Chapter 501: Chapter 501: The Meeting of the Three Dragons (Part 1)
Why turn a blind eye?
"Rescuing Alexstrasza is not that simple. Moreover, I can sense that Neltharion is lurking nearby her. If we force a confrontation with Neltharion, the price we might pay... even I'm unsure if it's worth it. If I were to fall, that would mark the collapse of the Emerald Dream," Ysera explained, her voice filled with sorrow.
Duke was about to respond, but suddenly found he couldn't speak.
Yes, this was Ysera's domain. She was the absolute ruler here.
"Even in the most distant past, we guardian dragons were only bestowed with the duty of guarding this world..." Ysera sighed.
Duke found he could speak again: "Are you saying that humans, elves, dwarves are not within your scope of protection?"
Ysera didn't directly answer: "Wouldn't it be better to let this world evolve or decay naturally? If Alexstrasza is destined to be rescued, won't fate naturally take its course?"
Her indifference, shared among the three guardian dragons, greatly irked Duke. He stood tall and declared, "I'm sorry to say, but you are wrong. Destiny may have its trajectory, but it is never set in stone. There's no preordained death, no preordained failure. If every being faced with a choice were to dream away like you, that would be a sure path to failure."
Ysera fell silent.
"Or is it Neltharion himself, Deathwing, that you fear?" Duke pressed on.
Ysera retracted her wings, "Do not mention him!"
A cold, curling smile spread across Duke's face as he continued to press, "Why not, answer me, great Ysera? Is it the memories of him that give you nightmares? Or his deeds, spreading plague-like nightmares throughout the Dream?"
Though her eyes remained closed, Duke knew that Ysera must harbor some fear of Deathwing deep within.
"I swear, I will never enter his dreams again. He is likely the only one who is more terrifying in dreams than when awake."
Ysera's words would surely baffle Krasus, the great red dragon, but Duke understood clearly why. After being driven mad by the whispers of the Old God N'Zoth, Neltharion had long been plagued with severe mental fragmentation.
Reasoning with a madman? That was laughable.
Duke cared little for Ysera's psychological shadow over Neltharion. His focus was always singular – whether it was possible to gather the three ancient dragons to wage a desperate battle against Deathwing.
This was no easy task.
First, the theft of their power by the Demon Soul had weakened them. They were far from powerless, but their strength was halved.
Second, Duke could see that after a millennia since the Age of Dragons, these beings were content to guard their own territories.
Malygos, the Aspect of the blue dragonflight, had become deranged after the annihilation of his flight and the death of his consort.
Nozdormu, the bronze dragon Aspect, had become a recluse, focused only on his collection.
Ysera, the green dragon Aspect... she seemed the most approachable.
Duke lifted his head high, "You may fear Neltharion, but you and your kin have never abandoned your watch over humans, elves, dwarves, have you? Even in your fear, you're still seeking ways to destroy Neltharion, aren't you?"
Ysera sighed, "And what of it? Even if I drag Neltharion into the Emerald Dream, I cannot destroy him. Even in my domain, I am not without limits!"
Duke's voice rose, clear and resounding, "What you cannot do, does not mean others can't. In this world, humans may be a young race, but so what? Have we not wrought miracles? Have we not realized countless dreams that seemed absurd? Since you admit you can't, why not take a chance and let me change fate for you?"
Ysera's massive form trembled.
"Ysera, let me tell you, I have found the way to save Alexstrasza. Whether I have your help or not, I will stand with her against Deathwing. The only difference your help will make is whether we can use this opportunity to deal a heavy blow to Deathwing. You may not dare, but that doesn't mean other guardian dragons won't. Help me contact Malygos and Nozdormu; I will convince them."
Duke knew Ysera still lacked the courage, or perhaps, lacked trust in him.
Silently sensing Duke's mind, or perhaps the dream-like essence only she could perceive, Ysera finally acquiesced, "You are not lying... Very well, if you truly wish to do this, I will help you call them..."
Ysera's dragon form shimmered.
Suddenly, Duke realized Ysera had transformed, standing before him was a slender, fair-skinned woman. She was beautiful, yet ethereal like air. She wore a soft, pale green gown, a veil covering the lower half of her face. In some ways, she reminded Duke of a fairylike sister from the graveyard... although they were certainly not the same.
Her eyes remained closed.
Suddenly, Ysera's eyes opened completely. Duke was stunned, those eyes transcended his understanding.
Filled with mesmerizing colors, they seemed to belong to someone he knew, someone he loved, yet they were utterly unfamiliar. For a moment, Duke lost his ability to distinguish color, for he saw every hue in Ysera's eyes: blue, green, red, black, gold... and even a reflection of his own eyes.
With this shocking revelation, Duke found the space on both sides of him violently shaking.
To his left, a frozen expanse, within a giant ice cavern a kilometer high, a gigantic blue dragon stared vacantly, indifferent to everything.
To his right, endless desert sands, in a reddish-brown cave in Tanaris surrounded by golden sands, a sandstorm whirled, the sands gathering to form a recognizable shape... the shape of a dragon.
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