Chronicle of the Ruby Aspect.
Part I: St Elmo's Fire.
It was a day's hard flying before the snowy mountain of Ironforge appeared on the horizon, glistening against the evening sky.
"Orders master?" Onyxia asked as they quickly drew closer.
"Circle around, approach the main entrance from the west" Uther yelled.
Onyxia banked and they flew over the Wetlands, circling south over Menethil Harbour before heading south east toward the entrance.
"Land outside!" he yelled as the entrance came into view over Onyxia's left wing, and he saw several guards rushing out to meet them.
Onyxia landed at the gates and transformed as Uther and Sylvanas jumped off, the trio then walked toward the guards blocking the entrance.
"State your business?" The guard said in a gruff tone as they approached.
"I am Lord Uther of the Wyrmrest Accord, and former knight of Lordaeron. I am here to see King Magni." Uther said, his new faction loyalties caused the surrounding guards to murmur.
"Follow us, 'Lord'" the guard said before turning and leading them into the city.
They were lead straight to Magni's throne room, and were held back whilst the guard went to speak to the king.
"Your majesty, we arrested two people and a black dragon at the city gates, the leader claims to be a 'Lord Uther of the Wyrmrest Accord'." Uther heard the guard tell Magni, who currently had his back to them.
Magni waved his hand and the guard signalled for them to approach.
"Lord Uther' huh" Magni said, his eyes fixed on what appeared to be a map of Khaz Modan. "I don't know any Uther of the Wyrmrest Accord, but I once knew an Uther of the Alliance."
"They are one and the same Magni" Uther chuckled; Magni spun around and sprinted the short distance to Uther, and embraced him in a tight hug. "It is good to see you again old friend" Uther smiled as he hugged the king back.
"You haven't aged since last we met Uther, what's your secret?" Magni chuckled as he walked them over to his throne, whereupon he sat down.
"An unnatural curse, yours?" Uther chuckled.
"Lucky, guess I'm in a similar situation, damn curse of flesh." Magni laughed loudly, hearing it echo in the vast throne room. "So, what brings you back from the throne of the dragons?"
"War" Uther said simply. "The five aspects are all stirring, three are facing unknown evils, and the other two are rising to seek revenge on the mortal world." Magni furrowed his brow with concern as Uther spoke. "We are here because the dragon queen believes Grim Batol to be the source of the problem plaguing her Ruby kin."
"Your queen is right" Falstad said as he walked into the throne room, instantly hearing their conversation with his honed senses. "Grim Batol stirs with a great evil, and we've sighted carriages with red dragon eggs being delivered into the mountain's maw." Falstad walked to Magni's side and sat down on the neighbouring throne on the king's left.
"And what happened to the Ruby kin that were guarding the cursed halls?" Sylvanas asked, slightly nervous.
"Dead, their bones litter the path up to the city, and their heads are impaled outside the gates as a warning" Falstad said grimly.
"We need to get in, rescue the eggs, and kill everything that lurks within." Uther started.
"And destroy the city" Falstad interrupted. "It's best to cave it in, than let another foul presence call it home. We made the mistake of not destroying it once, and the Dragon Queen paid the price, we will not make that mistake again."
"I agree!" Another voice said, walking up and sitting on the throne to Magni's right. "I am Malyfous Darkhammer, leader of the remaining Dark Iron dwarves. My thanks for ridding the blight to our once proud name Lord Uther."
"I had no choice" Uther said, fighting back multiple emotions.
"We understand; the dwarves are once again united within Ironforge again, thanks largely to your efforts" Magni said proudly. "But let us not drift from the crisis, what ails the other two neutral dragonflights?"
"We don't know." Sylvanas replied. "We were instructed to aid the Ruby first, that's why we're here."
"I may be of some assistance in this matter" a deep voice said from behind Uther, he turned and saw a tall purple skinned night elf, in druidic robes striding toward them. "Fandral Staghelm, at your service" the elf bowed before joining them at the foot of the three thrones.
"You know what ails the Emerald and Bronze Dragonflights?" Onyxia asked, slightly confused by his entrance.
"That is why I was sent by Lady Tyrande, we are trying to help the Emerald aspect with a growing threat." Fandral said, seemingly cheerful at the dire news. "The Emerald Dream has been tainted, and now the Emerald Nightmare plagues the once peaceful Emerald dragonkin. As for the Bronze, I cannot help you there; we do not do much business with them, as they tend to keep to themselves in the Caverns of Time."
"Can we please focus on the Ruby kin at this moment in time please!" Uther said, frustrated by the meandering conversation. "The longer we leave it, the worse the situation will get for the imprisoned eggs."
"How can a situation get worse for an egg?" Fandral chuckled.
"The longer we leave it, the stronger the corruption's hold over the eggs will grow. That could mean that when they hatch, they will not recognise their own mother. Instead they'll serve the vile things that corrupted them." Onyxia said quickly.
"Why are you here Arch Druid?" Uther asked, quickly turning the attention to the elf.
"To honour the Azeroth Alliance, and request help from the people of the Eastern Kingdoms." Fandral said simply. "We are doing everything we can in Kalimdor, but there are two Emerald portals on this continent that require healing."
"Where?" Falstad asked.
"South of the human city of Stormwind, and east of your dwarvish stronghold, Aerie Peak." Fandral replied.
"Right, after we deal with Grim Batol, we'll come back here and you can tell us what to do, for healing the portal." Sylvanas snapped, "My lord we should head for Grim Batol with all haste."
"Of course young Sin'dorei ranger, I understand." Fandral said his eyes glinting as he stared at Sylvanas. "I will return when you free the dragon queen's children." Before anyone could say anything more, Fandral turned into a bird and flew away.
"What do you need from me Uther?" Magni asked after a moment of awkward silence, following Fandral's sudden departure.
"Well, supplies and explosives to destroy the city" Uther stated simply, but Onyxia chuckled.
"My lord, even in my mortal guise I can breathe fire, as we fight our way through I can incinerate the key supports, then we place one tremor device in the centre and the shockwave will collapse the city." Onyxia smiled at Uther.
"Clever girl" Uther said, patting Onyxia's shoulder, she purred at the affection. "Got something that can create ground tremors?"
"I'm sure the Gnomes will have something for you." Magni smiled.
"My lord, why not take an army with you?" Malyfous asked Uther.
"Because I fear we will need every army in Azeroth to defeat Neltharion when he returns." Uther said, fear flickering across his face.
"Neltharion? You mean Deathwing?" Magni said, also flashing a hint of fear at the name. "I thought he was banished to the Elemental Plane?"
"He was, but with my brother dead, and my rebirth under Lord Uther's command, there is no other great Black drake that could threaten Azeroth." Onyxia said, smiling as she stated her brother's death, and her servitude to Uther.
"Are we sure Nefarian is dead?" Malyfous asked. "I mean he could have survived."
"The last time I saw him, he was dragged into a lake of lava by the fire lord Ragnaros, shortly before the mountain erupted." Uther said flatly, "I doubt even a child of Deathwing could survive the fire lord's wrath."
"Fair point, we'll get your supplies and the tremor device, and fly you out in the morning," Falstad said getting to his feet. "Come, you can stay at my house tonight."
Falstad then led them to the house on the immediate right of the throne room, decorated by the Wildhammer crest above the door.
"Thank you Falstad, we best settle in for the night." Uther said as Onyxia and Sylvanas stepped inside, Uther moved to follow, but Falstad grabbed his wrist.
"I was being polite in the throne room, but if you seriously think I'll stand back and let you destroy my people's former home, without Wildhammer help, you've got another thing coming." He growled in a low tone. "You may not want an army, but you will need help, I'm coming with you into Grim Batol."
"I welcome your support Falstad, it will be good to have a Wildhammer bringing an end to the city's misuse." Uther said, as Falstad released his grip and marched off.
"I'll wake you at sunrise; we'll fly out immediately after sun up." Falstad said as he marched away.
Uther chuckled and entered the house, almost tripping over Onyxia who had curled up on the floor.
"Are you still not used to sleeping in your mortal form, Onyxia?" Uther chuckled as he stepped over the dragon.
"No my lord, I've spent most of my life, including the last year at the temple sleeping in my dragon form." Onyxia said blushing slightly.
"Are you comfortable, lying on the floor like that?" Sylvanas said, standing on the stairs, looking down at the odd sight.
"Yes my lady, I am quite happy like this" Onyxia replied, her gold eyes flicking from Uther to Sylvanas.
"Then why not move closer to the fire" Sylvanas chuckled, Onyxia raised an eyebrow and Uther knelt down to pet her.
Since resurrecting her over a year ago, Onyxia had remained as strong as ever, but she, Sylvanas and Uther had developed a master/student/pet relationship. This meant that often Onyxia enjoyed being petted and caressed in her mortal guise, despite Uther and Sylvanas' insistence that she was more than that.
"There is an old stereotype of pets curling up by the fire to sleep, though I should think as a dragon, you do not need the warmth." Uther said, caressing her back.
"I'm happy here, I can guard against intruders my lord" Onyxia purred. Uther stood up and walked around to the stairs.
"Well then sleep well. Do not let your guard down." Uther said before walking upstairs. "Though I do not expect much trouble in the Dwarvish capital."
Onyxia curled up into the foetal position on the floor and drifted off to sleep. Uther reached the top of the stairs and saw Sylvanas lying on the bed.
"Sorry, bed's taken." Sylvanas giggled, Uther smiled and walked out on to the balcony.
"No need my dear, during the Second War I slept on the floor, or on camp beds." Uther said, sitting on the floor with his legs crossed. "And I am surprisingly not that tired right now."
"I envy you, I'm exhausted. Good night my lord" Sylvanas said sleepily, before she too drifted off.
Uther smiled to himself and pulled out the dragon pendant. He had been taught by Alexstrasza how to communicate with her through the pendant, and as he sat there clutching the small dragonscale pendant, he focused on contacting the former owner of the scale, until she appeared in his mind.
'Lord Uther. Why have you contacted me so soon? Is everything alright?' Alexstrasza's voice said in his head.
'Yes my queen, but I have an update for you.' Uther replied. 'First, I have been informed that the kin you left to guard Grim Batol are dead; their bones litter the surrounding area, and their heads are reported to be on stakes in front of the gates.' Uther felt the queen's rage in his mind like a fire. 'Secondly, the Wildhammer report that red dragon eggs have been taken into the fortress city, and are likely being corrupted by the Twilight's Hammer.'
'MY LOST EGGS! THOSE MONSTERS HAVE THEM!' Alexstrasza yelled, nearly deafening Uther. 'I apologise for yelling my lord Uther, but all my unborn children are precious to me, you must understand my concern.' She said, her voice returning to a calm melodic tone.
'We will retrieve them my queen. But there is something else' Uther said urgently. 'Something that concerns me greatly.'
'What?' Alexstrasza asked, clearly flustered.
'Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm interrupted our meeting with the three Dwarven kings; he said that the Emerald Nightmare was plaguing the Emerald dragonflight.' Uther explained. 'He seemed keen to divert us from helping your kin, and did not take to kindly to us focusing on saving your eggs.'
'Do you think that he is working against us? That he has been turned?' Alexstrasza asked, tilting her head slightly.
'Not turned no, I fear something has corrupted him without him knowing, and until it reveals itself, we need to keep an eye on him.' Uther said cautiously.
'I understand, I will advise the Emerald flight to keep an eye on him, will that be all?' Alexstrasza asked.
'That's all for now, do not worry about sending more dragons to guard the city, we've been advised to destroy the city so no one else can claim it as a base of power.' Uther advised, 'What shall we do about your eggs once we've retrieved them?'
'I have some kin in the area, once you've retrieved my eggs, bring them outside and activate the pendant; my children will be drawn to the signal.' Alexstrasza said smiling, before her image vanished with a wave.
Uther then put the pendant away and entered a meditative state, his holy aura glowing around him.
'You cannot win, you need me!' a cold voice whispered.
Uther stood bolt upright and looked around, but there was no sign of the source of the voice.