What kind of place is Deepholm?
To understand that, we must go back to the origins of Azeroth.
In the earliest days of Azeroth, before the Titans discovered this world of infinite potential and before the Old Gods spread their corruption, the surface of the planet was ruled solely by the primordial elements of earth, water, wind, and fire. From these elements emerged elemental beings—the first true rulers of Azeroth.
Among them, four powerful Elemental Lords arose: Al'Akir the Windlord, Ragnaros the Firelord, Therazane the Stonemother, and Neptulon the Tidehunter.
All elemental beings fell under their rule, and thus began an era of devastating wars between the Elemental Lords.
As they waged war, control of Azeroth shifted hands repeatedly, with each faction attempting to reshape the world in their own image.
Then, the Old Gods descended upon Azeroth from the void, taking root in the world. Their massive bodies, filled with gaping maws and cold, black eyes, spread an aura of despair wherever they went.
Like a rapidly festering wound, the Old Gods unleashed corruption upon the land, turning it barren and lifeless. Their tendrils burrowed deep into the planet's crust, creeping toward Azeroth's defenseless core.
From their withered forms, two new races were spawned. First were the cunning and intelligent N'raqi, also known as the Faceless Ones. The second were the Aqir, a vast insectoid race.
As extensions of the Old Gods' physical forms, these races fanatically served their dark masters.
Together, they forged the Black Empire, waging war against the elemental beings and eventually enslaving them.
The rest, as history tells us, led to the arrival of the Titans. The Titans defeated the Old Gods and imprisoned the elemental lords. However, since elemental beings were an intrinsic part of Azeroth, they could not be truly destroyed. To prevent further chaos, the Titans created the Elemental Planes, sealing the Elemental Lords within them.
Ragnaros and his fire elementals were exiled to the Firelands, a scorched wasteland of eternal flames.
Therazane and her earth elementals were imprisoned within the crystalline caverns of Deepholm.
Al'Akir and his air elementals were trapped within the Skywall's swirling peaks.
Neptulon and his water elementals were banished into the endless depths of the Abyssal Maw.
From then on, the Elemental Planes became an extension of Azeroth, but as prisons, they were nearly inaccessible to ordinary beings.
However, Neltharion was an exception.
As the Earth-Warder, the Black Dragon Aspect was inherently connected to the land and had unparalleled control over earth elementals.
To Deathwing, Deepholm was a second home.
Unlike the other Dragon Aspects, who struggled to enter the Elemental Planes, Deathwing could slip into Deepholm with ease.
There, he could hide undetected, draw upon its latent energies, and use them to strengthen himself and heal his wounds.
For the other Aspects, even if they managed to enter Deepholm, they would find themselves at a severe disadvantage in a battle against Deathwing. Even with their full power restored, the outcome of such a confrontation remained uncertain.
Upon hearing this news, Alaric let out a sigh.
In truth, he had anticipated this outcome. In the original timeline, Neltharion had used the same method to evade pursuit by the other Aspects.
By escaping into Deepholm, Deathwing was like a MOBA game hero retreating to their fountain. Unless the enemy was overwhelmingly strong, attempting to fight him there would only result in certain death.
Alaric had hoped that his plan could at least reduce Deathwing's chances of escape and bring an early end to this menace.
Unfortunately, he had failed. Reality had proven that without sufficiently weakening Deathwing first, defeating him outright was nothing more than a fantasy.
Still, despite not being completely vanquished, Deathwing had suffered a severe injury.
He would be unable to cause trouble for some time, giving the other Dragon Aspects enough time to recover their strength and prepare for his next move.
Following the battle, the Dragon Aspects turned to Alaric, the mastermind behind the plan, to express their gratitude.
Talonixa, as their leader, was the first to speak.
"Thank you, mage. Because of your efforts, this world is safe for now, and my companions have regained their strength.
This is your achievement—though I must also acknowledge your allies. Their role was indispensable.
As long as I remain Queen of the Dragons, the dragonflights will always be your friends."
The other Dragon Aspects nodded respectfully toward Alaric's companions—Garona, Vereesa, and Kurdran—filling them with honor.
Talonixa then turned back to Alaric.
"Human, after your victory over Sargeras in Karazhan, you have once again amazed us.
Given your actions, I believe you, like Aegwynn and her daughter, are worthy of becoming a Guardian, entrusted with Azeroth's protection. The Dragonflights shall be your loyal allies."
"I am honored," Alaric replied with a slight smile.
"It is an honor well deserved," Talonixa observed him closely, noting the shattered remains of the Dragon Soul still in his hand.
She continued, "As the new Guardian, we must offer you a gift. This is both a token of gratitude and a reward for resisting the corruptive power of the Dragon Soul."
With that, she took the remnants of the Dragon Soul and placed them at the center of the gathered Aspects.
"Though the Dragon Soul was destroyed, it remains the greatest vessel for our power. I will bless it anew, infusing it with great strength, so that it may protect its new Guardian."
The other Dragon Aspects agreed. Alexstrasza stepped forward first.
"I bestow upon the new Guardian the power of life itself. The Dragon Soul shall be bound to his vitality."
A soft red glow emanated from her, merging seamlessly into the Dragon Soul.
As Alexstrasza stepped back, Nozdormu spoke next, his voice carrying a faint hiss.
"The new Guardian shall command time itself. The flow of time will shield him. The Dragon Soul shall be bound to his timeline."
A golden radiance followed, merging with the artifact.
Then came Malygos, his raspy voice resonating in the air.
"Magic shall grant the new Guardian infinite power. The arcane shall bend to his will, and the ley lines shall forever be open to him. The Dragon Soul shall be bound to his magic."
Ysera followed, her eyes closed as if lost in a dream.
"The Emerald Dream shall forever welcome the new Guardian. He shall draw upon its power. The Dragon Soul shall be bound to his dreams."
Finally, Talonixa stepped forward.
"Storm and thunder shall be the new Guardian's greatest weapons. The skies shall grant him eternal protection. The Dragon Soul shall be bound to his strength."
As the final blessing merged with the artifact, the five colors of light fused together. The once-shattered Dragon Soul was restored, glowing brilliantly once more.
Slowly, it floated toward Alaric, landing gently in his hands.
Thus, the new Dragon Soul was born.
No longer the cursed Demon Soul, it was now the true Dragon Soul—imbued with the blessings of the five Dragon Aspects, becoming an integral part of Alaric's power.
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