Artholath's blast was high powered, yes, and effective; yet his opponent had too many minions to slay. This would require advanced measures to succeed, including a shift to his demon form, which would defeat the purpose of his helping. Still, he didn't like to be hunted and he was one to cover his bases. Afterwards, he would retreat to a hidden location, shift, and present himself as a mage... yes, that could work.

With this plan in mind, he retreated behind a thicker grove of trees, which faced the direction of the cottage. There could be a chance he would be seen by anyone leaving it; but those in the cottage were at this point on his side.

He shifted for the first time in 200 years; body fat still covered the emerging bony arms. The temperature in the forest seemed to drop several degrees as his true form emerged, standing at 9 feet tall and his spiky appendages twitching for the coming fight. He hissed and turned around the grove of trees, going into the attacking swarm with an aura of bitter cold and using every arm to slice into the swarm. He used the cover to slowly advance towards the hive-being. Stings would normally be of no consequence, but these did slowly sap at his energy. He would have to move quicker if he was to kill the boss...