The Pantheon watched with unwavering attention as the entire process unfolded on the planet Azeroth. From afar, in Valinor alongside the Valar, they observed the tireless work of the Titan-Forged as they shaped, ordered, and healed the world. The sight was not merely proof of success—it was a reflection of cosmic will carried out with discipline and perseverance. Filled with confidence that the still-slumbering world-soul was in the right hands, the members of the Pantheon began preparing to return to the Great Void—the primordial space that was both their origin and their final destination.
As a gesture of gratitude for the dedication and success of the Keepers, the Pantheon bestowed upon them wondrous artifacts to aid in shaping the world and preserving the balance they had built. These relics became known as the Pillars of Creation—sacred objects that held cosmic power and primordial knowledge. The Pillars were not merely tools, but symbols of trust and the legacy of the creators' strength. Yet as time passed, these artifacts would scatter and be lost across Azeroth, waiting to be rediscovered by future generations worthy of inheriting them.
The discovery of Azeroth stood as undeniable proof that new Titans might yet exist in the universe. This reignited the Titans' passion to continue their search for new creations, untouched worlds, and young souls awaiting guidance. The presence of an unawakened world-soul in Azeroth was a sign that the cosmos still held vast secrets yet to be revealed.
But before their departure, the Valar delivered news that altered the plan. They had received a direct command from Eru Ilúvatar to return to their place of origin. Their task in Azeroth was complete, and in their stead, new Valar and Maiar would be sent to this world to assume their roles. This was not merely a rotation of power—it was part of a greater cosmic design, one that had been set in motion since the beginning by the Creator.
Upon hearing this, the Pantheon grew curious and eager to learn who would replace the Valar. They delayed their journey briefly, choosing to await further developments and witness the coming transition of power. Their curiosity was not idle—it was a drive to understand how Ilúvatar's will would manifest in new form.
The Keepers, who had long labored under the guidance of the Titans, mourned the impending departure of their creators. Yet beneath the sorrow was a sense of pride, for they had been honored with the duty of protecting Azeroth. To commemorate this historic moment, Loken and Mimiron created a set of magical artifacts known as the Discs of Norgannon. These artifacts were designed to automatically record the history of Azeroth, preserving every significant event in the form of magic and logic. Should the Pantheon return one day, they would have a complete record of all that had transpired during their absence.
In his final act before leaving, Aman'Thul appointed the constellar Algalon the Observer as the celestial guardian of the world. The possibility of the world-soul becoming corrupted was something the Titans could not ignore. If such a fate befell Azeroth, Algalon held the authority to initiate the protocol that would activate the Forge of Origination—a purification process that would erase all life and restart the world anew, in accordance with the creation protocols established by the Titans.
Yet amid these final preparations, an unexpected event shattered the calm. Thousands of fire elementals that had previously escaped capture reappeared on the surface of the world. They rose in chaos and uncontrollable flame. As the Titan-Forged prepared to contain them, Norgannon halted them with an unusual command. He did not want them destroyed. There was something he wished to learn.
Though the Titan-Forged did not fully understand the reason behind the order, they obeyed their creator without question. Norgannon then posed a curious question to the Valar about how they created through the magic of song. He even mentioned his "brother," Melkor—who was said to have once created terrifying beings from fallen fire elementals consumed by vengeance.
"Melkor, I've heard that you once created monstrous beings from the element of fire. Can you show me how you transformed them?" Norgannon asked with a serious tone.
The Valar were stunned and tried to refuse the request. Aman'Thul expressed his anger at the idea, recalling the dark history that had resulted from Melkor's creations.
"I am capable," Melkor replied cautiously, "but I do not wish to be imprisoned again by my brethren. I must seek direct guidance from the Creator."
Melkor then contacted Eru Ilúvatar and explained the Pantheon's request. Eru Ilúvatar was surprised by the petition, but since the universe was not entirely his alone, he ultimately granted permission with one condition: the beings to be created must become Maiar assigned to guard the World Tree.
With his cosmic song, Melkor transformed the fire elementals into Balrog—beings of flame and shadow that carried primordial power. They were no longer wild creatures, but cosmic servants with a sacred duty. Their bodies burned and pulsed with tamed Void energy. They were commanded to hide within the belly of the earth, burrowing into the deepest layers of the world, carrying with them the unspoken will of darkness.
The Pantheon watched this act of creation with profound awe. For the first time, they witnessed the power of creation born from the song of the universe—a miracle that transcended the limits of magic and technology. They gained many valuable insights from the experience, especially about the relationship between will, song, and form.
As the Valar, Pantheon, and Titan-Forged watched the Balrog vanish into the world's core, a melodious voice echoed once more across the Warcraft universe. That song was not mere melody—it was the will of creation flowing from void into form. Eru Ilúvatar began to sing the second song—a hymn of creation to bring forth new Valar, guardians of the World Tree's future.
From that song emerged fourteen small dragons, each carrying essence and sacred purpose. Their forms were tiny, resembling winged lizards radiating primordial aura. They were sent to Azeroth as successors to the old Valar.
The Valar and Pantheon welcomed them with curiosity and hope. Together, they raised these young dragons, teaching them the Creator's will, cosmic responsibility, and love for the world they would one day protect.
Once the mentoring was complete, the Pantheon bid farewell to the Titan-Forged. Alongside the Valar of Tolkien's world, they vanished into the stars, leaving Azeroth in a silence filled with hope.
The Valar instructed the Maiar to remain in Valinor and Middle-earth, guarding the growth of the World Tree Silmalorë, which would become the center of cosmic balance. Silmalorë, who had once been a man, had now transformed into a great tree that held the memory and will of Ilúvatar in its roots and branches.
With that, the Titans had done all they could to heal Azeroth and ensure the maturation of its world-soul. All that remained now was to wait—and hope—that the soul of the world would one day awaken.
Centuries after the Pantheon departed from Azeroth, the world they had shaped began to show signs of abundant and diverse life. Flora and fauna flourished across the continent, and various forms of living creatures began to settle and evolve. Among all the beings that emerged, the most savage and cunning were the proto-dragons—winged, scaled creatures that inhabited the frozen and remote northern reaches of Kalimdor. They were not mere beasts; they were ancient entities that inherited latent power from a world newly ordered.
Different species of proto-dragons possessed a wide range of strengths and abilities. Some were massive winged creatures with extraordinary resilience, their souls tightly bound to the pulse of Azeroth's life-force. Others, unknowingly, had absorbed elemental energy that seeped into the land and air, making them living conduits for the residual elemental forces left behind from the ancient wars. They fought, hunted, and thrived within a brutal and unforgiving natural cycle.
Yet among all the proto-dragons that appeared, one stood above the rest in brutality and destructive power. His name was Galakrond. He was the largest proto-dragon ever to soar across Azeroth's skies—a colossal creature whose body stretched like a mountain and whose wings could summon storms with a single beat. So mighty was Galakrond that forests collapsed beneath his shadow, and mountains trembled when he landed.
But physical strength was not his only weapon. Galakrond possessed a terrifying cunning that made him a master predator. He relied not only on brute force, but also on strategy, observation, and manipulation. Over time, Galakrond dominated the most coveted hunting grounds in northern Kalimdor. Driven by an insatiable hunger, he devoured everything in his path—living creatures, other proto-dragons, even rotting corpses.
His body grew beyond natural limits. Yet nothing could satisfy his hunger. It became so overwhelming and uncontrollable that Galakrond began consuming his own kind, including the dead. This act of cannibalism triggered a horrifying transformation in his body and mind. He began to show signs of necrotic disease. His limbs swelled and deformed, dozens of eyes sprouted across his body, and his jagged skin began to radiate a terrifying energy of death.
This necrotic power seeped into the bodies of Galakrond's victims. Those who had been eaten or exposed to his energy rose from death as mindless abominations. They were no longer proto-dragons, but twisted shadows of their former selves—rotting creatures that knew only destruction and hunger. Galakrond's growing horde of wretched followers multiplied, and soon he and his corrupted minions terrorized the skies of Kalimdor.
The other proto-dragons, long divided by rivalry and internal conflict, failed to unite against this new threat. They were too preoccupied with defending their territories and power, unaware that total annihilation was approaching. Galakrond, now an existential menace, turned his gaze toward the continent of Valinor. Driven by an unending hunger, he flew with his swarm of decaying beasts toward the land of the Valar, hoping to feast on something more divine and spiritually potent.
Tyr, the strongest among the Keepers, was the first of his kind to recognize the danger posed by Galakrond. He observed the signs of destruction from afar and immediately warned his fellow Keepers of what he had seen. But he could not motivate them to act. Though the Keepers had once sworn to protect the world, the long war against the Old Gods and the burdens of maintaining Azeroth's Order had drained their strength and collective resolve. They had grown indifferent to the world at large, focusing only on the upkeep of vaults and mysterious machines they deemed their highest priority.
Yet Tyr was undeterred by his brethren's apathy. His drive to uphold justice and order in the world pushed him forward. He knew that if Galakrond remained unchecked, he would consume all realms, spreading his suffering across Azeroth and even beyond the boundaries of the world. Thus, the Keeper began seeking a way to destroy the colossal proto-dragon and his monstrous followers.
With Galakrond still in Valinor, Tyr had a precious window of time. He decided to seek help from those who still guarded the world's hope. Across the continent, he had learned of young dragons who watched over the World Tree—a sacred creation of Eru Ilúvatar, brimming with promise and primordial power. Tyr believed they would fight with all their strength to face Galakrond—not out of duty, but out of love for the world they protected.
Thus began Tyr's quest—a mission that demanded not only strength and resolve, but the courage to face a threat the world had never known. The goal of this journey was clear and non-negotiable: to destroy the colossal proto-dragon named Galakrond, along with his rotting and repulsive horde, in order to save all creation from unimaginable ruin.
In his determined search, Tyr found hope in five proto-dragons known as the most powerful and intelligent beings to ever exist: Alexstrasza, Neltharion, Malygos, Ysera, and Nozdormu. These five came from different backgrounds and breeds, each displaying unique and distinct powers. Even two of them—Alexstrasza and Ysera, sisters—had vastly different abilities. Alexstrasza, resilient and kind-hearted, could summon blazing fire from her jaws. Neltharion, mighty and unyielding, possessed immense strength, and his piercing roar could shatter bone and stone. Malygos, cunning and strategic, exhaled frost that encased his enemies in solid ice. Nozdormu, wise and composed, attacked with blinding sandstorms. Meanwhile, Ysera's elusive breath could weaken her foes, drain their will, and cast them into a deep, disorienting trance.
Tyr pleaded for their aid in thwarting Galakrond's growing threat to the world's balance. At first, the proto-dragons were wary of the stranger who approached them. But when Tyr revealed that dragons in Valinor and Middle-earth were also defending the world and now fighting desperately against Galakrond, the five became deeply intrigued. Their curiosity turned into burning resolve, and they swore to fight at Tyr's side. Despite their differences in origin and temperament, the five proto-dragons showed a surprising willingness to unite for a greater cause.
Meanwhile, on the continent of Valinor, Galakrond and his festering horde had launched a brutal and relentless assault. They were confronted by the guardian dragons of the region, sworn to protect the sacred lands of the Valar from any threat. A fierce battle raged for months, involving legendary warriors such as Velskud, Geraint, Igneel, Irene, Argenta, and Selene. The skies of Valinor were filled with firestorms, arcane tempests, and the screams of death-born monstrosities. Though the Valinor dragons fought with extraordinary bravery and unwavering spirit, Galakrond remained an unstoppable force—unyielding, ever-growing.
According to Azeroth's original history, the five proto-dragons and Tyr were meant to defeat Galakrond atop the snowy peaks and rocky summits of northern Kalimdor. But fate had shifted. Under Tyr's guidance, Alexstrasza and her companions chose a new path—one never taken before. They left their homeland and journeyed far to the continent of Middle-earth, where ancient powers and old legends still pulsed and lived. There, they hoped to find new allies and a battlefield that could end Galakrond's threat once and for all.
Battle of Erebor and the Fall of Galakrond
Tyr and the five proto-dragons arrived in the region of Erebor, where six dragons from Valinor were locked in a desperate struggle against Galakrond. The land had been ravaged by prolonged conflict—the sky choked with magical smoke and fire, the ground cracked by forces beyond anything the world's guardians had ever imagined. Mountains collapsed, rivers dried up, and the air reeked of death.
Under Tyr's leadership, Alexstrasza, Neltharion, Malygos, Ysera, and Nozdormu joined the battle. They formed a formation never seen before: five proto-dragons from Azeroth and six dragons from Valinor, united with a single purpose—to stop Galakrond and end the necrotic threat that endangered all creation.
But Galakrond was no ordinary foe. His jagged, stone-like hide could withstand attacks from every direction. Geraint and Velskud tried relentlessly to pierce his defenses, but their claws and magic could not breach the outer shell of Galakrond's body, twisted by death energy. Igneel, blazing with courage and ancient fire, attempted to bite Galakrond's arm, but was hurled away by the creature's massive tail, which lashed like a whip from hell. Argenta and Selene struck from the skies with speed and precision, but their attacks were repelled by the death aura that cloaked Galakrond's body and devoured their magic.
Amid the rising chaos, Irene began chanting her ancient spell. The incantation spread across the battlefield, granting increased strength and resilience to all dragons surrounding Galakrond. Their breath burned hotter, their claws grew sharper, and their spirits merged into a single, unbreakable rhythm of war.
From a distance, Alexstrasza and her companions observed carefully. They soon identified Galakrond's weaknesses: the abnormal eyes scattered across his body and the soft throat that served as the main conduit for necrotic energy. With perfect coordination and strategy crafted by Tyr, the five proto-dragons struck those points simultaneously. Alexstrasza incinerated the rotting eyes with fire from her jaws, Malygos froze Galakrond's throat with piercing frost, Ysera trapped his mind in an endless dark dream, Neltharion shattered the ground beneath him to disrupt his balance, and Nozdormu accelerated time to weaken his regeneration and hasten internal decay.
With synchronized power and mutual trust, the eleven dragons from two worlds forced Galakrond to retreat. They drove him toward the northern mountains of Kalimdor, where eternal snow and ancient stone bore witness to the final battle. After months of relentless fighting, Galakrond finally fell. His massive body crashed into the frozen tundra, creating a valley that would later be known as Dragonblight—a sacred land for all dragons, where memory and sacrifice are etched into ice and stone.
That victory was not born of strength alone, but of unity that transcended worlds. The five proto-dragons of Azeroth and the six dragons of Valinor realized that only through cooperation and sacrifice could they defeat a threat as vast as Galakrond. That lesson was carved into their hearts, and Alexstrasza vowed to carry the spirit of unity to the next generation of dragons, so the world would never again be divided in the face of darkness.
After the battle, the dragons of both continents exchanged stories, powers, and legacies. They returned to their homelands with deep respect for one another, carrying the memory of a battle that had reshaped the world's history.
But victory did not come without sacrifice.
Tyr, the Keeper, was not spared from fate. In one brutal strike that shook the battlefield, Galakrond bit the iron band on Tyr's arm, releasing necrotic energy into his body. Though Tyr survived the attack, his arm was destroyed and never truly healed. Years later, he forged a silver hand from pure metal—not merely a replacement, but a symbol of sacrifice and resolve.