With a flash of sickly green light, Illidan's appearance shifted fundamentally. His once-shining golden eyes of primal Holy Light were gone, his pupils and irises incinerated by Fel flames. In their place, two flickering green fires burned perpetually within his sockets.
However, Illidan did not transform into a Satyr like other Night Elves corrupted by Fel. While he developed demonic features—such as fel-touched skin and a pair of curved horns sprouting from his brow—his feet remained those of a Night Elf.
This was the exact image of Illidan that Rhodes had first seen in the barrow dens with Tyrande ten thousand years in the future. It was only later, after absorbing the power from the Skull of Gul'dan, that Illidan would fully succumb to a demonic metamorphosis, gaining cloven hooves and massive wings. For now, he was simply etched with glowing Fel runes.
"What... what have you done to me? I can't see!" Illidan knelt on the ground, his voice strained with agony.
"I have given you a gift, Night Elf," the phantom of Sargeras spoke. "The golden light of your eyes only allowed you to see false illusions. The universe is dark and cold, not the paradise you imagined. I have granted you a new vision—eyes formed from Fel flames. Now, you shall see the essence of souls and the true nature of every creature. All deception will be laid bare before you. This is your reward, Illidan. You shall be loyal to me and to the Burning Legion. Do you understand?"
Rhodes noticed that Sargeras's phantom had dimmed significantly, its stature shrinking. It seemed that even for a Titan, reshaping a being like Illidan through a mere projection was a taxing expenditure of power.
Illidan said nothing. He simply nodded while kneeling. This was the price for the power he sought, and for Tyrande and his beloved Azeroth, he would never regret it.
"Rhodes," Sargeras turned his gaze toward him. "I am most pleased with the gift you brought me today. Illidan's talent is exceptional. Since I am in a magnificent mood, is there any reward you desire? Speak, and it shall be yours."
By breaking the prophecy and turning the Child of Light into a Child of Fel, Sargeras felt he had won a great victory over fate. He viewed Rhodes as his lucky general and was prepared to grant him almost anything—even a planet to keep as a private, uncorrupted garden.
"I am humbled, Great Sargeras," Rhodes bowed. "Serving you to save the universe is honor enough. How could I dare ask for a reward?"
"There is no need for such modesty, Rhodes. I am a master of clear rewards and punishments," Sargeras replied. "If you succeed, I am generous; if you fail, you face my Fel-wrath. When I offer a reward, I do not permit refusal. Tell me what you want, or I shall choose for you."
Rhodes's mind whirled. You said it yourself, Sarg-boss.
"Great Sargeras, your power awes me. To refuse would be disrespectful. May I ask for a promise? I know you do not tolerate failure, but since I have performed a great service today, I ask that if I ever commit a transgression you find intolerable in the future, you grant me one act of forgiveness."
Sarg-boss, you probably don't know that in the East, we call this a 'Death-Exemption Medal'! By securing this promise now, Rhodes ensured that even if the invasion failed and he had to face Sargeras in the Twisting Nether, he would have a "get out of jail free" card. Once a Titan gave his word, he would not break it.
"Hahaha! You are clever, Rhodes," Sargeras let out a boastful laugh. "I expected you to ask for a treasure, a planet, or even forbidden knowledge. Instead, you ask for a pardon for a future failure. No one has ever asked me for such a thing. But I am a Titan of my word. I promise you, Rhodes: no matter how great my fury, I will forgive you once. But only once. If you fail me a second time, you know the consequences."
"I am terrified, Great Dark Titan. I shall do my utmost not to disappoint you," Rhodes said. "I am a cautious man who fears death. I crave knowledge and power, but I know one must be alive to enjoy them. If I perform more services, I may ask for such a promise again."
"Only once. I do not forgive failures twice," Sargeras stated. "From now on, you will work with Illidan to assist Azshara, Xavius, and the mages in opening the portal for my arrival." With those final words, the massive phantom vanished, leaving the room in darkness.
The meeting was over. Illidan had his power, and Rhodes had his insurance. However, Rhodes knew he still needed another "mask." When Archimonde arrived, Rhodes planned to kill him again, and he couldn't do that as "Legion Advisor Rhodes" without voiding his new promise.
"Sargeras seems to value you highly, Rhodes," Illidan said, standing shakily. "Can I really trust you? Will you truly help us?"
"Please, Illidan, use your head," Rhodes said, giving Illidan a sharp knock on the cranium. "If I wanted to betray you, I could have just told Sargeras about the resistance. I can even cast Fel magic better than that idiot Xavius. I could open a portal myself and drown Azeroth in demons in a month if I wanted to."
I've been working my tail off to get you some Fel-buffs and get myself a safety net, and you think I'm a traitor?
Illidan remained silent, his new spectral sight scanning Rhodes, but Rhodes was shrouded in a mist he couldn't penetrate. "You truly know how to summon Legion portals? Where did you learn that?"
"Do you want me to demonstrate?" Rhodes asked, narrowing his eyes.
"That won't be necessary. I believe you," Illidan muttered.
"Good. Now, go report to Xavius. Tell him you've received Sargeras's blessing and join the portal construction team."
Meanwhile, in the Emerald Dream, Cenarius gathered the Wild Gods and Ysera. "My brothers, I have dire news. Our new brother, Rhodes, has infiltrated Azshara's palace. A 'Burning Legion' of demons led by a fallen Titan named Sargeras is planning to invade our world. They are using the Well of Eternity as a gateway."
"A Titan? Destroying us?" Malorne asked, puzzled.
"He is a dark, fallen Titan," Cenarius explained. "And according to Rhodes, he has already slain the other Titans. We stand alone to protect our world."
Ysera, the Green Dragon Queen, looked at her abdomen with a complicated expression. "I have felt the fluctuations in the Well. I will alert the Red Dragonflight... though I may find it difficult to join the front lines personally just yet."