Rhodes's lips curled into a playful smirk. That's right—he had just pulled a fast one on Varian.
According to certain back-channel rumors (and a bit of meta-knowledge), after King Varian was cursed by the Black Dragon Princess and split into two personas, his more martial half got along famously with Valeera Sanguinar.
In the original lore, the "warm" chemistry between the two was practically overflowing from the screen. Many players had assumed that once Varian returned to lead the Alliance in the Wrath of the Lich King era, Stormwind would gain a new Queen—and a Blood Elf one at that.
Alas, things didn't pan out that way; Valeera ended up as Stormwind's chief assassin, leaving fans somewhat unsatisfied. But hey, Varian deserved some happiness!
Personal tastes aside, the Holy Light Elements were top-tier in the looks department—their base modeling was no less refined than that of a Blood Elf. That was why Rhodes had teased Varian. And since he had already dealt with a certain Dragon Princess, he wondered if Varian would ever cross paths with Valeera at all. The man really did need a proper Queen.
"Thank you, Lord Rhodes, but I think I'll pass," Varian said, shaking his head.
"I'm not in the habit of taking back gifts once I've given them," Rhodes countered. "Besides, these elements are incredibly powerful. Each one is the equivalent of a long-range Holy Light mage. They can cast offensive Light spells, protective barriers, and the same healing and blessings used by Paladins and Priests." You're going to love them.
Without another word, Rhodes stationed the two elements with Varian. These weren't temporary; Rhodes had used Fire Elements produced by his own town and transformed them with pure Holy Light. They possessed a degree of intelligence and would follow commands indefinitely.
"Your Majesty, these beings are truly divine," Duke Bolvar said, stepping forward. As a powerful Paladin, he could sense the sheer potency of the aura they radiated. Permanent Holy Light constructs were terrifyingly efficient and would provide the King with exceptional protection. A warrior's job becomes much easier when flanked by two guards who can double as healers and protectors.
Varian's lip twitched. The elements were impressive, but Rhodes's earlier teasing hadn't gone unnoticed. Still, they were pure energy beings; they didn't exactly have "other" functions. Rhodes was likely just playing a joke. Under the persuasion of Bolvar and the other nobles, Varian finally accepted the gift, gaining the loyalty of the two golden guardians.
"Come, Anduin. Say hello to your new friend. It will be your most loyal partner as you grow," Rhodes said after settling things with Varian. He knelt before little Anduin, intending to bond the phoenix to his disciple.
"Go on, Anduin. Get to know your partner. He'll be your brother-in-arms from now on," King Varian encouraged with a smile.
With his father's backing, Anduin stepped forward cautiously. He reached out a small hand and lightly touched the phoenix's feathers. A sensation of warmth and peace flooded his body, making him break into a radiant smile.
The phoenix responded gently, letting out a comfortable trill—all of which was, of course, being orchestrated by Rhodes, since summoned units usually lacked independent intelligence.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Anduin turned back, beaming at Rhodes.
"You're welcome. From today on, it stays with you," Rhodes nodded.
This scene brought a sense of profound joy and security to the people of Stormwind. Their little Prince hadn't just gained a peerless mentor; he had gained a divine guardian. To them, it was the ultimate proof that the Light favored Stormwind.
"Praise the Light! Praise Lord Rhodes!"
"Long live Stormwind! Long live the Alliance!"
"The Holy Phoenix will protect us!"
The cheers were deafening. Beyond the nobles, the commoners in the city could see the holy creature and were absolutely enamored with it. They didn't know the specifics of the politics on the wall; they only knew that Rhodes had arrived, unmasked an evil Countess, helped the King purge a dragon, and gifted the Prince a divine beast while taking him as an apprentice.
On the edge of the crowd, Benedictus watched the phoenix and the Prince. His face remained unreadable in the shifting light. Don't get too arrogant, Rhodes. The Light you worship is useless. I will prove it to you when the Great Lord of Shadow, the Lord of the Void, descends upon this world. He needed to report this to his masters—the Old Gods.
While everyone celebrated, no one noticed the Archbishop making a quiet, sullen exit.
"Duke Bolvar, the spell to summon a Holy Light Element isn't actually that difficult," Rhodes said with a mysterious smile. "I can't teach you to summon a dozen at once like I do, but I can show you a basic version."
Having Anveena nearby had deepened Rhodes's understanding of the Light, allowing him to fully codify the "Summon Holy Light Element" spell. After Anveena learned the basic Fire Element summon, it was trivial to teach how to purify that fire into Light. Rhodes planned to share this with Stormwind now, and with the Silver Hand back in Lordaeron later.
Once the visit to Stormwind concluded, Varian would travel with Rhodes back to Lordaeron for the Queen's coronation. Rhodes would then have Anveena teach the spell to the rest of the Silver Hand members.
"Lord Rhodes, you mean... you're going to teach us how to summon these?" Bolvar and the nearby priests were stunned. For a priest, a Light Element was a personal bodyguard; for a Paladin, it was a portable healer.
"Yes, but mine is just the base version. With your current level of power, you'll only be able to summon one at a time, and it will only last a few hours," Rhodes explained.
To make the spell accessible to average Paladins and Priests, Rhodes and Anveena had made significant modifications. Instead of the four-meter-tall, winged female forms, the basic version was a two-meter-tall, blurred humanoid shape of pure Light. It could use basic flashes, shields, and blessings, but high-tier spells like Lay on Hands or Mass Resurrection were out of its reach.
"Even so, this is a monumental leap for the path of the Light!" Bolvar said excitedly.
"I shall teach it to you now."
Using a Holy Light link, Rhodes could "imprint" the spell's principles directly into their minds. For anyone else who wanted to learn it later, they'd have to do it the old-fashioned way.
"Much obliged, Lord Rhodes."
Rhodes closed his eyes, the Light rippling around him. He touched his index finger to Bolvar's forehead. "Relax your minds. Accept the guidance."
The golden light split into several small streamers, sinking into the brows of Bolvar and the other core clergy members. They shuddered as golden runes and energy patterns flashed through their minds. The structure of the spell model, the shaping of the Light, the mental link to the core... it was all branded into their memories as if they had practiced it for years.
"I... I've mastered it!"
"Heavens, I can't believe we actually know this now!"
"Give it a try," Rhodes smiled.
Bolvar nodded and followed the mental pattern. The cast was seamless. Within seconds, a two-meter-tall, glowing humanoid figure coalesced before him. This "v1.0" Holy Light Element was weaker than a standard Fire Element in raw combat, but it was a flying unit and perfectly functional. For an average adventurer or soldier, it was more than enough.