The birth of his children deepened Galen's connection to this world, and he began to approach his days with less detachment.
Uncharacteristically, Galen started to actively engage in the political affairs of Stromgarde.
For half a year, Galen divided his time between the palace in Stromgarde during the day and Silvermoon City in the evening, where he helped his wives care for their children.
During this time, Kel'Thuzad sent word that he had relocated the Scourge's main base from Icecrown Citadel to Azjol-Nerub, the vast underground kingdom of the nerubians.
After suffering heavy losses at the Wrathgate and the Battle for the Dark Cathedral, the Scourge had lost half of its necropolises, including the largest ones.
Thalamas, Naxxanar, and Naxxramas had all been destroyed by Dalaran.
The largest remaining necropolis was Malykriss, also known as Shadowfang Keep, which had been spared due to its role in defending Icecrown Citadel.
Including the Ebon Hold, Acherus, and Voltarus, which had not yet been deployed to Zul'Drak, Kel'Thuzad commanded a total of three Scourge fortresses.
In terms of manpower, the Alliance had purified hundreds of thousands of Scourge cannon fodder, the Ebon Blade had suffered over half casualties, and the San'layn had lost their leader.
However, the souls of these elite warriors were preserved within Frostmourne, and they could be quickly resurrected given suitable bodies.
Dar'Khan's fate rested on Kel'Thuzad's decision.
Overall, the Scourge retained at least half of its former strength.
Kel'Thuzad's message also contained a significant discovery. While occupying the upper levels of Azjol-Nerub, the Scourge had found that surviving nerubians dwelled in the ancient kingdom's capital, Ahn'kahet, located in the deepest level.
Galen considered this news. In the original timeline, the nerubians had indeed preserved a clutch of their eggs. After the Old Gods and the Faceless Ones were defeated the nerubians, led by the observer Ixit, began to rebuild their civilization.
This was good news. The Scourge had an abundance of low-level ghouls, but their mid-tier crypt fiends were dwindling. The living spiders could replenish their forces.
Spiders were excellent diggers, far surpassing kobolds in excavation capabilities!
Spiders for mining, kobolds for...errands. A perfect combination.
Galen instructed Kel'Thuzad to enslave the nerubians and use them as a source of troops for the Scourge.
Kel'Thuzad had barely ended the communication when Theryl'darah eagerly established a mental link.
The night elves were in an uproar. Theryl'darah, unable to withstand the pressure from the Cenarion Circle, sought Galen's intervention.
"Highlord, when will the resurrection ceremony take place? The demigods of nature are becoming impatient!"
The "resurrection" ceremony was a pretense for restoring Galen Remar to life. Cenarius needed his powerful former student to rescue Malfurion from the Emerald Dream and uncover the source of its corruption.
"Tomorrow," Galen decided. He couldn't keep his mentor waiting any longer.
Galen understood the urgency of his mentor's request. Though a demigod himself, Galen knew better than to rely on Cenarius for combat support, especially within the ethereal and dangerous Emerald Dream.
A crisis was brewing on Azeroth, and Galen knew he could not stay on the sidelines any longer.
However, he was reluctant to leave his wives, his children, and the comforts of his home.
So, he resolved to create an avatar!
Using a unique spell taught to him by the life goddess Freya, Galen planned to create a separate body, imbued with his life energy.
Without delay, Galen calmed his mind and began to separate his spiritual power.
He had learned the method of creating an avatar from Freya long ago. In theory, the spell was simple: with enough vitality, it could be done.
As Galen meditated, motes of blue and green light were drawn from his body, and his spiritual energy intertwined with his life force.
Gradually, a vague humanoid form began to take shape.
Once the form was stable, Galen began to shape its features.
The process resembled creating a new character in a role-playing game.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Galen Remar's appearance became clear.
With the final infusion of energy, "Galen Remar" opened his eyes, silver light flashing like lightning, illuminating the entire room!
But the brilliance lasted only three seconds.
Plop!
Galen Remar's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.
"Damn it! Not enough vitality!"