As the saying goes, an old friend in the martial world is always a cause for joy. The Red Dragon Queen visibly rejoiced at her reunion with Tyr. Long ago, the five proto-dragons had fought alongside him. Had Tyr not persuaded the Titans to bestow upon them power and Guardian authority, their dragon race would likely still be primitive, blood-drinking beasts, extinct for millennia.
Aragorn, channeling Tyr, recounted the tumultuous events within Ulduar, the corruption and betrayal of Loken, the King of Wisdom, and his own and the Earth King's fall during their southward journey. The Red Dragon Queen, along with her two consorts and offspring, listened intently to Tyr's epic tale, finally sighing, "Respected Tyr, in truth, not only has the King of Wisdom fallen, but we guardian dragons have also failed in our duties. Neltharion was corrupted by the Old Gods, leading the entire Black Dragonflight to ruin. Were it not for Lord Galen, his offspring Onyxia and the others might still be consumed by madness."
"I am already aware of the Black Dragonflight's plight, and I even participated in the purification of their curse," Tyr stated, accepting responsibility for the Lightforged Black Dragons.
Alexstrasza nodded, her attention returning to Aragorn's narrative. "Malygos is a noble dragon, but Neltharion's actions have driven him to madness and destructive behavior. After we subdue him, I agree that he should be relieved of his duty as Spell-Weaver to atone for his mistakes." This effectively meant stripping Malygos of his Aspect status. The Red Dragon Queen felt Tyr's judgment was justified, attributing the situation to Malygos's own failings. Even considering extenuating circumstances, his descent into madness was inexcusable, and preserving his life was a sufficient mercy.
"This time, I will accompany the Highlord on a top-secret endeavor!" Aragorn dismissed the Tyr phantom, the exertion of maintaining the spectral form draining his magical reserves. "The Crusade, alongside the Alliance and night elf allies, has come to Northrend. The establishment of territories and the Northern Expedition against the Lich King are merely a façade, a superficial objective. Our ultimate target is Ulduar!"
"Ulduar!" The Red Dragon Queen's face paled, a look of profound shock spreading across the dragons present. That name represented the largest Titan facility on Azeroth, the very headquarters of the Titan Guardians. The Red Dragon Queen had not anticipated such an ambitious goal from Tyr and his allies. Current intelligence painted a grim picture: the Titan Guardians of Ulduar had already failed in their duty to safeguard Azeroth. Of the nine, Tyr had fallen, the Earth King had vanished, Lei Shen languished in a Pandarian dungeon, and Odyn was trapped within the Halls of Valor. The Green-Hat King Thorim had been manipulated by his brother Loken, embroiled in a long conflict with the Ice King Hodir, and both now hid within their Storm Temples. Finally, the Creation King Mimiron had lost his physical form, and the Life King Freya her sanity, both victims of Loken's treachery. Ulduar's functions were effectively paralyzed; it was time for intervention.
"Respected Tyr, what role do you envision for our dragon armies?" Alexstrasza asked respectfully.
"Patience," Aragorn replied, knowing Galen had a comprehensive strategy. "After the Blue Dragonflight's issue is resolved, your dragon armies will secretly prepare. When we lay siege to the Wrathgate, they will launch a surprise assault on the Storm Peaks!" Following Loken's fall, he had utilized the Forge of Wills to create his own army of Iron Vrykul giants, a necessary defense for Ulduar and a key to his continued dominance. Galen's strategy for the Storm Peaks was one of strategic underestimation coupled with tactical respect – a lion using its full strength to capture a rabbit, leaving no room for Loken and Yogg-Saron to react.
With the Dragonshrines Wyrmrest Accord established, Alexstrasza assumed leadership of the alliance. To prevent Malygos from further escalating the conflict, she swiftly mobilized the alliance forces into the Borean Tundra, launching an assault on Coldarra after Kael'thas and the contingent of bronze dragons arrived.
Meanwhile, activity increased around Valiance Keep, with four airships arriving above Coldarra. Beyond the necessary crew, these vessels carried over two thousand high-level mages from various races, including more than a dozen legendary archmages – a force to be reckoned with. Galen was already contemplating how to bring this powerful group under his command, perhaps through the reformation of the Council of Tirisf.
Over a dozen adult blue dragons led hundreds of younger dragons, along with a significant number of whelps and blue dragonkin, confronting the red dragons on the icy island.
"Ha!" Through magical amplification, the mages on the airships watched the chaotic aerial battle between blue, red, and bronze dragons, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. Despite the diminished magical energies, they believed their combined power could overcome the blue dragons, envisioning the rewards that victory would bring – perhaps greater access to the magic net or the valuable materials harvested from the blue dragons themselves. A blue dragon, the epitome of arcane mastery, possessed blood, bones, and scales of unparalleled magical quality. Some even harbored the audacious hope of enslaving a blue dragon as a mount.
"Everyone," Gandalf announced from the Skybreaker, his voice amplified, "this battle will reshape the future of magic in Azeroth. I am aware of your thoughts, but Alliance Grand Marshal Galen does not wish for your direct participation in this conflict. We have brought you here as witnesses to history!"
"Why! Why should we heed your commands!" Galen's name carried weight throughout the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, and parts of Northrend. High elves, nightborne, gnomes, and dwarves would generally show respect. However, mages, as the elite of spellcasters, often possessed a rebellious streak. The allure of a blue dragon corpse, a potential blue dragon mount, was too strong for some to resist.
"Simply because of us!" A man and a woman, two human mages clad in blue robes, appeared beside Gandalf. The male mage unleashed his power, causing the surrounding air to stagnate. The Skybreaker, the Skyfire, the Wealth, and the Treasure airships dropped over ten meters uncontrollably. Every mage on board felt immense pressure, and some self-defense magic items activated prematurely. The rebellious high elf mage from moments before now lay paralyzed on the deck, sweat pouring from his brow.
"My name is Ancagalon, from Azsuna in the Broken Isles. Regarding Grand Lord Galen's suggestion, who agrees, and who opposes?"