Chapter 687

Chapter 687: What is True and What is False

He was the second boss of the team dungeon, Blackwing Lair, the fallen Vaelastrasz.

Of course, before being captured and forced into servitude by the black dragon prince, Nefarian, he had been a kind-hearted Red Dragon determined to destroy the black dragons’ plans, meaning he hadn’t "fallen" yet.

Jesse felt lucky he even remembered his original name, let alone his mortal form’s name in Common.

"Did you make the orb that turns people into Orcs?" Jesse asked.

Vaelan looked a bit surprised. "You could tell I made it? I hid all traces of red dragon magic from that orb to help you sneak into Grim Batol…"

"I didn’t figure it out," Jesse replied. "Krasus said a friend of his made the orb, so I guessed."

"Oh, I see," Vaelan said. "Things happened too fast at Grim Batol. I was tracking black dragons in the wastelands south of Loch Modan then, so I missed the Queen’s call. When I got there, it was all over."

He pulled up a chair. "Sit, Jesse. I’ve wanted to meet you. How can I help?"

"I want to know where Master Krasus is now," Jesse asked.

Vaelan shook his head. "I’m not sure."

"Didn’t he go to Grim Batol?" Jesse asked.

"No," Vaelan said. "He hasn’t shown up since Grim Batol. I hadn’t heard from him for days before that. But it’s normal; I once went years without news, and the Kirin Tor even kicked him off the council. That’s happened before."

"But I think Deathwing imprisoned him, and he can’t escape," Jesse said.

Vaelan thought for a moment. "Did you see that in your nightmare from Deathwing? The Queen said Deathwing tries to control your mind with magic."

"Yes."

"You know Deathwing loves to trick and scare with illusions," Vaelan said.

"I know."

"Still, describe what you saw," Vaelan urged. "Deathwing is arrogant. If he really caught Prince Korialstrasz, he’d flaunt it in a dream. We can’t ignore that." Jesse nodded.

Honestly, it was hard to recall those dreams. After Grim Batol, he tried to forget Deathwing’s hold on him.

Just thinking about the dreams or Deathwing’s words felt like dark energy eating at him. But this wasn’t the time to hide; Krasus wasn’t in Dalaran or with the red dragons, so he might be in danger.

"A prison," Jesse said. "A brazier… Krasus’s mortal form was trapped inside, I think…"

"The Prestor family dungeons? I doubt they could hold a prince," Vaelan said, narrowing his eyes. Jesse saw his pupils turn vertical like a reptile’s… It reminded him of Deathwing’s eyes in the dream, making the memory sharp.

"Black walls, huge and tall, dark halls, black metal chains," Jesse said. "The chains bound him like they were enchanted."

"Blackrock Mountain?" Vaelan asked. Blackrock Spire…

Yes, Jesse remembered how it looked in the game—almost the same.

In the dream, he focused too much on Krasus and Deathwing, and he thought it was just a trick.

"Like Dark Iron Dwarf work?" Vaelan pressed. "Similar to Grim Batol, but all black stone and metal…"

"It did look like dwarf buildings," Jesse said.

"I can’t sit idle here; I need to check Blackrock Spire," Vaelan said, standing up. "I can’t ignore the chance he’s there. Thanks for the clues; I know recalling Deathwing’s illusions hurt you."

"Before I go, I have a gift for you, Jesse." He turned and took a dark brown cloak from a cabinet. "Take this as thanks for saving my mother from Grim Batol."

"This is…" Jesse touched the cloak. The black stripes felt like metal threads, sharp enough to cut skin.

"It’s a cloak I kept for years, made from the skin and scales of a powerful black dragonlet I beat long ago," Vaelan explained. "After making that orb, I enchanted this cloak to let the wearer turn into an Orc. I thought you’d like it; Orcs know demons and Shadow Magic we don’t. Don’t you want to ask them yourself?"

"My goodness," Jesse said. "This is amazing…"

Vaelan added, "This cloak works better than the orb and won’t break from magic easily."

"How do I use it?" Jesse asked.

"Put it on," Vaelan said. "Then say a simple dragon word—Vaelastraszarnoth. The Queen’s essence flows in you; it should be easy."

Jesse wrapped himself in the cloak. "Can I try here?"

"Sure." Vaelan stepped back.

Jesse tried, "Vaelastraszarnoth…"

With a boom, flames wrapped around him, and he felt the same heat as with the orb. His body grew fast…

He became an Orc again, but taller and stronger this time—more like a warrior than a sneaky Orc warlock.

Vaelan nodded. "This change resists magic, but it doesn’t last like the orb, Jesse. Two or three days max, and it takes weeks to recharge. Don’t plan to live in an Orc tribe."

"I remember," Jesse said.

"Well, I should get that orb back now."

"Uh, I lost it. In Grim Batol."

"Ah, it went where it belonged," Vaelan sighed. "But that’s fine. Time to say goodbye, Jesse."

Jesse held the cloak. "If Krasus is trapped in Blackrock Spire, the black dragons control it."

"I know," Vaelan said, putting on a red robe. "Don’t worry, Jesse; I can fool their watch. I’ll just look around and see if your dream was Deathwing’s magic. Even if the prince is trapped, I’ll tell the Queen first."