"Father, grant me strength." King Anduin Wrynn of Stormwind was sent flying by a single blow from Archbishop Turalyon. He slammed heavily into the wall behind him, pain coursing through his organs. Watching the human archbishop approach, Anduin Wrynn began praying to his fallen father, Varian Wrynn.
Even though his father had made countless mistakes, in King Anduin Wrynn's heart, Varian Wrynn was still the father who had faced a black dragon's breath in Onyxia's Lair to save him—the father who loved him most.
Paladins had a skill called Guardian of Kings. Through the power of the Holy Light and the soul, a paladin could awaken the ancient kings.
At that moment, King Anduin Wrynn successfully triggered the skill. A golden phantom descended from the sky, and the longsword in his hand knocked Archbishop Turalyon back with a single strike.
"Th-That's impossible. You're Varian Wrynn?" Archbishop Turalyon was not injured by the blow, but he stared in disbelief. Though the phantom was shrouded in gold, his appearance and weapon made it instantly clear that this golden phantom was the deceased Varian Wrynn.
The golden phantom ignored Archbishop Turalyon and instead extended a hand toward the weakened Anduin Wrynn, who lay against the wall.
"Is that you, Father?" The golden phantom did not speak, but Anduin Wrynn recognized him as his father, Varian Wrynn. He only asked because he hoped for an answer.
However, Varian Wrynn, summoned through Guardian of Kings, had no way to respond. He merely continued holding out his hand.
Tears had already moistened the corners of Anduin Wrynn's eyes, but he knew that his father, the warrior king Varian Wrynn, would never want to see him like this. So he smiled and placed his hand in the golden one.
The moment their hands touched, the voice of