The Scourge's retreat allowed the Alliance forces to successfully capture the Wrathgate and establish a foothold within Icecrown Citadel. With the Lich King's whereabouts unknown, Dar'Khan , as the de facto supreme commander of the Scourge, made the strategic decision to abandon the outlying strongholds of Malykriss and Jotunheim, consolidating his remaining forces within the heavily fortified Scarlet Bastion and the ancient Halls of Stone.
The Scourge's primary objective now was the defense of Icecrown Citadel. They believed that losing some territory was a temporary setback, a necessary sacrifice to ensure the survival of their forces. They clung to the unwavering belief that their Lich King would one day return, more powerful than ever, and lead them to ultimate victory, ushering in an era of Scourge dominion over Azeroth!
Meanwhile, above the Alliance camp, the colossal necropolis of Naxxramas slowly descended from the sky, casting a long shadow over the battlefield. Under the oppressive presence of the floating city, a large number of remaining Scourge soldiers desperately attempted to flee, their unholy ranks in disarray!
Unfortunately for them, Jaina Proudmoore had foreseen this possibility. After the teleportation arrays within Naxxramas were disabled, the remaining spiders, undead servants, and necromancers found themselves trapped, like rats in a cage, awaiting the Alliance's final reckoning.
The Scourge forces made several desperate attempts to regain control of Naxxramas, but their efforts were thwarted by the combined might of Lirath Windrunner, Baine Bloodhoof, and Mayla Highmountain. The three heroes, who had been relatively quiet observers during the battle against Kel'Thuzad, now stood firm, guarding the narrow passage leading to the city's control center, their resolve unyielding. Not even a fly could breach their defenses!
Jaina, her face radiant with triumph, held Mr. Bigglesworth gently in her arms. The little cat, seemingly unfazed by the chaos around him, purred contentedly. He remembered the potent catnip that the familiar female mage had given him earlier, an experience that had left him in a state of blissful euphoria. At this moment, he was content, his eyes half-closed, nestled comfortably in Jaina's embrace.
"Varian," Jaina exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement, "My plan was a resounding success! Do you think Galen and Gandalf will bestow upon me a great honor, and praise me lavishly for my contributions?"
Jaina knew that the Windrunner sisters, Vereesa and Alleria, were also present with the Alliance army in Northrend. However, due to certain... complexities, the two sisters had gradually distanced themselves from commanding the Farstrider rangers. Within the high elven forces, aside from Kael'thas Sunstrider, who personally led the Sunfury Battalion, the Farstrider Legion was under the command of Vereesa.
Lirath, like Jaina, had joined this daring mission, driven by a desire to prove his worth and earn recognition for his skills.
"It would be a miracle if you weren't severely reprimanded," Varian thought wryly.
He knew that the team's achievements were undeniable, truly extraordinary!
However, their unauthorized actions were a blatant violation of military protocol, a grave offense in any army. Considering the composition of this unconventional team, Varian suspected that the final outcome would likely be a balancing act, offsetting their accomplishments with their insubordination.
As for me, Varian mused, I have long ceased to care about military accolades. After this Northrend campaign, I will return to Stormwind to assume my rightful place as king.
Varian felt a pang of guilt. He had not actively discouraged Jaina and the others from their reckless plan, driven by his own desire for one last adventure. It was, perhaps, a selfish act. Facing Jaina's infectious enthusiasm, he found it difficult to dampen her spirits. "It is indeed a... remarkable achievement," he stammered, offering a weak smile. "Haha... ha!"
Hearing Varian's hesitant praise, Jaina beamed with delight, stroking Mr. Bigglesworth's soft fur.
While the Alliance forces were celebrating their victory and consolidating their hold on Icecrown Citadel, Galen, far to the south, in the ancient Titan city of Ulduar, was preparing to welcome a visitor of immense power: Algalon the Observer.
Observers were members of a celestial race known as the Constellars, enigmatic beings who served as allies and agents of the mighty Titans.
They were the Titans' ultimate fail-safe, the last resort implemented on every world they had shaped. If the guardians of a world underwent significant deviations from their intended purpose, the observers, receiving the signal, would travel to that world to assess whether it needed to be "reformatted," a euphemism for complete destruction and recreation.
Loken, in his cunning and malevolent schemes, had connected the transmitter that contacted the observers to his own life force. Thus, upon his death, the Constellars would inevitably receive a signal, summoning them to Azeroth.
Judging by the current state of Azeroth, ravaged by the Old Gods and teetering on the brink of collapse, the observers would likely arrive at a grim conclusion: that Azeroth was irreparably corrupted, its defense systems compromised, and that it required complete "reformatting."
Loken's insidious machinations filled Galen with disgust. Therefore, when Thorim and the other Titan Watchers presented him with Loken's soul core, he did not even consider preserving it for his collection. Instead, he unceremoniously decomposed it into its constituent soul essence, extracting its raw power.
Knowing this, Galen had yet to decide what to do with Yogg-Saron's soul.
Judging by the sheer potency of the essence extracted from Loken's soul, it was enough to elevate at least three legendary-tier spellcasters to the early stages of demigodhood!
Galen was still undecided on who should receive these extraordinary gifts. He had a wealth of talented mages, shamans, and other spellcasters under his command, each deserving of such a boon!
Among them were the legendary Medivh, who had regained his demigod status after absorbing the soul of the demon Socrethar on Draenor; the brilliant Khadgar, who had grown into a formidable commander during his years on Draenor; the charismatic Rhonin, whose potential was undeniable; the formidable Illucia, a master of shadow magic; and on Draenor, the wise Thrall and his powerful mate Aggra, and the enigmatic Med'an and his equally talented wife, Dornna.
Khadgar had spent over a decade honing his skills on Draenor, emerging as a capable leader in his own right. Rhonin, too, possessed exceptional talent. His experiences as a young mage in Dalaran, where he had faced prejudice and scorn, had shaped him into a mature and determined individual. These two were already strong contenders for the Titan's gift.
But the third recipient...
Galen needed more time to consider his options.
Just as Galen was contemplating the vast pool of heroes at his disposal in the Halls of Kings, the observatory within Ulduar underwent a dramatic transformation!
A blinding beam of starlight, originating from the deepest reaches of the cosmos, pierced through the heavens and struck Azeroth, landing directly atop Ulduar!
Then, a humanoid figure composed of pure starlight materialized on the platform of the observatory!
He had stars for bones, starlight for flesh, and stood three meters tall, radiating an aura of celestial power. He held a magnificent scepter, and his gaze swept arrogantly over the five Titan Watchers who stood before him. Slowly, he descended from the platform, his movements fluid and ethereal.
"Guardians created by the Titans," he announced, his voice echoing with the authority of the cosmos, "I have received a transmission from your third-level authority guardian, informing me that Azeroth has been corrupted!"
Thorim and Hodir, the mightiest warriors among the remaining five guardians of Ulduar, stepped forward, their expressions resolute, blocking Algalon's path.
"We are about to commence our analysis of this world," Algalon declared, his tone dismissive. "Please, stand aside and do not hinder me in the execution of my duties!"
Thorim and Hodir exchanged a knowing glance, then turned to face Galen, who stood behind them. "Listen to our advice, star-born emissary of the Pantheon," Thorim boomed, his voice resonating with ancient power. "Azeroth has her own destiny to fulfill. Please refrain from attempting to judge her, or you will incur her wrath!"
The starlight figure, Algalon, paused, his luminous form flickering with surprise. He had finally noticed Galen standing behind the two guardians. He could discern at a glance that this being was a creature of flesh and blood, a mortal!
In addition to Galen, Algalon also observed the Bronzebeard brothers, Muradin and Brann, standing beside Mimiron; the ingenious Grand Tinker Mekkatorque; the resourceful Crusader technicians Gelbin Mekkatorque and Sicco Thermaplugg; and the opportunistic goblin Gazlowe!
"Corrupted creatures of flesh and blood have infiltrated this Titan city?" Algalon's tone shifted, becoming more hostile. "The guardians left behind by the Titans have fallen! My authority on this world is absolute. Your attempts to impede me indicate that your core programming has been compromised. Your actions lack all logic. I can detect the pollution of this planet's defense systems without resorting to your flawed system evaluation. I regret to inform you, but I must initiate the planet reshaping sequence!"
With those chilling words, Algalon brushed past the guardians, his purpose unwavering, and began to initiate his cosmic work.
"Initiating protocol Omega. Preparing to commence planet reshaping. Code accepted."
Algalon, who had witnessed the rise and fall of countless worlds, issued the order with a chilling detachment, his heart unmoved by the fate of this insignificant planet.
"Initiating protocol Omega. Preparing to commence planet reshaping. Code transmission..."
"No signal detected. Code transmission failed!"
"Retransmit! Still no signal!"
After several futile attempts, the Ulduar system remained unresponsive, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge Algalon's commands!
"About that..."
A hesitant voice, filled with an unexpected shyness, reached Algalon's stellar ears. "I believe that... I am the one who holds the ultimate authority in Ulduar now."