The interior of the Black Temple was far grander—and far more twisted—than it appeared from the outside. What had once been a sacred hall of the Draenei was now utterly defiled by fel energy. Green slime dripped from the walls, the floor was cracked and surging with searing lava, and the air hung heavy with the stench of sulfur and decay.
The Draenei who followed Rhodes into the hall were overcome with grief; their holy Temple of Karabor had vanished, replaced by a den of demons. This place had become a literal paradise for the damned.
"One day, we will restore Karabor to its former glory," every Draenei in the coalition swore silently in their hearts.
"Advance, champions! The time for justice is here!" Rhodes roared. He sent his two Light Elementals to clear the flanks while the Holy Fire Phoenix soared ahead, incinerating everything in its path. Above them, over a dozen winged Light Elementals provided aerial supremacy.
The coalition's push was not without obstacles. Though Maiev had disabled the perimeter defenses, Magtheridon's elite demonic guard used the complex terrain to mount a stubborn resistance. Frenzied Felguards formed a solid wall of steel, Dreadguards wove auras of fear from the shadows, and countless Observers and Succubi rained fel magic from the balconies.
"Great Light! Purge this filth!" Highlord Mograine bellowed. The Ashbringer flared with intense radiance as he leaped into the air, cleaving a Felguard captain and his imp lackeys into smoldering remains.
Prince Kael'thas's phoenix circled above, breathing elemental fire that turned swathes of demons to ash. Rhonin and Jaina led the mages, using Blizzard, Flamestrike, and Fireballs to clear the dense swarms of fodder, providing crucial cover for the Paladins.
Rhodes stood at the center of the formation, commanding with absolute composure. He alternated between casting Stoneskin and Blessing to reinforce the frontline Paladins, while snapping off modified Holy Magic Arrows to pick off Eredar sorcerers attempting to channel spells.
The coalition moved like a searing blade of light thrust into the heart of the Black Temple. The demonic army suffered a blow unlike any they had ever felt.
However, as they broke into a massive, arena-like hall, the resistance spiked. Several powerful Eredar warlocks joined forces to cast a massive shadow spell. Waves of pitch-black energy surged forth, attempting to erode the warriors' will—even the Holy Light flickered for a brief moment.
Seeing these "corrupted kin," the Draenei ground their teeth in fury. The noble Eredar and their home planet, Argus, had been reduced to nothing but slaves of the Burning Legion.
"Hmph, a desperate struggle!" Illidan snorted. His demonic wings snapped open, and a massive pressure of fel energy swept out, clashing head-on with the shadow energy. "Magtheridon is just ahead! I can smell his nauseating stench! Forward, champions!"
But just as the coalition prepared to shatter this final line of defense, something unexpected happened.
A massive side door swung open. A unit of Shivarra—sensual yet deadly six-armed female demons—emerged, led by a tall, cunning, and majestic matron. It was Mother Shahraz and her sisterhood, accompanied by a swarm of Succubi.
The demon defenders were stunned for a moment before turning hopeful. A leading Dreadlord barked, "Shahraz! You and your sisters get over here and help! We cannot let these invaders advance any further!"
Mother Shahraz let out a laugh like silver bells. "What are we here for? We're here for some fun... or to take care of business."
Before her voice faded, a cruel light flashed in her eyes. She waved a hand sharply. "For a greater master! Kill these stupid, loyal dogs of Magtheridon!"
In an instant, the Shivarra struck! But they didn't attack the coalition. Instead, they slammed Shadow Bolts and poisoned daggers into the backs of the unsuspecting demon defenders. Succubi unleashed mental lashes on the Eredar warlocks, while Mother Shahraz herself twisted her slender waist and lunged at the Dreadlord. Within a few exchanges, she had sliced the unnamed Dreadlord into a cloud of bats.
The bats circled and reformed into the Dreadlord's true form, but Rhodes narrowed his eyes; this Dreadlord's power seemed underwhelming.
"No! You traitors! Have you gone mad? You're attacking your own!" the Dreadlord screamed in shock. Before he could organize a counter-attack, his chest was pierced by several Shadow Bolts from behind, and his massive body dissolved into ash.
This sudden betrayal was like dropping cold water into boiling oil. The demonic defense line collapsed into total chaos. The demons no longer knew whether to face the coalition or watch their own "comrades." Even the Allied soldiers were confused. Why are the demons killing each other?
Illidan's burning eyes crinkled as he let out a low, dark laugh. "Heh... Hahahaha! Do you see, Rhodes? This is the nature of a demon! Betrayal is etched into their very bones. Shahraz, you have made a wise choice. Follow me, and I shall lead you to heights you never imagined."
Rhodes squinted. Illidan must have been in cahoots with this Shivarra Matron for a while now. When did this happen? These two have a 'thing' going on!
Mograine, Dathrohan, Jaina, Kael'thas, and Rhonin all huddled around Rhodes. "Lord Commander, this doesn't feel right," Mograine whispered. "Illidan is recruiting demons from the Burning Legion! Will he betray us?"
"Don't worry," Rhodes smiled. "The Burning Legion doesn't represent all demons. Demons are chaotic creatures; if you are strong enough, they will submit. Look at the Warlocks of Azeroth—they enslave demons from the Nether to fight the Legion all the time."
With the help of the rebel demonesses, the coalition quickly cleared out the remaining male demons. While the two sides didn't attack each other, the tension remained high. The Paladins kept their weapons raised and their Light burning, while the female demons kept a respectful distance from the holy warriors.
Mother Shahraz approached the group and bowed to Illidan, her voice dripping with flattery. "Mighty Lord Illidan, we have long grown tired of Magtheridon's stupidity and arrogance. Only you, with such magnificent fel power, are fit to be the true master of Outland. We pledge our loyalty to you. Allow us to clear the final path to your throne."
Illidan nodded. He knew that the Legion was not a monolith. Many demons, even Eredar, could be turned. If Rhodes was willing to use his "miracle magic," they might even be able to purify the warped Eredar, just as they had the Broken.
He needed an army of his own. The Naga belonged to Azshara; Rhodes's people were temporary allies. These female demons were a perfect fit for his new order.
"Disgusting. Illidan really has fallen, consorting with these twisted, filthy monsters," Maiev Shadowsong whispered, appearing at Rhodes's side out of thin air. Her eyes were full of contempt. To her, Illidan was officially a lost cause—he was already collecting a harem of demons.
Rhodes's lip twitched, but he didn't argue. He knew that in the future, Shahraz would run the "Den of Mortal Delights" in the Black Temple. If the Draenei knew a floor of their Karabor Temple was going to become a red-light district, they'd probably explode with rage.
"Very well! Then let us pay a visit to this 'Lord of Outland'!" Illidan beat his wings and took off toward the massive door at the end of the hall, which radiated the most intense fel energy of all.
Rhodes and the coalition followed. With the demon defenders dead or defected, the path was wide open.
Passing through the gargantuan archway, they entered a vast lair where the fel energy was so thick it was almost physical. In the center of the lair, a figure of suffocating size lay coiled—the Pit Lord, Magtheridon!