just picked up issue 23 a bit ago and finished. . .so spoilers ahead. . .and I apologize for any spelling errors or run on sentences, I've had a bit to drink.








Starting from where the pages of the preview left off
http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/12948_x.pdf


Maraad and Med'an fly over the Path of Glory after they enter the portal to Outland. Maraad points out that it is paved with the crushed bone of Draenei murdered by demon twisted orcs. . .thus adding to Med'an's growing angst and self loathing. They also fly over Terokkar, the Bone Wastes and Auchindoun, Maraad providing commentary on their scenic route (damn those long flight paths ). they then land in Shattrath.

The scene then switches to Mulgore with Hamuul Runetotem at the Red Rocks burial ground. Rehgar and Valeera convince him to come to Theramore. Then it switches back to Maraad, Med'an and Khadgar. Khadgar states that he can not join the new council, but he will be sending Magistrix Dalynnia Wrathscar of the Scryers in his place (obviously the red-haired female Blood elf on the cover of one of the upcoming issues).

Anyways, Med'an does tell Khadgar that he is the son of Garona and Medivh and that he saw him in a vision as of recently. Med'an also makes a comment on the circumstances of his mother's birth and does state that she was magically aged (don't know if her being magically aged had been touched on in the previous issues). Khadgar then goes into detail all that Medivh went through that Med'an wasn't really aware of, like being possesed by Sargeras and what not. But at the end of their conversation, Khadgar gives an uplifting pep talk to Med'an, hopefully curing him of a bit of his self loathing and doubt.

The scene then jumps to Meryl, teleporting back to AQ, he meets up with Garona, and they over hear Cho'gall reciting a prophecy to his followers

"When the child of 3 realms becomes as light, the ancient power will be released. The earth will tremble. The seas will rise up in answer, and all will be madness. A new day will dawn, bringing with it chaos or peace. . ."

Then Cho'gall proceeds to state (not as part of the prophecy, just a little crazy cultist pep talk I suppose) "Our master is a god of chaos! Pandemonium will aid the old one's release! To this end, we will weaken the barrier--between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane."

He then proceeds to state "This will allow our great master to reclaim its former elemental servants. . .and send them to rampage throughout the world." Oh and Cho'gall adds that when Med'an comes, Med'an will be killed and the power released by his death will open the way for the master's return.

After hearing all this, Meryl tells Garona that they need to find Atiesh, which should aid them against Cho'gall.

The scene then switches back to Theramore, everyone but Maraad, Med'an, and Magistrix Dalynnia of the Scryers is there. They all discuss the basics and history of the Council of Tirisfal and the idea of a Guardian. Then it's suggested that Med'an become the Guardian. The idea is met with some skepticism on the Gnome's part.

Again, the scene switches back to Cho'gall; he weakens/shreds the barrier between Azeroth and the Elemental plane, directing some of the elemental's fury at Thermore. Still hidden form Cho'gall and the cultists, Meryl and Garona discuss the base of Atiesh a bit more, Meryl telling Garona that it is in the belly of the corpse of C'thun and she must retrieve it. Meryl prepares to teleport back to Thermore to warn the new council of what is happening, but finds he is quite a bit weak from all the spell casting. Kathra'natir pimps out a bit of his fel energy to Meryl, who loathes the idea, but accepts. As he is getting ready to port. he states to Garona "The choices we make now. . .yours, mine, your son's, the council's will mean the slavation of Azeroth. . .or it's destruction." After he teleports out, the last panel shows Garona simply saying "choices. . ."

Meryl ports into the council as the Gnome is discussing how his machine that transfers magic power works. Meryl hears this, bitches at the Gnome for being useless, and Krank Axeljink (the gnome) states "but. . it is a way to empower the Guardian". Meryl interrupts and warns all of them of the impending attack of the elementals.

Finally, on the last page, the scene has again switched back to Shattrath as Maraad, Med'an and Dalynnia prepare to leave. Med'an does appear to have cut out all of the self loathing crap. Then Ad'al speaks to Med'an telling him that he had been given great gifts and greater opportunity. Ad'al goes on to stat "choose wisely, and you will become one of Azeroth's greatest weapons against evil. But the wrong choice choice could lead to the world's doom."

And of course, this get's the gears turning in Med'an's head and causes him to ask himself whether he should ignore the vision of his father he had, or join him at Karazhan.

Overall, awesome issue. Raises lots of questions in regards to who Cho'gall's master is. Cho'gall does keep referring to his master as "it" and referred to the elementals as the master's former servants. So it's quite a safe assumption that the "Master" is an old god (I know it's been quite obvious, but the whole weakening of the barrier between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane made me think of Cataclysm and Deathwing for a brief moment as I was reading the comic).

So anyways, thoughts from those who've picked it up?