The golden giant before them perfectly catered to the aesthetic sensibilities of the Night Elf nobility. Fighting like that was undeniably cool, wasn't it?
A blend of raw power and breathtaking elegance—Queen Azshara even began to fantasize about using her own magical energy to condense such a titan for combat.
Unlike the Queen's artistic musings, the other mages were analyzing the mechanics of Rhodes's Light Colossus.
"Encasing oneself completely inside provides an absolute defense while allowing for manual control of the titan. It's an extraordinary spell."
"Indeed. His utilization of Holy Light energy is far more sophisticated than we imagined."
"However, the energy consumption required to maintain a titan of that scale must be astronomical."
The Highborne mages dissected the feat, each offering their own professional take on why the Colossus was so unique.
"Defense alone won't save you! Watch as I hack your giant to pieces!" Xavius roared. He clenched his hands in mid-air, and Fel energy condensed into a massive green warblade. He manipulated the blade, swinging it through the air with a savage strike toward the Colossus of Light.
How is this possible? he thought. I cannot lose. The powerful spells Lord Sargeras taught me, the Fel power granted by his own hand... they cannot fall to this shiny, glittering toy.
"Who said I was only defending? Since you want to attack, then watch closely—and don't blink. This is a level of splendor beyond your wildest imagination," Rhodes's gaze sharpened, and the Colossus moved in unison.
The giant's massive arms spread wide, and thousands of golden ripples shimmered in the air behind it. From these ripples, hundreds upon hundreds of weapons forged from Holy Light emerged: longswords, warhammers, lances, bows, staves... varying in form, but all radiating a blistering, holy heat.
Holy Secret Art: Gate of Babylon-Style — Kaleidoscope of Light!
"Go! Accept the judgment of the Light," Rhodes commanded, pointing forward.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The golden weapons flew like an army receiving its marching orders, turning into streaks of light that blanketed the sky, raining down upon Xavius and his Fel blade. The scene was magnificent—a divine rain of arrows, but composed entirely of golden armaments.
The golden giant launching such a spectacular volley was a visual masterpiece. Ordinary Night Elf citizens outside the city walls watched in awe, assuming this was a new spell researched by their Queen.
"What a beautiful golden giant!"
"So handsome, so elegant! Is this Her Majesty's masterpiece?"
"It must be! Only the Light of Lights could command such a powerful titan."
Countless citizens began to praise the "Light of Lights." Though the commoners despised the nobility, their devotion to Queen Azshara was ingrained in their very bones. Both commoner and noble loved her unconditionally.
Xavius frantically maneuvered his Fel blade to parry while erecting a Fel shield. The light weapons clashed violently with the Fel energy, producing a continuous roar of explosions. Emerald and gold intertwined, lighting up the interior of the barrier with a kaleidoscopic frenzy. With every impact, the Fel energy dissipated under the purification of the Light. Xavius's shield buckled, looking as though it might shatter at any moment.
In truth, with Rhodes's current strength, he could have one-shotted Xavius in a heartbeat, even with the power Sargeras had gifted him. But a duel required flair. This wasn't a true battle to the death; it was an exhibition match. Pleasing the Queen was the priority. Sorry, Xavius, just hold on a bit longer. Let me show off two more flashy skills before you go down.
"Your Fel is pathetic before the true Light!" Rhodes's voice cut clearly through the explosions.
Xavius was both shocked and enraged. He realized his proud Fel power was being completely countered. He attempted a mental assault, using the whispers Sargeras had taught him to corrode Rhodes's mind.
"Cursed wretch! I'll make you pay! I'll show you the true power Lord Sargeras gave me! I'll devour your soul and roast it in the fires of hell!" His eyes flared with an eerie green light as he glared at Rhodes.
However, he was met by Rhodes's eyes, which had turned into pure gold. Within those golden irises, three golden "tomoe" (comma shapes) appeared, spinning rapidly until they formed a triangular windmill pattern. If I'm going to use illusions, I might as well have the cool eyes to go with it, Rhodes thought. Even if it was just a visual effect for mystery, it added to the "performance."
Holy Illusion Art: Tsukuyomi!
Xavius's vision blurred. The training ground vanished. He was no longer in the palace but standing in a boundless sea of golden light. Countless golden silhouettes of Rhodes rose from the sea, all staring at him. A massive, booming holy hymn echoed in his ears—not bringing peace, but a crushing pressure of judgment and purification upon his soul.
"No! This is an illusion! Break!" Xavius frantically channeled Fel to shatter the mental cage, but his consciousness felt like it was sinking into a mire. The more he struggled, the faster he drowned. Soon, Xavius was horrified to find his consciousness split into countless copies, each bound to a cross.
Rhodes stood before him, holding a golden longsword.
"Wh-What are you doing? You bastard! What do you want? Damn you!" Xavius struggled wildly. He knew he was in an illusion, but no matter how much force he applied, he couldn't break free.
"Futile struggling. To tell you the truth, the greatest power of the Light isn't attack, defense, or healing—it's illusion. You're going to be here for the next 72 hours. Let's have some fun," Rhodes said with a smile.
I never realized it before, Rhodes mused, but the Naaru used Light illusions all the time to manipulate people. Why didn't anyone develop this further? Fine, let me show you how illusions are really done.
The moment the words left his mouth, Rhodes plunged the golden sword into Xavius.
"AAAAAAAAHH!" Xavius let out a blood-curdling scream, his body trembling uncontrollably. Strangely, though the sword pierced him and the searing pain was all too real, he didn't bleed. Right, it's an illusion. I won't die.
"You bastard! Kill me if you have the guts! Do you dare kill me here?"
"Don't be in such a hurry, Xavius. We still have 71 hours and 59 minutes left. I'll stab you once every minute." Stab.
The pain was not isolated; every single copy of Xavius felt the same agony. In the golden space, Xavius's screams were constant. Time felt eternal. Bound to crosses burning with holy fire, he was systematically pierced by countless versions of Rhodes. It wasn't just physical pain; it was the Light directly scorching and purifying his Fel-corrupted soul.
He tried to scream, but the hymn drowned him out. He tried to resist, but his mind was stuck in golden mud. The "purification" dug into his core, exposing his dark ambitions and the rot from his contact with Sargeras to the unforgiving radiance.
"NO—! LET ME OUT! LORD SARGERAS... HELP... HELP ME!" Xavius's mental defenses finally shattered. His Fel-fueled arrogance was crushed by Holy majesty, leaving only primal terror.
In the real world, Xavius stood frozen, his eyes wide, his face deathly pale, and his body shivering. To the onlookers, nothing seemed to have happened. But those 72 hours in the illusion space were a lethal blow to his psyche. When his consciousness snapped back to reality, his head felt like it was being split open. He collapsed to his knees, swaying.
"It seems your spirit isn't quite as tough as your ambition," Rhodes's cold voice brought him back.
Xavius crawled on the ground, gasping for air. He tried to look at Rhodes through gritted teeth, but his eyelids felt like lead. "I... I hate you... you... curse you..." He forced those words out with his last ounce of strength before falling unconscious. Having survived with his mind intact enough to hurl an insult after such a mental ordeal was his final act of defiance.
"Wh-What just happened? How did Xavius lose? He just... went down."
"Strange, Mr. Rhodes's eyes turned gold with those shapes in them..."
"Xavius just looked at him and then collapsed."
The Highborne mages were in an uproar. Only Queen Azshara looked at Rhodes with a thoughtful expression. As the top mage of Azeroth, her spiritual perception was immense. She could feel that Xavius's spirit had been drastically weakened—to the point of near-collapse. What did this boy do?
"Your Majesty, I believe the matter is settled," Rhodes said, dismissing the Colossus of Light and smiling up at Azshara.
"Indeed, Lord Rhodes. You won. That battle was absolutely magnificent—I am very satisfied. As the winner, do you wish for a reward?" Azshara asked with a smile.