area51novel Page 81
Page 81
But his hands didn't stop moving at all; the two swords danced with fierce power, clashing violently with Frostmourne.
Rhodes, a ranged mage, hid to the side and even summoned several golden holy light elementals, which used their Flash of Light to interfere with Arthas.
However, Illidan uses fel energy, so holy light spells can also harm him. The demon hunter was speechless about this. Rhodes smiled awkwardly and summoned several golden and diamond warriors to guard him.
As a mage, you need to make sure you have a line of tanks around you at all times when you start a battle.
“I told you! I have no liking for that dreadlord, and the Burning Legion’s defeat is also good for my master,” Arthas said.
However, Frostmourne still managed to unleash a Death Coil, aimed directly at Rhodes, but this Death Coil was blocked by the diamond man beside him.
Rhodes, not to be outdone, unleashed a magical arrow, once again leaving the Death Knight defeated.
“Why should we believe what you say? Arthas, you’re nothing but a puppet,” Illidan said.
"My great master foresaw everything, Demon Hunter. You need more powerful fel energy, and the Skull of Gul'dan is what you are looking for."
"He knows you've spent your whole life pursuing power, and now that power is right before you. Can you give it up?" Arthas said.
"You're so kind."
"Seize the opportunity, Demon Hunter, this power will utterly defeat your enemies." After saying this, Arthas parried the Warblade of Azzinoth and then spurred his horse and galloped away.
If the fight continues, he'll probably die from their combined attack. Damn it, he shouldn't have come alone this time; he should have at least brought Scythe or Sylvanas.
Rhodes and Illidan were perfectly in sync when Arthas fled, and did not pursue him.
"You heard what that death knight just said. What do you think of his proposal?"
"Am I to go and deal with that dreadlord named Diedios and then take Gul'dan's Skull?" Illidan asked Rhodes.
"Although I don't really like that guy, he's right. The one who controls this forest is indeed a dreadlord named Dictios."
"We should definitely go and kill this guy, and then destroy the warlock artifact that's corrupting this forest. Of course, you can also use this warlock artifact for other things," Rhodes said.
The Skull of Gul'dan was of great importance to Illidan. This warlock artifact would tell Illidan many things, such as how to get to Outland and what the Tomb of Sargeras was about.
Most importantly, with the fel energy within this warlock artifact, Illidan was able to completely transform into a demon.
It was precisely because he had completely transformed into a demon that Illidan was able to resurrect in the Twisting Nether after being killed in the Burning Crusade expansion.
“It sounds like a dangerous trap,” Rhodes said.
"However, sometimes you have to take some risks when dealing with the Burning Legion. What do you think, Illidan?"
This rotten death knight, though not trustworthy, is sometimes the enemy of my enemy, and can indeed be used temporarily.
"Then let's set off... Your... unique summons might come in handy."
"After all, there won't be a shortage of loyal demon guards on the road to obtaining the skull," Illidan said with a slight smile.
Rhodes now felt a sense of familiarity, because the two shared the same vision, and he also felt that seizing this warlock artifact was of utmost importance.
The two hadn't played together in a long time, and after reaching a consensus, they decided to play together.
Without further hesitation, the two, relying on Illidan's keen perception of fel energy fluctuations and the assistance of Rhodes' magical power, quickly headed towards the source of the most concentrated evil power in Felwood.
The Burning Legion's demons in Felwood established a small portal here, constantly summoning Burning Legion minions. Accompanying these demons were a large number of undead creatures, who were used as cannon fodder by the Burning Legion.
“Your Holy Light elements can be very useful. Summon them and then send them to self-destruct in the demon horde,” Illidan said.
"In a moment, your and my summoned creatures will launch a frontal assault, attracting all the enemies. I'll create some chaos, and you can find an opportunity to cut in and take the target directly." After saying this, Rhodes summoned the golden golems, diamond golems, and a bunch of iron golems under his command. The stone golem unit was no longer available because they had all been upgraded to iron golems.
Besides these types, Rhodes also has some elemental city troops under his command, but he doesn't plan to use them right now.
“Very good, just like before.” Illidan nodded slightly, his body lowering slightly, like a cheetah poised to pounce.
Without hesitation, Rhodes raised his staff, and powerful arcane energy rapidly gathered, allowing the holy light element to launch a self-destruct attack first.
The holy light elements rushed directly into the middle of the undead and demons, and then their bodies exploded violently, the golden holy light power instantly causing massive damage to the demons and undead.
Illidan charged forward, wielding the Warblade of Azzinoth, followed by Rhodes's puppet army.
"Magic Arrow!"
A beam of arcane energy struck precisely at a Morgo engineer who was disciplining a hellhound.
The demon didn't even have time to let out a scream before it exploded into a charred lump of flesh under the impact of arcane energy.
The loud explosion and energy surge immediately drew the attention of all the demons.
"Enemy attack! Enemies have broken in!" the demon guards roared.
Just as the demon's attention was drawn to Rhodes, Illidan made his move.
His figure transformed into a green afterimage, silently circling around to the flank of the outpost under the cover of the shadows of the ruins and the chaos.
The target was the Skull of Gul'dan on the altar, a warlock artifact imbued with powerful fel energy.
Chapter 134 Demon Hunter Transformation, A Historic Moment
"For the Legion, crush that mage!" the demon lieutenant roared, attempting to leap across the chaotic battlefield and charge straight at Rhodes.
Because Rhodes, this mage, cast powerful holy light spells, causing immense damage to the Legion demons and undead, and his arcane magic was also very strong.
Rhodes' goal this time was to attract the attention of the Burning Legion demons, so he didn't hold back. When these demons rushed over, he summoned Thor and had him unleash a chain lightning attack.
A giant blue genie appeared and unleashed terrifying lightning.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
More than a dozen demons were instantly torn apart by the terrifying power of lightning, while Rhodes also unleashed a wall of fire to further strengthen his defenses.
A colossal Fear Guardian, wielding a massive blade, charged towards Rhodes.
But just as he charged forward, a green figure leaped out of the shadows behind him like a ghost!
"Your opponent is me, demon!" Illidan's growl was like the pronouncement of death. The Warblade of Azzinoth drew two intersecting, deadly arcs with astonishing speed.
The Dreadguard frantically tried to turn and block, but Illidan was far faster than he could react. The blade easily sliced through his bat wings, then plunged deep into his neck and chest!
"No—!" The Fear Guardian only had time to let out a short scream before fel energy erupted violently from his wound, instantly burning him from the inside out into a charred corpse, from which he fell from the sky.
Illidan landed lightly, not even glancing at the corpse on the ground. With a flick of his twin blades, he shook off the demon blood that stained it. His movements were clean and efficient, showing no signs of rustiness despite his millennia of imprisonment.
"Well done, Illidan!" Rhodes praised, while simultaneously hurling magical arrows at several hellhounds that tried to approach, blasting them to pieces.
It deals over 100 points of damage, and its kill radius can cover more than a dozen hellhounds.
"Don't get distracted, Rhodes! Clear out the minions so I can absorb the skull's power in peace." As Illidan spoke, he brandished his twin blades and charged into the remaining demon guards like a whirlwind.
His fighting style was wild and efficient; every swing precisely struck the demon's vitals, and fel fire clung to the wounds, burning continuously and causing the demon excruciating pain.
Although it uses fel energy, its destructive power against demons is no less than that of holy light.
Rhodes stood steadily at the rear, like a mobile artillery platform, firing magical arrows and lightning bolts in succession, accurately targeting and killing the high-ranking demon commanders.
Flash of Light, Holy Storm, and Consecration are for dealing with ordinary demons and any enemies that try to flank Illidan or charge at him.
Occasionally, a few manage to slip through the magic barrage and get close, but they are immediately stopped and torn apart by the iron, gold, and diamond men summoned by Rhodes.
Rhodes even unleashed a massive firestorm; fire magic is equally devastating against undead creatures, since these bone clubs ignite easily.
Rhodes' ranged firepower and large numbers of units perfectly compensated for the potential weaknesses that might arise when Illidan focused on melee assaults, while Illidan's powerful charge and kill capabilities could quickly break down the demon and undead formations, relieving the pressure on Rhodes.
The demons' defenses crumbled rapidly under the combined assault of the two top experts. Soon, they broke through the outer demon army and advanced inwards.
This demon legion didn't have any particularly powerful elites; they were mostly low-ranking demon officers, and there weren't even any Eredars among them, so the battle was relatively easy.
A dozen minutes later, all the demons and undead creatures were completely wiped out.
A hideous orc head was placed at the center of a crude fel magic circle, with an inextinguishable eerie green flame burning in its eye sockets. Vast and malevolent energy emanated from it in waves, like a heartbeat, corrupting everything around it.
That is the Skull of Gul'dan. This orc warlock was the mastermind behind the First War, and crucially, the one who led the orc army into Azeroth.
He was also a key figure in leading the orcish horde into the Burning Legion, but in the end he betrayed his master, attempting to find the legendary power in the Tomb of Sargeras, where he died.
Illidan's gaze was fixed on the skull, and even though he was blind, the powerful energy fluctuations were as clear as a lighthouse in the darkness.
His breathing became heavy, and a primal desire burned within him, even overpowering the weakness brought on by millennia of imprisonment.
He could sense that the power contained within the skull was exactly what he had been dreaming of—a weapon powerful enough to allow him to exact revenge and utterly destroy the Burning Legion.
“This is it…” Illidan’s voice trembled slightly as he walked step by step toward the stone platform and reached out his hand.
"Illidan, be careful!" Rhodes warned. "A fragment of Gul'dan's soul might still be inside!"
“I know the risks, Rhodes,” Illidan said without faltering, “but for power… this price is insignificant!”
Illidan's fingers finally touched the skull that radiated endless fel energy.
In an instant, the entire altar trembled! The Skull of Gul'dan burst forth with a blinding green fel energy, like a green sun, illuminating the surrounding area in a ghastly green light!
A massive torrent of fel energy surged into Illidan's body like a flood bursting its banks.
"Uhhhhhhhhh-!!!"
Illidan let out a roar that was a mixture of pain and ecstasy, his body convulsing and contorting as he could not withstand the sudden surge of energy.
His clothes suddenly ripped apart at his shoulder blades, and two thick, twisted demon wings covered with hard keratin burst out of his body, spreading out so wide they almost blotted out the sky.
His body began to swell and deform rapidly, his skin turning a dark red and rough like lava, sharp bone spurs sprouting from his joints, the demonic horns on either side of his forehead becoming thicker and more curved, and his feet transforming completely into demonic hooves. Fel runes naturally appeared and burned on his newly formed demonic skin.
Knowledge and fragments of memory from the Skull of Gul'dan—deeper mysteries of fel energy, of the Tomb of Sargeras, of the endless worlds and even the Twisting Nether—forcefully flooded into his mind like a tidal wave.
Those were the memories of the orc warlock Gul'dan, who served the Burning Legion. Kil'jaeden bestowed upon him unimaginable fel magic and knowledge, and now this forbidden knowledge belonged to Illidan.
The terrifying fel energy was absorbed by Illidan, transforming him from a night elf infected by fel energy into a demon. The process was painful and rapid, and the energy shockwaves it emitted shook the surrounding rocks to the ground.
Rhodes had no choice but to erect a magical shield to withstand the raging energy hurricane, watching Illidan's transformation with a solemn expression.
This is a historic moment; Illidan has truly become a demon hunter, no longer a half-finished product.
A few breaths later, the blinding green light gradually subsided and was absorbed back into Illidan—or rather, the newly born demon's body.
Illidan slowly straightened up, his body nearly twice the size of before, the demonic horns on his head even more ferocious and enormous, radiating a terrifying pressure that made people's breath suffocate.
The green fel runes on his body shimmered with a ghastly green light; at this moment, Illidan had completely become a Twisting Nether demon.
It stretched its new limbs, its huge demonic wings fluttering slightly, stirring up a gust of bloody wind. It looked down at its demonic claws covered in fel runes, then clenched them.
An unprecedented sense of power filled his entire body, far stronger than when he was still a night elf demon hunter.
He, Illidan Stormrage, has finally completed his ultimate transformation, becoming a demon in the truest sense. Now, like other demons, he cannot be killed in the material world, but can only be killed in the Twisting Nether or similar places.
Illidan turned his head, his gaze, though still covered by strips of cloth, seemingly able to see into souls, fixed on Rhodes. His voice grew deeper, carrying a demonic echo, and brimming with confidence: