Azeroth: A New Era

Rebuilding the surface of a world was a colossal undertaking. Even the Titans, after wandering the stars for so long, often encountered no small amount of trouble while carrying out such work. Now, Vanidak had shamelessly shifted part of that burden onto Azeroth's Titan-Forged. In truth, even if Vanidak had not caused that fuss, the task would probably still have fallen to them. Azeroth had improved somewhat after the Old Gods and Elemental Lords were eliminated, but it likely still could not withstand the boundless power unleashed by numerous Titans reshaping the world. Seen that way, this was not entirely a bad thing.

To achieve this great purpose, High Keeper Ra returned the sacred artifacts bestowed by the Titans to Ulduar and immediately organized the Keepers into action. Incidentally, they named these immensely powerful objects the Pillars of Creation.

First, the Keepers created a new generation of servants in the Forge of Wills to assist them. These powerful and loyal Titan-Forged each played different roles, protecting the world and bringing order to it.

Some kind-hearted Earthen were created—these fellows fully embodied the saying, "I may be ugly, but I am gentle." They looked like jagged boulders, and these little fellows were specifically responsible for piling up mountains and carving out ravines across the land. With the help of the Hammer of Khaz'goroth, they carried out this work perfectly.

Keeper Mimiron inherited the Power of Wisdom bestowed by Norgannon, the King of Magic and Wisdom. He designed the clockwork-powered Mechagnomes to help build and maintain the Keepers' exquisitely crafted machines and equipment. These little fellows were nimble-fingered and exceptionally gifted in engineering. Of course, their only flaw was that they were terribly timid. Who knew where these mechanical creations got the nerve to be afraid, but that was simply the truth.

Aside from those who followed Ra to guard the Vault of Y'Shaarj, all Stone-skinned Mogu were assigned to dig rivers and waterways across Azeroth's surface. Their powerful bodies made the work easier—well, not that easy, of course. Azeroth's continents were still vast.

The task of defending the Keepers' strongholds fell to two types of constructs. One was the iron-skinned Vrykul, while the other was the highly individualistic Tol'vir. Actually, both had very distinct personalities. If you interacted with them, you would surely come to enjoy their friendly greetings—especially the iron Vrykul. They always had such colorful language that they left a deep impression. (A tribute to leveling a heavyweight beast. Damn it, that Vrykul cursed me out all night. Pah!)

Naturally, reshaping Azeroth was far too immense a task, so the Keepers also recruited Stone Giants and Sea Giants to help. These two mighty giant races wandered across Azeroth's vast lands, raising towering mountain peaks and excavating great oceans.

While the other Keepers carried out their work, Eonar fulfilled her promise as well. She named the green space she had discovered the Emerald Dream and entrusted this dream to Freya. It was a vast realm, ever-changing and ever-renewing, a dimensional space filled with souls and natural magic. This ethereal plane was like Azeroth's reflection, and Eonar even sensed that she could communicate with Azeroth's newborn Titan soul within this realm.

This reflection of the world could help the world's plant and animal life evolve. Within this wondrous dreamlike paradise lived a group of extraordinary souls and creatures. They frolicked and played in their beautiful home.

This mysterious dream overturned mortal understanding of reality. The concepts of time and space were of little use within this elusive and illusory realm. One day in the material world might equal several decades in the Dream.

After receiving the Emerald Dream, Freya was ordered to travel throughout Azeroth in search of places where the energy of the Well of Eternity had gathered. Such regions offered the best conditions for creating new plants and animals. Freya established enormous, sprawling ecological gardens in these places. All manner of life forms were born within them, after which the seeds of life were scattered across the world. These gardens were widely distributed, including what would later become Un'Goro Crater, Sholazar Basin, and the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. (Who knew why she built an ecological garden atop the Vault of Y'Shaarj? Could it be... the soil was fertile? After all, Y'Shaarj had plenty of flesh, and its chunks could enrich the earth...)

These ecological gardens gave birth to many remarkable creatures. Perhaps it was the will of the world, but these beings bore the blessing of Azeroth's World Soul and had been extraordinary since birth. Freya naturally discovered these unique creatures and loved these vast, majestic beings as though they were her own children. She often brought these creatures, known as the Wild Gods, to wander the material world. They enjoyed visiting places thick with forests and lush with grasslands. One place they visited especially often was a vast, heavily forested mountain known as Mount Hyjal.

In the end, Freya bound the souls of her favorite Wild Gods to the Emerald Dream on the slopes of Mount Hyjal. These souls were bound within the Emerald Dream, and because they were so closely tied to that ethereal realm, the Wild Gods gradually became symbols of Azeroth's health and vitality. From that time onward, Mount Hyjal had always been the refuge and sacred ground of the Wild Gods.

During the Keepers' reshaping of the world, they encountered a strange form of life with which they were quite familiar. These creatures were the former subordinates of the defeated Elemental Lords. After most elemental spirits were banished, these lucky survivors gained free will of their own. Their chaotic thoughts gradually cleared, the fury in their hearts slowly subsided with time, and they became creatures of flesh and blood. These beings were transformed from the former elementals, such as the Proto-Dragons of later ages.

At last, as they watched the Keepers toil tirelessly, Azeroth's terrain gradually stabilized. The world slowly became a vibrant continent teeming with plants and animals of every kind, utterly unlike the days of the Old Gods' Black Empire.

When night fell, the Titans observing everything from the Astral Realm felt immense comfort. Not only had they healed a brother who had suffered greatly, but this world had once again regained life and order—the very things they had always pursued.

Looking at the stars shining in the Astral Realm, the Titans gave this continent a name: Kalimdor—the Land of Ever-Shining Starlight.

Successfully reshaping the world was an incomparably exhilarating achievement. Yet today, within Ulduar Fortress, the Keepers' northern stronghold, the many Keepers gathered together felt no excitement. Today, they had received word from their creators: the many Titans of the Pantheon were preparing to depart and return to the Dark Void.

Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere around him, High Keeper Ra rallied himself and spoke to his brothers and sisters. "My brothers and sisters, I trust you have all received the news. Our work has allowed Azeroth's World Soul to rest peacefully. This proves that our cause has succeeded..."

"But... the creators are about to leave... I... I still cannot bear to see them go." The kind and gentle Freya spoke in a subdued voice.

"Dear Freya, please do not be so sad. The creators still have many worlds to save. We cannot selfishly ask them to remain," Loken consoled her from the side.

"Yes, Loken is right. Eonar, you must consider the creators as well. Azeroth's discovery proves that others of the creators' kind still exist in the universe. They need to find them and prevent those disgusting Old Gods from corrupting them." Mimiron had also unusually set aside his inventions and gathered in the Hall of Keepers.

"My brothers and sisters, please do not be so sorrowful. The creators of the Pantheon have already given us tremendous aid. In the years to come, we must continue to hold fast and not betray their expectations. Glory... to the Pantheon." Prime Designate Odyn encouraged those around him.

"Sooner or later, this day was bound to come. We all knew that, but..." Tyr had not finished speaking when an important magic circle suddenly flashed with light. A moment later, a figure appeared amid the encircling Keepers.

"Hello, little ones! Did you miss me?"

"Lord The Formless!" the Keepers said in unison.

"No need for all that. I came because Aman'Thul has a few more things to tell you. Those fellows did not come themselves, but they are reluctant to part with you too." Vanidak's image smiled as he looked around at the Keepers.

"Praise the Titans. Lord The Formless, may I ask what else Aman'Thul, the King of Gods, wishes to tell us?" High Keeper Ra stepped forward to ask.

"Oh, right, this. I nearly forgot if you had not mentioned it. Here, take it." Vanidak's image searched around, then tossed a circular object forward. In the next instant, space rippled, and a platinum disk appeared before Ra. He caught it in one hand.

Seeing Ra examine the disk with confusion, Vanidak explained, "This thing is no ordinary artifact. It is similar to that old fellow Norgannon's disk, but this divine artifact can record Azeroth's history. If we return one day after leaving, we will be able to learn everything that happened while we were gone. You must keep it safe."

"We will protect this divine artifact!" Ra carefully put away the Disc of Norgannon, then looked up and asked, "Lord The Formless, is there anything else you wish to tell us?"

"Uh, there is one more thing. Keep an eye on the Well of Eternity. That place is not peaceful. Titan energy always draws filthy creatures seeking to exploit it. But it should be fine. My weapon will deal with them. You only need to check on it from time to time."

"We will. It is our mission," Ra said solemnly.

"Do not be so serious. It is only a small matter. All right, I have said and given nearly everything I needed to. Those fellows are already calling for me. So, my many lovely little ones, I hope we meet again someday in the future! Farewell!"

With a flash, the white light dispersed, and Vanidak's image vanished. Watching the image of the commander who had been unreliable yet dependable throughout their war disappear, the Keepers could only bid the Titans a reluctant farewell in their hearts.

"All right, pull yourselves together, my brothers." High Keeper Ra was the first to recover. Looking at his brothers and sisters, he commanded, "For the glory of the Pantheon, we must uphold our mission. When the Titans return, we will show them a brand-new Azeroth!"

"Your will, High Keeper!"

"Then return to your duties, brothers and sisters!"

P.S. The Wild Gods included:

Malorne, the White Stag King; Aviana, Mother of the Elves; Agamaggan, God of Razor Boars; Aviana, King of All Birds

Ursoc and Ursol, Lords of Bears; Tortolla the Wise; Goldrinn, the Great Wolf

Chi-Ji the Red Crane, Niuzao the Black Ox, Xuen the White Tiger, Yu'lon the Azure Dragon