Talanastrasz cautiously retreated, keeping his distance from the Ancient Evil, and grabbed the Red Dragon scales that were wrapped around Rhonin's chest, tossing them aside.
Rhonin used Levitate to return to the ground. He was pale and swaying because he had exhausted his magic power. Vereesa rushed over to him.
The Ancient Evil is now reduced to a phantom dragon form, an energy entity sustained by Elemental Power.
Out of caution, Talanastrasz decided to use ranged magical attacks.
"Do you want to run away, my dear partner?"
The Ancient Evil voice transformed into that of the Red Dragon Queen, who said with a smile, "As my eldest and strongest companion, you should be prepared to sacrifice yourself for me at any time."
"Impossible!"
Talanastrasz opened his mouth and spat out a bright red energy ball, which slowly floated towards the Ancient Evil.
This is his signature move, called Rainbow Burst, whose power is only slightly less than that of Focusing Iris.
"It's useless, you fool. We've fought for too long. My power has seeped into your body. You can't escape now. Become a zombie, like poor Galakrond."
Before he could finish speaking, Talanastrasz froze in mid-air, unable to maintain the Rainbow Burst, and stared in astonishment.
"No, no, don't kill me, spare my life!" At the last moment, Talanastrasz could only plead for help.
The Ancient Evil dragon form slowly drifted towards Talanastrasz, transforming into wisps of gray energy that entered through his mouth and nose.
Before long, his eyes changed, his massive body writhed, and his horns bent, transforming him from a strong, adult male Red Dragon into a graceful female Dragon.
Zuluhed and Nekros both looked up at the reborn Red Dragon Queen, their expressions filled with bitterness.
Although the soldiers, unaware of the situation, continued to fight selflessly, the victory had already lost its meaning, becoming nothing more than a farce.
Adapting to her new body, the Red Dragon Queen let out joyful cries.
"Neltharion, I've been waiting for you for a long time, come out."
A sigh came, and the weary Rhonin raised his head to see a middle-aged man stepping out from the crowd.
He stood out from the crowd, as if he were born to be the protagonist. Orcs and Undead Trolls all made way for him, and an open space appeared around him.
"Prestor's territory, he's Deathwing Neltharion." Rhonin exclaimed, finally understanding the situation.
"Alexstrasza." Deathwing's voice was measured and authoritative.
"I thought you, like me, had been Pain Suppression your Evil side, yet you willingly merged with it, all for your own ambition?"
The Ancient Evil Red Dragon Queen smiled faintly, "I truly didn't expect that you could actually expel me and the power of the Maw from your body and seal us within these mountains."
"Hmph, I paid a heavy price for this."
Deathwing in human form suddenly soared into the air, black mist rising and transforming into a terrifying Dragon that blotted out the sky. His body was covered in large pieces of Obsidian Armor, solely to bind his shattered body.
"I didn't expect Alexstrasza to come and sacrifice so many Red Dragons to break my seal," Deathwing said regretfully.
The Ancient Evil laughed sinisterly, "Look at your pathetic body, but compared to the price I paid, what is your sacrifice?"
"How should I address you?" Deathwing asked coldly, "The Evil that drove Galakrond, the Father of Dragons, to madness?"
Robbie was stunned upon hearing this. Ysera had said that the Ancient Evil was summoned by an ancient Dragon King using the Xal'atath's Black Blade to fight against Galakrond.
Why is it different from Deathwing's account?
Robbie pondered to himself that the power of a single Dragon King should not be enough to tear through the Maw's barrier; Deathwing's explanation seemed more plausible.
"Kesutruisi, that is my name," the Ancient Evil chuckled.
"It sounds like the name of a dragon."
Kesutruisi laughed heartily, his face contorted with rage, and said:
"Don't you understand? I am the creator of the Dragonkin of Azeroth. Originally, you were just stupid crawling creatures with bloated bodies and sharp teeth, running on the ground. I gave you brains that greatly increased your capacity and the ability to fly, evolving you from Proto-Dragons into nine-colored Dragons. I taught you to use magic, to build nests and hunt. I am the true Father of Dragons."
"A lie." Deathwing widened, flames shooting out.
"Why won't you admit it, Neltharion? Haven't you had your suspicions for a long time? Hasn't your eldest son been trying to create Chromatic Dragon?" Kesutruisi reminded him.
Deathwing's eyes widened in terror. "Was that truly your purpose? Luckily, I discovered it early. I will reseal you, along with Alexstrasza's share."
Kesutruisi smiled wickedly, "You think you've won? Sorry, this is a trap for you."
Three enormous figures swept across the sky: Malygos, the Aspect of the Blue; Nozdormu, the Bronze Dragon Aspect; Ysera, the Green Dragonflight. They flew in from three other directions, and the four Dragon Kings surrounded Deathwing in the center.
Five Dragon Kings were under the same sky. Orcs and Undead Trolls forgot about the battle, and even the dragon riders and Rotting Dragon Corpses stopped to watch this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Deathwing surveyed the crowd, offering a curt greeting. "Ysera, Nozdormu, and my old friend Malygos, I warned you long ago to stay away from those Orcs. Things always seem to go wrong, and I really didn't expect you to be like this."
Not far away, Krasus stared intently at the five Dragon Kings. "What on earth is going on?"
Robbie sighed and said, "It's easy to explain. The Ancient Evil from the Maw split its soul into five parts, each inhabiting one of the five Dragon Kings. Because of the power of the Dragon Aspects bestowed by the Titans, the power of the Maw didn't activate. However, except for Deathwing, the Dragon King were all controlled by the Ancient Evil."
Krasus murmured, "We visited three Dragon Kings, only to be deceived by them."
Robbie shook his head. "It could also be the last struggle against Ancient Evil personality. We should have noticed it sooner."
The four Dragon Kings surrounding Deathwing revealed the same Evil smile.
"Neltharion, this is all your own doing. You shouldn't have refused the Father of Dragon's gift. It's time to end your madness."
"I see. Luckily, I prepared for this battle in advance. Open your eyes and face reality. So what if all three of you come at me together?"
Dark shadows appeared on Deathwing's back, resembling countless undulating tentacles.
"The Power of the Old Gods."
With a low growl, the Ancient Evil Malygos struck first, a blue stream of water shooting from his head, emanating from the Focusing Iris above him, accurately hitting Deathwing.
Countless tiny insects, resembling crabs or beetles, gnawed at Deathwing's body in the flowing water.
"A resurrected scarab beetle, also known as a corpse beetle—this is not a spell a Dragon King should cast."
Deathwing shuddered, and scalding Lava spewed from the gaps in his Obsidian Armor, instantly wiping out countless corpse beetles.
"Your death is nigh!" Nozdormu roared, his body gleaming with golden light.