XIII
Neltharion awoke from his visit with Baine. Slowly, his consciousness returned to his great body. He laid deep inside of a lava pool, surrounded by its bright, fiery glow and comforting, but searing heat. Neltharion raised his head slowly out of the pool, breaking the black, thin crust covering it. Lava erupted as he rose out, flakes of burning, molten rocks dripped like sticky molasses off his body. He climbed out of the pool and shook the hardening lava from his scales. Slowly lumbering towards the cascading waterfall, he waded into the river. Already, the cool water was hissing at his hot feet and steam rose up in billowing clouds around his legs. Then Neltharion leaned in and allowed the cool water of the fall splash upon his sweltering hot scales. He breathed slowly, leaning his head back and opening his great maw, inviting the cool water into his throat. Hot steam continued to rise up around his body as it cooled from the water. Then, he gave a shake to his wet beard and combed his claws through it, untangling the harden, glassy rocks that still clung to it. He leaned his back against the slick rock wall at the back of the waterfall and Neltharion slowly slid down to a sit, his hind legs sprawled out in front of him, his thick tail between them. And the water continued to cascade down about his shoulders.
Then, he pulled his forepaws up, gathering a ball of water in front of him. He separated the ball into two smaller ones. Leaning forward, Neltharion placed the two balls of water against his temples. He continued to breathe slowly as the balls of water glowed a soft blue glow, their energies soothing his thoughts.
"I have to find a way to stop this conflict," he said softly to himself. "Save my home, but also to save everyone else. I could stop the Horde now. I can just fly there now and it would be over. It really would be over. What good would that do? How would I do it? How could I do it without harming mortals? Is such a thing even possible?"
Neltharion let his paws drop, the balls of water falling about him as well. He allowed his body go limp as he listened to the water and he closed his eyes again. The Black Dragon pulled his wings around him and he began to shiver as the water went from being a comforting cooling flow to a frigid bite, causing him to shiver. Neltharion barked and swiftly splashed out of the waterfall, his body still shivering from the cold. He wrapped his wings around his body, gripping his sides tightly like spidery fingers wrapped in black leather and velvet, wrinkly drapery.
Neltharion rumbled and stared at the water, seeing the reflections of the glow of the ceiling, golden gas flicker across the surface.
"If I do go now, it would be over," he said. "But it would be over the wrong way." He sighed. "They are afraid of me. They are afraid of what I would do to them if they attempt to come here and take over Theramore." Neltharion shook his head. "Maybe Baine is right. Maybe I should just leave. Don't make myself and my dragons a target for them. Just leave, just go. Go somewhere else. But would that be right too?"
Neltharion, Baine is right, you can't save them all, said Arthas.
"Doesn't mean I shouldn't try."
Don't set yourself up for disappointment.
Neltharion lifted his head as he heard the sound of his wife's voice calling for him. He got to his feet and slowly began to lumber across the carpet of ferns and rocks towards the high ledge where he found his tiny wife standing upon. Behind Calia was Sentinel General Shandris Feathermoon and her Sentinels as well as Vereesa Windrunner. Slung to the human's back was her sniper rifle. As the dragon slowly approached, he could see the glowing silvery eyes of Shandris widen with every step. A foot fidgeted, drawing back as if she was going to run from the big behemoth that came closer. Her body shook and Neltharion could see that she was fighting to keep her calm composure. Her Sentinels were not fairing any better, each one wobbled as they tried to stay in formation and fighting the instinct to run. Vereesa however seemed very calm, as if all those times she had seen Neltharion with Rhonin desensitized her from the fear.
"Cali," said Neltharion. "What are you still doing up? It's almost midnight. You should be resting."
"I would," said Calia. "But we've still have work to get done. I drank a couple cups of coffee and I'm fine. Besides, I promised Shandris that I would take her out to the marsh so that we can set up our sniping camp. And I intend to stay out there until the Horde comes."
Neltharion rumbled: "Which won't be long."
"Hmm?"
"What––what do you mean by that, Earth-Warder?" Shandris asked.
Neltharion looked away: "I can sense they are stirring. And my ears––I can hear them talking. Garrosh plans on jumping tomorrow morning."
"Jumping," said Calia. "He's going to create another portal again."
"Yes."
"We have to warn everyone," said Vereesa.
"Nel will do it," said Calia. "We need to get out there and be ready for when they come." She turned back to her husband and paused to take note his gigantic black form was no longer there. She let loose a yelp when she felt two strong, black forelegs wrapping around her slender waist. "Nel!"
Neltharion had shrunken down, lowering his chin upon her head.
"I want to go with you," he said.
"No," said Calia. "Everyone needs you here, sweetie. Besides I'll be fine."
Neltharion wrapped his wings around her, curling his body behind her back and holding her tighter. Calia sighed and raised a hand to scratch her husband behind his earhole. The Black Dragon purred deeply, sounding like a big cat. His pointed, long, pink tongue lapped out to graze across his upper lip and he closed his eyes, delighting in the scratch.
"He's more like your pet than your husband, Agent Hastings," said Vereesa.
"Aren't all husbands like that?" Calia asked.
The High Elf grinned: "Indeed. I should try scratching Rhonin behind the ears to see if he'll do the same thing."
"Just to make sure, throw him a treat if he rolls over for you."
Shandris eyed this odd scene of this one human seemingly taming the very monster that nearly destroyed the world two years ago. Still, she fidgeted, gripping her bow tighter. Calia slipped out from Neltharion's hold and held upon one of his huge horns.
"Come on, puppy, let's go," she said.
"I get to come with you?" Neltharion asked.
"No, but you are going to Jaina and telling her what you heard," she said.
Neltharion growled defiantly and Shandris' hand slipped to her dagger, ready to draw it. Calia took notice of the Night Elf's movements and she looked back at the Earth Aspect. She raised her hand and slapped him against his cheek. Shandris gasped as she saw the very being who she had witnessed break apart the earth beneath her feet to watch towns fall into the fiery chasm, lower his head down to his paws submissively before the golden brown-haired human. The dragon let loose a pitiful whimper.
"You're scaring our guests, you monster!" said Calia.
"What?" said Neltharion. "What did I do?"
"You growled."
"I was groaning over the fact I couldn't come along."
"Well, your groans sound like animal growls."
"I––I––damn it––"
Calia sighed and turned to General Shandris.
"I'm sorry," she said. "He's a big scary brute, I know. But he's harmless."
"Harmless?" Shandris asked, her brow showing her disbelief.
Calia sighed: "Damn it. Okay, I know. Yeah. I know. I know. Forget what I said." She leaned down and took hold of Neltharion's horn, dragging him back to his feet. She brought him close to the Night Elf and Shandris stepped back cautiously. Calia jerked her husband's head closer. "Say you're sorry for scaring the general!"
"I'm sorry for scaring you, General Shandris," said Neltharion.
"That's better," said Calia as she let him go. She pushed against his neck. "Now get up there and go see Jaina. Now!"
"I'm going!" said Neltharion.
Calia gave him a good kick to his side with her foot: "Move faster!"
"You don't have to kick me."
"Move faster!"
"Alright."
Neltharion swiftly padded up through the tunnels, disappearing into the darkness. Calia grunted and shook her head. She returned to Shandris.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," she said. "I know––he was Deathwing. He told me the story about the War of the Ancients, what Deathwing did with the Dragon Soul and your people. Believe me, I understand why you're afraid of him. But please consider my words when I say that brute is not Deathwing. Deathwing was an entity controlling his body. It was created by the Old Gods and it controlled Neltharion's body and made him do what he did."
"You don't sound like you believe it, Agent Hastings," said Shandris, her brow arched up.
"I don't know what to believe," Calia said. "But I know that he's not Deathwing. I know who and what Deathwing was." She took hold of her black shirt and pulled it up, revealing the scarred skin underneath. "Deathwing did this to me. And every day that Neltharion sees these scares, he doesn't look at me with the face of satisfaction that Deathwing tormented me, he looks upon me with shame––his shame. And I have to deal with him saying he's sorry over and over again when he sees the scars. Or he starts crying over it. Because Deathwing made him watch. He made Neltharion watch while Deathwing ravaged my body upon our wedding night. And it was another thing that broke him." Calia pulled the shirt down and tucked it back into her trousers. "I'm sure that Deathwing made Neltharion watch as he fried your people too. He told me that was one of the first of the horrors Neltharion was forced to see Deathwing do with his body, and there was nothing he could do. Can you imagine what that is like? To be trapped in your body for ten thousand years and the only thing you can do is watch as this demon performs these terrible acts with your body and there is nothing you can do to stop it? And when you try to scream for help, the demon punishes you?
"Not only did Deathwing rape me," she continued. "He raped Neltharion too. And now all we got left of the Earth-Warder is that. He has half a mind because the other half was torn apart by Deathwing." She leaned closer to the taller Night Elf. "Don't ever attempt to pull a knife at my husband again over a misunderstanding of his mannerisms. He really is harmless because he lives in a world of paper. He knows what he is capable of doing which is why he can't do anything, even defend himself if you try to stab him. He knows he would hurt you if he tries to defend himself. And the mere act of defending himself would paint him in an even worse light because you would get hurt. So, he won't even attempt to harm you, he won't defend himself. He will just let you break your knife on his chest and then saunter away because you did it. That is why he is harmless despite those powers."
"Even I can attest to the difference between Deathwing and Neltharion," said Vereesa. "Neltharion is big kid. Rhonin of course knows the different as well. More than both of us. He was tricked by Deathwing once. You'd think he'd never be tricked by Deathwing again? Then he met Neltharion, and I'm sorry to say, Calia, but that dragon isn't smart enough to trick a murloc."
"I know," said Calia. "It's easier to fool him. When Deathwing left his mind, Neltharion lost all of the famous charisma and deceptive nature that black dragons are known for. Which is why he's a bit thick-headed at times. See his attempts at trying to convince me to let him tag along? You think Deathwing would do that? Come on, follow me, I know a short cut in the tunnels that will lead us out into the marsh."
§§§
Neltharion waddled out of the tunnel, allowing it to close behind him. His eyes spied Jaina talking with Rhonin and a few of the Alliance generals who were looking over maps of Theramore on a table in the park. They pointed around to some of the far walls of the city, making plans for their fortification. The dragon slowly and lightly walked to them, only to pause and sit upon his haunches like a huge cat. He curled his tail around his hind legs, waiting for them to finish. He paused to see Ruthian walking along with some planks on his shoulders and a hammer and a bag of nails. Neltharion hissed at him, calling his attention, and wiggling his finger for the young dragon to come to him.
"Yes, my lord?" Ruthian began. "You need something?"
"What are you doing?" Neltharion asked.
"That admiral human––one with the scruffy beard––he told me to go hammer some planks on one of the gates to help fortify them," he said.
"The gates are controlled by Earth Shaman magic," said Neltharion.
"That's what I said," Ruthian said as he dropped the planks and the hammer and wood. "But he didn't want to listen to me. He thought I was some rookie guard he could push around. I wanted to show him otherwise but––"
"Smart move that you didn't," said Neltharion. "The Alliance still doesn't quite like us. I got a whiff of that just earlier." He wrapped his foreleg over the young dragon's shoulder. "Listen, go find Calia and keep an eye on her, will you? She's off with the Night Elves. But don't approach her. Just watch her from a distance. Make sure she's safe."
"Yes, my lord," said Ruthian. "Of course."
He lifted Neltharion's paw from his shoulder and then bowed. Turning towards the gates, Ruthian start off into the marsh. The Earth-Warder sighed and picked up the hammer.
"Hammer," he said. "I have a hammer. Yup. A hammer."
"Hey, Gramps!" called another voice as Serinar landed upon Neltharion's back, straddling his neck with his legs. Serinar began to knock upon his Aspect's head with his knuckles, causing Neltharion to growl in frustration.
"What the hell are you doing?" Neltharion asked.
"Still making sure your head isn't hallow, I've heard stories," said Serinar. "So, what are we planning on today?"
"It's not even day yet," said Neltharion. "The sun's not out."
"Well, with all these bright sodium lamps everywhere, it might as well be daytime."
Neltharion looked up at his former keeper of the Black Dragonshrine and sneered.
"Don't you have something to do?" he asked.
"Nope," replied Serinar. "I figured I'd annoy you a little more, Grandpa. I hope you don't mind. Why are you holding a hammer?"
"Because I want to beat your head in with it."
Serinar laughed, leaning in to wrap his arms around Neltharion's huge neck.
"What a dysfunctional family we have!" he said cheerfully. "No wonder Onyxia and Nefarian were so messed up."
"Get off my back," said Neltharion. He tilted his body, unfurling a wing. Serinar came rolling off the Great Black's back, slamming right into the dirt.
"Hey, watch it, these pants wrinkle easily," said Serinar as he lifted himself off, dusting away the dirt streaks.
"I need you to do me a favor," said Neltharion.
"Sure," said Serinar.
"Go to Alcaz Island and secure the tunnel entrances there," said Neltharion. "Just in case Garrosh decides to land there."
"Does Garrosh even know of our tunnels?" Serinar asked.
"I have reason to believe that he doesn't," said Neltharion. "But––I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. I don't know what's going to happen. So, just to be on the safe side, could you move the eggs there?"
"Sure thing, Gramps, I can move the eggs there," said Serinar. "I mean––they are our future. If it goes bad, and even then––these Alliance guys––"
"That's what I'm thinking too," Neltharion said. "Varian doesn't like me. Garrosh doesn't like me. This is our only home. But at least we have a back up just in case."
Serinar straightened his back and clicked his heels and saluted: "You got it!"
Then, he marched right off, kicking the ground with his foot and causing a tunnel entrance to slide open. Then, Serinar walked down into the darkness, whistling to himself. Neltharion sighed, looking up at the midnight blue sky. He saw wisps of clouds floating over in heavy streaks, cutting through the stars. A cold front was coming in, bringing the fog with it. He rose up and spread his wings wide, shaking his scales and the elementium plates. He gave his wings a good flap, scattering the dust around him and then swiftly snapping them to his sides. Rhonin and Jaina caught the sounds of his wings flapping and as they were concluding their conversation with the Alliance general, they started walking over. Jaina reached up to graze her hands upon the dragon's black, spiky scales.
"I saw you coming out, Neltharion," she said. "Where's Calia?"
"Giving the Night Elves a tour of the swamp," said the Aspect. "Not much to look at." He raised a paw to his cheek and feigned an expression of shock. "Oh Titans, an ant hill! Ooooo."
Jaina laughed, patting him against his neck.
"You seem worried," said Jaina.
"I'm always worried about Calia," said Neltharion. "She told me not to come."
"Only because you're so loud," said Rhonin.
"Or that I annoy her," said Neltharion. "Which I do a lot. I think she's starting to like it though. Anyways, um, do not ask me how I know, I won't bother telling you, but the Horde might be here by the afternoon. They plan on making an early morning jump."
"Wonderful," said Jaina. "We haven't gotten this whole place fortified yet and all the civilians haven't started for Fort Triumph."
"All my dragons are doing their best to load up the supplies so they can make their way through the tunnels under the marsh," said Neltharion. "Even with the Horde marching through, they won't see them leaving. The only entrance I know the Horde is aware of is through Onyxia's Lair, and I've got that one blocked."
"Good," said Jaina. She took in a deep breath and started rubbing her hands.
"What's wrong?" Neltharion asked.
"I'm a little nervous," she replied. "It's been a while since I've seen a battle."
"It's been ten thousand years for me," said Neltharion. "Disregarding what Deathwing did. Tell me, Rhonin, are we supposed to shoot the enemy or negotiate with it? I can't seem to remember which."
"Depends on the situation," said Rhonin.
"Ah, right," said Neltharion. "That."
"Well, I better go find where Kinndy went," said Jaina. "She's probably still showing the mages from Dalaran how she can badly bake cookies instead of helping with fortifications."
Neltharion and Rhonin both chuckled and watched her scurry off, zig-zagging around soldiers, her golden hair flapping in the wind.
"Silver comes after the red," said Neltharion. "Despite that it means you'll be gone, who has silver hair?"
"Hmmm?"
"The one who's supposed to replace you, who else has silver hair?"
"Krasus was talking about Jaina," said Rhonin.
"Jaina doesn't have silver hair," said Neltharion. "She's blonde."
"I know," said Rhonin.
"Maybe it didn't mean you'll die, maybe Krasus was just joking that sooner or later your job's gonna turn you gray."
Rhonin coughed a laugh, bending over. Neltharion raised a claw, combing it through his beard.
"You are getting a little salt and cinnamon around the temples," he said.
"Maybe," said Rhonin as he smoothed back his own hair. "I have to ask, do Aspects get gray hair? I don't seem to recall Krasus telling me about that."
"Well, only because Alex doesn't have hair in her dragon form," said Neltharion. "But being a rather hairy Aspect, I can attest that––yes, I'm getting some gray in my beard." He pulled on a loose lock and Rhonin could see a flash of a couple strands the color of silver inter-mixed with the sea of jet. "We are both becoming old, crotchety men."
"Someone put us in a home," said Rhonin.
"When I visited Stormwind, and a bunch of 'kids' were vandalizing the stoop, I yelled at them: 'You damned kids, get off my lawn!'," said Neltharion.
Rhonin laughed, throwing back his head.
"And of course I've got grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great grandkids," the dragon continued. "So many I can't even count."
"I'm not a grandpa yet," said Rhonin. "But maybe I will be." He turned back to the Black Dragon. "Why were kids vandalizing your door?"
Neltharion sighed, his head bowed: "They weren't kids, they were dwarves. When I went to Stormwind because Calia had to report back to headquarters––well she told me I shouldn't come. But I did. I knew I shouldn't. I knew I had other business, I had to go with the Earthen-Ring, but I refused that week. I just wanted to be with my wife. Then she announced she was going to Stormwind and told me I should just go off with the Earthen Ring. I refused again. And I went to Stormwind. Was not the least bit welcomed. Then the dwarves started throwing rocks through the windows, garbage onto the doorstep. They tried to set the living room on fire. It just kept going on and on, and it didn't stop until I left. When she came back, we left, hardly any word, we just left. And I still heard them calling after me."
"Ironforge," said Rhonin. "It was because of Ironforge."
Neltharion's head lowered: "It was an accident, Rhonin. It was a damned accident. And I was stupid and careless." He shook his head. "I didn't mean to. I honestly didn't. But I'm a giant walking death machine. And I know it, and I was still careless." He looked up at Rhonin. "I was trying to save Calia. And it was more than just wanting to save her because I love her, because she's my wife, she had the Dragon Soul and she was succumbing to it. And I know what that's like. I knew time was something I didn't have. I knew the longer she held onto it, the more she'll fall to it's curse. I was trying to save her and stop another soul from being ripped apart by that device, by the Old Gods, and Ironforge was just in the way."
Rhonin pressed his lips together as he placed his hand upon Neltharion's neck, giving it a rub. Neltharion took in a deep breath and leaned back upon his haunches, taking hold of the archmage's upper arm.
"I want you to know how grateful I am that you destroyed that horrible disk," he said. "Thank you, Rhonin."
"You tell me that every time you see me," said Rhonin.
"I mean every word," said Neltharion. "I don't know what I was thinking when I created it. I thought I would create a device that could help in protecting this world from the demons and it turned into something ugly. Nozdormu made a terrible mistake by bringing that thing here when he did. I didn't even want to touch it when Thrall handed it to me."
"But without it, you wouldn't have been able to destroy Ultraxion," said Rhonin.
"It wasn't the Soul that destroyed him," said Neltharion. "It only weakened him. I manipulated the water in his blood to cause his heart to burst. It's just that time, I didn't have the strength to take him on without it."
Neltharion yawned and stretched, setting down upon his stomach and curled his tail, letting it pat against the ground. He looked on, watching the chaos of the entire hold trying to prepare for the invasion. No one wanted to sleep tonight, there was too much to do. Neltharion could see the fatigue on their faces, the black circles under their eyes even in the dark.
However, when they would look upon, him, many of them paused and he could see the look of disdain upon their brows. Neltharion could always tell which one was an Alliance soldier brought over by Varian, and which one who was a native of Theramore.
"What's wrong?" Rhonin asked.
"It sounds silly, it sounds, but I am trying to figure out a way to maybe stop this war," said Neltharion. "I've sensed the hearts of those who march towards us. They are afraid." He took in a breath and swallowed. "They are afraid of me. They know what awaits them when they come here and Garrosh is cracking the whip on their backs, driving them to a place they don't want to be."
"Now, I have to ask, why is Garrosh heading here with his Horde when he knows you are here?" Rhonin asked. "I know you might think I'm putting too much faith in what you can do, but I have a feeling that even without our help––with just you here, it wouldn't matter how many Horde warriors Garrosh sends. You would just wipe them out."
"This place is a stronghold that is affiliated with the Alliance," said Neltharion. "It is a military target. It has opened Kalimdor for Stormwind to come and invade. It flanks the Horde settlements with the Night Elves to the north of Durotar, Garrosh knows he is surrounded."
"But why attack now while you're here?" Rhonin asked. "If he wanted to take Theramore so badly, shouldn't Garrosh attack when you're not here to help defend it? It really does seem like poor strategy to go after a city while one of the most powerful beings on Azeroth is present to defend it."
"I don't know what Garrosh plans to do," said Neltharion. He shrugged, his wings spread just slightly as his shoulders twitched. "For a while, he was keeping me blinded to his actions with his shaman. Now, he seems not to care if I'm here or not."
Rhonin crossed his arms, scratching his goatee with a thumb.
"This––might end up worse than we think," he said. "I almost wish to say that Garrosh is planning to fail. Or he's completely out of his mind. But if he knows you're here and you are the least of his worries, that may be a sign of something dreadful."
Neltharion huffed and Rhonin touched his shoulder again.
"What I'm saying is be careful. You don't know what he may pull."
Neltharion looked upon Rhonin, a soft smile curling up his scaly lips. His emerald eyes twinkled in the sodium white lights. The dragon rose up and then threw his forelegs around the human mage, drawing him close. Rhonin laughed again, softly as he wrapped his own arms around the Aspect's flanks. He felt the dragon nuzzle him with his cheek, letting loose a deep purr.
"If only Krasus saw us now," Rhonin said, still chuckling softly. "He'd be embarrassed."
Then, Neltharion let the mage go as he settled back upon his paws. Rhonin's robes were ruffled, his hair standing up from the dragon's nuzzling snout. He smoothed his hair out, and cleared his throat.
"I don't seem to recall Krasus ever doing that to me either," he said.
"Maybe during the time of hiding himself from his own kind let alone the rest of the world, he forgot how physical dragons can be when they show affection," said Neltharion.
"Just like a big cat," said Rhonin. He looked down to see the Black Aspect grooming his foreleg with his tongue. "And you lick yourself like one too."
"What?" Neltharion asked. "No, I just got this scale that's been irritating me."
Rhonin crossed his arms and chuckled again.
"Keep denying it, pussy cat," he said.
"Well, how about I just knock you to the ground and start licking your face like a dog?" Neltharion asked.
"No thank you, I don't want to smell like brimstone today."
The morning fog rolled in and the sun slowly began to peep out from the northeastern sky. The musky smell, sharp stench from the swamp started filling the front courtyard. Neltharion spied the platinum-haired Blood Elf mage make his way to the front gate. The dragon poked at Rhonin with a talon.
"Thalen," he said. "He's heading for the gate."
They watched as the Blood Elf knelt down, chanting silently and wiggling his fingers, the familiar pink-purple glow of arcane magic filling his hands. Rhonin and Neltharion looked to one another and both nodded in unison. The Aspect and the archmage started for the Blood Elf, weaving their way through Alliance soldiers who continued to gather ammunition crates. Rhonin and Neltharion stopped just a few paces from Thalen Songweaver and the Black Dragon leaned back upon his haunches, to raise his forepaws up and crossed them in front of his chest. The two cleared their throats, and Thalen paused in his work to address them.
"Archmage," he said. "Um––Earth-Warder. I was just securing the gate."
"Really?" Neltharion asked.
"Yes," said the Blood Elf. His lip twitched as his glowing green orbs gazed into the dragon's. "The Horde is coming, is it not?"
"It is," said Rhonin. "I hope you won't mind if I just check on your progress. I want to make sure all is in order."
"Yes, sir," said Thalen as he backed away. "Of course."
The tall Blood Elf began to step back as the archmage placed his hands upon the stone door. Neltharion looked to Rhonin, and then back to Thalen who continued to step back, shuffling his feet, his eyes never leaving the archmage. Then, the Blood Elf turned and darted forth. Neltharion exhaled and lifted his paw up, the fingers curled as if he was grabbing the air itself. Suddenly, Thalen froze in mid sprint. There was this strange sensation feeling its way through his veins, as if thousands of slippery fingers were gripping them. He saw his veins in his arms bulge out, he heard the sound of his bones creek as the thousands of fingers held him still.
"Where do you think you're going?" Neltharion asked. "I've been reading your heart ever since Rhonin brought you here, Blood Elf. I didn't like what I saw."
"What––what are you doing to me?" Thalen asked.
Rhonin's hands left the door and he came to Neltharion's side.
"The body is made of water," said the archmage. "One of the Earth-Warder's special talents is controlling that water. He is reaching inside your body and into every fluid that flows through it––through your veins, through your muscles, and he commanding it like you were a marionette."
"I can do a lot more than that," said Neltharion as he commanded the Blood Elf's body to lift up off the ground, suspending it still frozen in the air. He raised another paw and pulled, making Thalen's body turn around to face him. Thalen noted how the Earth-Warder's paws were positioned, dangling down like crooked, gnarled tree limbs holding onto the strings of a puppet.
"I thought Deathwing's powers were over earth and fire," said Thalen.
"Deathwing yes," said Neltharion. "But I'm not Deathwing. When Deathwing controlled my body, he could not completely control all the gifts granted to me by my father. He lacked the spiritual connection to understand them. He didn't believe in it. So, such abilities were lost to him. This particular ability he required the Demon Soul to perform. He used it as a crutch to fill in the gaps while I kept locked the talents he couldn't use. This was one of those tricks. I don't need the Demon Soul to do what I'm doing to you, mortal. I hope you're not too uncomfortable."
"No," said Thalen.
"It doesn't hurt?"
"Not really, but it feels a bit––unnerving."
"Well, I'm sorry for that," said Neltharion. "But I had to stop you from running." The dragon lifted his paws and Thalen floated to him. The Black Aspect came close to the Blood Elf, lowering him down to the ground. Though, he kept his mystical grip upon the elf as he could see some of his veins begin to pop out through the skin around his temples. "Rhonin, what was he doing to the door?"
"He was trying to dispel the wards you placed on them," said Rhonin. "I know I placed a few wards myself, but he managed to get through those. Yours––"
"Of course he's not going to get through the spells I've cast upon them," said Neltharion. "Little Blood Elf mage against the magic of a Dragon Aspect. It's like using a flimsy stick to chip away at a diamond."
"Why, Thalen?" Rhonin asked. "I brought you along under the trust of Aethus Sunreaver. Why would you betray that trust?"
"Theramore needs to fall," said Thalen. "It's an Alliance stronghold, it's a military target, it has to fall! But the problem right now is you, Earth-Warder. If you would just leave Theramore, let Garrosh Hellscream have it––"
"Baine told me the same thing," said Neltharion. "Everyone has been telling me to leave Theramore Isle. Why?"
"You're not supposed to be here," said Thalen. "Please, just leave! Take your dragons, and leave. The Horde has no quarrel with you, just go."
"Theramore is my home," said Neltharion. "It's the only home I have left!"
"Only home?" Thalen asked. "You're the Earth-Warder. What the scholars are now saying about you, who you were supposed to represent before you became Deathwing––Azeroth itself is your home. You can make anywhere on this planet your home. Why say that Theramore is the only one you have?"
"You don't understand, do you?" Neltharion asked. "Because of Deathwing's actions––because what he made my body do––there is no safe place for me or my dragons. But here, I could at least have some peace. Here, if I make a mistake, I am not looked upon so harshly. They at least tolerate me. Everywhere else, I am shunned. And yes, I do deserve it. I'm just sick of it. And I just want a home for my family so I can rebuild my flight peacefully and allow them to become what they were supposed to become––all earth warders. I can't do that with mortals hunting them down and killing them! Look at what the Horde is doing to my children even now, your Dragonmaw Clan––they use the hides of my dead as roofing, their heads decorate the palisades and they ride my drakes like wyverns. And I already know what Zaela has in her possession! I intend to take it back from her before she does anymore damage." He snorted out a cloud of black ash from his nostrils. "But even then, I try to let bygones be bygones. I listen to Thrall––your former Warchief––to do things peacefully, and hopefully things will work itself out. I have to live with the consequences of Deathwing's actions. I have to receive the punishments that he so rightfully deserves. And I have to keep my mouth shut about it and take my medicine like a good boy. So, I ask you now, Sunreaver, why doesn't your Horde just turn around and go back home and leave Theramore alone?"
"Because if Jaina Proudmoore would just be what she promised she would be, this never would have happened," said Thalen. "The Horde now marching on this place you have now called your home, Earth-Warder, blame Lady Proudmoore for it. That is why I ask you to leave now. Maybe, if you just do as you are told––some of us who are willing to talk with you might let you continue to live peacefully in the marsh, if that's what you want. We don't care about the marsh, we just want Theramore."
Neltharion scoffed at the proposition, wagging his head.
"My wife would never hear the end of it," he said. "Trust me, I'm fighting for a bit more than just my home––I'm fighting for my wife's home as well." He closed his claw and Thalen could feel a pressure build around his throat, his breath becoming short as if someone was starting to choke him. Neltharion continued. "I want to make this very easy. I know the Horde troops are all afraid of me. This doesn't have to end as badly as you might think it will if we can just sit down and talk about it. I am willing to take Thrall's wisdom once more and work for a peaceful means between the Horde and Theramore. But I can't do that if you all are insisting upon razing it to the ground. I am going to fight for Theramore, and I intend on never leaving until I send your Horde back to Orgrimmar. I much rather send it back to Orgrimmar with all its soldiers going home to their families, instead of limping back with maybe one or two of them alive. Can we at least come to some sort of accord in this?"
Thalen's eyes narrowed as he looked upon the Black Dragon, taken back by what he said. That which he saw in the Earth-Warder's eyes only dropped a pit in his stomach and it churned as the feeling of guilt grew out.
"What are you?" he asked.
"He's the Earth-Warder," said Rhonin.
"I don't want to harm anyone," said Neltharion. "I don't want to shed any blood."
"I'm sorry," said Thalen, shaking his head. "I really am sorry." He looked deeply into the dragon's eyes. There was no malice inside them, no hatred, just confusion. "I had no idea! All I've ever heard from Garrosh and his Kor'kron were horrible stories of you. I had no idea! Please, please, just leave Theramore."
"Why are you so insistent that I leave?"
"You truly aren't Deathwing," said Thalen. "Oh, this will be a mistake. Garrosh has made a horrible mistake in doing this."
"Mistake?" Neltharion asked. "What mistake?"
"Please, don't take it too hard," said Thalen, his voice seething with remorse for what he had done. "Earth-Warder, don't blame all of us for Garrosh's madness. Please. Just don't blame all of us."
"What is it?" Rhonin asked as Neltharion's grip upon the Blood Elf loosened.
"Is it about the Focusing Iris?" Neltharion asked. "I know that Garrosh has it!"
"I hope in the end, you will forgive my people and their ignorance," said Thalen, his eyes were moist. "I am so sorry, Earth-Warder. I truly am. Don't take it too hard out on Silvermoon. It's already been punished enough by people like Arthas."
Then, Neltharion heard something click inside of the Blood Elf's mouth.
"What do you have in your mouth?" he asked.
The Blood Elf did not reply, but only swallowed. His body began to convulse and a foamy spittle formed around the corner of his mouth. His eyes rolled back into their sockets as their green glow faded, revealing dead, chestnut-colored irises. Neltharion's eyes widened as he slowly lowered the limp body to the ground. He leaned over, reaching out to touch the throat of the elf, feeling for a pulse. Then, with horror in his eyes, he glanced back to Rhonin.
"I didn't do anything," the dragon said, breathing heavily. "I didn't do it. I didn't––"
"I know, I know," said Rhonin. He reached out to touch the body. "Cyanid capsule. He took his own life."
"The Focusing Iris," said Neltharion. He raised up and slammed his paw into the ground, digging his talons into the dirt and sparse grass. He closed his eyes. "Damn it! It's heading here. Rhonin, what could Garrosh make with the Focusing Iris?"
The archmage leaned up, swallowing dryly.
"There could be a number of things," he replied. "But one that would do an enormous amount of damage would be––a mana bomb." He raised his hands to his head, gripping his red hair, leaning back with a groan. "Kael'thas Sunstrider built one. The methods were stored in Dalaran, but only the high ranking mages had access to it."
"Basically anyone with a name in this world," said Neltharion.
"Yes," Rhonin. "Aegus Sunreaver." He dropped his hands heavily. "Neltharion, I believe we have been truly betrayed."
Neltharion wagged his head: "I would think Garrosh would use such a weapon on target more––impactful. Stormwind, Darnassus, something like that. Some place with a big population! Why Theramore?" He turned to Rhonin. "Unless Theramore has something big––powerful––valuable in it. The 7th Legion, all of the Alliance's best of the best––and two Dragon Aspects." His head lowered. "We've all made Theramore the perfect target."
Rhonin's own heart fell and he sat, leaning his back against the Earth-Warder's flank.
"Krasus, Neltharion and I aren't doing a good job right now," he began. "Could you just come down here and fix this?"
Neltharion looked up as Jaina and several of the other Dalaran mages came running for them. Jaina paused to see the dead Thalen Songweaver lying on the ground. Then, she looked up at Neltharion.
"What happened?"
"He––committed suicide," the dragon replied.
"You killed him!" one of the human mages said, pointing an accusing finger right at the dragon.
"I did not!" Neltharion said in a shocked bellow.
"He didn't," said Rhonin. "I saw it with my own eyes. Thalen was sabotaging the gates to let the Horde in and Neltharion stopped him before he could escape. Then, the elf took his own life. Jaina, Garrosh has built a mana bomb and it's heading right for Theramore."
"What?" Jaina asked. "Why?"
"Because you asked King Varian to bring Stormwind's finest to Theramore," said Neltharion. "And because I'm here as well."
"And I brought the finest of the finest Alliance mages of Dalaran here as well," said Rhonin. "And I'm here. We've walled ourselves in so tight, we've created our own tomb."
Jaina looked to Neltharion: "Please, Nel, tell me there's something you can do to stop this!"
"This is arcane magic," said Neltharion. "I've got no control over that. I can hear arcane energies as it flows through the rock, I can't manipulate them. The only one who might be of some help is the Aspect of Magic."
"Kalec," said Jaina. "He help. But he's out looking for the Iris."
"Well, he won't need to look far, right?" Neltharion asked. "If he comes back here, it'll be coming to him. No, there's not much little Kalec can do either. The one who really knows the inner workings of the Focusing Iris is he who made it––Malygos."
"Malygos is dead," said another mage.
"He's right about that," said Rhonin. "He died in the Nexus War."
"O ye of little faith," Neltharion chuckled half-heartily. He leaned back, placing a paw upon his chest. "I am the most powerful shaman on this planet. I was the first shaman! And all shaman have a spiritual connection."
"Yes," said Jaina. She looked to her fellow mages. "Neltharion has communicated with the former Magic Aspect's spirit since his awakening from Deathwing's grasp."
"And Malygos has been instructing a little with Kalecgos," said Neltharion. "Teaching him how to be an Aspect. Malygos is with him right now. When Kalec returns, so will Malygos."
Jaina took in a sigh of relief. Neltharion twitched as he felt a terrible tremor vibrate through the rock. His paws gripped the ground again, feeling it echo as the sun itself began to cast its golden glow upon the waves. Jaina moved around to sit beside him, placing her hand upon his wing.
"What's wrong?"
"That vibration I felt when they first used the mass portal spell," said the Aspect. "I feel it again. And it is very close." He felt the air itself being sucked out as the wind blew across the trees. Then, a distant, thunderous boom echoed beyond the swamp and Neltharion jerked up, peering over the tree line. "The Horde has come to Dustwallow Marsh."
He turned as he heard the sound of great wings beating through the air. Over the trees came a great azure-scaled dragon circling over the city. The wind blew around as he pumped his wings. The dragon banked and dove towards them, vanishing in a ball of smoke and sparks. A blue-haired half elf jumped from where the dragon was, landing upon his booted feet. He held his chest.
"The Horde!" he said. "I saw them!"
"Kalec!" Jaina rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Hello," said the Spell-Weaver, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Jaina––"
"Jaina and Kalec sittin' in a tree," whispered Neltharion. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"Stop it!" Kalecgos called.
Neltharion lifted his head up as he saw a stream of blue and purple energy flow over his head. The energy took form, becoming a very large, ghostly blue dragon with a bristly white beard and glowing blue markings on his scales. The mages looked on, their eyes nearly popping out of their skulls.
"Malygos!" the gnome mage called.
We both saw the Horde coming in. It's just as I suspected, that fool Garrosh is drawing in too much arcane energy to build those huge portals for his troops to come stomping through. They may not be of the same strength as the portals Ner'zhul tried to create that tore apart Draenor, but they are just as nasty. And he is focusing all that energy in one spot. When the portal closed, nothing more than a huge crater was left behind. And many of your own dragonspawn died in the blast.
"Well, neutrality be damned," said Neltharion. "I feel like having orc for dinner."
"Kalec," said Jaina. "Garrosh may have built a mana bomb from the Focusing Iris."
"He what?" Kalecgos asked as he caught his breath.
Oh, Garrosh shall be haunted! said Malygos. Till the end of his days!
"It's heading for Theramore," said Neltharion. He slammed his paw against the Blue Aspect's back, causing him to stumble forward from the force. "Looks like you won't have to search anymore. The Iris is coming to you."
"Damn it," said Kalecgos, blinking as he still tried to process the news. "So, um, what now?"
Neltharion looked at Malygos: "Any ideas? You built the thing, brother."
Yes, I am quite aware, said Malygos. The Iris likes to be drawn to magical energies. That's why I built it. It pretty much follows leylines. If you create an arcane burst large enough, it will follow it.
"And it'll guide the bomb to that location?" Rhonin asked.
Yes, exactly, said Malygos. But you will need to conjure a burst large enough. I'm sure my successor can do that.
"No," said Rhonin. "I will. I might be able to draw it away from the city, maybe minimizing the damage once it detonates."
"And I can perhaps keep their zeppelin busy as well," said Kalecgos. "I'll circle around it when it comes for Theramore, throw off their aim so the bomb will only be guided by the burst."
"Rhonin," said Neltharion. "But if you're there to create the––won't you––"
Rhonin placed his hand upon the dragon's neck, scratching behind his ear.
"Krasus' last words maybe they weren't a warning after all," he said.
"No, I can't––"
"We all need to do our part, Neltharion."
Kalecgos cleared his throat: "Look, I'm sorry about breaking up this––um––whatever it is about Krasus you two seem to have––but Garrosh is actually at the front of the Horde soldiers."
"Garrosh is here?" said Jaina.
Neltharion looked to the Blue Aspect: "Garrosh is here?"
"Yeah, he is."
Then, he looked down upon Thalen's form still lying there, his eyes focusing with intent.
"I have an idea," he said. "Maybe I can stop this all from happening."
"How?" Jaina asked.
"I'm gonna take Garrosh prisoner," the Earth-Warder replied with a devious smile. "This all can end without any bloodshed so long as the one who's behind it all is captured. They all have no love for Garrosh. They're just following him because he's Warchief. I capture him and make him a prisoner for the Alliance, we can stop this. Maybe they'll choose another Warchief that isn't so––Old Horde––invade Azeroth-like."
"If you can do that," began Jaina. "I'll sing your praises to Varian! He won't believe his ears. Neltharion, formally known as Deathwing the Destroyer, stopped a war––stopped a bloodshed––all in the name of peace by capturing Warchief Garrosh Hellscream for Theramore. He'll have to forgive you for something after that. Maybe we can convince him to forgive you over Onyxia's involvement."
"One miracle at a time," said Neltharion. He chuckled as Jaina threw her arms around his neck and gave him a firm kiss on his cheek. "Alright, I'll try my best."
Are you sure you can do this, little brother? Malygos asked.
"I've got a possible pardon for my now deceased daughter, and maybe some future pardons for any sort of grievances my flight's done to the Alliance riding on this one," said Neltharion. "I can't afford to make a mistake now. If Garrosh is sitting on the radio to that zeppelin with the mana bomb, his capture would mean I stop it from coming here too. And I can get the Focusing Iris back for you, Kalec."
"I hope so," said Kalecgos.
"Look," Neltharion began. "I've heard it from everyone, the Horde is dead scared of me, the whole world is dead scared of me. I might be able to use that to an advantage. I'll give them a good scare, and then they'll have to give me Garrosh. And I can capture him without any bloodshed at all. No one else has to die for this war."
"Psychological warfare," said Rhonin. "Good tactic."
"Good luck, Neltharion," said Jaina.
"For Krasus," said Neltharion to Rhonin, holding out his paw to the mage.
"For Krasus," said Rhonin as he took it with a hearty shake.
Neltharion nodded and placed his paw upon the stone gate. Upon his command, it lowered itself down, giving him a wide opening for an exit. He started his walk out of Theramore and over the bridge to the mirky marsh, hearing the sound of the gate rising back up behind him. As he finally leapt off the bridge, the Earth-Warder grew to his true, massive size, and took to the air He streaked over the marsh. Ahead was billowing black smoke, signs that the Horde was already starting to burn through the marsh itself. Then, his thoughts came to Calia. She was in the marsh with the Night Elves. Ruthian was not too far behind her.
The Black Aspect looked behind him, seeing the Horde ships begin their advance as well and Alliance ships chugged their way out to sea to meet them.
The Battle for Theramore was just beginning.