Galen departed from Ulduar, soaring through the skies on Onyxia's back. Their journey took them across the majestic Storm Peaks and the imposing Icecrown Fortress, finally arriving at the vast expanse of Icecrown Glacier.
The Storm Peaks, once a battleground of ancient conflicts, had fallen silent. The Ice Vrykul, those who had pledged their allegiance to Thorim, had all received the news: their god had claimed residence in the sacred Titan city of Ulduar and had issued a new oracle. The bravest among the Vrykul were invited to join the god's newly formed guard, a position of honor and power. This invitation sparked a renewed fervor among the Ice Vrykul, and they held a grand Heidbeiviking competition, a test of strength and skill, to celebrate this joyous occasion!
Icecrown Fortress, once a symbol of dwarven resilience in the face of the Scourge, was now abandoned. The dwarves who had dwelled there had followed their new leader, Muradin Bronzebeard, to the mountains surrounding Ironforge. There, they began the arduous task of rebuilding their new Icecrown Fortress in the southern reaches of the Frostmane Hold, reclaiming their heritage and forging a new future.
Galen and Onyxia soon reached their destination: a forward base established by the Alliance, located north of the formidable Wrathgate!
As they approached this newly constructed base, Galen was struck by the sheer activity within.
While "bustling" might not have been the most appropriate term to describe a heavily fortified, semi-militarized outpost, it accurately captured the vibrant energy that permeated the air. It seemed as though a grand event was taking place, filling the base with an unusual level of noise and excitement.
The center of the base had been transformed into a makeshift martial arts arena, and Galen's arrival instantly became the focal point of everyone's attention!
After all, Galen was a figure of legend, the only human in all of Azeroth capable of riding a dragon, and not just any dragon, but a magnificent golden Holy Dragon!
"Marshal! Marshal!" the soldiers cried out, their voices filled with awe and respect, as Onyxia landed gracefully, her golden scales shimmering in the icy air.
Galen dismounted, his presence commanding the attention of every individual within the base. At this moment, he was undeniably the most dazzling figure in the entire place, a beacon of hope and power!
The event unfolding before Galen was the Trial of the Champion, a grand spectacle that Turalyon and the senior officers of the Alliance command had conceived.
The Trial of the Champion was ostensibly proclaimed as a means of selecting the most valiant warriors for the impending assault on Icecrown Citadel. The Lich King was known to be a formidable foe, and to ensure that only the most capable and courageous warriors faced him, the Alliance high command had initiated a series of trials, testing the mettle of their soldiers in courage, endurance, and teamwork.
These trials served a dual purpose. They allowed the experienced elite soldiers to weed out those who lacked the necessary fortitude to face the overwhelming might of the undead Scourge. But they also served as a grand display of strength and unity, a friendly competition between the various nations of the Alliance, showcasing their martial prowess.
In addition to the representatives from the various human kingdoms of the Alliance, the Alliance had also extended invitations to many of their allies from the Argent Crusade, and even representatives from other races, such as the enigmatic Night Elves, the steadfast Tauren, and even the majestic Dragonspawn and Dragonmen from the various Dragonflights!
Led by the venerable Baron Tyrosus, Galen made his way to the main platform, a raised dais where the Alliance high command had gathered to witness the culmination of the Trial of the Champion.
Seated at the center of the platform was King Thoras Trollbane of Stromgarde, the most senior among the human monarchs of the Alliance, his gaze stern and unwavering. He was flanked by the wise King Genn Greymane of Gilneas, the pragmatic King Daelin Proudmoore of Kul Tiras, and the noble King Llane Wrynn of Stormwind, each a veteran of countless battles and a symbol of their respective kingdom's strength.
Compared to the grand spectacle of the Alliance's founding ten years prior, the landscape of human leadership had shifted. The wise King Terenas Menethil of Lordaeron, the venerable Archmage Antonidas of Dalaran, and the ambitious King Aiden Perenolde of Alterac had all passed from the stage of history, their legacies shaping the Alliance's present and future.
To the right of the four senior kings sat the regal Queen Calia Menethil of Lordaeron, inheriting her father's wisdom and grace; the newly appointed Archmage Modera of Dalaran, her arcane power a force to be reckoned with; and the enigmatic King Daval Prestor of Alterac, his true nature still shrouded in mystery.
On the left side of the platform were the elegant Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider of the High Elves, accompanied by his trusted advisors, his presence a reminder of the ancient alliance between humans and elves; the enigmatic First Arcanist Thalyssra of the Nightborne, representing the arcane might of her ancient people; the stalwart King Magni Bronzebeard of Ironforge, his booming voice and unwavering determination a symbol of dwarven resilience; and the ingenious High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque of Gnomeregan, his inventive genius a testament to the gnomes' technological prowess.
At the rear of the platform stood the dignified Torsedrin, the representative of the Night Elves, his ancient wisdom and connection to nature adding a sense of timelessness to the gathering; the noble Baine Bloodhoof and the resolute Mayla Highmountain, representing the united Tauren tribes, their presence a symbol of the Tauren's evolving relationship with the Alliance; and several dragons who had assumed humanoid forms, their regal bearing and ancient power a reminder of the dragons' crucial role in the fate of Azeroth.
Galen's arrival drew the attention of everyone on the platform. Except for the four senior kings, who remained seated in deference to their age and experience, everyone else rose to their feet, their expressions a mixture of respect, admiration, and gratitude, welcoming Galen, the Dragonrider, the Champion of Azeroth.
King Genn Greymane of Gilneas, however, watched this scene with barely concealed jealousy. His molars clenched tightly, his gaze fixed on Galen, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.