Before the battle atop the Black Temple, Illidan levels a familiar accusation at Akama: betrayer.
From Illidan's perspective, it fits. The Broken helped seize the temple, Akama served the Illidari, and then he secretly struck a bargain with Maiev and began preparing a revolt.
Akama had his own version of the story. Before the orcs, Magtheridon, and Illidan came, the Black Temple was known as Karabor and was one of the draenei's holiest places.
He wanted it back.
Key Events
An Alliance for Karabor
After the destruction of Draenor, Akama was already Broken and led the Ashtongue tribe.
Illidan needed local allies for his war against Magtheridon. Akama needed a force capable of driving the temple's current masters out.
The alliance worked. Magtheridon was overthrown, and the Black Temple passed to Illidan.
That was where their common purpose ended.
The temple was not returned to the Broken. Armies of corrupted orcs, demonic rituals, and new Illidari filled its halls. Akama increasingly saw it as yet another desecration of Karabor.
He contacted Maiev Shadowsong.
The Shade of Akama
Illidan discovered the plot before Akama could strike.
He did not kill a useful ally. Instead, a dark part of Akama's soul was torn away and bound to Illidan's will.
Thus the Shade of Akama was born.
For Akama, this created a very practical problem: as long as the Shade existed, Illidan kept both him and the Ashtongue on a short leash. An open rebellion could be crushed almost immediately.
So throughout The Burning Crusade, Akama continued to play the loyal servant while secretly preparing a way into the Black Temple.
The Death of Seer Olum
One scene in the Black Temple attunement chain shows the cost of that conspiracy particularly well.
Seer Olum, one of Akama's allies, falls into the hands of the Illidari. To keep suspicion away from the Ashtongue, Olum asks Akama to kill him.
Akama does it.
For the player, it is a brief episode between quests. For the larger plan, it says more than many speeches: the revolt is already underway, but those inside the temple must preserve the appearance of loyalty to Illidan even at such a price.
The Raid Begins by Freeing Akama
Inside the Black Temple, players help Akama destroy his Shade.
He can finally act openly. The Ashtongue rise in revolt, Akama helps the heroes advance through the temple, and the spirits of fallen allies help open the way to the summit.
The finale is well known: Illidan, Akama, the heroes, and later Maiev meet at the top.
By the time Illidan speaks of betrayal, there is no argument left to make. The raid has come for him.
Why Players Remember It
It is easy to forget the Black Temple's older name.
Karabor existed long before Illidan. For Akama, reclaiming the temple was the continuation of a story that had begun before the draenei were transformed into the Broken.
His conspiracy feels different once you complete the attunement chain, speak with Olum, and free the Shade. Akama does not suddenly switch sides before the final boss. He spends years living inside someone else's fortress, waiting for the moment when he can reclaim it.
After Illidan's death, Akama says that one day the Light will fill the temple's halls again.
For the former Karabor, that sounds like a very concrete plan.