The elements, once a chaotic maelstrom for tens of thousands of years, now stood on the precipice of a new order, one destined to be forged by a new will. The elemental realm, a colossal prison painstakingly crafted by the Titans, was designed to confine these ancient, volatile forces. In truth, the separate dimensions of the Firelands, the Abyssal Maw, Deepholm, and Skywall were all interconnected within a single, vast demiplane. To prevent catastrophic friction, the Titans had deliberately placed the relatively stable earth element and the largely indifferent air element in the middle, acting as buffers, separating the inherently incompatible Ragnaros and Neptulon.
Yet, even with such meticulous prison arrangements, the four elemental domains were perpetually at war in their border regions, though these conflicts were typically confined to skirmishes between mid- and lower-level elemental beings. Apart from their recent summons by the Old Gods, the four elemental lords had not ventured from their lairs in an age.
In September of the twenty-third year after the opening of the Dark Portal, a momentous event unfolded. All the high-ranking elemental lords from across the four elemental domains gathered at the Throne of the Four Winds, the very heart of the elemental realm.
On the Eastwind Platform, the most eye-catching presence was a formidable gathering of earth elementals, led by the "voluptuous" and "charming" Stone Mother, Therazane, the undisputed ruler of earth, dust, stone, and mountains. She was revered by all earth elementals and creatures dwelling beneath the earth, and even some wild druids regarded her as the living embodiment of world peace and tranquility. Legend whispered that Azeroth's most beautiful woman, Princess Theradras, was the very daughter of this Stone Mother. Long ago, this princess had encountered Zaetar, the eldest son of Cenarius, in the shadowed depths of Maraudon in Kalimdor. Their unlikely union had given birth to the centaur race of Kalimdor. Behind the Stone Mother stood several key members of the Therazane Council: the five colossal crystal giants—Purple, Red, Black, Yellow, and Green—and Earthen Ring, the venerable mother of stone dragons. It was clear that the entirety of Deepholm's main combat forces had arrived.
On the Northwind Platform, a contingent of fire elementals stood, vaguely divided into two distinct camps. They were separated by a palpable space, glaring at each other with wary, hostile gazes.
On the Westwind Platform, the water elementals appeared remarkably sparse, with only Duke Hydraxis and a couple of other minor figures representing their domain.
The Southwind Platform was even more desolate, occupied solely by high-ranking air elemental lords, utterly devoid of any demigod-level combat power. This was hardly surprising. The air elemental domain was the very area where the Golden Holy Dragonflight had launched their large-scale, concentrated assault. Coupled with the centralized authority of the Wind Council, all those who could fight had been gathered together and then, tragically, annihilated in one devastating wave. As for Galen's campaign in the Firelands, he had employed a swift, surgical decapitation tactic. Even with Ragnaros's direct descendants in the central Sulfuron Keep destroyed, numerous fire elemental lords still survived in the surrounding, vast territories.
Galen and his avatar, Galen Remar, stood at the very center of the Throne of the Four Winds, their presence radiating an undeniable power. Behind them, arrayed in silent support, were four formidable Wild Gods and the three colossal giants of the Golden Holy Dragonflight. It was the sheer, undeniable existence of these nine demigods that compelled the four elemental domains to obediently emerge from their territories and respond to Galen's unprecedented summons to this Throne of the Four Winds.
Galen and his avatar, Galen Remar, took a synchronized step forward, and the combined pressure emanating from their two bodies erupted, full force. They were mid-tier demigods! In this Azeroth, apart from the legendary might of Malorne the White Stag, and the terrifying power of the Black Dragon King (who had absorbed the essence of the Dragon Soul and fused the power of the five Dragon Aspects), mid-tier demigods represented the absolute pinnacle of combat power that the elemental spirits could possibly encounter! And here stood two of them!
Faced with the overwhelming pressure emanating from Galen, the elemental lords on the Four Winds Platforms all wore solemn expressions. A profound sense of oppression, emanating from the very depths of their souls, made them struggle to resist the primal urge to kneel down and worship Galen and Galen Remar!
"Everyone, the reason I've gathered you here today is to announce that the new four Elemental Lords have been decided!"
Upon the Throne of the Wind Lord, Galen, as the initiator of this momentous Elemental Conference, was the first to speak. As soon as his words fell, the ancient Elemental Lords on the four platforms all turned their gazes towards Therazane, the Stone Mother. After all, two of the original four Elemental Lords had already fallen, and Neptulon the Tidehunter was conspicuously absent for unknown reasons, leaving only the Stone Mother to attend in person.
Faced with the mental gazes of many Elemental Lords, the Stone Mother's round face was filled with a palpable gloom. Are you looking down on me too much? she fumed inwardly. You think you can just strip me of my position as the master of earth? A surge of incandescent anger rushed to the Stone Mother's crown, but she still managed to hold it back. The Stone Mother was profoundly confident in her own strength; she was, after all, the most peaceful and patient of the Elemental Lords. In the early elemental wars of Azeroth, Al'Akir had eroded her surface with wind, Neptulon had constantly bombarded her shores with waves, and Ragnaros, like a furious furnace, had ceaselessly stirred within her core. Even so, the three Elemental Lords had failed to kill her. Yet, she knew, with chilling certainty, that the two flesh-and-blood creatures opposite her could. Ragnaros and Al'Akir had already proven this.
"Demigods of humans and night elves," the Stone Mother's deep voice resonated throughout the Throne of the Wind Lord, "I wonder who you are referring to as the new Elemental Lords; can you let us meet them?"
"As you wish!" Galen stretched out his hand, making a grand gesture of invitation. "Come out, Zephyros, Emberith, Tharozan, and Nymara! Meet your future subordinates!"
As Galen's words fell, four ancient elemental spirits—Zephyros of the wind, Emberith of the fire, Tharozan of the earth, and Nymara of the water—peeked out from behind the imposing forms of Ursoc and Ursol. These were the four special, ancient elemental spirits born on the back of the Wild God. Among them, the lively Emberith and Zephyros moved to Galen's side with a playful flurry, while the shy and timid Tharozan and Nymara still tightly grasped the fur of the bear brothers, not daring to take half a step forward.
"Go on, go on!" The steady Ursol gently patted the little heads of the water and earth spirits. After all, with Neptulon and Therazane still present, the authority of water and earth still had masters, and these two children were still subject to the soul suppression of their superiors.
Encouraged by the bear brothers' warmth and the cheering gazes of many demigods, Tharozan and Nymara swayed their lower bodies and came to Galen's side as well. The four special elemental spirits, born in the Pandaria region, stood in a row and, in their childish voices, declared, "According to Galen's instructions, from today on, we will be your bosses!"
A stunned silence fell within the Throne of the Wind Lord!
"Are you joking with us! Demigod of humans!" On the platform where the fire elementals were located, a tall lava giant roared, his voice booming with indignation. "I can crush hundreds of these weak elements with one hand!"
"Shut up! Pyro! You idiot!" On the other side of the fire elementals, clearly distinct from the lava giant, a flame doom lord, Smolderon, lowered his voice, interrupting the lava giant's wild words with a hiss of warning.
"Hmph! Smolderon, I see you've been scared out of your wits," Pyro retorted, undeterred. "They killed my father, Leoric, and they also killed your father, Baleroc. I won't be as cowardly as you!" After saying this, the lava giant Pyro roared, "Charge! Lava giants, avenge our lords!"
Watching the lava giants about to riot, Galen snorted coldly, his voice laced with a dangerous calm. "Since you want to die so badly, I won't get in your way!"
Accompanying Galen's incandescent fury, the elemental lords on the four platforms felt an even heavier, soul-crushing oppression. High above the lava giant Pyros, a colossal sword of holy light descended, cleaving his molten body in two with devastating precision. Not only that, but the righteous energy aftermath of the judgment annihilated the other, lesser lava lords in a cascade of shimmering destruction. Along with the rising smoke and fiery embers, the fire elementals of the other camp, those who had not yet been directly affected, trembled visibly, their forms flickering with fear.
Galen fixed his gaze upon Smolderon, who was frantically gathering his fiery wings, his expression grim. "Do you also think they are not suitable to become the new elemental lords?" he intoned, his voice resonating with an unspoken threat.
Under Galen's intense scrutiny, Smolderon felt his very soul freeze, rendering him utterly immobile. He spoke, his tone humble and subservient: "No, great Divine Master!" Galen's ability to command such a host of demigods, coupled with the thunderous, decisive blow he had just delivered, firmly established him as far stronger than the original Fire Lord, Ragnaros, forging an image of invincible greatness in Smolderon's mind. At that moment, the title "Divine Master" spontaneously erupted from his thoughts, making him feel as though he had seized a crucial opportunity. He frantically showered Galen with effusive praise.
"Powerful Divine Master," Smolderon gushed, "I am willing to lead the remaining fire spirits to pledge allegiance... to pledge allegiance to Emberith!"
Galen's eyebrows arched slightly. As expected of a fire elemental lord from the cunning Doom Lord lineage, this ability to adapt to the prevailing winds was far more discerning than those stubborn stone people! Yet, it was not entirely surprising. Most fire elementals were hot-tempered, prone to fighting at the slightest disagreement. They possessed immense destructive power but often lacked true wisdom. However, those Doom Lords who had defected to the Firelands were unusually cunning; even Ragnaros himself had not fully trusted them, which was why he had mimicked the naga to create the fire imp race to serve as the command class of his fiery army.
"Then, Smolderon," Galen continued, a subtle, playful smile touching the corners of his lips as he regarded Smolderon with a scrutinizing gaze, "if you are truly willing to pledge allegiance to Emberith, will you become his chief administrator, helping him manage those fire elemental lords?"
Galen had systematically eliminated most of the fire elementals who had defected to the Old Gods, and he had supported the innocent new Elemental King. Now that the Azeroth world-soul was gradually recovering, those newborn elemental spirits would also become peaceful. However, as long as the strength of the elemental spirits reached the lord level, they would inevitably challenge the rule of the Elemental King. After all, yearning for and demanding more powerful elemental energy was the very nature of elementals. Therefore, before Fyr'alath and the others could fully absorb the authority and power of the four elements, Galen needed someone reliable to help them maintain control. And he, with his myriad responsibilities, could not afford to waste too much time in the elemental realm.
Facing Galen's intense scrutiny, Smolderon felt his entire body tighten, the flames on his form converging slightly. He knew that the moment to decide his fate had arrived! Smolderon's heart hardened with resolve. If he couldn't be the new Fire Lord, then being the chief administrator, a position above ten thousand others, was an excellent alternative. As for those disobedient fire elementals? They could simply be destroyed!
"Please leave it to me, great Divine Master," Smolderon declared, his voice firm. "I will definitely do my best to assist Lord Emberith!"
Galen nodded. Of course, he would not simply trust Smolderon based on a few words. A familiar process of purification and binding awaited the fire elemental lord later. Then, Galen looked around the four platforms once more, his voice echoing with finality: "Now I will ask again, who agrees, who opposes?"
Accompanying Galen's palpable aura of command, the elemental lords on the four platforms felt an even heavier, soul-crushing oppression. From the wind elementals, a lord immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Galen in a distinctly human gesture.
"Respected Galen, Holy Master! I am Demetrian, the Great Lord of the Wind Element." This wind elemental lord seemed remarkably well-versed in human society, his tone brimming with deference. Moreover, the title "Holy Master" suggested prior contact with members of the Holy Light Church, marking him as a potential ally. Galen's expression softened, and he gestured for the Wind Lord to continue.
"I once used special magic to transform into a human, so I am very familiar with your deeds and those of Galen Remar, the Great Lord." As Demetrian spoke, his gaze flickered to Galen Remar's waist, where the legendary artifact, Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, hung. "Perhaps you haven't heard of me, but you must know my master, Thunderaan, the Windseeker!"
"Master Thunderaan has returned from another world and instructed us to obey the Holy Master's orders in everything," Demetrian declared, his voice resonating with conviction. "Here, I represent the remaining wind elements in the Skywall and swear to be loyal to the new Wind Element King, Great Zephyros!" After speaking, he respectfully bowed to Great Gale. The wind elemental lords behind him mirrored Demetrian's movements, a collective act of submission.
Of course, not all wind elements would sincerely submit to Great Zephyros rule. The East Wind, for example, hung his head, but his hands were clenched tightly, a silent defiance. The dynamic of a weak lord and strong vassals was one Galen had encountered countless times in the history books of his previous life. Yet, he felt no worry. He was simply waiting for them to impatiently reveal their dissent, providing him with a pretext to openly eliminate them and claim their Elemental Hearts.
With the declarations of allegiance from two of the four major elemental planes, any lingering rebellious thoughts among the remaining elemental lords were swiftly suppressed. This was particularly true for the earth elemental lords. In their plane, which boasted the most complete strength, there were not only the Stone Mother but also six other demigods, including five colossal rock giants and a stone dragon mother. They certainly possessed the power to challenge Galen. Moreover, if they were to initiate a conflict, it was uncertain which side the other three elemental lords would favor. Their elemental spirits, too, were not easily intimidated by the wilderness demigods.
However, all their restless, rebellious impulses were ultimately suppressed by the Stone Mother. The Stone Mother herself was wary of "throwing a stone at the rat," fearing the collateral damage. With her immensely long life, she had endured elemental civil wars, fought against the ancient gods, and faced the divine might of the Titans. It was a testament to her cunning that she had survived so long. Those wilderness demigods were not to be feared. What was truly terrifying were the human named Galen and the night elf Galen Remar! These two humanoid demigods each wielded the majestic power of Holy Light and the formidable power of life! Most importantly, these two mortal demigods were masters of killing! They had, respectively, slain Ragnaros, the most powerful fire demon among the elemental spirits, and Al'Akir, the fastest and most elusive of them all!
Now that half of the four elemental kings were dead, and Neptulon the Tidehunter was absent for unknown reasons, relying solely on the Stone Mother and her council members simply did not provide the capital to compete with Galen and his allies! The earth element was characterized by its toughness and its capacity for immense forbearance. The Stone Mother decided to play the coward; saving her life was paramount!
As her thoughts crystallized, the Stone Mother spoke, her heavy voice echoing through the chamber: "A long, long time ago, the elements were also united..." She paused, a hint of ancient sorrow in her tone. "We once fought against the ancient god's legion together, but unfortunately, we failed!" A new resolve hardened her voice. "Perhaps the future will be full of hope. The Therazane Council is willing to assist Tharozan in leading Deepholm!" The Stone Mother's eyes remained fixed on Tharozan small body, then a rock heart, pulsating with earthy power, appeared before her. "May soil and rock defend our world from the invasion of evil!"
The rocky heart, pulsating with ancient power, slowly floated in front of Tharozan. It was the Heart of the Stone Mother, the very godhood of the earth elemental plane. Tharozannervously glanced back at Galen. Galen offered Little Tharozan an encouraging look, instantly imbuing her with infinite courage. She raised her tiny hands and caught the Heart of the Stone Mother, then declared in a childish voice, "I accept your allegiance! Let's protect Azeroth together! Let's temper our bodies together whether anything is happening or not!"
After the wind, fire, and earth elements had each expressed their positions, the water elementals began to whisper amongst themselves, a low, murmuring current of uncertainty. It was obvious there was no clear backbone among them.
Finally, a tall, verdant giant water elemental spoke, its voice like the gentle lapping of waves: "Respected God-Lord, we cannot decide whether to be loyal to Lady Nymara. Most importantly, the Tide Stone is in the hands of the missing Lord Neptulon!"
Galen recognized Duke Hydrossian at a glance, a being filled with the most ancient and purest power of still water. He was a truly powerful water elemental, an ancestral elemental born when everything in Azeroth first began. His strength had already reached the demigod level, and he led the formidable Hydrossian army. He was indeed qualified to speak on behalf of the water elements. After all, in the water elemental plane, he could even be regarded as the next water elemental king. Should Tidehunter Neptulon unexpectedly perish, Duke Hydrossian would likely ascend to become the next Tidehunter.
And now, what Galen found most amusing was that Duke Hydrossian had been collectively chosen by the water elementals to embarrass themselves. Because Tidehunter Neptulon, the very king of the water elements, was missing! This entire turmoil was secretly Galen's elaborate attempt to lure the snake out of its hole, but Galen had orchestrated it with such secrecy that even the last Old God, N'Zoth, who considered himself the mastermind behind the scenes, was kept completely in the dark, let alone Neptulon.
Faced with N'Zoth's summons, many of the Old Gods' old subordinates, such as Ragnaros and Al'Akir, had responded one after another, creating widespread chaos. But for some reason, Neptulon had not chosen to continue obeying his former master's orders. Faced with such blatant disobedience, N'Zoth's naga and faceless ones had launched a furious attack on the Abyssal Maw in the water elemental plane.
The reason Galen knew all of this so clearly was because the naga who had attacked the Abyssal Maw this time were his people. Lady Naz'jar! This noble daughter from the Highborne elves was a secret loyalist that Vashj had cultivated over thousands of years. When Vashj had left Azeroth, she had entrusted this invaluable agent to Galen. To elevate the status of this naga woman, Galen had deliberately driven the Kvaldir vrykul he had enslaved to invade the naga's territory: Vashj'ir. The Kvaldir, transformed from vrykul who had drowned or been cursed by Helya, drove tattered and swift ghost ships, relentlessly eroding the naga's territory. In the war with the Kvaldir, Lady Naz'jar repeatedly distinguished herself with military exploits, thereby winning the favor of Queen Azshara. Seizing this opportunity, Naz'jar had led the naga army, the Tidehunters, and finally, with the aid of the colossal behemoth Ozumat, had successfully abducted Neptulon, who had vanished without a trace.
With their king gone, Hydrossian and the other water elementals seemed utterly at a loss in the face of Galen's undeniable pressure.
"Heh…" Galen couldn't help but smile as he recalled the elaborate scheme.
"Neptulon is Neptulon, and you are you," Galen stated, his voice firm. "Don't use someone who isn't here as a shield!"
The water elemental lords on the platform resisted Galen's divine might, their forms shimmering with unease. They could only lower their heads and look at Hydrossian in the front, waiting for the duke to decide their collective fate. The duke's glowing little eyes flickered constantly, weighing their options, and finally, he gritted his teeth. "We are willing to serve Lady Nymara as our master. From now on, she will be the master of the Abyssal Maw!"
"Even if Neptulon comes back?" Galen pressed.
"Even so!" Hydrossian affirmed, his voice resolute.
Hearing this definitive answer, Galen smiled contentedly.
"The elemental meeting is over. Go back, everyone," Galen commanded, his voice echoing with finality. "Go back and prepare your armies. In the near future, Azeroth will need your help!"
At the Wind God's Throne, Galen had already dispatched all the Elemental Lords on the four platforms back to their respective elemental domains. Even the wind elementals were ordered to return to the military fortress of Skywall Summit. After this momentous meeting, all the elements knew, with chilling certainty, that Galen had become the uncrowned king of all Azeroth's elements.
As for those four nominally appointed little elemental spirits with a Pandaren flair? A joke! They were less than a thousand years old! Most of the lords, awed by Galen's current, overwhelming power, did not dare to openly defy his orders, silently lying in wait for an opportunity to riot.
Galen Hellscream departed with the Wild Gods, who had served as little more than background decorations for half a day. Although Ragnaros's fall had resolved the immediate crisis at Mount Hyjal, the connection between the Firelands and the mortal realm had been severed once more. The invading fire elementals and Twilight Cultists had been largely defeated, with only a very small number managing to flee into the deep mountains. However, this crisis had still inflicted considerable damage upon Mount Hyjal. In addition to tending to the wounded and collecting the bodies of the fallen, the druids of the Cenarion Circle would need to invest immense energy in carefully healing the scorched and scarred land.
"Yay! The four of us are going to be the Elemental Kings from now on!" Emberith, the most lively of the four elemental spirits born on the Wandering Isle, was ecstatic, as if she had just received her favorite toy.
"But... but..." Zephyros, the agile wind spirit, was now caught in a dilemma. "We used to only play on Shen-zin Su's back. We don't know how to be a king at all!"
"Yeah, yeah," Nymara, the blue little stream, held up a pair of small hands, touching her index fingers together, obviously also a little confused. "If we don't do well, Uncle Galen will be disappointed!"
"..." Tharozan, the earth elemental, though holding the Stone Mother's artifact, also lowered his head and said nothing, clearly feeling timid not only due to a lack of confidence but also because of the lingering presence of the Stone Mother and her formidable group of earth lords.
Just as the atmosphere grew somber, Galen and the three golden dragon titans returned after seeing off the Wild Gods.
"Oh, children, don't be afraid," Galen comforted the four young spirits. "With us here, those elemental lords won't be able to make any waves. After I find the Tidehunter and obtain his Tidecrown, I will help the four of you absorb the laws of the four elements together." Galen knew it was indeed too heavy a burden for them to serve as the elemental monarchs of Azeroth. However, Galen found it difficult to find new candidates for the time being. The Windrunner sisters could absorb the power of the wind element to achieve the demigod level, but Galen would not let them take over the authority of the elements. His future lay in the Great Dark Beyond, and his companions would not be limited to Azeroth.
On the water element side, Galen had originally considered having Therazane ascend to the Tide Throne. Her strength was certainly enough to suppress those water elemental lords. But Galen could not fill the positions of the other three elements for a while, so he might as well let the four spirits of the Wandering Isle go together. The four spirits of the Wandering Isle were innocent, peaceful, and pure. With them serving as the Elemental Kings, the entire Azeroth element would be affected from top to bottom, thereby shedding their original chaotic attributes.
Thinking of this, Galen continued: "Children, remember what I said? After you become the Elemental Kings, first win over a group and then suppress another in your kingdom. Try to divide the relationship between these elemental lords, and then you secretly win over supporters. When the lords are exhausted from fighting, destroy them in one fell swoop."
The four spirits of the Wandering Isle... no, the four young elemental kings of Azeroth's future finally escaped their low mood with Galen's help, and fell into a burst of laughter and "yearning" for the future.