"My dear father, I'm here. Are you awake? I haven't visited you in days. Don't be upset with me. I've been so busy these past few days that I'm practically exhausted. Damn Legolas won't even help me—he just trains with his spear every day. Sister Maiev has returned, and she told me everything. I've thought about it for a long time, and I think I need to apologize to you. This is the first time I've disobeyed you in all my years. I'm sorry, Father. I really can't do it. I can't stand by and watch my people suffer. I'm going to lead them in defending their home. You were wrong. The Highborne are a selfish bunch of bastards. They don't deserve our sympathy or our help. Let them fend for themselves. Demons? Let them come! I'll show them what the Kaldorei's fury looks like! Get some rest. I have to go; there's still so much to do. Don't worry about me. Legolas will protect me. Goodbye."
Sophia left. Only after watching her go did Falco slowly approach Azar's statue. He walked so slowly, as if afraid the sound of his footsteps might wake the sleeping man before him. When he reached it, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head into his chest, afraid his teacher would see him crying. Yes, he wept. He knew that everything he had today came from his teacher's generosity. He understood his teacher and everything about him, but he hadn't understood why his teacher had sealed himself away. Now he did. He understood his teacher's pain—the pain of knowing what was coming and being powerless to change it. Slowly, he opened the metal box before the statue. No one knew it could be opened. Falco had placed it there on the day the statue was erected, and everyone thought it was part of the statue. It wasn't. Inside was the Soul-Eater Gun his teacher had made for him by hand all those years ago. After his teacher left, he had sealed away his weapon. Now he would take it out and use the weapon his teacher had made to fulfill the mission his teacher had left unfinished. He gently lifted it. It was glad; it responded to him. Old friend, you've come back.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I'm going to disobey your orders. I know you hate soldiers who disobey, but let me be selfish this once. You said progress always demands sacrifice. Let me be the one to make that sacrifice. A warrior should fight for Azeroth!"
Daphne traveled through all six satellite cities of Eldre'Thalas and activated the magic arrays. An invisible wave slowly spread across the whole city.
"Your Highness, I've completed the task you gave me. The rest is my free time, so you can't order me around anymore. I'm off to take care of things. You're in heaven, so please watch over us."
Eldre'Thalas, National Library.
"Did none of you eat today? Pick up the pace! If you don't finish copying these texts, you'll fail every reading class this term! You'll have to retake them!" Saruman shouted at the apprentices from the Mage Research Institute.
Zin-Azshari, Arcane Power Station.
"Move faster! What the hell's wrong with you? Why aren't you working? Are you broken?" Gandalf yelled at the Arcane Evolver before him, kicking it a couple of times.
Zin-Azshari, Temple of the Moon.
"Almighty Elune, please grant us your guidance and save this world, which is about to face the flames of war." Anla prayed with all his heart.
Pandaria, Pandaren Imperial Palace.
"Strategist, is it about to begin?"
"Your Majesty, according to the waters' revelation, yes."
"When there is no way to avert disaster, I will become the mists, obscuring the secrets of fate and protecting the people of Pandaria from calamity."
In the wilderness of the Hyjal Mountains, the Wild Gods had gathered to discuss the fate of Kalidom.
"Aviana, has the Moon Goddess still not given us her guidance?" Agamaggan, the Boar God, asked.
"Not yet. I've tried to reach the Moon Goddess many times, but she still hasn't responded," the Raven God replied.
"Is there no other way?"
"None."
If Azar had been there, he would have told them that the World Soul of Azeroth was struggling to resist Sargeras's invasion and had no strength left to help them.
"I've contacted the dragons. They're gathering their forces and will join the fight." Seeing how low everyone's spirits were, Cenarius spoke up to reassure them.
"Then what are we waiting for? Our own forces are already strong, aren't they?" Ursol, the younger of the Wild Bear Demigod brothers, proposed confidently.
"No. We're facing powerful extraterrestrial beings. The Burning Legion is described in the Titan Keepers' records as an overwhelmingly powerful force. We can't stop them with what we have now. We must unite every force we can—such as the elves." Ursol's older brother, Ursol, rejected his younger brother's suggestion.
"Cenarius, have you heard anything from your apprentice? You have many followers among the Kaldorei. Can't you rally them?" Malorne asked his son.
"Yes, Father. I've already contacted Malfurion. He's gathering forces, but it isn't enough. I'm planning to go to Eldre'Thalas and meet their leader."
"Very good, my child. Go make your preparations."
In the north of the continent, Dragonblight.
"Ysera, are you sure you need us to join the fight?" Malygos, the Blue Dragon, asked first.
"I believe so. The news Cenarius sent back shocked me. I think we'll have little chance against the Burning Legion unless we fight together."
"Our father's message was clear: Sargeras is a Fallen Titan. I think even if we all go together, it'll be a difficult battle. I suggest we combine our powers to create a weapon. That will give us a better chance of winning," Nefarian, the Black Dragon, said.
"I agree, Nefarian. None of us can defeat our enemy alone. We'll only have a chance if we combine the powers of all five of us," Nozdormu, the Dragon of Time, chimed in.
"When should we draw upon our power? Now?" Alexstrasza, the Red Dragon, asked.
"No need. For now, we should simply prepare. We still don't know how powerful our enemy really is," Nefarian said calmly.
"Very well. Let's return and gather our people. We don't have much time left," Nozdormu, the eldest, suggested, bringing the meeting to a close.
"Then it's settled. I'll go back and prepare the weapon. It must be strong enough to withstand the power of all of us." With that, Nefarian was the first to leave.
Zin-Azshari, Queen's Palace.
"Xavius, how are the preparations coming along?" Zin-Azshari was as beautiful as ever, untouched by the passage of time. Dressed in a gauzy gown, she reclined lazily on the sofa, lying on her side with her bare feet exposed. Her legs were slightly bent, one hand resting carelessly on her thigh and the other propping up her head. The pose displayed her perfect figure to its fullest.
"The Portal is nearly complete. Hakkar is very pleased with the progress, and we're all looking forward to the day Sargeras arrives." Xavius bowed low, his head down as he respectfully answered the queen.
"Good. I can always count on you. Vashj, see the Highlord out. I'm going to commune with the true god." After giving her orders, Zin-Azshari slowly rose and walked away barefoot, without a care in the world.
"You have come," a deep voice said.
"Yes, I have," Zin-Azshari replied reverently, her head bowed.
"Are you ready to welcome my arrival? Cheer up, Azshara. Once I've conquered all of Azeroth, I'll marry you and make you my empress. You'll be the empress of the Titans. For now, relax and enjoy the feast of arcane power I have in store for you." The offer was so tempting, spoken slowly in that deep voice, that it ensnared the queen before him, leaving her unable to resist.
"Praise you, my true god. Thank you for your blessing. Azshara will devote herself completely to you."
Zin-Azshari closed her eyes and spread her arms, embracing a dense sphere of purple light. Slowly, slowly, they drew closer, then joined together. Soon, the sphere enveloped her, and her entire body melted into it. She was overcome by its power, her expression rapturous as she writhed freely, savoring the sensation. She craved power. She wanted to become the strongest and control everything. Its arcane energy filled her empty soul, indulged her fantasies, and twisted her mind, making her willing to serve it. It was a Titan. It was Sargeras, the Fallen Titan.
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