Meanwhile, on the other side...
Kael'thas's enormous wings cleaved through the icy clouds of the north, below which the majestic, continuous Dragonsleep Mountains stretched like the spine of a dragon, bathed in the thin moonlight and the first glimmer of stars.
Instead of returning to the open platforms or cliffside nests where smaller races or young dragons could roost, he flew straight to an extremely secluded spot on the main peak of the mountain range.
It appeared no different from the surrounding steep cliffs, but when Kael'drak emitted a deep dragon roar at a specific frequency, accompanied by a few ancient syllables, the mountain in front seemed to ripple like water, revealing an enormous entrance shrouded in powerful illusions and ancient runes.
Beyond the entrance lies not a dark cave, but a vast underground vault beyond imagination.
The air here is warm and dry, filled with sulfur, ozone, ancient parchment, and some indescribable, strange scent, like stardust.
The dome is high enough for the dragon to fly in its most graceful posture. It is inlaid with countless self-illuminating crystals and magical runes, simulating the movement of stars in the outside world and casting a cool and mysterious glow.
The ground is not rough rock, but polished to a mirror-like surface, reflecting the "starry sky" of the dome.
In the center of this vast space, several enormous, smooth, mirror-like black obsidian platforms float, silently rotating and moving at a slow and constant speed, following some profound trajectory.
This is one of the true cores of the Dragon Clan—the "Hall of Stars," a place where the Dragon Clan elders slumber, discuss matters, and observe the world.
Kel'Thalas folded his wings and landed on one of the largest obsidian platforms.
There were already three figures on the platform.
Their physiques may not be as robust as Kel'Thuzad's, but the magical radiance flowing around them and the imposing aura accumulated over the years far surpass his.
One was an ancient silver dragon, her scales the color of antique silver coins, even with slightly curled and worn edges. She lay there, her massive head resting on her forepaws, her eyes like two bottomless, tranquil lakes brimming with boundless wisdom, as if she had slept for millennia, yet knew everything. She was Magosra the Weaver, the living archive of dragon history, the deep observer of the magic web.
The other one was covered in deep blue-black scales, as dark as the night sky, with what appeared to be real nebulae slowly rotating and flowing between the scales.
His posture was even more elegant, his long neck held high, gazing intently at a star field simulated on the dome, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through space and time. He was Donoz, the "Astral Traveler," most sensitive to fluctuations in space and time and astral anomalies.
The third is a relatively "petite" rainbow dragon, but with the most dazzling and vibrant scale colors. Her scales refract dreamlike colors under different lights, and her eyes are lively and curious, seemingly always full of interest in new things.
She is Matara, the "Returner of Ten Thousand Colors".
Besides these three, several other platforms were shrouded in a tranquil magical aura, indicating that other elders were in a deeper slumber or meditation, yet to awaken.
“Kel'Drak,” Donoz’s voice rang out first, echoing directly in Kel'Drak’s mind, his gaze still fixed on the dome-shaped star map, “your return is seventeen stellar cycles earlier than expected. Has the northern chill brought about change?”
Kel'Thalas lowered his massive head to pay homage to the three elders.
“Elder Donoz, Elder Magosra, Elder Matraya. The plan has indeed changed. While I was patrolling the skies, I encountered a… unexpected yet on-the-list contact target.”
"Oh?" Matraya turned her head with interest, her dreamlike scales shimmering with curiosity. "To make our 'Wings of the North Wind' return ahead of schedule, and with a tone of...deliberation? Has some ancient remnant awakened? Or is some hidden ancient god's servant starting to stir up trouble again?"
“Not so, Elder Matraya.” Kel'Thuzad organized his words. “I met the human lord who has recently risen to prominence in the south, or rather… caused a stir, Lind Truk.”
“Lind Truk…” Elder Magosra’s deep voice echoed like the depths of the earth. She slowly raised her eyelids, revealing eyes as deep as a pool of wisdom. “Lord of Blackrock, the source of the Orc Legion’s annihilation, and an individual suspected of controlling the legacy of the lost Zeldar civilization. Observation list sequence: seventh, assessment level: high potential variable, unknown risk. You have had contact with him?”
“Yes, Elder. A… peaceful, even friendly contact.”
Kel'Thalas described the encounter in detail:
"He piloted an extremely unique construct, whose technological approach was completely different from any magic or alchemy system we knew. It was extremely fast, with a stable and deep energy core containing a kind of... cold star power and a certain elusive sense of 'emptiness'."
He focused on describing the impressions he had of the "Starry Sky Apostles".
“He himself,” a hint of solemnity flashed in Kel'Thuzad’s dragon eyes, “is more… peculiar to me than his construct. His life form seems to have undergone some kind of highly optimized or even modified process, and his mental energy is incredibly condensed. Most importantly, the calmness he exudes when facing me… is not a feigned composure, but a genuine calmness based on absolute confidence in his own power. It’s as if, in his eyes, I am not an invincible legendary creature, but merely an 'individual' who needs to communicate on an equal footing.”
"Equal exchange?"
Donoz finally looked away from the star map, a glimmer of light, like the passage of time, flashing in his blue dragon eyes. "A human, viewing dragons as equals? Interesting. Is it arrogance, or is there real confidence?"
“I believe it is the latter, Elder Donoz,” Kel'Thuzad affirmed. “His power system is very unique. I cannot accurately determine its upper limit, but it has definitely reached the legendary level, and… his potential is unfathomable. He acknowledged the Ork Legion incident in a calm tone, as if he had only done a trivial matter. This attitude cannot be faked.”
"Then why did this 'unfathomable' human lord suddenly appear there?" Matraya pressed, the tip of her tail swaying curiously.
"His public statement is that he is 'seeking knowledge and ancient wisdom' and wants to 'visit a hermit'."
Kel'Thalas replied, "Based on his course and position, I deduce that his target is most likely Valak deep within the 'Eternal Silence Forest'."
Upon hearing this, even the usually calmest Magogsra slightly moved its massive head.
“Valak… ‘The Old Man of Deep Roots’…” she murmured, “The will of that forest is ancient and exclusive, extremely sensitive. Even we wouldn’t easily set foot in its core area. He just went there directly like that?”
“I warned him.”
Kel'Thalas said, "I told him about the forest's exclusivity and the strong reaction his vehicle might provoke. He accepted the warning and said he would think it over carefully. But when I left, he was still heading towards the forest. I think he hasn't given up, but he might change his strategy."
"Attempting to contact Varak..."
Donoz's eyes flashed rapidly like a stream of data. "Is he seeking the secrets of the path of nature? Or trying to glimpse the boundaries between life and rules? His path seems to be different from Valak's."
“That is precisely the most noteworthy point, Elder.”
Kel'Thalas emphasizes that "the essence of his power leans more towards the cold stars, steel, and a near-empty shadow, almost contrary to the vigorous, primal natural life force represented by Valak. His purpose in seeking Valak is not simply to learn or worship, but more like to... study, sample, or even compare and verify."
“Collecting ‘samples’ of different legendary paths?” Matraya’s interest was completely ignited, and the colors on her scales became even more vibrant. “What a bold and…arrogant idea! What does he want to do? To piece together his own legendary path? Or does he want to…surpass the legends?”
A brief silence fell over the Hall of Stars.
The three elders were digesting the information brought by Kel'Thuzad.
After a long silence, Malgosra spoke slowly, her voice carrying the weight of time:
"A human who controls unknown technologies, possesses a unique power system, acts calmly and has clear goals, is actively exploring the paths of other legends. His very existence is a huge variable. The crushing defeat of Oak is just the beginning; his appearance has already begun to stir up the balance of power deep within the continent."
Donoz nodded:
"The river of time and space has been given new turbulence because of him. We need to adjust our observation level on him. From 'high potential variable' to 'active intervention variable'. Kel'Thalas, you did a great job. This contact has provided us with valuable first-hand information."
“We need to pay closer attention to him, especially his potential interactions with Varak.”
Matara suggested, "Once the will of that forest is strongly stirred, the ripples it creates could have far-reaching consequences. Perhaps... we could try communicating with our old friends in the Emerald Dream? Their connection with nature is even closer."
"Can."
Magosla agreed, adding, "At the same time, we need to strengthen indirect observations of Blackrock Territory and its surrounding areas. Note that this is observation, not intervention. We need more data to assess the ultimate trajectory and potential impact of this 'variable'."
"Understood." Kel'Thuzad bowed and accepted the order.
“Continue your patrol, Kel'Thuzad,” Donoz said. “Perhaps our encounter with this Lord Lind is only just beginning. Dragons observe the world, and the world is changed by these extraordinary individuals. Keep watching, keep your distance, until we see where his path ultimately leads.”
Kael'thas bowed again, then spread his wings and silently glided out of the Starry Sky, re-entering the night sky.
On the obsidian platform, the three dragon elders' gazes met once more, and invisible spiritual fluctuations flowed between them, engaging in deeper exchanges and decision-making.
The simulated stars on the dome continued to rotate slowly, their cool light illuminating the Star Palace and seemingly also the ancient, secluded forest in the distance that was welcoming a special visitor.
The dragons' gaze has already been fixed on this place.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com