Chapter 17 Chapter Sixteen

"It's done!" Ner'zhul sat back on his throne, closed his eyes and rested for a moment, then opened his eyes to look at the scroll spread out on his lap.Over the past few months, Ner'zhul has been concentrating on researching and preparing the spells he needs.And now, it's finally over!Now he just has to wait for the astrological alignment to form, and then he can open the gates to other worlds, and his people can once again have a world—maybe many—worlds as vibrant as their own .And it will all be due to him. "Very well," whispered Kilrogg, who was standing aside. "In a few days, the mysterious astrology will appear, and we can leave this forgotten place to those humans, and then start to restore our orc culture!"

Ner'zhul looked thoughtfully at the one-eyed veteran.Kilrogg has always been very impressive in his heart, no matter because of his sharp mind and excellent strategic vision, or because of his combat strength.When the wounded chieftain of the Bloodvault limped back from the Dark Portal, Ner'zhul realized that sending him to battle was a waste of resources.Moreover, there are not many Blood Cave Warriors left now.For two years, the Bloodhole orcs have been hiding from humans and their allies.For this reason, this once huge ancestor also paid a heavy price.In the end, Ner'zhul chose to let Kilrogg stay by his side, and let the blood cave clan serve as his personal bodyguards.Of course, his own Shadowmoon clan wasn't happy about that, but the Shadowmoon orcs were outnumbered and better suited to be sent against the Alliance.In addition, Ner'zhul had also considered that he was now the warchief of the Horde, not just the chieftain of Shadowmoon.He cannot be crony.

"But first, we still have a long way to go." Ner'zhul pointed to the fort beside the two of them, and said to Kilrogg. "The spell might fail, and I can't take that chance. The sky is helping us, and we have to get the land to work with us. I need to harness as much energy as possible in the leylines so that Draenor Continent strengthens the potency of spells and helps us stay out of her morbid grasp." He sighed. "There is only one place that is most suitable for this task. The Temple of Karabor." Kilrogg's one eye opened wide, but his expression didn't fluctuate.He said in his low voice, "Dark Temple!"

Ner'zhul nodded, trying not to show his disgust.He still remembered the war with the draenei at that time.For it, Ner'zhul has always been deeply disgusted and guilty.And now, the idea of ​​entering the once-temple of the Draniians terrified him even more.But he knew that Kilrogg and the rest of the Horde didn't feel that way.For them, the death of the draenei was still a great victory, and the Black Temple was their glorious trophy.Ner'zhul needed to believe this if he was to lead the Horde rightly. "If I'm there to perform the ceremony, we can guarantee the success of the plan."

"I'll make arrangements to leave right away," Kilrogg said. "Leave? Where are we going?" Kargath's thunderous footsteps and his voice entered the throne room at the same time.The Shattered Hand chieftain has a broken arrow in his left shoulder.With a muffled grunt, he stretched out his hand and pulled out the arrow.Ner'zhul appointed Kargath as the commander-in-chief of the attack on the Alliance castle, and the idiot has always insisted on doing it himself.For the most part, they never came face to face with humans - Alliance archers kept firing death arrows at them from above until Kargath was battered and ordered to retreat.But at least it keeps the Alliance forces busy - and Kargath too.

"I must go to the Black Temple, so that when the astrology is about to come, I can cast a spell there to open a new portal." Ner'zhul put away the scroll beside him, and put it safely in the small bag hanging above his belt middle.He stood up and patted the throne casually.It wasn't the most comfortable seat he'd ever had, but it was without a doubt the most impressive.No matter what kind of world they go back to next, he will have someone recreate the same throne. "I'll gather the soldiers," Kargath replied, turning to leave, but Ner'zhul motioned him to stop.

"No, now is not the time. Go and call Dengta and Gorefiend. I want to talk to the four of you and give you your respective tasks." Kargath hesitated, so Ner'zhul roared , "Now!" Kargath raised the scythe in his hand to salute Ner'zhul, and hurriedly left the room. "I'll have a message for Hellscream," Kilrogg said, turning to leave. "No." Kilrogg turned slowly, looking at Ner'zhul. "They're still on Azeroth. We need to get Grom and his clan under order." "No, we don't. Grom Hellscream already has orders. He's part of the plan." Ner'zhul straightened under Kilrogg's uneasy gaze. "You don't question my intelligence, do you, Kilrogg?"

The tense situation made the originally short moment seem extraordinarily long.Finally, Kilrogg lowered his head, "Of course not, Shaman." "Go and gather your warriors," Ner'zhul said to Kilrogg after confirming that Kargath was gone. "Get them ready. We will be leaving in a short time." Kilrogg nodded and also left the room.Ner'zhul began pacing the room.He wondered if the explosives would work as well as the Gorefiend had assured him, it had to work.Grom didn't rush back to Draenor, eyes red, wanting blood revenge.This is good.Hellscream has always been difficult to control, but he's done his job and he's no longer necessary.

Kilrogg returned shortly after, telling Ner'zhul with a simple nod that his warriors would be ready soon.Gorefiend arrived within minutes, with Denta and Kargath right behind him. "Very well," Ner'zhul began to say to Gorefiend and Dengta when all his lieutenants had arrived, "I have completed the spell." The two laughed. "I know you can do it, Master!" Denta said. "You're going to the Black Temple next, aren't you?" the Gorefiend asked.His grin opened wider when he saw the surprised expressions on Ner'zhul's and Denta's faces.Ner'zhul realized that the Gorefiend had expected this.Bloodfiend was one of the most promising young shamans Ner'zhul had ever seen, both for his strength and his keen perception; and before his death, he had become a powerful, confident and wise Warlock.Since his return as a death knight, his strength and cunning have only increased.Soon, he'll be a threat.

"Yes, there would be an ideal place to cast spells." "I will gather all the Horde soldiers before dusk," Kargath reported. "We will leave a small force to defend here, and the rest will escort you to the Black Temple." But the Gorefiend shook his head, "Our tricks won't fool the alliance for long. When they realize that our attack is only to keep them in their castle, they will definitely launch an attack with all their strength." Ner'zhul nodded - he and the Gorefiend basically agreed. "You will stay here with your clan," he instructed Kargath, "to contain the Alliance forces while we head to the Black Temple." Frowning, Ner'zhul continued, "I need time .You have to hold them back and do whatever you can. If you survive, meet us there."

Kargas' face paled, then he straightened up and nodded. "The plain before the castle will be filled with their dead!" he promised, holding up his scythe-ridden hand.Kargath nodded to the other three, then turned around and left the room.Immediately after he left, everyone heard his voice giving orders. "They can't win," Denta commented a moment later. "They don't need to win," Ner'zhul replied. "All he needs to do is get the Alliance dragged behind until I can finish casting." He shrugged. "The castle is strong, and his Shattered Hand orcs are fierce. They will fight valiantly, and the rest of us will conquer other worlds in their names, in memory." "Of course." Dengta took a step back and accepted the difficult accusation. "I don't doubt Kargath's loyalty, or the ability of his fighters. He will fight until the end." "Yes," Ner'zhul looked at the Shadowmoon ogre mage in front of him, "and you will fight with him." "What?" This time, Dengta took a step back in surprise. "But master, you will need me in the Black Temple! I should be by your side!" Suddenly, Ner'zhul's rage flared up, fierce and pure. "You should stay where I told you!" he growled, his voice muffled by his own anger. Dengta's eyes widened, "Your face..." he whispered, and stepped back, his face was full of fear and surprise. "That head...!" The moment was over, and Ner'zhul felt his anger go away.He reached out and touched the white paint on his face; it felt exactly the same as before. "Those humans, they have their mages," he said, his voice softer now. "I need someone to stop them, I need someone with great power, I need someone I can trust." He took a step forward, putting his hand on the ogre's shoulder.Dengta took a step back, and Ner'zhul's hands sank. "That person is you." Dengta looked at the Gorefiend, "Why didn't he stay?" "Compared to what you think, I know much more about space rifts and portals than you do," said the death knight. "Ner'zhul's consciousness will need me, otherwise I will definitely stay here and let those humans experience the true meaning of magic." Dengta's small eyes looked back at Ner'zhul. "I do need him by my side," Ner'zhul said in a paternal, almost apologetic tone. "Maybe you'll help me if you stay with me, but you'll help me even more if you stay here and help Kargath with your mage abilities." Finally, the ogre nodded. "Master, I will do as you wish. I will stop those human mages. And if I survive, I will go to the Black Temple to find you." It is clear from his voice that he wants to see That place, and the desire to walk among the dark temples. "Very good," Ner'zhul nodded and turned away.They all know that the chance of surviving the tower is almost zero. "I'll leave the black dragons here to help you fight. Now, coordinate with Kargath." Out of the corner of his eye, it could be seen Denta nodded; he listened to the ogre slowly walked out of the room.As the thunderous footsteps faded away, Ner'zhul turned to Kilrogg and Gorefiend. "Call your warriors and your death knights," he told the pair. "We're leaving right away." In less than an hour, Ner'zhul had left Hellfire Citadel riding a war wolf.Surrounding him were Kilrogg and his warriors.Gorefiend and his death knight rode their reborn steeds forward to scout the way.Behind them, Kargath Bladefist and his orc warriors cheered from the castle walls.They chanted Ner'zhul's name. The chief of the tribe put a hand on the pouch at his waist to make sure his scroll was still inside.He tied the bag and the worg pelt in a knot, and walked on. Ner'zhul didn't look back.