La pire mort de Midnight...?

This video details the story of the Void Storm, the final main zone in the Midnight expansion for World of Warcraft. To fully grasp this narrative, it is recommended to review the stories of the first three zones: the Eternal Fields Wood, Zouaman, and Arandar. This summary will cover the events of the Void Storm for those who haven't played the quests or seek additional information. The story begins after completing the Eternal Fields Wood, Zouaman, and Arandar regions. We are preparing to confront the Devouring Host, Xelatat's army, directly in the Void Storm. However, two preliminary steps are required. First, we must assist the Light Vanguard in reinforcing the Sunwell's defenses, which are beginning to falter against Xelatat. Second, we need to aid Magister Humrick, a representative of the Void Elves, in securing access to the Void Storm. A complication arises because the Army of Light is wary of someone using the Void approaching the Sunwell, particularly a character named Lothraxion. Lothraxion is the High Commander of the Grand Army of the Light, led by Grand Exarch Turalyon. This army, guided by Naaru like Xera (a primordial Naaru), is dedicated to eradicating the Burning Legion across the universe in an eternal war, such as the Millennia War that Turalyon and Alleria fought after the Second War, which took place in the Twisting Nether where time flows differently. Lothraxion, initially known as Aim, was a dreadlord—a creature created by Denathrius, ruler of Revendreth in the Shadowlands, the realm of death. Denathrius designed dreadlords as master infiltrators to spread the influence of death across cosmic forces and the physical universe. In Shadowlands, the book "Enemy Infiltration - Preface" revealed a dreadlord's report to Denathrius outlining plans to manipulate other cosmic forces. For Order, they aimed to fracture the Titan Pantheon by presenting a force directly opposing their desire for order. For the Void, they planned to use the influence of Void Lords to counteract their rivals. For Disorder, they consumed fel energy to infiltrate the plane more easily, explaining why dreadlords were often perceived as demons working for the Burning Legion. For Life, they sought to study the connection between the Life plane and Ardenweald in the Shadowlands to find vulnerabilities and exploit them. Finally, for Light, they intended to make the Naaru believe they had converted one of their own to their cause, implying a dreadlord imbued with Light. This context is crucial because Lothraxion was believed to be this infiltrated dreadlord, secretly working for Denathrius. While the veracity of the book remains debated, it is confirmed that Lothraxion once infiltrated the Burning Legion, like many of his kind, with the primary objective of tracking and destroying Void creatures, even if it meant destroying worlds. During this pursuit, Lothraxion encountered the Shadow Weaver, an Ethereal knowledgeable about the Void, who killed Lothraxion outside the Twisting Nether so he could regenerate and return to life later, as creatures of a specific force can only truly die within their native plane. As a dreadlord linked to the Burning Legion and infused with fel energy, Lothraxion eventually returned to the Twisting Nether. The Shadow Weaver foresaw an exceptional destiny for Lothraxion, which was confirmed when Lothraxion later encountered the Draenei and the Light. He concluded that joining the Light was the only way to defeat the Void. His fellow dreadlords reportedly did not understand his choice, but Lothraxion believed the Light was the perfect weapon, even if it purified him of his past allegiances. He became the first and only Light-infused dreadlord, refusing to lie, shapeshift, or betray, as these actions were not of the Light. He joined Xera's Army of the Light and fought in the Millennia War alongside Turalyon and Alleria. Lothraxion played a significant role in Alleria's story. After Alleria was attacked and infected by the Void for the first time, Lothraxion revealed the existence of the Shadow Weaver and shared all he knew about the Void to help her. Lothraxion was a close friend to Turalyon and Alleria and warned Alleria against discussing the Void with Xera, fearing severe consequences. Ultimately, this fear materialized 500 years later when Alleria returned to aid Turalyon and Lothraxion against an assassin. Xera witnessed Alleria using the Void and sought to punish or execute her. Turalyon and Lothraxion pleaded for clemency, resulting in Alleria's imprisonment on their vessel. This event is vital for understanding Lothraxion's character and his relationship with Alleria, which drives the subsequent Void Storm questline. Lothraxion's later exploits in Legion, including his imprisonment on Niskara, recruitment by the Silver Hand, fighting demons, and rejoining the Army of the Light on Argus, are less central to the current narrative. Returning to Midnight, Lothraxion is among the Light forces summoned to defend the Sunwell against Xelatat. He is a key figure in opposing Humrick's proximity to the Sunwell, his distrust justified by Alleria's previous incident, where the Void used her to threaten the Sunwell. However, the situation is desperate, and Humrick's help is needed. With the approval of Silvermoon's Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron, Humrick is allowed to retrieve the Twilight Concentrator, a Void relic capable of opening a passage to the Void Storm. This relic is heavily guarded on the Terrace of the Magisters, requiring us to fight its guardians and eliminate Void forces also trying to stop Humrick. With the key in hand, we open a portal to the Void Storm. Turalyon remains in Silvermoon to lead the forces, while Lothraxion accompanies Humrick, Arator, and the adventurer into this new region. Through quests, we learn that the Void Storm was once a world called Predaea, renowned for its knowledge, scholarship, and magnificent cities. A devastating war erupted on Predaea, leading to widespread destruction. One empire commissioned a smith named Hakintund to create an ultimate weapon to end the conflict, as victory was unattainable. Hakintund created a weapon of mass destruction that annihilated entire civilizations, destroying Predaea completely, both allies and enemies. Hakintund was then imprisoned by those who ordered the weapon, becoming the last remnant of an ancient civilization predating Xelatat and his Devouring Host. Predaea became a ruined wasteland, its cities annihilated, with only microscopic species surviving and evolving into monstrous beasts over millennia. Over time, Void creatures like the Man'ari settled on Predaea's ruins, renaming it the Void Storm. Thus, the Void Storm is not a world of original Void origin; it is more akin to Outland, a planet destroyed by an event and now existing at the crossroads of cosmic energies, particularly the Void in this case. It now serves as Xelatat's staging ground for his attack on the Sunwell, which is why we are here. Some theories suggest Predaea might be Xelatat's homeworld, as depicted in the "Supremacy" cinematic, but there's insufficient evidence to elaborate. Upon arriving in the Void Storm, the Void's power is intense and suffocating, necessitating stabilization of the surroundings. The Ren'dorei (Void Elves) assist, despite hearing the whispers of darkness more strongly than ever, risking corruption more intensely than during their initial transformation in Telogrus Rift. Yet, they are the most suited to understand this world. After securing the area, the elves establish a camp, and we, with Lothraxion and Arator, inspect the zone. We encounter Alleria, who questions our presence. We explain our mission, and she reveals she's been tracking Xelatat, landing on this world after pursuing an Ethereal at the end of "The War Within" (a cinematic introducing the expansion). She informs us that Xelatat used the Dark Heart's power to construct the Void Spire, the massive structure seen in the distance, and the influx of this energy formed the Void Storm, redirecting it towards the Sunwell. She also mentions powerful entities called Domanars lead the Devouring Host for Xelatat, and one is nearby. Eliminating this Domanar could slow the Void army's advance, or perhaps subjugating it could offer better insights. Conveniently, the Domanar people apply a Void-infused metal called Shadowgraft to local beasts to integrate them into the army. This Shadowgraft strengthens creatures but also influences their minds. If we collect these bonds and infuse them with Light, it might have a similar effect on the Domanars. Throughout this, Lothraxion repeatedly expresses his disapproval, stating that the Light is superior, the Void must be eradicated, and no one, especially Void beings like the Ren'dorei or even Alleria, can be trusted. Despite his reservations, he eventually accepts the plan, and we capture the Domanar leader, Desimus. Desimus is subjected to the Light bonds and quickly becomes cooperative, not as a controlled creature, but as a Void being with his own agenda, seemingly agreeing to oppose Xelatat because he finds Xelatat's plans for Azeroth and the cosmos "mortally boring." Desimus informs us of "nexus points" on the world's periphery that fuel the storm; destroying them would significantly slow the Void's progression. Nearby is an Ethereal manaforge refinery belonging to the Shadowguard, Xelatat's servants. Disrupting this manaforge would give us an advantage. While eliminating Ethereals there, we discover encrypted messages between Saladar, the Shadowguard leader, and Xelatat. These messages reveal that Saladar and his forces have captured a Naaru, Terra, and intend to deliver her to the Void for Xelatat. Terra arrived on the world of Naschabor earlier (as learned in side quests). Naschabor is described as a world of exceptional natural beauty, with crimson plains giving way to violet lakes and rivers with immense lily pads, inhabited by Draenei who learn to fight to survive attacks from Void creatures. Naschabor was invaded by Void forces and Domanars, who opened portals in the sky and abducted Draenei to fight in arenas in the Void Storm. Terra was likely abducted during this time and placed under a large magical shield. The plan is simple: first, place mana cells on the nexus point to disable it without immediate detonation. Then, join others to free the Naaru, hoping to gain her allegiance. We deactivate the shield in the generator room and reach Terra, whose Light is already flickering. A Naaru, a being of pure Light, can fall to the Void, and this is happening. Terra succumbs to corruption, immobilizing Arator. It's too late to save her. Alleria then uses her own powers, invoking the power of a Naaru aura within her to propel Terra towards the spire where the bombs were planted. The spire explodes, and Terra is lost forever. Our group returns to the Void Elf camp, where they are also in distress. While Alleria and Arator talk, a dispute erupts between Lothraxion and Desimus. Lothraxion sees Desimus as a monster, enraged by the recent events, his Light burning intensely like Turalyon's in previous zones. Arator manages to stop the duel. Desimus, amused by Lothraxion's fiery performance, remains willing to help. Since he has had ample opportunity to betray us and hasn't, his sincerity seems genuine, so Alleria removes his bonds. Lothraxion, predictably, disagrees. Desimus then reveals that the storm can only be stopped from within the nexus points, and to enter them, one needs the "Mantle of Predation," an artifact granted by Xelatat to those who ascend cosmic ranks through bloodshed. This power attracts power, making its wielder a constant target. Essentially, it's a poisoned gift. This mantle can extinguish the nexus points; neutralizing one will cause a cascade effect. However, the nexus points must not be destroyed from within, as this would unleash an energy surge that would annihilate Silvermoon on the other side of the portal. They must merely be extinguished. The mantle's current holder is Terminas, who guards it in the Citadel of Obscurion. Desimus, also wishing to stop the storm and Xelatat (as he needs no mistress), offers to help and invites us to his domain. This provides a strategic base for the upcoming battle against the Citadel of Obscurion to retrieve the Mantle of Predation. Terminas has two lieutenants, Torencia and Severum, whom we must defeat first. Our forces split: Lothraxion and a group of Ren'dorei track Severum, while Arator, Alleria, and the adventurer go to kill Torencia. After defeating Torencia, we rejoin Lothraxion's group. However, we find Lothraxion has abandoned the Void Elves, who are either dead or wounded. He dismisses them as "acceptable losses," arguing they knew the risks. Alleria rebukes him, pointing out that we are few, and every loss hinders our progress towards Xelatat. Nonetheless, we kill Severum and proceed to steal the Mantle of Predation. At this point, Terminas intervenes to stop us. Initially, it appears Desimus betrays us by joining Terminas, who throws us into an arena for a deathmatch. However, Desimus uses this opportunity to betray Terminas and steal his mantle. This was his plan all along: to feed on the Domanar's energy, using us as a necessary diversion. He had withheld the crucial detail that only a Domanar could use the mantle. This final act enrages Lothraxion, who decides he can wait no longer. He intends to destroy the nexus points, despite warnings that the resulting energy wave would annihilate Silvermoon. We are forced to stop him by entering the Xenas nexus point ourselves, leading to a confrontation where we defeat and kill Lothraxion. His fanaticism led to his demise, the Light having transformed him to the point of succumbing to rage. Desimus then uses the mantle to weaken the storm, creating a passage for the Army of the Light, led by Turalyon, to enter the Void Storm and attack the Void forces. This sets the stage for the Void Spire raid, which will be covered in a subsequent video. This concludes the story of the final zone of the Midnight expansion before future patches.