World of Warcraft - [Dawn of the Aspects 04] - Dawn of the Aspects- Part IV

by Richard A Knaak (epub)

  The vision shifted again—or did not. There was a brief blackness; then all was as if nothing had occurred and no time had passed. Kalec, still attempting to digest what had happened, also noticed a haziness around everything. Definition returned a second later, yet the memory of what had taken place remained with the blue dragon.

  This is wrong. . . . Kalec could only guess that something had gone awry with the artifact. He had to assume that it was through Jaina’s efforts to enter the Nexus; if not that, then degradation had spread through the relic by other means.

  Whichever the case, if it continued, it threatened to take Kalec’s mind with it.

  The vision lost some definition again but corrected. The deathly glow increased as Malygos neared.

  And then Kalec and his host beheld Galakrond.

  Bigger . . . he’s grown bigger yet. The blue dragon could not believe the size of the malevolent proto-dragon. Galakrond had to be half again his previous size. He filled up much of the area below.

  Malygos’s thoughts momentarily turned to distrust in Tyr. This was surely what their supposed comrade had kept from them. It made some sense; Tyr might have been concerned that his chosen champions would have been more reluctant to do battle if they knew that their adversary had become more dangerous than before.

  But while Malygos’s focus did not go beyond Galakrond’s growth, the blue dragon studied the glow. There was more to it than merely increasing the behemoth’s size. Galakrond was going through another transformation, one that, if completed, Kalec feared would make the insidious creature impossible to destroy.

  Had it been his choice, Kalec would have had Malygos retreat until they could better identify just what sort of overall change was taking place. However, Malygos, no doubt acting on Tyr’s plan despite misgivings, dived toward Galakrond and looked ready to assault the gigantic proto-dragon’s head.

  Galakrond’s breathing was low, rhythmic. He was deep, deep asleep, perhaps more so because of the transformation. Every extra eye that Malygos’s view took in was shut tight. The various limbs dangling from the body hung as if dead. Kalec could see why Tyr would recommend attacking while Galakrond looked so defenseless, but he doubted that it would be that simple.

  Whether or not it would be simple, Malygos chose that second to strike.

  The frost battered the eyelid of the injured orb. Malygos exhaled with a fury Kalec had thus far not witnessed. The eyelid pressed in, and Kalec could not imagine that it did not hurt Galakrond.

  The misshapen leviathan roared as he awoke. His wings spread, shattering rock formations on both sides. His tail whipped back and forth, leaving similar devastation in its wake.

  “Llllitttllle mmmmorrrsssellll!” Galakrond spoke as if time itself had slowed down for him. Yet he moved with incredible swiftness, his head darting skyward as he attempted to snap Malygos up—and almost succeeded. “Baaaadddd llllittle morsel!”

  Taking to the air, Galakrond pursued Kalec’s host. The huge jaws once more sought to close on the icy-blue male—

  Neltharion landed on the snout, his hind paws hitting with such force that, as mighty as he was, Galakrond could not prevent his mouth from shutting hard.

  Alexstrasza and Nozdormu assaulted his two true eyes, forcing the behemoth to close them again.

  Ysera . . . where is Ysera? Malygos thought then. Only at that point did Kalec understand that the yellowish female should have been the next to add her strength.

  A shadow loomed before Galakrond, a shadow that could hardly have been that of the smaller Ysera.

  And a shadow that, as it shifted, revealed that it could not possibly be cast by any four-legged creature, much less a proto-dragon.

  A tremendous force battered Galakrond’s jaw, causing the monster’s head to jerk to the side. That force, Kalec saw with no surprise, came from a huge hammer.

  Tyr—the true Tyr—stood revealed before the proto-dragons and Kalec and dived directly and eagerly into battle.

  Kalec could not judge Tyr’s exact height, but the lunging warrior had to be nearly as tall as Galakrond’s shoulder. Yet that was perhaps the least of revelations, for in entering battle, Tyr had tossed away his obscuring cloak and was revealed as he truly was. The crimson tunic that crossed over from the right side of his waist up to his opposing shoulder left clear much of a muscled torso that belied Tyr’s previous use of magic. A spellcaster he might be, but the keeper was hardly one who shied away from physical threats.

  Tyr wore no armor except shin guards and seemed unconcerned at charging unprotected against his scaled foe. A band with diamond patterns wrapped around his right arm above the elbow, and behind him flowed a lesser cloak of the same coloring as his tunic and connected at the neck by a high, pointed collar. The cloak moved as if of its own accord, seeming like an extra appendage as Tyr positioned himself to strike again.

  But as Tyr swung his hammer, Kalec briefly forgot the struggle as an object still attached to the keeper’s thick belt dangled. The artifact’s simple presence seemed to mock the unseen blue dragon. It glittered despite the lack of bright sunlight, and Kalec could swear that it was conscious of every critical moment.

  Then Tyr hit Galakrond, this time battering the other side of the proto-dragon’s huge jaws. Galakrond tumbled back, crashing into a mountainside to his right and sending a tremor through the vicinity.

  “Now!” Tyr shouted.

  Neltharion landed on the mountainside against which Galakrond had crashed. The charcoal-gray male stomped hard against the peak, sending a shock wave through it several times stronger than even the leviathan’s collision. A tremendous rockslide rained on the monstrous proto-dragon.

  Even as the rocks tumbled down on Galakrond, Tyr brought up his hammer. However, instead of battering his adversary, the gigantic warrior hit the ground right before Galakrond.

  Assaulted by yet another tremor, the malformed behemoth sprawled. Galakrond tried to use his enormous wings to push himself upright, but the new tremor caused him to slip back.

  Barely had Neltharion pulled away when Alexstrasza reentered. Flames shot dangerously near Galakrond’s true eyes, causing him to shut them instinctively.

  Kalec expected the other eyes to make up for that but then saw that the incessant rockslide had also forced most of them shut. Tyr had Malygos and his friends working a very coordinated attack against Galakrond. Not for one second was the fiend allowed respite.

  However, even though victory appeared to be leaning toward the defenders, one thing continued to very much disturb the blue dragon. The glow had not faded in the least; it had actually magnified since Galakrond had been attacked.

  Malygos joined in. Kalec barely had time to comprehend what was happening before his host exhaled at Galakrond’s exposed maw. The frost left Galakrond gasping, but as Malygos pulled away, Kalec sensed something his host did not. The power radiating around the gargantuan proto-dragon was increasing.

  Galakrond expanded.

  The abrupt escalation in size sent Malygos scurrying away even faster. Neltharion, just diving in again, quickly veered off.

  With a tremendous roar, Galakrond righted himself.

  Tyr’s hammer slammed into his jaw—and bounced back without making the monster so much as flinch. Every eye on the disfigured proto-dragon now glittered furiously.

  The vast wings flapped once. Funneled by the curve of the landscape, the gust they created threw the smaller proto-dragons and also Tyr in every direction.

  With another beat, the wings lifted the incredibly huge beast high above the ground. As that happened, it became apparent that Galakrond had increased in dimension and had become more distorted. His head was longer and thinner, and his snout stretched half again the length of that of any normal proto-dragon. His sharp teeth were wickedly curved, so much so that they greatly protruded whenever he clamped his jaws shut.

  And not only did
more growths seem to be spreading across Galakrond’s hulking form, but his skin also had a crustier, drier finish to it, almost as if he had become an undead like so many of his victims. Yet one only had to look at the fearsome hunger radiating from every eye to see that Galakrond lived . . . and lived for one thing.

  He paid no mind to Tyr, instead seeking the nearest of the smaller proto-dragons. That proved to be Malygos. As he lunged for his prey, Galakrond exhaled.

  Try as he might, Malygos could not escape the noxious cloud. It draped over him, instantly sapping his strength and will. Kalec felt his host’s mind grow disoriented, despite Malygos’s attempts to fight the effect. The blue dragon struggled to do something, already well aware that his efforts would come to nothing.

  Galakrond loomed over Malygos. To his credit, the smaller proto-dragon forced his wings to flap, gaining him a few precious seconds . . . but no escape.

  A gray streak collided with Galakrond at the monster’s throat, Neltharion coming to the aid of his friend. The daring proto-dragon landed hind paws first against the hard hide.

  Although Neltharion clearly hit with at least as much effort as in the past, the effect of his collision was markedly less than before. However, it was just enough to turn Galakrond’s head from Malygos as the behemoth tried to snap up the icy-blue male.

  No sooner had he struck than Neltharion raced away. It startled Kalec that the other proto-dragon did not try to reach Malygos, but then two pairs of hind paws seized the blue dragon’s host and dragged him from the foul mist.

  As fresh air filled Malygos’s lungs, the proto-dragon looked up. Alexstrasza and Nozdormu, inhaling with as much relief as Kalec’s host, held on to Malygos until he had recovered enough. Only then did Kalec understand that they and Neltharion had all held their breath for as long as they could during their effort to save their comrade. In assaulting Galakrond, Neltharion had expended much of what little air he had retained, which was why he had been unable to aid Malygos.

  “Ysera!” Alexstrasza abruptly called, turning from the two males. Nozdormu let out a low hiss of anger as he and Malygos followed with their gazes the suddenly racing Alexstrasza’s intended path, which led back to none other than Galakrond.

  And there, a determined Ysera hovered directly before the leviathan, who regarded her as Kalec did, as if she was truly mad. In Galakrond’s case, though, a growing sense of amusement took command, and he grinned as she neared.

  “A tiny morsel you are,” he rumbled. “Maybe I should let you grow a little fuller, a little stronger—”

  “I am strong!” Ysera roared. “You are not!”

  Her incredible remark made Galakrond laugh.

  Ysera dived for the open mouth, only to have Alexstrasza seize her tail in her jaws and pull as hard as she could. Ysera came up short, just missing being swallowed when Galakrond instinctively shut his maw.

  He laughed again at Ysera and her futile attempts to pull free of her sister’s tight hold.

  Tyr’s hammer silenced the laugh with a blow so hard that even Galakrond as he was now could not stand against it. The enormous proto-dragon spun away from the powerful hit, several bits of scale flying from the damaged spot. The keeper, who had leapt an incredible height to reach his target, seized Galakrond’s shoulder and, with the sudden shift in mass, brought his hideous adversary back to the ground.

  Even then, Tyr did not let up. Releasing his grip, he followed the hammer strike with his fist, bringing it up under Galakrond’s jaw.

  The massive proto-dragon’s head snapped up from the force. Tyr threw himself into his foe’s exposed chest, shoving the hammer toward Galakrond’s unprotected throat.

  Galakrond blocked the blow with his paw. The move caught Tyr off-guard, and with good reason, for with a normal proto-dragon, the forelimb would have been too short for Galakrond to have been able to defend himself. Now, though, his distorted shape worked to his advantage. Indeed, Kalec saw similarities to true dragons.

  Yet, just like Tyr and Malygos, Kalec could not recall Galakrond having such longer limbs only moments before. Through his host, Kalec observed the monster and saw Galakrond’s shape alter slightly. The tail stretched, and the wings took on a sharper cut to their outline.

  Even in the midst of pitched battle, the forces within Galakrond were continuing to transform him.

  The tail came around and circled Tyr’s left leg. Tyr brought the hammer down, but the tail retreated.

  Galakrond exhaled on the keeper.

  But Tyr appeared ready for such an attack even then. He drove his fist into Galakrond’s throat.

  Hacking, the proto-dragon stumbled back. Simultaneously, Malygos and his companions flew in to aid Tyr.

  Galakrond took to the air again. Tyr seized one wing, hanging as the fiend rose swifter than the smaller proto-dragons. Once again, he brought his hammer into play, landing a heavy blow against the side of Galakrond’s skull.

  The hammer bounced back with such force that Tyr could not maintain his grip. Galakrond, utterly unfazed and glowing brighter than ever, twisted in the air. The wide wings sent Nozdormu and Neltharion fluttering back in order to avoid being hit. Tyr, trying to retrieve his weapon before it flew beyond recovery, almost lost his hold on Galakrond.

  Already aware that Tyr would not reach the hammer in time, Malygos raced after it. As he did, another flying object caught Kalec’s attention.

  The artifact, somehow torn free from Tyr’s belt, spiraled through the air.

  Tyr, still clutching the wing, evidently also noticed the loss. With his hammer obviously beyond retrieval, the keeper sought not to lose the relic, too. His hand closed on it, just as both artifact and appendage came within range of Galakrond’s teeth.

  Tyr’s scream echoed through the land. His grip on the wing vanished. He dropped from Galakrond.

  Forgetting the hammer, Malygos lunged for Tyr. He caught the bleeding keeper by the shoulder, grunting as he discovered just how heavy Tyr was. The keeper’s descent slowed but did not stop.

  It was Ysera who helped him prevent Tyr from slipping free. Hissing from effort, the smaller female proved hardy enough to enable Malygos to guide all three of them to a ridge. Alexstrasza followed close behind.

  Both Kalec and his host expected Galakrond to be right on their tails, but instead, the misshapen monster hovered in the sky, glowing more ominously than ever. He also appeared to still be growing.

  There was no sign of Nozdormu and Neltharion. Malygos looked to Tyr, who had been the proto-dragons’ guide in trying to destroy Galakrond. Tyr’s entire hand had been bitten off, and blood drenched not only the stump but also much of the rest of his body.

  Galakrond roared again, his thundering tone filled with disdain for the tiny creatures that sought to put an end to his glorious ascension. Malygos glanced from the badly wounded Tyr to the colossal beast, and his thoughts of dread at the imminent fate of himself and his world touched Kalec’s mind.

  Kalec knew that Azeroth should survive, but watching Galakrond fill the sky with his awful presence made the blue dragon doubt the very future of which he already no longer felt a part. Moreover, with Tyr’s life ebbing away and the artifact now lost to the behemoth’s insatiable appetite, Kalec saw no future for himself. He and Malygos would perish with the rest of the proto-dragons.

  And as if to testify to the certainty of that dire fate, Galakrond continued to grow and change. . . .

  NOTES

  The story you’ve just read is the fourth in a five-part serial adventure, based in part on characters, situations, and locations from Blizzard Entertainment’s computer game World of Warcraft, an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. In World of Warcraft, players create their own heroes and explore, adventure in, and quest across a vast world shared with thousands of other players. This rich and expansive game also allows them to interact with and fight aga
inst (or alongside) many of the powerful and intriguing characters featured in this serial novella.

  Since launching in November 2004, World of Warcraft has become the world’s most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The latest expansion, Mists of Pandaria, takes players to a thrilling and never-before-seen corner of Azeroth: the mysterious continent of Pandaria. More information about Mists of Pandaria and previous expansions can be found on www.WorldofWarcraft.com.

  FURTHER READING

  If you’d like to read more about the characters, situations, and locations featured in this serial novella, the sources listed below offer additional information.

  * Kalecgos—also known as Kalec—has been involved in many influential events in Azeroth’s recent history. His heroics are chronicled in World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War and World of Warcraft: Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects by Christie Golden; World of Warcraft: Night of the Dragon by Richard A. Knaak; Warcraft: The Sunwell Trilogy and World of Warcraft: Shadow Wing, volume 2, Nexus Point by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim; and the short story “Charge of the Aspects” by Matt Burns (on www.WorldofWarcraft.com).

  * Details of Jaina Proudmoore’s life, including her relationship with Kalecgos, are depicted in World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, World of Warcraft: The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, and World of Warcraft: Arthas: Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden; the monthly World of Warcraft comic book by Walter and Louise Simonson, Ludo Lullabi, Jon Buran, Mike Bowden, Sandra Hope, and Tony Washington; World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred by Keith R. A. DeCandido; and Warcraft: Legends, volume 5, “Nightmares” by Richard A. Knaak and Rob Ten Pas.

  * You can find more information about Alexstrasza, Ysera, Nozdormu, Malygos, and their respective dragonflights in Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects by Christie Golden; Warcraft: War of the Ancients Trilogy, Warcraft: Day of the Dragon, World of Warcraft: Night of the Dragon, and World of Warcraft: Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak; and the short story “Charge of the Aspects” by Matt Burns (on www.WorldofWarcraft.com).