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The ground shook as large columns and convoys of humans and dwarves, along with special groups like mages, priests, paladins, knights, and more, marched onward in disciplined ranks and lines like an inevitable tide.
And it wasn't only them—there were other specialized units as well: walkers, tanks, APCs, VTOLs, and artillery units such as missile batteries and cannon platforms.
Perhaps the most eye-catching were the 10–12 meter tall Armored Core units that walked beside columns of strategic importance.
These armored steel giants moved with a fluidity and smoothness that felt almost unnatural for such machines of war, belying their lethality.
Even though the soldiers had already seen these machines in action many times, they still couldn't help but be awed by their power.
Even more shocking was the fact that these steel giants could actually fly! Albeit only for a limited time, their flight wasn't simple levitation, but true, sustained, mobile flight.
The sheer mobility and freedom this granted them only made their lethality even more pronounced.
Half of the AC units traveled with the army, while the other half acted as scouts, conducting reconnaissance further along the army's path. This was why barely any ambushes had occurred, and any forces they did encounter were swiftly destroyed.
And, terrifyingly enough, these Armored Core units were considered, at most, G1 (First Generation) of the new AC unit series—with newer, greater, and more varied models potentially to be developed in the future.
Something that already excited the people of the Science Guild and the more innovative minded Dwarves, since Alastor had already gave the Science Guild personnel as well as King Magni the green light to participate in the future AC projects once the war was done.
The thought of not only building such machines but also making variants and improving upon them made these people giddy.
The knowledge that such weapons were on their side also helped keep morale high, alongside their previous string of victories and the presence of multiple Heroes.
(A/N: For those who don't remember, a friendly reminder—Azerothians place great significance on Heroes. It isn't just a figure of speech. If someone becomes a great warrior, knight, mage, paladin, or even a scholar in their field, they are recognized as Heroes and Champions of Azeroth.)
Alastor stood atop a tall cliff, with Mathias standing a few feet behind him, as he overlooked the hundreds of thousands of troops marching along their predetermined path. A short distance behind him stood his personal AC, White Glint.
After the attack on Dalaran was repelled and the Gilneas army was successfully integrated alongside his own forces, they had once more set a course for Hammerfall Fortress.
An ancient dwarven fort that had once belonged to Khaz Modan, built due to their war against Lordaeron.
But then, It was eventually abandoned 700 years ago when the then High Thane of Ironforge and the King of Lordaeron signed a peace treaty, causing the fort's strategic importance to decline.
Originally maintained as a historical monument to that event, it was now, with the onset of war against Chaos and the Scourge, once again being used as a focal point of the Northern Alliance—and one of the main reasons the Scourge and Chaos had not spilled further south.
Most of their forces were concentrated there, and the surrounding region was where the fighting was most intense. Alonsus, along with most of the other leaders of the Northern forces, was also stationed there.
Speaking of which, after the Southern Alliance resumed its march, it was decided that Ansirem, Sathera, and Drendan would remain in Dalaran—not only to defend it, but also to repair its remaining defenses and flight arrays.
A task primarily undertaken by Ansirem, The Archmage who specialized and had the highest mastery in the fields of formations and magical arrays.
As for the integration of the Gilneas army, it had gone smoothly—mainly due to the people they were assigned to march and fight alongside: Alastor's forces.
These were the same men and women who had followed Alastor as his forward expedition force when he first departed from Stormwind after the Siege of Stormwind, heading toward Aerie Peak.
From that departure up to the present, they had followed Alastor through every engagement and battle against the enemy.
Suffice it to say, under Alastor's command and care—not to mention the victories they achieved and the legendary combat prowess he displayed—these soldiers had developed an unshakable loyalty.
Unlike others, whose respect and loyalty Alastor had eventually earned, these men and women had given him their complete devotion, to the point of zeal.
To them, Alastor's words were equivalent to "truth".
So when Alastor informed his commanders that the Gilneas army would be joining their march and fighting alongside them—and explained their "Worgen" condition—
At most, they were slightly surprised (though at what, Alastor could not tell), before accepting the arrangement without a hint of prejudice or distrust.
And Alastor was forced to admit that, perhaps, complete devotion or zeal wasn't always a bad thing—and could even work in his favor in certain situations.
Yet that was his limit. He remained adamant in his rejection of fanaticism.
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"Anything?"
Behind Alastor, Mathias Shaw sighed and bowed his head in apology.
"Forgive me, my lord, but due to our march—and the fact that we are now on the front lines—my agents have been having much more trouble gathering useful intel."
"So no, there have been no sightings or information regarding the Lich King. However, I am of the opinion that he has most likely returned to the main Chaos–Scourge host."
"After we arrive at Hammerfall, I can obtain more information and compile it as soon as possible before presenting it to you—especially since Hammerfall would be the most viable place for any remaining channels of useful information to converge, given that it is the main focal point of defense in the North."
Alastor nodded calmly, still gazing at the marching army.
"It's alright, Mathias. You've already been performing your duties above and beyond expectations."
"Call your agents back and rest. We're at most, a day or two away from Hammerfall. Until our arrival, take the time to catch your breath and rest your bones."
Mathias bowed once more. With a final word of thanks, he departed—leaving Alastor alone.
But not for long.
Footsteps approached soon after Mathias left.
"You seem lost in thought, young Hero."
Alastor turned slightly in surprise to see none other than the strikingly beautiful Night Elf High Priestess, Tyrande Whisperwind.
"Tyrande." Alastor nodded in greeting as she came to stand beside him. "Just thinking."
"About the war?" she asked curiously.
"Everything, actually." Alastor looked toward the horizon, his gaze solemn. "We'll soon arrive at Hammerfall and most likely merge with the Northern Alliance forces. By then, we can hopefully begin a counterattack."
"If successful, we can start making our way to the ruins of the capital cities of Alterac and Lordaeron as well as any other hub for the Scourge and Chaos to break their hold on Azeroth."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Tyrande looked at Alastor beside her with a bit of a curious look.
"It is, but it's not just about the war." Alastor sighed softly. "Make no mistake—I intend to win this conflict and expel any taint, whether from the Scourge or Chaos, from Azeroth."
"As well as getting my hands on the bastard who killed my father."
Alastor's tone darkened at those words, his eyes reflecting the depth of his hatred. It was not gone—merely buried deep within his heart.
Buried until the day he would encounter the leader of the Black Mages and the mastermind behind the current war: Malak.
Or, as he had once been known—Marcus Grave. The man who had personally stabbed his father with the cursed dagger of Nurgle, leading to his slow, withering death.
Alastor had first heard the name from Varian, who had learned it from Llane shortly after he was struck—along with Marcus's true identity.
After Alastor's arrival in Dalaran, following his clash with Arthas and the resolution of the Gilneas situation, he had sought out his master and brought up the name Malak.
At first, Antonidas had only recognized him as the leader of the Black Mages.
But the moment Alastor revealed the name Marcus Grave, Antonidas's eyes widened as realization struck him. He quickly began to piece things together—and then told Alastor about Marcus and Llane's connection.
—Flashback—
"Grave!? By the Aether… that explains so much."
Antonidas rubbed his forehead as he sat in his personal chambers. His apprentice had come seeking answers—about something, or rather, someone.
"Master, so you do recognize the name!" Alastor asked eagerly.
Yet Antonidas also saw it—the raw hatred lurking within Alastor's eyes the moment the name was spoken.
Not that he could blame him.
Marcus—now known as Malak—had entered into a blood feud with his apprentice the moment he killed his adoptive father; Llane Wrynn.
No matter his past or whatever had shaped him, nothing could justify his actions against Azeroth—or against the royal family of Stormwind. Least of all what he had done to a grieving son, who would, without a doubt, tear him apart when they meet.
"I do, sadly. Sit down, Alastor, and I will tell you how this began."
Alastor took a seat as Antonidas began to speak.
"Alastor, I have been the Head of the Council of Six for a long time. In that time, I have seen many talented and exceptional individuals come and go from Dalaran—people who came for knowledge, learning, or to expand their horizons…...not just in magic."
Alastor nodded. It was true—Dalaran, despite being the primary hub of magical training and arcane knowledge, also hosted many who sought education beyond magic.
Quite often, kingdoms would send their royalty, nobility, and even talented commoners—sponsored by their nations—to Dalaran to study.
"I still remember the day your father, Anduin, and Medivh came to Dalaran together. Haha—at that time, your father wasn't the king you knew, nor were his two friends the legends they would become."
"Instead they were bright eyed and curious young men as they found wonder the very first time they set foot in Dalaran."
"And I can't forget adventurous, in fact Anduin was perhaps the only one in their trio who had a modicum of responsibility and had to stop Llane and Medivh from getting into trouble.....well when he himself didn't join them of course."
Alastor smiled at that at the retelling, but his expression soon froze as he looked at Antonidas in confusion.
"Medivh?"
Now it was Antonidas's turn to look surprised.
"What? Child, don't tell me you've never heard of Medivh. I would have thought you, of all people, would know—considering how close he, Llane, and Anduin were."
Alastor looked conflicted as he searched through his memories. He had never heard his father, his mother, or Varian mention anyone named Medivh. Slowly, he shook his head.
"Strange… perhaps they had their reasons. But to give you the short version—Medivh was to mages what Anduin Lothar was to knights and warriors."
"In fact, Medivh was the original and last Guardian of Azeroth—and the son of Aegwynn herself, whom you and your allies traveled with."
Now Alastor was even more shocked and confused. Not only had this Medivh been close to his father and Anduin, but he had also been an incredibly powerful mage—powerful enough to become the Guardian of Azeroth.
Not to mention he was Aegwynn's son? yet the woman herself didn't even mention her own son despite having a clear connection with his father Llane and his Anduin?
Antonidas continued, explaining that even before Medivh took up the mantle of Guardian, he had already reached a level of power comparable to Antonidas himself in both strength and skill as a mage.
That revelation completely dumbfounded Alastor.
He was perhaps one of the few who had witnessed what Antonidas was truly capable of when going all out.
Archmagi were extraordinarily powerful—regarded by kingdoms and the people of Azeroth as walking natural disasters, living weapons of mass destruction.
Some, like Arugal, were granted the title of Archmage primarily for their research and contributions to their chosen fields of magic—but "true" Archmagi were something else entirely.
Technically, anyone could become an Archmage through significant research and contributions to magical theory.
However, to be recognized as a true Archmage—and to gain the full status and privileges of the rank—a mage needed more than just scholarly achievement.
They needed three things:
Research, Power, and Skill.
A mage had to contribute meaningful advancements to their field of magic, possess enough raw magical power to affect the laws of realspace of a substantial area, and demonstrate exceptional control—able to manipulate magic with just as much precision if not more than the raw power they have.
Only when all three were present could a mage be considered to have reached Archmage-level power and be formally recognized as a candidate Archmage for assessment by the Kirin Tor.
Such Archmagi could change the tide of entire battles—bend reality, rain destruction from the skies, and level cities and large settlements.
Before both Alastor and Medivh ever entered the picture, Antonidas—among the ranks of Archmagi—had long been considered the strongest, excluding only Aegwynn.
Few had ever seen him unleash his full might, as he typically ended conflicts swiftly through superior skill alone.
Even in his battle against Kel'Thuzad—a fellow Archmage and member of the Council of Six—Antonidas had quickly slain his followers, overpowered him, and inflicted severe injuries.
If not for Deathwing's intervention, Kel'Thuzad would have died that day—and that was with Antonidas still holding back to avoid causing excessive destruction to Dalaran.
At present, among the human forces, Alastor, Antonidas, Uther, Alonsus, and Anduin were considered the five strongest combatants.
Which made it all the more unbelievable to Alastor that a man of the same generation as his father Llane and uncle Anduin had once been able to match Antonidas.
Then again…...perhaps Medivh had inherited all of Aegwynn's immense talent.
Alastor knew they were straying from the original topic, but he couldn't help himself.
Despite Medivh's incredible achievements, background, and connection to his family—why had he never seen or even heard of him?
The answer he received was not one he expected.
"Because Guardian Medivh died over 11 years ago."
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