This is how Chris Metzen introduced the cinematic trailer for The War Within, and sure enough, the scene that opens is a simple one. No action, no world-shattering event or dragonriding race, just the passive figure of Anduin, recognizable by his sword Shalamayne, seated in the desert. Apart from serene orchestral music, the only sound at first is the wind, shifting the sands and gently pulling at Anduin’s cloak, a simple cloak of white – grey and dirty from use. Shalamayne is dark, the Light that usually glows in a hollow in the blade’s center has gone out. We can see it’s twilight – whether the sun is rising or setting, the day is in a transitional period, in between darkness and light. Anduin, we can’t help but notice, is facing the darker section of the sky.
The camera moves over Anduin’s face showing his aged skin, the fact that he has a beard. It’s been a long time since we last saw Anduin: the three-year time skip between Shadowlands and Dragonflight, as well as the entirety of Dragonflight. Shalamayne twists back and forth in the sand, first one way, then another, as Anduin clenches and releases his grip. Anduin’s eyes are unseeing, he’s not thinking about moving the sword, it’s a subconscious act reflecting his inner turmoil. Everything about this scene reinforces the themes of indecision as if Anduin himself is stuck, like the sky, halfway between the darkness and the light.
He sighs, and closes his eyes, and we see a vision of Azeroth, not the planet, but the World Soul that dwells within. In appearance, the soul is like a planet covered in seas of Light. The colors we associate with Azerite are there – gold and blue – but as the light streams out from the soul, there are also hints of red and purple, colors we associate with Shadowflame and the Void. The world soul whispers a name.
Anduin…
Anduin opens his eyes, and we see his face in full for the first time. It’s weathered, and a little hollowed out, marked with scars and age. A wooshing sound, and a light as a thud next to Anduin indicates someone has arrived. Anduin’s eyes acknowledge the approaching footsteps, but he doesn’t turn his face. He knows who it is. With the smallest of half-smiles, he shakes his head slightly, before referencing another cinematic, a very similar scene.
Anduin: You’re here to tell me we don’t get to hide. Is that it?
Anduin is referencing the events of Safe Haven, the cinematic that showed Thrall being approached by Saurfang, calling him back to help with the leadership of the Horde. Thrall – long burnt out and suffering from self-doubt – was living a simple life with his family in Nagrand rather than face his responsibilities as former Warchief. The Horde, meanwhile, was dealing with Sylvanas’ leadership which, driven by the Jailer, had gotten out of control. To bring Thrall home, Saurfang told him, “You and me, we don’t get to hide”.
When Anduin references this line, the implication is that Thrall once told him this story. But there is also a subtle breaking of the fourth wall here as well. The character of Thrall is inherently linked to Chris Metzen, who created and voices him. Metzen was the creator of a lot of World of Warcraft’s foundational lore. It’s no secret that many in the World of Warcraft community, employees and fans alike, missed him a great deal while he took a break from the company. It’s also no secret that World of Warcraft has been going through a difficult time, with many players outright giving up on the game during Shadowlands. While Dragonflight has had excellent player retention, many players still haven’t returned. However, Metzen’s own recent return has felt almost symbolic of a return to the old World of Warcraft, the game we all originally fell in love with. If anyone can bring players back, it feels like he can.
When World of Warcraft began, Anduin was just a child – just like many of us. In the same way that Thrall tends to represent Chris Metzen, Anduin – perhaps more than any other character – represent those of us who have been playing since we were children, and who in recent times may have felt ready to give up on the world ourselves.
Which is why the fact that it’s Thrall who approaches Anduin here is no accident. There are many other characters who, in the story, might have worked. Jaina, Mathias Shaw, Wrathion, Genn, Baine… all have personal relationships with Anduin – some, arguably, far closer than the relationship Thrall might have with him – that would have made them appropriate for this scene. But Thrall was chosen not only because – as a major Horde leader – he represents the peace between the Alliance and Horde that helps the two factions now stand strong against the outside forces threatening our shared world, but also because he represents the return of Christ Metzen – and the fact that it is Metzen who is calling on us to return to World of Warcraft.
In response to Anduin’s question, Thrall makes reference to the reason why Anduin has been absent for so long, (roughly five years by this point).
Thrall: You needed time. We stayed away. But time by itself heals nothing.
To recap, Anduin was one of several leaders kidnapped at the beginning of Shadowlands and dragged into the Maw, a truly hellish realm of pure torture (as those of us who ever did dailies there can attest to). While the other leaders were freed, Anduin was specifically chosen by the Jailer to be his vessel. Sylvanas, believing she could convince Anduin to join their cause willingly, kept Anduin bound and tortured while she attempted to “reason” with him.
Eventually, the Jailer lost patience and used Domination magic to mind-control Anduin, transforming him in much the same way that Arthas was transformed into the Lich King. After he was forced to commit multiple atrocities, we – along with the spirits of his father and Saurfang – helped save Anduin from Domination. But we couldn’t save him from the effects that torture and Domination had on him.
During Sylvanas’ trial, Anduin seemed for a moment like he would speak up against her judgment, but held his tongue. Afterwards, Anduin informed Genn Greymane that he would not be returning to Azeroth or reclaiming his crown – not yet. The last we saw of Anduin was when he visited Sylvanas in the Maw, and he explained to her why he would not be returning. Anduin told Sylvanas that, despite being controlled, his hands didn’t feel clean. The things he was forced to do felt horrific, but also exhilarating. He feared that some of that satisfaction was his own, and that if he tried to call on the Light now, it would no longer come.
There is a misconception that Anduin stayed in the Maw after Shadowlands, helping Sylvanas with her penance, but that’s inaccurate. All that we really know is that he’s been spending this time thinking, and that he hasn’t wanted to be found, not even by his friends.
As Thrall says, his friends have respected that and have stayed away – but time by itself really hasn’t healed anything. We can see in this cinematic that Anduin is still struggling with exactly the things he told Sylvanas. It’s been (probably about) five years, and he’s still feeling the same.
If any of us thought this meeting between Anduin and Thrall was the result of Anduin finally being ready to be found, it’s made clear now that we were wrong. Something else brought both Anduin and Thrall to this place.
Anduin: You didn’t just come here for me. It’s the visions. You’ve seen them.
Thrall: I suspect many have, lately. Something, someone, is calling out from the heart of the world. Like a voice from a dream.
As Thrall speaks, he kneels down and touches the earth, and we see flashes once again of the World Soul, reinforcing what we (and Magni Bronzebeard) already know – the voice that’s calling to Anduin and Thrall is the voice of Azeroth herself. The World Soul flares and Thrall’s eyes are jerked open – we get a sense of panic. These visions, that we now know many on Azeroth are seeing, are getting more and more urgent.
Thrall: Something dark is coming, Anduin. The world needs your Light again.
As Thrall places his hand on Anduin’s shoulder, we see Anduin start – the touch has triggered a memory, the memory of Anduin breaking free from Domination magic with the help of the spirit of Varian, his father.
my son…
Anduin, shaking with emotion that he can barely contain, screams and turns, pointing his sword at Thrall. Many have pointed out how similar the scene is to Arthas holding up his own sword during the Lich King cinematic trailer. While Dominated by the Jailer, Anduin was like Arthas – and despite being freed from that magic, this still lingers over him. Anduin feels guilty, tainted, and dangerous.
In a recent interview with Senior Narrative Designer Anne Stickney, Anne was asked about this scene. She hinted that part of Anduin maybe did enjoy some of the things that he did under the Jailer’s control, and that this is what he’s struggling with. Anduin has always loved peace above all else, he has always been effortlessly connected to the Light, but now he feels so tainted by darkness, so worried that the darkness is inside of him and even overtaking him, that he cannot connect to the Light.
He’s lost his core sense of identity.
Anduin, fearing the darkness within himself, no longer feels safe to be around. And by mirroring Arthas in this moment, he is warning Thrall to stay away. Nearly overcome with tears, he screams at Thrall – desperate to communicate the warning, to express how much he has fundamentally changed to a world that still seems to see him as the young boy king, lover of peace, filled with Light.
Anduin: I am not that person anymore! I have no Light. Not after what I’ve seen. Not after what I’ve done.
Thrall’s response is not to tell Anduin about the times that he, Thrall, felt a similar self-doubt, when he felt that, as Warchief, he had failed the Horde, or as a Shaman, he had failed the Earth. He doesn’t tell Anduin that, as an orc who remembers when it wasn’t considered possible for orcs to be blessed by the Light, that he still managed without it, and that maybe Anduin could too. Instead, Thrall’s statement is simple.
Thrall: You are not your past, Anduin.
And he steps forward, allowing the tip of Anduin’s sword to push up against his leather armor.
Thrall: I trust you.
Anduin, still overcome with emotion, lowers his sword.
Thrall didn’t have to tell Anduin about the times that Thrall went through something similar, because – having been through those times – he understood what helps. For Thrall, it was Saurfang, Aggra, Draka, and others, who were there to believe in him when he was struggling to believe in himself. Anduin may not be ready or able to trust himself, but being around someone who has chosen to trust him – knowing fully the reasons why Anduin believes he shouldn’t – is the first step to rebuilding that trust himself.
The scene is interrupted with a high-pitched screeching. Just for a moment, as we see Thrall flinch in pain, we might even think Anduin stabbed him. It’s quickly clear that he didn’t but the scene teases us – we know that, if we’re being perfectly honest, we don’t yet trust Anduin ourselves. The comparison to Arthas is just too strong, and despite everyone who believed Arthas had a spark of humanity left in him – that he might one day be saved – we know that they were wrong. Arthas was all but consumed by Domination, and in the end, all that was left of him simply flickered out.
But the threat today is not an evil Anduin. The World Soul is calling out, forcefully enough to cause a physical reaction – Both Anduin and Thrall are bent over in pain.
Here me!
Anduin: They’re getting worse.
Thrall reaches out his hand to help Anduin up, and with this simple gesture, reinforces exactly what he’s promised – he trusts Anduin. We can see the thoughts racing behind Anduin’s eyes as he looks at Thrall’s hand, then at Thrall, and then makes the decision to accept it. Already, we are seeing how Thrall is helping to heal those wounds that time did not – in at least this simple gesture, Anduin is ready to accept the hand of friendship, to stand alongside an ally once again, and be trusted.
Anduin has been trying to deal with his trauma and pain by staying away from the people he loves. But if he is to heal, he needs to be around them.
And, in the next line, we see that there is still something recognizable in Anduin. Despite himself, he will not turn away if he feels needed. Maybe, in the face of what he’s feeling, that matters far more than any amount of feeling personally blessed by the Light.
Anduin: Look, whatever’s coming, I’ll stand with you. Of course I will.
In the next lines, we realize a few things. First, Anduin and Thrall are not aware that the voice calling to them is that of the World Soul. Second, if we haven’t realized it yet already, when the two turn to look at something, before we even see what it is, we must realize that the desert that they’re standing in can only be Silithus – and that what they’re seeing is the Sword of Sargeras.
Also, while it is still twilight, the sky is lighter than when this cinematic began. This particular transitional period seems to be sunrise after all.
Anduin: But we were drawn here by the voice. Who is it, Thrall? Who’s calling out to us?
Thrall: I’m not sure yet. But that sword was aimed at someone.
To create the logo of The World Within, the world starts to crack – like an egg – reinforcing the very clear message that Azeroth’s birth is the central focus of the Worldsoul Saga – the upcoming trilogy of expansions. The name, The War Within, refers not only to the underground wars we’ll soon play a role in, but the internal wars that characters – like Anduin – will be battling within themselves.
As for the outcome of those wars? Chris Metzen promised that the small, heartfelt moment we saw in this cinematic will lead to something “very epic”. As we’ve already mentioned, an old prophecy predicts that one day Anduin will lead an Army of Light, made up of both Alliance and Horde, in an epic battle against the forces of Shadow, which since the dawn of time have been trying to claim the World Soul of Azeroth for their own. Anduin is torn between the Shadow and the Light. As it turns out, the battle for Anduin’s soul may just be the battle for the soul of our world itself.
