The massive ancient bronze dragon Anachronos placed a claw over his maw as he stifled a yawn. Being the keeper of The Caverns of Time, and managing the flights in Nozdormu's absence ultimately boiled down to waiting within The Caverns, and occasionally monitoring the other bronze dragon's access to the timeline. However, reports were surprisingly infrequent, and the peace was probably for the best. Better than the whole of Azeroth being in constant danger.
A night elf came marching into the massive chamber. Unlike most that wear cloth robes or even outfits of leaves or nature, this elf was decked out in heavy plate armor. His breastplate was shifting a ton as he breathed heavily, looking like he just ran several miles all the way here.
"Ah, Baristolth!" Anachronos finally had something to focus his attention on. "What news do you bring?"
The night elf had fought in The War of the Shifting Sands, and after sealing Ahn'Qiraj, had been empowered and tasked by the dragonflight to become a watcher over the cursed fortress. His presence here in The Caverns of Time brought a slight worry to Anachronos, as the night elf took his charge very seriously.
"Lord Anachronos!" Baristolth said breathlessly as he knelt. "Qiraji silithids have been found in the eastern point of the barrier!"
Anachronos's eyes widened in shock as he heard this. Sure, to a certain extent the bronze dragonflight knew of events that could occur in the future, but his father Nozdormu kept some details to himself. However, if no other dragons were in the case of managing the barrier, then chronal influence must not be the cause of its weakening.
"I see, are any of the mortal races aware?" The bronze dragon inquired.
"Not as of yet, but a few individuals might." Baristolth replied.
"Alert The Horde of Kalimdor and The Alliance of The Eastern Kingdoms." Anachronos ordered. "Those two should be the strongest factions currently in the timeline. Our intervention was foretold in the original war, and shall for the one that is brewing now."
Baristolth bowed to the dragon, and made his way out. Anachronos put his massive claw to his temple, and sighed.
"Glad to see the timeline is panning out as it should!" A voice rang from throughout the caverns.
Anachronos turned around to look for the source of the voice. After a moment, he looked down to see a gnome. She had forest green eyes, fair skin, and golden hair spun into two buns.
"Chronormu!" Anachronos exclaimed. "To what do I owe this meeting? I would think Nozdormu's favorite would be busy right now."
"Oh please Ana! You know it takes more than a little charisma to be his favorite!" She slightly taunted him. "Besides, I just came back from my mission to Blackrock Mountain. I just wanted to see the final result! And call me Chromie, we've already known each other for thousands of years, there's no need to be so uptight!"
"A few months ago during Nefarian's control?" he inquired. "Another attempted assault by the infinite dragonflight was it?"
Chromie sighed and nodded grimly.
"Yes, but not anything we haven't handled before." she explained. "Besides, I think bringing the rookie with me was such a good training opportunity, and might have scared them off a bit!"
Anachronos gave a look of confusion before speaking again.
"Rookie? I don't remember you having been assigned a hatchling to train." he pondered.
"Ah, WOOPS! A bit of a slip of the tongue, and the wrong time!" Chromie said flippantly. "But I'm sure you'll love him! He's got the same desperate need for perfection in some things like you do, but less sad and with a prettier shade of scales!"
"Shade?! What are you…" a look of realization dawned on the dragon's face as he spoke. "Nefarian, Blackrock Mountain, Nozdormu's words! Damn it all! I thought I would have more time, but that creation has been born already?!"
"W- well I think I should return to my present right about now." magic began to surround the gnome as she nervously spoke. "Look, I would just relax, he is just a hatchling after all."
"I would not worry so much if he was just a normal hatchling." Anachronos explained. "But if what my father said was true, and he couldn't fully see a clear future ahead…"
Chromie rested a hand on the ancient dragon's talon.
"I'm certain it will all turn out well, old friend." she said confidently. "At least I find it hard to believe a dragon who's worried about trying to communicate with his human friend on draconic heritage, could possibly break worlds."
"And yet a worldbreaker we thought almost the same about rests beneath our feet!" he countered sharply, but then resigned. "I will trust your judgment, at the very least a near future exists, which will allow me to think. I have an upcoming conflict that I must soon attend to regardless."
"I'm sure you will succeed handily." Chromie said cheekily. "The future depends on it!"
"I appreciate the concern, but do you not have a fledgling dragon you have to train?" Anachronos countered. "The safety of Azeroth rests in your claws, so what could you possibly have against me?"
Chromie let out a small chuckle as she flexed her hand once more. A warbling rift appeared in front of her, sand dripping from it as it showed a displacement in time.
"I have seen many corrupted futures, many destroyed pasts." she said. "And I wish to put my all into making this work. The future is worth fighting for!"
Anachronos laughed and it echoed throughout the cavern.
"That's why you're Nozdormu's favorite then!" Anachronos chuckled. "I wish you all the best Chronormu! For Azeroth!"
He bowed his head in a salute. Chromie gave a slight bow as well as she disappeared through the rift.
"For Azeroth, Anachronos!" she exclaimed.
Meanwhile within the city of Orgrimmar, a tall green orc sat upon a stone throne. He was wearing greaves armor with massive spiked shoulder pauldrons that long braids of hair draped from; a warhammer crackling with power sitting by his side. His name was warchief Thrall, and he was currently contemplating the turmoil his people were in.
He had thought he had felt something was wrong, the elements of Azeroth communing in pain that some evil threatened them. Then, a mysterious night elf somehow infiltrated Orgrimmar giving news that confirmed his suspicions. Whatever evil force that lies within Silithus, he would need help from more than just The Horde he commanded.
"Warchief Thrall!" another orc announced himself as he saluted. "Regent Bolvar Fordragon of The Alliance has responded to your message! He says he is willing to convene, as he has received the same disturbing news you have."
"Excellent! Thank you for your work and diligence." Thrall praised the orc. "I can only hope this meeting proves useful for more than just a temporary truce."
The orc once more to Thrall as he left, leaving the Warchief once more alone to his thoughts. Perhaps one day, his dreams of peace between the Alliance and the Horde would come to fruition, though he knew not when. He had met some individuals from the ranks of the Alliance who had shared his views, but that would not easily change the views of the many others that desired only the destruction of the other.
Thrall rose from his seat, and took to the entrance at the gate of Orgrimmar. As he passed, orcs, trolls, tauren, and forsaken all gave brief salutes as he passed. The many eyes resting on him, and his judgment to carry them forward to prosperity.
As he reached the gate, he took to the view of the massive black dragon head that hung from it. Its expression torn in agony, and he swore he could still feel the malice behind it. Once
That head belonged to Nefarian, Lord of Blackrock and a threat that Thrall hoped the Horde and Alliance could have banded together to fight against. Now, it was just a reminder of another "competition" the adventurers under his charge have "won" in slaying.
The Warchief sighed as he continued looking on, the view of the massive desert before him. Maybe, just maybe, this could finally be a tragedy he could find some hope within.
Hope everyone is having a good holiday! -Chimichurngas