A few days later, all the Expedition teams on patrol had returned to Honor Hold. The longing for home and the joy of imminent reunion filled the fortress with an air of frantic, emotional activity.
Under Rhodes's command and with the assistance of the mages, a massive, stable temporary portal was constructed in the fortress square. Its other end connected to a secure zone on the coast of Lordaeron controlled by Rhodes's forces. Lady Vashj assisted by inscribing the complex teleportation runes, helping the mages stabilize the gateway. Moments later, the deep blue portal flared to life.
The link between Azeroth and Outland was open once more. The veterans could hardly believe their eyes; everyone was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down their faces.
"Heroes of the Alliance, it is time to go home. Depart!" Rhodes commanded.
"Everyone enter the portal in an orderly fashion! Do not crowd!" General Danath took a deep breath and immediately began directing the flow of people.
The first to cross were the Alliance Paladins, followed by the Blood Elf mages. Under Rhodes's direction, the soldiers entered one by one. The column of thousands began to file through.
"Home! Finally, we're going home!"
"Father, Mother... I'm coming back..."
"Stormwind! My Stormwind! I'm coming home, brothers, I'm coming back!"
"My warriors," General Danath declared, his voice booming as the acting commander, "though General Turalyon is not here, I declare in his name: our expedition is over. Enter the portal. We are going home."
Accompanied by irrepressible cheers and sobs, squads of haggard but firm-eyed soldiers—supporting the wounded and carrying their meager belongings—stepped into the light. They took with them a decade of suffering and steadfastness, leaving behind an empty fortress and a world of mystery.
Danath Trollbane was among the last to leave. He gripped Rhodes's hand tightly. "Grand Marshal Rhodes, I leave this place in your hands. We will wait for you in Azeroth, and we look forward to good news regarding Khadgar and the others!"
"Rest easy, General. The Alliance forgets no hero. Go to Stormwind first and give my regards to King Varian. Once I've handled matters here, I will visit Stormwind to meet him personally," Rhodes promised solemnly.
Once this Outland excursion concluded, Rhodes would have to rush back to Kalimdor to deal with his "father-in-law." The bad blood between a certain Grand Admiral and the "stinky" Orcs still needed handling; it wasn't time to break with the Horde just yet. Furthermore, he planned a trip to Stormwind—previously, he had been a bit wary of a certain "little mother dragon," but now? That dragon should be the one fearing him.
Nodding to Rhodes, Danath stood tall, gave a crisp Alliance salute, and strode proudly into the portal.
With the vast majority of the Expedition gone, Honor Hold felt suddenly cavernous. Only a few remained: the Paladins led by Mograine and Dathrohan, the Blood Elf mages under Kael'thas, and several High Elf rangers from the former Windrunner units who had returned to their Prince's side. Archmage Rhonin and several senior mages from Dalaran also volunteered to stay and help Rhodes fulfill the pact with Illidan.
Rhodes, Jaina, Rhonin, Kael'thas, the Paladins, and an elite guard remained. They were waiting for Illidan to arrive to discuss the final assault on the Black Temple.
Rhodes hadn't informed Prophet Velen of the details regarding the Black Temple. Though it was currently a demonic nest, it was once the Temple of Karabor, the holiest site of the Draenei.
Illidan had chosen it as his stronghold for a reason: its unique location sat atop powerful ley lines, essential for siphoning fel energy and closing the portals across Outland. Rhodes knew that once they took it, Illidan would never return it to the Draenei.
To ensure internal unity, Rhodes called a small meeting. "The Black Temple... before the Orcs defiled it and the demons occupied it, it bore a sacred name: the Temple of Karabor," Rhodes said, pointing to a model on the tactical sand table. "It is the symbol of the Draenei faith, carrying their prayers and glory."
Mograine frowned, leaning on the Ashbringer. "If it is a holy site, then once we liberate it from the demons, should we not... return it to the Draenei? Prophet Velen is a venerable leader worthy of respect."
Over the past few days, Mograine had learned the true origin of the crystal in his sword from the Draenei—it was a gift from the Naaru. Velen's wisdom had given the Paladins a deeper understanding of the Light, earning him their profound admiration.
"I understand your feelings," Rhodes said, slowly shaking his head. "But I'm afraid that isn't possible. Not until the threat of the Burning Legion is completely extinguished."
The group waited for his explanation, their trust in him preventing immediate protest.
"First, Illidan needs it. The temple sits on unique energy nodes vital to his plan to sever Outland's link to the Twisting Nether. We need Illidan's strength to tie down and weaken the Legion; that is the bigger picture.
Second, even if we gave it back now, could the Draenei hold it? Magtheridon is our target, but Outland is crawling with Fel Orcs and demons. Pushing the Draenei to the front lines would make them a target. It wouldn't be protection; it would be their doom. Furthermore, only Illidan knows how to seal the portals opened by the Legion's pawns."
Prince Kael'thas and the Blood Elves nodded. "The Grand Marshal is right. Emotion cannot override reality. Karabor is a strategic asset now, not just a relic. Until we have the power to truly purify and defend it, leaving it in the hands of a powerful... 'ally' is the wiser choice."
Rhonin agreed. "Our priority is destroying Magtheridon. Ownership of the temple can be negotiated after the war—provided we win it."
"I see," Mograine sighed. "The Ashbringer will fight for you. The Light teaches us justice, but also wisdom. To achieve final victory, hard choices are sometimes necessary. But... how do we explain this to Velen? If he asks, we cannot lie."
"When this war ends, I will personally explain the situation to the Prophet," Rhodes said. "I believe his wisdom and his hatred for the Legion will allow him to understand. The Draenei need recovery and stable allies more than an empty temple they cannot defend."
The group signaled their agreement. Just as internal consensus was reached, the sky outside darkened abruptly. A powerful surge of fel energy, accompanied by the heavy beat of wings, approached the fortress.
"Lord Illidan has arrived," Vashj's raspy voice announced.
Rhodes led the group out to the square. In the sky, Illidan Stormrage unfurled his massive demonic wings, hovering in mid-air.
"I have come as promised, Rhodes."