"Lord Rhodes, oh, by the way—this is a letter Prophet Velen asked me to deliver to you." Akama said, handing a sealed parchment to Rhodes.
Akama had already informed Velen of everything that occurred at the Black Temple, specifically the miraculous transformation of the Broken back into Draenei.
The Prophet had been profoundly shaken by the news. In the visions Velen had seen, the Draenei were indeed destined for redemption, but not in this manner; this was entirely different from the prophecies of the Light he had witnessed.
What shocked Velen even more was that Rhodes knew about Argus, the existence of its World-Soul, and the fact that it mirrored Azeroth.
Furthermore, the revelation that Kil'jaeden's hatred stemmed from Velen not bringing him along when he defected to the Light was staggering. Velen initially found the claim absurd, but upon reflection, he realized with horror that it was true.
Back then, he, Archimonde, and Kil'jaeden were the triumvirate of the Eredar. Velen was the eldest, but Kil'jaeden was his intellectual equal, if not his superior.
Had he reached out to Kil'jaeden then, things might have been different. But there was no medicine for regret; the Eredar's fate had been sealed when Sargeras arrived at a world unprotected by Titans. Unlike Azeroth, Argus had been the first world Sargeras discovered, and the Eredar were forced to choose between corruption or death.
Velen's greatest mystery now was how Rhodes knew these things—even secrets regarding the First Ones, a topic Velen himself barely grasped.
Was Rhodes truly just a "Son of the Light"? According to the prophecy, he should be the Child of Light and Shadow. Velen had spent days in contemplation before finally accepting these events and beginning the resettlement of the purified Broken.
Akama had informed Velen that many more Broken still wandered Outland. Velen immediately pledged to use all Draenei resources to find these lost kin and bring them to a staging area. Once enough were gathered, they would be sent through a portal to Azeroth for Rhodes to purify.
Velen's letter to Rhodes began with warm greetings and praises for the Light, expressing eternal gratitude for the Draenei.
He agreed to leave the Black Temple in Illidan's hands for the sake of the war against the Legion, though he noted he trusted Rhodes, not Illidan.
If his prophetic visions showed Illidan turning back to the Legion, he would warn Rhodes immediately. Finally, he asked Rhodes to treat his people well as they fought for the Light.
Surprisingly, Velen didn't mention a word about the "First Ones" or the secrets of Kil'jaeden. Rhodes was impressed; the man had lived for twenty thousand years and certainly knew how to keep his composure.
Velen simply suggested that they meet and talk extensively the next time Rhodes visited Outland—or when Velen himself eventually traveled to Azeroth.
"I understand, Akama. Once we return to Azeroth, I will arrange a new home for your people," Rhodes said, tucking the letter away. "They shall stand with me against evil and the lackeys of the Burning Legion."
"For the Light, the Legion shall fall," Akama nodded, striking his golden breastplate. Having returned to the Light's embrace, his faith was unshakable. To him, the Light was the world's only true miracle.
"Rest for one day. We depart for Azeroth tomorrow morning," Rhodes ordered.
One day later, atop the highest terrace of the Black Temple, Rhodes opened a massive, stable portal. Arcing arcane energy intertwined with the radiance of the Light, forming a sturdy bridge between Outland and Azeroth.
Illidan came to see them off. Watching Rhodes's handiwork, a flicker of complexity crossed his mind. This level of cross-planar transport suggested Rhodes's mastery had surpassed his own.
Illidan had previously suggested a permanent two-way gate, but Rhodes had refused; it wasn't time to link the worlds permanently yet. However, Rhodes promised to open a temporary portal once a month to deliver four Arch Devils for Illidan to train into Demon Hunters.
This would ensure Illidan eventually commanded hundreds of the most elite hunters, each capable of infinite, instantaneous teleportation.
"Remember our pact, Rhodes," Illidan said in a heavy voice.
"Rest easy, Illidan. Outland is your domain and Azeroth's shield. Keep in touch; we will need each other's strength soon enough," Rhodes replied, stepping into the shimmering veil.
Jaina, Maiev, Akama, and the six thousand Draenei warriors followed, marching through the light and back into the world of Azeroth.
Stepping back onto familiar soil felt incredible. The air of Azeroth filled Rhodes's lungs—specifically the scent of Tirisfal Glades, a mix of decay and the potential for new life. The land was still choked by the Scourge; it was time for a "purification."
They arrived at the Alliance's secret staging camp in southeastern Lordaeron. Soldiers immediately noticed the massive portal and the arrival of the Grand Marshal.
"It's Lord Rhodes!"
"The Grand Marshal has returned!"
Highlord Mograine, Dathrohan, and others rushed to meet them. "Welcome home, Lord Rhodes. We have been waiting," Mograine said with a respectful nod.
"Outland is secured for now," Rhodes said, gesturing to the massive, hammer-wielding warriors behind him. "I've brought reinforcements: six thousand elite Draenei Paladins."
Though the Draenei didn't officially call themselves "Paladins," to the humans of the Alliance, anyone in plate armor wielding the Light and a warhammer was a Paladin.
Mograine and Dathrohan, who had fought alongside the Draenei briefly before, welcomed Akama and his troops warmly. Any race that wielded the Light was a natural ally to humanity.
"Welcome to you all."
"Let us fight for the Light together."
Rhodes turned to his commanders, his expression sharpening. "What is the situation on the ground?"