The dragon Aspects, whose combat power in Azeroth is considered top-tier, couldn't kill Deathwing, which was somewhat despair-inducing.
But that doesn't mean others can't; besides the dragon Aspects, there are still many powerful beings.
I'd like to borrow Deathwing's head for a moment. Do it or not, just do it!
Claw attacks, slaps, tail whips, charges, Arthas became more and more skilled with each strike, hitting the same spot every time.
Better to break one finger than injure ten!
Although his attack power against Deathwing was only a pitiful one hundred and fifty points or so, this was with Bash and Critical Strike included.
Such attacks were just tickling, not even as effective as the dragon Aspects.
And while Deathwing's recovery power was not as good as red dragon queen Alexstrasza's, it was still enough to prevent further damage.
He could recover thousands of health points every second, while Arthas could land thirty hits per second. After negating the health recovery, he could still deal over three thousand damage.
Although it was just a drop in the bucket for Deathwing, he couldn't withstand the rogue skill of Bash, which caused infinite stun. As long as he was hit, without the protection and support of allies, he could only wait for death.
"Ant! Stop!"
Deathwing opened his maw, trying to speak but couldn't utter a single word. His furious roar was met with an uppercut to his chin.
The four dragon Aspects took advantage of the rare moment to recover their strength, and they were also somewhat surprised.
They couldn't defeat Deathwing, but that red dragon could handle him alone, even beating him to the point where he couldn't retaliate!
This was truly literal; he was in a state of paralysis, unable to fight back and passively taking a beating.
Was he truly unable to fight back? Or was it a contemptuous taunt? As if to say, "You can't break my defense, can you?"
While pummeling him, spells were interspersed in the gaps. Rain of Fire slammed onto his scales, the continuous burning ignoring defense and damage reduction, with damage calculated based on intelligence.
death knight's signature skill, Death Coil.
dreadlord's signature skill, Carrion Swarm.
Repeated beatings, repeated spellcasting, in less than two minutes, Deathwing was already struggling. He realized in horror that if he didn't react soon, he would truly be beaten to death!
This had never happened since he gained memory.
Not even when he lacked the power of a dragon Aspect and faced Galakrond, the Progenitor dragon King, who was as massive as a mountain, half the size of a continent.
Or when facing the Progenitor dragons infused with elemental power, he had never been so terrified.
His past enemies, though powerful, even Archimonde, the second-in-command of The Legion who had beaten him, had never made him feel such frustration and despair.
He firmly believed that as long as he found the opponent's weakness, he could still turn the tide!
But facing this red dragon, whose size was countless times smaller than his own, that feeling of powerlessness was very frustrating; it was a despair that he simply couldn't contend with!
"N'Zoth, save me!"
Facing the fear of death, the usually arrogant Deathwing had no choice but to seek help from the Old Gods, to whom he had not yet formally pledged allegiance.
As a dragon Aspect, he disdained cooperating with monsters sealed in the deep sea. Even if he became insane and wanted to destroy the world, he would never admit to being influenced by them.
Now, seeing that he was about to die, he could only send out a final plea. Only N'Zoth, that ugly monster, could save him!
After waiting for a long time without a response, his health continued to drop. Coupled with the four dragon Aspects in the sky having recovered, they also began to charge up their ultimate spells, preparing to annihilate him completely.
With a stationary target in front of them, many powerful attacks with long wind-up times and requiring spell chanting could now be put to good use.
It seemed N'Zoth deliberately allowed Deathwing to fall into dire straits, until he continuously called out, pleaded, and finally, his belief shattered.
N'Zoth's response was belated, and it demanded that Deathwing become its servant, to destroy the surface of Azeroth on its behalf and completely shatter the prison cage that sealed it.
To transform from the proud Deathwing into a servant of an Old God was unacceptable. In the past, he would have rejected it without even thinking.
But now, facing the fear of death, he, Deathwing Neltharion, was meant to bring death and destruction to others, but that didn't mean he wanted to be killed!
No response!
Despair!
Rage!
Resentment!
All these emotions mixed and intertwined, finally coalescing into an extreme hatred for this world.
The next second, a terrifying power surged forth, repelling Arthas.
It not only blocked the destructive dragon Breath that the four dragon Kings had long accumulated but also opened a portal that absorbed Deathwing into it.
The sudden change, this aura was evil and sinister, sending shivers down one's spine.
Only Arthas saw the city of flesh and blood on the other side of the portal. Was this N'Zoth?
The weakest of the four Old Gods?
With his current strength, dealing with these Old Gods still felt incredibly difficult, with slim chances of victory.
But no matter what, the mission was completed.
The red dragon queen was saved, and Deathwing was defeated.
When everyone came to their senses, a distorted force sent them all away.
Malygos the Spell-weaver returned to the Nexus in Northrend, Nozdormu the bronze dragon King returned to the Caverns of Time in the southern continent of Kalimdor.
Ysera the Green dragon queen returned to the Emerald Dream, while red dragon queen Alexstrasza remained in place, as if everything had been just a dream.
She turned to look for the red dragon Asaz, only to find that he had vanished without a trace.
Even the mark she left on him could not be sensed in the slightest, as if it had been erased by an invisible, powerful force!
Her doubts deepened, and Alexstrasza slowly descended from the sky, looking at her kin killed by Deathwing, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.
She looked at the high elf ranger before her, who had a somewhat bewildered expression, also a member of the rescue party this time.
"What is your name, Sin'dorei?"
Vereesa recognized that the red dragon was the mysterious figure she was looking for. Just as she was about to confirm something with him, he mysteriously vanished, without a trace.
It didn't seem like arcane magic, nor any other spell; he simply disappeared into thin air.
"Me?"
Vereesa looked left and right; it seemed she was the only high elf there.
"Vereesa Windrunner, from the Windrunner family of Quel'Thalas."
"Very good, Vereesa. Are you willing to join the red dragonflight and help me find my missing consort? The red dragon who just beat Deathwing."
Alexstrasza had seen Arthas save her, and she thought she might find some clues from him.
"Joining the red dragonflight will bring you many benefits, and it will also resolve the doubts in your heart."
"I am willing."