Later.
Rhodes controlled the Wyvern Monarch, guiding it toward a relatively open forest clearing on the edge of Silverpine Forest, with Jaina and Maiev following close behind.
Their arrival immediately triggered an alarm within the Blood Elf ranks below. Spellbreaker patrols and rangers swiftly raised their weapons, while mages coalesced arcane brilliance in their palms, peering warily at these uninvited aerial guests. It was only when they recognized Rhodes' silhouette on the lead wyvern that the tension shifted.
The wyverns landed steadily. Rhodes hopped nimbly from his saddle, followed by Jaina and Maiev.
Almost simultaneously, Kael'thas stepped forward from the center of the column, flanked by a retinue of mages and guards. He maintained his royal elegance, yet his brow was clouded by a deep-seated exhaustion and sorrow that proved difficult to mask. The dazzling confidence and composure of his past had faded significantly, replaced by a grit honed by heavy national tragedy and a subtle, lingering grief.
Standing nearby, Capurnia gave Rhodes a knowing nod and a smile, though she maintained her professional demeanor as an advisor in the presence of her Prince.
"Rhodes!" Kael'thas' voice carried a note of palpable excitement as he hurried forward. "And Lady Jaina Proudmoore! I never expected to see you here, in such a manner. Capurnia has already briefed me on the victory at Mount Hyjal; you both performed more brilliantly than anyone could have imagined."
His gaze swept over Rhodes and Jaina—the lady he had once pursued now seemed to share a rather "special" bond with Rhodes. However, he no longer had the heart for romance. His soul was consumed by vengeance. Finally, Kael'thas' eyes settled on Maiev with a curious probe. "And this is?"
Despite her heavy plate armor, Kael'thas recognized her as kin immediately, though she looked entirely different from his people—her skin was a deep violet, and her eyes glowed with a distinct blue light.
"This is Maiev Shadowsong, leader of the Night Elf Wardens," Rhodes introduced. "Lady Maiev, this is Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider."
Maiev gave a curt nod, greeting Kael'thas in the traditional Kaldorei fashion, to which the Prince returned the gesture. So these are the descendants of the Highborne? she thought. Just like their ancestors—no progress, even more degenerate, and they've lost their immortality.
Kael'thas didn't mind Maiev's coldness. His attention snapped back to Rhodes, a bitter smile touching his lips. "Old friend, I assume you've heard what happened to us. The High Elves... are a thing of the past. We are now the Sin'dorei—the Blood Elves. We took this name to remember our profound hatred and sacrifice."
Kael'thas looked at Rhodes with a complex swirl of emotions. Rhodes looked far more powerful than when they had last met, radiating an aura of triumph. In contrast, he felt destitute—going from the exalted Prince of Quel'Thalas to the leader of a broken, displaced people.
"We heard the news in Kalimdor, Kael. The fall of Silvermoon, the passing of King Anasterian, and the fate of General Sylvanas... I am deeply sorry. It is a loss for all of Azeroth. I truly never imagined Arthas could breach the defenses of Silvermoon," Rhodes said.
Aside from someone like himself who knew history, who would have thought the Scourge could truly break the magical defenses of the High Elves? Most mages in Dalaran had assumed the Undead would shatter against those ancient walls. Yet, within days, Arthas had slaughtered his way through the city, killed the old King, and defiled the Sunwell.
At the mention of Sylvanas and his father, a flash of agony crossed Kael'thas' eyes, but he suppressed it, nodding heavily. "I should have returned sooner. I should have been in Quel'Thalas to lead my people against that monster. I was too indecisive, too overconfident. Our race suffered a cataclysm. Hundreds of thousands of elves fell to Arthas' blade, and the Scourge grew by as many. Thank you for your condolences, Rhodes. The hatred is etched into our marrow. Blood must be paid in blood. Arthas and his Scourge will pay the price!"
Kael'thas' voice was low but filled with a resolute power. He paused, his gaze turning hopeful. "Capurnia mentioned... your promise regarding the Fire Elemental summoning scrolls..."
He desperately needed power. If he could obtain those scrolls, he would essentially possess an elite trump card for his forces.
"Don't worry, Kael'thas. You helped me once; I will help you now. The Alliance still stands. I will reintegrate its strength and drive the Scourge from our homes. As for the scrolls, I promised them, and I will not go back on my word. I hope they provide you and your people the strength you need in these dark times." Rhodes nodded and produced a Fire Elemental Summoning Scroll from his robes, handing it over.
Why so generous? Because Rhodes didn't strictly need them anymore. His Tier 5 Magic Guild in the Necropolis was complete, and he had unlocked a Tier 5 spell: Summon Earth Elemental. This was the very spell he had spent so long anticipating—the one Cenarius claimed he had cast ten thousand years ago, and which modern Druidic "Clay Golems" were based upon.
Furthermore, his Conflux city produced Fire Elementals naturally. If the scroll versions could be modified into Holy Light Elementals, he saw no reason why he couldn't do the same for the standard versions—or even modify Storm Elementals into Light-based entities. For now, it was a plan for the future.
Kael'thas' hands trembled slightly as he took the scroll. Feeling the surging elemental power within, a genuine spark of hope finally lit his face. "Incredible! This power... Rhodes, you have no idea what this means to the Sin'dorei! Now that we have lost the Sunwell, any support is vital." He gripped the scroll like a lifeline. With his magical expertise, he planned to find a way to make these summons permanent.
"I understand, Kael," Rhodes said gravely. "The loss of a font of power is enough to drive any magic-dependent race to despair. But remember, power comes in many forms. Survival and vengeance require a clear head and steadfast allies. Stand tall!"
"I will, Rhodes. Thank you for the encouragement. I will lead my people back into the Alliance and fulfill our duties. I only hope the Alliance will aid my quest for vengeance in the future."
"Actually, there's one more thing I can do for you." Rhodes shifted the conversation, summoning a glowing blue Energy Elemental from his system space. This was the upgraded form of the Fire Elemental—a permanent unit.
Kael'thas' eyes widened in disbelief. He remembered how he had once poured massive amounts of mana into elementals to trigger a qualitative change—turning their flames blue and making them hotter and faster. But Rhodes had just summoned one that was clearly a permanent entity. He could feel the stability in its energy; it wouldn't dissipate after 24 hours.
"Rhodes... this elemental... have you solved the problem of permanence? How?"
"I haven't solved it myself—my magical scholarship isn't a patch on yours. However, the Titan Watcher behind me could. He granted me some of these permanent Energy Elementals. I'll leave this one with you. You can study it; it should accelerate your research significantly."
Rhodes was actually quite eager for Kael to finish his research—he looked forward to the day he could summon hundreds of these units.
"You're right, Rhodes. With a living specimen, my progress won't just accelerate—it will skyrocket!" Kael'thas nodded, energized. "By the way, I heard you summoned a Phoenix, and Capurnia has one as well?"
In the past, a non-royal possessing a Phoenix would have been a major political issue. But now? It didn't matter. It strengthened the race. Besides, as a thousand-year-old being, Kael'thas could see the relationship between Rhodes and Capurnia.
They were clearly lovers. He reflected on how he and Rhodes were opposites: Kael'thas didn't keep many companions like other elves, whereas Rhodes' personality was almost "elven" in his penchant for seeking out partners.