Prophet Velen began to recount the former glory of Argus—the radiant civilization of the Eredar, the temptation of Sargeras, and the momentous choice that fractured their race.
Sargeras had demanded the entire Eredar civilization join his Burning Legion to become an immortal race, blessed by the power of Fel. Velen spoke of Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, his former brothers and now commanders of the Legion.
He described how he led a portion of his people who remained steadfast in the Light—the Draenei (meaning "Exiled Ones")—to flee their homeland aboard the vessel Genedar with the help of the Naaru, beginning a long and arduous exile across the cosmos.
This story stunned everyone present. No one had expected that this unassuming figure before them was of the same rank as Archimonde and Kil'jaeden. In fact, his seniority was technically a step above Archimonde's; Kil'jaeden was his true contemporary.
"...About a thousand years ago, our ship, the Genedar, crashed upon this land. We eventually settled in this world, which was then a savage wilderness; my people and I named it Draenor.
We thought we had found a new home where we could live in peace with the local Orcs. At first, it was as we hoped—even the Ogres and Arakkoa coexisted peacefully. But... the shadow of the Burning Legion fell once more.
They corrupted the Orcs first, instigating a war of invasion. We were nearly extinguished; at least a million Draenei perished at the hands of the Orcs. We went into hiding, struggling to survive until... I felt the arrival of a Holy Light so pure it rivaled the Naaru themselves." Velen's gaze finally settled on Rhodes, filled with inquiry and hope. He could feel the incredibly pure Holy Light radiating from this human leader.
"Everyone, appearances may deceive us, but the Light will not," Rhodes declared. "Prophet Velen and his Draenei people are warriors who have fought the Burning Legion for tens of thousands of years. They are allies worthy of our respect, not enemies. Their enemy is our enemy: the Burning Legion."
"The Light does indeed guide us, Prophet. I apologize for my earlier hostility. The story of you and your people is... admirable," the elder Mograine said. He could feel the holy crystal on the Ashbringer vibrating in a strange, harmonious resonance with the Light within Velen. He intended to speak with the Prophet privately—what exactly was the connection between the Ashbringer and the Draenei?
"I had thought the Naaru I awaited had finally descended. I did not expect it to be a human so favored by the Light. Young human leader, the radiance you shine with is among the closest to the source of the Naaru that I have ever seen in my long life."
At this moment, Prophet Velen realized that the three Naaru he had been desperately searching for were not here; instead, there was only a human leader. However, this leader's power was so close to the primordial Light that Velen was now curious: what were the three entities that had drawn him here?
Silence filled the hall. The soldiers of the Expedition, including Mograine and Dathrohan, were shaken by this epic narrative. They had fought the Orcs and knew their savagery, but they had never known the tragic history of demonic manipulation behind it. Their hostility toward the Draenei melted away, replaced by the realization that these beings were victims of the Burning Legion, just as they were.
"Now, may I hear your story? You seem to know much of the Legion, and you have encountered Archimonde," Prophet Velen asked.
"Our world was invaded by the Burning Legion not long ago. I can tell you the details, Prophet, but this is no place for such a conversation. Come with me; let us show you some hospitality," Rhodes said, nodding to Velen and making an inviting gesture.
"Then I shall accept. Young one favored by the Light, I too have many questions for you," Velen replied. He entered Honor Hold accompanied by his two Inquisitors.
"Prophet Velen, Azeroth has suffered greatly at the hands of the Legion. Ten thousand years ago, they first invaded our world, but Sargeras suffered a crushing defeat then. He failed to invade, and was even cast out of the portal.
For ten thousand years, the Legion could do nothing against us. Until a few hundred years ago, when the fallen Titan Sargeras projected an avatar into our world, corrupting the previous Guardian, Aegwynn, and causing her to bear a mage named Medivh. The Dark Titan's soul hid within that infant..." Rhodes began to recount the history of Azeroth.
He explained in detail the First and Second Wars, how humanity defeated the Horde, and how the Expedition came to Outland.
"About a year ago, the Legion launched another invasion through an entity called the Lich King. This time, they even summoned Archimonde, one of their two supreme commanders, into our world.
We have just repelled Archimonde and his demonic host at Mount Hyjal. The Light guided us to Outland, both to bring back our heroes and to find any possible allies against the Legion.
Your arrival proves that the path of the Light is not a lonely one. We are all peoples who have suffered under the Legion; we have all embraced the Light. Perhaps we should unite," Rhodes suggested.
Since he had already made contact with the Draenei, Rhodes had no intention of letting them go. Bringing them into the Alliance immediately was the best choice. They were destined to join eventually; there was no better time than the present.
"An alliance is not impossible. The Draenei do indeed need allies," Velen said cautiously. "However, I would like to learn more about your people first, if I may."
As he entered the fortress, he had sensed many practitioners of the Light; he judged them to be a race of faith, and the Draenei felt a natural affinity for such people. More importantly, both races shared a deep-seated hatred for the Orcs. The Orcs had slaughtered over seventy percent of the Draenei, and the brutal warriors had committed countless atrocities against them.
From every perspective, humans seemed to be excellent candidates for an alliance. The same applied to those who called themselves Elves. Velen, known as the Prophet for his foresight, saw a vision: a golden Sunwell containing both Arcane and Holy energies, and the entire Blood Elf race converting to the Light. (Note: This was a vision granted by the Light; foresight is not omnipotent.)
"Certainly, Prophet. You are welcome to travel with us to Azeroth. You can learn about humanity firsthand. We have Cathedrals of the Light built throughout our lands; we are a race of pure devotion," a human priest said. Since humans discovered the Light, it had been the cornerstone of their rise.
"I thank you for your generosity. Not long ago, I sensed three powerful sources of Light, rivaling the Naaru. Lord Rhodes, have you received the favor of some celestial beings?" Velen asked, turning to Rhodes.
Rhodes did not hide the truth. He led the group outside and once again summoned the two Great Archangels and the twenty-meter-tall Holy Fire Phoenix. Velen could accept the size of the Archangels, but the Phoenix's scale approached that of a Naaru.
He could feel they were powerful manifestations of the Light—especially the Phoenix, which possessed primordial fire and holy energy. This mirrored his vision of the Sunwell, reinforcing his belief that the Light had guided him here.
"Truly beautiful and powerful beings. Their Light is pure to the extreme. You are fortunate, Lord Rhodes; the Light truly favors you. Perhaps soon, when the three Naaru descend upon this world, you could meet them. They are the most holy beings in existence, the true spokespersons of the Light," Velen invited.
Given Rhodes's power and his celestial guardians, Velen began to wonder if Rhodes was the "Child of Prophecy" destined to end the Burning Legion and Sargeras's crusade once and for all.
"I too look forward to meeting the Naaru," Rhodes said with a smile. Fine by me. Let's see who's better at playing the prophet—me or the crystalline geometric shapes.
"I believe the prophecy is unfolding. Legend speaks of a Child of Prophecy destined to end the Legion and Sargeras. He is favored by the Light from birth; you may well be that person."