Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 529, Section 68: Make the Holy Light Great Again! - Wishing you success in your exams! [65]

(Bonus chapter for the "Gelvis" brothers [1/5])
"How is he doing?"

Old Velen, who had received the message and rushed through the Dark Portal, arrived a day later.

Meanwhile, on the Sunwell floating island, facing the travel-worn Prophet's anxious question, Captain Faria, who was guarding outside the main hall of the floating island, shook her head. While leading the disguised Prophet to visit the Watcher, she whispered:

"Commander Diakum has been in a coma since returning from the Sea of ​​No Light. We found the most powerful healer to treat him, but the commander is favored by the Holy Light, which makes it impossible for other forces to get close to him. That's why we had to make you go through all this trouble."

"You should have told me before he took the risk!"

Velen rebuked him angrily:
"His current identity represents more than just himself. As the leader of the People of Light in the Star Sea, he should act prudently instead of putting himself on the scales of victory as he has done this time."

When I heard that the Dark Titans were involved, I almost had a heart attack!
I can't imagine what would have happened if Diakum hadn't escaped in time, leading him down the same path as Kil'jaeden and Sach'ir. How would the Eredar, now united and ready to accomplish great things, have faced that terrible future?

Faria was scolded like a granddaughter and didn't dare to argue back.

The prophet's rebuke was correct, but they didn't know the Vigilantes would go to such lengths this time; they only knew that Commander Diakum had a plan.

All the firsthand information we have so far comes from the Void Master, the Twin Realms Walker. After hearing that seven lesser gods died in the Void God War in one day, Faria knew that this time things had really gotten really bad.

She served in the Holy Light Legion for over 20,000 years, fought in battles across the starry sky, and was a truly worldly person.

She knew that even though the Void Realm was notoriously disunited, with numerous factions and a large number of Great Lords causing the power of the Void to be severely dispersed, making the combat strength of the Void Lesser Gods a constant problem, the fact that a life level could be given the title of "god" meant that they truly possessed great power.

The loss of seven lives in one battle is a devastating blow, even for a large and powerful organization like the Sea of ​​No Light.

She found it hard to imagine how Commander Diakum had managed to do it, and the fact that he had contacted the Dark Titans to act as henchmen was less surprising.

Faria had met Kil'jaeden once before, and given that the Legion of Light and the Burning Legion had been fighting for so many years, Faria felt that if necessary, she might be able to send a letter to the High Demon Lord.

Of course, she didn't have the connections to invite Sargeras.

Velen, leaning on the Redeemer's Staff, strode forward. Lady Verara greeted him from the front. After a brief exchange, Velen was ushered into the palace.

He was immediately confronted by Kazzak, the Dawn Overlord, who stood guard at the entrance wielding the Spear of Destruction. The old prophet couldn't help but glance at this Lightforged Demon a few more times.

Hmm, this is a bit weird.

Why does Diakum spend all his time doing these weird things?

Kazak also noticed Viren's gaze. It bared its teeth at old Viren and waved its paws, signaling him to go inside quickly and not disturb its guard duty.

As Velen walked further in, he was surprised to see five "archangels" guarding Diakum's sleeping bedside.

He was also chosen by the Holy Light, so he could see that these five mighty and divine archangels were actually the five little angels who had flattered Diakum before, but who had been elevated by the power of the Holy Light.

This is a unique "divine blessing" bestowed upon those who are vigilant, something others can only envy.

But Diakum's situation was indeed somewhat "strange." The closer Velen got to him, the more he could feel Diakum's good health; the guy in front of him was not injured at all.

Perhaps his condition was very bad before, but during this period of unconsciousness, the Holy Light's "overtreatment" had already healed all his injuries.

The reason he cannot wake up now is not because his injuries are severe.

Quite the opposite.

He's a little too healthy.

"Diacombe's holy power is starting to build up again, just like what happened during his more than 20,000 years of slumber, well, only superficially."

The distinguished pastor, Viren, quickly identified the source of the problem.

He pondered for a moment, then turned to the group of people who had gathered behind him and said:
"The 'light and shadow' of the Vigilant is out of balance. His holy light is overshadowing the part that belongs to the shadow, perhaps because he has damaged the interests of the Void Realm and has been stripped of his Void powers."

We need to release the excessive holy light emanating from him.

"how should I do it?"

Archbishop Nelly, her eyes red, asked somewhat nervously. Without needing Velen's reply, the twins spoke in unison:

"Lightforging!"

"Yes, lightcasting."

Viren stood up and said:
"Gather the new recruits of the Lightforged Chapter and perform the Lightforging ritual for them here. Using the Holy Light of the Vigilant as the source, performing a large amount of Lightforging at once can effectively release the divine pressure he bears."

When the holy light weakens to the point of balancing with the shadow, his oppressed spirit can awaken.

But this is only a temporary measure.

The old prophet said solemnly:
"Diacombe has long passed the novice stage of being unable to control the Holy Light well, which indicates that his current situation is difficult to resolve from the outside and can only be addressed by himself to rebalance his light and shadow."

He has gone further on this path than anyone else, and we cannot even offer him advice.

But let's wake him up first before talking about anything else.

"I will preside over this ceremony, Archbishop Orestes. Summon the new recruits."

“Prophet, even if all our new recruits were lightforged, they would not be enough to share the heavy holy power that Commander Diakum is currently wielding.”

Saloras shook her head and said:
“Even if we lightforge all the black dragons under Onyxia’s command, it still won’t work. His accumulated holy light has reached a level close to that of a lesser god. I think we should perhaps seek help from other people of light.”

"Humans, elves, dwarves! Even werewolves."

Ms. Vera adjusted her glasses and said seriously:

"The Battle of Lordaeron is drawing to a close, and Marshal Anduin Lothar must consider how to reward the warriors. I believe that a sacred Lightforged ceremony would be the best way to 'promote' those who have rendered meritorious service."

This is a double win.

While hastily accepting Diakum's Holy Light enhancement might lead mortals down a path of fanatical faith, given Azeroth's current 'security environment,' the newly formed human empire having an additional group of fanatical faith warriors is not necessarily a bad thing.

“Prophet, and Lady Verara, I actually think we could try using the Lightforged Dragonborn!”

Standing to the side, Irene hesitated for a moment, then quietly offered her suggestion:
"Marshal Lothar and his commanders have been struggling with how to deal with the Dragonborn after the war. Last night, when I was praying with Archbishop Fao, I also heard the Archbishop express the same concern."

King Terenas's perverse actions have led to an exaggerated number of Dragonborn in Lordaeron. As a race burdened with 'original sin,' it is difficult for them to coexist peacefully with humans in the short term.

But if both sides can share the same faith!
If humanity were to witness firsthand that the Dragonborn, whom they consider 'evil,' could also be blessed by the Holy Light, then I think the rift between the two sides might finally find a way to break through.
Uh?
Did I say something wrong?

Why are you all looking at me like that?

The strange looks from the others made Irelia shift her shoulders uncomfortably, but then she saw the old prophet reveal a satisfied smile that said, "You're a promising student."

Viren stroked his beard and said:
"The future ruler of the Draenei clan has matured somewhat. Diakum has taught her very well, and her advice is very valuable. Perhaps we can indeed try to bring the Dragonborn back to the world of the Holy Light."

But only those righteous individuals with unwavering will and hearts turned towards the Holy Light can be selected; otherwise, their defiled flesh and blood will find it difficult to pass the cleansing of the Holy Light.

"The dragonborn warriors under Sir Uther are all righteous men who set things right!"

Irele said loudly:

"I'll contact them right away."

While everyone else was assigned work by Viren to prepare for the large-scale collective lightforging ceremony, Ms. Verara, who remained there, finally spoke:

"There are still some things you haven't said, Velen. Did you sense something was wrong?"

This question made the old prophet turn and glance at Diakum, who was slumbering in the holy light. He nodded with a somewhat grave expression and said:
"Diacomb has been stripped of his power by the Void, and the Holy Light is trying to bring him back to the pure Oath of Light. The two Forces are vying for him, which is why the Vigilant cannot awaken."

But this competition has gone beyond the conventional meaning of 'favor' and can even be regarded as 'war'.

I've never quite understood what Diakum did in Azeroth while I was in Draenor, so I'm curious whether he was involved in some important matter directly related to the nature of the Force.
What led to this extremely fierce struggle?

Forgive my bluntness, but in all my years living in the cosmos, I've almost never heard of anything like Diakum. The Holy Light's 'urgency,' even 'greed,' in vying for him is truly unbelievable."

This question silenced Ms. Vera.

She hesitated for a moment, then told Velen about the sun god Anser.

The old prophet grew increasingly horrified as he listened. After Verara finished speaking, Velen sat down by the bed. The old prophet, who had weathered many storms, glanced at his hands; the hand holding his staff trembled slightly. It was from the sheer horror and fear within him.

"The source of holy light? The eclipse and rebirth of the sun god? My God!"

Velen drew a triangular emblem on his chest and exclaimed:
"No wonder Diakum created such a terrifying situation as the 'War of the Void Gods,' and no wonder Sargeras came in person, willingly becoming a tool of slaughter."

This is no longer just a matter of one or two planets; our vigilantes now bear the future of the entire galaxy.

However, you just said that Diakum left the legacy of the sun god in Azeroth?

"Yes, Kael'thas Sunstrider, the Sun King of Quel'Thalas, also embarked on the path of the Sun God under his guidance and inspiration."

Vera said with some concern:
“We haven’t contacted Quel’Thalas yet. The Sun King returned to his homeland yesterday, and I’m worried that Kael’thas might also be affected.”

If Diakum is so drawn by the Holy Light, Kael'thas might also need help. After we awaken Diakum, this Sunwell floating island must immediately head to Quel'Thalas.

"Ah."

Viren nodded.

He recited the verses of holy light, but the old prophet was not at peace.

He had believed in the Holy Light his whole life, and now he knew the secrets of its origin. He heard that the Sun God was being corrupted by the void, and that once the terrifying eclipse arrived, all the stars would be plunged into despair.

Perhaps, he too can contribute a tiny, insignificant bit of strength to this great cause?
------

A large-scale Lightforged Ascension is indeed a rare reward for believers. Therefore, after Marshal Lothar and Archbishop Faol issued the summons, thousands of devout believers immediately gathered in Lordaeron, where the war had not yet completely ended.

Most of them are human, but there are also some elves and a few dwarves.

In a secluded corner unknown to anyone, Sir Uther himself led several Dragonborn who had always devoutly believed in the Holy Light to participate in the ceremony.

Old Velen personally presided over the ceremony, allowing Diakum's holy light to emanate and transform through a sacred ritual, simultaneously infusing the bodies of these thousands of priests, paladins, and warriors.

A massive trial of virtues is underway.

Because it uses Diakum's Holy Light, this trial of virtue must also be conducted according to Dick's "rules".

The spirits of all the sworn were drawn into Diakum's mental space, just as Marad and Yrel had endured their trials, where they had to overcome their inner fears.

Furthermore, because Diakum has now mastered the Void's power of Sha, he is very accurate in grasping the fear in the hearts of every Oathbearer.

This is enough to truly test these guys' minds, allowing them to radiate the brilliance of their faith.

This actually helps them to experience the power of lightforging, and cleansing their fears in the trials of virtue also helps these guys maintain their rationality and avoid falling into prolonged fanaticism and blind obedience.

As the officiant of the Lightforging ceremony, old Velen also heard Diakum's call at some point.

He did not refuse, and in the holy light, he "astrally left his body" in response to Dick's call.

But to old Velen's surprise, his spirit, guided by the Watcher, did not ultimately enter Diakum's spiritual world. Instead, he found himself in a special space filled with light.

When Velen looked up, he could see golden light flowing around the "sky" like water, reflecting the silhouettes of one world after another in the constantly shimmering waves.

The light had no origin and no destination; it was like a "river of light" that flowed through all things throughout their lives.

"Where is this?"

Velen stared in astonishment at the endless "golden plain." He could see no trace of creation here, and it was desolate, filled with warm light yet devoid of any vegetation.

"This is the 'Supreme Heaven'."

Dick's voice rang out from behind the prophet, causing Velen to stare at him in astonishment. Diakum helplessly spread his hands and said:

"I call it that, but I don't actually know its real name. But I guess this is the territory of the Holy Light Force, just like the Sea of ​​No Light in the Void, the Twisted Void of Fel Energy, the Emerald Dream of Life, and the Shadow Realm of Death."

This is the realm of the Holy Light; we cannot find any trace of other forces here.

It has been sealed away for countless years.

But just as I returned from the Sea of ​​No Light to the material world, my spirit was brought here.
The High Heavens opened their doors to me, but as you can see, Velen, this High Heaven is empty.

There is no Naru, no faith, no Anser.

It was filled with holy light, yet it was only holy light.

"You're trapped here?"

Viren marveled at the place Dick called "The Highest Heaven," where he could indeed feel the warmth and divinity of direct contact with the Holy Light and the Force.

This is enough to prove that Diakum was not lying; this place truly belongs exclusively to the Holy Light.

"Yes, I am trapped here, and I feel that the Holy Light is protecting me."

The vigilant sighed and said:

"He believed that the Void wanted to harm me, so he insisted on bringing me back from the shadows to the light at this moment. But the problem is that the Void only stripped me of my powers, but did not deprive me of the part of the path of the twins of light and shadow that belonged to the shadows."

Can you understand this difference?
My 'official rank' in the Void was stripped to the bottom, but He still preserved my 'qualifications'; the Void still has expectations of me.
Perhaps it was because He saw the potential of the Shadowswarm, or perhaps it was because He felt that I was still someone worth trying to win over in the matter of Anser. In any case, I hadn't reached the point where I absolutely had to say goodbye to the shadows.

But your help gave me the opportunity to leave this place.

I'm just not sure if if we leave now, we'll be able to come back later.

"Come back? What are you doing back here?"

The old prophet sensed that Diakum seemed to be trying to give him a job, and he said:
"There's nothing here. If Anser isn't here either, it means the power of this Holy Light Territory has been lost. The fact that the Naaru can't reach this place means it may have been abandoned?"

No! I have a different opinion.

Dick blinked and said:
“I think this is Anser’s ‘backup plan’. If the sun is destined to go out, he wants to strip away his light and let the holy light take the place of the sun to continue to shine on the stars, in order to resist the coming of the eclipse era.”

Although I have no evidence, I feel that my guess is most likely true.

After all, I have already grasped the concept of 'light'.
If Anser had not been willing, I could never have inherited this concept of power. He entrusted this place to me, Velen, the sun god, who gave me His legacy.

In that case, it's my responsibility to properly build this 'Supreme Heaven,' perhaps like this?

He opened his arms and called upon the holy light as if embracing the sun. As Velen stared wide-eyed, a golden sun crown rose, and from within that light, one after another, golden angels emerged, flapping their wings of light.

A majestic and divine "high heaven gate" was also faintly visible within the crown.

It's clear that Dick really wants to create this thing in the "High Heavens," but he obviously can't do it yet, and can only create a dim phantom.

Those flying angels weren't real either; they were just some kind of illusion.

"cough cough"

The divine illusion lasted only a few minutes before dissipating, and Diakum, pale-faced, coughed and sighed:

"This thing needs the power of faith to shape it, and my current power of faith is far from sufficient. Perhaps only after the doctrine of the Twin Light and Shadow is accepted by more believers will I be able to gradually build up the High Heaven."

But on the bright side, prophet.

The Lightwalkers finally have their own 'happy home'.

At this point, Dick smiled.

He stood in the phantom of the vanished gates of the Higher Heavens, extended his hand to Velen, and invited him:

"I cannot ignite the sun alone, neither can the Prophet, nor can Kael'thas alone, but if you and the other leaders of the People of Light are willing to help us, perhaps this could be the first step."

Velen, while all Eredar must do their utmost for the reconquest of Argus, perhaps we individuals can also have greater aspirations, such as...
come on!

Let us ignite the sun together and make the holy light great again!

(End of this chapter)