As Malygos spoke, the dragons seemed to be transported back to the primordial era of their race's genesis as Guardian Dragons, a wave of emotion swelling within their hearts.
They gazed upwards at the night sky.
Two moons graced the Azerothian night, one a pearlescent white, the other a soft, ethereal blue. The white moon was slightly larger, and their paths rarely intersected in such a significant way.
Tonight, the two celestial bodies were in their embrace!
Malygos's gentle gaze settled upon the evening's protagonists: Kalecgos and Ancagalon. He had once resigned himself to the Blue Dragonflight's continued decline, never imagining the return of his ancient brother, Senegos, along with a pureblood blue dragon. With their reappearance, the flight's resurgence was finally within reach! This realization filled the former Magic King, who had endured ten thousand years of solitude and sorrow, with an unprecedented sense of fulfillment. He willingly relinquished the power of the Spellweaver, content to become a respected elder and nurturing guardian within the Nexus.
Beneath Malygos's gaze, Kalecgos appeared visibly excited, while Ancagalon maintained a calm exterior, though a deep sense of guilt stirred within him. Galen had promised both him and Sindragosa that he would forever safeguard the secret of his true identity as the soul of the Black Dragon Aspect Deathwing and Sindragosa's rebirth as the Blue Dragon Consort. He had inflicted profound pain upon Malygos. Now that the former Aspect had found renewed purpose, Ancagalon and Sindragosa would continue their roles as second-generation blue dragons, silently protecting and strengthening their flight.
In the heavens, the trajectories of the two moons began to converge. Simultaneously, the starry expanse within the Nexus underwent a transformation. Vast magical power began to coalesce. Malygos, drawing upon his intimate knowledge of the Focusing Iris, initiated the ritual.
"Great Titans! Malygos's stewardship has reached its end. Henceforth, Azeroth's new enforcer shall rise from these two exceptional youngsters!"
"We beseech you to test these worthy successors! Choose the new Dragon Aspect!"
Boom! A violent tremor shook the platform as the Focusing Iris pulsed with intense energy. The Guardian power, sealed within the artifact by Malygos, surged forth, enveloping Kalecgos and Ancagalon. The two dragons involuntarily shed their human forms, reverting to their draconic shapes.
Galen observed every nuance of the ritual with keen interest. To be honest, he couldn't be entirely certain that Ancagalon would unequivocally become the new Blue Dragon Aspect. Initially, he had assumed a straightforward selection process, with Ancagalon as the sole candidate for the Dual Moon Ritual. However, Kalecgos's unexpected popularity within the Nexus, with his considerable following, had made him a second contender.
Changes flickered across the faces of the two dragons bathed in the Guardian's power, a clear indication that their hearts were being tested. Yet, in contrast to the visible struggle etched on Kalecgos's features, Ancagalon's slightly furrowed brow suggested a smoother trial.
Malygos and Alexstrasza exchanged knowing glances. Both Dragon Aspects had undergone the Titan's blessing. While the process had not been without its trials, they had both endured the soul-searching scrutiny. At this moment, unaware of Ancagalon's true origins, they regarded this second-generation dragon with admiration, impressed by his apparent inner clarity and strength. Little did they know this was Ancagalon's second time experiencing such a test; he was simply familiar with the path. Compared to the still somewhat immature Kalecgos, Ancagalon held a significant, unfair advantage. It was akin to a protagonist in a rebirth novel retaking the same college entrance exam – anything less than a perfect score would be embarrassing.
Soon, the Guardian's power, which had initially enveloped both dragons equally, shifted, concentrating entirely upon Ancagalon's form, merging into his very being. In the end, the Titan's Guardian power chose Ancagalon to become the new Magic King. The Titan's energy infused the new Spellweaver, causing Ancagalon's blue dragon body to visibly expand.
Kalecgos, having failed in the selection, opened his eyes, gazing at Ancagalon, who was now radiating power, with a mixture of disappointment and envy. However, a sense of relief also washed over him. He had harbored his own anxieties about fulfilling the weighty responsibilities of a Dragon Aspect. Now that the Guardian power had chosen a more capable dragon, he could continue his wandering, free-spirited existence.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty Ancagalon!"
"Hail to the Blue Dragon Aspect!"
The assembled dragons began to offer their heartfelt congratulations to the newly chosen leader.
… … … … … … … …
The events within the Nexus had, to some extent, delayed the Crusader's campaign to dominate the Borean Tundra. However, while Galen focused his attention on the blue dragon situation, Valgarde and Valiance Keep continued their operations according to his established plans.
With the arrival of the Crusader and Kul Tiran naval fleets, a large-scale cleansing of the Vrykul pirates along the Borean Tundra's coastline commenced. After several sweeping engagements, they joined forces with the local Tuskarr of the Moa'ki tribe, concentrating their efforts on assaulting the Vrykul pirate lairs and assassinating their leaders. With the naga's betrayal, the Kvaldir Vrykul pirates swiftly vanished from the coastal waters.
Meanwhile, Gortok Palehoof, freed from Utgarde Pinnacle, was forcibly inducted as Galen's follower and, to his initial dismay, renamed Aegeus . The Mammoth Lord, possessing the bloodline of the ancient magnataur, initially resisted. However, the sheer number of formidable individuals within the Crusader ranks proved overwhelming. Even the vassal races – the Vol'jin, Hogger, and the Fangtooth– easily subdued him. They would certainly never admit to a hint of jealousy at not receiving a personal name from the Highlord. This newly awakened magnataur quickly resigned himself to his new moniker.
Aegeus , armed with a dagger and giant war spear bestowed upon him by Galen, embarked on a crusade against the two remaining magnataur clans in the Borean Tundra. The magnataur lord, still smarting from his initial humiliation at the hands of Hogger and the others, found a strange sense of elation amongst his own kind. In a mere half-month, he beheaded the chiefs of both clans, claimed a significant number of female magnataur, and established his own burgeoning Aegeus clan!