The Four Directions Stir

"Dearest Father, I've come. Are you awake yet? I haven't visited in a few days, so please don't be upset. I've been so busy lately that I'm nearly exhausted, and that damn Legolas won't even help me—he only knows how to practice with his gun all day. Sister Maiev has returned, and she told me everything. I've thought about it for a long time, and I think I have to apologize to you. For the first time in my life, I'm going against your wishes. I'm sorry, Father, but I truly can't do it. I cannot stand by and watch my people suffer. I am going to lead my people to defend our home. You were wrong—the Highborne are a bunch of selfish bastards; they aren't worth our sympathy or salvation. Let them rot. Demons? Let them come! I will show them what the fury of the Kaldorei is! Rest well now; I must go, as I have much to do. Don't worry about me, Legolas will protect me. Goodbye."

Sophia left. Only after she was gone did Falco slowly walk toward the statue of Azar. He walked so slowly, as if fearing his own footsteps might wake the person sleeping before him. He drew near, knelt on one knee, and buried his head in his chest, terrified that his teacher might see him weeping. Yes, he was crying; he knew that everything he had today was a gift from his teacher. He understood his teacher and everything he stood for, but he had never understood why his teacher had sealed him away. Now he understood. He understood his teacher's pain—the agony of knowing the ending but being powerless to change it. He slowly opened a metal box in front of the statue. No one knew this box could be opened; Falco had placed it there the very day the statue was erected. Everyone assumed it was part of the statue, but it wasn't. Inside lay the Soul-Eater Gun his teacher had crafted for him by hand all those years ago. He had sealed his weapon away when his teacher left, but now he would take it out and use the very weapon his teacher had forged to complete the mission his teacher had left unfinished. He picked it up gently, and it hummed with joy, responding to him: Old friend, you've come.

"Forgive me, Teacher, I must defy your orders. I know you despise soldiers who disobey, but let me be willful just this once. You once said that the progress of civilization always requires sacrifice; let me be the one to sacrifice this time. As a warrior, one should fight for the World Soul of Azeroth!"

Daphne traveled across the six satellite cities of Eldre'Thalas. She activated the magic circles, and an invisible ripple slowly enveloped the entirety of Eldre'Thalas.

"Your Highness, I have completed the task you gave me. The rest is my free time, and you can't control me anymore. I have work to do. You, in the heavens, must watch over us well."

Eldre'Thalas, National Library.

"Are you all starving? Hurry up! If you don't finish copying these codices, you'll all fail your reading courses this semester! You'll have to retake them!" Saruman roared at the apprentices of the Mage Research Institute.

Zin-Azshari, Arcane Power Station.

"Faster! Why the hell aren't you moving? Are you broken?" Gandalf shouted at the Arcane Evolver before him, kicking it a few times for good measure.

Zin-Azshari, Temple of the Moon.

"Almighty Moon Goddess, please grant your decree and save this world on the brink of war," Anla prayed with utmost piety.

Pandaria, Pandaren Imperial Palace.

"Strategist, is it beginning?"

"Your Majesty, according to the revelation of the flowing waters, yes."

"When the situation is beyond salvation, I shall become the mist, obscuring the heavens and protecting the people of Pandaria from catastrophe."

The Wild Gods of Mount Hyjal were gathered together, deliberating the fate of Kalidom.

"Aviana, has the Moon Goddess not yet issued a decree?" asked the Boar God, Agamaggan.

"Not yet. I have communicated with her many times, but she still offers no response," the Raven God replied.

"Is there no other way?"

"None."

If Azar were here, he would surely tell them that the World Soul of Azeroth was struggling to resist the invasion of Sargeras and no longer had the energy to assist them.

"I have contacted the dragons. They are organizing their forces and will join the war," Cenarius said, attempting to soothe the group as the mood grew somber.

"Then what are we waiting for? Our own strength is already formidable, is it not?" Ursoc, the younger of the Wild Bear Demigods, suggested with confidence.

"No. We are facing powerful extraterrestrial beings. According to the records of the Titan Keepers, the Burning Legion is an overwhelming force. We cannot stop them with our current strength. We must unite all forces—for instance, the elves." Ursol, the elder brother, countered his sibling.

"Cenarius, does your disciple have any news? You have many followers among the Kaldorei; can they not be mobilized?" Malorne asked his son.

"Yes, Father. I have notified Malfurion, and he is organizing forces, but it is not enough. I am preparing to go to Eldre'Thalas to meet with their leader."

"Very well, my child. Go and prepare."

The North of the continent, Dragonblight.

"Ysera, are you certain we need to intervene?" Malygos the Blue Dragon asked first.

"I believe so. The news Cenarius sent back is shocking. I think that unless we fight together, it will be difficult to face the Burning Legion."

"The information from the Father God is clear: Sargeras is a Fallen Titan. I believe that even if we go together, it will be a difficult struggle. I have a proposal: let us pool our abilities to forge a weapon. That way, our chances of victory will be much higher," said Nefarian the Black Dragon.

"I agree with your point, Nefarian. We cannot defeat the opponent alone; only by gathering the power of all five of us is there a possibility of winning," Nozdormu the Dragon of Time concurred.

"When shall we draw upon our power? Now?" Alexstrasza the Red Dragon voiced her doubt.

"No need. We are merely preparing for now; we have not yet determined exactly how powerful our enemy is," Nefarian analyzed calmly.

"Very well, let us return to summon our kin. We do not have much time left," Nozdormu the elder proposed, ending the meeting.

"Then it is settled. I will return first to prepare the weapon; it must be sturdy enough to withstand the power of all of us," Nefarian said before departing.

Zin-Azshari, Queen's Palace.

"Xavius, how are the preparations coming along?" Azshara remained as beautiful as ever; time had left no mark upon her. She lay lazily on a sofa, draped in sheer silk, reclining on her side with her bare feet tucked slightly. One hand rested casually on her thigh, the other propped up her head, a posture that displayed her perfect figure to the fullest.

"The Portal is nearly complete. Hakkar is very satisfied with the progress, and we are all looking forward to the day Sargeras descends," Xavius replied, bowing his head in a respectful tone.

"Very good. I trust your work. Vashj, escort the High Lord out. I must commune with the True God." Azshara gave the order, then slowly stood up and walked away, barefoot and lost in her own thoughts.

"You have come." A deep voice resonated.

"Yes, I have come," Azshara replied, bowing her head in devotion.

"Are you prepared to welcome my descent? Be happy, Azshara. Once I have conquered all of Azeroth, I will take you as my Empress. You shall be the Empress of the Titans. Now, relax yourself and enjoy the arcane feast I have brought you." Such tempting terms, whispered by that deep voice, filled with allure, causing the Queen before him to sink deep into his influence, unable to extricate herself.

"Praise you, my True God. Thank you for your grace. Azshara shall serve you with all her heart."

Azshara closed her eyes and opened her arms, embracing a dense sphere of purple light. Slowly, slowly, they drew closer, until they were joined together. Soon, she was enveloped by the sphere, her entire body merging into the light. She was conquered by this power; her expression was one of intoxication as she writhed wantonly, indulging in the sensation. She craved power; she wanted to be the strongest; she wanted to control everything. Its arcane energy flooded her empty soul, satisfying her fantasies and twisting her mind, making her willing to serve it. It was a Titan; it was the fallen Sargeras.