Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 227, Section 50. Everything has cracks; that's where darkness seeps in.

"The abyssal marks on you have been triggered; the Naga are coming."

The Shadow Whisper seemed to be shocked by the hanging remains of the true god before it, and its voice was lower than usual, symbolizing respect for power.

Diakum nodded, then turned to the stunned Nelly and Irelia and said:

"Go and help Aegwynn block the Naga."

"Does she need help?"

Irele blinked and said:
“I feel that if Lady Aegwynn exerted even a little effort, she could tear Margok apart and eat him. She could wipe out all those Naga by herself, not to mention that terrifying staff she has.”

"It's about blocking, not dealing with."

Dick sighed and said to Nellie:
“I may have been a little too forceful in teaching her. This child has developed too well in terms of being a garrison commander, even a little too well. Can you help me bring her back on track? She is going to be a leader in the future, she can't always be so 'saintly'.”

"I'm looking at Xuan."

Nelly wagged her tail and said:
"Brain muscle formation is generally irreversible, but it doesn't really matter. As long as the garrison officer is willing to step up when there is danger, that's fine. Besides, Irelia is just a little kid who is a little over a hundred years old. By Eredar standards, she's not even an adult yet. How smart can you expect her to be?"
Don't worry, she has plenty of time to let her wisdom accumulate. However, courage is something that is hard to get back once it is lost.

Don't feel guilty; you've raised her very well.

As she spoke, Nellie led Irelia away from the land of the true gods, explaining the reason to Irelia in a low voice.

The veteran elves are still preparing. Aegwynn is going to open a huge portal from the Tomb of Sargeras directly to Stormwind City. In order to send them all over, they have to wait for the elven undead to arrive, and also to lure out those "tails" that have been following them.

"Oh, it's acting!"

Yrel suddenly realized what was happening. She stroked her holy blade and said:
"Then I'll go easy on you later?"

"Mainly, it's Lady Aegwynn who needs to put on an act. The two of us are on the same level as the Deep Sea Mother, so we can just fight hard. Void creatures are known for their tough skin and thick flesh, so they're not easy to defeat, not to mention they have a numerical advantage."

Nelly's explanation made Irelia nod vigorously.

She knew that the Archbishop was the Vigilant's "rumored girlfriend," and to her, he was like a "master's wife." He was a seasoned veteran of the ranger's life, with a wealth of experience, and she just needed to obey his orders.

However, she was still very curious as to why Saint Diakum didn't go out to perform with them, but seeing Archbishop Nelly's normal expression, Irelia knew she shouldn't have asked that question.

Only when they left the inner temple did Neli, whose expression had remained calm throughout, finally let out a long sigh. She turned back to look at the tightly closed doors and whispered:
"There was a huge demon hiding there!"

"what?"

Yrel was terrified. She grabbed her holy blade and pounded on the door, saying:

"Wouldn't it be a bit much to leave the guard there alone?"

“He is his ‘old friend’.”

Nelly pressed down on Irelia's shoulder, her expression slightly complicated, and said:

"Don't disturb their 'reminiscing'. They mean no harm, otherwise neither of us would be able to get out. Just do your own thing. Also, keep what you saw today firmly in your heart and don't tell anyone!"

The Lord of Argus is watching you.

Inside the temple, after the gates were resealed, Diakum, carrying the Twilight Hammer and the Phase Barrier, looked into the shadows of Sargeras's human form and said:
How long have you been waiting for me here?

"It's alright, it wasn't long. I just happened to be passing by and took care of something. I didn't come specifically for you, mainly because I was afraid of scaring you, Dick."

Familiar ancient Eredar language echoed from the shadows, and the blue figure, leaning on a fel staff, appeared before the Vigilant. Diakum was somewhat disappointed that the figure had no shadow.

This means that what is in front of us is not a physical entity, but merely an astral projection with some power.

"The Shaper" Sachil stared at Dick with a smile and said:
"When did you find out? I mean before your 'Shadow Bad Friend' reminded you. That's really rude of you. How can a third party be spying on a meeting between old friends?"
you!
"Bewitching spirit of the Sea of ​​Darkness, quiet down!"

It raised its hand and gently tapped, and a ghostly green aura of evil energy erupted from its body, sweeping across the entire temple area as if dispelling evil.

Diakum's ears suddenly quieted down. He felt the same way he had when he removed the Holy Light Force from his body. He felt a sense of "relaxation" and a warmth as if he had returned from the shadows to the sunlight.

That's not an illusion.

The blessing of the Void Force was also temporarily dispelled.

This powerful spell, which could temporarily sever the influence of the Force, consumed most of the power of the projection before it, but Sachil clearly thought it was worth it; it wasn't trying to defeat Diakum with an astral projection.

That's not realistic.

“What you’ve done recently has truly left Kil’jaeden and me speechless. You know, I’ve always been curious about what great things you would accomplish after you came to Azeroth, but I really didn’t expect that you would be able to banish Lord Sargeras’ will back to the Twisting Nether in such a short time.”

Sachar, leaning on the Fel Tower, approached Dick and clicked its tongue in amazement, saying:

"You have no idea how outrageous this story has become in the Twisting Nether. Although no one, from the great demons to the little devils, dares to discuss it openly out of respect for the Dark Titans, your name is repeatedly mentioned in every whisper in every burning world."

The eyes and ears of the Void Force are everywhere in the material universe, and they are almost frantically boasting about their achievements.

Dick, I envy your ability to make friends.

The Holy Light, the Void, and Life—they are all your friends, though they may not be entirely sincere. More importantly, you are not immersed in those illusory concepts.

Look at the shadow on you.

The Sculptor stroked the tentacles on its chin, nodding with satisfaction like a stern teacher looking at a diligent student, and said:

"You realized the risks of walking in the light and learned to counteract each other's influence with relative Force. Although this would make the Force impure and cause a loss of power, it would allow you to retain your own consciousness."

It is more important to maintain one's 'true self' than to lose power.

Not bad!

Kil'jaeden and I never thought of such a good method.

"So, how is the relationship between Emperor Denathus and his troublesome, rebellious son?"

Diakum looked at Sachiel indifferently.

After the other party finished praising him, he replied in the most orthodox language of the Stoneborn Legion. When he said this, Sachil could feel the air around him getting colder.

Clearly, the Stoneborn language, originating from the Shadowlands, is also a magical script, possessing its own psychic power.

More importantly, Sachir realized he had been exposed.

Its arrogance of "everything is under control" that it had maintained since its appearance was shattered, and even its large blue face showed visible surprise, but this was then replaced by a smile.

It laughed.

He laughed in an exaggerated and unrestrained manner.

It reached out and patted Dick's exaggerated shoulder armor, saying:

"I have been hiding for over 20,000 years, living in constant fear and trepidation, afraid of being discovered by some meddlesome demon, afraid that one day Lord Aggramar will suddenly appear before me and strike this traitor with a sword."

I painstakingly disguised myself, daring not to reveal the slightest bit.

I couldn't find anyone to confide in, but Dick, you really gave me a big surprise the moment we met.

Ok!

"Alright, since you've seen through me, I don't need to hide anything anymore. Hmm, it feels so good to talk so easily without having to wear a mask. It's like I've been brought back to life in an instant."

The Shaper raised his head, stared at Diakum, and said:

"You are trying to reach the world-soul of Azeroth, but the unified field of all things left behind by the Titans has trapped you, like a thick wall blocking your goal that is so close at hand. You must find Him to have any chance of restoring the extremely weakened Argus world-soul within you."

Do you need help? "

"How can you help?"

Dick said sarcastically:

"Another pathetic deal? But even the most foolish mage apprentice in Azeroth knows not to make deals with demons. Do I think I'm as stupid as you think?"

"Hmph, that's how they teach their children, but that doesn't change the fact that over the years, Dalaran remains one of the cities in the world most closely connected to the Burning Legion. You can never imagine how many demons and demon-born are hidden in the city of mages."

They're just a bunch of hypocrites.

Their potential was insufficient to sustain them on the orthodox path of arcane magic, so they turned to the more generous fel energy for power, yet tragically, they still clung to that veneer of respectability.

Sachir shouted sarcastically:

"They remind me of the Eredar arcanists of ancient times, exactly the same, no different, and I'm not trying to make a deal with you."

The Holy Light will not agree, nor will the Void.

The two Forces will temporarily unite to do everything in their power to prevent you from coming into contact with fel energy, because they both know very well that in the realm of 'generosity,' no other Force combined can compare to the Twisting Nether.

I just wanted to give you a suggestion, Dick.

Now that you know who I've allied with, do what you're supposed to do in Azeroth and continue to fight against the fate before you.

Do not stop death's march in the shadows.
Now that you know about what happened in this world in the past, aren't you curious why the anti-demon alliance, which was at a disadvantage at the end of the ancient war, suddenly received help from the Soul of the World?

Where did the unified field of all things left behind by the Titans break a little, prompting the Azerothian world-soul to take the initiative to retaliate when it sensed the threat?
Who do you think cut that crack?

"you?"

Dick raised an eyebrow, staring at Sachiel, who nodded slightly with an exaggerated mage's salute and said:
"No need to thank me, it is I who am you."

Want to know where that crack is?

Don't be shy, Dick. Our relationship is complicated. Besides being enemies, I think there's some kind of bond between us. So, whatever you crave, just tell me, and I'll help you.

I don't even need you to go easy on me.

Death will not provoke you; wherever you go, they will retreat until the Burning Crusade ends, until the end of the Age of Night!
Only when the next peaceful twilight arrives will the dead silently depart. This is not a transaction.

Sachs emphasized:

"Just an unspoken agreement? After all, you have enough enemies in the Void, Order, and Fel, don't push yourself any harder."

Diakum fell silent.

After a moment, he looked up at Sachir, whose face was full of expectation, and said:

"You just said you came here on your way while running errands?"

"Yes, it was an official matter, quite troublesome, but it has been resolved."

Sachir said something lightly, but Dick interrupted him, pointing north, and said:

"Frostmourne has arrived? The Lich King is coming soon? The Force of Death is about to be established at the node in Azeroth, and from then on, all the dead in this world will have a master, right?"

Sachs, why are you so insistent on negotiating with a prophet who defies fate?
You poor wretch, you clearly can't offer me anything that would interest me!

"you"

The sculptor's gaze turned dangerous.

Then it heard Diakum say to it:

I refuse!

I refuse the information you gave me, and I refuse to make any deal with death! You don't need to play any sweet talk, Sachir. Isn't the 'fate' I've been fighting against the very thing your masters have been weaving behind the scenes?

Who guided the Bronze Titan Sargeras to witness the Star Soul corrupted by the Void, directly causing Him to become alienated from the Order and indirectly giving Fel Energy a master?
Who whispered in Zera's ear, allowing that stubborn prophet to see a sliver of light fall during the so-called Great Order of Light and Darkness, driving her to obsessively search for the 'Child of Light and Darkness' for tens of thousands of years, even resorting to launching one light burial after another in the galaxy?

Who orchestrated the loss of anima in the Shadowlands, causing unrest in the world of the dead, thus disrupting the cycle of life and death, and weakening the life force of the universe?

I am defying fate, Sachir.

The Watcher stepped forward, grabbed the Sculptor by the collar, and, in his reverted half-giant form, lifted Sachiel's projection into the air, shouting:

"I have been fighting against your master! The schemes of the Death Eternals will not succeed. I will not allow any Force to taint the land beneath my feet, and I will never let the tragedy of Argus be repeated in this world."

Do you really know who you are serving?

Did Emperor Thássi really tell you all of His plans?

Wake up, Sachir!

You keep saying I'm corrupted by the Force, but look at yourself!

You have escaped the brutal corruption of fel energy, but your soul has been molded into a cold-hearted being by death. When you witness the Eredar dying before your eyes, do you still feel even a trace of pain and anger?
Do you remember why you initially formed the Awakeners Cult?

"boom"

He threw Sachiel's projection on the ground and took out Ashbringer to wipe the blade.

As the sacred flame was lit, he said:

"You're beyond saving! The former 'Enlightener' is dead. I killed him with my own hands. When you were brought back from the Shadowlands, you were no longer yourself."

There is no point in talking more!

Let your master send any of his fierce warriors to try and destroy me; even without the crack you created, I can still make contact with the Azerothian world-soul.

Please give my regards to Emperor Thássi.

Raise a glass for me with Him to those who tried to kill us!

"puff"

As the holy blade struck, the projection shattered under Sachiel's calm and indifferent gaze.

With a sigh that echoed, the demons that had been suppressed by Sargeras in the surrounding shadows howled and charged out. They were the wildest creatures born from the Twisting Nether, drawn by the fel energy from Sargeras's divine body.

It wasn't afraid of Diakum at all, howling as it pounced on him in an attempt to kill him.

"Don't believe anything it just told you! That guy is suspicious!"

The shadow whispered in Diakum's ear again:

"Fel energy can't completely banish the shadows; it uses underhanded methods from other Forces! That guy is a Force chosen one, just like you, but not a Fel chosen one!"

Meanwhile, to the astonishment of the watchers, a ray of light pierced through the darkness and enveloped him without him calling upon the Holy Light.

Although the Holy Light was silent, the Vigilant discerned in it an urgency as urgent as the whispers of the shadows.

Light and darkness appeared simultaneously, just to deliver the same warning to the vigilant.

It seems Sachir was right.

Neither the Holy Light nor the Void would allow Diakum to have further contact with fel energy. They might even temporarily set aside their differences to resist the temptation of destruction together. They can cooperate, and they can even coexist.

"Don't be afraid, I never intended to make any agreement with Sachir or the forces behind him."

Dick grabbed the Flaming Blade, wielding two swords to face the howling horde of demons. Even though they were all legendary monsters, he was fearless despite his weakened state.

Just a demon.

Killing a few more is like getting some exercise.

“But Diakum, you rejected Sachir’s offer.”

Argus Star Soul whispered:

"This means you only have one choice left."

"Yes, the Chamber of the Heart beneath the Silithus Desert, but an Old God dwells there."

Dick's body, with practiced skill, hacked and slashed at the demons, while his spirit answered the Star Soul:
"Our next goal is clear: to eliminate the 'Thousand-Eyed Demon' and his insectoid servants, reclaim the Chamber of the Heart, and have you and your sister complete your meeting there."

Please don't worry.

The ancient gods were indeed powerful, but they were far from invincible.

Moreover, I have a premonition that the end of my trial of the Twin Paths of Light and Shadow is there. In the darkness brought by the ancient gods, I will try to ignite the light that belongs only to me.

So there's no need for pressure, my Lord, this isn't just for you.

"Ugh"

Xinghun let out a helpless sigh.

He knew that Dick gave this explanation simply to avoid putting too much burden on Him.

As "strategic weapons" thrown into the material world by the Void faction specifically to corrode star souls, the Old Gods, although also demigod-level beings, are obviously not compared to the Wilderness Demigods, as the two are not even in the same league.

Those are perhaps the Force beings in the material universe closest to the concept of "lesser gods." They are directly connected to the Sea of ​​No Light and are the Void Lords' black hand reaching into the material world, even closer than the Naaru's relationship with the Holy Light.

He regarded the Eredar as his own children, but now he was asking his children to risk being corrupted and challenge a monster born from the Sea of ​​No Light for him, which made the Archon of Argus feel guilty.

Such emotions are very rare for a being as powerful as Him.

But then, the Star Soul of Argus realized something even more terrifying, and He said:

"If Sachiel tore open the Titans' Unified Field of All Things and met the Star Soul ten thousand years ago, then..."

"Yes, what we should be worried about now is what exactly Sachil did to the Azeroth star-soul during that 'audience' to elicit such a strong reaction from Him."

Diakum, his mechanical movements efficient as he hacked away at the horde of demons, said in a heavy tone:
"Perhaps it's not just the void that's corrupting Azeroth, but also death!"

------

What brings you here to visit me today?

In a Legion world, Kil'jaeden the Conqueror looked at Sakiel the Shaper with a puzzled expression. The Demon Lord was surprised to see a hint of confusion on his colleague's face.

It couldn't help but ask:

"What happened?"

"I just want to ask you a question, Kil'jaeden."

Sachir said softly:

“I just asked other people, the Eredar we ‘rescued,’ but none of them dared to tell me the truth, which is really disappointing.”

Kil'jaeden, look at me!
Tell me, in your eyes, is the 'I' still the 'inspirer' I once was?

"Hehe, good question."

Kil'jaeden set aside his official duties, which could determine the time of destruction for hundreds of worlds. Intrigued, he rose from his throne, which was surrounded by the flames of Sargeras, strolled down, circled Sach'ir a few times, and shook his head, saying:
“When you shed the title of ‘enlightener,’ you cease to be him.”

"I don't want to hear your joking reply!"

"But I'm not joking. Think about it carefully, what made you decide to give up that title you were once most proud of, that glorious title bestowed upon you by your disciples and your people."

A name is a very important thing, Sachil; it represents how a person wants to appear in the world's eyes.

You seem a little lost, but that might not be a bad thing.

(End of this chapter)