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Soul Mark: Illidan

"I have been imprisoned for 10,000 years and banished from my homeland. Now you dare to intrude upon my domain, inviting your own demise!"

In the somber temple of the experiential space, Illidan's familiar lines echoed once more as Forseti challenged the legendary demon hunter.

Transforming into his four-winged angelic form, wielding the Sulfuron Warhammer and the Demon Slayer Sword, Forseti turned into a golden streak and charged towards Illidan.

"Boom!" A thunderous clash reverberated as Illidan blocked with the Azzinoth War Blade, triggering a violent collision.

Unlike their previous encounter, Forseti did not integrate the Sulfuron Warhammer into his arm this time, thus lacking the terrifying power of the Unbreakable Arm.

Both sides staggered back, evenly matched in their exchange.

"Feel the weight of my 10,000-year hatred!" Illidan erupted in azure demonic flames, unfurling his massive fleshy wings and ascending into the skies.

Forseti pursued, taking flight as well. They danced across the heavens, exchanging blows hundreds of times in mere moments, escalating the intensity of their battle.

Though the outcome remained uncertain, Forseti gradually gained the upper hand. His four wings endowed him with superior speed over Illidan, who found himself increasingly on the defensive.

Finally, Illidan's fleshy wings soared into the air, his demonic aura surging as a dark cloud swiftly enveloped him.

The murky demonic energies altered Illidan's form, transforming the once unique Night Elf into a colossal demon.

With a gentle flap of his immense black wings, the aura of damnation swept towards Forseti.

Witnessing Illidan's transformation, Forseti held nothing back.

"Boom—" Flames roared as the Sulfuron Warhammer reshaped into a fiery appendage, melding with Forseti's right hand, akin to the flaming hand of Ullr, gripping the Demon Slayer Sword.

In a flash, Forseti's wings beat swiftly as he closed in on Illidan, sword in hand.

Divine Punishment!

"Boom!" Radiant justice erupted from Forseti's arm, rupturing Illidan's defenses and exposing a wound of flesh and blood.

Before Illidan could counter, Forseti surged forward with ferocious speed, transforming into a radiant golden streak, weaving around Illidan.

The path of golden brilliance wove into a vast net, ensnaring the demon hunter.

During the fierce battle, Illidan appeared to channel mana once more.

This tactic inflicted not only pain but also consumed substantial mana. Forseti had no intention of enduring it.

In response, he swiftly exhausted his remaining mana, unleashing a barrage of holy light spells in rapid succession—a strategy that rendered mana burning futile once depleted.

Lay on Hands! Holy Storm! Blessed Hammer! Judgment! Kings' Blessing! Holy Benediction!

Caught off guard by this onslaught, Illidan especially felt the impact of the Holy Storm—a wide-reaching assault that carved through his form.

With a cry of agony, Illidan plummeted to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Forseti swiftly closed in, aiming the Demon Slayer Sword at Illidan's forehead.

Eviscerate! Eviscerate! Eviscerate!

Moments later, Illidan's demonic form burst apart and vanished, leaving behind two golden pages.

Forseti paused in astonishment. He had not anticipated Illidan's explosive end, akin to other slain creatures.

He examined the two pages. The first was [Shandis Feathermoon's Amity], which allowed him to summon Feathermoon for aid when challenging level 9 and above beings.

However, Forseti found this feature somewhat nonsensical; Maiev Shadowsong might have been a more fitting choice.

The second revelation astounded him even more.

[Soul Mark: Illidan Stormrage]

As a hero, Illidan exploded like other defeated monsters. This departure from norms was already unusual, and yet he left behind a Soul Mark!

Prior to this, Forseti had only encountered two Soul Marks—a wolf and a tree. Now Illidan marked the first instance of an intelligent life.

Forseti scrutinized the description of the Soul Mark.

[The Soul Mark of the hero Illidan Stormrage. Apply this mark to a deceased target and use Lay on Hands to resurrect them. The resurrected individual will inherit some of Illidan Stormrage's traits and abilities. Compatibility with Illidan in spirit is crucial for the resurrected to unlock potent powers.]

Upon reading this, Forseti found himself incredulous.

Hero's Soul Mark + Lay on Hands = Resurrection!

Furthermore, the resurrected would inherit Illidan's traits and capabilities. Was this tantamount to summoning Illidan into the physical realm?

Forseti almost immediately entertained the notion of resurrecting a fallen comrade but quickly dismissed the idea.

The description specified that compatibility in spirit with Illidan was paramount for the resurrected to harness powerful abilities. Reviving an ordinary individual would likely prove futile, squandering such a precious opportunity.

In the Marvel universe, who might be most attuned to Illidan?

Forseti plunged into deep contemplation...

After a lengthy pondering, he exited the experiential space and returned to his quarters in the real world.

First, he inspected a vial of gray potion—a sixth-tier concoction named Crime and Punishment, distorted according to the Holy Deed's formula.

Preparing this potion proved arduous, demanding prolonged fermentation.

The newly concocted Crime and Punishment potion remained viscous. It would require several years of further standing to achieve a liquid state akin to clear water, suitable for use.

Forseti gently shook the potion vial, observing its dense contents, before returning it to its place.

Stepping outside, Heimdall's voice reverberated in his ears: "Forseti, the battlefield dynamics have shifted."

"What has changed?" Forseti inquired.

Heimdall explained, "A band of peculiar beings known as 'Rogues' has emerged, their origin unknown. These humanoid raptors are formidable and relentless, immune to fear and possessed of extraordinary reproductive capabilities. Their numbers are swiftly multiplying, posing a grave threat on the battlefield."