Azeroth's voice stirred a tempest in the depths of Rhodes's soul.
The six primal forces gathered in one body, born in a state of perfection? How was that possible?
This completely overturned his existing knowledge of the Warcraft cosmic power system. In his understanding, the six forces—Life, Death, Order/Arcane, Disorder/Fel, Light/Holy Light, and Shadow/Void—stood in opposition to and constrained one another. They were the fundamental building blocks and the sources of conflict in the universe. Attempting to fuse them forcibly was, in official lore, almost suicidal. The most typical examples were the Naaru falling into Shadow to become Entropic Lords once their Light was depleted, or certain mad beings attempting to wield both Light and Shadow only to end up unraveling.
This wasn't like the game where a Holy Priest could simply toggle into Shadowform; it was a matter of completely abandoning the Path of Light to cultivate the Shadow. Yet, the blueprint of Azeroth's World-Soul clearly transcended mortal imagination.
However, he realized he could technically use all six forces. The first he had mastered was arguably Death, via his Necromancy. Then came the Arcane magic of the world of Azeroth and Holy Light spells. Using Eagle Eye, he had "stolen" knowledge of Shadow and Fel spells. Finally, before the Battle of Mount Hyjal, he had learned Life spells from Cenarius.
But this didn't mean Rhodes was a master of these forces. Aside from Holy Light, which was quite powerful, he could merely cast the corresponding spells of the other attributes; he didn't wield them with the seasoned熟練度 (proficiency) he had with the Light. The key reason he could juggle these six powers was his "cheat"—the magic system of the Heroes of Might and Magic system and its special Spellbooks. He was a generalist, not a master, and certainly hadn't crossed the threshold of a Demigod.
Yet here was Azeroth—a World-Soul who would be a True God the moment she was born—proposing such a terrifying theory: combining the six basic cosmic forces to achieve a supreme, perfect form.
"Great Azeroth, do you mean... you are actively absorbing and balancing these six forces so that upon your birth, you will become a 'Supreme' being beyond all existing forms of life?" Rhodes suppressed his shock, trying to grasp the magnitude of this plan.
The massive, hazy female silhouette seemed to nod slightly, the surrounding energy rippling with approval. "Correct... you could understand it that way. The Titans gave me the framework and knowledge of Order (Arcane)... the Old Gods brought the erosion and whispers of Shadow... but I have not been defined or corrupted by them. Instead, I utilize them... learning, analyzing, and attempting to master the source of these powers."
"...Life is my innate color. The Emerald Dream is my cradle and the manifestation of my Life essence. Death—through the workings of the Shadowlands and the cycle of souls—I have already touched its threshold. The framework of Order is stable. The tentacles of Shadow have been partially absorbed and isolated. Now, only the final two pieces of the puzzle remain."
Rhodes's mind raced, and he blurted out: "Disorder (Fel), and Light (Holy Light)?"
"You are indeed clever. It is no wonder you can command the six forces, even a step ahead of me. You have helped me much, Rhodes. I see hope in you."
A massive wave of realization hit Rhodes. No way... Could it be that because he used spells from all six forces, Azeroth felt it was possible to fuse them and began her attempt? But the timing didn't add up! He had crossed over from Year 20 of the Dark Portal. Even if he was in the past now, Azeroth must have started this plan eons ago.
"Do not misunderstand, Rhodes. I have long held this thought, but it was not until you appeared that I realized my intuition was correct. If a mortal can achieve this, there is no reason I, a True God, cannot."
"I see, Azeroth. So you wish to obtain the remaining two forces?" Rhodes asked.
Good heavens. As expected of Azeroth, the most gifted goddess officially designated in the Warcraft universe. If she gathered all six forces for her birth, she might reach the level of the First Ones. Everyone had underestimated her. The Shadow and the Titans both thought they could pull her into their camp, but the reality was that Azeroth was playing them, utilizing and absorbing their power instead.
"I need your help, Rhodes. Though the specifics remain unclear, I know that ten thousand years from now, you will help me obtain powerful Holy Light and Fel energy. You shall be my ally," Azeroth stated.
The moment this mortal appeared, Azeroth had sensed him. He carried her spiritual brand. Though she didn't know why, he was there—he had a connection to her in the future, a very intimate one.
Rhodes was stunned. What have I done to deserve being an ally to a Great Titan—or rather, a being beyond the Titans?
However, helping her obtain Fel and Light was something Rhodes could actually manage. He had already created a new Sunwell that balanced Arcane and Holy Light; using similar means to create a "Fountain of Light" wouldn't be difficult. That fountain, plus the original Sunwell, should provide enough Holy Light. Or, failing that...
He recalled that the Mother of Light, Xe'ra, would eventually arrive on Azeroth. Her essence was the most primal form of Light. Rhodes suddenly remembered a plot point: when Illidan was spying on Argus, Xe'ra protected him. But curiously, when Xe'ra arrived at Azeroth later, her "body" was fractured and her power greatly diminished. When she tried to convert Illidan, he blasted her. Was it possible that Xe'ra had already made contact with Azeroth and given the World-Soul the majority of her Light?
"You surely have a way to solve the matter of the Light," Azeroth continued. "But the Fel energy will require some thought. Sargeras is a pure villain. If he captures me, he will find a way to enslave me. The World-Soul of Argus is a perfect, tragic example. You must never cooperate with him, understand?"
"Of course, Great Azeroth. I would cooperate with anyone before I'd work with Sargeras," Rhodes nodded. Sargeras was powerful, but his style was too brutal. He tortured his own kin, Argus, turning him into a slave to extract Death energy to resurrect the Legion's demons. One could imagine the fate of anyone falling into his hands.
"That is good. You must find a way for the Fel energy. It is the last force I need, and the hardest to obtain, for Fel is the enemy of all life. Only after I possess the Light can I absorb the Fel; the Light will protect me from being killed or corrupted by it."
"No problem," Rhodes smiled.
Actually, Fel wasn't that hard to get. While the source was Sargeras, others held it—like Kil'jaeden. Kil'jaeden was a master of subverting others; perhaps this time, Rhodes could try subverting him. When Kil'jaeden reached total despair and realized Sargeras's promises were lies, that would be the perfect moment.
"Our conversation has been most pleasant, Rhodes. I will not have you work for me for nothing. I am the goddess who presides over Life. It is my primal power. I can infuse you with a powerful Life essence, allowing your life-tier to transcend. You shall change from a mortal into a Demigod of Life."
"This is your reward for now. Once you complete the tasks I have given you, I will grant you even greater power. I will help you balance the six forces and help you become a True God."
Azeroth had birthed many mortals, but Rhodes was the only one she truly favored as a potential peer in the future.
"You're going to grant me Life essence? If I become a Demigod, am I like a Wild God?" Rhodes was astonished.
"You could put it that way. You will gain an immortal body and all the traits the other Wild Gods possess. From now on, you will be bound to the Emerald Dream and the Ardenweald of the Shadowlands. Even if you 'die,' your soul will wait in the Dream for resurrection. And unlike the others, if you fall, I will personally expend life energy to bring you back."
"A human... becoming a Wild God?" The happiness came too suddenly. I'm about to become the boss of the Druids!
"You are no ordinary human. You are not the same species as the humans of this world. While you look identical, the humans of Azeroth are the devolved creations of the Titans. You, however, evolved from ordinary life elsewhere. There is no fundamental difference between you and the other Wild Gods. Therefore, you can accept my infusion."