Sky, Sea, Mountains, and Flame

"Ah, ah, he really is dazzling with starlight, isn't he, my brother?" Hearing the voice behind him, Sargeras lowered the sword he had raised at his target and turned toward its source.

"Well, my dear Sargeras, when I first came out, I thought I'd wandered onto the wrong set. This is really bloody. Did you come from the DC Universe?"

"Please stop saying things I don't understand, my brother." Sargeras looked at the familiar figure before him. "Though I'm sure they aren't anything nice."

"How could they be? We're brothers from different mothers and fathers. How could I treat you like that? Trust me."

"Hmph. Who knows?"

"Um... aren't you forgetting that I'm still here..."

Hearing the being who had nearly become another soul beneath Sargeras's sword, the Titans, who had been bickering with great enthusiasm, turned their attention back to him.

This strange creature, which had previously watched and spied on them from the shadows, glimmered all over with brilliant blue starlight. Its torso seemed to be formed from stars linked together, and at a glance, it appeared noble and sacred.

"Uh... hmm... wait a moment. I think I've seen you somewhere. Hmm... or perhaps heard of you. Give me some time..."

"I am of the Constellar race."

"Hey! Right, that's it. That was the name. It was already on the tip of my tongue. Damn it, why did you learn to answer before I could?"

"Hmm, most esteemed distant relative, Titan Vanidak, my apologies, but I was ordered to find you."

"Oh?" Vanidak seemed rather surprised. "Ordered? Whose orders? I don't recall anyone being able to command your race."

"The order came from the Pantheon, most esteemed Titan—from your elder brother, Aman'Thul, the King of Gods."

"Oh, damn it, I knew it! Aman'Thul, Aman'Thul!" Vanidak shouted excitedly on the spot like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Wait, what did you just call him? King of the..."

"King of Gods, sir."

"Oh, that really suits my brother's style. Though now that I think about it, I wanted to use that title at first too."

"Um, could someone explain what exactly you were talking about just now?" Sargeras, who seemed to have many questions, joined the conversation midway.

"Oh, my brother, of course I can explain it to you. But we're short on time, so simply put, while we were busy to death desperately searching for my lost brothers and sisters, they were off having a grand old time on their own and founded a terrorist organization called the Pantheon. That bunch even revered Aman'Thul as the leader of that evil organization. Hmm, that's about it."

"I don't believe it is a terrorist organization, sir. It is a great and sacred place. Your choice of words..."

"Don't interrupt, star person! Are you trying to interrupt wise Vanidak as he sees through everything? Oh, speaking of which, what's your name? I can't keep calling you star person, though I think it's a pretty good name."

"Algalon, sir."

"Fine, fine, Algalon covered in tiny stars. You said at the beginning that you were sent to find us?"

"Yes, sir. King Aman'Thul sent our Constellar race to search for you long ago. They are all awaiting your return."

"Hmm, return. That sounds pretty good. All right, Sargeras, I suppose our wonderful adventure is about to come to an end. It's time to go home."

"Uh, Lord Vanidak, and this one is...?"

"Oh, him? He's my little follower. Hmm, though unfortunately, he's also a Titan. I suppose he's qualified to return with me."

"..."

"Oh, of course. I think King Aman'Thul will be happy about it."

"Of course he'll be happy. His terrorist gang just got bigger. All right, enough nonsense, Algalon. Lead the way."

"Your will."

Not long after the group vanished from the spot, movement came from beneath the nearby ruins. Two bandage-wrapped ethereals cautiously poked their heads out and began looking around.

"Did they... did they leave?"

"I think so. It's been quite a while already."

"Then what should we do next, Lord Haramad?"

"I don't know yet, my fellow countryman. But at the very least... we should stop being cosmic pirates. That prince's fate gave me the chills, even though I have no bones."

"Then what should we do?"

"Hmm... we could become merchants... legitimate... merchants, couldn't we?"

Vanidak and Sargeras, once more traveling through the Astral Realm, were no longer as disoriented as before. Though Algalon's power was insignificant compared to theirs, as a guide who traveled the stars, he was undoubtedly among the very best.

In Algalon's own words, as a member of the Constellar race, he possessed an innate and keen perception of coordinates within the Astral Realm. Even if he were thrown into a spatial rift and spun around several times by turbulent spatial currents, as long as his body did not collapse, he could still quickly determine the correct direction.

Thus, driven by a spirit of inquiry, Vanidak threw him into a mass of spatial turbulence he had simulated and gave him a thorough stirring. After emerging, Algalon never again mentioned his race's special talents. Hmm, this was absolutely not revenge from some petty Titan. Nor was he upset by the words of a being far weaker than himself. Yes, that was exactly it.

In short, amid the group's banter and horseplay, Algalon announced to the two Titans before a place where countless stars gathered, "We have arrived, two esteemed Titan lords. Welcome to the Pantheon, a gathering place of miracles and greatness among the stars. This is..."

"All right, stop praising it. You're making me a little embarrassed." Vanidak impatiently waved a hand, interrupting Algalon's endless stream of praise, and said to Sargeras:

"Well, my brother, it seems we're home. Though I have no idea when this became our home. So, shall we go in together?"

"Of course, my brother. Though my journey of adventure with you was also enjoyable, I am equally looking forward to meeting our other brothers and sisters."

"Hmm, I hope you mean that sincerely. Let's go."

After finishing their conversation, the two Titans walked forward and passed through a curtain formed by countless stars. Ripples spread outward, and they vanished from sight.

"Whew, the mission is finally complete. This Lord Vanidak truly is as difficult to get along with as the King of Gods said." Watching the two Titans disappear, Algalon seemed finally to have laid down a heavy burden.

"Where should I go now? Hmm, I suppose I should stroll around the Astral Realm first."

After passing through the starry curtain, the two Titans recovered from their brief daze and looked ahead. Before them stood a vast cluster of towering palaces. Several stone pillars reaching into the clouds looked enormous even compared to their fully manifested Titan forms, while several palaces could vaguely be seen in the distance.

"Hmm, this place is really nice, isn't it, Sargeras? I'm starting to like it here." Vanidak surveyed the buildings before him as he spoke.

"I... think so too. It is quite nice." Seemingly also quite satisfied with the palace before them, Sargeras gave an easygoing affirmation.

"All right, let's see where our lovely brothers and sisters are... Oh, found them. Sargeras, follow me."

As Vanidak rapidly advanced, he released his Titan form as he went. Sargeras hurried after him, gradually unleashing his own Titan power as well.

Perhaps drawn by the Titan power they had released, an angry shout came from the distance. "Who dares show such disrespect in these sacred halls?!" Along with the roar, a figure rushed swiftly toward Vanidak.

It was a giant with a platinum body, wearing a winged helmet. Storms gathered in his left hand, while waves churned in his right, and he watched the two fully manifested Titans warily.

"This guy sure has a loud voice, doesn't he?" Vanidak whispered to Sargeras beside him.

"Intruders, though your auras feel familiar, identify yourselves! And you in the white armor, I can hear you speaking!" the platinum giant roared at Vanidak.

"Annoying platinum. Annoying aesir," Vanidak muttered under his breath before hurriedly saying to the other party:

"All right, all right! Oh, damn it, can't you lower your voice? Your booming voice is about to deafen me!"

"Do not change the subject, sly one! State your purpose!"

"Hey, hey, don't get worked up, Dormammu. I came to negotiate terms with you!"

"My name is not Dormammu. I am Golganneth, lord of sky, sea, and storms!"

"All right, all right, that... um... Golganneth. I'm Vanidak, and I came to find Aman'Thul. As for the one beside me, his name is Sargeras. He's a real badass, so you'd better not provoke him."

"I am no such thing, Vanidak. Golganneth, don't listen to this madman's nonsense. I am Sargeras, a Titan like you. A Constellar named Algalon brought us here." After snapping back at Vanidak, Sargeras continued explaining.

"Oh, Algalon, I remember him. You just called this one a madman? Hmm, let me think. Aman'Thul did indeed mention a crazed brother whose mind was filled with chaos all day long. His name was... Vanidak, right? This is him?" Golganneth seemed to lower most of his guard as he looked toward Vanidak.

"Hey! Hey! Don't look at me like that. That's slander! Slander against my brilliant mind! Who told you that? Let me guess. Aha, Norgannon. It must have been that guy. That damned bastard—don't let me catch it, or I'll definitely..."

"Golganneth, what happened?" A call came from afar, followed by a figure wreathed in flames rushing over. This was a giant with a bronze body, crimson beard, crimson hair, and a massive hammer in his hand.

"What happened? Who are these two? Intruders?"

"Oh no, my brother. They are two Titans returning home, just like us. This is Sargeras."

"Hello, my brother. I am Sargeras."

"And this is Vanidak. Hmm, yes, that Vanidak."

"Hey, I see something unpleasant in your eyes. Oh, all right, I'm Vanidak. Which one are you? A muscular man with a hammer—Thor?"

"Hmph, he really is much like the description. I am Khaz'goroth, The Shaper of worlds."

"Wow, an artist. Then we have plenty to talk about. Come with me, I'm telling you..."

Watching Khaz'goroth get dragged away by Vanidak, who had thrown an arm around his shoulders, Golganneth felt a trace of helplessness as well. He said to Sargeras, who remained where he was:

"Um, is he always like this? So... unconventional? He truly is mad."

"Oh, mad? You call this mad? This isn't even his maddest side. I don't think you'd want to see it, trust me, my brother." Sargeras smiled, patted Golganneth on the shoulder, and followed after the two ahead.

Hearing Sargeras say this, Golganneth could only shrug helplessly and say, "All right. I suppose there will be some fun ahead. Hopefully it won't happen to me."