"I will activate the ancient portal to the Suramar Fortress and redeploy our guards to the eastern sector of the city. You will remain here and monitor the movements of these demons closely. Inform Patrol Captain Gerdo of everything that has transpired."
The calm yet commanding voice of the masked female nightborne mage echoed through the ruins. Her words carried an authority that brooked no hesitation.
"Yes, Priestess!"
The surrounding nightborne soldiers straightened instantly, responding in unison. Satisfied, the priestess turned away from them and approached a dilapidated ancient disc half-buried beneath layers of soil and creeping weeds.
With a casual flick of her left hand, a sharp gust of wind swept outward, stripping away the earth and vegetation as if they had never existed. The ancient ruins beneath were revealed.
Leylin's gaze sharpened. Unlike the other nightborne soldiers—who raised their pale, slender arms and channeled arcane energy in unstable currents—the priestess's magic was different. Profoundly different.
Arcane power gathered around her body in a tangible form, coalescing into countless shimmering particles. They descended slowly, like glowing snowflakes, drifting toward the ancient portal ruins in the distance.
Each particle that touched the elven runes embedded in the disc bloomed instantly, releasing pulses of arcane light. From the lowest layers of the ruins, streams of energy surged upward, converging with astonishing precision.
This wasn't simple activation. It was reinforcement. Recharging.
Leylin's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the process. So this is the true power of a high-ranking nightborne priestess…
The scale of her arcane output was immense, yet exquisitely controlled. Still, Leylin remained calm. If it were him, handling such energy would not be impossible—especially in a place like this, where the surrounding environment itself was saturated with arcane currents.
As the final particle of arcane light settled into the portal, the priestess exhaled softly. A trace of fatigue flickered across her posture before she turned back to the soldiers.
"I will personally escort these intruders back to Suramar," she said. "You will hold your positions here and await further orders. Trust that Grand Magistrix Elisande will soon determine a definitive method to deal with this disaster."
At the mention of Elisande, the soldiers' expressions became solemn.
"Yes, Priestess!"
Space warped. In the blink of an eye, Leylin and Morhun vanished from the ruins.
When Leylin's vision cleared, he found himself standing within the heart of Suramar City—specifically, the Nighthold.
This was the seat of the city's nobility. Yet something felt… wrong.
Despite it being early morning, the sky above Suramar was dim, suffused with a faint violet glow. There was no sunlight. No warmth. It was as if the sun itself had been shut out by an invisible barrier.
Leylin frowned inwardly. So the city truly exists within a sealed domain…
Morhun and Leylin were quickly separated. Morhun was escorted away toward a modest fortress, while Leylin—much to his surprise—was personally guided by the priestess toward a lavish manor.
As they passed through its gates, Leylin noticed the reactions of the elven maids lining the halls. Their gazes were filled with reverence and restraint.
This manor belonged to the priestess. Within the inner sanctum, the priestess raised a hand. The soldiers restraining Leylin immediately released him and withdrew.
Only Leylin was permitted to follow her further inside. He complied without resistance.
Though uncertain of her intentions, Leylin carefully observed his surroundings. The manor was magnificent beyond expectation.
Gardens filled with bioluminescent trees shimmered softly, casting gentle light across stone pathways. The interior walls were adorned with vibrant agate crystals, draped with flowing purple gauze that shifted subtly with the air.
After crossing a drawbridge carved with intricate elven patterns, they entered the deepest residential sector of the manor.
"You should understand by now," the priestess said coolly, "that this is where Suramar's nobles reside. Be thankful that it was I who captured you. Had any other noble laid hands on you, your fate would have been far less… comfortable."
She continued walking through corridors so long that they seemed almost absurd. Leylin remained silent, his thoughts racing.
Such extravagance…
The murals lining the walls caught his attention. They depicted Suramar encased within a colossal artifact—preserved, isolated, eternal.
An artificial sanctuary…
"You've been staring for quite some time," the priestess said suddenly, her voice sharpening. "Have you forgotten to thank me for my mercy?"
Without warning, searing pain shot through Leylin's wrist and neck. His body tensed, but he did not cry out.
"Interesting," she murmured. "You're enduring it."
They stopped before a massive door. Beyond it lay a vast private library—quiet, immaculate, untouched by dust. Bookshelves towered toward the ceiling, filled with ancient tomes radiating faint magical light.
"If the pain becomes too much," the priestess said with faint amusement, "you may beg. I might consider releasing you."
In her eyes, Leylin was nothing more than a valuable captive—perhaps even superior to the Withered lurking beyond the city.
"No need." The words were calm.
In the next instant, arcane power erupted from Leylin's body.
The restraints shattered like glass, and a crushing pressure surged forward, slamming toward the priestess. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Well hidden," she said, quickly stabilizing herself. "You're far more interesting than you appear."
Pale blue lights gathered around Leylin once more—time itself bending at her command.
But Leylin was already moving. Like lightning, he tore free of the temporal field and condensed arcane energy in his palm.
[Arcane Explosion]
The library trembled as a deafening roar tore through the air. A purple barrier flared into existence before the priestess, blocking the spell.
Yet the sheer force of the blast ripped away her veil, sending it fluttering aside. Her face was revealed.
"Hehe," she laughed softly. "So you managed that? Do you find my appearance so captivating?"
Leylin dispelled his magic, caught the drifting veil, and met her gaze steadily.
"I am not your enemy," he said. "And I believe I can help you deal with the creations of the Burning Legion."
For the first time, the priestess's expression changed completely. The amusement vanished.Her voice grew grave.
"You know… that these demons belong to the Burning Legion?"