Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 673, Section 41: When a project is severely behind schedule, it's time to learn from the best practices of our competitors.
Bonesmith Helmir's craftsmanship is truly excellent; it seems the soldier mastered the real skills from her.

The "torch" that Diakum needed was modified the next day and made into a very religious "cross-shaped warhammer" as he had designed, with a square hammerhead gleaming with platinum light.

Its top is shaped like a torch, but this special weapon has not yet been lit.

As the bone craftsman said, even if the weapon modified from the rune sword has changed its appearance, it still retains its blade. Therefore, this warhammer is actually more like a combination of a "double-edged battle axe" and a warhammer. The blades on both sides of its hammerhead undoubtedly have an extremely exaggerated armor-piercing ability.

Diakum spent some time carving the prayers from his Light and Shadow Codex onto the weapon with light as a blade, waiting for the last rune to be carved, at which point the Sun Consecration would also be completed.

Envelop the warhammer in sun-like flames, especially when Dick wields it, as the holy light ignites the torch at the weapon's tip, causing it to burn brilliantly like a miniature sun.

"The power of you Lightwalkers is too dazzling."

The bone craftsman complained:
"I have tried my best to make the weapon simple and understated according to your requirements, but look at the golden blessing runes that you personally engraved, plus that burning little sun, the light and shadow effects are a bit too high-profile and gorgeous."

No wonder my mentor once remarked that Lightwalkers are a bunch of guys who crave useless rituals. You wouldn't kneel down and pray for your own and your enemy's souls before battle, would you?

“I used to do that. When I was young, I thought it was cool. Young people can understand pursuing some trendy things.”

Ignoring the bonesmith's complaints, Diakum slung the cross-shaped warhammer over his shoulder and quipped to the exceptionally skilled deathsmith:
“I used to pursue some unnecessary rituals, but that was more to boost morale. For me personally, I’m becoming more pragmatic now. I hope this journey in the Shadowlands won’t require this weapon to be stained with too much blood.”

"That won't do!"

The bone craftsman crossed his arms and said solemnly:
"The duty of a weapon is to kill! You can call it 'protection,' but that doesn't change the fact that weapons are made to be stained with blood. A weapon that isn't stained with blood is unqualified, and no amount of fancy decorations can affect its efficiency in killing enemies."

My mentor and I have very high standards for the weapons we make. We would never create meaningless artifacts, as that would be a desecration of our craft.

You can be a pacifist, but you should also know that when reasoning fails to persuade the other party, violence becomes the most appropriate means. Therefore, at this moment of parting, I will bless you with the survival philosophy of Maldraxxus.

May your sword be saturated with blood, and may your journey be filled with victories.

These words made Diakum raise an eyebrow. He looked at the Bonesmith and said:

"You seem to realize what I'm going to do at Fortress Ascension?"

"I don't even need to guess."

The bone craftsman grinned and said:
"In fact, there are many people in the Shadowlands who hold a contemptuous view of Bastion's practices. The eldest daughter is the weakest of all the Eternals, but she is the most loyal to 'Destiny.' She blinds herself to the fact that Destiny is about to collapse, and the Kyrian angels she leads will eventually become victims of the next era of change because of this folly."

Rather than letting those weak, blue-skinned angels be slaughtered in the future, it would be better for you to wake them up with a thunderous punch, so that they can embrace the new era after the collapse of destiny with a more open attitude.

If you kill a few more now, many fewer people will die in the future!
So, between this 'small good' and 'great good,' how would a holy being like you choose?
As for myself...
I have no problem with my eldest daughter, but unfortunately, now that the Lord of War has decided to personally overthrow the shackles of destiny, His ancient sisterhood has become the biggest obstacle on this path.

Therefore, both Maldraxxus and I look forward to your journey. If you can resolve a troublesome problem for the Lord of War, then I believe that when you two meet again in the future, you might become friends.”

Okay, I'm looking forward to it.

Golden and black wings of light and shadow sprouted from Diakum's back, and as DeVos took off, his wings flapped, lifting him off the ground as well.

As he bid farewell to the war-torn land of Maldraxxus, he bowed his head and said to the Bonesmith:
"When you're about to go and rescue the Lord of War, remember to let me know beforehand. I'll be going into the Abyss with you."

"That would be perfect."

The bone craftsman clapped his hands and said:

"Without a powerful figure like you to protect us, we wouldn't be confident if the warriors of Maldraxxus faced the Jailer's Mawsworn alone."

After saying that, she waved again, watching Diakum and Devos disappear into the eternally gloomy sky of Maldraxxus as two streaks of light.

A few seconds later, the fully armed Blackhand Chieftain approached, leaning on his "Hand of Mourning" warhammer. Holding his helmet, he shouted:
"I've been looking for you for a long time, but you were unwilling to serve me. But now you see, the Vigilant have their own plans and wars in the Shadowlands, and this does not conflict with our great cause of rescuing the Lord of the Army. So, Bones!

Are you now willing to serve the Soul-Chosen Secret Academy?

"I had no choice, you big guy."

Despite the bonesmith's respect for Diakum, as the oldest person on this land and a disciple of the Lord of War, she also possessed her own pride, and impatiently rebuked the Blackhand Chieftain:

"Don't think I don't know what you want me to do for you, but those modifications to the floating city are taboo. Only the Lord of War has the right to order me to add real weapons of destruction to the floating city."

If you want to obtain this destructive power of death, then demonstrate your ability!
The weak have no privileges in Maldraxxus.

So, I'll wait here.

"When you lead the psychic warriors to conquer the stubborn Construct Chamber and retrieve Marquis Gamar's Construct Core, all my destructive arts will be available to you."

------

All regions of the Shadowlands are located in mysterious interdimensional spaces. As Diakum once commented, the terrain of the Shadowlands is very similar to the Sea of ​​No Light. Although there is no actual seawater here, the existence of interdimensional spaces makes the continents of the Shadowlands scattered like islands.

Without transportation like the floating cities of the Anima Dragon or the Spirit Brokers, it's virtually impossible to cross interdimensional realms to reach another kingdom. Moreover, the existence of the Eternal City of Oribos serves as the largest transit point in the Shadowlands, making it essential to "transfer" to other kingdoms.

However, considering that Diakum had previously kicked the Eternal Arbiter to pieces there, the situation that his trip to Olivos would cause now is far from optimistic.

Fortunately, although Devos, as a Saint of the Ascended Bastion, was indeed quite average in Diakum's eyes, her wings were tough enough to allow her to face the terrifying storms of the Interdimensional Realm.

After sensing that Diakum had arrived in the Shadowlands, this woman used her own wings to fly from Bastion to Maldraxxus.

Fortunately, they were messengers from the Shadowlands, which allowed them to maintain excellent navigation abilities even in the unpredictable interdimensional realms; otherwise, they would have been lost in that endless, raging sea.

With Devos as his guide, Diakum no longer needs to rely on the spirits' floating city.

That thing was indeed quite conspicuous, and although the Brokers had their own markets in various kingdoms of the four covenants, the fact that those artifact craftsmen had escaped with the Arbitrator's core exposed that the Brokers were not united internally, and some conglomerates had completely sided with the Eternals of the Shadowlands.

In this situation, if Diakum, the "most wanted criminal," were to continue his operations with the Veil Market, it could cause serious damage to the property of the wealthy owner of Solia.

Although the fact that it wasn't a physical entity that caused a slight decrease in combat power, Diakum wasn't being modest.

As for the combat power of the Eternals of the Shadow Realm, as long as he doesn't act recklessly, he can basically roam freely in this realm of death. For the current Vigilant, the greatest threat to the Death Eternals is not their strength, but the concept of power they possess.

In the Shadowlands, a realm of death, other Forces are suppressed, while the power of the Death Force is undoubtedly amplified by local enhancements.

Once Diakum is trapped by the Eternals' concept of power as a "rule," it will take him quite a bit of effort to break free.

Therefore, to put it simply, the strategy for operating in the Shadowlands can be summed up in one word: "survival."

Enter the village quietly, don't fire.

Guided by this strategic thinking, Diakum and DeVos adopted a rather cautious approach. Instead of going through the actual "port," the area named "Eternal Precinct," to enter the Ascension Bastion, they took a long detour, heading towards "Loyalty Bastion" in the northwest of the Ascension Bastion, led by DeVos.

As you can tell from the name, this is the holy site of DeVos.

Bastion has a tradition of "lordship," with the six Grand Masters each having their own territory. Except for Elysium, which is directly ruled by the eldest daughter Grace, the entire Bastion exists under the governance of the Grand Masters and their respective followers.

Because of Bastion's consistent tradition of "ascension," this area is incredibly peaceful. There are no real violent elements among the souls and candidates who can move around here. Everyone here discusses how to better complete the trials and ascension, and encourages and supports each other on the path to purity.

When they were tired, they would find a place to rest and admire the picturesque scenery of the Ascension Fortress, and listen to the beautiful music coming from the sky.

The scenery here is breathtakingly elegant. The sky is clear, the clouds are long, and beautiful arcs of light dance and travel between the sky and the ground. The holy creations also spread their wings and run freely in the sky that belongs to Kyrian.

Winged unicorns, pterodactyls, blue, energy-sculpted flying serpents, and gentle, elegant floating dragons form the unique ecosystem of Fortress Ascension.

Whenever Kyrian flaps his wings and soars into the sky, these well-trained creatures circle around them, expressing their affection.

Every mountain, lake, and courtyard in Fortress Ascension is sculpted with an "otherworldly" artistic design, its most distinctive feature being that it is "untouched by a speck of dust."

This place is so clean that even a slovenly person would find no place to step.

Those grasslands are always a blend of gold and green, those trees always grow in their most magnificent state, and those fruits and vegetables always exude the sweetest fragrance.

While it might not be as exaggerated as flowing with milk and honey, for a member of the "Order Faction" like Diakum, being in such a place would indeed bring a sense of joy and comfort from the bottom of one's heart.

If he had to choose between Maldraxxus and Bastion after his death, Diakum would absolutely choose the former without hesitation.

"It's so beautiful here that it feels unnatural."

While the design of the Bastion of Ascension is indeed something the High Heavens could learn from, perhaps in the future I should also set up such a 'resting area' in the forecourt of the High Heavens for those Holy Spirits who have come from afar to rest.

This is undoubtedly a place where you can feel relaxed.

The Vigilant stood atop the spire of Loyal Bastion, gazing upon the floating towers and cloud-piercing temples that dotted the entire Bastion of Ascension. He could clearly see the pilgrims walking in twos and threes up the steps, seemingly unconcerned about anything.

Everyone here wears a smile, as if "trouble" doesn't exist here.

But Dick just didn't like it.

This place makes him feel comfortable, which doesn't contradict the fact that he doesn't like it.

He said to DeVos beside him:
"The Eternals are the foundation of their respective kingdoms, and their emotions and existence directly affect their kingdoms. In other words, everything about the Ascended Fortress right now is a true reflection of the eldest daughter Grace's inner world."

She hopes that everyone can live in such a perfect country.

She even deliberately interfered, keeping those souls in what she considered the most relaxed and comfortable state, completely disregarding the opinions of the souls sent there.

Dick glanced down at the Loyal Fortress below.

He had thought it would be good enough if Devos could assemble a force in the Kyrian kingdom, but the Loyalty Fortress was now filled with black-winged angels, numbering at least several thousand.

Even more outrageous is that it wasn't just the official Kyrians who were influenced by DeVos and chose to abandon their oaths; an astonishing number of "candidates" also arrived here.

They have no wings, so they don't have a jet-black appearance, but the candidates gathered here are clearly more "real" than those in other areas.

They would gather together to reminisce about their past lives and sit around each other sharing their stories.

They would shed tears for the tragic fates of others, and be moved by the glorious and fulfilling lives of their new friends. Many more candidates were furious, and they gathered in the training grounds of the Fortress of Loyalty to train.

Someone was shouting there:

“We are not resisting ‘promotion,’ nor are we unwilling to follow our eldest daughter’s will and wash away the dust of our own lives. We are not stubbornly nostalgic for a hometown we can never return to. We can embark on an arduous journey of cultivation, and we can dedicate everything to our eldest daughter’s desire.”

But those should all be decisions that we choose and implement ourselves.

The eldest daughter deceived us!
She told us that only by forgetting the past can we embrace the future. What idiom! It's absurd. Are we still ourselves if we abandon the past? What's the point of sacrificing ourselves for 'immortality' and transcendence?

Many of the candidates were waving their fists.

They agreed with this view, and even some of the Kyrians with jet-black wings stopped to listen.

They have completed their millennia-long cultivation, shedding their past in the process and reaching the pristine state that the eldest daughter desired, untouched by any dust, thus attaining precious immortality.

However, influenced by DeVos, they abandoned all of this without much hesitation. After the eldest daughter's mental interference was eliminated, these Kyrians, who had once regarded "duty" as everything, also made their own choices.

They are different from these candidates.

They are fighting against something invisible but much heavier.

"It is her freedom to regard maintaining the workings of destiny as everything, but she should not demand that we also dedicate everything to her desires."

DeVos said to Diakum:
"Bastion has not always been peaceful. This land has been invaded by the Sea of ​​No Light and ravaged by the devourers who crave anima. My holy predecessors sacrificed themselves for this land, and countless Kyrian warriors will shed their blood for our paradise."

But it's fate.
Fate has only imposed confinement and constraints on us, and the eldest daughter's unconditional 'loyalty' has turned all Kyrian brethren into machines within the system.

She genuinely felt that living such a 'ruthless' life was good for everyone.

Unfortunately, my choice and that of my fellow countrymen represent a clear difference in our views on this matter.

DeVos knelt at Diakum's feet and pleaded:
“You asked me before what kind of paradise I wanted. I’ve thought about it all the way here, and I must honestly answer that I don’t know. But what I do know is that if the eldest daughter continues to rule like this, this hypocritical and empty ‘paradise’ in front of you will surely devour all souls.”

Therefore, please lead us, vigilant ones.

Let the Fortress of Ascension truly become the eternal refuge for all good souls, rather than a beautiful prison that devours memories and emotions.

"stand up!"

Dick, holding a sketchbook, sketched the scenery of Bastion before him, and casually remarked:

"I believe that kind souls in heaven don't need to kneel or beg from others, don't you think?"

Ps:

Concept art of Bastion (It's no exaggeration to say that this map is the most beautiful one Blizzard has designed in over a decade. Unfortunately, the Bastion storyline is really boring. As Diakum commented, it's a boring and empty place, a real waste of such beautiful scenery and design aesthetics):
(End of this chapter)