Gronn were symbols of strength. In fact, the last war between the Gronn and the Black Dragons had made it clear that these stone creatures from Draenor World were absolutely no weaker than Dragons when it came to strength.
They could not soar through the skies, but in compensation, they possessed the innate ability to command the earth. Legend held that Gronn could not die while standing on the ground, just like Gruul now.
Even though Deathwing's crimson magma tentacles had nearly pierced his heart moments earlier, in less than ten seconds, his chest, which had been almost completely torn open, became whole again. Roaring, he lunged at Deathwing as the Dragon took flight once more.
But this time, Deathwing would not give him another chance.
As a Dragon Aspect who had fought countless battles, Deathwing possessed extraordinarily extensive combat experience. Even in Dragon form, he twisted his body with a savage grin to face Gruul's renewed leap. The dark red flames coiling around him and the clash of steel sounded the final death knell for the third of the Ogri'la Highlands engulfed in fire.
Gruul wanted to repeat his trick, seize Deathwing's body, and drag him back to the ground, where the Gronn held the advantage. But Deathwing's tail spike did not thrust again. Instead, it lashed across Gruul's face like a whip. Before his fists could close around him, Deathwing slammed his two enormous, steel-clad foreclaws into Gruul's arms from either side.
Bang!
The Gronn King's body swayed in midair. That crushing blow almost instantly knocked him off balance, but as he fell toward the ground, the Black Dragon King beat his wings. His hovering body surged forward, circling behind Gruul, and all four Dragon claws reached out and dug deep into the stone layers covering Gruul's body.