"You certainly know how to surprise a man, Rhodes. I can call you that, can't I?" Medivh remarked, looking at the Lightning Bolt scroll with a look of profound realization. He was truly moved by the fact that he could once again wield magic without relying on Azeroth's compromised Ley Lines.
"Of course, Lord Guardian," Rhodes smiled. "In fact, I'll need your help summoning Fire Elementals for the coming defense."
With his Intermediate Fire Magic and a Power attribute of 10, Rhodes could now summon 30 Fire Elementals (Power x 3). However, Medivh's capacity was at least ten times that. His mana could manifest an entire army of elementals.
"I understand," Medivh said. "This scroll uses a system entirely different from Azeroth's. It doesn't pull elements from the Elemental Plane; it shapes the caster's own mana into elemental form."
Between the endless Lightning Bolts and a private army of Fire Elementals, Medivh was no longer a bystander. He was about to make the Burning Legion's life a living hell.
Malfurion addressed the group. "We must hold the summit of Mount Hyjal for twenty-four hours to allow me enough time to gather the necessary power. It is a trap for Archimonde, so the resistance must look desperate, yet you must retreat at the precise moments."
"Then we shall establish three lines of defense," Medivh proposed. "Human, Orc, and finally, Night Elf. Each must hold for eight hours."
Thrall immediately claimed the middle position. "The Horde will fortify the middle section of the mountain. We will hold the front for at least eight hours."
Rhodes saw through Thrall instantly. The first and last lines would be the bloodiest. Thrall hoped to let the humans take the brunt of the initial assault and the Night Elves the final stand, preserving Orcish strength to secure a better future on Kalimdor.
"I thought you'd want the first line to prove your courage," Rhodes chuckled. "But no matter. We humans will take the first line."
Thrall was taken aback, but Rhodes knew something Thrall didn't. The "Human" army consisted only of Rhodes, Jaina, Uther, Capurnia, and Medivh. By keeping the official Alliance armies away, Rhodes was actually protecting human lives while intending to use his "system" troops to hold the line.
"The Night Elves will hold the final line," Tyrande declared. "We will also provide support along the entire path."
Malfurion and Tyrande detailed their forces: 20,000 Sentinels, 6,000 Druids, Mountain Giants, Treants, and Faerie Dragons, along with Cenarius himself. Thrall pledged 10,000 Orcs plus thousands of Tauren and Darkspear Trolls.
When Rhodes confirmed his "army" was only five people, Thrall was furious. "Are you joking? The Horde is committing its entire elite, and the humans want to 'save' their strength by sending five people to hold a line?"
"Quantity is not quality," Rhodes countered coldly. "We are the elite of the elite. I guarantee we will hold for eight hours. If I fail, you can have my head as a footstool."
Rhodes wasn't bluffing. He had a secret: 6,000 Skeletons raised from recent battles. Using the Hillfort, he planned to upgrade them to Skeleton Warriors for free. His plan was to let them "rebel" against the demons, disguised as the Scourge.
This would trick Archimonde into thinking the Lich King had officially turned on him, forcing the demon lord to waste time purging his own undead "allies."
Combined with Medivh's devastating Lightning Bolts, the magic-immune Golems, Archangels, and his newest prize from the Refugee Camp—a Titan—Rhodes was ready. The Titan, the only Tier 7 unit with a ranged attack, would give the demons a shock they'd never forget.
"Very well," Malfurion concluded. "Let us head to our respective posts."