Point of View: Sylvanas
The instant I accepted the invitation, the world dissolved.
There was no transition.
One second I was in my home.
The next, I was standing inside the Guardian's office.
I was not alone.
Rangar stood to my right, brow furrowed. Xyra remained perfectly still, expression unreadable. Lysera scanned the surroundings with cautious intensity.
The Guardian stood behind his desk, as though he had always been there.
—I'm glad you came —he said calmly—. Please, have a seat.
No one moved.
Xyra spoke first, as direct as ever.
—Is there a problem, Guardian?
He smiled faintly.
—There are always problems, Xyra. You simply do not see them. It is my duty to resolve them.
His gaze drifted across the room.
—But that is not why I called you here today.
He studied us one by one.
His expression shifted.
—The truth is… you impressed me.
We exchanged glances.
—What do you mean? —I asked.
He shook his head gently.
—I have lived longer than you can imagine.
He walked toward the window.
—I have observed you since your beginnings on this planet. Your struggles. Your failures. Your ambitions. How you built a home from nothing… and how you conquered another world.
Rangar stepped forward.
—You spy on us?
—No —he replied serenely—. I observe everything beneath the skies… and everything above them.
The air grew heavier.
—My duty is to protect this planet's core. From external civilizations… and from you, if necessary.
Lysera spoke, impatience sharp in her voice.
—Get to the point.
The Guardian sighed.
For the first time, something resembling compassion appeared on his face.
—I pity you.
Silence fell completely.
—Had you been born in another era, you would have been called saints. The greatest talents of your age.
He paused.
—But you were born too soon.
A luminous screen appeared before us.
[Planets ascended from Level 1 to Level 3 are known as Initial Civilizations.]
—This planet is an Initial Civilization —he explained—. And the natural cultivation limit here is Ascended Level 3.
My heart tightened.
—And after that?
His gaze turned cold.
—There is no after.
The words struck like a blow.
—The universe imposes limits. It is a trial. Only when the planet evolves… can its inhabitants evolve with it.
Xyra intervened.
—Is there any way to cross that limit?
The Guardian nodded.
—Yes. But not for you.
The tension thickened.
—In every Initial Civilization, at some point, a special being is born. It goes by many names: the Chosen One. Child of the Heavens. Favored by the Celestial Dao.
His words grew heavier.
—That being can break the limit. And when it does, if the planet possesses sufficient energy… the world ascends. A new era begins.
His voice strengthened.
—Those born in that new era will have greater affinity, greater talent, greater potential.
He looked directly at us.
—But you were born in the first era. Your limits are already set.
Rangar roared.
—What are you saying?!
The Guardian shrugged slightly.
—The most interesting part… is that the chosen one has already been born.
The world seemed to tilt.
—In less than two hundred years, the next era will begin.
Two hundred years.
We would still be alive.
—The beings of the new era will dominate this planet —he continued calmly—. You will watch them surpass you.
He looked at Rangar and Lysera.
—Members of your own race will strip you of your thrones.
Then his gaze shifted to Xyra.
—In your case, for the Hive to survive… you will have to die. Only when a queen dies can another be born.
The silence was brutal.
Finally, he looked at me.
—Yours do not often fight among themselves. Your transition will be more… peaceful.
—And you? —Rangar asked, breathing heavily—. What about you?
The Guardian answered:
—I do not have those limits.
And with a wide smile, he continued:
—I will remain alive. And I will watch you fall.
That bastard.
Rangar exploded.
—You called us here just to mock us?!
He roared with killing intent and charged without hesitation.
Lysera attacked from the flank. Xyra unleashed a devastating mental wave.
I did not move.
The Guardian did not take a single step.
His movements were minimal.
Space folded around him.
The attacks passed as though striking reflections.
—Calm down —he said with an irritating smile—. It's not that serious.
—I'll kill you! —Lysera roared.
The Guardian clapped once.
The sound was soft.
But the world froze.
Rangar hung suspended midair. Lysera was paralyzed mid-strike. Xyra stood motionless, her energy halted.
I could not move either.
His voice lost all amusement.
—I can offer you a way to break that limit.
Silence consumed everything.
—But the probability of death is extremely high.
He allowed us to speak.
—Is it true? —I asked.
My gaze was completely serious.
—Yes. You could break that limit… and the ones beyond it. But there are no guarantees. You could die at any moment.
He stepped closer.
—There are greater restrictions beyond Level 3. If you wish to reach the highest heights, you must give everything.
His eyes gleamed.
—Once you accept… there will be no turning back. If you fail, you die. If you survive… you may become some of the strongest beings in the universe.
Rangar's breathing was ragged.
—Is it real?
The Guardian did not answer directly.
—In one week, I will open the gates of Dalaran to the entire planet. If you wish to accept my offer, come to my office that morning.
His gaze turned glacial.
—Tell no one. If you reveal this conversation… I will kill you.
There was no doubt in his tone.
He snapped his fingers.
The world shattered.
And I appeared in my home.
The silence was deafening.
In the distance, the celebration still echoed.