force to cut off the approaching dead from overrunning their position.
An orb of empowered frost magic launched from Nobu'tan's cupped hands, spraying razor sharp icicles in all directions as it smashed through the horde of zombies, causing the temperature of the courtyard to plummet and freezing many of the dead in their tracks.
Nobu'tan had almost reached the Prince's position, when he had to duck out of the way of a nasty, green bolt of death magic from the necromancer.
"Such strength, mage," the necromancer said, advancing with a guard of large ghouls, "it must be mine!"
"Not on your life…" Nobu'tan retorted, unleashing a burst of arcane magic, and shattering many of the dead around him into tiny fragments of frozen flesh.
The necromancer simply laughed, gesturing at Nobu'tan with a free hand. The warlock hesitated as all the ghouls nearby instantly focused on him, their eyes glowing with magic as their bodies started to swell.
"Get down!" Nobu'tan yelled, throwing him at Prince Arthas, even as the entire front line of ghouls started to explode, showering the Lordaeron forces with gore.
"Blood… Destruction… EXHILARATING!" the necromancer shouted gleefully, almost dancing on the spot.
More undead started to swarm from the open gates and from around corners, and Nobu'tan knew they had precious seconds before they were set upon once again. He had to end this before they were overrun once more.
Staggering to his feet, Nobu'tan felt the icy rage fill him against this foe. All the damage that the Scourge and their masters would do to this world, both before and after Nobu'tan's own return, threatened to cause his rage to overflow.
Instead, the warlock channeled it into a fine beam of dense frost magic, firing it forward at the necromancer. The fallen mage moved like lightning, conjuring a whirl of bone and flesh to form a shield, which then battled the beam of frost from Nobu'tan.
For a moment, their magic seemed equal, but as Nobu'tan's rage settled into a long, slow burn, his power intensified. The beam of frost thickened and drove forward, sending icy shards of bone and tissue flying from the grotesque shield of the necromancer.
"Defend the Mage!" Arthas said, even as the ghouls were upon them. The footmen formed up around Nobu'tan, bashing the undead away with shields and the flat of their swords, buying the warlock as much time as they could for his magical duel with the necromancer.
"You fight is in vain!" the necromancer shouted over the howl of his pets and the crash of magic, "You merely advance the master's plan!"
"I will see to the end of you and your master!" Nobu'tan shouted back, pressing the beam of frost deeper into the shield, "You, and your ilk, will never threaten me and mine ever again!"
With a wail of shock and fear, the necromancer's shield caved, allowing the beam of ice to wash over him, snuffing out the scream as he was flash frozen into a solid statue.
Without their leader guiding them, the mindless dead were quickly routed and the square cleared.
"Men, fan out and continue clearing the city!" Arthas ordered his soldiers, before turning to Nobu'tan, "Mage, come with me to the Town Hall at once. We must take the fight to Mal'Ganis directly, or the city will collapse around us."
Together the pair went toward the main building across the square from where they had entered. Surprisingly, the door was not barricaded, and there were unchanged citizens inside.
"Ah you've finally arrived, Prince Arthas," the lead citizen said, approaching slowly, "You're here just in the nick of time."
"Yes," Arthas replied, "I'm glad I could get to you before the plague…"
To Nobu'tan, something felt drastically out of place with these citizens, but Arthas was already acting, swinging his mace high to crush the man in front of him.
But the blow never landed.
The hammer was frozen in place, inches from the man, with Arthas struggling to move his weapon, "What is this sorcery?" the prince demanded, trying to wrench his weapon back with both hands.
"There's no need for you to understand, Prince Arthas," the man replied, smirking widely, "All you need to do, is die."
In a flash, the trio of citizens transformed into Infinite Dragonflight assassins, even as the spell holding Artha's weapon released.
"To arms!" the prince cried, but Nobu'tan was already at work, unleashing a torrent of arcane magic against the intruders from outside this time and place.
Clearly the assassins thought that the prince would be easy prey, and did not expect a mage to be alongside him, lesser still one of Nobu'tan's skill. They fell backward as the purple bolts struck them forcefully, even as Arthas' weapon found place in the skull of one of the dragonkin, shattering the bone and laying the creature dead at the royal's feet.
Several bursts of flame, coupled with the crushing power of the paladin's faith, and the would-be assassins were laid out dead.
"Mal'Ganis will pay for this interference," Arthas said, clearly misunderstanding the situation around them. Nobu'tan wasn't about to waste his breath in trying to explain it, when he knew that the prince's memories would be wiped of Nobu'tan's involvement anyway, and he remained silent.
Eventually Arthas started toward the back of the room, and a large staircase that led to a second floor. Nobu'tan already spotted another group of disguised dragonspawn. He could sense them by their magical aura now, and wasn't willing to give them the chance to catch the prince off guard again. Mounting the stairs ahead of Arthas, Nobu'tan released a torrent of fire at the fools.
They scattered, stuck in their disguised states as the Lordaeron prince attacked them before they could reveal what they truly were.
"Better for them to die by my hand than to live as Mal'Ganis' slaves…" Arthas said, staring down at the bodies of the untransformed dragonkin.
Nobu'tan continued to allow the paladin to think what he desired concerning the matter, and stepped ahead, turning toward the upper hallway that led further into the structure. He could tell that there were more dragonkin nearby, remaining invisible to try and surround the pair of them as they tried to cross.
Holding up a hand as Arthas attempted to pass him and lead the way; Nobu'tan conjured a ball of flame and lobbed it into the hallway.
"What are you…!?" Arthas yelled, but stopped as the flames splashed over the hidden enemies, revealing them and throwing them out of formation.
Even as the disguised ambushers staggered about, their clothing on fire, Arthas hurled his weapon down the hallway, the hammer spinning as golden light sparked off it.
The massive hammer crashed into the farthest dragonspawn, causing an explosion of holy light, before the hammer magically returned to the paladin's hand.
None of the spawn survived the attack, and together the warlock and paladin charged through the spreading flames to the far chamber.
There, a massive golden portal was already forming, and Arthas, unaware still of the outside invaders trying to kill him for their own reasons, complained aloud, "What else can he put in my way?"
The massive dragonkin that strode through the portal must have heard the prince's complaint, as he spoke immediately in response, "Prince Arthas Menethil," it seethed, "on this day, a powerful darkness has taken hold of your soul. The death you are destined to visit upon others this day will be your own."
"I do what I must for Lordaeron!" Arthas snapped back angrily, "Neither your words nor your actions will stop me."
"We'll see about that, young prince," the dragonkin said, bringing the massive glaive it carried to bear.
Arthas yelled in rage, charging the dragonkin with hammer held high. Unfortunately, this foe seemed to have learned from the failures of its underlings, and raised a hand shimmering with strange, sandy magic. "Not quick enough," he taunted, even as Arthas' form slowed to a crawl. The prince seemed to creep forward in infinitesimally slow motion, even as the dragon turned its attention to Nobu'tan.
"We know who you are, time meddler…" it said, turning to face the warlock fully. "There is no future left for you here. This is the hour of our triumph, and you will not interfere."
"So said the others who stood against me," Nobu'tan retorted, sneering. The dragonkin did not yet realize its mistake in removing Arthas from the battle. If, as the warlock suspected, the prince had been distorted from the flow of time, it meant that he could not see what was happening around him, which allowed Nobu'tan to unleash his full power on this creature, without the paladin being any the wiser.
"Die!" the dragonkin shouted, stomping forward, even as Nobu'tan ducked backward, raising both hands as Fel flames leapt at his command.
So intense was the desire of the Fel to be unleashed, that it poured out as a focused beam of devastating power rather than the wild flame that it normally would manifest as. Nobu'tan relished the release, feeling a magnitude of suppressed rage pour out of him as he assaulted the dragonspawn.
His foe was pressed back, but not overwhelmed by the sudden attack of chaotic power. Again, Nobu'tan suspected that the creature had been watching for a time as Nobu'tan assisted the Bronze Dragonflight.
Nobu'tan resisted the urge to call forth demons to fight for him, and contented himself with shadowy water elementals, which swarmed around the dragonkin and started to slosh great waves of water at the creature, keeping it off balance as Nobu'tan gathered for another assault.
The dragonkin started to slash wildly, cleaving through the watery forms of Nobu'tan's elementals, but it wouldn't avail him to stop what Nobu'tan had planned.
Nobu'tan had been, for a long time, experimenting with the various magic he had gathered from Azeroth, mixing them to various results. Not until he had been banished back to his home world, and discovered the nigh universality of wizarding magic, that he had come to a more perfect discovery.
Nobu'tan drew upon all magic he had access too, requiring a few moments to organize the powers in his body and expel them in a manner that wouldn't cause negative reactions, but the results proved themselves effective.
Muttering Latin chants under his breath to maintain the spells from reacting, Nobu'tan conjured a massive spike of glacial ice, before wreathing it in Fel flames and shadow magic, the twin energies spiraling along the ice like chains.
Arcane runes flared to life along the points of the conjured ice next, cumulating with a flare of pure chaos coating the entire missile. "You seek to end me…" Nobu'tan said between phrases of wizarding magic, catching the attention of his foe to his doom, "…now see how wrong you are!"
Lowering his hands, Nobu'tan allowed the combined missile of devastating magic to fly to its target, speeding faster than the dragonkin could ever hope to dodge.
The dragonkin made a feeble attempt to stop the projectile with its clawed hands, but the empowered missile tore straight through the attempt, ripping off the left arm of the bipedal reptile even as it speared through its torso.
The dragonkin was thrown backward, crashing into the far bookcases as the magic exploded in a volatile detonation. The blast shattered any control that the dying foe had over its magic, releasing Arthas in time to observe the demise of the time meddling creature.
"Good work mage," Arthas said, lowering his weapon and glancing back at Nobu'tan, "Now that this ambush is over, we can proceed in a direct route to Mal'Ganis. The quickest route is behind this bookcase."
Arthas started toward the far wall, bypassing the dead Dragonkin, and stepped up to a smaller bookshelf off to the side. Nobu'tan started to follow, but staggered as he tried to shift his weight, and nearly fell to the ground.
In a rush, the full extent of magic that he pooled into the final attack to finish the dragonspawn washed over him. The sheer power required to keep the spell from annihilating itself before striking its target was something that Nobu'tan had not fully experienced, only trying smaller variations of two or three schools of magic at a time. To combine all five that he currently had ready access to was clearly too much for even his strength to readily do.
Arthas had not noticed that Nobu'tan was not right behind him, "This will only take a moment," he called back, fumbling along one of the shelves, seeking a mechanism hidden among the books.
Sure enough, the prince quickly found what he was looking for, and a large tome tilted forward, sounding a loud click and allowing the entire shelf to slide to the side, revealing a dusty passage hidden behind the shelf.
Forcing himself to remain on his feet, Nobu'tan slowly made his way forward, tapping into the Fel to passively siphon life force from the dead dragonkin to help bolster his depleted reserved of magical power.
He would need to be far more careful from here on, but the warlock knew that the risk had been worth it to remove the leader of the assassination attempt on the prince. The interference of the Infinite Dragonflight had been stopped, and all that was left was to see the prince through to the end of his mission in the burning city.
"Honestly, I'm relieved that this secret passage still works," Arthas commented, starting into the dark corridor behind the building, winding down and away from the courtyard they had entered from.
As it grew darker, Nobu'tan allowed tiny embers of magical fire to erupt from his fingertips, lighting their way as they wound their way through the passage.
Eventually the passage opened up into another building, which exited into another part of the city entirely. Unfortunately, the flames from the fires of the first conflicts has already started spreading throughout this part of the city, and the sky was overcast with the orange embers, even as horde of the undead milled in the clogged alleyway cutting through the center of the city.
"We need to move through here quickly," Arthas commented, also seeing the fires, "if the undead don't kill us, then the flames might."
Nobu'tan could already taste the thickness of the smoke that pooled down from the burning buildings, but he also could draw power from the flames, giving him the energy he needed to at least destroy these mindless skeletons and ghouls.
Allowing the flames conjured by arcane to course through him, Nobu'tan whipped up a frenzied wind of fire to precede them, incinerating any of the weakest undead among their foes. Arthas, seeming to sense now the magical exhaustion that was threatening Nobu'tan, shouldered more of the fighting himself, taking on the tougher ghouls and occasional abomination as they pressed forward into the narrow alley.
Soon, they had covered a fair distance, and passed under a narrow gate area that was currently clear of smoke. Nobu'tan had done what he could to prevent inhaling to much of the smoke, but it was impossible with the fire on both sides of them to avoid it completely.
He coughed, desperately feeding on the cleaner air here, while Arthas cautiously looked ahead into the throngs that still awaited them, "Take what moments you need to clear your lungs," he said, "but we will need to push on soon."
Nobu'tan knew a better means to assist all his problems, and held a hand outward, concentrating on pure arcane magic. He felt the taxation as it happened, but the conjuring of cool water, complete with drinking vessel did far more for dispelling the rigor of the smoke-filled air, as well as his depleted magic than any rest could hope to achieve.
Soon the sounds of shattering glass and the crackle of flames behind them grew louder, and Arthas became agitated. "That's enough," he said, glancing behind them, "we must move again; Mal'Ganis awaits."
Again they set off, Nobu'tan able to use more basic magic at this point, supporting the paladin as they pushed through the remaining lines of undead. They sprinted the last feet, passing under yet another gatehouse, and into a filled square of brightly colored tents, seemingly abandoned in a great hurry as the violence started.
"At last some good luck." Arthas said, relieved. "Market Row has not yet caught fire. Mal'Ganis is supposed to be in the Crusader's Square, which is just ahead. He will not escape justice."
The prince dashed ahead, and Nobu'tan was forced to chase him just to keep up. The Dreadlord seemed to be waiting for them in the next plaza.
The prince brought up his hammer, seething in rage as he faced down the demon, "We're going to finish this right now, Mal'Ganis. Just you and me," he said.
"This will be a fine test, Prince Arthas," the Nathrezim retorted, rushing forward to meet the paladin head on.
Nobu'tan was not certain if he was needed to contend with the demon, but the choice was denied him as a rush of wind accompanied a torrent of bats launched from the Dreadlord, "It is Prince Arthas I want, not you," the demon commented, even as the massive gate to the courtyard crashed to the ground, blocking Nobu'tan from reaching the battle.
Looking around swiftly, Nobu'tan tried to find another way back into the courtyard. Behind him, there was another street that seemed to lead back to the front of the city, but what drew Nobu'tan's eye was the shimmering light of time magic as two creature also fought.
An Infinite dragonkin seemed to be tethering a bronze drake, trying to drag it toward a time portal. Knowing that the dragon would have the power to help him rejoin with Arthas and make sure that his mission succeeded, Nobu'tan sprinted forward, hurling fireballs liberally at the dragonspawn, drawing its attention and forcing it to release the hostage.
The torrent of magic Nobu'tan unleashed was not his personal best, but seemed to be more than the Infinite spawn desired to deal with. It turned and fled quickly through the shimmering portal, which closed after it.
"I thank you, champion," the Bronze Drake said, "the Infinite Dragonflight sought to forcefully corrupt us into joining their ranks."
"Glad to help," Nobu'tan replied, "I could use a favor in return, however."
"Whatever you need, if I can aid you, I will do so," the drake said.
"That gate into the square was forced shut on me, I need it open," Nobu'tan explained looking back at the sealed portcullis.
"I can rewind time for a limited span to allow you passage through that gate," the drake said, catching on to Nobu'tan's plan, "good luck to you, in protecting the wayward prince."
The drake spread its wings, allowing the webbed limbs to catch the ember-ridden wing as it ran toward the gate. Launching itself into the air, the drake soared once around the tops of the buildings, and turned its head to face the gate.
Nobu'tan spied what the drake was about to do, and started back for the gate as fast as he legs allowed. The drake opened its jaws wide, spewing a torrent of sand-like time magic on the gate, and rewinding events relative to that object.
Like a wind-up toy, the gate sprang back into the air, clearing the way for Nobu'tan to pass through, right into the vicious battle between Arthas and Mal'Ganis
The demon looked on, snarling as the warlock returned, but before he could react, the spell on the gate ended, and it repeated the events that closed that passage once again, metal digging deeply into the stones as the gate slammed down once again.
"The dark lord is displeased with you interference…" Mal'Ganis stated flatly, but Nobu'tan shrugged. He'd heard that phrase, or something like it, enough times to not care anymore, and lifted both hands, flames crackling to life in each palm.
The fight intensified, the Dreadlord leveling all his power over the night and the power of blood at the two, but Nobu'tan combined his mastery of the Arcane arts with the paladin's holy aura, and they outmaneuvered or outright countered each vile spell that the Nathrezim threw at them.
Twice Mal'Ganis tried to put one or the other into an enchanted sleep, but neither Nobu'tan nor Arthas would allow it. Water elementals were called forth, keeping the Dreadlord just off balance enough to prevent him from gaining too much distance from Arthas' weapon, and the vampire-demon was forced to contend with the enchanted hammer with nothing but claw and brute strength.
Nobu'tan employed several strategies he had developed in secret, anticipating the time when he would have to face off against his own masters among the Nathrezim. Drawing the Wand of Destiny, he allowed the old wizarding magic to burn hot in his veins, and apparated around the courtyard, throwing arcane spells and wizarding hexes before relocating, preventing the Dreadlord from getting an idea of where the next spell was coming.
"Enough!" the Dreadlord shouted, unleashing a demonic curse the shattered stone around his hoofed feet, and dispelled the water elementals in a flash.
Arthas was blown back with a flap of the Nathrezim's wings, and the next spell was caught by a clawed hand and thrown back at Nobu'tan.
"Unfortunately for you, it won't end here." Mal'Ganis said, looking to Arthas. "Your journey has just begun, young prince. Gather your forces and meet me in the arctic land of Northrend. It is there that we shall settle the score between us. It is there that your true destiny will unfold."
Then, laughing, the Dreadlord teleported away, green Fel embers all that remained at the coward fled the fight he was assuredly losing.
"I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth if I have to!" Arthas roared, his anger peaking. "Do you hear me? To the ends of the earth!"
The skies offered no reply to the paladin, and eventually Arthas calmed himself. However, Nobu'tan could tell that there had been a fundamental change in the man from this conflict going forward.
"You performed well this day." Arthas said, without looking at Nobu'tan. "Anything that Mal'Ganis has left behind is yours. Take it as your reward. I must now begin plans for an expedition to Northrend."
And without another glance, the falling paladin turned away and marched back, heading for the entrance of the city and those warriors that were waiting for him.
Nobu'tan had little interest in what the Dreadlord may have left behind, and the shimmer of bronze scales as a smaller drake landed was the only thing that kept him in place. The drake shifted back into Chromie with a pop, landing with a small bounce on the cobbled street.
"You have done well, Nobu'tan," the dragon said, "The Infinites have been foiled and this thread of history remains intact. I thank you for your invaluable assistance, as does the entire Bronze Dragonflight. When you're ready, I will teleport us back to the Caverns of Time, and ready more keepers to prepare this thread to be reintegrated into the main timestream."
"I have a question, before we do those things," Nobu'tan said, thinking of it on the spot.
"Yes?" Chromie replied, looking eager to give knowledge when asked of it.
"Why me?" Nobu'tan asked, turning to look at the retreating form of Prince Arthas, "Why did you come to me for this aid? Surely any adventurer from the Alliance or the Kalimdor Horde would have sufficed… but you sought out me specifically."
"Yes, any mortal could have come here, entered the caverns and possibly not been lost to time in the midst of aiding us," Chromie admitted, "but the most ideal candidate was someone not present in the timelines for these events, someone that the Infinites wouldn't be able to anticipate and counter as readily."
"So it was primarily the fact that I was not born on this world, but brought in and out of it at the right times…" Nobu'tan said.
"Basically," Chromie said, shrugging, "Nothing major or predetermined, just a lucky chance that is a rarity that we wanted to capitalize on against the Infinite."
"What is left for me to do?" Nobu'tan asked, wondering how many more time streams needed his presence.
"I think there's only one more major event that we've detected the Infinite trying to interfere," Chromie said, brightening slightly, "Andormu will have the details."
Nobu'tan sighed. At least it was nearly over. He was already tired of this wild cart ride of leaping through time periods, and the sooner he could return to the present and deal with the problems that plagued his forces going forward.
"I take it you're ready now?" Chormie asked, and he nodded, past ready.
"Alright, then, here we go!" the little gnome said, and in a swirl of sand, Nobu'tan felt them shift locations back to the warm caverns that the Bronze Dragons resided in.
"Well done, both of you," Andormu said, "With this timeline sealed out of the Infinite Dragonflight's grasp, that leaves the way clear to what we think is their ultimate target."
"And that would be?" Nobu'tan asked, wanting the mystery of the place he was going next over with.
Andormu led the way around the room once more, stopping at a passage that seemed to lead into the heart of a dense forest, rising into a narrow passage, "All we know of this timeway is that it leads to Mount Hyjal." He said. "The Infinite Dragonflight have gone to great lengths to prevent our involvement. We know next to nothing. Soridormi is currently attempting to break through the timeway's defenses but has thus far been unsuccessful. You might be our only hope of breaking through and resolving the conflict."
"Alright, so I suppose ill learn more of what is needed on the other side then," Nobu'tan said, already stepping forward.
"Caution here is needed, more than before," Andormu said, calling the warlock's attention back, "There is not only the threat of the Infinite Dragonflight in there, but the Legion itself, which exists as an entity outside of time. We cannot prevent them or their minions from forgetting what they witness there. Your presence will not go completely unnoticed, unlike the other timelines we have sent you into."
Nobu'tan hesitated. Revealing his desire to stop the Legion early like this would be a problem, but… "Nevertheless, I can take precautions so that they cannot recognize me in the present I presume…" he suggested, making both dragons smirk.
"I suppose with all else going on in there, they'd be less likely to notice something subtle," Chromie agreed.
"Then we shall leave that to your digression," Andormu relented, allowing Nobu'tan to continue onward.
He stepped through the foliage of Kalimdor trees, and entered the tiny crevasse, which opened into another chamber, with three separate passages sealed behind gates that thrummed with time-based magic.
"So, you've arrived at last, stranger from another world," the Elven figure in the center of the chamber said, turning to face him. "I am Soridormi, prime consort of Nozdormu, Queen of the Bronze Dragonflight."
Unaccustomed to what he was expect to do with this information, Nobu'tan nodded his head, before stepping further into the room and getting a good look at the sleek, high Elven form that the female dragon wore.
"We face a problem, if we even want to enter this timestream," Soridormi explained, gesturing at the seal gates. "Our enemy, the Infinite Dragonflight, have placed a powerful time lock over this place, and only magic that is intimately connected to the events around Hyjal have any possibility of breaking through for you to enter and indentify their plan."
"What could possibly be that old, and have the magical power to shatter control over time?" Nobu'tan asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Toward the end of the War of the Ancients, Illidan Stormrage stole water from the Well of Eternity," Soridormi explained, "enough for seven vials, drawn from those powerful waters directly. He later would pour three of them into the lake on top of Mount Hyjal, creating a second Well of Eternity. For many years, it was believed that the other four were lost, but with the opening of the Dark Portal, some of our agents sent to Outland had discovered that Illidan still had at least two of those remaining vials."
Nobu'tan paused; feeling sudden warmth from within his robes, and drew out from an inner pocket the vials of magical water that his people had recovered from the Naga and the Blood Elves respectively.
"Yes, those are the ones that we suspected that Illidan gave to his lieutenants. We can use the power of those vials to call to their kindred waters, and tear open the locks holding this timeway sealed." Soridormi said, smiling.
"So there was another reason that I was sought out by your agents," Nobu'tan said, frowning at the news.
"They were unaware of that added need. All you've been told thus far is true, the vials were just another layer of need that pointed to you and your Dark Horde," Soridormi said, "for the sake of time itself, and all of Azeroth, I humbly ask you to part with those vials, so that we can open the way into the Battle of Mount Hyjal, and stop whatever sinister plan that the Infinite Dragonflight wish to unleash in that desperate place."
Nobu'tan didn't even give himself time to hesitate. As much power as the vials possessed, it was meaningless if time itself ceased to be. "I will," he said, handing them over to the dragon.
