Observed.
They rendezvoused with Alexstrasza, Ysera and Kalecgos, before hurrying for the one area they hadn't cleared of corrupted constructs. They all arrived at the Celestial Planetarium just in time, as a large figure made from constellations appeared as the doors opened.
"Trans-location complete. Commencing planetary analysis of Azeroth." The Observer stated, summoning a large globe before him. "Stand back, mortals. I am not here to fight you. It is in the universe's best interest re-originate this planet should my analysis find systemic corruption. Do not interfere."
"Mighty observer, please hear my words," Alexstrasza said loudly, approaching the Observer as he began scanning the globe. "We represent the Aspects and the greatest champions of the mortal races."
"I recognise the authority of the Aspects, you were charged with watching over this world," The Observer stated.
"I am aware that there is corruption in this world, but I plead with you to not re-originate this planet at this time." Alexstrasza asked.
"If there is systemic corruption, the Titan's work must be continued, the corruption must be purged." The Observer stated.
"I am aware of the Titan's edict, but this is not a feasible solution at this time," Alexstrasza stated, taking another step closer to the Observer.
"Explain!"
"The Legion comes for this world, and we are preparing a large-scale defence across the continents," Alexstrasza explained. "If you re-originate Azeroth now, you leave the world vulnerable to being destroyed by the Legion. If you truly wish to uphold the Titan's noble work, give us time to repel the Legion before determining the extent of corruption."
"What would you determine to be an appropriate amount of time for the protection of this world?" The Observer asked.
"Two years," Alexstrasza bargained. "Two full rotations of this planet around the sun."
"The agreement is made, I shall return in two planetary rotations of the sun to determine the level of systemic corruption." The Observer stated, as the globe vanished. "Good bye."
Without saying another word, the Observer vanished.
"That was unnervingly easy," Vereesa commented. "Hey sis, what did you see when Yogg-Saron sucked you into that portal. I saw the creation of the Dragon Soul, Alleria saw the assassination of King Llane, what did you see?"
"Him," Sylvanas said flatly, as they walked back to the entrance. "Brann? How's the production of new Iron soldiers coming?"
The radio silence allowed Vereesa and Alleria to jump in on Sylvanas' non-answer.
"Him who?" Alleria asked.
"Uther?" Vereesa added.
"Yes. I saw a vision of the Lich King," Sylvanas sighed. "He was giving a status report to a demon, he said he was close to opening the way for the Legion, he just required..."
"An artefact!" Alleria gasped. "Please don't say the demon gave him a skull, an Orc skull to be precise."
"It did," Sylvanas gulped. "The Lich spoke to the skull like he knew it."
"The skull of Gul'dan! We need to stop him!" Alleria exclaimed, breaking into a run.
"Gul'dan? The Orc that led the invasion?" Vereesa clarified. "I think she has the right idea in running."
They ran to catch up with Alleria, but ground to a halt by the teleporter; Alleria was standing very still, with her bow drawn.
"What's wrong?" Vereesa asked, stopping the others from getting near Alleria.
"We're not alone," Alleria said coldly. "Come out bitch! I know you're here!"
"Clever girl," a cruel voice said from the shadows.
"I saw your tricks in that vision," Alleria smirked. "I ought to thank that Old God. If hadn't shown me that vision of you killing the king, I'd have never known what to look for, and you'd have caught me unaware."
"You beat an Old God, but you will not stop the Legion," the voice laughed.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Vereesa called.
"It's Garona Halforcen, the bitch that killed King Llane," Alleria made the introductions, though Garona stayed in the shadows. "I'm guessing the Lich had co-opted her skills."
"I serve Ner'zhul!" Garona yelled, leaping from the shadows. "Die!"
The Orc leapt from the shadows, her daggers gleaming and her eyes glowing white, and Alleria managed to evade the daggers and throw Garona off her.
"Stay back! I'll handle this filth!" Alleria yelled as her sisters moved to intervene.
"Should we intervene?" Vereesa asked uncertainly.
"She seems to be handling the assassin quite well," Ysera noted. "Though the colour of her eyes unnerves me."
"Mind control," Alexstrasza hissed. "We have to do something!"
"What? They're pretty much locked in combat, if we intervene it could spell disaster!" Sylvanas said, as Alleria swung her bow at Garona's head, clearly intending to bludgeon the Orc, but Garona ducked at the last second.
"I took 'care; of your little dwarf friend, and now I'm going to take care of you," Garona laughed, her quick attacks kept Alleria from retaliating.
"There's seven of us, and one of you!" Sylvanas taunted the Orc, stepping forward.
"I'm not here for you," Garona smirked. "I'm here for her."
"If you dare harm our sister we will intervene," Vereesa said boldly.
"Not if I intervene first," a voice called, and all eyes darted up to see a raven circling overhead.
Garona snarled and quickly moved to decapitate the momentarily distracted Alleria, but the raven blasted Garona away with an arcane shockwave, the energy pinned her to the wall.
"Where the hell were you?" Vereesa yelled at the Guardian, as he transformed before them, and Garona struggled against her invisible restraints.
"Finding you some support," Medivh stated simply, dusting off his robes. "It seems I arrived just in time once again."
"What back up? You're a little late for bringing back-up for fighting Yogg Saron, we already beat it," Alleria spat, but the door behind Medivh began to freeze, with ice forming across the surface.
Before anyone could enquire, the door shattered and the fragments were immediately sucked out by an unseen wind. When the fragments and dust cleared, the Windrunners and Aspects were greeted by a familiar group of fellow heroes.
"Sorry we're late, took us a while to track you down," Jaina stated, leading the others forward.
"Aye, dragons are tricky to track in these frigid wastes, but the elements guided us here," Falstad added. "Where's the action?"
"Not here, that's for sure," Sylvanas smiled. "Yogg Saron is defeated, the vast machinery beneath this city is now producing constructs to fight the Legion, and we've now captured one of the Lich's lackeys."
"I'll never talk!" Garona yelled, her invisible restraints causing her to float in the air toward them. "I'll die before I betray Ner'zhul!"
"I can live with that," Alleria said, pressing one of Garona's blades against her throat.
"No!" Medivh interrupted, moving Garona away from Alleria. "She will not talk in her current state, give me a little time and she'll tell us what we need to know. Her mind is not her own, the magic over her is evil, but an evil I am familiar with."
"Do what you can," Sylvanas said, putting a calming hand on Alleria's shoulder. "We need to plan our next move."
"What's to plan? We kill the Lich!" Alleria snarled. "He cannot be allowed to open a portal for the Legion!"
"The Lich has an army of Nerubians, and has likely used this time to resurrect our fallen dragonkin to serve him," Alexstrasza said stepping forward. "For all we know Dragonblight is completely in the hands of the Lich's minions."
"Then we use whatever army isn't corrupted here, and take Dragonblight by force!" Alleria said with gritted teeth. "We test the Titan's army against the Nerubians, and use it to wipe out whatever strength the Lich has."
"And what about that flying fortress? Naxxramas?" Vereesa asked.
"We fly in and cut the head off the snake! We kill the Lich!" Alleria said quickly.
"I will not kill Uther!" Sylvanas stated. "The Lich yes, Uther no."
"They are one and the same now!" Alleria yelled.
"I can't believe that!" Sylvanas replied, her voice faltering slightly. "I agree with retaking Dragonblight and defeating whatever army the Lich has assembled, but I... there must be another way to defeat the Lich!"
"What?" Alleria asked, almost butting heads with her sister.
"I don't know" Sylvanas said weakly, backing away from the group and staring at the ghostly Titan statues.
"Urgh, m'head..." A voice said, and it took them a moment before they remembered Brann on the radio.
"Brann! Are you alright?" Vereesa said brightly, grabbing the radio from within her robes.
"Got a splittin' headache but I'm otherwise alright lass, what happened?" Brann said groggily.
"Orc assassin, we've caught her... I'm surprised she didn't kill you." Vereesa explained.
"It seems she is not beyond saving," Medivh smiled, his eyes turning to Garona. "Why did you spare the dwarf?"
"He wasn't my mission" Garona stated.
"That's not important, Brann can you activate the army beneath the city?" Alleria asked, grabbing the radio from Vereesa.
"Not from here lass... but why? Is the Old God dead?" Brann asked uncertainly.
"Not dead, but it has been defeated." Sylvanas clarified. "How would we go about activating the army? It's time to take the fight to the Lich."
"If I might make a suggestion, there are additional forces you could rally before assaulting the Lich's stronghold," Medivh said slyly. "Forces on this continent that will also profit from the fall of the undead and the Nerubians."
"Who?" Jaina asked.
"The Drakkari trolls to the south-east, the Vrykul to the west and south-south east, the Taunka to the south-west, and the giants across the eastern side of Northrend, all will likely aid you in defeating the undead." Medivh explained.
"The Vrykul are in civil war, and you previously mentioned that the giants were at war too," Ysera exclaimed.
"I never said persuading them would be easy, I simply said they would follow you against the undead," Medivh smiled. "It is up to you to persuade them."
With that Medivh transformed back into a raven, grabbed Garona by the shoulders and flew away.
"Well, it looks like you all arrived just in time," Sylvanas said brightly, turning to the newcomers.
"Who arrived? What's happening? What the blazes have I missed?" Brann exclaimed over the radio.
"I'll explain in a moment," Vereesa said softly.
"Right, while Brann works on activating the army beneath our feet, we'll split up and work on gaining the support of the numerous Northrend factions," Sylvanas stated, getting everyone's attention. "Ysera, you'll speak to the Taunka. Vereesa and Jaina, you'll locate the storm and ice giants and gain their favour. Alexstrasza, you will travel to the Vrykul in the south-east, you have the best chance of persuading them to turn away from the Lich. I and Alleria will locate the Vrykul to the west."
"What about the rest of us?" Falstad asked indignantly.
"Divide yourselves up among the groups, but Vol'jin, we need you to talk with the Drakkari trolls." Sylvanas replied, before turning her attention to the lone troll in the group.
"Aye, I be ye best bet for persuading m'brethren," Vol'jin smiled. "If I may be so bold, might I have a dragon to accompany me?"
"I'll go," Onyxia piped up.
"Alright then," Sylvanas smiled, as the heroes quickly divided themselves up into five groups. "We'll rendezvous at the Temple of Storms in one day. Is everyone ready?"
"Less talk, more action!" Alleria said impatiently.
"Good luck heroes," Alexstrasza said simply, before they all headed out of Ulduar.