Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 801, Section 14: The Star Hunter's Journey to its End - Bonus Chapter [55]

(Bonus chapter for changes in word count [5/5])
Led by Illidan's unparalleled stealth hunting prowess, the Penitents fought their way from the fel molten pool to the vicinity of Nathrax Keep, striking down the elite demons who had lost their leader.

Perhaps it was because they had broken the "killing code" that the "destructive blessing" of the fel energy was activated, causing these repentant individuals to improve their combat skills at a terrifying speed. However, they still retained their sanity and resisted the fel energy's temptation to kill, and under the leadership of their chosen captains, they did not linger in battle.

Following the fel smokes fired by Illidan as a directional guide, and taking advantage of the chaos caused by the attack on the demons surrounding Nathrax Keep, they quickly seized several fel spires used for defense. Relying on their demonic nature, they manipulated those cruel fel cannons to relentlessly attack the surging demons.

Those repentant warriors who volunteered to break through the defenses followed Illidan into the core area of ​​the demon fortress.

The Star Hunter was determined to achieve the core objective of this battle: to destroy the Fel Heart as soon as possible, which provided the demons with "resurrection points" and "rapid resurrection" services in the material world. He knew very well that with the number and combat power of the demons in the vicinity, the Repentant Ones would not be able to hold out for long on the outskirts.

Although he spoke coldly, Illidan could not possibly use these repentant ones who had already taken concrete action to fight against the demons as sacrificial cannon fodder.

Diakum, after all, was watching from "above".

Given the Vigilant’s overly “good-natured” nature, once the Repentant had clarified their demon-hunting mission, he already regarded these fel-powered Eredar as his own brethren.

And under the watchful eye of such a protective deity, what will become of those bastards who would use the Eredar as cannon fodder?
Ugh, I dare not think too much about it.

"You guard this passage! Don't come in! I'll deal with the demon lord inside."

Illidan, wielding twin blades forged from the flames of Sargeras, swept his way into the heart of Nathrax Keep. Beneath the towering beams of fel energy, at the entrance to the underground spire surrounded by green, foul lava, he shouted to the hundreds of penitents behind him:
"Use the terrain to your advantage, and don't fight the demons head-on! You are not just fel monks; your Man'ari talents allow you to manipulate fel magic as well. Power is merely a tool to achieve your goals; do not be afraid to harness the power hidden within you."

The fel fire you unleashed is not the same as the fel fire those demons use for destruction.
Remember this!

The Star Hunter rarely gives such explicit advice to unfamiliar warriors; he was clearly pleased with the previous performance of these repentant warriors, which is why he said a few words.

Eggman vanished like the winds of death into the passage filled with filthy fel energy. Behind him, the repentant elder wielding a bone staff hoarsely directed his people to quickly drag over the remains of the shattered Felsteel Annihilators from the surrounding area to block the open space in front of the entrance, thus narrowing the demons' battlefield.

This instruction puzzled the young woman who followed him. While waiting for the demons to arrive, she whispered, "..."
“You’ve never spoken of your past in the village, but you’re clearly more familiar with the battlefield than any of us. Were you a warrior before you were forced to embrace fel energy? Did you participate in that great war 20,000 years ago?”

"I"

The repentant elder hesitated for a moment.

Looking at the fel lords and Morgoth thugs charging towards him from afar, he knew that he would most likely not live to see the dawn of tomorrow. Perhaps the past hidden in his heart should also be part of the foundation of the repentant's legacy.

So he sighed and said in a low voice:

"I was once a member of the Hand of Argus. Before following the Vigilantes to defeat the great demon Kazzak, I was just a shepherd on this plain. But in that glorious thirty-day battle, I followed Commander Diakum across Argus."

I have killed countless demons and had the opportunity to board a starship to leave my homeland, but I gave my place to an old soldier who had lost an arm.

I have never regretted doing that.

I followed Commander Kil'jaeden in the final counterattack and witnessed Lord Kil'jaeden bow down to Sargeras to save us.

But I will not allow myself to become one of the devils.
There are many people like me, kids.

If you are truly reintegrated into your people and allowed to establish your own clan, then seek them out throughout the Twisting Nether.

They chose self-exile because they refused to associate with the devil. Their numbers are not many, but they are not few either. Those old guys like me will become the backbone of the penitent clan, but only you are our future.

Illidan is right.

The fel energy we use is different from the fel energy those demons use for destruction. Never be afraid to use the power hidden within you. The Vigilant once said, power has no good or evil!

He smiled.

Perhaps for the first time in his more than 20,000 years of life, he so openly revealed his past and faced his former self. Amid the constant shouts of the demons, the old man gripped his bone staff tightly. As he fought his way out of the cover, he saw the pool of blood formed by the demons' blood beneath his feet.

It's like a mirror.

The reflection in that blood-red mirror was not of a red-skinned penitent, but of a spirited Eredar garrison commander clad in crystal-forged armor.

He was charging.

Another version of him, lying in a pool of blood, is also charging forward!

It's just like.
The day more than 20,000 years ago and the night more than 20,000 years later quietly overlapped, and the two battlefields also quietly overlapped at this moment. The past him and the present him charged together, dedicating different strengths for the same dawn.

Inside Nathrax Fortress, Illidan heard the shouts and tremors outside.

He knew he didn't have much time left.

The Khazadom roared as it charged toward the Starhunter, its grotesque bone spikes flailing around its shoulders and arms. It was as ferocious as a bloodthirsty bull. Illidan didn't dislike such opponents; he actually enjoyed these clumsy fellows.

Therefore, at the moment of contact, Eggman summoned his inner demon into demon form, wielding his twin blades in a perfect blade dance to dodge Kazadoom's attack, allowing the demonic blade formed from Sargeras's flames to precisely pierce the great demon's heart.

What protection from the fel energy skeletons was less than a piece of paper in the face of this fel fire that melts everything? But the next second, Egg was sent flying by the laughing Kazadoom's fists.

Upon landing, Illidan rolled to dissipate the force, and in his demon form, he tilted his head, looking at the great demon lord who, despite having his heart pierced, showed no sign of weakening.

Then, a hint of disdain appeared on the hideous face that was surrounded by ferocious energy.

So it turns out he was relying on the "undying blessing" of the evil heart behind him to commit his evil deeds?
Could it be that this guy hasn't appeared on the Star Sea battlefield for over 20,000 years? Is it because his mission is too important for him to leave, or is it because he fears death and is unwilling to leave the protection of the Heart of Evil?
Strong?
Pooh!
Stop humiliating those two words.

"Stop it!"

Illidan threw out the Legion rune, temporarily revealing his prisoner Malchezaar. The two great demon lords clashed, while Illidan spread his bat wings and lunged towards the Felheart behind him.

Qazadum, however, did not stop him.

Instead, it laughed maniacally, anticipating the fall of yet another fool whose soul would be shattered by the Destroyer.

The Starhunter raised his demonic blades and thrust them into the heart of the fel energy with incredible success, but the next second, his soul was dragged into the illusion of Argus the Destroyer.

The terrifying, skull-faced blue giant, enveloped in cosmic flames, raised its crimson scythe of annihilation towards him, intending to utterly crush this laughable demon hunter in a slaughter that would destroy all life.

However, just as the slash that tore through the stars was about to strike, Illidan felt a pair of warm hands pressing on his shoulders. Then, a bright Divine Shield quietly lit up, protecting the Demon Hunter from the fatal blow. Amidst the Destroyer's furious roar, Illidan broke free from the illusion's bindings.

The demonic blades in his hands crossed, and with the compressed explosion of all the power within him, and with perfect shearing, and amidst the overwhelming burst of Sargeras' flames, he cleaved the top of the Fel Heart in two.

As the crystal shattered, the Blessing of Undying that had been placed upon Kazadoom quickly dimmed.

The demon lord roared in terror, accompanied by a cold laugh as Malchezaar's body dissipated. Exhausted and weakened by the attack, Illidan moved his arms and picked up the fallen demon blade from the ground.

He stretched his shoulders and said to the great demon before him:
"Now the fight is fair! Coward, come and challenge me!"

------

When Illidan slammed Kazadoom's head into the midst of the demons who could no longer enjoy the "Blessing of Undying," the demons besieging Nathrax Fortress scattered in all directions.

The repentant elder did not die a martyr; a young repentant girl saved his life. When the demons' morale collapsed, the repentant guards in the fortress finally got a precious respite.

There were still four hours until dawn.

It was foreseeable that the demons would not wait four hours before attacking them; the most brutal battle had not yet begun.

Illidan sat atop the ruins of a collapsed Felsteel Annihilator, silently observing the penitents. They had used the power of the Fist of Shadows to defeat many demons and build their confidence in battle. However, Illidan knew very well that the legacy of the Fist of Shadows could only lay a solid foundation for them.

The most suitable path of power for these repentant individuals is right before their eyes; the Demon Hunter path pioneered by Illidan is practically tailor-made for them.

Demon Hunters need to cultivate inner demons to enhance their combat power. These penitents can easily gather their own inner demons due to the infusion of fel energy.

Demon Hunters need immense willpower to resist the allure of fel energy, and those who have persevered to this point all possess unwavering resolve. Unfortunately, the Star Hunter doesn't have much time to train them, so he plans to use the upcoming battle as a selection process; those who survive, Man'ari, will naturally receive an "Offer" from the Illidari.

However, Illidan's willingness to "waste time" on these repentant ones shows that he is quite satisfied with this batch of "new recruits."

After all, the recapture of Argus did not mean the complete defeat of the Burning Legion.

Even if the other five Forces unite to curb the excessively expanding fel energy and restore the material world to a generally peaceful state, given the unique way demons reproduce and survive and the vastness of the distorted void, suppressing the fel energy to a state that will not affect the balance will still be a long process.

It can only be said that the demon war in the Star Sea is about to enter a dramatic turning point. It will take hundreds or thousands of years to completely end the "Burning Age".

The Wild Hunt of the Illidari is far from over.

As a Star Hunter, Eggman has no intention of resting on his laurels after this battle. He will savor this magnificent victory in the heart of the demon, letting the name of "Star Hunter" resound throughout the galaxy once again. Afterward, he will continue on his demon-hunting path until no demon dares to covet the material world.

To achieve this goal, he needs a great many demon hunters.

Not just elves!
Perhaps these penitents, who are superior to the elves in every way, will become even more ruthless and powerful second-generation demon hunters.

Just as Illidan and his companions were admiring the group of penitents encouraging each other and convincing themselves that they would persevere until dawn, Diakum's voice rang in Illidan's ears once more:

“I know you’re not someone who cares about power; you always see power as a tool to achieve your goals. However, Illidan, you’ve reached this level.”

Sargeras seized all the authority of the fel.

But as you and I both know, the Dark Titan is not a god dedicated to 'destruction,' which means that the Fel Force simply couldn't find a more suitable wielder than Him.

I suspect that you have sensed the call of fel energy amidst your constant hunting and destruction.

When are you planning to take that step?

"really?"

Illidan snorted and said:
"At this moment, you use your precious avatar to project into the fel energy realm, risking alarming Sargeras, just to tell me this?"
Shouldn't you coordinate with me on the really important matters?
"Do you really value the future of an old, blind, and savage elf more than the future of your people?"

"From the perspective of the conflict of the Forces, that is indeed the case."

The Vigilant didn't mind Illidan's bad tone; he knew Illidan didn't want to talk about this, but some things were beyond his control.

Diakum emphasized:
"Moreover, all the important matters to be carried out at dawn tomorrow are ready. The final preparations for the Restoration Army are complete, my people are making their final assembly in Draenor and Azeroth, and preparations are also underway in the Light Realm."

All that remains is for you to draw back the curtain, and a demon-slaying war will begin in the world of Argus.

But what happens after the war ends?

I will personally appear in the Sea of ​​Matter and complete that destined duel with Sargeras. I may win, or I may lose, but the outcome of my battle with Him will not be enough to completely eliminate the threat of fel energy.

You know exactly how to weaken Sargeras' power.

You just can't make up your mind.

Like the Dark Titans, you are unwilling to fully embrace the concept of fel energy's destruction, which is why even a combat genius like you has spent ten thousand years unable to break through the limitations of a demigod.

Other demigods can't advance because they have a hard time finding the right path, but you are different.

You knew where your path lay from the beginning; you were just unwilling to take the first steps. But there's no time for you to hesitate any longer, Illidan.

If I can defeat Sargeras in the material world, then his complete control over the Fel Force will be breached, and all paths of the Fel Force will be opened, including one that belongs to you.

You must embark on that path of destruction to completely sever Sargeras's chances of reclaiming that wisp of fel energy, and set an example for other ambitious and talented fel walkers!
You must complete your ascension to godhood in the Twisting Nether.
Only when the power of the Twisting Void is dispersed can the Burning Crusade be prevented from continuing in the future.

This is also what the Force craves, and you know that better than I do.

Illidan fell silent.

He didn't want to discuss this topic that annoyed him, but Diakum's gaze fixed on him, finally causing the Starhunter to bare his teeth and say:

That was a road of no return.

The ultimate desire of fel energy is the extinction of all things, including fel energy itself, which must be the last to be destroyed. Frankly, I have no confidence in my own willpower.

"Using willpower to resist the call of the path was a mistake from the very beginning."

Diakum said seriously:

"I tell you through my experience that the meaning of the path lies in understanding the necessity of your actions and wholeheartedly embracing and desiring to achieve them. Therefore, do not fear the ultimate desire of evil forces, for I am here!"

"Ok?"

Illidan made a nasal sound of confusion.

The vigilant explained:

"With me here, I will not allow fel energy to reach the point of 'self-destruction' after 'destroying everything'. The existence of the High Heaven is the 'limiter' for you fel energy practitioners."

The evil forces demand that you inflict destruction, and you will do so, but there will always be angels of light standing in your way.

The annihilation of all things desired by the evil forces is impossible. Under this premise, the seemingly self-destructive path of the evil forces may become a path that can be walked safely.

Most importantly, for every bit of destructive power that other felwalkers seize, Sargeras has one less bit of power at his disposal.

This is the only way to limit and weaken Him.

I know you're hesitant, so I'll offer you another perspective.

"You see, once you steal a wisp of fel authority from Sargeras, you will rise from an insect in the eyes of the Dark Titan to prey that He must personally annihilate."

"No! They're the enemy!"

Illidan suddenly stood up.

He understood what Diakum wanted to say to him. With unusual excitement, the Starhunter cracked his fists and said:

“I will rise from a worm that Sargeras disdains to an enemy that He must take seriously! That also means that if I want to go further on the path of fel magic, I can only take more fel magic authority from Sargeras.”

I am a hunter.

And He is the prey!
I know that a hunter without a goal is nothing.
Ah, Dick, the silver-tongued vigilant, you have keenly seen through my uncertainty about the future and given me the desire to continue my lifelong wild hunt even after I have defeated the Burning Legion.

This isn't about power! I have absolutely no interest in power.

This is just to complete this hunt. Very well, it seems that while I'm slaughtering demons, I should indeed take some time to think about which 'path of destruction' I should take.

There are differences between destructions.

I think that if the demons' slaughter of the starry sea is a form of destruction, then the destruction that I and the hunters inflicted on the demons during our pursuit in the distorted void is also a reasonable interpretation.

Perhaps, I really should embark on this path.

Ps:

This concludes the bonus chapter. Currently, there are 10 chapters owed.
Next bonus chapter: August 8.16th
(End of this chapter)