Kel'Thuzad, another of Galen's trusted allies, fit all of Galen's criteria for friendship: a homebody who preferred his mage tower, exceptionally talented and strong, reliable in crucial moments, earnest and persistent, and a cat lover!
This time, Kel'Thuzad represented the Kirin Tor's Council of Six, leading a thousand mages under Lothar's command. Stationed at the rear, he moved to the front lines upon receiving Lothar's order!
Under Kel'Thuzad's direction, the mages began chanting war magic in unison. Their shared magical frequency allowed them to form a cohesive spellcasting team, and a massive blizzard materialized!
The blizzard struck the Horde's main force, bypassing the human shield wall. Orcs were caught in a whirlwind of snow and ice, quickly succumbing to frostbite. Even the robust Orcs couldn't withstand this arcane ice.
Deep frost magic? Galen thought, reminded of his time in the shattered fortress!
The blizzard lasted two minutes, decimating the Horde's center. Some Orcs froze solid, their faces contorted in agony, while others died instantly.
Soon, a lightning storm followed. Pale bolts struck the Orcs and Ogres, blasting them into the air and tearing them apart.
These two large-scale spells cleared the field, allowing Turalyon to reorganize. However, the Orcs, now maddened by the blood of Mannoroth, would soon charge again.
The Orc warriors, fearless of death, embodied the phrase "Victory or death." They charged the new shield wall, their weapons and bodies crashing against it!
"Report! The Gilneas brigade has suffered too many casualties and has withdrawn."
"The Stratholme battle group is annihilated!"
"The Alterac mountain battle group is routed!"
The news was grim. The Alliance was suffering heavy losses. The eastern beach had become a meat grinder.
Galen's three Stromgarde legions were crippled. Lordaeron had lost two battle groups. Gilneas's two mountain corps had been forced to retreat. Alterac's infantry regiment had been shattered, their morale broken. Only the mage contingent had prevented the Orcs from overwhelming the shield wall.
Lothar, observing the battle from the high ground, saw the Alliance's encirclement faltering.
Stromgarde's warriors fought to the death, holding the northwest corner, but the northern lines of Lordaeron, Gilneas, and Alterac were in danger.
Lothar's western line was also under heavy assault.
The soldiers, their minds blank, were deafened by the battle cries and blinded by the blood and corpses of both comrades and Orcs.
They fought on instinct, following orders and striking at anything green or tall!
Mograine was heartbroken. Two of the five legions entrusted to him by King Terenas were gone!
The remaining three were heavily depleted, fighting only through sheer determination. At least they hadn't broken like Alterac's regiment.
The Alliance generals realized that in head-on combat, humans were no match for the Orcs.
But Turalyon and Mograine knew they had knightly orders in reserve. Now, away from the narrow beach, the hills allowed for a proper charge!
"Knightly orders, prepare!" Lothar shouted from the rear!
Turalyon and the others had anticipated this. It was time for the knights to decide the battle!
"Stormwind Knights!"
"Aerie Peak Knights!"
"Lordaeron Royal Knights!"
"Stromgarde First Knights!"
"Prepare to charge!" Lothar's eyes gleamed with killing intent. The knights, humanity's most powerful force, would divide, penetrate, and annihilate!
The tens of thousands of heavy armored knights charged from different directions, making the earth tremble. Like a sharp knife, they cut the Orcs' left wing off from the main force!
The knights, moving at high speed, ignored the Orcs' attacks. Their charge left a trail of Orcish blood and bodies.
Lothar saw the Orcish army's plight. Galen's legion held the right wing in the northwest, and the main force was focused on the infantry of Lordaeron, Gilneas, and Alterac, leaving the western left wing vulnerable!
With Lothar and others away from the beach and on the hills, the commander of the left wing was focused on Lothar, leaving his forces exposed!
Orgrim was now in trouble!
"Warchief! The clansmen on the west side are trapped! I will rescue them!" Varok Saurfang, who had been protecting Orgrim, had blocked a dozen arrows, two of which nearly hit him.
"No!" Orgrim said, grinding his teeth.
"Break through the human blockade from the front, then rescue them!" Orgrim shouted. "Tell your brothers, don't get bogged down! Follow my main force!"
"Blackrock Guard! Follow me into battle!"