Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 325, Section 15: The Path of Arcane Arts is Not About Fighting and Killing; The Path of Arcane Arts is Full of Human Relationships and Social Interactions.

The Green Dragons' calamity has finally come to a near end today.

Their entire race broke away from the system of the Dragon Aspects and, under Ysera's leadership, returned to the embrace of Mother World without hesitation. This was a great thing for the world, but not for the Dragon Aspects.

But Diakum had no intention of explaining anything further to the Red Dragon Queen and the Blue Dragon King. He turned back to look at the little star holding the platinum disc and handed it to Malygos.

He knew that the options for the red dragon and the blue dragon were now in place.

Chromie said that Nozdormu would likely arrive at this timeline soon, at which point the Bronze Dragons would also face the same interrogation and choices.

However, this matter was left to Aegwynn to handle, so the Vigilant did not need to get involved.

He received a lot of criticism because of the Dragon Soul, even though he had pushed things forward in the dark way, because he had indeed interfered with the Void's "containment" of Ysera and damaged the Void's interests.

If he doesn't intervene, it's only a matter of time before Ysera becomes the second "Deathwing" under the influence of Xal'atath's corruption.

The path of light and darkness should have remained neutral, but his bias towards the Holy Light today earned him a severe rebuke from the Void Force. The Lightforged faction's authority in the Sea of ​​No Light was reduced by a significant margin, which directly triggered a series of chain reactions.

"Are you still able to hold on over there?"

Diakum asked in a low voice on the battlefield:
"Do you need my help?"

"Continue your great work."

The voice of the Sovereign echoed from the winds of the void, stating with great confidence:

"The 'Primary Warrior Insects' and 'Gene Thieves,' enhanced with the dragon's genes, are ready to go. The Sea of ​​No Light's rebuke of us has attracted many ill-intentioned individuals who intend to take advantage of our misfortune, but there is no need to worry, Your Excellency Devourer of All Realms."

Your Shadow Chaser swarm has survived its most vulnerable moment.

We are very hungry, we are very thirsty!
We desperately need more enemy corpses to pave the way for the rise of the Zerg swarm.

Heh, according to the cruel evolutionary logic of the swarm, we need some more powerful 'materials' to drive evolution forward.

Therefore, if possible, you need to obtain more 'powerful genes' for us from the remaining insectoid branches of the Dark Empire. We have heard that there are powerful 'Crypt Lords' in the distant North who can hunt dragons.

The injection of such valiant and powerful genes will allow your swarm to produce 'Tyrant Guardians,' and further, we can attempt to hatch rare and formidable behemoth units like 'Tyrant Lords' or 'Ultramen.'

“Alright, I will instruct Ristaran and his Lightforged warriors, who are currently stranded in Northrend, to complete this task as soon as possible.”

Diakum responded:
"The punishment from the Sea of ​​No Light will last for a while, so avoid it if you should, and don't be reckless."

"It is the ignorant flesh and blood that should be hiding."

The ruler chuckled and said:
"Please have some faith in your swarm."

Communication with the Void was temporarily severed. Diakum looked up and glanced at the battlefield. The terrain of the entire forest centered on the Tower of Azura had been permanently altered. Fortunately, before the Dragon War, the Greenskins' front line had already collapsed due to Zul'hild's defeat, and Lothar and Llane had led the warriors in pursuit.

They vowed to reclaim Elwynn Forest completely after this battle.

With the war at this stage, it's very difficult for the Greenskins to turn the tide, so Diakum can take a break.

He reached out and gave Marad, who was not far away, the order to "rest and defend." Then he turned and walked toward the ruins of Azura's Tower behind him, where there were still remnants of shattered dreams. However, due to the departure of the Dragon Soul and Ysera, the remaining dreams were being rapidly smoothed out.

However, that bastard Zul'Gurub used the nightmare spell taught by Cenarius at the last moment, causing those nightmare creatures to scurry into the shadows of the forest. For a long time to come, the creatures that recklessly fall asleep in this forest may suffer some unnecessary dangers, and perhaps we should ask some druids to come and help.

"Warner!"

Alexstrasza's call made Diakum stop in his tracks, and he turned around to look at the Red Dragon Queen with a puzzled expression.

The latter stepped forward and said:
"Although this is our first meeting, I haven't thanked you yet for what happened at the Crimson Shelter."

“That was Onyxia and the others’ own action, not on my orders, so you’re thanking the wrong person.”

The vigilant's reaction was lukewarm.

This is normal; the Red Dragon Queen is still the leader of the Titan Guardians, and the Titan Enemy talent is still in effect.

"I just want to ask, did my child Rheastarsa ​​choose the same path as Teregosa?"

The Queen said:
“I could sense that she was avoiding me, but she had indeed given up her guardian power herself.”

"That's not a bad thing. Without this power, wouldn't Rheastarssa be a guardian of life?"

Dick countered with:
"Is the Red Dragonflight's definition of a Guardian really so narrow? That child was willing to endure a thousand years of nightmares to suppress the Qiraji swarm. In my opinion, she is the most qualified guardian of life."

Of course, the same goes for you.

You have protected this world for many years, but the time for change has finally come.

The vigilant shook his head and said finally:
"The Dragon Islands may soon be free of the obstructing fog, and you will be able to return home. But the question is whether you know what kind of power is hidden in your homeland and how to deal with it."

I hope you will consider a question: the oath-binder of life.

If the guardian dragons can no longer represent justice in the world, then can the dragons who once waged war against you be considered true evil?

After saying this, Diakum bowed gracefully in farewell, flicking his thick tail as he left the scorched land that had been imbued with holy light.

The Red Dragon Queen remained where she was, pondering Diakum's words. What she had witnessed that day was beyond her comprehension, so she could only turn back to look at her wisest brother.

she asked:
“Malygos, did the power emanating from the golden pendant held by that spellcaster truly originate from the Heart of the World?”

"I have never been exposed to the power of the Star Soul, so I cannot make a judgment."

The Blue Dragon King held the platinum disc in his hand, stroking the legacy left by his old friend Tyr, and whispered:

"But if I had to say, I feel that the power is indeed very similar to the water of the Odorus Spring that we used to drink at Tyr's Fortress. However, after Galakrond's corruption, the spring was infused with the magic of order by Tyr, and its taste changed."

Although it is still full of power, it no longer has that peculiar sweetness it once had.

so."

A solemn light flickered in Malygos's eyes as he spoke to Alexstrasza:
"Let's go back to the Dragon's Rest Temple first and see what message Tyr left behind. For those children to abandon their duties overnight, I think this information must be extraordinary."

You don't need to worry too much about Isera.

She is safe, perhaps safer than if she stayed with us. She hasn't forgotten you and is still very close to you. She has simply returned to the heart of the world to rest.

But Deathwing has been confirmed to have reappeared, and the madman's power has been unleashed on this land.

Demons, black dragons.
Alas, these are turbulent times.

------

"Are you feeling better?"

Margok asked a question, and Kael'thas Sunstrider, standing before him, nodded.

The prince's body had stopped trembling. Thanks to the Titan-forged runes gifted by the ogre wizard leader, he was able to suppress his surging addiction to magic without drawing upon it.

However, due to the lack of sufficient magical energy, the thirst continued to churn and roar within him, causing sweat to stream down his handsome face and leaving him feeling extremely weak.

"If you don't draw on the magic, you'll have to spend some time restoring your health."

The ogre whispered:

"But as long as I drink a sip of pure magic, I can immediately recover to my best condition and even improve my power. This doesn't seem like a choice, so..."

Margok's two heads grinned wickedly as it presented Kael'thas with a vibrant green orb, saying:
"Want a bite? Look at this magic, how sweet it is!"

Feeling the pure magic surging within the emerald green orb before him, Kael'thas's throat bobbed, much like a weary traveler in the desert yearning for water. He trembled as he reached out, but forcefully slapped the orb aside.

Don't tempt me!

Kai closed his eyes and said in a hoarse voice:
"You can't imagine how much willpower I expended to suppress the churning of my addiction."

"You should definitely be wary."

Margok laughed and retrieved the emerald orb, suspending it on his shoulder. He then sat cross-legged in front of Kael'thas, sneering as he said:
"Your ability to suppress your magic addiction now is not because of your strong will, Kael'thas, the fallen prince, but simply because this is the first time your magic addiction has erupted in your life. If you let your thirst drive you to drink a large gulp of magic at this moment, your magic addiction will only intensify."

The more you drink, the more incurable your addiction becomes.

Your illness is very difficult to treat.

"You know too little about the mysteries of Azeroth. Just one Arcandor Fruit is all it takes. The moment I take my first bite, its sweet juice will nourish my soul and completely cure my addiction to magic."

Kael'thas said in a hoarse voice:
“In my grandfather’s time, when the ties between the High Elves and the Highborne were still intact, Quel'Thalas could obtain some precious sacred fruit from Suramar every ten years. But unfortunately, the cunning Elisande used the sacred tree as political capital. Especially after the two sides became enemies, we could no longer obtain the sacred fruit.”

"So magical?"

Markok's three eyes gleamed with longing and curiosity, and it whispered:

"What is the origin of that fruit? It can repair life's defects in an instant? This doesn't sound like the realm of arcane magic; rather, it's related to the morality of life?"

"No one knows how Queen Azshara planted the Tree of Arcandor, but the fact is that in the era of the Elven Empire, magic addiction was never a problem."

Kael'thas sighed forlornly and said:

"The Queen's garden is filled with the sacred trees of Arcandor!"

Every month, her subjects receive a cup of beverage made from the juice of the sacred fruit, which the Queen considers a 'benefit' for the people. This measure effectively ensures that the Highborne elves can freely use the magic of the Well of Eternity without being affected by it.

But after the cataclysmic destruction, only a few seeds remained of the Tree of Arcandor, all of which were taken by Elisande to cultivate.

For magic-addicted elves like us, only the Tree of Arcandor is the most precious treasure of Azeroth. Curing magic addiction is only one of its functions; it is said that repeated use can also prolong life.

Governor Tosedrin and Lady Sandara have survived to this day in this way, but unfortunately, they can no longer obtain any more sacred fruit.

"Sigh, let's not talk about that anymore, let's get down to business."

Kael'thas opened his eyes, looked at the equally disheveled Margok, and whispered:

“You helped me, and although I know it was for your own benefit, I still owe you a favor. Therefore, I am willing to withdraw from the Trial of the Guardians of Tirisfal and let you become the new master of the Staff of Atiesh, the Guardian.”

Actually, I didn't have much desire for the holy staff at first.

I am not lacking in power. The reason I have not yet advanced to demigod is not because I am incapable, but simply because I have not yet completed the graduation project left to me by Dean Blue Moon.

If you need that power, then please take it.

However, I must remind you that each Guardian of Tirisfal will voluntarily step down after a decade or two. This is not a noble tradition; the Guardian's Staff, due to its special nature, will not have a permanent master.

"Okay, then I'm welcome."

The ogre wizard rubbed his hands together, overjoyed.

It didn't care how long it could hold the relic. It understood the true meaning of "great power comes from within." With the help of the Guardian Ring of Draenor, it reached the threshold of demigodhood. With the Staff of Tirisfal, it would soon be able to perfectly reach the realm of demigod. And with the various books in Karazhan, it felt that it might be possible to touch the realm of lesser gods in its lifetime.

That is its ultimate desire.

Before this grand goal, the holy staff and the divine ring are merely tools, ladders for climbing to the summit. Once the summit is reached, the ladders become useless.

"Don't be so happy yet, I have another condition."

Kael'thas stared at Margok and said:
"I'm withdrawing from the competition, but you must fully support Marshal Lothar's restoration efforts. You have an entire ogre kingdom, so you need at least one powerful legion under Marshal Lothar's command for an extended period of time."

Participating in the reconstruction of the human empire is Quel'Thalas' national policy, and I believe this strategy will not harm us. Therefore, in this pursuit of the arcane path, a degree of political consideration must be incorporated.

"I would have done it even if you hadn't told me."

Margok grinned, stood up, and held out his hand to Kael'thas, saying:
"If even a 'thousand-year-old prince' like you can see this, how could I, a dignified king, miss it? Who would joke with the power they hold in their hands? However, I am very interested in your graduation project. What exactly has made you suppress your desire to advance to demigod, and thus delay it to this point?"

"It is the true essence of fire."

Kael'thas grasped the ogre chieftain's hand, using it to help him to his feet. As he and his ogre friends made their way out of the shattered dream, he said:

"The Phoenix Flame of the Sunstrider family is extremely powerful, but the ultimate goal of the path of fire in the world of Azeroth is the legendary Creation Flame, the Sulfuras Flame, which is wielded by Ragnaros, the Firelord."

That was the true fire of creation!
It is the strongest flame that an Azerothian spellcaster could theoretically wield.

Dean Blue Moon believes I have enough talent to control such flames. She thinks that if I can advance to demigod while wielding the Flame of Sulfuras, my future achievements may be expanded to a level that is unimaginable to mortals.

But finding the Fire of Sulfuras is too difficult.

Those flames only burn within the Realm of Fire, and the seal between the elemental realms and the material world was placed by the Titan Guardians; mortals simply cannot break through such a barrier.

"But I've heard that the primordial flames of the universe are the most powerful flames."

Head of State Margok said:
“I saw the demon form of the victim Alturis in Draenor. The ‘Sargeras Flame’ that guy used could even ignite other Force creations.”

“That is the realm of the true God, my dear Marco.”

Kael'thas shook his head and said:
"While having aspirations is a good thing, we must climb step by step. Even if the Dark Titan were to bestow His pure flame upon me, at our current level, I would only end up being burned to ashes."

"Let alone that kind of flame, even the Vigilant's emblem of holy fire is a sacred miracle sculpted by the Force, but would you or I dare to touch that holy fire?"

“If you choose to become a Lightwalker, Kael'thas Sunstrider, I am even willing to personally teach you the secrets of the Golden Flame.”

Diakum's teasing voice rang out from ahead, causing Margok and Kael'thas to look up and see the blue half-giant, wielding the shattered holy blade, stepping into the dissolving dream.

He looked at the two genius spellcasters, one tall and one short, and said in surprise:

"How did you two become friends? And look at how haggard you are, did your mana addiction just flare up? You better not tell me you drank some magic to suppress it! If that's the case, there will be another 'Lightforged Elf' here today!"

Please believe me, I would be happy to personally perform this ritual for you, to embrace the Holy Light and cleanse you of your demonic addiction.

"No, I almost did it."

Kael'thas, still somewhat shaken, stroked the floating Titan-forged runes beside him and whispered:

"Head of Margok helped me and led me to the right path when I was lost."

"Hmph, my ogre friend is cunning. He just wants you to owe him a favor so he'll obediently hand over the Guardian's Staff."

Diakum sheathed the shattered holy blade, waved his hand, and said:

"But that's between the two of you, I won't get involved."

The Shadow Council has collapsed. This battle was a great victory. Let's go back to Stormwind and rest. After humanity reclaims Elwynn Forest, we will hold the Tirisfal Guardian inheritance ceremony at the Karazhan Tower.

"Margok, you'd better prepare yourself. All the prominent spellcasters from the entire Eastern Continent will be there. You don't want to embarrass the Goria Empire, do you?"

"and many more!"

The wizard leader, seemingly lost in thought, reached out and stroked his chin, saying:
"My elf friend Kael'thas has just described to me his plan to ascend to demigod status through that ancient tradition from the Nassaras Academy of Magic. I suddenly realize that my reckless step into the realm of demigods may not be a good thing."

If even a genius like Kael'thas wants to seek out Sulfuras Flame to create an even more extravagant fiery foundation, I think I should also spend some time solidifying my own power base. I shouldn't rush into advancement but should instead, like him, first build a strong foundation.

So now I want the reward rune you gave me even more!
It contains the divine power of the Guardian Tyr, which is inherited from the cosmic power of Aggramar and is the same as the evolution of us ogres.

It will give me a perfect arcane foundation.

As for the Guardian's Staff of Tirisfal, since this staff will never have an eternal master, I can simply wait until the next trial to join the fun. Anyway, I can live a long time.

So, I can give it to whoever you prefer, Diakum.

Your little schemes can't be hidden from me!
You also have your own candidate for this position, that human named 'Khadgar.' I've heard he has an ambiguous relationship with your half-orc granddaughter. So, you, the Holy Light Walker with thick eyebrows and big eyes, have also learned to be biased?"

"I think Khadgar's pride wouldn't allow him to accept your charity."

Diakum shrugged, making no attempt to hide his admiration for Khadgar, and said:

"But you can try to persuade him to accept this mission. As for the reward rune, that was originally an extra 'settlement reward' I gave to the second place winner. As long as Kael'thas has no objections, then I have no problem with it either."

"How could my sincere elven friend refuse my request?"

Margok reached out and placed his hand on Kael'thas's shoulder, his three eyes fixed on Kael'thas, and said:

"Are you right?"

"That's not necessarily true. I just repaid the favor I owed you, and I haven't even settled the score with you for taking my Emerald Orb."

"Then let's make another deal, Prince of the Millennium! You help me complete the construction of the arcane foundation, and when you search for the Fire of Sulfuras, or when you want to launch a magnificent rebellion against your poor old man in the future, my empire and I can also help you."

We spellcasters with lofty aspirations should help each other, don't you think?

"Emmmm, it sounds like we're dealing with a tiger, but... I'll think about it."

Ps:

3+5 bonus chapters tomorrow
(End of this chapter)