This was precisely why he felt comfortable leaving this Phoenix by Capurnia's side.
"I have an idea," Rhodes began, sharing his thoughts with Kael'thas. "Since a Fire Elemental can carry the essence of Holy Light to become a Light-based lifeform, could this Phoenix do the same? You've likely noticed—this Phoenix is also an elemental creature, composed primarily of flame and a trace of rebirth energy, even if its restorative powers aren't as potent as your own line."
"Rhodes, you want my help with this, don't you?" Kael'thas immediately guessed his intent. If there was anyone in Azeroth who understood Phoenixes, it was the Sunstrider dynasty—and Kael'thas was the pinnacle of that lineage.
"Exactly. I'll summon over a dozen Holy Light Elementals. With the help of your Blood Elf priests, we can attempt to transform a Fire Phoenix into a Holy Light Phoenix."
A flash of intense interest and a mage's innate curiosity sparked in Kael'thas's eyes. Rhodes's proposal was bold and unheard of: infusing pure Holy Light into a being that was the literal symbol of flame and rebirth? It defied standard magical conventions.
"Theoretically... it isn't impossible," Kael'thas mused. "As you said, this Phoenix is a highly condensed elemental being. Its core is a stable fire rune and a sliver of... singular life essence, which is likely the source of its rebirth.
It differs from our ancestral Arcane Phoenixes, which are tied to the Sunwell; it is more of a pure incarnation of fire. I can engrave our family's ancestral fire runes deep into its core to stabilize it while you inject the Light."
These runes were a closely guarded secret of the Sunstriders, typically requiring the Sunwell's power. But Kael'thas had no reason to refuse; Rhodes was his only hope for restoring the Sunwell, as he didn't even know the Night Elf named Illidan.
"Your help with the runes is vital," Rhodes said. "Light and Fire aren't opposites; they both embody 'energy' and 'purification.' The key is balance—ensuring the Light doesn't extinguish the fire, but rather... exhales it into something higher."
Rhodes extended his hand, summoning fourteen Holy Light Elementals. With his mana overflowing, he could summon them at will. Alongside them appeared two Holy Archangels, radiating a Light far more concentrated than the elementals.
"A fascinating concept, Rhodes." Kael'thas finally allowed a near-excited smile to break through his sorrow. "This requires exquisite energy manipulation. Capurnia, your Phoenix is mentally linked to you; it is best if you lead the process of soothing it so it accepts this external force."
Capurnia nodded solemnly, stroking the bird's wings. In reality, she couldn't truly "link" with this celestial being as it was a system unit, but since Rhodes had granted her "permission" to use it, she followed the Prince's lead.
"I will engrave the core," Kael'thas declared. "And I will use my last vial of the Sunwell's water to forge a true Rebirth Core for it."
Rhodes's standard Phoenixes only had a 20% chance to regrow and could only do so once. Kael'thas's Phoenixes, however, turned into an egg upon death; if the egg wasn't destroyed, they would reborn infinitely. This required a cooldown and, usually, a drop of Sunwell water. For Rhodes's sake, he was sacrificing one of his few remaining treasures.
"Begin," Rhodes commanded. "Priests, guide the Light and make it gentle. Archangels and Elementals, prepare the infusion."
The Blood Elf priests focused, smoothing the torrent of Light into a gentle flow. Kael'thas moved his hands with precision, weaving a complex alchemical array of Arcane runes around the Phoenix. He poured the Sunwell water into the center of the bird's core, carving the rebirth rune into its very soul.
"Now, Rhodes! Slowly. Watch its reaction!" Kael'thas was sweating from the effort of maintaining such precise control.
Rhodes pressed his hand to a Light Elemental, guiding a thin stream of energy through the array.
"SCREE—!"
The Phoenix shrieked in discomfort. Its crimson flames fluctuated violently as the golden Light collided with the red fire, producing a sharp sizzling sound.
"Stabilize! Priests, softer! Rhodes, control the flow!" Kael'thas barked.
The fusion was harder than imagined. The chaos of fire and the order of Light were naturally at odds. Several times, the Light almost snuffed the fire out; several other times, the fire tried to consume the Light.
Rhodes closed his eyes, using his authority as the "Master" to force the Phoenix to accept the evolution. He carefully modulated the output, letting Kael'thas and the Sunwell water help the Phoenix regain its footing every time the Light became too overbearing.
Finally, the struggle shifted.
"SCREEEEE—!!!"
The cry was no longer one of pain, but of clear, triumphant power. The crimson feathers turned gold, then white, then a brilliant, sanctified radiance. The wings transformed from ragged flames into light-forged plumes.
The tent was flooded with a warmth so profound it brought peace even to the elves suffering from withdrawal.
Standing before them was no longer a Fire Phoenix, but a creature of liquid light and holy flame: The Holy Fire Phoenix. It had grown significantly—its wingspan now reached a staggering 40 meters, standing 20 meters tall.
"So... beautiful..." Jaina whispered. Even Maiev's stoic face softened, sensing a power as pure as Elune's but burning with a different intensity.
Rhodes checked the unit data:
Unit: Holy Fire Phoenix
HP: 500
Attack: 40 | Defense: 42 | Damage: 65–75 | Speed: 21
Specials: Infinite Rebirth (100% chance, 1-day cooldown), double damage against Undead, Shadow, and Demons. Immune to Light and Fire magic.
It was truly a masterpiece, worth every drop of the Sunwell water.