Gale first visited Ulduar, borrowing the Forge of Wills to modify the runes on the box.
Shadow-Department runes did not fit Gale's vision; titan runes were his first choice.
The Forge of Wills, which can absorb powerful energy from the universe to replenish Azeroth's energy, can naturally also serve as an auxiliary tool for enchanting.
Algalon agreed to Gale's request because he had detected Deathwing's return, bringing not only Ragnaros but also Al'Akir and Neptulon.
"Water Elementals are raging on the Kaldorei's west coast, and the demigods Malorne and Cenarius are fighting their invasion. Wind Elementals are also sweeping the southern coast of Kalimdor; if they occupy the Forge of Origination, it will cause unimaginable consequences. Gale, you must resolve the threat of Ragnaros as soon as possible and help me protect the Forge of Origination."
Gale nodded, "Of course, no problem. However, the Kaldorei Empire has no foundation in southern Kalimdor, so I need more intelligence."
Algalon said, "I have sent Freya to Un'Goro Crater; she will build a bridgehead for us and gather intelligence there."
Gale finally breathed a sigh of relief. After all, it was right next to Ahn'Qiraj, and if C'Thun were disturbed, it would likely lead to another war to seal the Old Gods. C'Thun, known as the God of a Thousand Eyes, though not as powerful as Yogg-Saron, was more difficult to deal with than Yogg-Saron.
Its eyes could unleash powerful rays, making it impervious to being ganged up on. If there wasn't a powerful warrior to stand in front, Gale would find it difficult to get close to it.
Mimiron helped Gale operate the Forge of Wills, and Gale began rewriting the runes according to Norgannon's method. With the powerful support of the Forge of Wills, the runes were quickly modified.
Gale then set off for his next destination—Gale's Tower.
The exterior of the box was completed, but a powerful new substance was needed inside. What substance could be better than the Well of Eternity's water?
The answer was none.
Gale's Tower was enveloped in volcanic ash, making it impossible to see the outside. Once the Well of Eternity's water was taken, it would inevitably affect the operation of the protective shield.
However, at this point, there was no time to worry about such things.
"Package all the books and send them to Nordrassil."
Sethonis immediately made a decision; once the protective shield was lost, Gale's Tower would surely attract Ragnaros's attention. At that time, even if Ragnaros did not come personally, he would send a large number of Fire Elementals to attack here.
Although he was confident in stopping the Fire Elementals, he could not take that risk. The value of spellbooks was immeasurable; they could educate a large number of mages for generations and must not suffer any loss.
Luna arrived at the top of the tower, ready for battle at any moment. Once the protective shield shattered, she would be the first and only line of defense against the Fire Elementals.
Gale surveyed the tower; he had many memories here. Thinking that it was about to be destroyed, he felt extremely reluctant.
After all the spellbooks and personnel had been evacuated, Gale came to the stone well.
He gradually took out the Well of Eternity's water and placed it into the box.
Unfortunately, the energy on the protective shield continued to weaken, and the protective shield itself grew smaller and smaller. The volcanic ash above compressed downwards, then a fault appeared, revealing the scene inside the protective shield.
"Hmm..."
Ragnaros turned his head, looking at Gale's Tower, "Something is hidden here?"
He stopped paying attention to the fleet at sea and turned to move towards Gale's Tower. Wherever he passed, lava flowed, and groups of firehawks emerged from the lava, flying into the sky.
Luna watched the approaching firehawks and calmly jumped onto Smaug's back, waiting for the moment the protective shield shattered.
Smaug narrowed his eyes, conserving his strength. He didn't care about individual firehawks, but their sheer number was too great, and he had to take them seriously.
The firehawks arrived near the protective shield in the blink of an eye, crashing into it with undiminished momentum. Although this would cost them their lives, the Firelands had no shortage of lower-level Fire Elemental creatures.
Soon, the protective shield could not withstand the impact and shattered like foam.
The firehawks cried out in excitement, disregarding the falling volcanic ash, and rushed straight in.
Just then, a huge figure crashed out.
Smaug opened his large mouth and swallowed several firehawks, while his two hind claws grabbed two others, crushing them to death with a squeeze.
Luna, holding her Hurricane Crossbow, continuously fired. A volley of three arrows pierced the heads of three firehawks; by the time Smaug engaged, she had already taken down dozens.
The firehawks were caught off guard, but they quickly reacted. They swarmed Smaug, surrounding him, their flames scorching Luna's armor, and their sharp claws scratching her body.
Smaug roared and spun in the sky, scattering the firehawks.
Luna endured the intense pain, pulled out a Regeneration Potion, and swallowed it. Her wounds quickly healed, and Luna tugged on the reins, re-engaging the firehawks.
Ragnaros looked at Smaug with amusement, a Proto-Dragon?
He gathered a ball of fire in his hand and threw it at Smaug. Smaug was trembling with the firehawks and was hit squarely.
The flames, like maggots on a bone, continuously burned on Smaug's body. If not for Smaug's strong fire resistance, he would probably have been burned to ashes by now.
Luna was not so lucky; the flames burned her, instantly charring her muscles and delving deep into her tendons and bones.
"Ah—"
The intense pain made Luna scream uncontrollably, causing Smaug to frantically fly towards the tower.
How could the firehawks let him go? They swarmed him, surrounding him once more.
Just then, the Rainbow Bridge flew out from Gale's Tower, instantly piercing through the firehawk swarm and landing on Smaug's back.
A powerful chill enveloped Smaug, extinguishing all the flames on Smaug and Luna.
Luna had already fainted from the pain. Gale, while raising a protective shield, applied a Regeneration Potion to Luna, then followed it with a Holy Light spell.
He looked at the surrounding firehawks, his eyes glinting with cold light, and raised his right hand, snapping his fingers softly.
The arcane gem shimmered, and the energy just replenished by the Well of Eternity's water vanished again.
At the same time, the firehawk swarm instantly turned into raging flames, contracting onto Smaug's body. Flames ignited on Smaug, but he felt no discomfort; instead, he felt an unusual sense of familiarity.
"What's going on... I can actually speak?"
Smaug was overjoyed. He had always absorbed the Well of Eternity's energy to evolve, and his strength had grown significantly, but he could never communicate through language. Now, suddenly being able to speak, he was incredibly happy. If not for his concern for Luna's safety, he would have loved to roll around in the sky.
"Smaug, from today onwards, you are the Dragon of Flame; fire is your destiny. Block Ragnaros and wait for my return!"
"As you command! My Lord!"
Smaug turned with a sinister grin and flew towards Ragnaros. His body had grown considerably, not much smaller than Ragnaros, and as his wings flapped, countless flames drifted away.
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