Jaina the Grey

The Valorant Kalimdor Expeditionary Force had been marching across the Barrens for a week. This ancient land bore no traces of human cultivation, remaining pristine and desolate.

Strong and sturdy tauren dragged cannons unloaded from the sea vessels, while the disembarked marines transported other war materials. Their ranks also included some uniquely-featured comrades—blue-skinned jungle trolls!

"Say, Vol'jin, are you sure you're leading us the right way?" Plank asked the troll chieftain, a hint of impatience in his voice, as he sat astride his horse.

"No worries, mon, we're on the right path," Vol'jin replied unhurriedly. His hair was fiery red, styled into a mohawk. With long arms and legs, he exuded an agile appearance.

"But how come we still haven't found the tauren?" Plank grumbled.

"Killing some centaurs wouldn't be bad either; they'd make perfect spectral cavalry!" Since setting foot in the Barrens, the expeditionary force had encountered several ambushes from centaur tribes. However, Hecarim detected them from afar each time, resulting in their utter defeat. The centaur wraiths were discovered to be ideal for creating shadow cavalry, so he had been actively scouting as a scout these past few days, seeking out other centaur tribes.

If he could gather the wraiths of a hundred thousand centaurs, he would be invincible!

With such thoughts in mind, Hecarim felt that the summoner's decision to send him to the expeditionary force was truly brilliant!

A dozen days ago, their fleet rescued the Darkspear jungle troll tribe from an almost devastating attack by the aquatic murlocs and naga. Subsequently, to the surprise of Plank and Alistar, the troll chieftain Sen'jin even believed them to be the saviors prophesied to rescue them—the heroes of Valorant looked at each other, bewildered: they hadn't expected that firing a few cannon volleys would make them the prophesied saviors of this troll tribe.

Sen'jin then swore allegiance to Alistar and his commander, Aiden. He also took practical action—allowing his son Vol'jin to lead two thousand troll warriors to join their expeditionary force and fight alongside them!

Aiden was unaware that his arrival had inadvertently altered even the prophecies seen by the troll witch doctors, because in the original timeline, it was the orcish Horde and Thrall who saved the trolls. Therefore, his plan did not mention having Plank and the others rescue the trolls. It was only by chance that everything had changed.

After discussing it with Alistar and the other heroes, they made a decisive decision to accept the allegiance and incorporation of the Darkspear tribe on behalf of Aiden. "Unite all who can be united" was the instruction Aiden had given them, and their actions clearly followed it completely.

The afternoon sun made Plank feel drowsy. Just then, a troll hunter returned riding a raptor, reporting: "A group of centaurs are attacking the tauren ahead!"

Plank immediately shook off his drowsiness, his spirits lifted, and shouted: "Lads! Buck up, battle is here!"

"Centaurs!" Hecarim's eyes lit up at the mention of that word, and he immediately galloped off on all fours.

"Ah, finally something to do that isn't boring!" Fizz jumped down from the top of the supply wagon, yawning as he raised his trident.

Meanwhile, in Giantwood Vale ahead of the expeditionary force, thousands of centaurs were raiding the tauren outpost stationed there. The centaur race were natural warriors and archers. Relying on their speed advantage, they continuously hurled javelins and shot poisoned arrows at the tauren in the outpost. Even with the tauren's strong bodies, it was difficult to withstand such an onslaught, especially since they were already outnumbered.

In the midst of the melee, a tauren druid in bear form pounced forward, using his immense strength to knock down a centaur. He opened his mouth and tore the centaur's throat, unconcerned about the Salty salty and bloody taste.

Not far from the bear druid, a strong centaur drew his bow and aimed, firing an arrow. Just as it was about to hit, another tauren warrior suddenly charged over, swinging his totem pole and knocking down the deadly arrow.

"Brother, there are too many of them, we need to retreat quickly!" the tauren warrior shouted.

The bear druid killed another centaur, and spoke in human language: "Brother, take the clansmen and retreat! I'll hold them back!"

"No one will escape!" Behind the tauren, a strong centaur khan led a group of centaurs charging down from the hillside, cutting off the tauren's retreat completely.

"It's over, brother, we're going to die here!" the tauren warrior shouted in despair.

"Then let's kill a few more centaurs to take with us!"

However, just as they were in utter despair, a series of cannon shots suddenly rang out, landing in the centaur ranks and blasting the centaurs near the impact points into mincemeat. Not far away, a wraith, who was also a centaur, charged up laughing, wielding a glaive and relentlessly reaping the lives of one centaur after another.

A shout came from afar, and countless warriors emerged.

Tauren, trolls, humans, and even pandaren, formed a massive army like a tidal wave, ready to engulf this group of centaur raiders.

The originally despairing tauren cried out loudly, they were saved!

But—these tauren brothers look different from them, why are their horns forked like antlers?

With a bang, Plank shot down a struggling centaur, laughing triumphantly: "Hahaha, we've finally found the tauren the commander was looking for! It was bloody difficult!"

—

At this time, Aiden, whom the captain was missing, was in a strange space. Unlike entering the Void through soul meditation before, this time even his body was exiled, and he came to the real Void.

Nozdormu used the power of the Sands of Time, although he did not kill him, his current state cannot be considered surviving.

The Twisting Nether is the other side of the universe. Tangible matter makes up worlds like Azeroth and Draenor, while intangible energy makes up the Twisting Nether.

Aiden saw colorful, mist-like substances and aurora-like light bands surging in the boundless darkness, as beautiful and spectacular as the strange nebulae in the vast universe once seen in astronomical telescope photographs on the Internet.

Aiden didn't have to worry about starving to death, because there was no concept of time here. Even the concept of space was very vague. The sinking of the body did not mean it had really reached the lower level, perhaps it had not moved at all.

He tried to recall Medivh's notes, which recorded some ways to "survive" in the Twisting Nether. It once recorded the encounters of astral mages in the Twisting Nether. Only then did Aiden realize that Medivh was really a great person. These notes were like a survival guide, making him less confused.

You need to know that this is the base camp of dark creatures—if you break in rashly, you might run into the Burning Legion at any time.

"There is no time or specific space in the Twisting Nether. The movement of position depends on subjective will, the power of fantasy," Aiden remembered such a record in the notes.

It also contained ways to leave the Twisting Nether—but Aiden didn't need it, because even Medivh had never tried to integrate his body into the Twisting Nether.

That is to say, the way out had to be found by himself.

Aiden immersed himself in his mind and entered a state of meditation. As his spirit expanded infinitely, he "saw" the primitive and wild arcane energy surging in the far distance. He instantly appeared in front of a mass of energy and reached out to touch it. The feeling of frost and burning was reflected from his fingers to his nerves almost simultaneously.

'Is this the source of magic?' He retracted his fingers, thoughtfully observing the damage caused to his skin by the magical energy. In the next moment, the power of the Holy Light restored his fingers to their original state.

When he used the power on his body, he sensed that something in this space responded. With a thought, he passed through the void to approach that target—it was an existence that made people feel warmth and love.

'Naaru,' Aiden immediately thought of this kind of Holy Light creature. He could only think of this possibility.

If anyone in this void could help him find a way back, it must be a Naaru!

In his perception, that power was getting closer and closer to him, and finally he saw this existence in the void—it was quietly suspended in the void, emitting a soft white light.

It's a Naaru! A pure Holy Light creature!

Aiden found it difficult to equate the naaru with any life form he knew. In his eyes, the naaru was more like a mysterious symbol, its body composed of strange geometric shapes, without eyes, without limbs, and even the irregular geometric shapes that made up its body were not truly connected.

"You've come," the naaru's voice contained a magical power that instantly calmed Aiden, who was originally anxious to return.

He realized that this naaru was left here to wait for him.

"I want to get your help!" Aiden said directly, "I want to find a way to leave the Twisting Nether!"

"Don't worry, I came for that very reason," the naaru replied, "I am Xydar, and I know you, Aiden. You are in a crisis, and I and my people will help you."

"Crisis?" Aiden immediately thought of the Burning Legion in this void. Besides them, who else could bring a crisis? As for the naaru knowing his origins, that wasn't surprising. For species like the naaru and the titans, whose technology had developed beyond his imagination, it wouldn't be strange for them to know anything.

"Crisis," the components of the naaru's body slowly dispersed, and Aiden felt his body enveloped by a power of holy light. He did not resist, because the naaru would not harm him. Then something floated out of his space, "It comes from this," Naaru Xydar said.

Aiden's heart leaped. It was the Heart of Sargeras that Kael'thas had given him earlier!

This was Sargeras's base camp, and the great demon king must have a way to sense the location of this heart.

"Don't worry, we will help you," Xydar's voice was full of soothing power.

Aiden calmed down and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, the naaru are truly a good species that genuinely help others…

—

When the white-haired Jaina woke up, she found herself wearing special anti-magic handcuffs on her wrists, completely unable to cast any spells. She was carried on Steel bristle's back, moving forward in the dark and deep underground tunnel.

The footsteps of the retreating warriors echoed in the underground, and almost no one spoke. The atmosphere seemed very dull.

"She's awake," Sylvanas said, breaking the silence.

Rhonin and Vereesa stepped forward and helped the white-haired Jaina down.

"Can you walk?" Rhonin asked.

In the dim underground, with only the faint light of torches, Jaina was a little afraid to face the red-haired mage's gaze. She lowered her head and said, "Yes."

"Then, talk about your affairs," Rhonin's voice was a little stiff. He found it difficult to regard the person in front of him as the same person as his friend Jaina in Dalaran. Moreover, the other party's aiding the evildoers made him feel completely unsympathetic. If it weren't to get answers, he probably wouldn't have kept this person who had obstructed them.

"I…" Jaina felt a little guilty. In her timeline, the red-haired mage in front of her had died to save her, but she was resisting Rhonin in this timeline.

Kayle stared at her, and said coldly: "Speak quickly, before my patience runs out." The eyes under her helmet flickered with dangerous light. Since Aiden disappeared, no one dared to provoke her.

"I'm sorry… but in my original timeline, Nozdormu summoned me. At that time, I made a mistake." She remembered the scene of Theramore being bombed by Garrosh, and hatred rose in her heart again, which made her voice become gnashing, "I implicated many innocent people, and made them sacrifice for me."

She looked up at Rhonin, and quickly lowered her head again, "So I did something stupid. Caused more innocent casualties."

She also recalled the scene of summoning the elemental tide and flooding Orgrimmar. The people who stopped her were too late, and she completed her revenge. The monstrous waves rushed from the coast to Durotar, submerged Orgrimmar, and drowned countless orcs. But this did not end, the tide started because of her, but would not end according to her orders.

The endless sea tide submerged Durotar, submerged Azshara, submerged Ashenvale, the Barrens… almost one-third of Kalimdor became a swamp. Countless creatures died in those days.

When she woke up, it was too late.

At this time, Nozdormu found her and told her that a group of people were disrupting a certain timeline. If she helped the Bronze Dragonflight to eliminate these people, the Bronze Dragons could give her a chance to travel back to before Theramore was destroyed, so that she could undo all her mistakes.

Jaina agreed. Then, with the help of the Bronze Dragons, she came to this world, following his instructions, to kill anyone who stood in his way.

Nozdormu told her that any enemies there had appeared at the wrong time. And warned her not to show mercy to anyone.

This answer made them unable to completely blame Jaina. She was just a pawn being used.

"Then the others should be in a similar situation," Rhonin said angrily, "What a crazy stupid dragon!"

"Rhonin, can you talk about what's happening now? What year is it now?" Everything Jaina saw in front of her made her not know who to believe. She knew that there was no such group of heroes fighting the Lich King's servants and the Bronze Dragons at the Frozen Throne in the past history.

The Nozdormu in her timeline might not have completely deceived her.

"Except for the Red Dragonflight, all the other dragons are crazy!" Rhonin was still a little indignant. He cursed in a low voice, and then told Jaina roughly about the things in this world.

Valoran from another world?

The Cult of the Damned, which was destroyed in advance, and the Stratholme plague that was stopped?

The Scourge of Gilneas?

All of this was impacting Jaina's nerves.

Her father, Daelin Proudmoore, was still alive; Rhonin was standing in front of her; Arthas had not gone down that wrong path… However, she immediately thought, doesn't this world also have a her?

Jaina smiled mockingly at herself.

Rhonin stared at her, and said in a deep voice: "Now you almost know these things. So, what will you do?"

Jaina knew that this was to make her state her position. She recovered from the memories of the past, and replied seriously: "I don't know if what Nozdormu said is right or wrong. But I see that things in this world are developing in a good direction. I'm sorry for what happened before."

"I'm sorry," she bowed to everyone to apologize, and then showed a relieved smile, "I have nothing to miss in that world anymore. What Nozdormu promised is no longer important. Now I can personally participate in this mission to change Azeroth's destiny earlier. I sincerely hope to avoid those mistakes of the past. Please give me this chance!"

Rhonin looked at the others, and after finding agreement in their eyes, he smiled at Jaina: "Alright, I'm glad you can turn over a new leaf. Welcome to join us!"

Tears welled up in Jaina's eyes, and she said excitedly: "Thank you, thank you all!"

"By the way, there's one more thing," Rhonin showed a bad smile, "You won't be snatching a boyfriend from your younger self, will you?"

—

When Nozdormu woke up, he found himself in his dragon lair. His whole body was in unbearable pain, and the wounds on his chest, abdomen, and neck were burning like fire.

He couldn't help but let out a painful low roar.

Soridormi, his consort, said in surprise: "Nozdormu, my love, you're finally awake!"

"I…" Nozdormu wanted to raise his head, but the wound on his throat instantly fed back ten times the pain, causing him to painfully give up the action. His trachea was pierced by Kayle's sword, which made every breath he took extremely painful.

"Don't move, Nozdormu, you need to rest well," Bronze Dragon Chromie said in a low voice, "You are badly injured."

"But I'm not reconciled!" Nozdormu was weak, but his eyes were full of hatred, "I'm not reconciled to ending like this! There are still some intruders who have not been eliminated!" He turned his gaze to Chromie, "Will you help me? Chromie, only you can help me now, eliminate them!"

"I won't do such a thing," Chromie looked at the Bronze Dragon Aspect with some disappointment, "I won't do the same stupid things as you."