Queen Azshara descended slowly from the high platform, her steps elegant as if walking upon a path paved with starlight. Her movements were enough to leave the surrounding Highborne and ordinary Night Elves utterly entranced; Her Majesty remained as beautiful as ever, the very definition of the word "beauty."
She came before Rhodes, her golden eyes—deep as the starry sky—unabashedly flickering with curiosity and appreciation, even carrying a trace of burning desire. She wanted this man more and more; she wanted him to kneel at her feet and acknowledge the peerless beauty of the Great Azshara.
"A reward? Your Majesty must be joking. I have already received the reward of the Well of Eternity's waters."
Rhodes smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the unconscious Xavius on the ground. "I only hope that when Lord Xavius wakes, he remembers this lesson. He should stop entertaining unrealistic ideas and refrain from provoking powerhouses he simply cannot handle. After all, I am not always as... patient as I was today, nor will I always be so merciful as to spare a life."
His words were soft, yet they carried a heavy warning—not just for Xavius, but for all the Highborne mages present who might harbor ill intentions. Several mages who were close to Xavius, or who had coveted Rhodes's power, instinctively looked away, not daring to meet his eyes. They knew that Xavius's decision to strike had been partly fueled by their own instigation.
A few Highborne mages had already approached Xavius to examine his injuries. Physically, he was unharmed, but his spirit had been devastated. He had fallen into a deep slumber—the kind from which one might never wake.
"That is only natural. I imagine Xavius will be quite well-behaved in the days to come," Azshara let out a light laugh. She waved a hand, signaling attendants to carry Xavius away for treatment. To her, a loser didn't deserve a second glance; her eyes were forever drawn to the victor.
"A loser should have a loser's awareness. However, Rhodes... that final move you used... what was it? I felt as though Xavius's soul was dragged into some terrifying realm. Only an instant passed in reality, yet his spirit seemed to endure endless torture."
Azshara was now intensely curious about Rhodes's casting process. She wanted to learn that technique—the golden giant was perfect in both utility and splendor, but that finishing illusion was even more tantalizing. If she could defeat an opponent with just a glance, she could instantly kill a high-ranking member of the Burning Legion when Sargeras arrived, surely making the Dark Titan view her with newfound respect. She wanted to prove she wasn't just a pretty face, but a powerful Queen.
Rhodes inwardly marveled at her sharp intuition, but remained composed on the surface. "Just a small application of Holy Light technique, Your Majesty. I call it 'Spiritual Guidance.' The Light can soothe pain and heal mental trauma; naturally, it can also reflect the deepest fears and darkness within one's heart and amplify them. It seems Lord Xavius... was not as resolute as he appeared. His heart was fragile, which is why he fell."
He cleverly explained "Tsukuyomi" as another facet of the Light to avoid introducing concepts too far beyond Azeroth's current understanding. However, this level of soul manipulation sent a chill through the mages, including Azshara. This power was more daunting than pure destruction.
"Spiritual Guidance... fascinating, truly fascinating!" Azshara's interest intensified. "The power of the Light is indeed profound. It seems my previous attempts to learn it by simply mimicking energy flows were misguided. Is there truly no way for me to master this power, Rhodes?"
"Your Majesty, I would love for you to master it," Rhodes said with a smile, "but unless you abandon your Arcane magic, I cannot help you gain the Light's recognition."
Had she been an untrained elf, Rhodes could have used his power to plant a "Seed of Light" within her, much like the first Archbishop did when creating the Paladins. But Rhodes had no intention of introducing Paladins into this era; history shouldn't move that fast. He was teaching them the way of the Priest—which required a level of piety and mercy the Highborne utterly lacked.
"Rhodes, your power and wisdom deserve a higher status. From this day forward, you are not only my special attaché but my Chief Magical Advisor. You have the right to consult the majority of the Royal Library's collection and may requisition a set amount of the Well's waters for... research."
She emphasized the word "majority," implying that the core forbidden knowledge still required her personal approval. The access to the Well's water was a potent lure.
"I thank Your Majesty for your trust. I shall do my utmost to assist you and explore the possibilities of... knowledge and power," Rhodes replied graciously.
Satisfied, Azshara dismissed the onlookers and led Rhodes back to her private bath. "I wish to have a thorough exchange with you today. Wait here while I change," she said with a meaningful smile.
Rhodes's smile was a bit awkward—her expression was predatory. But fine, he thought, I'm not the one losing out here.
Under the service of beautiful handmaidens, Rhodes changed into a comfortable silver velvet robe. When he looked up again, his breath hitched. Azshara had returned, wearing a lavender gown as thin as a cicada's wing—nearly translucent. It perfectly outlined her stunning curves, with key areas visible yet veiled, adding a level of temptation that pure nudity could never achieve.
Good grief, Rhodes thought. The Queen is really pulling out all the stops. Who could possibly resist this? If Her Majesty is going to be this forward, then I won't be polite either.
"Come, Rhodes, my Chief Advisor. Let us... talk... deeply. No need to rush," Azshara said, a triumphant smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She was confident no man could refuse her charm.
"Let us have a truly deep exchange, Your Majesty," Rhodes replied with a smile.
Large splashes erupted in the pool as the air grew thick with intimacy.
Meanwhile, the defeated Xavius had been carried by his loyal disciples to a massive green portal. Their master was gravely injured; all their healing spells had failed. Now, they could only pray to the "Great God."
"Praise be to you, Great True God! Please, heal our master!" the apprentices cried out.
The green portal rippled, and a consciousness of absolute terror descended—Sargeras, Lord of the Burning Legion.
"What has happened to Xavius?" the Titan's voice boomed.