Inside the Remains of Undercity…
The doors opened and all were shocked.
Every enemy of the Horde and Alliance was there… the Defias Brotherhood, Twilight's Hammer, Scarlet Crusade, Jade Lotus, Host of Suffering, Kabal, and anyone who ever hated the factions were there. They all wanted the leaders of Azeroth to perish. Everything made sense to them now as they were the only ones who would benefit from their mutual destruction. They wanted Alliance and Horde to destroy each other and since they failed to provoke a war with them… they were going for a more direct approach… with a new leader at the helm, someone whom King Anduin had never seen before.
"So… it seemed that the torn hounds of war have united together in a fruitless attempt to destroy your victims." The leader in a hood questioned in a mocking way.
"Victims? You were the ones who attacked us! You burned down the Night Elves' home!" Genn snarled at the group!
"You bombed Undercity!" Nathanos added.
"You nearly caused a devastating war where no one would have won, not even you. Before we arrest you for your crimes and for you all to answer for what you have done, I must know… why? Why go through all this trouble?" Anduin calmly questioned the leader.
"Simple. Because we wished to wash away the old order and rebuild it into a new one."
The leaders soon found themselves surrounded.
"And it is easy for your own sins to be forgiven when you have all the power." Vanessa VanCleef sneered at the boy who was shielded by Jaina and Genn.
"Anduin did nothing to you," Jaina argued.
"But his kingdom did, and you know the old saying… the sin of the father often rests on the son, especially when that brat's said mother died, causing our exile in the first place."
Jaina was prepared to use an ice spell on the young woman but was stopped by Anduin.
"Listen, this doesn't have to end this way. We could keep fighting until there is nothing left but bones and blood or we can stop and try to work through-."
"Don't try your little pacified speeches! The time of the Horde and Alliance is over!" The leader of the group declared, "For now on, it is the Messiahs who rule Azeroth."
That is when the actual plan was revealed.
A stolen Blight bomb was coming down as it was soon about to destroy the kingdom while the villains escaped! Poison spread into the kingdom as Anduin was quick to use his light to protect the Horde and Alliance! Jaina and the other Alliance and Horde Leaders combined their powers to teleport them away from the place.
The Forsaken Homeland was no more and all that remained was death and poison.
Within Stormwind's throne room…
Azeroth was still badly shaken by the reveal of the culprits responsible for the horrible events that had transpired.
This new faction, the Messiahs Faction, was proven to be far more formidable than any other villains that the factions had ever faced before. All of their enemies have united together to become a deadly force to shatter everything and every great thing that the leaders have brought to their world. If they were not stopped soon then they could potentially destroy Azeroth. This forced the once two heated factions to put aside their differences and work together to save their homes from this terrible enemy. High King Anduin, the leader of the Alliance was secluded in his laboratory in hopes of finding more answers to the biowarfare affecting the people.
The leaders would deal with the conflict as Anduin's duties were needed as a physician. The people of Stormwind knew Anduin was the best hope for curing the people of the land.
Genn, despite deeply hating the banshee, was thankful she saved his adopted son's life. She almost died for him when he could've been blown to bits like her city. He wasn't one of them and yet, she treated him like he was.
It was a confusing thing…
Sylvanas was always so heartless and uncaring, wanting only to destroy for the Forsaken… then she went out of her way to save a human king, the ruler of the same species that murdered her in life and prosecuted her in death.
Yet, she was more than willing to give life to his boy, and even before that, she trusted Anduin enough to get close enough to examine her and begin treatment.
Why though?
Genn needed to know.
Sylvanas was alone as she finished giving orders to the undead in her fraction as her wounds had finally healed.
"Hello, Mutt. Come here to keep tabs on me?" The undead Elf Ranger scoffed at the Worgan who was happy that their disdain for each other still remains.
"I am here to speak to you about your recent actions… at your recent change of heart towards the High King." The King of the Worgan questioned.
"Oh, please, I haven't harmed a hair on the head of the Little Lion."
"Exactly, you haven't harmed him. You even went as far as to protect him at the cost of your own unlife."
A smirk came to the banshee's lips.
"You make it sound like a crime."
…
There was a moment of silence between the enemies before Genn finally breathed.
"Do not get me wrong, I hate you with all of my heart. There would never be a time when I could ever forgive you for your crimes. But you saved Anduin, and your people took great care of him, and for that… I thank you."
"Impressive, the arrogant wolf can humble himself. It seemed that the Little Lion's sense of outdated chivalry has rubbed off on you." Sylvanas mocked.
"Which gives me the reason to speak with you. I want to know why."
Sylvanas laughed as if the wolf was a complete dimwit.
"You haven't put two and two together? Do your ears whistle when the wind blows?" The Banshee Queen scoffed as Genn growled.
She shook her head but then continued.
"Let me answer your question with a question. Why did you adopt the child when he is close to manhood?"
Genn was caught off guard by that question.
"Because he needed me-."
"No, because you need him. Just like Proudmoore needs him, like Tyrande and her husband need him, like the Alliance needs him… because in a way, I need him." Sylvanas corrected, "You want Anduin as a replacement for the son you lost."
"The one you killed! And I can never replace him! There was only one Liam!" Genn barked with fury in his voice.
"And yet, you see him. You see Liam in Anduin."
Genn was then quiet as Sylvanas continued.
"Let me tell you something, the only selfless person in all the Horde and Alliance is Anduin Wrynn. The rest of us are broken selfish old fossils. You see him as the son you lost, Proudmoore sees him as the child she never had with Arthas, Velen sees him as the student who never betrayed him, and me… well you aren't the only one who lost loved ones to war."
Then she gets to the truth.
"Lirath, Little Lirath Windrunner my sweet little Lion. Even when everyone else calls him Little Sun, he was always my Little Lion." She confessed as Genn listened, really listened, "Golden hair and baby blue eyes, innocent and eager, my brother wanted to make a difference. He would do anything to help his people and keep peace for others. Sound familiar?"
Genn felt a small twinge of empathy, just a small twinge.
He was also surprised that Sylvanas was being so vulnerable to confess like this.
"I didn't want him anywhere near the battlefield, he was too small, too frail… too precious…"
"Like Anduin."
"Like Anduin. War came and he wanted to fight… the orcs were without mercy. Vereesa taught him to fight, and he thought he could be a warrior… and I lost him forever."
"Thus, you want to replace the brother you lost with Anduin and became protective of him as you got to know him," Genn concluded.
"Like I said, we are broken and selfish. Only Anduin is the selfless one and we would do anything in our power to keep him away from the cruel world, but he always unlocked his cage." Sylvanas admitted as Genn was quiet once again.
He didn't want to admit it, he really wanted to reject the words of the undead elf… that he really did what he did for Anduin and not for the want of a son.
Speaking of the boy…
Anduin finally left the lab with papers in his hands.
"Lady Sylvanas, I wish to speak with you. I have made a monumental discovery of the plague that is destroying this world." The Blond Boy King requested as realization and hope glittered in his pretty ocean eyes.
"Coming, Little Lion." Sylvanas nodded, feeling smug that Anduin wished to speak with her instead of the dog.
"Genn, can you bring these papers to Velen? I need his impute. It is highly vital."
"Yes, Anduin."
Outside a balcony of Stormwind…
Tyrande stared at where her home was, memories of the night flooding in her mind.
The fire, the attack, the loss… her beloved Teldrassil dying, crying in pain with her people. For what? To blame the Horde so the Alliance could do the dirty work for them? Not only that, but her own people became the test subjects for a bioweapon, their suffering echoing in the king's laboratory. Anduin was almost killed but thanks to him, the truth is revealed, and he is the only hope for Azeroth but though the boy was brilliant, his research for the cure was too slow and time was dwindling away. She felt so much outrage so much hate…
She wanted to return and make the guilty pay for their crimes…
Then as she gazed upon the moon, an idea came into her mind. It was risky and she could be killed for it but with the power… she could.
"Tyrande, are you alright?" Her beloved Malfurion Stormrage wondered as he appeared suddenly.
"I will be, Beloved. I will be." She promised her love then both stared at the moon; tomorrow she needed to speak with the kind.
Malfurion worried for his beloved and hoped that this evil would be lifted soon.
The next morning…
Tyrande and her warriors went into the throne room as she overheard Anduin's plan with Sylvanas.
"Okay, so your forces should be able to examine the land and hopefully find any residue of the virus in its original state. I'll be sure that the equipment needed will accompany you on your journey to Darnassus-." Anduin suggested as they were mapping out the invasion to the ruins of the Night Elve's home.
"Darnassus? Anduin, what is this I hear about Darnassus?" Tyrande questioned, appearing suddenly, and startling the boy.
"Tyrande! By the light, don't sneak about like that! My heart can only take so many surprises and Thrall startled me this morning!" Anduin gasped.
"Forgive, Your Highness. I didn't mean to frighten you. Now, what is this about Darnassus?" Tyrande repeated as she looked at the table.
Anduin breathed after calming himself.
"Sylvanas and I are planning an investigation to Darnassus to check on its condition and hopefully find samples of the virus in its pristine form," Anduin informed.
"My forces should succeed by the time the sun rises on the third day," Sylvanas added as she was looking over the map for the best routes.
"Why didn't you inform the rest of us? The more of us-." Tyrande began but was stopped by the young king.
"Tyrande, I know what you're thinking and that is a horrible idea. Darnassus and Teldrassil have turned into ground zero, the land is heavily contaminated by the disease, and we don't have enough suits to mount our forces." Anduin sighed, hating to tell her this.
"But Sylvanas can?"
"My faction will not be affected by what plagued the world. Little Lion, why don't you tell her what you uncover in your research?" Sylvanas retorted, feeling prideful.
"As most as susceptible to the virus's deadly attack on the immune system, I uncovered that the disease cannot harm the undead. The disease does not grow or eat, only dies inside as discovered by one of the Death Knight's tissue samples. The Forsaken are completely immune." Anduin presented the Queen of the Night Elves.
"Can't make ill what is dead." Sylvanas proclaimed.
"Tyrande, they are the only ones who can enter without fear of infection. They can enter and help us find answers." The King of Stormwind notified as Tyrande remained firm.
"At least allow the Night Elves-."
"Tyrande, the last battle damaged most of the suits and it will take time for the hazard battle armor suits to be restored." Anduin objected.
"How many are useable?"
The king breathed.
"Only fifty, sixty in total but ten are being used by the doctors and myself to assist the infected in my labs."
"Then they'll have to do."
"Tyrande, please, don't do this. You could be infected and-." Anduin pleaded.
"No point in arguing, Little Lion. It will only slow us down. She can come along." Sylvanas sighed, Tyrande surprised at the undead elf.
"But-."
"Anduin, I promise I will be fine. I will return."
Anduin looked at the two elves and sighed.
He had no choice but to concede.
"Alright, let us plan then…"
At the remains of Teldrassil…
The tree was writhing, plagued with evil and pussing strange goo for harvest as it was slowly growing more and more vile.
It made strange sounds like a dying animal as the Messiahs were testing the ooze onto others.
"Anything to report?" One of the commanders demanded.
"The virus continues to evolve as the test subjects become more monstrous with each dosage except for-."
"The forsaken we rose? Yes… We've been pumping him with so much of the stuff, but it shows no effect." The commander growled, "You better correct this problem soon or heads will roll."
"Yes sir."
They all looked at the undead man chained to the wall, half asleep and suffering.
"Help… please… sister…"
Near the shores of Darnassus.
Home…
She was so close to home…
The home that was assaulted, the home that was raided, the home that suffered, the home that burned, the home that was still infected by the same disease that was hurting others. She was never more thankful for Anduin who had the best chance of isolating the virus and curing her people. The people needed a doctor right now, not a warrior, and Anduin was not a warrior. If he believes that the cure was where her home was… then what better way to kill two birds with one stone? She could find the original virus for the cure, and she could bring forth her revenge on those who created and started this nightmare in the first place.
"Feeling excited about being home, despite being forced to wear that clanker?" Sylvanas smirked with her arms crossed.
"Of course, I am happy to see my home again, though more saddened by her condition…"
"And more vengeful."
Tyrande did not respond to that accusation… since it was true.
"I want to thank you again for convincing Anduin. The boy has a good heart and is an excellent healer, but he doesn't understand why I must do this, though he tries to."
"He's not bitter and spiteful like the rest of you." Sylvanas reminded her, feeling like she had this conversation before with someone else.
"Yes, Anduin can forgive. But I cannot." The queen admitted.
"Well, look on the bright side. You will have your revenge and Anduin will have his virus to cure both factions." Sylvanas laughed, earning a questioning glare from the undead elf.
"And what will you get?" Tyrande questioned, "Why do you want to do this? What is the prize you seek?"
Sylvanas was quiet for a moment before looking at the shore.
"Answers."
Near the Remains of Darnassus…
Even the undead could smell the putridness of the infection in the soil.
"Well, I guess Anduin's theory was right. I owe him a fizzy pop." One of the Mad scientists hummed as he examined the soil while the two leaders walked toward him.
"What are you blathering about, Stitches?" Sylvanas questioned the undead healer who presented the soil.
"The virus is not a natural one, My Queen. It is artificial, made for a bioweapon. To be able to create such a plague to spread it must be factory-made in a sense." Dr. Stitches informed the pair.
"What are you saying? What are they doing to my land?" Tyrande demanded as anger was deep in her heart.
"Queen Tyrande, King Anduin believed that the attack was more than just to set a war or even to weaken the Night Elf faction. The plants and biodiversity would be a perfect place for experimentation and manufacturing. They're using your forest to create more of the virus and evolve it to disastrous levels. Despite it being so cruel and vile, it is pretty clever. I fiddled with the concept myself."
He then realized that Tyrande was giving him a death glare.
"On paper! I would never do something like this! This is complete overkill and it starting to have serious effects that could approve apocalyptic." Dr. Stitches defended.
"What do you mean?" Sylvanas questioned.
"The Messiah Faction is out of control and with so many plants producing the disease, it's starting to infect the land and if it continues, the entire continent, if not all of Azeroth will become a giant cancer." He informed, "We may have no choice but to destroy Darnassus."
"NO!" Tyrande shrieked and grabbed the doctor, "I will never allow it!"
"We may not have a choice. They're turning your land into a giant cancer." Dr. Stitches sighed, being completely honest with the outcome could be.
"What if there is a chance? A chance to save it?" Tyrande desperately queried.
"The only one could say for certain would be King Anduin himself. Even then, it may not be enough for your land to be saved." He advised, "You may want you be prepared for that."
The Queen of the Night Elves growled.
"They will pay for this… even if it takes eternity, the Messiahs will pay." She vowed then entered the forest with the other Night Elves.
The undead looked to them and then to themselves.
"Poor woman, I could not understand how she's feeling. Or how she's going to take it." The scientist sighed and then picked himself off the floor.
Sylvanas then silently follows them with the others not too far behind her.
At Stormwind…
Anduin was hugging his Aunt Jaina and his adoptive father, Genn as they were preparing their trip to Kul Tiras to earn back their alliance with them.
"Be careful, be sure to bring your hazmat armor just in case." Anduin hugged the two.
"Don't worry so much, son. We've been doing this longer than you were around. We'll be back with a new faction of the Alliance and more help tackling the Messiah problem. Just inform us when Tyrande and Sylvanas return, alright?" Genn assured as he ruffled his hair.
"I promise." Anduin smiled.
"Take care, be smart, be safe, and don't overwork yourself. I'll make sure Shaw and Valeera keep an eye on your health." Jaina fretted over her adopted child.
"I will and hopefully by the time you return, we can create the cure and I can start giving vaccinations." King Anduin nodded.
The three then gave their final goodbyes then Jaina and Genn left to secure peace with Kul Tiras. Anduin watched their ship sail further and further away while everyone else was saying goodbye to the pair. It wasn't long before a Death Knight came with important news.
"King Anduin, we have received word from the undead on the Darnassus Mission. It is on the condition of the land."
At the Throne Room…
Anduin was deeply troubled by the news.
He didn't want to be right. He really, really, didn't wish to be right in the slightest. But the healer was, and he knew something needed to be done and quick. The King of Stormwind knew no one would be happy with him trying to do what he was going to do but it needed to be done. He would need to leave as soon as possible, or no one would be able to survive this plague.
"Ready a ship for me. I need to make it to the others as soon as possible." Anduin ordered the staff.
"Your majesty, you cannot be serious about-."
"I am."
Everyone looked at him.
"This is much bigger than any faction or dispute that has happened before. This is a disease that threatens to rot and kill everyone and everything in Azeroth." Anduin warned, "If Something is not done soon, everyone will die. I must go, as a King and as a doctor as well as a priest. It is my obligation and purpose."
Then the King of the Alliance and the only Hope for Azeroth's cure by this horrible, horrible bioweapon that was plaguing the world left to face the source. Everyone prayed for his return and victory over this horrific crisis and to stop an apocalypse the likes of which had never been seen before.
At the remains of Teldrassil…
The World Tree was slowly becoming more and more undead as silence fell on the sight.
There was no one there, no one alive as the research center looked like something destroyed the entire area. Only corpses, walking corpses infused by roots and plants were around, continually feeding and feeding and feeding the undead Teldrassil. Yes, the once beautiful World Tree that everyone adored, was nothing more than a mutated undead monstrosity that fed on everything. It oozed its disease, its branches hungered for food, and eyes appeared in the knots of the tree, bulbous and grotesque. This tree was something truly nightmarish.
"Hunger…. Hunger…."
The drones then brought more food to their revolting master as it splashed over the putrid roots.
"Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…."
Only one undead did not serve the tree, and he was still strapped to the table sleeping form after weeks of being tortured. The poor man did not know who he was or where he was but was thankful for the peace and all he wanted was sleep and nothing more. His mind was slowly fading as his memories slipped through the cracks.
"Someone…. Help me… Please."
"Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…. Hunger…."
"Please."