“I was there the moment you were conceived; you know.”
… What? Rognak blinks, staring at the Forest Demigod. Of all of the things that he thought might have been about to come out of Cenarius’ mouth, that was most definitely not it. Not only that… the sentence made no sense. What did Cenarius MEAN he was there when Rognak was conceived?!
Sure, Rognak had been born on Azeroth just as Thrall did, but he assumed he’d been conceived on Draenor, right? Unless he was younger than Thrall by a good nine to eleven months. Oh, he sure hoped not. Honestly, he only had the opening of the Dark Portal to go off of when it came to his age. He might not even be a full twenty. It was entirely possible he was nineteen or-
A deep chuckle pulls Rognak out of his thoughts and he blinks, looking up to find that the Lord of the Forest is no longer looming over him quite like he was before. Instead, Cenarius has pulled back and the corner of his mouth has quirked up. Presumably because of the increasingly baffled and panicked look that had spread across Rognak’s face at the Demigod’s words. Cenarius was messing with him. But then, to what end?
“You misunderstand me, young druid. I do not speak of the day that your mother and father procreated in order to make you. No, rather… I speak of the moment where the idea of your very existence was conceived at a gathering of my peers.”
Oh. Well that just blew his mind in a whole new way. Rognak’s mouth opens… and then closes a moment later. Quite frankly, he has no clue what to say to that. What was Cenarius talking about? In the end… he simply had to ask, didn’t he?
“Can you… can you explain? What do you mean the idea of my existence?”
Obviously, Rognak knew he was an anomaly. It was kind of hard not to, when he had a second set of memories that treated this very real world he’d spent two decades growing up in as nothing more than a video game. But Cenarius… Cenarius was implying that he’d had a hand in Rognak’s creation? That he KNEW Rognak was an anomaly?
“An outsider came to us, not to long ago. Just before you were born as a matter of fact. He gathered up myself, my mother, and the other Wild Gods, as well as the more… reasonable of the Troll Loa. He brought us together and showed us many things. He showed us how things would go without interference. And then he showed us glimpses of what COULD be… with a little nudge in the right direction.”
Rognak soaks that in… and realizes that Cenarius is no longer implying anything. He’s outright stating it now, isn’t he? As the young orc grapples with Cenarius’ confession, the Lord of the Forest continues his explanation.
“I don’t know everything that he showed the others. Some have kept their… revelations from this outsider close to their chest. Some have shared, but most have not. For me, he showed me my death… at the hands of your former Chieftain.”
Rognak’s breath hitches at that and Cenarius smiles and nods.
“Yes. I know that I was supposed to die by that very axe you carry with you now, wielded by a Grommash Hellscream empowered by twice-drunk demon blood. I know that you stopped that from happening, Rognak. I know that you saved my life.”
Well. Shit. On the one hand… that did explain why Cenarius had been at the edge of Ashenvale Forest just waiting for the Warsong Clan instead of deeper into the woods where Rognak’s other set of memories claimed he should have been. But on the other hand… Rognak frowns and his brow furrows.
“Did I truly save your life if you already knew how to avoid your initial death?”
Cenarius hums at that, bowing his head in acknowledgment of Rognak’s poignant question. It was a good point, or at least the orc felt it was. But in the end, the Forest Demigod then shakes his head.
“It was a condition that the outsider set forth before us, young druid. If we agreed to his terms, we kept what he shared with us. If we did not, he would take it all away again. So no matter how you look at it… you did in fact save me. Truly.”
Rognak lets out a shuddering breath at that, still struggling to wrap his head around everything. But then, something in the back of his mind whispers that it all makes sense. The vast majority of his second set of memories have always been about this world and the ‘video game series’ set in it. But Rognak is aware that whoever he used to be had another life outside of just playing said video game series. Something about all of this feels quite familiar, now that Cenarius is spelling it out for him so succinctly.
“In exchange for the secrets he shared with us, he asked in return that we bless you with power. That we take a single orc babe, born in the midst of the Orcish Horde’s invasion, and empower you with a connection to Nature itself.”
It takes a second for that to truly seep into his fuzzy mind. And then it does and Rognak’s eyes snap wide open as he stares at Cenarius, mouth agape.
“All of you?”
Here, Cenarius’ half-smile becomes a little wider as he nods.
“Indeed, young druid. All of us. You wondered why it was so easy for you to utilize your connection with Nature? Why you have always been a natural druid, where your fellow orcs struggle with even the most basic concepts? That is the answer. You are blessed by the Wild Gods of Azeroth. Every Ancient Guardian not lost to corruption or death tied themselves to you at the outsider’s bidding. We chose to be your patrons, and to grant you the gifts that you now wield in defense of this world and life itself.”
This… this explained much. Maybe not everything, but certainly a lot. And yet, it was also a lot to take in, quite frankly. He needs to sit down. And even though he’s in front of a Demigod and knows he shouldn’t… Rognak collapses to his backside with a thump, his ass hitting the forest floor as he rests his hands on his knees and just… thinks for a long moment.
Cenarius falls quiet, allowing him to process what he’s just been told. But in that ensuing silence, Rognak finds himself circling back to one particular question over and over again.
“Why… why are you telling me this now?”
For a long moment, the Lord of the Forest doesn’t speak. When Rognak finally looks up at him, the smile has dropped entirely from the ancient being’s face and he looks quite solemn.
“… The outsider showed me much to convince me of his plan. He showed me my death and some of what would come after. How Mannoroth would sweep up the orcs who killed me. How it would make it so very difficult for the Night Elves to accept an alliance with the Horde and the humans when the time came to unite against the Burning Legion. And… how even if they succeeded in the end, there would never be peace on Kalimdor, all because of that terrible first encounter between the Night Elf and Orcish People.”
Rognak slowly nods along with that, wondering where Cenarius is going with this. Luckily, he doesn’t have to wonder for long.
“What the outsider did not show me was the consequences of my choice. In creating you and ensuring my survival, I doomed my first student, Malfurion Stormrage, to the slow demise that he now suffers in the Emerald Dream.”
… Oh. Right. Rognak winces as he realizes just why Cenarius looks so grave. The Demigod glances off to the side, staring off into the forest for a long moment before sighing.
“I wonder if I would have agreed to the outsider’s plan if I had known it would lead to Malfurion’s death. My death in this world would not have been as… final as Malfurion’s will be. I know this. If it were just a simple trade, my life for his, I would gladly make it a thousand times over. And yet… and yet.”
Rognak’s heart goes out to the Lord of the Forest. Even as he’s still struggling to wrap his head around everything he’s been told, he feels Cenarius’ grief quite poignantly. Still… he’d known somehow, deep down inside, that he had a ‘benefactor’, but he’d had no idea they’d worked together with beings like Cenarius and the Wild Gods to create him. And not just them… Cenarius had mentioned his mother. Elune herself had signed off on Rognak’s creation. Wow.
“In the end, I know that this is the better path. As much as it pains me to admit it, as much as I would never knowingly pay it… the fact is, the price has already been paid. Your neophytes will become a force for good, Rognak… and once we throw the Burning Legion off of this world once and for all, things between the orcs and the Night Elves will settle into something approaching harmony. Together, you and I shall make sure of it.”
His voice is so confident, so certain, that Rognak can’t help but spring to his feet, suddenly revitalized by Cenarius’ conviction. He nods his head in determination, his hands closing into fists at his sides.
“Yes sir. Together, we’ll make sure that none of it comes to pass as it would have.”
Only too late does he realize he might have said too much as the Forest Lord looks at him slightly amused.
“I had wondered. Tell me, young Rognak… how much did the outsider give you?”
Flushing, Rognak ducks his head for a moment, considering lying for all of a heartbeat before tossing that aside.
“… Much, sir. He gave me quite a lot. I know things I shouldn’t. Secrets I shouldn’t. I-!”
Before he can come clean, Cenarius cuts him off.
“You manipulated me into releasing Illidan Stormrage for this opportunity to kill the Death Knight Arthas, didn’t you?”
Rognak freezes, half-expecting Cenarius to strike him down right then and there. When he doesn’t, the young orc just slowly nods, wordlessly admitting it.
“I thought as much. You were not as subtle as you thought yourself to be, my young friend. I knew not of the true nature of your plan, but I could tell from the start that you wanted Illidan free most of all.”
Grimacing, Rognak waves a hand at the pile of ash nearby. All that’s left of the Demon Hunter in question.
“It was never my intention that Illidan die. I underestimated just how dangerous Arthas was to him. But… yes. I knew, from things that the one you call ‘the outsider’ made me aware of, that this was our one opportunity to end the threat Arthas could one day pose. And… I took it. I’m not sorry that we managed to slay Arthas. I knew what he would become if he didn’t die here and now. But I am sorry that I lied to you… and that it cost Illidan his life.”
Cenarius hums again, nodding along. For a moment, they both stare at the ashes. In the end though, Rognak can’t keep quiet. He now has a new question pricking at his mind, demanding an answer.
“… Why aren’t you angrier with me for my deception?”
Turning his head, the Forest Demigod smirks slightly as he side-eyes the young orc.
“Perhaps because it would be rather hypocritical of me to do so, young one. After all, I am guilty of the exact same thing. Did you not think I knew what I was sending you and your orcs to do when I set you on the quest to destroy that corrupted pool of Mannoroth’s blood? Did you think I didn’t know the Pit Lord would be lurking in the shadows just waiting for his chance to strike? I manipulated you and your warriors into a battle that you almost certainly could not have won without my assistance. For that, I apologize.”
Rognak blinks dumbly. On the one hand, he sort of had known that. On the other hand, he wasn’t used to god-like beings such as a Demigod acting so… down to earth and chill. Cenarius had even apologized to him!
“… Err, I guess we’re even then?”
Cenarius snorts at his uncertain tone, before placing a hand of branch-like fingers down on Rognak’s shoulder.
“Indeed. We are ‘even’ as you put it. But… young Rognak. We both must work harder than ever to make sure it continues to be worth it. That all of the sacrifices, all of the consequences of our choices… continue to mean something going into the future. Malfurion is lost to us. As is Illidan. We must make sure that their deaths matter. And from now on, no more secrets between us, hm? We shall be co-conspirators for the outsider’s will, I suppose.”
“Aye. Co-conspirators.”
It’s an easy enough promise to make. He’d already promised himself that he would make it all matter, after all. Though as he and Cenarius stand there, a thought suddenly strikes Rognak and before he can second guess himself, he blurts it out.
“You should probably know that Fandral Staghelm is probably a servant of the Nightmare Lord at this point in time, and they have designs on both the Night Elf people and the Emerald Dream.”
Beside him, Rognak feels Cenarius go absolutely still. The Lord of the Forest freezes in what can only be described as complete and total surprise. Yeah, so whatever the ‘outsider’ told Cenarius, it didn’t include that bit. Good to know. Though to be fair, it sounded like Rognak knew a hell of a lot more than any of the Wild Gods, Cenarius included, got to know. Good thing he was their Champion or whatever, he supposed. He’d be sure to put all of his knowledge to good use… as best as he possibly could, anyways.
Finally, Cenarius exhales slowly.
“… Will this be a problem before the Legion is expelled from our world once more?”
Rognak winces but shakes his head.
“No.”
“… Then we shall shelve it for now. Is there anything in the more immediate that you can think of?”
It takes him only a second to remember something he’d thought about earlier, something that would no longer happen as a result of Illidan’s death.
“The dreadlord that the Death Knight spoke of, Tichondrius and his Skull of Gul’dan. Illidan, if he was still alive, would have been the one to deal with both. Now that he’s gone…”
Rognak trails off, not having to finish the sentence. Cenarius grunts and removes his hand from the orc’s shoulder.
“Hm. Then it would seem we know what we must do next. Tichondrius and this Skull must be dealt with. The Defiler’s forces must be as weakened as they possibly can be before the final battle. Even if Illidan is lost to us… we shall just have to take his place.”
That was almost exactly what Rognak had thought too, so he just nods along and follows the Lord of the Forest out of the clearing. Surprisingly, his steps are much lighter than before. He understands so much more now. Of his existence… and of his purpose.
“I was there the moment you were conceived; you know.”
… What? Rognak blinks, staring at the Forest Demigod. Of all of the things that he thought might have been about to come out of Cenarius’ mouth, that was most definitely not it. Not only that… the sentence made no sense. What did Cenarius MEAN he was there when Rognak was conceived?!
Sure, Rognak had been born on Azeroth just as Thrall did, but he assumed he’d been conceived on Draenor, right? Unless he was younger than Thrall by a good nine to eleven months. Oh, he sure hoped not. Honestly, he only had the opening of the Dark Portal to go off of when it came to his age. He might not even be a full twenty. It was entirely possible he was nineteen or-
A deep chuckle pulls Rognak out of his thoughts and he blinks, looking up to find that the Lord of the Forest is no longer looming over him quite like he was before. Instead, Cenarius has pulled back and the corner of his mouth has quirked up. Presumably because of the increasingly baffled and panicked look that had spread across Rognak’s face at the Demigod’s words. Cenarius was messing with him. But then, to what end?
“You misunderstand me, young druid. I do not speak of the day that your mother and father procreated in order to make you. No, rather… I speak of the moment where the idea of your very existence was conceived at a gathering of my peers.”
Oh. Well that just blew his mind in a whole new way. Rognak’s mouth opens… and then closes a moment later. Quite frankly, he has no clue what to say to that. What was Cenarius talking about? In the end… he simply had to ask, didn’t he?
“Can you… can you explain? What do you mean the idea of my existence?”
Obviously, Rognak knew he was an anomaly. It was kind of hard not to, when he had a second set of memories that treated this very real world he’d spent two decades growing up in as nothing more than a video game. But Cenarius… Cenarius was implying that he’d had a hand in Rognak’s creation? That he KNEW Rognak was an anomaly?
“An outsider came to us, not to long ago. Just before you were born as a matter of fact. He gathered up myself, my mother, and the other Wild Gods, as well as the more… reasonable of the Troll Loa. He brought us together and showed us many things. He showed us how things would go without interference. And then he showed us glimpses of what COULD be… with a little nudge in the right direction.”
Rognak soaks that in… and realizes that Cenarius is no longer implying anything. He’s outright stating it now, isn’t he? As the young orc grapples with Cenarius’ confession, the Lord of the Forest continues his explanation.
“I don’t know everything that he showed the others. Some have kept their… revelations from this outsider close to their chest. Some have shared, but most have not. For me, he showed me my death… at the hands of your former Chieftain.”
Rognak’s breath hitches at that and Cenarius smiles and nods.
“Yes. I know that I was supposed to die by that very axe you carry with you now, wielded by a Grommash Hellscream empowered by twice-drunk demon blood. I know that you stopped that from happening, Rognak. I know that you saved my life.”
Well. Shit. On the one hand… that did explain why Cenarius had been at the edge of Ashenvale Forest just waiting for the Warsong Clan instead of deeper into the woods where Rognak’s other set of memories claimed he should have been. But on the other hand… Rognak frowns and his brow furrows.
“Did I truly save your life if you already knew how to avoid your initial death?”
Cenarius hums at that, bowing his head in acknowledgment of Rognak’s poignant question. It was a good point, or at least the orc felt it was. But in the end, the Forest Demigod then shakes his head.
“It was a condition that the outsider set forth before us, young druid. If we agreed to his terms, we kept what he shared with us. If we did not, he would take it all away again. So no matter how you look at it… you did in fact save me. Truly.”
Rognak lets out a shuddering breath at that, still struggling to wrap his head around everything. But then, something in the back of his mind whispers that it all makes sense. The vast majority of his second set of memories have always been about this world and the ‘video game series’ set in it. But Rognak is aware that whoever he used to be had another life outside of just playing said video game series. Something about all of this feels quite familiar, now that Cenarius is spelling it out for him so succinctly.
“In exchange for the secrets he shared with us, he asked in return that we bless you with power. That we take a single orc babe, born in the midst of the Orcish Horde’s invasion, and empower you with a connection to Nature itself.”
It takes a second for that to truly seep into his fuzzy mind. And then it does and Rognak’s eyes snap wide open as he stares at Cenarius, mouth agape.
“All of you?”
Here, Cenarius’ half-smile becomes a little wider as he nods.
“Indeed, young druid. All of us. You wondered why it was so easy for you to utilize your connection with Nature? Why you have always been a natural druid, where your fellow orcs struggle with even the most basic concepts? That is the answer. You are blessed by the Wild Gods of Azeroth. Every Ancient Guardian not lost to corruption or death tied themselves to you at the outsider’s bidding. We chose to be your patrons, and to grant you the gifts that you now wield in defense of this world and life itself.”
This… this explained much. Maybe not everything, but certainly a lot. And yet, it was also a lot to take in, quite frankly. He needs to sit down. And even though he’s in front of a Demigod and knows he shouldn’t… Rognak collapses to his backside with a thump, his ass hitting the forest floor as he rests his hands on his knees and just… thinks for a long moment.
Cenarius falls quiet, allowing him to process what he’s just been told. But in that ensuing silence, Rognak finds himself circling back to one particular question over and over again.
“Why… why are you telling me this now?”
For a long moment, the Lord of the Forest doesn’t speak. When Rognak finally looks up at him, the smile has dropped entirely from the ancient being’s face and he looks quite solemn.
“… The outsider showed me much to convince me of his plan. He showed me my death and some of what would come after. How Mannoroth would sweep up the orcs who killed me. How it would make it so very difficult for the Night Elves to accept an alliance with the Horde and the humans when the time came to unite against the Burning Legion. And… how even if they succeeded in the end, there would never be peace on Kalimdor, all because of that terrible first encounter between the Night Elf and Orcish People.”
Rognak slowly nods along with that, wondering where Cenarius is going with this. Luckily, he doesn’t have to wonder for long.
“What the outsider did not show me was the consequences of my choice. In creating you and ensuring my survival, I doomed my first student, Malfurion Stormrage, to the slow demise that he now suffers in the Emerald Dream.”
… Oh. Right. Rognak winces as he realizes just why Cenarius looks so grave. The Demigod glances off to the side, staring off into the forest for a long moment before sighing.
“I wonder if I would have agreed to the outsider’s plan if I had known it would lead to Malfurion’s death. My death in this world would not have been as… final as Malfurion’s will be. I know this. If it were just a simple trade, my life for his, I would gladly make it a thousand times over. And yet… and yet.”
Rognak’s heart goes out to the Lord of the Forest. Even as he’s still struggling to wrap his head around everything he’s been told, he feels Cenarius’ grief quite poignantly. Still… he’d known somehow, deep down inside, that he had a ‘benefactor’, but he’d had no idea they’d worked together with beings like Cenarius and the Wild Gods to create him. And not just them… Cenarius had mentioned his mother. Elune herself had signed off on Rognak’s creation. Wow.
“In the end, I know that this is the better path. As much as it pains me to admit it, as much as I would never knowingly pay it… the fact is, the price has already been paid. Your neophytes will become a force for good, Rognak… and once we throw the Burning Legion off of this world once and for all, things between the orcs and the Night Elves will settle into something approaching harmony. Together, you and I shall make sure of it.”
His voice is so confident, so certain, that Rognak can’t help but spring to his feet, suddenly revitalized by Cenarius’ conviction. He nods his head in determination, his hands closing into fists at his sides.
“Yes sir. Together, we’ll make sure that none of it comes to pass as it would have.”
Only too late does he realize he might have said too much as the Forest Lord looks at him slightly amused.
“I had wondered. Tell me, young Rognak… how much did the outsider give you?”
Flushing, Rognak ducks his head for a moment, considering lying for all of a heartbeat before tossing that aside.
“… Much, sir. He gave me quite a lot. I know things I shouldn’t. Secrets I shouldn’t. I-!”
Before he can come clean, Cenarius cuts him off.
“You manipulated me into releasing Illidan Stormrage for this opportunity to kill the Death Knight Arthas, didn’t you?”
Rognak freezes, half-expecting Cenarius to strike him down right then and there. When he doesn’t, the young orc just slowly nods, wordlessly admitting it.
“I thought as much. You were not as subtle as you thought yourself to be, my young friend. I knew not of the true nature of your plan, but I could tell from the start that you wanted Illidan free most of all.”
Grimacing, Rognak waves a hand at the pile of ash nearby. All that’s left of the Demon Hunter in question.
“It was never my intention that Illidan die. I underestimated just how dangerous Arthas was to him. But… yes. I knew, from things that the one you call ‘the outsider’ made me aware of, that this was our one opportunity to end the threat Arthas could one day pose. And… I took it. I’m not sorry that we managed to slay Arthas. I knew what he would become if he didn’t die here and now. But I am sorry that I lied to you… and that it cost Illidan his life.”
Cenarius hums again, nodding along. For a moment, they both stare at the ashes. In the end though, Rognak can’t keep quiet. He now has a new question pricking at his mind, demanding an answer.
“… Why aren’t you angrier with me for my deception?”
Turning his head, the Forest Demigod smirks slightly as he side-eyes the young orc.
“Perhaps because it would be rather hypocritical of me to do so, young one. After all, I am guilty of the exact same thing. Did you not think I knew what I was sending you and your orcs to do when I set you on the quest to destroy that corrupted pool of Mannoroth’s blood? Did you think I didn’t know the Pit Lord would be lurking in the shadows just waiting for his chance to strike? I manipulated you and your warriors into a battle that you almost certainly could not have won without my assistance. For that, I apologize.”
Rognak blinks dumbly. On the one hand, he sort of had known that. On the other hand, he wasn’t used to god-like beings such as a Demigod acting so… down to earth and chill. Cenarius had even apologized to him!
“… Err, I guess we’re even then?”
Cenarius snorts at his uncertain tone, before placing a hand of branch-like fingers down on Rognak’s shoulder.
“Indeed. We are ‘even’ as you put it. But… young Rognak. We both must work harder than ever to make sure it continues to be worth it. That all of the sacrifices, all of the consequences of our choices… continue to mean something going into the future. Malfurion is lost to us. As is Illidan. We must make sure that their deaths matter. And from now on, no more secrets between us, hm? We shall be co-conspirators for the outsider’s will, I suppose.”
“Aye. Co-conspirators.”
It’s an easy enough promise to make. He’d already promised himself that he would make it all matter, after all. Though as he and Cenarius stand there, a thought suddenly strikes Rognak and before he can second guess himself, he blurts it out.
“You should probably know that Fandral Staghelm is probably a servant of the Nightmare Lord at this point in time, and they have designs on both the Night Elf people and the Emerald Dream.”
Beside him, Rognak feels Cenarius go absolutely still. The Lord of the Forest freezes in what can only be described as complete and total surprise. Yeah, so whatever the ‘outsider’ told Cenarius, it didn’t include that bit. Good to know. Though to be fair, it sounded like Rognak knew a hell of a lot more than any of the Wild Gods, Cenarius included, got to know. Good thing he was their Champion or whatever, he supposed. He’d be sure to put all of his knowledge to good use… as best as he possibly could, anyways.
Finally, Cenarius exhales slowly.
“… Will this be a problem before the Legion is expelled from our world once more?”
Rognak winces but shakes his head.
“No.”
“… Then we shall shelve it for now. Is there anything in the more immediate that you can think of?”
It takes him only a second to remember something he’d thought about earlier, something that would no longer happen as a result of Illidan’s death.
“The dreadlord that the Death Knight spoke of, Tichondrius and his Skull of Gul’dan. Illidan, if he was still alive, would have been the one to deal with both. Now that he’s gone…”
Rognak trails off, not having to finish the sentence. Cenarius grunts and removes his hand from the orc’s shoulder.
“Hm. Then it would seem we know what we must do next. Tichondrius and this Skull must be dealt with. The Defiler’s forces must be as weakened as they possibly can be before the final battle. Even if Illidan is lost to us… we shall just have to take his place.”
That was almost exactly what Rognak had thought too, so he just nods along and follows the Lord of the Forest out of the clearing. Surprisingly, his steps are much lighter than before. He understands so much more now. Of his existence… and of his purpose.
