"I'm alive again. Don't ask me why, I don't know either." Gruul strode over. This ogre demigod looked at Aiden with friendly eyes for the first time.
Aiden looked at Anzu, the oldest being among them all, who could definitely explain this scene.
Anzu explained: "Because of the Shadowlands—the souls of all beings above demigod level enter the Shadowlands after death. When the world is reshaped, they will return to the real world. Of course, some secret methods can also resurrect them at a huge cost."
Aiden immediately understood. Didn't many demigods of Azeroth who died in the War of the Ancients have similar experiences?
During the Cataclysm, "Pathwatcher" Malorne, Cenarius, the Forest Lord, Aviana, the raven demigoddess, Goldrinn, the wolf god, and others were all reborn.
"Then what about the souls of non-demigods who enter it?" Aiden suddenly asked.
If ordinary people's souls could also be stored in the Dream, wouldn't they also have a chance to be resurrected?
"That violates the duty of the Keepers of the Dream." Anzu was silent for a while, but still answered.
Aiden nodded, he had received the answer.
He arranged for people to set up camp and prepared to have the naaru try to see if the spaceship could take off.
Just then, Ranger-General Sylvanas came to him: "Aiden, something special has happened in the forest." Her expression became a little strange, "I think you should go and take a look."
After returning to the reshaped new world from the Shadowlands, Sylvanas led the high elf rangers to scout the surrounding area to determine if it was safe.
They were in Terokkar Forest in ancient times, which was still a large primeval jungle, and the situation was very complicated. Soon after, a scouting team brought back some important news.
Aiden followed Sylvanas to the scene and saw a scene that shocked him:
He saw a huge magnaron fighting another primal thorn beast that was even larger than it!
"Primal thorn beast?" Aiden widened his eyes. He had recently fought Vaanu, the Immortal One residing inside the planet Draenor, so he naturally knew that these primal thorn beasts were the offspring of the Old God Vaanu.
Their appearance here, doesn't that mean that the Old God has also been reshaped?
At this moment, Anzu's slightly mocking voice sounded beside him:
"Remember the writing on the stone tablet outside the Titan laboratory?"
"In the beginning of chaos, Draenor was a wild land, with nothing but the eternal struggle between the Beast of Creation and the Destroyer."
He emphasized this sentence and then looked at the magnaron and primal thorn beast that were fighting fiercely: "Wild land, Beast of Creation, Destroyer, now they are all here."
Aiden said: "Is the magnaron the Beast of Creation? Is the primal thorn beast the Destroyer?"
He guessed this way because the magnaron, a rock giant, was obviously a creation of the Titans, while the primal thorn beast was undoubtedly a descendant and servant of Vaanu.
The Titans are called creators, gods, or something similar in many worlds, so it is normal for their creations to be called Beasts of Creation.
"Quite the opposite," Anzu smiled slyly, "The Beast of Creation mentioned on the stone tablet refers to the primal thorn beast, and the Destroyer refers to the magnaron and its descendants, such as the gronn and ogres."
"But why is that?" Aiden asked doubtfully, "Wasn't that inscription left by Rukhmar? Why would she say that? She wasn't cursed."
"Who said that was left by Rukhmar? Because of the sun-shaped mark? " Anzu's eyes were smiling, "That was actually forged by Sethe. He broke into the Titan laboratory and killed Landon, the chief guardian inside."
Aiden quickly understood, "Because he was seduced by Vaanu, he wrote such a stone tablet to praise the Old God? Then why would Rukhmar keep it?"
"Because after the chief guardian died, she couldn't enter there either."
Aiden finally understood, but these were all trivial matters, and a bigger question was in front of him: "Why is it that even after the world has been reshaped, the Old God is still residing inside Draenor?"
This was his biggest question.
Rukhmar melted the entire shattered world with the power of the Sun Furnace. Aiden personally saw Vaanu being burned to ashes in the Shadowlands, so it was impossible to escape. But why is there still an Old God in the reshaped world?
This question also stumped Anzu, he could only answer: "Maybe when the Titans created the blueprint, they only temporarily sealed Vaanu! Since other things in the blueprint have reappeared, then Vaanu will naturally reappear."
This explanation was already very reasonable, but Aiden still had lingering doubts in his heart.
Since the Titans can use their reshaping device to reshape a planet, why can't they slightly modify the blueprint and remove the Old God from it?
If no one interferes, countless years later, Draenor will still become what it used to be. Then the Titans' reshaping system will operate again, creating another cycle.
But what is the point of this?
Only the ordinary creatures attached to this planet are destroyed, and what remains are only demigods, gods, the Titans' devices, creations, and… the Old God.
At this time, the one-on-one fight between the primal thorn beast and the magnaron was coming to an end. Obviously, stone is harder than flesh and blood, the primal thorn beast had one of its legs broken by the magnaron and was then pinned to the ground and beaten violently.
The primal thorn beast screamed while shouting: "You will eventually be dominated by the great Father God! Non-flesh creations are heretics! Even the Titans will eventually lose this protracted war!"
The magnaron finally twisted off the primal thorn beast's head, stifling its mad cries in its throat.
Aiden was silent for a while, then whispered: "Let's go back!"
The primal thorn beast's words kept echoing in his mind: Non-flesh creations are heretics!
He was born on Earth, where all creatures are carbon-based organisms and all animals are flesh and blood creatures. Silicon-based life has not yet been proven to exist, and metal life—if robots count.
But why do the Titans resist flesh and blood, while the Old Gods are committed to turning rock and metal life into flesh and blood?
Aiden had a strong premonition that if he could find the answer to this question, perhaps the essence of the "End of Time" would be revealed.
—
Sephir transformed back into a high elf the moment she passed through the Dark Portal. She knew that many mortals must be waiting on the other side of the door to ask her questions. She had to deal with these mortals first before she could return to the Caverns of Time to report the situation in Outland to "The Eternal One" Nozdormu, or contact other bronze dragons to relay the message back.
"Do you know what your words represent?" Archmage Antonidas asked, staring at Sephir with unprecedented sternness.
"I am very clear, Archmage. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to scout!" Sephir replied without fear.
As a bronze dragon, how could she be afraid of the aura of a mortal?
This was the Dalaran headquarters above the Blasted Lands. She was the first person to return from the Dark Portal in more than half a month. After learning this news, many leaders personally rushed here, wanting to know the specific situation of Outland.
After Medivh reopened the Dark Portal, in addition to Kayle's Valoran Legion and Thrall's orc legion, only a very small number of other troops entered. Many people were frightened back by the terrifying hellfire raining down on the other side of the Dark Portal.
In the following days, the headquarters also sent highly skilled squads through the Dark Portal to scout the situation on the other side, but basically none of them returned. The few survivors all said that there were only endless hellfire demons on the other side of the Dark Portal.
After half a month of no news, many pessimistic voices appeared in the Alliance. They speculated that the expeditionary force might have all encountered misfortune.
However, the demons had never crossed the Dark Portal to Azeroth, which made many people believe that the expeditionary force should have held back the main force of the Burning Legion in Outland. As long as no demons came over for a day, it proved that they were still fighting.
Some people originally proposed sending more reinforcements, but the situation in Azeroth was not optimistic recently, so this proposal was not approved.
Now Sephir finally brought specific information.
Some people were sad because of this, and some people were excited because of this.
A giant fire eagle that unfolded its wings enough to cover the sky destroyed the entire world, possibly burning Kil'jaeden to death—they might never have to worry about the threat of the Burning Legion again!
If even the demons could not survive this cataclysm, the Expeditionary Force stood even less of a chance—they had to face an equally sorrowful truth: the Expeditionary Force was also completely annihilated.
"This is absurd!" An enraged Darius stood up and roared, "This is absolutely impossible!"
"Calm down, General Darius." Admiral Daelin Proudmoore spoke up, "No one wants to see the demise of the Expeditionary Force. I mourn for every heroic soul who has sacrificed themselves. But their sacrifices were worthwhile, and everyone in Azeroth has been reborn because of it!"
King Terenas Menethil said in a deep voice, "We should confirm this news as soon as possible. If it is true, I suggest building statues, memorials, and all other structures that can record their great achievements, and let people forever remember and sing of their great deeds."
King Varian Wrynn said in a low voice, "Yes, they also killed Archimonde—the great demon who destroyed the Eastern Kingdoms."
Maiev Shadowsong, representing the night elves, also spoke at the meeting, "If this is true, then they are indeed remarkable heroes—no one knows Archimonde's power better than we night elves. Any sacrifice is worth it to eliminate him."
The High Elf King Anasterian Sunstrider revealed a mocking smile: "Indeed, but what sacrifices have the night elves made in this war?"
The high elves and night elves have always been at odds. Seeing Maiev pretending, Anasterian couldn't help but mock her.
"Of course we have!" Maiev snorted coldly, "We saved the world during the War of the Ancients! Moreover, didn't Illidan also join the Outland Allied Forces?"
Thinking of Illidan, Maiev's mood improved, and she hardly took Anasterian's provocation to heart.
If what this vase-like high elf (Sephiel) said was true, then Illidan must have died—she only regretted not being able to personally kill this prisoner; Archimonde, who had brought great suffering to their night elves, was also dead; and another great demon, Kil'jaeden, no less than Archimonde, was likely also dead.
As long as they could get rid of the demons in Felwood, the night elves would regain peace—as for Malfurion, who was still in a deep sleep? It would be better if he didn't wake up; let those damned, weak druids sleep to death!
The thought of Tyrande, who might be secretly shedding tears and grieving every night, made Maiev feel even better.
"It seems you are all preparing for the funeral." Darius left his seat with a mocking voice and strode out of the place, his cold voice continuing to come, "Our commander will not die!"
Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider was somewhat lost in thought, he shook his head: "I don't believe Aiden would die like this—he was so young, wise, and noble, and he knew so many secrets. I think he must have some life-saving means, right?"
"The future has changed." Anna lowered her voice.
Her mood became very complicated. She looked at the high elf who brought the news, thinking that if everything was true—Aiden's actions would become very meaningful.
He knew part of the future and tried hard and actively to change it.
He succeeded. Countless people in the Eastern Kingdoms survived because of him.
Anna once firmly believed that besides the wrath of Nordrassil, no other power in Azeroth could destroy Archimonde.
But Sefiel told everyone with great certainty that Aiden led a group of heroes and powerful elemental lords and other demigods to severely wound Archimonde in a miraculous battle, and then completely killed him in a subsequent action.
She put on her hood and walked out, once again whispering, "The future has changed."
'I am the only one left who knows the future. I should also actively change the future, reduce or avoid the trauma that disasters cause to the world,' she said to herself.
'No, there is one more person.' Anna suddenly realized that in the battle of Silvermoon City, the Lich King Arthas seemed to have escaped.
—
Now, several months have passed since the battle of Silvermoon City, and Arthas had already arrived in Northrend. At first, he was worried that his betrayal would invite Archimonde's strong retaliation, but this worry did not become a reality.
As in his past impressions, Archimonde did not care about him as a "small character" at all.
Arthas and the dreadlord Anetheron, who had also betrayed his master, naturally got involved.
At first, Anetheron felt that his position was much higher than Arthas, and wanted him to serve him as his master. However, Anetheron did not have enough power to suppress Arthas, and Arthas, who had just gotten rid of Archimonde, would never regard a dreadlord as his master.
Arthas showed the dreadlord his power and said some "prophecies" about Archimonde's inevitable death. In the end, the dreadlord surrendered to him and offered his loyalty.
Because the floating fortress was destroyed for a large part, Archimonde could only take away a small part of the Scourge's power when he led the Scourge to the Sunwell. More undead were still left in Northrend, staying in Icecrown Citadel.
Arthas knew that as long as he regained control of these undead, he would have the capital to make a comeback. However, because of Kael'thas's existence, his control over the undead was very low, and he could only control a certain number of undead in a small area. It would undoubtedly be a very difficult task to completely occupy the Icecrown Citadel's base camp.
After painstakingly gathering less than ten thousand undead troops, Arthas could not tolerate this inefficient work. He set his sights on some native creatures—such as those tuskarr, nerubians, ice dwarves, and iron dwarves who had joined the Silver Covenant and then escaped Archimonde's purge.
Archimonde didn't know these guys' habits, but Arthas knew them very well.
Arthas named this undead army directly under his command the "Army of the Damned." Just as he was preparing to launch his grand plan, a group of elite paladins with only three hundred people suddenly appeared from nowhere, carrying the banner of the "Ashen Verdict" and began attacking the undead army all over Northrend.
Although this unit was small in number, its power could not be underestimated. The leading paladin wielded a golden-spined, silver-edged sword, and the power it exerted after being infused with the power of the Holy Light was no less than the Ashbringer in the hands of Highlord Mograine!
Moreover, every person in this unit was a paladin who was born to restrain the undead!
Who else could be commanding this unit other than Prince Liam Greymane of Gilneas?
Liam, who had completed his self-redemption, seemed to have been reborn.
Liam had gained unprecedented, incomparably powerful Holy Light power, and no evil enemy could stop his attack. The Sword of the Guardian of Order made him even more powerful, and he used this sword to purify countless evil undead and demons!
Moreover, this sword also had some magical powers—it could transform warriors who devoutly believed in the Holy Light into paladins!
After discovering this, Prince Liam soon created this paladin unit loyal to him and loyal to the Holy Light—the Ashen Verdict!
Liam vaguely guessed the identity of the mysterious cloaked man who had given him this sword, and that name gave him infinite power, giving him the courage to face any difficulties and clear all obstacles.
The King of Order—Tyr.
It must be him!
With such great strength and a silver hand, Liam couldn't think of anyone else who met these conditions other than the great Tyr.
"Prince Liam, we have found Arthas!" Sir Hervel strode over, with an excited expression on his face, and loudly brought this news to their leader.
Liam suddenly raised his head, his eyes revealing a substantial light: "Where is he?"
"Crystalsong Forest! He is leading a group of evil servants towards the Storm Peaks!"
Liam immediately shouted loudly: "Gather, Ashen Verdict! It is time to uphold justice!"
The paladins in the camp immediately began to sort out their equipment and assemble.
Liam drew out the Sword of the Guardian of Order, and the sword radiated a dazzling light under the sun's rays: "Towards the Storm Peaks, advance!"