Galen, never one to underestimate the ingenuity of his enemies, still hadn't anticipated his heavily armored chariot being obliterated so swiftly. With lightning reflexes, he cast protective shields on the three Bronzebeard dwarves, Magni, Muradin, and Brann, and leaped clear of the exploding tank as it disintegrated into a hail of molten fragments!
When they landed, the dust settling around them, they beheld the mechanical monstrosity that had ended their charge. It was a golden chariot of terrifying proportions. Two massive, spiked wheels dominated each side, churning the earth as it moved. Mounted on the front was a colossal, razor-sharp siege ram, capable of tearing through fortified walls like paper.
But the chariot's offensive capabilities didn't end there. It bristled with weaponry: four multi-barreled turrets, two sets of rocket launchers that spat volleys of explosive death, and a massive, cylindrical main cannon mounted on its armored roof. Each weapon unleashed a different form of elemental fury, bathing the battlefield in frost, searing flames, or crackling lightning storms.
Following Galen's swift command, the surviving steam tanks halted just outside the Flame Leviathan's effective range. The armored column, having cleared the immediate threats, stood silent and imposing before the gate, a metal army poised for the next stage of the assault.
"By the Titans! It's... magnificent!" Brann, still clutched in Galen's gauntleted hand, exclaimed, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and terror.
"If we could just get our hands on that thing... Gelbin Mekkatorque would be groveling at my feet, calling me 'Master Engineer'!"
"Thwack!"
A heavy knuckle rapped Brann sharply on the forehead. "Watch your tongue! Show some respect for our allies!" Galen said sternly.
"But it's true!" Brann protested, rubbing his head.
At that moment, Thorim, Hodir, and Archaedas approached Galen, their expressions a mixture of grim determination and ancient knowledge.
"This... this is one of Mimiron's war machines," Archaedas said, his voice heavy with recognition. As two of the Keepers responsible for Ulduar's logistics and technology, alongside Mimiron, they knew the intricacies of its defenses.
"Highlord," Thorim growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his warhammer. "Allow me to deal with it. No machine, however powerful, can withstand the might of a Titan Keeper." His impatience was palpable. Seeing Galen hold back, he assumed the Highlord was hesitant to risk further casualties.
"No," Galen replied, a calculating glint in his eyes. He considered Brann's words. The Flame Leviathan was a masterpiece of engineering, a testament to Mimiron's genius. And the goblins and gnomes, with their insatiable hunger for technological advancement, would be... very interested.
It was an opportunity. A chance to both acquire a valuable asset and to humble those who had grown too proud of their recent technological "achievements."
As the earth elementals began the grim task of clearing the battlefield, collecting the wreckage of the Steel Legion, the mages began to weave shimmering portals.
Soon, Galen's four eccentric technological advisors arrived at Ulduar, their eyes widening at the sight of the Flame Leviathan.
"By the Great Tinker!" Gazlowe and Grizzek shouted in unison, their voices filled with manic glee. "What a glorious creation!"
Even Thermaplugg and Gelbin Mekkatorque, usually more reserved, were visibly trembling with excitement. "It's... it's an engineering marvel!" Mekkatorque whispered, his beard twitching.
"Ah, my esteemed colleagues," Galen said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I seem to recall some rather... boisterous claims about your engineering prowess."
The four advisors shifted uncomfortably.
"Well," Gazlowe began, "we have made some... significant advancements."
"Indeed," Mekkatorque added, "Our latest designs are... quite revolutionary."
"Excellent," Galen said, his smile widening. "Then this steel behemoth will be your ultimate test. I have but one request: dismantle it. With your own creations."
He gestured towards the Flame Leviathan, its engines still roaring.
"Electrocutioner 9000, Steel War Scorpion, Mass Disperser 2.0, Flying Machine... bring forth your greatest works! Whoever succeeds in dismantling this machine claims the spoils!"
The four advisors exchanged glances, their initial excitement now tempered with a healthy dose of trepidation. But the challenge had been laid, and pride, as always, would compel them to accept.
"We won't let you down, Highlord!" Mekkatorque declared, his voice filled with determination.
"Prepare to witness true engineering genius!" Gazlowe added, a manic grin spreading across his face.
Galen turned to the Titan Keepers. "Leave this to them," he said. "We will proceed into Ulduar's antechamber."
"As you command, Highlord," Thorim replied, his eyes still fixed on the Flame Leviathan with a mixture of respect and impatience.
At this moment, the Red Dragon Queen Alexstrasza, Chromie, Smug, and an unfamiliar dragon transformed into their humanoid forms, joining Galen and the three Keepers.
"The passage to the left leads to the World Forge," Hodir explained as they moved, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. "The passage to the right leads to the barracks. And straight ahead... that would have been Mimiron's testing grounds."
"The barracks were abandoned long ago, after the fall of the Keepers," Archaedas added. "Now, they likely house the remnants of the Iron Legion. And Mimiron's testing grounds... there's a colossal dismantling construct there."
Hodir glanced at Archaedas, and the Earth King continued. "The passage to the left leads to the Giants' Forge. The guardian there is Ignis, a forge-master who once served under me. He was responsible for maintaining the great forges and imbuing the guardian stone statues with life."
"Ignis was a... quiet giant," Archaedas said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I would be grateful, Highlord, if you would allow me to... reawaken him."
"If he can aid us, then by all means," Galen replied. "Archaedas, the Giants' Forge is your charge. We will deal with the dismantling construct and then proceed to the antechamber."
With the plan set, Hodir led the way, his massive form dwarfing the corridors of Ulduar. They soon reached the dismantling factory, where a towering, multi-limbed construct stood dormant. Hodir, with a gesture, unleashed a wave of frost, encasing the machine in ice. Then, with a mighty heave, he shattered the frozen automaton, clearing the path into the depths of Ulduar.
The antechamber was a place of somber beauty. Statues of ancient heroes lined the walls, and intricate carvings depicted the history of the Titans and their creations.
Before long, Archaedas led a towering giant into the hall. He was Ignis, a rune giant similar in appearance to the four giants guarding Wintergrasp, but with a weary, almost mournful air about him.
"You are... restored?" Hodir asked, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and relief.
"I am, Keeper Hodir," Ignis replied, his voice deep and resonant. "And... Dragon Guardians. I thank you for your aid. Had you arrived any later, I fear I would have been lost forever."
"We can reminisce later, Ignis," Thorim said, his impatience returning. "Are you familiar with the layout of Ulduar? We have been away for... far too long."
"Much has changed since you departed, Keepers," Ignis replied, his gaze sweeping over the hall. "After Tyr and Master Archaedas left Ulduar, I heard of the conflict between you and the God of Winter. During that time, Lord Mimiron secluded himself in the Spark of Intellect's laboratory after... an accident. And Lady Freya focused her attention on her life-giving gardens."
Galen listened intently, absorbing the information. He knew that the layout of Ulduar, and the state of its remaining guardians, would be crucial to their success. After a moment of consideration, he decided to divide their forces.
"We are now in the antechamber," Galen announced. "To the left lies the Steel Council, the three generals of the Iron Legion, representing the Iron Giants, Iron Vrykul, and Iron Dwarves. To the right is the Observatory."
He turned to his allies. "Archavon and your four brothers will handle the Steel Council. Her Majesty Alexstrasza, the Observatory will be your domain, along with the Dragon Council. Hodir, Archaedas, you will accompany her."
Loken's death had undoubtedly triggered some form of alert. If the Observer Algalon received the message, the Observatory would be the first place he would arrive. Galen needed to leave sufficient force to confront the cosmic observer and prevent him from activating the Origin Forge of Uldum, the planet-shaping device that could reshape Azeroth.
"Ignis," Galen said, turning to the giant forge-master. "You will lead us to the Shattered Walkway. I believe you were the one who constructed the stone golem that guards it, Kologarn?"
Kologarn was a colossal rock giant, far larger than any of his kind. He possessed a pair of enormous hands capable of crushing any creature foolish enough to approach the inner sanctum of Ulduar.
Ignis was clearly puzzled. He didn't understand why this small creature was issuing orders. But he saw the respect the Titan Keepers held for Galen, and the Furnace Master, a being of ancient wisdom and obedience, simply nodded.
"I will lead you there," he said, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder, and turned to lead the way.