Could the Eredar's Old Ticket Board the Naaru's Ark?

Velen returned from Krokuun exhausted, yet he did not even go home to visit his family. The moment he landed, he headed for the Temple of K'ure.

The naaru priests here had already received their orders. When the Prophet arrived, K'ure, one of the two guardian naaru, was ready to speak with him.

This was a top-secret conversation.

Apart from the Grand Executor, the high priests of the Naaru Temple, and Talgas, head of the Assassin Court, no one else was permitted to listen in.

Before the Naaru Throne, Velen strode forward with his holy staff in hand.

His mood today was entirely different from the calm state of mind he usually possessed when meeting the naaru and listening to the Holy Light Doctrine. All gentleness was gone, leaving only a blazing anxiety that seemed to coil around him. The naaru appeared to sense his emotions, and K'ure released a soft voice, turning the Holy Light into a soothing hand that helped Velen dispel his exhaustion and calm down.

Amid the rhythmic motion of the naaru's dazzling, mysterious geometric crystals, Velen spoke of the information they currently possessed:

"The Dark Titan has issued a declaration of doom. Only one month remains before Argus reaches its end. My brother and I have also received a divine revelation from the World Soul. We will fight the savage demons in our homeland until the very last moment.

"But while the final battle is underway, my people must find a way to escape the demons' clutches."

The Grand Executor raised his head and pleaded with the guardian naaru before him, whom he regarded as a trusted friend.

"Brother Diakum, whom the World Soul has named a 'Guardian' and an 'Oathkeeper,' believes we should seek the Holy Light's aid. He is certain that, at this critical hour, the most effective assistance available to us must come from the domain of the Holy Light.

"You and Lady Lura arrived on Argus aboard a ship capable of crossing the sea of stars, and Brother Diakum says your companions possess similar vessels.

"You have also told us many great stories of naaru sacrificing themselves to save worlds.

"I wish to ask you!

"Please send a request for aid to the other naaru among the stars on behalf of the Eredar. We need ships that can carry away civilians!

"The more, the better! The sooner, the better!

"The survival of the Eredar will be decided within this month. We can offer anything we possess in return. So long as you need it, we can give it."

An ethereal rhythm, like a song, then rang out.

To ordinary people, it would have sounded like crystals colliding. But to Velen, who understood Naaru Language, those sounds transformed into a gentle male voice.

K'ure said to him:

"There is no need to humble yourself so, Velen, Prophet of the Holy Light. Lura and I came to Argus and remained here for a thousand years because the 'Prophet' among us foresaw the desperate plight the Eredar would face.

"We have lived alongside your people for a thousand years. We determined long ago that the Eredar, so full of wisdom, courage, and a keen desire to explore, are entirely worthy of salvation.

"Furthermore, we have witnessed a miracle of defiance against fate unfold here..."

"Hm?"

Velen looked at the radiant K'ure in confusion, and the latter explained with a hint of laughter:

"In the prophecy of our oldest and holiest leader, the primal naaru and Mother of Holy Light, Xe'ra, she saw the Eredar, led by fallen leaders, embracing fel energy. Yet only you and your followers resisted the call of evil and darkness.

"That is why, after arriving on Argus, we bestowed the precious Naaru Beacon upon you.

"Lady Xe'ra instructed us not to waste time on any other Eredar leaders besides you. She has always believed that fate could not be transcended and should not be changed. But the truth has proven that, at any time, we should believe in the existence of 'miracles.'

"The fate Xe'ra foresaw for Argus has changed course!

"To this day, Lura and I have not seen the slightest sign of corruption among the Eredar. With decisive and efficient decisions, you eliminated the chaos that the Awakeners' Cult would have caused. And the unwavering resolve you and Commander Kil'jaeden displayed in resisting the Burning Legion shines brighter than a thousand suns!

"Rest assured, Velen of the Holy Light.

"Lura and I will immediately contact our naaru brethren among the stars. We will do everything in our power to bring every ship we can find to Argus. But the naaru are all on different planets, helping beings in need, and I cannot guarantee that they will arrive at the same time.

"You may need to keep sending your people over for a period of time, to be transported away by the ships. Most importantly, you must hold back the demons at the front lines and buy time for this great undertaking to save lives and civilization!

"That means you will suffer terrible losses.

"Even if they are called 'great sacrifices,' facing that brutal reality will still require you and your brother to hold firm in the darkest hour."

"We will do it! We will give everything we have!"

Hearing the naaru's frank promise of support, Velen let out a long breath. He gripped the Argus Heart pendant at his chest and declared loudly:

"We will not disappoint such noble rescuers. But... I mean, will the naaru's ships truly be enough to carry away all our people?"

That question left K'ure silent for a moment. Amid the echoes of its slightly altered crystalline tones, it said:

"Not necessarily. But if the Mother of Holy Light's order arrives in time, then with colossal starships like the Tempest Keep, we can at least ensure the safe evacuation of the Eredar in the Mac'Aree region.

"It is the largest and sturdiest starship we possess. We have used it to relocate refugees from several planets, whose worlds all perished at the hands of demons.

"Yes, Velen.

"Argus is not the first world to be targeted by demons!

"That dreadful Dark Titan united the prisoners who were once scattered and disorganized, then bestowed a supposedly 'noble' mission upon the violent demons of the Twisting Nether. They use destruction as a tool to carry out 'salvation,' but that does not change their nature as brutes.

"Also, Velen, I must remind you of what Diakum has always reminded you.

"Although all naaru are born from the Holy Light, and although all naaru naturally possess the compassion and healing nature granted by the Holy Light, with an innate desire to give and sacrifice, we still differ in our individual thoughts.

"Lura and I belong to the gentle, rational faction, but there will always be naaru who follow paths different from ours because of their understanding of the Holy Light.

"I must admit that some among us have become radical in their struggle against the darkness of the stars. In an ancient age beyond mortal imagination, my radical brethren once launched a 'Great Crusade' across the Force Realm. It was a brutal war beyond anything the present-day Eredar could imagine.

"I had not yet been born then, but even I know that it is an indelible mark upon the naaru as a people.

"Therefore, when dealing with other naaru, the Eredar who have been blessed by the Holy Light must be especially cautious."

K'ure's subtle, meaningful warning made Velen nod.

Brother Diakum had indeed said the same thing, but with the Eredar now facing catastrophe, such matters could be discussed later.

"Then is there anything we need to do for this call for aid?"

Velen asked.

K'ure said:

"Lura and I need to borrow your holy relic, the Atama Crystal. It can accelerate the transmission of our Holy Light, allowing our call for aid to cross the stars more swiftly and reach our companions. But I know that relic symbolizes something to the Eredar..."

"No. It is merely a crystal."

Velen said in a deep voice:

"Compared to our civilization, no treasure, however precious, is worth mentioning. I will bring the Atama Crystal at once. Please, prepare yourselves.

"May the Holy Light show us mercy.

"May the Holy Light protect Argus through this darkest age."

"Look at that beam! Quick, look!"

In the mountains of Krokuun, outside the bustling camp where Argus Hearts were being made, Fareeya, who was keeping watch, suddenly spotted a strange sight in the sky. She immediately called out to the companions resting beside her.

They all saw the beam of light piercing straight into the heavens in the distance.

It was incredibly far away, seemingly at the horizon, yet it was so clear and brilliant that the young people stubbornly believed it to be some revelation from the Holy Light.

The disturbance quickly alerted the others in camp, and even the Twins ran up to higher ground to observe it.

"What an astonishing energy reaction!"

Saloras said softly:

"Judging by the direction, it should be coming from Mac'Aree. So what are they doing there? Planning to light that enormous torch to frighten the demons that could arrive at any moment?"

"It's a signal, perhaps?"

Oreses pondered for a moment before saying:

"Just like the historical records describe, more than a thousand years ago, a beam like this also shot into the sky. After it continued for seven days and seven nights, the Holy Light's two naaru arrived on Argus."

"It is indeed a signal for aid."

Dick's voice rang out from behind them.

His coarse linen robe was covered in dust and stone chips, traces left from a day of carving Holy Stones. Standing beside his young warriors, he looked toward the beam rising from Mac'Aree and said:

"Grand Executor Velen successfully persuaded the naaru to help. That beam is probably the message the naaru have sent to their companions among the stars, calling on them to bring their ships to Argus and help transport refugees."

"Refugees?"

The word slightly changed the young people's expressions.

The proud Eredar had never imagined that one day they would be given such a wretched title.

"Yes. Leaving our homeland behind to wander among the stars, drifting like rootless duckweed upon the tide—what else would that make us, if not refugees?"

Dick spoke with a complicated emotion in his voice.

"Many people have not realized the predicament the Eredar will face in the future, including all of you. I even think that neither Velen nor Kil'jaeden fully understands this problem.

"They know the situation is serious, but they cannot imagine how terrible the ending will be.

"Prepare yourselves, children. We will live hard lives from now on.

"For several thousand years. Ten thousand years. Twenty thousand years. Perhaps even longer.

"We may only be able to return to our homeland after countless changes of sea and land. Children born during the journey will only be able to imagine their lost homeland through their parents' sorrowful descriptions.

"The shadow of losing our home will follow us until it drives some of us completely mad.

"So, are you truly prepared?"

At that moment, Dick looked at the surrounding youngsters with a subtle gaze, carefully watching the changes in their expressions until thoughtful looks appeared on their faces.

"But we will always find a new world."

Captain Neri, leaning against a nearby rock with her arms folded, said:

"The sea of stars is so vast. There will always be a beautiful world like Argus that can become our new home."

"Yes. That new world may even be grander, more generous, and gentler than the land beneath our feet. It may be perfect in every respect, but it will inevitably have one flaw.

"It is not Argus!

"And it can never become Argus."

Dick turned and looked at Neri.

"Little Neri, you are destined to become the finest scout commander among us. Whenever a refugee ship reaches a new world, you will lead the bravest warriors onto that unfamiliar land and determine whether it can become a foothold for the exiles.

"But will the demons truly give up?

"Once their master obtains Argus's power, the might of the World Soul will be wielded by demons.

"A truly invincible demonic army, one meant to set the sea of stars ablaze, will be forged on Argus. They will begin to spread despair and death throughout the material universe. It will be a road of ashes that will not end until they achieve their goal.

"So here is the question, Neri.

"How will you find a perfect world that can both protect the Eredar and allow them to continue multiplying, while ensuring it will never be found and destroyed by the violent demons? When the Burning Crusade sweeps across this sea of stars, how many planets can possibly perform the miracle of a desperate reversal?"

Dick's tone was harsher than before.

The five young heroes had rarely seen Lord Dick so serious. Captain Neri remained silent, while the Twins exchanged glances.

They were very clever, their little minds working quickly. By now, they had grasped the lesson Lord Dick wished to impart to these young people.

"Running away forever is not a solution! If demons follow at our heels, constantly bringing destruction, then we will become true 'harbingers of calamity.' Wherever we go, demons will target it and destroy it. In the end, we exiles will become bearers of misfortune that everyone in the sea of stars avoids, perhaps even the Burning Legion's accomplices in practice."

Dick spread his hands and said to the others:

"Our people will lose their courage through flight after flight. Our leaders will be worn down by the long exile. Even our bravest warriors will lose their strength after failure upon failure.

"One day, we will grow tired of this flight with no end in sight.

"One day, under fate's vicious arrangements, we will arrive in a seemingly perfect world and plunge headfirst into the lies woven by hope.

"One day, we will comfort ourselves into believing it, bury our heads between our legs and pretend the misfortune following us will never arrive. We will hide away on every fearful night and pray for fate's mercy.

"But they will catch up to us!

"They will surround us, humiliate us, slaughter us, and ultimately exterminate us in ways beyond our imagination!

"They will stand upon the bones of our clan members and laugh as they warn obedient slaves, shamelessly declaring that this is the fate of all who resist!

"The slaughter will continue until the last of us falls into a pool of blood.

"Neri, you are so perceptive. Perhaps you can evade every massacre, but in the end, you will only be able to live alone in some wilderness no one can find, accompanied by painful, despairing, helpless memories until they grind away the last of your sharpness."

"Stop it!!!"

Neri screamed, cutting off Dick's "sermon of darkness."

She glared at Dick furiously and roared:

"Then come up with a solution! You were the one who said the Dark Titan could not be defeated! You were the one who advised the Executors to make the people abandon their homeland and flee! And now you are the one putting on an act and predicting this miserable future!

"Dick! Diakum!

"Can you fucking stop playing these damned tricks already!

"I have watched you for a long time. I know you have secrets. At certain moments, you act like some kind of prophet, even more cryptic than Grand Executor Velen. I do not want to probe your mind.

"But with this dark age about to arrive, you had better not just talk.

"You had better not be someone who can only go on and on identifying problems, endlessly playing up fear so you do not look like a coward, yet cannot offer a single solution to the problems you raise.

"People like that are the most hopeless fucking idiots in any era, in any world!"

"I have brought a solution!"

Dick took an Argus Heart pendant he had just made from the pouch at his waist. He stepped forward and solemnly placed it in Neri's hand.

He held her trembling hand and said:

"If we are to travel through the long dark night without losing our way, then before setting out, we must build ourselves a lighthouse. Whenever we are lost, we need only look back. So long as that light remains, we will know where to go.

"Argus!

"Neri, only Argus can become the Eredar's ultimate salvation!

"We were born here, and we must surely die here. When the exiles lose faith, leaders like you, wearing the sacred artifacts of our homeland, must step forward and tell them of the efforts we have made and the mission we bear.

"We left our homeland, but not out of despair. And do not regard this as a flight!

"One day, sooner or later, you and I, and all of us, will return with a way to heal this world. We will defeat the demons and their evil master here. We will take back our homeland and our legacy from their hands!"

He turned around, took out a handful of Argus Hearts, and held them in his hands. His gaze was bright as he addressed the five young heroes and the Twins.

"This is my duty, Neri's duty, and your duty as well! Take these sacred artifacts, children, and wear them proudly! In the exile that is destined to be long, you who wield these artifacts must also become torches in the hearts of the people, guiding them back onto the right path when they lose their way.

"We must not only resist the demons' invasion in our homeland. On every world where we settle, we must become guardians of faith and zealous preachers for every innocent life.

"We will warn other beings facing the same plight as us about the Burning Legion, and help them withstand the demons' invasion.

"The Burning Crusade cannot destroy every world. And the worlds saved through our efforts will eventually become our allies! The demons have united to destroy the material universe, so the lives oppressed and threatened by them should unite as well, forming an even more resolute legion."

One by one, hands took the Argus Heart pendants and rings from Dick's grasp.

Only after even the "self-interested" Twins had put on pendants and rings did Dick conclude his first sermon as a "priest."

He looked at the beam rising in the direction of Mac'Aree and said:

"We will return to our homeland one day, children. We will return with victory and hope. Even if it takes a hundred thousand years, we will return! The eternal life Argus has bestowed upon us should be used for something as righteous as this.

"We have eternity to fight them, until one side finally falls!"

"The way you issue orders truly makes you look like a general, and the way you inspire morale makes you look like a Grand Executor."

The Twins muttered:

"We have never seen a vindicator like you. Their heads are full of muscle, but you... you are clearly different."

"I will take that as a compliment, for now. But you had better not say that in front of any other vindicators."

Dick blinked, then turned and left the platform for the Holy Stone cave. He needed to return to the cave and continue carving stones. He had to finish making the sacred artifacts as soon as possible; the demons could arrive at any moment.

Neri did not disturb the five youngsters as they pondered. She quietly caught up to Dick and asked softly:

"Sorry, I was terribly unseemly just now, but we... I mean, can we really win?"

"If I told you we couldn't, would you surrender to the demons? No, you certainly wouldn't."

Dick said with a smile:

"Since we've decided to fight to the bitter end, victory or defeat is no longer the goal. Just as those of us destined to travel far only need to set out. We will win! Tell yourself that we will win!"

He patted Neri on the shoulder, then strode toward the cavern housing the Holy Stone in his linen robe, passing by the jewelers who had stayed up all night polishing holy relics.

These craftsmen came from every governorate of Argus and were currently taking orders in this camp from Commodore Diakum. The Eredar's innate inclination toward order meant the craftsmen needed little supervision to complete their work quickly and well.

During their breaks, some craftsmen would voluntarily visit the cavern to pay homage to the Holy Stone. Some among them had heard the legends of Krokuun and regarded an audience with the World Will as the highest honor.

Just like now, in the midst of midnight labor, Diakum had barely struck his chisel twice when he saw a woman in purple robes walk in. She smiled gently at Dick, then reached out to touch the Holy Stone before her.

But the next second, Vigilant seized her hand.

"May I ask where you are from?"

Dick, still flecked with stone chips, narrowed his eyes and asked:

"Mac'Aree? Nathreza? Or the Twisting Nether?"

The woman abruptly yanked her hand away, dodging Diakum's incoming heavy punch with a flash. She retreated, staring gloomily at the alert Eredar Commodore, only to find that this Holy Light Walker was studying her with a peculiar gaze as well.

How should one put it?

There was no fear in those eyes, only an intensely curious look. He was like a hunter who had discovered a rare pet and could not wait to strip away her disguise and get a good look at what she truly was.

And honestly, when an Eredar defender famed for his "uprightness" wore that expression, it was rather terrifying.

"Worthy of the defender Commodore who defeated Sarkir! Sharp enough, vigilant enough! But your head will become part of the Legion's collection, and you will be the first to die!"

A savage expression flashed across the jeweler's face. As fel energy gathered, a strangely shaped dagger leaped into her hand. Then she shouted, "Victory to the Legion!" and pounced forward, only to be "drowned" by an eruption of Holy Light without warning in the next instant.

The disguised figure vanished as though melting away, but the defender had his own means of detecting stealth.

"This is an illusion! What are you hiding?"

With a thunderous roar, Diakum cast out his Holy Light in a burst of Sunlight.

The radiant, dazzling light was not particularly lethal, but it was blindingly brilliant. In an instant, it banished every shadow in the cavern and completely drove away the medium concealing the demon. The hidden creature, its eyes practically blinded, screamed as it tumbled out of the shattered shadows.

Its disguise had been utterly broken, revealing its grotesque form.

Its lean but towering body carried the scorched sulfur stench of fel energy. Its reverse-jointed hooves left black prints on the ground, while the huge dark-purple Bat Wings on its back, the long curved horns on its head, and its signature pale skin proved its identity.

A Nathrezim!

The Burning Legion's spies and intelligence officers, nicknamed Dreadlords, were masters of spreading corruption and toying with the bizarre.

"That wing color... let me think..."

Dick narrowed his eyes at the hideous Nathrezim before him. He knew this race of Dreadlords had some rather peculiar traits.

Because they had been fashioned from the same "template," these creatures were nearly identical in appearance. The key feature distinguishing them was the color of their wings.

Ordinary Nathrezim recruits were unworthy of unique wing colors, but every notable one possessed a distinct pair of wings.

The color of this creature's wings was very familiar to Dick. A moment later, he identified it:

"Sasoval, the Corrupter..."

Dick barked out the creature's name and summoned Holy Light into sacred fire. The flame in his left hand empowered him, forming the magical armor of Inner Fire, while he hurled the flame in his right hand, forcing the Dreadlord into the air and interrupting the Fear Wave it had been charging.

The commotion in the cavern immediately drew the defenders' attention. The vigilant Neri soon rushed in with two guards, just in time to see Dick fighting the grotesque demon bare-handed.

The Commodore seemed able to predict every move the demon made. It continuously unleashed waves of fel energy, but the Commodore dodged each one in advance. The dangerous, stinking swarm had barely been released before Holy Light incinerated it, never giving the demon a chance to control him.

"Weapon!"

Dick shouted. Neri fired a shot forward, grabbed a warhammer at hand, and threw it over.

The defender caught the warhammer with a flip. As his cloven hooves slammed into the ground, crushing the summoned fel imp beneath them, he activated Retribution Aura. Then, as he raised a hand to call upon the Holy Light, he decisively spread his "wings."

The "master actor stance" he had used against Sarkir that night appeared once more. After several attacks charged the Radiant Rune to completion, a three-charge Divine Storm blossomed within this cramped space.

The ranger captain and the defenders sealed off the exit. Trapped in this enclosed area, Sasoval the Corrupter had nowhere to run and could only endure the Holy Light slashes that swept over it like a blade storm.

The more it fought, the more alarmed it became!

There was something strange about this Eredar defender!

He knew its moves far too well. The moment it raised a claw, he already knew what it was about to do. Yet in turn, this fellow's bizarre combat techniques were things it had never seen when murdering defenders before. And wasn't the amount of holy power stored within this guy's body a bit absurd?

Were you really just a high-ranking defender, rather than a legendary paladin specifically lying in wait here to catch prey?

Wasn't this a demon-slaying trap designed specifically for unlucky bastards like it?

Bang

The powerful Ashen Judgment struck the Dreadlord's breastplate. The first heavy impact of weapon against armor was blocked, but the Radiant damage that followed hit it in the face like a heavy punch, sending the Dreadlord screaming to the ground.

It beat its wings, trying to pull away, but in the next second Neri's large-caliber bullet pierced the base of its wing. As it fell, Dick raised a hand, condensed Holy Light, and smashed it down viciously.

The energy-forged Hammer of Wrath crashed down from the air, leaving the fallen demon reeling. Blazing sacred fire was thrown over and ignited its body. As the demon looked up in despair, it saw Dick chant a holy incantation, cast Power Word: Shield upon himself, and casually apply a healing spell to himself and the other defenders.

This "warrior-mage hybrid" style made the Nathrezim both miserable and utterly exasperated.

Big brother!

None of my attacks hit you. You're at full health, so what are you healing for?

You're using me as a training dummy to practice skills, aren't you?

Bang

More and more defenders rushed in, battling the felhounds and imps summoned into the cavern by the Dreadlord. Diakum, fighting more fiercely with every blow, stood with his back to the Holy Stone and refused to allow evil things near the sacred object. He smashed the demon's claw apart with his heavy, burning warhammer, then swept its horns off and sent them flying.

Sasoval knew it was finished, but the wicked creature glared fixedly at Dick and shrieked:

"The Legion already knows what you are doing! This camp will soon be destroyed. You have no hope! Welcome Lord Sargeras's invincible army! Fool, enjoy your insignificant victory!"

"Shut up!"

The warhammer fell, striking its head with precision.

The Dreadlord's body transformed into a skyful of fluttering bats, completing its signature exit. All that remained was its filthy demonsteel armor, which clattered onto the ground.

Dick looked at the thing.

Though Sasoval was a named Nathrezim with the imposing title of "the Corrupter," its overall strength was truly nothing special, merely at the lower Legendary level.

Still, the Nathrezim race had invested all its talents into infiltration, conspiracy, and deception. Direct combat truly was not their strength.

Dick, having claimed the first named demon kill of his life, felt no joy. He turned around, frowned deeply beneath the shocked and admiring gazes of the defenders, and said in a grave voice:

"Immediately send priests to inspect everyone in the camp with Holy Light. There must be other demon spies mixed in among us. Find Captain Jaide as well. I need Krokuun's hunter cavalry to gather here!

"The demons have discovered the secret of the Argus Heart. The Legion's first invasion will begin in Krokuun!

"This is sooner than we expected.

"I don't know whether you are prepared, but we must dance with demons!"