About six months ago, the life essence of all Azeroth had surged in a violent upheaval. Many mages among the Highborne had sensed this tidal wave of vitality.
Furthermore, for reasons unknown, the Wild Gods had gathered together. Subsequently, on the vast plains beyond Ashenvale, a world-shaking battle erupted. Judging by the remnants left at the scene, at least five colossal entities had clashed.
Local sapient creatures, such as Furbolgs and Quilboar, later confirmed this: the Wild Gods had indeed held a duel. The Boar Agamaggan, the twin Bear brothers Ursoc and Ursol, and the Wolf Goldrinn had engaged in a titanic struggle against a newly born "Dragon Demigod." This battle was so fierce it altered the local geography, adding a new seat to the pantheon of Wild Gods.
Standing before Illidan was a being of a race he didn't recognize at all. In physique, he was somewhat similar to the Night Elves, yet he lacked the long, pointed ears, his limbs were slightly shorter, and his eyes did not glow with the brilliance of the Arcane. Since both Wild Gods and Great Dragons possess the ability to shapeshift into sapient forms, Illidan suspected this mysterious figure was indeed a Wild God.
"Let me introduce you, Illidan. This is Rhodes, my junior brother—a new disciple of Cenarius and a newly ascended Wild God. Rhodes, this is my brother, Illidan. Unlike me, he chose Arcane magic over the path of natural life and Druidism," Malfurion said with a couple of dry coughs. He introduced the two to each other's circumstances.
Rhodes's status as a Wild God still needed to remain a secret. Originally, Cenarius and Malfurion wanted Rhodes to suppress his life essence and disguise himself as an ordinary person, keeping his true identity from Illidan. However, Rhodes refused. He felt that if he were to collaborate with Illidan, deceiving him would be a sign of disrespect. Once they returned to the capital of Azshara, Rhodes would naturally hide his demigod-level life force. The idea of a common mortal ascending to become a Wild God was something out of a myth to the Highborne—no one would believe it anyway, so there was little fear of suspicion.
Illidan scrutinized Rhodes intently. He truly couldn't see why this person would become a Wild God or what event could have triggered such an ascension. And why choose this guy? Nevertheless, in the face of a demigod-level entity, Illidan maintained the proper etiquette and respect. He bowed slightly to Rhodes in a standard mage's salute.
"My greetings to you, Great Demigod. I am Illidan Stormrage, brother of Malfurion."
"Hello, Illidan. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Rhodes," Rhodes replied with a smile.
"Illidan, we have a task for you," Malfurion said after the introductions.
"Malfurion." Illidan's voice returned to its usual tone, losing the softness he showed toward Tyrande and gaining a layer of calculated indifference—it was even a bit stiff. It was clear the brothers were at odds. "Oh? 'Something to discuss'? And you 'need my help'?" Illidan's tone rose slightly at the end. "My dear brother, and you, Lord Demigod—what wind blew you out of your secluded forest to suddenly remember your 'strayed' brother who only knows how to pursue the Arcane?"
"Illidan, you haven't seen Malfurion in years. Shouldn't brothers have more to say to each other? Besides, Malfurion has something very important to tell you. Could you please speak properly for my sake?" Tyrande said from the side, sighing helplessly.
Illidan listened to no one—unless that person was Tyrande. If she asked for something, he would do everything in his power to achieve it without a single word of complaint.
"My apologies. My attitude was a bit crude just now, Tyrande," Illidan's expression shifted instantly from gloom to sunlight. He looked at Malfurion and snorted. "Fine, Malfurion, what do you need my help with?"
Rhodes watched from the side, speechless. What a problem youth. At this stage, Illidan played the role of the hotheaded rebel to perfection. Though brilliant, his interpersonal skills were severely lacking. Your brother essentially protected you for ten thousand years; if it weren't for him and Tyrande intervening, you'd have been executed for half the things you did.
Malfurion furrowed his brow, suppressing his anger. "Illidan! This is not the time for bickering! Listen to me carefully. The fluctuations of the Well of Eternity are highly unusual; even the Emerald Dream is being disturbed and corrupted! We suspect... we suspect Queen Azshara and her advisors are conducting an extremely dangerous ritual that could bring disaster! Rhodes will go with you to the capital. He will be in the open, while you need to investigate from the shadows to find out what is happening."
"An 'emergency'? 'Abnormalities' in the Well? Malfurion, since when did you care about courtly affairs and the Arcane? Or is it that this new Demigod has taken an interest in the Well's power?" His words were laced with thorns. "As for disaster? That's just your usual 'natural warning' rhetoric," Illidan scoffed.
Tyrande couldn't help but speak up. "Illidan, it's not just the Druids who feel the anomaly. The sisters of the Temple of Elune have also sensed unease from the Mother Moon. The recent unrest in the Well's energy is even affecting the prayers of lower-level priestesses. This is not normal. I am asking you to set aside your prejudices and cooperate with the Wild God. Please?"
Hearing Tyrande say this, Illidan's bravado weakened for a moment, but he remained stubborn. "Tyrande, the Temple's sensations might just be the result of natural energy fluctuations... the court Arcanists are more than capable of handling everything."
Ever since learning magic, Illidan believed it was the ultimate mystery of the world—that it could control anything. To the arrogant Highborne, even demigods were just "larger creatures."
"Control everything? How laughable, Illidan Stormrage," Rhodes interjected coldly. "Does your 'control' include using a green, destructive, corrosive energy that burns like a living thing?"
"What?" Illidan snapped his head toward Rhodes, his pupils shrinking. "Green... burning energy? What are you talking about?" To be honest, he had felt a sense of dread lately, but he had dismissed it as a part of magic he didn't yet understand.
"Fel," Rhodes spat the word out. "A chaotic, warped power from the Twisting Nether that uses life and souls as fuel. About ten months ago, in Azshara's palace, I watched Xavius—your Queen's Chief Councilor—use it. I assume you've heard of the duel between the Queen's Advisor and Xavius, and the Golden Giant? Now, that same scent is mixed into the energy of the Well. It's hidden by the Arcane glow, but it cannot hide from those sensitive to the source of life." Rhodes released a sliver of his demigod pressure—not to oppress, but to validate his words.
Illidan looked as if he'd been struck. His face paled. He wanted to argue, but memories flashed through his mind: the cold, alien guards recently stationed in restricted areas of the palace; the unsettling gaze Xavius and other Highborne mages occasionally cast; and the terrifying "power" he had felt near the core zones which he had previously filed under "advanced arcane unknowns."
"We need the truth, Illidan," Malfurion said urgently. "Not to oppose the Queen, but to ensure our people aren't dragged into an unimaginable catastrophe."
"Fine... I understand," Illidan muttered. "I will cooperate with Lord Rhodes and investigate privately. I hope we are just overthinking this."
After the business was concluded, Illidan tried to fawn over Tyrande again, but both she and Malfurion were in no mood. They left him behind, walking away hand-in-hand. Illidan's face turned a shade of bruised purple as he watched his brother leave, teeth clenched.
A few days later, Rhodes used a masterful teleportation spell to bring Illidan from the forest to the capital of Zin-Azshari. Returning after half a year, the city was as prosperous as ever, but as soon as Rhodes stood at the gates, he could clearly sense the sickening pulse of Fel.