Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 618, Chapter 79: Damn you, Diakum, don't come near me! Don't force me to drag Azeroth down with me!
(Bonus chapter for the "Chen Wenjun 2" brothers [5/5])
Let’s go back a little to an earlier time.

Around the time King Daelin was crowned King of Ny'alotha, the attack on the Titan city of Ulduar in the far north of Northrend finally reached its final siege phase. However, compared to the heroic and tenacious fighting of the mortal Saviors of Kul Tiras, the war on Ulduar's side was rather "boring."

Although the number of soldiers on this side responsible for the attack was far less than that of Lothar's Imperial Army and the allies he had won over through diplomacy, the two sides were indeed not on the same level.

On Ulduar's side, the vanguard were the Stormforged Heroes under Odin's command, the Dragon Legion was responsible for defending the Heroes from the air, Tyr and Thorim led the Heroes in the charge, Odin formulated the war plan, and Ra-den was the nominal commander-in-chief.

The five Dragon Kings each received their own boxed lunch, complete with chicken legs, and even those who had transformed into giant dragons were invited.

Recently, the Stone Scale Dragon Ilyudion, who had been quite aloof, seemed to have achieved "great mastery" after a period of seclusion. Not only did he accept the summons, but he also arrived on time, in a good mood and even took the initiative to crack a few jokes with Philek.

This left the Fire Dragon completely bewildered.

But for warmongers, the joy of war is simply having a fight. So after the old brothers Brann Bronzebeard and Muradin Bronzebeard sneaked in with the earth elves and opened the gates of Ulduar for the army at the appointed time, the Lightning Forged heroes adopted a rather aggressive attack plan.

This group of lunatics drove the already unrepaired Sky Fortress Valarjar directly into the front hall of Ulduar, an area comparable in size to a giant city.

Well, considering that Skyhold was originally a part cut off from Ulduar, this wave can be called "returning home," even though the way it's presented is a bit strange.

But there's no denying that this move is really brilliant. After all, friends who have been going to Ulduar every week for a long time know very well how annoying the huge foyer of this Titan city and those damn storm beacons are.

If you want to clear it out bit by bit, with those storm beacons sending a whole squad of Iron Dwarves and Iron Vrykul every minute, even throwing all of Odin's Stormforged Heroes into it wouldn't be enough.

The Golden Fortress has fallen like an Axis satellite, eliminating the most troublesome aspect of Ulduar's defenses just ten minutes into the battle.

Of course, all of the above are war scenes seen by Diakum through the eyes of Muradin Bronzebeard, the "temporary chosen one" he selected.

The vigilant himself did not go to the battlefield.

He couldn't be bothered to bully those Titan creations that were bound by Titan laws and had no self-awareness. While the Guardians led their armies into the corrupted Ulduar, the Vigilant went to the Hall of Lightning on the outskirts of the Ulduar complex.

This was a "trouble" that Leiden and Tyr had privately asked him to help resolve.

Because Loken, the "King of Wisdom," is hiding here, the culprit who, under Yogg-Saron's influence, single-handedly caused the collapse of the mythical age.

He harbored a deep hatred for Thorim, and Tyr did not want Thorim to be further provoked because of Loken. He asked the Vigilant to give this Titan traitor who surrendered to the Void a swift and decisive end.

As is well known, vigilant individuals have always been enthusiastic about dealing with traitors.

Ra-den also told him that the Hall of Lightning was the closest place in Ulduar to the "Forge of Will," and whoever controlled this place could awaken the terrifying Titan legion that had once flattened the Dark Empire.

Leiden did not want Odin to regain control of the area.

He believed Odin's vow to protect the Titans' soul, but he didn't want to gamble on whether Odin would do something "foolish" at this crucial moment.

After all, the problem of Hela, who is almost inextricably linked to Odin, has not yet been resolved.

Hela is the Grim Reaper of the Death faction, and the Vigilant has its own plans regarding the Death Force. Therefore, Ra-den hopes that the Vigilant can temporarily control the Forge of Will to prevent this valiant army of Titan creations from being abused.

Dick thought it made a lot of sense.

So while the others stormed into Ulduar, he went alone to the Hall of Lightning.

Having secluded himself here for countless years, Loken clearly had the means to observe the outside world. When Diakum stepped into the Hall of Lightning, he was greeted by a group of fully armed Steel Vrykul.

These creatures are true giants, taller and stronger than the flesh-and-blood Vrykul. Their entire bodies are forged from Titan Iron and covered with lightning-forged runes, making them high-ranking combat beings in the "path of creation" of arcane constructs.

Back then, the Titan Guardians, with such formidable warriors, sang praises of the Titans and Order while simultaneously destroying the dark empire painstakingly built by the Old Gods.

Unfortunately, these steel creations that once reshaped the world now face opponents that are not as weak as the ancient gods.

"Get out!"

Dick, bare-handed, shouted at the Iron Vrykul before him, who were even taller than him:
"A force created to protect the world should point its weapons at the real enemy and step aside, so as not to cause any more trouble for itself."

"Shut up! Intruder."

The Iron Vrykul general, standing behind the heavy iron shield, raised his massive battle axe high, his eyes crackling with menacing lightning, and roared:
"By the command of the King of Wisdom, we must serve the Pantheon faithfully!"

"Alas, what fine blood of loyalty, it's a pity it was spilled in the wrong direction."

Dick shook his head and said:

"It seems that a brain forged of steel is detrimental to intelligence and health, but it doesn't matter."

He raised his head, and his golden eyes quietly transformed into a shadowy figure shrouded in darkness. As he took his first step, a dark wind of entropy energy quietly gathered, drawing everything around him into its embrace.

The chilling Shasyar language echoed:

"I can 'replace' your brains for free."

"Void Evil!"

The mighty Steel Vrykul general roared:
"Titan Legion, advance with me!"

He was the first to break through the ranks, followed by the loyal Iron Vrykul and Iron Dwarves who roared as they charged into the dark, cold storm, weapons in hand.

At first, you could still hear shouts of killing, but then it quieted down.

The eerie storm was like a bottomless pit, easily swallowing up all the Iron Vrykul in its path, like a sudden "flesh and blood dream" that made history repeat itself in the past tens of thousands of years.

Diakum precisely controlled the time, allowing the bloody curse to quietly end ten minutes later.

As he waved away the cold, dark winds, drew the holy symbol of blessing on his chest anew, and strode forward with a radiant presence, all that remained behind him was a group of weak, degenerated Vrykul.

They would forget everything about being Titan creations, and push open the temple doors in a bewildered manner, stepping into the new world outside that filled them with fear and unease.

They defended it.

They certainly deserve to enjoy it, they just need to find a gentler way to do so.

Surprisingly, there was a fire giant, now quite rare, in the Hall of Lightning, diligently repairing and forging the legion for the King of Wisdom.

During the War of Mourning, which Thorim insanely sparked, the fire giants were almost wiped out. The frost giants fared slightly better, as they re-established their kingdom in Storm Peaks, but the fire giants have truly become a legend of Azeroth.

These poor souls who survived the brutal war of extermination are now all despondent, only thinking of ending their lives.

But how?
In order to protect the "ecological diversity" of Azeroth and help the fire giants, who were practically extinct, rebuild their population, Diakum kindly sent the fire giant named "Volkan" to the Land of Fire.

It must be very happy in that place full of lava and volcanoes. There seems to be a fire giant in Ulduar, so I'll send it there too.

These giants were all master craftsmen of the Titans' creation army back then, and every weapon they forged was an absolute divine artifact in the mortal world.

Diakum continued deeper into the Hall of Lightning.

Loken sent out all sorts of creatures to try to stop the Vigilant, but Diakum did not kill any of them.

He sent the out-of-control storm elementals to the Skywall, inflicting a flesh curse on the iron giants and Titan constructs that besieged him, letting the dangerous traps explode as he traversed them with ease. It was like a harmless picnic as Diakum stepped into the deepest part of the Hall of Lightning, hands clasped behind his back.

Behind the projected star map of Azeroth, atop the Throne of Lightning, Loken, the King of Wisdom, clad in white robes, was filled with despair.

He probably already guessed this day.

But he still fantasized that Thorim or Ra-den could execute him, or at the very least, Odin could, so that he could die with dignity as a Titan creation, not as a traitor to order.

He never expected that his heartbroken brothers wouldn't even give him such a humble opportunity.

They hired the "Butcher of the Holy Light," a figure of immense renown in the Starsea, to be his executioner, expecting Diakum to eliminate this traitor as swiftly and decisively as he would a demon.

They no longer expected to see him, nor even bothered to insult him, so they sent this hoofed and tailed creature to deliver their final farewell.

"Do you need me to give you a little more time to let your rather rich inner drama continue until the ending of 'my brothers have all abandoned me'?"

Diakum stood before the throne of lightning.

He raised his head and looked at the former Titan Guardian, slumped on the throne, as if he had lost all power and means.

He asked in a gentle tone, which was quite reasonable; he knew that the dying person should be given some final dignity in bidding farewell to the world.

In Vrykul legend, Loken was also a god.

Unfortunately, there are no Vrykul clans that worship him anymore, perhaps because the "wisdom" that Loken possesses is not necessary for the Vrykul.

In response to Diakum's question, Loken raised his head. The rock giant stared blankly at the avatar of the sun before him. His mouth moved, and he said in a hoarse voice:
"So, in the ending you've predetermined for me, where will I end up?"

"The Sea of ​​No Light, perhaps."

Diakum, with impeccable poise like a funeral priest, drew a triangular emblem on his chest and said:
“I have a prison there, specifically for holding those hopeless guys. Although the continent where the prison is located was destroyed during the previous war of gods, it doesn’t matter. I will rebuild it.”

And you will be the first guest there.

Given the sins you have committed, you certainly deserve such a ticket.

You are bound to the waves of the sea of ​​light, and washed by the tides of the void with each rising tide.

Your nickname is King of Wisdom, which is perfect, as the Sea of ​​Darkness is a place that respects 'truth,' and you'll have a pleasant time there. If there truly is truth in your weak mind.

"Is it because of my betrayal?"

Loken gripped the armrest of the throne tightly and said loudly:
"It's not just me, Ra-den, Odin, Tyr! Didn't they all betray their duties after learning that the Pantheon had been destroyed?"

A hideous soul was reflected in Diakum's eyes. It seems that the Titans' "craftsmanship" is not always perfect. Look at what they have sculpted into this guy.

What a waste of a good stone.

"Betrayal is just a choice."

Faced with this ugly sophistry, his smile turned cold, and he said:
“Abandoning one’s duty is not an unforgivable crime. What matters is what you do after you embark on the path of betrayal. Your hands are stained with blood, so how can you be innocent?”

I have no intention of arguing with you.

That's not within my job scope, and they didn't pay me to do any of that.

Now that the verdict has been pronounced, save your words for every future void tide, to be spoken to the entire Sea of ​​No Light.

If the Void Force is willing to set you free, I have no objection.

So, should we still resist?

The crimson hilt of the Ashbringer sword appeared as Diakum's fingers loosely gripped it, and the scorching blade of light extended downwards, molding the intense heat into liquid holy light that dripped down like lava.

He stared at Loken.

It was like the midday sun shining on a sinner bound to the execution rack.

The silent condemnation triggered repentance, causing Loken, who had been clenching his fists, to burst into tears the next moment. This undignified reaction made Diakum raise an eyebrow.

He was a Titan Guardian, after all. What kind of mental exhaustion did he go through that made him so weak that he lost all ability to resist the moment he was filled with remorse?
Ah, indeed, when the darkness and sin surge forth, the first to be attacked are always the weak perpetrators.

The Vigilant strode forward and, amidst Loken's feeble resistance, slew the Ashbringer. As he shattered Loken's mental core, he casually plucked a crystal from the "star ring" of shards surrounding him and used it as a seal, pouring Loken's will, spirit, and perhaps even "soul" into it.

He flicked the black crystal, causing those "things" that didn't belong to Loken to flow out of it.

It was a black "smoke," or perhaps more like some kind of stirred "evil thought," which surrounded Diakum and was then grabbed by the vigilant.

Dick said:
"Yog Saron, I'm coming."

"I have the Alpha verification code."

The murky, echoing voice of the Thousand-Throated Demon resounded from within, saying:
"You butcher of the Holy Light, stay away from me, or I'll activate it! I'll take the whole world with me! You can't destroy the Origin Engine and you're unwilling to destroy it, which means you can't shut it down either."

You're supposed to protect this world, right?
Then you'd better not push me to the brink!

"Is this the kind of thing an Old God who corrupted a Titan city and, in alliance with N'Zoth, turned the Emerald Dream into a nightmare realm should say? You are a disgrace to the Sea of ​​Darkness!"

Diakum scolded:
"You remind me of that great demon who made me write a document before daring to continue fighting. Without a doubt, you will become the 'coward' whose name will be circulated throughout the entire Sea of ​​Light for the next millennium."

Moreover, do you think a 'verification code' that summons a Star Saint to destroy the world can scare me?

I suggest you make an appointment with a psychologist as soon as possible.

"You think I don't dare?"

Yogg-Saron's Void Roar was filled with a terrifying mental drain, almost hysterical, much like a desperate bandit holding a "hostage" and confronting his rescuers.

The most desperate thing was that it was facing a group of fully armed Russians, and the enemy was already loaded with bullets.

Dick listened intently.

Freya's screams echoed from Ulduar's palace, reverberating in his ears. It seemed the Guardians were advancing quite quickly.

Perhaps in a few hours the path to Yogg-Saron's prison will open, so Dick extended a "wrestling invitation" to the Thousand-Throat Demon.

He shrugged and said:

"Then why don't you give it a try?"

Ps:

This concludes the bonus chapter. Currently, there are 55 chapters owed.
The next bonus chapter will be on July 7.1st.

(End of this chapter)