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(A/N: Chapter 107 will soon be on Patreon!)
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(Now back to the story!)
Not a single person in the tent wasn't staring at Lor'themar in shock at what he had just said—and what it implied.
"Lor'themar Theron........do you have any idea what your words imply and the gravity they carry?!"
Varian asked in disbelief.
At some point, he had risen from his seat and now stood beside his brother, who himself looked just as shocked as the rest of the room.
Everyone finally understood that the High Elves' situation was far more precarious than they had imagined if they were willing to set aside their pride and go to such lengths.
"I swear by Isha that every word I speak is of the utmost seriousness."
Lor'themar's expression remained solemn.
"In fact, His Majesty was prepared to go even further and sign a Binding Contract with Alastor should Quel'Thalas and our people be saved."
Once again, the room was stunned into silence.
Lor'themar clearly had no intention of letting the opportunity pass while the iron was hot.
Binding Contracts occupied a very peculiar and controversial place within the magical world of Azeroth.
Their origins could be traced back to ancient cults and black guilds, making them automatically frowned upon by most magical institutions throughout the world.
More than a thousand years ago, however, certain restrictions regarding their use had been relaxed, allowing them to be employed under very limited circumstances.
Even then, only the most influential mages and highest-ranking authorities were permitted to use them.
A Binding Contract was exactly what its name implied.
It was a magical agreement that bound the very souls of all parties involved to the established terms and clauses.
Yet the consequences of breaking such a contract were severe!
At best, the offending party would suffer catastrophic psychic backlash that could result in madness, cognitive collapse, or even a permanent vegetative state.
At worst, the contract would directly damage the offender's soul itself, leading to conditions for which very few treatments existed.
And in the most horrifying cases...
The soul itself could be destroyed in it's entirety.
True oblivion.
The greatest problem with Binding Contracts was that their punishments could not be altered or moderated.
Many of Azeroth's greatest magical minds had attempted to do so throughout history.
All had failed.
This meant that even something as trivial as agreeing not to drink from a specific glass could trigger one of those devastating consequences if the contract was violated.
The punishment was not proportional to the offense.
It simply was.
That reality was one of the primary reasons why Binding Contracts had spent most of their existence classified as dark or forbidden magic.
Even after restrictions were eased, they remained reserved for matters of immense importance where the risks were considered "acceptable".
As the newly crowned King of Quel'Thalas, Kael'thas possessed the authority necessary to invoke such a contract.
By offering one, he was demonstrating the absolute seriousness of his proposal.
If Alastor and the Alliance saved Quel'Thalas and its people, Kael'thas was willing to bind himself and his kingdom to the agreement.
But why Alastor specifically?
The answer was actually obvious when one thought about it.
Despite their vastly different personalities and temperaments, none of the people present were politically ignorant.
Who was Alastor Wrynn?
Before the war, he had already been known throughout Azeroth as a prodigious young man with an extraordinary list of accomplishments.
He had shattered his master Antonidas' record by becoming the youngest Archmage in history.
He had helped create new magical systems and spells, including his discovery of the mental discipline known as Occlumency, which fundamentally changed how mages approached the magical arts especially starting out.
He'd been personally trained and knighted by Anduin Lothar, the Lion of Azeroth himself, validating both his martial prowess and personal valor.
If the scientific guilds were a religion, then Alastor might very well have been considered one of their saints.
He was also renowned for his humility and honor.
Despite his achievements, he treated nobles and commoners alike with respect and courtesy.
Yet it was after the war began that Alastor's reputation truly exploded!
At Fort Clover, he was the first to confront the newly emerged Grimgor Ironhide and played a pivotal role in repeatedly repelling the Orkish assaults against the fortress.
He personally faced the Green Daemon multiple times and survived each encounter.
Later, he single-handedly broke the Siege of Stormwind by slaughtering a large portion of the invading Beastkin-daemon army.
During that battle, he finally slew Grimgor Ironhide and killed the infamous Orc Warlock, Gul'dan.
He unveiled the new and very effective war machines called the Armored Cores, then led the first Stormwind Expeditionary Army northward to relieve the Wildhammer Dwarves.
There, he joined forces with King Kurdran Wildhammer before pushing westward.
Together, they linked up with the primary Stormwind host under the new King of Stormwind and Alastor brother, Varian Wrynn and launched a coordinated offensive to break the siege of Khaz Modan, where they united with King Magni Bronzebeard and his armies.
After fighting their way farther north, they answered Dalaran's call for aid.
Alastor personally led a vanguard force that helped repel the Scourge assault and forced the Lich King himself to retreat.
Then came Gilneas.
Upon learning of the Gilneans' plight, Alastor facilitated their integration into the Alliance.
More importantly, he willingly accepted responsibility for the risks involved despite the unknown nature of the Worgen curse.
In doing so, he demonstrated a level of honor, loyalty, and selflessness that earned him even greater admiration from his allies.
It also secured the loyalty and friendship of King Genn of Gilneas.
(Trivia: Alastor himself has no idea that this story has become heavily embellished over time. Certain members of the Church have also used it as additional "evidence" supporting his supposed divinity.)
He later led the Southern Alliance and united it with the Northern Alliance under Alonsus Faol at Hammerfall Fortress.
There, the Archbishop graciously stepped aside and allowed Alastor to assume command as Supreme Commander of the Grand Alliance Army.
Then came the Siege of Alterac.
Following the assault on the Chaos stronghold, Alastor and his strike team successfully destroyed the Warp Rift.
In doing so, they severed the primary source of Daemonic reinforcements, greatly weakened Chaos's influence over Azeroth, and disrupted the Warp storms surrounding the planet.
Hero of Azeroth.
Savior.
Symbol of Hope.
Angel of Justice.
These were only some of the titles now associated with his name.
Suffice it to say, throughout the war, the name Alastor had become synonymous with hope, strength, and defiance.
Which, when one really stopped to think about.....
OF COURSE PEOPLE WERE GONNA START BELIEVING HE WAS SOME INCARNATED GOD!!!
If anyone unfamiliar with the truth heard Alastor's story, they would most likely assume it was either a work of fiction or an epic recounting the deeds of some legendary hero from a bygone era.
And stories like that had a tendency to become mythologized.
Especially when the hero in question was still alive and literally walking amongst the people!
What made matters worse—or better, depending on one's perspective—was that almost everyone who heard stories about Alastor and then met him in person usually walked away with an even greater impression of him.
It inadvertently reinforced the narrative.
And that was only the matter of reputation and public perception.
Politically, it was an entirely different story.
Alastor already possessed the full support and allegiance of his homeland, Stormwind.
Throughout the war, it had become abundantly clear that the trust between Varian and Alastor was absolute.
Kul Tiras was also firmly in his corner.
One of Alastor's future wives was Princess Jaina Proudmoore, and his technological blueprints had significantly strengthened Kul Tiras' naval and aerial capabilities.
Throughout the war, the fleets of Kul Tiras had handled nearly half of all aerial operations.
Not to mention the vast majority of maritime logistics and the defense of crucial sea routes.
Dalaran was similarly aligned with him.
After all, Alastor was Antonidas' finest student, the youngest certified Archmage in history, and one of the individuals most responsible for advancing magical research in recent years.
Gilneas was perhaps the easiest kingdom to account for.
After Alastor willingly accepted the risks involved in integrating the Gilnean forces into the Alliance and personally vouched for them despite their Worgen condition, it was safe to say that the people of Gilneas would follow his orders without hesitation.
Stromgarde deeply respected martial strength, loyalty, courage, and honor.
All qualities that Alastor had repeatedly demonstrated throughout both his life and the war.
Thoras and many of his people already regarded him as the greatest hero of the modern era, if not the greatest hero in history.
As such, Stromgarde's support was all but guaranteed.
Then there was Lordaeron.
The surviving people of the kingdom had already begun hearing the "rumors" regarding Alastor and Queen Calia.
Many had already started viewing him as their their new king.
And honestly?
They were more than happy with the prospect!
The greatest hero of the age marrying their queen and becoming king after everything Lordaeron had suffered?
A man whose honor, integrity, and character had been repeatedly proven on the battlefield and beyond?
If that wasn't a good omen, then they didn't know what was.
The surviving people of Alterac viewed him in a similarly favorable light.
To them, Alastor was the avenger of their fallen kingdom.
The man whose actions had finally brought justice for the tragedy they had endured.
The Dwarven kingdoms were equally supportive.
Both Magni and Kurdran considered Alastor a close friend.
After helping save their kingdoms and lifting the sieges threatening them, the two kings had even bestowed upon him the title of Baruk Khazâd—Friend of the Dwarves.
Considering how highly Dwarves valued loyalty, friendship, and kinship, such a title carried immense significance.
Once a Dwarf acknowledged a non-Dwarf as a true friend, that individual was often treated as an honorary member of their clan.
Gelbin's exact stance was somewhat harder to determine.
However, considering how well he got along with Alastor and the fact that he frequently acted as one of his primary mediators and supporters, it was reasonable to assume that the Gnomes stood firmly behind him as well.
The Night Elves were perhaps the most mysterious.
No one was entirely certain why they had chosen to offer him such strong support and loyalty.
Yet there was no denying that they were among Alastor's staunchest supporters.
Then there were the Dragons.
More specifically, the Red Dragonflight.
Following the fall of Alterac, they had worked directly alongside the Alliance, not only fighting against their enemies but also helping heal the lands corrupted by Chaos and undeath.
All things considered, aside from the High Elves, Alastor had already achieved something that even the legendary Thoradin had never managed.
Emperor Thoradin had united the human tribes and forged alliances with the Elves and Dwarves to drive back their enemies.
But Alastor's situation was different.
If Quel'Thalas also joined him, he would accomplish something unprecedented.
He would become the first individual in Azeroth's history to possess the allegiance and support of every major race on the planet.
At that point, Alastor would surpass even Thoradin.
Not merely in military accomplishments, but in political influence as well.
He would become the sort of historical figure spoken of for thousands—perhaps even tens of thousands—of years.
The type of hero young boys would dream of emulating.
The type of legend future generations would aspire to become.
By tying both himself and his kingdom to Alastor, Kael'thas understood something important.
At the very least, Alastor would never allow the High Elves to suffer unnecessary hardship.
He would provide them shelter.
Protection.
Opportunity.
And eventually, a path toward reclaiming both their honor and their pride.
In politics, individuals like Alastor were rarer than a sane Daemon.
Or, for that matter, a non-perverted Daemon of Slaanesh!
Knowing that such an opportunity would likely never come again—and recognizing the desperate circumstances his people faced—Kael'thas had made his decision.
Because at the very least, this path would ensure the survival of both his kingdom and his people.
And one day...
It would give them the chance to stand proud once more.
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Alastor looked down at the kneeling Lor'themar with a frown before raising him to his feet with Telekinesis.
"Such matters can be discussed in the future."
His tone left no room for argument.
"Right now, we must prepare to go north."
The Alliance leaders stared at him wide-eyed.
Lor'themar himself looked equally shocked but the hope in his eyes was equally rising.
Alastor glanced around the room.
"I understand that some of you may still have reservations."
His gaze swept across the gathered leaders.
"But may I ask all of you a question?"
"Why did we answer the call in the first place?"
Anduin was the first to step forward.
"Honor!"
Then Varian stepped forward beside him.
"Duty!"
Finally, Rhonin stepped forward with a grin far sharper than usual.
"To kick some bloody Daemon ass!"
A few chuckles spread throughout the room.
Alastor himself smirked.
With those words, the resolve of everyone present seemed to solidify.
"Exactly!"
His voice rang throughout the tent.
"These bastards do not belong on Azeroth!"
"This is our world."
"Our home."
"And if anyone believes they can simply waltz in and lay claim to it, then they'd better be prepared to pay a catastrophic price for their arrogance!"
His eyes burned with determination.
"We are Azerothians!"
"When have we EVER feared war!?"
A grin spread across his face.
"Much less death!?"
Magni and Kurdran burst into loud laughter.
Both Dwarven Kings slammed their fists against the table hard enough to nearly crack it.
As though the very thought was the greatest joke they had ever heard.
"NEVER!"
The roar shook the tent.
Alastor nodded.
"And what is it that we DO fear?!"
The answer came instantly.
"TO DIE WITHOUT PURPOSE!"
The Alliance leaders shouted in unison.
Alastor's grin widened.
"And what is OUR purpose?!"
"VICTORY!"
The response was immediate and thunderous.
BANG!
Alastor slammed his fist into the table.
The wood groaned beneath the impact.
For a moment, it felt as though a tangible aura of defiant strength and unyielding hope radiated from him, amplifying the zeal and determination within the tent.
"Then let's give these Daemons their purpose!"
Alastor bellowed.
His voice echoed with the fury of humanity itself.
"To bleed!"
"To break!"
"And to learn exactly why the Alliance does not yield..."
His eyes glowed with the power of his sacred flames.
"...even to Gods!"
"FOR AZEROTH!"
"FOR AZEROTH!"
The war room erupted.
Steel was unsheathed.
Battle cries rang out.
The previous tension vanished entirely beneath promises of vengeance, retribution, and glorious battle.
Lor'themar watched the spectacle with wide eyes.
The High Elven officers behind him looked no less stunned.
The atmosphere had changed completely under Alastor's leadership.
And they could feel themselves being swept up in it.
The exhaustion that had weighed upon their shoulders seemed to disappear.
The tension that had haunted them for weeks faded away.
In its place came sharpened rage toward the enemies defiling their homeland and a renewed determination to face death head-on in defense of what they loved.
Even Lor'themar felt it.
The desperation.
The lingering hopelessness.
The fear.
All of it began to fade.
For the first time since the fall of Quel'Thalas had begun, he found himself believing that the destruction of his homeland was no longer inevitable.
Instead, the enemy's defeat felt like a foregone conclusion.
So this is the man my lady placed her trust in.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Lady Sylvanas... I think I finally understand.
I understand why you put your absolute trust in him.
"Make ready."
Alastor's voice cut through the excitement.
The room immediately quieted.
"Prepare your armies for the final battle ahead."
His gaze hardened.
"It is time we finally bring this war to an end."
"It is time we cleanse our home of their filth."
The Alliance leaders saluted.
Without hesitation, they began filing out of the tent to make preparations.
Once most of them had departed, Alastor turned back toward Lor'themar.
"Lor'themar, take your men and get some rest."
"We will need your guidance when we march."
"The quickest route to Silvermoon City may prove critical."
Lor'themar immediately straightened.
"Lord Alastor."
He and the other Elven officers bowed deeply.
"By Asuryan, we shall never forget this boon you have granted us."
Alastor simply waved the gratitude away.
"Think nothing of it."
His expression became mildly annoyed.
"If anyone is at fault for this situation, it is fools like Anasterian and the sycophants who supported him."
"They clung to ancient grievances and abandoned ancient agreements when they should have been doing something useful."
Neither Lor'themar nor the other High Elves showed the slightest sign of offense.
Most of them belonged to the Windrunner faction.
Many likely shared similar opinions.
Alastor's expression then became thoughtful.
"We will also need your help determining why the enemy targeted Quel'Thalas in the first place."
"You shall have our full cooperation, my lord."
Lor'themar answered immediately.
After all, the answer mattered.
Very much so.
Because Alastor could think of only one thing the forces of Chaos would desire enough to launch such a massive offensive into the far north.
The Sunwell.
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