Kael had read about this woodland in ancient texts.
It was said to be a sacred place born alongside the city of Dekonor, where Nefarian, an apprentice of the Dragon God, passed down a path of druidism vastly different from Cenarius's system.
As he stood at the edge of the woodland, somewhat lost in thought while observing the forest, a figure silently emerged from behind an oak tree.
The figure wore the deep green robes characteristic of a druid.
His face surprised Kael—his skin was a delicate ice-blue, yet its texture was even finer and smoother than the captain's, and his facial features appeared more refined.
Only the small fangs at the corners of his mouth, now just faint traces, stubbornly marked him as an Ice Troll.
If not for his skin color and fangs, Kael would have almost mistaken him for an Elf.
This Elven-like Ice Troll druid had a calm gaze and seemed unsurprised by Kael's appearance. "Please follow me."
Before Kael could respond, the other party had already turned and walked along the forest path into the depths of the woods.
Kael hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.
"Excuse me, where are we going?" he couldn't help but ask.
The druid did not turn back, his voice accompanying his footsteps: "The woodland has recently hosted many travelers like you who couldn't find lodging in the city."
"The elders have instructed us to provide a temporary resting place for our kin."
His explanation was simple and direct, clearing Kael's doubts.
Soon, they arrived at an open clearing in the forest.
For safety, the surrounding bushes and low vegetation had been carefully cleared, and several bonfires burned in the center.
The burning wood emitted a fragrant aroma, and the flames were steady and warm.
On the clearing, dozens of tents of various sizes and materials had already been set up, forming a small temporary camp.
Some travelers sat around the fires, conversing in low voices or quietly organizing their belongings, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
"You may rest here until the ritual concludes." The druid pointed to a flat, empty patch of grass.
"Observe the rules of the woodland: maintain quiet, do not harm plants, and draw spring water only from designated locations."
After giving his instructions, he nodded slightly to Kael and turned to melt back into the shadows of the forest.
Thus, for several days before the Ascension Ritual began, Kael temporarily settled in this druid secret forest.
He occasionally visited the city of Dekonor, marveling at its prosperity and wonders.
But more often, he spent his time in the woodland, observing and learning about this druid group known as the "Dragon Society."
Through conversations with some more talkative druid apprentices or local residents, he gradually learned about the development history of this society.
How they grew from a few initial apprentices, step by step, attracting members of various races, forming their own unique doctrines and cultivation systems;
And how they interacted with the Night Elf druids who adhered to Cenarius's path—
From initial cautious contact and clashes of ideas, to eventual mutual respect, and even cooperation in certain areas.
Because the Dragon Society was born under the faith of the Dragon God, and its early members were mostly pioneers, their main efforts focused on two major areas:
One was "Dragon Transformation," which sought to understand and approach the Dragon form, and the other was "Agricultural Druidism," which directly served survival and development.
However, as the Drakkari Kingdom grew increasingly prosperous and stable, fewer and fewer young druids chose to study the arduous path of agriculture, and this legacy currently seemed to be experiencing a generational gap;
The research into Dragon Transformation also progressed with difficulty; it was said that even the most accomplished individuals could only achieve partial draconic scaling of their skin, still a long way from true complete transformation.
When the druids spoke of these difficulties, their tone always carried a hint of subtle helplessness.
Kael was deeply drawn to these stories.
He took out his lute and tried to compose a few simple melodies with lyrics from the druid deeds he had heard.
During a casual chat by a bonfire one evening, he softly played and sang one of them.
The simple lyrics and melody, expressing respect for the pioneers' wisdom, unexpectedly won the druids' favor.
In return, he received some sweet berries—quite delicious, though Kael would have preferred money.
The brief and fulfilling days in the forest gradually calmed Kael's restless heart.
Then, that day finally arrived.
In the early morning, before the first rays of sunlight had fully pierced the canopy of Dracofyrrassil, an irrepressible excitement quietly permeated the city.
People rose early, organized their belongings, and their gaze invariably turned towards the temple in the city center.
The Ascension Ritual was today.
Kael followed the surging crowd and once again arrived at the temple square.
Using his acolyte's badge, he managed to squeeze into the viewing area designated for clergy, finding a spot that wasn't the best, but still offered a clear view of the center of the square.
The crowd surged, tens of thousands of eyes focused on the statue veiled by a curtain and the altar in front of it.
During the agonizing wait for the ritual to begin, Kael curiously looked towards the other side of the square, where a temporary platform was isolated by a magical barrier.
A group of dragons had gathered there!
Although, according to the residents of Dekonor, they would occasionally see dragons flying overhead.
But this was Kael's first time seeing actual dragons.
They looked quite young, their bodies only tens of meters long, but there were many of them, almost filling the entire platform.
Most of these dragons lay quietly, their draconic eyes sparkling with various hues, some showing curiosity, others maintaining solemnity.
Kael noticed two distinctly older Black Dragons sitting in the center of the group.
Their aura was clearly different; the other dragons subtly deferred to them.
"It's Prince Nefarian—" Kael recognized the male Black Dragon. "He is my Lord's apprentice!"
Just as he was still wondering if the female Black Dragon beside Nefarian was his mate, the Ascension Ritual began.
Long and solemn ritual segments proceeded one by one: chanting, prayers, sacrifices.
Kael tried to concentrate, but his thoughts always drifted uncontrollably towards the area where the dragons were, and the veiled statue.
Finally, the ritual entered its most crucial stage.
The chanting in the square reached its peak, then abruptly ceased, plunging into a silence where a pin drop could be heard.
A Dragonkin, emerged from the temple and came to the front of the altar.
He was tall, dressed in black robes embroidered with gold thread, and walked with great composure.
All the Dragonkin present began to shout his name—"Prestor!"
"Prestor!"
Kael naturally joined their ranks.
The Dragonkin on the altar slowly raised his head, standing in the radiant glow of the World Tree.
Neltharion, the former Earth Guardian, now "Prestor," quietly felt the pulse of the earth beneath his feet.
The feeling was both familiar and so strange.
A smile played on his lips, revealing the demeanor of a powerful ruler with everything under control.
Kael looked up.
However, when he clearly saw that face, he froze instantly, and the blood in his veins seemed to turn to ice.
Molten gold vertical pupils, an aura like the earth, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth—
It was the Dragonkin from the ship!
The mysterious gentleman who had paid his fare and granted him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
He—he was Emperor "Prestor"?!
The First generation Dragonkin Emperor whom he vowed to emulate and deeply admired?!
Immense shock and joy swept over Kael, leaving him almost unable to think, only able to stare with ruby-like eyes, fixated on the figure on the altar.
Just then, Neltharion slowly raised his arms.
Without words, his actions were the best guide.
The fervent torrent of faith permeating the square immediately found its destination, surging madly into his body like a thousand rivers flowing into the sea.
There were no earth-shattering phenomena, just a golden-red divine flame quietly igniting in his vertical pupils.
Thousands of years of accumulation made all this seem natural.
At this moment, this journey deep into the mortal realm finally reached its end.
Scene after scene flashed rapidly through Neltharion's mind—
Newborn innocence, memory recovery, building a home, reclaiming the Obsidian Sanctum, retracing Azeroth, making amends for the past, re-understanding the kin he once protected and then betrayed—
If there was any regret, it was that he had never been able to truly reconnect with his four siblings.
The memories ended. The Black Dragon Neltharion was to return.
A dazzling golden-red divine light suddenly burst forth from Neltharion's body, forming a cocoon of light that completely enveloped him.
The Dragonkin body that had carried him through thousands of years of mortal journey slowly disintegrated within the light cocoon, then was reshaped under the baptism of divine fire.
The radiance gradually receded, and what emerged was no longer a humanoid figure.
Scales as black as night reflected a cold luster;
A massive torso held unshakeable power;
Spiny bone-like protrusions encircled his spine;
Dragon wings slowly unfurled behind him, heavy and solemn...
Deathwing's madness and distortion had vanished.
Standing in the radiance was a true Black Dragon—primal and complete.
No longer did corruption and magma flow between his scales, but a restrained and profound divine brilliance.
The aura he exuded was majestic, steady, carrying the wisdom and weariness of having endured countless tribulations.
Neltharion flew into the sky, gazing down at the multitude on the square.
"The age of madness has passed."
A deep dragon roar echoed over the square, and everyone held their breath, listening intently to Neltharion's declaration and confession.
"I have been known by many names—Neltharion, the Earth Guardian—and also Deathwing, the Destroyer."
"And the Prestor you are more familiar with, the Black Dragon Emperor."
"Each name carries a history, a burden, or a—madness."
"Through long ages, I protected, I created, and then—I betrayed, I destroyed."
"I once regarded all beings as mere playthings, attempting to reshape the world with flames."
"But the flames of madness will eventually burn out, revealing the seared truth beneath."
"The earth has never forgotten its Guardian, just as the Guardian—ultimately cannot completely abandon his earth."
"This is a heavy responsibility, but with the help of the Main God, I shall press forward fearlessly."
"The mortal journey has washed away the dust of corruption, and the accumulation of ages has reforged a lost soul."
"As the shadows of old are stripped away, and the madness of the past is ended, I shall be reborn."
"Now, I am no longer any of the phantoms of the past."
"I am the Guardian of the Earth, and the Protector of the Dragonkin."
"I, Neltharion, ascend to godhood today."
"By the name of Obsidian, the Dragon of Radiance, I shall, with a new order, protect all that I once sought to destroy."
Having spoken, Neltharion looked towards the sky, preparing to ascend to the Divine Kingdom Serrakon.
Just then, four figures, braving his newfound Dragon God's might, emerged from the crowd.
Neltharion sensed the anomaly and looked down to see the four familiar figures.
Under his astonished gaze, their forms suddenly began to swell and change!
Magical radiance shone, life force burst forth, temporal sands swirled, and dream mists lingered.
The next moment, four Dragon Aspectss, whose sizes were in no way inferior to Neltharion's, revealed their majestic true forms.
They flew into the sky, and together with Neltharion, hovered among the branches of the World Tree.
Neltharion gazed at these four suddenly appearing old friends, his voice tinged with clear hesitation, and asked, "How is this possible? How can you be here?"
Malygos, the Blue Dragon, let out a low growl, his draconic head tilting slightly, his gaze seemingly inadvertently sweeping over the platform below, in Nefarian's direction.
The implication was self-evident.
At this moment, the Black Dragon Prince seemed to be resting and recuperating.
A golden mark had appeared distinctly between his brow bones, clearly a benefit gained from his bloodline due to his father's ascension to godhood.
This subtle gesture was, of course, for Neltharion to see; the Black Dragon King gritted his teeth and glared at his beloved son.
Before he could make another move, Alexstrasza, the Red Dragon Queen, spoke first:
"A long and painful journey has ended, Neltharion."
"Life always finds a way, and salvation is always open to the lost."
She looked at Neltharion with sympathy, her voice gentle and embracing, like a spring breeze caressing the earth.
Ysera's clear voice then rang out:
"The nightmares of the past have vanished."
"What I see is the present you, and a vision of a better future that we might weave together."
"You have done enough; what you need now is to forgive yourself."
She seemed to see through the last remaining shackles in his soul.
Nozdormu's voice was steady, almost detached, his draconic eyes reflecting the flowing light of countless timelines: "Past, present, future."
"Your return is a destined part of the sacred timeline."
"No need for surprise, only acceptance."
Neltharion and Nozdormu looked at each other, somewhat surprised by the Bronze Dragon King's attitude, which was different from the "sacred timeline" Obsidian had told him about.
Finally, all eyes fell on Malygos.
Arcane energy pulsed around him, indicating his inner turmoil.
He had been the most deeply hurt; countless of his people had perished due to Neltharion's betrayal.
But now, the Blue Dragonflight was slowly rebuilding, and even his beloved Sindragosa had been brought back to his side by the Dragon God. The bone-deep hatred had been replaced by an extremely complex emotion.
It was intertwined with pain, nostalgia, vigilance, and a faint glimmer of hope.
He remained silent, his gaze meeting Neltharion's in the air, a gaze that held tens of thousands of years of love, hate, and enmity, beyond words to describe.
Between them, an invisible wall stood, wanting to draw closer, yet hindered by the shadows of the past.
This brief and heavy silent reunion lasted for a moment.
Neltharion's gaze swept over the four former comrades one by one. The Black Dragon's head slowly lowered, seemingly a silent apology, containing too many inexpressible emotions.
Then, he no longer lingered.
The call of the Divine Kingdom was clear and strong.
The Black Dragon's wings suddenly spread, stirring the wind and clouds.
Neltharion let out a long, earth-shattering dragon roar, announcing the return and rebirth of the Earth Guardian.
Immediately, as if fleeing, his body transformed into a dazzling stream of light.
The Black Dragon King soared into the sky, tearing through the clouds, and flew directly towards the golden-red portal of light high above, finally disappearing into it.
Leaving behind countless awestruck mortals in the square, four Dragon Aspectss with varied expressions in the air, and the young Red Dragonkin in the crowd who was still in extreme shock, unable to recover for a long time.
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