A massive bolt of Chain Lightning crackled through the sky, leaping from target to target as hundreds of Gargoyles fell from the air like stones.
Rhodes issued his commands with clarity, and everyone carried out their duties with precision. Though the defensive line was under immense pressure, it remained as steady as a rock. The force of over a thousand Gargoyles was swiftly annihilated under a barrage from Rhodes' ranged units: Air Elementals, Ice Elementals, Titans, Wyvern Monarchs, Fire Elementals, and massive Ballistas.
Atop the mountain, Medivh once again channeled Thunderbolt. This time, his targets were several towering figures flickering in the rear of the undead army—Doomguards who were commanding and driving the undead forward.
Terrifying lightning descended once more. The Doomguards tried in horror to dodge or cast protective magic, but how could they easily withstand a strike fueled by the Guardian's wrath? After the blinding flash, several Doomguards who failed to evade were reduced to charred husks amidst the thunder. Two others were severely wounded and retreated in disgrace, causing a flicker of chaos in the undead offensive.
"Well done, Master Medivh!" Rhodes praised. Giving the Thunderbolt magic scrolls to Medivh was truly a stroke of genius.
"Rhodes, my Fire Elementals have been mostly wiped out. Stand back a bit; I am going to summon them once more," Medivh's voice transmitted directly into the ears of Rhodes and the others.
The group immediately retreated. Medivh produced a Fire Elemental Summoning Scroll and infused it with his mana. Another 200 Fire Elementals materialized, serving as a fresh reinforcement that successfully held back the undead tide.
"As expected of the Guardian... by himself, with just two spells, he is equivalent to an entire army," Jaina remarked with admiration. She wondered when she might possess such formidable mana. Rhodes and Capurnia nodded in agreement.
"Lord Uther, Jaina, Capurnia—do not lower your guard."
However, at that moment, an even more terrifying and fel aura emanated from the rear of the undead army. Dozens of massive meteors, burning with green fel-fire and trailing tongues of flame, streaked across the sky and slammed toward the first defensive line!
Infernals! The Eredar Sorcerers had made their move.
The true test was just beginning. Rhodes' eyes narrowed as he took a deep breath. He knew it was time to deploy his "special" units. At his signal, the Air Elementals and Titans fired bolts of lightning at the falling meteors.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! ..."
Most of the Infernal meteors were intercepted mid-air, either detonated early or knocked off course by the violent electrical energy. Green fel-fire and blue arcs of electricity interlaced and exploded in the sky, resembling an apocalyptic fireworks display. The few that slipped through were weakened; they crashed in front of the defensive line, and while they caused tremors, they failed to pose a fatal threat to the core positions.
"These creations... are interesting," Archimonde the Defiler murmured to himself. If he could capture these unique magical constructs alive, he might bring them back to the Burning Throne for his Master to see.
"Great Lord Archimonde, perhaps we should attempt to capture these strange magical beings."
"Hmph. These bags of bones are no longer of much use. Order the warriors of the Legion to advance," Archimonde commanded coldly.
At his word, a massive wave of Doomguards, Felguards, Felhunters, Succubi, Imps, and Observers surged forward behind the undead units. Seeing the demon army finally commit to the attack, a faint smile played on Rhodes' lips.
It was time for his own undead army to appear. He couldn't deploy them too early, as that wouldn't cause enough chaos. The best moment was exactly when the demon army made their move. Long before the battle began, Rhodes had positioned nearly 7,000 undead troops in ambush at the edge of the battlefield. Among them were over 6,500 Skeleton Warriors and 500 other specialized undead units.
Raising their blades and shields, they launched a silent, resolute charge from the flanks toward the Burning Legion's ranged positions! This "betrayal" orchestrated by Rhodes was about to begin.
As the demon army advanced, Medivh gifted them two more blasts of Chain Lightning, while Rhodes tossed out several Magic Arrows. The combat power of the Burning Legion's demons far surpassed that of common undead; a standard Fire Elemental could, at best, fight a Legion soldier to a draw.
However, before the Legion could claim victory, an even bigger "surprise" followed. Just as the Eredar Sorcerers were momentarily stunned by the interception of their Infernals, dense clusters of green soul-fire suddenly ignited in the shadows of their flanks!
Over 6,000 Skeleton Warriors, like a vengeful legion crawling from the depths of hell, charged silently toward the Eredar Sorcerers and their Felguard protectors!
What is happening? Aren't these undead creatures the Legion's cannon fodder? Why are they attacking us?
"What's going on? Where did these undead come from?" an Eredar Sorcerer shouted. These skeletons operated completely outside their chain of command. "Damned skeletons, stop!" an Eredar Warlock roared, only to be answered by a Death Cloud.
Atop the hill, the Lichs raised their staves and launched ranged strikes. The Death Clouds caused countless Legion soldiers to wither and die in agony.
"It's a revolt! The Scourge has betrayed us!" another sorcerer judged instantly, noticing the crimson glow in the skeletons' eyes—a glow that did not belong to the Scourge.
The Dread Knights Unleashed
These Dread Knights, clad in heavy black plate armor and wielding massive horse-slaying sabers, were like tigers among a pack of wolves. In an instant, they dealt a lethal blow to the Eredar Sorcerers. Their undead steeds neighed, freezing ghostly flames burning beneath their hooves as they charged with unstoppable momentum.
"For the Master's Will!" the Dread Knights let out low, murderous soul-roars.
An Eredar Warlock had just raised his hand when a flash of cold steel sent his head flying, green blood spraying into the air. Another Warlock tried to dodge, but a Dread Knight predicted his landing; the saber swept across, cleaving him in two at the waist!
The massed charge of the Dread Knights was like a tide of black steel, shredding the already chaotic formation of the Eredar sorcerer corps. Over two-thirds of the Eredar mages and warlocks were cut down in the first wave.
The number of Dread Knights is still a bit low, Rhodes thought. If thousands of them charged together, they could tear through any defensive line in an instant. The title of "Strongest Tier 6 Unit" was no joke; a Dread Knight could pummel a Bone Dragon without any pressure.
The Purge and the Retreat
"Bastards! Damned Lich King! Damned Scourge!" Azgalor the Pit Lord let out an earth-shaking roar. His massive body surged forward, attempting to stop the Dread Knights. However, as he charged, a thick bolt of lightning struck precisely in front of him, forcing him to a halt.
Atop the mountain, Medivh gazed down coldly. "Your opponent is me, demon!"
Medivh could sense that these creatures were not being manipulated by the Lich King. It appeared Rhodes harbored even more secrets than Medivh knew. To protect Rhodes' specialized units, Medivh stepped in to intercept the Pit Lord and other high-ranking Legion members.
The Skeleton Warriors, having fulfilled their mission, were eventually surrounded by elite demons and wiped out. Rhodes didn't mind; they were cannon fodder meant to be sacrificed to buy time. Their "betrayal" forced the Legion to waste hours purging their own ranks, giving the first defensive line a precious breathing room.
Sitting upon his demonic throne, Archimonde's contempt vanished, replaced by burning rage. He used his formidable fel mana to tear a rift, summoning a fresh wave of Infernals and Felguards to replace the Scourge.
"Warriors of the Legion, advance! Annihilate our enemies!" Archimonde launched the general offensive.
"They're coming! The main force of the Burning Legion!" Jaina shouted.
"Let them come!" Uther swung his warhammer. "Let these demons taste the power of the Light!"
The battle entered its most brutal phase. Rhodes' orders were issued rapidly: "Solmyr! Chain Lightning! Titans! Fire at will!"
The iron, gold, and diamond golems forming the steel defensive line groaned under the weight, but they remained firmly rooted. Rhodes continued to blast the demon army with Magic Arrows, but he knew the limit was approaching. The eight-hour promise had been fulfilled.
"Lord Uther, Jaina, prepare to retreat to the second line!" Rhodes shouted. "Master Medivh, it's time to go!"
Jaina raised her staff. Arcane brilliance instantly teleported Rhodes, Uther, Capurnia, and Medivh away. Their mission here was complete. As Rhodes departed, the summoned units on the first defensive line began to vanish one by one.