Illidan's descent was accompanied by a suffocating pressure of fel energy. His massive demonic wings slowly folded as his eyes, burning with emerald flames, swept across the gathered Alliance and Blood Elf elites before finally locking onto Rhodes.
"It seems you have made your preparations, Rhodes."
"Of course," Rhodes replied with a smile. He had to admit, Illidan's entrance was incredibly flashy. Maybe I should find a way to get myself a pair of wings someday, he thought.
Illidan landed softly, his fel-flamed "gaze" scanning the crowd before returning to Rhodes. "Then it is time to discuss business. That fool Magtheridon has occupied my 'new home' for far too many years."
During this time, Illidan had been scouting Outland for a primary stronghold and ultimately set his sights on the Black Temple. Thanks to records provided by the Expedition, Rhodes also had a fair understanding of the site's layout.
Furthermore, before the assault, a group of strangely mutated "Broken" had sought out Illidan. Led by Akama, they expressed a willingness to lead their people alongside him to retake the temple.
"Magtheridon is not alone," Rhodes noted. "He controls a massive army of Fel Orcs, as well as various Doomguards and Infernals. The temple itself is a complex structure—easily defended and difficult to assault. We need a definitive plan."
In truth, the creation of Fel Orcs was originally Magtheridon's doing, not Illidan's. Illidan had simply recognized Magtheridon's utility. The blood of Pit Lords possesses miraculous properties; although Magtheridon's blood isn't as potent as Mannoroth's, his power remains formidable.
"We need a detailed strategy. I want to hear your thoughts," Illidan said. On his way here, he had learned through Vashj that his chosen territory, the Black Temple, actually belonged to the Draenei.
This presented a thorny issue. He wanted to gauge Rhodes's stance. While Rhodes had promised to help him, the war against the Legion could take centuries or millennia—Illidan planned to occupy this place for the long haul, not just a few years.
"You know the terrain better, Illidan. You dictate the primary direction of the assault, and we will support you," Rhodes said. He was happy to provide military muscle but had no interest in the headache of tactical planning. Besides, he vaguely recalled a Shivarra Mother in the Black Temple who, out of an obsession with Illidan, surrendered and turned all the female demons against their masters. Our Lord Illidan certainly has a way with the ladies, Rhodes mused.
"You are cautious, Rhodes," Illidan observed. "But what of the temple's operation after the fall? I know you've allied with those Draenei. Don't play games with me. I've held up my end—I helped you open the portals and let your humans go home. You have yet to deliver on a single one of your promises."
Only Rhodes could get away with such a "debt." If it were anyone else, Illidan would never have been so generous without seeing the benefits upfront.
"I understand your concern, Illidan. I assure you, I am on your side. As for the Draenei, they are a race of the Light and enemies of the Legion; there's no need to make them enemies. We can make them allies instead," Rhodes replied.
"I hope so. I've been tolerant enough. We agreed your humans would stay to help me, but now they're returning to Azeroth, leaving me to do the heavy lifting. I have only the Naga; I don't even have a core army of my own."
To be honest, Illidan realized that after taking Outland, he might have to rely on Legion demons to fill his ranks. He simply didn't have enough people. While the Naga followed him, he knew they did so on Queen Azshara's orders. If she ever turned against him, the Naga would likely betray him in a heartbeat.
"Actually, those Broken are Draenei," Rhodes revealed. "They were warped into monsters by the Legion's foul magic. I know one of their leaders found you."
In the original timeline, Akama led the Ashtongue Deathsworn in a bitter struggle against Magtheridon. Illidan's arrival and his help in repelling the demons earned him their loyalty. Despite their "Broken" state, many still viewed themselves as Draenei.
Rhodes, however, had an idea that might actually restore the Broken to their original forms. He had noticed that certain "infections" in Azeroth could potentially be purged using magic from the Heroes of Might and Magic world. If Holy Light could empower Angels and Fel could empower Archdemons, could a high-level Dispel or Exorcism spell strip away the Fel corruption?
The thought flashed through Rhodes's mind and took root.
"You are well-informed," Illidan said, a bit surprised. "Akama did find me during my scouting of the temple. He never mentioned they were Draenei, only that they were natives."
"Just as Orcs were warped by Fel and Night Elves can be changed by other energies, the Draenei became the Broken because of demonic magic," Rhodes explained. "I have a very specific spell. There may be a chance to turn them back into their original selves."
"A noble sentiment, Rhodes, but I must remind you: I need a powerful army that follows my orders. If they become Draenei again, they might go back to following that Prophet Velen. That would leave me with fewer soldiers, not more," Illidan countered. He wasn't running a charity; he wanted to destroy the Legion, and for that, he needed killers.
"Isn't that perfect?" Rhodes asked. "The Draenei are joining the Alliance. If you are the one who restores the Broken, you'll earn Velen's eternal gratitude. The entire Draenei race—who, as you've noticed, are the same species as the Eredar—would stand by you."
"I have noticed. Vashj reported what Velen told you; that intel will be useful for dealing with Kil'jaeden. But it doesn't solve my manpower issue," Illidan said. "I need some of your High Elves—or Blood Elves. I want to train them as my own Demon Hunters."
Rhodes gave a playful smile. There it is. The fox reveals his tail. Illidan was naturally looking for recruits. The best candidates for Demon Hunters were Night Elves or their descendants, the Blood Elves. While Rhodes suspected the Nightborne of the Broken Isles could also suffice, the success rate was horrifyingly low. It wasn't just "one in ten"; it was more like one in a hundred. Unlike other professions, failing the initiation meant instant death.
"I can't help you with that, Illidan," Rhodes refused flatly. "The Blood Elves belong to the Alliance, not to any one person. You know how high the mortality rate is for your training. They want revenge on the Legion, but they won't seek it that way."
"Rhodes, Demon Hunters are vital. They are the key to defeating the Legion. You should let me speak with Prince Kael'thas."
"That is non-negotiable. However, regarding Demon Hunters... perhaps you have another option. You've seen my Fel Archdemons, haven't you? I think training them to be Demon Hunters would be far more effective than using Blood Elves. My Archdemons won't exactly 'reject' the Fel energy, will they?"