It's not over yet. Death Knights aren't just about charging and slashing. The warlocks who created them also endowed them with the power to control shadows and the undead.
They couldn't break through this barrier of holy light with pure force, but the green-aura-tinged death energy emanating from their empty, tattered sleeves smashed through the barrier formed by the holy light.
Uther and Turalyon, carrying clouds of death energy shrouded in green smoke, crashed to either side. Alleria saw the two paladins land and, without hesitation, tried to reach Leylin quickly. A sharp longsword nearly struck Alleria.
After the sudden turn of events, Leylin enraged with the close accident of Alleria, immediately raised his hand, an earthen wall emerged tall enough to block the vision of the death knights.
He quickly gathered arcane energy, which he thought would be completely enough to wipe them out. The arcane energy surged forth without pause, like a raging wave washing over the evil before them.
Sensing the arcane energy that could nearly annihilate them all, the Death Knights unleashed the necrotic power within their bodies. Dark green energy erupted from their sleeves, striking Leylin relentlessly.
Time seemed to stand still as Alleria rushed towards Leylin. However, the necrotic energy was too fast. Dozens of Death Coils struck Leylin!
'Leylin!' Alleria's face drained of color instantly.
Leylin raised his hand, and the surrounding fire energy instantly neutralized and destroyed the necrotic energy, while a large amount of fire energy rapidly swirled within his body.
Resist, neutralize, merge, regenerate! Energy was transforming, whether it was the power of shadow or the breath of the undead!
Green light surrounded Leylin. A sudden blast of wind surged within Leylin's surroundings clearing everything within range.
Leylin still riding his mount smiled and said, "Let us go, Ranger Captain. Now it's your turn to lead me to retreat."
Alleria quickly saddled up with Leylin on his mount and told him to get some rest. She trampled over the countless death knights destroyed in front of her, running at top speed towards the high ground where another mage stood.
Khadgar witnessed the entire scene; he thought his friend had exhausted his magic. With a short incantation, Alleria was teleported to Khadgar's location. He also had some knights help pick Turalyon and Uther up from where they had fallen.
At the same time, the cannon fire on the southern coast ceased, replaced by smoke bombs exploding in the sky.
Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore was preparing to retreat; the orcish fleet had cornered them.
"Sir Lothar, the Alliance forces have crossed Silverpine Forest and are advancing towards Hillsbrad Foothills!" The scout fell from his horse, not even feeling the pain, and shouted to Sir Lothar.
Finally, they arrived. Sir Lothar breathed a sigh of relief: "First column, establish defenses; second column, provide cover; retreat!"
The Alliance soldiers, their silver armor now stained with blood, moved back in an orderly fashion.
The orcs could continue their pursuit, but Orgrim did not order a chase. He ordered his troops to encamp at Hillsbrad Foothills; the long voyage required adjustments, and he was in no hurry.
"Kress, send out our scouts. We need a detailed map of this land," Orgrim said to the shaman beside him after entering Southshore.
The shaman took a map from a parchment bundle and said, "This is the map Zul'jin gave us. I've seen it; the markings on this map match the markings here."
Orgrim glared at Kress: "Didn't Zul'jin teach you not to easily trust creatures of other races? Even among our orc tribes, there are so many schemers, let alone these trolls who only have a pact!"
Kress put the map away: "Warchief, I'll go give the order immediately."
"Wait, what about Nekros' aid? What about his prized dragons? We've already crossed north. Tell the soldiers to urge him on!" the Warchief said.
The orc tribe began to set up camp, and Sir Lothar's troops began their retreat. Alleria quickly checked up on Leylin, her emotions quite complex throughout the journey.
"Should we ask the human soldiers for a carriage? You can lie down for a while." Alleria said with concern.
"With my old friend here carrying us, it's enough. Look, let the wounded ride in one of the few carriages available." Leylin answered.
Leylin ushered orders to help the wounded on the carriages available. He was nearly struck by the enemy yet is still putting others first, Alleria quietly stared at him making Leylin laugh.
"You're making me blush from all the constant staring, you know."
"If you don't rest, I'll leave you here and let those orcs kill you." Alleria said angrily.
Leylin smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare."
"You!" Aurelia's face flushed red. She didn't speak, only lowered her head and saddled up with Leylin.
After a long while, Alleria raised her head again, her clear blue eyes meeting Leylin's gaze. "I'm begging you, Leylin, can you protect yourself from now on? You're making me feel helpless, you know?"
"You mean just now? If I hadn't done that, we might have suffered even greater losses," Leylin said.
"Have you forgotten what Vereesa said before we left?" Alleria looked at Leylin resentfully and asked.
Even the usually calm and composed Leylin fell silent at the question, simply shaking his head.
"It's not just Vereesa, Sylvanas as well and that female mage think the same way. I can tell they all like you. For our sake, I hope you won't take your life lightly." Alleria, having lost her strict demeanor spoke her inner thoughts to Leylin in a gentle, expectant tone.
Leylin looked at the Ranger Captain beside him, surprised for a few seconds, and said, "Hmm, I understand Sylvanas and Aminel's affection for me, but Ranger Captain, are you included as well?"
Blushing at the question, Alleria hastily offered an excuse, "You're my subordinate, it's my duty to take care of you. I'm different from them."
"Oh." Leylin nodded and continued, "I understand, I'll be more careful in the future."
Silence fell again. Alleria stopped speaking, and Leylin, being a man of few words, wouldn't initiate conversation unless someone was willing to talk.
In this awkward atmosphere, Leylin and Alleria arrived in Tarren Mill.
The empty town gave the soldiers a chance to catch their breath, and their water problem was temporarily solved with the help of the town's well. The well wasn't large, but with so many soldiers, water was scarce.
Alleria brought back a glass of water for Leylin, handing it to him and asking, "The food is gone, have some water."
"Have you had some?" Leylin didn't take it immediately, he asked.
Alleria was completely exasperated by this guy. How stupid could he be to ask me before drinking water?
"You're the one who's more exhausted than me, I've already had some."
Looking at Alleria's lips, which were no longer plump, Leylin drank half and handed it to her. "Don't lie to me."
A lump formed in her throat, and Alleria couldn't hold back anymore. She took the glass, her pale blue eyes welling up with tears.
"Ranger Captain, there's not much water to begin with. If you cry, it'll be a real waste." Leylin comforted Alleria.
"Fool, idiot, disobedient mage! Please don't treat me like this, okay?" Alleria sobbed softly, revealing a vulnerability in front of Leylin that had vanished years ago. A vulnerability that belonged only to a girl.