"Please, don't look at me like that. I'm just as confused as everyone else. Lord Cenarius, I'm certain this is our first time meeting," Rhodes said, looking utterly speechless.
Alright, he thought. It seems the Warcraft timeline has shifted again. I likely traveled ten thousand years back at some point. That would explain why the Bronze Dragonflight never came looking for me.
When he first crossed over, Rhodes hadn't dared to change too much—especially regarding Arthas—for fear of the Bronze Dragons. At that time, he couldn't have handled an ambush from them or the 'adventurers' they might send. But now, it seemed he had already participated in the War of the Ancients in his own personal future.
"Oh! I nearly forgot," Cenarius replied with a smile. "Back then, you told me you came from ten thousand years in the future, so naturally, you don't know me yet. It's a strange feeling. I suggested we should seal our memories of you back then, but you insisted we shouldn't. Don't worry, though; the only ones who know about you are myself, Malfurion, Tyrande, and another prisoner currently locked away in the barrows."
"Ten thousand years ago! Great Demigod, do you mean to say Lord Rhodes participated in the War of the Ancients?" Capurnia asked, glancing at Rhodes. As a High Elf possessing the knowledge of the Highborne, she understood something of time magic; it was said that during the height of the ancient Night Elf Empire, a Grand Magistrix named Elisande specialized in such arts.
"Yes. For certain reasons, Rhodes will travel back ten thousand years in the future. I cannot say too much; I will likely have to seal your memories afterward," Cenarius said. He was primarily referring to Jaina, Uther, and Capurnia. The Night Elves themselves wouldn't spread the word, as such news wasn't considered a major shock to their immortal society.
"Well... Lord Demigod, I've had enough shocking news for one day," Rhodes admitted.
"Returning to ten thousand years ago... how is that even possible?" Jaina looked on in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how terrifying time magic would have to be to send someone back ten millennia.
"Ordinary time spells certainly couldn't manage it, though there is one person in Azeroth who can. But we won't discuss that now. Rhodes, tell me what you found," Cenarius said, cutting through their thoughts.
Rhodes nodded and beckoned to the Sentinels, who laid several Orc corpses before the Demigod. "Lord Cenarius, these are the Orcs we found on the battlefield. They have been corrupted by Fel. One of the two main commanders of the Burning Legion, Archimonde the Defiler, has already been summoned into our world."
"There is no need for such formality with me, Rhodes. You may call me Teacher Cenarius, just as you did before. You studied the druidic path under my guidance. Your talent... it was the greatest among all the students I have ever taught."
Cenarius noted that Rhodes's aptitude had been peerless. He was the most powerful Druid Cenarius had ever trained; no matter the spell, the boy could master it instantly.
Hearing this, Uther and Capurnia both looked back at Rhodes. They were already somewhat familiar with his terrifying learning speed.
"Truly monstrous," Uther muttered.
"It seems the Light is not the only thing that favors you, Rhodes," Capurnia added.
Rhodes gave a slightly embarrassed smile. Can't help it, he thought. Having a System is basically like having a permanent 'bug' in reality.
The Demigod carefully examined the Orc corpses. They bore clear marks of Fel corruption—these Orcs had consumed demon blood. If they drank it once more, they would likely transform into half-demon monstrosities.
"I understand the gist of the situation now," Cenarius sighed. "Rhodes, I will immediately call for all Druids to awaken, and I shall summon Tyrande and Malfurion to join us."
"I was thinking the same thing, Teacher Cenarius," Rhodes replied.
Just then, a Huntress riding a Hippogryph rushed into the clearing.
"Lord Demigod! Terrible news! Red-skins... there are red-skinned Orcs everywhere outside!"
"Red-skins? How many are there? Who leads them?" the Sentinel Captain barked, turning instantly.
"Countless! Like a tide!" the Huntress cried, her voice trembling with terror. "The leader is a... a terrifying creature. His eyes look like they're burning, his skin is dark red, and he wields a massive, blood-dripping axe! Just one roar from him made the entire forest shake!"
Grommash Hellscream.
The name flashed through the minds of both Rhodes and Cenarius simultaneously. There was no doubt; it had to be him. Only that legendary Orc blademaster possessed such overwhelming savagery. Grom's record was terrifying—in the original timeline, two demigod-level entities died at his hands: Cenarius and the Pit Lord Mannoroth.
Rhodes realized that because of his intervention, the timeline had fractured. Normally, Grom only drank the demon blood after being pushed to the brink by Cenarius's attacks. Now, it seemed the Warsong Clan had sought the blood earlier, perhaps due to the defeat Rhodes had dealt them earlier.
"Teacher Cenarius, the one outside is Grommash Hellscream. His strength is immense; do not underestimate him," Rhodes warned.
"I see, Rhodes. Let us go," Cenarius nodded, his confidence unshaken. As a veteran of the War of the Ancients, he found it hard to imagine an Orc—even one fueled by demon blood—could challenge a Great Wild God.
Rhodes shook his head at the Demigod's overconfidence and looked at Uther. "Lord Uther, are you confident you can deal with Grommash?"
"Leave him to me," Uther replied, his hand resting on his hammer. "No matter how deeply corrupted he is, my Light will not falter."
Cenarius's expression became majestic. He struck the ground with a massive hoof, and a ripple of emerald light expanded. The grove came alive as thick vines erupted like giant pythons, weaving a verdant barrier.
"I am provoked. That demons dare step into my sacred domain... I shall wake the forest! Children of Elune, defend the sanctuary!"
Dryads, Keepers of the Grove, and scores of Treants awakened at once. The entire forest became the Orcs' enemy. Rhodes deployed his own trump cards: the Golden and Diamond Golem armies, while his four Wyverns took to the sky to intercept the Orc aerial forces—the Bat Riders and Wind Riders.
The sky ignited with fire and lightning. Night Elf Hippogryph riders swarmed like hornets, while Chimaeras unleashed devastating Chain Lightning. Rhodes's Wyvern Lords dominated the airspace with their superior size and toxic bites. On the ground, the Golem legions marched like an unbreakable tide against the red-skinned orcish horde.
As Rhodes prepared to summon Fire Elementals, Cenarius intervened. "Rhodes, do not call upon the fire; it will consume the forest. Use Arcane or Earth."
Rhodes blinked in surprise. Does my future self use Earth Elementals? "My apologies, Teacher. Currently, I can only summon Fire, Light, and Stone Golems. The true Earth Elementals might take more time."
"Ah, it seems you are not yet the Rhodes I remember. No matter," Cenarius said, beginning to weave a spell. "Watch closely. You learned these from me once before."
Vines surged from the earth, ensnaring hundreds of Orcs instantly, dragging them beneath the soil to be crushed. What was a simple 'Entangling Roots' spell for a normal Druid became a mass execution in the hands of the Demigod.