he could discuss. 'We must return to Rhonin and the others. Are you prepared to take us there?'
'Climb aboard and we will be on our way.'
The two did as the dragon bade. Once they had settled at his shoulders, Korialstrasz stretched his wings, then gently took off. He circled the field twice before heading toward the direction of the battle.
As they flew, Krasus constantly glanced behind them. He was certain that they were fast approaching the point when the dragons would be coming, but so far he noted nothing. That gave him hope that he could devise a plan to deal with Neltharion's betrayal before it took place. If the evil of his creation could be stopped or, better yet, wielded by one not tainted, then the demons could be defeated, and his own kind saved from their slide to near-extinction.
'We must be getting near,' Malfurion called. 'The sky is growing hazy!'
Sure enough, the foul mist that pervaded wherever the demons had marched soon met them. Korialstrasz tried to keep low, but in order to avoid flying blind, he had to practically let his torso scrape the ground. When that effort finally proved unmanageable, he said, 'I must fly higher! Perhaps there we will find a limit to this murk!'
Through the mist the trio rose. Krasus squinted, but saw nothing beyond his younger self 's nose and sometimes not even that far. With visibility so poor, he knew that Korialstrasz had to rely on smell and other senses to make headway.
'There must be an end to it!' the red dragon snapped. 'I will find it even if it takes me-'
A winged figure suddenly appeared in their path. The Doomguard darted back into the mist the moment he saw the dragon.
Korialstrasz immediately gave chase, forcing Krasus and Malfurion to hold on tight.
'Leave him!' the mage shouted. 'We must get to the battle!'
But the fierce wind created by Korialstrasz's swift flight carried away his words. Krasus beat on the dragon's neck, but the heavy scales prevented the other from noticing.
'What about a spell?' Malfurion cried. 'Just something to attract his attention!'
Krasus had wanted to do that, but knew better. 'If we startle him at all, he may jolt and drop one or both of us! In this thick mist, it would be impossible for him to catch us before we hit the ground below!'
Forced to let Korialstrasz continue his pursuit, the two could only lean low and hope that the dragon either caught the demon quickly or gave up. However, recalling exactly how determined he had been when younger, Krasus knew that Korialstrasz would not turn back so soon. His own stubbornness now worked against all of them.
Again the demon flickered into sight. The fearsome, horned warrior flew as fast as his fiery wings could carry him. Even he understood that he could not stand against such a giant.
The mage frowned. The Doomguard had their share of cunning, and could see through this mist far better than their foes. The demon should have been able to figure out a way to lose Korialstrasz, who was clearly having trouble locating him. If not for the almost straight line the demon flew-
The truth suddenly dawned on Krasus. 'Malfurion! Prepare yourself! We are about to be attacked!'
The druid looked around, seeking a foe in the fog.
A second later, he and Krasus were greeted by many.
The winged warriors came at the trio from all angles. At least half a dozen rose up under Korialstrasz, striking at the dragon's chest and stomach. Others dropped down, seeking to either slay or knock off the two riders. Several more fluttered about in front of and behind the leviathan.
Korialstrasz roared, sending out a flood of fire at those in front of him. Most of the demons scattered, but one he caught dead center, reducing the horned warrior to ash.
The red's massive tail swung like a mace, battering three of the Doomguard away. The others darted in, slashing with their horrific blades and even managing a few cuts in the scales.
Atop him, Krasus and Malfurion were harried. The dragon mage managed to cast a quick spell that created a glowing orange shield above them, but the demons battered relentlessly at it, quickly weakening his work.
The night elf reached into a pouch at his side. He took from it some small particles, then cast them at those demons most immediate. As they touched each of their targets, the particles blossomed into huge tendrils-creeper vines. Malfurion muttered under his breath, and the vines expanded in every direction.
The demons began tearing and slashing at the plants overwhelming them, but the vines grew at a swifter pace than they could cut.
Several encircled and tightened around one demon's throat. There was a crackling sound, and the horned warrior slumped…then plummeted from sight.
Other demons found their limbs and, most important, their wings, entangled. Two fell screaming to their deaths.
Krasus cried out as a Doomguard who had gotten under the shield cut him on the shoulder. Eyes blazing, the mage took out much of his frustration with a single word of power. The demon howled as his flesh melted like wax, dripping over and through his fiery armor. That which passed for bones clattered in a heap before spilling groundward.
Yet still there seemed Doomguard everywhere. Krasus could not help but feel that they had been set there to await either the return of the one dragon that had aided the night elves or any other of the great beasts. The irony that the demons might have delayed Neltharion's betrayal long enough for Krasus to do something about it did not escape the mage.
Hindered by the fact that he carried riders, Korialstrasz could not dive about as he normally would have, but the dragon nonetheless made good use of his other skills. One demon came too close. With a snap of his jaws, Korialstrasz crushed the attacker, then spat out the remains.
Shaking his head, he uttered, 'Horrible taste! Horrible!'
Krasus continued to look around. The Burning Legion never came in one assault. They always had another attack waiting for the proper moment.
He spotted four Doomguard flying side by side. After a moment, he realized that they all held onto what at first seemed a long, thick rope. As they neared, however, he saw that it was not a rope, but rather some sort of flexible metal line.
He jerked his gaze in the opposite direction. Sure enough, four more demons carried a similar object, and both groups appeared headed for Korialstrasz's wing area.
'Malfurion! Look there!'
The druid did, his expression turning perplexed. 'What do they plan to do with that?'
'Tangle or bind his wings, likely! Korialstrasz is too distracted! We must do what we can to stop them!'
Even as he spoke, the elder mage sighted two more groups likewise armed. The demons wanted to ensure they accomplished their dire task.
As those carrying the lines neared, the other Doomguard fought with more frenzy. Krasus and the night elf tried focusing on the true threat, but the Burning Legion would not permit them.
A huge gust of wind abruptly scattered many of the hellish warriors above. Malfurion exhaled, the spell-with all else-taking something out of him. However, he had bought Krasus time to act.
Borrowing from one of the druid's most potent attacks, the one that had slain Hakkar, Krasus eyed the first group. The demons nearly had the impossibly-long wire over a distracted Korialstrasz's left wing. If they succeeded in looping it around, the dragon would be forced to try to stay aloft with the right-an insurmountable task.
The bolt struck only one of the demons, but the very line they carried sent the shock through to the others. The monstrous attackers shook and screamed, then, as the lightning faded, their limp hands released the metal bond. The four plummeted into the mist.
Although he had stopped one set, Krasus now saw that there were at least five others. The other winged fighters closed again, bedeviling the three.
'I must ask of you the greatest of favors!' thundered the red dragon. 'Cling to me as if your lives depended upon it, for they certainly will!'
The two smaller figures immediately obeyed. Krasus shouted, 'Hook your feet under the scale, Malfurion! Quickly!'
Just as they both did what he suggested, Korialstrasz spun on his back.
