Malygos

The Elf, whose words seemed so contradictory, walked to Nathanos's side and, like Azshara, to the edge of the platform. He gazed at the dragons battling demons in the sky, a hint of disdain in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth. The only thing that truly concerned him was the Dragon Soul floating in the sky.

"This thing is the sin of the dragon race."

"I sensed another power Well of Eternity earlier. Was it Nozdormu?" Nathanos asked.

The Elf turned his head slightly and looked down at the Well of Eternity. "People are bound by time at every moment, yet they always ignore it. If they truly cared, how could so many waste their lives?" The Elf paused. "Time is not easily detected. What you sense... is another entity."

"Who is it?" Nathanos wanted to know the answer, but the other party did not tell him, because there was no time for idle chatter right now.

"They're here!"

Nathanos looked up.

The Undead stared at the distant, tiny black dot... and the enormous storm howling above the Well of Eternity, its clothes billowing in the ever-growing wind.

"This feeling is... Guardian Dragons!"

As Nathanos spoke, the red dragon flapped its wings even more forcefully, its scales taut, and charged towards them at breakneck speed. Not only her, but another dragon followed closely behind; her appearance was like emerald green, but she seemed strange, like an illusion.

"The Lifebinder are always in such a hurry. Oh? The sleepers have come too?"

"You know them?"

The Elf frowned, as if Nathanos's question had hurt his pride. "How could I not know my brothers and sisters?"

"Your brothers and sisters? And what you just said..."

"I don't think I've had a chance to introduce myself yet. I am Malygos, the future of Nozdormu, the Time Lord."

So that's how it is. Although the name has changed, it doesn't change the fact that he is the Guardian Dragons at all.

"So you're also the Time Lord?"

"No, I am the King of Eternity!"

This shouldn't have happened. A person from the future appeared before him, and the truth was obvious: this person controlled time...

Nathanos couldn't help but think: if he could take away someone's time, like those two Night Elf just now, would that also mean he could turn back time and return himself to his original form?

Returning to the past was a constant longing in his heart, and when the opportunity truly presented itself to him... Having experienced death, Nathanos knew all too well what that feeling was like.

Facing Malygos's retreating figure, Nathanos hesitated, unable to voice his thoughts...

"Get ready!" Malygos shouted to Nathanos. "I'll take you to the battlefield below, to that Orcs."

What is your purpose in doing this?

"Once the Burning Legion is defeated, I will tell you everything you want to know."

With that, Malygos his hand and opened a portal behind Nathanos. A young dragon, completely black, flew out. In the blink of an eye, the dragon turned yellow again, which was clearly a disguise.

"These are my offspring, more powerful than Nozdormu's offspring, and they will help you against the Burning Legion."

"You're not getting involved in the battle?" the Undead asked, puzzled, but he quickly got the answer from the smile playing on the other's lips. Malygos was an enemy of the Burning Legion, but not an ally of the Rebel Alliance.

Nathanos gritted his teeth. The future he knew was still reality; he would eventually die.

He didn't want to die; no one wants to die.

"Hurry up and act, and remember... stay away from the Well of Eternity!"

The young dragon flew to Nathanos's side, letting out a hoarse roar urging Nathanos to hurry up. With flapping wings, the young dragon carried Nathanos down into the forest. The battlefield was in complete chaos; no one would notice them.

On the ground, rows of demon Warrior looked up at Alexstrasza and Ysera's arrival, roaring and taunting them. The two dragon queens completely ignored most of the demons; the Doomguard could only hop around on the ground, posing no threat whatsoever. Their attention was focused primarily on the Dragon Soul.

The Doomguard gathered together and flew towards the Queen of Dragons. Alexstrasza, seeing this, pulled her head back and spewed a ball of fire from her mouth. The burning Doomguard plummeted to the ground.

The power of the Guardian Dragons was vastly different from that of the other dragons, and Nathanos vaguely felt that Murozond was even more powerful than Alexstrasza.

At that moment, an ominous rumbling sound came from the sky again.

A new wave of Felguard launched a frenzied attack on the dragon. But this wasn't the reason Nathanos trembled; he felt not the cold, but a terror born of absolute, overwhelming power. The Undead, flying through the air, were astonished to find that even the young dragon carrying them was trembling.

Something terrible is approaching...

"Is it possible to approach the Dragon Soul?"

The young dragon roared, utterly unwilling. He knew that what the demons were fighting over and what the dragons were guarding were the same thing.

The Malygos's offspring abruptly tilted their bodies as they flew, twisting to avoid the blinding magic. Krasus looked around, clinging tightly to the dragon beneath him. He had initially worried that the dragon might fall off its rider in its attempt to evade the magic, but it turned out that even in such harsh conditions, the young dragon hadn't forgotten to protect those riding them.

But this situation couldn't last forever. Nathanos narrowed his eyes. Although Malygos had warned him to stay away from the Well of Eternity, he couldn't help but gaze at Well of Eternity center. Yes... he could sense a familiar presence. He could also feel the portal almost forming.

"Time is running out!"

At the same time, Alexstrasza and Ysera suddenly turned and flew towards the center of the lake. The Queen of Dragons happened to fly over Nathanos, her entire body enveloping him in light.

Above the deep chasm that the Maelstrom had continuously split open, the Dragon Soul floated calmly. A black barrier surrounded the disc, completely unaffected by the magical storm.

"Take me to Broxigar." Nathanos patted the young dragon's neck, and this time the winged little creature readily accepted his command.

Broxigar Saurfang was also behind a young dragon; unlike the dragons of Nathanos, his was a true Bronze Dragon. Though an ordinary Warrior, he had a keen understanding of the battle's progress. The situation was extremely unfavorable for them, not because they couldn't defeat the demons, but because, with time, the portal was nearing completion. An ominous green halo had appeared around the center of the vortex. The Orcs had some knowledge of magic; he understood that this passage would soon become incredibly secure, allowing any evil force to pass through, even Sargeras.

Suddenly, a barbed spear grazed the Orcs's head, breaking his skin in several places, but it didn't cause serious damage to the tough-skinned Orcs. The Felguard brandished his spear, looking ferocious, waiting for another chance to attack the green-skinned Orcs.

But Broxigar's counterattack was something the demon hadn't anticipated. The Orcs roared in fury. He endured the pain and leaped towards his enemy. Before the enemy could react, the Orcs smashed his battle axe into the enemy's chest.

Broxigar's Recklessness actions nearly cost him his life. He intended to jump back onto the dragon while the demon still had its last breath in the air, but the demon's armor was extremely slippery, and his foot slipped as soon as he was about to put pressure on it, falling down along with the demon's corpse.

The Orcs saw the portal in the lake growing ever stronger. He sensed an evil power expanding within it...

Just then, a pair of claws caught him in time. Nathanos's voice rang in his ears, "I almost missed you, Broxigar!"

The Undead rider's bronze whelp bent over to allow the Orcs to climb aboard. Nathanos reached out to the Orcs and pulled the gray-haired Warrior behind him.

"You were too Recklessness just now, weren't you?"

"Maybe," Broxigar replied, his mind still on the portal. While he felt brave, he was thankful he hadn't fallen through it. He wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.

"What are you doing here? Where's Illidan? I'm going to get him..."

"He didn't do anything to me, and he didn't join the Burning Legion. He was just dealing with demons in his own way."

Suddenly, Broxigar froze. "Watch out! Two more are coming!"

Two demons flew toward them. Nathanos raised his bow and aimed at the enemy. Broxigar raised his battle axe and did his best to help them. He welcomed the arrival of new adversaries, for they could stain his weapons red.

Having resolved the immediate problem, Nathanos asked, "What is your plan?"

"The Dragons will use the Dragon Soul to stop Sargeras's portal; we must protect the skies."

"It's too late!" Nathanos concluded with a terrible conclusion.

Before Broxigar could think further, a deafening roar suddenly came from behind the dark clouds above, the sound even drowning out the roar of the storm.

Neltharion fell from the storm clouds.

The black dragon's body erupted in flames, as its armor had not yet fully concealed the cracks in its flesh. Its eyes widened in fury as it charged toward the Dragon Soul with a speed that left the Orcs speechless.

The air around the Dragon Soul suddenly crackled, flashes of golden and crimson light alerting outsiders to the power imbued within it. Nathanos sensed that familiar power again. This power was no longer confined to the Well of Eternity, but began to extend into the Dragon Soul, as if coveting the power within the disc.

Neltharion crashed headlong into the barrier atop the Dragon Soul. The surrounding air exploded, unleashing a violent force; Deathwing's body and scales burst into flames, yet he pressed on relentlessly. Facing wave after wave of immense resistance, he roared disdainfully. As he drew closer to the disc, he twisted more violently, bursting into maniacal laughter.

"We must stop him!" Broxigar said, looking at the black dragon in astonishment.

"We simply cannot do that."

The black dragon was riddled with holes, and even its black plate armor was beginning to peel away. The power of the Dragon Soul was now shooting towards the dragon, relentlessly scorching its body. Despite this relentless assault, Deathwing showed no sign of slowing down.

A Red Dragon flew past Nathanos, and he saw Rhonin and a High Elf riding on it—it was Krasus. The mage used magic to shout a warning, a warning intended for the Queen of Dragons: "Deathwing will break through magic! We must prepare to meet the black dragon!"

"Deathwing ..." Ysera murmured, "Seeing him like this, the name couldn't be more fitting..." She then turned to Rhonin and called out, "We'll be ready!"

"We have to do something too..."

Before Broxigar could finish speaking, Deathwing suddenly let out a chilling roar. The torment the dragon was enduring was unbelievable, but his pursuit of his goal bordered on madness; physical pain could not faze him. Parts of his body were raw and torn, some charred, others ripped apart, and the dragon's wings bore numerous wounds and holes.

"He just wants the Dragon Soul."

"But we can't give it to him," the Orcs said through gritted teeth. "Without the Dragon Soul, we can't stop Sargeras!"

"This is exactly what I'm most worried about!"

Nathanos uttered a startling statement, Broxigar didn't understand. "What do you mean?"

"There are other threats lurking beneath the Well of Eternity; it is attempting to absorb the power of the Dragon Soul. If we lose the Dragon Soul, Sargeras will descend. If we continue to leave the Dragon Soul here, we are likely playing right into the hands of the creature in the well."

Besides anxiety, Broxigar could sense unease, even a hint of fear, in the Undead's voice. The other threat he spoke of... might be just as dangerous as the Legion Master.

"It's mine!" Neltharion roared. "It's mine!" His massive claws scraped against the barrier of the Dragon Soul.

"If we could destroy this well..." Nathanos's impulsive words brought Broxigar to his senses.

Destroy the Well of Eternity? Why hadn't he thought of that before? But how could he possibly do that? The power of the Well of Eternity is so immense!

"This is Illidan's plan."

"Illidan... wants to destroy the Well of Eternity?"

"And he will use the Well of Eternity to suck all the demons back before then," Nathanos said, nodding to himself as he recalled a conversation he had with Illidan in the tower courtyard. He had sensed another power within the Well of Eternity, but the Demon Hunter had told him there were two. Now, it seemed Illidan had already noticed the anomaly of the Well of Eternity. No wonder the Demon Hunter were using their own methods against the Legion.

He would destroy the Well of Eternity, a devastating blow that would deprive the Elf of their life-giving source. Therefore, he would first obtain the water from the Well of Eternity, and after all the turmoil subsided, he would use the water to create a new Well of Eternity. He defeated the Legion and preserved the essence of magic for the Elf; in that sense... he seems like a hero.

Unfortunately... at least that's how it seems. Nathanos sighed helplessly. He finally understood why Illidan had been imprisoned for ten thousand years; the Demon Hunter had completely overlooked a terrible fact— the Well of Eternity had attracted the Burning Legion.

"He did it! He did it!"

The black dragon let out a deafening roar, ripped the disc from the magical barrier, raised his spoils high, and, enduring the excruciating pain, laughed triumphantly.

Just then, from the depths of the Well of Eternity, a black force erupted, striking Deathwing head-on. The black dragon, struck, was sent flying, its immense force propelling it beyond the Great Well of Eternity. Deathwing tumbled through the air, gradually disappearing into the clouds beyond sight...

The Dragon Soul slipped from his grasp and plummeted rapidly into the Maelstrom.

"Catch it quickly, don't let it fall into the lake."

The others sprang into action. Although Alexstrasza was badly wounded, her speed was undiminished. Rhonin and Krasus appeared to Nathanos' right front, riding on the red dragon.

The offspring of Malygos are far stronger than those of Nozdormu.

The King of Eternity had completely proven his words; Nathanos's young dragon raced after the plummeting disc, leaving a bright black trail behind it. Rhonin saw the Undead open its palm... and seize the treasure, but instead of clutching it tightly to its chest, it tossed it behind it.

"Then!"

The disc flew towards Rhonin, and the mage successfully caught it with both hands.

Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed from the portal, nearly causing Rhonin to drop the Dragon Soul from his grasp. He looked down, staring in horror at the horrifying green storm in the center of the lake.

The portal is about to take shape, Sargeras is about to arrive in this world.

As a Warrior, Broxigar was acutely aware of his physical limitations. Now was the time for mages to shine. This was the place for swords and axes to find their place.

"Has Illidan not succeeded yet?" Nathanos shouted anxiously.

Broxigar nodded firmly to his comrade, let out a long sigh, and then suddenly gasped, for he heard a malevolent roar coming from the Well of Eternity. It was the sound of being enraged.

It was the voice of Sargeras, leader of the Burning Legion.

"The demon lord wants to enter Kalimdor!" Alexstrasza roared. "The portal is almost complete! He's almost there... If he succeeds, we're all doomed!"

Broxigar stared at the green vortex of storm below. The vortex was expanding, about to merge into a small opening, which was almost a perfect circle.

The Orcs longed to smash his battleaxe against the Well of Eternity, but he knew his strength paled in comparison. While others frantically sought solutions, he could easily have sat back and watched, but what good would that have done?

Rhonin gave the Dragon Soul to Krasus, who could then use the disc to prevent the portal from opening again... provided he had enough time, while Sargeras was only a step away from success...

The Orcs had only one thought in his mind. Two voices immediately arose in his head: one saying that what he was doing was crazy, and the other saying that he had to do it.

"Farewell, Nathanos!" he roared. "It was an honor to fight alongside you and the others!"

The Undead turned to look at him and said, "Say it again..."

Before he could finish speaking, Broxigar had already leaped down. He tried to grab Broxigar, but the Orcs slipped through his fingers and plunged headfirst into the center of the Well of Eternity ... The storm vortex, shimmering with intense light, was now at its most violent.

With each roar, Broxigar felt the wind tearing at his face. He gripped his battle axe tightly, grinning, for in his time he and his comrades had risked their lives to protect those who entered this world.

As Broxigar approached the portal, the scene before him changed. He saw activity within. Rows of demons were ready to follow their leader into the mortal realm. The demonic procession stretched on and on, seemingly without end. Broxigar did not see Sargeras, but he knew the terrifying Dark Titan must be inside.

Then... the Orcs passed through the entrance.