Incredible radiance erupted in the eyes of Kael'thas and his advisors. Rebuilding the Sunwell! It was the ultimate dream, something every Blood Elf dared not speak of yet yearned for day and night.
"The waters of the Well of Eternity? Is—is that truly possible?" an advisor's voice trembled with emotion. "You mean... Illidan Stormrage? He really possesses the legendary waters?"
Even for the long-lived elves, the Great Sundering of ten thousand years ago was a story bordering on myth. To them, Rhodes mentioning the Waters of Eternity was like telling a modern human he had just picked an immortal peach from the Kunlun Mountains.
"Yes," Rhodes nodded firmly. "A vial containing infinite arcane energy. It is the key to reconstructing your font of power. I will find a way to obtain it from him, but it will take time, and the process won't be easy."
Rhodes knew his relationship with Illidan was complicated. Since his return from ten thousand years ago, they were theoretically allies, but Illidan still harbored a sliver of distrust—Rhodes had felt it at the Tomb of Sargeras.
While he had helped Illidan obtain the Eye of Sargeras, Rhodes intended to keep "Lord Illidan" in check this time; he couldn't let him actually blow up Northrend and sink the continent. However, his methods would be far gentler than those of Tyrande, Malfurion, or Maiev.
Rhodes shifted back to the present. "So, until then, we must stabilize the situation. The Light is different from the Arcane, but it is equally pure and powerful. You lost your connection to it perhaps because the shock and despair of the Sunwell's destruction clouded your link, not because the Light itself abandoned you."
His words caused the former priests among the advisors to exchange looks, a faint spark of hope reigniting. How could they not miss that warm, healing power?
"As for how to 'absorb' it..." Rhodes paused, a thought crossing his mind.
Instantly, a Holy Light Elemental—composed entirely of brilliant radiance and exuding an aura of awe and tranquility—materialized in the tent. It maintained a divine female form, radiating pure benevolence.
"Rhodes, you mean to have my people siphoned the power from this elemental to alleviate their symptoms?" Kael'thas asked, staring at the being.
"Exactly, Kael. It's a stopgap measure, but if we move fast, we can repair the Sunwell and save everyone," Rhodes replied.
"But Rhodes," Kael'thas countered, "this elemental is essentially a variant of a Fire Elemental. A few priests can siphoned its power, but what about the citizens in Quel'Thalas? Silvermoon still has hundreds of thousands of civilians waiting."
"I'm sorry, Kael, but the people in the city will have to wait a little longer. I promise I'll have the Well water within a month. For now, let these elementals satisfy the priests in your vanguard. They have no sentience or individual consciousness; they are pure energy. Your priests can siphoned them without guilt."
Rhodes knew the elementals couldn't solve the national crisis. That required the Well or a way to purify the existing Sunwell. Technically, the Sunwell was defiled by the resurrection of the lich Kel'Thuzad. Reversing that corruption was theoretically possible, but the "essence" of the Sunwell had already manifested as a human girl named Anveena Teague, created by the red dragon Korialstrasz.
To fix the Sunwell that way, Anveena would have to be sacrificed—something Rhodes wanted to avoid. His solution was simpler: bring a fresh vial of the original Well water. He recalled the "bugs" in the original timeline's logic; if he acted correctly, he could prevent Kael'thas from ever falling into Kil'jaeden's trap of turning the Sunwell into a Fel font.
"Rhodes of Lordaeron, Lord Regent... regardless of the outcome, the Sunstrider dynasty will never forget the hope you have given the Sin'dorei today! From this day forth, you are the most honored friend and steadfast ally of the Blood Elves!" Kael'thas's tone was solemn and sincere. The other elves stood and offered a formal elven bow.
"No time to lose, Kael. Bring in those suffering most from withdrawal and the priests who have lost their path. I will guide the elemental's energy for the first attempt. Capurnia, you too—your Phoenix power is essentially a form of high-energy output; it might help you guide this Light."
Rhodes had a secondary theory: if Fire Elementals could become Light-based, and Earth became Life-based, could he transform a Phoenix into a Holy Light Phoenix?
Capurnia immediately summoned her bird. Moments later, several pale, trembling elves were brought in, alongside a few weary priests in tattered robes. Rhodes pressed his hand against the Light Elemental. Under his guidance, the radiance softened into a warm, winter sun-like glow.
"Relax. Do not resist," Rhodes's voice carried a soothing, almost hypnotic weight—the Light was far more seductive than Fel or Death. "Accept the warmth. Let it flow into you and soothe the hunger. It won't satisfy you completely, but it will bring peace."
Initially, the mages' arcane instincts bristled at the foreign energy. But as the warmth seeped in, an unspeakable relief replaced the agonizing thirst. Their faces softened visibly.
The priests, however, suffered a literal shock. Their bodies jolted as they realized the Light was responding. One elderly priest wept as a tiny, real spark of Holy Light flickered at his fingertips. "The Light... it answers me again..."
"No need for thanks," Rhodes turned back to Kael'thas. "By the way, Kael, you've seen my Phoenixes, haven't you?"
"I have. Formidable creatures," Kael'thas noted, "though different from the Sunstrider line. Their rebirth isn't as potent as our family's heritage, and their raw power is slightly lower."